Category: Subscription Boxes

Sephora Play! March 2017 Subscription Box Review

nightmareb4

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.

Not my favorite box ever everything was kinda the same in my box I got one of the crappier variations in my opinion.

Verb Ghost Oil

Full Size: 2 oz

Full Size Cost: $14

Sample Size: 0.57 oz

Value: $3.99

I actually already own this and I love it so I don’t mind getting a duplicate. This really is a weightless shiny hair oil it does not weigh down my hair. I used it in Florida and it really helped combat frizzy from the humidity. Look how cute that little ghost is, I love him.

Josie Maran Surreal Skin Argan Finishing Balm in Etheric

Full Size: 0.5 oz

Full Size Cost: $32.96

Sample Size: 0.1 oz

Value: $6.60

This is functions as both a primer or a finishing balm. I don’t really know how well this would work over foundation but I think It would be really pretty all over when you aren’t wearing foundation but want some glow. It has a shimmer almost duochromatic sheen to it that really is very ethereal.

Urban Decay Eyeshadow Primer Potion

Full Size: 10 ml

Full Size Cost: $20

Sample Size: 2 ml

Value: $4

Who hasn’t tried this? This is like the OG eyeshadow primer that every one has used. Yes this is what I use every day but come on Sephora step it up give us a sample of a new and different eyeshadow primer that we don’t all have samples of from Ulta already. Any way it’s a good eye shadow primer there are others I feel like they all kinda do the same thing.

Benefit Watt’s Up Highlighter

Full Size: 0.33 oz

Full Size Cost: $30

Sample Size: 0.08 oz

Value: $7.27

I was not expecting to like this but boy is it pretty. And this is the largest Benefit sample I have ever gotten normally they are super tiny. This is a very pretty champagne cream highlight very glowy a little glitter but very easy to blend out. Swatched below.

Glamglow Glowstarter in Nude Glow

Full Size: 50 ml

Full Size Cost: $49

Sample Size: 7 ml

Value: $6.86

So this was odd. Very hydrating, not sure why it has shades because there is no color this I could see really being an oil slick on my face so I don’t really know how I plan on wearing this yet, It is super glowy though.

Left is the Glowstarter and right is the Watt’s Up.

Atelier Cologne Clementine California

Full Size: 30 ml

Full Size Cost: $75

Sample Size: ~1.5 ml

Value: $3.75

I love this this is an amazing brand of perfume they are mostly unisex and are so amazing smelling so fresh and real. Their citrus scents like this on are my favorites. This is a nice bright orange scent.

Not my favorite box, overly dewy is not a look I ever do but I will use this box to try and branch out and try something out of my normal comfort zone. I am not impressed at all with the eye shadow primer I really look to these boxes to be new and different. I feel like a lot of the other box variations were better than mine, my box felt very one note a got three nude/translucent glowy face products that is very one note to me. Definitely one of the worst boxes I have received from them. I am still happy with the value for what I pay and most I not all the products will get used up so I do not feel like it was a waste just not exciting.

Quick Summary:

Total Value: $32.47

Skincare: 0

Makeup: 4

Tools: 0

Hair Care: 1

Perfume: 1

Other: 0

And as far as sizes:

Full Size: 0

Deluxe Sample: 0

Sample: 6

<3 Nightmare Before Makeup

Ipsy March 2017 Subscription 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.

Hey guys long time no post I haven’t had anything new in a while but my boxes for March have started rolling in empties are ramping up so I should have a bunch of post coming at you as we get to the end of the month here.

Look at all that stuff!

Initially I thought this bag was cool but just way to pretty and girly for my tastes. Now Ive decided this bag is cool and I’ll use it but it is definitely way to girly and prissy for me.

Ipsy designed the bag as a a real clutch almost like it is larger then usual and folds over at the top, yes it is crooked that is how mine was folded.

It is a pink fake suede with a grey mesh on one side and a rose gold zipper. It is very cute and functional just I would have preferred a different color even the severe of this color scheme.

Marc Anthony Haircare Deep Repair Aloe Vera Jasmine Conditioning Treatment

Full Size: 50 ml

Full Size Cost: $2.99

Sample Size: 50 ml

Value: $2.99

This is one of my favorite haircare brands, this particular treatment not so much though. This smells very strongly of jasmine which I really don’t like this is a little hard to rinse out of my hair.  I can’t say that it repairs my hair but it does make my hair feel a lot thicker which I do really enjoy. I do not like this as much as I love the coconut and the argan oil treatments. I will use this all up though.

mPrincess Pressed Eyeshadow in Chestnut

Full Size: 1.7 g

Full Size Cost: $15.45

Sample Size: 1.7g

Value: $15.45

I think some one has lost their fucking mind. This is more than a Sugarpill shadow and almost as much as an Urban Decay shadow. Uhhh no, I would never spend that much on this. Besides that it is a very pretty chestnut brown color with some nice gold shimmer. It is fairly pigmented and very smooth. The packaging is cool with the way it swings out but it really doesn’t $15 impress me. Swatched below.

Tarte Tarteist Lip Paint in Vibin

Full Size: 6 ml

Full Size Cost: $20

Sample Size: 1 ml

Value: $3.33

This is a pretty color it is a nice wine mixed with brick red very deep.  I find this will all the Tarte lip paints I have tried but it is pretty patchy but it has a nice moussey texture on the lips it does dry down but it is not transfer proof by any means.

Here is the eyeshadow and the liquid lipstick. Both pretty both will get used. Still Not $15 impressed with the eyeshadow.

Dr. Brandt Microdermabrasion Age Defying Exfoliator

Full Size: 2 oz

Full Size Cost: $79

Sample Size: 0.25 oz

Value: $9.88

This is such an expensive exfoliator. I will never buy it but I do love getting samples of it it is a very gentle exfoliator but it makes my skin feel really clean and exfoliated after using it.

Beau Gachis Tapered Blending Brush

Full Size: Yes

Value: $12

This is a super soft brush. I can ALWAYS use another soft blending brush I mean the 50 million I already have are not enough. It is a nice brush feels a little flimsy the way the bristles are in the ferrul but we shall see after I wash it the first time.

Tarte Frxxxtion Stick Exfoliating Cleanser

Full Size: 1 oz

Full Size Cost: $22

Sample Size: 0.22 oz

Value: $4.84

I loved this so much from my January 2017 Sephora Play! bag that I used my points to pick up another mini instead of buying the full size right now. I am not going to add this into my value but figured Id break it down and show you what kinda value 500 points gets you it is just about $5 dollars I have noticed.

So far from the highest value I have ever had in an Ipsy bag but I genuinely like all the products and they are all in my wheelhouse so that was great curation on Ipsy’s part. I got 3 full sized products this month so I really can’t complain. I’m happy not blown away but very satisfied. What did you guys think of your Ipsy bags this month?

I’m thinking about doing a battle of the boxes type thing every month Idk any thoughts guys? Not that any one ever answers me lol.

Quick Summary:

Total Value: $43.65

Skincare: 1

Makeup: 2

Tools: 1

Hair Care: 1

Perfume: 0

Other: 0

And as far as sizes:

Full Size: 3

Deluxe Sample: 0

Sample: 2

<3 Nightmare Before Makeup

 

Medusa’s Makeup February 2017 Subscription Box Review

nightmareb4

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 from their first month.  Every month the products arrive in a different colored bubble mailer.

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

They send out their newest products and always full size.

Oh Medusa’s Makeup I don’t even know where to start with you and how you have disappointed me. Since the beginning we have gotten 4 products this month only 3 products. the value this month was only $33 dollars this month instead of the $40+ that it is supposed to be. They disappointed me last month they really disappointed me this month. so that is two strikes if next month doesn’t impress me I will be canceling and finding a new box to subscribe to. I am open to suggestions.

So there’s the paltry three products they sent out this month.

Highlighter in Moonlight

Full Size: 8 g

Full Size Cost: $12

Sample Size: 8 g

Value: $12

This is an INTENSE mineral highlight (and very messy) it is white highlight but has a very strong gold shift. It is basically gold in the light which I was not expecting. It is very cool and will be good for very cool looks. Swatched below.

Eye Dust in New Wave

Full Size: 1.5 g

Full Size Cost: $7

Sample Size: 1.5 g

Value: $7

This is a very pretty blue/teal shimmery eye dust. their eye dusts are great they are pigmented and do stick together well. They also come in a million shades. I almost wish they would send more of these and less glitters.

You can see the crazy gold shift to that white highlighter.

Kabuki Brush

Full Size: yes

Full Size Cost: $14

This brush is super soft and dense with a nice metal handle. It is a nice kabuki brush did I need another kabuki brush no but it is pretty. I find it very odd that the card and website both listed this at $12 dollars when I received my box and now 2 weeks later as I sit to write this post the brush is now $14 on the website. That is a little sketchy. I have never seen any of their other products change price in the years I have known about this brand.

Total Value: $33

Well Medusa’s Makeup we have had a roller coaster ride of a run but you are on your last strike. I am really hoping that next month they send one of their new lip paints, a gel eyeliner, or one of their body pigments just something different or I will probably be  canceling.

<3 Nightmare Before Makeup