BoxyCharm Subscription Box Review + Coupon – November 2020

ByMegan K.Jan 21, 2021 | 68 comments

1949 Ratings | 195 Reviews

BoxyCharm is a full-size beauty and makeup subscription box. They always provide a great value compared to the cost of the box. (If you are a makeup addict – we recommend this box!)

My Subscription Addiction paid for this box. (Check out the review process post to learn more about how we review boxes.)

About BoxyCharm

The Subscription Box: BoxyCharm

The Cost: $25 a month. Save with longer subscriptions.

The Products: 5-6 beauty items that include nail care, skincare, makeup, haircare, fragrance, and more. (At least 4 of those items will be full-sized).

Ships to: The contiguous U.S. for free, Hawaii, Alaska, and Canada for $5

BoxyCharm November 2020 Review

My variation is #38.

Let's see what I received!

1 of 3

111Skin Hyaluronic Acid Aqua Booster, 20 mL - Retail Value $135.00

FYI: This bottle states:

Made in China for 111Skin

Ok, I am just going to say it: I am over this brand. While the formulas are fine, the prices are always insane and the questions about manufacturing just bother me. Sometimes it's made in Europe, other times it's made on behalf of 111Skin in China. I am not suggesting anything nefarious is happening here at all. I just want the same item made in the same place it would come from if I bought it from the actual brand.

Ok, rant over. (For now.)

The ingredients inside the little silver bottle are great, though I stand by my comment on the price being outrageous. This product is formulated to add hydration to your skin and it certainly will do that. This clear serum is gel-like and a little slimy, but it absorbs quickly and you need just a drop to get the job done. It is a great hydrator to add to your routine between toning and moisturizing. The ingredient list boasts hyaluronic acid, aloe, niacinamide, lactic acid, and more. There is some benzyl alcohol here but this is one of those alcohols that isn't necessarily a negative like some others (unless there is a TON in a formula). It is included to give this formula a longer shelf life (9 months) and shouldn't irritate or dry your skin. I used this and liked it, though there are better out there for literally fractions of the cost.

1 of 2

Dr. Brant Antioxidant Spray Toner, 3.4 fl oz - Retail Value $40.00

I am a big-time toner fan and I go through a lot of it! This is a really nice, fragrance-free mist that features a great list of ingredients. The items that jumped out to me were wine extract, rose extract, hyaluronic acid, grapeseed, and green tea. Why are antioxidants important? They prevent aging by blocking free-radicals that steal electrons from healthy cells and this causes skin to break down. Yes, it is all very sciencey and actually really cool if you start to get into it. If you aren't into it (which I also totally get) just know that this mist is great for both anti-aging protection and hydration! It is also one of the only toners I have used that has this weird but cool bubbling sensation on my skin that I quite liked. A+ for this addition to this month's delivery.

1 of 3

Benefit Cosmetics Gimme Brow+ Tinted Volumizing Eyebrow Gel in '3', 3 g - Retail Value $24.00

This has been my HG brow product for a few years now. It's just way too easy to use and does wonders for my troubled brows. You see, I was an over plucker in highschool. Seriously. Want proof?

Don't overpluck!

We've come a long way. And though they will always be spotty and now they have pure white hairs, this gel easily fills in the blanks while still looking natural. Just a few flicks and they look so much better!

Here is a swatch on my arm...

And here is one brow (left) with this gel compared to my bare brow (right).

1 of 4

Beauty Creations Cali Glow Highlighter Palette, 18 g - Retail Value $14.99

I have never heard of this company before but I was struck by the affordable price tag. This trio of highlighters works really well and although they don't compare to my favorites, they are very nice for the price indeed. There is a champagne shade, a bronze, and a golden option inside. The champagne is my favorite, though the others were surprisingly not too warm when used with a light hand and a large brush. Am I super into these? Nah. But they aren't bad at all. The packaging is pretty cute too and I appreciate that there is a mirror inside the lid, something even more expensive brands forget sometimes.

Top to bottom: Malibu, Santa Monica, and Manhattan Beach.

1 of 3

Jecca Blac Liquid Corrector 2.0, 10 mL - Retail Value $13.39

My last item is a pink-colored corrector that is used to brighten up darker circles, especially around the eyes. I am blessed to not really have dark circles, though this last week has been a doozy. While this product might show more of a dramatic difference on someone who needs it more, I still wanted to try it out:

My left eye has a healthy amount of this product dabbed gently around it, lid included. This cream is kind of like a gel in that it is sheer and it absorbs easily.

I think it is noticeably brighter for sure, but this feels like a bit of an extra step that I might not really reach for. If you have dark circles though, and you get this, let me know what you think!

Verdict: My BoxyCharm box has an overall value of $227.38 which, is great for a $25 box. That being said, this was not my favorite BoxyCharm delivery by even a little bit. The two standouts for me were the toner and the brow gel which come to a value of $64. Sure, getting that for $25 is still a great deal, and that's the main reason I am not totally disappointed this month. 111Skin has become a brand I do not want to see in a delivery and while the highlighter palette was nice, it lacked any wow factor. I do think that the corrector was actually a cool addition, I just don't need it. I really hope next month is an improvement.

To Wrap Up:

Can you still get this box if you sign up today? Yes, this box is still available, but there are variations! These boxes do sell out, so if you love it, hurry.

Value Breakdown: At $25 for this box, here is what you are paying approximately per item:

111Skin Serum $14,84
Dr. Brandt Toner $4.40
Benefit Brow Gel $2.64
Beauty Creations Palette $1.65
Jecca Blac Corrector $1.47

Alternatively, the average cost of each of the 5 items is $5.

Check out all of our BoxyCharm reviews and some of our favorite beauty subscription boxes!

Keep Track of Your Subscriptions: Add this box to your subscription list or wishlist!

What do you think of the November 2020 BoxyCharm Box? Which variants are you getting?

Starting at $30.00

Subscribe Now

BoxyCharm

4.3 overall rating

1949 Ratings | 195 Reviews

BoxyCharm ($30 per month) is one of the most popular beauty subscription boxes that we review, with lots of loyal customers. They promise 5 full-size beauty products each month from a variety of both indie and... read more.

Spoilers

Deals

Reviews

Read customer reviews >

Posted in Beauty Subscription Boxes, Makeup Subscription Boxes, Subscription Box Reviews, Subscription Boxes for Women

Megan K.

I love natural/vegan beauty products, Korean skincare, unique jewelry, and weird candies from far away places. When I am not waiting for my next exciting box you can find me painting or taking photographs of interesting people. I never leave home without pug hair somewhere on my shirt and a bold lipstick on my smile.

Read More By Megan K. >

Join the Conversation

Please do not enter your email address in the Name field or in the comment content. Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *. Remember to post with kindness and respect. Comments with offensive language, cruelness to others, etc will not be approved. See our full comment policy here.

Notify me of follow-up comments by email

68 comments

Robin

Fyi – That Natasha Denona Palette so many people want is $12 in the popup now!

Aidan

I’m so glad I’m not the only one who is over 111Skin! They are everywhere lately and it’s like boxes can give use junk and a 111 product because the box still has a high value. As If! They’re nice enough serums, and such, but I would much rather get Ole Henriksen or Murad.

I wondered how many boxes didn’t get the Natasha Denona palette. When they backtracked (as usual) from every sub to 1 million subs I was worried I wouldn’t get it. I did though! I was so happy! I also got the Esmeralda palette which is very similar to Subculture colorwise. A serum from Earth Harbor (the same that was in Tribe in August), the Jouer lip enhancer (one of my favorite lip products!!) and a couple eyeliners. Overall I was happy with my box.

I did cancel though. I was in line to get the December Luxe when I got an email that they were going to charge me for the September Luxe the next day and ship it to me, then turn around and charge me for the December Luxe box next month. I didn’t want the September box (couldn’t afford two luxe boxes anyway) and made sure to get on the waitlist after it was off the site. That really left a bad taste in my mouth, so I’m not sure when or if I’ll resub.

Megan K.

I was hoping for the Natasha Denona palette but no biscuit this time! Did you love it?? I need details!

Keri

I’m so sorry you didn’t get yours😢 but I loved the pallet! I’ve actually been using anyone of the shades on the cherries of my cheeks for a little color pop😊. I have seen it’s on sale allot of places now, maybe you can order it. Or message me through the above email. Have a beautiful day Queen 👑 know your worth, know your beauty👑 no one can to that crown darlin’ 🥰❤️Keri jdewitt at gmail. Com

Aidan

I’m so sorry you didn’t get it!! I really do like it. I think it’s the same quality as the other NDs that I have. The colors are pretty wearable too.

Jean

I actually really like the corrector and I have massive raccoon eyes! I love that it blends so nicely and is basically weightless. I do use concealer over it if I’m going to be Zooming a lot but even on its own it wakes me up considerably.

Robin

Which one is the corrector? I have terrible circles. Likely just pale, thin skin, with dark, close to the surface veins.

Megan K.

Hi Robin! The last product is a peachy pink corrector. I don’t have dark circles, so I didn’t notice a huge change, but it seems like others have really liked it!

Sarah

SO GLAD that I am not the only one who’s totally over 111 skin. Like Avant products, I feel that Ipsy, Boxy, and others (I’m looking at you, Glossybox advent calendar) use the insanely high prices to overinflate the “value” of the boxes. Meanwhile, there are literally dozens of other products that work just as well or better at a fraction of the price. It was great to read a review that finally said it!

Megan K.

I would much rather have some fun and affordable Korean brand like Glow Recipe. I get that 111Skin is one of those big and expensive brands, but I am just not into it.

Daisy

Well aren’t you cute, I love your pic!

I have always loved BIG full brows, so I never embraced the overplucked look of the 90’s (graduated in ’97). As I age my brows are thinner and thinner anyway. 😭

Mountaineer95

One thing about aging (class of ‘91 here) that I wasn’t expecting was the thinning brows. I now only get them waxed when I get my hair done and my stylist struggles to find any stray brows to wax. I think she just does it to make me think I’m getting properly waxed when really there’s nothing to wax, lol. Thank God for Benefit brow products. They alone make me look “awake”. If I skip brows (eek!) I look tired, and people even say, “are you tired? You look tired.”

Unfortunately, my stray brow hairs didn’t just disappear…they’ve migrated south to my chin. Gravity?

Megan K.

I graduated in 04 and obviously thought overplucking was the thing to still be doing at the time 😅Very thankful that mine have grown back as much as they have.

Lori

I have three 111Skin serums (Vitamin C, Cryo Booster, NAC Booster). Yes, the boxes all say made in China. I Just checked the ingredients of my products against the ingredients as they are listed on the 111Skin website, and they are exactly the same. If I recall, I read somewhere that the companies outsource production to China specifically to fufill the amount of product requested by the sub box companies.

Bethani

I wish we could post pictures on this, I have a picture where im missing half of one of my eyebrows lol. My eyebrows were so thin I accidentally grabbed the wrong hair to pluck and poof half of my eyebrow was gone. And no they still have not recovered.
I love benifits brow collection as of now I use the ka-brow but ive been wanting to try the gimme brow so im happy I got it in my box, even though I choose the shade 3 but got 4. I also would like to try there contour pencil.
Thanks for the honest and great review!

Megan K.

Thanks for reading Bethani! I hope you like the Gimmie Brow as much as I do. 🙂

Renee

I got the under eye cream and have dark circles. This is amazing and it works for my deep complexion.

Megan K.

Yay Renee! I am glad to hear you liked it. It was a hard thing for me to review because I don’t really need it (though 2020 isn’t over yet, right?)

Lynn

Reading comments scared me! I did buy some of the skincare products from the Pop Sale I will compare the ingredients to the brands’ Websites! I wonder why these brands let Boxycharm do such thing?! This will damage the brand’s reputation, right?! Basically I do not use any skincare and makeup made in China. I do not trust these brands that have high price tag products made in China. These brands and their products automatically go on to my blacklist, such as 111Skin and the 24 Gold sink care product in Boxycharm few months ago!

Sharon

I think this is the first review I have ever read that was so honest. I appreciate that. I got a tomato serum in last months box that was well over $100. I googled the company and the price was right. I have an essence that was probably from Boxycharm. It was from the same company and very high end. These companies and products are all over the pop up. I like to think it’s all real.

Megan K.

Hey Sharon! I am glad you enjoyed reading it. I try really hard to always be 10000% honest in my reviews while still keeping in mind that other people out there might feel totally different. It’s hard for me to know exactly how and why certain sources are outsourced and others aren’t, but I truly don’t think anything nefarious is going on. I am just at the point where I want the exact same thing I would buy from the brand. Even if the ingredients are the same, I want it produced in the same place too! If I ever get more helpful info, I will be sure to pass it along in my reviews. I appreciate you reading them! ❤️

Mountaineer95

While it’s not cosmetics, and this was from the mid-2000’s, there was a big scandal of Chinese manufacturers using improper ingredients in pet food…namely melamine. Great for inexpensive plates, really bad for your dog. They used it because it tests like a protein (I think…something like that). Unfortunately it is not a protein and not meant for consumption. I had to really investigate dog food and treat brands to see who didn’t manufacture in China, and ultimately ended up making dog treats myself (really easy and fun,and healthy, actually). I think that even if the ingredients list (like someone above said about the 111 product) is identical from Chinese-made items and Euro-or-otherwise made, it doesn’t guarantee that they are indeed identical. Only independent testing could confirm that. If the Chinese manufacturer is sourcing the raw ingredients on their own, with no involvement or oversight or testing from the Brand, all bets are off that they’re really the same. Just IMO.

Robin

This talk scares me. I would *like* to think they’d get found out and so busted by some agency, especially since we’d be talking about a very high dollar amount, but I suppose I would like to think there are s lot of things that people would get in huge trouble for, and really never do.

Someone really should police these things though. They’re popular enough to affect so many people.

Kate of Spades

To be fair, Byroe tomato serum (from Boxycharm) is made in S Korea and contents of the bottle are identical to the one on official website.

Melissa W.

If you go on Reddit in their beautyboxes section, I read all the time about allegations about BoxyCharm and them sending fake products or products that they have china reproduce for them. It’s scary not knowing what your getting. This is why I don’t sub to Boxy!

Steph

The companies have the products produced in China to meet demand faster and cheaper since subscription box companies usually cover manufacturing costs. Tarte, Too Faced, and many others have their holiday collections produced in China to be able to meet demand for the holidays. Being made in China doesn’t mean they’re fake or knockoffs. The Storybook palletes were sold on the brands website. Ciate and several others also sold the items made in China on their own websites. The 24K stuff was the only one strange from Boxycharm so far. I just think someone didn’t do research on that particular product.

Victoria

Factories in China are not producing the products FOR Boxy. They are producing the products FOR the company in question (for example 111Skin and quite frankly a lot of known brands like Tarte and Ciate) and then those companies sell the products to Boxy.
Boxy can’t just take a label and a company’s name and do whatever they want, that would be against copyrights.
I’m all for holding companies accountable, Burt make sure you include everyone in that accountability.

Melissa W.

They actually had reviews on some products about this on MSA site.. If I remember correctly. Some boxes do this, how else do you think they are selling hundreds of dollars worth of products for say $25? I read Allure does the same. Now.. this doesn’t mean every product is a fake, but they do happen, which had made me lose trust in some companies. I think higher end boxes are safe, as your paying more $.. I hope so anyway. There have been quite a few products here on MSA that they discovered were fakes and not the real product.

Nancy

You know its funny, I do pop up with Boxy…how can they charge $24 for 2 Sunday Riley Lactic Acid treatments?? Just sayin…

Snow

My thoughts exactly!

Peg

I’ve heard that some of these products could be close to their expiration date and they are trying to dump them.

Snow

Girl, love the throwback photo of you! Your reviews are so awesome and thorough, seriously the best around! You aren’t afraid to show us the products in use which I appreciate immensely.

I truly enjoy your input into these products and all the scientific facts as well. Thanks for a great read, Megan 👍☺️

Megan K.

Thanks so much, Snow. This was a really nice comment to wake up to on a Monday. ♥️
I am trying to include more and more usage products after some reader feedback, so hopefully, this will continue to be more and more helpful!

Angela

Hearing about the different formulations for sub boxes makes me want to cancel
Also I did get the under eye cream and it really works great to make my eyes look brighter and younger and I don’t have really dark circles it was an unexpected fave

Megan K.

It’s a little confusing Angela! So often the ingredients are the same, just the place of manufacture is different. I try to compare my ingredient lists to the ones on the brand’s websites. It helps that I am an ingredient geek, but I always recommend this if you have questions about what you receive in a box. 🙂

SuzyQ

Megan, this is the best review I have read! Thank you for the totally honest review and for doing due diligence on 111 Skin. I appreciate it!

Megan K.

Thanks SuzyQ! I wish I had more details about why and how these choices are made in terms of where manufacturing happens, but I think it varies from brand to brand. If I ever get more concrete info (I would never want to speculate), you bet it will show up in a review!

E Ward

Also I didn’t think I’d like the corrector, it seemed so sheer for my dark circles (I usually use a peach AND yellow corrector, concealer, then Becca’s brightener, followed with Laura merciers under eye brightening pressed powder (love how it makes the light bounce off any flaws)… But this and concealer plus the powder to set didn’t look bad, and is great for when I’m in a hurry (probably great even if I wasn’t, but I need my 10 step process lol)

E Ward

The 111skin made in Europe is worth the price (ESP THEIR UNDEREYE CREAM), I’ve noticed alot of formula differences in boxys skincare than the regular product and all were made in china instead of europe like usual (biggest times I noticed were with 2 masks, a Korress Greek Yogurt one and a Glamglow (Berryglow) first ones sent in my box were thin and had an anemic color to the berry and a gray tone to the Korress, my stepmom ordered the same 2 unbeknownst of this issue during addons.. it wasn’t for wks til I heard her raving about them that I had to look for myself.. COMPLETELY DIFFERENT FORMULAS! DIFFERENT TEXTURES, CONSISTENCY, DEF COLOR DIFFERENCE, IT WASNT CLOSE…. IM ALWAYS SKEPTICAL ABOUT THE SKINCARE I GET NOW, AND CHECK THE INGREDIENTS AGAINST THE BRANDS SITE

Jamey

Really enjoy the picture to go with someone the items!! These are my favourite types of reviews and gives me ideas on what to do

Robin

Glad to hear you like the toner. I didn’t get it in my box, but I ordered the $9 2 pack yesterday morning.

Megan K.

I hope you like it as much as I did! I also snagged a two pack to share with my mom 🙂

Robin

Thank you. Cool. I don’t know if my mother even knows what toner is. Lol She always made up her face and stuff, but I already know she wouldn’t approve of any of this stuff we’re all into. Lol I haven’t exactly shared my beauty sub info, let alone extra things.

CulliganSmith

I received the Volition snow mushroom serum instead of the 111 Skin. The snow mushroom serum is amazing! I noticed a difference after one use, which is insane.

Sherri

I completely lost sight of what this review was about when I got to the picture of high school Megan. Is that really you?!?

Megan K.

😂
Yes!!! I had a friend who did my hair. I don’t even know how we got it to defy gravity like that.

Amanda

I received the Breakfast in Bed palette, Volition snow mushroom serum, Milk mascara, lip oil, and eyeliners. At first I was mad I did not receive the Natasha Denona palette, but I like the colors of the other palette better. It is very pretty cool toned with purples. I am happy I received the Volition serum rather than the 111Skin serum, hyaluronic acid is never worth $135. Hard to get excited about lip oil or eyeliners, but I’m happy with the rest. I also scored some great deals in the popup sale.

Suzyq

Box twins! I wanted the ND, too, but really like the Beauty Bakerie!

Tiffany

My favorite MSA review of all time!

Megan K.

💜

Megan

I really wanted that Dr Brandt toner! I’m glad you like it, cause now I may just buy some. Thanks for all the great reviews! They help a lot! I got the liquid corrector, brow gel, yensa turmeric mask, ND palette, and volition mushroom serum. Not a bad box this time around!

Katy

Adding the throwback pic was a cute idea. Great smile! I graduated in 99 and Paid no attention to eyebrows back then but it is actually my favorite brow now. A thin angle opens up my hooded eyes.

I wouldn’t have minded this box too much. Especially if the eye cream worked well for me. Who doesn’t love Benefit brow stuff and Dr. Brandt!! I would not have been happy with the filler palette but products from Skin111 do seem to improve my skin.

Snow

Over plucking was definitely a thing in the ’90s!! 🙋

Charlotte

Re: benzyl alcohol: I would say it really depends on your skin (as does everything in skincare!). I cannot use products with even a small amount of benzyl alcohol in them, it causes painful, inflamed red patches on my skin. I would say it IS one of the “bad” alcohols, given that it’s a drying, rather than fatty, alcohol. I would be careful and do a patch test before trying anything with benzyl alcohol in it.

Megan K.

100%! I am always a bit ‘meh’ on most alcohols because I have a super reactive client who cannot handle them! This one should be ok in smaller doses for most people, but I agree that we should all be patch testing anything new before we use it. …. Not that I do because nothing would ever get reviewed 😂

Our reviewers research, test, and recommend the best subscriptions and products independently; click to learn more about our editorial guidelines. We may receive commissions on purchases made through links on our site.

BoxyCharm Subscription Box Review + Coupon – November 2020

About BoxyCharm

BoxyCharm November 2020 Review

Advertise With MSA

Information

Company