Happy Hump Day! We’re almost to the weekend, YAY! We still have a few more days to get through, so to pass the time a little quicker, I decided to bring back one of my most popular series – Battle of the Boxes! It’s been 4 months since the last battle, but it still remains my most pinned and viewed post(s). Plus, Sample Society has recently made some big changes, so I took that as another sign to jump start this series again! 🙂
Allure Beauty Box (formerly Sample Society)
Price: $15+ tax/box
Delivery Date: July 9th
Incentive: Sign up for the entire year, and receive one month free!
The Allure Beauty Box used to be known as Sample Society, and it was purchased through Beautybar.com – but, that has changed. Now, you can find this monthly subscription right on Allure.com. Another change? There’s no monthly $10 credit through Beauty Bar anymore, bummer. But, everything else has remained the same. Each month, you’ll receive 5 deluxe beauty samples that have been hand picked by Allure’s top beauty editors. The samples are from brands of all price ranges, and they are usually top notch choices.
Bumble & Bumble Hairdresser’s Invisible Oil Primer – I was so happy to see this in my box! I’m a huge fan of Bumble and Bumble, and I’ve been eyeing this new line for quite some time. This light weight oil is formulated for all hair types, and is designed to be used in damp hair to protect locks from UV damage, while also adding shine and softness. I’ve only used it a few times, but I love it! It smells great, doesn’t weigh down my hair, and my blow out was super shiny and bouncy.
Estée Lauder Sumptuous Infinite Daring Length + Volume Mascara – This mascara has a plastic bristle wand (not my favorite), that claims to prevent lashes from clumping together. The formula contains fibers for significant length, and a little volume. After a few uses, I can say it does exactly that. Also, the fibers don’t flake, and this even works amazing on lower lashes. I really like it, though I wish the brush had natural bristles.
Estée Lauder Advanced Night Repair Eye Serum Synchronized Complex II – Another great product from Estée Lauder! This lightweight serum blends in really easily, and leaves my under eyes feeling soft and hydrated. It contains caffeine to suck in eye bags, Hyaluronic Acid to moisturize, and a slew of other ingredients that are meant to reduce the appearance of fine lines, dark circles and unevenness. It pretty much does it all!
Invisibobble – I was a little underwhelmed with this at first. I thought, really a hair tie that looks like a phone cord? But, it actually works really well! It’s designed to hold hair in place, without leaving behind any pesky bumps or dents, and it can be used on all hair types. It’s a little funny looking on your wrist, but after testing this out all weekend, I am happy to report my hair was dent free! Like a phone cord, this will stretch out, but give it a few minutes, and it shrinks right back to its original size. This tiny package came with three, so it’s a great sample size.
Supergoop Defense Refresh Setting Mist Broad Spectrum Sunscreen SPF 50 – I really love the idea of a setting spray with SPF, but this one I’m on the fence about. This sample has a tiny nozzle, so instead of a fine mist, it comes out in thin little squirts, making it hard to cover my entire face. Also, it smells like Binaca breath spray. It dried quickly though, and didn’t leave a film on my face, so I’ll continue to test it and keep you all updated.
Oscar Blandi Pronto Invisible Volumizing Dry Shampoo – Finally, a dry shampoo that is actually clear! So many others claim to be translucent, and then I’m left with a head full of white spots that have to be rigorously rubbed in order to fade away. This on the other hand, actually sprays on clear, and I sprayed A LOT in order to test it. It also smells really pretty, like flowers, and it doesn’t leave my hair feeling stiff or yucky.
Birchbox
Price: $10/month
Delivery: July 9th
Incentive: Upgrade to Beta, and add two full size products to each box, for just $20 more (a $50 value).
Birchbox is also a monthly beauty subscription, but their loyalty program sets them apart from most other services. Like the Allure box, you’ll receive 5 beauty samples each month. Once you’ve tried them out, you can hop online and review each one, for 10 reward points each. Reach 100 points, and you’ll receive $10 for use in the Birchbox Shop. You can also earn points by referring friends, and for each purchase you make in the shop. I’ve been a member for just 7 months, and so far I’ve wracked up enough points for 3 $10 rewards!
Another perk about Birchbox, is every so often they offer themed boxes that can be chosen, instead of one with random samples. You’ll get a look at the products included, so there won’t be any surprises, and it’s offered at no extra cost. These sell out extrememly fast though, so you have to be quick. Other months, they offer a sample selection, where you can choose one of the samples you’ll receive. Those also go quickly, so always watch your emails!
This month I chose the Beachy & Bright featured box.
Oribe Après Beach Wave and Shine Spray – I really wish I didn’t like this, because it’s really expensive, but it’s so nice! It has a great beachy scent that lingers on the hair, and it leaves behind tousled sexy waves – for that effortless bed head look that VS models rock so well. I didn’t notice any residue or weighed down feeling, and it can be used on both wet and dry hair. I am definitely going to use the heck out of this sample!
Juara Radiance Enzyme Scrub – This is the only sample I have yet to try, mostly because I’m always hesitant about trying new scrubs. My face is sensitive, and it tends to react to abrasive products, but I will make sure to tweet from the rooftops about whether this is yay or nay. Stay tuned!
Supergoop Anti-Aging City Sunscreen Serum SPF 30 – I’m a long time lover of Supergoop SPFs, and this one might just be my new favorite. It’s super thin and lightweight, so it sinks into the skin beautifully, without any greasy feeling. Best of all, this contains anti-agers to protect skin from further sun damage. It’s a tad bit too light to wear on its own (my dry skin requires something heavier), but it mixes well with my First Aid Beauty Daily Face Cream.
Stila Stay All Day Liquid Lipstick in Bella – Hello, pigmentation! This is the most opaque lip product I have ever swatched, no wonder people are going nuts for liquid lipsticks! This one has a yummy vanilla cupcake scent, and it applies really evenly and smooth. It did accentuate my fine lines, so it’s definitely not a product you want to apply to chapped lips. I also noticed it transferred quite easily, and it was hard to remove, so only wear this if you’re fully committed.
theBalm Balm Desert Bronzer/Blush – I was so excited to receive this, and in fact it’s pretty much the entire reason I chose this featured box, but when I saw the size of it I laughed out loud. This product is a bronzer/blush, but the sample is the size of an eyeshadow. I somehow managed to get my MAC 109 into it, but it took some work. The shade is a nice rosy bronze that reminds me Benefit Dallas, only it applied really patchy…probably because I can’t fit my entire face brush into it. I still need to play with this some more, but the size is disappointing.
The winner….
ALLURE BEAUTY BOX!
It was hard to choose this month, because I really loved samples from both boxes, but in the end I liked the Allure Beauty Box just a bit more. The hair oil is wonderful, the eye serum is amazing, and I’ve been loving the dry shampoo. Plus, there was actually 6 samples this month, which is something they’ve done from time to time. I was also really impressed with Birchbox, and it’s nice to see them feature brands like Stila, Oribe, and theBalm. I hope that’s something they continue to do!
Are you surprised by my choice? Which box do you like best?
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Both terrific boxes! I’m so jealous of the Bumble & Bumble, Stila, and theBalm and SuperGoop products! <3
The samples were great this month, it was so hard to choose a winner!
The Allure box knocked my sox off!
It was definitely great this month!
Definitely some good bits in each!
I agree, it was a great month for both!
I think these boxes both had one of their best months ever. There are so many products I would have loved to get!
I totally agree. They both hit it out of the park. It will be interesting to see what next month brings!
Both of these boxes look good to me! That Stila lippy is over-the-top gorgeous!
It’s stunning for summer, and SO pigmented!
I’m surprised to admit that I think I would have liked the Birch box better!
Birchbox did good this month, I was surprised by it too!
Both good boxes but I agree, the Allure one is great!
Allure always makes me happy, it’s the one that has impressed me almost every month I’ve been subscribed to it!
I still have yet to try a beauty box subscription. I just don’t know if I’d enjoy the surprise. haha I always enjoy seeing what you get though and it helps me out to know which company to go with if I ever take the plunge. 🙂
http://www.lipstickisalife.com/
If you go with one, I do suggest Allure! It’s always impressed me month after month!
The Hairdresser’s oil sounds great
It’s a wonderful addition to my hair stash, B&B always impresses me!
I love the Oscar Blandi and I really hope I got the Stila!!! Great boxes!
I’m definitely going to buy a full size Oscar Blandi, it’s fantastic!
Wow both boxes this month look amazing!
They were both really amazing this month!
Some of both, really. I am going to find me some of those hairties.
The hair ties are so interesting!
I’m going to have to agree with you in this post- that Allure Beauty Box kicks the Birchbox’s butt!
Allure makes a great box!
I picked the featured box too, I haven’t tried to use the bronzer yet but it looks like it will be challenging! Also I didn’t realize “Sample Society” was back! I LOVE that box.
The bronzer is quite challenging to use, but not impossible. They definitely could have given a bigger size! lol
Yeah, Allure box wins!
I love both of these! I have a couple of the original Stila Liquid Lipsticks, and boy do they last forever! It is really nice though to not have to worry too much about re-applying all day.
I love the Allure box! I have seen a couple posts about this subscription, and the more I read about it the more I think I need to sign up!
I highly recommend the Allure box! i’ve never been disappointed, the samples are usually high end brands as well!
Both boxes have an incredible selection! I’m seriously thinking I need that Supergoop serum in my routine too.
It’s a great SPF, it blends so easily and doesn’t smell at all like sunscreen!
Both boxes have some great goodies… but the Allure box I think I would enjoy more.
The Allure box never disappoints! 🙂
Hard choice but am more into Birchbox! And those Invisi bobbles are so good, I have a bunch
I have been liking them! I have one in my hair now in fact 🙂
The Allure one won for me! That The Balm “bronzer” is HI-LARIOUSLY tiny. I guess the positive thing there is if you love it, you can probably hit pan on it relatively fast! The Bumble & Bumble Hairdresser’s Invisible Oil line is so good. I bought the oil when my hair was longer and it never weighed it down or made it oily. A feat! I used to be a Birchbox sub back in 2009, and I did Ipsy about 2 years ago. I recently reupped with Ipsy and after 2 months of bags, I think I’m going to stop them again. I usually only feel real love for 1 thing in the bag. Great battle post!
I gave up on Ispy after 5 months. The idea is cute, and I loved the different bags each month, but I found myself never liking (or using) the samples they sent. Birchbox has really stepped up their game, and I love the shop and rewards program. Allure never ever disappoints. It’s $5 more, but the quality really shows. Oh, and the bronzer…I mean they really couldn’t have made it any smaller! LOL I was like “Are you kidding?!” *face palm* 😉
Yes! What you said about Ipsy is exactly how I feel. Sample Society/Allure is the one I’ve been most interested to try and after this post, I think I will. I canceled Ipsy today and I’m off to sign up for Allure’s! That bronzer CRACKED ME UP! I remember getting an eyeshadow “palette” once in a sub box and the pans were all about that size, but a bronzer?! My hat is off to you for getting the product out of there! 😀 I think it would be a gorgeous crease color, though!
YAY! So happy you signed up! Here’s hoping next month is a good one! 😀