Birchbox August 2015 Three Sample Choices in One Box

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Birchbox gives at least five beauty samples each month for $10. For every review I give, I get 10 points, which is equal to $1 in the shop. A five sample box like this one gets me $5 back. I also “shared” my box on Facebook (only I can see it) for an extra 10 points. That will give me a total of $6 back to redeem toward future purchases. You can read my detailed overview of the program for more information. Each month, you get a sample choice or you can select the guest editor box. This month, I selected the Coola makeup setting spray.

This is the third of my three Birchbox Subscriptions. Box One was different, and Box Two has not arrived yet.

I really like the design of the box this month. All of the designs lately have been a lot of fun.

The first thing you notice when you open a box is the product card. It gives you a brief description of the products as well as the cost to purchase the full size. Unless you choose to opt out for some reason, you will always get a sample choice. You can either select one item from a choice of 3-4 items or the guest editor box where you know all five in advance.

This month, the sample choice was between four items or the guest editor box. I selected the guest editor box on my primary account, the dry shampoo on my secondary account, and the Coola makeup setting spray on this account. What I find funny about this box is three of the sample choices are in it meaning I will receive every sample choice for this month once my second box arrives. The Rusk Mousse and air repair Complexion-Boosting Moisturizer were both sample choices of their own, yet here they are in my box.

It seems most (if not all people) are receiving a LAQA & Co Cheeky Lip in one of three colors this month. I am receiving one in all three boxes according to my previews (hopefully box two brings a different color). The pink here, Humble Brag, is the same color I received in my primary box. It is almost like a light version of a hot pink, so the title Humble (light) Brag (hot pink) seems appropriate. I like the color very much, but I do not need two. As such, the one from this box will probably be gifted.

This 0.03oz sample is worth $6.67. It was actually difficult to price this, because no one other than the direct company sells the full-size. It does not list a size, but it is obviously bigger and packaged differently for this sample size. That retails for $22. Birchbox sells a three-pack of these sample-sized versions for $20. I took the easy route and divided the price by three. If I knew the size of the full-sized version, I would have priced it that way instead. Pricing it off a discounted sample set devalues it a bit.

I used it below on both my lips and cheeks. It is less shiny than the Lip Lube I’ve used and loved from this brand in the past, which makes it suitable for cheeks. This goes on almost perfectly matte, so I prefer it on my cheeks to my lips. On my lips, it applied somewhat patchy and accentuated dry patches. The color lasted a long time and felt moisturizing, but I wish it wore a little nicer. Based on how much I love the Lip Lube, this inferior product slightly disappoints me.

The 0.34oz Coola makeup setting spray is something I seriously cannot wait to try. It arrived on 08/14/15, and I will be using it on 08/15/15. My skin suffered a recent sunburn, so I am willing to add anything to my routine to prevent that from happening again. This is worth $7.20.

The 0.24oz air repair Complexion-Boosting Moisturizer is worth $2.40. This is something I am willing to try but did not select it because the other options appeal to me more. I have so many moisturizers. Birchbox sent me a lip balm from this brand in the past, which tasted terrible. I’ve repurposed it for my cuticles and elbows. It works fine there.

The 1.5oz Rusk Mousse is worth $3.38. This is another sample choice I did not select, because I think I already own it. I am also not a huge mousse fan. My hopes are not high for this, but I will try it.

The Beauty Protector Protect & Oil does not list a size, so I am guessing the size at 0.25oz. It is very unusual to receive an item without a size somewhere on it (at least in women’s boxes). If my guess is correct, this sample is worth $1.62. My current hair oil is almost gone, so I will try this soon. OCD usually prevents me from having too many of the same type of item open at once. Plus, the expiration countdown starts once you open it.

The box has a $21.27 value. That is a lower value than most as of late. Considering it included three of the four sample choices (outside the guest editor box), this does not bode well for the sample choices this month. I actually selected the highest valued one without even realizing it, so I have good taste, I guess. My personal value is also $21.27, because I will use all the samples. Of course if I give away any of the duplicate items, my personal value could dip. Giving them away for being duplicates and not for lacking quality is not necessarily a bad thing though. After getting Humble Brag in Box One, I may have an extra to gift.

If you want to subscribe, remember to look at start-up offers and all available offers. When you’re ready to spend your rewards points, remember to add your free two piece sample pack when spending $35 from the Bonus Shop. See other Birchbox Subscription articles. View my main page for the guide map to the site and deeper deal exploration.

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