Yep, I’ve finally decided to jump on the bandwagon and sign up for Birchbox! I had heard really good things about it and was curious if I’d enjoy it more than Ipsy. Plus, I also heard they had an awesome rewards system and was eager to check it out.
If you’re new to Birchbox (like me!), it’s basically a monthly subscription box that sends you 4-5 grooming, beauty, and lifestyle samples for just $10/month. When you sign up you take a style quiz and they send you products that best fit your profile. Both well-known and up-and-coming brands are included, all in generously sized multi-use samples.
Their rewards program is easily one of the best around. You earn points for reviewing your samples, referring friends, and purchasing full sized products. Each review is worth 10 points and referrals are 50 points. Every 100 points gives you $10 to spend in their shop. The points rack up fast and there’s no limit to how many you can earn. The shop is full of great products including candles, cosmetics, home accessories, tea, chocolate, and lots more goodies. Since each box contains at least 5 samples, you’ll already be racking up 50 points after you review them. So it’s sort of like paying $5 per box instead of $10, since you get that $5 in store credit. Nice!
(Yep, I’m still working out those “lighting issues”. Apologies for the crummy photos.)
Okay, time to see what’s in my November box!
First… here’s the box. The Birchbox box.
A peek inside. This month they’re supporting the global fight against AIDS. Every time someone shares a photo of the facts printed on their box, Birchbox will donate $1 to the cause.
The info card lists all of the products as well as each retail price for full sized versions.
Not Soap, Radio Joy Inducing Body Wash – Oh wow… This stuff smells amazing. Like lemon-flavored candies. Mmm. You can use it as a body wash or as a sweetly-scented bubble bath. (I’m going with the latter.) The formula is paraben-free and a little goes a long way.
dr. brandt Pores no More Vacuum Cleaner – This is a powerful gel that basically “unclogs” your pores for fewer blackheads and smoother skin. It tightens pores and exfoliates too. My face has been kind of a mess lately, so I’m looking forward to trying this.
amika Nourishing Mask – At first I thought this was for your face, but good thing I read the whole label before slathering it on. It’s actually a mask to deep condition your hair. You use it once a week by applying it to damp hair and rinsing after 5-10 minutes. It contains sea buckthorn berry to help hydrate and repair damaged strands.
Ruffian Nail Lacquer in Ruffian Naked – Usually I love getting nail polish in beauty boxes, but this shade is just so “blah”. I do like that it’s a 5-free formula, I just wish it was a bolder color.
MAKE Silk Cream Lipstick & Lip Primer – This is probably the one product in this month’s box that doesn’t really fit my profile. I never wear lipstick, so I’ll be passing this sample along.
Chuao Firecracker ChocoPod – Okay, I lied. I won’t be “using” this one either (it’s not vegan). This was listed on the info card as a bonus item and when I saw it was dark chocolate I had a glimmer of hope that it would be vegan. Sadly, it’s not, so I’ll be passing this lil’ guy along too.
Aside from the last two items, I was really happy with everything in my November Birchbox. I wasn’t entirely sure what to expect, since it was my first month, but I thought they did a great job fitting most of the items to my profile. Even though there weren’t any full sized items like Ipsy often has, the fact that most of the products are things I’ll definitely use totally makes up for that.
If you order by the end of today (11/30), you can still take advantage of Birchbox’s Black Friday sale. For every $60 you spend on gift subscriptions, you’ll get a FREE Birchbox for yourself! Just use promo code “BOXME” at checkout.
Wait! There's More Subscription Box Goodness!
- Check out my updated list of Free Subscription Boxes.
- Feelin’ lucky? Enter one of my Giveaways.
- Don’t forget to peep the Latest Deals and list of Subscription Box Coupons too!
Disclosure: I purchased this box on my own. I was not compensated in any way. All opinions are my own. Post may contain affiliate/referral links.
I did get a vegan chocolate in my box. I think there are 8 or 10 flavors, and a few of them are vegan. Mine was orange.
Awww! Lucky! 😀