Monthly Beauty Box Subscriptions..Are they worth it?

Beauty Box Monthly Subscriptions

If you're a make-up product junkie like me, you may want to listen up if you are not familiar with beauty box subscriptions.  Monthly beauty boxes are becoming more popular, they're mentioned all in the beauty magazines, all over YouTube and other social medias like Twitter, Instagram, and FaceBook.  There are many types that have popped up within the past year, subscriptions to healthy foods, make-up, and many more.  Companies like Birchbox, Ipsy, GlossyBox, BeautyBox5, Wantable and BoxyCharm just to name a few.  I will discuss a few pro's and con's in case you have been debating if they're really worth the money.

Beauty Box Benefits

1. Beauty box benefits the subscriber because they offer you a chance to try new and upcoming brands.  Many companies are fighting to get the customer in the door, and hope the customer becomes a repeat consumer of their products. 
2. There are many beauty box subscriptions, all offering a range of low-end items that you can find at your local Walmart, Target, Walgreens, CVS.  The subscriber can also receive high-end items that can only be ordered online, or purchased at a Sephora, Macy's, Ulta, Nordstrom, etc. 
3. Many can offer you different types of products, for instance, you can receive make-up, make-up brushes/applicators, nail polishes, clothing, hair products...the list goes on. 
4. Different subscriptions are affordable, you can subscribe to a anything from $10- $40 a month..depending on what type you get.  I found the subscriptions that offer clothing and shoes can get around the $30- $40 range.
5. Because it's a "subscription" item, you get the package delivered to your doorstep. It is very convenient because you don't have to look through items in a store, battling traffic, crazy weather, or finding items that have been tampered with.  You can be assured that your items will come to you packaged and new, if not, just call the customer service representative. 

Beauty Box Cons

1. Beauty box subscriptions boast that they send you "custom" items, usually derived from results of a personal quiz that you have to answer during the registration process.  No matter which you subscribe to, you will often find that some consumers are not happy with the items they receive because they are not in need of the product, or it's the wrong shade, etc.  So be aware you may not necessarily receive all the items that you would actually use.
2. Beauty box subscriptions require a credit card when you register.  This may pose an issue with consumers who are younger than 18 yrs old and may not have a credit card.  I've seen complaints that people had gotten charged but never received their items.  Luckily, most subscription companies have a customer service number or e-mail that you can contact to get the issue straightened out.
3. Some complaints I've seen is that some subscribers tend to get tired of one subscription.  For example, many subscribed to Ipsy, but you can look all over YouTube and see that some subscribers are getting disappointed every month.  They either had to keep retaking the quiz to get their "custom" items to suit their type of skin, skin tone, etc. 
4. You become a product junkie...beauty hoarder..whatever you may call it.  You may like to try different types of products, but you many not necessarily use all the products you receive.  You start piling it in the bathroom..on your dresser..in a box..in your purse..wherever you have the room to store your items.  Luckily, there are sites such as www.edivv.com where you can swap unwanted makeup products, and various types of fashion items.  It's a great way to recycle your unwanted, gently used items.  Otherwise, you either hoard your beauty items, or you start giving it away to your friends and family..which may not be so bad..but do you really want to lose money on the items you purchased? 

 

I hope this helped shine a light for those of you reading who were debating whether you wanted to subscribe or not.  Perhaps you haven't heard of any of the companies I've mentioned.  No matter what you decide...one thing for sure is that the popularity of  beauty box subscriptions are growing. They have subscriptions for all age groups.  The great thing is, you can always cancel your subscription. Or subscribe to different ones at the same time.  It's up to you.  We as a society have moved away from magazine and newspaper subscriptions..the "cool new thing" right now are beauty boxes and it's helping many people save money while companies are enjoying the generated revenue.  Basic business rule..supply and demand.