Author: nightmareb4

Boxycharm January 2020 Subscription Box Review

nightmareb4

Boxycharm

Cost: $25

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 $25 which is usually less then the cost of one item in the box. Boxycharm also joined the customize train and you can choose between 2 items to have one in your box for the month. I really like that because Boxycharm was getting to the point where I was only liking one thing in my box and even though the value was there the fun wasn’t anymore.

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.

This was a sorta boring month at first glance like the packaging the actual products nothing has the super wow factor that is exciting to me but it is alot of really solid products that I will use and am happy with except for one item which we will get too.

Also side note they sent the wrong details card with the box. Mine listed the palette that you could have gotten instead of the eye cream that I had chosen. Just an odd little mistake. I don’t pay much mind to the spoiler cards from Boxy I never really read them I find them to be rather unhelpful and a bit full of themselves.

Skin & Co Truffle Therapy Polishing Micro-Exfoliating Truffle Face Gommage

Full Size: 150 ml

Full Size Cost: $26

So I know alot of people don’t like scrubs with apricot in them but I love them this has apricots, black truffle, squalene and this is totally up my alley. I recieved a face wash from this company awhile backed and have really liked it when I have used it I still have it this line feels luxe and nice on my skin. It is also sold online at Ulta and is cheaper there then on the brads website so that its also like very nice and convenient.

Petite ‘n’ Pretty Fully Feathered Volumizing Mascara

Full Size: 6.5 ml

Full Size Cost: $16

So I saw this was like ooh cute packaging big fluffy brush totally the type of mascara I can get into. Great cool. Then I went to look this up and this Petite ‘n’ Pretty brand is a brand of makeup designed for children like legit that is their mission goal. I find that so weird that Boxycharm would send us a kids brand of makeup. It just feels so weird to me. I will use it because it seems like a good mascara and there is no aging out of makeup realistically but it just I would rather an adult brand from Boxycharm I don’t know is that just me? Anyone else have feelings on that?

Pretty Vulgar Under Cover Concealer in 63 Middle Ground

Full Size: 4 ml

Full Size Cost: $25

This I have so many problems with the shades names are weird boarding on offensive and the shade range sucks. This is medium there is only one lighter shade which would have been way to light for me but this is just edging the line of too dark. I definitely couldn’t use this under my eyes. This is supposed to be a gel serum concealer and it is very light feeling very dewy looking I just don’t think this is for me and I don’t know how I am going to make this work.

Dr. Brandt 24/7 Retinol Eye Cream

Full Size: 15 ml

Full Size Cost: $

This was my choice for the month because I really wanted to try a retinol eye cream. I have no idea what rubies are supposed to do in skincare that seems like so bs we added this thing for marketing type of claim. Either way I like getting expensive eye creams for cheap. If you buy this it comes in a pump packaging rather then this squeezy tube but it is the same size. I can’t wait to start using this.

Avant 8 Hour Radiance Renewal Sleeping Mask

Full Size: 50 ml

Full Size Cost: $107

This is another thing that comes in different packaging if you buy it is comes in a jar. Iprefer this tube. I love a sleeping mask and a brightening anti-aging one sounds super perfect I am here for it. Go Boxycharm.

I am all about the fancy expensive skincare and so I am pretty much loving this box despite the weird mascara and the i will probably never use concealer. The value this month I think is the highest I have ever gotten in a Boxycharm which is actually amazing for a change I am pretty happy.

Total: $229

Total Value to Me: $204

<3 Nightmare Before Makeup

Macy’s Beauty Box January 2020 Subscription Box Review

nightmareb4

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. Lately we have been getting between 6 and 8 items per month you never really know how many things you are going to get.

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 seen in subscription boxes.

The cool thing about the coupon is that it is good in stores and online 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.

Welp this month was exciting for my gf since I ended up giving half the contents of this bag to her but that’s ok. I don’t mind not every month can be a win.

A skincare only bag this month pretty much. I’ll Start with the four items I am keeping and then do the four that I gave to my gf.

Ahava Deadsea Water Mineral Hand Cream in Sea-Kissed

Full Size: 100 ml

Full Size Cost: $24

Sample Size: 40 ml

Value: $9.60

I love this hand lotion it feels really nice it is thick but some how also light. It also smells really beachy and oceany which just makes me super happy. I love this, not the other scent this comes in that one I hate.

Jade Roller

Full Size: Yes

Full Size Cost: $13.99

I linked to a similar one Amazon because this is exclusive to the bag. I have wanted one of these but didn’t want to buy one and I am loving this. Like just the one or two minutes of rolling and massaging my face feels so so good.

Sunday Riley Good Genes Lactic Acid Treatment

Full Size: 30 ml

Full Size Cost: $105

Sample Size: 5 ml

Value: $17.50

I really need to try this I have at least 2 or 3 of these now. I burned my skin with a lactic acid awhile back like burned it pretty bad and it took awhile to heal and have been afraid to retry lactic acid since but I really need to give it another try before giving up on it altogether.

Burberry Blossom Her Perfume

Full Size: 30 ml

Full Size Cost: $72

Sample Size: 1.5 ml

Value: $3.60

This is a light fruity floral that is very girly not my usual style of perfume but it is nice and definitely wearable enough to go in my travel perfume collection.

Versace Eros Flame Cologne

Full Size: 50 ml

Full Size Cost: $80

Sample Size: 1 ml

Value: $1.60

This is a really peppery cologne very nice I like it alot.

Clinique Moisture Surge 72-Hour Auto-Replenishing Hydrator

Full Size: 15 ml

Full Size Cost: $12

Sample Size: 15 ml

Value: $12

I find this to be a meh moisturize it does fine but it doesn’t really impress me. I rather use a moisturizer I enjoy.

Estee Lauder Advanced Night Repair Eye

Full Size: 15 ml

Full Size Cost: $62

Sample Size: 3 ml

Value: $12.40

I don’t think this is anything special especially for the high price. It feels nice but it doesn’t do anything. And I want my eye cream to be doing something if its costing an arm and a leg.

Caudalie Vinosource Serum S.O.S. Thirst Quenching Serum

Full Size: 30 ml

Full Size Cost: $49

Sample Size: 10 ml

Value: $16.33

Again a kinda whatever product it is a hydration serum but hardly feels different then a much cheaper ha serum so I don’t see the point in using it.

Alot of meh products that I don’t personally care for but the value is still there especially since these are loved products by others.

Total Value: $87.02

Skincare: 4

Makeup: 0

Tools: 1

Hair Care: 0

Perfume: 2

Other: 1

And as far as sizes:

Full Size: 2

Deluxe Sample: 0

Sample: 6

<3 Nightmare Before Makeup

What’s in My Trash? 2019 Year End Wrap Up

nightmareb4

So mu 2019 goal was to use up 600 products for the whole year just over 1.5 products a day. I did not succeed on that goal I missed it by 32 items so disappointing. I had thought I was doing so well but I guess not.

Final Totals for 2019:

I learned this year that I actually spend less then I thought I did on my beauty products which is good. Just about 29% of the cost of a product is what I spend on average between sales/coupons/gifts/boxes. Which makes me feel pretty damn proud of my deal skills lol.

For the rest of the data I have I broke it down in to categories of products per month, but unfortunately the category data for April got corrupted and lost so all the data that is broken down by category is done out of 11 months excluding the April data I lost. But the Total Data above does include the totals from April that data I did not lose.

Final Totals By Category:

For the purpose of identinfying where I use the most and spend the most I excluded Decluttered items.

I know I use the most skincare up a full third of what I use during the year which I am not shocked by at all.

But I fully did not expect for all the random thing I use to my next biggest category at 12%. I was expecting it to be Home Scents or Perfume to be honest.

I also expected Makeup to be my least used up category certainly not Lip, I feel like I get through at least 12 or more lip products a year but I didn’t think I was using up that much make up I am pretty happy with myself that Makeup isn’t dead last. I also used up so much perfume this year I was surprised it was so low.

I spend the most on Skincare but skincare is expensive and it is worth the investment with how much I get through that seems appropriate just over $200 in a year is hardly excessive.

Uh I spend way to much on candles clearly I need to cool that down it. takes me a long time to get through a candle or a wax melt and I do not need the huge collection I have of them.

I knew I spent the least on Perfumes since I almost never buy perfume for myself they mostly come to me as presents or in boxes so I knew that it would be the thing I spend the least on and will probably always stay that way.

I don’t do that much with my hair so I am surprised I spent that much on hair stuff over the course of the year in products I used. I have been making sure to use treatments and masks more so maybe that made the difference but I don’t know.

This charts just for the funsies of seeing the retail value of what I use some things are so ridiculously over priced at full price its comical and it shows since i rarely spend full price on anything.

This is to help me be better about how much I should be allowing myself to spend each month in each category since that is all I can realistically use up. To be fair I know it won’t change my actual makeup budget but I am going to be better about sticking closer to these numbers for things like candles and lip balms that I don’t use up very fast.

I am not the most proud of how I did this year like i have been in years past. This coming year I want to focus on using alot of my more expensive products rather then saving them for some better rainy day in the future.

So I am making my 2020 goal to use up $3,500 in retail value (not what I spent dear god no) of products. I am not giving myself a month or yearly product totally goal so that maybe I use up some more full size items that will also help add to that value. I already used up an almost $100 eye cream so hey that is a great start to this goal this year. I also really want to pare down my older perfumes a bit so I will be working on some expensive perfumes as well that should help me on my way to $3,500.

Anyone else looking to keep track of their empties? Or anything you were really proud of using up? I was particularly proud of using up my oldest perfume right before it went bad. Comment down below! I love to chat.

<3 Nightmare Before Makeup