Showing posts with label tarina tarantino. Show all posts
Showing posts with label tarina tarantino. Show all posts

September 24, 2014

BoxyCharm - September 2014: value breakdown, swatches & mini reviews!

Hello, Beautiful!

This is my September 2014 BoxyCharm! Check out everything I received in my box!

BoxyCharm is a monthly subscription service where you receive a box filled with FULL SIZE and luxury size beauty samples from a variety of brands - including well known high end brands! The amount of items varies month to month, but it's usually between 5 and 7 items per month. The cost of BoxyCharm is $21 a month with free shipping.

If you want to sign up for BoxyCharm just click here or follow the link below (it's my referral link). Sign-up link: https://www.boxycharm.com/rewardsref/index/refer/id/10912/


September 2014 BoxyCharm




 


Shipment Quick Stats:
  • Value of this month's BoxyCharm: $77.95 (value is approximate)
  • Total # of Items Received: 5
  • # of FULL SIZED items: 5
  • # of makeup items: 3
  • # of beauty tools/brushes: 0
  • # of nail items: 1
  • # of hair care items: 0
  • # of skin care items: 0
  • # of body care items: 0
  • # of fragrance items: 1

Now I'll talk about each product...

tarte LipSurgence Lip Gloss
Shade: Tipsy
 



  • MY THOUGHTS: Earlier this month I posted a review on the tarte LipSurgence Lip Glosses in shades Flush, Blushing Bride, and Park Ave Princess. I really like these lip glosses, even though they are on the sheer side. When I saw there would be one in this month's BoxyCharm I got a little worried I'd receive a shade I already had, even though there are 10 shades currently in the line. Then I saw somewhere (I think BoxyCharm's Instagram) that there was 4 shades going around in the boxes, and 2 of those 4 shades were ones I already have. Luckily I receive a shade I didn't have, Tipsy. This shade in particular has to be the one that is least noticeable on my lips. It's described as a sheer coral but on my lip it hardly changes the tone and looks more like a glossy clear shade. But I did find it makes a great topper to other lipsticks that need a slight boost in tone.
  • FULL SIZE VALUE: $19.00


NCLA Nail Lacquer
Shade: Catwalk Queen

 




  • MY THOUGHTS: I've always wanted to try NCLA polishes because I've heard they are really good, but I hated the $16 price tag. I did get a set of NCLA Nail Wraps in my February 2014 Blush Mystery Box (and come to think of it, I still haven't used them). The nail polish shade I received in my BoxyCharm is Catwalk Queen, which is a cream nude shade. The shade is just eh, okay to me but what I LOVE is the formula! It went on so perfectly and was opaque in ONE COAT! It's not often that you find a creamy nude polish to be opaque and not streaky in a single coat. I'll certainly be wearing this shade, paired with other polishes (I already have a mani in mind that involves this shade and a gold glitter polish)
  • FULL SIZE VALUE: $16.00


Coastal Scents Go Palette
Shade: Cairo

 




  • MY THOUGHTS: This arrived broken, and of course it was a dark shade that broke (why does that always seem to happen; it's always the darkest shades that break?!). But I was able to clean it up a bit and swatch it out. It's your standard Coastal Scents shadow quality; pretty good but nothing amazing. The shades are pretty, but I have so many neutral palettes that this was honestly a bit of a boring palette to receive. There were three going around in the boxes and I really wanted one of the more colorful palettes to play with. Ah well, I think I'll try to get some use out of this or I'll likely pass it onto my nieces. 
  • FULL SIZE VALUE: $12.95


Tarina Tarantino Fleur de Lash Mascara
Shade: black

  • MY THOUGHTS: I have to say, I was expecting the Tarina Tarantino Hyperdream Eye Brightener (or whatever it's called) because BoxyCharm had posted (or emailed; I can't remember where I saw it) that if you were a newer subscriber - aka me, since this is only my second box - then you'd get the eye brightener since newer subscribers missed out on it. Older subscribers - anyone that already received that product in their past BoxyCharm boxes - would receive the mascara. I was so excited about the eye brightener only to find the mascara in my box. I really shouldn't complain though, because it is full size and I will eventually give it a try. I'm not opening it yet because I have so many open mascaras at the moment, but I'm looking forward to trying it out. Love the packaging, as always, on Tarina Tarantino products!
  • FULL SIZE VALUE: $19.00


Harvey Prince - Hello

  • MY THOUGHTS: I'm really, really, really not a fragrance/perfume person so I'm always bummed out/let down to receive any kind of fragrance in my subscription boxes - especially because my nose is so picky when it comes to smells. Everyone seemed to rave about this scent though, but I wasn't wow'd. I thought it was just okay; it wasn't an offensive scent or strong scent - which is good - but it also wasn't a scent that I was sniffing over and over again out of pure love for it. I did spray some on one of my arms to see how the scent would wear on my skin and I didn't even notice a scent after awhile. I'll likely give this another go in the future. It's a great size though (10 ml).
  • FULL SIZE VALUE: 1.7 oz @ $55 -- this is 10 ml, making it an $11.00 value. For whatever reason, BoxyCharm lists this as $29.00 (and in my quick Google search I couldn't find this listed for $29 anywhere)


My Thoughts On The Entire Box...
  • VALUE: The value was approximately $77.95
  • USAGE: I've already used the tarte LipSurgence Lip Gloss and have plans to use the NCLA nail polish very soon. I'll try out the Tarina Tarantino mascara in the future, and probably use the Harvey Prince perfume. I honestly don't know if I'll use the Coastal Scents shadow palette, only because the colors don't excite me at the moment. Maybe I'll use it to try and find dupes of some higher end palettes/shades. 
  • FINAL THOUGHTS: I think this was a good box. Not as high of a value as last month (although they did list the perfume as $29 instead of $11, which would make the value $95.95). I think there was a great mix of brands and products in this box. I can't wait to see what October's box is filled with!

Let me know what you think...
Did you receive a Boxy Charm this month? If so, what are your thoughts on your box? If you don't receive a Boxy Charm box yet, click here to sign up! Discuss in the comments below.

August 19, 2014

BoxyCharm - August 2014: value break-down, pics, swatches, mini reviews

Hello, Beautiful!

This is my August 2014 BoxyCharm! Yes, I finally jumped on the BoxyCharm train, and I have to say I've wanted to join BoxyCharm for months now but don't know why I haven't. The preview for this month said you'd get one of two full sized bronzers, and also a Tarina Tarantino Conditioning Lip Sheen (which I really wanted). The value of those two items alone is worth the whole box and then some. Check out everything in my box below! I was so happy with my BoxyCharm!

BoxyCharm is a monthly subscription service where you receive a box filled with FULL SIZE and luxury size beauty samples from a variety of brands - including well known high end brands! The amount of items varies month to month, but it's usually between 5 and 7 items per month. The cost of BoxyCharm is $21 a month with free shipping.

If you want to sign up for BoxyCharm just click here or follow the link below (it's my referral link). Sign-up link: https://www.boxycharm.com/rewardsref/index/refer/id/10912/


August 2014 BoxyCharm





Shipment Quick Stats:
  • Value of this month's BoxyCharm: $111.99 (value is approximate)
  • Total # of Items Received: 5
  • # of FULL SIZED items: 5
  • # of makeup items: 4
  • # of beauty tools/brushes: 1
  • # 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...

Tarina Tarantino Conditioning Lip Sheen
Shade: Showroom

 




  • MY THOUGHTS: I was most excited to get this product in my box; it was one of the preview items and the reason I joined this month. Keep in mind my lips are EXTREMELY chapped and dry right now (thanks to a weekend full of drinking and traveling for work - and yes, I drink as part of my job). I need to replenish my body with water this week, but until then my lips are really dry. This product didn't feel as conditioning as I had hoped for. Maybe it would feel better if my lips were in a more normal state. Aside from the feeling, the color wasn't my cup of tea. It's just a bit too light for me, which is ashame because I LOVE the packaging. It's such a nice weighty luxe packaging. Too bad the shade was the biggest let down for me. Maybe I can wear it under glosses. We shall see. 
  • FULL SIZE VALUE: $22.00


Model Co. Cheek + Lips Tint
Shade: Rosy Red

 

 



  • MY THOUGHTS: I wish this product was actually the color that the tube is and not the actual color it is. It's pretty but doesn't really show up on my lips unless I really layer it on. It also highlights every dry flake and patch possible. It goes on feeling like a smooth watery gel but after it sets it kind of feels a bit drying, so top with a lip balm for sure! I'm not into cheek tints, so this would only be used on my lips.. and I'm not sure how often I'll reach for it.
  • FULL SIZE VALUE: $22.00


Morphe Brushes Powder Brush




  • MY THOUGHTS: I have wanted to try Morphe Brushes for awhile now, so I was excited to see one in this box! It's a great brush to use for setting powder, blush, and all-over bronzer. Really soft and feels nice on the face. Really happy about this one!
  • FULL SIZE VALUE: $19.99


OFRA Americano Bronzer
 



  • MY THOUGHTS: This packaging is as generic as you can get. No label or brand or name on the top of the packaging, and just a sticker on the bottom. But I don't really care as long as the product is great, and unfortunately, this isn't a great product.... at least not for me. First, the color leans a bit orange and it has SPARKLES. Not a shimmer, but straight up sparkles. I've never been into shimmery bronzers much, but a bronzer with sparkles is a huge no-no for me. On top of that, the texture of the powder feels a bit dry - which is funny that I noted that, because in my August Wantable Makeup Box I received an OFRA 3D Loose Shadow and I noted the texture on that one felt dry as well. So far I haven't gotten the best impression of OFRA Cosmetics. I really hope I can find something in their line that I absolutely love. Would I pay $35 for this bronzer? Hell no!
  • FULL SIZE VALUE: $35.00


OFRA Eyeliner
Shade: Black



  • MY THOUGHTS: This is just your standard black pencil eyeliner. It goes on smooth - not overly creamy but not dry. Nothing special or stand out about it. 
  • FULL SIZE VALUE: $13.00



My Thoughts On The Entire Box...
  • VALUE: The value was approximately $111.99
  • USAGE: I will use the Morphe brushe, and try to make use of the Tarina Tarantino Conditioning Lip Sheen. I may use the Model Co. Lip + Cheek Tint but honestly I doubt I'll reach for it often. The OFRA eyeliner will get used when I need a black pencil, but the OFRA Bronzer won't be touched by me. 
  • FINAL THOUGHTS: I was so excited to get my first BoxyCharm, especially with the Tarina Tarantino Conditioning Lip Sheen. And at a first glance I thought I had an amazing box. After taking the time to try the products I find that really only the Morphe Brush is going to be well used, and possibly the Tarina Tarantino Conditioning Lip Sheen. Everything else was eh. The value is amazing - you pay $21 and I received basically $112 worth of items. I know BoxyCharm offers some of the best box months I've ever seen, so I'm sticking with it for awhile and I can't wait to see what my September BoxyCharm brings!

Let me know what you think...
Did you receive a Boxy Charm this month? If so, what are your thoughts on your box? If you don't receive a Boxy Charm box yet, click here to sign up! Discuss in the comments below.