Category: Subscription Boxes

Boxycharm September 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.

I was excited for this box when I saw the spoilers but I am really not that happy with it now that I have tried the things in the box.

Laura Geller Baked Blush-n-Brighten in Tropic Hues

Full Size: 4.5 g

Full Size Cost: $28

I am not swatching this because I am going to give it to my mom. I found it weird that this wasn’t in a box when I know for a fact that it comes in a box ad that is a theme for this whole review because there are two other products that I know for a fact come in boxes and that didn’t come in boxes and I find that very suspect.

Alamar Cosmetics The Ojitos Brush Trio

Full Size: 3 brushes

Full Size Cost: $18

These brushes are super pretty and feel really high quality I don’t really use square brushes or giant fluffy crease brushes they just don’t really work for me but these brushes still are really nice.

Butter London Glazen Lustrous Liner

Full Size: 3.5 ml

Full Size Cost: $19

This is kinda crappy first of all it has glitter in it which is odd for a liquid liner but whatever. It is really hard to used and it is like a nice smooth back line it gets like lighter and darker so you have to go over it and then it flakes off if you touch it so that’s a no go for any liner especially a glittery one. Also this is supposed to come in a box too or it used to when I had seen it on shelves a while back. Swatched Below.

Hank & Henry Lip Aesthetic in Petal Pusher

Full Size: 4 ml

Full Size Cost: $17

This is probably my favorite thing in the box but I am really annoyed to see that this is a discontinued product. I really like the color and it is comfortable on the lips with minimal transfer and no smudging the packaging is also really really cute tube containing the product is shaped like a regular bullet lipstick in the square tube which is pretty cool, and the owl face logo is adorable. The huge doe foot also makes it really easy to apply and only picks up just enough to do each part of your lips. Really sad that this is not something I can get in other shades. Swatched Below.

Pretty Vulgar Nightingale Eyeshadow Palette

Full Size: 15.8 g, 12 shades

Full Size Cost: $35

This is ANOTHER product I know comes in a box. I really hate that because you don’t know who’s been touching and opening these products before you got them or where they came from. Also this looks nothing like it does on websites in person. I have the Phoenix palette and this doesn’t feel the same. The shadows are alot stiffer and swatch much different then the color that they appear so alot end up looking like identical shades but with different finishes.

Like you can see the three top shades look different in the pan but swatched they are the same shade just a matte satin and glitter version. and you see the same with the greys and browns as well. The shadows blend well and are not patchy at all but they just don’t feel as nice as the other palette I have from them but they are not bad by any means.

I am truly not happy with this month the whole not getting products in their original complete packaging bothers me from a quality and sanitary respect like I am not so germaphobic like I am gona sanitize them and still use them but I don’t like the degradation in quality I am seeing from Boxycharm. I feel like it is a bit of a ploy to get people to sign up for the new more expensive Luxe box that they are selling now.

Total: $117

<3 Nightmare Before Makeup

Sephora Play! August 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.

Really wide variety of products this month, unfortunately I got a double from my Ipsy bag so that’ll end up in my giant bin of extras that I have for gifts  and trades and whatever. That’s totally normal right to have a giant tub of extra beauty things you don’t want but don’t know what to do with. I am also really over the cheap bags that Sephora gives out I would rather they just stop sending them because it makes me really upset to just get rid of them but I don’t have a need for them to keep them.

Moroccan Oil Ciate Londonn Laneige Nars Grande Lips

Ciate London Glow-To Highlighter in Moondust

Full Size: 5 g

Full Size Cost: $32

Sample Size: 1.5 g

Value: $9.60

Ciate London Glow to Go in Moondust

Starting off with the double you can see swatches and thoughts on that here in this IPSY POST.

Laneige Water Sleeping Mask

Full Size:  70 ml

Full Size Cost: $25

Sample Size: 10 ml

Value: $3.57

Laneige Water Sleeping Mask

I did not think I was going to like this I don’t really need overly hydrating products but I did end up liking this. It feels really cool and hydrating and fresh on my face and isn’t sticky at all. It sinks in really quick and feels really smooth I bet this would be really great under makeup. It smells like soap though and the scent lingers for a long time so if you are sensitive to scents this might irritate you.

Nars Pro-Prime Smudge Proof Eyeshadow Base

Full Size: 7 ml

Full Size Cost: $26

Sample Size:  2.7 ml

Value: $10.03

Nars Smudge Proof Eyeshadow Base

Why I didn’t take this out of the box to photograph I have no idea. The has that lovely soft touch matte packaging that all Nars products have that just feels so nice to the touch. This is a white base but not opaque and almost looks a little shimmery though it doesn’t claim to be. I like white bases so this will be good to try. I don’t love the white base that I currently use so I shall see how this stacks up.

Moroccan Oil Dry Texture Spray

Full Size: 205 ml

Full Size Cost: $28

Sample Size: 26 ml

Value: $3.55

Moroccan Oil Dry Texture Spray

Very rarely do I use texture sprays but this is one of my favorite hair brands so I shall see how it works out. I love their hair oil it works so well on my hair.

Grande Lips Hydrating Lip Plumper in Clear

Full Size:  1.5 g

Full Size Cost: $27

Sample Size:  1.5 g

Value: $27

Grande Lips Hydrating Lip Plumper in Clear

So this looks so tiny to be full size but apparently it is even though it isn’t the same type of packaging as the full size. Curious and Curiouser. This is one of the only lip glosses I can tolerate it is not sticky it feels more balmy but the stinging plumping effect is real with this.

Amika Velveteen Dream Smoothing Shampoo

Full Size:  100 ml

Full Size Cost: $20

Sample Size: 10 ml

Value: $0.67

Amika Velveteen Dream Smoothing Conditioner

Full Size:  300 ml

Full Size Cost: $20

Sample Size: 10 ml

Value: $0.67

Amika Velveteen Dream

I probably won’t use these to be honest but I will toss them in my travel size/sample drawer. Amika products are pretty hit or miss to me.

This was a really high value this month, even though I am kinda skeptical about that lip gloss. I am most excited about that eyeshadow base from Nars.

Total Value: $55.09

Skincare: 1

Makeup: 3

Tools: 0

Hair Care: 3

Perfume: 0

Other: 0

And as far as sizes:

Full Size: 1

Deluxe Sample: 0

Sample: 6

<3 Nightmare Before Makeup

Boxycharm August 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.

Really interesting assortment of products in this months Boxycharm. I had alot of feelings (She doesn’t even go here! lol). Moving on from movie references and back to makeup lets get started. This will probably be a really long post.

Laura Lee Los Angeles Wander Beauty Adesse New York House of Lashes Smashbox Bang Beauty

Adesse New York Sweet Almond Cuticle Oil

Full Size: 11 ml

Full Size Cost: $18

Sample Size: 11 ml

Value: $18

Adesse New York Sweet Almond Cuticle Oil

I don’t really feel like this moisturized my cuticles at all. It has the advantages of not leaving your fingers feeling greasy but it doesn’t make my cuticles soft. I much prefer the Fortune Cookie Soap ones they are very greasy but they really work.

House of Lashes Siren Mini Lashes

Full Size: 3 pair

Full Size Cost: $22.50

Sample Size: 1 pair

Value: $7.50

House of Lashes Siren Mini

I don’t wear lashes ever I have never worn a pair. I like the idea of minis but these are really intense lashes for minis. they seem really curly and are definitely dramatic. I would have liked if they came with glue since people who don’t wear lashes wouldn’t have that on hand.

Wander Beauty Baggage Claim Gold Eye Masks

Full Size: 6 masks

Full Size Cost: $25

Sample Size: 3 masks

Value: $12.50

Wander Beauty Baggage Claim Gold Eye Masks

I am excited to try these out I don’t use eye masks often I don’t feel like they ever do anything other then feel nice so I save them for like relaxing treats since I don’t have a ton of them.

Smashbox Always on Liquid Lipstick in In Demand

Full Size: 4 ml

Full Size Cost: $24

Sample Size: 4 ml

Value: $24

Smashbox Always on Liquid Lipstick In Demand

I don’t know how I feel about this color it looks ok in some likes and then like concealer lips in other lights I just don’t know. In the swatch it is a pretty neutral pink but on it seems to change. I have to try it out with like a darker lip liner and see if that helps. As far as formula these stay on pretty well but aren’t super comfy they are a little gritty almost you can feel them on your lips and if I can feel it I want permanent staying power lol. Swatched Below.

Bang Beauty Gel Eyeliner in Chocolate

Full Size: 3.5 g

Full Size Cost: $22

Sample Size: 3.5 g

Value: $22

Bang Beauty Gel Eyeliner

I don’t use gel eyeliner a ton or brown eyeliner ever but feel really compelled to keep this so I will. It is really really soft and creamy and applies nicely but it is brown which is so meh to me. Swatched Below.

Laura Lee Los Angeles Party Animal Palette

Full Size: 7.8 g

Full Size Cost: $19

Sample Size: 7.8 g

Value: $19

Laura Lee Los Angeles

I was so prepared to hate this palette because I am not a Laura Lee fan but I love it. I love colorful palettes and no box ever sends those out. I have really been looking for a small colorful palette that I could take with me when I travel but all my colorful shadows are expensive and in giant palettes I would be afraid would break. This has really nice sturdy thick packaging with a soft matte feel a mirror and a good magnetic closure.  I like the bright fun colors the are pretty smooth and pigmented. Bottoms up has a lot of glitter and it does have fall out which I am not a fan of but it a sparkley Barbie pink is a such a fun touch. This is my most favorite thing in the box.

 

Total: $103

I was so impressed with the palette which made the box for me the other items were all a little meh for me I will use most but none were really great other then this palette. Not the best Boxycharm month but next month’s spoilers are looking really good.

<3 Nightmare Before Makeup