The Best Beauty Subscription Boxes (2022 Reviews)

When it comes to beauty products, things can get a bit complicated. It’s not as simple as saying, “This one looks good!” and everything is smooth sailing from there. No, we all know how easy it can be to get sucked into the latest trend, especially with YouTubers and Instagram, now. Something looks cool and someone “important” says it’s good, and we may just throw it into our shopping cart.

This is where beauty box subscriptions shine.

They toss in products that you’d actually use; ones that are high-quality and have been tested by hundreds, if not thousands, already. They’re the perfect way to try before you buy, and have them delivered right to your door!

So, which are the best beauty box subscriptions? Well, keep on scrolling, because we’ve got them right here!

The 5 Best Beauty Subscription Boxes For 2022

ProductTypeAt a Glance 
Glossybox1,3,6,12-monthsCovers skin care/hair/nails/makeup products, very affordable, adorable and unique design, various subscription options, 5 products every shipment
Birchbox (Editor's Pick)1-month, 3-month 6-monthContains 4 premium grooming samples with one full-sized item, includes mix of makeup/hair/skincare/perfume, most well-known, easily customize your profile and preferences
Ipsyn/aVery beauty-product focused, comes with many full-sized products, very inexpensive, unique content-focused website, customized products to your profile
Play by SephoraMonthlyFeatures five samples, inexpensive, new and best-selling products, combination of makeup/skincare/hair care samples plus beauty bonus, collectible makeup bag, exclusive video tutorials
FacetoryMonthlyHandpicked selection of 4 to 7 masks each month, ultimate pampering box, each month features a different theme, adorable packaging and products, great for all skin types

Now that you’ve had the chance to do a quick overview of each of the best makeup subscription boxes, you’re probably curious to learn more about each one. Simply scroll down a bit further, where you’ll find all of the best ones, with unbiased, detailed reviews!

Glossybox – Most Versatile Product

subscription boxes
Easily one of the top 10 best beauty subscription boxes out there, Glossybox has a lot going for it. If you’re new to the subscription, it’s a monthly box which comes stuffed with a combination of both deluxe and full-size products.

What kind of products?

They vary widely, but generally speaking, they are skincare, haircare, nails, makeup, and similar products from well-known brands to cult favorites.

One of the most marketable aspects of Glossybox, is the fact that it’s one of the few cheap monthly subscription boxes out there. That’s right; it’s actually very affordable!

What subscription options are there?

They of course have the traditional 1-month option, but if you’re looking for others, you can do a 3-month, 6-month, or even a 12-month subscription! You do have to pay in advance for the longer subscription, but it’s worth it.

The card is charged on the 1st, and the boxes are sent on the 2nd, so you’ll likely always receive them sometime during the first week of the month.

For our shipment, we received an array of wonderful products, such as the Skin Chemist 24hr Aqua Cream (full-size). The lightweight product shoots moisture into the skin without making it feel greasy, and thanks to the inclusion of rosewater and Aloe Vera, it’s an excellent soothing product for irritated or red skin.

We also received the Nude Lip and Cheek Tint from Steve Laurent, the Studio 10 Beauty Makeup Mist Glow-Plexion (Travel Size), Ciate Gelology Nail Varnish in various shades, and a full-size Sleek i-Divine Palette in Storm, which features 12 shades of highly-pigmented, durable, mineral-based shadows.

As you can see, you kind of get a little something of everything in each box.

box subscription

You won’t just be getting makeup, nor skincare products, but rather a combination/taste of everything.

Overall, each one of the products was very high-quality, and you can tell that Glossybox really is picky about the products they select. We loved each one of the products, which we even feel is kind of rare for a beauty box subscription.

Not to mention that it’s available at an almost-unbelievably low price.

Birchbox – Editor’s Pick

best monthly subscription boxes
Probably the most well-known beauty box out there, is Birchbox. In fact, it’s pretty much the “original” beauty subscription box out there.

It’s very similar to Sephora, in that you earn points when you join their “club”, and also get free shipping when you spend $50. However, the upside, is that Birchbox starts at just a mere $10 which is very unlike Sephora!

What do you receive?

Birchbox varies quite a bit, and doesn’t just stick to beauty products, however, the majority of the products they include in their shipments often are. Normally, you’ll get something from hair products to makeup, to nail polish, to skincare products, to even protein bars or something random like earbuds!

There’s also a men’s club option that sends out “manly” skin, hair, and beard products, along with tech accessories and extras in that realm.

Brands included are often very well-known such as ecoTOOLS, Opi, REN, Stila, and Benefit, however, they also include hidden gems.

If you are liking your products, then you can easily earn some money by simply referring friends to join, or by reviewing the products that you’ve received on the Birchbox website.

While each box varies with the products that they send out, you can simply log into your account to find out what they’ve shipped, and where to find the full-size products. For what they send out, $10 is an extremely good price, and affordable for most out there.

The downside?

That you may not use every single product. It’s fun in the sense that the products they send out vary so much and that they send out little surprise gadgets like the previously-mentioned earbuds. However, you may not use them.

Ipsy – Best Content Focused Product

simple subscription box
Probably the only other makeup box online that is similar to Birchbox, is Ipsy. Created by Michelle Phan, a very popular YouTuber, who makes excellent tutorials. The YouTube aspect kind of transfers over to the Ipsy site, where videos are posted everyday by users. In fact, the content is one of the reasons why it became so well-known.

The personalized beauty box works to connect you with products you’ll love, based on your ipsyMatch, which is the profile you create once you sign up. The profile is based on the color of your eyes and hair, skin concerns you may have, as well as your style and tastes.

What does it contain?

The monthly bags, aka “Glam Bags” contain full-size or deluxe-sized beauty products based on your profile. They each contain five beauty items, and they vary from makeup to haircare. It’s a bit limited in comparison to many others, as it only pertains to makeup, but they are high-quality and unique products.

monthly gift box

As far as subscription options go, you can choose between either a monthly membership or pay at once for an annual membership. The monthly memberships are the same price as Birchbox: just $10 a shipment!

We noticed that this makeup subscription box on average, features more full-size products than most other beauty boxes – sometimes even 3 full-size products come in a box!

All in all, if you’re more focused on makeup rather than other products like skincare, haircare, etc., then you’ll love this one. It’s a great way to find some unique and sometimes even risky products that you may normally not try out otherwise.

Play by Sephora – Best Budget Product

If you love samples, and you love Sephora, it’s only natural to sign up for their Play!. There are many differences with this Sephora beauty box in contrast with others on our list.

One of the most notable is that the sign-up process isn’t as in-depth nor customized as most others on our list. In fact, the process really isn’t much more than just providing billing and shipping info. No style quiz nor questions about your preferences, eye color, or hair color.

This means that everyone gets the same samples. This means that no matter your skin type/color, hair type/color, age, etc., you’re going to be receiving the same products as everyone else. This means that you’re less likely to use or be able to take advantage of all the products in your Sephora beauty box.

Let’s talk a bit more about the products, though.

They are all actually very high-quality. They are a combination of new products and best-sellers, to switch it up a bit. You’ll receive brands such as Marc Jacobs, Urban Decay, Bumble and Bumble, and more top-of-the-line names, along with more obscure names, and even some Sephora signature products.

list of subscription boxes

The samples are a bit bigger than the ones in, say, Birchbox, but they are still samples; not full-size products.

How’s the packaging?

They’re very sturdy boxes, with some filler to make sure that the products are safe and sound. Each one of the samples have their spots, and it looks very organized and lovely.

One of the things that makes it more appealing, is definitely the fact that it’s so inexpensive. It’s the same price as Ipsy and Birchbox, but you do receive bigger samples (of the deluxe-sized products, that is). So, it all depends on your priorities. If you’re looking for more customization, definitely go with another.

Facetory – Best Korean Product

monthly goodies boxes
Okay, so maybe you haven’t tried out a Korean beauty subscription box yet, or maybe you have and are just a mask aficionado. Either way, you’re going to love Facetory.

What is Facetory?

Basically, they deliver a box of sheet masks to your doorstep each month. It’s an easy and budget-friendly way to experience the latest, most popular, and cult favorites of the Korean sheet mask world. You can choose between two different packages: The Kit, which comes with 4 sheet masks, or The Box, which comes with 7.

Four is obviously going to be cheaper than the box of seven.

mystery subscription boxes

The company is actually based in California, and are all very passionate about Korean sheet masks, and the wide variety that exist out there. Each box is meticulously curated, and you’re going to love each one! No matter your skin type, you’re bound to have some that work for them. Honestly, all of the masks are very gentle, so you should be able to use them all.

Another cool thing about Facetory, is that if you haven’t yet subscribed for this month, they have the current month’s box displayed on their website, so you know what you’ll be receiving beforehand!

If you haven’t tried face masks before, you’re in for a real treat! Each one is unique and offers its own benefits, feel, smell, etcetera. Some work to nourish the skin, help soothe inflammation, and some are anti-aging and moisturizing. Some are various layers, and some are a single layer. Anyway, you get the idea!

What’s The Right Beauty Box Subscription For You?

Now that you’ve had a read through with each of the best beauty subscription boxes, you may have already settled on the best one for you. However, if you still need to decide or are on-the-fence, then not to worry! We’ve created this buying guide to make sure you leave with exactly what you’re looking for.

Products

First of all, it’s kind of relevant to get a box that has the products you actually like! So, what are you searching for? Beauty products? Beauty products along with some skincare, hair, and other products? One specific product, such as masks?

Make sure you figure this out previously, as most beauty boxes differ somewhat in their content.

Shipment Options

Are you going to want a shipment every year? Every few months? Monthly? Think about this as well, because you don’t want to end up with too much product, or spending more money than you want to, if you don’t have experience with the products or know how quickly you’re going to go through them.

Price

Price is an important factor in most people’s purchases. You’ll want to think about how much you feel comfortable spending before you start looking. Most boxes are very affordable, and are similar in price, however, if you want to upgrade to full-sized products or more products (if that’s an option for that particular box) then you’ll have to shell out some more bucks.

Summary

cheapest subscription boxes

Now that you’ve read through all of the best beauty subscription boxes and what they’re about, have you selected the one for you? If you haven’t, allow us to reiterate how much we loved our Editor’s Pick: Birchbox.

Birchbox is extremely affordable, and comes with a highly customized set of products that range from makeup to nail care, hair care, and also comes with an extra product that really varies! They’re all high-quality products, and they are a mixture of the top names in the industry, with some cult favorites.

Their website and account info is also one of the easiest to use, where you can conveniently see the products in your last and current shipments, as well as more helpful info. There are plenty of reasons why it’s the most well-known in the industry!

So, which one of these best beauty box subscriptions will be making their way to your doorstep this month?

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Rosalind Watson
Rosalind Watson

Rosalind graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Communication and Media from the Erasmus University Rotterdam and now lives and works as a freelance writer in Utah.

Rosalind Watson

Rosalind graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Communication and Media from the Erasmus University Rotterdam and now lives and works as a freelance writer in Utah.