Beauty boxes are still a relatively new thing for me - I am a convert since subscribing to Glossybox and Birchbox three months ago. For those unfamiliar with the concept, you pay a monthly fee (usually around £12 including postage and packing) and the box arrives packed with sample goodies of high end to high street brands. Usually the value of the boxes far exceed the price tag, which is great, its like playing the lucky dip every month and receiving a present in the post all at the same time. But what I love most about these boxes is the discovery of new products that I'd never otherwise try, some of which are absolute staples in my makeup bag or skincare routines now.
I discovered Wantable over a month ago and, like an addict moving onto the harder stuff, decided to take the plunge and subscribe $36 (about £21) a month to their boxes. This seems excessive and had I not had the positive experience of the others, I probably wouldn't have done it. But I am like a magpie to shiny things, or products, and the curiosity got the better of me. Wantable allow you to opt out at any time, so its not too much of a commitment. They charge more than all the others but the process is very personalised, they ask you an in depth series of questions about the types of things you like and the products you'd like to receive, so you know that you're most likely to get the things you like. They also send full sized products rather then samples, so you really do get more bang for your buck.
I received my first box in the post the other day, after some anticipation (Wantable is based in the US and text you to keep you up to date with the shipping process). I can't remember the last time I was so excited for the postman to visit, I really need to get a life! Anyway, I was very pleasantly surprised by the contents and wanted to share a little review of my box here.
I received 4 full sized items for my April box (which I received at the end of April due to joining late), though the website states you'll receive 4/5 products so I guess it varies month to month.
1. Eddie Funkhouser Hyperreal Eye Colour Palette Ultimate Smoky Eye - $14.99
I've not come across Eddie Funkhouser before, but I do love eyeshadow quads for experimenting with more shades. I've used this once and was very impressed with the outcome. The shadow stayed put for a long while, too! You get a good deal of eyeshadow in one swatch, which suggests that its of some quality, and the blend of colours means you can tone it down for daytime quite easily or create a dramatic look for the evening, depending on what you're up to.
2. Eyetini Eye Cordial Cream Shadow Tint & Base in Black Stripe – Value $18
I was so impressed with the packaging on this and thought it was a really cool idea - you swizzle the eyeshadow and it pushes up the eyeliner like a lipstick. However - to be honest, I wasn't too impressed with the product. It was a bit too dry and refused to glide on without quite a bit of encouragement, and the shade seems to come out a dark grey colour, which is contradictory to the name 'Black Stripe'. Mine also seemed a bit broken with the swivel bit sometimes, and refused to work properly. It was disappointing really, because this was one of the things that caught my eye initially when I opened the box due to its clever packaging. I would have been annoyed if I'd paid for this item. Wantable are one of the few beauty boxes that actually allow you to return your box and get a refund if you're not happy with the products, which is pretty great, but despite not liking this item much, I decided to keep it because I was so happy with the others.
3. Cailyn Deluxe Raw Natural Blush Powder - Peach Pink - $35
This is by far my favourite item from my box and completely makes up for the eyeliner above. I'm not actually a fan of mineral based makeup usually, which is odd being as I'm a pale redhead, and you'd think with the wider range of tones and opportunities for blending it would appeal to me, but it doesn't. However this peach shade is absolutely beautiful, and I was instantly impressed after applying it. It leaves a pop of colour on the cheeks and has a silky texture which blends easily. It's a bit cumbersome, I've had a few instances with blush escaping the pot and going onto the floor whilst trying to remove the sponge, but that's alright, because this one is a makeup life changer and I'm currently wearing it on a daily basis! I still used a makeup brush to apply it, but I can't work out if they are for some reason expecting you to use the sponge as some sort of applicator? There's far too much product on it and it would most definitely make you look like you were attempting clown college if you did. But this is forgivable due to its greatness otherwise. I'd happily buy this one again.
4. Face Stockholm Lip Liner - Lauren $17
I actually generally don't use lip liners, and I would have thought I'd put this down when answering my questions to personalise my boxes, but I must not have done in the fear of ruling something great out that I don't already use. That's one of the reasons I subscribe to these things, yes I want the products I like, but I'm also open to trying new things. That's what was so great about this liner - the shade is lovely, and the staying power also very good, but I'd otherwise not have tried it because lip liner isn't a general part of my makeup routine. I've been subsequently using it not just to line my lips, but as a lip colour as well. It's perfect for daytime wear, and stays put even after my morning cup of coffee (which is when the lipstick usually vanishes), even though they don't market this as a long lasting colour product!
So as a newbie Wantable subscriber - I think I'm going to stick with them for the time being - though my monthly costs on beauty boxes are starting to mount up! I may need someone to stage an intervention soon, or I might drop my other subscriptions and stick with this one. What's worse, or great, depending on how you look at it, is that Wantable also do an intimates box, and an accessories box, so today after leaving reviews of the products I received on their website, I stumbled across this and signed up for their May accessories after being wowed by this. Oops! Fingers crossed.. However, the box value for these full sized products above weighed in at $84.99, so for a $36 box, you could almost call it
saving money... (that's what I'm telling myself anyway).
Do you subscribe to beauty boxes? I'm always keen to hear about other bloggers experiences with them!
Alice xx
'Gellicures' however, are a Godsend compared to your average "NON CHIP" nail polishes, because they actually last at least a week, two if you're really lucky. They do chip eventually, but you can repair them, and at least you don't have to redo your nails constantly. This usually costs me around £20 a time at a salon, but you can buy your own gel lamp kit for around £15 from Ebay, which virtually does the same job. Then all you need to invest in are the polishes, which are approximately £5 each, so you basically pay for it all in the equivalent of one salon visit!
