Birchbox Subscriptions: My Honest Review (2023)

Hey there, beauty lovers! If you‘re anything like me, you‘re always on the hunt for the latest and greatest products to add to your collection. But with so many options out there, it can be overwhelming (not to mention expensive) to try everything. That‘s where beauty subscription boxes come in clutch – and one of the OGs in the game is Birchbox.

I‘ve been a loyal Birchbox subscriber for over 2 years now, so I wanted to share my honest thoughts and experiences to help you decide if it‘s worth signing up. In this ultimate Birchbox review, I‘ll cover:

• What Birchbox is and how it works
• An unboxing of my recent deliveries
• Pros and cons of the subscription
• Comparison to other beauty boxes
• Tips for making the most of your membership
• Answers to your burning FAQs

So grab a snack, get cozy, and let‘s dive into the pink-packaged world of Birchbox!

What is Birchbox?

Birchbox is a monthly subscription service that sends you a personalized box of 5 deluxe beauty samples tailored to your profile. It was founded in 2010 by Harvard grads Katia Beauchamp and Hayley Barna with a mission to make the huge world of beauty more accessible and fun to explore.

The concept is simple:

1. Fill out a beauty profile with your preferences
2. Pay $15 per month (or less with longer commitments)
3. Get a curated box of surprises at your door
4. Test out the samples and buy full sizes of your faves

According to Birchbox, they‘ve worked with over 800 brands and have more than 2.5 million active customers. They also operate in 6 countries and have a retail store in Paris. So yeah, they‘re kind of a big deal in the beauty box biz!

One thing I love about Birchbox is how much they‘ve grown and evolved. They now have 2 subscription options to choose from:

1. The OG Birchbox with 5 personalized deluxe samples
2. Birchbox Grooming with 5 deluxe grooming samples for men

They also recently launched "Birchbox Customization", where you can choose 1 of your samples each month or swap for a curated box. More on that later though!

My Birchbox Unboxing

Okay, now for the moment of truth – what actually comes in a Birchbox? I documented my deliveries for the past 3 months so you can see some real examples.

June Birchbox

• Beauty Protector Protect & Detangle Spray
• Kiehl‘s Midnight Recovery Concentrate
• MAC Strobe Cream Hydrant Lumineux
• Eyeko Liquid Eyeliner in Black
• Amika Un.Done Volume & Matte Texture Spray

This was one of my favorite boxes I‘ve received! The Kiehl‘s oil and MAC strobe cream have become staples in my routine. 5/5

July Birchbox

• Sunday Riley A+ High-Dose Retinoid Serum
• Benefit Cosmetics Roller Lash Curling Mascara
• Ouai Leave In Conditioner
• Antica Farmacista Body Moisturizer in Lush Palm
• Beautaniq Beauty Blush Serum in Sunrise

Another great box with some celeb favorite brands like Sunday Riley and Ouai. The blush serum wasn‘t the best color for me though. 4/5

August Birchbox

• Oribe Gold Lust Dry Shampoo
• Sand & Sky Australian Pink Clay Flash Perfection Exfoliating Treatment
• Juliette Has a Gun Anyway Eau de Parfum
• Love of Color One & Done Shadow Stick in Cosmic Reflect
• Hum Nutrition Hair Sweet Hair Gummies

This box had a good mix of haircare, skincare, makeup, fragrance, and even a supplement. The Oribe dry shampoo is incredible but pricy, so the mini is perfect. 5/5

Overall, I‘m consistently impressed with the variety and sample sizes in my Birchbox deliveries! They do a great job mixing established cult faves with new up-and-comers across categories. It‘s always a fun surprise to open.

Pros & Cons of Birchbox

Now that you‘ve seen what kind of goodies you can expect, let‘s talk about the overall pros and cons of the Birchbox subscription.

Pros

• Personalization: Your boxes are curated to your specific beauty profile
• Variety: Receive a mix of makeup, skincare, haircare, fragrance, tools, etc.
• Sample sizes: Deluxe minis last for several uses so you can really test them
• Brand range: Features high-end, cult favorite, and indie brands
• Value: Each box has an average retail value of $30-$50 for only $15
• Ease of use: Simple, informative website and subscription management
• Rewards program: Earn points for reviews, referrals, and purchases to redeem
• Discovery: Introduces you to products and brands you may not seek out
• Consistency: Timely shipments and appropriate quantities each month
• Customer service: Responsive, helpful team available via multiple channels

Cons

• Sample overload: If you hoard samples, the minis can quickly accumulate
• Product matching: Not every sample will be a winner for your specific needs
• Full-size prices: Buying products from Birchbox shop can be more expensive
• Duplicate products: You may receive the same samples more than once
• Backordered issues: Popular samples frequently sell out in the Birchbox shop
• Limitations: Niche categories like K-beauty and clean beauty are less common
• Missing products: Some subscribers report missing samples in their deliveries
• Variations: Seeing other customer‘s boxes can give you FOMO
• Credit card holds: Birchbox places a temporary hold when you first subscribe
• Price increases: The monthly cost has increased from $10 originally to $15

The biggest complaint I hear about Birchbox is the small sample sizes – and I totally get it. If you fall in love with something, it can be frustrating when it‘s gone after a few uses.

But I actually prefer deluxe minis because I can test things without the commitment (or cost) of full sizes. I‘d rather have a bunch of fun, diverse samples than 1-2 full products I may not even like.

Another potential downside is the element of surprise. Some people want complete control over the products they receive. If that‘s you, Birchbox may not be the best fit – even with the new customization option. Part of the thrill is the discovery aspect, but preferences aren‘t 100% guaranteed.

At the end of the day though, I believe the novelty, convenience, and value far outweigh the cons for beauty lovers. It‘s like Christmas morning once a month for $15 – can‘t beat that!

Birchbox vs. Other Beauty Subscriptions

Of course, Birchbox isn‘t the only beauty box on the block. How does it stack up to the competition? Here‘s my take:

Ipsy

Ipsy‘s Glam Bag is slightly cheaper at $13 and includes a cute makeup bag. However, the samples lean more drugstore while Birchbox features prestige brands.

Allure Beauty Box

Allure costs $23 but includes 3 full-size products. It‘s great for building your collection, but Birchbox is better for discovering minis.

Sephora Play!

Play! was similar to Birchbox but has been discontinued. Birchbox now fills that void for many former Play! subscribers.

Boxycharm

Boxycharm ($28) includes 4-5 full-size items but is more makeup-focused. Birchbox offers a wider variety across beauty categories.

FabFitFun

FFF ($55) is a seasonal lifestyle box with 8-10 full-size products. Birchbox is a more affordable monthly option for just beauty.

Ultimately, I think Birchbox hits the sweet spot for sample-sized beauty products from a great brand variety. No other box offers the same level of personalization, curation, and value.

Tips for Getting the Most Out of Birchbox

After 2 years of subscribing, I‘ve learned some tricks for optimizing the Birchbox experience:

1. Fill out your beauty profile thoroughly and update it frequently as your preferences change. The more info you give, the better your curation will be!

2. Take advantage of the Birchbox Customization option to choose 1 of your samples or the curated box. It‘s a great way to guarantee you‘ll get something you want.

3. Review your samples each month to get 10 Birchbox points per review. You can redeem points for full-size products in the shop!

4. Keep an eye out for limited edition boxes, GWPs, and Birchbox Bazaar sales to get even more bang for your buck.

5. If you fall in love with a sample, buy the full size sooner rather than later. Popular items tend to sell out quickly and take a while to restock.

6. Take photos of your box and samples to share on social media. You can connect with other subscribers, get product recs, and even win Birchbox giveaways.

7. Don‘t let samples sit unused! If something doesn‘t work for you, pass it on to a friend or donate to a women‘s shelter. Sharing is caring.

8. Read the Birchbox magazine and blog for tutorials, tips, and info about the brands and products in your box. It‘s like a free beauty education!

9. Reuse your pink boxes for storage, gifts, or crafts. They‘re too pretty to toss in the recycling bin.

10. Have fun! Getting Birchbox deliveries is a monthly treat, so savor the experience of unboxing, testing, and discovering new beauty besties.

Do you have any tips to add? I‘d love to hear how you make the most of your Birchbox subscription in the comments!

Frequently Asked Questions

To wrap things up, here are some answers to your most burning Birchbox q‘s:

How much does Birchbox cost?

Birchbox is $15 per month with free shipping. You can also prepay for longer subscriptions to save a bit:

• 6 months for $84 ($14/box)
• 12 months for $156 ($13/box)

Can I customize my Birchbox?

Yes! With Birchbox Customization, you can choose 1 of your 5 samples each month from a selection of 3-4 options. Alternatively, you can opt for a featured box curated by Birchbox editors and experts.

What brands does Birchbox work with?

Birchbox has partnered with over 800 beauty brands, from drugstore gems to prestige powerhouses. Some fan faves include Benefit, Kiehl‘s, Oribe, Sunday Riley, Smashbox, Oui, and more.

How do I update my Birchbox beauty profile?

Log in to your account on birchbox.com and click "Update Your Profile." You can change your preferences for skin tone, skin type, hair type, style, beauty concern, and more. This will influence what samples get picked for your monthly box.

What‘s the difference between Birchbox and Birchbox Grooming?

The original Birchbox (now known as Birchbox Beauty) is tailored to beauty lovers who identify as women. It contains 5 deluxe samples of makeup, skincare, haircare, fragrance, body care, and beauty tools.

Birchbox Grooming is "the box designed for every man‘s lifestyle." It also contains 5 personalized deluxe samples but is more focused on shaving, beard care, hair care, skincare, and cologne.

How do I cancel my Birchbox subscription?

You can cancel your subscription at any time by logging into your account and clicking "Cancel Subscription" under Account Settings. As long as you cancel before the 1st of the upcoming month, you won‘t be charged.

If you prepaid for a longer commitment, your subscription will remain active until the end of that term. Unfortunately, Birchbox doesn‘t offer refunds for early cancellation.

Is Birchbox worth it?

IMHO, 100% yes! It‘s an affordable way to test an amazing variety of beauty products for all skin types, tones, hair types, and more. I discover at least 1-2 new holy grails in every box and have so much fun unboxing each delivery.

Even if you don‘t love every single sample, the overall experience and value is unmatched. It‘s the perfect treat for any beauty lover looking to mix up their routine!

Of course, everyone has different preferences and budgets. If you like total control over your beauty products or are on a super tight budget, Birchbox may not be for you. But if you enjoy surprises, discovering new brands, and experimenting with trends, I can‘t recommend it enough.

I hope this honest Birchbox review has been helpful for you! Let me know if you have any other questions in the comments and I‘ll do my best to help out. Until next time, love bugs!