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The Better Beauty Box Subscription Review – April 2018

Jessica Hapak
ByJessica HapakApr 29, 2018 | 17 comments

closed Better Beauty Box

The Better Beauty Box
2.5 overall rating
2 Ratings | 3 Reviews

The Better Beauty Box is an ingredient conscious beauty box geared for tween and teen girls. There are two monthly options: The Better Beauty Box for $24 per month, which includes age appropriate makeup items or The Better Beauty Box Makeup Free for $20 per month, which includes no makeup at all.

This review is for The Better Beauty Box with makeup included for $24 a month.

open Better Beauty Box

This box was sent to us at no cost for review purposes. (Check out the review process post to learn more about how we review boxes.)

Better Beauty Box April 2018 review

About The Better Beauty Box

The Subscription Box: The Better Beauty Box

The Cost: $24 a month + free shipping, with 3-, 6- and 12-month subscription options

The Products: 5 ingredient conscious products geared for teen girls (a mix of full-sized, travel and trial sized)

Ships to: US

The Better Beauty Box April 2018 Review

Instead of including a stand-alone info sheet, the information about the products in the box are on a sticker that’s placed on the lid of the box.

So So Happy Lipstick in Bella, .15 oz

So So Happy Lipstick in Bella, .15 oz - Retail Value $19

Younger Jessica would have loved the packaging on this lipstick (current-age Jessica does too), and my mom would have loved that this pink-peach lip color was a close match to my natural lip color. My mom didn't let me wear dramatic makeup when I was younger (and I had to be 13 before I could wear any makeup at all), but this color would have been mom-approved. It felt a little waxy when I applied it, but it was super comfortable to wear. This wasn't the longest-lasting, but I think this is a great lipstick for a box geared towards tween and teen girls.

Here is what the lipstick looks like on. It was so comfortable that I forgot that I was wearing it!

Andalou Naturals Hair Mask, 1.5 oz - Retail Value $3.69

This hair mask is made with fruit extract and Marula oil and is specifically for curly, coarse hair! There was a definite pleasant apple scent (go nose!) when I used it, and I have been able to get two uses out of this bag with more product left to go. I try and keep my hair tangle-free so it doesn't dread, and this mask really helped soften my curls enough to be able to comb them while in the shower. This would have been especially useful when I was younger and hadn't figured out how to properly care for my hair.

RMS Beauty Coconut Oil Wipes, 2 wipes - Total Retail Value $2 (Buy one wipe for $1 or 20 wipes for $16).

These wipes were included in a recent Birchbox Discovery Kit, so I was happy to see the brand in this box, too. These are very coconut oil heavy— my face smelled like coconut for a while after using these to take off my makeup. I also wasn't the biggest fan of the job these wipes did. I felt like there was still makeup on my face after using these, which is what I try to avoid when I use makeup wipes (usually, if I am using a makeup wipe it is because I am feeling too lazy to wash my face).

queen Bee Be Sunny Sunblock, 1 oz

Queen Bee Be Sunny Sunblock, 1 oz - Retail Value $32 (found here for $24.50)

Well, this is neat! I have never seen powder sunscreen like this before. This powder goes on colorless and provides prolonged protection from the sun thanks to the active ingredients (titanium dioxide and zinc oxide) making up 34% of the ingredients. Since this product isn't regulated by the FDA an SPF rating cannot legally be given, but based on my research the active ingredients should provide plenty of sun protection. This is something that absorbs quickly into my skin, and I would be down to apply this to my face throughout the day when I am out in the sun. This would also be good for applying sunscreen to the part in your hair where its weird to spray sunscreen (weird to me, at least). Plus, if you are a parent who worries about ingredients, this sunscreen being all-natural must be reassuring. The only thing I am not a fan of is the application, as it comes out strong of the dispenser holes.

Sweet N Bubbley Shower Steamer, Retail Value $2.50

I love shower steamers, and I firmly believe they are not given the attention they deserve in the bath and beauty industry. It is a bath bomb for your shower— what is not to love? This steamer in particular extra lovely thanks to the lemon essential oil (I love citrus in my aromatherapy and bath products!) and the fact that it didn't dissolve quickly— I think this steamer lasted longer than my actual shower.

The Verdict: This was a great month for The Better Beauty Box. I felt every included item was perfectly geared towards their target audience while being age-appropriate, and I had a lot of fun trying out the mineral sunscreen (seriously, am I the only one who didn't know this was a thing?). I calculated a value of $59.19, which is the highest value I have seen from the box in the months I have been reviewing and more than double than the cost of the box. Considering this is an ingredient conscious box, that is even more impressive.

The Wrap Up:

Can you still get this box if you sign up today? If you sign up today your first box will be the May box.

Value Breakdown: This box costs $24 with free shipping, and I calculated a value of $59.19. That means you’re paying approximately the following for each item:

  • So So Happy Lipstick: $7.70
  • Andalou Naturals Hair Mask: $1.50
  • RMS Wipes: $0.81
  • Queen Bee Be Sunny Sunscreen: $12.97
  • Sweet N Bubbley Shower Steamer: $1.01

Check out all of our The Better Beauty Box reviews and the Beauty Subscription Box Directory!

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

What do you think of The Better Beauty Box? Do you have a teen in your life who you want to introduce to the subscription box world early?

Starting at $24.00
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The Better Beauty Box is an ingredient conscious subscription box for tweens and teens. Each box combines fun and practical items, with our main focus being safe, clean products for our girls.
The Regular Box $24/month A beauty box that doesn't focus heavily on make-up. Receive at least 5, mo... read more.
Jessica Hapak
Jessica Hapak
I am a staunch believer that pineapple doesn’t belong on pizza and when I’m not working as a family law attorney I enjoy hiking the Louisiana trails (alligator sightings are a favorite!) or relaxing with Duchess, my cat. I’m a sucker for anything labeled a mystery box and I’ve never met a bath bomb I didn’t like.

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17 comments

Tammy_from_Cali

Kinda want to try the mineral sunblock and shower steamer! Lemon essential oil in down for!

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Michelle

What exactly does the shower steamer do? Is it just a scent thing??

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Michelle Bross

Supergoop, Tarte, and Dr.Jart all make powdered sunscreen. I’ve been dying to buy one but I think one of the June Macy’s or Allure boxes (can’t remember which one) has one so I’ll be patient. Supergoop also makes an over make-up “setting spray” that’s SPF 50. I just use it to re-apply my sunscreen during the day. I don’t use it to actually set my make-up.

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katie

I never knew that powdered sunscreen existed either! I have been wanting to try shower steamers. I would have like this box!

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AJann

Blah, lackluster box and review.

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Jessica Hapak

Thanks for the feedback, AJann! I would love to know what you think I could do to improve, as I am always looking for ways to be better.

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Kate

I thought it was a pretty complete and fair review

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Cora Self

I agree 100%

DH

Me too! Made me wish I had a teen girl in the house. I have 2 boys and sometimes I can get my teenage son to try the acne stuff I’m sent. Great review.

Kris

I too had no idea that sunscreen was available in powdered form, but now that I do I REALLY want to try it!! As someone who has super oily skin I am always on the lookout for sunscreens that don’t leave an oily residue or the dread white cast!

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Kate

Earthwise Beauty makes a powdered sunscreen called Farizad’s veil that you can mix into anything, like your own moisturizer or a light oil and it doesn’t leave a white cast. It’s amazing and it has all natural ingredients, you can read about it on their website.

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Ally

Because powder sunscreens are notoriously bad about maintaining a consistent SPF that brands usually won’t waste money on making one. Most powder sunscreens like this one wouldn’t pass FDA testing for SPF protection. It’s better than nothing but if you are wanting real protection against UV rays for preventing skin cancer, stick to a one with a regulated SPF. I know there’s a blog somewhere that goes into the testing in depth but I’ll have to track it down.

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Terry

Love the idea of a shower steamer! I prefer showers to baths and I didn’t know that these even existed. I wish more boxes would get on board with these!

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Dea

I didn’t know shower steamers existed either! I didn’t know powder sunscreen existed – and I use sunscreen almost every day. New ideas come out every year! I’m impressed.

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DH

Check out the shower steamers that CVS sells. I get the lavender scented ones. It’s like 4 dollars for 3 and there are coupons from time to time. Ulta also does shower steamers although they are more expensive of course.

Kate

Earthwise Beauty makes a powdered sunscreen called Farizad’s veil that you can mix into anything, like your own moisturizer or a light oil and it doesn’t leave a white cast. It’s amazing and it has all natural ingredients, you can read about it on their website.

JA

Shower steamers have been sent in several boxes over the past few years. Mineral sunscreen (“powder”) has also been around awhile and I believe it’s being sent in the May Allure box.