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 ‘Spring Soft Life Essentials.’ The ‘soft life’ means living life with minimal stress and instead with comfort and relaxation at the forefront. It’s the kind of life everyone would choose, myself included. Unfortunately, that’s not feasible for most of us, but one of the ways to maintain the facade of a soft life is to ensure a pampering self-care routine for yourself, and this box is dedicated to making that happen. Let’s see what kind of ‘me time’ products have been curated this time around.
I received one of the OG Cocotique canvas linen bags, and printed on it is the phrase, “Spread love, kindness, and compassion;” a great reminder for everyone.
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!
CŌTZ Flawless Complexion SPF 50 Mineral Sunscreen in Richly Tinted, 70 g - Retail Value $27.50
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When you live somewhere it’s always sunny, it’s important to wear your sunscreen all year long. No skipping days even if it’s cloudy. One of the problems I have with most sunscreens is that it leaves behind a noticeable white cast on my face. This CŌTZ Flawless Complexion SPF 50 Mineral Sunscreen is truly amazing, and I love it. I received the shade ‘Richly Tinted,’ and it is perfect for my skin tone. I love that this brand has made a sunscreen with a variety of skin tones in mind. For once, this sunscreen seamlessly blends into my skin, leaving behind a bit of a golden sun-kissed glow. Another highlight of this product is the fact that it’s SPF 50, which is quite generous; most other tinted sunscreens I’ve had in the past only went up to SPF 30, so this is much appreciated. This is also perfect for wearing under makeup because it absorbs well and leaves behind hydrated, but not greasy, skin. I’ll be using this stuff down to the last drop.
DAVIDS Sensitive and Whitening Nano-Hydroxyapatite Premium Toothpaste in Peppermint, 50 g - Retail Value $4.09
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No one prepared me for the love that would eventually grow for some of the most basic things in life… Like toothpaste. A simple item, yes, but a daily essential, and one I’m always happy to see conveniently included in a subscription box. Davids Sensitive and Whitening Nano-Hydroxyapatite Premium Toothpaste gets the job done effortlessly, and I really appreciate the natural formula without any artificial colors or flavors. The added benefit of hydroxyapatite works to prevent sensitivity and repair enamel, which I truly appreciate. Clean ingredients are important to me, especially when it comes to anything going inside my body, but efficiency counts just as much, and this toothpaste checks all the boxes. The first time I used this toothpaste, the natural peppermint formula provided a burst of fresh breath and left my teeth feeling fresh and clean without any harsh aftertaste. Despite the tube being on the smaller side, a little dot of toothpaste goes a long way. Plus, it’s vegan and cruelty-free, and the metal tube is recyclable; what could be better?
EXSENS Personal Lubricant in Raspberry, 70 ml - Retail Value $13.00
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We’ve received this type of product in past Cocotique subscription boxes, and every time, I always think it’s a bit of a unique inclusion. Then again, this particular box is indeed focused on self-care, so more power to ‘em. This EXSENS Personal Lubricant in Raspberry has a pretty nice texture to it that somewhat mimics the real thing. With a water-based formula, it’s rather slippery and seems like it would be long-lasting. One downside of this product, for me, is the fact that it does contain a sickly sweet ‘raspberry’ fragrance, and while the scent isn’t too overpowering, fragrance-free is my overarching preference.
EXSENS Angel’s Dream Perfume Mist in Rhodiola Rosea, 15 ml - Retail Value $25.00
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I’m not a huge fan of fragrances in general, and perfume is almost always too overpowering for me personally. Either the scent nearly chokes me or leaves me feeling nauseated and/or lightheaded. Unfortunately, the same goes for this Angel’s Dream Perfume Mist in Rhodiola Rosea from EXSENS. My favorite fragrances are more along the line of clean laundry, leather, and tires. I really do like the look of the mist applicator, and it’s very sleek, which is nice. With top notes of bergamot, pineapple, and lily of the valley, the scent is most prominently floral, and it reminds me a bit of something my grandma would wear. That being said, Rhodiola Rosea is said to boost mood, reduce stress, and increase endorphin production, so if you’re one for perfumes, you might find the scent to be quite enjoyable.
FLEUR AND BEE Eyes Eyes Baby Anti-Aging Eye Cream, 18 g - Retail Value $52.00
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I love eye creams, and I especially love anything anti-aging. Fleur and Bee is a great brand, and I’ve had the pleasure of using some of their products in the past, including this Eyes Eyes Baby Anti-Aging Eye Cream. What I really love about this eye cream is the water-based formula, which works really nicely for me. Some eye products are a bit too thick and heavy for my sensitive under-eye skin, often leading to irritation and clogged pores, but that’s not an issue with this lightweight eye cream. It’s not at all greasy, but it does take a few extra minutes to fully absorb into the skin. Very hydrating and gentle, which I appreciate, and the caffeine enhanced formula works overtime to help banish fine lines, puffiness, and dark circles around the eyes. Thanks to the caffeine, I often look wide awake and ready for the day, regardless of how tired I am on the inside. Plus, there’s no detectable scent, in my experience, which I especially enjoy.
REVEALU SKINCARE Gold +o2 Hydro Gel Moisturizer, 59 ml - Retail Value $37.50
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I am a huge fan of gel moisturizers, and besides that, I’m familiar with the RevealU Skincare brand, so this is a win-win for me. This Gold +o2 Hydro Gel Moisturizer is incredibly lightweight and refreshing to my skin on a warmer day. Its oxygen-activated formula contains the added bonus of 24k gold flakes, which is said to be a skin revitalizer. Zinc, copper, and magnesium work together as anti-aging properties. I apply this product as the last step to my skincare routine, and it absorbs quickly without leaving my skin feeling sticky or greasy. The gel really does a nice job of revitalizing my skin with a refreshing burst of hydration. What I really appreciate about this moisturizer is the gentleness of the formula, making it a solid option for eczema, rosacea, and acne.
WELLNESS THERAPY Styling Texture Gel, 221 ml - Retail Value $17.59
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I appreciate a good curl gel. Back in the day, most of the gels used to have the awful tendency of hardening and then flaking off. Thankfully, that’s not an issue with this Styling Texture Gel from Wellness Therapy. It works quite well to hold my curl pattern, yet leaves my hair flexible to the touch without any crunchiness once it dries down. Lately, I’ve been using this gel on my braids after just braiding them, and that’s been helping to prevent shrinkage and reduce frizz. The gel has a very fresh scent to it but not one that I particularly enjoy, but it seems to dissipate rather quickly.
WELLNESS THERAPY Hair and Scalp Triple Moisture-Rich Shampoo, 30 ml - Retail Value $2.39
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When it comes to my hair, I need all the moisture I can get, so when I saw this Wellness Therapy Hair and Scalp Triple Moisture-Rich Shampoo in my box, I was thrilled. I love getting to try out new haircare lines, and also, I’m especially interested in this one since it’s a branch-off of the amazing Twisted Sista brand. From the jump, the packaging is what caught my eyes. I really love the hair ‘nutrition facts.’ Such inventing branding, and one that’s definitely memorable. I really appreciate that this sample size was large enough for me to establish a proper opinion on how well it works for my hair. Oftentimes the haircare samples that boxes include contain enough product for only half of my head, but the brand seems to know their audience, and I really appreciate that. This shampoo does a great job with my hair, removing any residual product buildup, and leaving it clean and fresh but not stripped of its natural hydration. My hair, of course, still requires additional oil afterward, but overall, I’m really liking this triple moisture formula.
Verdict
This was a great month for Cocotique! The highlight for me was CŌTZ tinted sunscreen, which really takes various skin tones into consideration, which I truly appreciate. No white cast left behind with this sunscreen, so that’s a win. The gel moisturizer from RevealU Skincare is one of my new favorites; the texture is magically refreshing and hydrating to my skin especially as the warmer weather creeps up. Fleur and Bee’s anti-aging eye cream is another wonderful inclusion to this month’s box. Definitely a high quality item, and the formula is potent but gentle to the delicate skin of my under-eyes. I’m excited to see some progress over the long term. Davids toothpaste is an essential that I’m happy to have, and it performs nicely, leaving my skin feeling nice and clean. The two haircare products (shampoo and styling texture gel) from Twisted Sista’s Wellness Therapy brand performed well for me, but I’m especially happy with the styling texture gel, which keeps my curls poppin’. Lastly, EXSENS’ personal lubricant and their perfume… The lubricant contains more scent than I’d prefer, so I’m not likely to use this often, and the perfume also packs a punch to the nostrils. If you’re into that kind of thing, you may very well enjoy both of these products. Overall, I thought this was an awesome box; the product curation was varied and worked perfectly with the ‘pampering’ theme, and the value is impressive.
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Value – Was This Box Worth It?
The Cost: $30.99
Value Breakdown:
- Sunscreen: $27.50
- Toothpaste: $4.09
- Lubricant: $13.00
- Perfume: $25.00
- Eye Cream: $52.00
- Gel Moisturizer: $37.50
- Styling Gel: $17.59
- Shampoo: $2.39
The total value of my box was $179.07, which is an amazing value for a $30.99 box.
Other Things You Should Know
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