I had fallen off the beauty box wagon for a while. I was still getting the boxes but the sample were just piling up and I was getting to them weeks and months later, only to have forgotten which box they came from.

I'm back on this month and my Birchbox arrive right on schedule! Ipsy was being a slowpoke and won't be here until the end of the month, which is disappointing.

Anyway, what's in this month's box?

Amika Nourishing Mask

Paraben-free treatment that conditions and repairs with superfruit sea buckthorn berry. Smooth onto lengths and ends of damp hair. Leave 5-10 minutes before rinsing.

Amika is a really great haircare brand. Their stuff usually contains a lot of natural things and really does live up to the claims. My issue is that I don't think that it lives up to the price. I liked this mask, but I don't think it's worth the money you have to shell out when there are so many great drugstore brands that are doing the same thing for less cash. On the plus side though, this stuff is delightfully perfumey and smells magnificent and leaves your hair smelling delicious for hours and hours.

Full size: $28

Sample size: $2.28

TheBalm Cosmetics Read My Lips Lip Gloss – BAM!

Fortified with antioxidant-rich ginseng, this gloss imparts rich color and loads of shine. Sweep onto lips on its own, or layer over lipstick for a custom ( and ultrashiny) hue.

This lipgloss is divine. I am so impressed with it. It stains your lips for a wonderful finish for hours and smells fantastically fruity. I got loads of compliments when I wore this the other day. It's made me get excited about looking into their other colors.

Full size: $15

Sample size: $4

Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant

This leave-on exfoliant wipes away impurities to reveal smooth, even-toned, glowing skin. Once or twice daily, apply to clean skin with a cotton ball or pad.

I have been using this twice a day for nearly a week and I just don't see a difference. It's a liquid that you squirt onto a cotton pad and rub on your face. It doesn't burn or dry out my skin, but it doesn't seem to do...anything. Maybe it needs more time, but a week is usually how long I give skincare to make some kind of difference and this just hasn't. Pass.

Full size: $26

Sample size: $6.50

English Laundry Signature for Her

Inspired by English gardens, this charmer balances floral and woodsy notes. Apply to pulse points and enjoy the sophisticated bouquet.

If you've been around for a while, you know how much I hate getting perfume samples. I never seem to like them. This one is a an exception. It's floral, but not sickly or gross. Just lightly flowery, like a walk in an English garden. Do like.

Full size: $70

Sample size: $1.31

BeeKind Body Lotion

Made with honey and organic chamomile, this yummy UK fave sinks in to restore skin. Massage generously into skin.

This smells very strongly of chamomile, which I like, but it is very pronounced. It also takes a long time to work into the skin, but lasts a long time when it finally finishes soaking in. It isn't my favorite lotion, but I'll use it up.

Full size: $15

Sample size: $1.90

Total value: $15.99

This is the lowest value box I've gotten from Birchbox yet. I feel like the only thing that is really special and useful is the lip gloss, which I will use the heck out of. So not your best, Birchbox. Let's try again next month.

If you would like to subscribe to Birchbox, I would love it if you used my referral link. If that's not something you're comfortable with, then don't worry about it. You can check it out here: https://www.birchbox.com/invite/everydaycait