I received this box 3 days ago, which is I think the earliest it’s ever gotten to me. The May theme is S.O.S., which actually stands for Super Outstanding Skin. As you might have guessed, the products inside are all problem-solvers and complexion enhancers, that will help your skin look its best this Spring.
HOW IT WORKS: For $12/month subscribers will receive a box filled with a carefully selected mixture of five travel-sized, deluxe-sized and full-sized cosmetic products from luxury, commonly known brands, niche brands, eco-conscious and even vegan brands. Aimed at introducing women to new cosmetic products and educating them on best practices, Beauty Box 5 scours the market to find the best products for your lifestyle. Click here to subscribe.
COUPON CODE: Use code FREEBOXME to receive an extra surprise with your first box. Not sure when it expires.
Bio Swiss Stainless Steel Mini Tweezer – If you love plucking stray brows on the go, you will probably enjoy this tiny tweezer. It comes in a plastic tube, no bigger than a stick of lip balm, that makes it easy to carry in a makeup bag, and to ensure that the sharp edges don’t damage the products inside. Very convenient!
Coastal Scents Classic Shade and Fluff Medium Synthetic Brush – Coastal Scents brushes are cheap, but that doesn’t make them any less effective. There were different brush variations sent out, and I got the blending one. As the name suggests, it’s designed to help blend the sharp edges, but I also think it will work well for concealer, since it has synthetic bristles. The hairs feel very soft and non-pokey, but the dome could have been shaped better, and the handle feels kind of flimsy. Despite all that, the $2 price tag makes it hard to complain about anything, since I’m generally pleased with it.
dermalogica Active Moist – I’ve written about dermalogica on this blog a number of times, and rightfully so – their products and formulas often remind me of Korean skin care, which as you all know, I absolutely adore. dermalogica does a great job singling out trending ingredients and techniques and incorporate them in their lineup for the Western market. Active Moist is a lightweight lotion, designed with oily skin in mind; it keeps the skin hydrated without triggering excess oil production. I look forward to playing with this one when it gets warmer outside!
Essenza Luxury Hand Soap – Never heard of this brand before, but that’s what discovery services like this are for. I don’t know if there are any variations, but my scent is called rosemary mint, which smells like herbal mouthwash. I think it’s best suited for those hot Summer days when anything with mint and lemon in it makes you feel a little cooler. As far as its cleansing abilities go, it’s a fairly standard hand soap, no better than your usual Softsoap. Not a wow-worthy sample for me, but it’ll get used.
Styli-Style Glide-On Highlighter Stick – While I personally prefer powder highlighters, this blush/highlighter combo stick is a great size to carry around in a cosmetic bag. Mine came in Champagne shade, which reminds me of highlighters I already own, so I know it’s definitely going to suit my skin tone. I believe creamy-yellow highlighters with pink mini shimmers are neutral enough to suit everyone, actually. It’s a full-sized product, too!
THE VERDICT: Even though the May box didn’t seem very exciting, it was quite practical, since we got things like tweezers, a makeup brush, some hand soap and moisturizer; a one-size-fits-most kind of box, if you will. I know I will use everything inside, and may or may not gift the highlighter to someone – it’s a dupe for something I already have, but it’s so pretty and compact, I might keep it for myself. Decisions, decisions…
What did you think about May Beauty Box 5? Do you like receiving practical products in your beauty boxes? Let me know in the comments below!
| Product | Retail value |
|---|---|
| Bio Swiss Stainless Steel Mini Tweezer | $4.98 |
| Coastal Scents Classic Shade and Fluff Medium Synthetic Brush | $2.49 |
| dermalogica Active Moist | $4.23 |
| Essenza Luxury Hand Soap | $0.59 |
| Styli-Style Glide-On Highlighter Stick | $6.49 |
| Box Retail Value | $18.78 |
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