Retreat Yourself is an Australian quarterly lifestyle box that encourages you to slow down, make your health and well-being a priority, and put yourself first, as well as introduces you to conscious brands that have been carefully chosen to create a wonderful retreat at home.
For AU$79.95 ($51.37 USD), you'll receive almost AU$300 ($192.74 USD) of Australian and New Zealand wellness products, the 20-page wellness Retreat Guide, playlists, rituals, and more. Items range from home goods, health supplements, beauty products, and accessories, plus other fun finds.
This review is of the Retreat Yourself Limited Edition "Refresh + Renew" Mystery Box.
Author's Note: This limited edition box is sold out but you can still sign up for the Spring 2023 box. The mystery box was priced at AU$64.00 ($41.12 USD) and promised a total value up to AU$200 ($128.50 USD).
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
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I've been loving the seasonal quarterly boxes so it was a pleasant surprise to learn about this bonus mystery box. I'm excited to dive into some new and cool finds. Unfortunately, the tub of chocolate drink was busted and there was a dusting of cocoa powder over all the items. But it wasn't too bad and after brushing off the cocoa, I was able to enjoy everything in the box.
This leaflet has some of the answers to the questions you might have about the products included in this mystery box. I like that they include a brand bio for each item so you can learn more about these local, conscious AU & NZ brands.
Now, on to the items!
Trilogy Products Rosapene Night Cream - Retail Value AU$52.85 ($33.96 USD)
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Starting off strong with this amazing cream that's everything I look for in a night cream. It's the perfect texture that's super rich without being too heavy. It smells heavenly and it left my skin feeling really soft and nourished. Trilogy is known for its iconic Rosehip Oil and this night cream contains its patented rosehip facial oil blend Rosapene, antioxidant rich goji berry and manuka honey.
Yoga Beauty Revitalising Mist Spray, Retail Value AU$29.95 ($19.24 USD)
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I can't get enough of face mists and I like to stash them around the house, in my purse, and in my car to refresh and wake myself back up throughout the day. I'm seriously obsessed so I was stoked to find out that this revitalising mist can be used on both the face and body. The scent might be a tad too overpowering for spritzing over your face but I've been using it nonstop since getting this one. This moisturizing spray includes Seabuckthorn Oil, Aloe Vera, Green Tea and Blueberry extracts.
Retreatment Botanics Kakadu Brightening Serum (Mini)- Retail Value AU$11.95 ($7.68 USD)
I was a little miffed about the size of this sample (they're not kidding when they say this is a "mini"). But I changed my tune after trying this Vitamin C serum. First off, I LOVE LOVE LOVE the scent. It reminds me of Orangina and the bright, zesty scent makes me so happy when it hits my skin. The serum absorbed really well and didn't leave my skin feeling sticky or tight like other vitamin C serums have in the past. I think I'm going to have to splurge on a full size (AU$94 or $60.30 USD for 25ml) because it might be my favorite vitamin C serum I've ever tried. The tiny sample lasted about a week of using it both AM and PM.
Downunder Wash Co 'Sporty' Body Bar - Retail Value AU$9.95 ($6.39 USD)
Peppermint is actually my favorite scent for shampoos and body soaps, so I was psyched to receive this bar. I was confused for a sec because of the brand name but soon realized this wasn't a soap just for your underbits but a normal bar soap for your whole body. This refreshing menthol, wintergreen and peppermint blend definitely wakes you up and the bar lathers up beautifully.
Exposed Naturals Lemongrass & Coconut Natural Deodorant - Retail Value AU$25.00 ($16.06 USD)
I generally prefer spray deodorant, specifically this Weleda Wild Rose Deodorant and I've never tried a paste deodorant before but this product has made me a convert. This deodorant paste is way softer and creamier than it looks in the tin, it rubbed into my underarms easily, had a subtle lemongrass scent and kept me feeling fresh and dry all day. The only potential downside is that it feels a little gritty when you apply it but I kinda like the gentle exfoliating feeling you get and the grittiness completely goes away after you rub it in.
Adorn Cosmetics Watermelon & Sugar Natural Lip Scrub - Retail Value AU$19.00 ($12.21 USD)
I'm not that into lip scrubs and this one didn't change my mind about them. It smelled nice and sweet and it didn't irritate my lips but it didn't really do much for the moisture level either. If anything, my lips felt a bit drier afterwards.
Mt. Elephant Banana Cinnamon Wholefood Bread Mix - Retail Value AU$8.50 ($5.46 USD)
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I've been meaning to get back into baking, so I was thrilled to get this banana bread mix. I haven't had a chance to use this yet, mainly because the recipe calls for 4(!!!) ripe bananas and having a toddler in the house means there's never an excess of bananas leftover. This mix is made with almond flour so it's gluten-friendly and the box directions gives you instructions for a vegan alternative.
Pana Organic Hot Chocolate Drink Blend - Retail Value AU$14.50 ($9.32 USD)
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So, I wasn't sure if I should be ingesting this since the container was compromised. The seal under the lid was intact but the bottom of the tub was dented and that's where the powder was escaping from. But for the sake of this review, I figured I would give it a try. When I first looked inside, I thought the clear crystals were salt and I was excited because I love salted chocolate but turns out they are just sugar. It's pretty hot in Sydney right now, so I wasn't in the mood for hot chocolate but the instructions said you could mix it in hot or cold milk. I used cold milk and stirred the mix vigorously but could not get it to fully dissolve.
See? The mix just sat on the top and I drank it like Milo. It basically tasted like a fancy Milo, which is an Australian chocolate milk powder that's designed to sit on top of your milk.
Awesome Source G&T Non Alc - Retail Value AU$7.50 ($4.82 USD)
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Growing up, alcohol was such a big part of the Australian culture but lately there's been a trend of low or zero alcohol drinks. This was a pretty good dupe for a gin & tonic, it had an interesting botanical edge and while I'd probably just stick with tonic water if I wasn't drinking alcohol, I'm glad that this is an option for people to try.
Habitual Beauty Advanced Skin + Gut Health Collagen Elixir - Retail Value AU$7.33 ($4.71 USD)
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I'm not sure I'm convinced that taking collagen supplements does anything but my mom, who everyone still mistakes for my sister, swears by it, so maybe there's something there. Of course, you'll need more than a two-day supply to see any benefits but these satchets seem legit. They contain 10,000mg of bioavailable Hydrolyzed Collagen Peptides I & III with a low molecular weight for maximum absorption, as well as 18 amino acids, pre, pro + postbiotics, vitamins and minerals.
Eat For You Little Hero Bar Chcolate + Coconut - Retail Value AU$4.95 ($3.18 USD)
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This organic, gluten-free, plant-based, lunchbox-friendly (no nuts!), non-GMO, preservative free bar is made with only five ingredients - dates, desiccated coconut, pepitas, cacao powder and coconut butter. It wasn't bad but it wasn't my favorite. It was maybe a bit too tart tasting.
Krumbled Foods Peanut Butter Beauty Bite - Retail Value AU$4.00 ($2.57 USD)
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Now, this was a yummy treat that I would buy again. It has less than 1g of naturally occurring sugar and it gives you a daily dose of collagen. It boosts 3,800mg of Hydrolyzed Collagen Peptides, pre and probiotics, as well as Vitamins C + E. The milk chocolate coating was smooth and delicious and the chewy center was pretty delish too. I'm going to grab this sample pack and try out the seven other flavors.
Verdict
At first I didn't love this mystery box as much as the regular seasonal boxes. The curation felt like it leaned too heavily on food stuff and not enough beauty products. The tiny serum sample was a bit of a bummer because I wanted more but it was a good introduction to a new favorite. Also, I really missed the Retreat Guide, the wellness booklet that's included in the regular boxes. But after using the products more and really falling in love with them, in particular the Exposed Naturals Lemongrass & Coconut Natural Deodorant and the Trilogy Products Rosapene Night Cream, I'm coming around on this mystery box.
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Value – Was This Box Worth It?
The Cost: AU$64.00 ($41.12 USD)
Value Breakdown:
The total value of my box was $195.48 ($125.59 USD), which is 3 times the cost of the box.
Other Things You Should Know
Can you still get this box if you sign up today? No, but you can subscribe now for the Spring 2023 box.
Do you have a favorite item from this Retreat Yourself mystery box?
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