Birchbox vs. Ipsy: January Matchup

at Wednesday, January 23, 2013 | 1 comments

So- as I started this 2/3 of the way through January, I can't unbox and review my boxes I've already received. BUT I am going to do a toe-to-toe showdown on the two beauty boxes I receive.

I NEED to cut back on my boxes and thought it would be easy to cut one of my beauty ones for awhile. I love Birchbox's points system (you get points for buying a subscription plan, every dollar spent on a product, and reviewing boxes which all go towards buying products) and the option to buy directly from Birchbox. On the other hand I love the diversity of Ipsy and the themes- plus I know I won't be stuck with one of the bad boxes like with Birchbox and their 30+ variety of boxes each month.

My January Ipsy Bag

My January Birchbox

I've decided to keep both (they are $10 each so one of my cheaper boxes) but while deliberating I decided to compare the two boxes and thus came the matchup- so here goes from my head to "paper." I won't include Ipsy's signature bags or Birchbox's paper items etc.

*Disclaimer* I still haven't set up a photo taking "station" so please bear with me with the quality and variety of pics with different lighting.

Round 1: Eyes


Ipsy- SOHO Crease Brush. I LOVE this brush. Some people may not like the length but I don't mind a tall brush and this brush is amazing for on my eyes. This month, Ipsy sent out different brushes (either concealer, eyeliner, or crease) and I am so excited to get the crease brush- love this option this month!


Birchbox-theBalm® cosmetics Put a Lid On It™. This is the 3rd theBalm® product I've received from Birchbox and the first one of the three I wasn't excited about. From Sephora samples and my own favorite full-size choices, I have plenty of eyelid primers. This one is ok but just another one- the sample is pretty small too.

Put a Lid on it

Some of my eye primers!

Winner: Ipsy

Round 2: Hair

Ipsy: Sexy Hair's Spray & Play Volumizing Hairspray. I don't use hairspray- like ever. However, in the rare occurrences I do, this is a product I like. Also, it is THE perfect size for traveling and came in handy twice on my last trip (granted once for someone else).



Birchbox: Number 4 Clarifying Shampoo. I was so not excited for this. Shampoo!?!? Do they think I don't have shampoo? I mean I even have clarifying shampoos (love Bumble and bumble Sunday shampoo). However, I gave it a try especially after getting a great conditioner mask in my December box. The second time I used it, it worked great- my hair felt super clean- shampoo smells great too.



Winner: Birchbox by a hair!

Round 3: Lotion

Ipsy: Pacifica Tuscan Blood Orange Mini Body Butter. There is nothing mini about this sample. This is a huge 2.5 oz sample. It smells great and is super hydrating. Who doesn't love practically free, delicious-smelling lotion?


Birchbox: 100% Pure Nourishing Body Cream. I don't have a pic of this because I already used my tiny foil samples. I got 2 samples and each one lasted exactly one use. 2 showers-2 lotions and all done. The smell was strong- strong in the way that it lasted FOREVER- smelly all day and night. My boyfriend had to comment on it once before going to bed since it was sooo strong. The smell grew on me and I love that is is 100% pure, but no one wants an intense smell 24/7 and it is really thick.

Winner: Ipsy- obviously.

Round 4: Skin

Ipsy: Josie Maran's 100% Pure Argan Oil. I have to make a confession: I haven't used this yet but I am stoked to. I have 2 serum samples and wasn't excited when I saw this on Ipsy sneak peek but then I saw the info on this box. This isn't just for your face, this works on your cuticles, hair, split ends, etc. How amazing! Praises all around for this product and the sample size is so large it should last me months.
Birchbox: Caudalie Vinexpert Radiance Day Cream SPF 15. I wasn't stoked for this but again the info on this product swayed me. Why? It is supposed to be a dark spot/acne scar remover miracle. I'll be honest, I have good to great skin but who doesn't have some acne/dark spots? And then my box arrived... this sample is so little. Maybe 5-7 uses? AND Sephora is including this as a sample in a promo where it would be 1 of 12 skin care samples. Now I feel ripped off.

Tiny sample!

Winner: Ipsy

Round 5: Miscellaneous

Ipsy: Nailtini Straight Up Color Nail Lacquer in Bloody Mary. This is my second Nailtini product from Ipsy and I love the color, I was in need of an intense red! Some people received the Frappe color and I think I would have been happy either way- both colors I would love to own.



Birchbox: Juicy Couture Viva La Juicy. Sigh- I couldn't help being disappointed by a perfume sample- especially when I get great ones for free from Sephora, but last month I received Aerie shimmer which is amazing(!) so I kept my mind open. And then I smelled it-meh. Nothing special or great. Didn't completely hate this scent but it is definitely not my style.


Winner: Ipsy

And the winner is... Ipsy 4 to 1! 

This month was a slaughter, almost a shut-out 5 to 0! Obviously, I am keeping Ipsy for awhile. Stay tuned for next month's unboxings and matchups.


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