Category: Reviews

Boxycharm Review :: April, May, & June

On By thehannahhardyIn Boxycharm, Check Ins, ReviewsLeave a comment

Boxycharm is a monthly subscription box that’s $21. You get 5 products and most of them are full size or deluxe size samples. The value of the box is usually at least $100 and you are only paying $21. I’ve been getting the box since November 2018 and I’ve gotten some pretty good stuff. I’ve tried a bunch of different subscriptions and this is one of the best.

April 2019

April

Total Value :: $127

May 2019

May

  • GlamGlow Gentlebubble Cleanser, $28
    • Very gentle cleanser which my sensitive skin appreciates
    • Leaves skin soft and smooth
    • Vegan
    • Keep
  • Alamar Colorete Blush Trio, $22
    • Cute packaging
    • Cruelty free, vegan
    • Shade Fair/Light
    • Not pigmented at all, hardly showed up on my skin
    • Pass
  • Ciate London Eye Luster Creme Eyeshadow, $22
    • Can be used alone, as a base, or a topper
    • Cruelty free
    • Love this as an inner corner highlight
    • Shade: Cupid
    • Keep
  • Dose of Colors Liquid Matte Lipstick, $18
    • Already a fan of this formula and brand
    • Cruelty free, vegan
    • Gorgeous shade (Strawberry Pop)
    • Keep
  • Mellow Brow Definer, $18
    • Love the formula. It’s very creamy and easy to blend
    • Shade chocolate is just a tad too dark, but I set it with a lighter brow gel and worked perfectly
    • Keep

Total Value :: $108

June 2019

June

Total Value :: $117

Conclusion

  • The boxes from this quarter were just meh.
  • The May box was by far the best one
  • The products either didn’t excite me or the products didn’t work for my skintone
  • Eye palettes are a staple to Boxycharm and you usually get one every month, but I think that’s overkill. They are so many other hair/makeup/skincare products they could send instead of a dang palette every month.
  • The Tarte palette I got in the June box is basically the same as the one I got in the January box.
  • I’ve decided to cancel my subscription for now. I’ve gotten 9 boxes and up until recently, I’ve been pleased. This last box was just a total dud. I’ve tried several different subscriptions and they all eventually fizzle out and get repetitive.
  • You can find sneak peeks online, so if I see a product I really want, I’ll sign back up, but for now I’m good without it. It’s $21 I can save or use to buy other products that I actually want to try out.
  • If you’re new to makeup or looking to build your collection, this service is a great one to start with.

Mascara Monday: Thrive Causemetics Liquid Lash Extensions

On By thehannahhardyIn Mascara Monday, ReviewsLeave a comment

Claims
–Flake free
–Dramatic length & curl
–Ingredients to moisturize and strengthen lashes and stimulate and encourage growth
–High impact length and lift from root to tip
–Instantly creates the look of lash extensions
–Won’t clump or smear
–Easy to remove
–Buildable formula

Price
–$24 at thrivecausemetics.com

Shade Range
–1

Pros
–Cruelty free
–Vegan
–Packaging :: lux and heavy
–Easy to remove
–Crazy length
–Separation
–Lives up to/fulfills all claims
–No parabens or sulfates
–Good ingredients
—Company values :: buy one, give one
–Tubing formula which I like
–Bristles grab every lash
–No flaking or smudging

Cons
–Online only
–More length than volume
–Expensive

Final Thoughts
A friend raved and recommended this to me and now I totally get it. I understand all the hype because this mascara is so good. My lashes looked AMAZING and so long. I got more length than volume, but it did give some volume. I definitely got a false lash look. I don’t like to spend a lot of money on mascara because there are good ones at the drugstore and I can usually get my high end mascaras half off, however, this one is worth the money. It didn’t flake or smudge so this is perfect for this humid summer we’re having in NC. It’s a tubing formula so it was easy to remove. I also love the mission behind the brand and I want to try more products from their line.

IMG_0802

Image (10)
I used my LOreal Mascara Primer like I always do.

approved

Foundation Friday: Juvia’s Place I Am Magic

On By thehannahhardyIn Fair Skin Products, Foundation Friday, ReviewsLeave a comment

Claims
–Long lasting
–Designed for ALL skin tones
–Refine texture
–Flawless coverage
–Even out complexion
–Smooth application
–Suitable for all skin types
–Erases blemishes
–Soft matte finish
–Full coverage

Price
–$20 at Ulta and juviasplace.com 
–1.0 oz

Shade Range
–42
–My shade: 740 Marisol

Pros
–Cruelty free
–Shade range
–Affordable
–Lives up to claims
–Worked well with my other complexion products
–Easy to blend with brush or sponge
–Affordable
–Packaging
–Full coverage
–Shade match for me
–Longwearing

Cons
–Online or Ulta stores only
–Shade matching with the descriptions was a little difficult
–Felt a little heavy on the skin, but to a point where I wouldn’t wear it

Final Thoughts
I could not wait to try this foundation. I am all about full coverage so as soon as it was on the Ulta site, I purchased it. I originally purchased 730 Isla, the next to lightest shade because the description sounded like the best match. Wrong. I’m always the lightest shade so I don’t know why I thought this would be different. Of course, I wore it anyway. The first day I wore it mixed with the LA Girl White Mixer. It was a hot mess. The color was off, it was cakey, it broke up, just overall not cute. I went to Ulta and exchanged 730 for 740 and tried again. The second day, I mixed in the elf Hydrating Booster Drops and those few drops made a world of difference. My face looked flawless and filtered. The formula is thick, but it’s easy to blend with a brush or sponge. With my dry skin, I can only wear this if I use the hydrating drops, it does not work for me on its own, and that’s fine. With this foundation, you can tell you’re wearing makeup, but it doesn’t look heavy or sit odd on the skin.

The only other Juvia’s Place product that I’ve tried is this highlighter and I am OBSESSED. It is so pretty and so affordable. I want to try this eye shadow palette and the concealer that was released with this foundation next.

Primer: Urban Decay b6 Spray, Catrice Aqua Fresh + Physicians Formula Rose All Day (mixed), Becca Skin Love Blur
Powders: Maybelline Super Stay Full Coverage (nose & chin), Catrice Prime & Fine Waterproof Mattifying Powder, Too Faced Peach Blur
Tools: Sonia Kashuk Sponge
Setting Sprays: Essence Keep It Perfect, LOreal Shake & Glow Dew Mist

IMG_1258

IMG_1120
Before & After
IMG_1121
No makeup :: Foundation only :: Full face
IMG_1138
AM & PM

approved

Mascara Monday: CoverGirl Exhibitionist

On By thehannahhardyIn Mask Monday, ReviewsLeave a comment

Claims
–No flaking or smudging
–Lashes are full and defined with one coat
–Volumizing

Price
–$10.99 at Ulta
–$7.99 at Target
–$7.94 at Wal Mart
–$9.99 at Walgreens

Shade Range
–3
–Waterproof option

Pros
–Wand shape
–Affordable
–Pretty packaging
–Length
–Separation
–No flaking or smudging
–Easily accessible
–Cruelty free
–Volume
–My lashes looked bomb

Cons
–None

Final Thoughts
Y’all my lashes looked BOMB with this mascara. It is definitely one of the best mascaras I’ve tried this year. I got length, volume, and separation without flaking or smudging, what more do you need from a mascara? The wand shape is similar to the Too Faced Better Than Sex, but this is even better and even cheaper.

IMG_0795IMG_1017approved

Foundation Friday: Too Faced Peach Perfect Comfort Matte

On By thehannahhardyIn Fair Skin Products, Foundation Friday, ReviewsLeave a comment

It’s Foundation Friday on Saturday. I wanted to get this post up on Friday, but time got away from me. Better late than never!

productpics

Claims
–Oil-free
–Transfer-resistant
–Smooth, flawless, and comfortable
–Never cakey or mask-like
–Photo friendly
–Medium-coverage
–Up to 14 hours of wear
–Soft-focus, velvety finish

Price
–$36 at Sephora, toofaced.com

Shade Range
–30
–My shade: Cloud

Pros
–Cruelty free
–Vegan
–Oil-free
–Shade match for me
–Smells good
–Paraben free
–Gluten free
–Packaging, pump!
–Shade range
–Buildable coverage, medium to full

Cons
–Tacky, have to set
–Not good on my dry skin
–Looked cakey
–Too Faced foundations tend to lean yellow/warm
–Didn’t hold up well on me, started to separate

Final Thoughts
This did not look good on my dry skin. It was a cakey mess and I know it wasn’t the powder causing the cake because it doesn’t do that will other matte foundations that I use. If you zoom in on the pictures below, you can see how bad it looks on my skin. I can usually make matte foundations work with proper prep, but not with this one. This product is scented and while it didn’t bother me, keep that in mind if you are sensitive to smells. I got a sample at Sephora to test out and I am so glad I didn’t buy the full size. The coverage is medium, but it builds up to full and it covered all my redness. If you have combo to oily skin, I think you’d like this.

Primers: Ulta Youthful Glow Primer Serum, elf Blur Stick
Tools: Morphe M439, Real Techniques Sponge
Powder: Jeffree Star Magic Powder in Rose

IMG_0448

IMG_0445
Before & After
IMG_0446
No makeup :: Foundation only :: Full face
IMG_0458
AM & PM

notapproved

Concealer Wrap Up

On By thehannahhardyIn ReviewsLeave a comment

At the beginning of March, I started what I called, “concealer-thon,” and reviewed a new concealer every Wednesday. I wanted to create a post so there was one place to come get quick, concise info on these concealers, similar to this post I did on foundations.

IMG_8448.jpg

Essence Camouflage+Matt
–Coverage: Full
–Price: $3.99
–Amount:
–Where to Buy: Ulta
–Shade Range: 3
–Cruelty Free: Yes
–Shade Match for Me: No
–MEH

LA Girl Pro HD
–Coverage: Full
–Price: $4.99
–Amount: 0.28 oz
–Where to Buy: Ulta
–Shade Range: 30 concealers, 10 correctors, 3 highlighters
–Cruelty Free: Yes
–Shade Match for Me: Yes
–APPROVED

Jeffree Star Magic
–Coverage: Full
–Price: $32
–Amount: 0.115 oz
–Where to Buy: jeffreestarcosmetics.com, morphebrushes.com
–Shade Range: 31
–Cruelty Free: Yes
–Shade Match for Me: Yes
–APPROVED

Catrice Liquid Camouflage 
–Coverage: Full
–Price: $5.99
–Amount: 0.17 oz
–Where to Buy: Ulta
–Shade Range: 17
–Cruelty Free: Yes
–Shade Match: Yes (at the time of the review, no. Shade range has since expanded)
–APPROVED

Rimmel Stay Matte
–Coverage: Full
–Price: $5.49
–Amount: 0.23 oz
–Where to Buy: Walgreens
–Shade Range: 20
–Cruelty Free: No
–Shade Match: Yes
–MEH

Huda Beauty The Overachiever
–Coverage: Full
–Price: $30
–Amount: 0.34 oz
–Where to Buy: Sephora
–Shade Range: 20
–Cruelty Free: Yes
–Shade Match: Yes
–APPROVED

NYX Can’t Stop Won’t Stop
–Coverage: Full
–Price: $8.50
–Amount: 0.11 oz
–Where to Buy: Ulta
–Shade Range: 24
–Cruelty Free: Yes
–Shade Match: Yes
–APPROVED

Milani Conceal + Perfect Longwear
–Coverage: Full
–Price: $7.97
–Amount: 0.17 oz
–Where to Buy: Wal Mart
–Shade Range: 18
–Cruelty Free: Yes
–Shade Match: No
–APPROVED

LOreal Infallible Full Wear Waterproof
–Coverage: Full
–Price: $12.99
–Amount: 0.33 oz
–Where to Buy: Ulta
–Shade Range: 25
–Cruelty Free: No
–Shade Match: Yes
–APPROVED

Morphe Fluidity Full-Coverage
–Coverage: Full
–Price: $9
–Amount: 0.15 oz
–Where to Buy: Ulta
–Shade Range: 31
–Cruelty Free: Yes
–Shade Match: Yes
–APPROVED

elf 16 HR Camo
–Coverage: Full
–Price: $5
–Amount: 0.2 oz
–Where to Buy: Ulta
–Shade Range: 18
–Cruelty Free: Yes
–Shade Match: Yes
–APPROVED

Makeup Revolution Conceal+Define 
–Coverage: Full
–Price: $7/$10
–Amount: 0.11 oz/0.33 oz
–Where to Buy: Ulta
–Shade Range: 24
–Cruelty Free: Yes
–Shade Match: Yes
–APPROVED

BH Cosmetics Studio Pro Total Cover 
–Coverage: Full
–Price: $5
–Amount: 0.35 oz
–Where to Buy: Ulta
–Shade Range: 12
–Cruelty Free: Yes
–Shade Match: No
–APPROVED

Colour Pop No Filter
–Coverage: Full
–Price: $6
–Amount: 0.14 oz
–Where to Buy: Ulta
–Shade Range: 30
–Cruelty Free: Yes
–Shade Match: Yes
–APPROVED

Kylie Cosmetics Concealer
–Coverage: Full
–Price: $20
–Amount: 0.22 oz
–Where to Buy: Kylie Cosmetics
–Shade Range: 30
–Cruelty Free: Yes
–Shade Match for Me: Yes
–APPROVED

Tarte Shape Tape
–Coverage: Full
–Price: $27
–Amount: 0.33 oz
–Where to Buy: Ulta
–Shade Range: 30
–Cruelty Free: Yes
–Shade Match: Yes
–APPROVED
—I haven’t done a dedicated review on this, but it’s good. 

 

Mascara Monday: Maybelline Lash Sensational Curvitude

On By thehannahhardyIn Mascara Monday, ReviewsLeave a comment

Claims
–Curved brush and stem fit closer to the lash line
–Arch brush grabs each lash from the root
–Curvy full fan effect

Price
–$9.99 at Ulta
–$9.99 at Walgreens
–$7.99 at Target
–$6.94 at Wal Mart

Shade Range
–2
–Waterproof option

Pros
–Affordable
–Easily accessible
–Ophthalmologist tested
–Allergy tested
–Dermatologist tested
–Wand grabs and lifts each lash
–No flaking or smudging
–Length
–Lives up to all of its claims
–Separation
–Lashes stay lifted and curled

Cons
–Not cruelty free
–Not much volume (doesn’t claim this though)

Final Thoughts
I got this because the wand shape is similar to my beloved Benefit Roller Lash that I have yet to find a dupe for. The wand grabbed, coated, and lifted each lash. As I mentioned above, this doesn’t give much volume, but it doesn’t claim to. This is the closest dupe I’ve found for Benefit Roller Lash and I much prefer this price point. I think this plus a volumizing mascara like Too Faced Better Than Sex would a be a dream combination. If you like long, separated, curled lashes, you will love this.

I primed with the Loreal Mascara Primer like I always do.

Image (9)approved