At first I felt on top of the subscription box situation. I knew the main players and what the differences between them were. And then came the box explosion.

Happy box lady via Shutterstock

Now there are subscription beauty boxes, hair boxes, jewelry boxes, wellness boxes, lifestyle boxes, pet boxes, boxes of organic products, boxes for bacon lovers, adult boxes, and boxes for that time of the month. Here a box, there a box, everywhere a box box. Chescaleigh’s parody was dead on.

Just saying – there are an overwhelming number of boxes for women on the scene. (Check out SubscriptionBoxes.com to get an idea of the scope of the scene).

The boxes I’m most familiar with have been created by start-up companies and entrepreneurs with vision. Many of the boxes cost between $10 and $20 for a monthly subscription, and many people sign up for these boxes for an opportunity to try little known, up and coming, brands that have growing buzz, brands that beauty lovers and hair obsessives can look forward to trying for the first time. And now here comes a heavy hitter to switch up the game – Target has entered the subscription beauty box arena, and their box is a mere $5 including shipping and handling.

Via Target Style’s FB page: “The Beauty Box by Target boasts beauty, skin care and nail care brands you already know, and a few that may be completely new to you. Shipping is included, plus each order includes a special offer to keep you looking fab while staying on budget.” Sounds promising, right? A few spoiler posts have gone up online, so the brands included in box #1 are out there already – click here to see!

Box #1 apparently includes mainstream brands, but there are a few products that piqued my interest even though I’m pretty much drowning in beauty products (those Sally Hansen nail strips, and the Effaclar stuff). I’m thinking if there’s enough interest, Target’s upcoming boxes will include items from their in-house beauty brands, which could mean a $5 box including the best of Pixi, Sonia Kashuk, Napoleon Perdis or Umberto Beverly Hills.  If you’re strictly into indie brands, obviously this isn’t the box for you. But if you want to try out the latest from mainstream beauty and personal care brands, this sounds like a sweet deal.

The Target Beauty Box is only available online via Facebook, there are 20,000 Beauty Boxes available, and they cost $5 including shipping and tax. Click here to get yours before they’re gone!

What are your thoughts on the subscription box phenomenon? Are you a fan? Do you think there are too many? Would you sign up for this new Target box, and what do you think about big brands entering the subscription box arena?

COMMENTS

dailycurlz says:

May 6, 2013, 6:05 pm

this sound amazing, I haven't got a simple box yet. but I will definitely got my eyes on this one $5 is pretty good deal

~L says:

May 6, 2013, 6:26 pm

I love subscription boxes. I have my own subscription box business, but I also subscribe to others. It's so nice to get something in the mail besides bills and junk mail. I probably wouldn't sign up for this one. I prefer the smaller businesses and indie brands.

Lani Love says:

May 6, 2013, 7:04 pm

DAMN, Target! They are killin' it. It's amazing to see a mass retailer jump on trends so quickly.

pets says:

May 6, 2013, 7:37 pm

Well here in good old Trinidad and Tobago we don't have that!!!! you are so lucky!!!

Jordyn says:

May 8, 2013, 11:12 pm

That's pretty crazy. Although crazy enough that I may sign up for it.

Kelly says:

May 18, 2013, 12:00 am

I wouldn't be without my beauty box. I love looking forward to the arrival in the mail! I never knew you could get pet boxes etc. At $5 I think I might have to get myself a target box!

Erica says:

May 25, 2013, 6:37 pm

I was in the box game for 6 months and got tired of it rather quickly. I received a lot if things that weren't suitable for me (despite filling out a questionnaire about my preferences) and ended up giving most of my haul away. Now I take that same $10-20 a month and save it to buy things I specifically want. Now that's a box!

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Micky says:

October 13, 2013, 6:42 pm

I am surprised at Target even though I should not be. I would not think a big box company would want to invest their funds in trying to create a subscription service when a lot support smaller and indie companies. I have not subscribed to one just yet but I have been thinking about it lately. The Onyx box is simply beautiful and that alone would make me consider signing up even if for only a couple of months to try it out. Thanks for the info!

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January 13, 2015, 5:48 pm

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