Final battle: Birchbox vs. Ipsy (March Edition)

In February, I made the decision that March would be the last month I receive a Birchbox. The inconsistency of the boxes, and the lack of value compared to Ipsy finally made me decide that it's just not worth it for me to spend even $10 a month on it anymore. So today, I bring you the final battle: Birchbox vs. Ipsy.

MARCH BIRCHBOX

• Ojon Damage Reverse Restorative Hair Treatment + Hair Treatment Plus - Grrrr... this foil packet convinced me further that it's time to cancel Birchbox. I'm pretty sure I could get this for free at any department store or on the Ojon website. So annoying! I don't like to use these because the packaging is so inconvenient. 

• Gilchrist & Soames London Collection Body Lotion - This looks like a lotion bottle you get at a hotel. It actually has that same smell that most of them do, too. It's a nice throw in your purse size, but it's just not anything special, and I definitely wouldn't spend $16 on a full-size of this.
• DDF Ultra-Lite Oil-Free Moisturizing Dew - I'm intrigued by this facial moisturizer, and hey - you get a whole ounce which is a pretty decent sample (considering full-size is 1.7 oz)! It's pricey for a full-size, retailing at $42, so I highly doubt I'd ever buy this again, but I'll be glad to use it.

• COOLA Tinted Matte SPF 30 for Face - Ugh, I'm so sick of getting samples from COOLA. This is the third or fourth sample size I have of various SPFs from COOLA. In the summer, I'll probably use this, but I just really don't care to have another tinted moisturizer.

• English Laundry No. 7 For Her - This smells REALLY good, and of course the full-size retails for $90! Oof. That's a pricey perfume. 

• Ghirardelli Intense Dark Cherry Tango Square - I really don't want a chocolate square in my beauty box. Period. I signed up for beauty samples.... 

MARCH IPSY

• Pixi Flawless Beauty Primer - This is a really nice sample size, and the product inside seems nice, too! It has very fine golden shimmer and feels nice and smooth. I think this will be great for summer.

• bareMinerals Marvelous Moxie Lipstick in Get Ready - This is a great everyday color, perfect for work or daytime wear. Love it!

• NYX Love in Rio trio in Amazonian Babes - This trio of eyeshadows is made up of shimmering browns that are awesome for every day wear.

• Chella Indigo Blue eyeliner - This is a really great eyeliner pen, it's just a shame I don't wear blue eyeliner! I might just have to for fun one of these days to get some use out of this. This is full-sized, and a full-size costs $24!! That's quite the value, considering Ipsy costs just $10/month!

If you'd like to subscribe to Birchbox or Ipsy, click any of the hyperlinked "Birchbox" or "Ipsy" links in this post. Each subscription service costs just $10 per month for awesome beauty samples. As you can tell, I would highly recommend Ipsy over Birchbox, as I think the value is consistently good and you often get full-sized products. 

Battle of the Subscription Boxes: Birchbox vs. Ipsy

I've been a subscriber of Birchbox for nearly two years. Up until a couple months ago, I've been pretty satisfied with the boxes and samples I received. That is, until I started watching Eleventhgorgeous on Youtube and saw their Ipsy bags (formerly known as Glam Bag), another subscription beauty sample service, and realized that there are other "beauty bags/boxes" out there that may even give you more bang for your buck.

Basically, Ipsy is a subscription service just like Birchbox. It costs $10 per month, and you get mailed five or six samples to try out and you're typically offered some sort of discount on purchasing a full-size of the products. One cool difference? You get a different bag each month that all your products come in. Those little things always come in handy, especially when travelling.

 So, I signed up for Ipsy, and for now I've kept my Birchbox subscription so I could bring you this battle of the subscription beauty boxes! So here are both my July Birchbox and my July Ipsy glam bag - and we'll get to the bottom of who has the best value. 


July Birchbox

The products

100 % Pure Nourishing Body Cream | Full-size: $15

These body creams by 100% Pure are organic, and filled with anti-aging properties. These little packets have .066 fl oz  in each one. I hate using lotion out of little packets like this, because there is too much product for one use and it's annoying to keep them around without getting things all lotiony. I've never heard of this brand before, but it looks interesting. 

Benefit Cosmetics Girl Meets Pearl | Full-size $30

I hate to kill the excitement already, but this is the best sample in this entire box. Benefit's Girl Meets Pearl is a gorgeous peachy rose-gold highlight that is SO stunning. I own many highlighters, but nothing comes close to this. And the super cute packaging? I'm in love. (If you think this packaging is cute, check out their entire line. It's fabulous.) Benefit can do no wrong.

Number 4 Super Comb Prep & Protect | Full-size $32

 This is Number 4's sulfate-free leave-in conditioner that protects against UV rays. I won't lie... I love these mini leave in conditioners for traveling. With my long hair, I'll willingly try every brand's detanglers. Keep 'em coming.

Benta Berry G-1 Moisturizing Face Cream | Full-size $22

Okay, remember last month when I said I was loving that modern packaging on the Davines products? And then it shows up again this month with the Number 4 product above? Well, it appears that's kind of a trend - and frankly, I'm over it. This is Benta Berry's (a French brand) hydrating and purifying face cream. It smells really fresh and finishes really light on the skin. I'm really looking forward to trying this on my face.

Birchbox Bobby Pins | Full-size $5

These are two cute patterned large bobby pins. I don't typically purchase hair pieces like these for myself, but I'm happy to try these out since they're something a bit different for me.


July Ipsy Glam Bag

The Products

bh cosmetics California Collection Eyeshadow | Full-size $9.99

This is an awesome sized sample. These three bh cosmetics eyeshadows are all rather pigmented, and perfect for summer. Hollywood might be a bit too purple for my light skin, but I'm sure I can find a use for it. The other two colors are a gorgeous warm brown and shimmering gold that I know I'll get plenty of use from.

Sexy Hair Weather Proof Humidity Resistant Spray | Full-size $18.95

Sexy Hair is a brand I've seen everywhere and never ever tried, so I'm looking forward to testing this bad boy out. This is an awesome 1.4 oz sample that will serve me well while traveling, but also it's big enough to really test the product out and get a feel for whether or not I'd purchase it in full-size in the future.

Coola Mineral Face SPF 20 Unscented Moisturizer | Full-size $36

I am all about this sample. Being as fair skinned as I am, I can never get enough SPF face creams. This is a great size to throw in my purse for use on a sunny summer day. I know I also received a Coola cucumber-scented sunscreen in a Birchbox earlier this year, and I haven't actually tried it, as it's for the body and it's the same size (.23 fl oz) sample as this one (aka there's not enough to make it worth it).

Demeter Salt Air Perfume Oil Roll-On | Full-size $39.50

I am so freaking excited about this sample I can hardly even type this. I've wanted to try a Demeter fragrance since forever and finally I have my very own - and in a rather large sample size, too! (.29 fl oz) Salt Air smells so summery and tropical, it is just perfect for any warm weathered day. Also, it's in a rollerball container which I love. Easily the best sample in this Glam Bag, hands down. 

POP Beauty Pouty Pop Crayon in Fuchsia Flirt | Full-size $25 (set of 6)

Another giant sample! This pouty pop crayon is a full-sized product (0.1 oz)!! I love lip crayons, and this color is super easy to wear, creamy, and beautiful. I'm really excited to pop this (no pun intended!) in my purse for use on the go!

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So there you have it - the Birchbox vs. Ipsy showdown! To me, there is a very clear winner. But before I spill the beans, I'm curious to know which box you think wins this July Battle of the Subscription Boxes? Let me know in the comments below!