I’ll never forget the first time I cracked open a beauty box that actually made me gasp. It was a chilly Tuesday morning, the postman had just dropped off a nondescript cardboard package, and I was half-expecting yet another disappointing palette of chalky eyeshadows. But when I lifted the lid on the Next Birthday Beauty Box, something shifted. The scent of fresh cardboard mingled with a faint whisper of rose and cucumber—a promise of the luxury samples nestled inside. For £22, this box claims to deliver £83 worth of products, and I’ve been testing it for weeks to see if the hype holds water.
What struck me first was the weight. This isn’t one of those flimsy boxes that rattles with disappointment. The Next Birthday Beauty Box feels substantial, almost like a curated gift from a friend who knows exactly what you need. The exterior is a sleek, matte-finish pink with gold foil accents—Instagram-ready before you even open it. Inside, each product is nestled in its own compartment, separated by tissue paper that crinkles with a satisfying sound. It’s clear that Next put thought into the unboxing experience, which is half the battle in the beauty box game.
The Deep Dive
Let’s talk about what’s actually inside. The Next Birthday Beauty Box is a limited-edition collection of 12 products, ranging from skincare to makeup to tools. The star players include a full-size Elemis Pro-Collagen Cleansing Balm (a 20g tube, which is a generous sample), a Nars Mini Afterglow Lip Balm in the shade ‘Orgasm’ (a cult favorite), a Glamglow Supermud Clearing Treatment (30ml), and a Benefit They’re Real! Magnet Mascara. There’s also a Beauty Pie Japanfusion Transforming Cleanser, a Philip Kingsley Elasticizer hair treatment, and a few lesser-known brands like This Works and Rodial.
Texture-wise, the Elemis balm is a dream. It melts into an oil on contact with skin, dissolving even stubborn waterproof mascara without tugging. The Nars lip balm feels like a silky, sheer tint that hydrates without stickiness—perfect for a no-makeup makeup day. The Glamglow mask, however, is a bit of a letdown. It dries down to a tight, tingling sensation that feels active, but I found it left my combination skin a bit red and stripped after 10 minutes. Not ideal for sensitive types.
Who is this box for? Honestly, it’s a fantastic entry point for someone curious about luxury skincare but not ready to drop £40 on a single product. The curation leans heavily into skincare—about 70% of the box is face and hair care—so makeup lovers might feel shortchanged. The shade range is also a concern: the Nars lip balm and a mini eyeshadow palette (from a brand called ‘MUA’) both cater to lighter skin tones. If you’re deeper than a medium complexion, you’ll likely find the makeup offerings unwearable.
Real Results
After three weeks of consistent use, here’s what I found. The Elemis balm is a standout: my skin feels softer, less congested, and my usual post-cleansing tightness is gone. I’ve been using it as a first cleanse in my double-cleansing routine, and it’s earned a permanent spot on my bathroom shelf. The Philip Kingsley Elasticizer is another surprise—it’s a pre-shampoo treatment that smells like a tropical vacation (think coconut and pineapple), and it left my fine, color-treated hair noticeably bouncier and less frizzy. I used it twice a week, and by week three, my split ends looked less angry.
The Glamglow mask didn’t work for me. After three uses, my skin was more reactive, with a few dry patches on my cheeks. I switched to a gentler clay mask, and the irritation subsided. The Benefit mascara is decent but not revolutionary—it gives volume and length, but it smudged on my oily lids by midday. For the price point, I’d rather stick with drugstore favorites like Maybelline Lash Sensational.
I also tested the Beauty Pie cleanser, which is a gel-to-milk formula. It’s pleasant, with a cucumber scent, but it didn’t remove heavy makeup effectively. I needed two rounds to get everything off. The This Works Deep Sleep Pillow Spray is a nice bonus—I’ve been spritzing it on my pillowcase, and while I can’t say it transformed my sleep, the lavender scent is calming.
The Honest Truth
Let’s be real: not everything in this box is a winner. The mini eyeshadow palette from MUA is chalky, with poor pigmentation. I tried to create a subtle everyday look, and the shadows barely showed up on my eyelids, even with a primer. The Rodial Dragon’s Blood Eye Cream is a tiny 5ml tube that feels overhyped—it’s hydrating but nothing you can’t get from a drugstore eye cream at a fraction of the cost.
Who should skip this box? If you have sensitive skin, the Glamglow mask and some of the fragrance-heavy products (like the This Works spray) might trigger irritation. If you’re a makeup maximalist, the box’s heavy skincare focus will leave you disappointed. And if you have a deeper skin tone, the makeup selections are essentially unusable—a frustrating oversight from Next.
Alternatives? The Lookfantastic Beauty Box offers a similar value (£13 per month) with more shade-inclusive makeup options, and the Cult Beauty Box (£24) often includes full-size products from brands like Drunk Elephant and Charlotte Tilbury. The Next box is a one-off, so you can’t subscribe, but that also means no commitment.
Pro Tips
To get the most out of this box, here are my advanced techniques. First, use the Elemis balm as a makeup remover before your regular cleanser—it’s thick enough to break down long-wear foundations. Warm a pea-sized amount between your fingers, massage it into dry skin, then add a splash of water to emulsify. Rinse with a warm, damp cloth for a spa-like finish.
Second, hack the Glamglow mask: don’t leave it on for the full 10 minutes if you have sensitive skin. Try 5 minutes, then rinse with cool water. Follow with a hydrating serum like the one from The Ordinary to counteract any dryness. For the Philip Kingsley Elasticizer, apply it to damp hair (not soaking wet), focus on the ends, and cover with a shower cap for 20 minutes. The heat from your scalp helps the treatment penetrate deeper.
Finally, repurpose the box itself. The pink exterior is perfect for storing small jewelry or makeup brushes. I’ve been using mine as a vanity organizer, and it’s surprisingly sturdy.
Final Verdict
Would I buy the Next Birthday Beauty Box again? Yes, but with caveats. For £22, the value is undeniable—you’re getting at least £40 worth of usable products if you factor out the duds. The Elemis balm alone is worth the price, and the Philip Kingsley treatment is a bonus. But the lack of shade diversity and the underwhelming makeup items mean this box isn’t for everyone.
This box is perfect for: skincare beginners, fans of Elemis and Philip Kingsley, or anyone looking for a low-risk way to dip their toes into luxury beauty. It’s not perfect, but for the price, it’s a solid buy—just don’t expect a flawless curation.
