New Beauty Test Tube--July 2018
For those who haven't heard, New Beauty Test Tube is a bimonthly box that delivers a variety of beauty items ranging from hair and skin care to makeup and supplements. Although July is only my second box and I'm on the fence if I will continue receiving it.
There isn't typically a theme when it comes to these boxes but the variety and quality are great. I rave about the face wash from May and it's still one of my frontrunners in daily skin care.
For the boring stuff...... I am not an affiliate and don't receive a penny for new subscribers. The details about this box: it's delivered every other month (6 times a year) for $29.95 plus $9.95 shipping. Many of the items are high end and you will receive some samples/deluxe samples. Overall, the box is worth what you pay and then some.
So..... Now that I've bored you to sleep, how about we talk about the items????
I will start with the item I was most excited to receive.
Briogeo Scalp Revival Charcoal + Peppermint Oil Cooling Jelly Condition (Retail: $36)
For those who have been following me for awhile, I love Briogeo. Their products are great and are free from all the bad things for your hair.
This conditioner smells amazing!! It's fresh and minty but not overpowering. It truly has a cooling feeling on the scalp too. This conditioner is intended to be paired with the charcoal shampoo (which I don't have......yet) but it still felt great after I used a different shampoo. My hair was soft and silky, not weighed down. Overall, this is another A+ item in my book.
Laritzy Long Lasting Liquid Lipstick in Favor (Retail: $20)
We've all heard the claims of long lasting for awhile. How many of these lip products ACTUALLY last more than a few hours? How many last past your morning coffee? I don't know about you, but there are very few liquid lipstick that have made it through a portion of my day without falling apart or, in general, looking awful. This isn't one of those. From the second I put it on, I knew I didn't like it. The sad part is I love the color. But it magnified everything I don't like about my lips because it settled into my imperfections. But it isn't drying or sticky. In fact, it's extremely comfortable. Unfortunately, I never did a wear test because I don't want everyone seeing my lips look this way. I might exfoliate my lips (again), moisturize and try it again. But I might not either.
Skinn Cosmetics Collagen Boost Treatment Shadow Collection in Fairy Tale (Retail $32)
I'll be honest. After I swatched this palette, I had NO desire to use it. I still don't. The texture is creamy but difficult to swatch. Some of the shades has no color payout, even after dipping in more than one. I didn't go in lightly either. The colors are pretty but they don't do anything for me. I don't go for bright colors but I do want my colors to be visible. These look too pastel for me.
The remaining items in the box are samples. I will list estimated value of the sample and the retail price for full size.
There is a skincare set of samples (at least that's how I'm seeing them). Since they're close to the same size, I would use them up in roughly the same amount of time so am using them together. There's a gentle cream cleanser, a vitamin c toner and a renewing facial lotion. My review of these items will, in many ways, reflect off how they react with each other.
HMV Hypoallergenics Hydra Balance Gentle Cream Cleanser (Sample ERV: $6, Retail $24)
This is a nice, really lightweight cleanser. It foamed well and left my skin feeling cleansed by not stripped. The first time I used it I washed with my hands, the second time I used my Clarisonic. I prefer the second method since I enjoy a light exfoliation when I wash my face. A full size bottle is 4 ounces and, at $24, I don't know that it would be worth it to me. I can attest that it didn't give me any type of reaction and my skin is pretty sensitive. So if that's something you're looking for, this could work for you. It's not so overpriced that it's unreasonable. Just something that I wouldn't buy since there are so many other cleansers I love at a lesser price.
Georgette Klinger Vitamin C Toner (Sample ERV: $5.43, Retail $26)
First, this toner has a delightful scent. I can't really describe it. Just know that it's nice. I'm not a connoisseur of toners. Most of my life has been spent using Clinique. Recently I branched out into the glycolic world and have been fluctuating between Derma E and Mario Badescu. That being said, I'm perfectly content with Thayers witch hazel. So, given my range, I can't say if there's anything special about this toner. It left my skin feeling the same as most others. Not as tacky as after I use Derma E though. Before moisturizing my skin felt soft.
Epionce Renewal Facial Lotion (Sample ERV:$27.65, Retail $94)
I didn't look at the price of this product before slathering it on my face. I'm pretty sure I put about $5 worth of lotion on, then had a heart attack when I estimated the cost of my 0.5 ounce sample. This is high end, for a reason. This feels amazing! The claim is that it tackles dullness and visible signs of aging. There isn't enough product in my sample for me to be able to substantiate any of that. But I will certainly enjoy this while it lasts. (I'll get every drop out of it too. lol) One thing is for sure though. I will not spend $94 on 1.7 ounces of a face cream. I'll stick with Ponds.
True Moringa Simplicity Facial Oil (Sample ERV:$4.42, Retail $26)
Facial oils are something I can do without for most of the year. My combo skin leans oily until late fall and all of winter, then it's the Sahara desert. This is when I will add a little oil to my moisturizer. A sample will literally last the entire season for me. So this oil will come in handy when Tennessee turns into Calgary and we all feel like we're going to freeze to death. That being said, this is a nice oil that feels really good on my skins and absorbs quickly. If I were to ever purchase a full size of any facial oil, this might be it. The price is reasonable and the product is good.
There isn't typically a theme when it comes to these boxes but the variety and quality are great. I rave about the face wash from May and it's still one of my frontrunners in daily skin care.
For the boring stuff...... I am not an affiliate and don't receive a penny for new subscribers. The details about this box: it's delivered every other month (6 times a year) for $29.95 plus $9.95 shipping. Many of the items are high end and you will receive some samples/deluxe samples. Overall, the box is worth what you pay and then some.
So..... Now that I've bored you to sleep, how about we talk about the items????
I will start with the item I was most excited to receive.
Briogeo Scalp Revival Charcoal + Peppermint Oil Cooling Jelly Condition (Retail: $36)
For those who have been following me for awhile, I love Briogeo. Their products are great and are free from all the bad things for your hair.
This conditioner smells amazing!! It's fresh and minty but not overpowering. It truly has a cooling feeling on the scalp too. This conditioner is intended to be paired with the charcoal shampoo (which I don't have......yet) but it still felt great after I used a different shampoo. My hair was soft and silky, not weighed down. Overall, this is another A+ item in my book.
Laritzy Long Lasting Liquid Lipstick in Favor (Retail: $20)
We've all heard the claims of long lasting for awhile. How many of these lip products ACTUALLY last more than a few hours? How many last past your morning coffee? I don't know about you, but there are very few liquid lipstick that have made it through a portion of my day without falling apart or, in general, looking awful. This isn't one of those. From the second I put it on, I knew I didn't like it. The sad part is I love the color. But it magnified everything I don't like about my lips because it settled into my imperfections. But it isn't drying or sticky. In fact, it's extremely comfortable. Unfortunately, I never did a wear test because I don't want everyone seeing my lips look this way. I might exfoliate my lips (again), moisturize and try it again. But I might not either.
Skinn Cosmetics Collagen Boost Treatment Shadow Collection in Fairy Tale (Retail $32)
I'll be honest. After I swatched this palette, I had NO desire to use it. I still don't. The texture is creamy but difficult to swatch. Some of the shades has no color payout, even after dipping in more than one. I didn't go in lightly either. The colors are pretty but they don't do anything for me. I don't go for bright colors but I do want my colors to be visible. These look too pastel for me.
The remaining items in the box are samples. I will list estimated value of the sample and the retail price for full size.
There is a skincare set of samples (at least that's how I'm seeing them). Since they're close to the same size, I would use them up in roughly the same amount of time so am using them together. There's a gentle cream cleanser, a vitamin c toner and a renewing facial lotion. My review of these items will, in many ways, reflect off how they react with each other.
HMV Hypoallergenics Hydra Balance Gentle Cream Cleanser (Sample ERV: $6, Retail $24)
This is a nice, really lightweight cleanser. It foamed well and left my skin feeling cleansed by not stripped. The first time I used it I washed with my hands, the second time I used my Clarisonic. I prefer the second method since I enjoy a light exfoliation when I wash my face. A full size bottle is 4 ounces and, at $24, I don't know that it would be worth it to me. I can attest that it didn't give me any type of reaction and my skin is pretty sensitive. So if that's something you're looking for, this could work for you. It's not so overpriced that it's unreasonable. Just something that I wouldn't buy since there are so many other cleansers I love at a lesser price.
Georgette Klinger Vitamin C Toner (Sample ERV: $5.43, Retail $26)
First, this toner has a delightful scent. I can't really describe it. Just know that it's nice. I'm not a connoisseur of toners. Most of my life has been spent using Clinique. Recently I branched out into the glycolic world and have been fluctuating between Derma E and Mario Badescu. That being said, I'm perfectly content with Thayers witch hazel. So, given my range, I can't say if there's anything special about this toner. It left my skin feeling the same as most others. Not as tacky as after I use Derma E though. Before moisturizing my skin felt soft.
Epionce Renewal Facial Lotion (Sample ERV:$27.65, Retail $94)
I didn't look at the price of this product before slathering it on my face. I'm pretty sure I put about $5 worth of lotion on, then had a heart attack when I estimated the cost of my 0.5 ounce sample. This is high end, for a reason. This feels amazing! The claim is that it tackles dullness and visible signs of aging. There isn't enough product in my sample for me to be able to substantiate any of that. But I will certainly enjoy this while it lasts. (I'll get every drop out of it too. lol) One thing is for sure though. I will not spend $94 on 1.7 ounces of a face cream. I'll stick with Ponds.
True Moringa Simplicity Facial Oil (Sample ERV:$4.42, Retail $26)
Facial oils are something I can do without for most of the year. My combo skin leans oily until late fall and all of winter, then it's the Sahara desert. This is when I will add a little oil to my moisturizer. A sample will literally last the entire season for me. So this oil will come in handy when Tennessee turns into Calgary and we all feel like we're going to freeze to death. That being said, this is a nice oil that feels really good on my skins and absorbs quickly. If I were to ever purchase a full size of any facial oil, this might be it. The price is reasonable and the product is good.
Youthoeory Collagen Supplements Type 1, 2, & 3 (Sample ERV: $3.93, Retail $14.99)
I have done a lot of research on collagen supplements, mainly because I've been taking them for a long time. There is so much conflicting research that I'm not sure what/who is right. I will do anything to slow the aging process, even if it means taking a placebo in the form of a supplement. I don't know that these work. All I can say is I take them out of habit at this point in my life. So, if I still look like I'm 30 when I'm closer to 40, maybe that's why...... Or it's genetic.
And the grand total..... Estimated value of this box is $135.43. Considering that the cost of this box is close to $40, including shipping, this isn't bad. Would I buy these items again? Other than the Briogeo and the supplements, probably not. But the beauty of subscription boxes is stepping outside your comfort zone and trying things you normally wouldn't. Sometimes you win, sometimes you try again.
That's it for this box. Thank you for joining me today. I will see you all next time. 😘
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