Birchbox May 2015 Unboxing – Free Your Mind

I haven’t been subscribed to Birchbox since February/March time last year, and it’s never been a service which I’ve reviewed on my blog. I found the boxes a bit lack lustre, and didn’t feel like I was getting products which I wanted to try. I saw reviews of this box popping up in quite a few places, and liked the look of every review I saw so decided to give it another try.

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I have a confession, I love colouring in, so was happy to see a box which I could add my own style to, coming with a set of pencils to add your own design to! I have several “adult” colouring in books, which I use in the evening to de-stress myself – it really works. I’m terrible for needing to do something – if we’re watching tv at night, I need to be doing something at the same time and keep my hands busy – that’s usually playing games on the iPad at the same time. I’m trying to ditch that as much as possible and now have 3 adult colouring books which I utterly enjoy. I’ll happily be colouring this in later. Keep your eyes peeled on my Instagram for the finished product!

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Onto the beauty products…


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Liz Earle Cleanse and Polish Sample + Liz Earle Muslin Cloth

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I was hoping this would be in the box, I think I worked out that any new subscribers would get this in their box. I’ve had this multiple times before, but not for a couple of years. It’s a product which I used to love, but ended up buying and trying other things. I have been thinking about purchasing again, but I’m glad I have a sample size to check I love it as much as I used to. I’m sure you have heard many a rave review of this cult favourite, so I’ll hold off adding anything for now.

I’ve also been looking for my muslin cloths but think I must have binned them before I moved, so I’m glad to have one of these too!


Nude ProGenius Treatment Oil

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Nude is a brand which I’ve been intrigued about for a while, mainly because I like their logo. (designer problems). I’m not a normally someone who opts for oils as I have combination skin, and I know they say oils can be your best friend when you have oily and combination skin, but I can’t get over the initial feeling that it feels greasy. A quick application on the back of the hand suggests that this might be one I find easier to use, it feels very light and doesn’t leave any feeling of an oily residue. Suggested for use after cleansing, I will be giving this ago after I’ve written this blog post and hopped in the shower.


Parlor Moisturising Sea Salt Spray Sample 

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Not a brand I’ve heard of before, but I do love a sea salt spray, especially in summer. I can’t really add anything else, as I really have to try it to pass comment, but this smells lovely!


Jelly Pong Pong Caribbean Sun Bronzer Duo

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Not 100% convinced on this, the colour looks a little more brown than it does in real life, and is a little peachier. I’m not sure that this will give me a bronzed look, and I just don’t know who would suit that pink thing – I wouldn’t call it a highlight, it looks more like an eyeshadow to me. I will give this the benefit of the doubt. But on a weekend when I’m not leaving the house, just in case.


Stila Lip Glaze (No Shade Name)

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I know, Stila is a brand which seems to be loved by everyone, but it’s just not one that I’ve gotten around to trying. I’m not the biggest fan of lip-glosses, but this is a good every day – goes with everything kind of shade. First impressions, is applied on the lips on me you can pretty much only see the gold shimmer, but my natural lip colour is quite pigmented so might be altered by that. Initially it applies very sticky, but after about a minute it feels much less tacky on the lip.


N4 Lumiere d’Hiver Reconstructing Masque Sample

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A little added extra of a tester sized sachet of a hair masque. I think I might have had something from this brand in the past through Birchbox, but I might be completely wrong. This is quite a small sachet and I don’t think that it will cover my long, thick locks very much, but it might surprise me!


Wah Nails

You could pick a Wah nails item to come as part of your box, the choices were press on nails, nail art pen – and although the choice wasn’t there, I saw other people received nail polishes too. I’ve previously tried a couple of nail polishes from Wah and liked them, so was hoping for them – so opted for the ‘WAH lottery’ – so had a surprise as to what I was going to receive, as I wasn’t bothered about either of the other items. But of course I got the one I really didn’t want…

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Uber pointed tipped false nails are pretty much my idea of hell. These are also silver with graffiti writing on them, these are the worst bit of the box for me, and I should have opted for the nail art pen. These just aren’t my style so will hold them back for a future giveaway.


I haven’t decided whether to subscribe to this or not, I think I might give it another month and then decide. I am already subscribed to Love Me Beauty (you choose all the items in the box, guaranteed excitement as you pick items you want to try) and My Little Box (A french beauty box which gives you a mix of really good quality beauty items, as well as items which fit around the theme, usually clothing, accessories or home bits).

Should you want to subscribe, if you use the link below you’ll receive £5 credit to spend in the Birchbox shop (you also build up loyalty points over time to redeem on full size items, which is a great deal) https://www.birchbox.co.uk/invite/helplesswhilstdrying

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Instagram: @helplesswhilstdrying  |  Twitter: @helplessdrying

Helpless Whilst Drying

Email: helplesswhilstdrying@gmail.com

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7 Comments

  1. May 14, 2015 / 9:45 pm

    Hi lovely! I’ve nominated you for The Real Neat Blog xoxo

  2. May 15, 2015 / 12:12 am

    Oh yeah. No thx on press on nails. Do they always give you choices on stuff?

    • May 15, 2015 / 7:32 am

      I don’t think so, at least they didn’t when I was originally subbed. I did notice in the little info mag that for next month that you pick your box design, but that’s not really a selling point for me!

  3. plus+beauty27
    May 15, 2015 / 4:13 am

    I love how you can color the box and they gave you pencils! That is so neat! 🙂 The Liz Earle Cleanse & Polish is a favorite of mine. 🙂 xo

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