Top Birchbox Alternatives & Competitors

I have a bad habit of getting too comfortable with my beauty and makeup products.

I don’t love to spend much money, and I have a few go-to staples. But I never would have discovered certain products if I hadn’t been gifted in the past.

And I’m learning that surprises- even in the form of beauty and makeup subscription services- are ways to treat myself and try new things. 

Birchbox is easily one of the most well-known beauty box subscriptions out there. From skin care products to perfume, hair products, and makeup, I’d heard about the company even before I started becoming interested in beauty subscriptions.

But in the last several years, I’ve become more interested in Birchbox alternatives and competitors than Birchbox itself. 

Today I’ll share with you several subscriptions you should consider signing up for instead of Birchbox. All of these top companies, in my opinion, offer better customer service and have unique offerings that make them stand out from their competitors. 

So read on to see my picks- and treat yourself to beauty and self-care products every month. 

Bottom Line Up Summary:

While Birchbox was once one of the most well-known beauty subscription boxes, changes in customer service and management have led some to look for alternatives. Luckily, there are more beauty and self-care subscriptions than ever, and I researched to find competitors that offer solid customer service and unique products, and are worth giving a try. 

If I had to recommend just one Birchbox alternative, it would be Petite Vour. While it’s more expensive than Birchbox, it’s customized for your skin tone, eye color, and more. All beauty and makeup products are cruelty-free, vegan, and made with high-quality ingredients.

My Top Picks

1. Petit Vour: Best Vegan Alternative / Best Customized
2. Beauty Fix (by Dermstore): Best Skincare-Focused Alternative
3. Tribe Beauty: Best Independent-Brands Alternative
4. Macy’s Beauty Box: Best Affordable Alternative
5. Hairbox: Best Haircare-Focused Alternative
6. Laurel and Reed: Best All-Natural Alternative (and for gifting) 
7. Walmart Beauty Box: Cheap Alternative

My Selection Criteria

Just want to get to my top competitors? Feel free to skip to the next section. But it was really important to me to share with you how- and why- I came up with this list of Birchbox competitors.

I saw a need for alternatives when I learned of the vast number of customers who were unable to successfully cancel their Birchbox subscriptions.

Aside from complaints, I think some alternatives have unique, high-quality products and services. Since Birchbox carries makeup, skincare, grooming, and other products, I selected places that either is very close alternatives or offer one of these. 

Products

It’s not uncommon for beauty subscription companies to give you trial-size versions of beauty, skin, and makeup products- but I did consider companies that offer full-sized products too. I think there’s value in both: on one hand, you get a larger sampling of different products to try.

But full-size products are better for someone who wants a regular shipment of beauty staples. Regardless, the company should disclose what kind of products they’re sending, and the price needs to be a good value. I looked for information on:

• Product Types: is there any variety? 
• Product Sizes
• How Often Products/ Selection Changes
• If there’s any personalization or customer choice 

Brands

On one hand, I want alternatives with established, well-known brands, so I considered subscriptions that carried popular and reputable brands. But I was also open to including specialty brands and up-and-coming brands if I could find out positive information about them.

I wanted to showcase the brand variety in my options- while still keeping in mind overall quality. But above all, I wanted to find alternatives to Birchbox offering a sneak peek or listing of the types of brands you can expect. 

Flexible and Transparent Subscriptions

Even if you’re like me and fairly routine, all of us have plans that change- and changing preferences. So I looked mostly more Birchbox competitors that have a few plans to choose from, with bonus points for anyone offering easy options to skip a month or switch up your plan without too much hassle. While this wasn’t a must-have criterion, I at very least want subscription options that are transparent for their billing, fees, and cancellation policies.

Customer Service & Reviews

I knew right away that if I was looking for great alternatives to Birchbox, then competitors had to have solid customer service. I know how frustrating it is to find a subscription you like- only to be disappointed by the service itself. There are sadly no 100 percent guarantees- but I did some research to make sure that the competitors I’m recommending:

• Have multiple ways to contact them (preferably email, phone, online chat, physical address, or some combination)
• Have external customer reviews with some detailed feedback 
• Appear to have responded to complaints
• Have transparent refund policies, as well as how to cancel
• Have transparent renewal policies 

I also considered the company’s history, mission, and well-designed website. In other words, I wanted to make sure that customer support is part of their business model- rather than an afterthought. As such, I’m only recommending Birchbox alternatives that I feel comfortable ordering from for myself. 

See also: Birchbox Man Review: Is This The Service Every Man Needs?

Unique Features or Higher Sourcing Standards

Of course, while I wanted to find quality Birchbox alternatives, I also wanted to find subscriptions that stood out to me.

That included the following: 

Best Birchbox Alernatives: My Picks 

Here are my top picks for the best Birchbox alternatives and competitors. Following my selection criteria above, I choose companies with superior customer service and reviews that will hopefully be worth it for their great products. I wanted to include a variety of options, so some carry essentials while others provide unique products monthly. From popular brands to amazing up-and-coming ones, each of these boxes has something to offer.

Popular subscriptions that didn’t make my cut due to a history of complaints and poor consumer service include Allure Beauty Box, Boxycharm, and Ipsy.  Target no longer has a beauty box.

Petit Vour 

If you want a vegan and cruelty-free alternative to Birchbox, my top choice is Petit Voir. Sure, it offers a rather different experience than Birchbox- but, in my opinion, in a lot of great ways. Petit Vour still provides a range of beauty products, like you’d get with Birchbox, from lotions to lip gloss to eyebrow pencils and more. But these products are all vegan-friendly.

What immediately drew me to Petit Voir was its unique mission and the balance of quality and practicality. Looking at past Petite Voir boxes, they love mixing it up every month, offering a few makeups of products (lip balms, eye makeup, and more) with skincare for a great mix. It’s always balanced, cruel-free, and a nice surprise. 

Subscription Details

I love that they offer A regular subscription and the PV Plus Beauty Box. 

In my opinion, the Beauty Box is the better choice. You still get up to 5 products per month, plus store credit. They don’t show those subscriber-exclusive products the way they show past and recently curated boxes. All in all, Petite Voir is an exceptional option if you’re looking for cruelty-free products, with options to rate products for extra store points, and can cancel your subscription by simply logging into your account. Subscribe Here. 

Pros

• 100 Percent Vegan and Cruelty-Free
• Great Variety Makeup, Skincare Products 
• Earn Store Points 
• Customized For Your SkinTone, Eye Color, etc

Cons

• Yearly Pre-Paid Plans Can’t Be Cancelled (Highly Recommend Monthly)
• Some Boxes Only Have 4 Products/ Month

Beauty Fix (by Dermstore) 

If you’ve considered Birchbox, but are looking for something more focused on skincare, consider giving Beauty Fix a try. Whether you’re like me and your skin tends to be dry, or you have more oily skin, this subscription has you covered. 

What I like about this subscription is that they focus on the health of both your skin and care (with a greater focus on skincare). A lot of their products are made with UV protection and are designed to hydrate and nourish your skin.

Light face cream, soothing creams, and silky serums are a few examples of the products you’ll receive. Each month, products are curated by beauty professionals- and the reviews seem pretty positive. Compared with other competitors, Beauty Fix is also a reasonable price. 

BeautyFix Subscription Details

Every month comes with an average of 5 smaller (1 ounce to 15 ml) products and a few full-size products. You can sign up for a month-to-month plan, 3-month plan, 6-month plan, or 12-month plan. I’d go for the monthly box plan at least initially. You’ll pay a bit more per month, but you can see if it’s a good fit, then switch over if you (hopefully) like it. Subscribe Here. 

Pros

• Hydrating and UV Protection Products
• Blend of Skin Care Products
• Popular Living Proof Brand (Made famous by Jennifer Aniston)

Cons

• A Lot of Trial Size Products
• Not All-Natural

Tribe Beauty 

I love supporting smaller companies- and if you do too, you may love this indie subscription alternative to Birchbox. Tribe Beauty supplies a fun mix of beauty and skin products- but all from independent, female-owned brands. I love that the focus is both on quality and supporting smaller businesses- and you may just discover a new brand you love (examples include: Luxie Beauty, Make Up Geek, Gerard Cosmetics, and Beauty Blender). 

While they mix up their products, I also in many ways appreciate the consistency. Every box ships with one facial product, a skin care product, an eye product, a lip product, and some kind of makeup applicator. So this is a great box for someone who wants a beauty box solely focused on makeup, but is looking for a way to branch out from mainstream brands.

Subscription Details

Boxes ship every other month, and every one comes with 5 products (see above). You can sign up for the regular bi-monthly subscription or pay ahead for 3 or 6 months at a time to save a little per month. Subscribe Here. (PS they also have a Lash Subscription if you wear artificial eyelashes). 

Pros

• Women-Owned, Independent Products 
• Consistency 
• Great For Makeup Lovers

Cons

• Not Personalized For You 
• Can’t Rate Products

Macy’s Beauty Box 

If you like most things about Birchbox- but the recent ownership changes are causing you to hesitate, Macy’s Beauty Box is one of the best and closest alternatives. Macy’s, of course, hardly needs any introduction, but many people don’t realize that they have their very own beauty subscription box. 

This is a good box for anyone who wants to receive mainstream, popular brands for an affordable price. The cheapest beauty box on my list of top Birchbox alternatives, it’s a good mix of brand-name nail polish, eye makeup, lip products, face products, and even a few surprises- like dry shampoo for travel.

Every month, beauty experts choose 5 deluxe products and a bonus product. I like that the products are at once fun and pretty practical- and I love that it comes with added perks, too. 

Subscription Details

Every month shops out 5 deluxe full-sized products, plus a surprise/ bonus product. Another plus: $5 or more coupons towards online or in-store beauty department purchases. It’s a monthly plan, with free shipping included. Subscribe Here. 

Pros

• Full-Sized Products
• Coupons and Products
• Competitive Prices

Cons

• Product Types Vary 
• No Natural/ Organic Products 

Hairbox 

Maybe you’ve considered Birchbox but have more need for hair products than you do for makeup or skincare. If that’s the case, then Hairbox may be a better choice. This unique beauty subscription box is much more personalized than most- and with hair care, that’s a big bonus. You’ll be paired with a stylist and receive full-sized shampoo, conditioner, and a styling product with every box. 

I also like that the focus is on not only appearance

ce but also overall hair care health. Past examples have included a thickening system, hydrating systems, and oil for softening hair. Since you’re being matched for your unique hair needs, it’s a step up from shopping in person, with options to provide feedback. They carry a lot of popular brands, such as Paul Mitchell, OPI, Matrix, Bio Silk, and more. It’s a wide range of brand names, which you can view under the FAQs. 

Subscription Details

All subscriptions provided three full-sized hair products per box- you’re just changing the frequency. Your options are monthly, bi-monthly and quarterly. Subscribe Here. 

Pros

• Personalized For Your Hair 
• Full-Sized Products
• Great Range of Brands

Cons

• Only Hair Products 
• More Expensive 

Laurel and Reed

If you’re willing to pay more per month and want only non-toxic, all-natural, and cruelty-free products, then Laurel and Reed is a great upscale alternative to Birchbox. Laurel and Reed focus on skincare, from eye masks to face oils, moisturizers, hand creams, and more. I think this would also be great for gifting someone who needs to relieve stress and take more time for themselves. 

The box comes packaged beautifully, with a ribbon perfect for surprising a loved one (many subscriptions like it don’t allow you to gift someone else). If you have any allergies or want only vegan products, all you need to do is contact customer service to customize your order. Past boxes impressed me with their quality cleansers and exfoliators. I also like their range of subscription options. 

Subscription Details 

Choose from one-time, monthly, 3-month, 6-month, and 12-month subscriptions. Each comes with three to five full-sized beauty and skincare products. Subscribe Here. 

Pros

• Great For Gifting 
• Cruelty-Free, All Natural Full-Size Products
• Customize For Allergies, Vegan 

Cons

• Most Expensive on My List 
• No Makeup 

Walmart Beauty Box

Of all the alternatives, this is probably among the most well-known and cost-effective. While this is more of an honorable mention than a top pick, there are still reasons to consider ordering from Walmart.

Their beauty box carries a variety of well-known, but economical, skin care products. You’ll also receive items like chapstick, facial creams, and the occasional lip products. It’s a mix of items for someone who just wants the basics for taking care of their skin year-round.

All of these products are sample-sized and sold at Walmart. Every month is different, and there isn’t a list of products or themes they choose from. I guess in this way, the perk is getting a surprise and maybe finding a new affordable product for your next shopping trip.

Subscription Details

Walmart delivers the Beauty Box quarterly (4 times a year) for a very cheap price. You can rate products for more personalized feedback. Subscribe Here.

Pros

• Cheap
• Practical Products
• Quarterly Shipping

Cons

• Lack of Product Choice
• Lack of Cancellation Transparency
• Lower Product Quality

Honorable Mentions: Also Rans

While these didn’t quite make the cut, I consider these in the same genre as Birchbox and worth considering IF the price is right OR it fits a more specific beauty niche (like Lip Monthly).

• Glossy Box: Similar, with more name brands.
• Lip Monthly: Just for lipstick, lip care, and lip beauty.
• Kinder Beauty Box: Ethically sourced self-care, including beauty products.

Frequently Asked Questions

Final Thoughts on Birchbox Alternatives

If you’ve been meaning to sign up for a beauty and makeup subscription service, the good news is that there are several solid alternatives to Birchbox. Each of these subscriptions has something unique to offer. Hopefully, one of these choices gives you a solid alternative to Birchbox. 

What do I Recommend?

If you’re still deliberating which Birchbox alternative to subscribing to, I recommend Petite Vour. This unique beauty subscription service caters to you, with a personal profile to make sure you’re getting makeup and skincare products that work with your complexion. I also love that all their products are cruelty-free and made with natural ingredients.

Recommended Reads on Services Like Birchbox:

• Birchbox vs Boxycharm – Which Subscription Box Should You Choose?
• Birchbox vs Sephora
• Birchbox vs Ipsy
• Babebox Review and Unboxing
• Stitch Fix vs Dia and Co
• Gwynnie Bee vs Le Tote
• Rent the Runway Alternatives
• Nadine West Review

• About
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Erin Jamieson

Subscription Deal Finder and Tester at Subscriboxer

Erin Jamieson is our resident subscription box deal finders and often finds new ones we just have to try. She’s SUPER passionate about finding the best deals possible when it comes to subscription boxes and believes promoting transparency is the most effective way to help consumers. Above all, she loves helping consumers find the best subscription boxes for their lifestyle and won’t recommend any boxes she doesn’t fully love!

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