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Can't Stop, Won't Stop ~August 2016 Birchbox~

Is this my last month? Just wait and see for that update. I'm not going to lie I was highly disappointed in this month. July kept me around (along with samples choice for August), but this month was a disaster. I think my add-on for the month really made up for the box's lackluster performance. Out of my 3 beauty boxes Birchbox came in dead last for the month, let's find out why shall we?

Manna Kadar Cosmetics The Day Dream Palette (Full-size $25): When spoilers came out I already knew I would hate this. "Palettes" from BB usually means 1 shadow that may or may not be in said palette or a piece of cardboard that mimics the palette with pigment on them. This particular sample came as a full-size eyeshadow that was completely smashed. I'm currently waiting for a replacement. I don't have hopes that will get here intake either. At this point I don't really want it or care. I think it's also worth noting that almost everyone's sample of this product came just as damaged as mine. Final Grade: Do you need to ask?

Benefit Cosmetics Goof Proof Brow Pencil- in 02 Light (Full-size $24): This sample is such a waste of my time. You can't even twist it out, the product showing is the only product in the sample, about 1 centimeter.  I think the slant is supposed to mimic your brow hairs or something like that. It's just not enough for me to judge. It's also not incredibly dark, like I need to apply a lot of pressure to get color and I'm not a dark brow lover. It's just too much work for a pencil. Final Grade: F

Hey Honey Trick or Treat Cream Concealer (Full-size $32): I've used this a couple of times and it's not bad. The color is fairly neutral and looks a bit dark, but it adjusts to your skin tone well. I have a feeling this is being phased out because it's on the Hey Honey website in their sale section. I'm curious to see any of the long-term anti-aging benefits and treatment claims. I don't think my sample will last that long because this came with a hole in the cap and leaky product. Final Grade: B

Bumble & Bumble Hairdresser's Invisible Oil Primer (Full-size $11-$28): I already own and use this, so I was happy to get an extra. This makes your hair so soft and it smells delicious! If I wasn't so cheap and didn't already love another hair primer that's my holy grail, I would be buying this stuff left and right. If you're interested in trying check Sephora, because they'll always include this in a hair kit. Final Grade: A

Oribe Apres Beach Wave & Shine Spray (Full-size $22-$39): I've only used this once and it performed well. I definitely have to give it another few goes. This was the reason I stuck around for this month, so I hope that it blows my mind. At this moment I'm not holding my breath. Final Grade: TBD

Mask Magic Kit: I forgot to take a picture and have already put the products away, so the stock photo will have to do. This was one of the main reasons for keeping the month because I just wanted new masks! I've tried almost all of them, but I've been consistently using the Skinfood Black Sugar Mask Wash Off. I LOVE this stuff! You put it on, it kinda tingles and feels cool; then 15 minutes later you scrub/rinse it off and you've got flawless skin. Or flawless adjacent (depending on your skin before). I think it's totally worth me checking out a full size since I used a scrub mask every Friday. I've owned and used the Peter Thomas Roth Cucumber Gel Mask, Real Chemistry Luminous 3-Minute Peel, and Hey Honey Take It Off Exfoliating Peel Mask before and all 3 are great. I especially love the Hey Honey mask. 

The mask I was most excited for was the Liz Earle Brightening Treatment Mask that you leave on for 2 minutes and take off with the hot cloth, it works wonders. I read reviews saying that if you leave it on for more than 2 minutes it burns, well I left it on for over 5 and nothing. Just a little redness, but nothing excessive. That only leaves The Organic Pharmacy's Purifying Seaweed Clay Mask and Dr. Jart+ Dermask Firming Solution Body Heat Thermosensitive Cellulose Gel Mask. That has way too many words. I haven't used either of those yet, but I plan on dipping my toe into that Organic Pharmacy mask soon. My only problem is that it's a clay mask, and I have old plumbing in my house and clay cleansers/mask aren't the best. While I do love them, they're just a little rough on the pipes. For $20 it's a fantastically valued kit and I'm definitely going to miss those from BB.

I've officially hit cancel and have ended my relationship with Birchbox. I know what you're thinking, "you say that all the time!", this time we're official. This month was just so poorly done with the damaged samples and their inability to care. I'm just over them. I've been enjoying Allure and Sephora Play, so I'll keep them and then determine which one to cut loose. So long Birchbox, it's been real.

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