Alrighty, I think the title says it all really! 😀
At one time, about 2 years ago, I remember everyone drooling over these beauty box subscriptions that were available to our beauty loving sisters overseas and when the concept exploded on the local scene last year, I noticed a huge response.
There are quite a few companies around locally now that offer these monthly beauty box subscriptions and while I don’t stay in touch with the scene because it isn’t a scene I’m interested in, it does make me curious as to whether any of you are long time subscribers. As in, you have been subscribing to these boxes for over 3 months (not offered free) and actually paying for them. Anyone?
Part of the reason I’m asking is because I do receive now and again emails from some beauty box subscriptions companies seeking to sponsor their boxes to which I always decline because, as I have oft-said I don’t subscribe to the idea.
Some of the boxes out there do look quite impressive, I don’t deny but as with everything, they do come at a price. I believe the more expensive boxes nudge RM50 while the cheaper ones aren’t further behind at over RM35 a box.
I much rather tell you about a wonderful lipstick that you can get for RM30 that I know you’d like, rather than tell you about a wonderful box of samples that I received, but then in the same breath tell you I don’t know what you’d be getting the following month. But you see, that’s just me. I was never sold on the idea from way back and so it’s hard for me to get sold on the idea right now.
This is more so when I’ve recently cut my beauty budget to funnel my funds to bigger things and suddenly the idea of paying RM50 a month for something I’m not sure I’d like seems like a lot. Many of these beauty box companies have branched out into organizing events for their loyal subscribers or bloggers which is I suppose, an added benefit.
So, is that what’s keeping you subscribed? The bonuses of being a subscriber? Or do the monthly boxes still get you excited.
What say you? Are you a subscriber to beauty boxes still?
If you are a long time subscriber (from anywhere that has this service) I’d love to hear your thoughts. Are you subscribed to many companies? Are you still enjoying the surprises? Do you think you get your money’s worth? If you were a subscriber and no longer subscribe, I’d love to hear your thoughts too of course! 😀 You know mine already. Never subscribed, never will, not sold 🙂
Paris B
I used to sign up for bellabox (Singapore). I cancelled after 6 months. I realized some of the items became repetitive in some of the boxes, and the worst thing was, Some of the serum, cleanser etc given were near to expiry date! ( got cleanser left with only 2 months shelf life, or serum expiring in 3 mths time).
Another unethical thing I discovered was these boxes were given to beauty bloggers for free, and some of the products given to them were actually different from what we, commoners received! The products given to bloggers were actually of better quality, or with better selection of products! Talk about false advertising!!!!! ( I’m still very sore with them!) Never ever sign up with them again!
Hi Anne, gosh! Giving samples that are close to expiry is just a no-no! 🙁 It’s like a way for the sponsors to “clear the samples cupboard” eh? I did read about the debacle over the difference in quality of the boxes provided to bloggers and those that subscribers actually received. I felt very upset when I read it simply because it was just so wrong. As bloggers, we shouldn’t be used as a marketing tool nor be given preferential treatment and the companies forget that it is the subscribers who pay them and deserve something better! This is also why I don’t feel right “reviewing” a box because it will just be for 1 month. What’s to stop the next month’s box from being crap? Also, I know some bloggers are on some form of retainer with certain box companies so they get to attend events and get free boxes to blog about etc. Just more marketing that doesn’t sit well with me 🙁
I only got to know about beauty boxes when I started reading beauty blogs last year. Although I was quite curious about it, never thought of subscribing because for RM40-RM50, I would be able to either save that money for something better or purchase drugstore items. I prefer to choose the product I intend to buy instead of being surprise with something I may not even like 🙂
It sounds like most of us feel the same way. The element of surprise is what doesn’t appeal Haha!
I can tell for sure that I won’t be subscribing to any, for the simple reason that I have highly-sensitive skin that reacts to a lot of ingredients in beauty products and makeup. Now if that isn’t a good reason, I don’t know what is 😛
That is an excellent reason! I can imagine these samples will play merry hell with your sensitive skin!
It was exciting initially and I think I was subscribed to almost all the boxes available but found it draining my bank account and not to mention, I only have one face and one of everything else so there is no way I could finish up all the samples/products in the box. So now safe to say, I only subscribe to one or two boxes which has been consistently amazing with their box offering.
Sounds like something everyone’s realising, Cas 🙂 Best to just stick to one or two if it’s your thing because there’s just too much if you go round the block! 😉
Beauty box subscriptions just started in Indonesia and there are 3 companies offering it, namely Vanity Trove, Lolabox and Beauty Treats. I have only subscribed to Vanity Trove and Lolabox, even so on a monthly basis.
I subscribed to Vanity Trove on its third box, because the reviews on the first two boxes were soo good. When I received the box, I can’t say I’m very impressed as most of the products can be easily purchased from the drugstore/ supermarkets. They were full size and definitely something I have used and still use for some, so I guess I was alright with it that regard. The third box also happened to be the last “Surprise” trove as they rolled out “Discover Beauty” system where we pick the samples ourselves. Customised beauty box, you may say. The samples will be based on our beauty profile. I will be subscribing to one month again when this new system is up and running middle of this month to see how it is.
For Lolabox, they have good customer service and they deliver what they advertise/ promote themselves to be. Subscribed to another month to see how I really feel about this company too.
In all, I subscribe to satisfy my own curiosity as I am not one to really pay for samples. Unless there is a company that is really able to provide a box that’s is really worthy, I think I wouldn’t be staying for too long. Well at the end of the day I guess it’s really depend on the buyer perspective on the value of the box they receive.
Ohmy, I didn’t realise how long the comment was! I hope you don’t mind 🙂
I never mind long comments, CY. In fact, I love them! So never apologise 😀
Thanks for sharing your thoughts on the Indonesian boxes, CY! I’m sure you’ll start seeing more and more pop up, like what happened here. Suddenly, everyone wants to create a box LOL! I think you’re right too about it being the buyer’s point of view. Some people treat it as a monthly beauty treat so they don’t mind the different samples because it lets them try something different all the time. But I do think it takes a lot for the companies to keep it fresh and exciting all the time. Vanity Trove’s idea about letting people pick their own items is very innovative and you will end up with products you like, but I do feel it takes away the element of surprise, which is what these boxes are ultimately about right? Still, I think they’re going strong so we won’t see them go away all that soon 😛
I just found this box craze. Not living under a rock, but living life, not surfing. But, I read about theme, was very interested, ordered a whole bunch the past few days. Received my first ever from yuzen, and it is great ill use all of it. That, being said, I’ve only ever received one box and I can see how they would be repetitive and cause a surplus of things you don’t need and will never use. From all the blogs I’ve read they basically are hoarders.
What I don’t understand is this, if you have loads of items you don’t want, don’t need then why not donate it? A women’s shelter, some place that can auction it off for the proceeds to their charity, etc.
It seems so selfish to state oh, I have so many subscriptions, oh I should cancel because I have so much stuff.
Donate it to people who may NEED these items.
That’s a good point about donating unwanted/unused product samples/products, Christine. For some of us, depending on where we live, there isn’t much of an avenue to do that which is a pity. When I can find a place that I can donate unused products to, I do. I think the best thing to do for most people is to NOT subscribe to so many boxes, as I see many people do. This naturally creates unwanted surplus. I’m not for hoarding or buying stuff just for the sake of blogging about them or for showing off, because as you have pointed out, it is wasteful. Yet, it is very prevalent, which is a pity.
I received 6 months worth of boxes to try out from a certain company and while I did enjoy some of the items I got, like you, I am not quite sold on the idea and would much rather spend my money on other things that I know I will enjoy more. Sometimes, it’s great when you get to try things you’d been eyeing, but those instances are few and far between.
You summed it up, Carina – sometimes it’s great, but most times, it isn’t. Then again, it is a flourishing business so I guess not everyone feels like we do hehe …
In my opinion beauty boxes are still exploding here in the US, but niche-ifying. I run a subscription box directory and there are new beauty boxes all the time, but they are much more specialized (e.g., vegan, pure & natural, only skincare, indie, etc.). I don’t expect to see very many big name beauty boxes arrive as that market is totally owned by Birchbox & Glossybox. I subscribe personally to many (not just beauty boxes, but also kids and lifestyle, etc) and swap out my subscriptions all the time. I just added Le Metier & Mugler Addict (both yearly) so I’m pretty much all in. Judging by traffic & purchases from my site (both referral & affiliate links) interest is increasing. Die hard beauty addicts may just go back to Sephora but the general public still doesn’t know much about them!
BTW I found you on My Beauty Bunny, just reading the blog!
That’s very interesting, Brandy! I think going niche is the way to continue to be sustainable instead of trying to cover every end of the spectrum. I was very intrigued by the Le Metier de Beaute one when I came across it recently. I think it’s an excellent deal, considering what came in the first box! Very impressive stuff. It’ll be interesting to see how the local beauty box scene develops. I’m not sure if they’ll go niche the way they have in the USA but it’ll certainly be interesting to watch 😉 Hope you’ve enjoyed your read and thanks for coming by!
The LMdB box was AMAZING! Unfortunately it’s no longer available for purchase. Given the price I think they are really selling it at cost. It’s definitely a great promotional tool for them. The Mugler Addict box was equally awesome. I LOVE that the luxury brands are starting to do their own single brand boxes. This is something I want to see more of!! It’s great for rabid fans (hello, MAC box?!?!) and promotion.
I know that the Mirenesse box is available in the US – Do you have any thoughts on it? I know that the gloss has a huge following but I know zero about their other products. I have heard mixed things about it.
I’d have subscribed for the LMDB box if I were living in the US too! Such an amazing deal considering the price of individual products. I think it’s great too that luxury brands now take it upon themselves to set up these boxes because then, it actually does create more demand and visibility and also allows more people to try more from a brand without breaking the bank! I don’t think we’d see it happen here any time soon, or if it does, maybe in the next few years LOL! Things take a while to reach my part of the world. I haven’t tried anything by Mirenesse and haven’t really come across it. Probably isn’t available here either 🙁
Not subscribed any more – the products weren’t really to my taste and mainly stuff you can buy from supermarkets/drugstores and no choice in colour.
I’d rather take the money and do the odd spree for myself!
In some ways, I believe these boxes promote wastefulness. People don’t feel as bad tossing out or only using part of something that came in a box, because of the perceived lesser value perhaps. I did read about the Le Metier de Beaute box that was launched in the US and that was seriously impressive! I’d have signed up in a heartbeat if I had the chance.
I had stopped subscribing any beauty box at the moment. No any specific reason though. However , I did enjoy the excitement that I had while open up the monthly box and discovered what was the things hidden inside the box for that particular month.
I think it’s more fun if you try not to find out ahead of time what’s in the box haha! Else the fun is all spoilt right? 🙂
i don’t really like the boxes anymore either – I’m with you, I’d much rather spend on the exact things I want! I subscribed to birchbox like literally the first month or two it came out, and I just never got the products i was interested in! earlier in the year my best friend got me a 3 month subscription to sample society and that was nice. and i got a glossybox which was nice too! But again, so many products I never planned to have and take forever to get around to using!
Sometimes we complain about it being samples and yet, some of these samples can take a long time to finish! I have to admit it’s fun initially but I suppose the novelty will wear off after a while if getting new things all the time isn’t a thing – isn’t for me 😀