Want to try out new beauty products and discover new makeup brands without having to pay the full retail price? Sounds like a makeup subscription box is exactly what you need! If you're trying to figure out which monthly subscription box is best for you, then you've come to the right place.
Below you’ll find our readers' top choices along with our insights for the best makeup subscription boxes and best beauty subscription boxes in 2023. Whether you're looking for strictly makeup boxes or a subscription service that offers a mix of makeup and skin care products, we guarantee you'll find the right box for your beauty routine needs.
Top Subscription Boxes Featured In This List:
BoxyCharmBest Overall
Starting at $28.00Get Boxycharm
IpsyBest for a Tight Budget
Starting at $13.00Get Ipsy Glam Bag
Allure Beauty BoxBest Selection
Starting at $25.00Get Allure Beauty Box
IPSY Icon BoxBest for Trendy Makeup Products
Starting at $58.00Get Icon Box
BirchboxBest for Discovering New Products
Starting at $15.00Get Birchbox
The 15 Best Makeup Subscription Boxes in 2023
1. BoxyCharm (formerly IPSY Glam Bag Plus)
Best Makeup Subscription Box Overall
Image from our review.
Editor's Note: In February 2023, IPSY and Boxycharm merged subscriptions (see our story here). Glam Bag Plus is now called BoxyCharm, and the drawstring bag has been removed to allow for better box choices.
BoxyCharm delivers 5 full-size beauty products each month from a variety of both indie and established brands, with a total retail value of up to $200 in every box. The beauty items featured vary from month to month, and will include beauty tools as well as skincare and haircare items—but BoxyCharm definitely leans more makeup-heavy than other popular beauty boxes.
This beauty box offers an even greater variety of palettes, lipsticks, brushes, and skincare selections, and it arrives in a stylish drawstring bag. Members get to handpick 3 items each month and also have the option to add up to eight additional exclusive products per shipment.
Pros
- Expect high-end brands like tarte, Fenty, Murad, and Viseart
- Being able to customize three of the five items increases the likelihood you'll love your box
- Reviewing the products sent in each month's bag will give you points you can spend on new products
Cons
- Can't choose all products
- Not exclusively makeup products
Shipping: is free to the US.
2. Glam Bag
Best for a Tight Budget
Image via our review.
Glam Bag delivers five deluxe samples of high-end and drugstore products each month for only $13. You’ll receive a combo of makeup and skincare selections along with bonus beauty tools based on your requests.
Start by filling out the IPSY beauty quiz, which collects basic information about your skin tone, beauty preferences, hair color, eye color, and current favorite brands. It’s a stress-free way to explore. When you finally get your bag, you can review your items, and that gives you better matches for the future.
What’s more, you get a cute little bag to hold your samples. The bag changes from month to month and their in-house design team choose a new look for every bag.
Pros
- One of the most affordable makeup subscription boxes out there
- Giving reviews each month allows the IPSY algorithm to better match you with products in future months
- Each month's box comes with a cute makeup bag
Cons
- Can only choose 1 item per month
- Not exclusively makeup products
Shipping: is free to the US and $2.95 to Canada.
3. Allure Beauty Box
Best for Trying Out a Great Selection
Image from our review.
The Allure Beauty Box is a monthly beauty subscription offering a selection of deluxe samples and full-size products from well-known brands. Each box comes with at least six Allure-approved makeup and skincare products (three samples and three full-sized), valued at over $100.
The Allure Beauty Box is curated by beauty magazine Allure’s editors, so it’s a great way to try the latest and greatest cosmetics, face masks, and skincare products at a great price. Most products have won Allure reader or editor awards, and with every box, you get a newsletter outlining what each product does, why editors love it, and how you can get the best results.
You’ll even get access to exclusive limited-edition boxes, members-only prices, and virtual events, and product promo codes — this makeup box subscription has an incredible list of add-on perks, so if you’re serious about beauty, you’ll find plenty to love.
Pros
- Super cheap for full and deluxe-sized products
- Expect a good mix of drug-store, mid-range, and even prestige beauty brands
- Previous boxes have included full-size products from Sunday Riley, Rare Beauty, Christopher Robin, and more
Cons
- No customization
- Depends on the products they sponsored in the magazine
Shipping: is free to the U.S. and Puerto Rico.
4. Icon Box (formerly IPSY Glam Bag X)
Best for Trendy Makeup Items
Image from our review.
Icon Box is a quarterly upgrade that is available for Glam Bag and BoxyCharm members. If you love celebrity-curated beauty products, then this is the makeup subscription for you.
Each quarter Icon Box has a surprise celebrity curator that chooses the eight full-size items you’ll receive. Previous curators have been Halsey, Khloe Kardashian, and Huda Kattan. New products are frequently included and you're able to select three products included in your quarterly box.
Pros
- Previous boxes have included brands like Charlotte Tilbury, Patrick Ta, Fenty Beauty, and Rare Beauty- and you can expect future boxes to continue to do the same
- The cost-per-item breakdown in this box is $6.88, which is a downright steal
Cons
- Can't choose all items
- Can't choose the celebrity for curations
Shipping: is free to the US.
5. Birchbox - Yes, it's back and better than ever!
Best for Discovering New Products
Image from our review
Editor's Note: Birchbox was facing a host of challenges Fall 2022 that led to the need to suddenly and unexpectedly pause operations, and engage in sale of the business through a formal restructuring process. As of May 2023, Birchbox has found new ownership in Retention Brands and has relaunched! They will be shipping out all owed boxes over the next several weeks and will soon allow you to customize your monthly box.
Each Birchbox delivery is packed with an amazing variety of samples, and that’s why this beauty box has been a reader favorite for years. The box mixes drugstore beauty, new beauty, and known beauty products so that you can always try something new and find new staples. Birchbox has found and boosted a number of new beauty brands that have since become popular, like Beauty Protector.
The makeup subscription is somewhat customizable, so you only receive products you’re interested in. Simply set your personal preferences in your beauty profile, and Birchbox will send 4-6 deluxe samples right to your door.
You’ll receive a selection of hair care, makeup, body care, skincare, and fragrance products, along with tips on how to use and enjoy each item. When you find a sample you love, you can purchase the full-size product from the Birchbox store.
Pros
- In the process of becoming a customized subscription box
- One of the most affordable options on this list
- New ownership has resulted in better communication and site design
Cons
- Subscribers are still waiting to receive some of last year's boxes before new ownership took over
- Subscribers noted that prior to the acquisition they had limited or no communication with customer service
Shipping: Birchbox ships to the U.S., France, Spain, and the U.K.
6. Tribe Beauty Box
Best for Stepping Out of Your Comfort Zone
Image via our review.
If you’re addicted to YouTube makeup tutorials, then Tribe Beauty Box is an excellent choice. Each bi-monthly option provides enough products to hone your skills — and since the curation focuses on indie and female-owned makeup brands, you’ll discover incredible new items over time.
Tribe Beauty Box includes 5+ full or deluxe-size products each month value at $120+. And, you’ll know exactly what you’re getting: a face product, one beauty tool, an eye product, a lip product, and/or one skin prep product.
Pros
- Emphasis on supporting indie and women-owned brands
- Colorful eyeshadow palettes are common, and they are fun to get creative with
- Bi-monthly shipping cadence means you have plenty of time to play with the items in each box before the next one arrives
Cons
- Can't customize your box
- Made up of only indie brands, which could be hard to buy in person if you love the product
Shipping: Ships to the US & worldwide.
7. LOOKFANTASTIC Beauty Box
Best for Trying Out Different European Brands
Image via our review.
Editor's Note: LOOKFANTASTIC is no longer offering the monthly box to new subscribers but you can enjoy limited editions. However, current subscribers will continue to receive their monthly box.
LOOKFANTASTIC is a U.K. company that regularly teams up with top European brands to create boxes that celebrate a different theme each month. Members receive six handpicked items; cosmetics are regularly included, but LOOKFANTASTIC Beauty Box also sends out haircare, skincare, and body products.
We appreciate how the company posts the retail value of each selection on its site; this makeup subscription offers an incredible overall value, and they’re not afraid to show off. It’s like a spa trip to the U.K. without ever leaving home (though you’ll have to make the fish and chips yourself).
Pros
- The LOOKFANTASTIC Beauty Box is a great way to try European brands US-based subscription boxes may not include
- A good choice if you're looking for a makeup subscription that also features other categories
- Comes with an Elle magazine copy
Cons
- Can't customize your box
- No U.S.-based brands
Shipping: is free to the U.S., U.K., Canada, and Australia.
8. Kinder Beauty
Best Eco-Friendly Beauty Box
Image from our review.
Kinder Beauty Box is a cruelty-free, vegan beauty box that lives up to its name. You’ll get curated monthly boxes (in eco-friendly packaging, of course) filled with 5 products including cruelty-free makeup, skincare, haircare, and other beauty essentials valued up to $165.
None of the products contain talc, parabens, sulfates, EDTA, siloxanes, or anything else you can’t pronounce — and nothing you wouldn’t want to put on your body. The company also donates a portion of its proceeds to charities, so you can enjoy the excitement of a monthly makeup subscription while supporting some great causes.
Pros
- Compassionate curation delivers cruelty-free products at a reasonable monthly price
- Expect to receive a good mix of full-size and sample-sized products
- Always get vegan and cruelty-free products
Cons
- Only 6-month-long subscribers can choose between boxes
- More sample size products than full size makeup
Shipping: Kinder Beauty Box ships to the U.S. and most countries around the world.
9. Petit Vour
Another Great Option for Vegan Beauty Products
Image from our review.
Petit Vour’s vegan beauty box has a simple goal: to bring cruelty-free makeup to a wide audience. The curators of this subscription service will send you makeup products that you’ll actually use, and you'll receive an assortment of four beauty products with a total value of over $50. In addition to cosmetics, Petit Vour’s beauty subscription box includes occasional body, hair care, and skincare products.
The price is pretty fairly priced considering this box exclusively sends vegan and cruelty-free products— and you can get $4 in store credit every month for reviewing each box. It’s a simple way to find the best plant-based, cruelty-free products in the industry, and the rewards program allows you to order your favorites at a low rate.
Pros
- At least one item will be full-sized and usually has a significantly higher value than the cost of the box
- A good mix of brands you may already know and quality brands Petit Vour introduces you to
- Always vegan and made from clean ingredients
Cons
- Can't handpick items
- Many under-the-radar brands can be hard to purchase from in-person
Shipping: is free worldwide.
10. Nourish Beauty Box
Best for Discovering Independent Clean Beauty Brands
Image from our review.
Nourish Beauty Box is a natural beauty box, and their emphasis on sustainable, skin-loving products provides plenty of value at an affordable rate. The site also allows shoppers to build their own boxes — ideal for giving a personalized gift or treating yourself to a few of your favorites.
Nourish sends four full-size vegan products each month. One is typically an in-house selection–a reminder that you can shop their store between box deliveries if you like. All selections are cruelty-free, and you won’t find any parabens or other potentially harmful additives in the ingredient list. The goal here is to deliver clean beauty products that are absolutely free of toxins.
Pros
- Only full-size items are sent every month
- The individual products sent frequently have a higher value than the cost of the entire box
- Includes plant-based products
Cons
- Can't handpick items each month
- The customizable box is a one-time only
Shipping: is free in the US.
11. NewBeauty TestTube
Great for a Well-Curated Mix
Image from our review.
Looking for a beauty subscription that doesn’t skimp on full-size products? You’ll want to check out NewBeauty TestTube. Each bi-monthly makeup box contains an editorially curated selection of beauty products from both well-known and indie brands. Our readers most appreciate that each Tube offers them the chance to try something that they otherwise may not have sampled before.
You’ll get a NewBeauty Magazine subscription in each box, which will help you stay informed about the latest industry trends.The perks don’t stop there as members receive exclusive offers with discounts on their favorites, and if you’re not sure whether TestTube is right for you, the company offers “legacy tubes” (boxes from previous months) for individual purchases.
Overall, this is an excellent way to explore beauty products without overspending. The every-other-month delivery schedule keeps your makeup kit stocked without overwhelming you with options.
Pros
- Emphasis on trying out new products and discovering new brands
- Includes some full-size products
- 9 products per box
Cons
- Can't customize your box
- Most products are sample-size products
Shipping: $8.95 per tube.
12. Vegancuts Beauty Box
Best for Cruelty-Free Must-Haves
Image from our review.
This is another great box for filling your makeup bag with clean, cruelty-free products. Each monthly Vegancuts box contains a mix of 4-7 full and deluxe sample-size beauty selections ranging from cosmetics to skincare to hair care. All items are free from toxic ingredients and animal byproducts.
Vegancuts’ curators highlight indie brands, and each box is valued at $60-$100. With easy subscription management and stellar curation, this makeup subscription is well worth your attention. We’re also fans of the company’s Snack Box, which offers vegan-friendly foods at a great price.
Pros
- Indie beauty brands are frequently featured
- All products are vegan, and most are natural and cruelty-free, too
- Includes full and deluxe-size products
Cons
- Can't handpick items
- Hard to buy from most indie brands in-person
Shipping: is free to the US, $6,95 to Canada, and worldwide for $14.95.
13. Cocotique
Best for Women of Color
Image from our review.
Your makeup subscription should suit your body, and that’s the appeal of Cocotique’s self-care box. Each monthly shipment includes 5-8 beauty and lifestyle products for women of color. Selections include both full-size and deluxe-travel-size items. You’ll find a versatile assortment of makeup, hair care, skincare, fragrances, and nail care products, all of which are available in Cocotique’s store.
You’ll also receive a free reusable tote with each month’s box. At only $30.99 per month, it’s a bargain, and long-term subscriptions cut the cost further. Cocotique also operates a social responsibility program that highlights a different woman every month; the goal is to support women, promote self-care, and encourage people to “pay it forward.” Check out their site for more information.
Pros
- Curated specifically for women of color and their skin tones
- Each month comes with a bonus reusable tote
- Offers a wide variety of products
Cons
- Can't customize your makeup box
- Need to buy separately if you like a sample-size product
Shipping: is free to the US.
14. FabFitFun
The box that does it all
Image from our review
FabFitFun is a lifestyle box that sends subscribers over $200 worth of full-size makeup and beauty products, accessories, and home decor items every season. Recent boxes have included makeup from brands like ILIA, Laura Geller, Phase Zero, Stila, Anastasia Beverly Hills, and Beauty Bakerie.
The FabFitFun staff curates their boxes carefully, but they offer ample customization options, so you’ll never be disappointed. Seasonal subscribers can pick one item from four customization categories, and annual subscribers can choose one item from all six categories. This subscription box ships seasonally, so you’ll receive a total of four boxes per year; we’d recommend trying a single box to make sure it’s your thing, then upgrading to the annual plan to save a bit of money. Subscribers also receive access to year-round flash sales, exclusive offers, and other perks.
One of the best things about FabFitFun is the robust community. If you’re a beauty lover, it’s helpful to know that they manage several forums for subscribers where you can discuss spoilers, how to use box products and how to make sure the products look best on you. FabFitFun also offers cooking tips and recipes, as well as exercise videos you can take advantage of on day one of your membership.
Pros
- Members get to select 4 to 6 items in each box
- Get a mix of makeup, beauty, and lifestyle products
- Includes full-size products
Cons
- Not strictly a makeup subscription box
- Only ships quarterly
15. Walmart Beauty Box
Most Affordable Quarterly Subscription for Sample Size Products
Image via our review.
Drugstore makeup gets a revamp with the Walmart Beauty Box. This quarterly makeup and beauty sample subscription delivers subscribers a shipment of samples at $5 a box.
When you sign up for Walmart Beauty Box you will answer a series of questions such as your ethnicity, hair color, skin concerns, and a few other preferences. The answers are used to provide a more personalized experience so that they can tailor your box to you.
If you can't get enough of this try-before-you-buy model, Walmart Beauty Box also offers themed seasonal limited edition boxes for $12.98.
Pros
- Affordable beauty products
- Only $5 per box
Cons
- Can't handpick products
- Only sample-size products
Beauty Lovers, What Do You Think Of Our List?
That's it for our list of the best makeup subscriptions! Have you tried out any of these makeup subscription boxes/beauty boxes? Are there any other makeup subscription boxes we should add to our list of the best makeup subscription boxes? Let us know in the comments section below!
Looking for More Beauty Subscription Boxes or Makeup Subscription Services?
Want more options for beauty boxes that contain both makeup items and skin care products? Check out our article on the best beauty subscription boxes here. It covers brands like See New Skincare and GlossyBox, and there are other beauty subscription box options similar to First Aid Beauty, such as Function of Beauty.
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