Runesilk (The Beardmail Box)

What's in the box: Expect a mix of Runesilk's own handmade beard care, such as beard oil, beard butter, balm or beard wash, though the site does not spell out a fixed box lineup.

Runesilk is an independent beard care brand from Cambridgeshire. It makes its oils, butters, balms and washes by hand in small batches. The Beardmail Box name suggests a regular delivery, but the main shop sells single products and beard sets. The site does not clearly explain how a subscription works, how often boxes ship or what each one costs, so check those details before you sign up. The products themselves are well explained. The beard oil uses a blend of grapeseed, jojoba, argan, borage and sea buckthorn oils. The beard butters combine cocoa, mango and shea butter with similar oils to give a whipped, creamy texture that suits any beard length. The brand says its beard butter has won several awards. It also sells a newer hair care range and an all natural beard and body soap. If you care about ingredients, there is useful detail here. The products are cruelty free, everything except the Beard Balm is vegan friendly, and every product has a Cosmetic Product Safety Report. The site also publishes practical guides on shaving, razor burn and aftershave ingredients. UK orders over £40 ship free, and worldwide postage is free from £60. Overall this looks like a careful small maker with good formulas, held back mainly by unclear subscription details.