Finally! I got my first SaladBox! I don't even know when it got here, my mom just handed it to me yesterday saying it arrived sometime during our vacation. It was sitting here for one whole night and I didn't even know!
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| I've been waiting for you all night, baby... |
Here's what it looks like inside:
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Those are not vouchers outside the box, but pamphlets and calling cards. I put it there because it does not belong inside the box. These things are giving me so much rage that I can't even...
Let's just get on with the contents:
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| Carmex lip moisturizing balm tube |
Although Carmex has been out in the market for a while, I've never had the chance to try it out. It's marketed as more of a healing balm (a la Burt's Bees and Nivea) rather than a cosmetic balm. It's full-size, yay!!!
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| Virginia Olsen Minerals Mineral Blush in Light Brown Matte |
Light brown foundation on fair skin? I'd use this if I were kayumanggi. This is not right, I said my skin tone is light in the beauty profile. What's the point of the beauty profile if they're not gonna be guided by it? Ugh. I'll probably just use this as eye shadow. Ugh.
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| Musk by Alyssa Ashley |
I love musk! This smells nice. Judging by the symbol, I'm guessing they intend this to be unisex? Err I think I would doubt a man's sexuality if I smelled this on him. Well I am curious how it would react on a man's skin, maybe it'd smell different; sexy. I like it on me, though.
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| Osmo Berber Oil hair treatment with Argan Oil |
Argan oil is slowly gaining traction as the latest miracle hair treatment. Little by little, I am noticing more Argan products marketed on department store and pharmacy shelves. It supposedly has intense moisturizing qualities and is a great antioxidant, but I've never tried it before. I don't know why they'd advertise Berber oil before Argan, though.
Ok, I did a quick wiki search and found out that Berber are indigenous people from North Africa. Huh. I think they are trying to associate it with the fact that Argan oil is endemic to Morrocco. If they have to go by associations, I wonder how much Argan oil is actually in here. Hmm...
RECAP:
I'm glad that SaladBox sticks to unpopular brands. They also try their best to support local brands, Pinoy power woohoo!!! Aside from Carmex, I don't know the other three. I'm not saying they're totally underground, but at least SaladBox steers clear of mega-brands.
I also like that they have real cosmetics, and that it's not all skin care. I don't know why it's easier for the other brands to keep giving those out.
BUT...
I was really let down by this box. It's the December/Christmas box and there wasn't anything special with it. I saw online that they offered a full-sized Sophia eyelash enhancer by Virginia Olsen to the first 50 or so subscribers but I'd already purchased my box before that promo so I guess I don't qualify.
It was a little annoying that they strictly stick to four items. Somehow I don't feel I'm getting my money's worth, at least compared to the other subscription boxes. No matter what combination of items you get, there's a feeling of envy when you see other boxes containing a different combination of items. Somehow you feel like you're missing out. I really want the Ciate caviar nail polish and the Sophia eyelash enhancer (even if I'm using Talika Lipocils for a review right now.)
I got really pissed off seeing a lot of flyers and calling cards in my box. It really makes me feel that they know I'm not getting my money's worth so they're supplementing it by creating a lot of artificial content. I get enough spam in my email, mail and cellphone so I don't really need any of this. After all, aren't subscription boxes supposed to give you actual samples that'll help you decide in buying, instead of just pamphlets and flyers?
And the most horrible part of this box is:
Sophia Eyelash Enhancer GC's valid until January 31, 2012. Wow. I hope this is just a typo or else THEY WILL HEAR ABOUT THIS!
In the meantime, I'm gonna be posting my travel tips to keep your makeup bag light ;) I know you girls carry 10-pounds worth of bathroom products! It's okay, we all do it :P Let me show you how I at least got it to 5, haha!