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Birchbox
Cost: $10/month
Ships To: United States. However France, Spain and the UK also have their own Birchbox subscriptions.
Coupon Code: Subscription Box: “FIVEOFFBOX” to get $5 off your first Birchbox. Shop: Try “welcomeoffer20” for 20% off your shop purchase. And don’t forget to add a Mystery Sample Pack to your cart with your $35+ shop purchase!

Birchbox offers 4-6 (sometimes more) hand-picked beauty and lifestyle samples, delivered to your door each month. You can review the samples you receive on a monthly basis to earn points in their shop, which makes the “real” cost of the box even less. Points accumulate until you are ready to spend, so you can stockpile and combine with coupon codes to get some complete steals (which I try to do).  I have been subscribing to Birchbox for over 3 years now and would say they are one of the most (maybe the most) well known subscription boxes out there. They are certainly one of the longest lasting boxes.

Birchbox ships via USPS and all boxes generally ship by the 10th of the month. The monthly “curated” box (like this one) tends to ship earlier, unless you get add-ons.

Since I have two accounts I generally opt for that month’s curated box on one account and opt for the standard Birchbox on the other account.  This review is on the October 2015 “Power Pose” Curated Box.

Birchbox always reveals the contents of the curated boxes in advance so you can make a decision if you want to skip your “regular” box in favor of the curated option. I love having two subscriptions so I don’t have to make that choice.

The October 2015 “Power Pose” Birchbox is a partnership with The Estee Lauder Companies’ Breast Cancer Awareness Campaign to support the Breast Cancer Research Foundation (BCRF).  The BCRF is one of the world’s largest private funders of breast cancer research and this month, Birchbox is donating $104,000 to the BCRF which is enough to fund one year of breast cancer lab research hours.

The box includes the following standout products from brands who have shown their commitment to the breast cancer cause:

–Clinique Chubby Stick Moisturizing Lip Colour Balm (Mega Melon) (No Size Listed) (~$8.50): There isn’t a size listed on this, but I estimated it to be half the size of a full-sized one.  That seems about right. Mega Melon is a sheer almost peach color.  It’s a cross between a lipstick and a balm and is packed with mango and shea butters so it’s very moisturizing.

–Clinique Moisture Surge Extended Thirst Relief (0.21oz / 7mL) ($5.46): This is a lightweight and oil-free cream-gel that soothes, cools and plumps skin for around-the-clock hydration.  When testing it I was shocked at how silky it left my skin.  I didn’t see any immediate plumping action, but my skin did feel great.

–Darphin Stimulskin Plus Multi-Corrective Divine Cream (0.17oz / 5mL) ($29.50): Okay, wait, this stuff is $295 for a full-sized jar?  I certainly hope I don’t fall in love with it!  LOL.  It’s supposed to soften lines, firm and brighten skin.  It’s too early to tell if any of that is happening, but the sample size is very generous so I am hopeful for amazing results.

–Estee Lauder Advanced Night Repair Eye Serum Synchronized Complex II (.14fl.oz / 4mL) ($18.20): This overnight serum promises to “dramatically reduce all signs of aging”.  Sounds good to me.  The texture is a bit slippery – it’s like a serum and lotion mixed, and it left my eyes incredibly smooth and soft.  Now, I just need to use it more so I look young again.

–Smashbox Photo Finish Foundation Primer (.25fl.oz / 7.1mL) ($9): You can wear this one alone or under foundation to create a smooth and flawless finish.  It has the consistency of a thick gel and really did leave my skin looking smooth!

All totaled I came up with a value of, get this, $70.66 for the October 2015 “Power Pose” Birchbox. Including the points I get for purchasing the box (10 points = $1 to spend at Birchbox) and reviewing / sharing the items in the box (60 points = $6), the value increases to $77.66.  That’s basically insane and could be the most valuable Birchbox I have ever received.  I’m obsessed with it.  It’s mainly skincare stuff which suits me perfectly as that’s what I love to receive most.  This was just an awesome amazing box!

Have you gotten your Birchbox yet this month? What’d you think?  If your box hasn’t arrived yet and you want to peek in it, you can use this link to see if it’s been posted.  Just remember, these boxes are NOT final and may change when boxes are officially posted by Birchbox on the 10th.  If you are interested in subscribing, new customers can use one of the following coupon codes:

~”FIVEOFFBOX” to get $5 off your first Birchbox subscription purchase.
~”2FOR1BOX” to get a free Customer Favorites Box with all new subscription purchases.