Choix Subscription Box Review – December 2015
“Choix is a new way to try and buy makeup where we bring the makeup counter to you!” Choix is a makeup sampling subscription service. Each month, subscribers have the options to choose all or a few of their beauty samples, or to be totally surprised. Choix now offers a “No Subscription” option for those that want to try a few things without the commitment.
Annual memberships are on sale again for half the price. You can also try a three-month subscription for only $50.00.
My Subscription Addiction pays for this subscription. (Check out the review process post to learn more about how we review boxes).
The Subscription Box: Choix
The Cost: $20 a month + free shipping (less with three month and annual subscriptions)
The Products: 5 luxury beauty samples of your choice from the Choix store.
Ships to: US only
Good to Know: Choix is offering three NYE Look boxes, each box cost only $15.00. All three include 5 sample sized products to help complete the look and add code “NEWYEAR” for 2-day shipping.
On the back of your box lid, Choix lists the samples you picked out for the month. You can also view your Order History after logging into your account.
Choix Etc. Tools
Each month your box will come with a variety of tools to help with your makeup application.
Kevyn Aucoin – The Sensual Skin Enhancer in SX8 – Full Size Value: $48.00
I absolutely love these multi-purpose bases from this brand. Honestly, from what I’ve tried it’s the only thing I love from Kevyn Aucoin as well. They are very useful for mixing foundation and concealers and I’ve never used anything like them before. A must try.
Clinique – Brow Shaper in Soft Brown – Full Size Value: $16.50
I wanted to try this brow powder for a several reasons. I don’t own any, and I’ve never tried one…so why not! I’m not a fan of Clinique and thought it was also nice to try something completely different from lipsticks, makeup remover and skin care products that I’ve previously tried. I wasn’t wowed, it filled in my brows but had a very subtle blue/gray undertone but I didn’t match my brows. But that’s ok. I enjoyed experimenting with brow powder for the first time and I actually liked the brow brush Choix provided!
Shiseido – Shimmering Cream Eye Color in Sable – Full Size Value: $25.00
Shiseido is a new to me brand. I’ve always wanted to try their line, but never did. I really liked this creamy eyeshadow base. It sheered out to a glittery sheer across my lids when I tried it on it’s own. I prefer using it over a base in the center of my lids for an accent pop of shimmer. It’s really beautiful!
Chanel – Levres Scintillante Lip Gloss in Giggle – Full Size Value: $30.00
I was torn with what to say about this sample because I wasn’t expecting to love it so much. So just speaking from my makeup heart strings, this is the best lip gloss I’ve ever tried!!! It makes me so sad because it’s so expensive, I can’t justify having the entire collection. Thank goodness for Choix, I think I’ll have to add one in every now and then along with the Kevyn Aucoin enhancers. It’s so comfortable on the lips, gives a little color and is super moisturizing. This could seriously replace my lip balms completely.
Hourglass – Veil Fluid Foundation in Chestnut – Full Size Value: $60.00
I’m so glad I ventured out and started using Hourglass foundations. I found this month that I’m between Chestnut#7 and Walnut#8 that I sampled last month. They wear beautifully, and can be built up for fuller coverage. I’ve also discovered despite horrible eating habits these past two months, my skin has had very few breakouts to which I’m accrediting to this foundation formula.
Swatches of this month’s samples from left to right:
Hourglass Foundation in Walnut, Chanel Lip Gloss in Giggle, Shiseido Eye Cream in Sable, Clinique Brow Powder in Soft Brown and Kevyn Aucoin Skin Enhancer in SX8
EXTRA: After reading the MSA review last month, Choix reached out to me in regards to the lipstick sampling issue. They say that when they get to the end of a lipstick sample they create a sample pot for the remaining product that can not be sliced evenly. Choix asked if I would like to try it in this way and of course I said “Yes!, Please and Thank You”!
I have doe-foot lip gloss applicators and this works so much better. I’ve suggested to Choix that this application is much more enjoyable. I hope that this will be a permanent change for all solid lipsticks in the near future.
Verdict: Choix is still my favorite “makeup” subscription service. Well, it’s my only one right now, but who’s counting. LOL! I’ve found some favorites and some I’m not so fond of since starting this subscription. What’s really great is being able to choose all my samples every month and being to test them out at home with my other makeup items. I’m learning more about my skin too. Hourglass is the first vegan and cruelty free foundation I’ve tried and now I can’t see myself wearing any else. I’m hoping Choix can partner with more luxury vegan/cruelty-free brands so I can test out more great products like this!
What are your thoughts on Choix this month? Tell me your holy grail foundation combo, if you have to mix foundations like me.
Written by Celicia Gantz
I got 6 samples to try out from some of the high end brands that I’ve been drooling over, but I was not happy with the products at all. One of the 3 lipsticks was “cut” and the other two (including a YSL) was smooshed into a round pot and looked messy and was a different consistency as a lipstick (a melted mess with ripples in it). And the Cle de Peau concealer was a messy chunk that was very crumbly. I did get a decent Hourglass bronze and Cle de Peau blush sample (as they are pressed powder). But, overall, I was not impressed with the quality and possible lack of them being sanitary. It is unfortunate as the packaging, price and options were great, but that doesn’t make up for the poor quality. I won’t be ordering the single samples again.
The model on the left looks like Desi Perkins from ipsy.
I love this company and have spoken to them many times. It’s the real deal. You can tell just by the feel of the different products and how they apply. I recommend them to everyone and the customer service is amazing plus you get money off the purchase of the full sized item you samples so that definetly makes it real. This is my fave sub box cause you get to pick and the shipping is super quick! I’ve cancled all my sub boxes because they now just send junk but this one is so worth it! I still keep birchbox even though I don’t like most of my boxes the points system is the best ever so it’s worth keeping.
Wow! This sub looks great! They explain on their website the sanitation process and how that works. (Much more sanitary than at the counter!) I don’t see anywhere on the website for the half price yearly membership or the 3 months for $50. Has that expired? Also is shade matching difficult? Thanks for the review!
I am still *this close* to subbing. I just want 3 or 4 other brands I have my eyes on to jump on board with their business model. I also get a bit frustrated when there is a product I want to try, and from a line they carry, but it isn’t available.
Regardless, I still get excited hearing about this one; so thanks for the review!
You don’t have to sub if you don’t want to. You can order anytime with no subscription commitment.
Thank you for this review I love choix! It’s a great way to choose your samples and their sizes are really generous too.
How can you be sure these cosmetics are actually what they say they are. How can you recommend something when you don’t know if they are prepared under sanitary conditions. I could put any foundation in a pot and say it is Chanel. I wouldn’t touch this subscription with a ten foot pole. It seems ripe for spreading infection, especially since the products are not sealed and air and micro organisms could get into them.
Also, I am sure companies don’t want their products distributed in inappropriate sample packaging
I don’t think they would have a problem. You would get the same type of samples at the counter.