Box vs bag – monthly beauty delivery

I’m a sucker for gifts in boxes. I don’t know why, but there is sth much more exciting about opening a box than peeping into a bag or ripping the wrapping paper. 

It was just a matter of time before I ordered my first beauty box. In India, the whole concept is rather new and only now is getting really popular. I tried few of them, but at the moment I’m subscribing to two: Fab Bag and Envy Box. While the latter is completely new to me, I’ve been ordering the Fab Bag – previously known as Velvette Box – for more than a year. 

So here it is: a little compare and contrast. Box vs Bag – as I see it.

Envy Box is a quite close imitation of Glossy Box, attempting to provide luxurious sampling experience. Their website is well designed, easy to navigate at nice to look at with all the cute, girly illustration. What I really do love is the box itself. It already made its way to my desk as a pretty storage solution.

As for the samples they are perfectly adequate: good selection of five skin and hair care products, fragrances etc. But, fair warning, they really do come in sample sizes – the kind of samples you can get with your purchase in any nicer cosmetic store. Considering the price (850 Rs. per month and 10% off on full size products), I would say that value for money isn’t their strongest side. 

Boxes are delivered in a timely manner, however there was a little blip with one of the cosmetics I ordered. Allegedly it was not available in the whole India at the moment of my purchase. I’ve been offered a few choices like refund, late delivery, points to redeem in the store… I decided to wait, but it’s been more than a month now, and all I heard was that the product hasn’t cleared customs yet.

All things considered, I don’t think I will be placing another order, unless I get sth really amazing next month. I will miss those boxes though…

As I mentioned, I’ve been ordering Fab Bag for more than a year. At first, it was delivered in nice, black box, but at the moment it is, as the name indicates, small cosmetic bag. It comes in different print every month, and though they are undeniably cute, I really have no idea how many more bags I can find a use for. Their website is perfectly nice, plus I do like the fact that they offer bags for men as well.

The whole experience is definitely less “posh” than the Envy Box, as they carry products from less prestigious brands. The offer specifies three samples per month, but nice little bonuses – additional samples, cookies, jewelry – can be found every month. The samples come in perfect travel size. I can actually pack all the necessary cosmetics into one of those small bags. While the skin/ hair care and bath products come in bottles good for several uses, color cosmetics are closer to full size. Honestly, with all the eye shadow palettes, lip-glosses and mascaras they send, I don’t remember the last time I went makeup shopping. Value for money gets my thumbs up (599 Rs. Per month and 20% off on full size products) together with the choice of products.

To sum it up, if you want to pick up some high end cosmetic, Envy box is a good idea. You can try the samples and decide what works for you, before spending big bucks. If, however, you are looking for some cool, everyday products delivered to your doorstep and worth their price – then Fab Bag is a great pick.

Box or bag; it’s like getting a surprise gift every month. And who wouldn’t like that!

Feb Envy Box

 

Forest Essentials Sugar Rose Petal Lip Balm

Rene Furterer Carthame Moisturizing Milk Shampoo

Thalgo Collagen Cream

Eminence Organics Chocolate Mousse Hydrating Masque

Givenchy Gentlemen Only 

Givenchy Dahlia Noir L'eau 

March Envy Box

 

Innisfree Super Volcanic Pore Clay Mask

Narciso Rodriguez For Her EDT

 Eminence Organics Sour Cherry Whip Moisturizer

Eau Thermale Avene Very High Protection Emulsion SPF50+

Rene Furterer Okara Protect Color Radiance Enchancing Shampoo

Pipa Bella Jewelry

Feb Fab Bag:

Just Herbs Age Defying Kit

Tommy G Dual Lipstick

Cetaphil Cleansing & Moisturizing Lotion Kit

Cookie Man Fresh Baked Australian Cookies

Vivel Cell Renew Fortify + Repair Kit

March Fab Bag

Flormar Loose Powder

Thalgo Collagen Concentrate

Portico Spa Verbena Renewing Body Lotion

Pearl Drop Earrings