Let's talk beauty subscription boxes. After all, they're the perfect gift to yourself or a present for those weddings, parties, birthdays, Valentine's Day and events we've all been holding out for. And if you ever needed proof of the beauty subscription sway, look to Victoria Beckham who has just introduced membership services to her beauty offerings.
For those interested in signing up to a regular beauty subscription box, it's one of the easiest ways to stay in-the-know when it comes to beauty, and what's better than getting a selection of the best beauty products of the moment delivered straight to your door each month? And as a gift for someone else, they'll be reminded of how generous you are every four weeks.
These packages of joy, full of travel-sized beauty gems and even occasionally a collection of full-sized products, are a brilliant way of dipping your toe in and trialling new launches without committing to the full cost. Spanning everything from vegan beauty to niche perfume brands and premium products – there is a specialist monthly subscription box out there for everyone.
If you’re after a good mix of products, the OG’s like LookFantastic and Glossybox are a great place to start. Don't fancy signing up for a subscription? Try out the array of expertly curated boxes based on your specific needs, like the Boots New & Trending Beauty Box, where you can nab over £145 worth of products for just £45.
What are the benefits of beauty subscription boxes?
The beauty shelves can often be hard to navigate and it's tempting to stick to buying the old faithfuls, the big-name brands, and the well-known buys. Often trying a new and interesting beauty buy means investing a pretty sum in a product that you're not 100% certain you'll love. Beauty subscription boxes offer another option. For a set price per month, you can subscribe to a beauty gift box that pertains to the things you're interested in, and try out products as you go. Hit on make-up, skincare, body products, gadgets or nail polish you love. That's when you spend your money on the full-sized version, sure in the knowledge that you'll value every last drop of it.
Besides all of the beauty benefits, let’s not forget that receiving something in the post never gets old. Picking up a package full of hair, skin or make-up treats that you didn’t know you wanted is even better.
Does everyone get the same beauty box each month?
The excitement and joy of a beauty subscription box is that each month a new edit of beauty must-haves will turn up on your doorstep. For certain brands, like LookFantastic and Birchbox, there will often be a different theme, e.g. sustainable beauty, Mother's Day, Black Friday or skincare saviours.
Other boxes available on the market, like the Sephora Favourites Beauty Has No Age Gift Set, £59, offer a one-off purchase rather than a subscription service - which is great if you're after those exact products or as a gift for someone else. Keep scrolling to find the best beauty subscription boxes worth signing up to...
SHOP: The Best Beauty Subscription Boxes In The Business
Not a 'box' as per se, but the subscription model still applies to VB's latest offering. The V-Suite is Victoria Beckham Beauty's answer to an exclusive loyalty program, which works on a tier system – as your yearly spend increases as do your rewards and each tier upgrade unlocks new exclusive benefits, whether that be faster shipping, early access, concierge care, or more surprises that are only revealed as your status elevates. The program allows you to replenish your stock from a selection of products available on subscription (which are 5% off) and you can tailor your their delivery to meet your precise needs, meaning you can receive a replenishment every 2, 3, or 4 months. Plus, all members subscribed to the service automatically receive complimentary standard shipping on orders over £40.
www.greatmagazines.co.uk
From haircare and skincare to make-up and beauty, the Grazia Beauty Club Beauty Box is brimming with must-have products from expert-backed brands like Oskia London, Inkey List, Philip Kingsley, Ruby Hammer, Dr. Levy, Champo and Emma Hardie. Sign up to the Grazia Beauty Club for just £55 every 6 months and receive a wealth of benefits including this annual beauty Box, packed with beauty must-haves worth £150+.
www.lookfantastic.com
You can purchase the LookFantastic subscription box for £15 a month or sign up to the annual programme which means you'll get a box each month for just £13. The site houses an incredible selection of brands so you can bet on the inclusion of products being beauty must-haves. Available now is October's box containing over £73 worth of premium goodies from brands such as ESPA and Lixirskin.
www.sephora.co.uk
This is the beauty box that gives you total control. Pick from a one-off payment of £13.95 or sign up to a 12 month subscription plan and get a box for £11.95 per month. After choosing the subscription length that suits you, select five new products to try each month. Best best bit? The unique customisation means there will be no disappointments or random shade mismatches, just five deluxe samples expertly curated by you.
www.glossybox.co.uk
This little bundle of joy will present you with five products (worth over £50) – from some brands you'll probably be familiar with – every month. The description cards that come with it are super helpful if you're sent a product that you have no idea what to do with (guilty on every occasion) and with the monthly plan, you can unsubscribe at any time if commitment isn't your thing. Oh, and if you're worried about whether you'll be sent stuff that you can actually use, when you set up your account you can create a beauty profile from which your pretty box will be tailored. Joining the programme and app will also open you up to exclusive discounts.
www.thefragranceshop.co.uk
Get help choosing 'the one' fragrance without committing to a full-size bottle or you can enjoy switching it up monthly with a fragrance rotation, courtesy of The Fragrance Shop's monthly fragrance subscription service scendtaddict. The Fragrance Shop will send a 8ml travel-sized scentaddict atomiser filled with a 30-day supply of your chosen fragrance (approx. 100 sprays). Every month you're a subscriber, you will also get a £12 voucher off your favourite full-sized fragrance – across the year, that's a £144 saving against full-sized scent.
www.cohorted.co.uk
Are you a bit of a Diva when it comes to what you put on your face? (No judgement) if so, then Cohorted may just be the subscription box for you. As the 'No.1 high-end beauty box provided' Cohorted boxes are packed with luxury treats, making them the Beyoncé of beauty subscription service world.
www.ffs.co.uk
A total game-changer, from just £9.90 you can have a month's supply of metal razors – which are much gentler and effective than their plastic counterparts (and needless to stay friendlier to the planet), delivered straight to your front door step. The handle is free and each month you'll be sent four new blades. You can even add shaving cream and scrub to your order for silky smooth limbs, too.
9.
Roccabox
roccabox.co.uk
So chic, Roccabox is the beauty subscription to try for those cult classic beauty staples. Ideal for those who love discovering new beauty finds delivered to your door every month with a range of skincare, make-up, haircare and wellbeing products. For October 2023, the motto is ‘the more the better’, with buys from Darphin and INCLUSEV to help aid a better night's rest. There are five products included worth up to £81.99.
www.libertylondon.com
Lovers of premium beauty rejoice. Liberty's subscription box came highly anticipated and was quick to sell out, but regular drops mean you'll get several chances to get your hands on the expertly curated box from the Liberty Beauty Buyers. Expect cult classics, new treasures, and access to expert advice, how-to videos, and members only rewards. It's hailed as the only subscription box with a fully redeemable monthly fee – deposit £20 a month and receive four discovery boxes per year, packed with trial-sized products including a host of perks like member-only offers throughout the year.
www.treasuretress.co.uk
Founded by beauty entrepreneur Jamelia Donaldson, TreasureTress is Europe's first and largest natural hair product discovery box. Monthly boxes, full of the very best products with which to care for natural hair, cost £20 and are packed with full-sized products from a variety of TreasureTress' amazing brand partners, including African Pride, Pattern, Pantene, Shea Moisture and Africa's Best. The boxes have been a sell-out success so, don't hang around.
freshandflowers.lush.com
Inspired by Lush's Parisian Fresh shop, all of the exclusive items in each box are freshly made to deliver. We're talking botanical ingredients like fruit, herbs and natural oils, straight from the field. They're all chopped, blended, pressed and whipped into the products that Lush are famed for and sent to you quick smart, to instantly serve up an indulgent DIY spa experience for as little as £35 a month. The real plus point? They come complete with a bunch of seasonal flowers. Talk about upping the ante.