I have decided to do my unboxing of The Test Box, Beautique Box and Secret Box in one blog post.
First up The Test Box May. The first two editions of The Test Box were excellent and well worth their value.
May's Test Box features a brand I have been wanting to try recently but couldn't see myself parting with over R399 a bottle in case I didn't like it.
Subscribers recieved three items this month all of which are deluxe sample size.
First off is beautiful candle that doubles up as a rich moisturizer perfect for the dry winter months coming up. I estimate the shot glass is about 50ml of product and I value it at R40.
Then there is a Kevin Murphy Plumping wash 40ml (R65-) It is a densifying shampoo for thinning hair.
To go with the wash is a Kevin Murphy Plumping Rinse 40ml (R65-) This is from the same range and is a densifying conditioner for thinning hair.
You can read more about the technical aspect of Kevin Murphy here
http://www.thetestbox.co.za/plump-it-up/
Total value of this box is R170- I was a bit disappointed at the value of this month's box as the Cost of this box is R160- monthly(including delivery). Past items from this box were all 100ml bottles which are more travel size than sample size and I could really get value out of them as 100ml would allow me to really test the product before I decided to buy. I am happy that they sent a deluxe sample size(versus tiny sample sachets which i hate) but not sure how many washes I will get out of 40ml(this particular brand is high end with a full sixe going for R410- for 250ml)The bottles are really cute though and very easily refilled due to the large opening, so ideal for a weekend away. So far you can buy the March/April/May box on their own but I'm not sure how long it will be available.
Next up we have the April Beautique Box by Rubybox. This box is also a subscription box and costs R349- monthly(including delivery) and they promise to send High end luxury products only. My payment goes off on the first of every month but for some reason my box only gets delivered around the 20th of the month.
Rubybox is the only one of the three that have you fill out a survey so they can personalise your box every month based on your preferences, age, skin tone and what products you don't use. This month's box contained Four item's, two full size and two deluxe sample size.
. First up Yves Rocher comme une Evidence, L'Eau de Parfum 7,5ml luxe sample (R66-) it's a very fresh light scent that is perfect for day time. Containing notes of jasmine, rose, and wild lily among others.
Forever Beautiful Lipobelle Soyaglycone serum 5ml (R120) is an anti aging skin conditioner and hormonal repair for skin affected by menapause. *This product really does not suit me and does not reflect my profile at all. I would have loved if they had sent me the Perfection Peptide P3 instead as that would have really worked for my skin.
Not included in the picture as my little one got hold of it was a three pack Invisibobble hair bands (R80)
Lastly in this box was a Stila Custom Colour Blush in Self Adjusting Pink. Full size product at 5g (R250) Stila is one of my favourite brands and I love recieving their items. Even though it looks super pink in the compact it blends really well and gives a natural looking blush to my cheeks, and I can build up the colour if want to. I sort of stay away from pink blushes as I was always scared they would not look good with my Indian skin tone but this product has converted me. It actually looks better than the coral peachy tones I normally use so I am very happy they took me a little out of my comfort zone with this colour choice
Total value of the Beautique Box this month was R516- which is a saving of R167. I would have really loved this box if they had sent me the Forever Beautiful serum that suited my skin instead of just throwing one into the box. This was only box of the three that contained a make up item and I am happy that they sent a full size item. To me this was the first box that really played up to the concept as I got to try a shade I would never ever have bought for myself and realised that it does work for me.
Next up is the Secret Box 11 by retail box. This box is not a subscription box but rather they release a box mostly monthly with a limited number available for purchase. You have an option of collecting your box or paying to have it delivered and they deliver within two days of receiving payment. The price of the box changes with each box and they do give a little teaser description each month. This month's said:
"Secret Box 11 contains a nifty grooming tool plus gives you the chance to sample one of our newest brands"
*taken off Retail Box Website*
The Secret Box 11 sold for R169- excluding delivery.
The box contained the latest additions to their online store,
Label.M Intensive Repair Shampoo 60ml (R62-) formulated to repair all the layers of seriously damaged hair using soya - oat amino complex and enviroshield complex to protect hair from further damage from heat styling and the sun. The scent of this shampoo is sweet and for some reason reminds me of something from my toddler days but I can't seem to remember exactky what (It does seem to evoke in me something happy and I have been caught by daughters a few times already with my eyes closed and nose trying to find its way into the bottle LOL)
Also included is the Label.M Intensive Repair Conditioner 60ml (R76-) a very thick rich conditioner with a more subtle version of the same scent as the shampoo. Formulated with the same soya - oat amino complex and enviroshield it really does intensively condition the hair. All you have to do is apply it to your hair and comb through, if you want a more intensive repair you just have to leave it on for 60 seconds. Your hair will thank you esp if like me your hair has been damaged by highlights and constant use of a styling iron. My hair is softer but that can be achieved with other products, what sets this aside for me is that visibly my hair looks much better, my split ends are not as put there if you kniw what I mean.just note that a little goes a very long way and you don't want to over load your hair with protein so use sparingly. I took about 5ml out and mixed it with 5ml of water and then spread that through my bum length hair from about 2cm away from my scalp and then combed it through to my tips. As I combed the product spread to scalp as well and I found it moisturized the skin on my head very nicely which is a nice bonus.
Next up was a single Invisibobble (R26-)
Then there was a Pocket Brush by Kent
(R149-) made from Natural Bristle and Nylon and is ideal for short and shoulder length hair so this little baby is perfect for my little ones. The Beechwood handle is just the perfect aize for little hands and the added Penetron(Kent brushes that have a single quil of nylon running up through each group of bristle and the nylon quill is slightly longer then the surrounding natural bristles) encourage brushing right down to the scalp, claiming to clean, stimulate, and condition the hair. I find that it does help on spreading the natural hair oils from the scalp down the shaft of their hair and the massage effect will definately encourage healthy hair growth over a period of time. To be honest though they will only use this brush to massage and create shine on their hair AFTER using the Tangle Teezer to remove the knots first. That is fine by me though, as this little tool really does make their shiny and glossy but is not the best at tackling how knotty their hair gets after playing the whole day.
Lastly and in my opinion the best item in this box was a La Tweeze Pro Illuminating Tweezer with a price tag of R250-
This salon approved award winning tweezer is crafted from the finest stainless steel and has perfectly aligned hand filed tips. Get this.....The La Tweez Pro Illuminating Tweezer has a single powerful LED which gives highest visibility for the ultimate control. The ergonomic design of this tweezer makes it easy and comfortable to use while garenteeing to tweeze. The thing I think is most useful after the LED light is that the light will switch off automatically after 7min which serves two purposes, it saves my battery life if I forget to switch it off but more importantly in reminds me not to over-tweeze, a sin I am all to often guilty of. I also think that this is the ideal tweezer to have in a first aid kit as the LED light will help immensely in removing those pesky so-tiny-they-are-practically-invisible splinters that kids always seem to pick up, no more struggling to find find that little splinter by feel, the ultra bright LED light will leave that bugger no shadows to hide in. The La Tweez Pro Illuminating Tweezer comes with a handy and stylish lipstick-like case with a magnifying mirror and perfectly houses your precious tweezer safely.
This case will ensure that when not in use your tweezer stays clean and wont get damaged even when travelling and makes it super easy to find in your handbag.
*(just a side note, my tweezer was damaged when I recieved it but they have seny me a replacement one)*
So value wise the Secret Box is the obvious winner coming in with a combined value of R563-, yes you read that correctly Five Hundred and Sixty Three Rands. At just R169- I wish all boxes were as good as this one, my only regret is that I didn't two or three of the Secret Box 11, these babies sold out quickly and I hope that they decide to restock it as I will definitely be buying if they do.
Which box is the best? Which one did you get this month and which box/es do you feel are value for our moolla? What sort of items would you like to see in future beauty boxes?
Remember to pop over to my facebook page for a chance to win a hamper worth R2000+ containing some of my fav items from 2014.
Ciao, PHOENIX.
