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)
COUPON: While supplies last, use coupon code SUNSHINE get a free box plus save 20% off a 6-month or 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!
If you shop in the People store, which I never knew existed until this unboxing, use code EBB10 for $10 off a purchase over $50. The offer expires in February 2017! Amazing.
Each month the the EBB Team provides an insert card detailing every item we have for the month. May’s theme is “Bae-cation”. It says our box is packed full of essential products for a last minute getaway.
Poo-Pourri - Before You Go Toilet Spray in Pose Geranium - Value: $9.95
I’ve seen a few commercials for this toilet spray and always wanted to try it. Without revealing graphic details of my experience, I’m just going to say, our bathroom smells amazing before and after potty time. I’m totally spoiled by this product and wish to have one in each bathroom. To learn more about how this product works ( and a few cool dance moves ) click the link to their sweet-smelling promo-video here.
Ginger Yum - Massage Candle in Ginger Mint - 2oz - Value: $5.00
Unfortunately, I wasn’t impressed with this candle/massage wax. There wasn’t much scent before or during burning. I also tried some on my skin, but it didn’t apply as smoothly as I thought it would. The wax also left a bit of residue and left me wanting to wash it off than leave on overnight.
Simple - Cleansing Facial Wipes - 7ea - Value: $1.50?
I don’t think I had ever tried these wipes before, but I like them. I’ve been using my Honest Brand 3-N-1 Facial Towelettes from their Essentials subscription, and they are virtually the same price. Like the Honest wipes, these did not burn my eyes out. It’s a win! I just wish we had received a larger quantity sample or the full sized package.
PUR Cosmetics - Impact Plus Mascara in Black - .12oz - Value: $16.00?
Although I have other mascaras lined up, and waiting to be opened, I tried this one right away! I didn’t like the wand at all, it’s very generic and bulky. The formula, however is weightless and required little effort to remove at the end of the day. The full sized version is not much bigger than this, I wouldn’t say I’m in love with it enough to repurchase. (Maybe during a sale, I would.)
Equitance - Brightening Foaming Cleanser - .5oz - Value: $3.75
I’ve never heard of this brand, but the cleanser works well with my Clarisonic. I’m not a huge fan of stripping my face of all it’s natural oils, but this one didn’t make my face feel terribly dry. There’s not much scent to describe, but it smells very clean. It says to use it twice a day to remove makeup and it should leave your skin feeling soft and purified. Hmm, that’s about right!
Verdict: This May, excluding the coupon, Essence Beauty Box had an estimated retail value around $36.00. Every month, EBB has provided quality products that also line up with the theme. Despite a lack of enthusiasm in repurchasing several items myself, this doesn’t mean these products were not someone else’s favorite thing! EBB is also doing a great job in providing a wide variety of brands. This subscription service is fairly new, but it easily takes a top shelf favorite with what I’ve seen so far.
What are your thoughts on the Essence Beauty Box? In the comments below, if you’re courageous enough, let us know if you’ve used a Poo-Pourri spray before, or right now!! ( Or just tell me to mind my business, LOL! )
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