this month’s birchbox included products for the jet setter. from long wearing foundation to products that have dual purposes (stainiac-stain for lips/cheeks). when i first opened my box, there was a strong perfume smell and i thought it was the by terry products (which i heard have a strong rose scent) but my perfume sample had actually leaked all over the box. no biggie since i rarely wear perfume anyways. so here is what i got:

by terry light expert perfecting foundationwhat they say: by terry’s anti-aging formula is made with hyaluronic acid microspheres that create a layer of moisture on the skin. it comes in a wide range of shades, from honey light, a beige that works on most pale skin tones, to toffee light, a warm caramel designed to illuminate medium complexions. what i say: i was REALLY excited to try this. i’ve heard good things about by terry products. when i opened the sample, i was a little scared of the cantaloupe color of the foundation (i now know that it comes in several shades) but surprisingly it blended well on my skin. i personally like a more full coverage foundation so for the price, i will stick to my dr jarts+ beauty balm.

by terry creme de rose nutri lift comfort creamwhat they say: rose essential wax, the key active ingredient, revitalizes parched skin while visibly softening the signs of aging. moisturizing shea butter gives skin buoyancy and lift, resulting in a firmer, glowier visage. vitamin e combines with UV filters to seal in moisture and protect against future damage. what i say: i haven’t tried this yet. i have so many lotions and potions that i am using right now that i am saving this one for when i finish my vichy products. i’ll let you know when i try it out.

eyeko london fat eye stickwhat they say: we can’t help but think of our beloved Crayolas when we use these creamy eye sticks. and, truth be told, the oversized liners are so easy to use, even a kindergartner could master them. these limited edition shades are only available in the US via birchbox. Each one pairs dense, vibrant pigments with a retractable twist-up applicator. you can glide them on as a thick liner, or smudge them to create a shadow (they go on opaque but blend easily for a sheer look). what i say: i like how easily this liner glides on but i wish i would have gotten the black color. instead i received the petrol blue color. this was a full sized product too! wah.

joya ames soeurs parfumwhat they say: the olfactory equivalent of a page-turner, this fragrance has notes of frankincense, myrrh, orange blossom, and jasmine. the rich, smoky finish gives the scent a sensual aura. what i say: once again, i am not a fan of perfume unless it is really feminine and light. this  (well, what was left of it) was a bit strong for my liking.

theBalm cosmetics stainiacwhat they say: the tinted gel leaves a lasting stain on lips and cheeks. since it’s water-based, it has a longer setting time than most quick-dry stains, which means it won’t leave any unsightly streaks behind as long as you take care to blend well. use a single coat for a subtle look or layer it on for a more visible (yet still discreet) hue. what i say: this was my favorite sample in the box. i have very pale lips…like they are the exact same color of my skin…so i could not stop putting this on. it has a weird gel like texture but dries immediately leaving your lips slightly stained like you just drank kool-aid or something. it isn’t very moisturizing (you can add gloss over it for shine) but i still really like it. in fact, i think i am going to order the full size product!

THE EXTRA: tili bagswhat they say: made of durable plastic, each quart-size zip and seal bag can hold a variety of belongings—from paper clips and sandwiches to makeup and toothpaste. especially great for those on the go, they make life easier by keeping things organized. what i say: these are pretty much just decorative zip lock bags but they are super cute. i think they would make for a great hostess gift!

birchbox is a monthly subscription service that mails you a fun curated box of beauty & lifestyle samples (and sometimes full-sized products too) for just $10/mo. the last i heard, there is still  a short wait to subscribe but you can join here.

6 Comments ( Reply )

  1. Gabrielle
    Jun 14, 2012 @ 10:24 pm

    Oh man. So jealous – wish I could get one of these in the mail ever month.

    I LOVE that FAT eye “crayon” haha. I’m always going back and forth over and over with my tiny one when I want to create a dramatic eye – but this would take away all of that.

    It’ so cool of you to write up all of these descriptions, really makes me want to buy a few of these products even more than just seeing a photo does. theBalm sounds really perfect – I’ve been wanting to try some color on my lips lately – and if it really stays, it would be worth the purchase.

    Love your blog header!

    -Gabrielle

  2. rokt
    Jun 15, 2012 @ 6:25 am

    This is my first month of Birchbox and the Eyeko made it worth it right from the start. I got the black one (it’s more like a dark gray) and it’s like instant eyeliner + smoky eye. I’ve used a small brush to smudge out the edges and with an eye primer, it’s lasted all day. Not sure how the blue would look but I’d definately suggest the black.

  3. My Dressy Ways
    Jun 15, 2012 @ 7:05 am

    A couple months ago, one of the perfumes broke in my box too and it REEKED! I was wondering why the box smelled so strong when I got it then discovered the tube had cracked all over. I wish Birchbox would stop with the perfume samples already. 🙂

  4. Chris
    Jun 15, 2012 @ 10:32 am

    I have to check with my lovely bride to see if hers showed up yet. I know she was a bit underwhelmed by the first box, although she has worn the gold nail polish on her toes since Mother’s Day.

    One favor, if I could ask it… can you find a slightly darker shade of pink to use with your links and so forth? The one you have is kinda hard to read with the stark white background.

  5. StyleOnTheCouch
    Jun 17, 2012 @ 4:14 pm

    I’m interested in your review of the lip stain. I don’t tend to wear much lipstick and these stains are appealing but they look so bright in the packaging! When you first applied it, did you feel it was super bright Jenn? (Can you tweet me?)

    http://www.styleonthecouch.com

  6. lisacng
    Jun 22, 2012 @ 7:45 am

    My fav is the bag!