Birchbox: October 2014, Fanfare {And a Bit of a Rant}

*Affiliate Link Included

Oh Birchbox, I don't know if I was just in a bad mood or what but you were so unsatisfying this month!  I think I was feeling all crabby pants because I knew that two of the three samples subscribers could pick from were lip products and I got neither.  And what I got, leaves me to think, you think I'm in serious need of some cleansing.  Really?! THREE cleansers in one month?

{Infographic from a Birchbox Email}

So as to the sample choices, see what I mean?   There was the ModelCo Party Poof Lipstick or what I really, really, really wanted to try...the Mally Beauty High-Shine Liquid Lipstick in Petal to the Metal or Mally Melon.  Mally Beauty is on my list of brands to try.

Or there was also an awesome looking guest editor box with the following:

• TOCCA Crema da Mano in Bianca: Soothing green tea and lemon hand cream
• Beauty Protector Protect & Detangle: Leave-in conditioner and heat-protectant spray
• ModelCo POWERLASH Black Mascara: Long-wearing, lengthening, and volumizing mascara
• Sage + Fasten Eau de Parfum in Onward: Energizing citrus scent (in a handy rollerball)
• Vasanti BrightenUp! Enzymatic Face Rejuvenator: Exfoliating scrub for smooth, glowing skin

What you get wouldn't be a surprise but I know I like TOCCA & Beauty Protector a lot.  I've also already sampledthe Vasanti product and it would've been totally fine to get more of that.

Ever since I saw the preview, I started stalking my inbox because I know the samples choices can get picked over fast.  Birchbox Aces and this month, those willing to fork over their friends email addresses got first pick.  But I'm already paying for this service.  I don't think I should have to compete and jump through hoops to get the same quality experience as others.  I don't care for this new process, even if I don't know what's coming I'd rather feel like all subscribers are on an even playing field.

I've never been in time to sign up for the one of the special boxes and had to settle for my second choice in the samples but I was determined to get on top of this.  I got the email and clicked over within 40 minutes of it hitting my inbox.

Guess what I ended up with...yep, the Lord & Berry Pailettes Glitter Eye Pencil in Black,   Me and a lot of other subscribers ended up with that one because it was all that was left.  It was definitely like getting picked last for group sports in P.E.  Well once there was no selection, in a fit of childishness I declined to pick one at all.   Then and there the October box was ruined for me.

And there is so much wrong about getting that eyeliner.  For one thing it's itty, bitty, teeny, tiny.  The description says it's a smudgeable liner with serious shimmer.  What it is, is hard to apply.  The glitter felt abrasive against my eyelid and no, just no.  Plus, come on!  This is the size of eyeliners when I throw them away.  Lord & Berry isn't winning over any fans by sending such skimpy samples. It's seriously the lengthy of my pinky, and I have small hands.

In the middle is a suki exfoliate foaming cleanser and this smells so lemony and delicious.  But even though I kinda love this, it also makes me a little mad.  You see, I got one of these in a Mystery Sample Pack before and it was so hard and dried up that there wasn't much I could do but throw it away.  Thankfully, this sample, which is slightly smaller than the previous one, has the correct texture and level of moistness.  Which only confirms to me that that time before Birchbox sent me an old and past its prime sample and that annoys me.

Okay, rant over...kind of...

This was what I was talking about when I mentioned that I got three cleansers this month.  Technically two were samples, the Oribe Signature duo are a bonus and at least they did send two of the dreaded foil packs.  That was generous, I guess.

Birchbox has got things covered from my hair (Oribe) to my face (Suki) to my body (Essential Elements).  I don't know why, but between getting the world's tiniest eye liner and knowing everyone else got lip products and then getting three not fun products really made this a bummer of a month.  My apologies if you get excited about soap, in that case then, I'm sorry for calling them not fun,  Don't take it personally, I did mention I was a little crabby pants about this whole box.

Back to the bonafide samples.  This is the Essential Elements Wake Up Rosemary Shower Gel.  It certainly does wake me up, as in stinky and sort of medicinal smelling...very strong smelling.  Now I know I might have mentioned I like peppermint scents a lot, second only to citrus but whew, this might be a bit over the top even for me.

Okay, so I was interested in this Paula's Choice Skin Balancing Antioxidant Concentrate Serum, as I have purchased this brand before and like their products.  This is a mattifying pre-makeup base for oil-prone skin, but also shrinks pores, evens texture, and diminishes the appearance of fine lines.

I'm wondering if it does them same kind of thing as dr. brandt pores no more® pore refiner primer because I like that and this is a little less expensive.  Unfortunately, the sample is is fairly small, that tube is filled mainly with air.  I hope there's enough for me to do a comparison.

I am also into trying the Dr. Jart+ Black Label Detox BB Beauty Balm.  This is a tinted BB cream that's a  five-in-one primer, serum, moisturizer, SPF, and sheer tint.  I like light coverage for daily wear and I like Korean beauty brands, probably no surprise, so I anticipate liking this a lot.

Thanks for sticking through the whole ranting that was this month's Birchbox review!  I have now been a subscriber for a full year and this only the second time I've been disappointed enough to consider unsubscribing.  I'll tell you why I'm not this time.

Once again, it's the rewards system saving Birchbox.  I got five samples and a bonus that is really two since those foil packs have both a shampoo and conditioner.  That means I get to review seven items for October and earn seven dollars to spend in the Birchbox store, making this a $3 box. I would've preferred to receive fewer items and get one I was really interested in, but even though I am unhappy it's enough to make me stay...at least through next month!

If you'd like to live through the roller coaster of excitement that comes from unboxing a Birchbox each month, please consider using my referral link.  I know I was bit dramatic this month, fellow subbies, what did you get this month?  Will we commiserate over eyeliners together or will I have to come to see your goodies and be jealous?