Birchbox Review – November 2014

I received a Birchbox subscription as a gift. I know it’s popular, but feel that my sister was completely ripped off. The company is sending us samples which cost them nothing and charging for the privilege, hoping we’ll buy the regular size. It’s nothing but a sales gimmick. I wish they would at least make a better attempt at creating boxes that are more targeted. I’m not 16. I’m white. The box I recently received didn’t have a single thing I could use other than a tiny sized sample of body lotion. The wrinkle protection cream has a warning that it shouldn’t be used by pregnant women. The matte lip stain was a sad mess. They should, as I said, narrow things down to ethnicity, and age. Or they should send things that everyone can use. I’m throwing away everything in this box. I can get what I want for free at the makeup counter.

I still haven’t received my November box. I’m starting to think that many of these subscription companies aren’t very good at shipping to Hawaii. 8-(

I ordered my first Birchbox 11/24 and received it a week later! I received the Buzzfeed box identical to Liz’s. I am so happy! Glossybox took my money 11/18 (November box) and is still in Packing Stage:(

I didnt get any mascara in my box, and the no soap was missing!!! I also got double the amika nourishing mask….I wonder if this was just a over sight….

This is my second BirchBox. I received:

Jouer Luminizing Moisture Tint
Number 4 Super Comp Prep and Protect
Chuao Chocolatier in Pop Corn Pop
Eyeko Fat Eye Stick in Gilt
Harvey Prince Petaly Noir
Camille Beckman Platinume Gold Repair Hand Therapy

My perfume sample had more than half of it leaked out into the box. The good thing is that I could tell right away -plus- I really did enjoy the scent. The Chocolate was a bonus item, yes, but it was completely melted. Granted, I live in Florida so it’s not difficult for that to happen, but I was very disappointed. 🙁 I contacted Birchbox Customer service and they are sending out replacements, so that is good news. It has, however, made me a little wary about ever ordering any perishable items from them. If they don’t take into account where these items are being shipped to for the mystery boxes, how can I expect better if I just order it straight up? I would have been VERY upset had I actually ordered the chocolate and it arrived in that condition.

I am not a fan of the lotion that came in the box. It feels strange on the skin. I do however really like the other items. So it was a good box, despite the issues I had with a couple items. I’m hoping that they arrive the second time in better condition!

I just got tracking for my first one, I am waiting to see what I get!!!!!

Let’s see if I can post from my phone tonight. I’m dissapointed with the PYS hair mask. I tried it this morning and it irrated my rosacea. I thought it was sulfate and paraben free. I wonder what was in it that bothered me. I tossed the sample which was empty because I used it all on my hair which wasn’t enough. It’s the first time I had a problem with a hair mask. Be careful if you have rosscea.

My box:
Jouer Luminizing Moisture Tint in Golden – $3.80
Harvey Prince Petaly Noir, 1.5mL – $1.65
Number 4™ Super Comb Prep & Protect – $4.80
Eyeko Fat Eye Stick in Taupe, full size – $15
Camille Beckman Platinume Gold Imperial Repair Hand Therapy – $0.83
Chocopod popcorn pop – $1.25
Total: ~$27

This month was not as exciting as last month, but I’ll definitely use everything. I just wish the hand repair therapy sample were larger (the bottle is 0.25oz and it’s only 2/3 full!). But I think the eyeshadow will be a nice base color, and I’ve been looking for a lighter leave-in conditioner, so I’m satisfied. Plus, the value’s not bad at all.

I just got my box today, the tracking yesterday said it was still in TN right now it says it’s still in transit to my city and supposed to deliver tomorrow. I guess they’re using a new tracking system, it’s off. I picked the Holiday Hacks box only because I wanted to try the Dr. Jart mask, I already have the dry shampoo and not that excited about more mascara. The candle is super strong, I’ll probably end up gifting it or something. Overall though I like the box, my Ipsy bag looks like it’s going to be super disappointing this month.

Has anyone who made refferals before the deadline received your mystery sample packs?

I have so much trouble from Customer service more then any other company. First I didn’t receive the laggies box last month and it was sold out so they did nothing so I kept the box I received.

Now I made refferals and emailed them about it and they ask me about the refferals like they have no clue and the names which are clearly on my points section and the date I received the points for refferals so I will probably call tomorrow since they wont even look up the info for me. I will give them the names.

Now I see that so many people that chose the sample choice Cuppa cuppa mask? Will not be receiving there samples were mixed up. I did not choose a sample this month just to avoid any trouble but I was on there Facebook page.

Just a warning to not ask simple questions politely to there Facebook acct because they will probably block you. Missing items, any problems you post you get blocked from there Facebook posting or comments. Shady!

I love that mask. It is amazing! I decided not to pick a sample this month in hopes that I would get a beauty blender (I saw that they were giving that out to some people who chose not to pick an item last month.) Sadly I did not get a beauty blender but I did get the facial peel and the lippie so I am excited about that. The choices were all so good this month. I love BirchBox. I just recently started subscribing in June. I started with Birchbox and Glossy Box and just added Ipsy. I already cancelled Glossybox after the dreaded Harpers Bazarre box and I am not sad that I did. I feel like I will be sticking with Birchbox for a very long time. I have yet to be disappointed.

The BB website has changed. Now when I view the samples in my box, there isn’t a number in the address to indicate which box I got. Has anyone figured out how to see other boxes this month?
Last month a saw a lot of complaints about people not getting a beautyblender in their box. Maybe they are making it harder to see the other boxes.

Am I the only one who finds Birchbox’s website completely confusing? I just signed up mid-October and cannot figure out how to “reserve” boxes or “pick” samples of my choosing. Their website is not user friendly and I’m almost considering canceling because I can’t figure it out. Ipsy’s website is much more user friendly.

According to tracking I should receive mine tomorrow.

I am receiving the Dr. Brandt pores no more vacuum cleanser (super excited)
Model Co Party poof lipstick (happy)

The Perlier body butter (no ratings yet, new? (Happy)

The follie joie perfume (already sampled)

Super Goop CC cream.

I still wanna try Dr Lipp nipple balm, the mascara and mask though. I really wish sooo much that I would have chose to sign for two boxes this month. I see a lot of people that have sampled Dr. Lipp over the past six months and I have not yet. I may have to save BB points to purchase it.

I am most excited about the Dr. BRANDT Vacuum cleanser. I can never have enough face cleaners and pore products!! I hope to be able to also try a new face mask or moisturizer soon. I rarely get them from subscription boxes. I have serums but will probably run out of moisturizer in the next week or so.

when will our MSA quarterly box ship!?????

Does anyone know of any current discount code for BB? As of this morning, Mobile20 isn’t working anymore…

I got this box too just waiting on it to come in! I love mascara too and can’t wait to try this new formula as well. I’m so picky on mascaras so I love trying new ones to sew what works best for me! Love the value of this box as well. I’ve tried both the balm and the Amika dry shampoo and love both so I am excited for the extra!

I LOVE this month’s box! I almost picked the curated box for both accounts, but, now that I see you guys talking about chocolate, I’m glad I got 1 curated box and 1 surprise box! This month is so great, I’m tempted to buy another 😉 PS I too thought candle would be in a tin, don’t know why, probably just an assumption.

I saw some pictures people posted of there box on Facebook and I have been wanting to try Dr. Lipp Nipple balm and the icurl mascara. I can never have enough mascaras to sample and try. The mask and candle look nice too. I could do without dry shampoo. My box is due to arrive Monday or Tuesday. I am really hoping to get some of the samples you received.

It was difficult for me to choose between a sample this month so I passed, they all looked good! 🙂

I reserved the BuzzFeed box and now I can’t wait to get it. I’ve been dying to try that mascara. I can never have too many, I never leave the house without mascara on. I wanted the dry shampoo for travel all the dry shampoo I have now are in enormous cans. I love Dr. Jart anything, I love candles (I grew up right near Yankee Candle and my family still lives there, so it kind of gets embedded in your DNA), and I’m still on the lookout for a lip balm that keeps my extremely dry lips from cracking during the winter. This box was a big win all the way around for me. I just wish it would get here quicker.

I just bit the bullet and signed up for Ipsy too and I’m totally stoked with that this month as well.

I’ve been burning the Bella J snowball candle which I purchased with points when I wasn’t able to buy the other candle scent as a bonus. It burns dirty with a huge flame. You can see the smoke and dirt rising from it. It also has a huge flame that makes me nervous. I’ve burn other candles from subscription boxes and never experienced that before. My charm is the peace sign on a pink cord bracelet. I’m glad I bought the candle to test it out before buying it as fun gifts. I don’t think my charm is worth the minimum $10.00. I will be tossing the candle.

I have a great box perfect for traveling. I received my sample choice which is the Amika Nourishing Hair Mask (made in Israel) which I haven’t tried it yet because I had my color touched up this week. My next item is the GilChrist & Soames Spa Therapy Body Wash(made in USA) which smells nice. The Perlier Absolute omfort Body butter – white almond scent is made in Italy. It has two warnings on it. One is that is not a food product and the other says for adult use only. I laughed about the first warning because my one cat kept sniffing it. I received 2 foils of the Red Flower Illuminating Rose Collagen Renewal Face Serum which I am going to open into a small jar to make it easier to use. Lastly is theBalm cosemetics Cindy-Lou Manizer. The packaging on it is amazing. It has a mug shot etc. on it. It’s a highlighter. My bonus is the chocolate almond butter which I am passing on to my sister. I was hoping for potato chip chocolate which sounds different. I’m happy with what I received.

The pore mask in the curated box looks interesting.

On one account I got this curated box which hasn’t arrived yet. I was introduced to Mirenesse via a swap on this site and fell in love. Just bought 2 full sized ones on Hautelook for $29 even though I’m drowning in mascara.

The other account I got my box today and love it. My requested sample is the Amika Hair mask. I also got the Firework chocopod which was great and I will be buying more! Also included was the not soap radio body wash, Ruffian polish in nude … Been wanting to try Ruffian but not this shade. Also a sampler of lip primer and lipstick from MAKE and Dr Brandt Pores No More Vacuum cleaner.

By the time I got the e-mail there was nothing left to choose from. So I had no choices. Here’s what was in my box:

Curl Keeper by Curly Hair Solutions 1 oz
dr. brandt pores no more vacuum cleaner .25 oz
Dr. Lipp Nipple Balm
Not Soap Radio Body Wash in “awash in a field of four leaf clovers”
theBalm cosmetics Cindy-Lou Manizer
and a Pink Himalayan Crystal Sea Salt Carmel (which lasted about a second and was delicious!)

I think this months box was well worth the price paid. I wish I could have gotten the curated box, but I’m happy with what I got.

LOVE this box. I am so excited. The nipple balm works amazing. 🙂