Better Half Box for Women Subscription Review – July 2015
Better Half Box is a new subscription box that delivers full sized lifestyle items centered around a theme every month. They offer both a mens’ and womens’ subscription. I mentioned this in my review of the men’s box, but I can’t find anything on their site about why it is named “Better Half Box.” I’m guessing it’s a subscription you would gift to your spouse?
This review is of the womens’ box. This box was sent to us for review purposes. (Check out the review process post to learn more about how we review boxes).
The Subscription: Better Half Box
The Cost: $39.99 per month “with free shipping for a limited time only” OR $36.99 per month if you purchase 12 months upfront
The Products: “Better half box offers two thoughtfully curated boxes centered around a new and exciting theme every month. There is one for the women and one for the men, along with special edition boxes for anniversaries,birthdays, valentineís day and so much more. Packed with full sized products for lifestyle, beauty, fashion and home.”
Ships to: US only at this time
This month’s theme is COUNTRY CHIC! Not my cup of tea, but I can see how it could be done very well. Better Half Box included this information sheet with all the items listed (without values).
Floral Headband – Value $14?
Janis & Melanie Key Lime Tea Cookies – Value $3.30
This headband is not my style at all, but I can see it being very pretty on the right person. I am trying to see if I can take off the big flower without damaging it! These cookies were good, as my husband reported, because I traded him for the jalapeno cheese straws he got in his box.
Pink Filagree Earrings by ITS SENSE – Value $5?
Magnetic Nail Polish by Sally Hansen – Value $4.12
I couldn’t find these exact earrings online, but the link above and the value point to a very similar pair by the same brand. I think my estimate of $5 might even be generous. On the other hand, I love magnetic nail polish! So fun! But is it country chic?
Ice Cream Bowl – Value $2.40
This is a cute little ice cream bowl! Very nice for summer. I’m not sure what this has to do with country chic though.
Tassel Handbag – Value $6.99
I don’t know what to say about this little purse. The one positive thing I can think of saying is that I love fringe. Otherwise, this purse is kind of upsetting. It’s made of a really poor quality faux leather, and the lining is a material I don’t think I’ve ever encountered before, but it crinkles. Loud. I would love to give this to a little girl that’s getting ready for a square dance or other western-themed event. My husband suggested I give this to my eight-year-old niece, but I don’t think she would use it. I’m sorry to be so harsh!
Verdict: This is the first time since I have written for MSA that I am having a hard time staying positive and honest at the same time. The value of these items comes up to about $36, and I would expect a better value for this type of box. I do think some of the items were curated fairly well around the theme. I like the nail polish, but it’s a novelty, and like everything else in this box, it’s not of very high quality. I would be pretty disappointed if I received this box as a gift or otherwise.
I am thinking of another lifestyle subscription box that was sent in the spring of last year at this same price point that included a beautiful Melie Bianco purse, a lovely floral headband that I have worn several times, and a few other items. I recall most people being thrilled to receive that box. That’s the kind of lifestyle box that can be achieved for $40. I think Better Half Box has potential, but only if they set their standards for quality higher. I would like to see Better Half Box accept the challenge and rise to the same (or better!) quality as other lifestyle boxes in this price range.
What do you think of Better Half Box for Women?
Written by Anna Rodriguez
I cancelled after this July Box (I had also received June)–strange that nothing is accessable– has anyone been charged for August?
Yes, I was charged on 8/1. I will be disputing tomorrow!!!
Little concerning…I went to cancel my subscription after receiving only 1 box, and their website is no longer valid?????
Anna or Liz – You may want to check that out. Their website is up for sale on GoDaddy and the Facebook is unavailable.
Oui Please has been down for 3-4 days too. Not for sale, but it says website available.
*website not available.
Sorry. The word “not”is an important word.
Wow. That is one of the worst sub boxes I’ve seen. It looks like a collection of clearance items. Hopefully they don’t send expired food, at least.
I thought the “better half” name meant the male and female boxes would be shipped together and arrive together. Then you would open them with your significant other. I saw another commenter mention the themes should coordinate, which would be cool too. It could be a way to get the BF to understand the subscription craze. Might be too difficult to execute though.
I would be hesitant to give that purse to any child, as I am sure the lead content is through the roof. Google China made bags and lead.
Yikes! Thanks lynn!
These kind of remind me of the sesame boxs some of us got a few months back.
I would have thought since they are “better half” boxes that the themes would have complimented each other. Weird.
Considering that this nail polish is on permanent clearance for fifty cents at my local drugstore, and the other items look like products I’d find at the Dollar Tree… yeesh.
I bought a Living Social deal for this box. The website says they will send you an introductory box (not necessarily that month’s box). I sent a FB message to see if that would mean I could end up with their first box (May). I think it’s called Movie Star Gorgeous. It was great!!! I definitely didn’t want the June beach box and would have been super bummed with this box. The one I received had a full set of makeup brushes, a full size sugar scrub, a movie trivia game, and a stemless wine glass plus some other stuff. The men’s May box seemed pretty cool too. I dropped the sub after the living social deal, but I think it’s still on and you might ask to see if you’d get the May box. It is definitely worth the LS price.
I agree that the curation is a miss. I imagine that if you’re a small company that it’s difficult to get well known brands to work with you initially, but I think very thoughtful curation can make up for that. I also think that at this point subscribers expect a certain level of quality because so many other boxes are able to deliver it and that it’s very disappointing when you feel like you couldn’t even gift the contents of the box because the quality is so poor. Hopefully they’ll either up their curation game or reduce the price of the box.
I received those in a Love With Food box maybe last year, and they were sooo good!
I love that the purse is faux leather. I won’t wear real leather, so I hate all the real leather bags that get thrown in these boxes. However, I wish it looked a bit more quality.
The ice cream bowl fits because it screams “southern country hospitality” to me. But yeah, that magnetic nailpolish is a theme miss.
They should probably market these boxes as for teens instead of adults, i don’t get the whole better half thing
I just literally LOL’d when I saw the picture of the handbag and value of $6.99. I don’t think your review was harsh at all. Why didn’t they include a $1.99 belt to match? Reminds me of the French box that put .99 cent bath beads in.
Oh dear, I’m not sure what they’re going for with this box, but it’s definitely not for me. It seems like they just threw a few imported items together, like things you could get from Oriental Trading.
Unfortunately, I agree! I was looking forward to the review of this since I saw the Better Half for Men review, but if this was the first box I received upon subscribing, I would be canceling right away.
Hope to hear that it improves in the future.