Well, we’re into the second week of November and I’ve just realised that I never posted my review of the Birchbox I received last month … whoops! I really need to work harder to get these reviews up during the correct month don’t I? I promise to be on time from now on!

Anyway, during October Birchbox teamed up with world renowned astrologist, Susan Miller, to bring 4 different boxes to their subscribers : Earth, Air, Fire and Water. The box we got was dependent on our star sign, and as I’m a Libra, I received the Air box.

I have to say I thought the box design last month was absolutely beautiful. It’s a midnight blue colour adorned with stars that actually glow in the dark! I love it. So, what did I get in my box last month? Make sure you read on if you want to find out …

LORD & BERRY 20100 MAXI MATTE CRAYON LIPSTICK IN INTIMACY

The first product I received in this months box was a full sized matte lip pencil from Lord & Berry in the shade ‘Intimacy’. I actually fell in love with this particular shade at first glance (if that’s even possible) and I wasn’t disappointed when I started using it! Intimacy is a beautiful pinky nude shade which is a lot like my lips (but better). Shades like this really suit me, and are the ones I tend to pick up when I’m out shopping for lip products.

I’ve never tried any matte lip products from Lord & Berry before, and I thought it might be a little too drying on my lips. But I needn’t have worried, as it didn’t feel dry at all. It lasted really well throughout the day too, with just the odd top-up needed here and there.

The Lord & Berry 20100 Maxi Matte Crayon Lipstick in Intimacy retails at £12.00 and I will definitely be repurchasing once I’ve run out!

BATISTE STYLIST OOMPH MY LOCKS XXL VOLUME SPRAY

The second product I received in October’s Birchbox was something I bought when it was launched last year – Batiste’s Oopmh My Locks XXL Volume Spray from their range of styling products. Now, I’ve always got on really well with Batiste’s range of dry shampoo’s, but their styling products really don’t suit me. I have really fine hair that I never seem to be able to add any volume to, no matter what products I use. I did give this product a second try so I could write up a fair review, but it still didn’t give my locks any sort of oomph!

What I will say though that the product is really easy to use – just shake, spray lightly on to dry hair, then massage in with your fingers to give it some volume. The mist is really fine, so it doesn’t leave your hair feeling like there’s loads of product in it. And it has a lovely light and pleasant scent to it. I just feel it would work better on thicker hair.

Batiste’s Stylist Oomph My Locks XXL Volume Spray is a steal at £4.29, but unfortunately I won’t be repurchasing myself.

DOUX ME PURE SPRING MIST

Next up I received the Doux Me Pure Spring Mist which, I have to say, has the most gorgeous packaging. I absolutely love the dotty design on the can. I’d never heard of Doux Me before, but that might be because they’re a Birchbox exclusive brand, and I’ve only been a subscriber for a few months.

The Doux Me Pure Spring Mist is designed to spritz onto your face to brighten tired complexions and hydrate thirsty skin. And although I love products like this, I see them as more of a summer thing than an Autumn one. I’ve used this a few times since receiving my box, and have found that it feels really nice on the skin when first spritzed on, but doesn’t really live up to its promises. My skin never looks any brighter or feels very hydrated after use.

I was really impressed by the size of the sample (50ml) but I definitely wouldn’t repurchase this at £16.00 for the full 100ml version. As the can only contains pure spring water it feels a little bit like daylight robbery!! It’s not for me.

NKD SKN PRE-SHOWER BUILDABLE TAN

October’s Birchbox also included a NKD SKN Pre-Shower Buildable Tan. Now, I don’t really get on with tanning products so I haven’t used this yet. And I haven’t decided whether I ever will or if I’ll pass this one on to a friend or family member. But I do have to say it looks really simple to use : you just apply to dry skin, wait for ten minutes and then wash away in the shower.

According to the Birchbox website, this tanning treatment is quick-drying, odourless and made from natural ingredients. Even I have to admit that it sounds great. And what’s more, the tan is said to last for up to 7 days. Wow!

The NKD SKN Pre-Shower Buildable Tan costs £13.95 for a full sized tube, which I think is a good price for something like this.

NUMBER 4 FLUORO5 ELIXER RESTORE & REPAIR OIL

The fifth product I received in my October Birchbox was the Number 4 Fluoro5 Elixer Restore and Repair Oil. I have to say I really wanted to love this product. But unfortunately, I didn’t. Hair oils have become big business over the last couple of years, and all my friends rave about them. When you have super fine hair like mine though, it’s not a product you can use. Why not? Because it leaves my hair looking limp and greasy instead of shiny and sleek. Which, believe me, is not a good look!

What I can’t quite understand, is that when I first signed up to Birchbox I filled in a survey to let them know what skin and hair type I have. Yet I keep receiving hair products that aren’t suitable for me. It’s a real shame.

I’ve had a quick look at some other reviews of the Number 4 Fluoro5 Elixer Restore and Repair Oil and it seems that people with thicker hair and those with dry or damaged locks found this product the most useful. So if you don’t fall into any of those categories it’s probably best to steer clear.

The Number 4 Fluoro5 Elixer Restore and Repair Oil comes in at £18.40 for the full sized 2.0 fl oz bottle, which I think is quite pricey, but would maybe consider if the product actually worked for me.

BIRCHBOX EYEBROW BRUSH

And last but not least in October’s Birchbox I received an eyebrow brush from their own range. This actually came at a good time for me as I’d left my only other brow brush at a friends house and was missing using it every morning! It’s a duo brush, so one side is for combing your lashes and the other is for tidying your brows. I always opt for brushes like this as I’m a big fan of multi-tasking products. The tool is a good size, well made and does what it’s supposed to do.

At £1.99 the Birchbox Eyebrow Brush is an absolute bargain, and I wouldn’t hesitate to repurchase it.

Overall I thought the October Birchbox was OK, but not as good as the previous two boxes I received. As we’re now on the run up to Christmas I’m hoping the products we get in the next two boxes outshine them all. Well, a girl can dream!

Birchbox – £10.00 (plus P&P) per month ||link||

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*Product purchased with my own money