This month I wanted to do something different with the Target beauty box review. For the first time ever (to my knowledge), Target came out with a “his” beauty box. SO, if you’re looking for a fun stocking stuffer (albeit a little large to fit in most stockings), this could help you find last minute gifts for anyone left on your list!
Like always, I’ll do a price value breakdown, as well as first impressions. For the “his” items, I’ve called in a specialist to help me out, since the extent of my appreciation for male grooming products starts and ends with “does this smell good.” I couldn’t tell you if an aftershave feels moisturizing on some scruff, if a cologne smells masculine enough, etc. OH, and the “specialist” is my boyfriend, in case there was any ambiguity.
He’s such a good sport about trying all of the fun products that I test out on here. He even went with me to a “winter wonderland” blogger event the other day, where he was denied a swag bag (even though he was literally at the front of the line)…because apparently the bags were for “women only.”
Strong eye roll.
Needless to say when we got inside I asked one of the women who coordinated the event if she was actually going to refuse to give him a bag because of his gender…and she quickly twirled around and got him one. In all the buzz of “me too” and “times up,” I have to say this was the first time I’ve seen a man discriminated against because of his gender; usually it’s the other way around. Anywhoo, the swag bags were dope and definitely not gender-specific.
Rant aside, let’s get down to what’s in these boxes!
HER – 6 ITEMS + $3 OFF $15 COUPON
QUE BELLA: Professional Plumping Gold Peel Off Mask
- For a single-use mask, I think the price is a bit steep (compared to multi-use containers), but I do like that this mask has sodium hyaluronate, which helps to reduce fine lines and give the appearance of plumper skin (anyone over 25 understands the struggle).
- This is a full-sized mask that retails at Target for $2.49. this exact kind of mask is not available, but there are more than a dozen other options, from rejuvenating and nourishing, to deep cleansing and pore minimizing.
BLISS: Lemon & Sage Body Butter
- For a store-bought lotion, this one is a solid five for me. It’s got a lemon-y scent, so if you like that, you’ll probably like this product. If you aren’t a fan of strong scents, I’d probably opt for the “naked” scent in the Bliss body butter line. IMO, this product kind of smells like hotel lotion – generic scent, but leaves your skin soft. I probably wouldn’t purchase this item full-sized, but it’s a nice lotion to pack for a trip.
- Full-sized this product comes in a 6.7 oz tube and retails for $7.29. At 1 oz, this sample is worth a paltry estimated retail value of $1.09. It’s the the cheapest thing I’ve come across in a Target box, but it also would’ve been nice to at least get a two or three ounce bottle.
ME! BATH: Coconut & Lime Bath Bomb
- Who doesn’t love a bath bomb? I like that this product was included in the box; it’s fun, travel-sized, and it’s a great way to try a scent without committing to a whole pack of six. These bath bombs come in a variety of other scents, including: cucumber melon, peach & mango, birthday cake, pomegranate, lavender, and rose.
- These bath bombs retail as a pack of 6 for $9.99. That means this single bomb is worth an estimated retail value of $1.67. This isn’t a bad price-point for a bath bomb, given I’ve seen some go for as high as $5-10 a piece…but those are also for Lush-sized products. This bomb is a bit smaller; I’d say it’s the size of lime, which is fitting given the scent is also lime.
POND’S: Cold Cream
- Pond’s is one of those brands I learned about when I was younger and would “shop” for in my mom’s bathroom cabinet. Well, same brand, new look! This packaging is super sleek and even though it says “cold” cream, it’s not for cold sores or when you’ve got the sniffles (although, maybe it can work on those, too)! According to the interwebs, “cold cream” is a mix of water and oil designed to remove makeup and replenish skin moisture and smoothness. WHATEVER IT IS, SIGN ME UP! I’m slowly trying to undo all the havoc I did to my skin in college (hello, full face of makeup 5-6 days a week for sorority events). If I’ve learned anything from makeup gurus, it’s that you can never start too early on preventative skincare, so here I am, moisturizing it up!
- Full-sized this item is 6.1oz and retails for $4.99. This sample is 1.76oz, so it’s worth an estimated retail value of $1.44.
DR. TEALS: Pink Himalayan Body Scrub
- If you’re looking for a way to fix dull skin and you haven’t tried a body scrub, you’re missing out. This one has shea butter and jojoba oil, which are both used to replenish and keep skin smooth.
- Full-sized this item is 16oz and is currently on sale for $4.49. This sample is 1.59oz, so it’s worth an estimated retail value of 45 cents. Talk about a paltry offering…
DOVE: Nutritive Solutions Intensive Repair Shampoo
- In previous boxes, Target has always included a set of shampoo and conditioner; that’s not the case here.
- This shampoo has keratin repair technology, which helps to restore damaged hair (I’m looking at you, ladies and gents who use blowdryers and hot irons). I like the way this shampoo smells (not too strong) and how it’s packaged (more than one or two uses).
- Full-sized this item is 12oz and retails for $3.99. This sample is 3oz, so one fourth the size of a regular-sized product, ringing in a whopping $1 estimated retail value.
All in all, the “her” box is worth an estimated retail value of $8.14. That’s without taking into account the $3 off $15 coupon, because I figure not everyone uses this coupon. For $5, this isn’t a bad deal; you at least get your money back in products. Whether or not it’s a raging good deal is up in the air.
Let’s see how it stacks up against the “his” box!
HIS – 6 ITEMS + $3 OFF $15 COUPON
DEGREE FOR MEN: Black & White UltraClear Antiperspirant
- This is a great little travel deodorant (as long as you’re not traveling with a carry-on on a plane, as it’s an aerosol). The scent is subtle (kind of like a clean pine scent, IMO) and apparently has anti-staining technology (so no yellow stains on white clothes, and no white marks on black clothes).
- Full-sized this item is 3.8oz and retails for $4.79. This sample is 1oz, so almost one quarter of the full-sized version; this sample has an estimated retail value of $1.26.
HARRY’S: Shisho Body Wash
- According to specialist, this is a good body wash because it has a subtle scent (so you smell clean), but isn’t overpowering. The bottle says it smells like “fresh herbs,” but I’d say it’s more along the lines of a nice hotel soap that smells clean with a little hint of mint. Don’t worry – your guy won’t be smelling like a fresh bunch or parsley or something herb-y like that.
- Full-sized this item retails for $6.99 for 16 oz this sample is 2oz, so it’s about one eighth with an estimated retail value of 87 cents.
CREST: Gum Detoxify Toothpaste
- I don’t know if I’m in the minority, but I love having travel toothpastes on hand. There’s just something about not having to worry about a giant tube of toothpaste exploding in your luggage; that, and these smaller ones take up waaay less space than a regular tube.
- Gushing aside, the formula in this Crest toothpaste helps to keep gums healthier (antigingivitis) and cleaner (anticavity)…so what’s not to love?
- Full-sized this item is 4.1oz and retails for $6.99. This sample is .85oz, so it’s worth an estimated retail value of $1.45.
DOVE MEN+CARE: Body Wash Minerals + Sage
- This product is for the guy in your life that likes to keep things simple. A drumroll please for a two in one body and face wash! I’m sure girls could use this, too, but apparently this formula has been created with micromoisture technology, which helps to reduce skin dryness. The scent on the bottle says “minerals and sage,” but I’d say it’s like a dash of Old Spice with a little woodsy-ness. I know, not a word, but it aptly describes it. My specialist likes this product because he’s all about less is more, aka I think he’d prefer if I didn’t have a moisturizer for every day of the week (not actually, but I’m definitely trying to minimize my “collection,” if you will).
- Full-sized this item comes in an 18oz bottle and retails for $5.99. This sample is 1.8oz (so one-tenth full-sized), so it’s worth an estimated retail value of 60 cents. Ugh, talk about a disappointing price point.
CREMO: Bourbon & Oak Solid Cologne
- This next product had both myself and my specialist intrigued. It’s a solid cologne, so great for travel. It comes in a metal tin that slides open, and inside you’ll find something that looks very much like a bar of soap. The listed scent is “bourbon & oak,” but we both think it has a vanilla scent with some musk. It’s a really pleasant scent, and to boot, it’s paraben, aluminium, and dye-free (all things to avoid in health and beauty products, whenever possible).
- I really like that this product comes in a travel case, so you don’t have to put it in a ziploc or something where it could get damaged or worse, melt.
- Full-sized this item is .45oz and retails for $14.99. This sample is .25oz, so it has an estimated retail value of $8.32. The price point makes this item the most expensive item in either beauty box!
BULLDOG SKINCARE: Sachet Perforated Trio
- Last but certainly not least, there are three sample packets from Bulldog Skincare for Men. There’s a sample of their: original shave gel, original face wash, and original moisturizer.
- As an example, the moisturizer alone retails for $8.59 in a 3.3oz bottle. The moisturizer sample is .06oz, giving the moisturizer sample an estimated retail value of 16 cents. The face wash retails for $5.99 in a 5oz bottle, so the .13 oz sample is worth an estimated retail value of 16 cents. The shave gel is not sold at Target, but on Amazon it retails for $6.62 for a 5.9oz bottle; the .13 oz sample is worth an estimated retail value of 15 cents.
- All together, these three samples are worth an estimated retail value of 47 cents.
In total, the “his” box is worth an estimated retail value of $12.97, with most of the value coming from the solid cologne. Again, this does not take into account the $3 off $15 coupon.
Overall, the “his” box had a much better value than the “her” box. That being said though, I think either or both of these boxes could be fun stocking stuffers/inexpensive gifts to give friends. They already come in festive boxes with decorative tissue paper, and if you gift them before NYE, the gift recipient can still use the coupon; if you give if after the fact, I’d probably suggest cutting off the coupon from the included card that talks about the products in the box.
As of today, both boxes are still available for purchase. Let me know what you think if you end up getting either of these boxes!
xx,
2LWithIt
This Target beauty box was paid for by 2LWithIt; all thoughts, opinions, and photographs belong to 2LWithIt.
