Battle of the Boxes September 2013

Now that you have seen what I have received in my Birchbox and Ipsy Glambag for the month of September... who do you think deserves to win the battle? You might think that this is such an easy question to answer, but I assure you... it is tough! Check out the stats below!

Birchbox September 2013

Ipsy September 2013

Let's break it down now! *sang with attitude*

Here are some statistics that I kept track of for this month

 

If I had to go through each category and pick a winner, I suppose that I could, but I would not say that this necessarily dictates a clear winner! Each subscription service has it's own pros and cons.

Birchbox pros and cons: I love full-size nail color samples and facial peels, but I hate foil packets... especially when I will not use them at all!

Ipsy pros and cons: I love the creamy eye liner and volumizing mascara, but John Frieda is not a high end brand to me when it comes to hair care products.

Things that play into both of their favors for this month:

I received shampoo and conditioner from both Birchbox and Ipsy. Birchbox sent me more products that work for hair, skin and nails. Ipsy sent me more cosmetics.

I think this is one major reason it is difficult to claim a clear winner. Both of my subscription services seem to balance out so well for me! Maybe I was just lucky, maybe not. 

What do you think? Is there a clear winner in your eyes? How different were your subscriptions this month? Leave a comment below!

Want to recieve your own Birchbox or Ipsy Glambag?
CLICK HERE for Birchbox
CLICK HERE for Ipsy

xoxo,
Jen

Ipsy September 2013

Happy Friday the 13th! Despite all the superstition about today, my Ipsy bag came in the mail! It is my first time receiving an Ipsy Glambag so I've been patiently waiting all week! I looked in the mailbox... and there it was, the bright pink mailer from Ipsy!

Of course I was anxious to open it up to see what I have received for this month!

The theme for this month is "Classic Beauty." On the back of this card, it lists all the brands for the month and the discounts you can receive on them if you purchase the full sized items!

The next item in the mailer was a sample of Michelle Phan's (the founder of Ipsy) new line EM. When you open up the card, it give you a picture of The Life Palette in its actual size and then at the bottom is a sample of one of the looks. I got the sample of look 3, "Out to Lunch." I thought that this was a fun sample to put in there and I hope that we get to sample more from the EM line in the future.

One thing that I really love about Ipsy is that for only $10 you get the 4-5 premium beauty samples but you also get a fun and cute make-up bag with it once a month! This is September's. It is such a pretty blue color with a fun black floral design. It is gorgeous!

Now, onto the fun part... the samples!!!!

The first two samples that I pulled out of my bag were the John Frieda Full Repair Full Body Shampoo and the John Frieda Full Repair Full Body Conditioner. I would not say that I am completely disappointed that I got these, but I had my hopes up for more cosmetic items that I have seen other people receiving. However, with that said, I love trying new shampoos and conditioners and will gladly test these ones out, too!

Price Point:
Full size - $6.59 each
Sample value - $1.17 each

The next item that I pulled from the make-up bag was an item all Ipsy subscribers knew that we were getting and that was a NYX Single Eye Shadow. I was hoping for a more matte color for myself, but I received that color Earthy Shimmer. I am not a huge fan of glitter, but the lighter color is nice and will work for a highlighter or base. I also really like the texture of the shadow.

Price Point:
Full size - $4.50
Sample value - $4.50 (We got a FULL SIZE sample!)

I always love trying out new mascara. I was excited to pull this It's So Big Volumizing Mascara by Elizabeth Mott from my Glambag this month! The brush has a fun shape to it and I cannot wait to test this out!

Price Point:
Full size - $19.99
Sample value - $7.99

The final item I pulled from my Glambag was the one I was most excited about! I love a good, creamy eyeliner and had high hopes for this Starlooks Obsidian Kohl Eye Pencil. I tested a line out on my had and it went on straight and smooth! I cannot wait to use this on my eyes!

Price Point:
Full size - $12.00
Sample value - $12.00 (ANOTHER full sized item!)

I have to say that I am SO impressed with Ipsy so far and I cannot wait for next month! This was definitely worth the $10 just at the beginning with the bag and discount card! Then, you add in all the samples and it exceeds my expectations!

Final Price Point:
Amount Paid for Bag - $10.00
Total Bag Value - $26.83

WIN! If the bag alone does not sell you than the value of the contents has got to get you going on over to subscribe today!

What did you think of my September 2013 Glambag from Ipsy? What did you get in yours? Leave your comments below!

If you are interested in subscribing to receive your own Glambag from Ipsy, CLICK HERE!

xoxo,
Jen

Birchbox September 2013

Guess what?! It is already the middle of September... and you know what that means? BIRCHBOX!

I went to the mail to get my box and was so anxious to open it! So, I thought that I would post about it ASAP! Remember... this box only cost me $10 each month! I can already tell you that this box alone exceeds that value! So, without further adieu... here is what I got this month in my September 2013 Birchbox!

This months theme is Heritage.

As always, the first item in the box is a card that tells you what the theme is this month. On the back of the card, it lists all the items (and how to use them) that are in your box.

This months theme is "Heritage." I think that this theme works well for the fall and it is also Birchbox's 3 year anniversary... so it is doubly fitting.

The next item in my box is a coupon to use in the Birchbox Customer Favorites Shop. I get to take 30% off of anything in that particular store. Exciting!

Here is what the inside looks like! Getting excited!

My first TWO items in my box go together! They are the Beauty Protector Protect & Shampoo and the Beauty Protector Protect & Condition.They both smell really good... almost a fruity, creamy coconut, which is a nice change from my normal shampoo and conditioner.

Price Point:
Full size - $21.95 each
Sample value - $2.74 each

The next item in my box is the Juice Beauty Green Apple Peel Sensitive. I am SO excited to try out this item. It is a fruit derived facial peel and it is supposed to dissolve dead skin! How cool! It smells very sweet and its coolest feature is that it is made with certified organic ingredients.

Price Point:
Full size - $39.00
Sample value - $4.88

The item in my box I was most looking forward to, because of the Birchbox Sneak Peek Video was this Ruffian Nail Lacquer in Fox Hunt. I absolutely LOVE this color! There is something about bright, funky nail colors that get me super excited!

Price Point:
Full size - $10.00
Sample value - $10.00 (THAT'S RIGHT! We got a full-sized sample!)

This last sample in my box is a complete dud for me. Not only is it a foil packet, but it is something that I will probably never use. It is the Soak Rinse-Free Wash. Basically it can wash your clothing without rinsing it........ ??? Hmmm... I cannot say that I am excited about this at all.

Price Point:
Full size - $16.00
Sample value - $0.20

The final item in my box is another coupon for a free travel-size Caudalie Divine Oil with the purchase of any Caudalie product in the Birchbox shop. I probably will not use it... but it is cool to have in case I do!

So... final evaluation of this months Birchbox? I am sold! I think the nail lacquer alone did me in, but the shampoo and conditioner and the organic peel are going to be fun to try, too!

Final Price Point:
Amount Paid for Box - $10.00
Total Box Value - $20.56

WIN! The box definitely paid for itself this month!

What did you think of my September 2013 Birchbox? What did you receive in yours? Leave your comments below.

Also, if you are interested in joining Birchbox, here is the link: CLICK HERE

xoxo,
Jen

It All Begins With $10

I am SO excited to start this blog! I know that I have not been the best at keeping blogs in the past, but I just know that this one will be totally different!

You might be asking yourself, what is this Birchbox and Ipsy she is talking about? Well, let me let you in on a secret that has been hiding on the net! Birchbox and Ipsy are monthly subscription services that send you premium beauty samples in the mail once a month for only $10 each!

How they can afford it is beyond me... but I can already tell you that even though you pay only $10, you get a better value and then some.

So, with this blog I am going to be taking both of my subscription services and showing you what I get each month, giving you price points, and comparing both services!

If you are interested in joining Birchbox or Ipsy, the links are below! You will not be disappointed!

Birchbox: http://birch.ly/16trUd1
Ipsy: http://www.ipsy.com/?refer=u-hkf2lpuq64id9b4