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Ahh, finally!! My Birchbox was supposed to be delivered yesterday (it actually said Delivered on the tracking), but I don’t think my substitute mailman could handle the volume of mail he was supposed to bring me and left my BB and another box somewhere else. They randomly appeared in my mailbox today with no sign of any other mail. Not sure what happened there.
Birchbox ships via UPS Mail Innovations (starts as UPS and ends up being delivered by the Post Office. I think it took 7 days to arrive this month (should have only taken 6), which I don’t think is too bad. I mean considering the holiday.
I received Box #45 this month, which wasn’t an OMGAMAZING box, but was a pretty good one (for me). To find out what box # you got, go into your account and click on “Box” and then “Women’s Box”. Scroll down to the “Box History” section and then click on “October 2013”. The last number in your URL is your box number (mine says “bb45” – meaning I have Box #45). I explained how to review products for points a few months ago, so if you missed that, check it out here.
Birchboxes typically update in your account on the 10th of the month. Mine didn’t though (boo), so I *almost* felt like I went spoiler free since every one knew what they got in their boxes before I did. I mean my account updated on the 11th, so I looked then, but still…
The October Birchbox theme is “Beauty Buzz” and included all the items people are buzzing about lately. This box is devoted to award winners, celeb favorites, up-and-comers—and all the other products Birchbox can’t stop talking about. Here’s what I received:
~Benefit Girl Meets Pearl ($18.75): EEEK!! I am so excited about this. I LOVE Benefit’s High Beam, but I love this more. It seems more shimmery and less thick (does that even make sense) than High Beam. It really brightens up my face and I am ordering more. Now. And is this sample really $18.75? Is the math right on that? Crazy!
~Karuna Clarifying Treatment Mask ($7): Ohh, I am really liking this idea. You are supposed to do one mask a week, which is just about the commitment I can handle. This mask “calms irritated skin, and eradicates excess oil and bacteria”. My skin isn’t bad right now, but it’s only a matter of time, so I am using this tonight to ward off trouble.
~Bain de Terre macadamia oil NOURISHING SHAMPOO ($1.91): Smells great, isn’t a packet sample and doesn’t cost a fortune. This is great! I need to use it a few times before I decide if I will buy it, but things are looking good so far.
~Bain de Terre macadamia oil NOURISHING CONDITIONER ($1.77): Birchbox knows. If you include shampoo in a box, you also must include conditioner! One of my newest pet peeves is when I get a shampoo or conditioner and not the other. While it’s likely not true, I feel like you need to try both to get a good idea of how it works for you. Plus, if you have a great smelling shampoo and then don’t include the matching good smelling conditioner, you’re missing out.
~ChapStick® Hydration Lock ($2.99): Birchbox calls this a “Birchbox Find” which means it’s not a replacement to any other items in the box and is an “extra” that everyone received this month. L has chapped lips from his cold and runny nose (poor dude), so I’m giving this to him. He likes having his own chapstick (he took one to school today and I suspect I will never see that again)and I really don’t like sharing mine!
All totaled my October Birchbox had a value of $32.42. Including the points I get for reviewing the products (which is equal to $5) and the points I got for purchasing the box (**) (which is equal to $1), the box had a real total value of $38.42. Birchbox has totally stepped up their game these past few months and I’m loving it. Makes me even more excited for next month now!
Do you subscribe to Birchbox? Did you get your box yet this month? What number was it? If you don’t subscribe (it’s only $10/month) and are interested in learning more, click here. I’m (still) not sure how long the waiting list is these days, so if anyone knows please post!
That was a great box! I would love to try the Girl Meets Pearl but I got a sample of Fake Up so I’m not complaining. My box was completely different: http://anothermomanotherblog13.blogspot.com/2013/10/subscriptions-birchbox-october-2013.html
I love Girl Meets Pearl! Did you try the Watt’s Up from Benefit that was part of the Sephora birthday gift? That’s a really nice highlighter. I have been loving Benefit lately!
Good stuff! mine was a bit different, but I agree that Birchbox seems to have definitely gotten better the last few months, I loved my box this month!
http://www.southernclayrification.blogspot.com/2013/10/birch-box-october.html
I received box #1. I wish I would have gotten the shampoo and conditioner. BTW I am on the MTM and I get points for reviewing.
I got box 7 this month and I ended up loving it! Like you, I didn’t get any of the items I was hoping for but I got some stuff that I love.
I got BB24 it’s wasn’t bad but the only thing that irked me was the shampoo conditioner thing. I got condition without the matching shampoo! I too feel like you need both you can’t try one without the other? I just wanted to let you know you’re not the only one who thinks they should come together
Mine was #7 and it was blah. Actually the last 3 months haven’t been good for me. This month my box had the chapstick, supergoop serum (the entire container was empty), thebalm stainiac (that has a gel like look and doesn’t even stain), half up (my hair is too fine for this to work) and Serious Skincare Glycolic Gommage Extreme Renewal (which I tried last night and liked). I would have loved to try out the shampoo/conditioner duo. Overall, I just haven’t felt the boxes have been worth the $10 a month but in my mind the month that I cancel will be a box with a $100 value. Geez I am such a sucker! HAHA!
I think my box was #3, it has been a few days since I peeked. I like the staniac, the 12 Benefits surprised me how good it was, the chapstick is matte and great for guys, the rest of it the jury is still out. I still need to try the dr. brandt exfoliant. At $78 I doubt I will be purchasing it or the supergoop which runs $42 for the large tube of sunscreen serum. Maybe if it was tinted.
Nice! I received boxes 30 and 44 and liked them. I can’t wait to try the mask out!
Just went and re-subscribed so I won’t be getting a box until next month – I’m going to go back and review my old orders (if it’ll let me!) can you use reward points for the monthly subscription or only if you buy additional items from them?
I got box 34 this month. Was my second box so far and it’s better than the first one was, so that made me happy. I also got the lip stain which I’m not quite sure about yet. I got the half-up which I tried right away and really like. I don’t usually go for hair related contraptions, but it’s really easy to use and seemed to work well every way that I tried it.
I can’t wait to get the half up in one of my boxes!!!
I hope the half-up thing comes in one of my Birchboxes someday!
I love me some benefit!!! 🙂
I thought about you when I got this!
You’re always going to think of me when it comes to benefit! 🙂
I received this same box! I’m excited to try the sample a little bit more now after reading your post – because you’re right, it isn’t OMGAMAZING, but still good! 🙂
It was a good box! Have you tried the Benefit yet?
I got box #1 and I loved it! I do like your box too. See my review here… http://alisonblogg.wordpress.com/2013/10/17/october-2013-birchbox-review/
Box #1 was great!!!! Nice review!
I was reading my monthly dose of Cosmo magazine yesterday and I found the most amazing thing. I am not sure if you knew about it or not but I just knew the second I saw it that you. needed. to. know since we both share the same love for Benefit cosmetics and their ridiculously cute packaging.
http://www.benefitcosmetics.com/product/view/countdown-to-love
YES. that is a Benefit advent calendar! One sample for the 1-25 days counting until Christmas. I thought you would love to share this with the readers as well! I cant wait for it to be December now!!
Oh my goodness. I need this. This is amazing! Thanks for sharing!
Already sold out!
Try here: http://www.sephora.com/countdown-to-love-advent-calendar-P382074
I received BB#12 this month. It wasn’t extremely exciting but it wasn’t terrible either. The value was great this go around, too.
http://stitchesbykristin.blogspot.com/2013/10/birchbox-october-2013.html
Off to check out your review now!
I just signed up for birchbox the other day and when I put my email in, it said common wait time was 4 weeks but I got my invite the same day! ..maybe an hour or so after giving them my email. I’m super excited. I just learned about sub boxes and I ordered this, beauty box 5, and lip factory inc. I’m on the waitlist for ipsy. I can’t wait to start getting new things to try!
Ohhh, that’s great! You got lucky! This should be a next few weeks for you!
I got the same box as you! I must have had a stressful week when I got it because I read the directions for the mask and was way confused. Reread it this week and seems much easier. All I could think about was how creepy of a picture it would be if I sent a picture of myself wearing it to my husband. : )
You should do it! My husband would crack up if I did that!
Hi
I got box #13! I was pretty happy with it. I got the chapstick, devacurl(so excited to try), dr brandt microdermabrasion skin, supergoop sunscreen and the balm stain.
Ohh, that’s a great box!!!!
I just received my very first birchbox and I’m so upset with it. I received the Bain de Terre shampoo and condition (which I love), the Becca finish foundation sample and the Evologie stay clear cream plus the chapstick. I would rate this box a 2 out of 10. I thought it would be so much better, have watched YouTube videos of subscribers who’s boxes were so Amazing and I couldn’t wait to get mines and it was so completely different. I so wanted the Pop beauty lipgloss and the Liz Earlie Hot cloth cleaner 🙁
I try not to get too excited for the spoilers because I never seem to get them. However, I *think* that if this was your first month you got the “Welcome” box which all new subscribers that month got. Give it a few months and see what you think!
I hope so cause I’ve heard great things about birchbox. I hope next months box is much better. Fingers crossed.lol
I got my box on Friday, just finally reviewed it. Your box seemed better than mine (Mine is BB#10) but overall I’m still happy with it!
http://whattheschneck.blogspot.com/2013/10/birchbox-beauty-buzz-october-2013-review.html
Not a bad box! But I think I like mine better too.
Did you say somewhere the BB special edition box is coming soon? I thought so, but can’t find it. The one in May was my first sub box EVER and I have been feeding the addiction ever since. I can’t wait for another special edition.
Yes! Their Holiday Home edition box should be coming out soon!
I got the same box as you this month. I love it! I will definitely continue to get birchbox. Their customer service is also really good.
I totally agree.
I had box #33 this month and I really liked the Staniac lip stain. I think that it was the prefect shade for everyday and the Chapstick goes really nice with it. I also go the 12 Benefits hair stuff that I really liked. But I didn’t like the other two items (The Dr. Brandt stuff) in my box, since I’m pretty young and they seem for the more older crowd. My skin doesn’t really need age-defying serums and stuff. But it was defintely better than what I got in the September box!
I’m ready for the November box!! Hopefully it’s even better than October for you!
I just requested an invite and there’s an estimated two week wait for men’s and women’s boxes! I’m guessing there’s no way I’ll get the November box then? maybe I can get someone to get me a subscription for Christmas (: I just can’t make that monthly money commitment without knowing how I’ll like them, so as a gift seems like a good option.
I’m not sure what you mean? You want to see a November box before you subscribe to a November box? Is that it? It’s hard to compare with Birchbox because they have SO many different box options (I think last month they had 50 or 60 box combinations). You could get something totally different than I do so even knowing what’s in the November boxes isn’t always going to help. I’d give it a go for 3 months and then decide what you think.
I requested to be put on the “wait list” yesterday and today I got the email to subscribe! 1 day on the wait list isn’t to bad!
That’s awesome!
Hi! FYI – the wait was 4 days for me…I just signed up on Nov 13th and got an invitation on Nov 17th. 🙂
That’s good to know! Thank you!
I requested an invite today and it stated the waiting list was two weeks long but then an hour later I received an email saying my birchbox was ready! So excited!
That’s awesome!!!!