I hope everyone is enjoying the warm spring weather with the promise of summer just around the corner. Being a teacher, I am thrilled with the arrival of May ;)
Today I thought I would give some background to the many beauty subscriptions out there in case you are considering trying one out or maybe want to branch out of your current favorite. These are a great way to discover new products and sample from some of your favorite brands while discovering new ones. Also, I highly recommend gifting subscriptions. It is a fun, unique present that continues over a few months rather than one day of fun.
How do they work?
You begin most subscriptions by creating a profile giving some background to your preferences, skin type, etc. Then each month the company mails you a box of samples and full-size products to try. Often you can earn points by filling out product reviews or many send you discount codes on the month's featured brands. The prices of boxes varies from $10 to almost $40 although if you choose to do a 3 mont, 6 month or yearly subscription most give you a discounted price. Keep in mind though if you are signing up for your first subscription some have waitlists to join or won't send you a box until the following month.
Just so you know I currently have subscriptions to Birchbox, Ipsy, and Beauty Army which you can see my April goodies in my video: Battle of the Boxes April Edition. Also, I just subscribed for a Julep box (I finally gave in!) which I'm sure I will do a post on. In the past, I subscribed to Klutchclub and am considering trying Bulu Box.
With popularity rising for these subscriptions, I thought it might be helpful to see all the options out there. If you want the down and dirty use this chart to quickly glance at the many options. Following it I have a brief write up for each one. Click the name to check out their site if you are wanting more information, to order, or just to preview previous boxes and brands available. Happy shopping :)
Birchbox
Type: Beauty (hair, face, make-up, & lifestyle)
Price: $10 per month
Number of samples: 4-5
Gender: Women or Men
Reward Points: Yes
Discount Codes: No*
This is one of the oldest and most established subscriptions out there so they typically have a wide variety of brands including big, familiar names like Benefit, Stila, Dr. Bradt, and theBalm as well as more exclusive brands such as Cynthia Rowley, Sumita, Marcelle, and Liz Earle. Ocassionally the boxes have themes or little lifestyle extras. If you like a product, you can buy things directly from Birchbox.com and earn additional points. Every 100 points earns your $10 off at the store which can add up quickly! You also can review three of your samples each month for points.
*They do offer free shipping on each month's items and occasionally have specials.
My Opinion: I have been receiving Birchbox for almost a year and half now. Each box there is always something I can use although some months are amazing while others are just okay. Also, I think in the beginning I appeared to get better sample sizes and the occasional full sized product along with more make-up products. Finally I have noticed some repeat with brands such as No. 4 haircare; I've received 4 different samples from this haircare brand!
Verdict: If you are looking for an affordable box with high-end brand samples and don't mind more face and hair samples, this is the box for you.
Ipsy
Type: Beauty (hair, face, & make-up)
Price: $10 per month
Number of samples: 4-5 and bag
Gender: Women
Reward Points: Yes
Discount Codes: Yes
This subscription features some of the same brands as Birchbox as well as some exclusives such Coastal Scents, Elizabeth Mott, etc. Their website has advice and videos, but does not sell the products. Rather they offer discount codes on most featured brands of the month and direct you to the individual brands' sites. Also your reward points earned from reviews and sharing products are similar to Sephora's in that you choose a gift rather than get an amount off your purchase.
My Opinion: This is my fourth month with Ipsy and I have been thrilled with the sample size and variety. They seem to offer more make-up items and minimal hair care which I prefer. Also each box typically has at least one full size product making the value for the bag much greater than Birchbox. Plus the reviews are typically asking for my feedback to help shape my boxes vs. how good the product is. Finally, I love getting a new zippered bag each month. The designs and materials vary so it feels different; plus they are super handy to have around!
Verdict: If you are looking for the best value or wanting a subscription with more make-up samples, Ipsy is the best choice.
Beauty Army
Type: Beauty (hair, face, make-up, & lifestyle)
Price: $12 per month
Number of samples: 6
Gender: Women
Reward Points: Yes
Discount Codes: No
Unlike most subscriptions, you choose your beauty samples with Beauty Army. Each month you have a week window to pick out up to 6 samples from 9 options. You can hint your refresh button to change your sample options as well as change the survey choices to reveal different choices. Also, you can opt out any month with just one click, but you must do this during your week window. They also sell full sized products on their sight. If you don't then they will pick out samples for you.
My Opinion: This will be my fourth month with Beauty Army as well. So far I like being able to choose my own samples although sometimes the sample size isn't generous enough. I've also found there are always a lot of face and hair samples with minimal make-up options. Most months I have found enough items that I am excited about to order and I do love playing the refresh game to craft the best box for me. If I don't find what I'm looking for, skipping is very painless as long as you remember to long during your window. Also the cardboard boxes are deeper than Birchbox's and the lids don't stick, so I find them more useful for extra storage.
Verdict: If you don't have the cash to commit every month or are worried about the samples not being perfect for you, this is a subscription with the more control.
Beauty Box 5
Type: Beauty (hair, face, & make-up)
Price: $12 per month
Number of samples: 5
Gender: Women
Reward Points: Yes
Discount Codes: No
Beauty Box sends you five deluxe sized and full-sized products a from a variety of brands. Their twist is not in customization with profiles but rather products that everyone loves. The brands offered are various from inexpensive companies including Secret, NYX and Hard Candy to on-line exclusives like Make Up Geek to high-end like Welda and Supergoop.
Verdict: If you want to try a similar box to Ipsy or Birch and aren't looking for only high-end products, this would be a great subscription.
Starbox
Type: Make-Up
Price: $17.68 per month ($15 + shipping)
Number of samples: 3-4 full size products
Gender: Women
Reward Points: No
Discount Codes: Yes
Starbox features only Starlooks brand cosmetics sending you three to four full sized products. This is a great subscription to build up your make-up collection and sample pro-quality products. They also select items each month to be on-trend and current. Currently you don't fill out a profile and all the boxes feature the same items for all members. Unlike most other subscriptions, you can purchase previous boxes for $25 allowing you to get the goods without a committment.
Verdict: This is an ideal choice if you are just starting a make-up collection or want to expand your basic collection with full sized items rather than sample a variety of beauty products.
Glossybox
Type: Beauty (hair, face, & make-up)
Price: $21 per month
Number of samples: 5-6
Gender: Women or Men
Reward Points: Yes
Discount Codes: No
Glossybox features more high end, luxury brands such as Ciate, Caldrea, fresh, and Burberry with a few new brands mixed in. The samples are more generous than Birchbox although it doesn't include lifestyle extras. You fill out a detailed profile at the start of your subscription like most and mult-month subscriptions are available for small discounts.
Verdict: If you are looking to upgrade your Birchbox to more upscale samples or find that you rarely purchase the products on-line, Glossybox is a good fit.
Wantable.
Type: Beauty (make-up)
Price: $36 per month
Number of samples: 4-5 full size products
Gender: Women
Reward Points: Yes
Discount Codes: No
Wantable sends full-sized cosmetics from premium brands such as NCLA, Vincent Longo, and LAQA&Co. to name a few. Subscribers seem happy with the survey saying that the boxes are tailored to your preferences. Unlike other subscriptions, you can send back your box if you are unhappy for any reason.
Verdict: If you are wanting to build a make-up collection that isn't one brand (like Starbox) and want high end companies, this is it girls!
Julep Maven
Type: Beauty (body, face, hair, & make-up)
Price: $25 per month
Number of samples: 3 full sized products
Gender: Women
Reward Points: Yes
Discount Codes: Yes
Similar to Starbox, the Maven box is a brand exclusive box that focuses mostly on new limited edition polishes and beauty products from Julep. Each month Julep currates 5 different boxes to choose and allows for further customization. Your box features 2 polishes and a beauty product, 3 polishes, or 2 beauty products all full sized. You also get 20% all Julep orders along with free shipping. If you want to even more, you can upgrade to Maven Luxe.
My Opinion: If you love nail polish or Julep products, this is a fun choice especially now that you choose from a variety of boxes and are allowed to customize. You are in control of which polish colors you want or which beauty products appeal most. While the price is more expensive than some subscriptions, it does feature full sized products from a quality brand. Also you get great deals on add-on products.
Verdict: If you're a nail polish junkie or Julep fanatic, you should consider becoming a Maven to take advantage of your elaborate discounts and full sized products.
Klutch Club
Type: Health (exercise, food, lifestyle, & beauty)
Price: $18 per month
Number of samples: 9-12 samples, full size products, and gift cards
Gender: Women, Men
Reward Points: Yes
Discount Codes: Yes
This subscription is all about healthy choices through a variety of exercise, food, and beauty product samples. From bars and supplements to drinks, workout gear, and organic beauty products, each month has a theme or focus delivering wellness to your door. Each box is the same so there is no personalization with this subscription. Products range from organic or holistic to outdoors and athletic giving great variety in the health focus.
My Opinion: I received Klutch Club for about a year before taking a break. It is a more expensive box although I will say the samples are very generous. One of my supplements was an entire month's supply and I still received another 8 samples in that box! I also enjoyed getting samples that were promoting healthy choices and showing me brands that I had never experienced before outside just beauty and cosmetics. The items I tried made my body feel good which gave me a positive energy boost.
Verdict: If you are wanting some inspiration for healthier lifestylechoices, are a fitness fan, or organic and natural products matter, this is a great choice.
Bulu Box
Type: Health (exercise, nutrition, & diet)
Price: $10 per month
Number of samples: 4-5 samples
Gender: Mixed
Reward Points: Yes
Discount Codes: No
Bulu Box focuses on health, exercise and weight loss products giving you a chance to try them out. You have two choices: the Bulu Box or Bulu Weight Loss though both feature items to promote health and wellness. After each box, you fill out a survey to earn points that can be redeeming on full sized products.
Verdict: If you don't have the extra money for KlutchClub, this is great choice for the health conscious person or wanting an easy way to introduce healthy choices into your life.
Travelbox
Type: Lifestyle (beauty, snacks, & travel)
Price: $26 per month
Number of samples: 5-6 travel and full sized products
Gender: Mixed
Reward Points: No
Discount Codes: No
This newer subscription is all about travel goodies from guides and maps to games and travel comforts like candles, eye masks, and ear plugs. Boxes also include a premium snack such as the Guylian chocolates from the Founder's Day Box. There is no profile to fill out and each month a single currated box is sent to all members.
Verdict: If you travel frequently or have a case of wanderlust, this is a fun, opulant subscription. This could make a great gift for a friend or family member who is constantly on-the-go.
I hope you find this helpful. I'd love to hear which subscriptions you enjoy or are lusting over in the comments below.
xoxo amy
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