Target Beauty Boxes $5-10, one time boxes
This box’s cost: $10, paid: $8 + tax, after a $2 refund
Retail/Market value $43, My value: $43
Enjoyment Factor: ☺
Target does not have a subscription box per se. Rather, it produces beauty boxes filled with full size and sample beauty products every so often. It used to be that these boxes would come out every season, then they seemed to become monthly, but this month alone two boxes came out at different times. Sometimes more than one version of a box is offered. 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.
Target lists the contents of the box and includes a photo, so you know exactly what you are getting when you order it. Some boxes seem to have a generic assembly of beauty products, while others are directed to specific audiences: college students, men, women with curly hair, etc. Though Target often exaggerate the value of the items, the boxes are usually a great deal. Moreover, because these are mostly drugstore-quality products, they are most often big-brand products made in the US or European countries – so I can use most of them.
Contents come in a sturdy, reusable box and include a card listing the contents and a $3 off a $15 or more beauty purchase at Target or Target.com (this one had an expiration date of 11/29/15). You can even use the coupons in your next Target beauty box, if it comes out before the coupon expires.
This box included 9 or 10 products (depending on whether you count the shampoo and conditioner samples as one product or two. There were three full size items and two foils, the rest were “deluxe” samples. The total value of the box was around $43. For once I’m planning to use all the products, so my value is the same!
Originally, the box had been advertised as including one more item, a travel size mascara. However, this mascara was neither listed in the card nor included in the box. I contacted Target customer service about it and they refunded me $2, so I only paid $8.80 (after tax) for the box. It’s a pretty good deal.
RoC Retinol Correxion Deep Wrinkle Night Cream, 1 oz (full size), $20.5
This wrinkle cream gets fairly good reviews on Target’s website. It contains both glycolic acid and retinol, which are two ingredients proven to help your skin. Some people report dryness, so it’s probably best to use before your regular moisturizer – as long as it doesn’t contain those same ingredients. Needless to say, I’m thrilled to get this. It’s made in France by Johnson & Johnson.
CoverGirl Intensify Me Eye Liner in intense black, 1 ml (full size), $7
This arrived at just the right time as my daughters need liquid eyeliner for their Halloween makeup. One of them tried it already, and she was very happy with how easy it was to apply.
Made in Germany
Revlon ColorStay Ultimate Suede Lipstick in flashing lights (light coral), .09 oz (full size), $8.5
This color looked absolutely beautiful on my tween daughter; it went perfect with her turquoise hair. I guess the old maxim about matching colors that appear together in nature holds true.
Made in the US of domestic and foreign ingredients.
Skinfix Ultra Rich Body Butter, 1 oz, $2.5
This is a pretty thick lotion and it has a weird smell. Putting it on made me appreciate the all natural ellovi body butter I got in the Ecocentric Mom box all the more. The main ingredient of this one is water, and it’s full of chemicals and fillers. Of course, is less than 1/4th of the price of the ellovi one. I’ll use it for knees and feet, though. It’s made in Canada
Acure Organics Moroccan Argan Oil + Argan Stem Cell Triple Moisture Shampoo and Conditioner, 1 oz each, $2.5 for both
We got these in the Whole Foods bag this summer and my daughter has found them to be the most effective shampoo and conditioner for dealing with her bleach-damaged hair. Unfortunately we haven’t been able to find it in our actual Target. I’ll probably use the $3 off coupon to buy full size versions of both of these online. They’re made in the USA.
Hello Fluoride Toothpaste in Supermint, .75 oz, 50c
I’ll save this for when we run out of toothpaste or we go in a trip. It’s sealed so I’m not going to try it yet, but the “supermint” flavor scares me. Made in the USA
Olly Undeniable Beauty Vitamin Gummies in Grapefruit Glam, 2 gummies in foil package, 50c
These vitamins contain a mega-dosis of biotin (aka vitamin H) as well as borage oil. Both seem to help improve your skin. The gummies were delicious and I’d definitely would get more of this, though I’m not sure if I actually need them.
Made in the USA.
S.W. Basics Exfoliant, foil package
This is a mixture of organic oat flour, organic almond flour and sea salt. You can mix it in with water, yogurt or honey and use it as a scrub or even a mask. Or you can just add it to your face cleaner. It retails for $24 for 3 oz. It should cost about $4, including the jar, to make this myself. I’ll give it a try – if it’s nice, maybe I’ll make these as Christmas presents.
Goody SlideProof 4MM Flat Elastics, 3-count, 85c
I’m glad we got to try these, but I can’t say I’m a fan. I have pretty fine hair, and these held my hair very well, though too tightly for comfort.