April 2015 Choix Unboxing And Review

Last month was my second month of the Choix subscription.  It is $20 a month and you get to select the 5 items you sample, all high end brands that I myself, have limited access to.  Tom Ford, Kevin Aucoin,Chanel,YSL,etc.....

the goodies

You also get a $10 coupon code to use towards a full size product out of the items that you sampled for the month.

Let's talk about what I selected this month.

• Nars Dual Intensity Eye Shadow in Phoebe-what's neat about Choix is they send you the sample already pressed in a little pan for you.  You can get a little palette from them to hold all your shadows in so you can take them with you or keep them all in one spot.  I actually really liked this color and it lasted forever on my lids.
• Smashbox Primer Water-I have been wanting to try this for a while but didn't love it as much as I hoped I would.  It was very refreshing but to me not worth the price tag. I also found it did nothing for my pores prior to foundation application and found it better suited for a finishing spray.
• Bobbi Brown Foundation in Cool Beige-I liked this so much that this is what I used my $10 off code on and am waiting for the full size product so I will do a full review then!  It truly is "your skin but better" foundation.  I find application best with Real Techniques Expert Face Brush!
• Chanel Illuminating Base Primer-this primer was a little too shimmery and sticky for me.  Ya know how Smashbox's original primer feels?  This is the exact opposite and again too hefty of a price tag. If you don't have crater sized pores then this would be better for you than me!
• Lastly, Bobbi Brown Under Eye Corrector in Light Bisque-I love this stuff and have written a post on it before.  In fact, I merely ordered it too be able to use the $10 off coupon on it but I fell in love with the foundation instead!! This is a miracle product that you use under your concealer to counteract the discoloration. 

Click HERE if you would like to try this monthly sub!! As you know, I LOVE surprises but since this box lets me access such amazing stuff I really was glad I tried it!!  I mean sure, you can have them pick your products for you if you want though :)

So overall this was the best box I have received from them so far but I can't blame it on Choix since I made all of my own selections.  Being the foundation and concealer junkie I am, those were where I ran into problems since color selection was hard.  They don't offer all the choices for each brand so I found myself going back and forth reading shade descriptions on Sephora's website.

What do you think?  Have you tried Choix before? Do you think you will?

Let me know in the comments below!! xo

January 2015 BarkBox Unboxing

I really can't believe I didn't post last month's BarkBox!!  It wasn't until I just went to write up the unboxing for this month that I noticed it so my sincerest apologies.

Last month there was actually an issue with the billing on our account and BarkBox was so wonderful that they sent us TWO boxes!! Shelby and Paisley lost their minds since they both got the same toy.

For the newbies to the page, everyone in the Miano household gets a monthly subscription so the pups can't be excluded.  BarkBox is a monthly dog box that is filled with treats,toys, apparel, etc., all based on your dog's weight. The box is $29 a month and is so worth it.  We get to find healthy, organic things that we might not come across and really awesome toys that aren't extremely marked up like at the stores.  If your dog loves an item, there is an easy re order code in the box that you just text to BarkBox and they charge your card on file and ship it to you!  If you don't like something, or the babes don't, you can also contact them about a replacement item!  They have STELLAR customer service.

So here is the box for January!

First, LOOK at that fuzzy adorable toy.  That is actually called a R2Pet Monster.  He squeaks and the girls love him and the fact they both have one to shake to death.  This is valued at $10.  The maker of the toy was actually left off of the card so I can't give credit where credit is due.

Our girls love fish, like their mama.  The Aussie Natural Alaskan Sockeye Strips blew their mind. They are nice and large and take Shelby (the puppy) much longer to eat than Paisley.  But sometimes I think it is survival of the fittest and that is why Paisley inhales her treats.  These are valued at $8 for a bag.

Okay so the weird looking thing in front did freak me out.  It is a "krunchie tube" which is really just a cute word for a dried trachea.  Dogs will eat any part, they are by no means picky.  We let our older dog have this instead of sharing with the puppy.  Even though the "puppy" weighs more than she does.  This is made by Butcher's Block Pet Treats and is valued at $2.

Caru Real Beef Stew.  An all natural version of an old classic.  Full of Omega's and fatty acids and deliciousness.  They loved this.  Valued at $6.

And last up for this month are Max and Ruffy's Blizzard Bites.  These are molasses and ginger treats and they actually smell really good.  I think Shelby liked these more than Paisley did so they surely won't go wasted on us.  These are valued at $5 for a bag.

This month's value was $31 which is actually fairly low based on previous month boxes.  However, from my POV, we got 2 boxes so we really did well this month!!  I will have this month's box up shortly, the toy they got this month I can't get Shelby to put down!!

The other thing I admire about this company is that 10% of every box sold goes to dogs in need.  This includes rescues, shelters, military dog organizations, search and rescue teams, low cost spay and neuter programs and many many more.

Click HERE to sign up for BarkBox and SPOIL your babies more than you already do!!

This post is sponsored by baby Shelby and her big sister Paisley.

If you sign up, let us know in the comments that you did!!

Have a great day!! xo

February 2015 BoxyCharm Unboxing

Sorry for the late posting loves!! I have had so many things going on lately but I am excited to share this month's BoxyCharm with you. If you are on the fence about getting this monthly subscription, DO IT!!!  I still can't get over the value of the full size products you get for $21 a month.  This box is different in that we all get the same box (no profile to fill out with preferences) but so far I have been pleased with every box.  I cancelled GlossyBox for this box only because I was getting enough skin care with BirchBox and wanted more makeup.  Also this box is all full size products.  LOVE.

February 2015 BoxyCharm

Let's get to it!!

• First item I gave a sneak peek for last month.  NCLA jar of hearts nail decor, "Heart Attack".  I love nail polish!! I haven't yet had the chance to do a mani with these lovely heart decals but I can't wait to share when I do.  I've received nail wraps from this brand before and really wasn't too impressed so I am hoping the polish is better.  $16 value.
• Jing Ai Velvet Shine Lip Jewel in "Pink A Boo".  This is a smooth large lip crayon that never needs to be sharpened.  It is made with macadamia, shea and jojoba oil so perfect for dry,chapped winter lips.  I think the color is a universal shade.  $22 value.
• Mullein and Sparrow Mini Facial Mask-At first I loved the presentation of this mask in a jar. Then I went to use it and was not so enthused.  You need to pour the clay mixture in to your hand and mix with water.  It was pretty messy.  The mask results were nice though.  It hardened up on my face and left it very smooth and soft.  You can mix this with yogurt for a very hydrating, cleansing mask!  $15 value.
• Modern Minerals Duo Fibre Mini Round Eye Shadow Brush-You can never have enough eye makeup brushes IMO.  This brush is nice and lightweight and perfect for taking color and buffing it out into a smokey eye.  $15 value.
• Mistura Beauty Complexion Corrector-This is a pretty awesome little tube.  It is a cream to powder formula that corrects and covers things such as broken capillaries (I have them around my nose) and under eye dark circles.  It says to glide the tube under your eyes but I actually broke mine doing that so I just apply (and warm up) with my fingers. It dries to a nice matte finish under the eyes.  $36.99 value.

Total value of box is $104.99!!  Now you see what I mean about value for the cost of $21 a month. Click HERE to join me!! 

Do you already get BoxyCharm?? What did you think of this months box??

Let me know in the comments below!!

Have a great day!! xoxo