Okay, so my Boxycharm box came in last week, and they scored points off the bat, as the shipping box was black, sealed closed with purple duct tape. Purple being my ABSOLUTE. FAVORITE. COLOR. EVER! I have no idea if this is their normal colors, or if it merely matched the theme of the month. But either way, I might have been squealing with delight...a little bit. The inner box was shiny black with the logo in silver, and completed with purple bow.
The card inside said "Spring Beauty - Charmers! Spring is in the air! We are so excited of this Spring Beauty Box that is filled to the brim with amazing full size beauty products that have a value of over $100. We can't wait to pack up those winter clothes and do some Spring cleaning (and shopping!) Bring on the color and head out for some fresh air, and looking beautiful."
So, the first thing that I pull out is a "MakeUp Base" by bellapierre. I don't know much about this brand, but it was in my shade (awesome) and the box said "This wonderful product helps transform all of our shimmer powders from shimmery to matte; it also provides a water proof base for any of our pigments." I've never used a product like that before, but I am not knocking it. I have several shimmery eyeshadows that I think would look better as matte. What you do with this product is lightly apply with a clean finger on the eyelid where you intend to use the eyeshadow. Apply your eyeshadow with a brush, and what was once shimmery is no longer, but it supposedly retains the color. It's also an eyelid primer, and will help your eyeshadow stay in place longer.
IMPORTANT SIDE NOTE: Aside from being a primer, this makes a GREAT concealer. That's what I used it for. Use sparingly, as it is thick and dot on any blemishes you want to conceal. This tiny jar (0.3 oz) retails for $18.99. Don't let that scare you though. As you should apply it very sparingly, a little dab will do ya, and this will last you for quite a while.
Shimmer Powder by bellapierre★★★★★
Also, from the same company was a little jar of shimmery eyeshadow in the shade of Earth. I assume they paired this with the MakeUp Base so you can test both out yourself. Well...I didn't use the base with this. It IS shimmery, but I usually wear Urban Decay, and am used to it. It's a very pretty shade. A shimmery cross of pink and brown with a tiny bit of copper thrown in. Likely to be flattering for most women of any shade. This is HIGHLY pigmented and so, again, a little dab will do ya. Quite reasonably retail priced at $14.99 for .08 oz. I know, it sounds like such a minuscule amount, but I promise you, it's going to last. Like I said, I did not use the makeup base with it, so it is a bit shimmery, but I am sure it's gorgeous matte as well. In fact, I will try it matte tomorrow!
Another brand I wasn't familiar with until now. What can I say, I usually stick with brands I already know, and don't usually branch out...these beauty box subscriptions are allowing me to change that. This is a full size lipstick and what is nice is ModelCO imbeds a mirror in the cap to help you with application/touch ups on the go. I have to admit, when I first opened the tube and saw the shade ("Pinking Of You") I was afraid. VERY afraid. Barbie doll pink seemed to be a more apt name. Now, I have always done a darker, more neutral lip...a more classic look, let's say, and at first, I hated this color. It almost looks like a color a 12 year old would wear. But, in an effort for an honest and fair review, I put it on this morning. My husband LOVES the color. I am still getting used to it, because, again, for 20 years I have worn a more mauve/neutral shade. It is very creamy and feels good on. I also don't notice that normal "lipstick" taste. There really isn't a taste. I took a half star off the rating ONLY because of the shade...and only because I am not used to it. All in all, something I may definitely buy myself. At $17 for a stick, I don't know that I would commit to this particular shade, but maybe. Who knows?
Yet another brand I am currently unfamiliar with. The names of the colors on the label were "Bandaid" and "Pussy Willow". This is a nail lacquer that is free of phthalates, parabens and formaldehyde. Not bad at all! I did my nails with these last night. "Bandaid" on 4 nails of each hand and the diva finger done in "Pussy Willow". Don't let the names of the colors scare you off. "Bandaid" is actually more of a medium pink, and "Pussy Willow" is a blue gray. They have high pigmentation as well. (you don't have to put on 4 coats to achieve the color as it looks in the bottle...one would probably do it, but a good rule of thumb is 2 coats.) The lacquer is thick and the bristles of the brush are a little stiffer than most nail brushes, so I had to apply a clear top coat to sort of mask the obvious brush strokes (It lost half a star for that.) Without the bad chemicals in it, it doesn't really smell like normal nail polish, either. This duo retails for $17, which is more expensive than drugstore brands, but for formaldehyde, paraben and phthalate free nail color, it's probably worth it.
I was SO excited to see this!! I know of the pur-lisse brand, and know it can be a little bit expensive. But in this box was a full size tube of it! It glides on smooth, it feels light, it has vitamin E in it which helps fight fine lines and wrinkles, as well as White Tea and Blue Lotus which helps fight free-radicals. Use morning and night, after washing your face, as part of your daily routine. Doesn't take long to dry/soak in, so you can wear it under your makeup. Made in the USA, this 1.7 oz tube retails for $55!! I don't know that I really want to spend THAT much on a moisturizer (I prefer the term frugal or pennywise instead of cheap) but I will use it while I can. Who knows, though...maybe pur-lisse will prove it's goodness and I will go ahead and buy it.
So, there you have it. Boxycharm is $20 a month in subscription, and for my $20 this month, I received $124 dollars worth of product. I don't know if every month is that generous yet, but I did get a sneak peek from Boxycharm for April and more ModelCo will be in that one. That's at least $20, so I think it's safe to say next month is gonna be a winner too.
Until next time,
XOXO
Sam
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