Birchbox Complexion Perfection Sampler: First Impressions and Review

The Complexion Perfection Sampler is an option from Birchbox that just became available on November 17th and is now an add on option for your December box. I ordered this on the 17th, it shipped that day, and I received it on the 20th. I was pleasantly surprised at the fast delivery seeing as how it takes so long for my actual Birchbox to get here.

I started by showering, washing my face, and applying my moisturizer as usual and then set to applying each product included in the sampler in the order and way they recommend.

Step 1: Beautyblender Original retail-$20

The first item in this, and the main draw to the box, is an original Beautyblender. I personally use a knockoff Ulta applicator currently as my closest Ulta was sold out of the name brand on my last trip. The Beautyblender isn't new and is heavily reviewed online so I won't go into a lot of detail on it here. I will say that I do love it and see why it's such a hit with makeup lovers. The original does seem to have a smoother less porous surface than it's imitators and soaks up less product when used correctly.

Step 2: Benefit Cosmetics Porefessional Face Primer retail-$31

Birchbox recommends using your Beuatyblender to apply this face primer which is not something I usually do instead opting to use my applicator for liquid foundation but I decided to try it to make sure I'm using all of the products in the way they recommend. I so want to like Benefit because their packaging is so cute and all of the names for their products are so witty but so far I just haven't been wowed by anything I've tried from them. This primer was fine and much better than what you'd find in the drugstore but I don't find it to be any better or worse than other primers in it's same tier level. The sample size of this primer was rather small as well so it would have taken most of the tube to cover my entire face. I instead focused on my t-zone and cheeks focusing more on problem areas. Although I wasn't super impressed with this it did minimize the appearance of my pores which is exactly what it says it will do.

Step 3: Marcelle BB Cream Golden Glow retail-$27

This product was the other draw to the sampler for me. I have been on the hunt for a good BB cream for quite some time now. As I have very pale combination/oily skin every BB cream I've tried has left me horribly broken out and a few have given me a very bad orange fake tan look. The size of this sample is more standard to what I'd expect with multiple uses but for some reason as soon as you open the lid this cream wants to come out every where and ends up in the lid trying to put it back on. Initially I was skeptical when I first saw this straight out of the tube as it's a very dark color. After I applied it to my face, however, I was pleasantly surprised. This BB cream is everything I've been looking for ! It smoothed into my skin extremely well and seemed to change color and blend into my skin tone seamlessly. It felt moisturizing but not oily and didn't cause any breakouts. You can still see a few of my larger inflamed acne spots through this but it reduced their redness significantly and covered up all of my scarring.The only small downside is that although it doesn't feel like I'm wearing anything on my skin, when I touch my face it does feel like there is product on it and it does transfer just a bit.

Step 4: The Beauty Crop Lighting Crew Highlighting Cream retail- $18

This stuff was the surprise hit of the box for me. The sample size is generous and will allow for many uses as a little goes a long way with this highlighter. It's a wonderful pale coppery color with some yellow, pink, and purple-y tints that can be seen in the light. I put a bit on my finger and applied it to my cheekbones and once on the skin it becomes a nice pearlescent white and blends in extremely well leaving behind a very nice highlight.

Step 5: W3ll People Bio Brightener Invisible Powder retail-$24

I wasn't so sure about this powder as all of the powders I usually used are pressed and this is loose but once I figured it out I did like it. When I first applied it my original thought was "Invisible Powder is right" as I didn't think I noticed a difference however looking at it as a whole in natural light it definitively helped to smooth out my skin tone even more and reduce the shine of the BB cream.

Final Thoughts: 

When I saw this box I snatched it up immediately as I had been searching for a low fuss makeup look for summer or lazy days when I didn't want to do a full face of makeup or a thick layer of foundation when it's really hot out. I was really hoping this would be a simpler way to even my skin tone and minimize my pores and acne and be something I'd feel comfortable wearing out of the house and it was exactly what I was looking for. I will probably use my own primer and will maybe add a little blush and mascara but otherwise I am so happy to have products to use in the summer now. I will definitely be purchasing full sizes of a lot of these products as soon as I run out!

Here is a photo of myself with only the products listed above on my face. I'm wearing nothing on my lips or eyes at all and have done no editing to this photo. Also please excuse how grumpy I look I was trying to make sure you could see all areas of my face and smiling created weird shadows.

Thank you for reading! You can add this kit to your December box right now and if you're not already a Birchbox member you can join now for $5 off you first box!