More Beauty Boxes: Can you have too many?

(06/02/12- clarification--> this box was a special "mystery" box not one of the monthly subscription boxes.)
I received a box from the Beauty Bar about a week ago that I tore into and I joined the waiting list for another company, My Glam, this afternoon.  I may need a support group for beauty box addicts!


I am trying to figure out which ones have the best samples, websites, products, pricing etc to see if I can narrow my current subscriptions from 6 or 7 down to about 2 or 3.  Its nice to get something in the mail that's new, just for you, and doesn't entail a lot of cost unless you subscribe to too many or buy full size of everything!  Yikes.


So I am going to take a quick breather, eat dinner, and tear into the Beauty Bar box that came today!  Ok so I couldn't quite eat my entire dinner before the excitement became too much. Here's what happened next including a breakdown of the goodies!

1. Claudalie Vin Expert Riche Radiance Day Cream SPF 10- (updated 5-31-2012) I have been using this in the morning and I love it.  The application is smooth and non greasy and other make up goes over it without the pancake look.


2. Claudalie Foam Cleanser - (update-5/31/2012) Using this at night to remove make up before my shower.  Love it!  Its great at removing make up and other grim without over drying the skin. 

3. Peaches and cream lip gloss from Philosophy - I love the peach smell, but can already tell you this will be passed to my teenager because most lip gloss is simply too thick.


4. Gorgeous base perfect foundation- have not used this product before but when I do I'll update this post!

5. Lorac limited edition TANtal Eyes Palette which includes eye shadow and a body bronzer - I have not tried this product before but I cannot wait until I do.  Unfortunately I am too light skinned at the moment to pull off the bronzer and dark eye shadow.  And if my teenager find this I'll never see it again.

6. London Butter nail polish in Pink Ribbon- I have always wanted to try this product and its in a great color I know I will wear.  But I need to wait for my nails to grow back out due to a weekend of yard work that destroyed the nails I had! :(

7. Neil George Intense Illuminating Conditioner Sample - (updated 5/31/2012) I used this product over the long weekend and really liked how soft my hair felt.  I would have liked a "bigger sample" because my hair soaks in a lot of conditioner.

All in all this was a great box filled with great samples and products that I can use.  I cannot wait till another "mystery" box is advertised and I certainly wasn't dissapointed with this purchase.  Here's the web site if you want to check it out: www.beautybar.com

Birchbox Man

I received my 2nd Birchbox Man and honestly, at first glance, I was not impressed.  (The first box was a little better).  This box contained a sample of Kerastase Homme shampoo, Anthony Logistics shave cream, a sample of cologne John Varvatos, and a Rumbatime VanSamGo watch.

Prior to this box I was familiar with the Rumbatime watches which I discovered just before Christmas and thought this would be a fabulous gift.  This product is geared towards hikers, bikers, walkers, and anyone else who loves the outdoors and may find themselves in distress.  This watch contains your medical history, name, allergies, address and other vital information.  Everyone should check it out.  This product ROCKS.


The other samples were kinda nice, but not impressive. Shampoo, shaving cream, and cologne are always great for men (and yes I share this box w/my husband) who like to try new things but won't necessarily go out to the mall to do it.


If the next month's box gives me that let down feeling after I open it, I may cancel the subscription.  This box is double the price of the regular Birchbox for women. But this is a lot like gambling...the next one could always be a big winner!

Battle of the Beauty Boxes: Birchbox

I have subscribed to this monthly beauty box, which costs $10 a month for about 5 samples, for about 3 months.  The web site contains a variety full sized products and are reasonably priced. From reading a lot of other blogs about Birchbox, the samples that I have received and from what other ladies have received - this is a hit or miss.  Some ladies never get anything interesting and others love their samples.  I am still in love with my very first box (Feb 2012) which introduced me to Benta Berry and Orofluido Elixer-my favorite products to date.  Its nice to receive sample products that I haven't tried before but sometimes the "sample" needs to be a little larger so that it can be used more than once.

Otherwise I think the service is pretty darn good.

Skin Care: Erno Laszlo

Tonight I sampled the "Intensive Porcelain Veil" which is suppose to protect the skin from accelerated aging and give flawless skin".  It went on very well, but it was a little thick (meaning it took a while to completely blend into the skin).  Overall, it made my skin very smooth with a hint of being a little over moisturized.  I think I would use this at night before bedtime due to its extra moisturizing features.

Skin Care: Erno Laslo: Velvet Night Cream

Tonight  I used a sample of Erno Laszlo in Velvet Night Cream. It went on easily blending into the skin very well and it left a soft matte look.  It does not feel greasy but very, very soft.  I think I could use this in the morning and put a little loose powder on it and go to work. My only complaint is that the sample is a "use one time" deal.  My wish would be to receive a sample that can be used more than once and preferably 3 or 4 times to see if the product is really going to work, look for allergic reactions, and potential breakouts. But at $175.00 for a 1.7 oz container, I'm not sure I'll be buying any soon, but I wouldn't turn down another sample.

My 2nd Favorite Cosmetics Company: Clinique

I have an aunt who, in her much younger and fashionable days, always bought high end department store cosmetics. Yes, she was always beautiful but I never understood how someone could spend that kind of money on make-up.  Unless you had that kind of money to spend...and for a while she did.  For some reason, the only brand that stuck with me was Clinique.  Probably because it was French and I took French in high school just so I could translate the perfume bottles at the mall.

Many years later, Clinique came out with the spot remover cream for those of us with either acne or sun damage.  Just into my 40's and starting to notice the sun damage to my skin...well, I was hooked and I didn't know why except that I had to have it.  For once I was really tempted by marketing.  Although it costs around $50 for not a whole lot of product, I faithfully used it for a number of months making the mall employees very happy.  Soon I was introduced to the "gift bag".  Just buy a certain amount of this and you get that which includes about 5 or 6 samples and a great looking bag. OMG again I am hooked.


From the samples I begin to develop a relationship with several that became my favorites.  I would scour the newspaper for ad of the "next" gift bag.  I would wait in line anxiously anticipating and hoping the lady in front of me wouldn't get the "last one".  With a small collection of cosmetic bags I found that packing for trips became simple.  The green bag for "girly products", the orange summer bag for travel sized versions of shampoo, soap, conditioner, hairspray etc., and the bright new multi-colored bag for mascara, lipstick, powders, brushes etc.  My travel life became easier and color coordinated while my bank account became lighter. 

So I vowed not to buy another "gift" bag w/o first (completely) using the product I purchased for the last "gift" bag.  Then I use what is bought while sampling new products and in return obtaining a full size product (like the facial cleansers, moisturizers etc.) and a "gift" bag.  This makes each purchase feel more like "treats" w/o wasting (too much) money and the product themselves.  The extra bonus is many of the products are top quality and worth the money, the employees are friendly and knowledgeable, and the counters are bright and inviting.

The photos are copyright by me, they are products that I have bought, and use frequently.

Battle of the Beauty Boxes: The Look Bag/The Look Store

I have been a little obsessed with the current craze of beauty boxes and I have subscribed to a few, ok three.  Today I received products from The Look Bag (here's the web site http://thelookstore.com) and it absolutely made my day. As usual I ran into the bathroom, closed the door, and eagerly opened the bag.  I was very surprised and happy with the samples I received and here's what I posted on their FB page:


"OMG! This is my first bag and I am very happy with the samples! Thank you for nail polish in colors I'll actually wear, lips in colors I'll actually wear, eye shadow in a color I'll actually wear and the Laslo collection! Nice! Thank you so much! I feel like someone actually read my profile and picked out products I can use!  Thank you!"