Sunday, October 20, 2013

PopSugar Must Have

The Facts
  • Hand-selected items in beauty, fashion, home, fitness, and food
  • Full-size products and premium items
  • Only $39.95 a month, with free shipping

There are also three, six, and twelve month subscription options that save you money.  



My Personal Take
Each month I am impressed with the value of these boxes.  It has always been worth over $100 for me.  Of course you are not always going to like everything that is sent in a subscription box (which to me is just the adult version of a grab bag), but in these boxes, the items are always nice enough to gift to someone special or hey, even sell on Ebay! ;)  Several of the products have even been brand new to the market.  I like that everyone gets the same box with maybe some variations of colors, scents, or flavors.  Also, they have a referral system that has earned me 6 months of free boxes!  That is an incredible value!!

Here are some of my past boxes.


Sunday, February 5, 2012

Beauty Army

The Facts
Beauty Army is a monthly beauty subscription service that just launched last year on January 1st. For only $12 a month, you get to CHOOSE up to 6 high quality products to be shipped to your door. Once you register, you will fill out a personal survey that is used to create custom palettes of products that you can choose from.  

  

My Personal Take
I have received my first box and picked the items for my second. The first thing that I noticed was the customer service.  When I first signed up, I only chose a few products, not the full six, because I did not realized that once you clicked on them, your order was submitted.  Within an hour, I received a personal email asking if I wanted to choose more items with a list of products that I could choose from to add.  They also have a Facebook page that I visit often.  They are VERY quick to respond and are so personable.  Besides the excellent customer service, they tend to offer a variety of high quality products.  My first box was valued at $59.30.  I received two full size products and am receiving another full size product this month as well.  

Over time, this was another subscription that I let go because there just did not seem to be a lot of variety and the samples became less and less intriguing to me.  I skipped several months and then decided to just cancel the subscription all together.  You can skip any month or cancel at any time.

Birchbox

The Facts
Birchbox is a beauty sampling box that you receive in the mail each month for $10 (includes shipping). These boxes come packaged in a pretty pink box filled with goodies wrapped in pink tissue paper and hand tied with ribbon. The box includes 4-5 high end beauty products that can be purchased in full size through their website. Each box includes a card with a description of the products. Once you receive your box and have reviewed the products, you simply log into your account and it already gives you direct access to your personalized items as well as other great products. When you sign up, you fill out a profile that ensures that you are receiving products that cater to your specific needs. Even better, when you purchase products through the site, you earn points that are good for discounts on later purchases. Sometimes you may even receive full size products.




 THE POINT SYSTEM (THE BEST ONE I HAVE FOUND)
You can earn points for the following:
10 points = each product you review from your box (4-6 per month usually)
1 point = each dollar you spend on the website
50 points = each referral you make to the company
*In essence, if you refer one friend a month and complete your reviews, it is as though your box is free!

My Personal Take
Although they claim to send boxes based on your beauty profile, I am not completely convinced that is the case.  They may use it to pick out a shade of foundation, but I think they have different versions of the box that they send out randomly.  I could be wrong, but sometimes others receive boxes that would have fit my profile perfectly while I received something completely opposite.  All in all, I am pretty pleased with Birchbox.  Sometimes they include questionable "extras" in the box (such as granola bars or paper coasters), but that is exactly what they are- extras.  I typically enjoy the products in my boxes and have been introduced to some new products that have become favorites.  I think their reward system is the best I have come across, so no complaints there.  I have scored tons of freebies that way and am now the proud owner of a new Sedu hairdryer- the best dryer I have ever owned.  Although you may have the occasional disappointment, I think they make up for it in rewards.  Not to mention, Birchbox is tied with Beauty Army for best customer service.  They are fast to respond and always willing to help with returns, questions, and even give replies to suggestions you have.  Birchbox is a winner in my book.  I just hope they keep it up since the competition is getting thicker and thicker!

Beauty Bar Sample Society


The Facts
Beauty Bar Sample Society is a new monthly beauty subscription service that is partnered with Allure Magazine. The first box will ship March 5th.  For $15 per month, you will receive 5 deluxe-sized samples from brands such as Murad, Stila and Bond No. 9.  You will also receive a gift code for $15 off of a $50 purchase that includes at least one product from your box.  Online you can view/purchase your samples as well as rate them.  As a bonus, you will also get a one year subscription to Allure.  

My Personal Take
The products are usually of higher quality.  I love that you get the coupon code, but you do have to purchase one of the products that came in your box to use the code.  That can be a pain if you did not receive anything that you would like to purchase.  Most subscribers seem to be very happy with their subscription although this is one that I personally decided to let go of.  The customer service is amazing!

Ipsy

The Facts
Ipsy was founded by Michelle Phan and is another monthly beauty subscription service.  This plan costs $10 per month and you will receive a make up bag filled with 4-5 full size or deluxe sample goodies.  The products you receive are supposed to be based on feedback from a beauty quiz that you take when signing up.  You can watch videos made by stylist to show how to best use the products in your bag.

My Personal Take
I love Ipsy because the bags are usually cute and my friends love that I get two each month and always give one away.  Also, the products keep getting better and better!  I have received products from brands such as Sexy Hair, Zoya, Buxom, Cailyn, Butter London, Ofra, Urban Decay, NYX, Pixie, Pop Beauty, Juice Beauty, Be a Bombshell, and many more!