Target Beauty Boxes $5-10, one time boxes
I paid: $7 + tax
Retail/Market value $39, My value: $34.5
Enjoyment Factor: ☺
Target seems to be issuing a box about once a month now. They cost $5 to $10 and they usually include samples of products they carry worth several times that much. 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. It’s usually a good enough deal that I don’t bother checking. I’ve noticed that even when I don’t think I’ll use a product, I might do so later or I might just swap it. Plus many of them make good stocking stuffers or party gifts.
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 9/6/15).
This box included 2 full size products, a travel size and 3 samples. I was disappointed that two of the latter are made in China, and therefore I won’t be using, but I was quite happy with the others. The box had a total value of , and my personal value is of .
This is what I got:
Clairol Hair Food Moisturizing Hair Mask, 6.3 oz (full size), $12
A hair mask is basically an intense conditioner. They usually have ingredients that can help manage damaged hair. Until recently, we’ve never had much of a need of one, but then one of my daughters bleached her hair and then went swimming and it was too much for her hair.
I can’t tell for sure whether this product works, but it’s by no means a miracle worker. More problematically, my daughter is repulsed by the smell. Fortunately, I care much less so I’ll just keep it as an emergency conditioner. We run out of conditioner often enough that it will be used.
Made in Thailand.
CoverGirl Super Sizer Mascara by Lashblast in very black, 12 ml (full size), $6
This mascara gets great reviews but I found it to be pretty average (though as all the mascaras I’ve been using lately are at least twice the price, that’s not a bad thing). The rotating brush makes it easier to apply, and it’s fairly non-clumpy, but I didn’t get extraordinary length or fullness. The mascara did smudge a little bit under my eyes. One of my daughters claimed it – there is a big ad featuring Katy Perry wearing it (albeit on false eyelashes!) in Seventeen magazine -, and she likes it, but she greatly prefers the Sephora brand waterproof mascara I got her at the store.
It’s made in the US of foreign and domestic ingredients.
These photos show one of my daughters wearing the mascara in one of her eyes. Can you tell which?
Fekkai Pré-Soleil Hair Mist, 1 oz (travel size), $4
Both my daughters have brightly colored hair which fades very quickly (the blue tones in particular). So anything that helps them keep their color a little longer saves me both time and money. I have high hopes for this item, though of course whether it works is predicated on whether they use it. My hopes for that are not as great. Unlike other hair products with UV protection, this is an easily applied spray and has a light, pleasant, sunny scent that I hope they’ll like.
It’s made in the US from foreign and domestic ingredients.
Crest 3D White 1 Hour Express Whitestrip, 1 strip pair, $12.50
These strips generally come in a box of 4 pairs (or 8 strips). Apparently, you are supposed to apply each pair for an hour in four consecutive days, and your teeth should be lightened enough to last you six month. However, this box only included one pair. Never mind, I would have tried it – depiste the reviews that say the application can be very painful – but one of my daughter took it. She said she’d used the treatment before and it had worked. Next time then.
Olay Active Botanicals Moisturizing Day Toner, 20 ml, $1.5
Olay Active Botanicals Moisturizing Day Lotion, 20 ml, $3
These seem to be new products, as they are only available at Target. Unfortunately, while the Target website has the full size products as being made in the UsA, the samples are clearly marked as being made in China. That means that we won’t be using them.