11 best beauty boxes 2024, tested & reviewed
Beauty boxes – or beauty subscription boxes, as they're often otherwise referred to – serve up a rare chance to try sample sizes of new and cult wellness and beauty products without the need for commitment. Let’s be real: we’re all guilty of sticking to our ride-or-die staples, but there are so many innovative releases we’d love to try. Enter: the best beauty boxes, packed full of TikTok-trending skincare, makeup and hair products so that you can experiment and elevate your pamper routine. Tempted? You bet.
The best beauty boxes get delivered straight to your door once a month (or less regularly, if you choose), and depending on which you choose, contain a mix of full and travel-sized beauty treats which have either been selected for you (or which you’ve chosen yourself). You can sign up for three month, six-month or 12-month subscriptions, too.
But with such a selection – from Birchbox to Roccabox – promising beauty lovers a healthy top-up of eye cream, aromatherapy favourites, moisturisers, face masks and vitamin C serums to lip glosses, sun creams, mascaras, cleansers and nail polishes – it can be tricky to know which one is genuinely worth committing to. Ahead, according to four years’ worth of testing, we reveal all.
SKIP TO: How we tested beauty boxes. | Our full edit.
The best beauty boxes 2024:
- Best One-Off: Boots In Love With Luxury Beauty Beauty Box, £25
- Best Repeat: LookFantastic Beauty Box – starting from £15 per month
- Best Luxury: Beauty Pie – starting from £10 per month
- Best For New Brands: Glossybox – starting from £11.50 per month
- Best For Customised Skincare: Skin + Me – starting from £24.99 per month
How we test beauty boxes:
We're dedicated to providing our readers with independent, honest and trustworthy reviews – and there are a multitude of reasons why you can trust us. We do not let commercial values affect our editorial judgement, and always maintain editorial integrity. Our product selections are based solely on the results of rigorous testing and research, and we regularly consult with the industry’s best experts for guidance – whether that’s dermatologists or makeup artists.
We've tested as many of these beauty boxes as possible and considered each subscription's performance across five major categories: delivery options, product selection, packaging and value for money. We've also noted how suited their contents are to hair and skin types of all kinds.
For more beauty content from GLAMOUR's Commerce Writer, Denise Primbet, follow her on Instagram @deniseprimbet.
Ahead, the best beauty boxes to subscribe to, according to reviews.
Best one-off beauty box
- Price: £25, worth £64.
- Contains: skincare and makeup.
- Regularity: one-off.
- Pros: Good value for money.
- Cons: Not a repeat subscription.
Why we love it: Boots has released a perfect, compact luxury beauty box, containing £64 worth of product for £25. It features treats from Benefit, Khiels, REN Clean Skincare, KVD Beauty and Lancaster. So. Good. The star of the show has got to be the Kiehls Hydro-Plumping Re-Texturising Serum Concentrate: an efficacious hydrating serum that helps plump and smooth the appearance of your complexion. It's formulated with the brand's Serum-to-Liquid TechnologyTM which pumps skin with up to 120% more moisture, according to testing, as well as Epidermal Hydration Filler and 15% Glycerin.
Best repeat beauty box
- Price: starting from £15 per month.
- Contains: skincare, makeup, haircare and perfume.
- Regularity: monthly or upfront, choose between 1, 3, 6 and 12-month-long subscription options.
- Pros: Always one full sized product. Great brands.
- Cons: Can't pick the products.
Why we love it: If you're after an all-rounder subscription box that satisfies just about every beauty need you can think of and one that provides excellent value for money – this. is. it.
“Not only are all of LookFantastic's beauty boxes now sustainable and fully recyclable, but from your first box, you'll get handpicked products worth over £50 from high-quality skincare and makeup brands. Think: Illamasqua eyeshadows, spa-like goodies from Elemis, lotions and potions for your hair from Philip Kingsley and Moroccanoil’s cult sellers – self-care treats so good, it'll feel like it's Christmas every month.”
- Tested by: Sophie Cockett.
You could save when you shop for the best beauty subscription services with these LookFantastic voucher codes.
Best luxury
- Price: £4.95 per month when purchased at £59 annually.
- Contains: skincare, haircare, perfume, body care and makeup.
- Regularity: you can either pay a £10 fee every month or pay a £59 annual fee for a less than £5-per-month spend.
- Pros: Science-backed and effective formulas. Affordable prices for luxury products. Can choose what you buy.
- Cons: You need to already know you will spend on beauty to get the most for your money.
Why we love it: Okay, this isn't technically a beauty box... but it's definitely a beauty subscription service worth knowing about. Beauty Pie sells high-end, premium products directly to consumers without the mark-ups. So, from just £4.95 per month, you'll get access to amazing, luxury products for member's prices (read: super cheap). Like a £75 sleep oil for £14.89, a £125 perfume for £16.38 or a £80 Korean serum for just £13.50. No catch.
Sure, you can still buy the products if you don't fancy joining, but you have to pay normal retail prices for them. With the membership, you don't. What's the price difference? Take one of their bestsellers, the Triple Hyaluronic Acid Lipopeptide Serum (which is one of the best hyaluronic serums out there), for example. Without a membership, you'd need to pay a hefty £60 for it, but with one, this fab product will be all yours for an exclusive offer of just £19.
“With every product I've tried – from the Super Healthy Skin™ Featherlight UVA/UVB SPF 50 Sunscreen + Primer to the Über Youth™ serum spray – I've been super impressed by the quality. Everything feels super-luxurious, genuinely works, and has become a staple in my skincare routine.”
- Tested by: Sophie Cockett.
Best for discovering new brands
- Price: starting from £11.50 per month.
- Contains: makeup, skincare and haircare.
- Regularity: monthly with an option for a flexible, rolling subscription plan.
- Pros: Two full sized options in every box, sustainable as you can re-use the boxes.
- Cons: Can't choose the products.
Why we love it: Glossybox is the OG of monthly beauty boxes, allowing you to get your hands on five new products every month from the world's best makeup, skincare and haircare brands.
"I was super impressed at the cost, first and foremost. At £11.50 per month, it won't break the bank. You receive five products per box, two of which are full sized, and there's a nice mix of brands – from well-known brands to those which are smaller, ethical or more sustainable. Some of the contents are really good. I remember getting a 10ml bottle of Nails Inc's cult Gel Rehab Strengthening Nail Treatment which on its own costs £11, and a Rituals Sakura Handwash more recently, too. Both of which are nearly the entire price of the box.
"Also, the boxes are super cute. I've kept all of mine and up-cycled them to be cute storage boxes in my London flat. I also love that the brand drops limited-edition boxes from time-to-time, too. Case in point: their Huda Beauty, MAC and Fenty Beauty collaborations sold out within minutes. If you're a member, you can get discounted prices.”
- Tested by: Sophie Cockett.
Save when you shop for beauty subscription boxes with these Glossybox discount codes.
Best for customised skincare
- Price: first order for £4.99, then £24.99 on a monthly basis.
- Contains: customised skincare.
- Regularity: monthly.
- Pros: A one-of-a-kind service. Fully recyclable.
- Cons: You need to be careful to use an SPF, because the products contain actives (depending on your skin type) which can be quite aggressive.
Why we love it: Say goodbye to guesswork and buying skincare products purely based on their #SkinTok hype. Whether you have sensitive skin or if you're someone who regularly experiences skin breakouts, hyperpigmentation, dry patches or pretty much anything else, Skin + Me provides dermatologist-approved and personalised skincare solutions for every skin type on a monthly basis.
"All you have to do is simply complete the online consultation, share your concerns, and let the Skin + Me team of experts take care of the rest. A dream.
“It's really easy to use the dispensers to extract the right amount of product into your hand, and the products are personalised with your name, which I liked.”
Save when you subscribe to the best beauty subscription boxes with these Skin + Me discount codes.
Best for hair removal
- Price: from £4.95 each time.
- Contains: shaving kit supplies.
- Regularity: monthly and you can cancel at any time.
- Pros: Delivered direct to your door. Great value.
- Cons: Only contains shaving supplies.
Why we love it: Of course, body hair is totally normal and beautiful – but if you do like to get rid of it, you already know that hair removal doesn't come cheap. Enter: FFS (Fuss Free Shaving), a brand who is putting comfort and convenience above everything else. Forget hacking at your shins with blunt razors: this subscription promises an ultra smooth shave every time.
To start, you're sent a metal women's razor (which you can engrave, should you fancy, for an extra £6) alongside a pack of blades, a Lubricating Vitamin E Strip, a travel set and a shower holder. You can also add on extras such as Shave Cream, Pre-Shave Scrub or Post Shave Balm (each £6). Then, every month after that, you're sent a set of blade refills to replace on your razor.
Best for fragrance
- Price: from £7.58 per month.
- Contains: perfume.
- Regularity: monthly.
- Pros: It's really fun to choose the fragrances yourself. Comes in a signature keepsake box.
- Cons: The bottles look a little bit cheap.
Why we love it: "Designer perfume delivered to your door on a monthly basis? We're listening. With Scent Box, you get to pick from over 850 designer fragrances from brands like Gucci, Giorgio Armani, Prada and Burberry, and you'll get a 30-day supply of miniature bottles.
“If you're someone who likes to shake up your perfume collection on a regular basis, then this subscription service is perfect for you. A must for perfume enthusiasts.”
Best sustainable
- Price: from under £15.
- Contains: natural deodorant re-fills.
- Regularity: get deliveries every 2, 3 or 4 months.
- Pros: Sustainable. Great scents.
- Cons: It can take a little while for your body to get used to natural deodorants (and you might not notice them working for a while).
Why we love it: "With the aim of reducing plastic waste, Wild is a sustainable and natural deodorant subscription service. Subscribing means you won't go through a single-use plastic deodorant bottle once every few months. Plus, every subscription comes with a new case as well as three new refills in a variety of scents (you choose when you place your orders) and colours.
“The cruelty-free formulation itself is made without aluminium, parabens or artificial fragrances, so it's super kind to your skin on top of everything else. Overall, it's a big win for the natural beauty movement. I was obsessed with the lavender scent.”
- Tested by: Sophie Cockett.
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Best value
- Price: £39.99.
- Contains: makeup, skincare, haircare and fragrances.
- Regularity: monthly.
- Pros: Great value.
- Cons: You can't choose what's included.
Why we love it: Now, if you're in the mood to splurge and invest in what is probably the most luxe beauty subscription box out there, we strongly suggest considering Cohorted. Every month, Cohorted offers a set of premium products from notable brands such as Illamasqua, Lancome, Clarins and more for just £39.99. And considering that each box is worth over £100, this is one of the best chances to save a small fortune on some of the best eyeshadow palettes, lip glosses, exfoliators, shampoos, conditioners and hair elixirs around. Sign. Us. Up.
Best supplement subscription
- Price: from £21.99 per month.
- Contains: beauty supplements (hyaluronic acid, hair, skin & nails gummies, coconut & collagen).
- Regularity: choose between 1, 3 and 6-month-long subscription plans.
- Pros: Makes remembering to take your supplements really easy.
- Cons: Not every supplement will be needed by everyone.
Why we love it: Looking for a subscription plan that will take care of your supplement shelf on a regular basis? Say no more. MyVitamins (AKA one of the best supplement brands) offer a Beauty Subscription Box, which contains a selection of the brand's best-selling beauty supplements, including Hyaluronic Acid, Hair, Skin & Nails Gummies, as well as Coconut & Collagen – all formulated to take your hair, skin and nail game to a whole new level. Your top-ups will be delivered straight to your door, so there's no need to re-purchase anything manually.
Best for trending favourites
- Price: one-time purchase: £13.95 – 3 months: £13.50/month – 6 months: £12.75/month – 12 months: £11.95/month.
- Contains: skincare, makeup, haircare, perfume and bodycare.
- Regularity: you can buy them as a one-off purchase or sign up to 3-month, 6-month and 12-month plans.
- Pros: Great brands included.
- Cons, NOTE: Sephora has temporarily suspended new sign-ups for its beauty box, however, existing customers can still take advantage of the brand's subscription plan. Watch this space as we will make sure to update you once it becomes available for all new customers. The below information is based on what the brand offered earlier last year.
Why we love it: This beauty subscription box is the ultimate 'to me, from me' gift, as it puts you in total control. How exactly? Well, you simply get to pick five luxury samples you want to try and pick the subscription length that best suits you. And if you're feeling indecisive, then Sephora will do the hard work for you and select products they think you'll love. All from trending, viral beauty brands – of course. The best part? Everything you pick is proper sample size (i.e. no sachets in sight). A win-win.
- Tested by: Sophie Cockett.
Save big when you subscribe for the best beauty subscription boxes using these Sephora discount codes.
