Changes to Birchboxs points program coming in July

Another loyalty program has just devalued. I received my June Birchbox and a few days later an email outlining changes coming to their points program starting July 11.

Birchbox is improving the ability to redeem points, but drastically cutting the ability to earn. The ability to earn 50 points (~$5) in store credit Â for reviewing samples in each $10 box made Birchbox the best beauty sample box available. That’s all changing.

a white and pink paper with black text

Starting July 11:

You will be able toÂ spend points in increments of 10 (~$1) instead of 100 (~$10).
Points earned will expire within 6 months
You will only earn points for the first 5 products you review. Ever.
After reviewing 5 products, your only way to earn points will be through referring friends and making purchases in the shop.

This is a big blow to Birchbox fans, but probably not a surprise. The market is now flooded with beauty box options and these changes come several months after Birchbox cut 15% of it’s staff and discontinued in Canada.

I’m locked into another 6 months of my annual subscription, but I’ll probably be re-evaluating whether to continue at the end of the year. But as long as boxes keep being as awesome as my June box, the $10 is definitely worth it, just not as big a value as it once was.

a group of beauty products — *2016 Curated June Birchbox*

It was a curated box, so I knew what was coming. That didn’t stop me from being super excited when it arrived.

TWO full size samples. The LOC One & Done Shadow Stick ($10) that I love using for travel. It means I only need to bring one stick and don’t have to worry about the shadow getting broken or covering everything in my makeup bag with powder. And The Beauty Crop PBJ Smoothie Stick ($14.95) in a natural-ish pink color.

a lipstick and a lip pencil — *2016 Curated June Birchbox Full Size Samples*

Then two smaller, but still mult-use tubes of skin care:Â Air Repair Complexion Boosting Moisturizer ($21)Â which doubles as a mask and daily moisturizer andÂ NUXE Â Reve de Miel Facial Cleansing and Make-Up Removing Gel ($19).

a group of tubes of cream and a tube of cream — *2016 Curated June Birchbox Moisturizers*

Â The bottle of Davines Authentic Cleansing Nector Hair/Body ($28.50) is quite large and came with a bonus packet of Authentic Moisturizing Balm Face/Hair/Body ($26.50). Little skeptical of that one as it claims to condition hair, moisturize skin, and remove makeup.