There is nothing quite like the surprise of opening a beauty box and finding a lipstick shade or a brand you never would have picked for yourself, lol. I was subscribed to BoxyCharm for three years and IPSY for about one, and I have also tried Birchbox, FabFitFun, and the Walmart Beauty Box. I only recently unsubscribed, so this whole category is very fresh in my mind!
A lot has changed in the beauty box world, too. BoxyCharm is now called IPSY Extra, the Macy’s Beauty Box page now redirects to Macy’s beauty department, and GLOSSYBOX no longer ships its subscription to the US. Some of the prices you will see quoted online are a year or two out of date.
So here is my honest roundup of the eight best makeup subscription boxes in 2026: five I have tried myself and three research picks that I have clearly labeled. I checked every price on the brand’s own site in October 2026. Let’s dive in!
All product recommendations are independently selected based on my personal experience, testing, and honest opinions. If I include affiliate links, I may earn a small commission if you make a purchase through those links, at no additional cost to you. These commissions help support my blog, but they never influence which products I recommend or the opinions I share.
My Quick Picks: The Best Makeup Subscription Box for Every Budget
Short on time? Here is where I would start. Prices are before tax, and the boxes marked research picks are the ones I have not subscribed to myself.
- Best overall: IPSY Extra (formerly BoxyCharm). Five full-size products for $32 a month, and you pick three of them. I subscribed to BoxyCharm for three years.
- Best for beginners on a budget: IPSY Original. Five deluxe samples and a makeup bag for $15 a month.
- Best editor-curated box (research pick): Allure Beauty Box. Six or more products, at least three full-size, for $30 a month with free shipping.
- Best for choosing every product: Birchbox. You pick your samples each month for $25, with free shipping.
- Best if you want more than makeup: FabFitFun. Six full-size products you choose yourself, from beauty to home, every season. Just be ready the minute the choice window opens.
- Best makeup-only full-size box (research pick): Chic Beauty Box. Five or six full-size makeup products, from $34.99.
- Best vegan and cruelty-free (research pick): Medusa’s Makeup. Four vegan products for $25.95 a month.
- Best budget box: Walmart Beauty Box. $8.98 every three months, with free shipping, but expect a few random non-makeup items.
Makeup Subscription Box Comparison Chart
Here are all eight side by side. Prices were checked on each brand’s own site on October 17, 2026.
| Box | Best For | Price | What Ships | You Choose | Shipping |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| IPSY Extra | Overall, full-size makeup | $32 a month | 5 full-size products, up to $200 value | 3 of the 5 | Added at checkout |
| IPSY Original | Beginners on a budget | $15 a month | 5 deluxe samples plus a makeup bag, up to $70 value | 1 product a month | Added at checkout |
| Allure Beauty Box | Editor-curated picks | $30 a month, $82.50 a quarter, or $300 a year | 6+ products, at least 3 full-size, $125+ value | Sometimes 1 product | Free in the contiguous US |
| Birchbox | Choosing your samples | $25 a month or $264 a year | 5 to 6 products, at least 1 full-size, $70 to $110 value | Every product | Free |
| FabFitFun | Beauty plus lifestyle | $79.99 a season, or $64.99 a box on the annual plan | 6 full-size products, up to $350 value | All 6 | Usually included in the contiguous US |
| Chic Beauty Box | Makeup-only, full-size | From $34.99 (6- or 12-month plans) | 5 to 6 full-size makeup products, $150+ value | 3 to 4 products | Fee based on your address |
| Medusa’s Makeup | Vegan and cruelty-free | $25.95 a month | 4 vegan, cruelty-free products | None, it is a surprise | Free |
| Walmart Beauty Box | Lowest price | $8.98 every 3 months | 6 to 7 products a quarter | None (beauty profile only) | Free |
IPSY Extra (Formerly BoxyCharm)
BoxyCharm is the box I stuck with the longest: I was subscribed for three years! I loved it because I was getting full-size products. I was building my makeup collection at the time, so opening a box full of things I could use for months was so exciting.
It also put products in my hands that I never would have bought on my own. One of them is now on my list of favorite makeup removers, which is honestly the best case for a beauty box. BoxyCharm became IPSY Extra after IPSY bought it, and being able to choose three of your five products is a big improvement over my original BoxyCharm experience.
- Price: $32 a month, plus shipping. IPSY currently lists the first month at $27.
- What ships: Five full-size products, valued at up to $200, in a drawstring bag.
- You choose: Three of the five products. Add-ons ship free with Extra.
- Cancel: Online under Your Membership. For monthly plans, cancel by the 25th at 11:59 p.m. Pacific to stop the next box.
Best for: Anyone actively building a makeup collection who will realistically use five full-size products a month.
IPSY also has a quarterly upgrade called IPSY Ultimate: eight full-size products, valued at up to $400, for $65 a quarter, and you choose three of them. It replaces your regular bag in February, May, August, and November. I have not tried Ultimate myself.
I compare IPSY Extra and IPSY Original in much more detail in my IPSY vs BoxyCharm guide.
IPSY Original (Formerly the Glam Bag)
I had IPSY for about a year. Back then, it was only a small makeup bag with samples, which is exactly why I ended up preferring BoxyCharm. IPSY Original is that same Glam Bag under a new name, but it now lets you choose one product a month and gives you add-ons, which it did not when I had it.
Where it still makes sense is as a low-commitment way to try a beauty box. At $15 a month, you can test new brands and shades without spending much, and the beauty quiz means your bag is personalized instead of identical to everyone else’s.
- Price: $15 a month, plus tax and shipping.
- What ships: Five deluxe-size samples, valued at up to $70, plus a new makeup bag every month.
- You choose: One product each month. You can also grab add-ons from $3.50 between the 1st and the 4th of the month.
- Cancel: Same as IPSY Extra, by the 25th of the month.
Best for: Beginners and anyone who wants to try lots of new makeup on a small budget. The samples are deluxe-size, not full-size, so if you want products that last for months, go with IPSY Extra.
Allure Beauty Box
Research pick. I have not subscribed to this one myself. It is here because it keeps showing up on the best-of lists, and every detail below comes from Allure Beauty Box’s own site, checked in October 2026.
Allure Beauty Box is curated by the editors behind Allure, so it is the box I would look at if you care more about expert curation than choosing several products yourself. Shipping is included in the $30 price, too.
- Price: $30 a month, $82.50 a quarter ($27.50 a box), or $300 a year ($25 a box).
- What ships: At least six products, at least three of them full-size, valued at $125 or more.
- You choose: In some months you can customize at least one product. Active members also get a member store.
- Shipping: Free to the contiguous US; $10 to Alaska, Hawaii, and US territories.
- Cancel: Online in the customer portal before 11:59 p.m. Eastern on the last day of the month before your next box. Annual plans need 30 days’ notice before renewal.
Best for: People who like to be surprised by editor picks and want a mix of full-size and deluxe products without paying for shipping.
Birchbox
I have tried Birchbox too, and it is still shipping in the US in 2026. What makes it different from most boxes on this list is how much control you get: US members choose their products every month.
- Price: $25 a month, or $264 for a prepaid year (about $22 a box).
- What ships: Five to six products, a mix of sample, deluxe, or travel sizes with at least one full-size item, valued at $70 to $110.
- You choose: Your products, every month.
- Shipping: Free for all members.
- Cancel: Online under Manage Subscriptions, any time. Renewals run from the 1st to the 5th of the month, and prepaid plans are not refunded.
Birchbox has also added a Signature tier that ships every other month with four full-size products, valued at up to $175. Birchbox picks one of them and you choose the other three. I could not find its price on Birchbox’s site.
Best for: Anyone who likes trying samples but hates getting products they would never use.
FabFitFun
I have tried FabFitFun as well. It is not a makeup-only box, so keep that in mind: it mixes beauty with lifestyle products like home, fitness, and fashion pieces. The big draw is that you choose all six products yourself.
Because it is not just beauty, some of my favorite FabFitFun finds were not makeup at all. We have gotten some really cool at-home things, like an ab roller, a jump rope, and even one of those back supports that goes on your chair!
My challenge with FabFitFun was the choosing part. You have to be online the exact moment the selection window opens, and if you are not, the items you wanted can already be sold out. If you sign up, set a reminder for when your window opens!
- Price: $79.99 a season, or $64.99 a box on the annual plan ($259.96 a year).
- What ships: Six full-size products each season, valued at up to $350.
- You choose: All six, from more than 100 options. Members also get access to weekly member sales.
- Cancel: Online under My Account, then Manage Membership, before your next bill date. Charges already made are not refunded.
Best for: Someone who wants a little bit of everything, not just makeup, likes picking every item, and can be online right when the choices open.
Chic Beauty Box
Research pick. I have not subscribed to this one myself. It is here because it keeps showing up on the best-of lists, and every detail below comes from Chic Beauty Box’s own site, checked in October 2026.
Chic Beauty Box is one of the few boxes that is makeup and only makeup. Its own tagline is literally a box full of makeup, and that’s it, which I kind of love, lol.
- Price: Plans start at $34.99, and you commit to a 6- or 12-month plan.
- What ships: Five to six full-size, brand-name makeup products, valued at $150 or more.
- You choose: Three to four of your products, based on your beauty profile.
- Shipping: A shipping fee based on your address is added at each renewal.
- Cancel: Online from your account with no fee, but you keep receiving boxes until your prepaid plan ends, with no prorated refund. Pausing is free.
Best for: Makeup lovers who want full-size products and nothing else, and do not mind committing to several months.
Medusa’s Makeup Monthly Beauty Box
Research pick. I have not subscribed to this one myself. It is here because it keeps showing up on the best-of lists, and every detail below comes from Medusa’s Makeup’s own site, checked in October 2026.
If vegan and cruelty-free makeup matters to you, Medusa’s Makeup is the box that kept coming up. Every product in it is from Medusa’s own line, which is 100% vegan and cruelty-free.
- Price: $25.95 a month, or as low as $22.95 a box on longer plans.
- What ships: Four vegan, cruelty-free makeup products from Medusa’s Makeup.
- You choose: Nothing. Each box is a surprise.
- Shipping: Free.
- Cancel: Skip or cancel anytime, with no cancellation fees.
Best for: Anyone who only buys vegan, cruelty-free makeup and is happy to stick with one brand.
Walmart Beauty Box
I have tried the Walmart Beauty Box, and it is by far the cheapest way to get a box of beauty products at your door. It ships every three months instead of monthly, so it is more of a seasonal treat than a monthly habit.
My honest take: I did not like the random items I would receive, like a scrunchie. When you are paying for a beauty box, you want beauty products, lol. At this price it is still a fun way to try a few things, just do not expect a full makeup haul.
- Price: $8.98 a box, billed every three months.
- What ships: Six to seven products a quarter. Walmart’s page does not say whether they are samples or full-size.
- You choose: Nothing. Walmart uses your beauty profile.
- Shipping: Free.
Best for: Trying a beauty box on the tightest budget, if you do not mind a few non-makeup surprises.
Beauty Boxes I Left Off This List (and Why)
You will still see these in older roundups, so here is why they are not on mine:
- BeautyFIX by Dermstore ($24.95 a month) is mostly skincare, and you cannot choose or preview your products.
- Petit Vour (from $25 a box) is a lovely vegan box, but it mixes makeup with hair, body, and skincare.
- Macy’s Beauty Box appears to have ended. Macy’s beauty box page now redirects to its beauty department, and reports say the last monthly box shipped in January 2026.
- GLOSSYBOX no longer offers its subscription in the US. Its US site now redirects to the UK site.
How I Picked These Boxes
I did not want this to be just another list of every beauty box on the internet, lol. Here is how I narrowed it down:
- My own experience: I was subscribed to BoxyCharm for three years and IPSY for about one, and I have tried Birchbox, FabFitFun, and the Walmart Beauty Box. Those five are written from experience.
- What beauty editors recommend right now: I read the 2026 roundups that rank for this topic, including Fortune, Forbes Vetted, My Subscription Addiction, and The Beauty Gypsy. Allure Beauty Box showed up on almost every one of them, which is why it is here as a research pick.
- Makeup first: I focused on boxes that are mostly makeup, so skincare-heavy boxes like BeautyFIX did not make the main list.
- Current facts only: I checked every price, plan, and cancellation rule on each brand’s own site on October 17, 2026. A lot of the lists out there still quote old prices or boxes that no longer ship to the US.
Chic Beauty Box and Medusa’s Makeup were not on most of the big lists, but they fill two gaps the others do not: a full-size, makeup-only box and a vegan one.
What Each Box Really Costs per Product
Retail value is the number every box puts front and center, but I find it way more helpful to look at what you actually pay per product and per year. Here is the math using the prices I checked in October 2026, before tax (and before shipping for IPSY and Chic Beauty Box):
| Box | Price | Products | Cost per Product | Cost per Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| IPSY Extra | $32 a month | 5 full-size | $6.40 | $384 |
| IPSY Original | $15 a month | 5 deluxe samples | $3.00 | $180 |
| Allure Beauty Box | $30 a month | 6 or more | $5.00 or less | $360 ($300 on the annual plan) |
| Birchbox | $25 a month | 5 to 6 | $4.17 to $5.00 | $300 ($264 on the annual plan) |
| FabFitFun | $79.99 a season | 6 full-size | $13.33 | $319.96 ($259.96 on the annual plan) |
| Chic Beauty Box | From $34.99 a box | 5 to 6 full-size | $5.83 to $7.00 | Depends on your plan |
| Medusa’s Makeup | $25.95 a month | 4 | $6.49 | $311.40 |
| Walmart Beauty Box | $8.98 a quarter | 6 to 7 | $1.28 to $1.50 | $35.92 |
A few things jumped out at me. The Walmart Beauty Box is under $36 for a whole year, but not everything in it is makeup. FabFitFun has the highest cost per product, but every item is full-size and you pick them yourself. And IPSY Extra works out to about $6.40 per full-size product, which is exactly why I stuck with BoxyCharm for three years!
How to Choose the Best Makeup Subscription Box for You
The right box really depends on how you use makeup. Here is how I would decide:
Decide Between Full-Size Products and Samples
Full-size boxes like IPSY Extra, Chic Beauty Box, and FabFitFun cost more but last longer. Sample boxes like IPSY Original and Birchbox are cheaper and better for trying lots of new things.
Think About How Much You Want to Choose
Birchbox and FabFitFun let you pick everything. IPSY Extra lets you pick three of five, IPSY Original one. Medusa’s Makeup and the Walmart Beauty Box are complete surprises.
Makeup-Only or a Mix?
If you only want makeup, Chic Beauty Box, Medusa’s Makeup, and the IPSY boxes are the most makeup-focused. Allure and Birchbox mix in skincare and hair, and FabFitFun goes well beyond beauty.
Work Out the Real Monthly Cost
Add shipping and tax before you compare. Allure, Birchbox, Medusa’s Makeup, and the Walmart Beauty Box include shipping, while IPSY and Chic Beauty Box charge it on top.
Read the Cancellation Rules First
Every box has a different cutoff. IPSY’s is the 25th, Allure’s is the last day of the month, and prepaid plans at Birchbox, Chic Beauty Box, and Allure generally are not refunded. Know the rule before you sign up.
Are Beauty Subscription Boxes Still Worth It?
My take: yes, at the right time in your makeup journey. For me, BoxyCharm was worth it while I was building my collection, and I am still using and recommending products I first discovered through it.
Makeup artist Alexa Rae Johnson put it well in Forbes Vetted: “These boxes are great for those who are too busy to spend hours in Sephora testing products.” I agree, and it matches my experience. BoxyCharm put products in my hands that I never would have picked up on my own.
But here is the honest part: I stopped BoxyCharm because after three years, I had so many full-size products I had not even touched yet. That is the sign a box has done its job. A box is only worth it if you actually use what is inside, so I would never subscribe just because the advertised retail value looks impressive. Most of these boxes make it easy to skip or cancel, so it is completely fine to treat them as a season rather than forever.
How to Use the Products in Your Beauty Box Safely
This is the part most beauty box roundups skip, but when new products land on your doorstep every month, it really matters. Here is what dermatologists, eye doctors, and the FDA recommend:
Patch Test Anything New
The American Academy of Dermatology recommends testing a new product on a quarter-sized spot on the underside of your arm or the bend of your elbow, twice a day for seven to 10 days, using the amount you would normally apply. If you get a reaction, wash it off and do not use it again. I know, it takes patience, lol, but it beats a rash on your face.
Try One New Product at a Time
Board-certified dermatologist Marisa Garshick, MD, told the AAD that it is best to “introduce one new product at a time to ensure your skin can tolerate it.” With a beauty box, that means not opening all five products and trying them on the same morning! If your skin is sensitive, she also notes that fragrance-free products are best.
Replace Mascara About Every Three Months
This one surprised me. The FDA says there are no U.S. laws that require cosmetics to carry an expiration date, and manufacturers usually recommend tossing mascara two to four months after you buy it. Dermatologist Dara Spearman, MD, puts it simply on the AAD’s site: “The lifespan of mascara is three months for good reason.” Dermatologists also recommend keeping track of when you open each product, so I like writing the date on a mascara tube the day I open it.
Look for the Open-Jar Symbol
Most other products have a little icon that looks like an open jar with a number inside, like 12M or 24M. Cleveland Clinic explains that the number is how many months a product lasts after you open it. Dermatologist Shilpi Khetarpal, MD, adds that “unopened, well-formulated makeup is stable for years at room temperature,” so the clock really starts once you open it.
Never Share or Swap Eye Makeup
Swapping box products with friends is half the fun, but not with eye makeup. The FDA says not to share or swap eye cosmetics, “not even with your best friend,” and the American Academy of Ophthalmology recommends throwing eye makeup away after three months.
Bring Your Box Inside Quickly
If a box sits on a hot porch or in a hot car, the FDA warns that heat can make preservatives break down, and its eye-safety guidance says not to store cosmetics above 85 degrees. If you live somewhere hot and humid like I do, this one really matters!
What to Do With Beauty Box Products You Won’t Use
This is the section I wish I had read a couple of years into BoxyCharm, lol. If you are building up a stash of unopened products, here is what I would do:
- Swap or regift sealed items. Unopened lipsticks, palettes, and skincare make great stocking stuffers or swaps with friends. Just never pass along eye products that have been opened.
- Donate unopened, in-date products. Project Beauty Share, a nonprofit in Spokane, Washington, accepts sample packets and new or unopened products for women and families facing abuse, addiction, homelessness, or poverty. It does not take used mascara or lip products or anything expired or close to expiring, and you cover the shipping. You can also call a local women’s shelter and ask what they accept.
- Toss what is old or used. Opened mascara past about three months, and anything that smells off, clumps, separates, or changes color, should go in the trash.
- Skip a month. Birchbox and Medusa’s Makeup both let you skip, and it is the easiest fix for a growing pile.
Is a Makeup Subscription Box a Good Gift?
It can be such a fun one, because the gift keeps showing up for months! Two things I like about the gift options right now:
- IPSY gift subscriptions are prepaid with free shipping, and your recipient takes the beauty quiz to get matched. IPSY Original is $52 for 3 months, $99 for 6, or $188 for 12, and IPSY Extra is $105, $199, or $380.
- Allure Beauty Box gift subscriptions end automatically after the last box, so there are no surprise renewals for the person you gift it to.
My only tip: if you are not sure of someone’s shades, a box with a quiz or product choices is a safer bet than a full surprise.
Common Makeup Subscription Box Mistakes
Judging a Box by Its Retail Value
A $200 value means nothing if half of it sits in a drawer. Look at what you actually get to choose.
Missing the Cancellation Deadline
Cancel after the cutoff and you will usually pay for one more box. Put the date in your phone.
Prepaying Before You Have Tried a Box
Annual plans are cheaper per box, but most are not refundable. Try a month or a single box first if you can.
Skipping the Choice Window
If your box lets you pick products, do it, and do it early. With FabFitFun, the items I wanted were sometimes sold out because I was not online the moment my window opened. Letting the box choose for you is how you end up with shades that do not work for you.
Letting Products Pile Up
This is exactly why I stopped BoxyCharm: after three years, I had a stash of full-size products I had not even touched. If the unopened products are stacking up, that is your sign to skip a month or cancel, lol.
Skipping the Patch Test
New products every month means new chances for irritation. Test anything new on your arm first, especially skincare and anything that goes near your eyes.
Frequently Asked Questions About Makeup Subscription Boxes
Which Beauty Box Subscriptions Are the Best?
My overall pick is IPSY Extra (formerly BoxyCharm) for five full-size products a month, and IPSY Original is the best place to start on a budget at $15 a month. Allure Beauty Box is best for editor-curated picks, and Birchbox is best if you want to choose every product.
Is There Anything Like IPSY but Better?
It depends on what you want more of. Allure Beauty Box has more full-size products and free shipping, Birchbox lets you choose everything, and Chic Beauty Box is makeup-only and full-size. If you like IPSY but want full-size products, IPSY Extra is the upgrade.
Are Beauty Subscription Boxes Worth It?
They are worth it if you will actually use what arrives, especially while you are building a collection or trying new brands. They are not worth it if products are piling up unopened.
What Is the Most Popular Makeup Subscription Box?
IPSY is the name that comes up most. It is ranked first in several 2026 roundups, and it offers three tiers: Original, Extra, and Ultimate.
Does BoxyCharm Still Exist?
Yes, but under a new name. BoxyCharm is now IPSY Extra: five full-size products a month for $32, and you choose three. I cover the change in my IPSY vs BoxyCharm guide.
What Is the Cheapest Makeup Subscription Box?
The Walmart Beauty Box is the cheapest at $8.98 every three months with free shipping. For a monthly box, IPSY Original is $15 a month plus shipping.
Which Makeup Subscription Box Has Full-Size Products?
IPSY Extra, Chic Beauty Box, and FabFitFun ship all full-size products. Allure Beauty Box includes at least three full-size products in every box.
What Happened to the Macy’s Beauty Box?
It appears to have ended. Macy’s beauty box page now redirects to its beauty department, and reports say the last monthly box shipped in January 2026.
Can You Cancel a Beauty Box Anytime?
Most monthly plans can be canceled online, but each has a cutoff date for the next box, and prepaid plans are usually not refunded. Check the rules before you sign up.
Which Cosmetic Mystery Box Is the Best?
If you want a true surprise, Medusa’s Makeup and the Walmart Beauty Box do not let you choose anything, and Allure Beauty Box is mostly picked by its editors. If surprises make you nervous, IPSY Extra lets you choose three of your five products.
Is Birchbox Still in Business?
Yes. Birchbox is still shipping in the US in 2026, at $25 a month or $264 for a prepaid year, and members choose their products every month.
Can a Beauty Box Match My Skin Tone?
Partly. IPSY uses a beauty quiz, and boxes that let you choose products give you the most control. For foundation or concealer, I would always pick the shade myself whenever the box lets me choose.
How Long Does Makeup From a Beauty Box Last?
Unopened makeup can last a long time, but once you open it, the clock starts. Replace mascara about every three months, check the open-jar symbol on everything else, and toss anything that smells or looks different.
Final Thoughts on the Best Makeup Subscription Boxes
If you want full-size makeup, IPSY Extra is my pick, and it is the box I stayed with for three years. If you are new to beauty boxes, start with IPSY Original. Allure Beauty Box is the pick for editor curation, Birchbox for choosing everything, Chic Beauty Box for makeup-only full-size products, Medusa’s Makeup for vegan makeup, and the Walmart Beauty Box if you just want a cheap surprise every few months.
Whatever you choose, pick the box that matches how you actually use makeup, and do not be afraid to cancel when it stops being fun. For more of my favorite products, browse my makeup reviews and guides!
