Wantable Makeup Subscription Box Review – April 2015
Wantable is a monthly subscription service that has 3 different plans: Makeup, Accessories, and Intimates. (Plus a styling service for Fitness clothing similar to Stitch Fix in the try-then-buy model) It’s one of the pricier subscriptions ($40 a month), but everything they send is full size, and they fully customize the boxes based on your preferences. You also can return individual items from any box for a refund.
Wantable sent me this makeup box at no cost to review. (Check out the review process post to learn more about how we review boxes).
The Subscription Box: Wantable Makeup Subscription
The Cost: $40 a month (keep everything, and get a $4 credit to your next box).
The Products: Makeup, nail polish and tools based on your profile settings.
Ships to: US, Canada (additional $6), UK (additional $7) and Australia (additional $10)
Check out all of my Wantable Makeup reviews!
Here is my invoice. In addition to the retail price of the item, they also include “your price,” which is how much you would get refunded if you wanted to return that item. (Wantable recently introduced individual item returns to their subscriptions. Previously, it was keep the entire box or send the entire box back for a refund).
You get to take a very detailed survey of what items you love, like and dislike. You won’t receive anything in your dislike list.
Previously I was very specific with this list, but I’ve found that I have better luck at high-value boxes when fewer things are on my dislike list.
yourMinerals Highlighter Powder in Swedish Winter – Value $23
I have received this eye shadow before thanks to the FabFitFun Winter Box, so I may end up swapping this one – a little goes a long way with this powder, so I don’t think I’d be using a spare for a very long time.
Mirabella Wildflower Eyeshadow in Pink Blossom – Value $28
First, bonus points to Mirabella for making me fall in love with a makeup product before even trying it – I love the pressed flower design! It’s not as pigmented as I was expecting, but I think I’ll end up using it as a shimmery blush. (I don’t have the right coloring for pink eye shadow anyway).
Frankie Rose Blush in Pink Ladies – Value $17
This is a very bold color in the pan, but one sweep of it gives a natural looking color – this one actually works well with my skin tone!
Sorme Lip Thick Plumping Lip Gloss in Bloom – Value $18
This lip gloss adds a good amount of shine and color – and it has a bubble gum flavor! (I didn’t notice any lip-plumping with this gloss, but I have yet to find a lip-plumping product that actually delivers on that promise).
Verdict: All the items in this box would have been keepers for me if I didn’t already have the yourMinerals eye shadow, so I’m happy with the item selection this month. For value, this box has a retail value of about $86. The value is good, especially since you can now return any item you don’t want – I like that they’ve removed the risk-factor of this box since it is one of the priciest makeup boxes.
What do you think of Wantable Makeup?
I don’t like Wantable because of the brands they choose. It’s almost always that “subscruption box, intermediate, internet brand”… inflated prices, always can find it discounted, more expensive than lots of well known brands at Sephora.
I absolutely love Wantable Makeup. This month I feel like they hit the nail on the head. I lucked out and got the extension mascara with fibers. I received an interest neon peach eyeshadow that I’m actually excited about trying. I like that I won’t get any nail polish with this sub.
I love Wantable Makeup. It’s one of my favorite subs.
Last month, I got two lip glosses, so I went to the end of my preferences quiz and made a note that I didn’t want two of any one product type in a box. There was a personal reply from my stylist on my order detail sheet this month. She wrote, “Hi Ashley! I made sure there weren’t two of any product in this order for you. Enjoy :)” They really pay attention to your notes, preferences and reviews.
This month, my total value was $116.50, and I’m super happy with my collection! I received:
Chella Beautiful Eyebrow Tool Kit. I have been obsessed with all things eyebrows lately. The kit comes with scissors, an eyebrow razor with brush and comb, tweezers and an eyebrow shaping guide, and the case is adorable!
Bodyography Nail Lacquer in Airy Fairy. Turquoise is my favorite color!
Mirabella Brilliant Mineral Highlighter in Glowing Coral
Vincent Longo PearlX Eyeshadow in Etherea
Man Wantable was a miss for me in March and April, returned both boxes for full refunds and canceled this month. The eyeshadow they sent this month was dark and arrived beyond shattered. The “red” lipstick they sent was a nude pink, the blush was a bright fuchsia, I’m super pale. It’s like they never read my likes and dislikes at all. 5 months with them and I never received a powder which I really wanted or a foundation, or even a pretty lipgloss or red lipstick which I wanted the most. It’s nice in theory but I never managed to get what I really wanted and I felt the value went down in March and April too.
Why oh why can’t companies put their ingredient lists on their websites???
Hi Liz, I was just wondering if you could share how you organize your makeup?
Love Wantable makeup. It is my favorite sub (next to Birchbox). The items are very high quality. The quiz really helps to get items that fit me. I learned that you can request things you want in the comments and they will accommodate your request, if they can. If you want some red lipstick or purple eyeshadow, for example. I love lipstick and I hate lipgloss. I love knowing I won’t get any more lipgloss. It is more expensive than other subs, however the ability to return items so easily makes it really worth it.
Liz, I’ve seen you comment on the lack of plumping effects of lip-plumping products before. I just thought I’d mention one the I tried a few years ago, Victoria’s Secret lip-plumping gloss. I always had a hard time noticing it myself (aside from the mild stinging that comes with a lot of plumbers), but one day out of the blue a girl looked at me and said “this is weird, but your lips look bigger.” Of course it made my day, and I thought I’d mention it in case you ever actually did want something that made your lips look a little pouty-er!