Tag: Review

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

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So most of these were used up while I was on vacation so there is not giant picture this month because I just was not flying with trash in my bad that is just a little too much crazy for me. So this will just be a little all over the place.

Skin Care

Tarte Maracuja C Brightener Eye Treatment I liked this at first but then I don’t know I don’t feel like it really did that much. This was just kinda eh.

Repurchase: No

Bath and Body Works True Blue Spa Cracked Heel Treatment don’t waste your money the smell of this made me gag and it didn’t do anything it was terrible.

Repurchase: No

Ulta Sugar Cookie Macaroon Face and Body Wipes these I buy every Holiday Season they always smell so good they aren’t really that great but they are fun and cheap. They are pretty good for refreshing your body if you’re sweaty I keep them in my work bag. But they probably are not the best for your skin being packed with alcohol and fragrance.

Repurchase: Yes

Buff Her Crumbs Vanilla Exfoliator this is one of those powders that you can mix with anything I did not like this it did not exfoliate well didn’t even smell that good the jar was cute though. I got this in an Ipsy bag a long time ago ad finally got around to using it but it sucked.

Repurchase: No

Miss Spa Facial Peel off Mask in Pore Refining I don’t remember if this did anything for me or not but I do remember that it peeled off really well it was an enjoyable peeling mask and that is what is important in a peel mask lol. My face was softer after. I do like this brand but I only pick stuff up on a whim.

Repurchase: Maybe

Bliss Fabulous Makeup Up Melt this is one of those gel oil cleansers that melts your makeup off it didn’t work that well and left tons of makeup on my skin. It smelled nice and was gentle but it just wasn’t effective.

Repurchase: No

Biore Baking Soda Acne Scrub I love these baking soda and charcoal scrubs from Biore but I am still trying to find my absolute favorite I can’t decide yet but they do all work to make my skin feel clean and nice and not oily.

Repurchase: Yes

Sephora Mud Mask Purifying & Mattifying this was awful. I have another sample of this and probably will declutter it. This was impossible to get off and did nothing for my skin at all. It actuall hurt and made my skin really irritate to try and scrub it off

Repurchase: NO!

Simple Micellar Cleansing Facial wipes people love these but I don’t get it they really didn’t work at all to clean anything off my face not makeup not oil or dirt nothing. Total Fail.

Repurchase: No

Sephora Express Eye Makeup Remover Wipes these didn’t work well had I had to tug and rub at my eyes alot which is not something I want to be doing.

Repurchase: No

Studio 35 Beauty Detoxifying Mask this is Walgreens house brand. My skin freaked out after flying and looked horrible so I bought this for like a dollar or two to try and make my skin relax because it was a honey mask and that usually helps my skin calm down. This was awesome I loved it it really helped clean up and calm my skin down heal up my acne and pull out alot of the random oil that was pouring out of my skin I will definitely be buying more for when my skin acts up.

Repurchase: YES!

Dove Purely Pampering Body Wash I have the full size of this in a different scent. I hate them I do not like Dove soap. They are too moisturizing I do not feel clean after I shower I feel like I Just put lotion on dirt I do not like it. If you have very dry skin this may be for you It’s just more moisture then my skin knows what to do with.

Repurchase: No

Bliss Lemon and sage body butter this smelled so good I love the additon of sage or basil into body care it reminds me of my grandmother”s garden when I was little and it helps cute any sweetness or two much citrus.

Repurchase: Yes

Tarte Guard Sunscreen spf 30 this was good face sunscreen it did not break me out. I do not often use sunscreen it often leaves me broken out or with read itchy rashes this did not so I would consider picking it up if I was ever in the market for sunscreen.

Repurchase: Maybe

Makeup

Smashbox Photo Finish Primer hey we all know and love this primer I have never owned a full size I always have tons of samples. its a good primer but I have so many ad get so many free that I really don’t buy primers.

Repurchase: No only because I have so many

Glamglow Glowstarter in Nude Glow I really want to buy this and darker shade but they are so expensive this just makes my skin look lovely and healthy ad glowy and even with out having to put any foundation on. So obviously it doesn’t wear or look like I have any coverage it is like a your skin but better moisturizer. I’m into it Because I don’t love wearing foundation.

Repurchase: One day

Benefit Fakeup Concealer I don’t even know if they make this any more this is a weird consistency it is like a liquid cream matte stick its like the strangest thing it does work and it doesn’t crease if you don’t put a ton on but eve a touch to much and it looks like crap. Its really hard to use. It looks nice if yo put it on right but if you don’t it looks terrible.

Repurchase: No

Benefit Porefessional hey another oldie I used to love this but not I am just trying to use it up it doesn’t work for me any more and balls up under my skin it never used to do that but this used to be a product I loved it just isn’t working for me anymore I do still recommend it I think it just works a little better for younger skin.

Repurchase: No

Hourglass Immaculate Liquid Powder Foundation I hate that this looked great because it is pricey but when I need new foundation I may have to pick this up if I can find a good shade match this was obviously a sample so it was close but not perfect. It really is a liquid that dried to a nice smooth powder finish and right now at least this seems to be the texture that my skin likes in a foundation and anything else can sit weird if I don’t take alot of time to buff it in well. This is a perfect formula for everyday quick makeup.

Repurchase: One day

Hair Care

L’oreal Smooth Intense Shampoo, preconditioner and conditioner I did not like this. It left my hair sticky and not smooth or straight.

Repurchase: No

Rich oil sorry I do not at all know what brand this is. It was nice but very thick much to thick for my hair. It took forever to absorb.

Repurchase: No

Colour oil same unknown brand this was lighter and a little nicer but it was greasy and maybe my hair need to be washed much quicker.

Repurchase: No

Wen in pomegranate I do really like this it does work well on my hair and it is easy to rinse out but I am trying a new cleansing conditioner to see how I like it.

Repurchase: Yes

Vernon Francois Co-Wash Shampoo I’d love to have an opinion on this co-wash since I am in the process of testing new ones out. Unfortunately there was not even enough in this sample to wash the ends of my hair. This was a real bullshit sample.

Repurchase: No

Perfume

Atelier Cologne Clementine California I love Atelier colognes so much this one is not as good as the Orange Sanguine though and for the price I would  pick that over this. Both are lovely citrus scents but the Orange Sanguine is warmer and lasts longer Clementine is too light and fades much to quickly on me for the price.

Repurchase: No

Cartier Declaration this was nice to try very strong and long lasting but not something I am super interested in. I would enjoy another sample but won’t be buying this.

Repurchase: No

Nest Indigo ooh this was way to fucking strong it gave me a headache I have not been a huge fan of any Nest scents they are just too strong for me. And I like strong scents so this is really overwhelming.

Repurchase: No

Tocca Giulietta this was way to flowery and girly not a scent I enjoy I like warm sweet scents and fruity scents.

Repurchase: No

Household

Fortune Cookie Soap Company Polyjuice Potion Personal Space Air Freshener this is one of their permanent scents it is a lovely fresh lemon lime type scent can you see the theme here I am clearly partial to citrus scents. This bottle has lasted me forever I mean like over a year and a half.

Repurchase: Yes

Random

Charcoal toothbrush I really like using charcoal toothbrushes and toothpaste to in addition to regular toothpaste. They do temporarily make my teeth a little brighter and take away some stains they also make my moth feel clean and is fairly gentle but there is not normal mint taste and they are messy so it isn’t always practical.

Repurchase: Yes

Sally Hansen Finishing Oil this is what I like to use after I wax my eyebrows to take off the wax and help soothe my skin. I do not know if you can buy this in a full size or if you can only get it in the waxing kits. I’ve only every gotten it in the waxing kits.

Repurchase: Yes

Secret Clinical Strength Deodorant this really was put to the ringer in Florida and it did a decent job of keeping away smell and sweat but even it had to succumb to Florida’s August heat and humidity.

Repurchase: No

Random hotel mouthwash it tasted terrible.

Repurchase: No, Could you even probably not

GUM Fluoride Toothpaste this was an ok toothpaste the flavor was eh but it did its job.

Repurchase: No

Declutter

3 Victoria Secret Eyeshadows these were weird and cool but they are so very old they have to be like 8 years old at least. They are like a crushes up powder eyeshadow in a jar and the silver piece pulls off and has a sponge applicator that you apply the shadow with. They were great for like quick eyeshadow when I was running late in highschool but I have out grown these.

Pignose Clear Blackhead this was supposed to like heat up and help extract or clean out your black heads it never did anything for me no matter how I tried to use it and I’m giving up on this.

Olay Fresh Effects Spot Zinger this did diddly squat as a spot treatment. I much prefer Clearasil.

The Balm eyeshadow sample in Willkomen its just a boring brown I have a million don’t need a single of it. I’ll pass it on to some one who can use it.

This was a free chapstick I got somewhere it is horrible it has the worst thick oil petroleum jelly texture and it smells chemically.

Mostly misses this month like there were really very few things I enjoyed this month that’s kinda sad I like to enjoy my products so I guess it is good to be moving the crap I don’t like out of my collection. Though if I keep this kind of pace I may be able to double my years goal.

Total: 46

YTD: 238

<3 Nightmare Before Makeup

 

Macy’s Beauty Box September 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.

Kind of boring this month…… I am really waiting for Macy’s to step up their game coming into the Holidays or I will be canceling.

Literally everything in this bag was transparent there was nothing to swatch.

The bag is super cute this month but not as quality feeling as last months.

Burt’s Bees Hand Salve

Full Size: 3 oz

Full Size Cost: $7.10

Sample Size: 0.3 oz

Value: $0.71

This is a nice little tin of hand salve. It isn’t as great as my Fortune Cookie Soap company salves but it is still nice it is very thick but absorbs quickly.

Laura Mercier Foundation Primer in Radiance

Full Size: 1 oz

Full Size Cost: $22

Sample Size: 0.5 oz

Value: $11

This is a glowy primer but it doesn’t extend the wear of my makeup at all. I am really bored of primers in makeup bags like every one has a million this is boring.

Clinique Moisture Surge Extended Thirst Relief

Full Size: 30 ml

Full Size Cost: $19

Sample Size: 7 ml

Value: $4.43

This is a gel moisturizer I actually like this for my hands it is way to moisturizing for my face. But again another boring standard product we have all seen and tried. I am pretty sure I have this sample sitting in my cabinet some where.

Dermablend Loose Setting Powder

Full Size: 28 g

Full Size Cost: $27

Sample Size: 5 g

Value: $4.82

Hey loose powder no one has ever tried that before *heavy sarcasm* I am kind ok with this because I have heard good things and am interested in this brand but I have so much loose powder I need to work through.

Ahava Purifying Mud Mask

Full Size: 0.9 oz

Full Size Cost: $10

Sample Size: 0.68 oz

Value: $7.56

The thing I am most excited about I love Ahava products and I love purifying masks. They are usually to expensive for me to want to purchase on my own so this is the one thing in the box I am happy about.

Vince Camuto Ciao Perfume

Full Size: 1 oz

Full Size Cost: $51

Sample Size: 0.09 oz

Value: $4.59

This smells really nice but for the life of me I can not figure out what it smells like. At least it is a sample I know I will use up. I love this designer’s shoes. Not that I own any they are like $400 a pair but a girl can dream.

Shame on you Macy’s the value is less this month and less deluxe size samples. I am not happy with this box at all I am giving them to December to impress me. The only saving grace is the $5 coupon but I can not get it to work on line I have to use it in store which limits my choices.

Quick Summary:

Total Value: $33.11

Skincare: 3

Makeup: 2

Tools: 0

Hair Care: 0

Perfume: 1

Other: 0

And as far as sizes:

Full Size: 0

Deluxe Sample: 2

Sample: 4

<3 Nightmare Before Makeup

 

 

Boxycharm August 2017 Subscription Box Review and Tarte Coupon

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Boxycharm

Cost: $21

Cycle: Every Month

What is it:

Boxycharm sends out 4 to 5 full size  items every month which makes it really unique among the  boxes I subscribe to.  It is a nice change to get all full size products especially for the reasonable price of $21 which is usually less then the cost of one item in the box.

If you would like to subscribe you can use my referral link HERE. I don’t get anything other then points but would really appreciate it but do as you feel comfortable you are also welcome to use the link in the header that leads to the regular homepage.

You can also review your products and get “charms” which are their versions of points that you can use as money off in their shop.

This was such a great month. The theme was Beach Please and well other then one item nothing fit that theme but hey whatever the box was really cool this month.

Tarte generously sent out a coupon code that I will share with you all here.

The code is BOXYAUGUST and is good until 9/15/17.

Royal and Langnickel Moda Pro 3 Piece Brush Set

Full Size: Yes

Value: $26

This is a brush set from a line that is not releasing until the Fall so charmers got a a really nice pre-release version which is super cool. I love Royal and Langnickel brushes I own some from a few of the lines mostly Moda and Moda Prismatics. These Moda Pro brushes are softer than either of those lines. They also seem more sturdy and much higher quality. I really Like these I am going to link to three similar brushes so you can see a general price idea for their brushes individual these similar brushes come to almost $25. I actually think $26 for this set is a great price.

 

Similar to BMX-130 this is a blush or a soft contour brush I also think this could be great for any kind of powder.

Similar to BMX-430 just a great soft fluffy crease brush.

Similar to BMX-250 I love brushes like this for my rainbow highlighters they do a great job of applying a full intense rainbow effect. They are a very intense brush otherwise and I don’t really like to be seen from outer space but if you do this is your highlight brush.

 

The bristles are so soft and dense. The seem really sturdy ad well put together and I am really into the soft touch quilted handles they have going on. I am really in love with these they are easily my favorite thing in the whole box. Being worth more than I spent on this box doesn’t hurt either.

 

Pur Cosmetics Pro Eyelashes in Bombshell

Full Size: 1 pair

Full Size Cost: $14

Sample Size: 1 pair

Value: $14

These are really cool they are cruelty free silk lashes they look really real. They are long and dramatic but they don’t have that fake look that a lot of lashes have.

Bellápierre Gel Eye Liner in Ebony

Full Size: 1.8 g

Full Size Cost: $15

Sample Size: 1.8 g

Value: $15

This claims to be waterproof I love black gel eyeliners I can never have enough I have a whole drawer of them because black eyeliner is my trademark. I am not swatching this because I don’t want to open it. I have so many open liners. Sorry guys. I also could not get a good picture of this no matter how hard I tried the packaging is to reflective.

Aloette Face Paint in Blooming Berry

Full Size: 0.5 oz

Full Size Cost: $35

Sample Size: 0.5 oz

Value: $35

This is a weird product. First of all it keeps making me think of that creepy Alouette song about eating the bird.  It is ridiculously pigmented, smells like lightly fruity and it is a really thick creamy lip and cheek tint. Now I will never use this as a cheek stain because I don’t use blush. It wears off quick on the lips but is super pretty. I love that they sent us such an interesting product that is what I want boxes to do so even though I am not sure how I am going to use it I really like that I have it. It might make for some super fun Halloween makeup. I think the price is outrageous though I can’t see anyone wanting to spend $35 on this. I don’t know but it is weirdly cool and there’s a ton of product. Not that it matters but I really love how the tube looks and feels it looks so cute and like old school fancy makeup and it has this lovely slick smooth feel to the plastic. I’m in a weird mood and really into things that feel nice. Swatched Below.

Tarte Rainforest of the Sea Volume II

Full Size: 0.05 oz x 8

Full Size Cost: $36

Sample Size: 0.05 oz x 8

Value: $36

These shadows are so soft and buttery they almost feel like cream shadows. Like it is kind of amazing. This is my first experience with any Tarte shadows and from what I’ve heard the Rainforest of the Sea are some of the better formulas. They are really sheer though which is not a thing I like in my shadows they are smooth and not patchy so they are meant to be built up but I like a lot more pigment from the start in my shadows. That is more personal preference and definitely not a mark against the product. This also has the best fucking mirror like I never use the mirror in a palette but this one is so big and such good quality I could see myself using it. The purple and blue coral is also so pretty I love the design of this palette. This is a major score in terms of box items. Swatched Below

Flash, the lighter colors are hard to see on camera but are perfect blending shades for me on the eyes.

No Flash

Total: $126

Great value for a $21 dollar box I really love the palette and the brushes the cheek tint is a little weird but still nice to see something different in the box. I have really been thrilled with my Boxycharm subscription and would really recommend it to anyone looking for a subscription box.

 

<3 Nightmare Before Makeup