My first Her Fashion Box finally arrived today and I now I'm rushing the review to you!
(So therefore apologies for the single, slightly meh photo.)
Here are the contents:
❐ Feminine Necklace - the first accessory item for the month is a silver filigree collar-style necklace. I love this! It's absolutely gorgeous. I certainly prefer it to the necklaces included in the Trendy and Classic boxes, confirming my thoughts that I'd chosen the right box for me. However, I'll probably only wear it on special occasions, so it won't get a huge amount of wear, unfortunately.
❐ Redken Diamond Oil Shampoo, Conditioner and Treatment, sample sizes 30-50ml.
These generously-size samples contain Interlock Protein Network technology to strengthen damaged hair. I've never hear of this line of products before, and I believe they're new to Australia. As my hair is constantly dyed, this is right up my alley. The RRP of the full size products is $22.50 to $35.50 - I wouldn't have bought them on a whim, so it's good to try them in my box.
❐ Maybelline ColorSensation High Shine Lip Gloss in #20 Glisten Up Pink, full size RRP $15.95.
This girly pink is certainly appropriate for the Femnine box. However, I've read at least one review of a subscriber who received the same colour in her Classic box, so.... The last few lip glosses I received were red-toned, so I might put this in my high-rotation basket or perhaps take it to work.
❐ Master Makeup by Dean Nixon Eyeshadow Brush, RRP $30.00.
I've never heard of this brand, and I don't think many other people have either. It's yet another brand masterminded by a makeup artist who wanted the world to have better (in this case, more affordable) makeup tools. Call me cheap, but I'm the kind of girl who doesn't think a $30 eyeshadow brush is really affordable, sorry! But still, I'm grateful to have such a product in my box.
❐ Moxie Collection Sample Box.
This cute sample box contains 2 tampons, 1 pantyliner, 1 standard pad and 1 night-time pad. I like the luxe way this has been packaged, but pads are hardly glamorous! I remember receiving a box of Moxie tampons in an early beauty box and being quite disappointed.
❐ Circa Home Everyday Soap in Lilac & Orchid, 125g, RRP $9.95.
I find it a little amusing that this soap is labelled 'everyday', as I certainly wouldn't pay that much for soap I'd use every day. But! It smells divine and I'm really looking forward to using it.
❐ BONUS PRODUCT - Gold Bow Ponytail Holder.
I love this adorable hair elastic with a gold metal bow. Again, I definitely prefer this to the offerings in the Classic and Trendy boxes. I can see myself wearing this to work quite a lot!
Instead of a card, the box came with a mini-magazine with information about all of the products. The necklaces were featured with suggested outfits just like in a fashion magazine, with prices and brands for all of the garments (though no prices or brands were listed for the jewellery items themselves, interestingly).
Summary: So, what did I think of the debut Her Fashion Box? First though, I'll answer the question I'm sure you're all dying to know - how much did it cost?? Well, the full price would have been $49.95, but as I mentioned in the beginning, I had a half-price voucher so this set me back $24.95. Since then though, I've heard that future boxes will be $39.95. Even still, that's a lot for me, especially with no guarantee that I'll like the jewellery item in the box.
So, this box contained 9 items all up (though in my mind I would group the shampoo and conditioner), including a bonus first-box item. First up, do I think it was worth the money? Well, without RRPs for the jewellery, it's hard to say. But the necklace is heavy and seems well-made, in the latest style, so I would expect to pay $20-$25 in a place like Diva or Equip. Assuming that, then yes the outright value of the box certainly tops $40, possibly even $50. Secondly, does the box have the 'wow' factor? Well, that's harder to answer. Some of the products are pretty mundane - shampoo? tampons? soap? - and none of the brands are really high-end. The makeup and beauty products were the same in each type of box, as far as I can tell from the few reviews that are already up. So does that mean the jewellery will be the only customised items?? Seems a bit odd to me. However, I did think they were spot-on with the different styles of jewellery items. Personally I was a bit sad that there was no moisturiser or cleanser, my particular weaknesses.
In conclusion, I'm going to wait and see. Boxes can either go all out with their first offering, and then taper off from there, or start slow and improve over time. I'm hoping Her Fashion Box will prove to be the latter. I'll stay subscribed for now and see what's in the next box. At nearly 3 times the price of all the other beauty boxes on the market though, the company has a lot to prove.
