Category: Subscription Boxes

Sephora Play! September 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 actually got the box variation I wanted for a change what are the odds lol.

Herbivore Blue Tansy Resurfacing Clarity Mask

Full Size: 70 ml

Full Size Cost: $48

Sample Size: 14 ml

Value: $9.60

This was the one item I wanted so bad so I am so excited I got this. I have been dying to try it. This is an AHA and BHA resurfacing mask and I have really wanted to start trying them. This smells really awful it is like a floral mixed with a fruit leather it really gave me a headache. This is supposed to tingle when you put it on but I didn’t feel anythig and after one use I haven’t seen any results but I will keep using it. The only thing I notices was that by my nose where it is super oily it actually really dried out my skin to the point that it was kind of itchy and I needed to put lotion on it. The rest of my skin was fine.

Belif The True Cream Moisturizing Bomb

Full Size: 50 ml

Full Size Cost: $38

Sample Size: 10 ml

Value: $7.60

So I tried this on my dryness from the mask and it was ok but didn’t last that long. I actually weirdly think this might be a great primer or moisturizer before primer it slightly blurred my skin a little I liked it. It is also light almost gel like which is how I like my moisturizers.

Ouai Shampoo Repair

Full Size: 10 oz

Full Size Cost: $28

Sample Size: 0.24 oz

Value: $0.67

Ouai Conditioner Repair

Full Size: 8.45 oz

Full Size Cost: $26

Sample Size: 0.24 oz

Value: $0.74

Well it is weird that these two samples are totally different prices. I don’t love Quai products they just tend to do nothing for my hair. This will get thrown in my travel sample bin and collect dust for awhile.

Ciaté London Liquid Velvet in Pin Up

Full Size: 6.5 ml

Full Size Cost: $19

Sample Size: 2 ml

Value: $5.85

I actually have this exact sample and can’t remember where I got it from. But I love this it is a very neutral berry shade and a nice comfortable mousse matter formula. It is definitely not transfer proof you will be touching up with this. Swatched Below.

Touch in Sol Metallist Liquid Foil & Glitter in #3 Talia

Full Size: Liquid 0.123 oz/ Glitter 0.07 oz

Full Size Cost: $25

Sample Size: 0.041 oz / 0.023 oz?

Value: $8.33

The size of this sample is not listed so I am guessing about a third. This is pretty neat product I like the super foiled cream shadow and the glitter is a liquid that holds together pretty well this is a nice alternative to the the Stila Glitter and Glows this way you get 2 products for the same money. These are very shiny and glittery and I like it there are limited color options but they all look nice. Talia is a nice champagne toned silver. Swatched Below.

Sephora Contour Eye Pencil 12hr Wear Waterproof in Black Lace

Full Size: 1.2 g

Full Size Cost: $10

Sample Size: 0.48 g

Value: $4

This is a nice creamy black liner it only lasts in my waterline for a few hours though not much does last in my waterline though. There isn’t much to say about a black liner this is a good dupe for the Makeup Forever Aqua XL those last loger but they have the same feel. Swatched Below.

Pin up, Liquid eyeshadow, Glitter eyeshadow, Eyeliner.

I am so happy with this month’s bow it is rare that I will use every product in a box. ad no perfume this month which was a change. Also because of the shampoo/ conditioner set I ended up with 7 items which is one more then usual so hell yeah.

Quick Summary:

Total Value: $36.79

Skincare: 2

Makeup: 3

Tools: 0

Hair Care: 2

Perfume: 0

Other: 0

And as far as sizes:

Full Size: 0

Deluxe Sample: 1

Sample: 6

<3 Nightmare Before Makeup

Medusa’s Makeup September 2017 Subscription Box Review

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Medusa’s Makeup

Cost: $15.95 monthly

Cycle: Every Month

What is it: Every month Medusa’s Makeup sends 3-5 full size products, with a value of $40 from their line.  I have been subscribing since their inaugural bag. They have changed things up a bit from 3-5 products to 3-4 products each month.

Medusa’s Make up is a vegan and cruelty free company and made in the USA.

They usually send out their newest products and always full size.

Cute very berry themed back to school box.

Glitter in Key Lime Pie

Full Size: 3 g

Full Size Cost: $8

Sample Size: 3 g

Value: $8

This is not a compelling enough color for me to keep so I will be passing this along. I am not a huge glitter fan tends to bother my contacts.

Totally Baked Eyeshadow in Awesome

Full Size: 2 g

Full Size Cost: $9

Sample Size: 2 g

Value: $9

This is a very bold pink shade. Unfortunately this is not nearly as pigmented as any of the other shadows I have tried from Medusa’s so that is a little weird to me. It is very soft and definitely buildable so it really isn’t a problem just sorta weird. Swatched Below.

Lip Paint in Bang

Full Size: 1.5 g

Full Size Cost: $12

Sample Size: 1.5 g

Value: $12

Finally one of the lip paints in a color I will wear this is a gorgeous pinky berry shade I love it. These do not come off for anything it is really awesome. I am so thrilled. Swatched Below.

Star Bright Luminous Creme Hilighter

Full Size: 1.5 g

Full Size Cost: $12

Sample Size: 1.5 g

Value: $12

Does it bug anyone else the way they chose to spell this? No? Just me then, ok, This is supposed to be a cream highlight for the face but it never really dries down or sinks into the skin like other cream highlights I have it stays wet and creamy. Which is cool for photos and looks great for like ten minutes and then it melts into a mess. This is a really cool product though and I am glad then sent something kinda different it also looks really really pretty on the lips as a gloss (moisturizing and not sticky at all) or topping matte lipsticks. Swatched Below.

Total: $41

This was a really good month. They sent out a pretty cohesive look and a nice interesting. The cream highlight and lipstick pair super well together and I do appreciate a good berry lip + berry toned eye look so this is a great box for me. First month in a long time that I am happy and not a little meh about this box.

<3 Nightmare Before Makeup

Boxycharm September 2017 Subscription Box Review and Pur Cosmetics Coupon

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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.

I never really get the the themes that Boxycharm picks out what the hell is badass about pink blush and a neutral brown eyeshadow palette?

Pur cosmetics coupon code BOXYSEPT.

Briogeo Don’t Despair, Repair!

Full Size: 8 oz

Full Size Cost: $36

Sample Size: 2 oz

Value: $9

This made my hair very soft and fluffy (in a good way) but also really exaggerated my waves and curls which I wasn’t expecting so be warned if you are going for a sleek straight look do use this one.

 

Bare Minerals Perfecting Face Foundation Brush

Full Size: Yes

Full Size Cost: $28

 

This is a weird brush it has a hole in the middle to put your foundation in and then spread it on your face. This seems like it would be really streaky and waste a lot of product. The bristles are also not super dense I don’t know this brush seems cheap. I don’t like it.

Pur Cosmetics Soiree Diaries Palette

Full Size: Yes

Full Size Cost: $34

If you need a neutral brown palette in your life this is definitely one for you. I would recommend it Pur has great quality affordable eyeshadow. For me I won’t be swatching it because I don’t need this and it will make a great gift for someone else. The bottom 2 rows are not nearly that dark but the picture uploaded funny and I can’t get it to adjust for some reason still trying to find good photo software. Bear with me.

Studio Makeup Luminous Loose Blush

Full Size: 7 g

Full Size Cost: $18

Sample Size: 7 g

Value: $18

This would be so messy I could not imagine wanting to use this ever. Also the color does not show up on me at all and I’m only light to medium skin tone so this was kind of a poor item choice. I can’t find this blush anywhere so I linked to a loose face powder. Swatched Below.

Colourpop Ultra Satin Lip in Mess Around

Full Size: 0.11 oz

Full Size Cost: $6

Sample Size: 0.11 oz

Value: $6

This is a very grey brown lipstick. I don’t know how I feel about this color but I do love the Colourpop formula. Swatched Below.

MAC Eye Brows in Spiked

Full Size: 0.09 g

Full Size Cost: $18

Sample Size: 0.09 g

Value: $18

Very interesting to see a MAC product in a subscription box. This is not a great product very hard and waxy and uncomfortable to use. Also very hard to twist up and you can not twist it back down. Swatched Below.

You can barely see the blush there on the right of the eyebrow pencil.

Total: $113

Always a great value unfortunately this month was a let down for me I really only got $15 worth of value out of this box (lippie and hair mask) but I will use the brush and be able to gift the other items. The box was still a great box just not for my personal tastes. Can’t win them all.

 

<3 Nightmare Before Makeup