December 2013 Blush Mystery Beauty Box Review

Whew - it's been such a busy month I never thought I was going to have a moment to sit down and write this review!

This months Mystery Beauty Box was curated by Lisa Hoffman of Lisa Hoffman Beauty. Lisa Hoffman Beauty seems to focus mainly on "Fragrance Jewelry", necklaces, bracelets and earrings that you insert "fragrance beads" into to release scent throughout the day. She doesn't offer any actual "beauty" products, just fragrance and bath and body. This definitely explains the lack of beauty products in this months box. 

Value $30.00

Lisa Hoffman Beauty Madagascar Orchid Moisturizing Body Cleanse (FULL SIZE!) - I thought that Madagascar Orchid would smell exotic and amazing, I was disappointed - it smells like sunscreen. I'll definitely give this a try once I'm out of my current body wash, I hope that when used the smell is a little more orchid rather than Coppertone. 

Value $0.37 / $6.30

DHC Mild Lotion sample - Interesting, I have received this as a sample before and always thought it was a moisturizer because it is called mild "lotion". This time I looked it up on the DHC website (www.DHCcare.com) and it is actually a "revitalizing tonic to help your moisturizer go the extra mile in keeping your skin freshly hydrated. It’s alcohol-free for gentleness, and blended with soothing cucumber juice to keep things cool.". I'm kind of excited to try this now BEFORE my moisturizer, it gets great reviews.

DHC Wrinkle Essence samples (x3) - This Wrinkle Essence is so expensive that each of the .06oz packets have a value of $2.10. It's definitely the kind of product that I would need to really test out before purchasing, so I appreciate that they included three packets. I kind of hope I hate it, because at $47.00 for just over a half an ounce it is very, very spendy. 

Value $9.00

Sultra 14 inch clip in hair extension in Lapis Blue - So normally I would have opened my box, seen something like this, and laughed, because I am not the type to have bright blue streaks in my hair. But it just so happens that the day after I received my box I was planning on wearing a black sweater with a bright blue detail on the back, so I clipped this sucker into my hair, curled it with my hair, and wore it instead of jewelry. It was great quality (held up to being curled with a flat iron on high heat). 

Value $10.00 / $10.83

NYX Cosmetics Love in Paris palette in Madelines and Macaroons (FULL SIZE!). Meh.. I don't wear neutrals, they make me look ill. This will get gifted to one of the ladies at work. 

NeoStrata Exfoliating Wash - I feel like I get some form of face wash in every Beauty Box. Maybe I don't use enough product when I wash my face, because I have a zillion I've yet to try (I use one up completely before moving on the the next). This one gets great reviews, so once I get around to trying it I'm sure it will be a hit. 

Value $6.32 / $1.90

Neova Make-up remover Face + Eyes - I kind of hate that this product is oil-free, I LOVE using cleansing oils for removing makeup. I'll give it a try though because I do like that it claims to "dissolve all traces of even the longest-wearing makeup". I have a couple of waterproof mascaras that seem impossible to remove. 

Eminence Organic Skin Care Stone Crop Body Lotion - Eminence products are made in Hungary and are all organic. This claims to be a lightening body lotion for sensitive skin. I find the smell to be overwhelming and the lotion to be sticky (and I actually feel drier after applying). I'll throw this into my desk at work in case I'm ever desperate, but it is not something I would purchase.

Value $15.13 / $15.88

Murad Advanced Active Radiance Serum - This is $89 an ounce for the full size version so I appreciate the generous sample. I never seem to see a difference when a products touts itself as improving "brightness", so I'll be interested to see if this pricey serum gives me some results. 

REN Clean Skincare Hydra-Calm Global Protection Day Cream - This moisturizer is formulated to leave sensitive skin optimally hydrated, calmed, soothed, protected and looking beautiful. I can't wait to try it. 

Value $15.00

Nailtiques Avocado Foot Creme (FULL SIZE!). I've received some form of foot cream every month for the last three months in beauty boxes, so it will be a while before I give this a try. It gets great reviews, and the packaging is lovely (I really like the frosted glass jar and brushed nickle lid). 

If you're thinking about signing up for the Blush Beauty Box but are still on the fence and would like a $10.00 coupon off of a recurring subscription box (boxes are $35 for a one time order, or $24 with a recurring subscription - you can cancel at any time) - shoot me an email at kathryna at gmail.com and I'll send you a coupon code.

This month's box contained a value of $120.73, almost five times what I paid for it - so I'm pleased. I'm curious to see what January's box will bring.