We’ve had a slew of new people come on board recently, but the ops team seems to be growing at record speed. Here’s an introduction to our four newest associates—we’d be lost without them!
Sonia Porter, Operations Associate
After she graduated from Princeton University last year, we were lucky to scoop up this Ivy League grad and call her a member of our Birchbox Team. While in school, she studied Anthropology and spent some time in Cape Town putting together her thesis. She is great at all things operations, but when she’s not at work, she likes to read and run.
Hometown: Boston, MA
Fun Fact: My college roommate of four years was severely arachnophobic, so I’ve honed an incredible talent for spider trapping. You won’t even know it happened…the spider won’t even know it happened…until it’s all over.
Beauty Confession: As I confessed to the entire company on my second day here at Birchbox, I can’t braid my own hair. It’s my deepest, darkest beauty secret—I’m just glad it’s out in the open now.
Currently Loving: Amika Obliphica Hair Treatment. I got it in my Birchbox a while back and ever since I got around to trying it, I can’t stop using it. It smells nice and makes my hair smooth and shiny.
Worth the Splurge: Manicures! I love doing my own nails, but sometimes professional help is necessary.
Best Beauty Trick: NARS Bronzer in Laguna. It was my first bronzer in high school and I’ve stuck with it ever since. Tricks people into thinking you’re tan in the middle of winter.
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We’re lucky to have a pretty extraordinary tech team. Not only are they computer geniuses, but they’re also incredibly cool. How often do you find a group of developers who are also ultra marathoners, solo outdoorsmen, and former cheerleaders? We rest our case. The lastest addition to the tech team, Becky, is no different. Find out why this Southern belle is so awesome.
Becky Case, Senior Software Engineer
Hometown: Savannah, Georgia
Unofficial role: Bit Enchanter
Fun fact: I’m obsessed with animals. I would totally be a crazy dog or cat lady if my boyfriend would let me get away with it. We’ve topped out at two (one dog, one cat) and he’s put his foot down on any more—not for my lack of trying, negotiating, and begging.
Beauty confession: I tried cutting my own bangs last year and ended up wearing them in a barrette for the next six months. Just because a YouTube video makes it look easy doesn’t mean you should try it (especially not after drinking).
Currently loving: Miracle Skin Transformer Treat And Conceal Eye and Face concealer. It arrived in my Birchbox for January and it’s the best concealer I’ve ever used. I will definitely be buying the full-size product once the sample runs out. Plus Ted Gibson Captivating Copper Shampoo and Condition—it keeps my red hair looking brillant.
Worth the splurge: Laser hair removal (a total time saver!).
Best beauty trick? Noxema wipes are my best friend. I carry them in my bag for use any time I’m sweaty or dirty, am too tired to correctly wash my face, or just need to clean up. They’re also ideal for long flights because they moisturize as well as cleanse. And being a germaphobe I use them to clean my armrest and tray table as well. Plus they’re economical.
Can’t get enough of Birchbox? Follow our team on Twitter!
If you follow this blog or our Twitter account, you’ve already been reading posts and tweets by our new community manager, Rachel. She jumped right in last week with tons of ideas for getting our members more involved in Birchbox. First up? A new email address, community@birchbox.com, for our members to share their blog reviews, unboxing videos, pictures of their Birchboxes and more. In fact, the first member feature went up yesterday! She’ll be bringing many more fun contests, blog posts, and pictures from inside Birchbox HQ—keep an eye out!
Rachel Silver, Community Manager
Hometown: Huntington Woods, Michigan
Unofficial role: Social Butterfly
Fun fact: I was a competitive Synchronized Figure Skater from ages 7-20. If you are not from Michigan or Canada you probably have no idea what that means. Click here to be amazed.
Beauty confession: I just started using night cream this year! Obviously it’s totally improved my skin. I keep getting compliments and have to pretend I have no idea why my skin looks so nice.
Currently loving: Jouer Lip Enhancer. I got a sample in the Birchbox I received when I came in for my first interview and was immediatly hooked!
Worth the splurge: Moroccan Oil. Does that count as a splurge? I’m addicted to all of the products. I use their Hydrating Styling Cream when I blow my hair out, Curl Control Mousse in the summer (it’s so not mousse—they should call it Foamy Goodness), and Intense Curl Cream if it’s super humid.
Best beauty trick: Hammer-style blow dryers. Some people make fun of me but I’ve been using them since I was in eighth grade and it makes blowing out curly or wavy hair one million times easier. I’ve used all of the brands but currently I have an infinitiPro by Conair. Don’t laugh… just trust me :)
Rachel’s spreading Birchbox love all over the web. Follow us on Pinterest, YouTube, Facebook, and Twitter!
You may or may not have noticed, but we’ve been a little behind on our team intros. Deena came to us from Gilt a few months ago to lead our marketing team and is revolutionizing the way we do things. Somehow, after hours spent working on customer acquisition, search advertising, and Google Analytics, she has time to be a rockstar mom of two and a yoga instructor! We’re not sure how she does it, but we’re definitely jealous of her ability to stay Zen while working in such a fast-paced office!
Deena Bahri, VP Marketing
Hometown: Wyckoff, New Jersey
Beauty confession: I don’t own a blow dryer. Or foundation.
Currently loving: Deborah Lippmann thanks to Birchbox! I was not a nail polish girl before I encountered her products. But for the last four weeks, my nails have been painted in the most outrageous colors and I can’t stop staring at them.
Worth the splurge: Korres Showergel in Guava. It may not get you cleaner than regular soap, but it sure makes you smell delicious.
Best beauty trick: I use my eyebrow brush on my eyelashes post-mascara application to help separate and soften my look.
We told you we were doing our best to fill up our new office space and we weren’t joking! Just before we moved we added two new members of the Brand Team, Alexis and Alexzndra! Alexis is originally from Vancouver (woot, Team Canada!) but most recently worked at Abrams Media here in NYC. Alexzndra just graduated from West Virginia University with a degree in Fashion Design and Merchandising and is brand-new to NYC. We can’t wait to help her explore the city!
Get excited — more brand team members means more samples for you!
Alexis Hershfield, Brand Relationship Manager
Hometown: Vancouver BC, Canada
Unofficial role: Keeper of the samples
Fun fact: Summer after first year university, spent the summer working as a medic on ambulances in Israel
Beauty confession: When spending time in the sun, I spray chamomile tea in my hair to lighten it.
Currently loving: BITE’s Luminous Creme Lipstick in Fig. Its so lovely.
Worth the splurge: Bronzer! I am always looking for more sun…
Best beauty trick: Using a pink cream eye shadow as a lip stain.
Alexzndra Louras, Brand Planner
Hometown: Rutland, Vermont
Unofficial role: Coffee Machine Whisperer
Fun fact: I take apart cheap jewelry and put it together the way I like it.
Beauty confession: Sometimes I put Chapstick (odor/colorless) on my eye lids before I apply powder eye shadow to make it last longer. Also I always go from light to dark with a touch of gold in the middle.
Currently loving: Red lips, bright toes, big hair.
Worth the splurge: Good shampoo/conditioner (Like Blow) to make my hair look awesome.
Best beauty trick: When I’m in desperate need to get shine off my face, I use a CLEAN toilet seat cover as makeshift blotting paper to soak up oil without ruining my makeup.
Happy Monday! It’s finally sub-100 degrees so we’re feeling pretty darn chipper. Time for another batch of team intros, starting with the lovely Amanda. This sassy Brit comes to us from Gilt, where she was the PR Senior Manager. She’s joined just in the nick of time — poor Matt F. was bearing the brunt of British jokes. We’re thrilled to have her - she’s already scheming to start an office book club and has loads of great ideas up her sleeve.
Amanda Graber, Director of PR & Strategic Partnerships
Hometown: London, UK
Unofficial role: Posh Police.
Fun fact: I used to have an American accent. My father is from NYC and met my mother (English) while she was living over here in her twenties/early thirties (remind you of anyone?). They had me and my brother and then moved to London when I was four years old. It wasn’t until I was seven that I finally sounded like a true English princess, much to my delight, as the girls at school didn’t take kindly to the outspoken Yank at the back of the classroom.
Beauty confession: I have weekly manicures. Even when it’s a stretch to pay my rent on time, this is one must-have I can’t abandon. Right now I’m wearing Essie’s Looking for Love — hoping it will help me find mine…
Currently loving: NARS Orgasm and NARS Orgasm Illuminator (double the fun). And Birchbox!
Worth the splurge: First Class. No need to elaborate :)
Best beauty trick: Confidence.
