Category: Subscription Boxes

Ipsy November 2018 Subscription Box Review

nightmareb4
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.

Late like usual. I was just really not inspired by the boxes/bags I have gotten this month so like was not very excited to write my reviews.

Jelly Pong Pong Cosmetics Cosmic Light Multi functional Pigment in Pulsar

Full Size: 2.3 g

Full Size Cost:$18

Sample Size: 2.3 g

Value: $18

Very very pretty pigment. I love looking at pigments but I so rarely use them because they are messy but I have a decently sized pretty collection. This hangs together really well ad is very smooth and fine. But I don’t know that it is worth $18 I can get indie brand ones that are just as pretty or prettier for way way less. Swatched Below.

Tarte Amazonian Clay 12-hour Blush in Quirky

Full Size: 5.6 g

Full Size Cost: $29

Sample Size: 1.5 g

Value: $7.77

This is a very peachy blush. I am not swatching it because my little cousin wants makeup for Christmas so I am going to give her this as an add on to her gifts. I also can’t find this shade anywhere which is weird.

Katherine Eyeliner Solution in Royal Plum

Full Size: 0.35 g

Full Size Cost: $22

Sample Size: 0.35 g

Value: $22

This is very smooth but it is not really plum it is more of a brown with purple undertones. I don’t think this is real worth $22 which is the sale price it sells for $34 which is outlandish. This also doesn’t have a tone of pigment I really had to layer it up to get an opacity. Swatched Below.

Sugar Smudge Me Not Liquid Lipstick in 28 Trusty Rusty

Full Size: 4.5 ml

Full Size Cost: $12.99

Sample Size: 1.5 ml

Value: $4.33

This is so pretty and comes in so many pretty colors. This is such a tiny sample though like itty bitty. This is more of a red red then a rusty red but very pretty.


Marc Anthony Bye Bye Frizz Leave-In Conditioner

Full Size: 8.4 oz

Full Size Cost: $8.99

Sample Size: 1.69 oz

Value: $1.81

I love Marc Anthony Haircare so this will be great to try out.

It is always nice to get full size things and I got two this month. This bag was better then last month but still not super great I am hoping Dec is going to be better. I am happy with the lipstick and leave-in because those will definitely get used.

Quick Summary:

Total Value: $41.27

Skincare: 0

Makeup: 4

Tools: 0

Hair Care: 1

Perfume: 0

Other: 0

And as far as sizes:

Full Size: 2

Deluxe Sample: 0

Sample: 3

<3 Nightmare Before Makeup


Sephora Play! November 2018 Subscription Box Review

nightmareb4

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.

This has been the worst Sephora Play box of the year so far for me. Like the choices were all just wrong.

Christophe Robin Cleansing Volumizing Paste

Full Size: 250 ml

Full Size Cost: $53

Sample Size: 40 ml

Value: $8.48

I like what I have tried from Christophe Robin but this is rose and I am allergic so fail number one. This also like knocks you over with the scent of rose like I opened it just to look at it and thought I was going to die just opening.

Clinique Pep-Start Eye Cream

Full Size: 15 ml

Full Size Cost: $26.50

Sample Size: 3 ml

Value: $5.30

They have definitely sent this out before and I don’t really like it I find the applicator method not good and the formula to not really do all that much. I will probably still use it but I know I don’t prefer it. Fail number two.

Make Up For Ever Ultra HD Microfinishing Loose Powder

Full Size: 8.5 g

Full Size Cost: $36

Sample Size: 1 g

Value: $4.24


The last thing I need is more setting powder. I rarely use it but this is a very nice super silky fine loose setting powder. Sorta fail 3.

Viktor Rolf Flowerbomb Bloom Perfume

Full Size: 50 ml

Full Size Cost: $95

Sample Size: 1.2 ml

Value: $2.28

This is just too floral for me I actually like the original flowerbomb and wish this was that. Fail 4.

Sephora Cream Lip Stain in 40 Pink Tea

Full Size: 5 ml

Full Size Cost: $14

Sample Size: 1.3 ml

Value: $3.64

This was the tiniest little tube (missing pic sorry) This is a very brown pink not my preferred color so I don’t know about this one but I am happy that they went for a color that wasn’t red or pink like every box does.

First Aid Beauty Coconut Micellar Makeup Melter

Full Size:  5.6 oz

Full Size Cost: $26

Sample Size:  1 oz

Value: $4.81

I don’t really like First Aid Beauty products they just are pretty meh to me and alot of them smell terrible.


I just was not really happy with this month it just is a bunch of products that do not work for me or that I can’t use or don’t like. 🙁 The value was also super low.

Total Value: $28.75

Skincare: 2

Makeup: 2

Tools: 0

Hair Care: 1

Perfume: 1

Other: 0

And as far as sizes:

Full Size: 0

Deluxe Sample: 0

Sample: 6

<3 Nightmare Before Makeup


Sephora Play! October 2018 Subscription Box Review

nightmareb4

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.

This was a rather non cohesive set of products. With a few repeats from boxes I have had in the past.

Caudalie Vino Perfect Radiance Serum

Full Size: 30 ml

Full Size Cost: $79

Sample Size: 10 ml

Value: $26.33

This is a really good sized sample I actually have received this sample form Sephora before so I am like 2/3 of the way to a full size lol. Caudalie is such a pricey brand. This isn’t the greatest serum I have every used though this would be more of like an under makeup serum. It is a bit tack but makes my skin feel firm not tight but firm.

Urban Decay All-Nighter Setting Spray

Full Size: 118 ml

Full Size Cost: $32

Sample Size: 15 ml

Value: $4.88

I will never need to buy a travel size of this setting spray lol I have received so many samples of this. Not that I am complaining this is a great setting spray that makes your makeup last and isn’t sticky or gross.

First Aid Beauty Coconut Water Cream

Full Size:  1.7 oz

Full Size Cost: $34

Sample Size:  0.34 oz

Value: $6.80

I just never like First Aid Beauty Products I find them all sticky and to not feel great and to not smell good. Like they all smell like they have gone off to me. I don’t really like them but I’ll still use this because it’s small and I don’t typically buy moisturizers.

Benefit Gimme Brow in Shade 3

Full Size:  3 g

Full Size Cost: $24

Sample Size: 1 g

Value: $8

I don’t feel like this warm brown is the right color for me and I have never used a brow gel before but I have gotten this sample so many times that I feel like the universe won’t be satisfied until I finally try it. Swatched Below.

Anastasia Beverly Hills Foundation Stick in Banana

Full Size: 9.1 g

Full Size Cost: $25

Sample Size: 2 g

Value: $5.49

This is a light yellow contour stick. I don’t totally know what you would do with a yellow contour stick I wish they had sent out Fawn or Shadow that would have been an actual contour color that would have been so much better. This is pretty stiff but also creamy so I think it would actually be really good for contouring if I had gotten a good color. Swatched Below.

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 like that we got both scents because I can try them both. I heard they layer really well too so I am super excited to bring these on my next trip and am saving them for that.

I am not so happy with this bag since it is alot of repeats and sorta random feeling to me. Like really feels like of we had alot of random extra samples let’s just ditch them into these boxes.

Total Value: $55.40

Skincare: 2

Makeup: 3

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