Monday, May 25, 2015

First Impressions: May 2015 Boxycharm

**If you are receiving this post via email, you may want to check out the actual site as the email throws off the formatting**

Boxycharm is a $21/month subscription box. You get around 5 full-size products (sometimes deluxe sample sizes) of higher-end beauty (makeup, skin care, haircare) products. Like ipsy and Birchbox, you get points for reviewing products in your box, and for referrals, that you can use to “buy” products from the Boxycharm website.

Boxycharm comes in a cardboard box (surprise!) and includes a card that details the products inside and the value of each product.

  

Here’s what I received in my May 2015 Boxycharm and my first impression of the products:

Product #1: ModelCo Bronze Shimmer Bronzing Powerder in 01 (Full-Size)

This bronzer is for the face and body. I have a ModelCo blush from my February ipsy bag and I really like it so I’m looking forward to trying out this bronzer. This bronzer is slightly orange-y and has a lot of gold shimmer in it. It’s very pigmented so use a light hand. The product feels soft and smooth so it will probably apply well.
Value: $22



Product #2: The Lip Bar Lipstick in Purple Rain (Full-Size)

The best way to describe this is that it is blue-based purple and is well, purple (as the name implies). But, it is not obnoxious. The packaging is absolutely gorgeous, it reminds me of Tim Burton movies—darkly gorgeous. This lipstick is made from natural, moisturizing ingredients (e.g., shea butter). This is a great spring/summer color—I think it can be intimidating at first but once you let yourself get used to it you might actually like such a bold color! It reminds me of a more pigmented version of Maybelline’s Rebel Bloom lipstick in 730 Orchid Ecstasy (see my review here).
Value: $20


Product #3 Bodyography Essential Brow Trio in 3595 Essential (Full-Size)

This trio includes a dark brown, medium brown and very light tan brow powder so it will work for a variety of subscribers. I like this concept instead of getting one color that doesn’t work for you (Boxycharm doesn’t tailor boxes based on your preferences). I’ve been using a brow pencil for a while so it’ll be nice to try a powder again.
Value: $19


Product #4: Bodyography Brow Brush (Full-Size)

This is a double-ended brush: You use one side to apply the brow powder (angled brush) and the other side to comb your brows out (spoolie). It’s nice to get brushes, but I wish that the brow palette and brush counted as one of the five products instead of two.
Value: $19



Product #5: Lauren B. Beauty Nail Polish in Sunset Tower (Full-Size)

It seems like nail polish is a staple in Boxycharm boxes. The is a salmon-nude color and seems fairly pigmented. It is 5 Free (no formaldehyde, DBP, toluene, formaldehyde resin or camphor). It is also cruelty free and vegan. It claims to be fast drying, chip-resistant and long-lasting—we shall see!
Value: $18

Overall Value: $98

While Boxycharm is generally worth it in terms of value (over $100 worth of product for $21), I looked back on past Boxycharms to confirm my suspicion—I’m not using what I receive in Boxycharms. I’m going to cancel Boxycharm (and Birchbox) and go back to receiving the POPSUGAR Must Have Box as I get a lot of use out of things I have received from POPSUGAR. I will point out that Must Have Box consists of “lifestyle” items (e.g., yoga towel, necklace, scarf, etc.) and beauty items so it’s not a full replacement for the beauty boxes I’m cancelling. I would just rather spend the money on a box that I know brings me joy, which is one the principles I talked about when I reviewed The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up by Marie Kondo.

What are your thoughts on Boxycharm? You can read all of my Boxycharm reviews here. If you’d like to sign-up for Boxycharm, feel free to use my referral link. At checkout enter the following code:

M3d2Q1dTT21MR1RTNWJ0KzhRWUo0Z0lWWWtoRnVrZmk0NGNOVWY0MVBHRT0=



Disclaimer: All products are purchased by me or my lovely husband unless otherwise noted in the post. All opinions are 100% honest and my own. I do not provide positive reviews for payment. Products that work for me may not necessarily work for you. This post is not sponsored.

Referral Links:
POPSUGAR:  http://popsu.gr/uXzQ  Save $5 off your first box with the code REFER5
                    at checkout enter the following code: M3d2Q1dTT21MR1RTNWJ0KzhRWUo0Z0lWWWtoRnVrZmk0NGNOVWY0MVBHRT0=

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