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Bless Box x Elle Subscription Box Review + Coupon – March 2018

Marne Orenich
ByMarne OrenichApr 4, 2018 | 27 comments

Bless Box x Elle

Bless Box
2.7 overall rating
22 Ratings | 4 Reviews

Bless Box is a monthly lifestyle subscription box for women, curated by Sazan Hendrix. Each box will include items in the beauty, health, food categories.

open bless box bless x elle sticker

My Subscription Addiction paid for this box. (Check out the review process post to learn more about how we review boxes.)

contents of bless x elle box march 2018

About Bless Box

The Subscription Box: Bless Box

The Cost: $29.99 a month + $7.50 shipping

ACTIVE DEAL: Save 35% off your first box
CODE: MSA35

The Products: Each box will include items in the beauty, health, food categories curated by Sazan Hendrix.

Ships to: US and Worldwide!

Bless Box March 2018 Review

bless box info booklet

Bless Box always comes with a lengthy booklet and this month is a collaboration with Elle Magazine, so there will be extra pages of fashion and accessories included as well.

You'll find the table of contents.

There's always a letter from Sazan as well. She's really excited to be collaborating with Elle.

*Edit: Thanks to reader Sam for pointing out that I didn't include the free year of Elle in the value this month. I honestly glossed over it since it's not *physically* included (obv). It kind of feels like a bonus to be honest, and I also already have a free subscription to Elle (which added to me not being super impressed). If we go by the cover price, the value would be $62.88 for a year (from their site: "ELLE's cover price is $4.99 an issue ($5.99 in March, August, and September)"), but if you just pop over to their site now, you can get the full year for $10.00 without any special code. I'll leave it up to you all to decide what you think the value is here!

There are descriptions for all of the included products as well as a "Saz Tip" for each.

From here, the content changes from month to month. There are several pages showcasing Spring trends from the view of Elle Magazine.

Sazan gives her tips on how to be a "Boss Babe".

There is a "Bless Story" from subscriber Marlene, and ideas on how to "Bless it Forward".

The next pages have an interview with Pauline Youngblood, the founder Youngblood Cosmetics, an included item.

Lastly, Lauren Scruggs-Kennedy shares a recipe for a healthy snack.

The last two pages always include social media pics from subscribers and all of Bless Box's social media handles.

The back has a teaser for next month.

Sunday Riley Auto Correct Brightening and Depuffing Eye Cream, 0.17 oz. sample - Estimated Value $22.10 (Buy a full size for $65.00)

I don't normally have much puffiness to my eyes in the morning, but if you've read any of my beauty reviews you know I'm always looking to reduce my dark circles. I haven't gotten to use this enough to see actual results for dark circles and even though many claims to erase them immediately, I know that's simply not true. Only time will tell how this pans out, but it is extremely light when applying and feels dewy with virtually no scent, which I like.

Dove Exfoliating Body Polish, 1 oz. sample size - Estimated Value $0.56 (Buy a full size 10.5 oz for $5.89)

Awww, I was all excited to see a little tub of this, but it turned out to be a foil packet instead. No matter, I still tried out this new product from Dove to find that it smells ridiculously good (probably the crushed macadamia nut and rice milk) and has a really unique fluffy but gritty texture that buffs away dull skin to make way for smooth soft skin instead. This could easily replace the exfoliating body scrub I currently use to keep my body feeling touchable. I am really feeling this one!

Maybelline Total Temptation Mascara in Blackest Black - Retail Value $7.99

This drugstore brand often finds its way into Bless Box, but truth be told, I prefer drugstore mascara. I've never seen this one before, so I was eager to test it out. The wand in this one is rather fluffy which I enjoy because I've found it really makes the lashes look plumper. I'm glad they included the black color in the non-waterproof formula for easy removal at the end of the day.

Nuun Hydration Effervescent Vitamin Supplement in Grapefruit Orange, 1.9 oz. - Retail Value $7.00 (found here for $5.00)

These tablets remind me of the way Airbourne comes, in large tablets that dissolve in water. I haven't been drinking enough water lately and I can't seem to stay on top of it. I'm hoping that the grapefruit orange flavor of these coupled with extra vitamins and electrolytes help me consume my daily intake of water. My facialist would be so proud! This actually doesn't taste half bad even though it does take a little bit for the tablet to dissolve in room temperature water. I'll be keeping these around for the mornings after too many drinks as well...

There's also a coupon for 30% off your next order on their website.

Ren Clean Skincare "& Now to Sleep" Pillow Spray, 10 ml sample size - Estimated Value $3.33 (Buy a 75 ml bottle for $25.00)

I have a heck of a time getting to sleep at night, so I was pleased to see a product like this in the box this month. This spray contains frankincense (to put your mind at rest), hops (to calm and relax), and lavender (to help reduce anxiety) to help you drift off to sleep after spraying this onto your pillow at night. It's all natural and cruelty free so you can rest even easier knowing nothing creepy is in here.

They've included info cards with a code to get 25% off a purchase of $100 or more on their site.

Youngblood Mineral Cosmetics Crushed Mineral Blush in Plumberry, 0.10 oz - Retail Value $22.00

I'm not familiar with Youngblood Cosmetics, but reading the short interview with Founder Pauline Youngblood has enlightened me on this vegan and natural makeup line. The Plumberry shade is sort of a classic blush color that's sort of a pink with purplish tones. I find it to be pretty pigmented, but you can control and build with this loose blush with using a fluffy brush. I have it rather thick on my arm (above), but it can be toned down quite a bit. There's also a bit of a shimmer to it as well. I don't know if this one is for me since I've been using cream blush lately, but they've included a full size which is nice. I may pass it on to my Mom since this color would suit her!

Hippeas in Vegan White Cheddar, 1 oz. - Buy a pack of 24 for $28.08

Ah, Hippeas. This particular flavor is a favorite at the MSA office, but I can't get on board. These have shown up in numerous sub boxes in the past, but I've never quite taken to them. It won't be hard to find these organic puffed chickpea snacks a home though.

Hollywood Fashion Secrets Fashion Tape, 36 strips - Retail Value $7.79

I haven't received anything like this in a box before and I find it kinda helpful even though I don't normally think I'd have a use for something like this. It's just nice to see a different variety of product in a box. This is essentially double-sided tape in single-use strips that help keep your outfits G-rated. If you need to go braless but choose to wear a top that may slip, you can use these against your skin to keep it tight against your body. You can also use them to fix a hem or keep stubborn gaps in a button-down closed.

There's also an info card and coupon code for 25% off your next purchase on their website.

Lifeline Skincare Refresh Polish Gelee, 0.27 oz. sample size - Estimated Value $2.62 (Buy a 3.3 oz for $32.00)

The final brand has two products, with this refresh polishing gelee as the first. It's basically a gel cleanser with some grit to it that exfoliates your skin while you srub. It has a nice light scent and feels great both going on and after using.

Lifeline Skincare Daily Defensive Complex, 0.34 oz. - Estimated Value $37.40 (Buy 1 oz. for $110.00)

The second product from Lifeline could have been one of two products. I received the Daily Defense Complex (the other being a Neck Firming Complex, drat!) which is a restorative face cream for after cleansing. I don't care for the scent of this, as I think it smells kind of...musty? It apparently has growth factors from human stem cells which I'm hoping isn't as scary as it sounds. I have so many facial creams right now, so I'll probably pass this on since the scent isn't my favorite.

Special Bonus: Clarins Instant Light Lip Comfort Oil in Candy, 0.09 oz. – Listed Value $10.40 (Buy 0.1 oz. bottle for $26)

Blerg! I just got this "bonus past favorite" in last month's box and although it does a great job hydrating my lips, I don't overall love to leave it on. It does smell really good though!

Verdict: Doing the values for this box is always kind of weird because they inflate a lot of the prices they list in the booklet and send several sample sizes that I can only estimate based on full-size prices. For $37.49 after shipping, Bless Box sent me with 11 items that have an estimated retail value of over $144.00. If you count the free subscription to Elle Magazine, you can value that at the cover price of $62.88 or the $10.00 price you can get without a code on their site right now. I'll let you be the judge! Even though the $121.00 (at the very least) is a great a value and I always find some things I like, I still get strange vibes from this subscription as a whole. There usually isn't a clear "hero" item and it always seems sort of random with lots of samples and no solid theme. The booklet seems so involved and "lifestyle"-focused for a subscription that doesn't really feel that way based on the products. I think they could fit everything in a box half the size and just do a simple info card to cut down on packaging and shipping costs. The huge booklet and large box don't add much to the experience for me personally.

To Wrap Up:

Can you still get this box if you sign up today? No, but subscribe before the 17th to receive April.

Bless Box ships once per month, usually between the 19th and 22nd. If you subscribed on or before the 17th, you will receive a box that month. If you subscribed after the 17th, your first box will ship the following month unless otherwise stated.

Coupon – New customers, use coupon code BEBLESSED for 50% off your first box. Or, use MSA35 to save 35% off your first box!

Value Breakdown: At $37.49 for this box, you're only paying $3.40 per item.

Check out all of our Bless Box reviews!

Keep Track of Your Subscriptions: Add this box to your subscription list or wishlist!

What are your feelings on Bless Box? Does it create an overall lifestyle experience for you?

Starting at $29.99
Active Deal
Save 35% off your first box
Use Coupon Code MSA35
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"Discover the best in fashion, beauty, fitness, food and everything in between. Ready, Set, BLESS...Co-founded by Digital Darling Sazan Hendrix."
Marne Orenich
Marne Orenich
Marne is a lipstick connoisseur, record collector, and twice over cat mom. She loves discovering new clean beauty brands and has quite the collection of beautifully packaged serums and moisturizers.

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27 comments

Missy

Wow what a complete tank! 👎👎👎👋

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Beth

This is such an odd box. No wow factor, weird curation, the name of the box is a real turn off for whatever reason, and the RVs are super inflated. I don’t get it-but not for lack of trying!!

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Holley

I’n giving this box one more month and if it doesn’t improve, going to cancel. I’ve been a member since November and feel like most months, they’re just stuffing it with random items. Reminds me of going out to a friend’s birthday and realizing you don’t have a gift so dig through random drawers in your house to find a few things that you haven’t opened yet. Way too overpriced for the value we actually get and it really ticks me off that they constantly claim things are valued more than they actually are.

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Redhed36

I can’t see this sub lasting much longer. I hope they figure something out.

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Miriam

I was just happy this box didnt have yet another WEN product. I told myself I’d give them this month and if they sent another wen product I was cancelling. I was actually happy with 2/3 of the products even though it is a very random grouping with no real “theme.” I don’t really subscribe to boxes like these expecting everything to go together but with the whole Elle collaboration I expected waaay more then just an year subscription to a magazine that I’ll never read and just throw right in to recycling.

Btw, speaking of the magazine I thought it shipped aoutomatically starting this month without having to do anything to sign up? Pretty sure that what i read on their Facebook page ? I wish they didn’t do that so I could actually send the magazine to someone who would want to read it like my teenaged niece. Lol.

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Marne Orenich

Ahhh- I didn’t see their Facebook post so thank you for that Miriam! I’ve updated that part of the review! I suppose passing on the subscription would be a nice option too though!

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Lilies

Like the box yet not for the price with shipping. Needs to come down a bit in price to around under $35. To heavy on the beauty products, + the beauty products are small. I was expecting better items with the Elle collaboration . Almost seems as if this box is still in beta mode testing the market to see what works and what does not.

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Missy

I think it needs to come down to 10$!!

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Tat

Finally. A review with more pictures of literature with the box than photos of the items in the box.

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MzBev

You mentioned that you can have a hard time falling asleep, but didn’t say whether the pillow spray made any difference? I have such a hard time falling asleep at night and take unisom and melatonin.

I’m curious if these pillow sprays make any difference? Thanks, Marne!

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Missy

I think it works wonders! For me at least and I’m an anti-sleep person always feel like I’m gonna miss something & suffer from nightmares,Well I fight trying to fall asleep and I feel like the pillow spray “sets the mood” to help me want to fall asleep and that’s a miracle for me! You should give it a try !

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Marne Orenich

Hey MzBev! That’s a tricky question for me! 2 pumps on my pillow gives it more than enough of a scent (and is maybe too much for me personally), but my sleeping patterns are ALL OVER the place, so it’s hard for me to tell if it’s helping. I’ll say that I have been falling asleep once I spritz it on, but it’s usually after I’ve already been up too late. Lavender is really calming though, that is for sure!

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AAC

@theworldofdale the full size spray in the FabFitFun box was a different brand and different scent. I have not seen a Ren branded full size sleep spray in FFF.

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theworldofdale

I got that spray (full-size) in a FabFitFun box and I think it helps. It wouldn’t put me to sleep on its own, but it definitely helps.

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MzBev

Thank you! I need to find a bottle to try it. Not necessarily THIS one, but something like it. I’ve seen them in several of these boxes but not one of them that I get.

Dani

I have a terrible time falling asleep. I don’t find they help but I like to use them because I enjoy the scent. It creates a nice environment even if it doesn’t help me sleep.

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Janelle

@Marne you linked to the Australian site for Young Blood, so that is $45 in AUD. If you go to the US website, the RV is $22 in US $.

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Marne Orenich

Janelle, thank you for pointing that out! It all makes sense now. That dang “$” didn’t make me bat an eyelash. I’ve updated the value in my review!

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Snowhitetwin

Marne, your verdict section hit the nail on the head. So glad I didn’t jump on this.

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Anna

Marne, I dissolve the tablets in room temp water and then refrigerate and drink it cold.

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Janet

This was another just OK box, and I canceled…

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Sam

The advertised value for this box was $190 on their website. I was very disappointed in this box and could not make the figures add up. When I emailed them I was told that the year subscription to Elle Magazine was $63 and that was the missing value. Interesting that in their included magazine, it has a whole page saying you get a year for FREE. Anyway, this was my first and last box from them. It was so hyped that the letdown was even worse when it arrived. This company seems shady all the way around. Yes, the human stem cell thing has me freaked out also. Those items went in the garbage.

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Aarjullor

Just a bunch of random stuff. Elle is $63 a year?! @@ it’s $2 a year through bluedolphin.

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Carrie

Nowadays the magazines are so desperate for eyes to increase ad prices they don’t care of they give away the magazine to get them. The $63 ARV is a joke! The $10 valuation seems much more fair.

Marne Orenich

Oh dear! How did I gloss over mentioning the free subscription?! In all honesty, I already have a free subscription to Elle through… Sephora maybe?, so it didn’t really grab me at all seeing as though I don’t think I’ve ever read one of the issues I already receive and free magazines seem to be pretttty easy to get these days.
Thanks for pointing that out! I’ll be sure to update the review to include it!

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Sam

I get it free with my Look Fantastic sub each month. The way they advertised this box made it seem like something apart from the box value. Just a bonus
Anyway, learned my lesson. Plenty of amazing sub boxes out there for less money that have amazing curation and values without the shady practices

theworldofdale

I don’t get any sense of the Elle collaboration outside of the booklet. The whole curation seems like someone’s post-spring cleaning donation box.

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