SUBSCRIPTION UPDATE: December 2015

by - January 20, 2016



So... Last week I completely screwed up. I had every intention of including an update along with my Birchbox unboxing about last month's box - and then I completely forgot and went ahead and posted it without it. The only excuse I really have is that it was Friday and I just wanted to go home, drink coffee, and watch Forensic Files on Netflix. Ahem. I am a wild woman, no?

This prompted me to try something new on the blog. I feel like I do so many of these unboxings and then I never really mention the products again unless I use them up. Seems like a waste, doesn't it? So now I want to try something a little bit new and make posts every month updating you on what I actually thought of the products that I received in my box and decide which service wins the month. For the time being, I get Ipsy and Birchbox, though I suspect that might be changing in the future, but I will continue doing updates as long as I'm getting subscriptions! Also, I'm going to try to be better about actually using all of the products right away, since I tend to kinda sock them away.

So, without further adieu, let's update!


IPSY GLAMBAG DECEMBER 2015 (Unboxing)
Cost: $10USD + $5USD Shipping (Total CDN Paid: $20.52)
Total Value: $55.86

BeFine Exfoliating Cleanser: Since I did get this bag late, I haven't actually used this tube yet, but I have used it in the past and it's quite good. 
Pacifica Power of Love Natural Lipstick: This lipstick is quite dry and also smells and tastes like Playdoh. Unfortunately, this is a no for me. Pretty colour, but I don't love the formula and I hate the smell.
Elizabeth Mott Thank Me Later Eyeshadow Primer: I've been using this consistently and I think I like it, but I don't think it holds up to my Smashbox or Too Faced shadow primers so I don't think I'd repurchase.
Formula X Nail Colour: This is SO PRETTY and I'm a little bit obsessed with it. This is the kind of shade that I think I will pair with rosy nude nails as an accent pretty much all year long. I like the formula a lot too, so I might have to invest in a full size bottle of this one.
Ricky's NYC 3D Blender: I have used this and I'm actually pretty happy with it. I don't think it's quite as soft as my beautyblender, but it's still quite soft and does a good job of blending things out on my face. I actually think this might be my favorite thing in the bag.

Overall, I think this was a really solid bag and very much worth the money to me. I enjoy almost all of the products and will likely slice off the top layer of lipstick and give it to a friend of mine who is really into all natural beauty products and might be less picky about the scent. The Canadian dollar's value right now is making me question whether Ipsy is worth it recently, but I think this bag was very much worth what I paid for it.

Now onto Birchbox...


BIRCHBOX CANADA DECEMBER 2015 (Unboxing)
Cost: $10CAD + $4.95CAD Shipping
Total Value: $25.63

Kate Spade Live Color Fully Fragrance: This scent is quite nice, but isn't to my taste. I will probably save it for the summer when I might be more into it. I don't think I've been subtle about the fact that I hate getting fragrance samples these days.
RUSK Heatshift Re-Styling Cream: YASSSSS! I love this product for second day curls, because it smooths everything out and helps me to have really fresh looking waves. And it smells SO GOOD. This is the best product in the box - by a large margin.
Obliphica Seaberry Hair Serum: This is just too heavy for me. I think for someone who has thicker, or coarser hair this might work quite well, but for me is just leaves my hair feeling kind of heavy. However, I do plan on trying this now that I stripped the ends of my hair to a light blonde, because I think I'm going to need something intense.
Coastal Scents Style Eyes Duo: This is quite pretty and I actually really like the shades I got. I can't do a whole look with this duo, because it is too light, but if I pull a couple of deeper shades into the crease and outer corner this makes a pretty look.
Lord & Berry Pailettes Glitter Eye Pencil: Yeah, so... I can't tell you if this is good on the eyes or not, because I haven't used it. I don't use glitter eyeliner pencils and I'm still a little salty about this sample.

For me, this box was just fine. It was a little skimpy on the value and on the sample sizes, but it did have one product that I absolutely LOVE in there. Unfortunately, 3 of the products in the box were pretty meh for me.



I feel like the winner of this battle is pretty clear. I got a really good Ipsy bag for December (even though I didn't actually get it in December because of a mailman who sucked) and I was overall pretty happy with the products. This is what kinda bums me out about our dollar dropping in value - I do actually really want to keep getting Ipsy bags. Sigh!

Anyway, thanks for reading! I'd love to hear what you got in your subscription bags and which service you think was the winner in December!

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