Review
Ipsy Glam Bag Plus July 2021 Unboxing: What’s in the Box with Naomi Pandolfi
July 27, 2021
BoxyCharm Subscription Box Review – April 2016
BOXYCHARM
BoxyCharm is a full-size beauty and makeup subscription box. They always provide a great value compared the cost of the box.
This box was sent to us for review purposes. (Check out the review process post to learn more about how we review boxes).
The Subscription Box: BoxyCharm
The Cost: $21 a month
The Products: 5-6 beauty items that will include nail care, skin care, makeup, haircare, fragrance and more. (At least 4 of those items will be full-sized).
Ships to: US
Check out all of my BoxyCharm reviews and the Beauty Subscription Box Directory!
Each box comes with a card detailing the items included. (Last month’s card didn’t include product info, but it looks like they are back to normal now.)
Pur-lisse Daily Lip Nourisher – Value $16
This lip balm is paraben and petroleum free, and it is high shine! If you are looking for a glossy look without any stickiness, this is perfect!
AndersonLilley Manhattan Beach Butter Hand Cream -Value $24
(Good to know for swaps – inner foil seal).
This hand cream is free of parabens, artificial colors, petroleum, etc. The hand cream took a second to absorb, but as soon as it absorbed it felt great – no greasiness.
The scent wasn’t what I was expecting for a beach scent, but I like it. (I was expecting something with a coconut, suntan lotion vibe, but this is more of a sea salt scent.)
OFRA Long Lasting Lipstick in Honolulu – Value $19.90
(Colors will vary)
This is a very long lasting liquid lipstick – AKA tricky to remove when I try it on and see it is way too dark for my lips! The pigment is great (swatched below), and the finish is matte, but not drying. And it smells like cupcakes! So – the formula is great, but the color isn’t for me.
YourMinerals Eyeshadow in Brown Hypnotic – Value $23
(Colors will vary)
While the lip color wasn’t a hit for me, this eyeshadow shade is perfect! It has great pigmentation, and a subtle shimmer. Swatched here:
Blinc Black Lash Primer – Value $26
I have tried the Blinc mascara before, and I prefer regular mascara formulas. The Blinc mascara creates “tubes” around your lashes instead of just coating them. So, I wasn’t expecting to be wowed by this primer, but it is awesome! It is not a tube formula, and it coats and lengthens lashes without any clumping issues. It is actually enough to wear on its own, but I paired it with mascara and really like the results.
Verdict: When I first saw the spoilers for this box, nothing really excited me, but I definitely like the box a lot more now that I’ve tried all the products. The lash primer and eye shadow are my new favorites, and the Pur-Lisse lip gloss and the hand cream are great staples. The only thing I won’t use is the OFRA lipstick. The value of this box is about $109 – amazing for a $21 box. And I’m happy that everything is full size again this month. (The past two months have included some single pan items that didn’t feel full-size to me.)
What do you think of the April 2016 Boxycharm Box?
BoxyCharm ($25 per month) is one of the most popular beauty subscription boxes that we review, with lots of loyal customers. They promise 4-5 full-size beauty products each month from a variety of both indie and established brands, with a total retail value of over $100 in every box. The beauty item... read more.
Liz is the founder of My Subscription Addiction. She's been hooked on subscription boxes since 2011 thanks to Birchbox, and she now subscribes to over 100 boxes. Her favorites include POPSUGAR Must Have, FabFitFun, and any box that features natural beauty products!
Liz is the founder of My Subscription Addiction. She's been hooked on subscription boxes since 2011 thanks to Birchbox, and she now subscribes to over 100 boxes. Her favorites include POPSUGAR Must Have, FabFitFun, and any box that features natural beauty products!
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78 comments
christy
So this month I got Allure, Ipsy, Walmart, Target and Beauty Con, this is my first time with Boxycharm and I was super excited because I’ve read good things, but it ended up being the worst one 🙁 The cream smells horrible!, and everything else is just blah. The Ofra seems like a beautiful color, I’ll probably give it to my sister since I don’t wear lipsticks. But for double the price of Ipsy, I’ll probably give it one more month and if Im not happy Ill just cancel and maybe try out Birchbox :(((((
Desiree B
I have a question about the size of the Ofra liquid lipstick. I got Pasadena, but my tube is about 3/4 the size of Liz’s tube. I’ve previously gotten another color and it was the same size as Liz’s so I was expecting a longer tube. The odd thing is that they’re both marked as the same size. It’s possible that the Pasadena tube is slightly fatter, but it doesn’t seem like it’s enough to make up the difference that they’re both the same size. Does anyone have any insight? I love this lipstick and am interested in swapping for other colors. 🙂
Tiffany
I think the tube is shorter but contains less plastic so the “fill” amount is the same.
Tiffany
I bit the bullet and resubscribed. I REALLY hope I get the Ofra lipstick in the shade Pasadena. I already own Manhattan, and it’s a little out of my comfort zone. Honolulu is WAY out of my comfort zone. If I don’t get the shade I want, I really hope someone will swap!
Toni
I got my boxy box today and I got Pasadena,love it so maybe everyone is getting this color hope so for your sake
Kim
I got my box today and I got exactly what Liz got, except for the color lipstick I received was the Pasadena! Hopefully, this will be a great sign for everyone who is waiting!
Tiffany
Thanks! I’ll keep my fingers crossed!
christy
Where or how do you swap items? I have some items I’d like to swap
nelliebelle1197
Look up at the upper right corner of the menu and there is a “SWAPS” tab. You can sign up for the swap wait list. You can only list items from sub boxes. I have done nearly 80 swaps in the last 5 months with no issues!
Bethany
Disgusted! The hand cream I received was old, dirty and the label was peeling off. The scent was too flowery for me as well. I just couldn’t get over the packaging so it went in the trash. The lip color was WAY too dark for me, also won’t be using it. I like the eyeshadow and lash primer though. The lip nourisher is also a keeper. I live in the desert so you can never have too much moisture on your lips! I may cancel this subscription, I’m on the fence still…
BonBon
This was my first boxycharm. My lotion looked dirty too and the label was wonky. Kinda a weird impression. The label on my ofra is a little peeled looking too.
Toni
Omg my label was peeling too ,I was like I’ve never seen a label on lotion do this its too weird and it was really heavy and left a funk feeling on my hands.I will say after about thirty minutes it felt a little better
Kim
???
Danielle
I wasn’t wowed when I first opened it, but this turned out to be a great box! I love the eylash primer the most. I also like the hand cream, and I think the scent is great for the upcoming warmer months.
I received the Ofra liquid lipstick in ‘Padadena’, which is a pinkish brown shade to me. I don’t usually use browns, but I put this one on and I actually like it as a change from what I usually wear.
I listed the Purlisse lip nourisher and the eyeshadow up for swap, but now after seeing your reviews, I’m thinking I may need to unlist them! I love lip treatments that make my lips look glossy, and the eyeshadow color looks so gorgeous in your swatch.
Danielle
Pasadena*
Keebler
Absolutely love that eye shadow shade! This was what I was most looking forward to trying in the box, but when I received my box yesterday there was no eye shadow. 🙁 Just four items even though five was listed on the card, including the eye shadow. When I logged onto Boxycharm, I see that they are now advertising 4-5 items (with value of at least $95).
Kim
I am starting to think that you didn’t get it by accident. I would email the company and let them know that you didn’t get it. (On a just because purpose).
Toni
I love everything else in the box ,the shadow the lippie the eyelash primer all were excellent.I was worried I wouldn’t get the shadow after some of the comments.
mimiretz
I’m not crazy about the eye shadow. e-mail me at mimiretzkin-at-hotmail-dot-com (with the usual symbols in place of at and dot) and I’ll send mine to you.
Shanna
This box is a bore. Honestly, Boxycharm has started to bore me in general as of late. I think I am over it. I may scale back for a few months while I look for the next thing I “need”.
Right now, I get Boxycharm, Glossybox, and Box of Style. I have one more BOS on my year sub and after that, I am going to cancel and play it by ear. The first ones were great, the last one was yawn worthy…though I will most likely use all the items.
In the past, I got Birchbox and Ipsy. I was with both for about 18 months before they became lackluster. I am still working my way through the samples I accrued then, though I have scaled way back on everything except eyeliners, mascara, and hand cream – I still have those coming out my ears, but use them and will slowly run out of all…I do still usually snag the Target Box.
I receive Kiwi Crate for my son (just moved him up from Koala Crate). I used to receive Kiwi Crate for my daughter, but just moved her over to Boodle Box.
We love our subscription services here! I just think Boxy has become dull and it is time to look for something fun again…
Time to cut the cord.
Teresa
They didn’t respond to my request to cancel and charged my card anyway. When I checked my statement there was the charge. I contacted Boxycharm a second time and woke up this morning to find out they are shipping the box I asked to not receive. Still no response to first message I sent. A complete waste of $21.00. So unhappy with customer service. Such are stark contrast to the other boxes, Birchbox and Le Tote have amazing customer service. I’ve not needed to contact customer service for Allure or Ipsy but have been supper happy with my products from all of these companies.
nelliebelle1197
File a CC dispute. Those emails are all the proof you need!
Kim
I am getting where I cannot stand customer service from Birchbox, I’m glad you had a good response! They won’t let me out of the 1 yr pd ahead thing I did. I only received one free box for doing it!
PopSugar lost me because of their lack of customer service. It was during the November deal thing. It was half way through December before I got my November box.
I have never had to contact customer service on Boxycharm, they usually are worth the gamble.
Gamble is what you are doing when you get a sub box anyway
Some of the full pallets of eyeshadow that I have received in this box are amazing!
mimi
To play devil’s advocate: why should they let you out of a contract (which is what a one-year prepaid subscription is)?
Taya
Have you ever chat with them on their site? They never answer my emails, but the chat someonone always answered buut only during certain hours
Teresa
I didn’t see how to I just emailed them.
Alisa
Once again I dodged a bullet. I don’t like anything in that box. It is gamble but ipsy, Birchbox that’s 10 bucks I would waste that on junk so I don’t feel bad if it’s not great. Plus the points I get with Birchbox I like. I did GlossyBox 1 month, Allure and decided against theme I picked Popsugar in place of the Glossy Box & Allure. Oh and I get scentbird too. I think I will do Boxycharm & Wanted next month Oh and I just subscribed to a monthly sunglass box. So I’m all over the place
Vera
Pretty glad I cancelled prior to this month. I do like Boxycharm and the value is great, but recently it hasn’t been blowing me away. Since the cancelling process is super easy, as well as resubscribing from the same account, I can see the spoilers and sometimes even the full reviews from people before committing. Takes the surprise out, but then I at least know what I’m spending my money on and if I’ll like any of the products. This month seems very repetitive for me and the colours I either have or don’t like for the pigmented makeup, and the rest I just have too much of.
JL
What I want to know is, how did you get your box already? Lol!
Annie
Canceled after February’s box, which I found lackluster. Did not regret missing March’s box fiasco. Probably would have been bummed to receive 2 regular MUG shadows instead of the Duochrome, they originally said everyone would get. And the complaints of burning on the eye stuff scared me.
This box however is almost tempting, but not quite. I never tried a Lash primer so that would be nice and the Purlisse lip product looks to be amazing But the fact that I may get that dark shade of lip color is a turnoff. I also do not like loose eyeshadows. (too many mishaps with those jars will do that you!!) I’ve got so many hand creams, that I need to use up. I think it will take me 5 years to use up what I already own.
Karisha
Looks amazing, can’t wait to get mine.
Flubs
That OFRA “Honolulu” would look gorgeous against my complexion! Can’t wait to spot that in swaps!
Chrystal
I’m just glad to see they’ve returned to 5 TRUE full-sized items. If I receive the lip stain and eyeshadow in flattering shades I will definitely use all 5 of the items. None of them are giving me that WOW of Boxycharm boxes past, but this is a vast improvement from the February and March struggle boxes!
Kim Dellinger
I agree. I do love the “Beauty for Real” blush and contour stick. That was a month or two ago. I use it all the time. Full sized items is what I loved this box for!
Chrystal
The Beauty for Real duo stick was by far the best item in the February box! It was the first time I’ve received a Beauty for Real product from Boxycharm. Definitely a big fan 🙂
Kimbo
I think this looks like a great box! I love Boxy and I didn’t like the path they seemed to be going down with the variations. Glad this seems a return to form. Can’t wait to try the primer!
Charlie
Definitely! I was worried they were about to go in the direction of Ipsy and perhaps they were and saw the amount of discouragement from the subscribers! I’m already subbed to Ipsy and I’d have to unsub from one of them if they evolved into the same thing.
Taya
Liz,
Do you have any coupon codes for boxycharm? I really want to sign up, but if I can get some sort of deal, even better!
Also, I can’t figure out how to get to the forum, but I was just wondering if you have tried Lookfantastic beauty box? They’re from the UK and you recieve “6 premium products worth over £50.” With the price conversion on their site, its $22 for 1 month subscription, $19.50 a month for 3 months, $18.50 a month for 6 months, or $16.50 a month for 12 months. I think it’s cool how Lookfantastic charges monthly instead of all upfront. There’s also free standard delivery or you can choose to pay $9.99 for tracked delivery.
They also have 3 limited edition healthy skin boxes right now for $51 that are “WORTH OVER £95″…however much that is lol. I wish the site converted that into USD too, but I know the £ is worth more than the $ so I’m guessing it’s a pretty good value.
Haha I’m going through a serious subscription addiction. I just want them all! Maybe I’ll just sign up for it and let you know how it is and then you can decide if it’s something you want to try out ☺
Anna
Boxycharm almost never has coupons the last one I know of was after Black Friday, it was 20 percent off. I would love to subscribe but I’m in a very tight budget presently. I will definitely get this once my financial situation improves 🙂
Taya
Their response was they didn’t have any right now, but keep checking back and to check blogs because there should be some coming up
Taya
Boo ? I’d like happy even with a $5 off coupon for my first box or if they included an extra item, but unfortunately, we can’t always get what we want!
I’ll probably still get it. I “need” it lol. I emailed them to see if they had any just in case Liz didn’t have one
Haha I no longer have a social life. All my money is going towards these boxes and my baby (my chihuahua) nowadays lol, but it makes me feel somewhat happy (well as close to happy as I could ever get) despite having severe recurring major depression
I wish there was a subscription box strictly dedicated to dog clothes. I’d be all over that for my little fashionista?. The regular dog boxes come with too many treats that Lily will never finish and some of the toys are too high pitched when squeaked and scare her
Marisol
Does ANYONE know where I can get the MARCH BoxyCharm Box ????? I tried to sign up in March but it said it was SOLD OUT Ugghhh ! I would be willing to buy it from someone IF the items are not opened 🙂
Jen
It looks like March isn’t one of the past boxes that are still available:
Toni Dunn
Hello,my name is Toni and I have an addiction to beauty boxes(I blame Liz since I came across this site and learned there were more boxes than Ipsy) This month my list is as follows Ipsy,Birchbox,Beauty fix ,Boxycharm,Glossybox,Beauty Box Five,Joy beauty box,Allure,Target box,Walmart box,and a new one this month joyful bag,oh I forgot lipstick monthly .Donations are excepted
Crystal
Hi i really want to know if this box is usually only makeup items? I’m not great at follow through with mAkeup, but will use creams and hair beauty items , please advise if this may suitable for me or a different one besides birchbox, only look for 25/mo or lower
Chelsea
Sounds like BeautyFix would be a a good box for you. Almost all skincare products, some haircare, & very little makeup so far in the last 3 boxes that I have received. Check out April’s box spoilers. It’s $25/mo. plus tax.
Shanna
I cancelled BeautyFix as they had too much I wasn’t using. That being said, everything was full sized the few months I got it. I currently get Boxy and Glossybox, but I think Boxy is going to disappear from my mailbox. I also sub to KiwiCrate for my son and Boodle Box for my daughter, so I think I need to scale mine back for a few months. I used to get Birchbox and Ipsy. Liked Birchbox better, but wanted the larger items. Was pleased with Boxy for several months, but is has become so boring…
Sherry
I’m thinking about going with beauty fix, have you been happy with the product sizes? I just don’t want to spend that much for samples.
Sherry
I personally recommend Allure beauty box. It’s $15 a month. Everyone is different in what they like and dislike but I love skin care and hair care products with a little makeup here and there. Allure gives usually higher end brands. You should at least check out their past boxes to see if it looks like something you’ll like.
mimiretz
Unicorn Tears is good. Lipstick Queen has Ice Queen which also adds shimmer to dark matte colors. I use it in the middle of my bottom lip and on my cupid’s bow sometimes.
As far as this box, I can always use more hand lotion. Not sure about the lipcolor or eye shadow, but will see. I really don’t need mascara primer, but if it works by itself it might be worthwhile. I already have the Pur-lisse, so that’ll go up for swap.
Dana
I am hoping that I get the same color as Liz for the OFRA lipstick! I have dark hair with light skin and think this would be a great color for me! It’s beautiful as well 🙂
Kristin
Wow this scares me I don’t remember if I subscribe to this box or not. Subscription addictiction has set in…
Lee
I’ve been there. There are times I get a shipping confirmation in my email and I completely forgot I signed up. I like to try a lot of different boxes so I rotate between some of them. It is hard to keep them straight.
Emily
What, we don’t all keep subscription spreadsheets?
Amy
Much better than the last two months. I almost cancelled this month because the past two disappointed me so much. I’m most excited about the lash primer. I actually really like the Blinc mascara on, but I hate taking it off.
Liz Cadman
YES! That’s the part I don’t like, too! I think you will love the primer, though!
Amy
I’m excited to try it! I always feel like I’m going to lose some eyelashes when I take off the mascara.
Kenya
Does boxy charm have box variations? Or does everyone get the same thing?
jen
Liz – try adding a swipe of highlighter stick on the middle of your lips after you have the dark lipstick on. It makes it so much more wearable. OR get Too Faced Unicorn Tears for the same reason. It’s a game changer and I can now wear all of my lipsticks, etc
Even the ones that are too bright on their own. Try it! 🙂
Liz Cadman
Jen – thank you so much for the tip! I love Too Faced and can’t believe I didn’t know there was a shade named Unicorn Tears! Amazing 🙂
jen
Variations most months.
