The first thing I noticed was a nice size sample of Nick Chavez Beverly Hills Color-Saver Sulfate-Free Shampoo. I'm not sure if this brand tests on animals or not, but I was pleasantly surprised by the generous sample size (2 fl oz / 59mL). It's also something I would use on my incredibly bleached hair (assuming it's not tested on animals)! It smells nice too - it has a hint of citrus, probably because it contains lemon peel extract. So on that sample, good job BirchBox! :)
Next, to go with the shampoo, there is the coordinating conditioner. It is the Color-Saver Paraben-Free Conditioner. Apparently this is one of their Lifestyle Extras. The sample size is a bit disappointing, but at least it's a slight step up from a foil packet and it is one of their extras! It's one of those paper-like packets that has a top that tears off which makes it easier to get the product out than those stinking foil packets, but it's still similar to samples that you might get free from Sephora or Ulta. But again, it's a product I might actually use - assuming it's cruelty-free. It contains .33 fl oz / 10mL of product. I'd actually rather have a large sample of conditioner and a smaller one for the conditioner, but I think this would allow at least one to maybe three washes using both products. Not bad, but there's some room for improvement.
Next up is a little packet from MAKE. I have never heard of this brand, so I know nothing at all about it. Inside the little baggie is a really tiny Face Primer Broad Spectrum SPF 30 and a teeny tiny Eyeshadow in "Alabaster." The shadow is a nice shade, but looks like it would disappear on my skin tone. Plus, both samples are so small that I'm not sure you can really give then an actual test. But they're not in foil packets, so that's a definite plus too! The Face Primer contains 0.18oz / 5.1g, while the Eyeshadow contains 0.03oz / 0.85g.
Now on to the cardboard pouch that always has perfume in it. Well, not this month! It has three foil packets - grrrr!!! - of Body Lotion from Caldrea. Another company I am not familiar with. Though I hate that they are in foil packets, I kind of like that they sent three different scents from the line. There is Coconut Fig Leaf, Aloe Water Apricot and Tea Olive Lime. Each packet contains 0.25 fl oz / 7.39mL. All of them sound delicious, though I haven't opened up the packets to see if they smell as good as they sound. Though I'd like to have a larger sample of the lotion that's not in a foil packet, I do like the idea of trying a few scents from the brand, so I'm rather torn on which I would have preferred. For instance, if they just sent one large sample of a scent I didn't like, I probably wouldn't use it. Since I can try three different scents, I may be more inclined to actually find something I like and would use. I guess I'd have to say that I'm interested to smell all of them because they sound delicious and would rather get to smell each of them than have a bigger sample. Did I really just say that? :)
Finally, as another Lifestyle Extra, there is a really pretty floral emery board courtesy of Madewell. The print is actually taken from their Spring collection (Madewell is a clothing brand, if you hadn't heard of it before). Who can't use an extra nail file? :) So that's a nice extra, and much better than coasters or a notecard with BirchBox written on it.
I guess I have to say, Well Done BirchBox! This month wasn't a complete dud! Wow. I've set a low bar now, haven't I? :) But seriously, I like the products this month. I need to check on the animal testing policies, but assuming that's all good, this was a pretty good month for BirchBox. If I saw this as an example, I'm not sure it would make me sign up, but it's a decent set of samples and I'm not complaining. If you are interested in signing up for BirchBox, click here for more information.
Hope you enjoyed this and we'll see what next month has in store!!!
