Bombay & Cedar is a luxury lifestyle subscription box for women that focuses on essential oils, diffusers, skincare, books, snacks, and other products. For $44.95 per month, you receive two essential oils and 6-8 full-size products with a retail value of $120+. In addition to the Lifestyle Box, they also offer a Beauty Box that includes 5-6 full- and/or deluxe-size products for $31.95 per month (retail value of at least $100).
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.)
FYI, COVID-19 Update: Bombay & Cedar is experiencing significant shipping delays. Keep up to date on progress and estimated timelines here.
First Impressions
This is my first-ever Bombay & Cedar lifestyle box. The subscription has always intrigued me, and I am thrilled to be giving it a try. At first glance, the plain box and simplistic packaging added to the intrigue for me, and there's a snack!
What's Inside The Box
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The box arrives with a booklet of information that lists the products and highlights some of the brands found within. July's theme was "Wander."
Clary Sage 3% Essential Oil, 10ml - Retail Value $17
Sweet Orange Essential Oil, 10ml - Retail Value $12
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I have to be honest with you... Essential oils have never really been my thing, so this is a whole new world for me. These essential oils have lovely scents. The Clary Sage has almost a savory herbal scent. It reminds me of something that might be sprinkled on Italian food. The Sweet Orange is, as the name implies, a delightful, bright, sweet citrus fragrance. These couldn't have come at a better time because I recently discovered the little tray at the base of my humidifier is actually for diffusing essential oils, which I'm excited to try for the first time. I know there are all kinds of benefits that can come from using essential oils. I don't know that I've ever experienced any alleviation of symptoms while using such, but I always enjoy a lovely fresh scent in the air that isn't covering a chemical after-scent like some of the less-than-natural room sprays I've used. Also, I just heard from a friend, who heard from a friend, that a drop or two of Clary Sage in the armpit of your shirt reduces sweating. I happen to be one of those poor, unfortunate souls who sweats like a pig, so I'm crossing my fingers and hoping it works.
Cloudz Microbead Travel Neck Pillow in Blue, 1 pc - Retail Value $14.99
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Okay, I know this will make me sound basic, but I am so pumped for this neck pillow. It has a cooling spandex texture on one side and a soft, plushy velour-like texture on the other. I like that it's stuffed with microbeads as opposed to regular stuffing. I think that's what makes this pillow so comfortable. I haven't been traveling as much as usual, but I've actually found a new use for this pillow. It's perfect for when I'm sitting up, watching TV in bed. I usually end up with a stiff neck because my pillows offer little support, and my bed frame is a nice, hard metal. But adding this little pillow to my routine has definitely helped keep the tension out of my neck.
OCCO Hearty Yam and Plantain Dumplings Seasoning Card, 8 pc - Retail Value $5
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I love super flavorful food. I'm all about the seasonings, spices, and herbs when I cook for myself. I really like how these seasoning cards have a QR code on the back that you can scan with your smartphone to access the recipe. That being said, this recipe is what I would call a tad bit complicated, and I'm not sure if it's a recipe that most people would have the ingredients for just sitting in the house. I, for one, had a crazy week with work, so I used the spices to make a delicious tofu and veggie mei fun, since I had those ingredients readily available, and it was delicious. I think the spices stay very fresh in these sealed pods, and someone more adventurous than myself would have a blast going to the grocery to pick up the ingredients for this special dish.
Here is my delicious tofu and veggie mei fun seasoned with the OCCO Hearty Yam and Plantain Dumplings Seasoning Card.
Marrakesh Miracle Masque, 8 oz - Retail Value $25.99
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I can always use a hair mask, and I truly love the scent of this product. It reminds me of the Sol de Janeiro Bum Bum Cream but for your hair. I found it to be very hydrating, and it left my hair feeling soft and smooth and looking luxuriously glossy. I noticed my hair was a lot less frizzy. I love how thick the mask is. Usually, I need to use half the product to cover all my curls, but I can attest that a little of this product goes a long way.
Nod Products Flamingos & Gold Waterproof Playing Cards - Retail Value $8
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These playing cards are super cool. They're made from 100-percent plastic, so they feel much more durable than a standard paper deck and are waterproof. If you knew how often I spill, you'd understand why this excites me. I feel like someone should have thought of this glorious invention years ago. They shuffle very easily and are quite eye-catching, with the adorable gold and flamingo designs. I'm going to put them away for next summer when hopefully we're back at it with the barbecues, pool parties, and long beach days.
Teds Coco Mask + Mate Duo, 28g - Retail Value $12
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I love the aesthetic of this packaging. It's super sleek and holistic looking in the delicate glass test tubes topped with the natural wooden corks. I just happen not to be a bath gal. Something about soaking in a cauldron of my own filth is just a huge turn-off for me, and showering before getting in the tub just seems like a waste of time. But I've discovered a great use for bath products that I receive in subscription boxes. I love to put them in my foot bath and soak my feet at the end of a stressful day. This bath mate is definitely higher-end with its 84 trace minerals, crystals, and flowers. I'm not a huge clay masker. They always seem to come in a powder that you have to mix with water to turn into a paste to spread onto your face... I would pick a sheet mask over that any day. But with the super cute, luxe feel of this mask, I had to give it a try. It was definitely a good quality mask and well worth the extra effort.
Flint Retractable Lint Roller - Retail Value $7.99
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Here's another basic product that I'm super excited about. I always seem to need a lint roller and can never find one, or it's down to its last sheet. But this handy little guy is retractable and compact enough to toss in the glove box or your purse. But my favorite thing about this product is that it's refillable. Anything that I can reuse instead of just simply throwing it out makes me feel like I'm doing what I can to help the planet. It's a very handy, convenient little product that I don't think I ever would have purchased for myself outside of a subscription box, so I'm quite happy I was introduced to it here.
Bubba's Classic Sea Salt 'Nana Chips, 37 g - Retail Value $1.62
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I've had many delicious Bubba's snacks before, and these classic sea salt flavored banana chips are a deliciously crunchy snack, with all the great qualities of your good old potato chip but much healthier ingredients. They really are delicious, but I can't say that they're a great alternative to potato chips because I would definitely eat the potato chips if it came down to it. However, if I didn't any potato chips in the house, I would snack on these bad boys instead.
Verdict
I thought this month's Bombay & Cedar Lifestyle box had an interesting array of unique yet everyday, basic if you will, products. I really enjoy the neck pillow and the lint roller. I can always use the extra neck support, and somehow I always have something stuck to my clothes. The hair mask has such a wonderful scent and really does help hydrate my hair. The spice pods and mask mate duo are two common things I use regularly... Spices and face masks, but with a unique luxe twist in the packaging and presentation for the mask mate duo. Essential oil use is new to me, so I'm happy that I'll receive a variety to try through this subscription. It's always great to have a deck of cards lying around, especially in California, where a tremor can knock out the power, and you can go insane from no television or internet. It's great to have a little game ready to go, and I love how these decks are waterproof. The Bubba's banana chips are gone... I ate them, and they were absolutely delicious. The way to my heart is definitely through snacks, so good on you, Bombay & Cedar. The one thing I will say about this box, while the value is there, for a "Wander" theme, I think this curation was definitely missing out on the "wanderlust" vibe that I think of when I hear the word "wander." But overall, I found all the products in this box to be intriguing and useful.
Keep track of your subscriptions by adding this box to your subscription list or wishlist!
Value - Was This Box Worth It?
The Cost: $44.95
VALUE BREAKDOWN
- Essential Oils: $29
- Neck Pillow: 14.99
- Seasoning Card: $5
- Hair Masque: $25.99
- Playing Cards: $8
- Mask Duo: $12
- Lint Roller: $7.99
- Chips: $1.62
The products this month have an estimated retail value of around $104.59, which is great for a $44.95 box.
To Wrap Up
Can you still get this box if you sign up today? No, order now to receive the September "Chill" box while stocks last.
What do you think of the Bombay & Cedar "Wander" box?
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