Facebook PixelBirchbox Curated Box Review + Coupon - September 2016 | MSA
My Subscription Addiction
My Subscription Addiction
Our reviewers research, test, and recommend the best subscriptions and products independently; click to learn more about our editorial guidelines. We may receive commissions on purchases made through links on our site.

Birchbox Curated Box Review + Coupon – September 2016

Liz Cadman
ByLiz CadmanSep 14, 2016 | 19 comments

birchbox-september-2016-001

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. This review is of the curated September box.

birchbox-september-2016-009

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

birchbox-september-2016-008

I am in love with the box design this month!

birchbox-september-2016-002

(And it's Birchbox's 6th Birthday, so this design is perfect.)

birchbox-september-2016-005

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, FranceSpain and the UK

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

birchbox-september-2016-003

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

birchbox-september-2016-004

Now onto the items!

birchbox-september-2016-006

Amika Perk Up Dry Shampoo - .75 oz Value $3

birchbox-september-2016-007

Amika has such fun packaging - I love the '60s vibe of this pattern! This dry shampoo smells lovely, too. I've sampled this before and think it is a great dry shampoo.

The only caution I would give is that this is a white dry shampoo (not clear like some formulas) so you may need to brush it out if you get too much on one spot of your hair!

birchbox-september-2016-016

Supergoop! Shine-On Lip Screen Broad Spectrum SPF 50 – 1.5 ml Value $7.85

This formula has a ton of shine, no stickiness, and most importantly provides SPF 50 coverage! The only downside is that this sample is super tiny – I think I’ll only get a few uses out of it.

birchbox-september-2016-015

Dr. Jart+ Beauty Balm in #1 Light/Medium - 5 ml Value $4.90

This BB cream provides SPF 45 and it is very moisturizing and light. I found the coverage to be on the light end, so I wouldn't use this as an alternative to foundation (I like a full coverage BB cream or foundation), but it's a great primer for me.

birchbox-september-2016-011

MILK Makeup Mascara - 7.5 ml Value $13

If you've sampled Milk Makeup products before, you are likely familiar with their tiny samples. But this mascara is an anomaly - it's over half the size of the full-size version!

birchbox-september-2016-013

I'm impressed with this formula, I was able to get major length without any clumping and had no issues with applying multiple layers. The brush design looks pretty innovative, but it just felt weird trying to apply it on my lashes. I think I'd prefer a regular brush with this formula.

birchbox-september-2016-010

Vasanti BrightenUp! Exfoliating Cleanser - .7 oz Value $5.60

This is a Birchbox classic to me - I think I've sampled it a few times over the years. Fortunately, it's also a great product, so no repeat issues for me. It's gentle enough to use 3-5 times a week, and it makes my skin feel incredibly smooth and clean. I can't say enough good things about this cleanser!

 

Verdict: This box has a value of about $34.35 - I think that's good for a $10 beauty box. With Birchbox, some of the samples can be on the small side, but the mascara size was a nice surprise this month! Plus I'll use every single item in this box, so that's always good!

What do you think of the September Birchbox? Did you pick a curated box or a sample?

Starting at $22.00
Subscribe Now

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.

Liz Cadman
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!

Join the Conversation

Please do not enter your email address in the Name field or in the comment content. Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *. Remember to post with kindness and respect. Comments with offensive language, cruelness to others, etc will not be approved. See our full comment policy here.

19 comments

Zara

To got this box because of my favorites Amika, Dr. Jart and Vasanti! Excited to try the others too. The mascara looked great in Haleys review. What foundation/ bb creams do you love?

Reply ButtonReply

Arlene

This is my very first Birchbox! I received it today and I’m pretty happy with it and will use all 5 samples. My box was a bit different but I got the same mascara, I love it and I also got a different type of dry shampoo. Also in my box is Liz Earle cleanse & polish hot cloth cleaner, Loc ultra-gloss lip pencil-birthday suit and The Body Shop Nutriganics drops of youth. I love the box, it is super cute and can be used for something else. Along with the samples, I’m pretty excited to receive a new box each month too. I’m looking forward to next month’s box. Oh yeah and I really like how the website shows you the samples that will be coming in your box each month before you get it and also allows you to keep track of your box and tells you when it has been delivered.!

Reply ButtonReply

Carolann

I opted for a sample choice box this month. I was seriously considering the curated box though because I love the Vasanti cleanser. There seems to be a waitlist for it on the Birchbox site now.

Reply ButtonReply

Liz Cadman

Wow! Not surprised there is a waitlist for it though – it’s pretty great!

Reply ButtonReply

ShellyBean

I selected the curated box, but unfortunately it seems to be lost. I’ve contacted both the USPS and BirchBox and am awaiting a response from both. Hopefully I receive it or BIrchBox sends a replacement or credits my account. Would be happy with all of the items in this box if I get it. Fingers crossed 🙂 Never had this problem before.

Reply ButtonReply

Luna

My curated box was supposed to come yesterday, but now it’s saying the delivery date is undeterminable. That’s a first for me. I’m pretty patient though… I usually give boxes the full month until I contact them.

Even though I’ll be donating/gifting two of the products in this box (dry shampoo & BB cream), I still think it’s a good box. I’m really excited to be receiving the mascara. I chose the mascara as my sample pick in my other box. I’m rare, in that I’m a huge mascara junkie, and I’ll take all of the mascara I can get! 🙂

Reply ButtonReply

Ashley

Mine did the same thing! It said I was supposed to receive it on the 10th, 12th or 13th, now it says they are unable to determine a delivery date….. this is my first birchbox, I’m really disappointed I haven’t gotten it yet… 🙁 …. Hopefully It makes it !

ShellyBean

I hope your box arrives soon Luna 🙂 I like trying different mascara too and this one looks interesting. I’m concerned about my box because the last status was out for delivery by my local post office on 9/7.

Andrea

They also sent this curated box to flood victims in Louisiana. I got an email over labor day weekend (I think) that something special was headed my way. It was such a thoughtful gesture by Birchbox. Much appreciated. I look forward to getting my regular box next week. This one had some faves for sure!

Reply ButtonReply

chris

Great job, Birchbox!

Reply ButtonReply

Alice

Aww man. This is so sweet of birchbox!

Reply ButtonReply

Jennifer Bowers

I am also from Louisiana and got the curated box. I was so surprised and it made my day a little better.

Reply ButtonReply

Randi

That is so nice to hear… we always hear the bad cs stories so it just makes me smile to hear/read something like this.
Good job Birchbox

And hope you are okay and didn’t get hit too hard

Reply ButtonReply

Keri Daugherty

That is very thoughtful on their part! Makes me proud to be a Birchbox customer. I hope you didn’t get hit too hard.

Reply ButtonReply

Nana

I got a non-curated box, but I’m happier with mine than the curated box. Really, it’s my best Birchbox is a LOOOOONG time.

I got:
-The Milk mascara (sample choice)
– The supergoop lip screen (wish I’d gotten it at the start of the summer, but happy)
-Klorane dry shampoo (larger sample than the amika)
– Liz Earle cleanser & cloth (my daughter LOVES this)
– balance me tinted underye cream (I guess this is concealer? I don’t usually need it but my daughter might like it)

Reply ButtonReply

Liz Cadman

That Liz Earle cleanser & cloth is fab! I got my mom hooked on it, too! 🙂

Reply ButtonReply