boxycharm 2023 – Leave it to Lea

Beauty, Boxycharm, Hair, Makeup, Skincare

July Boxycharm 2023

August 8, 2023August 6, 2023by LeaLeave a Comment

Hey guys! It’s time for another Boxycharm review. If you missed it, Boxycharm is now owned by Ipsy. Subscribers now get to choose three products and the other two are pre-selected by Boxycharm. Let’s get into this month’s box.

The first item pre-selected by Boxycharm was the Malin + Goetz Vitamin E Face Moisturizer. I know this brand is popular for its perfumes but never knew it made skincare! That being said I won’t be testing it out. I’ve been told by multiple estheticians to avoid vitamin E as it can clog pores. If I could have the chance, I wouldn’t have picked this product. So I will be passing this along to some friends or family! Price: $52 US

The next product that was pre-selected is the Natasha Denona Fez Eyeshadow Palette. I’ve used many different Natasha Denona palettes before and I think the quality of the shadows is great. I think the colour story is gorgeous and great for summer. I think this palette is exclusive to Boxycharm because I can’t find it for sale anywhere else. Also, want to note that I got an email from Ipsy saying that many customers complained about receiving broken palettes so they sent everyone a coupon code for 20% off the Natasha Denona website. Thankfully my palette is fine! Price: $48 US

The first product I picked was the ID.AZ Gold Fit Mask Set. I love getting sheet masks in my box because I like using them but I don’t like paying for them haha. This one is meant to hydrate, brighten and soothe the skin. It was quite slippery on the face so I couldn’t move around a lot while wearing the mask. But afterwards my face felt very plump and juicy. My only worry is that I couldn’t find much information on the product or company online so I’m not sure if I would recommend buying it. Price: $39 US

The next product that I picked was the Beauty Vaulte Lip gloss + Lip Liner Set in the shade Feeling Phoebe. I thought it would be fun to try a new lip gloss even though it’s sometimes a gamble if I like the shade or not. The shade is a nice rich brown. The lip liner is very creamy and glides on easily. The lip gloss is very opaque which I was not expecting. It’s pretty intense. I prefer wearing brown tones more in the fall, so while I haven’t worn it much yet I do see myself getting some use out of it. Price: $25 US

And the final product I picked was the VERB Ghost Exfoliating Scalp Nectar. I have heard of this brand before so I was excited to try out a product from them! This is not a physical exfoliant but I guess more like a chemical one with AHA and BHAs. It’s meant to gently exfoliant and remove product build-up. I’ve used it once and I didn’t notice a huge difference. I’ll test it out more and will give an update once I do my product empties post. Price: $20 US, $22 CAD

The overall total value of the box was $184 US. While the total value is pretty impressive, I wasn’t really wowed by any of the products. I won’t be using the face moisturizer at all. I’ll use the other products but I don’t see any of them becoming my new favourites. Let me know what you guys think in the comments.

xoxo

Lea

Beauty, Boxycharm, Makeup, Skincare

June Boxycharm 2023

June 27, 2023June 26, 2023by LeaLeave a Comment

Hey guys! Can you believe that I’m posting my Boxycharm before the end of the month? I got my box pretty early this month so I had lots of time to test out the products and get this review up on time. Let’s get into the box!

The first item I got was the Beauty Bakerie Lemon Bar Face Palette. They call these shades ‘universal’ which I don’t know how they could be. The bronzer shade works perfectly for my skin tone, but the contour shade is just a touch too dark. I don’t mind the highlight shade but prefer something more peach than yellow for highlight. The quality of the powders is great though. I’ve received many Beauty Bakerie and I’ve always found the quality to be good. I do see myself using this palette again but I don’t see it becoming an holy grail. Price: $18

The next item I got was the JLo Beauty That Hit Single Gel Cream Cleanser. This cleanser is a gel-to-cream that is meant to remove impurities and makeup from the skin. I didn’t test the makeup-removing abilities but I found it was a fine second cleanser. It lathered well and left my skin feeling clean. My only complaint is that there is nothing *special* about this cleanser. If I’m going to be paying $50 for a cleanser, I would prefer it had some extra ingredients to help with my acne or skin texture or something. This is comparable to the Cerave cleanser which is half the price. So while I like the cleanser and will use it, I don’t think it’s worth the price. Price: $38 US ($50 CAD)

The first item I picked was the THISWORKS Stress Check Sleep Lotion. Wow, I love this lotion. It’s in a squeeze bottle which is easy to use. The lotion is hydrating and absorbs quickly into the skin. My favourite part is the scent. It’s a blend of lavender, chamomile, and patchouli oil. It’s calming but with a little something-something from the patchouli. I love this and I would recommend picking it up (it’s currently on sale!). Price: $15 US

The next item I picked was the MUDMASKY POREfection Serum-Infused Primer. Normally I don’t choose primers but I finished a few recently so I thought it would be fun to try a new one. This primer is meant to pore-minimize, mattify and blur the skin. I thought the primer was fine. I found the pore-minimizing to be minimal and didn’t notice any mattifying. I didn’t have any issues with the primer but I also didn’t notice a huge difference using it. I’m going to play around with it more. Price: $49 US

The final product I picked was the Too Faced Too Femme Heart Core Lipstick in Too Femme. It can be a gamble to pick lipstick because I don’t know what the shade is going to be like. The shade Too Femme is described as a medium nude pink and I do find it leans on the more cool-toned side. I don’t wear a lot of cool-tones but I also don’t own many cool-toned lipsticks so it’s nice to have at least one in my collection. The formula is very comfortable on the lips, with a glossy-creme finish. It was comfortable on the lips and wore nicely throughout the day. I can see myself picking this lipstick when I want a cool-toned shade. Price: $26 US, $34 CAD

The overall total value of the box was $146 US. I don’t think there were any bad products, just some that I liked more than others. Let me know what you guys think of the box in the comments!

xoxo

Lea

Beauty, Boxycharm, Makeup, Makeup Brushes, Perfume

May Boxycharm 2023

June 6, 2023June 4, 2023by LeaLeave a Comment

Hey guys! Today I am reviewing my second Ipsy-owned Boxycharm box. For those who don’t know about the merger, I recommend you check out my last Boxycharm post because I go into more detail there. Let’s get into the May box!

First, I got a product that I didn’t pick! I had picked out the YC COLLECTION Wake & Shine Lip Balm and instead, I got the Ace Beaute Smoky Roses Eyeshadow Palette. Now I’m not too mad because the eyeshadow palette is pretty and worth more money. But it is annoying that I received a product that I didn’t pick. Part of the reason why I didn’t pick this eyeshadow palette is that I own many palettes already and don’t often use them. That being said, I think the colour story of this palette is gorgeous and I love the quality of Ace Beaute shadows. While I haven’t had the chance to play with this palette, I am excited to have it. Price: $39 US

Ace Beauty Smokey Roses Eyeshadow Palette

The second item I picked was the SLMISSGLAM Cotton Candy Trio (note: I can’t find the brush set on their website, only on the Ipsy website). I always love getting brushes because, in my opinion, you can never have too many brushes. I think the brush hairs are very soft. The handles are pretty lightweight and I prefer something a little heavier. But overall I think these are nice brushes. Price: $38 US

The final product I picked was the one I was the most excited about, the SKYLAR Vanilla Sky Eau de Parfum Rollerball. I love perfume and it was so cool to pick one! While normally I would be careful about picking a perfume I’ve never tried before, I’ve smelled this specific perfume at Sephora before and knew I would like it. I own two different SKYLAR scents already! I find that the scents are very powerful when you first apply them but don’t last the longest. The notes are cappuccino, pure vanilla, and caramelized cedar. I find the scent to be almost creamy and while it’s sweet it’s not sickly. I like this scent and I’m excited to wear it! Price: $29 US, $39 CAD

The first of two pre-selected items was the Violet Voss Whispering Rosé Blush Palette. I like this blush palette! Two blushes are matte and two have a bit more shimmer to them. The orange shade is unlike anything I have in my collection but is perfect for summer. I’ve worn the blushes a few times and found the formula to be quite long-lasting – which is impressive because blush often fades quickly for me. Overall I like this blush palette and I’m excited to continue using this. $43 US

Violet Voss Whispering Rose Blush Palette

And the final product was the PUR Big Look Extreme Mascara with Argan Oil. I’m on the fence about this mascara. I find the formula to be very wet, so I have to be careful or else I get mascara everywhere. I’m also not a big fan of the brush, I find there is a lot of product on it so I have to wipe it off before I go in. That being said I don’t think it looks bad on the eyes. It gives some nice separation and volume. Sometimes a mascara formula can change as it dries so I’ll wait and see how I feel in a month before I make any final decisions on this mascara. Price: $22

The total value of my box was $136 US. Overall I liked my box, enough though I got a product I hadn’t picked. There weren’t any products that were an immediate no. I see myself using many of these products after this month. Probably one of the best boxes I’ve received lately. Let me know what you think in the comments.

xoxo

Lea

Beauty, Boxycharm, Makeup, Skincare

April Boxycharm 2023

May 2, 2023May 2, 2023by Lea1 Comment

Hey guys! Today we’re discussing all things Boxycharm. If you read my March post, you might remember me mentioning that I was getting a little tired of my box but was going to give it one more chance. April’s box is the first one since Boxycharm’s merger with Ipsy so this was a big test to see if I wanted to keep my subscription. I’ll break things down more in today’s post so let’s get into it.

Boxycharm and Ipsy were the two biggest beauty subscription box brands on the market. Ipsy’s ‘Glam Bag’ includes five deluxe samples and a makeup bag each month for $13. Boxycharm is five full-size products for $28. I picked Boxycharm because historically they always had the best value (in my opinion). I pay whatever the currency conversion rate is at the time when they bill my card and I’ve never had to pay any duties or taxes to get the box in Canada.

Boxycharm implemented “Choice” where you get to pick one item a few years ago. Now with the Ipsy merger, I get to pick up to three products. This is exciting because I found I wasn’t always loving some of the products I was receiving in my box. The choice has some limits. There are three ‘categories’ with multiple product options within each category. So I still got one product that I didn’t want because I didn’t like any of the other options. There are limited quantities for each option so they can sell out. The other two items are selected by Boxycharm based on feedback from surveys.

The selection process is done on the second of the month. The boxes now ship the second week of the month and they can arrive sometime between the third and fourth. I find this a little annoying because I used to get my Boxycharm always around the 10-15th of the month and now it arrives around the 20th. This probably isn’t a big deal for most consumers but for me, it gives me little turn-around time before the end of the month to get my reviews up. This month I got my box right before my trip to Vancouver, and since I was flying carry-on I couldn’t review anything until I got home.

Now let’s get into this month’s box. One thing is that Boxycharm always gave a card with information on the products in the box. This month I didn’t receive any card so I had to go online to find information on the products.

The first product pre-selected for me was the Byroe Pear Serum Oil. I’ve never heard of this brand before. This face oil has moringa seed oil and red algae to help brighten the skin. The packaging is pretty but the dispenser for the product is just a hole at the top. I would prefer a dropper so I could be more precise in how much product I’m using. I was surprised that this oil dries down almost matte. I expected an oily finish considering it’s an oil lol. I need to test out the oil more to see if its claims are correct. Price: $65 US

The second product pre-selected for me was the Tula So Smooth Resurfacing & Brightening Fruit Enzyme Mask. I’ve tried quite a few Tula products through my Boxycharm subscription. This gel mask has fruit enzymes along with AHA, BHA and PHA to brighten, exfoliate and polish the skin. I put this mask to the test, using it after I hadn’t exfoliated my face in a week. While I still have some bumps from clogged pores, overall my skin feels smoother after using the mask. It helps get rid of any roughness. And with continued use, all the active ingredients should help with my clogged pores. Overall I think this is a pretty good chemical exfoliant and I will continue to use it. Price: $36 US, $47 CAD

The first item I selected was the Formula Z Cosmetics Unisexy Setting Spray. This setting spray is meant to be cooling, refreshing and hydrating. I picked this setting spray because I use setting sprays every time I do my makeup so I know I’ll get good use out of it. The nozzle is strong but provides an even mist on the face. The spray isn’t sticky or tacky. It helps take away the powdery look on the face. I like that it doesn’t make my skin look too dewy since I have oily skin. Overall I think I’ll get some good use out of this spray. Price: $26 US

The second item I picked was the Belle en Argent Fine Print Liquid Liner in black. If you watched my declutter video then you might remember me saying I needed a new black eyeliner so this was perfect! This product alone makes the box worth it since I needed a new black liquid liner. This eyeliner is supposed to have a super fine tip and smudge-proof formula. I tested this eyeliner out by going to a concert. It applied smoothly and lasted all night. Eyeliner is one of those products where I just want it to work and this does the job. Price: according to Boxycharm it’s $20 but the brand’s website says $15

And the final product I picked was the YC Bold + Matte Eyeshadow Primer. This product was the less of two evils if you will. I forgot to pick my items until late in the evening so the other options were sold out or sparkly lipstick that I know I wouldn’t like. I don’t need another eyeshadow primer. I don’t wear eyeshadow much anymore and the primer I have works perfectly fine. I thought this product would be better to pass along to my friends than sparkly lipstick. While I was hoping to avoid donating products with the new ‘choice’ it could be partially my fault for waiting too late and missing some options because they were sold out. Price: $23 US

The overall total of the box is $165 (or $170 according to Boxycharm lol). I picked items based on what I wanted and not value, so I don’t mind if the value isn’t very high. Hopefully, I’m happier with this box than the boxes I’ve had the past few months. I still would prefer to get five items that I love but as I mentioned I picked my choices pretty late in the day so my options were more limited. I’m willing to give Boxycharm/Ipsy another month or two before making any decisions.

Let me know what you think about the new Boxycharm in the comments. Do you think it’s worth the price? Should I continue getting the box? We’ll see what next month’s box is like!

xoxo

Lea

Beauty, Boxycharm, Makeup, Skincare

March Boxycharm 2023

April 4, 2023April 3, 2023by Lea1 Comment

Hey guys! Today I’m here to share with you my March Boxycharm. I didn’t post my February box because I got it while I was away on vacation and felt like it was too late to post once I got home. I will say that I was pretty unimpressed by my February box, so I was hoping that March’s box would be better. Let’s get into it.

I first want to mention that Boxycharm always gives a card with the product information. My card this month was the wrong one. There were three items on the card that was different than what I got. I’m not too mad about it because one of the items was an eyeshadow palette and I didn’t need a new one haha.

The first item I received was the Il Makiage Icon Mascara. Il Makiage is a pretty trendy brand right now and I always enjoy testing out new mascaras so I was happy to receive this product. The mascara is meant to lift, separate, curl and thicken each lash. I will agree that it meets all those claims. This mascara is great for those who want more volume. I prefer a more lengthening mascara but this delivers what it claims. I will continue to use this mascara! Price: $27 US

The next product I received was the Aceology Hyaluronic Acid Intensive Repairing Biodegradable Masks. I love getting sheet masks in my box because I like using them but never feel like buying them haha. This mask is meant to moisturize and plump the skin. It has a recommended 30-minute sit time so I wore this mask while I had a nice bath. My skin felt super soft and plump after, didn’t need to apply a moisturizer! I would never personally pay the full price for these masks because I think $60 is a bit much for a one-time-use product. But I will enjoy the masks now that I have them! Price: $30 US

The next three products were not on my information card. I got the Give Them Lala Beauty Must-Have Bronzer in the shade Barbados, which they describe as having a golden undertone. I appreciate that the brand has four shades considering they seem to be a smaller business. It’s warmer compared to some of my other bronzers, which is nice when I have a tan. The formula is good but nothing special. I will continue to use it but I think there are comparable bronzers out there that are more accessible. Price: $26 US

The second skincare item I got is the Dew of the Gods Feels Microderm Face Scrub. The product is currently sold out, which I feel is a sign of a good product. The scrub uses silica crystals to physically exfoliate the skin and has oat & squalane to soothe the skin. I’ve only used this twice but both times my skin felt soft afterwards. I’m excited to continue using this scrub and see longer-term results. Price: $30 US ($40 CAD)

Please note I dug my finger nail into the bronzer, it did not come like this

And the final product I received is the Reina Rebelde Mordida Lip Stain in Paleta. I decided not to test out this product because the shade didn’t really speak to me. The formula is supposed to be a moisturizing lip stain. I rather not test the product when I don’t think I would like it so I can give the product to someone else. Price: $16 US

The total value of the box is $139 US. I think this box was pretty good, with only one product I didn’t want. I was debating cancelling my subscription after my February box and March being my last box since I had already paid for it. I’m starting to find that I don’t enjoy what I’m receiving in my box and I rather spend my money on products that I want than the surprise associated with a subscription box. Then I saw that Boxycharm was merging with IPSY so I decided to give it a chance. For my April box I was able to pick three products so I’m hoping that will help. We’ll see how April goes whether or not I keep my subscription!

xoxo

Lea

Beauty, Boxycharm, Makeup, Skincare

January Boxycharm 2023

February 1, 2023February 1, 2023by LeaLeave a Comment

Hey guys! Today we’re going to talk about what I got in my January Boxycharm!! For those that are new, Boxycharm is a monthly subscription service that sends five full-sized makeup and skincare products. The base box (which is what I get) costs $27.99 US. I pay what the exchange rate is when they charge my account – because I’m Canadian if you didn’t know. Now let’s get into what I got in the box!

The first product is the Earth Harbor Naturals Nebula Adaptogen Clarity Ampoule. This a natural skincare product, with the key ingredients being Sea Lavender and Ginseng. It’s meant to brighten the skin but also helps with acne. I’ve only been using the serum for a week so it’s hard to see if it’s made a difference in my skin. It’s a pretty lightweight oil and it absorbs quickly into the skin. I like the packaging, I think the purple ombre is pretty. Overall I need to test this ampoule more before I can say if I like it. Price: $46 US

The next product is the Wander Beauty Suite Escape Palette. I started doing this last year, but if I don’t think I’m going to use a product very often I won’t open it just for the sake of this review. I own so many eyeshadow palettes, many of which I barely use anymore, so I don’t need to open this palette. I rather give it to a better home than use it once for this review. The colour story is nice, I just have similar palettes. Price: $42 US, $58 CAD

A product I have been loving so far is the Persona Cosmetics E-Balm Tinted Lip Balm. As the name suggests, this is a sheer, tinted lip balm. It feels super comfortable on the lips. I have the shade Manifest which in the tube is a bright red but on the lips is a subtle wash of colour. I think this balm will be great in the summer when I want a pop of colour but nothing too intense. Loving this lip balm so far. Price: $22 US, $31 CAD

Another hit product for me is the Shaina B Miami Cream Blush. I can’t seem to find the shade I have on the website. I have the shade Rosa, which is a dusty rose, while on the website they only have the shade Bellini. Either way, the formula is pretty nice. The blush applies easily to the face and lasts pretty well for a cream. It’s a natural finish so not too dewy and not too matte on the skin. I would say it’s pretty similar to the Honest Beauty blush that I have (which is cheaper btw). Price: $23 US (it says $18 on Boxycharm’s information card)

And the final product I received is the Love + Craft + Beauty Quasar Goo Plasma Gloss. This gloss can be worn on the eyes, cheeks or lips. I was able to blend it out on the eyes for a subtle wash of bronze but I think it could be built up as well. Not sure how well it would work with powder products. This was a pretty easy product to use but I’m unsure how often I would reach for it. I guess time will tell! Price: $18

And the overall total (according to Boxycharm’s card) is $146 US. Not a bad total overall. I think the box is pretty good. I like the ampoule, the lip balm and the cream blush. I liked 3/5 products, not bad! Let me know what you guys think in the comments!

xoxo

Lea