Category: Subscription Boxes

Sephora Play! March 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.

So this review took so long to get up because there was a mishap with my box.  The Setting spray exploded all over my box. I contacted Sephora and for the first time was happy with their customer service they replaced my box for me but obviously I had to wait for it to come to review it.

This is a nice bag it is really soft and this nice blue tie dye that says Beauty is My Spirit Animal. I like this one alot.

Bobbi Brown Extra Illuminating Moisture Balm

Full Size: 1 oz

Full Size Cost: $68

Sample Size: 0.37 oz

Value: $25.16

So this is like the exact opposite of the name. This is actually really thick and kinda tacky and mattifying. I used this as a primer more then a moisture balm because this is not a nice no makeup moisturizing illuminating balm. For the price I don’t recommend this.

Stila Stay All Day Waterproof Liquid Liner in Jet Black

Full Size: 0.5 ml

Full Size Cost: $22

Sample Size: 0.25 ml

Value: $11

So I don’t want to open this because I have at least three of these. But it is a nice eyeliner that doesn’t bleed or smudge too much.

IGK Mistress Hydrating Hair Balm

Full Size: 148 ml

Full Size Cost: $29

Sample Size: 15 ml

Value: $2.94

I have like 6 of these they just keep multiplying. This is a coconut based gel it smells really nice. I don’t use gel so these have all got tossed in a box of things for gf to use.

Amika Soulfood Nourishing Mask

Full Size: 250 ml

Full Size Cost: $28

Sample Size: 20 ml

Value: $2.24

I’m excited to try this one out there looks like there is two uses in there so that should give me a good feel of what it is like. I like how Amika products smell and the packaging is so so pretty.

Korres Greek Yoghurt Foaming Cleanser

Full Size: 150 ml

Full Size Cost: $26

Sample Size: 20 ml

Value: $3.47

Oh yay another cleanser to add to my cleanser stockpile. I’ll open it eventually but I legit have like 6 face washes open right now.

Supergoop Defense Refresh Setting Mist

Full Size: 100 ml

Full Size Cost: $28

Sample Size: 15 ml

Value: $4.20

This setting spray is a little sticky and heavy feeling but I like that it has spf 50 that will be really useful in the summer. It also doesn’t smell like alcohol or chemicals like most setting sprays do.

Pretty good bag this month I love when we get haircare samples instead  of perfume samples it helps shake things up a bit.

Total Value: $49.01

Skincare: 1

Makeup: 3

Tools: 0

Hair Care: 2

Perfume: 0

Other: 0

And as far as sizes:

Full Size: 0

Deluxe Sample: 1

Sample: 5

<3 Nightmare Before Makeup

Macy’s Beauty Box March 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.

So this bag was all skincare so this post is really hard to write. I mean there is nothing to swatch and alot of it is anti-aging products that I can’t really see results from so this bag is kinda just a waste to me.

I like the bag this month though so that is a plus I guess.

Carolina Herrera Good Girl Perfume

Full Size: 50 ml

Full Size Cost: $90

Sample Size: 1.5 ml

Value: $2.70

This is a very strong perfume.  This is the perfume that comes in the bottle shaped like the a high heel. I wasn’t a huge fan but my mom loves it so I passed it on to her she actually has the full size.

SK-II Facial Treatment Essence

Full Size: 160 ml

Full Size Cost: $179

Sample Size: 10 ml

Value: $11.19

Holy crap this is expensive I think this might be the most expensive item I have ever gotten like even more then perfumes. Like that is nuts. This is supposed to be a hydrating toner that increases radiance but on me it seems pretty matiffying and smoothing. Which I don’t mind just totally the opposite of what it is supposed to do.

Clarins Extra Firming Jour

Full Size: 50 ml

Full Size Cost: $86

Sample Size: 5 ml

Value: $8.60

This is a say cream with spf eh not to exciting and not a whole lot to say about it. I mean what is to write.

Estēe Lauder Resilience Lift Night Cream

Full Size: 29.5 ml

Full Size Cost: $55

Sample Size: 5 ml

Value: $9.32

This is a cream looks solid in the jar but is surprisingly light on the skin which is night I don’t like really heavy thick face creams.

Mac Strobe Cream in Pinklite

Full Size: 50 ml

Full Size Cost: $33

Sample Size: 6 ml

Value: $3.96

I tried swatching this but it was kinda impossible to get to show up. This is just like a lit from within type of glowy product to put on alone or under makeup. These are my favorite kind of things because I don’t wear foundation all the time. Pinklite has pink undertones.

Lancôme Advanced Génifique Youth Activating Concentrate

Full Size: 8 ml

Full Size Cost: $20

Sample Size: 8 ml

Value: $20

Obviously this isn’t a full size but you can buy this sample size and with how expensive it is this seemed fair to use that price. It feels nice on the skin but I don’t like it as much as the Korres Golden crocus one I got from a sephora play at one point.

Total: $55.77

So I like that they kinda gave you a whole skincare routine of really expensive products to try. You have your day cream, some no-makeup makeup, a toner, a night cream, and a serum. I would have maybe preferred like a toner or a mask or an eye cream to the strobe cream just to make it more of a full routine that I could take traveling  but all in all it it was a good setup and a well thought out curation just a bit boring. Like getting really nice socks for Christmas you’ll like them while you use them but they aren’t exciting when you open them.

<3 Nightmare Before Makeup

Boxycharm March 2018 Subscription Box Review

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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.

Another month another Boxycharm to dig into.

I like that they sent a brush sent with the palette.

Pretty Vulgar Make them Blush in 111 Prim Vixen

Full Size: 6 g

Full Size Cost: $26

Sample Size: 6 g

Value: $26

Oh god this color I can’t but the packaging is just so pretty. It it pretty cheap feeling but it is so cute with its pretty mirrored gold and the little bird on it.

True bubblegum pink.

Trying out some new swatch stencils. Really liking it.

The Vintage Cosmetics Company Smokey Eye Brush Set

Full Size: 3 brush set

Full Size Cost: $19.99

Sample Size: 3 brush set

Value: $19.99

i love how these brush have little sayings on them playing off one for the money two for the show.  I have seen this brand before mostly in like Walgreens. So it is definitely a drugstore brand that I have never tried before. These same brushes also come in a larger 5 piece set. These are fairly soft and seem like ok quality. They are not as high quality as the Luxie brushes they normally send are.

Butter London Double Decker Mascara

Full Size: o.41 oz

Full Size Cost: $20

Sample Size: 0.41 oz

Value: $20

The inside of the box is so freaking cute like gothic toile

This is a drier mascara that is a fluffy natural bristle wand so this should be my new favorite mascara. And is going to be my next one in rotation when the month is over so excited.

Pür Cosmetics x Boxycharm Eyeshadow Palette

Full Size: 1.5 g x 12

Full Size Cost: $36

Sample Size: 1.5 g x 12

Value: $36

Before we get into this review this is not worth $36 please do not buy it for that price.

So when I saw spoilers I was super excited for this but it doesn’t swatch great its kinda dusty I don’t know the colors look just a little off in real like I am not super happy with this palette. It seems like not alot of effort was put into this collaboration. There isn’t alot of consistency between the formulas of the shades.

South Mane 3 Eye Gel Packs

Full Size: 3 Eye Gels

Full Size Cost: $9

Sample Size: 3 Eye Gels

Value: $9

I really enjoyed these. These were very drippy when I pulled them out of the pack ad was really worried they wouldn’t stick to my skin but they stuck just fine. These start off as pretty think pink gummy things to put on your eyes. They are quite cold feeling under your eyes. I didn’t see a difference in dark circles but they were very hydrating and helped with puffiness. The gels also like lost half their thickness after being on for thirty minutes.

Total: $110.99

Seems like Boxycharm is going a bit down hill lately in the price and quality department. Seems like a lot of casts offs rather then thoughtfully curated products. It is still a great value for the money as usually you I love at least one thing that is worth the value of the box but I feel like I am getting alot of things that aren’t that great or useful to me.

<3 Nightmare Before Makeup