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Lip Monthly Subscription Box Review + Coupon – August 2015

Haley Faye
ByHaley FayeFeb 13, 2016 | 17 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.

Lip Monthly
3.6 overall rating
173 Ratings | 110 Reviews

Lip Monthly Subscription Box Review August 2015 - box_

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

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

Lip Monthly Subscription Box Review August 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.

ACTIVE DEAL: Save 25% off your first box!
CODE: 25OFF

Ships to: US, Canada, and International

Lip Monthly Subscription Box Review August 2015 - info 1

Lip Monthly Subscription Box Review August 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.

Lip Monthly Subscription Box Review August 2015 - items 1

Starlooks Ultra-Matte Longwear Lip Stix in Dragon Fruit – sample size, value: ~$7

This Starlooks pencil doesn’t have a size or weight specified, but it’s valued at half the price of the full-size, so I’m guessing it’s a half-size sample. It’s a matte formula and it’s a bright pink shade. I like how smoothly it goes on and the matte formula is nice. Also, I’m very happy to see on Starlooks’s website that it’s a newly released item! This is definitely exciting to see after having some previous issues several months back of Lip Monthly including older or discontinued items.

Mirabella Lip Pencil in Pop Velvet – full size, value: $25

This Starlooks pencil doesn’t have a size or weight specified, but it’s valued at half the price of the full-size, so I’m guessing it’s a half-size sample. It’s a matte formula and it’s a bright pink shade. I like how smoothly it goes on and the matte formula is nice.

Mirabella’s lip products have shown up in a few beauty boxes, and I really like this one. It’s definitely a red-orange and has a shinier finish. It feels buttery and moisturizing, and the stay power seems pretty nice!

Lip Monthly Subscription Box Review August 2015 - items 2

Here are swatches of these two for you – the Starlooks Pencil (left) and the Mirabella pencil (right)

Lip Monthly Subscription Box Review August 2015 - items 3

So Susan Light Diffuser - full size (3g/.11 oz), value: $18

This So Susan bronzer/highlighter combo is the non-lip bonus item. I’m not sure that these colors/undertones will work on me, but I was pleased to see when I swatched them that they come off very light so it seems like you can control the pigment well (you can see the swatch photo below). I also like that this product is free of lots of chemicals and such – it has no parabens, phthalates, or mineral oils, and is made with ingredients like dark cocoa, papaya, and kelp extracts.

City Color Cosmetics Lip Butter in Sweets – full size (2.5g/.088 oz), value: $3.99

City Color’s Lip Butter is a balm, and I’s infused with aloe and coconut oil. The pigment is very sheer and definitely isn’t overwhelming at all.

Lip Monthly Subscription Box Review August 2015 - items 4

Left to Right: the So Susan bronzer, So Susan highlighter, and the City Color Lip Butter

The Verdict: This was a pretty nice Lip Monthly bag. I’m glad to have some new products to play with! Also, I’m glad Lip Monthly has different patterns of bags they use, but so far I feel like they’ve been rotating about 5 different bag patterns – I think they’d do well to send a different bag every month (especially if they didn’t make the main pattern/design their logo – this is just some extra feedback I’ve read online and from our readers). That being said, including a newly-released item is definitely yet another improvement for them!

What do you think about Lip Monthly?

Starting at $14.00
Active Deal
Save 25% off your first box!
Use Coupon Code 25OFF
Subscribe Now
"Each Lip bag includes 4-5 full-size lip products. Ship to US, Canada, Australia, UK and Spain."
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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17 comments

Alaina

I ordered from this company, paid for two months of product. It’s been four months and neither orders have been filled nor shipped, and when writing the company, there is no response and it’s impossible to get a refund

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Angie

I was charged 3 times with in 4 weeks and have only recd 1 bag. I contacted customer service and was told my tracking # for Sept will be ave soon. That’s it. Are you kidding me? Why am I prepaying 2 months in advance. If they don’t explain to me I plan on reporting them and contacting my credit caed company for a refund of all bags not recd. Horrible subscription!

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Ashley

I bought this for $5 and I liked it a lot!! I feel like you should’ve mentioned that it came in a cute gold envelop since I felt that it added a nicer touch to it. I personally really like the feel of the bag it came in and I liked this. I’m giving it another month. My extra item was a sally hansen hard as nail nail polish in a shade of pink.

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kerri

Sadly some people don’t understand that reviewing a product or company is not the same as endorsing it. Then they cry and Liz gets caught in the middle. On the other hand reviews do get people aware of a product and can lead to new customers. I think the bedt thing for MSA to do is simply post a disclaimer about past issues and that she doesn’t side with or endorse anyone. Too many people treat Liz and MSA as a mediator or babysitter when they have an issue with a sub company and that’s not what a review blog is for.

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Salena

I subscribe to A LOT of subscriptions and this is definitely one I WOULD NOT RECOMMEND. They took money out of my bank account in April and never sent me a package. I’ve contacted them several times and this one snotty chick named Allison is the only one that replies. She lied and told me my bag would come in soon and they never so much as sent me a tracking number, then she said I would get July’s bag. then it was August etc… Just last week, I contacted and they ignored me again.
They blocked me on facebook for asking to speak to someone else in customer service other than her.
The people that run this sub don’t know the first thing about customer service ethics. And NOT receiving your bag three months later is a BIG PROBLEM.
Sorry, but I just needed to warn people. This company is just stealing people’s money.

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Melissa

I really like this subscription, even though I do end up swapping some of the items. I don’t mind having a combination of products I enjoy and items for swap fodder. I didn’t want the Starlooks product and listed it for swap, but after seeing Liz’s swatch, I like it. But then I read Nicole’s experience with the product, and now I don’t know what to do. :/
This sub has definitely introduced me to brands I didn’t know about and given me the opportunity to experiment with some fun colors. For only $10 a month, I think it is worth it for sure.
As for the bags, yes, I wish that they didn’t all say “Lip Monthly” on them, but people go out and spend big money for apparel that advertises popular brands. It’s their company – if they want to promote themselves, they can. And this month’s bag was brand new because they created it for their “Chic” theme.

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Melissa

Hi Liz! I think you meant to say under “The Verdict” that this *was* a pretty nice bag, not “wasn’t,” right? ” 🙂

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Liz Cadman

Fixed it – thanks!

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nana

I’m glad you are reviewing this and I think MSA should take the approach to review all boxes that the readers express some interest on. And this includes Little Lace Box.

It’s definitely true that some boxes have problems. BB5 and French Box have sent expired products, LLB had a customer service meltdown, there was even a box that sent out fake designer products. But the reviews give the opportunity to expose those problems.

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Jessvii

I’d agree with you that reviewing this box with a disclaimer is the correct thing to do. However, Little Lace Box (LLB) took the unusual step of voraciously attacking people who had posted honestly about their negative experiences with that box – for LLB specifically, I don’t think any amount of redemptive actions on the part of their team could be enough to justify reviewing it again.

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barbara

Whether LLB is reviewed here or not is Liz’s call….but I love the box and I will continue to be a subscriber of theirs whether it’s reviewed or not. Actually there are other sites that still review LLB and it’s nice to read them but again, it will not change my decision to still purchase their box if it’s not reviewed here.
I love Liz & MSA regardless 🙂

Nicole

I really like this subscription, and I’ve stayed subscribed so I get the $10 price. The city color balm is my favorite as it can be sheer or layered for a brighter look. The Starlooks looked promising, but the tip snapped off the first time I tried it and I was being very gently to avoid just that happening. There is no more to the pencil so I got less than one use from this sample and that was pretty disappointing. Other than that- I still like Lip Monthly better than Ipsy- though I’m sure most people on here don’t agree.

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brenn2347

I wanted to let you know that I recieved an email from them last month. It stated that they would be increasing they’re price from $10 to $12.95. Although if you are a current subscriber the price increase will not effect you. They claim with this new increase they will be able to offer better products and bags. So I guess we’ll see! Anyways thought I would give you the heads up.

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Haley

Thanks so much! We’ll be sure to update that in any future reviews.

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MaryP

This sub used to be 5 items for $10. Now, it’s 4 items for $12.95, which works out to only 3 lip items plus a bonus. They said it was to provide higher quality items which I think they have done for the most part. It’s unfortunate that they reduced the number of lip products because when they throw in something cheap, that’s a third of the lip items.

I bought an annual sub last year at $100 or $8.33/mo and at that price point I think the value is there. However, at the new higher price point it’s not worth it for me, especially when many companies are able to offer quality items at the 5 for $10 range.

I second Sara, I wish there was a sub for mid to high range for 5 lip products for $10.

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Taylor

I thought about trying Lip Monthly but had seen where people were complaining about the issues. They also raised their price to $12. I can’t justify the cost of the service. I may consider subscribing if it was $8.

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Sara

I canceled this two months ago and don’t miss it. I want just a lip stick/lip gloss sub and this wasn’t it. Lip Monthly sends out a lot of cheap stuff and they started sending out 4 products instead of 5 and one of those being a makeup item or perfume sample. Plus the stuff I was getting, I had already received in other boxes. I wish for a sub that sends out 5 mid to high end lip sticks or lip glosses lol. I got tired of getting the City Chic or Jessie’s Girl from Lip Monthly

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