Birchbox for CEW Prestige Headliners Limited Edition Box

This is the second limited edition box that Birchbox recently released that features finalist brands from this year's Cosmetic Executive Women (CEW) Insiders' Choice Beauty Awards.  I picked both the Mass Appeal box, reviewed last Friday, and this Prestige Headliners box using my Birchbox points, saving an additional $5 for buying both and 20% with a coupon code.  See the entire order, here.

I was excited for this box because it features higher end brands that I might not usually splurge on.   Here is what came in the box, which sells for $18.  Right away I see $12 back in the bottle of nail polish.  The Fekkai creme is half the size of a full bottle, so you're getting another $10 worth of product right there too.

For me, these two combined made this box worth trying out.  Because even if using up Birchbox points mean nothing additional out of pocket, it's still my money that earned the reward points in the first place, by buying my monthly box and anything else from the store, so I want to get the most bang for my buck!

Lip and nail products are my two most favorite types of cosmetics and I was looking forward to trying out the polish from 100% Pure.  I sampled one of their fruit pigmented mascaras in a previous Birchbox and really liked it so I had high hopes for this product!

I got the nail polish in the shade Soul Mate and it just beautiful!  It is a great neutral pink color, subdued and perfect for year round wear.  It applied so smoothly and the brush fanned out nicely so I could get good coverage with little effort.  I am so glad Birchbox is now carrying this in so many colors.  It's my favorite product from this box.

I've already gotten this sample of COOLA Environmental Repair Plus® Radical Recovery™ After-Sun Lotion.  To be honest, I am pretty vigilant about applying sunscreen so I haven't had an occasion to use either the first or this second sample, but I saw on the description that it's also good for when you have dry skin.  I may have to try it out for that purpose instead.  It's been a cooler summer so we haven't been out by the pool or anything like that as much.  I have other COOLA products, love their Liplux especially, so I'm sure it's a really nice product and does what it says.

The Fekkai Brilliant Glossing Crème included is half the size of a full product so it's definitely a deluxe size!  You only need a pea size to help control frizz so this will last me a long time.  I just wish I'd gotten it back in spring instead of at the end of the most frizzy part of the year.  I really like how this has been working, I think it would totally be worth getting the full size, which would probably last me an entire year.

I've heard lots and lots about Josie Maran products, there is a ton of buzz about her products and I can't remember any that's been negative.  With all the raves I've been seeing, I'm glad that Birchbox sent this 100% Pure Argan Oil Light.  It doesn't look like they're carrying any of her other products yet, which is a same because I'm much more interested in the Coconut Watercolor Cheek Gelee.

I've yet to try pure argan oil so I'm glad to try this out, as it's too expensive for me to purchase without a good trial beforehand.  I've been liking it a lot as a moisturizer at night, although it does feel weird to putting oil on my face versus moisturizer!  I'm not sure if this would be heavy duty enough for winter use but for now, it's working well.

The last sample is one I'm familiar with, having gotten samples from Philosophy when purchasing from them directly at Macy's.  I love their Miracle Worker Overnight, I've just never purchased because of it's price, but like all the Philosophy products I've used it works really well.  Hope in a Jar is still my favorite from them, it does wonders during especially dry winters!

Along with the five samples, a pocket mirror and toe separators were also included.  They are nice extras.   I know I'll use everything, and I really love that nail polish, but even though I see the value in the box I am still more excited about the Mass Appeal box.    But I would definitely get both boxes again.  What do you think of the Prestige Headliners box?  Did you get either of the Limited Edition boxes?