Sample Society - March Box and Reviews

 

So It's been about half a month since I've received my Sample Society subscription beauty box. Sample Society is part of Allure magazine and Beauty Bar. It's $15 a month along with a $15 coupon code towards a $50 purchase on their site (so if you buy something from their site then you pretty much get the sample box free!). The catch is that you have to buy something from one of the brands that was in the box for the month, luckily for me I love Fekkai hair products so this was easy for me!

 

1. Dermologica Daily Microexfoliant: I have never been able to get rid of my blackheads on my nose. ONE use of this product and they went away! I was absolutely SHOCKED! I try not to use it daily (even though you are supposed to) because I don't want my face to get used to it. So I use it about 2-3 times a week. This retails at $40-50 for a full size. And I believe this sample is about 1/3 of the full size.

2. Ren Face Mask: I was not actually interested in this product and ended up trading it with someone on makeuptalk.com.  But I have honestly heard nothing but great things about it from the other members on the forum. This retials at $55 for a full size.

4. Oscar De La Renta's Esprit D'Oscar Deluxe rollerball perfume: I didn't like this perfume...it smelled like giorgio (what my grandma uses). So I'm sending this off in another trade.  It's an impressive sample size though so I hope to get a different perfume from this beauty box at some point.

4. Skyn Icelandic Eye Relief Pen FULL SIZE: This is full size and retails at $22 I believe. I keep this at my office and it's nice to have since it's so portable. I'm not sure if it's working for my dark circles yet but it's really refreshing.
5. Fekkai Advanced Glossing Cream: This is a cream I have already been using for years. I think they changed the formula a bit but it still works well. I love it, and I use it after I straighten my hair to make it smoother and anti-frizzy. I love this cream and will probably use it for the rest of my life :) So i'm glad I got more of the product even though I already own the full size.


Overall this was a good box, the dermologica alone was worth the $15 since I got to try something that FINALLY gets rid of my blackheads! I also used the coupon code to get some more Fekkai products (which I will soon review). So I definitely got my money's worth out of this box and am excited to see what I get next.

The next box for April is being shipped to me now so i'll review it ASAP!

T.J. Maxx Haul! TheBalm Value Set and Kate Spade's Twirl Review

This weekend my mom came to visit me in Austin, and since I haven't lived here for long (nor do I have a car) we decided to take advantage of the city and SHOP!

I got a few clothing items (a top and some fashion tights) but what i'm most excited about our my beauty purchases.

I got a set (including a cute clear makeup bag) from TheBalm for $9.99:

Hot Mama Blush/Shadow = Retails at $19
Bahama Mama Bronzer = $19
Tinted Plump Lipgloss in Pink my Lemonade = $15
Value of set = $53
My Price = $9.99

So far I really like the blush, but I don't know if i'll actually use the bronzer or the lip gloss, I may trade these on makeuptalk.com.  But for $10 that still half the price of the blush!

I also got a fragrance set of Kate Spade's Twirl for $34.95

 

 This comes with:

3.5oz Shower Gel

3.5oz Body Lotion

1.7oz EDP 

I'm not sure what this values at, but the perfume alone retails from $58-68!! So I paid half of this for the whole set!

I really went on a limb with this purchase since I had never smelled it before, but I'll just say that I LOVE it. It's the perfect fruity perfume for me, I feel that it's great for those that are in their mid/late since it's still fun and youthful but doesn't smell like a high schooler. It also lasts ALL day even with one spritz.

Birchbox Teen Vogue - and Essie Giveaway!

Edit: Since more than 5 people commented, I WILL be including the Essie in my giveaway! Only 20 more followers until I put it up!



 I got my first Birchbox this last week, and it was the special Teen Vogue box! Birchbox is a monthly beauty box subscription for $10 a month, and if you review the products in your box every month you get 40-50 points + the 10 for the box that month. Every 100 points is worth $10 at Birchbox's online shop! It's a great deal since you're essentially getting each box for $4-5 if you end up using your points in their shop. Sign up here if you want to join!

 

I ended up getting :

1. Essie Luxeffects in Set in Stones Full size - $8

2.  Tarte LipSurgance in Amused Full size - $24

3. Shiseido Oil-control Blotting Papers - Sample size of 10, so valued at $1.8

4. Twistband Hairtie in Red - One is $3 I believe?

5. Sample of Annic Goutal's Petite Cherie perfume. I don't give perfume samples values even though I love this scent!

Total Value = around $37

 I haven't tried the LipSurgence yet, but this is the swatch, as you can see it's almost the same color as the Birchbox Pink tissue paper :)

I know all of you are wondering about my post title, I do NOT like glitter! So i'm going to be including the Essie Nail polish in my giveaway (once I get 60 followers). But only if at least 5 people comment on this post and express interest in this! Otherwise i'll trade it on the Makeuptalk.com forum.

Remember, sign up here if you want to join their monthly beauty box program!

I paid for this box on my own, and these reviews are strictly of my own desire.

Gucci Flora EDT

I figured I should review the perfume I bought, since I’ve been wearing it for 2 weeks not almost everyday. When I went to Sephora and tried out as many samples as I wanted (this is the great things about Sephora), I decided I didn’t particularly love any of them but had a slight affinity to Gucci Flora EDT.

 

Now after having worn it for two weeks, through hot and cold weather, and both on my skin, hair, and clothes, i’ve decided that it’s good, but not my favorite.  It has a sweet and citrusy scent, but not too strong in either direction.  So what I ended up smelling at the end of the day is what could be called an orange dreamsicle (oranges and cream).  But not in the disgusting way…more in the light an fresh way.

Oh well! I guess it’s time to start looking for a new perfume.  I really like citrus and fresh scents, any suggestions?  What is your signature scent?