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
This month’s theme is ‘Queen Energy.’ I like the sound of that! I’m interested to see what variety of products have been selected for this curation, so let’s get to it.
The contents of the box arrived protected by bubble wrap.
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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!
VAGIBIOM Vaginal Health Suppositories, 2-pack - Estimated Retail Value $7.18
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No. Absolutely not. To the best of my knowledge, based on information that has been imparted to me by a medical professional, the vagina is self-cleaning, and sticking random things that are not FDA-approved all up in there is maybe not the best idea. Looking at this product alone, it advertises that it has hyaluronic acid, which I know as a product for the skin on your face that can also be irritating to the skin on your face because of how delicate it is… So, sticking it up inside the delicate skin of my vagina seems absolutely absurd. The product also says that it contains lactic acid, probiotics, and prebiotics to help balance and nurture your vaginal microbiome against bad infections and inflammation. Now, here’s the thing… If any of you lovely vagina owners wake up one day and are experiencing infections or inflammations, please go see a gynecologist and get yourself an antibiotic.
SWEETUMS Intimate Cleansing Wipes in Piña Colada, Mango, and Watermelon, 3-pack - Estimated Retail Value $3.10
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In theory, I love the idea of these, but this is gonna have to be a no from me, dawg. If I ever do use any wipes down below, I definitely go for unscented or fragrance free. Any kind of scents can seriously mess with your pH levels or irritate the sensitive skin of your vulva. They definitely do smell nice, but I feel like this is something I would do for someone else (wink-wink) and not myself, so why endanger my fun bits for someone else? Yuck.
GOPURE BEAUTY Actives Brightening Sheet Mask, 2-pack - Retail Value $7.98
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If there’s one thing I consider a vital step in my skincare routine, it’s a good sheet mask. Other kinds of masks like wash-offs or peel-offs, I can take ‘em or leave ‘em. But a sheet mask gets an immediate ‘yes’ from me every time. Needless to say, I’m thrilled to have this two-pack of goPure Beauty’s brightening sheet mask. The highlight of this mask is its powerful blend of snow mushroom, vitamin C, and licorice root, helping to hydrate, brighten, and soothe all at once. I popped one of these into the fridge for about five minutes before applying the mask to my clean face, and believe me when I say, it felt amazing. If you have any kind of irritation (sun, acne, etc.), I’d suggest giving this mask a try. Not only did it feel refreshing but also it left my skin feeling thoroughly hydrated after just 15 minutes.
URBAN HYDRATION Purify and Detox Charcoal Clay Whipped Mud Mask, 200 ml - Retail Value $10.00
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Here we have a second masking option! As I mentioned above, wash-off masks aren’t my go-to choice because they do require a bit more time and effort than I’d rather offer up when it comes to my everyday skincare routine. Of course, every now and again, a wash-off mask turns out to be worth the time, and I have to say, I was pretty impressed with this one in particular. Since it is a charcoal ‘detox’ mask, I was worried it would be too harsh for my sensitive skin, but I’m glad I gave it a try. I applied this to my freshly washed face and allowed it to set on my skin. The one thing I found especially different compared to other mud masks I’ve tried in the past is that it didn’t develop that stiff feeling, sucking the life and every last drop of moisture from my skin. Another plus is that it’s virtually scentless, much to my surprise. After letting it sit for about 15 minutes and then rinsing off, my skin felt great; very soft, not dried out, and not at all irritated.
OLIKA Hydrating Hand Sanitizer Clip-On and Refill in Mint Citrus, 20 ml (clip-on), 90 ml (refill) - Retail Value $12.99
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Five years ago, hand sanitizer is one of those products I never would have appreciated receiving in a subscription box… But that is no longer the case in today’s world. Now, I love getting to try out all the latest and greatest in hand sanitizer technology. This little clip-on is super cute, and I love the teal color. With this attached to my keychain, I’ll never be without hand sanitizer even while on-the-go. When I’m traveling, I hook it onto my carry-on and spritz every time the thought crosses my mind. The best thing about this sanitizer from Olika is that their formula has ultra-hydrating properties, utilizing a blend of hyaluronic acid, aloe, and glycerin. Hydration AND sanitization; it’s the best of both worlds. The texture of the sanitizer itself is wonderful and not at all sticky. I’m also a huge fan of the sustainability initiative this brand has set forth. The set includes one refill pouch, which guarantees 1,500 mists, along with the pre-filled clip-on spray bottle, which guarantees 300 mists. That means you can refill your clip-on bottle a total of five times before having to purchase another. The scent is nice and non-intrusive, with a blend of spearmint, grapefruit, and lemon, and the applicator sprays out a superfine mist that I really enjoy.
SKY ORGANICS Curl Care Bouncy Curl Cream, 236 ml - Retail Value $10.88
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I love a good hair mask, and this Sky Organics curl cream 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 delightfully masking shea butter scent. I think it works amazingly well. It left my curls hydrated, bouncy, and defined, and my frizz was much more tame throughout the day. It reminds me of a budget DevaCurl that works just as well. It didn’t leave my curls feeling weighed down or crunchy; instead, they looked healthy and shiny.
SKY ORGANICS Castor Oil, 473 ml - Retail Value $17.99
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So, this is straight-up 100% pure cold-pressed organic castor oil. I have to say, the scent is slightly muted compared to other castor oils that have been forced upon me by subscriptions in the past. I truly appreciate the diminished stink. It’s virtually neutral and not at all something I would define as unpleasant; a mild earthy scent is the closest thing I can equate it to. I’m definitely excited because without the pungent odor, I would definitely like to try castor oil on my hair and eyebrows. I really appreciate that the bottle is tinted so that no light can get in, damaging the product, and the fact that it’s cold-pressed, organic, vegan, and cruelty free are all bonuses. So far I’ve tried it on my hair, and after rinsing out with shampoo, my curls were noticeably softer and definitely more hydrated, with no lingering stench.
Verdict
I thought this was just an okay month for Cocotique. The highlight of this box for me was definitely Olika’s hand sanitizer clip-on and the refill. This is something I will always need more of, and I’m happy to have it. GoPure Beauty’s sheet masks provide a refreshing jolt of hydration to my face and leave my skin glowing. The mud mask from Urban Hydration was a welcome surprise and something I’m going to take the time to do weekly. The two hair care items, both from Sky Organics, were castor oil based and while I’ve never been a fan of castor oil in particular, the brand did a good job of concealing the otherwise potent stench I’ve come to abhor over the years. The curl cream helps to define my curls, leaving them bouncy and hydrated, and the castor oil itself seems to be working nicely for my hair. Lastly, the two feminine care products unfortunately are no-gos for me, but others may have differing opinions on that. Overall, I thought this was an okay box. The curation of products varied, although maybe a bit disjointed, and the value is there.
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Value – Was This Box Worth It?
The Cost: $25.00
Value Breakdown:
- Suppositories: $7.18
- Cleansing Wipes: $3.10
- Sheet Masks: $7.98
- Mud Mask: $10.00
- Hand Sanitizer: $12.99
- Curl Cream: $10.88
- Castor Oil: $17.99
The total value of my box was $70.12, which is a good value for a $25.00 box.
Other Things You Should Know
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Do you have a favorite item from this month's Cocotique?
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