I was dying to get my April Birchbox! After being at home for my second month, and having a Spa Sunday for 8 weeks in a row, I was in real need of a top up

So, getting April’s box was kind of a big deal for me. And I’m excited that it did not disappoint! The theme for this month’s box is ‘One of A Kind’ and according to the box’s leaflet, is meant to be represent a celebration of individuality!

To celebrate our individual quirks, Birchbox have partnered with Anthropologie who are apparently the home of unique treasures.. So I guess not every month will have a super strong theme (but I appreciate the effort!)

Let’s dive into the products!

KNDR Beauty, Mood Balm

This product is a lip balm with a twist. Aside from all the hydrating properties you’d expect from a lip balm, it is also meant to adjust to your unique pH to shift its colour to be the perfect hue for you. Here’s the colour of the lip balm, and what it looked like applied to my lips:

The balm definitely applied a light purplish colour to my lips, which I was pleased with because the bold colour of the lip balm was going to be way too strong for me if it applied as is.

But, to be honest, with this product I would definitely be happy to continue using it as a balm, but the ‘unique colour shifting properties’ are doing nothing for me. Its far too faint to really matter!

See more: Product link

Huygens, Infusion Blanche Purifying Face Wash

This purifying cleanser is appropriate for all skin types and is meant to be used at the end of the day to get rid of any last traces of dirt or makeup.

This is a welcome addition to my end of day cleansing routine (alongside the next product below!). Usually, I just use wipes to get the job done, but I’m looking forward to trying out adding this before bed to see if my skin feels any different.

See more: Product link

Brushworks, Silicone Cleansing Pad

I like when Birchbox pair complimentary products in a box that you can use together, and this silicone facial cleansing pad will go very nicely with the Huygens face wash above as a trial for a bedtime skin routine.

This pad has tiny bristles that both exfoliate your skin gently, and lift up makeup, dirt and other impurities to clean the day away. Using it feels a little tickly, and not abrasive at all – its kinda addictive actually!

It also features a little suction cup at the back so you can stick it to a bathroom wall if you’re looking for easy access.

See more: Product link

LAPCOS, Collagen Firming Sleeping Mask

LAPCOS is a Korean brand that creates high-performing masks that are packed with collagen and shea butter. Sounds dreamy.

I’m also personally obsessed with the aesthetics of this brand. All of their packaging is totally on point. I dream of having a walk-in spa with clear perspex shelving where I can display rows of these masks

But back to the here and now – I really cannot wait to use this mask. It’s meant to be applied just before bed and rinsed off in the morning – the only thing I’m nervous of is being so wowed by it that I’ll need to spend £££ buying more

See more: Product link

Percy & Reed, Eau My Goodness No-Fuss Dry Shampoo

Dry shampoo is not a phrase that usually fills me with joy. To be honest, over the years, I’ve heard mixed things about how they perform with curly hair. Also, when my hair needs a wash, it needs a wash, so I’ve never been particularly clear how dry shampoo could fit into that.

Reading the blurb on this travel-sized dry shampoo, turns out, its really just a way to spritz your hair in between real shampoos to give it a bit of a lift. The fact that it is travel-sized is also intriguing because those are the times that I often need a little spritz.

I’m adding this product to my travel bag and I look forward to trying it!

See more: Product link

Thanks Birchbox for this April box, and continuing to save my Spa Sunday routine! Can’t wait to see what May’s box has in store!

Did you know March is my favourite month! Why? It’s my birthday month baby!

Unfortunately, Birchbox didn’t quite get this memo, and has decided to dedicate this month’s box to the equally important International Women’s Day.

And by the way, how gorgeous is the box!?

Let’s dive into the products!

The Beauty Crop, Wing Woman Liquid Eyeliner

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I’m not super into eyeliner anymore. You’re much more likely to find me going for an all eyeshadow look. However, eyeliner is still definitely one of the staples of my makeup collection as you never know when you really want to turn up!

This is an eyeliner that markets itself as no flaking or smudging, and for the most part I’ve found this to be true. However, I didn’t find it super long-lasting either. So, prepare to reapply if you’re needing this to last a full day.

Daily Concepts, Exfoliating Dual Texture Scrubber

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This is already getting daily use as part of my shower routine, as I was already in the market for one of these and then like an angel from heaven, it just appeared in my Birchbox. How did they know!?

The clever thing about this little scrubber is that it has two sides – one that is much more textured than the other – so depending on your body part, you can just flip it over.

This particular scrubber isn’t meant to go particularly deep but I’ve found that its perfect for adding a quick scrub into your daily shower routine

Number 4, Jour D’Automne Blow Dry Lotion

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I am yet to use this. As someone with thick, curly hair, I already have a pretty set hair routine using curl-specific products, and I’m just not sure that this product is for me.

However, having read up a bunch of comments online, I’m saving this product for those rare days that I might be inclined to straighten my hair as apparently its great for this scenario!

Forgive Me Suzie, Liquid Eyeshadow in Fairy Dust

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I’m a sucker for a gold eye, so this product was like catnip to me! It’s a metallic eyeshadow that touts itself as being a creamy lightweight formula for easy application.

I can confirm that this eyeshadow is really easy to apply, and just glides on with your fingers. The bit that didn’t quite work for me here was how blendable with other eyeshadows this is – I probably would in the future look to use this only when not creating looks that I’m adding lots of other colours to.

However, for a quick slick of gold, this product definitely has you covered!

Balance Me, Vitamin C Repair Serum

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OMG this product smells DELICIOUS – super fresh and lemony. I have been unable to resist putting it on daily purely for the lovely aroma on my face afterwards!

This serum is all about combating ageing (duh) but also is meant to work on reducing pigmentation and uneven skin tone. I don’t think I particularly suffer from either of those, but after daily use for a week now, I do feel like my skin looks more even in colour.

Considering a purchase of the full size bottle of this as it feels like a welcome addition to my daily skincare routine that I’m sad is coming to an end

Thanks Birchbox for my March box! And Happy International Women’s Day!

Ah February, the month of love and romance! Happy Valentine’s Day!

Birchbox has also caught the love bug, by offering an entirely pink-inspired box this month! Each product had a pink / red vibe, and the actual box itself was an homage to the heart and to love.

Let’s dive into the products!

Sand & Sky Australian Pink Clay – Flash Perfection Exfoliating Treatment

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I’m obsessed with clay masks, and would genuinely love to do one every day if I could. The feeling on your skin afterwards is heaven – you really can feel your pores unclog!

This mask is marketed as triple-action mask – and is meant to work in only five minutes – to not only exfoliate, clear pores but also leave you with a glowing complexion.

Can’t wait to use this one!

amika RESET exfoliating jelly shampoo

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Similar to the thermal heat mask in last month’s box, this shampoo uses pink clay, charcoal and salt to clean and soothe your scalp, no matter the kind of hair issues you have.

As someone who suffers from an itchy scalp, I’m really excited to give this a go. My itchy scalp flares up in times of intense stress so I’m going to hang onto this one until I really feel I need it .

Vitamasques Lip Mask

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For those who may remember from my top pick from my beauty advent calendar, I fucking love a lip mask. But the lip mask from Rodial did such an amazing job, I’m not sure how this one is gonna stack up!

Its packed with all the right stuff though – hyaluronic acid, collagen boosters and mulberry extract – all thereto improve elasticity, add moisture, and repair and soothe dry skin. Excited!

Lord & Berry Ultimate Lip Liner – Vintage Rose

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I’ve never been super into lip liners, but at least this one has a blendable texture which means I can actually use it as a lip stick too!

The colour also is nice, so its got that going for it. But not one of my faves I have to say.

Spacemasks Rose Mask

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Apparently this mask heats up when you take it out of the packet thanks to sciencey stuff. I’m always doing face masks (I wonder if there is a recommended mask limit for a person in a week ) so this one has gone straight into my big facemask drawer compartment (yes I do have one!)

Beautaniq Beauty Bloom Blush

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I was pleased to get an email from Birchbox before the box was sent out asking me to pick from 3 different shades for this blush – as not one colour will fit all. It was a little hard to decide digitally which was going to be the best shade, but I’m looking forward to trying this one out!

Thanks Birchbox for my February box! Here’s to love and self-love!

The thing I was drawn to here was the personalisation aspect. On sign-up, you get to give Birchbox some idea of your beauty areas of concern (e.g. your typical skin or hair problems) as well as some info about you (what kind of hair, skintone you are for example), so that they can ensure your box is as appropriate for you as possible.

So, off I went and signed up! I’ll be updating here with what’s inside each box!

So the first thing to note about this box is that it was curated by Rochelle Humes. This doesn’t really mean much to me as I don’t follow her, but I did enjoy reading the little product blurbs from her because it felt like they were really picked by someone, versus just some faceless Birchbox editorial team.

So, in no particular order, here’s what Rochelle picked out!

Jade Roller, Melusine

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Jade rollers have apparently been used for centuries before Instagram picked them up and made them explode. They are meant to be a quick-fix to help boost radiance and tighten pores, as well as improving elasticity and fine lines over the longer term.

All you gotta do is roll it across your forehead and under your cheekbones and jaw to ease stress at the end of a long day or reduce puffiness in the morning. The natural coolness of the jade feels amazing!

Thermal treatment wrap, Ikoo infusions

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This product is essentially a sheet mask for your hair. It’s meant to help to heal damaged hair, soothe irritated scalps and seal those split ends.

It’s got a ton of natural ingredients packed into it like blueberry, blackberry and sea kelp extracts, which are meant to leave hair soft, silky and shiny.

Natural body lotion, Greenford Botanic

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This is the perfect product for a January box, as the lotion is meant to nourish and hydrate dry, winter skin. The argan oil and other 85% natural ingredients are meant to intensively soften and hydrate for you for 48 hours.

Birchbox says that this product never leaves a sticky residue, which can be my pet peeve with body lotions in general, so I guess we’ll see how this one goes!

Hyaluronic Plumping Mist, Balance Me

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The hydration theme continues! This mist from Balance Me has a fancy name, but essentially works by blending the slightly scary sounding hyaluronic acid (proven to help with hydrating and plumping) with soothing camomile water.

All you gotta do is spritz – either to revive your make-up or calm your complexion after too much sun – and this speedy shot of hydration will apparently leave you looking brighter and healthier.

I’m leaving this product for my holiday travel bag as I think its calming properties will help after those long days baking in the sun.

Glow milk, The Beauty Crop

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Initially the word ‘milk’ here kinda put me off, I was like “what is this!”. But don’t worry, this is just fancy branding for liquid highlighter! It does what it says on the tin – creating that dewy glow in just a couple of simple steps.

I’m really looking forward to using these products over the month, as well as to receive my next box of goodies!

Thanks Birchbox!