Happy You Year with January Sephora Play!
New Year Same Subscription Box – This months theme was all about a Happy You Year. Keep reading for all the testing and truth about this months products.
GLAMGLOW SUPERCLEANSE™ Clearing Cream-to-Foam Cleanser
CAD $42.00 • SIZE 5 oz/ 150 g • ITEM 1993039
Good For: All Skin Types
Solutions For: Acne and Blemishes, Oiliness, Pores
Formulated Without: Parabens, Sulfates, Phthalates
What Is It?
A cleanser with a powerful blend of three charcoals to detoxify skin by removing pore-clogging debris, excess oil, and face makeup.
What’s Nice About It?
Touted as possessing actives for super-clean, glowing skin, promising to transform from a creamy cleanser into a luxurious foam that will remove pore-clogging debris and impurities.
Other Niceties
The pore refining triple charcoal complex contains three charcoals—coconut, ubame white oak, and gray bamboo—to detox skin, while botanical ingredients like TEAOXI® eucalyptus leaf, licorice root, and cumin seed purify. Skin-refining, powerful AHAs support natural cell turnover and renewal, while K17 and Mediterranean clays absorb oils to mattify skin and restore balance to your complexion.
First Impression & Application Reflection
I have tried charcoal marks before but was intrigued by using a cleanser formula. The size of the sample seemed generous enough for a couple uses to truly test this product out. It felt like a thicker cleanser with an obvious dark grey colour and texture similar charcoal products. I was not crazy about the scent as it to me was a little too synthetic and licorice smelling. Applied well and had a slight gritty feeling as I massaged it around my skin.
Where I Stand
Unfortunately this product like any other Glam Glow product just has not worked for me. I am always intrigued by the promises these products tout but have always been reactive to any I have tried. After a few uses (days apart) my skin just felt rough, bumpy in texture and irritated. It was the only product I had changed in my routine so it was clearly the culprit. Needless to say I will not be repurchasing or continuing its use.
Love It, Leave It, Try It, Buy It
For me this was a LEAVE IT after multiple uses and how it left my skin. However, it may a TRY IT and work better for acne prone skin or people with less reactive skin.
LANCÔME CILS BOOSTER XL Super-Enhancing Mascara Base
CAD $32.50 • ITEM 852939
What Is It?
A lash-conditioning, mascara primer creating even longer and more volumized lashes.
What’s Nice About It?
This product is intended to with “ just one sweep, glide on and evenly coat and smooth your lashes to maximize the results of your favorite mascara.” It is powered by a conditioning formula—infused with micro-fibers and Vitamin E. With its white colour it allows black pigments to stand out from the clean base with more intensity than with traditional mascaras.
Other Niceties
This product can be used also as a "lash mask" at night on clean lashes to nourish and rejuvenate.
First Impression & Application Reflection
Another round of trying this primer – perhaps the formulation will wow me this time.Easy to apply, definitely can see the white coating at first. I found that my mascara I applied afterwards did not sit as nicely as when I apply it on its own.
Where I Stand
I may continue to use it as a lash mask overnight but I just don’t like the way it feels to have underneath my mascaras. Not to mention I do not like the idea of placing my mascara wand with an alternative formula over those lashes and combining formulas then putting is back in its tube.
Love It, Leave It, Try It, Buy It
Try It - If you like the idea of a primer for your lashes but as far as I go, its another LEAVE IT.
SMASHBOX Photo Finish Primerizer
CAD $50.00 • SIZE 1 oz/ 30 mL • ITEM 1974252
Good For: All Skin Types
Solutions For: Dryness, Dullness and uneven texture, Fine lines and wrinkles
Formulated Without: Parabens & Phthalates
What Is It?
A face primer and moisturizer in one product that promises to deliver 24-hour hydration and powerful primer benefits with a light texture.
What’s Nice About It?
Primerizer with its combination of primer and moisturizer is intended to hydrate and prep for makeup in one step. It is touted as a non-greasy, quick-dry formula that will help makeup to last. With ingredients like niacinamide to plump and moisturize and hyaluronic acid to prevent moisture loss it seems that the science should offer a perfect blend for no brainer makeup prep.
Other Niceties
This breakthrough primer contains 762 sextillion molecules of water per bottle. It also is cruelty-free and free of sodium lauryl sulfates, oil, fragrance, and talc. It is also vegan.
First Impression & Application Reflection
After hearing so many beauty influencers discuss this product I am interested in seeing what the blend of products will feel like and whether it will provide enough results as a primer and a moisturizer. It applied nicely to the skin - the formula was a lot thinner than I expected having used Smashbox primers in the past. It even had a bit of a light runny consistency for a moisturizer. It seemed to slowly soak into my skin and left a tacky residue which made me hesitate in applying makeup right away. It did adhere to my makeup nicely but I did not notice a significant improvement in the way it made it look.
Where I Stand
It did make my skin feel slightly smoother but I did not notice it offering a high level of hydration or at least not enough to make me feel like it was adequate underneath my makeup. It did not leave a white cast and did layer well with makeup even though I did find a bit too tacky for my liking.
Love It, Leave It, Try It, Buy It
It was nice to try but for me it is another LEAVE IT. I have found personally that the more I stay away from primers and focus on skincare my skin improved better on its own to not need the camouflage and extra layers of a primer. I do appreciate the innovation of blending a primer with a moisturizer but I just don’t find that this product goes far enough to become a must have. If you have normal skin I think it may provide adequate hydration or if you like a primer underneath your makeup this will give you that smoothing effect with an additional hint of hydration so it is worth a try. I think for dry skin beauties like me I would focus on layering more hydrating products and getting your skin in shape.
CLINIQUE Pep-Start Eye Cream
CAD $33.00 • SIZE 0.5 oz/ 15 mL • ITEM 1774819
Good For: All Skin Types
Solutions For: Dryness, Puffiness
Formulated Without: Parabens
What Is It?
An instant brightening and hydrating eye cream that features a blend of peptides to help combat the visible effects of your busy life.
What’s Nice About It?
It states it is a lightweight eye cream that provides a rush of hydration and instant brightening in as little as three seconds. It’s peptides help to support natural collagen reserves.
Other Niceties
This product is allergy and ophthalmologist tested, free of oil, fragrance and is an Allure Best of Beauty award winner.
First Impression & Application Reflection
This sample was however missing the cool touch and de-puffing tip that is supposed to help keep eyes looking fresh while smoothing the way for makeup. So right from this I am already not getting the full experience of how this product is intended to be applied. This eye cream was easy to apply and did blend beautifully into skin. However, without the intended cool touch de-puffing tip I did notice that it was not particularly dramatic in its effects. It felt good under my eyes and underneath makeup. It gave me no irritation and did seem to keep my undereyes well hydrated.
Where I Stand
It was a basic eye cream - no more, no less. I just have others that I prefer more for a better full priced product cost.
Love It, Leave It, Try It, Buy It
Try It – If you see this as a point perk or sample I would give it a go if you like a lightweight eye cream or are just trying out an eye cream for the first time and are of a younger age as it is a great introductory product. However, if you are older or looking for something that will provide dramatic results for real problem areas steer clear.
FRESH Rose Floral Toner
CAD $49.00 • SIZE 8.5 oz/ 250 mL • ITEM 661157
Good For: All Skin Types
Solutions For: Dryness, Oiliness, Dullness and uneven texture
Formulated Without: Parabens, Sulfates, Phthalates
What Is It?
A hydrating and soothing mist toner blooming with aromatic rosewater that is ideal for setting makeup and refreshing the skin throughout the day.
What’s Nice About It?
Fresh Rose Floral Toner is a soothing toner that works to clarify the complexion for a dewy look. Plus, its mist applicator makes it ideal for setting makeup and refreshing the skin throughout the day.
Other Niceties
The cooling, alcohol-free blend is blooming with aromatic rosewater—revered since antiquity for its calming and hydrating benefits.
First Impression & Application Reflection
I am excited to try this toner as it comes highly recommended and I have enjoyed rose water toners in the past. I am disappointed to see that the sample is not complete with a mist pump as that is the suggested and my desired way to apply toner as to not waste product soaking into a cotton pad for application. It was also suggested that it could be used as a makeup setting spray which is impossible in the packing provided for this sample. I did place the product in the fridge in order to cool and calm the face but I do feel that a glass bottle would allow the product to keep a cooler temperature than plastic. The toner felt great on the face both before applying makeup in the daytime or after cleansing my face at night.
Where I Stand
The toner does deliver on its promises to hydrate and sooth. I was very unhappy with the packaging of this sample yet again as I could not try the suggested multiple uses. My skin did feel hydrated but it did not make it dewy as promised.
Love It, Leave It, Try It, Buy It
Try It - This toner was very nice but I don’t feel it showed me substantial enough results to justify the price especially without being able to try all the suggested uses. I just find I prefer other toners and essences that offer me more such as the May Coop Raw Sauce. I would gladly accept it in another subscription box or in a gift Fresh gift set but I will not be purchasing the full size.
ALTERNA HAIRCARE CAVIAR Anti-Aging® Replenishing Moisture Shampoo & Conditioner
CAD$40.00 • SIZE: 8.5 oz/ 250 mL • ITEM 1415785
CAD $40.00 • SIZE: 8.5 oz/ 250 mL • ITEM 1415793
Good For: All Hair Types including Color-Treated Hair
Solutions For: Dry hair
Formulated Without: Parabens, Sulfates, Phthalates & free of DEA/TEA, petrochemicals, & synthetic color
What Is It?
A luxe shampoo and conditioner infused with caviar that nourishes and restores moisture to dry, dull hair.
What’s Nice About It?
Inspired by the Science of Skincare for Hair® the Caviar Anti-Aging line is “the first comprehensive line of hair care products that address intrinsic (natural aging process), chemical, and environmental aging by infusing hair with the finest, most effective ingredients to restore hydration, strength, vibrancy, and elasticity for more youthful-looking hair.”
Other Niceties
Every product contains pure caviar from the roe of non-endangered sturgeon fish, sustainably farmed in France. It is naturally luxurious and rich in vitamins, minerals, and omega fatty acids that help restore hair's lipid layer to its optimal state—the key to healthier, younger-looking hair.
First Impression & Application Reflection
Very excited to see a hair product back in this months box and I am all for anti-aging and science behind protecting and keeping my hair healthy. There was barely enough product for my long hair - a problem I frequently experience with foil packets versus deluxe sample size packing. The shampoo lathered up nicely but I wasn’t loving the scent. It rinsed out easily and the conditioner applied nicely and felt soft upon rinsing.
Where I Stand
First of all, I find that foil packets for one use of a hair product is just downright cheap of Sephora. I really wish that if they are going to distribute hair products that they do so in a way where you get multiple uses to really see results. I think this may be the case with this product although based on my first experience that is still doubtful. It was just lackluster at best. Texture was nothing new, smell was average bordering on unpleasant and results just weren’t there.
Love It, Leave It, Try It, Buy It
Leave It – There was just nothing special about it. I did not find that it lived up to any of its claims and was just absolutely OK. Not to mention for not being overly impressive it is just WAYYYYY too expensive. Save your hard earned dollars for something that delivers.
OVERALL
This box was a huge disappointment to start off the New Year, I really thought that they would have introduced some new and innovative products or some new brands to try for a brand new year. However, it was just more of the same. I feel like they have been recycling unpopular point perks and replaying products a few months later. This was the first month since I subscribed that I really did not have a stand out product in the whole box. I actually considered cancelling my subscription for the first time this month as I would rather buy a few minis I am excited about occasionally then subscribing to a box of products that seem to have nothing to do with the beauty profile I have filled out. I hope that in the months to come this changes or else I may be subscribing elsewhere.
What did you get in your box this month?
What new year products are you using?
Let me know in the comments below.
With Nice Things & Going Full Speed Ahead Into 2018
Andrea
* Product specific descriptions taken directly from the Sephora website *
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