Battle of the Subscriptions Boxes II: Birchbox vs. Ipsy

It's August, and a (fairly) new month means a new Battle of the Subscription boxes featuring Birchbox and Ipsy. There may not be too many more of these, as it's becoming abundantly clear to me which subscription service I'd like to stick with and which one I'm ready to dump. Let's dive right in...

August Birchbox

The Goods

Whish Hair Inhibiting Deodorant Swipes | Full-size: $16

Whish Exfoliating Body Wash | Full-size: $22

This is a brand I've received before in my Birchbox (I believe it was a shaving cream I received previously). To me, this packaging makes the product look cheap. However, I'm intrigued by the deodorant swipe, which claims to tackle odor and slow hair growth, but I don't think it's something that would replace my standard stick deodorant. The body wash smells coconut-y and is filled with sugar cane and bamboo powder to exfoliate the skin. 

(MALIN+GOETZ) gentle neroli shampoo | Full-size: $20

The only good thing about this sample is that it's from a brand I've been wanting to try. Everything else about this sample SUCKS, and really makes me consider if Birchbox has lost their vision and respect for their customers. Another tear-off sample? How can I truly get a feel for how I like a product when I barely get one single use out of it? This is a complete waste of my money; I could get these free in the mail. Not happy.

Juice Beauty Oil-Free Moisturizer | Full-size $28

I just recently heard of this brand somewhere in the depths of the internet, so I'm looking forward to giving this moisturizer a go. This moisturizer hydrates with natural antioxidants and hyaluronic acid, which is cool because hyaluronic acid is naturally occurring in the body, not some weird chemical. This is a good sized sample, too - 0.5 oz!

Stila Stay All Day Liquid Lipstick in 01 Beso | Full-size: $22

This is easily the best product in my Birchbox, and I am pumped about it. This is one serious red, gals. It looks like blood. If you want bold, bright red lips, look no further. Luckily this sample was included, because it's really the only redeeming quality this Birchbox has.

August Ipsy Glam Bag

The Goods

Pixi Lash Booster Mascara | Full-size: $18

This is one tiny mascara sample. Like... teeny tiny. I think this will serve me well for a few applications and then it will be time to throw it out. I love Pixi, so I'm happy to try it out, but I think the sample could have been a bit more generously sized. Oh well!

Lime Crime Nail Polish in Crema De Limon 

Lime Crime is a brand I love but have never tried anything from - I just love their whole look and personality. Crema De Limon is a bright creamy pastel yellow nail polish that came in the most adorable packaging. This will be an awesome end of summer polish. Please note, I did receive this product as a bonus for referring friends to Ipsy.

Michael Todd Jojoba Charcoal Face Scrub | Full-size: $18

I have been seeing everyone on the internet talking about Michael Todd lately and I'm super excited to have a chance to try it out for myself! This is a big sample, too - 1 oz! Don't be alarmed, but this scrub is black! But it has a pleasant lemon scent. I can't wait to use this!

Pacifica Alight Multi-Mineral BB Cream | Full-size: $16

This is a gorgeous BB cream, filled with very fine gold shimmer. I don't think I'll use this all over my face, but it would be a great highlight. It would also work well to mix in with foundation for a dewy glow. 

NYX Powder Blush in 03 Angel 

JACKPOT! A full-size NYX blush?!! I could hardly contain my excitement when I opened my Ipsy Glam Bag and saw this gem! NYX makes some of my favorite blushes, and I don't have Angel yet which is a gorgeous nude bronzey peach with a hint of shimmer. These retail for $5 - half the value of your Glam Bag!

Urban Decay Revolution Lipstick in Anarchy | Full-size: $22

Ohhhhhhh yeah! A good sized sample of the new Urban Decay lipsticks showed up in my Glam Bag this month! I nearly jumped for joy! This stunning hot pink called Anarchy is creamy and highly pigmented and I plan to use this down to the last bit. 

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It's no secret who won this month's battle. The clear winner is Ipsy, whomping Birchbox with full-size products, and relevant samples of new items. Ipsy has me super excited to see what's in my glam bag each month, and hey - you get a cute little makeup bag to use each month, too. If you haven't signed up yet, it's just $10 a month. Click here to get started!

If you like the Birchbox samples better, click here to start your subscription for just $10 a month.

Who do you think won?