Tag: Subscription Box
January 2020 Ipsy Bag – Clean Slate
I am absolutely IN LOVE with this month’s marbled bag. It’s definitely going with me to Vegas in a few weeks – it reminds me of Caesar’s Palace and all the statues!
I don’t recall what all products were available in this month’s sample choice, but I chose PUR 4-in-1 Pressed Mineral Makeup Broad Spectrum SPF 15 in “Porcelain”. I’ve been enjoying the Barbie PUR Palette, so I wanted to test out their other products. It’s a decent powder foundation and the color match is close. I’d probably try to find a pinker shade. The price is slightly better than the Urban Decay and KvD, at $29.50.
The other products in my “Clean Slate” bag were Theorie Charcoal Bamboo Detoxifying Scrub; Pur~lisse Blue Lotus 4-in-1 Cleansing Milk (hmm, another 4-in-1 product); Bellapierre Cosmetics Mineral Lipstick in “Ruby” (I so don’t need yet another red lipstick, so I tossed it to Lily just now); and Ciate London Glow to Illuminating Blush in “Pinch Me”.
A wide variety of decent products this month!
I subscribe to the basic ipsy bag for $12/month. If you’d like to try Ipsy – click here. I’ll earn 250 points if you sign up through my referral link.
December Sephora Play! – Award Worthy Beauty
The last Sephora box of the year contains “Award Worthy” beauty products. These products haven’t actually won awards…but are worthy of an award? Sure, ok…
I just tried that new Anastasia Beverly Hills Dip Brow Gel in “Dark Brown” last week – I’d gotten a sample in the Ulta Cyber Monday Bag. It’s…different. The product is a lot like mascara – it sticks to the little invisible baby hairs on your face and turns them into eyebrow hairs, so you have to be very careful and precise in application. I was not precise and ended up looking like Brooks Shields. It was very odd, but fairly realistic, at least compared to the current gradient brow trend, which I HATE. With a little practice, I think I could become good at applying the Dip Brow Gel. Or maybe a lot of practice?
Other “Award Worthy” products in December’s box: Urban Decay All-Nighter Long-Lasting Setting Spray; Bobbi Brown Long-Wear Cream Shadow Stick in “Golden Pink”; Tarte Rainforest of the Sea – Drink of H2O Hydrating Boost Moisturizer; Sol de Janeiro Brazilian Bum Bum Cream (I love this stuff, it smells good enough to eat); and Living proof. No Frizz Nourishing Styling Cream.
Sephora Play gives you 5-6 prestige samples a month, for just $10! You can sign up at sephora.com/play. I just noticed that this month’s box did not include a 50 point Play! Pass – rude.
I did NOT hit Sephora Rouge status this year, the first time in…5 years! My total spend was $525, so at least I made VIB status. All of my discounts in 2020 will be 15% instead of 20% and with my first order, I’ll order Sephora Flash, which is now $15 (up from $10).
December 2019 Allure Beauty Box – The Mother of All Brows
December’s Allure Beauty Box was curated by Anastasia Soare – yes, THAT Anastasia…of Anastasia Beverly Hills. The box includes several of Anastasia’s products, as well as a few of her other favorites.
The centerpiece of the box is the Anastasia Beverly Hills Moonchild Glow Kit, a palette of 6 highlighters. Just this kit alone is worth $40, although it’s currently on sale for $24 at Ulta. Honestly, I don’t use highlighters very often and I already have the Kat Von D Alchemy palette, which is similar…but I have been trying the shades as eyeshadow and I like the way they look as a understated, glowy look.
In addition to the Glow Kit, the other ABH products included were Liquid Lipstick in “Bohemian” ($20) and Clear Brow Gel ($22). I really like the lipstick – it’s a dark brick red. I don’t have much use for the brow gel.
The other products included were First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Face Moisturizer (full size!) and Christophe Robin Cleansing Purifying Scrub with Sea Salt.
This is such a high value box – $82 just in Anastasia Beverly Hills products alone!
The Allure Beauty Box is $15/month, but they give you $5 off your first box. They also offer an option for $150/year – a savings of $30. Sign up via my referral link.
December 2019 Ipsy Bag – Shine On
Shine on? Well, I certainly will try…
I did not miss the product choice window this month – I selected BELIF The True Cream Moisturizing Bomb. I’ve gotten this sample at least a dozen times from different subscription boxes and purchases and it is a really good moisturizing cream.
Also in this month’s silver pleather bag: FLUIDE 7-Free Nail Polish in “Strut” (I love a good gunmetal nail polish); Aromatica Rose Absolute First Serum (looking forward to trying this serum in my favorite scent); Beauty for Real Lip Gloss + Shine in “Sunlight”; and Tarte Amazonian Clay Waterproof Bronzer in “Park Ave Princess” (what is the point of waterproof bronzer???).
An interesting box, but the products seem more summery than wintery – maybe they know I’m in Texas and it is currently 75 degrees outside?
I subscribe to the basic ipsy bag for $12/month. If you’d like to try Ipsy – click here. I’ll earn 250 points if you sign up through my referral link.
November 2019 Ipsy Bag – Wild Side
Ipsy wants me to take a walk on the “Wild Side” this month. I used to be 100% leopard print everything in the 90s – this little bag would’ve matched everything I owned in the 90s.
The only product in this month’s bag that I’ve tried so far is the La Chloris Urban Botanics Ultra Glow Moroccan Rose Mask. It’s a 15 minute pink clay mask that smells like roses. It was a GREAT exfoliator.
Also inside this month’s “Wild Side” bag: MURAD Essential-C Day Moisture Broad Spectrum SPF 30; Layla Cosmetics Layba Nail Polish in “1012” (an odd blue-gray polish); Hola Neon Tinted Lip Balm in “Call Me”; and Gigi Gorgeous Living Lip Balm in “Natalia” (Gigi is an influencer, but I don’t know much about her).
An super cool bag with less coll contents this month.
I subscribe to the basic ipsy bag for $12/month. If you’d like to try Ipsy – click here. I’ll earn 250 points if you sign up through my referral link.
November 2019 Allure Beauty Box – Thanks a Whole Lot
November’s Allure Beauty Box focuses in on skincare (and other products) you can be grateful for.
I literally TORE into the e.l.f. Poreless Putty Primer. I used it before going out and it made my skin look flawless. I used it under a powder foundation, but I bet it would also do great under a liquid foundation. At $8 at Ulta, it’s on the more expensive end of e.l.f. products, but compared to any other brand – it’s a steal!
Also in this month’s box: tarte Color Splash Lipstick in “yachting” (full size!); Freeze 24-7 Anti-Aging Eye Serum (I keep being unimpressed by eye serums, but by the time I need them it will probably be too late); Curology The Cleanser; Vichy Double Glow Peel Mask; and Bliss That’s Incredi-Peel Pads (Hmm, 2 peel products this month).
My skin is looking forward to being pampered and exfoliated!
The Allure Beauty Box is $15/month, but they give you $5 off your first box. They also offer an option for $150/year – a savings of $30. Sign up via my referral link.
October 2019 Sephora Play! – Your Beauty Recipe
Better late than never, aight?
A very odd Sephora Play! box this month – there doesn’t seem to be an overarching theme, other than pieces you can mix into your beauty routine. The first sample I tried was the dpHUE Apple Cider Vinegar Hair Masque. I was worried that it would have a vinegary smell, but the smell was rather light. I used it in the shower, so I probably only left it in my hair for 5-7 minutes – but it made my hair feel really nice and silky.
I also tried the Tarte Quench Hydrating Primer – Rainforest of the Sea Collection. I wish there was more in the tube, because it was really nice. There was only 2 uses in the tube!
Also in this month’s box: Shiseido WASO: Clear Mega-Hydrating Moisturizer; Origins Dr. Andrew Weil for Origins Mega Mushroom Relief & Resilience Soothing Treatment Lotion (Is that name long enough for you?); Youth to the People Superfood Antioxidant Cleanser (why is it in a tiny glass bottle?); and Urban Decay All Nighter Long-Lasting Makeup Setting Spray.
Oh, something new in this month’s box – instead of a 50 point Play! pass, this box came with a code for 20% off any foundation, tinted moisturizer, BB or CC Cream. If I didn’t just get the 20% holiday bonus, I’d definitely use it!
Sephora Play gives you 5-6 prestige samples a month, for just $10! You can sign up at sephora.com/play.
October 2019 Ipsy Bag – Flaunt It
Holy moly ipsy – this Betty Boop bag is beautiful! If you flip it over, the back is black sequins. This might be the most luxe bag that ipsy has sent out.
The centerpiece of this month’s bag is the Betty Boop x Ipsy That’s So Betty Eyeshadow in “Flip Your Lid”. In the pan, it looks like a dark burgundy shimmer, but it isn’t very pigmented AT ALL. I’ve worn it a few times and it actually works well swiping on my eyes alone, a lazy day shadow.
Also in this month’s “Flaunt It” bag: First Aid Beauty Facial Radiance Pads; Pretty Woman Nail Polish in “Don’t Be Jelly”; It Cosmetics Your Skin But Better CC+ Cream with SPF 50+ in Fair (my product selection this month); and KVOSSNYC Lip Treatment in “Raspberry” (I put this on before bedroom and apparently drooled it across my face – I woke up with a pink stain across my cheek!).
$10 for years, the basic level of ipsy that I get is now $12/month. If you’d like to try Ipsy – click here. I’ll earn 250 points if you sign up through my referral link.
October 2019 Allure Beauty Box – On the Bright Side
Allure usually comes last each month, but this month it was first into my mailbox. I wonder why?
October’s theme – “On the Bright Side” – is glowy products. The stand-out product is Sol de Janeiro Brazilian Bum Bum Cream. I’ve repeatedly gotten samples of it and use it immediately – I love the way it smells, like a day at the beach.
Also in this month’s box: Sunday Riley ICE Ceramide Moisturizing Cream (such a tiny sample); M-61 Powerglow Peel; ModelCo Metallic Eyeshadow Trio in “St. Tropez” (I thought this was the same trio I received in my February box , but the colors are slightly different; I used it this morning and the colors lean brassy); ModelCo Eyelites in “Granite” (I received an Eyelites in my April box, too – have not tried the product); Kneipp Mineral Bath Salt in “Dream Away” (Will be giving to one of my kids); and Lumify Eye Drops (I’ve gotten a few times and they work well enough – they’re just too pricey for me to buy on my own).
I kind of feel that Allure is pushing a few brands repeatedly, month after month. I feel like they must have gotten a truckload of ModelCo and Sunday Riley and we’ll be getting it monthly, no matter what.
The Allure Beauty Box is $15/month, but they give you $5 off your first box. They also offer an option for $150/year – a savings of $30. Sign up via my referral link.
September 2019 Allure Beauty Box – Best of Beauty Award Winners
What’s good, Allure? Did you give up on the clear clutches after only 8 months? Sephora Play went several YEARS before trading out the drawstring pouches for printed ziplocs…Just goes to show that no other Subscription Box has the gumption to stick with bags, except for Ipsy…I ain’t even mad though – like I need MORE pouches and makeup bags…
September’s box is filled with Allure’s Best of Beauty Award Winners…past winners. Like – not this year’s winners. Hmmm…
Far and away, my favorite product from this month’s box is 2018 winner NatureLab Perfect Smooth Shampoo and Conditioner. I’ve been searching for an amazing shampoo and conditioner and this may be the one. The scent is lightly citrus-y and the formula is cruelty-free. It looks like the only place to get these is Amazon ($14 each) – a bit pricey, but not out my price range for a great product.
Also in this month’s box: Laura Mercier Translucent Loose Setting Powder, Ciate London Dewy Stix Luminous Highlighting Balm in “Gleam”; La Roche-Posay Lipikar Eczema Soothing Relief Cream (I’m not gonna jinx myself by saying I’m looking forward to trying this on my next flare-up, but…); and Acure Brightening Facial Scrub (I’ve gotten this before and LOVED it).
The Allure Beauty Box is $15/month, but they give you $5 off your first box. They also offer an option for $150/year – a savings of $30. Sign up via my referral link.