Curateur Box Review: My Honest Take on Rachel Zoe‘s Luxury Subscription

Hey there, fellow fashionista! If you‘re anything like me, you‘re always on the hunt for the latest and greatest in style. So when I heard about Curateur, a luxury subscription box curated by THE Rachel Zoe, I knew I had to try it for myself. After subscribing for over a year now, I‘m ready to spill all the details in this tell-all Curateur review.

But first, let‘s start with the basics. Curateur (formerly known as Box of Style) is a quarterly subscription service that delivers a curated selection of fashion and beauty finds straight to your door. Each box contains 5 full-size items valued at over $400, with the option to choose between 2 hero items to customize your curation.

As a long-time fan of Rachel Zoe, I was eager to see how her signature style would translate into a subscription box. Known for dressing Hollywood‘s A-list and her boho-glam aesthetic, Rachel has been a major force in the fashion industry for over 2 decades. With Curateur, she brings her expertise and insider access to the masses, promising to "curate the most coveted fashion, beauty and lifestyle items you never knew you needed."

Inside My Curateur Boxes: A Peek at Past Favorites

While the element of surprise is half the fun, I know you‘re dying to know what actually comes in these boxes. As an avid subscriber, I can say that Curateur truly delivers on its promise of luxury.

Some of my favorite fashion items have been a buttery soft All Saints leather jacket, Rag & Bone fedora, and Missoni knit scarf that I‘ve worn on repeat. I also love that they include a mix of established and up-and-coming brands, so you‘re always discovering something new. Past boxes have featured accessories from cult-favorites like Luv Aj and Machete, to name a few.

Beauty-wise, Curateur consistently provides a perfect mix of skincare, makeup, and tools from prestige brands. I‘ve received everything from a full-size Anastasia Beverly Hills brow set to Elemis‘ best-selling Marine Cream. The Makeup Drop silicone applicator quickly became a staple in my routine, and I was so excited to try buzzy skincare brands like Osea and Kat Burki.

Perhaps what impresses me most is how well the items are curated to work together. You can tell that a lot of thought goes into creating a cohesive story with each box. The individual pieces are incredible on their own, but they also mix and match effortlessly to create endless outfit combinations. Curateur has definitely helped me step up my style game!

Crunching the Numbers: The Value of a Curateur Membership

Of course, I couldn‘t write a Curateur review without getting into the nitty-gritty of the value. After all, the main draw of these subscription boxes is the opportunity to snag high-end items at a fraction of the retail price.

According to my calculations, the average retail value of each Curateur box is $485, with some boxes clocking in at over $700 worth of designer goodies. Considering the quarterly membership is just $99.99, that‘s a savings of over 70%!

Take the Summer 2021 box, for example. It included a Michael Stars caftan ($228), Peter Som sunglasses ($395), Eddie Borgo earrings ($195), a Kat Burki vitamin C serum ($200), and Kosas lipstick ($28). That‘s a total retail value of $1,046 for just under $100—talk about a steal!

To really maximize your value, I recommend opting for the annual Icon membership. At $349.99 for the year, you‘re essentially getting one box free compared to the quarterly plan. You‘ll also get first dibs on customization options, early access to sales, and free shipping.

But even with a quarterly Star membership, the value is undeniable. Especially considering the exclusive member perks like the Curateur Rewards program, where you can earn points towards future purchases just for being an active subscriber.

What Other Curateur Subscribers Are Saying

While I could go on and on about my own experience, I wanted to see what other Curateur subscribers had to say. After scouring reviews and social media posts, it‘s clear that I‘m not alone in my love for this box.

On Trustpilot, Curateur has an average rating of 4.2 out of 5 stars from over 1,400 reviews. Customers rave about the quality and variety of the products, with one saying "I have never been disappointed with the curation and I find myself using every, single, item." Others call it "the perfect treat to look forward to each season" and "by far the best subscription box out there."

Influencers and bloggers have also taken notice of Curateur. My Subscription Addiction has reviewed nearly every box since the rebrand, consistently praising the value and cohesion of each curation. The Zoe Report featured the Summer 2021 box, highlighting the "lust-worthy pieces" and "spot-on trend predictions."

Even celebrities can‘t get enough of Curateur! It‘s been spotted on the likes of Gabrielle Union and Jessica Alba, to name a few. Talk about an endorsement!

Curateur vs. Other Fashion Subscriptions

I‘ll be honest, I‘ve tried my fair share of style subscriptions over the years. But in my opinion, Curateur is truly in a league of its own. Compared to competitors like FabFitFun and Zoe Report Box of Style, Curateur consistently delivers higher quality, more well-rounded curation.

While FabFitFun does offer great value, I find the assortment of products to be somewhat random and lacking a unified vision. With Zoe Report Box of Style (the predecessor to Curateur), I loved the concept but sometimes felt that the items were too niche or not versatile enough for everyday wear.

What sets Curateur apart is the perfect balance of on-trend and timeless, statement pieces and elevated basics. And of course, the Rachel Zoe stamp of approval brings an added level of luxury and exclusivity you won‘t find with other subscriptions.

Is the Curateur Subscription Worth It?

So the question you‘re probably asking yourself is, "Is Curateur worth the investment?" In my opinion, the answer is a resounding yes—with a few caveats.

If you‘re someone who loves experimenting with fashion and trying new brands, Curateur is the perfect way to upgrade your style each season. The high retail value and insider access alone make it a smart choice for any fashionista on a budget.

I also think it‘s an incredible gift option for the style lovers in your life. I‘ve gifted Curateur boxes to friends and family for special occasions, and it always brings a "wow" factor that generic gift cards or pre-curated sets can‘t match.

That said, Curateur is a true splurge, so it‘s important to make sure the investment makes sense for your lifestyle and budget. If you‘re not someone who typically shops contemporary brands or has an adventurous sense of style, the price tag may not be justified.

It‘s also important to note that Curateur has a few key differences from typical subscriptions. For one, there are no returns or exchanges due to the exclusive nature of the partnership with brands. You‘re also billed up front for each season, so you‘ll need to keep an eye on your account to avoid unexpected renewals.

But if you‘re willing to take a bit of a leap of faith and trust in Rachel Zoe‘s impeccable taste, I can almost guarantee you won‘t be disappointed. In my experience, the quality and curation are worth the upfront investment every time.

Final Thoughts

Curateur has earned a permanent place in my quarterly splurge budget, and I can‘t see myself giving it up anytime soon. From the thrill of unboxing each delivery to discovering new holy grail items, it‘s an experience I look forward to every season.

The care and attention to detail that goes into each box are clear, and it‘s a testament to Rachel Zoe‘s decades of experience as a trendsetter and tastemaker. No matter your personal style, you‘re bound to find something to fall in love with in each curation. Curateur has definitely made me a bolder, more confident dresser!

Of course, everyone‘s experience is different, and there‘s no such thing as a one-size-fits-all subscription. But if you‘re looking to treat yourself or simply upgrade your wardrobe, I can‘t recommend Curateur enough. Trust me, you won‘t regret it.

And if you‘re not quite ready to commit to a full membership, Curateur offers a range of exclusive, curated shopping events open to everyone. You can also follow along on Instagram @curateur for daily style inspiration and behind-the-scenes looks at each box.

But beware—once you get a taste of Curateur, you‘ll be hooked! Don‘t say I didn‘t warn you. Happy unboxing!