Tag: Review

Macy’s Beauty Box February 2023

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Macy’s Beauty Box

Cost: $15

Cycle: Every Month

What is it: Every month you will get a bag, a $5 off coupon with a purchase amount which I hate (SUCH A DOWNGRADE), 5 deluxe samples and 1 bonus sample. Why not just say 6? I don’t get it. Lately we have been getting between 6 and 8 items per month you never really know how many things you are going to get.

All the brands will be brands you can find in Macy’s which is cool since they sell Mac and a lot of other brands that are never to rarely seen in subscription boxes.

This was a packed box for sure.

Lip Printed Reusable Makeup Wipes

Full Size: 7 Wipes

Full Size Cost: $20

Sample Size: 2 Wipes

Value: $5.72

These aren’t Makeup Eraser brand but I would bet money they were private labeled by them for Macy’s they feel the exact same. Makeup Eraser had a pattern like this at one point they are even trimmed and stitched exactly the same. So I am going to use a mini makeup eraser set as a value thing because they are identical. These aren’t my favorite things to remove my makeup with because I like to use makeup remover but they are super soft so I will use them with makeup removed even though that kinda stains them. I love getting reusable practical items in boxes.

Barbor Ampoule Concentrates Perfect Glow

Full Size: 14 ml/7 ampoules

Full Size Cost: $42.90

We have gotten sets like this from this brand at least 2 times before but they haven’t repeated the actual type so that is good. These are crazy expensive for something that you do have long enough to see lasting results. I don’t care for this packaging either I know it is supposed to be more hygienic and keep the ingredients fresher but I am always scared they are going to shatter when I open them and it is kinda wasteful.

Lancome Lash Idole Mascara

Full Size: 8 ml

Full Size Cost: $30

Sample Size: 2.5 ml

Value: $9.38

I don’t typically care for Lancome mascara they usually make my eyes a little itchy. So I am just going to pass this on to some one who I’m sure would be more excited to have it I have plenty of mascaras.

Paco Rabanne Fame Perfume

Full Size: 50 ml

Full Size Cost: $106

Sample Size: 1.5 ml

Value: $3.18

I am always struck by khow expensive Paco Rabanne Fragrances are. The bottles are super cute, I didn’t know that they made women’s perfume so I am excited to try this it has almost a spring vibe.

Nyx Butter Gloss in Creme Brulee

Full Size: 8 ml

Full Size Cost: $5

Sample Size: 4.7 ml

Value: $2.94

Everytime they do this it annoys me. This is a $5 lipgloss you can’t include the full size really making this mini size packaging has to cost more then just including a full size. These glosses are beloved I don’t care for them they are very sticky and not my thing. This color is also pretty milky pink.

Lorac Single Eyeshadow in Primrose

Full Size: 0.7 g

Full Size Cost: $8

Full size which is great I can’t find this shade but opal looks pretty similar. I am pretty sure I own this shade in a Lorac palette or something very similar so I don’t need it and I rarely use singles.

Mineral Fusion Nail Polish in Wine Not?

Full Size: 10 ml

Full Size Cost: $9.99

These nail polishes are really streaky and awful. This is also really brown for a wine shade.

Bobbi Brown Vitamin Enriched Eye Base

Full Size: 15 ml

Full Size Cost: $58

Sample Size: 3 ml

Value: $11.60

Well that is ridiculous price. This is giving Special moisurizer for your elbow vibes because why exactly do I need a special eye primer for under my eyes? Like I’m going to try it but like why that is so extra and ridiculous.

Well the value and variety were certainly there this month so I can’t really complain even if alot of the items weren’t to my particular taste.

Total Value: $93.71

Skincare: 1

Makeup: 4

Tools: 1

Hair Care: 0

Perfume: 1

Other: 1

And as far as sizes:

Full Size: 3

Deluxe Sample: 1

Sample: 4

<3 Nightmare Before Makeup

What’s in My Trash? February 2023

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Well this was a much better month but I am still not quite on track for the year.

Skincare (5)

Glow Recipe Watermelon Glow Niacinamide Dew Drops this was fine it wasn’t really anything special it was just moisturizing. I would rather put my money towards more active serums then this.

Repurchase: No

My Skinny Mask Turmeric & Vitamin C Clay Mask I don’t think this did much and it was really hard and gross to remove.

Repurchase: No

Urban Decay Quick Fix Hydra Charged Complexion Prep Priming Spray I really like this spray it just is so expensive. It feels nice it makes my skin feel nice.

Repurchase: Probably

Goldfaden MD Doctor’s Scrub Ruby Crystal Microderm Exfoliator this was fine but there are other much cheaper Microderm scrubs that this is unnecessary.

Repurchase: No

Mario Badescu Caffeine Eye Cream this was fine it felt nice it did a little depuffing but not a ton.

Repurchase: No

Random (2)

Dr Lili Fan Probiotic XLash Enhancer this burned the shit out of my eyes and it was too watery so it often got in my eyes. It also didn’t work.

Repurchase: NO

Dove Go Fresh Revive Antiperspirant I really like this deodorant. I usually do Dove in the winter and degree in the summer and that works well for me.

Repurchase: Yes

Home Scents (4)

Honey Nut Cheerios Candle this smelled like nothing.

Repurchase: No

Unplugged Book Box Candle in Essence of Innocence this had a very strong scent throw but the scent was also weird it had like layers the top notes were super nice and fresh but the mid and deeper notes has this weird sweet but not scent that I was not super into.

Repurchase: No, can’t anyway these were exclusive to a box I got it in

Trader Joe’s Room Spritz in Super Lemon I love this spray it smells so good and fresh and clean and it covers scents pretty well and it is super concentrated so you don’t need a lot.

Repurchase: Yes

Bath and Body Works Wallflower in Cinnamon Spiced Vanilla & Paris Café this was not very strong at all. I think I’m over these I am down to my last few and I don’t know if I will be buying more.

Repurchase: I don’t know

Lip (2)

Gnome Lip Balm in Candy Cane this was just a random stocking stuffer I got but it was nice it was a good moisturizing balm the packaging was cute. The candy cane scent/flavor was nice.

Repurchase: Sure

Essence Lip Care Booster Lip Butter this was more like a lip gloss mixed with Aquaphor than a lip moisturizer. It was not very moisturizing and it didn’t hang around long enough to be a barrier like Aquaphor.

Repurchase: No

Lotion (3)

Pistache Skincare Pistachio Oil Hydrating Hand Cream loved this great cream smelled nice I liked the green color.

Repurchase: Maybe

Bath and Body Works Restorative Hand Cream love this hand cream it feels really good on it has a nice light vaguely citrusy scent. I really like these hand creams.

Repurchase: Yes

Robinson Family Soaps Lotion Bar in Ahn’s Magic this was fine if you like a lotion bar it didn’t get melty or weird it was decently moisturizing but bar form like this is just not for me. I used about half so I am counting it as done but I don’t want to keep forcing myself to use something if is not my thing and slow going.

Repurchase: No

Bodycare (2)

Vacation Classic Spray SPF 30 this was fine it didn’t break me out so that’s always a plus I bought it because it was supposed to have this amazing scent but it really didn’t smell all that good.

Repurchase: Maybe I have others I want to try but if they break me out I would go back to this.

Lush Peach Crumble Bath Bomb this was nice it smelled peachy in a real way not that fake way that can smell kinda gross. It bubbled up ok. I just think they are too expensive so I don’t buy these but they are fun to use when I get them.

Repurchase: No

Perfume (1)

Pinrose Rollerball in Sun Saint I didn’t like this it smelled odd to me and did not last.

Repurchase: No

Declutter (5)

Jo Malone Wood Sage & Sea Salt Body Crème this smells nice but it smells like strong men’s cologne and not a scent I particularly want on my hands so I will pass it on to my GF she’ll be thrilled.

Real Her Moisturizing Lipstick in Girlpower this was thick and shiny and not my type of lipstick and it is a color I have a million times over.

Dominique Cosmetics Celestial Thunder Eyeshadow Palette I did a mini palette declutter and this is just so similar to a bunch of other palettes I have and I have never used it so I rather pass it on to others.

Boxycharm Hello Charmer Eyeshadow Palette I just don’t care for this color arrangement. Mented Balms Away Coconut Lip Treatment this was so gritty I cannot use it. I went to look at reviews to see if this was like a lip exfoliator and I was just stupid but no apparently they must have a quality problem because it seems like half their batches are gritty and half are good which is not a good look for a brand to have such inconsistencies.

I did a really good job this month with using up more things then I brought in this month which is really good. I am really happy with that.

Total This Month: 24

Total: 37

Approx Value This Month: $239.42

Approx Paid This Month: $44.46

Approx Total Value: $321.34

Approx Total Paid: $63.41

<3 Nightmare Before Makeup

FabFitFun Box Spring 2023

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FabFitFun Box

Cost: $54.99 a Season Annual/$59.99 Seasonal

Cycle: Every Season/4x a year

What is it: Every season FabFitFun sends 6 to 8 items valued at $300+. Annual members get to customize their entire box as well as the option to swap out for credit to shop with instead of getting a box. Annual members also get add-ons and faster shipping and earlier access to customizations.

Seasonal Members get to pick 4 of their items as well as the option to swap out their box for credit to shop with as well.

I was super resistant to getting this box for a long time but honestly it is really great. It there is always at least one higher priced item I want for myself and really awesome gitfting options. I have used this almost as a curating service and used it to pick out gifts for family and friends and get them at a great deal.

Tula Brightening Treatment Drops

Full Size: 30 ml

Full Size Cost: $56

This one thing already covers more then the cost of the box. I really like Tula skincare but it it so pricey I wouldn’t buy it on my own. So this is a pretty awesome thing to get to have and I love Vitamin C.

Vince Camuto Blue Ombre CZ Necklace

Full Size Cost: $68

Now is the price for this full over inflated totally but that’s designer brands for you. This I fully picked out thinking this will be a great Mother’s Day present for my mom. Something more then I would normally want to spend but I only paid essentially $9 for it and I don’t have to think about presents in May so double win.

BaubleBar Build Your Own Bracelet Kit

Full Size Cost: $16?

So there is alot to unpack here so just try to bear with me on this objectively odd and not worth it choice. So this is actually something that was featured in a box like 2 years ago and it was “valued” at $68 which is a joke these are plastic beads and string this is a child’s camp activity. I typically would not have picked an item like this I don’t even feel like it is worth the $9 I paid for it. But I have a younger cousin and she is really into making bracelets right now so I figure this would be super cute and fun and feel “fancy” to her. There wasn’t anything else in the category of this customization that was speaking to me either so even though it wasn’t a great or high value choice it kinda fit my needs. I am estimating it at $16 because that is what people were able to resell this at on eBay and Poshmark.

Skin Inc Cryo-Ice Sake Roller

Full Size Cost: $48

I like ice rollers they really help my sinuses so I was down to try a different fancy one.

Lumina NRG 3 in 1 Eye Lift

Full Size Cost: $159

Was I really going to pass on a $159 anti-aging tool. No I wasn’t. This warms up and vibrates to massage in eye cream and apparently reduce wrinkles. We’ll see but I was obviously choosing this it is the star of the box. The warm feels nice on the face either way and I will definitely get use out of the warm around my sinuses when I’m having headaches and sinus troubles if nothing else.

Summer & Rose Outdoor Roundie

Full Size Cost: $25

I don’t know why I wanted this round towel but I did. It is cute and it is big but those are about the only things going to it it is really thin and not soft so so it can’t be a blanket and it can’t be like a picnic ground cover. So its only hope is if it dries water well and sand brushes off easy but it is far to cold to test that right now. This has big potential to end up as a dog blanket.

Value: $372

Clearly the value is here. I just find this top be very practical of a box I get stuff for me I get stuff for gifts with out the hassle of picking it out and shopping and all that.

<3 Nightmare Before Makeup