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Birchbox Sample Box Review + Coupon – August 2018

Haley Faye
ByHaley FayeAug 24, 2018 | 9 comments

Birchbox August 2018 shipping box

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

Birchbox August 2018 outside of box

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

Birchbox August 2018 all items

About Birchbox

The Subscription Box: Birchbox

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

Check our Birchbox Coupon List to get the most up-to-date coupon!

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

Ships to: US, FranceSpain and the UK

Birchbox Sample Box August 2018 Review

Birchbox August 2018 info card, theme

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

Birchbox August 2018 info card, items

Now on to the items!

Birchbox August 2018 mask 1

Birchbox August 2018 mask 2

mask 3

Huxley Secret of Sahara Oil and Extract Mask - Estimated Value $12 (Buy a 3-pack for $36)

This mask is interesting! I'm not generally a big fan of sheet masks, but this one felt luxurious. The packaging was unique, too: The mask and the oil (prickly pear cactus seed oil) are packaged separately but connected. You're supposed to roll the oil compartment up 3 times and squeeze until you pop the separator to cover the sheet mask with the oil. The formula for this mask was super hydrating, and I felt the difference all day. This was a fun new discovery!

Birchbox August 2018 amika dry shampoo foam

Amika Phantom Hydrating Dry Shampoo Foam, .75 oz - Estimated Value $3.54 (Buy 5.3 oz for $25)

Why is dry shampoo foam becoming a trend? I got another one from a different brand a couple months ago. I just don't like the extra mess of spraying it into my hands and massaging it into my hair. It also takes a little more time, since you have to rub it until it dries. HOWEVER - it works. Really well. And it has the classic Amika fragrance so it makes my hair smell great. I also really like this product for adding volume to my hair; this is a great product for pre-emptive dry shampooing. I used this before bed, and in the morning I could tell it made a difference for my second-day hair. I love the performance, but I hate the method of application. It's complicated. We'll get through this. I'll definitely use the whole sample but I'll have to think about purchasing the full size. Maybe I'll get over it.

Birchbox August 2018 Malin & Goetz cleanser

(MALIN+GOETZ) Grapefruit Face Cleanser, .5 fl oz - Estimated Value $2.25 (Buy 8 oz for $36)

(This was my sample choice this month.) This is a good cleanser - light, clears acne, balances the skin's pH, and is naturally antibacterial. When I washed it off it left my skin fresh and clean without feeling tight or uncomfortable.

Birchbox August 2018 clarins lip stain

Birchbox August 2018 clarins lip stain swatch

Clarins Water Lip Stain in Red Water, .09 fl oz - Estimated Value $12.60 (Buy .2 oz for $28)

This is a true lip stain. The product is pretty runny, and leaves tinted color behind once dry/removed. I will say that I found the application to be a little tricky - the brush is so soft and flimsy that it was hard to get a consistent lip line where I intended. Maybe a doefoot applicator or stiffer bristles would help. Also, the color was a little orange-red, but once I let it sit and then dabbed off the extra moisture I liked the color it left on my lips. You can see this on my lips below.

Birchbox August 2018 LOC shadow pencil

Birchbox August 2018 LOC pencil swatch

Love of Color One & Done Shadow Stick in Champagne Problems, .05 oz (Full Size!) - Retail Value $10

Eyeshadow sticks are my go-to for a quick or simple look. Love of Color (LOC) is Birchbox's own brand, and I like their formula a lot. The pigmentation is great, the metallics are so pretty, they blend well, and they stay all day even if I don't use a primer. I usually also blend some powder shadow into my crease and corner to add depth and it works seamlessly that way, too. Plus, this item's value alone is the cost of the box!

Birchbox August 2018 modeled on face

Here, I'm wearing the LOC eyeshadow stick and the lip stain. On the left is the stain freshly applied, which looks like a bold, red lip. After a few minutes, I dabbed off excess moisture and applied a lip balm (this is not in the directions for the product - you can leave the stain as-is all day), and that left me with the color on the right, which I found a little more wearable day-to-day and found I had good wear time with that, too.

Verdict: My August Birchbox was fun! I got to try some new products and really liked all my items. Everything worked well and the sheet mask and dry shampoo were in new, unique formulas. My total value for this box adds up to $40.39, which I'm definitely happy with for a $10 discovery box, especially with a full-size product.

To Wrap Up: 

Can you still get this box if you sign up today? No, as of today your first box will be the September box, and items are chosen for you based on your profile and preferences. (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.

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

  • Sheet Mask: $2.97
  • Dry Shampoo foam: $.88
  • Cleanser: $.55
  • Lip Stain: $3.12
  • Eyeshadow stick: $2.48

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 of my August Birchbox? Did you pick a curated box or a sample?

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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9 comments

SP

I chose the curated box which included the Amika dry shampoo foam, and this review is encouraging bc I was struggling with it- the instructions say to rub it in until it’s dry, but it seemed like it wasn’t drying and actually made my hair look a little wet and greasy. I had tried it right before the shower, which is what I often do with products I’m not sure will work out. However, after reading this I’m thinking I probably didn’t give it enough time to work its magic. I’m going to try the bedtime route and see how it looks tomorrow- thanks!

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Pink5

I’m done with Birchbox. I don’t get samples I like.

I tried the random grab, pick one, and curated editions. Bleah, meh, and meh.

My sub runs out in October and after than, I’m done.

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Coco

I really like the blotted-off lip color on you. Very pretty. I do the same thing with many lipsticks I get in subscription boxes that don’t work for me full color. That way, at least I get some use out of them.

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MzBev

I have never sprayed dry shampoo into my hand. I spray it right onto my head, wait a bit and brush it out.

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Haley Faye

MzBev – Right?? This is a dry shampoo FOAM. It’s not like normal aerosol dry shampoo! It’s designed to be sprayed a golf ball sized amount into your hand and then massaged into the areas you need the dry shampoo! It’s definitely different than the dry shampoos I have always used.

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Andrea

I received the same box. I agree that the lip oil was really hard to apply. It got everywhere and ran if I didn’t soak up the extra oil.

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Dorothy

I am a fan of dry shampoo foam because regular dry shampoo contains alcohol denat which is terrible for your skin. Obviously I’m not going to spray it on my face but I do cringe a little when I think about it getting on my forehead. I still use it but after I use up what I have I’m going to switch.

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SP

I’m with you regarding that concern! I am a fan of the concept and really wanted the foam to work, but after reading this review I realize I probably didn’t give it enough time to dry.

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Haley Faye

Dorothy, that’s a good point, too. My husband gets concerned for my lungs about all the powder in the air from the aerosol dry shampoo, lol. Foam doesn’t put anything in the air, really.

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