Category: Subscription Boxes

Sephora Play! January 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.

And another meh box from Sephora I don’t know how but they always seem to send me the box I want least from all the options I don’t get it.

Make Up For Ever Artist Face Color in B302

Full Size: 5 g

Full Size Cost: $23

Sample Size: 1.3 g

Value: $5.98

This is a satin finish peach blush if you’re a blush person you’d probably like this blush it is really smooth and light in color so you can build it up. There is not place for this in my life. I can’t even use it as an eyeshadow it is just two light of a color. Swatched Below.

Anastasia Beverly Hills Lip Gloss in Kristen

Full Size: 4.5 g

Full Size Cost: $16

Sample Size: 2 g

Value: $7.11

This is a really pretty color I wish it wasn’t a gloss. I can’t do the stickyness on my lips just no. This has the oddest paddle shaped doe foot applicator that I’d be curios to try out. I think I have to see if they have this shade in a liquid lip or lipstick that I could do. It is a nice mauve nude shade. Swatched Below.

Gloss Moderne Clean Luxury Masque

Full Size: 120 ml

Full Size Cost: $65

Sample Size: 7 ml

Value: $3.79

This product is like a serious WTF why are you so expensive product. My first gripe is they sell travel packets that are 9 ml so why is the sample pack 7 ml like don’t be so damn cheap gives us a full travel pack they both are foil packets just the same. I am sure it costs the company more to produce this alternate size for samples then for just making extras of the ones they are already selling.  Also this did nothing for my hair. I was so excited at first because it does smell awesome it smells like sweet luxurious coconut and felt really nice on my hair.  Then it did nothing for my hair no shine, no added softness, not frizz reduction nothing.

Clinique Pep-Start Eye Cream

Full Size: 15 ml

Full Size Cost: $26.50

Sample Size: 3 ml

Value: $5.30

I like the price of this eye cream that seems fair to me for an eye cream. I don’t love the applicator it feels to big and awkward under my eye so I use my fingers. It is a little sticky under the eye but does feel like a nice eye cream for the one time i used it definitely a good morning cream it sinks in fast. I’m cool with the tiny sample because I tend not to like the pep-start line this is also perfect size to finish up in like one vacation so after that vacation I’ll have a good feel if I like this or not. So check in next months empties for a more in depth review.

Glamglow Supercleanse Clearing Cream to Foam Cleanser

Full Size: 150 g

Full Size Cost: $32

Sample Size: 15 g

Value: $3.20

So I saved the two products I am excited about for last. I have wanted to try this cleanser but it is a ridiculous price for a cleanser. I like cream to foam cleansers so as soon as I finish up the one I’ve been diligently working on for like a year now.

Boscia Exfoliating Peel Gel

Full Size: 150 ml

Full Size Cost: $34

Sample Size: 30 ml

Value: $6.80

This is one of those chemical peel things that like balls up all the dead skin on your face. This was a little more gentle then I wanted but that is ok. I have really oily skin and it can get really grubby and dull sometimes (Yes gross and terrible I know).  I wanted a little more exfoliating out of this but it is a great gentle chemical exfoliator I am a fan but I don’t think I will buy it.

So two things I really like one that I’m content with and 3 that just are not for me. Once again this month seems a little lackluster. Nothing was like wowing me, even a bigger size of one of the products would have made this a better box even if it was a product I didn’t like.

Quick Summary:

Total Value: $32.18

Skincare: 3

Makeup: 2

Tools: 0

Hair Care: 1

Perfume: 0

Other: 0

And as far as sizes:

Full Size: 0

Deluxe Sample: 1

Sample: 5

<3 Nightmare Before Makeup

Ipsy January 2018 Subscription Box Review

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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 100 points and 1000 points. You can get up to 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.

So we got a really 90s sporty neon mesh bag this month its ok and I got a load of interesting stuff this month so lets get to it.  Because I am a disaster all of my post are super late this month I just can’t my life together this month but I have been using up products like crazy so stay tuned for that post in a week or two or three well see how that’s going lol.

Nyx Lingerie in Satin Ribbon

Full Size: 4 ml

Full Size Cost: $6.99

Sample Size: 4 ml

Value: $6.99

I hate this this is really dry looks like crap on my lips not to mention it is the exact color of my skin so I look like some horror movie demon with no mouth. Though I mean that could be a good Halloween look, but not I am not keeping this just to maybe use it on Halloween. If you really love opaque concealer lip look circa 2000 this is for you.

Global Beauty Care Charcoal Wash Off Mask

Full Size: 150 ml

Full Size Cost: $4.99

Sample Size: 30 ml

Value: $1

This was an ok charcoal mask it washed off easier then most charcoal masks do but didn’t wow me in terms of clearing my skin or anything there is about 3 uses in this packet. I really appreciate the resealable cap on the package.

Ciate London Fierce Flicks Eyeliner

Full Size: 1.7 ml

Full Size Cost: $19

Sample Size: 1.7 ml

Value: $19

I still have yet to try this. I just can’t open another black liquid liner right now. I may have to declutter some of these just because it isn’t right to hold on to so many of the same unopened liquid liners.

Organic Feelings The Coffee Scrub in Coconut

Full Size: 200 g

Full Size Cost: $18.99

Sample Size: 50 g

Value: $4.75

I have seen this all over the place so this is a really cool thing to get. I love the smell of coffee, the taste of coffee, I would marry coffee.  So I love this. It is on sale right now so that is the price I am going with.

City Color Contour Palette

Full Size: 3 x 4.5 g

Full Size Cost: $6.99

Sample Size: 3 x 2.35 g

Value: $3.67

I was shocked that this wasn’t full sized I mean it feels like a full sized drugstore contour palette but it is just over half the size of that is sold on the website and honestly nicer packaging but go figure. The highlight is super chunky but not glittery so you can make it work and the bronzer is way to orangey warm for me but the contour shade is definitely worth a go it is a nice ashy cool shade and pretty smooth.

I was actually surprise (though I shouldn’t have been) with the low value this month. Half the value came just from the the eyeliner. I am weirdly happy with this bag even though it is a really low value. Like the palette is perfect for me to grab and take on vacation next month. The mask and the scrub are things that will get used up and Ipsy knows I love a black eyeliner.

Quick Summary:

Total Value: $35.41

Skincare: 2

Makeup: 3

Tools: 0

Hair Care: 0

Perfume: 0

Other: 0

And as far as sizes:

Full Size: 2

Deluxe Sample: 1

Sample: 2

<3 Nightmare Before Makeup

Boxycharm January 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.

We got almost a full face of makeup this month which is pretty amazing. Only missing eyeliner and mascara. (I’m not counting foundation I mean they would never send that). I am pretty annoyed about one product but you’ll hear all about it when we get to it.

Also they did send me a new bronzer palette to replace the one that was smashed and the replacement was also smashed so I was just like fuck it I didn’t even bother I was so annoyed.

Crown Glam Metals Eyeshadow Palette

Full Size: Yes

 

Value: $29.99

As you can see one of the pans was half smashed up.  Between this and the bronzer I was just too annoyed and pissed to bother I am really unhappy. Had this not been placed on top of the fucking foam packaging this probably wouldn’t have happened.

This palette is also kinda eh the mattes are terrible so little pigment had to really swirl alot in the pan to even get a swatch. The shimmers are also hit and miss the gold in the middle, Rebel, is great but they are not consistent at all.

Like the whole bottom row is just meh. This is not worth $30 save your money.

Pür Bronze and Brighten Palette

Full Size: Yes

 

Value: $34

This is one of those makeup things you just want  to touch. It is so soft. It is that creamy powder that feels like wet and so ridiculously shiny. I will most likely end up using these as eye shadows since shimmery bronzer and blush isn’t my thing but still so gorgeous words and pictures can not describe the pretty metallic shine on these. I posted a picture of these swatches on my instagram.

Also everyone meet my bat he lives on my right wrist so he doesn’t show up in my swatches often since I am right handed but I had the palette swatches on my left so He decided to visit the blog.

Girlactik Matte Lip Paint in Posh

Full Size: 7.5 ml

Full Size Cost: $23

Sample Size: 7.5 ml

Value: $23

This is pricey and to be honest looked ad felt very drugstore to me so Idk about that. This is a very an pink with brown undertones nude shade but it dried matte quickly so it shows promise it reminds me alot of the Lime Crime Velvetines. Swatched Below.

It Cosmetics Brow Power Universal Taupe

Full Size: 0.16 g

Full Size Cost: $24

Sample Size: 0.16 g

Value: $24

This is a very stiff pencil and I do not like that I don’t like to feel like I’m stabbing myself to do my makeup. The say that is you apply lightly this will be blonde and if you press harder it will work for dark hair. That sounded impossible to me but it kinda worked, you will see in the swatches. This won’t work for everyone but it will work for the majority of people which is pretty cool and great for a box like this. Swatched Below.

So you see the lip paint and the eyebrow pencil. Top is pressing hard and bottom is pressing lightly.

Dr. Brandt Pores No More Luminizer Primer

Full Size: 30 ml

Full Size Cost: $38

Sample Size: 30 ml

Value: $38

This has some shimmer to it so be aware but it does blur. I always get really excited for Dr. Brandt stuff because it is so expensive.

Total: $148.99

This is a substantial value for a $21 box but I am not happy. I am unhappy with all the broken products I received and the lip and eyeshadow I do not think were worth the prices I found for them. So this is not a win for me I have two products I really Like two I’ll use a little but eh just not satisfied this month.

<3 Nightmare Before Makeup