violet voss – Leave it to 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, Makeup Brushes, Review

November Boxycharm 2021

November 30, 2021November 30, 2021by LeaLeave a Comment

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.

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

January Boxycharm 2021

January 29, 2021January 29, 2021by Lea6 Comments

Hey guys! Just like that, another month is done! Not exactly the most thrilling month, but hey at least we’re another step closer to everything getting better right? Anyway, it’s time for my Boxycharm. If you want to see these products in action then check out my Youtube video.

Boxycharm, makeup, beauty, beauty subscription box, skincare, violet voss, farmacy, seraphine botanicals, qveen studio, avant

The first product in the box is the Violet Voss Olive You Forever Eyeshadow Palette. I like this palette! I think it’s unique but still very wearable. Instead of browns and golds, this palette has mauves and greens. I love wearing these tones on my eyes because they bring the green out. I will say that I prefer something a little more brown based if I’m wearing green but I do think the tones of the mattes are unique. The quality of the shadows is amazing. Both the mattes and shimmers are pigmented and easy to apply. A great palette that I’m excited to use more. Price: $34 US

Another moisturizer! I love getting skincare in my box because I haven’t had to purchase a moisturizer in months! The one I got this month is the Farmacy Daily Greens Oil-Free Gel Moisturizer. This is perfect for all my fellow oily girls. It’s a gel so it sinks into the skin easily and gives the perfect amount of hydration but it doesn’t feel greasy. It also has some fancy ingredients that help reduce shine. So if you prefer matte makeup this is the perfect moisturizer to apply before doing your makeup. I like this moisturizer and will continue to use it. Price: $38 US, $50 CAD

I got a second skincare product in my box this month – the Avant Skincare Bi-Phase Hyaluronic Acid Rejuvenating Micellar Water. I was shocked at how effective this micellar water is. I think it’s because it’s part water part oil, so the combination can break down stubborn makeup. I found it was easy to use, I didn’t have to scrub my face to remove my makeup. My face didn’t feel oily or stripped after. The only thing is that I have to use a decent amount. I’ve already used a fifth of the bottle, but I’ve only used it a handful of times. I think I’ll go through the bottle quickly, which is fine except that this is so expensive. I wouldn’t purchase it myself but I’ll continue to use it since I have it. $90 US

The next product is the Seraphine Botanicals Apple + Baume Glow Lip Mask. This isn’t my favourite lip mask I’ve ever tried. It has a green apple scent but it fades to some weird artificial taste on the lips. It’s also quite thick and oily. Whenever I use my finger to apply the mask my fingers get all greasy and I have to wash them. So I try to apply it straight to my lips but the packaging is just a hole so it’s not very easy to use. The formula isn’t anything special so it’s not worth it. I’ll use it because I own it but I wouldn’t go out of my way to repurchase it. I also think it’s overpriced. Price: $25 US

eyeliner, black eyeliner, pencil liner, liquid liner, Qveen studio, dragon duo

The final product is the Qveen Studio Dragon Duo. The set comes with a pencil and liquid liner. The liquid is pretty easy to use once I got adjusted. It has a sharp tip so it’s easy to do a fine line or a thicker one. It lasts well but is also easy to remove. I’ve only used the pencil once but it seems pretty good. It was easy to apply and pigmented. It’s hard to review eyeliners because it’s obvious when they suck but otherwise they’re all sort of the same. I think it’s a good price for the two liners. Price: $28 US

The total price of my box is $215, which is great! Can’t remember the last time I had a box worth over $200. I think this box was really good! The only item I wasn’t in love with this the lip mask but I’m probably still going to use it. Boxycharm started this year pretty strong if you ask me. If you get Boycharm, let me know if we got the same products! And if you’ve tried any of these products let me know if you feel the same way as me.

xoxo

Lea