The subscription box trend has only grown in the past decade. There are so many different types of subscription box you can get that it’s hard to opt for just one. Especially if you have many different interests. There are beauty samples, food samples, activities for kids and so on.
So, how does it all work?
Well, the subscription box companies will send you a package full of freshly selected products every month for as long as you pay the flat subscription fee. Simple, right? They are convenient and you never know what you’re going to get which is a big part of what makes them fun. Click here to learn more about them.
The trend was born when Birchbox was launched in 2010. It was a beauty sample box but the business model has quickly spread to many other industries.
Prices can be as low as $10 but they also go a lot higher for some products.
Still, even $10 can be too much when you might get something that you don’t like or that you don’t really need. This is why you need to know what you might get from them before you make a rash decision.
Fortunately, most subscription box services share what was in the previous few packages if you visit their website. And as a bonus, this article will tell you what you can expect from the most common types of boxes.
Beauty Boxes
Since the entire concept was born around beauty boxes it’s only fair to start with them.
It’s very common and you can get all sorts of beauty boxes out there. If you are interested to learn why subscription boxes are so popular, here’s an article that explains that: https://www.forbes.com/sites/gregpetro/2019/04/12/why-subscription-boxes-are-here-to-stay/
For one, Birchbox is still in business and they kept their popularity. They will send you five different samples based on your tastes.
The items are only samples, but they include the high-end products like mascara, creams, shampoos, perfumes, and lipsticks. They have started to offer some men’s products too, so there’s something for everyone. And if you end up liking the sample, you can get the full products from their website too.
There are more expensive services too. Some will send samples along with full-sized products, all from brands that are currently trending. So, you can get a lot more value for your money. Let’s say that your monthly subscription is around $20 – but you get a box full of samples, plus a product that costs more than $20 – that’s a win.
Some services will not diversify between their customers, so they will send the same box to everyone. This can be a bit tricky if you get a product that doesn’t work for you.
There are also services that focus on specific products like nail polish or creams. Of course, they send other products too, but the main focus is on these specific products.
There are services that allow you to preview the products that you can get and they allow you to choose the products that you want from their selection. This eliminates that element of surprise but it guarantees that you will get something that you enjoy.
Certain services offer tiers so you can subscribe to a more expensive tier and get better products.
If you’re into organic products and an eco-approach, you can get that as well. These beauty boxes will contain similar products to any other box, but the products will be natural and eco-friendly. Some of these services also have a choice of lifestyle boxes where you can get some products for your home as well.
Men can get great subscription boxes too – starting from bathing supplies to shaving supplies.
Clothes
Subscription boxes have evolved from samples, and now a simple subscription box can dress you properly. However, they work in a slightly different way. For example, you can get a clothing box with five items which include clothes, accessories, and shoes for $20 but if you want to keep them, you have to pay for each item separately. Basically, they will style you the best way they can according to your style. If you don’t want the items, you can send them back.
There are subscription boxes for women and men alike and they are usually filled with items from famous brands.
Of course, there are more specific services out there, and they might focus on lingerie, socks, pajamas and so on. They will send you items based on your style and the season, which is great.
Considering that most of these services take your own style into account, you will likely be interested in the items.
Pet Items
Subscription boxes aren’t just for humans – they are great for pets too. You can get an assortment of products for your pet each month. There’s a wide variety of boxes to choose from. Some contain mostly toys, snacks and similar things for pets while some contain mostly food or mostly pet care products. They are never the same and they contain several items that you’ll find useful and your pet will find fun.
If the service also sends clothes, they will likely ask you to enter your dog’s size and breed. Some services allow you to return or exchange one product you or your pet don’t like for free. You can get the box for cats or for dogs.
Meals
There are all sorts of subscription boxes – and Subscription Box Mania hasn’t skipped the food industry. If you’re wondering about the logistics of this, these services will usually refrigerate the products and deliver weekly instead of monthly. They don’t send full meals, but ingredients instead. Don’t worry, they will send a recipe and cut and measure all of the components for you. All you have to do is follow the recipe.
They are a bit more expensive but worth it – you can get several meals in one box and set the number of people who will eat. In the end, it’s less expensive than ordering takeout or eating at a restaurant.
The truth is that the subscription box world is full of options. You can get anything from books to movies, meals, and toys. It’s just a matter of preference. But one thing is for certain – subscription boxes are fun and they are here to stay.
