Facebook PixelBoxyCharm Subscription Box Review - August 2019 | MSA
My Subscription Addiction
My Subscription Addiction
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 – August 2019

Megan K.
ByMegan K.Aug 9, 2019 | 68 comments

Boxy Charm August 2019 beauty makeup subscription box review

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 to the cost of the box. (If you are a makeup addict - we recommend this box!)

open box

This box was sent to us at no cost for review. (Check out the review process post to learn more about how we review boxes.)

all box contents

About BoxyCharm

The Subscription Box: BoxyCharm

The Cost: $21 a month. Save with longer subscriptions.

The Products: 5-6 beauty items that include nail care, skincare, makeup, haircare, fragrance and more. (At least 4 of those items will be full-sized).

Ships to: the Contiguous US for free, Hawaii, Alaska, and Canada for $5

BoxyCharm August 2019 Review

hot pink front of info card

Each box comes with a card detailing the items included.

back of card with all products info

Now, on to the items!

 

BECCA Cosmetics Hydra-Mist Set & Refresh Powder, 10 g - Retail Value $39.00

(All subscribers will receive this item in one of two shades.)

I love BECCA. They are the brand behind my favorite lipstick! This powder is really interesting because it has a cooling and sort of wet sensation when you apply it. The lighter shade is a perfect translucent shade on my fair skin, and although I always find loose powders on the messy side, this does apply beautifully. There is a mesh barrier inside which helps cut down on too much product at once and there is also a built-in barrier that keeps the powder cool/wet. I use loads of translucent powder so this is a total winner for my stash.

 

Wander Beauty Glow Ahead Illuminating Face Oil, 25 ml - Retail Value $42.00

(All subscribers will receive this item.)

First, I would never classify this as an oil formula, so if that "oil" aspect turned you off at first glance, you might like this more than you thought. It is much more of a lightweight serum that looks really pink and sparkly when you apply a few drops then quickly disappears when rubbed into your skin. It actually disappears TOO much in my opinion, and I didn't notice much of a difference in my skin. I found that it absorbed pretty well, but Marne did mention she thought it felt sticky on her skin. While it did give both of us minimal glow and some dewiness, I think we were both pretty underwhelmed.

 

Peach & Lily Glass Skin Refining Serum, 40 ml - Retail Value $39.00

(All subscribers will receive this item OR Tarte Big Ego Mascara.)

I was SO hoping I would get this item rather than the mascara, mainly because I have never, ever tried anything from this brand. This is a clear, unscented serum packed with niacinamide, hyaluronic acid, peptides, and other ingredients that are great for your skin. The main draw here for myself would be its boast of reducing pore size, something I sorely need. I have used it for two nights now and my skin does look a little more even, though this is absolutely one of those products I need to try out for a longer time period.

 

 

Ace Beaute Huckleberry & French Vanilla Glimmer Shadow Duo, 2.1 g each - Retail Value $25.00

(This is a variant item.)

The formula of these shadows reminds me very much of the Colourpop Super Shock Shadows, except these are significantly more expensive. They both share that powder/cream hybrid formula that is super pigmented and ridiculously easy to blend. Sadly, I really don't love these colors. I feel like this summer has been full of '80s-inspired eyeshadow (is this the Stranger Things effect?) and I am more than a little over it. It looks like one of the variants was a different pair that I would have liked much more, but that is the luck of the draw!

The payoff is good, I just don't like these shades.

 

Steve Laurent Lip Liner in 'Vogue', 1 g -  Retail Value $15.00

(This is a variant item.)

Finally, our last item is a lip liner in a shade I quite like. It is a dirty, natural pink and it applies very smooth once you get it going. It will complement many of my lipstick shades.

A very natural shade, indeed!

Verdict: My BoxyCharm box has an overall value of this box is around $160.00, which is outstanding for a $21 box. The downside is that I only really loved about $93 worth of the items (powder, serum, liner). This is still a really great value takeaway though, so I am really disinclined to complain too much, even if the highest value item was a dud for me personally. From my perspective, the powder and serum alone make this box worth it, and I am really excited about them. I hope that this is the beginning of the end of '80s shadows and we can move towards a more subdued fall look. Or maybe just a break from eyeshadows and some incredible lipsticks instead? I also think it is worth noting that there were no brushes this month, which was a welcome change since this box has delivered so many high-quality sets over the last few months. BoxyCharm will always be one of my faves because of the high value, even if I end up re-gifting some of the contents.

To Wrap Up:

Can you still get this box if you sign up today? Yes! These boxes do sell out though, so if you love it, hurry.

Value Breakdown: At $21.00 for this box, here is approximately what you are paying per product:

  • BECCA Powder $5.12
  • Wander Face Oil $5.51
  • Peach & Lily Serum $5.12
  • Ace Beaute Shadow Duo $3.28
  • Steve Laurant Liner $1.97

Alternatively, the average cost of each of the 5 items is $4.20.

Check out all of our BoxyCharm reviews and some of our favorite beauty subscription boxes!

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

What do you think of the August 2019 BoxyCharm Box? Which variants are you getting?

Starting at $30.00
Subscribe Now

BoxyCharm ($30 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.

Megan K.
Megan K.
I love natural/vegan beauty products, Korean skincare, unique jewelry, and weird candies from far away places. When I am not waiting for my next exciting box you can find me painting or taking photographs of interesting people. I never leave home without pug hair somewhere on my shirt and a bold lipstick on my smile.

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.

68 comments

Jessica Harrison

Yup pr boxes got the serum. That or new subs

Reply ButtonReply

Dianne

I used the Becca powder and it looked cakey and made my wrinkles more pronounced. I also looked old. I used a brush. Am I doing something wrong or does it not work for dry mature skin. I used It cosmetics cc foundation. I used the eyeshadows same shades they look more sheer but cute. The Wanda primer didn’t do anything for me. I got a $7 eyeliner by Hollywood & Vine it was a Khol liner. The Tart mascara was good.

Reply ButtonReply

Gina

I have subscribed to Boxy for 1.5 years & this is just about the last straw for me. I’m so sick of Tarte everything & this mascera instead of a serum – there is no comparison. Also for sure only a certain few got the serum because there’s a mile long list of ISO for it in the trade groups. The variations weren’t bad at first, then tolerable & now they are completely offensive. One more chance to follow my preferences & choices – then I’m out. Completely bored to tears with this box and their bait & switch tactics.

Reply ButtonReply

4eyedgoddess

Everyone is on here talking about a half-full Becca powder but did anyone else receive a Wander Glow Oil with the seal already broken on it??? Last month I received an obviously swatched Butter palette that I wrote into them about and they literally told me it was no way them but they can’t control what happens to the box once it leaves the facility and enters the delivery system. They seriously had the audacity to insinuate a postal worker opened up my box and swatched my palette. I was told they would send me a replacement one with my AUG box and it was not sent. Oh, but they sent an opened product for the second month in a row !! Ladies, there is obviously some QC and QA issues going on in fulfillment and I suggest you all start inspecting your products thoroughly upon unboxing. After my Sept boxyluxe I’m canceling BC and will happily spend my money elsewhere! The Skin Fix boxes have been tempting lately!

Reply ButtonReply

Rochelle

The wander glow oil in my box isn’t sealed in any way either. Can you tell me where it should be sealed? Thanks!

Reply ButtonReply

Michelle

To everyone complaining about the Becca being half full that’s how it comes. I got it from Sephora when it first came out and it was like this.
On a side note I was allowed to pick my product between the mascara or serum. I picked the serum and they sent me the mascara. Beat.

Reply ButtonReply

Liz

This was really disappointing. What is the point of Boxycharm even having a beauty profile quiz if they just send whatever they want. I said that I don’t use mascara or eyeliner and only use neutral/nude eye shadows. I specified that my beauty concerns were pores, texture and fine lines. So the perfect items would have been the glass skin serum, maybe the lip liner and the peach/bronze version of the colourpop-dupe eye shadows. What I got was the mascara I can’t use, NEON purple and silver eyeshadows and a Dollar Store kohl BLACK eyeliner that’s just a hot smudgy mess. The skin oil is just meh. Luckily the Becca powder I got was the lighter version and is worth the cost of the entire box, but I’m really sad I didn’t get to try any other new products since that’s the whole reason I subscribe.

Reply ButtonReply

Cindi Shafer

I am just so excited that I didn’t receive ANY eye shadows or eye shadow palettes!!!!!!

Reply ButtonReply

Dot

I didn’t get the serum either just that tarte mascara and those ugly eyeshadows :/

Reply ButtonReply

Steph H.

I received my box today. I got the Becca powder, tarte mascara, Lashaholics eyelashes, Wander oil and pink glitter Barbie mask. Not excited about the Barbie mask because of the glitter eventhough I love peel off masks, and don’t use face oil. Everything else will be used. I’m loving the powder so it’s the redeeming item for this box. I received variation 9♡. My box weighs 0.8 lbs if that helps anyone.

Reply ButtonReply

amarante

I think the issues are multiple.

There is such a HUGE disparity between the Tarte Mascara and the Serum. One is an interesting serum which is worth more and the other is a black mascara. How in the world do they even compare in terms of either/or. It’s hard to imagine anyone whether they are a new subscriber or veteran subscriber really panting to try a new black mascara.

Also the serum is a brand that is one that hasn’t appeared in other subscriptions as I can recall versus Tarte which appears multiple times each month. And again, not even a coveted Tarte item. I would imagine people would be less ticked if it were Shape Tape versus serum.

And there seems to be a whackadoodle or intentional percentage of serum versus mascara. I have no idea whether intentionally influencers and review sites received the serum but it certainly appears that way based on boxes received by we “little people”.

And mascara seems to be a particularly egregious alternative. Perhaps repeating myself but is there anyone who actually lusts after black mascara by any brand – well maybe if it were Chanel mascara or Marc Jacobs :-).

I’ll hang on to boxy a bit longer because generally the box isn’t so patently a bait and switch in terms of spoilers. However, just from a PR point of view, this is not a great move. If they wanted to make this kind of wildly disparate alternative, far better not to actually release them as alternatives but just quietly screw over the people who received mascara rather than announcing so publicly.

Reply ButtonReply

Raimbow

Actually, I was thrilled to get the mascara. I have practically non-existent stick straight lashes and have been searching for ages for a perfect black mascara. This one layers well with one i got last month in GBP.
Please don’t attempt to speak for all charmers.

Reply ButtonReply

Missy

Agreed I love and cover my mascara probably one of my holy grail products so needless to say I’d prefer the mascara especially since it’s tarte I love their mascaras

Hillary

Agree if it going to put a serum and dnt have enough than put another serum from a different t brand

Reply ButtonReply

Flora

I agree. If a Tarte mascara was in place of another mascara or eyeliner type product it would not have been so disappointing. I’m going to stick around for the September luxe but after that, I’ll stay with boxes that have do not have variations. I’ve already dropped my Ipsy GBP and my August regular box will be my last. FFF is on the chopping block too after fall. I’m really enjoying the skincare boxes that don’t have variations (Boxwalla, Beauty Heroes, etc) and am giving Box of Style and Oui Please a chance over FFF.

Reply ButtonReply

Yolanda

Is the Becca powder supposed to be half full????

Reply ButtonReply

Jenni

Yolanda mine was half empty half full as well… Wtg being cheap as hell Becca!!!!! 😫

Reply ButtonReply

Elizabeth

It’s based on weight..not volume. I bought one at ulta and it looks half full. Hopefully, that helps!

Reply ButtonReply

Chrystal

I received the same box, but my Becca powder is golden. So happy I got the serum, overall I’m happy with the variation I received!

Reply ButtonReply

Michele

I resubbed to get the eye shadow palette and brushes. I was going to get them on Ebay for about $12. But figured I spend a few more and possible get a great box. I was really interested in the Becca powder and the glass skin serum. I didn’t get the serum :(. I got some cheap dollar store forever long black eyeliner and the 2 clown looking eyeshadows that were in this review. Cancelled immediately. The glow oil is pointless. Once you rub it in it completely disappears. But I do like the eyeshadow palette, brushes and the Becca powder. So not a complete loss. Definitely disappointed and have no desire to continue wit them.

Reply ButtonReply

Ashley

So long Boxy! I got another crappy variation this month! I got the lashes, the Barbie Mask, the Wander Beauty oil, the Tarte Mascara, and the Becca Powder. The Becca Powder was only half full. I realize the value is there, but I consistently get the lower value boxes every month! Just not worth it for me anymore.

Reply ButtonReply

ElleLlane't

I dropped my Boxy script several months back and that was one of the main reasons. It seemed to me that I always ended up with the lower quality boxes, as if I was not a genuine member of tne Boxy family! This happened month after month. I rarely got the cool items, only to get tne runner ups. I wonder what their alga rhythm is to determine who gets what and why they do not appear to rotate. I would surmise Boxy is losing a good bit of scripts for,that reason alone. Another top reason why I bailed was my tiredness of getting the same off brand makeup month after month, after month. I have literal boxes of this stuff that I will never use! I have no desire to have a monthly subscription where I receive items below drug store quality. Maybe I am being too harsh or critical.

Reply ButtonReply

Tamara

I got the serum but only because I contacted cs about a missing product last month. I’m excited to try it out. I just got it today.

Reply ButtonReply

Jenni

Did anyone else get a HALF EMPTY BECCA SETTING POWDER?

NO SERUM HERE either

Reply ButtonReply

LISA A SMITH

I actually loved the box this month, Only thing I gave away was the mascara (not a fan of Tarte mascara.)
I got the Latte and Cotton Candy shadows and actually have the Latte shade on today. Love it, it’s sparkly but not over the top and wonder of wonders it doesn’t make my fine lines look worse. I’ve had it on since 6:30 this morning (It’s 2:30 right now) and it hasn’t creased yet. The Cotton Candy shade is more like Nars Orgasm blush dupe. It looks really orange in the tub, but applies much more pink. I’ve never tried the Color Pop Super Shock shadows and I know they are only 6.00 per shadow. But you get two shadows, that work out to 12.50 per shadow and Ace Beaute is more upmarket than Color Pop.
I am glad I didn’t receive the serum. I’m about played out on K beauty and I REALLY don’t need yet another serum or moisturizer.

Reply ButtonReply

Gabrielle De Bellefeuille

This is the exact variation I’m praying I get.

Reply ButtonReply

Lori

Questions about the Becca powder: does it have a matte finish at all, is it more dewy or in between? Is it shimmery at all? TIA!

Reply ButtonReply

Megan K.

Hey Lori! The product is described as a “light-reflecting powder” on the sephora site but I didn’t really notice any shimmer personally. Hope this helps!

Reply ButtonReply

Lori

Thanks, Megan, it does!

Marion

Aw, Megan, you got the exact variant I wanted! I got pretty close, though. I just got the mascara instead of the serum, so I’m happy with my box.

Reply ButtonReply

Jenni

My Becca was HALF EMPTY!!! full size jar HALF EMPTY. GEEZ…. I LOVED IT, it’s addicting putting on bc it feels amazing… The eye shadow tubs are a joke, masks eh, wander face oil, we’ll see and the mascara did ok today but I betcha it’s falling in 4 days bc it was pretty dry. I add contact lenses solution to mascara to make them work and last longer

Reply ButtonReply

Jay

Damn i wanted the serum. My profile says no more or less of mascara. And i get the mascara 🙄. Urrrrrrhgggg

Reply ButtonReply

GMForever

Same here, my profile says I love serums and don’t love mascaras and I got the mascara! 🙁
Also, I got a Haruharu sheet mask instead of the lashes (that I wanted) or lip liner and mask is not part of my favorites on my profile. Nobody seems to have received that mask besides me. I wish I have gotten the serum.

Reply ButtonReply

h

I got the two masks, also, plus the absolutely ridiculous variation of that black mascara, the above, “Hey, I am a clown,” eye shadows, face oil (in the summer), and the Becca sweaty clown with the eye shadows, I mean, dewy clown. Thanks for a waste of good money. I will use nothing from this box. I’m ready to take a break after years. The serum sent as an equivalent variant is insulting after subscribing for years.

LisaFalana

I got the serum too. Actually, I got the exact same box, but with the golden powder.

Reply ButtonReply

Ashley

Wow! You got lucky!

Reply ButtonReply

inkchick

I wanted the serum. I have enough mascara to last me for the rest of my life. *sigh*

Reply ButtonReply

Punkykiki

I can join all the other voices and say you are the only person I’ve seen to get the serum. I got the box with the Tarte mascara, the Wander oil, the eye shadows (anyone ever see burnt orange cotton candy?), the powder in my shade and the lip liner in BROWN. I am usually not one to complain but Boxy and Beauty Fix have released my inner whiny child this month. Yes, I wanted the serum, although the mascara may be fabulous. The eye shadows are the goldish/orangey ones….the burnt orange one is honestly named cotton candy(?). I am beyond pale and brown lips are just not for me so the liner is a bust. Yes, I could use some makeup magic and make it work, but with the incredible amount of products I have, why would I want to? Wander face oil. Hmmmm. I can’t wait to try the Becca….I hope it’s the saving grace of August. But is it just me or is the Becca packaging kind of a cheaper, lighter plastic than they normally use? It just doesn’t feel substantial as Becca usually does. Not that it matters. But Boxy is one step closer to the chopping block. Oh, Boxy….I knew you when…..

Reply ButtonReply

Dot

I totally agree ! I mean it’s just unfair reviewers get serum and the others just get mascaras :/ plus your right those eyeshadow colors are awful !!!

Reply ButtonReply

Emmy Lou

I feel your pain. That’s one area that Boxy needs to improve, and that’s tailoring items to customer preferences like Ipsy. I got the same box as you, and I love Megan’s pink shadow. I have a real dislike for peach/coral/orange colors and have expressed that to Boxy on numerous occasions over the years I’ve been a subscriber. However, give Cotton Candy a chance. The texture is really cool, and the color is not as burnt orange as it looks once you apply it.

Reply ButtonReply

Chelsey Wilson

I got the serum 🙂 Basically same exact box but darker powder.

Reply ButtonReply

LisaFalana

me too! I got the serum and the gold powder.

Reply ButtonReply