I'm sure everyone that is into subscription boxes has heard about Birchbox, but in case you haven't. Birchbox is a monthly subscription service that delivers high end lifestyle, grooming and beauty samples for $10 a month.
Not only do you get to try out new products every month, but their points system is pretty kewl(which is why I joined). You get 10 points automatically with your first box(100 pts = $10 off a full size order), you also get 10 pts for each survey you fill out about the products in your box. You get 1 point for each $1 spent on their store in full size products and you get 50 points for referring people. So basically, you will get at least 4 products in your box, which means, 4 surveys/reviews = 40 points. Meaning you get $4 for their store, so technically the box ends up being $6(because you get the $4 to spend on their store, not to be used on the monthly boxes).
That point system got me to fall in love, but their customer service made me say: I do! Having a customer service background and being a customer service trainer, I love good customer service, because I know good customer service IS possible. So when I find a company with good customer service, I'm pleased!
The reason I'm referring to their customer service is because I was on the wait list for a long time. I was told to contact them and tell them that I had been in the wait list for over 4 weeks and they would be able to help me out. So I contacted them and they were having technical difficulties at the time(which is understandable and it happens, I've been there), so the girl said she would call me back and she did, however I couldn't subscribe right then because I didn't have my CC info. I called the next day(half asleep) and the girl was super polite, super nice and really understanding when I couldn't remember how phonetics worked and couldn't spell out my name(brain no worky in the morning!!). I told her it would be great if I could still get the January box, and she said she didn't think it could happen...well it did! I contacted them last week around the middle of the week(22nd), my box shipped out last Friday(25th) and I got my box on Monday(28th)!!!! Without even getting my box I was already pleased.
Anyways, the important matter in this post...my box!
List of items I got, then again every sub box does that.
Before:
Aerie – Shimmer Fragrance: Can't find the value of the sample, because I don't know how much product there is in there. Full size retails for $39.95. I don't hate this fragrance, I like it, but it's not for me. If someone else was wearing it, I would like it, but I wouldn't wear it.
Disclaimer: I purchased this with my own money, and this is my own personal opinion :) Link is a referral link.
Not only do you get to try out new products every month, but their points system is pretty kewl(which is why I joined). You get 10 points automatically with your first box(100 pts = $10 off a full size order), you also get 10 pts for each survey you fill out about the products in your box. You get 1 point for each $1 spent on their store in full size products and you get 50 points for referring people. So basically, you will get at least 4 products in your box, which means, 4 surveys/reviews = 40 points. Meaning you get $4 for their store, so technically the box ends up being $6(because you get the $4 to spend on their store, not to be used on the monthly boxes).
That point system got me to fall in love, but their customer service made me say: I do! Having a customer service background and being a customer service trainer, I love good customer service, because I know good customer service IS possible. So when I find a company with good customer service, I'm pleased!
The reason I'm referring to their customer service is because I was on the wait list for a long time. I was told to contact them and tell them that I had been in the wait list for over 4 weeks and they would be able to help me out. So I contacted them and they were having technical difficulties at the time(which is understandable and it happens, I've been there), so the girl said she would call me back and she did, however I couldn't subscribe right then because I didn't have my CC info. I called the next day(half asleep) and the girl was super polite, super nice and really understanding when I couldn't remember how phonetics worked and couldn't spell out my name(brain no worky in the morning!!). I told her it would be great if I could still get the January box, and she said she didn't think it could happen...well it did! I contacted them last week around the middle of the week(22nd), my box shipped out last Friday(25th) and I got my box on Monday(28th)!!!! Without even getting my box I was already pleased.
Anyways, the important matter in this post...my box!
Loving the cute little box...oh those little things that make me happy.
List of items I got, then again every sub box does that.
New Year themed card thingie, says basically to make the best of this year, yay!
This looks decent, not too exciting, but decent.
Number 4 – Clarifying Shampoo(52ml/1.75 fl oz):$6.66, full size goes is $32 for 250ml. I'm not sure if I will use this, though I might. It has no sulfates which is awesome for me, because I've been using a cleansing conditioner for a while now and when I use regular shampoo with sulfates my hair is not happy. Might give this a try, it smells a bit like the Moroccan Oil products which is kinda meh. However, I wouldn't really spend THIS much on a shampoo(I get the huge bottle of Wen, so it's not as expensive). Either way it's nice to get a fancy shampoo! Would be perfect for those days when you just want to pamper yourself ^^.
Caudalie – Vinexpert Radiance Day Cream SPF 15(3ml/0.1 fl oz): $5.63, full size goes for $75 for 40ml/1.3 oz(pricey!). Just when I was running out of samples for a day time moisturizer I get this! It's like the universe doesn't want me to open up my new moisturizer, which it's totally fine, I will make the huge sacrifice of trying out new fancy moisturizers everyday from now on! I'm excited to try this out. I tried Caudalie -Premier Cru La Crème before and I really liked it(review here). The container is pretty small, but it should last at least a week. My other Caudalie sample was the same size and it lasted me a bit over a week.
Deborah Lippmann –The Stripper to Go(1 mitt): $2, full size is 10 mitts for $12. I'm intrigued to try this out, reviews say that this is amazing and really removes polish easily. Can't wait to try it out. OK, as soon as I was done typing that last sentence, I decided to try this out, against a sand polish(maybe from a Glossybox O.O).
Deborah Lippmann –The Stripper to Go(1 mitt): $2, full size is 10 mitts for $12. I'm intrigued to try this out, reviews say that this is amazing and really removes polish easily. Can't wait to try it out. OK, as soon as I was done typing that last sentence, I decided to try this out, against a sand polish(maybe from a Glossybox O.O).
Here's my little mitt. What you have to do is place it on your finger and remove your polish!
Before:
As you can see the task was a hard one, but I managed to remove most of it with the mitt. I'm sure if it was regular nail polish it would've been easier.
After:
I really like the end result and I would love to buy a full size of this, however I think it's a bit over priced(of course, it's Deborah Lippmann). I'd rather just buy nail polish remover and textured cotton squares.
Eyeko – Skinny Liquid Eyeliner in Black(1.2g/0.04oz):$8.6, full size is 0.07oz and goes for $15. First thing I noticed when I got this...super hard to open, which I think it's OK, because that way I make sure it won't dry evar! I went into trying this with the thought that I had already found my loved one and only eye liner in Lorac's Front of the Line Pro(reviewed here). But when I tried this out I really liked it! It gives me as much precision as Lorac's and it's a really dark black. One not so awesome thing is that this is not water proof, but that's not a deal breaker. This is a deep black eyeliner, one stroke pigments perfectly. I recommend this as much as I recommend the Lorac, definitely a winner! Love it!
Swatch:
Swatch:
That's just one stroke!
Value and review:
The total value of my box(not including the value of the perfume sample) is $22.89.
I'm really happy with my Birchbox. I like the variety of items I got this month, not a fan of perfume samples, but the rest of the goodies make up for it.
I'm really happy with my Birchbox. I like the variety of items I got this month, not a fan of perfume samples, but the rest of the goodies make up for it.
My favorite from this box has to be the Eyeko Eyeliner for sure and then the Deborah Lippmann Striper to go would be second.
I love trying new things and that's exactly what I got from this month's Birchbox. I'm so glad I decided to subscribe and I know I will enjoy my boxes. I definitely recommend this subscription if you want to try out new things. If you expect big sized samples, this might not be for you, but if you want a lil' box of cute surprises then this will be the right fit.
I love trying new things and that's exactly what I got from this month's Birchbox. I'm so glad I decided to subscribe and I know I will enjoy my boxes. I definitely recommend this subscription if you want to try out new things. If you expect big sized samples, this might not be for you, but if you want a lil' box of cute surprises then this will be the right fit.
Disclaimer: I purchased this with my own money, and this is my own personal opinion :) Link is a referral link.
