Birchbox Vs. Ipsy – July 2014
It’s time for another Birchbox vs. Ipsy square off. Again, the battle of the box vs. bag compares the overall haul to see which one wins for overall value and quality.
Both services offer a monthly $10 membership where subscribers receive a selection of beauty product samples that is somewhat customized based on personal preferences. Birchbox comes in its namesake box while Ipsy’s Glam Bag is a limited edition cosmetic bag each month.
Birchbox
This month’s box was sponsored by Women’s Health magazine and included a coupon good for a free one-year subscription to the magazine.
My products included:
- Cynthia Rowley Beauty Creamy Lip Stain
- Real Chemistry Luminous 3-Minute Peel
- Beauty Protector Protect & Treat Hair Mask
- Harvey Prince Hello Body Cream
- 100% Pure Gingerade Shower Gel (Honey Cream Wash)
Ipsy
This month’s Ipsy glam bag same in a fun neon pink scalloped leather bag.
I received the following samples:
- Bare Minerals 5-in-1 BB Advanced Performance Cream Eyeshadow Broad Spectrum SPF 15
- Elizabeth Mott Tints & Sass
- Faith Aromatherapy Citrus-Ginger Anti-Oxidant Body Lotion
- POP Beauty Sunkissed Brozer
- Pur-lisse pur-protect essential daily moisturizer sfp 30
My Product Thoughts?
Favorite product of the month? Real Chemistry Luminous 3-Minute Peel. I thought my face was nice and clean – and I exfoliate regularly – so I was quite surprised when dead skin started rolling up as I applied the peel. If my skin was not clear before, it was after this! Who knew?!
Surprised I got it? Harvey Prince Hello product two months in a row in my Birchbox? Really?! I know I said last month that the scent in the fragrance was pleasant. The lotion? Not so much. I’m kind of tired of lotions though – I stay at enough hotels to get my fill. The Faith Aromatherapy one was at least a nicer smell and feel.
Thanks but no thanks? 100% Pure Gingerade Body Wash. Loved the smell (if Moscow Mules are an appropriate thing to smell in the shower, that is), but the product didn’t do anything. No suds, no easy application. I had to reread the label to be sure it was actually supposed to be something to cleanse with!
Didn’t think I’d like it but? Bare Minerals eyeshadow-with-ridiculously-long-name. I didn’t think a cream eye shadow was for me but I love how this one went on. I want to check it out in other colors now!
Similar products, different outcomes? Cynthia Rowley lip stain and Elizabeth Mott Tints & Sass – both are lip stains, but the Cynthia Rowley goes on more like a lip gloss. The Tints & Sass (I see what they did there!) was more of a traditional stain. Both colors were a bit too pinkish for me on my lips. The Tints & Sass (now I just like saying it) could also be used on cheeks though and applies nicely there.
Other comments? The Pur-lisse moisturizer has too strong of a sunscreen smell although it applies nicely. I will stick with my existing tinted moisturizer with SPF 15 and no smell. The Beauty Protector hair mask was nice – it left my hair feeling soft and well-conditioned. The POP Beauty bronzer is good – it doesn’t blend as easily as the brand I currently used, but since I love to contour, it’s always great to have another shade on hand!
The Verdict
This month, Ipsy wins. But it was CLOSE contest!!! I will end up using the Ipsy bag – that color will keep it from getting lost in the bottom of my bag and I think that swayed my decision in favor of Ipsy.
The free Women’s Health subscription would be nice if I didn’t have Next Issue with unlimited subscriptions, but Women’s Health is included so I don’t need this one. As such, I’m going to give my subscription away – if you want to win a FREE one-year subscription to Women’s Health, leave a comment here on this post. I’ll pick a random number and give it away to someone who posts between now and Monday July 28th at 11:59 pm CST (subscription will go to the poster with the post number that matches the random number selected) – GOOD LUCK
Want to try them?
If you are interested in trying out Birchbox, I have a referral link you can use.
If you are interested in trying out Ipsy, I also have a referral link you can use.
Both sites are known to have waiting lists to join but past experience has shown that following their instructions to “share your excitement” on social media may bump you from waiting to confirmed quicker!
See last month’s comparison here.
Disclaimer: I *do* receive referral points if you subscribe to either Birchbox or Ipsy using my referral link. Those points allow me to exchange them for free product. I only provide referral links for services that I have personally tried and/or would spend my own money on!