When my friend Sarah mentioned she’d been receiving a beauty box from Walmart for over a year, I laughed. Walmart? For cosmetics? But here I am, eight months later, writing about why this $6.98 quarterly subscription might be the most intelligent beauty decision I’ve made all year. It’s worth noting that this is my personal experience, and results may vary.
I understand. When you think of subscription beauty boxes, you probably picture those Instagram-worthy unboxing videos with fancy packaging and expensive brands. The Walmart beauty box is entirely different, and honestly, that’s precisely why it works.
What’s Actually Inside a Walmart Beauty Box?
Every quarter, Walmart sends out a simple cardboard box filled with four to six cosmetic and personal care products. It’s a mix of samples and full-sized products from well-known brands that can be purchased anywhere.
My last box had:
- Full-size Australian dry shampoo
- Olay Regenerist serum sample
- Maybelline mascara
- Crest 3D White whitening strips (only two, but that’s better than nothing!)
- Several hair ties that I’m currently using
Everything costs less than a premium cup of coffee, and I’ve discovered at least three products that I now buy regularly. Not bad for something that arrives automatically every few months. And I assure you that the quality of the products doesn’t suffer despite the low price.
Walmart Beauty Box: Affordable Beauty Discovery
Get samples of high-quality cosmetics for just $6.98 per box. The Walmart Beauty Box curates makeup, skincare, and hair care products from leading brands for you every season. Try them before you buy full-sized versions. Perfect for beauty lovers on a budget. Subscribe today and discover your favourite products.
Why I Look Forward to These Boxes
The price is simply unbeatable. For less than seven dollars, even if I only like one product in the box, it’s probably already worth it. But here’s what really convinced me: these aren’t some obscure brands I’ve never heard of. Everything in my Walmart beauty box is something I can easily find in any store and buy again.
Last month, I really liked the sample of Neutrogena facial cleanser. Two days later, I bought the full-size version during a regular grocery run. I didn’t have to search for exclusive brands online or pay for shipping—just convenient and affordable beauty shopping.
The Discovery Factor That Works
I’m usually not the type of person who tries new beauty products. I find something that works for me and stick with it for years. But these little samples are a great way to try something without any commitment.
Thanks to my beauty subscription box, I’m trying products I wouldn’t usually buy in-store. That dry shampoo I mentioned? I would never have bought it myself, but now it’s become an indispensable item in my bathroom.
Breaking Down What You Get
Over the past eight months, in addition to the usual information, I have received some beneficial insights. Here’s the harsh reality:
Main advantages:
- Full-size products that alone justify the price of the box
- Samples of pharmacy cosmetic products that will last for several weeks, not just days
- Hair care products that actually work
- Samples of skincare products from trusted brands
The misses:
- Samples of toothpaste (seriously, who needs these?)
- Varieties of deodorants that I would never choose
- Makeup shades that don’t suit my skin tone
But even those products I’m not entirely sure about aren’t a waste of money. I keep a small basket of sample sizes for travel, and they’re perfect for weekend trips.
How It Stacks Up Against Other Beauty Boxes
In the past, I’ve tried Birchbox and Ipsy. In both cases, I felt like I was paying for expensive packaging and brands that I couldn’t afford to buy anymore. Walmart’s beauty box takes an entirely different approach.
Birchbox sent me samples of luxury products that I really liked, but I couldn’t justify buying them at full price. Ipsy was better thanks to its personalisation questionnaire, but half of the products were from brands I’d never seen in stores.
And what about the Walmart version? All the products are available at regular retail prices. When I find something I like, I can afford to continue using it.
The Real Value Calculation
Let’s talk about the numbers, because that’s what really matters in any beauty subscription.
- Each box costs $6.98 (delivered quarterly).
- That’s approximately $28 per year.
- The average retail value of one box is $15-25.
- I repurchase 3-4 items per year.
The numbers add up. I’m getting over $60 worth of products a year while spending only $28, and I’ve discovered several new favourite products that have improved my self-care routine without breaking the bank.
My Month-by-Month Experience
- March box: It started great – a full-size Batiste dry shampoo and several Garnier samples. The dry shampoo alone was worth more than I paid for the box.
- June box: This one was unusual: it had a lot of oral care products and an unexpected nail file. I used everything, but it felt more like a sample bag from a pharmacy.
- September box: This was a real hit – Olay anti-ageing serum, L’Oréal mascara, and a hair mask that made my hair incredibly soft.
- December box: Christmas-themed; it included festive nail polish and a mint lip balm—nothing special, but fitting for the season and fun.
The unpredictability is part of its charm. I never know what I’ll get, but for the price, I don’t mind.
Who Should Get This Box
Perfect for you if:
- You mainly shop at pharmacies and department stores.
- You are interested in new products, but you don’t want to buy large quantities.
- Affordable cosmetics are more important to you than luxury brands.
- You prefer practical products over flashy, “Instagrammable” packaging.
Skip it if:
- You only use expensive, prestigious cosmetic brands.
- You have specific product needs or allergies.
- You want the products to be selected according to your preferences.
- Unexpected cosmetic products cause you stress.
The Practical Side of Walmart’s Beauty Subscription
Here’s something that’s not mentioned enough in other reviews: convenience. All the products in my Walmart beauty box can be bought at the same store where I usually buy groceries.
When I like a product, I don’t need to place a separate online order or go to Sephora. I add it to my regular shopping list. For busy people who don’t want buying cosmetics to become a separate chore, this approach is ideal.
Getting Started (And What to Expect)
Subscribing is very easy: go to the Walmart website and search for “Beauty Box.” You’ll pay $6.98 plus tax, and your first box will be shipped in a few weeks.
Tip: Don’t expect it to arrive on a specific date. Shipping is quarterly, but the date can vary. I’ve received boxes both in the first and last weeks of the quarter.
The packaging is simple: just a cardboard box with the products inside, without decorative cards or detailed product information, which some might miss. However, at this price, you’re paying for the products, not the presentation.
Common Questions I Get About This Subscription
“Is the quality good?” The quality is comparable to what you would find in the cosmetics section of any drugstore. These aren’t luxury products, but they’re not low-quality either. Most of the products are from well-known, reputable brands.
“Do you use all the products?” Honestly? About 80%. I give the remaining 20% to friends and family or save it for travel. Since the cost of one box is less than $7, I don’t worry about some products going unused.
“Is it easy to cancel the subscription?” It’s very easy to do through your online account. I once paused my subscription while on a business trip and ended up with too many samples. Two months later, I resumed it without any problems.
The Environmental Reality Check
Let’s move on to the main problem: cosmetic box subscriptions and the resulting waste. In this respect, Walmart’s beauty boxes perform better than most others:
- Minimal packaging compared to luxury counterparts.
- Emphasis on trial sizes to ensure the product is fully consumed.
- Products from well-known brands, not disposable items that generate waste.
- Easy access to standard sizes, which reduces packaging when buying online.
This isn’t an ideal option, but it’s more environmentally friendly than the boxes you receive products in from brands you can’t find anywhere else.
What I’ve Learned After 8 Months
Walmart’s Beauty Box works because it doesn’t try to be something it’s not. It doesn’t compete with luxury subscription boxes or introduce you to a new, up-and-coming indie beauty brand.
Instead, it helps you discover the true gems hidden in plain sight at America’s most accessible retailer. Sometimes, the best beauty finds aren’t in fancy packaging, but on the shelves of everyday stores that you might otherwise quickly overlook.
My biggest discoveries:
- A drugstore foundation that perfectly matches my skin tone.
- A hair mask that rivals salon treatments.
- A face serum that has become a part of my daily routine.
None of these products cost more than $15 for the full-size version, and I would never have tried them if it weren’t for these samples.
Making the Most of Your Subscription
If you decide to try a Walmart beauty box, here are some tips from someone who orders them frequently:
Make a list of the full-size products you’d like to try. I use a notes app on my phone and refer to it during my regular shopping trips.
Don’t expect perfection. Some boxes will be more exciting than others. The low price justifies getting a few good products among the not-so-great ones.
Share your disappointments. My mom has discovered several new products she loves because I’ve recommended the ones I didn’t like.
Frequently Asked Questions About Walmart Beauty Box
How often do you receive a Walmart Beauty Box?
You will receive a Walmart Beauty Box four times a year, approximately every three months. The exact delivery time may vary slightly, but the frequency is relatively consistent, so I know I can expect a package every quarter.
Can you customise the contents of your box?
There are no customisation options; everyone receives the same seasonal selection. If you’re looking for personalised items, Ipsy or Birchbox might be a better option, although you’ll pay more.
What happens if you don’t like something in your Walmart Beauty Box?
At this price, it’s not a significant loss. Most subscribers save the items they no longer use for travel or share them with friends and family. The samples are small enough that you won’t end up with a lot of unused products.
Are Walmart Beauty Box products available in stores?
Yes! For me, this is the most crucial argument in favour of these products. They can all be found in Walmart stores or easily ordered online, without having to search for obscure brands or pay extra for shipping.
How do you cancel your Walmart Beauty Box subscription?
Log in to your Walmart online account and manage your subscriptions. You don’t need to call or pay cancellation fees. You can also silence your subscription if you need a break.
Is the Walmart Beauty Box worth it for teenagers?
Of course. At less than $7 per quarter, it’s an ideal option for young people who want to experiment with different products without spending a fortune. Parents often appreciate that all the products are available in physical stores.
What’s the difference between Walmart Beauty Box and Target’s beauty box?
Both companies focus on affordable brands available in physical stores and offer products at similar price points. Target’s boxes are more seasonal and are priced almost identically. The main difference lies in product availability: the items in Walmart’s Beauty Boxes are available much more frequently.
Do you get full-size products in every Walmart Beauty Box?
Most boxes contain at least one full-sized product, although this isn’t guaranteed. However, the full-sized products I’ve received have always been worth more than the cost of the entire box.
The Walmart beauty box has become a staple in my daily life, not because it’s particularly fancy or Instagram-worthy, but because it’s practical, affordable, and always helpful. Sometimes, the best beauty discoveries come in the simplest packaging.