September Birchbox

For those who are new to my blog or have not heard about Birchbox, it is a monthly sample subscription service.  For $10.00 a month, you'll receive a box containing 4 or 5 beauty product samples to try, and there's usually a bonus sample as well.

September's Birchbox was inspired by fashion week, and it even included a mini fall lookbook highlighting 10 of Birchbox staffers' favorite fall trends.  The samples included in the September box claim to take you through a season's worth of style.

~ Color Club & Birchbox Custom Collection Nail Polish

~ LiQWd Professional Volumizing Catalyst

~ Dr. Jart+ Water Fuse Beauty Balm

~ Bvlgari Mon Jasmin Noir Perfume

~ twistband

~ LiQWd Volumizing Shampoo & Conditioner (Lifestyle Extra)

Color Club & Birchbox Custom Nail Polish
Insta-This

$8.00 / Full Size

The idea behind this particular line is social media (the other shades are "Put a Pin in It," "Tweet Me" and "Status Update").

I really, really, really (can I say really again?) love this color.  Blue nails are SO in this season, and this is the perfect shade.  And perfect timing, I was itching for a new fun nail polish color!

Color Club polishes have admittedly not been my favorite in the past.  I've found that the formula tends to be a bit streaky.  But this one went on smoothly and the color was opaque and shiny, so  no complaints!

LiQWd Professional Volumizing Catalyst
$22.00 / 150 ml

This is a styling mist that you spray all over the hair while wet.  It claims to add weightless volume that  pumps up each strand and lasts even after flatironing.  This is the ultimate test for a product because I have fine hair, so flatironing usually kills any bit of body that I might get.

I sprayed this in after towel-drying, then blew my hair dry with a round brush (for extra volume) and proceeded to flat iron.  After flatironing, my hair did seem a little thicker and it looked good, but it didn't feel as soft and wasn't as shiny as I would have liked.  I couldn't use this on its own - I would need my moroccan oil to add moisture before styling.

Dr. Jart+ Water Fuse Beauty Balm

$32.00 / 1.7 oz.

I was really excited to see this sample.  I LOVE this stuff.  I tried it awhile back from another sample I had received, and it is perfect for my normal-to-dry skin, especially in the winter months when my skin tends to dry out and I need more moisture.  The formula has a smooth consistency and blends well.  It leaves my skin with a dewy, healthy finish, and provides just enough coverage to blur imperfections.

Bvlgari Jasmin Noir Perfume

$83.00 / 50 ml

Enough with the perfume samples.  Don't I say this every month?  I am literally starting a collection of perfume samples from Birchbox to give away to my friends.

The scent is pretty and it's definitely luxurious, but a bit too strong and too floral for my taste.

"Lace Up For Fall" Twistband
$22.00 / 12 pack

This is my second Twistband from Birchbox.  I actually bought a package from Birchbox and I have a set from Emi-Jay too, and I really love them.  They don't snag and don't leave a dent in your hair.  Plus they're super gentle and stretchy, so my hair doesn't break when I wear it in a ponytail every day for a week.  (I have had this problem with the Goody Ouchless hair bands and still have some short pieces of hair underneath because of it).


LiQWd Volumizing Shampoo and Conditioner
$24.00 / 350 ml ~ Shampoo
$24.00 / 350 ml ~ Conditioner



As you may know, I have long, fine but dense hair.  I also highlight a few times a year, so I need moisture as well.  So I need shampoos and conditioners that add enough moisture without weighing my hair down.

The shampoo contains rice bran wax as well as a "Nano-Hydrasphere" moisturizing complex that separates each strand, making hair appear lush and full.  It also contains amino acids that penetrate deep into the cuticle to reduce the frizzies, and soy and wheat proteins to restore and build strength.

The conditioner claims to add dramatic body to limp hair using the same "Nano-Hydrasphere" technology that is contained in the shampoo.  It also claims to protect hair from the environment and fading from the sun.

The shampoo lathered nicely and cleaned well, but my hair did feel a little moisture-stripped after washing.  I was a little worried that the conditioner would be too light, but it had a waxy, creamy texture and really did a great job of conditioning my hair.  After drying, my hair was smooth and did seem to have a bit more volume than usual.  (And the smell is amazing - just a fresh, clean, yummy scent.)


If you would like more info on Birchbox, or you want to subscribe, click here!