Month: October 2017

Sephora Play! October 2017 Subscription Box Review

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Sephora Play!

Cost: $10.00 monthly + tax

Cycle: Every Month

What is it: Every month our favorite money sucking store Sephora sends out a curated box of higher end samples to try out.  Every month you receive 5 samples and a perfume sample.  The boxes are customized with a few different variations being sent out each month.

There is a small survey that Sephora has you take that helps Sephora curate a box to your needs. There is also a card included in the box for a complimentary mini makeover (which are complimentary any way so I don’t really get that) and 50 extra points if you purchase something in store.

These was a very coordinated month everything photographs really nicely together.

Tarte Rainforest of the Sea Marine Boosting Mist

Full Size: 73.93 ml

Full Size Cost: $25

Sample Size: 7 ml

Value: $2.37

This smells like the spa and has the best mister on it that I have ever used it sprays so light and even. It is really tacky and makes my skin feel tight though so I’d be more likely to use this under makeup then to try and use it as a facial mist again. I wanted this to be a nice facial mist but I think I will use this in addition to primer from now on.

Make Up For Ever Ultra HD Invisible Cover Foundation

Full Size: 1.01 oz

Full Size Cost: $43

Sample Size: 0.16 oz

Value: $6.81

This actually looks like a decent match for me but it is different then the shade I already have of this and the shade I was matched to in store which looks totally wrong for me. I love this foundation it looks so good on my skin and doesn’t get cakey which happens to me alot. I am happy to have another sample to use up this is a pricey foundation.

Dr. Brandt PoreDermabrasion Pore Exfoliator

Full Size: 2 oz

Full Size Cost: $58

Sample Size: 0.25 oz

Value: $7.25

Since I just got the full size in this month’s Boxycharmthis is not that exciting to me. I am sure many people are pretty happy about this little sample though.

Urban Decay Optical Illusion Complexion Primer

Full Size: 30 ml

Full Size Cost: $34

Sample Size: 5 ml

Value: $5.67

I have been dying to try this primer since it launched last year. It is just so expensive for a primer and I have so many but I’m so so thrilled. I find this works best combined with a pore filling primer they make a good smooth base that way.

Make Up For Ever Ulta HD Skin Booster

Full Size: 12 ml

Full Size Cost: $41

Sample Size: 4.5 ml

Value: $15.38

I thought this was a really tiny sample at first but I have changed my mind seeing how pricey the full size is and tat this is almost half the full size. This is another primer type product for me but this will go very fast. I am looking forward to mixing it into the foundation and seeing the effect.

Tory Burch Bel Azure Perfume

Full Size: 50 ml

Full Size Cost: $96

Sample Size: 1.5 ml

Value: $2.88

I really line the Tory Burch perfumes they all smell really nice. This is a bit fruity. I am consistently amazed and the value of these perfume samples that most places give away for free.

So there were two skincare items that are only going to be useful as primers for me so I am counting them as makeup. The value was higher then last month. I am pretty happy with the box and that it can all be used as one cohesive look on the face. I actually think it is awesome to get two products from the same brand so that we can mix them and see how they play together.

Quick Summary:

Total Value: $40.36

Skincare: 1

Makeup: 4

Tools: 0

Hair Care: 0

Perfume: 1

Other: 0

And as far as sizes:

Full Size: 0

Deluxe Sample: 1

Sample: 5

<3 Nightmare Before Makeup

Ipsy October 2017 Subscription Box Review

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Ipsy Bag

Cost: $10 monthly, $110 annual

Cycle: Every Month

What is it: Every month Ipsy sends out a cute makeup bag of samples and full size items. you can review your bag for points that you can trade in for reward items. The rewards change often and the range between 100 points and 1000 points. You can get up to 95 points every month.

If you want to subscribe you can subscribe HERE and skip the waitlist. That is my referral link so I do get points to spend but I’m not an affiliate I don’t make any money or anything it’s just one beauty junkie to another.

Ipsy always pulls out a cute bag for Halloween I look forward to it. Last years was adorable and this years is like perfect classy gothic horror I’m all about it.

Red bag with a lace pattern printed on it.

And this fucking back I can’t he perfectly matches the bat tattoo i have on my wrist so I am extra in love with him.

So let’s see what Ipsy sent me this month.

Marc Anthony Hydrating Coconut Oil & Shea Butter

Full Size: 50 ml

Full Size Cost: $7.99

Sample Size: 20.7 ml

Value: $3.31

I do not like how this smells because I really really dislike the scent of shea butter and yes I know that is a really weird thing to dislike. But I really love hair oils they work so well for my hair to get rid of frizz and make my hair smooth and shiny. I also really love this brand so I will give it a shot.

Blaq Mask

Full Size: 60 ml

Full Size Cost: $29

Sample Size: 15 ml

Value: $7.25

This is everything I want in a mask. Its charcoal its peel off its supposed to get rid of blackheads and I really love the black packaging. I can’t believe how pricey it is.

Tarte Lights Camera Lashes Mascara

Full Size: 7 ml

Full Size Cost: $23

Sample Size: 3 ml

Value: $9.86

So I own the full size of this so I have alot to say:

  1.  How is this almost half the full size packaging is giant I mean it is this biggest tube of mascara I own.
  2. This is not the same have they reformulated?
  3. The brush doesn’t look the same and the consistency of this sample is thinner.

I’m confused. I do like tiny little mascaras though they are great for travel.

Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencil in Perversion

Full Size:  1.2 g

Full Size Cost: $20

Sample Size: 0.8 g

Value: $13.33

I really love the glide on liners from UD I have a bunch. Unfortunately perversion is the one I like the least (I’m actually almost done with my last one thank god). This on me fades in about to seconds it smudges it transfers it goes gray the smudges are impossible to get off it just turns my eyes into a messy raccoon the other colors don’t do that to me this color just does not agree with me for some reason. Swatched Below.

MDMflow Liquid Matte Lipstick in Retro

Full Size: 6 ml

Full Size Cost: $23.37

Sample Size: 6 ml

Value: $23.37

When I saw this online I was like ugh I do not like that color but on it is a nice light pinky berry that I can live with. I also really love this packaging it is rounded and really like chunky feeling in your hand but in a good way. I keep reading MDM as something else ;P I’m pretty sure that was their intention but it keeps making me laugh. I’m way more into this then I thought I would be. Not that I needed ANOTHER liquid lipstick. Swatched Below.

Good value this month from Ipsy and really decent sizes. Overall no complaints whatsoever with this month’s Ipsy and me having no complaints is a seriously rare thing. I’m picky.

Quick Summary:

Total Value: $57.12

Skincare: 1

Makeup: 3

Tools: 0

Hair Care: 1

Perfume: 0

Other: 0

And as far as sizes:

Full Size: 1

Deluxe Sample: 2

Sample: 2

<3 Nightmare Before Makeup

Macy’s Beauty Box October 2017 Subscription Box Review

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Macy’s Beauty Box

Cost: $15

Cycle: Every Month

What is it: So Macy’s has hopped on the subscription box bandwagon and this is their first box. Every month you will get a bag, a $5 off coupon, 5 deluxe samples and 1 bonus sample. Why not just say 6? I don’t get it.

All the brands will be brands you can find in Macy’s which is cool they sell Mac and a lot of other brands that are never to rarely in subscription boxes.

The cool thing about the coupon is that it is good in stores and online (beauty ships free at Macy’s) also Macy’s does have sales and $5 dollar products so if you are strategic you can score a free product every month. Depending on your state you may still have to pay tax but that is still basically free.

Another disappointing month from Macy’s. :/ and a missing product.

The bag is cute and will be great to throw in my gift stash pile.

One again there is nothing to swatch in this month’s bag.

Lancôme Énergie De Vie The Water-Infused Cream

Full Size: 1.7 oz

Full Size Cost: $55

Sample Size: 0.5 oz

Value: $16.18

Thank goodness this one thing is worth the price of the box and it is something I know I like because we have learned this box is pretty terrible on average. This is a super pricey moisturizer I have used it before and I do like it it has a nice fresh scent and works well to moisturize my skin with out being overly moisturizing or clogging my pores. I think the anti aging properties are lost on me though.

Strivectin Multi-Action Stress Defense Hydrating Water Gel

Full Size: 50 ml

Full Size Cost: $59

Sample Size: 10 ml

Value: $11.80

Oh look another moisturizer we always need two in a bag right? That’s what every one wants. This is supposed to help repair the damage from stress and not getting enough sleep since I am always stressed and never sleep I’ll Let you know soon how well that really works. But to start it is a nice light fast absorbing moisturizer.

Elizabeth Arden Superstart Skin Renewal Booster

Full Size: 30 ml

Full Size Cost: $67

Sample Size: 5 ml

Value: $11.17

To round things out a motherfucking THIRD moisturizer. Really Macy’s wtf?! Any way this is a moisturizer booster that you put on before skincare to help it absorb better I have really no use for this so this will get passed along. Also super tiny sample.

Origins Clear Improvement Mask

Full Size: 100 ml

Full Size Cost: $27

Sample Size: 15 ml

Value: $4.05

More skincare! Macy’s you really couldn’t be more boring right now. This is a great mask and I like that it is a bigger size then those annoying little pods that you can’t reseal and this is in a tube so props on the packaging. This is a good mask but I do find it a little harsh this is a once in a while mask it is also very messy.

Smashbox Photo Finish Foundation Finish

Full Size: 0.5 oz

Full Size Cost: $16

Sample Size: 0.25 oz

Value: $8

It’s a good primer I’ve already reviewed this multiple times since starting this blog if it keeps getting sent to me I will never need to buy a full size what more is there to say it is the OG primer.

Total: $51.20

The value is money wise but it really isn’t in terms of products. Three moisturizers and one of the first primers and first charcoal masks like yes its all great brands but its all old school products and boring as hell. I was also missing the perfume sample that we were supposed to receive but I don’t even care. This really just doesn’t do it for me. I really can’t think who this subscription is meant for.

<3 Nightmare Before Makeup