Cheap Beauty Sample Boxes in the US and Canada: Prices and Catches
By Laura Jordana · Editor
Published Oct 10, 2026 · 3 min read
In this guide
A beauty sample box is a subscription that mails you a handful of small sizes on a schedule. The cheap ones cost less than a single full-size product, which is the appeal. The catch is the subscription itself: billing dates, cancellation deadlines and, in Canada, extra fees that push the price up.
The boxes compared
We only list boxes whose price and terms we could confirm on the company’s own site in October 2026.
| Box | Price | Schedule | Ships to |
|---|---|---|---|
| Walmart Beauty Box | $8.98 + tax | Quarterly (4 boxes a year) | US (Walmart says delivery outside the US is limited) |
| IPSY Original | $15 + $1.99 shipping (US) | Monthly | US, Canada, Mexico |
| Birchbox | From $22 a month, free shipping | Monthly | Not confirmed for Canada |
TOPBOX, a Canadian box that sold four deluxe samples for $15 a month, stopped its subscription service on October 31, 2025, according to its own site. If you see a TOPBOX offer, it is out of date.
Walmart Beauty Box (US)
Walmart’s box is the cheapest per box. Its “How it works” page says you get 6 to 7 products each season and pay “$8.98 + tax where applicable, each quarter.” The fall 2026 box listed seven items, a mix of deluxe samples and travel sizes.
The fine print to know:
- Removing your payment method does not cancel the subscription, and a declined payment doesn’t either. You have to cancel from Manage Subscriptions in your account.
- Walmart’s terms say it can change the products, the number of items and the price of a box.
- Boxes are charged and shipped in batches, so yours may arrive later than a friend’s.
IPSY (US and Canada)
IPSY Original is 5 deluxe-size samples a month for $15 plus $1.99 shipping. You choose one product and IPSY picks the rest. IPSY also sells an annual plan, which its help center lists at $171 with shipping included.Mark the 25th on your calendar. IPSY’s subscription terms say you must cancel by 11:59 pm Pacific time on the 25th to avoid the next month’s charge. Cancel on the 26th and you still pay for and receive the next bag. IPSY’s terms also say all sales are final, with no returns and no refunds. You can skip months by switching to every-other-month delivery.
Birchbox (US)
Birchbox lists its monthly box “from $22/month” with free shipping and lets you cancel from your account at any time. That is more than double the others, so it only fits the “cheap” label if you would use most of what arrives. Its site did not confirm Canadian shipping when we checked, so we can’t recommend it for Canada.
The catch with any sample box
A sample box is cheap per item, but you pay every cycle whether you use the samples or not. Before you subscribe:
- Set a reminder a few days before the cancellation cutoff.
- Keep the confirmation email or a screenshot when you cancel.
- Be honest about whether you use samples. A drawer of unopened minis is money spent.
If you mostly want samples of products you’re about to buy, the stores give them away with orders. Our samples with purchase guide covers Sephora, Ulta and Shoppers. Many beauty brands also send a birthday gift to rewards members, and for products you can test and keep, see our guide to real product tester programs.
Sources checked October 2026: Walmart Beauty Box: how it works, Walmart Beauty Box FAQs, Walmart Beauty Box terms, IPSY: what’s IPSY Original, IPSY: do you ship to Canada, IPSY: shipping, IPSY subscription terms, Birchbox: monthly box, TOPBOX FAQ.
Frequently asked questions
What is the cheapest beauty sample box?
Of the boxes we checked, the Walmart Beauty Box costs the least: $8.98 plus tax per quarterly box in the US. IPSY Original is $15 a month plus $1.99 shipping in the US.
Is there a beauty sample box for Canada?
IPSY ships to Canada. IPSY Original costs $15 USD a month plus a $5.94 USD fee that covers shipping, broker and entry fees, and Canadians may owe GST, PST or HST on top. TOPBOX, a Canadian box, ended its subscriptions on October 31, 2025.
When do I have to cancel IPSY to avoid the next charge?
IPSY's subscription terms say you must cancel by 11:59 pm Pacific time on the 25th of the month. Cancel on the 26th and you still pay for and get the next month's bag.
Does removing my card cancel a Walmart Beauty Box subscription?
No. Walmart's FAQ says removing your payment method does not cancel the subscription. You have to cancel from Manage Subscriptions in your account.
