January Cravebox Review

I received my first Cravebox today, and I have to be honest -- I don't really like it.  I was ecstatic to have been able to grab one of their very limited beta subscriptions last week, because the December box was awesome.  I jumped at the chance to subscribe when they sent me an email announcing that they opened up a few slots.

Cravebox is similar to Conscious Box in that it is a lifestyle box subscription.  For $10 a month, you are sent 4-5 items that are based on a theme.  This is not an eco-friendly or green-centric box like Conscious Box, though.  But, as I said, I loved December's box and was disappointed that I didn't subscribe in time, so I had high hopes for January's box.

Here is the box upon opening.  The first thing I noticed was the pink tissue paper (I mean, how could you miss it).  I can't say I love the pink because it reminds me too much of a certain other subscription service.  I know that no one owns the copyright on pink, but I think it would have been wise of Cravebox to choose a different color (or a different shade).

Like most other box services, Cravebox came with a card that described the month's theme and the items included.  January's theme is vitality for the New Year.  The side of the card in this photo is the list of items, and the flip side has the welcome/theme message.

And here is the loot!  Cravebox tweeted five hints about the items before shipping out the boxes, so I've listed them below alongside the corresponding item.

• You'll be inspired to get moving - Switch2Health S2H STEP Pedometer with Points
• Your gorgeous face will thank you - Mereadesso Face + Neck Toning Gel (1.7 fl oz)
• A Healthy option the best chefs can't live without - Colavita Extra Virgin Olive Oil (5 fl oz)
• A quick boost to keep you at your best - Emergen-C Vitamin Drink Mix (10 packets)
• Entertaining and educational - you'll have all the answers - Prevention Magazine

So here's my deal with these items.  They certainly fit a theme of vitality and health for inside and out, but I won't use any of them.  Or, rather, they're nothing I was excited to receive.

• The pedometer is a cool thing I guess, but I'm not going to use it.
• The Mereadesso gel is probably the thing I dislike the least, but I still wouldn't ever buy it or want it.  I honestly don't even know if I'll use it because I just don't need it.
• Okay, the Colavita Olive Oil actually kind of annoyed me.  I worked at a grocery store for 6 years and spent many an hour stocking and leveling items like this, and when I saw it all I could think was, "how cheap!"  I liked the hint and was interested to receive a food item, but I don't want a bottle of olive oil that I could pick up at the grocery store for $2.
• I hate the Emergen-C.  I rarely hate anything, but I am so sick of getting these stupid things.  I got a similar product in a Birchbox and it left me scratching my head.  Now I have a whole box of them and I don't want them.  Another thing you could just pick up at the grocery store.
• I have no need for the Prevention magazine, nor do I want a year's subscription to it.  My mom said she would read it, so I guess it's not a total waste.

I'm very disappointed with the January Cravebox.  I was so excited to be subscribed, and now I'm just..."meh."  This is only their second month, and since they're still in beta and not accepting subscriptions I'm not going to cancel and lose my spot, but I really hope that February's box is much better.  If this cost any more than $10 I would be legitimately upset at having wasted my money on it.  I know that the value of the box exceeds $10, but that means nothing to me when I am literally not going to use any of these items.

Bottom Line: Cravebox, I'm not losing faith yet.  Yes, this box was a huge disappointment for me but I'm willing to give you more of a chance.  I feel like this box is more appropriate for an older audience (no offense meant by that at all, but it isn't as young feeling as some other services), and I'm not impressed by the fact that I can get 3 out of the 5 items from my neighborhood grocery store.

More photos are behind the "Read More."

*Disclaimer: I purchased this Cravebox with my own money and was not asked to review it by Cravebox.  I was not monetarily compensated for this review and the honest opinions here are entirely my own.