Counterfeit BoxyCharm Products?

[shopaholic15]

Can we talk about BoxyCharm for a minute?

There’s been buzz about the possibility of Boxy sending out counterfeit products for some time now. I was skeptical at first but the box I got this month changed my mind. It’s to do with the Ciate blush. I was stoked to get it because it’s something that’s been floating around in my online shopping carts for a while now. The biggest appeal was that it did not contain talc. This was confirmed from their website where it explicitly boasted that the product was free of talc. I used the blush for a few days and noticed some bumps/redness starting to pop up on my cheeks. This is strange for me because it’s rare I break out (even during a crazy hormone time). I was researching why this could be and talc came up. Talc is a monster ingredient I diligently avoid because my skin doesn't agree with it.  But the Ciate blush didn’t have talc so it couldn’t have been that…right? Nope. The blush I received was made in China, not Italy like I expected, and the second ingredient listed? Talc. What? How? A quick google search showed me I wasn’t the only one peeved about this. It left me with more questions than answers. I tried contacting their customer service to no avail.

I went further down this rabbit hole and discovered a few more products I received came up as potential fakes/counterfeit. The $150 QMS cream. The authentic version sells for 150 Euro and is 15 ml. The one that came in Boxycharm is 17 ml (?) and had no box, no ingredient list, and no hygiene seal. Suspicious.

Moreover, the cult classic Too Faced BTS mascara was another product under fire. I checked the one I had received and compared it to one bought from Sephora and they are VERY different. The colour of the tube, the stamping, the lip, the brush. And if I recall correctly, that mascara didn’t come with a box either. In my quest for answers I did find statements from Ciate saying they moved their production from Italy to China a few months ago, but suspiciously removed their talc-free claim from their website. Too Faced stated they made a BTS mascara specifically for Boxycharm…perhaps they did so with a lower standard than usual?

I feel so deceived. I have cancelled my subscription. Am I alone in feeling this way? Is this just a conspiracy theory? Has anyone else had something similar to share or something to validate my frustration?

[jacquelinetan]

I agree, its just too shady! Cheap!

[AshGarcia]

Not sure about the counterfeit thing, that would be difficult considering they advertise what will be included so brands could catch them pretty easily. However I got my first box in Jan and was not impressed. The Ace eyeshadow palette was made in China and had a warning about discontinuing use if irritation occurs (not going to use that!) the wander palette expires 6 mos after opening (another stinker) I got an old mascara from a previous box, and the highlighter was marked 2017 (old stock) the last thing was the 100$+ sleeping mask cream which will end up getting tossed in a purse and used as hand cream. I really don’t feel like I got even $25 worth of usable product, let alone the $125 value they claim. I’m stuck getting February, but will likely cancel before March. I was excited to try a sub box but realized that I’m probably too picky about what I put on my face for this kind of thing. At least now we know better!

[treestar86]

that's why I like the play boxes, as you can buy them individually sometimes, so you can pick which ones you want.

[Guessgal]

It’s pretty standard for products to have a warning stating “discontinue use if irritation occurs” to keep you safe and so companies can cover their asses if something happens. However, getting a highlighter from 2017 is definitely very alarming... @AshGarcia 

[Angelicamb7383]

I got my first box a few weeks ago. A few days after trying the scrub, blush, mascara, and eyeshadows I had a stye on my eye and my entire face was broken out with small pimples. I never get breakouts. I'm convinced something is wrong. Thanks for this . It's exactly what I needed to confirm my theory.

[Indy701]

@shopaholic15   I got Boxycharm for a single month before canceling. If they are legit or not, I’m not sure but they felt like the outlet version of the products rather than samples. 

[KNC24]

@Indy701 that’s how I feel about boxycharm it’s more like when your products don’t sell and you need to get rid of the surplus you use a subscription not to do it. Fenty is coming up for this month’s box. Trophy wife and that purple Moroccan palette. These both were around the beginning phases of the brand. Sephora and fenty just had the palette on sale for $29. It’s business to me to get rid of old products. Some brand will sell times specially for the box to get customers to try their brand. For what subscription boxes pay for the products, I think they cut costs.

[GG84]

@shopaholic15 

I don’t subscribe to any beauty boxes so I can’t comment on that, however I am familiar with manufacturing and production. 
For example, for an item to have cruelty free leaping bunny logo on it, it’s fairly easy and a haircare company was recently just exposed for claiming to be vegan and cruelty free when they actually weren’t. 
Consumers need to be aware of what they are purchasing. However I wouldn’t be scrutinizing every ingredient deck and cross checking it; brands often tweak ingredients for cost purposes. 
In your situation if one of the selling features of Ciate was that the blush is Talc free, then I’d be upset. 
I do not feel a company such as Boxy Charm would be selling counterfeit goods, that’s a pretty big claim to make.