Remember when you were a teenager and you would go to the MAC counter at the mall, try on all the amazing eyeshadows and lipsticks, and admire your reflection? Chances are, as you’ve gotten older and life has gotten busier, your adventures at the makeup counter have dwindled, and you’ve started buying or requesting products that you know work for you. You use Maybelline mascara, Revlon eyeliner, Clinique foundation and concealer, and for blush, you have that perfect shimmery coral shade that looks good all year round.
It’s great to have a trusted beauty product, but isn’t it fun—really fun—to change things up a bit? Try new and amazing products to relive the excitement of your teenage years, rediscover yourself like never before.
Sounds great. But when you have a deadline at work, you have to pick up your clothes from the dry cleaners, go shopping, and cook dinner for the kids… oh my god, who has time for makeup adventures? Luckily, there’s a way to do all of that—you can add some fun to your beauty routine without wasting any time.
How? With a personalized beauty subscription box.
What is a Beauty Subscription Box?
A beauty subscription box is a monthly or seasonal box filled with a variety of makeup, nail polish, skin, and hair care products that you can receive by mail at an affordable price.
Before you sign up, you’ll be asked to fill out a beauty questionnaire, which is pretty fun. The company you choose will then select a special box full of beauty products based on your answers.
These boxes are a relatively new but growing trend and are the perfect solution for women who love cosmetics but don’t have the time or motivation to go to the store to buy new products.
Beauty subscription boxes are ideal for women who love to pamper themselves, because honestly, there’s nothing better than receiving a box full of beauty products delivered right to your door. They also make great gifts and are a great way for makeup artists to discover new products and grow their business.
Sounds like a scam. Is it?
Beauty subscription boxes are not a scam at all. They are purchased by women who consciously know what they are getting. If someone is not happy with the box, that’s a different story, but it’s not a scam.
All we can say about beauty subscription boxes is that yes, they are products designed to generate revenue for companies. This is normal. The idea behind sending beauty boxes is to encourage women to buy more of the products they receive. That’s also normal. In fact, it’s a win-win situation: women who receive beauty kits get great products that they can buy in larger quantities, and the companies make money. This isn’t a scam, just a good marketing strategy.
Next, we’ll take a closer look at the best beauty subscription boxes and the different aspects they include. This way, you can make the most informed decision possible. Remember, you’re paying for them, so it’s worth researching to make sure you’re not disappointed with your purchase.
Quality and Products
As with any product, there are standard and more sophisticated options. Birchbox, Walmart Beauty Box, GlossyBox, and Ipsy are what we’d call “regular” beauty boxes. While they include products from a variety of brands, they’re not necessarily the same as what you’ll find at Sephora. This doesn’t mean they’re not good or that you won’t enjoy using them; it just means you shouldn’t expect high-end brands.
On the other hand, Julep, FabFitFun, LookFantastic, BeautyFix by Dermstore, BoxyCharm, and Sephora’s Play! are considered high-end. While they won’t necessarily carry the full range of Estée Lauder, Lancôme, or Chanel, they will send you higher-quality products from both well-known and lesser-known brands.
Monthly vs. Seasonal Beauty Boxes
Walmart and FabFitFun’s beauty boxes are offered seasonally, meaning four times a year.
Julep is still around, allowing you to pay per box instead of a monthly fee.
You can decide how often you want to receive your beauty box. This choice will also depend on the price of each subscription.
Value
Don’t assume that beauty brands are giving away their products for free. While beauty boxes provide the excitement of receiving new products, remember that you’re actually paying for them.
The cost of each subscription box varies, so you’ll need to decide what your budget or how much you’re willing to spend is.
Some of the more affordable options include Birchbox, Ipsy Glam Bag, and, surprisingly, Sephora’s Play!, which are all $10 per month.
Julep and Walmart have their own methods. Julep allows subscribers to create their own beauty boxes with selected products, which means the cost varies per box. Walmart doesn’t charge a fee for a beauty box, but does charge the equivalent of $5 for seasonal delivery.
Many of these companies offer annual (rather than monthly) subscriptions, which are a bit more economical in the long run. Additionally, some offer free shipping, so keep that in mind.
Product Size and Quantity
Some subscriptions will send you full-size products, while others will send you samples. Beauty boxes that include samples often give you the option to purchase a full-size product, sometimes at an exclusive member discount. (Membership is free.)
Examples include Birchbox, BeautyFix by Dermstore, and Play! Sephora, which offer samples, while FabFitFun, GlossyBox, Julep, and BoxyCharm offer full-size products.
On the other hand, how many products would you like to receive? Most beauty boxes include five, but some, like BeautyFix by Dermstore and Walmart, offer more.
Keep in mind that beauty boxes with samples are more affordable.
Making Your Decision
The most important thing to remember is that subscribing to a beauty box is great. It’s a way to relive the fun you’ve had before or discover something new.
This means you don’t have to worry about your choices. After all, this isn’t a wedding. The worst that can happen is that you order something and you don’t like it. But the best thing is that you love it. And getting your box will be something you look forward to every month/season.
