Essence Beauty Box is a beauty subscription service geared for Women of Color (WOC). Each month, the Essence Magazine beauty team puts together a box to give you the opportunity to discover brand new products and Essence’s staple favorites.
My Subscription Addiction paid for this box. (Check out the review process post to learn more about how we review boxes).
The Subscription Box: Essence Beauty Box
The Cost: $15 a month (Discounts available with 12-month subscription)
The Products: A variety of hair care, beauty, and lifestyle products
Ships to: US only
The insert card has a list of all the products included this month with tips! There’s also a note from the Beauty and Style Director. She states the theme of the inaugural box is “Finishing Touches for Fall”.
Curls Creme Brule Whipped Curl Cream - 2oz - Value: $3.00
I’ve tried Curls brand before and I love the way their products smell. This one smells so buttery and sweet like it should go on a cake. I’ve used it twice so far and I works just fine. It’s also free of sulfates, silicones and parabens. Win! I’d love to see more from this brand.
Eden Bodyworks Coconut Shea Leave-In Conditioner - 4oz - Value: $5.50
I see this brand in my local Sally’s and I’ve never tried it out. It smells like citrus and is also free of parabens and sulfates. It was just ok from my original use. It feel very watery. I’m going to give this another go in my kiddos looser curl patterns and see how it works.
L’Occitane Shea Butter Hand Cream - 10ml - Value: $3.00
I see this brand in the mall and I’m sorry to say...not my favorite. Don’t hurt me, I know some people love this brand. I’m just not one of them. I’m so accustomed to using body oils, this just doesn’t do anything for me in terms of moisturizing. On a positive note, I’m using it on the kiddos post bath and it doesn’t leave behind a strong scent. I’m actually surprised that it’s not all gone yet. A little bit goes a long way.
Calvin Klein Eternity Now Rollerball - 3ml - Value: $7.00
OoohhYeah! This is what makes this box spectacular for me. This new scent from CK is really sweet and velvety. It reminds me of a summer night’s ball. I want to get all dolled up to wear it.
Tarte The Brow Architect in Deep - Full Size - Value: $23.00
I was so excited to compare this next to my ABH Brow Wiz. It didn’t compete. I really tried to love it. I’ve been wearing it all week and the applicator and brush are just too bulky. The definer color was an added bonus, but the color is too orange for an under brow highlighter. Either way, I’m going to use the brow color. I could probably use it in unison with the Brow Wiz in areas that I don’t need as much precision. Side Note: I could have sworn this was on sale at Sephora, but could only find it for sale at Tarte.
The Brow Architect Swatches
Sorry for the blinding arm swatches, I think I was too close to my lights. I swatched it on the box to show you how orange that definer powder really is.
Verdict: The inaugural Essence Beauty Box had an estimated retail value of $41.50!! That’s an amazing bargain. I was so excited to review this box and I’m really impressed with the brands they selected and the mixture of hair and beauty items. The curation is spot on, brows frame the face, the hair cremes revive your curls, etc, etc. I’m looking forward to next month’s box. I hope to see more perfumes, beauty tools, maybe even skin care since it is winter.
What did you think of the first Essence Beauty Box?! What brands would you like to see featured in the coming months?
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