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The 10 Best Beauty Subscription Boxes for Your Monthly Makeup Fix

September 24, 2019 By Beauty Essential Experts Leave a Comment

Beauty subscription boxes

Image Source: Pixabay

Discovering the best beauty subscription boxes is a real treat. It's like getting a surprise birthday or Christmas present throughout the year, most times monthly. Even better, is knowing that whatever that box holds will most likely be appealing and useful.

Beauty subscription boxes are fairly new and have only grown in popularity thanks to beauty and lifestyle influencers. Now, there are so many of these boxes on the market that it can be mind-boggling deciding which one will give you the most for your buck. Product reviews, like ours on the best beauty subscription boxes, are important in saving you the time and money it would take to search the internet for the best products

Beauty Subscription Box 

We have compiled a list of the ten best beauty subscription boxes, but first, we will answer some frequently asked questions.

Faq

1. What Is a Beauty Subscription Box?

A beauty subscription box is a package of curated makeup, hair, and skin care products sent to customers throughout the year. These boxes can sometimes contain fashion, household, and lifestyle items, as well as coupons, tutorials, and information on the products.

2. How Many Are Delivered per Year?

Throughout the year, customers will receive their beauty subscription box either monthly, bi-monthly or seasonally—you can expect 4 to 12 boxes a year. If you want to receive products frequently, a monthly or bi-monthly box will appeal to you. But if you want to receive the top products of the season, a seasonal box subscription will be the way to go.

3. What Are the Benefits of Beauty Subscription Boxes?

Besides the obvious benefit of fun, you can save money by trying many products in this way; it would be costly to buy every product that catches your eye. Some of these products, if purchased regularly, would cost well over $30—the average price for a full beauty subscription box. And if you buy a product you don't like, then you've wasted your money. Put simply: beauty subscription boxes allow you to try the milk before buying the cow.

Another benefit is that they expose you to brands and products you may have never otherwise come across—and some of these brands and products may end up as staples in your beauty or skincare regimen. Also, there are often expensive luxury items included in these boxes that you wouldn't normally allow yourself to spend the money on. At the least, this is a nice little treat; at best, you don't risk your hard-earned money on an expensive product you may not care for.

4. Are Products Full Size or Sample Size?

Products in a beauty subscription box are often sample size, but they can also be full size or a combination of the two.

 Should I Go for a Customized Box?

Yes, customized boxes are the way to go. Boxes most likely to contain products you'll use will be customized by having you complete a comprehensive customization questionnaire. In makeup and skincare—highly popular items in beauty subscription boxes—you want to make sure the colors will complement your hair, skin tone, and personal style. You also want to make sure these products will work to address any beauty or skincare concerns you may have, such as acne, dryness, or unevenness.

6. Are Products New Releases or Previews?

Products found in a beauty subscription box will mostly be popular products of the moment and beloved products of all time. Sometimes preview items will be available in these boxes, especially for the seasonal boxes.

7. Is There Anything Else I Should Know About the Best Beauty Subscription Boxes?

Once you get your first box, analyze the contents. Did you actually get a customized box based on the questionnaire you filled out? Is there additional information about the products and how to use them that can help you decide if you want to invest in them further? Do they meet the quality you are expecting? These questions will help you decide whether the subscription box is worth it. The best beauty subscription boxes will deliver as promised—you should get what you are expecting.

Researching the cancellation policy of the beauty subscription boxes you are considering is important in case your box doesn't meet your expectations. The best beauty subscription boxes will have a no-fuss cancellation policy. It should be as easy to cancel as it was to sign up (if not more so), and customer service should be accessible. The best beauty subscription boxes will allow you to cancel your subscription online, meaning you don't have to make phone calls or write letters.

How We Reviewed 

review of beauty subscription boxes

Image source: Pixabay

To compile our list of the best beauty subscription boxes, we visited beauty and lifestyle blogs, vlogs, and social media, especially Instagram and Pinterest.

We paid attention to what popular influencers raved about and evaluated the contents of different subscription boxes to get an idea of what we could expect of each. Each beauty subscription box on our list was filled with exciting things and arrived as advertised.

We reviewed each subscription box by considering their features and contents, their customization abilities and accuracy, cancellation policies, and price. We believe we achieved our goal of providing a diverse list of quality subscription boxes, that will have something for everyone.

Overall Price Range

The general price range for our selection of the best beauty subscription boxes begin at around $10 and go up to around $50 per box. The lower-priced boxes had fewer products (around five or less) and were more general brands that you can find at a local big-box store or drug store. The higher-priced boxes usually contained luxury products, full-size products, and/or over five items per box.

What We Reviewed

  • Ipsy Glam Bag
  • FabFitFun
  • Play! by Sephora
  • Birchbox
  • Scentbird
  • Petit Vour Beauty Box
  • Boxycharm
  • Julep
  • Glossybox
  • Allure Beauty Box

Ipsy Glam Bag

Features

This box comes with about five sample-sized products in a reusable makeup bag or pouch. The products are a combination of luxury and common items. This is a customized box, based on a 16-question survey you fill out related to your brand and product preferences, beauty knowledge, hair and skin color, and beauty-related concerns.


Products are selected based on your customization questionnaire. Examples of products typically found in the Ipsy Glam Bag include IT Cosmetics CC Cream, Glamour Dolls Lisa Frank Themed Bronzer, and Manna Kadar Lip Stain.

Cancellation Policy

Cancel by 12:00 p.m. on the last day of the month to avoid charges for the following month. The cancellation page is hidden on the website. Once you cancel on the website, you will receive a link to confirm cancellation.

Where to Buy

FabFitFun

Features

This box comes with about 7 to 10 full-size products that are based on a 35-question survey regarding your exercising habits, jewelry preferences, and hair and skin type. However, boxes are not customized unless you purchase a membership, which is around $180 for a full year subscription. Some examples of products found in this box include a fold-over clutch, Purlisse Sheet Masks, and Anderson Lilly Body Oil.

Cancellation Policy

Check your bill date for when you can cancel, which is unique to you. Billing dates also change by the month. This subscription doesn't have a standard cancellation date.

Where to Buy

Play! by Sephora

Features

This box contains five sample size luxury products, in-store perks, and helpful tutorials. The box is customized using a 19-question survey regarding coloring, concerns, and makeup knowledge. The products are a surprise to you, and with their Color IQ feature, you'll get the right color selections.


Some examples of products found in this box include Origins Charcoal Mask, Moroccanoil Hair Treatment, and My Burberry Blush Perfume.


Cancellation Policy

Cancel before the first day of the following month to avoid charges. To cancel, go to their website and click the easy-to-locate opt-out button.

Where to Buy

Birchbox

Features

This box is the original beauty box that started it all. It comes with about 5 sample size products of uncommon brands based on 15 questions you answered regarding your coloring, skin, makeup preferences, personal style, routines, and favorite products. This box is a little different from most in that you get to select what goes into your box, so you know what you're getting before it arrives. Some examples of products found in this box include Lord & Berry Magic Brow Pencil, Stila Huge Extreme Lash Mascara, and Vasanti BrightenUp! Moisturizer.

Cancellation Policy

Cancel before the first day of the following month to stop shipments and avoid charges. It's easy to opt out online in five clicks.

Where to Buy

Scentbird

Features

This box is ideal for those who love trying out different scents, or who are still searching for their signature scent. Each month, you get a 30-day (travel-friendly) supply of a designer fragrance that you choose from over 450 popular and niche brands. With your first order, you'll also get a free refillable case.


Some examples of products found in this box include Anna Sui Fantasia, Tocca Maya, and Jason Wu by Jason Wu.

Cancellation Policy

Cancel online prior to your next billing date to avoid receiving another shipment and being charged. Find where to cancel in your Subscription Status page, where there will be a Cancel Subscription link.

Where to Buy

Petit Vour Beauty Box

Features

This box comes with four clean and ethically made luxury beauty products that are non-toxic and vegan. You get a customized box based on your makeup, skincare, and hair care preferences. As a bonus, if you rate and review your beauty box products, you can earn points to spend on the website. Examples of products found in this box include Formulary 55 Sea Mineral Foot Soak, Noir By Antonym Eye Pencil, and Shamanuti Seaweed Toner.

Cancellation Policy

If you have a prepaid subscription, it will cancel when the subscription expires. To cancel ongoing subscriptions, email the company at the address located under the beauty box's FAQ.

Where to Buy

Boxycharm

Features

With this box, you get five full-sized, high-quality products. This box is customized based on a 16-question survey, which includes questions on makeup and hair product preferences and eye, skin, and hair color. All the products are selected for you, so you never know exactly what you're getting. Some examples of products found in this box include Crown Powder Brush, Tartiest Lash Paint Mascara, and Realher Blush Kit.

Cancellation Policy

Cancel before the first day of the month to avoid charges and getting another box for that month.

Where to Buy

Julep

Features

This box comes with 2 to 3 of the brand's products. It's customized with a 7-question survey on your preferred colors, products, and hair and skin tone. If you want to choose what goes into your box, you can do so between the 20th and 24th of each month. Examples of products found in this box include eyeshadow brushes, Charcoal Konjac Sponge, and Feels Like Velvet Eyeshadow Duo.

Cancellation Policy

Cancel before the 24th of the month to avoid billing and delivery the following month.

Where to Buy

Glossybox

Features

This box contains both sample and full-size products. It's customized using a 14-question beauty profile regarding your style, concerns, color, and skin and hair type. As a result, the products are closely matched and selected for you. Examples of products found in this box include Kat Von D Sinner Perfume, Nature Queen Shampoo & Conditioner, and LAQA & Co. Cloud Lips Lipstick.

Cancellation Policy

Cancel by the 14th of the month to avoid charges the following month and to stop delivery. You can cancel online, but there are lots of clicks involved.

Where to Buy

Allure Beauty Box

Features

This box comes with deluxe size sample beauty products that are curated by an Allure editor. Included in each box is also an Allure mini magazine and reusable makeup pouch. Products are from popular and indie brands, and now and then, a box will contain one or more bonus products for free. Examples of products found in this box include Avene Thermal Spring Water, Floss My New Favorite Gloss, and Context Skin Vitamin C All day Eye Cream.

Cancellation Policy

Cancel by the last day of the month to avoid charges and another box for the following month. To cancel, email them at the address listed in their FAQ page

Where to Buy

The Verdict

You may realize that more than one of these best beauty subscription boxes interests you, but you don't have to limit yourself to one! The important thing is you choose a box (or boxes) that contain products that you will use and enjoy.

Our choice for the overall best beauty subscription service is Play! by Sephora. We like that this bag comes from a popular beauty store. Most anyone can find something they need and like at Sephora—from skincare, hair care, and makeup to scents, candles, and travel containers. We also like the in-store perks and tutorials, which are nice if you get a new makeup product that you don't quite understand how to use or wear. The in-store perks add more value, especially if you shop there frequently. Your $10 a month will more than pay for itself. The cherry on top is their hassle-free cancellation policy.

Regardless of which of these subscription boxes you choose, you can count on a great opportunity to save money and expose yourself to new beauty products that may become your favorite beauty products.

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