Category: Subscription Boxes

Fortune Cookie Soap of the Month Club January 2018 Subscription Box Review

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Fortune Cookie Soap of the Month Club

Cost: $28 monthly + $6.95 shipping ($34.95)

Cycle: Every Month

What is it: Well anyone that has been here for any amount of time knows I love this company and use their products all the time (#notsponsered lol but for real no I’m way to small time for that shit).  Fortune Cookie Soap Company (FCS) makes bath and body products with all different themes and scents. Usually inspired by movies, or tv shows or other pop culture things. It is seriously really fun they stuff. I could go on and on about it but I’ll save my gushing the products are always great quality and have that homemade, made with love touch with out feeling DIY. Also for a bonus alot of their products are vegan.

The FCS of the Month Club every month will send a mix of full sized and deluxe sized products, saving you 50% off retail.  Every month is a different theme and you can skip a month if you aren’t feeling that month’s theme as long as you skip it before the 10th of the month. You will also earn points for what you spend on the box and purchases each month that you can redeem for reward certificates basically to shop on the cite which is a great plus.

Everyone ready for a little bit of a story time?

I don’t even remember how I found this company but I found it about 4 years ago maybe a little bit more and until just recently they had a quarterly subscription box that I subscribed to it was my first subscription box ever It was wizard of oz themed and it made me so happy.  Getting packaged from them every season or when I placed orders really brought a bright spot into a less then positive time in my life so I really have a soft spot for them.

I never reviewed the boxes I don’t know why but you always saw the products in my empties because I always use them up.When they canceled the quarterly box I was really sad this box is quite a bit more expensive then the quarterly and that I am not particularly fond of but I can’t not have their products constantly in my life so I am ponying up and we will see together if it is worth the cost. (I’ll keep buying it regardless just FYI).

So the theme is Princesses and Villains, all themed after Disney Princesses and Villains is that not so adorable. I am a total Disney Freak. The only problem is that alot of the stuff sells out and you can’t get it and once a collection is gone it could be gone forever.

Sea Witch Bath Bomb

Full Size: Yes

Full Size Cost: $4.99

 

Ursula themed bath bomb! The scents are always so awesome this is strawberries, salt, driftwood, and pink sugar. I don’t take alot of baths so I actually haven’t used their bath bombs personally I usually gift them to friends when I make up gift baskets and they have all given them thumbs up.

Part of Your World Sea Salt Hair Spritz

Full Size: 4 oz

Full Size Cost: $9.99

Sample Size: 4 oz

Value: $9.99

Water Lilies, sandalwood and marine notes? not quite sure what that means this pretty much just smells like water lilies to me. But you can’t have Ursula and not Ariel. Their hair products usually work well for me but my hair is so so dehydrated right now I can’t even attempt salt in my hair but I love their tip for using this when you braiding your hair and I completely plan on doing that when I use this. I know I will never use this up completely because I don’t use sea salt sprays on my dry hair but I’m down to try it at least.

Shadow Man Charcoal Whipped Soap

Full Size: 3.2 oz

Full Size Cost: $8.99

Sample Size: 3.2 oz

Value: $8.99

Who doesn’t want a silver grey whipped soap? I love charcoal anything I cheated and only used it on my hands but it felt nice and soft I can’t wait to use it on my blemish prone skin on my chest and shoulders charcoal always helps me out there. This is red velvet scented but I don’t smell it but that’s ok you had me at charcoal.

Briar Rose Pillow Spray

Full Size: 2.1 oz

Full Size Cost: $12.99

Sample Size: 2.1 oz

Value: $12.99

Of course Aurora a.k.a. sleeping beauty has a pillow spray. This is bergamont and orange two of my favorite scents with roses. Now I’m really allergic to roses but I couldn’t smell them at all and haven’t had a bad reaction to it so fingers crossed I’m same. This smells so gooits like a lighter sweeter version of happiness from Bath and Body Works if you have ever smelled that. I love their linen sprays and have used up two or three bottles of them. Having them to spray on my sheets before bed really helps me sleep a little better.

Glass Slipper Exfoliating Foot Stick

Full Size: Yes

Full Size Cost: $14.99

 

This is vanilla hazelnut and I was not expecting this to work at all. My feet are rough they are bad my callous are so bad they hurt and get really dry some times. This didn’t get rid of them or scrape them as much as a pumice stone or blade would but it did really soften them I could see this helping if I use it every day but it is going to go really fast which is a big down side to this product.

Sorcery & Seduction Walnut Body Scrub

Full Size: 2.2 oz

Full Size Cost: $8.99

Sample Size: 2.2 oz

Value: $8.99

So is this Jafar themed? Jasmine themed? Just Aladdin in general themed? Not really sure, but it smells like I think the movie would.  Jasmine, nectarines, amber, and walnuts. There was once a walnut face scrub and it was magical I wish it would come back. I am hoping this will have the same kind of effect

Mistress of All Evil Body Frosting

Full Size: 1.2 oz

Full Size Cost: $9.99

Sample Size: 1.2 oz

Value: $9.99

Woah this is costly $10 bucks for an ounce that’s a bit much.  This is supposed to be antioxidant rich and make your skin moisturized soft and smooth so lets see but I’m reserving judgement for now but that is a lot for lotion. This is pomegranate, marshmallow, maple wood, and amber scented. Very Maleficent. It is also the coolest looking thing look at those swirls.

Total: $70.93

We received all full sized products this month which is awesome.  At $70.93 you are paying just under half that half is $35.47, which means you pay only 49% of the cost of these items. That is a good value for an indie company and receiving these products to try but granted not the best subscription box value around. You have to want these types of products, and want to only get from one brand.  I will say you won’t be disappointed if you give them a shot even if you just shop instead of subscribing. I really recommend them time and time again. Plus the themes are just so cute.

<3 Nightmare Before Makeup

 

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