November 2011 BIRCHBOX Photos and Thoughts

My November Birchbox arrived a few days ago, but I wanted to give the products a try before I did this post.  I'd seen a few other November Birchbox posts and was really excited for this one.  Everything I'd seen looked really great AND I saw a blingy bracelet.  I crossed my fingers that I would get one too ;)

 

~ Oscar Blandi Jasmine Protein Mist

~ Klorane Soothing Eye Makeup Remover with Cornflower

~ LaROCCA Skincare Champagne & Shimmer Body Polish

~ Zoya Nail Polish in Noel

~ Chuao Chocolatier Firecracker Chocopod

The Oscar Blandi Jasmine Protein Mist is primarily to restyle dry hair, or to detangle and fortify damp hair.  I tried it as the style reviver and I really liked it.  It basically just mists/wets down your hair so you can restyle with your tools and give it more oomph.  It has a pretty nice smell to it too.  I haven't tried it as a detangler, as I just got my hair cut and there isn't much there to tangle lol You don't need much of it, so I imagine this 2oz bottle should last me awhile.  I'm not sure I'd repurchase, because it doesn't seem like something I would NEED.

The Klorane Soothing Eye Makeup Remover with Cornflower works as well as any eye makeup remover.  I generally use one from MAC and it works just as well.  There is no oily residue with this product and, being a contact lens wearer, I was happy this didn't irritate my eyes or make my lenses foggy.  I probably wouldn't purchase this myself, because I'm happy with the one I use, but I do like to keep these little bottles of eye makeup remover in the shower, since they take up less space than the big bottles.

The LaROCCA Skincare Champagne & Shimmer Body Polish smells kind of iffy in the pot.  I liked the feel of it, but it didn't make my skin look or feel any different.

The Zoya Nail Polish in Noel had me ecstatic.. I LOVE mini polish bottles and Zoya's are just SO cute!  I have the big size version of this, so this mini will likely go in a giveaway.  Click HERE to see the review and swatches of Zoya Noel.

The Chuao Chocolatier Firecracker Chocopod had me nervous.  It's got a lot of fancy words, pretty packaging, and scary ingredients (Chipolte?!  Salt?!  Popping Candy?!  eek!).  I made the hubby bite first, he is currently saying the pop rocks don't pop that well, the chipolte gives the back of your throat a tingle but counteracts the dark chocolate and it's odd.  Then it has a burning aftertaste.  Like he ate a chocolate covered jalapeno.  Yeah, now I really don't want to try it, but here it goes (oy the things I do for you guys LMAO).  My first reaction.  Ewe.  This is foul.  Now it burns.  It doesn't so much pop as seem like there are just rice krispies in there...I can taste the salt after it's all done.  And, my throat is still burning (FYI it's spicier than a jalapeno).  I like spicy, but not like this.  Yow.  And double ewe.  Hubby is taking it across the street now to make his friend try it out haha

The best best best thing about the November Birchbox is the bracelet from BaubleBar.   It's so gorgeous.  I don't even like to wear things on my wrists, but this bracelet is so perfect and pretty!  The retail on this bracelet alone is $20!  I don't believe this was something that everyone got, it says on my Birchbox page the following:

PRIZE UNLOCKED! BaubleBar Black Wood Pop Bracelet
Thank you for referring friends, giving feedback, or buying products in our shop. Your reward: some in-box bling (a sweet BaubleBar bracelet) and, of course, your hard-earned Birchbox Points.

Since signing up for Birchbox a few months ago it's had it's ups and downs, but I've ordered a full size of something from every single month.  November has been by far the best month, mostly thanks to that bracelet.  I will definitely be continuing my subscription into December.

Wanna sign up for Birchbox?  (Click for referral) If you like what you see go to the website and fill out the form.  It's just $10 a month (free shipping too!) and you get some cool stuff, tho I will warn you, you're going to get stuff you hate as well.  All in all, for the $10 it's worth it.  I love getting mail! haha


***Disclosure - I buy my own Birchbox, but the link posted in the above paragraph does give me referral points which I can use toward product on the site.  Once you sign up for your own Birchbox, you'll also get a referral code to send out to others and get some points of your own ;)