Birchbox Review + Coupon – May 2015

ByLiz CadmanMay 13, 2015 | 141 comments

Birchbox Review + Coupon - May 2015 Box

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 box is the sample choice box for May.

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

Birchbox Review + Coupon - May 2015 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 + Coupon - May 2015 Info

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

Birchbox Review + Coupon - May 2015 Oil

Macadamia Professional Nourishing Moisture Oil Treatment - 1 oz Value $10

This is my sample choice item for the month. It's 1/4 the size of the full size version, and you only need a few drops per use, so I knew this would be a sample I could use for weeks! And most importantly - it made my hair feel instantly softer.

Dr. Jart+ Night BB Beauty Balm - .17 Value $3.80

I've sampled many BB creams thanks to subscription boxes, but this is the first nightime BB cream I've come across. I'm not sure what to make of it. From the reviews on Birchbox, I expected it to be slightly tinted and sheer, but the formula is actually clear with grey speckles. (Apparently then the speckles change to match the colros of your skintone). I wouldn't say this is a BB cream for any type of coverage, but I did like how my skin felt after applying it.

Birchbox Review + Coupon - May 2015 Mally

Mally Evercolor Waterproof Automatic Eyeliner in Shimmering Steel - FULL SIZE! Value $18

I don't get too excited about eyeliners in subscription boxes (just because I have so many), but full size products in a Birchbox are always a win! This eyeliner glides on evenly, and is pretty smudge proof too. (If I hadn't read the color, I would have assumed it was black or grey after testing it). Here is a swatch:

Birchbox Review + Coupon - May 2015 Swatch

Birchbox Review + Coupon - May 2015 Marcelle

Marcelle Hydra-C Energizing Hydrating Gel - .24 oz Value $3.40

This product works just as I expected from the name - it's a really soothing skin gel. I like it!

Harvey Prince Sea Salt Texturizing Mist - .27 oz Value $1

I'm sure a lot of Harvey Prince perfume fans will like this product (it reminds me of one of their perfume scents). For me, it is a pretty strong scent for a hair product, so I won't be using it anymore.

Verdict: This box has a value of about $36. I'm very happy with that value for a $10 box. At first glance when I opened this box I didn't think it looked that impressive, but the sizes of the Mally eyeliner and Macadamia hair oil alone make it worth it for me.

What did you get from Birchbox this month? Any favorite new discoveries?

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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141 comments

Jen

Has anyone gotten their Beauty Blender set yet? I haven’t heard a word about it and thought I might get it with this months box, but it wasn’t there. Let me know if you guys know when they are supposed to come. Thanks!

Tara

I Paid $30 for the upgraded May birchbox and never got my 2 upgraded items. I emailed and they say it was a glitch. Told me they would refund my card the $20 and offered nothing else. I’m going to cancel the upgrade. I dont have time to watch my statement each month and compare it to my products and follow up etc. disappointed.

April

So I signed up for the first time this month and they sent me a completely different box than what they said I was going to get online. I emailed customer service as I was excited about what I was supposed to get and they essentially told me SOL because of inventories. Don’t tell me what I’m going to get and then not give it to me! That’s so cheap! The box I got is what I’d call junk. That Coastal eyeshadow palette…I’m just going to throw it away. So I’ll still get the June box but have cancelled after that. Going to try Glossybox instead. Such a letdown.

Ruby

Hi Liz. I just subscribe to Birch box yesterday but the site won’t accept the 5off but accepted solutions15. I don’t get it though. What does it mean with regards to my box? Thanks and more power!

Sara

I finally got a replacement box from Birchbox, I was supposed to get my samples last Thursday, but never got the box. I reached out to Birchbox, and they said they’d send a replacement. So today I got a Birchbox, filled with samples I’ve already received before, I’m super pissed. I was SOOOO excited to get my samples this month, things I’ve never had and was excited about trying. Then to get this box of disappointment pushed me over the edge. To top it off, I can’t even review these stupid products for points, since it’s not my normal box this month. I reached out to BB again, so I’ll see what happens, right now just super angry. I don’t need anymore Harvey Prince perfume samples, Sea Salt Spray or Coastal Scents sample palette and if I see Juice Beauty one more time I’ll lose it. lol I’ve gotten far too many Juice Beauty samples in the last 4 months, I’m over them too.

April

I’d say you should review them anyway to get your points and when they ask if you’ve used the product yet, just select no. This is what I did as I felt I shouldn’t be the one paying for their mistakes when they sent me completely wrong items and didn’t try to compensate for it in anyway. Also, I gave the items i didn’t want to receive in the future a bad rating and a good rating for those I did want…to help customize your profile for the future regardless of their mess up.

So I finally got a reply from Birchbox regarding the Beta Upgraded Subscription. I have included my initial email and then the response

From Me:
Was I supposed to get the full size eyeshadow palette with my order since I upgraded? I got a cargo eyeshadow that is busted up and leaked all over the box. Was it supposed to be the $34 pallet as described on the card or the $10 single color? The upgrade was advertised as a $50 value. Everything else is great and as described. Just confused on the upgrade. (I also attached a photo of the broken, crumbled eyeshadow and how it got all over my box).

From Birchbox:
Thanks so much for taking the time to reach out and for being one of the first to try our $30 Subscription!

I’d love to help clarify. Your Birchbox this month should have included the Cargo Eyeshadow in Yukon, which is valued at $16.00.

Every month, we’ll make sure your Product Card and Box History Page link you to the best version to purchase in our Shop. In this case, because we do not sell the individual shadow just yet, we wanted to share the Cargo Summer in the City Eye Shadow Palette because it’s a great value and allows you to try a wide range of shades from Cargo.

That said, I completely understand the confusion and will be passing along your experience to our team to take into consideration for how we represent your products in the future.

We are so appreciative of this feedback because it will help make your experience better and better each month. We hope you’ll continue to stick with us and let us know any time you find your Birchbox experience to be anything less than perfect.

Thanks again for your thoughtful message, and I hope you have a great day!

Missy

Ummm, no “we are so sorry for the broken eyeshadow and that it got all over everything, we will do_______________ for the damage” etc etc etc??? That doesn’t sit right with me.

I don’t know what to think of this response. I feel like it’s sorta a Jedi mind trick response. But the tone was nice. I really wish the response had provided clarification on the $50 value; was it for the two full size products or the entire box? But perhaps my email didn’t clarify well or come across well. Since this is a new concept I’ll give it another month and then decide whether or not I will continue or cancel.

Soma

HI LIz

Did you received your Beauty Solutions Featured Box? I really want to know how it is.
This month was not as great for me as for some subscribers. May be the featured boxes can be a better option for few months rather than a surprise box.

Liz Cadman

I haven’t received it yet – but I’ll post a review when I do!

PA Anna

I like this month’s better than last month’s box which had the Beaver shampoo and Conditioner. I received:

1. Coastal Scents Revealed 2 eyeshadow Quad Desert Bloom. It’s made in China and is going to my sister. I can’t use that on my eyes.

2. Harvey Prince Yogini – I like the scent.

3. Marcelle Hydra C Energizing Hydrating Gel – It’s nice to have a small sample to try this because it has aloe in it which can irritate my skin. My skin is weird because of the rosacea.

4. Macadamia Oil – My PYS. I used this before and liked it.

5. Smashbox Photo Finish Primer Water – I’ll give it a try.

liddybug

I didn’t pick a sample because I like the full surprise. I got Harvey Prince sea salt spray. Love the product and the scent. Yu-Be face cream. Very excited to try this new to me brand. Coastal Scents eyeshadow palette. Love the colors and the formula. Shimmery nudes and they stay put all day. Beauty Protector body wash. Smells fantastic and left my skin feeling really soft and lightly scented. Vasanti facial exfoilator. Perfect timing as I was out of my regular exfoilator. Love it. I am definitely buying a full size. Another great Birchbox!

Andrea

I am 3 birchboxes in and I love it! My question is, I keep hearing how you can pick one sample and the rest be a surprise, but I watch my birch emails and don’t see that option. I really wanna know how to do this?

liddybug

Check your spam folder. If still nothing email Birchbox and they can look into it. The email comes around the end of the month and gives you the option to either pick a sample or pick a special curated box. If you pick the curated box the entire box contents will be revealed to you on the page so keep that in mind if you don’t want to know.

Yogamom67

So disappointed with the May Beta Box. Wonderful if Liz will actually receive two full size samples…

Another reviewer stated she was happy with her Beta box, but then went on to list one of her full size samples as a $5 Cargo eyeshadow. I’m confused at how the Cargo eyeshadow is supposed to be considered full sized.

I received my box yesterday and cancelled my subscription within hours of opening it. SUCH a disappointment. I can’t believe Birchbox is putting their name on such this box. EVERYTHING about it is lacking – value, packaging, presentation – you name it – it’s not there.

Back to the eyeshadow – our card states that we are supposed to receive the Cargo Eye Shadow – Yukon Palette of 12 Shadows, $34RV. What I received was a single sample shadow. I have no idea of the value and mine was essentially worthless, as it was crumbling and broken due to the complete and total lack of packaging.

I have SO had it with Birchbox & this Beta Subscribtion. I simply don’t understand how they can do so many things so well and then launch a subscription as poorly as this one.

I’d like to give them three months – but I can’t waste another $30 on a box as poor as this one. I’m a school teacher and work very hard for a living. Birchbox has done absolutely nothing to earn another cent of it with this Beta Sub.

Suzan

Just received a response back from birchbox about the beta sub. My eye shadow was all broken but thankfully it stayed in the container.
here is the response:

Hi Suzi,

Thanks so much for reaching out and being one of the first to try our $30 Subscription!

I’m so sorry about your eyeshadow and would love to send a new one to you right away. I’ve requested a replacement Cargo Eyeshadow be shipped to you, and it should be in your care in perfect condition within 10 business days.

We’ll send you a second email with tracking information once it ships. If there is any trouble with sending this replacement to you, we will of course be in touch.

To clarify, your Birchbox this month should have included the Cargo Eyeshadow in Yukon, which is valued at $16.00.

That said, I completely understand the confusion and will be passing along your experience to our team to take into consideration for how we represent your products in the future.

Thanks again for your thoughtful message, and I hope you have a great day!

Rhubarb

I updated my review to reflect the non-full sized item. Wonder what Birchbox will say about the eye shadow? Regardless – they did deliver on their promise of $50 or over for the box.

I got a single shadow as well and it too was broken. I have found it online retailing for $10. I took a photo of it and attached it to an email. It was a mess in that box. It does say on the card the $34 palette. And the upgrade is advertised as a $50 value. We will see what they say.

I believe it’s advertised as the total value of your box with the beta subscription will be $50+.

Lyndsey

I looked up the single shadow on cargos website and Amazon and it was listed both places for $16 but I’m with you the card listed a full palette not a full size single shadow. I’m not impressed with the beta box at all. I opened my box and had no clue which items were supposed to be full size which can’t be good!!!

Lyndsey

I have two subs a 10$ box and the upgraded beta version and I am not really satisfied. My regular box was ok I liked what I got and I liked what I got in my beta box but my two full size products are a joke! I received a cargo single eyeshadow tin and a jouer lip gloss how is that worth 20 additional dollars and my info card says a Cargo palette of 12 shadows so I’m lost. I think I will cancel my beta box it’s not worth $30 at all!

Sandra

I cancelled birchbox. I am done with their obsession with sending me Harvey Prince samples. Rather place the $10 into Boxycharm or Glossybox.

Betty

I have had BB for 5 months now, the first month was great but since then not so much. One month I never even received a box I was charged for. They did give me the 100 sorry points and didn’t charge me the next month. I guess they have me in an “old lady” category or something. I see other posts about great boxes with a full size item and get samples each month and end up using one or 2 items. I don’t like perfume samples and have that on my profile but have gotten them a few times. I also keep getting dry shampoo I never will use. I have only gotten my sample choice once. I am tired of dry shampoo and skincare that’s not for my type. I have checked and changed up profile but has not helped. I don’t expect the world for $10 but I would like to use more than $2-3 dollars worth of samples each month. Does anyone have tips for a profile that will get better items? Just because I’m in late 40’s doesn’t mean I don’t enjoy make up and actually shampoo. I’m not old enough that I go get a wash and set once a week at the beauty shop yet! I lead a very active life and feel BB has me confused with my mother

[email protected]

This is one of the reasons I hate revealing my age. I
was pleased with my first box but I’m very confused when I see everyone’s getting vastly different stuff.

Alicia

June’s sample choice video is up!

I got the Chosungah lipstick in my box this month, it’s weird but I like it. It’s highlighter pink in the tube but glides on sheer. Though the sheer color is definitely highlighter pink as well, when the color sits on top of the pink of my lips, it’s not awful. I could actually see myself using this pretty regularly, for just a bit of color, the same way I used the Jane Iredale stain from last month. I have another May box coming with a beauty blender, excited to see what’s in it! I also went ahead and added the rose gold RumbaTime watch to my June box, my first ever Birchbox Plus item 🙂 It’s been sitting in my “Favorites” list for a while now so I couldn’t resist the -$17 discount.

SimplySara

Is anyone else having a lot of issues with damaged products? In March I had a hair protector spray leak all over my box AND a cap fell off a lipstick and colored everything. BB was great, responded immediately and sent me a whole new box. In April I received a repeat sample (Whish) and the bee venom to which I am allergic. They responded immediately and sent me a mystery sample pack. This month the sea salt spray completely emptied and even saturated the outer box! I contacted them yesterday and they haven’t responded at all. After such a quick response before, I’m wondering if they are giving up on me since I’ve now had three problem months in a row. I don’t plan to renew my subscription after a year is up because the samples just haven’t been that good.

Jillian

My Pop eyeshadow palette was shattered last month and this month the deodorant wipes are completely dried out. They gave me 50 points last month for the pop palette, but what I really wanted was the palette I was supposed to get. Waiting to hear back on the deodorant wipes…

June theme, sample choice and the curated box video is up.

Missy

Where at?? I can’t find them!

I came across it in the Discover portion of the app.

Anna

I just got my first box of a 6 month subscription. Mine was okay but the only makeup item was a mascara. I would love a Mally liner! I have several and they are my favorite. Here’s hoping!

Ashley

Have any of you ever gotten a generic product card from Birchbox before? Every box I’ve ever gotten included a card listing the products inside my box. This month, my card says, “We hope you [heart] your box. Learn more about your samples (and shop your favorites) at birchbox.com/mybox. Weird.

Jeannie

I got the same card and had the same reaction. This is the first time that I haven’t gotten a card detailing what’s in the box.

Ashley

Oops. Forgot to close the quote. It doesn’t say “weird”. lol

christine

Hi There,
I got a bubblegum pink Laura Geller Lip Gloss in my Birchbox and I was wondering if anybody knew the actual name of the color? There’s no label on it and it’s hard to tell from the website; none of them really look like it. Thanks in advance to anybody that can help!

I signed up for a second account for the beauty blender and added the upgrade on a whim. Then, when I found out what the two full sized items were going to be, I wanted to cancel the upgrade since I don’t wear eye shadow and am very particular about lipstick. I e-mailed them, and instead of refunding just the $20 upgrade, they canceled my entire subscription and asked me to resubscribe at my convenience. By then, of course, the beauty blender promo was gone 🙁 I’m so sad that I lost my beauty blender, but I had added a small item to the order to get the free mystery sample pack and those two items had already shipped by the time they canceled my subscription. So I guess I get that freebie!

Brooke

First time sub to BB, gifted myself 3 month, but there was an issue with getting me the Simply stylish box (generic welcome box sent instead). After contacting BB customer service, they said they’d send me the May Beauty Solutions instead. I was STOKED because my only reasoning for signing up was the W3ll mascara, which was offered with both boxes.

However when the box arrived, it was the MARCH Beauty Solutions box. March…. SUPER disappointing.

Spoke to BB customer service again, they said they’d fix it and send me the sample, but it’ll take 11+ days to get here. And that was almost 3 days ago and it still hasn’t shipped. Not even sure it will, but I’m tired of contacting customer service.

I have super sensitive eyes to mascara, which is why I wanted to try it before investing.

So if anyone received one and wants to sell/swap/pass it on, I’m all for it 🙂

Babyb26

Hello all,

I received my $20.00 BB Upgrade box today had below is what it included. Over all I am pleased, but I don’t think I will be keep the upgrade past three months, I work on three strikes rule, and I was not overly impressed by the upgrade.

Full Size: $5.00 Cargo Eyeshadow in Yukon a rose topaz color.

Full Size: $25.00 Laura Mercier Lipstick Color in a bright red
Total= $30.00

Samples:
English Laundry in Nottingham Hill Femme -$1.00
Macadamia Professional -$10.00
Naobay Moisturizer-$14.40
Prescriptives Mascara-$5.94
Smashbox Primer Water-$ 2.00
Approx total-$33.34

Yeah, so far it doesn’t look like this upgrade is worth it, especially since it’s always going to be makeup/nail items. I’d strongly consider it if they were going to include full-sized skin/hair/body products according to your profile, but it seems like everyone gets the same two makeup items each week. I’d hate to end up with full size makeup I can’t use.

Each month*

Bish

Looks like nobody here got the Korean beauty products, I was hoping to see the sample sizes on those.

liddybug

I did. I got the Korean skin cream.

anna

I have gotten Lumi Pang, peripera. Korean lip gloss/stain actually quite nice.

Ashley

I’m supposed to be getting the Chosungah lipstick (if my box will ever get here!). I hope it’s a good color/flavor/size. I’ll try to remember to come back here and post the size.

Bish

Lipsticks usually seem to be full size or close to it, lip glosses however are sometimes teeny tiny. (I got a microscopic Cynthia Rowley tint this month) Since this is their Korean beauty debut items, I would hope that they stepped it up a little.

Ragan

Account 1: Chose Naobay.

Box 1: Received it today.

Account 2: Chose Beauty Solutions curated box.

Box 2: Received it today. Tracking # matched account.

Account 3: Resubbed to get free Beauty Blender.

Box 3: Not shipped yet.

Box 0: Received a Beauty Solutions box. Last week. Why? Now I have two of them. Don’t have the tracking # because I recycled the outer box.

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Birchbox Review + Coupon – May 2015

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