This month’s Birchbox was a total disappointment to me. I have felt that Birchbox has spent most of their time and money making beautiful boxes to hold their products, only to then choose mediocre things that I don’t really want. I made a video below of my unboxing, where you can see my frustration and disappointment in physical form:

This month’s box was adorable. You guys know how adventure is a running theme around here, and so I could not have been more pleased with the packaging. Adorable and pretty colors and beautiful fonts…but that’s all. The things inside aren’t good enough.

In this box:

Beauty Protector Protect & Detangle

I’ve used products from this brand before, and they work great. That is not the problem. It smells so bad though. All of their products have the same pungent fake-floral that gives me the worst headache. And it lingers. Oh does it linger. You will smell like this all day, and I just can’t handle that. Pass.

Full size: $21.95

Sample size: $4.39

Marcelle BB Cream Golden Glow

Another total miss of a product. This doesn’t give me a golden glow. It makes me orange. Orange and shiny. This might work if you have a more orange-tone skin to start with, or if you’re maybe darker, but someone as pale and yellow-tone as me makes it a total disaster. Pass.

Full size: $27

Sample size: $4.05

Coola Classic SPF 30 Cucumber Moisturizer for Face

This was a hit. I’ve used Coola sunscreen for a while now, and it’s really the best sunscreen for the face. If you’re looking for a really good sun protection product, this is it.

Full size: $32

Sample size: $4.52

Skyn Iceland Hydro Cool Firming Eye Gels

Another good product. I’ve gotten these in an ipsy box before, as well as through some other freebies. The thing that really irks me is that every time I get a sample of these, I get sent two. It looks like you’re cheapening out on me, Birchbox, and I don’t like that.

Full size: $30

Sample size: $3.75

Emi Jay Solid Hair Tie

You can’t have enough hair ties. This one isn’t particularly special and it’s very orange, but that’s okay. It’s usable.

Full size: $11

Sample size: $1.20

Marcelle Mini Waterproof Eyeliner

This eyeliner is good in theory. It has a wonderful texture and consistency and stays on all day without a single smudge. The color though…is electric. Bright bright blue. It’s very 80s-throwback. This one, despite the excellent formula, is doomed to be at the back of the drawer.

Full size: $18

Sample size: $4.50

So that’s it. I’m disappointed. I’m giving Birchbox one more month before I cancel to get it together. The value of this month was also an all-time low of $22.41. You can do better, Birchbox.