Facebook PixelCocotique Beauty Subscription Box December 2021 Review | MSA
My Subscription Addiction
My Subscription Addiction
Our reviewers research, test, and recommend the best subscriptions and products independently; click to learn more about our editorial guidelines. We may receive commissions on purchases made through links on our site.

Cocotique Beauty Subscription Box December 2021 Review

Naomi Pandolfi
ByNaomi PandolfiJan 13, 2022 | 3 comments

Full Contents for Cocotique December 2021

COCOTIQUE
3.8 overall rating
26 Ratings | 3 Reviews

Cocotique is a monthly subscription box delivering beauty and lifestyle products for women of color. For $25 per month, you receive a curated box of 5-8 full-size or deluxe sample-sized products ranging from hair care, skincare, nails, fragrance, makeup, lifestyle products, and more.

This box was sent to us at no cost for review. (Check out our editorial guidelines to learn more about how we review boxes.)

First Impressions

 

The back of the Cocotique info card describes all the products included in this month’s box. It also provides information on where to purchase the products online and exclusive discount codes where available. This month's theme is "Shine Bright."

 

Bonus Item: Canvas Tote

I love that Cocotique always comes with a bonus reusable tote. The text this month says, “Shine Bright, Don’t Dim Your Light.” I love how uplifting and positive that message is, and I think it has special value to women of color.

Now, on to the items!

AAVRANI Balance Restoring Serum, 50 ml - Estimated Retail Value $45.00

 

First thing I noticed about this serum was the refined, beautiful packaging. The bottle is a frosted blue glass, and I absolutely love the design of the box. I’m always a little hesitant to use products with tea tree oil because it can be a bit strong and irritate my sensitive skin. I was pleasantly surprised that this toning serum was so incredibly gentle on my skin. It created a cool, calming sensation and didn’t at all irritate my face. I applied the product after cleansing and found that it left my skin feeling hydrated and helped control my oily t-zone. My face was literally glowing after use. I’m shooketh. The formula is clean. No mineral oil, parabens, sulfates, irritants, or synthetic fragrances. I especially like that it’s alcohol-free. I’m really enjoying using this product. Color me impressed.

AGENCY Cloud Care Duo: Cream Oil Cleanser and Weightless Whipped Moisturizer, 80 ml, 50 ml - Retail Value $28.00

 

This is another sleekly packaged product. I love how minimalist and modern the packaging looks. The Cream Oil Cleanser is a creamy balm that transforms into an oil as you lather. It did an amazing job dissolving my makeup and sunscreen at the end of the day. Since I have oily skin, this product was a bit heavy for me, so I definitely will be double cleansing, following up with something gel-based. But I was very impressed with how easily this lustrous cleanser cut through even my fullest coverage foundation. The Weightless Whipped Moisturizer is delightfully lightweight and doesn’t leave behind any sticky residue. My skin felt wonderfully hydrated, and even though the product feels very rich and creamy, it melted right into my skin and quickly absorbed, leaving behind a soft, glowy finish with no greasy residue in sight. With my oily skin, I tend to reach for lightweight gel moisturizers, but this whipped formula has definitely broadened my horizons. It didn’t clog my pores or feel like a heavy glaze on my face. It left my skin feeling soft, plump, and hydrated. I also discovered while researching this product that the brand used to make only prescription-strength skincare products before branching out into over-the-counter products last year. The scent of both these products is light and unobtrusive.

KISS 3-in-1 Edge Boar Brush, 1 piece - Retail Value $5.99

 

I haven’t used a toothbrush to lay my edges in years, but the precise little head of this edge styler brought me back to those good old days. It was very easy to precisely lay my edges with this tiny toothbrush-like brush. The bristles are not too firm but not too soft, and the flip side has a little comb for additional styling. I also like that the point of the styler at the opposite end is a nice rattail, and the tip works great for making parts in my hair. The plastic is firm and durable, and I really like the leopard print design. Most of my edge brushes last about a month or so before giving out. This one seems pretty sturdy, so I’m excited to see if I get more use out of it.

LOVE WELLNESS pH Balancing Cleanser, 148 ml - Retail Value $14.99

 

I’m a huge fan of cleansers for the lady bits. I feel like it’s necessary for me to feel clean and fresh after showering. I absolutely love that this product is fragrance-free. A lot of brands try to create some strange potpourri-scented concoction that can be irritating to my skin or enhance the sting of my razor burn. I found this product to be absolutely delightful. The texture is a little different than what I’m used to. It feels very similar to the goo on the outside of a fresh aloe vera plant. But I found it to be a very gentle cleanser that didn’t irritate or cause any itchiness down below, which I very much appreciate. The product has a clean formula, which is free of sulfates, parabens, and fragrances, and it also matches the pH level of your nether regions so you can smell fresh and clean without risking pH imbalance.

MOTHER’S SHEA BY EU’GENIA Whipped Shea Butter in Rose, 56 g - Retail Value $15.00

 

This shea butter has a beautiful texture. It feels like a soft balm that melts right into your skin. It left me feeling incredibly hydrated and not greasy. It did take a little bit of time to absorb, but my skin felt soft and smooth all day long. Unfortunately, I found the rose scent a little bit strong, so I likely won’t be using it all over my body, but it felt great on my stress eczema patch and worked wonders on my knees and ankles. A little bit goes a long way with this product, and I love how it is a convenient travel size. Usually, my shea butter or coconut oils come in big, giant tubs that are inconvenient for travel or an overnight stay. This one is a perfect two ounces to have me heading free and clear through TSA so I won’t end up with dry, crusty skin after trips due to that pesky size limit.

SKY ORGANICS Curl Care Castor Oil and Mango Butter Treatment Mask, 236 ml - Retail Value $9.98

 

I love a good hair mask, and this Sky Organics Curl Care Treatment Mask is great because it has castor oil but doesn’t smell like butt. I know castor oil is super great for your hair, but the smell just makes me nauseous, so I never get the fabulous benefits from the oil. But this product features castor oil in its formula while sporting a delightful fruity scent. I think it works amazingly well. My hair felt softer and more manageable after use. I was able to easily detangle post-rinse, and my frizz was much tamer throughout the day. It reminds me of a budget DevaCurl that works just as well. It didn’t leave my curls feeling weighed down. Instead, they looked healthy and bouncy. It was a lovely rich, thick mask that I see myself purchasing again and again.

KISS Edge Fixer Glued Max Hold in Grape, 30 ml - Retail Value $4.49

 

I’m super excited about this Edge Fixer by KISS. I have tried this product in the past and have also repurchased it multiple times. This edge gel truly is amazing. It’s water-based and has a non-greasy, non-oily formula that’s infused with biotin B7. I love the biotin infusion because it’ll help strengthen your edges and promote growth. The scent is divine… Like a grape Jolly Rancher. After application, this gel laid my edges perfectly and held them all day, without any frizzing or flaking. If you’re in need of a water-based edge gel that really works, I’d highly recommend this product.

KAMEDIS Double Action Renew and Moisturizer Foot Gel, 100 ml - Retail Value $12.34

 

I’m gonna let you guys in on a little secret: I’m a bit strange and obsessed with moisturizing and deodorizing my feet. It’s strange, yes, I know. I don’t know why I’m this way. I just know that I saw foot gel in this box and got far too excited. I really like the texture of this product. It’s incredibly hydrating and feels like a gel but also reminds me of Vaseline. I think I’m in love. My feet have never felt so smooth and soft. The gel absorbs quickly into the skin, softening any hard, crusty spots on my heels and calluses on the balls of my feet. I used to be a dancer, and years of dancing on pointe definitely did a number on my tootsies. But I can see a product like this reversing a lot of damage. It’s paraben-free and steroid-free and has virtually no odor. This will definitely become a main staple in my routine.

TWICE Premium Toothpaste Duo, 23 g per tube - Estimated Retail Value $6.39

 

One of the things I’ve learned as an adult is that it’s okay and dare I say normal to be excited about the most mundane things. So, I’m very excited about this duo set of toothpaste. It’s the perfect size for travel, which is great, especially for those times I have to catch a last-minute flight. This TWICE toothpaste naturally hydrates gums, brightens your smile, and provides sensitivity relief and cavity prevention. This duo comes with two options: the daytime Early Bird, which is a wintergreen and peppermint flavor, and the nighttime Twilight, a peppermint with vanilla and lavender flavors. The flavors are nice and leave my mouth feeling fresh and clean. I have very sensitive teeth, but I also chew ice like the abominable snow monster, so I’m hoping this product might help with some of the sensitivity that comes along with that.

Verdict

I really enjoy this month’s Cocotique box. I honestly think this might be one of my favorites. I love the KISS edge fixer and edge styler. The fixer is a wonderful gel base that doesn’t flake and also smells like a delicious Jolly Rancher, and the styler is small for precise styling and the bristles are just the right amount of firm. I really adore the Kamedis foot gel. I’ve never used a product that so effectively hydrated the rough alligator skin on my feet. Another amazing new product I discovered in this box was the Aavrani balancing restore serum. It’s incredibly hydrating. The packaging is elegant, and the product effective. Agency featured two products in this box: the cleanser and moisturizer. I found them to be gentle and effective on my skin, and I love that brand makes prescription-strength products. Sky Organics blew me away with how well they disguise the horrific scent of castor oil in their treatment mask, and I love how soft and bouncy it leaves my curls. Love Wellness’s gentle intimate cleanser does exactly what it advertises without causing any irritation, and I love that it’s fragrance-free. The TWICE toothpaste is minty fresh, travel size, and will hopefully strengthen my enamel and ease up some of the sensitivity on my teeth. Lastly, the Mother’s Shea by Eu’Genia may not be my favorite scent (rose, ick), but this is seriously one of the best shea butters I’ve ever had the pleasure of using. Overall, I think this was an amazing box. Cocotique pulled out all the stops and made like Santa with some fabulous gifts and great value in this box.

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

Value – Was This Box Worth It?

The Cost: $25.00

Value Breakdown:

  • Restoring Serum $45.00
  • Cloud Care Duo $28.00
  • Edge Styler $5.99
  • pH Cleanser $14.99
  • Shea Butter $15.00
  • Hair Mask $9.98
  • Edge Gel $4.49
  • Foot Gel $12.34
  • Toothpaste $6.39

The total value of my box was $142.18, which is an amazing value for a $25.00 box.

Other Things You Should Know

Can you still get this box if you sign up today? No, but order by the end of the month to receive the January box.

Do you have a favorite item from this month's Cocotique?

Starting at $30.99
Subscribe Now

COCOTIQUE is a deluxe beauty box subscription service for women of color and diverse ethnicities.

Naomi Pandolfi
Naomi Pandolfi

Naomi Pandolfi is a skincare obsessed subscription box junkie who is always on the hunt for the best curl defining cream. She is a producer and contributing writer at several online publications, including MSA, The Knockturnal, and Hey Beauti Magazine. Naomi is also the Head of Development at Starfury Productions and is dedicated to helping Black, minority, and underrepresented creators develop and sell projects.


Join the Conversation

Please do not enter your email address in the Name field or in the comment content. Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *. Remember to post with kindness and respect. Comments with offensive language, cruelness to others, etc will not be approved. See our full comment policy here.

3 comments

Claudia

Great review. Now I want to try that Sky Organics mask, especially since DevaCurl just upped their prices. I’ve had great results using castor oil for my lashes but the smell isn’t pleasant. If that mask is at all like Deva then it’s a great deal. Actually, this whole box seems like a really good value. That is many nice products.

Reply ButtonReply

Amy in KC

Great review as always, Naomi! You’re so funny! “this Sky Organics Curl Care Treatment Mask is great because it has castor oil but doesn’t smell like butt.” LOL!!!

I have some of that foot gel at home but I think I’ve only used it once… I need to pull it out again and start hydrating these dry winter feet, especially since I’m wearing socks in bed these days.

Reply ButtonReply

Naomi

Thanks Amy! But seriously Sky Organics masks that awful castor oil scent like a boss lol. I highly recommend the foot gel if you struggle with crusty hag feet like me!

Reply ButtonReply