Deleting the naughty...with Beauty Box 5 November

Yay! Beauty Box 5 day! This is my second box with this company. As I wrote in a previous blog, I wasn't all that interested in what I received in my first shipment. The items just didn't pertain to my lifestyle. So, I am super excited to see if the game has changed or if we are still lackluster.

This box is now in direct competition with Birchbox (also affectionately known by its long time subscribers as BB) for me, since my invitation and spot to subscribe came, and I will need to pick one or the other, for what my budget allows.

So, game on. Excite me, entice me and be useful to me, the winner gets my loyalty.

On to the contents:

Cetaphil Moisturizing Lotion:
I am very familiar with this product. I have used the gentle facial cleanser in the past, and I have many friends who swear by this product. I am not opposed to using it again, but am kind of a Clinique Facial Wash junkie right now.  What I love about Cetaphil is that is in the most widely lauded sensitive skin care product that I know. The lotion is no exception and I don't hesitate to use it on my 4 year old daughter who has been cursed with eczema. This is nice to use on the other parts of her skin that aren't affected by eczema, because I know it is gentle and fragrance free.

Envie De Nuef Eye Mask:
This little packet contains one platinum lineless eye mask. The description on the packet says it is a comprehensive eye treatment providing option nutrition and hydration. Containing colloidal platinum, peptides and squalane (whatever that is), it lifts wrinkles and fine lines, reduce puffiness and bags and lightens dark circles. I am very excited to try this, because my 40 year old face needs some lifting and reducing. I am going to try this after I wash and tone my face. It doesn't say the best time to do it, but bedtime works for me, as that is when I have more time to myself. A full size purchase of these rings in at a pricey $30 for 10, to be used once or twice a week.

Global Goddess Upgrade Complexion Face Primer:
I got two packets of this. You can use it alone or before makeup. I have freckles, wrinkles and some of those brown spots you get during pregnancy and I don't use a base foundation, so it would have to be a stand alone product that doesn't turn my face that white pasty look you can sometimes get with primer, but even out all those mild blemishes. It contains pearlescent pigments to brighten and create a glow. Containing vitamins A and E and licorice extract, it is supposed to nourish the skin giving it a silky finish, while antioxidants protect.

Swagger Eye Shadow:
I was the lucky recipient of an eyeshadow pot in what I can only guess is "Dirty Martini." The pot itself is not labeled but it is kind of brownish-bronze and very metallic looking. It goes on very dark so I would only use it on my lower lid line. I will use it though, mostly for nights out. It wouldn't be a day to day going to the office look for a conservative company.

Model Co Ultra Shine Lip Gloss:
This is a full size product in the color "Strip Tease."  I really like this color, it's soft, light and very natural, giving my lips the natural healthy color of just having well, you know...got a work out, as you can see. Please ignore my wrinkles. The gloss is smooth, went on easily and isn't sticky. It's also got a sweet little mirror on the side of the tube, which makes applying a fresh coast a breeze, and versatile in the little tiny going out on the town clutch with just the necessities.

Verdict: I was very excited to try all these products actually, especially the eye mask, so this was a good month for me. I wouldn't purchase any of these products, with the exception of the cetaphil without sampling first, so the box was a success.

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Deleting the naughty...with Yuzen November Box

I am in love with Yuzen. They truly have a way of making me feel a little bit special and even though I am aware I pay for this service, I feel like it's a gift. Being a graphic designer for the last 16 years, and working in public relations and marketing, I am a victim of my own profession. I fall hard for a great concept, beautiful packaging, intentionally designed pieces and customer service.

Again, the box arrived packaged with a pretty bow, and with the Yuzen paper, lovely gold and burgundy fall colors with a note. All the items were put together in a little brown mesh bag.

I am thrifty, and I will admit, these tissue papers, bags and ribbons are too pretty to throw away, so I carefully place them inside the mesh bag they come with, and I've stored them away to use for little birthday gifts, Christmas gifts and such. They will come in handy next month when I make little gift bags for teachers and our mail lady. I think reusing these little extras follows suit to the eco-friendly, natural philosophy Yuzen stands for.

I am excited about the products in this month's box.

Savane Organic Skincare Purifying Toner in Rooibus:
This product is made from certified natural and organic African botanicals that have been used to protect from harsh climates and anti-aging. It is made from Rooibos extract, ethanol, vanilla planifolia, patchouli oil, frankincense oil, rose geranium oil.  The first spray took me back a little bit, very strong and overwhelming. Once it dried a bit it the scent was very earthy, I could tell there was patchouli. I am not sure if I care for the scent, but I use toner regularly, so I will use it and update after a week how I liked the cosmetic use of it.

Keeki Organic Lip Shimmers:
This lip product is made from pure organic ingredients. Ingredients are beeswax, cocoa butter, coconut oil, sunflower seed oil, peppermint oil, vanilla flavor and mica for shimmer. I got the Sophisticated color and I really liked it on me, I looked, for lack of better words, healthy. Like I had just a healthy color on my lips, and it brightened up my face a bit. No more pale nudes on me, this was a nice change of pace. I could feel the peppermint cooling on my lips but there was very little flavor to it.  Nice product!

Shea Radiance Whipped Shea Butter with Kalahari Melon:
Body butters speak for themselves. They are thicker than lotion and cream and last longer. It is very light and not melon, but some sort of fruity, nutty kind of scent. More of a natural shea. I didn't mind it. It lingers of a natural skin, soap scent.

Zents Bath Salts:
The description for these says they soothe everyday muscle strains, stress, promote circulation, remove toxins and keep skin soft. I don't typically use bath salts because I thought they were not good for women, but these are paraben, phthalate, sulfate and dye free, so I am going to give them a try. I have used Bert's Bees sore muscle stuff before, and survived. I would rather use something natural than say, Calgon. My box had 2 packages. The EARTH scent is for strengthening and grounding: sandalwood (love), siberian fir and frankincense. Very candle like. MANDARIN is for warming and invigorating: ginger, mandarin and cardamom. This reminds me of the orange spice herbal tea in scent. This product also comes in lotions, body oils, perfumes, body wash, soaps, shampoos and conditioners and has other lovely scents available: pear, water, fresh, petal, fig, ore, sun and oolong. I will be drawing a bath tonight and will update.

Simple Squares:
Made from organic ingredients: cashews, almonds, honey, coconut, vanilla, sea salt, cinnamon and cloves. This whole food snack contains no wheat, gluten, dairy or soy and is kosher. I got the cinnamon clove flavor. It's a soft square, not hard like those really crunchy granola bars, but raw and chewy. You can see the chunks of nuts, coconut and and taste heavy cinnamon and clove. It was pretty good. My 4 year old said she liked it but she didn't beg for bite after bite. The clove flavor might be too intense for little ones.

So, thank you again, Yuzen.  You delivered another box that I had a ton of fun exploring. I used every last bit of last month's products, and I am pretty sure I will use all of these too.


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