Wal-Mart Winter Beauty Boxes

Both my "Classic" and "Trendsetter" beauty boxes arrived earlier this week and my daughter's "Trendsetter" box followed just a few day later.  We always get just a little excited to see what we both received and whether we'll be doing any swapping!

The "Classic" box for winter contained the following:

• Curel Hydra Therapy Wet Skin Moisturizer
• Dove Go Fresh Revitalize Body Wash
• Ponds Rejuveness Anti-Wrinkle Cream
• CoverGirl Lashblast Volume Mascara
• Aveeno Daily Moisturizing Body Yogurt
• Dove Nutrium Ultra Nourishing Hair Care Trio (samples)

My "Trendsetter" box:

• Curel Hydra Therapy Wet Skin Moisturizer
• Dove Dry Oil Moisture Nourishing Body Wash
• Vaseline Intensive Care Advanced Repair Lotion
• TRESemme Fresh Start Volumizing Dry Shampoo
• Neutrogena Norweigan Formula Hand Cream
• Garnier Whole Blends Green Apple & Green Tea Shampoo and Conditioner (samples)
• LOreal Paris Age Perfect Cell Renewal Serum and Cream (samples)

My 14 year-old daughter's "Trendsetter" box contained slightly different items this month.  She didn't receive the Vaseline lotion, the dry shampoo, or the serum and cream samples.  Instead, she received a Dove Go Fresh Deodorant and the same CoverGirl mascara I received in the "Classic" version.

These seasonal Beauty Boxes continue to be an absolute steal at $5 each!  Can't wait to see what goodies will be in the Spring boxes!

Love It, Like It, or Lose It v.9

Exuviance Age Reverse Toning Neck Cream - "Developed exclusively for the fragile neck and décolletage, this potent firming and exfoliating treatment helps correct the telltale signs of premature aging and UV overexposure."

Thoughts:  Couldn't say if the claims are true or not.  This stuff is so strongly scented I can't stand to have it anywhere close to my nose!  It's heavily perfumed (reminds me of cucumber melon scent-wise) like a lotion you'd find at a bath and body store.  I've relegated this to a hand cream as it is nicely moisturizing.

Cetaphil Moisturizing Cream - "Cetaphil moisturizing cream is clinically proven to provide immediate and lasting relief from extremely dry skin. Its unique formula and superior system of emollients and humectants binds water to the skin, preventing moisture loss. Skin immediately feels hydrated and smooth."

Thoughts:  My little tub didn't specify whether this cream was meant for face or body (it seems they've changed the packaging recently) but it did mention it was non-comedogenic, so I decided to use it as a facial moisturizer.  My skin has been super dry lately and this stuff is amazing!  It sinks in quickly and eases tightness immediately.  While I've had a couple small whiteheads since using it's been nothing major and I can't tie them definitively to this cream.

Sephora Waterproof Eye Makeup Remover - "This do-it-all formula removes waterproof makeup and contains a lash-strengthening complex that's rich in flavonoids and olive wood extracts."

Thoughts:  Works just as well as some of the higher-end (and higher priced) makeup removers I've tried in the past!  It does leave behind a bit of greasiness but since I wash my face immediately afterwards I don't find it to be an issue.

Almay One Coat Mascara - "Almay's One Coat Multi-Benefit Mascara builds the ultimate lash look with volume, length, and definition while conditioning lashes."

Thoughts:  More like two or three coat mascara!  One coat adds a bit a length but at least one more is required for volume and to add some drama.  Doesn't flake or smudge.

Burberry Fresh Glow Luminous Fluid Base in "Nude Radiance 01" - "The 55% water-infused primer glides across the skin with incredible ease and hydrates instantly. Its blend of mirror-flat intense reflection pearls help to blur minor imperfections for a shimmer-free, youthful luminosity."

Thoughts:  Provides glow under sheer foundations and tinted moisturizers but is useless as a primer in regards to filling in pores or fine lines.  Great on top of makeup as a highlighter and isn't too shimmery.

December Allure Beauty Box

My December Allure Beauty Box arrived and contained the following:

 

 

I love lemon scented anything so I'm happy I received Coastal Salt & Soul Heavenly Hand Cream in Mediterranean Citrus!  It's described as an uplifting scent where "sea salt and warm ocean accords mix with fresh Grecian citron and earthy verbena."  It smells amazing and will be a great spring/summer scent!

I adore universal highlighters and though European Wax Center's Oh My Brow! Brow Highlighter is, well, labeled for brows, both the mini mag and website declare that it's amazing on your cheekbones too.  I'm excited to try it and hope it's as creamy as it looks!

I think I've mentioned before that "turkey neck" seems to strike early in my family.  One of my goals in life is to prevent this for as long as possible so needless to say, I embrace neck cream with open arms any time I receive one.  Tula Advanced Neck Cream is no exception.

Unfortunately for me, I'm worrying about aging skin and still worrying about breakouts.  Fortunately for me, SkinCeuticals understands and has Blemish + Age Defense serum to battle both at the same time!  I intend to use this solely on my chin (which is the only place I ever breakout) so a bottle should last for eons.

Also for skincare, I received Embryolisse Lait-Crème Concentre. I've heard fabulous things about it and it's been on my "to-try" list for awhile.  I've hesitated in trying it though because some acne-prone reviewers say it caused quite a few breakouts.  I guess it's time to give it a go!

Last but not least, I also received Beautyblender Liquid Blendercleanser .  I thought that Beautyblender's solid cleanser did a great job of cleaning both sponges and brushes so I'm certain the liquid version will as well.

So Choix December Samples

My December sample picks have arrived !

 

This month I chose:

 Chanel Rouge Allure Intense Lip Colour in "104 Passion"

Marc Jacobs New Nudes Sheer Lip Gel in "108 Have We Met"

Marc Jacobs New Nudes Sheer Lip Gel in "114 Understudy"

Guerlain Lingerie De Peau Natural Perfection Foundation SPF 20 in "00N"

Tom Ford Bronzing Primer

With flash.  Swatched from L to R in order listed above.

If you’d like to learn more about So Choix you can check out their FAQs, and if you’d like to sign-up I’d be much obliged if you did so through my referral link!  Happy sampling!

Love It, Like It, or Lose It v.8

This week's round-up of products has some "Love", some "Like", and one definite "Lose It"!

 

 

 

Seche Lacquer in "Refined" (used with Seche Vite Top Coat) - A new way to experience lacquer from the creators of the award winning Seche Vite.  Available in 24 beautiful, fast-drying shades--in nudes, pastels, brights, medium and dark tones."
Thoughts:  This polish looked flawless for 3 full days!  I didn't see noticeable chipping until day 4 and even then that was only on two fingers.  That's huge for me.  I typically see chipping the day after I paint my nails so this lacquer is a major win!
CHI Infra Texture - "A Hair Spray that fast dries, styles and finishes for an instantly smooth texture and incredible shine. Ideal for all your flat or curling iron styles for lift, movement, texture and control."
Thoughts:  I wish it had a little more hold - I need to use a stronger hairspray to actually hold my hair in place. It works very well as a protectant and pre-styling spray for heat tools however and there is no noticeable buildup.

R+Co Death Valley Dry Shampoo - "This dry shampoo will do more than clean up your hair; it'll lend it a kind of untamed texture—not unlike the landscape from which it takes its name. Just a few sprays will absorb excess oil, increase volume, and add definition."
Thoughts:  This does not work as a dry shampoo.  Dry shampoo is supposed to absorb oil and give volume to second day or "just went to the gym" hair.  This does not do that.  I'll give it some points for adding texture to freshly washed hair and for not having white residue though.
Belif The True Cream - Aqua Bomb - "an invigorating gel type cream that supplies instant moisture to the skin while forming a protective layer that wraps the skin in comfort."
Thoughts:  This is literally like a drink of water for your skin. I loved it - until I broke out with whiteheads on my chin two days later. I continued using it hoping the breakout was either a fluke or an adjustment period, but whitehead after whitehead cropped up over the following days.