Unboxing – BoxyCharm (January 2019)

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BoxyCharm, which I’ve only been getting for a few months, contains four to five full sized products, per their website.  However, I have heard some beauty YouTubers mention that sometimes travel size items are included and this is the first month it appears I have received a trial size item.  The subscription is $21 per month and will have a retail value of over $100.

Sign up using this link: https://www.boxycharm.com/refer/Courtney-XBMMQTUP

Time to stop yacking and start unboxing!

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Overall Box Impressions: I was hesitant to subscribe to a box with full sized items because I was worried I would be left with full sizes of items I didn’t love or wouldn’t use. THat hasn’t been the case though – the curation of items in BoxyCharm it top notch.  My two favorite items are the Tarte eyeshadow palette and the OFRA liquid lipstick.  I received variation 4 (as noted in the corner of my card). If you get this box, which variation did you receive? What was in your box? The total retail value of the box, as noted by BoxyCharm, is $115. That’s a little lower than last month but I will use more of these items than those received last month. 

Tarte Rainforest of the Sea Eyeshadow Palette Vol. III

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Full confession: I actually saw spoilers for this product.  I was so excited for two reasons – one, I don’t own any eyeshadow from Tarte and two, I love nude shades. 

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There are eight shades, seven of which are shimmer/metallics.  I’m actually ok with only one matte shade because the shimmers are very subtle.  My first impression is the shadows have good pigment and go on smooth.  I swatched the darkest and lightest shades below.  The shade closest to the eyeliner is malibu and the shade below it is treasure.

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I will review this product in detail, and swatch all the shades, at a future date after I’ve had a chance to use the palette several times. MSRP: $36. Website: https://tartecosmetics.com/

Tatcha Luminous Dewy Skin Face Mask

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I’ve never had the opportunity to try a Tatcha product before but my opportunity is here!  These are the luminous dewy skin masks and are intended to be restorative and radiant.  I’m excited to use one soon given the dry winter conditions.  MSRP: $24 (for two). Website: https://www.tatcha.com/

Starlooks Luxe Longwear Eye Pencil

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Eye pencils.  A common inclusion. . .appears in almost all subscription boxes.  I mean, has anyone who receives subscription boxes had to buy an eye pencil?  That said, this one from Starlooks is brown, not the usual black.  I prefer a brown liner as it produces a bit softer of an effect, so I’m actually happy to receive this pencil. 

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It went on my hand creamy and consistently, so I think this will be a winner eye liner for me, especially on my waterline.  MSRP: $19 Website: https://starlooks.com/

Briogeo Leave-In Hair Mask

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This brand is another common inclusion in subscription boxes.  This leave in mask is supposed to moisturize and strengthen damaged hair.   I’m going to give this product a try, and will report back later.  While I don’t have heat damage, I do have very tangle-prone hair and my ends sometimes become split.  So, I’m hopeful this will help with that without weighing down my hair. This does appear to be a travel size as I cannot find a 2 ounce bottle of this product on Sephora or the Company’s website.  MSRP: $16 (for 2 ounces) Website: https://briogeohair.com/

OFRA Long Lasting Liquid Lipstick

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I’m a lipstick hoarder.  I admit this.  Even moreso if its a non-drying matte lipstick.  While this will be the first opportunity to try OFRA liquid lipstick (my Ulta does not carry it and I hate ordering unknown shades online) I have heard so many wonderful things about this product from beauty YouTubers.  

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I got the color Havana Nights and it is a deep dark saturated red. What colors do you like and think I should try? I will wear this for a full day and report back in a review. MSRP: $20 Website: https://www.ofracosmetics.com/

 

Unboxing – SinglesSwag (January 2019)

SinglesSwag box exterior

SinglesSwag was my very first subscription box and while I almost considered cancelling it at one point, it is now my favorite box. Their curation of items is on point and unique.

There are two subscription options: $40 per month for 6-7 full size products or $25 per month for 3-4 full size products. For the larger box you generally you get a piece of jewelry, a tasty treat, at least one beauty or skincare item and more.

Sign up using this link and receive 25% off your first box:
https://www.singlesswag.com/refer/Court-FJSGMZGX

Time to stop yacking and start unboxing!

SinglesSwag January 2019 Box Contents

Overall Box Impressions: This might be my favorite box from SinglesSwag yet. We got silver toned jewelry which I’m excited about and the liquid lipstick is in a shade I frequently reach for. The total retail value of the box, as noted by SinglesSwag, is $213.

Spongelle Pedi Buffer

Spongelle Pedi Buffer

The Spongelle Pedi Buffer is a buffer with built-in cleanser and soothing extracts for your feet. I’ve never tried one of these before but I’m excited try this out since my feet are so dry this time of the year. I will review this product in detail at a future date after I’ve had a chance to use it repeatedly. MSRP: $16. Website: https://spongelle.com/

Purlisse 6 piece Blue Lotus and White Tea Sheet Mask Set

One of the reasons I love SinglesSwag – when they say full size, they don’t skimp. Another box that includes full size products sent two face masks and while the dollar amount was there, it still didn’t feel like a full size product. SinglesSwag doesn’t skimp – they included six masks. These masks from Purlisse are infused with Blue Lotus, White Tea and other botanicals and says it is moisturizing, nourish and renewing. I used one today after spending large chunks of time outside shoveling snow in the wind so my skin needed some TLC. I felt like the mask was very hydrating and I liked the subtle smell. I will definitely reach for this again when my skin is dry. MSRP: $38 (for six). Website: https://purlisse.com/products/blue-lotus-white-tea-treatment-sheet-mask

Nico New York Silver Bar Necklace

Silver tone bar necklace from Nico New York

Historically the jewelry pieces have been gold toned so I’m very excited by this silver piece. The chain is about 18 inches long and there’s a short extender. I do wish SinglesSwag would put on the information card what the content/coating of the jewelry is. I emailed them previously when we got jewelry in a prior box and they said that gold tones necklace was “brass and gold plated.” So I would assume this one is silver plated. Given the stated retail price though I would expect this to be sterling silver. I did suggest in my email to them that they start adding the content information. MSRP: $64 Website: Not Found

Socada Milk Chocolate

Italian Milk Chocolate bar from Socada

Very soft taste. For a while we’ve been getting cookies so I like this change up. MSRP: $5 Website: Not Found

Headbands of Hope Black Confetti Beanie

A slouchy style beanie that is pretty thick and I love the flecks of bright colors against the black. Even more cool, for every product sold, Headbands of Hope donates a headband to a child with cancer. As a knitter I can tell the hat is made from an acrylic yarn so I don’t expect it to be as warm as the wool or alpaca hats I usually wear, but I think the thickness will keep it warm. MSRP: $32 Website: https://www.headbandsofhope.com/

Real Her Matte Liquid Lipstick

Real Her Matte Liquid Lipstick in I Am a Rockstar

This is by far my favorite item of the box. I’m a lipstick junkie but I’ve never used this brand before. This is a lightweight matte liquid lipstick and each lipstick has an inspiring message.

I got the color I Am a Rockstar and it is a deep dark saturated red (almost burgundy). I will wear it for a full day and report back in a review. MSRP: $18 Website: https://www.realher.com/

Zoe Ayla Classy Rose Gold Eyelash Curler

Zoe Ayla Classy Rose Gold Eyelash Curler

Zoe Ayla is capitalizing on the popularity of rose gold with these eyelash curlers. I’ve never heard of this brand so will have to try them out to comment on their effectiveness. The MSRP seems a bit high for eyelash curlers – the Tweezerman pair my friend has are only $22 at Sephora. I also can’t find any eyelash curlers on Zoe Ayla’s website. MSRP: $40 Website: https://zoeayla.com/