Beauty Review: Birchbox Products from April's Box

When I received my first Birchbox earlier this month, I wasn't 100% thrilled with its contents. Although there were certainly some intriguing items, I had a hard time getting excited over everything. Luckily, I can say that, for the most part, the box had far more hits than misses. Here's a quick roundup and review of the products (in no particular order):

Weleda Wild Rose Smoothing Facial Lotion (full size [1 oz] is $28) : This lightweight and lightly scented moisturizer was surprisingly good. At first, I was a little disconcerted by the packaging (the tiny tube reminded me of the topical medicine samples my mom would get from pharmaceutical reps). Once I got over the packaging, I found that I really liked the product. It absorbed into my skin with very little effort and had the perfect weight and moisturizing power for the warm weather. I've been using this lotion on my face for the past two weeks and my skin has felt soft and smooth. It might be a bit too light for people with drier skin (I have combination/oily), and I suspect it wouldn't be moisturizing enough for drier, cooler seasons or climates. However, I am definitely planning on purchasing this for spring and summer use.

Zoya Intimate Spring 2011 Nail Polish in Dove (full size [.5 fl oz] is $8): I have mixed feelings over this nail polish. It wasn't love at first sight with the color, since I tend towards more traditional nail polish colors (think pinks, reds, and corals), and gray seemed like an odd color for spring. I also found that the polish was very hard to apply; it was very thick and tended to be streaky unless I applied a heavy coat. That said, it had good lasting power; two coats, with a good top coat, lasted me almost a week. I also received some compliments on the colors, which is subdued but noticeable.

Suki Exfoliate Foaming Cleanser (full size [4 oz] is $29.95): This is easily my favorite product from April's Birchbox. The texture of the product looks very thick and rough in the jar, which made me reluctant to put it on my face. However, mixing a small amount with water produced a lightweight, creamy foam that seemed to melt into my skin. It wasn't too abrasive and didn't feel harsh at all, and it left my skin feeling clean and refreshed. I've used this once a day for the past two weeks, and it hasn't caused any problems for my skin, which can definitely be sensitive (the directions note that the scrub can be used once a day or two to three times a week for those with more sensitive skin). The best part is that a little goes a long way; despite my regular usage, I'm only halfway through the sample jar. Consequently, the full size will probably last a long time.

LIV GRN C2C Fragrance Collection Natural Eau De Perfum (full size [3.4 oz] is $60): Because of allergies and a sensitive nose (and laziness), I don't use a ton of perfumes. However, this scent wasn't too heavy or cloying. If it weren't for the rather hefty price tag, I could see myself purchasing it (I would rather spend $60 on skincare and makeup than perfume).

Zhena's Gypsy Tea Italian Chamomile (full size [2 tins with 22 sachets each] $15.95): This was another product I wasn't too excited about when I first opened my Birchbox, and I must say that I'm not planning on purchasing it. The tea was good (and came in very handy when I was fighting a sore throat), but I guess my palate isn't developed enough to taste its nuances, since I couldn't tell any difference between it and the Celestial Seasonings tea I pick up for under $5.00 at the grocery store.

All in all, I was very pleased with my first Birchbox experience, and I'm looking forward to next month's box. I will definitely blog about it when it arrives, so check back around May 10!