Read MNers reviews of Birchbox beauty box delivery service

[EllieMumsnet]

This is the feedback thread for the 120 Mumsnetters who tested out Birchbox’s monthly beauty box delivery service. Each tester received 3 Birchbox boxes each containing 5 make-up, skincare, hair, and body products.

Here’s what Birchbox has to say: “We really hope that you’ve enjoyed getting to know us through your Birchbox discovery bundle. (Fingers crossed that you found some new beauty favourites along the way, too!) We’re so excited to get your feedback on your experience with us so far – your thoughts are honestly so valuable to us. Here’s to discovering beauty that works for real life!”

Testers please answer the following questions:

- What was your favourite product? Why?
- Did the Birchbox boxes give you a chance to try products or brands that you wouldn’t have otherwise? Which ones? Did you like them?
- Which product(s) would you buy in future, now that you’ve tried them?
- Which was your favourite box design? Why?
- What did you like best about your Birchbox experience?
- Would you recommend Birchbox to a friend or family member?

All testers who leave their feedback on this thread AND fill in the feedback survey will be entered into a prize draw to win a £300 voucher of their choice (from a list).

Thanks
MNHQ

Terms and conditions apply

1. My favourite product was the spacemask - so relaxing.
2. Apart from the Benefit product, and the oil, all the products were new to me. The spacemasks, Schimdt's deodorant, and Paul and Joe highlighting primer were most appealing to me.
3. Will be buying more spacemask products.
4. My favourite box design was the September box - see photo. I wish the boxes had a way of attaching to each other to make a little set of stacking drawers. They were all really pretty.
5. I most liked trying out new brands/products. It was a real treat.
6. I would recommend it, but think I would probably tire of it quite quickly. It's hard to be continuously trying new things.

I am so grateful to have been chosen to product test birchbox.
My favourite product was the Nuxe Huile Prodigieuse. It was amazing. Fab for this time of year and especially as you can use on face body and hair. Smelled so nice and it was luxurious without being greasy.
I enjoyed the spacemasks self heating eye mask. It was very relaxing. Definitely a good pick for the box. I hadn't heard of the brand before and will look into their other products. The Paul and Joe primer was great to try. I loved the cute packaging. The charcoal soap sponge was a good tool and I would buy again.
I really enjoyed trying the small sized items as they are great to store away for travelling and then you can buy a larger size item for everyday use. Especially as travel size items of cheaper brands can add up to more than the price of the birchbox and without the luxury of trying premium quality brands.
The boxes will be useful to store other items once I have finished all the products and I thought the packaging was very well thought out. Enough to give the feeling of quality but not overpacked to be thoughtful to the environment.
I loved the nutcracker box design the most out of the three. It was like opening a box of delights. Reminded me of the Turkish delight in the lion the witch and the wardrobe. Great Christmas choice. Added bonus of the tie in with the Disney film. Made it feel exclusive.
My favourite part of the experience was receiving the item and opening the beautifully designed boxes to reveal all the treats inside. I felt like a child on Christmas morning. It was a definite high, tripled by the fact I had three boxes to open. It was the highlight of the month. I imagine subscribing to birchbox you would be waiting for the next surprise every month. Such fun.
I would definitely recommend to friends and family as a fabulous treat. I would be happy to buy for friends instead of flowers or chocolates.
It was a great product and I couldn't fault it.

Firstly, thank you for the free boxes - I really enjoyed taking part in the trial. I agree with the others that it was very exciting to receive the boxes and discover what was inside.

Favourite product: at a push i’d say the Polaar cream, but I also loved the Dr Paw Paw, the Benefit blusher and the Charcoal sponge soap!

Trying new products: yes, definitely! I enjoyed trying the Paul & Joe primer, the eyeshadow, and of course the Polaar cream. I haven’t tried the Schmidts deo yet, but look forward to it. I was familiar with a few brands already - I use lots of Benefit make up (so the blusher was a bonus), have previously used the Nuxe oil (it reminded me of how much I used to love it) and knew of the Dr Paw Paw (but had never bought it) - but knowing these didn’t make the boxes any less interesting.

Favourite box: September’s - but all were lovely (apart from the Disney branding which I didn’t like). I like the fact that the boxes are attractive enough to be used again for another purpose/recycled.

Birchbox Experience: it was fun, exciting and interesting to try new things. I don’t spend a huge amount on beauty products anymore so it felt luxurious.

Recommend?: yes, probably, if it was on offer.

I loved this trial, thank you so much! I was kinda expecting some sachets and that was about it - sorry! This was soooooo much better.

I have a similar question to a pp - do you do veggie or vegan option? I am not, but my friend is going through a pit of a pants time and this would make a lovely present - but she is vegan. Anyhoo..!

• What was your favourite product?

The charcoal soap was fantastic.

• Why?

Think it was having the scrubber bit there and it left my skin feeling so clean.

• Did the Birchbox boxes give you a chance to try products or brands that you wouldn’t have otherwise?

Definitely, for me this would be the point of this kind of service.

• Which ones?

I don’t think I had used any of the products before.

• Did you like them?

I did, in some way if a sachet is sent it would be better to have a couple of sachets, it would be hard to tell if a product really suited from one use. The slightly larger samples/ full size items were more useful from that point of view.

• Which product(s) would you buy in future, now that you’ve tried them?

The charcoal soap, the apricot conditioner and the warming face mask (I do have to say I am not a massive make up person, hence less likely to get those)

• Which was your favourite box design?

I liked the October box the best, but actually I was impressed with the boxes themselves.

• Why?

Just liked the colours (sorry not the most amazing feedback on that!)

• What did you like best about your Birchbox experience?

It was the boxes turning up and then seeing what was inside and deciding what to use first!

• Would you recommend Birchbox to a friend or family member?

Yes, and I already have and I plan to sign up as well! Thank you

- What was your favourite product? Why? Charcoal soap is amazing, love the way it makes my skin look and feel
- Did the Birchbox boxes give you a chance to try products or brands that you wouldn’t have otherwise? Which ones? Did you like them? I hadn't ever tried any of these products before, there wasn't one product I didn't like!
- Which product(s) would you buy in future, now that you’ve tried them? Charcoal soap and nux oil for sure but I think a few others too
- Which was your favourite box design? Why? They were all beautiful, Disney one was best though
- What did you like best about your Birchbox experience? It felt so lovely to receive boxes of treats just for me, very indulgent and exciting
- Would you recommend Birchbox to a friend or family member? yes definitely, great products and a great broad range, really nice box of treats

Thank you!

What was your favourite product? Why?
The polar night cream was lovely, really rich but without causing spots.

• Did the Birchbox boxes give you a chance to try products or brands that you wouldn’t have otherwise? Which ones? Did you like them?

Yes, I tried many brands I had not heard of including fklorane, sand and sky and amika. I loved the florane conditioner.

• Which product(s) would you buy in future, now that you’ve tried them?

klorane, winky luxe and schmidts.

• Which was your favourite box design? Why? Christmas nutcracker- beautiful and seasonal.
• What did you like best about your Birchbox experience? Trying new products that I would not have dreamt of purchasing for myself, however I may well do so in future- especially the schmidt deoderant and polar moisturiser.
• Would you recommend Birchbox to a friend or family member? Yes, definitely

Thank you so very much for the gorgeous treats and the opportunities to test them !!!

• What was your favourite product? Why?

Really like the charcoal soap. so easy to use and leaves skin feeling really clean. Also particularly loving the Benefit blusher and the mango hair mask

• Did the Birchbox boxes give you a chance to try products or brands that you wouldn’t have otherwise? Which ones? Did you like them?

Yes - heard of benefit but not a lot of the others (or if I had heard of the others I hadn't tried). I think it's really helpful with the more pricey luxury products to find out what works before you commit to a big size too!

• Which product(s) would you buy in future, now that you’ve tried them?

Charcoal soap, mango hair mask, Dr Pawpaw, natural deodorant

• Which was your favourite box design? Why?

Nutcracker looked really beautiful and felt very special. The October box I felt was the best product wise for me.

• What did you like best about your Birchbox experience?

A chance to try new products, ones that I probably wouldn't risk splashing out on. Feeling special with a lovely presented little treat! It feels like an event to get and open one.

• Would you recommend Birchbox to a friend or family member?

Yes - though I think it could be hard to work through all the products each month - there seems to be similar products just in the 3 we got (2 hair masks, 2 highlighters, 2 moisturisers etc). Can you split subscriptions to come every second month for example? My mum and sister were very interested too, I am actually thinking of getting them as gifts for them this Christmas!

What was your favourite product? Why?

My favourite product has to be the polar night cream, it left my sensitive, flaky, blemish prone and hormonal pregnant skin feeling amazing. It goes on so smoothly, taking little time to soak in without leaving a greasy residue. My face has been rehydrated and hasn’t looked this glowing in years.

Did the Birchbox boxes give you a chance to try products or brands that you wouldn’t have otherwise? Which ones? Did you like them?

I was intrigued when I saw the Schmidt’s natural deodorant as it’s not something that I’d usually buy nor would I shop somewhere that stocks such things usually. Being 28 weeks pregnant I am beginning to think about breastfeeding etc and was worried about having a heavily scented and chemical based product so close to my newborn. The roll on deodorant applies very smoothly and smells very fresh but not overpoweringly so, it stood the test of me dashing about doing the school run in a thick jumper without leaving sweat patches or any unpleasant odour - a real winner, I love it!

The sand & sky exfoliating facemask isn’t something I would usually try either as it’s out of my price range for a mask however I was excited to try it after reading rave reviews on the original pink clay mask. Unfortunately this product really disappointed me, I applied it as directed for sensitive skin (it’s recommended that you don’t massage it into sensitive skin) leaving it on for 5 minutes. After I’d rinsed it off with warm water my skin immediately felt tight, then became itchy and sore.

Which product(s) would you buy in future, now that you’ve tried them?

Artic polar night cream definitely!
Schmidt’s natural deodorant
Spacemasks self heating eye mask
Nuxe oil - a skin and hair multitasking miracle!

Which was your favourite box design? Why?

I liked the design of ‘The Nutcracker’ as it is dark and starry which is visually appealing to me, I love anything with stars on and the metallic detailing is very eye catching.

What did you like best about your Birchbox experience?

The little card inside that tells you all about the products inside and how to use them.

Would you recommend Birchbox to a friend or family member?

Yes, especially someone who’s in need of a pamper, it’s great to try new products and give yourself a treat at the same time.

What was your favourite product? Why? The polar night - it felt amazing on my skin after a hectic day!

• Did the Birchbox boxes give you a chance to try products or brands that you wouldn’t have otherwise? Which ones? Did you like them?

Yes, almost all of them. I tend to stick to one or two brands and was amazed to find out about the variety and quality of these products.

• Which product(s) would you buy in future, now that you’ve tried them? I loved the thermotherapy warming foil mask, the Schimdt's natural deodorant and the polar night cream.

• Which was your favourite box design? Why?

I loved all of them but there was something special about the nutcracker one.

• What did you like best about your Birchbox experience?

It felt like a treat to have been able to experience new cosmetics after a day's of stressful work. It was something to look forward to when I came home.

• Would you recommend Birchbox to a friend or family member?

Yes, I would definitely recommend. It's a innovative concept and worth it's price.

• What was your favourite product? Why? Polar night cream - such a treat!
• Did the Birchbox boxes give you a chance to try products or brands that you wouldn’t have otherwise? Which ones? Did you like them? - Yes it did! Loved being able to try the benefit goodies

- Which product(s) would you buy in future, now that you’ve tried them? The Hair Mask - Amazing

• Which was your favourite box design? Why?- Has to be the nutcracker one. Wont be staying in my room for long as my daughter has her eyes all over it :)
• What did you like best about your Birchbox experience? - Loved being able to try out products I would never go and normally purchase
• Would you recommend Birchbox to a friend or family member? Absolutely! My sister has already ordered them as Christmas / birthday presents for her friends!

I loved getting these in the post and can see the value in the subscription as a little treat each month.

**What was your favourite product? Why?

I loved he benefit blusher, I really didn’t expect to, but it’s perfect for my skin tone and just adds a little glow. I’m also really enjoying the nice oil, it smells fab and a couple of drops go a really long way. I’ll probably buy both of these once the samples are empty.

• Did the Birchbox boxes give you a chance to try products or brands that you wouldn’t have otherwise? Which ones? Did you like them?

I had never tried any of the products before and the only brand I’d tried was benefit. I really loved the mask and eye mask as they’re things I wouldn’t typically try. There wasn’t really anything in any of the boxes I didn’t enjoy trying out, that’s the fun of it!

• Which product(s) would you buy in future, now that you’ve tried them?

As above, the Benefit blusher and Nuxe oil were my favourites. But I might buy some of the others as a one off.

• Which was your favourite box design? Why?

I loved all of them, the nutcracker one was fun as the products were themed too.

• What did you like best about your Birchbox experience?

I like the idea of it being a little treat every month, it’s something fun to look forward to.

• Would you recommend Birchbox to a friend or family member?

If they’re into beauty products, definitely!

What was your favourite product? Why?
I really liked the Polar night cream, suited my skin really well and has made my face feel far less dry

Did the Birchbox boxes give you a chance to try products or brands that you wouldn’t have otherwise? Which ones? Did you like them?
I hadn’t heard of many of the brands before and most of the products were new to me. I particularly liked being able to try the hair and face treatments as decent ones are expensive and I haven’t wanted to buy expensive full size products that I might not get on with.

Which product(s) would you buy in future, now that you’ve tried them?
Definitely the polar night cream and possibly the Sand and Sky exfoliating treatment

Which was your favourite box design? Why?
I liked the purple box with pebbles as it felt more like something you would find in a spa-type environment

What did you like best about your Birchbox experience?
I really enjoyed trying out a variety of products, some of which I didn’t even know existed before

Would you recommend Birchbox to a friend or family member
Yes, but only if they were into makeup. Although I really appreciated trying things, I thought some of the make up samples were a bit niche - I don’t wear a lot of makeup and couldn’t try a couple of products because I didn’t have the right applicators or combination of other make-up products - and wasn’t entirely sure how you even use a strobing balm anyway. I would recommend it to more people if you could get a version with no make-up

What was your favourite product? Why?

The spacemask.
I hadn't heard of them and will probably buy them again.
My daughter loves the powder roller as she sometimes (eg wedding tomorrow) wants to try make up but her usual hobbies are welding and going to air training corps and she's not bothered enough to learn how to apply traditional make up properly.

• Did the Birchbox boxes give you a chance to try products or brands that you wouldn’t have otherwise? Which ones? Did you like them?

Most products were new to me. As I say the spacemask particularly.
I also like some of the moisturizers and beauty balm type products.

• Which product(s) would you buy in future, now that you’ve tried them?

Spacemask

• Which was your favourite box design? Why?

The Disney themed box just looked lovely.

• What did you like best about your Birchbox experience?

I came home from a stressful day and it was nice to have something to open. I thought the products were more relevant to me than I expected so it was genuinely appreciated. The spacemask helped me relax. I used the primer under foundation when I found put I was going to be filmed for a news item with 20 minutes notice.

• Would you recommend Birchbox to a friend or family member?

Yes as the full size sample is good value and the other things are lovely too.

What was your favourite product? Why?
I think my favourite product was the polar night cream. I used it in conjunction with the charcoal sponge as well as on its own, and I found it to be a really light cream which absorbed quickly and easily into my skin. I often find moisturisers greasy and they make me sweaty once I apply make up but this wasn't the case for the night cream.

Did the Birchbox boxes give you a chance to try products or brands that you wouldn’t have otherwise? Which ones? Did you like them?
It did; I hadn't heard of many of the products at all, though I have used benefit make up in the past. I enjoyed using the charcoal sponge - I would never have picked up one of those in the shops! I also liked the lime deodorant - it smelt lovely but I was very nervous about using it on its own in case it wasn't as good as my usual anti-perspirant! I liked the primer too, I am not that fussy about make up as long as it does a good job and I liked this one - I guess that not being fussy also means I am happy with the primark one which is considerably cheaper.

Which product(s) would you buy in future, now that you’ve tried them?
I would buy the night cream again. I thought that the facemask was lovely but quite expensive but I might be tempted to buy that if I wanted a real pampering treat!

Which was your favourite box design? Why?
I liked the Disney Nutcracker box, especially as the products were themed. I wouldn't be impressed however if I got themed boxes regularly!

What did you like best about your Birchbox experience?
The actual receipt and opening of the boxes was the most exciting bit for me. I enjoyed looking at the products and trying them out, but I couldn't help but wonder if a little trip round the beauty section of House of Fraser would get me similar testers/samples.

Would you recommend Birchbox to a friend or family member?
I think I would if they enjoyed beauty products. I am not particularly fussy about what I use and in that sense it was perfect for me, but I guess its the luck of the draw as to whether you get products you will like or use.

• What was your favourite product? Why?

I had a few: the Paul & Joe primer, CLE melting lip powder, Rituals orange shower foam, Dr Paw Paw lip balm.

• Did the Birchbox boxes give you a chance to try products or brands that you wouldn’t have otherwise? Which ones? Did you like them?

Yes. I wouldn’t have tried any of these products without the Birchbox trial. I’ve enjoyed trying all of them.

• Which product(s) would you buy in future, now that you’ve tried them?

Paul & Joe primer - loved it. Rituals shower foam.

• Which was your favourite box design? Why?

Days like these - really nice floral design. I think I got a different box to some people though! I didn’t get the pebble design, and no one else has mentioned the Rituals shower foam. I’m not complaining though!

• What did you like best about your Birchbox experience?

The opportunity to try lots of new products. Plus I really liked the info cards that came with the boxes.

• Would you recommend Birchbox to a friend or family member?

Yes, definitely.

• What was your favourite product? Why?

I'm not sure I could pick between the charcoal face wash/sponge and the spacemask. Both were amazing.

• Did the Birchbox boxes give you a chance to try products or brands that you wouldn’t have otherwise? Which ones? Did you like them?

There were a lot of brands I had never heard of before so it was definitely a good opportunity to try something new.

• Which product(s) would you buy in future, now that you’ve tried them?

I would buy the pawpaw balm. I also liked the nuit polaire night cream.

• Which was your favourite box design?

Why? The nutcracker box, so festive!

• What did you like best about your Birchbox experience?

Getting a little treat just for me, knowing I had to test and give feedback meant I took a bit of time out for myself to give things a try.

• Would you recommend Birchbox to a friend or family member?

Yes I probably would. I think more full size items would make the boxes even better!

I really enjoyed trying all the products and giving myself a bit of extra selfcare in the process, thanks for letting me take part!

- What was your favourite product? Why?
The charcoal soap! I love a good exfoliation product and it was so clever a sponge and exfoliating charcoal soap, which as far as I could tell didn't have any microbeads in it

- Did the Birchbox boxes give you a chance to try products or brands that you wouldn’t have otherwise? Which ones? Did you like them?
Definitely! Not only did it introduce me to new brands. Most were new to me in terms of trying it, even if i'd heard of them but I was also able to try different from brands I know without having to buy a full product.

- Which product(s) would you buy in future, now that you’ve tried them?
Potentially the amika hair mask.

- Which was your favourite box design? Why?
I liked the pink flowery stripy one because I like flowers. Although to honest all are really nice and will be reused in the future

- What did you like best about your Birchbox experience?
It exposed me to new things I probably wouldn't have bought full size. It also allowed me to pamper myself which I wouldnt' normally do e.g. I wouldnt go out and buy a face mask but it was lovely to use them from the birchbox

- Would you recommend Birchbox to a friend or family member?
100% I'm asking for it for Christmas!

What was your favourite product? Why?
Pawpaw has been amazing and I have found it really soothing on cracked lips. I’ve also enjoyed using the conditioner as it smells amazing and made my hair so soft.

• Did the Birchbox boxes give you a chance to try products or brands that you wouldn’t have otherwise? Which ones? Did you like them?

There were a lot of brands I had never heard of before and it was lovely to try things I wouldnt have normally bought myself. It also made me look at my normal products and choose some replacements for them.

• Which product(s) would you buy in future, now that you’ve tried them?

I would buy the pawpaw cream again. I also liked the charcoal sponge and blusher.

• Which was your favourite box design?

Why?

All of the boxes were amazing and really lovely designs. Each one was very different and very pretty!

• What did you like best about your Birchbox experience?

It was lovely having the boxes and looking at the products that I wouldn’t have normally purchased myself. It gave me an opportunity to look at products I’d not heard of and try things different to what I normally buy. I enjoyed the whole experience :-)

Would you recommend Birchbox to a friend?

I would do if I thought it was someone that would enjoy the products.

Thank you for giving me the chance to take part in this trial.

• What was your favourite product? Why?

The polar night cream really improved how my skin looked.

• Did the Birchbox boxes give you a chance to try products or brands that you wouldn’t have otherwise? Which ones? Did you like them?

Yes, I'm unlikely to have bought or tried any of them otherwise. I enjoyed trying everything.

• Which product(s) would you buy in future, now that you’ve tried them?

The polar night cream, charcoal sponge wash, nuxe oil.

• Which was your favourite box design? Why?

I liked them all and liked how they look together

• What did you like best about your Birchbox experience?

The excitement of opening a parcel and the surprise of what's inside, trying products I've never heard of or seen, and discovering products that work, that I wouldn't have otherwise bought.

• Would you recommend Birchbox to a friend or family member?

Yes I already have

• What was your favourite product? Why?

I had two favourites - the Nuxe oil and the Pawpaw balm. Both are perfect for winter dry skin.

• Did the Birchbox boxes give you a chance to try products or brands that you wouldn’t have otherwise? Which ones? Did you like them?

Yes, I wouldn't have otherwise tried the gold sheet mask, and it left my skin really soft

• Which product(s) would you buy in future, now that you’ve tried them?

Nuxe oil, Sand and Sky scrub, pawpaw balm.

• Which was your favourite box design? Why?

Days like these, I just like the pattern.

• What did you like best about your Birchbox experience?

Trying new things.

• Would you recommend Birchbox to a friend or family member?

Yes, I shared my boxes with my DD and she loved it too.

Another huge thank you for being able to take part in this product test. I love receiving these boxes and opening them with my dd.

• What was your favourite product? Why?

Like others, my favourite was the polaar night cream. I've got oily skin and tend to avoid heavy creams at night but this sank into the skin nicely and my skin felt almost matt in the morning. A lovely generous sample too. I'd never heard of the brand before.

• Did the Birchbox boxes give you a chance to try products or brands that you wouldn’t have otherwise? Which ones? Did you like them?

Yes, the deodorant, masks (wouldn't ever really buy these), I've been wanting to try the nuxe oil for ages. Also the Australian pink clay treatment (I've got the Aldi version )

• Which product(s) would you buy in future, now that you’ve tried them?

The nuxe oil and polaar night cream

• Which was your favourite box design? Why?

October - I looked the freshness of the design. Not keen on the Disney one, but mainly because I don't like Disney stuff.

• What did you like best about your Birchbox experience?

Having some surprise treats and spending some time pampering myself.

• Would you recommend Birchbox to a friend or family member?

I'm not sure. Some of the products were a bit too glittery for me (strobing cream, blusher and eye shadow) so I'd be concerned about unnecessary waste. Good if you've got teens to pass them onto though. It would be good to know if they adjusted the contents according to your age/skin type/skin concerns.

It’s Christmas at my house I love all the goodie / products you sent me thanku for letting me be a part of it , would defo tell family and friends to get this , love the packaging , beautiful and light but full of goodies ! The hair marsk was just lovely soft hair , love the eyeshadow Love the face mask , the nutcracker was the best ,

~The product was good for me to test as I’ve never tried some of them before ! ~ The best part was getting all the different goodie to test ! ~The underarm roller was fabulous loved the way it’s apply and was easy to use! ~my experience I found this fun and would love to do it again my sister has got a few bits as I didn’t use them but her feedbacks been fabulous she said she goning to get a brick box ! Fabulous news ! ~The oil was lovely happy to try that again , loved all the box’s they looked gr8 and was bold for the right reasons .~ The clay treatment help my skin as it’s bit dry at times I feel il try that again .

Defo love the brickbox