Beauty Box 5 Tricks Of The Trade almost made me dump them and why I reconsidered, realizing I was being a spoiled baby

 In October 2012, I came very close to cancelling my BeautyBox 5 subscription because I received this box. I'm the first to say that samplers are all about that- sampling products and finding things you just can't live without or would have never thought to try, but this one just seemed SO skeebly that I couldn't even be sure that I'd actually even gotten my $12 worth. I bet I did just barely.

When my yearly sub ran out, I should have taken advantage of the huge price break that you get for a yearly sub- only $8.25 a month. There's no way to NOT get your money's worth then! I think we've all gotten so spoiled by samplers giving us huge amounts of near free stuff that when it actually hits the financial nail pretty close we feel ripped off. If I had gotten this a few years ago, I would have been a lot happier- there are so many subscription services out there now that you really have to raise the bar to keep up. Do something unique and innovative, really follow through, really keep people's attention. 

One complaint that I've heard about BB5 is that they tend to have repeats of brands. I think that a lot of people don't realize that they are actually at the mercy of the companies providing the products. No, the sampler doesn't purchase them to then sell to us, they're given by the company to promote their product. They hope that we'll fall in love and buy more. What we're paying for is the service provided- scouting these companies out and getting these samples to us. I hear all the time "but I could get that sample at Sephora". yeah, and you'd have to buy something to get it. luckily, they seem to have really stepped up their game since this box (notice I said ALMOST cancelled- I'm still a subscriber.) 

I think what sank the presentation on this one was that 3 of the samples were flat items giving the impression of  those skeebly packette samples. In actuality, the products included in and of themselves were worthwhile items more or less, and despite the lack of flash, BB5 usually gives me a box where I can use every single item in it. 

So kvetching aside, here's what I thought of the actual products. 

Lash card 2 pack - well I'll be a monkey's uncle. They actually WORK! Isn't that what samplers are for? I would have never thought to buy these, but I'm glad I got to find out how cool they are! You place them behind your lashes while applying mascara and you magically don't get clumps, your lashes are more defined, and you don't get little eyelid dots like I tend to get. You can use them a few times before tossing them.

Furlesse elevens
Like the concept, but these are for wrinkles at the bridge of the nose between the eyes, which thankfully I don't have (yet), so these went into my mom's Christmas box.

Showstoppers ROCK! They aren't your standard double stick tape- they're made specifically for this purpose. They're very durable and don't leave an adhesive residue on your clothing. You can fix a hem, close a gap, avoid a nip slip, hide a bra strap...... Also very portable, I keep a few in my makeup bag just in case. I love these for when I realize that a button hole is loose and my shirts wants to come unbuttoned all day. I get leered at at work enough without the girls randomly whipping themselves out.... Look at all these celebs who've used Showstoppers!

City Lips lip plumper in one word? OWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW!!

No kidding, I actually came very near to tears. I asked a friend of mine to try it to see if it was just me, and apparently it isn't. I'm guessing this based on the fact that she called me a bitch and threw a sofa cushion at me. It DID plump up my lips a ton, but no thanks. I had to wash my lips with facial cleanser and then slather moisturizer on them to make them stop burning.

Luckily, the lip balm from Goat Haus Dairy came to my rescue. This is one of the best lip balms I've EVER used. I have to say, I'm honestly stunned by how good it feels on your lips. Soft, creamy, smooth, moist, nourishing..... I could go on and on with the adjectives. Goat Haus Dairy is a family operated business in Bryan, Texas. Happy, well loved free range goats are the source for their superb products (their bath melts are also divine) And you can tell they put a lot of care into making their products. Oh! And the balm smells like vanilla sugar, too! It's pretty cool to be able to look on a company's web site and see their source in action :-)

Babybees!

Margania pure Organic Argan oil is just that. Nothing but straight, organic argan oil. No fillers, no synthetics, no silicone. If you've never used argan oil do yourself a favor and get some NOW. This extremely nourishing oil is a miracle worker for skin, hair, eczema, wrinkles, scars, acne, cuticles and on and on. In your hair it makes for intense shine as well as a wonderful scalp treatment. On your skin it delivers intense vitamin E. What I like about the Margania line is that not only is it organic and pure, but it's also wildly less expensive than many other lines. 

So see? Despite my whining, I actually liked almost all of the products, I had just fallen into the trap of ridiculous sampler expectations. Plus- as you can see by my reviews of more recent BB5's, they've really upped their game.

June Beauty Box Five w/ Product Reviews & $10 Vitacost coupon

Click here to join.

$12 a month (or less if you pay for 3, 9 or 12 months at one time) You not only get your money's worth, but I love the mix of luxe brands with lesser known but still fabulous companies. I'm also a fan of how they include natural cosmetics and skincare that folks who are used to doing all of their shopping at Sephora may not be aware of. Smaller company does not mean not as good- often it's better than a lot of the big name products on the market! (For instance Everyday Minerals......) What's also great is that you get introduced to quality products that don't cost an arm and a leg- the mineral makeups and the Blum products are awesome yet also affordable- something that is a sometimes difficult to locate combo. Beauty for the discerning maiden on a budget :-)

Everyday Minerals makes handmade vegan mineral cosmetics that seriously kick Bare Essentials ass! I first heard of them 2 or 3 years ago when I started using their fabulous finely milled eyeshadows. Then I fell in love with their foundation minerals. You can even try before you buy HERE by picking out 7 different samples to figure out the best shade for you! They have 4 different foundation types available so this is the perfect way to not only find your perfect shade but also your perfect finish. Their mineral foundation is seriously way better than many of the big name brands, extremely finely milled, long lasting, buildable and with a light, natural feel that leaves you glowing. They now have a jojoba based foundation that I just MUST try. I reviewed their shadows on my blog some time back HERE

Everyday Minerals Girl Friday Blush- is a lovely, whisper light blush that's perfect for the blushaphobics out there. It gives a little extra rosiness to the cheeks without being heavy or obvious. 

Value $10.99

 I previously reviewed the Comodynes travel face wipe towelettes HERE. They specialize in travel friendly skincare options, a jet setter's dream! I am absolutely grabbing some of these the next time I take a trip to pick my face up off the floor after a long flight or drive.

New Egg has them for about $10 less than Sephora or Ulta through the link below.

Comodynes EP-24 Facial Peeling Towelettes (24 Pack) FOR A FRESH NEW FACE WITH AN EASY PEELING TOWELETTE YOUR SKIN BREATHS Eliminates dead cells, deeply cleanses pores and leaves your skin feeling soft, smooth and renewed. Purifies your skin and boosts the action of your treatment cream and self-tanning products. DOUBLE EXFOLIATION Mechanical exfoliation: its texture with detoxifying microsphere, cleanses and eliminates impurities. Biological exfoliation: lasting action, its formula contains active natural ingredients to accelerate skin renovation. NO RINSING, NO TRACES, NO FUSS Use once or twice a week, messaging gently onto dry skin, with special attention to the forehead, nose and chin areas. No need to rinse and does not leave traces. Suitable for use on body Easy peeling maximizes the results of tanning towelettes, ensuring a more even, lasting tan. Self-Tanning gives a natural colour for face and body in just 3 hours. Use of one towelette every 4 days gives great skin tone all year round. Application: Massage on dry skin, especially forehead, nose an Type: Makeup remover Scent: Unscented Color: As Shown Color Mapping: Bronze Gender: Unisex Age: Adult Form: Towel Item Count: 24

Comodynes Easy Peeling Towelette

Value $1.62

These are what is currently in my purse. I love the snap shut plastic case, normally my blotting papers get destroyed after a week or two in the purse of death and I have to put them into a ziploc bag, but this little case makes that a problem of the past. Since they don't have talc on them like so many blotting papers do, they pick up the oil without leaving any streaking on your makeup. I am so happy to discover that Blum makes these! And the price? Even Sephora's store brand tissues are twice that much.  Want to try them for free? Vitacost has the entire Blum line and if you use THIS LINK you get a $10 coupon than can be applied to shipping as well, so they'd be 100% free! 

Blum Naturals Oil Absorbing Facial Tissues

Value $4.99

I have gotten really attached to Blum products over the last year. They're safe, natural, effective and insanely inexpensive. Keep your eyes out for a Blum giveaway I'll be doing ;-) 

 I am so thrilled to have been introduced to The All Natural Face! I first sampled them through Eco Emi and the Conscious Box and fell in love, so imagine my delight to see them in a mainstream beauty box! A lot of gals are wary of mineral makeup or just plain haven't tried it, and they don't know what they're missing. Not only is it healthier for your skin, but they're also healthier for your body since your skin absorbs into your system over 60% of what you put onto it. They too have samples available, so you can try before you buy! This color is amazing, it truly looks like the rose gold used for jewelry. And foiled? WOW. The color just goes KABAAM. Very eye catching and very flattering. 

The All Natural Face Vegan Mineral Eyeshadow in Rose Gold

Value $3.50

  Blinc first impressed me with their tubing mascara, so I was really excited to try out this eyeliner. My eyes can be sensitive sometimes. When my allergies are running amock, my eyes just water and water like nobody's business- I just CANNOT keep my eyeliner from smudging. I first discovered how much of a saving grace the mascara was for allergy season, so what better time to put this stuff to the test! An eyeliner that comes off with just water and pressure but won't come off if you rub your eyes or cry or swim? WHAH? This stuff is simply- WOW. 

Blinc Eyeliner

Value $2.48

Blinc Eyeliner Blinc Eyeliner is the world’s first eyeliner invented to form an intense water-resistant layer of color on your skin that solves all of the problems associated with traditional eyeliners. However, to really understand Blinc Eyeliner, you must clear your mind of everything you know and have heard about eyeliners or inferior imitation concepts. First, it is important to know that Blinc Eyeliner is not a cosmetic paint like most liquid eyeliners, and therefore cannot act like them. This means no fading, smudging, clumping, running and most importantly, no flaking into your eyes, making it ideal for those with sensitive eyes as well as contact lens wearers. Did you know that most eyeliner sensitivities occur because of gradual flaking into the eye? Brush on Blinc Eyeliner like a traditional eyeliner. Its precision brush makes it as easy as using a pencil. After about one minute, the layer of color will set on your skin. The eyeliner is very tenacious, so you don't have to worry about it. Whether your daily activities take you from the office, to your workout and then out to dinner, Blinc Eyeliner will look as good in the evening as it did when you first applied it in the morning. No eye makeup remover required! Blinc Eyeliner only requires a combination water and slight pressure and the color layers will effortlessly slide off…you will actually see them in your hand. Keep in mind that it must be a combination of water & pressure to remove, not one or the other. Pressure alone will not do it, and water alone will not do it. However, water and pressure combined, like when you are taking a shower, will make the color layers gently slide right off, leaving no tint or residue behind. This is a lot healthier for your eyes since there is no buildup on your skin over time. And since Blinc Eyeliner does not require harmful eye makeup removers, it is also healthier for your entire eye area since you are not rubbing the part of your face that is most susceptible to wrinkling. In addition, Blinc Eyeliner does not penetrate your skin, unlike most liquid eyeliners. You will be happy to discover that only Blinc Eyeliner gives you the best of both worlds…the hold that you have always wanted and the ease-of-removal that you have always wished for. Net Weight: 0.2 oz. Ingredients: Water (Aqua), Ammonium Acrylates Copolymer, Propylene Glycol, Silica, Triethanolamine, Acrylates Copolymer, Isopropyl Alcohol, Sodium Dehydroacetate, Phenoxyethanol, Methylparaben, Propylparaben. May Contain: Iron Oxides