Beauty Subscriptions

Hey Beauty Peeps,

I’m a total beauty box/bag subscription-aholic if there is such a thing. At one point I seriously had a total of 7 subscriptions each ranging from $5-$21 a month. Typing that made me realize just how absolutely ridiculous that is, even more so than I already thought, so don’t judge me ๐Ÿ˜œ


At first it was exciting. I got to try all sorts of new products and brands that I never would have tried before. However after six months it began to feel like I was receiving the same things over and over again only in different colors or from a different subscription. It was just underwhelming when I would receive the box or bag so I decided some would just have to go. 

After a couple months of comparing each subscription here are my thoughts and notes on which ones got the ax. 

Allure – $15 a month, all small travel size products, received a damaged item one month that they couldn’t replace because they ran out of the product but they did send me an item of my choice as a replacement. Cancelled because the value of the box didn’t seem to be worth it based on product sizes received. 

Walmart – $5 seasonally with very underwhelming products, most of which I already was using or had previously used.  Also you never receive full size items, which is obvious based on the price of course. 

Target – $10 a month, underwhelming products, most of which I was already using or had previously used and never full size items. Nothing too exciting about the boxes and they were always hard to get anyway. Not really a subscription I guess since they are first come first serve really but I still included it. 

FabFitFun – $49.99 seasonally, which averages out to $16.70 a month basically. All items are full size, with an occasional sample item thrown in as an extra freebie.  With the box you receive a variety of items based on a seasonal theme. Not all items are makeup related either. My subscription is currently still active and it is one of my favorites that I don’t plan on cancelling any time soon. 

Ipsy – $10 a month and items come in a makeup bag with with a different theme or design each month. All the items are usually mini or delux travel size and the bag is the same size each month. Not a bad subscription but not very overwhelmingly exciting either.  Also not sure what I can do with 7 makeup bags that are the same exact size?  Although the price point is good I just didn’t feel compelled to keep it any longer. 

Glossybox – $21 a month and items come in an awesome pink box which can be reused. I use mine for storage and organization in various drawers or cabinets around the house.  The items I have received range from full size to delux mini size. Overall the subscription isn’t bad but I have recently received mostly mini items and don’t feel the price per month is worth it. It seems to not be the best value for my money since it’s the same cost as Boxycharm but you get less full size items. 

Boxycharm – $21 a month and items received are typically all full size. I have found that I get the most for my money with this subscription and have decided to continue this one for the time being. Each month I have been pleased with the items received.  Twice I have received a full palette (an OFRA z palette with 6 full size shadows, a coastal scents blush/bronzer palette, and I believe another full size palette will be in this months box as well!). This one is definitely a favorite. 

So that’s it. After weighing the pros and cons only FabFitFun and Boxycharm remain as my current beauty subscriptions. From 7 down to only two. That’s much more acceptable and I am confident I will continue to get the most for my money with these two. 

So, what are your favorite subscriptions?  What do you think about any of the ones I have mentioned above?  Have you cancelled any of your subscriptions?

Until next time,

XOXO,

Crazy Jess ๐Ÿ˜˜

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Ipsy June 2016

My favorite time of the month has begun. That middle part of the month when my beauty subscription boxes/bags begin to arrive. 

First up this month was my Ipsy bag!  Ipsy is a monthly beauty subscription bag ($10 a month) with a mix of full size or deluxe sample size beauty items. 

Here is this months’ bag:


It’s super cute. But yet again the same exact size as all the other ones so not sure what I will so with this bag. 

Here’s what I received:

Seraphine Happy Hibiscus Blush 

Patchology Flashmasque 5 Minute Facial Sheets (qty:2)

Rodial Stem Cell Cleansing Cream 

Doucce Bombastic Lash Voluminizer Mascara 

Urban Decay Eyeshadow in the color Fireball

Positives:

  • The selection of products
  • The super cute bag design
  • The full size blush 
  • Finally having an urban decay item included

Negatives:

  • There isn’t a product card in the bag explaining each item and where you can buy them and their cost. Many other subscriptions do that and it is super helpful. Not a total deal breaker though but it would be nice. 
  • There was only one full size item this month (the seraphine blush)
  • The eyeshadow received is a small pan that looks like it should be inserted in to a palette or something. A palette that I don’t have. So I’m not sure I understand how to store this thing? Maybe I’m a moron.  What are you doing with yours?  Keeping it in the plastic container?
  • I also am puzzled by the Rodial facial cleanser. Where are these “stem cells” sourced from exactly? ๐Ÿ˜œ I suppose I should do some research but ain’t nobody got time for that. 

What did you think of your Ipsy bag this month?  What did you receive that I didn’t receive?  What were your favorite items? 

Let me know in the comments below. 

Until next time,

XOXO

Crazy Jess ๐Ÿ˜˜

Ipsy – May 2016ย 

So my Ipsy bag for May 2016 came in. Below is a pic of what I received this month.


Check out my YouTube channel for a Vlog on the bag this month and regarding another item not related to my Ipsy bag I’m really loving right now.

What did you get this month in your Ipsy bag? ย Any new products you are loving that I should try? ย Comment below and let me know! ๐Ÿ˜˜

XOXO,

Crazy Jess

Ipsy Bag – April 2016

 

My favorite day of the month is when my Ipsy bag arrives!  I have had a subscription since January and get super excited in anticipation each month while I wait for it to arrive.  I even try not to watch any YouTube videos or read any blog posts that may spoil it for me because I love to be surprised when I get my bag in not knowing what might be in there for the month.This month was the best month yet, I’d have to say.  Look at this beautiful array of products for this month and the bag is super cute too!

  
What’s in my bag…

one full size Probelle Nail Lacquer in the color In or Out ($6 value)

one mini size Tarte Wonder LipSurgence Lip Creme in a beautiful dark pink color ($12 value – full size is $24!)

one mini size (.34 oz) MoroccanOil Hair Treatment ($5 value – full size bottle is $44!)

one full size City Color Highlight Trio ($9 value)

one full size Luxie Tapered Highlighter Brush ($24 value)

That’s $56 worth of products and it only cost $10!

So…what do I think of what I got?..

I am IN LOVE with this purple nail polish.  It looks amazing on and is the perfect spring time color.  It is also a great consistency, dries very fast and goes on smoothly. 

I’ve never tried the Tarte Wonder LipSurgence Lip Creme before but I love all things Tarte so I’m sure it will be awesome.  The color is perfect as well as I love dark pinks and reds.

Although the highlight trio looks awesome, I’ve already got liquid and powder highlighters I use and love so I am not sure if I will use this or not but I’ll give it a try maybe.

Lastly and most importantly, what really made this months bag so special and made me so excited was because of the makeup brush I received.  Anytime I receive a makeup brush in one of my subscription bags or boxes I am always pleased because they are super expensive (for good ones anyway).  That right there makes the minimal cost of the box super worth it in my opinion and I’m slowly but surely building up my makeup brush collection with nice quality brushes and getting rid of the cheap junk I’ve had for years.

So I’d say Ipsy did well this month.  My favorite so far (however I’ve only received Jan, Feb, Mar, & Apr 2016 bags to date)  I’m super happy with the goodies in my bag this month and will continue my subscription for the time being.

So what did you think of the April Ipsy Bag?  Were you happy with what you received?  If you aren’t an Ipsy subscriber have you ever been?  What made you cancel?

If you haven’t ever been an Ipsy subscriber and want to be go here:

Join Ipsy!

You won’t regret it.  Only $10 a month (includes shipping) and you get $50+ value of products in each bag.  Makes trying new and/or more expensive brands not hurt your bank account so much since you can get delux mini sizes and sometimes full sizes in your bag for only $10!