Birchbox: Try the Best Beauty Products for Only $10 a Month

Seen an expensive cosmetic product that seems credible and useful but don't want to fork over so much money? Not sure if a product is trustworthy or a ripoff? Need recommendations that you may not have ever thought about?

You can think of it as a present to yourself (or if you're ordering for a friend - him- or herself) every month. Launched in September 2010 by Harvard Business School graduates Alexandra Wilkis Wilson and Alexis Maybank, Birchbox has over 20,000 subscribers nationwide. Birchbox helps consumers figure out what's suited for them at an affordable price. For $10 a month, you can get 4-5 beauty samples delivered to your door every month. Shipping is already included. You don't get to pick the samples you want to try, but that makes the experience either more mind-opening or disappointing if you were expecting something else. I have been using Birchbox for a while now, and I have to say that the subscription is worth it. These products have been tried by other people who have recommended them to people like you. The products I have received so far have been great. After trying the samples, you can purchase full-size products from Birchbox itself for Birchbox points to spend on other products. You can earn Birchbox points by writing reviews of the products and referring customers. Products include skincare, makeup, cult beauty tools and more that you'll actually use and like.

• AHAVA Revival Bath Salt in Mandarin
• Sue Devitt Eye Intensifier Pencil in Kalahari
• Deborah Lippmann Daytripper Nail Lacquer
• Marvis Classic Strong Mint Toothpaste
• Rebloom Beauty Sleep Drink
• Kérastase Chroma Sensitive
• Weleda Wild Rose Smoothing Facial Lotion
• Erno Laszlo TranspHuse Night Serum
• Stila Lip Glaze in Kitten
• Stila Prime Pot Waterproof Eye Shadow Primer
• Pomega5 Green Tea Mattifying Moisturizer
• AHAVA Dermud Enriched Intensive Foot Cream
• Pangea Organics Lip Balm in Pyrenees Lavender with Cardamom
• Oribe Shampoo
• Oribe Conditioner
• Juice Beauty Stem Cellular Repair Eye Treatment
• Blow Heat Is On Protective Styling Mist
• Jouer Luminizing Moisture Tint in Golden
• Deborah Lippmann The Stripper to Go

• Bare Minerals
• Cargo
• Erno Laszlo 
• Korres
• Marvis
• My Face Works
• Oscar Blandi
• Pangea Organics
• Stilla
• Revita Lash
• Sue Devitt
• Weleda
• Zoya

In addition to getting 4-5 samples, each monthly box will include insider secrets. Plus, you can go on the Birchbox vYou Channel to ask questions about beauty and makeup advice. In the box, you'll receive a small card with a list of the samples and how much the prices are if you want the full-sized products. You also get special deals like a free music download.

Some of the products that I really liked include: AHAVA Revival Bath Salt in Mandarin, Stila Prime Pot Waterproof Eye Shadow Primer, Marvis Classic (luxury Italian brand) Strong Mint Toothpaste, Weleda Wild Rose Smoothing Facial Lotion, AHAVA Dermud Enriched Intensive Foot Cream, Pangea Organics Lip Balm in Pyrenees Lavender with Cardamom, Pomega5 Green Tea Mattifying Moisturizer.

All in all, Birchbox can be a letdown if the products aren't your cup of tea that month, and if $10 a month isn't worth it in your budget right now (Birchbox subscribers tend to be on the higher end of the income spectrum). However, it's great if you want to try out luxury beauty products at an affordable cost. Birchbox has introduced me to brands that I have never heard of or overlooked, and to trustworthy and great products that I had never considered trying. The samples are big enough for me to test it out thoroughly and notice the results. I also don't have to deal with the bias of a salesperson telling me how great a $100 container of moisturizer is when I can try a sample of it for roughly a couple of dollars. Plus, knowing that these products were handpicked and recommended makes a big difference.