July Birchbox 2012 with Glamour Magazine

I was thrilled and excited to find out last month that Birchbox had teamed up with Glamour Magazine to do a box. It was titled the 5 senses which were smell it, touch it, taste it, hear it, and see it. So of course I couldn't wait to see what was inside my box. Well I didn't have to wait any longer because it came earlier than expected and for that I was grateful.

Now as for what was in my box I was not to jazzed about this month. I do think that this was way better than the Gossip Girl box that was given out in May. All though I still was not as happy to get what I got. I really was hoping for the Eyeko eyeliner (I had heard great things about it) and some of the other items that they had previewed in their video. I normally get most of the items they feature.

Alterna Bamboo UV+ Color Protection Fade-Proof Fluide. This finishing gloss prevents UV rays from fading color while organic bamboo extracts keep hair strong and soft. Sample Value $2.40

Dr. Jart + Water fuse BB Cream. This lightweight moisturizer, serum, sunscreen, and skin-perfecting tint is the a must have for this summer in your beauty lineup. Sample Value $6.40

Here is what the color looks like and the after effect with coverage.

Stila Lip Glaze in Tropica Punch. This tropical shade from the Tiki Lip Glaze Trio combines sheer color with mega-watt shine. While this is okay and you would think I would be grateful well I don't care for this color. PS I also have like 6 of these lip shines and never once used them. So I really didn't need another. Well how would they have known right. Sample Value $4

Suki Nourishing Kit set of 5 products. With a fresh botanical scent, this all-in-one set uses natural ingredients to hydrate and brighten skin. While doing a little research on this I came to find out that this 5 PC foil sample set is sold at on the Dermstore's website. So they are selling the exact same set except with 7 samples instead of 5. The sample set consists of the same sized foil packets for $17.95. Which is crazy in my opinion. The Birchbox set for $50 are larger samples in actual bottles. They are still pricey though. Sample Value $2.56 each packet total for set $12.83.

Lifestyle Extras were from Lara Bar the Uber bar. The latest addition to their snack drawer, these healthy and satisfying bars are packed with dried fruits and nuts. Sample Value $1.75

The Birchbox exclusive was Ear buds designed for us in cute neon colors. I'm really happy to get these I can always use a spare pair for my purse while on the go. Sample Value $5

So that was my box all 5 senses. Touch It was the Alterna Bamboo UV+ Spray. See It was the Dr, Jart + BB Cream and the Stila Lip Glaze. Smell It was the Suki Nourishing Kit. Taste It was the Lara bar and of course Hear It was the Ear buds. So overall all it was an alright box. At least I didn't get a perfume sample like so many others did for Smell It. This box was valued at $32.38

If you are interested in joining Birchbox please click this link  https://www.birchbox.com?raf=4h5l0







June Beauty Bar Sample Society with Allure box 2012

This review is for another monthly box subscription Sample Society. I was going to not do anymore subscription boxes but, this one caught my eye. This particular one is from BeautyBar.com along with Allure. I was looking into this one before but, there wasn't any openings. So I joined a waiting list to be notified when subscriptions opened up again. Well they did in May for the June box. So this particular one is $15 a month. Which I will admit is pretty pricey but, the Allure name drew me in. You also get a years subscription to Allure Magazine which I love. So I will give this a go and see if I like it if so I will stay if not I will cancel. I'm trying to see which services to stick with and which to let go.

Already there are some similarities to the other boxes. Sample Society is roughly the same size and depth as Birchbox and filled with black crinkle paper & gray tissue paper. The difference is that the description card is actually a booklet with helpful hints and tips on using your products. So for the month of June there were 5 samples.

The first one was from Jane Iredale her Just Kissed lip plumper. Which I got in the color Tokyo. This is a pretty rose color. The lipstick does have a slight smell to it. I can't place it but, it smells strange to me. Almost like air freshener that you find in a retail stores bathroom. When I tried it the smell was so overwhelming and the taste as well. It has a slight minty feel to it but, not in a good way. I will not be using this at all. I have allergies to certain scents and this was one of them. What a shame because I really liked the color. Sample Value $15.62 believe it or not. This sample size is only a few Oz's less than the full-sized for $25.

Oscar De La Renta Eau de Parfum in Live in Love. So this parfum is in such a cute bottle and I liked that you can have more than 3 uses like other samples. There isn't much to say about this except that the smell was alright. Nothing spectacular or amazing. It was just there. The scent is just not for me. It is alright and so far I haven't sneezed which is good. I will give this to someone who might enjoy it more than I would. Sample Value $5.80

From Alterna is Boho Waves Texture Mist. Which will help you get the sexiest beachy waves. This contains organic bamboo and blue yucca root. This weightless mist instantly gives you natural, tousled, "just back from beach" waves. Adds texture, volume, and healthy shine to all hair types. This I will try. Who wouldn't want beach waved hair? This I was happy to get. Sample Value $4.47

Caudalie's Premier Cru Eye Cream is a very pricey eye cream a full size is $95. So this sample was extremely tiny. Even worse was that there was nothing in the tube. I was so disappointed. I'm gonna have to contact them about this. So I can't say much about it. Sample Value $6.26

Lastly is Murad Clarifying Cleanser. Which cleanses and tones. Contains 1.5% Salicylic acid acne treatment. Now, I have very oily skin with few if no breakouts ever but, this may come in handy to control my oil. So I will try this. Sample Value $7.69 and I've seen it at Ulta for $9.

So overall this box was alright everyone gets the same box. So there isn't much variety in the items included. Like the parfum was okay not my taste and the lipstick was terrible in my opinion. Plus not getting any eye cream in the sample was not good. I will give them a few more months then we will see. Overall Box Value $39.84

Total Beauty Collection Box May 2012

I follow Total Beauty which is a site that gives beauty advise and also rates products by customer reviews. Which is really helpful if your wanting to purchase something and not sure on it's performance. They also give you the latest in whats going on in beauty and fashion. They also have an IPhone app that will help you while on the go.

Being a loyal reader of there site. I was excited when they decided to jump on the beauty box bandwagon. While it is different and not a monthly subscription service. It is $15 for the box. You also have to opt in for it on their site. They will let you know when they one available to purchase and it's first come first serve. So when they finally got the makings for the first box. I was on the email list to be notified. I did jump on the chance to try this out and the beauty of it was I could get one whenever I wanted as long as it was available.

So I got the box last month but, I have been behind on posting. It took about 5 business days to get the box from the time I ordered it. Not bad. I didn't have to wait till all were ready or wait for a specific date to ship. To me that was a plus. The items in the box were all handpicked by their own editors makeup bags. Then when your done trying these products out you can go to TotalBeauty.com and leave a review to let people know what you thought of the products.

This is how the box comes.

  This is the card that came enclosed.

This is the box open. It has the same crinkle paper that most subscription boxes have. It's a great filler to keep everything safe but, a pain to get rid of. Otherwise that is the only complaint with the box.

Enclosed in the box was 4 items. Alterna: Bamboo Luminous Shine Mist. Kiss dull hair goodbye with this shine mist, which will give you healthier, glossier hair. Sample $4.68

June Jacobs: Green Tea and Cucumber Body Balm. Hydrate and replenish dry skin with this balm that's packed with shea butter and the nourishing oils of squalane, jojoba, and sesame. Sample $11.43

Blinc: Mascara which is mascara that tubes them instead of painting it on. It claims to not run, smudge, clump, or flake. Now this is worth a try. I remember getting one of these in a Birchbox but, never tried it. Sample $16.11

Pevonia: $15 Gift Card. This worldwide leader in skincare offers products packed with natural ingredients to help rejuvenate the skin. Just this alone is a great deal it pays for the box. I went to the site and it's also free shipping all the time no limits. There is actually things that I want to get here. Not like other services which send a card and it's off a certain dollar amount and the prices are too high already. I can't wait to try something from here.

This box was a good one. The only thing that got me was it said, you would get at least 4-6 deluxe sized samples. I only got 3 then the card which to me doesn't count as a sample. I know that I can get me something and that should count right? But, not in my eyes I work differently than that. That's just me. The total value of the box was about $47.22 which is a great deal. I saw on YouTube the second box they sent out. I was notified about it but, I had just gotten this one and didn't want to get another one so soon. I'm glad I didn't it wasn't as great.

If you want to try this box out then go to www.totalbeauty.com and look for the sample tab and sign up to be notified when the next box is available.