Whew, this post has been a long time coming!
I’ve still been photographing my monthly loot from Birchbox & Ipsy to compare the two beauty subscription services. I’m actually contemplating not renewing my Birchbox subscription, just because I feel like a lot of things are repeating and I’m not getting the value that I do with Ipsy. I hope these comparisons help if you’ve been trying to decide which service to start up! 🙂
June
I first have to say that I really like the neoprene-like texture of this Ipsy bag!
Smashbox Photo Finish Primer
J. Cat Beauty Liptitude Hydrating Lip Stain – This stuff is SO vivid! I didn’t realize when it was in the tube how bright it would be, but it’s definitely not a casual-wearing lip color. Now 25% off with code “ipsy615”
Lavanila Laboratories Body Butter in Pure Vanilla
tre’StiQue Mini Shadow Crayon
IT Cosmetics Brow Powder Pencil
So, double bonus this month, Birchbox sent to me TWO of the Hello Body Creams! Woohoo! I really do like the light, citrusy scent of these creams, so it’s awesome to be able to have a couple of these guys to take with my on trips.
Harvey Prince Hello Body Cream
Marcelle BB Cream Golden Glow – This stuff looked super orangey on me at first but then seemed to blend with my skin and cast this lovely tan, blemish-free glow.
Real Chemistry Luminous 3-Minute Peel – this product is rad!! Right after you start rubbing it around, little balls of dead skin (eww!) start forming and after a few minutes of massaging, you rinse clean and are left with smooth, fresh, baby soft skin.
Oribe Cote d’Azur Fragrance – I’ll admit.. I waited about two minutes after putting this gorgeous-smelling fragrance on before checking online for it’s price, only to discover that it was already sold out! I got added to the waitlist and about a week later, it was available and in my shopping cart!
Davines Hair & Body Wash
June’s winner – TIE! I’m obsessed with the Oribe fragrance, and love that I got a little extra in this month’s box. I also really like the lip stain from Ipsy and that scuba makeup bag.
May
Ipsy – Also, a super cute canvas-y bag.
Urban Decay 24/7 Glide On Lip Pencil & High Color Glosses
Amie Morning Dew Matte Finish Moisturizer
BellaPierre Gel Eyeliner in Ebony
Briogeo Rosarco Milk Reparative Leave-In Conditioning Spray
Luxie Beauty Tapered Blending Eye Brush #205
Birchbox
Juara Candlenut Body Crème
Cotz Flawless Complexion SPF 50
Number 4 Blow Dry Lotion
Marcelle Hydra C Energizing Hydrating Gel
W3ll People Expressionist Mascara – I HATED this mascara with a passion.. It’s dry, thin, barely noticeable on lashes, took 3 coats to actually be able to see anything and then it transferred to my lower lashline after only a couple hours.
May’s Winner – IPSY!
Great variation of products, and the offerings from Birchbox were just not exciting.
April
Ipsy
LOVE this bag.. So fun and colorful and could even work for a date night clutch!
The Balm Nude Dude Eyeshadow – This color is phenomenal… I use it as a crease shade. It’s this shimmery muted plummy brown that can work as a neutral or, in heavier doses, as a great smoky eye shade.
Olive Natural Beauty The Olive Lip Balm – Moisturizing with a nice, soft scent.
Julie G Nail Color
KCO Colors Cream Lipstick – Unfortunately, this was sent to me damaged, but it’s a nice color that I continue to use with a lip brush.
Mica Beauty Eye Primer
Birchbox
I’ve been a fan of Rifle Paper for a while, and was excited to receive this collaborative box. I’ll be holding on to it to store knick-knacks or office supplies.
Whish Shaving Cream – One of my least favorite products that I keep receiving from Birchbox. It irritates my skin and does nothing in the way of moisturizing when I shave.
Beaver Professional Hydro Nutritive Moisturizing Shampoo
Laqa & Co. Sheer Lip Lube Pencil – Love this minty-smelling, pretty pink shiny lip stain. It’s softening and such a fantastic color for summer.
Jouer Tint
Beaver Professional Hydro Nutritive Repairing Conditioner
April’s winner – TIE! Love the generous travel sizes of shampoo & conditioner in the Birchbox and the sheer lip tint is great, from Ipsy, that makeup bag and the eyeshadow are keepers!
March
Birchbox
Laura Gellar Baked Blush & Brighten – I already had a larger version of this that I bought in a kit, and while I do enjoy the product, I think $31 is just a bit much to pay for blush.
Supergoop Advanced Anti-Aging Eye Cream – I’ve been using this product for about a week and do enjoy it. It’s not too thick or heavy, and I like the idea of adding SPF for even more protection around the eyes.
Whish Three Wishes Body Butter
Derma E Evenly Radiant Brightening Day Crème – Another product I was not a fan of. This cream left my skin sticky and like it had a coating over it. Not pleasant at all.
Dear Clark Volumizing Tonic – This is a great volumizing spray. I add it about halfway through my blow-dry to add some thickness and texture. It bulks up hair without making it crunchy.
Ipsy
Boo Boo Cover Up in Medium – no clue why I was sent a cover-up in any shade that was not fair/pale/ivory, etc. I have no use for this because it’s at least 3-4 shades darker than I am.
Vintage by Jessica Liebeskind Illuminating Face Highlighter
NYX Butter Lipstick – this shade is a medium-dark purple shade that, with the right outfit, it actually pretty flattering!
Pur-lisse Gentle Soymilk Cleanser and Makeup Remover
Dr. Brandt Pores No More Anti-Aging Mattifying Lotion
March’s winner – Birchbox! This was almost a tie, as I wasn’t particularly impressed by either collection of products, but Birchbox edged out in front with that pretty highlighter.
February
Ipsy
City Color Creamy Lip Stain – this stuff is gorgeous, really well-pigmented and it stays on for hours. It has a light vanilla scent too.
Emite Makeup Eyelash Curler – I don’t use curlers frequently and already have a couple floating around so I likely won’t get much use out of this.
Mitchell & Peach Fine Radiance Face Oil
ModelCo BLUSH Cheek Powder – this line is really nice as well, and the pinky shade is quite pretty on my fair skin.
EVA NYC Up All Night Volumizing Spray – this stuff really does work in volumizing hair but I did notice a bit of crunchiness/stiffness when using it.
Birchbox
Sumita Color Contrast Eyeliner
TheBalm Read My Lips lipgloss in Pop – I really like the consistency of this gloss, but the tone is just a touch orange-y on me.
Not Soap, Radio Body Wash
Derma-E Anti-Wrinkle Vitamin A Glycolic Scrub
Fekkai Blowout Hair Refresher – This is a great between-shampoo hair refresher and the size is perfect for travel or a day trip when you need some touching up.
February’s winner – Ipsy! Love the cosmetics in this set, the blush and lip stain are very flattering on my complexion. The only thing I LOVED from the Birchbox was the hair refresher. I will definitely look for this after I run out.
So, all in all, Ipsy just slightly wins out over Birchbox, for me at least. Those more interested specifically in hair and skincare might find Birchbox the better option, while Ipsy is definitely more makeup-centric.
