BIRCHBOX/ JULEP REVIEWS!!!

I know this isn't a beauty blog, but that doesn't mean that I don't like all things girly.

This blog is also called, Rantin' & Ravin', which means I rant and rave about things I love and hate!

Nowadays the newest things are these monthly deal clubs.  I don’t know if you have seen them, but they are everywhere!  They exist for jewelry, clothes and shoes, hand-made specialty items, organic cleaning products, healthy snacks, pet products – and beauty products.

I recently signed up with two beauty companies, Birchbox and Julep.

I love receiving free stuff, I mean who doesn't?

Here are my reviews of the last 3 months with these companies.

Birchbox:

I logged on to Birchbox and signed up for their monthly sample box.

You can sign up for $10 a month. I love this! For $10, you get a box mailed to you with anywhere from 4-8 samples. Some deluxe or full sizes. 

My first box:

It included Wanderlust Collection Nail Polish, Reign in Spain, Coola Classic Face SPF 30 Cucumber Moisturizer for Face, Kerastase Chroma Thermique - Protect, Mirenesse Glossy Kiss Lipstick  in Cheeky Kiss {Full Size} and Tweezerman Matchbox Itty Bitty Nail Files {Full Size}. 

My second box:

It included Body Drench Quick Tan Gradual Self Tanning Lotion, Benta Berry D-1 Moisturizing Face Lotion, Birchbox Bobby Pins, Number 4 Super Comb Prep & Protect & Pur Minerals CC Cream

My third box:

It included: KMS California FREESHAPE Hot Flex Spray, 2 OC8 Professional Mattifying Gel, Stila Stay All Day Liquid Lipstick, Whish Exfoliating Body Wash, Whish Hair Inhibiting Deodorant Swipes

Here is what I love about Birchbox:

$10 a month and I can try different products, some full size. 

Take a little quiz and get products catered just for you. You have to be 100% truthful, because after I received the second box, I wasn't too thrilled. I went through again and realized my answers were not 100% me.

I can try products that I want to try, but don't know if they will work for me and I can try products that I wouldn't think would work for me, but find out that they do. 

They give you the option of gifting boxes to others. For instance for $30, you can send your bff a box for 3 months as a birthday or Christmas gift!

You get points for ordering and later use those points to get free stuff!

Lastly, you can pay month to month and cancel anytime, or you can buy a year's subscription and get a month free!

Here is what I don't like about Birchbox:

I don't like that I can't see what I'm going to get before. Likewise, I don't like that I HAVE to get the box every month. Some months are not my cup of  tea, why do I have to get stuff I will never use.

I wish you could make a few more precise choices. I'm not a red lipstick kind of girl, I prefer neutrals.

They ship by the 10th of every month. The first two boxes I received were delivered by the 6th. The last 3 boxes I received were delivered 15th. While they did get it out by the 10th, (the 9th to be exact) I feel as though they are coming later and later.

Other than that, I'm pretty happy with it. I'm going to give it a few more months and decide then if I'm going to keep it.

Julep:

I logged on to Julep and completed a profile.

The subscription is $20 a month. Each box comes with nail polish and/or beauty supplies. All nail polishes and beauty products are full size. 

My first box:

Here is what I got - Bunny {Crisp white linen with fine gold shimmer}, Stefani {Gold flecked grey metallic} and Eden {Bright violet crème} Plus a sample of Rock Star Hand Cream.

My second box:

I already had ordered the box below and many of these colors {or similar} were in it. So, I declined this box.

The summer box was $40 and valued between $100 - $200.

It included Double Duty Makeup Brush, toe separators {these don't get sold by themselves, so I don't know their worth}, a sample of Glycolic Hand Scrub, in order from L-R Niecy, Charlotte, Martha, Sally, Leslie, Kyla and Monica {They were exclusives just for the summer box and are no longer available. Maybe they will bring it back later?}. Estimated worth: About $150 + free shipping. Not too bad!

My third box:

I wasn't a fan of the It Girl Collection, so I opted for the Classic with a Twist Collection.

It included: Padma {Royal Plum Creme}, Florence {Classic Camel Creme}, & Bare Face Cleansing Oil and a sample of their nail polish remover pads.

Here is what I loved about Julep:

I'm an "It Girl", so $20 a month gives me 3 beautiful nail polishes. A girl can never have too many nail polishes, right?

Again, you take a little quiz and find out what's just right for you. If you are like me, you get 3 nail polishes every month. If you are a "Modern Beauty" you'll receive 2 beauty products. It varies by your test results. {You can choose a different style if you don't like the one you're given.}

They send you an email a week before they are to ship out your box, you can choose which box you'd like and if you don't want one this month, skip it. It's that easy. Also if you don't want the box this month, but think your bff would love this box, just have them send it to her directly. Next month, it's yours again!

They give you a choice to pick your box or you can choose one of the other 4 boxes. Say you like two of them. You can order both, $20 a piece. You don't have to just get one.

You can get 20% off of your regular purchases plus free shipping.

You get points for your orders that can be used to buy free stuff.

If you choose the month to month option you can cancel anytime. 

What do you think? 

Do you love them too? What subscriptions do you have? What should I try next?