Keep reading for my Birchbox beauty box review! I am not affiliated with Birchbox, so these are my honest to goodness thoughts about why Birchbox is fantastic for moms!
Finding gifts for me is something that truly stresses my husband out. Anyone else have significant others who feel the same way? I have to admit, I am a bit picky. Or you could say that I just have really good taste (wink wink)!
Honestly though, for me it is more the thought that counts. I have been trying to think less about the actual gift, and more about the fact that he took the time to pick out something for me that he thought I would really like. Which is exactly what I tell my kids when they get gifts on their birthdays or Christmas. A family member or friend thought a lot about what to buy for you and chose something they thought you would enjoy – be grateful!
This year my husband surprised me on Christmas with a Birchbox beauty box subscription. Thank you to my sister-in-law for tipping him off! If you have never heard of Birchbox, it is a personalized beauty box of makeup, skincare, hair, and fragrance samples delivered to your door for $10 per month. I have now been receiving boxes for three months, and I think it is such a fantastic idea for busy mamas!
Easy Sign Up
One of the things I like so much about Birchbox is that sign up is a breeze. Moms need things that are easy, right? You simply sign up at Birchbox, choose a subscription, and create an account. They offer monthly, three month, or six month subscriptions. Mine currently come every month and each box ships for free. With the monthly subscription you can cancel at any time.
During sign up you will also be asked to fill out your beauty profile, which only takes a few minutes. You tell Birchbox your beauty preferences and they use them to customize your monthly box. It is also easy to go back in and edit your profile if you’d like to change something.
When you receive your box in the mail you get five beauty samples based on your profile. The samples are a mix of prestige and niche brands. Starting with your second month you have the option to choose one of the samples in your box. Now this doesn’t mean any product you’d like, rather you can either choose one of three products, or let Birchbox surprise you with the fifth sample. Every box also comes with a card with a cute saying on one side and sample information on the other side.
Exposure To New Beauty Products
I think the thing I love the most about Birchbox is that it makes me try products that I may not have otherwise. Of course we have our tried and true favorites, but it can be easy to get stuck in a beauty rut at times, especially when you are trying to raise tiny humans! I am not very good about expanding my horizons and trying new products. It is so much easier to just keep on using the same old same old!
When you fill out your beauty profile, you answer questions about your skin, hair, and personal style. While you will get a sampling across haircare, skincare, and makeup in each box, there is a question asking which category you would be most excited to explore if you had to play favorites. I chose makeup and skincare because those are the two areas that I feel the most overwhelmed in when I walk into Sephora, Ulta, or the beauty section of a department store. Too many choices!
While I have been happy with all of my samples so far, there have definitely been an item or two in each box that I am really excited to try!
Loyalty Program
Birchbox actually has an online store where you can buy full sized versions of the products that you love. They have thousands of products online, including ones that you probably already use. In addition, when you sign up to receive Birchbox you are automatically enrolled in their loyalty program. Each time you buy a full-sized product you earn $1 back in loyalty points for every $10 you spend in their shop. If you refer subscribers to Birchbox you can earn an additional 50 points. You can also review products so Birchbox can learn more about your preferences.
Time Saver
I know this is a huge one for us mamas! While I do love trying new products, I just don’t have the time to research them with three kids. Shopping for products with kids can be stressful as well. Have you ever taken a toddler into Ulta? I would not recommend it. It never, ever ends well…Which is exactly why I wrote a post about shopping with toddlers! Birchbox allows me to try out new products without having to drag my little ones out with me. With their loyalty program it also makes it super easy to shop online and save a trip!
Favorites List
Once you sign up for a Birchbox beauty box subscription, you can keep a list of favorites in your account. You can also create a Christmas wish list, or create your own list such as a birthday list or a list for another family member. Think daughter, husband, (they also have some products for men) or even your mom (gifts!). This is great so you don’t lose track of products you love!
Free Shipping
Now you are sold on Birchbox, right? Who doesn’t love free shipping? Your monthly boxes ship for free! Full-sized purchases ship for free with a $50 purchase. I often run out of things at the same time, so when I do stock up on makeup, haircare, and skincare, I rarely get out of the store paying under $50. Again, one less errand I have to run with my three kids in tow!
Other Things To Love About Birchbox
- Seeing that cute little box in the mail each month. Makes up for all the bills and junk mail that are always cluttering up my mailbox.
- Occasional bonus samples
- In your account you can also go back and look at what was in your previous boxes. Super helpful if you forget names/brands of products!
- Great gift for a family member or friend – 3 month option is $30 or 6 month subscription is $60.
Cons of Birchbox
- In just three months I have received two of the same product (different brands), although I can also look at this as a pro because now I can compare the two.
- Sometimes the samples don’t last very long. With skincare I feel like you need a longer period of time to see any results or benefits.
Most Recent Birchbox Beauty Box
Thought that you might want to see some samples of what a Birchbox beauty box subscription actually looks like! Keep in mind that these boxes are tailored to my beauty profile.
The boxes that the samples come packaged in get me every single time. I mean, how cute are they? I am going to have to find a way to repurpose these because I don’t want to send them out with the recycling! My February box contained the following samples:
- Balance Me Wonder Eye Cream
- Benefit Cosmetics BADgal BANG! Volumizing Mascara
- Lord & Berry Magic Brow Pencil – Brunette
- MAC Cosmetics Strobe Cream – Pinklite
- Number 4 Super Comb Prep and Protect (hair protectant)
While I haven’t had much time to test the samples yet, I am most excited about the Wonder Eye Cream and the Lord and Berry Magic Brow Pencil. I’m looking for that perfect product to help say bye-bye to dark under eye circles! This third kid has really taken it out of me in the sleep department. Sleep is highly overrated though, right?
January Birchbox Beauty Box
So this box actually came with six samples, which included one bonus sample. Thank you Birchbox! The only thing missing from the picture below is the Love of Color Vibrant Matte Lipstick in Glam Life. I can’t find it. Most likely it is tucked away in a purse or even more likely, my toddler has walked off with it and has stashed it in one of her bags somewhere. Anyone else have a toddler who steals things and hides them? 😉 This box included these six samples:
- Clarins Multi-Active Night Cream (am liking this one)
- Love of Color Vibrant Matte Lipstick – Glam Life (where are you??)
- Real Chemistry Luminous 3-Minute Peel (this was the sample I got to choose for my box)
- Stila Cosmetics HUGE Extreme Lash Mascara (like how full it makes my lashes, but it clumps too much)
- VERB Hydrating Mask For Hair (haven’t tried yet)
- Clarins Double Serum Complete Age Control Concentrate (haven’t tried yet)
December Birchbox Beauty Box
I liked my first box because everything in it is something I will actually use. And it was exciting to get that first box!
- Beauty Protector Protect and Detangle
- Embryolisse Lait-Creme Concentre (moisturizer)
- JUARA Candlenut Body Crème
- LAQA & Co. B’Lighter – Preacher’s Daughter (highlighter/blush)
- Lavanila Healthy Fragrance Vanilla Grapefruit Eau de Parfum
Birchbox is such a fantastic idea for busy mamas! It would also make a great gift for another mom in your life, or for anyone who loves beauty products or who may want to try new products, but is overwhelmed by everything that is out there.
I would love to hear if any of you have tried Birchbox or any other beauty box subscriptions. I know there are a few others out there!
I know there are a few others out there!