Target Beauty Boxes $5-10, one time boxes
This box’s cost: $7, paid: $7 + tax
Retail/Market value $
Target does not have a subscription box per se. Rather, it produces beauty boxes filled with full size and sample beauty products every month or so. Sometimes more than one version of a box is offered. They are usually aimed at a female audience though once in a while, like around Christmas and Father’s Day, they come up with male-centered boxes. You have to order every box individually – you can’t subscribe – which means that you need to be alert for when they come out for sale as they usually sell out within hours. Your best bet, if you want to grab one, is to subscribe to the My Subscription Addiction blog alerts. Boxes tend to cost between $5 and $10, with the value of the items being usually around 4 times the cost.
This January, Target issued two boxes, renewal and refresh, with assorted items in each. I ordered both of one them but I’ve only gotten the Renewal box so far. Target lists the contents of the box and includes a photo, so you know exactly what you are getting when you order it. I don’t usually bother to look at the items, however, given that they go fast and they tend to be a good value.
Items come loosely packaged in a sturdy box – but because the box is simply wrapped in plastic, it often arrives with some damage. They are still useful for storing, though not necessarily for gifting. The items don’t have much in the way of packaging, but so far nothing has arrived broken.
The Renewal box came with nine items, including two full size ones! Like other boxes, this also included a coupon for $3 off a $15 beauty purchase. I tried to use a similar coupon when I ordered these boxes but was unable to, so I don’t know if these are no longer eligible for discounts. This is what the box had:
Revlon Ultimate All-In-One Mascara in blackest black, full size .28 oz, $9
I haven’t tried this mascara yet, but I did look at reviews of it. It has a tiny wand (about 1/4 the size of a regular wand), and while some people praise its ability to reach lashes, others complain it gets oversaturated easily and the mascara clumps. I haven’t decided whether to keep it or swap it yet.
Made in the USA
Degree MotionSense Fresh Energy Dry Spray Antiperspirant, full size 3.8oz, $5
I love spray antiperspirants and this one seems to dry rather quickly and has a pleasant fragrance. We’ll have to see how it works at actually keeping odors at bay. But I’m definitely happy to get it. Made in Mexico.
Scunci No-Slip Grip Braided Headwrap, $6
This is the adult hairband but you’d never know it by the fit. I have a fairly small head – I’m small to extra-small in hats – and straight, fine hair, and while this hair band did not actually slip compleely off my hair, it felt like it was going to at any moment. It’s definitely not comfortable. Maybe it works better for people with thick and/or curly hair or larger heads.
Hada Labo Tokyo Anti-Aging Facial Mask, 1 mask, $4
Sheet masks have become a huge fad in the US and all my subscription boxes seem to be sending them. This one is made in Japan and boasts having collagen and vitamin E. I’ll definitely use it.
Made in Japan.
Jergens Wet Skin Moisturizer with monoi oil, 2 oz sample, $1.5
This is a basic, thin, mineral-oil-based lotion. It’s light and it absorbs fairly quickly. The idea is that you apply it after a shower, when your skin is still wet – though you can apply it on dry skin as well. I can’t say I’m in love with the fragrance (there were variations on it), but it’s not too bad. I’ll use it but I won’t be rushing and buying any more, however. Made in the USA.
Caress Love Forever Body Wash, 1.8 oz sample, 50-cents
This body wash is supposed to have some formula that releases fragrance from your body for 12 hours. I guess I’ll have to try it and see.
Laneige BB Cushion, 1 sample, 6 g sample, 50-cents
A “cushion” is a new method of applying foundation or, in this case, BB cream to your face. When you buy the full size item (which is $34, by the way), you get a special compact with a special sponge which you soak in a watery BB cream. Its light when you apply it to your face, but it gives you pretty good coverage. While the product is expensive, it should last you a couple of months with daily use – which means that each application can be as high as 50 cents. Nobody said beauty was cheap. The sample has a sponge and 3 shades of BB cream. The containers are not resealable, however, which means this is really a single-use sample.
Made in Korea.
Attitude Volume & Shine Shampoo, 1 oz single-use sample, 20c
I’ll have to wait to try it to say how it is. Made in Canada
Attitude 2in1 shampoo & body wash, 1 oz single-use sample, 20c.
I did try this shampoo and body wash and it was fine, but unremarkable. It’s hard to judge a shampoo by itself, however, and these ones did not come with conditioner. My hair did feel as clean as usual, and so did my body. The shampoo itself had a vinyl-like smell, but it didn’t stick.
Note: while the one-ounce of product makes these generous samples, there is no way to close the containers after opening them, which means that practically you will only be able to use the products once. I’m thus basing my estimate of the value of the samples on the number of uses of a full bottle.
Made in Canada.