May collaboration with Kate Spade or how I wish it was Sunday

Big hopes, big words and it all ended up in a whimper. All Birchbox subscribers this month have received a card with a discount code for Kate Spade Saturday ( which is a cheaper contemporary edition of Kate Spade merchandise). Some of the new subscribers scored a free necklace. Us- we got a card and a box with awesome lining. That's my second favorite thing about this month's box and isn't it a sad thing?

Here's what the mailman brought me:

Compared to what I saw online, my box does not really impress. If fact I am truly disappointed. Let's start with the obligatory hair products. Birchbox exclusive 

1&2 Beauty Protector/ Protect&Condition Shampoo and Conditioner

Full size:8 oz -$21.95 (each)

Sample size ?- 

Just after sending me a decent shampoo sample last month I have received this. I know some people really covet this brand, but I was not all that impressed with the leave in hair protector. It's hard for me to be impressed with these products as well. I don't know what the sample size is but is probably max 50 ml each.

Why I am so whiney? Because I wanted to like it but I am sensitive to its scent. Both products are very gentle and they are vegan, sulfate, paraben free. I like that in my beauty products as I think that we are already exposed to an enormous number of chemicals. I still have some shampoo left though I have already used up the conditioner. Shampoo is good, conditioner on a scale of 1 to 5, 5 being the best would rate an honest 3. It does it's job but it was not awe inspiring. My hair was in need of lots of additional conditioning after using it (mind you I do have dry hair).

2. Pixi Shea Butter Lip Balm in Pixi Pink

Full size: $8

With spring if full swing and summer just around the corner any lip balm is a strong color is welcome. As I have already stated I am really an Eos fan  as that lip balm saved my chapped lips last winter. Pixi gives me a delicate tint of pink color and creates a good barrier on my lips. At $8 it is a little too pricey for me to buy especially since I don't keep track of those lip balms once summer comes and I would need to buy more than one.

3.Sunscreen

Cotz Face Natural Skin Tone SPF 40

Full size: 1.5oz -$20

Sample: 2ml (0.06 fl oz.) -$ 0.80

I repeat 2 ml to test this. This sample actually pissed me off. What is next? I'm going to get an Anastasia brow tester on a piece of paper? Like this:

This is from a different bundle of samples that I have received with a purchase from Beauty Brands website.

At 2 ml this Cotz face lotion is by no means a deluxe sample. The paper cover for it was twice as big as the tiny tube. Inside you have a darkish cream that surprisingly felt good, created a nice matte finish and blended with my skin color. I would have liked to have received a bigger sample as I am unsure if it works. I have sensitive skin, sunscreen is important to my year round routine, but I break out after a lot of products. To truly see if I will break out I would need to wear this sunscreen at least three times. Unfortunately, the sample was too small for that. I did like that it is non-greasy and free of chemicals, oils and fragrances. It does contain Zinc Oxide and Titanium dioxide but then it is a mineral sunscreen so that was to be expected. I wish that sample was a bit bigger because as it is I am not sure if I should buy this product.

5. Aka as complimentary lifestyle add on

SmartyPants All-in-One Gummy Vitamins for Adults

Full size: 180- $29.99

Sample size: 2 gummies -c. $0.33

At last we have come to the vitamins. That was the first item I enjoyed in my May box. It was also the first item to be tested ;) I love gummy candy ( I'm looking your way Haribo)! I enjoyed this more than I enjoyed any other food sample I have received so far. If what they say on their website is true-you are in for a treat  and a health one at that. I am afraid that I would eat half of the bottle at one go though.  

To sum it up I feel a little cheated. Birchbox promises 4-5 deluxe samples every month, and while I did receive 4 samples - two of them were for products of the same brand ( Beauty Protector shampoo and conditioner) so I was really testing three brands. In addition, the Cotz face lotion sample was NOT a deluxe size. I saw boxes that had six items. I cannot help but be jealous of those. I know that people rave about Birchbox point system, but when you really think about it you are earning these points by leaving a review. I really dislike certain leading questions there, especially about me buying things I tested. To be honest I rarely make an impulse purchase ( well maybe except for when I'm on amazon) and I would appreciate an option of "maybe" on that question, because when I am reviewing my samples most of the time I don't know. With the downsized samples that I am receiving in my box I don't feel like I can answer that. I think I will be thinking hard on renewing my subscription when the time comes. This is not the first time I felt that Birchbox failed to deliver on its promise.