Birchbox, cialis Glossybox : Girls! We need our sample box!

I am a self-confessed cosmetics fiend. There isn’t a shopping trip that goes by that doesn’t end in my purchasing at least one (..or five) beauty products to add to my ever growing collection. While I firmly believe that no girl ever really protests at splashing her cash on those hero products that ought to fill a makeup bag, (MAC Viva Glam I’m looking at you); purchasing on a whim can go drastically wrong.

When it comes to cosmetics, I believe they are investments. Some people like to keep their money in banks, bonds or property, but I like to keep mine in my vanity table. Any financial savvy person will tell you that you don’t make an investment without doing your research, so why should cosmetic investments be any different?

This is where companies like Birchbox and Glossybox are about to become your best friends. Birchbox and Glossybox do their business in what is called ‘discovery commerce’. What that essentially means, is that these companies do the sampling for you.

If you chose to subscribe to these websites, each month for a small fee, you will receive a box jammed packed with products ranging from skincare to cosmetic samples, plus some fun extras to keep ourselves amused with. ‘Each month, you’ll receive a selection of samples that we’ve tried (and retried) ourselves. We source our samples from both well-known brands and emerging gems’ Birchbox state on their website.

A package filled with goodies once a month? Yes please. These boxes are more than just treat filled however! They are the ground work for your investment. Many quality cosmetic brands come at a price, and nobody wants to spend a pretty penny on something that doesn’t work for them. These boxes give you a chance to try products you’ve been thinking about purchasing for a long time. They’ll introduce you to products that you never knew existed, and supply you with those fun, one time only fancies that probably won’t make the cut next time you head for a Boots Haul.

Will you be getting bang for your buck each month I hear you say? Quite simply… yes! Glossybox have been known to stock brands such as Sleek, La Roche Posay, Crabtree and Evelyn and Illamsaqua. While for their most recent delivery, Birchbox teamed up with British designer Lulu Guinness for a distinctly rockabilly feel, plus a few Lulu themed treats! It’s the perfect solution to the major flaw of cosmetic shopping. In time, the right product purchase virtually pays for itself, and if you added together all the money you’d save not spending it on the wrong ones? Enough to get you a small weekender with your mates at the very least!

Even if you do still make the odd blunder in the beauty buys selection department, having a shiny gift box arrive at your door each month filled with all the things you love best is still pretty awesome.