Birchbox: January 2014 Review

I recently subscribed for Birchbox, and I just got my very first box.  Birchbox is a monthly subscription service that sends you deluxe samples of beauty products every month.  They also have a shop on their website where you can buy full-sized versions of the products in the boxes.  There are many variations of boxes each month, and your box is tailored to your preferences using a profile that you fill out on the site.  There are a lot of different brands offered, many of which I had never tried before.  The subscription is only $10/month, and you get points for reviewing the products you receive.  These points can be redeemed for purchases on the site.  

The boxes ship around the middle of each month, but you can look at your account on the site and check out the products that you will be receiving.  I like surprises, but I couldn't resist looking :-)

This is a screenshot of my January products on the site:

However, the box I received contained the items shown in the picture at the top of this post.  Hmm.

Honestly, I wasn't too disappointed in the items that I did receive, but I had been looking forward to trying out the products shown on the site.  So I am emailing customer service to see if they can send me the correct box.  Meanwhile, let's talk about the box that I did get:

The first items were Fekkai Brilliant Glossing shampoo and conditioner.  I have used the Fekkai line before, but I have never tried these particular products.  I am fortunate enough to have relatively shiny hair already, so I don't usually look for "glossing" products.  However, I will certainly use these to see if they make any difference.  

The next product was Nail Rock nail polish and glitter in the color blue.  

I like this shade of blue, and I had actually been looking for something similar to this.  I haven't tried nail glitter before, so I was curious to test it out.  When I opened the little jar of glitter, it went everywhere!  All over the table and my fingers--and all I did was remove the lid of the jar!  I will have to be more careful when I use it.  I am wondering, though, if this will look any different than a glitter nail polish.  But it's definitely worth a try.

Glitter on the table

The next item was INIKA Mineral Eyeshadow in Eternal Marine.  This eyeshadow is a pretty silvery blue, which is a color that I don't think I already have.  I will definitely be using this!

Finally, I received one Reviver Dry Deodorant Wipe.  Apparently, it is supposed to remove odors from clothing.  I haven't tried this yet, but it sounds like a useful product.  This would definitely come in handy after traveling, so if it works, I might end up buying a pack from the website.  

I liked this box, even if it wasn't the one I was expecting.  I am still hoping that customer service will send me the correct box, though!  

I think that Birchbox is a great deal.  As I mentioned before, it's only $10/month, and you get the opportunity to try out different brands and products that you might not know about.  This was only my first box, but I like the variety and quality of the items I have received so far.  

If you are interested in learning more or subscribing to Birchbox, click here.  They have boxes for both women and men, and there is a gift option as well.

Did you get a Birchbox this month?  What was in your box and what did you think of it?