Tuesday, October 28, 2014

Moda Vox Box from Influenster

A few weeks ago I joined Infulenster at the recommendation of some people I follow on Instagram. At the time, I saw it as a possible way to get some free samples or products, but didn't really think anything would come of it. Now that I've been a member for a hot minute, I qualified for the new Moda Vox Box, which is filled with some really great products. Influenster sent me this box complimentary to review and try out the products. They're not paying me to give positive reviews, but I did get the products for free. That being said, I'm going to be completely honest in my review of each product.

Here's my box:


From Rimmel London, I received Scandaleyes Rockin' Curves Mascara (retail is $5.45-$5.99), Moisture Renew Lipstick (Retail is $6.99-$7.49), and Moisture Renew Lip Liner (Retail is $5.99-$6.49). My first thoughts: I don't really wear lipstick, mostly because I always have issue with it drying out my lips and feathering. I will say that this formula seems promising for the moisture, but I don't know if that will keep me from wearing lip balm under other lip products. As for the mascara- I'm always down to try something new, but I'm not sure how I feel about the heart-shaped wand. We'll see.

From Puffs, I received the Puffs SoftPack (retail is $1.99-$2.49 for one pack). The unique park about this package is that tnstead of a box, the tissues are kept in a soft plastic bag. This makes them easier to put into tight places like your car. My only thought: I know that the cardboard is recyclable. What about this plastic?

From Hair Food, I received the Moisture Hair Mask (retial is $14.99). First thought: at this price, it had better make my hair amazing. The mask contains honey and apricot oil. The directions say to apply it to your hair, comb it through, and then rinse. I'm going to try this when I wash my hair tonight. We'll see. I want to know: 1. Does it work better than my regular conditioner? 2. Does it work better than products at a less expensive price point?

From Swiss Miss, I received a packet of Simply Cocoa. A box of this retails for $2.29. I'm excited to make this and put in some of the apple cinnamon marshmallows I got in my Treatsie box.

From Jergens, I received a bottle of Ultra Healing Extra Dry Skin Moisturizer (Retail is $5.99). Jergens says that is contains "illuminating Hydralucence blend" and "locks in moisture for up to 48 hours." My skin is constantly dry, so we'll see if this makes a difference.

Last but not least, I received a bottle of Resource Spring Water (retail is $1.49). This water is spring water with naturally occuring electrolytes for a clean, refreshing taste. The bottle is from 50% recycled plastic and is itself recyclable, which is nice.

I'll have to check back in later this week and post what my thoughts are after using the products some more. Hopefully they live up to their claims!!

Monday, October 27, 2014

PopSugar Must Have October 2014 FINALLY!!

My October PopSugar Must Have FINALLY came in the mail. I'm so glad it got here before Halloween as one of the items is Halloween themed. 

PopSugar Must Have costs $39.95 and ships monthly. It includes home goods, accessories, makeup, and treats. 

I received my PopSugar Must Have in the mail today. Shipping was very delayed this month due to a website transition, but they communicated pretty well. I'm just hoping they're back on track for next month. 

My first look at this month's box:


And this is the whole box: 


The products were:

1. Mine Chalkboard Soy Message Candle (retail is $24)


2. Happy Socks (Retail is $12)


3. Isaac Jacobs Acrylic Magnet Photo Frame (Retail is $36). 


4. Butter London Eye Pencil in "earl grey" (retail is $18)


5. Nailed Kit (Retail is $8)


6. Dean & Deluca Pumpkin Spice Malt Balls (Retail is $5.50). 


7. K. Hall Designs Shea Butter/Olive Oil Soap (Retail is $10)


8. Coupons for Dean & Deluca, Marchesa by Shop Vouyage, and Blue Jeans Bar Express

My overall feeling about this box: I love it! These are items that all a little more luxurious than I would normally buy ($10 for soap??). So, getting this box gives me an opportunity to try some nicer things that I know I would never spend money on. I'm especially excited to do some Halloween nail art!

Who else received this box? What were your thoughts? 













Target Back to College Care Package- Fall 2014

Target recently released their College Care Packages. When I saw what was in them, I had to grab one just beacuse of the value. I paid $5 for the box + $5 shipping. 

The box took a week or two to ship, but once it shipped I had it within the week.

Here's what the box was packaged in. It's worth noting that the products came in a high-quality white cardboard box. I'm keeping mine to reuse during holiday gift giving. It's something that one might pay $3-5 for at the store in the giftwrap section. The black target design is just a black slipcover separate from the box itself.


The first look...


Once I removed the coupon book ($32 in savings!!), this is what I got...

A Venus Snap razor, retails for $10. Just receiving this paid for the box. The size is perfect for travel, and yet it's a real razor that you can change the blade head on.


Next were samples of a Tide Pod and of Downy Unstoppables. I'll say these samples are worth about $1.


After those were a pack of Neutrogena Make-Up Remover Wipes. This pack has 7 wipes in it, which is perfect to throw in a purse or travel bag. I estimated this to also be about $1. 



Next were some tampon and panty liner samples, a Purell hand sanitizer and a Nivea body wash. These are all things that I use on a regular basis, and the Purell is peppermit cheer scented, so I'm super excited about that! All together, these three were probably worth about $2.


This box was an awesome buy. The coupons were a sweet bonus, and I will be able to use EVERY SINGLE ONE of the products. I paid $10 total for this box and I estimate the value to be about $15 plus $32 in coupons. Target boxes are always a great deal, and this is no exception!






Saturday, October 25, 2014

Treatsie October 2014

This is my first month of Treatsie and I LOVE IT!

My packaged shipped via USPS and took 2 days to arrive once shipped. It costs $19.95/month and includes 3 artisan goodies. This month I also used a promo code for extra goodies. 

The box arrived inside of a USPS mailer. Once removed, this is what the box looked like:


I opened it...


Removed the cards...


Folded back the tissue paper...


And there were treats!

First were the 2 hard candy mixes from Papabubble. These retail for $4.50 each. 


Next was the Original Dark Chocolate La-Dee-Dah from Whimsical Treats, retailing for $3. This is white chocolate nougat and sea salt caramel swirl dipped in dark chocolate. 


Then I pulled out the Wondermade apple cinnamon marshmallows. These retail for $9. 


Next came the extras...

AvenueSweets Caramels in apple cinnamon and pumpkin spice. Retail is about $6.  


TCHO "Mokaccino" bar, retails for $5.95. 


And last but not least, Kika's Treats Caramelized Graham Crackers in Pure Dark Chocolate, retails for $8. 


I loved this box. Even without the extra treats, it was worth the subscription. Retail value before the extras is $21 and the treats are so awesome. With the extras, the total retail value is $41. I have never seen any of these companies or goodies before, and I am super excited to try them all and share them with my family. I'm loving treatsie and cannot wait for next month!!








Friday, October 24, 2014

Swaag Box October 2014

I subscribed to Swaag Box a few weeks ago because I found a coupon code that got me my first box for $5. The box normally costs $16 with a monthly subscription. 

Swaag Box is a "time of the month" subscription that send you either a box or tampons or pads in addition to jewelry and makeup goodies. 

My box shipped via USPS and arrived within a week of shipping. 

Here's what I had inside:


The box included:
- Tampax Pearl Regular 16-count ($4)
- L'Oreal Color Riche Lipstick in "Make Me Blush" ($6)
- L'Oreal Eyeshadow in "Glistening Seas" ($4)
- Breast Cancer Awareness Bracelet ($10?)
- Maybelline Nail Polish ($2)
- Assorted candy ($1)

Overall, I'm not terribly impressed wth this box. There's nothing too exciting about the makeup products and I think all of them will end up on my eDivv account. I will use the tampons, but I could also just buy those from my local Walmart. 

I don't feel like I lost any money on this box, but it's would definetly not be worth it if I had paid the full $16. 

So will I be keeping Swaag Box? No. It's just not worth it to me. 

Thursday, October 23, 2014

EDivv goodies in my mailbox !! 10/23/14

While I was at work, my wonderful mail lady delivered some eDivv goodies!!!!!!

For those of you not familiar with eDivv, it's a website that allows you to create a little shop and post beauty things you don't want and trade them with other people. I've had over 70 successful trades (aka divvys), and the best part is that it's totally free. All I pay for is postage to mail my goodies out to others. The goodies I got today were from 4 different trades. 


I got...
-Bath & Body Works body scrub in Twilight Woods
-Tresemme Split Ends Remedy
- St. Ives Body Wash
- Secret deodorant
- Simple face wash
- Ecru BB treatment for hair
- Elf Bronzer (this was an extra that someone kindly threw in. I might re-divvy it as I'm currently into Benefit's Hoola)
- Maybelline Dream Bounce Blush
- L'Oreal and Tresemme shampoo and conditioner samples
- Venus Snap kit

Things I'm most excited about:
-The Blush: the one I currently use has too much shimmer and this is more matte
- Venus Razor: perfect for travel!
- Ecru hair treatment: I'm desperate to try and tame the wirey pieces of hair I have that drive me nuts

I'm loving eDivv!!

Saturday, October 18, 2014

Box of Happies October 2014

I woke up this morning to mail on my front step. The mail lady delivered early!

Today I received my Box of Happies. Box of Happies is $24.99 + $4.99 shipping. It includes 4-5 goodies from various artists.

The goodies come in a reusable plastic box. I currently use my past boxes to store hairties, samples, and small hair products.


Upon opening the box, the description card is laying on top.


This month included a Box of Happies original Necklace and Earrings. These aren't my style, so I'll be trading them.


It also included a Face Sample Pack from The Dancing Goat (www.DancingGoat.com). I will be able to use these samples for travel. They include 2 cleansers, an exfoliant, a lotion, and Hula Bliss, which is a scented lotion.


This Box of Happies also included earrings from Somday Soon Jewelry (www.somedaysoonjewelry.etsy.com). These also aren't my style and are going up on eDivv.


The last artist featured is All In The Bag (www.allinthebag.etsy.com). This keychain is super cute and I already have a place for it.


I love getting my Box of Happies. Even though the jewelry isn't my style, I know that someone else will enjoy wearing the pieces. For the cost of $30 and a total value of $37 per the description card, I think Box of Happies is worth it. It has definetly helped me discover some great new artisans. 

Who else got the October Box of Happies? What was your favorite product?








Goodbye Fancy Box, Hello Treatsie

So I've decided after 2 months of the Rockettes Fancy Box that I'm going to cancel my subscription. The items in the boxes have been neat and very true to the theme, but I ended up trading the items from both boxes. Because of this, I think the box isn't for me and it's time to cancel and save my money. 

In other news, I've subscribed to the Treatsie box. It's a good subscription box that sends you confections on a monthy basis. As a bonus, it costs less than the Fancy box that I'm dropping. I'm excited to get some unique treats!

Friday, October 17, 2014

Mission Cute October 2014

My Mission Cute Box came in the mail today. I am so excited. This is my very first Mission Cute Box and I've seen such amazing reviews. I couldn't wait for mine to arrive. 

Mission Cute comes monthly and costs $39. The box pairs with a new charity each month and 50% of the proceeds go to that charity. The box includes 2-5 items that range from jewelry to candles. 

This month's charity was Rahab's Rope. It's an organization that supports women who have been sold into India's sex trade. 

This box came packaged so nicely- probably more carefully than any other box I receive. You can tell a lot of time and effort went into putting together the box. 


When first opening the box, you're presented with the description card. It includes a description of this month's sponsored charity and then a description of all of the goodies. 


The first thing I pulled out was the print for this month. I'm a huge fan of the idea of including a print. I especially love this one because it is a quote from Anne of Green Gables, which I read until my book fell apart when I was younger. 


The next thing I pulled out was a rock candy. I haven't seen one of these since elementary school. 

Next I pulled out some beautiful raw Quartz earrings by Adam Rabbit.


Then I pulled out some Kitsch hair ties. 


Next were a pack of 4 donut notecards from JoJoLaRue. 


And the last item: an organic flax seed and lavender eye pillow from Lil Sunshine Shop. It smells heavenly and was packaged so daintily. 


Overall, I am thrilled with this box. You can tell that there was a lot of time and energy put into curating it. If you don't currently subscribe to Mission Cute, I would highly recommend it. 

For those of you who do subscribe, do you love these goodies as much as I do?







  


Target Beauty Box Fall 2014

Today the mail brought me the Target Beauty Box. This box cost me $7 and shipping was free. 




For $7, this has incredible value. It includes:
- Loreal hairspray
-Fekkai dry shampoo
-NYX white eye pencil
-Loreal lipstick
-Laneige BB cushion sample

Overall, I call this box a win for me. The hairspray and dry shampoo are two products I use on a regular basis. The white eye pencil is something that I will trade. I just don't use white eye products. The lipstick actually applies like a gloss. It has a little wand, so I'm not sure why it's called a lipstick. I'm going to trade this just because I have plenty of lip products and I'm currently addicted to the NYX lip butters. I'm undecided about the BB cushion. I'll probably keep it to use when I travel. 

Who else got this Target Beauty Box? Do you think you'll use these products?