Category: Subscription Boxes

Ipsy July 2017 Subscription Box Review

nightmareb4

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.

We have a cute collaboration this month Ipsy x Gudetama

The lazy egg has really been gaining popularity lately, he is really cute.

This bag is so cute I mean look at his butt lol. This bag reeks of chemicals though like very heavily it is really gross and strong and gives me a headache even after letting it air out for 2 days it is still strong you can smell it from 2 feet away.

TonyMoly I’m Real Skin Purifying Green Tea Sheet Mask

Full Size: 1 mask

Full Size Cost: $3

Sample Size: 1 mask

Value: $3

This was very sticky and drippy It was dripping all over for the half hour I was wearing it. It did not have a strong smell which I appreciate. This left my face feeling tacky. This could maybe be nice before putting on foundation as it could help the foundation stick. This did make my skin look a little more even but the sticky shiny look it left behind was not flattering. I will probably buy one of these masks again.

TonyMoly I’m Real Luminating Lotus Sheet Mask

Full Size: 1 mask

Full Size Cost: $3

Sample Size: 1 mask

Value: $3

I have not tried this yet I don’t generally go for illuminating masks. If my skin is feeling dull I will try it.

Hempz Herbal Lip Balm

Full Size: 14 g

Full Size Cost: $2.99

Sample Size: 14 g

Value: $2.99

This also sells for $9 at Ulta I think that is insane for this product. I would not pay that much for this. This is a really thick balm that is fairly gloss like. It is not sticky though but just so thick this is definitely a night time balm for me. It has a sweet citrusy scent/flavor but it is off in some way that I can’t put my finger on.

Trèstique Mini Concealer Crayon in Bisque

Full Size: 1.8 g

Full Size Cost: $26

Sample Size: 0.6 g ?

Value: $8.67 ?

I’m guessing that this is about 1/3 of the size of the full product even if it is a little bigger, which I suspect, the full size comes with a blender sponge tip so I’m deducting a bit for that as well.  This is actually a fairly spot on match which is amazing seeing as they only have 3 colors. It is really creamy with good coverage I’m into it. Swatched Below.

Tarte Park Ave Princess Amazonian Clay Waterproof Bronzer

Full Size: 9 g

Full Size Cost: $30

Sample Size: 3 g

Value: $10

Park Ave Princess is always a hit or miss color for me in some verisons of the product Tarte comes out with this pulls so oompa loompa orange on me and other formulations its nice. This one is ok on me and I’m super interested in seeing if this is actually waterproof. This is too warm to contour though Tarte always claims this shade is a contour shade to me it never is. Swatched Below.

Ciaté London Wonderwand in Black

Full Size: 0.04 oz

Full Size Cost: $18

Sample Size: 0.028

Value: $12.60

I was shocked that this wasn’t full sized. So this is supposed to be a khol liner but it is not as soft as a khol liner should be it is also not as richly pigmented black as it should be. There is a brush on the end to smoke it out but the liner does not budge. The brush is actually super soft and nice. The nicest part of this product I will probably end up keeping this for the brush when it is user up. Swatched Below.

You can see where I tried to smudge out the liner and it wasn’t keen on budging. The concealer is the first swatch but it matches so well that it is hard to see.

Another low value for for Ipsy but I am happier with this month then last month’s I will use both sheet masks, the bronzer, concealer and lip balm. The only totally meh product for me was the liner.

Quick Summary:

Total Value: $40.26

Skincare: 2

Makeup: 3

Tools: 0

Hair Care: 0

Perfume: 0

Other: 1

And as far as sizes:

Full Size: 3

Deluxe Sample: 1

Sample: 2

<3 Nightmare Before Makeup

Sephora Play! July 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.

No bugs  this month! Yay too bad I got the shittiest version of this months box I didn’t get any of the product options I wanted. Most of these products won’t even work for me.

Fresh Rose Face Mask

Full Size: 30 ml

Full Size Cost: $25

Sample Size: 15 ml

Value: $12.50

I am not even going to open this. I am very allergic to roses so I can’t use this at all so this is a total waste to me. I really wanted the pore pudding from Boscia that many people received and that my beauty profile says would be appropriate at no point have I ever indicated that I need hydration on my skin.

Clinique  Pep-Start 2-in-1 Exfoliating Cleanser

Full Size: 4.2 oz

Full Size Cost: $19.50

Sample Size: 1 oz

Value: $4.64

I always love Clinique skincare so this is probably the most useful thing in the box to me but I don’t really enjoy the pep-start line. I find it to be a little weak in its effectiveness. The grit in this is a little rough but still good.

Madam CJ Walker Beauty Culture Dream Come True Wonderful Deep Conditioning Mask

Full Size: 6 oz

Full Size Cost: $32

Sample Size: 1.25 oz

Value: $6.67

The way this needs to be applied it will only be good for one use. It will get used but its kinda like ok cool another hair mask sample. I get so many of them. I have a feeling that even at my driest this mask will be way to heavy for my hair.

It Cosmetics Superhero Mascara

Full Size: 0.3 oz

Full Size Cost: $24

Sample Size: 0.1

Value: $8

Staple or not I think every one who subscribes to boxes is sick of black mascara. I never need to buy mascara again with how many samples I have. But really I haven’t had to purchase a mascara in over two years. They at least could have sent a new or interesting mascara this one has been out a while. I am guessing at the 1/3 size but that is fairly standard for a sample mascara from It Cosmetics.

Tarte Rainforest of the Sea Color Splash Lipstick in Set Sail

Full Size: 0.12 oz

Full Size Cost: $21

Sample Size: 0.035 oz

Value: $6.13

This is a nice mauvey nude color it is hydrating but it feels very thick and rick on the lips which I’m not personally a fan of. The color is nice though.

Guerlain Mon Guerlain Perfume

Full Size: 30 ml

Full Size Cost: $66

Sample Size: 0.7 ml

Value: $1.54

This is a very fancy perfume from a very fancy brand. It smells alright a little more floral and mature then I go for.

Another fail month from Sephora for me personally they sent out plenty of awesome products but not were sent to me this box was not suited to my tastes at all. I won/t get a lot of use or enjoyment out of this months box.

Quick Summary:

Total Value: $39.48

Skincare: 2

Makeup: 2

Tools: 0

Hair Care: 1

Perfume: 1

Other: 0

And as far as sizes:

Full Size: 0

Deluxe Sample: 1

Sample: 5

<3 Nightmare Before Makeup

Boxycharm July 2017 Subscription Box Review

nightmareb4

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.

This months box was so good!!! I’m was so happy with it.

I’m pretty laid up with an injury right now so this was a nice treat.

The eye palette really makes it.

Colourpop Ultra Satin Lip in Lock Diary

Full Size: 3.2 g

Full Size Cost: $6

Sample Size: 3.2 g

Value: $6

This is from a collab Colourpop did with Hello Kitty so you can’t actually get this color anymore so I linked to another similar color. The card actually says we are supposed to receive the ultra matte lips but I received an ultra satin lip. I like the satin formula but the matte is more my preference as it is transfer proof and the satins are not. Still Colourpop is always great and affordable they make it so you can get some weird colors and not feel like you are spending an arm and a leg. This is a lot pinkier of a color then I go for but I will still try and use it maybe on top of something darker. Swatched Below.

Winky Lux Unibrow Eyebrow Pencil in Universal

Full Size: 0.28 g

Full Size Cost: $12

Sample Size: 0.28 g

Value: $12

I am not a huge fan of brow pencils I don’t really use them but this I have a weird fondness towards that makes me want to try it. Its probably the super adorable packaging. I love the Eye of Horus on the package. The spoolie is pretty shitty but that”s ok the actual product is nice. I it a bit hard at first but it warms up on the skin it is a little dark even for my dark brown brows so this is not a universal color like they claim. Swatched Below.

bareMinerals Invisible Light

Full Size: 9 g

Full Size Cost: $32

Sample Size: 9 g

Value: $32

This was incredibly hard to photograph it is white powder a matte and a glowy one. The matte one is very matte and the glowy one has a little swirl of color that doesn’t show up on the skin and has glitter in it. I’m not a huge fan of the glitter but I do really like this palette especially the concept of it even if the execution is not perfect for me. The powder is a little more full coverage then I would want in a translucent powder but it can be sheered out. These powders are so very soft I tried to get swatches but it is hard to see translucent powder. This is a great concept and packaging for travel you get both a glowy and matte powder in one compact unit with a huge mirror.

On the left we have the powders the top swatch is the glow powder and the bottom is the matte.

On the right we have the Lock Diary liquid lipstick on top and bottom is the Winky Lux Eyebrow Pencil. Swatched the pencil looks very ashy but on my eyebrows it does not look ashy at all it is a perfect undertone to look like real hair.

blinc x Boxycharm Electric Eyes Palette

Full Size: 11 g

Full Size Cost: $45

Sample Size: 11 g

Value: $45

Omg this is such a gorgeous palette. the pigmentation is insane I barely have to touch these. They are so smooth and creamy they have that kind of cream to powder type of feel its so lovely. Unfortunately the first and the fourth color look like the exact same color on me but that it ok it is still a pretty color.

This palette screams fall to me but I can’t wait to use it now even though it doesn’t totally fit the season in my opinion.

Project Beauty Spray.Set.Go Makeup Setting Spray

Full Size: 2 oz

Full Size Cost: $32

Sample Size: 2 oz

Value: $32

The packaging on this is really sleek and feels really nice and substantial but what the hell were they smoking to think this was worth $32. The nozzle sucks it sprays out in like a blast it  makes a huge mess of your make up its terrible. I am either going to have to transfer this to a different spray bottle or reserve it for foiling purposes only.

Total: $127

We got 5 full sized items this month. Honestly the Electric Eye palette made the box it is definitely one of the best things I have ever received in an subscription box. Overall every product in this box was a hit for me even if there were some execution problems with some of the products. Can’t wait to see what we get next month.

<3 Nightmare Before Makeup