Be Kind by Ellen Subscription Box Review – Fall 2019

ByMegan K.Nov 6, 2019 | 34 comments

Be Kind by Ellen October 2019 subscription box review

Ellen Degeneres has launched a subscription box full of her favorite things.

open colorful box

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

all inside items

About this Box

The Subscription Box: Be Kind by Ellen

The Cost: $54.99 quarterly

ACTIVE DEAL: Only for Quarterly & One-Time Purchases
CODE: MSA25

The Products: Each quarterly box is thoughtfully curated and filled with hand-picked products from Ellen. And, the best part, each box and each product within the box does something to make the world kinder and better.

Ships to: The US for free, or Canada (additional $16.00 shipping)

Be Kind by Ellen Fall 2019 Review

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This box comes with a large fold-out card and a note from Ellen. It also gives details of all of the items included this month.

Now, on to the items!

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The Giving Keys Necklace - Retail Value $42.00

I have received one of these key necklaces before in a Love Goodly Box. Weirdly, that one also said "Be Kind" on it, though it was much more weathered. I actually preferred the aged looking one much more than this shiny new brass key. This one looks so new that it kind of makes me feel like I am wearing a gym locker key. I am sure it will age beautifully, but since I don't need 2, I plan on passing this one along to a friend. I love the cause behind these keys, regardless. They are made by people transitioning out of homelessness and hope to bring stability to people who are trying to improve their lives.

I do adore the length of this chain.

tub of levender body butter with white and purple label

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white tub of body butter with green label

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Garners Garden Body Butters, 2 x 3.3 oz - Retail Value $4.99 each

Two butters were included in our box, in lavender and lemongrass. I am not a huge lemongrass fan, but I love lavender, especially a rich and natural one! This pot explodes with lavender essential oil scent and the shea and beeswax formula is super nourishing. It reminds me much more of a balm than a butter, which suits me (and my sensitive legs) just fine!

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Sound of Sleep LectroFan - Retail Value $49.95

This was the item I was most excited about in this box because I am married to a guy who likes a hurricane strength fan running at all hours of the night "for the noise." The noise part I can live with, but I despise the aggressive wind and how it chills me and makes me cold! This machine is a nice compromise because it gives him the wind sound he "needs" minus the physical whirlwind I quite literally hate. This little machine has 10 white noise sounds and 10 different fan sounds, so he can even have some variety.

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ColourPop Super Shock Highlighter Duo in 'Lunch Money' and 'Might Be' - Estimated Value $16.00 (each highlighter has a retail value of $8.00)

I have tried ColourPop Super Shock shadows before and been impressed with the pigmentation and powder/cream hybrid that is soft and very blendable. These pots have two shades that could arguably be eyeshadows but are highlighters. The formula seems the same as the shadows and it really beautiful on cheek or lid. I plan on wearing the darker of the two on my lids, but the lighter 'Lunch Money' could work anywhere!

Top: Might Be. Bottom: Lunch Money.

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Be Kind Soap Bar- Listed Value $12.99

This vegan soap bar smells heavenly. It is a strong and delightfully unisex fragrance that clings to your skin after you shower. The bar itself is coconut based, so it is nice and moisturizing.

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Thrive Market 3-Month Membership - Potential Value $15.00 + $20.00 off of a $49.00 purchase

This item might not be for everyone since not all subscribers utilize promo codes. I will make sure to reflect that in my value at the close! Thrive Market is a club-based online shop filled with products that you can filter by 70+ diets, allergies, and lifestyle values. It also includes pretty hefty discounts! The membership costs $5 a month and for every new member, a membership is gifted to low-income families, students, teachers, veterans, and first responders.

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Everything is Here to Help You - Retail Value $15.99 (found for $10.49)

From Amazon:

Everything Is Here to Help You offers an emotionally supportive way to shift out of the inner war of ego, and into the illuminated presence of your soul.In this book, spiritual teacher and intuitive Matt Kahn redefines the spiritual path for the modern-day seeker, and offers original, innovative ways to resolve fear, unravel judgments, and learn how to view life from a clear, expanded perspective. By redefining our understanding of the spiritual journey from the point of view of the soul, Matt breathes fresh life into all aspects of the healing journey to usher in a revolutionary and loving approach to personal growth.Each chapter highlights Matt’s most cutting-edge teachings and loving wisdom. From teaching you how to unravel blame by exploring the four stages of surrender, to providing step-by-step energy clearings and recited activations to amplify the power of your consciousness, this book offers a clear road map to explore the magic, mysteries, and miracles that reside in every heart.This book also includes engaging questions to contemplate, as well as energetically encoded mantras to experience our unlimited spiritual potential.Get ready to explore a deeper reality, daring to view your life through the loving eyes of Source and opening yourself up to life’s miracles!"No matter how anything seems or appears—everything is here to help you become the one you were born to be."

I am not really one for self-help books, so this will likely become a gift for someone significantly more introspective than I. Though this is not for me, it totally fits into an Ellen box!

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Everyone Roll-On Aromatherapy Revive - Retail Value $7.99

Finally, our last item is an essential oil roll-on. There were different scents possible, but I received the Revive blend, which is a mix of geranium, orange, peppermint, and lavender. It isn't the strongest scent but I do love all of these oils together and find them quite calming.

Verdict: This box was a little hit and miss for me personally. While I was less enthused about the key necklace and self-help book, both really fit an "Ellen" vibe perfectly. I am very, very happy with the noise machine, and I also enjoyed the soap, body butter, and ColourPop highlighters. The Thrive Market membership was a nice touch, though I will admit I am happy this box wasn't full of multiple promo codes like last season. I do think there could have certainly been a little more excitement in this box for the cost, but considering the noise machine alone is almost worth the entire monthly price, I don't feel like I can complain TOO much. The value lands somewhere around $153.95, which is a good value for a $54.99 box. The Thrive membership adds an additional $15 and another additional $20 if you use the discount code on your shopping cart.

To Wrap Up:

Can you still get this box if you sign up today? Yes! This box is still available.

ACTIVE DEAL: Only for Quarterly & One-Time Purchases
CODE: MSA25

Value Breakdown: This box costs $54.99. Here is approximately what you are paying per physical product:

Key necklace $15.00
Body Butter Duo $3.56
Noise Machine $17.50
ColourPop Duo $5.72
Soap $4.64
Book $5.71
Oil Roller $2.85

Alternatively, each item has an average cost of $7.86. (The Thrive Market promo was not included in this breakdown.)

Check out all of our Be Kind by Ellen reviews and our other favorite subscriptions!

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Be Kind by Ellen

2.5 overall rating

72 Ratings | 18 Reviews

For 17 years, Ellen DeGeneres talk show guests, viewers, and audience members have all felt the same unifying experience when they watch The Ellen DeGeneres Show one that lightens their moods, lifts their spirits, and makes their hearts smile. To share this experience with people everywhere, Ellen h... read more.

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Posted in Subscription Box Reviews

Megan K.

I love natural/vegan beauty products, Korean skincare, unique jewelry, and weird candies from far away places. When I am not waiting for my next exciting box you can find me painting or taking photographs of interesting people. I never leave home without pug hair somewhere on my shirt and a bold lipstick on my smile.

Read More By Megan K. >

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34 comments

Jennifer

I was loving my subscription until now. I initially had the quarterly and enjoyed the spring, summer and fall boxes( my least fave though). Come time for the winter, I decided to upgrade to the annual and save some money. OMG do i regret this decision so badly. ON 12/1 I was charged for both my Quarterly fee and the Annual fee . I almost went into shock with the credit card bill. I notified customer service and the credited me the quarterly fee. THEN, I received my winter box and its quite nice. A few days later I receive another FALL box, WTF??? why??? I am now 8 emails deep in trying to get the customer service chick to realize their mistake. By subscribing to the Annual Subscription on 12/1, I should get the Winter box, then the Spring 2021, Summer 2021 and the Fall 2021 ( four total). However because the decided to send me another FALL box (which was my least fave of the year) my account shows I am only set to receive 2 more boxes on my annual (spring/summer).. THe customer service representative tried saying how I was not charged and how generous they were to give me a refund ( duh you took my money twice). I have since cancelled.. SUCKS that annual memberships get no refunds even if you just paid the month prior.

Kathy

I received my second box today and it is the same one as I received 2 months ago and I was billed 54.99 on 10/18/2019 and again on 11/26/2019. Not having any luck getting a hold of someone to get credit and return information on this second box that I clearly dont need.

Kate

I was charged for two of the same boxes when I wasn’t supposed to and no one hasn’t gotten back to me in over a week

Jenneice Haddon

Hello, I received the 2 fall boxes also. I too have been trying to contact someone at the be kind website, no luck. I thought I was receiving a holiday box but instead I received another fall box.

Robin

I ordered with the 1FREENOV19, one to treat myself (my mother recently passed away in June 2019) and I recently discovered a 1/2 since via the 23 and Me DNA test. I ordered one for myself and one for her. She has been reluctant to really get to know each other with any urgency at all ( I have stomach cancer) so our birthdays and Thanksgiving came and went without mention. Her adoptive father was a lawyer so that has been a big factor as well.
Anyway, I didn’t receive any information about her order after I hit the purchase button. I immediately e-mailed them. Still 4 days later nothing so I e-mailed them and the ellenshop.com Finally, someone e-mailed me back, we went back and forth by e-mail they refuse to communicate by phone at all. They told me that I filled out the form to be sent to me and I said no I didn’t, they also said that I put her e-mail address in and the information has been going to her. NO I DID NOT DO THAT, I put her information in under the heading of RECIPIENT. Finally, I guess they saw their mistake and are suppose to send one out to her address (for which they had) and I confirmed it to them after the 16th since she’ll be out of town now until then. I didn’t cancel our memberships (yet) b/c they were nice enough to allow me to keep both of the boxes they had sent to my address by their mistake. I thought their should have been a stuff animal in the box as well, since a MRSP value is given there as is with all the other items in the box.

Rosie

*sigh* This is my third box (4th?)…I had to cancel so won’t be receiving the Holiday Box. I’m probably going to regret it because after three semi-duds, it’ll probably be great…
I just can’t gamble $55 (b/c sometimes when the charge hits my bank is just NOT a good timing…) and have a tough time figuring out whom on my gift list would even like some of these things…
And my gift/gift giving occasions list is v-e-r-y long, so that’s pretty sad…
🙁

Leah

I feel this box has good intentions but aside from the LectroFan, everything else seemed random & not thoughtfully curated. My two year-old daughter loves the sleep machine (as do I) & turns it on immediately before jumping into bed with me. It’s compact, effective, & easy to transport from room to room. Aesthetically, I was not attracted to the key necklace but I like the intention behind it so while I won’t wear it, I’m not disappointed as the proceeds are going to a good cause. The rest seemed like free samples.

Kristin

This box is a total miss for me. The key is SO cheap looking, the self-help book is not getting read by me and my Colourpop duo also came broken. I too, am holding out for the holiday box and making it my last. The first box was so much fun. It *seems* like they are now just phoning it in. I’ll use the travel sound machine, but now I just spent a lot of money on a travel sound machine.

And again, seriously, that key is ridic. Who are they marketing that too? It looks so so so cheap.

Another way to fix broken palettes is using something called Moon Mousse. I bought it at Ulta for, I think, around $15. If I recall correctly, it will fix quite a bit of broken pieces. It comes with some tools to crush it up, spray the mousse on it, and then use one of the presses to pack it down and dry overnight. It included a few different sizes or shapes of presses since palettes are all different. I know people use alcohol, but apparently this stuff works really well at returning it back to its original texture. I am kind of lazy since I have so many palettes, so I haven’t rushed to try it yet, but on a video that I saw on YouTube that was an independent review (not sponsored by the company) it looked like a success.

lindsay

my colour pop was broken too ! I reached out to CS and never heard back …

Megan K.

The Colourpop duo is a cream formula, so try pressing down to put them all back together. I hope that works!

Tracy

I liked this box, primarily because of the sound machine. There wasn’t anything I was wowed by, but that was close.

The main issue I’m having is getting a response from customer service. The Colourpop highlighters came with the powder completely broken up and the rollerball thing was open and it looked like someone took a swipe or 10 to test it out.

I emailed the day I received my box (over a week ago) and followed up recently with not response.

I did actually take advantage of the Thrive Market promo because of the 3 month free membership and $20 off. I got some stuff I’ve been wanting to try (Aztec healing clay) and some other odds and ends. I’ll probably cancel after 3 months, but they have nice promos, so I might keep it. Who knows! They do have some decent skincare options, which I’m trying now.

Jackie

Totally unrelated – but the Aztec Healing Clay is amazing! I use it with apple cider vinegar and I’ve noticed a huge difference in my skin.

I been a subscriber since the first box but honestly that first one was it! The second one I kinda enjoy but after that it just keep going downhill.

Im thinking on canceling now, or just cancel after the holiday box, I want to have faith in it.

Jen

I feel the same way. I want to love this box but it’s getting harder and harder to justify continuing. I’m thinking one more shot and if I don’t love it, I’ll cancel.

Kelly

What a strange box. The fan box thing is for specific people imo. Why 2 body lotions? That’s odd. I canceled 2 boxes ago and really am glad I did. It looks like this box is gonna have a self help book in every box too. For this price point, there are better boxes. But since the name Ellen is attached to it, they’ll keep selling.

danielle

This box seems ok, but that key necklace is so weird. It just looks like you don’t want to lose your house key lol

Iggy'sRock

Latch key kid vibe….

Tracy

Right? I felt that way too. Lol. I hung the key in my office for decoration.

I wear one necklace everyday and don’t plan to change it. My dad died when I was 18 and my stepdad has been around my whole life (essentially a second dad). I have their first initials of their first names – same for my mom – on a chain. They’re from James Avery…little circles with typeset font and the three initials — C, J, S — stay with me wherever I go.

Any other necklace just won’t be worn because that one is too important.

Great review! The Lectrofan review was my fave and made me laugh because that’s exactly why I bought this box! We’ve been using it and it was a great compromise! I think I thought it might block some noise from outside like at a doctor’s office but not quite. Getting the rest of the box for $5 was a win.

Megan K.

Thanks BG! Ugh, the fan fights are so real. He was gone for a week recently to visit family and I slept in such peace and quiet! He came back last night and it was back to tornado noise-ville.

Ellen

I am losing faith in this box. I am going to get the winter and that will decide if I cancel or keep on rolling the dice.

Sherri

I’m in the same boat. It seems for me, with each box, there’s more and more of things that just aren’t of interest to me. Hopefully others are continuing to enjoy the contents. I’m also a little frustrated with the fact that they charged my card for this box well over a month before they even shipped it out. So we shall see what winter brings…

Natlovesmelody

Believe it or not, the Premium Annual subscription is SOLD OUT. Good luck to all the potential winners….

Whoa! Seriously?! That is one of the most shocking things I have ever read.

Sammee

Wow. Just…wow. Well, they laughed at the guy who invented the pet rock too until he became a millionaire. Seems like the key to business success is to never underestimate what people are willing to buy.

Maybe there were only 2 spots so the chance of winning is 50/50?? LOL….that would be the only reasonable explanation for paying extra for me….if those were the odds I was guaranteed. For the record, I’d still lose though.

Sherri

I’m not gonna lie, I am definitely surprised by that.

Jill

LOLOLOLOL!

Kristin

LOVE the shorter hair!

Megan K.

Thanks so much, Kristin! I feel like it is already growing back so fast.

Michele

Great review. However the box is highly disappointing to me. The nicest item in the box is the sound machine… anyone with an Alexa product already has this option with endless sounds. I like Ellen’s message and goal but the box is, imo, overpriced and boring.

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Be Kind by Ellen Subscription Box Review – Fall 2019

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Be Kind by Ellen Fall 2019 Review

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