Beauty Box 5 - August 2014 Review

THE SCOOP:

Hey everyone! Ready for another Beauty Box 5 review? The August BB5 theme is "Radiant and Remarkable," and the products are meant to celebrate the radiance of every subscriber and to help us transition into fall. 

Beauty Box 5 is a subscription service that sends out 5 beauty products each month. The box is $12 a month for a month-to-month subscription, but you can save money if you buy a quarterly or yearly subscription. BB5 also offers half-off intro boxes regularly, so keep an eye on my blog for upcoming coupon codes.

THE BOX:

The August box contains a good mix of makeup, hair products, and skincare. 

Nanacoco lip gloss in First Kiss: Full size, $3.99

This gloss has quickly become one of my favorite lip products in my collection! The texture reminds me of a NYX butter gloss because it is smooth, non-sticky, and smells delicious. The vitamin E keeps my lips soft and silky. This is definitely earning its place in my daily makeup bag!

Check out that pigment! The color of this gloss is opaque and bold. 

La Fresh Travel Lite makeup remover wipes: Sample, 8 wipes

I am currently on vacation in New York City, and these wipes have been so useful for me! They take off waterproof mascara with ease, and they don't leave a sticky or greasy residue behind. I love that they are oil-free so my skin stays clear. 

Novex Brazilian Keratin: Sample, 1.05 oz. 

This packet is truly "hair food!" My hair is dry and tends to frizz, so it eats up moisture. This cream is perfect to use during a shower. Massage it into your hair, leave in for 25 minutes, and rinse. Voila! Healthy, happy hair in a half hour. 

Pur-lisse Pur Protect SPF 30 sunscreen: Sample, 0.5 oz. 

I live in Arizona, so SPF is a pretty important part of my life. This lotion is lightweight and non-greasy, so it's the perfect SPF under makeup. I like the high SPF, too. 

NOT PICTURED:

Style Essentials nail polish: Full Size

This polish is so unique in my collection! The color is something I've never seen before. I love the high shine finish and thick brush that allows for easy application. This is my new favorite toe polish color!

THE RECAP:

I received 5 beauty products in the August BB5 that are useful to my life. Each item will be used. I've already finished the LA Fresh wipes, and I'm working on the Pur-lisse and the Novex. I am very pleased with the usefulness of this month's box. 

Make sure to subscribe by 8/21 to get the August box! Otherwise, sign up ASAP to get in on the September BB5. 

Disclaimer: I am a contributor to Beauty Box 5's review team. I received this box for review purposes. The opinions are my own.

Beauty Box 5 August 2014 Spoiler

Ready for August's Beauty Box 5? Every subscriber will receive a FULL-SIZE Nanacoco lip gloss!

BB5 says: "High shine and flawless color should always be in your beauty arsenal - and on your lips! Nanacoco's lip gloss has a rich formula in stunning shades that glides on like velvet - never sticky. Plus, soothing vitamin E makes it a moisurizing must-have!"

Make sure to sign up for BB5 by August 21st to get this month's box!

Beauty Box 5 - July 2014 Review

THE SCOOP:

Hey everyone! I'm back with another Beauty Box 5 review. The July BB5 theme is "Defining Moments," encouraging subscribers to celebrate the events that made us the women we are today. 

Beauty Box 5 is a subscription service that sends you 5 beauty products each month. The box is $12 a month for a month-to-month subscription, but you can save money if you buy a quarterly or yearly subscription. BB5 also offers free intro boxes regularly, so keep an eye on my blog for upcoming deals.

THE BOX:

Beauty Box 5 - May 2014 Review

THE SCOOP:
Hey everyone! I'm here with another Beauty Box 5 review. The May BB5 theme is "Fresh and Focused," and the BB5 team created this box to help subscribers get back in the zone when all we can think about is laying on the beach with a good book and a margarita.

Beauty Box 5 is a subscription service that sends you 5 beauty products each month. The box is $12 a month for a month-to-month subscription, but you can save money if you buy a quarterly or yearly subscription.

CONTENTS:

MaskerAide Hydrating Facial Sheet Mask: Full Size, $5.99

This sheet mask is paraben-free, vegan, and 100% biodegradable! I enjoy how eco-friendly the brand is, and I love masks of any type. This one has cute packaging and feels really moisturizing and soothing.

Ban Total Refresh Cooling Body Cloths: Sample, $0.87

The May BB5 came with three of these cooling cloths. I have never tried anything like these before, so I was really excited. They leave a nice scent and a powdery, dry finish. They work really well for the summer heat in Arizona.

H2O+ Aqualibrium Marine Cleansing Gel: Sample, $1.35

This cleanser is made with sea salt and energizing marine botanicals. It is also oil-free and has gentle exfoliants. I have been using this while out of town, and I really enjoy how clean it makes my face feel.

Harvey Prince Hello Fragrance: Sample, $3.50

This perfume has notes of mandarin, grapefruit, and plumeria. It is my perfect summer scent. I have worn it every day since I received my box. It is so fresh and happy.

Cattiva Precisione Eye Liner: Full Size, $20

This retractable liner is waterproof and smudge-resistant. The swatch below stayed on my hand after vigorous scrubbing. It goes on smooth and dark. It's a great addition to my makeup collection!

May's Beauty Box 5 did not disappoint. The value is over $30, so I think it's a great deal. I will use all of these products. I can't wait to see what June has in store!

Disclaimer: I am a contributor to Beauty Box 5's review team. I received this box for review purposes. The opinions are my own.

Beauty Box 5 - April 2014 Review

THE SCOOP:
Hey everyone! I'm here with a review on the April 2014 Beauty Box 5.

Beauty Box 5 is a subscription service that sends you 5 beauty products each month. The box is $12 a month for a month-to-month subscription, but you can save money if you buy a quarterly or yearly subscription.

BB5 sends out some of the most useful products I've seen in beauty subscriptions.

This month's theme is Shades of Beauty.

CONTENTS:

Nicka K New York Hydro Lipstick in Begonia: Full Size; $4.99

This lipstick is an interesting color. It changes in the light from a bright pink to a bright red. It has a shimmery quality that reminded me of Dorothy's ruby slippers in the Wizard of Oz! When I first saw it, I assumed I would dislike the shimmer because I am more of a cream lipstick lover. However, the finished look was gorgeous! It goes really well with a golden eye and peach blush.

Bonne Bell Lip Definer in Soft Brick: Full Size; $3.95

Boy, it has been a while since I have used Bonne Bell. This lip liner is not the smoothest in application, but it provides natural definition for the lips. I think it would be great for people who want to line outside of their natural lip line to give the illusion of fuller lips.

BH Cosmetics California Collection Eyeshadow Palette: Sample; $3
I have never tried BH Costmetics. This sampler was given away last summer in Ipsy bags, but I was not a subscriber at the time. I really enjoy these three colors, one from each California palette. The purple shade is unlike any other purple I own. It is a royal purple. The brown has gorgeous golden shimmer, and it goes perfectly with the golden color on the right.

Swatches of the BH Cosmetics California Sample Palette 

Blum Naturals All-Purpose Cleansing Wipes in Fresh Scent: 30 wipes; $2.49

I really love that BB5 included makeup wipes this month. I could always use more wipes because I use them to take off my makeup at night before washing my face. This little container has a keychain for on-the-go use, but it contains 30 wipes, which is a great amount. I am excited to use these!

Jergens Natural Glow 3 Days to Glow Moisturizer packets: Sample; $1.50

Although I have light skin, I decided to try out these packets, which are meant for medium to tan skintones. I have used the first two packets, and I am mostly impressed! I have a beautiful tan now that looks fairly natural. My only problem is that I noticed a few streaks. This is probably due to my application, and I will be more careful to make sure everything is rubbed in properly from now on. I will definitely purchase this in the light version.

FINAL THOUGHTS:

Swatches of lipstick in Begonia and lip definer in Soft Brick

I did an eye look using all three colors from the BH Cosmetics sampler. The gold is on my lid, the brown is in my crease, and I used the purple as a liner by wetting an angled brush and dipping it into the shadow.

These shadows are very easy to blend. I'm very impressed!

Here is my final look, using the eye look from above, the lip definer in Soft Brick, and the lipstick in Begonia. You can see the beautiful red quality here, but when I move, the shimmer causes it to change color. It really is beautiful!

Overall, this month's box was worth about $16. The value here is very high for me because I will use all of the products! Keep it up, BB5!

Disclaimer: I am a contributor to Beauty Box 5's review team. I received this box for review purposes. The opinions are my own.

Beauty Box 5 April Spoiler

Voila! Here is the April spoiler for Beauty Box 5. All subscribers will receive a full-size Nicka K New York Hydro Lipstick. 

BB5 says, "These long-wear lipsticks are formulated with jojoba oil for moisturized, lightweight, full-bodied color." They are also paraben-free and come in a myriad of beautiful colors! I am hoping for a radiant orchid color, like Fabulous. Which color are you loving?

In case you haven't heard, BB5 is a subscription service that delivers five beauty products to your door every month. Make sure you sign up before March 31st to receive an April box!

Disclaimer: Photo and information provided by Beauty Box 5. 

Sample Society November 2013

This month, I received a free Sample Society box as a promotion for first-time subscribers. These boxes are distributed through Beauty Bar and Allure magazine for $15/month.

The box is smaller in person than I pictured it when reading other reviews! However, it is packaged nicely. The paper in the box reminds me of Glossybox's packaging.

Voila! The box contents are for Kit B. The theme is Winter Wonders.

Jane Iredale Lip Drink mini lip balm: $4

This product retails for $12 normally. This sample will last a while, but it's very tiny. It is pretty cute though, and I use lip balm constantly, so this product is a no-brainer for me.

Illume Balsam & Cedar mini candle: $3

The full size candle retails for $36 and comes in a beautiful jar. This "travel sized" candle (who travels with candles??) is in cute tin. I'm burning it right now, and it smells like winter to me. It's a great Christmastime scent.

Borghese Splendore Brightening Makeup: $15

This product retails for $29.50 in the full size. It is basically a liquid highlighter. I tried a bit on my cheekbones but wasn't impressed. I don't love looking really shimmery. Maybe I can find a way to use this, or try using just a small amount.

Murad Hydro-Dynamic Ultimate Moisturizer: $10

The full size retails for $65. This is a brand that I recently received samples in the mail from, but I didn't get a sample of this, so I'm happy to try it. It comes with a decent amount in a cute little jar that I can reuse.

Annick Goutal Eau D'Hadrien perfume: $3

The full size is $92. I love the smell of this. I normally hate perfumes and only wear fruity body spray, but this smells light and citrusy.

According to the package, the scent is a tribute to Goutal's passion for Italy. It encorporates citrus fruit, cypress, basil, and rosemary. It smells very fresh.

This box has a value of $34. I will use all of these samples up, except maybe the brightening makeup. I will use it, but very slowly, because it is extremely shimmery.

I am not sure yet if I will keep this subscription next month. I hope a spoiler comes out that will help me decide.

Glossybox October 2013: The Byrdie Box

Imagine my surprise when I got a package in the mail from Glossybox. I had signed up for a 3-month Glossybox subscription on the last day of October, but cancelled the same day because I saw the spoiler for November (black eyeshadow) and wasn't impressed.

Well, after I cancelled, they accidentally shipped the box anyway, despite my account showing that it was cancelled. I also never got a shipping email so I figured it cancelled like normal. 

I can't say I'm disappointed... I do love this box, and I can't believe I got it for free. I feel a little guilty, but I didn't do anything wrong, so I'm not too worried about it.

This is my first time every receiving a Glossybox, and the packaging is to die for. The quality of the box itself is wonderful, and I love the pretty pink ribbon. It's like opening a fancy present.

And without further ado, here is what came in my October Glossybox.

I am in love with all of these products. They are all quality items that I will use up.

Lotus Youth Preserve Face Cream by Fresh: $12

This is definitely a deluxe sample. The full size retails for $42.

I am excited to try this. I love face creams and this one smells fresh, like cucumbers. 

Bulgari Eau Parfumée Soap in Au Thé Blanc: $8

This is a cute little soap bar with a fresh smell. The full size retails for $30, so I wouldn't repurchase, but I will enjoy using this up.

Balance Me tinted lip salve in super soft beige: $16.50

This product is full size. It has an off-putting smell that I can't quite describe, but it does have a plumping effect and tingly feel. It is a pretty color. I don't know how often I'll use it, but I like it.

Sesha Renu Exfoliating Gel: $16.80

The full size retails for $42. This product claims to remove dead skin cells with papaya enzymes. I'm really excited to try this. I don't have any scrubs right now, so I am happy to have this on hand.

Tarte Lights, Camera, Flashes mascara: $23

This full size mascara has been said to beat Benefit's They're Real mascara, which is a beauty blogger favorite. I haven't opened it yet because I already have three or four tubes open, but once I throw those out, I will open this one next. I love the extravagant gold packaging. It looks really luxe.

Overall, I am extremely pleased with this box, especially because I got it for FREE. It's crazy. This box is valued at about $76. I cannot believe the value in a box that is only $21. I am very impressed with Glossybox, so if any spoilers come out in the coming months that excite me, I'll definitely resubscribe.