April 2011
7 tags
Reading List: #RoyalWedding Tumblrs!
Photo via Kate Middleton FTW
As far as we’re concerned, nothing else is happening today but the Royal Wedding. We’re joking (sort of), but it is fun to look at the amazing Tumblrs that have sprung up in its honor. Here are our five favorites. Enjoy and have a great weekend!
Kate Middleton FTW and the corresponding Twitter account have had us in stitches throughout the wedding prep....
6 tags
Packing List: Welcome To Miami
I am headed down to Miami this weekend for some fun in the sun (and by that, I mean under an umbrella with a hat and plenty of SPF by my side—I am very into protecting my pale skin). I just got a fresh new cut courtesy of Jeff Chastain, last night I went spray tanning (just because I don’t indulge in UV rays doesn’t mean I don’t want to look glowy), and all that was left to get...
8 tags
Royal Wedding Hair Roundup!
From Kate Middleton’s loosely pulled back strands to Victoria Beckham’s perfect high pony, the hair at the royal wedding spanned a range of styles (and don’t even get us started on the hats—the Brits love extravagant headgear!). We were impressed with several looks, check out our favorites below.
Kate (for good reason) stole the show wearing her hair gracefully swept...
2 tags
3 tags
Mother's Day Made Easy With Birchbox Gift Sets
You’ve probably noticed that we’re a pretty mom-centric startup. There’s Katia’s mom, who back in September was prepared to buy out all our inventory should our idea prove to be a bust. (Luckily, this was not the case but she continues to support us with frequent skincare purchases.) Mama Chen sends cookies; Hayley’s mother helps feng shui our offices; and...
7 tags
We're Throwing a Party with Weleda and The Gloss!
We’ll be giving away three of these awesome Weleda sets, each worth $95.
On Twitter, that is. Next Thursday, May 5th, we’re teaming up with Weleda and The Gloss for a digital natural beauty chat. Here’s how it works: From 7-8:30 pm, experts from The Gloss (@theglossdotcom) and Weleda (@weleda), plus Birchbox (@birchbox), will be answering all your burning questions....
3 tags
Win $155 In Juice Beauty Products!
It’s tough to find truly natural products that are also extremely effective. That’s why Juice Beauty continues to amaze us — they guarantee that all of their formulations are made with at least 98% organic ingredients. The results are pretty impressive. Enter our Juice Beauty Sweepstakes and you could be one of five lucky winners to get your hands on some of line’s most...
Anonymous asked: Does everything that you sell on Birchbox's shop link end up in a Birchbox box? I'm not even sure if that made sense, but the monthly subscriptions you get in the mail, does everything you sell online eventually land in someone's box? I saw the feathers online and I really hope it's in the May box.... (: (here's to hoping!)
4 tags
Jeff Chastain: Master of the Layered Cut
You know how a new haircut just makes you feel good? Well, I got one early this morning with Birchbox’s favorite stylist, Jeff Chastain, and I couldn’t be happier. I was looking for more layers (my previous blunt cut was just not, well, cutting it as it were) and to take some of the weight off. Jeff did a marvelous job and even taught me a new curling iron trick: try just using the...
2 tags
3 tags
Pack Light With Packets: You’ve Got Male
Once a week, Birchbox’s resident yoga and men’s product expert, Eric, will gives us girls some insight into his world in You’ve Got Male. Whether he’s giving his expertise on skincare (boys need advice, too!) or highlighting his new favorite grooming trend, this guy has got taste—so we’re lucky he’s on staff and willing to share.
Photo: marieclaire.com
I think I can speak for most everyone at...
5 tags
Blake Lively's New Red Hair: Love It Or Hate It
Photo: Fashionista
Blake Lively arguably has the most covetable hair in all of Hollywood—and for good reason. Her luxurious mane is totally captivating and enviable. While it’s never good to mess with perfection, I have been wondering when Blake might get around to switching it up, since actresses seem to do at least once a season. Up until this point, change has not been Lively’s...
3 tags
Of a Kind Designer Meredith German's Beauty...
As much as we love a good J.Crew haul, there’s something very seductive about having something that no one else has. (Perhaps that’s why we love vintage so much?) It’s also why we’re smitten with Of a Kind, a new site that takes a curatorial meets editorial approach to shopping. Founders Claire Mazur and Erica Cerulo (two of our girl crushes, more on that later) partner with indie designers to...
3 tags
Skin Rx: Out, Damn Spot!
Acne happens — a lot. We’ve all dealt with it, whether it was the regular teenage stuff, the frustrating mid-20s eruptions, or the dreaded adult acne. Luckily there are tons of blemish-fighting ingredients and products out there. Here are a few of my favorites:
Seaweed extract: This marine ingredient is amazing for detoxing clogged pores. Look for a cleanser that has it, like Erno...
Anonymous asked: Whats the theme of next months birchbox!
3 tags
Team Techy: Meet Aaron!
It’s a well-known fact that it’s incredibly hard to hire great developers in New York because the demand is so high. We’re exceedingly excited (and lucky) to have landed Aaron, who has worked in the technology space for 19 years. Most recently the CTO of Updater Inc., he’s a security expert who has consulted for tons of top business and e-commerce site and he literally...
2 tags
4 tags
Upcycle Your Birchboxes: Chocolate!
If there’s one thing Birchbox editors love more than beauty, it’s food. Specifically chocolate. When we requested that our members send us images of their recycled Birchboxes, we had no idea we were in for a culinary treat. If you saw our post yesterday you already know we have some very crafty members, but Kathy, aka @katopio, really blew us away with her truffles - safely stored in...
3 tags
Hair Crush: Brooklyn Decker
She may be one of the most beautiful women in the world so I am not entirely sure how this is possible, but Brooklyn Decker just got a little bit more beautiful. Until just a few weeks ago, the blonde bombshell was sporting a lengthy cut that — by comparison to her new lob (a.k.a. long bob) — was a little lifeless. Not so anymore: her new face-framing layers strike that perfect balance between...
Anonymous asked: Do you take samples/products from any company, or just larger ones?
2 tags
Upcycle Your Birchboxes: Part Deux
Thanks so much to everyone who emailed images of their recycled birchboxes in response to our earlier blog post. We were excited to receive so many inspiring emails and wanted to share the craftiness with everyone! We’ll definitely be borrowing a few of these ideas for our own boxes. Stay tuned for another Birchboxer who went above and beyond — we just had to feature on her own!
Best Gift...
4 tags
Chamomile Tea: Good For Digestion, Weight Loss,...
Zhena’s Gypsy Tea founder Zhena Muzyka has come a long way since she was selling her specially crafted sachets out of a street cart just ten years ago. An herbalist and certified aromatherapist, the entrepreneur’s numerous blends are equal parts science and art—and they are useful in ways outside just your cup.
I sat down with the tea guru to discuss my favorite springtime flavor,...
3 tags
More Team Fun: Meet Elizabeth!
We just got a whole lot smarter, thanks to our newest team member, Elizabeth. The beauty world veteran — she spent thirteen years leading the cosmetics division at Macy’s West — has handily doubled tripled our knowledge of of the industry. She’s also a dream to work with, doling out hugs and product advice, and keeping energy high. Lucky us!
Elizabeth Eckardt, Senior VP of Brand...
Anonymous asked: I am a new Brand. How do I enroll with Birch Box for the consumer to test my products ( shampoo and conditioner)? Stacy Vason HairCare www.stacyvason.com, info@stacyvason.com
Thank You
Thank You
irideponies asked: I really love the Befine exfoliating cleanser from a couple months ago and plan on purchasing it. I was also looking around for other Befine products and see some that I'm interested in. They can be purchased from their website, but do you know much about this brand? None of the stores that they list as carrying their products don't seem to actually have any of the Befine products. Is...
Anonymous asked: my mom just got me the birchbox a few days ago..so does that mean i have to pay again the first of may even though i just paid? because i paid and haven't gotten the box..i'm kinda confused on how it works.
10 tags
Reading List: Happy Earth Day!
Photo by Teri Lyn Fisher for Oh Joy.
Happy Earth Day! As you know we’ve got eco on the brain this month but this week was also Passover and Easter Weekend, which means…spring is on the way! (And Cadbury Creme Eggs, of course.) It’s the perfect time to experiment with some new makeup and an eco-friendly routine.
Fashionista has a slideshow of the best Easter Egg-inspired Makeup Colors to try. If...
yngfaves asked: when do you charge the credit card every month? my mom wants to know!
Anonymous asked: how do you unregister as a member?
4 tags
Guest Blogger: Ecofabulous Lives GRN
For April’s Birchbox, we teamed up with the well-respected green chic site, Ecofabulous. Their experts helped us pick several of the environmentally-friendly goodies featured in this month’s box and founder Zem Joaquin even generously served as our latest Birchbox Crush. This week we have Caitlin Bristol, the site’s creative director, blogging about all things green and fantastic. Today...
1 tag
Deep Thought of the Day: Think about the Round...
Katia and Hayley’s new favorite cab driver, Naseer.
Katia and Hayley dashed out of the office today to go to a business lunch. They were running late and hopped in a cab. On the way back, they were also running late and hailed another cab…and quickly realized it was the same one as before. Lightning may strike twice, but two NYC cabs? This must mean something. Katia’s...
5 tags
Happy Earth Day! Small Changes for Big Impact
We love Earth Day because it inspires us to make green resolutions that we can keep year-round. This year, we’re taking a look at our daily routines and making small changes that we can stick to.
What’s one small change you are making in order to be more green? What new organic or natural product you’ve added to your routine?
Hayley: “Lavanila Vanilla Grapefruit Body...
2 tags
Where o Where are the Birchbox Editors' Desks?
What’s on Where are the Birchbox
Editors’ Desks?
Birchbox has been growing a lot in the last few months. In January we moved to a new office with so much space we hardly knew what to do with it! Fast forward to today and we’ve had to rearrange desks again to accommodate many more employees and are quickly outgrowing the space we have. Instead of our regular “What’s...
5 tags
My Top Four Self Tanners
A few years ago I made a discovery that would change my life forever: self tanner. I had spent high school in southern California where everyone was effortlessly sun-kissed and while I did achieve a nice glow from time to time, it was never easy. It involved lots of burning, tanning, and even slathering on oil sans SPF. Yikes. Not my most brilliant days.
I have since repented for my foolish youth...
6 tags
Guest Blogger: Ecofabulous on Va-Va-(La)Vanila
For April’s Birchbox, we teamed up with the well-respected green chic site,Ecofabulous. Their experts helped us pick several of the environmentally-friendly goodies featured in this month’s box and founder Zem Joaquin even generously served as our latest Birchbox Crush. This week we have Caitlin Bristol, the site’s creative director, blogging about all things green and fantastic. Today...
4 tags
Team MacGyver: Meet Jason!
Well, this is something different: a former jet pilot working at a beauty company. Our new and awesome controller is not only a former US Air Force pilot, he’s also got a PhD in Mathematics and rides a motorcycle to work. Plus, he is finishing up a five-day BluePrintCleanse, which means he’s got will of steel. Don’t mess with this one! We’re thrilled to have him here.
...
12 tags
What Are Gwennie, Natalie, and Rachel McAdams'...
You’d be forgiven if you associate the term ‘natural regimen’ with convention-rejecting hippies that rock their uneven complexions and lifeless hair with pride. But more and more, green is not just chic — it’s sexy. Opting into an environmentally-conscious lifestyle by no means necessitates the sacrifice of glamor or sex appeal. To meet the demand for eco-beauty, tons of...
4 tags
Guest Blogger: Ecofabulous' Kick Ass Yoga Guide
For April’s Birchbox, we teamed up with the well-respected green chic site, Ecofabulous. Their experts helped us pick several of the environmentally-friendly goodies featured in this month’s box and founder Zem Joaquin even generously served as our latest Birchbox Crush. This week we’re hearing from Caitlin Bristol, the site’s creative director, who is sounding off today on her go-to yoga...
3 tags
Upcycle Your Birchboxes: We Want To See!
Everywhere we look this April, we’re bombarded with messages about the importance of being more environmentally friendly. We think it’s just as important to make sustainable choices that we can stick with all year round. We’re not ready to completely overhaul our makeup drawer (although more power to you if you’re able to!), but we are integrating our favorite organic products into our routine...
5 tags
Getting a HANDle on things: You've Got Male
Once a week, Birchbox’s resident yoga and men’s product expert, Eric, will gives us girls some insight into his world in You’ve Got Male. Whether he’s giving his expertise on skincare (boys need advice, too!) or highlighting his new favorite grooming trend, this guy has got taste—so we’re lucky he’s on staff and willing to share.
I don’t know many guys who get manicures, but most men that I...
4 tags
Skin Rx: Depuff and Conceal in One Step
It’s been a hectic week around the Birchbox ranchito, which means we’re all running on low on sleep and high on caffeine. This morning (yes, it’s taken that long to post this), our resident skincare expert, Rachel, shared a trick for concealing and de-puffing undereye circles.
If you’re short on time and want to get a quick two-in-one punch, simply mix your eye cream...
2 tags
7 tags
Guest Blogger: Ecofabulous Loves Juice
For April’s Birchbox, we teamed up with the well-respected green chic site, Ecofabulous. Their experts helped us pick several of the environmentally-friendly goodies featured in this month’s box and founder Zem Joaquin even generously served as our latest Birchbox Crush. This week we’re hearing from Caitlin Bristol, the site’s creative director. Today she’s musing on one of our new favorite...
4 tags
Lavanila's Billion Tree Initiative
One of our latest natural beauty crushes, Lavanila, is going above and beyond this Earth Day. They’ve teamed up with the Nature Conservancy and are helping the organization reach its goal of planting a billion trees—yes, a billion. Not only will they plant a tree for every order in their online shop, but they’re also pledging to add a new sapling for every Facebook ‘Like’...
8 tags
Win A $175 Prize With Our LIV GRN Sweepstakes!
With Earth Day right around the corner, we were interested to learn what green causes you are most passionate about. To help us find out, we partnered with LIV GRN, a brand that prides itself on perpetuating the health of our planet and donates 10% of every sale to Global Green, one of the world’s largest and most recognized green charities. Enter our sweepstakes now by clicking here and you...
3 tags
Suki Sweepstakes: Enter and Win $150 in Customized...
With so many different options out there, from face exfoliators to hydrating body oils, it is hard to know exactly what products fit your specific needs. Given that this is a conundrum we regularly face, we thought it appropriate to partner with suki, a brand whose mantra is ‘know your beauty.’ In that vein, the company’s founder, Suki Kramer, will customize an entirely new...
4 tags
Planning for May Flowers with Bloomin Seed Paper
This month we slipped a special treat in our April boxes: Bloomin’s letterpress seed paper. The Colorado-based company makes the highest quality seed paper on the market, which is why we were so excited to work with them. They use completely biodegradeable ink that comes in a rainbow of saturated hues, and can print just about anything. We’re especially excited about their brand-new...
6 tags
Guest Blogger: Ecofabulous Behind the Scenes at...
For April’s Birchbox, we teamed up with the well-respected green chic site, Ecofabulous. Their experts helped us garner several of the environmentally-friendly goodies featured in this month’s box and founder, Zem Joaquin, even generously served as our latest Birchbox Crush. This week we’re hearing from another one of the site’s savvy blogger, Caitlin Bristol, the creative...
5 tags
Manis 2.0: Layering, Nail Art, and More
The secret is out: one of our newest partners is Zoya, and we shipped out tons of mini nail polishes this month. But we also have ideas on how to get more out of your existing lacquer wardrobe. Read this month’s piece on how to layer polishes, get a two-tone mani, and more. I mean, isn’t it time you gave Ballet Slippers a rest?
Bonus! Watch our video on how to get the hot hot moon...
6 tags
Reading List: Green-S
Where did the week go? Between April boxes shipping, our favorite YouTube vlogger stopping by, and many many hair feathers, let’s just say the last few days have been a bit of a blur. It’s not just us that’s been busy - the Interwebs have been abuzz with everything from the new jort to the latest Tom Ford shennigans. Here are a few links for weekend brunch conversation fodder.
...
