Tuesday, December 30, 2014

Winter 2014 Walmart Beauty Box

Right before the Christmas craziness, I received my Winter 2014 Walmart Beauty Box. The Walmart Beauty Box comes out 4 times a year and costs $5, which includes shipping. Beauty boxes are just plain fun.... especially if you are a product junkie like me. I am currently only subscribed to Glossybox and was glad to add this low-priced box to the mix. I also purchase the Target Beauty Box when it is available (it always a one-time purchase box).
 
My Winter box was sample-packet heavy..... I read that there are two boxes and the one I received was intended for their more mature audience. I *did* just turn 41, but I still like color cosmetics, so I adjusted my birthdate down after getting this box to see if I get the younger box next time. Overall, I'm still happy because $5 is a great price to try so many new products.
 
 
My box contains:
  • L'Oreal Color Vibrancy Antioxidant Shampoo, Conditioner and Instant Shock Treatment (sample packet)
  • John Frieda Luxurious Volume Shampoo and Conditioner (sample packet)
  • Pond’s Rejuveness Anti-Wrinkle Cream (deluxe sample size)
  • Olay Regenerist Luminous Tone Perfecting Moisturizer (sample size)
  • Aveeno Daily Moisturizing Lotion (sample size)
  • Nivea Cocoa Butter Body Lotion (sample packet)
  • Pond’s Wet Cleansing Towlettes (5 wipes)
  • L’Oreal Paris Age Perfect Cell Renewal Golden Serum and Day Cream (sample packet)
  
from the website:

How does it work?

Each new season brings different product needs and a reason to refresh your beauty cabinet. In your Walmart Beauty Box, you’ll find sample beauty products and tips on how to use those and other items sold at Walmart and on Walmart.com. Receiving your Walmart Beauty Box will be another reason to welcome each new season.
 
 


Tuesday, December 23, 2014

November 2014 Glossybox

November 2014 Glossybox
(click to enlarge)


GLOSSYBOX is one of the more expensive beauty subscription services ($21 versus both Birchbox and Ipsy's $10), but the quality is so much better- these are high end brands! I also LOVE the beautiful, high quality boxes they send each month. They are great for drawer organizing or keeping craft products in.
Here's a run-down on what I received in my November 2014 box, along with the value of each product.
 
  • 12 Benefits Instant Healthy Hair Treatment- (Value: $5 for 1.5 oz) This is a leave-in conditioning mist. I love using products like this on my daughter's fine hair. Her hair tangles so easily and this will make her post-shower comb-out much easier.
  • Juice Beauty Green Apple Age Defy Moisturizer-  (Value: $11 for 1.5 oz) This is a great size for travel and I'll be adding it to my overnight bag to use in the evening on trips.
  • OPI Nail Lacquer in Pink Outside the GlossyBox- (Value: $9.50 for full-sized product) YAY for nail polish! Always one of my favorite things to find in a beauty box. This nail polish shade was created to match the signature pink GlossyBox subscription box and I couldn't be more excited to try it.
  • So Susan Cosmetics Universal Blush – (Value: $28 for full-sized product) This promises a healthy flush that looks great on all skin tones. I haven't tried this brand before but am sure this will become part of my blush rotation.
  • Kneipp Herbal Bath Balancing Lavender – (Value: $5.50 for 20 ml) The instructions on this bottle say to use half a bottle in a hot bath. I tried it yesterday and I had a fabulous bath- the scent was amazing! It's a somewhat scary dark blue color, but I was glad to see it doesn't leave a stain in your bathtub or on your body.
VERDICT: My box had a value of approximately $60 so I'm really pleased. All of the items are definitely be products I will use, and nail polish always makes me happy!
GLOSSYBOX also has a great point program- if you answer their survey questions on each product after you receive it, you will receive 100 points. After you have collected 1000 points, your next box is free. So after 10 months, I will have a free box.
 
They also have a referral program and if you use my link to sign up, I'll receive 200 points, getting me closer to my free box! You can do the same with your friends after you sign up. Right now, you can use the promo code THETALK to receive a get a free Tarte Lip Stain in Flush ($24 Value) with your first box.
 

Monday, December 22, 2014

October 2014 Glossybox (better late than never?)

October 2014 Glossybox
(click to enlarge)
 

GLOSSYBOX is one of the more expensive beauty subscription services ($21 versus both Birchbox and Ipsy's $10), but the quality is so much better- these are high end brands! I also LOVE the beautiful, high quality boxes they send each month. They are great for drawer organizing or keeping craft products in.

Here's a run-down on what I received in my October 2014 box, along with the value of each product.
 
Sesha Botanical Hydro Mask- (value: $9 for one mask). I've never used a sheet mask, and was excited to give this a try. I do find the price of the mask, which is just a one-time use, to be a bit high, but to me that is what these beauty boxes are for- getting to try things you might not normally buy.
 
Vince Camuto Amore perfume mini bottle- (value: $6 for .25 fl oz) I REALLY like this scent! It's both floral and fruity, but light enough that it doesn't give me a headache. I never seem to finish full-sized fragrance bottles, so I really think a mini bottle like this is right up my alley.
 
Nails Inc Westminister Bridge Matte Topcoat– (full-sized value: $15) Nails Inc recently redesigned their packaging, and the bottle included in this Glossybox is the old bottle style. Nails Inc is a great brand that's definitely a favorite of mine, so I'm glad to add this to my collection. You can see all the swathes I've done of Nails Inc shades on my nail blog.
 
Tarte Power Pigment in Awakening- (full-sized value: $24) This is quite a nude, neutral shade
and I typically prefer more color for my lip products. However, I'm trying to embrace the trend a bit so I have given it a try and found it's something I will wear from time to time.
 
Proganix Anti-Fade Weightless Argan Oil- (full-sized value: $11) Since I highlight my hair rather than color it, fading is not something I typically worry about. I'll pass this product on to my mom, who does color her hair.
 
VERDICT: My box had a value of approximately $65 so I'm really pleased. All of the items except for the Anti-Fade spray will definitely be products I will use.

GLOSSYBOX also has a great point program- if you answer their survey questions on each product after you receive it, you will receive 100 points. After you have collected 1000 points, your next box is free. So after 10 months, I will have a free box.

They also have a referral program and if you use my link to sign up, I'll receive 200 points, getting me closer to my free box! You can do the same with your friends after you sign up. Right now, you can use the promo code THETALK to receive a get a free Tarte Lip Stain in Flush ($24 Value) with your first box.
 
 


Friday, December 19, 2014

Target Cyber Monday 2014 Beauty Box

On Cyber Monday, Target offered a few special Beauty Boxes, and I purchased both the "For Her" and the "For Him" box. (These went fast and are sold out.) I have had great luck with their seasonal beauty boxes, and I hoped the Cyber Monday boxes would be just as great. Today let's look closer at the contents of the For Her box. I paid $10, and Target offered free shipping on the box. Spoiler: I think it was a great deal!
 

clockwise from top left:
  • Boots No7 Protect & Perfect Advanced Serum- sample packet
  • Revlon HD Lip Lacquer in Garnet- full-size; retail: $8
  • Pixi Endless Silky Eye Pen in Black- deluxe sample
  • L'Oreal Voluminous Butterfly Intenza Mascara in Black- full-size; retail: $9
  • CoverGirl Eye Enhancers Quad in Smokey Nudes- full-size; retail: $4.50
  • ChapStick Total Hydration Lip Balm in Sweet Peach- full-size; retail: $3
  • Laneige Water Sleeping Mask- deluxe sample jar
  • Clairol Hair Food Thickening Solution- full-size; retail: $12
Overall, I am impressed with the value! Not taking into account the deluxe samples and sample packet, this box had full-sized products in it with a value of $36.50! It's a great way to try new products. The mascara and lip gloss are the two products I am most excited to try.