Beauty Squad SA

What's in the box: The site does not clearly describe the contents, though as a beauty and makeup box it is expected to include a selection of cosmetic and beauty products.

Beauty Squad SA presents itself as a subscription box for beauty and makeup lovers in South Africa. A local box can make sense for shoppers there, because ordering from international services often means long waits and extra costs. A service based in the country may also be better placed to stock products that suit local tastes and are easy to buy again.

The trouble is how little the company tells you up front. The website does not clearly say what goes into a box, how often boxes ship, which brands are included or how the subscription works. The site was also unreliable when we tried to open it, and it turned some visitors away. For a service that asks for a recurring payment, that is a real concern. Before you sign up, you should be able to see the plan options, the delivery schedule and the cancellation terms.

If you already know someone who subscribes, or the brand answers your questions through its social channels, it may be worth a try. Otherwise, contact the company before paying and get clear answers about the products, the costs and how to cancel. Until the website is easier to reach and explains more, we can only give it a cautious, middling score.