Beauty subscription boxes are all the rage these days and we can totally see why. First, you get hand-picked beauty products by experts in the field, then you get to try stuff that otherwise you would’ve never looked at, and all of it comes to your door step on schedule – like a surprise gift that keeps on giving. What’s not to love?
Unfortunately, some subscription boxes are really not worth your money and time, but how do you know which ones are good?
I am no beauty expert, but that’s precisely the reason why I want to get beauty and make up stuff delivered to my house that is picked by somebody else, somebody who is better than me at this.
In my search for the best box for me, I ended up testing quite a few and would like to share my findings with you. The important criterions for me were reliability, quality if products, price-value ratio, and ability to change my mind and cancel whenever I wanted.
This is what I discovered about beauty subscription boxes:
FabFitFun
This is one of my favorites. It comes every quarter and brings up to 10 full size beauty, health, fitness, fashion, and lifestyle products for $45.95 per box.
You will have to fill out an extensive survey about your health, eating, beauty routine, and exercise when signing up.
Yearly members can customize and pick many items, but not all.
You can expect to get make up, blankets, slippers, gloves, lotions, hand creams, mascara, hair products, perfumes, makeup removers, facial masks, candles, towels, robes, bath salts, and much more.
Many products come from well-known brands, but the biggest supply will be from niche companies and industry new-comers, which I love.
Cancelling the service is tricky as the boxes don’t always come at the same time, so you will have to work to figure out when to cancel.
- 20% OFF Spring Box with code INSPIRE
- $10 OFF First Box Subscription with code SPICE
Play! By Sephora
If you love Sephora (and who doesn’t?), you will love this box – it comes every month and includes 5 sample size items for $10. There is a survey with questions and your color IQ when you sign up for best selection of products for you. You can’t pick exact products, but you can expect to get mascara, lip glosses, facial masks, skin serums, hair treatments, and perfume from the best brands out there.
You can cancel this box any time before the 1st of each month. I love this freedom and I love the cult brands that come in each box, so Play! is very high on my list.
See Sephora Beauty Deals:
- 15% OFF Your First Sephora Purchase
- 80% OFF Latest Beauty Deals
CauseBox – $54.99
CauseBox is lifestyle and beauty subscription box. As the name suggests, the company strives to highlight socially and environmentally responsible businesses and products, feature brands that make cruelty free and natural items or support a cause or a charity.
The box comes every three months, seasonally, and each one contains up to 8 full size items. You can expect skincare, makeup, hair care, home décor, and fashion items and accessories. This box is highly rated and has quite a following.
- 20% OFF Your First Box with code EG20
- 30% off Your Order when use code THEPLUSSIDEOFME30
Boxycharm
This box includes 5 full size items each month for $21. It takes quite a while to start receiving the boxes after ordering, so customers have to use some patience. The boxes are not customizable, but there is an initial survey that you have to fill out while signing up. Boxcharm send mostly makeup and beauty products and accessories.
You can cancel your subscription at any time before the 1st of the month, so you don’t have to feel trapped. I got frustrated while waiting for my first box to arrive, but the quality if the products made it worthwhile, so I still recommend this box for all patient beauty lovers.
Birchbox
Birchbox is one of the oldest beauty boxes around and thus is very established in the market. It arrives every month and costs $11 per box. You will receive sample size products from well know trendy brands and from industry new comers that are just as good if not better.
See Birchbox Promotion Offers:
- Free Gift with ANY Subscription with code DOUBLEFUN
- 15% OFF Your Order with code TAKE15
You will start your subscription with 15-question survey and will be able to cancel it any time before the 1st of the month. Expect to get eye pencils, brow care items, mascara, face masks, moisturizers, lip glosses, shampoos and conditioners.
My problem with so many little sample items is that they tend to accumulate and are not always used, but the same problem exists for many boxes since you can’t absolutely love and need every item.
Ipsy Glam Bag
This box brings 5 sample size items, but also includes a cosmetics bag with each delivery. I think it’s amazing because I have cosmetics bag for everything and can even gift them to friends. The service costs $12 per month.
The box is not customizable, but does require some beauty info from you when you first sign up. The items you will receive include eye makeup, lip kits, cheeks, bronzers, hair treatments, and skin care.
The cancellation policy is a bit tricky, but doable – you have to cancel before midnight on the last day of the month and then click on a link from an email that customer service will send you to finish the process.
You can expect a nice mix of brands, but be ready for less than great from time to time. However, cosmetic from Tarte, Glossier, and Smashbox make it worthwhile.
See Ipsy Coupons:
- Up to 70% Off For New Members Only
- Free Shipping on Your Order
GlossyBox
Glossybox delivers some sample size and some full size products, so it’s a nice mix for $21 per month. You can’t customize the items you get, but you can definitely put some beauty information in your profile.
Cancellation process can be a bit confusing, so be ready to call customer service. You have to start your cancelling on the 14th of a month before the one you wish to not be charged any more.
- $5 OFF Your First Months with code FIRST5
- First Month for Free with code ONEFREE
I like most of the products I received in Glossybox, but some can use an upgrade. For example, I don’t like fake eyelashes, but it was one of the products I got. My biggest frustration is with relatively small sizes of supposed to be full-size items and with some products coming broken during shipping, like a nice set of bronzers, which covered me and my dog in shimmery powder upon opening.
Macy’s Beauty Box
This beauty box delivers up to 7 sample size items for $15 per month. It also includes a cosmetic bag and a $10 coupon for beauty purchase at Macy’s. This array of items and low price makes the box very attractive to me.
I often get perfume samples, powder, lip sticks, mascaras, serums, and more.
You can cancel Macy’s Beauty Box any time before the 1st of the month, but you can’t customize the pickings. I love this box with its established brands and products. Macy’s takes some risks, but don’t expect all trendy new brands. Sometimes time-tested staples are best.
Walmart Beauty Box
This should not be on your list if you are looking for something more than just travel size hygiene items for $5 per month. You will have to answer 8 questions on the survey, but expect no customization what so ever.
You will get basic brands like Dove, Nivea, Olay, and Gold Bond. You are likely to receive deodorants, shower gels, body lotions, facial cream, shampoo, and hand cream samples.
Cancellation policy is very easy and has to be done before the 1st of the month. I found this subscription box to have nothing to do with beauty, but rather as supplies for a trip. You can also order season subscription that comes every three months. I would consider Walmart Beauty Box only if I had no time to visit drug stores for travel needs.