Macy’s Beauty Box March 2019 Subscription Box Review

Macy’s Beauty Box

Cost: $15

Cycle: Every Month

What is it: Every month you will get a bag, a $5 off coupon (sometimes $10), 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 since 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 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 it is still basically free.


Super early with the bag this month Macy’s good job!

This bag is like the weirdest thing. it has the feel of like those puffy winter ski jackets but then the shiny outside is like plastic feeling. It is so weird. Their bags are rarely logical. I was pretty happy with the contents of this bag so lets get into it.

Laura Mercier Translucent Loose Setting Powder

Full Size: 28 g

Full Size Cost: $39

Sample Size: 3.5 g

Value: $4.88

To start the sifter on mine was useless I had to pull it out to use this the 3 holes were too small to allow this pretty densely packed powder to get through. I don’t know how I feel about this powder it weirdly looks and feels really nice on my skin if I am not wearing foundation but it looked very heavy on when I had foundation on but it was also a foundation I don’t love so not the fairest test ever. It also doesn’t make my skin feel very soft and smooth like I want a powder to. It did make my makeup last longer though.

Peter Thomas Roth Firmx Peeling Gel

Full Size: 100 ml

Full Size Cost: $48

Sample Size: 15 ml

Value: $7.20

So by now every one knows or maybe should know these peeling gels it is just the product balling up it isn’t actually your skin its the stuff in it that gives you a chemical exfoliation that you see results from pretty quickly. I have like played with some stuff from the firmx line that really seems like it does work but like one little test area is hardly enough to forma an opinion so I am happy to have a product of my own to try out.

Pitera SK-II Facial Treatment Essence

Full Size: 75 ml

Full Size Cost: $99

Sample Size: 30 ml

Value: $39.60

I am always amazed at how freaking expensive this essence is. I have tried a tiny sample of this before i can’t remember is it was Macy’s that sent it or if it was Sephora either way I don’t feel like it did anything at all but this is almost half the full size so I am game to try it on a longer term to see if maybe then I get results this should be enough for at least a month maybe more. I know this is supposed to be like a miracle for your skin but I didn’t really see anything.

Stila Glitter & Glow Liquid Eyeshadow in Fairy Tail

Full Size: 4.5 ml

Full Size Cost: $24

Sample Size: 4.5 ml

Value: $24

I can’t believe we got a full size of this. I love these and I love the Shimmer & Glows but it pains me to spend $24 on them which is why I only have like 3 of them. These are just such a gorgeous easy way to do glitter. They go on perfectly and easily is you want to but the edge of it in a bit not problems they don’t transfer or flake or fallout they are just glittery shimmery perfection

This looks awful swatched I know but the camera just can’t capture it well because it is a duochrome so you need he movement and real life to be able to see its true beauty. Fairy Tail is a that olivey/antique gold base with a lavendar glitter that shifts green and gold. It is super pretty on. I am so happy to have another on of these to add to my collection.

Skin Glow by Skin Gym All Natural Rose Quartz Hydra Gel Eye Mask

Full Size: 1 pair

Full Size Cost: $5

Sample Size: 1 pair

Value: $5

This has actual rose in it (lots of this that are rose clay or rose quartz end up having no rose in it) so I can’t try these. Nice that it is a full size though. I would have liked to try them though the shape with being thinner and the hearts on the end actually looks like it would fit my eyes well.

Alien by Thierry Mugler Perfume

Full Size: 30 ml

Full Size Cost: $84

Sample Size: 1.2 ml

Value: $3.36

I don’t like the Mugler perfumes they are all too perfumey and heavy for my tastes.

Alien Man by Thierry Mugler Cologne

Full Size: 50 ml

Full Size Cost: $68

Sample Size: 1.2 ml

Value: $1.63

I kinda love that they throw in the cologne version of the perfumes they send. One it is way more inclusive for any guys that may be subscribe. Two theres pplenty of girls who like more masculine scents and three I like having them to give to my dad or my gf they are nice extra treats.


Macy’s has kinda become my favorite of all my boxes because they are just killing it with the sizes and types of products they are sending and I kinda like the wierd quirky totally makes no sense items like the underwear and pastys cuz its funny even if I won’t use them.

This month had me at the Stila glitter they could have just sent me that and I would have been happy.

Total Value: $85.67

Skincare: 3

Makeup: 2

Tools: 0

Hair Care: 0

Perfume: 2

Other: 0

And as far as sizes:

Full Size: 2

Deluxe Sample: 1

Sample: 4

<3 Nightmare Before Makeup


What’s In My Trash? February 2019

I didn’t do great this month most of what I “used” up were actually items I am decluttering. Oh well not a goo month but I feel like stressed with out a monthly goal and alot more free to just use what I feel like using and switch products around rather then commiting to one product start to finish. Con to that is I am not using up as much stuff.

And here is most of my empties for the month alot didn’t fit in the picture so alot of the declutters I just pulled out so the actual empties could shine.

Skincare (5)

Freeman Polishing Charcoal + Black Sugar Gel Mask + Scrub I didn’t like this it was too hard to rinse off my face it was a very sticky gel formula. This might make a nice body scrub since the full size tube is large and affordable.

Repurchase: No

Kate Somerville Wrinkle Warrior 2 in 1 Plumping Moisturizer this made me break out so I wouldn’t use this again.

Repurchase: No

Caudalie Vinoperfect Radiance Serum this legit did nothing and I used it for weeks plenty of time to see results. So this just isn’t for me I have another sample of this that I will declutter and pass along since this doesn’t work for me.

Repurchase: No

NuFace Prep-n-Glow Dual Sided Cloth these are my favorite. I like the exfoliating side and then the softer side. They clean well are gentle but still exfoliating.

Repurchase: Yes

Goldfaden MD Facial Detox Mask I really liked this mask a lot I felt like it did a lot to clear up my skin when I would be breaking out but it is a $65 mask like I just don’t ever see that being feasible to buy so I am super sad this is gone. I made this mask  last by using it really sparingly only on problem spots. It is really good though.

Repurchase: Maybe

Random (3)

CharBrush Family Pack this came with 4 charcoal tooth brushes and 4 tins of the CharBrush powder charcoal toothpaste I really loved this I actually have on toothbrush left but I am calling it all used up. I don’t have a picture because like this is messy as hell there is no way to save it. I loved this charcoal tooth powder it made my teeth feel clean and my gums feel healthy. I am trying another one now but will likely go back to this.

Repurchase: Yes

Seventh Generation Free & Clear Baby Wipes I picked these up because they were Super Cheap they were on sale and I found a coupon I got then for a like a $1.00 maybe even less I don’t remember. These were awful those I got them to remove swatches and they were not great and they left cotton fuzzy bits all over my skin these would be horrible for trying to clean up a kid I imagine. They are decently thick though.

Repurchase: No

Pacifica Cherry Kisses Hydrating Lipstick Wipes these are amazing and I don’t know why no one is talking about these. The are cherry flavored and like a hydrating wipe to take liquid lips off. They work really well and they taste good unlike a lot of removers and they don’t leave your lips in pain or dried out. They are just the best way to remove the lip colors that don’t want to come off I love them so much.

Repurchase: Yes, have a whole stockpile.

Home Scents (3)

Fortune Cookie Soap Company 17 Cherry Tree Lane this smelled so good in the tin like a awesome cherry cream but it didn’t have a great scent throw I was really disappointed you could kinda smell it when you would like leave the room and come back but that was about it.

Repurchase: No

Sweet & Shimmer Room Spray in Salted Caramel this smelled really strongly of alcohol. You could smell the salted caramel but this isn’t anything special. This is the same like cheap cute stuff that comes out every Christmas from Ulta and I always pick up odds and ends because it is cute and fun.

Repurchase: Maybe

HG Global Baked Apple Pie Candle I got this in a random three pack on Amazon and they were actually super nice candles they don’t burn all the way to the bottom I’ve notice but they smell nice they burn for awhile and they are cheap.

Repurchase: Yes

Lip (2)

ChapStick Sugar Cookie I had two of these I’ve now used both up I liked them of these were a bit waxy I rather have something more moisturizing feeling but the sugar cookie flavor was really nice.

Repurchase: No

Neutrogena Collagen Kiss Collagen Infused Lip Mask This was really nice I liked this. It left my lips feeling really soft and a bit more hydrated and less chapped then they were before I used this.

Repurchase: Maybe

Lotion (4)

Fortune Cookie Soap Company Mistress of All Evil Body Frosting I loved this to death. This was the kinda product that I was savoring and trying to make last. This is a thick frosting like consistency that turns into a nice dry oil feel on the skin. The scent of this was so amazing it was so sweet and warm and delicious like just delicious cake but not overly fake sweet just so fucking good.

Repurchase: Yes

Fortune Cookie Soap Company Whipped Cream in Boo, As If this smelled good I like these little whipped cream tubs because they last a decent amount and you get to try differed scents all the time I like them. I am finding that I actually might prefer potted lotions to tube ones for my hands.

Repurchase: Yes

Gold Bond Ultimate Healing Aloe Lotion I need Aquarphor one day and couldn’t find it and this was there so I grab this to try thinking it  would be similar. It is not it doesn’t work as well and if you out it on chapped skin the way you would with Aquaphor it stings!

Repurchase No

Bath and Body Works Coco Shea In-Shower Coconut Oil Body Lotion I found this to be a little to greasy for my liking but my girlfriend really really liked this. it is pricey compared to other better in shower moisturizer but this does smell alot better then any of the other ones I’ve tried.

Repurchase: Not for me but maybe for my gf

Perfume (1)

Juicy Couture Couture La La Perfume I love the scent of this perfume but it does not stick on my skin at all which is really sad. This is a very light fresh slightly fruity scent very pretty.

Repurchase: No

Haircare (1)

Living Proof Perfect Hair Day Night Cap Overnight Perfector I hated the feeling of this in my hair it dries down really heavy and white and flakey looking so you have to wash it out even though the instructions say you don’t have to. It doesn’t really do all that much for my hair either. Maybe made it a little softer and straighter but not by much.

Repurchase: No

Declutter (24)

Viva La Juicy Viva La Body Lotion this dries out my skin so bad so it has to go.

Caudalie Vinoperfect Radiance Serum just doesn’t work for me.

Estee Edit Mattified Lipsticks/Transformer omg the texture of these was awful and grainy and messy and just gross and looked awful. I couldn’t even get through the two or three applications in this sample.

Nomad Light Infusion Powder in Positano Sunrise to powdery and not a color I am super drawn too as a highlight so this is really just taking up space in my life and I know I won’t use it.

Milk Makeup Liquid Strobe this had so much potential to be something I liked but it did not perform it always came out so patchy ad inconsistent and that made it unusable because sometimes it was all glitter sometimes it was nothing and sometimes it actually came out with the color.

L’Oreal Infallible Paints Liquid Eyeshadow In 304 Navy Yard so I really actually like these they have/had I don’t think these are around anymore really interesting colors but they are a bit finicky to work with they take a lot of blending and layering and fussing. So I decided to keep the ones that had really interesting colors so I can use them for liners or accents our whatever so this more normal shade one is going because I needed to do a massive liquid/cream shadow declutter since I so rarely reach for them.

Bare Minerals Whipped Velvet Long Wear Eye Color in Peach Divine

Bare Minerals Whipped Velvet Long Wear Eye Color in Magnificent Cocoa

I just am not a big enough fan of these colors to use them so I am letting them go. I kept one to try as a highlighter and I am going to play around with it like that and see if it works or it will also get decluttered.

Profusion Metallic Liquid Eyeshadow in Siena I got a whole kit with 2 or 3 cream shadows and a liner and a pigment for like a $3.00 so I am not that fussed that I am getting rid of this I am just eh about the color.

Absolute New York Pure Metal Veil in Gumetal I have never opened this in the 3 or 4 years it’s been in my drawer this is a sign that it is not for me.

Butter London Glazen Eye Gloss in Moonshine

Butter London Glazen Eye Gloss in Icing

I just don’t like these at all they are gross and have a ton of glitter fallout and what is the point. I kept one to try as a highlighter and I am going to play around with it like that and see if it works or it will also get decluttered.

Maybelline Color Tattoo in 35 Tough as Taupe
Maybelline Color Tattoo in 40 Tenacious Teal
Maybelline Color Tattoo in 50 Edgy Emerald
Maybelline Color Tattoo in 45 Bold Gold
Maybelline Color Tattoo in 55 Inked in Pink
Maybelline Color Tattoo in 100 Dramatic Black

Surprisingly these are still creamy and usable despite being 4 years old I just really don’t
use them I kept like 2 shades that I felt really attached to but these need to go I never
reach for them. I really liked them for a while and did use them they are good. If you like
cream shadows that are pigmented and easy to blend these are worth it. They just are not
for me anymore.          

Pacifica Tuscan Blood Orange Super Hydrating Lotion Wipes these are so dry there are no lotion on these at all.

FCS Sea Salt Hair Spray I don’t use sea salt sprays in my hair they are too drying.

Bumble and Bumble Bb. Curl Defining Crème I don’t wear my hair curly and even if I did it wouldn’t be curly enough to need a product like this.

Palmers Coconut Oil Conditioning Shampoo I just won’t ever use this.

Madam CJ Walker Curl Whip Styling Souffle another curling cream that I just don’t have use for.

Random Perfume um I don’t remember what this is or wear it came from and it has no label, but I wasn’t into the scent of this.


Total This Month: 43

Total: 94

Approx Value This Month: $185.79

Approx Paid This Month: $31.98

Approx Total Value: $546.93

Approx Total Paid: $117.86

<3 Nightmare Before Makeup

Sephora Play! February 2019 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 and now online too.


So I know this is late but better late then never. It just has been busy and just I haven’t had time. Plus my new way of cataloging everything that comes into my collection has made posting so much more work that I kinda drag my feet wanting to post sometimes.

Kat Von D Saint Perfume

Full Size: 50 ml

Full Size Cost: $65

Sample Size: 1.5 ml

Value: $1.95

Kat Von D Sinner Perfume

Full Size: 50 ml

Full Size Cost: $65

Sample Size: 1.5 ml

Value: $1.95

I have definitely had this exact sample from Sephora Play! before I am not hugely into the repeat samples that seem to be happening in subscription boxes of late. Any way I like Saint it is lighter and sweeter Sinner just isn’t my cup of tea it is too heavy of a scent.

Wander Beauty Baggage Claim Gold Eye Masks

Full Size: 6 pairs

Full Size Cost: $25

Sample Size: 1 pair

Value: $4.17

I am not sure how I feel about gold in skincare I have read alot of mixed things about whether or not it is good for your skin so I haven’t really been using any of my gold skincare. This is another thing I have gotten in a subscription box. Maybe I’ll be brave and try it.

Lancome Hydra Zen Anti-Stress Moisturizing Cream Gel

Full Size: 50 ml

Full Size Cost: $48

Sample Size: 5 ml

Value: $4.80

I have alot of feelings about this first it is so heavily fragranced that it is sickening. Second why would you need a moisturizer with salicylic acid that is anti stress that makes now sense to me. Also I tried this out because it has an ingredient that is in the rose family but isn’t a rose so I decided to give it a shot but nope made me itchy so can’t use this. Also this tiny sample is like one or two uses at most.

Caudalie Vinosource Moisturizing Sorbet

Full Size: 40 ml

Full Size Cost: $39

Sample Size: 10 ml

Value: $11.03

I don’t like this face moisturizer it is like a light nothing waste your time type of moisturizer. I like a light moisturizer but I still want it to feel like it is doing something.

Clinique Quickliner for Eyes Intense in 09 Intense Ebony

Full Size: 0.012 oz

Full Size Cost: $18

Sample Size: 0.005 oz

Value: $7.50

I am not swatching this because I don’t like the regular Quickliner and I don’t have a pressing need to try this eyeliner and I’d rather have some one else get good use out of it. The regular Quickliner fades on me so so fast that it isn’t even worth putting on.

Bite Beauty Amuse Bouche Lipstick in Maple

Full Size: 4.35 g

Full Size Cost: $26

Sample Size: 1.41 g

Value: $8.43

I wished I liked these lipsticks more because they are so freaking comfortable and they have some gorgeous shades. I justt am not the hugest fan of a shiny lipstick that can move around so I rarely wear them. This is a beautiful brick red shade though and I love it so so much.


Not hapy with a box that only 3 things I will use and one is a perfume sample. I did get more then $10 of value with the products I am keeping but still it isn’t exciting to get a box of things you don’t want.

Total Value: $39.83

Skincare: 3

Makeup: 2

Tools: 0

Hair Care: 0

Perfume: 2

Other: 0

And as far as sizes:

Full Size: 0

Deluxe Sample: 1

Sample: 6

<3 Nightmare Before Makeup