Category: Subscription Boxes

Sephora Play! December 2018 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.

Best Box EVER! lol I liked this one alot.

This is my girlfriend’s cat Stubby, he really really wanted to be in the picture. So much so that he promptly fell asleep once I told him he could. So Stubby meet Everyone, Everyone meet Stubby he makes a guest appearance in most of these pictures because he is far to cute to crop out.

Sephora Waterproof Eye Makeup Remover

Full Size: 50 ml

Full Size Cost: $7.50

Sample Size: 25 ml

Value: $3.75

Aw teeny kitty nose. This is my favorite liquid eye makeup remover I wish they sold it in this size but they don’t it gets everything off easily and it doesn’t sting or feel really oily and residuey. I usually buy the 50 ml size which is why I am using that as the full size price.

Fresh Sugar Lip Caramel Hydrating Balm

Full Size: 6

Full Size Cost: $18

Sample Size: 2 g

Value: $6

This was really nice I have wanted to try this for awhile but was worried it would be too caramel but it is just perfect. Hydrating sweet and not overly sticky.

MoroccanOil Moroccan Oil Treatment

Full Size: 50 ml

Full Size Cost: $34

Sample Size: 10 ml

Value: $6.80

I like this hair oil it makes my hair really soft and smooth. This box has two of my favorite things to get from these Sephora boxes so it is a win for me.

Sephora Rouge Gel Lip Liner in 02 Nothin’ but Nude

Full Size: 0.5

Full Size Cost: $12

Sample Size: 0.25 g

Value: $6

This is a very soft lip liner. Where the swatch pic went I have no idea. But Stubby approves.

Too Faced Primed & Peachy Primer

Full Size: 40 ml

Full Size Cost: $34

Sample Size: 5 ml

Value: $4.25

I am excited to try this primer. Even though I have so many primers I need to try. The “cooling” effect on this feels really interesting.

Tarte Lights Camera Lashes

Full Size: 7 ml

Full Size Cost: $23

Sample Size: 3 ml

Value: $9.86

This is just a meh mascara its ok but not great. I feel like it is too light and natural of a look on the eyes to justify the price.

I really enjoyed this box because it is things I know I love and will use and then something I have wanted to try. This was probably the best box of the year for me.

Total Value: $36.66

Skincare: 1

Makeup: 3

Tools: 0

Hair Care: 1

Perfume:

Other: 1

And as far as sizes:

Full Size: 0

Deluxe Sample:

Sample: 3

<3 Nightmare Before Makeup

Boxycharm November 2018 Subscription Box Review

nightmareb4
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.

Just squeaking this in there this month. I have been busy and I just ran out of time trying to try out everything and work ad planning for trips and holidays and all that chaos that comes with life. That said I was pleasantly surprised with this box.


I really loved how everything was kinda black and gold this month it looked so pretty and cohesive. As well as being a nice nod to the holidays.

Bodyography Makeup Brush Cleaner

Full Size: 4 oz

Full Size Cost: $19

Sample Size: 2 oz

Sample Value: $9.50

This is one of those few times that Boxycharm doesn’t send a full size. This brush cleaner was just ok. I didn’t love it I usually don’t like spray cleaners. This didn’t get my brushes that clean.

F.A.R.A.H. Z-Tweeze Dual Ended Tweezer in Galaxy Gold

Full Size: Yes

Full Size Cost: $12

I love the gold splotches very pretty. These tweezers are ok they arent as sharp and grippy as my Tweezermans that I love but these work fine. I may pass these on or I may throw them in my travel drawer.

LuxieBoxycharm Limited Edition Luminous Eye Set

Full Size: 4 brushes

Full Size Cost: $21

Well this is interesting these are “limited edition just for Boxycharm” being sold on sale on Luxie for $21 the same non limited edition and totally not different other then coming in a box is being sold full price for $30 Huh? The gold is pretty a nice change from their usual pink. I really love Luxie brushes but their mini brushes like these I don’t like for me. They are still the same great quality the size is just to small for the way I like to do my makeup I prefer the normal size but they brushes are still very nice.

Cover FX Glitter Drops in Nova

Full Size: 15 ml

Full Size Cost: $44

Holy crap this is expensive! Like who is spending $44 on a liquid glitter? This is something I expected to hate and was not excited to see in the box and then I tried it and I think I am in love. IT IS SO PRETTY AND FEELS SO NICE. It strangely dries matte feeling on your skin so you don’t get that annoying oily sticky feeling a product like this would normally leave on your skin. It is also so gorgeously shiny and magical on the skin I love it.

I swatched it really thick so you can see the gold color and the glitter and then blended out like how a relatively more sane person would wear it. I am not above wearing a thick bold swipe of this to the right event or the grocery store you know no fucks given.

Ace Beaute Grandiose Palette

Full Size: 15.2 g

Full Size Cost: $24.99

This is the palette I have not had the chance to try but I love the colors in it red toned colors are some of my favorite. This swatched really pretty but kinda chunky so we shall see. That doesn’t necessarily mean bad it usually means wear you put it on your eye is wear the pigment is and it doesn’t blend much which is how I like my shadows so I am excited.

I was happier then I thought I would be with this box solely because of the dark horse hit those glitter drops.

Total: $111.49

<3 Nightmare Before Makeup


Macy’s Beauty Box November 2018 Subscription Box Review

nightmareb4

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 (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 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.

This was a very interesting bag this month do to one product in particular. So let’s get into this.

Wacoal B-Fitted Lightweight Bikini in Nude

Full Size: 1 panty

Full Size Cost: $15

Sample Size: 1 panty

Value: $15

One size fits all rarely fits all. But it is cool to see something so so out there and different in this months bag. They are soft and stretchy.

Rituals The Rituals of Ayurveda Balancing Body Cream

Full Size: 220 ml

Full Size Cost: $33

Sample Size: 70 ml

Value: $10.50

I obviously can’t use this it is a rose body cream but it is a really nice size. I think we are getting the matching foaming body wash next month which is kinda cool because I’ll be able to to turn this into a really nice gift set and put it in my emergency gift box. Which is a huge money save for me.

Clinique Dramatically Different Hydrating Jelly

Full Size: 15 ml

Full Size Cost: $5

Sample Size: 15 ml

Value: $5

I don’t love this moisturizer I got it in Last Month’s Sephora Play. It is a little sticky and not moisturizing but I will be saving it to try again in the summer.

Smashbox Photo Finish Iconic Primer Stick

Full Size: 9 g

Full Size Cost: $32

Sample Size: 1 g?

Value: $3.56

I like this consistency of primer but I don’t love a stick primer I feel like they always apply a little funky. This is super mattifying though I fee like I will really like this.

Shiseido Modern Matte Powder Lipstick in Exotic Red

Full Size: 4 g

Full Size Cost: $26

Sample Size: 2.5 g

Value: $16.25

This is so pretty and so comfortable. I love the feel and look of a powder matte lipstick. I am also so excited to be getting a Shiseido lipstick since you don’t see them often but I have heard so many good things about them. Swatched Below.

It Cosmetics Superhero Liner

Full Size: 0.018 oz

Full Size Cost: $24

Sample Size: 0.005 oz

Value: $6.67

This is the strangest liquid liner I have ever used. It is a gel liquid liner so it isn’s super smooth or pigmented on first swipe but it layers up easily and is really smooth and nice. Like a gel would be but with the convenience of a liquid liner. Swatched Below.

Miss Dior Perfume

Full Size: 50 ml

Full Size Cost: $100

Sample Size: 1 ml

Value: $2

I like the perfume samples because I use them alot so to me they are worth it. I know most people hate them. This is a sweet floral scent.

Dior Sauvage Perfume

Full Size: 60 ml

Full Size Cost: $77

Sample Size: 1 ml

Value: $1.28

This is my dad’s favorite cologne so this went right over to him he was pleased. Lol.

This box was alot better then I thought it was at first. I ended up being alot happier with it then I thought I was going to be.

Total Value: $60.26

Skincare: 1

Makeup: 3

Tools: 0

Hair Care: 0

Perfume: 2

Other: 2

And as far as sizes:

Full Size: 2

Deluxe Sample: 1

Sample: 5

<3 Nightmare Before Makeup