CITYist

The world of beauty is full of seemingly endless possibilities. Although a limitless amount of brands and products makes this aesthetic sector fun, investing in pricier products based off of reviews alone (or, in my case, how compelling the cover art is) can be daunting. Sensing this looming air of uncertainty clouding the beauty aisles throughout the nation, Harvard Business school grads Katia Beauchamp and Hayley Barna founded Birchbox in September 2010 in an effort to simplify the process.

Subscribe to Birchbox and you’ll receive personalized samples of the latest beauty products every month. From hair care to foundation–and even more obscure items like printed stationary–your specialized box will be filled with 4-5 miniature sized products accompanied by a list of the cost of a full sized bottle. The service costs $10 a month or $110 for a yearly membership (not too outrageous considering the cost of high quality goods). Whether for yourself or a friend, Birchbox is ideal for nervous beauty consumers or even those with a curiosity and fervor for trying new products without squandering away their precious paychecks. Check out Birchbox.com to learn more or to order your own.