Getting your beauty fix while still staying within your budget just got easier. Thanks to several new beauty sampling programs, you can test drive the hottest makeup, hair care, nail care, and skin care without breaking open your piggy bank.
Websites like Birchbox, Sample Society, and Julep are offering customers a chance to get their sweet little hands on a customized box full of highly desirable name brand products all for a small monthly fee. Even better, many of these services offer completely free shipping and additional membership benefits, like exclusive discount coupons and point programs where you can earn free products!
Although it may sound risky, hold off on hitting your panic button. Committing to one of these beauty subscriptions doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll be forced into forking over your hard earned cash every month. Most of these services offer you an opportunity to skip shipments at your discretion or cancel your subscription service altogether with no strings attached.
Want to know more? Buckle up, beauties, as we introduce you to some of the coolest beauty membership services out there along with the breakdown of what you can expect from each one.
BeautyArmy
Cost: $12 / month or $132 / year
What You Get: Up to 6 deluxe-sized beauty samples
How It Works: Start your sign-up by taking a short beauty quiz. Your answers will determine which products are recommended for you to try. You can also opt to skip the quiz and have Beauty Army experts choose the samples for you. New samples are updated and added each month. Shipping is free.
Extra Benefits: Complete 5 brand surveys and you’ll receive a 15% off discount to use in their shop, where you can order full-sized versions of the sample products. Stay subscribed to the Beauty Army program and every 3 months you’ll receive a coupon valid for $10 off a $50 purchase! You’ll also earn a free month for recruiting 3 friends to the site.
BeautyBar.com Sample Society
Cost: $15 / month
What You Get: 5 deluxe-sized luxury brand samples
How It Works: Although you can’t customize your box, chances are good that you’ll still covet the goodies in this one. Each box from Sample Society includes luxury brand samples from Murad, Sisley, Stila, and more. Free shipping and handling is included and you can cancel your membership at any time. Membership is limited, so you’ll definitely want to sign up asap if you’re interested in participating.
Extra Benefits: Come back to the site and purchase the full-sized version of one of the products you sampled and you’ll receive a $15 coupon redeemable towards a $50 purchase. You’ll also receive a 1-year subscription to Allure magazine with your membership!
Birchbox
Cost: $10 / month
What You Get: A mystery box filled with generously sized beauty samples.
How It Works: Your Birchbox will include beauty products from high-end brands you already know and love (like Benefit, Dior, Juicy Couture, and Deborah Lippmann), plus products from exciting new brands. Make sure to fill out your Birchbox Profile to increase your chances of receiving a product you’ll enjoy. Each box ships free.
Extra Benefits: Refer your friends to the site and you’ll earn 50 points for every each referral. For every 100 points you earn, you’ll get $10 to spend in the Birchbox Shop. You’ll also earn 1 point for every dollar you spend in their online shop. 100 accumulated points will land you $10 to put towards a full-sized product!
GlossyBox
Cost: $21 / month, $115 / 6 months, $220 / year
What You Get: 5 travel-sized beauty products
How It Works: Once you’ve set up your subscription, you can fill out a bespoke beauty profile that will help customize which products Glossybox includes in your shipment. Makeup, skin care, and grooming samples from brands like Burberry, ZOYA, OPI, and Cargo come packed in cute, reusable packing.
Extra Benefits: Glossybox only just put out their first U.S. edition box in May 2012, so stay tuned to see if any additional perks are added to the site!
Julep Maven
Cost: $19.99 / month
What You Get: Toxin-free nail colors & nair care products
How It Works: Your first Julep Maven box will include two of the season’s hottest shades, plus other nail colors based upon your style quiz answers. You’ll have an opportunity to preview future boxes before they ship, and you can choose to skip the month or have the box shipped to a friend if you’d prefer. Your satisfaction is guarantee, and any unopened products can be returned within 30 days for a full refund.
Extra Benefits: You’ll receive $5 off your first order as soon as you sign up. Members will also enjoy 20% off every product when they shop the Maven Boutique. You’ll earn a free month of Julep Maven Box service for every two friends you refer that join the site, along with an additional $15 credit after they place their first order.
NewBeauty TestTube
Cost: $29.95 per tube plus shipping & handling
What You Get: A variety of deluxe and full-size beauty samples and a NewBeauty magazine
How It Works: A new, limited-supply of beauty tubes are offered every 3 months and comes filled with beauty products from brands like Moroccan Oil, Estee Lauder, Philosophy, Smashbox, and Perricone MD. You’ll also receive a copy of the latest issue of NewBeauty magazine. The TestTube is also sometimes offered through QVC.
Extra Benefits: Various special offers from SpaLook.com (including gift cards!) have been added into past TestTubes.
Have you tried any of these membership programs?
Let us know in the comments below!
Image Credit: Birchbox.com
I’ve been wanting to try Birchbox!! So many of my blog friends use it and love it!
Megan recently posted..My PSA
I HAVE BEEN EXTREMELY HAPPY WITH THE SAMPLES SINCE I ENROLLED ALSO I HAVE RECIEVED MANY FULL SIZE PRODUCTS WHICH WHEN DETERMINING THE COST ,THIS IS A HUGE BARGIN!!! GIRLS SIGN UP YOU WON’T BE SORRY. BEAUTY LOVE TO ALL .
Sorry folks that I failed to mention that i’m receiving the New Beauty Test ,it’s really awsome!!