**WARNING: THIS IS MY OWN OPINION. PLEASE DO NOT SOLELY BASE YOUR OWN OPINIONS OR CHOICES BASED ON THIS POST.**
Hello all!
If you're like me, you have fallen madly in love with the new beauty subscription craze!!
The first one I ever heard about was Glossybox, and was bummed that they didn't ship to the US (at the time).
However, now there are dozens to choose from!!!!!! Beauty Bar, Julep Maven, Sample Society, Beauty Box 5... the options are endless for whatever your price range and makeup interests are!
Two of the more popular ones are the Ipsy MyGlam bags and Birchbox. I am subscribed to both service currently.
They are both $10 per month, offer bonuses to subscribers and include some full-size products as well.
But, if you have to choose, which way do you go?!
This is my list of comparisons, and pros/cons of each. You can choose for yourself!!!
1. Birchbox items come in a (if you're like me) reusable brown box every month with pretty pink tissue paper inside. Ipsy, on the other hand, comes in a different makeup bag every month. So, on top of the 4-5 products you recieve, you also get a new makeup bag every month!!!!
2. Birchbox allows you to leave feedback on products you recieve each month to earn points!! Each review is worth 10 points, and once you reach 100 points, you have earned $10. Those points can be redeemed for products in the Birchbox shop!!!! Also, each dollar you spend in the shop earns you 1 point. So basically, just giving your opinion earns you free, full-size products.
Ipsy gives you the chance to be active in their community (both on their website and facebook) giving feedback and creating looks. Active members often recieve a BONUS in their bags (for example, some people recieved a full size Urban Decay eyeshadow last month).
3. For every friend you get to join Birchbox, you will get 50 points at the end of their first month!
Currently, Ipsy is offering either an Urban Decay eyeshadow or a bracelet if you refer 2 friends (while supplies last).
4. Birchbox delivery is super fast! At least it is to me. I have never had any issues with getting my box on time. Ipsy sometimes uses DHL shipping instead of USPS, and when mine is sent DHL, it takes an extra 3-4 days to recieve my bag. Also, due to Ipsy's popularity at the moment, a lot of bags have been drastically delayed this month (not mine personally) and even the tracking numbers don't work.
5. Both have pretty epic customer service. My 2nd Birchbox came and one of my products was spilled in the box. Although they could not replace the product for me, they did give me 100 free points (so basically a free 10 bucks!)
Ipsy has also been nothing but amazing. I had an issue with my credit card expiring, but all I had to do was email them and they fixed it personally instead of me having to change all my info on their website.Currently, Ipsy is backed up with emails (again, they're really popular right now), but they have been nothing but gracious in keeping us informed about their delays.
6. Currently, Birchbox has new subbers on a waiting list. When I was waitlisted, it only took about a month for me to be able to join. Not sure of the wait time right now.
Ipsy is open for new subscribers right now, but they have said it won't last long. They also often waitlist new people.
7. Both Birchbox and Ipsy offer a survey on their website you can fill out in order to personalize what you get every month. For example, they ask your preferences on certain things as well as your personal features (skin type, eye color) so you get things you want and can use.
8. Birchbox sends out a HUGE variety of products, so pretty much no one gets the same box (its based on the surveys talked about in #7). Ipsy subbers all get basically the same products, just different colors or scents.
9. Ipsy offers sneek peaks every month of the products (and since everyone mostly gets the same things, you'll know what to expect before it even ships). Birchbox puts out videos on their youtube about what you MIGHT get (only some products are discussed, usually I don't get any of what they talk about).
10. Last but most importantly- the products. Overall, IN MY OPINION, Ipsy has WAY better products. If you love makeup, Ipsy is for you. They also send out more full-size products than Birchbox. Birchbox sends out a better variety (skincare, food, makeup, nailpolish, etc) than Ipsy though.
Overall, if you want the most for your $10 each month, go for Ipsy. If you want a bigger variety, go for Birchbox! Both are pretty amazing.
