Battle of the Boxes, January 2015: Birchbox vs Ipsy

Hello there lovelies!

This month, I received my three subscription boxes all around the same time (which never happens). I subscribe to Glossybox, Birchbox, and Ipsy. I'm usually always pleased with my Glossybox; it  has a good mix of full sized and higher-end items, and for $21/mos I am always happy with the value. I don't include it in the battle of the boxes, because it is in a higher price bracket and I like to compare subscriptions that are of equal price to see which gives you the best bang for your buck.

My Glossybox for the month of January - a $70 value

Birchbox and Ipsy, however, can be very hit or miss. Most of the time I'm fairly content with the items I receive for $10/mo, but I do have to admit there are times I've been disappointed with the contents of the bag, and  even an occasion or two that I've felt that there wasn't a single item I could use. I often debate about cancelling one of my subs, but then they go and send me an awesome box, and I am once again sucked into subscription box bliss. However I do still plan to (eventually) cancel one of my subs, so I like to compare month to month and get an idea with which box I am happiest with most often. Which brings me to Battle of the Boxes -  a comparison of my Ipsy and Birchbox! Read on to see which box comes out on top for the month of January!


First up, Birchbox:

Birchbox is a monthly subscription service that costs $10/mo and provides you with 4-6 samples hand-picked for you and delivered right to your mailbox! When you subscribe to the service, you fill out a questionnaire that helps them pick items suited to your needs and style. This is one of the original subscription boxes, and it has one of the best points systems: for every 100 points earned, you get $10 to spend in their shop. It's easy to earn points through reviewing the products received, shopping in their store and referring friends! Also, another fun perk that Birchbox introduced a few months back is the option to pick one of your samples each month. I like this option, because you can be sure that you will like at least one of the items you receive each month (provided they offer a sample choice you like).

The January theme for Birchbox is "Let's Do This" - the perfect mindset for taking on a new year!

 

Coastal Scents Revealed Palette Sampler - $2.00 value

This is a great palette with beautiful colors and good pigmentation. 

 I love to receive these samplers because they are perfect for my travel bag.

Dr. Lipp Nipple Balm for Lips -  $3.00 value

Not gonna lie, this stuff kind of freaks me out... but I can understand the concept behind it. 

It is a thick balm, not unlike Vaseline, that keeps your lips feeling hydrated for hours.

Tocca Crema de Mano in Cleopatra - $5.00 value

 This was my pick for the month of January;

it has a nice, fresh scent and is very moisturizing. 

I've gotten in the habit of regularly applying hand cream,

 so I will definitely get use out of this. 

Oribe Shampoo for Beautiful Color - $2.00 value

 This is small sample of pricey color-safe shampoo -

 probably only enough for 1-2 washings.

 It didn't come with a coordinating conditioner, which I dislike, 

however it is great for travel, and I'm sure I have a foil packet of 

conditioner stashed somewhere that I can use with it. 

MyChelle Advanced Argan Oil - $2.50 value

This is a nice little bottle of Argan Oil, that can be used for hair and skin. 

I am not a big fan of oils, but should I suddenly become a convert 

I have plenty in my stockpile to choose from. Because of that, 

I will be passing this one along to someone else.

This month, the total value of items received in my Birchbox is  $14.50. This wasn't the best month for me, as I received many items I won't use, and the samples were all really small. However, I am usually quite happy with Birchbox, so an off month here and there isn't the end of the world.

Next up, Ipsy:

Ipsy is a monthly beauty and makeup subscription that contains full or deluxe sized products, all packed into a cute makeup bag that suits the theme for that month. Like Birchbox, it costs $10/month, and the items vary from bag to bag based on your beauty profile. You can earn points by reviewing the products you receive and making referrals, and those points can be redeemed for select items when you reach 500 or 1000 points.

The theme for this month was "Fresh Start"  to symbolize starting with a clean slate in 2015. 

I think I see a trend in subscription box themes...

Eco-beauty by La Fresh Good Day.Day Moisturizer - $13.99 value

A natural daily moisturizer with peptides, hyaluronic acid,  aloe, cucumber and 

botanical extracts that provides hydration while fighting fine lines. 

The packaging is great - it's a reusable packet!

I will definitely give this a try to see if it will work with my oily skin.

Jouer Lip Enhancer - $8.00 value

This is a lip treatment with Vitamin E, Shea Butter and Jojoba Oil.

My lips are always dry in the colder months, so this will come in handy.

Pacifica Coconut Eyeshadow in Ethereal - ~$3.50  value

Pacifica does not sell single shadows, so I'm making an educated guess on the value of this one. 

The product itself is a soft pearly beige color without much pigmentation.

 It will work OK as a brow or inner corner highlight.

Bellapierre Shimmer Powder in Whesek - $14.99 value

Full size product! The shade I received is a really pretty shimmery gunmetal color. 

I'm not the biggest fan of loose pigment, but the sifter top does not allow too

 much product out at a time, which makes it easier to use.

 

Elizabeth Mott All Over Shadow Brush - $9.99 value

Big fan of brushes right here, so I am always thrilled to receive one in a subscription. 

The bristles feel soft, and I think it will work well as a lid shader.

The total value for Ipsy this month is $49.50. That is awesome for a $10/mo subscription! Many of the samples were deluxe or full sized, which is always nice, and I will use most of the items I received!

And the winner is...

 For the month of January,  I'm going to have to hand the title over to Ipsy - not only did it have a much higher total value ($49.50 vs $14.50 - a $35.00 difference!) , but it came with a makeup brush - which had me from the start - and I will get use out of all of the products. Woo-hoo Ipsy!

Interested in trying out one of these subscriptions for yourself? Follow this link for Birchbox, or this one for Ipsy. 

What boxes do you currently subscribe to? Which is your favorite this month? 

Thank you for checking out Battle of the Boxes, and remember to live a beautiful life! 

~Jessica