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Birchbox Subscription Box Review + Coupon – June 2017

Haley Faye
ByHaley FayeJun 18, 2017 | 38 comments

Birchbox June 2017

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.

Birchbox June 2017

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

This review is of the Sample Choice, $10 a month, box.

Birchbox June 2017

The Subscription Box: Birchbox

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

LIMITED TIME DEAL: While supplies last, use coupon code EXTRABOX to get a FREE extra Brichbox with your first month of a Birchbox subscription!

OR

Check out the 30% off sale for everyone, too!

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

Ships to: U.S., FranceSpain and the U.K. 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 2017

Each box comes with an info card.

Birchbox June 2017

The flipside of the info card lists information about each item they sent in my box.

Birchbox June 2017

Oribe Dry Texturizing Spray – 1 oz, Value $5.41

Oribe is one of many brands I love all thanks to Liz, so I had to pick it as my chosen sample. In fact, a full-size of this texturizing spray is something I bought when I visited the Birchbox Soho store (click through to read about my visit!). This is a great multi-functional product: part texturizing spray and part dry shampoo. It does a great job with extending my style (which I’ve learned is the posh way to say “I didn’t wash my hair today”) and giving my naturally straight, flatter hair some texture. It’s also helpful for up-dos and such, too.

Birchbox June 2017

Manna Kadar Eye Candy Priming Shadow Stick in Jelly Bean – 1.5g/.05 oz, Value $14.40

This is a new product from Manna Kadar to me, and I’m pretty happy with it. I’ve found myself really gravitating towards shadow sticks this summer for one-swipe, low-effort looks. This shade is a shimmery taupe and is a “priming shadow” so you don’t need to use a primer with it, which cuts out another step in my makeup application process. I like the color and performance of this!

Birchbox June 2017

My shadow stick came kinda broken – the product was loose in the tube and had mushed against the cap a little. Fortunately, it wasn’t too bad and ultimately didn’t affect usability much. From the reviews of this product on Birchbox’s website, though, it looks like many other subscribers weren’t as lucky.

Birchbox June 2017

Mellow Matte Liquid Lip Paint in Tehran – 1.5g/.05 oz, Value $7?

I’m not sure on the value here because my tube of lip paint definitely says .05 oz, but the weight on the full-size is listed on Birchbox’s site as .01 oz. I’m guessing it’s supposed to be .1 oz, and that this is a half-size sample.

That being said, I really like this product! The brand is new to me, but the color and formula are great. This is a soft brown nude and looks like a great neutral shade on me.

Birchbox June 2017

Estee Lauder Double Wear Foundation - .24 fl oz, Value $9.48

I was really excited to see a sample this size of Estee Lauder in my Birchbox! I’ve heard a lot of people love this foundation, but I don’t think they offer a shade light enough for me. Birchbox sent me 1W2 “Sand,” which is the lightest family of colors but in the warm/golden undertones. I really need a fair neutral undertone.

Birchbox June 2017

Kiel’s Ultra Facial Oil-Free Gel Cream - .25 fl oz, Value $4.04

This moisturizer is non-greasy and the light gel-cream formula helps to hydrate and condition your skin. It also has a light, clean scent.

Birchbox June 2017

Unfortunately, my skin type is dry, not normal to oily. I reached out to Birchbox's customer service about this, as well as the Estee Lauder foundation that won’t work for me, and they said they can’t ship the specific foundation sample I think I’d need. However, to make up for the two samples being a bust for me, they offered to send me 2 samples from the $25 category in their  Gifts with Purchase section of their shop. I chose the Acure Organics Purifying Fruit Peel and a Pura Vida bracelet.

Birchbox June 2017

Here are swatches of the shadow stick, the lip paint, and the foundation for you. As you can see, it’s too warm/dark for me.

Birchbox June 2017

Here’s a look with the shadow stick and liquid lipstick. I love the nude shade of the lipstick.

Birchbox June 2017

And here’s what the shadow stick looks like on my lids. I blended some other colors into my crease and corners to complete the look, but I liked the shadow stick as a base. It’s a little cooler of a shade than I normally wear, but it’s still very pretty.

Verdict: This was a pretty good Birchbox for me, all things considered! Especially if the foundation worked for me, I think this would be a really great box. I am a little bummed about the two samples I won’t really be able to use, but I am also happy with the customer service’s solution of sending me two gifts with purchase items of my choice.  As far as value goes, everything adds up to $40.33, which I’m happy with from a $10 discovery box.

What do you think about Birchbox? What sample did you choose for June?

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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38 comments

CherBear

This was my first box and I really loved it! I got completely different items. Here’s what I got:
– Vasanti Brighten Up! Enzymatic Face Rejuvenator
– Coola Organic BB Cream
– The Beauty Crop blush duo in Papaya Don’t Preach
– Beauty Protector protect & detangle spray
– Benefit Boi-ing airbrush concealer in shade No. 2

The blush duo looks a bit orangey in the pan but I haven’t tried it yet so hopefully it will look okay with my skin tone. It seems like they matched items with my profile. I have color treated hair and I heat style so the Beauty Protector is perfect for me. I’m also going to be 42 next week so face rejuvenator and BB cream…yes, please! I don’t usually wear foundation or concealer on a regular basis, but the shade matches my skin tone really well.

Hopefully my future boxes will be just as exciting!

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Tif

Wow, I got an almost completely different Birchbox! I received: Visanti enzyme face rejuvenator, Smashbox primer, Marcelle hydrating gel, amika cool blonde shampoo (sample bottle) + conditioner (in foil packet), and a Manna Kadar shadow stick that came melted and completely broken off from the tube.

I’ve always wanted to try an enzyme cleanser, so I’m excited about the Visanti rejuvenator. The marcelle gel is great! Other than these two, I didn’t really care for the rest of the samples. But at least I felt like mine was curated for me – I did state in my profile my hair is color-treated blonde and I prefer skincare products!

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Janelle

my shadow stick came broken too, more so than yours. I am very disappointment with birchbox the last two shipments. The month previous, they sent me random stuff that was not on the card described except one item. I will cancel now when my subscription is over.

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Siren

Hey everyone. I’m new to Birchbox, so far I’ve only received one box, and I haven’t received this month’s yet so I can’t compare what I’ve received… But, I requested skincare and haircare upon sign-up to hopefully avoid the issue of the makeup not matching my skin. It never does. I’m a milk white redhead, and I sub to 15+ other boxes, almost all beauty, so I have plenty of makeup already, and I never can use any of the foundation or concealer they send. Also, I’m a licensed cosmetologist, so professional hair products I can get quite low cost, but the ones quite often sent in these boxes – Oribe, for example, is not what I can get my hands on, and I lust after it. Probably because I can’t get it, not because it’s any better than what I can get 🙂 Anyway, I liked the first box and I’m hoping this month’s will be good, if not, another post will be coming soon!

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Patricia M Arnold

I’ve read the reviews and have decided not to subscribe.

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Shannan

Looks like you’d be better suited to 1C1 cool bone in the double wear. A beauty counter or Sephora will be able to provide a small pot for free. Don’t think the cost of the box is worth it for the size of that sample!

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Darinel Cardenas

After getting my first box I cancelled right away. The samples are travel size not even deluxe size like Ipsy. I was disappointed and felt like it’s not worth the $10.

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Melissa

I love the Mellow Lillie in “New York” if anyone wants to swap it to me! I’m following it on the swap site. Not interested in “Tehran” though.

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Trisha

Ugh I got that Mellow lippie and it’s not a good color on me. And matte for summer? Blah.

Hated my box- but I didn’t pick anything and just left it up to BB to see if I would luck out.

I didn’t.

Dry shampoo and SMASHBOX PRIMER?

I signed up for Macy’s so this one is getting the boot after just 3 months. Not liking it at all.

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Siren

What is this? Macy’s has a box??? Will you please tell me more about this? Am I missing something? :0

My local Macy’s just closed so anything from Macy’s that I’d get would have to be mail order.

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Heather

Macy’s is starting a subscription box. The first one will be out in August. There was a post about it a few days ago. Looks like much of the same stuff as all the other boxes and its $15/month, but FOMO is real, so I subbed anyway.

Heather

BB customer service must be much more accommodating to MSA than its regular customers, because I had the opposite experience.

After 4 months of boxes I had not yet gotten a single sample that I could use. I have oily skin and they only sent me things for dry skin. I have straight hair and they sent me products for curly hair, etc. When I contacted CS, they told me I should update my beauty profile. I told them it already was updated, but they kept sending me products that were the opposite to all of my preferences. They basically told me tough luck, and there wasn’t anything they could do. So I cancelled. Worst customer service in the industry. I don’t know how they stay in business.

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justmissjamey

Never ever have I received samples from birchbox that looks as good as these above..I’m thinking of cancelation in the next month or two if it does not get better and I have been subscribed to them over 2 years

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justmissjamey

On another note…also, a while back I remember birchbox saying they are not into doing sample boxes to send samples alone…they want to make sales, but don’t seem to realize if they sent samples people might enjoy (per profile) more would be happy to buy the full size version. .but I swore they also said something about wanting to move beyond sample boxes..maybe that’s why they do not seem too attentive or care much?!?

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ErynPS

I had gotten a Subscription to Birchbox this fall and was completely disappointed but I resubscribed this spring and the last two boxes I’ve absolutely loved. This month I am SO DISAPPOINTED!! I chose the Oribe texture spray as my sample choice and I didn’t receive it, instead I got small foil packets of the gold lust shampoo and conditioner. If I had known that I wasn’t going to get my confirmed sample choice I would have ordered the curated box so I would have known what I was getting rather than chance getting items that don’t work for me. The items that I did get I am thoroughly disappointed with. They sent the BeautyCrop blush that was a sample choice, (which DOES NOT WORK with my skin tone, its peach/orange and I’m very neutral cool, it looks like clown makeup on me. That’s the reason I did not choose it!) the Manna Kadar shadow stick which is broken and melted beyond repair, (I had to throw it out) a very dark purple toned Mellow Cosmetics lip paint, (which leaked) and a sample of Kensie perfume. (I abhor perfume samples, it’s so hard for me to find perfumes that don’t turn rancid smelling on my skin. I have an Immune disorder and because of that I have a high acid and iron content and very few perfumes work for me. The ones that do are vanilla, coconut, and a few fruit scents. The Oribe Cote de Azur scent is one I love and doesn’t “turn” on my skin.. which is why I spent $100+ on the perfume version.) I just got done with an 18+ hour Hospice shift and will contact customer service tomorrow morning. I hope other Subscribers had better luck!!??

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Alyce

Eryn, I completely understand your passionate disappointment with this box, and must admit yours is bad. Sometimes all we want is a little treat at he end of the day and we count on these simple little boxes to do that. I hope you are able to contact CS and feel that BB treats you fairly.

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TK

I canceled BB about 6 months ago and haven’t been tempted to resub yet. I really enjoyed it for the 2+ years I had it but then started to get lots of repeats. I’m still an ACE and buy products in their shop frequently. BB introduced me to some of my all time favorite products…Oribe, Davines, by Terry. I’ve always had amazing customer service too. I think it’s a great box if you’re new to subs.

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Svetlana7e

My MannaKadar was totally melted and messed up. I decided not to contact CC, not worth the hassle, and I do not think it is their fault, but disappointment is there. I tried to use fingers and brushes to get some product, and it actually I was pleased with color and application. Too bad it melted.

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Tif

Mine is the same! CS did suggest to melt it down… and freeze it back… I don’t know if I really want to be bothered with it lol.

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Ks

This box looks great. I love Doublewear but even their lightest shade is too dark for me. I usually mix darker foundations…which is like all of them.. with white concealer to make them work.

As far as the moisturizer is concerned, I seriously started ignoring what skin type something is for. I unfortunately have yet to benefit from products targeted for specific skin dryness or oiliness.

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Maria

Wow! The colors look great on you, Haley. I have the same earrings from Sherobox. Aren’t they great??

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Haley Faye

Yes! Love them. Thanks!

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Carolann

I received the Manna Kadar shadow stick last week in my Wantable Makeup subscription. It was also broken and melted! Guess that product just doesn’t ship well in the summer.

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Tammy Haley

…my eyeshadow primer was badly broken–i reached out immediately the day i received the box-friday-and got an acknowledgement email, but, no customer service response, yet…

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Holly

Since I’m ACE they only took 3 days last week to respond to my melted product. They said they couldn’t ship me a new one since they don’t have any more (but it is for sale in their store) and gave me 50 points

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Tammy Haley

…yep, got the 50 points, here, too…

Natasha

Same. I haven’t heard back yet either.

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Brooke

It’s nice that they’re sending out products like high-end foundations, but honestly, I feel like foundation is one product that should never be sent in these boxes. It’s tricky to match to color and skin type even when you’re buying it in the store.

Not remotely related to the box, but what are you doing to get your eyelashes to look so thick and long? They always look fantastic! I can’t seem to figure out how to do that with my mascara and lash curler.

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Haley Faye

Thanks, Brooke! I’ve found that consistently using a lash serum has really made a difference for me! I also curl my lashes before applying liner and mascara. ☺️

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Alyce

Too funny! Exact same box and concerns with the make up and the moisturizer. My shadow was also broken. I wrote CS and sent pics on Thursday, waiting for a reply. Would love to be able to choose two deluxe samples.

Wish the value matched the content!

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Bonni

Wow I’m very surprised that they offered to send you those. I’ve contacted them about 2 boxes that not one sample matched my profile and they were pretty much like oh well review your samples and update your profile. All of which I’ve done lol

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Kathleen

I paid extra to be able to pick what I want.I asked for shampoo……..I got foil packets.

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Meg

Wow, foil packets. That sucks. I did the beta version for only one month and switched back to the standard box. I was not worth $15 to me.

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Meg

Oops. It was not worth $15.

Meg

I received the same Kiehl’s sample and I also have dry skin. It doesn’t look like Birchbox is paying much attention to our profiles. I didn’t think about contacting customer service. Maybe I should.

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Christine

I’m surprised to see they are starting to put foundation in beauty boxes.

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Elena

I got the same lip product and also the foundation in Sand. My profile said PALE. Both look ugly on my complexion. Why are they doing this to me again and again??? And now I have two Birchbox subscriptions (they got me with the promotion). If I get the same items in my second box I’ll cancel.

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