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Birchbox Subscription Box Review + Coupon – January 2018

Haley Faye
ByHaley FayeJan 29, 2018 | 6 comments
Birchbox
3.7 overall rating
657 Ratings | 188 Reviews

irchbox Sample Choice Box January 2018 outer box closed

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.

irchbox Sample Choice Box January 2018 box closed

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

This is a review of the Sample Choice box, which is $10 a month., box.

irchbox Sample Choice Box January 2018 review

About Birchbox

The Subscription Box: Birchbox

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

LIMITED TIME DEAL: Use code WELCOMEMAC to get a bonus mini M·A·C Matte Lipstick in Velvet Teddy in your first box!

OR

Check out the 30% off sale for everyone, too!

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

Ships to: US, FranceSpain and the UK and Canada

Birchbox Sample Box January 2018 Review

irchbox Sample Choice Box January 2018 info card

birchbox product list

Each box comes with a card describing that month’s theme, with the flip side detailing the items included and some tips on how to use them.

LAQA & Co. B'Lighter Blush + Highlighter in Peacher's Daughter, 0.1 oz

LAQA & Co. B'Lighter Blush + Highlighter in Peacher's Daughter, 2.7g – Estimated Value $10.67 (buy a 4.3g compact for $17)

This first item in my box is this cream blush + highlighter combo from LAQA & Co.

LAQA & Co. B'Lighter Blush + Highlighter in Peacher's Daughter, 0.1 oz open

It’s a light, peachy shade. It has a subtle shimmer to it, and the pigment is pretty light but this helps it be versatile. You can build it on your cheeks for a little more glowy color or just dab it on your cheekbones, brow bones, and cupids bow.  (swatched and shown on my face at the end of the article)

VERB Hydrating Mask

VERB Hydrating Mask, 0.67 oz – Estimated Value $1.58 (Buy a 6.8 oz. tube for $16)

This hair mask was my sample choice this month. I chose it because my hair definitely needs some extra moisture help in the winter months! You use this mask in the shower after shampooing and leave it in for 5-7 minutes. I applied this, shaved my legs, then rinsed, and I love how soft and hydrated my hair felt afterward! My hair is pretty long and I should be able to get a second use out of this sample.

Bioderma Sébium Pore Refiner, 0.17 fl oz

Bioderma Sébium Pore Refiner, 5ml – Estimated Value $4.98 (Buy a 30ml tube for $29.90)

I don’t generally have too much of a problem with pores, but I still liked this product a lot! First of all, it’s non-comedogenic so it won’t clog your pores, and it also has an astringent-like active ingredient to help improve your skin’s texture and appearance. I really liked how refreshing it felt when I applied it and it left a matte finish. When I applied my foundation over it, I definitely noticed that it “gripped” my makeup and I had better coverage and needed less for a full face.

Doucce Freematic Eyeshadow Single in Veronica, 0.049 oz

Doucce Freematic Eyeshadow Single in Veronica, 0.049 oz (Full Size) – Retail Value $10

This eyeshadow single is a golden-copper color with a little glitter.

Doucce Freematic Eyeshadow Single in Veronica, 0.049 oz

The formula is decent. You get a pretty good color payoff and it blends out easily. (Shown swatched and on my face at the end of the article)

Smashbox Cosmetics Always On Matte Liquid Lipstick in Driver’s Seat

Smashbox Cosmetics Always On Matte Liquid Lipstick in Driver’s Seat, ~0.07 fl oz, Estimated Value $12.92 (Buy a full-size tube for $24)

(FYI – No size listed so I’m estimating) I’ve tried this liquid lipstick from Smashbox before thanks to subscription boxes, and I like it! It applies easily, especially thanks to the design of the applicator. The teardrop shape and pointed tip let you be more precise. It dries down matte and sets for hours. This shade, Driver’s Seat, is a (very) warm-pink. Honestly to me it feels like a pinky terracotta.

Here are swatches of the liquid lipstick, the eyeshadow, and the blush/highlighter. (Sorry for the smudge – I have my toddler to thank for that)

Here I am wearing everything – the pore refiner is worn under my foundation, the eyeshadow, blush/highlighter, and liquid lipstick.

As I said before, the blush/highlighter is a very subtle shade and can be built up some, but not very intensely. I’ve been wearing it along my cheekbones on top of my other blush that has a little more color.

Here’s a better look at the eyeshadow.

Verdict: This month's Birchbox has a value of $40.15. That’s pretty good for a $10 sample box! I was happy with everything in my box this month, especially the liquid lipstick (I’m a liquid lipstick junkie) and the pore refining cream.

To Wrap Up: 

Can you still get this box if you sign up today? No, as of today your first box will be the February box. (Tip: Check the image on the sign-up page. The box design pictured is the first month you’ll receive.) You can’t pick the curated box as your first box, but you’ll be able to pick it every month moving forward.

Coupon - Try any of these free gift with purchase coupons on orders of $35 or more!) And don’t forget your free mystery sample pack on orders of $35 or more!

OR

Check out the 30% off sale for everyone, too!

Value Breakdown: At $10 for this box, here’s what you are paying approximately per item:

  • LAQA & Co Blush: $2.66
  • VERB hair mask: $0.39
  • Sebium Pore Refiner: $1.24
  • Doucce Eyeshadow: $2.49
  • Smashbox Cosmetics Lipstick: $3.22

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

Keep Track of Your Subscriptions: Add this box to your subscription list or wishlist!

What do you think about my January Birchbox?

Starting at $17.00
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Birchbox ($15 per month) 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 ju... read more.

Haley Faye
Haley Faye
Haley Faye first discovered the wonderful world of subscription boxes in 2012 and began writing for MSA in 2014. Over the years, she has found many subscriptions to love. Now a mom of three, her favorite boxes are ones that dress her kids, help her get organized, feed her family, send her snacks, and offer educational fun for her children.

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6 comments

Luna

I so wanted that Verb mask (I love that stuff!), but I guess to get more bang for my buck I decided to go with the lip balm (which I like too!) since I could get far more uses out of it than the hair mask. I was hoping they’d still throw in the mask, but no luck.

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Lindsey

My box arrived and the total value is $25 (including a $14 full size lip balm).

I subscribed for half a year and this was my first month. With AMEX Birchbox offer (10 off 50) and the promo ($50 for six months), My Birchbox only cost me less than $7 a month, but I cancelled right away.

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Angie

I loved the Bioderma as well. I just am confused is it a serum, or a moisturizer? Because when I put this on and then moisturized it fell off my skin with little balls like I was shedding. Also had the blush on my second box and I don’t like it as much. It looks good on u and loved how u incorporated everything nicely but for someone who’s tannish it doesn’t show any glitter or blush that well. I’m just not into cream blush anyways tho. Thanks for the review and u look so pretty! ☺️

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Ragan

I have issues with some skincare products like this, they’re just not compatible with other products I use. Sometimes it is an oil/water mixing issue (but not always). It sounds like the Bioderma doesn’t work well with your current moisturizer.

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Luna

Good to know on what could cause balling. I’ve been working my way through different deluxe samples of makeup primers, and some will ball up, while others wouldn’t. I always thought balling was due to having too many products on at a time (which I guess could be another reason for balling), but since it wasn’t with all of the primers (mostly just those with the consistency of a primer like Porefessional, which never balled up on me before, but did this time around) I figured it had to be due to something else, but I couldn’t figure out what. Now I know! 🙂 Fortunately, I always let my primers set for at least 5 minutes before applying makeup, so by the time I was ready to apply makeup, any balled up primer dried up and I was able to easily sweep it away.

luckindeed

I had the problem with it balling up too!

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