Pinch Me Box Review - Box 7

My Pinch Me box has arrived, which is always a surprise, because they take a while to get here and they don't include a tracking number. Pinch Me are free samples that apply to your family by your personal profile. New samples are released on Tuesdays about once a month. 

Olay Fresh Outlast Body Wash in Cooling White Strawberry & Mint

$5.49 - 13.5 fl oz          

I have used Olay body wash in the past, and I have always been satisfied. This body wash lathers well and smells great. I like that it leaves me really clean without leaving my skin dry and itchy like other body washes I've tried. Normally, I wouldn't pick out this scent from the store, because it reminds me of what I'd pick out as a teenager, but I like the light scent, and the mint makes it a little more grownup. I like this sample, and I would be happy to pick it up in the store if I see if at a good price. 

NakedWines.com $100 Wine Voucher

This unfortunately doesn't ship to my state, so you all are more than welcome to use this if you'd you. This was a freebie that shipped within my box with my other free samples. I rarely use these, because they wrap you into a subscription at a high price, and you have to spend more money, in this case double, to use the gift card. I prefer my box of wine anyways. It stays fresh for a long time, and now they box higher end wines.  

Gevalia Kaffe House Blend Regular Ground Coffee

$12.99 - 20 oz         

This is a much richer coffee than I am used to with my local brand, but it is nice to drink this once in a while. This sample is enough for a pot of coffee, and I drank it right up. It tastes really luxurious, and would be great to make espresso. I did see this brand while shopping during my last trip to the grocery store, and I didn't pick it up. I much prefer my light roast breakfast blend full of caffeine. I did like the sample, though. 

Nivea In-Shower Nourishing Body Lotion

$5.69 - 13.5 oz              

I've actually tried this before from a previous subscription box, and I am happy to receive another sample, because this is the best. My skin is really dry in the winter, and I have to lotion my entire body after I get out of the shower. This goes on after body wash is rinsed off, and you have to again rinse this off your body. I don't mind this extra step, because it does save time afterwards. I did have to put additional lotion on my feet and I have a special lotion for my face, but the rest of my body felt completely moisturized. This is a great product and I will be buying some for this winter.  

This box is only worth $1.90, which is fine because the box is completely free. I really like all my samples, and I plan on buying two of the three. I didn't include the wine voucher in the total, because it doesn't apply to me, but I hope someone out there will get use out of it. I really like Pinch Me, and when I remember, it is always nice to get some free samples to try out. 

If you would like to try Pinch Me for yourself, just click here. 

Birchbox Man: The Fragrance Flight Review

I decided to purchase the woman's scent sampler for myself and thought I'd treat my boyfriend to a new scent of his own. He hasn't really worn cologne since I've met him five years ago, and his only memory of fragrance can be found at your local drug store. I really want to update his scent, and thought that this would be a cool way for him to test out a few colognes and find what he really likes. 

This scent sampler costs $20, but comes with a $30 gift card that can be used towards a full size fragrance. That means that you are initially getting this sampler for free, but you still get to test out your new favorite scent. I like that all Birchbox boxes come with a descriptive card that describes the scent and their inspirations. This really helps me understand what I am smelling, and it helps my boyfriend know what notes he is really into. 

CoSTUME NATIONAL Eau de Parfum SOUL

$150.00 - 100 ml          

This cologne opens with cardamom, bergamot, leather, and oud wood, and is accompanied by notes of mellon, vanilla bean, grey amber, and patchouli. This is my least favorite cologne of the group. I thought I would really like it because of the patchouli, but that part has actually thrown me off a little. It is just a little spicy, and mixing those scents with all the natural scents makes it a little weird. This is a good cologne for an outdoors man or your lumberjack hipster. My boyfriend is neither, so he's passing on this one. 

Histoires de Parfumes 1899

$125.00 - 60 ml             

This is by far my favorite scent of the flight. The top notes include bergamot, juniper, and black pepper, and smaller notes of orange blossom, iris, cinnamon, vetiver, vanilla, and yellow amber. This is my favorite scent of the five. I like that this is based off the year 1899 and the cologne really reminds me of what I would've smelled around that time. I could really see my grandpa wearing this, but it is definitely young enough to be worn by someone in their 20's. I really hate cinnamon, but it works in with the other notes. This was my boyfriend's top two, and I would really like him to try the other scents from this brand. 

Thirdman Eau Monumentale 

$105.00 - 100 ml                    

This scent begins with a base of bergamot and mimosa with woodsy notes. This was my second favorite cologne of the five. This is a very grown up scent, but loved smelling this on my 27 year old boyfriend. The mimosa note mixed with the typical woodsy and bergamot scents made this fragrance lighter and a little bubblier than your typical cologne. I could see my boyfriend wearing this to any nicer event which includes nights out, dinner dates, or weddings. I hope this in the fragrance that he chooses to purchase, because I think it fits his personality the best. 

Montale Aoud Forest 

$120.00 - 50 ml                

This cologne blends notes of ocean spray, citrus, and ginger with notes of rosemary, oud wood, mellon, white musk, and ambergris. This has to make my top three. I don't like it as much as the last two, because the ocean spray makes it smell a little cheap, but the ginger, mellon, and wood notes bring this one back to life. I do like that the musk makes it really fresh smelling, and makes me consider this a more adventurous cologne. Unfortunately  my boyfriend didn't really care for this one too much. I could really see him wearing this to parties, brunch, or on an adventurous date. 

Etat Libre d'Orange Cologne

$149.00 - 100 ml             

This cologne is full of orange, bergamot, and orange blossom with notes of jasmine, leather, and musk. This is one of those deeper darker scents, and the orange blossom gives it a deep citrus overtone. This one wasn't one of my favorites, but it was definitely not my least favorite. I could see other people really enjoying this cologne, but I don't really care for the scent nor did my boyfriend. He will not be using his gift certificate on the one. 

My top two favorites were the Thurman and the 1899. Those were my boyfriends top two also. I am not sure which one he is going to pick, but I'd be really happy smelling either of them on him. I'll be trying to get much closer to him when he wears them. I estimate this Fragrance Flight to be worth $13.79 which doesn't include the $30 gift card. I am pretty happy with the value of this and it is a fun way to find a new scent at a good price.  

If you would like to try The Fragrance Flight for yourself, just click here. For only $20, you could get $13 worth of cologne samples and a $30 gift card to spend on a full size fragrance. 

Bulu Box July 2015 Review + $5 for Life Coupon Code

I never know when my Bulu Box is going to arrive, because the shipping usually doesn't update until after I get it, but I am always happy about the surprise. Bulu Box is a health and fitness sample subscription box with some full size items that runs for $10 a month. I like to try out each sample to really give me a boost in health and fitness. I am excited to see what Bulu Box has in store for me this month. 

Bulu Box also has a rewards program. You get a dollar to spend in their shop on full size items for every review you complete on your samples. You usually get five samples each month, but sometimes you get a few more. These points do expire, so be sure to spend them within the 90 time limit. Otherwise, these boxes aren't really worth the cost unless you really like trying out supplements and healthy snack foods. 

Runa Guayusa Tea in Mint

$35.99 - 96 tea bags              

I love green tea, and even though I am a little sad about the tiny sample, I really enjoyed this cup of tea. The mint flavor was subtle yet delicious. This box is all about health and fitness, and this tea is great for you. The green tea gives you natural energy and is full of antioxidants. I like this brand of tea, but I won't be buying from Bulu. That is mainly because you have to purchase so much at once. If I find this at my local grocery store, I will definitely pick some up. 

UP4 Kids Cubes in Yummy Vanilla

$29.95 - 60 cubes        

I son't have any kids, and I know my nieces and nephews wouldn't appreciate this, so I just tried it for myself. Haha. Might as well, right? The flavor reminded me of a white chocolate easter bunny. I would say that is a good thing. I could definitely see children enjoying these cubes. I like how they are all individually packaged so they stay fresh. These white chocolate cubes are a daily probiotic that your kids will be happy to eat. I would like to see an adult version of these. 

Mediterra Nutritional Bars in Sundried Tomato & Basil

$23.99 - 12 bars         

Nutritional bars aren't really my favorite item, and while I noted that in my survey, I seem to keep getting them. This bar did taste very healthy, but that also means it didn't taste very good. I am a tomato lover, but sundried tomatoes have always tasted a little weird for me. I like all the natural ingredients, and this did leave me full for hours. I would like to try different flavors of this, because I am sure if I like the main flavors I would like it a little more. 

Yerba Prima Fiber Plus Powder

$16.55 - 48 servings          

I normally don't enjoy adding powders into my food, because they add flavors that stand out. That being said, I added this to a heavy green smoothy that isn't too great on taste to begin with. I am not sure if it was the smoothie, the coffee, or the fiber powder, but it definitely cleansed my colon and left me feeling less bloated and lighter. I do try to get my daily dose of fiber, but I normally don't end up getting enough. This is a great way to add fiber to my diet, but I probably wouldn't end up using it as much as I'd like. I might get some to use once in a while, but I'll continue to try to get my fiber from fiber rich foods. 

Island Boost in Passion

$25.75 - 10 packs       

This product is great for the long distance runner, biker, or swimmer. I have participated in some marathons in my day, so I know how important it is to have long lasting energy. Once in a while cramping keeps me back from long runs, and sometimes I am the longest distance from home at that point. I like this small packet that you can bring with you. I started to feel a little low on energy and a little crampy, so I drank this during a quick break. It tasted alright, not good or bad, and it worked pretty quickly. I could feel an extra burst of energy that would definitely help me finish the race. If I plan on running another marathon, I will definitely pick some of these up.  

I am not too excited about this month's Bulu Box. The last few boxes contained full size items and was well worth the cost. I know that you get at least $5 worth of points to use in the shop by reviewing samples, but this month I didn't get the $5 worth of points for the box. I think I am going to use the code BULU5 to get my boxes for $5 a month for life. That will definitely make this box worth it. I estimate this box to be worth $7.29. That isn't too good since I did spend $10 for these samples. I guess they had to make up for my last few boxes that were jammed packed with value. 

If you would like to try Bulu Box for yourself, just click here. Be sure to use a coupon code to get $5 off for life, but it is only for a limited time. 

Birchbox Scent Sampler: Elegant Essentials Review

Every once in a while, Birchbox releases a scent sampler complete with seven fragrance samples to try, love, or hate and includes a $30 gift card to put towards a full size perfume. The last one they came out with, I decided to pass because I had already sampled a few of those perfumes from receiving them in my Birchbox. This one was perfect. While I did already sample one of the seven scents, I really enjoyed it, and wouldn't mind receiving another sample. 

Each sampler comes with a description card that lists out each perfume, their significant notes, and their inspiration. This really helps me pick out notes that I like and others that I like to avoid. I wish they had prices also, but I know that perfumes come in different sizes, so that might be more confusing. I am excited to test these different fragrances and hope that I find a new perfume that I love. 

CLEAN Warm Cotton Eau de Parfum 

$69.00 - 2.14 fl oz   

This powdery fragrance mixes scents of floral, fruit, marine, and a hint of musk. It sounds very pretty, but this cotton scent reminds me of laundry detergent or a candle that I burn regularly. I do like the scent, but not as a perfume. I would not like to wear this on my body ever. This is a weird sample container too. It isn't a roll or a spray, so I'd have to dab this on my wrists and neck. I'm glad that I sampled this, because I know to never purchase the full size bottle. 

Comptoir Sud Pacifique Vanille Abricot 

$29.00 - 30 ml           

This interesting scent includes apricot, papaya, sugar candy, and vanilla. It mixes the sweet softness of vanilla with the hard fruity scent of apricot, so it begins really light and smooth and ends with a deep rich, mature scent. This is a scent that is very original, and while I didn't care for it when I first put it on, it has really grown on me. I like that this bottle comes with a stick for dabbing. This scent is perfect for a late summer date night, a trip to a winery, or a bonfire on the beach. It is the perfect mixture of a mature and young scent. 

Folle de Joie Eau de Parfum

$98.00 - 3.4 fl oz      

This is the one scent that I have sampled before, and I have to say I like it just as much as I did the first time. It has notes of mandarin, rose, and sandalwood. It is inspired by both sunny California and romantic Paris. I like how this is a feminine scent without being too feminine. It is fresh, too! If this had a bit of citrus, it would seriously be the best scent for me. I would wear this anytime I want to feel a little dressed up, yet a little casual. I have a few baby and bridal showers coming up this will be perfect for. I can also say I appreciate the spray bottle. It makes the application so much easier. 

Juliette Has a Gun Anyway

$120 - 100 ml            

I really like this perfume. It smells just as you would think by the design of the packaging. It has equal scents of citrus, woods, and musk. I could see my past punk self loving this. This is definitely a little darker scent and masculine. I love how the citrus mixes with the woods and musk. If this had a smaller bottle, I would be using my gift card on it, but I don't think I'd want a full bottle of this scent, because I wouldn't wear it that often, and I really don't care to pay that price. I am going to use this sample wisely, because I'd like it to last. 

L'Artisan La Chasse Aux Papillons Eau de Toilette 

$100 - 50 ml         

This sample was only half full, which made me laugh, because it is already a super small sample. I don't care too much anyways, because this scent just isn't for me. It isn't as bad as the first cotton perfume, but it just isn't the scent for me. The main two scents in the perfume is white flowers and bright citrus. I can really smell the flower, but the citrus doesn't stand out to my on my skin. If you take a big smell, I get a soapy after scent. It is light, so I could consider wearing this during these bright summer months, but it is just too powdery and flowery for everyday wear. 

Raw Spirit Fragrances Desert Blush Eau de Parfum

$90.00 - 30 ml      

This is another interesting scent for me, and I can say it reminds me a desert. This one contains notes of boronia, land land, and sandalwood. The sandalwood really sticks out to me, but is matched with a sweet floral scent. Everytime I smell this perfume I think of a musky wood stove. If I lived in the west, or preferred to smell more masculine, this would be a great scent, but I am glad I gave it a good effort, because I would normally be drawn to those notes, and I wouldn't want to have wasted money on a full size bottle.  

TOCCA Eau de Parfum in Isabel 

$68.00 - 1.7 fl oz           

This particular scent is middle of the road for me. I've received TOCCA samples before in my Birchbox, but none of their perfumes. I do like the TOCCA brand, and expected to really like this scent. The packaging again gives the perfect suggestion of what this scent is like. It mixes rose, orange, and amber to create a soft and feminine perfume that is bright and elegant. I could see a lot of people really enjoying this scent, and I could wear it now and again, but I don't think I'd every purchase a full size of this. It is really cool to sample, though, and when I wear it I get a ton of compliments from girls who would be more likely to fall in love. 

I really liked this scent sampler, and have found a few fragrances that I love and others that I hate. My top three are the folly de joie, Juliette has a Gun, and comptoir sud pacifique. I don't know which of the three I will spend my $30 towards, but it will definitely be one of the three. I always like to figure out how much the products are worth, and I estimate these fragrance samples to total $14.55. I spent $25 on these samples which includes the $30 gift card, so I would say these are well worth the price. I will probably use all of these scents except one, so they won't be used to just pick out my new perfume. 

If you would like to try this season's scent sampler, just click here. I would get this if I were already planning on purchasing a perfume, because technically it is a $5 discount with perks. I can't wait for Birchbox to release their next scent sampler. 

Target Beauty Box Back to College 2015 Review - Top of the Class

Target came out with another beauty box, and much sooner than I would have expected. I feel like their summer box just came out, but this one is all ready for fall. I subscribe to two drug store brand subscription boxes, and this is my favorite of the two. Target has always had a good eye on fashion and beauty, and they always seem to be ahead of the curve. 

This fall box came in two varieties, Honor Roll and the one featured here, Head of the Class. I didn't purchase in time to receive the Honor Roll box, and it was already sold out, but I did get to purchase the Head of the Class box, which is the one I would prefer anyways. I really like this card's design, and the itemized description on the back is always helpful. Each card comes with a $3 off $15 coupon at target on anything in their beauty section. I have yet to use one, mainly because I receive most of the beauty products I need in these boxes. 

Wet n Wild Mega Volume Plus Mascara in Amp'd Black

$4.99 - 0.27 fl oz

I've always thought Wet n Wild to be a cheap brand. But, just because it is cheap in cost, the actual brand tends to have makeup that matches your typical drugstore items. I was pleasantly surprised by this formula and the way it coated my lashes and gave them tons of volume. My lashes were really big, and I would be happy to wear this as a base. This isn't the best mascara I've ever tried, but it is great for the price. I might have to buy this product over and over. 

The Bathery Luxury Pumice

$1.99

I have always wanted a pumice and the calluses on my feet prove I need one. I don't know why I have yet to purchase one, but having one in this subscription box is well appreciated. I really like the two different scrubbing levels, and the light blue coloring is very cute. This did a great job smoothing the bottoms of my feet. I would prefer this in a summer box, but it is still sandal weather, so I will get great use out of this. Also, you always want to look your best when you are off to school, so this is a great way to give your feet a manicure. Since it is so cheap, I will be buying this over and over. 

Yes to Cucumbers Face Towelettes

$2.99 - 10 count 

I love this brand, and frequently purchase it, especially at Target ironically. I like the soothing effect of the cucumber in all of these products, and I prefer the soothing quality in a face towelettes. I used this after a workout to clean my face of grit and sweat so it wouldn't rest on my face until I could jump in the shower. I really like how this left my face feeling refreshed and soft, but it did leave a slight seen. I wouldn't use this as the only face wash unless it's a late night. I also like how this product is mostly all natural. 

Goody Ouchless No Metal Elastics

$4.79 - 37 count         

I have moved past your typical hair ties the elastic ribbon ties as of late, but those tend to keep a looser ponytail, so these are definitely ideal for a workout. The colors are a little bright for me too, but if I wear these solely to the gym, they might actually cheer up my mood. I do like the ouchless variety without a metal band, and these hold my hair really tight. I think any girl would be happy to bring these with them to school. No one wants to pack on that freshman fifteen. 

Hollywood Fashion Secrets Fashion Tape 

$8.89 - 36 strips     

This is a product I never knew I needed, but found many ways my wardrobe required it. This is the perfect tape to hold together the blouse bulge or keep a strapless dress up where it belongs. It did hold up the entire time using this tape, which really surprised me. I am sure I will find many ways and reasons to use this tape. Without much time, I will probably have to buy more. This sample only contained six strips. 

COVERGIRL Colorlicious Lip Gloss

$5.99 - 0.12 fl oz

I don't tend to wear lip gloss, because I don't like the sticky and glossy effect, so I was already not in love with this product. I wanted to give it a try, though, and I was pleasantly surprised. The color is light, and the formula wasn't too sticky. I did not like the shimmer, though. It reminds me way too much of middle school. I won't purchase this product in the future, and I probably won't wear it too often, but I might break it out of the drawer every now and then. 

Herbal Essences Wild Naturals Illuminating Dry Oil Spray 

$5.99 - 2.8 oz

On the plus side, this smells great. When I wore it in my hair, I could smell the scent all day, and I really enjoyed that. On the negative side, this left my hair looking a little greasier than I like. It is a dry oil spray meant to create shininess, but my hair doesn't need any help on those grounds. It tends to get greasy within less than 24 hours after I wash it, so added shine is really not necessary for my hair type. I bet this would be great for someone with dry hair, or hair that is thick and dull. I will have to pass it along to one of my friends with those qualities. 

I am always very happy with the value of these boxes. They only cost $5, and I estimate the value to be about $23.82. The cost would purchase the mascara alone, so the rest of the items are initially freebees. The hair oil and the lip gloss aren't really for me, but I will use up all the other products happily. I hope Target will come out with additional boxes this fall. They usually only come out seasonally, but this one is still in the middle of summer, so I'm hoping that fall will bring at least one more box. 

Target Beauty Boxes come out sporadically, and they sell out completely within 24 hours usually, so if you want one, you really have to keep your eye out. I wish they did them by subscription. But, as long as they keep them this cheap, I will diligently be keeping my eye out. 

PopSugar Must Have July 2015 Review

Popsugar is the box I look forward to most each month, and I always count down the days until it arrives at my door. PopSugar is a monthly subscription box for $39.95 and delivers items that are trending or the best in fashion, beauty, home, fitness, food, and more. I like the variation of these products, and the items are usually all something that I use and love. I hope that there are some items that I end up falling in love with in this month's box. 

I always set the card aside for the time being and so not to spoil what is inside. After I look at each item separately, I like to see what each one is worth and read more about the product. I like how this card lists out each item, as some subscriptions don't include an itemized card. This month's key words are: Beach Days, Easy Travel, Summer Heat, Fourth of July, and Stripes. These are all words that I associate with July, and I am excited to what items they've picked out to go along with these inspirational words. 

Henri Bendel Signature Stripe Canvas Dopp Kit

$28.00

I saw this as a spoiler for this bag, and I wasn't too excited. But, as soon as I was able to check it out in real life I fell in love with the cute style and great quality. This is definitely a luxurious cosmetic bag, and it is perfect for traveling. It is quite large insides, so you can fit everything, and it opens up to a wide mouth, so you won't have to spread everything across the bathroom counter in order to find something. I just did some traveling these last few weeks, and I don't plan on going anywhere anytime soon, so I really wish this arrived sooner. Oh, well. I know that I will be able to use it in the future. 

Supergoop! Defense Refresh Setting Mist SPF 50 

$28.00 - 3.4 fl oz

I really like the Supergoop! brand, and we all need an additional reminder to wear sunscreen everyday. Normally, I don't like to wear sunscreen on my face, because I don't like the sunscreen smell or the white sheen it leaves on my face. This makeup setter is the perfect place to leave sunscreen. It not only leaves a nice matte look, but it keeps my makeup set and it smells wonderful. It notes on the bottle to shake well, and you really should before every use. It does set and therefore not work as well. This is quite a large size, so it will last me the entire summer, and it is a great item for the July box. 

Yes to Blueberries Cleansing Facial Wipes

$5.99 - 25 wipes 

I have been buying many products from the Yes To brand, and I've never been let down. I've been a big fan of both the carrots and cucumber products, and this is the first blueberry product I've tried. The blueberry products are best used for age refresh, which we could all use on our face. I really like these wipes, and used them after the gym before I could make it home and shower. It left my face refreshed, and feeling quite clean, but it did leave a little residue feeling. I didn't notice it help with the anti-aging of my face, but I can't expect it to work in an instant. 

PopDental Portable Toothbrush in Silver

$19.99

This was a fun addition to this month's PopSugar box, and one that I didn't see coming. I have always been a big fan of dental care, and I am always buying the best care for my teeth. On the other hand, I am quite forgetful, and tend to forget a toothbrush everywhere I go. This portable electric toothbrush is going straight into my luggage, so I won't every leave it behind. When I do remember, I normally take manual toothbrushes with me, and I feel as though I don't get a good enough clean. Once again, I've been taking quite a few trips these last few weeks and don't plan on taking another one for a while, so I wish this item was in a previous box. 

 Sorial Card Case

$28.00

This Sorial card case is the same material of the chain clutch that appeared in a box from last fall, but in a new color. Honestly, the only time I would use this card case is when I go without my wallet, so that clutch will be the perfect item to use this with. I really like the red and the wallet, while small, leaves room for multiple cards and cash. Normally, I wouldn't purchase this on my own, but I have to say, I am happy with it now that I have it. 

The Good Bean Fruit & No-Nut Bar in Chocolate Berry

$1.99

I am usually not too thrilled about the food extra in these boxes, and this one is another I am not too thrilled to receive. I really do like chickpeas and eat them as a snack on a regular basis, but I really do not care for food in bar form. That includes granola bars, or nut bars. This one wasn't too bad, though. And, this would be a great alternative for anyone with a peanut allergy. I would have rather received a bag of chickpeas, but this did help curve my hunger during the late afternoon hours. 

Hallmark Signature Collection Greeting Cards

$14.97

This was listed as a Special Extra! Each popsuguar subscriber received three unique Hallmark cards along with their subscription. I really enjoy this extra, as I will definitely use each one. I am always forgetting to pick up a card with the gift, so having these at home will save me when running out the door. Also, these are very nice cards, each one is three-dimensional, and I would see these in stores for more than $5 each. I really like the three I received and will find many occasions to use them. I am also interested in seeing what other three subscribers received in theirs. 

I am neither happy or unhappy with this box. I really like the toothbrush, face wipes, and the special extra greeting cards. The other items I could do without, but that being said, I will enjoy using them. This month's box is worth $126.94. The regular subscription costs $39.95 a month, so this is worth almost $100 more than I spent. I am happy with the price, and usually always am. I hope that August will have more items in store that are perfect for me. I will definitely hold onto my subscription to see. 

If you would like to try PopSugar Must Have subscription for yourself, just click here. While it is a little pricier, the value is always there, and the products inside are to dye for.