little white truths

Ever since Violet Box folded I've felt a little like a subscription box junkie without a home: none of the other boxes on the Australian market have impressed me quite the way that one did.

Lust Have It can be hit and miss (and same same) and the customer service has its issues, and while The Parcel's offerings are becoming more interesting over time and the boxes are always good value, you wind up with a lot of products from brands you know well, so for me it doesn't have the x factor that Violet Box once did.

Enter Maslow & Co. After seeing an unboxing on Youtube and finding a coupon code (see below if you'd like one), I decided to cancel my Lust Have It subscription and sign up. Yes you're paying more for each individual box, but the boxes are bi-monthly so it works out to be better value than LHI over the course of a year.

I knew from the moment my first box arrived yesterday that I was onto a good thing: just look at that gorgeous packaging and presentation! The package felt luxe and heavy, and even though I'd already seen the contents online, I was still surprised by just how good everything looked. Even the booklet that comes with the box is beautifully presented and feels much more special than the description cards I've received with any other sub box.

In this post I'll give you a little info on Maslow & Co, and I'll do an unboxing and first impressions on everything I received. Later on I'll write full reviews of each product, so stay tuned for those if you're interested.

Note also that I got in touch with Maslow & Co to ask about the coupon code I planned to use, and the lass I spoke with was lovely and super responsive. She was also kind enough to give me my own coupon code to share with you all, so if you buy an annual subscription and use the code TRUTHS, you'll receive this NZ Box for free and your first 'official' box will be the West Coast USA Box, which ships in June. (I don't receive any commission if you use my code, and I'm not affiliated with Maslow & Co: this is just a code that will give you a free box.)

Look at all that goodness! This is the New Zealand box, and each box will focus on a particular country and include items from there.

Here's what Maslow & Co says about itself on its website:

Maslow & Co is a beauty exploration membership: bringing our beloved members the very best in beauty and wellness from our own backyard to beyond the border – all delivered to your doorstep.

Every second month you will receive a beautifully wrapped box brimming with handpicked beauty and wellness products, sourced from a chosen country.

Inside your Maslow box you’ll find a carefully curated selection of scarce and extra special samples, created by some of the most innovative and inspiring brands from our focus destination. These are not mainstream products, nor necessarily boutique; rather they’re premium, up-and-coming brands that are yet to be fully discovered. Until now...

For more info on Maslow & Co, see here.

Now let's have a look at the box!

Martina Organics Oil Cleanser (RRP $29 AUD for 30ml; received full size)

This cleansing oil is apparently hand-blended in small batches, and is designed to do more than cleanse: it also heals and hydrates your skin daily, while melting away impurities, excess sebum and makeup. A blend of argan, manuka and hemp fights acne-causing inflammation and treats existing blemishes, while jojoba clears pores and marula and jasmine treat redness and scarring.

I used this for the first time last night and absolutely loved it. Cleansing oils seem to be having their moment these days and many people swear by them, and I felt straight away that this particular oil might be the best one I've used to date. It smells lovely and feels wonderful on the skin, plus it did a good job of removing the gunk on my face. Can't wait to use it again!

Sans[ceuticals] Baobab Regenerative Body Cream (RRP $40.05 for 250ml; received 50ml sample)

Rich, silky and designed to hydrate, this body cream is designed to take anti-ageing beyond the face. The combination of vitamin a, omega oils, vitamin e and baobab lipids increases collagen production to improve skin elasticity and density, refining and regenerating the whole body. Can be used to treat eczema and psoriasis.

I tested this last night and it felt so beautiful and rich on the skin - plus it smelled lovely - although it did take a bit of work to get it to absorb. It may be one of those creams that works best if you warm it in your hands before application, so I'll try that next time and see how it goes.

Antipodes Chia and Kiwi Seed Superfood Serum (RRP $49 AUD for 30ml; received full size)

This serum contains a blend of oils from superfoods chia and kiwi fruit: chia seed is full of essential fatty acids and antioxidants, while kiwi seed oil is a rich source of vitamins c, e and omega 3. The serum creates a natural barrier to lock in moisture, reduce inflammation, stabilise oily skin and deliver a youthful glow.

I used this last night and this morning, and last night it smelled a little like fish to me, although the fishy smell wasn't as pronounced this morning and I could only detect it as a residual scent on my hands. It could just be me because I'm quite sensitive to smells and often smell things others don't, but I wanted to mention it anyway so you know what to expect. The serum itself is just gorgeous in texture and it melts beautifully into the skin, and it's just what my dry skin needs now that the weather's getting cooler. I have a feeling that my skin will really love this.

Infused with lime and ginger oils, this body polish is both sweet and zingy, refreshing the senses and softening the skin with cocoa butter and bamboo powder.

I used this in my shower yesterday and it smells wonderful and refreshing, and it's an absolute pleasure to use. I wouldn't buy the product because I'm not sure how well it cleans (it doesn't lather too well) and the scrubby matter doesn't seem to do a lot for exfoliation, but the product does leave your skin feeling wonderfully soft. It's the kind of interesting and unique product that would make a good present for the lass who has everything beauty-related, and I'll enjoy using it even though it's not something I would buy for myself.

Linden Leaves skincare range is designed to inspire a moment of peace in each day. This eye cream is a lightly textured, soothing treatment for tired and ageing eyes. It's enriched with white tea and melon extract for cell renewal and regeneration, while aloe vera hydrates.

I've used this twice now and have a feeling that it will end up being my favourite product in the box. It is indeed lightweight but it's still super nourishing and my dry skin loves it. Just go easy on the pump though: the full pump I squeezed out last night was far too much for both eyes, so pump it gently to start with and don't be trigger happy like I was!

This uses extracts of iris root, ginseng and kiwi fruit seed oil to boost radiance and elasticity, while assisting cell regeneration - the key factors to counter dull skin texture and visible lines.

I just used this and you can tell that it's designed for depleted or damaged skin like mine because it's rich and nourishing (you could also have received the Recovery Day Cream, which presumably was included in boxes for those who don't have dry skin). It has a light, refreshing scent and absorbs well, and I'm looking forward to seeing how it works on my skin over time.

In sum

What an amazing box! Its RRP value is over $200, and for $40 AUD outlay that's pretty amazing. On top of that, I'll use everything and there's not a bad product in the bunch.

An annual subscription to Maslow & Co will set you back $240 AUD and the price for an individual box is $44 AUD (shipping included). Also, you don't need to sign up for a full year and can just choose particular boxes and purchase those if you'd prefer.

As mentioned above, if you'd like to receive this NZ box for free when you sign up for annual membership, just use the code TRUTHS at the checkout. Then the first 'official' box on your subscription will be delivered in June. I'm not affiliated with Maslow & Co and I don't receive any commission if you do use my code, but I wanted to have a code for readers anyway because I'm prepared to put myself behind the company.

Maslow & Co also has a shop and rewards program (for more info, see Malsow & Co's website), and everything about Maslow & Co that I've experienced so far has impressed me: the customer service; the presentation; the look and feel of the website; and the quality of the boxes themselves. Everything about Maslow & Co screams luxury and just receiving your box makes you feel special - that's what you want!

I reckon Maslow & Co's entry onto the Australian subscription box market is super exciting and a much-needed breath of fresh air, and I can't wait to receive my next box : )