If you’re a beauty lover, chances are you’ve been a member of a beauty subscription service. There are so many subscription boxes available, suiting everyone’s needs–makeup, skin, hair, drugstore, Indie brands, full size…the list goes on and on. And throughout the years, I have tried quite a few of them. Some I loved at the time and simply grew out of. Others I didn’t like from the beginning or didn’t think the worth made up for the cost. But my point is I’ve tried a few.
There are a lot of arguments for and against beauty subscription boxes, but one thing I do like is that I get to try products or brands I may have never been acquainted with otherwise. I’ve been able to try products I’ve had my eye on, and I’ve found I didn’t like them very well. On the other hand, through these boxes, I’ve been introduced to favorites that I continue to repurchase. That’s what we’re going to chat about today–some of the best products.
Most of the products on this list are favorites, and I’ve used them consistently since receiving them. There are a few products that weren’t my absolute favorite–I might not repurchase them–but it was a real treat to get them in a box. Keep reading for some of the best full-sized products I’ve received in my beauty subscription boxes!
CLE Cosmetics Essence Moonlighter Cushion Highlighter $30
Where: Allure Beauty Box
Why: I’d never heard of this brand prior to getting it in an Allure box. The highlighter is contained in a cushion compact, which was an entirely different kind of highlighter to me. Because it’s wetter than a typical highlight product, it’s moisturizing and extremely luminous on the skin. The sheen it gives to your skin is wet and dewy, but it doesn’t look to unnatural. I mean…it definitely doesn’t look natural, but it looks right. You know what I mean.
I apply this with the sponge provided, a brush, or my fingers to the high points of my face–my cheekbones, above the inner part of my eyebrow, Cupid’s bow, tip of the nose–as well as on my eyes and lips for added luster. The shade I have is ‘Glinting Buff’ and is a golden champagne color. They also have two other shades–‘Copper Rose’ (which looks like a rose gold) and ‘Apricot Tinge’ (which looks a little more peachy.) I’d be really interested in trying the ‘Copper Rose’ shade along with some of their other products.
Sunday Riley C.E.O. Rapid Flash Brightening Serum $85
Where: Allure Beauty Box
Why: Firstly, this was $85 and came in a $15 box, so I was really excited when I saw a FULL SIZE Sunday Riley product. Everyone raves about this brand, and I love a good vitamin C product. I used this in its entirety and like it, but I don’t think I’ll repurchase it.
It’s a vitamin C serum that is supposed to combat uneven skin tone, dullness, and enlarged pores. Skin is supposed to look more plump, firm, and illuminated. I didn’t mind this, and it didn’t irritate my skin. But I felt like my skin didn’t feel clean when I used this. It felt oily and in turn just turned me off a little bit.
While I wasn’t obsessed, I’m glad I got to use it this way rather than spending the money on it and not being crazy about it.
Ole Henriksen Transforming Walnut Scrub $28
Where: Allure Beauty Box
Why: This pleasantly surprised me. My skin is not obsessed with physical exfoliation–it’s a little bit of a diva in that respect. But I used this, nonetheless. I read walnut and was terrified of it being too abrasive, but the walnut is ground so finely it doesn’t tug at my skin. Instead it gently removes any dead skin and dirt and smooths the skin. It also foams slightly which I find helps really purify my pores and cleanse the skin as well.
Kat Von D Everlasting Lip Liner in ‘Lolita’ $18
Where: Allure Beauty Box
Why: There’s been some drama surrounding Kat Von D recently, and I’m not going to get into that here.. I’m just talking on the makeup. I’d used other Kat Von D lip products prior to receiving this, but I’d never tried the lip liner. And I’ve got to say, I like it. I don’t think it’s my favorite lip liner formula–I enjoy Colourpop’s liners and the L’Oreal Color Riche liners, which are a lot less expensive–but it is good. And I love this color.
The formula is very matte, and a little bit drying. But it’s nothing too irritating. The color is…was…a cult favorite. ‘Lolita’ is a chestnut rose. It’s brown, but has a lot of pink tones as well. I find it to be extremely flattering, and it goes with a multitude of lip shades.
NARS Dual Intensity Blush in ‘Adoration’ $45
Where: Allure Beauty Box
Why: This might have been the product that sparked my new wave of blush obsession. I’ve used NARS blushes in the past, and it’s one of my favorite blush formulas. They’re extremely pigmented yet easy to blend and natural looking on the skin. They are a little different than the original NARS blush formulation, as they can be used wet or dry (hence, dual intensity).
Apply dry for a weightless application, typical of what you’d get from another powder blush. But apply wet, and the finish turns into this beautiful, watercolor like effect. It’s almost more natural and beautiful than usual. I love it.
The ‘Adoration’ compact contains a sparkling pale pink and a shimmering hot pink.
Mally Volumizing Mascara $20
Where: Allure Beauty Box
Why: Before L’Oreal’s Lash Paradise was released, this Volumizing Mascara from Mally was my #1 go-to. I’ve gone through quite a few tubes of this mascara. It makes your lashes look voluminous, thick, longer, and full without making them look clumpy and unnatural. It’s amazing.
It’s a little wet, which is why it got transitioned out. And I like the Lash Paradise similarly, but it’s less expensive.
MAKE UP FOR EVER Ultra HD Stick Foundation $43
Where: Influenster
Why: So technically Influenster is not a subscription box, but I’m including it anyway because…it’s my blog and my rules. This was the first stick foundation I ever tried, and it started a revolution for me. It’s creamy and blendable and glides on like a second skin. It doesn’t feel heavy throughout the day and lasts for hours. The finish, I find, is natural and about a medium coverage if I use a brush.
I prefer to apply this with a beauty sponge, but I love the finish with a brush as well. My only gripe is that I used the lightest shade, and it was still just a little dark for me.
Avene Thermal Spring Water $14
Where: Dermstore
Why: Fitz always complains that this is just water. Maybe so, but I love it. It’s infused with minerals that hydrate and soften the skin. The mist is fine, and it feels cooling upon contact. I love using this after sun, before my skincare or makeup routines, or just throughout the day. I also don’t use it exclusively on the face; it finds its way onto my body as well.
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