Birchbox Review – December 2014

ByLiz CadmanDec 20, 2014 | 44 comments

Birchbox Review – December 2014 Box

Birchbox is one of the original beauty subscription boxes, and one of my personal favorites. (I’ve discovered so many new brands through this subscription, and their rewards program is the best!)

Birchbox Review – December 2014 First Look

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

Birchbox Review – December 2014 Items

The Subscription Box: Birchbox

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

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

Ships to: US, France, Spain and the UK and Canada

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

Birchbox Review – December 2014 Info

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

Birchbox Review – December 2014 Gap

This month's box also came with a $10 code offer to spend at Gap - you just have to enter your birchbox account email at gap.com/birchbox.

(The part I hate about this $10 gift code is that it only works in stores - not online!)

Birchbox Review – December 2014 Cuppa

Royal Apothic Cuppa Cuppa Firming Tea Treatment Mask - Value $9.70

W3LL People Bio Brightener Stick - .1 oz? Value $8.25

This Cuppa Cuppa mask gets great reviews on Birchbox, and it smells wonderful too - I'm excited to try it! (I sampled it on my hand, and it has a really fine micro-exfoliant too).

The W3LL People Bio Brightener Stick is my sample choice for this month. I really love the all-natural W3LL People brand, and had never tried this specific product before, so it was an easy pick. I like the amount of shimmer this brightener/highlighter provides, and it's pretty easy to blend. I think I would prefer the stick application of the full size version though, this one isn't as easy to apply.

Birchbox Review – December 2014 Davines

Davines Replumping Hair Filler Superactive - 50 ml Value $19.75

Davines NaturalTech Replumping Shampoo - 12 ml Value $1.20

Davines NaturalTech Replumping Conditioner - 12 ml Value $2

This Superactive Treatment is a spray you apply to towel-dried hair to make hair appear thicker and shinier. I just tried it on completely dry hair, and I could see a little increase in volume with just a few sprays. I also really love the scent - it is a little on the masculine side as far as hair care product scents go.

(These foil packets were listed on my info card as bonus samples paired with the Davines Superactive Treatment).

Birchbox Review – December 2014 Lip Gloss

Mirenesse Mattfinity Lip Rouge in Sydney - 1.7 g Value $7

English Laundry Signature for Her Perfume Sample - Value $1?

This Lip Rouge may be the BOLDEST lip color I've ever come across! It's a very highly pigmented lip color that is pretty moisturizing considering it's not glossy at all. The color has a lot of staying power too. I'm impressed with the product, but I don't wear bold lip colors like this, so it's not for me.

(This is the point in the review where I normally complain about getting a perfume sample, but considering how awesome the other products are in my box this month, I will let it go!)

Verdict: I think this is one of my best Birchboxes ever! I received about $50 worth of beauty products for $10, plus I have 7 items to review on Birchbox for 10 points each, which will equal $7 to spend in the Birchbox shop! And most importantly, I really like the Davines and W3LL People items, and can't wait to try the Cuppa Cuppa mask! What did you get in your Birchbox this month?

Posted in Beauty Subscription Boxes, Subscription Box Reviews, Subscription Boxes for Women

Liz Cadman

Liz is the founder of My Subscription Addiction. She's been hooked on subscription boxes since 2011 thanks to Birchbox, and she now subscribes to over 100 boxes. Her favorites include POPSUGAR Must Have, FabFitFun, and any box that features natural beauty products!

Read More By Liz Cadman >

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44 comments

Stacey Swierk

I received the same box as you, same colors! Everything arrived in excellent condition, no leaks/breaks. I can’t wait to try all of the products that I received. I think the lip rouge is a little to bold for me but my daughter will probably like it. I think the brightener is my favorite product so far. Thanks for the review!

Stacey Swierk

Ooops I forgot to mention that I was disappointed because the GAP code I received is expired. Had a very short life with an expiration date of 12-30-2014 ;-( so it was of no use to me. Bummer!

PA Anna

Stacey – Check your email again. They had to reissue the codes and the new ones expire 1/14/15. My new code arrived via email on 12/18. I need to use it!

Cyndi

HELP!!!!!! I can’t figure out this whole point thing. Can someone help me? Thetoneys94@gmail. Cyndi. Thanks

Lisa

Received an almost entirely different box! I got:
Yu-Be Moisturizing Skin Cream
Dr. Jart+ Black Label Detox BB Beauty Balm
Miss Jessie’s Original Jelly Soft Curls
amika Perk Up Dry Shampoo
SeaRX Anti-Wrinkle Facial Lift Treatment Serum
Mirenesse Mattfinity Lip Rouge

I felt like this box was pretty well curated for me, and that birchbox really paid attention to my profile. This was my first box and I’m really satisfied 🙂 Next month I’ll be getting the Relaxed and Recharge box!

Erica

Wow, my box was NOTHING like this. If it was I wouldn’t be so disappointed 🙁

Melody

My box was completely different but loved. I got rusk hair spray (but was missing the cap). The lip locked lip gloss (which I picked and love) and some others I can’t remember right now. I did add one of the necklaces and LOVE it.
I didn’t get any perfume samples from them, I never do. And I think I’m the only person who loves getting them because I spend a lot of money on myperfumesamples to get them. I’m still trying to find perfume I love.

Melody

Also I HATE the $10 gap card only works in stores. It’s such a pain for me to get to a gap with a 3 yr old and I have to take the train downtown which costs $5 round trip and I have no reason to go there right now. :/ I do all my shopping online.

Karen

I haven’t received mine yet but I hope to within the next day or so.

Amber

I for the life of me can not seem to get a Gap coupon code! Is anyone else having this problem? I got my box when there were “technical issues” but still provided an e-mail address and got nothing and a few days ago I tried again and still haven’t gotten anything! Pretty lame since the code expires at the end of the month.

cheryl

I did get the gap.com coupon email immediately. I went to the GAP last night, when I handed the check out clerk the print out coupon he said “I had a few of those today and it will not work, the company that issued them has a glitch and is sending out another email”. I told him I never got that so he decided to try it and IT WORKED. This made my BB well worth it this month as I did not get the nice box that is listed here. I got repeats from other boxes and small foil samples. Thank you BB!

I honestly have not been in a GAP in years, just not my style store. I wanted to spend the $10 and not on a gift as they are still pricey. Llast night they had all SALE times either 40% or 60% off. I got a long sleeve swing T-shirt (similar to a GT top) and two pairs of really nice cotton socks for $12.06 so I only paid the $2.06. Nice!

Jess

This is my third box and I’ve gotten none of the products requested on my profile and all of the ones I dont. I’m very disappointed so far. I’ve sampled more shampoo than anything. I feel like the boxes are curated by people with blindfolds on. .. They just put crap in box and ship it off. Sure yeah it’s a good deal price wise but not if your samples aren’t anything that you asked for. I think next month I’m trying a guest curated box to save myself some grief.

Gina

I got the lip cream too and I have to say, it’s one of the BEST matte lip creams I’ve ever tried! I want more colors!

Sara

I wasn’t a fan of the sample choices for December so I think I went with the curated box only because I wanted the lip gloss. Little did I know that everyone was going to be getting a lip gloss I would’ve picked a mask sample. I’m always dying for lip glosses in boxes and rarely get them. I seem to get eyeliner, perfume, and mascara all the time, when I don’t want any of them. I actually kept everything in my box though and only swapped the perfume. My Birchbox is also coming later than it used to, is anyone else having the same issue? I just got it Friday when I was supposed to get it by Wednesday at the latest. The tracking didn’t update for a long time either.

[email protected]

My box had absolutely NONE of the same items that are in the MySubscriptionAddiction review.

Jess

Mine either! I didn’t get the mask, lip gloss, or brightening face stick. I’m so bummed. I feel like I got shafted!

Marissa

My box normally has none of the same as these reviews. This month I got the EXACT same box!

cheryl

I got the worst box ever this mont. Why is my box full of awful samples and yours is so nice…., so disappointed.

Emi

I wasn’t too pleased with my box. I got Acure Organics Sensitive Facial Cleanser (1 oz), Essentiel Elements Wake Up Rosemary Body Gel (1.5 oz), Klorane Dry Shampo with Oat Milk in Natural Tint (1 oz), Mirenesse Mattifinity Lip Rouge in Sydney (1.7 g) and W3LL Poeple Bio Brightener Stick. I don’t use dry shampoo – I don’t like the whole concept of it. blah. Liz, I like yours, though.

Vanessa

I got the same box as you! I chose the W3LL people highlighter as my sample choice. I’m not happy to get (another!) dry shampoo, and the lip color is too red for me, but I like the Acure sensitive face wash. That’s going to my travel bag right away. The shower gel is okay I guess. The W3LL People highlighter is such a gorgeous color. It’s simply perfect plus I love the brand and how natural the products are. I broke down and ordered the full size last night, since the tiny sample pot makes it hard to apply. It’s $33 and I used coupon code TENBACK to get extra points with my order. I added a $3.50 box of tea so that I could get a free sample pack for spending $35. Yay! I’m excited bc I almost never treat myself to the full size products

Jennifer

I got that box and love it. I’ve used the dry shampoo twice already!

Emily

I got the same box you did, and I loved it! Except for the dry shampoo, which I feel equally blah about. I didn’t have any trouble swapping it, though, so still a successful box for me. That bodywash is amazing.

Erin D

I also picked the W3LL People highlighter and I received the same box as you. I love this box so much I couldn’t be happier! Here’s hoping that January’s box can impress me this much 🙂

Emma c

I don’t understand how you get so many perfume samples! I never get them but I want them because I’m new to perfume so I’m still looking for scents I like. How do you get them?! I even made sure that part on there page said I wanted them.

Shanna

See, I mentioned the same problem in the last Birchbox post. My profile says I don’t want them, but I usually get them. I cancelled after last month because it had been a long, LONG time since I’d gotten a box that showed any sign that Birchbox actually used my profile. I’d have liked that lip rouge, but I would not have gotten it. Everytime I see a product here that I hope will be in my box, I never get it. I learned my lesson and am saving up! Another cancellation and I’ll be able to justify getting Little Lace Box! 🙂

Haley

I had a similar problem of no matter how I profiled, I mostly got the category items I didn’t request. I rarely received things I love like serums and lippies. I did discover some nice new brands though.

Liz Cadman

I don’t know what to tell you – I requested not to get them! 🙂 Maybe I don’t get them that often, it just feels like it because I don’t want them?

Dinah

Ahh your box is perfect! I had a good box this month but this one is great

Latasha

I did not chose a sample this month since I wanted to be surprised. I got the exact same box as Liz, and I am quite pleased with it. I am not as excited about the well people only because I am black about a nc45 but I will try it all the same.

Marissa

I think you might really enjoy it! My mom is much darker than me and we both found it pretty interesting despite how different shades we are. It doesn’t necessarily go on with a color or shade just a sheer glow! I have no idea how but it’s pretty cool!

Charma

I have theysame box as yours and I like everything I got.Its nice to have 7 items to review at Birchbox.

Season

Your box is completely different than mine! I love both of ours. 🙂

brandy

Liz,

I used the cuppa cuppa mask today and omg I’m in love. This stuff is addicting and the scent euphoric and relaxing. I have to be careful, it was that good. I want more!

I wanted to try that and was thrilled it was in my box. Guess what! The mirenesse mascara that I’ve been wanting to try was in the box too.

I also received Rusk texturizing spray, a little sample of Sea rx anti aging serum. Similar to the one in ipsy but this is a serum and that was a lotion.
I also received a large size Borghese finishing shimmer type product that goes over foundation and it’s liquid.

This was one of my favorite Birchbox to date. I loved the mask and excited about trying new mascara. The rusk I could leave out but the others made up for it. It’s a nice size too! 🙂

Cindy

About the Rusk, how do you use it as a texturizer/body-builder vs. a hairspray? I’ve gotten this twice but it is a lousy hairspray and I just can’t figure out how to make it build body as advertised. My hair is straight and thin.

brandy

I rarely use texturizer spray or hair spray. I generally use some frizz smoothing creams and heat protectors.

I think you use it to the root, to build volume and get thick hair.

My hair is super thick and two inches from my hip and has a lot of volume (big hair) I straighten it to take some of the volume out. I’m accumulating too much texterurizing spray so I’m going to try swaps, I’ve been saying it.

The cuppa cuppa mask was my favorite discovery. It really relaxes and awakens me too. The full size is about $60 for 6 tubes on birchbox for the full size. Making this sample about $10. I’ll get 2-3 uses out of.

I’m going to have to try swapping, I’m getting too many things that won’t be used and need loving homes. 🙂

My Boxycharm is suppose to finally arrive Monday or Tuesday. By tracking they shipped priority mail and should of been here Fri/sat but a little late due to the holidays. My ipsy should arrive Monday.

Liz Cadman

Yay – can’t wait to try the Cuppa Cuppa Mask now! 🙂

Chelsea

After so many months of body lotion and perfume. I finally got a great Birchbox. Amika, dry shampoo –which kept a party blowout going for a full week. Dr. Jart Black label detox–a little too drying and makes my fair skin, look a bit gray. I still wore it out today–so clearly not that bad–just added blush. Embryolisse, which I used in the spring and loved. However it’s still not enough protection for a dry, Midwest winter. Mirenesse I curl mascara–I like it, its very subtle. It gives a very dark and separated fine lash. No thickening power at all–so it may disappoint a few. W3ll brightening stick, which is not picking up on my light skin at all. I see no shimmer. Oh, well. Still a hit. Off, to wrap presents!

brandy

Something I’ve never received from my sample boxes are Dr. Jart, jouer, or laura mercier and Caudalie.

I’ve been wanting to try out the brand but haven’t had the chance. I’ve been with subscriptions since early summer/ late spring so hoping to finally get to try it. For months I wanted to try the beauty protector and finally received it so I’m hopeful.

I think I’ve found more I use from birchbox then most of my other subscriptions. Even though there is usually months I only use one item it’s still worth it and with the points alone, I’ve racked some nice items.

It would be nice if sample society could better compete with birchbox and ipsy and drop to $10. Even though there high ends, they don’t have a great pts system and all.

Melanie McKinnon

I LOVE the Davines Superactive Hair Filler! My hair is super fine and thin and I was so amazed at how much fuller and more manageable it was after spraying the product. I’m a total believer!

Cindy

I was hoping for the Davines but didn’t get it! I think I’ve indicated an indifference to hair products on my profile because I kept getting ones that are for frizz and curls when I have stick straight, thin hair. But I did want to try this line. I am tempted to go back and indicate an interest in hair stuff but I just know it will back-fire……

Jess D

The Gap coupon turned out to be a huge disappointment. In addition to not being able to use online, it did not work in store! There was an error message on the website and the employees in-store just shrugged. “Without a code we can’t do anything. The website probably crashed.” I tried it multiple times over several days. So in addition to traveling to try to use it in store, it didn’t work. Still haven’t received an email with a code, a week later.

chillybeans

I haven’t gotten my Birchbox/Gap email either, after entering it. Disappointing

Jonelle

I would try again now. They just sent me a code.

Judy

That’s disappointing. I didn’t try to register the GAP card yet. Also my box was different from the one described above. I got Real Chemistry 3 minute peel, SeaRX an anti-wrinkle facial lift treatment serum, Mirenesse ICurl secret weapon 24hr mascara, Davines replumping superactivewith naturaltech pelumping shampoo and conditioner samples (as listed above) and Catherine Malandrino style de Paris parfum. It’s a good thing they include the card describing what each is because it’s almost impossible to read what it is on the product. And directions on how to use it are in even smaller print.

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Birchbox Review – December 2014

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