See our comparisons of the Best Beauty Subscription Boxes under $20!
BOX BASICS: All subscriptions are under $20 per month, so it’s easy to draw comparisons.
CUSTOMIZATION: Most subscriptions also ask you to complete a basic beauty profile. Ipsy allows you to rate items for Ipsy match and has started allowing a limited number of subscribers to select an item, but that feature isn’t yet universal.
REFERRALS & POINTS: Ipsy offer referral points; redeem points on selected samples in the Ipsy bonus section. You earn points on the monthly Sephora subscription plus you can redeem a PLAY! card in-store for an extra 50 points on any purchase.
VARIATIONS: Play!, Ipsy, and Birchbox send out multiple subscriber variations – we’re showing what we’ve reviewed here, and we would love to hear your experiences in the comments. For Allure, LookFantastic, and Macy’s, everyone typically receives the exact same items, although sometimes Allure Beauty Box has variations.
Play! by Sephora
Items:
- Giorgio Armani Beauty Sì Passione Eau de Parfum ($2.16)
- Briogeo Don’t Despair, Repair! Deep Conditioning Mask ($4.50)
- First Aid Beauty Hello FAB Pores Be Gone Matte Primer ($16.47)
- Nudestix Nudies Boom All Over Dewy Color in Poppy Girl ($8.96)
- Make Up For Ever Ultra HD Microfinishing Loose Powder in Translucent ($5)
- Youth To The People Superfood Hyaluronic Acid Moisturizer ($6)
Total Value: About $43
From hair care to skincare to makeup, Sephora Play knows exactly what kinds of products can make one feel good and look good! This month’s curation is fantastic, which included some makeup essentials and a rich superfood-infused face cream. There’s even a perfume sample and it’s feminine and sexy!
Review: Play! by Sephora September 2019 Review
See Play! by Sephora spoilers + past Play! by Sephora reviews or sign up for directory notifications when we post about this subscription!
Ipsy
Items:
- OFRA Cosmetics OFRA x Madison Sweet Stuff Blush ($20.30)
- Love Craft Beauty Bronzer in Sunniva ($13?)
- Coloured Raine Cosmetics Eyeshadow in Champagne Life ($6.99)
- F.A.R.A.H. Brushes Contour 218M in Midnight Blue ($18)
- Briogeo Don’t Despair, Repair! Strength + Moisture Leave-in Mask ($4.37)
Total Value: About $62.66
The September Ipsy Glam Bag is packed with amazing products! The makeup brush is one of the best products in the curation, but the other beauty products are usable as well. These are products that will last for several months, so it’s a bargain at $12.
Review: Ipsy September 2019 Review
See Ipsy spoilers + past Ipsy reviews or sign up for directory notifications when we post about this subscription!
Birchbox
Birchbox Regular Box
Items:
- MakeUp Drop Hybrid Silicone Pad + Blending Sponge ($20)
- Amika 3D Volume & Thickening Shampoo ($1.60)
- Amika 3D Volume & Thickening Conditioner ($1.20)
- R+Co Rodeo Star Thickening Style Foam ($10.58)
- Naturally Serious Major Moisture Gentle Cream Cleanser ($1.62)
- MAC Prep + Prime Natural Radiance Base ($4.94)
- Wander Beauty Nude Illusion Liquid Foundation ($6.33)
Total Value: About $46.27
This personalized box included a bunch of items addressing dry hair concerns! The volumizing shampoo and conditioner combo is amazing, as well as the styling foam formulated to bring one’s hair back to life. Those three are definitely the scene-stealers, but the rest of the items are also great, like the cleanser, primer, and liquid foundation!
Review: Birchbox Regular September 2019 Box Review
See Birchbox spoilers + past Birchbox reviews or sign up for directory notifications when we post about this subscription!
Deals:
- See special savings on your subscription! Deal applies automatically, just visit and subscribe.
- Save 15% off on $30+ Birchbox shop orders! Use coupon code FIRST15.
Birchbox
Birchbox Curated Box # 2 – Join the Party
Items:
- EXO Pure Remover Nail Polish Remover Wipe ($1.20)
- Amika 3D Volume & Thickening Shampoo ($1.60)
- Amika 3D Volume & Thickening Conditioner ($1.20)
- Juliette Has A Gun Not A Perfume ($6.34)
- Dr. Jart+ Ceramidin™ Cream ($4.54)
- Smashbox Always On Liquid Lipstick in Stepping Out ($24 Full-Size .13oz.)
- Smith & Cult Nailed Lacquer in Glass Souls ($18)
Total Value: About $32.88
The curated Birchbox is awesome because you’ll know exactly what to expect when you choose the box. They even include a makeup bag and stickers! It was nice of them to include such bonuses during their anniversary month. The hair care and lipstick are the best items in the box. The other items rounded out the box nicely.
Review: Birchbox September 2019 Curated Box Review
See Birchbox spoilers + past Birchbox reviews or sign up for directory notifications when we post about this subscription!
Deals:
- See special savings on your subscription! Deal applies automatically, just visit and subscribe.
- Save 15% off on $30+ Birchbox shop orders! Use coupon code FIRST15.
Macy's Beauty Box
Items:
- Tarte Amazonian Clay 12-Hr Blush in Exposed ($29)
- NudeStix Intense Matte Pencil ($22.88)
- Created For Macy’s 2-in-1 Blender & Brush ($8)
- Azzaro Wanted Girl ($2.65)
- Azzaro Wanted Man ($1.04)
- Strivectin Anti-Wrinkle Wrinkle Recode Serum ($22.25)
- Clinique Take The Day Off Cleansing Balm ($3.94)
- Perricone MD High Potency Face Finishing & Firming Moisturizer ($8.62)
Total Value: About $98
Macy’s curation this month helps one glow up effortlessly, with top-quality brands and products at that! The skincare items are all impressive. The cleanser, moisturizer, and serum already make up a routine, and the best thing is that they’re all perfect for those who have dry skin. They even added a couple of fragrance samples. Of course, the glow up won’t be complete without a touch of a blush and a swipe of lipstick! This box felt full, and they’re really stepping up their game!
Review: Macy’s Beauty Box September 2019 Review
See Macy’s Beauty Box spoilers + past Macy’s Beauty Box reviews or sign up for directory notifications when we post about this subscription!
Allure Beauty Box
Items:
- NatureLab Perfect Smooth Shampoo ($1.22) and Conditioner ($1.22)
- Acure Brightening Facial Scrub ($2.50)
- La-Roche Posay Lipikar Eczema Soothing Relief Cream ($0.38)
- Ciaté London Dewy Stix in Gleam ($26)
- Laura Mercier Translucent Loose Setting Powder ($23)
Total Value: About $54.32
Some boxes had a NARS lipstick instead of a face powder. This box included the powder, and it’s high quality and usable! There’s also a nice facial scrub and although this product has changed since the last tube, it still worked well and was gentle on the skin. The other items were a good assortment to round out the box!
Review: Allure Beauty Box September 2019 Review
See Allure Beauty Box spoilers + past Allure Beauty Box reviews or sign up for directory notifications when we post about this subscription!
Deal: Get a FREE new member bonus item with your first box! Deal applies automatically, just visit and subscribe.
Look Fantastic Beauty Box
Birthday Edit Box
Items:
- Molton Brown Orange & Bergamot Body Wash ($10)
- Bubble T x lookfantastic Birthday Bath Bomb (similar, $6)
- Oskia Renaissance Cleansing Gel ($17.30)
- Caudalie Premier Cru Eye Cream (about $15)
- Sleek Brow Stylist ($8)
- Pixi Liplift in Honey Sheen ($14)
- ELLE UK September 2019 Edition
Total Value: About $70
The Birthday Edit was a lot of fun! lookfantastic continues to put together boxes of generous sized products and samples. It’s awesome to see Oskia, Pixi, and Bubble T in the September box. Also, this is one of the few beauty boxes that ships to Canada with great products, definitely worth it!
Review: Lookfantastic Beauty Box September 2019 Review
Of Note: While this box is $22 per month it has free worldwide shipping and if you subscribe to a year you’ll get it at $15 per month (plus you don’t have to pay upfront!). Always a mini Elle magazine plus a nice mix of UK beauty brands. Sizes are smaller but if you don’t live in the US & are willing to pay for a year upfront, this is a great choice!
See Lookfantastic spoilers + past Lookfantastic Beauty Box reviews or sign up for directory notifications when we post about this subscription!
There are lots of boxes to compare for the under $20 category! All of them did just great content-wise! That leaves us in deciding what’s the best box depending on the total retail value, and the clear winner in that criteria is Macy’s! Aside from that, Macy’s box this month felt full, and they cater to our every need and they really stepped up their game. We’re also happy with the personalized Birchboxes, and the surprise bag and stickers from the curated one are really fun additions! Play and Ipsy, along with Allure and LF have products that best works for our beauty, skin, and make-up needs! We’re really pleased with all the boxes, and this makes the competition more interesting as there are now 7 boxes vying for the title of being the best under $20 box each month!
What did you think of this month’s Sephora PLAY!, and Ipsy? Did you have a favorite?
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