Best subscription boxes for loose and loc’d naturals
Subscription boxes have been hot ever since 2010, when Birchbox launched the first. If you are wondering what subscription boxes are, essentially they’re goodies, sample items and products from a particular niche that are packaged and delivered monthly to your doorstep at an affordable price.
It’s an uber convenient way to try out new products or indulge in your favorite obsession, and most boxes are good value for money. These days, you can find subscription boxes for almost anything and everything your heart desires.
And yes, that includes us naturals! Some have been in the subscription box game for a long time, and others are newer on the scene. But we’re bringing you the cream of the crop when it comes to catering to the natural girls.
Still curious? Look no further. Here are six of the best subscription boxes that every Naturalista should give a try at least once.
But first…
What’s the benefit of joining a subscription box for curly hair?
- You get to try products to see if they are a good fit for your hair before taking the plunge with your hard earned money
- Get access to products/items that may not be available in your area
- Most boxes offer full-sized products at deeply discounted prices
- Satisfy your product junkie cravings with access to different brand products all from the comfort of your home
- A good way to give gifts to yourself and loved ones
- Skip the hassle of shopping for products and trudging through overwhelming beauty store aisles
- Get product recommendations from a trusted expert in that niche
Below is a roundup of some of the best subscription boxes for both loose and loc’d naturals to help you make the best choice that fits your hair journey.
1) CurlKit
Clocking in at only $25 a month, CurlKit is a subscription box that caters to curly girls in search of healthier hair. It’s simple: just subscribe, sample and shop! Signing up for the box is quick and easy, and you’re sent several deluxe products to try out. Not only does CurlKit offer a unique shopping experience right in the comfort of your home, but you’ll learn a great deal about what works for your hair, too!
Subscription type: Unlimited slots, no waiting list.
Price: $25. Billed every 15th of the month
Shipping: Free in the US. International shipping and prices available for select countries.
Content: 6-9, full sized and sample-sized products from different product brands
Plus/extras: Celebrity product freebies, Curl Life magazine containing product information, interviews, styling inspiration and more.
Cancellation: Anytime before midnight on the 14th
Did you catch the CurlKit Health & Wellness Summit? If you missed this awesome event, catch up on the replays here:
2) CurlBox
Exclusive access to countless brands meant just for your hair? It’s a deal that you can’t possibly pass up! Curlbox knows that good products for your curly hair can be hard to find and was one of the first to offer a subscription box catering to natural hair. So sit back, relax and kick your feet up. Whether it’s brands you already love or new ones that are up and coming, Curlbox knows just what curly girls need.
Subscription type: Limited slots available on a first come, first serve basis. Notification available via their mailing list.
Price: $20 billed every 15th of the month
Shipping: $5 in the US. $10 to Canada
Content: 6-5 Full-sized products from a hair and/or skincare brand.
Plus/extras: Complementary card containing product information.
Cancellation: Before midnight (EST) by 20th of the month
3) Hair Jewelry of the Month Club
While there are several options for subscription boxes catering to natural hair, it’s still difficult to find one that focuses on healthy dreadlocks care. But our Loc’d sisters and brothers aren’t left out of the monthly hair Happy Mail club. At the time of this writing, the Hair Jewelry of the Month Club is only box made especially for people who love their locs.
The Hair Jewelry of the Month Club offers up a unique dreadlock accessory each an every month to level up your loc game. Love hair jewelry but can’t decide which piece is for you? This monthly subscription box is made especially for LocStars who Say It Loud: Got Locs & I’m Proud! As a Ready, Set, Style Box subscriber, each month you’ll receive a custom piece of hair jewelry made just for your locs.
Subscription type: Unlimited, no waiting list.
Price: $20/month. Billed 1st of every month
Shipping: Free on US orders, $9.95 on international orders
Content: Unique hair accessory
Plus/extras: Each box is custom-created and follows a fun monthly theme.
Cancellation: Any time before next billing cycle
4) Curl Mix
Curly hair care has never been this simple. With a penchant for clean, organic beauty, every product that Curlmix sends you is free of phthalates, parabens, sulfates and formaldehyde. For the more environmentally conscious curly girl, you’ll be pleased to find out that all of Curlmix’s handmade products are vegan, cruelty free and completely organic! Curlmix is a subscription box for the DIY mixtress, or a budding one. It’s haircare as it should always be: reliable and worry-free.
Subscription type: Limited. Slots open once a month. Notification available via their mailing list.
Price: $30
Shipping: Free. US only.
Content: 5-7 all-natural organic ingredients, instructions on how to DIY, tools needed to DIY
Plus/extras: Each box also comes with directions on how to tweak the recipe to suit your hair type
Cancellation: Before last day of the month
5) My Curls Understood
If you’ve ever felt like curly hair has been put on the back burner for too long, then you’re not alone. Curls Understood knows that it’s about time that curly hair received the love and attention that it deserves. With moisture-rich products tailored especially for your texture of hair, it’s the perfect boost to your hair growth journey that you never knew you needed.
Subscription type: Limited. Opens on the first day of every month.
Price: $26.99 ($21.99 for pre-made boxes) / month. Billed on 1st of every month. Payment frequency options also available.
Shipping: Free. US only, no P.O. Box
Content: 5-7 deluxe full-sized products
Plus/extras: Custom boxes based on hair profile created after completing a questionnaire. Boxes occasionally contain hair tools and product discounts.
Cancellation: Any time before 20th of the month
6) Cocotique
COCOTIQUE is a deluxe beauty box subscription service that hand picks beauty and lifestyle products for women of color. They seek out and find the best beauty and lifestyle products, from established bigger brands to smaller emerging ones to add to your watch list, all targeting WOC’s unique needs and desires and ship them to your door each month.
Subscription type: Unlimited. Subscription frequency plans also available.
Price: $25. Billed the same date of initial payment
Shipping: Free. US only except Alaska and Hawaii.
Content: 5-8 full size and deluxe sample size of hair and beauty products
Plus/extras: Bonus offer of a year’s supply of Essence magazine.
Cancellation: 5 days prior to renewal. First month and long-term plans are not eligible for refunds.
7) Onyx Beauty Box
Who said that finding the right products for your curls had to be costly? With an affordable box that’s complete with free shipping, We are Onyx helps you to find what works for you. This box doesn’t only come with hair products, but with high-quality makeup samples too! It’s the best of both worlds.
Subscription type: Unlimited. No waitlists
Price: $25/ month. 3,6, 12-month subscriptions also available.
Shipping: Free, US only.
Content: 5-7 hair and skin products for women of color
Plus/extras: Discount on long-term and mid-term subscription plans
Cancellation: Any time but long-term subscriptions are not eligible for refunds.
Isn’t it exciting to now have so many options for women of color?!? There once was a time when our options were few and far between. Which is one of the major reasons we, as a collective, got creative and came up with our own solutions. But hey, we’ve always been a people of ingenuity and the realm of hair care is no different.
Natural hair takes time, patience and a lot of trial and error. Every Naturalista knows the feeling of having to try tons of products before they find the ones that work for them. Here’s where subscription boxes come in. These nifty little boxes deliver a monthly dose of sample-sized (and full-size) products for you to try without ever leaving the comfort of your couch.
Why spend money on one product that may not work for you when you could spend the exact same thing on a quality curated opportunity to find your hair & beauty besties?
So the only question is…which will you try?
For more great subscription boxes from black-owned businesses, check out this highlight on MySubscriptionAddiction.
