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ZaaBox Women of Color Subscription Review – June 2019

Nich Baviera
ByNich BavieraJul 21, 2019 | 13 comments

ZaaBox Women of Color Subscription Review June 2019 - Box Closed Top

ZaaBox
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ZaaBox is a luxury WOC spa box “that delivers 5 of the finest all-natural, full-sized products directly to your door every month" from black-owned retailers and black artisans.

ZaaBox Women of Color Subscription Review June 2019 - Box Open Top

This month’s box is being reviewed thanks to an MSA reader request!

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

ZaaBox Women of Color Subscription Review June 2019 - All Products Front

About ZaaBox

The Subscription Box: ZaaBox

The Cost: $34.95 + $5 shipping

The Products: “ZaaBox is a unique monthly collection of 5 surprise luxury-themed and expertly curated all-natural spa products to awaken the senses, soothe the body and awaken your inner goddess!”

Ships to: United States

ZaaBox “Caribbean Dreams” June 2019 Review

ZaaBox Women of Color Subscription Review June 2019 - Info CardZaaBox Women of Color Subscription Review June 2019 - back of product info card Top

Enclosed in the box is an info card describing the products and the product ingredients.

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Each month the founder Mr. Strong sends a handwritten note.

ZaaBox Women of Color Subscription Review June 2019 - aloe vera mist + set FrontZaaBox Women of Color Subscription Review June 2019 - aloe vera mist + set instructions and ingredients Front

The Facial Bar Aloe Vera Mist & Set, 2 oz

The manufacturer's website is no longer available so I was unable to get a price and product information. This mist + toner will set my makeup, tone and hydrate my skin. The main ingredient is the whole leaf-filtered aloe vera juice. Aloe vera is best for cuts, abrasions, diminishing the signs of aging, treating acne, soothing sunburns, and may prevent dark spots. I used the toner after cleansing and masking my face. The toner was refreshing, non-irritating but it had a pungent odor.

ZaaBox Women of Color Subscription Review June 2019 - soap in box TopZaaBox Women of Color Subscription Review June 2019 - back of soap in box TopZaaBox Women of Color Subscription Review June 2019 - soap Front

Asili + Co Natural “Peachy Peach” Soap, 4oz – Full-Size! Retail Value $6.00

This body bar soap didn’t have a peachy aroma, not sure what the smell was. It wasn’t all that pleasing but it was bearable. The soap had a nice lather, didn’t irritate, and got my skin squeaky clean.

ZaaBox Women of Color Subscription Review June 2019 - clay mask TopZaaBox Women of Color Subscription Review June 2019 - ingredients and instructions of clay mask Top

The Facial Bar Diminishing Scar Clay Mask, 2 oz

This is another product where the manufacturer's information was unavailable. The dry clay mask works when equal parts water and dry clay are mixed to form a paste. Once the paste was formed I applied the turmeric mask on my skin and let dry for six minutes. Tumeric evens skin tone, can help with psoriasis, may assist with acne scarring, and the informational card suggests that turmeric prevents inflammation, brightens dark spots, clears up clogged pores, and is best for oily skin. The yellow clay mask quickly dried and tightened on my skin. I didn’t notice any difference after using, maybe over time I may notice a difference in the appearance of my skin. When I took off the mask I did notice traces of the turmeric on my yellow washcloth, luckily it was the same color as the mask. I needed to rinse thoroughly. I will continue to use and add to my weekly masking.

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Here’s an up-close look of the contents of the clay mask, which consists of organic turmeric, kaolin clay, and aloe vera.

ZaaBox Women of Color Subscription Review June 2019 - botanical steam TopZaaBox Women of Color Subscription Review June 2019 - floral botanicals Top

Asili + Co Botanical Steam, 15oz – Retail Value $4.00

This facial steam will gently purify, open my pores and remove toxins from my skin, as well as diminish inflammation. The botanical steamer consists of calendula, sunflower petals, jasmine buds, lavender buds, chamomile buds, and rose petals. I poured a handful of botanicals in a large pot with four cups boiling water and engulfed my face over the pot with a towel over my head for five minutes (steam for five-minute increments for fifteen minutes) and let the steam do its work on my face. I love the occasional facial steam; I just need to remember to put in my beauty regimen. Also, “the botanical steam also doubles as yoni steam. Simply follow as directed above, but carefully use a chair or stool with an open bottom to hover over a bowl and allow the steam to remove toxins within your yoni.”

ZaaBox Women of Color Subscription Review June 2019 - business card TopZaaBox Women of Color Subscription Review June 2019 - back of business card Top

Enclosed is the business card for Asili + Co.

ZaaBox Women of Color Subscription Review June 2019 - chocolate on plate TopZaaBox Women of Color Subscription Review June 2019 - the center of the chocolate Top

Phillip Ashley Chocolates, 2 pieces – Buy a 6-piece signature box for $23

I received a small box with two creamy, spicy, dark chocolates for my enjoyment. This month I received two small circular dark chocolates in the flavor “Caribbean Hot Sauce.” The center was creamy dark chocolate and there was an aftertaste of hot spice. The chocolate was creamy and smooth. I enjoyed the hot savory flavor. The chocolate is handcrafted in small batches using the finest ingredients with fair trade chocolate. Also, chocolates from this manufacturer are a monthly staple in this subscription box, which is a nice treat.

The Verdict: As usual this month’s box products were geared toward my body and face. I enjoyed the assortment of body and facial products from the lathering body soap, to the beneficial turmeric clay mask, to the essential facial toner needed after I cleanse my face. I feel pampered each month as well as blushing from the handwritten note from Mr.Strong that’s included monthly. Subscribers can opt out of the note if they like. This subscription is a hit with an assortment of bath and body products but I would like to see more of a variety of pampering beauty and spa-like products that are full-size.

The Wrap Up:

Can you get this box if you sign up today? No. From ZaaBox:

Once you order you will receive your initial welcome box within 1 week and then your monthly recurring charge will occur on the 1st of the month every month until you decide to cancel.

Value Breakdown: The box cost $34.95 + $5.00 shipping, which means that each of 5 items in the box has an average cost of $7.99.

Check out all of our ZaaBox reviews and the Women Of Color Subscription Box Directory!

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

What do you think of June’s ZaaBox?

Starting at $34.95
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"Awaken Your Inner Goddess. The Black Luxury Spa Box that delivers 5 of the finest all-natural full-sized products directly to your door every month."
Nich Baviera
Nich Baviera
Nichelle has been obsessed with subscription boxes since 2012, when she received an email to subscribe to PopSugar Must Have Box. Since then, she has subscribed to Glossybox, Allure Beauty Box and GoodeBox which is now called GoodeBeing Box. She currently subscribes to: Birchbox, FabFitFun, Essence Beauty Box, PopSugar Must Have Mini Box, and Play! by Sephora. She is an avid admirer of PopSugar, so much so that she had an office tour of their San Francisco headquarters in April of 2015.

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13 comments

maria

Disappointed – the value here is much less than the cost.

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JustJese

I don’t get this box at all. It’s meant to promote luxury spa items, but each month you’re treated to facial soap and a new mask…. consistently. To top it off, for the price range, it doesn’t feature any full size products or products that you have the ability to repurpose.
I feel very strongly that we should always support other POC-owned businesses, they don’t receive the same resources or enjoy the same word of mouth type of success like other non-POC owned indie brands out there. This is a wonderful idea for a box and I read the reviews faithfully. I just wish Zaa would step it up and maybe include a book, tea, candles, full sized hand cream… a towel… something!! The curation is definitely lacking here.
It seems like Zaa may be going the same way as CandleLit and won’t be around much longer.
It would be nice if they actually had a theme and included items that fit.

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Chanell

Wholeheartedly agree and that is a great suggestion.

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Jo

Is your “yoni” what I think it is? And what exactly is an open bottom chair? Why would a chair have an open bottom? How would you sit on something like that??
I’m googling this!!

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Nich

It’s what you think. I thought it was strange, as well.

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Maria

It’s also junk science, like all things that claim to “cleanse” and “remove toxins”; that’s what your liver and kidneys do. And the vagina is self-cleaning, there’s absolutely no reason to send steam shooting up there—not only can you burn yourself, but there’s an increased risk of infection. Rule of thumb: If Gwyneth Paltrow recommends it, don’t do it.

bunnygirlbrem

How is this box geared toward WOC??? Seems like everything would work with my pale skin! 🙂

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Jackie

I definitely wouldn’t like not knowing about those skincare products – to me if the website is out of service I would wonder if it’s old product. Especially since you noted the smell of the first one.

Was there an expiration date on them? In the picture it just looks like it states “18 months”- from what I wonder?

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Michelle

Usually it means starting when you open it so 18 months after opening.

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Michelle

I may be in the minority but I see nothing wrong with the letters in this box. If you don’t want them or are easily triggered you can opt out of getting them. Not everything needs to be made into a big deal.

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JennR

I think it’s nice that you can opt out of the note. In the past the notes from Mr. Strong have been less empowering and more weirdly sexually suggestive:

“You’re so beautiful, your skin is my sweet dark chocolate dessert. Let me lavish you my darling, satisfy you in every way. You are my sweet fantasy, my irresistible love.”

“Oh baby it’s cold outside, but not with you in my arms. The snow can fall, we’ll cuddle by the fireplace and I’ll keep you warm, showering you with soft kisses as we lay ”

This is a beauty box. If it were in a different sub like Slutbox, the eroticism might have a better context. I don’t think it’s “triggered” so much, as it’s awkward to receive a note like the ones I listed above from a stranger at a sub box company. Even if the writer were a female instead of a male, I would still think it an odd inclusion whether or not they were signed “Mr. Strong” or “Ms. Strong.”

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Ashley

I like the letter. I think it’s meant to make you feel special and good about yourself. You deserve to hear nice words like that, even from a stranger lol

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Lee

I agree. I think they are just trying to set a tone with the note.

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