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| Birchbox. |
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| First box - which started my love. |
This past month one of my samples was completely empty, I couldn't get the tiniest bit of product out of the tube. I remembered that I had found Birchbox reviews online and none of the other reviews I found mentioned that they had the same issue, but while I was searching for that I found that they are several other companies that do the sample mailing in the US. I'm going to share what I have learned from watching reviews and if I would subscribe.
No particular order, here we go...
- My Glam Bag - This subscription service started in December of 2011. For $10 a month flat rate, you receive a bright pink bubble sleeve containing a small cosmetic size bag that contains 4-5 samples. Their spin on it is that each month you receive a new bag - which I suppose is nice the first month or two, but what do you do with 12 bags a year? After watching reviews I found that the first month had great samples from Tarte and Urban Decay and after that people started receiving several foil packets instead of actual samples. Sometimes people's bags or beauty brushes smelled REALLY bad. I also learned that their shipping wasn't consistent and sometimes it would come at the beginning of the month and others towards to end of the month. A couple videos I watched the person said her's was damaged, opened, etc... so not sure if the bubble wrapped packaging is a great idea? I would say drop the "bag" theme and ship in a box and just drop the bags altogether.
- Beauty Box 5 - This subscription service started this year, only two months ago. The subscription price is $12 a month flat rate (with option to sign up for larger commitments and receive a slight discount in price). The boxes ship out by the 15th of each month. The box contains 4-5 samples. The samples appear to be pretty good size but they do not (according to their website) have many brands offered. Some people I noticed received similar or the same products within a few months or they received a sample that they had already received from another beauty sampler mailer (again - I wouldn't suggest subscribing to every one of the sample mailers).
- Glossybox - This past month was their first month in the US, previously they have been in 15 other countries. The subscription price is $20 a month flat rate shipped out the last week of the month. They have over 100 brands that they currently offer in their boxes and constantly adding to the list. I watched several reviews from other countries as well as the launch box this past month here in the US and there were very few negative comments on any Glossybox. The samples were definitely "deluxe" size samples and some products even being full size products. I saw people get a full size bottle of OPI nail polish (that's about a $9 value alone). I understand that this box is double the price but I think if you are getting more of a sample it will allow you to truly "try" the product to see if it is right for you. This box is the best presentation too - I think it's great they put the time and effort to make it appealing for the customer. I'll go ahead and tell you, I purchased this box and it should arrive by the end of the month (don't worry I'll share with you).
- BeautyArmy - This subscription service started last year. The subscription cost is $12 flat rate. The best thing I can say about BeautyArmy is that you can chose up to 6 samples each month, so if you don't like a certain brand or type of product you simply don't select any from that line. If you do not select your products within a 5 day period then they will be chosen for you. BeautyArmy ships out 11 days after you make your selection. Selections are the same time each month, if you signed up on the 5th of the month, you will have from the 5th-10th of each month to make your selections for your box.
- The Look Bag - This bag is created from the people of In Style magazine. This subscription started up within the past few months, February I believe. The subscription cost is $10 flat rate. Each bag contains 4-5 samples which their website goes on to describe the "generous" samples are enough to try the product out. The boxes ship out of their warehouse on the 11th each month and arrive around the 15th of each month. It appears to be average with one of the samples being a deluxe sample with other foil pack like sample.
- Platinum Box - This subscription started February of 2012. The subscription cost is $10 flat rate. There is one box a month with 5 samples, where other boxes vary their products Platinum Box they are all the same. I did see a couple reviews where there was poor quality make up with no brand name (super hard eye liner to the point you can't you it because you are scratching your eyelid off). They also seem to be having billing/subscription issues because some didn't get a box and were billed after they canceled. Don't think I would try this one.
- Cravebox - This subscription started in December of 2011. The subscription costs $10 flat rate. This is not just a beauty sample box, but will also have lifestyle product samples too. I've seen several reviews and their customers seem to be very pleased, the boxes appear to carry MUCH more than a $10 value but each month there is one box. In case you are wondering what I mean by lifestyle products some I have seen; Downy wrinkle release, Bic pens and markers, Olive Oil, and razors. This is another box that I might try out in the future.
- Conscious Box - This subscription started November of 2011. This subscription costs $12 with $7 shipping and handling. This is a organic, vegan, earth friendly box. While the box costs more - there is a TON of samples! Some are food, cleaning supplies, beauty items, coupons, information on the companies and even small gifts. Most of the products were also from within the USA (if you want to give everyone here in the US an economy boost).
- Blissmo Box - The subscription cost is $19. You receive an email around the 15th of each month where you select from the options of boxes for that month. If you do not wish to select a box that month you can skip and have a credit for another month (so one month you'll get two boxes). I've read that it is important to select your boxes quickly since there are a limited amount of each box. They are shipped out around the 30th of each month and arrives around the 5th. This box is full of organize and eco friendly goods - from what I get from the reviews I have seen this box is a Whole Foods lover's dream! After visiting the website it appears that they truly care about their customers - if someone doesn't like a box or if they come damaged in any way they want to make it right.
- Julep Maven - This subscription is $20. Julep is a nail polish brand, so their boxes contain 2 or 3 nail polishes. The subscription is shipped out on the 27th each month (I hear it ships pretty quick too). You can change/skip your box...meaning if you don't like it or if you don't want one that month you don't have to get it. It sounds a bit pricey until I learned this are full size bottles and then also come with other nail related products. ***Right now you can go to Julep and get a month for only $0.01, that's right, a penny!*** http://www.julep.com?r=
21070990 Just use the PROMO CODE: SHAREONMAY
I have to say I had no idea that the sample box thing was so popular, it's really booming right now. While I have subscribed to two of the boxes above (Birchbox and Glossybox) and the penny month for Julep Maven, I would not want to subscribe to ALL of them. I might try one of the more food/eco friendly ones if I don't like Glossybox (but based on all the reviews and raves I doubt I'll be canceling anytime soon) I might try Conscious Box or Blissmo Box because T could enjoy the box with me (since most are food related).
If you are interested in joining a monthly subscription service for samples I would highly recommend checking out YouTube so you can see fist hand what the boxes are like to justify your investment. I think it's easy for me to justify it because it is my way to try the products that I couldn't afford to splurge on a daily basis (I can't go purchase 4 or 5 $50 products every month).
Go on.... getcha one! Your hubby won't get mad over $10 or $12.... might want to check with him before you splurge on a $20 box though (that is unless you don't mind sleeping with your dog in the floor).
