Subscription boxes are all the rage nowadays. Nothing is better than getting things delivered to you, especially things you are interested in or want to try out. When it comes to makeup, monthly boxes are perfect for the person on-the-go that just wants to casually try new products without having to go to Sephora or Ulta.
Birchbox and Ipsy are of the best in the makeup category. Personally, I've tried both of the services and have compared them against each other to determine the best of the two based on particular characteristics.
1. Skin products
Everyone knows that taking care of your skin is of the up-most importance. When it comes to Birchbox vs. Ipsy, Birchbox has a service almost primarily focused on moisturizers, masks and lotions. About 2/5 or 3/5 of my samples from each of my monthly Birchboxes would be something to do with my skin. With Ipsy, I might get one skin product with my monthly bag, but not always.
2. Hair care products
Birchbox and Ipsy go hand in hand when it comes to hair care products. Birchbox gives a lot of hair masks, which are usually amazing, and Ipsy gives spray-in products. There isn't one than wins overall, but Birchbox, because of its emphasis on a variety of products, probably would win you over if hair care was your number one.
3. Makeup products
The reason most people subscribe to these types of services has to do with makeup. In my personal experience, I rarely received a good makeup product with Birchbox. To be short and sweet: Ipsy reigns the makeup world. The products are the best, and you get many.
4. Perfume samples
Birchbox definitely gives you a perfume sample every other month, but I've never actually received one I was in love with. Ipsy has never actually sent me a perfume sample, and that's really okay if you're not a super perfume fan.
5. Personal profile
Your profile is definitely the center of your subscription box experience. It's very important for them to be very precise and describe you as best as possible. Ipsy definitely had more questions, and I did not mind that at all because it helped pin down my profile the best. Birchbox was much more simple and broad, so if you don't really have an specific needs or wants, it isn't awful.
6. Shipping service
Birchbox usually arrives within the same 5-day period each month. Ipsy usually arrives on the 14th or 15th of the month, in my experience.
7. Packaging
Believe it or not, this is very important. Both services has unique packaging. Birchbox is, of course, a box. Ipsy come with a small bag. Both are designed differently each month. Birchbox boxes are great for gifts, but Ipsy's bags are some of the cutest things. I love the bags and use them for different things, especially when travelling, whether it be a trip home or a trip around the world.
8. Price
$10 for both of the services. Definitely a bargain.
9. Shopping service
I have used both services from each website. Birchbox is very much like a normal makeup website and offers a lot of coupons and discounts, as well as points to use toward purchases made on their website. Ipsy only has specials listed on the site from whatever beauty company it is partnering with that month. The products are generously discounted and are very popular. Birchbox definitely wins with the website as a whole, but Ipsy's monthly product discounts are incredible.
I strongly encourage every makeup and body product lover to subscribe to one of these services, depending on what facet you are most excited about. There are may videos on YouTube that are very helpful in demonstrating what I've explained, as I looked up comparison videos when I first started the services. Have fun and happy subscribing!
