We asked our readers what new boxes they'd like to see reviewed, and they rose to the occasion with a slew of awesome suggestions! One box that piqued our interest was Sanaya Set, a feminist-minded lifestyle subscription box aimed at celebrating women and diversity. The company donates 10% of its proceeds to a different organization supporting (this box, in particular, is supporting OneAmerica, which is the largest immigrant and refugee advocacy organization in Washington State) and predominantly features products from companies owned by women, people of color, and marginalized communities. I think it's awesome that a subscription box can be both enjoyable and impactful!
The box is quarterly, so a new curated assortment arrives at your door each season. You can expect a myriad of feel-good items, such as gifts, jewelry, beauty products, books, and sweets. If you're looking for a way to pamper yourself (or someone else—this box would make an awesome college care package or a gift for a friend), this globally minded, yet indulgent option could be the perfect pick.
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About Sanaya Set Women's Lifestyle Subscription Box
The Subscription Box: Sanaya Set
The Cost: $120.00 per quarter, or $99.00 per quarter when you sign up for an annual subscription.
The Products: Self-care gifts, jewelry, accessories, sweets, books, and other little indulgences. The box is curated with women and diversity in mind—most of their products come from companies owned or run by women, people of color, or other marginalized communities.
Good to Know: 10% of the proceeds from each box are donated to an organization that aligns with Sanaya Set's intersectional feminist values, such as the ACLU, Planned Parenthood, and OneAmerica.
Ships to: US only
Sanaya Set Summer 2018 Review
I review a lot of subscription boxes, but I have to say my favorites are always the ones that have some larger mission attached to them. Maybe it's featuring clothing made with more sustainable manufacturing processes, promoting independent artists/makers, or supporting fair trade brands. It just makes me feel good that the products I'm enjoying have a greater impact in the world at large, too.
So, I was really excited to learn about Sanaya Set. (Thanks so much to user Shana for suggesting it in the comments of this post ❤️) If you're reading this thinking "intersectional wha?" or "what do you mean feminist subscription box?", I recommend taking a look at their (gorgeous) website. They do a really awesome job explaining their mission and some of the terminology they use. (They do a way better job defining intersectionality than I ever have in conversation, hehe!)
I personally identify as a feminist, so these ideas are familiar to me, but even I was curious to see how these values would translate into a lifestyle box!
Here's the info card that came with the box. I really like how it's set up, with each product aligning with a different value—"Be Unique", "Be Rested", "Be Radiant", etc. They even give some insight into why they chose each item for the box. Thoughtful curation scores a lot of points in my book, so I love that they took the time to include that information.
Sari Bari Bon Boho Bag - Retail Value $44.00
The patterns on this bag aren't the kind of thing I typically gravitate towards, to be honest, but once I got this bag out of the box and started interacting with it, I fell in love nonetheless. This big bag is made from an authentic Indian sari. It's impossibly soft. (It inspired me to start browsing Sari Bari's Kantha quilts, which are made from the same fabric and have gotta be sooo comfy.) It's also huge and REALLY sturdy. I could carry my 13" laptop around in it with room to spare, take it to the grocery store, or heck, take it to the wine store and have zero worries about a few bottles snapping a strap or stressing the seams. There's a snap closure plus an inner zip-shut pocket in the brown fabric lining. The best part? This company works with red light communities to prevent the exploitation of women and children. Plus, the person who made the bag is actually featured on the tag. (Her name is Laxmi!)
Grace Eleyae Satin Pillowcase - Retail Value $34.95
I am SO excited about this pillowcase! (Who'd have thought I'd get this excited about a pillowcase, but here we are, haha.) Satin pillowcases are supposed to be so nice on your hair and skin—they've always seemed like this very glamorous, luxurious, Zsa-Zsa-Gabor-level beauty item. And now I have one!!! Eeeee! I feel so fancy! It's truly so smooth and soft. My other bedsheets are gray, too, so this will blend right in. Grace Eleyae's story is so interesting—she's on a mission to help women pamper their hair, especially if it's damaged, chemically straightened, or just plain stressed out. I'm loving learning about these different companies and entrepreneurs.
Divine Chocolate Dark Chocolate with Toffee and Sea Salt, 3.5 oz. - Retail Value $3.99
Good gravy was this chocolate yummy! I'm not even that much of a toffee girl, but there was just something about the richness of this dark chocolate bar that was just sooo scrumptious. I think one thing it has going for it is that the toffee and salt are crumbled finely throughout the bar so that they give each bite a little crunch (rather than being big hard chunks to chomp through). Divine is actually a cooperative that's co-owned by its workers in Ghana (meaning they get a say in the company as well as a share of the profits). That business model provides career opportunities for women workers that they may not have found otherwise in their communities, as well as literacy and numeracy education that's not as readily available to them.
Purpose Jewelry Dusk Drop Earrings - Retail Value $24.00
I love the way these black beads cluster along the bottom rim of these gold leaf-shaped earrings. It looks like caviar or something, don't you think? The company that makes them is run by International Sanctuary, which helps support women escaping from human trafficking via this social venture. In other words, these earrings aren't just a statement piece—they're a conversation piece, too!
Born Confused by Tanuja Desai Hidier - Retail Value $12.99 (Found here for $11.62)
Who doesn't love a fun coming of age story? I love that this book weaves the story of a girl growing up, brushing up against her family's expectations, and trying to assert her own independence, but from a perspective that's not heard from enough in popular literature. I love Dimple and find her so relatable (in great ways and painful, awkward ways). It's a great vacay read—heartfelt and engaging, AND charming and romantic, too!
Book Summary on Amazon
Dimple Lala doesn't know what to think. She's spent her whole life resisting her parents' traditions. But now she's turning seventeen and things are more complicated than ever. She's still recovering from a year-old break-up and her best friend isn't around the way she used to be. Then, to make matters worse, her parents arrange for her to meet a "suitable boy." Of course, it doesn't go well . . . until Dimple goes to a club and finds him spinning a magical web of words and music. Suddenly the suitable boy is suitable because of his sheer unsuitability. Complications ensue.
This is a story about finding yourself, finding your friends, finding love, and finding your culture -- sometimes where you least expect it.
Alma Botanicals Fresh Bloom Face Mask Set, 2 oz. - Retail Value $45.00
I've never applied a mask with a brush before, and friends, I am transformed! Something about it feels SO sophisticated and fancy. It's also great to mix the clay mask up with a mask-specific spoon! Basically, my mask game is next level now. The mask itself is so nice. I like the light, rosy aroma a lot. Clay masks can be a little too drying to my skin sometimes, but this one just left my pores feeling clean but not tight. I mixed the powder with plain water this round, but I'm eager to try it with yogurt or honey. (Can you imagine how nourishing that would be?!) I don't think I've heard of Alma Botanicals before, but I'd totally shop them again. They have a focus on sustainability (their packaging is all recyclable) and they donate to organizations that support bringing clean water to communities in need!
The Verdict: I was so impressed by this box. It's pricey for me, but I feel like it's the kind of thing I'd get as a true treat for myself or a special, impressive gift for someone else. The quality of everything I got was so nice, to the point where I've already started poking around the brands' sites for future gift ideas/shopping for me. My favorite part is how every item had a story behind it—I learned about so many awesome women/organizations doing good in their communities/the world at large. I had so much fun working through the items in this box, I feel like I learned from the products and book I got, and I feel great knowing my money is going towards some really incredible causes. What a beautiful business!
To Wrap Up:
Can I still get this box if I sign up today?: Yes! Nab it here while supplies last.
Value Breakdown: The box costs $120.00 + free shipping, but I estimate that I got $164.93 in retail value inside. That means that, proportionally, it costs the following to get each item via the box:
- Boho bag - $32.01
- Satin pillowcase - $25.43
- Chocolate bar - $2.90
- Earrings - $17.46
- Book - $9.45
- Facial kit - $32.74
The average cost of each item via the box is $20.00.
What do you think of Sanaya Set?
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