Birchbox Curated Box Review + Coupon – December 2018
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 box.
FYI – you can still buy this box for $10. (Or $15 if you aren’t a Birchbox subscriber.)
My Subscription Addiction pays for this subscription. (Check out the review process post to learn more about how we review boxes).
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
Check out all of my Birchbox reviews and the Beauty Subscription Box Directory!
Each box comes with a card detailing the items included and some tips on how to use them.
Now on to the items!
Beachwaver Co. Great Barrier Heat Protectant Hairspray – 1.4 oz Value $4.72
This is the one new-to-me product in the box, and I’m a fan! It’s an ingredient-conscious hairspray, and it’s a very low-hold. I hate the feel of stiff hair, so I usually don’t use hairspray, but this is a nice compromise. It provides a little hold, and some heat protection (from the sun/environment, not heat tools – you apply this after styling). Plus the scent is subtle and pleasant. (None of that typical hairspray smell.)
Sunday Riley C.E.O. Rapid Flash Brightening Serum – 5 ml Value $14.17
This serum is designed to “fight the look of dullness, dark spots, and discolorations, while instantly increasing brightness, radiance, and luminosity.” The cream formula has a light citrus scent (which I love), and it instantly helped give my skin a boost of hydration. I’ve sampled this before thanks to a few other subscription boxes, and after using it for months I’ve definitely noticed a difference in my skin – I’m happy to have more!
MAC Strobe Cream Hydratant Lumineux in Pinklite – 6 ml Value $3.96
This is a subtle liquid highlighter that is super easy to blend out. If you are intimidated by highlighters, this is perfect for you. It catches the light beautifully, but isn’t sparkly at all, and didn’t really show up in an attempted swatch picture either.
Stila HUGE Extreme Lash Mascara – 6 ml Value $10.45
(This is about half the size of the full size version.)
I’ve sampled this mascara and the formula is impressive. (I’m happy to have more!) It provides volume, length, no clumping, and lasted the entire day without smudges, etc. (Plus it is free of parabens, sulfates and phthalates!)
Klorane Smoothing and Relaxing Patches with Soothing Cornflower – 1 set Value $3.43
If you hate touching gel eye masks and sheet masks – these will be perfect for you. I’ve sampled a lot of eye gels over the years, and this style of eye gel is my favorite. They’re cooling, soothing, and gentle on my skin. Plus, they stay put, and you don’t have to touch the gel part. Just remove the backing and apply the gel part directly to your undereye area. I also recommend using these when applying eye makeup. Any stray eyeshadow that falls will land on these and make for a very easy clean up!
Verdict: This box has a value of about $36.73 – I think that’s great for a $10 beauty box! In general, the curated boxes from Birchbox tend to have a good value, so if that’s important to you, I recommend picking those each month! This box was mostly tried-and-true favorites for me (always happy to have more of these products), and one new hairspray discovery.
To Wrap Up:
Can you still get this box if you sign up today? Yes, this box is available for a one-time purchase! And if you subscribe to Birchbox now, 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.
What do you think of the December Birchbox? Did you pick a curated box or a sample?
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Written by Liz Cadman
I have never been so disappointed in a box before… a teeny-tiny tube (not a mini/trial size mascara, but like a single serving squeeze tube) of MAC mascara, some lip balm, a trial size hair protectant spray, a lip scrub, and an eyebrow pencil in a color I’d never use. No skin care products, nothing decent or exciting at all – definitely not the items above; literally the only item that’s even remotely the same is the Great Barrier hair spray. The rest is useless. 🙁
Mine was slightly different but my feeling is the same, nothing I’d ever use and have no interest in trying. Birchbox has been a waste of money for me. In my profile when signing up, I was specific in my interest in skin care products. Birchbox either doesn’t get support (free goods) from skin care products or they just don’t pay attention to their customer’s profiles.
I quit Birchbox (again) after this last box. I was very disappointed and will give most of the products to my friend’s teenage daughters who seem to love everything I give them.
I have had nothing but issues sense I started Birchbox! I never received my November box I have not yet received my December box and I have been charged for each one . I have contacted Birch box over and over . I keep getting the run around , I’m seriously a very unsatisfied customer which will be ending there service soon.
I just subscribed tonight to Birchbox and I’m super confused about something and maybe someone here can help me please. Is the curated box the one they match to your profile preferences or is it the one that you can choose one of your samples? I just wanted to make sure and get the right one where they actually match products to what I like and not just toss random things in.
Your first box is 5 surprise samples based off the Beauty profile you filled out. The curated boxes and sample choices kick in with your 2nd box. You will not receive the monthly curated box (unless) you choose it at sample choice time or buy separately from the BB shop. Sample choice takes place at the end of each month~ you can do the following during sample choice time. A) let’s say you dislike all sample choices and thecurated box( choose nothing) and all 5 samples will be a surprise. B) choose one of the 3 samples featured during sample choice and the remaining 4 samples will be a surprise based off your profile choices. And, lastly C) choose the curated box and you know all samples coming for the month. Or D) you are torn between the curated box and one of the 3 featured samples.. in that case you choose the sample and buy the curated box from the shop. Lol. And, it’s $10 for subscribers and $15 for non- subscribers. ~ and if you choose the curated box instead of leaving it upto chance or choosing a sample during sample choice time. There is no additional cost because it takes the place of a box based off your profile.
Thank you so much! I understand it now.
Meant to say the curated box is no additional cost if you choose it during sample choice.
They pay no attention to your profile no matter which box you choose; I’ve tried each of the box choices and even questioned Birchbox about this. They told me they were hoping to be able to build selections based on what most of their customers wanted but nothing is even remotely customized. I can’t wait for my subscription to end as each month is more disappointing than the last.
I agree about those eye masks…they stay on great and they catch eye makeup fallout. I use them most mornings.
Thank you SO much for letting us know Birchbox was allowing current Subscribers take advantage of the Sale on subscriptions. As an ACE I was able to renew my annual Subscription for $7.00 a box. Which is 35% off. I payed $77.00. And, the ONEFORALL code was excepted. So, on top of only paying $77 I am receiving the One for all Limited Edition Box. And, the Ace’s spend $35.00 pack. This is Amazing bc as long as I’ve been a subscriber ‘13 the best deal I’ve received until now was $99 without a free gift. Anyone, who’s sub ended this month I highly recommend you renew by tomorrow and not wait until Jan. 1st to be billed.