Beauty Fix - July 2015

My July BeautyFix box arrived yesterday.  Here are the samples featured in this month's box:

Product Information Card

Deva Curl 3-Step Introductory Kit  1 oz each ($7.95 value on Folica)

 Harry Josh Pro Styling Hair Clips  ($10 value)

 Bliss Triple Oxygen Instant Energizing Mask  0.34 oz ($5.40 value)

 Vichy Purete Thermale 3 in 1 Micellar Cleanser for Sensitive Skin  1 oz  ($2.88 value)

 Glo-Minerals Lash Boosting Mascara in Black  0.33 oz  ($19.50)

 Dermstore Lip Quench Original Lip Balm  0.28 oz  ($12)

Erno Laszlo Firmarine Face Bar  0.6 oz  ($5.40 value)

Skin Medica Replenish Hydrating Cream  0.25 oz  ($8 value)

SkinCeutical Metacell Renewal B3 
SkinCeutical Resveratrol B E

Cost of Box:  $24.95 (plus tax if applicable, includes free shipping)
Total Box Value:  Approximately $71.13
Impressions: This month's box included a lot of skincare products, which I like, but the sizes of the samples are somewhat comical compared to what Dermstore normally sends.  I believe the mascara and lip balm are the only full size products in this box.  I don't normally like getting shampoo samples but I've been interested in trying the Deva Curl products.  I like that they included the kit so you can try the whole system together.  I hate getting a shampoo sample but not the conditioner or vice versa.  If you have thin or short hair you may be able to stretch this kit in to two applications but I'll be lucky if this is enough for one use for me!  Hopefully it works well on my naturally curly hair.  I've also been in need of quality hair clips that can handle my thick hair and these by Harry Josh seem to be durable and have a "toothed" design to help them stay in place while styling your hair.  I'm also quite interested in trying the Bliss mask.  I believe it's supposed to work like a liquid exfoliant.  I don't plan to use the mascara but the face cleansers and creams seem interesting and worth trying.  I don't wear makeup but I think the Vichy calming cleanser for sensitive skin might still be useful for when I have a breakout.  And I'm glad the Lip Quench product is a lip balm and not a tinted lip gloss.

The overall value of this month's BeautyFix box from Dermstore is a lot less than normal.  The value is usually well over $100.  And it doesn't help that two of the samples were clearly labeled "not for resale" and the hair clips came in a package that said "free sample".  I plan to use almost everything in this box but I'm not really over the moon excited about it.  This month's box just seemed like an effort to clear out their free sample bins.  There isn't much of a wow factor and I think it's because I'm used to them including more full size products.  I don't feel like this month's box was really worth the $24.95 price and I think even they knew it because they had a special half price deal on this month's box for new subscribers.  The products in last month's box were not useful to me personally and this month's skincare sample sizes were somewhat disappointing.  I decided to go ahead and cancel my membership because I have been getting more picky with the boxes I subscribe to lately.  If I'm not crazy about it anymore or it isn't a great value with a lot of useful items, I cancel it!  This will help reduce wasted money, product overload, and the accumulation of useless items and narrow my focus on those boxes that really supply the type of items I need or will actually use.

I will say that BeautyFix includes a lot more samples per box than any other beauty box I've ever subscribed to.  There is usually a lot of variety in the samples and the value of the boxes are normally well over the cost of the box.  They also usually include multiple full size items.  This month may have just been an off month for them and maybe August will be an awesome box.  In the future, I may occasionally make one time box purchases if I see spoilers for a box with a lot of products I would really like to try.  The non-subscription price per box is more expensive at $34.95 (plus tax if applicable) but still includes shipping.

Beauty Fix - June 2015

This post is way late but I thought I would go ahead and share what I received in the June BeautyFix box:

Product Information Card:

Oscar Blandi Invisible Volumizing Dry Shampoo Spray  5 oz ($25)

Cargo Tinted Moisturizer SPF 20 in Nude  1.7 oz ($34)

Ashford & Co. Shave Cream  3.4 fl oz ($25)

Paula's Choice Sun 365 Self-Tanning Concentrate  0.5 oz ($18)

IS Clinical Cleaning Complex  2 oz ($20 value)

Arcona Cranberry Toner  1 oz ($9.38 value)

WEI Golden Root Purifying Mud Mask  0.3 oz ($6 value)

Roloxin Lift Revitalizing Facial Treatment ($11 value)

Sunscreen Samples

HydroPeptide Solar Defense Broad Spectrum SPF 30  4 ml ($3.52 value)
Skinceuticals Physical Water UV Defense SPF 30 (Free Sample)
LA Roche Posay Anthelios 60 Cooling Water Lotion Sunscreen  0.1 oz ($0.72 value)

Cost of Box:  $24.95 (plus tax if applicable, includes free shipping)
Total Box Value:  $152.62
Impressions:  As usual, I am impressed with the retail value of this box.  I also like the large sizes of the products included.  Unfortunately, I was not really excited about the products featured in this month's box.  I do not use dry shampoo, tinted moisturizers, or self tanners.  The shaving cream they featured is a men's shaving cream and distinctly smells like men's shave cream.  If it had been for women, had a neutral scent, or was even scentless, I would have been fine with it.  Maybe they threw it in because Father's Day was in June.  Either way, I would really rather not pay for a women's beauty box and get products that were clearly intended for male customers.  I'm also starting to get on sunscreen overload and the little samples included here are barely enough for one use considering how much I apply.  I gave everything except the cleanser, toner, mask and Roloxin away to coworkers and receptionists.  I like trying new cleanser and toner samples and they're useful for travel and baskets in guest bathrooms.  I received a sample of the WEI mask in a Birchbox before and liked it so I'm glad to have another sample of it.  I've never used Roloxin before and fortunately don't have wrinkles yet but I think this might still be useful to help combat the effects of late nights.

Overall, the June box has been the least favorite of the BeautyFix boxes I've received so far.  The value, number of products, and product sizes are really nice but they're just not products I'm interested in.  The July box will be arriving soon and I'm hoping it will have more useful items for me! 

Beauty Fix - May 2015

I received my second BeautyFix box yesterday and I am amazed at the value of the items they included!  There are several items I am looking forward to trying.  Here's what was included in this month's box:

Product Information Card:

Peter Thomas Roth Anti-Aging Defense Sunscreen Stick SPF 50  0.5 oz ($26)

Blowout Beauty Anti-Frizz Volume Boost Treatment Oil  2 oz ($45)

Harry Josh Carbon Tail Comb ($12)

Smart Brow Eyebrow Filler & Cleanser Duo in Blonde and Brunette
Fillers: 2.4 ml each   Cleansers: 15 ml each ($61 each set) 

Dr. Brandt Skincare Needles No More  0.085 oz ($15.13 value)

Citrix Vit C Collagen Brightening Serum  0.06 oz  ($5.07 value)

Foil Samples:

Neostrata Skin Perfecting Peel  ($6.30 value)

Yon-Ka Excellence Code Cream  0.07 oz  ($7.40 value)

Yon-Ka Age Exception Cellular Code Serum  0.05 oz  ($6.68 value)

Cost of Box:  $24.95 (plus tax if applicable, includes free shipping)
Total Box Value:  approx. $245.58 including foil samples
Impressions: The retail value of this box is about 10 times the cost of the subscription which is amazing!  I am in need of some new sunscreen so I was glad to receive that.  The hair oil is the item I am most excited to try.  I don't really need it for the volumizing aspect but I always appreciate anything that prevents frizz!  And I know it probably sounds weird but I am actually quite happy to receive the Harry Josh comb.  Not because I'm a big Harry Josh fan (actually never heard of this brand) but because I really needed to replace the comb like this that I have.  Mine is an inexpensive plastic one that got partially melted when left near my flat iron one day so I am happy to have a nice carbon one to replace my old cheap one!  This type of comb works well for sectioning my hair, lightly separating curls, and smoothing straight styles.  Since this isn’t a customized box, I’m pleased to see BeautyFix actually included both shades (blonde & brunette) of the brow filler allowing more subscribers to be able to try the product.  Most beauty boxes include one shade/color of something and it’s too bad if it isn’t the correct shade/color for you.  I don't plan to use either color because I don't use brow gels so I will be trading these.  I will also trade the Wrinkles No More because I am fortunate that I don't have any wrinkles yet (and hopefully not for a long time!).  I will try the Citrix brightening serum because I love serums and this one brightens which may help with a couple of hyper-pigmented spots on my face from old acne scars.  I will probably give the foil samples a try as well.

Even if I use nothing else but the hair oil and brightening serum from this box, the value would still be twice what I paid which is great for a beauty box for me!  When compared to something like Birchbox, BeautyFix is an awesome deal even if some foil samples are included because they also include multiple full size products.  I have yet to see another beauty only box that offers the variety, quantity, and volume of product that BeautyFix offers at this price point.  And the products they feature are far greater in quality and retail value than what I ever receive in Birchbox.  BeautyFix products are also more relevant to what I need and want in beauty items which is why I'm cancelling my Birchbox.  I'd much rather pay an extra $15 to get some full size items that I'll actually use from BeautyFix than continue paying $10 for nothing but a pretty box from Birchbox.  Plus, BeautyFix ships extremely fast.  I receive my box in about 2 to 3 days after they ship.  It can take nearly 2 weeks to receive my Birchbox. 

Even though I will not use everything in this box, I still feel like the value of the products I will use are far greater than what I paid to subscribe to this box so I'm pleased with this month's box.  I'm looking forward to next month's box!

Beauty Fix - April 2015

BeautyFIX is a subscription box from DermStore.com that features skin care, hair care and beauty products.  Each box includes a mix of full size, deluxe, and trial-sized samples worth over $100.  You can purchase the box as a one-time purchase ($34.95) or sign up for a renewing monthly subscription ($24.95 each month).  I signed up for the monthly subscription.  I like that Dermstore was founded by a dermatologist and that the online store offers an extensive selection of natural and organic skincare products.  Skin care items seems to be the primary focus of the subscription box and the online store.   

Here's what was featured in the April box:

DHC Deep Cleansing Oil  ($28, 6.7 oz, Full Size)

Juice Beauty Green Apple Age Defy Moisturizer  ($45, 2 oz, Full Size)

One Love Organics Healthy Locks Dry Shampoo Powder  ($12, 0.6 oz)

Sunday Riley Good Genes Serum and Treatment  ($7 value, 2 ml sample)

Ren Glycol Lactic Radiance Renewal Mask  ($16.17 value, 0.5 oz sample)

Dermstore Lip Quench Sheer Tints in Coral  ($12, 0.28 oz, Full Size)

Laura Geller Baked Liquid Radiance Foundation  ($6.08 value, 0.16 oz sample)

Skyn Iceland Hydro Cool Firming Eye Gels  ($3.75 value, 1 pair sample)

Random Single Use Samples (Free Extras)

Cost of Box:  $24.95 (Includes free shipping)
Total Box Value:  $130
Impressions:  I tried a mystery grab bag from DermStore a couple of weeks ago and was pleased with the items I received so I was open to trying their BeautyFix box.  Once I saw spoilers that the DHC cleansing oil and Juice Beauty moisturizer were going to be featured this month, I immediately went and signed up!  I've been really curious about how well oil cleansers work.  I use sweet almond and jojoba oils as my skin moisturizer but it seemed an odd concept using oil to cleanse.  A lot of reviews state that this cleanser is great for removing makeup and for general cleansing, without being harsh and drying your skin.  You massage the oil onto your dry face then rinse off.  It turns a creamier white consistency once it's mixed with the water.  It rinsed off cleaner than I expected given that it's an oil but I still followed it with a quick once over with my facial brush and African black soap (I have dry skin and need to exfoliate regularly).  Even with the second cleansing, the olive oil from the DHC cleanser still left my skin feeling moisturized and supple.  The Juice Beauty moisturizer is certified organic, 100% natural, vegan, paraben free, and cruelty free!  I like it but I'm not sure yet if I like it more than my plain old sweet almond oil.  I'm African American with natural hair and maintaining the natural oils at my roots is important to the health of my hair.   Dry shampoos are not good for my hair type and hair regimen, plus it's a light colored powder which I imagine would be difficult to apply to dark hair like mine and have it not be noticeable to others.  I love serums but I'm a little conflicted about using the Sunday Riley because it does include a couple of paraben ingredients.  I may use this sample occasionally but I doubt I'll ever buy it because of the parabens.  I also want to point out that the moisturizer, serum, and renewal mask contain some fruit acids (such as lactic, glycolic, tartaric, citric, and hyaluronic) which could be irritating if you have very sensitive skin.  These types of acids help with skin cell turnover/regeneration which give you that glowing skin look.  My skin is somewhat sensitive so I definitely do not plan to use all these products simultaneously or on a daily basis.  And I'll be especially sure to use something with good SPF sun protection to help protect the new skin cells after using the Ren Glycol Lactic renewal mask which is essentially a facial peel.  I'll save the eye gels for the next time I have to pull an all-nighter and need to de-puff my eyes!  I don't currently wear makeup so the lip tint and foundation will be traded or given away.  I will never ever understand why beauty box services send out something as specific as foundation if they don't allow subscribers the option to select the right shade for them.  Why on earth they would think every woman that subscribes would be able wear the one random shade they decide to send out is beyond me.  That's about as crazy as a clothing/styling service never asking what size you wear because they just send everyone the one size they happened to get a bulk supply of that month!  At least the foundation is only a small portion of the box value.

Overall, I got a great deal with this month's box!  The retail value of this box is over 5 times what I paid and I plan to use everything except the two makeup items and dry-shampoo.  I am really happy that the DHC cleansing oil and Juice Beauty moisturizers were full size.  It's not too often that I get a full size item in a beauty box, very rare to get more than one.  The full size cleansing oil alone is valued at more than the subscription cost of this box!  This box has a high "use" value for me because I plan to use most of the items, and the full size cleansing oil and moisturizer will probably last for months for me personally.  I like to point this out because just because a box has a high retail value does not mean each subscriber will get a lot or the same amount of use out of it as others.  I liked that this box consisted primarily of skincare items but if you prefer sampling mostly makeup items in your beauty boxes, the BeautyFix box will probably be disappointing to you and not worth the cost.  I'm looking forward to future boxes because skincare is my primary focus right now.

I would also like to mention that this box, and orders from DermStore in general, are processed and shipped quickly.  They ship via USPS and I received this box within 4 days of ordering; it would have been quicker than that if not for the weekend.  Most subscription box services typically take several days to over a week to reach me, even those that use FedEx or UPS for delivery, so I'm impressed with the relatively quick delivery of BeautyFix.