Beauty Box Roundup : August 2013

'Tis that time again boys and girls; time for the beauty box roundup. Coming in a little bit late this month (thanks UPS... geez), but here nonetheless. 

What I received:

• Mor Emporium Hand Cream in Snow Gardenia
• Anastasia Beverly Hills Lash Genius Waterproof Top Coat 
• Vapour Organic Beauty Elixir Lip Gloss in Hush
• Eminence Strawberry Rhubarb Dermafoliant 
• Coola SPF 30 Face Classic Sunscreen in Cucumber
• Pixi Beauty Endless Silky Eye Pen in No. 5 Deep Plum
• Carita Paris Magique Biologique Mask 
• Philip B. Maui Wowie Beach Mist

My Thoughts: Not a horrible bag by any means, but it doesn't live up to last month's box, unfortunately. Also, I cut all of my hair off, so the beach spray doesn't seem as useful as it once would have. None of the products that I received in my box are duplicates of things I've receive before, but there is lot of brand overlap. Pixi came in Ipsy this month, I got Anastasia in an Ipsy a few months ago, and Coola is just popping up everywhere. Also, I know that these beauty boxes love to send out lip gloss, but I hate lip gloss and I've already received a Vapour gloss previously... and gave it away. I don't mind the brand overlap too much, but I am getting sick of seeing Coola and if I never saw another Pixi product again, I'd probably be perfectly happy. Also, the Mor Emporium Hand Cream is a discontinued item on blush.com, which in theory doesn't bother me too much, but what if I fell in love with it and wanted more? 

Monetary Values

Mor Emporium Hand Cream - $10 (full size)

Anastasia Beverly Hills Lash Genius Waterproof Top Coat - $12.16 (.11 oz - full size: $21/.19 oz)

Vapour Organic Beauty Elixir Lip Gloss - $20 (full size)

Eminence Strawberry Rhubarb Dermafoliant - $11.43? (no size on sample, guessed 1 oz - full size $48/4.2 oz)

Coola SPF 30 Face Classic Sunscreen - $4.33 (.23 fl oz - full size $32/1.7 fl oz)

Pixi Beauty Endless Silky Eye Pen - $15 (full size)

Carita Paris Magique Biologique Mask - $26 (.5 fl oz. - full size $90/1.7 fl oz)

Philip B. Maui Wowie Beach Mist - $22 (full size)

Total Bag Value: $120.92

What I received:

• Urban Decay Revolution Lipstick in 69
• Michael Todd Pumpkin Nutrient Rich Facial Mask
• Nailtint nail polish in Mai Tai
• Pixi Lash Booster Mascara
• Mica Beauty Shimmer Powder in Bronze

My Thoughts: I definitely think Ipsy stepped it up this month, but it is still on the chopping block for me. I keep noticing that I receive one good month, then one bad month, then one good, then bad, etc. I really lucked out this month and only received one item that I truly didn't want. There was a lot of, for lack of better words, drama about the Ipsy bags this month. 1) The price discrepancy between some of the bags was almost $20 and 2) the shipping of the bags was totally effed up. I didn't get caught up in the shipping mess and I got one of the high dollar bags, so good for me? I'm not a fan of the polish color, so this will be given away. The mascara is maybe one of the worst mascaras that I've ever used and lo and behold, it's from Pixi... The pumpkin mask, the lipstick, and the eye shadow are all really nice though. The bag this month, I hate, but I don't ever factor that in to whether or not I like the contents and I will probably end up donating it. This month was definitely good for me, but I'm still keeping an eye on Ipsy.

Monetary Values:

Urban Decay Revolution Lipstick - $7.33 (.03 oz - full size: $22/.09 oz)

Michael Todd Pumpkin Mask - $10 (1 oz - full size: $34/3.4 oz)

Pixi Lash Booster Mascara - $7.14 (.105 fl oz. - full size: $17/.25 fl oz.)

Nailtini - $13 (full size)

Mica Beauty - $14.95 (full size)

Total Monetary Value: $52.42

If you want to subscribe to Ipsy, you can follow my referral link here or visit ipsy.com

What I Received:

• Juice Beauty Green Apple Peel Sensitive
• Model Co. Party Proof Lipstick in Dusk till Dawn
• Jasmine Seven Fresh Feet Wipes
• Sumita Color Contrast Eyeliner in Hansa
• Miss Jessie's Original Super Slip Sudsy Shampoo

My Thoughts: I'm really torn on this box, because I love three of the items so much and kind of don't understand the other two. On one hand, I received two full sized makeup items, which is kind of rare for Birchbox, and I love them. I am so in love with the Model Co. lipstick, it's the perfect MLBB shade and I am seriously considering picking up a three pack of the "Classics" shades. The lipstick smells like Starbursts and is really moisturizing and amazing. I'm also pretty stoked about the Sumita pencil; it doesn't budge and it's in a color that I don't have (kind of a dark olive green). I'm also really excited to try the Juice Beauty Peel once my skin calms down a little bit more. The two items that I'm not so thrilled with are the shampoo and the foot wipes. It's not the fact that I got shampoo and foot wipes that upsets me, it's the size of the samples. The Miss Jessie's sample is technically a "beauty extra" but it also has the word "FREE" on the front. I know, for a fact, that I could email their company and ask for a sample and this is what they would send me. I want Birchbox to send me samples that I can't obtain on my own... you know? And the foot wipes. I like them, I actually do, but I got two foot wipes, that cost a whopping grand total of $0.66. I'm irritated with the foils and once use products, step it up with that Birchbox.

Monetary Values:

Juice Beauty Peel - $4.88 (.25 fl oz. - full size: $39/2 fl oz.)

Lipstick - $8 (full size)

Sumita Eyeliner - $11 (full size)

Miss Jessie's Shampoo - $0.75 (.43 fl. oz - full size: $14/8 oz.)

Jasmine Seven Foot Wipes - $0.66 (2 wipes - full size: $10/30 wipes)

Full Monetary Value: $25.29

If you want to subscribe to Birchbox, you can follow my referral link here or visit birchbox.com

Overall, I'm pleased with all of my boxes, but nothing blew my socks off EXCEPT for the Model Co. lipstick; that's the hands down winner. Other than that lipstick though, everything has been fun to play with but nothing too life changing. August is my least favorite month of the year, so I'm not surprised by the boxes not being amazing. Next month will be the true test since my favorite season starts up in September and I'm curious to see what the boxes will bring. If you have any questions or comments, please let me know!