Birchbox February 2014 (SPOILERS)

[camel11]

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

So I emailed Birchbox customer service and asked if there was a glitch in my box on the website, because it looked like I was receiving Ruby Wing twice in a row. You rockstars told me that's common so I figured it was a lost cause. I just receive a response from customer service that said:

"Unfortunately, there was some trouble with our allocation this month, and it looks like you may be receiving a duplicate product. So sorry about that! For the trouble with the sample, I have added 100 points to your account, and that is equivalent to a $10.00 credit in our Birchbox store. I hope this helps!"

I didn't expect such a generous solution! 


I e-mailed them, as well, and I'm waiting to hear back. I'd take the 100 points but would be fine if they just sent a new sample (of my choosing/W3ll people /emoticons/[email protected] 2x" width="20" height="20" /> ).

 

[Alexia561]

Quote: Originally Posted by camel11 /img/forum/go_quote.gif
  Quote: Originally Posted by chaosintoart /img/forum/go_quote.gif
  So I emailed Birchbox customer service and asked if there was a glitch in my box on the website, because it looked like I was receiving Ruby Wing twice in a row. You rockstars told me that's common so I figured it was a lost cause. I just receive a response from customer service that said:

 
  "Unfortunately, there was some trouble with our allocation this month, and it looks like you may be receiving a duplicate product. So sorry about that! For the trouble with the sample, I have added 100 points to your account, and that is equivalent to a $10.00 credit in our Birchbox store. I hope this helps!"

 
 
  I didn't expect such a generous solution! 



I e-mailed them, as well, and I'm waiting to hear back. I'd take the 100 points but would be fine if they just sent a new sample (of my choosing/W3ll people

). I was missing my perfume sample and just received a response that they're sending me a replacement. Happy, as I love trying new scents!

 

[JuliaGhostx3]

Are we supposed to get ten points every month when they charge us for the box? I'm looking at my points, and I have the points from my January box and January reviews, and the three things I reviewed from this box so far, but I don't see 10 points for the February box. 

 

[disconik]

Quote: Originally Posted by JuliaGhostx3 /img/forum/go_quote.gif
  Are we supposed to get ten points every month when they charge us for the box? I'm looking at my points, and I have the points from my January box and January reviews, and the three things I reviewed from this box so far, but I don't see 10 points for the February box. 



You only get 10 points for the first box.  You don't get them for monthly renewals.  If you do a yearly subscription you get 110 points in one lump sum, though.

 

[AMaas]

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

I'm getting box 27 this month and it's the first box where I'm not excited about anything at all

I'm getting: the Coastal Scents Revealed Palette, Paula's Choice Antioxidant Serum, Beauty Protector Oil, Whish Three Wishes Body Butter, and Deodorant Swipes for Clothes (6 pack) in the box if anyone is looking for those! Just my luck that I would be getting deodorant wipes. It might sound nasty but I've never used deodorant once in my whole life...I just don't sweat a lot and I don't have strong BO. Combine that with my mom scaring me as a kid saying that deodorant might cause breast cancer lol. Anyway, I really wanted the OPI or maybe even benefit products so let me know if anyone is interested in swapping.
That seems like a really nice box!

The Deodorant Swipes are not meant for your body, they are to be used on your clothing to get rid of food/smoke odors.  Birchbox sampled this product in the Men's box last month and my husband got one.  You won't get the full pack in your box, just one wipe. 

And I hear you on deodorant - my husband doesn't sweat and can get away without anything on his armpits most of the time (not me!).  But I think you're referring to antiperspirant, which contains aluminum and has been linked to health problems.  Deodorants are meant to mask odor, but they don't prevent you from sweating because they don't contain aluminum.   

 

[pooteeweet213]

Quote: Originally Posted by Lolo22 /img/forum/go_quote.gif
I think everyone getting the Hello/SkinCo/OPI/BP oil/tea box is a new subscription/2nd acct.? Or at least most of us?  I wonder if new subbies only get like 2 or 3 variations.  Also interesting that @usofjessamerica said you didn't fill out the profile on yours, cause I did and we are getting the same box.  So I'm thinking the new subs defaulted to this and maybe a few other variations only.  Either that, or we're all in the naughty club for the 200 point glitch and they didn't want us having any fun

 

I'm getting it too on an account that I activated for the 200pts. I'm thinking you guys are right that they're not paying attention to profiles for this first box since why else would they send a 23 year old wrinkle serum? Definitely not unhappy about teh box though, since I'm excited about the harney and sons tea, the opi polish, and the beauty protector oil. 

 

[kira685]

My understanding is that it takes a couple months for profile changes to be reflected in your box.. maybe the same holds for new profiles too?

 

[Babs]

Same content as above. Sounds like a USWeekly welcome box. I'm excited for the serum.

 

[gemstone]

That seems like a really nice box! The Deodorant Swipes are not meant for your body, they are to be used on your clothing to get rid of food/smoke odors.  Birchbox sampled this product in the Men's box last month and my husband got one.  You won't get the full pack in your box, just one wipe.  And I hear you on deodorant - my husband doesn't sweat and can get away without anything on his armpits most of the time (not me!).  But I think you're referring to antiperspirant, which contains aluminum and has been linked to health problems.  Deodorants are meant to mask odor, but they don't prevent you from sweating because they don't contain aluminum.   

Not to mention that it is reusable! I got this product last month and really liked it. The scent was much more pleasant than febreeze. (I have a lot of friends who smoke cigarettes, and I can't exactly get my winter coat dry cleaned all the time)

 

[ILikeGiants]

I got my box today, and the hair oil had shattered and leaked all over everything. Nothing was in a pillow pack, and there was no padding at all. I'm surprised the nail polish didn't break too! I might be able to salvage the polish, Coola, and mascara, but there are a lot of glass shards everywhere! I emailed them and included a picture, so we'll see what they do.

 

[barbyechick]

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

My understanding is that it takes a couple months for profile changes to be reflected in your box.. maybe the same holds for new profiles too?

I assumed the same, although not sure how much it can really do. I never give too much credit to changing it around, the formula they use has to account for products you've received in the past and what products are available to you from that set, then account for that to choose the box based off the variations there will be, then from that then integrate your profile some how?

What I always wonder is how the variations are picked, are they completely generated or is there a significant hand in someone who tries to create sets and that's their job, obviously with at least generated help.

 

[AMaas]

Quote: Originally Posted by barbyechick /img/forum/go_quote.gif
 
I assumed the same, although not sure how much it can really do. I never give too much credit to changing it around, the formula they use has to account for products you've received in the past and what products are available to you from that set, then account for that to choose the box based off the variations there will be, then from that then integrate your profile some how?

What I always wonder is how the variations are picked, are they completely generated or is there a significant hand in someone who tries to create sets and that's their job, obviously with at least generated help.
Here's the explanation behind Birchbox's algorithm: http://unboxed.birchbox.com/2012/12/29/the-birchbox-problem/

There are a lot of factors involved!

 

[sbg812]

My box came a day early!!! Quite a surprise since I live in the South and I figured weather might hold it up (turns out it's pretty clear, but mail has a tendency to move slowly even in anticipation of less-than-perfect conditions!) 



SUPER pumped about this box.  I'm actually really excited about the Fekkai shampoo/conditioner.  Kind of wanted it last month when it was featured.  (Although for profile matching, I will say I'm surprised I got THIS shampoo/conditioner.  My profile says color-treated, so wouldn't I have been more likely to get the color preserving Bain de Terre that was featured this month?)

Love the Harvey Prince "Hello" scent.  I've been looking for a new perfume to add to my collection.  This isn't what I've been looking for but I might get it anyway! 

So happy that the CS palette is in colors I use and I'm SUPER curious about these breath crystals!  So fun! 

 

[IMDawnP]

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


That is definitely weird. My only other idea was since guys got the PNM in their boxes this month as well (my hubby got it), they used a separate link for the ladies to allow us to still review for point. Otherwise, if the same link occurred in the men's and women's boxes, we'd only be able to review it once.

It definitely is weird though that they'd include the link to PNM and the kit when the boxes first loaded. Strange goings on around these parts...
That makes perfect sense. They place held the PNM so they would know what they were actually sending out and then included the kit once the boxes were ready to ship. Then once the box links were getting ready to go live they dropped the
PNM link.

 

[joeythelamb]

Quote: Originally Posted by AMaas /img/forum/go_quote.gif
  That seems like a really nice box!

The Deodorant Swipes are not meant for your body, they are to be used on your clothing to get rid of food/smoke odors.  Birchbox sampled this product in the Men's box last month and my husband got one.  You won't get the full pack in your box, just one wipe. 

And I hear you on deodorant - my husband doesn't sweat and can get away without anything on his armpits most of the time (not me!).  But I think you're referring to antiperspirant, which contains aluminum and has been linked to health problems.  Deodorants are meant to mask odor, but they don't prevent you from sweating because they don't contain aluminum.   
It's not a bad box - it's just not for me haha. 

Thanks for telling me about the difference between deodorants and antiperspirants! I just thought that they were synonymous. The swipe sounds nice that it's reusable and gets rid of food/smoke odors. I might be able to use them afterall if I go to eat KBBQ haha. 

 

[MrsMeow]

Quote: Originally Posted by ILikeGiants /img/forum/go_quote.gif
  I got my box today, and the hair oil had shattered and leaked all over everything. Nothing was in a pillow pack, and there was no padding at all. I'm surprised the nail polish didn't break too! I might be able to salvage the polish, Coola, and mascara, but there are a lot of glass shards everywhere! I emailed them and included a picture, so we'll see what they do.


I just got the exact same box, and while my serum bottle wasn't shattered, it did work it's way open and leaked all over.  No pillow case.  Really, really crappy packaging this month.

 

[kawaiimeows]

I just got the exact same box, and while my serum bottle wasn't shattered, it did work it's way open and leaked all over.  No pillow case.  Really, really crappy packaging this month.

Mine didn't leak but when I opened it to sniff it I noticed it was very, very loose.

 

[ewiggy]

Quote: Originally Posted by Lolo22 /img/forum/go_quote.gif
 
I think everyone getting the Hello/SkinCo/OPI/BP oil/tea box is a new subscription/2nd acct.? Or at least most of us?  I wonder if new subbies only get like 2 or 3 variations.  Also interesting that @usofjessamerica said you didn't fill out the profile on yours, cause I did and we are getting the same box.  So I'm thinking the new subs defaulted to this and maybe a few other variations only.  Either that, or we're all in the naughty club for the 200 point glitch and they didn't want us having any fun

 

Oh.. so I created a 2nd account AND did the cancel/resub thing to get those extra points, so I double screwed myself, huh?  I'm getting Box 8 on both accounts. Whomp whommmmp. 

That'll learn me to try'n game the system like that. /sits in timeout.

 

[shelbyisace]

Got my box today. Had the beauty protector oil, which got smashed and now everything is covered in oil and tiny slivers of glass. =_= smashbox eyeshadow sample and the oil are unusable, and the glass shards are so small I'm concerned I won't be able to get them all off my other samples (ruby wing polish, smashbox mascara, coola spf). blehh

 

[Alicia1970CT]

Did anyone get a OPi sheer tint polish in any color other than Magenta (reddish tint) ? It seems I'm getting a bottle in all 3 of my boxes this month. Not sure I will even use one let alone 3... If I get all the same, if anyone doesn't get any and is interested let me know.. Otherwise it will collect dust in my drawer lol.