The 10 Best Beauty Subscription Boxes, Tested and Reviewed by PureWow Editors

Name: FabFitFun Box
Brand: FabFitFun
Price: 70 USD

Including Billie, Allure and Ipsy

Author image: about face matte fluid eye paint review chelsea candelario

By Chelsea Candelario

•

Updated Dec 10, 2024

Additional reporting by

Dana Dickey

PureWow editors select every item that appears on this page, and some items may be gifted to us. Additionally, PureWow may earn compensation through affiliate links within the story. All prices are accurate upon date of publish. You can learn more about the affiliate process here.

PureWow

There’s no doubt that certain subscription boxes can be a genius way to save time and money, but sometimes I just want to splurge on a monthly mailing that comes chock-full of face masks, indulgent bubble baths and creamy lipsticks that serve no purpose other than making me feel like a spoiled beauty editor.

Enter these 10 beauty boxes that offer everything from monthly fragrance discoveries to clean, nontoxic skincare faves to self-care must-haves like face masks and body scrubs. Want to be totally surprised with each new box? There’s a subscription for that. Prefer to choose your own products so you know what you’re getting? Other boxes allow you to pick your samples. Same goes for shipping frequency—depending on the box you pick, you’ll sign up for a delivery every month or every quarter. So, without further ado, here are the nine best beauty subscription boxes on the internet, tested and reviewed by PureWow editors.

The Best Beauty Subscription Boxes at a Glance

Best Overall

Allure Beauty Box

From $17 At Allure Beauty Box

Best Razor Subscription

Billie Razor Starter Kit

$10 At Billie

Best for Skincare Buffs

Beauty Fix by Dermstore

From $21 At Dermstore

Macy's Beauty Box

$15 At Macy’s

Best Tiered Options

Ipsy Glam Bag

From $14 At Ipsy

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Chelsea Candelario

Best Overall

1. Allure Beauty Box

What We Like

great range of beauty products
comes with a mini magazine

What We Don't Like

small samples

Allure Beauty Box

Value: 20/20
Quality: 20/20
Options: 18/20
Aesthetic: 20/20
Experience: 19/20
Total: 97/100

For the ultimate beauty buff, the Allure Beauty Box is a cut above. Starting at $17 per month, you’ll get deluxe- and full-size picks that are vetted by editors, plus a mini mag with tips and step-by-step instructions on how to use the products. Past brands include Anastasia Beverly Hills, The Hue, Christophe Robin and L'Occitane.

The ordering and delivery process: The process was seamless. I had to choose between a monthly, quarterly or annual plan (which offers even more additional gifts for the higher price tiers). Since I’m a beauty editor, I went for the yearly sub since I’m always trying to get my hands on more products. As of publication, I’ve received about five boxes and I’m happy with how swiftly it comes to my home.

The packaging: The items come in a standard white box with a simple “Allure Beauty Box” written on top. Once you open the box, it’s decked out in the magazine’s signature red color. The box reads, “We know beauty best” and it definitely shows. I received nine travel-sized products, ranging in haircare, skincare and makeup. (You can find an entire list of the items below, but a few highlights include Color Wow Money masque, Fenty eau de parfum and Obagi Kinetin hydrating cream.) The items were packaged well, but what really caught my eye was the guide book that explains each product and why it was chosen.

The experience overall: Off the bat, I trust Allure’s recommendations, so I get excited for each shipment and the quality range of products. The items are travel-sized, but considering the thoughtful range—nine diverse samples of familiar and emerging brands, from haircare to skincare—the smaller size feels worth the investment. Plus, each box includes my favorite component, the mini mag, which is a nice touch of added value.

Fast Facts

What’s Included: Obagi Kinetin Hydrating Cream, Color Wow Money Masque, Miche Set Styling Mousse, Eva NYC Lift Off Volume Mask, Erborian Skin Therapy Night Oil, Elemis Peptide Eye Recovery Cream, Fenty Eau De Parfum, Kylie Cosmetics Matte Liquid Lipstick, Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Definer Brow Pencil
Subscription Frequency: 1, 3, 12 months

From $17 At Allure Beauty Box

Abby Hepworth

Best Razor Subscription

2. Billie Razor Starter Kit

What We Like

affordable
speedy delivery
a variety of delivery options

What We Don't Like

can't repurchase razor handle separately

Billie

Value: 20/20
Quality: 17/20
Options: 18/20
Aesthetics: 19/20
Experience: 20/20
Total: 94/100

Sick of prickly leg hair (or worse, razor burn from old blades)? Well, it’s time to subscribe to a monthly kit. Billie offers a handle, two refill blades and a magic holder for just $10. You can choose to receive refill blades as often as you like, from once a month to every three months, depending on how often you shave. For Fashion Editor Abby Hepworth, she’s been a loyal subscriber for years, and it continues to be a beauty box she opts into every time.

The ordering and delivery process: “I've been a subscriber for years ,and it’s an incredibly easy sign-up process. You just select how often you shave before you add to cart and Billie will set up your subscription box, so you never wind up with too many or too few. You can also select which color razor handle you want, and it will come with a matching magnetic wall mount that adheres to any tiled surface with ease,” she says. According to Hepworth, the delivery was super speedy and it only took a few days to show up on her doorstep.

The packaging: “It strikes a nice balance between being eco-conscious without too many bells or whistles, but still makes an effort to feel fun. The razor heads come safely stowed in a little plastic pouch, and all you need to do to attach a new one is peel back the top and then slide your razor handle on. You'll hear a click once it's all set and voila!,” she shares.

The experience overall: “I love a simple one-and-done subscription box, especially for essentials like a razor. It's an item I never really want to have to think about, and Billie has fully lifted it from my mind with this subscription. The razor handles are lightweight, easy to hold and maneuver, even around tricky areas like ankles and knees. The wall mount is also incredibly easy to install and has stayed put for the five-plus years I've been in my current apartment. The razor heads are a breeze to swap in and out and I love that they have a moisturizing barrier all around the blades to help prevent razor burn. I get a close shave every time, without irritating my skin, and feel comfortable using them wherever—armpits, legs, bikini line, etc.”

Fast Facts

What’s Included: handle, 2 refill blades, magic holder
Subscription Frequency: 1 to 3 times per month

$10 At Billie

Marissa Wu

Best for Skincare Buffs

3. Beauty Fix by Dermstore

What We Like

you can find out ahead of time what you're receiving
great range of Dermstore best-sellers

What We Don't Like

some small samples

Dermstore

Value: 19/20
Quality: 19/20
Options: 20/20
Aesthetics: 18/20
Experience: 17/20
Total: 93/100

I have no restraints when it comes to samples, so I’m happy that the beauty pros at Dermstore are the ones choosing the best full- and travel-size products to go in each BeautyFix box. You’ll find everything from skincare to wellness products with popular brands like EltaMD, La Roche Posay and more. Associate SEO Editor Marissa Wu says you definitely get your money’s worth, especially considering some of the high-price items she found in her monthly box.

The ordering and delivery process: “You can subscribe [right on their website], with prices starting at $21. You can't select the individual items, but when you subscribe, you can always see what will be in the box for that month. You can also do an annual payment or pay by month. If you pay one box at a time, you can always know ahead of time what you're buying,” she shares. According to Wu, it took a few days to receive her box.

The packaging: “It was a very simple setup, the shipping box was the ‘beauty box’ so there wasn't any extenuating packaging. The products were neatly arranged and cushioned with sturdy paper confetti. Nothing was broken, dented or torn—pristine condition and impressive given that there was basically no packaging. I don't think that's a bad thing as I'm definitely a proponent of sustainability so for me, less is more,” she shares.

The experience overall: “I thought the range of skincare and haircare products was good. I was stoked to see R+Co/Bleu because I use their products a lot and find them to be great caliber, as well as La Roche-Posay and EltaMD. It was a nice mix of boutique brands and more beauty counter ones. I will say some of the samples, particularly La Roche Posay and R+Co (not Bleu) literally offer about 1-3 applications in them max. I get that it's a beauty subscription and you’re trying stuff, but I'd rather have bigger sizes of less expensive things than a throwaway with unrecyclable packaging,” she says.

Fast Facts

What’s Included: EltaMD Skin Recovery Essence Toner, Medik8 Advanced Night Ceramide Moisturizer, HoliFrog Halo AHA BHA Evening Serum, R+Co COOL WIND pH Perfect Air-Dry Creme, R+Co Bleu Smooth & Seal Blow Dry Mist, La Roche-Posay Mela B3 Serum
Subscription Frequency: 1 to 12 months

From $21 At Dermstore

Jillian Quint

4. Macy's Beauty Box

What We Like

has a new theme every month (i.e, fall, pumpkin, etc)
can buy full-size products straight from the site

What We Don't Like

need to create a Macy's account in order to sign up
some small samples

Macy's

Value: 19/20
Quality: 17/20
Options: 17/20
Aesthetics: 16/20
Experience: 18/20
Total: 87/100

Every month Macy’s whips up a curated theme box filled with five deluxe-size products and one bonus sample that will make their way to your door in a chic reusable pouch for a grand total of $15. Whether you’re eyeing skincare, makeup or fragrance, you have a chance to purchase a full size online as soon as you receive your order. Plus, you’ll get $5 off your next beauty purchase, whether you tried it in your Macy’s Beauty Box or not.

The ordering and delivery process: According to Editor-in-Chief Jillian Quint, you need to have a Macy’s account in order to subscribe to the monthly box. Once you sign up, you will receive your five products that have been hand-selected by their beauty experts and represent the theme of the month.

The packaging: “I loved that the January box came with all the products in a cute little La Mer branded pouch. [It] felt like an actual gift,” says Quint. While the subscription is $15, the latest box had a value of $83. A sweet deal indeed.

The experience overall: “It's fun to get a handful of items from one brand, but I also appreciate that other months feature items from multiple brands (November's box, for example, featured products with a fall or pumpkin theme),” she shares. “Plus, Macy's offers full-size versions of all the products on site, so you can buy things you like. And the best part is that every box comes with a coupon for future full-size purchases.”

Fast Facts

What’s Included: La Mer Rejuvenating Night Cream, La Mer The Eye Concentrate, La Mer The Essence Foaming Cleanser, La Mer the Moisturizing Fresh Cream
Subscription Frequency: 1 to 12 months

$15 At Macy’s

Marissa Wu

Best Tiered Options

5. Ipsy Glam Bag

What We Like

offers tiered subscriptions
comes with a chic cosmetic bag
minimal packaging

What We Don't Like

small samples

Ipsy

Value: 19/20
Quality: 20/20
Options: 20/20
Aesthetics: 19/20
Experience: 20/20
Total: 98/100

FYI: No clearance rack products here. Subscribe to the Ipsy Glam Bag and you’ll receive five deluxe samples every month for just $14. Then, if you really like a formula (which you will, because these are top brands like Youth to the People, It Cosmetics and Sunday Riley), you can shop it directly on Ipsy’s website, making it easy to keep track of all your favorites.

The ordering and delivery process: “It’s very easy. Depending on the tier, you can choose a certain number of products from the lineup,” says Wu. Aside from Glam Bag, Ipsy also has Boxycharm, which offers five full-size products and Icon Box, which comes with eight full-size products curated specifically by beauty celebrities/influencers. According to Wu, she took a beauty quiz that allowed her to tailor the right box for her and she received it in about three days after signing up.

The packaging: “It was a very simple setup, super compact. It comes in a cosmetic pouch filled with samples, nestled in paper confetti for padding. As a sustainability advocate, it was very minimal and I don't mind that at all,” she says. Note: If you opt for the Boxycharm or Icon Box, it will come in a standard box instead.

The experience overall: “It was pretty holistic—skincare, makeup and for a variety of parts of your face. Personally, I liked the eye masks the best! I like Ipsy's setup because subscribers can choose products, and if you take the quiz it'll be tailored to you. The skincare samples were quite small, but it was a good mix of mid range ($30-$35) products and affordable (under $15),” she says.

Fast Facts

What’s Included: Ballerine Eyeshadow Palette, Saturday Skin Carrot Niacinamide Moisturizing Cream, Fenty Beauty Gloss Bomb, Femmue Brilliant Cleansing Gel, Formula Z-Flash Eye Masks
Subscription Frequency: 1 to 12 months

From $14 At Ipsy

Candace Davison

Best Customized Haircare

6. Prose Haircare Box

What We Like

has a detailed quiz that helps create a custom routine
minimal packaging
great for all hair types

What We Don't Like

pricey

Prose

Value: 18/20
Quality: 19/20
Options: 20/20
Aesthetics: 19/20
Experience: 19/20
Total: 95/100

No hair is the same, which is why a customized service can provide products that would work best for your needs. Now, there are plenty in the market, but a PureWow favorite is Prose. A few editors have tested this subscription service in the past—from curly to fine locks—and it continues to be a staple in enhancing our wash routine.

The ordering and delivery process: “I took a detailed quiz outlining everything from my hair texture to my environment and scent preferences, so Prose could create a custom haircare routine to recommend for me. While it took a few minutes to complete, I really appreciated how detailed it was, and how it factored in things like how the hard water in my area might be impacting my hair,” says Candace Davison, VP of Editorial at PureWow.

The packaging: “I loved that the box had minimal packaging, and it was all recyclable. Plus, it could withstand getting tossed onto my stoop by the delivery man without damaging anything inside (even the glass vitamin bottles),” she shares. “I received the full line to test, though the core set is shampoo and conditioner. You can add on the recommended extras, such as hair oil, leave-in conditioner and hair vitamins, which in this case, I did,” she shares.

The experience overall: “I really loved how customized the subscription felt; it was truly catered to my needs (a challenge, considering I have fine, thin hair that can look greasy or limp with too much product!). The shampoo and conditioner were the standout products. It was awesome to get to choose my scent—I opted for Meleni, a light, tropical fragrance—and I loved how shiny, yet not greasy, it left my hair. The hair mask was also really great for hydrating my somewhat fried-looking ends,” she says.

Fast Facts

What’s Included: shampoo, conditioner, leave-in conditioner, hair vitamins, hair oil
Subscription Frequency: 1 to 12 months

From $52 At Prose

Natalie LaBarbera

Best Wellness Box

7. Therabox

What We Like

well-packaged
a mix of wellness and beauty items
offers all full-sized products

What We Don't Like

pricey

Therabox

Value: 20/20
Quality: 18/20
Options: 20/20
Aesthetics: 18/20
Experience: 19/20
Total: 95/100

Here’s your sign to practice some self-care. Therabox offers eight full-size wellness products to help you relax. Curated by therapists, you’ll find over $200 worth of essential oils, candles, bodycare and skincare goodies. The box also comes with a guide filled with affirmations, journal prompts, meditations and more.

The ordering and delivery process: The process is simple: choose between 1-, 3-, 6- or 12-month plans and be surprised by the items you receive. For Assistant Commerce Editor Natalie LaBarbera, it only took a day to receive her box. (Note: LaBarbera is located in California, so it might differ depending on your location.)

The packaging: “Everything was well packaged in the beauty box, which was also placed in another box for shipping so everything was secure,” says LaBarbera. It also stands apart from the rest on the list because it’s decked in a vibrant lavender color, along with positive affirmations to jumpstart your self-care day.

The experience overall: “I loved that there were a mix of wellness and beauty products and that they were full-size products, too! I think my favorite is the Calm Mood Mist. It's great to spray on my pillows at night. The scent lingers without being too overwhelming,” she shares.

Fast Facts

What’s Included: Moxe Breath Essential Oils, Happy Lips Lip Balm, Cardea Auset Calm Mood Mist, Cuccio Botanicals Body Wash, Symbiosis London R + AHA Face Mask, a set of mindfulness cubes, Nuria Defend Eye Cream, Aminnah Macaron Sugar Polish
Subscription Frequency: 1, 3, 6 or 12 months

From $35 At Therabox

Delia Curtis

Best for Fragrance Aficionados

8. Scentbird

What We Like

well-packaged
over 700 scent selections
a decent size of each vial

What We Don't Like

some perfumes come with a $10+ fee

Scentbird

Value: 20/20
Quality: 20/20
Options: 20/20
Aesthetics: 20/20
Experience: 20/20
Total: 100/100

If you’re a fragrance lover, you’ll appreciate this scent-worthy beauty subscription box. Scentbird delivers popular perfumes for $17 each month. Start by browsing more than 700 designer scents and choosing the exact ones you want to test for the next 30 days. You can skip or pause your delivery each month if you haven’t finished the products from a previous delivery. However, fragrance lovers will never get beyond the delish batches of designer scents from Versace, Gucci, Prada and Burberry.

The ordering and delivery process: “I was able to select a perfume of the month straight from the brand's site. There are some perfumes that are a bit more expensive than others so there are add-on fees (i.e. $10+ added to your subscription for those particular scents). For those signing up for the first time, there is a fragrance quiz to help you pick a scent that they think would suit you best based on your preferences,” shares Delia Curtis, assistant editor.

The packaging: “The products were sent in a bubble mailer. Each of the three perfumes that I selected were housed in colorful protective cases and individually added into a drawstring bag. There were also three cardstock info sheets on each of the perfumes detailing the fragrance notes, ingredients list, notes from the perfumers/brands, etc,” says Curtis.

The experience overall: “The selection of perfumes was MASSIVE. They had a number of really exciting brands from luxury to smaller fragrance houses. Each vial was reasonably sized and is similar to a typical travel sized fragrance that you might get at Sephora or Ulta. My favorite of the fragrances that I tried was one called Milk (Expressive) by Commodity. I loved being able to try out perfumes that I've been eyeing without committing to a full bottle. It lets me figure out which I actually want to invest in. It’s definitely worth the money since it's cheaper than buying travel-sized perfumes, which usually retail for about $25-$30 for one vial,” they say.

Fast Facts

What’s Included: Milk (Expressive) by Commodity, Pistachio by DS&Durga and Orange Crush by Fugazzi
Subscription Frequency: 1 to 12 months

$17 At Scentbird

Isabella Mohamed

Best for Nails

What We Like

comes with a tutorial card for a seasonal nail design
full-size nail polishes

What We Don't Like

can't choose your own nail polish

Orly

Value: 17/20
Quality: 16/20
Options: 20/20
Aesthetics: 20/20
Experience: 17/20
Total: 90/100

Skip the nail salon and receive a variety of polishes right at your door. The Orly Color Pass provides early access to the brand’s seasonal collection along with bonus items that vary based on the month. Whether you’re an Orly fan or curious to get your first nail-care subscription box, Social Strategist Isabella Mohamed believes it’s worth it.

The ordering and delivery process: Choose between a quarterly or annual box, which either way gives consumers over 50 percent off their seasonal collections.It took Mohamed four days to receive her package and she was thoroughly impressed—just in time for her next manicure.

The packaging: “I appreciated the pink branded box. The theme of the inside packaging was related to the holiday nail collection, which had a very cute festive print,” she shares. “[I received] six nail polishes from the winter collection, one base/top coat all in one, a nail sticker package and a card showing a tutorial for a nail design. “

The experience overall: “The idea is great for someone who paints their nails regularly and wants an extensive selection. I like that it also provided a base and top coat. My favorite item in the box was the nail stickers, which was a nice touch and I’m excited to use them. However, the only complaint is that some of the nail colors are not something I would typically pick, but the size of the bottles are still great!,” she shares.

Fast Facts

What’s Included: six nail polish, base/top coat, nail stickers
Subscription Frequency: 1 to 12 months

From $36 At Orly

Nakeisha Campbell/FabFitFun

Most Customizable

10. FabFitFun Box

What We Like

can select your own products based on a quiz
great mix of brands

What We Don't Like

can be limited if you order close to the deadline

FabFitFun

Value: 20/20
Quality: 20/20
Options: 20/20
Aesthetics: 19/20
Experience: 19/20
Total: 98/100

If you want a customizable experience, look no further than FabFitFun. The subscription service lets you curate a box of items that you will actually use, ranging in beauty, fashion and home. All it takes is a detailed quiz such as asking you where you like to shop (i.e, Sephora, Target, Amazon) to what areas of self-care matters the most to you (i.e, skincare, bath & body, etc). The best part if you're not happy with the choices, you can always swap for credit and buy something else.

The ordering and delivery process: "I took a detailed quiz that asked about my go-to brands and what kind of items I'm most interested in. Then, I got to select specific items from the website," explains Nakeisha Campbell, associate editor of News & Entertainment at PureWow.

The packaging: “The inside design of the box was super festive and all of my product selections were in great condition," she shares. "I like that it includes well-known brands like Fenty and Olaplex, and each item is full-size. My absolute favorite product that I'm excited to try is the Olaplex combo, especially since my hair is in some desperate need of some repair lately. The Lemme Glow gummies also comes in at a close second."

The experience overall: “It's definitely worth the price. The total value of my box was $247, which means I'm saving about 75 percent on brand-name products. I'd definitely pay for the subscription myself, but make sure to get my selections in early because the options can get very limited," she says.

Fast Facts

What’s Included: Olaplex No. 4C Bond Maintenance Clarifying Shampoo, Olaplex No. 5 Bond Maintenance Conditioner, Iconic London Heat Of The Moment Face & Eye Palette, Lemme Glow Hair, Skin & Nails Gummies, Fenty Skin Cookies N Clean Whipped Clay Face Mask, TOMS Classic No Show Socks (3-Pack), My Tagalongs Arm Pouch
Subscription Frequency: annual or seasonal

From $70 At fabfitfun

Chelsea Candelario

Beauty and Cultures Editor

Writes trend stories, product reviews and how-tos across beauty, cultures, fashion and entertainment
Over 5 years of experience as a Beauty Editor
Studied journalism with a minor in creative writing at SUNY New Paltz

read full bio

Dana Dickey

Senior Editor

Writes about fashion, wellness, relationships and travel
Oversees all LA/California content and is the go-to source for where to eat, stay and unwind on the west coast
Studied journalism at the University of Florida

read full bio

Why You Should Trust Us

PureWow's editors and writers have spent more than a decade shopping online, digging through sales and putting our home goods, beauty finds, wellness picks and more through the wringer—all to help you determine which are actually worth your hard-earned cash. From our PureWow100 series (where we rank items on a 100-point scale) to our painstakingly curated lists of fashion, beauty, cooking, home and family picks, you can trust that our recommendations have been thoroughly vetted for function, aesthetics and innovation. Whether you're looking for travel-size hair dryers you can take on-the-go or women’s walking shoes that won’t hurt your feet, we’ve got you covered.

The 10 Best Beauty Subscription Boxes, Tested and Reviewed by PureWow Editors

Including Billie, Allure and Ipsy

The Best Beauty Subscription Boxes at a Glance

Allure Beauty Box

Billie Razor Starter Kit

Beauty Fix by Dermstore

Macy's Beauty Box

Ipsy Glam Bag

Prose Haircare Box

Therabox

Scentbird

Orly Color Pass

FabFitFun Box

Best Overall

1. Allure Beauty Box

What We Like

What We Don't Like

Allure Beauty Box

Fast Facts

Best Razor Subscription

2. Billie Razor Starter Kit

What We Like

What We Don't Like

Billie

Fast Facts

Best for Skincare Buffs

3. Beauty Fix by Dermstore

What We Like

What We Don't Like

Dermstore

Fast Facts

4. Macy's Beauty Box

What We Like

What We Don't Like

Macy's

Fast Facts

Best Tiered Options

5. Ipsy Glam Bag

What We Like

What We Don't Like

Ipsy

Fast Facts

Best Customized Haircare

6. Prose Haircare Box

What We Like

What We Don't Like

Prose

Fast Facts

Best Wellness Box

7. Therabox

What We Like

What We Don't Like

Therabox

Fast Facts

Best for Fragrance Aficionados

8. Scentbird

What We Like

What We Don't Like

Scentbird

Fast Facts

Best for Nails

9. Orly Color Pass

What We Like

What We Don't Like

Orly

Fast Facts

Most Customizable

10. FabFitFun Box

What We Like

What We Don't Like

FabFitFun

Fast Facts

Beauty and Cultures Editor

Senior Editor

Why You Should Trust Us