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BoxyCharm Subscription Box Review – December 2018

Liz Cadman
ByLiz CadmanApr 22, 2019 | 22 comments

BoxyCharm
4.3 overall rating
1949 Ratings | 195 Reviews

BoxyCharm is a full-size beauty and makeup subscription box. They always provide a great value compared the cost of the box. (If you are a makeup addict - I HIGHLY recommend this 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 and Canada

Check out all of our Boxycharm reviews!

Each box comes with a card detailing the items included.

Now, on to the items!

Suva Protege Palette - Retail Value $34

(All subscribers will receive this OR a PYT Mini Straightener.)

This brand is new to me, and I'm impressed! First, the palette is free of Parabens, Sulfates, Phthalates, and Gluten! Next, the pigment! These shades are gorgeous. (The top section and highlighter on the right are cool toned, the bottom section and higlighter on the left are warm toned.) There is a mix of mattes and shimmers, and they are relatively easy to blend. (Swatched in lower photo.)

Tarte Tarteist Lip Paint in Instafamous - Retail Value $20

(All subscribers will receive Tarte Shimmering Lip Paint. Colors will vary.)

This sheer lip gloss has a high shine and lots of holographic shimmer - it's gorgeous! (Very festive for the holdiays, too!) I love this as a lip topper over my liquid lipstick, and I have to give it bonus points for the cupcake scent!

Bodyography Lipliner in Heatherberry - Retail Value $12

(All subscribers will receive this, OR Chella Eyebrow Cream OR Jonteblu Eyeliner)

More often than not, Boxycharm sends me lip colors that push me out of my comfort zone, but this lip liner is my go-to everyday shade, and I'm thrilled! The pigment is good, and it wears down evenly, too.

Here it is swatched beneath the palette and the tarte lip gloss:

Pretty Vulgar Setting Powder - Retail Value $32

(Subscribers will either receive this setting powder OR this Wander Beauty Palette.)

This setting powder packaging is so cute! I love the vintage vibe of this pink applicator puff!

And the powder formula itself is fantastic - it's my favorite item in this box. It sets makeup, has a matte finish, and holds up well the whole day!

CosMedix Detox Activated Charcoal Mask - 1.3 oz Value Listed $30

(Subscribers will either receive this OR IT Brow Powder – Pencil OR Luscious Angel Eyes Primer OR Marajo Anti Frizz Capsules)

This activated charcoal mask is designed to dry out excess oil, dirt, etc from your skin, and also provide gentle exfoliation. You apply a thick layer and let it sit for 10-15 minutes, then remove with warm water. It dried (but didn't feel tight) and when I removed it I could instantly feel a difference in my skin - so much smoother!

Verdict: The total retail value of this box is $128! As usual, I think that's amazing for a $21 box! I discovered some new brands this month, and got some awesome products from brands I already love (tarte + Pretty Vulgar!)

To Wrap Up:

Can you still get this box if you sign up today? Yes! The Boxycharm waitlist is temporarily lifted!

Check out all of my BoxyCharm reviews and the Beauty Subscription Box Directory!

What do you think of the December 2018 Boxycharm Box? Which variants are you getting?

Starting at $32.00
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BoxyCharm ($32 per month) is one of the most popular beauty subscription boxes that we review, with lots of loyal customers. They promise 5 full-size beauty products each month from a variety of both indie and... read more.

Liz Cadman
Liz Cadman
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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22 comments

Joy

I LOVED everything In my box. I requested the pallet by Suva and also got the pretty Vulgar powder. The Elemis anti wrinkle cream is SO GOOD! I was so impressed with everything in my box. For what I paid I got more than my moneys worth. Currently Ipsy is not better than Boxy charm. They are working out the kinks in their new glam bag plus program. I am confident both of my favorite companies will get it together. Growing pains are tough but Im staying a boxy babe.

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Miranda

I was super happy with my luxe box. I got the palette as my choice item and also got the pv setting powder. I did notice most people who got the straightener didn’t get the setting powder tho so I’m really happy I didn’t choose the straightener. It was too small for my hair anyway and I actually really like the palette. I see alot of people who were disappointment but for once I’m happy with mine. I’ve never got the variant item I wanted so it was about time. I do have to agree tho that the setting powder should have been in every luxe box.

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Jayden

You could have gotten the PV powder if you got the Luxe box, my roommate did. But I am also disappoint I didn’t receive the powder as well cause that was the main thing as far as variations I wanted to get.

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Lenya

I subscribe to Luxe and picked the palette over the straightener (i’d get more use out of the palette and already own a regular straightener, don’t need a mini one) – and I wound up with the setting powder. Really happy with the products I ended up getting, and satisfied with the value. I’m curious – did anyone who picked the palette not receive the setting powder?

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Carrie

I was really disappointed with this box. I didnt the palette. But I did however get the pyt straightner, Tartest strike gold, bodyography nude lip liner, the cosmetic detox mask and the pretty vulgar setting powder. I was happy with the powder and the lip liner. But I felt like they didnt put much thought into the regular boxes as they did the luxes and alot of people I seen got a couple of things from months prior…im looking forward to January’s box honestly. Hopefully it’ll be better.

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Jennie

Kind of disappointing that the second big ticket item(after VV Holy Grail palette) wasn’t included in all of the boxyluxes. I really wanted this powder, the value doesn’t compare to the wander beauty face palette. I picked the straigtener and I think that’s what screwed me out of getting the powder. Honestly, still confused how the straightener even made it into the regular box.

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Dawn

Me too. I’m just disappointed as well. I knew I should have just stuck with the regular boxy charm. But nothing I can do about that now. Anyways im Not being fooled in March. I just choose the straightener thinking it wouldn’t effect my chances of getting the powder. Looking back I agree I think it did. How many luxe boxes came with the straightener and the powder. I maybe saw 2 out of about 75. That’s y I’m disappointed…

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Noreysol

I loved this month box. I got the straightener, PV powder, glitter lip gloss, mask and lip pencil. I liked that I did not get a pallet rather the straighter which once it gets super hot you can straighten stubborn hairs and make waves. It’s also a great travel size gadget.

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Maria

This is most likely the variation I would have received (I always get #1) had I not upgraded to Luxe. I was seriously disappointed with most of the items/variations I got in the Luxe box. I definitely don’t feel it was worth nearly $30 more, at least for me personally, though I realize it was still a good value. Maybe I will feel differently if I end up loving the Elemis item. Like others, I really wanted the Pretty Vulgar powder. To me that was the “luxe” variant so BoxyLuxe subscribers should’ve received that as well. So far I am much more impressed with Ipsy Plus. And I’m pretty sick of the crazy number of and values of the variants, given that they have nothing to do with our profiles or preferences. Between that, the misleading marketing habits, the infamous September BoxyLuxe debacle (with corresponding poor customer service), I’m seriously considering unsubscribing from Boxy altogether.

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JoEllen Miller

I gotta agree! I picked the straightener (way smaller than I thought it would be) because there was already a palette and I’m not a big eyeshadow person anyway. But losing the powder hurt 😞 It also annoys me to no end that so many of the regular Boxycharm boxes have the Boxyluxe items in them. Why subscribe to the premium box if they are not “special”?!

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Marissa

Upset I upgraded to lux and didnt get the setting powder. What a waste

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Dawn

If I got this variation I would have never upgraded to the luxe. I received a straightener that was so small it would take me 5 years to straighten my hair with that thing. Maybe it’s good for a 5 year old lol but not a grown women. And I wanted the setting powder so bad and got another miniature item instead lol. So overall boxy luxe was okay. If marchs is like Dec I’m going too stick with regular boxy. I’m a little disappointed that s all

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Kathy Stegall

So…..Boxy Luxe only got 3 items from the regular Boxycharm Charm box. I thought that Luxe customers were to get the entire contents of the regular box and pay the additional 28.99 for the extras…..that’s the way it was originally described in the begining??? I can see from comments that the Luxe customers are not happy with this and nor am I. They made use choose between the PYT hair straightener and shadow pallette look as this was part of the Luxe box only which was definitly not the case. Ipsy + for $25. + $10. a mth which is only less than $15. more per quarter than Boxy…..Ipsy is looking better and better. I’m really dissapointed in Boxy and this deceptive marketing strategy may be my last with them. I’m a hip to the happenings in my 50’s ( no one ever guesses my age correctly cause I look much younger) but I’m not walking around with a zippered clutch that says GLAM AF…..that’s so tiny bopper and I’d smack my 19 yr old for carrying it as well. It’s hard to say what age group they are marketing with that clutch and Elemis anti ageing cream (not needed for someone in their 20’s) ??? I hope Boxy Charm is listening!!!!

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Lori

Ii totally agree.boxy charm has been sending me the ugliest color lipstick I wouldn’t put on a doll! I think I may cancel my subscription . Looking for a better box comparable in price.
I am tired of the eye shawdow palletes which I have enough from them to open up an eyeshadow store!
Some of the colors they send me are hidious! How is it determined who gets what color? I thought they were supposed to match your skin color to the shades they are sending???
And the mascara has been clumping after two-theee uses! Ugh Terrible.
BOXY -LISTEN TO YOUR CUSTOMERS!!!

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MzBev

No, the Luxe box is to get the 3 main spoiler items for the regular box. Then the added Luxe items. They never said it would get all the regular box items.

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Kim

Not true. They did INDEED say you would get everything in the regular box plus the luxe items. When I signed up in October, I researched it on their website and upgraded because that is what it said when I clicked on the link to the explanation about boxyluxe. 100%. They changed the description after I upgraded. That was disappointing.

SusanY

For September, they said 4 of the 5 plus 7 more. That’s still more than December’s. You’re right that it was never all of them, but the December luxe had less. (Not even counting the issues people have had with the defective charger)

Lisa Lewis

Bitterly disappointed I did not get the PV powder.

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Becka B.

This is the exact same box I received, and I love it as well! 🥰 You can easily do a rose gold eye with the palette, so pretty! I’m glad I got on the tail end of this one, I don’t regret it at all!

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Beth

This is the box I got as well and I have to say that I am super happy!!

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