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Beauty DNA Subscription Box Review + Coupon – September 2016

Haley Faye
ByHaley FayeSep 29, 2016 | 36 comments

beauty-dna-september-2016-box

Beauty DNA
4 overall rating
17 Ratings | 12 Reviews

Beauty DNA is a monthly beauty subscription service that sends you one full-size beauty item each month based on your preferences. They have three categories of items: skincare, hair, and body.

beauty-dna-september-2016-box-packaging

When you sign up you take a very specific survey on your beauty preferences, and they match you with a new beauty item each month.

My Subscription Addiction pays for this subscription. (Check out the review process post to learn more about how we review boxes).

beauty-dna-september-2016-review

The Subscription Box: Beauty DNA

The Cost: $25 a month with free shipping

ACTIVE DEAL: Save 20% off of your first shipment
CODE: MSA20

The Products: One new full-size product each month that matches your beauty preferences.

Ships to: U.S. only

Check out all of our Beauty DNA reviews and the Beauty Subscription Box Directory!

Keep Track of Your Subscriptions: Add this box to your subscription list or wishlist!

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This box comes with a card that details the item included and  why it matches your specific interests and preferences.

beauty-dna-september-2016-inside-booklet

I love how thoroughly they break down the details of the product they picked and also why they chose it, based off of your profile and preferences. I’m always impressed with how thoroughly they match products, and how many details they take into consideration.

beauty-dna-september-2016-biossance

Biossance the Revitalizer – 1.7 fl oz, Value $58

This product is 100% plant-derived squalane. Squalane can be found in different sources, but it also naturally occurs in our bodies (it’s a lipid/fat). It’s rich in anti-oxidants and helps with anti-aging processes. This particular product from Biossance claims to be 53% better at accelerating skin cell turnover than argan oil. Since the only ingredient in this is squalane, it’s naturally paraben-free, phthalate-free, mineral oil-free, fragrance-free, non-comedogenic, and non-toxic. Squalane is also very gentle and works well for sensitive skin or skin with eczema.

I was first introduced to squalane when working at Sephora: I found Peter Thomas Roth’s Oilless Oil, which is also 100% squalane. His is derived from sugar cane. At that point, I had tried a few different skin oils, but found that squalane really does feel like an “oilless oil.” It absorbs so quickly and makes my skin feel crazy hydrated with no weird, oily leftover feeling. This Bioassance Revitalizer is the same thing and performs the same way for me.

To use, I apply a couple drops to my face, neck, and décolleté, and you can use a few more drops on the rest of your body, too.

beauty-dna-september-2016-biossance-ingredients

I think this bottle must be old packaging because, on Biossance’s website, it has a pump top instead of a dropper. The bottle is also labeled as a “universal moisturizing concentrate” online, which I assume is just intended to make it clear you can use this for your body as well as your face. A little bit of this product goes a long way!

I like the packaging a lot – it feels fresh and expensive. However, I have to say that it’s smart for Biossance to have (apparently) switched this to a pump top because it’s more convenient, and the rubber part of this dropper is really stiff and difficult to squeeze. I have no problem getting product out now but I can see it being frustrating when trying to get the last of it.

Verdict: I’m really happy with what Beauty DNA picked for me this month! It’s been a while since I’ve used squalane and it feels like reuniting with an old skincare love. I like the packaging and quality of the product, too. The value is $58 for $25, which I’m definitely happy with!

What do you think about Beauty DNA? Have you tried their service before?

Starting at $25.00
Active Deal
Save 20% off of your first shipment
Use Coupon Code MSA20
Subscribe Now
Beauty DNA is a new beauty subscription service that gives you extreme customization in discovering new beauty products each month. You fill out a very in-depth survey specifying your preferences for skincare, body products and hair products, and you will receive one new full-size product each month... read more.
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

Caitlin

I still haven’t even gotten my Sept box!

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Holly

I would sooooo recommend Beauty Heroes for people looking for upper end, healthy ingredient beauty products. I have not been disappointed.

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Tina Ames

I have been a subscriber for 4 months now,and I have not had any problems (knock on wood)….I have loved all 4 of the items I have received the past 4 months….In June I got: Vital C Face Serum,it costed 85.00…In July I got: Resist C15 Super Booster for the face,it costed 50.00….In August I got: Laser FX Lift Face Serum,and it costed 80.00….and for this month I got: Retises Face Gel ( it reduces the appearance of winkles,recovers luminosity and even the skin tone),and it costed 65.00….I guess I have been very lucky so far,I hope I just didn’t Jinx myself….I hope things get better for all of you that are having issues

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Hannah R

FYI, I’ve looked up the products that I received and most of the items are either discontinued, have recently had a packaging and/or ingredient uplift and they’re gettin rid of the old ones, or are going to expire soon. I’m pretty sure that some people are also receiving items from relatively unknown brands that are just trying to promote their brand and generate interest.

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Jennifer

I love getting an unknown brand. Paula’s Choice was unknown to me when Birchbox sent it a few years ago and soon became one of my preferred brands. Plus, I like supporting smaller companies. Not cool with nearly expired products, though. I haven’t had that happen to me.

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Hannah R

I just wanted to chime in to this conversation and pass along my experiences with BeautyDNA. I signed up for a 4 month subscription through a Gilt City deal that knocked down the cost to ~$12 per month. While that sounds like a great deal, it has been extremely frustrating dealing with them because I have had an issue with every single box I have received. I am on my third month of boxes and I have just sent them my third email complaining about what I got. The first month I received an item that I had an allergic reaction to and it specifically was labeled as not being good for sensitive skin which I have listed as a concern for my profile. The next month they sent me the same item again. This month I received an item with methylparaben in it which I have listed on my profile as an ingredient to avoid because I am allergic to it. Each time I have contacted them, their customer service has been excellent and sent me a new item. Of course, it did take them a few business days each time to respond because supposedly they always seem to have a problem with their email servers. It’s far more likely that the problem is that they have a small staff in their cs department and are just inundated with complaints. It’s been frustrating dealing with them and I feel like even with the discounted deal, I haven’t gotten my money worth. I will not continue the sevice when my subscription comes up and I do not recommend this subscription service.

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Jennifer

I feel your sensitivity pain! I am a big label reader and ingredient researcher. It used to take forever, but I pretty much know what I am looking for now. Nothing goes on my face without every ingredient being scrutinized. Such a pain, and I bummer when you are excited about a product you can’t use.

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Blondie

I also prefer more natural or organic ingredients and none of the harsh ones. I would not recommend this box if you prefer the same! Once in a while I’ll get a “no parabans” product, but that’s as good as the ingredients get. 🙁 I have emailed the company and told them that I could care less about what type of product I receive, but that I DO care about ingredients. There’s no way to make it work. It’s almost like they don’t have access to those more natural products, even though they are shown in their advertising. 🙁

Helen

Subscriber BEWARE Add me to the list of unhappy customers. I can NOT recommend Beauty DNA. My experience was horrible. The customer service was pretty much non-existent. I also got the Gilt deal for 2 months. I got the first month in July OK. I received the very same thing that Haley received this month, the. Biossance the Revitalizer Squalane oil serum. I may not purchase it again but I will use it and was generally happy to try it. Then came August and no box arrived. There was no contact from them to tell me why and after a few weeks of waiting for my email to say it was sent I contacted them. I got the same reaction as some of you did below. They couldn’t match me based on my profile. There was a definite “attitude” in the correspondence that it was my fault that they didn’t ship me my item. I was told I had to change my profile. I basically had to change my preferences to match their inventory. I got the song and dance about the complex algorithm they use to match people. I wasn’t matched because I didn’t want fragrance in my skin care. I pointed out that Haley on this site had reviewed a perfectly acceptable match for me for August. They told me the Paula’s Choice product had fragrance in it so that wouldn’t have been matched to me. Paula’s Choice products. ARE fragrance free but that is neither here nor there. I pointed out to them that their profile was very flawed in that it didn’t differentiate fragrance preferences between skin care, hair care and body care. I can tolerate light fragrance in hair care and body care but changing my profile would put me at risk of receiving skin care with fragrance. All the while this correspondence was going on back and forth I was matched. They sent me another serum WITH fragrance that is not suitable for someone with sensitive skin. They made no apologies, they mad no attempt to make it right and in fact didn’t even answer my email regarding it. What a waste of time and money. It isn’t worth it to maybe get a product you like. They clearly have a limited inventory and you have to fill out the so called personalized profile in a way that allows them to send you whatever they have in their limited inventory that month.
IMPORTANT
If you have never filled out their profile BEWARE there is a question about income. It is mandatory and can not be skipped. They also ask a question about race but you have the option of prefer not to answer. The income question doesn’t have that option. I find it highly offensive that they MUST know your income. It is very suspect. Do they only send certain very expensive products to people who list a very high income? How is income relevant to being matched? Must you show that you could afford to repurchase what they sent you? It is all very questionable.

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Jennifer

I have a relatively high income and they didn’t send me very high-end products.

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Matilda

I also got the Gilt city deal and have been disappointed. My first month was the PCA Skin eyexcellence (moisturizes but does little for dark circles or puffiness) which on company’s website is $48 but on amazon is $22. Second month was the Sesderma cream for cellulite which is again $40 but on amazon for $23. The quality of the products didn’t wow me and the value is certainly not there since full price subscription is $25. I enjoyed the personalization but if I was paying full price, I would be unhappy getting these things.

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Jennifer

I like the PCA eye cream. I’ve found limiting salt and alcohol help with puffiness, but my allergies, age and genetics are all working against me!

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Ragan

I wouldn’t trust Amazon prices. A lot of beauty products there are from third party sellers and are closeouts (nearly expired) or downright fakes (for more expensive items).

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Nicole

I got the GM Collin vitamin c serum with an $84 value this month, which I am thrilled with even though 2 months ago I received sesderma vit c serum. I keep switching up my profile to avoid getting the same products but I guess I should just stick with the same next time and see what happens. I agree with only subbing on a deal for this.

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Melissa

I find it strange how they apparently have issues matching products with people’s profiles. There are tons of products out there so they must not have that big of a stock of things. I got the giltcity for two months so I only have one more month left. I prefer beautyfix anyways but this is fun to try out … if they send stuff HahaI got something that matched to my very last option of interest, which I figured they would probably do as the last option of interest was cellulite and products for that are expensive but don’t have all that much credit behind them. They didn’t have much for me to choose from for my top five and none of them were the things that I was REALLY interested in. I got the HYDROXATONE – CELTRIXA INTENSIVE STRETCH MARK TREATMENT which retails for $80 but I found it for $55 on another site. I can’t find the exact one on amazon. The one on amazon is different and isn’t the ‘intensive’ one but the one that is on amazon is like under $10. But again, not the same. Although I imagine it’s not all that different. $80 or $55 either way I would never actually buy this kind of item at that price for myself so I’m happy to try it out at such a reduced price for fun and giggles I suppose Lol

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Kristi

This is probably my favorite sub. I have got several great products from them in the past. The last two months I received two products in each and both times I had horrible leaks due to the heat. Not only did they replace immediately they also gave me both products instead of just the damaged one. I work for the Post Office so I gave suggestion for future shipping when its hot and they said they would pass on the info. Where else can you get products such as dr. Brandt, Algenist, L’occitane, 3lab, Jurlique, and several other highend products for $25 or less? I got the giltcity deal making it even cheaper and have got products worth $150.

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Luna

I ended up getting a vitamin C & peptide serum from G.M. Collin, which retailed for $85.

It’s funny with this box (and some others), because most times I’ll get brands that I’ve never heard of, then I immediately question how legit they are, but then shortly thereafter, I start to see the brands popping up in a store, online, or magazine. Weird! Like with G.M. Collin,… I was like, “Oh… okay…”, but then saw it mentioned in New Beauty magazine a few days later. Now it has a whole new level of relevance to me. Ha ha! I know… I’m easily influenced.

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Taylor

we’re sub twins, I got those same products with my two month gilt deal

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Jennifer

I believe that New Beauty is connected to BeautyDNA.

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Luna

That’s cool if that’s true! I’m so interested in trying a lot of the products featured in the New Beauty magazine. Now I can mark one off my list. 🙂

Jennifer

I use a couple of dropper bottle products, PTR retinol night serum and Paula’s Choice vitamin C booster. I add a few drops of each to my night-time serum and when I have all three bottles open I am terrified that I will knock one over.

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Ragan

I like Caudalie Premier Cru the Elixir. It is $99 and I bought my last one with Birchbox points before the points changes. But anyway, I totally identify with the fear of knocking a bottle over when it is open. That would be like $99 in the sink! (It has a glass dropper.)

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TAM

I received this last month in my box. Haven’t had a chance to try it yet though. I received a face scrub this month. I’ll break that out tonight to try for the first time.

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KarenG

This was also in the Fighting Pretty LE box from Glossybox. I love how lightweight Biossance feels. Yes, super frustrating when the dropper gets slippery.

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Mar

After not receiving my August box by the beginning of September and hearing nothing in the way of your ‘box has shipped’ I emailed them. They responded by saying no products matched my profile and that is why a box wasn’t sent. They never reached out to tell me this, I also find it hard to believe, my profile wasn’t picky about much. I believe I would have just never got a box if I didn’t reach out. CS told me they found a product for me and that it was shipping out.

What was sent was a serum that they quoted the price at $50 dollars but is retailing on the company’s own website for a sale price of $29

I emailed CS over two weeks ago and haven’t heard any explanation back as to why if the product had such a low value why a second product couldn’t have been added to increase value. Not worth $25 dollars when you get a $29 product, I finally cancelled. Beauty DNA had the opportunity to make it right but because they never contacted me back I cancelled.

I would be cautious about signing up for this box.

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EC

I’m on month 3 of the same thing happening in a row. Except mine had nothing to do with a matching issue. They just kept forgetting to ship mine. For three freaking months! I’m almost done with my annual gift sub and will NOT be renewing. I don’t know what happened in the last 4 months but they have gone down the crapper in terms of both consistent product quality and value as well as heinous customer service. Last month I had to make contact 3 times before they bothered to ship it, promising me “expedited shipping.” It took 11 days to arrive via standard ground Fedex delivery. Late + incompetent when called out + rude + cheap = no dice for me.

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Shibby

I had the same problem with Beauty DNA. I never received a shipment, and after 2 months of waiting, I reached out to them and they told me that I had to expand my beauty profile. I did, and still nothing… Ever time I logged into my account to check, the shipping date would just get pushed back to the next week. I emailed them again and they told me that I needed to expand my profile even more. I ended up having to include items that I have no interest in receiving just to receive my shipments… So now, I have a $30 leave in cream for blow outs, when I only air dry my hair.

To their credit, they did give me a free additional box as an apology. However, I feel that they should have contacted me to inform me of their inability to match me with a product rather than waiting until I emailed them out of total confusion and frustration (twice). I also think that they need to update the way they match products: it seems like their main concern is offering varied types of products rather than offering different brands of the same type (ie, they would not send you two different eye creams in different months; once you’ve received an eye cream, that product seems to get “checked off” your list). When they kept telling me to add more products to my profile, I told them I would be totally content to try a different brand of the same product type, they could not do it.

The first few matches I received were amazing but, now that I have had to add on products I don’t need/want, I am adding all of my Beauty DNA shipments to my gift pile and counting down the months until my subscription is over…

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Leslie Belt

Oh lord..that’s even WORSE…my FIRST TWO were AWFUL….what will that mean for future shipments? I PRAY I didn’t pay for a year! Ugh!

Luna

That stinks how they’ll skip a shipment if they can’t find a product that matches a subscriber’s profile. They should email subscribers alerting them to that fact, then give them an opportunity to either modify their profile, let them pick from a selection of products that are very close to the profile, or let them know of a product they selected that’s very close to the profile, and give the subscriber the option of sticking with that product or skipping the month.

Before signing up for Beauty DNA I somehow became aware they won’t ship boxes if they can’t find a product to match the profile, so I pretty much left my profile open to anything (which I am anyways), and so far so good.

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Jennifer

I have had problems with them at times in the past as well. Customer service has been unreliable and they have skipped shipments on me before. This time around (my third stent with Beauty DNA) my shipments have been arriving on time and I have been sent quality products valued over $25 (but not over $45) I have two more months from the Gilt City voucher. I would purchase another voucher deal, but I won’t spend the $25 per month.

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Jami

I had an extremely questionable experience with this company, as well! I received a Macadamia Rejuvenating Shampoo and a Paula’s Choice Serum as well. The serum was okay but the shampoo had very clearly been altered. I am quite familiar with the product(via salon) and what I received from Beauty DNA was so watered down that I had a hard time even holding it in my cupped hand, as well as the smell being very weak. I contacted CS and they put it off to being damaged from the heat while in transit. So they were going to rematch me with a different product but when I received the shipment it was the exact same watered down shampoo again. So I canceled immediately and I would advise anyone considering this subscription- Buyer Beware! It seems they send out a lot of discontinued packaging as well! As a follow-up, I carried one of the bottles to my salon and they checked it out thoroughly and said it’s composition had been altered.

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Blondie

These are similar issues I’ve had with them, off and on. It’s very irritating to say the least. Def not renewing. Esp makes me annoyed that I’ve only gotten one product in the last year and a half that actually matches up well to my profile. 🙁

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Jennifer

That happened to me about a year ago. I had a 3-month voucher sub with them and they only sent two months. Both months they sent products that did not match my profile. They were expensive, quality products, but they weren’t what my skin needed. The last two months (August and September), my products have perfectly matched my profile. I am really happy with what I have received (PCA eye cream and Paula’s Choice skin brightening treatment) and I am using both products every day.

Kate N.

I got the same product last month. I really love it! (And, bonus for me, my shipment got misdirected somehow and hadn’t shown up 2 weeks after they shipped it, so they sent a new one. I got both boxes on the same day, so now I have a great supply of it!)

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Alice S

BeautyDNA is pretty great but I wish they would offer their service at a slightly lower cost. $25 isn’t bad unless you get a product that you don’t like – seems to be the danger in sending one product per month!

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Sara

My comments aren’t showing up for some reason. I got a coconut body scrub that smells amazing and a toner! I got a Gilt City deal and only paying $13.77/box!

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