TOM Box -- September 2015

So, after years (literally) of focusing on my children and neglecting myself, I've started to begin some self-care routines.   I've found that I LOVE subscription boxes.  For a low price I get to try things I may not have picked up on my own, and I've already discovered brands that I love.

TOM boxes (Time Of the Month) are a genre of subscription boxes, with tomboxes.com (formerly swaagbox) being one of the first.   Some reviews I had read said this box contained tampons or pads (your choice of type and brand), some jewelry, makeup, candy, or other pampering products.    I found a half price link on http://hellosubscription.com so I decided to try it. Their regular price is $16, shipping included.

For $8, I received:

14 Count Always Ultra Thin Overnight (I use a variety of feminine products, and just happened to be running low on these when I ordered)   $4

This goldtone Y necklace.   It's a very light piece of costume jewelry that is not to my taste.   I would guess the retail price is around $10, but again it is not something I personally would buy.

This four-foil-pack sample of eslor--two packs of 'soothing refiner & cleanser' and two of 'chorophyll lifting mask' (each packet 5 ml)    I don't really love foil packets, but these appear to be generously sized and reviews of the products on amazon and birchbox seem promising.   $10



And then there was this box of three products.  

Suds! Bath and Body Lavender Chamomile foaming bath salts (0.5 oz)  I'm excited by the bath salts.   We're a bath salts/natural products/aromatherapy loving family, and this product hits all three.   I am not a bath lover, but I will still sometimes put some salts in the tub while I shower  (and soak my feet simultaneously :D).  I'm  really pleased that this product is handmade by an etsy seller, which is not something I expected.  It was a great surprise.  $0.50

EVOLV(H) Smart Start Leave-In Conditioner (2 oz)
Evolv(h) is another brand I had never heard of, but I have been in need of a new leave in conditioner as we move into fall.  I have very long hair and while I have a bajillion strands they're pretty fine, making product choice important.  I look forward to finding out if this conditioner is strong enough to condition my hair without weighing it down.  It's paraben free, gluten free, and vegan, and it smells REALLY good.   $10

Hakari mascara in Jet, full size
For a bunch of reasons, I have recently started wearing makeup again after ten years of wearing it no more than a couple of times a year.    That means I last wore makeup regularly when I was a student/employee/theatre person in my mid twenties and I am currently trying to figure out how to apply makeup to a mid-thirties face.  It's a whole new world :D  I've found that products I loved a decade ago just don't cut it now that my face--and lifestyle--have changed.   I've tried a few other Hikari products recently and I feel like they're high quality, and this mascara is no different.   It has become my go-to mascara for day.   The color is great and really brings out my lashes without being too heavy.  I do have to be careful when I'm applying it because it tends to flake, but once it's set I'm good to go.  Hikari does not test on animals.   $15

So for the math whizzes in the audience, the total value of this box is approximately $49.   Not too bad for a box that cost $8.   I've paused my subscription until I determine how much I like the products that were sent to me--and with this shipment I'm stocked up on feminine hygiene products.  I'll probably restart the subscription in a month or two though, or try another service.   The convenience of having my feminine hygiene products delivered combined with the cool gifts make for a great value.