Birchbox June 2015 – Step Outside With French Sole Unboxing

May was the first month I resubscribed to Birchbox for over a year, I decided to give it one more month whether deciding to keep or cancel my subscription. This month’s box asked us to pick from 3 different designs and invited us to step outside with French Sole – a french shoe brand – go figure. So I took my box into the garden to unbox…

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 Cynthia Rowley Creamy Lip Stain in Poppy – Sample Size

birchbox-uk-june-2015-french-sole-cynthia-rowley-poppy

I was excited to see a product from Cynthia Rowley as I’ve not tried any of her products before. In the tube it looks like an unusual orange red. But it applies much differently in a more washed out orange pink shade (not the colour of poppies?), I’ve not tried on the lips yet, but I’m not keen on this sheer shade on my first impressions. This is also a teeny tiny sample size.birchbox-uk-june-2015-french-sole-cynthia-rowley-poppy-swatch

Yes To Cucumbers Wipes – Sample sizebirchbox-uk-june-2015-french-sole-yes-to-cucumbers

If you saw my TK Maxx haul you’ll know that I picked up the yes to carrots and yes to blueberries wipes after having the cucumber versions many times before. I don’t mind having these – but a sample size of these does feel a bit cheap – they aren’t the cheapest wipes on the market, but at £4.99 for 30 at boots prices – 10 doesn’t make me feel like I’ve got good value for money from the sample.

Styl Temporary Tattoosbirchbox-uk-june-2015-french-sole-metallic-tattoo-styllondon

I’m unsure of whether these are a full size product or not, this is a product which I’m happy to have, and I will be rocking these at Taylor Swifts hyde park concert at the end of the month. these are listed as £7.99 – which I would think was a rip off for 4 tattoos if I saw them in the shop, but a lovely summer fashion ‘accessory’.

Beauty Protector Protect & Oil Samples x2

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I’m not a fan of teeny tiny samples, but the benefit of getting them is that you get to try more products, so I feel a little cheated to have got 2 samples that are the same. This is a hair oil elixir “with a difference” – claiming to leave hair feeling lightweight, looking glossy and protect against UV – it certainly  sounds good. If you saw my haircare stash stocktake from last week, you’ll know I really do not need any more hair oils or serums in my collection, but they do smell amazing, so I’m looking forward to giving them a go.

English Laundry No 7 Perfume Sample

birchbox-uk-june-2015-french-sole-english-laundry-perfume-sample

I feel like I definitely ticked a box which said I don’t like perfume samples – although I might be imagining it! This is actually a perfume I like from a box for a change, this reminds me of a twist between Flowerbomb and Viva La Juicy. It’s very nice, but not the cheapest at £60 for a full size bottle.

Cowshed Body Lotion in Knackered Cow – Full Sizebirchbox-uk-june-2015-french-sole-cowshed

Where is the opt out box for Lavender products? I’ve had a body lotion from Cowshed before (which will be in this months empties) and I’ve liked it. These are listed as having a £20 price tag, which personally I don’t think are that nice for £20 just average in terms of performance (although might smell a little better than average) and at least in the UK you can get free ones of these with magazines (this full size too) at least twice throughout the year. Can’t get any use out of this as I’m allergic to lavender so threw at my boyfriend and said “for you – don’t use it near me”.

Lifestyle Extra: French Sole Shoe Bag

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Am I the only one who thinks this is odd? A pretty bag to match the box, but I have never felt the need to store my shoes in a bag or for travel!


I don’t hate this month’s box but I don’t feel like I got great value for money from it either- and I’m not excited by anything here apart from the temporary tattoos. I am going to be unsubscribing for next month’s and unless I’m impressed after seeing others unboxing’s then I’ll be just sticking with my Love Me Beauty and My Little Box subscriptions.

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

rachael-helpless-whilst-drying

Instagram: @helplesswhilstdrying  |  Twitter: @helplessdrying

Helpless Whilst Drying

Email: helplesswhilstdrying@gmail.com

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24 Comments

  1. plus+beauty27
    June 7, 2015 / 8:18 am

    Sorry to hear you didn’t like your box. I picked a themed box too but I can’t remember which one or what it had in it lol.

  2. June 7, 2015 / 7:43 am

    I do sometimes put my shoes in their dust bags when I travel. Here’s why…. if I pack a sweater… sometimes the hardware on the shoe, like the buckle, can snag the sweater. It happened to me once with a nice loosely crocheted sweater I had so I will put shoes in a bag or separate area. It’s weird they sent that in the box but I do use those.

    • June 7, 2015 / 1:53 pm

      Yes I catch your point, I personally just put them in a different pocket in my bag, and anything that’s delicate like heels I might wrap but this isn’t big enough for heels, so a bit useless for me personally! X

      • June 7, 2015 / 2:00 pm

        Lol how funny! They send it but heels won’t fit! Oops!!!!!!

  3. June 7, 2015 / 10:03 am

    When I heard it was going to be a French Sole colab, I thought there would be a discount code to use on a pair of shoes! The shoe bag does seem really random, but I guess it would stop dirt getting on your clothes? Not that I would ever use them, if my shoes were that dirty I’d take a face wipe to them and put them in plastic bag!x

    • June 7, 2015 / 1:50 pm

      Same I did expect some kind of voucher, but there’s nothing! Same as you with face wipes or I just put them in a separate pocket in the bag! X

      • June 7, 2015 / 1:54 pm

        I’m surprised there’s not even a 10% code, after all those are some fairly expensive flats! Other box collabs in the past have included something, like the Karen Millen Glossybox. Ah well, at least the box and bag are gorgeous even if you don’t use it for shoes! x

  4. Karen Rees
    June 7, 2015 / 12:08 pm

    Such a shame you’re not entirely happy with the value of the box Rach, I know I’d probably be a little deflated about it too. I think the shoe bag is a tad different i will say lol, but could be good for travelling or the gym to put your shoes in after use?! I don’t think I’d get much use of it personally but looks pretty πŸ˜€ X

    • June 7, 2015 / 1:49 pm

      Yes – I tend to store shoes in an different pocket in suitcase etc rather than needing to individually wrap – maybe that’s just me, I would have found it more handy if it was bigger so that heels with delicate details on were less likely to get scuffed – but it wouldn’t be big enough for heels πŸ˜•, or maybe if you don’t have big size 8s like me it would be!

      • Karen Rees
        June 7, 2015 / 6:29 pm

        Aaaah me and you both then Rach, I’m a size 8 too – sometimes a 9!!!!!!!!!! *groan* So no hope here lol The trials of being tall… such a pain when it comes to useless shoe bags, right?! lol XXXX

          • Karen Rees
            June 8, 2015 / 5:43 pm

            Ooh very creative idea indeed Rachael… a heck of a lot better than anything I could rummage up lol I’m sure you’ll find a use for it someday – there’ll be a ‘Eureka!’ moment I’m convinced of it lol X

  5. jerrrrwood
    June 7, 2015 / 12:15 pm

    I picked the same Birchbox this month and I wasn’t very impressed when I opened mine. Didn’t really cut the mustard compared to previous months. I’ll be reviewing mine too to give my own little opinion ☺️

    • June 7, 2015 / 2:13 pm

      I think out of all subscription boxes birchbox seems most likely to be a hit or a miss, i think I’d rather just see each month based on others whether I like it or not – but will take the surprise element out of it x

      • jerrrrwood
        June 7, 2015 / 3:00 pm

        Yeah I always try not to look at what I’m going to get each month but it’s so tempting lol x

  6. June 7, 2015 / 12:36 pm

    I do find those little shoe bags useful for travel! I have never bought an individual one, though – just use the ones that come with some brands of ballet flats.

    I agree with you, this box is kind of underwhelming. I recently unsubscribed from Birchbox for the same reason.

  7. June 7, 2015 / 2:49 pm

    I love the tattoos and the lip stain! You could use the shoe bag to carry shoes when you have to go from work to dinner or the beach to lunch! It is a really odd item for Birchbox though xoxo

  8. Whitney
    June 7, 2015 / 4:37 pm

    I actually would love the shoe bag (although not as excited about the other products in your box), but the box itself is also just so beautiful! I wish they had done a similar collab in the States.

  9. June 7, 2015 / 3:48 pm

    I’m allergic to lavender too which is why I’m so hesitant to try any of the boxes as lavender stuff seems to be so common. Would you recommend birchbox or say to spend the money elsewhere?

    • June 7, 2015 / 4:53 pm

      I would have a look into love me beauty you get a certain amount of credits each month and get to pick from quite a large selection, means you know what you’re getting, it’s likely to suit you – and as a result I’m more excited to try stuff when it arrives as I’ve already got excited about what I chose! Xx

      • June 7, 2015 / 8:35 pm

        I keep thinking about love me beauty, but I will definitely taking a closer look. I love the idea of a surprise but I think knowing what I am getting due to allergies is the best way to find new products that i’ll love xx

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