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Skin Care

Boxwalla Beauty Box Feb 2021 Review – Seoulfull Star

by Lina Clémence
written by Lina Clémence


Rejoice green beauty aficionados because Boxwalla has extended the deadline for their February box* featuring fabulous British Indie brand Nini Organics …perfect moment for me to officially share my thoughts and perhaps sway you to succumbing if you’ve been remotely tempted… You have until the 22nd February 2021 to subscribe.

Although skincare and experiencing products lovingly crafted by passionate brand founders always brings me joy and knowing that a box of delights curated by Boxwalla is making its way to me will always thrill me, I was especially excited to receive the February 2021 box. January is a always a difficult month, dreary and bleak and to receive these gorgeous, vibrant, antioxidant rich products from Nini Organics felt somewhat akin to colour therapy. I’m well versed with Nini Organics and after an introduction to this lovely British (yay!) brand last year by way of their Natura Detox Foam cleanser, I was ecstatic that an entire box dedicated to this joy-inducing brand was on the horizon. Over my years of using green, indie brands, I have come to truly believe that brand creators somehow infuse their aura, their essence  (no pun intended) in all their magical concoctions. Products end up mimicking their makers and everything from the Nini Organics line is bright, characteristically colourful, effervescent, festive and highly effective- just like founder Alex. If you don’t follow them, I highly recommend for a dose of Alex every morning. His infectious enthusiasm will leave you truly happy. It just so happened that the 2 products, Crimson Beauty and Rain Hydrating Essence were high on my wishlist (doesn’t even surprise me, I am convinced Lavanya, the founder of Boxwalla is a psychic and knows exactly what my heart desires…)

Let’s start with what I consider the star of this box- Crimson Beauty. Firstly, you get 50ml of this gleaming red beauty, a generous size (for which I’m grateful as I don’t EVER want to run out!).  This is hydration galore. Hello, juicy, plump skin! And the scent…I think I’ve died and gone to heaven. It’s a real pleasure to use this every morning, with its delicately floral rose+neroli aroma, punctuated by comforting vanilla and cacao hmmm. Crimson beauty contains a hibiscus macerate (hibiscus is a flower I’m so drawn to as I love those bold, bright conspicuous petals that you find in all gardens in Mauritius, where I grew up), rose otto and neroli hydrosol bolstered by cucumber, glycerine and Quora Noni (which protects skin’s microbiome) to make a fabulously cocooning formulation. My favourite way to use it is in conjunction with an oil creating what is called a micro emulsion (which just happens to be my favourite word at the moment. Give me all the microemulsions, my skin cannot handle dense balms at the moment). Crimson Beauty is all I want a hyrdrating serum to be and it’s a resounding yes from me.

Next comes Rain. The colour of royalty, this cucumber scented mist has been a wonderful addition to my routines. I do love it post cleansing but mostly rely on it during the day, to infuse my skin with a burst of much needed moisture.  Rain contains just a kiss of glow inducing lactic acid so it’s not overly and cloyingly hydrating but actually balancing- the perfect midday mist basically. Whilst my preference always lies with finer mists normally, Rain comes gushing out but not aggressively though, but in the most pleasantly therapeutic manner, as if you’ve been caught in a lush drizzle of cucumber extract, neroli water, butterfly pea flower extract and milk thistle. It’s not a mere mist, the ingredient roster does really read like a wonderful serum and the fact that I’m misting myself with reckless abandon and whizzing through it at the speed of lightening speaks volumes.

I’m so pleased Lavanya chose to include this adorable miniature sample of Halo Cleansing Elixir for everyone to experience its glory. This is the first product I fell in love with from the Nini Organics line some years ago and I couldn’t help gushing about it, I’m surprise it hasn’t becoming a cult favourite yet.  For all lovers of blue tansy, this is a must try, in its passionfruit oil and jojoba oil base. I especially enjoy it as directed by Alex, massaged onto skin and removed with a cold washcloth, which is why I am saving it for warmer months to come. The high content of azulene really helps calm down any inflammation and I’m impatiently waiting for it’s return in my warm weather routines.

Once again, a perfectly selected box to start 2021 from Boxwalla. Get your hands on one while you can and if you’re a lover of luxury, plant-powered skincare, do consider subscribing to Boxwalla, it’s basically skincare nirvana. 

*This box was gifted to me with no obligation to review.


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Cosmetics

Rissmann presents its new box models

by Lina Clémence
written by Lina Clémence


The German manufacturer recently presented two new gift box concepts.

A new collection of folding boxes

The new Pure collection is a 2-in-1 concept that merges a display box with an integrated inlay.

Crafted from two different pieces of premium and sustainable cardboard and paper, the Pure collection offers two distinct edge finishes: die-cut or grooved. These options allow for interplaying between cardboard and paper hues, or the creation of sharp 90° edges.

Both models have been developed by Rissmann’s in-house design team for effortless assembly through a glue-free, plug-in mechanism. This innovative design ensures secure product presentation and steadfast containment. Discreet lateral windows offer unique glimpses of the product within, while maintaining optimal protection.

The external decoration of these initial samples showcases the captivating effect of transfer finishing, exhibiting dynamic reflections that shift with varying light exposure.

The Pure collection boxes are fully customizable to meet specific brand requirements. Delivered flat to optimize shipping and storage efficiency, manufacturing options are available across Europe, America, and Asia, ensuring global accessibility

“Cadeau Bag” box

Another new product from Rissmann: a bag-shaped gift coffret crafted from a single, glue-free piece of sustainable paper.

The featured sample showcases a glittering embellishment, perfectly aligned with current trends. A gift ribbon adds a delicate finishing touch to this fully customizable product.

Available in a range of various sizes, the Cadeau Bag is delivered flat for efficient shipping and storage. Manufacturing options are available in Europe, America, and Asia.


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Plus Size Fashion

Universal Standard Mystery Box 2025 + Discount

by Lina Clémence
written by Lina Clémence


Disclosure: This blog post is not sponsored by Universal Standard, but I did receive a free Mystery Box in exchange for showcasing the outfit on Instagram. If you use my link or coupon code in this post to make a purchase, I will receive a small commission on the sale at no additional cost to you. Thank you for supporting my work!

Universal Standard had a long-running promotion called Mystery Box that they shuttered in 2023. Today, they’ve brought it back. The TL;DR – save big on curated boxes from Universal Standard in sizes 00-40, BUT you don’t know what you’re getting. No returns, so it’s a risk. Existing customers can shop all boxes here, and new customers can shop here and take AN EXTRA 10% off with code INFS-AUTHENTIC10. This code works on the entire site, so if the mystery boxes aren’t for you, you can pick something else up at a discount.

Universal Standard Mystery Box Sale: Everything You Need to Know

Universal Standard is one of my favorite brands. I fell in love with them in 2015 when they first hit the scene and have purchased so much since then. They are absolutely the most size-inclusive major brand with every item offered in sizes 00-40. As someone who is very often excluded from styles as a size 28, it is extremely appreciated. The styles are classic and high quality and some of my favorite things in my closet. There isn’t a week that goes by that I don’t wear US at least twice. If you want more photos, you can find my Universal Standard archives here.

Universal Standard’s annual mystery box sale is back after being discontinued in 2023. For a limited time, you can purchase a mystery box filled with 3-4 surprise items from the brand, all at a discounted price. But what’s inside the box? And is it worth the risk?

Just like it sounds, a Universal Standard Mystery Box is a package you purchase where the items are a mystery. For a limited time, you can purchase a themed box at deep savings not available from Universal Standard at any other time. You give up control, and they give you a discount. This round of Mystery Boxes begin 2/15 and will go through 2/23, unless they sell out earlier. There are 25 themed boxes you can select from. Examples are Classic Essentials, Denim on Repeat, First-Class Style, The Ultimate Luxury, and more.

All boxes come in sizes 00-40 and come with 3-4 wardrobe essentials that fit the box’s theme. Prices start at just $84 and select boxes are valued up to $1,000.

Boxes DO sell out throughout the sale, so if you want to get a specific box, I suggest shopping early.

What I received in my Executive Style Mystery Box:

The Executive Style box is priced at $224 and includes three pieces for a complete outfit. I received the following items:

I’m 5’10 with a long torso and shorter legs, wearing the US size XL (26/28) in all items.
Universal Standard Mystery Box 2025 + Discount 2

To say that I’m thrilled with these items would be an understatement. They’re incredibly versatile pieces to mix and match and the value is incredible compared to each item individually. BUT, as with all Mystery Boxes, your luck may vary.

Things to know BEFORE buying a Universal Standard Mystery Box:

  • All sales are final. There are no returns or exchanges with any of these items. If you’re OK with that risk, go forth and purchase! If you have experience with selling online, US items typically sell quickly on Poshmark and in Buy/Sell/Trade Groups on Facebook.
  • US sizes are DIFFERENT! Triple-check your size if you’re not familiar with it: I find their size charts to be extremely accurate, but their sizing scale is labeled differently from other brands. If you’re close to my size, I wear a size 28 in most retailers and do so as well for the numeric labeled items at US, and in their alphanumeric sizing, wear either an XL or 2XL depending on how I’d like the item to fit.
  • It’s truly random what is selected for you. Items will fall in the theme of the box you purchase, but the specific items/colors could vary from person to person. If you’re ultra-selective or are only looking to fill a narrow gap in your wardrobe, this might not be the right sale for you. But again, if you’re comfortable selling online or with any other US-obsessed friends, then it should be easy to swap or sell what didn’t hit the mark for you.
  • Boxes sell out – If there’s a specific one you’re interested in, I suggest buying early. Sizes and styles become limited.
  • Shipping can be slow because of volume of orders if you are looking for Amazon Prime speeds, this isn’t it!

Universal Standard Discount Code

Shop Universal Standard Mystery Boxes. If you’re a new customer, use code INFS-AUTHENTIC10 for an additional 10% off.

Have questions? Let me know and I’ll try to answer them! Also, let me know what boxes you’re getting!





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Women's Fashion

Review – Short Story Petite Clothing Subscription Box

by Lina Clémence
written by Lina Clémence



*This post was created in partnership with Short Story.

There’s a new petite clothing subscription box in town, specially curated for petite women! If you’re petite and have ever tried a clothing subscription service, you may have run into the problem of a real lack of options in your size. A few years ago, I worked briefly as a stylist for one of the major subscription box companies where I saw firsthand how they lacked actual petite sizes for their clients, despite advertising them heavily. It was very frustrating as a stylist to see so many dissatisfied clients who specially asked for petite clothing and ended up receiving only one, or absolutely none, just due to a complete lack of inventory.

So when the petite subscription box, Short Story, reached out, I was excited to see someone stepping up to serve this market! Below is my experience using the service, and if you’re interested in trying them out yourself, this referral link will waive your first $25 styling fee.

Not sure if this service is for you? You may find this petite clothing visual helpful.

The Process

How Short Story Box Works:

  • Sizes they carry: 00P – 18P
  • Styling Fee: $25, which is credited toward any items you decide to keep
  • Returns: 5 days to try on and decide. Prepaid return envelope included
  • US only at this time

After signing up, you will be directed to take a Style Quiz which is where your budget, sizing, fit, and style preferences will be noted. Along with questions about your height and the usual sizes you wear, you can also further dial in on your personal style by noting typical fit issues, general style and color preferences, and even pieces you’d rather not receive. There’s also a note section where you can leave more detailed information. A petite stylist will use these answers to pick items specifically for you.

I admit I am a picky customer, so I was very curious about what my stylist would choose for me. I asked for clothes only (no shoes or accessories), and kept my color preferences very neutral.

Box Arrival

The items arrived in a branded soft pink medium-sized box. Take note of this in case your living situation requires less enticing packaging (you may need to redirect packages to a work, paid mailbox, or friend/family address). Inside, the clothing items were nicely folded, stacked, and wrapped in tissue. An insert includes a note from your stylist, a list of the box contents, and an itemized price list. A large pre-paid envelope is included for any returns.

The Pieces

Try-On Review

First, A Little About Me:

I am 4’11” tall, short-waisted (longer legs, short torso), narrow on top, and curvier on the bottom. I usually wear an xxs/00 on top, and am somewhere between a size 24/25/0 on bottom. Being so short and also having a short torso means petite sizes will ALWAYS fit better on me. I really need those shorter proportions when it comes to necklines, lengths, rises, armholes, sleeves, hems, etc. I often get away with regular clothing sizes through styling tricks or embracing oversized fits, but when it comes down to it, if I can find an item I love in a petite size, it’s what I’ll reach for and will ultimately look better on me.

Ok, let’s see what my petite stylist picked for me:

Items:

  • 24/7 Knot Front Tee – petite size XS
  • Kyle High Rise Slim Fit Ankle Skinny – petite size 0P

These first two items are both in petite sizes and definitely in my style wheelhouse. A high-rise grey wash distressed skinny is always welcome in my wardrobe, and a knotted drop shoulder stripe tee is fun mix of classic with an edge. Note the perfect petite proportions: the cropped tee ends right at the waist, the high-rise is proportioned to my frame, and look at that perfect ankle length on this petite jean.

Items:

  • Blake Fitted Cardigan – petite size XSP (fits like XXSP)
  • Kyle High Rise Slim Fit Ankle Skinny – petite size 0P

Same petite jean, but now let’s look at this cardigan. Also in a petite size, this fitted cardigan follows my figure and hits at the perfect spot on my wrist. After so many years of wearing loose and oversized top layers, it’s nice to have something a little more fitted and short to pair with this season’s wide and baggy bottoms. In fact, I already wore this cardigan on a trip to Vegas where it paired much better with a pair of wide-leg pants than the oversized fits currently in my closet.

Items:

  • Colette Contour Bodysuit – petite size XXSP
  • Kyle High Rise Slim Fit Ankle Skinny – petite size 0P

Ok, this bodysuit is something I was really interested in trying. In my “about me” above, I noted that not only am I pretty short, but I also have a short torso. This means that even petite proportions on tops can end up a little long on me, making things like one-piece bathing suits or bodysuits very difficult to find. Not only does this petite bodysuit fit, but it’s also a nice thick fabric that makes going braless a possibility. Very excited about this gem! I won’t show you the full bodysuit because I’m not about to put photos like that of me on the internet, but as you can see it’s a nice smooth fit (it would bunch if the bodysuit were too long for me).

Items:

  • Colette Contour Bodysuit – petite size XXSP
  • Porto Striped Ponte Pants – petite size 0P

Pants are always a tough thing for me to find so I wanted to have my stylist include a pair for me to try. This petite pair has a nice bit of stretch and good rise. I prefer my ankle lengths a tad shorter than this, so I’d end up getting these hemmed if I were to keep.

Items:

  • Texture & Thread Front Knot Jacquard Top – non-petite size XXS
  • Porto Striped Ponte Pants – petite size 0P

Here we have the single item sent to me not in a petite size. As soon as I tried on this top, I could immediately feel the difference in fit. The sleeve and length could both stand to be a tad shorter, but let’s be real…I wear way more oversized proportions than this on the regular so I definitely recognize the petite-friendly fit of this item.

Final Thoughts

My main curiosity when it came to the Short Story subscription box was just how many actual petite clothing items they’d be able to send me. Turned out, 5 of the 6 pieces sent to me were indeed an actual petite size, evident by the good fit and proportions. The one item that was not a petite size ultimately felt a little “off” especially after trying on so many properly proportioned items just before it, but still qualifies as quite petite-friendly in my book.

From my personal experience, Short Story gave a much better hit rate of actual petite-sized items than what I saw from similar services and is worth a try if you are a true petite and enjoy the idea of subscription box personal styling. You can give Short Story a try with the first styling fee waived through this link.



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