Update on April's Birchbox: Expired Befine Samples

*A quick note. I will be very busy with work this week and I will also be rebuilding the Batmachine to make it faster.  I will try to post once more this week but I may not be back until next week*

If you read my blog about my April Birchbox you know I was really excited about the Befine moisturizer. Well it turns out it's expired.  Not just a little passed the use by date..Mine expired in 07/2009.

Befine Expiration Date

These samples were in several of the April boxes. So check your dates. It's on stamped on the side and can be a bit hard to read.

Birchbox became aware of the issue on Thursday and by Friday issued the following statement:


Dear Birchbox Customer,


It has come to our attention that a small number of the Befine Daily Moisturizer with SPF 15 samples included in our April boxes may have passed their expiration dates. Please check the stamp on the outside of your packet of Befine Daily Moisturizer with SPF 15. If your sample has expired, we advise you not to use the product, as the SPF is not guaranteed to be effective after the stated expiration date.


If you received an expired sample of the moisturizer, we would like to deposit 100 Birchbox Points in your account. Please complete this survey by April 27 to request the points award; your account will be updated by May 1.


We take pride in sending you high-quality products from great brands, typically their newest and best selling products. This situation is unacceptable and not representative of the Birchbox standard for product quality. We are working with Befine to determine the root cause of the error, and we deeply apologize for this experience.


All the best,
Hayley and Katia
Co-founders of Birchbox


I'm disappointed that these are expired.  I was really excited about trying them out. I may go ahead and buy the moisturizer. It's also disappointing because it only leaves me two items in my box that are useful to me the MicroMitt and the Wei face mask.

I'm pleased that Birchbox has acted swiftly and honorably during this situation. If you received expired samples and have not heard from Birchbox, contact customer service: info@birchbox.com or on Twitter @BirchboxOps

April Birchbox

Birchbox is a monthly beauty sample service for  $10 a month. They are now offering a Birchbox for men. April was my second Birchbox. I received Box # 10. I've been pretty happy with both boxes I've received so far. The April boxes gave a nod to Earth Day and featured products made from natural ingredients.

• Befine Skincare Sampler  Moisturizer and Gentle Cleanser .34 oz sample (Retail Full size 4oz $25 each)  Revive dull skin with this gentle cleanser and moisturizer duo. Both use rice extracts to restore skin's natural barrier.  I received three packs of moisturizer and two packs of the cleanser. These are very generously sized samples. I can easily get multiple uses out of the moisturizer. I've lost count on the first pack. I think I've gotten six uses so far. The cleanser is liquid which I didn't realize when I first opened it and spilled all over my counter. Normally this is the part where I say, 'eh it's a moisturizer" but I actually really liked the moisturizer and would consider buying it. There is only a light fragrance. It applies smoothly and doesn't feel greasy or heavy. I was a bit underwhelmed by the cleanser but I'll give it another go.  

Befine Skincare Sampler. 3 x Moisturizer, 2 x Cleanser

• Wonderstruck by Taylor Swift  Perfume Sample .04 oz (Retail Full size 3.4 oz $59.50) Inspiration for Wonderstruck came from Taylor’s favorite memories and scents. The fragrance is a gourmand floral; a charming and sparkling surprise of vibrant fruits, kissed by a bouquet of soft petals and a touch of sweet indulgence.  I don't typically go floral or fruity .
• Zoya TRUE Spring Collection Nail Polish in Bevin .25oz sample (Retail Full Size .5 oz $8) Lighten up fprr spring with this fresh shade. The non-toxic formula goes on opaque and lasts 50% longer than traditional polishes. Bevin is a sage green with faint teal undertones. I'm not a big nail polish person. I don't see myself ever wearing this color. I think it would just come out sickly with my pale complexion. I'd be willing to trade this for Cho.

Zoya TRUE Spring Collection in Bevin

• WEI White Lotus Hydrating Face Treatment Pad Single Sheet Sample (Full Size 6 sheets $68) This single-use face mask is soaked with a blend of Eastern botanicals and hyaluronic acid to give skin an instant moisture boost.  Hopefully, I don't like this too much because $68 is probably stretching what even I would be willing to pay for skincare. 
• MicrodermaMitt Face Mitt  Full Size (Retail $28.50) This all-natural silk mitt gently exfoliates away dead skin cells and pore-clogging debris.

Overall I'm pretty impressed with this month's box. I will probably try to trade the Zoya polish and the Wonderstruck. I know a lot of people get caught up on the monetary value of their sample boxes. This particular box has been judged one of the better boxes $$ wise. I'm not one to place value strictly based on the dollar amount. I judge the value based on how useful the products are to me. 

Milani Spring Nail Polishes

I was one of the lucky winners of the Milani Cosmetics MVP Giveways on Twitter.  I won six full size bottles of the Spring 2012 nail polishes. I'm a huge fan of Milani blushes but have not tried their nail polishes.

L to R: Beach Front, Sail Away, Key West, Orchidia, Deep Thoughts, & Silver Stilettos

I found the formula easy to use. It was neither too thin and watery nor too thick. A little does go a long way. So if you tend to be heavy handed with your polish like I am, you may want to be careful. It dries fairly quickly and layers nicely. I used two coats for the swatches. All of the colors except Deep Thoughts have a slightly glittery finish.

L to R: Key West,  Sail Away, and Key West

Key West is a light pastel blue. It's darker and less minty than it photographed in the bottle. Sail Away is a beautiful dark blue glittery color. Key West is a glittering emerald green.

L to R: Orchidia, Deep Thoughts, and Silver Stilettos

Orchidia is much more purple and less pink than it appears in this photo. Deep Thoughts is the only non-glittery color in the group. It is a beautiful deep grape purple. Silver Stilettos is a very shiny and metallic silver.

I normally only wear neutral colors on my fingernails but I will wear color on my toes.  However, if someone were to make a collection of nail polishes based of my belly dance costumes, it would be these six colors.  I can wear just about any of these colors for performance. I really enjoy the colors is this collection. I may just have to try out some more Milani nail polishes. Thank you Milani for a great giveaway!

Milani cosmetics are found at most drugstores or online directly at  Milani Cosmetics . Follow them on Twitter: @milanicosmetics