☼☼ May Boxycharm Unboxing + April Review☼☼

            May Boxycharm Unboxing + April Review

Boxycharm is a monthly beauty subscription box that sends 4-5 full-size beauty/makeup products.

I was not given this box. All opinions are my own. Based off my preferences! :D

Cost: $21 per month (FREE SHIPPING!)

My referral link

https://www.boxycharm.com/rewardsref/index/refer/id/38747/

They only ship to 48 U.S. states. (They don't ship to Hawaii or Alaska yet.)

1. ModelCo Bronze Shimmer - Full Size - $22

The swatch of this is just to the left of the purple stripe in the photo below.

I thought this would be too dark for me but I actually really like the color. I don't wear bronzer much so I will probably use this more often as an eye-shadow because I don't have a color like this. I'm super excited to receive this product.

2. The Lip Bar Lipstick in "Purple Rain" Full Size $20

My favorite item int his box... the LIPSTICK. I don't have a color like this so I was super excited to get it. I know there were a few colors circulating but this brand is BOLD so I know not everyone was happy with getting this color. I love it. It is creamy and applies easy to the lips. It isn't low wearing but it is Friday night and I ate a piece of pizza just now and it is STILL on. That is impressive. Also, the swatch on my hand stained. 

The description says "Handcrafted with a unique blend of natural ingredients such as Vit E, shea butter, and avocado oil, these lipsticks are designed to moisturize, soften, and amplify lips while setting you apart." This has lived up to those claims so far!

3. Bodyography Essential Brow Trio - Full Size $19

The swatch for this product starts above the bronzer and moves to the downward. Starting with the palest shade you can't see above the bronze. It is matte and matches my skin. the second darkest shade is in the middle and finally on the bottom is the darkest. 

I have BLACK brows so the third and darkest shade will be what I test out. I use everything as eye-shadows as well so I'm excited to try this as that as well.

4. Bodyography Brow Brush - Full Size $19

I'm glad they included this brush in the box. It just makes sense with the brow trio, I think. Both ends are extremely TOUGH and thick but that is what I expect from a brow brush. I don't want them to be flimsy. They felt soft enough on my brows so I'm happy with this so far.

5. Lauren B. Beauty Nail Polish - Full Size $18 (bottle sticker says I'mSoLA but I think I got Polo Lounge Punch - see below)

Below is ONE coat. It was ALMOST completely opaque with one coat which I've NEVER used anything that was anything BUT two full coats. If I had a little more on my brush it would have been opaque on ONE coat. That is just fantastic.

Below is two full coats.

I've never had a nail polish last through a shower. Not my essie, julieg, sinfulcolors,nyc....etc. Not a single polish lasts shower even if I use base,colo,top coats and seal each. This polish DID. No chipping. I'm really impressed.

I like nail polish and I'll always be glad to see it in a box. That being said this wouldn't be my FIRST choice of shade. I'm not even 100% which shade I received. The sticker on the bottom of my bottle said "I'mSoLA" but.. it looks nothing like what ImSoLA is on the website. On the website I'mSoLA is a lighter pink. There is a red on the website called Rodeo Drive... that clearly isn't what I have. But.. there is an in-between that isn't red but isn't light pink called "Polo Lounge Punch". 

I took my pictures in the sunlight so you could see the PINK in it because indoors and in the shade it looks like a classic red. I'm sure I received "Polo Lounge Punch." My bottle in person looks most like the center as well. Here are all three shades from the website.

Top is ImSoLA

Middle here is Polo Lounge Punch

 Bottom here is Rodeo Drive

Total spent for the bag: $21

Total bag is worth: $98

Total saved: $77

I love every single item in this box this month! Boxycharm is a HUGE savings if you would actually buy these products at these prices. I love getting it as it feels like a luxury. I can't wait for the summer boxes.

~~APRIL REVIEW~~

LINK to this unboxing and swatches from last month

This is my second revealed palette from boxycharm and I LOVE them. I actually purged my eye-shadow collection of a lot of colors after getting this. They can be powdery but with a good primer I don't have any fallout from these. I use mostly the bottom row of colors though. 

 I love the color this has when they are swirled together but I've used it several times as a full eye-shadow look and it was perfect! I love these gold looks at the top was a perfect highlight of course.

 I have very frizzy hair so this product was an excellent one! It didn't weigh down my hair and took care of the frizziness. Plus I really enjoy the sweet smell. I'll repurchase this when I run out.

I'm super sensitive to any fragrance I wear normally but this one is powerful and didn't burn my lungs. I love the scent and I will repurchase when I use it up! I've never purchased a full size bottle of perfume so I'm excited that I finally have one I can wear.

 We received a Jing Ai lip crayon in February's box so I knew I loved these. I had the same color twice so they sent me out the pink-a-boo shade and I passed this one along to a friend. They are creamy, pigmented, and perfect!

Thank you so much for following along. 

♥ May Ipsy Unboxing + April Review ♥

      ♥ May Ipsy Unboxing + April Review ♥

Ipsy is a monthly subscription box for makeup products.

I was not given this box. All opinions are my own. Based off my preferences! :D

Cost: $10 per month

They ship to the U.S., and Canada

There is a wide variety of options for Ipsy bags. You take a quiz when you first sign up (this can be retaken as many times as you like). This affects what is in your bag each month. Each time you get a bag you have the option of reviewing the items you received. I've found that this is the best way to affect what you get in your bag each month. The more reviews you complete the more likely you are to like your bags. 

1. Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-On Lip Pencil in "Ozone" 0.8g + two samples of the Urban Decay Revolution High-Color Lipgloss in the shades "Failbait" and "Bittersweet" $17 (this price is just for the lip pencil which I've read is 3/4 the size of the full size which is $20)

These are the items I was most excited to see in my bag this month. I haven't tried anything out yet. I'm sorry I didn't add swatches but I didn't want to open these samples before I was ready to use them because I'm unable to close them. I'm excited for this anti-feathering pencil and these lip glosses. I will update this with swatches, before and after photos, and you'll see a review of these in next months post!

Here is a link to the Subscription Addiction review of her bag. The only item we have in common is this one. She has swatch pictures of these two colors.

UPDATE: I tried the "Bittersweet" shade and it was just like every other lip gloss I've tried. I'm not a fan of the texture. I did apply the ozone lip pencil under this one. If you like lip gloss these are probably the least sticky lip gloss I've tried but it still has a little bit of STICK when I open my mouth. It didn't come off on my drink as MUCH as lip gloss usually does (it was on the rim but didn't rid my lips of the color) These stain! I'm passing along the "failbait" color so I won't be testing it. Oh and I didn't even put a DENT in this sample when I used it. There is still a TON inside I would say at least four applications. Which is impressive.

This is in the shade

 This is in the sunlight

2. Briogeo Rosarco Milk reparative leave-in conditioning spray 1oz. $4 (full size is 5.1oz for $20)

The bottle says this product for nourishing, repairing, and renewing your hair. I sprayed it onto the back of my hand and it was an unusual experience. Imagine spraying watering lotion! It contains rosehip, argon oil, and coconut oil which give it a nice feel and smell. The smell is sweet but not in a sickly way. This says it should be added to DAMP hair and doesn't mention dry. I'm looking forward to adding this to my daily routine.

This is free of Parabens, Phthalates, and Silicone. The website says "This cruelty-free, 95 percent naturally-derived formula is vegan-friendly and formulated without silicone or synthetic fragrances and dyes."

3. it cosmetics Your Skin But Better CC anti-aging spf cream in "Medium" 0.135floz $4.75 (Full size is 8x larger 1.08fl oz $38)

 This is the product rubbed into the back of my hand. Blended perfectly.

 When I first pulled this out I thought immediately that it would be too dark for my skin tone. I typically use a foundation that is in-between light and medium. Medium being WAY too dark for my skin. I used this on my face and it doesn't seem that full coverage when I used it under my eyes. I'll have to use this a few more times though (maybe with a brush or beauty blender next time) to get a better idea of what I'm dealing with. 

4. Skone cosmetics Pretty Eyes Automatic Eyeliner in "Navy" FULL SIZE $15 (this color isn't available on their website unless the blue option is the same as Navy)

 I attached this photo to show the differences that can be achieved with this automatic pencil. You can make thin and thick lines as well as build the color up to a much darker blue.

The consistency is extremely BUTTERY. The color is outstanding. I wasn't that excited for a navy eyeliner but I think this color is gorgeous. I can't wait to use this soon!

5. Laboratoires Klorane Smoothing and relaxing eye patches with soothing cornflower two sets of 2 patches is $6. Full size is seven sets of 2 for $21.

I received two sets of two for a total of two treatments. These were NOT wet inside like the usual face masks. I LOVE face products especially things for my eyes that feel SPA LIKE! These were very soft and comfortable. They were cooling and my eye area feels tingly still after a few hours. The packaging was a little off putting though because most of the language is in French (as far as I can tell.) English is the second language added. The directions said to apply these and leave them for 20 minutes! I'm not sure why but I found it very relaxing. I can't wait to get more products like this as I also enjoyed the VERY LIGHT floral/sweet smell these had.

Total spent for the bag: $10

Total bag is worth: $46.75

Total saved: $36.75

I love the canvas bag sent with the red washable interior. So far I love and will use all five of these products! I think this is the first PERFECT bag I've gotten from Ipsy. :D

EXTRAS

After you get each Ipsy bag you have the opportunity to review each item on the website. As stated above this will let Ipsy know which items you like getting, what brands you like and don't like, and you receive points for each review you complete. 

Each item reviewed gets you 5 points. You can receive points for other actions on the website. Below I'll include any items I've received as extras I've used points to redeem (if ANY). You must redeem them before the first of the month for it to be added into that bag.

You get 100 points for subscribing to Ipsy. 10 for sharing your glam bag sneak peek (sent out before you receive the bag) 5 points are awarded for sharing which item in your bag is your favorite. Things like this are monthly!

You get 250 points for each person who signs up for their own Ipsy subscriptions if they sign up with your UNIQUE link.

https://www.ipsy.com/new?refer=1wq8x

This is mine if you wish to use it. 

These two items are the first I've redeemed points for. I'm EXTREMELY excited to receive them.

Indie Lee Brightening Cleanser 250 points

The first time I received this item from Ipsy was in October 2014. It was in this exact sample size. I used it to wash my face and I fell in LOVE with it. This is a 0.5oz sample size worth $6 as the full size 4oz bottle retails for $32 dollars. I haven't been able to bring myself to spend $32 on a face wash... but I've been tempted! It smells like CRUSHED real strawberries. Heavenly.

Measurable Difference Lash Attitude Faux Lashes + adhesive tube 100 points

Who doesn't like free lashes?! These are $2.99 on the website. Which shows me at least that the points system is accurate! 100 for a 2.99 product and 250 for a $6 product is close enough for me. False eyelashes are some of my favorite things!

 APRIL Month Long REVIEW

Here is a link to this unboxing which will have prices and links to product websites

This Hikari blush in "Charmed" is a lovely color and LASTS! I didn't think I could enjoy such a BRIGHT bold pink because I like a light hand with blush. I don't typically wear foundation and I have a lot of red in my face so it isn't necessary. However, on the days I do wear some coverage this is a beautiful option.

This Mullein & Sparrow Tinted Lip Balm was very sheer and smelled like seeds. I couldn't get passed that smell and this also made me never reach for it once for over a week. Rather than keeping it I passed it on to someone who would use it.

This MICA beauty cosmetics eye primer is fantastic! I've only ever used tube primers and I've never been a huge fan of them. They work but not exceptionally so and I always forget to put it on. This however BLEW me away! My eye-shadow was crease free for the entire day. I'm in love with this product. Soooooo glad I received it.

 I wasn't initially excited to get this color from The Balm Cosmetics Nude Dude in the color "Flirty" but once I swatched it I was surprised and delighted. This is a LOVELY color with gold undertones. I've used it multiple times since getting it and while there was some fallout.. I haven't tried an eye-shadow that hasn't. I suspect I just have a heavy hand when it comes to them!

This Lather ultra light face lotion was a bit of a disappointment. I really wanted it to work out for me but after using it up I'm sure it was breaking me out. I have very oily skin and it is difficult to combat. I just can't see a way where I could get away with hydrating my skin at all without suffering breakouts! This soaked in well and I really liked the subtle fresh smell it had.

Thank you so much for following along.