Boxycharm September 2018 Subscription Box Review

Boxycharm

Cost: $21

Cycle: Every Month

What is it:

Boxycharm sends out 4 to 5 full size  items every month which makes it really unique among the  boxes I subscribe to.  It is a nice change to get all full size products especially for the reasonable price of $21 which is usually less then the cost of one item in the box.

If you would like to subscribe you can use my referral link HERE. I don’t get anything other then points but would really appreciate it but do as you feel comfortable you are also welcome to use the link in the header that leads to the regular homepage.

You can also review your products and get “charms” which are their versions of points that you can use as money off in their shop.


I was excited for this box when I saw the spoilers but I am really not that happy with it now that I have tried the things in the box.

Laura Geller Baked Blush-n-Brighten in Tropic Hues

Full Size: 4.5 g

Full Size Cost: $28

I am not swatching this because I am going to give it to my mom. I found it weird that this wasn’t in a box when I know for a fact that it comes in a box ad that is a theme for this whole review because there are two other products that I know for a fact come in boxes and that didn’t come in boxes and I find that very suspect.

Alamar Cosmetics The Ojitos Brush Trio

Full Size: 3 brushes

Full Size Cost: $18

These brushes are super pretty and feel really high quality I don’t really use square brushes or giant fluffy crease brushes they just don’t really work for me but these brushes still are really nice.

Butter London Glazen Lustrous Liner

Full Size: 3.5 ml

Full Size Cost: $19

This is kinda crappy first of all it has glitter in it which is odd for a liquid liner but whatever. It is really hard to used and it is like a nice smooth back line it gets like lighter and darker so you have to go over it and then it flakes off if you touch it so that’s a no go for any liner especially a glittery one. Also this is supposed to come in a box too or it used to when I had seen it on shelves a while back. Swatched Below.

Hank & Henry Lip Aesthetic in Petal Pusher

Full Size: 4 ml

Full Size Cost: $17

This is probably my favorite thing in the box but I am really annoyed to see that this is a discontinued product. I really like the color and it is comfortable on the lips with minimal transfer and no smudging the packaging is also really really cute tube containing the product is shaped like a regular bullet lipstick in the square tube which is pretty cool, and the owl face logo is adorable. The huge doe foot also makes it really easy to apply and only picks up just enough to do each part of your lips. Really sad that this is not something I can get in other shades. Swatched Below.

Pretty Vulgar Nightingale Eyeshadow Palette

Full Size: 15.8 g, 12 shades

Full Size Cost: $35

This is ANOTHER product I know comes in a box. I really hate that because you don’t know who’s been touching and opening these products before you got them or where they came from. Also this looks nothing like it does on websites in person. I have the Phoenix palette and this doesn’t feel the same. The shadows are alot stiffer and swatch much different then the color that they appear so alot end up looking like identical shades but with different finishes.

Like you can see the three top shades look different in the pan but swatched they are the same shade just a matte satin and glitter version. and you see the same with the greys and browns as well. The shadows blend well and are not patchy at all but they just don’t feel as nice as the other palette I have from them but they are not bad by any means.


I am truly not happy with this month the whole not getting products in their original complete packaging bothers me from a quality and sanitary respect like I am not so germaphobic like I am gona sanitize them and still use them but I don’t like the degradation in quality I am seeing from Boxycharm. I feel like it is a bit of a ploy to get people to sign up for the new more expensive Luxe box that they are selling now.

Total: $117

<3 Nightmare Before Makeup

Sephora Play! September 2018 Subscription Box Review

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.


I don’t understand the bag choice this month it is like a legit sandwich bag but really thick. I don’t get it and I don’t like it its odd. Also two moisturizers in one bag is not cool in my opinion.

Belif The True Cream Moisturizing Bomb

Full Size: 50 ml

Full Size Cost: $38

Sample Size: 3 ml

Value: $2.28

Belif true cream

I don’t like this cream it is way thick and doesn’t sink into my skin at all. Not a fan.

Clinique Dramatically Different Hydrating Jelly

Full Size: 15 ml

Full Size Cost: $5

Sample Size: 15 ml

Value: $5

Clinique Dramatically Different Hydrating Jelly

Woohoo a full travel size of a product I have been so curious to try. they whole clear gel see thru packaging thing is so up my alley I think it looks so pretty. It is a really light fast absorbing gel and I am all about that.

Too Faced Hangover Rx Face Primer

Full Size: 40 ml

Full Size Cost: $34

Sample Size: 5 ml

Value: $4.25

Too Faced Hangover RX Primer

I have tried this before but I don’t remember how I felt about it so I’m glad to be able to try it again.

Ole Henriksen Truth Serum

Full Size: 50 ml

Full Size Cost: $72

Sample Size: 7 ml

Value: $10.08

Ole Henriksen Truth Serum

I just tried a one time use sample of this and it obviously did nothing so its good that I can try this on a bit of a longer term. I like the truth line alot so I have high hopes for this.

Sephora Lashcraft Big Volume Mascara

Full Size: 12.5 g

Full Size Cost: $14

Sample Size: 5 g

Value: $5.60

Sephora Lashcraft

I will not be trying this the regular Lashcraft made my eyes super itchy so I am not taking a chance on this one at all. It was also very hard to remove so this is a mascara that I recommend staying far far away from.

Marc Jacobs Highliner in Earthquake

Full Size: 0.5 g

Full Size Cost: $25

Sample Size: 0.34 g

Value: $17

This is a warm chocolately brown shade. I love how these liners feel they are so creamy and stay put really well. I just don’t love a brown liner I have brown eyes so it does nothing for me.


This was a decent bag somethings I am pretty happy to try but not overly wowed.

Total Value: $44.21

Skincare: 3

Makeup: 3

Tools: 0

Hair Care: 0

Perfume: 0

Other: 0

And as far as sizes:

Full Size: 1

Deluxe Sample: 2

Sample: 3

<3 Nightmare Before Makeup

Ipsy September 2018 Subscription Box Review

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 300 points and 1000 points. You can get around 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.


Long time no see I have been away for a good chunk of the month so I haven’t had time to do any reviews. So we are jumping right back into it. I came home to an overwhelming amount of packages that I barely know where to start so I am starting with the smallest bags first and working my way bigger lol.

I was not that happy with this month’s bag so that is really disappointing.

Hempz Triple Moisture Herbal Whipped Body Creme

Full Size: 2.25 g

Full Size Cost: $6.96

Sample Size: 2.25 g

Value: $6.96

Hempz Triple Moisture Herbal Whipped Body Creme

I have recently fallen in love with Hempz lotion from a tiny sample I got in I think my most recent Walmart box I think that’s where it came from. Either way I love the thick but not greasy texture and the scents are amazing. This is a really nice bright herbally scent I love it so much. And it is a full size travel size so yay. It is $7.50 in stores but on Amazon it is cheaper.

Smashbox Photo Finish Primerizer

Full Size: 30 ml

Full Size Cost: $42

Sample Size: 4 ml

Value: $5.60

Smashbox Photo Finish Primerizer

This is a deceptively small sample. It looks bigger then the 4 ml that it is. I am sorta not super into this I don’t like moisturizing primers they don’t work that great for my more oily skin. This feels just like a moisturizer and doesn’t have the smoothness or tackiness that a primer needs in my opinion.

Meech and Mia Pressed Eyeshadow in Gunmetal

Full Size: 3 g

Full Size Cost: $11.50

Sample Size: 3 g

Value: $11.50

Meech and Mia Pressed Eyeshadow in Gunmetal
Meech and Mia Pressed Eyeshadow in Gunmetal

So this is super weird the package says 3 g but the website says 1.2 g and then it says 1.5 kg neither of which makes no fucking sense. I am going to to go with 3 g since that makes sense. Also I have no desire to own another gunmetally grey eyeshadow shade so I will pass this own it is soft and not patchy but not impressive. Swatched Below.

Nomad Cosmetics Around-the-World Light Infusion Highlighting Blush in Positano Sunrise

Full Size: 10 g

Full Size Cost: $17

Sample Size: 1.5 g

Value: $2.55

Nomad Cosmetics
Nomad Cosmetics Around-the-World Light Infusion Highlight Blush Positano Sunrise

This is so freaking soft like the design stamped in it wore off from one swatch that is how soft it feels. I am going to try it as an eyeshadow but I don’t know I just don’t wear blush and Ipsy knows that. Swatched Below.

Trestique Lip Glaze in Mumbai Magenta

Full Size: 0.8 g + 1 g of primer

Full Size Cost: $25

Sample Size: 0.7 g

Value: $9.72

Trestique Lip Glaze in Mumbai Magenta

This is pretty much a thick glossy lipstick which I am not into and it is very pink. I don’t do pink lips. Good sized product though it is almost the full size of the lipstick that comes in the full size set. Swatched Below.


Pretty disappointing month this bag seemed not meant for me at all. And a super low value really not happy at all.

Quick Summary:

Total Value: $36.33

Skincare: 0

Makeup: 4

Tools: 0

Hair Care: 0

Perfume: 0

Other: 1

And as far as sizes:

Full Size: 2

Deluxe Sample: 1

Sample: 2

<3 Nightmare Before Makeup