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
Check out all of our Essence Beauty Box Reviews and the Women of Color Subscription Box Directory!
Keep Track of Your Subscriptions: Add this box to your subscription list or wishlist!
Every month the included product card breaks down each item included in the box. Plus, a member of the EBB Team adds a personal note about why the love the product and how to use it. The theme for April is “Fresh Start”. Our note says now that winter is finally gone, we need to give our face and hair a fresh start.
Paula’s Choice - Resist Vitamin C Spot Treatment - 0.5oz - Value: $55.00
This cream is said to be great for lightening dark scars and spots. I’ve been using it on my cesarean scar, gifted to me by Abigail. I don’t know if it’s working or not, but I’m not having any adverse effects from using it in this way. You can pat this on, day or night for all skin types, but it does caution use for those with rosacea.
Mally Beauty - EverColor Shadow Stick - 2oz - Value: $25.00
Wow! This shadow stick has serious staying power. I think the color is really beautiful too. I’ve used a bit on my inner-v/tear ducts, but I haven’t tried it over the whole eye lid. I love the metallic rose gold color it gives when it hits the light.
Jane Carter Solution - Seal & Shine - 1oz - Value: $3.75
I’m using this shine spray after I moisturize my hair. I love getting little spray bottles like this so that I can refill them with other hair conditioning sprays. It says it battles dryness of the scalp and hair, but I find that it’s really too oily to use alone. I hydrate my hair with water and follow up with a leave in conditioner cream, then polish the style with a few sprays of this glossifier.
Bioderma - Sebium H2O - 20ml - Value: $1.50
This water cleaner can be used twice a day. Use a cotton round or wash cloth to wipe over face and neck until skin is clear. I’ve used this several times after “washing” my face and was really surprised that I was able to remove even more yuck with this. I may need to find a full version of this soon.
Earth’s Nectar - Coconut Curls - 1oz? Value: $2.00
Yeahie! Earth’s Nectar is really getting it’s name out there. I’m really enjoying this cream conditioner. The sample is in a glass bottle just like their oils. I’m starting to wonder if their full sized bottles are glass as well! Scary thought for the shower. I drop all sorts of hair bottles when my hands are slippery. Anyway, this leave in conditioner has medium weight and smells alright. It’s very neutral and not very sweet like I imagined.
Palmer’s - Cocoa Butter Stick - .5oz - Value: $2.99
This moisture stick smells delicious! Like a chocolate cake in the oven sorta good! But that’s about all that I love about it. I’m using it on my hands, elbows and knees. I just don’t find the twist up application very appealing for a moisturizer. I’m using it though. Maybe I’ll get use to it. It says you can use it on you lips, and anywhere else you may have cracked or dry skin.
Verdict: This month, the Essence Beauty Box had an incredible retail value over $90.00! I’m really enjoying all the products this month. I would have never picked out the water cleanser and brightening cream for myself, but I’m glad to give them a shot. I love that this month we received a little bit of everything: hair, makeup and skincare! I’m still loving Essence Beauty Box. They aren’t even a year old and they are curating quality beauty for us every month.
What are you thoughts on April’s Essence Beauty Box? Did you receive a different shadow color?
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