Birchbox October 2012

[lilsxkitten]

I love Birchbox.  I know that some months/items are going to be awful, but at least I get to try them and make the decision for myself.  With that said, I'm really happy with my boxes this month:

https://www.birchbox.com/shop/birchbox-1/october-2012/october2012box24

I don't really want anything in this box but the Manizer by The Balm, but I'm thinking it is going to be awesome on its own! 
https://www.birchbox.com/shop/birchbox-1/october-2012/october2012box1

Love that I'm getting the polish, lipgloss, the Kiehls, and even the raspberry bar.  I'm sure the serum is great, but eeh.
And to make this month even more sweet, I have an order coming too where I saved like 100 bucks!!

Me and Birchbox:

Item Sku Qty Subtotal Kusmi Tea Paris - Essentials
ESSEN02 1 $21.95
Mighty Leaf Tea - Tea Pouches Flavor
Citrus Chamomile 30001 1 $9.95
September Plus Two Pack   LA FRESH Makeup Remover & Instant Body Soother Wipes SEPT-2PK-2 1 $10.00
LiQWd Professional Volumizing Catalyst
LIQWD-J 1 $22.00
Benefit they're Real! Mascara
602004039200 1 $22.00
willaâ„¢ Lavender Facial Towelettes
10800 1 $7.00
Juice Beauty Stem Cellular Repair Eye Treatment
JUICELLEYE-FZ 1 $45.00
Subtotal $137.90
Shipping & Handling $0.00
Discount -$41.98
600 reward points -$60.00
Grand Total
$35.92

 

[winkiepup]

I think the real issue with Birchbox these days is that BB veterans have high expectations - 4/5 deluxe, somewhat high-end samples - from the old days, and because that business model isn't sustainable anymore, everything pales in comparison. The people in a vacuum who just joined might be fine with the current boxes, but after the declining quality relative to even the beginning of the year and especially last year, it's hard for those of us who do communicate here to be satisfied because we know what BB used to be like, whether from personal experience or second-hand.

Or could it be that there's a carrying capacity to the cool makeup items that can possibly show up in a Birchbox? I thought the Exude lipstick was pretty cool...but "innovations" like that might be getting rarer these days, haha.

 

[dd62]

Originally Posted by Roxane68 /img/forum/go_quote.gif


Me! I got box 1 (which was waiting for me after work...YAY!) and I got box 1 for September. I am not sure about August since it was my first month. But I am starting to see a trend.

LOVE my box!! Can't wait to try ALL the items including the LUNA bar and tea. So happy I got the blender I coveted!

For those curious about the pages not fully updated yet: I got received 6 products in my box but my page only shows 5. The Kiehl's pic is missing from my box list. So for those who only are seeing 4 products, there's hope!!

Can you PLEASE post which Kiehls you got and the size? TIA

 

[MrsMeow]

Hey!  Long-time lurker, first time poster.  I'm getting box 29, which has the

Manizer, Dr Jarts BB Cream, 3 Nexxus products, Naked Princess lipgloss, and the dreaded Tili bag
.  Figured it was only a matter of time before I got the last one.  Anyone else getting this box?  I'm actually pretty excited about it, mainly because it has 7 products to review.

 

[Ineri218]

Originally Posted by Anodyne /img/forum/go_quote.gif

I'm done with Birchbox.  Too many things about them have been pissing me off.  I already had Beauty Army; I also just added Ipsy since everyone's so giddy about their October bags.  The secret removal of "4-5" and "deluxe" from the front page was the last straw.  This is the e-mail I sent (sorry so long):

Very well said!!!

 

[Missglammygirl]

Originally Posted by dd62 /img/forum/go_quote.gif


Can you PLEASE post which Kiehls you got and the size? TIA

Did you get the beautyblender in box#1 for october @roxane68

 

[wadedl]

There is still hope for those of us with box 12! I was looking at what to buy with my points if I do cancel and the one item I was hoping to get came up with the Feedback option!

 

[Roxane68]

Originally Posted by kawaiimeows /img/forum/go_quote.gif

well it looks like i'm getting box #1, but i don't know what's in it besides essie, go figure!

I got box 1 (received it today in the mail) and it didn't contain Essie. Essie is also not pictured in my box contents or listed on my product card.

Edit: I guess my box is 17 but my URL says it's box 1. So nevermind on the Essie.

 

[ValentineLissar]

Originally Posted by kawaiimeows /img/forum/go_quote.gif

well now that box #1 has totally updated i am looking forward to it, especially compared to my last two months. but this month still leaves a bad taste in my mouth because there are a lot of awful boxes that i could have received, and that's the part about birchbox that bothers me, because i HAVE been that unlucky person several months (getting stick on eyeliner for my 6th month, while other people got full size pixi, yup) and i think the reason ipsy is more appealing as of lately.

I definitely feel you on that one. Not that I'm exactly disappointed with my box since I will use everything in my box, I also never get any of the fun, big ticket items either unless they're sending it out to everyone.  For example, last month the only reason why I got a color item (the nail polish) was that they sent it out to everyone. Ditto with the Stainaic.

 

[Missglammygirl]

Originally Posted by Roxane68 /img/forum/go_quote.gif


I got box 1 (received it today in the mail) and it didn't contain Essie. Essie is also not pictured in my box contents or listed on my product card.

then you didnt get box 1  https://www.birchbox.com/shop/birchbox-1/october-2012/october2012box1 this is box 1,

Edit: Oh ok. that makes sense

 

[Tawanda]

How do you find the list of what's in the boxes?

 

[kawaiisquawks]

Originally Posted by alphaloria /img/forum/go_quote.gif


I'm pretty sure Birchbox doesn't pay for any of the items that go into their boxes, which why they are able to charge you just $10 to cover shipping + shop credit.

Pretty much. Which, honestly, if I wanted foil packets all the time, I'd just email some companies (and be willing to pay for shipping) or head to Sephora.

Originally Posted by tinkerbll695 /img/forum/go_quote.gif


It's interesting that you mention this, because I've thought the same thing. The Eve Lom cleanser would have been a great sample to receive, but it's the same sample that they give away for free if you request it from the company directly (I receive a response from Eve Lom saying they don't have any samples for the next 4 months which makes me think they sent them all to Birchbox this month.) I've written to Birchbox before asking why most of their samples say "sample- not for sale" on them because that should mean the samples should be given out for free (and they are at Sephora or Ulta or other many other places). Their response was that Birchbox is also service - part of the price that we pay includes them rounding up samples for us and sending them out to us. While that is true, I'm not paying them to get me free samples that I could otherwise get myself (especially since they advertise free shipping - so I don't include shipping in the value of the box I receive). While I understand that it is a good business practice for them and the company providing samples - the company wouldn't have to make different samples and gets advertisement, and Birchbox wouldn't have to pay for the samples (or not much) and they can make money off the boxes (which can be hard to do even with so many subscribers). However, it's not a smart way to spend my money.  This will be my 12th month with Birchbox this month, and given the fact that they've secretly switched the wording on their website, their lame/canned customer service responses, and that the only thing that's keeping me with them is the point system (which means I'm just effectively buying points), I'm going to cancel and use my money elsewhere.

Yeah, same. The more I think about it, the more I think I'd just be better off spending my $10 a month on stuff I want. I signed up because I wanted decent sized samples that would potentially push me out of my comfort zone, with the bonus of the excitement of potentially getting a full sized item once in a while - definitely not a little pill of product that's literally worth about 10 cents. At this point, aside from paying $10 to get $5-7 worth of points each month, we're really just having Birchbox round up free samples for us. I'm sure that most of us could make it out to Sephora at least once a month (if there's one within a 15 mile radius) to try out new products and see if we could get some samples to take home. Even without a Sephora nearby, we could at least email companies - most of them are more than happy to send a few samples, and a lot even pick up the tab for shipping. I definitely wouldn't complain about the size in that case as it's just free stuff and I'm actually more likely to buy stuff from the company in the future because of the positive customer service experience. This is only my 4th month and I'll probably give it 1 more month to see if things improve, maybe 2 (so I can use the 6 month code along with my points) and bail if nothing changes for the better.

 

[JenniferV]

I'm getting Box 11.  Could be better, could be worse.
 

• 
  Mighty Leaf Tea - Tea Pouches
  Ships Free
  
• 
  DDF® Brightening Cleanser
  Ships Free
  
• 
  Miracle Skin Transformer SPF20 Face
  Ships Free
  
• 
  per-fékt beauty Lip Perfection Gel
  Ships Free
  
• 
  LUNA Fiber Chocolate Raspberry
  Ships Free
  
• 
  Caudalie Vinoperfect Complexion Correcting Radiance Serum
  Ships Free
  
  I would have liked the Essie or even the candle instead of the tea.  I don't even drink tea.  Heck, I'd take a Tili bag.  I actually like them!
  

 

[Dena Fletcher]

TOTAL bummer..   no essie for me..  /emoticons/[email protected] 2x" width="20" height="20" />

  Products in Your October Box  

• 
  DDF® Wrinkle Resist Plus Pore Minimizer Moisturizing Serum
  Ships Free
• 
  EVE LOM Cleanser - 100 ml
  Ships Free
• 
  EVE LOM Muslin Cloths - 3 Pack
  Ships Free
• 
  amika Obliphica Nourishing Mask - 500 ml
  Ships Free
• 
  LUNA Bar
  Ships Free
• 
  Chantecaille Faux Cils Mascara
  Ships Free

 

 

[kaitlynd]

I am getting Box 2! 

I'm excited about the Essie and the Sprout Lip Balm.   
Does anyone know what size the Marie Veronique Organics Body Oil or Joanna Vargas Daily Serum samples are?  I'm trying to not get my hopes up, but half-way expecting foil packets on at least one of them   
Could go either way about the Luna Bar. 

 

[Dena Fletcher]

this is my 13th box..  i heard others say they recieved a seperate package from bb thanking them??  and that the got these before the boxes i think? 

 

[quene8106]

Originally Posted by Dena Fletcher /img/forum/go_quote.gif

this is my 13th box..  i heard others say they recieved a seperate package from bb thanking them??  and that the got these before the boxes i think? 

i noticed that people get this pink leather keychain lipstick holder thingie thanking them for their loyalty. not sure if it's the 12th or 13th month...

 

[Dena Fletcher]

Originally Posted by quene8106 /img/forum/go_quote.gif

i noticed that people get this pink leather keychain lipstick holder thingie thanking them for their loyalty. not sure if it's the 12th or 13th month...

hmmmmm... well fingers crossed..  my tracking hasnt even updated in like 5 days, so who knows what is up....   

  

 

[kellyquackquack]

Looks like I'm getting GOOP box 23.

I opted out of goop and I'm still getting it :|

 

[MissLindaJean]

Is there a list to tell which # our boxes are? I know one box is 32, from all the commentary. My main acct..the Goop box is very unimpressive. This is the first time I don't want to try any of the items at all.. Unusual, because I'm typically a fan and supporter of BB. I guess one box makes up for the other. /emoticons/[email protected] 2x" width="20" height="20" />