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Makeup boxes are the most exciting ones to get in the mail and the prettiest to look at! I love getting new palettes, new products, and trying out new colors. Over the last few months, I’ve gotten several boxes. They are listed below with my most loved ones first.
1. Ipsy
Ipsy offers two monthly subscriptions, the Glam Bag with 5 samples and BoxyCharm which is a mix of full-size and sample products. The onboarding quiz is extensive and asks about your skin, eye, and hair color, beauty concerns, and favorite brands. You can choose between more skin care or make-up products (and change your preferences at any time.)
Pros
- Great value, the BoxyCharm has a retail value over $100
- Multiple options so you can pick the subscription that best fits your budget
- Very customizable so most products will work for you
- Loads of discounted add-on products each month
- Amazing customer service
Cons
- No discount for getting both Glam Bag and BoxyCharm
- A lot of upsells (IconBox, add-ons, etc)
- Add-ons may be gone if you don’t select them as soon as you get the email
This is my favorite makeup box to receive. Ipsy’s GlamBag is a fantastic choice for those new to beauty boxes and BoxyCharm is best for someone looking for higher value full-sized products. If you buy a lot of beauty products, the GlamBag cost could pay for itself just in monthly savings in the Ipsy store. You can also read our full review.
2. Signature Gift Boxes by Dorrie
This Etsy seller offers a ton of options! Subscriptions, one-time gifts, makeup/beauty, spa, and even corporate gifts. There is something for everyone. I chose a 3-month beauty subscription for $45 and I was shocked by the value.
Pros
- Incredible value & Beautiful Packaging
- Good variety of products, very usable
- Some customization if you reach out to the seller
Cons
- I got one duplicate product month-to-month
- A few of the products were the wrong shade for me so they got passed on to friends
This one has definitely been worth it. Each box had over 20 items in it! I will likely renew this one in the future as either the Designer Beauty Box or the Spa Box. You can read our full review here.
3. Medusa’s Makeup
A vegan and cruelty-free makeup box. While their website shows some pretty wild palettes, their subscription box was very wearable. At $22.95 a month, it’s a good value with a decent selection of products.
Pros
- Great variety of products in the bag
- Past bags have contained a cohesive look
- Straightforward pricing for international shoppers
- Customer service is fantastic
Cons
- Products are manufactured in PRC
- No discounts for ordering multiple months
- Unless you order through Amazon, you have to email them to cancel
While Medusa’s Makeup has some wild and crazy palettes in their store, they tone it down a little for their subscription boxes. Both boxes I received had neutral eyeshadows, which is what I prefer, so it aligned well with what I would typically buy for myself. You can read our full review here.
4. LiveGlam
LiveGlam is a vegan brand that created a monthly subscription box of their own products for their fans. Each month subscribers can choose from a few collections.
Pros
- Costs less than buying each item individually
- Quality makeup – the lipstick really sticks!
- Easy to swap the current box for a different collection or skip a month
Cons
- Customization is limited to collections
- Most collection had at least one item that wouldn’t work for my skin tone
- Eyeshadow palettes can be pretty bold. I had to order the neutral one on my own to review the quality
This is a solid option for someone looking to receive makeup only. The ability to change out the monthly shipment for a different collection makes this one partially customizable. You can read my full review here.
5. Eyescream
Similar to Ipsy, Eyescream offers both a bag and a box option. They state every shipment will contain a palette, which you can see pictured below.
Pros
- Multiple price points so you can pick the subscription that best fits your budget
- Each order contains at least one palette
- Past boxes for sale to try before committing
Cons
- No customization
- Products tend to be more shimmery and bold than I would like
I found the palettes a little too bold and shimmery to be practical for a professional setting. The March palettes both felt pretty juvenile to me. This would be fabulous for a younger audience or skilled makeup users that know how to use bold colors for a variety of occasions.
Honorable Mention – Happy Picks by Mia
Etsy doesn’t allow recurring payments so while technically not a subscription, these surprise boxes can be ordered individually and definitely deserve a spot on the list.
Pros
- Some customization available through notes to the seller
- They put together a cohesive box for a whole new look, just needed to get my own foundation
- Nearly $100 of products in my box
Cons
- A couple palettes were a little cutesy for my taste, but the product inside was good
I loved that they put so much thought into creating a box that contained everything I needed (other than foundation) to have a completely new look! This is one that I would like to get quarterly. Check out the Etsy listing!
Final Thoughts on the Best Makeup Subscriptions Boxes
Makeup subscription boxes are an excellent way to try new products and stay on top of the latest trends. While the price varies, all the options here are $30 a month or less.
It was really difficult to decide which makeup box is the “best” because taste varies quite a bit. For me, Ipsy has been the best because I can choose some of the items I receive, but still get some surprises. Signature Gifts by Dorrie has the best value of the bunch and Medusa’s Makeup fits really well with my style.
LiveGlam has really pushed me outside of my comfort zone. As a result, I’m starting to learn how to wear bolder colors and apply my makeup better. Eyescream, while a decent value, isn’t as widely appealing or as easy to recommend.
