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Birchbox Subscription Box Review + Coupon – August 2017

Haley Faye
ByHaley FayeAug 23, 2017 | 23 comments

Birchbox August 2017 Beauty Subscription 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.

Birchbox August 2017 Beauty Subscription Box

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 August 2017 Beauty Subscription Box

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 BLENDME at checkout to receive a free beautyblender® micro.mini ($9 Value) 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 August 2017 Beauty Subscription Box

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

Birchbox August 2017 Beauty Subscription Box

Now on to the items!

Birchbox August 2017 Beauty Subscription Box

Acure Organics Day Cream – 1 fl oz, Value $9.99

This is a nice size sample – perfect for a travel size. Plus, a little goes quite a way with this cream so it should last me quite a while! It contains gotu kola stem cells and chlorella growth factor to provide anti-aging benefits and protection from environmental damage. (FYI - It’s recommended for normal to dry skin types, and my complexion falls into the dry category.) It felt lightweight but still hydrated my skin well, and absorbed quickly. It smells nice, too – clove is one of the ingredients and that’s what I picked up on mostly.

Birchbox August 2017 Beauty Subscription Box

GlamGlow ThirstyMud Hydrating Treatment - 0.24 oz, Value $9.74

I’m happy to see GlamGlow with Birchbox! It’s a great brand and this mask is perfect for me since it’s their hydrating mask and I have dry skin. I received a full-size of this while working at Sephora and it’s one of my favorite masks ever. It smells incredible, thanks to an infusion of coconut. I love how cooling and refreshing this mask feels while one, and how hydrated my skin stays once washed off!

Birchbox August 2017 Beauty Subscription Box

R+Co High Dive Moisture + Shine Cream – 0.5 fl oz, Value $2.70

I never heat style my hair without some sort of serum or leave-in product, so I was happy to see this product from R+Co in my box. This cream smells great and does a good job making my hair feel soft and smooth after blow drying.

Birchbox August 2017 Beauty Subscription Box

Marcelle City Multi-Protection Tinted Cream SPF 25 - 0.23 fl oz, Value $5.06

In three and a half years of reviewing subscription boxes, I think this is the first time I can actually show you a complexion item on my face. Normally my skin tone is way too pale for just about anything to work for me, but this summer my toddler and I have spent plenty of time outside and I actually have a healthy tan, which thankfully makes this Marcelle cream work for me!

This tinted cream works as a moisturizer, skin tint, and primer, and contains antioxidants, green tea, aloe, and chamomile. It also offers SPF25, which is great because I require SPF in my foundations these days. My skin isn’t sensitive, but this formula is 100% hypoallergenic, which is great, plus paraben- and oil-free, and non-comedogenic.

This is definitely a tinted moisturizer, which is what I’ve been preferring this summer, and feels hydrating and light while evening my skin tone well. It left me with a natural finish that seemed to set a little more matte after a few minutes. It wore well throughout the day, too. All in all, I’m really happy to have found this!

Birchbox August 2017 Beauty Subscription Box

Stila Cosmetics Stay All Day Liquid Lipstick in Perla – Travel Size Value $12

This was my sample choice this month – Stila Liquid Lipsticks are one of my favorite go-to lip products. This new shade, Perla, is a soft, rosy nude that is very easy to wear and not too dramatic, which liquid lipsticks easily are.

Birchbox August 2017 Beauty Subscription Box

This new shade, Perla, is a soft, rosy nude that is very easy to wear and not too dramatic, which liquid lipsticks easily are. The formula went on smoothly and was easy to apply. It dried matte and stayed really well for hours on end.

Birchbox August 2017 Beauty Subscription Box

Here’s a swatch of the Marcelle Tinted Cream and the Stila Liquid Lipsticks.

Birchbox August 2017 Beauty Subscription Box

Here I am wearing the Marcelle Tinted Cream and Liquid Lipsticks – and I want to note that this photo wasn’t taken upon fresh application! I love how well the cream evened my skin tone and felt like nothing but a moisturizer. This lipstick is going to be staying in my purse to grab on the regular because it’s a great natural shade and goes with so many makeup looks and color stories.

Verdict: Honestly, this was a fantastic Birchbox for me! I always need the latest Stila Liquid Lipstick shade, I’m thrilled with the discovery of a new tinted moisturizer that works for me (for Summer, at least), the R+Co hair cream works well, I got a sample of my favorite skin mask, and I can always use a new organic facial moisturizer. Everything will get used and loved for sure.

As far as value goes, everything adds up to $39.49 which I’m definitely happy with from a $10 discovery box, particularly because every item was a win for me.

What do you think about my August Birchbox? What did you get this month?

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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23 comments

nhurlbut

I recently signed up for Birchbox. Wasn’t thrilled with the billing on the 1st of the month but the box doesn’t go until the 10th of the month process in the first place but now that it is the 25th of August and I still haven’t received my first Birchbox, I am really disappointed. I did receive a letter regarding shipping issues, but still, come on they have been in business for a while…

Giving it one more month (if I ever get the August box), then I’m done. Just doesn’t seem worth all the trouble.

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SP

Nice review as always, but I’m extra hype for you that you had a great month! I also chose the Stila lip and love it (although Patina is still my favorite color, this is similar). I also received the glamglow and am excited to try on my (also dry skin), and the Marcella cream, which would be kinda cool had I not received ANOTHER TINTED SUNSCREEN in this very box- MDSolarSciences (which seems to be making a lot of sub appearances this summer; it’s the 3rd or 4th I’ve gotten). I also received Klorane anti-fade shampoo. Aside from getting TWO of the same thing, I’m not mad at this month. Last month was a dud for me.

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Trisha

Oh heavens- WORST box ever! I got:

Tokyo Milk parfum SAMPLE- like the size Sephora gives out free.

HUM Nutrition Superfood pack- worth $1.30

COASTAL SCENTS blusher/bronzer sample. Serious?

JUARA mask

Another BENEFIT Mascara (They’re Real)

And this was the high cost item- Number 4 Super Comb & Protect. Value $8.

Oh boy, just a disappointment all around. Low end blush, freebie perfume sample, and another hair product that is some off brand.

You know this box would never be sent to any blogger, because the value is not only low- it’s an embarrassment!

I gave Birchbox an honest chance- 6 months but I won’t recommend them. Too much fussing over “pick your sample” or chose a box- or risk getting some haphazard mix of closeouts.

I tried all options and it’s never been anything special. They should spend less on boxes & packaging & put the $ into higher end brands!

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Lori

Thanks. Have not seen that many good reviews about Birchbox. Won’t be is using them 🙁

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Amber M

I love that Number 4 hair product! It makes my hair look and feel so nice! The Number 4 products are actually really great products. I’ve sampled quite a few of their items and have loved them all.

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Deanne

I absolutely love the Number 4 spray too- I did ‘risk’ it on my waist length hair lol and it’s a favorite now.

Trisha

In a previous Birchbox (month unknown) I received a sample from Number 4 and it didn’t impress me back then, but I recall researching the company as I wanted a complete list of ingredients.
I couldn’t find the info on the website, but never pursued it as it wasn’t a product I would want to use as an experiment on my waist length hair. Too much risk involved!
If it works for you and you love it-Awesome.
It does smell pretty though, I can give them credit there- better than the Tokyo Milk sample that’s for sure.
Happy Beauty boxing!

JessicaG

I still haven’t received this months box. They’ve sent 3 emails so far-first was a regular tracking one, second was one saying I’d “definitely” get it between the 17th and the 20th, third one apologizing again but with no new eta. They DID say that they know our boxes left the warehouse and should be in transit. They said they were trying a new shipper…I’m beginning to wonder if they got had…try to go with a cheaper service and what do ya know, they literally didn’t deliver. Maybe this new shipper just stole all the boxes. All I know is that if it’s not here by September, I either want a beta box to replace it or my next two months free (one for the $10 I already paid and one for the trouble, lol) I DON’T want store credit.

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Deb P

I’m also still waiting for my box and because of all the aggravation, once again, have cancelled! I mean you pay on the first and if you’re lucky you’ll maybe get your box in three weeks!! But I see from reviews some have already gotten theirs so I’m starting to think since I live in Oregon is this issue for timely delivery?

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PoisonIvy

I live in Texas and always had shipping problems with Birchbox. Boxes were usually past the delivery estimate and arrived damaged (eyeshadows and blushes). I always gave them the benefit of the doubt but wouldnt really receive the best reply ($5 credit at most). This month was just the nail in the coffin so I am cancelling for awhile.

Julie E

I started using Lipsense and I love it! Stays so much better than anything else. You can buy sample sizes on eBay for only $10!

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MissBailey

We are box twins! The Perla washes me out but I like everything else in the box. I’m a fan of Marcelle and the tinted cream is a great primer.

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Ann

Every time I get an email or see a Birchbox reference I get a little more irritated that I don’t have my box and have no tracking info and no eta and no response to emails from Birchbox, despite being a subscriber since 2012, on beta, and an ACE.

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Veronica

I’m the same way I subscribed to Birchbox just this Mont it’s almost three weeks and I have not received my box or don’t even know where my box is at 😣my first time with Birchbox and probably my kast

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Luna

I’m currently using that Acure Day Cream (from this year’s Whole Foods bag), and I love it! It’s so true that a little will go a long way. I found that out the hard way, but fortunately the opening to the tube is fairly large (for a tube) so I was able to push the excess back in. Also, I thought I’d mention that I have oily skin, and it works really well for me too since, as Haley mentioned, it’s a very light feeling day moisturizer that absorbs into the skin immediately while still leaving the skin feeling moisturized.

Haley, I was wondering since you mentioned about receiving a full sized Glamglow while you worked at Sephora… do you miss your monthly gratis hauls from working there? I like to watch the gratis hauls on YouTube, which makes me think I totally wouldn’t mind working at Sephora part time if I ever needed a part time job. 😀

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Haley Faye

Luna, I do miss working at Sephora! I left when I had my son, and I definitely plan to go back one day in the distant future part time. So fun, and yeah the monthly gratis hauls we’re insane 😂😍

Thanks for reading!! And for that info on the moisturizer!

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Amber M

I also chose the Perla and LOVE IT!! I got the Marcelle too but I didn’t care for the formula or the color. I also received:
Oribe shampoo and conditioner
Avene hydrating cream
tokyomilk dead sexy perfume
Glamglow hydrating treatment
Easily probably by best box to date even with the marcelle and perfume being misses!

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June

Hmmm if more birchboxes were like this one in sample size and variety, I would resubscribe in an instant!

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Missy

I know!

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iKristiina

I cancelled with them. They have a bad case of No Communication from their customer service.

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Emily

So true. I cancelled months ago but have still been shopping with them here and there. They REALLY messed up my last order and it took days for customer service to get in touch with me. I remember when they had a phone number and chat service, so this decline in service is very noticeable and disappointing to me. If they really sell out to Walmart I am not expecting any improvement!

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Hillary

Basically box twins. Except I picked the Oribe dry shampoo (so I didn’t get the r+co), but everything else was the same. Unfortunately the stila color made me look like a corpse. I should’ve guessed by looking at the tube and just swapped it. But I really wanted it to work so I tried it on. Well, trash bin for that one. I’m excited about everything else though.

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