Tag: Indie

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

 

Glamour Ghouls Beauty Bag November 2017

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Glamour Ghouls Beauty Bag

Cost: $10 monthly + $3 shipping

Cycle: Every Month

What is it: A beauty bag for all of us strange and unusual beauty lovers out there. Those of us who like things a little darker and creepier then the average beauty lover. I am a huge horror lover still wear all black all day every day. I would rather go to a metal show then a club any day of the week. I personally think my aesthetic is goth my little pony so this was a subscription right up my alley.

I have review one of the normal Glamour Ghoul Boxes before you can check that one out HERE. Just like that box you have to sign up for this box every month and if you miss the preorder you miss that month but you always can try again next month. They will feature all Indie Brands

This was the inaugural beauty bag for Glamour Ghouls so I was really excited I got this one in November and am signed up for the December one as well. And then I will decide if this is something I wish to continue in the future. (I am not getting the January Bag).

As is par for the course when dealing with small indie brands there are often delays and what not this box did come very late to the end of November but still came before the month was up (more then I can say for my November reviews) so I consider that a success for them on their first box.

So I saw some other posts and a variety of bags were sent out lots of cute plaids and ghosties and I of course got spiders, I HATE spiders, just my luck. Everyone did receive the same products though. I also really appreciate the little card with details on the companies so you can find them because that is hard with indie brands sometimes.

Chirality Polish in The Night Runner (mini size)

Full Size: 5 ml

Full Size Cost: $5

Sample Size: 5 ml

Value: $5

I never paint my nails as you can tell by the hack job in this swatch but omg is this just gorgeous it makes me want to get my nails done it is so pretty and holographic and just mesmerizing to look at.  It is a greeny brown base with multicolored holographic glitter in it. I am keeping this because I just have to maybe I’ll get my nails done.

Rebel Rouge Labs Lip Balm in Blue Raspberry

Full Size: Yes

Full Size Cost: $2.50

 

This is not currently for sale but according to the Instagram account this is valued at $2.50 which is really inexpensive for an indie chapstick and a ton of product. I hate to beat up on an small brand but I do have to be honest this is not my favorite. I do not like pot style chapsticks and my tin arrive all beat up and dented. This does smell just like blue raspberry though. I just don’t know how much use I will get out of it. It is very slick on the lips and kinda messy.

Spoiled Lips Liquid Lipstick in Poker Face

Full Size: Yes

Full Size Cost: $11

 

I have a few of these all received in connection with Glamour Ghouls actually one in the Batty Box and 2 that came with they collaboration eyeshadow palette which I loved. Unfortunately I don’t love the formula. It is hard to work with it is patch and dries extremely quickly and while it does stay on forever you can see how dry it is so it doesn’t always look the best. I will keep them because they are such fun colors but it is more of a special look for a picture type of lipstick for me then something I would be comfortable wearing out and about being so dry. This is a very poop brown type of color. Swatched Below.

Dirty Glam Cosmetics

Full Size:

Full Size Cost: $

Sample Size:

Value: $

As is often the story with Indie Brands people have lives and the owner is currently on vacation so I I don’t have any information on this product I will update it next week when the site it live again. This is a gorgeous gold loose shadow mush thinner and sheerer then a Medusa’s Makeup pigment but still very nice and holiday appropriate I may actually wear it this Saturday to a Christmas Party I will update with that picture too if I do. I tend to wing my makeup with how I am feeling that day. Swatched Below.

Total: $18.50 without the eyeshadow

So the value is there you are getting probably double your money which is great and what I expect out of a subscription of this type. For first impressions I am unfortunately meh about this box but I truly love the concept so will probably keep picking up bags here and there even if it is not a regular monthly thing I do.

 

<3 Nightmare Before Makeup

 

Glamour Ghoul Box Batty Box

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Glamour Ghoul

And now for something completely different.

This is an awesome company the owner creates these boxes from indie products based all around a theme that isn’t as main stream. And thank god for that us weird girls need fun boxes too. This was my first box from Glamour Ghouls and I loved it.

I do believe they are starting a subscription box service they are transition from the boxes being a onetime purchase every month. Or at least that is what I understood from their Instagram account.

So this is my review of the Batty Box.

I saw  this one on Instagram and knew I had to have it I love bats I have a bat tattoo this was so something I needed in my life.

The cost was $30 and you order about 2 months in advance.

Since these are handmade and from Etsy pages mostly I will be liking to the homepage rather then the actual item as some will be sold out or limited runs and will change over time.

Crazy Bat Lady Bag from Glam Nerd Customs

$14

This bag was actually smaller in person then I imagined it being but that aside I love it. I think I am going to take it as an extra tote bag for souvenirs on my next vacation the bat on it is so cute. this is a standard tote bag material that you’d see in most printed tote bags.

For the price I think it is a little small but I understand prices at more indie companies are more expensive as they are it using giant factories to produce their goods so it has to be taken into account.

Batty Bookmark from Gorejess Laboratory

$10

The bat bookmark is not for sale in the shop there is an adorable erlenmyer flask book mark that may find its way into my collection.

At $10 this is a perfect price and for handmade it is an even better value.

These is a little bat charm and a little garnet like stone super cute.

Batty Necklace from Murderous Jewels

$15

The card listed this necklace as $20 but the Murderous Jewels Etsy page has the necklace listed at $15. The chain on this is is great and the style can make it be adjustable from a choker to a regular dangling necklace. The scrollwork design is both delicate and cool at the same time. I am very sensitive to metals so I am hoping the coating on this necklace will keep it from giving me an allergic reaction.

Quija Batty Sticker from Bright Bat Design

$1.50

This was the teaser item that made me have to buy this box. I am in love with this adorable sticker like I just want to hug it.

Bright Bat Design makes tons of adorable stickers and stationary items.

They even have a subscription box of their own that I see myself subscribing to in the future. They have a $10 and $20 option.

Liquid Lipstick in Smoked Out from Spoiled Lips

$11

Swatched Below. This is a really cool light grey color the formula reminds me alot of the Limecrime formula. Unfortunately this is a little patchy on application that could be just the color this layers perfectly so that is not an issue I just give it a few seconds to mostly dry and then add another layer. It is not overly drying or overly messy so this is great. The packaging is cute as well.

Eyeshadow in Contagion from My Pretty Zombie

$5.00

Swatched Below. This is a cool purple glittery loose pigment eyeshadow. My pretty zombie’s products are all reasonably priced. I am not a huge loose pigment lover but this is a nice one it is definitely comparable to the pigments from Medusa’s Makeup.

Contagion, Smoked Out.

Value: $56.50

This is almost double what I spent on the box so I am happy. Even if the value was not so high I would be happy because this is my favorite way to get exposed to indie brands. I am especially excited to look into buying items from Bright Bat I love stickers. I will definitely buy another box from Glamour Ghoul in the future the boxes are so much fun! I really recommend that you try them out.

<3 Nightmare Before Makeup