Monday, August 6, 2012

How to get the most out of your Birchbox


I read a lot of blogs and message boards, and I see how many people don't take full advantage of the perks of a Birchbox subscription.  Birchbox is a monthly subscription service.  For $10 a month you get a box of 4 or 5 deluxe size beauty samples.  They range from haircare, to skincare, to makeup, usually with a lifestyle item which may be a protein bar, earbuds, laundry soap etc.  Often times you'll get a full size item!  I've gotten full size lip gloss, lipstick, bronzer, and eyeliner.  The value of my box is always more than the $10 that I pay, sometimes being upwards of $30.

First, there is a waitlist.  When you sign up you're put on a waitlist which can be up to a month.  Once you get your e-mail that you can join, you have 72 hours to claim your subscription.  The way to get around this is with a gift subscription.  I've gifted people a 3 month sub, where the first box ships immediately, then after they receive the 3rd box, they can sign up without waiting.

There are a variety of boxes sent each month.  For July, there were 31.  They say the box you get depends somewhat upon how you filled out your profile.  I don't know how accurate this is, but I do know that out of myself and 4 or 5 of my friends, we never get a duplicate box between us.

The boxes ship around the 10th of every month.  They've been known to start as early as the 4th, but it's generally closer to the 10th.  Don't panic if your box hasn't shipped by the 10th, I promise it's coming.

The shop.  
Birchbox has a shop on their site that has all the full size products from that months box. (These items ship for free within the month).  They also have quite a few other items in different categories.  If you get something in your box that you fall in love with, you can buy the full size from Birchbox.

Points.
One of the things that drives me crazy is people not taking advantage of the points system.  Every 100 points you earn is equal to $10 to spend in the shop.  You earn points a few different ways.  First, if you make a purchase in the shop, you earn 1 point for every dollar spent.  Next, leaving feedback.  When you get your box each month, log into your account and click on box.  Then click on each item in your box.  When you go to the item you'll see a button that says leave feedback.  Do this and get 10 points for each item.  If you get a box with 7 items, that's 70 points or essentially  a $7 return on your box.  Next, referrals.  Every referral earns you 50 points, so if you know someone who wants to join, give them your referral link, or have them contact BB once they join and tell them you referred them.

Birchbox is also known for sending out discounts in e-mails. 20% off after your first box, then every 3 months after, sometimes 25% off if you spend so much, or extra points for spending a certain amount, so make sure you read those e-mails!

When you redeem points in the shop, realize that even though you earn them 10 at a time, or 1 for every $1, you redeem them 100 at a time.  If you have an item that is $12, and you have 200 points, they're not going to take 120 points, they're going to take the entire 200.  You're better off finding something small to get you closer to the $20 mark or you're just throwing away those points!

Interested in joining Birchbox?  You can sign up here.



 

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