Birchbox Review: December 2013

This December 2013 Birchbox was a really nice surprise because they sent out pretty themed holiday boxes that are totally different from the usual pink boxes. Birchbox is one of my favorite subscription box reviews to do for a few reasons: It's only $10 per month, you earn $5 per month in credit just for doing short reviews of the products you get in the box, and they really send a nice mix of items. Even if I don't love every single item in my Birchbox each month, I usually use most these samples up pretty quickly, which does attest to their value and quality. Here is my December 2013 Birchbox!

Secret Agent Plumping Lip Gloss in "Foreign Intelligence Flirt" (retail around $8): This is a great product! I've had this in Little Black Bag a while back and loved it. It's a level 3 lip plumper which means it has quite a strong tingle and I think it really shows some results. It has a more sheer color than it appears in the tube.

Lulu Organics Lavender & Clary Sage Hair Powder: This is a talc free dry shampoo with a sweet scent. It has organic corn starch, white clay, rice powder, and pure essential oils. Haven't tried it yet, but it has a great smell. The product good reviews in the Birchbox store so I look forward to trying it.

Tocca Cleopatra Hand Cream (1 oz, retail $4): This is a heavenly scent mixing grapefruit and cucumber and it is my favorite hand cream ever. It is that good! Thick, creamy, very moisturizing. I've already ordered the 2 oz. tube for $8 and have it on the way because I'm afraid to run out. Love.

Twistband: (retail $1?): I never feel sad to get Twistbands because these are a daily use item for me. This is a pretty violet blue.

Grand Central Beauty S.M.A.R.T. Skin Perfecting Polisher (retail $3): This is touted as a liquid exfoliant that peels, tones, and hydrates. I have noted none of those things. I thought maybe I was missing something or...applying it wrong, but it's not rocket science. After following the directions of massaging into the skin I see and feel nothing, really. No exfoliation whatsoever. I noticed the reviews in the Birchbox shop give this a mediocre 3 stars. Definitely not something I will plan to buy.

Phone screen cleaner: This is an adhesive thing that attaches to the phone. You flip it over to clean the screen. It's kind of an odd gimmick, but I did dutifully try it.

As modeled by my iPhone 5s.

I liked this month very much even with the total miss of the skin polishing products. The Tocca is among my favorite Birchbox discoveries ever and I loved getting the Secret Agent gloss. Additionally, I liked the festive packaging, this was perfect for the holidays! You can get on the Birchbox list here (average wait one month): BIRCHBOX!