Category: Subscription Boxes

Macy’s Beauty Box July 2018 Subscription Box Review

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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, 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.

Macy’s has been consistently better I was both excited and a little annoyed by this bag. For starters the bag just looks cheap with a huge Macy’s logo on it feels like a gift with purchase type of thing. The products in side are really cool and unique this month the problem for me is I just fucking r eorganized all my skincare and bath and body products and committed to using up all the open ones before opening new things. So it is going to be a bit before I open any of these but Macy’s didn’t know that lol.

Benefit Porefessional Primer

Full Size: 0.75 oz

Full Size Cost: $31

Sample Size: 0.1 oz

Value: $4.13

This is the original must have pore filling primer. It is an ok primer but it is far from my favorite primer. It is just lackluster I think the whole buzz about it was just that it was kinda one of the first pore filling primers. Also why are Benefit samples so freaking tiny, adorable but tiny.

Elizabeth Arden Prevage Anti-Aging Daily Serum

Full Size: 50 ml

Full Size Cost: $162

Sample Size: 5 ml

Value: $16.20

I just finished up two serums so I will add this into rotation soon. It is a pricey serum, most Elizabeth Arden things are though but their packaging always makes me feel like eh like drugstore or boring.

Lancôme Bi-Facil Double Action Makeup Remover

Full Size: 1.7 oz

Full Size Cost: $15

Sample Size: 50 ml

Value: $15

So excited for this one I love bi phase eye makeup removers for travel, yes I know that that is a really odd thing and very weirdly specific. My favorite it the Sephora one because it does not sting my eyes or leave my contacts gross feeling. This is so raved about that I am so excited to try it and see how it compares to my favorite. I love that they gave us the full travel size as well since these do last a long time this should last me for a long time I don’t go through liquid eye makeup remover very fast.

Rituals The Ritual of Hammam Refreshing Foaming Shower Gel

Full Size: 200 ml

Full Size Cost: $15

Sample Size: 50 ml

Value: $3.75

This sounds like it is going to be really cool. I like moussey foamy shower products. The scent is Eucalyptus and Rosemary. Rosemary scents I love but Eucalyptus not so much.

Clarins Tonic Body Treatment

Full Size: 100 ml

Full Size Cost: $64

Sample Size: 10 ml

Value: $6.40

This I am really excited for I love body oils and this one is supposed to be firming. It is probably only good for like 2 or 3 uses it is so tiny so I will probably save this for traveling since I usually can never bring an oil since all my are giant sized.

Giorgio Armani Sì Passione Perfume

Full Size: 100 ml

Full Size Cost: $116

Sample Size: 1.2 ml

Value: $1.39

Finally another little perfume I tend to just grab 2 or 3 or 4 or these when I take a trip and just use them up that way or if I just really want to try something different.  This is supposed to be a blackcurrant and woodsy type scent.

Really good value this month and alot of really cool and different type of products like the body oil ad the shower foam I am really happy with this months box and excited to try every thing.

Total Value: $46.87

Skincare: 2

Makeup: 1

Tools: 0

Hair Care: 0

Perfume: 1

Other: 2

And as far as sizes:

Full Size: 1

Deluxe Sample: 1

Sample: 4

<3 Nightmare Before Makeup

 

Sephora Play! June 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.

I see we are really going with an 80s theme this month.

Personally doesn’t appeal to me but most of the Sephora bags are pretty meh to me.

Clinique Take the Day Off Makeup Remover

Full Size: 125 ml

Full Size Cost: $19

Sample Size: 30 ml

Value: $4.56

I love Clinique makeup removers they don’t sting my eyes and they get the job done and this is a perfect small size so we are off to a good start.

Cover Fx Perfect Setting Powder Translucent Light

Full Size: 4 g (Travel Size)

Full Size Cost: $14

Sample Size: 1 g

Value: $3.50

Oh good more setting powder feel like i get one every month. I am drowning in setting powder and I rarely every use it. This is moving to a better home because I just can’t with how much setting powder I have. I figured I use a travel size price since I have never used up a whole loose powder in my life.

Living Proof No Frizz Nourishing Style Cream

Full Size: 118 ml

Full Size Cost: $28

Sample Size: 30 ml

Value: $7.12

I like this styling cream makes my hair feel smooth I don’t know about how much frizz it really repels but it does make my hair smoother.

Sol de Janeiro Bum Bum Cream

Full Size: 240 ml

Full Size Cost: $45

Sample Size: 25 ml

Value: $4.69

Same thoughts I got this in my Boxycharm this month as well check that out HERE.

Marajo Nourishing Cleansing Cream

Full Size: 250 ml

Full Size Cost: $29

Sample Size: 7 ml

Value: $0.81

Marajo Deep Treatment Butter

Full Size: 155 ml

Full Size Cost: $29

Sample Size: 7 ml

Value: $1.31

I have gotten these before I think also in Sephora Play I liked these they are not my favorite cleansing cream and treatment I have ever used but they are good and these are again great for me when I travel and need to wash my hair since I don’t like using shampoo. I do actually need and use travel sized products alot.

Too Faced Melted Matte Liquid Lipstick in Queen B

Full Size: 11.8 ml

Full Size Cost: $21

Sample Size: 3 ml

Value: $5.34

So I don’t like the melted lipsticks so I never was brave enough to try the melted mattes so now is my chance. It feels really light weight which is nice but I don;t know about wear time yet. This is a nice purple based nude right up my alley.

Pretty happy with this box other then the setting powder despite the lower than average value. I liked when we get the dual hair care sample because I feel like we are getting an extra item.

Total Value: $27.33

Skincare: 0

Makeup: 2

Tools: 0

Hair Care: 3

Perfume: 0

Other: 2

And as far as sizes:

Full Size: 0

Deluxe Sample: 1

Sample: 6

<3 Nightmare Before Makeup

Boxycharm June 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 so excited for this month’s box because of the spoilers. Even though there were three products I knew I was not at all interested in the palette this month is just launched and looked so pretty I was so excited to be getting it that I didn’t even care.

This is really a summoning a makeup demon esque type picture here I am now noticing. I could not get stuff to stay in place and not roll around. It has been a seriously busy month I have not had a day off of work all month so I am just too tired to fuss with anything.

Luxie 3 Piece Face Set Brush Set

Full Size: Yes

Full Size Cost: $38

I Luxie brushes they are my favorite so always happy to have more. As usual they are so soft. I was very annoyed to see that Boxycharm is saying that this $42 when it sells, not on sale, for $38 on the Luxie site I don’t like when boxes try to claim a higher value then there actually is.

Battington Lashes in Monroe

Full Size: Yes

Full Size Cost: $28

Me being a total sucker for packaging the box is awesome with its magnetic closure and pretty gold patterns on white background. These are also some long big lashes I have never worn false lashes so these will probably get gifted to a new home.

Ofra Liquid Lipstick in Verona

Full Size: Yes

Full Size Cost: $20

This is a very brown lip that is not for me. I also don’t love Ofra liquid lipsticks I find them to be dry and flaky while also sliding around a little so they are not the best formula in my opinion. Swatched Below.

Jonteblu Eyeliner in Charcoal

Full Size: Yes

Full Size Cost: $5

I have never in my whole like wanted a charcoal eyeliner it just looks like you’re eyeliner has worn away I don’t get the point. These eyeliners are also kinda pointy and hard. Pass. Swatched Below.

Liquid Lipstick in Verona, Eyeliner in Charcoal.

You can see how brown the lipstick is and how grey and worn the eyeliner looks.

Sol de Janeiro Bum Bum Cream

Full Size: 240 ml

Full Size Cost: $45

Sample Size: 25 ml

Value: $4.69

This is not a full size it is not even a travel size it is 1/3 of the size of the travel size. It is just a deluxe sample essentially ad worth way less then what Boxycharm claims all of that annoys me alot since Boxycharm is supposed to send full size items and that is 2 items in this box that has the wrong listed price.

That being said I was excited to try this since it is raved about in the beauty community especially in regards to the scent. This is a really nice body butter and it smells ok but I don’t find it to die for like so many people do it is just like a light sweet scent. It is a nice body butter It sinks in and makes my skin look hydrated and glowy and plump with out being sticky but not something I would buy having finally tried it it is way to pricey for just ok.

Alamar Reina del  Caribe Palette

Full Size: Yes

Full Size Cost: $28

This palette I saw Kathleenlights review it right around when I saw the spoiler for it being in the box and was so thrilled to be getting it. I really really like the packaging and the size and the fact that it can do a neutral look or a fun look and you can get variety even though there is only 8 shades. This is a perfect travel palette. The shimmer shades are so gorgeously thick and foiled feeling the mattes are pretty smooth with the exception of Coco-Taxi which I found to be patchy it really needed to be built up and worked with nothing to overly difficult or terrible just not consistent with the rest of the palette enough that I felt it needed to be pointed out.

Like look at those gorgeous swatches the shimmers especially. Third from the top you can see that Coco-Taxi is just not quite as nice as the other shades.

Total: $123.69

All I wanted were the brushes, the palette and the lotion so I am pretty satisfied with this box. I actually got an identical Bum Bum Cream in my Sephora box so there is clearly a marketing push going out to boxes from Sol de Janiero. The box was a score for me the 3 items I didn’t want will make great gifts and the palette is worth more then the box. Not that I need more brushes, lotion or palettes. I am litereally over my storage capacity for all of those items oops.

<3 Nightmare Before Makeup