What is your favourite subscription box ?
Subscription boxes, despite barely existing 10 years ago, now form a billion-dollar industry. Virtually every product or array of products that can be stuffed into a box is being sold online under the subscription box model, and some of these boxes are even LGBTQ-specific. Of course, it’s wrong to assume that a one-size-fits-all subscription box exists for LGBTQ people, which would imply that people all have the same interests and size preference. Thus, it’s better to say that these subscription boxes cater to the LGBTQ community, and that they may suit the tastes of some individuals but not everyone generally.
GLOSSYBOX
GLOSSYBOX delivers beauty products to subscribers across the UK and Ireland. Subscribers can choose from a variety of payment plans that start from £8.50 a box. Boxes are shipped on the 5th of every month and bring to subscribers a mix of full-sized and sample-sized haircare, skincare, and makeup products. A subscriber can expect everything from lip gloss to eyeliner to full-body scrub. GLOSSYBOX supports the LGBT Foundation and for the month of Pride released a rainbow-coloured box containing six “bright and bold” beauty products.
Next Gay Thing
This subscription box service is more personalised than GLOSSYBOX, yet it is strictly for male customers or those who identify as male. After signing up for Next Gay Thing, customers will be asked for their underwear size and taste in products. They are then prompted to choose the contents of their box, which will be a mix of underwear and grooming products to the ratio one prefers. Customers also have their choice of shipment frequency. Boxes can ship as often as twice a week to once every three months. Although it’s based in the UK, Next Gay Thing delivers to all countries except for Qatar, Saudi Arabia and United Arab Emirates. Boxes cost between £24 and £34, but all are guaranteed to contain at least one pair of designer underwear that retails for as much as £34. It’s clear that the founders of Next Gay Thing took no shortcuts when starting their company. Other subscription box companies should take note.
Queer Book Box
Literary LGBTQ folk can find comfort and acceptance in Queer Book Box. This service sends queer-friendly literature to British people’s doors. It’s UK-specific right now but international shipping is in the works. Subscribers have the choice of two boxes: the basic box for £10, which consists of one book a month that has been selected for its quality and queerness; and the £15 original box, which is packed with one handpicked book, a breakdown of why the book was chosen, extra features like author interviews and literary recommendations, and a bookmark. Boxes are “instagrammable” but can be packaged discreetly if the subscriber desires.
Subscription boxes are all the rage in today’s online shopping-obsessed society, so it should come as no surprise that LGBTQ folk have jumped on board. Luckily GLOSSYBOX, Next Gay Thing, and Queer Book Box exist to meet LGBTQ people’s subscription box needs.
