Wantable Makeup Box - August 2014 - pics, swatches, mini reviews

Hello, Beautiful!

This is my August 2014 Wantable Makeup Box! Check out everything in my box below -- Spoiler Alert: I received a Tarnia Tarantino product in this month's box that I've wanted for years! Yay!

Wantable is a monthly subscription service (you can also buy a one-time box) that gives you 4 to 5 FULL SIZED beauty products every month! They also have an accessories box and an intimates box. Of course being the makeup hoarder I am, I go for the Makeup Box!

If you want to sign up for Wantable just click here or follow the link below (it's my referral link). You can sign up without subscribing, just so you have an account waiting for you in case you ever want to start your subscription or buy a one-time box. Sign-up link: https://www.wantable.com/invite/wpHSNqQgXOs

Wantable is $36 a month with free shipping (as a subscription), or you can purchase a one-time only box for $40 in case you're not sure you want to fully commit (this price applies for any of their three box options). But with their happiness guarantee, there really is no reason to not go for the subscription! If for any reason you are not happy, you can send it back for a full refund; they even include a pre-paid return label! Plus, you can skip a shipment or cancel anytime. It really is hassle-free and worry-free, so why not try it out. And they have the best customization survey where you'll Love, Like, Or Dislike products -- even down to formula type and shades -- so you'll get the most customized box possible. That means you'll never receive something you say you Dislike and you're more likely to receive products you say you Love!

August 2014 Wantable Beauty Box

Shipment Quick Stats:

• Value of this month's Wantable Beauty Box: $101.99 (value is approximate)
• Total # of Items Received: 4

Now I'll talk about each product...

Tarina Tarantino Dollskin Cheek Palette
Shades: Feather, Parasol, Carved Rose, Candy Cameo

• MY THOUGHTS: I've wanted this blush palette for years now; ever since I first saw it on the Sephora website. Even when I've seen Tarina Tarantino on Hautelook, I Just never purchased this palette. The fact that it was in my box this month was like winning the beauty wish list lottery! This palette is everything I thought it was and then some. Four gorgeous blush shades - all of which are matte, except for Candy Cameo which has silver sparkles in it. For sure, my favorite product in this month's box and possibly even in all the Wantable boxes in the past few months!
• FULL SIZE VALUE: $45.00

  Vincent Longo Perfect Shine Lip Gloss

Shade: Dolce

• MY THOUGHTS: I like Vincent Longo as a brand and happy that Wantable is carrying that line - I'm still loving the Pressed Face Powder that I received in my June Wantable box. This lip gloss is a nice nude shade that leans more towards a beige nude with the slightly hint of pink, making it more wearable for me. It also has a pearl sheen, so it makes lips look more plump and shiny. It's not sticky, but it can feel gloopy on the lips if you use too much. This is a shade I could use on its own or topped over other lipstick shades.
• FULL SIZE VALUE: $22.00

Elizabeth Mott Smooth Shadow Creamy Eye Pencil
Shade: Raven

• MY THOUGHTS: I was a bit confused by the name of this product. It's called a Smooth Shadow Creamy Eye Pencil, which makes me want to believe it's an eyeshadow pencil - but it's thin like an eyeliner. It is very soft and creamy, so using it as an eyeliner might not work out the way it could using it as an all-over shadow. In fact, it's so soft that after just my swatching of this pencil it's already in need to be re-sharpened, meaning you likely will need to re-sharpen after every 1 to 2 uses. The shade is a black with silver sparkles, which is always a shade I can keep on hand. I haven't used it yet but I'm sure it will get some love in the future. For now, my biggest question is do I keep this in my eyeliner drawer or my shadow pencil drawer? Oh the struggle.
• FULL SIZE VALUE: $14.99

OFRA 3D Loose Shadow
Shade: Irresistable

• MY THOUGHTS: I don't really wear this kind of pink/magenta/maroon/burgundy/reddish-pink shades on my eyes (it goes back to my horrible experience at MAC to my pre-wedding makeup trial and she tried to use a red-pink shade similar to this as a smoky liner on top and bottom lash line -- making me look like I was sick or a drug addict), so this was probably the one product in my box that I likely will never use. I also wasn't a fan of the texture. I know this is going to sound a bit weird, but I felt like this shadow had a dry texture. Some loose shadows have a smooth, creamy, or even a silky feeling. This was smooth but dry. And like I said, I'm just not a fan of the color to use on myself - even though the color itself is pretty. It has a color shift, so it will look pink, then magenta, then even a little copperish, to a bit burgundy; just depends on the lighting. It also accidentally fell off my photo table and when it hit the floor of course the product didn't break - since it's a loose shadow - but the container itself shattered inside. The outside still feels smooth to the touch, but you can see the cracks from the outside. Even though it falling was my fault, it's still a very cheap container to crack so easily when I've dropped plenty of loose shadows and not one of them had any cracks in the packaging. Maybe it's the cheap packaging that had this product already everywhere when I first opened it, even though the inside sifter was covering the product. 
• FULL SIZE VALUE: $20.00

My Thoughts On The Entire Box...

• VALUE: The value was approximately $101.99
• USAGE: I have already put the Tarina Tarantino cheek palette into use, and have used the Vincent Longo gloss once or twice. The Elizabeth Mott shadow pencil/eyeliner will probably get used at some point down the road. The OFRA shadow will probably never be used. 
• FINAL THOUGHTS: Since re-subscribing to Wantable in June, I've gotten 5 items in June's box, then 4 in July's box and now 4 in August's box. One of the reasons I originally cancelled in the first place is because when I first subscribed to Wantable I was getting between 6 and 9 items in each box! Then it got less and less to where it was only 4 items each month. I really hope that doesn't happen again. At $36 a month, I need to really like and use all the products except maybe one. Wantable is the most expensive subscription box I subscribe to and it takes a lot for me to decide if I want to keep it or not each month because it's always a gamble. Last month I wasn't thrilled, but this month I was a lot happier - mostly only because of the Tarina Tarantino cheek palette. I might skip my September box only because I have so many other subscription boxes I pay for each month (Ipsy at $10 a month, BoxyCharm at $21 a month, LipMonthly at $10 a month - even though I have a couple free boxes coming my way, so won't need to worry about that for a few months, and then my Wantable at $36 a month. Not to mention I did have a Horror Block subscription for myself - which was $30 a month with shipping, and a Nerd Block Jr. for my son, which is around $20 a month with shipping).

Let me know what you think...

Did you receive a Wantable shipment this month? If so, what are your thoughts on your box? If you don't receive a Wantable makeup box yet, click here to sign up! Discuss in the comments below.

Wantable Makeup Box - July 2014: pics, value breakdown & mini reviews

Hello, Beautiful!

This is my July 2014 Wantable Makeup Box! This month I'm just so-so about, especially after seeing some of the other July boxes. The value is really wonderful though! However, I may be sending this one back. Also - I apologize for the poor quality photo (it's actually the photo I posted on Instagram); this month was a bit busy and hectic (plus the multiple migraines that didn't allow me to get much done) so I didn't have time to photograph this month's shipment like I normally would like to. Check out everything in my box below!

Wantable is a monthly subscription service (you can also buy a one-time box) that gives you 4 to 5 FULL SIZED beauty products every month! They also have an accessories box and an intimates box. Of course being the makeup hoarder I am, I go for the Makeup Box!

If you want to sign up for Wantable just click here or follow the link below (it's my referral link). You can sign up without subscribing, just so you have an account waiting for you in case you ever want to start your subscription or buy a one-time box. Sign-up link: https://www.wantable.com/invite/wpHSNqQgXOs

Wantable is $36 a month with free shipping (as a subscription), or you can purchase a one-time only box for $40 in case you're not sure you want to fully commit (this price applies for any of their three box options). But with their happiness guarantee, there really is no reason to not go for the subscription! If for any reason you are not happy, you can send it back for a full refund; they even include a pre-paid return label! Plus, you can skip a shipment or cancel anytime. It really is hassle-free and worry-free, so why not try it out. And they have the best customization survey where you'll Love, Like, Or Dislike products -- even down to formula type and shades -- so you'll get the most customized box possible. That means you'll never receive something you say you Dislike and you're more likely to receive products you say you Love!

July 2014 Wantable Beauty Box

Shipment Quick Stats:

• Value of this month's Wantable Beauty Box: $113.45 (value is approximate)
• Total # of Items Received: 4

Now I'll talk about each product...

Tarina Tarantino - Pearl Glow Primer
Shade: Pearl

• MY THOUGHTS: I actually already used to own this product, and I still have one or two mini sizes of this primer in my primer drawer. I really liked this primer when I had it and haven't used it in awhile. I plan to save the full size un-touched for a little and see if I use the mini's I already have before opening the full size. I know Tarnina Tarantino offers this same primer, but in a Nude shade; I wish I would have received that one because then at least I would have been excited to try it out.
• FULL SIZE VALUE: $32.00

OFRA - 3D Roman Mosaic Blush/Bronzer

• MY THOUGHTS: I think this looks gorgeous, but not sure how often I'll reach for it. I haven't reached for it yet - and in fact, I haven't even swatched it. The colors in it look like, when blended together, would be a nice shade but not sure it's a good match for me, per say.
• FULL SIZE VALUE: $35.00

Vincent Longo - La Dolce Vita Lash Tips

• MY THOUGHTS: I love false lashes but love individuals and just ends even more - I feel like I can wear them more flawlessly. These look great and I look forward to trying them out. Do I think they're worth the $16.50 price tag? No - certainly not.
• FULL SIZE VALUE: $16.50

Mica Beauty - Felt Tip Eyeliner
Shade: Black

• MY THOUGHTS: I love felt tip liquid liners, and I have to admit that the tip on this one is very small - which can be a very good thing. I haven't used it yet because I have several other liquid liners open but I am hoping this will be a good one - especially considering this sells for $29.95 on its own. To me, that's kind of a crazy price for such a small liquid liner. I mean, $30?!! I'm in love with my L'Oreal Superslim Liquid Liner, so this would have to be pretty damn impressive for me to want to spend $30 on it!
• FULL SIZE VALUE: $29.95

My Thoughts On The Entire Box...

• VALUE: The value was approximately $113.45
• USAGE: I will use
• FINAL THOUGHTS: I'm not really that thrilled with this box. Sure, the value is fantastic - I love that about this box! I just wish it will filled with items that made me equally as excited. The primer is something I already owned/own - so to get another was just like eh. I know a lot of Tarina Tarantino products went out last month and this month, so luck of the draw and I received an item from the line I already had (I really wanted one of those shadow palettes). The liner seems nice (I haven't used it yet) but do I really need another liquid liner in my collection? Probably not - but I do like how small the felt tip is! The lashes will get used (if I keep this box) because they have a nice flare and will easily work into many eye looks. The OFRA bronzer/blush looks pretty in the compact but it's just not my style. I'm still debating if I want to send this one back or not. It's hard to decide but I do think this one is going back.

Let me know what you think...

Did you receive a Wantable.co shipment this month? If so, what are your thoughts on your box? If you don't receive a Wantable.co beauty box yet, click here to sign up! Discuss in the comments below.

Wantable Beauty Box - June 2014 - pics, value breakdown and mini reviews!

Hello, Beautiful!

This is my June 2014 Wantable Beauty Box! Wantable is a monthly subscription service (you can also buy a one-time box) that gives you 4 to 5 FULL SIZED beauty products every month! They also have an accessories box and an intimates box. Of course being the makeup hoarder I am, I go for the Beauty Box! Check out everything in my box below!

If you remember back to a year ago, I used to subscribe to Wantable's Beauty Box. I had received two boxes in April (one for promotional consideration and one when I signed up for my own subscription), and then a box in May and a box in June (all in 2013). I continued my subscription through October 2013, although I didn't make any more blog posts because I honestly kept forgetting! But I did make an Instagram post for my September 2013 box and my October 2013 box.

When I first was subscribed to Wantable, I received more items in my box than I did at the end of my subscription. I would get between 6 and 9 items in each box (and they used to say between 4 and 6 full sized items; now it's between 4 and 5), including little samples, but would always be at least 5 full sized items. But then it became less and less - which is ultimately why I cancelled my subscription. My September box included only 4 full sized items and one sample, and then my October box only included 4 full sized items and one foil sample packet. I ended up returning my September box and wanted to return my October box as well (that damn foil sample packet made me so mad considering there were only 4 items in the box), but forgot to return the October box. However, I did cancel my subscription after that box. In all fairness, they do say you get 4 to 6 full sized items, so why I complained when I only got 4 items I don't know. Maybe I was just spoiled by the amount I had previously gotten. It also wasn't just the amount of items; I had gotten items that just weren't my style or items I already had.

The reason I re-subscribed was because I had a $10 credit to use (making it $26 for this month's box) and Melissa Raymond, aka Melmphs (CLICK HERE to go to her YouTube channel, she is a great personality to watch), helped to curate the June 2014 Wantable Beauty Box! I was hoping to get the Tarina Tarantino Blush, but didn't get that want. BUT I ended up being really pleased with this month's box anyway, so I am considering keeping the Wantable subscription again!


If you want to sign up for Wantable just click here or follow the link below (it's my referral link). You can sign up without subscribing, just so you have an account waiting for you in case you ever want to start your subscription or buy a one-time box! Sign-up link: https://www.wantable.com/invite/wpHSNqQgXOs

It's $36 a month with free shipping (as a subscription), or you can purchase a one-time only box for $40 in case you're not sure you want to fully commit. But with their happiness guarantee, there really is no reason to not go for the subscription! If for any reason you're not happy you can send it back for a full refund; they even include a pre-paid return label! Plus, you can skip a shipment or cancel anytime. It really is hassle-free and worry-free, so why not try it out for a month or two (I always give subscription services three months before I decide to stay or go). And they have a nice customization survey where you'll Love, Like, Or Dislike products so you'll get the most customized box possible. What's best about that is you'll never receive something you say you Dislike and you're more likely to receive products you say you Love! They even go into detail with shades and formulations. It's the most customized subscription boxes I ever tried!

June 2014 Wantable Beauty Box

Shipment Quick Stats:

• Value of this month's Wantable Beauty Box: $96.99 (value is approximate)
• Total # of Items Received: 5
• # of FULL SIZED items: 5
• # of makeup items: 5
• # of nail items: 0
• # of hair care items: 0
• # of skin care items: 0
• # of body care items: 0
• # of fragrance items: 0

Now I'll talk about each product...

Vincent Longo - Pressed Face Powder
Shade: Golden Sienna

• MY THOUGHTS: I like the Vincent Longo brand, I just don't have many products from the line. When I saw that I received a full sized face powder I was really excited. This is a setting powder that helps absorb surface oils and helps you maintain a smooth, matte canvas throughout the day. Even though there are shade selections, it blends to an almost invisible finish. The shade I received, Golden Sienna, works perfectly. They offer one shade lighter and two shades darker. Wantable got my shade perfect. And I have to say, this powder feels so luxe! It is so soft and silky smooth; it feels great on the skin and looks flawless too. I haven't been using it long - I only got to use it about 3 or 4 times - but so far I'm really loving it!
• FULL SIZE VALUE: $28.00

OFRA Universal Eyebrow Pencil

• MY THOUGHTS: I love brow products and had never tried an Ofra product, so was excited to give this a try. I find the color match to be decent, although honestly I don't think it would be the most universal for every single person. What I like and dislike is how waxy this pencil is. I like it because it helps to keep hairs in place but I don't like to use waxy pencils in warmer weather. I find they just are a bit too sticky/tacky and melty (if that makes sense). It had okay staying power, but I did notice it missing in spots from either touching my brow or maybe just wearing off (not sure). I only tested this out one time so I'll have to give it a few more tries but so far, it's not terrible. It's just not something I've reached for since getting it. My holy grail is still the Anastasia Brow Wiz in the shade Medium Ash.
• FULL SIZE VALUE: $10.00

Glam Natural Mascara
Shade: black

• MY THOUGHTS: I actually never heard of this brand, so excited to get a new-to-me brand to try out. The price tag on this is steep for a mascara, so I hope it does great things. I haven't had the chance to try it out yet because I have a few mascaras I'm already using, but I usually break my own rules and end up trying it out sooner than I should. Looking forward to trying this one out!
• FULL SIZE VALUE: $28.00

Eddie Funkhouser Chromographic Lip Color
Shade: Kiki

• MY THOUGHTS: I have been more of a lipstick wearer this past year compared to previous years, where I was normally a gloss girl. But this shade, Kiki, is GORGEOUS. It's a coral pink that's very wearable for everyday, yet not a nude. It's just bright enough to give your face some life, but not so bright that's it's screaming in your face. It has great pigmentation and goes on really smooth. I don't find it to be the most hydrating formulation,so I use a lip balm under or over it to get the most comfortable wear. I looked at some of their other shades online and I'm dying to try the shade Strip Search, Epic and Skinny Dip. However, I did see they have a Hyperreal Nourishing Lip Color, which is basically the same lipstick (intense pigmentation) but also with a boost of hydration. While that formulation sounds better, the shades aren't there like they are with the Chromographic Lip Colors. But I'd still try the shade Model Citizen from the Hyperreal line. What I love most is these aren't super expensive, so at $11.99 you can afford to try a few!
• FULL SIZE VALUE: $11.99

Mirabella Eye Definer
Shade: Foil

• MY THOUGHTS: I like the brand Mirabella; they make some of my favorite lipsticks - their Color Vinyl Lipstick (specifically the shade Rosy Rouge is A-MAZING!), their La La Velvet Lip Pencils are fun, their Sparkle Glitter Glaze is a must for me, and I love their Magic Marker Eyeliner. This eyeliner has a great formula, but I honestly don't know how much I'll actually use it. The color is a charcoal gray type shade and I while I love grays, I don't wear gray eyeliner. I'll probably use this as a base for a smoky eye look or something (I'll find a use) but I would have loved this in just a black shade.
• FULL SIZE VALUE: $19.00

My Thoughts On The Entire Box...

• VALUE: The value was $96.99
• USAGE: I already have used the Vincent Longo face powder and that's honestly my favorite product in the entire box! My second favorite is the Eddie Funkhouser lipstick - which I'm just loving the shade! I'll use the mascara eventually (can't wait to try it), and although I have tried the Ofra brow pencil, I'm just not sure I'll reach for it often. The only item in the box I probably won't use for a long while, if anything more than some swatches here and there, is the Mirabella Eye Definer. There are only so many pencil eye liners a girl can go through in a lifetime and if you took a peek into my eyeliner drawers (that's right, I have two - and one is just for pencil liners), you'd see I have way too many (and that was after purging about 20 to 30 liners). 
• FINAL THOUGHTS: Do I feel like I got a good value in this months box? Yes, I do! I only paid $26 because I had a $10 credit (thank you to Rynda H. for purchasing a box/subscription!). That means I got $70.99 in FREE product (it's like purchasing all these products for around 75% off). Even if I had paid the full $36 I still think this months box was a great value. I've had higher value boxes in the past from Wantable and also lower valued boxes, so this one fits right in the middle. I certainly received two products I already love, one that was okay and two I still need to test out. I think I'll give Wantable another month or two and see if I want to keep this subscription or not. It's pricey, and with me being on a tight budget I need to make every penny count. But I like that with Wantable I can get a refund if I don't like my box and that's the only reason I'll give this one a try time and time again. If I don't like 75% of the box, I will return it. 

Let me know what you think...

Did you receive a Wantable.co shipment this month? If so, what are your thoughts on your box? If you don't receive a Wantable.co beauty box yet, click here to sign up! Discuss in the comments below.