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Beauty Review: Boxes, Samples & Empties {July 2018 Edition}

July 31, 2018 by playworkrepeat Leave a Comment

Some amazing beauty finds this month, so let’s jump right in!

Sephora Play July 2018

July 2018 Sephora Play Box

Tarte Amazonian Clay 12-Hour Blush in Paaarty :: I’m a big fan of Tarte’s products, and this blush is no exception. The color is so pretty and it goes on flawlessly. I have a full-size version in the shade Exposed that I like to wear in the Fall, but Paaarty is perfect in achieving that Summer flush.

Tarte Color Splash Lipstick in Salt Lyfe :: I love how moisturizing the Rainforest of the Sea line is, and this lipstick follows suit. The color is very pretty, although possibly more of an early Fall color for me.  Wouldn’t mind picking up another one in a more pink-hued shade, possibly Sunkissed.

Biossance Squalane + Probiotic Gel Moisturizer :: Up in the air on this one. I’ve heard so much about the benefits of squalane that my expectations may have been unrealistically high. The moisturizer was well-suited for my combo-oily skin, but I didn’t get the wow factor I was (likely unrealistically) expecting.

Korres Wild Rose Vitamin C Active Brightening Oil :: Ugh, I did not want to admit this to myself, but…it appears my skin has some sensitivity to this product. I wish I could give this a good review — or any review — but it broke my skin out on every occasion in which I used it. I was so bummed – it has some great reviews out there.

Algenist GENIUS Liquid Collagen :: I was so excited this was included in this month’s Play!, and it did not disappoint. My skin felt like it had more bounce after each use. Beautiful product…and it smells divine!

Briogeo Rosarco™ Blow Dry Perfection Heat Protectant Crème :: I’m starting to think there is just no help for this hair. It’s hard to tell if this made my hair more frizzy, or if my hair is just beyond repair with this humidity. Either way, wasn’t enough for me to repurchase or recommend.

Birchbox July 2018

July 2018 Birchbox

Kiehl’s Rare Earth Deep Pore Daily Cleanser :: Nice cleanser, although I did find it to be a little rough on my skin if I used it the day after using a GloPro microneedling tool.

COOLA® Classic Moisturizer SPF 30 – Cucumber :: Loved this! Smells great, the sun protection was solid and it didn’t break me out. Great summer alternative to my usual moisturizer.

ARROW REVIVE Cooling Cheek Tint :: I had a really hard time applying this, but I’ve honestly never been much of a cheek tint/stain person.  I’ll be passing this one along.

Lise Watier HydraForce BB Cream :: Nice subtle coverage, but it made my skin a little greasy throughout the day. Might be better suited for the cooler months for skin on the oily side.

amika Velveteen Dream Smoothing Balm :: This left my hair incredibly greasy. Hard pass for me.

July 2018 Beauty Product Empties and Samples

Samples & Empties

Putting these two together this month, because there wasn’t a whole lot that I was able to empty out. Just one..very…important…item — Drunk Elephant’s Protini. I have to say, I’ve noticed a difference since this beauty has left my skincare regime. I will be purchasing this again.

Other samples I tried out this month include:

It Cosmetics Confidence in a Cream™ Transforming Moisturizing Super Cream :: I’m not sure if it’s transformative, but it was certainly a nice cream. Better for night for combo-oily skin such as mine.

Sunday Riley C.E.O. Serum :: Sunday Riley is one of my favorite brands. In fact, I religiously used Good Genes for years and would go back to it in a heartbeat! There are so many fantastic Vitamin C serums out there right now — like Drunk Elephant’s C-Firma and Maelove’s The Glow Maker — that I can’t say I’ll give C.E.O. a second look.

La Mer Moisturizing Soft Creme :: Same as the Confidence in a Cream for me, but it truly is so hard to get a feel for a product after just a couple of uses. It was certainly lovely and would work well as part of my night routine. Suppose I was just expecting fireworks with the name La Mer attached.

Fresh Black Tea Corset Cream Firming Moisturizer :: Firming, indeed…I LOVED this! Noticed a difference immediately. I’ll be picking up a full-sized version at the Sephora sale this Fall.

Lancome Rénergie Lift Multi-Action Eye :: I liked how moisturizing this eye cream was, though I’m not sure I saw enough of a benefit to spring for the full-size with plenty of other effective and budget-friendly alternatives on the market.

Farmacy Honey Potion Renewing Antioxidant Hydration Mask with Echinacea GreenEnvy :: Saved this one for last because it was so incredibly different. There is a very warm sensation when you apply this mask, and one of the few I can say really feels like it is hydrating as advertised. Once I removed the mask, my skin was positively glowing. Also going on the next Sephora sale wish list. I would definitely recommend it.

Filed Under: Beauty Tagged With: Birchbox, Makeup, Skincare

Beauty Review: Boxes, Samples & Empties {June 2018}

July 3, 2018 by playworkrepeat Leave a Comment

A quick look at the beauty subscription boxes, samples and empties from last month.

June 2018 Sephora Play Box

June 2018 Sephora Play Box

Milk Makeup Kush Mascara in Boom Black :: This is a lovely light mascara, great for those not looking for volume. My lashes almost felt moisturized — a definite bonus!

Clinique Take the Day Off Makeup Remover :: Loved this. My eyes are very sensitive, and removing eye makeup can be challenging. This was effective and painless.

Too Faced Melted Matte Liquified Long Wear Matte Lipstick in Queen B :: It’s no joke — this is MATTE, but it glides on nicely and the color is beautiful. Definitely something I’ll save for Fall.

Belif The True Cream Aqua Bomb :: I’ve been using this at night recently since I ran out of my usual nighttime moisturizer. Actually loving this for Summer PM. It’s hydrating without leaving my skin greasy. A must have in your beauty routine, especially in the cooler months ahead.

Alterna Haircare CAVIAR Anti-Aging Miracle Multiplying Volume Mist :: I have naturally curly hair, and since getting this product, we’ve had some very humid days. Does this work? I’m not sure yet. I’d like to give it another go under more ideal weather conditions.

June 2018 Birchbox

June 2018 Birchbox

ModelCo More Brows :: Maybe I’m more of a powder person when it comes to my brows, but I did not love this. It just felt heavy and clumpy. I know a lot of people love Glossier’s Boy Brow and the like, but it has never quite made its way into my beauty arsenal.

Davines SU Hair & Body Wash :: I absolutely love this.  The scent is amazing, and I’ve used it as both a shampoo and body wash. Would totally repurchase.

Philosophy Purity Made Simple Moisturizer :: Really enjoying this moisturizer. Nice alternative to my usual beauty regime, especially during the Summer months.

Marcelle City Anti-Pollution Micellar Foaming Cleanser :: I’ve been using this almost every morning in the shower to gently wash off all of my nighttime skin routine products. Refreshing, but not stripping. A perfect reset for all my AM skincare goodies.

June 2018 Beauty Samples

Beauty Samples

Tatcha The Silk Cream, Radiant Deep Brightening Serum and Violet-C Radiance Mask :: During the recent Tatcha Summer sale, I snagged a few samples to try some of the (VERY MANY) products I have my eye on. Of course, each sample went on like a dream and I loved them all. Two out of the three (mask and cream) are cruising their way up the “Need vs Want” list!

Tarte Deep Dive Cleansing Gel and Mermaid Skin Hyaluronic H2O Serum :: These were both nice and smelled amazing. I can see extended use during the Summer being very hydrating.

Amore Pacific Time Response Eye Reserve Creme :: I know I spoke of it before, but this is just the most amazing eye creme. It’s like an instant eye lift. I’ve never seen an eye cream that works so well. Downside, it’s VERY expensive, so I’ll just continue snagging these samples where I can and gushing over how wonderful it is.

June 2018 Beauty Product Empties

Empties

Drunk Elephant Beste Jelly Cleanser :: This cleanser is gold. The bottle you see here is my second completed, and I’m sure I’ll be back again. For right now, I want to try out some new products, but if you’re looking for a go-to gentle cleanser, this is an excellent option.

Fresh Lotus Youth Preserve Moisturizer :: Love this moisturizer — it’s my third empty! — but it is definitely a cooler month option for me. Wanted to finish it out before the hotter temps came out swinging.

Tatcha Camellia Cleansing Oil :: I miss using this, and would definitely repurchase.

The Crème Shop Calm Down, Skin! Sheet Mask :: Used this after a long, sunny (and wonderful!) day on the boat. It was an Easter basket present, and the graphics made wee man laugh hysterically. Couldn’t ask for more.

Filed Under: Beauty Tagged With: Birchbox, Makeup, Skincare

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