Tag: Makeup

December 2016 Sephora Play! Subscription Box Review

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Sephora Play!

Cost: $10.70 monthly

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.  Even one used to receive the same samples but they have now it seems officially switched into using box variations.

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.

So this month we got a black bag instead of the standard white bag. HOpe they keep this up it would be nice to get different colored bags. The black with the rose gold was very pretty.

Elizabeth and James Perfume in Nirvana Rose

Full Size: 0.34 oz

Full Size Cost: $25

Sample Size: 0.07 oz

Value: $5.15

As usual I hate the perfume. I am allergic to roses and don’t like the rose scent any way so this was passed along to my mom.

Sephora Cream Lip Stain in 01 Always Red

Full Size: 5 ml

Full Size Cost: $14

Sample Size: 1.3 ml

Value: $3.64

OMG this is awesome its super lightweight matte liquid lip and it isn’t drying it doesn’t transfer a ton like it gets off a little if you eat or like touch your mouth but if your drink it does not come off. It is fantastic I am absolutely going to pick up more they come in 40 different colors including unique ones like blue and purple. The only con is that it is not very log wearing it does need to be reapplied roughly every four hours but that is due to how comfortable it is these are definitely in my top favorite liquid lipsticks.

They are also super opaque and not patchy. This one was a touch streaky on the first layer but the second pass of the applicator fixes all the streakiness and it is gorgeous.

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Flash

Urban Decay All-Nighter Long Lasting Makeup Setting Spray

Full Size: 4 oz

Full Size Cost: $31

Sample Size: 0.5 oz

Value: $3.88

I am so excited I’ve wanted to try this forever! But its so expensive for a setting spray that I never would buy it.

Lancôme Hypnôse Drama Mascara in Excessive Black

Full Size: 0.22 oz

Full Size Cost: $27.50

Sample Size: 0.135 oz

Value: $16.88

Now Lancôme mascara is always weird to me it has a nice fluffy brush which I like but the formula is always to wet and clumpy and smears all over on me it just isn’t worth the price drug store mascara always preforms better for me.

Make Up For Ever Step 1 Skin Equalizer Primer

Full Size: 1 oz

Full Size Cost: $37

Sample Size: 0.16 oz

Value: $5.92

Damn that is expensive for a primer. I have a few of these that I have never gotten around to trying these little sample primers I usually save for traveling.

Drybar Detox Dry Shampoo

Full Size: 3.5 oz

Full Size Cost: $23

Sample Size: 0.8 oz

Value: $5.26

And last but not least dry shampoo. I so did not want to like this because I rarely use dry shampoo and this is a lot of money for dry shampoo. But I love it it works well makes my hair look clean and shiny and it smells so so so good. This can will probably be gone in no time.

Total: $40.73

Definitely not the highest value of products in a Sephora box but I found two products I loved and something I really wanted to try so it was a good box. Sephora Play! is always a good box I totally recommend it.

And for a quick summary of product types and sizes in case that’s interesting for anyone:

Skincare: 0

Makeup: 3

Tools: 0

Hair Care: 1

Perfume: 1

Other: 1

And as far as sizes:

Full Size: 0

Deluxe Sample: 2

Sample: 4

<3 Nightmare Before Makeup

 

 

 

December 2016 Ipsy Subscription Review

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December 2016 Ipsy Review

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 in any way just one beauty junkie to another.

So this month’s bag most importantly i loved the products but the bag, just no. I am not liking this fuzzy pink thing. Though the little wristlet strap is cool maybe that can appear again in the the future.

It looks like a muppet.

Nice collection of products so lets dig in.

Mintpear Blending Sponge

Full Size: Yes

Full Size Cost: $20

Value: $20

First up a blending sponge that came packaged in a plastic bag.  I really doubt this sponge is worth $20 dollars The Stila sponge that is the exact same shape is only $12 so I can not get on board with that price. Either way I’m always happy to have more blending sponges less I need to wash my brushes the happier I am.

And here it is out of the bag.

Its pretty large and very dense/stiff which I actually like in a blending sponge so this works for me.

Ciate Liquid Velvet Matte Liquid Lipstick in Pin-up

Full Size: 0.22 oz

Full Size Cost: $19

Sample Size: 0.067 oz

Value: $5.79

I’ve been excited to try these for awhile. This is described as a berry shade but to me it is a much more nude maybe a hint of mauve type shade. It’s very pretty and flattering though. It is a soft smooth application but doesn’t totally dry down and become totally transfer resistant/transfer proof like I like. Swatches Below.

Close up of applicator.

I really like the thinner point on the applicator makes for an easy application and clean lines.

Privai Aqua Gel Masque

Full Size: 1.7 oz

Full Size Cost: $34

Sample Size:  0.7 oz

Value: $14

 

This is not for me I have oily skin and a super hydrating gel masque is the last thing I need. The little bit I tried on my hand was very sticky total fail.

Tarte Maracuja Oil

Full Size: 50 ml

Full Size Cost: $48

Sample Size: 7 ml

Value: $6.72

This is the product I am most excited about I have always wanted to try this it is supposed to be good for everything hair skin everything. And it has the coolest dropper its like a regular eye dropper but instead of squeezing a little rubber ball you push the gold button. Very lux feeling.

NYX Prismatic Eyeshadow in Jaded

Full Size: 0.043 oz

Full Size Cost: $5.99

Sample Size: 0.043 oz

Value: $5.99

This is a very creamy pigmented shadow it reminds me alot of Urban Decay’s Lounge expect instead of Lounge’s red/purple shift this has a more grey/silver shift which I like better. Lounge tends to get very  muddy looking on the eyes.

And the little bow is to cute.

Swatches with flash

And without flash

Now who’s ready for story time? When I took this out of the box it was rattling. I had to know why so I popped the container open and inside I found a big piece of plastic in their.

Pretty random it wasn’t broken off of anything and the container went right back together so not sure how that ended up happening but well.

 

I was very happy with this month’s bag. I love liquid lipsticks and I got that oil which I’ve wanted to try for a long time. Ipsy is usually a hit so this is the quality I expect from them.

Quick Summary:

Total Value: $52.50

Skincare: 2

Makeup: 2

Tools: 1

Hair Care: 0

Perfume: 0

Other: 0

And as far as sizes:

Full Size: 2

Deluxe Sample: 2

Sample: 1

<3 Nightmare Before Makeup

 

 

Medusa’s Makeup November 2016 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 from their line.  This is the third month that this subscription is around and I have been subscribing since the beginning.  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 usually full size.

I have to say I was a little disappointed with this month’s selection.

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Medusa’s Makeup has continued on with their updated card and it is quite cute this month.

Here’s some close ups.

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Lip and Cheek Stain

Full Size: 3.5 g

Full Size Cost: $8

Sample Size: 3.5 g

Value: $8

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Swatched below. There is no size or color listed but it appears to be full size and in the shade Moody.  This has a very greasy texture and I hate lip products in pots like this so total fail for me. And it does not have enough pigment for a cheek stain.

Lip Gloss in Rumors

Full Size: 1.5 g

Full Size Cost: $9

Sample Size: 6  ml

Value: $9

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WordPress recently updated and is giving me hell with posting photos so forgive the lack of the picture of this out of the box. Its a very shear purple shimmery gloss very sticky. Not a fan. Also think its very odd that the box and the website disagree on how much is in this tube.

Eye Dust in Green Velvet

Full Size: 1.5 g

Full Size Cost: $7

Sample Size: 1.5 g

Value: $7

I am not a huge fan of loose pigments so messy, but this color is very pretty and has a very smooth texture.

Setting Spray

Full Size: 1 oz

Full Size Cost: $8

Sample Size: 1 oz

Value: $8

So this is pretty small for a full size setting spray. I was really excited to get a new setting spray to try since its a different type of product for Medusa’s Makeup. It works ok it isn’t super sticky and it does feel refreshing on the skin but is not super long lasting or anything.

Swatches Without flash

With Flash

From top to bottom cheek stain, eye dust, lipgloss.

Total Value: $32

I was not overly impressed this month. I hated both lip products and am not wowed by the other products. I will probably cancel if December fails to impress me.

<3 Nightmare Before Makeup