Tag: Boxycharm

Beauty, Boxycharm, Makeup, Skincare

May Boxycharm 2022

by LeaLeave a Comment on May Boxycharm 2022

Hey guys! Sorry, it’s a little late but here is my May Boxycharm review! I got the box this month in decent time so I did a thorough testing of each product. Let’s get into it!

The first product is the Skin Inc Serum Glow Filter. The brand claims to be the first ‘skincare makeup’ which I don’t necessarily think is true. The Glow Recipe Dew Drops immediately come to my mind when I think of skincare makeup. Anyway, this is a primer with skincare ingredients that should give a glowy, pearlized finish to the skin and reduce the look of pores and redness. I like this primer but I don’t think it does all that it claims. My skin looks dewy and smooth but I don’t see a pearlized finish nor and reduction in redness. It’s nice and I’ll continue to use it but I think there are better and cheaper options on the market. Price: $50 US

The next product is the Farmacy Honeymoon Glow Body 12% AHA/BHA Resurfacing Body Serum. I was happy to receive this body lotion because I was on the market for another one! I don’t suffer from any bumps on my body so I can’t judge that aspect of the product. It has a serum-like consistency that absorbs quickly into the skin. The smell of the active ingredients is quite strong, giving the body serum a medicinal-like quality along with a honey scent. Also, I rubbed this on my legs right after shaving and it slightly stung anywhere I accidentally knocked myself. The scent does fade once applied. If you’re looking for a product to help clear bumps, I would recommend checking out other people’s reviews since I can’t attest to that claim. Price: $40 US, $52 CAD

Cream blush is one of my favourite products right now so I was very excited to try the Ciate London Dewy Blush. I received the shade Coconut which is a nude shade. I was a little hesitant because I was unsure how the gel-like formula would work with my oily skin. But it was great! It’s very easy to apply and can even be blended out using just fingers. It is a subtle formula but I prefer that because it’s so easy to overdo blush. My only complaint is that it does fade pretty quickly so it’s not the longest-lasting formula. If you like a dewy and subtle blush check this one out! Price: $22 US, $26 CAD

The next product is the Basic Beauty Eyeshadow Primer. I haven’t been wearing a ton of eyeshadow recently so I haven’t used this product a lot. The few times I have used the primer it’s worked well. I find that setting the primer helps the shadows blend better whereas not setting the primer helps the shadow pop and look more saturated. As the name of the company, it’s a pretty basic primer. Helps prevent creasing but doesn’t do anything special. Price: $18 US

And the final product is V Kosmetik Creamy Liquid Velvet Lipstick. I decided to not test out this product in order to donate it. I don’t often wear liquid lipsticks anymore and if I do I have a few that I know that I like. I much rather pass this product along to someone who could get good use of it instead of just letting it sit in my makeup drawer. Price: $22 US

The total of the box is $152. This box was alright. None of the products were horrible but I’m also not immediately in love with any of the products. Let me know what you guys think in the comments!

xoxo

Lea

Beauty, Boxycharm, Hair, Makeup, Review

April Boxycharm 2022

by Lea2 Comments on April Boxycharm 2022

Hey guys! Today I’m sharing my thoughts on my April Boxycharm. I will say that this will be a mixed review because of some products I’ve tested and otherwise I haven’t even tried – oops! Let’s get into it.

May Boxycharm 2022

The first item is the Beauty Bakerie Sour Ya Doin’? Eyeshadow Palette. I was excited to receive this palette because I’ve heard great things about Beauty Bakerie eyeshadows. I like the colour story but I will say they’re not necessarily the most wearable everyday shades for my skin tone. I think this palette would look gorgeous on deeper skin tones. For me, it’s a more bold, colourful palette. I’ve yet to use the shimmers because they’re a little deep for everyday use. I have used the mattes and they are a great formula. I like the palette so far and can’t wait to play with it more. Price: $38 US

Beauty Bakerie Sour Ya Doin'? Eyeshadow Palette

I was just thinking to myself the other day that it’s been a while since I’ve tested a new powder and then BAM I got the Viseart Seamless Setting Powder. I must say that the shifter on this powder is one of the best I’ve seen on a loose setting powder. It keeps the powder locked in when it’s closed but it’s easy to tap some out when I open the lid. So many loose-setting powders either let powder fly everywhere or are so difficult to get the powder out of so I appreciate that. The actual powder is pretty good. It does a good job of setting everything and gives a slight blurring effect to the last. By the end of the day, my face is a little oily and creasy which is pretty good since I have very oily skin. Overall I like this powder and I’m excited to own it. Price: $35 US

I am unfortunately not a huge fan of the Christophe Robin Instant Volume Mist. This mist is supposed to make thin, fine or flat hair feel thicker and have more body. I don’t normally struggle with that but I thought that a little more volume couldn’t hurt. If it did add any volume I didn’t notice because it made my hair so fizzy. Every time I used this mist as well my hair didn’t curl very well. This is quite surprising because this is a curly-girl-approved product. Either way, this mist just didn’t work well with my hair so I will not be using it again. Price: $39 US, $51 CAD

A product I really really like is the Item Beauty by Addison Rae Lash Snack Lengthening Mascara. You guys know I love lengthening mascaras, and this is one of the best I’ve tried yet. I will say that it gives barely any volume but the length is insane. This is great everyday mascara. It would also be great on the lower lashline. My only gripe is that the brush head is quite small so it just takes a little longer to coat all the lashes. But this mascara, along with my new Bite Beauty mascara, are easily my new favourite mascaras.

The final product is the Persona Cosmetics 24HR Waterproof Eyeliner. I’ll have to be honest, I haven’t tried this eyeliner yet. I’ve been keeping the eyes very minimal lately so I haven’t had the chance to try it. I do want to try this eyeliner eventually because I’ve heard great things about Persona Cosmetics. Price: $14 US

The overall total of the box is $141 US. This box is quite hit or miss. I like the mascara and the powder. On the other hand, I haven’t even used the eyeliner yet and I don’t like the hair mist. Let me know what you guys think in the comments. And if you are subscribed to Boxycharm, let me know what products you got in your May box!

xoxo

Lea

Beauty, Boxycharm, Hair, Makeup, Skincare

March 2022 Boxycharm

by LeaLeave a Comment on March 2022 Boxycharm

Hey guys! Long time no time from me! I’ve been feeling quite burnout lately when it comes to creating content so I just took a bit of a break. Posting might be a bit sporadic for a bit while I try to find my groove again. But do not worry I have no plans to stop any time soon! With that being said, today’s post is going to be my March Boxycharm. I always filmed my video version, so make sure to check that out to see the products in again. Let’s get into it.

The first product, which was chosen product for the month, is the Korres Santorini Grape Velvet Skin Drink. I’ve heard good things about the brand but haven’t tried any of their products before. This serum is meant for all skin types to help with imperfections, texture and give hydration. It’s kind of meant to do everything. I’ve only used it for a week, so it might take a little longer to notice a difference in imperfections and texture. I will say that it’s a thin serum but still manages to give some instant hydration to the skin. Not as much as a hyaluronic acid serum but still good. It absorbs into the skin quickly which I also appreciate. I’m excited to continue using the serum and see if it helps improve my skin. Price: $48 US, $60 CAD

The next product is the LYS Beauty Secure Skin Gripping Serum Primer. This primer is meant to help with the look of pores and shine control. It’s a serum so it’s a very thin product and I often find I pour out too much. It’s easy to blend onto the skin and is slightly tacky, which helps grip the foundation. I find that the primer works better with matte foundations. When I use this primer and a dewy foundation it doesn’t help keep the shiny at bay. While I find it doesn’t help the look of pores or shine, it does help my foundation last longer which is nice. I’m not in love with this primer but am willing to continue testing it out. Price: $20 US, $26 CAD

The second skincare product I received is the Frank Body Brightening Vitamin C Mask. This mask is packed with active ingredients to help with hyperpigmentation, scarring and fine lines. I’ve only used this mask once and this is something that needs to be used regularly to notice a difference. It reminds me of the Inkey List Apple Cider Vinegar Acid Peel where it’s using a very strong concentration of active ingredients to help brighten and clear the skin. I prefer using a serum over a mask because I don’t have to rinse it off. But I’m willing to continue trying this mask and see if it makes a difference. Price: $19.95 US, $25.95 CAD

This month I have two products that I have decided not to test. The first product is the Aesthetica Cream Contour Kit. I have quite a few reasons for not testing this out. First I own a powder contour kit that has the same layout of three highlight shades and three contour shades, so I felt like I didn’t need the cream versions. I also don’t use the contour kit that often so I can’t justify having two. Second I already have cream contours so I didn’t feel like I need to test out more. Third, this is a universal kit so I won’t use every shade anyways. Overall I couldn’t see myself using it very often after testing it and therefore thought it best not to open it. Now that it’s unopen I can donate it to someone who will use it more than me. Price: $40 US

The final product in my box is the Styledry Coconut & Fig Hair Mask. I’m trying to be mindful of what products I use on my hair and trying to stay clear of products containing sulphates and silicones. The mask is sulphate free but contains a bunch of different silicones. Silicones often coat the hair to make it feel soft and silky but ultimately weigh down my curls, which I’ve trying to avoid. So I will be passing along this mask to someone who doesn’t mind silicones! Price: $16.95 US

The total value of my box is $144.90, which is great! While I might not be using two products I still got great value I believe. If you guys are subscribed to Boxycharm let me know in the comments which products you received. And if you tried out any of these products let me know what your think of them!

xoxo

Lea

Beauty, Boxycharm, Makeup, Skincare

February Boxycharm 2022

by LeaLeave a Comment on February Boxycharm 2022

Hey guys! I’m back!!! I took a little longer than predicted off because the week I got back from vacation I was crazy busy at work. I will be posting a full breakdown of my trip with links for you guys within the next few posts. I know it’s not February anymore but I still wanted to post my review of the products in my box. I got the box while I was away so I didn’t get to try any of the products until I got home. This post will be more of a first impressions review but I thought it was still worth sharing. Let’s get into it!

The first product is the Ace Beaute Glow Essentials Highlighter Palette. Now I’m not usually into highlighter palettes but I’m a big Ace Beaute fan so I decided to give it a try. Highlight palettes are the one face palette that I’m somewhat okay with being universal since I can use shades that are too deep on my eyes. I think there is a nice range of undertones from silver, gold, champagne and rose. The formula is super smooth. It blends in easily to the skin. I like using Icy in my inner corner, adds a beautiful pop of brightness. If you’re looking for a good highlight palette I would recommend checking this one out. Price: $40 US

The next product is the Teami Blends Green Tea Detox Mask. I love getting skincare in my box and as someone who deals with acne, a pore-purifying mask sounds right up my alley. The mask smells faintly of lemongrass, which makes sense since that’s one of the ingredients. It’s a fun green colour. It works like any other mud mask but drying down and tight. If you have drier skin you’d want to apply a good moisturizer after using this mask. Overall I think it did a decent job of cleansing my skin. Excited to use this more. Price: $29.99 US

A product I was very excited to see in my box was the Wander Beauty Wandress Escape Eyeshadow Palette. If you saw my January Boxycharm video, you might remember that I said I wanted this palette in my box. Well, I guess the makeup gods listened because I got in this month! I just love the colour story because it has all the warm tones but a pop of pink and blue included as well. It’s wearable but also fun. The mattes aren’t the most pigmented that I’ve ever used but the powders are buildable. The shimmers are very buttery and look great on the eyes. I think this palette is pretty and I want to play with it so I’m excited that I got it! Price: $42 US

A product that I decided not to test is the Bali Balm Pineapple Lip Scrub. This lip scrub has sugar to exfoliate the lip and oils to help hydrate. I already have a lip scrub that I don’t use very often, so it doesn’t make sense to me to open another if I won’t use it much. As I don’t like pineapple so that is another reason why I’m passing this product onto someone else. I’ll either let my friends have it or donate it! Price: $23 US, $30 CAD

And the final product is the Illamasqua Hydra Setting Spray. I like this setting spray! The mist is quite fine and it’s easy to press because there is nothing more annoying than a bad mister. The setting spray isn’t sticky and dries quickly. It leaves my makeup looks so flawless. It’s also the perfect level of dewy where I look plump but not greasy. So far loving this spray, excited to use it more. Price: $25 US

The overall total of my box is $160.99, which is pretty good! Overall I think this is a good box! I like everything that I’ve tried and the one product I didn’t use was just because I don’t use lip scrubs. If you guys tried any of these products let me know your thoughts in the comments.

xoxo

Lea

Beauty, Boxycharm, Makeup, Review, Skincare

January Boxycharm 2022

by LeaLeave a Comment on January Boxycharm 2022

Hey guys! It’s time for the first Boxycharm review of 2022. It’s crazy to me because I’ve been subscribed to Boxycharm since November 2016… that’s insane! I’ve received my fair share of boxes so you can expect me to always be honest and upfront about my thoughts about Boxycharm. So let’s get into this month’s box.

The first product in my box is the NARS Blush in Orgasm. I just want to mention how incredible it is to get this product in my box. NARS is a huge brand and Orgasm is one of their best-selling products so it’s cool to get it in the box. I have a mini of the shade Deep Throat, so I was already familiar with the formula. This powder is very light so it gives a more subtle look to the skin. I much rather have a subtle blush that I can build up than a super pigmented blush but it can be easy to overdo blush. The shade Orgasm is a peachy pink with a subtle shimmer running through. I almost don’t have to wear highlight with this blush. I like this blush and I’m excited to have it. Price: $30 US, $39 CAD

Now a product that I wasn’t excited to receive is the Chella Slanted Tip Tweezers. I have received these tweezers before, back in October 2019. It’s not very often but it sometimes does happen that I get a repeat product. As I mention in the intro, I have been subscribed for over seven years. I think I’ve only received a repeat product twice before, which is pretty good considering I know repeat items are an issue with other subscription brands. I will be giving those tweezers away since I still have my other pair. And I use these slanted tweezers to help me with my cross-stitching haha. The grip and the slant help me tie knots with tiny embroidery floss. Price: $20 US

Nars Blush in Orgasm
Realher Dreams So Big Eyeshadow Palette

The next product in my box is the Realher Dreams So Big Eyeshadow Palette. Now, something I’ve decided this year with my Boxycharm is I want to be more mindful with the products I’m testing. Often in the past, I would try a product even if I think I won’t like it for the sake of my video and these blog posts. I would use a product a few times and then never use it again. Going forward if I don’t think I’ll like a product I won’t test it so I can donate it. I was on the fence about whether or not I would like this palette but decided to test it out anyways. And I’m glad I did because I think this is a great everyday palette. The mattes and shimmers are soft, so there is quite a bit of kickback in the pan. But on the eyes, they are also soft, which is perfect for everyday wear. I’m not going into work with a super bold smokey eye, I want something soft and natural. This palette is perfect for achieving that look. This palette also leans a more rosy tone so it stands out in my collection. I don’t think you need to necessarily go out of your way to get this palette because the colour palette isn’t anything special. But I see myself reaching for this palette now that I have it in my collection.

I’ll be honest with you guys, I was scared to try the Dermelect Cosmeceuticals Outcrease Retinol Trifecta Serum. I follow a few skincare influencers online and they all say to proceed with caution when it comes to retinol since it can often cause purging, irritation and dryness. I have never used retinol because I’m still young and most professionals don’t recommend it until your mid-20s anyways. Well, I’m turning 25 this year and I have this retinol so I was like okay it’s time. Except my face wasn’t ready for it. I’ve been dealing with some gnarly breakouts and didn’t want to start a new product until it calmed down. So I’ve been trying it on my neck! Retinol is meant to help with lines and I’m starting to get some tech neck lines already so why not? I’ve used it twice so far. The first thing I noticed is that the dropper is very loose (not sure if that’s the right way to describe it) but a lot of serum comes out very easily. It goes on quite sticky and takes a while to turn down, but does eventually dry down. I’ve only used it twice so I can’t give much of a review. I would keep an eye out for my product empties because that’s when I give in-depth reviews. Price: $39 US

And the final product in my box is the PUR Fully Charged Mascara Powered By Magnetic Technology. I want to first state that mascara is all about personal preference. Everyone has different lashes and most people want their lashes to look different. So far for me, this is not my favourite. This mascara is described to thicken, volumize and separate lashes. I am much more of a length over volume type of girl. I give that it gives good volume at the root of my lash but barely any length or curl. I also find that it doesn’t do a very good job of separating my lashes, if anything it clumps pretty easily. Finally, the wand is pretty thick so I always get mascara on my lids. Now I won’t completely write this mascara off, because I often find I like mascara after it dries out a bit. So I’ll give it more time. But so far it’s not my favourite. Price: $22 US, $29 CAD

The overall total of the box is $129 US. While there were some great products in the box it was also disappointing to get a repeat item. I also wanted to mention that I didn’t receive any of the products that Boxycharm was promoting on their social media in my box, which is somewhat disappointing since some of those items looked nice! Let me know what you guys think of this month’s box and if you receive Boxycharm let me know what you go in your box!

xoxo

Lea

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, Makeup Brushes, Review, Skincare

September Boxycharm 2021

by LeaLeave a Comment on September Boxycharm 2021

Hey guys! Sorry I haven’t posted in a week. As soon as I decided I wanted to come back to blogging, I became insanely busy at work. As well, I got my Boxycharm super late this month, hence why this post is going up in October. But I thought I would still share my thoughts on the products just in case you were curious about them. Let’s get into it!

The first product is the Glamglow Youthmud Glow Stimulating & Exfoliating Treatment Mask. This mask is meant to smooth the skin and help with fine lines. This is meant for people with oilier skin types, so if you have dry skin stay away. As well, if you have sensitive be careful because this mask tingles. I’m not a huge fan of the tingling sensation but it did do a nice job of smoothing my skin. Haven’t noticed any difference with fine lines, since I feel like that’s something that takes time to fix. Overall it’s a good mask but it’s not my favourite mask I’ve ever tried. Price: $60 US, $78 CAD

The next product is a duo, so two products in one! The Half Caked Best Friends Forever set comes with the In Bloom Blush and Duo Fiber Brush. The shade I got in the blush is Freshly Squeezed. I love getting brushes in my box and this one is super soft. The blush is super pigmented, so I have to use a very light hand. But it’s very long-lasting which is impressive for a powder blush. The shade Freshly Squeezed is quite a bright red – not exactly a shade I reach for often. But I think this shade would look gorgeous on deeper skin tones. I’m impressed with this set. Price: $22 US, $29 CAD

I got a second set of products, the Pinky Rose Cosmetics Multi-Use Makeup Base Sticks Jazz & Hip Hop Duo. These sticks can be used as either eyeshadow or an eyeshadow primer. Hip Hop is a creamy beige and Jazz is a shimmery copper. The pigmentation and bendability are great on both of these, but they crease so much. I wore Hip Hop as a primer and my eyeshadow creased. I tried Jazz by itself and it creased. If you don’t have greasy eyelids you’ll be fine, but if you’re like me then these sticks still just slip and slide everywhere. Price: $20 US, $25.17 CAD

The next product I received is the Elemis Superfood AHA Glow Cleansing Butter. This is such a cool product. I’ve used many cleansing balms before but the texture of this is very different. The name butter is quite accurate because it’s much creamier. It does an excellent job at removing all my makeup but not stripping my skin. If you have dry skin you’ll love this cleanser. Price: $38 US

And the final product is the Give Them Lala Beauty Mascara. First I must say that the packaging is a little odd. The tube itself is just plain white, with just the brand name on the cap. The wand of the mascara is nice, on the smaller side which I prefer. I like how my lashes look, they’re long and voluminous. But I find the formula to be very wet so I always get mascara on my lid which is very annoying. I’m curious to see what this mascara will be like in a month once it’s dried a bit and if it’ll still be wet. For now, it’s an average mascara. Price: $20 US

The total value of the box is $160, which is pretty good. I’m most impressed by the fact that there were two sets, so I technically got seven products in my box this month! I’m excited to continue using and testing out the products. Let me know in the comments what you think of September’s box. Was it worth it? Did you get the same or different products? Have you tried any of these products? Let me know!

xoxo

Lea