After an exhausting day of waiting in line after line at the DMV (we've all been there...), my mood instantly brightened when I saw the telltale blue box waiting for me when I arrived home. No, unfortunately it wasn't a Tiffany's box, but it was the next best thing- my January sample kit from Beauty Box 5! And as promised, I'm here to tell all about it.
What I love about Beauty Box 5 is that they include skincare as well as cosmetics products in each month's collection. In the past months I've gotten to try rejuvenating full-size face masks and and hydrating hair conditioners. And this month was no different- included in my Beauty Box were a few samples of Merlot Night Cream (more on that later...) in addition to four other cosmetic products, including three full size products. I definitely got my money's worth! I tried everything in order to give all you College Crushers the inside scoop- and cause it's fun, of course :)
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| January's box featured items from Merlot, Ferro Cosmetics, Pencil Me In, Model Co, and Perfumies. |
1. Merlot Night Cream ("Surprise 2012 Favorite")
I've never used a night cream before and I'm particularly cautious about putting unknown products on my sensitive skin, but Beauty Box 5 has never steered me wrong in the past with skincare products so I gave Merlot's night cream a try. It smelled great without being overpowering (a selling point of the "Natural Grape Seed Skin Care" and left a cool, tingling sensation underneath my eyelids when applied. The morning after, the area was moisturized with a lack of dark circles (although I did get a solid 8 hours of sleep as well!). I still don't think young women need to use night creams (especially with anti-wrinkle properties) but this one lived up to its expectations. It's also available in large quantities at your local drugstore for a very reasonable price, which is an added bonus!
The verdict: YAY
2. Ferro Cosmetics Desert Rose Blush
I've never been a fan of mineral cosmetics samples for one simple reason- without the typical perforated barrier that you slide your brush across for an even application on a regular size product, the mineral powder spills EVERYWHERE -and unfortunately this sample blush was no different (or maybe I'm just super clumsy....). After the initial spillover, I found Ferro Cosmetic's Desert Rose Blush to be highly pigmented with subtle shimmer, despite appearing very glittery in the sample container. I will definitely be saving this in my makeup bag for a dramatic look.
The verdict: YAY
3. Pencil Me In Eye Pencil
With pencil eyeliners, I'm a huge fan of a thicker, crayon-like consistency (it lasts longer), and with its thin appearance, I was highly doubtful that this eyeliner would measure up to my favorite Urban Decay pencil. A cool bonus of this full-size sample is that the eyeliner cap doubles as a sharpener, making it convenient for on-the-go travel. The Brownie eye pencil was a thinner and lighter line than preferred, but I found the overall quality similar to that of a CoverGirl eyeliner at a similar price point- long lasting. The length of the pencil itself was a bonus for a $6.99 retail price.
The verdict: SO-SO
4. Model Co Colourbox Lip Pencil - Pomegranate
I received a full size lip gloss in one of my previous Beauty Boxes that I loved, so I was excited to try out another product from Model Co. I've honestly NEVER been one to use a lip pencil (I think they're kind of outdated) but I gave this one a try. Like the Pencil Me In sample, this lip pencil also had a sharpener in the cap (a new trend? I sure hope so). I lined my lips with the Colourbox Lip pencil after applying a similarly colored lipstick for a subtle boost, and it worked wonders! My beauty habits won't change overnight, but it's always great to try a new product that works.
The verdict: YAY
5. Perfumies Solid Perfume Stick
I didn't have very high expectations for this perfume stick- I'm a loyal customer to a few different fragrances and I didn't see that changing anytime soon. However, I was pleasantly surprised by Perfumies' Hard To Get scent. I found it very fresh-smelling with fruity undertones. Bonus: this little stick is VERY potent- a few rubs on my wrist lasted for hours. This is the perfect addition to a backpack for a midday freshener if need be!
The Verdict: YAY
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| Each Beauty Box comes with a short description of each product and the retail price of the full size product. |
With beauty sample kits it truly is a luck of the draw situation... You may get five products you adore or five products you hate. Beauty Box 5's online survey seeks to tailor your personal box to your top preferences, but nothing is guaranteed. While there aren't any duds in January's box, I didn't find any standout favorites, either. Nonetheless, the Beauty Box 5 remains a great value for the quality and value of the brands it offers and I can't wait to see what February's box holds!
XO,
Em
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