Tuesday, August 18, 2015

Birchbox August 2015 Review - Soak It Up

Yea! I was so happy to see my Birchbox at my doorstep when I got home today. Birchbox is a $10 beauty sample subscription box that is delivered to your mailbox once a month. Their products are always great quality, and while they tend to be higher end, you will still find affordable pieces. I have found a lot of items that are now staples in my beauty routine, which is why I love this box so much. 



At first, I didn't really care for this month's box design. They usually have really cute graphic boxes, and they are always something I want to display around the house. Now that I look at it more, it is really cute and unique. I love the 4ft and 8ft signs on the side, and on another end it says, "Dive In!" This is perfect for summer, and it goes perfectly with this month's theme. I won't be putting this up in my house anywhere, but maybe it can hold all my sunscreen under the sink. 



This month's theme is Soak It Up. This is the last month of true summer, and we should all soak it up while it is here. I love this theme, and while the box isn't one of the cutest I've ever seen, it goes along with the theme really well. I am really excited to see what Birchbox has in store for me this month, and I would love samples that help me soak up as much summer as I can. 


theBalm cosmetics Desert Bronzer/Blush

$21.00 - 0.225 oz               

Yea! I love theBalm products, and their packaging is seriously so cute! I have been wearing bronzer more and more as of late, and like to switch over to blush during the cooler months. This shade is a bronze pigment with a little bit of pink, so it is basically the best transition between summer and fall, and perfect to wear all August and September. Wearing this bronzer is also the best way to soak up what little summer we have left. 



IPKN Pore Apple Sun Cream 

$28.00 - 2.47 oz                 
  Birchbox tends to send me a lot of sunscreen, and I am more than happy, because I would never spend money on a higher end SPF that improves my complexion and is safe to use on my face. This smells really great, and it is a medium, light lotion, so it soothes skin, but it is light enough for summer. While I always remember to wear SPF on my face when I am going to be outside for the day, I tend to forget day to day wear. This is the perfect SPF to put on your face everyday as a lotion under your makeup. That way you will stay safe from the sun every single day of the year, even if it is while driving in your car. I like this particular product for August, because the sun can still be really damaging, and this can be worn everyday instead of your typical face moisturizer. 



Kerastase Bain Force Architecte Reconstructing Shampoo

$40.00 - 8.5 fl oz                

Summer does quite a bit of damage to your hair with the sun, bleach from all the swimming pools, and the salt from the ocean. This reconstructing shampoo restores hair to it's normal healthy self. This shampoo smells great, a light natural floral, and I really like the light lather. I didn't notice any difference in my hair in reconstructing damage, but it did feel soft and full of body. I don't really like getting foil packets in my boxes, but I am alright with this one since I already received five other samples, and I look at this as an extra. It is also listed as a bonus on the itemized card. 



dr. brandt pores no more cleanser

$35.00 - 3.5 fl oz              

This is the best skin care brand in my opinion, and because these products are always really expensive, I absolutely love getting samples in my subscription boxes. I've received some of the pores no more products, and they really make your pores disappear. I am a little spectacle how a face wash will work, though. Not only does this leave my face feeling really clean, it does made my pores practically disappear. It is like this face wash soaked them up. This doesn't really go along with the theme all that well, but all the products can't always. Plus, I am more than happy to have received this product. 



R+Co DEATH VALLEY Dry Shampoo
  $29.00 - 6.3 oz               

This was the sample I picked out from the choose your sample for this month, and while I wasn't completely sure I made the right decision, I know now that I did. Dry shampoos are the best beauty invention of the last decade. You are told not to wash your hair often, but mine is greasy in less than 24 hours. Unfortunately, I didn't love this product. I felt like it didn't soak up the grease as good as others. Also, it doesn't smell the best. It kinda reminds me of bug spray, which is not a smell I want to be walking around with. I am a little bummed that picked out this sample, but at least I didn't purchase the full size bottle based on all the positive reviews. 


COOLA Environmental Repair Plus Radical Recovery After-Sun Lotion

$32.00 - 6 oz                

I honestly wish I received this earlier in the summer, because I did get some burns early on from not applying, but I am happy to have a product like this now. I have yet to sample it out, because I don't want to purposely get a burn or sun damage to see how well it works, but so far i really like it. I do hate the stickiness of aloe vera, so this soft lotion is a treat, and it smells great. This does go well with the theme, and I do plan on getting out in the sun a few more times before the leaves change. I hope I won't burn, but chances are I will get some slight sun damage. And, when that happens, I will be happy I have a product like this. Plus, the COOLA brand is one of my favorites. Their products are always of great quality. 



Overall, I am really happy with this month's Birchbox. I did only receive one beauty item, but I know I will go through all the hair and body products that were included in this month's box, so it was not a waste at all. I estimate this box to be worth $19.47. That is definitely on the lower end, but I guess it is still more than the $10 I spent, and I will still receive $6 to spend in their shop after reviewing their products. I am not too worried about the low value, because I like every single product, and will definitely use them up. 



If you would like to try Birchbox for yourself, just click here. For only $10 a month, you could be on your way to discovering new beauty products curated just for you. 

Monday, August 17, 2015

Birchbox Plus Sampler: Mask Madness Review

I love every and all face masks, so when I saw this Birchbox Plus promotion, I couldn't say no. Every month, Birchbox offers a few items to add on to your monthly box for a discounted price. This particular promotion was an add on to the August box and this mask sampler only cost $15. I thought that was a little expensive for four masks, but it is a great deal, and why can't I splurge on myself every once in a while, right!


This sampler came with an itemized card. I really appreciate this, because each mask does something different, and it is nice to know which mask to use for each dilemma. It also explains how to use each mask. While they are mostly the same, you do have to leave some on longer than others. They also have prices if you want to buy more. I probably won't, but who knows. There might be a few that I can't live without. 


Dr. Jart+ Water Fuse Water-Full Hydrogel Mask

$9.00 - 1 mask

This mask is perfect for firming skin, boosting elasticity, and a dewey complexion. I used this when my face was feeling and looking really dry. I thought the hydrogel mask would boost hydration in my face, but it didn't exactly do what I thought, instead did exactly what it said it would do. This is a thick mask, and it isn't wet like the others. This is a more solid gel that rests on and cools your face. I did like this mask, but I didn't love it. I did notice my skin a little firmer and dewier than before, but I didn't like that it didn't really put a solution on my face. I do really like the Dr. Jart+ brand, but this wasn't my favorite item in their line. It is definitely high end, but just not the perfect mask for my face. 


Karuna Exfoliating Treatment Mask

$28.00 - 4 masks           

This mask will gently cleanse, exfoliate, and smooth your face. I used this when my face was feeling and looking really dull. I am constantly doing crazy things to my face, and sometimes just washing isn't enough. I thought that this would be my least favorite, but it was actually the best of the pack. I loved how this smelled, and it left my face glowing, feeling fresh, and clean. The sheet stayed on my face really well, and the fluid stayed on my skin long afterwards and continued to do its work. I wish this were a little cheaper, because I would buy it otherwise. Maybe I'll splurge eventually. 


Real Chemistry Environmental Rescue Mask

$25.00 - 1 mask 

I know that this brand is really high end, and their products work wonders. I would never spend that much on one mask, but I really like trying it for a reduced price. This mask combats environmental damage from living in the city with a ton of antioxidants. I am most excited about this one, because I feel like my skin as really taken a turn for the worse since moving to a metropolis area. I didn't notice any real difference, but my face felt refreshed and clean. I would never spend $25 on one mask, but I am glad I was able to try it out in this sample pack. 


Bio Republic Skincare Aloe Rescue Revitalizing Fiber Mask

$14.50 - 3 masks         

I've actually tried this mask before, but I really liked it and am happy to get another one. This particular mask will help refresh your face after a day in the sun. After a full day at the lake, I developed a light burn, even with applying sunscreen, and my skin was dry and achy. This sheet mask covers your entire face, leaving holes for your nostrils and eyes. It smells really good, and is super calming. The mask is full of moisture, too. I love how the formula seals into your skin and leaves your face soft and smooth. I also noticed that my burn healed my faster than normal, and my face didn't peel afterwards. Since I've already tried this mask, I will save this one for a day after I messed up applying sunscreen 


Overall, I am really happy about this box. I thought spending $15 on 4 masks was a little pricey, but these all did wonders to my skin, and it was nice to try expensive masks at a cheaper price. These masks are worth $45.83, so this is really a great deal. I am a big fan of masks, and sheet masks are so much easier to apply and to take off. I would suggest washing your face before each mask so it can do it's best work. 


If you would like to purchase this mask sample pack, just click here. It is a great deal, and if you love masks, you'll really enjoy each one of these. 

BoxyCharm August 2015 Review - Gorgeous Globetrotter

This is my second BoxyCharm ever, and it is also the first one that I didn't see all the spoilers that were coming to me. BoxyCharm is a high end beauty subscription box that costs $21 a month. They have at least four full size items, if not all, and the products are usually worth over $100. That is the main reason I decided to subscribe to this box, and I am already impressed with the value from my first box. I am really excited to see what the month has in store for me, and I can't wait to check out my new beauty items. 



This month's theme is Gorgeous Globetrotter. I feel like so many themes this summer are about traveling with all the subscription boxes. I was really excited about this theme earlier this summer, but I am definitely growing a little tired of travel items. This is the middle of August, and I am finally in the mood to stay closer to home and start to wind down for fall. While I don't love the theme, I don't hate it either. I do enjoy travel items, and anything that makes my carry on a little lighter is alright by me. I hope these items are all something that I will use and love, and I bet there will be some things that I can't live without, even on the road or in the air. 



Coastal Scents Revealed 3 Palette

$19.95 - 30 g 

This may be weird to you, but I have never owned a single palette before in my life. That being said, I am really excited about this one. I really like the Coastal Scents brand, and I've actually sampled some of the colors from this palette before. This looks very pink when you first look at it, but it does have a lot of really great naturals and browns. Also, it has a mixture of both shimmery and matte shades, so this is a very diverse palette. I haven't been brave enough to try any of the darker colors yet, but I going to have to give them a try. The colors that I did try have beautiful pigmentation, and they lasted all day. I really like this palette, and I feel like I have so many new and fun looks in my future. This is pretty compact, so it would be easy to travel with, but personally, I wouldn't want to bring this much eyeshadow with me anywhere. 



NIOS Shield Leave-In Conditioner 

$26.00 - 4 fl oz

I dye my hair quite often, so it is really tangled and hard to brush when wet, even with conditioner. Leave-in conditioner definitely helps out with that. This particular one promises to protect color, texture, and scalp, and it includes SPF. It also creates shine and tames frizz, but both of those items don't apply to me. I do like how it smells, like a fruity coconut, but this isn't the right formula for my hair. It is a little heavy, like an actual conditioner. I guess I shouldn't complain that this is full size, but I wouldn't travel with a product this large, but I do like that it controls frizz and protect your hair and scalp from the sun, which are two concerns when traveling to warmer environments. I will still use this product, but probably only when spending a day at the lake or going to the ocean. 


MICA Beauty Cosmetics Gel Eyeliner in Black  

$35.00 - 4 g

I have used items from this line before, but I don't think this is one I will nesesarily use. I do have a gel eyeliner, but I only use it once in a great while when I want a dramatic eye. I am more than happy with my pencil eyeliners. I am glad that they included a eyeliner brush in with this box, because I am sure most people don't have one. At the same time, I am a little bummed, because that means I won't use two of the items in this box. I bet a lot of people will really enjoy these items, and this eyeliner is really high end. I will probably hand this off to one of my friends who wears it more often than myself. Another thing I wasn't too excited about was how this doesn't really go with the theme. When I travel, I want to keep it light, and this is much more to bring then just a pencil eyeliner. 



SETA Eyeliner Brush 

$16.00

I love receiving high end brushes in my subscription boxes, but this one isn't too exciting for me. As I said above, I don't normally wear gel eyeliners so I don't know how often I will use this brush. I've never heard of this brand either, but it seems to be really nice. I wouldn't mind receiving this brand in a different brush, but this one I will pass along with the eyeliner. Also, this isn't very practical for traveling. Once again, this is an item that hasn't really gone along with the theme. 



So Susan Statement Skin Highlighter

$20.00 - 1.8 g 

Again, this is a product that I've never owned before. I have recently been really interested in highlighter, because I really like what it does to define other peoples faces. I really like this formula, and the stick makes it really easy to apply. The pigmentation is nice, and it looks great with my skin tone. This is definitely my favorite item in this month's box, and I will be using it all the time. Also, this is the one true item that goes along with this month's theme. Because it is in stick form, this highlighter is easy to travel with, and I could totally just throw this in your makeup bag. After looking at their website, their other products are really cute too. I may have to purchase a few more of their items. 


Overall, I am middle of the road with this month's box. I really like the palette and the highlighter, but I won't use two of the products. Last month's box were perfect for me, so I had really high expectations, but I am sure this one was just a miss. I am definitely going to keep my subscription going. On the other hand, I really like the value. This month's box is worth $116.95. I only spent $21 on these products, so that is a great value. 



If you would like to try BoxyCharm for yourself, just click here. If you are into high end makeup at a great deal, this is the perfect box for you. 

Friday, August 14, 2015

PopSugar Must Have August 2015 Review

My August PopSugar box is here! PopSugar is a lifestyle subscription box that includes the best of fashion, beauty, home, fitness, food and more that is delivered to your door every month for $39.95. I really enjoy this box, and their products are always so fun, and I have yet to not love a box. They always have a value of over $100 too. Usually much more. I am really excited to see what is inside, and I can't wait to use all my new products all month long. 


This month's theme inspirations are Organization, Morning Routines, Celebrations, Caffeine, and Back to School. These all get me really excited. I am a huge morning person, and love everything that goes along with it. I am super organized, and I bet the back to school items will be really cute. Celebrations is the one I am the least excited about, which is really weird, but I feel like these items won't be that useful for me, because I don't throw a lot of my own organized parties. I am really pumped to see what is inside, and I hope there are a few items that I absolutely love. 


Royal Apothic Tea Balm Firming Eye Treatment

$36.00 - 0.57 oz 

This is the spoiler I saw and the item I am most excited about in this month's box. I have this brand's mud mask, and I absolutely LOVE IT! It smells great, it works great, and it has a special spa like quality. I've always had dark circles, and I've started to notice some wrinkles. Unfortunately, this doesn't have a smell at all. I guess I'd rather have no smell over a bad smell. This cream is on the thicker side, and feels really nice under my eyes. I haven't noticed any changes yet, but I know they take a minute. I like how this goes along with morning routine with both the tea theme and the face product theme. I will probably use this mostly at night, though. I actually just bought Benefit's under eye cream, and I really wish I would have waited. Oh, well.


Happy Jackson Yay Lunch! Lunch Box

$10.00

This is the only item I don't think I would ever use, and it is a real bummer, because it is so freaking cute. I love the "YAY LUNCH!" and "YUM!" wording, the colors are fun, and the elastic band is perfect. I don't know if I'm a piggy, but this container doesn't seem too big. I could definitely see fitting a salad in here, or even last night's pasta leftovers, but an assortment of food wouldn't really work. I am not sure if this is the organization item, but if it is, I am a little bummed. I was hoping for a journal or something similar. This doesn't even have organization pockets inside. This does work great with the back to school theme, though. Too bad I don't bring my own lunches to work everyday.  


Southern Culture Shortstacks Birthday Cake Pancake & Waffle Mix

$8.00 - 10 oz

I so wish my boyfriend's birthday was coming up soon, because this pancake mix is perfect for a birthday breakfast. Not only is it vanilla cake flavored, but it has actual sprinkles. I have yet to try this, because I want to save it for a birthday, but I am really excited to make these pancakes. I checked out their other products, and they have quite a few delicious flavors. I might have to splurge and purchase some more. I also like how their ingredients are all natural. This goes really well with the celebration and morning routine themes, and I would have never guessed this product to be included. I wonder if PopSugar is celebrating a birthday of their own. 


American Colors Clothing Mediterranean Plaid Scarf

$79.00

I would never spend $80 on a scarf, but I am glad that PopSugar decided to do it for me. I love this plaid scarf, and it goes perfectly with the back to school inspiration. The two things I am not too fond over is the pink coloring and that it isn't an infinity scarf. I can make it look like one, though. I wish I could switch out the colors, because there are a few other ones that fit my style better. Even though I don't love the pink, I am really excited to break this out this fall. This can easily dress up a plain t-shirt, or warm you up on a cold, crisp fall day. I think this would be better for a September or October box, but I do really like it, and I am just happy I have it. 


Pastel Best Day Ever Mug

$12.00

I have the best coffee mug collection, and this will just make it better. I drink coffee EVERY morning, and I can definitely see this mug helping me start my day in a positive mood. This is a little more cutsie than I normally am drawn to, but it now I can see that it totally fits in with my mid century modern decor. I love this super practical item in this month's box, and it goes along well with the morning routine inspiration. I switch out my mug at work every once in a while, but I think I'll keep this one there. It is too cute, and it makes me smile. 


Meri Meri Toot Sweet Pink Stripe Napkins

$6.00

These aren't really my style, but that being said these are really cute. This goes along with the celebration inspiration, and I think that is when I will be using these. While I wouldn't use these for a dinner party, I think they would work perfectly for the desert table at a bridal or baby shower. I am not planning on having those events anytime soon, but I have a lot of friends and family that have both of those events coming up soon, so these will be donated to them. Their other products are really cute, so I might have to come back to their site when I have a special event of my own in the far future. 


Folgers Iced Cafe Caramel Macchiato Flavored Coffee Drink Concentrate 

$5.00 - 1.62 fl oz

I am actually really happy with this product. Food items aren't my favorite item to receive. I try to stay really healthy, and usually their food is junk. I do drink coffee everyday, all morning, and iced coffee is my go to all summer long. I've never had a concentrate coffee before, so I was interested in trying this out. The caramel flavor wasn't my favorite, but I am glad this did include caffeine. This is a small bottle, so you can bring it basically everywhere. I think I'm going to keep mine at work when the afternoon slump rolls around. I would be interested in trying out some of their other flavors. This one just wasn't the best for me. 


My Yoga Works 3 Month Trial

$45.00

I am usually not too excited about these extras, but you usually have to spend more money to save some money. This one is completely free, and you don't even have to enter your credit card number. I do practice yoga, so this is also a free trial that I will use. I have yet to try it out, so I am pretty excited to see what it has to offer. I am just happy this little extra is something I will use. It says that you can use it on multiple devises, so this can be very convenient. 


Overall, this box killed it. I really like all these products, except one, but it will still go to use. I am a little bummed there wasn't really an organization item in the box, but they hit all the other inspiration themes on the nail. This is a great transition into fall box, and all these items feel very now. This box is worth a crazy $201, but most of the value is from the scarf. I did include the free trial in that amount, because you don't have to spend any additional money to get the value from freebie. 


If you would like to try PopSugar Must Have for yourself just click here. It is a little bit of a splurge, but the contents inside are always well worth the price, and it is the best way to treat yourself with a box of monthly surprises. 

Monday, August 10, 2015

Target Beauty Box August 2015 Review

Yet another Target Beauty Box has arrived. They used to only come out seasonally, but recently they've been coming out about once a month. They usually cost between $5 to $10 depending on the value of the box. This particular one cost $7. I really like the value of the boxes, and it is always nice to try out drugstore brands and some brand that are a little higher end than your normal drugstore. Also, I really like shopping at Target, so it is nice to try out some of their new products before I buy the full size item. 



I thought that this box was going to be all about the transition into Fall, but this box is geared around the warm weather and your must have essentials. Every Target Beauty Box comes with a itemized card that explains what the product is and how you use it. This does help with some of the items, but I also like to know exactly how the product is helping. They don't include the prices, but I do know that things cost more or less depending on where the Target is located. Each box also comes with a coupon for $3 off $15 spent in the beauty section. I have yet to use this, but I am sure it will eventually come in handy. 


Clairol Hair Food Moisturizing Hair Mask 


$11.99 - 6.3 oz

I was most interested in this product out of everything in the box. This "hair food" is moisturizing hair mask that replaces your conditioner. I really like the ingredients in this, and it reads higher end to me. I also really like how it smells. I used this instead of my conditioner and left it in my hair for five minutes. My hair looked stronger and healthier, and it left my hair feeling really soft. My only complaint is that my hair was a little more difficult to comb through when it was wet. I will be using this once a week instead of my conditioner, and hopefully it will really help my current situation. 


$5.99 - 0.44 fl oz            

I love trying out different mascaras in my subscription boxes, and this one is full size! It is always nice to try out different formulas and see if they live up to their claims. Also, I wear mascara every single day, so it is great to get them at a discounted amount. This particular formula is pretty great. I always try to achieve big, full lashes, and this formula / brush combo really created a great look. I also like the price point for this. I normally spend about $10 for a tube of mascara, so this is a little cheaper than normal. This is a great product, and I am glad I was able to get a full tube in this subscription box. 



$19.99 - 5 fl oz            

Fekkai is really nice brand, and I am in love with their dry shampoo. This particular product helps protect your hair from sun damage while boosting shine. I wouldn't normally purchase this product on my own, but I was interested in trying it out. I really like how this smells, which is good start. It definitely boosted shine, and I like that it will protect my freshly dyed hair from fading from the summer sun. I don't think I will purchase this again, because it isn't something I particularly want to include in my daily routine, but this will definitely get used up. 



$49.99 - 8 strips       

This is a really great item to sample, especially since you get the full effect with one use. These one hour whitening strips will rid years of stains from your teeth in one hour. You really only have to use these once in a great while, because they do the entire job in one take. These strips stuck to my teeth really well, and stayed on the entire hour. It was actually a little difficult to pull these off my teeth once the hour was up. My teeth were so white and bright afterwards I was pretty impressed. When my teeth start to look dull, I will definitely look into splurging on these, because it does a really great job. I hope that my teeth stay this bright for a while. 



$14.99 - 5 fl oz         

I have recently been using toner to help clear acne, get rid of blackheads, and firm my face to prevent wrinkles. I have noticed that toner leaves my face really dry, though, and sometimes it is really painful. This particular one promises to be moisturizing, and I really felt like it was. It definitely didn't leave my face feeling as dry as a normal toner would, and I still felt like my face was more toned and super soft. I didn't realize that Olay carried their own toner, and now I know, I will definitely be purchasing this in the future. 



$14.99 - 2.5 fl oz       

I use a face lotion every singe day, so this items is pretty perfect for me. I have tried out some of Olay's face lotions before, and they've always worked well for me so I am sure I will like this particular lotion too. This promises to leave your face hydrated for 24 hours, and I can stand by that claim. I really like how this was a light lotion, but was still thick enough to moisturize. This lotion also smells really nice, which is important with something that you are going to put next to your nose. I am really happy with this sample, and will probably go back to Olay when I purchase face lotion again. 


Overall, I really like the items in this box. There are two full size items, which is really awesome, and really makes this box a great value. I will definitely use up all these items, even the one item I wouldn't buy on my own. I feel like this is a little late to put out a summer box, though, because fall is right around the corner. I estimate this box to be worth $42.68. That is crazy, because I only spent $7. Target estimated a value of about $35, so I am happy it is even more than that. 


If you would like to try Target Box for yourself you will definitely have to keep an eye out. They come out randomly and sell out really quickly. It is daintily worth the effort, though, because these boxes always have a great value. 

Wednesday, August 5, 2015

BoxyCharm July 2015 Review - Summertime Radness

I've been wanting to get a subscription box that offers more full size items, yet I didn't want to spend too much money. I've been checking out the two boxes at the $21 price range, and it seemed like people are more satisfied with Boxycharm over GlossyBox. That being said, I decided to give BoxyCharm a try. There are always at least four full size items and the value is almost always over $100. That is a $80 extra value with each box. I thought I'd start my subscription with the August Box, but they sent me the July Box to begin. I am not complaining, because it was a quality box full of great items. I've already seen the spoilers, so I know what is coming, but I definitely want to try out each product. 


One thing that sold me on BoxyCharm other than the value was the theme. I love boxes with themes, and they are even more fun when the box's items go along with that theme. This month's theme is Summertime Radness. With greetings from Miami, these products will help crush the summer heat and allow you to bring out your best summer glam diva. Summer is all about bringing out the looks that you would normally be too shy to shine. I hope these products can help me accomplish these looks. 


Vasanti Professional Blush Brush 

$29.00 

I love receiving brushes in my subscription boxes, because they are usually so expensive, and they are always a great value. This brush alone is worth more than I paid for the box, which I love to see. I didn't have a brush specifically for blush and bronzer, so I will definitely use this. I tried it with my bronzer to begin with, and it created a nice natural line. I've tried the Vasanti line before, and I'm starting to really like their products. This brush could also be used for foundation brush if you don't wear blush or bronzer. 


Gorge I'll Make You Look Amazing Daily Spray

$29.95 - 4 fl oz

When I saw this item in the spoilers, I wasn't too thrilled. Hair products are normally for people with full hair, and mine is so thin and straight. But, this is so different. Not only does it create shininess and reduces frizz, but it also creates volume. I also like this product because it makes your hair stronger and healthier, and it's a natural conditioner. My hair felt so good and appeared full of volume when I used this. I also really like how it smells. It reminds me of summer. This will definitely help make some summertime radness.  


yourMinerals SWEDEN Transparent Veil Setting Powder

$26.00 - 4 g

This is another item that I wasn't too excited about in the spoilers, but one use got me hooked. It starts as a white powder, but after applying to your face, it becomes transparent. I like how this sets your makeup, makes a matte finish, and hides fine lines. How could I not like this product? This is a full size item, but it isn't the largest they offer. I shouldn't complain though. This is already worth more than I paid for the box. I did notice at first that this does create a light white sheen on my face at first, but that does go away. I also am all about that matte finish in hot and humid summer. Anything to take that sheen off my face. 



OFRA Cosmetics Lip Liner in Cherish

$13.00 - 0.04 oz

This is the one item I am not too happy with. I really like OFRA Cosmetics, but I just don't ever use lip liners. I was really hoping for the eyebrow pencil, because that is something I would actually use. This lip liner is a really pretty color, though, and it is such a perfect color for summer. It is a darker, yet bright pink, and if this were an actual lip color, I could see myself wearing this all summer long. Oh, well. I will just hand it off to a friend. 



MDMflow Greater Than Mascara

$33.00 -  0.2 fl oz

Mascara is my all time favorite item to receive in my subscription boxes. I like to try every single mascara out there, and if I love it or I don't, I will always end up using it in one way or another. I was really excited about this mascara. Not only is it high end and has the cutest container, it promises volume, which is my mail goal with my eyelashes. I was definitely a little disappointed with the actual formula. It didn't give me the volume I was hoping for, but it did leave my eyelashes separated and pretty. I will be happy to use this as a base, or as the sole mascara for days I want to go more natural. Either way, this mascara was middle of the road for me. 
  
I am really happy with this box. I thought I wouldn't like a few of these products, but with one try, they have become instant favorites. If only I received the eyebrow pencil instead of the lip pencil, this box would have blown me away. This box is worth an astounding $130.95. I only paid $21 for this box. I normally wouldn't pay these prices for these items, but I would still pay more than $21 for the lower value item. I am excited to see the value of next month's box, and maybe August will be a complete hit. 



If you would like to try BoxyCharm for yourself, just click here. It is definitely worth the cost.