I started with Birchbox first, I discovered it by accident one day looking for subscriptions for your pets to get fun toys in the mail every month. I got on the waiting list and patiently waited to get my invitation. Which came while I was on vacation. They warn you that you only have a couple days to answer to the invite or you get back on the list. So I missed it, I was pretty sad since I had already been waiting a couple months. Luckily my second chance invite came within the next couple weeks. Now I get my box on a monthly basis and have found some great new make tips and products.
Ipsy I found by liking Birchbox on Facebook, a few people commented on how they liked it better. Some were asking what the difference was between the two. Curiosity got to me and then I was sitting pretty on Ipsy's waiting list. I finally got to skip ahead and get my "Glam Bag" this December.
So I thought I would compare the two so others might find this useful in deciding which one would work for them.
- Each has a waiting list, 3-4 months long. While it drives you crazy cause you might be missing out on something! It does help the anticipation.
- Each subscription is $10 a month.
- Each month before you get your box/bag you get sneak peeks of what you could be getting.
- Each website has a survey for you to take so they know what type of samples to send you. Make sure you answer it and update it as needed.
- Each month you get 4-6 samples, now these are usually deluxe or sometimes full sized items.
- Each has reward points for reviews, more detail below.
Now that I've listed the similarities I'm going to compare Birchbox's December Box themed Sparkle and Shine and Ipsy's Glam Bag themed Celebration. *Disclaimer these items were picked to match my likes and concerns about beauty products. Not everyone got what I got.
Birchbox
No. 4 Hair Spray (Deluxe sample, full size value $30.00)
Secret Agent Beauty Lip Gloss (Deluxe sample, full size value $18.00)
Skin & Co Truffle Therapy Serum (Deluxe sample, full size value$75)
Nuxe Body Fondant Firming Cream (2 Sample Packs, full size value $55)
Hair tie (one random hair tie, full size pack of 6 $12.00)
I've noticed with Birchbox you get some really great deluxe size samples on most of their samples. I've gotten little nail polish bottles that will last me months and months. There has been hair products I've gotten a months worth of use out of. The products they are sampling are really high end products that you don't need a lot of it to see results. You will also get full size samples often, those are a great treat!
Birchbox will ask that you review the samples you got on their website. They definitely entice you by offering 10 points per review, you also get 1 point for every dollar you spend. Once you get to 100 points you get $10 off your next purchase. If you get five items and review them all you get 50 points right there. Their reward points system is really a big perk. Points do expire after 365 days, I haven't yet found a limit on how many you can bank up. I currently have $30 in points waiting to be spent!
Ipsy
Salon Perfect False Eyelashes (Full Size, value $2.98)
Mirabella Eye Blender Brush (Full Size, value $27)
The Big Lip Pencil in Red Rose (Full Size, value $3.99)
Pop Beauty Eye Shadow Trio in Smokin' Hot (Sample size, full size has 10 colors $24)
Be A Bombshell The One Stick in Sunset (Full size, $16)
Small Black Make Up Bag (Unknown value)
Ipsy's products this month don't really seem like samples, they all appear to be full size items. However the full size value of them aren't as much as Birchbox, that's probably how they get away with it. They do have a point system as well for reviews. You get 10 points for every review, you can also get 5 points for sharing on Facebook that you got your Glam Bag. You don't get points for purchases because you actually don't purchase anything through the website. They will link you to the product's official website or retailer. I was offered a discount to 4 of the 5 websites on my entire purchase. Not just that one item, and the discounts were from 25% - 40% off. Every month Ipsy offers a few special items to redeem your points. This month they were each 1000 points to get, I'm not sure if that's always the point price to redeem or if it changes. They ship you your bag in a fun bright pink padded envelope, how fun is that!
I think each bag has its perks. Birchbox's samples might be on the smaller size compared to Ipsy, but their point system really beats them. You get a fun little make up bag every month with Ipsy, but eventually I'll collect so many I won't know what to do with them. Birchbox comes in a cute little brown box that could be re-purposed or used again as a present box for example. The staff at Birchbox also post How To's on turning your box into something else. This month was instructions on painting and turning your box into a jewelry box with a photo frame on the top. So I think Birchbox wins on the point system. I think I rather earn more points then get a makeup bag every month.
Ipsy allows you to upload your own video reviews or tutorials on how to use the products. So there are real women just trying it out and giving honest reviews on the products. With Birchbox you only get a written review of the item. Sometimes the staff at Birchbox will show you how they use the product in a video, or easy step by step pictures. So I might have to give the review side of it to Ipsy.
I'd recommend giving each a try if you are interested in trying out great new products for a very small price! Here's the links for Birchbox and Ipsy again. You can cancel at any time without any penalties.
I've noticed with Birchbox you get some really great deluxe size samples on most of their samples. I've gotten little nail polish bottles that will last me months and months. There has been hair products I've gotten a months worth of use out of. The products they are sampling are really high end products that you don't need a lot of it to see results. You will also get full size samples often, those are a great treat!
Birchbox will ask that you review the samples you got on their website. They definitely entice you by offering 10 points per review, you also get 1 point for every dollar you spend. Once you get to 100 points you get $10 off your next purchase. If you get five items and review them all you get 50 points right there. Their reward points system is really a big perk. Points do expire after 365 days, I haven't yet found a limit on how many you can bank up. I currently have $30 in points waiting to be spent!
Ipsy
Salon Perfect False Eyelashes (Full Size, value $2.98)
Mirabella Eye Blender Brush (Full Size, value $27)
The Big Lip Pencil in Red Rose (Full Size, value $3.99)
Pop Beauty Eye Shadow Trio in Smokin' Hot (Sample size, full size has 10 colors $24)
Be A Bombshell The One Stick in Sunset (Full size, $16)
Small Black Make Up Bag (Unknown value)
Ipsy's products this month don't really seem like samples, they all appear to be full size items. However the full size value of them aren't as much as Birchbox, that's probably how they get away with it. They do have a point system as well for reviews. You get 10 points for every review, you can also get 5 points for sharing on Facebook that you got your Glam Bag. You don't get points for purchases because you actually don't purchase anything through the website. They will link you to the product's official website or retailer. I was offered a discount to 4 of the 5 websites on my entire purchase. Not just that one item, and the discounts were from 25% - 40% off. Every month Ipsy offers a few special items to redeem your points. This month they were each 1000 points to get, I'm not sure if that's always the point price to redeem or if it changes. They ship you your bag in a fun bright pink padded envelope, how fun is that!
I think each bag has its perks. Birchbox's samples might be on the smaller size compared to Ipsy, but their point system really beats them. You get a fun little make up bag every month with Ipsy, but eventually I'll collect so many I won't know what to do with them. Birchbox comes in a cute little brown box that could be re-purposed or used again as a present box for example. The staff at Birchbox also post How To's on turning your box into something else. This month was instructions on painting and turning your box into a jewelry box with a photo frame on the top. So I think Birchbox wins on the point system. I think I rather earn more points then get a makeup bag every month.
Ipsy allows you to upload your own video reviews or tutorials on how to use the products. So there are real women just trying it out and giving honest reviews on the products. With Birchbox you only get a written review of the item. Sometimes the staff at Birchbox will show you how they use the product in a video, or easy step by step pictures. So I might have to give the review side of it to Ipsy.
I'd recommend giving each a try if you are interested in trying out great new products for a very small price! Here's the links for Birchbox and Ipsy again. You can cancel at any time without any penalties.
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