OnyxBox is a women’s beauty subscription box. Products vary from hair, beauty, skin, and nail care suited to the needs of Women of Color (WOC). The company’s founders desire to educate WOC by expanding their beauty knowledge and encouraging them to try new products.
This box was sent to us at no cost for review. (Check out the review process post to learn more about how we review boxes).
About OnyxBox
The Subscription Box: OnyxBox
The Cost: $25 a month + free shipping. Save with 3, 6, and 12-month subscriptions.
The Products: 5-7 beauty products geared toward women of color
Ships to: U.S.
OnyxBox May 2018 “Deep Breath” Review
Each box comes with an info card with a beautiful illustration on the front of the card and the back of the card, the contents of the box and their prices. The theme for May is “Deep Breath.” The beautiful illustration on the front of the info card and inside box is by VG Waymer. The box design is black with the mpatapo symbol on top of the box which is an adinkra sign of peace and unity.
Skinesque Aqua+ Super Fine Mask - Retail Value $7.50
I love facials masks and have a drawer full of sheet masks, so I was thrilled to receive this 3-step duo mask. I decided to use the aqua + super-fine microfiber mask. The mask includes a gentle foaming cleanser with papaya and apple extracts, essence with sodium hyaluronate and an aqua, superfine microfiber sheet. The facial mask intends to hydrate, nourish, and reduces the appearance of fine line and wrinkles.
Step 1: cleanse my face with the gentle foaming cleanser
Step 2: apply essence on my face and neck and gently pat to absorb
Step 3: apply the aqua + super-fine microfiber sheet mask
The gentle foaming cleanser was creamy and gentle on my face. The essence had a thin consistency that quickly absorbed into my skin, which intends to hydrate my skin, target fine lines and help smooth and brighten my skin. The mask intends to refresh and hydrate my skin. This particular sheet mask had an excessive amount of serum that didn't drip down my face. I kept the mask on for 15 minutes, it adhered to my face well and didn’t slide, and there was a cooling sensation as the mask did its magic. I peeled the mask off my face, and there was excess serum leftover; I gently patted the serum onto my face and neck. My skin didn’t react to the products; my skin felt refreshed and hydrated. I prefer my skincare routine to be seamless and have a 3-step process where the cleanser, toner/essence, and the mask are all in one package.
Skinesque Brightening + Charcoal Fine Mask - Retail Value $7.50
I was pleased to receive two 3-step masks, and this one is a charcoal black mask that intends to brighten, balance, and hydrate my skin. This 3-step mask included a gentle foaming cleanser with papaya and apple extracts, essence with sodium hyaluronate and a tree charcoal micro-fiber mask. Also, the two product are without parabens, sulfates, phthalates, mineral oil, and synthetic dyes. I will save this mask for later in the week; I like to space out my mask and use at least a few times a week.
Oyin Handmade Whipped Pudding~Rich Natural Moisture Cream, 4oz - Retail Value $13.99
I used this whipped pudding, moisture cream on my body and the results were amazing. The moisture cream is thick and creamy. As I applied the cream to my body the application of the cream was light in texture, and as I rubbed the cream onto my skin, the texture got heavy. It moisturized and softened my skin, and it had a chocolate aroma. The only drawback was a greasy residue, not sure if I applied too much product to yield that result or it just may have that greasy residue whether or not I apply too much or too little. I will be mindful of future applications.
From Oyin Handmade:
HOW TO USE: On dry, parched hair, Whipped Pudding adds moisture and pliability from scalp to ends; melting in and softening without building up, helping add weight to frizzy strands, keeping hair supple for days at a time. On damp hair - post washing, or after a light spritzing of water - Whipped Pudding is excellent to help lock in moisture. For finer textures, it's great mixed with honey and used as a pre-shampoo deep conditioning treatment. For the body, Whipped Pudding melts into skin, leaving a velvety softness behind. It's ultra pampering on dry elbows, knees or heels. Use to protect hands and face before braving harsh weather; apply to dry skin as a rich nighttime cream, or massage into feet before sleeping in warm cotton socks. This product is preserved with a paraben-free, wide-spectrum cosmetic preservative. pH level: 5
Manna Kadar Beauty Eyeshadow Duo - Listed Value $21.00
I didn’t find this particular product on their website, and the value is from the info card. Manna Kadar has the makeup collection in steps, and this eyeshadow duo is step 3. (Step 1 prime to set your face for stay put makeup and step 2 polish to create a flawless palette.) The shadow colors are aphrodite and nemesis. This shadow will give me a neutral look or I could incorporate these shades into a smoky eye.
Here is a close-up of the eyeshadow colors, aphrodite, and nemesis.
Pink Kabuki Brush - Estimated Value $6.00, Listed Value $4.99
This pink kabuki brush has a short handle perfect for when I travel, and the bristles are soft. I applied my facial powder with the kabuki brush, and it worked with ease giving me a nice coverage. The link is for the super ultra soft kabuki brush; I didn’t find the pink brush on their website.
Patchology FlashPatch Rejuvenating Eye Gels - Estimated Value $3.00 (buy a 5 pack for $15.00)
I got a good nights rest, and my eyes weren't tired or puffy, so the eye gel pads just gave my under eye area a hydrated boost. The eye gel pads were slimy as I removed from packaging and they were super thin. I was careful when applying them to my eye area, and I made a tiny cut on the gel pad but nothing that hindered my application. I would not purchase these eye gel pads since they are so thin and I made a tiny rip when applying. Others may not have a problem with the texture of the eye gel pads.
From Patchology:
Refresh in an instant. FlashPatch® Rejuvenating Eye Gels feature our highly advanced HydraSurge5™ Moisture System. More effective than topical creams or serums, this patch technology accelerates the delivery of essential ingredients Caffeine and Hydrolyzed Collagen. And the Hydrogels stay put—so you get these ingredients where you need them most.
Cooling. Smoothing. Refreshing.
Bonus Items:
Uplift Herbal Facial Steam, 2 oz – Retail Value $15.00
This editors favorite was in my August 2017 box. I enjoyed partaking in this facial stem and a happy to receive it again. The facial stem intends to open and cleanse my pores, detoxify and rejuvenate my skin. I was pleased how my sinuses cleared, my pores diminished, and my skin was hydrated.
Goat’s Milk Moisturizing Day Cream, 1.7 fl oz. – Retail Value $12.99
This editors favorite came in my October 2017 box. This moisturizing day cream has goats milk is lightweight in texture, creamy, and has somewhat of a perfume scent. The moisturizer was a favorite and made my skin happy, glad to have more.
The Verdict: This month’s box has a value of $86.98 - a great deal for a $25 a month plus free shipping, and the value is slightly higher than previous months. This month was all about pampering, taking a breath and relaxing. It was a pleasure to have products from previous boxes that were editors favorites, and the two picks are my favorites as well. This box sends at least five products that are deluxe, full size and on occasion sample size. The value is incredible for $25, and I receive at least two full-size items a month. This month’s favorite is the 3-step facial masks. We Are Onyx gives out monthly spoilers for their boxes, so be sure to sign-up for notifications! We Are Onyx sends the best quality beauty products each month. So, if you’re looking for an inexpensive WOC subscription box with the majority of the products full size, this is the box for you!
To Wrap Up:
Can you still get this box if you sign up today? No, you will receive the June box.
Coupon – Use code ONYXBOXH320 to save $9 off a 3-month subscription! (Regularly $69) or code ONYXBOXH619 to save $12 off a 6-month subscription! (Regularly $126)
Value Breakdown: This box cost $25.00, but I estimate that I received $86.98 in value. That means I spent approximately on each item:
- Brightening Mask: $2.15
- Aqua Mask: $2.15
- Whipped Pudding Moisture Cream: $4.02
- Eyeshadow Duo: $6.04
- Kabuki Brush: $1.72
- Eye Gels: $0.86
- Facial Stem: $4.31
- Goats Milk Moisturizing Cream: $3.73
Check out all of our We Are Onyx Box reviews and the Women of Color Subscription Box Directory!
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