Subscription Boxes Lately: Summer 2015 & Giveaway

September 1, 2015

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So I feel like a broken record. I have a beauty subscription problem. It only got worse in July when I was on vacation and forgot to put my Julep Maven Box on hold (as well as a few of those other recurring services like Just Fab and Fabletics. Oops.)

Subscription Boxes Lately Summer 2015: Ipsy, Birchbox, Julep Maven, The Zoe Report Box of Style, & Jouer Le Matchbox Unboxing & Review // hellorigby seattle beauty blog

I event went so far as to try out a few new ones this summer: The Zoe Report Box of Style (so not technically beauty, but has beauty products in it) and the Jouer Le Matchbox. These are both quarterly subscriptions, but are much more splurgey than the $10-a-month Ipsy or Birchbox. While I could have posted about each of these individually and taken photos and video, my summer just disappeared and I realized I was running out of time before the next quarterly boxes ship. So… if you’re not a fan of videos, no worries, I will write out my overall thoughts about each month below the video. ;)

Walmart & Target Beauty Boxes

I had been seeing reviews for the Walmart Beauty Box floating around YouTube for awhile, so I finally pulled the trigger back in May. I basically received the Spring box and the Summer box in nearly the same month, so I skipped reviewing the spring in favor of summer. Walmart sends you a box of samples for $5 shipping. The samples are random and it seems everyone gets a slightly different box. There are too many to list, but some of my favorites were the Healthy Mascara from Neutrogena, the Aveeno sunscreen, and the Nivea hand cream.

I also had seen a lot of these Target Beauty Boxes and finally grabbed a couple that appealed to me. I picked up the Honor Roll box and the Summer box. Both had a couple of products that I had been wanting to try (Covergirl Outlast Primer, Burt’s Bees Cleansing Cloths, Herbal Essence Dry Oil, and the Wet N Wild Mascara) so I grabbed both. These boxes are released at random (typically at the beginning of the month) and are $5 each.

Birchbox vs. Ipsy July (& Bonus Julep Maven Box)

Next up is probably my all-time favorite between the two (because I prefer receiving higher end products) but Ipsy has been redeeming themselves the past few months. I ended up loving two of the items in my Ipsy bag: the Read My Lips Lipstick and the City Color HD Setting Powder. The rest? Eh, not really too impressed. The lip balm especially was a fail as it’s not spreadable at all.

In my Birchbox, I received a repeat from the spring Le Matchbox, the Jouer Daily Repair Oil. I love this product, and will save the small size for travel. The Oribe Beach Wave & Shine Spray was great and smells really good… however the full size is $39 and that’s too much of a splurge for me. The Stila Liquid Lipstick is super, super bright, like neon pink. It’s definitely not an everyday shade, but I do think the formula is promising. I know it hasn’t worked for everyone (I saw Sarah mention on Snapchat that it ended up making a huge mess on her face) so be warned: you may not like it either. For me, it dries in about 30 seconds to 1 minute and then stays in place while eating and drinking. I still need to test out the  Juice Beauty Green Apple Sensitive Peel and the Coola Sunscreen, but overall I ended up liking my Birchbox more than my Ipsy bag.

Finally, I received my typical Julep Maven Box in Boho Glam (since I missed the pick or skip window, I didn’t customize it at all or even know what I was getting!) I loveee the Poppy polish (it is a Jelly polish, so it’s sheer), the cuticle cream is very thick and hydrating. I’ve used the Brightening Base Coat a few times and my nails do appear to be less yellow from older polish, so I believe it works well too.

Jouer Le Matchbox & The Zoe Report Box of Style

So I decided to sign up for The Zoe Report Box of Style after seeing the first box. For $100 quarterly, Rachel Zoe curates a box inspired by the season and what is currently trending. For example, this summer box included Too Faced La Creme Lipstick in Spice Spice Baby, which is a pretty neutral and also made it into my Neutral Makeup Favorites video! To get the summer glow, she also picked the Too Faced Sun Bunny Bronzer. But my favorite item? It was definitely the Cambridge Satchel Company Crossbody bag, which alone more than paid for the box. (Retail value $150!)

I signed up for Jouer Le Matchbox after a friend recommended it to me after hearing me complain about how much I wasn’t into Ipsy. At that time, I thought I was going to cancel Ipsy and instead just get this box. Of course, the next month I loved my Ipsy bag, so didn’t end up canceling. I’ve been really pleased with the Le Matchbox so far – the bronzer we received in the summer box is super pretty and perfect for my fair complexion, and I was so happy to receive the SPF tinted lip sheer. I’ve used the cream eyeshadow on days when I don’t have time to do a full eye look.

Ipsy vs. Birchbox August (with first impression reviews!)

Alright, down to the last two! We’re making progress. My August Ipsy and Birchbox were definitely not my favorite months ever, but Birchbox did indulge some of my wishlist items- the Coola Makeup Setting Spray and the R + Co. Dry Shampoo. Honestly, I didn’t end up loving either, but they saved me from spending over $30 on each product to try out, so that more than pays for the box.

Ipsy this month sent me two lip products I ended up loving – a lipstick from Noyah in Desert Rose and a lip liner from Lord & Berry in Nude. I’m wearing both in this video and I think it’s a really pretty pair. I loved the concept of the Doll 10 cream blush, but didn’t find it to last very long on me. I still need to play with it more to make a final decision, however.

Giveaway

Update: So sorry, I forgot to embed the giveaway! If you want a chance to win a makeup bag filled with some extra samples/deluxe samples and other goodies, leave a comment telling me your favorite subscription box or service, or your favorite beauty products lately! If you already commented, you’re entered! :) Ends 09/07 at 11:59pm PST.

And the winner is… Kim C. Congrats! Kim will have 48 hours to respond to an email before an alternate is chosen. ;)

Whew! If you watched and/or read all of that, thank you so much, and hope it helped someone make a decision on what subscription might be (or not be) right for them. Are you subscribed to any of these boxes? What box or bag is your favorite?

 

82 Comments

82 thoughts on “Subscription Boxes Lately: Summer 2015 & Giveaway”

    1. Jenn Post author

      Thanks Trish! So glad you enjoyed them. Definitely feel the same about Birchbox and Ipsy, think I will reassess what to keep at the end of the year!

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  2. Kels @Blonder Side

    I’ve yet to pull the trigger on a subscription box so I may be the last on the entire planet to not be getting one lol. The more I watch your reviews though the more I’m tempted. So basically thank you for doing these! lol

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    1. Jenn Post author

      Haha! I’m sure you’re not the last one… my mom will probably be the last. She just ends up with the things that are too dark for my complexion. ;) Glad you enjoy these!

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  4. Martha

    I can’t even remember the last time I got my Julep box. I love the brand, but I have soooooo much polish and beauty products that I haven’t even tried yet, and nothing that’s been on offer has really caught my eye. I’m hoping they’ll have some good picks this fall, though!

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    1. Jenn Post author

      HA yep this is me too. And I accidentally missed the pick or skip this month (again.) Sigh! Luckily I did get a really pretty lipstick so no complaints. ;)

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  6. Chelsie

    So many videos! Way to go, girl! I got an Ipsy bag this month and got a black ink liner that is super good! I’m waiting until we get settled in Arizona to try some more subscription boxes! I miss getting mail.

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  8. Lauren @ Bookmark Lit

    I used to subscribe to quite a few boxes each month, but only one for beauty: Birchbox. I kept it going for a while but found that I was terribleee about using the samples! I would throw them in a drawer with other makeup and just…never touch them again. I want to resolve to use them and pick up the subscription again, but I don’t think I can personally spend the money on it anymore!

    Reply ↓
    1. Jenn Post author

      Ha, I know what you mean, I have SO many samples. I do my best to use up small samples (especially skincare and foundation) before using any new full size products.

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    1. Jenn Post author

      I remember those! I used to get those too, they came in a small makeup bag, right? These boxes pop up once a month or so and sell out quickly! The most recent one was this week, on Tuesday, and even I missed hearing about it until this morning and it’s already sold out. I’d expect another one the first week of October.

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  11. Emma @EverEmma

    I have not tried any makeup subscription boxes, but have really enjoyed fashion-related boxes. I’m slowly, but surely learning more about makeup. As a beauty novice, I’m obsessed with Maskcara’s IIID foundation. I don’t have to use a ton, it takes hardly any time and I look not too shabby upon completion!

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  13. stephanie

    i SWEAR BY birchbox. i figure there’s reward in loyalty so i don’t bother spending my money on other beauty boxes… though i am a julep maven (which is so silly since i don’t even paint my nails enough to justify this) and i HATE when i forget to skip a month and i’m stuck with a box of polishes that aren’t even colors i would have wanted!

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    1. Jenn Post author

      Ha, yep that drives me crazy too! And it happened again this month… sigh! Oh well. You’re right – the Birchbox loyalty is real (plus their points system is far superior to any other beauty box!)

      Reply ↓
  16. Yasmine

    Great reviews! I’ve have seriously considered Birchbox before, but I kind of teeter on whether it’s worth it if I don’t like everything in the box or not. I’m so picky! I like Memebox because I can buy individual products from their boxes or buy just one box without a subscription.

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    1. Jenn Post author

      Definitely know what you mean, though I seem to find at least 2 products every month that makes it worth it for me. I tried Memebox and liked it – will have to grab another one soon!

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  17. Kim Pincombe Cole

    I’ve done Birchbox in the past, but I haven’t done it for awhile now. My mom still gets it & loves what she’s been receiving lately ~ so I’m tempted to sign back up.
    I’ve been really curious about the Rachel Zoe box. It’s kind of a splurge, but everyone raves about what they’ve been receiving!

    Reply ↓
  26. Kyle

    My favorite subscription service is Birchbox, but I’m really excited to try Sephora Play. Some of my favorite products right now are my Bobbi Brown bronzer, NYX CC cream and Champagne Pop highlighter.

    Reply ↓
  28. the cape on the corner

    i love the bags when they can be reused as a little clutch. i’m super cheap, so i’d probably go with the cheap one. i just saw something called cat lady box and crazy cat lady box subscriptions. totally want them. also, there’s macaron of the month, too. need that one. it never ends!
    b

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  31. Jennifer Pittman

    I Love the Target Beauty boxes! I also like all different kinds of subscription boxes, but it seams I like trying new ones too, don’t have a steady favorite other than the Target one.

    Reply ↓
  32. Lori Vann

    I really love my ipsy bag, and I am so glad that my coworkers got me hooked. So far, my favorite product from my ipsy bag has been Marc Jacobs Moroccan oil. Smells amazing and makes my hair feel fantastic!

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  34. Amy L

    I’ve only tried Birchbox which I’ve had mixed results with. There’s usually something I like in each box, but there have been at least 1 or 2 which had nothing I really wanted to use. My skin is sensitive, so I’m pretty particular.

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  36. Carolsue

    I have never subscribed to any of these boxes, but it would be fun. My favorite brand of makeup is Clinique — I always wait until they have their promotions (for several minis of their products) .
    I’ve found some things I really love that way!

    Reply ↓
  37. bilqees bano

    I love Birchbox but My favorite subscription box or service is Memebox..I ordered it recently korean fav box & it was awesome ..I love the all stuffs of box :)

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  39. Kimberly

    I haven’t signed up for any subscription boxes yet but have been thinking about trying one of them soon! Your reviews are so helpful! :) I love trying new products and brands.

    Reply ↓
  40. Lisa Romine

    I get several boxes, too. I get the BeautyBox5, Walmart, and Ipsy. I really want to check out Birch Box. I think my favorite one right now is BeautyBox5. I seem to be more inclined to use the product they send, more so than the others.

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    1. Jenn Post author

      That’s good to hear about Beauty Box 5 – I’ll have to check that one out next! Birchbox is probably my favorite of all time, but it definitely has it’s off months too.

      Reply ↓

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