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Lip Monthly Subscription Box Review + Coupon – March 2015

Haley Faye
ByHaley FayeApr 1, 2015 | 36 comments

Note from Liz: On reviews of Lip Monthly last year, several readers had commented that they had double-billing issues with Lip Monthly. We stopped reviewing the boxes for a few months due to these issues. Since then I've had several readers reach out asking why we stopped reviewing the boxes. I'm a little torn on what to do with Lip Monthly reviews. On one hand, I want to see new boxes succeed, and I think Boxycharm is a great example of a box that had a bit of a rough start, and then dramatically improved. And I like to review every box that MSA readers are subscribing to so we can discuss! On the other hand, double billing is a serious issue.

Recently I've heard from one reader who was double billed on a 3-month subscription, and she was quickly refunded. So - I would say right now I still consider this box to be a subscribe-at-your-own-risk and check your credit card statement box. If you're a current subscriber of Lip Monthly I'd love to hear what you think of the service lately, and if you've had any billing issues.

Let me know what you think about reviewing/non-reviewing policies in general. We also stopped reviewing Escape Monthly after the October box issues, but since then I've also had readers ask about that box.

Lip Monthly March 2015 - Box

Lip Monthly is a subscription box of everything lips! Every month, they send a new curation of lipsticks, glosses, balms or stains right to your door. The boxes come in variations, so the products I received may be different than others sent out.

This subscription was sent to us for review purposes. (Check out the review process post to learn more about how we review boxes).

Lip Monthly March 2015 - all items

The Subscription Box: Lip Monthly

The Cost: $10/month

The Products: A selection of lip products, including lipstick, glosses, stains, and balms, plus a “monthly mix-up” item that is not a lip product.

Ships to: US, Canada, and International

Check out previous Lip Monthly reviews and our Beauty Subscription Box Directory for more beauty boxes!

Lip Monthly March 2015 - info 1

Lip Monthly March 2015 - info 2

Every Lip Monthly box comes with an informational card detailing the items included and a note from the company to their subscribers. This month, they’re getting excited about Spring by incorporating corals and pinks.

Lip Monthly March 2015 - items 2

Sally Hansen Hard as Nails Polish in Mighty Mango – value: $4.38

Hikari Lipstick in Crush – value: $13

I’ve had good experience with Sally Hansen polishes, and this color is a great coral-pink for spring!

Lip Monthly has sent out Hikari lipsticks before, and the formula is pretty moisturizing, but doesn’t tend to have a long staying power for me. This color is pretty, though – it’s basically a hot pink.

Lip Monthly March 2015 - items 3

Jordana Easyshine Glossy Lip Color in Raspberry – value: $1.99

J. Cat the Big Lip Pencil in Caramel Mocha – value: $3.99

The Jordana Easyshine formula is definitely a sort of gloss stick – very moisturizing, and a little sheer. It smells really sweet, too!

This J. Cat pencil isn’t in a color that I would normally think for spring, but I actually think it could work; it’s a coral-brown. The pigmentation seems high and the formula feels smooth. I bet this particular shade would look better on someone with a different complexion than mine.

The Verdict: Overall, this is a pretty nice Lip Monthly bag. I like the variety of colors and formulas to try out. The value adds up to $23.36 altogether, so I’m happy with that value. One way I know they could still improve is their bags. They listened to feedback in the beginning of their subscription last year about changing the design on their bag each month (this design had been used for a couple months straight), and sent a couple different patterns. I think they’d do well to send a different pattern each month, like Ipsy, but it doesn’t seem like they’re doing that right now, considering they sent this design for the third or fourth time now.

What do you think about Lip Monthly?

Haley Faye
Haley Faye
Haley Faye first discovered the wonderful world of subscription boxes in 2012 and began writing for MSA in 2014. Over the years, she has found many subscriptions to love. Now a mom of three, her favorite boxes are ones that dress her kids, help her get organized, feed her family, send her snacks, and offer educational fun for her children.

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36 comments

Jennifer

I was charged in March for a four month subscription. Then I was charged for another 4 month subscription fee in April. I have yet to receive any product. I can see why I would be charge one month after the next for a monthly subscription, but this was a four month subscription charged twice in two months, Sent them an email and have yet to hear back.

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krystal

I signed up for lip monthly in the beginning of April for a 4 month plan. They took the money out of my account on April 13th. It is now May 22 and I haven’t even received an email stating that my 1st bag has been shipped. I emailed the company on May 19th inquiring about this and it’s now three days later, still no reply. This morning I checked my bank account and to my surprise, Lip Monthly has charged me for another 4 month subscription!!! I haven’t even received my 1st bag! So far, they’ve charged me over $100!! I’ve emailed them of course and am waiting a response but I’m not very hopeful. I’m so upset right now…

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Eusay

Here is my recent personal experience. I signed up at the beginning of March, and my credit card was charged on March 8. I didn’t hear from them for a month, and to be honest I forgot about the subscription (because no other subscription companies does this- I have subscribed to over 30 boxes, and never had I experienced having my credit card charged but not had the box sent to me shortly after). On April 11, my credit card was charged again. About the same time, I finally received Email from the company saying my April bag was sent. I Email to inquire, and two days later, reply came as follows:
******************************
Hi there,

Since you subscribed in March, your first bag will ship in April.

We just shipped your first bag with week.

April’s charge is for the May bag, as our billing cycle is 30 days ahead of our shipping cycle.

You can cancel your subscription by logging into your account at http://www.lipmonthly.com/login and going to the “Subscriptions” tab at the top right of your screen. From there, you just need to click “Suspend” and your account will be canceled.

Please note that if you suspended your account after a payment processed, you will receive another box in the following month but you will not be charged again. We are unable to refund processed payments.

Cheers 🙂
LipMonthly
**************************************
So, if you want to try out this service, be prepared to receive (and pay for) at least two month, because you will not receive your first month until the second month is billed. When I went to “Suspend” my account, double billing was one of the first reason listed in the drop box- so apparently I am not the only one who feels this way. Most subscription companies have superb customer service and billing practice, so I had gotten so used to that… Unfortunately my experience with Lip Monthly is well below par, and it’s upsetting to decline a service without seeing actual products. I do feel strongly about supporting business with great customer service. Maybe once you start receiving bags, they are very awesome, this I will never know because I haven’t seen any products yet and I won’t risk another credit card bill.

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Aryn

I just checked my statements because people were saying they have been double charged and I’m glad I did. They charged me the initial $5 because of the half off code and another $10 a week later.

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Missy

PLEASE REVIEW!! I’m not sure what’s happen to others but I personally LOVE Lip Monthly! Although this bag has been my least fav. So far! I’ve had a sub for the past 6 months and it has been AWESOME! I love lip products so I really enjoy this sub. Also they send out a product that doesn’t have to do with lips. I’ve never had a issue with them. Any problem that did come up I was immediately sent a full new bag! I have been very happy with the versatility of the products and brands, and pleasantly surprised! This sub has been better than I expected! The big con I do have is with the same bags being sent out. Are they trying to save $ or something?? I’ve had no billing issues. I only wish u would’ve been doing reviews while I’ve had my subscription!

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Rachael

I sent an email with this link asking customer service if this was confirmed and if it would effect the subscription, and they confirmed it but assured it would have a positive impact on the subscription. I really hope it is positive and nervous they will raise the price.

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Ragan

Hmmm…according to that listing, Lip Monthly and Birchbox are “nearly identical.” Someone has a high opinion of herself…

Also strikes me as odd that the owner is willing to stay on for an entire year as an employee. Which to me says she wants to get paid with someone else’s money rather than putting her own at risk. While she is looking for a different job.

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Rachael

First off, let me start by saying I do NOT in any way work for Lip Monthly since that seens to be common accusation on this website.

I have been a subscribers since July 2014. So about 8 1/2 months. I have always gotten my bag and have never been double charged. I actually get 2 bags and have always gotten both. I understand some people have had unpleasant experiences, and I think that is because there are some very important facts any subscriber should know prior to signing up.

-They bill you for your first bag immediately upon sign up, however if you signed up on anytime between the 1st-31st of any given month you won’t recieve your first bag until the next month.
-They have billing for each month somewhere between the 1st-14th each month. They stated it will be the 14th of every month, but it varies. My preauth usally goes through between the 10th-14th. This means if you signed up on the 1st-10th (billed immediately but no bag til the next month) you will most likely be billed twice before ever recieving your first bag.
-The $10 you pay in March is for April, $10 in April is for May, $10 in May is for June and so on and so forth. They bill a month ahead. So even though you may be billed $10 in March and $10 in April before you recieve your April bag, you are actually paying for April and May but their website has not made that entirely clear.
-There is NO uniform shipping date. Their bags are mailed out in batches like any other sub, but there is no specific date they are mailed out. They aim for the 10th-15th, but only 4 months out of my 8 months with them has it been that early.
-You can suspend your account/cancel on your “user dashboard”. Sign in, go to your “subscriptions” tab and hit suspend at the top.
-Their customer service email is [email protected]. They typically take 2-4 days to respond, longer if you email on a Friday or during the weekend. They only respond during business hours, 9-5 Mon-Fri. There is no contact phone number.

Lip Monthly started out with 5 full size items, now the number seems to fluctuate. They have been sending 4 lately citing that customers want higher end brands so they will be “trying out” 4 items. They have one non lip item in each bag. It’s called the “Monthly Mix Up” and I personally love this one item being included. It’s been eyeshadow, eyeliner, nail polish, perfume, ect. They stated the would have new bag designs each month, but they had repeats for a few months. They mentioned this month on instagram that they know customers are unhappy about repeat bags and will be releasing new bag designs, starting with a yellow design in April.

Overall I personally love my sub, but they aren’t quite stable yet with one ship date, one bill date, one consistant number of items or a consistant brand quality. I think it’s worth the $10 for sure. The value is always there, my products always make it to me, and my experiences with customer service have been good.

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Melanie

Why would a lip sub include nail polish?!?! I have more nail polish than I would ever use but I like skin care and lip items. Even with the issues I was considering giving them a try. But with the inclusion of nail polish I’m thinking NO. I can’t be the only one who wants NO MORE NAIL POLISH. If I did I’d sub to Julep. 🙂 Sorry I had to get that out. 🙂

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Sara

I guess I’ve been one of the lucky ones who haven’t been double billed, knock on wood. I’ve been subscribed since last August I think, 8 bags. I love lip products and always have high hopes for this box, but honestly never seems to deliver. January we started receiving only 4 products instead of 5, one of them was a Harvey Prince perfume sample you see everywhere. February’s bag was pretty awesome, only 4 products, but nicer stuff and better quality. March’s bag was back to super disappointing, only 4 items and low end brands. I guess I’ll see what April brings and might cancel. I like Hikari, but I’ve received a few of their lipsticks before, J.Cat is ok but super cheap, don’t like getting only 4 products.

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Marie

Not sure about that box.. I subscribe beginning of Narch and they told me I will get my first box for April.. Glad I didn’t get the March one and I feel like canceling right now to make sure I don’t get charge a second time..what about SO Susan lip love subscription? No mention of this one on your blog and it’s an amazing one..:))

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Heidi

I have kept my eye on the So Susan Lip Love subscription but I don’t think it’s sustainable. They originally marketed it as a box containing 4 items, 3 of which are “lip based.” However, other than their first bag (which shipped in February), March and April only have two “lip based” products (one of which doubles as a cheek color). Also, other than their first bag, the March and April bags contain three items and one “bonus” item, with the notation that “bonus items are available while stock lasts,” so you could actually get a bag with only three items and a note that the “bonus item” sold out (that happened to some people in February, but they received a substitute). Lastly, in the March and April bags, the “bonus item” has been one of the lip products. Thus, based on the past two bags and the note on the website, you could get a “Lip Love” subscription with 3 items, only one of which is a lip-based product.

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Sara

The March bag only had 1 lip product and 3 makeup items, even though the bag description says 3 lip products, 1 face product, min. value $55. I just signed up for April, hoping that the bag pictured is what I’ll get. Again it only has 1 lip item though, but worth $17 and the bag was $12.96 with a promo code.

Heidi

By not sustainable, I meant as a lip product subscription. So Susan certainly is certainly a big enough company to sustain a subscription service. No offense to the company intended!

Sara

I’m keeping my eye on that one, but not a fan of the quads. I’d rather have straight lip glosses or lip sticks. But it looks really nice!

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Ragan

I would take a quad if it was portable. I never use the lip colors in massive palettes because I don’t want to cart something the size of a laptop computer around in my purse. But a little one? That would be OK.

That being said, I would forget about it since it wouldn’t fit in one of my lipstick/lipgloss organizers (which I keep out on the bathroom counter).

Michelle

This is my first month NOT having Lip Monthly.. I got their bags from June-Feb and I was never excited about products (except for the ofra liquid lipstick) and this bag doesn’t make me want to resubscribe. I’m much happier with Ipsy and Boxycharm.

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Danielle

Meh, this box doesn’t impress me at all. I tried to sign up at one point because I love trying new lip products, but their website had a lot of glitches and I gave up. I hope they end up being successful and then maybe I’ll subscribe later, but it seems too risky right now – and the products they’re currently offering don’t seem that great to me.

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Rachael

Last month was way better. Cargo eyeshadow, Jelly Pong Pong Supermodel Stain, So Susan Lip Dome, and Be a Bombshell gloss. It’s too bad there isn’t a review posted for last month’s, because last month’s was awesome and had a $55-65 value. It really varies by month.

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Ragan

I run from subs when I see them including Be a Bombshell. Got the stinky BaB mascara from ipsy, got the awful One Stick as a replacement product when I complained about the mascara (I really gave the One Stick more than a fair shot because the color *seemed* like it ought to work for me).

(I’m not an exclusive user of high-end products, either. I will happily use a lot of products from e.l.f. and my daily foundation is from Neutrogena, for example.)

Danielle

I think that the onus is always on the buyer regarding whether or not to subscribe to a box. I would like to see you still review boxes regardless of their issues (if possible), but add in notes at the beginning of the posts like you have here. That way we can be informed but still see what the box is offering.

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Dean

Cargo sent this gloss (in a smaller tube) to every ipsy girl last month in the color Anguilla, and it seems that 95% of us tried it and threw it out. It was so sheer and whitish, it made you look like a corpse. Hopefully Lip Monthly will choose darker shades for subscribers.

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Michelle

Haha! I got the cargo lip gloss.. it suits my complexion. I really liked the color but.. it was a TERRIBLE product and I threw it out. I’m not sure if there was oil in the formula but it PULLED away from the moisture inside my mouth… does that make sense? LOL.

Ashley

I didn’t get the Cargo lip gloss from Ipsy, but I did get a full size of it from Sample Society. I got it in Tuscany, which is a very pretty, shimmery neutral color. I’m excited that I might get another one my next LM bag, I just hope it’s not the same color! lol

Destiny

This has been one of those not so great bags. I have been subscribed for about 5 months now and this has been the least value. The other months have been great. Their is a sneak peak for this month. I believe it will be this http://www.cargocosmetics.com/lips/new-essential-lip-gloss.html not sure of the color. I was sent an email saying it was an item from Cargo Cosemetics and retails for 16, also the description provided in the email matched the links description exactly. I have a good feeling about this month. Although, I really dislike their website.

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Rachael

I didn’t get a preview email 🙁 Is it posted on social media anywhere?

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Michelle

At least you got your Lip Monthly this month. I’m into April and still haven’t seen mine…

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Rachael

When did you sign up?

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Ashley

I had an issue with a promo code that didn’t work when I initially subscribed to Lip Monthly. I reached out to them and they gave me a refund immediately. I haven’t had any other billing issues (knock on wood).

I wasn’t thrilled with my bag this month for the simple fact that all three of my lip products were virtually the same color: pink, pink and pink. I didn’t get the coral-brown JCat pencil that you got. Mine was…wait for it…hot pink.

I did make a rather neat discovery, though. I had heard of Hikari before because I received a Hikari eyeliner in a recent Ipsy bag. After noticing something on the lipstick box, I looked them up online and found out that they are located 5 minutes from my house! I had no idea! I haven’t had a chance to go by their store, but I plan to!

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Haley

That’s so cool, Ashley! Sounds like that will be a fun adventure!

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Dashy

I think I would rather have you review the boxes anyway, because you normally do a good job of making sure we know that there is a difference between “reviewing” and “promoting”. It helps, as a consumer, to know what other people are experiencing. What I don’t like, however, is when employees from those companies then come to MSA and post responses within the comments section– I would like for people that come here to feel that they can be completely honest about their experience, good or bad. I would rather the companies gather info only and make changes to their product instead, and then email their customers directly and/or send out press releases for the bloggers to post.

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nana

I agree. I think MSA’s reviews are the most objective out there, plus the have the most active comment section, which provides a place for people to become aware of issues. I much rather you review a box and hear your concerns than you don’t review it at all.

I’ve been thinking about subscribing to this one as it’s so cheap, so I’m particularly interested on what you guys and others have to say.

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Jessvii

I agree that MSA posts seem to be the most objective. One typo I caught in this post – you mentioned problems with the Escape Monthly October/London box, but I think what you meant was the Escape Hawaii box (the Hawaii box which had major problems).

If you continue to review boxes that have known issues, it would be helpful if the posts mentioned any known / recurring problems, although I don’t know if you can do that without companies threatening libel. When I was choosing beauty subs, I decided to go with Ipsy and Birchbox in part because of the MSA posts which indicated that there might be problems with Lip Monthly billing.