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Essence Beauty Box Subscription Box Review – April 2016

Celicia Gantz
ByCelicia GantzMay 5, 2016 | 8 comments

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Essence Beauty Box
3 overall rating
12 Ratings | 0 Reviews

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.  

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My Subscription Addiction paid for this box. (Check out the review process post to learn more about how we review boxes).

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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!

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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.  

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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.  

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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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Each box includes Sample or trial sizes of five hair and beauty products. More from Essence: The ESSENCE® BeautyBox is a service to help women of color discover beauty products. We understand the challenges and frustrations in finding a variety of products for our shades and skin tones, identify... read more.
Celicia Gantz
Celicia Gantz
Celicia was introduced to both The Honest Company and CurlKit in March 2013 and has been addicted to subscription boxes ever since. Always on the hunt for the undiscovered family staple, she loves trying new skincare, natural hair care, makeup, and finding delicious snacks with hidden veggies for her kids (and Hubby too). Favorite finds: Body Oil, Stuffed Animals, Books, non-GMO Tortilla Chips and Perfume Samples.

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8 comments

Nicky

Nice box! I haven’t been wowed by Essence Beauty Box in a few months but I’m wishing that I signed up for this one.

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Andrea

This box was awesome! I liked everything in it, and I am still shocked we got a $55 product! I don’t know if it’s working on my acne scar spots and wrinkles, but for that price it better.

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AshKay

I had a three month box and didn’t realize I had to renew (I know, sub box newbie), but I was always impressed and excited for every box I received. I will be resubbing to get next month’s box.

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Karisha

This is one of my top 3 favorite boxes. I enjoy it and use everything in it monthly.

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Kay

Great review! I bought April’s box after Paula’s Choice spoiler. I got a sample size from another box just a little while ago and I have been using it on my dark spot on my face and a nasty mosquito bite scar on my leg from last year. I have been using it for 2-3 weeks twice a day, and I think I see a slight difference on my leg. I think we have to keep using it to see results.

I am a recent micellar water convert. Bioderma is a cult product among makeup artists and models. The pink bottle is for sensitive skin and that’s the most popular. It is a French product. I use brands available here. Sephora carries variety of brands and there are also Garnier and Simple from drugstore. It is gaining its popularity, so I think we will see more choices. I much prefer to use micellar water over wipes. I feel it is much more mild on my face and I don’t need to rub/tag my skin like I do with the wipes.

Anyway, I really enjoyed this box. Hair product is not usually a big hit as I don’t usually need much, but I use Jane Cater product just a little on my almost dry hair before blow drying. Smells great as well.

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Barbie

IMHO – this is a consistently good box. Well thought out, with great, usable products.

I’m most excited about the coconut curls conditioner for my daughter’s dry, wavy hair. Palmer’s is an old favorite, and the swivel stick is great to throw in your purse.

Can’t wait to see what the May box has in store.

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TAM

Nice box! I’m not an Essence subscriber yet but this box has some items that I’d really like to try (the Bioderma in particular). I also love the eyeshadow color. Does Essence ever offer previous boxes for sale?

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Ziya

I received all of the same items. The mally stick was beautifully pigmented. The serbium h20 helps with excess makeup and the cocoa butter stick definitely comes in handy on the go. I can’t use most hair care products from subscription boxes because I have locks, but I thought coconut curls smelled amazing! This was my first month with this subscription and I’m enjoying it so far.

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