As the year comes to an end and I’m thinking of dropping at least one of my subscriptions, let’s take a look at Birchbox and Sephora Play.
Birchbox arrived first, and that’s something I like about it. I almost never have to wonder if I’m going to get my Birchbox. It’s old reliable. So let’s take it up first.
Birchbox
Again, Birchbox gave us the opportunity to choose between two boxes. As I’ve mentioned before, I dislike having to look at the boxes in advance because I like to be surprised. Plus, if neither is a winner, it makes me feel bad. I think I chose the box I got. The theme was about “reviving and restoring”.
So what did I get in my Birchbox?
- Juice Beauty Cleansing Milk, deluxe sample: I tried it out a couple of times, and it’s a fine cleansing milk. Natural, no or very mild scent, gentle, hydrating. Nice, but since I got a full size Unani Cleansing Milk in my Glossybox, I’ll throw this in my travel bag.
- Marcelle Xtension Plus Curl Mascara, travel size: I’ve wanted to try some makeup from Marcelle so I was glad to get this mascara. The wand is curved which is not my favorite. Everyone’s eyes are shaped differently and mine are downturned. I’ve never had good luck with curved wands, and this was no exception. Nevertheless, the formula is decent, not exceptional. This will be a good everyday mascara.
- Number 4 Super Comb Prep & Protect Hair Spray, travel size: I believe I got this same leave-in conditioning spray several months ago. I used it last week, and it’s a good spray. I don’t like it quite as much as It’s A 10 or the other spray I got last month from Birchbox, also a repeat (can’t remember the name, in a red spray bottle). Enough with the leave-in conditioning sprays, please!
- The Organic Pharmacy Double Rose Rejuvenating Face Cream, deluxe sample: I was eager to try this moisturizer sample because I like The Organic Pharmacy brand. Since it was called “double rose”, I was especially excited. However, the smell is awful. It’s unusable. It doesn’t really smell like rose, just perfumey and overwhelming. I’ll probably throw it out.
- TokyoMilk Dark Pretty Rotten Eau de Parfum, sample spray: I tried another TokyoMilk Dark scent, and though it was interesting, I ended up giving it away as it didn’t suit me. I was surprised that I like this different TokyoMilk Dark scent. I’m not usually into fruity scents, and this was smells identifiably of apple, but I like it though probably not enough to buy it. I’ve been enjoying wearing the sample.
Sephora Play The Cool Cut
The white drawstring bag had a cute Lipstick & Chill saying on the front.
- Smashbox Always On Matte Liquid Lipstick, shade Driver’s Seat, deluxe sample: I was most excited to try this creamy matte liquid lipstick in a pretty, neutral shade. The formula reminds me of NYX Soft Matte Cream Liquid lipsticks in that it’s creamy and non-drying. The Smashbox has a narrow, angled applicator that makes it easy to apply. I really like this lipstick! Win!
- Erborian Bamboo Creme Frappe Skin Reviving Fresh Gel, deluxe sample: I wish I had gotten this moisturizing gel-cream during the summer. It’s billed as being “reviving and refreshing”, perfect for warm weather. I’ll use it at some point, I’m sure, because I love gel-creams.
- Farmacy Skin Dew Hydrating Essence Mist, deluxe sample: I’m intrigued by this makeup reviving or setting spray, but I have a hard time spraying anything in my face. Since it’s supposed to be a hydrating essence, I may try applying it as an essence before applying my makeup to see if it’ll provide any extra moisturization. I’ll keep you posted!
- Christophe Robin Regenerating Mask with Rare Prickly Pear Seed Oil, deluxe sample: Sounds very nice. I can’t say I need another hair mask, but the ingredients sound interesting so I’ll try it.
- The Estee Edit by Estee Lauder Flash Photo Gloss, deluxe sample: Oh heck, I meant to try this innovative-sounding product today but I forgot! It’s a gloss that is supposed to be applied over bare lips or over lipstick to make teeth appear whiter in a photograph. I was taking selfies today for some new makeup that I am testing. It would have been a good chance to try it out. Hopefully, I’ll remember next time ‘coz I’m really curious about it.
- Yves Saint Laurent “Mon Paris” Eau de Parfum, sample spray: Oh another perfume sample. Unfortunately, this fruity floral blend is not my cup of tea. I’ll try to give it away.
Assessment and Winner
To be honest, I thought both of these subscriptions were just okay this month. Each had a couple of products I was glad to get to try out but wasn’t super-excited about. They were both decent and worth the $10. Neither box included any full size products.
But the winner of the competition this month is Sephora Play! because of the Smashbox Matte Liquid Lipstick, and because it sent me 6 sample products vs. Birchbox’s 5. My Birchbox subscription ends in December, and though I have been introduced to a couple of products that have become HG products for me ( especially Dr. Lipp Miracle Lip Balm!!!), I won’t be renewing. When Birchbox got rid of giving points for reviewing the product samples, they lost me. Also, waaaaaaay too much skincare and haircare as well as too many product repeats.
Do you subscribe to either of these? Which would you have preferred?
My Sephora box contains the same exact products and I was actually really happy with it. I am glad you are going to keep the Sephora subscription box!
Agata recently posted…Play! by Sephora October Unboxing
Thank you for commenting, Agata, about your bag! I saw another blogger’s review yesterday and she got 3 of the same and 3 different products. In the matchup between Birchbox and Sephora, Sephora definitely wins and I’m planning to keep it for another few months – till February’s bag arrives and then I’ll decide about it. I still get ipsy too, and often I use more of the stuff in my ipsy bag than Sephora oddly enough, and I love the ipsy MU bags more than the Sephora cotton bags. Did you give up on ipsy?
My PO is holding my Play bag hostage so I don’t have it yet. I’m hoping I get the perfume and Smashbox lippie, but I feel meh about the rest. I’m not sure I’m going to keep my sub for it honestly. I like maybe 2 things each month, but I feel like most items are going into the giveaway pile.
Oh, no! Holding your bag hostage? What’s going on in NH with beauty bags? I got an email out of the blue from a woman in NH telling me she received an ipsy bag and asking me (because I had reviewed it online) what she should do with it since she didn’t know the person who it was addressed to. The Smashbox lipstick is definitely worth getting, and I know you love fragrances so I hope you do get it – I have gotten a perfume sample in every bag so far. I’m still on the fence about Sephora Play. I started subscribing in March, and I feel pretty much the way you do about it. Sephora seldom if ever gives a full size product, and the little bags are cute but I have enough of them. But they do give out more prestige brands. I’ll give the Sephora subscription till next February, so it’s a year, and then decide whether to cancel or not.
I really like what you got in your Sephora Play!, Allison and it’s definitely worth the money imo. I received my ipsy bag yesterday and the MUFE HD foundation shade is Y335, can you check if it’s a good shade for you? xx
Shireen L. Platt recently posted…Wear It Pink: Breast Cancer Awareness Month
Shireen, thank you so much for your generous offer. I think that Y335 would be too dark for me. It’s listed as a Medium shade and the model is darker skinned than I. I hope you can give it to a friend locally so someone will be able to enjoy it. It’s always dicey when companies send out foundation samples in subbie bags because they send a medium shade since that would suit the majority. We outliers screw things up!
Aww, that’s a shame, Allison but thanks for letting me know. xx
Shireen L. Platt recently posted…Wear It Pink: Breast Cancer Awareness Month
I think these look pretty good! The Sephora one might have a bit of edge to me.
The Beauty of Life recently posted…Double the Fun: Getting #UNREADY with the Neutrogena Double Cleansing Method, Plus a Giveaway!
I think the Smashbox lippie gives Sephora Play the edge
I love my Play! By Sephora subscription! I think it’s totally worth the money and it normally impresses me every single month!!
Christine recently posted…Get Your Mask On With The Body Shop Face Masks
I definitely think that they were worth $10.00 each, but the real value is whether or not you will actually use what they send. My only real problem is that one ends up stockpiling so many little bottles, tubes and jars from all of the subscription boxes.
Lola Seicento recently posted…Current Burt’s Bees Fall Must-Haves
I love the Sephora Play box it’s amazing, you can’t beat that for $10
Heather recently posted…Luminess Air Supremacy Tutorial & Review
This is the first month that I Sephora giving people different products in their boxes. I think it was better when we all got the same. I like the Sephora box most months though.
Stacie Hamilton recently posted…Shaving Oil Instead of Shaving Cream
I didn’t know that, Stacie. Actually, I think last month someone got some different things than I did. I’m glad you’ve been happy with your bags so far. I’m a bit on the fence: the brands are great but they never give any full size products. I usually end up using only a couple of things each month, and I could definitely do without the perfume samples. I wish there was more personalizing in their bags to be honest.
That bag is so cute!
Phyrra recently posted…Ever After High Raven Queen Tutorial
The winner for me would definitely be the Sephora Play. The Birchbox was uninterestinig to me.
Cindy (Prime Beauty) recently posted…Jane Iredale Lemongrass Love Hydration Spray!
Although the Birchbox at least had the Marcelle mascara this month, they just don’t have enough makeup in the boxes. I have discovered some great skincare and haircare from them, but it’s enough already
I started getting really overwhelmed with sub boxes, so I dropped Birchbox…and I really don’t miss it. Right now, all I get is Allure and Glossybox. I think Sephora won this one though!
Julie recently posted…3 Simple Hair Styles Featuring GHD
Yes, the Smashbox lippie tipped the win to Sephora. I feel the same way. My Birchbox sub will end in December and that’s it for that one. I’m on the fence about keeping the Sephora subscription. ipsy still wins the battle of the $10 bags for me.
I think both of these are good for different reasons! The only sub I get is ipsy because I’m afraid of being overwhelmed by them!
Destany recently posted…Zoya Enchanted Collection
You’re right, Destany! I am overwhelmed by all these little bottles and tubes. The Birchbox subscription was a gift that will end in December so that will go away. I’m on the fence about Sephora. Although the brands are better, they almost never give full size products and the bags are cute but I’ve got enough of them. I still think ipsy gives the most bang for the buck and I love the mu bags
I think I’d call Sephora Play the winner too. I love the Farmacy spray, but I have problem misting myself silly 😀
Bailey recently posted…Trick-Free Skincare Treats From BeautyHaven.ca
I’m glad I’m not the only one who hates spraying herself in the face!
Sephora Play is my fav box right now, but Birchbox seems to really be improving (I was a member YEARS ago) and I’m considering getting it again
I’ve discovered some great skincare and haircare from Birchbox, but I’d like a little more makeup 😉