Category: Subscription Boxes

Ipsy December 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.

The tassel on this month’s bag feels really well made but the bag feels super cheap. this is definitely one for the yard sale bin. I feel like 2 years ago the bags were so much cuter and better then they are now. And we all got 6 items this month which is a great holiday bonus!

Coco & Eve Like a Virgin Hair Coconut & Fig Masque

Full Size: 212 ml

Full Size Cost:$50

Sample Size: 38 ml

Value: $8.96

So I was really excited for this because it smells good and is a good size but it has some reviews that make it seem really sketchy. It is really pricey for a hair mask that just has average ingredients. I will try it out but not something I would ever buy even if I like it.

First Aid Beauty Facial Radiance Pads

Full Size: 60 pads

Full Size Cost: $30

Sample Size: 10 pad

Value: $5

These are ok but nothing special I do want to try the acne one that they make but they are even more expensive then this one.

Luxie 243 Precision Blending Brush

Full Size: Yes

Full Size Cost:$12

I love Luxie brushes they are so so soft. I don’t really use these pointed type brushes often but I am always happy to add more Luxie brushes to my brush collection.

F.A.R.A.H. Tapered Blending Brush 35E

Full Size: Yes

Full Size Cost:$10

I can’t find this handle style so I linked to another version of this same brush. I love how this handle has the ergonomic grips. It it s bit stiff and scratchy but that makes it really good for blending. I love that I got two brushes this month.

Ciate Glitter Flip in Infamous

Full Size: 3 ml

Full Size Cost: $11

Sample Size: 1.5 ml

Value: $5.50

I have a few of these and they are so fun. Not the most comfortable but super fun and looks very cool in pictures. They are on sale for $11 right not I don’t know if that is just a sale or if they are being discontinued but either way these are very fun.

If you don’t know these go on matte and then you let them dry a little and rub your lips together and it activates all this glitter to come out. I tried to show it in the swatched but it looks so much better on your lips. Swatched Below.

Pacifica Rainbow Crystals Liquid Mineral Strobe in Unicorn

Full Size: 4 g

Full Size Cost: $13

Sample Size: 2 g

Value: $6.50

This has such stunning packaging I love it with the holographic rainbow effect and all the facets to make it look like crystals. This is one of those use anywhere strobing highlighters it has a white base with a pink shift. It is really pretty. Swatched Below.

I really like this month’s bag I really got lucky this month with Sephora and Ipsy. My favorites are definitely the two brushes I love getting brushes in subscriptions.

Quick Summary:

Total Value: $47.96

Skincare: 1

Makeup: 2

Tools: 2

Hair Care: 1

Perfume: 0

Other: 0

And as far as sizes:

Full Size: 2

Deluxe Sample: 2

Sample: 2

<3 Nightmare Before Makeup

Sephora Play! December 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.

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