July 2014 POPSUGAR & New Beauty Test Tube Unboxing

It is my favorite time of month again, the beginning, as this is when all my monthly beauty subscriptions and one of my crafting subscriptions are delivered!!  I get two at the end to close out the month :)

Yesterday I received the New Beauty Test Tube and POPSUGAR Must Have Box for July.

New Beauty is delivered 6 times a year and is $29.95, it also comes with a magazine 4 times a year.  It is full of full and deluxe sized samples.  If you want to sign up, please give me your email address and I can send you an invite with a discount for money off your first purchase.  That is how I was able to sign up for a discounted price!! To be honest, I was pretty let down when I received my first one.  There were about 12 products in it and I used half and gave half away.  I decided to give them another chance and here is what I got this month.

I only received 10 products.  4 of them were full sized but usually it comes with a bag of beauty "to-go" items.  I have emailed them asking if I missed out or if no one received them.  I also did express I was upset to only have received 10 items as I thought there were usually a lot more.

Moving on to the goodies.

The first thing I got I am super excited about!! It was actually too big to even fit in the tube itself.

IT Cosmetics Heavenly Luxe Powder Brush!  This is a $48 full size brush.  Get It Here.  This brush is plush, luxurious and beautiful.  I already used it this morning.  It is worth every penny.  Compared to all of my other brushes, it is numero uno!!  I also have fallen in love with IT Cosmetics.  They really have a great line of products.

Next item, Biosilk Color Therapy Leave In Treatment.

This is also full size, valued at $12.50.  This is going to be great for my color treated hair.  Another item to add to my beauty routine that strengthens hair and protects it from environmental factors.  Plus it claims to leave hair color brighter.  Of course, I forgot to use it today after the shower so I will tomorrow :)
Get It Here.

Next is Revlon's Age Defying Wrinkle Remedy.

Full size again, valued at $13.99.  Now, I don't have wrinkles yet, but I do have fine lines as I like to think I have LIVED! And my face has a story to tell :)  I will use this on the fine lines around my eyes, as kind of a filler in prior to makeup application.  I have always liked Revlon.   Get It Here.

Now this product I thought was super cool.

Grande's Face Lift, A face lift in a tube!  Full size is $39.95.  This is a serum that instantly tightens and brightens your face.  Fills in pores and dries invisible.  I used it this morning and it was instant results!!  My pores were gone and my whole face was tighter.  A little bit goes a long way so I should get several uses out of this.  Get It Here.

Next is StriVectin-EV Get Even Brightening Serum.

My sample is 1 oz.  Full size is 1.7 ounces and is $89.00!!!!  So I have an almost full size of this bad boy. For the price, I am thinking it does wonders. I read the reviews on ULTA and they were ALL positive and everyone claims this product works and results were pretty immediate.  I am a firm believer in using good products while you are young to help with the look of aging.  That is why I use Caudalie.  I am excited to try this product out.   Get It Here.

Next product up is MELA-D Deep Cleansing Brightening Foaming Cream.

4.2 oz is $24.99 and this is .5 oz, so we will see how many uses I get out of it.  A gentle exfoliating cleanser that will brighten skin tone.  I love exfoliators.  I use them daily.  They have done wonderous things to me face and help keep it clear of blackheads! Get It Here.

Next is AMORE PACIFIC Color Control Cushion Compact.

I had gotten a similar brand in another beauty box last month and I loved it.  This is the color TAN BLUSH, which is the lightest color.  This is also probably only two uses.  The full size is $60. It comes with its own puff and goes on lightly and is full of SPF50, it has a very perfumey smell though.  It was quite over powering.  I tried it today and this afternoon my face still looks as good as it did when I put it on.  I honestly wonder if using the Face Lift played a big part in that because I still cannot see my pores :)  I do not like how small the tub is as it is hard to get the puff in with my fingers.  Get It Here.  

Now here are the things I seem to have gotten over and over and over again, at least one in each monthly beauty sub.  Granted, the Dove products and the Jergens products are great but I have so many so these will be going in the giveaway contest pile.

Overall, it was a good tube.  I wish I had gotten more makeup but I am set on skincare for awhile.  Oh, I also just got word from customer service and they did away with the Beauty To Go bag as customers said the samples were too small......interesting.  I mean I would rather have received something instead of nothing.

Now let's move on to the POPSUGAR Must Have box.  It is $39.95 monthly and again I had a coupon for my first box.  That is usually how I end up trying them, people, I am not made of money :) We have to eat sometimes.....:) 

This is my first time getting this box as I have heard such wonderful things about it.  I will not be getting it again.  It was not at all what I expected and actually was unlike ANY of the past boxes that I looked at. You will see what will be going in the giveaway contest. :)

First up is my favorite product, Ziggy Salad Servers.  $12.00.

They are awesome!  They are fun and colorful and an awesome addition to the table.  I love them!  Get Them Here.

Next is Revlon's Bold Lacquer Length & Volume Mascara. $7.99.

Available in waterproof , too.  I am excited to try this as I have the shortest lashes on the planet so could always use help in that area :)  It also came with a coupon so the coupon will go in the giveaway contest so ya'll can try it too!  Get It Here.

Up next is ACME Party Box Company, Chevron Straws. $7.00

These are fun and cute and will also be used this summer!  The back ones are grey and blue. Get Them Here.

Next up is something I have not used in years but now that I have it, who knows! :) 

TKO Jump Rope.  $13.00

Colors match my living room, too :)  Get It Here.

The next few items will be going in the giveaway contest.

Michael Stars Beach Hat.  $48.00

I mean, don't get me wrong it is a nice hat and $48!!  But it is not my style.  It is super flexible and has a cute string bow on the front.  I wish they had sent me the cowboy one! :)  Get It Here.

Dang Foods Toasted Coconut Chips. $3.00

I don't like coconut, simple as that.  Get Them Here.

Lastly, Sun Bum Sun Screen & Lotion.  $20.00

I will use the Cool Down lotion as that is always a staple in our house.  The other bottle is SPF 30 sunscreen.  I have an abundance of sunscreen :) They have a huge baby section online, too! Get It Here.

So, in closing, meh......I really wanted more makeup and I really wanted jewelry in my PS Bag.  

Hope you enjoyed the unboxing and got to learn about some new products.  That is one of the main reasons I love these subscriptions as I get the chance to try things I never would be able to if not for them!  I know Birchbox and Ipsy and Beauty Box 5 and Beauty Bar will have makeup so stay tuned!!

What did you think of your NBTT this month??

Do you normally love what you get in the PS bags?

Please let me know in the comments below if I should stick it out longer with them both.

Have a great day!!

Makeup, Glorious Makeup

Makeup. Oh how I LOVE makeup.....And what's funny is that I really only learned about techniques and colors and what my undertone was within the last year.  I've always been only a concealer under the eyes, eyeshadow and a mascara girl.  But now, after talking to my best friends and subscribing to monthly beauty subscriptions, I can't have enough of it!!

So, today, I want to talk about the monthly subs I have and let you see some of the stuff you too can get so we can all love makeup together. In the future, I also plan on comparing them and giving reviews on some of the products that I don't know how I have made it this far without!

The first one I was introduced to is Birchbox.  (Click here to join BirchBox)

This is $10 a month and you get it within the first two weeks of the month. You can personalize your subscription based on what you want to see in your box.  Once you join, you are put on a waitlist and get added within 2 weeks.

This is what I got last month.

What's nice about this one is that it always gives a listing of the products and how much a full size item would cost.  There are usually 4 regular items and an extra "lifestyle" item.  Each month after using your product, you go on their website and review it.  For each review you get 10 points and each 100 points you accumulate is equal to $10 in their online store.  The online store is full of name brand items and always includes the items that are in your box.  Plus they are always running specials where you can get a certain percentage off of your item or get freebies added to your order.  You can also get points when you refer your friends to join.  I have always loved my monthly boxes and have placed several items with the points I have received.

The next box I was introduced to is Ipsy.  (Click here to join Ipsy)

This is also $10 a month and you get it within the first two weeks of the month.  You can also personalize your subscription based on what you want to see in your box.  Once you join, you are also put on a waitlist.  Sometimes they have promotions where you can get off the waitlist immediately.

This is what I got last month.

Ipsy usually has 5-6 items in their monthly bags.  They also have a points system in place where when you review your monthly items and you get a total of 1000 points, you can redeem the points for an additional item to be added to your upcoming monthly bag.  You get 10 points for each item you review.  You also get points when you refer friends to join.

Beauty Box 5 is the next monthly subscription that I do. (Click here to join Beauty Box 5)

This box also comes within the first two weeks of the month.  The pricing is a bit different.  It is $12 a month but you can join quarterly or pay the annual price.  I joined quarterly so each box breaks down to $7.50 a month.  I wanted to test out their products plus it was the cheapest option.

This is what I got last month.

One downfall is that everyone gets the same items in each box.  Plus they do not offer a points system and you can only purchase the items online that they place in all the boxes each month.  I do not think I am going to be resubscribing once my four months are up.  They usually only send 1 extremely good product out of the 5 that come in the box. Plus since they don't have a point system or online sales, the other boxes far exceed this one.

Another box that I tried is GlossyBox.  I need to send you an actual link in order to have you join this one and get credit for it.

This is what I got last month.

This box is $21 a month and so far my absolute favorite monthly box.  This one comes at the end of the month.  There is a profile that you can fill out also so that it is tailored to your preferences.  They also have a points system where you get 20 points for each review you give on your products and when you get 1000 points, you get a free Glossybox for that month.  Plus you get referral points, too.

All of the samples are luxury brands and sometimes they give full size products.  This month included an extra $25 gift card.  They also have great customer service.

Lastly, there is New Beauty Test Tube.  This subscription is the most expensive.  It is $29.95 plus shipping every other month.  I also need to send you a an actual link for this one to get credit for it.

This is what I got in May (plus a prime photo op for my hubby and puppy).

I received 12 full size items valued at $77.  I have mixed reviews on this so far.  All of the items I received, with the exception of 4, were drugstore products that I could have bought myself.  That is why I love beauty subscriptions, as they allow me to try things that I otherwise may not be able to.  I was upset with what came in this tube but I was not alone.  The company received an overwhelming response to this tube and has since stated they will be amending the next tube.

A full size magazine is also supposed to come separately and I have yet to receive mine.  I decided that I would try the tube one more time.  If it is the same quality of products then I will not be ordering again.  I also initially tried this because I was given a code for $5 off.

I would eventually like to try PopSugar Beauty. They always have promotions going on and the products that they offer are amazing

There are an abundance of monthly beauty subscriptions out there.  It is all a matter of preference and pricing to determine which ones really work for you.  I love trying out new products and new looks.  I surely don't wear the same looks every day and with all this makeup, why would I? :)  Plus, this is something that so many of my friends and family do that it really is a lot of fun.  There are also several groups on Facebook that allow for some swapping of products so that they help you get the most out of your box each month.

What monthly beauty subscriptions do you subscribe to?

Based on what you I see do, would you recommend any other boxes for me to try?

Have a great day!

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