I got a lot of good responses to my last Boxycharm review, and while I might have skipped last month, I am back with another one! My goal is going to be to do these monthly, but it will also depend on my ability to thoroughly test the products each month. Also, bare with me as I find an overall flow for each of these posts.

The Rundown:

Boxycharm is a monthly makeup and skincare subscription service. The cost of the standard box (there are a few different tiers) if you are on the monthly plan is $25/month. The box contains a variation of five full-sized products and is valued at over $100. Crazy.

Without further adieu, let’s jump (metaphorically) into my box.

1. Alamar Cosmetics- Complexion Brush Trio (MSRP: $36)

I’ve been really happy with the few things I have tried from this brand, and this brush set is no different. They feel really comfortable in my hand and the style and color of the handle is pretty.

The bronzer brush is quite interesting. It is not a flat top, rather there are these little divots created by packs of longer bristles in certain areas that create this bumpy texture if you were looking at the brush top from an aerial view. There is no other way to describe it. I don’t particularly know what this does for the brush that makes it better than other bronzer brushes? My guess would it be that it aids the blending process, in which case, it did blend beautifully, but the brush itself is quite dense. This might also lend to easy blendability. Overall, the most interesting brush in the set and I did enjoy it.

The brightening brush, I’ll admit, is the one I used the least. Mainly because all the makeup I’ve been doing has been relatively simple (busy girl life), so who has time for any type of brightening step? I will say though, once I finally reached for it, I was obsessed. Calling it simply a brightening brush is kind of insulting. I used it to set my under eye, but the shape and size of this brush is so versatile. I ended up using it for blush and highlight as well. I don’t think I actually owned a brush similar to this one before, so I am quite excited for this one!

The complexion brush is great for a light dusting of setting powder, but I wouldn’t necessarily use it for complexion products like your liquid or powder foundations. It is not dense enough for my liking and to get the coverage I want out of my powder foundation, I have to work for it. I have a bunch of brushes just like this one and it is not my favorite.

The set as a whole? I am glad to have received it and will probably continue to use.

2. Pretty Vulgar- Faux Reals Extreme Volume Mascara (MSRP: $23.00)

Not gonna lie, I opened this tube of mascara and thought to myself, Oh no another Better Than Sex mascara because it has that similar style infinity brush; however, I liked this one a lot better.

First of all, we can’t talk about this product without talking about the packaging. How. Cute. It’s an item that makes you happy just to look at it.

The formula is nice and gives you a little bit of everything in terms of volume and length. Does it give you a dramatic falsies look? No. Is that what I want everyday? Probably not, so who cares?

Overall, it isn’t memorable as the best nor the worst mascara I’ve ever used. I liked it, will use it up, and probably try something new because I’m a mascara junkie.

3. Kate Somerville- Kx Active Concentrates Bio-Mimicking Peptides Serum (MSRP: $98)

We just need to talk about the fact that this product costs nearly a hundred bucks and I only paid $25 for it. Not even considering I got four other things with it. That is wild.

Also, I would like to say that this is easily the standout product from the box. Not even because Kate Somerville is a reputable brand, but because it works. I’ve been using this morning and night and my skin feels great in terms of hydration, smoothness and elasticity. Granted, I don’t have any crazy signs of aging that need reversing at twenty-one years old, but we must start young, friends.

I probably won’t repurchase right away (mainly because I have an entire arsenal of skincare to get through and this sh*t is expensive), but this product is noted as a good one to go back to. Definitely will use it up and savor every drop.

4. Qveen- Matte Liquid Lip Satin (MSRP: $17)

Probably my least favorite product of the box. It’s not my favorite liquid lip. I was very conscious of it on my lips the whole time I was wearing it and found it a little drying. It had great staying power though. The shade (Wifey) is deeper, cool pink and really pretty, but I definitely have other lipsticks in my collection I prefer more in terms of formula and wear. I will be honest though. I wore this product once. Whether that is enough to make a fair judgment or speaks to the fact that I was not compelled enough to wear it a second time, is open to interpretation. I am just laying all the cards out on the table. It’s not a bad lip product. Don’t get it twisted. I was just quite underwhelmed.

5. Ciaté London- Everyday Vacay Coconut Setting Powder (MSRP: $22)

Another really nice product. The powder does a good job of setting and blurring. My skin looks smooth after pressing this into the skin. It is lightweight on the skin and has paired really well with some of the foundations in my collection.

There is a light coconut fragrance to it, so if you are sensitive or avoid fragrant products, I’d probably skip on it. It doesn’t bother me too much.

Let’s talk packaging. Powder will get everywhere if the container has been upside down as there is no stopper to keep it from doing otherwise. Traveling? Forget it. That bad boy better remain stationed on your vanity unless you want your room to look like a cake-baking mishap. There’s just so many kinds of innovative packaging on the market that is meant to avoid a messy loose powder situation, so I did find that particularly disappointing.

I am unaware of whether or not this powder will cause flashback in photography (it is stark white) because I didn’t take any pictures wearing it.

All in all, not a bad box. The overall retail value of the box was $196. Wow! The brushes and serum were among my favorites. Comment below which product you would be most excited to try!

Disclaimer: I pay for my subscription to Boxycharm myself and all opinions are my own.