As many of you know, I've been doing Birchbox reviews on the blog since last August. However, you may have noticed I haven't done a review since February's box and thought I'd share my reasons why.
First off, my March and April Birchboxes were absolutely terrible. When I signed up for Birchbox, I expected to get samples of high-end beauty products. Instead, I ended up getting a ton of perfume samples and weird extras like vitamin C drink mixes and other non-beauty products.
For March, I opted in to receive the Teen Vogue box. The box included a full size Essie polish (which I adore) and a twistband but those were really the only items I enjoyed. I was disappointed in the Tarte lipstain because of it's bright pink color which did in no way go with my skin tone. I really wish they would consider your beauty profile (skin tone, eye color, etc.) when shipping samples in various colors.
But overall, the box was worth the $10 because of the Essie polish alone.
Then my April box arrived and it was the worst box I had ever received. In fact, I did not even open the box to take pictures. Instead, I sold the box on eBay because I was that unhappy with it. The samples included were ones I would never use and I just felt like it was a complete waste of $10.
At the end of April, I decided that May would be my last month with Birchbox no matter what. I wanted to stick around for the Gossip Girl box, but after that I was done for good.
Well, last week my May box arrived and I am happy with the decision I made. For a limited edition box, I was pretty disappointed in the samples. This box will also be going up on eBay in the hopes that someone else will enjoy it more than me!
One thing I did really love about Birchbox though was their point systems. I have yet to come across another beauty subscription service with the same type of loyalty program for their customers.
In March, I started saving up my points in anticipation of maybe cancelling my box. I wanted to be able to cash in my points for a big ticket item like the Tocca Stella perfume, rather than just having a few dollars off a purchase.
So this is the end of my Birchbox reviews. As a college student with a limited budget, I just don't see a point in spending $10 a month on a box I won't enjoy. What is your experience with Birchbox?
{This month's advertisement}
Funny enough I cancelled my today! I felt the same way, totally not worth it. A huge reason why I did it was because I liked having a package come in the mail every month (haha silly I know) but it just wasn't worth the money. I decided to try a month of umba box just for fun (and so I could continue getting a package every month) well see how it goes. Thanks for your honest opinion!
ReplyDeleteThe May birchbox was my very first box, and already I know I won't stick with it. Huge disappointment, as I said on my blog, too. Glad I wasn't the only one! Smart to sell on ebay though, I just threw mine away!
ReplyDeletehttp://dreamingenfrancais.blogspot.com
I'm right there with you- I have not liked any of mine but May's Gossip Girl box. Hopefully this means they will get better!
ReplyDeleteI did Birchbox for 3 months and I believe my daughter stuck it out for 4 - in hopes that it would get better. It just didn't. It is a shame - because the concept is great.
ReplyDeleteI am completely with you! I am so disappointed by the selections they choose. Why have us fill out a beauty profile if they aren't going to at least try to use it! Everything I get is completely wrong for my skin tone. And don't even get me started on perfume samples. I mean, really!? I've declared my June box my last.
ReplyDeletethis totally bums me out because I really wanted to try birchbox! You have probably saved me some money though, so thanks for your honest review!
ReplyDeleteI canceled my Birchbox as well, for the same reasons. I feel like I am just getting junk. I was super excited for May's, because I LOVE Gossip Girl. However just like the past three months it was a big disappointment. My box actually did not have the same stuff as the picture you posted. I had a gold polish with huge glitter pieces, the xoxo card, two perfume samples, and a mini lotion that smelled worse then BO so I am really not sure how that equaled the $10 I paid for it. xo
ReplyDeleteHmm I've always wondered whether the Birchbox deal was worth it after seeing so many bloggers showing theirs off every month. Looks like I'll be giving this one a pass! Thanks for the advice.
ReplyDeletexo Shane
I've been toying with the idea of cancelling too...but am afraid I'm going to miss out on something. Ha!!
ReplyDeleteDid you wind up getting the perfume?
Ahh good to read an honest beauty box review, I was signed up to glossy box for four month but cancelled it because I was getting so many things that just weren't catered for me...hair serum for curly hair when mine is poker straight!! I'm thinking about trying the Latest in Beauty box as you don't have to subscribe.
ReplyDeleteallaboutthegirlblog.blogspot.com xx
We're bummed for you that you've gotten such poor boxes over the last several months. Birchbox is definitely something that we have a bumpy relationship with...one month being just "meh" to the next month getting something that we really enjoy. I wish you'd had a better experience. Oh well. Take that $10 & put it towards something you really want. :)
ReplyDeleteAnd BTW, we mailed our secret blogger swap package out on Friday!! Can't wait for our recipient to get it!
Mendi @ Her Late Night Cravings
I cancelled for the same reasons! When I got laundry detergent in my April box, I knew that was the end for me. I would rather spend $10 on something I will enjoy! I know that there are several other ladies out there that feel the same way...oh, and I was so over the perfume samples too!
ReplyDeletexo,
Shanna
I keep seeing that every one is pretty disappointed in birch box lately. I wanted to sign up.. but now I don't know if it's worth it. I really want to try a month though. But I hope they send something worth it.
ReplyDeleteI haven't sign up for it and I a lot of blogger who are getting rid of it.
ReplyDeleteI have been seeing this birch box everywhere! Thanks for being honest about it, everyone just keeps saying how aaaamazing it is! Your blog is so cute!
ReplyDeleteI'm having a fun neon accessories giveaway on my blog, check it out!
I've been hearing about Birch Box, but I'm honestly not into beauty products enough to justify the price. Thanks for sharing about your experience!
ReplyDeleteI have been seeing so many bad reviews on Birchbox the last couple months ...I'm glad I decided to save the $10 a month and didn't subscribe. Thanks for your honesty and great idea to sell on ebay!!
ReplyDeleteI am almost ready to cancel my Birchbox too. I just wrote this huge explanation then decided that maybe I should just blog about it:) I am looking into MyGlam and couple others.
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad you posted about this! I saw a lot of my blogger friends getting awesome samples when they opened their Birchbox, so I finally signed up in April. I got my May one and flipped out in excitement opening it, only to find a skimpy set of samples. That face moisturizer/foundation was so itty bitty I swear I popped a blood vessel trying to get out enough for one application! The perfume was strong and the nail polish was tiny and an ugly gold color. And the headband is CHEAP! I get better headbands with my $2.99 set from Goody at Walmart. Very disappointed... I hope I get some good ones coming up or I'll probably cancel too :/
ReplyDeletethis is why i have yet to subscribe.Lately I have been hearing only bad things about birchbox :( so glad you decided to cancel instead of wasting another $10
ReplyDeletei was a little disappointed with this box, but i am still happy with birchbox! there is always at least one product in each box i've gotten that i really like and would buy in a full size!
ReplyDeleteI wonder how long these monthly make up companies will last. I tried this one and the other and they both were terrible. I agree $10 is not much but if it is not worth even that, why bother? I get good samples from Sephora and other sites just with my purchases.
ReplyDeleteI canceled mine a while ago because of money too! Maybe sometime in the future I'll resubscribe. I wish it was more makeup, I have moisturizer and skincare things I use already.
ReplyDeleteI haven't ever subscribed and this just makes me wanna stay away even more!! :(
ReplyDeleteI just cancelled mine too! I subscribed in January and only LOVED my April box. I get too much junk and not enough quality. I subscribe to Glambag and like it so muc better! I have gotten full size lipstick, travel size brushes and mid-sized mascara. It is worth the 10 bucks!
ReplyDeleteI know exactly what you mean!! I've been so disappointed in my Birchboxes and part of the reason I stay is just because I like receiving mail :) But thank you for your honesty about it all! I found you on the Tuesday Tango and I'm now following on bloglovin!!
ReplyDeleteEvani
http://www.simplyevani.com
I cancelled my subscription, too! I just couldn't do it, especially after the big letdown that was the Gossip GIrl box. Boo!!
ReplyDeleteKeep Shining,
Meghan
If you haven't yet sold your box on ebay, I would LOVE to buy it! I think I am the only one here who adores Birchbox, but I always use my bonus points and I don't mind the $10 since it includes shipping which is usually outrageous :) I don't see how they can afford to pay employees, business fees, shipping and production costs, etc. on only $10 per person and still give each person on average $5 back per month in bonus points. I am not hating on those who dislike, only explaining why I think outside of the box ;)
ReplyDeleteI got these for a few months and liked them fine, but yeah… college student here… can't really afford an extra $10 a month for non-essentials.
ReplyDeleteI just cancelled tonight. I loved the earlier boxes, but today's was a mini-nail polish, yet another Juicy perfume sample, a tiny moisturizer, two single use Benefit cleansers, and Bandaids.
ReplyDeleteThe initial promise was 4-5 deluxe samples...not these single use samples. And while I did find two great items (I did love the Tarte that you hated, LOL) and the Eyelo eyeliner, most of the stuff just seemed trivial.
The thing BB forgets is that the manufacturer's provide the samples to them to garner interest...they are not paying for the samples, they are passing them on. So being stingy doesn't help them any more than it helps us. Manufacturers want us to get excited. Given how many sample startups there are now, BB should have stuck with the high end model and pushed for quality. Bandaids? Seriously? Last month a razor? Ugh.