Walmart Beauty Box: Fall 2014

So the internets were all abuzz when Walmart introduced their own seasonal beauty box. Priced at an affordable $5 a box, I couldn’t resist trying it out for you all. I received mine a little later than some folks so I was able to see a few spoilers before mine showed up.

I was disappointed when mine turned out to be different than the ones I saw. It turns out there were two versions of this box. And as the beauty and box bloggers all chatted amongst themselves, it came to light that there was: a “young” box and an “old” box. And the cut-off is pretty precise. If you are 35 or above when you signed up you get the “old box”.  If you are 34 or below when you sign up, you get a “young box.”

Thanks Walmart, because I totally needed to feel more waves of panic and nausea as my 35^th birthday approaches in a mere matter of days. Since I was still clinging to 34 when I signed up I was technically young and received the “young box”.  I’m guessing next time I’ll get the “old” box and we’ll see some denture cream, Depends and support hose. (I kid, I kid).

So let’s jump in:

Secret Clinical Strength Completely Clean Invisible Solid Antiperspirant/Deodorant,
(1.6 oz Retail: $7.92)
Description: “Secret Clinical Strength Invisible Solid Antiperspirant/Deodorant is here with a Completely Clean scent and 1.6 oz size. It is formulated to provide a shield from odor and up to 100-percent odor protection.”
Verdict: Hit!
No matter how many fancy pants deodorants I try, I always come back to Secret. I haven’t every used their clinical strength (I’m an old fashioned Spring Breeze solid kind of girl) but this is my go to brand so I’m willing to give it a try. I think I’m going to set this one aside for when I plan to workout or do something strenuous. This is the only item that was included in both “young” and “old” boxes. I guess because everybody sweats? (And now I hear that phrase over and over to the tune of “Everybody Hurts” by REM).

Assorted Samples

Nicki Minaj Pink Friday
(1 oz Retail: $29.97)
Description: “Designed to embody the alluring appeal and energy of the rap star, Nicki Minaj fragrance spray is an intoxicating fragrance. It includes the enticing scent of fruit and pink flower petals with just a hint of creamy vanilla, musk and a note of the woods. This eau de parfum spray combines floral and musky elements to create a one-of-a-kind fragrance that is as stylish and sophisticated as the singer herself. In addition, it comes in an elegant and statuesque bottle. This fragrance makes an ideal gift for a birthday or other occasion for the special person in your life.”
Verdict: Miss
This is the ideal gift for the “special person in your life” if they happen to be a teenager. This scent is super sweet to me and reads really young. Not like 34 or 25 young, but like 16 years old and going to Chem class on Monday.

1 Neutrogena Long Wear Foundation (Sample Card w/ coupon)
(1 oz Retail: $13.97)
Description: “12-hour makeup instantly erases the look of skin imperfections. Clinically proven to make skin tone look more even in just four weeks, even without makeup. Lightweight, natural-looking coverage resists heat and humidity. Tone-correcting complex. Titanium dioxide sunscreen. Broad spectrum SPF 20. Helps prevent sunburn; if used as directed with other sun protection measures (see directions), decreases the risk of skin cancer and early skin aging caused by the sun.”
Verdict: Miss
Putting aside that I don’t use drugstore foundation – this is the size you get from magazine samples. In fact, I’m reasonably certain I’ve gotten this same sample of this foundation in a magazine. I expect in a box they could at least spring for an itty bitty tube or a more generous sized foil packet. For folks that do wear this type of foundation the saving grace is that it came with a coupon so that’s really where the value is in this item.

   L’Oreal Paris Youth Code Texture Perfector Pore Vanisher Cream
(1.4 oz Retail: $17.97)
Description: “Scientifically developed for all skin tones, L’Oreal Paris Youth Code Texture Perfector Pore Vanisher helps to improve overall skin quality instantly and over time. Reveal your most ideal skin now. Virtually Poreless Smooth Results Instantly: Pores appear virtually vanished. Excess oil is absorbed for an all-day, shine-free matte finish. Skin feels freshly hydrated. In One Day: Skin’s texture is visibly transformed for a refined, smooth look. In One Month: Actual pore size decreases as pores begin to snap back into shape. Overall skin quality is improved. Unique Texture: This lightweight, oil-free cream absorbs quickly with no residue or greasy feel leaving skin feeling freshly moisturized with a silky smooth matte finish.”
Verdict: Like the product, dislike the size
This sounds like a really intriguing product, especially to those of us with giant pores, but this size is useless. This is the type of product that you need to use a few times in order to determine if it’s working for you. A regular travel size rather than a packet would have been a much better option.

Dove Oxygen Moisture Shampoo & Conditioner (Trial Size)
(12 oz Retail: $4.79/$4.98)
Description: “Dove Advanced Hair Series Oxygen Moisture Conditioner provides your hair with moisture and 95% more volume. This gentle shampoo is made with Dove’s Oxyfusion technology, a new generation of moisture. With lightweight, oxygen-fused conditioning ingredients, it cleanses hair while adding natural-looking volume and gives your hair bounce. For best results, experience the Oxyfusion technology with the full line of Dove Oxygen Moisture products.”
Verdict: Meh
I’m just not feeling the travel size. I know this is a cheap box, but I expected to see larger sizes of products they want us to try out and not quite so many sample sizes. This is at least way more generous than the foil packets. I prefer more specialized shampoos (like the one I buy specifically for redheads) so I’m just going to put these aside for when I need to travel.

Dove Pure Care Dry Oil Restorative Hair Treatment (Travel Size)
(3.38 fl oz Retail: $11.95)
Description: “Extraordinary weightless nourishment in every drop–the lightweight, luxurious formula of Dove Pure Care Dry Oil Restorative Hair Treatment is infused with pure drops of precious oils. Upon use, hair is nourished and revitalized with added silkiness, softness, and shine. Hair is manageable and protected from the stresses induced by blow-drying and styling. It also smoothes dry ends. Unique Dry Oil Technology offers rapid absorption into hair. Hair will not be weighed down or feel greasy.”
Verdict: Like
This is another travel size, but I mind it a lot less with styling products. This makes them “purse” size and not just stingy (If that makes sense). I’ve been trying a lot of hair oils from my various boxes so I’m willing to give the Dove version a shot.

COVERGIRL Outlast Stay Brilliant Nail Glossy Days Glosstinis Nail Gloss, 0.11 fl oz in After Dark
(Full size: $2.97)
Description: “COVERGIRL Outlast Stay Brilliant Nail Glosstinis Nail Gloss offer bright trendy colors for day. Plus, light up the night with colors that glow under black light.”
Verdict: Like but in a different season/Gift
I didn’t realize that these lit up in black light until I searched for them at Walmart. Damn this box really wants us to feel the “young” part. In any case, I do like the color, but it doesn’t feel right for fall. I think other folks got a different shade so there’s might be more fitting. Because Walmart is specifically calling this a Fall box, I think the beauty products should utilize Fall colors.

L’Oreal Paris Colour Riche Glossy Lip Balm in Baby Berry
(Full size: $6.97)
Description: “Ultra-glossy color for a flirty, playful pout. Glossy color lasts for hours. Crayon point tip glides over lips. Never needs sharpening–simply twist to advance.”
Verdict: Gift
This wasn’t a bad color or product but I have so much lip stuff that I gave this to a friend. I think the berry shade was nice for fall and it was a good addition to this box.

OVERALL
Verdict: Like

At only $5 for the box, this paid for itself with just the deodorant.  Just tallying up the full sizes alone, we got to $17.86.

My big reservation is in the division of young/old boxes. I’m not convinced that was a smart strategy for customers. I’m interested to see if that same logic holds up for future boxes.

Did you order one of these boxes? If so, were you “young” or “old”?

THE BACKSTORY

Walmart subscriptions cost $5 per quarter and you receive a box seasonally (four times a year.)

Author: Writer Preziosi

Once upon a time, long, long ago, Lisa attended Syracuse University where she studied singing in a giant castle surrounded by ice and snow. After she earned her music degree, she headed to the island of Manhattan, down to the West Village, to a place called the New School. There, she earned another degree in the great art of writing stories for children. She currently works on that same island trying to help real people, while making up stories about imaginary ones. Her first book, “The Ice Maiden’s Tale,” a fairy tale adventure, was released on May 30, 2017 and is up for sale on Amazon. View all posts by Writer Preziosi