Aster Market Subscription Box Review + Coupon – October 2015
Aster Market is a new subscription box that focuses on sending you small-batch products from around the world.
My Subscription Addiction pays for this subscription. (Check out the review process post to learn more about how we review boxes).
The Subscription Box: Aster Market
The Cost: $46.95 a month ($39.95 a box plus $7 shipping)
The Products: “Aster Market is a monthly delivered box of exceptionally made, small-batch products from around the world. An Aster Market box will include anything from home décor, jewelry, accessories, paper goods, bath products and more.”
Ships to: US Only
Keep Track of Your Subscriptions: Add this box to your Subscription List or Wish List!
This box comes with a card detailing the items included.
True North Collection Headband – Value $7
This headband is made from a nylon/lycra material, and it has a lot of stretch. They recommend wearing it midway down your forehead for the most secure fit. I really like the print on this headband, and always need more headbands and hair ties, so this is a win!
Wabi-Sabi Botanicals Lokuttara Transcendent Dead Sea Salt + Rose Scrub – Value $28
I thought this scrub would be heavily rose-scented, but it really just smells like coconut! (I love coconut!) The scrub is made with: dead sea salt, organic virgin coconut oil, organic Pakistani rosebuds, organic soy glycerin, organic rosemary extract.
The problem I have with this scrub is that I went to scoop some out and nearly broke a nail – it is rock hard! The very top of the scrub was just coconut oil, but the salt part was pretty much impossible to scoop out with just my fingers. I’m going to have to try breaking it up with a knife or something. So far I love the scent and ingredients, but the actual usability is a zero. We’ll see if I have any luck breaking the scrub up!
Wild Juniper Tassel Necklace – Value $20
Wild Juniper shows this necklace as a long strand (it measures about 40 inches long), but I think it works well doubled up too:
Verdict: This box has a value of about $55. The value is getting higher every month – I’m happy about that. I still wouldn’t recommend this box if you are looking for a high-value box, but I think it is great if you are looking for a curated box that feels like a gift each month.
Hopefully, I can get that scrub to soften up (it smells SO good), then I’ll use everything in the box this month.
What do you think of the October 2015 Aster Market box?
OK, I contacted the owner of WabiSabi Botanicals, Elysse, to check on the safety of microwaving the scrub, and here’s what she had to say:
Hi Laurie, I think microwaving it should be fine! Not for too long, 30 seconds tops and then mix it up with a spoon a little bit. Or just place it in a sunny windowsill for a half hour or so if you have one available. The virgin coconut oil solidifies in colder temperatures so whether it’s solid or more melty doesn’t affect the quality of the scrub at all. Hope you enjoy!! 🙂
Has anyone been brave enough to try microwaving the scrub? Mine too is hard as a rock, although it smells (and looks) amazing.
I’ve been doing month to month hoping this box would be better but I’m always left feeling as if it needs one or two more products to make it perfect. I’ll probably cancel after this month.
I usually try to stay positive and grateful for all that I receive in sub boxes, however, this box fell a bit short in my opinion. I do like the necklace and the scrub will probably be wonderful once it softens up a bit (I will try the microwave tip, thanks Chris!) and I will probably gift or swap the headband. (By the way I found their shop on Etsy to ascertain the value and if it had been in a more fun design like they have on there, I probably would have kept it.) It just seemed like there was a little *something* missing for this price point, maybe a candle or organic treat?
I liked this month, but I loved last month’s and wish I started my sub with September. I didn’t have any luck swapping for the notepad and bracelets, so if anyone is interested in swapping with me, please let me know! I may even pay for them too!
I like the necklace and am interested in the scrub. I usually don’t wear headbands (except when washing my face and using masks) but I might try this one.
I was kind of disappointed in this month. I thought the necklace was was overpriced. It just feels fragile. It reminds me of the overinflated price of the tote from the first month. I feel like this box is barely making the cut with me. I don’t wear headbands. So the only thing I’ll use is the scrub. I paid $40 for a $28 scrub. I have a few months left in my subscription but right now, I don’t think I’ll resubscribe. Last month was the only month I kept two of the items.
I wonder if putting the scrub in the microwave for a short time would help?
That’s probably a better first try idea than taking a knife to it! I’ll give it a go – thanks Chris! 🙂
I’m am enjoying this box more and more every month. I will definitely keep my subscription with it because these are items I would normally not buy myself but will definitely use.
I really wanted to like and support this box but I had to cancel after I saw that I would also be charged tax to NJ, bringing my monthly charge to $50. There seems to be so many other boxes out there that provide a much better value. They also seem to charge early– tried to cancel so that I would not receive this Oct. Box and be charged the $50, but it was too late. Of their three boxes so far I thought that their second (the Sept. Box) was the best.