Worth it? Beauty Subscription Boxes

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beauty subscription boxes

Subscription boxes in general are everywhere, catering to various interests and desires. There are boxes for people who want purportedly healthy snacks, boxes for dog owners, boxes for geeks, and, what’s relevant to this blog, beauty subscription boxes.

Like other subscriptions, beauty subscription boxes do several things. They:

  • Give us something to look forward to. Admit it, you like receiving packages.
  • Create an opportunity to try items that we might not otherwise choose to buy for ourselves.
  • Yield the novelty of a value set month-after-month.
  • Enable smaller or newer brands to get their good name out there.
  • Provide a way for established brands to generate buzz about new products.
  • Offer an outlet for brands or retailers to deal with overstock.

Some companies offer subscription boxes for $10 per month (or less if you agree to six months or a year). I’ve tossed around the idea, but until now, I’ve let it go. Here’s why:

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Worth it? China Glaze Coloured Nail Spray

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cgspray_packaging

Having seeing aerosol nail polish online and on Instagram for a couple months now I picked up a can of China Glaze Coloured Nail Spray on a recent trip to Ulta. It seems entirely too good to be true…so I wanted to show you, dear reader. Priced at roughly $10 normally but on sale as low as $5.99, China Glaze Coloured Nail Spray comes in four colours:

Platinum Silver which I bought

  • Magenta Shimmer
  • Purple Shimmer
  • Bright Blue

The usage instructions call for using China Glaze’s Strong Adhesion Base Coat, two coats of the spray letting each dry, then seal with a top coat. After that’s dry, go wash your hands.

I instead used ORLY Bonder base coat because it’s not only what I had, but also because it really does a great job helping non-gel polish adhere. I applied one coat of that and let it dry.

Then, not knowing what to expect output and odor wise, I went outside to apply. My house is small and not well-ventilated, so I didn’t want to cause discomfort for my husband, cats, or myself. China Glaze Coloured Nail Spray applies very much so like spray paint – I worked in short bursts to cover all my nails. Don’t try to avoid getting it on your skin; it won’t happen. (If you’re concerned, you can tape off your skin so a smaller margin of product ends up on your skin.

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I immediately noticed:

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Urban Decay F-Bomb Revolution Lipstick

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I love red lipstick, but I usually don’t take the time to wear it. I only owned one – Kat von D Foiled Love lipstick in Adora (which is beautiful, but requires careful application as the formula is a bit dry). When Ulta and Macy’s lost their mind and started selling Urban Decay’s glorious Revolution lipsticks for only $11 I took to the ‘tubes and compared Urban Decay Revolution Lipstick in F-Bomb, 69, and Bang. I ultimately picked up F-Bomb and haven’t looked back.

Urban Decay F-Bomb (Revolution Lipstick)Urban Decay F-Bomb Revolution Lipstick

I thought for the longest time that Ruby Woo (MAC) was going to be the next red in my arsenal – and while it may still join the ranks, I couldn’t argue with half off (due to the new Lipstick is my Vice line) and how much I love the formula of the Revolution lipsticks.

Urban Decay F-Bomb is so true. I’m so thrilled to own it – it’s going to be flattering (for me, at least) regardless of if I have color from self-tanning or am as pale as a polar bear. But now for the important part – swatches.

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Becca Rose Gold

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This is one of the eight items in the Sephora Paint it Pink set.

I destroyed my only highlighter a few months ago. I wasn’t upset; it was glittery and not terribly flattering on me. I don’t contour much, and I strobe even less than that (aka never), but I did want something to fill that void at some point. I didn’t know what I wanted. Cream? Powder? What color? The super popular one from Becca and a certain YouTuber? No; it’s too much (visually). I don’t want to look like a disco ball; I am neither seventeen nor a pop star nor a YouTuber whose life revolves around being glamorous AF. The look would not suit my features or needs. So this set decided for me.

DSC_0359 Becca Rose Gold Shimmering Skin Perfector Pressed

When I first cracked open Rose Gold, I got concerned that it would be too dark for me; that it might be better suited for a person with a deeper complexion than mine.

I swatched it on the back of my arm, though, and most of my concerns eroded away.

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May 2016 Haul

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Alright, I was supposed to be on a No Buy through June. I screwed that up. But we all benefit!

I wound up getting a promotional thing from eBates – on top of that day’s 8% cash back from Macy’s, there was a $25 back on $100 spent on Cosmetics. That’s easy. Responsible? Questionable, but I decided to treat myself because these last several months have kicked. My. Ass. Then, I had a gift card to get my brows waxed at Ulta (another great experience with Benefit) and had some extra, so I got something silly and gimmicky for fun. Here’s what’s new from my May 2016 Haul:

May 2016 HaulMay 2016 Haul

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Urban Decay Stash

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This is one of the eight items in the Sephora Paint it Pink set.

My love of Urban Decay eyeshadow, like LORAC, is well-documented. When I saw that this set had a full-sized pan of Urban Decay Stash, that sold it (along with the presence of a beautyblender). I checked out what Temptalia had to say on this shade and got excited pretty quickly.

Urban Decay Stash Eyeshadow

Normally, I take pristine photos of the pans before I touch them… but I couldn’t help myself.

In the pan, Urban Decay Stash looks like it will be a frosty, down-right frigid pink. It isn’t (sorry for the ‘eh,’ lighting):

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