January's Curlkit Box: Remembering the Natural Hair Subscription Box Craze of 2012




By Lady Carolyn M. Summerset
Crowning Glory — Coils & Kinks
Originally published December 16, 2012 | Refreshed October 2026

Hello, my beautiful Curl Friends! 💕

Today, we're taking another little trip down memory lane to a time when natural-hair subscription boxes were becoming one of the most exciting ways to discover new products for our curls, coils, and kinks.

If you were part of the natural-hair community in 2012, you may remember the excitement surrounding CurlKit, a monthly subscription box filled with products designed to introduce naturalistas to different brands, hair-care routines, and styling possibilities.

And ladies, you know how much we loved discovering a new leave-in conditioner, curl cream, or styling gel!

A Look Back at CurlKit in 2012

When I originally wrote this article in December 2012, I was looking forward to receiving my first CurlKit in January 2013.

At that time, the subscription was advertised at approximately $20 per month, and each box offered a selection of sample-size and sometimes full-size beauty and natural-hair products.

For someone exploring her natural-hair journey, the concept was appealing.

Instead of spending money on several full-size products that might not work for my hair, I could sample different formulas and discover which ones deserved a permanent place in my hair-care collection.

Of course, there was also the simple pleasure of opening a beautifully packaged surprise!

Why Subscription Boxes Were So Popular

The natural-hair movement was flourishing, and women everywhere were sharing their experiences through blogs, YouTube videos, online communities, and product reviews.

Subscription boxes offered an opportunity to discover brands we might not have encountered in our local beauty supply stores.

A typical box might feature a combination of:

  • Moisturizing leave-in conditioners

  • Styling gels and curl definers

  • Hair oils and butters

  • Deep-conditioning treatments

  • Detangling accessories

  • Product samples and natural-hair publications

The excitement wasn't simply about accumulating products. It was about learning what our hair liked, understanding ingredients, and becoming more confident in caring for our natural texture.

The Products and Photographs From This Era

The photographs in my original article showed CurlKit boxes from earlier months in 2012, along with an embedded YouTube discussion about a December box.

These were examples of the types of products and packaging circulating in the natural-hair community while I anticipated the January 2013 subscription.

They were not photographs of my January box.

Looking back, those earlier boxes tell an interesting story about the products naturalistas were discovering, including conditioners, gels, curl-refreshing sprays, moisturizing treatments, and detangling tools.

The replacement cover photograph accompanying this refreshed article is a modern artistic recreation inspired by that era, not a photograph of an actual 2013 CurlKit.

Lessons From the Product-Discovery Years

One lesson I learned during my natural-hair journey is that more products do not necessarily mean healthier hair.

A beautiful jar, an exciting ingredient list, or an enthusiastic product review can certainly capture our attention. However, the real test is how a product performs on our own strands.

What works beautifully for another woman's curls may not produce the same results on ours.

Hair density, strand thickness, porosity, styling preferences, and environmental conditions can all influence our experiences.

Over the years, I have come to appreciate the value of a simple, consistent routine built around cleansing, conditioning, gentle handling, and styling products that meet my hair's needs.

Sometimes, ladies, the best product is not the newest one on the shelf. It is the one that consistently works for you!

Looking Back With Appreciation

This article is part of the Crowning Glory archives, preserving a little piece of natural-hair blogging history.

In December 2012, I was excited about beginning a new product-discovery experience. Today, I can appreciate just how much the natural-hair community has taught us about caring for our beautiful textures.

The subscription information, promotional offers, pricing, and products mentioned in the original article reflect that historical period and should not be interpreted as current purchasing information.

But the excitement of learning to love and care for our natural hair?

That never goes out of style!

Let's Talk, Ladies!

Do you remember the early natural-hair subscription boxes?

Were you a CurlKit subscriber, or did you discover your favorite products through YouTube reviews and beauty blogs?

And here's another question: Are you still a product junkie, or have you finally settled into a routine with your favorite products? 😊

I'd love to hear your memories in the comments!

As always,

Happy Curls to You! 💕

Lady Carolyn M. Summerset
Crowning Glory — Coils & Kinks

© 2026 Crowning Glory — Coils & Kinks by Lady Carolyn M. Summerset. All Rights Reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or republished without prior written permission of the author.











Remember that you will receive samples, Curl Life (hairstyle pamphlet), and full-size products!


The October Curlbox is pictured above and was taken by thathaitiangirl on Tumblr.com.

Here is the link:   www.curlkitshop.com



Comments

  1. UnknownJanuary 4, 2013 at 8:08 AM

    AWWW CUTE.. THANKS FOR THE MENTION FOR MY PIC.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Lady SummersetJanuary 4, 2013 at 6:25 PM

      Thanks for commenting. It was the least that I could do.

      I'm looking forward to my first Curl Kit this month.

      Delete

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