8 Surprising Subscription Box Ideas

Birchbox

Best for: Makeup mavens

There’s a better way to score freebies than stalking your department store cosmetics counter. Birchbox ships out four to five deluxe product samples (think travel-size, not single-use) each month from brands like Benefit, Kiehl’s, Korres, Stila, and Nars—some tailored to the recipient’s specific beauty needs.

Frequency and fees: $10 per month in 3- and 6-month subscriptions or $110 for a 12-month subscription; free shipping.

Pros: Users can earn points to spend in the online shop by referring friends, answering surveys, and purchasing full-size products.

Cons: You can’t apply those points toward your own subscription.

To order: birchbox.com.