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Dottie Box Subscription Box Review – October 2015

Haley Faye
ByHaley FayeOct 11, 2015 | 14 comments

Dottie Box Subscription Box Review October 2015 - Box

Dottie Box
3.4 overall rating
12 Ratings | 6 Reviews

Dottie Box is a box curated every month for women. They feature high quality handmade items, small businesses, and indie brands. They offer a regular and a mini box; this is a review of the regular box.

This box was sent to us for review purposes. (Check out the review process post to learn more about how we review boxes).

Dottie Box Subscription Box Review October 2015 - all items

The Subscription: Dottie Box

The Cost: Full Size Box: $20/month + $6 shipping, Mini Box: $10/month + $3 shipping

The Products: Quality hand-made items for women selected from indie brands and small businesses.

Ships to: US

Dottie Box Subscription Box Review October 2015 - info

Each box comes with an informational card detailing the featured items.

Dottie Box Subscription Box Review October 2015 - items 1

Actual Film Votive – value: $12

I think that this product is a really interesting idea! They use 35mm film reels that were played on silver screens when they movies were released. Unfortunately I kind of think that this actual product feels kind of… crafty? I also wish they had chosen something more iconic/popular to be included in the Dottie Box because I know nothing about the film they included (their shop does have votives featuring iconic films like King Kong, Star Wars, Singin’ in the Rain, It’s a Wonderful Life, Rocky Horror… things I would recognize).

Dottie Box Subscription Box Review October 2015 - items 2

Dottie Box Subscription Box Review October 2015 - items 3

Black Dahlia Lacquer in Sapphire Sky – 8ml/Full Size!, value: $7

This shade is exclusive to Dottie Box! It’s a really pretty blue with fine glitter in it. It’s not what I’d normally wear but I like this brand a lot so I’ll give it a try. I appreciate that it’s vegan and 5-free.

Posh Skincare Clay Mask – .5 oz, value $4

The card values the mask at $5 but the 2 oz full-size is $16 in the shop, so I adjusted the value accordingly. I’m excited to try this mask out! Here’s what their shop has to say about it:

“Our Lavender Clay Facial Mask is made for oily and sensitive skin to remove any impurities and tighten your pores. Apply this mask once or twice a week to gently exfoliate dead skin, reduce inflammation in acne and tone your skin.”

Dottie Box Subscription Box Review October 2015 - items 4

Dream Willow Studio Anchor Charm Bracelet – value: $16

FYI, I can’t find this exact design in their shop. I know anchors have been trendy but this isn’t quite my style – it’ll be gifted!

Dottie Box Subscription Box Review October 2015 - items 5

Dottie Box DIY “FALL” Banner – value: $12

I’m sorry, but I definitely don’t see the reason behind a $12 value to some paper letters and twine. This item doesn’t really interest or excite me at all, but my sister-in-law loves decorating seasonally and making banners so I’m going to pass this along to her.

Verdict: Dottie Box sends such a wide variety of items, so I never really know what I’m going to get. Personally, this month was a miss for me. The only thing I think I’ll use this month is the nail polish. As far as value goes, everything adds up to $51, which is a good value, but I don’t agree with their $12 value on the banner.

What do you think about the October Dottie Box?

Starting at $26.00
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A Dottiebox is a box curated every month for women. We feature high quality handmade items, small businesses, and indie brands.
Haley Faye
Haley Faye
Haley Faye first discovered the wonderful world of subscription boxes in 2012 and began writing for MSA in 2014. Over the years, she has found many subscriptions to love. Now a mom of three, her favorite boxes are ones that dress her kids, help her get organized, feed her family, send her snacks, and offer educational fun for her children.

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14 comments

Sarah

I felt like this box was quite underwhelming. I loved last month’s box, but this one actually made me unsubscribe. I idea of the votive was nice, but giving everyone a random movie is such a crap shoot on their part that I don’t know what they were thinking. I thought the “Fall” banner was utter junk. I even tried to put it up, but the twine fell apart halfway through. It was definitely not worth $12. The clay mask was actually pretty nice, but I will probably only get 2-3 uses from it. I liked the color of the nail polish and the fact that it’s 5-free, but it went on terribly for me and dried sort of streaky. The bracelet was okay but I can’t get it to clasp properly. I’m really disappointed because I wanted to love this box. I want to support indie business owners and artists, but I can’t justify paying $26 a month for something that is so low-quality. 🙁

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mimi

I really like this box. I also got the blue nail polish, which I love. My votive had a cell from Bride of Frankenstein (the original), which is seasonally appropriate. More importantly, my hubby is an old movie buff — both the movies themselves and the technology, so this is right up his alley.

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Jennifer

I received Dracula (90’s) version film cell and it is great for the month of October. I do remember Elvira on TV as I am a child of the early 70’s and loved watching her show. Check her out, I am sure she is on the you tube.

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PA Anna

I received Cranberry Crescent as my nail polish color. It’s a great fall color with glitter in it. I’m passing it on to my sister who can’t wait to try it out.

I received a cell from the Wizard of Oz as my film votive candle. Haley, I feel old. Elvira is great!

My charm on the bracelet is a tree. I love it!

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Kathleen

I love seeing the Elvira votive as part of an October sub box, but I understand that she’s probably more of a cult favorite and may not appeal to the masses in a subscription box. I bet it will swap very well!

Thanks for the link to the Actual Film Etsy shop. I just bought some with It’s a Wonderful Life cells for a Christmas present for my dad. It’s been one of his favorite holiday films his whole life and will always remind me of my dad. The re-purposed film cell adds to the nostalgia factor. I think it will make a great gift.

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Janelle

Couldn’t help but mention that, for those of us who were around in the 70s and 80s Elvira (Mistress of the Dark) is well known and iconic. She is primarily known for being the hostess of a show that featured old time horror movies. I agree that the movie is not a well known box office smash, but Elvira, herself, was quite popular back in the olden days. LOL! This is her season. As an afterthought, the company that sells these was clever. You have already looked at other products and shared that with all of us and now I am intrigued. Just a thought. Love the reviews. Is it weird that I read most of them, even when I don’t get the box? I am developing a big case of box envy.

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Evian

I really thought everyone knew who Elvira is. I’ve never been into horror or scary stuff but I still was aware of her.

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Flubs

Me too (well, at least when it comes to everyone over 25 lol). In fact, I’ve never met anyone who recognized Rocky Horror but not Elvira. Different strokes for different folks lol!

Haley

Evian, I guess this review really shows my age then! I must just be too young to have known her, and it also sounds like something my parents wouldn’t have been into so I never would have been exposed to it when I was young, either! Good to know that she is popular with a good crowd of people, though, and it sounds like it’s definitely seasonally appropriate! Thanks for reading!

Kristin

Have to agree – I’m a child of the 80’s and love Elvira! That movie is cheesy 80’s brilliance! I would so swap for this. 😀

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Ragan

I remember Elvira as well. (I was born in the late 1970s…)

Annamarie

I also read all the reviews even when I don’t get the box; we are not weird, we are explorers lol.. it’s fun and I get to know about products I never knew existed.

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