Best beauty subscription boxes, tried and tested by 150 people

Score: 83/100

The glamorous Glossybox box includes a great range of haircare, makeup and skincare products and costs either £13.50 a month or £12.50 a month if you buy a year’s subscription. It comes with five treasures hidden inside each time. Testers told us it was easy to sign up and the box arrived quickly, with many adding that it was a great way to try new products they’d never have thought to buy.

Testers found it less simple to cancel than LookFantastic’s offering, and our panellists were already familiar with some of the products received. Overall, though, it scored well, and there was a good selection of full-sized and travel-sized treats within, including everyday essentials such as a pair of tweezers.

Score: 80/100

The USP of this deodorant is that it doesn’t contain aluminium, which can cause irritation and stain your clothes. It also comes in super-chic packaging – the squeezable metal tube, a beauty insider favourite, will look great on your bathroom shelf.

While even the best natural deodorants aren’t known for being the most effective, AKT is often touted as one of the only natural formulations that truly performs. So did it deliver when it came to keeping our panel fresh and dry, as well as acing the subscription service?

According to our feedback, it’s a resounding yes on performance. “I didn’t smell of BO even after I exercised,” said one tester, while another added: “I love everything about this product — it delivered better protection than my normal deodorant.” The reusable ‘key’ provided will also ensure you get every last drop out of the packaging, preventing wastage, and we found the scent delicious, with a hydrating, creamy texture that leaves underarms soft.

Panellists praised the website and found the subscription service easy to use, with a delivery every six to eight weeks. Some complained of having to get their hands dirty during application, but we feel it’s a small price to pay for such a high-performing natural deodorant.

Score: 76/100

You may have heard of Skin + Me – the viral skincare subscription that we’ve also tested (see below), well, now it’s launched a haircare equivalent – Hair + Me is the new kid on the block. Instead of a personalised single-step skincare routine, Hair + Me is designed to tackle the shedding and hair loss that women often experience in midlife. So, what did our panellists think?

After completing a questionnaire about their hair, testers received either capsules or a serum, depending on their needs. Those who took the capsules found them simple to add to their routine, with one describing them as “easy to swallow, tasteless and not too large”. After the 12-week trial, several said they’d spotted early regrowth, with one noticing “baby hairs appearing at the temples”, while another noted shorter hairs were emerging around their hairline, and others said their hair felt thicker.

In contrast, those using the drops found them messy and inconvenient: the runny formula was “quite liquidy” according to one person, and could leave hair looking wet or greasy, with another said they found the daily application felt “a bit of a faff”. Results were also slow – testers said patience was needed before any visible improvements were spotted, but they did see some eventually.

Score: 75/100

Claiming to give you clearer, brighter, more brilliant-looking skin from six weeks, this brand comes with big promises. Online reviews and before and after pictures show happy customers, who say the formulations have helped improve melasma, rosacea and general dullness. So we were keen to put this personalised service to the test.

The process is simple – you share your treatment goals via an online consultation (you need to share some selfies) and Dermatica’s dermatology team then selects the perfect combination of active ingredients for you, packaged up in a personalised formula, with a new bottle arriving every 28 days (approximately).

When it came to the level of service, our panellists were impressed. “I liked the communication and found the advice really helpful,” said one. They also appreciated the attentive follow-up emails and found it a breeze to personalise the subscription to their skincare needs. When the product arrived, it was clear why the ingredients chosen had been selected for them, exactly what the product would do and how and when to use it.

Some would have liked a less neutral scent, and a few felt the service was more aimed at those with specific skin conditions such as acne (rather than skin dullness or minimising fine lines). Some of those less used to active ingredients also experienced a tiny bit of sensitivity. Overall, though, our testers found Dermatica a brilliant, fuss-free option for targeting specific skin concerns or goals.

Score: 71/100

Skin + Me put tailored skincare subscriptions on the map. The process starts with an online session with a dermatologist where you can talk to them about the elements of your skincare regime that aren’t working. Post-consultation, you’re sent genuinely effective products to help streamline and improve your routine (saving you time and money).

In terms of the formulation they received, one tester told us, “My skin looks more even and, dare I say, radiant,” while another commented on the dispenser, saying, “It’s easy to tell exactly how much product to use thanks to the twist-and-screw base.” The sign-up process was also a success for our panellists, who found it “thorough”, “accurate” and “detailed”, reassuring many of them that the product they were receiving was right for them. Plus, they couldn’t get enough of the fact each ‘daily doser’ had their name on it. It’s the little things.

A couple of people found the product made their skin dry or flaky, but this is to be expected when you’re using active ingredients for the first time.

Score: 71/100

Home of the mighty bath bomb, Lush stores are a real experience – a Willy Wonka-esque wonderland for wellness lovers. And now you can sign up for a selection of goodies posted straight to your front door – your very own golden ticket to sumptuous smellies. The subscription contains four or five full-sized body and bath products each month, as well as tester sizes (which is mighty generous if you ask us).

The box is made from 100% recycled board and, as always with Lush, all the products inside are vegan and Leaping Bunny certified (meaning they’re cruelty-free and not tested on animals).

Our panel loved the story behind each product and the beautiful packaging. Testers were also fans of the posy inside, with one saying, “The lovely fragrances filled the room, capturing the scent of summer.”