October Birchbox 2015 – Stylist & Back To Basics

If you’ve been with me a while, you’ll know that I have an on-again off-again relationship with Birchbox, it’s like the short term relationship I just can’t seem to fully get over. I see a box every now and again which promises change and I can’t help but going back to it to see if we can move on, before breaking up again after month 2 of starting up again.

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When an email from Birchbox appeared in my inbox, luring me back again, I couldn’t resist. There was 2 versions of October’s Box – the ‘Back to Basics’ box and the ‘Stylist Edit’ Box – subscribers saw the contents and decided which they wanted to receive. The offer I received was 2 for the price of 1, and given one of the boxes contained something that I was going to buy anyway – It meant everything else worked out as basically free (or close enough) in my head.

I pre-apologise for the quality of these photos. I’m embarrassed to put them up, I have some camera issues that I’m trying to sort out, so iPhone shots in crappy winter light was the best I could do!


Back to Basics

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Seche Vite – Full Size

This was the product I was planning on buying anyway, I’ve got 2 topcoats currently on the go and I’m not getting on with either of them. I decided to go back to my old favourite, to restore my faith in topcoats again.  At around £9 – this almost paid for the box by itself!

Beaver Hydro Nutritive Shampoo & Nutritive Repairing Conditioner – Sample Sizes

Beaver isn’t a brand which I’ve heard of before, at the moment my hair has been very dry and difficult to brush though, causing a lot of damage – so I’ll be interested to see if this can work any miracles. With claims of being soft, smooth, preventing damage and nourishing this should hopefully get my hair back in shape!

Renegade Advanced Toothpaste – Sample Size

Again not a brand which I’ve heard of, I’m on the quest for whitening my teeth at the moment so I’ll happily give this a go and see if it helps.

Pommade Devine – Nature’s Remedy Balm – Sample Size

Third times a charm for a brand i’ve not heard of, with 97% natural ingredients, this is formulated to soothe, moisturise, and calm dry sensitive skin. Personally I don’t really suffer from those problems, but none the less it will be thrown into the pile of body moisturisers to pull out when I next need to open a new one!

Eyeko Fat Liquid Liner – Full Size

I’ve not really been a fan of any Eyeko products which I’ve tried in the past, in fact I’ve tried their ‘skinny’ liner and it dried out within about 2 weeks so I have low hopes for this. I do know this is a favoured product with some people though so I won’t knock it quite yet. The nib seems easy to work with and precise – hopefully it doesn’t dry out as quickly as it’s predecessors!


The Stylist Box

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Rituals Yogi Flow Shower Foam – Sample Size

I don’t know whether it’s because I’ve had a full size of this in a beauty box before, but I was expecting this to be full size, clearly didn’t pay enough attention to the tube. I don’t really love foaming shower gels in general – but I do like this one and I love the scent even more.

English Laundry No 7 Perfume – Sample

Interestingly I’ve had a sample of this in one of the few times I’ve been subscribed to it this year. I like this perfume, but have never felt that these perfumes which aren’t particularly cheap are worth the money. Never the less it will get put in my handbag for an on the go freshen up!

When Travelmate Face Mask – Full Size

This is a sheet mask – traditionally not something I get on with too well, but I want to like them so I am excitied to try this. Claiming to help skin recover from sun, wind and dry air – this seems like it might be made more for a trip to the desert than winter!

Parlour Smoothing Blowout – Sample Size

Designed to help smooth out your hair and help a blow dry last, as I said – as much help as my hair can get at the moment is needed, so I’ll happily be trying this out straight away.

100% Pure Pigmented Fruit Glaze – Full Size

This lipstick, or should I say lip glaze – is quite interesting, being 100% vegan, 100% natural and gluten free – I’m interested to see how this lasts, the tube is really pretty. Interestingly it looks quite matt in the bullet, and for something called a glaze I’d expect it to look quite sheer. It’s a nice neutral brown with a rose undertone that will be a favourite in no time I’m sure if the formula holds up!

Bioderma – 20ml Sample

To be honest, I was expecting this to be bigger. Probably the ultimate in Micellar waters, I love this product – but for the price, I don’t think it’s that much better than L’Oreal or Garnier’s versions. Not too sure how many uses I will get out of this – probably 3!


I’ve decided to keep the subscription for one more month, I saw all the different products that could come in this month’s box, such as Living Proof – a brand which I’ve been dying to try. So fingers crossed I’ll atleast get one of the brands/products in the box which kept me subscribed for another month.

As this offer was for last month’s boxes, it’s no longer available. But if you’re thinking of subscribing please use my referral link, which will give you £5 to spend in the shop when you sign up! https://www.birchbox.co.uk/invite/helplesswhilstdrying

rachael

Instagram: @helplesswhilstdrying  |  Twitter: @helplessdrying

Helpless Whilst Drying

Email: helplesswhilstdrying@gmail.com

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8 Comments

  1. November 7, 2015 / 11:36 pm

    I have the same relationship with BB I’m thinking of not renewing when my subscription runs out! I keep being exited every month but then disappointed when it arrives! Have you had novembers yet? Xx

    • November 8, 2015 / 1:15 am

      Yes Novembers arrived today – I didn’t get any of the brands I was hoping for and only one full size item from a brand I always hate means I think I’ll cancel again now! I don’t think it offers good value for money compared to other boxes! Xx

  2. November 30, 2015 / 6:35 am

    Have you ever tried the Ipsy glambag? I used to be a Birchbox subscriber, but switched to Ipsy this past summer. I get more makeup products which I like! I felt like I was getting mostly skin and haircare from BB. Nice post!

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