Cult Beauty is an online UK-based beauty shop that only stocks tried and true products along with the next big things in beauty and innovative products. They periodically offer special one-time purchase boxes. They recently released a collection of edits centered around hair care, and I grabbed the box that matched my hair type- The Curl Edit! This box cost roughly $41 USD (including shipping).
This box is no longer available, but Cult Beauty does appear to be releasing sets like these more frequently!
My Subscription Addiction paid for this box. (Check out the review process post to learn more about how we review boxes.)
First Impressions
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This box ships from the UK, and it took a little over two weeks for it to be delivered to me from the time it was ordered. Once you open the outer box you're greeted with a cheerful orange box filled with curly hair products inside.
The Breakdown – What’s Inside The Cult Beauty Curl Edit
THE INKEY LIST Caffeine Scalp Treatment, 50 ml - Estimated Value $5 (buy the 150 ml version for $14.99)
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Over the past year, I have noticed some thinning at my hairline, but I haven't done much to fight it other than bemoan about it and hope it magically goes away. Hello, caffeine scalp treatment! This is designed to help reduce hair loss and fight thinning hair thanks to the stimulating caffeine powder and the trademarked ingredient Redensyl™, which helps to improve hair growth while reducing hair loss. You massage it into your scalp at night before you go to bed, and you rinse it away the next morning. I like how using this didn't feel like I was adding a layer of build-up to my scalp, and it was really easy to apply before bed without feeling like I was going to get it all over my sheets. You need about three months of consistent use to see results from a product like this, but I am intrigued enough to keep using this and see where the path takes me.
Virtue One For All 6-In-One Styler, 60 ml - Retail Value $18
I really like the deep conditioning mask from this brand, so I was curious about this styling cream. It promises to add softness, shine, and light hydration while strengthening, polishing, and protecting your hair from heat damage, and the packaging also said it texturizes. The one thing my curly hair does not need more of is texture, but I didn't actually find this cream to be texturizing. It did add some softness and shine, and it didn't weigh my hair down. I exclusively air-dry my curls so I couldn't test out the heat protection claims, but anything that can keep my curls growing long and strong is a product I am going to want in my arsenal.
Living Proof Curl Shampoo, 100 ml - Retail Value $15
I was really pleased with the size of the shampoo and conditioner sent in this set, and I love that they're from Living Proof- I hold the brand in high regard but haven't tried their products specifically for curly hair. Most shampoos dry out my hair, so I always am a little hesitant trying out new ones even if they're designed for curly hair. This one from Living Proof wasn't the best I've ever tried, but I still really liked it. It definitely left my hair feeling clean, but it didn't feel like it dried it out more or made my tangles worse (which commonly happens to me when I try shampoos that don't work out for me). The texture was creamy and once water was added it didn't lather up that much and easily rinsed out after I massaged it into my scalp for a few moments.
Living Proof Curl Conditioner, 100 ml - Retail Value $15
Using this conditioner was an experience, and I am still not quite sure how to describe it. I applied my normal amount of conditioner (aka a lot) when using this, and I could tell quickly I had applied too much. It felt like it was getting thick in my hair, and it felt like it was so heavy that it was hard to comb through it. Rinsing it out took some extra effort too. I think part of the problem was me using too much, but I am not convinced that using less of it will result in the "superior slip for weightless detangling" that the product page promises. I also don't think this was actually the best paired with the shampoo, even though that should in theory be its perfect match. When I rinsed this conditioner away my hair felt a little dry, and I need something deeply nourishing when I condition my hair.
OUAI HAIRCARE Hair Oil, 5 ml - Estimated Value $5.38 (buy the 13 ml version for $14)
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I love hair oils, and my post-shower routine always involves applying some to my curls when my hair is still damp. This oil checks all of the boxes on what I look for: it's hydrating, adds shine, and pairs well with whatever leave-in cream I am using for maximum curl payoff. This oil isn't too heavy in my hair and helps with frizz, and I really enjoy the floral scent.
This was my hair immediately after showering with the Living Proof shampoo and conditioner and applying the Virtue styling cream and OUAI hair oil to my curls.
And this was my hair about an hour or so later after I air dried my hair with it up in a bun. It can be hard to fit all of it in one photo!
OLAPLEX No 8 Bond Intense Moisture Mask, 20 ml - Estimated Value $5.60 (buy the 100 ml version for $28)
I was really excited to try this mask out – it is one of the newest products from the brand, and I was curious to see how hydrating this would be. It was hydrating, but I am not sure if I would classify it as providing intense moisture. This definitely provided a good slip for detangling my curls and didn't weigh my hair down, which I think is a fair trade-off for being a good hydrating hair mask (but not an intense one). The price per ounce is a little high for the way I go through hair masks, but I am still really pleased I was finally able to try this new launch out.
Amika Curl Corps Defining Cream, 200 ml - Retail Value $25
Amika is one of my favorite haircare brands, and I was excited that this box came with a full-size product from them that I actually haven't tried before. I love amika for their hydrating hair masks and treatments (soulfood and the kure leave-in treatment are essentials to my hair routine), but I am not sure if I have the same amount of love for their curl products. I bought the Curl Corps gel on a whim when it was on sale and it didn't impress me, and I'm not sure if this defining cream did a lot for my hair, either. This is definitely hydrating to my hair and left it soft, but I am not so sure if it actually added any extra definition to my curls. I'll keep trying it out because I don't hate how this has been working for me, I am just not sure if it is a favorite.
This was my hair damp after I used the Olaplex mask in the shower and applied the amika curl cream after I dried my hair with a microfiber towel.
And this is what it looked like about 12 hours later when I took my hair out of the bun and shook it out. Believe it or not, there was still some dampness in some parts (my hair takes forever to dry), but I loved that my curls looked fluffy and defined with minimal frizz.
invisibobble Sprunchie Slim, 2 ct - Retail Value $15
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I swore by invisibobbles for the longest time, and while I still like them I have become more of a silk scrunchie convert. This Sprunchie Slim is like the best of both worlds in that it has the invisibobble elastic wrapped in a satiny fabric that feels smooth in my hair. I almost always have my hair up in a bun unless I am trying to look nice, so reliable scrunchies that can hold all of my curls are a must. This worked well for me with no snags, but it does stretch out a bit after a few uses.
Here is one of the Sprunchies putting in work to keep my hair contained- it's a much tougher task when my hair is dry, but this worked nicely.
Value – Was This Box Worth It?
The Cost: £30 ($34.26) + £4.95 shipping.
FYI – UK tax is removed during checkout so my total with shipping was £29.95 ($41.05). If you were purchasing in the UK, the price is £30 + shipping
Value Breakdown:
- Amika: $25 → $9.87
- The Inkey List: $5 → $1.97
- Virtue: $18 → $7.10
- Living Proof Shampoo: $15 → $5.92
- Living Proof Conditioner: $15 → $5.92
- Olaplex: $5.60 → $2.21
- OUAI: $5.38→ $2.12
- Invisibobble: $15 → $3,92
Everything in the box added up to $103.98, which is quite a bit more than double the cost of the box!
Key Takeaways
Cult Beauty does a good job with their curated sets, and I thought this one was a nicely curated set with nicely-sized products from a wide variety of brands. Even if every single product wasn't a perfect match for my hair, I wasn't expecting them to be. Anyone with curls knows that curly hair can be temperamental, and it can take a perfect cocktail of products from various brands to find what works perfectly for you. All of that experimenting can get costly fast, though, so I love that this set allows you to try out different products at a discount. I also really appreciate that everything included is either full- or travel-sized — no small samples here! Cult Beauty Edits tend to sell out quickly after they are released, but I definitely recommend keeping an eye out for their next Edit.
Other Things You Should Know
When is this box available? The Curl Edit is currently sold out. Cult Beauty Edits tend to go quickly once they are released, but Cult Beauty will give you a few days' notice before the box goes live so you know to keep an eye out if the set is one you want to snag.
Does Cult Beauty only ship to the US and UK? No, they ship worldwide!
Did you grab one of the Cult Beauty Hair Edits?
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