Lunarly One-Year Review
If you were reading any Buzzfeed articles in the early summer of 2018, you might have remembered a few articles endorsing a subscription box called Lunarly. If you don't remember the mention of said subscription box, then here's a quick blurb on what they're all about.
Lunarly is an all-encompassing, beginner-friendly box for anyone interested in the New Age/witchy/spiritual lifestyle. The big-ticket item is usually a live plant. (Lunarly partners with Bloomscape to bring us all the gorgeous specimens we receive.) Every third month, we used to receive a hand-poured candle in a gorgeous black glass jar instead of a plant. Recently, there's been a change of schedule, however. Now, we receive a candle every other month. (Which means that we will receive two plants less every year. :( Bummer.)
Aside from the plant or candle, Lunarly also centers around the New Moon and setting intentions every month. In your first box, you'll receive a journal, some New Moon stickers and some decorative stickers with cute plant-based sayings and imagery. You'll also receive a card that teaches you how to set an intention. Plus, every box will include a card with an example of an intention you can set for that month.
Every box also comes with one rough-hewn crystal placed gingerly inside of a cute black velvet pouch.
On top of all that, you also receive approximately three health or wellness goodies ranging from teas, books, body care products, spiritual tools and cute trinkets.
Sounds great, doesn't it? Many loyal subscribers feel the same. Now, Lunarly boasts an active and enthusiastic Facebook group that allows people to gush about their treasures, to share their intentions and to offer plant care tips.
In an effort to offer full disclosure, I must mention that this review is not sponsored by Lunarly or anyone else. I'm not getting paid or offered any other perks for writing this post. I'm simply a satisfied Lunarly customer who wants to offer you a completely honest review of a year's worth of boxes. Ultimately, I hope this data will help you to make a decision on whether you'd like to subscribe or not. If you like what you've read, I look forward to seeing you in the Facebook group!
August 2018 (Sturgeon Moon Box)
★★★★
Not only was this probably Lunarly's first box, it was also my first box! I don't know when exactly Lunarly had their inaugural box. I remember a box before this one containing an aloe plant, a tiger's eye crystal, a set of essential oils, a bath bomb and a bundle of white sage. Now, I'm not sure if that box was just a sample or a test box or if it was in fact the first box. Either way, I subscribed to this box essentially on the ground floor. So, this is either Lunarly's second or third box overall. None of that is important, however...
What is important is that this box contained a pilea plant, an amethyst, a cedar smudge stick and a handcrafted bar of spearmint lemongrass soap by Pacha Soap Co.
I absolutely adored the plant. I was thrilled when I received it because I was looking forward to the box that contained a pancake plant. Their round leaves are just the cutest thing ever to me. And on top of that, they're extraordinarily rare for plant collectors! The nearest shop that sells one in my area is about 30 miles away. I ended up naming mine Prosperina. After a year, she's still hanging in there, albeit a little deprived of nitrogen. But fortunately, she's got four healthy litters of pups that I need to replant later.
I wasn't exactly satisfied with the amethyst. Mostly because it was unpolished. (Over time, I got used to receiving unpolished crystals. Now, I even prefer them to the polished ones!) But it also didn't help that my amethyst was really pale. It only has a tiny splotch of purple on it and that bothers me for some reason.
The cedar smudge stick was decent. I still have mine! (Although it has now been reduced to a tiny stub.) Every Friday, I like to use it to spiritually cleanse my room. Any day now, I'll need a new one.
The soap, from what I remember, was amazing. It was a full-sized bar and it lasted for a few weeks. The smell was invigorating and fresh. Unfortunately, it has this tendency to melt into one goopy heap. But that can't be helped with handcrafted soaps. I still enjoyed it immensely and I was sorry to see it go.
I enjoy using the journaling kit every New Moon to set an intention. I've already used all the New Moon stickers and I'm about to finish using one sheet of decorative stickers after a few months. (I'm kind of weird. I only feel comfortable using one sticker per month, no matter how tiny it is.)
Aside from the faded amethyst, my only other complaint regarding this box was that I originally received a dead plant. (It was sent in the throes of the August heat and the young company was still working on a decent delivery schedule, so I can't blame them). Fortunately, Lunarly's customer service team gave my e-mail a prompt reply and they immediately sent me a brand new living pilea. If their customer service team wasn't on top of it, I would've unsubscribed.
Since this is meant to be an honest review, I have to dock that one star for the less-than-stellar amethyst and for receiving a dead plant. But other than that, I'd actually rate this box four and a half stars. Not only because they also sent me an extra complementary journaling kit, but because I really really loved the pilea.
September 2018 (Harvest Moon Box)
★★★★★
This box contained a parlor palm, a box of amber incense cones by HEM, an epidote stone and a tea sampler box by Numi.
I have good news and bad news about the parlor palm. The bad news is that I killed her off within the first month of having her. (R.I.P Shekinah. :( ) The good news is that she's the only one who died. I think I might have overwatered her when I noticed some of her leaves drying up. But I did also receive her with a bunch of tiny bugs crawling all over the earthenware pot she came in. Whatever factors contributed to her death, Lunarly's hands are clean in this one.
I'm glad to have the epidote. I liked using it as a worry stone for a while. But it's not in my list of top crystals. Still, it's nice to look at and to keep on my altar. (Any Steven Universe fans out there think that Epidote would make a decent Jasper-Peridot fusion?)
The amber cones were lovely. Their scent kind of reminded me of the incense they use in Catholic masses. And for those of you who know me, you know that my mind has a fond, warm, comforting association with going to mass. (Even if I am what they call a "cafeteria Catholic". But more on that in another post.) Of course, I no longer have the amber cones because I used them all in a weekly ritual that I perform at my personal altar.
The Numi sampler box was delightful. It came with six different teas named after virtues like gratitude, balance, vision and presence. Each teabag came with a different visualization exercise printed on the wrapper. I carved an hour to enjoy each teabag. What more can you ask for when it comes to physical and mental self-care?
October 2018 (Hunter's Moon Box)
★★★★★
This box came with a candle, a mini tapestry created by Lunarly, a black obsidian and a mushroom beverage sampler box by Four Sigmatic.
Up until this point, Lunarly subscribers had only heard of the candle. This was the first time we got to experience it in its full glory. We were all so excited for it not just because it's made of the good stuff like soy wax and essential oils, but also because it's black. The wax is black, the jar is black. She's just a beautiful goth bae that smells good and we were all there for her.
Seeing it in person was even more thrilling. The Lunarly logo is printed on it in a type of sparkly puff paint that shimmers between blue and pink whenever you turn it over. I thought it was so badass that I even took a picture of myself using it to light a cigarette.
(Long story short, I planned on using that picture as the cover for a Soundcloud rap album that I never even recorded. Don't ask. I was depressed and I was going through this dark phase where I retreated into my cynical alter ego. And for some reason she happens to be a rapper. More on that in another post, probably.)
The candle was scented with palo santo, amber and warm leather. So far, it's been the only Lunarly candle with a sort of musky, woodsy smell. I ended up upcycling the empty jar and using it to hold my toothbrushes.
The Lunarly mini tapestry is cute. But to be honest, I don't use it that often. I only really use it for creating altars out in nature or creating an altar on the go. It's a black cloth with Lunarly's original imagery printed on it in purple. It was also the first of Lunarly's line of original products that they occasionally incorporate into their boxes. I'm sure that if I had a dog (or a cat who didn't mind wearing bandanas), I'd tie it around their neck to look cute.
I'm glad to have the black obsidian in my repertoire of crystals. Obsidian is one of the most famous negativity repellents. Black crystals are necessary in every crystal collection to ward off evil forces. Fortunately, I don't often have an occasion to use it.
Although I ordinarily hate mushrooms, I was actually looking forward to sampling the mushroom beverages. That summer, an ad for mushroom coffee kept popping up on my Pinterest dashboard. I considered trying it out since I wanted to incorporate medicinal mushrooms into my holistic medicine regimen. (During the previous spring, I listened to an online summit about plant medicine and that sparked my interest in mushrooms.)
The box came with six packets: two packets of mushroom hot chocolate, two packets of mushroom coffee and two packets of mushroom elixirs. The mushroom hot chocolate was just awful. But, in the name of using my money's worth, I endured that second packet.
The mushroom coffee, however, was spectacular. It's better than regular coffee, in my opinion. I didn't even need to add milk or sugar. As a matter of fact, this was around the time that I started drinking coffee black.
The mushroom elixirs were okay. One was for energy and the other was supposed to help with sleep. Safe to say, they fulfilled their intended purposes. Unfortunately, they tasted like some kind of broth for a Chinese dish.
Overall, what made this box successful for me was the highly anticipated candle and the mushroom coffees.
(Sorry, no picture here, folks. I tried to look for a company photo I could use, but I couldn't find one. And I'm definitely not taking the effort to ask a random Instagrammer if I could use their picture.)
November 2018 (Beaver Moon Box)
★★★★
This box contained a gold dust croton plant, a pack of nag champa incense sticks, a rose quartz crystal, a sample pot of charcoal deodorant by Piper Wai, a tiny pot of lip balm by OKAY Pure Naturals and an instructional poster by Yoga International on how to do a Moon Salutation.
The gorgeous gold croton was my favorite item in this box. She's such a unique plant because her leaves are mottled with yellow spots. She's a little on the sensitive side, since she visibly droops after spending too much time without water. But once you give her what she needs, she perks right up. I don't like to play favorites with my green beloveds, but my Saraswati is probably my second or third favorite.
Although the rose quartz had a nice coloration to it, I wasn't terribly impressed that it was included. Any crystal healing practitioner worth their own salt always has a rose quartz in their basic line-up. (That's why I say that this box is beginner-friendly.) But, rose quartzes are my favorite crystals, so I didn't mind adding this one to my vast collection of other rose quartzes.
The nag champa was pleasant. I've already used all ten sticks in weekly rituals or bath time relaxation rituals. However, I feel like this item in particular was thrown in because Lunarly needed to fluff up the box and it was crunch time for them. (I can respect their hustle. They were a brand new company at the time, so it's not always easy scouting out companies who are willing to work with a new subscription box.)
I loved the natural deodorant by Piper Wai. It had a mild scent, it didn't leave behind any residue and I appreciate the company's effort to create a non-toxic product. However, I was disappointed in how stingy they were. Instead of a full-sized product, they only provided us with tiny sampler pots. Granted that it lasted for a couple weeks, it just didn't seem like a professional contribution to me.
The lip balm was okay. It got me through an entire winter and warded off chapped lips. But I feel like the product wasn't that special. It was just a basic coconut oil-based formula and the packaging was a bit cheap and nondescript. I was also somewhat unsatisfied with the format I received my lip balm in. A lot of other Lunarly subscribers received an actual tube of lip balm. I received a tiny pot of it. Between smoothing lip balm on with a tube or smoothing it on with my finger, I preferred the tube.
I enjoyed receiving the instructional yoga poster. I use that same Moon Salutation routine every New Moon and Full Moon in order to surrender to a state of restfulness. As simple as it was to include, it has been greatly useful to me.
Although this was a good box, I dinged one star off of this review because the products weren't that impressive and because full-sized products weren't included. However, there was a lot of effort put into putting it together and the plant (the most important item in the box) was the best thing about it.
December 2018 (Cold Moon Box)
★★★★★
This box contained a Boston fern, some natural volcanic lava stone mala beads, a sodalite crystal and a Gold Dust Hydrogel Mask by Oh K!.
Many subscribers have had trouble maintaining the Boston fern because she's sensitive to colder climes. Fortunately, California was the perfect home for my Semambaya. (Normally I'm the one who names my plants. But my mother was so insistent on naming Semambaya, that I allowed it.) She's growing so big that I need to replant her soon!
I loved the sodalite stone. It's colors were lush and it's been in my main lineup of crystals that I like to use. Before I received this one in my Lunarly box, I only had a few tiny polished specimens. Now I prefer to keep my raw sodalite in my pocket whenever I need to communicate properly. As a matter of fact, it helped me to deliver a compelling presentation that received the applause and praise of my classmates in my alcohol and drug counseling class in college.
Although the lava stone mala beads received mixed reviews from subscribers, I actually liked them. I agree that their presentation was handled poorly. They were strung onto some kind of fishing wire instead of a nice-looking string. (Some subscribers even re-strung the beads so that they'd have a more dignified presentation!) It was also noted that there weren't 108 beads on the string, so it can't be called a proper mala.
But I liked them because they were unique to me. As a rule, a box deserves five stars whenever it offers fresh, new products that I don't have or that I've been coveting. Around that time, I'd been seeing a lot of Facebook ads for volcanic stone jewelry. I liked the concept of it because it connects to the elements of earth and fire. I also liked them because you can drip some essential oils into them to add aromatherapy to your meditative experience. I haven't used them nearly as much as the other mala beads I received in another box (more on that later), but I still occasionally use them to pray or chant while I'm taking a bath.
The hydrogel mask was a nice treat. Although it was a one-time-use product, I still loved it's cool jelly texture and the luxurious gold flecks it had in it. If a product can make me feel like a diva while I'm bathing, it's a success in my book.
A lot of fellow subscribers complained about this box for some reason. If it was up to them, they'd probably have given it four stars. But, I give it five stars because it provided new products to me, because I loved the plant and because I loved the crystal.
January 2019 (Wolf Moon Box)
★
Oof...big oof. You see that one lonely star? It's the harbinger of a tale that is buried deep within the annals of Lunarly history. The Wolf Moon box was Lunarly's rock bottom box. Its "red hair phase" box. The box that shall not be named.
This paltry box contained a candle, a garnet,a small moon phase calendar printed on both sides of a piece of card stock and two sample wipes of perfume from Pinrose. That's it.
First, let me review the items. Then, I'll provide the reasons for why I gave it such a harsh rating.
The candle was actually decent. It had a gorgeous floral smell to it, composed of clementine, black incense and cedar wood scents. It's probably one of the best Lunarly candles I received so far. After I was done with it, I cleaned out the jar and I now use it to soak my beauty blender and my false eyelashes.
I can't complain much about the garnet. It's a rare stone that isn't often sold in crystal shops near me. It's also my birthstone, so I use it frequently in my basic lineup of crystals.
The moon phase calendar is pretty useful. I hang it up next to my desk and frequently check it to see when the next Full or New Moon is coming up. However, I feel that it should've been included as a bonus product (like the yoga instruction poster in the Beaver Moon box) and not as a main item.
Don't get me wrong about the Pinrose perfume wipes. They smelled absolutely gorgeous. My favorite was a fragrance called "Tambourine Dreamer". But they charge so damn much for one entire bottle that you'd think they have enough money to provide us with tiny sample bottles instead. And even if their budget didn't allow for tiny bottles...two perfume wipes only?! (Look what they made me do! I just used an interrobang because of my outrage.) The sampler boxes we've received in past boxes contained at least six samples. Surely they could've thrown in four more perfume sample wipes?! (There I go. They made me do it again.)
I understand why this box was under par. Lunarly still hadn't been in business for an entire year yet. They were still new at curating items and contacting companies so that they could collaborate with them. That, compounded with holiday stress, meant that the Wolf Moon box was meant to be a disaster.
But keep in mind that I pay $40 for each box. If I only had to pay $20 for this particular box, I might've softened this review to two, maybe even three stars. But for $40, I expect full-sized products and a plant.
This box is the reason why I immediately take my Lunarly boxes to my room to unbox them. After I unboxed the Wolf Moon box in front of my aunt and my mother, my mother said, "Wow! They're making good money off of you, aren't they?"
Fortunately, this was only a bump in the road for this little fledgling (or should I say seedling) company. Since I'd been impressed by past boxes, I decided to give them two more boxes to shape up. And boy, did they do just that...
February 2019 (Snow Moon Box)
★★★★
Fortunately, Lunarly was able to make a comeback after January's underwhelming box. This box included a Hedera ivy plant, a GuruNanda Jasmine Kiss essential oil roll-on, a fluorite crystal, a Goddess Garden Day Undone Night Serum sample, a Goddess Garden Dream Repair Brightening Night Cream sample and four teabags by Zest Tea.
I will give a great amount of credit to Lunarly for holding on to our boxes for a little bit longer since the polar vortex was ravaging the country at the time.
My Hedera ivy (whom I ended up naming Cerridwen) came as a sparse branch with a few black spots on its leaves. She's still a small branch, but she's still growing and living to this day. I suspect that she just doesn't like California's climate. (I noticed that people in colder climes have larger Hedera ivy plants. Much like how the tropical Boston ferns are thriving in hotter climates, like mine.)
I loved the fluorite because I've never had one before and it arrived in an interesting triangular cut. My fluorite was particularly bright and colorful, as well. (There were some complaints in the Lunarly group about receiving a dull, colorless stone.)
I especially loved the jasmine essential oil roll-on. It became part of a comforting nightly self-care routine for me. Every night, I'd roll it on my neck, behind my ears, on my wrists and on the bottoms of my feet and I'd have sweet dreams.
The night serum and night cream samples lasted a few days. They were a particularly luxurious addition to my night routine. (When I looked at the retail price of the full-sized creams themselves, I saw why we only received samples.) Unfortunately, they stunk like licorice and I can't say that I'm a big fan of the taste or smell of licorice.
Fortunately, the teas were pleasant. I always enjoy receiving teas or tonics from my Lunarly box. I also received a coupon for 25% off of my next purchase of Zest Tea, which is always a good bonus in any subscription box!
Granted that there was a great amount of improvement in this box, there were also more samples than full-sized products and no breathtaking new things to experiment with. Hence, why it's one star shy of an excellent review.
March 2019 (Sap Moon Box)
★★★★★
If Lunarly has a redeeming grace, it's that they learn from mistakes fast. This box included a gorgeous spider plant (which I named Ariadne), an aragonite crystal cluster, a pack of Reverse Karma Pyramid Incense Cones, a tin of Four Sigmatic Mushroom Matcha with Lion's Mane and a small bar of soap by Spinster Sisters Co.
I'm happy to say that my spider plant is still thriving to this day. Next to the Boston fern, she's one of the strongest plants I have. I've seen other Lunarly subscribers receiving cute little spiderlings in their plants. Unfortunately, I don't have enough plant savvy to know how to grow my own grandchildren. But, I assume that like humans, plants deserve to choose if they want to reproduce, right?
I loved the aragonite because it's new to me and because I received it in the form of a crystal cluster. Although I don't use it often, it's nice to know that it can help me find my inner light whenever I need it.
The incense cones were just gorgeous-smelling. I received seven of them in a pack. They also burn for a long time, leaving behind a cleansing scent that uplifted my space spiritually. Every Friday, I'd finish tidying up my room and I'd take some time to meditate or journal while the incense was burning.
I was particularly impressed with the matcha powder. I've liked most of Four Sigmatic's products and the matcha tea was definitely my second favorite of all their products I've tried. This product lasted for such a long time that I even had to buy a chasen at my local Daiso so that I could mix it right! Many a night, I curled up with a good book or settled in for a Netflix binge with a cup of this lovely green tea. Sadly, I ran out of it quickly because it became so ingrained in my nightly self-care routine.
The soap by Spinster Sisters Co. was just lovely, too. It had exfoliating ground sage particles as well as lemongrass, which is one of my favorite essential oils. Unfortunately, the bar itself was tiny and it tended to "melt" like all handcrafted soaps do. But, I did enjoy the couple of weeks that I had it. And I can't complain since I received so many other full-sized products in the box!
Overall, this was a great box. The tea and the soap in particular were a hit with other Lunarly subscribers. I remember some members of the group saying that they bought more Four Sigmatic and Spinster Sisters Co. products once they ran out of the products they received in the box.
April 2019 (Pink Moon Box)
★★★★★
If I could give this box more stars than just the standard five, I certainly would. (Well, technically, I can. But, in order to have some semblance of objectivity in this review, I need a well-known system to measure the quality of each box.) This box included a candle, an amazonite, a book called A Little Bit of Meditation, a pack of Reverse Karma Stay Lit Meditation Sticks, a sample bottle of Adoratherapy Room Boost Spray and a bottle of Blossom Cuticle Oil.
The candle had a beautiful warm, herbal scent, infused with holy basil, lemongrass and bergamot. The holy basil was the key note in this candle, giving it a green and lively scent. When I finished burning it, I ended up using it to hold my markers.
The amazonite is probably one of my favorite Lunarly stones. (Maybe even one of my favorite stones in general!) It's a beautiful aquamarine stone that's mainly used a woman's manifestation stone. I keep it next to the citrine I received in my Flower Moon box and the blue apatite I received in my Buck Moon box. I call them the "three sisters" and they're my constant companions in helping me manifest my dream of becoming a writer.
The book was a fresh twist in the repertoire of items we've received so far. Although I'm no beginner to meditation, it actually taught me a lot for being such a slim volume. I learned about meditation in different spiritual traditions, I learned how to work with mantras and mudras and I even got to review simple techniques, such as monitoring the breath and doing loving-kindness meditation.
Reverse Karma never failed me with what it has to offer. Although there were only seven incense sticks (one of each color of the rainbow to coordinate with each chakra), I made sure to save them for my Friday nights.
The room boost spray was always a pleasant way to finish off tidying my room. (Usually I burn incense or a candle or I diffuse essential oils.) The spray had an invigorating bergamot scent that instantly energized my room once it was decluttered for the week.
One of my favorite items in the box definitely had to be the cuticle oil. It's a cute bottle filled with colorful dried flowers and it was always a fabulous addition to my self-care routine. Full disclosure, however: I ended up finding these bottles of cuticle oil at Target as well as Five Below. Once I saw that there were other scents (Lunarly subscribers received the honeysuckle one), I kind of ended up preferring to receive the rose one. But at this point, I'm just being picky.
The Pink Moon box was a success because although it was a candle month, it was fluffed up with unique full-sized products and even one great sample.
May 2019 (Flower Moon Box)
★★★★★
As you can see, Lunarly mostly continued to do a stellar job with its boxes as it started to approach one year of existence. This box contained a purple zebrina plant, a citrine stone, a book called Little Bit of Crystals, a sample tube of bioClarity Clarifying Masque, a jade roller and a bottle of Lauryn's Garden Lip Glaze.
Like the purple waffle plant we got in the June box, the zebrina is a delightful addition to the indoor garden with her striated leaves with purple undersides. My zebrina (name Oya, after the Yoruba deity) was doing quite well for a while, growing like a weed. Unfortunately, the weight of her tangle of leaves became too much to bear and most of them ended up snapping off. So, as a warning to future zebrina owners, please be sure to clip your zebrina's branches. There's only so much weight she can handle.
Granted that I already had a citrine in my crystal collection, this citrine looked much nicer and more natural. I keep it on my desk as one of the "three sisters". The citrine in particular is a stone of creativity, which is a great skill to cultivate when you're writing.
I think I ended up learning a lot more from the Little Bit of Crystals book. Until I got the book, I only knew that carrying certain crystals in your pocket during the day would help cultivate certain qualities or engender certain benefits. But this book opened my eyes to many new ways to use my crystals. I actually got the idea of picking one crystal at random per day and using it to predict how my day will go from this book. For example, sometimes I get a sodalite and I think to myself, "I don't need to do much communication today. I wonder why the universe picked this stone for me?" Later on, I end up running into a situation where I need to choose my words carefully. That's just one example of how this book helped me learn about crystal healing. Unfortunately, I now have a huge shopping list of crystals that I want.
The sample tube of bioClarity Clarifying Masque was big enough to last for a few weeks. I always enjoy getting fluffy self care items in my boxes, such as this one. My skin was flawless and glowing for the time that I used it. It also made my Friday nights more restful and rejuvenating. The only drawback to this masque is that it leaves behind a green tinge on your skin because of the green tea extract. So, if you ever plan on getting a full-sized tube of this product, be sure to cleanse your face with a mild face wash after you wash it off.
Although it was hard to choose a favorite item from this box, the jade roller was definitely at the top of the list. The thing I love about Lunarly is that it always gives me items I've been wanting, but have been too cheap to buy. Jade rollers have been up on the list of mythical holy grail items I'd been fantasizing about, along with silicone sponges and Farsali's Rose Gold Elixir. Now that I have it, it's part of an excellent refreshing morning routine. I pop it in the freezer overnight and use it in the morning to de-puff my face and to get my blood moving.
And last, but certainly not least, no Flower Moon would be complete without an item that has flowers in it. Lauryn's Garden Lip Glaze was definitely a hit with Lunarly subscribers. Some of them even told the Facebook group that they went back to order more. Even though I had a full bottle of it, I already ran out. The product itself is composed of castor oil, moisturizing Vitamin E oil, refreshing peppermint oil, invigorating bergamot oil and dried rose petals. I have to admit, at first, the castor oil ruined the lip glaze with it's plasticky scent. But over time, I ended up getting used to it. The peppermint oil also has a tendency to dry out lips, so be careful not to overdo it. (Although, as you imagine, it'll be hard to keep this beauty off of your lips.)
Overall, this box was one of the subscriber favorites. As you'll see in the following reviews, Lunarly follows the formula they used to make this box successful and they continue to grow because of it.
June 2019 (Strawberry Moon Box)
★★★★★
The Strawberry Moon box contained a purple waffle plant (no relation to that other color of waffle), a rainbow moonstone pendulum, Self Goddess' Smudge Spray, a moonstone and a Whole Foods Market Air Wrapping Green Tea Mask.
The purple waffle, with its gorgeous crepe-y purple leaves is a humble, yet lovely addition to the indoor garden. Mine was named Hestia and despite many close calls, she's still thriving today. Some Lunarly subscribers managed to have little flowers blooming out of their plants. I honestly don't know what I need to do to get mine to do that, but I've honored her journey, anyways. I must warn you that this plant is a bit weak sometimes. Purple waffles are a representation of most of us as a plant. Just like I begin to die and wilt after three hours of not eating, the purple waffle also begins to wilt after three days of not being watered. Don't worry, though! They're not dead. Just water them and watch them spring back up after a couple of hours.
The moonstone was a perfect addition to my baseline set of crystals. Although it wasn't a particularly pretty or shiny specimen, I've drawn it up many times whenever I pick a crystal for my day.
The rainbow moonstone pendulum is likely an original Lunarly product. It came in a tiny black box with a glossy embossment of the Lunarly moon logo and a single card inside with instructions on how to use the pendulum. Every cache of witchy or New Age products needs a pendulum in it. I have used mine to answer many of my burning questions that Google can't answer and to psychically stalk people. (Warning: Please don't psychically stalk people or assume that it's okay just because I talked about it in such a nonchalant manner. I just happen to be crazy.)
The smudge spray from Self Goddess was a welcome addition at the time I received it. Since some people are allergic to smoke from sage sticks, they can use this as an alternative. It's a gorgeous little glass bottle filled with water that is tuned to a high frequency; organic sage, rosemary and clary sage essential oils and a couple of amethyst chips. At the time that I received this box, I was going through depression. As a kind of holistic complementary treatment, I would spray myself with this concoction every morning. I didn't expect it to uplift me so much, but it did. For the short time that I used it, it actually got me feeling happier and more energetic.
The green tea sheet mask from Whole Foods was a pleasant little bonus. It was a one-time-use product. But, I always enjoy a good face mask, anyways. Especially when it's one of the high-quality ones!
I enjoyed the Strawberry Moon box immensely because it brought me a new tool, a new crystal, a life-changing product and a plant that I love for it's own special way of existing.
July 2019 (Buck Moon Box)
★★★★★
And so, this Buck Moon box finishes the cycle of Lunarly boxes that I received for the first year! As far as I know, there was another Buck Moon box before this. But, as I said before, I'm not entirely certain if it was the inaugural box, if it was a test box for a select few people or if it was a sample box that Lunarly created to advertise their product. Whatever the case, I still like to think of myself as one of the OG subscribers, one of Lunarly's founding members. It's a small accomplishment (based in consumerism, no less), but it's one that I've oddly grown to relish.
This box contained a candle, a blue apatite stone, a string of amazonite and jasper gemstone mala beads, a Holler and Glow Glitter Peel Off Mask and a bottle of Lunarly Petal Mist.
The candle was infused with ginger, coriander and passionfruit. I don't remember it's smell all that well, because it's still packed up in storage. I moved to a new house around this time, so I didn't have much of a chance to burn it. But, if I remember correctly, it actually had a scent that was similar to the candle we received in January. It was fruity, zesty and floral all at the same time. If I'm not mistaken, this is actually the time when Lunarly changed their schedule from plants for two months and a candle for one month to alternating between plant and candle months.
The blue apatite was a beautiful, unique addition to my collection. Its purpose is to help you stay focused on your goals. I keep it with the amazonite and the citrine I received in previous boxes. Together, they're the "three sisters" of manifestation and achievement. As a matter of fact, this was the stone I kept in my pocket while I interviewed for the job that I'm currently working. You can see how well that worked out!
The amazonite and jasper mala beads were a gorgeous addition to my box of mala beads and rosaries. I have wooden mala beads, I have volcanic stone mala beads, but I've never had crystal mala beads. I used these beads in conjunction with the Little Bit of Meditation book I received in the Pink Moon box. Since I never delved into using mantras before, I used the book and the beads to take up that practice.
The Holler and Glow Peel Off Mask was a glitzy glam addition to a box that was so serious about spiritual development. It was a tightening gel mask that had black glitter and holographic glitter stars in it. (This isn't a particularly eco-friendly product, but I enjoyed it nonetheless.) Every Tuesday and Thursday, I looked forward to coming home from work and masking for a little bit.
The icing on the cake was the Lunarly Petal Mist. This is another one in Lunarly's original line of products. It's similar to rosewater and it came in a cute little glass spray bottle. Every time I finish masking, moisturizing and using the jade roller that I got in the Flower Moon box, I spritz this on for a cooling finish.
The Buck Moon box was a success because in a sense, it helped me to find success. (Both vocational and spiritual.) It's also a perfect milestone in Lunarly's development to show how far they'd come. They had to go through a lot of bland products and curating hiccups to be able to provide their subscribers with such beautiful products. By the time the next Buck Moon box rolls around, who knows how amazing Lunarly boxes are going to be?
BONUS: July 2019 (Black Moon Box)
★★★
Okay, talk about mixed signals, right? How could I write that heartwarming little blurb about Lunarly's development, only to give a harsh three-star rating to their Black Moon Box? Read on to find out.
First of all, let's talk about what a Black Moon is. Every once in a while, there is a rare astronomical phenomenon called a Black Moon. It's when one particular month has two New Moons. In the astrological sense, Black Moons are powerful because they amplify whichever intentions you set.
Now, let's take a quick inventory of the products in this box. It contained a Burgundy Rubber plant, a black tourmaline, a macramé plant hanger, a Rider-Waite Tarot card deck and a Daily Concepts Detox Massage Brush.
Bear with me for a bit longer as I review the products themselves.
The Burgundy Rubber plant (whom I named Xochitl) is a beautiful, hardy plant. Even though it loves humidity and moisture, it's not a wilting purple--er--- I mean, a wilting violet. (I'm lookin' at you, Hestia!) There's also something exotic about it that reminds me of my mother's home country.
I can't say I've used the black tourmaline that often. (I'm not good at using the black/negativity-erasing crystals when I need them.) But I cleanse it every Full Moon in the hopes that it's managed to deflect a lot of bad vibes from my room.
I can't say I've used the macramé plant hanger yet, either. It's still in my closet, waiting to be hung up and used. I just need to get my boyfriend to drill a hook into my room's ceiling so that I can display it along with a precious new plant baby. But, I do like it. There's something about it that reminds me of my grandmother's house in Brazil. She used to have a few of those macramé plant hangers, too. And isn't a product all the more valuable when it reminds you of your ancestors?
The Rider-Waite Tarot card deck has been a constant companion for me, along with the pendulum I received in the Strawberry Moon box. Like the pendulum, it's been a valuable tool for answering questions that Google couldn't answer and for helping me to psychically stalk people. Before I received this deck, I got the Angel Oracle deck by Doreen Virtue. Since she gave me so much life-changing information, I hung onto her every word. She claimed to be "sensitive" and afraid of the original Tarot cards because their imagery and their messages were too "violent". (Source: One of her recorded talks with Radleigh Valentine in the 2017 World Angel Summit.) So, I found myself shying away from the original deck, too. But now that I've broken free of her influence, this deck is kind of a reclamation. It's an opportunity to explore the shadows of spirituality instead of just safely wading in the kiddie pool of light that the toxic positivity community insists on putting on a pedestal.
The detox brush by Daily Concepts is like the jade roller I got in the Flower Moon box. It's a particularly luxurious addition to my self-care routine whenever I have time to do it. It's been a while since I've taken up dry brushing my body in the morning. But whenever I do, it gives me a little lift and it exfoliates my skin. My only warning in using the brush, however, is to use soft strokes and to immediately shower and moisturize when you're done using it. Dry brushing is usually done with a particularly coarse brush, so it isn't mean to be used with a lot of force.
Now that I've gone over the fun bits, let me justify my three-star rating. First of all, because it was a Black Moon, I expected a box that would dazzle with all kinds of bells and whistles. Any box that comes during a rare astronomical event merits that. I honestly would've been fine with humbler contents in the Strawberry and Buck Moon boxes if it meant having an amazing Black Moon box.
Secondly, there wasn't much of a theme to the box. Most Lunarly boxes forgo the themed boxes. But I figured that a Black Moon box should subvert that model. The black tourmaline was a nice touch. But everything else seemed kind of random and lackluster for this particular event. Don't get me wrong. I would've loved the contents in this box if they were in any other box. But unfortunately, they're not the winning team for the Black Moon.
And finally, you might think I'm harsh for docking stars off of this box for this particular thing, but I was disappointed with the delivery hiccup. During the time of the Black Moon box, Lunarly's partner, Bloomscape, decided to try a different mail carrier to keep the plants alive during the scorching summer. The mail carrier, Delivery Circle (I don't give a toss if they're disappointed for me calling them out) is the worst delivery service you could ever contract. They lost many packages and refused to answer two of my e-mails. The worst part is that I reported them to the BBB and they still haven't published my complaint on the site. Fortunatly, Lunarly did iron out this hiccup by immediately answering my e-mail, sending me a new box free of charge and following up with me. Surely I should give them credit for that, especially since they didn't pick out Delivery Circle themselves, right? Well, Lunarly grew because of the feedback they received from their customers. So, I need to continue being honest in order to see that progress. I was unsatisfied with the way this box was put together and the delivery hiccup only soured it even more, to be honest.
Whatever qualms I had with this box, I still enjoyed (finally) receiving it and I still enjoy the products in it as part of my self-care routine.
In conclusion, I don't mean to sound corny, but a Lunarly subscription is more than just receiving stuff. It's kind of a little journey (with some fun prizes along the way). There's a community here that may not always agree with each other, but that always supports each other whenever they have plant trouble or trouble receiving their boxes.
I've noticed the massive amount of growth that this company has undergone through it's maiden year. Hopefully they will continue to provide many more years of awesome plants and fun treasures. Until next year's review, I hope this has been an enlightening read.
If you haven't already, please subscribe to this blog. And don't forget to follow me on all my other social media accounts:
Facebook 👍🏼: Savannah K. Salazar
Lunarly is an all-encompassing, beginner-friendly box for anyone interested in the New Age/witchy/spiritual lifestyle. The big-ticket item is usually a live plant. (Lunarly partners with Bloomscape to bring us all the gorgeous specimens we receive.) Every third month, we used to receive a hand-poured candle in a gorgeous black glass jar instead of a plant. Recently, there's been a change of schedule, however. Now, we receive a candle every other month. (Which means that we will receive two plants less every year. :( Bummer.)
Aside from the plant or candle, Lunarly also centers around the New Moon and setting intentions every month. In your first box, you'll receive a journal, some New Moon stickers and some decorative stickers with cute plant-based sayings and imagery. You'll also receive a card that teaches you how to set an intention. Plus, every box will include a card with an example of an intention you can set for that month.
Every box also comes with one rough-hewn crystal placed gingerly inside of a cute black velvet pouch.
On top of all that, you also receive approximately three health or wellness goodies ranging from teas, books, body care products, spiritual tools and cute trinkets.
Sounds great, doesn't it? Many loyal subscribers feel the same. Now, Lunarly boasts an active and enthusiastic Facebook group that allows people to gush about their treasures, to share their intentions and to offer plant care tips.
In an effort to offer full disclosure, I must mention that this review is not sponsored by Lunarly or anyone else. I'm not getting paid or offered any other perks for writing this post. I'm simply a satisfied Lunarly customer who wants to offer you a completely honest review of a year's worth of boxes. Ultimately, I hope this data will help you to make a decision on whether you'd like to subscribe or not. If you like what you've read, I look forward to seeing you in the Facebook group!
August 2018 (Sturgeon Moon Box)
★★★★
Not only was this probably Lunarly's first box, it was also my first box! I don't know when exactly Lunarly had their inaugural box. I remember a box before this one containing an aloe plant, a tiger's eye crystal, a set of essential oils, a bath bomb and a bundle of white sage. Now, I'm not sure if that box was just a sample or a test box or if it was in fact the first box. Either way, I subscribed to this box essentially on the ground floor. So, this is either Lunarly's second or third box overall. None of that is important, however...
What is important is that this box contained a pilea plant, an amethyst, a cedar smudge stick and a handcrafted bar of spearmint lemongrass soap by Pacha Soap Co.
I absolutely adored the plant. I was thrilled when I received it because I was looking forward to the box that contained a pancake plant. Their round leaves are just the cutest thing ever to me. And on top of that, they're extraordinarily rare for plant collectors! The nearest shop that sells one in my area is about 30 miles away. I ended up naming mine Prosperina. After a year, she's still hanging in there, albeit a little deprived of nitrogen. But fortunately, she's got four healthy litters of pups that I need to replant later.
I wasn't exactly satisfied with the amethyst. Mostly because it was unpolished. (Over time, I got used to receiving unpolished crystals. Now, I even prefer them to the polished ones!) But it also didn't help that my amethyst was really pale. It only has a tiny splotch of purple on it and that bothers me for some reason.
The cedar smudge stick was decent. I still have mine! (Although it has now been reduced to a tiny stub.) Every Friday, I like to use it to spiritually cleanse my room. Any day now, I'll need a new one.
The soap, from what I remember, was amazing. It was a full-sized bar and it lasted for a few weeks. The smell was invigorating and fresh. Unfortunately, it has this tendency to melt into one goopy heap. But that can't be helped with handcrafted soaps. I still enjoyed it immensely and I was sorry to see it go.
I enjoy using the journaling kit every New Moon to set an intention. I've already used all the New Moon stickers and I'm about to finish using one sheet of decorative stickers after a few months. (I'm kind of weird. I only feel comfortable using one sticker per month, no matter how tiny it is.)
Aside from the faded amethyst, my only other complaint regarding this box was that I originally received a dead plant. (It was sent in the throes of the August heat and the young company was still working on a decent delivery schedule, so I can't blame them). Fortunately, Lunarly's customer service team gave my e-mail a prompt reply and they immediately sent me a brand new living pilea. If their customer service team wasn't on top of it, I would've unsubscribed.
Since this is meant to be an honest review, I have to dock that one star for the less-than-stellar amethyst and for receiving a dead plant. But other than that, I'd actually rate this box four and a half stars. Not only because they also sent me an extra complementary journaling kit, but because I really really loved the pilea.
September 2018 (Harvest Moon Box)
★★★★★
This box contained a parlor palm, a box of amber incense cones by HEM, an epidote stone and a tea sampler box by Numi.
I have good news and bad news about the parlor palm. The bad news is that I killed her off within the first month of having her. (R.I.P Shekinah. :( ) The good news is that she's the only one who died. I think I might have overwatered her when I noticed some of her leaves drying up. But I did also receive her with a bunch of tiny bugs crawling all over the earthenware pot she came in. Whatever factors contributed to her death, Lunarly's hands are clean in this one.
I'm glad to have the epidote. I liked using it as a worry stone for a while. But it's not in my list of top crystals. Still, it's nice to look at and to keep on my altar. (Any Steven Universe fans out there think that Epidote would make a decent Jasper-Peridot fusion?)
The amber cones were lovely. Their scent kind of reminded me of the incense they use in Catholic masses. And for those of you who know me, you know that my mind has a fond, warm, comforting association with going to mass. (Even if I am what they call a "cafeteria Catholic". But more on that in another post.) Of course, I no longer have the amber cones because I used them all in a weekly ritual that I perform at my personal altar.
The Numi sampler box was delightful. It came with six different teas named after virtues like gratitude, balance, vision and presence. Each teabag came with a different visualization exercise printed on the wrapper. I carved an hour to enjoy each teabag. What more can you ask for when it comes to physical and mental self-care?
October 2018 (Hunter's Moon Box)
★★★★★
This box came with a candle, a mini tapestry created by Lunarly, a black obsidian and a mushroom beverage sampler box by Four Sigmatic.
Up until this point, Lunarly subscribers had only heard of the candle. This was the first time we got to experience it in its full glory. We were all so excited for it not just because it's made of the good stuff like soy wax and essential oils, but also because it's black. The wax is black, the jar is black. She's just a beautiful goth bae that smells good and we were all there for her.
Seeing it in person was even more thrilling. The Lunarly logo is printed on it in a type of sparkly puff paint that shimmers between blue and pink whenever you turn it over. I thought it was so badass that I even took a picture of myself using it to light a cigarette.
(Long story short, I planned on using that picture as the cover for a Soundcloud rap album that I never even recorded. Don't ask. I was depressed and I was going through this dark phase where I retreated into my cynical alter ego. And for some reason she happens to be a rapper. More on that in another post, probably.)
The candle was scented with palo santo, amber and warm leather. So far, it's been the only Lunarly candle with a sort of musky, woodsy smell. I ended up upcycling the empty jar and using it to hold my toothbrushes.
The Lunarly mini tapestry is cute. But to be honest, I don't use it that often. I only really use it for creating altars out in nature or creating an altar on the go. It's a black cloth with Lunarly's original imagery printed on it in purple. It was also the first of Lunarly's line of original products that they occasionally incorporate into their boxes. I'm sure that if I had a dog (or a cat who didn't mind wearing bandanas), I'd tie it around their neck to look cute.
I'm glad to have the black obsidian in my repertoire of crystals. Obsidian is one of the most famous negativity repellents. Black crystals are necessary in every crystal collection to ward off evil forces. Fortunately, I don't often have an occasion to use it.
Although I ordinarily hate mushrooms, I was actually looking forward to sampling the mushroom beverages. That summer, an ad for mushroom coffee kept popping up on my Pinterest dashboard. I considered trying it out since I wanted to incorporate medicinal mushrooms into my holistic medicine regimen. (During the previous spring, I listened to an online summit about plant medicine and that sparked my interest in mushrooms.)
The box came with six packets: two packets of mushroom hot chocolate, two packets of mushroom coffee and two packets of mushroom elixirs. The mushroom hot chocolate was just awful. But, in the name of using my money's worth, I endured that second packet.
The mushroom coffee, however, was spectacular. It's better than regular coffee, in my opinion. I didn't even need to add milk or sugar. As a matter of fact, this was around the time that I started drinking coffee black.
The mushroom elixirs were okay. One was for energy and the other was supposed to help with sleep. Safe to say, they fulfilled their intended purposes. Unfortunately, they tasted like some kind of broth for a Chinese dish.
Overall, what made this box successful for me was the highly anticipated candle and the mushroom coffees.
(Sorry, no picture here, folks. I tried to look for a company photo I could use, but I couldn't find one. And I'm definitely not taking the effort to ask a random Instagrammer if I could use their picture.)
November 2018 (Beaver Moon Box)
★★★★
This box contained a gold dust croton plant, a pack of nag champa incense sticks, a rose quartz crystal, a sample pot of charcoal deodorant by Piper Wai, a tiny pot of lip balm by OKAY Pure Naturals and an instructional poster by Yoga International on how to do a Moon Salutation.
The gorgeous gold croton was my favorite item in this box. She's such a unique plant because her leaves are mottled with yellow spots. She's a little on the sensitive side, since she visibly droops after spending too much time without water. But once you give her what she needs, she perks right up. I don't like to play favorites with my green beloveds, but my Saraswati is probably my second or third favorite.
Although the rose quartz had a nice coloration to it, I wasn't terribly impressed that it was included. Any crystal healing practitioner worth their own salt always has a rose quartz in their basic line-up. (That's why I say that this box is beginner-friendly.) But, rose quartzes are my favorite crystals, so I didn't mind adding this one to my vast collection of other rose quartzes.
The nag champa was pleasant. I've already used all ten sticks in weekly rituals or bath time relaxation rituals. However, I feel like this item in particular was thrown in because Lunarly needed to fluff up the box and it was crunch time for them. (I can respect their hustle. They were a brand new company at the time, so it's not always easy scouting out companies who are willing to work with a new subscription box.)
I loved the natural deodorant by Piper Wai. It had a mild scent, it didn't leave behind any residue and I appreciate the company's effort to create a non-toxic product. However, I was disappointed in how stingy they were. Instead of a full-sized product, they only provided us with tiny sampler pots. Granted that it lasted for a couple weeks, it just didn't seem like a professional contribution to me.
The lip balm was okay. It got me through an entire winter and warded off chapped lips. But I feel like the product wasn't that special. It was just a basic coconut oil-based formula and the packaging was a bit cheap and nondescript. I was also somewhat unsatisfied with the format I received my lip balm in. A lot of other Lunarly subscribers received an actual tube of lip balm. I received a tiny pot of it. Between smoothing lip balm on with a tube or smoothing it on with my finger, I preferred the tube.
I enjoyed receiving the instructional yoga poster. I use that same Moon Salutation routine every New Moon and Full Moon in order to surrender to a state of restfulness. As simple as it was to include, it has been greatly useful to me.
Although this was a good box, I dinged one star off of this review because the products weren't that impressive and because full-sized products weren't included. However, there was a lot of effort put into putting it together and the plant (the most important item in the box) was the best thing about it.
December 2018 (Cold Moon Box)
★★★★★
This box contained a Boston fern, some natural volcanic lava stone mala beads, a sodalite crystal and a Gold Dust Hydrogel Mask by Oh K!.
Many subscribers have had trouble maintaining the Boston fern because she's sensitive to colder climes. Fortunately, California was the perfect home for my Semambaya. (Normally I'm the one who names my plants. But my mother was so insistent on naming Semambaya, that I allowed it.) She's growing so big that I need to replant her soon!
I loved the sodalite stone. It's colors were lush and it's been in my main lineup of crystals that I like to use. Before I received this one in my Lunarly box, I only had a few tiny polished specimens. Now I prefer to keep my raw sodalite in my pocket whenever I need to communicate properly. As a matter of fact, it helped me to deliver a compelling presentation that received the applause and praise of my classmates in my alcohol and drug counseling class in college.
Although the lava stone mala beads received mixed reviews from subscribers, I actually liked them. I agree that their presentation was handled poorly. They were strung onto some kind of fishing wire instead of a nice-looking string. (Some subscribers even re-strung the beads so that they'd have a more dignified presentation!) It was also noted that there weren't 108 beads on the string, so it can't be called a proper mala.
But I liked them because they were unique to me. As a rule, a box deserves five stars whenever it offers fresh, new products that I don't have or that I've been coveting. Around that time, I'd been seeing a lot of Facebook ads for volcanic stone jewelry. I liked the concept of it because it connects to the elements of earth and fire. I also liked them because you can drip some essential oils into them to add aromatherapy to your meditative experience. I haven't used them nearly as much as the other mala beads I received in another box (more on that later), but I still occasionally use them to pray or chant while I'm taking a bath.
The hydrogel mask was a nice treat. Although it was a one-time-use product, I still loved it's cool jelly texture and the luxurious gold flecks it had in it. If a product can make me feel like a diva while I'm bathing, it's a success in my book.
A lot of fellow subscribers complained about this box for some reason. If it was up to them, they'd probably have given it four stars. But, I give it five stars because it provided new products to me, because I loved the plant and because I loved the crystal.
January 2019 (Wolf Moon Box)
★
Oof...big oof. You see that one lonely star? It's the harbinger of a tale that is buried deep within the annals of Lunarly history. The Wolf Moon box was Lunarly's rock bottom box. Its "red hair phase" box. The box that shall not be named.
This paltry box contained a candle, a garnet,a small moon phase calendar printed on both sides of a piece of card stock and two sample wipes of perfume from Pinrose. That's it.
First, let me review the items. Then, I'll provide the reasons for why I gave it such a harsh rating.
The candle was actually decent. It had a gorgeous floral smell to it, composed of clementine, black incense and cedar wood scents. It's probably one of the best Lunarly candles I received so far. After I was done with it, I cleaned out the jar and I now use it to soak my beauty blender and my false eyelashes.
I can't complain much about the garnet. It's a rare stone that isn't often sold in crystal shops near me. It's also my birthstone, so I use it frequently in my basic lineup of crystals.
The moon phase calendar is pretty useful. I hang it up next to my desk and frequently check it to see when the next Full or New Moon is coming up. However, I feel that it should've been included as a bonus product (like the yoga instruction poster in the Beaver Moon box) and not as a main item.
Don't get me wrong about the Pinrose perfume wipes. They smelled absolutely gorgeous. My favorite was a fragrance called "Tambourine Dreamer". But they charge so damn much for one entire bottle that you'd think they have enough money to provide us with tiny sample bottles instead. And even if their budget didn't allow for tiny bottles...two perfume wipes only?! (Look what they made me do! I just used an interrobang because of my outrage.) The sampler boxes we've received in past boxes contained at least six samples. Surely they could've thrown in four more perfume sample wipes?! (There I go. They made me do it again.)
I understand why this box was under par. Lunarly still hadn't been in business for an entire year yet. They were still new at curating items and contacting companies so that they could collaborate with them. That, compounded with holiday stress, meant that the Wolf Moon box was meant to be a disaster.
But keep in mind that I pay $40 for each box. If I only had to pay $20 for this particular box, I might've softened this review to two, maybe even three stars. But for $40, I expect full-sized products and a plant.
This box is the reason why I immediately take my Lunarly boxes to my room to unbox them. After I unboxed the Wolf Moon box in front of my aunt and my mother, my mother said, "Wow! They're making good money off of you, aren't they?"
Fortunately, this was only a bump in the road for this little fledgling (or should I say seedling) company. Since I'd been impressed by past boxes, I decided to give them two more boxes to shape up. And boy, did they do just that...
February 2019 (Snow Moon Box)
★★★★
Fortunately, Lunarly was able to make a comeback after January's underwhelming box. This box included a Hedera ivy plant, a GuruNanda Jasmine Kiss essential oil roll-on, a fluorite crystal, a Goddess Garden Day Undone Night Serum sample, a Goddess Garden Dream Repair Brightening Night Cream sample and four teabags by Zest Tea.
I will give a great amount of credit to Lunarly for holding on to our boxes for a little bit longer since the polar vortex was ravaging the country at the time.
My Hedera ivy (whom I ended up naming Cerridwen) came as a sparse branch with a few black spots on its leaves. She's still a small branch, but she's still growing and living to this day. I suspect that she just doesn't like California's climate. (I noticed that people in colder climes have larger Hedera ivy plants. Much like how the tropical Boston ferns are thriving in hotter climates, like mine.)
I loved the fluorite because I've never had one before and it arrived in an interesting triangular cut. My fluorite was particularly bright and colorful, as well. (There were some complaints in the Lunarly group about receiving a dull, colorless stone.)
I especially loved the jasmine essential oil roll-on. It became part of a comforting nightly self-care routine for me. Every night, I'd roll it on my neck, behind my ears, on my wrists and on the bottoms of my feet and I'd have sweet dreams.
The night serum and night cream samples lasted a few days. They were a particularly luxurious addition to my night routine. (When I looked at the retail price of the full-sized creams themselves, I saw why we only received samples.) Unfortunately, they stunk like licorice and I can't say that I'm a big fan of the taste or smell of licorice.
Fortunately, the teas were pleasant. I always enjoy receiving teas or tonics from my Lunarly box. I also received a coupon for 25% off of my next purchase of Zest Tea, which is always a good bonus in any subscription box!
Granted that there was a great amount of improvement in this box, there were also more samples than full-sized products and no breathtaking new things to experiment with. Hence, why it's one star shy of an excellent review.
March 2019 (Sap Moon Box)
★★★★★
If Lunarly has a redeeming grace, it's that they learn from mistakes fast. This box included a gorgeous spider plant (which I named Ariadne), an aragonite crystal cluster, a pack of Reverse Karma Pyramid Incense Cones, a tin of Four Sigmatic Mushroom Matcha with Lion's Mane and a small bar of soap by Spinster Sisters Co.
I'm happy to say that my spider plant is still thriving to this day. Next to the Boston fern, she's one of the strongest plants I have. I've seen other Lunarly subscribers receiving cute little spiderlings in their plants. Unfortunately, I don't have enough plant savvy to know how to grow my own grandchildren. But, I assume that like humans, plants deserve to choose if they want to reproduce, right?
I loved the aragonite because it's new to me and because I received it in the form of a crystal cluster. Although I don't use it often, it's nice to know that it can help me find my inner light whenever I need it.
The incense cones were just gorgeous-smelling. I received seven of them in a pack. They also burn for a long time, leaving behind a cleansing scent that uplifted my space spiritually. Every Friday, I'd finish tidying up my room and I'd take some time to meditate or journal while the incense was burning.
I was particularly impressed with the matcha powder. I've liked most of Four Sigmatic's products and the matcha tea was definitely my second favorite of all their products I've tried. This product lasted for such a long time that I even had to buy a chasen at my local Daiso so that I could mix it right! Many a night, I curled up with a good book or settled in for a Netflix binge with a cup of this lovely green tea. Sadly, I ran out of it quickly because it became so ingrained in my nightly self-care routine.
The soap by Spinster Sisters Co. was just lovely, too. It had exfoliating ground sage particles as well as lemongrass, which is one of my favorite essential oils. Unfortunately, the bar itself was tiny and it tended to "melt" like all handcrafted soaps do. But, I did enjoy the couple of weeks that I had it. And I can't complain since I received so many other full-sized products in the box!
Overall, this was a great box. The tea and the soap in particular were a hit with other Lunarly subscribers. I remember some members of the group saying that they bought more Four Sigmatic and Spinster Sisters Co. products once they ran out of the products they received in the box.
April 2019 (Pink Moon Box)
★★★★★
If I could give this box more stars than just the standard five, I certainly would. (Well, technically, I can. But, in order to have some semblance of objectivity in this review, I need a well-known system to measure the quality of each box.) This box included a candle, an amazonite, a book called A Little Bit of Meditation, a pack of Reverse Karma Stay Lit Meditation Sticks, a sample bottle of Adoratherapy Room Boost Spray and a bottle of Blossom Cuticle Oil.
The candle had a beautiful warm, herbal scent, infused with holy basil, lemongrass and bergamot. The holy basil was the key note in this candle, giving it a green and lively scent. When I finished burning it, I ended up using it to hold my markers.
The amazonite is probably one of my favorite Lunarly stones. (Maybe even one of my favorite stones in general!) It's a beautiful aquamarine stone that's mainly used a woman's manifestation stone. I keep it next to the citrine I received in my Flower Moon box and the blue apatite I received in my Buck Moon box. I call them the "three sisters" and they're my constant companions in helping me manifest my dream of becoming a writer.
The book was a fresh twist in the repertoire of items we've received so far. Although I'm no beginner to meditation, it actually taught me a lot for being such a slim volume. I learned about meditation in different spiritual traditions, I learned how to work with mantras and mudras and I even got to review simple techniques, such as monitoring the breath and doing loving-kindness meditation.
Reverse Karma never failed me with what it has to offer. Although there were only seven incense sticks (one of each color of the rainbow to coordinate with each chakra), I made sure to save them for my Friday nights.
The room boost spray was always a pleasant way to finish off tidying my room. (Usually I burn incense or a candle or I diffuse essential oils.) The spray had an invigorating bergamot scent that instantly energized my room once it was decluttered for the week.
One of my favorite items in the box definitely had to be the cuticle oil. It's a cute bottle filled with colorful dried flowers and it was always a fabulous addition to my self-care routine. Full disclosure, however: I ended up finding these bottles of cuticle oil at Target as well as Five Below. Once I saw that there were other scents (Lunarly subscribers received the honeysuckle one), I kind of ended up preferring to receive the rose one. But at this point, I'm just being picky.
The Pink Moon box was a success because although it was a candle month, it was fluffed up with unique full-sized products and even one great sample.
May 2019 (Flower Moon Box)
★★★★★
As you can see, Lunarly mostly continued to do a stellar job with its boxes as it started to approach one year of existence. This box contained a purple zebrina plant, a citrine stone, a book called Little Bit of Crystals, a sample tube of bioClarity Clarifying Masque, a jade roller and a bottle of Lauryn's Garden Lip Glaze.
Like the purple waffle plant we got in the June box, the zebrina is a delightful addition to the indoor garden with her striated leaves with purple undersides. My zebrina (name Oya, after the Yoruba deity) was doing quite well for a while, growing like a weed. Unfortunately, the weight of her tangle of leaves became too much to bear and most of them ended up snapping off. So, as a warning to future zebrina owners, please be sure to clip your zebrina's branches. There's only so much weight she can handle.
Granted that I already had a citrine in my crystal collection, this citrine looked much nicer and more natural. I keep it on my desk as one of the "three sisters". The citrine in particular is a stone of creativity, which is a great skill to cultivate when you're writing.
I think I ended up learning a lot more from the Little Bit of Crystals book. Until I got the book, I only knew that carrying certain crystals in your pocket during the day would help cultivate certain qualities or engender certain benefits. But this book opened my eyes to many new ways to use my crystals. I actually got the idea of picking one crystal at random per day and using it to predict how my day will go from this book. For example, sometimes I get a sodalite and I think to myself, "I don't need to do much communication today. I wonder why the universe picked this stone for me?" Later on, I end up running into a situation where I need to choose my words carefully. That's just one example of how this book helped me learn about crystal healing. Unfortunately, I now have a huge shopping list of crystals that I want.
The sample tube of bioClarity Clarifying Masque was big enough to last for a few weeks. I always enjoy getting fluffy self care items in my boxes, such as this one. My skin was flawless and glowing for the time that I used it. It also made my Friday nights more restful and rejuvenating. The only drawback to this masque is that it leaves behind a green tinge on your skin because of the green tea extract. So, if you ever plan on getting a full-sized tube of this product, be sure to cleanse your face with a mild face wash after you wash it off.
Although it was hard to choose a favorite item from this box, the jade roller was definitely at the top of the list. The thing I love about Lunarly is that it always gives me items I've been wanting, but have been too cheap to buy. Jade rollers have been up on the list of mythical holy grail items I'd been fantasizing about, along with silicone sponges and Farsali's Rose Gold Elixir. Now that I have it, it's part of an excellent refreshing morning routine. I pop it in the freezer overnight and use it in the morning to de-puff my face and to get my blood moving.
And last, but certainly not least, no Flower Moon would be complete without an item that has flowers in it. Lauryn's Garden Lip Glaze was definitely a hit with Lunarly subscribers. Some of them even told the Facebook group that they went back to order more. Even though I had a full bottle of it, I already ran out. The product itself is composed of castor oil, moisturizing Vitamin E oil, refreshing peppermint oil, invigorating bergamot oil and dried rose petals. I have to admit, at first, the castor oil ruined the lip glaze with it's plasticky scent. But over time, I ended up getting used to it. The peppermint oil also has a tendency to dry out lips, so be careful not to overdo it. (Although, as you imagine, it'll be hard to keep this beauty off of your lips.)
Overall, this box was one of the subscriber favorites. As you'll see in the following reviews, Lunarly follows the formula they used to make this box successful and they continue to grow because of it.
June 2019 (Strawberry Moon Box)
★★★★★
The Strawberry Moon box contained a purple waffle plant (no relation to that other color of waffle), a rainbow moonstone pendulum, Self Goddess' Smudge Spray, a moonstone and a Whole Foods Market Air Wrapping Green Tea Mask.
The purple waffle, with its gorgeous crepe-y purple leaves is a humble, yet lovely addition to the indoor garden. Mine was named Hestia and despite many close calls, she's still thriving today. Some Lunarly subscribers managed to have little flowers blooming out of their plants. I honestly don't know what I need to do to get mine to do that, but I've honored her journey, anyways. I must warn you that this plant is a bit weak sometimes. Purple waffles are a representation of most of us as a plant. Just like I begin to die and wilt after three hours of not eating, the purple waffle also begins to wilt after three days of not being watered. Don't worry, though! They're not dead. Just water them and watch them spring back up after a couple of hours.
The moonstone was a perfect addition to my baseline set of crystals. Although it wasn't a particularly pretty or shiny specimen, I've drawn it up many times whenever I pick a crystal for my day.
The rainbow moonstone pendulum is likely an original Lunarly product. It came in a tiny black box with a glossy embossment of the Lunarly moon logo and a single card inside with instructions on how to use the pendulum. Every cache of witchy or New Age products needs a pendulum in it. I have used mine to answer many of my burning questions that Google can't answer and to psychically stalk people. (Warning: Please don't psychically stalk people or assume that it's okay just because I talked about it in such a nonchalant manner. I just happen to be crazy.)
The smudge spray from Self Goddess was a welcome addition at the time I received it. Since some people are allergic to smoke from sage sticks, they can use this as an alternative. It's a gorgeous little glass bottle filled with water that is tuned to a high frequency; organic sage, rosemary and clary sage essential oils and a couple of amethyst chips. At the time that I received this box, I was going through depression. As a kind of holistic complementary treatment, I would spray myself with this concoction every morning. I didn't expect it to uplift me so much, but it did. For the short time that I used it, it actually got me feeling happier and more energetic.
The green tea sheet mask from Whole Foods was a pleasant little bonus. It was a one-time-use product. But, I always enjoy a good face mask, anyways. Especially when it's one of the high-quality ones!
I enjoyed the Strawberry Moon box immensely because it brought me a new tool, a new crystal, a life-changing product and a plant that I love for it's own special way of existing.
July 2019 (Buck Moon Box)
★★★★★
And so, this Buck Moon box finishes the cycle of Lunarly boxes that I received for the first year! As far as I know, there was another Buck Moon box before this. But, as I said before, I'm not entirely certain if it was the inaugural box, if it was a test box for a select few people or if it was a sample box that Lunarly created to advertise their product. Whatever the case, I still like to think of myself as one of the OG subscribers, one of Lunarly's founding members. It's a small accomplishment (based in consumerism, no less), but it's one that I've oddly grown to relish.
This box contained a candle, a blue apatite stone, a string of amazonite and jasper gemstone mala beads, a Holler and Glow Glitter Peel Off Mask and a bottle of Lunarly Petal Mist.
The candle was infused with ginger, coriander and passionfruit. I don't remember it's smell all that well, because it's still packed up in storage. I moved to a new house around this time, so I didn't have much of a chance to burn it. But, if I remember correctly, it actually had a scent that was similar to the candle we received in January. It was fruity, zesty and floral all at the same time. If I'm not mistaken, this is actually the time when Lunarly changed their schedule from plants for two months and a candle for one month to alternating between plant and candle months.
The blue apatite was a beautiful, unique addition to my collection. Its purpose is to help you stay focused on your goals. I keep it with the amazonite and the citrine I received in previous boxes. Together, they're the "three sisters" of manifestation and achievement. As a matter of fact, this was the stone I kept in my pocket while I interviewed for the job that I'm currently working. You can see how well that worked out!
The amazonite and jasper mala beads were a gorgeous addition to my box of mala beads and rosaries. I have wooden mala beads, I have volcanic stone mala beads, but I've never had crystal mala beads. I used these beads in conjunction with the Little Bit of Meditation book I received in the Pink Moon box. Since I never delved into using mantras before, I used the book and the beads to take up that practice.
The Holler and Glow Peel Off Mask was a glitzy glam addition to a box that was so serious about spiritual development. It was a tightening gel mask that had black glitter and holographic glitter stars in it. (This isn't a particularly eco-friendly product, but I enjoyed it nonetheless.) Every Tuesday and Thursday, I looked forward to coming home from work and masking for a little bit.
The icing on the cake was the Lunarly Petal Mist. This is another one in Lunarly's original line of products. It's similar to rosewater and it came in a cute little glass spray bottle. Every time I finish masking, moisturizing and using the jade roller that I got in the Flower Moon box, I spritz this on for a cooling finish.
The Buck Moon box was a success because in a sense, it helped me to find success. (Both vocational and spiritual.) It's also a perfect milestone in Lunarly's development to show how far they'd come. They had to go through a lot of bland products and curating hiccups to be able to provide their subscribers with such beautiful products. By the time the next Buck Moon box rolls around, who knows how amazing Lunarly boxes are going to be?
BONUS: July 2019 (Black Moon Box)
★★★
Okay, talk about mixed signals, right? How could I write that heartwarming little blurb about Lunarly's development, only to give a harsh three-star rating to their Black Moon Box? Read on to find out.
First of all, let's talk about what a Black Moon is. Every once in a while, there is a rare astronomical phenomenon called a Black Moon. It's when one particular month has two New Moons. In the astrological sense, Black Moons are powerful because they amplify whichever intentions you set.
Now, let's take a quick inventory of the products in this box. It contained a Burgundy Rubber plant, a black tourmaline, a macramé plant hanger, a Rider-Waite Tarot card deck and a Daily Concepts Detox Massage Brush.
Bear with me for a bit longer as I review the products themselves.
The Burgundy Rubber plant (whom I named Xochitl) is a beautiful, hardy plant. Even though it loves humidity and moisture, it's not a wilting purple--er--- I mean, a wilting violet. (I'm lookin' at you, Hestia!) There's also something exotic about it that reminds me of my mother's home country.
I can't say I've used the black tourmaline that often. (I'm not good at using the black/negativity-erasing crystals when I need them.) But I cleanse it every Full Moon in the hopes that it's managed to deflect a lot of bad vibes from my room.
I can't say I've used the macramé plant hanger yet, either. It's still in my closet, waiting to be hung up and used. I just need to get my boyfriend to drill a hook into my room's ceiling so that I can display it along with a precious new plant baby. But, I do like it. There's something about it that reminds me of my grandmother's house in Brazil. She used to have a few of those macramé plant hangers, too. And isn't a product all the more valuable when it reminds you of your ancestors?
The Rider-Waite Tarot card deck has been a constant companion for me, along with the pendulum I received in the Strawberry Moon box. Like the pendulum, it's been a valuable tool for answering questions that Google couldn't answer and for helping me to psychically stalk people. Before I received this deck, I got the Angel Oracle deck by Doreen Virtue. Since she gave me so much life-changing information, I hung onto her every word. She claimed to be "sensitive" and afraid of the original Tarot cards because their imagery and their messages were too "violent". (Source: One of her recorded talks with Radleigh Valentine in the 2017 World Angel Summit.) So, I found myself shying away from the original deck, too. But now that I've broken free of her influence, this deck is kind of a reclamation. It's an opportunity to explore the shadows of spirituality instead of just safely wading in the kiddie pool of light that the toxic positivity community insists on putting on a pedestal.
The detox brush by Daily Concepts is like the jade roller I got in the Flower Moon box. It's a particularly luxurious addition to my self-care routine whenever I have time to do it. It's been a while since I've taken up dry brushing my body in the morning. But whenever I do, it gives me a little lift and it exfoliates my skin. My only warning in using the brush, however, is to use soft strokes and to immediately shower and moisturize when you're done using it. Dry brushing is usually done with a particularly coarse brush, so it isn't mean to be used with a lot of force.
Now that I've gone over the fun bits, let me justify my three-star rating. First of all, because it was a Black Moon, I expected a box that would dazzle with all kinds of bells and whistles. Any box that comes during a rare astronomical event merits that. I honestly would've been fine with humbler contents in the Strawberry and Buck Moon boxes if it meant having an amazing Black Moon box.
Secondly, there wasn't much of a theme to the box. Most Lunarly boxes forgo the themed boxes. But I figured that a Black Moon box should subvert that model. The black tourmaline was a nice touch. But everything else seemed kind of random and lackluster for this particular event. Don't get me wrong. I would've loved the contents in this box if they were in any other box. But unfortunately, they're not the winning team for the Black Moon.
And finally, you might think I'm harsh for docking stars off of this box for this particular thing, but I was disappointed with the delivery hiccup. During the time of the Black Moon box, Lunarly's partner, Bloomscape, decided to try a different mail carrier to keep the plants alive during the scorching summer. The mail carrier, Delivery Circle (I don't give a toss if they're disappointed for me calling them out) is the worst delivery service you could ever contract. They lost many packages and refused to answer two of my e-mails. The worst part is that I reported them to the BBB and they still haven't published my complaint on the site. Fortunatly, Lunarly did iron out this hiccup by immediately answering my e-mail, sending me a new box free of charge and following up with me. Surely I should give them credit for that, especially since they didn't pick out Delivery Circle themselves, right? Well, Lunarly grew because of the feedback they received from their customers. So, I need to continue being honest in order to see that progress. I was unsatisfied with the way this box was put together and the delivery hiccup only soured it even more, to be honest.
Whatever qualms I had with this box, I still enjoyed (finally) receiving it and I still enjoy the products in it as part of my self-care routine.
In conclusion, I don't mean to sound corny, but a Lunarly subscription is more than just receiving stuff. It's kind of a little journey (with some fun prizes along the way). There's a community here that may not always agree with each other, but that always supports each other whenever they have plant trouble or trouble receiving their boxes.
I've noticed the massive amount of growth that this company has undergone through it's maiden year. Hopefully they will continue to provide many more years of awesome plants and fun treasures. Until next year's review, I hope this has been an enlightening read.
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