Recently, I had the chance to review a complimentary box from Beauty Box 5, a cosmetic sampling program that delivers a beauty box with 4 to 5 beauty samples once a month for $12 ($30/quarterly, $100/yearly). Like many subscription services, Beauty Box 5 aims to introduce customers to the latest in hair care, skin care, makeup, fragrances, and anything beauty related. The goal is to introduce you to products that fit your lifestyle so you don't end up buying tons of products that just end up unused in your drawers or medicine cabinets. Subscribers receive products from brands of all scales to include luxury, organic, boutique, and more commonly known brands. Beauty Box 5 includes packet samples, deluxe, travel size and full size products, too.
I know I'm late to the party on this one, but here's what I thought. I'd love to hear your thoughts on Beauty Box 5 or any other subscription service you love!
Here's what I got in my box and what I thought about each product:
Blinc Mascara, 0.2 oz sample: This claims to be a water-resistant, smudge proof, flake free mascara that surrounds your lashes with little tubes of love. Retails for $26. Yowza! Well, it worked pretty well. I even used it on my lower lashes and didn't see a single smudge. Remarkable. It resists water (I didn't go swimming but it didn't come off when I got a little water on my eyes while washing my face) but comes off easily in a hot steamy shower. It's kinda gross the way it comes off in little wormy black clumps, though, LOL. Anyways, I love how it made my lashes look and feel, but I doubt I'll fork over $26 for a full size tube.
Curls Gel-les'c 8 oz sample: I don't have curly hair but I do have wavy, frizzy hair, so I gave this product a try. It was okay in terms of keeping my hair frizz-free while it air dried, and I really enjoyed the light scent. This botanically based, organic curl styler did not impart brilliant sheen, as claimed, and I'm not sure if it would keep curls in place since I don't have curls. Based on the scent alone, I'll look into more products from this brand. Full size is $25.
Spongeables Ped-Scrub Foot Buffer: This little sponge claims to nourish, invigorate and revitalize your feet for an at-home spa experience. You use the scruffy side to buff, then flip and use the soft side to moisturize. While I enjoyed the concept, I need more buffing action so I'll stick to my Sally Hansen foot file. Also, the conditioning side makes your feet slippery, so you really need to be sitting down when you use this thing. Avoid using in the shower. At only $2.99, it's a fun gift idea.
Bodyography Makeup Primer 1 oz.: I'm just getting into using primers, and I don't wear them often, but I know they make a huge difference when you're wearing foundation. This one worked well, but I don't have much to compare it to. I like that it goes on clear and smooth and doesn't stink. Some primers leave my face almost white, like I'm getting ready for Kabuki. At $30 for a full size bottle, I will probably pass just because I don't use primer that often.
Blinc Mascara, 0.2 oz sample: This claims to be a water-resistant, smudge proof, flake free mascara that surrounds your lashes with little tubes of love. Retails for $26. Yowza! Well, it worked pretty well. I even used it on my lower lashes and didn't see a single smudge. Remarkable. It resists water (I didn't go swimming but it didn't come off when I got a little water on my eyes while washing my face) but comes off easily in a hot steamy shower. It's kinda gross the way it comes off in little wormy black clumps, though, LOL. Anyways, I love how it made my lashes look and feel, but I doubt I'll fork over $26 for a full size tube.
Curls Gel-les'c 8 oz sample: I don't have curly hair but I do have wavy, frizzy hair, so I gave this product a try. It was okay in terms of keeping my hair frizz-free while it air dried, and I really enjoyed the light scent. This botanically based, organic curl styler did not impart brilliant sheen, as claimed, and I'm not sure if it would keep curls in place since I don't have curls. Based on the scent alone, I'll look into more products from this brand. Full size is $25.
Spongeables Ped-Scrub Foot Buffer: This little sponge claims to nourish, invigorate and revitalize your feet for an at-home spa experience. You use the scruffy side to buff, then flip and use the soft side to moisturize. While I enjoyed the concept, I need more buffing action so I'll stick to my Sally Hansen foot file. Also, the conditioning side makes your feet slippery, so you really need to be sitting down when you use this thing. Avoid using in the shower. At only $2.99, it's a fun gift idea.
Bodyography Makeup Primer 1 oz.: I'm just getting into using primers, and I don't wear them often, but I know they make a huge difference when you're wearing foundation. This one worked well, but I don't have much to compare it to. I like that it goes on clear and smooth and doesn't stink. Some primers leave my face almost white, like I'm getting ready for Kabuki. At $30 for a full size bottle, I will probably pass just because I don't use primer that often.
I've never even gotten a subscription for myself.
http://www.beautybar.com/SampleSociety/LandingPage.qs
https://musthave.popsugar.com/
http://www.myglam.com/the_bag