Starlooks Starbox Review (February 2014)

My better-late-than-never Starlooks Starbox arrived on my doorstep just in the nick of time! I wanted to get this review up as soon as possible because it’s just a few short minutes until March begins! Starlooks had a small issue with a packaging defect and had to delay a handful of subscriber boxes until the issue was fixed.

This month, the Starbox theme was “Futurism.” While this is kind of a cool theme, I was hoping for more of a romantic theme in celebration of Valentine’s Day! Maybe a rosey blush or a fun pink lippie! If you check out their LooksBook for this month, you’ll notice it was anything but!

First peek inside the box, I saw that this month included 3 items, plus a bonus item. Also included in the box was this little gem:

As promised, Starlooks provided us with a 3-month subscriber loyalty gift. This is actually a much better gift than I expected! A $35 gift code to spend on their site on whatever I want? Yes please! If you’re interested, of course I’ve already used it! I purchased a past Starbox (June 2013) and a Tendergloss in Cherub. Review to come on those!

Now onto this month’s goodies!

1. Starlooks Lipstick in “BFF” ($12)

 (click to enlarge!)

This lipstick shade is just…ugh. Nope. No thanks. However, Starlooks included a variety of metallic, shimmery shades in this month’s box, and I received BFF. It’s a shimmery nude shade. Starlooks suggests to use these shades alone for a bold lip, or to pair it with another lipstick to give a metallic boost or shiny highlight. I can see that working for some people, however I’m high maintenance enough as it is with my makeup. I really don’t want to add yet another step to my makeup routine and start layering lipsticks. If I want my red lipstick to have a metallic finish, I’ll buy a metallic red. Not a fan of this shade at all. Going right to the trade pile. (Let me mention that I do really love the formula of these lipsticks, just not this particular shade!)

2. Starlooks Pigment in “Wall Street” ($17)

Sigh. Honestly this is just the last thing in the entire world that I need in my makeup collection. I don’t know a single makeup-obessed woman who doesn’t own a smokey shadow or pigment shade. They sent out a few different shades, I was just unlucky enough to get this charcoal grey/black with silver micro glitter. It’s not unique for me at all. The formula is absolutely outstanding, however. Beautiful to apply, super pigmented and shimmery. The best part about Starlooks pigments is the little bottle the come in. I love that I can just dip a brush right into the little hole in the top, or I can gently sprinkle some into the cap without it going everywhere!

3. Starlooks Cream Shadow in “Warp” ($12)

I was super excited to see that Starlooks was debuting a new product in our Starboxes this month: cream shadows! I am a huge fan of the Maybelline Color Tattoos and I was hoping that these would be fancier alternative. Firstly, I couldn’t help but be disappointed in the shade I got. In my first Starbox back in September, I got a cream liner that looked exactly like this shade. Not to mention the complete lack of color in the rest of my box as well. This is a nice frosty shade that can be used as a base to really brighten up and shimmerize (like that word I made up, there?) a shadow look, but I can’t recommend wearing these cream shadows on their own. I left the swatch on my hand to dry for a while, and applied this shadow on my lids. Within 20 minutes it was already creasing. The swatch on my hand wiped right off. I can’t imagine these shadows have much staying power, but I think with a primer underneath, they could make good bases to change up an eye look.

*Surprise!* Headband

(ignore my yucky short/chipped nails…this is why I don’t do nail posts! lol)

Occasionally, Starlooks will add in a surprise item which is usually something like a pencil sharpener, a brow comb etc. This time they included a simple stretchy headband, which may be a little boring, but I was definitely excited to get it! These headbands are always useful in keeping hair off your face when applying makeup or skincare products, and this one is very light and very soft, which will help keep it from leaving dents in your hair. Very nice little bonus!

Overall Thoughts

Total Box Value: $41

I think that this box was a bust for me. I don’t think that it’s a bad box at all, as I think someone else could get this and really love it. The products are all nice and it’s curated well, I just don’t think I will personally get much use out of anything here other than the headband. I will most likely put all of this in my giveaway pile. Even so, the $35 reward code definitely makes up for a lackluster February box!

To Join Starlooks

Starlooks is $15 a month plus about $3 for shipping. You will receive 3-4 cosmetics from Starlooks that are curated around a monthly theme. Starlooks also offers an excellent referral program (free box of makeup with every referral!) and also sends you a free box of makeup on your birthday month. As if that wasn’t enough, Starlook also gives loyalty rewards to subscribers every 3 months. This month, as mentioned above, they gave us a $35 gift code to spend on anything on their site! I think if you’re looking to expand your makeup collection, or just want to try some new and exciting makeup that you might not have picked up on your own, Starlooks is a great option for you, and I believe it’s an excellent value.

If you’re interested in signing up for Starlooks, I would love if you’d consider using my referral link here:  

Sign Up For Starlooks!

Graze Box Review (February 2014)

It’s the end of February (can you believe it??) and it’s time for another Graze box roundup! 

While I DO get one Graze Box a week, there are those weeks where I dig into my snacks WAY too quickly and completely forget that I have a review to do! This month I was able to hold off on two of my boxes, and I was able to try a few things that I haven’t had a chance to before!

If you want a more detail explanation of what Graze is and what they offer, please go HERE.

Basic explanation? They sent you 4 pre-portioned snacks from a lineup of over 90 to choose from. Each box is $6, and you can get them once a month, or bi-weekly. 

If you’re interested in trying Graze out for yourself, you can use my referral link and receive your 1st AND your 5th box absolutely free! You can cancel after the first box if you want, but trust me, you won’t want to!

Referral Link: https://www.graze.com/us/p/7CL17KN7U

(I always donate my referral rewards to the Graze School of Farming which you can learn more about HERE. )

Now onto the boxes this Month!

BOX #1

 The snacks that I received in this box were:

1. Jalapeno Fiesta (nuts/seeds/spicy)- This is one I was on the fence about receiving, but with Graze I always find that they get me to like things I never thought I would! This is a mixture of jalapeno peanuts, roasted sunflower and pumpkin seeds, and salsa almonds. J always jokes that I am like a squirrel, because I LOVE nuts and seeds, and these are delicious! Perfect amount of spicy kick, but not overwhelming, and this snack definitely makes you full and satisfied!

2. Salsa Fresca (dipper)- I was interested to see that I got two dippers in my box this month, since that’s pretty unusual! This one contains “cheesy sombreros” which are basically a light wafer cracker with a natural cheese flavor. Super yummy on their own, but with the tomato salsa fresca, these are even better! This is a mild snack, not really spicy at all, so it’s safe for kids and anyone who isn’t big on a spicy salsa! Delish!

3. Toffee Apple (dipper)- Dipper number 2! This contains dried granny smith apple slices and a toffee sauce for dipping! If you’re ever craving a caramel apple that won’t break your diet, this is the snack for you! Super delicious and satisfying and only 70 calories!

4. Apple Cosmo (fruit)- I’m not a huge fan of the fruit-only medleys, but J loves them so I leave them on my list so he can get a treat every now and then when I get my boxes! This medley is his absolute favorite and contains cranberries, apples and lime-infused raisins. I think these are yummy when I’m in the mood, but I usually need some sort of crunch in my snacks, which is why I prefer to mix the dried fruit with nuts or seeds. However the flavor of this one is absolutely delish!

BOX #2

The snacks that I received in this box were:

1. Chili and Honey Almonds (nuts)- I know, I know these sound really weird, but they are actually tastier than I expected! These are almonds coated in a sweet honey with a bit of a chili-kick in the aftertaste. These shouldn’t taste good, but they do. That’s the only thing I can say! I did find them to be a bit too spicy for my liking, so I ended up trashing them on the site (just means Graze won’t send them again) but I am glad I got to try something different and interesting!

2. Apple and Cinnamon Flapjack – Send me ALL of the flapjacks! These little guys are to this day, my most favorite thing in my Graze boxes. Flapjacks are what happens when oatmeal and granola bars have a baby. They’re not sticky and chewy like a granola bar, and their not a paste like oatmeal, but they are soft like a cookie, and taste like oatmeal but in a granola bar form. I know my description probably makes no sense but they are just delicious. I love this flavor of flapjack, it’s my personal fave! Good luck only eating one of these! Hint: It’s not going to happen!

3. Olive and Rosemary Bruschetta (savory)– This is another one I was on the fence about flavor-wise when I read the name, however this basically taste like pizza flavored deliciousness. This savory medley includes mini tomato breadsticks, rosemary and garlic cashews, and kalamata olive croutons. I’m not a fan of olives at all, but this snack is truly satisfying if you’re craving something like goldfish or pizza. Crunchy and filling! 

4. Little Figgy Went to Market (fruit)- This is one of the rare all-fruit mixes that I absolutely love. It’s such a unique mix of fruits: diced figs, cranberries and apples. It has such a delicious flavor, it’s kind of like pigging out on fig newtons without the guilt! Absolutely yummy!

Overall Thoughts

I wasn’t a huge fan of every single snack this month, but the great thing about Graze is I can trash anything I don’t really like, and each month seems like I get a better and better box, because each month I am rating snacks and customizing my choices more. I always love my flapjacks, and I love my nuts/seeds! If you like what you see here and want to sign up to get Graze box, use my referral code to get your first and 5th box free here:

https://www.graze.com/us/p/7CL17KN7U

(boxes are regularly $6 each)

Until next month! (maybe March will be the month I actually remember not to eat the snacks before I photograph them! Wishful thinking!)

Loot Crate February 2014 Review!

J’s Loot Crate came today, and I just received the tracking yesterday! I totally wasn’t expecting it, but J was definitely happy to see it on his desk when he got home from work today!

The theme this month was “Warriors” which played to the online cartoon “Bravest Warriors” that is created by Pendleton Ward, the creator of Adventure Time. J and I have both seen a few episodes of Bravest Warriors, but neither of us is a die-hard fan or anything, so a few of these items were a little lost on us. However I think anyone that is a fan of the show would absolutely love this crate!

Let’s get into this month’s goodies!

1. GPS Cinch Bag

This is the first Bravest Warriors item in the box. This is a gag from the show, and while I think it’s pretty cool, I definitely think this would be a bummer for anyone who hasn’t seen Bravest Warriors. J always needs a quick backpack to throw stuff in when he’s going to work, so I’m glad that there was a cinch bag in this month’s crate!

2. Bravest Warriors Sticker, Catbug Bow Tie and Digital Comic

These 3 items are more Bravest Warriors items. A catbug bowtie: super cute, but honestly I doubt that even a fan would actually wear that thing. Bravest Warriors digital comic download: cool, but would have preferred an actual comic! Bravest Warriors Sticker: J was lucky and got the cutest character sticker (since I will probably steal it) so that was a win! Still feel very “meh” about the theme this month, as I think that it’s a good idea to include items from Bravest Warriors to help more people hear about the show, but to include so many items feels like overkill on something that isn’t that popular yet. 

3. Dunny Sideshow Box Figure

Since J started getting Loot Crate, he’s acquired quite the interesting collection of vinyl figures. These Dunny figures are quite popular, and I’ve seen them around but never really got into collections in general. I hate clutter, so anything that you need to collect usually doesn’t find it’s way into my house! These Side Show Dunny figures are really cool, and a fun vinyl to add to J’s collection.

4. Bacon Love Card, OpenMe Membership, and Loot Crate Button

I appreciate the gesture Loot Crate, but if you’re going to add a Valentines Day item to the crate, at least have them delivered before the 14th! Either way, this is a Valentine’s Day card that says, “I love you more than Bacon” inside which is cute, but we just received a similar card in the Zombie Loot Crate a few months back. Even so, the company gave a special website (it’s above, so feel free to use the link if interested!) that allows you to access a free year of unlimited e-cards from their store. Also included in this photo is the 2nd Loot Crate collectors button that is themed along with this month’s box. 

5. Alpha Battle T-Shirt

Hands down the coolest thing in the box, The Alpha Battle t-shirt. This shirt shows the alphabet depicted by characters from the most popular video game characters. J loved this shirt and it definitely made the whole box worth it!

All in all, this is a pretty decent crate, but J and I agree it is our least favorite one since he began subscribing. I think it’s an awesome crate for anyone who is a fan of Bravest Warriors, but probably a let down for anyone that isn’t. As always we’re hopeful and excited for next month’s Loot Crate. I’m crossing my fingers for a Doctor Who theme on the horizon! (A girl can dream!)

If you’re interested in grabbing a Loot Crate for yourself or someone you love (these are AWESOME for kids and husbands who act like kids!) please consider using my referral link here: Sign up for the March Loot Crate!  Loot Crate is $13.37 plus a few dollars shipping (it’s under $20 total), and make sure to use the coupon code: MARCHLOOT at checkout to save $3 on your subscription!

Ipsy February 2014 "The Look of Love"

My Ipsy bag snuck into my mailbox yesterday, and since it was Valentines Day, I didn’t have time to really look at or test anything. J and I went out to dinner and he gave me a beautiful ring! *Cue the “awwws”!* It was all very lovely and sweet and all that romantic stuff, but now: back to business!

This month’s Ipsy bag was themed, “The Look Of Love” and was supposed to contain products that you could use to create a pretty Valentine’s Day look. I didn’t receive my bag until I was on my way out the door on the 14th, so I wasn’t able to test that idea, but I still got some really interesting stuff!

The bag this month (you can see the outside of the bag in the final picture) was a simple light pink with a white zipper. Inside had a super cute pink leopard print that was very festive for the season! I actually love this bag and will probably use it as my main makeup bag in my purse. I’ve been using the Ipsy December 2012 one for ages!

This month we received 5 products:

1. Zoya Polish in “Dot” (From the 2014 Awaken Collection)

First off, let me say that I always appreciate that Zoya gives Ipsy subscribers not only full size polishes, but shades that are from their new lines. All too often I see companies (*cough NYX *cough) that ship their less popular shades or products to subscription services and I just find that ridiculous. It’s good marketing on Zoya’s part! The only problem? I hate this shade. With a fiery passion.  I love pink, and love pastel pink, but I hate it on my nails. I prefer purples and deep reds. I was hoping for the other option, “Odette” and I’m sure I can trade for it, however I just wanted to give a quick swatch for those who are interested.

2. IPKN New York BB Cream in “02 Light”

Yikes. If this is “light” then my shade in IPKN BB cream must be “ghost.” I have light skin, but definitely not the lightest on the spectrum of skin tones, so I find it a little silly that this is considered “light.” This BB cream has a yellow/orange undertone and as you can see from the swatch, doesn’t even remotely match my skin tone. For those who are interested in the product itself: It doesn’t feel like a BB cream at all. It feels like a sheer liquid foundation or a tinted moisturizer with medium coverage. Really tired of dealing with US companies releasing BB creams that aren’t BB creams at all. This one is going in the “Nope” pile!

3. Eyetini Eye Cordial Shadow + Base in “Ambrosia”

This was one of the products I was so indifferent about getting, and my opinion has totally changed! I don’t usually use cream shadows because I find them to be a hassle and they crease just way too much to bother with. This cream shadow, however, is a lot different. Not only is the color absolutely stunning: a beautiful purple-taupe, but it applies so easily and is incredibly pigmented! I let this dry on my hand and then attempted to wipe it off and this stuff definitely has some intense staying power! I’ve also heard from a friend that she wore it out all day with no creasing! My only issue with this product is that it smells a bit like nail polish. Kind of an intense scent for something going on my eye, but overall a fantastic product!

4. City Color Be Matte Blush in “Fresh Melon”

I already own a couple of these blushes, and I absolutely love them! They only retail for $2.99, and I find that they have a great color payoff and a nice, soft consistency. This shade is a bright melon that comes off more as a soft peachy tone once applied and blended into the cheeks. I can’t attest to how long they stay on their own, as I use a setting spray on my face, however these blushes last all day for me. Can’t get much better than that for $3. Plus: they are completely matte, which is pretty hard to find at that price point!

5. Pop Beauty Plump Pout in “Peony Petal”

I am not a huge fan of Pop Beauty, but I have found that most of their products are very “middle-of-the-road” for me. This lip product however, seems to be a bit nicer than the items I’ve tried in the past. They describe this product as a lip plumper and a lip stain, however I don’t find it to do either of those things. I think that’s the downfall of this gloss: there’s a lot of claims on it, but it’s honestly just a pretty colored gloss and nothing more. Even so, I love the color pay off of this gloss and find it to be a really flattering shade on my skin tone. This gloss is a thinner consistency and feels comfortable on the lips.

For a “complete” look, I think that these products all go pretty well together. The BB cream aside, the light pink polish is a nice basic shade that compliments almost any makeup look.

I think that these shades are fun and vibrant while still being subtle, and really do work nicely together. I’m excited to try a look with the entire bag (minus the BB) and see what I can come up with!

Overall, I think that the February bag is a win. 3/5 items I will use regularly, and the other 2 are fine, just not the right shades for me. I really love the bag as well!

The BB Cream, Blush and Cream Shadow were all chosen for me via IpsyMatch. If you would like to see what else was available for February you can see that here:

(click to enlarge!)

February 2014 Birchbox (US Weekly Collaboration Box)

Another month, another Birchbox! My first of 2 Birchboxes arrived on my doorstep this morning, and I was super excited to get it open because this month they teamed up with US Weekly to give us products that will help us prepare for awards season!

My box felt lighter this month than it has in a while, so I was pretty curious as to what could be hiding inside!

1. Agave Healing Oil Treatment

This is a lightweight oil used to hydrate and protect the hair. It’s used by working into damp hair from roots to ends. If I could grumble any louder about this sample, you all could probably hear me. Birchbox was also offering a Beauty Protector hair oil that came in a much nicer, resealable container. I’m OK with foil packets as long as I have enough product to try, but when you can clearly get more than one use out of a product and they put it in one of these pillow packs, it really bothers me. I’m not going to prop this up on my bathroom counter until it’s all gone. I might just start saving a few little jars and containers for lame samples like this in the future.

2. Benefit Cosmetics Fake Up

I received this sample back in October and I have been using it on and off since then. I think it’s a decent concelear that is nice and moisturizing, but I think that because of it being a little slick, it tends to settle in the fine lines under my eye unless I am quick about it and set it with powder. It works pretty well but it’s not something I would purchase a full size of.

This picture shows how much product comes in the sample tube. A lot of people (including myself back in October) were really upset that there was such a teeny amount in such a large sample tube, but believe it or not, I use my older sample a few times a week and I still have a bit left. I would say I’ve used it well over 30 times and I still have some left. So while it may look like a small amount, you can definitely get a lot of use out of it!

3. Dr. Brandt Pores No More

If you’re familiar with the product, “The Porefessional” by Benefit, this is very similar, only you are able to use this product not just under your makeup, but over it as well. It’s supposed to refine pores to give a flawless look. I haven’t used it yet, but Dr. Brandt products always seem to have a huge tube with product that fills it about 1/4 of the way. For some reason that seriously irks me, but I will definitely try this out and see what I think. 

4. OPI Sheer Tint in “I Can Teal You Like Me”
 

When I took a peek at my box preview, this was the item I was most excited to try…until I got the box. I’m fine with the fact that this is a tiny little sample and not a full size. It takes me forever to use up a polish anyway. However, there were 3 different shades being sent out and I got the one I was hoping to avoid. Teal is one of my favorite colors, yet I don’t think it’s a color that is going to look good painted sheerly on my nails. I also cant’ really think of a shade this would look good with as a top coat. 

I painted a bit on my thumb nail to give you an idea of what I mean. This may work for some people, but in darker light it looks almost like my nails are moldy or dirty! It’s just not a flattering shade at all. I think the sheer pink would be a much better color to use sheer on the nail.

5. (Beauty Extra) Benefit Cosmetics ‘Big Easy”

Let me preface this by saying I have no issue with foil packet samples as long as I can get at least 1 full use out of it. I also understand that this is considered an “extra.” However, These kind of foil/card samples are the things that they stick in magazines. I peeled this back and attempted to use it on my face to see if I would like it, and I was able to maybe cover my cheek and chin before I was out of product. There’s no way to know what I would think of the product overall or how it performs because I wasn’t given enough to really test it. This was a huge waste of an extra and should have just been included as a bonus in everyone’s boxes.

 Overall, this box wasn’t a complete dud for me, but it was definitely not one of the best ones I’ve gotten. It would have been a whole lot better if the OPI polish was a different shade (totally not BB’s fault) and if I had received the other hair oil that was available and a larger sample of the Big Easy cream. I’m excited to see what my second box has in store!

February 2014 PopSugar Must Have Box Review!

 

My PopSugar Must Have box came super early this month! The company guaranteed that the boxes would arrive on or before Valentines Day, and it looks like (for me, at least!) they kept their word! This is my 3rd box with PopSugar, and this is by far the earliest I have ever received it!

For anyone who doesn’t know, PopSugar Must Have is a subscription service that delivers a box full of “must have” items that are chosen by the staff at Pop Sugar. It’s a lifestyle box, which means it can contain anything from food, to jewelry, to a book or a candle! You usually get a nice variety of items and if you pay monthly, each box costs $39.95 a month. This is one of the pricier subscriptions, however if you’re more interested in a variety of items, and more of a surprise, this is a great box for you.

This month was a Valentine’s Day theme, and we were encouraged to gift this box to our loved ones. PopSugar put out a 50% off coupon code, so I of course, decided to gift one to my wonderful mother. I had no idea what was inside, I only hoped it was stuff that she would like!

This box was on the heavier side at 3lbs, so I was very interested in what they had in store!

1. Sugarwish Mini Red Cinnamon Hearts ($8.75)

Sugarwish is a company that allows you to send an e-gift card to a friend or loved one. The recipient then logs onto the Sugarwish website and chooses their favorite candies. Finally, Sugarwish delivers the candy to their door in a cute little box! PopSugar included a small box of cinnamon hearts for us to taste as well as a discount coupon to try Sugarwish for ourselves. I did a little research, and Sugarwish sells 3 different size boxes of candies; each one holds a different amount of 1/4 pound bags. The smallest box contains four 1/4 bags and costs $25. I find this to be incredibly expensive. Not only is Sugarwish’s candy a bit lackluster, (Bit O’ Honey…really?) but 4 small bags of candy and shipping should not cost $25. I could make my own candy box and ship it for less than that. So while I appreciate the cute box of cinnamon hearts, I probably won’t be using this service.

2. NCLA Nail Polish in “Rodeo Drive Royalty” ($16)

I have heard mixed things about NCLA, but I have never tried their polishes before. This is a pretty standard color for me. The good side: I love dark reds, so I know it will get used. The bad side: I love dark reds, so I already have more than I could ever use. This isn’t something I would consider a “must have” but it’s a nice polish overall and I think that it appeals to lots of people.

3. MODELCO Lip Pops Duo Lip Gloss and Lipstick ($16)

This is a nice duo of a lipstick and a lip gloss from MODELCO. We received a mascara from them back in December, however I haven’t gotten around to trying it yet. I have WAY too much mascara! This product could have been nicer if it had a bit of well, color! I feel like the nude shade will work for more people, which is probably why they chose it, but I think that a pink or a berry shade would have stuck with the Valentines Day theme a bit more. I’m not big on nude lippies, so this is probably going in the trade pile.

4. K Hall Designs Peony Travel Candle ($11)

This is a cute little travel candle from K Hall Designs in the scent ‘Peony.’ I love candles, however the only scents I really dislike are floral. This is a delicate scent and will probably smell nice in a bathroom or something, but floral scents give me a headache so this one won’t be burning in my house most likely. Looks like another give away item. This is a nice addition to this box, just something that doesn’t work for me personally.

5. Nourish Organic Pure Hydrating Argan Face Serum ($24)

I am very excited about this product because I absolutely love this brand! While it is available at Target stores, I think it’s very high-end quality. All of the Nourish Organic products are certified organic, gluten free, vegan, made in the USA, not tested on animals, and packaged with recycled materials. As if that wasn’t good enough: the products work amazingly well. I have had the pleasure of trying their facial moisturizer, and their body lotion which I own the full size of, and I absolutely love everything I’ve tried from them. Can’t wait to use this serum!

6. Gorjana Brooks Jewelry Roll ($45)

This is the big ticket item in this month’s box, and while I think it’s very pretty, I have to say I’m a bit disappointed. Since this was a Valentine’s Day themed box, I was really hoping for an actual piece of Jewelry instead of a carrying case for jewelry. I don’t have much experience with Gorjana&Griffin, but I found this jewelry roll to be extremely cheap in the way it feels, looks, performs AND smells. It has a plastic smell and feel to it. When you unzip the zippers, they get stuck and you have to tug them to get them to open. Once the zippers are open, you can feel the pockets themselves are lined with a cardboard of some kind underneath the taupe-colored fabric. It’s just a very cheap piece, and considering they charge $45 for this on their website, I expected much better quality. Aside from my disappointment,  I’m sure it will get some use the next time I travel. PopSugar also included a $25 off your next purchase coupon code for Gorjana&Griffin which is nice.

Here’s what it looks like opened as well:

7. *SPECIAL EXTRA* Dial Vitamin Boost Body Wash ($3)

PopSugar occasionally likes to throw an “extra” in their boxes every now and then, and this time it came in the form of a Dial body wash. I’m not sure how this pertains to the Valentines Day theme at all, and I feel weird giving this box as a gift to my mother now. “Here mom, you stink, have some body wash!” HAHA. However, it IS just an extra so I’m just thinking of it as such. Kind of threw off the whole pink/red/white vibe to the box, but hey, glad to have the extra instead of nothing at all!

The total retail value of the February PopSugar Must Have Box is $124. Since the box costs $39.95, I definitely think that the box is worth the money value-wise. However it’s important to look at these boxes and see if there is value in it for you personally. Honestly, the only thing I was excited about was the Nourish Organic serum. The other items are nice, and I’m sure they will be gifted or used eventually, but I just didn’t think that this box was a very good “gift” considering they encouraged us to gift these to friends and family. I know as much as my mother is going to appreciate it, she most likely won’t use anything in this box aside from the jewelry roll and the serum. I feel like I could have purchased her a much nicer gift that she would use for the same price. I suppose that’s what you get when you bet on a surprise box!

February marks my 3rd month with PopSugar Must Have, and while I do enjoy getting these boxes, I think that I would be more willing to recommend them if the price was between $25 and $30.

Ipsy/My Glam Bag Review! (December, January, Febrary 2012-2013)

One of the most popular crazes right now is the “subscription box.” The idea is to pay a small amount of money per month to have a box or bag of samples delivered to your door to try. There are all kinds of boxes out there. Some of the most popular include Birchbox and Ipsy (formally called MyGlam) I have had both of these subscription boxes, and eventually cancelled both due to being disappointed with my samples.

We get wrapped up in the fun idea of a surprise present on our doorstep every month, but I started to notice that many of my samples from these companies were perfume vials that I could request for free from the company themselves, or foil packets of shampoo that I could get at my local Sephora or Ulta with a purchase. Not to mention, when we think of “beauty samples” we want MAKEUP! I couldn’t help but notice I was getting mostly skincare and haircare. While that’s wonderful, some of us have all we need or a routine of products that we use for our skin and hair, and frankly, I was looking for more cosmetics.

Then…something awesome happened. MyGlam bags became Ipsy bags. One of the cool things about this company is that since the beginning, your samples come in a small cosmetic bag that changes every month. You might not think you need 12 cosmetic bags per year, but it sure beats a cardboard box that you’re going to throw away! I’ve used mine to hold all kinds of things (IE: feminine products, cosmetics, sunglasses, money, you name it!) and I think it’s a nice addition and a good change to the other boxes available.

Another great thing about the name change, is that the boxes became, well, BETTER! The beginning of this program got off to a great start, and then it seemed it quickly went downhill. They were including a lot of coupons and foil packets…not something you want to spend $10 a month on. But being the beauty subscription obsessed person I am, I continued to follow unboxings of Ipsy on youtube and I noticed a trend. The boxes were including LOTS of cosmetics. Something that NO other box right now is doing. What’s inside these Ipsy Bags? Here’s a peek at my last 3 months:

Ipsy Bag December

Ipsy Bag January

Ipsy Bag February

Now THAT is what I call a subscription box. These little cosmetic bags are always packed with samples that you can actually use more than once! More like “trial/travel” sized products. No foil packets. No perfume vials, but lip glosses, nail polishes, skin primers, eyeliners, shadows, mascara…THESE are the kinds of samples I’ve been looking for!

If you’re looking at all these subscription boxes and are looking for something that will give you the most cosmetics from a wide variety of brands, than Ipsy is definitely for you. You’re going to get your bag each month and really feel like you’re getting a deal. $10 a month is worth it when you’re getting samples this size, from new brands as well as brands we already know and love. 

I will be doing a few more reviews on Subscription boxes in the future, so keep a look out for those and hopefully it will help you decide which one is right for you!

If you’re interested in signing up with Ipsy, please consider using my referral link here:  Sign Up for Ipsy!