Subscription: Essence BeautyBox
Cost: $15/month or $12.50 for 6 and 12 month plans
Referral Code: 3657-F658-7DCD
What to Expect: “Each month, our team of beauty experts will carefully select the products to send, and you’ll receive your beautiful box with 5 products to discover and enjoy. We strive to feature a product from a Black-owned business in each box.”
As I edit these photos and write this I’ve finished season 3 of Jane the Virgin, which I LOVE, and now I’ve gone on to Crazy Ex-Girlfriend, which is hilarious!! It’s a snarky dark comedy musical and I can’t stop watching it and go to bed!! Anyway, on to other awesome things females have done!
Was that too many exclamation points in one paragraph?
Essence is out to help WOC and any woman, really, get products for curly hair and support some black owned businesses. The box art every month is gorgeous, but I lurb this one!!
I like this pamphlet with why items were chosen and by whom. When you sign up you take a little beauty quiz. It’s quite short [6 questions], and they just started using it this month to choose one item. Take a peep and see if you think this box contains the “latest and greatest products.”
Ciate Mini Paint Pot in Deep Azure: $8
This is not really my shade so it shall go to the trade.
POP Beauty Kajal Pen in Inky Purple: $10
I was unimpressed, and the purple was erased instead of smudged, as indicated by the line nearest the kitty’s right ear.
Pur-lisse Blue Lotus 4-in-1: $65 for full size 0.5oz. “Enhanced with active ingredients like French marine plants.”
Wow, so this is 0.24oz, which makes for a $30 sample! Pretty awesome for a $15 box. I can’t tell if eye creams do anything, but I like it so far.
This will probably last me like a year! Eye buddies with marine benefites.
Ouidad Curl Immersion Triple Treat Deep Conditioner: $38 for 12oz full size. “Deep-penetrating conditioner hydrates and softens kinky curls. Sulfate, paraben and gluten free.”
Omg this is sooo amazing! It smells wonderful and I just want to NOM it!! Also, it totally makes my hair feel super soft and silky!
I definitely didn’t eat any of this creamy whipped yogurt-esque hair topping… on purpose…
Dickinson’s Original Witch Hazel Oil Controlling Towelettes: $5.50 for 20 pack.
I actually really like that they include drug store products that are reasonably priced! I haven’t used these yet, but they’re going in my gym bag for those Sweaty McSweatington from Sweatville days.
Completely Bare Moisturizing No Bump Shave Gel: $9 for 6oz full size. “Plant and floral extracts help condition and smooth skin.”
This is okay. My electric razor didn’t really appreciate this because it wasn’t creamy enough I guess. Ah well, I’ll try it again.
Favorite June products: Last month was not great [weird colors], but I love the Vaseline Intensive Care Cocoa Lotion. I keep it in my desk at work for when I look down and see my ashy legs =)
Verdict: Well, this box was pretty good! I’m bummed though because I went to go renew for August, and they’ve got one of those silly renewal systems that you have to basically sign up again or call. Laziness got the best of me… so I’ll renew sometime before September because I love Essence!
Semi-related story: my sister and her new husband were thrown a Nigerian/Jewish wedding reception [he’s half of each], and I must say it was the best reception! While trying to find an outfit, I also wanted some sort of hair wrap and it got me wishing that this or some black beauty box would send out an African hair wrap / hair scarf! I ended up wearing my PSMH sarong/scarf wrapped for me in a Senegalese style. Hair clippies and tight headbands from other boxes just don’t do much for my curls and giant skull, and I would luuuurve a sweet way to hide my messy kitchen, if you ‘naw’meen.
I’m not actually sure how that is written, as I’ve only seen movie guys saying it. Also, am far too lazy to Urban Dictionary it. Time to go to bed before I start telling more stories…
What do you think? Did you go to any amazing summer soirees?
Click here to see other Essence Beauty Box reviews!
Disclosure: This box was purchased by me. There is a referral code so I can refer five people and receive a free box.
I got a little distracted by the hair wraps and almost forgot to comment! The wraps, styling and pics ….oh my so gorgeous. I am always so impressed with this box
You would look lovely in a headwrap! It’s probably festival style too ;D I got lost looking at their site as well. They’re not too spendy, so I might have to get one or two.
That looks like a nice little box of goodies. So far do you like the Blue Lotus eye serum? Last year I received an inky purple POP eye liner in a box too. I took it on vacation, we visited a warm humid place and the color smeared all over my eye lids. Urg!
I do like it! It’s got a very very light scent, and it feels nice when I tap it on. Have you tried any other Blue Lotus products?
But I agree about the POP eyeliner… more like POO =\ heh. Anyway, I think I tried to put it on my lids but it didn’t really even show up, so I’ll just POP that into my empties bag.
Ha! Pop is poopd’! I have not had an opportunity to try any of the Blue Lotus products but, I am intrigued. Their stuff looks good.