Tag: Boxycharm 2021

Beauty, Boxycharm, Makeup, Review, Skincare

December Boxycharm 2021

by LeaLeave a Comment on December Boxycharm 2021

Hey guys! I was getting worried that I wasn’t going to get my box in time to write this post. But my box arrived yesterday!! So keep in mind that today’s since I just got my box my thoughts are more first impressions than in-depth reviews. Let’s get into it!

The first product is the Algenist Triple Algae Eye Renewal Balm. I love getting eye creams in my box, it’s been ages since I’ve had to purchase one haha. This eye cream is meant to help reduce basically everything – undereye circles, bags, puffiness, lines, wrinkles and crow’s feet. Obviously going to take me a bit of use to notice a difference. I will say that the circle doesn’t have much of a scent which I prefer over a bad scent. It’s quite thick but it blends on easily on the skin and doesn’t feel heavy so I was able to easily apply makeup over it. Excited to continue testing. Price: $68 US, $87 CAD

The next product is the Seraphine Botanicals Happy Hibiscus Palette. This palette is meant for all skin tones. I’ve said this before and I’ll say this again – I don’t like palettes meant for all skin tones. The palettes either skew too dark or too light and therefore not for everyone OR have shades for everyone but people can’t use all the shades. I find that this palette skews a little dark, like two of the shades are almost bronzers on me. All these shades are ‘luminous’ so they have shimmer running through it. The shade Dewdrop is a straight-up highlight – but it’s a very pretty highlight! The only shade I could use as a blush is Petal, which was quite nice. But it’s just annoying to only like one shade in a four-pan palette. I would pass on this palette and instead get one blush you really like instead. Price: $48 US

The next product is the Whish Vanilla Bean Lip Mask with Bakuchiol. The texture is much more similar to a lip balm/chapstick than a lip mask. It has a bit of a waxy consistency so it’s a little difficult to get out of the jar. It glides easily on the lips and feels very nice. I will say that this is not intense enough for me to use overnight. After an hour or two, my lips are chapped again. The vanilla scent is quite light so good if scents irritate you. It’s not a bad lip balm but it’s not a very good lip mask. Price: $32 US

The next product is the Araceli Beauty Bella Sponge Duo. I love getting sponges because sometimes I’m too lazy to wash my sponges so it’s nice to have more in my rotation haha. These sponges have the classic Beauty Blender shape with a round bottom and a pointed tip which is the shape I prefer. The round bottom is great for blending foundation whereas the point is great for under the eyes. I find that the sponges do soak up a fair bit of product so I would pull these out for full coverage products to help sheer out. The only downside is I find that the sponges don’t have a very smooth texture, which means it’s not very good with powder products. I don’t think these will replace my Beauty Blender but I’ll keep them in the rotation. Price: $24 US

And the final product is the Mellow Cosmetics Gel Lip Pencil in the shade Rose. First just want to mention that the pencil arrived with the tip broken so I had to sharpen it before even using the pencil. The formula is very creamy, it glides on very easily on the lips. The formula reminds me almost of lipstick just in pencil form. I haven’t worn this for long but just based on the initial application I don’t know how long-lasting it will be. I love the shade but I will say the name is descriptive. When a shade is called Rose I always think it’s going to be pink when instead this is a warm peach. It’s a nice shade just not what I anticipated. I’m excited to wear this more. Price: $15 US, $20 CAD

The total of the box is $187 US. That is a decent value!! While the products might not be my favourite I will say that there is a good variety of products in this box. Let me know what you guys think in the comments. And if you’re subscribed to Boxycharm let me know what you got in your box this month!

xoxo

Lea

Beauty, Boxycharm, Makeup, Skincare

Best of Boxycharm 2021

by LeaLeave a Comment on Best of Boxycharm 2021

Hey guys! Every year I like to look back and pick out my favourite products that I received in my Boxycharm. There are so many products that I have discovered over the years from my Boxycharm. But sometimes it’s hard when I first get my box to truly know which products are going to be fan favourites. So today I am going to be sharing the 10 products that received this year that are my personal favourites.

1. Violet Voss Olive You Forever Palette

I have three products from my January Boxycharm, the first being my Violet Voss Olive You Forever Palette. I’ve received so many eyeshadow palettes this year and this is hands down my favourite. The colour story is unique but also extremely wearable. There are tons of warm browns and wearable golds but also some fun pops of green. The eyeshadow formula is also amazing. I used this palette for my holiday makeup tutorial! Definitely a palette I see myself reaching for more in the future.

2. Farmacy Daily Greens Oil-Free Gel Moisturizer

I love getting skincare in my box, and this Farmacy moisturizer that I got in my January Boxycharm was amazing. This is formulated for oily skin so it was meant for me! The gel formula is lightweight and skin easily into the skin. It dries down matte as well. This is a great daytime moisturizer. I enjoyed it so much that I’ve already finished it!

3. Qveen Studio Dragon Duo

The final favourite from my January box is the Dragon Duo eyeliner set. Eyeliner is not necessarily something I get excited about, but I’ve used this set quite a lot and it’s great! The liquid liner is easy to use, which is not always the case with liquid liners haha. It’s black and applies smoothly. The pencil is super black and is pretty smudge-proof. I did a battle of the eyeliner and this Qveen pencil came on top! If you’re looking for some black eyeliner, I would recommend this set.

4. Saturday Skin Yuzu Vitamin C Sleep Mask

I received this Saturday Skin sleep mask in my February box and I have enjoyed it! I love using this in the evening, especially after a yoga class, to add some extra moisture to my skin. It sinks into the skin pretty quickly so I don’t have to wait forever for the mask to dry. In the morning my skin feels smooth and plump. I also love the citrus scent. The best face mask I’ve received this year.

5. KAB Cosmetics Hydrating Lip Oil

This KAB Lip Oil from my March box is easily one of the top products I’ve received this year. The formula is amazing, it’s not sticky and feels so comfortable on the lips. It’s super hydrating as well. It has a light coconut scent as well. I have the shade Blue Raspberry which just goes on clear on the lips. It also has a large doe-foot application so it’s so easy to quickly swipe on the lips. This lip oil is beautiful by itself of over top other lip products. I’m just so in love!

6. Maven Beauty Rose Water Setting Spray

A second product from my March box is the Maven Beauty setting spray. It’s funny because I wasn’t a huge fan of this setting spray at first. I was testing it out and then I found myself continuing to reach for this setting spray over and over again. It does a good job at setting my makeup and lasting longer! This was amazing during the summer months when I was wearing a bunch of dewy makeup products and didn’t want to use a dewy setting spray on top. I would use this one and it would tame everything. Still not a fan of the rose scent but the formula is great.

7. Farmacy Honey Grail Ultra-Hydrating Face Oil

From my April box is the Farmacy face oil. I started using this oil once the weather got colder and it’s great! I use it as a moisturizer at night and it does a good job of adding moisture to my skin. Even though it’s an oil it doesn’t congest my skin or break me out. This is a dry weather favourite!

8. Murad City Skin Overnight Detox Moisturizer

From my May box, I picked the Murad moisturizer. I recently finished this and featured it in an empties post. The packaging is a pump which I love because it dispenses the perfect amount and I don’t have to stick my fingers in a jar. This is a great nighttime moisturizer because it’s thick but not so thick that it clogs my pores. I think the fact that I finished the moisturizer shows how much I love it.

9. NARS Velvet Matte Lipstick Pencil in Dolce Vita

I received this Nars lippie in my June box and it’s become a perfect everyday lip. It’s not a super matte and drying lip so it’s very comfortable on the lips. I also find that it’s not super pigmented so it gives more of a wash of colour. The shade Dolce Vita is a dusty rose so it’s perfect for everyday use. Whenever I want a nice pink lip I reach for this.

10. Glow Recipe Watermelon Glow Niacinamide Dew Drops

I was so happy to receive the Glow Recipe Dew Drops in my October box. This was a product I had my eyes on so it was great to receive it in my box! These drops are a makeup-skincare hybrid. Whenever my skin is looking dry or dull I’ll use these drops before applying my makeup. It adds such a beautiful glow to the skin that is more light-from-within than blinding highlight, which is what I prefer. Very happy to have this product in my collection!

And those are the top products that I received from Boxycharm this year! If you are subscribed to Boxycharm, let me know in the comments which products were your favourite this year! And if you like end-of-the-year content, stay tuned because I have more planned for the following weeks!

xoxo

Lea

Beauty, Boxycharm, Makeup, Makeup Brushes, Review

November Boxycharm 2021

by LeaLeave a Comment on November Boxycharm 2021

Hey guys! And just like that November is done. Can you believe that 2021 is almost over? I still sometimes find myself saying 2020 and not 2021 wow! Anyway, it’s time to review my November Boxycharm. Which by the way I do an unboxing and a first impression video on my Youtube channel, so I recommend checking that out! Let’s get into my thoughts.

November Boxycharm

The first product is the Violet Voss Violet Sunset Eyeshadow Palette. I like this palette. I’ve used other Violet Voss eyeshadows before and the quality is amazing. All the shimmers and metallics work easily. The mattes and pigmented and easy to blend. I haven’t used the bright mattes in this palette only the neutrals so far but I’m sure they’re good quality just based on my previous use. I also love the colour story. There is a nice balance between wearable warm tones and fun pops of colour. I can see myself creating so many different eyeshadow looks. I see myself reaching for this a lot in the spring and summer. Would recommend checking out this palette! Price: $37 US

The next product is the Luxie Por La Noche Brush Set. I love Luxie brushes. I have a bunch in my collection and they are the ones I always reach for. The brushes are so soft and they stay soft after multiple washes. The handles are pretty and feel nice in the hand. This set comes with a blush brush, a concealer brush and an angled brush. It’s funny because I use the blush brush for highlight and I found it worked beautifully! Just goes to show that you can use brushes for whatever job you want. I always recommend Luxie brushes for those looking to invest in some good-quality brushes. They also have some good sales going on right now! Price: $40 US

The most disappointing product in the box is the Bodyography Makeup Brush Cleanser. I love the idea of having something to be able to spot clean my brushes. Sometimes it’s helpful to have something to quickly clean if I want to go from blue to brown. I have the Sephora Daily Brush Cleanser and it works so much better. I find that I have to spray and wipe the brush twice to get the same result as the Sephora cleanser. If you’re looking for a spot brush cleanser I recommend the Sephora one over the Bodyography one. Price: $19 US

The next product is the Aesthetica Sunset Bronzer. First, they have only one shade which is completely abysmal. How is one shade of bronzer going to match everyone? I sometimes like to switch between a lighter and darker bronzer in the summer and winter – so how is one shade going to work for all the gorgeous, unique skin tones in the world? Besides the lack of shade range, it’s a pretty average bronzer. It applies easily to the skin and is pretty long-lasting. I would say that the Maybelline City Bronzer is pretty similar in formula but has at least three shades and it’s much cheaper. Price: $24 US

The final product is the Inc.redible Cosmetics Crystal Ball Rollergloss Duo. Just want to note that it seems that the duo is only available through Boxycharm. On the Inc.redible website they are only sold individually. I like the idea of the rollergloss, it’s very nostalgic. I remember using Lip Smackers roller balls when I was a kid. I have two issues with the packaging. First I find that it never rolls out evenly so I have to turn the thing upside down and roll over the lips like seven times. The second issue is that because it’s a rollerball it’s hard to clean. I often like to wear a lip liner or lipstick under my gloss. With a normal lip gloss wand, I can wipe it before putting it back in the tube. With the rollerball, it rolls under before I can clean it. So I can only use it on bare lips, which sucks since it’s a clear gloss. The actual gloss formula is nice. It’s almost oily so it doesn’t feel sticky and is hydrating. But the packaging is more of a pain than cute. Price: $24 US

The overall total is $144. I initially liked all the products in the box but when I tested them out more I noticed a few more flaws. I like the Violet Voss eyeshadow palette and Luxie brushes. The Aesthetica bronzer isn’t bad but it isn’t special. The Inc.credible Rollergloss is a cute idea but not my favourite. And finally there are better brush cleansers on the makeup compared to the Bodyography one. Let me know what you guys think in the comments. Is this a good box? If you get Boxycharm let me know what you got in your box!

xoxo

Lea

Beauty, Boxycharm, Makeup, Review, Skincare

October Boxycharm 2021

by Lea1 Comment on October Boxycharm 2021

Hey guys! We’re back with another Boxycharm post! Unrelated to Boxycharm but can you believe that October is already done?! We only have two more months in 2021. That’s crazy to me. Anyway, this month I got my box pretty early so I had time to test out the products. This month’s box was interesting since I got two primer-like products. Let’s get into it.

The first item was my pick for this month, the Glow Recipe Watermelon Glow Niacinamide Dew Drops. I had my eyes on this serum for a while so it’s exciting to get an item in my box that I wanted for myself. This serum is a hybrid between skincare and makeup, meant to hydrate and give the skin a reflective, dewy glow. It also has niacinamide which is meant to reduce hyperpigmentation over time. I thought this was more like a makeup product but it’s much more of a skincare product. It helps improve the look of my skin but doesn’t do anything to increase the wear or longevity of my makeup. I like to put this on for no makeup days or use it in combination with another primer to add some dew to my skin. If you prefer more natural makeup you’ll love this because it makes your skin look amazing. Very excited to own this and continue to use it. Price: $34 US, $45 CAD

The next product is the Laura Geller Spackle Skin Perfecting Primer Hydrate. This primer is meant to be a moisturizer and primer in one. It’s meant to hydrate the skin and also create a smooth base for makeup. If you hate the feeling but want the look of silicone smoothing primers, this is the primer for you. The texture is like a moisturizer but it dries down to have the smoothing feeling. It makes my foundation look great. I see myself using this a lot, especially as we head into the drier winter months. Price: $32 US ($41 on website, unsure if that’s Canadian or just a different price).

The next product is the Hanalei Beauty Company Matte Bronzer. It’s an okay bronzer. I find the packaging to be a little cheap and hard to open. If the product itself was stellar I could get past that. But the powder is quite sheer so I find myself having to work hard to build up my bronzer. I like a strong bronzer so it can be a pain to use a sheer powder. I think you can find better bronzers at the drugstore. Price: $25 US

I’ll be honest with you guys, I haven’t tested out the Haus Laboratories Glam Attack Liquid Shimmer Powder much. This is a shimmer shadow with a bunch of glitters running through it. It’s absolutely gorgeous but I don’t wear glitter on the regular so it was hard for me to find the time to use it. I did play around with it one night before bed and I found it easy to blend out. I have the shade Angel Baby, which is a pale pink with pearl tones. This shade matches my skin tone so it blends in quite seamlessly. I didn’t wear it for a long time so I can’t confirm the longevity. While it’s not a product I’ll use often, I’m excited to try it for fun occasions. Price: $20 US, $26 CAD

The final product is the Julep Makeup Remover Towelettes. Makeup wipes are a product that is nice to have around but aren’t exactly the most exciting product to receive in a box. I often use makeup wipes to remove my makeup because it’s not the best for your skin. I’ll use them to remove swatches or I’ll bring them with me to the gym or yoga if I’m going after work. The wipes are a good level of saturation – not dripping wet but not too dry. They have a nice scent, a combination of witch hazel and olive oil. It did a good job of removing my face makeup but didn’t get all my mascara off. Honestly, I think drugstore makeup wipes are just as good if not better and are a fraction of the price. Price: $20 US

The overall total of my box is $131 US. But I have to say I think a couple of the products are overpriced, mainly the bronzer and the makeup wipes. On the other hand, I like the Glow Recipe serum and Laura Geller primer. So overall I would say this box is average. Some hits and some misses. What do you guys think? Did you receive this box or something different? Have you tried out these products? Let me know!

xoxo

Lea

Beauty, Boxycharm, Makeup, Skincare

August Boxycharm 2021

by LeaLeave a Comment on August Boxycharm 2021

Hey guys! Can you believe that it’s the end of August and summer is almost over? I feel like the summer just flew by this year. I also got my box early this month so I was able to test out the products for longer. If you want to see my first impressions, check out my Youtube video. Let’s get into it.

The first product I got was the Clean Skin Club Pineapple Glow Mist. This mist has hyaluronic acids, enzymes, peptides and antioxidants to give the skin a healthy glow. This is a lightweight and fast-absorbing formula to help penetrate and hydrate the skin. So instead of wetting my face and using a hyaluronic acid, I can just wet my face with this mist. It’s very easy to use and does absorb into the skin very quickly. While my face doesn’t necessarily feel as hydrated as using a serum it does add a nice glow to the skin. The instructions say only three to four sprays are necessary but I find I need way more to cover my face. For that reason, I’ve used a decent amount already. I like it but I can see myself going through it quickly. Price: $38 US

The second skincare product I got is two masks from Vitamasques. I thought this was a two-pack, but on the website I found them individually. So I guess I got six products this month? The first of the two masks is the Glow Juicy Berries Biodegradable Mask. This mask is meant to brighten the skin. It’s smelled good and did brighten my skin. The second mask is the Nourish Flower Nectar Biodegradable Mask. This mask is meant to help nourish and moisturize the skin. I haven’t used the second mask yet so I can’t tell you what it was like. I don’t know if I would spend the money to purchase them and ship them again. I think I could find masks that are just as good at my local drugstore. Price: $12 each

The next product is the Laura Geller The Casual Collection Multi-Finish Eyeshadow Palette. I think the colour stories matches the theme of a causal collection well. These are quite wearable shades and can be used for both every day and evening looks. I will say that the whole palette leans a little cool tone, including the brown shades. I wish the browns were a little bit more warm-toned since that’s what I prefer. The pigmentation isn’t the strongest so every look I do is quite soft. This means that if you’re a beginner it’s easy to use but if you’re looking for bold colours this isn’t it. Honestly, the palette isn’t bad but it’s not anything special. I have so many palettes similar so I would pass on this one. Price: $45 US, $58 CAD

The second eye product I got is the Lavaa Lashes Flirty Lash Set. This lash set comes with their Flirty lashes, a brush-on lash adhesive and a gold applicator. I love the look of the lashes, they’re long but wispy so I can see my eyeshadow through them. The brush-on lash adhesive is easy to use and does keep my lashes on. And the applicator was easy to use. I have another pair of Lavaa Lashes and have worn them many times, they hold up well. I like this set and would recommend the brand. Price: $21.50 US

The last product I got is the Jecca Blac Play Pot. This product was a dud for me. In the pot is this bright gold pigment but when I blend it out the pigment goes away and I’m just left with glitter. I don’t like glitter on my face so I tried it on the eyes. It smudged all over the place and didn’t last. It’s great that it’s vegan and cruelty-free but the product itself isn’t good and I don’t see myself using it again. Price: $21.50 US, $28.82 CAD

The overall total of my box is $150, which is on the lower end of box totals. I would say that this box was alright. I like the mist and lashes. The sheet masks are nice but they’re single-use. The Play Pot was a total miss. Let me know what you guys think in the comments and if you got similar products!

xoxo

Lea

Beauty, Boxycharm, Makeup, Review, Skincare

June Boxycharm 2021

by Lea1 Comment on June Boxycharm 2021

Hey guys! I survived my first week of work! One of the benefits of going into an office is that I now wear makeup every day during the week. So I’ve been able to really put this month’s Boxycharm products to the test. For those of you who don’t know, Boxycharm is a subscription beauty box that sends out 5 full-size products every month. The base box is $25 US and I pay whatever the exchange rate is at the time by card is charged. Let’s get into this month’s box!

Boxycharm's June box that includes Glamglow cleanser, Touch in Sol highlight palette, Jecca Blac primer, Nars lip pencil and Aceology lip maks.

The first product in this month’s box is the GlamGlow Supercleanse Clearing Cream-to-Foam Cleanser. This cleanser has a blend of three charcoals to detoxify the skin, clear pores and remove makeup. With most cleansers, I would wet my face and then apply the cleanser to my wet skin. With this cleanser, I squeeze some onto my hands, wet the cleanser and then apply it. I do find that sometimes I have to add water to my face after applying because it’s too dry. Overall the Glamglow cleanser isn’t bad but it stings my eyes so I don’t use it to remove makeup. This would be a good shower cleanser because it would be easier to get it wet and easier to remove. I think this might be breaking me out, or I could be breaking out from wearing a mask more (since I’m leaving the house more for work). I need to test it out a bit more so it doesn’t quite yet have my stamp of approval. Price: $32 US, $42 CAD

Up next is the product that I selected. Boxycharm now allows you to pick one product in your box. I often forget to pick (I didn’t pick in time for July oops) but I did remember for June and picked the Nars Velvet Matte Lip Pencil. I picked Dolce Vita, a dusty rose, which was one of the few natural options Boxycharm had. I really like this lip pencil. I’ve been wearing it every day to work this past week. The name matte can be deceiving because people would think this lip might be drying and uncomfortable. But I would just describe this as not-shiny. It’s still very creamy and applies easily to the lips. It’s not the most long-lasting, it will come off after I eat. But colour and formula make this a great everyday lip product. Highly recommend! Price: $27 US, $35 CAD

Touch in Sol Pretty Filter Glowdient Makeup Palette highlight palette.

The next product is the Touch in Sol Pretty Filter Glowdient Makeup Palette. I was excited to try out this product since I love the primers from Touch in Sol. I’m on the fence about this palette. I’ve said this before many times, but I’m not a huge fan of face palettes because I often don’t use all the shades. I would wear the three shades on the left, but the two shades on the right are just too dark for me. On the other hand, the formula is nice. These highlights are so soft and creamy that they blend seamlessly onto the skin. Such a great formula. While I love the formula it is annoying because I would prefer having one highlight instead of a full palette. Also, the packaging is plastic and very cheap feeling. As I said, I’m on the fence. Price: $34 US

Up next is the Aceology Overnight Lip Mask. This lip mask is pretty mediocre. First not a huge fan of the packaging. I wish the tube had an angled applicator because I find those easier to apply to the lips. Instead, I have to squeeze it onto my finger and then apply it to my lips. The mask itself is pretty average. It does hydrate but by morning my lips are dry again. For example, the Lanolips lip ointment is so good that the next morning I still have product on my lip. This lip mask isn’t bad it’s just not that impressive. It does have a coconut scent which is nice though! Price: $19 US

The final product is the Jecca Blac Hydrate Primer. This primer isn’t bad but it’s not my thing. This primer is meant to just hydrate the skin. To be honest the texture and finish on the skin just remind me of a moisturizer. Since I have oily skin I don’t need extra hydration because I use a moisturizer during my skincare routine. I want my primers to either smooth my skin, blur my pores or add some luminosity. This primer doesn’t do any of those things so it’s kinda pointless for me. I can understand if you have very dry skin this would be nice to add some extra hydration. I’ll keep this for the winter when my skin is on the drier side, but I don’t see myself reaching for this every day. Price: $20 US, $27.75 CAD

The overall total of my box is $132. Not the most impressive value and not the most impressive box. I really like the Nars Lip Pencil. The rest of the products are mediocre. I’ll continue to use them but they didn’t wow me and they weren’t products I would repurchase.

Let me know what you guys think. Do you think this is a good box? If you get Boxycharm let me know what products you got in your box!

xoxo

Lea

Beauty, Boxycharm, Makeup, Review, Skincare

May Boxycharm 2021

by Lea1 Comment on May Boxycharm 2021

Hey guys! I always love writing my Boxycharm reviews. I think because it’s always a surprise – I never know if the products are going to be good or bad. And because I take the time to test the products out I feel like I can give you guys really good reviews on the products. So let’s get into this month’s box.

A variation of Boxycharm's May box, a beauty subscription box.

The first product is the one I selected for this month. A while back Boxycharm introduced the ability to choose one product in your box. I don’t always remember to choose, but this month I picked the Murad City Skin Overnight Detox Moisturizer. It was between this moisturizer and a concealer, and I didn’t want to pick a concealer and get the wrong shade. With a combination of antioxidants and vitamin C, this moisturizer is meant to help reduce the appearance of lines and wrinkles. And it’s has a thicker consistency meant for drier skin types. So this isn’t exactly the moisturizer I would necessarily pick for myself but I still like it. It’s quite thick, which is fine since it’s meant for the nighttime anyway. It has a nice, lightly citrusy scent. I like the packaging because it has a special pump so I don’t have to dig my fingers into a tub. It’s a good product, but overall I prefer purchasing moisturizers I can use both day and night instead of just at night. So I will use this up but I don’t see myself repurchasing it. Price: $74 US, $95 CAD

The next product the KAB Cosmetics Day + Night Eyeshadow Palette. I was excited to test out this product because I got the KAB Lip Oil in my March Boxycharm and I love it. The colour story is nice, but also quite similar to the Huda Beauty Desert Dusk palette (on purpose or a coincidence? 👀). I think the mattes are quite nice in the palette. They’re pigmented and blend easily on the eyes. The shimmers are hit and miss for me. They swatched beautifully. But on the eyes, the eyeshadows don’t show up much. I was using the shade ‘Sunset’ and was struggling to get the beautiful duo-chrome effect in the pan on my eyes. I tried using my finger, a brush and wetting my brush and it was all same – mediocre. The shades ‘Golden’, ‘Stella’, and ‘Luna’ worked well but all looked similar on the eyes. I haven’t tried out the purples or darker metallics yet, but so far I’m a little underwhelmed, especially considering the higher price tag. Price: $52 US

The second skincare product in this box is the Skin Inc My Daily Dose of Uplift. I love getting skincare in my box because it can be expensive. The only thing is sometimes I get products like this that are good but I wouldn’t necessarily purchase myself. This serum is an anti-ageing cocktail with collagen, coenzyme Q10 and hyaluronic meant to help smooth and firm the skin. Now at the age of 24, I’m more concerned with fighting acne than anti-ageing to be completely honest. I’ve been using it for almost two weeks now and I don’t notice a difference. I think because my skin is already pretty smooth and firm. I was looking at reviews online and everyone who liked it was 30+, so I think in a couple of years I would like this more. Price: $65 US

The next product is the Trestique Refillable Brow Pencil + Gel. I love that this product is refillable because brows are the product I go through the quickest. That being said I wouldn’t say this is my favourite brow pencil I’ve tried. The pencil shape is quite large so I have to be quite careful and precise when filling in my brows. I’m surprised but I like the gel side. Because I have thicker brows naturally, it’s a slippery slope when using a brow gel. I can easily go from groomed to a mesh if the gel is too pigmented or wet or difficult to use. I think this gel just adds the perfect amount to my brows. I like the brush because one side is longer and the other side is shorter giving me more control. I can’t testify to the hold because I don’t brush my brow hair up to create a fluffy look. Overall I see myself reaching more for the brow gel than the pencil. Price: $26 US

The final product is the Sophia + Mabelle Hydrating Hybrid lipstick, in the shade Weekend Getaway. The website has no description of this shade, but I would say this is a berry shade. The formula is described as a hybrid between lipstick and lip balm and I would say that’s pretty accurate. It has the pigmentation of a lipstick but the look and feel of a lip balm. I like that I can apply a little and get a sheer wash or apply a full swipe and get a pigmented lip. Because of the consistency, it isn’t super long-lasting but it’s comfortable on the lips. And I like the packaging, it’s easy to see the colour and the pink-tinted plastic is cool and unique. Price: $18 US (the card that came in my box says $15 but the website says $18).

The total of the box is $235. That’s a high value and I do think it’s reflective in the products in the box. Overall I’m pretty impressed by this month’s box. While there were some minor issues with some of the products, overall I see myself continuing to use all the products. Let me know in the comments what you think about the box. And if you’re subscribed to Boxycharm, did we get the same box? Curious to see what the different variations are.

xoxo

Lea

Beauty, Boxycharm, Makeup, Review, Skincare

April Boxycharm 2021

by LeaLeave a Comment on April Boxycharm 2021

Hey guys! It’s time for another Boxycharm review! Also if you’re waiting for my Sephora update, don’t worry I’ll be posting that on Friday. I received my Boxycharm and Sephora order a day apart so it was a lot of makeup to review at once. If you want to watch these products in action check out my Youtube video. Let’s get into it.

On of the variations of Boxycharm's April box, a beauty subscription service. Products include a pair of Flirtacious lashes, Mally Beauty eyeshadow stick, Touch in Sol face primer, Farmacy face oil and KNDR highlight palette.

The first product is the Farmacy Honey Grail Ultra-Hydrating Face Oil. This is a fast-absorbing oil that’s meant to give intense hydration and smooth the appearance of lines and wrinkles. I’m not exactly the target skin type for this oil since it’s meant for dry skin and I don’t have any fine lines or wrinkles. But I still really liked this oil! It’s thick enough that I just use this as a moisturizer. I wouldn’t stay this is fast-absorbing, but since I wasn’t applying anything over top I didn’t mind too much. It also smells delicious, exactly like real honey. If you have very dry skin you might like to use this along with a moisturizer. I would recommend this product, I liked it. Price: $48 US or $64 CAD

The next product is the Touch in Sol Pretty Filter Icy Sherbet Primer. I didn’t get to use this much because I was testing out the Fenty Beauty Skin Tint and I don’t like to use new primer and foundations together. But I did like it the few times I did use it. This is the perfect primer for people who like the look of pore-minimizing primers but don’t like the texture. The texture is quite thick but as I rub it into my face it turns into a liquid and then sets into the face and leaves a smooth base for makeup. I like how it makes my makeup look, but it has a rose-like smell to it which isn’t my favourite scent. Overall I’m impressed and excited to use this more. Price: $20 US (just want to note on the card I received from Boxycharm the price is $32, but on the Touch in Sol and Ulta website it’s listed as $20).

The next product is the Mally Beauty Evercolour Shadow Stick Extra. I received the shade Timeless Taupe. This is a shadow stick that can be used as a primer, eyeshadow or eyeliner. I found it was easy to apply the stick straight to the eye and blend out. I found I needed to set the shadow with something to ensure it wasn’t tacky and moved around. Once it was set it lasted well throughout the day. I will say it was a little difficult to blend shadows over top. Because the base is tacky I have to be very tactical where I place shadows. It’s not my favourite shade, I found the taupe pulls very grey which is just not a shade I like to wear very often. It gives me a sick look. Overall it’s not a bad product but I don’t see myself using it very often just because it’s not my favourite shade. Price: $25 US

I love getting lashes in my box, and this set came with a tweezer as well! I got the Flirtacious Looks Cosmetic Monarch Lash Pack. I like the look of both lashes. One pair is more of the cat-eye whereas the other is rounded to great a wide-eyed effect. It was a little difficult to get them on the first time but after that they kind of shaped to my eye and was easier to apply. The lash band is on the thicker end so I do have to use eyeliner to help blend it in. Overall I like these lashes and will continue to use them.

And the final product is the KNDR Beauty Kinder Glow Highlighting Palette. I’ve mentioned this before but I don’t like universal palettes. I won’t use all the shades so it’s a waste. But I do realize it’s easier for Boxycharm because then they can send the same one to everyone. Anyway, this one isn’t too bad because it’s small and not that much bigger compared to my single highlights. I like to use the shades Angel and Loving (the top right and bottom left). The other shades are too light and too dark. While the formula is quite smooth it’s also quite glittery. While there is a time and place for glitter, it’s not for every day. So overall I’m not sure how much I’ll use this palette, especially considering I have so many other highlighters that I love. Price: $15 US

The overall total of the box is $146 US (using the correct price for the primer). Overall I don’t think this is a bad box. The only two products that I thought were meh were the highlight palette and the shadow stick and that was mainly based on personal preference than the products being bad. My favourite products are the Touch in Sol primer and the Farmacy face oil, which is funny because those are the only two brands I knew.

Let me know what you guys think about the products in the comments below. And if you’re subscribed to Boxycharm let me know what you got in your box, I’m always curious what the other variations we like!

xoxo

Lea

Beauty, Boxycharm, Makeup, Review

March Boxycharm 2021

by Lea2 Comments on March Boxycharm 2021

Hey guys! Time for my March Boxycharm post! Another month is over – honestly March felt like the longest month ever. Glad that winter is finally behind us and hopefully onto warmer weather. Let’s get into this month’s box.

Boxycharm, beauty subscription box, Limecrime, Limecrime Venus 3, TooFaced Damn Girl Mascara, Maven Beauty, Maven Beauty Setting Spray, Lavish Wet Brush Cleaning System, KAB Cosmetics, KAB Lip Oil

The first product we have is the Limecrime Venus 3 Eyeshadow Palette. This is the perfect spring palette. I probably would have included it in my spring eyeshadow palettes post if I had received it earlier. The Venus 3 palette includes a mix of purples and pinks. There is a nice mix between darker and softer shades. I was able to create a bold eyeshadow look and also softer looks for everyday wear. There is a nice mix of textures as well. The shades Beam and Heavenly are glitters that don’t have a lot of base pigment to them whereas Paradise and Beloved are your classic metallic shimmer. The shade Rapture is unique because it’s more of a matte with glitter running through it. Overall I like this palette, but I don’t see myself necessarily reaching for it everyday. I do enjoy these tones but I usually gravitate towards warm browns. If you’re interested in the palette then go ahead, the quality is great. But I don’t see this being the everyday palette for most people. Price: $38 US or $49 CAD

Up next we have mascara! I don’t have to buy mascaras anymore because I feel like I get a new one every few months. 😂 This month’s mascara is the TooFaced Damn Girl! Mascara. So far it’s okay. I find it hard to rate a mascara at first because I do find that the formula can change as it dries out. This mascara is meant to give volume, lift and provide a curl hold. I will say that it does achieve all of those things, but those aren’t things I necessarily look for in mascara. Similar to how people with different skin types need different foundations, people need different things from their mascaras. I don’t struggle with lift or curl hold. I do like some volume but I prefer length. Not a huge fan of the wand. It’s super large so it’s hard to apply without getting mascara on my eyelid. Overall I’ll continue to use it because it’s not bad. But it’s not my favourite mascara. Price: $26 US or $33 CAD

My favourite product in the box is hands down the KAB Cosmetics Hydrating Lip Oil. It gives the hydration of a lip balm and the shine of a lip gloss. It’s not sticky, if anything it feels smooth and soft on the lips. And it lasts so long on the lips. I’ll apply it and four hours later my lips still have some of the oil on. It has a soft coconut scent which is so yummy and the large doe foot applicator makes it easy to apply on the lips. Mine has a blue shade that goes on clear on the lips, but there are other shades as well. This has become my new go-to lip balm it’s so good! Price: $20 US

KAB Cosmetics, KAB Lip Oil, KAB Hydrating Lip Oil, lip oil, lip balm

The next product in the box is the Lavish Wet Brush Cleaning System. Honestly not sure about the legitimacy of this product because the website is kinda weird. So proceed with caution. The actual product itself isn’t bad. There is a little circle of soap that is meant to clean your brushes. On the back of the lid is a little silicone pad that can help clean the brushes. I have a larger pad that I use to clean my brushes. The soap was okay. It did a similar job of cleaning my brushes compared to other brush cleansers. I did notice that a few of my brushes had some residue left though. You know when you don’t properly wash out your conditioner and your hair is kinda greasy? That’s what a few of my brushes felt like. I guess I didn’t probably wash the cleanser out of those. I also found my face brushes weren’t as clean as my eye brushes because the silicone pad is small so it didn’t have the surface area to clean them. Something I wanted to mention is that I’ve tried the Beauty Blender version of this product and I had mold grow it in. So I switched to the liquid cleanser. Not sure if it would also happen with this Lavish cleanser but just something I wanted to note. Price: $15 US

The final product is the Maven Beauty Rose Water Setting Spray. This setting spray has rose water in it that’s meant to help lock in your makeup and prevent smudging up to 16 hours. When I first tried this in my unboxing video the scent was quite strong. I’m not a big rose person, it’s just not my favourite scent. It also has alcohol as the second ingredient and I could smell that as well. While I don’t like the scent the setting spray itself is pretty good. This is a setting spray that will set your makeup and make it last longer. It is not hydrating. If you have oily skin you’ll love this, but if you have dry skin you’ll hate this. The alcohol in this helps the makeup last but can be quite drying. Overall I think it’s a pretty good setting spray. I think a similar one that is cheaper and easy to purchase is the Milani Make It Last Setting Spray. The Milani one also doesn’t have an awful rose/alcohol scent. Price: $22 US

The overall total of the box is $121 US. Overall not a bad box. I mention this in my video but there are a few brands that have been known to be controversial in this box, and I tend to avoid those. If you want more of my opinion on the topic check out the video because I go into more detail. But overall I think this box is decent. I love the lip oil. The rest of the products aren’t bad and I see myself reaching for them again. There were no products this month that were bad, but I wasn’t wowed, that’s all. Let me know in the comments if you agree or if I’m being too harsh.

xoxo

Lea

Beauty, Boxycharm, Hair, Makeup, Review, Skincare

February Boxycharm 2021

by Lea3 Comments on February Boxycharm 2021

Hey guys! Today I am sharing what I got in my February Boxycharm! I was impressed that I got the box early this month – I got in on the 9th I believe. I’m happy that I got in early because it gave me more time to test the products. And if you want to see these products in action make sure to check out my Youtube video!

boxycharm, february boxycharm, february boxycharm 2021, boxycharm unboxing, beauty box, beauty subscription box, wander beauty, saturday skin, frank body, ncla, beauty crop

The first product is the Frank Body Caffeinated Scalp Scrub. This scrub is meant to exfoliate the scalp to remove product build-up and detoxify the hair. Overall I’m pretty indifferent towards this product. First I forgot to use it quite a few times just because it’s not a product I would normally reach for. I don’t use a lot of hair product so I don’t get build-up. I also don’t suffer from dandruff. Even when I did use the scrub I didn’t notice a difference in my scalp or hair. I have a scalp massager and I think that does a better job of stimulating my scalp. I don’t think this is necessary. Price: $18.95 US

The next product is the Wander Beauty Getaway Eye and Face Palette. It’s funny because I’m currently using a Wander Beauty product in my project pan. Anyway, this palette has six eyeshadow, a blush and a highlighter. Just wanted to note that these shades are pretty light so they wouldn’t work for deep skin tones. And also a lot of the shades in the palette are quite similar. I find that the matte shades Villa and Chateau are very similar as well as the shimmers Bungalow and Roadtrip. For such a small palette I wish there was more variety. I think the colour story works well for a travel palette full of go-to shades, but it’s nothing special. Also something I notice in this palette as well as my other Wander Beauty duo is that the powders don’t have a long staying power. The face powder fades quickly and the shimmers lose their lustre pretty quickly. Honestly not that impressed, I think there are better products on the market. Price: $36 US

This month’s skincare product is the Saturday Skin Yuzu Vitamin C Sleep Mask. I was excited when I saw this because I liked their moisturizer. This is a lightweight mask that you wear while you sleep to deliver moisturizer. The mask is also supposed to help with ageing, dullness, pores, stress and texture because it also includes vitamin C, niacinamide and retinol. I’ve tried this as both a regular mask and a sleeping mask. As a regular mask, I found that it didn’t do much for moisture. I still have to apply a moisturizer after taking off the mask. As a sleeping mask, I found it was pretty good. It sank into my skin quickly so I didn’t have to worry about getting it all over my sheets. When I woke up in the morning my skin was soft and smooth. So this mask only works its magic if you have it on all night. I’ll continue to use it. Price: $29 US, $27 CAD

The next product is the NCLA Beauty So Rich Love Potion. This is a limited edition of their cuticle oil that has heart glitter as well as a rose scent. I think the glitter is such a cute addition to the oil. I enjoy looking at it. I usually only use cuticle oil while doing my nails but I know it’s useful to use it every day to see any results. I’ve been applying this oil every night before bed and I haven’t noticed a huge difference. I think my cuticles are softer but I don’t think my nails are any stronger. Also, I’m not a huge fan of the rose scent. It’s too floral and overpowering for me. I can smell it even after I’ve rubbed it in. The dropper is nice and works well. I think any cuticle oil will work though, I don’t think you need to buy this one. You can probably just pick one up from your local drugstore and it would do the trick. Price: $18 US

And the final product is The Beauty Crop Coco Gold Mist. The more I used this setting spray, the more I started to dislike it. This is supposed to be a hydrating, fine mist that can refresh your makeup while also giving a delicate amount of shimmer to the face. This mist is in no way fine. It’s quite powerful so I have to hold it super far away from my face or it will ruin my makeup. One time I sprayed it too close and it moved my makeup and separated it. The shimmer isn’t fine, it’s glitter particles. So while it might be fun for a night out, otherwise I don’t want gold glitter all over my face. I even tried spraying this without shaking the bottle and I still got glitter all over me. It does have a nice coconut scent, I’ll give them that. Ya, I’m not a fan and wouldn’t recommend it. Price: $14.99 US

The overall price is $166.94. Honestly, I’m not very impressed. Quite a few of these products were duds or not something I see myself using often. And after having a great box last month it’s disappointing to get a poor box. Let me know what you got in your box and if you felt the same.

xoxo

Lea