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).
Subscription Box: Essence Beauty Box
Cost: $15 a month (Discounts available with 6-month and 12-month subscription)
The Products: A variety of hair care, beauty, and lifestyle products
Ships to: US only
Check out all of our Essence Beauty Box reviews and the Beauty Subscription Box Directory!
The insert card has a list of all the products included this month with tips! The note from the Beauty and Style Director says the theme for December’s box is “It’s a Celebration!”. She says our box includes products to keep us glowing all night long.
OGX - Biotin & Collagen Conditioner - 3oz - Value: $2.00
This conditioner claims to add volume and gives hair the appearance of thicker hair. We don’t have any issues with thin hair around here. I’m going to pass this along. I’m not the biggest fan of OGX, most of their products are full of sulfates and silicones that I try to avoid in hair care.
Carol’s Daughter - Sacred Tiare Combing Creme - 2oz - Value: $2.50
I’m excited to give this detangler a try. I love the detangler from The Honest Company for William and Abigail’s hair types, but not so much for mine. There are so many conditioners that I can use for them to detangle hair, I’m saving this one for me because I has so much hair and normally use more than 2oz of product to get through one wash day.
Boots - Extracts Body Wash - 2.5oz - Value: $2.50
This is the yummiest smelling body wash I’ve owned in a long time. I love mangos and I was pleasantly surprised by how much of the mango extract I could smell. Just delicious! I didn’t care for the was it left my skin feeling after washing off, so I’m mixing it in with my normal body wash.
Egyptian Magic - All Purpose Skin Cream - .25oz - Value: $2.50
Egyptian Magic is popping up all over the place. This is the biggest sample I’ve received so far. It’s not my favorite body cream, lip balm, face cream, etc, but it’s not bad at all. I can’t say that I’d repurchase this on my own because it’s uber expensive! I always stock up on body creams. I go through them like a crazy lady in the winter, so this is a great addition to the box for me!
Vera Moore - Pearlized EyeShadow in 24 karat - Value: $14.50
I’ve never seen this brand before until this box. The color in the pan is so deceiving. It looks so plain but it’s not! Very pretty swatches coming up! This will make a great accent to any holiday look added to the inner V or center lid. Gorgeous!!
CoverGirl - Outlast LongWear Lipstick in Red Revenge - Value: $9.80
The pigmentation in this lipstick is fierce! I personally haven’t purchased anything from CG in ages only because I know they are not cruelty free like the majority of makeup brands. It smells very nice and applies nicely. I don’t have many reds like this. I normally steered away from the color because I felt it flaunted my full figure lips negatively. But, I’m over myself. #freedom I’m happy to add to my humble collection.
Swatches of 24 karat eyeshadow and Red Revenge lipstick
About a week prior to receiving the Essence box, I received this package.
I was a bit confused by the note, it says that they are sorry for the delay with November’s box. With Essence Beauty Box being so brand new, I really didn’t notice how late the box came last month or this month with all the holidays.
Essence Beauty Bag - Value: $5.00?
Super cute!! I love it. It’s much bigger than the typical Ipsy bags and no harsh chemical smell. Win! I love getting new makeup bags. They’re great to put with makeup gifts to friends and family.
Verdict: Excluding the makeup bag, Essence Beauty Box has an estimated retail value of around $34.00. This is double the asking price and is a great deal. I really enjoying most of the products Essence has sent so far and I’m also impressed with the variety of brands they are collaborating with to put the boxes together.
What did you think of Essence Beauty Box this month? Did you receive a different lipstick or body wash? Tell us what you got below!
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