There’s nothing like receiving a package in the post, just for you. Whether it’s a bouquet of blooms from a secret admirer, a recent purchase of something you’ve done nothing but lust over for months on end, or your latest subscription box landing on your doorstep.

Whether you're just looking for a monthly pick-me-up or love keeping on top of the latest beauty launches, receiving a package full of products to try every month is like Christmas 12 times a year for anyone who is into make-up, nail products or skincare.

There are so many subscription based companies on the market that it can be difficult to know which one to sign up to – so how do you choose?

The trick is to ask yourself what you want to gain from your monthly box.

Do you want to use it as an experiment, to play around with make-up you wouldn’t normally pick up at the beauty counter?

Or do you want to use it to try brand new skincare brands; to expand the horizons of your bathroom shelf? Alternatively, you may want to use it as a way to stock up on the beauty staples and to rediscover your old-time favourites.

Well, we have unpackaged the best beauty boxes out there, and after testing everything on offer, we’ve come up with the ultimate subscription selection to make every month more exciting.

You can trust our independent reviews. We may earn commission from some of the retailers, but we never allow this to influence selections, which are formed from real-world testing and expert advice. This revenue helps to fund journalism across The Independent.

LookFantastic beauty subscription box: From £13 a month, LookFantastic

Look Fantastic recently amazed us with its advent calendar, packed with brands like Morphe, Living Proof and Elemis, so we knew its subscription box wouldn't disappoint. Each month includes six products, (instead of the typical five most competitors tend to stick with), its Edit magazine, filled with tips focused on the products in your monthly selection and a copy of the latest issue of Elle magazine is tucked inside too. If this doesn’t scream the ultimate Friday night in, we don’t know what does.

Glossybox beauty subscription box: From £8.50 a month, Glossybox

With its instantly recognisable pink packaging, a Glossybox is generously filled with five premium products, many of which are full sized. As previous boxes have included labels such as Nails Inc, Elemis and Clarins, it’s a subscription box you can trust. Don’t forget to complete the monthly survey on your most recent box to receive credit to spend at Lookfantastic – the gift that keeps on giving.

Friction Free Shaving beauty subscription box: From £9 a month, Friction Free Shaving

For those dedicated to keeping up with their grooming regime, always ensure a smooth shave with Friction Free Shaving (FFS). Specifically designed for women, FFS offers an award winning razor handle, blade protector (ideal for those who travel often) four blades, and a cheaper price tag than the next high street razor – what’s not to love? Pause or change the frequency of your delivery to suit your personal shaving routine. We think this is the box to ensure self-care stays at the top of your to-do list.

Birchbox beauty subscription box: From £10 a month, Birchbox

As one of the leading beauty box subscriptions, signing up to Birchbox is arguably a fail proof purchase. When you first sign up, complete your beauty profile to ensure your monthly box is curated; filled with items you will use and most importantly, love using. We suggest subscribing now, as its festive edit includes two bonus products and a cute Christmassy pouch, whether you share among friends or keep it all for yourself, we won’t judge.

Meebox beauty subscription box: £30 a month, Meebox

This monthly surprise would make a great gift for the nail obsessed. Meebox is the only package to focus solely on nailcare, offering subscribers polishes and tools to give your hands some TLC. Each box is inspired by a different theme every month (previous boxes include “Bollywood Nights”, “Atlantis” and even “Doughnuts”) though no matter the theme, expect top quality polishes from brands such Kure which prides itself on its non-toxic colour range, or celebrity nail guru Leighton Denny’s salon-worthy varnishes. Gift a loved one the joy of tip-top talons this Christmas.

Mintd beauty subscription box: £70 a month, Mintd

This box is for those who like the luxurious things in life. Although it’s one of the more pricier boxes on the market, Mintd’s generous offering makes up for it. It prides itself on deluxe-sized products and often includes a free gift on top of your selection. Choose from a three, six month or year long plan and your bathroom cabinet will be Instagram-worthy in no time. Our star of this month’s box? It has to be Oribe’s hand scrub to nourish hardworking paws this winter.

Sniph beauty subscription box: £14 a month, Sniph

This clever subscription is great for those who enjoy trying new fragrances and don’t want to commit to only one bottle. Based on a quick questionnaire of your usual perfume preferences, expect a sleek travel sized fragrance you can use on the go delivered to your door every month. Think you have finally found the one? You can order a full sized edition through Sniph directly.

Pipbox beauty subscription box: From £20, Pipbox

We are all trying to be conscious of what we are buying and using, and this particular box helps to do just that. Filled with five cruelty-free and vegan brands, such as British labels BAO Skincare and Figs and Rouge (said to be a favourite of Emma Watson) this is a great way to start switching up your beauty routine to something a little more mindful. You can choose to skip a month or cancel at any time, giving you full flexibility of how often you want to treat yourself to this wholesome beauty box. Think of Pip as your new beauty friend.

Cohorted beauty subscription box: £39.99 a month, Cohorted

The chicest box of them all, expect a premium curation of skincare, haircare, make-up and fragrance you would otherwise only discover at a high-end beauty counter. In addition to the luxe brands on offer (think Jorgobe, Perricone MD and Argentum Apothecary), you can also expect a handy booklet tucked inside on how to get the most out of your product selection – it’s a subscription box done properly.

Pink Parcel subscription box: From £5, Pink Parcel

When you’re on your period, it can be a miserable time. To make the days a little more bearable – and something more positive to look forward to – subscribe to Pink Parcel. We recommend opting for the “All of it” subscription, to ensure not only you are prepared with your choice of sanitary products, but the box is jam packed with beauty and lifestyle products to help you when Aunt Flo comes to stay. This month’s box has calming Yogi Tea, a Floss eyeshadow to step up your game face and a handbag-friendly bag of Candy Kitten sweets for a deserving treat.

The verdict: Beauty subscription boxes

If you are after a fail proof subscription box, Lookfantasic’s offering won’t disappoint your make-up bag or the purse strings, and is an affordable way to experiment with trusted and popular brands. Those after the finer things in life should look to Cohorted or Mintd Box for a guaranteed luxurious edit and for the more practical purchasers, Friction Free Shaving is a clever concept you will wonder what you did without.

IndyBest product reviews are unbiased, independent advice you can trust. On some occasions, we earn revenue if you click the links and buy the products, but we never allow this to bias our coverage. The reviews are compiled through a mix of expert opinion and real-world testing.