GLOSSYBOX Goes ‘Bazaar’

Global beauty subscription service, GLOSSYBOX, has joined forces with Harper’s BAZAAR for a covetable co-branded box, launching alongside the iconic magazine’s fashion-filled September issue.

This carefully edited beauty box ($21) will feature top-selling products like Benefit They’re Real! Mascara, which has become a fast favorite of beauty junkies around the globe, as well as full-size offerings from cult brand Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics.

“Fashion worships beauty, and so does Harper's BAZAAR and in 2014, we're offering more beauty content, on every platform,” said Wendy Lauria, Associate Publisher of Marketing at Harper’s BAZAAR, who adds that the box will be sold on the magazine’s e-commerce platform, ShopBAZAAR. “Our editors always deliver the very best of what’s new and wearable in beauty, making our partnership with GLOSSYBOX a perfect fit.”

Boasting prestigious collaborations over the past year, including La Prairie and Bergdorf Goodman, GLOSSYBOX will continue exploring inventive partnerships in the luxury market into the future, according to the company’s U.S. President and Managing Director, Elian Pres-Gurwits.

“With the paradigm change in media and retail, this partnership reflects a unique vehicle for transporting editorial content into a three-dimensional customer experience,” said Pres-Gurwits. “Our vision for GLOSSYBOX is to continue innovating the way consumers discover, discuss and patronize the beauty industry.”

GLOSSYBOX For Harper’s BAZAAR is will be available for pre-order September 12, online at ShopBAZAAR!

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Birchbox and CEW Launches Mass and Prestige Limited Edition Boxes

Birchbox announced Tuesday, August 12 that the brand has again partnered with CEW to launch two limited edition boxes featuring the finalists and winners chosen from the 2014 Insiders' Beauty Choice Awards. This is the second year that Birchbox and CEW have partnered to provide these special limited edition boxes to beauty consumers.

Launching exclusively on Birchboxthe Limited Edition: Mass Appeal box contains a selection of finalists and winners from the mass market, while the Limited Edition: Prestige Headliners features product finalists and winners from the prestige category. Chosen by more than 6,000 industry professionals, these represent the years best and brightest in beauty innovation.

Limited Edition: Mass Appeal Box($15) contains:

• Burt’s Bees 100% Natural Lip Gloss in Spring Splendor
• Dove Go Fresh Restore Body Wash
• L'Oréal Paris Voluminous Butterfly Mascara
• Simple Protecting Light Moisturizer with SPF15
• TRESemmé Keratin Smooth Keratin Infusing Serum
• Vaseline Lip Therapy Rosy Lips

Limited Edition: Prestige Headliners Box ($18) contains:

• 100% Pure Creamy Nail Polish
• Coola Environmental Repair Plus Radical Recovery After-Sun Lotion
• Fekkai Brilliant Glossing Crème
• Josie Maran Cosmetics 100% Pure Argan Oil Light
• philosophy Miracle Worker Overnight
• Lifestyle extras:
• Pocket Mirror
• Toe Separators

Both Limited Edition Birchbox for CEW Boxes are now available in the Birchbox Shop and customers can save by purchasing both together for $28.

TME is a proud member of CEW. Cosmetic Executive Women, Inc. (CEW) is a nonprofit, professional organization with more than 6,000 members, both men and women, from over 1,700 companies in the beauty and related industries. The CEW Foundation supports Cancer and Careers, which is a comprehensive program for people balancing work and cancer. 

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Birchbox and Women’s Health Magazine Partner Again For Wellness Themed Box

Birchbox announced Monday, July 7 that the brand has again partnered Women’s Health Magazine to create a special edition Birchbox. This limited edition box will focus on wellness, featuring products hand-picked by the editors at Women’s Health.

In 2013, Birchbox and Women’s Health both saw a significant increase in engagement around their brands as a result of the partnership, with over 24 million impressions garnered across social media channels and a massive increase in subscribers for both brands. All Birchbox subscribers will receive the box containing the season’s top beauty, lifestyle and wellness items selected specially by the editors at Women’s Health.

The “Power Up!” themed box will feature products to take your beauty routine up a notch, including brands such as Supergoop!, Benefit, Cynthia Rowley and Vasanti, as well as a 1-year subscription to the Women’s Health magazine. In connection with the curated box, a feature in the Women’s Health July issue explains how these advanced products work and why they were selected.

In addition to the new “Power Up!” theme, the Women’s Health special edition Birchbox will also flaunt a co-branded inner box—an element of the Birchbox experience that has never before been “taken over” by a partner. Birchbox and Women’s Health will also offer one lucky subscriber the chance to win a beauty and wellness experience with the two brands in New York City. The experience will be photographed and published in a future issue of Women’s Health magazine!

Existing Birchbox subscribers will receive this as their July Birchbox. New customers can sign up for their special edition Women’s Health Birchbox until July 30th online at Birchbox!

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Birchbox Launches Limited Edition ‘Modern Mermaid’ For Summer 2014

Taking beauty cues from mythical mermaids, Birchboxannounced today, June 3 the launch of a very special summer-themed limited edition box … Modern Mermaid. Modern Mermaid is stocked with products inspired by the beauty of these mythical creatures from folklore.

From salt spray to waterproof liner, this collection features everything you need to channel your inner sea goddess -- guaranteed to make your summer routine more effortless, spirited, and fun.

Modern Mermaid includes the following:

• RUFFIAN Endless Summer Collection
• Vasanti Kajal Eye Pencil
• Anastasia Beverly Hills Mascara Topcoat
• Coola SPF Lip Lux
• Captain Blankenship Mermaid Sea Salt Spray
• Atelier Cedrat Enivrant
• Stephanie Johnson Mermaid Mirror

To purchase the limited edition Modern Mermaid ($44) for Summer 2014, visit Birchbox! 

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Yuzen Lifestyle Subscription Box: Product Review

The market for monthly subscription boxes has exploded, to say the least, and with a plethora of beauty/lifestyle boxes to choose from, consumers can easily become overwhelmed. I have personally experienced and reviewed many subscription box services, and have concluded that there exists a box for every person. With that said, I wanted to share my personal favorite -- Yuzen.

With boxes arriving quarterly, Yuzen's tagline of "Sending you a little Zen" reminds us to stop and take time for ourselves. Yuzen Boxes ($33) arrive each season -- winter, spring, summer, and fall -- and include high-end luxurious beauty, grooming, and lifestyle products that are carefully selected by Jen and Ted Ning, the owners of Yuzen. In conjunction with a quarterly subscription, Yuzen offers limited-edition holiday boxes, such as one for upcoming Mother's Day, that you can gift.

The Ning's shared, "When making selections for each Yuzen box, we always look to quality, mission, and integrity before we put it to our Yuzen test -- evaluating its performance, experiencing the benefits first hand, and then sharing our favorites with others".

Yuzen Boxes are available for both men and women, each appropriately curated by gender. So what can you expect when receiving one of these boxes? To start, Yuzen is artfully packaged, making a perfect gift for any person -- especially the "hard-to-buy-for" in your life. As part of the packaging, the brand encloses a strip of authentic Japanese Yuzen paper, which can be used as a bookmark, for origami making, or for any paper crafts.

Inside the box, one will find a card with detailed information about each product and an explanation as to why it was chosen, a mix of nine full-sized and sample size products, and discount codes for each product. Plus the products are encased in a lovely reusable mesh drawstring bag. There isn't an aspect of Yuzen that hasn't impressed me. From the Ning's philosophy of "pampering oneself," to the brilliantly executed packaging and, of course, the high quality, natural, organic products that are contained within. The $33 price includes shipping and product value is approximately $100, unless you count the needful pampering encouraged by Yuzen … that is priceless in my book.

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Birchbox Us Weekly Review

Birchbox and Us Weekly teamed up to curate an amazing beauty box with a Red Carpet inspired theme. 

Items:

• Juicy Couture Couture La La Malibu Perfume
• Ruby Wing Color Changing Polish in Kitten Heels (Fun)
• Dr. Brandt Pores No More Pore Refiner
• Beauty Protector Protect & Oil
• 32 Oral Care Effervescent Breath Crystals (TME Favorite!)

 The Cost: $10 and the value $22

32 Oral Care Effervescent Breath Crystals (TME Favorite!)

The Verdict: This beauty box has everything you need to feel like a Red Carpet beauty and is well worth money! Birchbox has extended the availability of this particular box until February 23^rd, which you can order at Birchbox online!  

This complimentary box was received for review purposes. All opinions are my own and no compensation was received.

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Birchbox Collaborates With Us Weekly For Red Carpet Inspired Beauty Box

Birchbox, the emerging leader in e-commerce beauty products, and top celebrity gossip source Us weekly, announced today, Jan. 8 a partnership to curate a special edition Birchbox just in time for awards season. The limited-edition “Step and Repeat” box will feature products that have been hand picked by Us Weekly beauty director Gwen Flamberg, and inspired by the most iconic red carpet looks of the season.

Immediately following the March 2 airing of the 86th Academy Awards, Us Weekly and Birchbox will give customers the chance to shop the night’s hottest red-carpet looks first with a “Get the Look” shop featuring a selection of products straight from Gwen and the celeb insiders at Us Weekly. The Oscars-inspired products and tips will also be featured in the March 12 issue of Us Weekly.

Birchbox subscribers will receive the “Step and Repeat” themed box as their February box; with will feature red-carpet essentials from brands such as Smashbox, OPI, dr.brandt and Beauty Protector. Customers, who sign up at Birchbox by Feb. 15, will receive the special edition Us WeeklyBirchbox as their first monthly box and a special bonus 12-issue subscription to Us Weekly. The 86th Academy Awards airs live at 7 p.m. on March 2 on ABC.

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Boxycharm Beauty Box Subscription Box Review

Boxycharm is the latest beauty box subscription company to hit the market, launching in June 2013, and today, The Makeup Examiner is going to share her thoughts about the “new kid” on the beauty box block. The Makeup Examiner received Boxycharm’s October “Raise Awareness, Give Hope” Beauty Box, which was geared toward the “celebration” of women for Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and the November “Fall Glam” box.

Let’s just dive right in to the contents. October’s Beauty Box included:

• Lash Cards 10-pack
• It’s So Big Mascara (Sample)
• NYX Single in Princess Pink (Discontinued Color)
• NYX Single in Gunmetal (Discontinued Color)
• Maybelline Nail Stickers (Discontinued Item)
• CG Intense Shadow Blast #815 (Discontinued Color)
• SpaRitual Nail Lacquer in Tickled Pink (Discontinued Color)
• Lavilin Deodorant (2 Samples)
• Also include in the October box was a pamphlet from Susan G. Komen for the Cure, and a highly inaccurate description card that referred to CoverGirl’s Intense Shadow Blast as Covergirl ShadowBlast Primer!

Moving on to November’s “Fall Glam” Box:

• Organix Ever Firm: Cherry Blossom Moringa Oil (Discontinued Item)
• YU-BE Moisturizing Skin Cream (Sample)
• Material Girl Lip Gloss in Sweet Baby Mint (Discontinued Item)
• Be A Bombshell Eyeliner in Espresso
• Be A Bombshell Blush in Blind Date
• SpaRitual Nail Lacquer in Down To Earth (Discontinued Color)

Also included in the “Fall Glam” box was a description card that stated: “Rosy cheeks, glossy lips, and heavier eyeliner will create a classic autumn look. Oh and don’t forget to polish your nails with one of autumn’s hottest shades”. Uh … if Boxycharm was referring to the discounted SpaRitual Nail Lacquer shade in Down To Earth, TME is confused as to how that translates to “one of autumn’s hottest shades”.

You’ll note that beside many items is the word “discontinued”. That’s because Boxycharm ($21/month) is a beauty box subscription company that offers drug store beauty items, purchased from a third party, or more simply stated, Boxycharm often purchases clearance items that drug store brands no longer care to carry. If you’re a person who simply wants to acquire beauty products, regardless of shelf life or ability to repurchase, then Boxycharm is probably an appropriate choice.

Although difficult to precisely calculate the value of each box, due to many items being discontinued, The Makeup Examiner can comfortable state that this beauty box subscription company will indeed send you plenty of drug store brand product for your money. But if you’re looking to be introduced to new brands or products with the ability to repurchase, that most likely isn’t going to happen often with this service. You can find more information about this subscription company at Boxycharm.

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Yuzen Launches Yuzen Men’s Box

The Makeup Examiner introduced readers to the Yuzen box in June when Yuzen entered “Battle of the BeautyBoxes: Round 2”. Since then, Yuzen has become a TME favorite and today, Nov. 26, The Makeup Examiner is happy to announce that this quarterly beauty and wellness box has expanded its offerings to include something just for the guys … the Yuzen Men’s Box!

With boxes arriving quarterly, Yuzen’s tagline of “Sending you a little Zen” reminds us to stop and take time for ourselves. Yuzen Boxes ($33) arrive each season -- winter, spring, summer, and fall -- and include high-end luxurious beauty, grooming, and lifestyle products that are carefully selected by Jen and Ted, the owners of Yuzen.

Before The Makeup Examiner dives into the Yuzen Men’s Box, let’s talk about the ladies Yuzen Winter Box, which includes:

• Jane Iredale 24-Karat Gold Dust
• Jurlique Rose Hand Cream
• Kerstin Florian FuB Balm
• Level Naturals Travel Candle
• Pino Facial Mask
• Sanitas Moisture Mist
• SpaRitual Golden Rule Lacquer.
• Sun Cup Dark Chocolate Mint Cups
• Tara Spa Therapy Stress Relief Roll-On Remedy

The box is beautifully packaged, making a perfect gift for any woman -- especially the “hard-to-buy-for” woman if your life. It contains a card with detailed information about each product and an explanation as to why it was chosen, a mix of nine full-sized and sample size products, and discount codes for each product. Plus the products are encased in a lovely reusable mesh drawstring bag.

Jen and Ted state, “When making selections for each Yuzen box, we always look to quality, mission, and integrity before we put it to our Yuzen test -- evaluating its performance, experiencing the benefits first hand, and then sharing our favorites with you”. Yuzen Men’s Box doesn’t wavier in the brand’s philosophy.

The Yuzen Men’s Box Winter Box includes:

• Two (2) Action Wipes 9x10 Body Wipes
• Honey Stinger Energy Chews – Cherry Cola
• Coola liplux SPF15 Peppermint & Vanilla Lip Balm
• Acure Hair Care Moroccan Argan oil + Argan stem cell Shampoo
• Acure Hair Care Moroccan Argan oil + Argan stem cell Conditioner
• PHYT’s Men Gel Nettoyant Desincrustant Exfoliating Cleansing Gel
• Level Naturals Active Charcoal Soap Body Bar

The Yuzen Men’s Box is smartly packaged and immediately gives the beneficiary the feeling of receiving something special that is just for them. Quite a few products for men find their way onto The Makeup Examiner’s radar and the first thing that she does with products geared toward the guys is to enlist the gentlemen in her life. The guys, ages 21 to 52, each said that they would enjoy getting a quarterly men’s lifestyle box and each was impressed with the quality of products inside. A hefty endorsement from a group of gentlemen whose interests run the gamut!

If you’re seeking something for that guy who is hard to shop for, look no further. Yuzen offers a men’s gift box filled with natural and organic soaps, snacks and unique items that are perfect for today’s man. For more information about Yuzen gifting or subscription options, please visit the brand’s website.

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PopSugar Neiman Marcus Box Big Reveal *Spoiler Alert

PopSugar gave the green light today, Nov. 21 for the “Big Reveal” of PopSugar’s Neiman Marcus Must-Have Box. While there has is been much speculation as to what’s inside this holiday season’s luxury subscription box, readers need not speculate any further!

   

Although PopSugar is known for several “firsts,” such as the launch of their Men’s Lifestyle Box in December 2012, the Neiman Marcus collaboration was quite the coup and a brilliant move for consumers. Curated by Neiman Marcus Fashion Director Ken Downing and PopSugar Editor in Chief and Founder Lisa Sugar, each item inside makes the perfect gift, but you may want to keep them all for yourself. Are you ready to see what’s inside this limited-edition holiday offering? Have a look through the list!

Le Metier de Beaute Le Metier Custom Palette (Retail Value $95) - Le Metier de Beaute, in collaboration with Ken Downing and Lisa Sugar, designed an exclusive kaleidoscope for the Neiman Marcus Must Have box. Ken and Lisa loved the combination of black and pink and developed an assortment of colors that can be blended together or used separately.

Oribe Texturizing Spray (Retail Value $39) - Bigger, better, full-on glamorous hair. This invisible dry hair spay builds in incredible volume and sexy texture. Patented polymers absorb oil at the roots, leaving you with just-styled hair for days (and nights). Shake. Spray where you want volume and style. A brilliant alternative to dry shampoo!

Sanford Design Chevron Throw (Retail Value $226) - Throws are a great way to add color and pattern to a solid-color chair or sofa, but we also like the element of cozy comfort they bring to the mix. Consider adding one to a reading chair in the guest room to make it especially welcoming. Colors featured: Navy/Natural, Lunar/Natural, Midori/White, Persimmon/Natural, Hemisphere/White

Slim & Sage (Retail Value $99) offers stunning design with scientifically based portion control to make eating healthy feel effortless, discreet and casually luxurious. Crafted with a gentle curve and gorgeous interlaced lines, these plates are ideal for everyday use or casual entertaining. Slim & Sage is a fusion of credible science and fabulous design to make portion control and healthy eating safe, simple and casually chic. Colors featured: Ruby and Pacific

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Shy by Sydney Evan Love Necklace (Retail Value $125) - Since it’s inception in 2001, Sydney Evan has become one of the leading trend-setting jewelry designers. Rosanne Karmes, the creator of Sydney Evan, celebrates the uniqueness of our lives, from spiritual protection, to luck and good fortune. The Neiman Marcus Must Have box features Shy by Sydney Evan Love Necklace. A 14k yellow-gold plated over sterling silver necklace with a single bezel-set diamond.

Jonathan Adler Zebra Ring Dish (Retail Value $32) - Made from porcelain with a bold zebra print, the perfect pop of graphic glamour for any bedside, bathroom or table setting. Jonathan Adler pottery begins its life in our Soho studio, where Jonathan and his team design and sculpt every prototype. Colors featured: Navy, Light Blue, Green, Yellow

NEST Birchwood Pine Candle (Retail Value $35) - The aroma of a majestic winter forest is created by blending white pine, fir balsam and birchwood over a base of rich musk and amber. NEST Fragrances candles are made with a premium, soft, highly refined, cosmetic-grade wax that was developed over many years to optimize burn and fragrance diffusion. The ingredients used are the highest grade of wax materials and the finest fragrance oils available.

Bedre Neiman Marcus Corn Snack (Retail Value $19) - This exclusive Neiman Marcus snack is perfect for any holiday gathering. Enjoy a delicious white fudge covered corn snack with a light milk chocolate drizzle and let the parties begin!

As for the exclusive PopSugar Neiman Marcus Box ($250with a $639 retail value), the limited-edition box is available exclusively at PopSugar.

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Birchbox offers Holiday 2013 Gift Guide

Birchbox announced today Nov. 4, the launch of their Holiday 2013 Gift Guide and “one-stop” shopping for everyone on your list. The gift guide is filled with Birchbox’s top picks for this holiday season, and having had a sneak peek prior to the announcement, The Makeup Examiner had to share this holiday gift guide with readers as part of TME’s holiday gifting suggestions.

Beauty and lifestyle brands are offering holiday gift guides not only for the obvious promotions of their wares, but also for the convenience of consumers. The fact is that we’ve become incredibly busy and it makes perfect sense to utilize brand suggestions, especially when the brand (like Birchbox) offers something for everyone on our holiday shopping list.

Birchbox’s Holiday 2013 Gift Guide has cleverly been broken down into categories like the obvious “Gifts For Him and Gifts For Her,” but goes even further with specific categories like, “For The Food Lover” and “For The Techie” plus the option to purchase the perfect “one-size-fits-all” giftcards ranging from $10 to $100. Within the Holiday 2013 Gift Guide are exclusive offerings like the Birchbox Snow Day box ($39), for the home, that is filled with the essentials to keep you busy and makes a perfect hostess gift. And, of course, exclusive gift sets for women from Suki, Number 4 and Twistband, Ursa Major, and GO247.

Since The Makeup Examiner’s discovery of the plethora of brands offering subscription beauty and lifestyle boxes, TME votes subscription boxes as the best gifts to give and one that will be remembered all year long. Speaking to the Birchbox brand, perusing the brand’s Holiday Gift Shop lends to lots of great ideas for unique gifting including a great go-to gift of a yearly subscription, which is $110 for the Birchbox Woman and $195 for the Birchbox Man that features brands like Ernest Supplies, Proraso, English Laundry, Hanz de Fuko, and Apolis. Readers can check out the holiday offerings at the Birchbox Holiday Gift Shop.

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PopSugar partners with Neiman Marcus for a holiday subscription box

PopSugar officially announced today, Oct. 16 that they have partnered with the iconic fashion retailer, Neiman Marcus for a first-ever holiday subscription box. In a sneak peek exclusive, The Makeup Examiner is bringing readers news of the limited-edition box that is filled with an assortment of luxury gifts for the holiday season.

Although PopSugar is known for several “firsts,” such as the launch of their Men’s Lifestyle Box in December 2012, the Neiman Marcus collaboration is quite the coup for the luxury lifestyle information source. Choosing an iconic fashion retailer, known for their Holiday Book, was a stroke of brilliance for consumers.

Lisa Sugar, founder and Editor-In-Chief of PopSugar, and Neiman Marcus’ Fashion Director, Ken Downing collaborated to hand select items, just in time for the holiday season, and featuring some of fashion’s most charming brands. Specifically, the PopSugar Neiman Marcus Holiday Must Have box will include eight high-end brands including items from designer Jonathan Adler and a custom Le Métier item, designed by Sugar and Downing, and available only in the subscription box.

The Makeup Examiner was fortunate to catch an exclusive look at the PopSugar-Neiman Marcus box and can reveal one item, a Sanford Design Chevron Throw valued at $165, which will be included in the Holiday Must Have box. While TME isn’t able to disclose all of the amazing items contained in this offering, she can submit to readers that the $250 box, featuring items worth over $600, has something to satisfy everyone. The limited-edition box is available today, Oct. 16, exclusively at PopSugar.

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PopSugar partners with Neiman Marcus for a holiday subscription box

Sanford Design Chevron Throw Blanket $165

Get more details about the PopSugar Neiman Marcus Must Have Box HERE! 

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Birchbox goes back to school at the ‘Head Of The Class’

Birchbox announced Aug. 21 the launch of their first teen inspired box. The limited edition “Head Of The Class” box has been specially curated for the “Birchboxers-in-training,” with products focused on teen consumers and the back-to-school crowd.

This special edition Birchbox offering has been launched just in time for back-to-school shopping and promises to include everything that a girl needs to look picture perfect for that often nerve racking first day. From Stila lip glaze and Jane Tran designer bobby pins to a trendy nail art kit by Color Club, this box has all of the necessary essentials for a beautynista-in-training.

The “Head of the Class” box includes:

• Birchbox Custom Chevron Pouch
• Color Club Nail Polish in Flamingo
• Color Club Nail Polish in Silver Lake
• Color Club Sequin Nail Art Kit
• Jane Tran Chrysanthemum Print Bobby Pin Set
• Poppin Pink Small Soft Cover Notebook
• Stila Lip Glaze
• Sisco & Berluti Friendship Bracelets
• willa Start Fresh Foaming Face Wash or Face Friendly Clear Faced Moisturizer

The brand has also listed a “How To Use” section on their website. The “Head Of The Class” box comes on the heels of two major announcements for the brand, a partnering with Ann Taylor and the release of limited edition Ruffian Nail Lacquers. The “Head of the Class” ($28 valued at $80) is now available, exclusively at Birchbox.

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Ann Taylor partners with Birchbox for Fall 2013 Style Guide

Birchbox, the premiere style-box subscription service, and the iconic fashion house of Ann Taylor announced on Aug. 14 a partnership between the brands to create a Fall 2013 Style Guide. The collaboration of the two brands falls in line with the launch of Ann Taylor footwear.

The “Ready. Set. Finished.” Fall Style Guide will be included in the August Birchbox. The Style Guide features Ann Taylor’s fall wardrobe essentials, paired with the season’s top beauty trends. Additionally, Birchbox subscribers will receive an exclusive offer of 20% off any Ann Taylor item and 30% off when purchasing two or more items.

In celebration of the collaboration, Birchbox and Ann Taylor will be hosting special events, for Birchbox subscribers and Ann Taylor customers, in nine select Anne Taylor store locations. Each event will be open to Birchbox subscribers and Ann Taylor clients, and hosted by a local celebrity blogger. Attendees will enjoy an opportunity to use their in-box promotional card, as well as cocktails, treats, a complimentary Birchbox gift box, and special gift with purchase from Ann Taylor.

The events will take place on Thursday, Aug. 15 from 6-8 p.m. at Ann Taylor stores in New York, Chicago, San Francisco, Minneapolis, Seattle, Houston, Miami, DC, and Boston. Below is the lineup of celebrity bloggers!

New York City - Jessica Sturdy of Bows&Sequins

Chicago - Nicole Pearl of The Beauty Girl

Boston - Jean of Extra Petite

DC - Lacey of A Lacey Perspective

Houston – Monica of Classy&Fabulous

San Francisco - Kate of The Fancy Pants Report

Seattle – Mollie of Mollie in Seattle

Miami – Lexi of Glitter&Pearls

Minneapolis - Cate of Wild Ruffle

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Battle of the Beauty Boxes: Round 2

Hello lovelies! In January, The Makeup Examiner had the pleasure of working with Beauty Box 5, Birchbox, Blissmo, GlossyBox, KlutchClub and True Beauty Box for “Battle of the Beauty Boxes” - Round One. Since that first article, I quickly came to realize that there are many, many beauty and lifestyle boxes on the market and that the competition to capture the attention of beautynistas is fierce. I also came to realize that not all subscription services are created equally. Quite frankly, some of them are not worth your money!

Armed with five new companies, and a check-in with one from January, The Makeup Examiner set out once again to see who offers what, and what’s not worth it. The Qualifiers for “Round Two” are Beauty Army, Birchbox Man, Bulu Box, Conscious Box, PopSugar Must Have, and Yuzen. As always, The Makeup Examiner hopes that readers will find this review to be helpful. For your convenience, all of the beauty box subscription company websites are hyperlinked, as is a complete product breakdown for the winners. So without further ado, let the battle begin!

Beauty Army - Cost $12 per Month

If you’re a beautynista that likes to be in control, Beauty Army is for you! You begin by filling out a personal beauty profile that helps Beauty Army to offer samples unique to your interests and beauty needs. You may choose six out of nine samples and if you don’t like any of them, you can choose to skip that month. There is also the option to change your beauty profile or have a beauty expert chose for you. Beauty Army offers rewards via a “Badge” program that allows you to earn discounts by referring friends, reviewing products or taking surveys. And if you fall in love with a particular product, you can purchase the full-size directly from their website. You had me at “Hello Gorgeous,” which was how I was greeted upon opening my Beauty Army box. The approximate value for the products that I received was $28. The Makeup Examiner determines Beauty Army a winner! Beauty Army product breakdown.

Bulu Box - Cost: $10/month

Bulu offers two types of boxes, one for “feeling good” and the other to “succeed at weight loss”. The Bulu Box offers bells and whistles of a rewards program and member community support. The products that The Makeup Examiner received slightly exceeded the $10/monthly subscription price with an approximate value of $13.55, but the products are not what I would ever want to try, and the kitschy “get healthy” garbage that Bulu Box promotes such as, “Lose that last 10 pounds before the big beach party” while showing an anorexic looking model, is shameful. Bulu Box is KO’d … right out of The Makeup Examiner’s Battle of the Beauty Boxes ring!

Conscious Box - Cost: $19.95/month

The Conscious Box is just that. With a tagline of “Discover the best of the planet,” Conscious Box focuses on products that are fair trade, eco-friendly, vegan, and GMO free. This box is beautifully “packaged with love” and from the moment that The Makeup Examiner had it in her hands, I couldn’t wait to see what was inside. Right off the top, the box included $75 in coupons, a beautiful post card, and a card with a full description of each product. Of course the best part are $63 of both full and sample-sized products, which brings the approximate value to $138. Every product in this box is selected for healthier, happier living without impeding upon the planet, as is the packaging … right down to the use of inks made from veggies and BPA-free labels. Conscious Box is also a member of 1% for the Planet. The Makeup Examiner determines Conscious Box a winner! Conscious Box product breakdown.

PopSugar Must Have Box - Cost: $35/month

Many of you may be familiar with PopSugar.com, a leading online source of women’s lifestyle information and a favorite site of The Makeup Examiner’s. Every Must Have box is expertly, and lovingly, curated by the PopSugar editors, which guarantees that you are going to be presented with top-notch products. PopSugar’s Must Have Box for June contained everything needed for the perfect summer weekend get away with an approximate value of $209. And based upon both the PopSugar Must Have for women and PopSugar Must Have for men, The Makeup Examiner is confident that high quality and high value is the norm for PopSugar Must Have. The Makeup Examiner determines PopSugar Must Have a winner! PopSugar product breakdown.

Yuzen - Cost: Yearly Commitment $132, Boxes sent out quarterly $33/box

With boxes arriving quarterly, Yuzen’s tagline of “Sending you a little Zen” reminds us to stop and take time for ourselves. Each $33 box includes high-end luxurious organic beauty, snack, and lifestyle products that are carefully selected by Jen and Ted, the owners of Yuzen. The Summer Yuzen Box was so beautifully packaged that The Makeup Examiner almost didn’t want to open it. Oh, but, you know that I did! And there began my Yuzen experience. The box contained a card with detailed information about each product and an explanation for why it was chosen, a mix of nine full-sized and sample size products, a $40 coupon and discount codes for each product, and the products were packaged with lovely reusable mesh draw string bags. Unplug the phone, send the kids to grandma’s, and pamper yourself with a day at your home spa. With an approximate value $134 and a priceless day of at home lavishness, The Makeup Examiner determines Yuzen to be a winner! Yuzen Summer Box product breakdown.

Birchbox Man - Cost: $20/month and savings with lengthier commitment

In January, Birchbox participated in Round One and The Makeup Examiner brought them back for Round Two, specifically for Birchbox Man. The Makeup Examiner believes that our guys want to try high-end luxury lifestyle products, but knows that a lot of guys simply don’t know where to look. For just this reason, I make it a point to integrate tips for guys and to review gentlemen’s products into my column. Birchbox Man June edition contained both full-sized and sample size products with an approximate value $65. If your guy finds a product that he absolutely love, a full size can easily be ordered from the Birchbox website. As an introduction to a man’s lifestyle box, Birchbox is the perfect product for men ages 18 to 80. With mass appeal, luxurious yet practical products The Makeup Examiner determines Birchbox Man to be a winner! And this my lovelies, leads way to the announcement of “Battle of the Beauty Boxes – The Men’s Edition!” Product Breakdown 

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Yuzen

Yuzen Cost: Yearly Commitment $132, Boxes sent out quarterly $33/box

In The Box:

• Juil Footwear | Coupon $40
• Level Naturals | Shower Bomb $7.99
• ACURE | Argan Oil $2.50
• ACURE | Marula Oil $2.50
• Pritte Organic Skin Therapy | Daily Moisturizing Lotion $4.50
• SpaRitual Nail Lacquer | Emerald City $6.50
• SpaRitual Nail Lacquer | Multi-Tasker Base & Topcoat in One $5
• suki Color | luscious lips berry cream trio $31.95
• ski Body | Sensitive Cleaning Bar $26.95
• JJ’s Sweets | Cocomels Sea Salt Pocket Pack $3.99
• Action Wipes | Large $1.49

 Approximate Value:  $133.37

Subscription Perks: Value far exceeds the cost; Yuzen Summer Box would cover subscription

Philanthropic Endeavors: Yuzen’s products are chosen on the LOHAS philosophy

*All products were sent to The Makeup Examiner courtesy of Yuzen. Monetary payment in never exchanged for product reviews.

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Conscious Box

Conscious Box - Cost: $19.95 per month, including shipping

In The Box:

• Paper Culture | Coupon $25
• NakedWines.com | $50 Coupon
• Paper Culture | Greeting Card $2.59
• Nature’s Baby Organics | Shampoo and Body Wash (Vanilla Tangerine) $2.50
• Greek Island Labs | Natural Colon Cleanse $7.70
• Sneakz Organics | Chocolate Milkshake $2.09
• Organic Flavrz | (2) Boost and (2) Revive $4.52
• Skout Organic | Trailbar (1) Apple and Cinnamon (1) Cherry and Vanilla $4.98
• LARABAR Alt | Peanut Butter Cookie Fruit and Nut Bar $1.59
• Son for Men | Soothe After Shaving ‘Rescue’ $3.50
• Flora Health | Udo’s Choice Adult Enzyme Blend Full-Size $28.99
• Farm Dog Naturals | Restore Salve .05 oz $4.50

Approximate Value:  $137.96

Subscription Perks: Rewards Program - Earn points for rating products, Support from Health Experts and Community, Full Size Products Available

Philanthropic Endeavors: Member of 1% for the Planet, Greenwashing: Zero Tolerance,

Leading by Example

*All products were sent to The Makeup Examiner courtesy of Conscious Box. Monetary payment in never exchanged for product reviews.

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