Beauty Bar + Allure: Sample Society June 2012

Without further adieu, let's get started!

The packaging has changed. Am I thankful? Yes. Now I don't have to pry the box open. I'm guessing this is after they saw Glossybox because the inside is strangely familiar too... haha. You have to make sure to tear only the top layer of cardboard because the bottom flap isn't perforated. 

1. Alterna Bamboo Style Boho Waves- combines strengthening organic bamboo extract and nourishing blue yucca root in a weightless texturizing spray that instantly gives you natural, tousled, "just-back-from-the-beach" waves. Adds texture, volume and shine

• The packaging works really well. It really gives a full spray which was so surprising. 
• Supposed to give you the beach tousled waves look
• I used about 1 cm and this is what I ended up with after scrunching. Hands were sticky, so I assume it has some hold, but it didn't last too long. Maybe I didn't use enough product or my hair's too heavy? There was definitely some definition after drying though.
• Full size 4.2 fl oz $22, sample size .85 fl oz worth $4.45

2. Caudalie Premier Cru Eye Cream-targets dark spots and radiance, and moisturize. Inspired by the original anti-ageing powerhouse, Premier Cru The Cream, this new, highly active formula targets the delicate eye area to revitalize and renew skin for transformational results.Targeting all signs of ageing around the eyes: wrinkles, loss of elasticity, dehydration, malnourishment, dark circles, puffiness, dark spots and loss of radiance.

• This is the lightest eye cream I've ever tried. Whether or not it works we shall see. Well not really because it'd take a lot longer to really tell. Couldn't hurt to try during these summer months with damaging rays though
• Full size .51 fl oz $95, sample size .03 fl oz worth $5.59

3. Oscar de la Renta Live in Love

• Know what's funny? When I made my Beauty Bar order for the REN Glycolactic Peel, I chose this as one of my samples. I didn't like it then because it smelled heavily of alcohol.
• Strangely enough, trying out the scent from a mini, it's different. Now I can smell a sharp fresh fragrance reminiscent of Chanel's Guilty in the Allure magazine sample. It is sweeter smelling than the male Guilty (geared more to females).
• Cute packaging, and tons of product for you to try
• Full sized 1 oz $58, sample size .1 fl oz worth $5.80

4. Jane Iredale jane iredale Just Kissed Lip Plumper - Just Kissed Lip Plumper features spearmint and peppermint oils, in combination with ginger root extract, to stimulate blood circulation making lips fuller faster without pain. Shea butter, sunflower oil and aloe vera soften and hydrate lips, while the essential oils of lemon and tangerine help to exfoliate dead skin cells

• Completely forgot this was a lip plumper. The cinnamon flavored tingling definitely surprised me.
• Creamy, lightweight red. Satin Finish.
• I actually wanted to try Milan, but Tokyo's a nice color too. I will wear it out.
• Full size .08 oz worth $25, sample size ?

5. Murad Acne Clarifying Cleanser- contains various organic and pharmaceutical ingredients that cools and calms inflamed skin. It also can provide powerful antibacterial protection to inhibit blemish formation. 

• LOL. I just saw a travel size of this in a neighbor's bathroom.
• EDIT: It's nice, kinda freaked out when my face started tingling and getting strangely cool. Then I read the ingredients and saw that it has menthol. Then again, I did use about 4x the needed amount (for some reason was thinking that I needed as much as I do for shampoo). Salicylic acid doesn't really work for me, so can't comment too much on that.
• Full size 6.75 oz worth $26, sample size 2 fl oz worth $7.70

OVERALL:
Box Value: ~23.54 + lip plumper
Thoughts: Some interesting products in this one. Not sure if I will be purchasing any as of right now.

See anything you'd like or like to try?

Zoya: Arizona, Wednesday, Shelby, Tracie, Marley, & Perrie Review

I've been sitting on these pictures for a while, but with the inclusion of Arizona in this month's Glossybox, I figured it was about time to post these.

Ordered some Zoya shades~ They gave me a Sugar Scrub for free! It's actually really good and I've been including it into my daily scrubbing routine. The sugar crystals don't melt as fast as the salt crystals so it really helps to exfoliate my dry skin (skin is so smooth) Slight lemon scent.

Turns out I got 2 Pierres by accident. If you would like it, I'll send it to you for $6.50 SHIPPED in the US- email juicedmang0s@gmail.com

Why are they sideways? No idea. Left to Right, Top to Bottom.

Wednesday- Dries a shade darker than I would have liked (expecting it to be a bit more pastel).  Not quite sure this is "me". Lovely color though. Opaque with 2 coats. NEEDS basecoat. I thought I didn't need one since I was just painting my nails to swatch, then take off. It stained my nails.

Tracie- The only one of the Beach Collection that has shimmer. It is a sour apple green, very cute. Opaque with 3 coats.

Shelby: Bright barbie doll pink, was not expecting this. Cream shade that applies fairly streakless.

Marley- I've seen the swatch for Marley and mentally I know it's not the lavender shade I want, but for some reason I got it anyways. It's very very very light with silver shimmers- a cool effect

Perrie- The most opaque and smooth application of the lot. Again, Pierre was bought as part of my lavender search. Clearly it is not anywhere near lavender as you can see here. Opaque with 1 coat, but use 2 for insurance. I may have to try Essie or something to find that color. 

Arizona- Again, dries a shade darker than I'd like. Not sure this goes well with my skin tone. Opaque in 2-3 coats. This color was very bright, so when I went outside, I layered it with the Pink Chinaglaze Crackle Polish on top. No topcoat though- only planning to wear for a couple hours.

I'm just not feeling these colors compared to my skin tone. With the exception of Tracie, all the rest can be purchased for $6.50 SHIPPED in the US. EMAIL me at juicedmang0s@gmail.com.

Glossybox USA: May 2012

It did arrive it May! =D Color me thoroughly surprised. Overall thoughts? I like it!

Let's start with the packaging. Woah. That's all I could think for a while. The box is substantially larger than the sample society/ Birchbox boxes. Out of the three, this one has the sturdiest box (then SS, Birchbox last). The outside cardboard is a bit flimsy, but your actual box isn't even flexible. I was expecting to get something similarly sized as SS/Birchbox, just with heavier or more expensive things inside. I'm going to mail my annual gift box to my friend in this- it's a waste to keep to myself.

Left hand in some pics so you can compare size.


What's Inside?


1. Marvis Whitening Toothpaste

• Thicker and grittier than my Colgate
• Claims to have a sharp mint flavor. It's not really that strong. If Colgate is an Altoid, then the Marvis is a tic tac.
• There's no seal on the opening
• Teeth feel clean afterwards. Maybe all the grit inside is doing something. Can't attest to the whitening aspect yet.
• Full Sized 1.23 oz, worth $7.50

2. Zoya Nail Lacquer- Arizona

• I can't believe there's a full sized Zoya!! I LOVE ZOYA! It's 4-Free (no formaldehyde, formaldehyde resin, toluene, dibutyl phthalate, or camphor). Read more at ZOYA. If you use my LINK to sign up for an account, they'll also give you a voucher for a FREE bottle of polish. Add in 2 more and you get free shipping!
• Arizona was the color I was craving until I got it. It's a little darker in real life than what I expected. Too bad they didn't give me Roxy to try >.<
• Full coverage with 2-3 coats
• I already have this polish, so if you want I can sell it for $6.50 shipped in the US, email me at juicedmang0s@gmail.com.
• Full Size 0.5 oz, worth $8

3. Burberry Lip Mist Lipstick- No.202 Copper

• It's so cute! The tube is plastic but looks really sleek. The packaging designers must really be getting the big bucks. 
• I'll admit, the idea of a lip mist doesn't really interest me. I prefer dramatic changes in color or effect. Seeing that the color I had was "Copper" didn't help either.
• Turns out, it's not really a "Copper" color. Sheer wash of color. It does add a bit of warmth.
• Extremely creamy lipstick- not drying at all, quite the opposite. I would almost say it's a non sticky lip gloss/ very emollient balm.
• Not something I would personally splurge on, but if you are looking a bit pale and still want to keep it natural looking, this is the way to go.
• Full size 0.12 oz worth $30. Sample size .028 oz worth $7

4. Amore Pacific Moisture Bound Refreshing Hydra-Gel Oil Free

• If you want cute and interesting cosmetic packing, it has to be the Koreans. I'm sure you've seen through all my blog posts how design is a really big factor of their industry. This little one is no exception. Normally we think the "jar" aspect should hold the cream, and the lid be smaller. Not the case here as you can see. This is a quality container that can be used for something else. The top of the lid features a reflective area that can be used as a mirror! In the future I may put a couple pumps of BB cream in here for traveling. 
• Claims to be formulated without oil or water
• It is indeed cooling. This is great timing on Glossybox's part because the heat wave of summer is coming >.< we've already experienced a couple 90 degree days. The effect is most likely due to the alcohol.
• For normal to oily skin, hope it doesn't dry out my dry skin. Interestingly enough it has a lotion-like consistency as well.
• Full size 1.7 oz worth $100, sample size 0.28 fl oz worth $16.47

5. Phyto Phytojoba Intense Hydrating Mask for Dry Hair

• Light lemon-y? scent. Thicker consistency. Tube is like those foil toothpaste/ hairdye tubes.
• It works nicely. I've been using conditioner for hairdye, so my hair is used to strong conditioners. This one is a couple steps up from your normal conditioner in regards to conditioning power.
• It's not extremely different or special so I won't purchase this
• Full size 6.7 oz worth $38, sample size 1.7 oz worth $9.64

6. Glossybox Blush Brush- Goat Hair

• I have been considering purchasing a blush brush so this is a nice surprise. Admittedly, I thought the hairs were synthetic. It's not a very soft brush =/.

Overall Box Thoughts

• Love the packaging. Love how the items are large enough for you try the products a few times (even full sized ones).
• Not sure how many of the items I'd actually use. I'm still continuing with Sample Society because they have introduced me to a couple products that I adore.
• VALUE: Total Box Value ~$48.61. It's mostly the really expensive Hydra-Gel. Take that and the expensive hair mask away and you basically got what you paid for. 
• FAVORITE ITEM: Amore Pacific Refreshing Hydra-Gel
• Wasn't particularly interested in the toothpaste
• LOVE LOVE LOVE how they have items from different countries. I hope they continue with this, it's really cool! And that is something that would set Glossybox apart because they are an international company so they can use this to their advantage.

I'm definitely cancelling my second Birchbox (to heck with the points transfer), and will wait a couple more boxes to decide whether Glossybox is right for me! -___-;; I do really have to narrow it down to like 1 subscription box soon. 

More on Glossybox

• A pricer subscription box ($21), but offers larger samples in comparison to Birchbox.
• Also supposedly has a points system (through reviews), where you can get a free box after accumulating points... maybe because the site is in beta, but I don't see where you can do this.
• Claims to be tailored to our beauty profiles, but as we are yet unable to fill those out I'm assuming everyone gets the same box this month. It would be interesting to see what different things they come up with though 
• Sign up at www.glossybox.com

So? Now that you've seen the first box, what do you think? Is it something you would shell out $21 for? Are the products things you would use?