In all honesty, I was debating canceling my Birchbox subscription last month due to a variety of factors, but I straight-up forgot to since I was traveling overseas for the holidays. But this month, those “variety of factors” lined up to indicate yes, it is time to cancel my Birchbox subscription:
- Ipsy, which I also subscribe to and have enjoyed far more, included body butter and argan oil in this month’s bag. In my previous experience, Ipsy had been more about cosmetics and Birchbox was more about skincare. If Ipsy is now dabbling in skincare as well, then Birchbox can go.
- I cashed in all of my Birchbox points at the Birchbox shop already for theBalm’s Nude ‘Tude palette, which I received for free. I’m not interested in sticking around with Birchbox for all of my points to accumulate again for another purchase. Bit unfortunate, as the Birchbox Shop is the best thing the company has to offer.
- Simply put, if I am to spend the money on a beauty subscription service in addition to Ipsy, it better be as worth it as Ipsy is. Birchbox isn’t. $10 a month each gets me WAY more at Ipsy than Birchbox. The majority of the items I’ve received from Birchbox are samples (both in size and brand) that I can get for free at Sephora. (I hear Glossybox is worth the price tag, though!)
- Birchbox subscriptions just aren’t good. There’s no other way of putting it, really. I never had a bad month – but I never had a great month, either.
Some people have had great experiences with Birchbox. (Some haven’t.) Mine has been average, I’d say. If I were more of a beauty junkie or whatever, maybe I’d continue with it, or maybe I’d subscribe again in the future, who knows. But right now, I’m canceling it. And with that, here is my last Birchbox review for the foreseeable future of January’s box Best Year Ever:
- Embryolisse: Lait-Creme Concentre
A favorite of models and makeup artists, this cult French moisturizer heals dryness and leaves skin primed for foundation.
My skin gets super dry in the winter, so this was a welcome item in my box. I like it well enough and am very surprised by the $16 full-size price tag! That’s very affordable compared to the full-size price of other items I’ve received from Birchbox. - Harvey Prince: Skinny Chic
Keep your energy levels high (and fight cravings to boot) with this zesty blend of apple, mint and lotus blossom.
Between Birchbox and the free samples Sephora offers with every purchase, I have enough perfume samples to last me quite a while considering I sometimes forget to wear perfume when I head out the door. I like this and will wear it in the spring (not right now when it’s the dead of winter!) - LASHEM: Double Trouble Lash Mascara
An innovative fiber mascara that volumizes and lengthens even the sparsest lashes.
The formula seems good enough, but the whole sample tube is very small (no longer than my thumb!) so it’s kind of tricky to maneuver the wand around the eyelashes. Unfortunately I won’t ever fork out $20 for a mascara as my go-to mascara brands are sold in drugstores! - Ojon: Rare Blend Oil Total Hair Therapy
This tricolored oil prevents heat damage and gives hair an instant shine boost. Before you apply, shake the bottle to blend the layers.
I love this! Hair oil is great for softness and shine, plus my ends get rather dry anyway so I was very happy to see this in my box. I love how my hair feels after using this. - TheBalm Cosmetics: Hot Mama
How cute is this two-in-one blush and highlighter? This universally flattering pigment is laced with golden shimmer to warm up your complexion.
I’ve recently fallen in love with theBalm’s products and I fear I have a blossoming blush obsession so I was also very happy to receive this in my box. The color is a perfect shade of peachy pink that looks wonderful on my skintone. Unfortunately the sample is a little bit of an awkward size for a blush as it’s too small for a typical blush brush, but I love the product so I am confident I can make it work till I can justify purchasing a full-sized one!
I myself canceled my Birchbox subscription last month after just 3 months. I switched to Ipsy, and I might even give Glossybox a try.
If Ipsy didn’t exist I would have canceled Birchbox anyway and just switched to Glossybox. As it is, Ipsy fits all my needs so I’m quite happy with them. (I really should use up more of what I’ve got before I add in another subscription service in addition to Ipsy
)I just kept hoping and hoping Birchbox would get better, but… it never did. Unfortunate.
I also cancelled my birchbox subscription. I’ve received 2 Ipsy boxes so far, and I have loved them both!
I hear Birchbox has been fairly disappointing for awhile. Ipsy has started getting better since Michelle Phan jumped onboard. And Popsugar is pretty good from what it looks like too.
I’ve heard good things about Popsugar too! It’s a little pricey for me, but I like the mix of items it includes and how it’s not just beauty products.
Thanks for linking to me!
I think it’s so disappointing the Birchbox has turned out this way. I am seeing a lot of people canceling. I just got on the waitlist for Ipsy and I’m looking forward to it!
I think Birchbox got (is getting?) so wrapped up in working on their branding and positioning they forgot that the quality of their boxes are the most important thing to subscribers. Perhaps it’s because Ipsy’s brand = Michelle Phan, but when it comes to Birchbox you hear more about the company, whereas with Ipsy you hear about the monthly bags’ products. From a subscriber’s point of view, I’d rather be with a company where subscribers rave about the products!