Beauty Box Five June 2014 Review - Summer Chic

This is my first Beauty Box Five and I also got it for free with a coupon code. I am interested to see how this one compares to my Birchbox and Ipsy subscriptions. This subscription box offers 5 full size and sample beauty products for $12 a month. I can't wait to see what is inside. 

This month's theme for the box is Summer Chic. This month's mantra is less is more. The products inside are iconic hot weather basics. Weather it be a few coats of mascara or your basic coat of paint on your nails, it will be light enough to beat the heat. 

Glam Natural Mascara in Black 

$28 - 0.25 oz          

This mascara is pretty basic for me, but a true classic. There is nothing extraordinary about this product except its ingredients. It is completely vegan without adding any parabens. It is also hyperalergenic. I like the mini bottle and it will come in use to throw in my beach bag when day turns to night and we end up at the beach's bar for the evening. 

Vita Bath Body Wash in Cupcake Couture

$7.99 - 12 oz        

I am not too excited about this products either. The cupcake frosting smell seems really cheap, and it is nothing I'd want to lather myself with. Also, I am not one to take baths in the dead of heat, it is more like a cool, quick shower for me. On another note, I did like the lather and the sample is a decent size. 

Nicka K New York Nail Color in Ripe Apple

$4.99 - 15 ml

I am not one to wear a lot of nail polish, especially those that are so dramatic. But this does seem like a nicer brand, and it is nice to have a deep red for special occasions. I really wish Beauty Box 5 picked a more playful color, but at least it is a full size item. Also, you have to have some color on your toes if you are going to hit the beach. This product is a June must. 

Organix Coconut Water Shampoo & Conditioner

$7.99 each - 13 oz         

I don't really need much hydration for my already greasy hair, but I did like the way that this shampoo and conditioner smelled. It also left my hair super clean. It reminds me of summer, for sure. I prefer my pharmacy brands to most shampoo and conditioners, but I will consider this brand when shopping at the mall. Super small sample, though. 

Eslor Smoothing Refiner & Cleanser

$28.00 - 2 fl oz      

I followed the order of this four step treatment, and I'm excited to see the results. I am all about being good to my skin, and I am always looking for new ways to treat it. This cleanser  is light and soapy with light bubbles. I prefer the cream types, but this did the job. 

Eslor Replenishing Scrub

$28.00 - 1.7 fl oz            

The scrub is nice and mositurizing. With bigger beads than the normal micro scrub, I felt like it really exfoliated. I like this item more than the first in the system. 

Eslor Comforting Mask

$38.00 - 1.7 fl oz      

Face masks are my favorite, and I like how they can really change your face. This mask hardened nicely and was easy to wipe off. It left my face brighter and renewed. 

Eslor Smoothing Cream

$65.00 - 1.7 fl oz       

My face was definitely dry after the last three steps, and I was ready for some moisturizer. This face cream helped kick the dryness, but its a little lighter than I prefer. Again, I would have liked a thicker cream, but my face is dryer than normal. Overall, I really liked the system, but it's definitely on the pricier end. 

This is my first Beauty Box Five and I'm all over the place with these samples. I like that there are full size samples, but the foil samples have to go. Also, it has some really expensive high end items mixed with super cheap products. I am a little upset about the nail polish, because in my beauty profile I did say that I never wore it. On the bright side, this box pays attention to the ingredients and supplies a lot of natural items. 

If you would like to try Birchbox for yourself, just click here. It is as little as $12 a month. I estimate this box to be worth $29.06 which is more than I spent.

Ipsy October 2014 Review - Beauty Candy

My Ipsy Glambag has arrived for the month of October, and I am in high hopes for this month's products. Ipsy is a subscription bag for $10 a month and includes both full size and sample size beauty items in a cute makeup bag.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               

The theme for the month of October is Beauty Candy. I like how the theme goes with this month and the amount of candy you get trick or treating. This month gives us the treats we really want, and that is new beauty products to try out. 

 I really like this month's makeup bag! I love the turquoise color and the quilted pattern. The plastic fabric makes this easy to clean for any spills, which is necessary for any makeup bag. The makeup bag is stocked full of products and at first sight I like what I see. 

 Ecru Acacia Protein BB Cream

$30.00 - 4.2 oz              $7.14

I don't normally wear any hair products because my hair is so thin and silky, but this is one that I would be happy to continue to use. By adding it to the length and ends of my hair, it creates an all day added shine and body. I thought hair products would weigh my hair down, but this one helps create some additional volume. Well worth the price.

Patagonia Ayres Body Butter

$28.00 - 6.75 oz            $4.15

I love this branding and the packaging is really high end. This body butter is lighter and fluffier than I would have predicted. Plus, it smells great with added essential oils such as jasmine and rosemary. I like how it leaves my body moisturized but not greasy. I will definitely be using my sample up. 

Starlooks Lip Gloss in Guilty Pleasure

$12.00               $4.00

I am not into lip glosses, so I wasn't thrilled to see this in my Glambag. This miniature lip gloss does have the same stickiness that I don't like, but I do like the sheen and color. I will use this for days I have to get dressed up, but it will sit in my makeup bag until then. I am not a hugh fan of this brand either. 

Jesse's Girl Mineralized Baked Powder Eye Shadow in Esmeralda

$3.99 - 2 grams

Jess's Girl is another cheaper brand that I'm not completely into, but I do enjoy new eye shadow colors, and this one looks interesting. I like how it leaves a darker metallic sheen on my eyes once on. It is interesting on how those two colors combine. I am glad that I received this color, because I probably wouldn't be a fan of any of the colors. 

Skyn Glacial Cleansing Cloths

$15.00 - 30 cloths               $5

These are my absolute favorite cleansing cloths I have ever used. I love the clean and refreshing smell, I love the the sudsy clean that I don't have to rinse off, and I like the fully saturated cloth so it feels like I'm able to use each cloth to its fullest potential. I've been getting a lot more zits after working out, and I will be able to use these for the times that I can't jump in the shower directly after my workout. I've already purchased this full size item. 

Again, this month's Ipsy Glambag is full of products that are new favorites and other products that I can live without. I continue to still think that the value is well worth the cost, and I love discovering new products and the surprise that comes with opening each bag. I estimate this bag to be worth $24.28, which doesn't even include the makeup bag. 

If you would like to start receiving Ipsy Glambag for yourself, just click here. It also makes a great gift for your family or friends for any holiday! Any subscription length is just $10 a month. 

Birchbox October 2014 Review - Fanfare

My favorite subscription box has arrived, and I can't wait to see what is inside. The month of October is my favorite so I have high expectations for this box in particular. Birchbox is a month subscription box full of samples and full size items that fit your beauty profile for only $10 a month. 

Every once in a while the inside box comes in a different color or pattern, but this month is back to it's normal light brown. Unfortunately, those colorful boxes seem to always have a special extra tucked inside, but who knows, this one could be just the same. 

This month's theme is Fanfare, which perfectly fits this month for me. I am such a huge fan of fall, new TV seasons, and all the things that come with October. I hope this box has some of Birchbox's favorites which will soon become my own.                                                                                                      

dr. brandt pores no more vacuum cleaner

$45 - 1 oz            

Dr. brant is such a great brand. I was so excited to see another one of his products in my Fanfare box. This really helps clean out my pores and practically makes them disappear. Plus, it smells great, which is a plus for a product that I use mostly around my nose. I am a big fan of this, and will continue to be for a while.  

ModelCo Party Proof Lipstick Trio in Kitten

$20.00 - Three 0.13 oz Lipsticks               

As one of the picks for this month's choose a sample, I decided to go with this lipstick hoping it would become my new obsession. My wish came true, because I love this product. The color just enhances my natural lips, but the matte finish puts a new spin on products I've tried before. Also, this leaves my lips soft and moisturized. I've already been looking into other colors that are available in this line. 

beautyblender + deluxe solid cleanser

$28.95 - 2 Sponges       

This product actually helped my foundation go on smoothly and more evenly creating a more natural made up face. Plus, it is so soft on my skin. This full sized item also came with a cleanser to clean the blender after use. I love receiving beauty tools along with my samples in my Birchboxes, so this was awesome to see. But, I don't like having to clean it after each use. I don't really have time for that. I will probably use for special occasions. 

Camille Beckman Glycerine Hand Therapy

$13.95 - 6 oz       

I was pleasantly surprised to enjoy this hand cream, because the sample's container felt dated. The smell is yummy and subtle and reminded me of lush products my mother used to own. This hand therapy cream is thicker than I thought and you only need to use a small amount. Plus, it left my hand silky smooth and hydrated. I am going to start using this product as my daily hand cream. 

SAGE + fasten Onward Eau de Parfum

$50.00 - 50 ml         

I've been searching for a citrusy fragrance to use as my staple, so I was really excited to see this in my box. While it does have citrus notes, the strength of this smell is with the apple. Because of this, it isn't my favorite perfume, but it did make me feel happier. I am still hoping for something a little lighter, but maybe after this sample is gone I'll want to buy the full size. 

This has got to be my favorite Birchbox ever. Not only does it contain different products of brand that I love, or new brands that I'm a new fan of, it was win after win for me. I will definitely do some shopping after these samples. I estimated this box to be worth $32.40 which is on the lower end for the worth of contents inside, but that just means the full size items will be nicer to my wallet. 

If you would like to try Birchbox for yourself. just click here. I have definitely discovered a ton of new products I love, and now you will too!

Ipsy September 2014 Review - Street Style

My  September Ipsy Glambag has arrived. I continue to receive Ipsy every month for $10 because I love the beauty samples, fully size beauty items, and the new makeup bag fitting the theme. It is also such a fun surprise to see what each month bag has in store for me.

The theme for the month of September is Street Style. this month is all about creating that urban look perfect for a night out in the city. I am not entirely thrilled about this theme, but I do live downtown and I'm always looking for ways to spruce up my look.

This month's makeup bag definitely fits the theme. It has a shiny metallic color with a border of studs. It could seriously be doubled as a clutch if you forgot a bag to go out in while visiting a city, but I will probably just use it for my makeup. This isn't really my style, but it is growing on me. 

Briogeo Don't Despair, Repair! Deep Conditioning Mask

$26.00 - 5.25 oz       

My hair is normally on the greasy side, so I try to use a light conditioner. On that not note, this item isn't really for me. I don't really care for the smell either. It smells like a spicy flower. I will probably save this for the next time I dye my hair, and the sample is big enough  to get a few uses. 

NYC Hot Singles Eye Shadow in Innocent & Crown Infinity Shadow/Crease Duet Brush

$4.50 - 1.5 g

At first glance, I really liked this color, but after applying, it is a little dark for everyday wear. Besides that, the color really stood out without having to apply a ton of layers. The single case is also very cute, and I can throw this in anywhere to give myself touchups during the day. I will use this as a base for nights out when I will be wearing darker makeup. 

$17.50


I am in love with this makeup brush. I love that Ipsy includes tools along with the products in some of the Glambags. This is a duel ended brush, so it can be the only brush you need when applying eye makeup. I like the round thicker end when applying a base, and the sharp edged end is perfect for hitting the crease. I'm impressed with this Crown brush and will be looking into purchasing some more. 

Pacifica Natural Waterproof Eye Pencil in Fringe

$11.00 - 0.1 oz             

I have about ten eyeliners and all of them are black, so I was excited to see a new color, and one that works well with my skin tone. This eyeliner goes on so smoothly and the brown color blends in perfectly, even with black mascara. I wore this to a casual wedding, and I felt dressy without going over the top. It is a great eyeliner for any snappy casual event. 

Hikari Lipstick in Cabernet

$13.00 - 3.8 g

This dark red lip color is definitely darker than what I'm used to, but it fits perfectly with the theme, and I'm always willing to try out new makeup colors. Lip colors when not mixed with a moisturizer normally dry out my lips, but this product made my lips feel silky smooth. I will still probably use a moisturizer before or after applying this, but I could really go without. Overall, I am mostly impressed with this product and will be throwing in my clutch for the next evening out on the town. 

This month of September's Ipsy Glambag had some hits and misses, but it was an overall success. I've found a few new products that I can no longer live without, and some others that will help me enhance my street style. The products usually fit in with each month's theme, which is another reason I'm a huge fan of Ipsy. I estimate this bags products to be worth an estimated $43.04, which is much more that the cost. I can't wait to see what next month has in store. 

If you would like to try out Ipsy Glambag for yourself, just click here. For only $10 a month you can test out new makeup products that just could become some of your staples.

Birchbox September 2014 Review - Fresh Paint

My September Birchbox arrived, and I can not wait to see what the theme of the month is. Also, last month's box wasn't that exciting for me, so I hope that Birchbox stepped it up for me for this month.

Usually, Birchbox's box is just plain brown, but this month it is super fun and colorful. I know that this is their anniversary month, and I hope that this month's products are that much more exciting. 

The theme for this month is Fresh Paint. With the season's changing and a new school year beginning, Fresh Paint is the perfect way to dive into new colors, products, and inspirations.  I'm excited to see what products in this box will help me mix up and change my beauty routine.  

Liz Earle Cleanse & Polish Hot Cloth Cleanser Starter Kit

$24.50 - 3.3 fl oz + 2 muslin cloths        

Recently, Birchbox allows their members to chose one item from a list of new products to try each month. This is the third month that this option existed, and this is the first time that I actually chose one of them. I am super in love with this product. The face cleansing scrub and muslin cloth left my skin brighter and feeling fresh. Yet, it didn't leave my skin dry like most other cleansers. While I didn't opt to pick out one of my samples in the past because I'd rather be surprised, I'm glad I picked this product for my September box. I also like how it goes with the theme!

Smashbox Cosmetics Be Legendary Long-Wear Lip Lacquer in Coral

$24.00 - .20 fl oz              

This lip lacquer is great and the color is perfect for my skin tone. I did have to put a moisturizer on before applying this glossy lip color, but I have super dry lips. I didn't have to reapply this color that much, though, because it acted like a lip stain. I will definitely be wearing this until it is gone. It is the perfect color for fall.

Dear Clark, Resurrecting Wash and Rinse

$24.00 each - 8.5 oz           

This shampoo and conditioner left my hair feeling super clean, and while it wasn't anything too special, I did love how it made my hair feel soft and light. This shampoo and conditioner smelled like patchouli, which isn't my favorite smell, but I can deal with it. The samples were hard to use because the bottles are made from a hard plastic, and I won't be buying the full size because it costs too much for something that's not that special. 

Caudalie Vinoperfect Radiance Serum

$79.00 - 30 ml       

I'm not too thrilled about this sample. It is super small and I don't really see myself needing this product. It claims to remove dark spots and even skin tone, but this product wouldn't be enough to cover my entire face twice so I wouldn't really be able to notice any improvements. I'm saving this for the only part of my face that really has dark spots, which is under my eyes. I haven't noticed a difference yet, but I hope that I'll eventually be able to see a difference. 

I am completely in love with half of this box! I wish it could be a complete win, but there is always next month. I can definitely mix these products into my new fall routine. I estimate this box to be worth $30.98 which is way more than the $10 I spent. Birchbox has always been worth the value. 

If you would like to try Birchbox for yourself, just click here. For only $10 a month you can receive a both full of samples and full size beauty items curated just for you. 

Ispy August 2014 Review - Beauty Schooled

My Ipsy Glam Bag is here for August and I can't wait to see what the theme is for the month. Ipsy is a beauty subscription bag that comes with both samples and full size items in a makeup bag for $10 every month. 

This month's theme is Beauty Schooled. It is the middle of August and school goes back into swing in a couple of weeks, so these items are will help perfect this years new beauty routine. Unfortunately, I am all done with school, but hopefully these items will help me freshen up my look. 

At first glance, I am not completely into this bag or the items inside. I don't like the plastic, polkadot bag, and the none of the items inside look that exciting. I hope that once I sample each one of these they will have more to offer.

Absolute Lip Balm You're the Balm in Green Apple

$5.99 for 2 - 12 g          

I wasn't too excited to see this sample in my bag because I already own this product, but at least I will have a backup if my original one goes missing. This isn't a lip balm I would use to deeply replenish my chapped lips, but it is perfect for a nice glossy look when your lips are too chapped for lipstick. Plus, the green apple smell is so yummy and goes with the school theme. 

Dr. Brandt Pores No More Pore Refiner Primer

$45 - 1 fl oz               

This primer blends so well and really diminishes your pores. Unfortunately, it left my face shiny, and when I used a powder to tone it down it made my the toner ball up. I will definitely be using this where my pores stick out the most, but I won't use this on my entire face again. I will happily use this sample, but I won't be purchasing the full size item.

Coastal Scents Forever Blush in Fresh and Elegant

$7.95 - 10 g             

These blushes are cuter than I expected. I was super disappointed by the size and colors, but was complete surprised when I tried them out. I was not into the glittery pink blush, but it blends so well and definitely could sport this color with a girly outfit. The bronzy. peach color of the second blush is perfect for my skin tone and could double as a bronzer for my pale skin.

Lord & Berry Kajal Kohl Eye Pencil in Black Silk

$19.35 - 4 g         

I am always happy to receive eyeliner in my Ipsy Glam bag, because I never buy it for myself. This eyeliner didn't glide on like I like it to, so I have to warm it up before I applied. It did look nice on, and it lasted the entire night. This is another sample that I'm happy to have, but will not be buying the full size item.

Urban Decay Perversion Mascara 

$22.00 - 12 ml         

I have a hard time finding a mascara that I really like, and this one is one of the better that I've sampled. I like out it makes my lashes look longer and separated, but I wish it made them look even bigger. I will definitely use this as a base with another mascara to get the look I want.

At first sight, this Ipsy Glam bag was one of my least favorites, but after checking out the samples I liked it a lot more than I thought I would. None of these samples are must haves for me, but they will definitely add something different to my makeup collection. This month is now middle of the barrel. 

I estimate this month's Ipsy Glam bag to be worth $24.55, which is definitely more than the $10 I spent. If you would like to try Ipsy for yourself, just click here.