bloomzy /

Review: Birchbox February Box

February’s ‘London Fashion Week’ Birchbox*

Yesterday I received February’s Birchbox through the post.
I’ve found that with some beauty box brands the anticipation is better than the outcome.
However that was certainly not the case with this month’s London Fashion Week themed Birchbox.
As soon as I opened it I was genuinely happy, and quite excited about the products featured. 
What did I receive in my Birchbox?

Korres – Guava Shower Gel
I love Korres – they are a great natural brand with amazing scented products.
I know I will get good use out of the shower gel when I go away on holiday in March.
Nick Chavez Plump N’Thick Thickening Mist
A leave-in product to use on towel-dried hair.
I am always after thicker hair, so I’m very excited about trying this one out.
Vichy Thermal Spa Water
A limited edition item – ohhhh.
You guys know I’m a little obsessed with eau thermal sprays.
I have one by Evian, one by Caudalie and two by Avene – so this is the latest edition.
I’m glad to see a brand I don’t know doing a product I love, and in travel size, which I don’t have!
I’ll be popping this in my handbag and trying it out asap.
Birchbox Eyelash Curler
It was about time I got a new eyelash curler.
I invested in a heated curler a while ago, but not a new ‘regular’ curler.
I know I’ll use this everyday, so it definitely seems like a nice little extra.

Gerda Spillmann – Bio Fond Cream Foundation
The only item in the box that I know I won’t use.
I’m ok with that though as it’s purely based on the shade of the product.
I find it hard enough to get a product to suit my skin tone on the high street, so…
EBoost Energy Booster
When I met with one of Birchbox’s founders; Katia Beauchamp she mentioned ‘lifestyle extras’.
She wanted to add something extra to the box to make it stand out, as your lifestyle is a big part of you.
I liked that idea and it might have been a bit odd to see an energy boost drink, but it was different.
The reason I was so pleased with this month’s box was because it matched me & my lifestyle perfectly!
I was very happy and for £10 (plus p&p) I would have gladly purchased it myself!
If you want to subscribe to Birchbox, or just purchase this month’s box, click here.
You can also buy any of these products on Birchbox’s online store here.
bloomzy /

Review: Joliebox

Joliebox gift box from the Birchbox event*
When I attended the Birchbox champagne afternoon tea event last week I was gifted with a Joliebox.
If you didn’t see that post then you might be confused, but this is because Birchbox have taken over Joliebox.
If I remember correctly the box wasn’t a particular month, it was a mixture of products & previous month’s boxes.
The box contained samples from previous boxes and new items, such as:
– Twistband –
– Ritessens Exfoliant –
– RMK Cleansing Balm –
– L’Occitane Angelica Hydration Cream –
– Dr Bronner’s Pure-Castile Soap Pillows –
– Redken Protective Straightening Lotion –
This box was a great way to introduce someone to some of the wonderful brands that Joliebox has worked with.
It also shows you an example of what you might receive in a box; beauty, skincare, hair & lifestyle products, travel essentials, and even full size samples. Birchbox allows you to create a personal profile which your samples will be based on – which is a great feature, I hope they keep it when the takeover happens in January. The magazine is something which is unique to Joliebox and is very popular with a lot of subscribers, so it was nice to receive one with my box.
Joliebox will soon become Birchbox, and is a monthly beauty box service.
For £10 (plus postage) a month you will recieve 4-5 beauty samples to your door.
You can sign up and subscribe here.

bloomzy /

Event: Birchbox Champagne Afternoon Tea

Birchbox – Joliebox Champagne Afternoon Tea event

As soon as my plus-one and I walked through the doors we were giddy. I’d invited her to the Birchbox event as we both share a love for champagne and afternoon tea. It was held at The Soho Hotel, which is fashionably fancy, as is the drawing room which we were directed to. The tables were lined with cakes, sandwiches, biscuits and scones – with jam and cream, of course!

We arrived early and were greeted by the lovely team behind Birchbox and Joliebox. We were shown samples of October’s Joliebox, whilst waiters offered us salmon sandwiches and champagne. I loved the effort that the team went towards to greet and have a proper talk with everyone, not just a 5min chat. I knew quite a bit about Joliebox but I was really interested in finding out more about Birchbox, an American monthly beauty sample box company which are now moving into the European market, hence the event.

We even got to meet Katia Beauchamp, one of Birchbox’s co-founders – an incredibly funny, intelligent and gorgeous lady – definitely a power woman if I did ever meet one. I thought having some of the American team there was a really great edition to the event and showed just how passionate they are about making it here in Europe. Although I won’t lie, the highlight of the event were the ornately decorated (and incredibly yummy) biscuits! I think we can all expect big things from Birchbox once it’s launched in the UK – I can’t wait!

Birchbox UK will be launching in January 2013.
Joliebox will now be merging with Birchbox and becoming Birchbox UK.