Hurray! I’ve made it through all the samples in my latest Birchbox delivery and let me tell you: I was not readily swayed by this package. Read on for the breakdown of my latest round of beauty wars.
Sample: derma e- Hydrating Serum with Hyaluronic Acid vs Staple: Episilk dark circle hyaluronic acid
Episilk is really just for your eyes but since it is the only product I use with Hyaluronic Acid I decided to compare these two. Derma is not moisturizing at all. It goes on and your face still feels dry, while the Episilk (that I purchased at Whole Foods, believe it or not) leaves a stickier but moisturized feeling. I used both products around the eyes and honestly, don’t think either is making that much of a difference.
Calling this one a loser’s tie: what is hyaluronic acid anyway?
Sample: Eyeko- Fat Liquid Liner vs. Staple: Dior Liner
Eyeko fat liner is for those who like the FAT line. It looks almost exactly like a black sharpie pen. It lasts about as long as a sharpie, too. Great product for major cat eyes, but since I so rarely venture out past my comfort zone of a thin line of liquid I will be sticking with my Dior liner (the brush, not the pen.) It makes the perfect dandy little line.
Staple wins.
Sample: Embroyolisse Lait-Creme Concentre vs Staple: NeoCutis Mircro-Day
Your skin is so silky after lathering on the new French moisturizer that you almost wonder if they put butter in the tube. I love how nicely foundation glides over this productI am all about time-saving, so I need a daily moisturizer that also works as my primer. Unfortunately, one other must-have for my daily-wear moisturizer is SPF and the Embryolisse is lacking in that department. Adding an additional advantage, NeoCutis has a tint in its moisturizer if I ever want to just rub it on and leave the house, I feel like I have an added layer to conceal un-eveness.
Staple wins.
Sample: Number 4- Super Comb Prep & Protect vs Staple: Unite 7Seconds Condition Leave-In
Not even a competition. 7seconds wins hands down. Period. The overly fragrant Number 4 didn’t leave my hair anywhere near as soft and silky as Unite. My comb went through my hair so much easier with the 7seconds.
Staple Wins.
Sample: Oribe- Dry Texturizing Spray vs Staple: Drybar Triple Sec
This one was very close. Too close. I thought both products added nice volume to my hair. Both had their own distinct smell and I think I prefer the floral smell of Oribe to the Drybar citrus smell. Both didn’t leave icky reside behind. I thought it was going to come down to price (the Drybar is $26.00 for 4.2 oz and Oribe is $44.00 for 8.5oz) but the Oribe left my hair cruncher than the Drybar.
Staple wins, but by a small margin.
January can be for major life changes. This box came with clever stickers to channel what you want to focus on in 2016. Starting off my 2016 did not include any beauty-product swaps: I stuck by all my staples this month.
Tune in next month for February’s Birchbox wars!