REVIEW: Beauty Box 5 February 2013

Beauty Box 5 is a subscription-based, beauty sampling program that delivers a box filled with 4-5 cosmetic samples to your door every month and is open to US and Canadian subscribers.

Cost: $12 per month, $30 quarterly, $99 annually

This month, the following was in my Beauty Box 5: 

Elizabeth Mott It's So Big Volumizing Mascara - $8.50

I was incredibly excited to get this item in my beauty box because I have been on a huge mascara kick lately. When I used this item I was surprised it claimed to be volumizing because I thought it gave a very natural look. It separates lashes effectively and held a curl well. 

Rockstar Nails Nail Polish & Caviar - $14.99

Nail caviar! Such an interesting look but the potential for a mess here is high. I must mention that the smell of the polish is very strong so it is advisable to use in a well-ventilated area. The polish itself only required one coat for full coverage but there were some streaking issues. To use: after letting the polish get a bit tacky for ten seconds, sprinkle on some of the caviar. Not sure how long or well the caviar will last but a top coat can't hurt.

John Freida Luxurious Volume Shampoo & Conditioner - $1.00

There were two samples of this John Freida shampoo and I must say I am impressed. It made my hair incredibly smooth and the product itself smelled great. In terms of volume there was no discernible difference so I'm not sold on that front, but its a shampoo, not a miracle worker haha. 

L.A. Fresh - Antibacterial Wipes - $2.49

Plain ol' antibacterial wipes. Not much to report on here but I will be keeping them in my desk for use later. 

MyNameNecklace.com Voucher - $10.00

I don't really consider vouchers or coupons an actual item in beauty boxes because I have to spend additional money to try the product. It was nice to get but I browsed the site and nothing there is really my style. 

Verdict: Another disappointing box this month because there were only four actual items. Additionally, the two last items I mentioned in this post were lacklustre. In general, I like the boxes but I really hope Beauty Box 5 steps up their game next month for Spring.  

REVIEW: Beauty Box 5 January 2014

Beauty Box 5 is a subscription-based, beauty sampling program that delivers a box filled with 4-5 cosmetic samples to your door every month and is open to US and Canadian subscribers.

Cost: $12 per month, $30 quarterly, $99 annually

This month, the following was in my Beauty Box 5: 

Swissco Bath & Shower Exfoliating Gloves - $5.00

These shower gloves might seem like a not-so-exciting item, but they are very well made. I would say they are not too harsh on skin and provide the right level of exfoliation. 

H2O+ Spa Sea Lotus Body Wash - $2.00

This body wash is wonderful! Five stars. It smells fresh and light like the sea; its definitely a unisex scent. It softens skin and lathers very well. 

Jergens Daily Moisturizer - $1.00

A lot of people don't like getting items like this in beauty boxes because they are relatively inexpensive and Jergens is a readily available drugstore brand. Nothing to write home about here, but this lotion is the perfect travel size for keeping at your desk. There is no strong scent and it absorbs non-greasy and quickly.

Nubar Cuticle & Nail Oil - $5.00

Nifty little product that smelled like watermelon. It is a light oil that conditions both nails and cuticles. The product takes a bit of time to absorb but that is expected. 

Epic Blend Lip Balm in Hemp Coconut - $3.39

Epic Blend is a company based in Canada (yay!) that makes great lip balms. Not only was this item incredibly moisturizing and smelled great - their balms are organic, petroleum and gluten free, and not tested on animals. The hemp coconut flavour smelled delicious and wasn't overwhelming - according to their website they also have a chocolate rum variety. Count me in! 

That Awkward Moment Compact Mirror - $1.00

Not much to say about this promotional item but it is very convenient and slim. The funny thing is when I flipped open this mirror for the first time, the mirror came flying out! It was not glued in properly but nothing a little hot glue can't fix. It is a good anytime, back-up mirror to throw in your clutch.

Verdict: This months box was disappointing for me overall. None of the items were that exciting because they were all what I would consider 'everyday basics' and I usually like to see at least one beauty item in my boxes. It is nice that there were six items but this box was also on the lower end of the spectrum in terms of monetary value. Hoping for more excitement from next month's box! 

BEAUTY: Holiday Nails With Sparkle

The holidays are in full swing and that means free time is in short supply. But that doesn't mean we don't have time for a ten-minute manicure. Since it's the holiday season and that means lights, tinsel and sparkle - I went with a festive looking red over a base coat, and then topped it off with a glittery clear coat. 

I know lots of people skip putting on a base coat, but I think it is essential, especially if you wear a lot of dark coloured polishes. It prevents the nail colour from staining the nail, gives the polish something to grip to, and fills in any ridges or imperfections to help your manicure last as long as possible. I highly recommend the Revlon Quick Dry Base Coat. It's inexpensive and works perfectly. If you have any base coat recommendations, let me know!

xoxo