WHEN you think of a beauty subscription box, GLOSSYBOX is probably the first name that comes to mind.
But in a market now packed with monthly beauty bundles, does this original still hold up? I’ve done a Glossybox review to find out.
Glossybox beauty box subscription, from £12.50
I review beauty products for a living, and there’s still nothing I love more than finding a new favorite to add to my collection.
Still, I’ve always been a bit of a commitment-phobe when it comes to monthly subscriptions, often questioning if they’re truly worth the money.
So, for this review, I decided to find out for myself.
Founded in 2011, Glossybox was created to make new products more accessible to beauty lovers.
The idea was simple: deliver curated boxes of skincare, makeup and haircare right to your door, bridging the gap between brands and consumers.
A monthly membership is £12.50 per month for a 12-month plan, or you can test the waters with a one-month subscription for £13.50.
Each box is valued at around £50 and contains five products from a mix of both well-known and up-and-coming brands.
Throughout the year, you can also get special themed and seasonal boxes.
Even better, anyone who signs up in August gets a free welcome box worth £149.
And if you’re a fan of Advent calendars, Glossybox is launching its 2025 calendar in September for £75, with a record-breaking £624 worth of products inside.
Pros
- Great for trying out new products
- Good value for money
- Nice variety of items
- A mix of popular and little-known brands
- Stylish packaging
- High-quality products
- Choice of a one-month or 12-month subscription
- Free gift for new subscribers
Cons
- August’s box lacked well-known brands
- Some products can only be used once
- Would have preferred a hair product instead of two body products for balance
Rating: 8.5/10
How I tested Glossybox’s subscription
Glossybox beauty box subscription, from £12.50
As The Sun’s Fashion & Beauty eCommerce Writer (and a life-long beauty enthusiast), I’ve tested my fair share of cosmetics over the years.
I tried the August edition of Glossybox’s subscription to determine the variety of products, the overall quality and whether the monthly commitment is really worth it.
I also considered the packaging and the value for money.
While I’ve only tested one of the monthly boxes, I’ve researched the products inside the previous editions to see how they compare.
Glossybox review: Quickfire Q&A
How much is Glossybox? A 12-month subscription costs £12.50 per month, while a one-off monthly purchase is £13.50. Three, six and 12 months subscriptions can also be bought upfront for £39, £75 and £138 respectively.
Who’s it best for? Beauty fans who want to experiment with new products each month.
What we loved: The good selection of high-quality products for a great price.
What we didn’t love: A lack of well-known brands (although it’s possible that I just got unlucky with the box I tested).
Glossybox review: The Nitty Gritty
First impressions
It felt like Christmas had come early when my Glossybox subscription box arrived, packaged in a stylish pink box with the products wrapped in tissue paper.
5
Glossybox beauty box subscription, from £12.50
I’ll be honest; I wasn’t initially blown away by the contents, having been expecting at least one cult product or brand.
BeautyPro is the biggest name included (known for its viral LED face mask), with one of the brand’s hydrating sheet masks included.
I was impressed by the mix of products, covering skincare, body care and make-up, but it would have been nice to have a haircare product thrown in for a full house.
Each month’s edit has a theme (usually based on the season), and I tried the ‘Beach Dreams’ edition.
The cooling face spray and body shimmer perfectly fit the hot weather theme, while the travel-sized shower gel and sheet mask are ideal for holidays and getaways.
5
Full contents of August’s Glossybox:
Each product is worth £6-£13 when purchased separately, and the total value of the box adds up to £52.77.
The mix of products is suitable for beauty fans of all ages, and it’s only the Lauren’s Skincare Lip Liner that comes in a specific shade.
5
However, the pink shade is one of the more neutral options available, so it’s more likely to impress than bolder tones.
Does it deliver?
A box of mystery beauty products is never going to please every shopper, but Glossybox has done a great job of including a versatile mix of items.
While August edition is lacking on the haircare front, the mix of two body care, two skincare and one make-up product is a pretty decent balance.
I could also see people of all ages enjoying the box, so it would make a great gift for practically any beauty fan.
My only gripe is that I wish it had one hero product; something that’s either popular online or made by a brand with some name recognition.
Looking at boxes from previous months, it seems that sometimes that is the case: I’ve spotted big brands like Philip Kingsley, Bobbi Brown and Color Wow in previous boxes.
It wasn’t until I starting using the products that I appreciated Glossybox’s value for money.
My favourite find from the box (and one that I would likely purchase again) is the Earth Harbour Mystic Waters Mineralising Rescue Mist.
5
The toning spray is infused with Sea Electrolytes, Magnesium and Ocean Botanical, feeling immediately hydrating on my dry skin.
It’s one of the most refreshing facial mists I’ve tried, and has become a regular in my morning routine (particularly on hot days).
Baiga’s Shimmering Body Milk is another product I’ll be taking on my next holiday.
The perfumed lotion has a strong floral scent (which may not be for everyone), and a shimmering tint that leaves the skin glowing.
It gave me a subtle bronzed glow, while the sparkle feels perfect for applying to the collarbones and shoulders for evening occasions.
5
A little goes a long way, so I’d recommend only applying a tiny amount if you want a subtle shimmer.
While August’s Glossybox didn’t feature as many well-known brands as previous editions, I was seriously impressed by the quality of every product.
For between £12.50-£13.50 a month (depending on the subscription shoppers choose), the box is fantastic value for money, and a great way for beauty fans to experiment with new products.
How much is Glossybox?
A Glossybox subscription costs either £12.50 or £13.50 a month, depending on which option shoppers choose.
The most flexible plan can be cancelled at any time and costs 13.50 a month, while the pay-monthly plan with a 12-month fixed contract is £12.50 a month.
Glossybox can also be purchased upfront, with a three-month plan for £39 (working out as £13 a month), a six-month subscription for £75, or a 12-month plan for £138.
The 12-month upfront subscription is the best value for money, working out as £11.50 per month.
As the membership comes with five options to choose from, shoppers are able to pick the payment plan that suits them the most.
Where to buy Glossybox
Glossybox Beauty Box Subscription, from £12.50
Glossybox’s subscription is available exclusively on the brand’s website, where shoppers can sign up for a rolling or fixed-term membership.
While the monthly boxes can only be purchased on the Glossybox website, the brand’s other products can sometimes be purchased from a select few beauty retailers.
The brand’s limited-edition Summer Bag, (which contains £142 worth of beauty products for £45) is available on both the Glossybox and the Lookfantastic website.
The brand’s seasonal beauty bundle features several major brands including Medik8, Sol de Janeiro and Rituals, all packaged in a stylish striped tote bag.
It’s unclear how long the limited-edition bag will be available for, but the beauty deal is likely to come offline in the next month or so as we approach the end of summer.
Glossybox alternatives
There are a few other beauty subscription services available, where shoppers can get a range of products delivered to their door monthly.
While Glossybox is one of the original subscriptions of its kind, Birchbox was the very first to hit the beauty market, launching in 2010 (although it didn’t come to the UK until 2013, two years after Glossybox).
Big brands including Lookfantastic and Beauty Pie also have monthly beauty boxes that can be bought as a subscription.
The verdict: Is the Glossybox subscription worth it?
From the packaging to the quality of products, Glossybox is brilliant value for money.
While I was initially sceptical due to the lack of well-known brands, the products I received delivered, opening me up to beauty finds that I would have otherwise missed out on.
The monthly boxes come with a good variety of products, and they’re versatile enough to suit members of all ages.
Whether you’re dipping your toe into the beauty world or are a seasoned expert, Glossybox is great for expanding a cosmetic collection.
And who wouldn’t love a box of goodies being delivered to their door each month?
FAQs
How to cancel Glossybox
Glossybox’s rolling subscription can be cancelled before the 14th of the month to avoid being charged for the next month.
Fixed subscriptions cannot be cancelled until the chosen time period is complete.
However, users can opt out of a subscription renewal at the end of their chosen three, six or 12 month membership, provided they cancel before the 14th of the month.
To cancel, members can log in to their Glossybox account, click the subscriptions tab on the website, and select “cancel subscription”.
Users cancelling after the 14th of the month will still receive the next month’s box, and the cancellation will be applied from the following month.
Are all Glossyboxes the same?
No. Glossybox switches up the contents of its box each month, so subscribers can try a range of products without repeats.
It’s possible that the same brands will appear inside more than one box, but the products will likely vary.
Glossybox includes a mix of popular and little-known brands as a way of helping beauty fans to discover names that may not already be on their radar.
The monthly box usually contains a mix of full-size and mini products, with a combination of skincare, make-up, haircare and body care products.
It’s not guaranteed that every box will include something from each categories.
For example, some months may have several skincare items and zero body care products.
Is there a Glossybox Advent calendar?
Yes! The Glossybox beauty Advent calendar is launching in September, and shoppers can sign up to the mailing list to be the first to hear about the official release date.
The brand has revealed that the contents of the Advent calendar will add up to over £624, and has shared a sneak peak of some of the products inside.
Revealing two very impressive products, Glossybox announced that shoppers will receive a Medik8 Daily Refresh Balancing Toner (worth £20) and a Natasha Denona Glam Face Light Palette (worth £60).
The Glossybox 2024 Advent calendar cost £85 and was filled with £586 worth of products.
The calendar saw a mix of products from high-street and premium brands tucked behind the 24 doors, including Medik8, Rituals, Pixi and Aveeno.
