Okay so these beauty boxes are going around and new box brands are coming out everywhere (new craze, like how groupon spurred so many coupon sites to sprout) and I’ve been looking at them (I like receiving stuff in the mail! *coughs* addiction *cough*) and most recently I saw reviews on Bella Box, and read about GlamaBox on 8 Days. Heard about VanityTrove from a close friend.

BellaBox, $15 per month

Bella Box sounds really affordable, and images on the site indicate that you’ll get an assortment of really nice brands (OPI, OCC, Korres…) But those are usually past months’ items. Hmmm. I didn’t purchase this, and after reading reviews I felt it was rather Ho-hum, but they do indicate what brands they are partnering with so you get a rough idea.

Claims:
“Brand new and exclusive for you

Discover new products you will love”
(This site has the least marketing talk and seems more focused on selling the full sized items on their site. I don’t understand why they included the OCC Lip Tar image when it’s not in the December box!)

According to reviews, they do send customized items (a few, and some are staples across all boxes) and there are some full sized ones as well. At $15 it’s not bad a deal really.
Read reviews here: IcyAbstract (Sara), MusicPlayson (Rusty), Kas

GlamaBox, $18 a month

Read about GlamaBox in 8 Days, it’s started by Lisa S (Daniel *SHRIEKS* Wu’s wife *coughs*). Seems to have been around for a few months and you can see what was in their past boxes, but not the next/current one. I think they have mostly indie brands, as I read in 8 days that Lisa S wants to bring lesser known brands to attention. This service has been going on around HK as well so you can google some reviews in HK.

Claims:
“Every month, you will receive your indulgently wrapped GlamaBox filled with carefully selected glama products.

Our product selection is original and innovative. You can try them out in the comfort of your own home and in your own time without any pressure from sales associates.”

Read Reviews Here: Sizbelle (Karen), Made By Beauty & Womenlovebeauty (Shirleen).

Click for Video of October 2011′s Box by Lisa S.

VanityTrove, $25 a month

At $25 a month, it’s the costliest box… But once I saw what was in the December Box I was Immediately sold. Once again, I wish they didn’t use full sized items for the shot They have 2 images (as above) and one shows the sample sized items instead of the full sized ones. I know it makes the box/imagery look nicer, but I feel deceived once I read the reviews! Nonetheless, I think this is possibly the best box (for now). Actually, I’ve subscribed to it and they are scheduled for delivery on 15th Jan – And I won’t be back till 22nd Jan, so I have no possible way of reviewing this box for everyone till after CNY. : (

Claims:
“Every month, receive a personalised VanityTrove filled with a surprise mix of 4-5 deluxe beauty samples and enjoy in the comfort of your home.”

Vanity Trove gets my vote for the best designed website, but probably needs more refining when it comes to content as I felt a bit lost since I’m still pretty new to this concept and this was the first website I came across.

Read Reviews Here: BeautyFool (Renee, she works for VanityTrove), Roseanne Tang.

All 3 box sites offer an option of gifting boxes to friends, and also some offer the option of buying box items on their website.