Beauty subscription boxes are the ultimate treat for anyone who feels unsolicited excitement when diving head-first into a handpicked edit of new beauty discoveries. Guaranteed to get you out of a beauty rut of any size – and often personalised to your own beauty profile – the best beauty subscription boxes pop you on a one-way street to becoming seriously clued-up when it comes to new launches and trending beauty brands. They’ll allow you to try travel size (or sometimes full-sized) skincare products, makeup and hair products from high-street and high-end brands, so you can find out what you love before investing your hard-earned money.
Here’s everything you need to know.
How do beauty subscription boxes work?
Most commonly, you’ll choose the subscription type that most tickles your fancy (six month or year-long, for example), before deciding whether you want to pay in one lump sum or monthly. And if you’re not up for that level of commitment, you can choose to receive a beauty subscription box as a one-off.
Depending on the beauty subscription box you choose, the next step will be to personalise the contents. Take Skin + Me, for example. They provide a personalised monthly dose of targeted, prescription skincare for problem skin that has been put together by their team of expert dermatologists. Pretty cool, right?
The final step is the easiest: you sit back and wait for your first box packed full of eye creams, leave-in conditioners, sheet masks, cleansers and the like to drop through your letterbox. Consider your self-care routine elevated.
PSA: it’s also worth looking out for limited-edition boxes, too, like LookFantastic’s current collaboration with ThisWorks. Though they often sell-out pretty quickly, they contain huge savings on premium brands. The ThisWorks one is worth £72, but can be yours for just £26.
What is the best beauty subscription box?
The world of beauty subscription boxes is a burgeoning one; it’s no longer dominated by Glossybox and Birchbox (though they’re still firm faves in the GLAMOUR office). There are now beauty subscription boxes that cater for different niches and interests, from cruelty-free and vegan beauty, or particularly skin types like sensitive skin. Here are the best beauty subscription boxes at a glance:
- Best beauty subscription box for new-season beauty = LookFantastic
- Best beauty subscription box for discovering new brands = Glossybox
- Best beauty subscription box for luxury beauty = Beauty Pie
- Best beauty subscription box for customised skincare = Skin + Me
- Best beauty subscription box for wellness warriors = FabFitFun
- Best beauty subscription box for anyone with a penchant for pretty packaging = Birchbox
Not after beauty specifically? We’ve rounded up more of the best subscription boxes for every else over here, including new books, coffee, scented candles and gadgets. For more from Glamour UK Commerce Writer Sophie Cockett, follow her on Instagram @sophiecockettx.