The Subscriptionist's Latest Finds: The Truth About the Best Subscription Boxes # 1

The Question Everyone Asks:

“Which subscription box is your favorite” or Which Subscription Box is the Best”?

Without misleading anyone, my first response will always be….. “It depends on what you are looking for”.

There are normally just two answers for what people look for in a box:

1. Value Value Value

2. Experience

In response to value, many will rate the contents of their box (total value).

The question based on value is complex, because we all place something different on what we consider as “value”; however, for the majority… we will go with the though that we mean the total cost of the items included each month. An example of different types of value, if I received three mascara’s in one box that cost $50 each, although I appreciate the value, my personal value of the box goes down since I received the same type of product.

Each month will undoubtedly amount to a different cost each month, so the question will elaborately become more and more complex.

In no way am I an expert in “subscription Boxes” , if anyone really could be; however, those that have this addiction pay attention to trends and feedback from reviews (not to mention the quantity of subscribers each subscription may have).

To answer this question all of these factors come into play; however, personal preference will always be the ruling factor in choosing which box is perceived as the best.

According to reviews, the top most talked about subscription boxes are: Ipsy and Birchbox

Ipsy -

offers many drugstore brands, but is a master at the marketing game. Their monthly spoilers and Ipsy Match technology make it a very entertaining subscription box and beauty community experience. However, the value may speak volumes. Although a majority of the items received in Ipsy are full sized cosmetic products, the value of those products are usually low. This brings the value of the box down for those who want change in brand names. If you are wanting High End Brand names, this box may not be for you.

Ipsy’s partners include some very well known brands like: Urban Decay, Kiss, NYC, OPI, Smashbox, and even other subscription box names like Starlooks.

After a year of subscription boxes, I can clearly state that the value is approximately $35 a month, but steadily increasing as they gain more and more partners and subscribers. For only paying $10 per month though the value is exciting.

Birchbox -

offers many niche and luxury brands, although the best quality is their rewards program which allows subscribers to receive up to $5 in Birchbox points every month just for completing product reviews. Since the box is $10 per month, if subscribers complete their reviews each month they are able to receive the $5 credit making boxes only $5 per month. Unlike Ipsy the down side is you rarely receive full sized cosmetic products, but the value of those samples are usually high. The value of the box is based on the brand names included although only receiving a sample you can only use for a week if you are lucky. If you are wanting Full Sized Products, this box may not be for you.

Birchbox partners include some very well known brands like: Shiseido, Tocca, Harvey Prince, Ruffian, the balm cosmetics, Cynthia Rowley, Jouer, and more.

After a year of subscription boxes, I can clearly state that the value is approximately $20 a month, but steadily increasing as they gain more and more partners and subscribers. For paying $10 per month ($5 if you count the credit) the value is not the best but the subscription has it’s perks.

In response to experience, many will rate the contents of their box (total value), but place emphasis on the utility and the overall satisfaction.

The question based on experience is also complex, because we all place something different on what we consider as “experience”; however, for the majority we want to be taken out of our norm and/or taken on a journey. For example, if I received three types of lipsticks within one box I normally would not wear and liked how they looked unexpectedly.

Each month will undoubtedly include different products, but more importantly our expectations will change every month. We could essentially be wanting to try something new one month and then drastically change moods just because we want what someone else received.

As I mentioned before, in no way am I an expert in “subscription Boxes” (if anyone really could be); however, those that have this addiction pay attention to trends and feedback from reviews (not to mention the quantity of subscribers each subscription may have).

To answer this question all of these factors come into play; however, personal preference will always be the ruling factor in choosing which box is perceived as the best.

According to reviews the top most talked about subscription boxes are: Ipsy and Birchbox

Ipsy -

If you want to experience being matched with products you normally would not buy (like having a stylist), then take advantage of Ipsy Match technology! The technology itself seems to provide consistent results, which increases subscriber satisfaction. Ipsy also allows subscribers blog access and a way to be a part of a makeup community. Need tips on the last bag you received, well look no further because most likely someone has a video about how to use every product included.

Birchbox -

Although small samples are the outcome of Birchbox, the generous point system is a definite plus, which allows you to shop their store front (something Ipsy does not have). In contrast to Ipsy, Birchbox allows customers access to utilize their points towards Limited Edition Boxes, Exclusive products, and even to buy the full sized item of the product you liked in a previous box. Ipsy’s points can only be used on a few items which tend to go very quickly if they are good. On a bigger note, we find that since the deal with many high brand named products… the savings could assist members in receiving a try-before-you-buy experience… allowing members to forgo the feeling of buying full sized products only to find out the product did not work as expected. Lately, Birchbox has been surprising members with Add-on options, Book Clubs, and the ability to pick your own products each month (sample choice – one item each box). The level of customization is a great relief to those who feel they do not match the best type of products to subscribers.

In the End -

We all have to realize what we are looking for before subscribing to a particular box. Don’t go in blind (unless that is what you like) and please please please don’t place unrealistic expectations on subscription boxes — say I want a value of $100 for $10 and every item to match my taste.

My personal favorite, well it vary’s every month, so I like subscribing to both! Best $20 I spend a month!