Wednesday, February 15, 2012

A Sample Sampler


When I was a kid, I was basically obsessed with miniatures: dollhouses, travel-sized shampoo, room service ketchup bottles, humans, etc. If it came a mini form of a larger, original size, I had to have it.

Similarly, when I was a kid, I was also obsessed with playing dress up and wearing make-up, which my mom allowed me to do on school picture day. To this day, it remains a mystery to me why I never entered a child beauty pageant.

So it should come as little to no surprise that, when I discovered there was a whole business specializing in sample sized beauty products, I happily shelled out the $10/month membership cost to promptly begin receiving my own samples in the mail.
Look, I get it. You're probably saying "Melissa, take a step back. You can get free samples from pretty much any department store." To which I'd say, "yeah, you're probably right." But riddle me this: how can you know to ask for samples of things like eyeliner stickers and powdered mouthwash when you DON'T EVEN KNOW THEY EXIST???
When you sign up for Birchbox, you fill out a beauty profile with information about your skin type, make up routine (I chose "painted like a drag queen"), and hair color. Based on your results, they'll customize what they send you each month. This month, I got:
 This neat powdered exfoliant, which is just so clever for traveling...
 ...This SPF 20 tinted moisurizer from a brand I've never heard of/tried before...
 ...these ah-mazing eyeliner stickers that I literally can not wait to slap on my face...
 ...this organic zit cream (we all know what blemish means, okay?)...
 ...and this duo of powdered mouthwash, which is also cool, just because it is.
I really like this concept because I'm totally up for trying new beauty products, but not for $50 an ounce, especially if I have no idea I'm going to like it. Birchbox allows me to try a variety of things I'd otherwise never try for a relatively nominal fee. If I end up spending a far less "nominal" fee on a full sized version of a sample I like, well, then, so be it.

Has anyone else signed up for Birchbox? How do you like it? Which products have been your favorite??

14 comments:

whitney said...

i got mine this month too.

i got something a little different though. i did get the eyeliner stickers and i think they are going to be the bomb.com.

Jenna | The Eighty Twenty said...

these are so intriguing to me. I waste so much money on new products, I think $10 a month sounds much more efficient. Tell me more about the eyeliner.

Anonymous said...

I'm just hoping they'll start shipping over seas!

Julia said...

OMG I am so jealous of all your loot! I am on the waitlist and realllllly want to make the cut soon. I think the most intriguing item is the packet of eyeliner stickers. You'll have to show us all how it looks!

Xo Julia
Tartan & Sequins

Jamie said...

Have you heard of MyGlam.com? Same concept, same price, but I like their samples more b/c they're bigger and more makeup related. They just started in Dec. and so far have had really great "glam bags." I suggest looking them up online or on FB.

Anonymous said...

I just got my first BB yesterday. I was really hoping to get the Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant in my box, but was not so lucky. I did get the Jouer lipgloss in Birchbox Pink and love it. I am thinking I might buy the bigger size on bb site.

Lydia Armstrong said...

Can you please post photos when you try the stick on eyeliner? I need a proper review of this product.

Gena said...

I just received my box and got the eyeliner stickers too but some different stuff...I should have it up on my blog by the end of the week!

http://genantrends.blogspot.com/

Michelle's Style File said...

This looks like such a fun little parcel to receive in the post!

x
Michelle
www.michellesstylefile.blogspot.com
GIVEAWAY

eelsay said...

I just cancelled my subscription. I felt like I was getting really crappy stuff, like sample perfumes I can get those at Macys if I wanted. Hopefully you have better luck than I did.

www.eelsayasi.com

Jenn @ Peas and Crayons said...

I get Conscious Box... but not birch yet --- holy crap EYELINER STICKERS!?!!??! I want to try those!

Unknown said...
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happydally said...

I was stupid (aka CHEAP) and passed up the opportunity several months ago. Regret is my middle name when I see everyone's boxes online now. I am on the wait list. boo hiss
I must say, powdered mouth wash suddenly seems necessary!

Kimberlee said...

Powdered mouth wash? Interesting... you got completely different samples than me other than the eyeliners.

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