Sunday, February 1, 2015

Pinch Me Box Review - Box 6

Another Pinch Me box has arrived to my door. This time it is an envelope instead of a box, so there must be smaller samples inside. It always takes a couple of weeks for these items to arrive, so I always forget what is coming. Pinch Me are samples that are delivered to your door for absolutely nothing. You don't even pay shipping. 


This envelope seems like it would have barely nothing inside, but I am surprised at how many samples were stuffed inside. Even though there are quite a few samples, they tend to be on the smaller side. Let's see what's inside. 


Gevalia Kaffe House Blend Ground Coffee

$6.99 - 8 oz    .73

I've sampled their signature blend before, and it was too fancy for me. I like their house blend so much more. It is rich, without being too bitter, and I could drink it all day. I like that they give you enough for an entire pot so my entire family could enjoy it. I don't know if I will stray from my Maxwell House or Starbucks blends, but this was definitely fun to try out. 


Dove Oxygen Moisture Shampoo for Fine, Flat Hair

$4.99 - 12 fl oz        .42

I've received the conditioner as a sample in an earlier box, so I am happy to finally receive the shampoo. I do like the Dove brand, and this smells great. It left my hair completely clean and left my hair weightless with tons of body. I like the sample size they give you, especially because it is free. It's reasonably priced, too, so I will definitely be purchasing the full size the next time I need shampoo. 


Garnier Clean + Balancing Daily Exfoliator for Combination Skin 

$4.99 - 5 fl oz         .16

I tend to prefer face washes that exfoliate with the little beads, because I feel like it gets a deeper clean, so this is right up my alley. I did like the citrus smell which was perfect for waking me up in the morning. I am always looking for new face washes and I could definitely see myself purchasing the full size item. This was a small sample, but it was enough to see if I like it.  



$5.99 - 5 fl oz          .12

This oil from Garnier has five different uses. You can use this as a pre-shampoo treatment, conditioner booster, overnight leave in, blow dry accelerator, and ends finisher. I used it as a pre-shampoo treatment to protect my hair from the nutrient depleting shampoo. I did feel like it left my hair shinier, and it even felt healthier after one use. I really liked this sample, but I probably won't purchase the full size item. It's an extra step that I just don't need.  


This box had a lot of small and cheap samples, so I estimate this box to be worth about $1.50. It really doesn't matter, because I paid nothing for it. I am happy with my samples. There are a lot of beauty products along with my favorite drink, which is coffee. I will continue to order Pinch Me boxes for my free samples, because there really isn't a reason not to. 


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

Pinch Me Box Review - Box 5

Another Pinch Me box has arrived in the mail. I love receiving Pinch Me, because it is all completely free, and they are full of both full size items and small samples for me to check out. I've already found a few items that I now can't live without through Pinch Me, so I hope that this box has more items like that. 


There are quite a few different items in here for me to sample. Also, I notice a full size item. I love receiving my samples and especially full size items, because they are all completely free.


Tom's of Maine Long Lasting Deodorant in Wild Lavender

$5.99 - 64 g

I've never purchased all natural deodorant, because I hear that it doesn't really work. I know of the Tom's line, so if I were to sample one, it would definitely be this brand. The deodorant smells great, and it did work. It left my armpits a little sticky, and I had to reapply at the end of my long day, but it worked great. I would definitely reconsider using a natural brand so I don't cover myself in chemicals. Plus, this is a full size item. I basically have a full one to use for the next month. And it was free!


Gevalia Mocha Latte K-cup and Froth Packet

$9.29 - 6 pack    

At first, I thought that this was a two sample set, but after reading more into it, I see now that this is a two step process for one cup of coffee. Unforunatly, you do have to own a Keurig machine to sample this, which I don't own, but I did take it to work to check out. First, you empty the froth pack and dump its contents into your mug. You then use to same mug with the Keurig machine to brew your coffee. This two part system allows you to recreate a frothy mocha latte at your home and without an espresso machine. I think this is so cool, but I wouldn't purchase it in the future, because I don't drink lattes or cappuccinos. This is a great way to save time and money for those who do like them though. 


Garnier Fructis Hydra Recharge Shampoo & Conditioner

$3.99 each - 13 fl oz     

I am already a fan of Garnier Fructis, so this is a product that I am excited to try before I buy. The smell reminds me of all of their products, so nothing new there, but it is still really nice. These dry winter months leave my hair staticy and limp, and this shampoo / conditioner duo replenished my hair back to normal. It did leave my hair a little heavy, but my hair is super thin and anything moisturizing tends to do that. I guess that's the price I have to pay. I love these small samples, and will consider buying the full size bottle. 

Garnier Fructis Hydra Recharge 1-Minute Moisture-Replenish Treatment

$5.99 - 8.5 fl oz 

I love leave in treatments to give my hair a extra boost, and this product definitely did the trick. Again, it did leave my hair a little heavy, but it's my thin hair. This product will be perfect for me to use once a week to put my hair back to its hydrated self. Plus, it is so reasonably priced. It is like a high end product at a price that everyone can afford. 


This box didn't have as many samples as the last, but it is worth more than any I've had yet. I estimate this box to be worth $6, which is great because I spent nothing. I really like Pinch Me and trying out all the different samples. 


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

Saturday, January 31, 2015

Pinch Me Sample Box Review - Box 4

My 4th Pinch Me box has arrived, and it is HUGE! This is awesome because all of it is completely free. It takes quite a while for the Pinch Me boxes to arrive each time, so I tend to forget what is inside. I'm excited to see all my samples inside. 



At first glance, I am excited to see these large samples. It looks like there is an array of samples for me to try. I also like the array of brands that Pinch Me has for us to sample. I'm excited to discover new products that I could love. 


American Crew Power Cleanser Style Remover

$10.95 - 8.45 oz            

I gave this sample to my boyfriend, and he was a really excited about it. He sees me with all my subscription boxes, and never gets to get in on all the fun. This is for a man who uses a lot of product, so he wasn't really the best test subject, but it left his hair smelling great and extra clean. It's a super small sample, but for free, I can't really complain. 


Skinny Girl Nutrition Bar in Chocolate Peanut Butter with Sea Salt

$21.99 - 12 bars       

I've tried this brand of granola bars in the past, and I actually didn't mind them. I am not much of a granola bar person, but I like the chewiness and the peanut butter and chocolate flavors. This bar is 170 calories, so I wouldn't really consider it as a food to lose weight, but i guess it would be better to eat this to fight some cravings, and the nutrients will keep you full longer. I won't be buying a full size package, but I definitely enjoyed this sample. 


Special K Chocolate Mocha Protein Breakfast Shake

$5.98 - 4 pack       

I've had protein shakes before, and they normally taste pretty bad. That being said, I was pleasantly surprised on the taste of this shake. It also has the same amount of caffeine as a cup of coffee. I love this idea. For only 190 calories, this could easily replace my breakfast, and that includes my cup of joe. Plus, it will keep me satisfied until lunch time. This is a pretty large shake and a great free sample. I could definitely see myself buying this product in the future. 



$1.99 - 15 ml

This nail polish is as bright as it looks. I am not one to usually wear a color like this, but I love it. Plus, the nail polish goes on nicely and is long lasting. I like that this is a full size item, even if the product is relatively cheap to begin with. It is also sold in all of the chain drugstores. I will definitely seek out this brand when I am looking for a new color. 



$2.72 - 32 oz          

This product reminds me a lot of Febreze. Just spray it on any fabric or in the air, and it will get the smell out along with leaving a fresh scent behind. This again is a reasonably priced item, so it could be a cheaper alternative to Febreze. It's a pretty good size sample for being completely free.  


This was a full box, and it was a lot to sample. I am pretty excited about a lot of the products, and also will save some money not buying products that I didn't love. I estimate this Pinch Me box to be worth about $6, which is great considering that it is all free! I will continue logging on to get my free samples. 


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

Pinch Me Sample Box Review - Box 3

Another Pinch Me box arrived to my front door today. Pinch Me is a box full of samples and full size products that is completely free. All you have to do is review the samples after you try them. Plus, you get to find new products you love, or save money by not buying full size items of products you can do without. 


This box isn't as full as my last one, but I like what I see inside. I think I am going to really like all these products. I can't wait to try each of them out. 


 Sinful Colors Professional in Let's Meet

$1.99 - 15 ml

This is my second Sinful Colors nail polish in my Pinch Me box. I don't like this color as much as the first, because the yellow color clashes with my skin tone. This would be cute on one nail while the others are a matching color. The nail polish does go on smoothly and lasts for a while. Pretty cool for a less expensive brand. I do like that Pinch Me offers full size items in their boxes. Especially since they are all free.


Skinny Girl Tasty Nutrition Bar in Dark Chocolate Pretzel

$21.99 - 12 bars               

I am not a fan of granola bars or dark chocolate, but this was pretty tasty. I don't think I'd buy a full box of these, but theses are perfect for anyone that likes these flavors. A single bar is 160 calories, which is a little much for something that is supposed to help you lose weight. I guess it would be better to snack on this than a bag of chips. Either way, this is a great addition to my sample Pinch Me box. 


Dove Oxygen Moisture Conditioner for Fine, Flat Hair

$4.99 - 12 fl oz         

I am already a huge fan of the Dove brand and this conditioner was perfect for me. It is nice a light so it doesn't weigh down my thin hair. Also, it smells so good and stays with my hair all day. I am really into this conditioner and will definitely purchase the full size product in the future. I like that Pinch Me samples popular brands along with new brands. It's a great way to sample an array of products. 


I am mostly happy with all of my samples. I like that I received more food along with my beauty products. I am definitely noticing that this box tends to cater towards products for woman, but since I am female, I guess I can't really complain. I estimate this box to be worth a little more than $4 which is great because it is completely free!


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

Pinch Me Sample Box Review - Box 2

 My second Pinch Me sample box has arrived in the mail today. It is always a surprise when it arrives, because it takes a while to arrive and Pinch Me doesn't inform when it is shipped or give me tracking. It also means I can't quite remember what is inside so it's a little bit of a surprise. 


This box is a lot more full than my first, which is super exciting. I also see a full size item in my box. For being free, Pinch Me really does have a lot to offer. 


Clear Scalp & Hair Beauty Therapy Damage & Color Repair Shampoo

$5.99 - 12.9          

This smells great, and it really leaves my hair soft and feeling clean. It is full of vitamins to help with damage and to replenish color. I didn't notice any lasting effects, but I guess I will have to purchase the full size product and see if it works. What a great new brand for such a reasonable price. I will definitely have to try more from this brand. 


Beyonce Rise Eau De Parfum

$22.99 - 1 fl oz    

This perfume is a lot more likable than I though. It is very flowery with a touch of musk. It is also pretty reasonably priced for a perfume. I will definitely use up this sample for night's out and see if I still love it. I love the array of samples that Pinch Me offers. I love trying out everything before I commit, but mostly the higher priced items. 


Sinful Colors Professional in Sunburnt

$1.99 - 15 ml 

I am in love with this color. It is a pretty pink with the perfect touch of orange. I can see myself wearing this on vacation or with my weekend outfit. It also goes on nicely and lasts almost an entire week. It is at such a high quality for such a cheap price. Also, you can find it in mostly every chain drugstore. I can't believe I received a full size item in my Pinch Me box for free. Such a great deal. 


Gevalia Kaffe Signature Blend Ground Coffee

$6.99 - 8 oz            

I am a huge coffee drinker, but I wouldn't call myself a coffee connoisseur. That being said, I really liked this coffee. It made an entire pot of coffee so my household could all try it out. Again, this coffee is reasonably priced for the high end brand. It definitely is rich without being bitter, just like the packaging says. 


This Pinch Me box was full of items I definitely love. I like how this box had both full size and sample size items. I also liked how it offered an array of products. I am definitely going to keep picking out samples every few weeks that they offer them. It is such a great deal. I estimate this box to be worth almost $5, which is great considering it cost me absolutely nothing. 


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

Saturday, January 24, 2015

Ipsy January 2015 Review - Fresh Start

My Ipsy Glam Bag has arrived for the month of January. This is my 11th bag, so I am so close to my anniversary. Ipsy sometimes misses the mark, but I've liked it enough to keep it this long. For only $10 a month, it is a great value. Plus, the surprise each month is the best part. I can't wait to see what is inside. 


This month's theme is Fresh Start which is perfect for January when everyone is trying to be the best versions of themselves. The bag for this month is so cute too. The double sided, bright colors feels crisp and new, just like the theme. I hope that the products inside are as perfect as the bag and the theme. 


The items inside seem smaller than normal and all comfortable fit inside the bag, but everything looks pretty fun so far. I hope that size doesn't matter in this month's bag. 


(MALIN+GOETZ) Mojito Lip Balm

$12.00 - 7 g

This is my new favorite lip balm! The gel formula hydrates and soothes dry lips, plus it smells like an actual minty mojito on my lips. I like how the lip balm lasts without leaving a heavy residue. What a great addition to the January glam bag!


Hey Honey Take It Off! Exfoliating Honey Peel Off Mask

$35.00 - 1.7 oz          

I love masks because it is so gratifying to pull off all the dirt and grime. I actually hate honey, and this mask has the same smell and feel of the food. After overlooking this, I did really like the mask. It works like every peel, and left my skin feeling replenished, moisturized, and bright. I love when my glam bag introduces me to brands like this. 


Coastal Scents Liquid Eyeliner in Jet

$2.95 - 6 ml

I love receiving eyeliner in my glam bags, because I wear it every time I go out, but I never like to buy it on my own. This eyeliner is just alright. I like the liquid aspect, because I don't have to sharpen the pencil to keep the line smooth, but this didn't seem to last. It went on smoothly without smudging, but it seemed to flake off. It is really cheap to begin with, so I guess I don't expect it to be great. Kinda a miss for me. 


Pacifica Natural Mineral Coconut Shadow in Ethereal

$3.50 - 2.5 g

I've received this brand before, and every time I've been mediocrely happy. I like this brand and their cruelty-free, vegan formula, but the actual product is pretty basic. I will definitely use this even though it doesn't show much color. I could live or live without this product. But, I guess I wouldn't buy it on my own, so I am happy that I received it in my glam bag. 


Elizabeth Mott All Over Shadow Brush

$9.99

I've received a shadow brush in my glam bag before, and it ended up being my favorite brush. Again, I am loving this brush. It does a great job covering my entire eyelid with shadow. The bristles are densely packed, which I love! I wouldn't use this in my crease like they suggest, but I would use it for everything else. I hope that Ipsy keeps on sending my brushes. I love them!


 I really like this month's bag, theme, and products. Four of the five products in this bag were full size, and the only sample was deluxe. Besides the eyeliner, I am loving all the products and will definitely consider purchasing them when they run out. I estimate this month's bag to be worth $35.44 which is much more than the $10 I spent, and that doesn't even include the cute makeup bag. I love this month, and hope that Ipsy keeps it up!


If you would like to try Ipsy for yourself, just click here. For only $10 a month you could try full size and sample size products curated to you and delivered to your door. 

Birchbox 2015 Review - Let's Do This

My Birchbox for January has arrived! I am always looking forward to my Birchbox every month, and find a lot of products that I love. Birchbox is a beauty sample subscription box with five samples every month that cater to your beauty profile for $10. It is a great value, because each box tends to be worth over $30 of upscale beauty products.


This month's box is so festive. It looks like it is my birthday. I like the classic brown box, but the decorated one's are just that much more exciting. I can't wait to see what is inside.


This month's theme is Let's Do This! This is the perfect theme for January, because everyone is starting new and trying new things. My New Years Resolution is to drink more water, but I can add try new beauty products to that list. Why not!?


Manna Kadar Lip Locked in All of Me

$24.00 - 1.2 oz     

I am not a fan of lip glosses, but this lip gloss stain leaves a matte moisturized look. I wouldn't normally pick this color out on my own, because my skin tone doesn't like purples or mauves, but I love this color so much. The new year is all about starting fresh and trying new things, and this new lip gloss stain will be a fun small way to do just that. Unfortunately, this is a super small sample. Not really getting my money's worth. 



$19.00 - 8 oz        

This pepperminty, woodsy scent smells so good, but it could almost be too masculine. I am all about using products to wake up, because I have been lacking in the beauty sleep lately. The peppermint definitely does the trick. The formula is really light, so I'll be storing this away for the less dry months. I choose this as my pick for the month, and am mostly happy with my decision. 


Harvey Prince Hello Liquid Loofah Exfoliating Shower Gel

$22.00 - 12 oz            

This is my third item Birchbox has sent me from this brand, and this is my least favorite of the three. Originally, Hello is a perfume, which I love! The body wash, on the other hand, is not my favorite. I don't like that the scent is as hard as the perfume, and it feels like I am drenching my body with the scent. Also, I didn't love that the body wash didn't have a lot of suds and left my skin a little dry. I will use up the sample eventually, but I won't be purchasing this in the future.


Dr. Jart+ Premium Beauty Balm SPF 45+

$39.00 - 1.5 fl oz            

This again is a brand that Birchbox has sent me before. For being a beauty balm, this didn't really moisturize my skin. Also, the tinted concealer didn't really conceal. For being a moisturizing concealer, it didn't really meet either of the criteria. I am really bummed with this product, because I love skincare, and would love to find a new product that I love.


Number 4 Non-Aerosol Hairspray

$30.00 - 200 ml          

I am a little disappointing that I received another sample of hairspray, because I rarely use it. That being said, I did like this product. It smells great (not like your normal hairspray) and it my curled hair stayed in place without making it crispy. Plus, the light formula doesn't contain aerosols, which are terrible for our environment. I can definitely use this as a travel hairspray, because it is the perfect size.


My last January box was my least favorite and this month's box is definitely my second least favorite. I am not overjoyed with any of these products, but I guess I will at least use them all. I estimate this box to be worth $14.39, which is a little disappointing. Some of my Birchbox's have been worth over $40, so this month seems like a gip. Next month is my birthday month, so Birchbox better step it up for me. 


If you would like to try Birchbox for yourself, just click here. For only $10 a month, you can receive high end beauty products delivered to your door.