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 our editorial guidelines 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
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The first thing I noticed was that this box was late... But it seems like they're catching up, which I'm happy about because it seems like they've been trying really hard to get ahead after some pretty severe pandemic-related delays.
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. October's theme was "Out and About."
Bombay & Cedar Essential Oil Duo in Lime and Eucalyptus, 10 ml each - Listed Value $29.00
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My experience with essential oils has been very limited until recently. The lime essential oil is said to be ‘invigorating.’ I’m not exactly sure what that means when it comes to an essential oil… Does it give you energy? Keep you from nodding off? I’m not sure, but I imagine this could certainly be useful in awakening the senses and refocusing my mind when it needs a bit of a recharge. As for the eucalyptus essential oil, I’m kind of excited about this one. This oil is labeled as ‘decongesting.’ In the recent chillier weather, the congestion has been real, especially during the middle of the night. I kept waking up breathing out of only one nostril; not an enjoyable feeling. Now, I keep this little bottle on my bedside table, and any time that happens, I give this essential oil a whiff and it makes me feel a bit better… At least long enough to still have a chance of falling back to sleep.
FLEUR AND BEE Prince Charcoal Detox Mask, 57 g - Retail Value $19.27
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I’m more of a sheet mask and peel-off mask girl myself, but I was pleasantly surprised with this detox mask from Fleur and Bee. This product is said to contain thirty-two active ingredients, including the highest-quality botanicals, antioxidants, and clays, which is pretty impressive. When first applying the mask, it’s a thick clay paste that goes on smoothly. The scent of this product is very ‘natural.’ It’s not exactly pleasant to me but not too overpowering either. As it began to dry, I felt a slight tingle on certain more sensitive areas of my face but that dissipated shortly. I left the mask on for about eight minutes and then rinsed it off. This detox mask left my pores clean and slightly smaller and my skin feeling refreshed, cleansed, and much smoother, both in touch and look. This product definitely made me wish I was more into wash-off masks. I’ll be keeping this in the bathroom, and I hope that keeping it in my line of vision helps me to up my frequency of use.
iLOVE SNACKS Belgian Chocolate, 22 g - Estimated Retail Value $1.61
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I love when a subscription box includes a sweet treat, and this Belgian chocolate snack pack hits the spot. This is what I really enjoy about subscription boxes; they give you the chance to try new things. The chocolate is not bar-shaped but instead similar to regular chocolate chips (although a little flatter), which I appreciate because it leads to less risk of dropping little chocolate shards everywhere. The portion size is nice too. I would have liked it if the packaging was resealable, but I guess I’ll just have to eat them all at once, lol. I don’t crave chocolate that often, and when I do, it doesn’t take too much to satisfy that, so this portion will be perfect for me. I really like the slight bitterness of this Belgian chocolate as opposed to the other more ‘fake,’ chemical-filled flavors of popular candy bars.
COMPENDIUM Everywhere You Go: A Travel Book Collection, 8 pieces - Retail Value $19.95
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These travel notebooks are an interesting inclusion in this month’s box. It’s definitely a perfect complement to the “Out and About” theme. Although I don’t have a chance to do as much leisure travel as I would like, I do enjoy writing out random thoughts and notes, so I appreciate these little books. There are eight slim pocket-sized notebooks included in this collection. Each one has an inspiring quote printed on the front. I think the quote that caught my attention the most was Rebecca Solnit’s: “Leave the door open for the unknown.” Each right-sided page has a writing prompt printed in the lower right-hand corner. The front of each book even has a section in which you can write down a quick blurb of info, location, dates, etc; a sort of preface for the contents that follow. It’s the little details like these that really add to the enjoyment of this set.
AYNIL Ombre Fringe Scarf - Estimated Retail Value $39.99
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I love the ombre look of this fringe scarf. Although tan isn’t what I would call a favorite color of mine, it works well for this scarf, and I like it. I’ve had other scarves in the past but none as large as this one. The texture is very soft and a bit on the fuzzy side, which means it’s able to keep you super warm but also sheds enough to give my clothes some serious cat lady vibes. Though, I have to say, as someone who tends to be cold more often than others, this scarf is really nice to have around. The fact that it came in a neutral color is a plus for me. It can add a super cute touch to complete a layered outfit on a slightly chillier day. I also like the fringe design at the bottom. This scarf works great as a blanket in a pinch, as I had the chance to learn recently… I’m glad to have this scarf to accessorize any fall/winter outfits.
LOTUS SUSTAINABLES Lotus Cart Clip - Retail Value $29.99
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Wow, this is one of those things that I didn’t know existed and would never have thought I’d need. I’m one of those people who loves making lists; grocery lists, to-do lists, you name it. So, this cart clip has been a game-changer in the way that I shop. The silicone grip fits my phone securely without causing any indentations to the phone case itself. It seamlessly swivels from portrait to landscape mode, which is a nice touch. I also like how non-slip the grip around the clip is. It really provides a tight hold that feels secure enough to trust that my phone won’t slip out even once I’ve reached the end of a lengthy grocery haul. This cart clip is incredibly useful for anyone who likes using their phone while they shop. But the product’s usage doesn’t stop there. It’s very versatile, and I’m sure people out there have a variety of creative ways to use this type of clip. Please share some knowledge with me in the comments.
THE POSH HOUSE Garment Refresher, 500 ml - Estimated Retail Value $8.09
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I am so happy about this garment refresher spray. I don’t think I’ve ever seen a refresher spray for clothing that not only freshens up clothes but also is formulated to kill 99.9% of germs and viruses including Coronavirus. Just one application claims to stay active on the spritzed surface for up to four hours. I now use this garment refresher regularly to freshen up materials between washes, including curtains, throw blankets, and more. But what really makes me feel great about using this refresher is its germ-killing properties. The scent is a nice blend of fresh lemon and pomegranate. It’s not overpowering and doesn’t last too long, which I very much appreciate. This product is certainly not an essential but it's a definite nice-to-have.
Verdict
I thought this October Bombay & Cedar Monthly Lifestyle Box had a fun variety of unique and fun products. The Lotus cart clip and The Posh House garment refresher were two items in this curation that I love that I never knew I needed. I love how the cart clip makes accessing my phone while shopping seamless, and I really appreciate the germ-killing powers of the garment refresher. The ombre scarf is oversized and cozy, and I love how it can almost double as a blanket. I found the Compendium travel book collection to be a whimsical addition to this box, and it makes me want to take the time to plan some fun trips. Of course, the iLOVE Snacks Belgian chocolates made my taste buds sing with their rich chocolatey goodness, and the Fluer and Bee detox mask left my pores feeling impressively clean. Lastly, the trademark of this box, the essential oil pair. Both scents were bright and authentic. I’m excited to learn more about some of the additional uses for products like these. Overall, I think this was a great box. The items all tied into the theme, the value was there, and the curation was diverse enough to keep me guessing.
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Value - Was This Box Worth It?
The Cost: $44.95
VALUE BREAKDOWN
- Essential Oils: $29
- Detox Mask: $19.27
- Chocolate: $1.61
- Notebooks: $19.95
- Scarf: $39.99
- Cart Clip: $29.99
- Refresher: $8.09
The products this month have an estimated retail value of around $147.90, which is amazing for a $44.95 box.
To Wrap Up
Can you still get this box if you sign up today? No, but order now to receive the January box while stocks last.
What do you think of the Bombay & Cedar "Out and About" box?
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