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.

Beauty Box Five - October 2013 - pics, swatches, review

Hello, Beautiful!

It's been about a year since my last post on Beauty Box Five, so it's about time I bring it to you again! This month the box is really good! There were three full sized products in this box, and the other two products were really good sizes! Check out everything in my box below!

If you're interested in signing up for Beauty Box Five, click here to visit their website. It's $12 a month or you can buy 3 months for $30 (saving $6), or buy a whole year for $99 (saving $45!).

Beauty Box Five - October 2013

Shipment Quick Stats:

• Value of this month's shipment: $52.65 (value is approximate)
• Total # of items I received: 5
• # of makeup items: 3
• # of nail items: 0
• # of skincare items: 0
• # of body care items: 2
• # of hair care items: 0
• # of fragrance items: 0
• # of other items: 0

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

Tree Hut Shea Sugar Body Scrub
in Coconut Lime

• MY THOUGHTS: This is a great size sample, at 5.5 oz! This "travel size" sells at Ulta for $4.99. It smells really good - like a tropical vacation. And I love tropical scents, especially anything coconut, so this was a hit for me scent wise. The texture of this scrub is thicker and more goopy than some other scrubs I have, but it still feels like it will work nicely. Looking forward to trying this out.
• FULL SIZED: 5.5 oz travel size @ $4.99 -- full size is $7.49 at 18 oz
• SIZE I RECEIVED: 5.5 oz
• SAMPLE VALUE: $4.99

Aveeno Protect + Hydrate Lotion Sunscreen

• MY THOUGHTS: I like Aveeno products, but right now at this time of year I'd rather not receive another sunscreen product. I have so many from the summer months from all my subscription boxes that I think I'm set for another year or two. The texture was just okay for me. There was no noticeable scent, so that was nice -- it didn't smell like sunscreen, which is always a plus. Not sure when I will use this but I will add it to my sunscreen drawer. 
• FULL SIZED: 3 oz @ about $10.00 depending where you shop
• SIZE I RECEIVED: 0.5 oz
• SAMPLE VALUE: $1.66

 

Be A Bombshell Cosmetics Lip Gloss
in Summer Lovin

• MY THOUGHTS: This is a full sized lip gloss, which retails for $14.00 each on their own. I already own a few Be A Bombshell Cosmetics lip glosses, which I did a review on three of the shades. Click here to see my review. For this specific shade, I do like it - it's a sheer orange shimmer. 
• FULL SIZED: 0.11 oz @ $14.00 
• SIZE I RECEIVED: full size
• SAMPLE VALUE: $14.00

Be A Bombshell Cosmetics Eyeshadow
in Bora Bora

• MY THOUGHTS: This is another full sized product. I already own a few Be A Bombshell Cosmetics eyeshadows, and did a review on my blog on some of the shades (two more shades will be reviewed soon, probably with this one added). To see my original review on these shadows click here. The shade Bora Bora is gorgeous - way prettier in person than in the photo.
• FULL SIZED: 0.05 oz @ $14.00 
• SIZE I RECEIVED: full size
• SAMPLE VALUE: $14.00

Model Co Eyeliner in Black

• MY THOUGHTS: This is a full sized eyeliner and it has a built-in sharpener in the cap, which is always a nice plus. You can't go wrong with a black shade, but I wasn't a super fan of this pencil. It was just okay.
• FULL SIZED: full size @ $18.00 
• SIZE I RECEIVED: full size
• SAMPLE VALUE: $18.00

Now let me know what you think...

What do you think of this month's Beauty Box Five shipment? Do you subscribe to Beauty Box Five? If so, what are your thoughts? If not, is this a subscription service you'd like to try out? Discuss in the comments below.