Beauty Fix, $25+tax/month, beauty products
Promo: First box, $12.50+tax, no promo needed
I paid $12.50+tax
Box retail value: $102, My value: $40
Enjoyment Factor: ☺
Cancelling subscription: by calling or doing online chat with customer service, no explanation needed
Beauty Fix is a monthly beauty subscription box from DermStore, an online beauty store and offshoot of Target which specializes in upscale brands. Their monthly boxes include an assortment of beauty products, though there is an emphasis on skin care. Boxes have up to 10 products, a mixture of full size, deluxe samples and foils/tiny samples. One thing I appreciate about Beauty Fix is that they seldom include products made in China.
Until July 2015 Beauty Fix was my favorite subscription, as it included 2-3 expensive full size products and had box values approaching $150. However, once they started offering the first box of the subscription at $12.50, they downgraded the boxes significantly. The full size products included now are cheap, small and not very popular. I unsubscribed from Beauty Fix after the August box, but re-subscribed again after seeing the spoilers for the November box. I unsubscribed again after getting the box. I think from now on I’ll subscribe only when I see a box that I know I will like.
This box included 8 items. There were three full size items, though they were all relatively small, two travel size, and three deluxe samples. Five of the items were skin care, one was a makeup tool, and the remaining two included a nail polish and a hair item. The total value of the box was right over $100, while my value is around $40.
This is what I got:
Oscar Blandi Pronto Dry Teasing Dust, full size: 11 g, $18-$23
This powder is supposed to add volume and texture to your hair as well as absorb oil. Interestingly the main ingredient is water, followed by silica. I may just have to ask a chemical engineer friend how that works. In any case, I have tons of volume adding hair products and no intention of using any, so I swapped this for a jump rope and some pencils for my daughter. Made in USA.
Dermelect ME Nail Polish in Moon Kissed (off white), full size: 11 ml, $14
I have so many nail polishes it’s not even funny. This color does look lovely, but so do the other billion I’ve swapped for. I’ll probably try to swap it for something else.
TOCCA Crema da Mano – Hand Cream in Cleopatra, full size: 2 oz, $10
Subscribers got this cream in a variety of scents. I’ve tried this hand cream before and while I was initially not a huge fan of it, it really grew on me and I ended up loving it. Part of the reason, I think, is that one you tart using hand cream your hands become naturally dryer so they start absorbing hand cream quicker. In any case, I’ll definitely use it after I’m done with my current hand cream. Made in Canada.
Eminence Stone Crop Hydrating Mist, travel size: 2 oz, $18
Last summer I really learned to appreciate facial mists and I’m very glad to get this one. It’s mixture of sempervivum juice (similar to aloe) with water and salicylic acid. I’m a bit concerned about how it’ll keep without preservatives, but it does say to store it in a dark and cold place (aka, a box in the fridge). I’ll definitely do so as I doubt I’ll have much use for this until it gets hot again (which around here is often in February). It’s made in Hungary.
DermStore Eye Love You Brush Set, 3 travel size makeup brushes, $19 ($10)
I actually decided to buy this box to get this set, as my makeup brushes are always disappearing. I didn’t realize how small the brushes would be. They also feel rather cheap. I can’t imagine paying $19 for them. I think $10 is a MUCH more reasonable price for it, though I wouldn’t even pay that much.
Glytone Antioxidant Anti-Aging Night Cream, sample: 5 ml, $15
Another incredibly small sample of an overpriced night cream. Fortunately, I was able to swap it for a bunch of samples I think I’ll actually enjoy. Made in the USA.
REN Glycol Lactic Radiance Renewal Mask, sample: 15 ml, $16.5
I got this mask before in a Beauty Fix box. I still haven’t tried it because it takes me a long time to go though masks. I’ll probably try to swap it.
SkinClinical Extreme Healing Daily Treatment, sample: 10 ml, $1.5
This is a light, easy to absorb lotion. I’ll definitely use it on elbows and other rough patches of skin.