August BeautyBox5 Review

The photo doesn't do this color justice.  It's a rainbow and silver glitter!

August 2013 Beauty Box 5 Subscription Contents: {This month's total full size retail value: $15.50}

Be A Bombshell Eyeshadow in Dancing Queen- Full Size $14.00 included
Another product to add to my collection from Be A Bombshell Cosmetics!  I now have a blush, which I adore and wore every day on vacation last week and a gloss which I haven't worked into my normal rotation but isn't a bad product.  This time I get to try out an eyeshadow, and the shade is a lovely light silver.  The formula is super silky feeling, but the color comes out a tiny bit sheerer than I would have expected.  Nonetheless, it's a lovely texture and shade.  It's not chunky or glittery, and I don't notice any fallout with it at all.  I'm excited to use this in the fall for some more dramatic smokey eyes.  I feel like this would be a perfect topcoat over a deeper gunmetal or even black for some sheen and a good highlight in the inner corners.

Swissco Nail File- Full Size $1.50 included
The "theme" this month seemed to be about skin and nails, with two lotions and two nail products making up the majority of the August BeautyBox5.  If there was any doubt about my favorite color, (psst... it's hot pink!)  this is the perfect file for me!  It's a black medium grit nail file on one side and a fine pink glitter on the other side.  I don't think the glitter side is meant to file your nails at all, just look pretty.  I tried it on my nail and got nothing but a few minor scratches instead of an even filing.  But the glitter didn't rub off during my testing, so that's nice.  Not that I'd probably have any problem with finding it leaking hot pink glitter all over my house or purse, but me and Ke$ha are just kindred souls that way.  And after 15 years, my husband is used to my glitter obsession!

H2O Plus Aquafirm + Micro Collagen Moisturizer- Full Size $50.00/1.7 oz, Sample Size $7.94/.27 oz
The sample is too small to contain an ingredients list, but it says it includes marine microspheres, so I had to go online to look the product up and do a little research.  I've heard of types of marine microspheres before being used in lip products to plump lips. They absorb the water in your lips and "puff up", causing a plumping action to the surrounding tissues.  It makes total sense to me that someone would start using it in a face cream to temporarily plump up fine lines!  They also use jojoba oil, which is a natural plant oil emollient that penetrates more deeply than mineral based emollients and helps lock in moisture.  I also copied this from the brand's website on the third main ingredient: Sea Nutrient Barrier: Powerful fusion of algae and oat extract creates a light veil on the skin, pulling surface cells closer together for an instant micro-lifting effect. The moisturizer itself is nice and lightweight, with a light scent that doesn't smell artificial and perfumey.  It absorbs quickly with no residue on the skin.  I was afraid I'd get a tingling feeling, like what you get with plumping lip products, but this didn't have that side effect.  My skin felt cool and refreshed instead.

Bask Heavenly Silk Daily Skin Lotion- Full Size $19.98/22 oz, Sample Size $1.81/2 oz
This is a lightweight body lotion with a fresh clean fragrance.  It absorbs quickly with no residue.  It didn't feel like it was a deeply hydrating formula, so my super dry skin soaked it right up and still felt a bit thirsty.  But that's the feeling I get from most lotions.  I need a deep penetrating thick cream to get any relief for my parched skin.  I think the average person would be quite satisfied with the hydration of this lotion, although there are drugstore brands that are much more cost efficient.

Nubar Nail Lacquer in Hologram Glitter- Full Size $8.00/.5 oz, Sample Size $4.00/.25 oz
By far, my favorite item in the box this month.  And surprise surprise, it had glitter.  This is an absolutely gorgeous silver and rainbow glitter nailpolish, and it contains no formaldehyde, phthalates, or toulene (which are listed as potential cancer-causing chemicals when exposed to in large amount).  If you are looking for a brand of nail polishes that do not contain these ingredients, I highly recommend this brand.  (Although I do highly encourage you to research the use of these ingredients yourself.  There is a lot of misinformation about them.)  This polish has won me over right off the bat.  It's a very fine glitter that doesn't clump or streak, and if you build up a few layers, you can get a fairly opaque coverage.  It's in a clear base, so it's also perfect for a topcoat over a solid color. Also a huge fan of any products made in the USA.


This month's box:  Hit or Miss?  I call this one a HIT.  The glitter nail file, glitter nail polish, and eyeshadow I know are going to become regulars in my routine.  Even though the "full size value" wasn't up there with previous boxes, the total value of the box itself was $25.25.  Considering I paid less than half of that for the box, it's a good deal in my book.


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**Disclaimer:  This article contains affiliate links.  As with all my articles, the opinions expressed herein are fully my own.  For more information on my policies, please view my Let's Chat page.

Glossybox June and July Box Reviews

June 2013 Glossybox Subscription Contents:  {This month's total full size retail value: $41.00}

C. Booth Honey Almond Nourishing Dry Oil Mist:  Full Size $8/ 4oz, Sample Size $4/ 2oz  I was surprised that this was a body spray oil rather than something for the hair.  But it has a really nice scent that isn't too sweet and cloying, yet it lingers just long enough to almost double as a bit of a body splash.  It's not greasy at all and absorbs into the skin very quickly.  I like spritzing it on my body right after getting out of the shower and letting it sink in while I do my makeup.  I haven't tried it on my face, since I already have a set skincare routine, but it says it's safe for the face without breaking you out.

Philip B Light Weight Deep Conditioning Cream: Full Size $26/ 6oz, Travel Size $10/ 2 oz (as listed on website)  I'm hard to break out of my routine, so I haven't tried this yet and am sticking with my current hair favorites.  I do love deep conditioners though, so I'm sure I'll use this at some point.  When  I do and can offer a good review, I'll do a separate article on this.  If you've tried it, I'd love to hear your thoughts below!

Tarte Complexion Enhancing Lipstick: Full Size $29/ 3.5g  If you know me, you know I love me some Tarte products, so I literally did a little squeal when I opened this month's box and saw this in there.  I'm not sure if it's a new product coming out or if it's a discontinued product though.  I can't find it anywhere online to purchase except through the Glossybox website.  It's a really cool lipstick, with a dual color.  The center core of the lipstick is a deeper pinky red color, and a paler cool tone pink on the outside.  The shade is medium to tan, but I think it's still pretty universally flattering.  When you apply it, it has an instant kind of ombre effect from the two colors, which I think is super cool.  You can leave it like that or blend them together, or you can just use the outside of the stick to apply the lighter color alone.  Likewise, you can use a lip brush to apply only the center color.  Overall, I really like this and think it's a great concept and very versatile.

Spa Ritual Nail Polish in Kiss the Cook: Full Size $12/ 15 mL  I'm not a huge fan of the color right now, since it's way more of a fall color than summer, but I'll see when late September hits how I'm feeling about it.  It's a nice large full size bottle, which I really appreciate.  The formula is thin enough that it doesn't take forever to dry, although you will want to do two coats. 

Oscar De La Renta Essential Luxuries Perfume: Full Size $150/ 3.4 oz, Samples were too small and no weight listed to give comparable value  I really wish Glossybox would stop including products from fragrance brands that I associate with little blue haired ladies.  The name Oscar De La Renta evokes feelings of luxury, and the little blue satin bag these came packaged in goes along with it, but I feel like that's more of fashion connotation.  The feeling I get when I hear the name in conjunction with perfume is heavy, stuffy, spicy, old lady crap.  Maybe that's just me though.  I didn't like any of the six mini spritzers they sent, but my older sister says she likes the brand, so I'll send them along to her to enjoy.  Either way, this would in no way entice me to spend $150 on a bottle of perfume.  Actually, I don't think anything could unless it came with a hot guy to spray it on me every morning, preferably without his shirt on.

This month's box:  Hit or Miss?   Hit  At some point, I'll use every single product in this box (except for those stinky perfume samples, which I don't count).  This box was a great blend of skin, hair, nails, makeup, and even fragrance if it had been a good scent.  You also can't argue with $41 in full size product, plus $14 more in deluxe samples.

 

July 2013 Glossybox Subscription Contents: { This month's total full size retail value: $9.00}

Brazilian Blowout Acai Deep Conditioning Masque: Full Size $40/ 240 mL, Sample Size $5/ 30 mL  Another hair conditioner, but I think I'll probably end up using this before the one from the June box.  It has a really nice scent, and it's a lightweight texture that seems like it would be great for quick hydration and detangling. I have long hair, and I like to really saturate from roots to tips, so I'll probably only get two uses out of it. Not sure if it would be enough to convince me of purchasing a full size for $40, but just because I'm cheap when it comes to my conditioners doesn't mean it has less value for others.

Bvlgari Eau Parfumee au the Blanc Shampoo and Shower Gel: Full Size $42/ 6.8 oz, Sample Size $6.08/ 1 oz  Uh, no thank you.  I didn't even use this, as I'm not a fan of the scent.  It's way too perfumy and overpowering.  I wouldn't even use a shampoo that smelled like my favorite perfume.  I prefer for my hair care to have less scent, and to either smell very fresh or fruity.  And again, it was a very mature smell I'd associate with someone older. 

Dr. Brandt BB Matte With Signature Shinerase (light to medium): Full Size $39/ 1 oz, Sample Size $9.75/ .25 oz  It's a tad too dark for me, which I was disappointed with.  It's not too pigmented, so if I had some self tanner on my next or a lot of bronzer I could get away with it, and I might do a full face test run to see how it feels and wear.  On the back of my hand though it felt very nice.  After almost an hour, it still felt freshly hydrated.  It has a stinky smell to me though, so I don't know how long that will last once its on my face or if it will fade quickly.  It didn't mattify immediately, but it didn't look shiney after a few minutes either.  Like I said, I'd have to test it on my full face before making any final conclusions, but it wasn't bad at first test.

Figs and Rouge Cherry Blossom Tinted Lip Balm Tube: Full Size $9 Included  For being the only full size product this month, I was really expecting more from this.  I can't stand the packaging.  I'd have to put some on my fingertip and then apply it to my lips.  I find that annoying.  It has to be an amazing product for me to want to dip my fingers in it and put it on my mouth.  Out and about I feel like I touch too many germs to want to be applying lip products with my fingers for touch up.  Especially when I'm the mom of two small boys.  The scent was also off putting for me.  (I think overall this box wasn't the best on scents!  Or maybe I'm just too sensitive to them?!)  The color was sheer and a bright fuschia, but it didn't have a lot of shine.  It was also thick and sticky.  I wasn't a fan of this at all.  Even though it's all natural products, and the design of the tube is pretty, it still didn't win me over.

Nails Inc Nail Polish in Baker Street: Full Size $9.50/ 10 mL, Sample Size $3.80/ 4 mL  I love this nail polish, but I'm bummed it was such a small size!  Come on Glossybox/Nails, Inc!  For $9.50 a bottle, you couldn't put a full size in here?  I felt cheated a bit.  The color is a gorgeous blue, and the formula is good.  It's a bit thin though, so I recommend multiple coats, but it is nice and creamy.  Dries average, so I use my Seche Vite topcoat to speed it up and give it some nice high shine.  Wore decent amount of time.  I type daily, so I usually get tip wear after a day and a chip by the end of day two.  This lasted about that.

Nicka K New York Absolute! Make-Up Cleansing Tissues: Full Size $6.99/ 60 Sheets, Sample Size $1.17/ 10 Sheets At first glance, I thought I'd never heard of this brand before, but then I realized they are the brand that had the solid fragrance back in May.  They are a cucumber extract enhanced remover, and the cucumber smell is very prevalent.  They do a good job removing the makeup and leaving no residue.  They are soft and fairly durable.  I like these.  I didn't try it against waterproof mascara though, so I can't vouch for how effective they are a long wear products.



This month's box:  Hit or Miss?  Miss   Overall, I didn't find a lot of value in this box.  I don't like the shampoo/shower gel or the lip balm.  The bb cream was the wrong shade, and the nail polish was too small in my opinion.  Combined retail value of full size and sample sizes were $34.90, but that doesn't mean I'll use all of that.  If the bb cream was my shade, and the conditioner really knocks my socks off I'd probably feel differently.  This one just wasn't for "me". 


Is Glossybox for you?  Don't forget to use one of my subscription links below to sign up to receive your own box every month!

**Disclaimer:  This article contains affiliate links.  As with all my articles, the opinions expressed herein are fully my own.  For more information on my policies, please view my Let's Chat page.

IPSY June and July Box Reviews

June 2013 IPSY Subscription Box

June 2013 IPSY Subscription Contents:  {This month's total full size retail value: $43.49}

Starlooks Lip Pencil in Tipsy- Full Size $12.00 included  I've never used anything by Starlooks, but I've heard a lot about them.  The color is a very bright coral color, and it's super pigmented.  The formula glides on nicely without tugging or skipping.  It's not waxy at all, which I love.

NYX Cream Blush in Boho Chic- Full Size $6.00 included  I'm not a big fan of the texture of this as a cream blush.  It's a little too greasy and emollient for me.  It leaves a lot of shine on the skin.  The color is able to be applied in sheer layers, but it feels heavy on my skin when I build it up to the pigmentation I prefer.  I'll either use this as a lip tint or just give it to someone, since I just swatched it.  I'm disappointed, because I usually love the NYX products, and their powder blushes are so great for the price!

J. Cat Beauty Sparkling Cream Palette in Suzie- Full Size $4.49 included  This was an epic fail in my mind.  The quality of the packaging in combination with the gritty cheap cream "shadow" itself reminds me of something I would find in a Barbie makeup kit for a six year old.  I don't want to even try it on my face.  I swatched some on the back of my hand, and all that I was left with was a greasy spot with glitter that rubbed off almost immediately.  The glitter colors are very pretty, and this might be useable for a Halloween look in a few months.  Overall, I wasn't happy at all with this product.

Cailyn Line-Fix Gel Eyeliner in Iron- Full Size $21.00 included  Another full size product, but not another product I'm looking forward to using.  I don't really like grey eyeliner on myself, but it's not a bad thing to have in my makeup kit.  The brush that comes with it is too thick to get a thin precise line, so I have to use another brush.  The formula looks a bit dry, but the pigmentation seems decent. I'll use it for a photoshoot as a shadow base for a smokey look and see if I like it any better.  Right now I'm neutral on it.  Not hating it, but not loving it either.

Psssst! Dry Shampoo- Full Size $6.99 for 5.3 oz, Sample Size $2.99 for 1.7 oz I keep this in my hair kit for my boudoir and headshot clients, and it's an amazing dry shampoo.  It doesn't have a heavy scent, and it works quickly to reduce shine from excess oil and add a boost of volume to roots.  Sometimes I'll use it on my clean hair at the roots to give them a bit of texture before I do a topknot.  It also adds a bit of grip to my fine locks.  And since it's a travel size, it's perfect for my vacation bag!  Yay!  Another item added without having to hit the travel section at Target!

Leopard Print Cosmetic Bag


This month's box:  Hit or Miss?   Big Hit For Value, although the cream palette was a major bust in my opinion, and I'm not a fan of the cream blush.  Major bonus points for almost everything being full size though!

July 2013 IPSY Subscription Box

July 2013 IPSY Subscription Contents: { This month's total full size retail value: $0.00!}

Pop Beauty Pouty Pop Crayon in Coral Crush- Full Size $25/6 crayons, Sample Size $4.17/1 crayon  Even though it's part of a set of six crayons, the one in the bag itself is a full size lip crayon.  The color is called Coral Crush, although against my skin tone it comes off a little more on the pink side, like a fun watermelon color.  It's very pigmented and emollient, and there's a faint peppermint scent to it.  When you apply it there is a very slight cooling sensation.  Pop Beauty is a brand I've wanted to test out for a while, so I'm hoping that they show up more often in my IPSY boxes.  *Fingers crossed for a nail polish soon!*

BH Cosmetics California Collection Eyeshadow Sample- Full Size $7/16 eyeshadows plus 4 blushes, Sample Size $1.05/3 eyeshadows  These are three beautiful colors!  I love how pigmented they are, and the formula is very silky for such an inexpensive brand.  They coordinate really nicely together, and I think I'll do a sultry royal purple and gold look for my anniversary date in just 13 short days!  Eeek!

Sexy Hair Soy Renewal Beach Spray- Full Size $19.95/5.1 oz, Sample Size $6.65/1.7 oz  Every year we spend our anniversary in Florida, but this year we won't be leaving until a few days after to head down.  Along with my sultry eye look, I'll be channeling my inner Victoria's Secret model with some sexy beachy waves instead!  Another item I keep in my hair kit, I'll happily be replacing my current bottle when it runs out with this.  It's like IPSY has seen into my hair kit and knows just how to keep me happy!

Coola Mineral Face SPF 20 Moisturizer- Full Size $36/1.7 oz, Sample Size $4.87/.23 oz  I think everyone is going for some type of sunscreens in their subscription boxes lately, so this is just another one that I'll be adding to my stash.  At least I don't have to go shopping for much!  The formula is nice and thin and absorbs quickly into the skin with no greasy residue.  It starts off white, and despite containing titanium dioxide, it doesn't look chalky on the skin.  There is no scent added, but you can smell a bit of the natural ingredients, so it's not an unpleasant 'sunscreen' odor.  The main ingredient is safflower seed oil, so it's got some good hydrating properties without being heavy.  I think it's a bit overpriced for a sunscreen, but it's decent for a higher end moisturizer.  I think it needs to pick one direction and focus.  If it wants to be a sunscreen, it needs to be a better price point.  If it wants to be a moisturizer, it needs to "do" more for the skin than just hydrate with some sun protection.  (Never mind that I'm talking about the product like it's got a brain or something... but you get what I'm saying... right?)

Derma E Microdermabrasion Scrub- Full Size $32.50/2 oz, Sample Size $16.25/1 oz  What a generous sample!  I've never heard of the brand before, but their generosity and the overall scent of the product has already started to win me over.  The product has a nice sweet lemony scent, like fresh baked lemon squares.  The texture is gritty, like a scrub should be, but it's not overly harsh.  I wish it came with the ingredients listed, but IPSY provides all that information in my Glam Room online so it's not too big of a deal.  It contains a nice blend of natural plant oils like sweet almond and sweet orange and jojoba, along with brightening benefits of lemon peel oil and exfoliants like volcanic ash and dead sea salt.  There's also a bit of kaolin clay, so it should be good at not only removing dead skin from blocking pores but helping to draw some of the impurities out at the same time.  I'm in the process of testing out a different exfoliating scrub on my face right now, so a more in depth review of this will have a to wait a bit.

Clear Pink Cosmetic Bag



This month's box:  Hit or Miss?  Big Hit for great products.  The total value of the bag was $32.99, although none of the products this month were full size on their own.  They were either full size pieces of a collection, or a generous sample size of the product.  I'm excited to use almost every single product in this month's box, so this is definitely a huge winner in my book despite not technically having any "full" size products included.


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Join IPSY for just $10 a month!


**Disclaimer:  This article contains referral links.  As with all my articles, the opinions expressed herein are fully my own.  For more information on my policies, please view my Let's Chat page.

BeautyBox5 June and July Box Reviews

June 2013 Beauty Box 5 Subscription

Brazen Eyeshadow Sample in Omega

July 2013 Beauty Box 5 Subscription

June 2013 Beauty Box 5 Subscription Contents:  {This month's total full size retail value: $7.99}

Coolway Cool Cleanse Shampoo- Full Size 8.6 oz for $25, Sample Size 1 oz {approx value $2.90}
I haven't used this yet, but I plan on taking it with me on vacation next month.  The past few months of subscriptions to four different companies has fully stocked my travel bag, and I couldn't be happier!  This says it's a gentle and nourishing formula that strengthens and hydrates while reducing breakage and frizz.  Hopefully it won't strip the color from my hair like most shampoos do, but it's ok for a short trip.

Coolway Cool Hydrate Conditioner- Full Size 8.6 oz for $25, Sample Size 1 oz {approx value $2.90}
Again, I haven't used this yet, but it pretty much has the same properties as the shampoo.  The 1 oz size makes it nice for travel, and I should be able to get at least 2-3 uses out of these to see if they would be worth purchasing full size.  However, the $25 for only 8.6 oz makes me a bit skeptical.  If they are really awesome, I'll look for them at one of the beauty supply stores around that sell the salon sizes for $32+ for liter duos.

Just Being Sexy Body Bronzer- Full Size 6 fl oz for $49, Sample Size .54 oz {approx value $4.41} Two tiny little foil packets that only equal a half ounce combined?  I doubt I'll ever use them at all, and these are going into my "trade" stash for the online sample trading sites.  It seems too pricy for me, and I'm not a big body bronzer person to begin with.  I like my nice daily DHA moisturizers.  This could be an awesome product, but foil packets are a pain the you-know-what to use for body applications.  If it had come in a little squeeze tube, I might have tried it.

Brazen Cosmetics Eyeshadow- Full Size .18 oz included $7.99 value
I was a little shocked to find that this was the full size of the shadow.  It's so small, and frankly the packaging leaves a lot to be desired.  It's messy and looks cheap.  The color is more lilac than blue.  My camera just wasn't picking up colors correctly.  I'm not one for blue eyeshadows to begin with, and I prefer pressed to loose, but I'll at least try it out to see if the wear is worthwhile.  Still, my initial impression of the product itself has me doubtful I'd purchase this brand in the future.

Aveeno Protect + Hydrate Lotion Sunscreen- Full Size 3 oz for $9.99, Sample Size .5 oz {approx value $1.67}  Also included was a $1 off coupon for Aveeno sun care products.  I love Aveeno, and this is the perfect size for me to toss in my purse for days when I'm unexpectedly out in the sun more than I anticipated.  This one says it's water-resistant for up to 80 minutes, too!  It's only an SPF 30, so I'd use it on myself rather than my kids, but it's nice to have on hand just in case.


This month's box:  Hit or Miss?   Miss  Overall, I didn't find much personal value to these products.  The full size retail value was really low this month, and the $7.99 price tag for the full size shadow seems high for the quality.  If you add the approximate values together, you only get an extra $11.88, making the grand total value $19.97.  This is low for what I've come to expect from these types of boxes.

July 2013 Beauty Box 5 Subscription Contents: {This month's total full size retail value: $24.98}

Every Beauty Foot Smoother- Full Size $8.99 included I usually go to the spa to get my feet done, but this buffer block says that it can be used on knees and elbows as well, so I think I'll try this out after a long soak in the tub some night.  There are two sides to the block, one more coarse than the other, and it says that it can be washed and sanitized.  This actually looks kind of cool to me, and already with this one item the value of this month's box is higher than June's. Off to a good start!

Jean Pierre Cosmetics Nail Polish remover Wipes- Full Size 10 wipes for $3.99, Sample Size 2 wipes {approx value $.80}  I love keeping nail polish remover wipes in my kit for unexpected emergencies on wedding days or photoshoots, so these were a very welcome addition this month!  I'd love to get two of these every month!  It's amazing how handy remover wipes that are individually wrapped prove to be.

Be A Bombshell Lip Gloss in Kiss Off- Full Size .11 oz for $14.00 included  I love all of the Be A Bombshell products I've tried, and this gloss is no exception. It's a beautiful cool blue based pink, with very subtle silver shimmer that isn't chunky and glittery.  The only thing I'd change is that it doesn't have a "scent" to it, which I like on my lipglosses.  I was also excited to see that it's a full size.

LA Fresh Travel Lite Antibacterial Wipes- Full Size 8 wipes for $1.99 included  Being a mom, the convenience of a pack of anti-bac wipes I can toss in my purse is so nice!  The LA Fresh brand has been popping up in my subscription boxes for a few months now, and they seem to be all about convenience and individually packed products.

Airelle Age Defying Facial Serum- Full Size .85 fl oz for $158.00, Sample Size .25 fl oz {approx value $46.47}  Also included was a coupon for a Free Berrimatrix Eye and Lip Treatment with the purchase of any Airelle product before 8/31/13.  This was a huge sample!  I've never heard of this brand before, but I like what I see so far.  It uses natural ingredients with no parabens, sulfates, or fragrances.  The very first ingredient is aloe vera leaf juice rather than water, and it also contains hyaluronic acid (a humectant that hold 1000 times its weight in water to help hydrate and plump skin) plus Vitamins A, C, and E.  I'm almost all out of my current serum, so this came at the perfect time.

$10 Coupon Code for MyNameNecklace.com {Not pictured}


This month's box:  Hit or Miss?  Major Hit   The combined retail value alone makes this a great box this month, but I'm also excited that every single thing in it is something I will use!  The serum sample size is amazing, and it looks like such a great product I probably would have been happy with this alone.  Total combined full size and sample size value is a whopping $72.25!!!  July's box fully redeemed Beauty Box 5 after the disappointment of June's box.  I'm looking forward to seeing what I get for August!


Is Beauty Box 5 for you?  Don't forget to use one of my subscription links below to sign up to receive your own box every month!

**Disclaimer:  This article contains affiliate links.  As with all my articles, the opinions expressed herein are fully my own.  For more information on my policies, please view my Let's Chat page.

May Glossybox Review

Here's what I received in my May GLOSSYBOX

Etre Belle Collagen And Aloe Vera Hydro Mask-  I haven't used this yet, but I'm planning on doing it some time soon.  It looks nice, and I usually have good luck with the kinds of masks like these.  It's a serum soaked into a cloth "mask" that you lay on your skin, and the serum absorbs into your skin.  A box of ten is only $39.50, much cheaper than the spa!  Broken down that's only $3.95 per use, just under double what you'd pay for the individual sale packets of the brand I usually buy from Target.  We'll see if they hold up!

Nicka K New York Absolute! Perfume Stick-  This stuff smells amazing!  A very sweet summery type fragrance with just a hint of floral undertones and the ease of a stick.  Will make packing for a vacation super easy, because you don't have to worry about the bottle breaking.  Plus, solid perfumes last longer since the alcohols in liquid that carry the fragrance evaporate more quickly.  I was pleasantly surprised to find that it was a full size, and it retails for only $14.99!

Xtreme Lashes Glide Liner Long Lasting Eye Pencil in Black Pearl plus Sharpener- (Value $29 for liner, $3 for sharpener)  Being a lash extensions professional myself, I was really excited to see this in my box this month.  The value of this product alone makes the $21 I paid for the whole box worth it.  The color is called Black Pearl, but it's more of a deep purple with blue undertones.  It says "the look of a liquid liner, with the ease of a pencil", and it lives up to the claim.  It glides on so smoothly and very deeply pigmented.  The brand is made for people who wear eyelash extensions, so the formula won't interfere with the lash glue, and you don't need a harsh eye makeup remover to take it off (which can also interfere with the lash glue.)

Sebastian Volupt Spray Volume Building Spray Gel- I don't think I'll ever use this on myself, since I'm not a fan of gel to begin with, but it's a nice travel size that I can throw into my hair kit if I need some time.  Most likely though, it'll end up in a swap or just collecting dust.  I'd have preferred a mouse or hairspray, or even a shine serum.  There was a coupon for a free Shaper or Shaper Plus with $15 Sebastian purchase at Ulta, valid only until June 5th.  Considering I didn't get my box until the last week of May, I'm kind of annoyed.

European Wax Center Slow It Body Wash and The Exfoliate Sample Packets-  More samples that will end up in a swap somewhere probably.  I might try the exfoliate, since a single use is ok for a body product.  But the body wash isn't going to really influence my hair growth with a quarter size sample.  Definitely not enough to convince me to buy.  There was a coupon for a free wax at one of their participating locations, but the closest one is an hour away from me.  Maybe for my next bikini wax, if I'm already in the area.  Otherwise, I'll stick to the salon a mile from my house.

Epionce Intense Defense Serum-  Too pricey for me to buy full size at $136 for 30 ML, but it did feel really nice on my skin.  It absorbed quickly with no residue, and it felt very silky.

April Glossybox Review

I have to admit, I was a tiny bit let down in April with my Glossybox.  Not that the products weren't good ones, but most just weren't products that I could see myself using.  My March box was way more impressive, and I'm really looking forward to the next one.  (The boxes are so sturdy and great for organizing my makeup collection, too!)  It's almost time for my May Glossybox to arrive, I know, and I apologize that this post is so late in coming.  I totally spaced and didn't realize until now that I hadn't done my review yet.

Here's a breakdown on what I got for the month of April in my Glossybox subscription:

#1: Wash with Joe shower gel in Coffeemint- It's a nice little travel size, and the scent isn't too overpowering, so overall this is a good sample this month.  It's not girly either, so I can have my husband use it in his travel bathroom kit for vacations.

#2: Tigi Glow Blush in Brilliance-  It's a baked blush, and the texture is very velvety.  There isn't too much color payoff when I swipe it with my finger, but I haven't tried it with a brush on my face yet.  It's sitting in my "to be tested" box on my bathroom counter right now.  I'll do a follow up post on this blush once I've had time to really review it.

#3: Bamboo Style Boho Waves Tousled Texture Mist-  I used this the other day right out of the shower on towel-dried hair.  I spritzed it liberally then pulled it all up into a french braid and left it for most of the day.  I was left with gorgeous beachy waves, just in time for bed.  I haven't used it for immediate styling, but the waves did stay for a few days until my next shampoo, and the scent is nice.  Most testing required for a real verdict!

#4: The Honest Co Lip Balm in Sweet Orange Vanilla-  This smells amazing.  The texture is not too waxy, which I find can be a problem with a lot of organic lipbalms that are based with beeswax.  This one actually lists sunflower seed oil as its first ingredient, and it helps it stay very emollient and gives it good slip.

#5: Bulgari Tea Bag for Bath-I think this where I started to get a bit of disappointment.  It's a one time use sample, and those really bug me.  If I'm going to buy a fragrance, I need to wear it a few times to really see how the scent suits me.  I much prefer the little sample vials with a spritzer.  I'm sure I'll never take this out of the foil, as a tea bag for the bath sounds cool... but when I'm in the bathtub I've got bath bombs or oils in there to soften my skin.  Unless I step out looking like I belong in a fragrance ad for Bulgari, I don't want there products in my bathwater.  I'm there to get soft clean skin, not smell like a French whorehouse.  Just my $.02.

#6: Le Metier De Beaute Replenishing Daily Solution Sample (not pictured)- Another single use packet.  And to top it off, it's for a ridiculously expensive product.  Yes, I know I'm only paying $20 a month for the subscription.  They need to budget the per use, and this stuff is $225 per bottle, so a single use technically has a lot of "value" to it.  However, a single use of a skincare product is not nearly enough to convince me to spend that kind of money.  Even if it's attached to a card with a code for $75 off.  $150 is still way too much when I don't know what kind of results it's going to give me.

Compared with the subscription boxes I got for Ipsy and Beautybox5 in April, I don't really have a clear favorite.  They were all just pretty much ok for me. There weren't any stand out products, although the blush from the Ipsy bag was very pretty and well reviewed by a lot of beauty gurus on YouTube.  I think if I'm going purely on value, the Ipsy bag was the best this month, since there were two full size products, and it's only $10 a month.  Glossybox still trumps everyone though on per use value if you take into account the skincare sample and coupon, and the number of items you receive.  Which box do you prefer this month?

Ipsy

BeautyBox5

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