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Retreat Yourself Summer 2023 “Heart, Full” Box

Sanna Chu
BySanna ChuJan 11, 2024 | 4 comments

Retreat Yourself
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Retreat Yourself is an Australian quarterly lifestyle box that encourages you to slow down, make your health and well-being a priority, and put yourself first, as well as introduces you to conscious brands that have been carefully chosen to create a wonderful retreat at home.

For AU$79.95 ($54.46 USD), you'll receive almost AU$300 ($204.36 USD) of Australian and New Zealand wellness products, the 20-page wellness Retreat Guide, playlists, rituals, and more. Items range from home goods, health supplements, beauty products, and accessories, plus other fun finds.

This review is of the Retreat Yourself Summer 2023 "Heart, Full" box.

Author's Note: Since the box is Australia-based, where it is currently summertime, this is the current box that's still available to purchase.

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

 

My box arrived bursting with so many new and cool finds; everything was packaged securely and there was a QR code under the lid that took me to a relaxing playlist to help set the mood.

This leaflet has some of the answers to the questions you might have about the products included in this quarter's box. I like that they include a brand bio for each item so you can learn more about these local, conscious AU & NZ brands.

Now, on to the items!

KIND BOD Zen Shower Spell - Retail Value AU$18.00 ($12.26 USD)

 

When I first opened this up, I couldn't stop smelling it. The heady mix of lavender, bergamot, frankincense, and tea tree smelled incredible. Unfortunately, the scent didn't really carry through in the shower. It kinda made the shower feel more refreshing but it was a really subtle feeling. This was a fun product to try but I don't think I'll be repurchasing it.

Ray Skincare 'Solstice' Natural Perfume Oil - Retail Value AU$25.00 ($17.03 USD)

Lately, I've been finding my perfume sprays to be too strong smelling and while I've never gravitated towards roll-on oils before, this one is perfect, especially for the hotter summer months. This subtle scent has warm notes of cedar, so it's not too sweet and I can wear it everyday no matter the occasion.

Empire 'Affirmations' Essential Oil Body Scrub - Retail Value AU$19.95 ($13.59 USD)

 

I'm not a big fan of body scrubs -- too messy. And this one looked especially so, given that it's very powdery without anything binding it together. And I was right! It was really crumbly and bits fell all over my shower while I was using it. The fine powder did dissolve right away, so it didn't leave a mess in the shower but it also didn't have that satisfying scrubbing feeling on my skin. I was about to write this product off but I have to admit, it left my skin feeling super soft!

Coast to Coast Ultra Soothing White Clay Mask - Retail Value AU$25.00 ($17.03 USD)

 

I needed a new clay mask so I was excited to receive this one that promises a clearer and brighter complexion. Featuring Australian White Clay to purify and Macadamia Oil and Tasmanian Sea Kelp for hydration, this mask definitely made my skin feel fresh and glowy. Given that this is supposedly an "Ultra Soothing" mask, I wasn't expecting the strong tingly feeling I had when I first applied it but it doesn't bother me.

essano HAPPY SKIN Glow Rescue Sheet Mask - Retail Value AU$8.99 ($6.12 USD)

I LOVE sheet masks and this one checked off all the boxes for a great sheet mask. It had a nice subtle fruity smell. The mask felt high-quality and softly conformed to my face. And it was drenched in serum that's packed with skin loving ingredients. It felt very nourishing and left my skin feeling soft and bouncy. I love that it works in 5 minutes as well!

b.fresh Conditioning Body Serum - Retail Value AU$12.95 ($8.82 USD)

 

This is a great body moisturizer that did give my skin a subtle glow that's not quite a shimmer but there's a slight sheen. The gel texture absorbs easily into the skin and contains skin loving ingredients (hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, licorice root + vitamin c) to protect and improve skin appearance over time. Bonus points for being able to use this on damp skin!

Wrinkles Schminkles Eye Smoothing & Depuffing Mask - Retail Value AU$10.00 ($6.81 USD)

I'm a sucker for under eye masks and this is the best one I've ever used. The patch is very thin and almost disappears on your skin. This supposedly aids in faster absorption of the product and it seemed to have worked. It's packed with 24 ingredients including marine collagen, peptides, antioxidants and natural extracts, to immediately hydrate, plump and depuff under eyes.

Retreat Yourself Sunrise Aromatherapy Ritual Mist - Retail Value AU$34.95 ($23.81 USD)

I like to start my day with a 5-minute meditation and I think spritzing this spray before I sit down will be a nice addition to my morning routine. The essential oils in this spray include uplifting sweet orange, emotionally balancing lavender and mind-boosting cedarwood. The scent is lovely and it does have an uplifting effect, it just dissipates rather quickly and I keep forgetting to reach for it.

Retreat Yourself Morning Magic Ritual Pad + guided meditation - Retail Value AU$34.95 ($23.81 USD)

I've never really written down "intentions" or "affirmations" and I was a bit intimidated by this exercise if I'm being honest. But the guided meditation that comes with this pad walked me through it all and helped me tap into my feelings. I felt calm and collected after the exercise and I'm excited to make this a part of my daily routine. The notepad design encourages you to tear off the sheet and carry it with you as you go about your day.

Mister Jones Sleep Tight - Retail Value AU$39.99 ($23.84 USD)

I have a bad case of "Revenge Bedtime Procrastination", so I was excited to give these magnesium sleep supplements a try. It wasn't clear when exactly I was supposed to take them but Google said about 30 minutes before bed so that's what I did. I don't know if it was a placebo effect but I felt very relaxed and even drowsy not that long after taking them. With that quick onset, I really thought I'd be able to sleep easier but I ended up staying up later than usual and felt terrible in the morning. I know with supplements, you're supposed to take them consistently to see results but I'm too scared to try these again for a while.

Retreat Yourself Sunshine Tote - Retail Value AU$39.95 ($27.21 USD)

 

I find proper bags too fussy, so I'm usually grabbing a canvas tote like this one for my day to day. Since getting this tote, it's the first one I reach for because it's the perfect size and the color goes with everything. I love that it's so versatile. It's great for toting around library books, I've taken it on holidays and to the beach and the park. The snap button closure makes things feel more secure and the inside slot pocket is where I keep my phone and other essentials.

Springhill Farm Coconut & Dark Chocolate Slice - Retail Value AU$2.50 ($1.70 USD)

 

I've loved all the sweet treats I've got to try through the Retreat Yourself box and this one was another hit. The dark chocolate and coconut was the perfect combo and the texture of this bar is really satisfying to eat. The size is great for a quick pick me up that'll give you energy without weighing you down. The price is a bit high for me to stock up on this snack regularly but it'll be great for the occasional splurge.

Naked Life Non-Alcoholic Italian Spritz - Retail Value AU$3.50 ($2.38 USD)

 

If you handed me this and told me it was an Aperol Spritz, I might just believe you. I've gotten to try a few different non-alcoholic sodas through the Retreat Yourself box and this is the first one that I thought was a true dupe for the real thing. For me, non-alcoholic sodas generally lack the complexity of flavors of the cocktails they're purporting to replace but this one was different. Crafted with distilled botanicals -- bitter orange, rhubarb root, cinchona, gentian root and orange blossom -- I've already purchased more!

20-Page Wellness Retreat Guide

 

The Retreat Yourself box also comes with a booklet filled with mindful activities, journaling prompts, a yoga flow, and a healthy recipe.

Verdict

I love the variety of items that you receive in the Retreat Yourself box and this season was another winner! I've been using my new tote bag basically everyday and I love it. My favorite item this month was probably the Non-Alcoholic Italian Spritz because I've already went out and bought more. But I think the Wrinkles Schminkles Eye Smoothing & Depuffing Mask will be my next purchase once I've used up my stash of under eye masks.

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Value – Was This Box Worth It?

The Cost: AU$79.95 ($54.46 USD)

There's free shipping to Australia and AU$30.00 International Express shipping to the U.S. making it AU$109.95 ($74.90 USD).

Value Breakdown: 

The total value of my box was $275.73 ($187.83 USD), which is almost 3.5 times the cost of the box (or 2.5 times if you factor in international shipping).

Other Things You Should Know

Can you still get this box if you sign up today? Yes!

Do you have a favorite item from this season's Retreat Yourself box?

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Retreat Yourself is the missing piece to your wellness puzzle.

We release four themed Retreat Boxes annually - on the first day of each new season. You can either purchase them separately or subscribe and save. Each box encourages you to slow down, make your health and well-being a priori... read more.

Sanna Chu
Sanna Chu
Sanna joined the MSA team in 2020. As a reviews editor, she reads about all different types of subscription boxes and it’s hard not to keep adding to her subscribe list. She’s a true believer in the joy of discovery, great value, and convenience that subscriptions can bring. Her current subscription obsessions are Facetory and Lovevery. When she’s not writing or editing, she loves hanging out at the park, trying new restaurants, and exploring her little corner of Brooklyn.

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4 comments

MrsLittle

What is the shower stuff at the top… the powder looking stuff? Are you just supposed to sprinkle it on the floor of your shower or something? A little more information would be great!

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Lisa

DIRECTIONS

Place one steamer at the bottom of your shower and let their heavenly essential oils disperse through the air.

For maximum impact, place in direct steam of water for a few seconds to activate the fizzing and then move to the side of the shower.

One even better, place the steamer in a small dish, then place dish on shower niche or soap shelf, splash water on steamer to activate scent release. Allow the dish to slowly collect in water. At the end of the shower leave as it is for the next shower.

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MrsLittle

Thank you. For some reason, I can’t zoom in on pictures on this site. I knew that’s what you do with solid shower steamers, but with the powder, it seems like it would just wash down the drain.
Also, sorry for the double comment. It never said that it went through.

MrsLittle

What is the shower stuff at the top… the powder looking stuff? Are you just supposed to sprinkle it on the floor of your shower or something?

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