I am a big supporter of treating myself. I think everyone should have more little treats, all the time, always. A monthly Beauty Box subscription ensures that once a month you will receive a little box of joy at your doorstep. Whether that joy is centered around sample sizes, full-size products, makeup, skincare, or bath and body items largely depends on the service you choose. But I’ve tried a range of different services for a few months, and these are the best I’ve found.
Don’t forget to check out our related guides on Best Subscription Boxes for Kids, Best Snack BoxesAnd Best Meal Kit Subscriptions for more recommendations.
Updated December 2024: We have added Ipsy, Boxycharm and LuxSB to our list of recommended services. We also checked for accuracy throughout.
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Are beauty sets worth it?
WIRED: Beauty boxes are a great way to discover new products and usually offer great value for money compared to buying the items separately. You can’t put a price on the simple dopamine rush of receiving a gift in the mail every month. (Or maybe literally, you can, but I still think it’s priceless.) Products that don’t work for you will make good gifts or donation items.
FATIGUE: Some beauty boxes contain a whole bunch of small, environmentally unfriendly plastic bottles and tubes, which can be bulky and difficult to recycle. You’ll likely receive products that aren’t suitable for your hair or skin type, or that simply don’t work. Most beauty boxes don’t allow any customization: what you get is truly a surprise.
I contacted popular services and asked to test a box for at least a month, but ideally three months’ worth. I compared the value of the included items to the price of the box itself. I also took notes on overall variety and the likelihood that an average person could use them, weighing specialty products against those that would work for most people. And yes, I put all these cute little potions on my face, hair and skin. Please refrain from asking me questions about the condition of my bathroom counter during this difficult time.
Please note that some brands offer unique boxes available for purchase without subscription. I have not tested them or considered them part of the criteria for this guide.
