Category: Subscription Boxes

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


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