BoxyCharm Subscription Box Review – February 2019

ByLiz CadmanApr 22, 2019 | 74 comments

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 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!

Trestique Prime + Color Lip Glaze in English Rose - Retail Value $25

All subscribers will receive a Trestique, Nudestix, Grande Cosmetics, or Smashbox lip product.

This lip product includes a lip glaze and a lip primer hidden in the base!

The lip glaze is kind of like a lipstick/lip balm hybrid. The color is well-pigmented and goes on sheer. It provides a good amount of shine, too. I didn't find it to be long lasting, but it wears down well, and you still get a bit of a stain.

Hidden in the base is the primer. I don't typically use lip primers, and I didn't notice much of a difference when I tried the lip glaze with and without it, but it did make my lips feel smoother.

(Swatched in lower photo).

Pretty Vulgar Shimmering Swan Highlighter in Sparkling Sass - Retail Value $32

All subscribers will receive a Pretty Vulgar Highlighter or Bronzer.

This is a shimmery gold highlighter with peach undertones. The pigment is buildable, so you can dust it on for a subtle look. Here it is swatched beneath the lipstick:

(A very heavy-handed swatch of the highlighter!)

Too Faced Better Than Sex Mascara - Retail Value $24

All subscribers will receive this item.

This mascara formula is a B+/A- for me. I could apply multiple coats without clumping to get impressive length. The volume wasn't as dramatic as my all-time favorite, tarte's lights camera lashes, but still pretty good!

Farmacy Clean Bee Ultra Gentle Facial Cleanser - Retail Value $22

All subscribers will receive this or Sol de Janeiro Coco Cabana Cream, or Tula Metallic Masks.

This is one of my favorite discoveries in the box. I love the Farmacy brand (it's ingredient conscious, and the formulas I've sampled have been great). And this cleanser lives up to the gentle name. It smells lovely, produces a light lather, and cleaned my skin without leaving it dry. Love it!

TOUCH IN SOL No Poreblem Primer - Retail Value $18

All subscribers will receive this item.

This was my other favorite discovery of the box! It's a hydrating primer that made my skin feel SO smooth and created a perfect base for foundation.

Verdict: The total retail value of this box is $211! As usual, I think that's amazing for a $21 box! This is probably one of my favorite Boxycharm boxes in a while - all good products and some are real standouts for me.

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 February 2019 Boxycharm Box? Which variants are you getting?

Starting at $32.00

Subscribe Now

BoxyCharm

4.3 overall rating

1949 Ratings | 195 Reviews

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.

Spoilers

Deals

Reviews

Read customer reviews >

Posted in Beauty Subscription Boxes, Makeup Subscription Boxes, Subscription Box Reviews, Subscription Boxes for Women

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!

Read More By Liz Cadman >

Join the Conversation

Please do not enter your email address in the Name field or in the comment content. Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *. Remember to post with kindness and respect. Comments with offensive language, cruelness to others, etc will not be approved. See our full comment policy here.

Notify me of follow-up comments by email

74 comments

Nikki

I got the FARMACY clean bee cleanser. That wasn’t my first pick. That ended up being the best thing for me. I never thought a cleanser could make such a difference. I’m 7 months pregnancy my skin started going crazy. I used this and it all subsided. I’m so happy with it. I definitely will buy a full size when my sample is done.

April

My February (’19) box arrived with the Pretty Vulgar make up decimated. I emailed them with a picture just like all the other boxes and received an email saying I had to send a picture with the product next to the box for the account number or whatever! I had already threw the box away! Wow! What a way to save on replacing products! I emailed them back on the email that is linked to my account obviously and told them I ALREADY sent them a picture and I have yet to receive a response. My response to them is to cancel my account. I will not renew if they are too cheap to replace makeup that was damaged. I would love to order another ipsy plus subscription instead!!

Marie

I think you mean $121 retail value. 🙂

Nikkk

I was disappointed at first that I got that clean bee cleanser. But once I tried it. My skin cleared up. It looks healthy. I didn’t realize what a good cleanser could do for your skin. Didn’t dry it out. Just looked healthy. I will defiantly have to buy when this sample runs out.

Natalie

I receive my box and the highlighter was smashed, I tried to contact them and they just told me that they will try to get me a new one but haven’t heard anything else, that was two weeks ago. I have tried reaching out and they won’t respond back to me. Does anyone have any advice?

I’ve only seen 2 spoilers for March ‘19 regular box. Considering Luxe but would like to know what’s I would get if I didn’t. Any more hints ?

Danielle

To anyone that’s ever had a product damaged and reached out to customer service, please read and help me out:

My bronzer arrived destroyed and had leaked all over everything in and on my box and spilled onto my clothes and carpet. I took pics of the inside of the box with all the products still in it and then removed and cleaned the other products. Then I took out the bronzer and took pics of it quickly then put it back in the filthy box and threw it away. I wasn’t going to keep a box that was getting bronzer everywhere. So I sent the pics but was told they wouldn’t do anything without a pic of the label.

Why do they need a pic of the shipping label??? To prove the bronzer came from their box? To prove my identity ? They know what they sent me. They know when it arrived and when I contacted them (right after I opened it—same day as delivery) so why the distrust? Do they think I went out and bought another of the same bronzer (which I have no use for anyway as it’s too dark), destroyed it and tried to scam them out of another one? I’ve been a loyal customer for many years and this hasn’t ever happened so why not just replace it? I even offered to take whatever number of points they’d give me instead of mailing another bronzer.

I said all of this in my email responding to their instructions saying I also needed the label pic. That was 4 days ago and now they’re just not replying. I know from past experiences they typically respond fairly quickly just as they did this time after my initial email.

Any advice or thoughts on what I’m not understanding? Thanks!

April

I had the exact same thing happen to me…i canceled. I’m D.O.N.E.

Julie Sansoni

I love my February box, I agree it is the best in awhile. It is always worth the 21$ though, ALWAYS. The girls where I work were asking about it again, as they do every month, just sign up already 🙂
Thanks for a monthly happy moment. It is a gift to me every month, as a surprise and fun!
Love my Boxy!

Mel

Unrelated to the box (which I loved this month… got this variation), what’s up with the charm room? Once upon a time, you could use charms to pay for part of a product and offset the rest with cash, but now you can only buy from the brand. In the Charms Only section there is just the same tired crap. Last month, the eyeliner they sent was spoiled. Instead of sending a new one, they gave me charms. No, I don’t want a bright purple lipstick or a hot pink lipstick necklace. *sigh* Hope it is replenished sometime soon.

Melissa

This months box was probably the worse I’ve received so far. For 21$ I never complain. I’m more upset that we recieved the full size Sol De Janeiro cream in coco cabana which makes you smell like popcorn and yet only the deluxe size of the bum bum cream months back.

Jane

I got the Farmacy cleanser and I was actually hoping for the sheet masks. Glad I didn’t get the cream. I might be the only person on Earth who doesn’t like Bum Bum cream or any of their other products. I have smelled it before and I don’t want to smell like sweet popcorn which is what it smells like to me. I was just happy to not get another brown lipstick lol

I must be one of the few that was pretty thrilled with my box! Not sure what variation “number” this is, but I got:

– Shimmering Swan Highlighter in Glow Up
– Farmacy cleanser (I have been DYING for Farmacy products from Boxy and haven’t gotten any until now. I’m in love)
– Trestique Lip Glaze in English Rose (Love the brand – I actually got a sample of this in Ipsy a few months ago, so I know this will definitely get used a LOT)
– Too Faced BTS (Eh. Not my favorite formula, but not my least fave. It’s kind of in the middle for me these days – I prefer MILK’s Kush and Hourglass’ Caution .. but I’ll definitely get use from this.)
– Touch in Sol No Poreblem Primer (Always been curious about this brand/primer, so I’m excited to try it).

Susan

I always get #1 and it was no different this month but I received the exact same version as pictured above….. All of my boxes have a 1 after them, never fails.
The reviews stating this was version 3, where did you see that?? Maybe I’m looking at it wrong.
Also, I have been on he fence about canceling due to always getting the “filler” box (JUST MY OPINION) but for the first time in awhile I got items I could actually use and in colors I like. I’ll be sticking around a bit longer now. JUST PLEASE NO MORE FALSE EYELASHES…

Maria

The box shown above is definitely not #1. I’ve gotten #1 for over three years except ONE month. So between that and actually seeing the #1 on the inset of this month’s box, I think it’s safe to say you got a different number. I’m glad to hear that though since it means there are exceptions occasionally. I always feel like #1 is the worst one (at least for me personally) and I ‘m destined to never get a different one. I even tried ordering a second box three times but every single one of them was #1. However this month I felt like it was one of the better boxes, especially because I didn’t have to be disappointed with a lip product. 😄

Annie

If you look at the bottom right color of the info card, you will see a number next to a heart. That number tells you what variation you received.

Heidi Holzinger

I got variation 1, which is the one I was hoping for with the sol Janeiro coco cabana so I’m very happy 🙂

Christina

I got this exact box and it was the reason I subscribed (mainly the cleanser, plus the mascara and primer, but I knew I would use the lippie and highlighter too). I am ecstatic about all the products!

Dena

I got the box with the Nudestix and lotion which is what I wanted! I have wanted a Nudestix pencil forever! The mascara is one of my favorites! I used the primer and bronzer today and I liked both. Only thing I don’t like is the lotion. Smells like buttered popcorn, which is not a smell I want on my body. I signed up to be able to swap on here but I haven’t been accepted yet. I didn’t use the lotion so I’m hoping to swap it.

Beth

I got this variation as well. Pretty happy with everything.

I rarely use highlighter for its intended use. I use it as eyeshadow mostly, or dab it on top of a lip color that’s not quite right for me, like the one in this box. I found that the two of these products make a nice rose gold lip that I love!

Amy lynn

I’m sorry. I’m really peeved at Boxycharm. I’m tired of always getting the worst variation. It’s always “if you get this color, you’ll get this variation” crap. You can say a lot about ipsy’s 10$ a month sub. But at least they aren’t “if you get this item, your sure to get this exact bag” kind of thing.

And it all started with the flat iron in Boxy Luxe imo. After being told it didn’t effect the products you got. I saw maybe 2 people that had the iron and the PV powder. I would have chosen the palette to get the powder.

Then last month with those Tarte palettes. I got 3 boxes in hopes I would get a different palette. Nope. Same 3 palettes (i knee there was a chance i would get the same. But everyone seemed to get the volume III!)

Now this.. The bronzer with the lotion. I would have preferred the bronzer over the highlight to get the lotion. Its seeming like they want people to buy multiple boxes in hopes they get that specific variation.

Maybe I have just outgrown Boxycharm. Ipsy Plus keeps hitting it out of the park.

Maria

I agree with everything you said. Although I don’t think you and I get the same variation as I ALWAYS (for nearly 4 years) get box #1. I’ve tried ordering a second box several times but I still get #1 in both. Someone on here (not this exact post) said that it depends where your box gets mailed from. Not sure that’s true but several of us that get #1 all get our boxes from Georgia. But for all I know they might all get mailed from there. It would explain why no matter what you’ll always get the same box variation though.

As for the flat iron, I think that has to be correct. I don’t always get #1 as far as my Luxe boxes. I didn’t realize that picking the flat iron meant I lost my chance of getting the one product (other than the Elemis) that I REALLY wanted, the PV setting powder. I didn’t even need it as I don’t use any heat stylers myself. But I have 2 whole drawers full of eyeshadow palettes and I thought maybe I could gift the flat iron to someone.

As far as the Tarte palette I was SO disappointed. Out of all four possibilities, I only already owned just one of them. Of course it was III, and I got that same one, which I don’t even use.

This month I confirmed I was getting my usual variation but I actually thought my variation was one of the two best possibilities this time. I’d have preferred the one with Farmacy, but I was glad to get the eye pencil over another useless lip product. But then I opened it last night and that too dark, super fine bronzer was everywhere. Not just all over the inside of the box and on the contents. It got all over my clothes and carpet the second I opened pulled the foam back. My understanding is that this happened to several people. Well no wonder. For one it should’ve been better packaged/insulated. Instead they just threw that one piece of foam in like always not caring that while PV products are not by any means cheap to buy, the packaging, although cute, is ultra cheap fragile stiff plastic and doesn’t close well at all. My compact was still closed and unbroken but tons of powder leaked right out of it anyway (the pan of product itself was completely shattered). Secondly, I’m almost sure those PV products should’ve come individually boxed which would’ve at least slightly improved the chance of not breaking since it would’ve been cardboard banging around instead of hard plastic. That part brings me to my greatest concern with this subscription at this point. We’re now almost never receiving our products in the boxes they are usually sold in even though almost every high end beauty product comes in it’s own outer packaging. Most of the mascaras we’ve received certainly should’ve. Probably at least a third of the items we get should have them but don’t. I’m wondering exactly why that is. Just overstock? Or is it expired or “bad” in some other way? Could it have already been used or at least tested? I received an eye palette last year that definitely looked as if it had been lightly swatched. This scares me, especially with mascaras. I NEVER share those with anyone, not even family, because it’s too easy to get an infection.

All these things have led me to seriously consider finally breaking up with Boxy. I already dumped Luxe because it’s just not worth it. As far as the $21 box, yeah I guess the value is always there, but not if half the products come from shady wholesale sources. For me, quantity does not beat quality.

Boxy hasn’t always been like this. In the past there were not nearly as many disproportionate variations and if I recall correctly, not so many unboxed or suspicious items. And these days they have too many competitors to let their boxes continue getting worse instead of better. Like you, I am SO happy with Ipsy Plus. They are everything Boxy should be by now. Better quality and newer brands and products, all truly full size, all in brand new, same-as-store packaging, and best of all they’re at least somewhat personalized! Plus if you don’t get the variation you wanted you can usually buy it with a deep discount as an add-on.

So far I’ve yet to see a spoiler for March that even slightly interests me so I will likely cancel in the next week or so. It’s disappointing but I probably shouldn’t be spending money on two similar boxes when one suits my needs so much better.

I swear that half the negative comments on BoxyCharm are paid for by Ipsy. It always starts outs as a complaint and then turns into an advertisement for Ipsy Plus. If you don’t like the box, just unsubscribe…

April

I’m not from ipsy and I’m complaing about boxy and I unsubscribed. Glad everything is going good for you! 😊

Maria

That’s because people are sharing what they’ve found as a better alternative. As in these are the problems I had/have with this sub , and here is an alternative I found that doesn’t have these issues. In fact, it actually has some great advantages that Boxy doesn’t.
Trust me, I definitely do not work for Ipsy nor do any of my friends or family and I have little to no social media presence so I’m not getting anything free from them. I know many people share my feelings about Boxy and like me have tried holding on to it hoping for improvements but getting the opposite. It’s actually hard for me to unsubscribe after 4 years of getting excited about my new makeup every month. I’m disabled and unable to do most activities, so makeup is one of my greatest joys in life. I know there may be others out there in similar situations and some of us have to be careful not to spend too much on beauty (and other) subs. I was skeptical about Ipsy Plus at first and it’s not perfect yet but they’ve made me very happy. As a bonus they tend to include more skincare which I need as I’m getting older. So yes, I have mentioned these things and others more than once on here because I’m excited and very pleased with IP and I hope other people can find the same joy instead of being unhappy/frustrated with Boxy month after month. Yes, as you said folks should just unsubscribe but sometimes it’s hard whether we’re not good with change (especially if you’re a Boxy oldtimer like me) or you’re afraid you won’t find a good replacement for one of your favorite things.

And truly it’s just my personality to share things that impress and excite me. Whether that’s a sub box or a new kind of revolutionary toilet paper I tell everyone about. 😄

Elizabeth40

Missing the lip product in my box. This is my second box this far. Hope this it not a common occurrence. Also I did the quiz and was sent the dark highlight but I have fair skin. Do they just send stuff randomly? Loved my January Box but not real crazy about this one :/ but exited to try and review the boxes.

Megs

If you email boxy’s Customer service they will replace the missing product for you. You just need to take a picture of the outside of the box with the shipping label visible and a picture of the inside of the box with what you received. I’ve had this happen a couple times the last 3 years I’ve been subbed and they always either replace the item or give me charms to shop with in the charm shop. Also, like the other person who replied said, the quiz you took won’t apply until March and the item it in that box will be either a light/med or med/dark cheek palette from coverfx.

Danielle

Do you happen to know why they need a pic of the shipping label? My bronzer arrived destroyed and had leaked all over everything in and on my box and spilled onto my clothes and carpet. I took pics of the inside of the box with all the products still in it and then removed and cleaned the other products. Then I took out the bronzer and took pics of it quickly then put it back in the filthy box and threw it away. I wasn’t going to keep a box that was getting bronzer everywhere. So I sent the pics but was told they wouldn’t do anything without a pic of the label. Why? They know what they sent me. They know when it arrived and when I contacted them (right after I opened it—same day as delivery) so why the distrust? Do they think I went out and bought another of the same bronzer (which I have no use for anyway as it’s too dark), destroyed it and tried to scam them out of another one? I’ve been a loyal customer for many years and this hasn’t ever happened so why not just replace it? I even offered to take whatever number of points they’d give me instead of mailing another one.

I said all of this in my email responding to their instructions saying I also needed the label pic. That was 3 days ago and now they’re just not replying. Any advice or thoughts on what I’m not understanding?

MzBev

They have never used the profiles. Supposedly, they are going to start in March. I’m not convinced how well they’ll do with them yet – or IF it will actually happen. They have given a time frame before and we are well past that.

Madi

This is the same box I got! I really like that this month was full of every day items. As much as I like getting lashes and fun color eyeshadow, I don’t use them often. I need things like mascara and primer daily.

Courtney

This was my box too! Happy with everything but I wanted a different lip product/ or at least a different color.

Bella01

Worse box ever. Lol. I’m so done with Boxycharm. 200$ worth is a little exaggeration.

This doesn’t add up to $211, it adds up to $121. I hope it is revised.

R.Kelly

This is my second box from boxycharm. I was upset to see the lip item was missing from my box and yet to hear from customer services. I used the primer yesterday and it did not work well for my pores sadly. The mascara was good and the highlighter is something I will jot use as I have not a clue how to use it haha and the shade is a bit darker than my skin tone. I did also use the cleanser. Compared to my normal cleansers it just felt like hand soap on my face. Not real impressed since I am missing an item but I will see what happens with customer service and the next box. Have been seeing this on youtube thought I would try it out. I loved January box so much but this one was just eh for me. Glad others got use out of the items 🙂

Mel

Does anyone know if boxy charm updates their charm room? I’m new to them and my first box had a smashed item so they gave me points because they couldn’t replace it. So I want to get something suitable to me but I haven’t seen it updated in 2 months.

Joy

Yes! When you sign up for email alerts you get a notice that the charm room is updated. Now the race is on! Everyone knows so run and redeem your charms before eveyone else does. Ive got some amazing things with my charms but i wait till i see something i actually want. Welcome to the fam Boxy Babe!

Crystal

When they do, it’s usually on Friday afternoons. I believe it’s at approximately 3pm EST. You have to be there waiting when it updates though because a lot of other people will be waiting as well so things disappear very quickly. Checkout quickly if you manage to add it to your cart. Good luck.

Sara

My Pretty Vulgar was broken – should get a new one in my next box.
Love the Farmacy – love it!! My face gets so oily at night, and this cleanser is amazing!!
Didn’t think the color of the lipstick would work for me, but if it is a sheer type color, I will give it a try.

Our reviewers research, test, and recommend the best subscriptions and products independently; click to learn more about our editorial guidelines. We may receive commissions on purchases made through links on our site.

BoxyCharm Subscription Box Review – February 2019

Advertise With MSA

Information

Company