Cocotique is a monthly subscription box delivering beauty and lifestyle products for women of color. For $25 per month, you receive a curated box of 5-8 full-size or deluxe sample-sized products ranging from hair care, skincare, nails, fragrance, makeup, lifestyle products, and more.
This box was sent to us at no cost for review. (Check out our editorial guidelines to learn more about how we review boxes.)
First Impressions
This month’s theme is ‘New Year, New You!’ How fun. I appreciate the positive message of both the theme and the tote bag, which bears the inscription, “Love One Another.” Both are great reminders.
The contents of the box arrived protected by bubble wrap.
The back of the Cocotique info card describes all the products included in this month’s box. It also provides information on where to purchase the products online and exclusive discount codes where available.
Now, on to the items!
CARESS Jasmine and Lavender Oil Body Wash, 550 ml - Retail Value $4.99
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I can always use another body wash, so I was pleasantly surprised to see this Jasmine and Lavender Oil Body Wash from Caress in this month’s curation. Although lavender is not at all one of my preferred scents, body wash is body wash. When I used this body wash, I found that it cleans my skin nicely, thanks to its luxurious lather, without leaving behind that soapy film some other body washes have. The scent was powerful while I was in the shower, but afterward, it dissipated to a more neutral level, which I appreciate. I’m happy to say that the fragrance didn’t cause my skin any irritation, and the formula itself does a great job of hydrating my skin. Even if I forget to slap on some body oil, my skin feels silky to the touch.
EXSENS Flavored Massage Oil in Hot Vanilla and Sex on the Beach, 50 ml 2x - Retail Value $40.00
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Massage oil… What an interesting inclusion, but then again, Valentine’s Day is coming up. This Exsens Flavored Massage Oil gives a really nice feeling, I have to say. There is a very thick, sticky texture to it that warms as you massage it, and it takes a bit of time to absorb into the skin, which would be a benefit for a product like this. The oil itself leaves the skin feeling moisturized to the touch. Both scents are delightful. ‘Sex on the Beach’ has a lovely tropical scent, while ‘Hot Vanilla’ gives me Yankee Candle vibes. Despite being heavily scented, I’m happy to say that I did not experience any sensitivity issues or irritation, and for someone with sensitive skin, that’s impressive.
EXSENS Pure Aqua Lubricant, 70 ml - Retail Value $13.00
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This Pure Aqua Lubricant from Exsens is quite a unique product to receive in a subscription box. However, I’ll admit it’s a great inclusion for Valentine’s Day. I do like the texture of this product. It’s a thick, water-based gel, and the slippery texture seems long-lasting. There doesn’t seem to be any kind of scent to it either, which is definitely my preference when it comes to any type of lubricant.
PALMER’S Shine Therapy Gro Therapy, 30 g - Estimated Value $0.79
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I love a good edge gel, and Palmer’s Shine Therapy Gro Therapy is truly a wonderful hair product. There’s a light natural scent that I really love; it’s very fresh and clean. What I enjoy most about this product is that it goes from a solid to an oil texture very quickly. That way, you can easily massage it into your hair, and it doesn’t leave behind any sort of residue or flaking. This is the perfect type of product for taming any flyaways. I also like to apply products like these at the base of my scalp to extend the lifespan of a protective style. I really think this product works great, and I’m thrilled to have it in my arsenal. My favorite hair products tend to have this clean, fresh scent to it (rather than some fruity bubble gum scent), so this is right up my alley. Plus, it leaves my hair looking shiny and feeling hydrated. Helps me to slick back any flyaways or frizzy pieces within seconds.
STREAM2SEA Every Day Tint Mineral Sunscreen SPF 45 and Every Day Shimmer Mineral Sunscreen SPF 45, trial size 2x - buy a full-size version for $28.95
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With the warmer weather fast approaching, I was thrilled to see this two-pack of Stream2Sea Sunscreen. I have to say, I think these two sunscreens are of the few that don’t leave behind that stubborn white cast that refuses to blend no matter how long I rub it in. This two-pack includes a sample of the ‘tint’ and a sample of the ‘shimmer’ sunscreen. The tint works really well with my skin tone, and the shimmer leaves behind a subtle, yet lovely, refreshing glow. Both of these are water-resistant for up to 80 minutes, and the formula is not a greasy one but more lightweight. I am so impressed that this sunscreen is entirely natural, without any fragrances, preservatives, parabens, or SLS. I can’t wait to try out the water resistance during my next beach trip.
TIP BEAUTY Luxury Press-On Nails (Baller) - Retail Value $18.00
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This is a lovely Press-On Nail set from Tip Beauty. I really like the ombre color of the shade ‘Baller,’ but in general, press-ons aren’t really my style. Plus, I’ve never been one to limit my range of motion with coffin nails like these. Call me boring, but if anything, I’d prefer a classic straight nail. Those handy nail stickers are more my speed. I’m going to be passing along these nails to a friend of mine who is a huge fan of press-ons, and they are sure to be impressed. Not only do they look great, especially in person, but the quality is superior to other press-on nails I’ve seen in the past. You won’t have to worry about these breaking; they are solid. I also found them to be professional-looking, with a versatility that’s perfect for the office or a night out.
URBAN SKIN RX Even Tone Cleansing Bar 3-in-1 Treatment, 56 g - Estimated Value $14.00
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Wow, this is one of the most unique products I’ve seen recently. This Even Tone Cleansing Bar from Urban Skin Rx is a face cleanser in the form of a bar (in a jar). Yes, a bar in a jar. There is a sponge inside the jar that you can moisten and use to wash your face. The sponge allows the bar to create a bit of a lather, which is nice. I did notice, however, that there is a vague scent of licorice to this product; and sure enough, one of the ingredients is licorice root. I’m not a huge fan of the scent, but I really do love the idea of a 3-in-1 treatment. The formula features the brand’s ClearTone Advanced Technology, which helps to brighten skin and improve dark spots. I’m interested to see if using this product over the long term will create any true results, but in the meantime, it seems to be an efficient cleanser that leaves my skin feeling clean and smooth. The only downside about this product is that the little sponge that comes with it, which they recommend air drying, is bound to get lost at some point or another, so I’ll likely use this product by lathering it up with my fingers.
Verdict
I thought this was a great month for Cocotique! The highlight for me was Palmer’s Gro Therapy. It has such a lovely scent, and it helps to tame flyaways effortlessly. Urban Skin Rx’s cleansing bar is an incredible multi-use product that works to restore skin from dark spots and old acne scars. I was thrilled to see Caress’s body wash in this box as body wash is something I’ll always need, and this one is lovely. Tip Beauty’s press-on nails are stunning, I have to admit. Unfortunately, for me, they aren’t really practical, so I’ll be passing these along to a friend of mine who’s sure to love them. Stream2Sea’s sunscreen was a welcome addition to this box, especially with the warmer weather coming up. I appreciate that these don’t leave behind a white cast. Lastly, the massage oils and lubricant from Exsens… These products were a nice touch for Valentine’s Day. The massage oils create a warming sensation that feels great, and it takes quite a while to absorb, while the lubricant has a lovely gel texture that feels long lasting as opposed to some other water-based lubricants. Overall, I thought this was a solid month. The product curation was varied and included some very unique products, and the value was definitely there.
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Value – Was This Box Worth It?
The Cost: $25.00
Value Breakdown:
- Body Wash: $4.99
- Massage Oil: $40.00
- Lubricant: $13.00
- Gro Therapy: $0.79
- Sunscreen: $XX.XX
- Press-on Nails: $18.00
- Cleansing Bar: $14.00
The total value of my box was $90.78 + sunscreen 2-pack, which is a good value for a $25.00 box.
Other Things You Should Know
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