20 Best Subscription Boxes for Women Worth Trying

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The beauty of a subscription box is that it introduces you to new products you may have never thought to try. You get the excitement of opening up a package of unique items every month (happy birthday to me—again!). That’s also why a subscription box makes for a popular present — it’s the gift that keeps on giving.

Signing up for a subscription box also makes online shopping super easy and convenient because the company curates a selection of the coolest new products for you, and then sets up a recurring delivery, so you are always stocked up on the latest stuff. With some, you’ll get a select group of items monthly or quarterly that you get to keep forever. While with others, you’ll be able to rent a few for a month (or however long the rental period is) and return them in exchange for brand-new pieces later. For example, some clothing subscription boxes offer a type of lending service, allowing you to always be up-to-date in all the season’s fashions (don’t worry, the company takes care of the dry cleaning). Some beauty subscription boxes will send trial sizes of products, so you can test-drive that splurge-y mascara or bold shade of lipstick before buying it, while others dole out full sizes.

These days, you can find a wide range of types beyond just fashion and makeup subscription boxes. There are food subscription boxes, gardening subscription boxes, even subscription boxes for date nights. That means it’s easier than ever to come up with a foolproof gift for everyone you know, like, say, if you’re looking for mom-themed boxes or even boxes for teens.

So whether you’re interested in treating yourself to a little delivery of fun every month or in the market for the just-right gift, you’ll want to check out our favorite picks for the best subscription boxes for women in 2023.

Membership

Rent the Runway became well-known for their formal dress rentals for weddings and parties, but they also offer everything in between work wear and activewear (even vacation outfits and maternity clothes). Whatever you’re interested in, you're sure to find plenty of high-end and contemporary designer fashions — and since they are for rent, you can score them for a fraction of the price. You can also swap garments throughout the month.

Starting at: $69 (4 items per month)

Glam Bag Membership

Ipsy’s mission is all about personalization—and when it comes to make up that’s big. Start by filling out a quiz to narrow down a curated selection of products (not just lipstick and eyeshadow, but there’s also skincare and haircare) that’s right for you, then you’ll have the option to pick five favorites to arrive in an adorable toiletry bag each month, or upgrade to the BoxyCharm plan to get five full-size products. Either way, expect an array of well-respected brands from Fenty, Benefit, Tarte, Murad and Tatcha.

Starting at: $13/month

Subscription Box

You may have heard that scents smell different on everyone, which is why trusting a paper blotter spritzed with eau de toilette at the department store isn’t always reliable. Instead, Scentbird’s Subscription Box allows you to test perfumes at home on your own time. You can try out their bestsellers or take the quiz to access suggestions. For your first order, they’ll send a chic atomizer case along with an 8-milliliter bottle of your choosing, which is enough to last until the following month.

Starting at: $16.95/month

Subscription Box

It can get pretty pricey trying to build an accessory collection. But with Rocksbox, you can rent three pieces of on-trend jewelry, so you’ll always have something stylish to complete your look. And when you get tired of those oversized gold-plated hoops, swap them for a statement cuff. While we didn't test this jewelry service, we appreciated the broad range of styles from designers like Kate Spade and Kendra Scott and the fact that you can hold onto pieces for as long as you like and trade however often you’d like, too.

Starting at: $21/month

BeautyFIX Subscription

While they offer makeup and haircare too, the skincare obsessed will appreciate the wide collection of serums, exfoliators, washes and creams all hand-selected by a team of dermatologists, estheticians and hairstylists, so you can feel confident you’re getting good stuff in your BeautyFIX box. Every month, you’ll receive around $100 worth of trial and full-size products from brands like Sunday Riley, Vichy, and SkinCeuticals.

Starting at: $25/month

Monthly Box

Everything in your life deserves a monthly spruce, including your home. Here, you'll get 4-6 items in each box that includes seasonal decor, as well as stuff you can keep up and use all year 'round. Also, everything is sourced from small businesses.

Starting at: $80/month

Subscription Clothing Rental

If you have a unique sense of style or favor bolder trends, Nuuly might just be what you’re looking for. This rental service, owned by the parent company of Urban Outfitters, offers a low-stakes way to get your fill of statement pieces that are harder to get a lot of wear out of — and without having to resort to fast-fashion retailers. When the shipment of six fun pieces arrives, it’s bound to be the highlight of your month.

Starting at: $88/month

Subscription Box

Leveling up your skincare routine is a breeze with the FaceTory box. You can have 7 K-beauty sheet masks along with two bonus items delivered right to your doorstop. The masks are formulated without sulfates or parabens and are safe for sensitive skin.

Starting at: $20/month

Subscription

Blue Bottle's signature blend Bella Donovan was a top performer in our coffee subscription box tests. But there are a whole bunch of blends to explore from the brand, including espresso, instant and cold brew. You can pick from a 6 0z. or full-size bag to be delivered as much as weekly or as little as once a month.

Starting at: $13/month

Subscription Box

“You can never have too many candles.” If you’ve ever uttered those words, this subscription box is for you. Sign up to snag a selection of high-quality, all-natural candles in seasonal scents (how heavenly does Fig Tree & Freesia sound?) and gorgeous packaging every month. While we haven't tested the candles, the caliber of ingredients and sheer variety of distinct aromas offer an amazing value.

Starting at: $12/month

Subscription Box

You don’t have to spend a lot to enjoy the perks of fashion rentals. Haverdash’s ultra-affordable subscription box allows you to rent 3 garments for just $59 a month, which works great for those who are watching their budgets. The service does not allow you to swap throughout the month, so you must return everything in order to get a fresh shipment of stuff.

Starting at: $59/month

Subscription Box

Blume makes a delivery of super-practical essentials feel like a special self-care treat — after all, not having to worry about stocking up on basics like skin cleanser, deodorant and tampons and pads will free you up to focus on the things you’d rather do.

Starting at: $8/month

Benefits Membership

Function of Beauty operates on the idea that haircare shouldn’t be one-size-fits-all. Therefore, the company has designed a system that allows you to create your own customized shampoo, conditioner and other styling and treatment products that will address exactly what your hair needs based on a detailed quiz. Once you subscribe to ongoing deliveries of a product, you’ll get perks of Function With Benefits, like members-only deals and access to exclusive products.

Starting at: $19/month

Subscription Box

There’s something so uplifting about a delivery of fresh flowers, and BloomsyBox allows you to decide how often you’d like them to come, whether weekly, monthly or twice a month. Each sustainably grown and ethically harvested bouquet is created by what’s in season—since you skip the middle man of the florist, the company promises super-fresh blooms that last extra long. While we didn't test this company, online reviewers praised how beautiful the flowers were and how they arrived in good condition.

Starting at: $45/month

RELATED: Best Flower Delivery Services Online

Subscription Box

Sometimes finding clothing that fits can be a challenge, but Gwynnie Bee makes a wide range of sizes more accessible, providing options from 0 to 32. That flexibility extends to the rental subscription—you can borrow anywhere from one to 10 garments at a time, and you can swap items however often you’d like.

Starting at: $49/month

Personalized Tea Discovery Box

Adventurous tea drinkers will get a kick out of exploring the four different teas that come in the Personalized Tea Discovery Box. Though we didn't have the opportunity to try Sips By out, we are fans of how they stock over 150 brands from around the world, so you can sample everything from Himalayan White and Moroccan Mint to Snickerdoodle Rooibos and Chocolate Matcha.

Starting at: $16/month

VIP Membership

Think of it this way: When you have a stash of cute activewear outfits, it’s that much more of an incentive to work out. Heck, even if you just wear these to hang out, you’ll not only be comfortable but look good, too. Fabletics allows you to buy their flattering leggings, colorful bra tops, and more a la carte, but if you become a member, you unlock steeper discounts and get a stylish matching two-piece set every month. Plus, you have the option to skip a month.

Starting at: $60/month

Subscription Box

Whether you’re a bona fide green thumb or just starting out, here’s a gardening box that will appeal to you. Each month brings a new type of live plant—it could be indoor- or outdoor-friendly, or herbs, veggies, flowers, or succulents—along with everything you need for it to flourish, including soil, planting supplies, and instructions.

Starting at: $46/month

Subscription Box

Consider this your spring (and summer and fall and winter) perk-up. With each new quarter, you’ll look forward to this mixed bag of good stuff that speaks to the season. There’s a fun assortment of beauty, fashion, home and wellness items, so you might find a backpack cooler, Kate Spade sunglasses and Fenty eye gel all in the same package. You’ll receive as many as eight full-size products and you’ll have the chance to pick a few out. Even though we have not tried the box ourselves, one online reviewer says, " I love the variety that comes in the boxes."

Starting at: $60/quarter

Subscription Box

Don’t you hate it when you’re in the shower and realize you’re on your last razor and it’s already dull? Thanks to Billie’s subscription box, you’ll never have to be in that predicament again. You’ll get a razor starting kit, featuring their refillable, five-blade razor—a top pick of Good Housekeeping Institute’s razors testing—and then four refill blades in your next shipments.

Starting at: $10/month

Subscription Box

The Therabox helps you turn those self-care resolutions into reality. Each month serves up a new theme with a new opportunity for relaxation and inspiration with good-for-you goodies. You’ll get one activity that promotes mindfulness or joy (think: a gratitude journal or a deck of meditation cards) as well as six to eight wellness products (anything from kombucha and probiotic gummies to aromatherapy balm and eye serum). While we didn't test the subscription box, it is also available to order through Amazon, where it has over 1,300 five-star reviews.

Starting at: $36/month

Are subscription boxes a good deal?

Yes, subscription boxes can save you money. The upside of bundling several items together is that you can often score products for less than their retail prices. If you purchased each item individually, you’d very likely pay more than the subscription box’s monthly fee.

Many subscription boxes will even reveal the total value of the products included. For instance, Ipsy says you’ll receive up to $70 worth of merchandise for the payment of $13 a month. Clothing and jewelry rentals are a little different. If you’re the type who likes to sport the newest fashions or if you’ve recently changed sizes, renting can be more cost-effective than buying the items.

For many, the real value is in the convenience of having the latest products selected for them and delivered to their door. But, of course, it’s only truly worth it if you are going to get use out of all the products in the box. So that is an important factor to take into consideration. If you’re a little less experimental when it comes to things like, say, eyeshadow shades or you know you won’t use certain items, you may want to opt for a subscription box that allows you to customize your options.

What to consider when shopping for the best subscription box

✔️ Variety: It’s a good idea to peruse what has been included in a service’s previous boxes so you can get a sense of whether there would be an assortment of items you’d like. This can be particularly important if you are considering a subscription box that focuses on one type of product, such as candles, perfumes or sheet masks. You want to make sure that there will be enough variance to keep your interest over the subscription period.

✔️ Quality: Reading customer reviews through nonaffiliated websites can provide you with some helpful information. If the subscription box includes brands you are less familiar with, you can gauge other people’s reactions to the products. That goes for how well the shipment was packaged, too. If there are a large number of customers who received damaged boxes, there’s a chance yours might be also. Also take note of how responsive the company’s customer service is to users’ issues and concerns. While every company experiences shipping blips now and then, you want to keep an eye out for recurrent issues which can be red flags.

✔️ Customization: Several subscription boxes incorporate a quiz as a way to learn your preferences and tailor what they send you, while others will simply send you the selection of the month curated by the company, so know what you are signing up for. Some services also let you know the contents of the box prior to sending out the shipment and give you the option to make swaps beforehand.

✔️ Frequency: Companies will usually send boxes either monthly or quarterly, and others will let you decide. Most allow you the option to skip a shipment if, say, you are going on vacation. Rental services typically let you keep items for a month before having to send them back for a new set.

How we chose the best subscription boxes for women

The Good Housekeeping Institute Textiles Lab and Beauty, Health & Sustainability Lab reviewed clothing subscription boxes and beauty subscription boxes respectively, trying them out firsthand as well as surveying our consumer tester panel to get detailed feedback. For the products we didn't test, we sought out high-quality options that offer the best bang for your buck.

We've highlighted an assortment of products, prices and types of interests, so there's something for everyone, and read customer reviews to determine how real users valued the services.

Why trust Good Housekeeping?

Yolanda Wikiel is a freelance writer with two decades worth of experience writing about fashion, beauty and home goods for several national publications. Over the years, she has personally used several clothing subscription boxes and especially loved how renting maternity clothes while she was pregnant and working full time in an office allowed her to be both practical and stylish.

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