(Part 3) Top products from r/BeautyBoxes

I had a lot of good items this month but not many great items.


Holy Grail:
SimySkin Micro Exfoliating Toner from my August BeautyDNA. It's perfect, I really can't recommend it highly enough. I have (and have always had) troubled skin but I love the effect this is having in combo with my skincare routine.
Hi-Pro-Pac Keratin Replenish Masque from my Essence box, RIP. This was a large foil sample that was probably the least exciting for me upon opening my box, but it lasted for about 4 uses on my thick, mid-back length hair. It was wonderful for my super bleached, generally fussy hair.


Holy Confused:
Mannakadar Fantasy 3-in-1 Blush Highlighter Eyeshadow from Birchbox. I love this product. On my skin, it's a beautiful eyeshadow and blush - probably one of my all-time favorites. However, it CRUMBLES at the slightest touch. I've put two back together with alcohol only to have them crumble again. I've ultimately tossed one of them and the other may not be far behind. It's a beautiful product, but what's the point if it's such a delicate flower?


Holy Fails:
Nyx Illuminator from Ipsy. It's just useless at this point -- Summer is ending and I've received a highlight from nearly every box I subscribe to, so the Nyx liquid one isn't a product I would EVER reach for vs. my stick highlighters or higher-end products.
Clean Reserve Blonde Rose from Sephora Play! I love Clean scents ... normally ... and was happy to try this one, but something about it is very off and unappealing.

I got 3 boxes until I decided it just wasn't for me. I don't know if I would blame the products, I just decided that for the money it cost to get the box I would be more comfortable going to a store and picking out my own items. I was happy that they didn't send me frumpy fat people stuff, but I didn't feel very comfortable in the 2 pairs of sexier undies they sent me.

The first box I got: A pair of black shaper shorts that fit kind of funny and don't give you any kind of shape except panty lines. One from this brand and they were nice quality but too big and stretchy so I only wear them to bed occasionally. These hipsters in a different color that I really enjoy, but I mean you can get them at Kohls.. And I got a cami that is nice quality, but it is NOT flattering.

The next box I got: these panties and they don't look any kind of sexy on me, I am not even sure why they make them in a 1X. Same with these panties from the same brand, they are tight in some places and oddly loose in others. I guess I got another pair of undies, but I don't remember them. Cute pointelle socks that unfortunately stretch out a little too much. Some aloe socks that I love, but you can pick up anywhere nowadays.

Last box I got had: Happy Socks, love! Some knee socks that actually fit fine but aren't cute and I can't remember the brand or find a picture of them. Lounge pants that are made of some really comfy material, but I gotta tell you that this brand was really getting on my nerves as they have no business in making plus size stuff, they just didn't fit right, I have a very long torso and the waist on these pants goes up to my boobs and they are just poorly fitting overall. This shapewear cami that feels pretty awesome but the back and straps hug your neck, so it is hard to wear under a lot of stuff.

To be fair, I took the survey to say that I didn't want any bras because I knew that there was no way for a mystery box to get my bra size correct. Also I really wanted socks because I am so boring and I saw that people were getting mukluks and I was pissed that I didn't get any. That was a really long post just to say that you probably won't get a lot of the cute little tanks and bralettes that you see in reviews if you are plus size.

Beauty Box

• LUSH Foot Soak and Fancy Free Foot Soak - $6.95
  
• Diane European Beech Wood Foot File - $4.60
  
• London's Pedisoaks Foot Polish in Blackened Peppermint - $25.00
  
• PediSpa Gentle Exfoliating Foot Mask - $9.99
  
• Caudalie Foot Beauty Cream - $15.00
  
• Celtic Weave Sterling Silver Toe Ring - $20.00
  
• Julep Nail Polish in Goldie - $11.20
  
• SPARK Women's Strappy String & Rhinestone Gladiator Sandals - $24.99
  
  In order to do some Walking On Sunshine this summer, you have to make sure your feet are in perfect condition! Pamper your piggies with some luscious foot soaks, polishes, masks, and cream. Decorate your toes with a beautiful toe ring and some glittery polish that looks like the sun. Finally, show off all your hard work in a gorgeous pair of sandals!
  
  Total Cost: $117.73!
  

Box Type: Beauty/Lifesyle

Theme Walking on Sunshine

Beauty

All products are full sized!

•MAC Lipstick in Sweet and Sour or Sushi Kiss $17

• ColourPop Gel Liner in Prance or BeeSting $5

•Bath & Bodyworks Aloha Waterfall Orchid Body Lotion $12.50

•Etude House 98% Watermelon Soothing Gel $7.80

• Marc Jacobs Honey Rollerball $25


"Lifestyle"

• Target Round Tortiseshell Sunglasses $16.99

•Summer School DVD $5.95

•The Beach Boys Sounds of Summer CD $11.47


Celebrate the season of sun in style! From the summery colors of the MAC lipstick and ColourPop liners, to the refreshing scents of Honey and Waterfall Orchid. Don't forget your Sunglasses and the sound of summer itself - the ever summery Beach Boys- on your way to the pool! Refresh your skin after a long day in the sun with Etude House's Watermelon Refreshing Gel. After a busy day hanging with friends, curl up with the classic 80s summer movie Summer School . And repeat all summer long :)

Total value : $102


edit: fixed typo

Unless your skin is very dry you could probably get away with just an oil afterwards, if you don’t have the time/money to get a moisturizer right now. Like I said, the one I use is the Acure brand argan oil (available on Amazon for $6.44 https://www.amazon.com/Acure-Essentials-Argan-Fluid-Ounce/dp/B004DTQ9L8 ) you only need 2-3 drops so a bottle will last a long time!

Also available in places like Target, natural grocery stores, etc. I even found some at TJ Maxx recently! ( which is actually a really good place to look for some great skincare finds!)

Type: Beauty Box

2 Makeup Geek Eyeshadow Pans, shades: Early Bird (matte pumpkin orange) and Sidekick (matte cinnamon brown)

Full size, $6.00 each at Makeup Geek


TOCCA Spice Rollerball Collection

Set of three minis, $15 at Sephora


Andalou Naturals Glycolic Brightening Mask, Pumpkin Honey

Full size, $11.99 at Amazon


Lime Crime Velvetines Liquid Matte Lipstick, shade: Pumpkin

Full size, $14 at Dolls Kill


TokyoMilk Dark Femme Fatale Collection Lip Elixirs, scent: Clove Cigarette

Full size, $7.00 at Sephora


Bath & Body Works Nourishing Hand Cream, scent: Sweet Cinnamon Pumpkin

Travel size, $5.00 at Bath and Body Works


OPI SO SO Skullicious Mini Bottles Set

Set of 4 minis, $9.90 at Amazon


Total: $74.89


ETA: I've missed this game!

I don't use one myself (yet) but a hanging jewelry organizer would be great for this, particularly if you're mostly dealing with small sized products.

Here's an example of what I mean.

The ingredients are listed under the supplement facts tab here: www.bulubox.com/ridgecrest-thyroid-thrive.html/. Looks like a mix of vitamins, minerals, and herbs.

My naturopath recommended Pure Encapsulations Thyroid Support when my thyroid tests came out low. It raised them to healthy levels after a month. http://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B001688DZ4/

Just a suggestion, but I've been using this product for years for my dry eyes.... It's reusable and you just pop it in the microwave for 20 seconds. Same exact thing but not a one time use like the starry eyes


Thermalon Dry Eye Compress https://www.amazon.com/dp/B004385RPS/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_luz1DbBG0PP2M

Most teapots have a filter. Edited to add - I really love this for my loose leaf tea - https://www.amazon.com/Good-Grips-Twisting-Ball-Infuser/dp/B008H2JMFW/

There's plastic ones out there too.

After a coworker came to work with a bandaged hand from breaking one, I knew the plastic version was right for me. (The Amazon price seems high, but I went for a reliable link)

I use one of those four sided nail blocks (like this one: http://www.amazon.com/beauty/dp/B0029FGO8Q), I only use the side to remove the nail ridges and even out the nail, wipe my nails with alcohol (I heard this makes polish stick better?), applied two coats, and top coated with Revlon Colorstay Gel-Shine Top Coat. This is day six: http://tinypic.com/r/2ppigjc/5

I bought a pack of the Bvlgari white tea bath bags - they smelled so good, we were trying to waft it out of the bathroom through the whole house.

http://www.amazon.com/Bvlgari-blanc-white-bath-bags/dp/B005VKWJ0S/ref=sr_1_13?ie=UTF8&qid=1372284504&sr=8-13&keywords=bvlgari+white+tea

You can get the same concealer palette on Amazon for $3.74.

Amazon to the rescue!

I've never used this product, but sometimes skincare in general needs longer for noticeable results (I've seen other products say 3 weeks to 3 months).

Amazon has the product listed. Down on the page, it says people noticed results within a 6 week period. (link to image)

I have one of these spatulas - a must for sample junkies & non-wasters! https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B003WLZZRM/ref=mp_s_a_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1497635104&sr=8-5&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_QL65&keywords=jar+scraper+spatula&dpPl=1&dpID=41fmZFa16HL&ref=plSrch

I've got this jacket in a small, it's brown though. Here are some (really bad, sorry) fit pictures.

Beauty/Lifestyle Box:

• Urban Decay All Nighter Makeup Setting Spray $14, Travel Size
  
• Colourpop Eyeshadow in "Midnight" or "Glow" $5
  
• Galaxy You Later Night Light in Cosmos $7.99
  
• Coleman Glow In The Dark Koozie $7.88
  
• Artistry Light-Up Lip Gloss $17.10, 1/4 Shades
  
• Clinique Moisture Surge Overnight Mask $8
  
  Total: $59.97

For those interested in the blow dryer, SUTRA has very few reviews out there for all but one product which is on amazon. There are 14 reviews, most of which look fake, and the remaining reviews are mostly negative.

Edit: Their flat iron has similar reviews. They seem to have some issues with longevity, though some of the Amazon reviews claim the Amazon product is counterfeit. I’m wary that there would be a counterfeiter since this isn’t a known brand. Just something to think about.