Let’s take a look at all three of my $10 subscriptions for November 2016.
Birchbox; The Finishing Touch
Birchbox arrived first as usual. The box itself is pretty, but it looks familiar, like I’ve received this pattern before.
The stuff inside – initial reactions: too much haircare as always. Although no full size, some good larger, travel size products.
- Dr. Jart Premium BB Cream SPF 50++: I have a full size tube of this self-adjusting, one size fits all BB cream, but it’s a couple of years old and needs to be tossed. Glad to get this deluxe sample size tube. Love the high SPF of this BB cream. It’s good for my dry skin, but I don’t recommend this for skin tones that are darker than light or light/medium.
- Kiehl’s Midnight Recovery Concentrate: Haven’t tried it yet, but looking forward to using it.
- Jane Iredale Just Kissed Lip & Cheek Stain, Forever Peach: I was happy to get this pretty mini because I’ve never tried Jane Iredale cosmetics. So far, I have used it as a lip balm and it’s fine. I couldn’t see myself using it on my cheeks too. It’s supposed to be self-adjusting color, but it seemed sheer on me. I must try it again and monitor it more closely.
- R+Co Cleansing Foam Conditioner: I have no idea what this is, a combo shampoo and conditioning foam? I know this wouldn’t work for me. Foams just don’t have the oomph that I need with all my coarse, thick hair. Plus I don’t like a 2-in-1 shampoo/conditioner. Goes in the haircare giveaway pile.
- Davroe Ends Repair Leave-in Treatment: More haircare, but I’ll try this one for extra care for my sometimes dry ends.
ipsy RockStarlet
A cute navy blue makeup constellation printed neoprene-type bag.
As usual, I didn’t peek at this month’s goodies till the bag arrived. Bingo!
- Luxie 524T Rose Gold Small Duo Fiber Stippling Brush, full size: I love duo fiber brushes for applying highly pigmented blush. Glad to have this. I love Luxie’s soft, synthetic brushes.
- Starlooks Liquid Rose Gold Eyeshadow: I am laughing so hard! I tried this product as soon as it arrived, and I thought this was a liquid matte lipstick! I tried it on my lips, and it was sooooo drying lol. Then I put some lip balm over it, and it was terrific. I was just looking up what I received in my ipsy bag since I’m away for the weekend and writing this post, and I was shocked to discover that this is eyeshadow! I have a similar liquid eyeshadow from Revlon, and it’s too drying for my already dry eyelids. I think this will be too drying too, but I’ll try it anyway. I think I’ll use it as lipstick over lip balm.
- Verb Ghost Oil: I am not familiar with this brand, but it looks like a nice, clear hair oil. I don’t need more hair oil, so I may give it away though I like the clean look of the packaging.
- Formula X Nail Lacquer in Huntress: I haven’t had a chance to try this amazing looking shade yet, but I love how it looks: a dark green/black polish with gold streaks. What fun!
- theBalm MadLash Mascara: I’ve never tried theBalm mascara, and I’m always up for trying a new mascara. Sorry I haven’t opened it yet so I don’t know what the brush and formula is like.
Love my ipsy bag this month! I’ll use everything except maybe the Ghost Oil, and who knows, maybe I’ll try that too because it looks so appealing. As always, well worth the $10. The Luxie brush alone costs $18.
Sephora Play Glow-Getters
I got my Sephora Play bag just before I left for Thanksgiving weekend, and I took a few of the items with me and left the rest to discover when I get home.
So what about the goodies? I’d say it was a good month!
- Cover/FX Illuminating Primer: From a brand I love, this Illuminating Primer looks great. Eager to try it.
- Sephora Collection Kiss and Gel Ultra Shine Lip Gel in Pin Up Pink: Haven’t tried it yet, but it looks adorable!
- GlamGlow Gravity Mud Firming Treatment: I usually avoid mud because it’s drying, but I’ll try this. Hoping it’s the silver mask my friend Erika demonstrated on IG recently!
- Laura Mercier Caviar Stick, rose gold: I couldn’t wait to try this deluxe travel size cream eyeshadow stick in rose gold. It’s a lovely color, perfect for me.
- Caudalie Vinosource Moisturizing Sorbet: I took this deluxe sample of anti-aging moisturizer with me this weekend. It’s as light as a feather, fragrance-free and dries quickly. I would prefer a dewy finish but I think just about everyone, especially those without super dry skin like me, will love this moisturizer.
- Maison Margiela Replica Perfume “By The Fireplace”: Finally a scent sample that’s a complete home run for me! A woody scented oriental with vanilla, guaiac wood and pink peppercorn notes that definitely smells like a warm and spicy fireplace – in a good way. Love it! If I hadn’t just bought some perfume, I would definitely go for this. In fact, sometime in the future I will. A perfect fall/winter scent for me.
The Winner
Actually, both ipsy and Sephora Play are winners for me this month based on the products I received. I’m sorry that Birchbox just doesn’t do well in a head to head contest. Just not enough makeup and too much haircare. Wish there were another full size product or two, but I am very satisfied with the brands and products this month.
If I had to pick an overall inexpensive bag winner, for me it’s still ipsy. I love that you can earn points for free products, and I think the percent off purchases featured in the monthly bags is so valuable. So as always, if you decide to subscribe to ipsy, I’d be grateful if you’d use my referral code. xoxo
Hi Allison, I also was very happy with my ipsy and Sephora play this month. I’m still chuckling over the eyeshadow,I got out my cheaters to see which it was and now I’m considering using it with a lip balm,lol. I’ll be away this week,unfortunately I have to go to a funeral. If you had any luck getting the referral link please let me know.I’ll definitely be checking in all day today but I can’t be sure about the rest of the week. Either way enjoy yours and we’ll chat soon. 🙂
Laura, I am so sorry. Please go ahead and make your Glossybox purchase. They finally told me I had to use the affiliate network, Impact Radius, which is the most un-user-friendly one there is. Although I am already a IR member, I could find Glossybox. I contacted their customer service and an agent wrote me an incomprehensible email telling me I have to apply but the way it was written (as if in a foreign language) I couldn’t figure it out at all. I emailed back again, and his answer was beyond my comprehension. I appreciate you waiting over a month to make your purchase, Laura, just for me. But I give up, and I don’t want you to be held up any longer. Thank you for your generosity! I am sorry that you are on your way to a funeral right after a nice holiday. I’m sorry for your loss. xoxo I’m glad you liked your bags this month too. Pretty silly about the eyeshadow/lipstick?
HAHA! I can’t believe you used that Starlook liquid eyeshadow as a lipstick! Oh you silly goose! LOL! That VERB hair oil is supposedly amazing, I hope you give it a try, Allison. And I love theBalm Mad Lash mascara! It gave length, held the curl and separates my lashes beautifully.
The Starlooks makes a really pretty liquid lipstick, Shireen, other than it’s so drying but with lip balm on top, it’s great. I didn’t bother reading the insert that came with the bag, and it was dark and everything is rose gold these days, so why not? LOL. I will try the Verb hair oil since you recommend it! I have so much hair oil, but I do love the look of the Verb packaging – so clean and modern. And I’m glad to hear good things about theBalm mascara. I will try it tomorrow!
Nice comparison, Allison! I definitely think that the Sephora and Ipsy boxes outdo the Birchbox selection!
Have you tried the Glamglow Firming Mask, Helen? It is amazing. It’s silver and makes me look like the Tin Man. And leaves my skin sooooo smooth.
I actually think all three boxes are pretty good!
In order of what I think of these: best Sephora, good Ipsy, fair Birchbox. I’m not big on a lot of haircare either. I was most excited to get the Laura Mercier eye crayon although I don’t remember what shade it is, I hope Rose Gold.
I hope you got the rose gold Caviar Stick too, Marcia. I’ve been wearing it everyday! And the Glamglow mask is fabulous
I love that ipsy bag!
I have to agree, the Sephora would be my favorite. That Laura Mercier stick is divine, I use it on brides and generally top it off with Viseart Neutral. And that Glam Glow mask is on my radar to try too!
I’ve been using the LM rose gold Caviar Stick every day since it arrived last week. Love it. Last night I tried the Glamglow mask, and it’s fabulous. Who doesn’t want to look like the Tin Man? And it left my skin as smooth as silk. Gotta get the full size next!
I liked this month’s Play! by Sephora box. I’ll use just about everything and there are a couple of items I plan to buy in full size.
I tried the Glamglow mask last night, and it is truly incredible. I will buy that in full size too. Who doesn’t want to look like the Tin Man?
I thought all 3 of your monthly boxes look pretty good for the money. I don’t really care for tons of hair care products either. I’m all about the makeup and skincare!
I agree, Stacie. Skincare and especially makeup are the most exciting to get in a subbie box, though I have discovered some really great haircare products through subscriptions.
For me, the Play box is the clear winner. I LOVE my LM rose gold caviar stick!
I love the Rose Gold LM Caviar Stick too. I’ve been using it everyday since it arrived!
Ipsy and Sephora for me. I agree, haircare doesn’t appeal to me when it comes to sub boxes
Yes, though I’ve discovered some great haircare products through subbie boxes, it just isn’t as exciting as getting makeup!
I subscribe to both Ipsy and Sephora Play and love them. I had Birchbox years ago, and cancelled and while some look nice, I’m still not interested in resubbing because a lot just doesn’t appeal to me anymore… even with a $10 price tag. It’s still a good deal, but Ipsy and Sephora Play are more my thing
I have found some great skincare and haircare products through Birchbox, but it is just not exciting enough compared to Sephora and Ipsy because it just doesn’t have enough makeup. Not sure why Birchbox doesn’t get the message.
For me, the winner is Sephora Play, though the brush makes Ipsy a close competitor. I love the bag in which Sephora sent the items, and there’s so much makeup!
You’re right that Sephora Play can usually be counted on to have the most makeup in their subscription. The Laura Mercier Caviar Stick was a great surprise, and a fragrance I can actually use too
I really want to try the Dr Jart sometime…just never think to look at it while I’m actually in Sephora. I love your genius idea with the liquid eyeshadow. (insert hysterical emoji). I actually think that’s brilliant and I’m going to try it as a lip highlight.
You liquid eyeshadow story made me LOL! Nice selection of items… and I know exactly how you feel when it comes to getting too many hair care stuff in these boxes!
What a dummy, right? But it looks so good as lipstick, lol 😀
I think I like your Sephora bag the best! This is the first month in about 3 years that I won’t be getting a subscription box. I cancelled all of mine for now to save some extra cash. That Starlooks gold really does look like a liquid lipstick LOL!