Spring 2015 Haul (Pt. 1 – Birchbox Friends and Family Sale)
By Alina Avery
I have been shopping lately. Between the Sephora VIB Sale, the dwindling days left I’ll be eligible for my Birchbox employee discount, and just general excitement for the spring season, I’ve picked up quite a few bits and pieces here and there. I decided it’s better to break it up a bit instead of having one monster post.
Which is extra bad because soon I’ll have to pack up everything I own, so I’ve also been trying to use up my current stash as much as possible (aka apply self tanner daily). Keep an eye out for an empties post to round out the next few hauls.
Today was the Friends and Family Charity Sale at Birchbox HQ. Meaning that all of the products that were returned or damaged or discontinued or generally unsalable are available for employees and those they know to purchase at heavily discounted prices.
The product sales at work are tricky for a few reasons:
- Hygiene
You don’t want something that anyone has put their fingers in, mouth on, etc. I tend to grab skin care and hair products that dispense cleanly to avoid any potential contamination or disease spreading.
- Damages
Some products are returned because the packaging is broken, or the product itself is defective. Each item has to be inspected to make sure it still sprays properly and isn’t leaking or messy.
- Discounts
Some products will be a better deal than others. For the Birchbox sale, price points are $1, $2, $5, and $10. While a $1 product sounds like a great idea, it’s usually the $10 stuff that’s going to be the best deals. Each of the products I bought were $10, but retail for $40 and up, meaning I got them for at least 75% off!
- Digging!
There are literally boxes and boxes of product. It helps to know what you’re looking for and recognize products you’ve purchased or used before. I’m pretty good at sussing out things that I like, but it can be trying if you’re not patient, especially as little things tend to sink to the bottom.
During today’s sale, I grabbed:
I’ve purchased this exact set before. It’s two retinol products, one for night and one for day. They smell a bit funky but they work really well to refine skin texture, even tone, smooth and soothe.
A STAPLE product. Seriously, I have recommended this for anyone that has hair. It adds texture, shine, doesn’t weigh anything, smells amazing, but is pricey and the bottle always seems to run out quickly.
- By Terry Baume De Rose ($60)
I’ve had the pot version before, which I like, but is risky to pick up during the sale. I inspected it for fingerprints and it appeared untouched, which is good enough for me. It’s a rose scented colorless balm for lips, cuticles, and other dry areas. The packaging is compact but luxe, and this one will replace the one I keep on my bedside table, and that one will head into my purse for on-the-go.
I’m actually kind of upset about this because I just shelled out the cash to buy it full size, but I’m excited to find it anyway! This is an ideal product sale pick because each application is individually wrapped (so sanitary) and at $10 it’s an incredible deal. You use the first wipe, wait 2 minutes, and apply the second one. My skin always feels so soft and clean afterwards. It’s great for mornings when your skin feels congested or dull.
I’ve also used this before, but haven’t repurchased it as the Kiehl’s cleanser is way more cost effective and works well enough for me, but this cleanser is great for minimizing pores and balancing skin. It does give you ceramic or porcelain looking skin, but I have heard people complain about the scent. I don’t mind the fragrance personally, and a cleanser is on your skin for such a short amount of time that it doesn’t bother me at all.
I think I did pretty well at the sale! It can be tricky to dig out the best products, but definitely worth it. It’s for sure one of the things I’ll miss the most about working at Birchbox.
