Birchbox May 2016 Sample Selection Time!

ByLiz CadmanApr 27, 2016 | 53 comments

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If you are a Birchbox Ace, or shared your box page, you now can select your sample choice for the May 2016 Birchbox! (All other subscribers will have access to select their sample tomorrow).

Birchbox

3.7 overall rating

657 Ratings | 188 Reviews

Here are the sample choices:

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And the Curated box:

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Are you going with a sample pick or the curated box this month?

Also, if you haven’t signed up for Birchbox yet, use coupon code SUBSCRIBENOW50 to get 50 bonus points ($5) when you sign up. Or use coupon code RADIANT to get the curated box as your first box!

Check out our Birchbox reviews to learn more about this subscription!

Starting at $22.00

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Birchbox

3.7 overall rating

657 Ratings | 188 Reviews

Birchbox 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 just for you (incl... read more.

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Posted in Subscription Box News

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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53 comments

Bella

Does anyone know if you have to be a subscriber to use the coupon codes or do they just expire each month?

barbara

UGH…the curated box is sold out and I don’t like any of the samples 🙁

Panchis

How do you know it’s sold out? I wanted to subscribe because of the curated box but but now I’m not sure anymore

Jess

Hey! I have been annoying Birchbox support quite a bit in the past few days because I wanted the curated box as well as my sample choice. It is only being offered as a subscriber gift with a $50 purchase this month. A CSR sent me the link via FaceBook. I could not find it on the site otherwise. Luckily, I have been eyeing some pricey DDF serum anyway. I had issues using the code RADIANTBOX on my order (saying it was invalid), but their CS sent the gift to me separately as another order to make it work. Great CS! Hope this helps.

Maria

Use the promo code Radiant when you subscribe. That’s the code to get the curated box as your first box. If the code is invalid then there are no curated boxes left. This is just an idea, not a foolproof way to know.

Maria

Nooooooo! I always try to buy the curated box when it’s available for sale.

Margi

Birchbox was my first love, my first beauty box subscription, and I have been getting it for over 5 years pretty much. One of my favorites, since I really think the team at BB, really puts a lot of thought into their boxes. They do a pretty good job at matching your preferences, and amazing at sending new and different brands. Many of the products I have received for them, are now my favorite must haves. And how do I reorder or buy them when I run out? Using my points, saved up from my reviews of course! I just redeemed my points for a full sized hair product, I just love, and great make-up remover, and got a benefit rollerball mascara as free gift, and it didn’t cost me anything, even shipping was free. They have great deals, and value packs you can buy from their website as well. Hands down, one of the best companies. Love Birchbox, for the price you pay, nothing better!

Maria

I have BB Man sub along with my regular BB. I can review both boxes for points. I’ll get 100 points. Like getting a free box.

Rebecca

Shhhhhh, you’re giving me ideas!

I really should check out the man box reviews, though. My husband doesn’t use any special products, really, but he did love the Target men’s beauty box from December.

Maribel:)

I went with the peel, not loving the entire curated selection so surprise for the 2nd month in a row! 🙂

I went with the peel too…..curated box and the other sample choices didn’t appeal to me. Can’t wait to see what else I get!

Marion

I picked the sunscreen oil since I’ve never tried that kind of product, and I like that it has a citrus scent — though the white tea scent of the Coola sounds good, too.

Jess

I took the Coola. When do the curated boxes usually go up for sale? I usually get them instead of the sample choice. I kind of want both this month haha.

Amanda

I think maybe right before the 1st they’ve been going on sale? I couldn’t really decide either. I love the surprise aspect, so I decided to separately purchase the curated as well. That way the $10 I spend on the curated will make up for the 10 points extra I could have gotten w/just getting the curated in the first place.

I cancelled after the first box last month. None of the samples seemed exciting and I was annoyed that 2 of the products were made in China. Will resubscribe if sample choices improve.

Amanda

Does it cost extra for the curated box?

Tamara

Nope.

Mary K

BB “surprise” boxes have been kind of boring lately, so I went with the curated box. I’ve never tried the Hoola and can always use more shampoo & conditioner. It’s funny how many of us aren’t thrilled with BB but stay for the points. With coupons and points, I pay about $4 per box, and that’s about what it’s worth to me.

Amanda

I just signed up! What is your trick to getting to coupons and points? I have a couple of beauty boxes each month and would love to save a little here and there.

Mary K

Hi Amanda,
I make sure to review every product I get from BB, which adds 10 points each (= $5 in their shop). When I’d saved up 300 points (= $30), I bought myself a gift card for a 12-mo subscription during a time there was also a 30% off code in play. So, I got a year of boxes for just about $4 each. It’s easy to accumulate points and of course they can be used for any item in their shop. The rewards system is what keeps most of us subscribers coming back. Other sub boxes also have points systems, but you’ll find that their shops are very bare so your points end up just sitting there (looking at you, Boxycharm and Ipsy!). BB also has excellent customer service. I think you’ll be pleased!

Tamara

Points are earned by reviewing the products in your box. You essentially get $1 per review which can be spent their psi fans y extensive store (it’s a little more complicated than that, but that’s basically it.) You also earn one point per dollar spent in their store.

The coupons she referring to are probably discount codes. BB periodically releases 15%, 20%, and even 30% off codes that can be used on the entire store. I’m not sure if they can all be used on an annual subscription to the box, but the ones that come out around the winter holidays can.

So. I used a [super exciting] 30% off code on an annual sub back in Dec. An annual sub costs $110 (you’re getting one box free), minus 30% is $77. That means I paid $6.41 per box. Which is pretty awesome. But then if you take points into account… I earned 77 points when I bought the sub, which translates to $7.70 credit in their store. Subtract that from the $77 I paid for the sub and now it’s $5.78 per box. And THEN consider that I’ll always get at least five products per box and can review each for $1 worth of points each. Now I’m paying $0.78 per box. Unless I get more than five products, at which point the box is now free or even a money maker.

Of course, this all depends on maximizing the use of your points, which can be tricky since you can only redeem them in groups of 100 ($10) at a time and you’re required to spend as many points as you have to cover what you’re buying. For instance, if you have 500 points and want to make an order that totals $31.25. You aren’t allowed to use 300 points and pay $1.25. You have to use 400 points. So you want to get as close to a $10 interval as possible without going over.

So the points make it totally worth it, as long as though use them well. And their store is awesome. It’s not even just beauty products. My very favorite pair of earrings came from the Birchbox store. They were $50 but I got them free with points.

🙂

Tamara

Didn’t like any of the sample choices (maybe the body peel) but the Davines Love conditioner is my favorite of all time so I went with the curated box. It sucks that I’ll only get 40 points and I don’t want a fragrance sample, but at least I know I’ll love the conditioner. (Hopefully I can swap for more, too!)

BeachGirl

Pretty sure still you get full points if you get an item you received before in a curated box.

Tamara

Omg, I hope so!!!

Jayne

I think I’m going to leave it up to chance this time.

I’m getting kind of burned out on BB too….but have a yearly. And, of course, I do love the points system so who knows. I got a great deal on the annual so I’ll probably do it again….just—can’t—-quit …..argghhhh

Sara

I’m thinking about leaving it up to chance, but won’t you still get one of the samples? My problem is I don’t want any of the samples or the curated box lol. I’m so sick of supergoop, coola, davines, I feel the sample choices have been so underwhelming the last few months.

Jen J

I have always gotten one of the sample choices when I didn’t choose. Even when I have chosen, I have still ened up with one of the other sample choices in addition, or something from the curated box.

Ragan

You don’t always get one of the samples if you leave it up to chance. So far it has been about 50:50 for me.

Connie

I feel you. The sample choices aren’t exactly very exciting anymore. I find myself choosing the curated box since the beginning of the year. At least with the curated box, I know what I am getting versus leaving it up to chance.

I always get face masks even though in my profile states otherwise. Any suggestions on how to change my profile to avoid getting face masks?

Thanks.

Zoe

How do you share your box page to get early access?

I have an uneven tan from hiking so I picked the self-tanner. Has anyone seen the curated box for sale? Thinking some of those items would make nice gifts.

nana

I went for the sunscreen oil. Real Chemistry is made in China and I don’t use self tanners, so it was a matter of the two sunscreens. I’ve had Coola before, so I figured I should try something new.

Dawn

Argh, i picked the peel….didn’t know it was made in China! Oh well….

Rebecca

I almost picked the Coola but wasn’t that pysched about it. I am so-so on the curated box, but I didn’t want to risk getting one or more of the “meh” sample choices (especially the body peel that I really didn’t want), so I just went with the curated box. Then I don’t have to worry about buying it when it goes on sale.

I just got rid of my second BB sub to get Sephora, and when the sample choices were revealed I was glad I did.

Tracey

I really want to try the Hoola bronzer but don’t really want to get the curated box just for that. I don’t think the lip lacquer is my shade and I don’t need anymore shampoo and conditioner samples. Perfume is always hit or miss. I might just go totally surprised this time as none of the other samples really appeal to me either.

Lily

I picked the Real Chemistry peel! I wanted a sunscreen regardless so since all boxes include one this month, I decided to pick the peel to make sure that I at least like 2 of the items in the box. I’m pretty easy though, so here’s hoping the rest of my items are great! 🙂

Kristin

I picked the Coola! With Summer right around the Corner & Mays Sunshine this will come in handy!! Also exited to try the Tea Scent I just hope it’s light for the face & not overpowering.

Kay

I picked Sugergoop! Sunscreen Oil. I used the Clarins one last summer on my body and I liked it. I will use it on my body for my upcoming vacation instead of carrying a full-size product. I have enough sample size sunscreen for my face. I don’t know if I will renew my yearly sub with Birchbox now I am getting Allure and awaiting my first Play by Sephora. I got a great Black Friday deal, so I am only paying about $7 a month and I get back $5 in points… discount codes, LE boxes (which values are higher than the cost) and great customer service… BB is hard to pass.

Nikita

Sorry for having to ask but it’s super early and I haven’t slept yet. I didn’t fully understand your comment, did you say that you got a Black Friday special on Birchbox? If so, do you mind telling me about it? I’m always interested in saving money, but at the same time I don’t like shilling out $100+ at a time since I’m in college.

Kay

Hi Nikita, last year around Black Friday/Cyber Monday, BB had 30% ACE discount on their online store and we were able to use the code for annual subscription. You can find the detail by searching within this site with “Birchbox Black Friday” and the post should come up. So, the annual sub which is $110/year came to $77/year plus tax, which broke down to a little less than $7/month for me. But you had to pay upfront. So, after reviewing 5 products = $5 worth of points, my cost of the box becomes $2. Hope this helps 🙂

Mallory

I picked the chemistry peel, making this the first time in ages I haven’t gone with the curated box. I just have no need for a bronzer and a perfume sample.

Kelsqi

Excites for the curated box! I don’t have hoola yet, and six items means more pts! 😉 I’ll use and enjoy all 6, too! I usually hate the curated box but this’ll be my second one in a row, they’ve been stepping it up.

Amy BB

Same here! I ordered it last month as well, but rarely if ever have before. This seems like a good mix of products and I like Davines and am excited for Hoola!!

Tiffany

I’m not too excited about this BB. I chose the skin peel only because I’m allergic to all of the SPF ingredients. I hope the “surprise” stuff is fun…hopefully not the SPF stuff with avobenzone and the other chemicals.

Danielle

I’m not very excited, either. I chose the self-tanner (I’ve been wanting to try one, so I’m ok with this), but I don’t need another product with SPF and the video stated every box will include at least one product with SPF. Meh.

Tiffany

I didn’t catch that about every box getting one. They don’t have any sensitive skin options this month. I’ll just put it in the samples box on my desk at work…all the girls love my free samples box 🙂

Sara

Gald to be trying that self tanner. I usually don’t use the gradual kind, so we’ll see how this works out. Yay summer!

Susan

I debated between the Coola and the Real Chemistry Luminous 3-Minute Peel for Body… and went with the Body Peel… sounds interesting and maybe it will help with ingrown hairs from shaving. I got the Coola last year in the other scent.

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Birchbox May 2016 Sample Selection Time!

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