Tag: Beauty

Macy’s Beauty Box August 2017 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.

So they included a super nice bag it feels like the quality of a makeup bag you would purchase rather then the gift with purchase quality Sephora Play and Ipsy bags have. The theme this month is The In Crowd and a cute bag with makeup on it very on trend.

Tarte Maracuja Oil

Full Size: 15 ml

Full Size Cost: $16

Sample Size: 7 ml

Value: $7.47

I have gotten so many samples of this and legit have no idea what to do with them I just have a stock pile. I might start using them on my hair I heard that is a way to use them.

Benefit Gimme Brow in 3

Full Size: 1.5 g

Full Size Cost: $12

Sample Size: 1 g

Value: $8

Really Macy’s you couldn’t have sprung for the full-sized travel size? I don’t know why but that is really annoying me. This is another ubiquitous product. Very classic.

Smashbox Covershot Duo From Golden Hour (Turned on, Psyched)

Full Size: 7.65 g

Full Size Cost: $29

Sample Size: 1.7 g

Value: $6.44

Omg I was so excited for this item. I love the Covershot Palettes even though I only own one. These are about the size of the full size pans so you really are getting about 2 full sized shades and the formula on these are really creamy ad blendable. this is a nice warm brown and a nice rosy neutral that are an easy quick look this would be great for travel or throwing in an emergency bag for quick makeup looks.

Carolina Herrera Good Girl

Full Size: 30 ml

Full Size Cost: $65

Sample Size: 1.5 ml

Value: $3.25

This is the only brand new product that was included in this bag. I didn’t like the scent it is a very heavy floral. Cool as hell stiletto bottle though.

Philosophy Purity One Step Facial Cleanser

Full Size: 236.6 ml

Full Size Cost: $24

Sample Size: 60 ml

Value: $6.09

This is a well loved cleanser just not by me. I don’t like how this makes my skin feel it almost strips it which makes no sense. I can’t decide if I am going to give this another shot or add it to the giveaway pile.

MAC False Lashes Extreme Black

Full Size: 8 g

Full Size Cost: $23

Sample Size: 2g ?

Value: $5.75 ?

These is no size listed on this tiny mascara. Full size is 8 g and their travel sizes are 4g so I am guessing that this is half od the travel size. I actually love itty bitty mascaras for travel because I can use them up in a week and not have to feel like I am wasting them or that they will dry out.

So Macy’s started their inaugural box with all well loved classics that everyone knows. Now considering the Macy’s general clientele I can really see why they would do that but to me it isn’t exactly that exciting but it is a solid start and I am excited to see what they do going forward. The bag is also super nice which is a huge plus. For a $15 box I would really want a little bit of a higher value then $37 but it is still more then double your money. Also they claim 5 deluxe samples and a bonus but it really isn’t I generously gave them three deluxe samples and that was using travel sizes so hopefully in that aspect next month is better.

Quick Summary:

Total Value: $37

Skincare: 2

Makeup: 3

Tools: 0

Hair Care:

Perfume: 1

Other: 0

And as far as sizes:

Full Size: 0

Deluxe Sample: 3

Sample: 3

<3 Nightmare Before Makeup

Sephora Play! August 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.

Someone alert the media I got a great Sephora Play box this month after not being that thrilled for so long.

The science, makeup geek theme is legit made for me I couldn’t be happier everything was so adorable about the theme and packaging this month.

I’m loving the little cutesy makeup themed periodic table.

And the science themed bag. Not all girls are into frills and pink but still love make up (you know nerds like me).

Clinique Dual-Ended High Impact Mascara & Primer Duo

Full Size: 0.53 oz

Full Size Cost: $8

Sample Size: 0.16 oz

Value: $2.42

So these sizes I find a little weird. I think each side has 0.08 oz but it doesn’t specify so this is an educated guess. Each side having only 0.04 oz seems a little ridiculous and impossible. And about 0.26 oz per side for the travel seems reasonable.

This is such a cool concept I love having them together like this because it means I will actually use a primer because usually I just don’t bother to pull out another product.

Hourglass Vanish Seamless Finish Foundation Stick in Shell

Full Size: 0.25 oz

Full Size Cost: $46

Sample Size: 0.04 oz

Value: $7.36

This is super tiny so I didn’t want to waste it by swatching it. This would be a decent color for me if I wasn’t so tanned from just coming back from Florida. I have been super dying to try this so I am beyond that this is in my box. Being so tiny I doubt it will take long to use up so once I’m back to my normal shade I’ll be testing this out.

My Burberry Black Perfume

Full Size: 30 ml

Full Size Cost: $72

Sample Size: 2 ml

Value: $4.80

Wow expensive little perfume sample. This was way to heavy and mature for my tastes but my mom loved it. It also felt like a really off choice for August this is much more of a fall/winter scent.

Alterna Caviar Anti-Aging Miracle Multiplying Volume Mist

Full Size: 141 ml

Full Size Cost: $30

Sample Size: 41 ml

Value: $8.72

I have tried this in the past and it made my hair really sticky. I don’t personally care for it so this will go off into the giveaway pile. I am not a huge Alterna fan.

Korres Golden Krocus Ageless Saffron Elixir Serum

Full Size: 30 ml

Full Size Cost: $98

Sample Size: 4 ml

Value: $13.07

I really hope I don’t fall head over heals in love with this because it is fucking expensive. But it is really really nice it looks so pretty and fancy I feel like a princess using it. it made my skin look really pretty and healthy and wasn’t sticky. So it is safe to say I love it and really don’t want to lol. It also has a great dropper that is angled so you can get every drop.

Beauty Blender micro.mini

Full Size: 2 blenders

Full Size Cost: $18

Sample Size: 1 blender

Value: $9

Hey this is a super cool thing to throw in. It is so super soft and squishy but feels flimsy I wonder how it will hold up to some of my cheap mini blenders.

Really a great value for a ten dollar box. I am so excited for the foundation and the serum as well as the beauty blender. This was a really great box I love that there was a good variety of products and some higher priced samples to try.

Quick Summary:

Total Value: $45.37

Skincare: 1

Makeup: 2

Tools: 1

Hair Care: 1

Perfume: 1

Other: 0

And as far as sizes:

Full Size: 0

Deluxe Sample: 1

Sample: 5

<3 Nightmare Before Makeup

What’s In My Trash (A.K.A. An Empties Post) July 2017

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Look early this month, and with a massive amount of products. 2 of which got lost so there is no pictures of them.

Skin Care

 

 

Drunk Elephant La La Retro Whipped Cream I wish this wasn’t so expensive.  This is a  moisturizer I can actually use without it breaking me out. Which is strange since it is a very thick heavy facial cream.  It also has this really warm comforting homey smell almost like an almond mixed with oatmeal I don’t know exactly but it was nice. The $60 price tag makes me not want to buy it so I will probably either look for samples or something else that works for me.

Repurchase: Maybe

 

The Body Shop Tea Tree Facial Wash I really liked this I love the Tea Tree line from The Body shop my skin really reacts well to it and really starts to clear up when I use their products it doesn’t do much for pores and blackheads though.  This was a nice face wash it didn’t give me that squeaky clean feeling but it is good for a gentle cleanse.

Repurchase: Yes

 

Aveeno Active Naturals Positively Radiant 60 Second In-Shower Facial this was a really nice facial scrub I liked how I could put it on and then hop in the shower scrub it off. It did nothing for my pores or anything but it did leave my skin feeling soft and a little brighter.

Repurchase Yes

 

Aveeno Active Naturals Positively Radiant Overnight Hydrating Facial this was sticky but nice it does have that sticky silicone feel which I thought was odd for an overnight mask. I will not repurchase only because I have tons of moisturizers and this wasn’t overly exciting and it takes me forever to get through a moisturizer.

Repurchase: No

 

L’oreal Hydra Genius moisturizer this was kinda sticky and not for me.

Repurchase: No

 

Tony Moly I’m Real Skin Purifying Green Tea Sheet Mask I accidently threw this out rather than putting it in my empties bin oops.  Any way I didn’t like this at all full review in my July Ipsy Review.

Repurchase: No

 

Ren Glycol Lactic Radiance Renewal Mask this was crazy sticky but I got a few uses out of it. It really separated so you would get these chunks and then like an oil.  I think there have to be better acid masks out there I will have to look I also feel like I couldn’t see any noticeable difference when I would use this.

Repurchase: No

 

Sephora Waterproof Eye Makeup Remover I REALLY liked this it gets off my eye makeup with minimal tugging and doesn’t sting my eyes it is crazy oily so I have to immediately wash up but I can live with that.

Repurchase: Yes

 

Origins Clear Improvement Active Charcoal Mask this was an intense mask it dried so hard that I like could not get it off my face I did not like that. It is a great mask and I would contemplate buying a travel size because it really did make my pores much smaller and cleaner looking and made my skin look nice but I don’t know that I could commit to using this frequently enough just yet with how difficult it is to get off.

Repurchase: Most Likely

 

Purity 3 in 1 cleanser I am not a huge fan of the purity line this cleanser is very gentle and very moisturizing but overall not something that excites me in any way. If you have dry skin or really like soft gentle cleansers this might be great. It also did not sting my eyes which is its only redeeming quality in my opinion.

Repurchase: No

 

Belief Aqua Bomb I have finally tried one of the infamous belief true creams. This was rather nice I can’t say for sure I’d buy it but I’d be glad for another sample. It was light and gel like which is how I like my moisturizers.

Repurchase: No

Face Wipes

 

Primark Men’s Scrub and Clean Facial Wipes these are great I’ve talked about them a bunch they are cheap and will take off your make up and they smell nice.  They won’t take off a full face of heavy glam make up but a normal day’s worth of makeup they have no problem with.

Repurchase: Yes

 

Cetaphil Men Daily Face Cloth this was more for like a refreshing wipe up not so much for really washing your face.  It was nice and thick and soft.

Repurchase: No

 

Anthony Glycolic Exfoliating & Resurfacing Wipes this was cool it is a wipe that has an exfoliating side and then a smooth side.  This was a huge wipe I was able to do my face, chest, and hands. Now this was great on my chest and really helped clear it up and helped and texture and discoloration but it really disagreed with the skin on my face. It left my tee tone very oily and broken out which I thought was odd. I liked the effect on my chest enough that I would give these another chance.

Repurchase: No

 

Makeup

 

Colourpop Crème Gel Liner in Bee Sting I love their liners they are so creamy and on me they really last. I was able to wear this on the waterline in Disney World and it lasted on me it was still there and bright at the end of the day. The only thing is they dry out super-fast if you don’t use them but for $5 I can let that slide.  This color its also a gorgeous blue I loved it.

Repurchase: Yes

 

Laura Geller Spackle Tinted Primer I really enjoyed this primer by itself it looks like it’d be way to glowy but under a matte foundation it looks so pretty and like I have great skin.  It doesn’t fil in pores but it still smooths the skin nicely.

Repurchase: Yes

 

NYX The Curve Liner I really like this but I know it got a lot of bad reviews. It was inky and smooth and did make it easier to line my eyes. It lasted for like over a year with out drying out but now it is starting to get dried out and hard to use so it is time to let it go.

Repurchase: Yes

 

Hair Care

 

Bumble and Bumble Bb Hairdresser’s Invisible Oil Shampoo

Repurchase: Maybe

 

Bumble and Bumble Bb Hairdresser’s Invisible Oil Conditioner

Repurchase: Yes

 

This was not pleasant to use it is rather thick and sticky and does not smell good so I thought this was not going to be good.  I was pleasantly surprised once my hair dried it was so soft and fluffy in a good way I just wanted to pet it.  I was soft and shiny and not frizzy I really liked it.

 

Garnier Fructis Sleek & Shine Conditioner this conditioner smells great this bottle lasted me like 3 years.  I only use this when I was my hair with real shampoo rather than my cleansing creams It is super hydrating but I don’t know that it did that much for my frizziness. Any thick conditioner is pretty much good for me so I can’t say I would or wouldn’t repurchase I get whatever is a good price and looks interesting.

Repurchase: Maybe

 

Eva NYC Therapy Hair Mask this smells like a sandalwood candle it’s really nice just really unexpected for a mainstream hair mask it is a scent you’d expect from an indie brand.  It is a great mask just not for me. It was too volumizing and left my hair a little puffy but if you have very heavy thick hair that needs volume after a mask this would be great for you.

Repurchase: No

 

Perfume

I have 2 Cartier Declaration samples this is a nice woody perfume I really like it.  I probably will not purchase do to price.

Repurchase: No

 

Tory Burch Love Relentlessly perfume sample this is such a pretty scent I keep grabbing all the samples I can of it I may have to break down and buy this one.

Repurchase: Yes

 

Clean Reserve Citron Fig I really liked this it was a nice spicy mature citrus scent I really enjoyed it.

Repurchase: Yes

 

Mon Guerlain this was way to floral for me I’m not into it. Some how lost this sample while I was taken pictures oops.

Repurchase: No

 

Random

 

Lip Balm this is just a random lip balm I had around gotta love random non branded products from my favorite movie.

Repurchase: No

 

Dove Deep Moisture Body Wash used this up on I didn’t really like it Dove Body Washes tend to be too thick and moisturizing for me personally.

Repurchase: No

 

Degree Dry Protection Shower Clean Deodorant this was good didn’t stain my clothes and smelled nice.

Repurchase: Yes

 

Q-tips yea I don’t really think there is much to say about them we all use them and need them and I do prefer the Q-tip brand.

Repurchase: Yea, duh they are a staple

 

Shick Hydro 5 razor handle this is getting old and I had a new one so I switched out for a new razor handle.  I like men’s razors they have more blades and are cheaper so you get a better shave.

Repurchase: Yes

 

Shick Hydro 5 Edge Shave Gel this is ok I got it in a gift set it just isn’t something I’d go out and buy.

Repurchase: No

 

Bath & Body Works Warm Vanilla Sugar Foaming Sugar Scrub this scrub is a million times better than the one I tried in the jar. This foams a little which helps with washing it off and it has an ok amount of scrub not enough for serious exfoliation but a good amount for a nice light scrub. The Warm Vanilla Sugar scent is really warm and comforting.

Repurchase: Yes

 

Lotion

Fortune Cookie Soap Company Here Lies Whipped Cream, drink every time I mention a product from this company on the blog lol I go through at least one of these a month since they are small batches the consistency is not always exactly the same this one was a little stickier then I prefer but still I love these.  Say it with me now:

Repurchase: Yes, course I legit have a basket full of their lotions.

 

Shea Moisture 100% Tamanu Oil & Organic Shea Butter Extra Dry Skin Body Lotion w/Aloe Vera this is a super thick lotion but very nice and gentle at the same time.  I wish I had saved this for winter but it is really thick and moisturizing.

Repurchase: Yes

 

Declutter

 

NYX

 

Prismatic Eyeshadow in Jaded It is a pretty color and a nice formula; I just don’t need a single of it I have similar colors in palettes and this needs to go to someone who will use it I just don’t reach for it.

 

Butter Gloss in Red Velvet I just am not into glosses and this sticky red gloss just I have no use for.  I am trying really hard to be honest about  how much I am not ever going to use glosses and really limiting it to only a few in my collection just in case.

 

Victoria Secret

 

Beauty Rush Minty Lip Shine remember this line of lip glosses that came in my a million flavors yea this is actually a nice gloss is was not sticky at all but it is like 10 years old it needs to go it doesn’t even have its mint smell any more.

 

Glossy Tint in Better than Bare this was the next generation of makeup from them and this has been used a million times I did really like it but it is time to go I have better in similar colors.

 

Too Faced

 

Mood Swing Gloss I actually loved this way back when. When Too Faced was just getting popular and was all about the kitchy out there packaging and being weird this wasn’t sticky had an awesome fruity scent but it is also like 10 years old and it is time to go.  L

 

Melted Metal Metallic Lipstick in Jelly Youtube made me buy this Rachhloves raves about the melted lipsticks and I saw the metallic on sale picked it up and hated it.  It doesn’t go on well it is streaky it doesn’t dry down and isn’t super metallic.

 

Tarte

 

The Sculptor contouring face slenderizer in park ave princess this is one of the versions that is too warm and orange on me.  Also the actually construction of this sucks its very loose in the tube and can break off and fall out.  There are much better contouring sticks.

 

Lip Surgence in Wonder these smell wonderful and minty and they have a ton of pigment almost too much pigment for the very creamy moisturizing formula. Wonder is just way to pink for me I do not like pink lips on me.

 

Ulta

 

Lipstick in Mauve Me it is just too pink and too creamy for me.

 

Matte Lip Crayon in Hazy Pink this formula is eh it is very very matte but in a dusty chalky way you really have to work to put it on and fill in any where it skipped. It is also way to pink for me.  Ulta changes what they make all the time so I don’t think either of these products exist anymore.

 

Nars Satin Lip Pencils in Majella and Luxembourg these are such pretty colors but they are so sticky and the slide all over they place they make such a mess on you face just from talking.

 

Smashbox Be Legendary Lipstick this isn’t the matte one I find it to be greasy and not opaque enough for me so this will be getting passed on.

 

NYC Smooch Proof Lip Stain in 494 I loved this it is a legit stain it dries down and doesn’t come off it is a little bit of a weird felt tip applicator.  This is starting to dry out and be patchy and no one ever like this color on me so I think it is time to let it go.  I would pick it up in a different color if I ever saw it.

 

Urban Decay High-color Lipgloss in Scandal this is a hella opaque full color gloss not for me but I know someone else will love it.  And the little tube is so cute.

 

Bite Beauty Amuse Bouche Lipstick in Kimchi this is just too hot pink for me.

 

Physicians Formula Custom Eye Enhancing Extreme Shimmer Eyeliner in Green this is so hard and dry and scratchy I am just throwing this out.  I have this in Purple and it is still a little scratchy from the glitter but nowhere near as bad as this one.

 

Almay Eyeshadow in 140 Vintage Grape I think this is from the softies line but I’m not sure. I was couponing and able to pick this up for a dollar.  Purples are hard so I wanted to try a drugstore option but the pigment just isn’t there for me You really have to build and build this to make it work and I have much nicer purples that I’d rather use.

 

Model Co Highlighting Trio in Champagne, Peach Bellini & Bronze I’ve used this enough to know this doesn’t work for me.  It is packed with shimmer and it is very editorial it gives a wet shiny look but then it all slides off my face after 10 minutes and leaves me looking greasy and like I don’t know how to wash my face.  This is so messy it is another one that is going straight into the trash.

 

Anastasia Beverly Hills Modern Renaissance eye shadow brush this is the brush that came with the palette I absolute hate it.  I don’t know if I got a dud but it sheds like crazy even though I have washed it a few times and it isn’t good at packing on color or at blending.  Just no.

Well I really went through a ton this month. Makes up for last month. I found some things that may really work for me and a bunch of duds. I feel pretty good about all that I managed to clear out too that is big for me. I am a total makeup hoarder.

Total: 55

YTD: 192

<3 Nightmare Before Makeup