unboxing Archives » Alina Avery

Play! By Sephora Unboxing – January 2016

January 22, 2016 by Alina Avery Leave a Comment

The theme for this month’s Play! box is: No Appointment Necessary. The idea is that with these products, you can achieve “salon” results at home. I actually love trips to the salon. A little time to myself to get pampered, relax, and leave looking and feeling my best is always welcome, but at the same time, my schedule and budget doesn’t always allow for frequent facials or blowouts, so an at-home, DIY option is a great alternative.

Inside this box:

Sephora eye mask in green tea – This is the “Relaxing & refreshing” scent. Sheet masks aren’t really my thing. I’ve tried a few and I find them uncomfortable to wear, hard to apply, and not all that effective, but I’m willing to give these eye patches a go. They’re smaller and it seems like they’d fit a wider variation of face shapes.

Living proof prime style extender spray – I’ve tried the extender gel/serum and didn’t really see that it made much of a difference, but I generally prefer sprays like this over creams or gels as they’re easier to distribute through hair evenly. Lately my hair washing and styling schedule has been a little off kilter since I’ve been exercising so much. I’m interested to see if this (combined with a generous amount of dry shampoo) can get me through a workout (or two, don’t judge) without needing to shampoo. I usually throw my hair up into a high workout ponytail, so hopefully this can help prevent that dreaded ridge hairties leave.

dr. brandt needles no more – There are dr. brandt products I love and some that I find just ok. My skin has been in tip top shape lately, due to a number of factors, but one of the products I’ve been LOVING is the ruby crystal retinol hydracrème. I’m hoping that I feel similarly about this product. I don’t really have many wrinkles, but I’ve noticed a few around my eyes. If this works, it’s definitely a game changer.

Clinique chubby stick sculpting highlight – “Strobing” is still a major trend. I like the idea of a stick highlighter, since it can just be thrown into a makeup bag for touchups on the go, and the formula here is great. It blends nicely and the finish is smooth and satiny, but the “illumination” is a little too subtle for my tastes. I like a bold highlight! This might work well to layer under a powder highlight for a dramatic effect. I’m also not 100% sold on the color. It pulls pretty cool on my skin, like a silvery pearl, where I tend to prefer more golden, warm highlight shades.

Dr. Dennis Gross alpha beta peel – I already own, use, and LOVE this product. It’s price-y, but so worth it. It makes my skin super smooth and glowing and it’s a fast and easy treatment. I generally go for the extra strength version and this one is the original formula (there’s also a new gentle formula out!) so I’m wondering if this might be a little more gentle for every day. I typically use the extra strength ones less often since they’re pretty aggressive and I don’t want to over-exfoliate and they’re so expensive!

Finally – Tocca Isabel fragrance – I love the Tocca Stella scent so I’m open to trying other fragrances from the brand. This one is described as “classic floral” with Spanish rose, bergamot and Mediterranean orange. It smells mature and fresh to me. I wish it had a spray nozzle, but I’ll give this one a go as well.

This box was heavy on the skin care, but I don’t mind as I’m definitely trying to be good to my skin this year. I also like that there are newer and higher end products included which is fun to see.

All in all a pretty good box. I’ll use most of the products included, and they’re either new to me or products I already love, so thumbs up all around!

Sephora Play! November 2015

November 23, 2015 by Alina Avery Leave a Comment

It’s that time again! My Sephora Play! November box has arrived!

The Sephora Play! boxes have been steadily improving, at least in my opinion. Here’s a look at November’s box.

This month’s theme is “The Exclusives”, meaning products that are exclusive to Sephora.

At first glance, some really great things in here!

Bite Beauty products are some of my favorites. This is their High Pigment Lip Pencil in Rhubarb, which is an intense dark pink, described as “plum rose”. I’ve tried the High Pigment Lip Pencils before (I think the shade Pomegranate was a the Sephora Birthday perk one year?) and find them to be easy to apply and creamy, but prone to feathering and a bit drying over time. This is a pretty shade though and the finish is inbetween matte and glossy.

I recently purchased a full size of the Make Up Forever Step 1 Primers in mattifying (and LOVE it) so I’m happy to see the hydrating version in the box. “Multi-masking”, or using different masks on different areas of the face to treat different concerns, has been popular lately, so maybe I’ll take a stab at “multi-priming” and use this sample under my eyes and on my cheeks where skin tends to be dry and the matte version on my nose and chin where I get oily.

I don’t think I’ll ever use this next sample, but who knows. It’s the Sephora Collection Contour Eye Pencil in My Boyfriend’s Jeans. Bright blue pencil eyeliner isn’t really my thing, but maybe I’ll branch out and try it. Maybe I won’t. Regardless, this pencil was smooth and pigmented in a metallic royal blue color.

The Josie Maran Argan Oil is reaching cult status among beauty mavens. It’s a really hydrating oil that can be used on skin, face, nails, feet or hair (so basically anywhere). I haven’t tried it before, but it’s supposed to be balancing and hydrating, and I’ve been looking for a cuticule oil that I can use at work without leaving my keyboard a slippery wreck, so maybe this is it. The dropper bottle is pretty convenient as well.

I love these Buxom Full-On Lip Products, and like I said, they tend to pop up in gifts with purchase, point perks, and sample boxes, so I’ve grown a pretty solid collection of this size. Not that I’m complaining. This shade is Dolly, which is a medium pink, like my lips but better. The same semigloss finish and the same cool minty plumping action. Love this.

And finally, a fragrance sample. Stella by Stella McCartney doesn’t smell very unique to me. I couldn’t pick it out of a lineup and I tend to like fragrances that are unique and distinct. It smells nice though, so I’ll probably give it a wear or two to see if it grows on me.

Everything out of the packaging:

And swatches of the color products:

These boxes hav been steadily improving. I’ll definitely use at least four of these products, and only one that’s a definite dud. I’m excited to see what they bring out for holiday in December!

November Birchbox 2015 Unboxing

November 12, 2015 by Alina Avery Leave a Comment

I feel like I JUST got my October box, but none-the-less, my November Birchbox has arrived.

I’ll say it now – I’m THRILLED with this box.

November’s theme is “Feeling Fancy” and I definitely am with this box. I love the cool floral pattern and the metallic copper logo is gorgeous. This is one of my favorite box designs so far this year (after the Rifle Paper Co box of course)!

On to the samples!

The first thing I noticed was the Living Proof Perfect Hair Day (PhD) Dry Shampoo. This might be my holy grail dry shampoo. At least of the spray on variety. The scent is the same as most Living Proof products that I’ve tried (it’s gorgeous) and this stuff actually WORKS. It will look white/powdery when you first apply, but the trick is to let it set for 30 seconds and then massage it in to absorb oil. My hair feels actually clean and not full of product when I use this. It takes a bit more work but it’s so worth it. I’m on Day 3 hair right now and you’d never know it thanks to this product. So obsessed. I’ll definitely be repurchasing the full size once this runs out.

Next up, the TempleSpa La La Lagoon Bath and Shower Gel. I actually haven’t tried this as a shower gel yet, but I don’t think I will because I’m really not into the scent. It’s a pretty product and a great sized sample but I don’t think it’s for me. Here’s the thing though, I love getting samples in my Birchbox of products that I dislike. It gives a lot of clarity to what will work for me and what won’t, so I feel better informed when I’m shopping. For example, I’m not in love with the scent of this shower gel. The Birchbox website says it has “Thyme, Aloe Vera, Bitter Orange, Basil, Peppermint, Guaiac, Coriander, Nutmeg”. Therefore, I know which scent combinations don’t work for me. The point of paying for a service like Birchbox isn’t to just get products every month for $10, it’s also to discover what does and doesn’t work for you. The dry shampoo did, and this shower gel didn’t. You’re paying for the opportunity to try new things.

Ok, rant over.

Next: Birchbox’s newest launch, LOC One-and-Done Shadow Stick in Impress Me. This was my sample choice pick. It’s a great product. I don’t know exactly how unique it is, but It’s definitely wearable and versatile and easy to apply. I’ll be testing it out for wear time and creasing and all of that good stuff soon. It’s interesting to see Birchbox launch their own line of products, and very smart in my opinion. Birchbox knows exactly where the gaps in the market are because they get so much feed back from customers every month, so they can really deliver a product that people are interested in. They have a great opportunity here to do some fun things with the LOC line. I’m excited to see what comes next!

I also received MAKE Face Gloss. I’ve actually trie this product before and really like it. It’s a multipurpose glossy balm that can be applied to get that glossy eye look that’s so trendy right now, or to add a cheek highlight without a single speck of shimmer, or to make lips look fuller and poutier. You can even sweep it through brows to make the hairs look a bit glossier and fuller. It’s a really interesting product and a great sized sample since you only need a tiny bit. If you’re after a glowy or dewy look, this is your product.

And finally, Liz Earle Superskin Moisturizer. Liz Earle’s cleanse and polish has been a best seller since it launched in the Birchbox shop and has set them up as a staple for great skin care. This moisturizer is pretty heavier, so it’ll make a great night cream for the winter months, but might be a bit heavy to wear every day or under makeup, at least for my combination-oily skin. The quality of the packaging and the size of the sample are really impressive though. It really feels like a luxury product.

Really happy with the contents of this month’s box! I think the assortment and quality of the products is perfect and this is the second month in a row where I’ve really felt great about everything. Keep it up, Birchbox! You’re making me proud! Want to sign up for Birchbox? Get $5 off your first box here.

Sephora Play! October 2015

October 26, 2015 by Alina Avery 2 Comments

This month’s Sephora Play! box theme is “Secrets to Dewy Skin”.

Before I get into the specific products, I’ll mention that compared to last month’s disappointing assortment, I thought that this box was much improved.

First, a Sephora sheet mask in Pearl. I also received a sheet mask in my Birchbox, which isn’t surprising as they’re very trendy currently. This one promises to be perfecting and brightening. I can’t say whether or not it works, but I am interested in trying it. It’s not something I would have picked out on my own, so it’s kind of cool to get it in the box.

Next, the Fresh Black Tea Age-Delay Instant Infusion. I actually have the full size of this already and like it well enough so this is a nice sample to receive. Fresh is a great brand and I love the Black Tea line of products as “age-delaying” is definitely something I’m looking to do!

Two products from Boscia: the Detoxifying Cleanser and the Charcoal Konjac Sponge. I’ve used sponges like these before, and I always like getting tools in beauty boxes. You soak the sponge in water and it grows and softens and you can use it to cleanse and exfoliate skin, with cleanser or even alone. The warming gel cleanser, however, I’m not very excited about. Gel cleansers and I never really get on well as they tend to dry out my skin and leave it tight. The “warming” part also worries me. I’ll give it a go, but I don’t have high hopes.

The Dr.Jart+ Ceramidin Day Tint is a sample I’ve received before from Birchox. It’s a bit too light for me, so I wish I had gotten the un-tinted formula instead. It’s very sheer coverage, but the finish is perfect, light and soft and luminous. I might save it for the winter when my skin reaches it’s peak paleness. The only negative is that it has a bit of a funny scent. Ceramides are amazing for skin and this has SPF in it.

Belif is a Korean skincare brand. The True Cream – Aqua Bomb is a lightweight gel-cream with a cooling finish. Gel moisturizers, like gel cleansers, never seem to really do much for me. This one seems refreshing if not super hydrating, so it could be nice for mornings to wake up and as a base for makeup, since it’s not too heavy.

Finally, Atelier Cologne is a super luxe fragrance brand. Their scents are usually very unique and interesting, This one is Mandarine Glaciale, citrus-y and musk-y and unique. It’s a unisex fragrance, like most Atelier Cologne fragrances, so it’s not too sweet.

So all in all, not a bad box, but not a lot of makeup. The only “color” product is the tinted moisturizer, which is a lovely product, but not really makeup, and not really a great match for my skin even. I do prefer it to last month’s box, but I think there’s definitely room for improvement.

Sephora Play! Unboxing – September 2015

September 26, 2015 by Alina Avery 1 Comment

As you’d expect from a beauty sample hoarder and Sephora fangirl, I signed up for the Play! box as soon as it was available.

Let’s take a look at what’s inside:

My overall impression: This is a bigger box than you’d expect from Birchbox or Ipsy, with deluxe samples, good variety of color, skin, and hair care, and well-known brands. It’s also a great value for $10. So the first impact is a good one, but looking closer….

Ok so here’s a big Sephora secret: Kendo Brands. Have you heard of this? From their website:

KENDO IS AN INNOVATIVE BRAND INCUBATOR. Launched in 2008, KENDO began as a division of the SEPHORA merchandising department to create products and brands that SEPHORA knew their clients wanted, but which didn’t yet exist in the market.

So basically, Kendo was created to add more brands and products to Sephora’s catalog that Sephora had control over but weren’t Sephora Collection. It includes Bite Beauty, Elizabeth and James, Ole Henrikson, Marc Jacobs Beauty, FormulaX, and Kat Von D. All of these brands, like Sephora itself, are owned by LVMH. Meaning that Sephora, or it’s owners and controllers, have direct access to their manufacturing pipelines and control over what’s produced. And they also make a better margin off of the sale of full-size products since they manufacture them in-house and aren’t paying a wholesale price. Of the 6 products in this box, 4 of them are from Sephora owned brands. (The other two, Glam Glow and Bumble and bumble, are owned by Estée Lauder Companies.) Let’s be clear, there are products from Kendo Brands that I DO really like and purchase and use, I just think that in the effort of full disclosure, it should be known that they are basically Sephora subsidiaries.

It makes sense that Sephora would include products in their box where they’d be able to ensure the proper supply of samples, but it’s kind of disheartening to know that 2/3 of the products in the Sephora box are essentially Sephora products. That said though, the products were created specifically to fill a gap in the market (even if it is so that Sephora could sell more), so they’re typically unique and interesting.

Ok so on to the products:

Elizabeth and James Nirvana White. It’s okay. A lot of people complain about getting fragrance samples in Birchboxes (source: used to work at Birchbox, also uses the internet) but I actually like it when it’s an interesting, new, unique scent that I wouldn’t pick up on my own. This one is none of those. It’s kind of basic and boring and I feel like Sephora promotes it a lot, but I don’t know anyone who actually wears it. Meh.

Marc Jacobs Highliner in Blacquer. Snore. If you have shopped at Sephora for any length of time, you probably already have this exact sample three or four times over in various shades. I know I have black and brown and I think also blue. People who bought this box probably already have tried this, already know if they like it or not, and if so, have already purchased the full size.

Sephora Rouge Infusion in Peony. Ok this one I’m actually kind of excited about. The color looks like a great neutral pink that would suit a lot of skin tones, and I hear a lot of good things about Sephora Collection lip products but never actually try them because they aren’t that good of a value and I always manage to find something more exciting to buy. I’ll let you know how I feel about this when I try it.

Ole Henriksen Sheer Transformation Face Cream. I feel like there are more interesting products from this line I’d want to try, but since they’re sending the same box to everyone (I assume) and everyone has such different skin, they had to pick something that would work universally. The same goes for:

GlamGlow Supercleanse. GlamGlow is REALLY well known for their pricey but effective mud masks. This is not one of those. It seems like an interesting cleanser, but it has fragrance and alcohol in it so it could be irritating for some people. I also prefer cleansers that will remove makeup and it doesn’t look like this mud-to-foam formula will take care of that very well. It also looks messy.

And finally, Bumble and bumble Hairdresser’s Invisible Oil Primer. Another meh. There are a lot of really fantastic Bumble and bumble products but this one doesn’t really impress me. I just don’t think that a hair primer is a necessary step and don’t really see the benefit here. Again, it’s got to work generically for any type of hair, so there’s a constraint on what they can include, but I’m not super jazzed about it.

The whole unboxing experience is pretty good, though. The Play! book has full pages dedicated to each product with augmented reality cues, meaning you can scan the image of the product with your phone using the Sephora app and get direct links to shop and read reviews (if you, a seasoned Sephora shopper, didn’t know all about these – super boring and over-marketed – products already). It takes just slightly longer than typing in the name of the product but it’s a cool idea. The box also comes with a Play! card which lets you get 50 bonus points with an in-store visit. (50 bonus points can be redeemed for 1/2 a deluxe sample at Sephora…)

So all in all, I’m kind of disappointed. Hopefully, the next box will have more variety, more exciting products, maybe they’ll let me tailor it to my preferences. I guess we’ll see!

Did you sign up for the Sephora Play! box? What did you think?

Also do you want to know more about beauty brands, how they are all related and who owns what? I could do a pretty interesting post on how the entire beauty industry is really just a handful of players.