Curlbox

[JBunnie]

Yeah...... this review though..... she has braids and admits that the Motions products "have a lot of chemicals". Like I said in the email I know some curly girls are "that girl" but it just wasn't a good idea to have your first box since you opened up new subscriptions filled with controversial products...

Pause, she said "oldie but goodie" about the Luster's..... maybe my hair if just different........

But overall I feel like I'm beating a dead horse, I'm just waiting to see if she responds and how that will go.

 

[JBunnie]

Wait, she's uploading an unboxing video tomorrow?! The forum is going to be TOO DAMN LIVE tomorrow I know this. CurlBox video and Komaza results?!?! I'm bringing the wings ladies, and the divorce papers because I have a feeling it's going to GO DOWN!

 

[HanaKuroi]

Wait, she's uploading an unboxing video tomorrow?! The forum is going to be TOO DAMN LIVE tomorrow I know this. CurlBox video and Komaza results?!?! I'm bringing the wings ladies, and the divorce papers because I have a feeling it's going to GO DOWN!

What time? I am going to need to not use my phone for once tomorrow! I wanna see the gifs.

 

[Meritamen]

Yeah...... this review though..... she has braids and admits that the Motions products "have a lot of chemicals". Like I said in the email I know some curly girls are "that girl" but it just wasn't a good idea to have your first box since you opened up new subscriptions filled with controversial products...

Pause, she said "oldie but goodie" about the Luster's..... maybe my hair if just different........

But overall I feel like I'm beating a dead horse, I'm just waiting to see if she responds and how that will go.

I wouldn't knock this month's box as badly as I've done if what was offered was more balanced. I've seen unboxings from previous months that offered a range of products to try from salon stuff, small boutique and drugstore lines that seemed satisfatory but this month seems medicore with perdominately low end products only.

I noticed everyone got a half empty jar of the Shea Radiance cream. Lame.

 

[JBunnie]

WOW, I looked at her personal Twitter and the CurlBox Twitter and there are some differences in what she tweets. Her personal Twitter is a lot more brash and unprofessional in how she talks about the video and the situation but she does RT some things from her personal Twitter onto the CurlBox Twitter. She only seems to RT the more tame comments onto the CurlBox page, as if we can't access the personal page or we will disregard anything she puts on there because it's her personal page. Thing is if you're going to utilize social media to promote your products people will associate any account, whether personal or business, to your product/brand. If she really feels the need to have a have a personal Twitter to try and talk crazy at least make it private, or don't have your business affiliations in the damn bio. To be 100% honest she needs to learn to bite her damn tongue and be humble. Obviously she has an issue with that so she should really just text her damn friends about her personal frustrations (that is if she has any friends because I'd think a real friend would care and have enough common sense to tell her to cut the CRAP) The same way social media can help her it can also hurt her

About to watch this unboxing/review video she talked about this this comment:

Just watched Melshary July curlBOX review video. Love it when they GET it. http://instagr.am/p/NKE4XkDWAY/

She also tweeted this on her personal account:

I'm way ahead of schedule on everything for August CurlBOX ... I'm still in utter disbelief over it. Ordering larger shipping boxes.

Larger shipping boxes ladies?!? Maybe we will be oh so blessed to get a box with nothing but full sized bottles and jars of UTTER CRAP next month!!!! I'm predicting she'll shove an old school conk kit (a la Malcolm X) in the damn box complete with how to brush your hair pre "treatment" guide and toilet rinsing instructions. Then she'll just tweet at us to try it before we say anything to her

 

[JBunnie]

Meritamen, that's what I said! I get that some girl still use those ingredients in their hair and that some girls still use drug store brands. But that was ALL that was in the box. Everything but the Shea Radiance I could have got at Target, I'm at Target every damn week, if I wanted a Target box I would have made that myself. There was no balance. And with her having new subscriptions this month made it worse. Wouldn't you want to do something spectacular for the girls who are literally receiving their FIRST CurlBox?! Then her attitude had made it so much worse and is 2.5 seconds away from being unforgivable in my book. (But as we can see some young ladies have already jumped shipped and I can see why)

HanaKuroi, no time listed, punk move in my opinion. She won't be able to take all the heat at once and she knows it.

 

[Meritamen]

Thing is if you're going to utilize social media to promote your products people will associate any account, whether personal or business, to your product/brand. If she really feels the need to have a have a personal Twitter to try and talk crazy at least make it private, or don't have your business affiliations in the damn bio.

This all day. She hurt herself and her business more by the way she responded to the complaints then any of the disappointment that could be found in this month's box. People will overlook a dud or two but most don't like to be talked to sideways.

She also tweeted this on her personal account:

I'm way ahead of schedule on everything for August @CurlBOX ... I'm still in utter disbelief over it. Ordering larger shipping boxes.

Larger shipping boxes ladies?!? Maybe we will be oh so blessed to get a box with nothing but full sized bottles and jars of UTTER CRAP next month!!!! I'm predicting she'll shove an old school conk kit (a la Malcolm X) in the damn box complete with how to brush your hair pre "treatment" guide and toilet rinsing instructions. Then she'll just tweet at us to try it before we say anything to her

Girl, you bad! I had to look up what a conk was.

I do hope this is a better box. All though I'm not interested in subscribing to this type of service myself I still like to quench my inner PJ with unboxing videos. Makes me sad to see folks disappointed.

 

[JBunnie]

This all day. She hurt herself and her business more by the way she responded to the complaints then any of the disappointment that could be found in this month's box. People will overlook a dud or two but most don't like to be talked to sideways.

AND I SAY CHURCH...........PREACH!!!!!

 

[Golden75]

Yup, got my invite for tomorrow I guess enough people cancelled so she need some money.

I probably would've still tried Curlbox if she didn't post that mess. All she had to do was say, my bad, I should have had a more balanced box, I will do my best to be sure this will not happen again. Especially if she is not repping those brands on her site.

She should take the comments & critcism, learn & grow.

Shoot I'm keeping my $20

 

[JBunnie]

Video up........

watch it here

 

[Iluvsmuhgrass]

The unboxing....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6wFZPG2l85o

The video is relatively professional and hints to an unbelievable August box (whether this is the absolute truth or a marketing ploy remains to be seen.) I actually like her personality (in her previous videos), however you can definitely see the vexation coming out a little bit in this particular unboxing. It's nice that she clarified the concept of taking chances and shared how these products came to be included into the July Curlbox. I can appreciate that.

There are several reasons that people tend to stay away from cones and/or sulfates. It has nothing to do with being busy (that was an off-the-cuff but funny comment that she made in the video... I know many busy sistas that are into healthy ingredients. I was genuinely able to laugh at this in a good-hearted manner without feeling slighted.) For me.... it has to do with cutting carcinogens to a minimum, avoiding skin irritation, and wanting a true healthier moisture for my hair and skin. Not all naturalistas are ingredient die-hards, some just know which ingredients do (or don't) work for their head of hair. As a consumer, I really wanted to set that box on fire while listening to Usher's Let It Burn. But ya know... It would have been nice to hear,"I hear y'all and I understand where you're coming from. Do you guys have any suggestions on creating an awesome CurlBox experience for you?" Instead of getting the "Give it a try because you never know" or "It's all about taking chances" or "I knew I was going to catch it when I put this out there."

With that said, I genuinely hope that she listens to her true customer base (not the ones that just tend to hate on everyone and everything but to the ones that truly want to like/love the purpose/services of her business) and rise above and beyond the call. I also hope that she stops with the less than stellar tweets and such. That's not palatable. Even if it's not meant as brash as it could be interpreted, it's still unprofessional and somewhat off-putting. That doesn't seem to go with the image she's put forth thus far, so hopefully it's just a one time quirk.

I'm giving it another chance, I have not canceled my subscription, and I have yet to actually burn anything down. But I will if I get more pink lotion.

 

[TopShelf]

I think that her next box will make-up for this box because of all of the comments

 

[HanaKuroi]

I think that her next box will make-up for this box because of all of the comments

So what you are saying is sign up now while she ia making amends.

 

[1QTPie]

People that believe such notions settle are settling and are really pissed when they find out Prince Charming is really a frog and they've just grown immune to his croaking.

WHATEVER I'm glad I didn't sign up for this! Something told me not to.

This is just in general, not directed at you or defending anyone.

It's because people complain before actually trying the product because they read on Google that sulfates cause you to lose your eyebrows and your feet catch on fire versus actually TRYING the product. I avoided silicone (which work for my hair) and darn near destroyed it with glycerin messing around with you all.

The box is to appeal to all sorts of curly girls. Some of us use Crisco, while some of us use Coconut oil only if it's been gleaned by the hands of 50 virgins.

You cannot complain about how something works until you've used it. I think that was the point. People complain about customer service when they are terrible customers.

The CurlBox from April and March were right up my alley. February and June, not so much. It's a sample box (I spend $10 a DAY on lunch,) I'm not going to be pleased all the time.

 

[1QTPie]

Chile please! They should know that a lot of curly girls do not use sulfates and cones. If you're going to put them in the box don't make them the FULL SIZE items.... DUH!!!!! If someone does not use something I doubt they will just decide to try it out because you sent it to them..... And pink lotion.... that was just a total fail to me.

You're complaining that something is full sized in a sample box? Give it away. Some of you are doing too much.


This is why I keep working for the white man. I could not deal with customers and their issues. I'm sorry, I'm being rude. When I saw your post, I read it like, "I cannot believe that they gave me a full sized version of something that was supposed to be a sample. How dare they!"

I'm regifting a few items and a curlbox to my bestie who can't get on the list. For those of you who don't want it, please let yours go so people who want the CurlBox's can have them.

 

[greenandchic]

This is just in general, not directed at you or defending anyone.

It's because people complain before actually trying the product because they read on Google that sulfates cause you to lose your eyebrows and your feet catch on fire versus actually TRYING the product. I avoided silicone (which work for my hair) and darn near destroyed it with glycerin messing around with you all.

The box is to appeal to all sorts of curly girls. Some of us use Crisco, while some of us use Coconut oil only if it's been gleaned by the hands of 50 virgins.

You cannot complain about how something works until you've used it. I think that was the point. People complain about customer service when they are terrible customers.

The CurlBox from April and March were right up my alley. February and June, not so much. It's a sample box (I spend $10 a DAY on lunch,) I'm not going to be pleased all the time.

I do understand your point, but at the same time, don't insult our knowledge and experience. (Not directed at you, 1QTPie). Some of us have been natural for years, if not our entire lives and know beyond a shadow of a doubt what works for our hair and what doesn't. I'm not going to try a shampoo with a sulfate or conditioner with a 'cone because I've tried it time and again and ended up with dry, frizzy, brittle hair every single time. Not saying I would never, ever go there, but I have a personal problem with anyone telling me what I should do with my hair and suck it up after I told them it wont work.

Its not even about the products shipped, it her attitude I have issues with. I'm not a CS specialist but I would imagine the conversation should go like this:

Comapny: I'm sorry you're not happy what the product. I used this brand because of XYZ, but what can we do to make your experience a positive one next month?

If multiple people are complaining, I think its time to listen to your customers.

 

[JBunnie]

I've never watched any of her other videos and I'm not going to start now. I'm just taking Iluvsmuhgrass, word on how her attitude has been in previous videos.

First and foremost, if she was going to do a video in which she explains her thought process behind the July CurlBox then WHY did she say those things on Twitter? She could have easily said, "I'm sorry for any disappointment; I'm going to explain the logic behind all my choices for the July box in my unboxing video." I would have accepted that, waited and heard her out on the products. But she still controdicted herself off top when she said that she knew that people were going to get on her and that she wanted to have a conversation with her customers. But it doesn't seem like any conversing actually happened. It appears that she has shunned everyone who complained and embraced those who didn't. Again, I can accept a less than stellar box because everyone's hair is not the same so I don't expect for my hair to love everything in each box, but I will not accept being talked to sideways.

The whole introduction of the Luster's "did you hear what I said? The Pink Lotion LIGHT!" Yes we heard you, don't talk down to us. Unnecessary. She then goes on to talk about how she browses the blogs and she cares about what we have to say... I couldn't tell. Then she went on to say that one of her favorite hair products from the May CurlBox was $4. She's missing the point again, it's not that we are expecting her to give us salon brands in the box, but Luster's is nothing new. New formula or not we see it everywhere, it's easily accessible, we are looking for some things that aren't as well known, cheap or not. (Beating the dead horse here but what about all the brands on the CurlBox website again? Where were they?)

Shea Radiance, she said tweet us, Instagram us..... we know what that really means.

Motions, again another easily accessible brand that had been around. She said that she knew she was going to catch some feelings for this, which obviously she did. Again I know there is going to be variety, but making the full sized products so controversial to me was not the best decision. I honestly believe if the Motions were sample size and the Shea Radiance and Jane Carter were full size the reactions would have been different.

If I would have heard the words, "try it" again I would have lost it. We get it, you don't want to hear our opinion unless we've taken the risk, even though many of us have taken the sulfate and cone risk already, in many different products in many different stages of our hair journey and yielded the same results BUT we're supposed to give it one last go because they work for her..... I actually noticed that she seemed to say that a lot of the products worked for her, so I guess we all have her hair don't we?! That just made me feel that she did this box from a very personal stand point and that isn't fair because it goes without being said that her customers are a diverse set of curlies. (Hell I checked out Barkbox after Keshieshimmer, mentioned it and the first thing they ask is what is the size of your dog. That's the company acknowledging the differences intended users. I find that the video revealed that she neglected to do)

And the fact that she kept saying she KNEW she was going to catch hell for some things makes her reactions on the social networking sites even worse. If you knew you were putting yourself in the position to be heavily criticized then you should have known how to keep your composure better.

All in all it was nice to hear the thought process behind her choices and she could have really used the video as a tool to get her point across. But since it came after her sideways comments it was bound to be ill received to an extent. Again on a more personal level I'm waiting for a response to my email.

 

[JBunnie]

Response came yesterday afternoon:

Dear Jessica,

Thank you for sharing your CurlBox experience with us. As both the Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Experience Officer, I personally read and review all comments and points of view and value them. And - it is always great to hear from caring subscribers who want to see CurlBox succeed. You bring up some valid points and we'll review them along with others so that we can continue to strive to get better.

We realize that it is impossible for everybody to love everything they get, or, even every box they get. That is why we offer a monthly subscription policy that allows you to opt out of the program at any point without any penalty. While we'd love to keep you for the year, we realize that it might not be what you are looking for. And in all actuality, if we've done our job you'll find a product that you fall in love with and will no longer need that monthly subscription.

I sincerely appreciate your business and the time you took to communicate to us.

Sincerely,



myleik teele
founder + ceo "chief experience officer"
@myleik | CurlBOX
www.curlbox.com
www.facebook.com/curlBOX

Now if she didn't make all those "try it" and "I don't care" comments/posts on Twitter and Instagram I wouldn't be skeptical about this email. But I'm basically taking caution with everything she says now. The email was professional and well written, but experience just leads me to believe she was rolling her eyes and muttering "THAT B*, I got that money for the sulfate I'm pushing though" the whole time she was writing this.

 

[The Princess]

I want a AUG box. I just watched her video and she stated AUG box, is what she been working on since she open Curlbox. Just curious.

 

[NikkiQ]

She must've gotten A LOT of complaints about that last box. Look what was posted on FB a minute ago:

"limited edition boxes with all-natural products ... for curls who wait ... stay tuned for more details."

 

[1QTPie]

I do understand your point, but at the same time, don't insult our knowledge and experience. (Not directed at you, 1QTPie). Some of us have been natural for years, if not our entire lives and know beyond a shadow of a doubt what works for our hair and what doesn't. I'm not going to try a shampoo with a sulfate or conditioner with a 'cone because I've tried it time and again and ended up with dry, frizzy, brittle hair every single time. Not saying I would never, ever go there, but I have a personal problem with anyone telling me what I should do with my hair and suck it up after I told them it wont work.

Its not even about the products shipped, it her attitude I have issues with. I'm not a CS specialist but I would imagine the conversation should go like this:

Comapny: I'm sorry you're not happy what the product. I used this brand because of XYZ, but what can we do to make your experience a positive one next month?

If multiple people are complaining, I think its time to listen to your customers.

It's cool.

First, this is my opinion, and I am venting because I don't understand what's going on.

My thought is that not every one who is natural likes the same things. It's a sample box with sample products and the products vary from month to month. I have been "natural" for 10 years, I've seen all of the trends come and go with natural hair. Some of us have no issue using sulfates. Does that negate us as naturals?

I was saying to JBunnie that trying ONE cB and writing a long letter complaining that you don't use Motions (which is a very successful company by the way) is nonsensical to me. You tried one box. There are videos on youtube (including from the owner) that shows what cB is like. Why didn't you watch those before purchasing?

To me, it's like writing a letter to Carol's Daughter and complaining because I tried a product and my hair didn't like it. Or in this case, not trying it and writing a letter to complain. Or, based on this thread, it's like complaining about a product you didn't buy, nor try, and just piling on. Some of you haven't even spent money. lol

Wouldn't it make more sense to write Motions and ask them why they cannot and won't create a line that suits your needs?

I'm all for shaming and calling out scammers, but I don't believe that it applies here. I read their FB page and you know what it tells me? There there are a lot of people missing reading comprehension skills and a lot more who really cannot afford to be subscribed to the service. It's mind boggling.

I understand why you and many others don't like her retorts, I get it, but when I first replied, it was well before I even saw the tweets posted. If it's offensive, save your money. I high five anyone that won't take anyone's crap or disrespect.

I just think all and all, that some of you don't understand what a sub to cb or birchbox or any of those services means. And I feel it's a bit too much. Curlbox is for curly hair, not organic/natural/black owned brands only? Where does it say that they only cater to companies who supply "gentle" or natural products?

One final thing, curlbox held an open conference call the night after most of you complained and said you were cancelling the service. I guess someone snitched.

Why weren't ANY OF YOU on there? There was not one complaint. She tweeted and facebooked the conference call invite, I cannot imagine not one of you saw it as most of us practically live online. This keyboard courage is frustrating and makes me sad that instead of supporting a black business, we tear it down (over sulfates.) They gave your an opportunity to hit back, but nothing was said by any of you. Crickets and compliments, that's all that was heard. How frustrating.

 

[KinkyGenius]

"Keyboard courage," really? Anyway....

The way she handled the backlash initially is what turned me off, it wasn't just about sulfates and cones. A lot of people expressed their disappointment about the two full size products containing ingredients that a large majority of the natural community try to shy away from, the talks of cancelling memberships didn't really begin until she started responding to the criticism she was receiving. I was willing to give her another couple of months until I saw the instagram posts and some of the things she tweeted. I'm all for uplifting black business, but you gotta give me a reason to do that.....you simply being black is not enough, sorry hun. You have to leave those emotional responses at the door. To post "Who Cares What They Think?" and other messages similar to that one made me think that she's not even willing to possibly concede to the fact that there were some major areas to improve things and at least hear out what some of her paying customers had to say. Some of the backlash she received was constructive, not all of it was about "tearing her down over sulfates." I just wish she wouldn't have responded the way that she did and instead waited to release the unboxing video addressing the concerns in a more professional manner.

 

[HanaKuroi]

If jbunnie and others knew ahead of time what was going to be in the box they would have canceled. There are product lines listed on the site implying that those would be included not run of the mill lower end products.

Comparing curlbox to buying cd makes no sense at all.
Curlbox put these boxes together including products that most curlies avoid. She knows what most curlies use and don't use. She knows her market. She was flippant and unprofessional with how she handled the situation.

 

[HanaKuroi]

As far as the FB thing I think most were done and had their minds made up after her tweets and instagram. Why bother at that point?

 

[JBunnie]

Well, obviously there are some who get where I am coming from and I'm happy that there are curly girls who hold businesses to a certain standard.

 

[gorgeoushair]

Honestly, I see both sides....

 

[Kurlee]

people can be fussy, boy . . . if they don't like it, maybe they should unsubscribe. She never promised organic, sulfate free, black owned products only.

 

[drmuffin]

Did anyone ever stop and think that the "Who cares what they think" picture was about naturals embracing their hair and for them to not care what haters think/say? I don't think she would be that stupid to direct that at people who didn't like the box.

 

[MsDes]

people can be fussy, boy . . . if they don't like it, maybe they should unsubscribe. She never promised organic, sulfate free, black owned products only.

Tell it. And I know lots of naturals that use products with mineral oil, sulfates, silcones, etc and got healthy, long hair!

 

[Ogoma]

people can be fussy, boy . . . if they don't like it, maybe they should unsubscribe. She never promised organic, sulfate free, black owned products only.

People can be as fussy as they want with their money and their hair. She didn't promise it, but heavily implied it by listing it as the products people can expect to see in their boxes.

I never subscribed, but would have canceled ASAP if I got that box and the attitude that followed. I don't do bad customer service regardless of the package it comes in.