Macy's recently released their Sun Care Essentials Set, a curated set of SPF and self-tanning products for $35.
FYI: This box is still available for purchase—and it's on sale for $26.25 until 9/7!
My Subscription Addiction paid for this box. (Check out the review process post to learn more about how we review boxes).
About this Box
The Box: Macy's Sun Care Set
The Cost: $35 + free shipping (currently on sale for $26.25 until 9/7!)
The Products:
- COOLA Classic Face Organic Sunscreen Lotion SPF 30 - Cucumber
- Drybar Triple Sec 3-in-1 Finishing Spray - Blanc Scent
- Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour® Cream Lip Protectant Stick Sunscreen SPF 15
- Lancôme Rénergie Lift Multi-Action Ultra Cream with SPF 30
- Mario Badescu Skincare Oil Free Moisturizer SPF 17
- Shiseido Urban Environment Oil-Free UV Protector SPF 42 Sunscreen
- St. Tropez Gradual Tan Watermelon Infusion Body Lotion
- Sun Bum Original Sunscreen Spray SPF 30
- TanTowel Half Body Classic Self-Tan Towelette
Ships to: The US
Macy's Sun Care Essentials Set August 2020 Review
Everything came packaged inside this cute reusable bag.
COOLA Classic Face Organic Sunscreen Lotion SPF 30 in Cucumber, 0.85 oz - Estimated Value $16 (Buy the 1.7 oz version for $32)
I’ve tried this before, but I’m not mad to have more. It’s a solid face sunscreen, but nothing makes it stand out to be special. The cucumber scent is light and fades fast, and it does absorb well after I massage it into my face. I did find it to be a bit hydrating, so it may be too heavy for those with oily skin, and I don’t think this is the sunscreen I would reach for if I was going to wear makeup. If I was going to go on a hike or a stroll, though, this would work great. If the scent bothers you, this can be used on your chest or arms, too.
Drybar Triple Sec 3-in-1 Finishing Spray in Blanc, 1.6 oz - Retail Value $14
This is a finishing spray that adds texture and volume to your hair while also lightly absorbing oil on second-day hair. The Blanc scent has notes of coconut, amber, and vanilla, and I like it as a hair perfume even though I rarely need to add texture to my curls. I'm not really sure what this product is doing in an SPF kit, but I think most people will enjoy it regardless.
Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour® Cream Lip Protectant Stick Sunscreen SPF 15, 0.13 oz - Retail Value $24
I rarely use lip products with SPF for the simple reason that I don’t have a ton of them. I really like that we received this full-sized product- it makes applying lip balm feel a little more luxurious, and I know I get the added benefit of SPF 15. As a lip balm, it does a good job of adding moisture to make my lips soft and supple.
Lancôme Rénergie Lift Multi-Action Ultra Cream with SPF 30, 0.17 oz - Estimated Value $10.90 (Buy the 1.7 oz version for $109)
This is a moisturizer designed to lift, firm, and correct dark spots while also adding sun protection via the SPF 30 in the formula. This was the highest priced sunscreen in this kit, and I thought it was the least impressive. Even though the full-size retails for $109, it still has the typical sunscreen scent and it left my skin tacky. I had to use most of this one sample to get adequate SPF protection, and overall the entire experience of using this was lacking.
Mario Badescu Skincare Oil-Free Moisturizer SPF 17, 1 oz - Estimated Value $12 (Buy the 2 oz version for $24)
This isn’t a brand I hold in high regard, but this moisturizer wasn’t terrible. It absorbed well into my skin and left face feeling soft, and while it had a faint sunscreen scent upon application it faded almost immediately. I will say that if you’re looking for SPF protection a sun protection factor of 17 is pretty insubstantial, but if you have oily skin this could work well as a regular moisturizer.
Shiseido Urban Environment Oil-Free UV Protector SPF 42 Sunscreen, 0.23 oz - Estimated Value $8.05 (Buy the 1 oz version for $35)
This was my favorite sample in the bag, and the one I have been reaching for every morning (my sample is almost completely out). This had a very watery consistency that spreads across my face well. It absorbs fast and leaves an almost matte finish, and it layers well under makeup. I’ve used this every day this week and I would consider purchasing this in the full size.
St. Tropez Gradual Tan Watermelon Infusion Body Lotion, 1.7 oz - Estimated Value $6.34 (Buy the 6.7 oz version for $25)
I don’t use self-tanners, but I do have quite pasty legs. I was impressed with the performance of this! I applied it to my leg and then washed my hands immediately after, and the next day I had a noticeable tan with no orange streaks or pooling of color along my knees or ankles. I enjoyed the experience and results enough that this is another product I would be willing to try in the full size.
Sun Bum Original Sunscreen Spray SPF 30, 1.7 oz - Retail Value $4.99
This is a classic spray sunscreen, which I am always happy to have more of when I venture outside. The nozzle sprayed a good mist rather than a targeted stream, and when I rubbed it in it absorbed quickly into my arms without leaving me feeling like a greasy piece of pizza.
TanTowel Half Body Classic Self-Tan Towelette, 1 ct - Estimated Value $2.80 (Buy a box of 5 for $14)
I’ve received these as samples before and never used them, and now I wish I could find where they all went! This did a good job of giving me a tan a day after my first application, and I washed my hands immediately after (per the instructions) and I didn’t have an issue with my hands turning orange. I did have an issue with the fact that this towelette left my skin feeling slightly tacky- I would need to follow up with a lotion to completely get rid of the stickiness, which is never fun. I also don’t know if people who have deeper complexions will have the same results I did- my legs are about as fair-skinned as they come, so there is a lot of potential for improvement in the tan department. The price per towelette is a bit expensive, but if you have a special occasion and want tanner legs peeping out from a summer dress, I think these are worth a closer look.
Verdict: In a subscription box world of samples, I still enjoyed this box. I tried multiple products in this kit I would consider repurchasing; I enjoyed the full-size lip balm, and even though there were some misses, I think a lot of people would find a use for almost everything in this kit. Macy’s did come up a bit short on the value, though- they promised a value of $128 in the description and a value of $211.44 in the quick facts at the top of the page (lol- that must be a typo) and my math adds up to $99.08.
To Wrap Up:
Can you still get this box if you order today? Yes, this is still available—and on sale for 25% off until 9/7!
Value Breakdown: This box cost $35 with free shipping and I calculated a total value of $99.08. That means you're paying approximately the following per item:
- Coola: $5.65
- Drybar: $4.95
- Elizabeth Arden: $8.48
- Lancome: $3.85
- Mario Badescu: $4.24
- Shiseido: $2.84
- St. Tropez: $2.24
- Sun Bum: $1.76
- TanTowel: $0.99
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What do you think of the Macy's Sun Care Set?
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