After nearly a month of teasing in Facebook on the upcoming exclusive single brand box, finally the Limited Edition KOSÉ X Vanity Trove box reaches me end of last week.
This box would not be my first single brand beauty box that I received before. My first one would be the Astalift box back in March 2012 from Vanity Trove Singapore. To be frank I hated it because that time there’s no beauty box in Malaysia and I was really looking forward to try many different brand through beauty box. Plus I was still new in this beauty world. However I totally changed my perception on the second single brand box. It was the Kanebo box and God I love it!
Two months ago I was wondering about single brand box cause I kinda miss receiving such box once in a while. So when I found out that KOSÉ is partnering with Vanity Trove for their July box, I can’t wait!
Here’s the box. I know what you want to say but hang on to your horses and let me tell you what I think. Grandma story coming up!
As this is a special single brand collaboration box with KOSÉ, this time there is a special branding on top of the box. Vanity Trove should do a belly band instead of double sided tape because that thing keep peeling off. But then…it doesn’t really matter 😀
I’m not going to elaborate much on each and every single item because I want to touch on a different subject this time. But don’t worry, I will still walk you through the content. Ready?
Kose Infinity Pure Advance Oil Cleansing Gel 10g (RM119/120g)
Kose Infinity Pure Advance Clear Up Wash 10g (RM99/120g)
Kose Infinity Pure Advance Essence Lotion II 30ml (RM169/160ml)
Kose Infinity Pure Advance Serum II 30ml (RM169/120ml)
Kose Deep Protection UV SPF50+ PA++++ 10g (RM118/30g)
Kose Infinity Pure Advance Eye Jelly 5ml x 2 (RM180/20g)
There is also a voucher included whereas I will get a trendy pouch and skin consultation & analysis with any purchase of Kose Infinity Pure Advance item.
There has been quite a mix review on this Limited Edition KOSÉ X Vanity Trove box especially on the sample size. Some love it, some hate it while some is neutral about it. You must be wondering which category did I put myself in right? Those that hated the box would probably hate me as well because I find nothing wrong with the box and I like it.
Maybe because I started on beauty box earlier before anyone else and the fact that I did a lot of research and reading regarding beauty box prior before that. I learnt that the purpose of beauty box is providing sample or deluxe size to subscribers (which is us) to discover, learn and try on the products on the market before deciding to get the full size. I have even double check Vanity Trove Singapore’s press release that I still save in my email inbox and Vanity Trove never promise any full size at all. Based on that point alone I have implanted the concept in my head till to date. So when I first lay my eyes on this KOSÉ box, I didn’t even feel a bit disappointed. Why should I? It’s KOSÉ! The product included is a lot and it comes in a complete set too.
There are also countless of subscribers expecting full size for paying RM50 for a box. I explained it before in other post that beauty box is not suppose to have full size unless it’s a special box for special festive like Christmas, Valentine’s Day and so on. Malaysia beauty industry is 360 degree different from UK, Australia and even Singapore. It is almost impossible to get sample in the box what more full size. Furthermore I don’t think so any beauty box available promise a full size every month. So the next time you see a full size in a box…it is really a bonus!
Asking For Sample At KOSÉ Counter
KOSÉ is considered one of the counter, luxury brands which means it is almost impossible for you to just walk randomly to any KOSÉ counter and ask for sample. I’ve tried that and on every other brand before. All I get is a meh face. If you successfully taken a deluxe 30ml back home then I guess it really depends on the BA or maybe the company direction has changed? Anyhow I really doubt so.
What Is Sample / Deluxe Size At Counter For?
There are 2 types of sample available at the counter – sachet and deluxe sizes. Each product doesn’t have both type of sample but some product like eye cream may only come in sachet while toner may come in a mini bottle. So it’s a mix. I always refer sachet as “sample” while 10ml, 15ml, 20ml, 30ml in tube or bottle is referred as “deluxe”. Deluxe is like a miniature version of the actual size. But a miniature could also be same as deluxe but bigger in size.
So what are these for? Deluxe is mainly given out as GWP (Gift With Purchase) for a certain amount of purchase i.e. RM350 to get 4-deluxe sizes and so on. It is also given for special collaboration redemption and that is really ad hoc or depending on the brand’s promotion. I have been reading that a lot of people said they “can just ask from the counter” but I would want to ask…have you tried? Cause I have. It doesn’t work honey. If you really really reallllyyyy insist on you might get maybe a sachet because reality is that all the deluxe is mainly reserved as GWP.
I may not explain it properly here as many of you shop more than me 😀
What I Like About This Box
That finally Vanity Trove managed to secure a luxury counter brand! Not one item but all together 6 items. Single brand box aka concept box is very new in Malaysia beauty box world so many felt short given but I don’t as I have received before. I must admit…the first one is harder. I believe many will ask for this type of box very soon…like me *cough*
I cannot stress enough how much I am in love with the drawer box. I am still collecting these boxes one by one each month to store alllllll my samples and deluxe sizes. Many also complaint that the paper padding is too much. This one I can explain. Okay. Let’s compare boxes. Vanity Trove box is thick, hard, cardboard drawer box so padding is really needed. Let me ask you this. If they were to reduce these paper padding and your item inside the box is spilt, broken and so on…would you blame VT? I bet you will. I bet you will also ask why didn’t put more padding to protect the item inside. So its better to put more than less. After all, their box is not air-padded like others. Other boxes doesn’t come readily made like Vanity Trove’s box. So they would need to fold it at home. These type of paper used is normally cardboard therefore a gap between the fold on the side of the box that acted as air-padding is needed to prevent any mishap during delivery. This is why Vanity Trove comes with paper padding while other beauty box is air-padded.
What I Don’t Like About This Box
Although not really important but I still need to note this down. The blue Kose sleeve on the outside of the box could have been better. Instead of doing it half the box loop with double sided tape, Vanity Trove should consider belly band which is much more nicer and professional looking so that the card doesn’t keep peeling off the box 🙂
Conclusion
I think Vanity Trove has been improving month by month although I know they cannot satisfy everyone. I am not bothered with the word “Not For Sale” at the back of the deluxe because I will finish the bottle before I say VANITY TROVE 😀
I was particularly happy to see Deep Protection UV in the box mainly because I’m a sunblock junkie. I hope Vanity Trove don’t take all the bad feedback as a demotivation and stop pitching for single brand box but instead take it as a motivation point to do better next time 🙂
Vanity Trove Beauty Box subscription is available for subscription at https://www.vanitytrove.com/my/surprise/subscribe
Fee: RM50 for 1 Month, RM150 for 3 Months with 450 credits, RM300 for 6 Months with 2,100 credits, RM600 for 1 Year with 9,000 credits
Website: https://www.vanitytrove.com/my
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/VanityTroveMalaysia
For Beauty Boxes Summary please refer to http://www.street-love.net/category/beauty-box-summary
Disclaimer: The box was sent to me for review consideration. This doesn’t affect my judgement in the review in any way.
Comments (17)
i totally agree with you that beauty box cant and never promise to provide full size all the time…if really want full size, go buy lah why expect it would come in beauty box =.=” cant brain those mentality…
Exactly. It’s really a surprise and excitement to get full size no doubt but we can’t expect that every month. I have been talking to a few beauty boxes from time to time and the demand and market is getting out of hand. Even for RM38 people would expect and want to see full size in the box. I kinda pity beauty boxes now.
Kose rarely gives out deluxe size sample unless it is either a GWP or you know the BA so well or redemption program. I was a Kose user previously. I got such deluxe size samples when I made a big purchase. Don’t expect to leave the counter with a deluxe size sample if you don’t purchase anything unless you fulfill one of the 3 so called unwritten requirements.
Yes, agree. Not only Kose but other brand as well. Unless you are close with the BA maybe the BA will give you one if you randomly ask for it haha! I never get deluxe. The only time I got lucky is when I went to this SK-II magic ring scan and I “tried” asking for a FTE sample and they actually gave me one. So happy 😀
First time leaving a comment here as I agree with this one – have they really ask at the counter for deluxe samples? people gets unsatisfied with this month box but anyhow I still love VT!
Hello Irean. Most people sadly only look at product size. Previously everyone wanted premium. When there’s premium…everyone wanted full size lol! It’s a never ending demand. Malaysian’s understanding on beauty box concept is totally different now.
Thanks for dropping by! 😀
Thanks for sharing this>
I ordered a box as a gift for my sifu’s birthday.
I only knew she received Kose products as she sms-ed me to thank me and said it reminded her of her younger days whn she was using the brand. And so, I was wondering what she received till I read yr review. 😀
I’m glad it’s d entire range and I’m glad she’s pleased with it too 😀
Oh you didn’t know it’s a Kose box? It’s all over Facebook 😛
I feel the whole range is much better. Further Infinity range is upper range in Kose. But this type of concept box will only work if it’s once in a while 🙂
I’m glad your sifu is pleased with the box!
I didn’t know… hehe… I didn’t “like” their FB page.
Actually, I was looking for a gift for her and decided to get her a gift box and just paid for it, waited for it to arrive at her work place and it arrived a few weeks after her birthday (cz I ordered late)… Huhuhu….
Oic. It is a good gifting choice :). No need to pening kepala. Just pay and they will send over haha
Thanks for the insight to the idea of beauty boxes ! 😀
You’re welcome Sarah :D. Hope its useful to you 😉
No “wow” for me this time when I opened my box~ I thought it would be included (at least) one deluxe sample same as Kose Sekkisei trial set gave away last year. But after checking the price list card, I think it’s still worth for just RM50 to try out an Infinity range that I haven’t tried it before. However, I really love their drawer box! Look forward to the next Trove!
The Sekkisei sampling by Kose last year is not deluxe. That one is travel size which is so much bigger than deluxe, slightly smaller than full size. For in house promo yes…Kose can afford to give out but I don’t think so Kose will give that much travel size to VT. Imagine VT subscriber now is 1,000. I think Kose would rather spend this 1,000 unit on themself. Hard to explain in detail :). But in a nutshell it’s like that. I find giving out Infinity range in VT is a smart move because Infinity is considered a higher range in Kose. Sekkisei is lower range. Infinity price range is as expensive as near to RM2k for cream alone. This partnership will be able to bring Kose new Infinity customer base 😀
When I was younger, Kose used to be an atas brand which my aunt used. Back then, the famous product was the black colour bar of soap 🙂 For RM50 box of 6 deluxe samples and voucher, I think this deal is as fair and value for money as it can get. Granted, even GWP items may not hit 6 items, whatmore a beauty box. I guess sometimes, a lot of brands skip our country because our consumers have not reached the level of decent consumer maturity…I am currently using Kose Emulsion. Tempated to try their whitening mask and risk looking like Justice Bao lol.
Great comment! 😀
For me back then I only know about the black color mask. Last time the price was RM60 something and that to me is soooo expensive lol. Still schooling so kinda broke haha.
At the counter..6 deluxe samples would need one to spend minimum RM380. So yeap, RM50 for 6 deluxe sample and a voucher is fair and value for money 😀
A bit ‘terasa’ haha! Maybe because I used to receive so many full size product in MIVVA box that’s why my expectation goes up. MIVVA had over pampered us. Kinda disappointed when the products were so small. I start to use the Kose deep protection last week, my face start to feel oily by noon. What about you? Cause I think my skin type is same as yours. haha