- Beauty subscription boxes used to be a niche concept but they've gained popularity, and now even some major retailers like Sephora and Target are offering their own versions.
- The original powerhouse, Birchbox, is still unbeatable in terms of quality, variety, price, and ease of use.
Before I started working in beauty more than six years ago and familiarizing myself with different brands and products, I'd get overwhelmed every time I walked into a Sephora or just through the beauty aisle at CVS. Most people don't have the luxury of testing makeup for their job - that's where beauty subscription boxes come in.
For a monthly (or sometimes quarterly) fee, you can have a selection of makeup, skin-care, and hair-care products try at your convenience. Many boxes focus on travel-sized items, which I think is actually a plus. This way, you don't have to commit too much time to something you might not love. More and more subscription boxes are beginning to include full-sized picks, either in addition to the samples or as the whole box.
But before you commit to a box, it's a good idea to assess your needs. Are you a skin-care fanatic, or a makeup experimenter? A Sephora devotee? Do you want to control what shows up at your door or leave it up to chance? No matter your preferences, there's a beauty subscription box that fits your profile.
Here are the best beauty subscription boxes:
- Best beauty subscription box overall: Birchbox
- Best perfume subscription box: Scentbird
- Best skin-care subscription box: Dermstore BeautyFIX
- Best makeup subscription box: Play! by Sephora
- Best subscription box for full-size products: FabFitFun
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