Beauty sample subscription services have absolutely exploded over the past few years, with many opening this year alone (and it’s barely into the half way point of 2012!) What are they, exactly? Well, it’s basically a service where you obtain some samples of various beauty (or other) products from a variety of companies and brands every month for a nominal fee. From the samples, you can choose to get the full-sized version from the company you subscribed to, usually for a discount. Magazines like Allure have also hopped on the bandwagon, teaming up with sites like BeautyBar to bring you the same options. (You can find their service here.)

As a big fan of samples and trial sizes, I love services like this. However, it’s been hard to find ones who focus on natural, organic or greener beauty products- until now! Here’s a list of the top 8 to check out today. They all feature or focus solely on providing the best natural beauty products for you to sample, and all are very reliable and affordable. Be sure to check each page as some may be under a waitlist.

Eco-Emi

• Cost: $15.00/mo
• You get: Average of 7-12 samples
• Available for: Worldwide
• Offers: Cosmetics, skin care, body care, hair care, food, household
• Notes: One of the most popular subscription services, hence a usually long waitlist (current one will be open on June 1, 2012)

White Apricot’s Green Grab Bag

• Cost: $15.00/mo
• You get: Minimum of 6 samples
• Available for: United States only
• Offers: Cosmetics, skin care, body care, hair care, nails
• Notes: Offers samples from both indie and more mainstream companies, so you get a wide variety and may discover a new fave!

CurlKit

• Cost: $20.00/mo
• You get: 5-7 samples
• Available for: Limited worldwide, but check to ensure your country is available
• Offers: Natural hair care samples for curly hair
• Notes: Their specialty is offering green samples for curly hair, so if that’s all you want, here’s your service!

Beauty Army

• Cost: $12.00/mo
• You get: 6 samples
• Available for: United States only
• Offers: Cosmetics, skin care, hair care, bath and body care, nails, fragrances, men’s
• Notes: The only service where you get to choose your samples! They feature tons of natural brands like BeFine, Indie Lee, suki skincare and Weleda. More in the future!

Goodebox

• Cost: $16.00/mo
• You get: 6-7 samples (occasionally more)
• Available for: United States only
• Offers:  Cosmetics, skin care, hair care, bath and body care, nails
• Notes: One of the newer services to hit the natural beauty subscription scene, it’s got fantastic promise. Features a ton of popular brands and generous sizes.

Amarya Beauty Box 

• Cost: £10/mo
• You get:  Sample or trial sizes worth at least £20
• Available for: UK only
• Offers: Cosmetics, skin care, hair care, bath and body care, nails, fragrance, men’s, baby, candles, accessories
• Notes: UK only. May get a full sized product worth £20.

The Natural Beauty Box

• Cost: $15-$20.00/mo
• You get: 10-15 samples (deluxe sizes)
• Available for: International
• Offers:  Cosmetics, skin care, hair care, bath and body care
• Notes: Created by the founders of The Natural Beauty Store, featuring 95-100% natural products from brands like Delizioso Skincare, Ariona and Petal Organics. You sign up in one month, 6 month or 12 month increments.

Kara’s Way

• Cost: $15.00/mo
• You get: 5-10 samples
• Available for: United States only
• Offers:  Cosmetics, skin care, hair care, bath and body care, nails
• Notes: Brand new – just went live in May 2012. Their boxes have been impressive so far! Includes package tracking.