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Ipsy vs Birchbox Review December 2016 Review
Since my December Ipsy and Birchbox arrived together, I thought I would do a joint review this month.
Ipsy is $10.00 a month and you get a glam bag full of 4-6 beauty items. Once you get your bag, you can review your items online, and tell Ipsy what you think. When you complete reviews, you earn points, which can be redeemed for special items.
Birchbox is $10.00/month and they send five sample beauty and skin care products, every month. Subscribers can now upgrade to a $30.00 box. The $30.00 box will contain 2 full size beauty or skin care products, along with the five usual products. When you sign up, you fill out a profile, so Birchbox can customize your box to your preferences. There is a regular monthly box and they also have guest editor boxes. Birchbox releases spoilers and a full reveal of the guest editor boxes, so you will know which box to choose.
Birchbox
Birchbox ships in an outer box, but I didn't take a picture of it. This month's box looked like a little present.
The box comes with an information card for every item in the box.
There was a sheet of tags, perfect for gift giving.
Fave4 Smooth for Sure Blowout Cream $2.91 This cream seals in moisture, and helps your blowout last for days. This protects your hair from heat and helps give your hair a sleek look. I recently got a keratin treatment, so I doubt I will need this for a few months.
Hey Honey Walk the Walk Propolis Foot Cream $3.83 This chamomile, jojoba oil and propolis extract to moisturize and heal your feet. This is a great product to have for this winter.
Saphira Hair Mineral Mud $2.55 This is made with 26 Dead Sea minerals to help repair your hair, while also protecting the color. I love hair masks, I actually use one once or twice a week, so I will try this out.
LOC One & Done Shadow Stick – Out of Your Shell (Full Size) $10.00 I love LOC shadow sticks, they just glide right on and last all day. I have a few colors from when LOC was first released and I use them frequently. This is a bright color, perfect for highlighting.
Leaders 7 Wonders Himalayan Camellia Pore Minimizing Mask (Full Size) $5.99 This helps get rid of fine lines and minimizes pores. Just leave on for 20 minutes and rub in the remaining mask into face.
Bonus Mirror There was a bonus mirror in this month's box. I always like getting little extras in the box.
Birchbox Final Thought: This months box had a total value of $24.29. This box didn't have a huge value, but I really enjoyed the box. The LOC and hair mask were my favorite products in the box. If you want to subscribe, use the code SUBSCRIBENOW50 to get 50 points ($5.00) to spend in the online store. If you want to give a gift subscription use one of the following codes:
- MERRY3 – Save 10% on a 3 month subscription.
- MERRY6– Save 15% on a 6 month subscription.
- MERRY12 – Save 20% on a 12 month subscription.
Ipsy
Ipsy ships in a hot pink envelope.
The bag this month is a fuzzy pink bag with a little wristlet. The theme for December was Carpe P.M.
Jersey Shore Cosmetics Moisture rich Hydrating Balm in Peppermint (Full Size) $10.00 This is all natural, non-gmo lip balm that will hydrate lips. My 7 year old has struggled with dry, chapped lips, so I might give this to him
tarte cosmetics tarteist™ glossy lip paint in wcw $3.33 This glossy lip color is in a beautiful berry shade. This has a long-lasting formula that stays put and all day. This is my favorite item in the bag.
Aurora Intensively Precise Eyeliner (Full Size) $7.99 This eyeliner has a fine tip and made with natural ingredients. This is designed to last 24 hours and is smudge free. I have several eyeliners, but I always like getting full size products in my Ipsy bag.
REN Clean Skincare Glycol Lactic Radiance Renewal Mask $9.47 This mask helps with blemishes, removes dead skin cells and brightens skin. You apply this and leave it on for 10 minutes before washing it off.
OFRA Bliss Eyeshadow/Highlighter $12.00 This is a great light eyeshadow that can be used as an all over color, or just a highlighter. I love this shade and I have already used it.
Final Thought: This box had a total value of $42.79. This bag had a really nice value and there were 3 full size products in the bag. I love the lip color and really want to grab the full size. To get your own bag, use this link.
The winner? When I first did my unboxing, I thought I loved Birchbox best. After finding out all the full size products and value, I think Ipsy wins this month. I will use both boxes, but Ipsy really nailed the value. In general, Ipsy is great for color cosmetics and Birchbox is better for skin and haircare. If you want to subscribe to Ipsy or Birchbox, check out the offers below.
Birchbox
- Use the code SUBSCRIBENOW50 to get 50 points ($5.00) to spend in the online store.
If you want to give a gift subscription use one of the following codes:
- MERRY3 – Save 10% on a 3 month subscription.
- MERRY6– Save 15% on a 6 month subscription.
- MERRY12 – Save 20% on a 12 month subscription.
Ipsy
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