Birchbox October 2014 | Contents & Thoughts

I really have developed a bit of a soft spot for beauty boxes.  They often receive mixed reviews but there's no denying that they're a great way to uncover new products - I've discovered a fair few of my favourites through the concept and I've been made aware of so many brands I wouldn't have even heard of had I not been introduced to them via a beauty box. As October is Breast Cancer Awareness month, Birchbox teamed up with Coppafeel. Helping to raise awareness regarding the signs and symptoms of breast cancer, this month's box definitely has a bit of a pink theme! Packaged in a lovely pink pouch, the products inside are all perfect for use 'on the go' - there's even a quirky little lipstick shaped pen in there (ohh Birchbox. You do know the way to a beauty blogger's heart...) Along with some informative leaflets and motivation charts, October's offering made for a fabulous girly treat. Here's what I thought of the contents...

Shaveworks | The Cool Fix | £11

I was soo chuffed to receive this product.  It's not something I would have gone out and bought myself but now that I have it, I can really see the benefits of having something like this in your bathroom cupboard and it's something I'd take away with me on holiday in the future.  It's a cooling gel which helps to soothe the skin after hair removal - preventing in-grown hairs and irritation. I've used this a couple of times now and it definitely helps to reduce any redness and prevents my skin from becoming itchy or irritated whilst providing a relaxing cooling sensation.

Balance Me | Cleanse and Smooth Face Balm | £20

A natural nourishing cleanser with exfoliating oatmeal powder, this face balm is suitable for most skin types and helps to balance out the complexion.  I'm very set in my ways when it comes to skincare but I love receiving miniature sizes like this as I really enjoy trying new things whenever I go away or stay away from home for a few nights. I've used and enjoyed Balance Me before so I'm quite happy to have this in my bathroom cupboard - I'm sure it's just as good as it sounds and will be a lovely option for the winter months.

KMS | Free Shape Hot Flex Creme | £15.50

I love KMS. They do some fabulous products (I'm a big fan of their quick blow-dry spray) and I'm always happy to see a hair product in a beauty box. I have to admit, I've never been the biggest fan of styling cremes as I find they weigh down my hair, but I'll definitely be giving this a go soon. I've never been disappointed with KMS products and I'm sure it's going to come in handy once the weather gets worse... I'm always looking for things I can pop into my handbag to help keep bad hair days at bay!

Meaningful Beauty | Glowing Serum | £30.95

Radiance-enhancing and anti-ageing, this serum is perfect for use at any time of day for a swift 'pick-me-up'. I'll probably end up giving this to my mum as I really don't like adding extra products to my skincare routine - but it does sound very lovely. I'm tempted to keep it by me until we're in to the depths of winter - my skin really does get very dull in the colder seasons so I'm tempted to try it nonetheless... 

Pixi | Shea Butter Lip Balm | £8

Eek. I was so excited for this product! I love a good lip balm - and I'm also a fan of Pixi products. This full-sized balm is a gorgeous raspberry pink shade which adds a delicate flush of colour to the lips. It also smells delicious - the vanilla hint really is lovely and makes it even more of a joy to apply. The texture is quite thick - so it's perfect for those days when you need to protect your lips from the cold. As someone who does prefer a splash of colour, it's sure to become a winter staple! It's already found a new home in my handbag...

Overall, a lovely little selection - I loved that the box was tailored towards such a good cause.I think my favourites have to be the Pixi Lip Balm and The Shaveworks Cool Fix - they're definitely products I'd purchase again and get lots of use out of.  For £12.95*, it's a fabulous treat! You can find out more about Birchbox on their website here.

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