Boxycharm Vs Birchbox: Which Beauty Box Is Better?

Beauty subscription boxes have been all the rage since brands like Ipsy and Birchbox broke into the scene in the early 2010s. From there, the market boomed and several different boxes began popping up. Even Target and Sephora released their own take on the beauty subscription service. The concept became a phenomenon on social media; especially on YouTube, as beauty subscription unboxing videos became common among beauty bloggers, per Tubular Insights.

While these services allow you to try out a bunch of new products for a small fee each month, the hype behind these services died down a bit when their YouTube popularity did. However, with the COVID-19 pandemic keeping makeup lovers in their houses instead of inside a Sephora store, beauty subscription services regained their popularity, as noted by Thought Leaders. The option gave beauty lovers the ability to try out new products while also giving them something to look forward to during the uncertainty of the pandemic.

Whether you need a pandemic pick-me-up or just want to try out one of these boxes for yourself, you've probably spent hours trying to learn the differences between the two biggest brands on the market: Birchbox and BoxyCharm. Have no fear, we are here to tell you which box comes out on top.

Birchbox was the original beauty subscription service and few have been able to recreate what makes the company so successful. According to Byrdie, nothing beats Birchbox. The company partners with some of the biggest names in the beauty industry, like Kiehl's, Benefit, and Oribe, giving you high-quality products straight to your door.

When you first sign up for the service, you'll take a survey that then calculates what type of products would work best for your wants and needs, per Britt and Whit. The company offers a points system, so you can leave reviews and purchase products for rewards points. Birchbox awards $10 for every 100 points, which isn't too shabby, considering some of those points are gained simply from leaving reviews. You can put your points towards your box price or items from their shop.

Luckily, there is no waitlist to snag this box and it ships quickly. Once you've ordered, you can expect to have your box within a week. It's important to note that this box has an emphasis on hair and skincare, so if you're in it for makeup only, this may not be the box for you. Each box costs $15.

When it comes to customizing your subscription service, Boxycharm reigns supreme, as noted by Byrdie. While Birchbox sends out mostly sample sizes, you'll get five full-size products with each box you receive. If you're hoping to have more of a say in what products you get with your subscription, BoxyCharm is the way to go because each month, you'll get to hand-pick one product yourself.

Getting a BoxyCharm subscription is not as easy as signing up for Birchbox, according to Britt and Whit. There tends to be a waitlist for this coveted box. If you can score a subscription, each box will cost you $25. However, for five full-size beauty products, that's pretty impressive.

When it comes to what box is better, it depends on what you are looking for. Byrdie ranks Birchbox as number one overall and BoxyCharm as first in line when it comes to customization. If you are looking for quality products with a smaller price tag, Birchbox is the way to go. If you like having more of a say in what comes in your box and don't mind having to sit on a waitlist, BoxyCharm is the perfect subscription for you.