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Stowaway Cosmetics Essential Edits Box Review – July 2016

Haley Faye
ByHaley FayeAug 8, 2016 | 7 comments

STOWAWAY COSMETICS ESSENTIAL EDITS JULY 2016 - BOX

Stowaway Cosmetics just launched a new lifestyle box called their Essential Edits! Each box is “a unique monthly curation” and has  value between $70-$200.

If you’re not familiar, Stowaway Cosmetics is a beauty brand that sells “right-sized” cosmetics – smaller versions made for tossing in your purse or clutch, and also for you to finish them before they expire.

They’ve also released the themes for the upcoming months:

  • July: BBQs, Stars & Stripes draw string
  • August: Pools, Long Reads & Road Trips
  • September: Back To School, Back Being Cool
  • October: Nest, Rest & Discover Your Best
  • November: How To Be Thankful For The Family Circus
  • December: Holiday Parties, Being Foolhardy & Getting On With Gifting

STOWAWAY COSMETICS ESSENTIAL EDITS JULY 2016 - PACKAGING

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

STOWAWAY COSMETICS ESSENTIAL EDITS JULY 2016 - all items

The Subscription Box: Stowaway Cosmetics Essential Edit

The Cost: $50/month + free shipping

The Products:  “Smart women know life requires an essential edit! Simplify your busy life with our unique monthly curations for only $50 per month with surprises that could be worth up to $200, including items from brands like Blow Pro, Flight 001, Baggu, Bkr, and more.”

Ships to: US

Check out all of our Stowaway Cosmetics reviews and the Beauty Subscription Box Directory!

Keep Track of Your Subscriptions: Add this box to your subscription list or wishlist!

STOWAWAY COSMETICS ESSENTIAL EDITS JULY 2016 - items 1

July 2016 Issue of Allure Magazine – value: $3.99

So, this box apparently varies across subscribers, and last month some of our readers mentioned getting a magazine and others mentioned getting an actual product/item instead. Personally, I’m pretty underwhelmed at the inclusions of a magazine as an item, especially because it’s one I don’t read.

Paper Straw Set – value: $1.50?

The theme for this month is “Stars and Stripes,” so these festive paper straws are included for festiveness, I suppose. I don’t actually use paper straws, either, but my sister-in-law loves them so I’ll probably pass these along to her.

STOWAWAY COSMETICS ESSENTIAL EDITS JULY 2016 - items 2

Physician Endorsed Women's Sanibel Two-Tone Packable Fedora – value: $23.25

This hat is cute if you’re a hat person! I’m not sure I like the ribbon with it, though. The blue and ivory stripes make a cool pattern, and I can see someone wearing this on the beach or at an outdoor social event. Unfortunately, it’s just not something I’ll wear.

STOWAWAY COSMETICS ESSENTIAL EDITS JULY 2016 - items 3

Zest Cocktail Napkins – pack of 4, value: $9.95?

In my box, I had a note thanking me for my subscription and adding that these cocktail napkins were a “surprise and delight,” so I think that might mean they’re a bonus? I wish there were an info card. These go along a “BBQ/Summer entertaining” theme, and I like the design:

STOWAWAY COSMETICS ESSENTIAL EDITS JULY 2016 - items 4

It’s a four pack and I like the dark red color of the pattern.

STOWAWAY COSMETICS ESSENTIAL EDITS JULY 2016 - items 5

So that’s the lifestyle part of the box – now onto the cosmetics!

STOWAWAY COSMETICS ESSENTIAL EDITS JULY 2016 - items 6

Stowaway Tinted Lip Gloss 3 pack – value: $20

This little bag contained 3 individually boxed little lip glosses.

STOWAWAY COSMETICS ESSENTIAL EDITS JULY 2016 - items 7

I love that there’s a clear stripe to see the color of the lip gloss easily. The shades, from left to right, are honey, rosewood, and petal.

STOWAWAY COSMETICS ESSENTIAL EDITS JULY 2016 - items 8

The formula is quite opaque and has a lot of pigmentation, and applies smoothly with no stickiness.

STOWAWAY COSMETICS ESSENTIAL EDITS JULY 2016 - items 9

Here they are applied. Peony is on top, then honey, and rosewood.

STOWAWAY COSMETICS ESSENTIAL EDITS JULY 2016 - items 10

Stowaway Cosmetics Cheek and Lip Rouge in Peony – value: $15

Stowaway Cosmetics Cheek and Lip Rouge in Canteloupe – value: $15

Stowaway Cosmetics Cheek and Lip Rouge in Burnt Rose – value: $15

The other little package was three cheek and lip rouges wrapped in tissue paper.

STOWAWAY COSMETICS ESSENTIAL EDITS JULY 2016 - items 11

They sent all three colors they sell, which are cantaloupe, peony, and burnt rose.

STOWAWAY COSMETICS ESSENTIAL EDITS JULY 2016 - items 12

STOWAWAY COSMETICS ESSENTIAL EDITS JULY 2016 - items 13

Here are swatches for you, from top to bottom they’re cantaloupe, peony, and burnt rose. The formulas are creamy and buildable. They melt a little for easier application with the warmth of your fingers, and the formula builds well.

STOWAWAY COSMETICS ESSENTIAL EDITS JULY 2016 - items 14

For this look, I used the cheek and lip rouge in Cantaloupe on my lips and cheeks. I like multitasking products, but I prefer this as a check rouge over a lip rouge. The matte color tends to cling to and emphasize dry skin on my lips, and settle into creases.

Verdict: This Stowaway Essential Edits box is okay to me. Personally, I don’t feel that the lifestyle part of the subscription adds much of anything for me (a hat I won’t wear, a magazine I won’t read, straws I won’t use, etc…). However I do think Stowaway has an interesting idea with their vision (the “right size” products so you use them up before expiring). I think their products are  great for minimalists, people who travel light, or even people who just want to make sure they have a set of touch-up makeup with them or in their purse. Part of me thinks they’d do well to just release a monthly delivery of these different and new items they’re including from their cosmetic line.

What do you think of this new Essential Edits box from Stowaway Cosmetics?

Haley Faye
Haley Faye
Haley Faye first discovered the wonderful world of subscription boxes in 2012 and began writing for MSA in 2014. Over the years, she has found many subscriptions to love. Now a mom of three, her favorite boxes are ones that dress her kids, help her get organized, feed her family, send her snacks, and offer educational fun for her children.

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7 comments

Sadie

I cancelled right away after getting my order this month. I think the products are good, but 2 of the gloss shades didn’t suit me. That hat is absolutely not to my taste and I literally can’t give it away (I asked a few coworkers if they wanted it, but they just laughed). I’ll have to put it in the donate pile, I guess. Anyway, I can’t justify $50 for 3 cheek tints and one gloss. The cocktail napkins are nice enough, but I don’t use cloth napkins so those will also be donated.
Also, one mascara from last month’s box was totally unusable because it was all clumped up and dried out. The other mascara was better, but was only good for 3 or 4 uses.

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chris

I think the hat would be kind of cute if you removed the ribbon and/or changed it to a navy one.

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Sara

That’s a great idea – thanks Chris!

Leslie

I like smaller makeup items, because I typically won’t use, for example, a full size mascara in the three months it takes until it expires. I do keep eye shadows forever, because I never use my fingers to apply and clean my makeup brushes regularly.

I think this box would be even better if the makeup included were six different types of makeup. Like a coordinated set. I love makeup kits; they are so much fun. I like the lifestyle additions in this box and would use each one.

I hope they keep at leat one lifestyle item that is of higher value, like the hat. And it is awesome to see the themes months ahead of time in case there is a coupon for longer subscriptions, you have a clue about if that is something you would like.

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Angie

I cancelled after trying in June. I think I made a good decision. $50 is a pretty high price point for taste specific lifestyle additions.

Maybe it’s just me, but how long can they send their makeup before they run out. June was all the eye products, July is all the lip and cheek stain. They have very limited inventory.

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Leah

I was thinking the same thing about them running out of their line of products! 🙂

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AmyM

hmmm…I can see that they’re trying hard, but I agree the lifestyle part of the box seems pretty hit or miss. That said, I love the colors of the gloss and the cream blush, and will look into both.

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