Tuesday, July 12, 2011

July Birchbox Review: A Cynthia Rowley Collaboration

Hello Gorgeous! Yesterday I received my July Birchbox in the mail and was even more excited than usual to open it. Why you ask? Well that's because this month's box was the first ever collaboration, done with designer Cynthia Rowley! The items inside were supposedly some of her favorite products, and the outside of the box was so pretty I almost didn't want to open it!




Inside was the usual card describing the box, as well as the product list on the back.




I thought the aqua blue tissue paper was even prettier than the usual pink, but tore into it anyway to see what I got!




Once open, I wasn't quite as thrilled with this box as I was June's Birchbox, but I still received a lot of nice items.


Clockwise from Bottom: KIND Almond & Apricot bar, Philosophy Purity Made Simple One-Step Facial Cleanser, Nuxe Huile Prodigieuse Multi-Usage Dry Oil, Zoya Touch Collection Nail Polish in Pandora, Redken Shine Flash 02


One of the main reasons why I wasn't quite as happy with this box as I was the June box is because this box contained a sample of Philosophy's Purity Made Simple facial cleanser which, as I mentioned in a post last week, does not work for me. I also wasn't too excited about the Nuxe dry oil because I have oily skin and hair, so the only place I would really apply it would be to my hands or legs. However, I did rub a little on my hands yesterday, and was happy to find that it didn't feel too greasy, and also smelled divine!


The remaining items included a bottle of Zoya Nail Polish in Pandora (yay), Redken Shine Flash spray, and a KIND Almond and Apricot bar, which I ate almost immediately (it was lunch time)! The Redken spray seemed to provide decent shine when I sprayed it on my hair yesterday, but I don't think I like it as much as my Ojon Glossing Mist. However, I must admit that the snack bar was far more delicious than I expected! I was also quite pleased with the Zoya nail polish. It went on nicely and is a very pretty, neutral color. Here is a swatch:


Zoya Touch Collection Nail Polish in Pandora
While I often choose brights over neutrals, I was happy to receive this particular color because it has such a nice shimmer to it, and would be great to wear when traveling so I don't have to worry about touch ups. One of my favorite things about neutrals is that you can't really tell when they start to chip!


Overall, I was happy with this box, but I was hoping for a little more since this was the first ever collaboration. I'll have my fingers crossed that I'll get another full-sized product next month! Have you received your July Birchbox yet? What did you get? If you're not a member, do you think you would consider joining? Unfortunately, as Christina of Red Lip Gloss found out, Birchbox is only available in the U.S., but if you live in Canada, there is a similar product called Luxe Box, which Christina wrote about in one of her recent posts.


I hope you all have a fabulous day! It sure looks like it's going to be gorgeous (at least here in Chicago)! Talk to you soon!

17 comments:

  1. I think we all received the same items because it's Cynthia's favorites. Yes, that grandola bar was delicious! I've never tried the Philsophy facial cleanser so that's interesting it didn't work for you. Il'll have to see :)

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  2. Ooh love the Zoya color and hope that you do indeed get a sunny day in Chicago!

    xoxo,

    Chic 'n Cheap Living

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  3. I got mine yesterday, too! I received most of the same things that you got, but I didn't get the dry oil or the nail polish. Instead, I received Korres shower gel, which I know I will use. I normally use John Frieda's shine glossing mist, but I will give this Redken product a shot. I doubt that I will use the Philosophy facial cleanser because I already use about 9340234 Clinique products on my face due to my sensitive skin. I wasn't thrilled, either, but it's better than nothing!

    http://www.glamkittenslitterbox.com/
    Twitter: @GlamKitten88

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  4. So fun!
    Love that nail polish!

    xoxox,
    CC

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  5. Ohhh I love the nailpolish!!!

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  6. The nailpolish is pretty

    Raijean
    http://www.swa-rai.com

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  7. Cool stuff!! I like it and can't wait to try mine!! (When I get it...)

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  8. Lia & Alyson- hopefully you get yours soon! It was a pretty box.

    Bonnie- I wish I would have gotten some Korres shower gel! I love that stuff!

    Thanks for all the comments, ladies!

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  9. Everything is the same as mine, except the oil. Is that perfume? I got lotion instead. I am excited to try the shine spray the most, it's something that i would usually not buy! Thanks for feeding my beauty product addiction... :)

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  10. I usually travel with a neutral mani for that exact reason!

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  11. eager to get mine -- still! slacking here in florida. sorry to hear you weren't in mad birchbox love but at least the granola bar and nail polish made up for it! That's a $10 value.

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  12. I just subscribed to the Birchbox a couple of days ago. I was excited when I saw what's in yours! I hope I'll get the same. I know I told you I was happy about your post last time Philosphy VS clear and clean (I guess it was?)So since your review I haven't bought Philosophy, but I would still be happy to try it out. Hopefully I get the same contents:-). Well at least it said I was still on time for the July box, so I keep my fingers crossed :-D.

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  13. I haven't tried Birchbox, but I think I'm going to look into it. I like the stuff you got and if it's one you think wasn't even best, then it sounds good to me! I really like the nail polish color--understated and pretty.

    xo,
    C

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  14. I really like the nail polish a lot - its a really pretty shade.

    xo Teresa
    www.teresalifeandstyle.blogspot.com

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  15. love the kind bar and i have been debating ordering the birch box, so i appreciate the honest review and comparisons

    and considering how i can spend more than $10 at starbucks on a drink and treat, i love the idea of getting to sample a bunch of products for so little.

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