Birchbox February 2014 (SPOILERS)

[jt0303]

We like the Royal English Breakfast, Ceylon Decaf and for flavored Hot Cinnamon Spice and Paris.

I have the coconut green tea and it is delicious!

 

[MissJexie]

Got my second box today, and while it's less exciting than some of the others, I like this one better than my first box. I feel like I will at least try everythin in this box and it feels a bit more substantial.

Funny thin is, my Juara lotion and Harvey Prince came in a pillow pack...and I'm just so astounded and confused as to why they didn't put the glass beauty protector oils into pillow packs to avoid all of this shattering that's going on!

 

[Lorenk]

Quote: Originally Posted by Rachel S /img/forum/go_quote.gif
  Quote: Originally Posted by KellyKaye /img/forum/go_quote.gif

I don't understand why Birchbox sent out the hair oil in glass bottles. Isn't the packaging for the full size plastic? Why would they package it differently, cost perhaps? It just doesn't make sense because there are wayyyy too many people who have recieved broken samples.

This might be completely wrong, but I always thought it was the brand who created the samples and Birchbox just distributes them. So, for those underwhelmed by the Smashbox sample and the Big Easy peelie, it's not actually Birchbox who is to blame for the size of the sample.

The same would go for the glass bottle, however in that case I think it was really thoughtless of Birchbox to send a tiny glass bottle in a large box that can bounce around and ultimately break. They've sent tiny glass perfume samples in a cardboard pillow pack before... They should have utilized something similar for the hair oil. I'm shocked that someone didn't put more thought into that. I believe the same as well. That being said, I don't know why they sent out ANYTHING in glass vials, I've managed to break quite a few over the years.

 

[kawaiiwoofs]

Quote: Originally Posted by elizabethrose /img/forum/go_quote.gif

Kinda different- ladies who rave about Harney and Sons.. What kinds do you like? I'm really into black teas

paris was awesome and is a black tea. its totally different. but fruity, vanilla, and caramel aren't exactly the words i'd use to describe its notes... i'll have to check what my boyfriend and i wrote in our tea/coffee journal on this one but i really really enjoyed it!

 

[Lorenk]

Quote: Originally Posted by Rachel S /img/forum/go_quote.gif
  Quote: Originally Posted by Kyuu /img/forum/go_quote.gif
  Both my oils came and were unbroken, but I wanted to send it to a friend, and now I'm worried. Damn :



Do you have some tissue paper or bubble wrap? That would probably be enough to protect it! You know, I feel a little crazy (like I'm going to turn into a hoarder) because I've been keeping every piece of bubble wrap I get in shipments lately...I have SO MANY nail polishes I plan on trading or putting on Ebay though! and I'll already have the packaging! Now if I could just get around to it...

 

[chelsealady]

My oil didn't break. I feel that is a accomplishment this month.

 

[alpina0560]

Quote: Originally Posted by Alicia1970CT /img/forum/go_quote.gif

I know there was some talk regarding size of Fake up sample so I took a pic of how much is actually in there. Definitely enough for me to try a couple times.
That is definitely enough for a couple of uses! I have the full size fake up, and when I got to a little bit more than that left in my tube I bought a replacement (which I have yet to open!).. that was at the end of January! and I use it everyday! 

 

[Rachel S]

You know, I feel a little crazy (like I'm going to turn into a hoarder) because I've been keeping every piece of bubble wrap I get in shipments lately...I have SO MANY nail polishes I plan on trading or putting on Ebay though! and I'll already have the packaging! Now if I could just get around to it...

Oh me too!! I've been saving all of the fillers and bubble wrap from my various sub boxes so I'll have it on hand for the same reason!

 

[feisty1]

I received one of my boxes today and I love the fact that my fake up stick and even "the big easy" packet came in my color medium. I was afraid they would just send out a universal sample in light. So happy that they took the time to look into my color palate.

 

[kawaiimeows]

Quote: Originally Posted by feisty1 /img/forum/go_quote.gif

I received one of my boxes today and I love the fact that my fake up stick and even "the big easy" packet came in my color medium. I was afraid they would just send out a universal sample in light. So happy that they took the time to look into my color palate.
That's awesome that they at least did that.

 

[zadidoll]

Quote: Originally Posted by Lorenk /img/forum/go_quote.gif
  Quote: Originally Posted by Rachel S /img/forum/go_quote.gif
  Quote: Originally Posted by KellyKaye /img/forum/go_quote.gif

I don't understand why Birchbox sent out the hair oil in glass bottles. Isn't the packaging for the full size plastic? Why would they package it differently, cost perhaps? It just doesn't make sense because there are wayyyy too many people who have recieved broken samples.

This might be completely wrong, but I always thought it was the brand who created the samples and Birchbox just distributes them. So, for those underwhelmed by the Smashbox sample and the Big Easy peelie, it's not actually Birchbox who is to blame for the size of the sample.

The same would go for the glass bottle, however in that case I think it was really thoughtless of Birchbox to send a tiny glass bottle in a large box that can bounce around and ultimately break. They've sent tiny glass perfume samples in a cardboard pillow pack before... They should have utilized something similar for the hair oil. I'm shocked that someone didn't put more thought into that. I believe the same as well. That being said, I don't know why they sent out ANYTHING in glass vials, I've managed to break quite a few over the years.


@Lorenk, @Rachel S and @KellyKaye - Birchbox does not package the samples, the samples come directly from the manufacturer for free. How the manufacturer (company they're working with) packages the sample is up to that company and Birchbox doesn't have that much of a choice if the items come in a glass container or plastic. They could request plastic if the company has samples in plastic packaging but that is up to the company. Keep in mind that many samples are more expensive to make than full size products or are limited in quantities (which is something company reps have told me time and time again over the years).

 

[CharstarWishes]

There's a chance that some of the tea could be herbal.  H&S does a good range and you usually get 3 different kinds when they do tea samples.   /emoticons/[email protected] 2x" width="20" height="20" />

That's good to know, I've also been looking up other things I can do with tea for beauty. There are a few things, you can use them for your eyes, like cucumbers . You can also do a foot soak. But I'll wait and see, I may have friends who might like to try them if I don't get an herbal tea.

 

[kawaiimeows]

Quote: Originally Posted by zadidoll /img/forum/go_quote.gif
 
@Lorenk, @Rachel S and @KellyKaye - Birchbox does not package the samples, the samples come directly from the manufacturer for free. How the manufacturer (company they're working with) packages the sample is up to that company and Birchbox doesn't have that much of a choice if the items come in a glass container or plastic. They could request plastic if the company has samples in plastic packaging but that is up to the company. Keep in mind that many samples are more expensive to make than full size products or are limited in quantities (which is something company reps have told me time and time again over the years).
This definitely. And really I don't know what they could have done to make the situation better. Fortunately, my oil came in tact, but my pillow pack had my perfume and nail polish in it. It seems like any way they did it, I would have had a glass item floating around to potentially get broken. The best possible thing I can think of is to double up on pillow packs for boxes that are abundant with glass items.

 

[zadidoll]

Like I told Birchbox, Ipsy, Beauty Army and a few other subscription services over the years - do not send vials that are glass in the winter. The chances for items to freeze and explode are high. My order from @FrendsBeauty supply came the other night and the 244 Fluid that I ordered comes in a plastic bottle but the liquid was frozen. Thankfully my Parian Spirit, also in a plastic bottle, was not frozen. I half expect my perfume from my February Birchbox to arrive broken since it's coming from New Jersey all the way to Washington state via ground through several states that are hit by the Polar Vortex.

 

[CheekyQ]

yup! you'll still be able to access your account and make purchases, so you'll be able to use the points. some people just shop on BB and don't have subs - for every dollar you spend, you get a point, so you can keep accruing points too!

Oh, yay! That's good to know. I just wasn't sure since I can't even go in and review the products I receive. When I go to the box link, it takes me to a page that says to subscribe. I assumed that meant I couldn't get points. Wish I had reviewed the products first then.

 

[Tamarin]

Quote: Originally Posted by Alicia1970CT /img/forum/go_quote.gif


Did you recieve one of these ? This and a bit of tissue should protect it. I think most who ended up with a broken bottle may have broken with the OPi glass bottle banging into each other and also possibly because of the cold.
This pillow pack is cute!  yours is the first box that I've seen that has one though, I thought they weren't sending any out this month.

 

[meaganola]

Quote: Originally Posted by zadidoll /img/forum/go_quote.gif
 
@Lorenk, @Rachel S and @KellyKaye - Birchbox does not package the samples, the samples come directly from the manufacturer for free. How the manufacturer (company they're working with) packages the sample is up to that company and Birchbox doesn't have that much of a choice if the items come in a glass container or plastic. They could request plastic if the company has samples in plastic packaging but that is up to the company. Keep in mind that many samples are more expensive to make than full size products or are limited in quantities (which is something company reps have told me time and time again over the years).

For some reason, I had it in my head that Birchbox *does* have some amount of control over the Beauty Protector oil since they are the only company that sells it.

Quote: Originally Posted by zadidoll /img/forum/go_quote.gif
  Like I told Birchbox, Ipsy, Beauty Army and a few other subscription services over the years - do not send vials that are glass in the winter. The chances for items to freeze and explode are high. My order from @FrendsBeauty supply came the other night and the 244 Fluid that I ordered comes in a plastic bottle but the liquid was frozen. Thankfully my Parian Spirit, also in a plastic bottle, was not frozen. I half expect my perfume from my February Birchbox to arrive broken since it's coming from New Jersey all the way to Washington state via ground through several states that are hit by the Polar Vortex.
I would say no glass vials in the winter -- and no waxy things (lip balm, lipstick, pencil eye liner) in the summer!  I received that Ojon Rare Oils three-layer stuff last winter or maybe the winter before, and while it didn't shatter, it solidified in transit, and it didn't want to liquify and blend together properly after that.  I don't know if it was due to the cold it went through to get to me or just the way that product was, but it was horrible and waxy when the clear intent was to be a liquid, and I've been really reluctant to try Ojon anything ever since.

 

[kira685]

Quote: Originally Posted by CheekyQ /img/forum/go_quote.gif
  Quote: Originally Posted by kira685 /img/forum/go_quote.gif

yup! you'll still be able to access your account and make purchases, so you'll be able to use the points. some people just shop on BB and don't have subs - for every dollar you spend, you get a point, so you can keep accruing points too!

Oh, yay! That's good to know. I just wasn't sure since I can't even go in and review the products I receive. When I go to the box link, it takes me to a page that says to subscribe. I assumed that meant I couldn't get points. Wish I had reviewed the products first then. did your page initially update with your products? you can probably still get the review points by emailing CS, especially since it's only been a few days since pages loaded

 

[easybreezy]

Has anyone here had any experience with BB's return policy for product purchases? I am thinking about blowing my points on the Glam Glow SuperMud, but at $70 for 1.2oz if it doesn't absolutely blow my mind, I want to be able to get my points back.

You will get your points back. If you return part of an order that used both points and dollars, they will refund both in proportion (rather than refunding all the money first and then the points or vis versa).

 

[chelsead1]

Quote: Originally Posted by Tamarin /img/forum/go_quote.gif
  This pillow pack is cute!  yours is the first box that I've seen that has one though, I thought they weren't sending any out this month.
Everybody keeps saying the "no pillow packs anymore" thing, but it's not true.  All my recent boxes have had them, including the one this month.  Mine had the perfume sample in it.  It MAY have possibly contained my BP oil also at some point, but the pillow pack came open on one end during shipping and the perfume was all that was left in it by the time I opened it.