The first commitment I made besides this blog was making cabbage rolls with my Grandma. The old "We should get together and do that sometime", I am famous for that, then never follow through. Not because I don't genuinely want to, its just that another day comes and goes and things are left undone. This year is going to be different. I'm going to take more risks in life, go places without a plan, make plans to do new things and see and experience the world! or, just make some damn tasty cabbage rolls.
Second..The Luxe Box. Seems like a tiny tiptoe towards my goal of trying to be more of a risk taker but this is seriously big for me. Potentially wasting money on products I have never tried, read a million reviews on first or seen with my own eyes...What the What...who is this girl in the mirror?
The Luxe Box is a seasonal box subscriptions where you receive a box with 7-8 trial size beauty and lifestyle items. It is available at Loosebuttons.com and can be purchased for various prices dependent on how long you subscribe. Daring me chose the one time subscription for $26.00 plus tax with free shipping to my quaint Canadian doorstep (post office box). The other subscriptions are $50.00 semi annually and $96.00 for the 4 yearly boxes. I had the opportunity to upgrade in order to know exactly what I would be receiving in my box for an additional $7.00. There were 2 options which looked lovely but since these Deluxe Boxes would defeat all purpose to my new found risk taking behaviour, I chose to go in blindfolded. They ask you to complete an online profile to determine skin type and shade etc. I also took that opportunity to email Loosebuttons to request a no fragrance box. I wouldn't say I am allergic to perfume but I specifically would only choose natural scents to wear like coconut or vanilla thus would not use any perfume samples I receive.
My first impression of this box is that it is lovely quality, specifically the box the product comes in. I know its just a box but I was really impressed. An "I would put a nice gift in this for a birthday present" kinda nice (yes Jenelle, this will be your birthday gift box). All the products come in a little silky gunny sack which I see little use for besides storing or gifting all the products I will never use from this box subscription, ha.
From reading other Luxe Box reviews, it appears that people receive different products in their boxes "based on their personal profiles". If I could have chose the products I received from what was available to others, I would not have chosen this box. There were a couple stars which I will mention below.
So Susan Universal Blush
This was truly the star of my box. When I first saw the cheap pink plastic packaging and sparkly hue I was immediately disappointed. "Yuck, I won't ever wear this crap" was the first thought that came to mind. I swatched it on the back of hand and was still disappointed at the light iridescent quality. The next day I thought I would give this a go on my face and instantly fell in love. It is reminiscent of the hourglass blushes in terms of sheen and a lit from within glow. The color was perfect on me, not too coral or pink. I have heard others say it reminds them of Nar Orgasm which I am not a fan of so I was surprised that was even mentioned. I would not pay $26.00 for this blush from the packaging alone but once applied, I felt as though it covered the cost of this entire luxe box for me. Keeping in mind my love of blush in general. Score 1 for Luxe Box!
Crabtree and Evelyn Nail Laquer
Opaque pink and spring go hand in hand so I was quite happy with this. I am a weirdo and can't stand the feeling of nail polish on my fingers. I wear polish on my toes regularly but feel claustrophobic with my nails covered up. I am trying to combat this by painting one single nails at a time until I can at least stand 1 hand of polish. I painted 1 single nail and it is chipping quite a bit 4 days later. I did not use base or top coat which would have likely been helpful for longevity. This polish is only $6.00 retail so I didn't really expect more. I do not buy polishes very often so I was pleased with the wearability of this colour.
The remaining products I will talk about it a lump summary as they were just not for me.
Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid, Paula's Choice KP Treatment Cloths are products I will not use so those I cannot even talk about. I do not have KP so no reason for these and I am sensitize to salicylic acid so I don't want to burn my skin off.
Buxom Show Some Skin Foundation was a sample pack of foundations which seems more like a package sample from a makeup counter. I feel that these should just include deluxe sample sizes as I am a paying customer. I put this on, it looked all dry and patchy, then my face started itching, so it immediately came off, I will give the other sample packs away as it does not appear that I will be
Will I continue my subscription to Luxe Box....I don't know. I was not overwhelmed by the value of the contents of this box in general. I did like that the brands were reputable and I tried a couple things I normally would not have tried, venturing "out of the box" so to speak. I think in this area, I prefer to research things I might like to try through product reviews, get my samples either free or purchased and then carefully choose the products I want to add to my collection. For me, It's a better use of $30. Sometimes it pays to be 'Vanilla". Who knows what I might try next?
What is in my shopping cart? Estee Lauder EE Cream Medium vs Bare Minerals Complexion Rescue, I am still on the fence. Which one should I buy?
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