January Sephora play! vs Birchbox

I’m a subscription box lover. Every month I think maybe I should cancel one of these or both and pocket the extra money, and then I don’t. I just love getting these surprises in the mail every month. I get to try products without buying a full size of some pretty pricey brands. I have found some of my favorite products using these services, but also lets be real… I get plenty of stuff I don’t actually like or won’t work. So I’ll break down the value of the samples in each box, and I’m adding a new factor I’ll call the Megan Value. Looking at what I received in each box and what I will use, what is the actual value to me.

First up is my Sephora play!

BITE BEAUTY || full size $24 sample value $14.40

FOUR SIGMATIC || full size $20 sample value $6

SUNDAY RILEY C.E.O. Rapid Flash Brightening Serum || full size $85 sample value $14.45

LANEIGE || full size $25 sample value $3.2

BEAUTYBLENDER blendercleanser® solid pro || sull size $45 sample value $4.74

BONUS ITEM

BITE BEAUTY Agave Lip Balm || Full Size $18 Sample Value $2.16

BITE BEAUTY Agave Sugar Lip Scrub || Full Size $18 Sample Value $1.26

Total Box Value - $46.21

So I actually love and will use everything in this box except maybe the mushroom latte mix, so the total value I’ll get out of this box is $40.21. Weird item. The beauty blender cleaner is a very welcome addition because I REALLY need to clean my beauty sponges. While the lip color is a bit darker than something I would wear during the day, I love it for an evening out. I always use up all of the face products I receive, especially with the winter hitting the Indiana real hard.

Next up Birchbox! I have been subscribed since 2012, I quit once but it didn’t last long. Most of my most loved products are from them, partially because I’ve been getting the box so long. They used to have a killer points rewards system, but they dropped that and I may be holding a slight grudge against them. So here’s what I got.

Stila Cosmetics Stay All Day® Liquid Lipstick || full size $22 sample value $11

TLW Let’s Get Naked Frizz Fighter || full size $20 sample value $3.22

Beautaniq Beauty Nourishing Mascara || full size $19.90 sample value $6

Blaq Peel Off Mask || full size $29 sample value $7.25

Pūrlisse BB tinted moist cream SPF 30 || full size $35 sample value $6

BONUS ITEM

Estée Lauder Revitalizing Supreme+ Global Anti-Aging Cell Power Creme - Full size $82 Sample Value $2.41

Total box value - $35.88

So Birchbox throwing in a bonus item is a rarity for them, maybe they are stepping up their game? I’m going to give Birchbox a Megan value of $17.63. The lip color is way to bold for me, it is darker than it looks in the photo. I need products that are lower maintenance than a dark bold red. In my Megan value, I also subtracted the Blaq mask. I tried it, and it turned my face BRIGHT RED. This was likely because it ripped out all of the hair on my face, hard pass for me.

. . . . .

Sephora play! comes through again and wins in my book. What about you? Do you receive any subscription services you just love getting?