BirchBox Man - 2 Month Review
Unless you don't get on the internet, don't like skincare/body/makeup products, or you're... well, one of those real "dude-y dudes," you've probably heard of Birchbox. BUT, for arguments sake, and for all those aforementioned dude-y dudes out there, a Birchbox is a curated box of treats, delivered to your door monthly. What once started out as (from what I remember) one of the first boxed-delivery scenarios, isn't just for gals. Birch caters to the fellas too.
Getting Started
Getting setup is as easy as pouring yourself a bourbon, and following 3 simple steps (pulled from their website).
Fill Out Your Grooming Profile
Personalize your box by telling us your grooming preferences and needs so that you get the most relevant samples each month.
Tell Us What You Like
When you review your first five samples we’ll reward you with a $5 credit to use in the Shop—not only that, but reviewing your samples gives us a better idea of what you’re liking.
Buy What You Like and Earn Rewards
If you’re really feeling a sample, purchase the full-size in our Shop and earn one Point for each dollar spent—that’s 10% back.
How Much Is It?
BirchboxMan
Your standard Birchbox comes with a handful of samples, geared toward your hair and skin type, interests, and preferences i.e. whatever you put in your profile.
BirchboxMan Plus
When BirchboxMan first came about, there wasn't a standard or a plus option. Now, you can select the Plus box to receive all your grooming samples, plus an added "lifestyle" item. These can include full-size products, socks, t-shirts, grooming products, etc. You can either select your item, or let the folks at BB do it for you
Peek @ My Box
Kiehl's Facial Fuel Energizing Face Wash
I will never use this. My partner used it and said it was fine.
Hanz de Fuko Scheme Cream
Never tried.
English Laundry Eau de Parfum Notting Hill
Not my jam.
Jack Black Industrial Strength Hand Healer
I dig it. I use Jergen's Ultra-Healing lotion and have used it for over 10 years so I'm not sure I'd really go out of my way to buy a Jack Black hand cream. I use a JB face mask/cleanser though that's one of my faves.
V76 by Vaughn Energizing Shampoo & Conditioner
I'm a dude with longer hair and I think these are more for clarifying short hair. They tingle (why does everything in my box tingle?!) and smelled kind of OK... I wouldn't buy them.
Kiehl’s Body Fuel All-In-One Energizing Wash for Hair & Body
I have enough time to use a separate product for my hair and my body. I gave it a whirl on my body. It smelled OK and made my junk tingle. That being said, I'm not going to use the rest of this.
Billy Jealousy Combination Code Face Moisturizer
Literally... will never use.
Davines Naturaltech™ Energizing Shampoo - For Fragile or Thinning Hair
Who is fragile and thinning?! I dig it though... it smells good and tingled.
Anthony Algae Facial Cleanser
I think you've picked up on it by now but... I'm never going to use this.
CLEAN Shower Fresh for Men
I think I might have lost this one or I didn't receive it because I have zero idea what it is.
Level Naturals Vanilla + Charcoal Soap
I used this whole bar because I love bar soap. Mediocre
Review/Thots
I consider myself the type of guy who knows what he wants to try and, subsequently, what he wants to buy. My skin is a bossy, angry SOB so a box of skincare samples... while it isn't GARBAGE, isn't a total win. Eye cream, beard balm, shampoo, lip care and hair care... sure, those are all a go. Skincare and fragrance are almost always a no-go and end up in the trash or collecting dust in a drawer. Between the 2 boxes, I think I got a decent amount of different products, buuuuut I'm just not sure if I'll really ever use them all. Maybe they'll end up in my gym bag or travel bag but, if that's the case, I'm not sure having a monthly subscription of gym/travel supplies is my cup of bourbon.
Let's chat about the Plus box. Soo, essentially you get your $10 box of samples, and then you get an additional item for another $10. My first box included a nose-hair trimmer which was cute...kitschy, but cute. The second box included a 2-pair set of socks. They were nice socks that had a retail value of $15 so, I guess I got a deal? For me, the Plus box didn't end up worth it. I just selected the socks because I had to select something or BB would have sent me whatever they felt like I needed which could have ended up being a large black T-shirt in which I'd be swimming.
All-in-all, BirchboxMan isn't really for me. I'm not sure I'm a good candidate for a box of samples but there may be some man in your life that would benefit from the encouragement to reach out and try new things. Maybe your straight brother-in-law, or your co-worker that smells weird, or your Secret Santa. IF you decide to give it a try, I think the standard subscription makes more sense than the Plus subscription unless your buying for/you are the type of dude who doesn't like to shop for his own socks. Then splurge and go for it.
I have a pretty small heart on for BirchboxMan... I miss the days of the cool apron and leather passport case I received—both of which I would say were definitely worth the $10. I'm willing to accept that maybe I'm just a little too say-something of a fella to benefit here but I think they could step up their game a bit.
If you give them a whirl, tell 'em Ricky at FoxieHeart sent ya. It'll change absolutely nothing about your experience but it may make you sound important.