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Macy’s Sun Care Set Review – August 2020

Jessica Hapak
ByJessica HapakAug 27, 2020 | 18 comments

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

Check out the best beauty subscription boxes of 2020, as recommended by our readers!

What do you think of the Macy's Sun Care Set?

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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18 comments

carol

This set is now on sale for $21, ends 9/20 (Sunday).

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Deanne

Jessica this review is great, worth reading for accurate expectations of how these products perform. I have reasonably oily skin and I happen to agree with you on all of the ones that I’ve tried, and the shiseido is by far my favorite too it’s amazing!
I had bought full size glass bottles of the coola because they have another product that I love but I can never remember which one it is, and they don’t specify very well which products are good for dry skin versus oily skin, and there is a distinct difference in their products! Anyways this is way too heavy for my skin also and it was really disappointing but some friends with dry skin loved it.

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Heidi

Why don’t you like Mario Badescu products much! I recea toner once and really liked it.

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Diamond

Now this I’d buy! 💖 I go bike riding several times a week for an hour at a time.. Making sunscreen a habit! 😊

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Cynthia

I LOVE the bag! But I never go out anymore so I don’t need sunscreen . Macy’s please sell that bag !!

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Christina

The bag would be cute as a lunch bag. Does anyone know if it’s big enough?

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Amy

Thank you, Jessica! Just got one!

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Shay

Just bought it, mainly for the EA lip balm. For some reason I am oddly drawn to that outdated, weirdly-smelling, orange-colored product line. I have a tube of the 8-hour ointment and while I rarely ever use it, I like knowing it’s in the cabinet.

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Joy-Not the Other One

Not only should you use sunscreen year round as Sandra mentioned, but I live in the South like Jessica and Summer does not end for us in August! No time is a weird time for a sunscreen kit as far as I am concerned. You can still go to the lake/river where I live through AT LEAST October and my pepper plants produce through November most years if that tells you anything about how hot it gets. So I will be purchasing this kit ASAP, as it looks great and I never turn down sunscreen! Thanks Jessica for reviewing. Also, that bag is SO CUTE!!

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Jessica Hapak

Thanks for reading! I agree the bag is fabulous, and spf should be worn every day regardless of the season!

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Amy G.

I missed out on the Sephora sun Kit this year (and normally buy 2!) so I may just pick one of these up. Hopefully it arrives quickly.

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Jessica Hapak

Hi Amy!
If you’re venturing out into stores, I have seen some of the smaller Sephora sun safety kits (the one that originally retailed for $25) still available at my local Sephora!

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Amy G.

Oh wow — I had no idea! Haven’t been to a non-grocery or Costco store in a long time, but maybe that should be my weekend activity! 🙂 Thank you!

Sandra

Totally weird at this time of year IMHO, at the end of the summer. Hopefully these products won’t all expire before next summer (yeah yeah I know – we should be wearing sunscreen year-round). I completely agree with your evaluation of the Shiseido product – I received it as a sample from Sephora and I LOVE it. It’s by far the best sunscreen I’ve used on my face.

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Karolina

I live in a region where its 95+ degrees more than half the year, but I find myself with more sun damage during the winter months. I may not feel the actual heat, but UV rays are there regardless of how cloudy the day can be. Lol my sunspots can be pretty bad.

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Errmmm

Everyone should wear sunscreen daily! I live in Los Angeles and would be a lobster were it not for my daily sunscreen habit. I can never have enough (although I’m not buying Macy’s sample version – too many brands that still use animals to cruelly test their products!)

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Ana

Where I live in central California sunblock is necessary pretty much year round. I’m happy to get this. Thanks Jessica!

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J

Ski season is just around the corner and that’s when I use the most sunblock.

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