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 (with a 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
This month’s box has the theme of "Smile", and I’m excited to see what products were selected for this curation. I’m sure it’ll bring a ‘smile’ to my face, lol!
What's Inside The Box
The box arrives with a booklet of information that lists the products and highlights some of the brands found within for this month's "Smile" theme.
BOMBAY AND CEDAR Happy Essential Oil Roll-On and Relief Essential Roll-On, 10 ml - Retail Value $19 (Happy) and $24 (Relief)
Wow, an unexpected product revamp! This box usually includes a pair of Bombay and Cedar’s essential oils, but this time around, they have included essential oils with a rollerball applicator. I am actually really pleased about this switch-up and will likely get more use out of these roll-ons, thanks to their convenient applicator. The ‘Happy’ roll-on claims to provide an uplifting mood boost, while the ‘Relief’ roll-on says that it can help soothe sore muscles. Simply apply to pulse points and breathe in. I usually prefer to apply roll-ons to my wrists; I’m sensitive to scents, so the furthest away they stay from my nostrils, the better. I’m not the biggest fan of essential oils in general, and my confidence in them working miracles is low; but the chances of me breaking them out is much higher with this nifty new rollerball applicator.
WIBBLE Orange and Ginger Jelly Pot, 150 g - Estimated Retail Value $1.76
I’m always on the lookout for healthy, low-calorie snacks, so I was quite impressed that this Wibble Jelly Pot is only 29 calories, low sugar, 100% natural, and vegan. Unfortunately, the package was damaged in transit, and the protective seal was broken, so I didn’t get to try. It did smell very fruity and delicious. I’m not too upset, though. While I enjoy fruity desserts and snacks, I’m very texture sensitive, and a lot of foods and snacks with such a jelly-like consistency are usually not my favorite; I’m a bigger fan of the crunch.
LIANA FINCK Excuse Me: Cartoons, Complaints, and Notes to Self, 416 pages - Listed Value $20.00
I was and am a huge fan of comic books, so I was delighted to see this compilation book of cartoon drawings included in the curation. Each one of Liana Finck’s scratchy style cartoons are witty, clever, and relevant, and some even took my breath away with how deep, real, and emotional they were. I found many of them relatable and enjoyable to read. If you’re a fan of irreverent and intelligent cartoons, you will definitely find something to laugh about in this book.
GREATIQUE Sloth Reusable Shopping Bag - Retail Value $12.99
I love this reusable shopping bag, and not just for its function; it’s adorable too. By the time 4 p.m. hits, I tend to transform into a bit of sloth myself, so I very much appreciate the adorable sloth imagery on this bag. The highlight of this bag, for me, is the fact that it folds down into a compact little square. I have tossed this into my car, and it’s already come in handy for a handful of quick, unplanned trips. Rainy day? No worries; this convenient bag is water-resistant, and I love that. The first time I used this bag, I was quite impressed by the weight it could hold (up to 50 pounds). One of my favorite things about this bag is that it’s machine washable, which makes it easy to keep clean, fresh, and free of germs. I will get some great usage out of this, so I’m glad it was included.
BUTTER & ME Butter Melt Lotion Bar in Lovely, 35 g - Retail Value $20.00
This is one of the most innovative body products I’ve seen in a long time. This Butter Melt is literally lotion in the form of a bar. Innovative indeed, but also not the first product I’d personally reach for when moisturizing my body. For hands, maybe, but probably not for my body on a usual basis. I’m not exactly a proponent of bars of anything, to be fair. Bars of soap? No, yuck. This lotion bar has a 100% oil-based formula, including ingredients like sunflower oil, avocado oil, Kokum butter, and Candelilla wax, to provide the best hydration possible. It absorbs best on clean, damp skin, so this product works nicely for moisturizing right after a shower. I have to say, I was pretty impressed by how quickly this lotion absorbs upon application (when used in moderation a.k.a. a little goes a long way), and it does leave behind smooth, hydrated skin. I really appreciate that the scent and color of this lotion bar was derived from all-natural products only. However, I did find that the scent was, in my opinion, very strong and overpowering. It reminds me of products in the bathroom at a high-end resort. But I also really like that the product is travel-friendly and creates zero plastic waste.
WOVEN PEAR Compression Socks, 1 pair - Retail Value $17.99
Okay, these socks are adorable. I seriously love the cute giraffe pattern and interesting color scheme. When I first pulled these out of the box, I thought, “Those are for some small feet,” but I quickly realized… These are compression socks; not regular socks. Compression socks are great during or after a long day of standing or a plane flight. I’m actually really happy to have these, since I fly pretty often, and I should wear compression socks but never do. Now that I have this adorable pair, though, I no longer have an excuse not to wear them. These compression socks apply an even pressure on the lower portion of your legs, and they were much more comfortable to wear than I expected. I’m pretty psyched, especially since this is something I would never think to buy for myself.
SPAROOM Glass Reed Diffuser in Strawberry Prosecco - Listed Value $29.99
I was really impressed with how stunning the SpaRoom Glass Reed Diffuser is. It’s sleek, smooth, hand-blown frosted glass. The fragrance is absolutely delightful and brings a fresh, fruity burst of scent into the room. I will be passing this product on to a friend since I own exotic birds, and fragrances and diffusers aren’t ideal or healthy to have in the home with them. Don’t tell anyone… But this product is so eye-catching that I might even regift it. There’s a housewarming coming up for one of my boss babe girlfriends, and I know she would absolutely adore this and it would fit the sleek, modern aesthetic of her space.
Verdict
I found this Bombay & Cedar Lifestyle Box to be full of unique and diverse products, which is something I enjoy in a box. It kept me guessing, starting with the surprise of the new roll-on applicator for the ‘Happy’ and ‘Relief’ essential oils. I’m happy about this change because there is more of a chance I will remember to use these now that it’s simpler to apply. I’m a little bummed that I wasn’t able to try the delicious smelling Wibble jelly pot. I appreciate how low calorie and low sugar this snack is, even though I tend to prefer crunchy snacks. I was also delighted by the Liana Finck cartoon book. It’s something I would never have expected to receive in this box, but I found it to be a whimsical inclusion. The adorable sloth reusable shopping bag is both useful and cute, and I am thrilled that it has such a compact storage option. I’ve never seen a lotion bar before, and the Butter & Me lotion bar was definitely a new and different experience for me. Even though the scent was strong, it was very hydrating. I never would have purchased compression socks for myself; partially because I don’t want to admit I might be that old. But they are definitely something I should have and use with all the flying I do. Lastly, the hand blown glass reed diffuser from SpaRoom will make a striking gift for my friend’s housewarming while filling the room with the juicy scent of strawberry prosecco. Overall, I think this was a solid Bombay & Cedar Lifestyle Box. The value was there, and while the products may not have been as cohesive as I would normally like, I found them all smile-worthy.
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Value - Was This Box Worth It?
The Cost: $44.95
VALUE BREAKDOWN
- Essential Oils: $43.00
- Jelly Pot: $1.76
- Cartoons: $20.00
- Shopping Bag: $12.99
- Lotion Bar: $20.00
- Compression Socks: $17.99
- Reed Diffuser: $29.99
The products this month have an estimated retail value of around $145.73, 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 April 2022 box while stocks last.
What do you think of the Bombay & Cedar "Smile" box?
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