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
“Spread Love, Kindness, and Compassion” is the theme for this month’s box. This box feels heftier than usual, and I’m excited to see what products and brands they’ve selected for this curation.
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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.
Now, on to the items!
URBAN HYDRATION Jamaican Castor Oil Shampoo and Detangler, and URBAN HYDRATION Jamaican Castor Oil Co-Wash and Conditioner, 200 ml x2 - Retail Value $21.98
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I really appreciate when a subscription box sends both a shampoo and a conditioner. I think it’s always nice to try new hair care products in tandem. I have very thick and curly hair, so I need all the products, and keeping up with replacing them all can be somewhat inconvenient. If I receive a shampoo and not a conditioner, I’ll have to make a trek to the holy mecca that is T.J. Maxx and hunt down another product to make a pair. This shampoo and conditioner from Urban Hydration’s Jamaican Castor Oil Strengthen and Lengthen line blew me out of the water. I was stunned at how delightful they were able to make castor oil products smell, featuring a delicate fruity scent that is much more preferable than the reality of castor oil. With this hair care pair, you can reap all the benefits of castor oil, without suffering from the scent. Using these products together, I found that my hair was virtually frizz-free and much more manageable and moisturized with more visible shine.
PALMER’S Length Retention Biotin Pack, 60 g - Retail Value $2.50
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I’ve honestly never seen or heard of anything like Palmer’s Length Retention Biotin Pack before, and I think I’m a little obsessed. This is essentially a biotin shot for your hair. I applied it after shampooing and worked it through my hair, letting it sit for 3-5 minutes before rinsing. I have very dry, curly, coily hair, and this biotin pack definitely delivered a jolt of hydration to those follicles. After use, my curls felt very healthy, bouncy, and well-defined. And it smells so good; a delicious, light cocoa butter scent that dissipates quickly and doesn’t linger, forcing me to smell it all day long, lol. I think I have found yet another step to add to my wash day hair care routine.
PALMER’S Coconut Oil Moisture Boost Hair and Scalp Oil, 150 ml - Retail Value $5.95
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I have a very dry scalp that is a constant nemesis of my ultimate life goal of achieving long mermaid hair. So, I’m constantly on the lookout for ways to nourish and strengthen my hair and scalp in hopes of stimulating hair growth. I really love that Palmer’s Coconut Oil Moisture Boost Hair and Scalp Oil is free of parabens, phthalates, gluten, and dyes. It has a powerhouse formula of coconut oil and Tahitian Monoï oil to repair and nourish instantly for healthier looking hair. I really enjoy the spray bottle applicator. It made it easy to apply the product directly to my scalp. I then massaged it in with my fingertips. The oil left my scalp feeling hydrated and refreshed, leaving behind a delightful, light, tropical scent that put me in the perfect summertime mood.
PALMER’S Coconut Oil Formula Swivel Stick, 14 g - Retail Value $3.50
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This tiny, little Coconut Oil Swivel Stick from Palmer’s is like a dream realized for me. I love coconut oil. I put it all over my body. I put it all over my hair. I have a giant Costco sized tub of it that usually keeps my skin and hair hydrated. But on the go, I don’t always have access to my tried-and-true coconut oil for moisture… Because as you may know, a Costco sized tub of coconut oil is very inconvenient for travel. I don’t need any frilly hand lotion or lip balm. Your girl just needs herself some coconut oil. This delivers a punch of hydration and moisture to rough, dry skin and hair without being a frilly hand lotion or containing a grandma-like synthetic fragrance. Be still, my beating heart.
PLANT THERAPY ESSENTIAL OILS Grapefruit Cardamom Natural Deodorant, sample size - Full Size Retail Value $16.95
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I love the idea behind this Grapefruit Cardamom Natural Deodorant. It has all-natural ingredients, is aluminum free, non-GMO, cruelty free, and my personal favorite, synthetic fragrance free. I just have one small issue… The aluminum-free bit. Now, anyone that I’ve known who has used natural deodorant has had a body odor issue, let’s say, which has kind of given me a paralyzing fear of stinking to high heaven while using an aluminum-free deodorant. So, I probably will not be trying this, but I love that it’s the perfect travel size and how delicious it smells. Who knows, maybe I’ll even give it a shot.
BYBI BEAUTY Super Greens Purifying Face Mask, 60 ml - Estimated Retail Value $20.00
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So, although I take my skincare very seriously, I can also be somewhat lazy… Wash-off masks require a little bit more effort and time than sheet masks (my fave type of mask), but every now and then, I find a wash-off mask that’s worth the time. I was pretty surprised by this mask when I first gave it a try. It has a clay base, so I expected it to be a thicker, paste-like texture, but no, the product is actually very thin and creamy. It doesn’t dry down, sucking the life out of your skin the way a traditional clay mask would. This is definitely a much gentler option, which is perfect for me since the standard ones tend to be harsh and stripping to my skin. This mask feels cool and soothing on my skin upon application, and after rinsing off, my face looked brighter and definitely felt more refreshed. I’m happy to have this wash-off mask despite my initial bias. It’s always nice to find one that works for me and my skin routine.
MOTHER’S SHEA BY EU’GENIA Whipped Shea Butter in Vanilla, 56 g - Estimated Retail Value $6.67
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I love the texture of this shea butter! I’ve received one of these from Cocotique in the past (I believe it was the rose-scented one). This time around, I received the vanilla shea butter, which I’m extra excited about. It really feels like a soft balm, melting right into your skin. Yes, it takes slightly longer than I would prefer for it to absorb, but the wait is worth it, leaving behind soft, smooth skin that was incredibly hydrated and not at all greasy. The vanilla scent is delightful and almost reminds me of a cupcake, yum… This shea butter worked wonders on my knees, ankles, and any other rougher patches, especially my stress eczema patch, lol. A little goes a long way, and I love the convenient travel size of this product.
AUSTRALIAN BOTANICAL SOAP Goats Milk & Soya Bean Pure Plant Oil Soap, 193 g - Retail Value $9.95
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I am not one for bar soap… To each their own, but for me, cleaning yourself with the same item you just used to remove germs and dirt from your body is gross to me. So, yeah, it’s shower gel all the way for me. That being said, this bar of Australian Botanic Soap smells divine and in fact made me wish for a moment that I was someone who enjoyed bar soap. The highlight of this product for me is that it’s been specially crafted with an all-natural, sustainably-sourced formula. Goat's milk is especially effective on sensitive skin and helps to soothe irritation and redness. There is also shea butter included, which adds to the hydration this soap provides, leaving skin feeling smooth, fresh, and clean after use. My mom enjoys bar soap, so I’ll be passing this along to her, and I am confident she’s going to love it.
SOLAANA MD Healthy Base Layer, 15 ml - Retail Value $11.50
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This is a unique product that I’m pretty excited about. I’ve tried a few things from Solaana MD in the past but never something as unique as this Healthy Base Layer! Apparently it’s supposed to help filter out the harmful effects of UV exposure, leaving you with only the benefits from some straight-up Vitamin D (‘sunshine,’ everyone). This product goes on your cleansed face under sunscreen and acts as a hydrating moisturizer, while providing additional nutrients to your skin. I was pretty surprised by the quick absorption speed of this product. It has a natural kind of scent that I didn’t find to be intrusive whatsoever, and the formula of the product is lightweight, not at all heavy, and non-greasy. It leaves my skin feeling smooth, soft, and buoyant to the touch whenever I apply, and a little goes a long way. I’m interested to see what long-term smoothing results I see over time.
PERFEC-TONE Exfoliating Cleanser, 5 ml - Estimated Retail Value $0.75
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I love a good exfoliating cleanser and especially kinds of these that are safe for everyday use. This cleanser from Perfec-Tone really impressed me. It’s incredibly gentle for me, and I do have sensitive skin, so I have to be careful with the exfoliating cleansers I choose to use on a daily basis. This cleanser is formulated with powerhouse ingredients of aloe vera and green tea extract, the combo of which is said to soothe redness and irritation, combat free radicals, and restore skin’s pH balance, ad lactic and salicylic acids, both of which do a wonderful job of ridding my skin of acne-causing bacteria, dirt, and any other grime left over from the day. I especially appreciate how gentle the exfoliant is, made from biodegradable Jojoba beads as opposed to tiny bits of plastic, which used to be the standard. After using this exfoliating cleanser, my skin feels thoroughly cleansed and refreshed, and it hasn’t caused me any breakouts or irritation.
Verdict
I thought this was a great month for Cocotique! I always enjoy when I receive a shampoo and conditioner, and this Urban Hydration Jamaican Castor Oil pair works well for my hair. Additional hair care included in this month’s box was a scalp oil and a length retention biotin packet from Palmer’s, both of which are solid products that I’m happy to have. They also chose to include quite a few skincare products, which I very much appreciated. Palmer’s coconut oil swivel stick is wonderful for moisturizing while on the go, and the vanilla shea butter from Mother’s Shea is another wonderful travel companion, thanks to its compact packaging. I love sheet masks, and although wash-off masks aren’t my favorite, Bybi Beauty’s purifying face mask has officially swayed me (for this product, at least). Perfec-tone’s cleanser is enjoyable to use, and I love the very fine exfoliant because it’s gentle enough on my skin to use daily. I also really enjoyed the healthy base layer from Solaana MD, and I’m excited to see the long-term smoothing results. Lastly, both the Plant Therapy natural deodorant and the Australian Botanical Soap are not products that I personally enjoy, but I’ll be keeping the deodorant for emergency use purposes, and my mom is going to love the bar soap for sure. Overall, I thought this was a great box! The product curation was on point in terms of variety, and the value was definitely there.
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Value – Was This Box Worth It?
The Cost: $25.00
Value Breakdown:
- Bar Soap: $9.95
- Cleanser: $0.75
- Scalp Oil: $5.95
- Length/Biotin Pack: $2.50
- Swivel Stick: $3.50
- Base Layer: $11.50
- Haircare Duo: $21.98
- Shea Butter: $6.67
- Deodorant: N/A
- Face Mask: $20.00
I couldn't find the estimated retail value for the sample size of the deodorant (only the full-size value), but the total value of my box minus the deodorant was $82.80, which is a good 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 June box.
Do you have a favorite item from this month's Cocotique?
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