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Birchbox Curated Box Review + Coupon – December 2016

Liz Cadman
ByLiz CadmanDec 12, 2016 | 21 comments

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Birchbox
3.7 overall rating
657 Ratings | 188 Reviews

Every month, Birchbox lets subscribers pick between a curated box (all samples revealed) or a single sample choice and be surprised by the rest of the items. This review is of the curated box. (Birchbox subscribers can currently buy this box for $10 in the Birchbox shop!)

My Subscription Addiction pays for this subscription. (Check out the review process post to learn more about how we review boxes).

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The Subscription Box: Birchbox

The Cost: $10 a month (get one month free and $10 to spend in the shop with an annual subscription!)

FLASH DEAL: Use coupon code TWOFORONE to get a FREE bonus box with your first month!

The Products: Beauty and lifestyle samples selected by the Birchbox team.

Ships to: US, FranceSpain and the UK

Check out all of my Birchbox reviews and the Beauty Subscription Box Directory!

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Each box comes with a card detailing the items included and some tips on how to use them.

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And for the holidays this box also included gift tags:

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And a bonus mirror:

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Now onto the items!

 

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Rene Furterer Lumicia Shampoo - 15 ml Value $1.60

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Rene Furterer Lumicia Conditioner - 15 ml Value $2.40

I liked this hair duo (and I appreciate that Birchbox sent both the shampoo and conditioner set), but I will warn you that this haircare line is heavily fragranced, so I'd steer clear if you don't want shampoo/conditioner that has more of a perfume scent.

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The Organic Pharmacy Double Rose Rejuvenating Face Cream - 7 ml Value $12.32

This face cream was super gentle on my skin and absorbed quickly, too. It has a natural rose scent (which I don't love), but I don't mind it, either. (I feel like I've been getting a ton of rose-scented items in subscription boxes lately!)

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LOC One & Done Eyeshadow Stick in Rock Steady - FULL SIZE! Value $10

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I've sampled the LOC line before (it is one of Birchbox's in-house brands) and I'm so impressed with the formula. It's paraben and cruelty-free, and these sticks have AMAZING staying power!

The stick glides on smoothly and the pigment is fabulous, too. Here it is swatched:

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This shade is described as metallic greige - AKA my new favorite color!

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IPKN Flash Cream Radiant Primer - 7 ml Value $4.90

This primer gives your skin a luminescent shimmer. Even if you don't use foundation, I would recommend trying it out! I love how it made my skin glow! (And it provided a good makeup base, too.)

Verdict: This box has a value of about $31 - that's great for a $10 beauty box. In most cases, the curated box has a good value, so I recommend always picking it if that's a priority for you. My favorite items this month are the IPKN and LOC - and fortunately they are two of the largest samples!

What do you think of the December Birchbox? Did you pick a curated box or a sample?

Starting at $22.00
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Birchbox was one of the very first beauty subscription boxes—we’ve been reviewing it since 2012! Each month, subscribers get a new mix of 5 beauty samples, such as makeup, skincare, haircare, and fragrance items. Birchbox lets you choose whether you’d like a box of items picked just for you (incl... read more.

Liz Cadman
Liz Cadman
Liz is the founder of My Subscription Addiction. She's been hooked on subscription boxes since 2011 thanks to Birchbox, and she now subscribes to over 100 boxes. Her favorites include POPSUGAR Must Have, FabFitFun, and any box that features natural beauty products!

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21 comments

mslisa100

I did not get the curated box I did not want shampoo/conditioner, but I am sorry I missed out getting the primer, as I absolutely love it. I got a sample in a previous box and it is a big winner for me

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Chrystal

I received my box today and I am so disappointed. There is only ONE item in the box from my initial box reveal. I went back to the app and it has been conveniently changed. Has this happened to anyone else? I felt like something was wrong because this is the last of my 5 beauty boxes to arrive this month and it is always the first..by several days or more! Has this ever happened to anyone else? I have never had my box arrive with different samples than my reveal. I received:
Marcelle CC Cream, Dr Brandt Pore No More Cleanser, English Laundry perfume sample, Loc Shadow Stick in Out of Your Shell, Chella Brow gel-the only item in the box from my initial reveal!
I was expecting the Ardency Inn Eyeliner, Wilma Schuman Collagen Eye Pads, R+Co Dry Shampoo, Real Chemistry 3 minute peel- I was SO happy about this box!

Had I known something like this could happen I would have taken a screenshot of the initial reveal. I’m going to email them now, but I doubt anything will result from it 🙁

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Lorna

I was disappointed with my first box and forst impression means not continuing subdcription. Plenty of competition put there.

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Chris Atkinson

I keep Birchbox because I think the $10 cost is worth the samples, although I’m getting a little tired of the same old, same old. But I end up using or sharing most of the box — so it’s worth it to me. The one thing I did enjoy about December’s box? The address label — who was yours addressed to? Mine was the “lively” Chris…I know others who had other names…I know they’re auto-generated but it was still a nice touch.

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Mooglebee

It’s my first month with Birchbox, and I thought they shipped out by the 10th but I haven’t been notified yet. It still says processing. Anyone else still waiting?

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Sarah

Very underwhelmed. In my box I received the mirror and gift tags and…
Ardacy Inn Eyeliner, Chella eyebrow defining gel, more dry shampoo, Real Chemistry Peel (my pick) and eye pads. I have a variation of these items or these exact items many times over. When I opened the box I literally said out loud “another Chella and dry shampoo”. Oh well. Maybe January will need better 🙂

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Candace

How do you sharpen those eyeshadow sticks? Or any of the bigger plastic sticks?

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Crunchycloth

Wow-sorry but this box looks like such a let down. Once again, so glad I cancelled

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Mel

My mirror came with what looked to be tomato sauce on it…..

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Karen

Is it just me or are other BB subscribers getting products that are WAAAY OFF for their beauty profile? I keep getting hair items that are made for frizzy hair when my profile says my hair is poker straight & baby-fine/thin. I also will be receiving a hair mask too that seems not right for me either. I finally wrote to them but haven’t checked for a response yet. I mean I stopped Ipsy because they were doing the same thing but they have an even more detailed profile. I mean why have one if you don’t use it. I noted that the new points program has removed our ability to review what they send us (so they know if we would use the items they pick). Last month for one item there was a thing where I could check a thumbs up or down regarding if the product related to me I clicked the “thumbs down” as the sent another hair product irrelevant to me. I love that they at least let us pick one item & we can ususally count on liking one item in our box (unless all three choices are irrelevant) and sometimes the curated box fits me (okay I think I only ever found one since they started it but still). At-any-rate, I thought it was time to say something as their customer service is stellar & I believe the company wants to continually improve. I just didn’t know if I was the only one experiencing this issue.

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Dianne

My box shipped today

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Rebekah

I didn’t get any gifts tags in my box 🙁

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vintage chris

me either

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SJ

I didn’t get any either

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vane

does anyone know if we all get the bonus mirror in our box even if it we didn’t get the curated version?

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Liz Cadman

Yes, the gift tags and mirror will be in all boxes this month – not just curated! 🙂

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Heather B

It is showing up as $15 for me….? Any suggestions??

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Liz Cadman

Once you add it to your cart, the $5 should be discounted in the cart total. Hope that helps!

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Heather B

It does. It literally says it in black and white on the page too, but who reads things? 😁

wendy

Is anyone else having problems with birchbox website? I can’t get it to load.

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lindalee

I did for a while on my phone. I had to use chrome.

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