Ipsy vs. Birchbox Showdown

Well hello there!!  Yes, I AM still alive!  I don't know where the time has gone...it has been two weeks since I last blogged.  Shame on me.  I have been really busy lately - I haven't even had time to do yoga, run, or count my calories...and is starting to show!  I plan on doing "goals" post AFTER Thanksgiving :)

I was out of town this past weekend and came home to 5 packages on my doorstep...how fun is that?!?!  Two of them were my Birchbox and my ipsy so I decided to a comparison on the two.

First up is Birchbox - the descriptions of each product are taken directly from card included in the box.

Packaging

Everything

Chuao Chocolatier ChocoPod- These bite-sized artisanal treats are made with premium Venezuelan cacao and come in a range of unexpected flavors.  Full-size, $7.95

Lulu Organics Hair Powder - Revive second-day locks by working this organic dry shampoo into your roots.  You'll get plenty of lift, but no residue.  Full-size, $30

Atelier Cologne Rose Anonyme Cologne Absolue - Thanks to spicy ginger and a touch of bergamot, this sexy new rose scent is more sophisticated than sweet.  Full-size, $75-$195

ModelCo Fibre LASHXTEND - Falsies without the fuss.  This innovative mascara uses tiny lash-extending fibers to give you a lengthy fringe.  Full-size, $24

It even has this nifty little mirror on the side!

 Miracle Skin Transformer Vanish Instant Imperfection Corrector - Before applying makeup, prep skin with this serum-infused primer, which has optical diffusers that mask imperfections.  Full-size, $58

Thoughts: After several months of being disappointed with my BirchBox items (ie. perfume samples and samples I will NEVER use), I decided to cancel my subscription as of November.  THEN, I got Novebmer's box.  It definitely was better than the previous shipments.  I really love the full-size mascara.  It really makes it worth the $10 spent on BB because just the mascara alone is $24.  I may have to sign up again...or maybe that was just there way of enticing me to join back up??

Next up is ipsy - Descriptions come directly from the ipsy website.

Packaging

Everything

Starlet Intense Eyeliner in Black - These creamy eyeliner pencils glide on to deliver a lasting vibrant color.

Chella Defning Eyebrow Gel - This clear colored brow gel lifts and holds eyebrow hairs and grooms them into place.  the application tool helps remove the guesswork.

theBalm Meet Matt(e) eyeshadow palette - Matt Batali is just one of the nine shadows found in theBalm's Meet Matt(e) compact palette (named after their favorite Matthews next door) which can be combined to create a multitude of soft and wearable looks.  Matt Batali leaves a dark, matte finish, perfect for creating a smokey eye.

bareMinerals Marvelous Moxie Lipgloss - Unleash your inner moxie with a fabulously full, pillowy pout.  The luschious marvelous Moxie lipgloss delivers vibrant sheer-to-medium color with a glistening mirro-like finish.

Nailtini Nail Lacquer in Millionaire - from the new Nailtini "Speakeasy" Collection, spikes a base of rose gold micro-glitter with iridescent gold and teal tinsels for statement-maiking nails.

Thoughts: This is only my first month to receive my Ipsy bag and I must say I am VERY impressed!  It seems like they send more "full-size" products versus samples.  Don't get me wrong - I do love me some samples but I'm afraid I am all sampled out for now.  I am going to stick with ipsy for a while!

Do you subscribe to any monthly mailers?  If so, which ones and what do you think of them?