Beauty Army - December 2013 Shipment

It's been a while since I've ordered a Beauty Army shipment (www.beautyarmy.com; $12).  It's not that I don't like their service, it's just that I receive a lot of beauty product sampling subscriptions and the variety of samples offered to me by Beauty Army based on my profile, just haven't been items on my wishlist.  This month, the offering featured something new so here is some insight into what I received. Unlike previous shipments, this month's box was white with the same pink camouflage lining and came with a "Happy Holidays" banner around it.

In my December shipment, I received 3 deluxe samples and one full size kit as follows:

Emani - Foundation Primer & Hydrating Serum - Sample; Full size 0.84 oz./$28 - Velvety in texture, it absorbs excess oils and minimizes the appearance of pores. Hydrating Primer Serum contains 10 different organic extracts to aid and prep your skin for an ultimate foundation application. It deeply nourishes, moisturizes, and softens the skin, creating a soft, luminous effect.  I had received this before but it was damaged in shipping so they sent a replacement.  How nice was that?

Skin Type: All skin types

For Best Results: Apply Primer Serum before powder based foundation. Use with moisturizer or in replacement of.

Includes:
• Ginkgo Biloba Extract, promotes microcirculation
• Chamomile & Witch Hazel extracts for calming of the skin
• Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice for added moisture and hydration

Yes to Blueberries - Age Refresh Eye Firming Treatment - Sample: 0.1 fl oz./3 ml; Full size 0.5 fl. oz./15 ml/$19.99 - Formulated with Paracress Flower to Help Reduce the Appearance of Fine Lines and Wrinkles

• Paraben-free
• 95% Natural Product
• Free of Petroleum and SLS
• Paraben-free, naturally!
• Cruelty Free

Yes to Blueberries™ formulations naturally blend anti-oxidant rich fruits with special ingredients to help fight the signs off aging.  The collection features products that help improve skin firmness, protect skin, diminish fine lines and wrinkles, and nourish age-damaged skin.  use the entire collection for a recipe of youth-enhancing goodness!

Blueberries
Rich in Anti-oxidants such as Vitamin C and Anthocyanins to help fight the formulation of free radicals that can damage the skin's microstructure.

Paracress FlowerHelps firm and rehydrate and delicate skin around the eye to help reduce the appearance of fine lines and crow's feet.

BeeswaxProvides hydration, soothing and healing of age-damaged skin and promote the retention of moisture in the skin.

Olive Fruit OilRich in Oleic Acid to help regenerate skin cells and attract moisture to the skin.

The Power of Yes
Yes to™ Health.  Yes to organic fruits and veggies.  yes to caring as much about what you put on your body as what you put in it.  Yes to the benefits of anti-oxidants.  yes to being low maintenance and highly fabulous.  Yes to happiness.  Yes to you!  Join the Yes to movement at yestocarrots.com

Yes to™ Seed Fund  |  Seeds of Change
A portion of proceeds from every Yes To product goes toward the Yes to Seed Fund -- giving kids fun and engaging ways to connect with Mother Nature and teaching them to lead healthier lifestyles.

Mixed Sources
Product group from well-managed forests and other controlled sources

Macadamia Natural Oil - Deep Repair Masque - Sample size 0.5 fl. oz/15 ml; Full size 8.5 fl. oz./250 ml/$32 - Macadamia Natural Oil™

Tea Tree and chamomile oils along with aloe and algae extracts combine with our Macadamia and 

Argan oils to produce miracle-like hair rejuvenation.

Acquarella - Detox Bootcamp for your Nails - Polish Remover - Full size: 4 fl. oz./118 ml; Watercolor Conditioner - Full size: 0.42 fl. oz./12.5 ml; Includes full size black buffer, colored buffer and orange stick; Full set: $26 - Detoxify your nails from harmful, harsh ingredients and discover Acquarella's amazing water based nail system.

 

Kit includes:

- 3 Way File Shaped Buffer for better surface preparation of the nail
- Ultra Buffer (Pink/Purple) promotes better adhesion of Acquarella Nail Polish
- Cuticle Stick great for gentle removal of polish, pushback of cuticles and cleaning
- Conditioner to help strengthen and moisturize nails
- Remover to leave your nails squeaky clean and ready for application

Overall rating: Booyah!  This was a great shipment.  It was nice of the Beauty Army Troops to send me replacement items for a previously damaged shipment.  Additionally, paying $12 for a full-sized kit that retails for $26 is a great deal! I hope Beauty Army continues to offer deals like this in the future.

Have you tried any of these products?  What are your thoughts?

I hope you found this blog post useful and that you'll subscribe.  I welcome your comments and feedback and thank you for stopping by.

GLOSSYBOX - Refinery29 Holiday Chic Beauty Box - December 2012

For December, in addition to the regular GLOSSYBOX, there was a special edition Holiday Chic Beauty Box which was curated by Refinery29 ($45; www.refinery29.com).  The insert card reads, "'Tis the season to sparkle, and we hope this limited-edition GLOSSYBOX helps you do just that.  As part of Refinery29's Tinseltown, we chose some of our favorite brands and products to give you that extra-special holiday shine well into the New Year (think flawless skin, gorgeous hair, and a glowing complexion).  From all of us at GLOSSYBOX and Refinery29, please enjoy this special gift set -- we know you'll wear it well."

The contents of this shipment were as follows:

Booty Parlor - Flirty Little Secret Perfume - Full size: 0.33 fl oz./10 ml/$22 - Petite, portable, and packed with pheromones, this long-lasting perfume oil will stimulate your senses with an intoxicating blend of plum, raspberry, jasmine, cedar, and sandalwood.  Roll onto your wrists and neck and see what happens.

Cult Nails - Nail Lacquer - After Glow - Full size: 0.5 fl oz/15 ml/$10 - A rich, deep copper nail shade infused with a subtle pink shimmer.  Rest assured as Cult Nail Lacquers are cruelty free and do not contain DBP, formaldehyde, toluene and camphor.  Three coats for maximum opacity.

Josie Maran - Argan Color Stick - Love - Full size: 16 g/0.55 fl oz/$22 - This dual-purpose lip and cheek color provides flattering, glowing color while treating your skin with Josie Maran's signature argan oil.  Achieve a natural and long-lasting dewy finish while repairing and replenishing the skin.  Paraben- and fragrance-free.

Kelly Van Gogh - Rich & Delicious Caviar Hair Masque - Full size: 170 g/6 oz/$35 - Repair and restore overworked hair with this intense hair masque formulated with caviar oil, keratin protein, omega-rich fatty and amino acids.  This product functions like a spa keratin treatment for the hair, helping it become more manageable, shimmering.

Koh Gen Do - Cleansing Spa Water - Travel size:  3.38 fl oz/100 ml; Full size: 10.15 fl oz/$39 - Made with mineral-rich Japanese hot spring water, this best-selling spa water is infused with six essential herbs to cleanse, protect and nurture skin.  In a single sweep, it gently removes makeup and skin's toughest impurities. (2 Koh Gen Do Pure Cotton Pads were included.)

GLOSSYBOX Mag - 2013 Trend Guide Edition - A mini-magazine with brief articles on Trends, Q&A,  Talk, Editor's Picks, and Issey Miyake and Leandra Medine.

Overall rating:  Booyah!  This was a great box jam-packed with great items; most of which were full-sized.  Unlike other shipments, the contents were disclosed up front so there was no surprise as to what I was receiving.

Have you tried GLOSSYBOX?  How about Refinery29? What  are your thoughts?

POPSUGAR Must Have Box - December 2012

With 2013 right around the corner and Christmas festivities yet to come, I was eager to see what was inside my POPSUGAR December Must Have Box which arrived yesterday.  POPSUGAR'S Must Have Box costs $35 plus tax (free shipping) and it includes a variety of must have products from the worlds of beauty, fashion, fitness, food, and home.

My December Box contained the following items:

Home - Bodum Bistro Mugs - 10 oz. capacity - www.bodum.com; $30 - This pair of double-wall glass mugs are perfect to keep hot drinks hot and cold drinks cold all without messy condensation.  I definitely need to get more of these so I can serve everything from a festive punch to hot toddys.

 

Food - Tea Forté  - Variety Box - www.teaforte.com; 29.5g/1.04oz/$15 - On cold winter days/nights, I love to have a nice cup of tea.  This sampler box includes 10 silken infusers including Earl Grey, Black Currant, White Ambrosia, White Ginger Pear, Green Mango Peach, Jasmine Green, African Solstice, Chamomile Citron, Raspberry Nectar and Ginger Lemongrass.  What a great way to break in my new Bistro Mugs!

Beauty - Jabonería Marianella Soaps - Dama de la Noche - www.marianellasoap.com; 6 oz. bar/$14 - I just love shower gels and can't remember the lst time I used a bar of soap.  However, with the wonderful ingredients of anti-aging argan oil, soothing oatmeal, and cocoa butter, I couldn't wait to try this lovely, fragrant soap which is made with Goat Milk, rich in AHAs and Vitamin A.  These bars are a definite must for those looking to rejuvenate and moisturize their skin.

Fashion - Pinch Provisions Minimergency Kit -www.pinchprovisions.com; $15 - All my friends know that I always have a ton of solutions in my bag of tricks.  With the Pinch Provisions Minimergency Kit, I am more than prepared. This cute little pouch includes a bandage, safety pin, earring b acks, deodorant, nail polish remover, stain remover, clear elastics, lip balm, tampon, emery board, hair spray, clear nail polish, dental floss, a mending kit, pain releiver, double-sided tape, and breath freshener.  This makes for a perfect stocking stuffer.  Pinch Provisions also has varieties for college, men, brides and grooms, not to mention the ability to order refills.

Food - Bogdon's Peppermint Poles; 2.6 oz. - www.bogdonschocolates.com; $3.99 - Something about the holidays and peppermint takes me back to my childhood.  These handy peppermint sticks are covered in dark chocolate and can be dipped into coffee or hot cocoa or on its own.  Each stick is 17 calories so not a bad way to indulge.  Nom, nom.

Tech - GoSwype - Lips; $1.99; www.goswype.com - This handy microfiber cloth works great to clean my iPhone and my iPad.  It removes dirt, oil, fingerprints and up to 98% of germs and bacteria.  How cool is that?  It is available in 20 styles.  Check them out!

Fashion - Rent The Runway - Good for $30 off a future rental between now and 3/31/2013; www.renttherunway.com;  - A fun and economical way to wear designer clothing and add it to my wardrobe for 4 or 8 days for 10-15% of the retail price.  They also include a second size for free.  Returning costs nothing as they inlcude a pre-paid envelope.

 

Overall rating: Booyah!!!  If you have not yet tried POPSUGAR Must Have Boxes/Bags, you're truly missing out.  The value and selection of items are not to be believed!!!  The value of this box was $80 not counting the coupon code for Rent the Runway.

If you're interested in trying POPSUGAR, please click here and enter the code REFERFRIENDS for $5 off your first order.  This code is only good for new subscribers and is valid until 2/28/2013.