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Happy New Year everyone! Here is my January Boxycharm review! Don’t know what Boxycharm* is? Well, it’s the best subscription box out there. For 21USD a month, you get a guaranteed 4-5 full sized or deluxe samples from amazing brands valued at a minimum of 100USD. This post is in no way sponsored. I pay for my own box.
Now, on to the box!
Theme: Rock 2018
Grande Cosmetics – GrandeLIPS Hydrating Lip Plumper in Taro (27 USD)
I wasn’t sure about this product but was more than willing to give it a try. Seeing as how it’s January in Ontario, I welcome anything that promises to hydrate my poor lips. I’m really not sure about the plumping effects as I’ve only recently started using this. It doesn’t hurt to use, but rather just has a mild minty tingle. The glossiness of the product does make your lips look nice and juicy, but I’m not sure it’s any more than that. As for hydration, I do find that this has helped my lips. I was pretty chapped before starting to use this at least twice a day and now my lips are in better shape. I don’t love the colour, It’s a mauvey purple shade, which isn’t super flattering on my pale lips on its own.
Dr. Brandt Pores No More Luminizing Primer (38 USD)
Ah, this one is a heart breaker. I really love the way it feels on the skin and how my foundation wears on top of it, but after trying this I had the worst break out of my life. It’s the only new complexion product so I’m pretty sure it’s the culprit. Sadly, I’m not willing to risk that again.
It Cosmetics Brow Power Universal Eyebrow Pencil (24 USD)
I first tried this pencil way back in 2015 and was surprised at how much I loved it. I still really enjoy it, though there are a few draw backs. I’m not convinced that this is truly a universal shade. I really only wear it when I want a bolder brow as it is definitely more brown than taupe/blonde. I do enjoy the cool tone of it, and how smoothly it applies. The shade of the lead itself makes it easy to do thin strokes as well as quick filling in. The spoolie is great too. The thing that bugs me about it is that no matter if I retract the “lead” it gets stuck on the lid and falls out. It has happened with a couple of these now, so it’s an issue with the product.
PUR Cosmetics Bronze and Brighten Cheek Palette (34 USD)
I was excited about this palette in theory but a unsure when I opened it up. Each shade is shimmery and intense looking, which isn’t what I go for with my bronzer or blushes generally. I was pleasantly surprised to find that with a careful hand, these wear beautifully. The blush is intense so I prefer using a really feathery stippling brush with a tiny bit of product. The bronzer is similar, but when sheered out, it’s lovely and warm. The highlight is a show stopper. It is STUNNING. A beautiful warm golden high light while still being reflective and light enough to glow on my fair skin. These honestly swatch more like eyeshadows and I would say are the most pigmented things I’ve swatched from this box…
Crown Pro Glam Metals Palette (25USD)
ANOTHER PALETTE?! Damn Boxycharm, you are on a roll. I was intrigued when I saw pictures of this palette online in spoilers. Something a lot of people were commenting on was how six of the shades seemed to have twins. By that, I mean that there are three repeated shades here, which is pretty substantial in a palette of only 9 shades.
I was pretty excited about the green and the gold shades which have been my jam lately. While the colours are pretty, I find that they have really poor lasting power. They fade quite a bit within an hour or two of wear. Also, even with super careful application, finger or brush, they have LOTS of fall out so be sure to use them before doing your face or with shadow guards.
As you can see, the silvery blues are very similar and all of those warm tones are pretty close too. The black is super sheer and more of a charcoal.
Overall Impression: I enjoyed this box, I really liked the lip plumper, eyebrow pencil and the face palette. The eyeshadows and primer will be passed on to someone else, but I still feel like I got my money’s worth.
In Among the Heather 