New Sample Subscription: Sample Society

Hey guys!  Sorry I haven't been around too much.  It has been crazy at work and I haven't even had lunch breaks really.  Since I usually blog on my lunch I haven't really had time to do it.  My 3 1/2 year old plays the computer for a little while every night and by the time I get home, get dinner made, eat, and then put Noah to bed I need to spend time with my hubby.  So, I apologize for being absent lately.  As soon as this month is over it will get better, I promise!  I wanted to stop by and make a quick post you all didn't think I just disappeared.  I will be back....promise!  In the meantime, I am excited to share with you one of my newest subscription services, Beauty Bar's Sample Society.

Here's what was included in August box:

• Deborah Lippmann Nail Lacquer, Private Dancer- I'm a nail polish junkie so I was happy to receive this.  I have never tried Deborah Lippmann polish mainly because of the price.   I'm expecting this stuff to be pretty good at $18.00 a bottle.  I wish it was in another color, only because I have so much purple polish, but the color is pretty.  This sample was FULL SIZED and valued at $18.00.
• Elemental Herbology Facial Detox - Purifying Facial Mask- I love facial masks but I have to be careful because I have somewhat sensitive skin and masks have irritated my face in the past.  This stuff smells really refreshing so I'm hoping it doesn't irritate my face.  The sample value for this one is $9.20.
• Jane Iredale Longest Lash Mascara, Black Ice Deluxe Sample- I was excited to get a mascara sample!  I have never tried this brand before so I am anxious to give it a try.  The sample value for this one is $7.85.
• Phyto Phytonectar Oil Deluxe Sample- I'm kind of buried in hair oils right now so I am on the fence about this one.  I will still try it out it just might take me a while to get around to it.  Sample value for this one is $3.96.
• Arcona Cranberry Toner Deluxe Sample- I'm excited for this one because I love trying new toners but I'm hoping it's not too smelly, we all know how I feel about "smelly face".  Sample value for this one is $8.60.  
• Malin + Goetz Vitamin E Face Moisturizer- I don't mind getting moisturizer samples even though I have a billion of them but I'm not crazy about the foil packet.  It's hard to save the packet for more than one use once you open it.  Sample value is $0.45.  

The overall value for my first Sample Society box is a whopping $48.06!  I am very pleased with my box for Sample Society so for now I think this one is a keeper.

Like I said above, please bear with me as I move through this rough patch at work and I promise when it is all over I will blog more regularly.

In the meantime, check out our giveaway!

The Sample Society box was purchased by me with my own money. I am not affiliated with Beauty Bar or any of the brands listed above. I am not being paid for my reviews and all opinions are my own personal opinions.

New Subscription Service: Eco Emi!

Well, I told you that I was looking for a new subscription service to replace The Look Bag when they decided to call it quits (they have now decided to restart but that is for another post) and I think I found just the one!

Meet my very first Eco Emi box!  Now, this one is actually the June box that I purchased as an extra.  The first box I will receive as part of the subscription is August.  However, I am very impatient and I was very interested in seeing what it was all about so I purchased a June box.  

What is Eco Emi you ask?  Well, it's similar to other subscription boxes in that you get a box every month filled with samples of products.  However, it's a little different compared to the other subscription services I belong to in that it is not just filled with beauty products and it is filled with eco friendly products!  The cost is $15.00 a month and there is currently a wait list but I was not on the wait list long at all so hopefully you won't be either!  So, let's take a look and see what was inside my box.  

• Eco Tints Tinted Lip Care- This is a full size product and I love the color, perfect for my skin!  Sample value- $4.49.
• Vitacare Toothpaste in Acai- Now, I'm awfully pickly about toothpaste and I love  super minty paste so I'm not sure how I will feel about this one.  Another full size product valued at $5.99.
• Herbal Iced Calyso Mango tea by MightyLeaf Tea- I received one 1/2 gallon compostable whole leaf pouch.  I'm a tea lover so this is a definite plus for me!  Sample valued at $4.67.
• Jasmine Wind deodorantby Rainwater Botanicals- This stuff smells really good but I'm wondering how the heck I am supposed to get it on my underarms?  Am I supposed to use my fingers?  I think the sample container is a little strange but I'm going to try it.  I don't know how big the sample size is since it didn't list it on the container so I can't determine what this one is worth.
• Organic Stevia by Pyure Sweetener- I'm all for trying new sweeteners but there is no way I could judge whether I like this or not with just one packet.  Sample value- um about $.01.
• Orchard Pear and Fig body balm by Organic Indulgence- OMG!  This stuff smells heavenly!  I can't wait to try it! Sample value- This is another full size product valued at $5.95.
• Amazing Meal in pomegranate mango by Amazing Grass- I'm not sure what to think about this stuff.  I do take a multi vitamin but it is in pill format and I am not a big fan of drinking my vitamins, but I will try it.  Sample Value- $3.00.
• Organic Life Vitamins by Natural Vitality- See above statement.  Sample value- $.74.
• Energy 28 by Natural Vitality- See above statement.  Sample value- $1.04.

Total box value minus the deodorant- approximately $25.89.

So far I'm impressed by Eco Emi.  I haven't tried all the products in the box quite yet so I will reserve final judgment until later.  Before trying any products I can tell you that there were four products in this box that I was very excited to try, one that I was marginally excited to try, and three that I wasn't very excited to try.  However, out of the products that I was excited to try I LOVED them all!  I will be discussing each product in a different post but overall I think I will stick with Eco Emi for a few months and the reevaluate.

Have you tried the Eco Emi subscription?  If you have what did you think?  If you are interested you can go here to read about the box and sign up for the waiting list.

The Eco Emi box was purchased by me with my own money. I am not affiliated with Eco Emi or any of the brands listed above. I am not being paid for my reviews and all opinions are my own personal opinions.

July Look Bag- Last Look Bag

So, as I mentioned in this post I got an email from the Look Bag saying they were cancelling and if you weren't charged for one you wouldn't receive one.  I don't think I was charged for one (not that I remember) but somehow I got one anyway.  So, here it is:

Here's what came in my bag:

• 2 Bon Bon polishes: I don't know the colors, or even if they have names but they are just okay.  I haven't tried them yet but seeing these little guys make me think of something you would give a seven year old when you don't want them using your nail polish.  Not something I would expect to get in a beauty sample program. 

• Ultraflesh Mascara: I can't find much about this product anywhere.  I see something called Ultraflesh Panthera Mascara, maybe it's the same?  I'm not really sure.  Anyway, this seems to be another discontinued item and I can't find the price listed anywhere so I have no idea how much this sample is worth. I actually liked this mascara.  It went on smoothly and separated my lashed nicely.  Too bad I won't be able to find it anywhere...

• Korres Mango Butter Lipstick: The color I got was peach and I'm sure you will be shocked to know that this color is...wait for it....DISCONTINUED!  Another discontinued product?  I am not too fond of the color, peach just isn't the right shade for me.  However, this lipstick was super smooth and creamy and I would consider buying another color.  Now, I realize that a lot of bloggers do swatches on their lips.  I'm sure you're wondering why I don't do that as well?  Honestly, I'm just not that fond of my lips.  They are thin and I don't feel like they are appropriate for swatching.  So, I apologize to those of you who like to see lipstick on the lips, you'll just have to make due with my arm.

• Bremenn Miracle Cream: It will be no surprise that I can't really find this item either.  I do see something on Bremenn's website that is similar but it is a different color tube.  Another discontinued product?  Perhaps.  This stuff was okay, nothing amazing but a good moisturizer overall.  

• Betsy Johnson Perfume: I actually really loved this scent.  I didn't like the design of the sample though. I hate perfume samples that I have to put on my fingers before applying, I hate having fingers that smell like perfume.  But, this is a lovely scent and I would even consider buying it.  It looks like this one is available for half price at Walgreens right now.  

Anyway, I did enjoy some of the products that were in this last, and unexpected, Look Bag.  I decided not to review them individually because quite a few of them are actually discontinued and I really didn't see the point in devoting a whole entire post to discontinued products.  The point of a sample program, at least from my point of view, is to try things that you may want to purchase.  How can I possibly do that if I am sent discontinued items?  Anyway, I have signed up for two new sample boxes that I am going to try and then pick the best of the two but I'm keeping them a secret until they arrive.

Thanks for reading.

The LookBag was purchased by me with my own money.  I am not affiliated with The Look Store or any of the brands listed above.  I am not being paid for my reviews and all opinions are my own personal opinions. 

July Beauty Army Box!

It's Thursday!  One day closer to the weekend!  Here in Baltimore it is supposed to be a scorcher so I hope you're keeping cool wherever you are.  I know I just posted my June Beauty Army Box but I wanted to catch up and share my July box that I got this weekend.  Why are there seven items in my box?  Because the amazing folks at Beauty Army sent me an extra item to make up for the mishap in June's box which you can read about here.  In addition, after reading my previous post about how my Control Corrective was empty Beauty Army contacted me (yes, they actually read my posts- amazing) and offered me a seventh sample selection for my August box.  Seriously, I wasn't going to contact them because I didn't want to look like a big complainer but they insisted on correcting the problem.  A+ for customer service Beauty Army!  I'm hoping that the Control Corrective Pumice Wash is available for my seventh sample next month because I really did want to try it.  If not I'm sure I will find something else to try.  Anyway, on to what was inside my box this month:

• Macadamia Natural Oil's Healing Oil Treatment: I chose this because I fell in love with the Orofluido Beauty Elixr that I received in my April Look Bag and I wanted to see if this compared. Plus, the little bottle is adorable! Sample value- $9.51.
• Fiafini Divine Hydration Moisturizer: I have liked the Fiafini products I have tried in the past so I thought I would give this one a try. These products are always super gentle on my skin. Sample Value- $3.85.
• Control Corrective Firming Tri-peptide Serum: So far Control Corrective has not disappointed so I figured I had to try them all. Sample Value- $6.80.
• Freeman Beauty Vita-k Professional Spider Veins: I'm actually not a sufferer of spider veins however these were full size products so I couldn't pass them up. I'm not sure what I will do with it yet, probably give it away. Sample Value- $14.99.
• Freeman Beauty Vita-k Professional Age Spots: Same deal, full size product, couldn't pass it up, will most likely give it away. Sample Value- $14.99.
• Sex Panther Cologne: I chose this stuff mainly for the name and description, hilarious! I will give it to the hubby to try out. Sample Value- Unknown.
• Yuko Bella Shampoo: I love shampoo samples! This is actually for chemically treated hair, which mine is not, but I'm still excited to give it a try. Sample Value- Unknown.

So, without even knowing the sample value for the Sex Panther or the shampoo, my total box value was $50.14.  I'd say that's pretty good!

Thanks for reading and stay tuned to find out what I thought of these products.  Also, I have teamed up with another blogger to bring you a reader appreciation joint giveaway which I will be announcing very soon!

The BeautyArmy box was purchased by me with my own money. I am not affiliated with BeautyArmy or any of the brands listed above. I am not being paid for my reviews and all opinions are my own personal opinions.

July Birchbox!

Happy Wednesday! Today I'm sharing with you a sneak peak at my July Birchbox. This month Birchbox partnered with Glamour for a box inspired by Glamour's Five Senses of Summer issue.  If you remember, when I first announced this box I wasn't all that thrilled with the idea.  If you read my last post you will also know that I had trouble with this box as well.  

Here's a quick overview of what happened in case you didn't get a chance to read my other post.  When I checked my Birchbox profile before I received my box I was very excited because I really liked the box it said I was getting.  When the mailman showed up and I opened the package I was disappointed to see that the box I received wasn't the box that the website said I was going to get. Not only that, but the "wrong" box also included tinted moisturizer that was bronze color that I won't be able to use and an opened Larabar that I had to throw out. I contacted Birchbox via email and didn't get a response so I called them. The girl on the phone said that they sent me the right box but put the wrong one on the site. She offered to send me August's box for free. She told me she would get back to me about the Larabar. I didn't get a response back about that. I then find out that Birchbox was sending some people the "right" box in addition to letting them keep the "wrong" box (this was apparently an issue that happened to others as well and not just me). So I emailed Birchbox back again and said that it seems they are sending some people the other box in addition to offering August for free. Someone wrote me back and told me that wasn't the way they were handling it. I wrote back and told her that I wasn't going to push the issue but that I believe in treating every customer equally and in the future they should make sure to offer the same resolution to everyone. I also sent her links to where others were saying that they got the "right" box sent to them. They are apparently sending me a new Larabar. We will see how next month goes and that will be the deciding factor for me.

Anyway, on to what was included in my box:

• Jouer Luminizing Moisture Tint- Like I said, I opened this up to take a peek and noticed it was way too dark for my very pasty pale skin.  The color they sent me was Bronze.  We do fill out profiles and in my profile it says I am light skinned so I'm not sure why they sent me such a dark color.  If they had sent me a lighter color I would have been excited to try this.  I did try it on my hand but I might be brave and try it on my face and see if I can blend it enough.
• Oscar de la Renta live in love- I took a little sniff of this and it seemed pretty strong but did it grow on me?  You'll have to wait for my review to find out.
• LÄRABAR® über- This was opened so I had to throw it out.  You can see in the picture below how it arrived.  I'm waiting for a replacement so I will reserve judgment until then.

• stila It’s Go Time Lip Glaze Trio- The website says trio but I only got one.  I'm not sure if that is another error or what.  I love lip gloss though so I am excited to try this.
• Alterna BAMBOO® UV+ Color Protection Fade-Proof Fluide- At first I was a little peeved at receiving this because it says color protection and my hair is not color treated.  But, on the back it says you can use it to add shine to non-color treated hair so I will give it a try.  Plus it smells really good!
• Birchbox Exclusive Earbuds- I needed a new pair of earbuds and these are pretty cute!  I haven't tried them yet though and rumor has it they aren't so great, but I'll let you know what I think when I get a chance to try them.  

Stay tuned!  I liked their products in this box enough to give them individual attention so look out for the reviews coming shortly.  

Are you a Birchbox subscriber?  Did you have issues this month?  How did they resolve it?

The Birchbox was purchased by me with my own money.  I am not affiliated with Birchbox or any of the brands listed above.  I am not being paid for my reviews and all opinions are my own personal opinions.  

June Beauty Army Box & Subscription Woes

You may be wondering why on earth I am just now posting about my June Beauty Army Box?  Well, that's because I had a couple of issues with my June box and I wanted to see them resolved before I posted my review. 

Here's what was included in June's Box:


Atopalm Intensive Moisture Cream: This is the first problem that I had with June's box. If this product sounds familiar that is because it is familiar! I got the same product in my May Beauty Army Box and I have already reviewed it here. I also received the exact same sample in my June Look Bag. I didn't pick this item and yet somehow it ended up in my box. Now I have three samples of this stuff. Don't get me wrong, I like it enough but I don't need three samples. So, I contacted Beauty Army twice via email and didn't get a response. Then I posted on their Facebook page and sent a third email and finally got a response. They said they didn't get my first two emails. I was told the reason I got this product was because I picked something else that ended up being out of stock so it was replaced with something similar. While I understand that and don't really mind I feel like they probably should have let me know they were replacing one of my samples so I wasn't confused when I got my box. I also wish they would have tried to replace it with something I didn't already get just the previous month. They said they would give me an extra sample in my July box and I was happy with that resolution. 

 
Control Corrective Medicated Pumice Wash: This was the second problem I had with this box. I waited to try this until we went away for the weekend (last weekend) because I figured it was travel size so why not try it then. You can imagine my surprise when I went to use it last weekend and realized that the blister pack (I think that is what you call it) was COMPLETELY empty! I cut it open to see if maybe the product had dried up or something and there was absolutely NO evidence that there was ever even any product in there. I'm not sure what happened, maybe a production defect and somehow this one got sealed without getting filled? Either way, luckily I brought another facial cleanser with me as a back-up. I decided not to contact Beauty Army about this one because I didn't want to go through the hassle of emailing them again and wondering if they got my email and also because I had already contacted them about the other issue and I didn't want them to think I was trying to get a bunch of free samples.

Youngblood Mineral Primer: I choose this one because I use mineral makeup and I am always looking for a good primer. I'm happy to report that this one did not disappoint. This stuff makes my face feel like silk after applying and it provides a nice smooth base for my foundation. I was initially a little confused about the pump on this one because it doesn't have a plastic tube and nothing came out when I first tried to pump it, but after few tries I got the product to come out. You can buy the full size (1 oz) product here for $41.00. My initial reaction was that the price is a little steep but I do think this product is worth it.

Fiafini Delicate Cleansing Emulsion: I have heard a lot of good things about the Fiafini brand so I thought I would give this facial cleanser a try. It was nice and light and not too harsh. This is the second product from Fiafini I have tested and I enjoy their products. You can get the full size product (4.0 fl oz) here for $28.00.

Lucy B-Wild Jasmine: I know most people don't like perfume samples but I actually enjoy a good perfume sample. The problem with perfume samples is that everyone has such individual taste and some people may love what other people hate. That's why I only pick perfume samples if I know I might like the scent. I loved this scent! I thought it was very "summerlike", yes I like to make up my own words. You can get the full size product (3.38 fl oz) here for $48.00 which is actually a pretty good price for a good perfume.

Eyecandy Coolers: These were actually my favorite product in the box! Eyecandy says they are "reusable, chill-able, candy-colored soft gel rounds which work quickly to reduce puffiness, minimize dark circles and fine lines, relieve allergy symptoms, and instantly soothe pesky tension or stress headaches. Simply chill in the fridge or a glass of ice, and you are ready to ‘be eyecandy for the world’ in just minutes! eyecandy coolers may be safely used over and over again." These are great for those of us who suffer from migraines or stress headaches. You can get these for $12.00 a pair here. 

Subscription Woes:

I know the title of my post included "subscription woes" and that is because in the months of June/July I had more trouble with my subscription services as a whole. First there was the Beauty Army issues discussed above. Now, to give Beauty Army credit they did resolve the issue that I contacted them about and I have never had issues with them before. I am satisfied that this was an isolated incident.

I also received my July Birchbox and was disappointed to see that the box I received wasn't the box that the website said I was going to get. In the "wrong" box that I got it also included tinted moisturizer that was bronze color that I won't be able to use and an opened Larabar that I had to throw out. I contacted Birchbox via email and didn't get a response so I called them. The girl on the phone said that they sent me the right box but put the wrong one on the site. She offered to send me August's box for free. She told me she would get back to me about the Larabar. I didn't get a response back about that. I then find out that Birchbox was sending some people the "right" box in addition to letting them keep the "wrong" box (this was apparently an issue that happened to others as well and not just me). So I emailed Birchbox back again and said that it seems they are sending some people the other box in addition to offering August for free. Someone wrote me back and told me that wasn't the way they were handling it. I wrote back and told her that I wasn't going to push the issue but that I believe in treating every customer equally and in the future they should make sure to offer the same resolution to everyone. I also sent her links to where others were syaong that they got the "right" box sent to them. They are apparently sending me a new Larabar. We will see how next month goes and that will be the deciding factor for me.

Lastly, I got an email from The Look Bag on July 17th saying that they were cancelling the service (the bag was supposed to ship out on the 15th) and that if you weren't charged for the July you won't be getting it. This was TWO days after they posted on their Facebook page sneak peeks about what was in the bag and that the bags were shipping out that week. So obviously this was a very last minute decision. I found it odd that they would just quit in the middle of the month and not send people their bags. I wasn't charged for one so I figured I wasn't going to get one. So, I signed up for two new subscription boxes to see which one I like best. I will keep them a surprise for now but I think you are going to like them. Then, to my utter amazement I get my July Look Bag in the mail on Saturday! I haven't seen a charge go through yet so we will see.

Anyway, there is the short story of my subscription box woes. Hopefully things will be looking up from here and I won't have any more issues but I will keep you posted.

Thanks for reading! I will post shortly about what I actually received in my defunct July Birchbox and July Look Bag so stay tuned!

The BeautyArmy box was purchased by me with my own money. I am not affiliated with BeautyArmy or any of the brands listed above. I am not being paid for my reviews and all opinions are my own personal opinions.

June Birchbox Overview

I'm doing something a little different this month with my Birchbox products.  Instead of doing a post about each individual product I'm doing an overview post about all of the products.  The reason I am doing it this way is because I wasn't really impressed with the products in June's box so I didn't feel a need to do individual posts about each products.  So, let's get started shall we?

Apothederm™ Stretch Mark Cream

What They Say:  The lush cream tones and reduces the look of both ancient and recent stretch marks alike. Four natural moisturizers—olive oil, shea butter, cocoa butter, and meadowfoam seed oils—leave skin wondrously soft. Meanwhile, the unique SmartPeptide™ system increases collagen production, while licorice root and antioxidant-rich resveratrol fade discoloration. A dose of hyaluronic acid helps with long-lasting hydration.

My Impression: I was excited to try this but I was pretty sure that my stretch marks are far beyond any kind of repair. Most of my stretch marks are from pregnancy and that was over 3 1/2 years ago so if they haven't gone away by now I'm pretty sure they are here to stay. This product didn't do anything for my stretch marks just as I suspected. Now, I'm not sure if you have "new" stretch marks if this product would help or not. The biggest problem I saw with this product is that the full-size bottle (5.7 oz) sells for $89.95! Holy cow!

John Varvatos Star U.S.A. 1.7 oz

My husband did a review of this product since it was for him and you can find it here.  I loved the smell of this stuff and I am planning on purchasing it for my husband mainly because I know he never spends money on himself so I'm going to spend it for him!

Scalisi Skincare Anti-Aging Moisturizer Broad Spectrum SPF 30

What They Say:  This moisturizer uses innovative peptide technology you won’t find anywhere else—it tricks your skin into thinking a wrinkle is a cut so collagen production increases to “heal” the wrinkle. Genius, right? Add White Tea Extract for radiance and soy proteins rich in amino acids to boost cell regeneration, and you’ve got yourself an anti-aging powerhouse. Plus, it meets skin cancer prevention standards set by the FDA.

My Impression: I liked that this product included an SPF which is a necessity for any moisturizer I put on my face. The texture of this product reminded me a lot of sunscreen however it wasn't greasy when applied to my face which is a plus.  I have been using this pro a couple of weeks off an on and I haven't noticed any remarkable changes in my skin and the fine lines under my eyes.  Maybe they aren't deep enough?  I'm not sure.  Again, the price of this product, $110.00 for a 1.7 oz, blew me away!  I love that Birchbox sends out some luxury brands but in order for me to pay that much for something it better work miracles!

theBalm® cosmetics Stainiac

What They Say:  The tinted gel leaves a lasting stain on lips and cheeks. Since it’s water-based, it has a longer setting time than most quick-dry stains, which means it won’t leave any unsightly streaks behind as long as you take care to blend well. Use a single coat for a subtle look or layer it on for a more visible (yet still discreet) hue.

My Impression:  I was excited to try this product because I have heard a lot about the Balm products but I have never actually tried them.  This was one of my favorite products in the June Birchbox hands down.  I love a good lip stain and this one delivered all it promised!  It sinks right into the skin and doesn't leave any kind of residue behind.  It also stayed put for several hours.  If I were to choose I would have chosen a different color like "Homecoming Queen" that has a more brown hue to it but overall I was pleased.  The best part is that at $17.00 for .3 fl oz this product is much more affordable.  

CleanWell Hand Sanitizing Wipes

What They Say:  These alcohol-free wipes use thyme oil, a natural anti-bacterial, plus super hydrating aloe vera.

My Impression:  I don't really have much to say about these other than they seems to work well and they smelled clean and fresh.  These might be good to carry around especially if you have a little one.

BAND-AID® Brand Adhesive Bandages by Cynthia Rowley

What They Say:  These sterile, individually sealed designer bandages will help you stay prepared for any emergencies that may arise. Keep a few in your purse for the next time you get a paper cut, or use them to cover up stiletto-induced blisters on your feet. Unlike traditional beige bandages, you won’t mind showing these little guys off.

My Impression:  The idea of fashion band-aids never appealed to me.  I hardly ever have a need for a band-aid and I'm really not worried about whether or not my band-aid is fashionable if I ever do need one.  Plus, I think these are a little pricey at $11.00 for a 40 ct box.

Well, there it is, my "just okay" June Birchbox.  I'm hoping and praying that my July box is better!

The Birchbox was purchased by me with my own money.  I am not affiliated with Birchbox or any of the brands listed above.  I am not being paid for my reviews and all opinions are my own personal opinions.  

June Look Bag!

Good morning!  I've been crazy busy the last few days and I almost forgot to share my June Look Bag with you!

Here's what I got in this month's bag:

• Atopalm Intensive Moisturizing Cream: I have already done a review on this, you can find it here.  
• Snowberry Intensive Renewal Face Serum: Another anti-aging product, seriously!  I'm excited to try this one though because I have never heard of Snowberry before.
• Too Faced - Sparkler Glamour Gloss "Pink Bling":  I'm excited to get some makeup in my Look Bag!  I have heard of Too Faced but have never actually tried this product.  The only thing that kind of irks me is that this product appears to be discontinued.  It seems you can get it from other places but it's not on Too Faced's website anymore.  This is the second time I have received a discontinued product from Look Bag.
• Korres Eyeshadow in Pink: This is a pretty dark pink for me but I love eyeshadow so I will give it a try.  I believe this one is also a discontinued item.  Seriously?
• Prescriptives Lip and Eye Pencil Sharpener: I usually use cream liner or use my mineral shadows as eyeliner so I don't really have a need for this.  I'm not exactly sure what I'm going to do with it yet.  

What are my feelings about this month's bag?  I'm not really sure.  I like some of the items I received but it slightly annoys me that they continue to give discontinued items.  It also annoys me that they do not have all of the products they send out on their website so I have to go to other places to find out about the products. I'm not giving up on Look Bag quite yet, we will see what they provide next month. Do you subscribe to the Look Bag?  Were you happy with your bag this month?

Don't forget to enter our giveaway (look to the right on the sidebar).

The LookBag was purchased by me with my own money.  I am not affiliated with The Look Store or any of the brands listed above.  I am not being paid for my reviews and all opinions are my own personal opinions. 

Product Review: KLUTCHclub Box

Good morning!  Today I'm excited to bring you a review of another sample box program.  I know what you're thinking- this girl is obsessed with sample boxes- well, you are correct, I am obsessed with sample boxes but this one is a little different.  Usually you see me reviewing beauty sample boxes but the KLUTCHclub box is different.  KLUTCHclub is a subscription company that delivers health, wellness, and fitness products right to your door.

What They Say:  We all want to stay healthy! But it can be hard to find the smartest snack choices on-the-go, carve out time to work out, and determine things like if there’s lead in your lipstick or formaldehyde in your haircare products (seriously!). Who – in today’s crazy world – can keep up with all of that? Now, no matter how busy or stressful your lifestyle, KLUTCHclub makes it easy.KLUTCHclub is a new monthly subscription service that sends a curated and “themed” box of holistic health, fitness and wellness products right to your doorstep every month, making it a no brainer to incorporate healthier choices with ease. You’ll learn about new, niche brands and products that suit your lifestyle, and also get access to exclusive deals and offers from companies that share your values. The best part is that each box is full of $50+ of products, but only costs $16 a month for a full year subscription, $17 a month for a three month subscription, or $18 a month for a one month subscription! 

What Was Included in My Box: 

Hydroxatone’s Instant Effect 90 Second Wrinkle Reducer- When I saw this I thought for sure it had to be a sample size but upon surfing the net I see that the .33 fl oz bottle is actually a full size product that retails for around $70! I have been using this product for a couple of days now and I am amazed at the results. This is by far the best wrinkle reducing product I have ever used. Now, this is not an organic product nor does it claim to be so keep that in mind if you are concerned about the ingredients. With that being said, if you have some fine lines under your eyes like me this product works amazing well at smoothing them out. You can find this product a little bit cheaper if you shop around a bit. You can check out the product description here.

ONE coconut water- I'm not usually a fan of coconut flavors (unless it's rum!) and this product was no exception. I wish I could say I liked it but I just wasn't a fan of the taste. Coconut water has a lot of health benefits so if you like the taste of coconut water then you might want to check out this product here.

Two $25 Off Coupons to Moving Comfort- If you're looking for some fitness duds you can check out Moving Comfort's website for things like sports bras, capris, pants, accessories, and other fitness apparel. The Prices are reasonable but I wasn't able to find a size chart or fitting guidelines other than for the sports bras. Other than that the prices are reasonable and the clothes seem like nice quality. The coupon is a good deal and I will definitely be taking advantage.

Coupon for a free download (up to $10) from Yoga Download- I think this a great value because you can get up to a 60 minute class that you can use several times until you get bored and want to try something new.

Two Think Thin bars- Think Thin's website says that their bars have 60% less sugar and 2x more protein than other fruit and nut bars. These were pretty good compared to most other protein bars I have tried but they still had the distinct taste of a protein bar. I liked them but I do Weight Watchers and the points plus were a little high on one of these to use it as a snack.

A KLUTCHclub water bottle- A pretty decent size water bottle.

Overall I was very pleased with the KLUTCHclub box. It is worth the $17 monthly charge for sure and if you want to try a sample box that contains health and lifestyle products this is definitely the way to go. If you're interested in signing up or seeing what's included in the July box you can check it out here.

Thanks for reading and it haven't already done so please check out our current giveaway (look to the right sidebar) and enter to win!!

Disclaimer: The KLUTCHclub box was provided to me free of charge for my review. I am not affiliated with the company nor was I paid for my review. All opinions are my own honest personal opinions.

Product Review: Atopalm Intensive Moisturizing Cream

Today I'm bringing you yet another product I received in my May Beauty Army Box: Atopalm Intensive Moisturizing Cream.

What They Say:  Atopalm Intensive Moisturizing Cream is a unique, paraben-free facial and body cream for sensitive skin and dry skin, created with Atopalm’s patented MLE technology. It contains plant-derived ingredients which mimic the structure of the natural skin lipids, thereby aiding their replenishment in the stratum corneum. This dry or sensitive skin cream helps to restore the skins’ protective moisture barrier, leading to softer skin. Our sensitive and dry skin cream for face and body also helps prevent the over-evaporation of the skins’ own moisture and protects the entire face from environmental stresses.Finally, this lush facial cream for sensitive skin and dry skin aids in restoring the natural lipids lost from the skin barrier which are depleted by harsh skin treatments, making it perfect for use after microdermabrasion. Intensive Moisturizing Cream leaves the skin feeling soft and supple. Sensitive skin creams are perfect for dry skin, damaged skin, and sensitive skin. While this moisturizing sensitive skin cream is great for the face, it’s also ideal for the rest of your body including your elbows and knees. If you’re looking for a body or facial cream for sensitive skin or dry skin, try Atopalm’s Intensive Moisturizing Cream today – the best moisturizer for dry skin.

My Impression:  If you're looking for a light non-irritating but super moisturizing cream then this one is for you.  It doesn't have a smell to it, not that I could detect anyway.  I don't really have any rough patches anywhere so I really couldn't test whether or not it helped with rough patches.  I think this would be a good moisturizer for dry skin during the winter.  I also think this would be a perfect moisturizer for men as well because it doesn't have a strong scent.  Overall I would recommend this product for someone with dry or sensitive skin, especially for use during those winter months when our skin tends to dry out the most.  You can purchase this product at Atopalm's website for $30.00 for a 3.4 oz tub.  

Thanks for reading and stay tuned because tomorrow we will be having a giveaway!  Also, don't forget to follow us on Twitter and Facebook!

The BeautyArmy box was purchased by me with my own money.  I am not affiliated with BeautyArmy or Atopalm.  I am not being paid for my reviews and all opinions are my own personal opinions. 

Product Review: Summer Soap Box from Fortune Cookie Soap

Happy Monday!  Today is a gloomy rainy day here in Maryland but hopefully today's post will cheer you up!  Today I'm reviewing the Summer Soap Box by Fortune Cookie Soap!  I was so excited to get this box and even more excited when I opened it up and took a look inside.  I have had some time to use all of the products so now it's time for my review.

1oz. Body Wash in Road Trip: First, before I get to reviewing the actual product I have to talk about the plastic bottle this product and another one came in. It was impossible for me to squeeze this bottle! It was hard as a rock and there was no way I was getting any product out via squeezing the bottle. I had to un-screw the top and use the product that way. No biggie and certainly not a reflection on the product inside but definitely something that FCS should consider for future sample boxes. Anyway, on to the product--I thought the scent "Road Trip" was a fresh, clean, and "summary" scent. It had a very light lemon scent and the body wash itself was very light and gentle. None of the summer products have launched on the website as of yet so I'm not 100% positive of the price or size of this one but it looks like all of their other body washes come in three different options: 8 oz for $3.00, Sulfate Free 4oz for $4.99, and Sulfate Free 8oz for $6.99.

1oz. OCD in Summer Sweet Tea: I use hand sanitizer often, especially at work, so I was excited to see this product. Again, this was another product in the bottle that was impossible to squeeze but I just opened the lid and used it that way. This size is perfect for carrying around in your purse and I still have a ton of it left. It's not sticky like some hand sanitizers and the scent is exactly as described, sweet tea! It looks like FCS' hand sanitizers sell for $2.89 for a 1oz bottle and you can get it with or without glitter.

Mini Mister of Sparkle Me! in Beach Bunny:  This was one of my absolute favorite products that came in the Summer Soap Box!  The smell "Beach Bunny" is divine and is a perfect summer scent of coconut.  The sparkle is very light but just enough to give your skin a nice glow.  I couldn't get any pictures of the sparkle on my skin because my camera couldn't pick it up but I assure you that it is a very light sparkle.  I love the Beach Bunny scent and I am definitely looking forward to the summer line and I'm hoping that there will be many more products in this scent.  This is a totally new product for FCS so I have no idea what it will cost or what sizes will be available.

Fortune Cookie Soap in Sand Dollar:  This is the first thing I smelled when I opened the box for the very first time.  This has a very prominent peach scent to it.  I loved the scent and I'm still using this one as it seems to last forever!  The only thing I wasn't crazy about was what I assume are poppy seeds inside the soap.  I kept finding these little black things on my shower floor and on my towel and wondering what the heck they were.  I looked on their site and they have tons of different Fortune Cookie Soaps to choose from.  You can check out the variety of scents here.  I think these would make really cute party favors!  Looks like Fortune Cookie Soaps sell for $2.99 and up depending on the scent.

Hydrate Me! Body Conditioning Bar in Pool Party:  This was another product that I absolutely fell in love with!  It smells amazing and leaves your skin feeling nice and smooth.  Now, I must say that I wasn't exactly sure how to use this bar so I guessed.  I used it on wet skin after washing but before stepping out of the shower.  I have no idea if that is right but it worked just fine.  I can't even describe the actual scent of this one except to say it smells "yummy"!  This is another totally new product for FCS so I have no idea on the price.   

Solid Sugar Scrub, Sugar Fix, in Sugar Britches:  Again, I wasn't sure how to use this product so I just guessed.  I broke a little off and used it to scrub my body while in the shower.  I thought this would crumble the minute I tried to break a piece off but it didn't, it held together pretty well.  I loved the scent on this one as well. This is another totally new product for FCS so I have no idea on the price.

Flip Flop shaped Bath Bomb in Private Beach:  This is another one that I can't quite describe the smell.  It has a sweet smell that reminds you of summer for sure!  You could probably get more than one use out of one of these but I have a huge garden tub so I used the whole thing.  It made my bath water smell yummy and my skin feel nice and smooth.  I'm not sure how much this particular bath bomb will cost but looks like they start at $4.35 and go up to $9.99.

1oz. Dry Shampoo in Wish You Were Here:  I have been hearing a lot about dry shampoos lately but I had never tried one.  The idea just never appealed to me.  But, in the interest of trying everything in the box I did give it a try.  The shampoo smells amazing and it made my hair smell really nice too but I just didn't like the way it made my hair feel.  My hair is very dark and I felt like no matter how hard I tried I could still see some of the product in my hair.  I'm pretty sure it isn't the product but just dry shampoo in general.  Now at least I can say I tried it but I don't think it is for me.  This is another brand new product so I have no idea on size or price.

1oz. Whipped Cream in Pinky Swear:  I saved the best for last folks! This stuff smelled good enough to eat, seriously!  Don't worry, I didn't actually eat it but I did smell my arm frequently throughout the day.  I put this on wet skin after getting out of the shower and I can tell you not only did it smell amazing but it made my skin nice and smooth as well.  This was one of my favorite scents along with Beach Bunny.  As soon as the summer products launch I will be loading up on those two scents.

I am very happy that I decided to sign up for the Soap Box and  I can't wait to see what the Fall Soap Box is going to include.  I'm looking forward to some yummy fall-like scents.  In the meantime, you HAVE to go over to their website and check out their products and be on the lookout for the summer line as well as the sign up for the Fall box!  

The Summer Soap Box was purchased by me with my own money.  I am not affiliated with Fortune Cookie Soap.  I am not being paid for my reviews and all opinions are my own personal opinions.  

Product Review: Cover FX ClearPrep FX

Happy Thursday!  Today I'm bringing you a review on another product I got in my May Beauty Army Box: Cover FX ClearPrep FX.  I picked this product because I am currently using bareMinerals Prime Time Foundation Primer but I'm always up for trying another primer, especially if it claims to be an acne treatment gel.  Seriously, in my teens I never had a problem with acne but now that I'm in my thirties I break out a lot more!    

What They Say:

WHAT DOES IT DO?

• It is an “anti-shine” primer
• Minimizes the appearance of fine lines and pores, facilitates blending and extends wear
• Helps prevent and heal acne blemishes

SKIN TYPES- Teens, Men and Women with:

• All skin types prone to acne breakouts
• Oily, Oily-acneic
• Sensitive skin (paraben free, oil free, fragrance free)

SUGGESTED USAGE

• Prepare the skin using Clean FX.
• Using clean fingers or foundation brush, apply a small amount of ClearPrep FX onto the face. 
• Use alone as a treatment or under desired foundation texture.

Source.

My Impression:  I have been using this product for a couple of weeks now.  Yes, the sample has lasted that long!  You only need a pea sized amount each time you use it so a little goes a long way.  The texture and color of the primer is exactly the same as my regular primer so no differences there.  I haven't really noticed a difference as far as my acne (which only happens certain times of the month anyway) so I can't really say for sure whether this product treats acne or not.  As far as how the product wears, I have noticed that my foundation stays set for longer with this primer versus my other primer.  The full size of this product is $39.00 for 1oz versus $23.00 for 1 oz of the Prime Time.  So, I guess it really comes down to are you willing to pay the extra $16.00 for a little more wear time.  I'm on the fence with this one, what do you think?

Thanks for reading and don't forget to follow us on Twitter and Facebook!

The BeautyArmy box was purchased by me with my own money.  I am not affiliated with BeautyArmy or Cover FX.  I am not being paid for my reviews and all opinions are my own personal opinions.