Take a peek inside my November Birchbox

After sharing my thoughts on monthly beauty clubs, I decided to share the contents of my November BIRCHBOX.

I really like the simple packaging BIRCHBOX uses. I’ve reused the brown boxes for shipping items, gift giving and storage & I love the tissue paper enclosed, nice touch.

The November BIRCHBOX is dedicated to supporting The Art of Elysium, a non-profit that encourages actors, artists, designers and musicians to dedicate their time and talent to children who are battling various medical conditions. Click here for more info.

This little purple polka-dotted box is meant for regifting. It’s the perfect size of someone’s stocking, I like that idea.

Now I haven’t used these products yet & will probably use them during skincare treatments provided to others. My regimen is pretty solid and unless something really appeals to me, I’m more than happy to add new products to my treatment inventory to let others try them out. That’s always fun.

Kiehl’s Creme de Corps

I just used this hand cream and I must say that I get why it’s a bestseller and so popular for Kiehl’s. My hands feel so soft now. Definitely knocks my standard hand cream out of the water, that’s for sure. My hands feel hydrated like the product penetrated & didn’t just sit on top of my skin like most hand creams. It’s not a cheap lotion but I honestly think it’s worth it seeing how effective it is.

Taking a closer look at the first 5 ingredients, I see why it’s so effective:

1. Water
2. Squalene – an extract of shark oil. an oxygen carrier. a natural emollient, it imparts a suppleness without an unpleasant greasy feel[1].
3. Hydrogenated Polyisobutene – a synthetic oil that is used as a mineral oil substitute. It is an emollient and moisturizer, and prevents water loss. [2]
4. Glycerin – used as a means of improving smoothness, providing slip and as a humectant [3]
5. Propylene Glycol – used as a humectant, solubilizer, and stabilizer to help increase product absorption into the skin. [4]

sources: [1] [2] [3] [4]

MASQUE✤OLOGY

Masque Cleanse with Bubble Technology:

A sample size of the gentle cleanser said to be safe for all skin types and lightly exfoliates. Has anti-oxidant properties to detoxify skin, refine pores and brighten overall appearance of skin.

7D Moisture Day and Night Cream:

A sample size that promotes the skin’s production of Vitamin D. Helps to diminish signs of fine lines & wrinkles. Rich in nutrients that help hydrate & create an overall younger, smoother appearance. For all skin types.

I haven’t tried Masque✤ology products and will use these samples on others, but the packaging claims for the 7D Moisture Day and Night Cream peaked my curiosity to the point of researching the first five ingredients. I’m especially wondering how it promotes Vitamin D production.

1. Water
2. Butylene Glycol – a chemical compound that acts as a conditioning and viscosity-decreasing agent (thins creams and gels so they’re easier to use) [1]
3. Cyclomethicone – used as a base solvent for blending purposes, leaves a silky smooth feel behind. [2]
4. Glycerin – used as a means of improving smoothness, providing slip and as a humectant [3]
5. Cetyl Caprylate – skin conditioning agent [4]

I like to pay attention to the first five ingredients in any product. Ingredients are listed in the order in which they are added and the dose of the amount added. So according to the ingredient list, this product is mostly water, followed by Butylene Glycol and so on…

Masque✤ology’s website states the following:

Masqueology 7D Moisture is formulated with patented 7-Dehydrocholesterol, a vitamin D precursor which helps improve your skins ability to repair and prevent fine lines and wrinkles. Almond seed oil provides antioxidant-rich hydration and helps soothe inflammation. Caviar extract stimulates cellular activity by delivering essential doses of omega fatty acids, vitamins and minerals for a firmer, more youthful complexion.

Per the ingredient list, 7-Dehydrocholesterol is the 30th ingredient listed of 37 total. Almond oil is not listed in the ingredients list, however, Jojoba oil is the 12th listed ingredient while Caviar extract is the 18th listed ingredient. 

I can’t say whether this product works, but the ingredient list is long and the featured ingredient is so far down on the list, I wonder how effective it is based on the company’s claims. It retails for $68 so if I were to try this cream, I’d request a sample like the one included in this month’s BIRCHBOX before I purchased it outright.

sources: [1][2][3][4]

Masque✤ology Revitalizing Eye Gel with Pearl Powder:

A sample of the unique mesh eye gel masks that are immersed in a concentration of advanced nutrients to make your eyes look refreshed and brighter. It’s the kind of eye mask that contours to the shape of your eye. I’ll be trying this out on someone’s tired eyes. The package feels pretty cold to the touch so I’m certain it will deliver a nice cooling feel.

I like that the package states Hydrolyzed Collagen as a key ingredient and it’s actually the second ingredient listed with water being the first. Hydrolyzed Collagen is collagen chopped up into fragments small enough to penetrate the skin. But even if such downsized collagen penetrates the skin, the fragments are too small to properly integrate into the skin’s own collagen framework. They are likely to be quickly washed out of the skin via lymphatic flow. [1]

Caviar is the the second key ingredient listed & it comes in at #7 on the ingredient list, while Pearl Powder is listed at #23, Algae at #29 and Adenosine at #16. This product has 43 ingredients & retails for $24 (includes 3 masks).

I’ve tried similar eye contour masks in the past & it seems the results were always short-lived. Think you’d be better off with a good eye cream and a good night’s rest on the regular.

sources: [1]

Stila All Over Shimmer Liquid Luminizer

This lightweight liquid shimmer comes in a generous sample size tube with a brush for application. I rarely use liquid shimmer products so I’ll either pass this on or use it during a makeup application on someone else. It’s a nice highlighter that adds a pretty barely there sheen on golden brown skin like mine. 

M C M C Phoenix Fragrance

Per their website:

Phoenix is about a girl I know. With fair skin and light blond hair, she’s ethereal and beautiful like a mythical fire bird. When I call her she does not come, but she floats in and out of my life.

With top notes of peach and cherry blossom, gradually giving way to sturdy Tunisian neroli and a light, powdery vanilla.

I love the description for this fragrance. It’s different. While I’d never heard of MCMC Fragrances, a full-sized version of this scent retails for $95, so I appreciate BIRCHBOX including it in this month’s selection.

To me, Phoenix smells like honeysuckle meets butterscotch. Now, I’m not exactly a fan of sweet scents, so this will most likely find its way into a Christmas stocking, but I enjoyed the opportunity to sample something new.

This month’s BIRCHBOX also included a $15 credit voucher to use on CHROMATICgallerie.com, a website that sells shoes for $88 a pair. They also included a special code that allows a friend to also receive $15 off.

So there it is, my November BIRCHBOX contents. Can’t wait to see what December brings… 🙂

One comment on “Take a peek inside my November Birchbox”

1. Pingback: November Ipsy …. lil late I know | SUITE7beautyTALK

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