Birchbox offers to send a box of 5 handpicked deluxe beauty product samples monthly to help subscribers develop an effortless, simple beauty routine.

Hayley Barna

Katia Beauchamp

Birchbox subscription service offers a unique way to discover new products, but has suffered some issues. Positive aspects include the fun of receiving monthly packages, discovering new products, and it being a good gift for younger audiences. However, customers have had issues with small sample sizes, lack of product personalisation, unauthorised charges, and wasteful packaging.

Birchbox

Beauty

Personal Care

Makeup

Bath & Body

I had great experience when I signed up for the boxes, always getting different products, really good quality brands and sometimes getting a full sized product.

Quality and sizing of samples just NOT worth it. Don’t bother filling out questionnaires regarding products, colors, skin tones etc..I’m fair to light, hazel eyes and red hair. I’ve received on more than one occasion foundations and concealers suitable for a very dark complexion. I just donate but it’s frustrating.  I have also received broken/open products quite a lot.  I’ve cancelled my membership and don’t ever see myself going back. 

I started receiving Birchbox subscription a few years ago as a gift and I remember I would look forward to the packages coming each month. Subscription boxes are a fun idea and I did definitely find products I would have never came across had it not been for Birchbox, but the sizings were very small and often included things I wouldn't use. I'd give away some samples to family or friends at the time so they weren't a complete waste. It's a cute gift idea for younger girls as a gift but does become a nuisance after a few months. 

I have bought multiple boxes from Birchbox in the past and have been happy with my purchases. 
However there are a few things i want to address: 
First of all personally i believe there should be more specification on products needed for personal use, as some products would be used much less than others or on the rare occasion not at all. 
Apart from that minor detail it’s a brilliant brand and definitely worth the price!

I used this service for years beginning in 2014 and was happy for a long time, but now it’s ridiculous. They sold the company and all the money I have been paying for my subscription just disappears. As of Oct 25, 2023, I’ve been charged for September and October, and have gotten nothing but excuses on why they have my money but I have to products. When I inquire, I get a robot response refusing me a refund and saying my box(es) are “being prepared”. They refuse to let me end my subscription and won’t refund my money. Plus all the loyalty points I accumulated over the years disappeared with the sale of the company and my profile was deleted.
Absolute BS.
Steer clear, try some other service, there are lots.

Stay far away from Birchbox!   These thieves have gone back and reopened every account they have ever had.  I was charged $222 today for an account that was closed over a year ago!  No way to contact by phone, only 'chat'.  The representative said they changed hands last fall and were transferring accounts.  Oddly enough, after researching a bit, I found many other who had the same thing happen.  What kind of reputable company does this? 

I was a Birchbox Men subscriber for a few years. I found a few good products through it and it was the source of most of my travel toiletries. But then my partner pointed out that (a) it's a lot of wasted packaging for stuff I don't really need and (b) I'm not traveling anymore. So I canceled my subscription and don't feel sed. 

Not worth it. You can get nicer samples for free with other purchases. 

I tried this out several years ago when i was first getting into make up and skincare. I defiantly think back than it was worth the price. But my collection started growing i ended up cancelling it.  I think if you Don't have a lot of products defiantly worth trying it out. 

I tried Birchbox when it first started. I didn't keep up with the subscription though as I found the samples to be mostly products I didn't find useful and I had had to keep recycling all of the boxes. I found myself bringing the items to work and sharing them with co-workers but that wasn't a good use of my money so I cancelled. 

I never felt like they listened to the surveys. I’d always get products I said I never use and also there are better brands of this that send cute bags instead of wasteful boxes 

Really cool idea, and fun to receive recurring packages, but the actual items were unremarkable and never anything I was too excited about.

I used to LOVE Birchbox, loyal customer even gifted boxes to my nieces over the years. When they stopped sending boxes without any notification it was impossible to speak with anyone and I came to find out that they went out of business. During that time I signed up for IPSY and out of the blue I get an email saying my Birchbox would be shipping. Well, this has been months, like so many I lost track. I communicated by email to their customer service and I tried to cxl my account (again they stopped sending with zero communication) and they tell me I can’t because I signed up for an annual box! Yes, I did but Birchbox should have allowed their customers out of their contracts given what transpired. I was pretty annoyed and logged into my acct to make sure it doesn’t automatically renew. Honestly, their quality of their boxes is down too. I feel like I get minimal products from what I recall I got for years. Birchbox you did your customers dirty and I’d never recommend anyone to use you. I can’t wait till I stop getting the crap from them. 

Birchbox is a pretty neat prescription. I enjoyed everything that was in the box and when I wanted to cancel, it was easy to cancel my subscription.  I highly recommend if you are a person who enjoys getting subscription boxes. 

When I first tried it, I received lots of great items. I’ve subscribed a few more times and very disappointed, because there are too many repeat items, poor quality items and tiny samples.

Actually tailor the boxes for the customer like you claim to. 

I got a few good things, but it is not curated for you in any way. That's a lie. There is absolutely no point in filling out the questions. I get the exact same samples my mom gets. I'm black with curly hair, she's white with blonde hair. Also, some of the samples I've received at least three times now. Hardly any makeup at all, the majority of the items are lotions. It's a waste of money. 

Don't love the excessive packaging, wish there was an option for only cruelty-free products

Ultimately, Birchbox was not for me. The mini/small size of the products was underwhelming and uncompelling. The product assortment was not that original and most of the items I had owned, tried, or had various versions already. I think it's fair to share that I also likely consume and use more beauty and make-up products than the average person. I think Birchbox would be best suited to a tween, teenager, or young adult to start introducing them to products without the commitment. 

I was gifted a three-month Birchbox subscription from a friend for my birthday and was so pleasantly surprised and excited about it! The activation was easy to do online from the info that was provided. I'm unsure of my level of membership, but was expecting 5 products and had realistic expectations that they wouldn't be full-size. When the box arrived it was compact and super cute; the box (while branded with logo) is definitely reusable for various purposes, which is nice.

I just wasn’t into it I don’t feel like it was a good deal and I don’t enjoy the travel sizes.

About Birchbox