ONYX Beauty Box: A Look Back at Beauty Discovery for Black Women



An Archival Spotlight on a Beauty Subscription Service from 2013

By Lady Carolyn M. Summerset
Crowning Glory — Coils & Kinks
Originally published November 2, 2013 | Refreshed October 2026

Hello, my beautiful curl friends!

Do you remember when beauty subscription boxes were becoming the newest excitement in hair care and cosmetics? There was something rather delightful about opening a package filled with products you had never tried before.

For many women with natural hair, discovering the right products could be an adventure. One product might leave our curls soft and beautifully defined, while another might have us wondering why we purchased it in the first place! LOL!

Back in November 2013, I came across a beauty subscription service called ONYX, also known as We Are Onyx.

What caught my attention was its focus on beauty discovery for Black women.

Today, we're revisiting that moment in the Crowning Glory archives and reflecting on why representation in the beauty industry matters.

What Was the ONYX Beauty Box?

When I originally wrote about ONYX in 2013, the company promoted a subscription box that allowed customers to explore hair, body, makeup, and beauty products.

According to the information available at that time, subscribers could select four beauty samples, and the company included a fifth surprise selection.

The monthly price was advertised as $15 in 2013.

What made the concept particularly interesting was the opportunity to discover products selected with Black women's beauty needs and interests in mind.

Archival note: These details describe ONYX as it was presented in 2013. They should not be interpreted as current pricing, availability, or subscription terms.

Why Beauty Discovery Matters

Ladies, one thing I have learned throughout my natural hair journey is that a product that works beautifully for someone else's curls may not necessarily work the same way for mine.

Our hair differs in density, texture, porosity, strand thickness, and styling preferences.

That is why trying smaller product sizes can sometimes be helpful before investing in an entire collection.

A discovery box offers an interesting concept: sample different products, learn what your hair enjoys, and make more informed purchasing decisions.

Of course, the challenge is learning not to become a product junkie along the way! LOL!

Representation Is More Than a Beauty Trend

Looking back, I appreciate that ONYX was part of a larger conversation about making beauty products and beauty discovery more inclusive.

Black women have always brought extraordinary creativity to hairstyling, cosmetics, and self-expression.

From natural coils and curls to protective styles, elegant updos, and beautifully colored hair, our beauty has never fit neatly into one category.

And it shouldn't have to.

Every woman deserves to see her beauty reflected in the products, images, and conversations surrounding her.

What I Would Look for in a Beauty Box Today

If I were evaluating a beauty subscription today, I would pay close attention to whether the products suit my personal hair-care needs.

I would want to know whether the box includes useful product information, whether subscribers can choose samples, and whether the overall value justifies the cost.

Most importantly, I would remember that healthy hair care isn't about how many products we own. It's about understanding what works for our own strands.

For anyone still developing a routine, I recommend beginning with these helpful Crowning Glory articles:

1. The Challenge of Developing a Natural Hair Routine: Finding What Works for Your Curls and Coils!

Before purchasing more products, discover why building a simple, consistent routine can make caring for your natural hair easier.

2. What Is Hair Porosity? A Simple Guide to Moisture and Natural Hair Care

Understanding how your hair absorbs and retains moisture can help you make better decisions about conditioners, leave-ins, and styling products.

3. 10 Ways to Keep Your Natural Hair Moisturized

Explore everyday techniques for caring for your curls and coils without feeling overwhelmed by an endless collection of products.

Looking Back, Moving Forward

The ONYX Beauty Box remains an interesting part of my blogging archives because it reminds me how much the natural hair and beauty conversations have evolved.

What began as excitement over a new subscription service became part of a much larger story about choice, representation, and celebrating our individual beauty.

Today, my message remains the same:

Your natural hair is your crown. Learn it, appreciate it, care for it, and never feel that you must purchase every new product to make it beautiful.

Let's Talk, Ladies!

Have you ever subscribed to a beauty box?

Did you discover a wonderful product through a sample, or did you find that your favorite products were already sitting on your bathroom shelf?

I would love to hear about your experiences in the comments!

Until next time,

Happy Curls to You! 💕

Lady Carolyn M. Summerset

Editor's Note: This article is an archival reflection on a beauty subscription service discussed in November 2013. References to products, businesses, services, and pricing are historical and have not been verified as current. The updated cover artwork is an editorial illustration.

© 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.



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