Beauty Box 5: February 2013 & January 2013

I've been quite behind on my beauty box reviews, possibly because I haven't been too impressed with any of them lately. I have decided to try the products first before posting about them so I could kind of add a bit of my input about them!

However I really liked the contents of my February Beauty Box 5 and thought I would share! I added my January box below this post as well incase anyone was curious as to what I received. 

I received an amazing box this month, for BB5's 1 Year Anniversary! Although nothing was completely full-sized, the box was heavier than ever before! 

H20 Bath Aquatics Shampoo: This is actually formulated for fine hair, which is great because I have really fine hair! On the website it says it is ideal for cleansing hair brushes/synthetic brushes. I find that a bit odd because I feel like that means it would do a good job in stripping natural oils. When I tried this, I didn't notice any significant difference in my hair.

37ml @ $2.96, Full Size: 250ml @ $20

Coolway Boost Serum/Conditioner: This smelt really chemically to me. Like an artificial berry candy. I didn't notice it doing anything spectacular to my hair. I also think it is way overpriced. I will likely finish it though.

30ml @ $5.06, Full Size: 237ml @ $40

Tree Hut Shea Sugar Body Scrub Coconut Lime: I love the scent of this scrub! I tried it and it feels nice and soothing. I like that is is a bit natural, and also very affordable!

156g @ $2.14, Full Size: 510g @ $7

The Brush Guard 1XS, 1SM, 1M: I actually have been wanting to try these, so I am super glad we received them! I bought something similar to these on eBay but they were pretty much the same material that you find fruits in at the grocery store! They are quite stiff and much different/stronger from my eBay 99¢ guards (although they do work decently!).

3 Guards @ $2.75, Full Size: $5.50 (1XS, 2SM, 2M, 2L)

iTrain $50 Gift Card: I am pretty excited to have received this because I have been meaning to start working out again but can't find the motivation to do so. I hope this will motivate me once again! I can't believe we were given such a large amount! I will be sure to use this.

Beauty Box 5 Brush/Mirror Compact: This is in honour of BB5's 1 year anniversary! I absolutely love it and although it doesn't comb my hair the best, it is a cute compact that is light and easy to carry around.

Total Value: 62.91  ||  12.91 w/o iTrain Giftcard

Here is what I got in my January BB5...

Pencil Me in Cosmetics 24 karat liner, Model Co Pomegranate Lip Liner, Ferro Cosmetics Blush x3 in Desert Rose

Perfumies Solid Perfume Stick in Stardust: It has an odd fruity scent and overall I would not typically use this. I didn't find the scent to be strong enough and you can really only smell it when putting your nose right up to where it was applied.

Full Size: 2g @ $7

Pur Lisse Pur Delicate Gentle Soy Milk Cleanser: I used this cleanser for a while. It did take off all my makeup but I feel like it either didn't do anything to my skin or made it worse. It is soap-free and non-irritating which I can vouch for because it didn't dry out my skin and felt gentle, athough it is nothing special in my opinion.

50ml @ $12.05, Full Size: 166ml @ $40

Pencil me in Cosmetics Liner in 24 Karat: I heard that this is a creamy liner, however I didn't find it too creamy. I haven't tried it on the eye yet because I hate the smell of pencils like these.

Full Size: @ $7

Model Co Lip Liner in Pomegranate: I actually don't really like this lip liner. It kind of accentuated my dryness and made my lips look tight. I also don't like the shine to it, I prefer matte lippies.

Full Size: @ $18

Ferro Cosmetics Blush x3 in Desert Rose: This can be used for cheeks, lips, eyes, and nails. I'm not so sure how well it would work on anything but the cheeks, but I actually adore the colour and this it goes well with my pale skin.

Approx. 0.4g? @ $1.70, Full Size: 4g @ $20

Total Value: $45.75

Beauty Box 5: December 2012 Box

To be honest, I cancelled Beauty Box 5 for December, because I just wasn't happy with what they had to offer for October and November. Don't get me wrong, they are amazing and they've had awesome samples from various companies since they've started, but I think I just subscribed at the wrong time...because this month was awesome! I even liked it so much that I subbed for another 3 months, a quarterly sub (which allows me to save $6 yippee!)

I wasn't expecting to get mine so early, due to Christmas gifts and such at the border.. but I surprisingly got it Christmas Eve! Was a nice X-mas gift to myself :)

Ummmm did I mention I'm pretty sure the December box was all full-sized products!?!

The 5 products in my box!

Maskeraide Hydrating Facial Sheet Mask: Weather Warrior

I was breaking out around the time I tried this.. I used Benzoyl Peroxide and it really dried out my skin and didn't help things at all. This really helped moisturize it and bring the life back. My skin felt soft and smooth after using it. Not to mention there was a ton of product, the mask was covered in product! I like that it is not a peel mask either, can't do those! However the witch hazel may have irritated my skin (could have been the aloe vera, either or), the mask certainly did not help my breakouts and I noticed a toner I've been using with witch hazel and aloe vera seemed to make my skin worse. So I won't be purchasing this product, but I'd like to try the others that do not have these ingredients!

Full Size: 23g for $5

Demeter Roll On Perfume Oil - Apple Blossom

This is a super cute addition to the box! I do not like roll on perfumes or floral scents, (btw, my wrists are too boney to roll a rollerball over, ugh) I prefer sprays and fruity scents, but the apple in it kind of takes away from the floralness here I go making up words.. I like it as a scent, but not sure if I will wear it. I would really love to find their other scents though!

Full Size: 8.8ml for $10

Everyday Minerals Flat Top Brush

This brush is said to be suitable for applying both mineral/powder and liquid foundation, with super soft synthetic fibers. I've been in need of a new mineral fd brush, I've been using really old Bare Minerals brushes that are completely scratchy and probably were roughing up my skin. I love this brush. It holds the powder well, bristles are very stiff, but when applying I notice that the powder seems to go everywhere (including all over me) but I just figure to use it before changing haha! It gives good coverage, I use it with the Everyday Minerals foundation. It's also very tiny and travel friendly!

Full Size: $13 - CURRENTLY ON SALE for $8.45, click link above which will bring you to their website!

Shows the stiffness of the bristles

Jean Pierre Cosmetics Exfoliating Facial Cleansing Pads

Alcohol free, hypo-allergenic, removes dead skin cells and deep cleans. Contains cucumber, chamomile, green leaf, and aloe extracts. I was actually thinking of trying this product tonight. I thought I had an allergic reaction to chamomile so I will test them other and update here tomorrow! Although, they are a great price and I've seen decent reviews on them!

Full Size: 16 Pads for $1.99

Ofra Cosmetics 3D Loose Shadow - Diamond Glitz

This is a multi-tonal shadow that can be used wet or dry! It gives off a 3D effect using various colours. When I first swatched I noticed the shadow was purple.. then I thought it was green, but on primed skin it is brown with a 3D shimmer to it! On bare skin it doesn't show up the best, more shimmery and less brown. I can only imagine how much better it would look wet! This is another full-sized product and was very generous considering how well pigmented it is. View a swatch below!

Full Size: 4g for $19.90

Swatched without primer on top, with primer on the bottom (brown). Primer really makes a huge difference.

Total value of this month's bag was: $49.90

Sure I've had higher valued boxes before, but I can actually use all of these products and nothing will go to waste! BB5 impressed me and I know they will impress me for January as well as I already know 2 spoilers! Did you like your box? For those of you who didn't subscribe, would you have liked it?

If anyone is really interested in subscribing to Beauty Box 5, please use my referral link by clicking here!

Beauty Box 5: November 2012 Box

This is my 2nd box from BB5 and also my last, for now. I didn't like the October BB5 box and haven't used anything from it yet. It took forever to get here too because they are located so far away and I hate getting the box at the end of the month. This time took a week and a half.

Cetaphil Moisturizing Lotion
Received: Deluxe Sample Size @ $1.11
Full: 236 ml @ $9
Non-irritating, oil-free, non-greasy, fragrance-free and packed with humectants to bind moisture to delicate skin. Came with a $1 off coupon! So the $1 off coupon says only valid is USA...this is another reason why I am unsubscribing.. it's not really catered to Canadians.. Will definitely be trying this out though, the Lise Watier Hydrasmart Gel-Creme is just too expensive for me.

Global Goddess Uprade Complexion Face Primer
Received: 2 ml x 2 sachets = 4 ml @ $1.84
Full: 50 ml @ $22.95
Contains Vit A & E and antioxidants to create a youthful glow. Can't wait to try this after I finish up my 'Prime Time' Bare Minerals primer.

Envie De Nuef Eye Mask
Received: 1 Sachet @ $3
Full: 10 Sachets @ $30
I'm not sure if this is safe for my sensitive skin.. If this is a peel-off like those nose strips, they ruined my nose :( then I definitely can't use.

$10 Gift Card for My Name Necklace
I don't think I'll be using this, the nice ones are $50+ and I don't like to showcase my name out to everyone.

Model Co Lip Shine in "Strip Tease"
Received: Full Size!
Full: 0.14 fl oz @ $16
Nice to receive a full size..  but it was smeared around the edges so I hope it's brand new.. smells awesome, like peach candy! It say non-sticky (highly reflective, and shimmering) but when I wiped off the residue on the threads it felt very sticky. I ended up giving this to a friend.

Swagger Cosmetics Eyeshadow
Received: Full Size!
Full: 5 g @ $9.50
100% vegan. I hate loose powder eyeshadows so we'll see if I even get around to using this. I like that they included something so cute and different though! I have no clue what colour this is. Either Responsitranity or Red Bone. If someone knows please let me know.

Swatch of Swagger Cosmetics Eyeshadow, Right is blended out (in Responsitranity or Red Bone, I honestly have no clue please let me know in the comments if you do)

Total BB5 November Box Value: $31.45

Okay so BB5 did better this month, I am overall content with the products. the Cetaphil, Swagger Eyeshadow, and Primer are the only products I will be using!

Did you like your box? Did you receive the same products? Tell me what you think!

Beauty Box 5: October 2012 Box

This is very long overdue! My October 2012 Beauty Box 5 (also known as BB5). I possibly have not been excited enough to post about this because the box itself didn't really excite me.... in fact I was quite upset upon receiving it because 

A) it took about 2+ weeks, 

B) the samples all seem to be very "free" looking (you know what I mean!) and not deluxe at all. 

I actually haven't used any of these products yet, except for one which gave me a terrible reaction (the city lips gloss/plumper!) I haven't tried it a second time around yet because I'm scared of the outcome... will probably give to a friend to try out. 

So here are a few photos I took of the box contents and what I think about each product!

NOTE: None of these are tested so far, besides the City Lips Plumper.

Fulesse Elevens - Frown Line Reducing Patches

Relax frown lines in a gentle, natural (no needles!) way. Simply apply the clear patch while you sleep and a few hours later you'll see fewer lines. It's that easy.

Received: 3 Patches = $2.01

Full Size: 30 Patches = $20

No way I can really use this. I'm 19, I don't have frown lines yet. I can't find decent reviews about trying it if you do not have mature skin, so I am holding on to this hopefully for a trade for something I can actually use.

Goat Haus Dairy Lip Balm

Your lips will lust after this light-weight, soft and silky goats-milk lip balm!

Received: Full Size!

Full Size: $2.50

This isn't very appealing for a full size product. You can see that it is only half full. I heard it wasn't a bad product, so I'm hoping to try this once I finish some other lip balms I have! I like how the ingredients are very natural.

Margania Pure Argan Oil

With naturally high levels of Vit. E and skin-supporting fatty acids, this "miracle" oil is perfect for healing skin ailments and protecting against premature aging. Use alone or mix with your moisturizer.

Received: 2" tube? Not sure of value.

Full Size: 2 fl oz  = $32

Am interested to try this out. Confusing though because others have said it is for the hair but the card seems to imply that it's for the face or body. Can I try it on my hair!? I have yet to try it because I'm not sure exactly how or where to apply...

ShowStoppers Fashion Tape

Received: 2 = $0.84

Full Size: 24 = $10 

I think these are self explanatory. Double stick "designer fashion tape" to keep your shirt stuck to your bra (or body). These would come in handy for emergency, or a really low cut/revealing dress. So I will hold onto these for the future I guess!

Lash Card

Received: 2 Cards = $1.40

Full Size: 10 Cards = $7 

Again, self explanatory by the picture. I won't be needing these. I never get mascara on my top lid and if I do I can quickly wipe it off... I heard it was also difficult to use. I would probably end up poking my eye out or something with this!

NuMe $100 Gift Certificate

Okay how many of these am I really going to get? Already received 2 and didn't use either, then they expired. I find it ridiculous that they charge $170 for a hair tool, so the $100 off doesn't mean anything, since in brackets it usually says (+$15 + $10 shipping). Not to mention duties on top of that. What's the +$15 actually for? Probably won't be using this again...

Do you use NuMe products or have bought from them/received a sample? I would love to hear what you think about them in the comment box below.

City Lips Lip Plumper in Sun Diego

These luscious lip plumpers are packed with antioxidants and moisturizing ingredients! Apply alone or over lipstick for fuller, plumper lips in an instant!

Received: 1.5 ml = $9.60

Full Size: 5 ml = $32

Only product I've tried so far. I already have plump lips so these made them extremely tingle and feel uncomfortable. They burnt for a few minutes and I felt like I had a fat lip and had to take it off. No one else seems to feel this reaction so I may try again, however, I'd rather just give to a friend since I don't need it.

Total BB5 October Box Value: Approx. $20.61
Value is approx. due to estimation of value for Margania Argan Oil

Did you like your BB5 box!? How long have you been a subscriber?