Karen Lee
- Aug 3, 2019
- 3 min read

Here's the DL on the Most Popular Beauty Boxes in 2019

Updated: Apr 22, 2023

There are so many subscription boxes out there and it's a tough market to be in. If you can think of a category, there's probably a box for you. However, how do you choose? Here are my thoughts and experience from these subscriptions. The good, the bad, and the TBH...

If you're looking for premium brands

Sephora Play $10 for 5 deluxe sized samples

In this box you'll get a mix of skincare and makeup from the brands that Sephora carries in their stores. It's amazing for trying some of the newest or best-of brands.

While it's awesome to sample premium brands, if you really fall in love with an item, it can be a costly purchase for the full-size. Sephora's customization/curation for their subscribers isn't the best out there. Hate red lipstick? You might get it anyway. With a longer subscription, getting something you've received in the past might happen.

If you're looking for full-size products

BoxyCharm (referral link) $20 for 5 full-size products

In this box, you'll get all full-size products from mostly premium brands. Whether you're a makeup beginner or makeup pro, you will usually be able to create full looks with each box. They send out makeup and makeup tools (eyelash curler, tweezers, brushes etc.).

However, with so much product every month, this box could take you down the road to product-overload. But that's nbd, because you can always Sell with us at Glou Beauty Marketplace!

If you're looking for skincare

BeautyFix $24 for a BUNCH (number varies) of full-size and deluxe sample sized items

If you are crazy about skincare, then you absolutely need BeautyFix. It's a monthly box from Dermstore and they have a mix of full-size and deluxe sample sized products from top brands. As a subscriber you'll eventually end up with so much product you can start bathing in serums (not really).

There's no customization, so what you see in the preview is what you get. I like checking out the spoilers and then deciding whether or not that month is worth it for me.

If you're looking for a mix of affordable and premium brands

Ipsy $10 for 5 full-size or deluxe sized samples

Ipsy has the best curation/personalization system. If you don't like what you've been receiving, or not receiving the types of products you like, change your profile, and Ipsy will take note. Ipsy also has a upgraded subscription available, which features full-size products from top brands for $25 a month.

Ipsy has a high number of items available to send out every month. It's hard to tell what items you're going to be receiving and Ipsy has a tendency to hype up the most popular products/brands on social media, and subscribers are often disappointed when they don't receive the items featured by influencers.

If you want choice and discovery

Birchbox $10 for 5 deluxe samples

Out of all the sampler beauty boxes, Birchbox is the only one, for now, who lets you pick one guaranteed item. It's great to avoid total disappointment, but you still get that taste of surprise when it arrives in the mail.

This is the OG box and I feel like people don't talk about them much anymore, but they still have a really awesome curation each month and it's a great subscription for trying new things, and discovering new brands. They also have a great online shop.

If you want bang for your buck

Allure

This box might be more expensive for a sampler box at $15, but if you hang in there, the editors will throw in something that will make all of it worth it. Like, that one time they threw in a full-size, $85, Sunday Riley product? That $150 value box is the stuff of urban legends.

Tip: Their customer service is infamous for their terrible service. Get your subscription through Amazon.

At the end of the day, if you get something that didn't strike your fancy, you can always list it on Glou Beauty Marketplace!