The reason I got rid of my Birch Box is that I loved my first box, but was not a fan of my second box, so I ultimately decided I would rather spend that $10.00 on something I know I would like, then a bunch of foil packets I would probably get with a purchase from Sephora. I haven't had much of an interest in ordering a Birch Box since.
I have heavily researched the POPSUGAR Must Have Box, but given my current living situation (with the in-laws) and the amount of "lifestyle" items, it doesn't seem like the best choice for now. But, watch out when the husband and I get a house, because that will be coming to my door every month. This may even pop on on a Weekly Weakness post, so I can tell you all more about it, in case you might like it.
There are more I researched (Ipsy and Glossy Box being two other examples), but I am getting way off track of what will already most likely be a long post.
Ultimately, I went with the QVC New Beauty Test Tube. I had diligently watched every single video I could find on every one that came out (people think different things about them, so it's nice to get several different opinions), and saw what was in the newest one I would get, and ultimately decided to just enter my credit card information and get one of my own!
Now let me clarify something that confused me slightly- New Beauty releases their own Test Tube through their website and it has different items than the QVC One. I did research on both, and figured the QVC one would be the best choice for me.
Okay, now that that's all said... on with the review!
(All I have is this crappy Instagram pic. I promise I will have better pictures for my blog taken with my actual camera soon!)
My test tube came in that bright pink box. Inside the box was thick brown paper, and this tube. It also came with the New Beauty Magazine, as well as a guide to what was inside the tube. Inside of my tube came the following items: 1-fl oz Algenist Triple-Action Micropolish and Peel; 6-fl oz WEN by Chaz Dean Replenishing Treatment Mist; 0.04-oz tarte Skinny smolderEYES Amazonian Clay Waterproof Eyeliner; 1-fl oz Peter Thomas Roth Antiaging Cleansing Gel; 0.39-fl oz Mally Beauty Volumizing Mascara in Black; 0.4-fl oz philosophy hope in a jar night; 0.17-fl oz Josie Maran Argan Oil; 0.60-fl oz Perfect Formula Manicure Booster; and NewBeauty magazine. (This description taken directly from the QVC website to provide accurate information.)
I have provided information on where to buy and how much for reference. You can tell I easily paid for the price of the box with the size of the samples received!
Algenist Triple-Action Micropolish and Peel ($58.00 for 2oz from Sephora)
I was nervous about trying this product. I have very sensitive skin, and it smells very medicinal. I associate that smell with pain on my face. However, I have been very pleasantly surprised! This did not irritate my skin at all, and my skin definitely feels smooth after use. I have used this product three times since receiving my tube, all at night, and I can tell a difference the next morning- things just look a little brighter and if I had a breakout, it looks less irritated.
Would I repurchase? I could see myself investing in this after my sample runs out. I feel like it really helps my skin.
WEN by Chaz Dean Replenishing Treatment Mist ($19.99 for 6oz from Amazon)
This is something I had been wanting to try for awhile, and a huge check in the plus column of me purchasing this box. I've heard a lot about the WEN products, but never have purchased. The smell of my sample was Lavender, which I could take or leave, but it is not at all offensive in this product. My hair is fine, and very long, and tends to get tangled easily, but it seems like it gets less tangled when I spritz a little of this. I also have been using it to "refresh" my hair at night before going out with this on the ends and a little dry shampoo on my roots, and it definitely makes my hair more manageable.
Would I repurchase? This does make my hair more manageable, but I feel like there may be similar products out there, so I will be researching. If I do repurchase, I will probably go for the Fig next time.
tarte Skinny smolderEYES Amazonian Clay Waterproof Eyeliner ($19.00 from Ulta)
Let me start off this review by saying that I am a HUGE fan of Tarte products. Tarte was the first high end anything I ever purchased, and I frequently check out their products to see what's new. HOWEVER, I did not like this product at all. It is very, very soft. I barely touched it to my eye, and it crumbled everywhere- on my face, on my shirt, and IN MY EYE. Not pleasant. I stuck it in the freezer overnight to sharpen it the next day (that is how much was wasted from that one use), and it was still hard to sharpen. I did manage to get a little on my eye one day, and it smudged everywhere. Not in a sexy smudgy way, but in a looks like I have no idea how to do my makeup way. And because it's water proof, it did not want to come off.
Would I repurchase? Absolutely not. I would rather buy one of their EmphasEyes eyeliners.
Peter Thomas Roth Antiaging Cleansing Gel ($35.00 for 8.5 fl oz from Ulta)
My only previous experience with Peter Thomas Roth was some lotion that was available for use at the Hilton hotel my husband and I stayed at for our honeymoon. I have heard good things about the skincare, but had not yet wanted to spend the money to check it out. This stuff. I cannot say enough good things. It has not irritated my skin, it leaves my skin feeling very clean and soft. I don't have a need for an "anti-aging" cleanser- I don't have those issues at this time. But it has also helped with my acne (it has brightening properties and glycolic and salacylic acid). The description for the product indicates it is not ideal for sensitive skin, but I have not had any issues with redness after use.
Would I repurchase? Yes, absolutely. I love the results.
Mally Beauty Volumizing Mascara in Black ($20.00 from Ulta - currently online only)
I wasn't super impressed the first four times I used this mascara. It has a very wet formula, and I wasn't impressed with the results. However, I left it untouched for about a week and now I really like it! It definitely separates and gives me the look of volume, and no longer clumps.
Would I repurchase? Probably not. I have a bareminerals volumizing mascara that is one of my favorites, and I don't feel like this is a better product.
philosophy hope in a jar night ($48.00 for 2 fl oz from Sephora )
I have never tried a philosophy product before trying this. Blasphemy, I know. I have always wanted to give their products a try, but have never been in a situation where I wanted to choose it over something else high end that I wanted. This was another big sell on the box for me. It is a pretty thick cream, and you do not need much. I don't feel like it moisturized my skin right away, but the next morning my skin feels extremely soft. The smell is interesting, and not the best. I can't explain it other than to say I just don't like it.
Would I repurchase? No. I didn't like the results enough to spend this much money. It did make my skin soft, but I have other less expensive night time moisturizers that smell better and do just as good of a job.
Josie Maran Argan Oil ($48.00 for 1.7oz from Sephora)
The last big sell for me in ordering this tube. I have coveted this the last two times I have gone into Sephora, because I've heard it's AMAZING for split ends. I've also heard good things about it's skin care properties, but I have not used it for this purpose, so I can't speak to that. But the hair. To say my hair is soft is an understatement. If hair could be as soft as a babies butt, mine definitely would be when I use this stuff. I use about 4-5 drops, rub between my hands, and smooth first on the ends of my hair, and then I'll rub whatever's left from about ear-length to the ends again. My hair never tangles on the day I use this. Amazing, amazing stuff.
Would I repurchase? Given the rave above, you would think I would pay any amount for a "miracle" product. But I feel like there may be some alternatives out there that will be just as good (One 'n Only Argan Oil comes immediately to mind), so I will probably try some of those before repurchasing this.
Perfect Formula Manicure Booster ($4.95 from Amazon)
I wanted to LOVE this product. I do my nails about twice a week or more, depending on my mood, and love a good primer and top coat, and this is marketed as both. It did HORRIBLE things to two of my nail polishes. Bubbles everywhere the first time I used it. I figured I probably didn't let this set long enough on my nails, but on my next use, I had the same problem. It also did not dry quick enough for me- over an hour later, I moved slightly and bumped my finger against my bed sheet and got instant wrinkling in the polish. Not cool. I also experienced chipping after my first day of wear both times I used this. I will use this on occasion to see if maybe the past experiences were flukes, which they very well could be. I will definitely keep you all updated.
Would I repurchase? The depends on the outcome of continued use. If I had to choose to repurchase either today or never, it would be never.
NewBeauty magazine ($9.99)
I figured I might as well go ahead and review the magazine while I am reviewing the rest of the tube!
I enjoyed this magazine, but it definitely had too much plastic surgery talk for this girl! However, with that said, I did find out a lot of interesting things. It is probably not something I would choose to pick up on my own (It's $9.99 and I don't feel like there's enough content that I enjoy to spend that kind of money), but it was a nice bonus!
Overall Thoughts: I am really happy with the purchase over all. I got to try things I never would have, and discovered a couple new favorites!
Will I reorder?: Yes! I'm signed up for auto delivery and plan on getting the August and October shipments.
FTC: This product was purchased by me with my own money. All opinions are my own. This post does not contain any affiliate links, the links are for your reference only.
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