Amazon Beauty Box May 2016 Review

After successfully trying the Target Beauty Box, I decided to check out the Beauty Box by Amazon. Amazon launched a bunch of different sample boxes this month and the beauty box was one them. I think a bunch of the boxes have already sold out, but if you are interested, check here for available boxes. 

I'm not entirely sure how often Amazon launches these boxes, but I think I saw at least a beauty sample box last month as well. The way these Amazon boxes work is that you purchase the box (beauty box was $9.99) and 7 days after the box ships, you get the same amount in credit towards any of the brands in the box. 

Husband ordered the Sports Nutrition sample box, which works the same way. I'll post a photo of that as well, when it arrives. Here's the size of the beauty box.

The Beauty Box was basically just the shipping box, which had taken some hits, but everything inside was intact.

And here's what my beauty box had inside it. I don't know if everyone got the same items, but it did say in the description that samples will vary. Here are the items:

• L'Oreal Paris Voluminous Original Mascara, Carbon Black, 0.28 oz
• Mineral Fusion Mascara, Lengthening, Graphite, 0.06 oz
• L'Oreal Paris Brow Stylist Sculptor, 360 Brunette, 0.05 oz
• L'Oreal Paris True Match Lumi Cushion Foundation, Nude Beige, 0.06 oz
• Black 15 In 1 Miracle Hair Treatment, 1 oz
• Garnier Whole Blends Repairing Shampoo, Honey Treasures, 1.7 oz
• Garnier Whole Blends Repairing Conditioner, Honey Treasures, 1.7 oz
• Fekkai Brilliant Glossing Shampoo, Olive Oil, 0.3 oz
• Fekkai Brilliant Glossing Conditioner, 0.3 oz

I think the Beauty Box by Amazon is a good mix of everything. I will definitely be using the mascaras and I will give the Brow Stylist Sculptor a try, even though it's probably way too dark for me.

I was really excited that I got the Lumi Cushion in W3 Nude Beige, since I've been thinking of getting another Lumi Cushion in a darker shade. I have it in N2, but I feel like I need a slightly darker shade for the summer. If W3 works for me, I'll probably use my $9.99 credit on that.

I will also definitely be using all the shampoos. I'll be traveling this summer and the Garniers are perfect size for carry-on items. My hair is super-hopeless, it truly has a mind of it's own, so I'm also going to try the Black 15in1. I've yet to find a treatment that would work on my hair, but maybe this is the one. Here's to hoping it is!

All in all I'm happy with this box, especially since in the end it won't cost me anything. I'm an avid Amazon shopper and will definitely be using the credit on something.

Wishing everyone a wonderful week!

Sally Beauty Supply Bitzy - quick swatches

Sally Beauty Supply launched their Bitzy collection earlier this month. This collection replaces their Sally Girl collection, which I absolutely loved, so I decided to try some of the Bitzy items.

All the items in the Bitzy collection are $1.69 ($1.59 with the Sally Beauty Club card), so very affordable.

I purchased three of the Bitzy eyeshadows. From the left: Treasure Glitter Cream Eye Shadow, Independence Eye Shadow and Diamond Glitter Cream Eyeshadow.

Here are some quick swatches and as you can see the glitter ones are indeed very glittery!

I also really liked the blueish gray from Independence. The pink was very sheer, but probably buildable like the Sally Girl eye shadows.

Here's a size comparison to some of the Sally Girl items. 

I don't know if you can see from the photo, but I hit the pan when I swatched the Bitzy Cream Eye Shadow in Diamond :o So while the Bitzy line might appear a bit bigger, there's a rather thin layer of glitter there. Not that you'd probably need more glitter than that! :D

Have you tried the Bitzy line products? 

Which ones are your favorites?

Hope everyone is having a great week!

Target Beauty Box May 2016 Review

I got an email from Target earlier this month that their May 2016 Beauty Box was now available.
I had read about the box from other blogs, so I figured I'd give it a shot.

Target launches their Beauty Boxes once a month and in order to get one, you have to be quick, since they sell out within 12-24 hrs. I believe they launch one every first Monday of the month.

The Target Beauty Box isn't a subscription box like the Ipsy or Birchbox ones, so you have to order each one individually online, they are not sold in stores. The price per box is usually around $10, 

I believe April 2016 box was $7. The May 2016 box cost $10 and included free shipping.

The box arrived in my mailbox and basically it's just the actual beauty box wrapped in plastic. Seemed sturdy enough though, since nothing had broken in the box.

May 2016 Beauty Box included the following products:

• Andalou Age Defying Night Repair Cream
• Egyptian Magic All Purpose Skin Cream
• Laneige Water Bank Moisture Cream
• CeraVe Foaming Facial Cleanser
• L’Oréal Paris Colour Riche Lip Pen
• Burt’s Bees Facial Cleansing Oil
• Hair Food Kiwi Dry Shampoo
• L’Oreal Paris Sublime Bronze Towelettes
• Derma E Firming DMAE Moisturizer

There was also a $3 off of $15 coupon for beauty purchases online or in stores. I believe you can use this when ordering the next beauty box. 

• Egyptian Magic All Purpose Skin Cream 3ml/0.1oz
• L’Oreal Paris Sublime Bronze Self-Tanning Towelettes – Medium Natural Tan (one towelette)

These were the smallest samples, but I'll definitely use the Egyptian Magic sample. I've been wanting to try it for a while now, since I've heard good things about it. I might also try the towelette on my legs just to see what it's like. I have extremely fair skin, so I don't have high hopes :)

• Burt’s Bees Oil Basic Cleansing Facial Cleanser 29,5ml/1oz
• CeraVe Unscented Foaming Facial Cleanser 14ml/0.5oz

These are perfect travel sized items, so I'm probably going to take them with me next month when I'm traveling. The CeraVe cleanser seems more to my liking, but I'm going to give the Burt's Bees oil a chance too. I had to check the instructions for the oil online on Target.com, and apparently you "Dispense product into dry hands. Gently massage over dry face. Wet hands and gently massage product onto face. Rinse thoroughly; pat dry." 

• Derma E Firming DMAE Moisturizer 14g/0.5oz
• Laneige Water Bank Moisture Cream 20ml/0.6oz
• Andalou Naturals Resveratrol Q10 Night Repair Cream 12ml/0.4oz

I'm really excited to try the Derma E DMAE, since I've been eyeing it at Sally Beauty Supply. The Laneige moisture cream also looks promising and it's a nice sized sample too. I'll also give the Andalous sample a chance. I'll probably try it on my neck, since the packaging suggests face and neck.

• Clairol Hair Food Sulfate Free Kiwi Dry Shampoo 50g/1.7oz

I've never really cared for dry shampoos, but I'll definitely try this. It's a nice sized sample too.

• L’Oréal Paris Colour Riche La Lacque Lip Pen

This was the only makeup item and the only full-sized item in the box. I believe these came in different colors and mine is 203 Lacquerized. I have to say I probably won't use this one, the color is way too bright red for my taste. Bummer.  

All in all I did like this box, mainly because it had so much usable stuff. The lip pen was the only real disappointment, but maybe I'll give it a shot and share a photo on Instagram at some point anyways :)

Hope everyone has been having a beautiful week!