I couldn’t decide if I should write about this or not, but considering that many of you are Birchbox subscribers, I’ve always been curious how everyone spends their accumulated points. Personally, at first my plan was to get things I would buy anyway, like mascaras or cleansers, that sort of thing. Lately, however, I found myself drowning in products, thanks to all of those monthly subscriptions, so I rarely need to stock up on anything anymore.
This year I decided to just let my points accumulate and then treat myself to something I’ve always wanted, and luckily, I found just the thing! Okay, things would be more accurate 🙂 Several months ago I decided to enroll in Sephora Flash program, and I made sure to use its potential to the fullest [for those that don’t know, for a one-time $25 fee you will receive unlimited two-day shipping on any order for a year, even if it’s a $1 order].
I checked Sephora.com every day to see the available selection of samples, and if there was anything I wanted to try, I just placed a $1 order and received my samples two days later. One of those samples was Atelier Cologne Vanille Insensee Cologne Absolue, and I just had to fall in love with it. Considering that a tiny 1oz bottle retails for $70, I knew I had to wait for a sweet promo to get it.
The moment of truth came when I was randomly browsing Birchbox online store to see the Holiday bundles, I was so glad to see Vanille Insensee Gift Set! The set comes with a 1oz bottle of perfume, a purse-friendly leather glove for the bottle, four mini samples of other Atelier Cologne fragrances, and a full-sized bar of vegetable soap; all packaged in a beautiful blue box.
I also got a Miniature Duo as part of my purchase using Sephora VIB gift card earlier this month.
I wanted to get some travel-sized hand creams to stick in my purses, so I picked up this lovely Caudalie LE Hand Cream Trio. It’s actually one of my favorite brands, so I figured it would be a good idea to also grab the Favorites Travel Set I’ve been eyeing.
As you can see from my receipt, I only used a generic 20% off code instead of waiting for potential Christmas specials; however, both of those kits are now sold out, so in hindsight it was a good idea to purchase early.
And of course, how could I forget about the sample pack with purchase! In my Mystery pack I received a generously-sized TIGI hairspray and a sample of Bad Gal Lash mascara from Benefit, both of which will be used.
Now, I realize that a lot of us here know what Birchbox points are, but for those who don’t know, here’s how this works. Birchbox points are like cashback that accumulates as store credit, which you can use to purchase products and services at Birchbox.com. You can pay for a Birchbox monthly subscription, gift subscription, Limited Edition boxes and pretty much any product sold in the Birchbox store. 100 points = $10, but you can only spend your points rounded up to a 100, meaning you can’t spend 380 points if you have $38 worth of products in your basket, it will be rounded up and you’ll be charged 400 points for the order. Points expire one year after they’ve been earned, but you will receive email notifications reminding you to spend them.
How do I earn points, again? Easy!
- Sign up for the famous monthly beauty sampling program for $10/month. Simply review your products after trying them out to get 10 points back for each review. Boxes usually contain 5 or 6 products, so you end up paying just $4 or $5 per month for those samples.
- Buy products in the Birchbox store. For every $10 spent you will get 1 point to add to your piggy bank.
- Use special codes when you purchase. Very often Birchbox releases codes that add extra points to your purchase. Current active promo adds extra 50 points to your purchase of $25 or more with the code GIFT50 (valid through 12/23).
- Last but not least, the most rewarding, and also the hardest way to earn points is referring friends to Birchbox monthly sampling program. For every referral you will receive 50 points when their first box ships.
Well, that’s about all I can think of from the top of my head, unless you think I forgot something. So tell me, ladies, what do YOU normally buy with your Birchbox points? What was your favorite purchase?
I’m not a Birchbox Member but your method is interesting.
Thank you 🙂 I think their points system is great.
I use to be a BB member, but let go of it last year. It was kind of hit or miss for me. But what you bought with your points look great!
Thank you, I was really lusting over that fragrance. Really wish it wasn’t so expensive, but the points made the deal too good to pass up 🙂
The point system is probably the one highlight left of the birchbox subscription program! I always got such crappy boxes lol but you can really cash out on something fabulous with the points, as you’ve shown us!!
Aww noo, that’s too bad you’ve been getting bad boxes. Mine were usually a hit or a miss, too, but I love the point system 🙂
I blew them all on the Precious Metals box.
That’s a great one to spend them on! Did you keep everything for yourself or used some of the items as gifts?
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I’m so glad ipsy put in a points program, but I wish it was as good as birchbox (which sadly does not ship to Canada). Love your festive banner, by the way! (:
Aw thank you Amanda, I was so scared that everyone’s going to hate the banner haha 🙂 I agree with you on Ipsy points, as soon as they make them as good as Birchbox, a lot of people are going to quit BB.
I’m not subbed to Birchbox anymore because I wasn’t happy when the sample got smaller & smaller and I started getting mostly foil packets. But I sooo miss Birchbox points! Birchbox has the best point system, the other sub boxes that uses points should learn from BB.
Totally agree with you Mina, Birchbox has the best reward system out of all beauty subscription services. I’m also not entirely happy with the samples I get, but readers like my Birchbox reviews, so that’s why I’m still a subscriber:)
Thanks for the advice, good to know!
You’re welcome!
Birchbox has the best referral system! I love to save up and haul on there.
You and me both 🙂
I dont subscribe, so i have no points BUT that’s an awesome haul!
Thank you, Aprill!
I’m no BB subbie as well but I like your haul, esp. Caudalie!
Thanks, Kath, I’m a huge fan of Caudalie, so I just had to have those two sets 🙂
I have about 200 points but I can never find the surveys to add points. I think they hide them from me. Your haul is outstanding!!
Make sure you are logged in first, then click this link: https://www.birchbox.com/shop/birchbox-1
You can review the individual products from your most recent box to receive the points 🙂
The Caudalie Favorites Set looks amazing! I totally want that!
It’s fantastic! If you ever get a chance to grab one, I highly recommend it.