February 2012 Sample Box Showdown!

Hello, Beautiful!

This is the February 2012 Sample Box Showdown! In this post I'll show you every box/kit/bag that I received this month from beauty subscription sampling programs. I'll show you what I got in each one, the value, and what I think is best and worst of the month. Enjoy!

Oh, and there are two shipment I didn't show you this month. The first was Beautyfix, which I received a few weeks ago and have been too busy to photograph. It was an amazing value and lots of great products! I'll post the next shipment (they only come four times a year). Then there is The Look Bag. I signed up at the end of January and never received a bag this month. I tried calling them a week ago, and they said I should already have it and to give it a day or two. I gave it a week, called them again, and this time had to leave a message. I gave them both my phone number and email address, letting them know I didn't get a shipment but was charged for one. They haven't gotten back to me yet, so hopefully they're just trying to resolve the issue before they get in touch. But it's making me nervous.

February 2012 Sample Box Showdown!


Here are the sample boxes I received this month:
 

 




Larger pics of each box:












Value Breakdown:
You can click on each box name to view that blog post.

• Birchbox #1: $18.58 ($10 a month; I received 6 items)
• Birchbox #2: $19.16 ($10 a month; I received 6 items)
• Beauty Army: $72.50 ($12 a month; I received 6 items)
• MyGlam: $17.81 ($10 a month; I received 6 items)
• Green Grab Bag: $58.34 ($15 a month; I received 7 items)

How I'd rate each one:

BIRCHBOX #1:

• This was my Birchbox shipment and I wasn't all that impressed with it. I was happy to receive the Eye Rock, although I still haven't used them. They're thicker than I had thought and I just didn't have time to play around with them yet.
• Best Product: Kiehl's Dark Spot Corrector -- I have dark spots, and like the Kiehl's brand, so I was happy to get this product.
• Worst Product: Supersmile Powdered Mouthrinse -- As much as I love Supersmile toothpaste, I just can't get into the powdered mouthrinse.
• Net Value: Products worth $18.58, minus the monthly fee ($10) = $8.58

BIRCHBOX #2:

• This was the shipment I get my husband (we share shipments, mostly so I can try more products). I liked his box better than mine, but they were pretty equal on value.
• Best Product: Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant - Looking forward to using a powder exfoliant!
• Worst Product: heart shaped nail file -- I mean, it's cute and all, but poor quality
• Net Value: Products worth $19.16, minus the monthly fee ($10) = $9.16

BEAUTY ARMY:

• I'm really liking Beauty Army! I like selecting my samples and knowing what I'm going to get for my money. Beauty Army hands down wins this month for best value!
• Best Product: Pssssst Dry Shampoo -- this went on clear and really worked!
• Worst Product: n/a
• Net Value: Products worth $72.50, minus the monthly fee ($12) = $60.50

MYGLAM BAG:

• I was excited to receive a bag this month, especially after not getting one last month, but I wasn't overly impressed. I like it, don't get me wrong, but it's not something I'm jumping out of my seat for. I will say that the actual bag was super, super cute! I'm curious to see what my March bag will have.
• Best Product: NYX Roll-On Glitter -- I love glitter and shimmer, so this was perfect!
• Worst Product: X Out Shine Control -- Even though I have shine, I'm nervous to use this since it's from the makers of Proactive. I worry it will cause a skin reaction, like Proactive did on me. I'll have to try it at some point.
• Net Value: Products worth $17.81, minus the monthly fee ($10) = $7.81

GREEN GRAB BAG:

• This grab bag really impressed me with how much more it felt like I was receiving, when really I only had one more item than all the other shipments this month. I liked that they give a coupon for each product in case you want to go and buy it. The value was nice too, although I've heard the one product in there (the Vapour blush) was something for new subscribers, which would take $28 off the value if this was not a new subscriber bag. I'd have to try this service out more to really get a feel for how much value you get for the price, as it is the most expensive option.
• Best Product: Vapour Aura Multi-Use Blush -- I don't use blush all that often, especially cream blush, but the value of this product was great and I think the color is really beautiful too.
• Worst Product: Soapylane Relaxing Herbal Bath Tea -- I don't take many baths, and I'm not a tea person, so this product just didn't interest me at all.
• Net Value: Products worth $58.34, minus the monthly fee ($15) = $43.34.. then if you minus out the full sized Vapour Blush ($28) = $15.34

And the winner is...

BEAUTY ARMY!

I was most impressed and most happy with my Beauty Army kit, plus, it has the best value out of them all! 

Now let me know what you think...

What shipment was your favorite this month? Which was your least favorite? Did you sign up for any new subscriptions or did you cancel any subscriptions this month? Discuss in the comments below.

Green Grab Bag - February 2012

Hello, Beautiful!

Have you heard of Green Grab Bag? It's another monthly beauty sampling program, with a focus on the best natural, organic and vegan skin, hair, makeup, fragrance and more -- all for $15 a month with free shipping. This is my first Green Grab Bag and I'm really impressed. You get a really great value, at least this bag was, and a great selection of products/brands to try out. I also like that there is a coupon code for everything in your bag, so if you do want to purchase more from the brand (not just that item, but anything they offer - as most coupon codes are good on the entire purchase), you'll get a discount. Check out everything I received in the photos below.

For more information on Green Grab Bag, or to sign up and start receiving your own Green Grab Bag each month, CLICK HERE. $15 per month, or sign up for a year and save 20% ($145 for a year).

February 2012 Green Grab Bag













The Included Info Card:

Shipment Quick Stats:

• Value of this month's Green Grab Bag: $58.34 (value is approximate)
• Total # of Items Received: 7
• # of makeup items: 3
• # of nail items: 0
• # of skincare items: 1
• # of body care items: 3
• # of hair care items: 0
• # of fragrance items: 0
• # of other items: 0

Now I'll break it down, product-by-product...

VAPOUR ORGANIC BEAUTY Aura Multi Use Blush in Spark

• DESCRIPTION ON INFO CARD: This product wasn't listed on my info card, I'm happy to have this item because the value alone pays for the entire grab bag, and then some!
• MY THOUGHTS: This is a full sized product - which is great to receive in my first Green Grab Bag. I'm new to the Vapour brand, but this seems like a great product. Good creamy texture. The shade I received, Spark, is a really pretty coral-like pink. So pretty!
• FULL SIZE: 0.34 oz @ $28.00 -- there was a coupon code for 20% off your purchase on the Vapour website with code SUB20
• SIZE I RECEIVED: 0.34 oz (full sized item)
• VALUE: $28.00

 

GOURMET BODY TREATS Chocolate Bon Bons

• DESCRIPTION ON INFO CARD: You'll be sweet enough to eat when you slather on one of these adorable 100% pure organic cocoa butter hearts. A treat for the body and senses.
• MY THOUGHTS: I wasn't sure what this product was used for at first; then I found out they melt onto your skin to use like you would lotion. At least that's what I'm assuming from what I read on their website. They do smell good, like chocolate but not as good as some chocolate scents I've smelled. I haven't used them yet, but plan to try them out in the future. I didn't get the heart shaped bon bon's but I did get the flower shaped ones. They also say that since these melt in the summer (they'll melt over 82 degrees), they don't ship in the summer.
• FULL SIZE: 4 Bon Bons @ $19.99 -- there was a coupon code for 20% off storewide with code apricot
• SIZE I RECEIVED: 2 Bon Bons
• VALUE: $9.99

  










NAKED EYE BEAUTY Rose Tinted Lip Balm

• DESCRIPTION ON INFO CARD: Get a hint of rosey lip color with this vegan, all-natural tinted lip balm that can also be used to give cheeks a healthy glow.
• MY THOUGHTS: The color swatched really pretty; sheer rosey color. The scent, however, is a little heavy for my liking, so I didn't use this on my lips. I'll probably give this away, even though it seems really nice. I'm just really sensitive to scents.
• FULL SIZE: unsure of size @ $8.00 -- there was a coupon code for 15% off your order at their Etsy store with code APRICOT15
• SIZE I RECEIVED: unsure of size, but it is full sized (full sized item)
• VALUE: $8.00

 

ARTISAN NATURALS Soothing Aloe Face Cleanser

• DESCRIPTION ON INFO CARD: A mild skin wash for all skin types. Sulfate free and gentle.
• MY THOUGHTS: I have to admit that this sample bottle was not very practical. It was really difficult to squeeze, almost impossible. I thought that maybe there was a seal, so I unscrewed the cap, but no seal to be found. It was just too hard of a bottle to squeeze out of the cleanser. There was a light fragrance to this, but with all the skincare I'm testing I don't know if I'll get around to using this anytime soon. Possibly in the future though! In addition to the coupon code, there was a card in there for $10 off your order. I won't post the code in case it is unique and can only be used once.
• FULL SIZE: 4 fl oz @ $25.00 -- there was a coupon code for 20% off your entire order on their website with code APRICOT
• SIZE I RECEIVED: 1 fl oz
• VALUE: $6.25

   

 

OVERALL BEAUTY MINERALS Eye Shadow in the shade China Doll

• DESCRIPTION ON INFO CARD: Rich, luxurious color that goes on and stays on is the trademark of these heavily pigmented shadows.
• MY THOUGHTS: I really like the color I received; it's a pretty pink with lots of sparkle (even though you can't see the pretty sparkle in the photos). I liked the formula too; it's a brand I'd like to check out further.
• FULL SIZE: 5 gram jar @ $7.99; 10 gram jar @ $11.99 -- there was a coupon for 10% off your first order of $30 or more with coupon code APRICOT
• SIZE I RECEIVED: I'm not 100% sure, but I believe it's a sample jar
• VALUE: $1.50

 

 

SOAPYLAYNE Relaxing Herbal Bath Tea

• DESCRIPTION ON INFO CARD: A lovely mixture of herbal teas, including Lavender, Rose Petals, Chamomile, and Calendula creates not only an amazing scent, but also a very soothing, spa like bath.
• MY THOUGHTS: I'm not a tea drinker, but I may give a tea bath a try. Problem is I rarely have time to take a bath; I'm a shower gal. My husband, however, has already said he'll take it. So looks like he'll be using this. Smells relaxing, but for sure a tea scent (if that makes sense?). 
• FULL SIZE: 1 tea packet @ $4.00 -- there was a coupon for 15% off your order on their Etsy store with coupon code apricot
• SIZE I RECEIVED: 1 tea packet (full sized item)
• VALUE: $4.00

PURE PLANT SPA Aromatic Body Lotion

• DESCRIPTION ON INFO CARD: Nourishing vitamin-rich, bioactive body lotions made, with certified organic botanical extracts, plant derived ingredients and extraordinary essential oil aromas.
• MY THOUGHTS: I didn't open this sample up because I don't have my sample containers ready to use yet, and I didn't want to waste this. I got the Mandarin Orange + Grapefruit, which sounds like it would smell really refreshing. Looking forward to trying this.
• FULL SIZE: 8.5 oz @ $21.00 -- there was a coupon code for 20% off all products on their website with coupon code PPS20
• SIZE I RECEIVED: 0.24 fl oz
• VALUE: $0.60

Let me know what you think...

Did you receive a Green Grab Bag this month? If so, what are your thoughts on your bag? Feel free to leave a link below to your Green Grab Bag blog post. Discuss in the comments below.