They say that “beauty is pain”, and while that may be true in some ways (I will never pluck my eyebrows, thanks), it doesn’t have to be true in finding your beauty products in the first place.  With the explosion of subscription box options over the years, there are plenty of boxes out there for pretty much anything… and that includes boxes for makeup and other beauty products.

But, the choices can be a little overwhelming… worry not, here’s a list of six beauty subscription boxes that may be right up your alley:

Ipsy

In all of my subscription box research, by far Ipsy is one of the most popular beauty boxes available.  While it is on the cheaper side of the spectrum, Ipsy manages to be well worth the $10 a month by offering five beauty items (some full sized, some samples) and a nice new makeup bag.  That’s every month.  If you want to dip your toe into subscription boxes but are worried about price, Ipsy is one of the best options available.

Julep Maven

Julep Maven’s beauty boxes focus more on their high end nail polish.  Julep’s box is a little on the higher end of the scale at $25 a month, but you are able to pick each item in your box, from old polish colors to new, or even other types of make up and beauty products.  Additionally, if you don’t want your box that month for whatever reason, it’s easy to skip a month of the subscription. Julep makes sure that you get exactly what you want in each box.

Target Beauty Box

Target’s Beauty boxes are just a little different from the others on the list–Target doesn’t actually offer a subscription, and the release times for these boxes aren’t always consistent.  However, these particular boxes come relatively cheap, and are packed with makeup and beauty goodies.  The Target box mostly contains samples, but all the better to learn what items you like and want to get more of (probably at a Target, like a clever advertisement scheme!).

Vegan Cuts Beauty Box

The Vegan Cuts Beauty Box, as the name suggests, is a beauty box consisting of all vegan beauty products, that were not tested on animals nor have any animal products in them.  There’s a surprising amount of beauty products that can contain items derived from animal parts, so Vegan Cuts makes it great for vegans to easily find beauty products that match their lifestyle.  Most items in the Vegan Cuts box are samples, but it goes a long way in raising awareness for animal free beauty products.

Boxycharm

Boxycharm is like a higher-end Ipsy box.  Like Ipsy, Boxycharm sends you five items a month, minus the makeup bag.  However, all of these products are full-sized, and the value of the items easily values around $100.  Boxycharm is one of the best values on the market right now, and a great way to build up your beauty product collection.

eSalon Hair Coloring

eSalon differs from the beauty boxes by providing high quality hair color.  eSalon has an extensive quiz you take to help determine your hair type and how you want to color it, and specialists create a perfect formula just for you and mail it to your door.  Any person that dyes their hair somewhat regularly know that with over the counter dyes can be difficult to match to the color on the box, but eSalon takes the guesswork out of it.  Better yet, the subscription model helps to keep you stocked up on your color, so it will never fade out.

There it is, a beginner’s guide to the first beauty boxes you’ll want to try out… or maybe one or two you missed along the way.  Are there any beauty boxes that you recommend?  Let us know in the comments!

6 Beauty Subscription Boxes Worth Your While

Suave.  Sophisticated.  Sci-fi/fantasy.

Every day it’s becoming more and more acceptable to be a nerd, and we foresee a day when it will be nerdier to not be a nerd.  (Like the Bible prophetizes, “The last shall be first and the first shall be last… picked in gym class.”)  Now that it’s becoming socially okay, more people are openly expressing their dorky sides… But just because you’re good at math doesn’t mean you have to dress like it!

With modern times encouraging both nerdom and metrosexuality, the stage is set for the Debonair Dweeb.  You can look stylish and well-groomed without sacrificing your roots as the guy who played the new Call of Duty for 36 hours straight without bathing.  Women want a man who’s polished and well-read… so stop pretending you don’t know who Tom Bombadil is.

Silver Transformers Cuff Links

Nothing says “stylish” like “shiny,” and nothing says “shiny” like “robots that are also cars.”  These silver Transformers Cuff Links can transform an unkempt slob with sloppy sleeves into a dashing young man who’s the life of the party.  The set comes with one icon each for Decepticons and Autobots because… really… don’t make us choose.

View the Silver Transformers Cuff Links at Amazon

Game of Thrones Scarves

Need something to fling over your shoulder after your park your Vespa?  Scarves have been a long-time staple for people who dress better than normal people, but having a emblem from a fantasy series like Game of Thrones takes away the pretentiousness.  Available in either House Stark or House Targaryen.  [Omitted:  Predictable “Winter is Coming” gag]

View the Games of Thrones Scarves at ThinkGeek

Superman Tie Pin

Only a dweeb would want Superman’s trademark S blazoned across his chest, but only a Debonair Dweeb would be wearing at tie at the same time.  Since this is a little on the cheap side for the truly debonair, you’ll have to forgo your love of the Man of Steel for the Man of Pewter.

View the Superman Tie Pin at Amazon

Chain Mail Necktie

The world of business is a battlefield, so don’t go to work unarmored!  Show off your love of fantasy without losing credibility as a hardass.  This Chain Mail Necktie is perfect to wear on Casual Friday as a joke… but even better to wear on Mondays in all seriousness.

View the Chain Mail Necktie at ThinkGeek

Batman Money Clip

In order to appear sophisticated and debonair, you could spend hours grooming, researching fashions, and of course reading a small library of books to culture yourself… or you could just whip out a wad of cash!  Money clips are a great way to look well-to-do because they inherently say, “hey, I have so much money, I need help keeping it all together!”  And we can’t think of a better guardian for our cash than the Dark Knight himself.

View the Batman Money Clip at ThinkGeek

Star Trek Red Shirt Cologne

Being a nerd is one thing… smelling like one is another.  Not every aspect of geek culture is perfect, and we’re thinking of the hygiene of the guy we sat next to at a Comicon panel.  But if you’re going to mask your scent, first things first:  take a shower!  Then apply this Star Trek Red Shirt Cologne.  Set phasers to… stunning!

View the Star Trek Red Shirt Cologne at Amazon

Romain Jerome Pac-Man Watch

This is what geek chic is all about:  a watch that will impress both the guys you golf with and the guys you game with.  Set in steel, coated with polished PVD, run by Swiss automated Concepto movements, and designed by an actual menswear fashion designer, this Pac-Man Watch by Romain Jerome is the real deal – if you don’t believe us, check the price tag!

View the Romain Jerome Pac-Man Watch at Jomashop

Debonair Dweeb: 7 Stylish Geek Chic Menswear Items