Boxycharm vs. IPSY – which subscription box is better? Are you looking for a subscription box that fits your lifestyle and budget? If so, you’ve come to the right place. After intense research, we decided to compare two of the most popular subscription boxes – Boxycharm and IPSY – to help you decide which one is best for you. We’ll take a close look at the products of each subscription box, their prices, and customer reviews to give you an in-depth comparison of both services. So, take your time to read the full article to find out which subscription box is best for you!
According to various surveys, every year, an average person spends somewhere between $2,500 and $3,700 on cosmetics and beauty products. Various subscription beauty boxes such as Boxycharm and IPSY take an increasingly large part in this spending.
By the way, those numbers skyrocketed during the notorious pandemic period, when we all needed some additional self-care. Indeed, beauty shopping is the ultimate retail therapy. It gives you the same boost of dopamine as any other shopping but without the hustle and bustle of waiting in the queue to the fitting room, or getting upset if you suddenly size up.
However, with so many brands and new products launching on the market almost every day, shopping for cosmetics is often a lottery, and many people end up wasting hundreds (if not thousands) of products they hardly ever use.
This phenomenon explains the growing popularity of Boxycharm, IPSY, and other subscription beauty boxes. In a nutshell, it is a great opportunity to try new products and discover new brands without having to pay the full price initially. Add to this the element of surprise that comes with the unpacking of every subscription box, and you have the ultimate retail beauty therapy experience.
In this article, we shall talk about the idea behind subscription boxes, their worth, and possible pitfalls to watch out for and compare the two most popular brands in the beauty boxes market: IPSY and Boxycharm.
What is a subscription box, and why do we love them so much?
The whole idea of subscription shopping, the concept of when you pay ahead and keep receiving a certain product or service regularly, is not new at all. Back in the 1800s or great-great-great-parents subscribed for regular deliveries from milkmen. Newspaper and magazine subscriptions appeared around the beginning of the XX century. Source
Monthly subscription boxes are a relatively new concept, but they became incredibly popular in the last decade. Today there are subscription boxes for almost everyone! Except for the famous IPSY, Boxycharm, and other beauty boxes, you can find subscriptions for collectors, parents, pet owners, etc.
This idea of having a unique shopping experience with the element of surprise curated around the theme you most enjoy is what makes subscription boxes so fun and thrilling. Plus, if you pay several months ahead, every new box that arrives at your door feels like a gift rather than another purchase.
As for businesses, subscription boxes are a great marketing opportunity and a stable distribution model that allows them to introduce new products and brands on the market, attract new customers and track the demand and reaction of the audience right away.
However, beauty boxes – the subscription boxes dedicated to makeup and other beauty and care products, are the leaders in their niche today.
Boxycharm vs. IPSY – which subscription box is better?
If you have never tried subscription boxes before and want to try them yourself or look for some new subscription service that will help you make discoveries and enrich your beauty collection, you definitely heard of Boxycharm and IPSY. Keep reading, and we shall compare the two leaders in the beauty boxes market and probably help you decide about your next subscription box.
Boxycharm – customized experience (a full overview)
One of the biggest perks of the Boxycharm subscription box is the fact that you can customize the set of products you receive every month. Each new subscriber gets to fill up a short survey where they provide information about their skin type, complexion, the issues they would like to address, as well as preferences in makeup and skincare products.
This makes the very process of joining the Boxycharm subscription a thrilling experience. By the way, be prepared, as there may be a waitlist! It means that there is a chance you will not be able to join the Boxycharm subscription right away but will have to wait in line for some time. However, some say that this waiting period is just a way Boxycharm creates artificial hype around their monthly subscription boxes.
However, once you are in, you probably won’t be disappointed. Each Boxycharm subscription box will cost you $25 and promises to carry a set of products worth at least $100. On their website, Boxycharm claim that the average worth of each box is even $175.
Each box contains five products. It may not seem like a lot, considering that other subscription beauty box services may promise ten and more products every month. However, Boxycharm puts full-size products into their packages. If you have tried subscription boxes before, you know how disappointing it may be to realize that you paid for a bunch of one-time sachets that you would probably get for free in Sephora.
Boxycharm guarantees you will get full-size or at least travel-size products in every box. However, there is a catch as sometimes they can put a sponge, a hairclip, a mirror, or another cheap trinket into the box and still consider it a full-size beauty product.
Remember we said that you could customize your subscription experience with Boxycharm? You can also choose one of the five products you receive in advance. But you need to claim your choice as soon as possible, as they run out of the trendiest items pretty fast.
Last but not least, Boxycharm “pays” you for your reviews of the products from the subscription box. Every review gives you 50 Charm points, which can be redeemed in the Boxychrm store later on.
IPSY – the trendiest brands at your door!
IPSY subscription boxes are in many ways similar to those from Boxycharm. However, there are some pretty significant differences between the two companies.
Just like Boxycharm, IPSY will offer you to take a survey about your skin and hair type and preferences in makeup and beauty care products. However, many customers claim that IPSY tends to take the survey much more seriously, and therefore their subscription boxes look more customized and focused on your needs. This subscription brand also customizes every box according to the season or upcoming holidays, which makes them a great no-brainer gift option.
When you join the subscription plan with IPSY, you may also stumble upon a waitlist. However, they will instantly offer you to skip the waiting period by simply sharing information about IPSY subscription beauty boxes on your social media and sending the link to their customer service. It is probably just one more proof that the “waitlist” is just another smart marketing move.
An IPSY subscription is much more affordable than Boxycharm. It will only cost you $12 monthly, and bring at least $50 worth of products in each box.
Unlike Boxycharm, IPSY puts samples into their subscription boxes, and they are pretty honest about it from the very beginning. However, those samples are not the notorious frustrating sachets but pretty generous, often travel-size packs. Also, IPSY works with some of the world`s trendiest brands, those that you see everywhere and want to try. Huda Beauty, Balance Me, and Kokie Cosmetics are only some brands you will often find in the IPSY subscription boxes.
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So, what is the difference between IPSY and Boxycharm subscriptions?
Now let`s review the key points to compare the Boxycharm and IPSY subscription boxes so you can get a better idea about each service.
Types of products that you will get with the subscription box at Boxycharm and IPSY:
- Boxycharm – gravitates heavily towards makeup. You will certainly find an eyeshadow palette, highlighter, concealer, or makeup tools in every box. They hardly put more than one skincare product;
- IPSY – all over the place. Your whole box may consist of skin or hair care products. You can even find nail polish or perfume in the next IPSY box.
Variations of products found in these two subscription boxes:
- Boxycharm – most subscribers get the same products every month. You get to choose one product for your box and take a customization quiz when you join the subscription, but statistically, most kits are the same;
- IPSY – once again, all over the place. Your box this month may be entirely different from what your friend receives. Some say that it is because they take the personalization option very seriously. Others believe that IPSY collaborates with so many brands that their boxes just have to vary greatly every month.
Shipment and customer service of subscription box Boxycharm and IPSY:
- Boxycharm – ships all over the U.S., Alaska, Hawaii, all the US Territories, and all over Canada. They ship through FedEx and send you an e-mail with a tracking code as soon as your box is shipped;
- IPSY – ships to the U.S. and its territories, APO, DPO, FPO boxes, and Canada. They work through DHL SM Parcel Ground and e-mail you a clickable tracking code as well.
Cancellation
- Boxycharm – once you decide to cancel your subscription, go to your account on their website and unsubscribe in one click;
- IPSY – You also cancel through your account on their website but have to click a special link they will e-mail you later on. Otherwise, the cancellation request will not proceed. With IPSY, you can also freeze your subscription for a while if you don`t want to cancel it entirely.
Pros and cons of Boxycharm and IPSY
Boxycharm pros and cons
Pros:
Offers full-size products from high-end brands
Includes a range of beauty products, such as makeup, skincare, and hair care
Offers a good value for the price
Has a large and active community on social media
Cons:
May include products that aren’t a good match for your skin tone or type
Can be overwhelming for those who prefer a simpler routine
May include products that you may not use or need
IPSY pros and cons
Pros:
Offers personalized product recommendations based on a beauty quiz
Offers a mix of full-size and sample-size products
Includes a range of beauty products, such as makeup, skincare, and hair care
Has a large and active community on social media
Cons:
Some products may not be from well-known or high-end brands
Some products may be too small to provide a thorough test
The value of the products may not always match the cost of the subscription
Are Boxycharm and IPSY the same thing?
If you go to the IPSY website and scroll down to the bottom of the main page, you will see an invitation to subscribe to Boxycharm beauty box, among other IPSY subscription options. So, does it mean that IPSY and Boxycharm are the same things?
Yes and no. Remember how we said that the concept of monthly subscription boxes boomed during the COVID period? IPSY actually managed to become one of the biggest players in this market and acquired Boxycharm by the end of 2020. However, since then, the brands have acted as separate companies, aiming at different audiences. Yes, the personalization test you take when you join each subscription is processed by the same platform, and data goes to the same place. However, practice shows that the results are treated differently.
In a nutshell, IPSY is the best option for those who want to be on the cutting edge of the beauty industry and try the trendiest, most viral products every month without spending lots of money or committing to full-size products. It is also a great way to find something new precisely for your hair or skin type, as IPSY seems very serious about its personalization feature.
Boxycharm is a perfect subscription beauty box for those who want to enrich and upgrade their collection of beauty products. Here you will receive full-size items, a much higher value, and internationally acknowledged best-sellers, the products that are tested, loved, and highly recommended worldwide. No dark horses here. You even get to choose 1 out of 5 products you receive each month.
Are beauty subscription boxes worth it
The value of beauty subscription boxes can vary depending on your personal preferences and needs. Here are some factors to consider when deciding if a beauty subscription box is worth it for you:
Cost: Beauty subscription boxes typically range from $10 to $50 per month. Consider whether the cost of the box aligns with the value of the products you receive. Look at the full retail value of the items inside the box to determine if you’re getting a good deal.
Variety: If you’re interested in trying new beauty products but don’t want to commit to full-sized products, a beauty subscription box can be a great way to discover new items. Many boxes offer a range of products from different brands, which can be a great way to explore different options.
Customization: Some beauty subscription boxes allow you to personalize the products you receive based on your preferences. If customization is important to you, look for a box that offers this option.
Convenience: If you enjoy the convenience of having beauty products delivered directly to your door, a subscription box can be a great option. This is especially true if you’re too busy to shop for products on your own.
Whether a beauty subscription box is worth it depends on your preferences and needs. If you’re interested in trying new products and don’t mind the cost, a subscription box can be a fun way to explore the world of beauty. However, if you prefer to choose your own products or have specific needs, a subscription box may not be the best option for you.
Conclusion
Joining a monthly subscription box can be fun and add a bit of thrill to your life. Whether you choose one of the brands we just compared, a clothing box subscription, or food subscription boxes, make sure to enjoy the moment, and if you ever run into financial strain, you can cancel the subscription boxes at any time.
Did you find these subscription boxes comparison helpful? Will you join such a subscription service, or are you still in doubt? If you want to do it just for curiosity or something to look forward to every month, you can subscribe for a month or two, and if you don’t like the products you receive, you can end the service anytime. Oh, and do me a favor, please; Share this page on social media to help others decide between Boxycharm and IPSY. Thank you!
