Why would someone need monthly beauty subscription boxes? Or, more specifically, luxury beauty box subscriptions?
As a beauty editor, I usually have about 6936549345 products waiting on my desk at any point. With that comes the thrill of discovery. And I can’t deny that I wouldn’t have it any other way.
But — and that’s a huge BUT — it’s possible to have the same experience without being a beauty guru/editor/blogger/influencer (whatever the cool kids call it nowadays!).
The solution: Monthly luxury beauty subscription boxes. Luxury makeup, skincare, and fragrance-filled packages that arrive at your doorstep every month filled with gorgeous beauty products to try out at a fraction of their full cost.
To take one example: My favorite Beauty Heroes beauty subscription box had a full-size jar of Ayuna’s limited edition Terra Bella, a lush, gorgeous, super-potent moisturizer that retails for US$455. What is the cost for Beauty Heroes annual subscribers? US$39.95.
Tell me if that isn’t a deal?
I love beauty subscription boxes because they allow me to explore a variety of products. Yes, I still love playing with more, even with the 6936549345 new beauty products on my desk.
It’s because the best luxury beauty subscription boxes are helmed by some of the world’s top beauty curators who come up with the coolest discoveries.
And many of my favorite ones work with some super-niche and new brands that would otherwise fly under the radar.
Plus, at the end of it, I love the thrill of opening a box and finding something unexplored inside, whether it’s a makeup subscription or one focused on skincare! Don’t you?
Interested in the thrill of discovery?
These are the very best beauty subscription boxes. And they are truly worth your money.
Allure Beauty Box Subscription
As one of the leading beauty publications in the world, it’s not surprising that Allure editors get their hands on the top launches way before they hit the shelves — which makes for one of the best beauty subscription boxes in the landscape.
One of my favorites from Allure was the full-size Sunday Riley CEO Glow Vitamin C + Turmeric Face Oil, which popped up in the box about three months before it became available for retail sale.
Each of the monthly Allure Boxes contains six or more products, of which at least three are full-size.
One of my favorites in recent history included (among other things) a full-size 111SKIN Vitamin C Brightening Booster (US$155), Eyeko Double Act Shadow Stick (US$25), and Rodial Glamolash XXL Mascara (US$29).
Added bonus: As an active Allure Box subscriber, you also get member discounts on luxury products (think a mere $25 for Shani Darden’s Retinol Reform, which usually clocks in at $88, or $15 for the Solawave Advanced Skincare Wand that otherwise costs $145) and exclusive access to Allure beauty events.
Cost: US$228 for annual membership, US$60 for 3 months, US$23 for one month
Scentbird Fragrance Box
Are you looking for a signature scent? Or love discovering new fragrances without taking constant trips to the stores? Enter Scentbird, a beauty subscription service that concentrates exclusively on perfumes.
You start with a quiz that helps nail down your scent fragrances, or you can choose the perfume you want to sample from a very extensive catalog.
Next, you receive the handpicked fragrance in an 8-milliliter bottle (which supposedly lasts about 120 sprays) and an atomizer case with your monthly subscription box.
Previous boxes have contained high-end brands ranging from Bvlgari and Balenciaga to Prada and Parfums de Marly.
Cost: $16.95 per monthly box
New Beauty Test Tube Subscription
First, if you are not reading NewBeauty — an editorial site dedicated to everything cutting-edge in the world of beauty — you need to change that asap.
Secondly, look at TestTube, a luxury beauty box curated by editors of said site, which delivers a wow-inspiring collection of full-size products from top brands to your home four times a year.
With a mix of skincare and makeup products, a subscription starts at $59 per quarter, and the products included average out at $350, which far outweighs the cost of the box.
The current TestTube, for example, contains (among other products) some of my favorite brands: A full-size Elemis Pro-Collagen Oxygenating Night Cream ($100), Florasis Blooming Rouge Porcelain Lipstick ($39), Sakara Life Detox Water Drops ($39) and the Naturopathica Face Mask ($48).
TestTube subscribers also receive a print subscription to NewBeauty magazine AND exclusive one-on-a-kind offers for full-size items at a super-discounted price.
My favorite in recent times was the SkinCeuticals Discoloration Defence for $12.95 — it retails for $102. Enough. Said.
Cost: $200.60 for one year (four boxes), $59 for three months (one box)
The Detox Market’s Beauty Subscription
As is implicit in the name, the Detox Box aims to serve up the best in clean beauty products.
Each monthly edition contains at least one full-size product and several sample sizes from the Detox Market’s “holy grail” of brands, including Pai Skincare, Kora Organics, Josh Rosebrook, and RMS Beauty.
All top-notch, all luxe, all clean. All cult.
Cost: US$39.50 upwards per month, depending on the duration chosen
Beauty Heroes Monthly Discovery Box
Not only did Beauty Heroes hit it straight out of the park with the Ayuna Discovery Box, but they have also built a solid reputation for coming up with one blockbuster after another.
The focus is on small-batch and niche brands, which means the products featured in the Beauty Heroes boxes usually involve natural ingredients and hand-blended formulas.
Healthy beauty expert (yes, that’s a thing) Jeannie Jarnot has almost impossibly high standards where ingredients and efficacy are concerned — and if a brand makes her cut, you know it’s clean, sustainable, and lives to every single promise it has ever made.
Every month the focus is on one brand, and you will get one full-size hero product’ and 1-2 ‘sidekicks.’
Besides the Ayuna, another of my favorite boxes was the Josh Rosebrook one, with the Daily Acid Toner, Hydrating Accelerator, and Tinted Nutrient Day Cream.
Cost: US$479.40 for an annual subscription, US$251.70 for six months, $137.85 for three months, and $58.95 for a single month (plus, all subscribers get 15% on products in the Beauty Heroes store)
Petit Vour Plus Vegan Beauty Box
Though the Petit Four Plus Box contains specifically vegan beauty products, it’s equally interesting for non-vegans (me!).
Each month you will get 5-7 travel and full-sized products from conscious beauty brands like Osea, French Girl, 100% Pure, Leahlani, and Jane Iredale — all vegan, all cruelty-free, all non-toxic.
You can also go with the regular monthly beauty subscription box. Still, the super-curation of luxe brands in the Plus version is worth the extra dough for me (it’s only US$7 extra).
Cost: US$25 for one month
Margot Elena Discovery Box
Margot Elena is the parent company of some of my favorite brands: Library of Flowers, Love & Toast, TokyoMilk, Lollia, and The Cottage Greenhouse, which makes this THE subscription for lovers of products that look, smell and feel super-gorgeous.
The Margot Elena Discovery Box is delivered four times a year — with the advent of spring, summer, autumn, and winter — so you get full-size and deluxe samples of the most seasonally relevant beauty treats every three months.
And it doesn’t just stop at beauty… previous boxes have also included some super-luxe stationery, wearables, and other lifestyle accessories.
Cost: US$59 for one quarter
Boxwalla
A firm favorite for indie beauty lovers, the bi-monthly Boxwalla Box focuses on clean, high-performing formulas from small batch and indie brands like Votary and Blüh Alchemy.
Each month’s beauty subscription box contains at least two full-size products focusing on natural ingredients, usually from two brands, with an approximate value of US$250.
My favorite to date has been the Lovinah box, with its super-generous inclusion of a full-size Lovinah Dragon’s Blood Cleansing Oil and Votary Super Seed Serum, along with a 15ml sample of the Votary Intense Night Oil. Total steal!
PS: Boxwalla has the best customer service among all luxury subscription boxes!
Cost: US$49.95 for one month
FAQs
Here are the most frequently asked questions about luxury beauty subscription boxes.
How much does a luxury beauty box subscription typically cost?
The price varies depending on the service and the brands included. Still, on average, you can expect to pay anywhere from $20 to $100 monthly for a luxury subscription.
Are the products in luxury beauty boxes full-sized or sample-sized?
It depends on the specific subscription service. Some luxury boxes offer full-sized products, while others provide sample-sized items. In many cases, you’ll receive a mix of both.
Is a luxury makeup subscription a good value for the money?
It can be. Subscribers often get to try high-end products at a lower price than if they bought them individually. The surprise element and the chance to discover new favorites can add extra value.
How can I cancel my luxury skincare box subscription?
Cancellation policies vary, but generally, you can cancel your subscription by logging into your account and following the cancellation procedure. Be sure to check the specific terms and conditions for your subscription.
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