February Beauty Army Review (UPDATED)

In this post, I'll be reviewing the Beauty Army monthly subscription box that I received this week. 

Here's the Beauty Army box. Nice sized box, that could be re-used as a gift box, though right now I'm using it to store eye shadows. 

  

For their one-year anniversary, they included a full-size mascara for free in every box. (More on that later.)

After opening the tissue, you get to see the goods. *wink wink*

Macademia Natural Oil Deep Repear Masque

Full size is $33 for 8.5oz (jcPenney's has it for $33 or buy 2 at $22 ea). This was a .5oz sample, so worth $1.94. 

The product link says that this will rebuild damaged hair for "improved shine and elasticity." Now, I don't know about that, but once a month I like to deep condition my hair and I was due - so I used this right away. First of all, this smells amazing! It smells nutty and kind of vanilla-y. The consistency was nice and thick. I combed it through after cleaning my hair (you know my steps) and let it sit for 5 or so minutes. Then I rinsed out. As I was rinsing it out, I could tell already that my hair was super soft. It did take a little bit to get it all rinsed out though. After my shower and squeezing out the moisture in my hair, I worked through my regular leave-in conditioner and then after awhile, dried my hair with my hair dryer. I had great, bouncy, very soft curls for the rest of the day - and the next day after, and the day after that! In fact, my hair was almost a bit too soft - but it wasn't frizzy at all. I cannot wait until this is back in stock, because it would be worth the money. 

Yes To Eye Firming Treatment

$19.99 for .5oz full size. Sample size is .1oz, worth $4. 

Now, I was a little skeptical of this, because there are a lot of eye creams and such on the market, plus I already use L'Oreal Youth Code Eye Treatment. But, I'm game for trying something new. The sample size is .1 fl oz, which is plenty! You literally only need a dab for each eye. The sample size will probably last me at least a week (assuming I use it in the morning and evening). I've just been using it in the evening before I go to bed, and I'm already noticing a difference. It seems that the skin under my eyes is becoming a bit smoother, the wrinkles less deep. The full size is .5 fl oz for $19.95, which should last forever. The only thing I wish it had was an applicator tip like the L'Oreal eye treatment does.  (Update: I originally posted this on 2/7/2013. I am still using this little packet 2 weeks later. Yes, I will be purchasing this soon.)

Full size Mark. mascara that came as a gift - $6.50

Full size Mark. lip gloss ($6.50) with the mascara. You can kind of see the "hook up" part attached to the mascara - that's meant to hook up with the gloss.

Now, I wanted to like the mascara/lip gloss (I mean, how cool is that hook up thingamajig?). But I just can't. There is no way that I would pay $6.50 for the mascara or lip gloss. The mascara doesn't go on well at all - I kept having to go over and over in one spot just to get some mascara to stick to my lashes. Plus, they did nothing to lengthen my lashes at all. In fact, they looked short and stumpy (something my lashes are not). Update: I gave the mascara another shot, and it is a good day-to-day mascara. I would probably pay $6.50 for this. The lip gloss, I am still on the fence about.

The lip gloss was a weird orange-y kind of  color that didn't look good. It also went on streaky and pretty translucent. 

Next up:

Ineke's Hothouse Flower perfume (.05 fl oz)

$95 for 2.5 fl oz full size,  sample worth $1.90

This is a musky kind of perfume, in a flowery gardenia. It is very strong. I thought I would like it, but since it is so strong, I just can't. The description says the top notes are: Earl Grey tea, Green Foliage, Cypress; middle notes are: Gardenia, Fig, Frankincense, Galbanum; base: Mush (????), Corn Silk, Guiaiacwood (whatever this is). Yeah - all I get is gardenia. I sprayed it in my usual spots (elbow pits, cleavage - shut it, I'm married - and knee pits). Too, too much. It's way too strong for me. I won't be purchasing this (especially at $95 for 2.5 fl oz). 

Ruddy Water Blushed Towelettes

$24 for 22 towelettes, so one towelette is $1.09

First of all, my whole box smelled like this. It's not a bad or overpowering smell, very subtle, but it was definitely there. You're supposed to apply them like they are a perfume sample in a moist towelette, I guess? Or use them after going to gym (haha that's funny) or being all sweaty and gross? I dunno. They had a really nice, feminine scent that I enjoyed, but left a greasy-ish residue on my fingertips from using it. 24 towelettes for $22 is a little much for me, so I'm going to pass. 

Skyn Iceland Hydro Cool Firming Eye Gels

Full size is 8 pairs for $30, so 1 pair is $3.75

Two eye things in one box? What are they trying to say? LOL I haven't yet tried this, but after I do, I'll update this post.

Total paid: $12. Total amount of products in box:  $25.68

All in all, for $12, I thought this would have been a very good deal if I would be using the mascara and the lip gloss on a regular basis - but it did give me the chance to try out two really great products that I don't know I would have ever tried out. I'm going to give this box another shot. I didn't realize until afterwards that I could have re-taken their little quiz and received different products if I wasn't happy with the choices offered to me. So, I'll be trying that out for next month's box. Again, if you're interested in Beauty Army, sign up through my link to get me credit. 

 

Update: I did see the"Yes To Eye Firming Treatment" at Target for $19.99 (same price as Beauty Army); the Macademia Natural Oil line was available at my local jcpenney's salon - I've updated above.