Category: Subscription Boxes

Macy’s Beauty Box January 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.

 

Cute little Valentine’s Day themed bag but feels pretty cheapie compared to the other bags they have sent out, but the products are much better this month so that’s what really matters.

Philosophy Pure Grace Nude Rose Body Lotion

Full Size: 480 ml

Full Size Cost: $39

Sample Size: 30 ml

Value: $2.44

Oh good a rose scented lotion. I can’t do roses due to being allergic and pure grace smells so old and gives me a headache I am not even opening this. HARD PASS.

Origins Checks and Balances Frothy Face Wash

Full Size: 150 ml

Full Size Cost: $23

Sample Size: 30 ml

Value: $4.60

This was so creamy like I was shocked by how creamy it was. I wouldn’t use this to remove makeup or if my skin was really greasy but I used this to help wash of a clay mask you know how hard those can be some times and this was so creamy and helped take the mask of gently with out all the pulling and rubbing. So I am on board for this I like this.

Ahava Dead Sea Water Mineral Hand Cream

Full Size: 100 ml

Full Size Cost: $24

Sample Size: 40 ml

Value: $9.60

Great travel hand cream. Great size too. This has a light some what light salty smell but in a beach way not a salt shaker way. This isn’t greasy either.

Micheal Kors Sexy Ruby Perfume

Full Size: 60 ml

Full Size Cost: $92

Sample Size: 1.5 ml

Value: $2.30

This smells so sexy and bright I know that is a weird way to describe a perfume. I am rarely a fan of the perfume samples that are sent to me so it is nice to get one I can use.

Clinique + Johnathon Adler: Pop Lip Colour + Primer in Nude Pop

Full Size: 3.8 g

Full Size Cost: $15.40

Sample Size: 3.8 g

Value: $15.40

So this is weird I’m pretty sure this is full size but I cant find this anywhere for purchase the Johnathan Adler packaging looks different and doesn’t have this shade. I swear before Christmas I recall seeing this in a gift with purchase set you know the kinds that Clinique and Macy’s do all the time I have a feeling that is where this came from. I am still happy about a full size special collection lipstick it is just weird I can’t find it online. Swatched Below.

Smashbox Always On liquid Lipstick in Bawse

Full Size: 4 ml

Full Size Cost: $24

Sample Size: ?

Value: $8

No size listed I don’t get why smash box does that. This is a real red red I don’t wear alot of red but I always want to. Maybe I’ll work up the courage to try this out. rather then just have it look pretty in my vanity. Swatched Below.

Bawse on top, Nude Pop Below

Total: $42.34

The full size lipstick is a real score this month and makes the bag but this is the first month so far that I am genuinely happy and like my bag other then the one lotion I will use and enjoy everything in my bag. The only weird this I noticed is that it is super odd two lotions and two lip products so that half the bag is duplicate product types which is super damn odd.

<3 Nightmare Before Makeup

Sephora Play! December 2017 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 really like the art deco Great Gatsby style of the bag. But the satin feels cheap this month usually it feels very soft and nice this month not so much.

Drybar Triple Sec

Full Size: 118 g

Full Size Cost: $26

Sample Size: 10 g

Value: $2.20

I love Drybar products they smell so so good and my hair just loves them. I have a few little cans of this and it really does add texture to my hair when it is being limp and blah. Bonus makes you’re hair smell and look clean a little like dry shampoo would.

Make Up For Ever Artist Rouge Cream in C207

Full Size: 3.5 g

Full Size Cost: $22

Sample Size: 1.4 g

Value: $8.80

Why do I keep getting pink lipsticks? Anyway if you like bold cream lipsticks this is for you the formula is creamy and opaque and applies with no patchiness at all but it is Barbie pink and bright. Swatched Below.

Laura Mercier Caviar Eye Stick in Au Natural

Full Size: 1.64 g

Full Size Cost: $29

Sample Size: 1 g

Value: $17.68

I love the caviar sticks they are so quick and easy when you just want one color so you don’t look dead on the way out the door lol. This is a nude color very similar to my skin tone. Being slightly tacky I think it will make a good base for eye shadow. Swatched Below.

Clinique Pretty Easy Liquid Eyelining Pen in Black

Full Size: 0.07 oz

Full Size Cost: $21

Sample Size: 0.01 oz

Value: $3

This was pretty terrible. It isn’t super black and and it smudges and fades immediately I do not recommend this at all. Swatched Below.

Caudalíe Vine[activ] Energizing and Smoothing Eye Cream

Full Size: 15 ml

Full Size Cost: $39

Sample Size: 5 ml

Value: $13

I love little eye creams they last forever and then I never have to buy them. I never see a huge difference between eye creams though only small differences. Caudalíe is such an expensive brand that it is cool to get to try it.

Stella Perfume

Full Size: 50 ml

Full Size Cost: $72

Sample Size: 1.5 ml

Value: $2.16

I don’t do roses so this is a no go for me I passed this off to my mom and she enjoyed it pretty good. So it has the mom stamp of approval.

This month was a little thrown together for me but overall I am happy I got an eyeshadow, eye serum and hair product that I love and then 3 things that don’t work for me I just wish it had been a little more adventurous and interesting.

Quick Summary:

Total Value: $46.84

Skincare: 1

Makeup: 3

Tools: 0

Hair Care: 1

Perfume: 1

Other: 0

And as far as sizes:

Full Size: 0

Deluxe Sample: 2

Sample: 4

<3 Nightmare Before Makeup

 

 

 

 

Ipsy December 2017 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.

I’m a bit meh about this month’s bag nothing really stands out as that special to me. It doesn’t really scream holiday to me.

Smashbox Be Legendary Lipstick in Legendary

Full Size: 0.1 oz

Full Size Cost: $21

Sample Size: 0.08 oz

Value: $16.80

This is a great little mini lipstick. I just really don’t like the be legendary formula they are just way to creamy for my tastes and just not my thing. I find them really hard to apply and wear because of how creamy they are I feel like I really have fuss with them too much.  Swatched Below.

Trèstique Mini Brow Pencil in Espresso

Full Size: 0.13 g

Full Size Cost: $10

Sample Size: 0.13 g

Value: $10

This is the full mini size that they make the full size comes with a spoolie so it doesn’t seem fair to compare those when this does exist for sale. I wanted to like this it was the right color and size but its a now go. Just swatching it was impossible it was so hard and sharp it left a welt on my skin just from how hard I had to press to swatch it. Swatched (Painfully) Below.

Son & Park Beauty Water

Full Size: 11.49 oz

Full Size Cost: $30

Sample Size: 1.01 oz

Value: $2.64

This is like a micellar water that  can be used for prep or makeup removal which sounds like exact opposite uses to me but it is little enough that I can use it up quickly.

Nyx Faux Blacks Eyeliner in Blackberry

Full Size: 1.3 g

Full Size Cost: $7.99

Sample Size: 1.3 g

Value: $7.99

This is my favorite thing in the bag I love these gel like pencil eyeliners and I always love a fun color and this blackened purple is very me. I love Nyx eyeliners. Swatched Below.

Lipstick, Eyebrow Pencil, Eyeliner.

Pūrlisse Green Tea + Ginger Sheet Mask

Full Size: 1 mask

Full Size Cost: $8

Sample Size: 1 mask

Value: $8

Pūrlisse Coconut + Rice Sheet Mask

Full Size: 1 mask

Full Size Cost: $8

Sample Size: 1 mask

Value: $8

The pictures of these got corrupted so I am sorry but they are sheet masks they aren’t that special to look at. I have tried Pūrlisse sheet masks before but they are ok they have tons of essence and are soothing but I find them very cold they feel extra cold on my skin and I don’t like that. I would never spend $8 on one sheet mask but people must be.

Well my favorite thing in the box was the drugstore eyeliner. Idk this box was a little bit of a mishmash of things that almost were right but just didn’t quite work for me.

Quick Summary:

Total Value: $53.43

Skincare: 3

Makeup: 3

Tools: 0

Hair Care: 0

Perfume: 0

Other: 0

And as far as sizes:

Full Size: 4

Deluxe Sample: 1

Sample: 1

<3 Nightmare Before Makeup