Beauty Box 5 - April 2014

I love April! Things finally start getting color again, it is usually a bit warmer than freezing, and it's my birth month. So, I was especially excited to get my subs this month...birthday presents!

Beauty Box 5 is a great monthly sub. For $12 a month, they provide a great mix of beauty products - makeup, skincare, and tools.

For April, they used a theme of "shades of beauty" and they've focused on looks that allow you to slow down and do a bit of leisurely layering. Interesting!

Here's what I got.

First glance: The box is nice and full! I love that they don't use excess packaging - as much fun as pretty packaging is, sometimes it's really nice when a company is kind to the environment. Here are the goodies!

BH Cosmetics California Collection eyeshadow sampler - This is a sampler of 3 eyeshadows...a brown, a purple, and a gold. I haven't opened this, because I actually already have the entire collection, so I figured I'd pass this along to someone who hasn't tried them!

I love BH Cosmetics shadows. They are nicely pigmented, but not crazily so...so you can make them as bold as you want, but they can also be worn more sheer for fun subtle color.  They are such a great value for the cost - beautiful colors, good quality, and they have a huge range of shades, from super brights to subtle neutrals. I hope the person I give this sampler to loves the shadows as much as I do!

Bonne Bell Lip Definer in Warm Brick - This is a nice soft lip pencil. I like the shade a lot, it is a very wearable color, and it is versatile enough to be worn with several different shades of lipstick or gloss.  I tried it out and it lasted most of the day without drying my lips.  I didn't even know that Bonne Bell made makeup other than Lip Smackers! I'm definitely interested in trying out more.

Jergens Natural Glow 3 Days to Glow Moisturizer - This is a gradual self tanner. Now, I will just say that I never, ever use tanners. I am very light skinned and I am unable to tan...any tan, therefore, looks super unnatural on me. So, I will not be trying this sample. However, I will happily pass it along to a friend who loves tanners and I'm excited to see how she likes it!

Nicka K New York Hydro Lipstick - This is a hydrating lipstick in a pretty peachy shade. I really love the texture - it isn't too drying, but it sets and lasts a pretty long time! I only had to touch up a couple of times in the day, and I am generally hard on lipstick. I'm really happy with this!

Blum Naturals All Purpose Cleansing Wipes - These are handy wipes that can be used to remove makeup or for nearly any purpose! They smell like grapefruit and are not irritating on the skin at all. I love wipes and use them daily for all kinds of things. These are great, and one of my favorite things in the box!

Overall, this is another good month of BB5. There are a couple of items I won't be using, but that isn't a reflection on the quality of the products, just my personal needs. 

Here are swatches of the lip liner and lipstick, in order. Such pretty, wearable shades! BB5 always sends great, useable products.

Have you tried Beauty Box 5 yet? If not, you can check it out at http://beautybox5.com :)

Beauty Box 5 - March 2014

Wow, we're getting close to the end of March already, and I don't know where the time went! The weather still feels somewhat wintry, I still have the winter blahs. Ahhh.

Anyway, as always, Beauty Box 5 was one of my first boxes to show up this month!

Beauty Box 5 is another monthly beauty subscription service. Here's the breakdown!

Cost: $12/month (but they offer savings for purchasing longer subscriptions).
Ships to: The Continental US and Canada
Shipping: DHL Global Mail (final delivery via USPS), cost included.
Products: A mix of makeup, skincare, body care, haircare, and tools.

It usually takes my BB5 a little less than a week to get to me, once it ships. It ships toward the beginning of the month.


March's theme is "Out With The Old, In With The New". BB5 usually sends out a few varied items in their boxes, and I'm always excited to see which ones will be mine. Here's what I got!

Tree Hut Shea Body Butter in Coconut Lime - This is an organic body butter with a tropical coconut and lime scent. I've mentioned before that I dislike the general coconut lime scent (I blame being around too many people when that scent was huge from BBW). Well, this body butter is an exception! It smells so nice and summery, and the texture is nice and rich without being greasy. This tub went right into my purse and I've been using it at work for a boost of energy and cheer, and to keep my hands and elbows soft! Love it!

Jane's Pick All Natural Handmade Bar Soap - This is a handmade soap sample! I'm actually not sure what scent mine is, but I think it might be Purity, as I can smell lavender and mint! I love this kind of bar soap, so clean and natural. This is a very relaxing scent and I like using it before bed to soothe me and help me get ready for sleep. I am impressed with the looks of the company, too, and will likely be placing an order to try more products!

H2O Plus Hand & Nail Cream - This is exactly what it sounds like. I really like this brand, and I LOVE hand creams. At my job, I use my hands constantly, and wash them often. As such, my hands are always dried out and irritated. I love a good hand cream to keep them happy. This one works really really well! It absorbs quickly and isn't greasy. The one downside is that it doesn't smell great - it has that typical lotiony smell to it. However, that is not a dealbreaker. It's a really nice cream!

Swissco Dual Sided Facial Pad - This is really cool. It's a face cleansing pad with softer side and a loofah-like side. I was really excited to get this! It's really important to me that I keep my face exfoliated!  I love that BB5 sends out tools and items like this, as many of my other subs don't do that often. 

Somehow, my computer/the internet ate the photo of my last item, so this one is from BellaPierre's site!

BellaPierre Cosmetics Makeup Base - This is a multi-tasking product that can be used as a concealer, illuminator, or eye primer/base. I love products like this! So far, I have used it under BB cream to camouflage problem areas and as a shadow base. I like it for both uses! It is a little sticky, which is actually a good thing, as it helps other products adhere. It's great with loose pigments. 

I've been using all of these products daily since I received them!

Overall, I am really happy with March's box! I love the range of items and brands, and as always, everything is super useful.

What did you think of this month's box?

*Disclaimer: I received a box free of charge for review purposes. All opinions are my own and I was not compensated.

Beauty Box 5 - February 2014

One of my favorite things about subs is trying new things. I'm always super excited when a sub sends me something I have never tried before! Beauty Box 5 did just that this month.

I love Beauty Box 5. I feel they are often overlooked...not as many people have heard of them as the larger subs. But they always send me a variety of items and the items are always interesting and of good quality and it is always worth more than the $12 that you pay!

February 2014 is their 2nd birthday! I was really excited to see what was in their birthday celebration box!

Such a sweet little info card this month! I love that their information cards are nice and detailed, with pictures.

Rockstar Nails Caviar Nail polish set - This is a pretty purple nail polish with matching caviar beads. I was so excited to get this - I had never tried a caviar mani before! I did a quick caviar accent nail and shared with you how to do it below! This is a new brand to me and I really love the formula of the polish and the fun of the caviar. 

Every Beauty Makeup Remover Pads with Argan Oil extract - These are dry makeup remover pads...you just get them wet when you're ready to use them! I love this idea - I absolutely hate when my face wipes dry out! These have already found a home in my bag. I love discovering new items like this!

Elizabeth Mott It's So Big Volumizing Mascara - I've actually gotten this before, but a friend needed mascara (and my stash was huge) so I passed it along to her and never had a chance to try it! I'm excited to try it this time. I don't want to open it until I finish my current mascara, but I'll report back with my thoughts on it.

John Frieda Luxurious Volume Touchably Full shampoo and conditioner (2 packets of each): I'm always happy to try new shampoos and conditioners. I used one of these yesterday, and my hair does feel nice and soft and full. I really like John Frieda products!

I was really happy with the contents of my Beauty Box 5 this month! I was so excited about the Rockstar Nails set that I decided to play with it a bit! Forgive the terrible lighting.

I decided to do just one accent nail with the caviar, today. So I started by painting the other nails. The polish was really easy to work with - not too thick, not too thin. I saved the accent nail for last, because you want to put the beads on about 10 seconds after you paint that nail - before it gets too try, but allowing for a few seconds for it to "set" a bit.

There are different methods for applying the caviar. Some people pour it over the nail. I decided to pour some beads in a container and dipping my nail in. I poured in enough beads to ensure I could cover the nail easily.

 Next, I painted the accent nail, waited 10 seconds to allow it to set, a dipped it in. I moved the nail around a bit, making sure every surface made contact with the beads.

 Tada! The next step is to tap off the excess, and seal it with a topcoat. Such a cute and fun look!

Now, a caviar manicure is not something that is going to offer you a lot of longevity, so don't do it when you need your nails to look great all week. But it is a super cute and fun look for a night out or special occasion. I'm really excited to play with this set more!

Have you tried a caviar mani yet? What about Beauty Box 5?

Disclaimer: I received this box free of charge for review purposes. All opinions are my own.

Beauty Box 5 - January 2014

The mail is a mess this month! Between the snow, the ice, and the holidays, everything is still just running behind...and super frustrating.

Because of that, I was so very excited to find my Beauty Box 5, which never fails to show up bright and early in the month!

The theme for January is "Cheers to you!" and it promises to help us stick to our beauty resolutions! I made several of those this year, so I'm excited to see what's inside.

This month, the box felt nice and heavy for its tiny size! And when I opened it up, it was pretty full.  I love that this box is always a surprise for me. My other subs always get to me fairly late, and I simply cannot resist spoilers. But BB5 ships early enough that I always get my box before I am spoiled! So much fun.

This month, we got 6 products!

This is the "bonus product". It's a cute little mirror compact! It is promoting the new movie "That Awkward Moment". I actually hadn't heard about this movie yet, but now I am very interested in seeing it. Even with the movie aside, if you know me, you know my life is absolutely full of awkward moments, so this cute little mirror suits me perfectly. I was happy to get this! I've been needing one to keep in my bag! It's a great portable size (about the size of a credit card) and the plastic on the outside feels durable without being too thick or heavy. This will be great to slip into my work bag.

Jergens Daily Moisturizer - This is an everyday moisturizing lotion that provides soft skin all day long. I grew up with Jergens, it is my mom's favorite lotion! As such, I find the scent very comforting and familiar. It has a fresh scent that is not too heavy or overpowering. I love that it doesn't compete with any perfumes or fragrances I want to wear.  The formula is nice. It isn't too heavy, and it moisturizes well. It's definitely nothing super unique, but it does the job it is intended to do! This has been going to work with me! I especially love using it to keep my elbows nice and soft, with none of that scratchy winter ashyness. 

Nubar Cuticle and Nail Oil - This is a great jojoba based cuticle oil that promises to keep your hands and cuticles nice and soft and moisturized. One of my goals for this year is to grow stronger, healthier nails.  Mine are always thin and breaking, or peeling. Because of my job, my cuticles and hands in general really take a beating. This will absolutely help with that! I really love this oil! It absorbs quickly. And the smell is heavenly! To me, it smells like almonds. Love that! I like the handy size, too. This will definitely be included in my daily routine!

Epic Blend lip balm in Hemp Coconut - This is an organic lip balm that contains organic coconut oil (and flavor!) and other super healthy organic ingredients. I love a good lip balm. More importantly, I love a lip balm that does not contain petroleum, and is not tested on animals! This one fits that bill. I'm not a huge coconut fan, but this smells nice without being overwhelmingly coconutty. The texture is smooth and silky and it feels really good on the lips. I am pretty impressed and I might be buying more of these balms once I use up some of my stash! I plan to use only organic lip balms this year, as they do the job so much better than the chemical filled versions. 

H2O Plus Spa Sea Lotus Body Wash - This is a mineral-rich body wash that contains red algae, aloe, and vitamin E. It has a really fresh and crisp unisex scent that is not too heavy and makes me wish for summery days by the water! I love receiving body washes. This one is really nice! It produces a nice rich lather and it is a super refreshing scent that left my skin feeling soft and smooth. This is a great brand and I am glad to have tried this product by them.

Swissco Bath & Shower Exfoliating Gloves - These are gloves intended to buff away dead, dry skin in the shower or bath! These are my absolute favorite item in the box! I get dry, itchy skin in the winter and my pouf never seems to fully do the job.  I have been using these all weekend! I just put a little body wash on them, later up, and a few minutes later, my skin is completely soft and smooth. I think these will be a regular staple in my routine from now on!

Overall, I am super thrilled with this month's BB5. I like the variety of products, and everything will be used, happily. It's a great value for $12!

What do you think of this box? Have you tried Beauty Box 5 yet? If not, go here to sign up!

Beauty Box 5 - December 2013

I love seeing what themes all of my subs come up with each month...even though the themes usually have little to do with the actual contents, I just think they're fun! Beauty Box 5 has a very fitting theme for December - "Naughty and Nice".  I was excited to find out what was inside!

Beauty Box 5 always has good sample sizes and an interesting variety.

NYX - Love in Rio palette in Sway With Lola - This palette is so pretty! The lighting in here sucks, so the colors are a bit off. They are actually a soft pink, a light shimmery brown, and a baby blue. I really like NYX products. This palette is not super pigmented, but I actually like that sometimes...these shadows are a really nice sheer wash of color. I look forward to playing with them.

Clean & Clear Morning Burst Hydrating Gel Moisturizer - This is a light water based moisturizer. It has a nice refreshing scent, and I am pretty excited to try it. I will likely save it for summer, because in the winter I need a bit more moisture.

Ofra Cosmetics Sultry Lipgloss Plumper - This is a plumping gloss with a pretty color and shimmer to it! It has just the right amount of pigmentation, and it can be applied sheerly or built up for more color. It has a nice minty smell to it, too.

Body Drench Daily Moisturizing Lotion in Hemp - This is a nice silky lotion. I wasn't sure what it would smell like, as all I could think of was the smell of hemp jewelry, but it is actually a nice, light, fresh fragrance. I really like this lotion and it has found a home in my bag!

Every Beauty Flexible Foot Smoother - This is actually something I really needed! I was just thinking about buying a pumice stone or something similar to smooth out my feet, and then this showed up! It's nice and flexible, with a fine grit on one side and a more coarse one on the other. It reminds me a bit of a kitchen sponge (but more substantial). Super excited to get this.

Overall, I think this month was a really great month for BB5! I'm loving all of the products I received. 

If you haven't tried Beauty Box 5 yet, give it a shot. Here is a sneak peek of what's coming in January!

Disclaimer: I receive Beauty Box 5 free of charge for review purposes. All opinions are my own.

Beauty Box 5 - November 2013

 Beauty Box 5 is another monthly beauty subscription. They provide around 5 full or deluxe sized products each month for $12. They are unique in that they offer a mix of well known drugstore brands, higher end brands, and lesser known specialty-type brands. As I am a person who uses products at all different price points, I appreciate this!

November's Beauty Box 5 had a theme of "prep, primp, sparkle" and it's all about preparing for what the night brings and adding a bit of sparkle!  It's a great theme for this time of year...and I always welcome some sparkle. I am always impressed with this box's fast shipping, it always shows up on my doorstep before I'm expecting it!

This month brought five products, most of which are full sized!

Secret Clinical Strength Antiperspirant & Deodorant - I actually used to use the original version of this and it's great! Even on my hardest work days, it keeps me dry and fresh. I only stopped using it because the formula (it was the really soft kind that dispenses through little slots) was too messy for me. I am SO excited to see that it now comes in a solid stick! It still works just as well but goes on clean. This will definitely be seeing use!

 

Aveeno Positively Nourishing Calming Body Wash - This is a really nice body wash. It doesn't dry out my skin and it smells like lavender! I love this for a post-work shower. I get off at 10 p.m., so anything that can get me ready for sleep is a great thing. I am always a fan of Aveeno's products and this body wash is no different.

Montagne jeunesse Glacial Cooling Face Mask - This is a mud mask in sheet mask form (which is really cool!) It cleans and tightens pores. It smells fruity and feels cool and refreshing. I love the sheet mask format, and this is the first time I've ever seen a mud mask in a sheet form! It left my skin looking and feeling smooth and radiant. As an added bonus, you look super creepy while wearing it!

Scary, right? Perfect for disturbing men and children of all ages.

Body Drench Lip Drench in Coconut Lime - This is a moisturizing lip balm. I go through lip balm like water in the winter, so I'm always happy to get another. I haven't opened this yet as I have many open already, but it sounds promising! I don't usually care for coconut lime scents, but I'll certainly try this out anyway!

Bellapierre Cosmetics Shimmer Powder in Champagne - This is a shimmery mineral shadow! I received the shade "champagne" which is great - It will also be wonderful used as a highlighter! It is nice and soft and shimmery without glitter chunks. I foresee myself using this often.

It's nice and subtle and blendable. 

I really like everything I received this month! I like that BB5 sends out a mix of common readily available products and lesser known specialty brands! I also think the sizes sent out are great. I will definitely be buying more of the masks!

What do you think of this box? What items are you loving for December?

Disclaimer: I am a member of the BB5 review team, so I receive complimentary boxes to review. I am not compensated for my opinion and all thoughts are my own.

Beauty Box 5 - October 2013

Okay, I know it's November...but to be fair, I was sent this box in November so I'm only a little late!

Beauty Box 5 is another monthly beauty subscription that sends out 5 beauty samples each month for $12. I was given the opportunity to try them out, and I was really excited to do so! The box shipped very quickly.

October's theme was "take it easy", and it focuses on nourishing essentials. I love fall/relaxation themed boxes!

Here's what was inside!

The packaging of this one is simple, but cute. 

Like most subs, it came with a card listing the products. I love these cards.

LaFresh Travel Lite Facial Cleansing Wipes - This is an 8 pack of face wipes. They contain aloe, cucumber, chamomile, marshmallow, and tea plant extracts. I haven't used these exact ones, but I really love LaFresh wipes...I don't use them in place of washing my face, but I love them for on the go, and also to remove makeup before washing. These smell nice and I'm happy to try them out!

Swissco Glitter Toe Separators - These are simple glittery toe separators, like you would imagine! I actually don't have any of these and could definitely use them. Plus, I am basically a raccoon, so I like anything shiny and sparkly. 

ModelCo Illusion Lip Pencil - This is a nude pencil that has cocoa and shea butters in it! I've tried a few ModelCo products, and they are all very nice. This is a browny nude color that will be great for my fall colors, or for toning down brights. It is nice and creamy!

Here's a quick swatch of it on bare skin. It's quite pigmented!

Aveeno Daily Moisturizing lotion - This is a simple lotion. I have used it before and it's great! I will keep it in my bag to take care of dry wintry skin on the go. Aveeno is always a great brand.

Nubar Alter Ego nail laquer. This is a super pretty glitter topper with iridescent glitter! I love sparkle, and I am really excited to use this.

Overall, I think this is a really nice box and all the items will be used. It is definitely full of nourishing fall-appropriate products. 

Have you tried Beauty Box 5 yet?