The Boxwalla Beauty Box – When the Muses Sing of Spring – April 2020

Where I got it

After subscribing to the Mintd box in March, I got increasingly interested in other beauty subscription boxes that are focused on the more high end or higher quality brands that are outside the Australasia area. My trusty friend Gillian from IG (@growintoyourglow), has an amazing feed and she posted a photo of these two products from Monastery Made. The glass bottles, the colour and the names of these two products caught my eyes and I was hopelessly drawn. As I read into it, I learned that it was a beauty subscription box and they focus on green beauty.

I did not hop right on to subscribe because I still have my Mintd box subscription and that is already £70 a month plus shipping. The Boxwalla, on the other hand, was USD$49.95 (value of the box is USD$153). every 2 months plus shipping ($18.95). I parked it for maybe 2 weeks and I just keep seeing it pop up on my IG and one day, I just went for it as I didn’t want to miss out on the deal. The total came to USD$68.90 which was around NZD$110 at the current exchange rate.

I subscribed during the Covid19 lockdown and unfortunately, it arrived around a month late on 14th May. Boxwalla is already promoting their June box on their IG. Regardless, I am beyond thrilled to try these out and see how I can incorporate these in my current routine!

What I got

For the month of April, the theme for the Beauty box from Boxwalla is When the Muses Sing of Spring. This box contains two full-sized serums from a brand called Monastery Made – XX Rose Glycolic Gel and Aloe Hyaluronic Moisture Boost. Monastery Made is based in San Francisco and founded by Athena Hewett who is a practicing aesthetician for over 20 years. Her products are inspired by her Greek upbringing by her grandparents, a combination of family tradition and holistic approaches to create luxury skincare with the highest quality ingredients.

XX Rose Glycolic Gel (60ml, RRP USD$74). Glycolic acid is a hero for its ability to gently resurface the skin, leaving it smooth, clear, and bright. In XX, 10% glycolic acid is in a soothing rosewater base so skin stays hydrated and soothed while you exfoliate. XX is suitable for all skin types except ultra-sensitive. Dermatologist and microbial tested, free of parabens, chemicals, and alcohols.

Ingredients: Rosa Damascena (Rose petal infusion), Distilled Water, Glycolic Acid, Leuconostoc (Raddish Root) Ferment, Xantham Gum, Arrowroot.

Aloe Hyaluronic Moisture Boost (60ml, RRP USD$79). This gel serum feels ultra-light but gives skin a serious boost in hydration thanks to two molecular weights of hyaluronic acid (famed for holding 1000x its weight in water). Even better, the hyaluronic acid is suspended in a base of soothing, moisturizing aloe. Lavender soothes skin and instantly relaxes the senses for an aromatherapeutic experience. Aloe is suitable for all skin types. Dermatologist and microbial tested, free of parabens, chemicals, and alcohols. This multipurpose product hydrates and calms skin. It can be used on its own for oily skin types or hot summer days or layered under thicker moisturizers when skin needs more nourishment.

Ingredients: Aloe Barbadensis (Aloe Vera) Juice, Sodium Hyaluronic (Hyaluronic Acid), Leuconostoc (Radish Root) Ferment, Salvia Sclarea (Clary Sage) Oil, Cinnamomum amphora (White Camphor), Lavandula Angustifolia (Lavender), Salvia Officinalis (Sage) Oil, Xantham Gum

How I find it

XX Rose Glycolic Gel. This is a 10% glycolic acid serum in a rosewater base to help soothe and hydrate the skin. It is generally suitable for most skin types, but if you do have sensitive skin, you might want to use it as a mask instead of a serum that you leave on. As a mask, you simply wash it off after 10 minutes and continue with the rest of your usual skincare routine. Make sure you use an SPF during the day and I like to wear a minimum SPF30.

This glycolic gel has a really liquid consistency and it is clear. It smells like real rose petals, not that really obnoxious, fragrant rose scent, but it reminds me of when I was a kid picking mum’s roses to make my own floral broth for play-cooking (sorry mum). Honestly, the gel melts on my skin as I spread it across and it sinks in gradually, but it’s not sticky or tacky. Even though at 10% concentration, I feel that the formula is more soothing and hydrating than it feels like an AHA acid treatment. However, be careful not to under-estimate it and use this only 2-3 times a week and if your skin is really sensitive, use this as a mask only.

Aloe Hyaluronic Moisture Boost. This is a hyaluronic acid serum in an aloe vera base. It is recommended to be used after cleansing and toning. Then you can use the XX Glycolic Gel after this.

I love using this after my BHA liquid or AHA toner. I use about 2 pumps of this serum and apply it all over my face and then quickly follow this with another thicker serum or a moisturiser. The consistency is quite watery, again, like the XX Rose glycolic gel so it is quite easy to mix these up. Upon spreading it over the face, it looks and feels watery and it is very hydrating. It smells like lavender as it does contain lavender extract, and I know that people may be sensitive to essential oils, especially lavender, so be weary.

Overall

I am so excited about receiving the Boxwalla Beauty Box mainly because of these two products. I did see reviews of previous boxes and they were equally exciting. I grew a strong interest in the UK and European brands lately in terms of skincare. They have many green and clean skincare brands that I have never heard of and they are simply something that I have never heard of and their packaging is something different.

For Boxwalla, I am charged every 2 months and I will be sent a box every 2 months which is actually what I prefer because, with a box that comes with full-sized products, you will need time to use up before receiving another box of other products. I cannot wait for the next box to arrive!