Birchbox / May

Few weeks ago, due to the overwhelming hype, I decided to jump on the Birchbox bandwagon and signed myself up! I think the whole idea of these boxes is just too exciting! Who doesn't want to get random samples of cosmetics goods every month at a reasonable cost of $10? I totally do! Until my box was on its way to me, I was super excited. Receiving my box took me a while, the long wait was actually pretty ridicilous. I mean it is shipped out from New Jersey and I live in Chicago, I just don't understand how it can take more than 7 business days? I got over that pretty quickly after watching a couple of May Birchbox videos on YouTube and was totally stoked that there's a full size Stila eye shadow! Naturally I thought this makes up for the shipping fiasco, which would had I actually received a Stila eye shadow...


Packaging...The pink box you see on the left is how the package was actually shipped out for the month of May. It's ok, it's just a box but I like that it's pink! The box that holds the contents is neatly packaged, with a ribbon, tissue paper and all. I think they're a nice touch and they hold everything together.

The box contains a contents card that describes each product and has the full-size product prices.


Contents

Obviously for $10, I can't and shouldn't expect the moon and stars but I thought it was kind of unfair for some of us to not get the Stila eye shadow most other people got. Shouldn't we all get at least similar products? Of the products I received, I really like the Pomegranate soap as I love pomegranate scented anything. Jouer luminizing moisture tint samples are also something I may enjoy. They have included two different shades; Pearl and Golden. I am also looking forward to the Ahava mud mask simply because I love masks. The rest...meh. The Jouer lip gloss in Glisten has way too much glitter for my liking. I would never pay $20 for a glitter-overload lip gloss. Kerastase shampoo is a little too small for my long and thick hair to be able to tell whether it will actually work. I will more than likely use it up in a single shower session. It is also $35 which is way too much for me for a shampoo. There is also a blank card which I will eventually use but I would have liked to get more of a beauty-related product instead.

Not gonna lie, I am kinda bummed about the May Birchbox. I will wait to get the June edition to make my final decision whether to keep my subscription or let it go.

Those of you that are subscribed, what do you think about your May Birchbox? If you're not subscribed, are you planning to?

22 comments:

  1. I think it makes more sense that everyone gets the same things. I'd be so annoyed if I saw other people receiving much better items in their GlossyBox! & I really think these sample box companies need to be all about the make up. That's where the fun is!

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  2. I'm very tempted to sign up for Birchbox! I love Kerastase hair stuff and it's so nice how pretty the packaging looks for the monthly boxes too :) The hand cream looks so nice!

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  3. Regularly the box is pink, but since last month was an eco-friendly (in honor of Earth Day) box and it was an earthy green shade. I've been subscribed now for 3 months and I really enjoy my boxes. I must be the only one not phased by not getting a Stila shadow because I have too many shadows that don't get used right now. I too disliked the gritty gloss - not worth full price in my opinion.

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  4. Oh uh I thought it was always green, thank you for informing me I will change that now :) I am looking forward to the next one, hopefully it will be more exciting product than this one. I guess it depends on an individual's taste, some people actually enjoy all the skincare products and some of us are a bit more interested in make-up products, it's understandable :) When it comes to make-up, eye shadows are definitely come in the first place for me so that's why I was bummed :)

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  5. I think the concept is fun and the whole idea of not knowing what's in the box (unless you do what I do and check other blogs/youtube) is just exciting! I have never tried Kerastase hair products, let's see how I like it :)

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  6. Yep totally agreed. It's not really that it's a better product, it's just one that will last the longest. How of ten do we run out of eye shadows you know...plus I'm a total eye shadow junkie :) You're absolutely right, makeup = FUN! Skincare is a serious subject, everyone's skin is different therefore has different needs but most people will like a lipstick/blush/eyeshadow as long as it's not some crazy color. Ah I still can't get over that NARS illuminator you got in your Glossybox! *drools*

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  7. Seeing everyone's mixed reviews on the Birchbox really keeps me from wanting to purchase one! Some months are much better than others and some people get nicer products than others for sure. I feel like they should balance out the boxes more like have one full sized item for each box or something. Seeing what people get in their boxes is kind of like seeing what presents they got for Christmas :) Even though they're not my items, it still gives me a satisfied feeling.... Not sure if it's only me who enjoys these kind of posts XD

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  8. Oh I totally hear you! It took me forever to decide if I want to really sign up. You're right, in stead of giving real samples (like the ones you can get from cosmetics counters) it'd be amazing to include a full size item, everyone would be happy then! I used to feel that way when I was watching Birchbox videos on YouTube, it's like Christmas every month yay! :)

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  9. Hmmm i was very excited and was going to sign up for Birchbox too, but it seems as if recent months more and more ppl are disapointed with their contents =( that's too bad about the Stila shadow, it's true everyone should get the same items each month and not random pickings through each box

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  10. I am so jealous of the NARS illuminator, too! I got the stila eyeshadow but unfortunately it's not a shade I'd use much, if at all. I would have preferred the glittery lipgloss and ahava mask instead! I guess you can't please everybody.

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  11. Are you going to? I really like the idea, hopefully next month will be better! I would still be ok if we all received similar products, oh well!

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  12. Oh I wrote about my May BirchBox too. We got sort of similar things. Oh don't forget they give you a code for a free tiny prints card. The freebie usually not beauty related so doesn't count for your 4-5 samples. I got the stila eyeshadow but it was very dark color like mud. So I'm not sure I'd use it anyway. Oh what I think is cool is that when you leave feedback about your samples you get 10 points = 100 points = $10 free at their birchbox shop on anything.

    http://sophiesdish.wordpress.com/2011/05/15/birchbox-haul-may-best-hand-cream-ever/

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  13. I know what you mean about people not getting the same things. I think it shouldn't just be luck of the draw or whatever. I think everyone should have gotten the full size shadow. I hope next months will be better for you. Overall, this month was kind of lame. I liked my shadow, but I didn't care for the Oribe shampoo/conditioner I got. I did like the pomegranate soap too. Everything else was pretty uneventful or I haven't tried it. Fingers Crossed for next months that it is a jackpot!!

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  14. Ah I hope the Birchbox trend arrives to Europe and my country some day!
    You get an amazing deal for 10$. Let alone the "surprise" factor when you open the box, lol!

    xx

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  15. Thanks so much for letting me know again! This is one of the many reasons why I love blogging, I always find out new things I wouldn't have otherwise :) Actually the brown eyeshadow you got looks pretty, would make a good crease color or even eyeliner, I like it! :)

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  16. Thank you! Or at least full size something, anything! I love that pomegranate soap, the scent is just amazing BUT I don't know if I wanna pay $12 for a bar of soap? Glad I am not the only one who felt blah about this month's, hopefully next month's box is fair, can't wait to see what next box has!

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  17. It is now in UK (glossybox) and I think Germany? Hopefully it'll arrive soon in Greece so we can all enjoy these little boxes together! :)

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  18. Im right there with ya girl! I got the same birch box. I agree with your stance on...if some are going to get full sized, all should get full sized... regardless if it's a shadow/gloss/etc. I sent birchbox an email the day I got my box, just to express my mild frustration and they never emailed back! What the heck kind of customer service is that?

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  19. Exactly my thoughts, glad you girls on here can relate to my frustration! I am really shocked that they didn't even take the time to respond to your email, wow really? I think they may have gotten too "spoiled" with all these new/recent subscribers that they think they are set for life. If you don't treat customers right, they'll go elsewhere! Hopefully June's Birchbox is better than this month's otherwise, I'll just have to think my subscription over, yeah it's only $10, but I'm sure we can all find something better to do with even that much money!

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  20. FutilitiesandmoreMay 30, 2011 at 5:22 PM

    Hi Ebrushka, I read the review of your Birchbox, which was exactly the same as mine. I was very disappointed with it too. I'll wait for the next one, but I'm pretty sure to cancel my subscription very soon. I really feel I was fooled by this May box. Seriously, $10 for that!!
    I really like your blog that I discover today, I was looking for some eyeshadows from Inglot. It's pretty funny, because I almost choose the same shades!
    Good luck! I also have a blog, you should take a look :)
    http://futilitiesandmore.blogspot.com/
    Flo

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  21. I honestly didn't realize there are so many of us who are really frustrated! More than half the blog posts and Youtube videos I've seen looked like the person was actually happy with their box. So I felt kind of left out, as if they packed my box last minute and threw in whatever was in their reach, hence the box I received. After getting my box, I felt the same way...ah whatever I'll cancel it. But I will give them another chance, I really hope June's box will be better because I really like the idea of this service! So happy to hear you like my blog, funny we almost chose the same shades, which ones did you get? Inglot makes some amazing eye shadows, so glad they finally have an online store! :)

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  22. Hey,
    I still haven't receive my june box... Dani, I also sent an email and they didn't even take the time to reply...pfff what a joke! Hope to have something more interesting son, but they are soooo late!
    Ebrushka, I will post a review of my Inglot eyeshadow soon on my blog. I think the products are fantastic! Super quality, it blends well, super creamy and pigmented and the size is enormous compared to some other high end brands. Very happy of my purchase. I got the 20 freedom palette.

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