The Beauty Box by Bombay & Cedar is a monthly beauty subscription box from the folks at Bombay & Cedar, featuring 5-6 clean, vegan, and cruelty-free products with a value of over $100. They feature makeup, skincare, beauty tools, and more from a mix of indie and well-known brands.
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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I very much enjoy the plastic drawstring bag the products come inside.
What's Inside The Box
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The box arrives with a card that lists the products and highlights some of the beauty brands found within. January's theme was ‘Artistic.’
BASEBLUE COSMETICS Artistic Eyeshadow Palette, 25 g - Retail Value $53.00
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This palette is one of twelve in the ‘Artistic Collection,’ ranging from eyeshadow, to highlighter, to bronzer, to face powder. Each coordinating piece within this collection pays homage to a prominent work in art history. This palette’s packaging bears a mini reprint of the famous painting Girl With a Pearl Earring. It’s the first release in the entire collection and it featured seven highly-pigmented colors, ranging from a warm-toned nude to a bright yellow, in a color scheme that is meant to be universally flattering for all skin tones. I appreciate the unique idea behind this collection’s packaging, and the palette itself has a nice array of colors. Although I don’t wear eyeshadow too often, especially not now during the current state of the world, I’ll likely keep this palette in my stash for my next dressy occasion.
MAI COUTURE Glow Duo Makeup Sheets, 60 pieces - Retail Value $18.00
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I’m familiar with blotting sheets that ‘blot’ the oil that builds up on your face throughout the day, but 2-in-1 bronzing-blotting combo sheets? Now, that’s innovative. These Glow Duo Makeup Sheets from Mai Couture not only remove any trace of unwanted shine from your face but simultaneously provide a sun-kissed glow that is also buildable. I love the flexibility this product delivers. Oftentimes I would find that when I used a blotting sheet, my makeup would start to look a bit cakey (maybe I pressed too hard?). These Glow Duo sheets offer the best of both worlds by removing the grease but replacing that dullness with an extra boost of glow in seconds. These sheets couldn’t be simpler to use, and I love how travel-friendly they are. Plus, the product it delivers to your face truly is buildable, which I found impressive. I like to stick this booklet in a small purse or bag and keep them on hand because you never know when the opportunity to use them will arise. Need to rush to a meeting after work? No problem; these sheets make it effortless to take your dulled makeup from a long day of wear to the next level, leaving behind a radiance that looks fresh and new. Bonus points: the shade I received worked nicely for my skin tone.
LOHA Microbrow Tattoo Pen Brow in Dark Brown, 0.7 g - Retail Value $12.99
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The goal of this brow pen is to achieve a similar look to that of microblading. I’ve always been a fan of the style but never disciplined enough (ahem, too lazy) to give it a real try. Besides that, though, my unsteady hands would likely not allow me to achieve the expected look. But now, in steps this LOHA Microbrow Tattoo Pen. I’m happy to say that I have naturally full eyebrows, so regardless, I don’t need to fill in too much, but I am certainly a fan of a bold look when it comes to the brows. I decided to give this brow pen a try, and I’m actually really enjoying it. The three-pronged tip of this pen really gives you a lot of control when it comes to applying. A light-handed stroke is recommended for a more natural look, while you can get solid coverage with a heavier hand. My approach was likely somewhere in the middle, and I was surprised at how nicely it worked – there’s something about a more chiseled brow look that just makes your face come alive. Although this brow pen isn’t something I’ll reach for every time I leave the house, it’s simple enough to stroke on a light coat to give my brows that extra pop before running errands or hopping onto a Zoom meeting for work.
Here's a swatch of the LOHA Microbrow Tattoo Pen Brow in Dark Brown.
SIMPLE Hydrating Light Moisturizer, 50 ml - Retail Value $6.00
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I was happy to see the Simple Hydrating Light Moisturizer in this month’s box. The Simple brand itself has been making the move toward using less plastic in their products, hence the unique packaging for this moisturizer. I really appreciate them taking an eco-friendly approach. I also appreciate how sleek this new type of packaging is; it’s ultra light and slim, which makes it perfect for stowing in a travel bag for a last-minute overnighter. The moisturizer itself is lightweight and has more of a gel texture than a cream. It makes my skin feel buoyant and hydrated without leaving behind any greasy film. However, despite its gel + cream texture, it feels a bit too heavy on my skin for everyday use. This is the kind of moisturizer I would likely break out for the winter months or when traveling to a chillier state. That said, this moisturizer quickly absorbs into my skin and does provide long-lasting moisture. It’s virtually scentless, which I like, and contains absolutely no artificial fragrances, dyes, or harsh chemicals. I have very sensitive skin and despite being a little heavier than my liking for an everyday moisturizer, it has not yet caused me any breakouts, and a little goes a long way.
DR. JART+ Shake & Shot Rubber Mask, 50 g - Retail Value $12.00
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I’ve never seen anything like this before, and although I’m not a huge fan of DIY masks like these, the uniqueness of this product compelled me to give it a try. But first, that silver baby-like face… the thing of nightmares. Then again, I’ll also never forget it, which is genius marketing, so I guess it’s how you look at it. The purpose of this Dr. Jart+ mask is to tighten pores and reduce shine, utilizing a combination of vitamin E and a pore minimizing botanical complex. What I like about this mask is that the mixing process is self-contained within the little cup, all of the ingredients are already included, and it even comes with a multi-use spatula for the mixing and application process. But best of all: this DIY mask is a rubber mask rather than clay like most DIY masks. When I applied the mask, it was super cooling on my skin while it dried down. After letting it sit for around 20 minutes, I was able to peel off this mask in no more than a few pieces. It took very little time and was very easy to remove, unlike some other peel-off masks. It left my skin feeling smoother, with visibility tighter pores, and it did not dry out my skin but instead hydrated it. I must say, I was pleasantly surprised by this DIY mask and I hope to try more in the future.
Verdict
I thought this was a really good month for The Beauty Box from Bombay & Cedar. The highlight of this box for me were actually the Mai Couture makeup sheets. I’ve never had makeup sheets that not only blot away excess oil from the day, but also add a layer of extra glimmer. LOHA’s microbrow pen was a super interesting product to try, and I appreciated the control it gave me during the application process. Simple’s light moisturizer was a welcome addition to my skincare stash, and even though it may be too heavy for me on a warmer day, this is a great moisturizer for regular use. The DIY rubber mask from Dr. Jart+ was a pleasant surprise, and I enjoyed the entire process from start to finish, despite not being a DIY lover by any means. Lastly, the eyeshadow palette from BaseBlue Cosmetics. I love the innovative idea behind the packaging, and although I don’t wear eyeshadow too often, this is a nice palette to have around. Overall, this was a really good box; there was a vast array of unique, new-to-me products, and the value is definitely there.
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Value - Was This Box Worth It?
The Cost: $31.95
VALUE BREAKDOWN
- Eyeshadow Palette: $53.00
- Makeup Sheets: $18.00
- Brow Pen: $12.99
- Moisturizer: $6.00
- Rubber Mask: $12.00
The products this month have an estimated retail value of around $101.99, which is a great value for a $31.95 box.
To Wrap Up
Can you still get this box if you sign up today? No, but order now to receive the February box while stocks last.
What do you think of the Bombay & Cedar "Artistic" box?
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