Birchbox Curated Box Review + Coupon – August 2017

ByLiz CadmanAug 15, 2017 | 20 comments

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.

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

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 BB86-4723 to save 50% off of your first month of a 3-month Birchbox subscription!

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

Ships to: US, France, Spain and the UK

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

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

Now on to the items!

Stila Cosmetics Stay All Day Liquid Lipstick in Aria - Travel Size Value $12

I sampled this before thanks to Birchbox, and now I'm addicted to the shade Patina. (I wear it almost every day.) The formula dries matte, and the pigment is excellent. It stays put for most of the day and wears down well, too.

Here it is swatched:

This berry pink is a little darker than I typically wear, but I like that it is cool-toned. It will work for me when I'm going for a bold lip!

Living proof. Restore Mask Treatment - 28 g Value $5.20

I LOVE the scent of Living Proof products! This mask is no exception - my hair smells amazing! I used this after my regular Living Proof shampoo. (Just leave it in for about 5 minutes, and skip your regular conditioner).

To be honest, I can't tell a difference between this and the regular Living Proof conditioner. Both leave my hair moisturized with the subtle scent I'm obsessed with, but if you're picking between this and the conditioner, I'd go with the conditioner since you'll get more uses out of it!

pūr~lisse blue lotus seed mud mask + exfoliant - 15 ml Value $11.15

This clay mask takes about 7 minutes to dry, then you wash it off and get extra exfoliation thanks to the gritty texture. I found this to be gentle, and it left my skin feeling super clean. Did it clear out my pores? No luck, there.

amika Bombshell Blowout Spray - 1 oz Value $3

This blowout spray is designed to add volume and texture to hair. I put about 10 spritzes in my hair post-shower, then followed with my blowdryer, and I could definitely see a difference in my hair. The initial big volume died down after the first 15 minutes, but long after my hair still had more texture throughout. This would be perfect for helping to keep any hairstyles in place. (Or just to have a bit more volume!)

Dr. Jart+ Water Fuse™ Ultimate Hydro Gel - 1o ml Value $7.80

Ah! This gel is so refreshing! It's a lightweight face cream that's hydrating without any greasiness. And it just feels luxe on your skin, too.

Verdict: This box has a value of about $39 - that's great for a $10 beauty box. And all these brands and products are fab - one of my favorite Birchboxes ever! (Tip: In most cases, the curated box has a good value, so I recommend always picking it if that's a priority for you.)

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

Starting at $22.00

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Birchbox

3.7 overall rating

657 Ratings | 188 Reviews

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.

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Posted in Beauty Subscription Boxes, Cheap Subscription Boxes, Subscription Box Reviews, Subscription Boxes for Women

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!

Read More By Liz Cadman >

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20 comments

Anita

I get Ipsy currently but am interested in BirchBox. Is it $10 whether you choose curated or 1 sample choice/4 random? Also for those that used to get Birchbox but now only get Ipsy or some other sub, why did you switch? Is it the sizes of the samples, selection, something else? Appreciate all opinions.

Elle Em

I currently get both. I recently assessed all of my beauty items and found that my samples have been steadily piling up. I have a tendency to continue collecting things like this (quasi-hoarding?), so I am trying to make more of an effort to not let clutter pile up and to use what I currently have.

I know I want to keep one, and Ipsy wins out because 1) the product sizes are much better, 2) the items are generally more exciting and/or useful, 3) the items seem more tailored to my user profile, 4) I have never received a damaged, leaking, or incorrect item from Ipsy (I have received one of each of these from Birchbox), 5) I prefer Ipsy’s rating/feedback system, and 6) Ipsy’s beauty profile is much more in depth than Birchbox’s.

Overall, I feel that Birchbox is more skincare/haircare oriented and marketed toward an older audience while Ipsy is more makeup/tool oriented and marketed toward a younger audience. These assessments are neither positive nor negative, but more about what your preferences are.

Some of the things I actually prefer about Birchbox are:

– They provide an info sheet with every box to let you know a little bit about every single item you’ve received. I love this and think it is very helpful to have right in front of you. With that said, you can always log in to your Ipsy account online and get information about the Ipsy items you’ve received if you want more information (and save paper by doing this).
– They allow you to do gift subscriptions quite easily.
– I think I have actually been introduced to more brands and products that I would consider buying again and using regularly – mostly hair and skincare items.

I hope this helps. This is probably more opinion than you ever wanted to receive, but I love talking about these things. 😀

Anita

Thanks everyone for the “actual user” info on Birchbox. I love hair & skin products but I think for the near future (especially after I found out I can request 1 specific Ipsy item from the spoilers) I’ll stick with Ipsy. My budget won’t allow for 2 subs, maybe one day. Birchbox is definitely on my wishlist.

Kim

It’s $10 whether you get complete surprise samples, do the pick-one-plus-four-surprises, or the curated box of the month. So, several options.

I like Birchbox because what I was really looking for was brands that were completely new to me. That’s why I’m not going with the Sephora box currently. And something about Ipsy just doesn’t sit right with me – having to tweet or Instagram about it before I can sign up (don’t know if that’s still a thing or not), plus the reviews I’ve seen on this site rarely show a sample that I’m very excited about. Birchbox has definitely delivered on the new products front for me. And I’ve probably found one product per box that I would buy again.

Laura A Doss

I love my Birch box.

That’s a pretty good box. I would be happy as well!

Too bad I got horrible samples when I was subscribed to them. Now when I see “Birchbox” I cringe.

Alma

Same for me. I got the tracking info on the 6th, it hasn’t moved since.

Jeanine

My box was strange…it came open!! The mailer was open and the box was crushed!! Fortunately everything was there and nothing was broken!!! I guess someone didn’t like my Birchbox!! I think it was a good one too!! Lol

Elle Em

I selected the curated box and ended up getting a box that was completely different. 🙁

I think I’m about ready to cancel Birchbox. Not just for this reason, but I have so many samples piling up and I’d rather keep Ipsy instead.

Regina

I chose a curated beta version spotlight on sunny days I think it was called. They sent me a regular sample box. I did email them and they told me it was a mix up in the warehouse and would get me another box sent out right away. I seem to be having a time this month with my boxes…this one being mixed up, my ipsy missing a product, getting my August glossybox before my July. I pray nothing is wrong with my boxycharm I love that one.

Sharon

I wore Aria to a wedding over the weekend and got sooooo many compliments. Best impulse buy I’ve made in a long time.

Michelle

My box hasn’t moved from the original “tracking label has been made.” This same thing happened my first month last time I started a bb sub 🙁 I did eventually get extra points and an extra box out of it so I can’t complain about customer service. But i wish shipping was a little faster!

Katie

I ended up picking the spotlight on oily skin this month. I have combination skin, but I tend to be a bit oily towards the end of summer. I think this box is perfectly rounded out and has everything you need to combat oily skin. I’m most excited to try the seaweed clay mask and the Michael Todd blue green algae antibacterial toner.

Carolann

I rejoined Birchbox just for this curated box and am not disappointed! First off, the box design is my favorite. I love how the trees line up on the lid to the base. I am a sucker for skincare, especially masks and water gels, so I’m excited to try these out.

Meadow

I tried to order the curated box yesterday , it said theyre out of stock😕. Im hoping they come back. I did the sample choice but ive been really wanting to try the pur-lisse mask.

Lori

I picked a sample this month cuz they had the Stila lippie in Perla & I prefer that color. I’m anxious to see how it performs cuz I’m more of a gloss girl. My other samples were pretty good, a cleanser, balancing serum, etc. I’m a lil disappointed in the teeny tiny sample sizes though. I’d like to have enough of them to see if it would actually work for me before I spend sooo much on the full size and it ends up breaking me out etc.

I think I may just go with the curated boxes and give them as gifts if nothing works for me. I’ve given my mom a couple of items & she’s fallen in love with them 🙂 she’s gonna but the full sizes when she’s used up the samples so that’s a good thing ☺️ ☺️

Judy

I dropped Birchbox a few months ago after being with them for as long as I can remember. It’s only $10 a month but I found little samples that I didn’t use piling up. It’s fun to see the boxes I’m not getting but I have no regrets. I do like some of their limited edition boxes. but am glad I lightened my load.

Jennifer

I dropped them too, Judy. I had drawers of samples…and they didn’t seem as special. I took some on vacation though! I think Birchbox could be better, but I don’t know what I’d suggest. Boxycharm is knocking them out of the water.

Lori

I agree with you on Boxycharm! I love my boxy and I can’t wait to get it this month! ❤️ I initially thought of Birchbox for skin care but their samples are so small even allure is send sending bigger ones & they don’t even cater to your skin type etc. You can always find a use for them & it is a $10 sub, I’m going to give them a few more months before I cancel, at least I’ll get Christmas gifts if nothing else 😉

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Birchbox Curated Box Review + Coupon – August 2017

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