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Birchbox Subscription Box Review + Coupon – June 2016

Haley Faye
ByHaley FayeJun 10, 2016 | 92 comments

BIRCHBOX JUNE 2016 - BOX

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 sample choice box.

BIRCHBOX JUNE 2016 - all items

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!)

COUPON: Get $5 (50 points) to spend in the Birchbox shop when you subscribe with coupon code SUBSCRIBENOW50

OR

For a limited time, get a free Cult & Smith The Shining Lip Lacquer with code TICKLEDPINK (a $22 value)

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

Ships to: US, FranceSpain and the UK and Canada

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

Keep Track of Your Subscriptions: Add this box to your subscription list or wishlist!

BIRCHBOX JUNE 2016 - info 1

Each box comes with a card that has a blurb of the month’s theme and focus.

BIRCHBOX JUNE 2016 - info 2

And on the flip side, it details the items included and some tips on how to use them.

BIRCHBOX JUNE 2016 - info 3

This month features Benefit’s new (or, re-vamped) brow collection, and each subscriber received a sample of their GimmeBrow.

BIRCHBOX JUNE 2016 - items 1

Avène Thermal Spring Water – 1.76 oz, value: $4.67

When I first saw this I thought, “really? Canned water?” but after thinking about it, I think it sounds nice to have on hand. I think I’ll like this for morning hydration and refreshment throughout the day. I don’t think I’d ever personally pay for it myself, but I’m not too disappointed in getting it as a sample.

COOLA® Environmental Repair Plus® Radical Recovery™ After-Sun Lotion - .34 oz, value: $1.81

I really like the COOLA brand, so I’m happy to try a new product from them. This will be very useful for summertime!

BIRCHBOX JUNE 2016 - items 2

PARLOR® by Jeff Chastain Moisturizing & Repairing Shampoo 1 oz, value: $2.75

I’ve tried this shampoo and like it okay. I think it’s a little odd that they sent me a shampoo without a conditioner. Not particularly excited to get this again.

Living proof.® Perfect hair Day™ (PhD) Night Cap Overnight Perfector – 1 oz, value: $7

This is another product I’ve tried before. It’s also okay, but not my favorite thing. I wish I could have tried something new instead.

BIRCHBOX JUNE 2016 - items 3

Benefit Gimme Brow Volumizing Fiber Gel - .03 oz, value: $8

This is the product everyone is getting this month. Gimme Brow is not a new product from Benefit, but they’re just revamped it (and all their brow products) and added a new “medium” color. This month’s sample choice was just to pick your color.

BIRCHBOX JUNE 2016 - items 4

It’s a pretty small sample but I know from working at Sephora that this lasts a long time. I like the formula a lot. The little wand helps you get precision and it packs a punch for being a little thing.

Check out this video of how I apply the Gimme Brow:

BIRCHBOX JUNE 2016 - items 5

Here are my brows done with the GimmeBrow. Even though I have the lightest shade, it’s still a bold/darker color. If you are blonde and like your eyebrows blonde, this probably won’t be what you’re looking for.

Verdict: All in all, this was a pretty good Birchbox for me! I’m pretty sure I’ll use everything, and I did like Benefit’s new GimmeBrow. The value added up to $24.23 which I’m happy with.

What do you think of your June Birchbox? What did you get?

Starting at $17.00
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Birchbox ($15 per month) 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 ju... read more.

Haley Faye
Haley Faye
Haley Faye first discovered the wonderful world of subscription boxes in 2012 and began writing for MSA in 2014. Over the years, she has found many subscriptions to love. Now a mom of three, her favorite boxes are ones that dress her kids, help her get organized, feed her family, send her snacks, and offer educational fun for her children.

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92 comments

stfne

I have been using the Benefit Gimme Brow gel and I LOVE it. I really want to purchase the full-size product, but I threw away the product description card, so I’m not sure which shade I received. Does anyone know if there’s any other way to tell?
Also, I’m wondering if I should try a shade lighter than the one I received. It’s fine, but somewhat dramatic. Perhaps I’ll check the swaps first.

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Grace

If you go into your BB account, you can look at your past boxes and see what items you’ve received 🙂

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Stfne

Thanks Grace. I know, I checked there already, but it doesn’t tell me which shade I received.

Bev

quick question. June would be my first box, i entered a discount code, i forgot what it is. How do you know you got something? i looked at my invoice and it shows nothing about a discount code, only free shipping. Before I completed my purchase i made sure i took the code.

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Chrystal

I signed up a few weeks ago using the code TICKLEDPINK for the Smith & Cult lipgloss. Today my box arrived without the lipgloss. I emailed customer service but I’m honestly not expecting much of a resolution.

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Erinne

Email customer support. They are really nice. Tell them you are sure you put a code in. They should be able to help.

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Kay

I was between the curated and sample choice, but I rarely get brow products in sub boxes and I time to time buy, so I decided to go with the sample choice. In terms of the value, it is one of the highest in a while for me, but for the curation, it didn’t match my profile…

I received:
Benefit Gimme Brow – my choice
Evologie Intensive Blemish Serum – high value, but I don’t state in my profile that I have a blemish skin. I get a spot once in a while, so I will use it as a spot treatment
Laura Geller Gaked Gelato Swirl Illuminator – I wasn’t so excited at a glance with the cheap looking packaging compared to their blushes, but now I am excited to try after reading some of the reviews. Can be used as an eye shadow.
Oribe Supershine Moisturizing Cream – I don’t have a coarse nor thick hair, but hoping it can tame the frizz during the summer
Parlor Moisturizing & Reparing Shampoo – I have received 3 Parlor products (provided one came with curated) in the last 4 months. Two hair products in one box is a lot and I wish they have sent me a brand of shampoo that I haven’t received yet.

I cannot tell the value of illuminator due to the lack of size on the label, but estimating the total value to be close to $50 this month.

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This is my moms and my first Birchbox!

My Moms Box:
Gimme Brow (Don’t know what shade as we just signed up a week ago so we could’nt choose and wasn’t sure if we were actually going to get it)
Dr. Brandt PoreDermabrasion
Avene Thermal Spring Water
Number 4 Lumiere d’hiver Reconstructing Masque
Number 4 Clarifying Shampoo
COOLA Mineral Face SPF 30 Unscented Matte Tint

I think it looks pretty great!

My Box:

COOLA Classic Face Sport SPF 50 White Tea
Marcelle BB Cream Golden Glow
Oribe Supershine Moisturizing Cream
Avene Thermal Spring Water
ARDENCY INN MODSTER Smooth Ride Supercharged Eyeline

I feel like mine sucks and I didn’t even get the Smith & Cult even though I used the promo code???

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Kristen

Did anyone receive the notice that BB was changing its points system? Wanted to make sure I read it right that there are no points for future reviews (well one more month – whoop di doo). Say it isn’t so, BB?!

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Erinne

Yes that was how I interpreted the email also. They were most likely losing money. I’m not too happy about the change but I can understand why from a financial perspective.

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Dianne

Birchbox has a live chat on their web site. I’ve only did live chat during business hours.

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Traci Rhein

HELP!

I keep hearing about this company’s great customer service but I cannot seem to get ahold of them.
An item came damaged and I have tried for 4 days to email them and it says it won’t go through and try again later so I looked up the phone number and it says to email them and then hangs up….getting angry.

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Jillian

Birchbox has screwed up and sent me the wrong box AGAIN. I ordered the multifaceted and mighty box on the 26th. There was no trouble charging my card. And somehow I’m getting a random box full of random samples that don’t even fit my profile. What the heck? So over them and their mistakes. I’m going to be incredibly upset if they don’t send me the right box.

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Trish M.

I didn’t want the Benefit Gimme Brow (and didn’t choose a sample) but they sent it anyway. It’s #3, Medium. I’ve never done a swap before but I’d like to try it – I’ll have to read up on how it’s done! It’d be nice to know this could go to someone who really wants it.
The other box goodies were Whish Shave Cream, Coola Mineral Sunscreen, Air Repair Moisturizer, and Living Proof Night Cap.

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Tamara D

I got the same box, I forgot to fix my billing info so my sample choice didn’t go through. I t hought I wasn’t going get gimme brow at all, and I even Contacted CS and they said I would not be receiving one b/c they didn’t have anymore. But to my surprise it says I’m getting it. Def. not super excited about everything else. but we’ll see.

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Dianne

I loved the benefit brow product. I have thicker eyebrows. But they needed something and this was it. They look perfect and everyone noticed and loved it. So natural my husband could use it.

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Erinne

This is my best box yet! I did not choose a sample because I like my brows the way they are. I totaled up the value of everything in my box and it’s over $50 just for what I got. I got:

PBJ Smoothie Stick -Full Size

clariSEA rapid detox charcoal exfoliant

COOLA mineral face SPF 30 matte Tint

Evologie Intense Blemish Serum (this sample is 65% the size of the full product. So the Sample alone is worth $23)

Oribe dry texturizing spray

I’m super happy this month which is good because last month I really didn’t love anything and was considering canceling.

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Laura

Love your box! I would love to put the same things for my profile as you – can you tell me what you have noted?

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Erinne

Laura: I put ….

Normal skin

Concerns: Acne, aging, under eye circles, stretch marks , sun protection, other

Fair skin tone

Hair: Blonde, fine, blow dry frequently,

Style: Newbie, classic and low maintenance

Prefer: bath & body, makeup, skin care

Fragrance no more than 6 per year

Yes to bonus foil packets

Non beauty item :tools,organic and natural, wellness related, products for the home

Hope this helps!

Jeanine

Birchbox is back baby!! This month is an example of the Birchbox I know and love!!❤️❤️❤️ Love the PB& J, the brow gel, Oribe dry hair spray, a Paula’s choice exfoliant and a matte primer!!! Yeah I am wearing everything as I write this…plus the feel like all these samples will last a bit too! However, I love using up my samples…feel so justified!!

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Laura

Love your box! I would love to put the same things for my profile as you – can you tell me what you have noted?

L

Awesome box!

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Jeein

Woot box twin!

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Laura

Love your box! I would love to put the same things for my profile as you – can you tell me what you have noted?

Well, in general I like and am happy with Birchbox. I can do without all of the dry hair shampoo though. But I am very disappointed this month. I was really looking forward to my Benefit brow choice and I did not get it. I just got a card promoting the purchase of it. Oh well.

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Melonshake

me too(((only the card((

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Dani

I didn’t choose a color for sample choice and I ended up not getting the gimme brow. (Which I’m totally fine with – hence not choosing a color, lol). I got that Avene can of water too. At first I was furious. Like, water in a can cannot be this expensive. I have to admit I kind of love it though. It’s so refreshing. In their skincare sets they have one with that water as the toner and I actually bought it for the DrJart and that water alone ? It comes full circle haha

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Rebecca

I got the Benefit brow stuff in the darkest color (“deep”,which I chose) but haven’t tried it yet.

I also got:

COOLA classic face spf 30 cucumber moisturizer (ok, I guess)

Jane iredale smooth affair facial primer and brightener (meh)

Oribe dry texturizing spray (which is described as if it is dry shampoo under a different name)

Whish shave crave (this is the second time I’ve gotten it and hated it the first time – reviewed it horribly, not happy about getting it again – will have to bug them about points because you can’t review things twice)

All in all, not exciting, but I’ve adjusted my expectations with Birchbox to never expect to be wowed. I’m just letting my sub run out, same with Glossybox. I still like the Target and Amazon boxes, which I can choose to buy or skip, and if Sephora doesn’t step it up for June, I’m cancelling after only two boxes. I could probably stand to save the money and use up my stash.

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zoe montego

Honestly tired of shampoos from Birchbox.

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Amy

Mines absolutely horrific. I chose the benefit brow in dark. Not even in my box. I got out in the BETA program because I can’t use face creams/serums/sunblock/shave creams because of a certain prescription in on. My box includes:

Dr.Jart+ Every Day Sun Day SPF 30 UV Sun a Fluid

Oribe Supershine Mousterizing Cream

Whish Shave Cream with Vitamin K

Ardency Inn Modster Smooth Ride Supercharged Eyeliner

Kiels Precision Lifting and Pore Tightning Concentrate.

I can only use 1 of the items in my box. And is missing the sample choice I chose. Such a massive disappointment. Especially since I saw the samples a week ago, emailed them and told them that it had to be a joke what was included in my box? And, they said you can’t trust anything you see before your box “ships”. And, it’s exactly what was shown!!!

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Amy

And Birchbox finally contacted me back. Stating that they couldn’t secure my payment. I received no email about my payment not going through. And well, it went through obviously because I’m getting the darn box. I had money in my account for both my Birchbox and Ipsy. What a joke. Then she verified that everything about me getting less Moisturizers, spf, facial washes etc was in fact correct. But the BETA program is just to “see”. She hoped I loved my box too. Ugh. I clearly stat d it was horrible. And I can only use one darn thing! Bc everything else is on my get less list.

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Court

What exactly is the beta program?

Nikita

How did you manage to email them? I thought you could only call customer service.

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Donna

You can also chat online on their website. A little “help” button will appear on the bottom right of your screen as you move around. Good Luck.

Amy

Yes! You can email them. Email is: [email protected]

Also, you can message Birchbox from their Birchbox Facebook page. I’ve messaged then there as well. They reply pretty quickly there.

BonBon

This month’s box was better than the last few. I really like the gimme brow product. Wish I got it in dark instead of medium. I also got the can of water. I’m not even sure how to use it yet! I got shampoo/conditioner too. Only disappointment was another coola sunblock. I got 2 sunblocks just last month from bb.

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Kara

Does anyone get Play! and Birchbox? I have Play! but have been really disappointed so far. I’ve been looking at the curated Birchbox over the past months and am thinking I might prefer Birchbox over Play! It seems that the Birchbox pints would accumulate and be worth more than the Sephora points. June’s curated Birchbox looks great! (I tried to use the Tarte lipliner and the Pixi lipstick from last month’s Play! and both broke on me right away. Not impressed with the Play! sub so far.)

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Emily

It wouldn’t let me reply to your comment further down, but I don’t think you get points from paying for the monthly boxes. I have gotten three boxes now and only have 50 points from reviewing the last month. But if you reviewed all of your samples for a year you would still get 600 points. Birchbox’s point system is a hundred times better than Play’s, no comparison, but I enjoy getting brands from Play that Birchbox doesn’t sell.

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Kara

Thanks for the feedback! Do you like getting the curated box from BB or to go with the mystery box based on your profile?

Angela H

I got Play! last month and didn’t think it was that great. I tend to get a lot more out of my Birchbox subscription. I’ve used points from Birchbox in conjunction with a coupon (such as 20% off) to get great deals on full-sized beauty products. I think the products in my Birchbox boxes are usually bigger than the Sephora box products, and are better quality because the ingredients are usually better. Also, I’ve found over time that my Birchbox is more tailored to what I like, and with Sephora Play!, everyone gets the same things (at least for now anyway). I think the Sephora points are great if you go to the Sephora store a lot and buy beauty products there, but I don’t shop in the store, so that’s a miss for me altogether.

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Kristin

How do you get points with play?

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Maria

You get points from the $10 for the Play box. You also get a card that gives you an additional 50 points with any purchase at a Sephora store. The 50 points will not raise your Insider level, but can be used toward things you can get with points.

nana

I get Birchbox and my daughter gets Play. I think for her age, Play is better. Plus it has more products. But Birchbox is much cheaper – if you use your points to buy boxes.

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Nikita

nana, I thought you couldn’t use points towards the price of boxes? Will you tell me how to do so?

Dianne

I got the brow product. I like it. The other products just ok.

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Amber

I’m glad I chose the light gimme brow! Like someone else who commented, I chose my sample but it wasn’t in my box so they’re sending it separately. Can’t wait to try it!

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How do you get them to send you the sample ? I did not get mine either.

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Courtney

Did you receive a different sample in its place? I chose medium for one of my boxes and that one is being shipped with five different samples according to my sneak peak. My other account says I’m receiving dark (when I chose medium, also).

I’m super bummed. Was CS easy to work with to get replacement?

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Lauren

My June box hasn’t even shipped yet. I signed up for the Smith & Cult deal in May – wondering if they’re having a delay getting those in or something.

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Donna

Will you also review the curated box with its value? I know many of us would also appreciate that. Thanks!

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Haley Faye

Yes, Donna, a different reviewer reviews the curated box each month. =]

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Beth

Not everyone got the Gimme Brow ? I’m getting shampoo, body wash, fragrance, and sunscreen, and I’m pretty bummed about it. On the plus side, I’m getting the Laura Geller highlighter! And the light looks great on you! ?

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Jeein

I signed up to BB for the first time just for the Gimme Brow but didnt get one 🙁

Beauty Crop PBJ Smoothie Stick,
Evologie® Blemish Serum, clariSEA Charcoal Exfoliant, COOLA® SPF 30 Matte Tint, Oribe Dry Texturizing Spray– they gave me these instead. Im excited to try them out but was really looking forward to that Gimme Brow

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Nikita

Same, I’m a bit sad really. I decided to let them choose my samples because I didn’t think I would NEED to pick a gimmie brow since they have my hair colour on file I thought. I guess I shouldn’t have assumed anything. Oh well, what I don’t know will prevent me from falling in love with it and buying it. Their loss I guess.

I just wish they wouldn’t have said EVERYONE is getting it, as clearly, everyone is not.

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Janessa

I am getting ready to cancel this subscription. I just don’t get it !The coola I have received the same one 3 times now! And I feel like this box was borderline useless, I loved the other box’s when I first started and I feel like the products have became smaller sizes maybe that’s just me. I even updated my profile, I did not receive the brow product I don’t use anything like it. Maybe I am over thinking it.

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Jeanine

I got a second Birchbox and I feel like the new one kicks *ss!!! Hummmm I guess they like new customers better than a faithful 4 year subscriber like myself!!!

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NIchelle

Haley, you are awesome, that video was an excellent idea, and useful, thank you for sharing!

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chris

Agree! Great video, Haley!

NIchelle

Janessa your comment had me cracking up, thanks for making me laugh and I agree with you on the box contents.

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Jen

I was skeptical about canned water as well lol. But I love this stuff! I use it after washing off a mask and it feels so soothing on my skin. The sprayer on the bottle creates this really refreshing fine mist. I’ll be purchasing this when my current sample runs out.

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