With so many beauty boxes subscription available in Malaysia, one question I always get in my email is “Fiona, which one do you think I should subscribe”. Now, I think before that you should ask yourself WHAT are you looking for in a beauty box because each beauty box is different in a way. The question thrown to me is very simple but the reply I get from you is not. I remember 2 months ago one reader emailed me asking me which box that I think is worth to subscribe. At that time there’s no Lilac Box yet by the way and I’m a fan of Wonderbox (RM39.90) and MIVVA (RM38) so I gave her my suggestion. She replied immediately asking about Modbox cause it’s cheaper as we all know and she’s not willing to spend anything more than RM19 for a box (I hope she know postage is not included). Again at that time I didn’t subscribe to Modbox or have I gotten a box before so I told her Modbox is alright if you are not willing to spend or on a budget based on reviews I read online. But this reader is still not satisfied yet. She said “but you are a fan of Wonderbox and MIVVA”. Well, I am which is why I suggested Wonderbox and MIVVA but you insist on Modbox! LOL! This is just one of the many same demanding and sometimes rude instructing emails I get everyday which they never bother to reply Thank You in the end regardless my immediate replies to them.
So, ask yourself. What is it that you are looking for or expecting from a beauty box. Almost all girls said they want to see luxury brands in the box. Little did you know it’s seriously hard to get luxury brands to give away a big amount of trial size for beauty box because it’s against their company’s policy or brand direction. That explains a bit why most beauty boxes in Malaysia hardly put in luxury / premium / counter brands whatever you call it at your own term products in the box. When all fails and suddenly you get a new beauty box that is going to do what no one had done before, this is the outcome.
As I said before in my previous The Lilac Box introduction post, they are the only beauty box that only (notice the 2 “only”?) deliver premium beauty and cosmetic samples to their subscribers. Now that’s interesting not to mention challenging and brave thing to do. After a few months of teasing in Facebook, The Lilac Box finally release it’s debut box in early February 2013 just in time for Valentine’s Day.
I received mine just before CNY holiday started. A bit anxious waiting for the box just in case it wasn’t delivered on time and the box will be spending the long holiday in the courier company warehouse. The box was delivered using GDex. It wasn’t bubble wrapped but instead it was boxed with a corrugated brown box like this. Ahhh this is something new.
From the teaser box picture I knew their box would be just a plain brown box with a lilac ribbon. What I didn’t expect is this polka dot lilac ribbon. I still prefer the plain o’ lilac ribbon though. The box although plain and matte but its very thick and hard. There’s also a lil card pasted just below the ribbon bow which says “I got you TheLilacBox”. I wish the card is not pasted directly on the box though. When I tore it off the skin of the box is torn and now it’s not perfectly smooth anymore. I like to keep plain boxes like this but then…yeah so I paste the card back to cover the flaw LOL.
Lift the lid off and there’s another card on the inner lid. I like that. The wrapper is in a deeper purple color which I guess by now you should know purple is their signature color family. Lilac is a pale tone of violet but most of us don’t describe the color like that. The color lilac is actually light purple. So yes lilac is light purple.
And here’s the content for the debut box! I unbox my box a week later after receiving because I haven’t take the pictures yet. Normally I’d try to search for reviews and spoiler picture of the content but for this box I stay away from anything related to the box review. I want to surprise myself this time knowing it’s a premium beauty box.
At first I was wondering what’s up with the cute pink long envelope. Then I find the message card from “The 3 Guys From The Lilac Box” who’s the founder of The Lilac Box. Yes 3 guys. I bet they must have some experience in surprising their partner eh? Like I said before I’m totally into the idea of guys venturing into beauty. I can’t wait to see what will be next in March 2013 edition.
First up. A HUGE deluxe size of no. #1 hair care brand duo – Kerastase Resistance Reconstructing Shampoo 80ml and Kerastase Resistance Reinforcing and Refreshing Treatment 75ml.
WOW. That’s the exact word that came out when I first saw this. I did mentioned before that I’m not into getting hair care in my beauty box BUT this is different. It’s the biggest size of hair care especially from Kerastase that I received in beauty boxes before. Bravo guys! My hair stylist had given me a huge deluxe size hair mask just before CNY from the same range too so this is just perfect for me at least 🙂
Let’s see what’s next. It’s Roberto Cavalli Perfumed Body Lotion 30ml. It’s a good brand and size to be included although I’m not so much into body lotion as I’ve been receiving quite a few in beauty boxes lately as well. Nonetheless I’m happy to find brands that are new to me. This will definitely be a keeper.
Now now. I’m interested with this duo – Decleor Aroma Cleanse Essential Cleansing Milk With Neroli Essential Oil 10ml and Decleor Aroma Cleanse Essential Tonifying Lotion With Neroli Essential Oil 10ml.
Just in case you are not aware yet, Decleor is not cheap. It’s quite pricey. I never tried their facial or product before so this is good sample size. At least I get to hands on first before burning my wallet 😛
Next is nail polish – MaxFactor Limited Edition Nailfinity. I think this is trial size not full size. Not sure of the color name or code either as it’s not stated.
Ahhh something that I want from Burberry. Burberry Beauty Fresh Glow Luminous Fluid Base sample kit. This sample kit consist of not 1 but 4 1ml sachet sample. This is the sachet that I don’t mind. Before this I was thinking to get Fresh Glow. I’m a hoarder for makeup base. Some of my friend don’t fancy shimmering makeup but I love shinny or shimmering makeup! To be exact this is not shimmering. It has a luminous sheen so some mistaken it to be shimmering. It’s just makeup base. Once you blend foundation on it the glow is not that visible anymore.
And 2 vouchers is also included. One Centro Hair Salon RM50 cash voucher and Decleor Signature Aromaplasty Facial @ RM98. Yay for facial!
What I Like & Don’t Like
I got to say it’s refreshing to get a plain, matte box with a hint of color on the ribbon. Something different is always good. Instead of using bubble wrap like others, I’m surprised to find another plain brown corrugated box to protect the actual box. I think it’s a good idea. I like the content although I don’t really think MaxFactor is in the category of premium brand. I like it when I’m getting one product from different category like this debut box I get skin care, makeup, hair care, body care and something for the manicure. Especially love the size of Kerastase hair care in the box.
Seriously couldn’t find anything that I don’t like about the box. I LOVE IT. Good job on the debut box guys!
P/S: I purposely delayed the review. Don’t wanna flood the blogosphere with the same thing. This box is unusual and so is my review date lol. Don’t you agree?
Where to subscribe / register for interest? http://www.thelilacbox.com/
Subscription Fee: RM35 per box or month. Savings on 3-months and 6-months subscription
You might wanna check out their Facebook Page for more info, updates, giveaways: https://www.facebook.com/thelilacbox
Disclaimer: The box was sent to me for review consideration. This doesn’t affect my judgement in the review in any way.
Comments (24)
Lol Fiona! I was wondering why is there no review on Lilac Box. Now I know you purposely delay it. A good idea also since 2 weeks ago all review on the box surfaced. It’s not special anymore if you too posted on the same duration. I want to see what is in the next box first before jumping on the bandwagon. Are you going to subscribe?
Muahahaha :). Exactly. Which is why I decided not to rush like mad and wait for everything to cool down then I bump TheLilacBox up in my blog.
I said I’m going to take a beauty box break BUT I’m tempted with these. Hope they send me a box in March LOL!!!! Otherwise I need to subscribe 🙁
Thanks for the review, Fiona…
Really tempted to try it out… RM35/month…
Maybe just subscribe to it for a month or 3 months when my ModBox subscription ends, so as not to go over-budget on my monthly expenses and also not be overwhelmed with too many products at the same time 😛
I love your idea of a pillow box as gift for friends too…
Will keep some of the products for that! <3 <3 <3
Glad it helps 🙂
For RM35 it’s definitely worth to try even just for one box. I’m not sure what is their 3-months and 6-months rate yet as they have not open the package subscription yet. I think 2 box a month is alright. February is too over-whelming for me. I get 4-5 boxes I think. That my dear is overwhelming but yet makes me very happy at the same time LOL.
i got this too :DD
kaka quite tempt to subscribe for their march box lol
not bad, rm35, cheaper than all others also right? (except Modbox)
and we got premium brand productsss
Yeap cheaper. I’m curious with March. The expectation is high now 🙂
Looking at the price, Lilac Box seems very worth it 😀
I agree with you. Cause they are a beauty box with luxury brands!
The price might not be the same for the second box. RM35 is an introductory price. I think it’s on the website.
Might. They haven’t announce the new price yet so I’m not going to edit my post 🙂
@Angelina
oh is it~? i dint see it / maybe i dint pay attention >_<
price may be increase o? 🙁
There is. Stated on front page.
“Low Introductory Price
The first Lilac Box is attractively priced at a specially discounted rate of RM35 including delivery. This offer will not last, so don’t delay!”
Hope they maintain the price RM35. If they do they will win all other subscribers over.
I agree. If they maintain at RM35 sure will get a lot of subscribers. Same subscription fee but all premium products 🙂
I took the plunge. Going for the second date, not sure how is it going to turn out but fingers crossed. On the other hand, I wasn’t expecting them to increase the price so soon. I thought it’s going to be Box 3. Oh well. Let’s hope the second date is going to work out.
Good for you! You’ve been eyeing since weeks ago. I didn’t subscribe. Too overwhelming with beauty boxes.
Actually one of a brand told me they will maintain the price. I didn’t know they won’t LOL. But quite normal since they are only providing premium products.
Yes. I was put off by their horrible customer service previously, was unhappy with them as well because they didn’t reply to my message although they were online (posting stuff etc), but eventually they replied. It was timely though – they replied when Box 2 was about to came out. I guess, money does make the world go round. Haha, They were polite, so I reciprocated with politeness. Sub for my dear friend (but I need to teach her how to use the products) and myself. Someone commented that their packaging is meh. I love their simple yet nice packaging. I hope they won’t change the packaging. I do hope the price paid is worth it. Afterall, they are all about premium brands. I am not keen on receiving the SAME product or SAME brand over and over again from boxes.
Actually I like the box. They are right. They hope their subscribers will reuse the box for other purposes and I couldn’t agree more. And their boxes are much more thicker and better quality which they are right too. I so wanted to subscribe for Box 2 but my room is is congested again.
The box is of good quality. Many some subscribers prefer those like Mivva and Wonderbox. I am not really fond of it. Lilac’s won my heart in terms of packaging. I was also hoping they can do something about the polka dots ribbon. Somehow, I feel funny about it. Hehehe. Don’t know why though.
Yeap. The polka dot ribbon is quite funny. Doesn’t match everything.
The polka dots ribbon is out of place. I just feel funny and weird about it. Looking forward to Box 2, and I hope I don’t have to experience crappy customer service again. Once is enough. Giving them a second chance. We’ll see how it goes.
I agree. The polka dot ribbon makes is low class lol
Oh I get what you mean. There’s classier ribbons out there. Why polka dots?!
I think they explained before. Can’t remember why lol