Review Haven: Beauty Box Subscriptions

With the Beauty Box trend finally catching up here in India, as a beauty blogger I felt obliged to do a post on it so that beauty aficionados can discover (or get updated on) the variety of boxes and get on board the beauty box phenomenon. :)

To start with, here are some of the common queries people have,

So what is a beauty box?

A beauty box (or bag) is a subscription box full of sample sized/full sized deluxe beauty, skincare and lifestyle products delivered monthly, quarterly, semi-annually or annually to your doorstep in exchange for a minimal price.

Why should I subscribe to one(or all) of these boxes?

If you've always wanted to try out a sample of a deluxe beauty product or perfume with a heavy price tag before investing in it then beauty boxes are for you! Periodically you get to experience a variety of brands (both local and global, but mostly global) that you've always wanted to try (or have never heard of, but fall in love with them after you've tried samples) for a minimal price.

Can I choose the products I get in my box?

Different companies have different policies on this matter. But most beauty box companies based in India don't offer you to choose the samples. However, they do provide you with a beauty profile form and have Experts analyse it. So you're sure to get products customised to your needs and beauty profile. Plus it's more fun to be surprised by the products in your box, ain't it?! ;)

The low-down on Beauty Boxes in India :

The beauty box trend started with blisscovered.com and a glossybox india promising deluxe samples in their beauty subscription boxes. The Indian edition of the globally acclaimed GlossyBox never saw the light of day while blisscovered discontinued their boxes after a single run! It was the indigenous Vellvette team who successfully introduced the indian masses to beauty boxes and continue fulfilling our subscription box dreams under a different name - The Fab Bag!

List of Beauty Box Subscriptions in India :

Now-a-days we have Fabbag, My Envy Box, BeautyWish box and MSM box- a new addition, to choose from with countless others following suit. It's enough to boggle anyone's mind!
Here's a definitive list of the various beauty subscription boxes in the Indian market to help you choose the one to your liking and needs:

The Fabbag (formerly known as Vellvette box): is the longest running beauty box subscription and offers monthly, quarterly, semi-annual and annual subscription schemes. They provide three or more sample and full-sized products from both local and renowned global brands in a nifty bag. Personally I love the bags in which the products come, they are spacious and can be re-used for a number of purposes (make up bags being one of them). Pocket Pinch: as low as Rs.399!Personal Experience: haven't had a bad one yet!
Find your Fabbag HERE.
My Envy Box: also comes with a monthly, 3-month, 6-month, and 1-year subscription scheme and a price tag of Rs.850 for their 1 month subscription box and is the closest one can get to an international beauty box. Envy Box usually supplies 5 trial sized deluxe samples from global brands like Clarins, Avene, L'occitane, Eminence Organics, H2O, etc. They even give you perfume samples and vouchers- ranging from makeover to discounts. It all comes in a beautiful box with magnetic closure. What's more is that they donate 1% of the subscription revenue to the Elle Breast Cancer Campaign and now you can join in and do your bit.Pocket Pinch: Rs. 850 for 1-month subscription!
Personal Experience: I loved my pastel orange box.Get your EnvyBox HERE.
BeautyWish Box: is a subscription box from The Nature's Co. and comes with 5 deluxe sized and 1 retail pack size beauty samples and delightful freebies at a price of Rs.595 per box. They have 1-month, 3-months, half-yearly and annual subscription schemes and you get all of The Nature's Co.'s products to try out before buying along with discount vouchers and store event invites. The Nature's Co. is a PETA certified Vegan and cruelty-free Indian brand who come out with wonderful bath and skincare products with all natural ingredients.Pocket Pinch: Rs.595 per month.Get your fix of vegan beauty HERE.
MSM Box: launched on October, 2014 is a fairly new competitor in the beauty subscription box market. I've subscribed to their January'15 Express box and am waiting for it, I'll be sure to review it for you guys as soon as I get my hands on it! MyStyleMile.com began as a beauty and fashion blog and have now ventured into the beauty box market with their two curated boxes: MSM Express and MSM Select box. Here's what their website had to say about the MSM Box."Simply put, MSMbox.com is a discovery e-commerce platform that offers consumers the opportunity to buy, try and enjoy beauty brands in the market.For a nominal subscription of either Rs 495/- for the MSM Express Box or Rs 995/- for the MSM Select Box, every month, you get a surprise goodie box containing beauty, grooming and lifestyle products from new and established beauty brands, and then some!For starters, the box contains full size products along with carefully curated samples. Besides that, to really delight the consumer, we don’t just take care of your beauty and grooming needs. We go the extra mile and offer something more through our collaborations and associations with leading salons/spas, cafe’s and shopping."Pocket Pinch: Rs.495/- for the MSM Express Box or Rs.995/- for the MSM Select Box, every month.Get your box HERE.