Category: Subscription Boxes

Boxycharm April 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.

Once again I always seem to get the box variation I want the least. They sent out 5 Colourpop palettes this month one I had and one I really didn’t want so of course I got the one I didn’t want instead of one of the three I really wanted.

Dr. Brandt Pores No More Vacuum Cleaner

Full Size: 30 g

Full Size Cost: $42

Sample Size: 30 g

Value: $42

So the card list this as $47 and it is not $42 supposedly the price change happened after these cards were printed but just a heads up. This isn’t my most favorite mask I have ever tried frankly this is really weird but it is my most favorite thing in the box. Thank god because it is also the most expensive.  so this had little blue and white beads in it that you have to rub and break up on your face which I do not like the process of that I feel like I can’t get an even layer on my face. This has a lightly cooling sensation but nothing terrible I hate cold face masks. I don’t think this cleaned out my pores but I feel like that is something I would only see after repeated uses. This did make my skin feel softer and my pores look smaller. My only gripe with Dr. Brandt is that you always need a ton of their product so I tend to go through it really fast and this is too expensive for all that.

Adesse New York Hi Definition Liquid Lipstick in Haute Cocoa?

Full Size: 6.5 g

Full Size Cost: $24

Sample Size: 6.5 g

Value: $24

So I think this is Haute Cocoa but I don’t know because it isn’t listed any where not on the tube or the box or the card. This is not a matte lipstick this is a full on melted cream gloss lipstick. It is god awfully sticky. I hate this and find it really sketchy that the name isn’t on the tube. Swatched Below.

Tarte Tarteist Pro Glow Liquid Highlighter in Sparkler

Full Size: 15.9 g

Full Size Cost: $29

Sample Size: 15.9 g

Value: $29

Now I love me a cream or liquid highlighter but this is so full of glitter by the end of the day it was just a mess of glitter on my cheeks not a good look. This is a pretty color I can see this being really fun in the summer when I want to be more glittery but this is more a special look highlighter and for $29 dollars and its huge I would have rather this be smaller and cheaper. Swatched below.

The Browgal The Instatint Tinted Brow Gel with Microfibers in Brown Hair 02

Full Size: 3.2 g

Full Size Cost: $22

Sample Size: 3.2 g

Value: $22

This has me so nervous to try my brows are already full and this is really light I think it will look really weird. I don’t do much to my brows in the first place so this is not up my alley. Swatched Below.

Lipstick, highlighter, brow tint. I tried sheering out the highlighter like you would wear it on your face but it is a little hard to see in the picture the arrow is trying to point it out.

Colourpop Golden State of Mind Palette

Full Size: 15 x 1 g (15 g)

Full Size Cost: $20

Sample Size: 15 x 1 g (15 g)

Value: $20

This was $26 originally like the card says but it has been $20 for months not because it was a limited edition thing and now they need to get rid of it so it is $20 dollars. This is the one that was supposed to be Sephora exclusive and what not but it clearly wasn’t. This is all shimmers and I’m pretty salty I really wanted the Elements of Surprise or the My Little Pony one. These are really chunky and pretty inconsistent in opacity. I can make them work in a very specific way which is fine because it is the way I like to do my oh shit I have legit 45 second to do my makeup but that is the only use I have for this palette. I will pick a color tap it on really quick onto the lid with my finger pick a darker shade and quickly tap blend it out on the edge of my eye and slightly into the crease and call it done.  Since these are creamy and finger blendable I can get a a decent soft pretty look really quick but there is glitter fall out on the more glittery shades this just isn’t my favorite.

No Flash

Flash

Total: $137

Update I am LOVING the mascara from last month so good. I said it last month and I’ll say it again it is a lot of cast off like things that companies are trying to get rid of rather then the new and best things. or skimping on quality items to make a cool collaboration with Boxycharm. The value is still there but the excitement and joy almost isn’t. And the way the boxes have been packed lately is abysmal like just thrown in the padding isn’t always wrapped around the products right like it’s really taken a downhill turn in quality. I’ll continue to buy them and recommend them because I always at least get my moneys worth but I don’t like how much things I’m getting that end up in a give away pile.

<3 Nightmare Before Makeup

 

 

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