I decided that subscription beauty boxes are my new obsession. I totally love this idea of letting someone who knows beauty industry better than me, pick some products for me and let me try before ordering full size.

While I love beauty and skincare, and makeup, I never go shopping for that. Well, almost never and not enough, so I welcome this new trend of subscription boxes wholeheartedly.

I have tried quite a few so far – Macy’s Beauty Box, FabFItFun, and GlossyBox. I test them all to pick which one I would like to sign up for a long time and be content with.

Today it’s Birchbox’s turn. When I ordered it, I used a coupon to get not one, but two boxes! Yes, coupon DOUBLEFUN can do that totally for free! Monthly box costs $15, and I think if ordered through yearly membership, each box would be something like $12. In my case I loved this discount of Buy One Get One Free and totally enjoyed receiving the mystery box.

Let me start with the regular monthly box first and then I’ll talk about the mystery one.

The box was the first of the year, so it obviously was all about “New Year and Fresh Routine”.

Everything was in a beautiful blue box with yellow wrapping paper inside. I counted six items, all small size. Let’s take a look at what was inside:

Oribe Dry Texturizing Spray – $46 full size

I don’t normally use hair spray of any kind, since I go to gym every day and have to wash my hair almost daily, but I have heard so much about Oribe, that I am really looking forward to trying that. I think this weekend will be a perfect opportunity if I will curl my hair on Friday and will try to stay beautiful through Sunday. This product smells amazing and does not make hair sticky or hard.

Number 4 Lumiere d’hiver Clarifying Shampoo – $32 full size

This little bottle is going to the shower tonight because it smells so good. As I mentioned before, I wash my hair every day with inexpensive daily shampoo, which probably leaves all kinds of soap residue. I will love to clear it all up with this shampoo. I only wish it was more of it!

Marcelle Xtension Plus Curl Mascara – $15 full size

This product got tested right away and it really works! Within a minute my lashes became twice the length and visibly curled. I think this mascara does better than my $30 Dior Show.

Number 4 Lumiere d’hiver Reconstructing Hair Masque – $58 full size

If I just base my opinion on price, this has to be good. I bleach my hair pretty often in order to be blonde, so reconstructing sounds really good. It says that soy protein and shea butter work miracles on damaged hair. It has to be applied on damp hair and rinsed after 2-5 minutes.

Pai Chamomile & Rosehip Calming Day Cream – $60 full size

It smells amazing and it does feel like it makes face skin smooth and even toned. I would need a lot more of it to feel the total effect. But I am enjoying this sample while I have it. Pai is known for natural high quality cosmetic, so I have high hopes for this product.

ModelCo More Brows Fibre Gel – $18

I have my eyebrows permanently done with micro-shading, so this product can’t be fully tested by me, but I will still try. I can make my eyebrows darker, fuller, and more defined with the help of this gel and a brush that makes strokes and shapes them with a tip.

The mystery box also contains 6 items that seem to be equally luxurious and high quality. This is what I found:

Klorane Anti-Fade Conditioner with Pomegranate – $20 full size

I love coloring hair, color protection products, and pomegranates, so I am sold on this one. It really smells like pomegranates – I used to pick them ripe off the trees in California, so I would know.

Klorane Anti-Fade Shampoo with Pomegranate – $20 full size

This is another part of the set, so I will use them both and if they really make a difference, I will order them both. After all they are not as expensive as some other products that are included in Birchbox subscription.

Avene Hydrance Intense Rehydrating Serum – $38 full size

I am 37 and this is the first year when I got interested in hydrating serums after seeing some crow’s feet in my numerous selfies. It works for the entire face and neck and I am definitely trying it.

Lipstick Queen Lip Liner – $18 full size

I love lip colors and glosses, so I was very happy to find this product in the box. I will use it to the end for sure. Nude shade is perfect as it will fit with every color.

NEST Fragrances Dahlia & Vines Eau de Parfum – $72 full size

This is a very strong scent, not sure if it resembles English garden, but it’s a nice attempt. I prefer less loud smells, something with fresh notes, but since I got it, I will definitely use it on occasions that call for something heavy.

OUAI Rose Hair & Body Oil – $32 full size

Besides smelling heavenly, this product can be used anywhere on your body and hair, so I will be spraying it all over myself for good vibes.

My first impression of Birchbox is great so far and I am seriously considering signing up for yearly membership. I do have some doubts about the need of so many sample size products, but that’s the idea – I can order full sizes of those items that I like. Birchbox offers various discounts and coupons for full size products. Customers can get free shipping with their monthly boxes, so I can see good value in this membership.