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Birchbox Curated Box #2 Review + Coupon – August 2019

Marne Orenich
ByMarne OrenichAug 2, 2019 | 12 comments

Birchbox Curated 2 August 2019 Review

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 with the rest of the items arriving as a surprise. This review is of the "Back to Business" curated box.

Open Birchbox from overhead

FYI - sign up to get email alerts for our Birchbox Spoilers to learn about Birchbox Sample Choice and Curated box options each month!

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Five featured Birchbox items around box

About this Curated Beauty Box

The Subscription Box: Birchbox

The Cost: $15.00 a month + free shipping. Save with longer subscriptions.

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, France, Spain, and the UK

Birchbox August 2019 "Back To Business" Curated Box #2 Review

 

There are two accompanying sheets in this month's Birchbox. One has a throwback "cootie-catcher" on the front as a fun summertime game, while the back lists out the five items included. The second sheet is a coupon code to get 100 extra points ($10) when you spend $50+ in the shop. The flipside of the coupon explains their 10% back rewards for in-shop purchases.

 

Air Repair Complexion-Boosting Moisturizer, 0.24 oz. - Estimated Retail Value $2.76 (Buy a full-size 2 oz. for $23.00)

I have so many water creams and facial oils that it's kind of hard to grab my attention with a moisturizer these days. This one has a nice thickness to it and a somewhat pleasant floral-ish scent. It is quite hydrating and plumping so I can see why it's labeled a favorite as well as having close to 30,000 (mostly favorable) reviews on the Birchbox site. I probably won't personally go back for more of this one, but can appreciate a well-loved moisturizer to toss in my travel bag.

 

Vasanti BrightenUp! Enzymatic Face Rejuvenator, 0.71 oz. - Estimated Retail Value $5.71 (Buy a full-size 4.23 oz. for $34.00)

It's been a minute since I used a micro exfoliator like this one. I've been using more gritty exfoliators these days so it's nice to switch back to a gentle one for a minute and it reminds me of my old love, dr. brandt's microdermabrasion exfoliant. It has a nice bright scent and washes really clean after doing a tough lil scrub. I'm a fan!

 

ARROW BOOST Color Enhancing Lip Balm in Berry Busy - Retail Value $15.00

My goodness, I just love this. It reminds me of mood lipstick or something. I swear I had a similar balm as a kid! This BOOST balm is a really hydrating purple stick that glides on and subtly enhances the color of your lips. I have a feeling it will look a little different on everyone, but it gives me a nice soft pink tint. I've been wearing this a lot since getting it and I've found it to be great for hot summer days when I don't want heavy lip color and prefer a more natural look.

 

Here are the before and after photos for the color enhancing balm. The color is subtle yet obviously different. Super wearable!

 

MAC Cosmetics in Extreme Dimension 3D Black Lash Mascara, sample size - Buy a full size for $24.00

The past few months, subscription boxes are really making sure I don't run low on mascara. I do love trying new ones, so I'm in luck. I also really like having the small sample sizes around too. This offering from MAC is in a tube that looks flexible but is a hard plastic and comes with a wand that has the short plastic bristles that I prefer. I find them to be great at dispensing product without clumping. My lashes look noticeably fuller and longer. Superb.

 

Oribe Grandiose Hair Plumping Mousse, 0.8 oz. - Estimated Retail Value $5.47 (Buy a full-size 5.7 oz. for $39.00)

I am becoming a real Oribe superfan over here. Every month, Birchbox has included a product that truly helps my limp hair and gives it more volume. The latest installment is a hair-plumping mousse which I for sure thought would be too heavy for my thin hair. I was wrong because it's visibly more voluminous and even feels thicker to me. I added a small amount of the fluffy mousse to my damp hair after showering and then blowdried it like I normally do. Voila- not so flat anymore!

Verdict: I have been really enjoying finding new products via Birchbox. Since I normally review full-size skincare, I thought I'd dislike only getting mostly small samples, but as it turns out, it takes me so long to use the products up that they're a good size to get an idea of if I even like something. Oribe has been consistently crushin' it and I love the full-size balm, mini mascara, and travel exfoliant.

To Wrap Up: 

Can you still get this box if you sign up today? 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.

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

Value Breakdown: At $15.00 for this box, you are approximately paying $3.00 for each product. 

Check out all of our Birchbox reviews and our favorite beauty boxes!

Keep track of your subscriptions by adding this box to your subscription list or wishlist!

What do you think of this curated Birchbox

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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.

Marne Orenich
Marne Orenich
Marne is a lipstick connoisseur, record collector, and twice over cat mom. She loves discovering new clean beauty brands and has quite the collection of beautifully packaged serums and moisturizers.

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12 comments

Jody

My Arrow Boost is a different shade but I can’t stand the smell. It is something I never experienced. I wonder if it’s old?

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Soma

To me it feels…If I am new ….this is good as I will get new products to try….but then with time….I will eventually stop getting it….as its almost always repeated products.

I used to subscribe to Birchbox like 3 years ago…subscribed for like couple of years then stopped…. and now whenever I see a new box content…I can always find something which I have already received.

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Danielle

Same here. I’ve received 3/5 of these items from them and I’ve only received about 6 boxes off and on in 2 1/2 years. To be fair, I was a regular subscriber for a couple of years prior to that. Still, as many different products as they’ve sold/sell, I just don’t understand the amount of repeats. One example is that lip balm. I happen to like it okay but while the first one I got was great, the second was a bit dry and pulled on my skin when applied. I guess the fact that some repeats are house brands explains why they’re invested in sending so many. But they send other brands/products way too often as well.

I had high hopes when they first made their recent changes. I tried it for the first 3 months and was impressed with so many curated boxes and some with full size items. I decided not to renew mainly due to product overload from all my boxes. I’m so glad because I feel like they’ve gone back to the $10 price point level while still charging $15. When you compare their boxes to the $15 Allure box there’s just no doubt about the winner given the variety and newness of products and the fact that most are full sizes. Even regular Ipsy has some full sizes for $5 less. And for only $2-3 more you have Medusa’s makeup and Color Curate which include all full sized products, just to name a few. And of course there are lots of FS only or mostly boxes for $20-25 that give way more bang for your buck. Like someone else commented, I think they’re out of touch with how many competitors they have and how much more they’re offering for around the same price. It’s a shame because I love using their boxes for storage/organizing. But that’s about all I miss when I read their spoilers and reviews.

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Marion

How does the Arrow lip balm smell? I like the way it looks, but I remember getting the original Arrow color change balm in a Birchbox when it first came out, & the chemical smell was so harsh that I ended up throwing it away after trying it a couple times.

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Jacqui

Doesn’t really smell like anything to me. My lips are very dry and this doesn’t feel hydrating at all to me. Does give a pretty pink tint though.

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Marion

Thanks, Jacqui!

Marne Orenich

Hey Marion,
Mine did not have much of a smell at all. Definitely not anything strong or chemical-like. If anything, there is a vague peppermint scent.

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Marion

Ooh, I like peppermint!

Thanks for the quick response!

Stephanie

repeat, repeat, repeat, repeat, repeat, tiny, tiny, tiny, small, small.

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tammy g

look birchbox, if you want more customers take a lesson from allure…nice size good products. for 15.00 a month look at yours, then look at allures….the winner….allure.

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disneyjoy1970

Yes, indeed. I agree. Allure boxes are curated better, for sure. They offer a good number of full size items, generous sample sizes and a nice mix of current / new products and classics, as well.

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Stephanie

Agree 100%! I love Allure.

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