Essence Beauty Box is a beauty subscription service geared for Women of Color (WOC). Each month, the Essence Magazine beauty team puts together a box to give you the opportunity to discover brand new products and Essence’s staple favorites.
My Subscription Addiction paid for this box. (Check out the review process post to learn more about how we review boxes).
The Subscription Box: Essence Beauty Box
The Cost: $15 a month (Discounts available with 12-month subscription) + free shipping
COUPON: For a limited time, use coupon code FIRSTBOX to get your first box for just $1!
OR
While supplies last, use coupon code SUNSHINE get a free box plus save 20% off a 6-month or 12-month subscription!
The Products: A variety of hair care, beauty, and lifestyle products
Ships to: US only
Check out all of our Essence Beauty Box Reviews and the Women of Color Subscription Box Directory!
Keep Track of Your Subscriptions: Add this box to your subscription list or wishlist!
Each month the the EBB Team provides an insert card detailing every item we have for the month. The theme for June is “Best in Black Beauty”. It says our box is packed full of products curated by the editors and most received the Essence, Best in Black Award this year.
Vaseline - Cocoa Radiance with Pure Cocoa Butter Lotion - 3oz - $1.00
Lotion is not my favorite thing in terms of hydrating my skin. I ended up mixing this with oils and butters to force it to breakdown and not sit on top of my skin. It wasn't my favorite, but it smelled fine and the consistency was thicker than what I've seen lately from lotions.
Madam CJ Walker - Humidity Block Curl Gel and Defining Butter Creme - 1oz ea - $4.00
These samples have been working well in the kiddos hair types (2-3). I don't care for them much in my thick and curly 4 strands. I appreciated the precuts for easy opening, but the packaging can be quite slippery once your hands are wet. We've been getting a few samples from a few different subscriptions boxes and so far, so good. I'd like to try some of their oils that are available on Sephora next.
Jamberry - Nail Wraps in Island Groove - $15.00
These are cute, but I'm really hesitant to use them. I've never used Jamberry nail wraps before and the application and removal process appears very harsh. I'm nervous! I've had gel nails many many years ago and they were so painful. I'm hoping these don't peel off all the natural oils on my nail bed or rip a layer of nail. Otherwise, Jamberry offers a wide range of nail wrap, lacquers and nail care products on their website.
Kleenex - Facial Cleansing Wipe - $0.50
I really wish we had received more than one wipe. Like, can I get at least three!? This wipe is part of Kleenex's new line of facial cleaning products. I only found them available for purchase on the Kleenex shop online.
Maybelline - Vivid Matte Liquid in Vivid Violet - 0.26oz - $7.99
Wow! I was really impressed with this lipstick/gloss. It's super thick and vibrant! My camera and lights are not doing it any justice. I love purple lipsticks and found this one just a tad too bright and patchy for even me to wear alone. I would consider purchasing another shade or mixing with a deeper tone of purple. Also, I don't understand why it's called "matte"; this was quite glossy with one layer.
NYX - Ombre Blush in Nude to Me - 0.28oz - $9.99
This blush is super pretty, but I found it much to shimmery on my skin tone to wear as a blush. I could definitely wear this as a highlighter. I love the size of the mirror and in the swatches below, you'll see I tried to swatch the top, bottom and the colors swirled together. Very beautiful, but again, not really a blush color.
Verdict: This June, Essence Beauty Box had an estimated retail value over $38.00. I have mixed feeling about the box this month because, three of the products were completely used up with one or two uses. The makeup products were both pretty in color, but failed in application. I still love this subscription and the variety of brands that they collaborate with.
Tell us in the comments below what your favorite product was this month.
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