Beauty Army--Monthly Beauty Samples Box

Hi Everyone,

I wanted to share with you what I got in my Beauty Army box, its like Birchbox, Glossybox, or any of the other beauty samples subscription services out there, really. It's $12 a month, or 12 months for $132. I've been really wanting to try out one of these suscription services, because I love packages in the mail and samples, and I think it's really a fun idea. I know you can go out and just pick up samples, but this way I get to sample products and companies I have never heard of, or don't have around here.

The main difference is that Beauty Army lets you choose your samples. You also fill out a Beauty Profile about your preferences, so perhaps that way their company can figure out what types of samples their customers are most interested in.

Here is my box!

I received:

Sun Fx Tan Extender 2.2 fl oz
Babor Cleansing Oils 10 mL each of Hy-Ol, and a Phytoactive Base Oil
Weleda Iris Facial Hydrating Lotion 0.17 oz
Shea Terra Organics Moroccan Argan Oil Sample, amount unlisted. Probably about 5-7mL
Lift Lab Lift and Firm Eye Cream, amount unlisted. Its the little white container above.
Cell Ceuticals Photo Defense Daily Skin Protector SPF 55+  .33 oz

What I think:

So far, I love the idea! It was fun to open up all my samples. I picked a lot of oils and moisturizers this month, because I am looking for a new facial moisturizer and new eye cream, and I am very interested in using oils to moisturize and cleanse.

I also like little sample containers to re-use when I go traveling, so that's nice as well. I will re-use these containers.

The box itself is very cute, and I will re-use that as well for storing makeup.


A quick side note, I went to Macys yesterday to get samples of Estee Lauder Double Wear Light, and had such a rude experience with the sales person. I look young, and was casually dressed, and when I go to Macys like that, I usually can count on that reaction. How snooty! I am a paying customer, and purchase a lot of makeup each year. I told her I was deciding between the Intensity 2.0 and 3.0, and she told me in a rude way to only choose 1 shade to sample, whereas with other sales associate they would always give me 2 shades to take home and try on. I also got no assistance with her to try on the new EL blushes I had my eye on. Anyways, to add to my annoyance, when I got home the 2.0 shade was too light. Grrrrrr.

Review: My Thoughts on Laura Mercier Silk Creme Foundation

Have you tried this foundation? 

What Laura Mercier Says:

"Laura Mercier Silk Crème Foundation is a rich and luminous foundation offering full coverage while hydrating and protecting the skin. The long-wearing foundation evens out skin tones and increases skin luminosity and clarity for a radiant glow. Its rich, creamy texture glides over the skin effortlessly giving you ample playtime for perfect application and blendability. Perfect for rosacea and hard to cover pigmentation. Oil-free and ideal for all skin types."

Ingredients (Cashew Beige): Cyclopentasiloxane, Water (Aqua), Phenyl Trimethicone, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, PEG-12 Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Butylene Glycol, Silica Dimethicone Silylate, Isononyl Isononanoate Polysilicone-11, Dimethicone Glycerin, Sodium Chloride, Glyceryl Polymethacrylate, Phenoxyethanol, Trihydroxystearin, Diisopropyl Dimer Dilinoleate, Ethylhexyl Hydroxstearate, C30-45 Alkyl Cetearyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Sorbitan Sesquioleate, Propylparaben, Methylparaben, Ethylparaben, Butylparaben, Isobutylparaben, Retinyl Palmitate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Silk Powder (Serica), Saccharomyces/Xylinum Black Tea Ferment, Propylene Glycol, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Potassium Sorbate, Titanium Dioxide (CI 77891), Iron Oxides (CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499), Mica (CI 77019).

What I think:

This foundation is definitely a full coverage foundation. It has a beautiful finish at first, but on my skin type it is not long-wearing. It evens out skin tone, and minimizes my pores very well. It is a gel/thick creme consistency. You only need the smallest amount for your whole face. This justifies the $42 price tag, in terms of cost per wear. 

My skin is combination/oily and my T-zone definitely gets pretty oily only 4 hours later. I need to touch up and powder. The foundation will fade on my T zone and chin the fastest. 

The biggest drawback is it doesn't set well on me. Besides having my oil break through only 4 hours after application (which means this is not going to be good for work for me), it also transfers onto anything I touch all day. Meaning: clothes, anyone I hug!, tissue, ANYTHING. I have tried all different setting powders, and methods of application. I think it's just the way the foundation is on my skin. 

I wish it would set better, since I love the way it looks on my skin. I use the shade 'Cashew Beige'. It transfers too much for everyday, but this will definitely be part of my special occasion makeup, since did I also mention it looks amazing in pictures?

February Favorites

Korres Blush in #15 'Natural'.

This is the perfect shade of blush/bronzer to warm up my face. I usually wear is as a bronzer under my cheekbones, and lightly dusted on my temples. Its the perfect shade for my current paler winter skin tone. I top with my Lorac Soul blush on cheeks for my every day look. Its a peachy brown, more brown than in the picture, but a warm brown, so it can be used for blush or bronzer on me. It reminded me of my all time favorite Dallas blush by Benefit, but perhaps with a touch more shimmer.

Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer in 'Bisque'

I have been wearing this every day, I have needed a little bit more coverage, and my skin is a little drier with winter, so powder foundations are not working for me. I used the oil-free formula, and I use the primer as well. I have a deluxe sample size of the primer that I have been using. I like that this moisturizer has SPF in it.

Mac Eyebrow Crayon in 'Spiked'

This is so easy and fast in the mornings to do my eyebrows, and looks very natural if I do small strokes. I am liking this much better than powder eyeshadow, that I used before, or Benefit Brow-Zings, which currently doesn't match me. I use the color 'Spiked', which is the second to darkest color I believe. It is a very dark brown.

HoneyBee Gardens Powder Colors Mineral Color in 'Sedona'

This is such a pretty color. I recently purchased a few samples shades of mineral eyeshadows, a blush, and bronzer from HoneyBee gardens. I have been loving the shade "Sedona' this week. Its such a pretty bronzey-coppery sparkle shade. Its a much more orange/copper color than I have worn before, but I love trying new shades and going out of my comfort zone.

And I'm so glad I did! This is one of my favorite eyeshadow colors, and I love the gold sparkles in it. You can see a swatch in the 'Browns' row, IRL it is more orange than pictured. I wear it with Too Faced Shadow Insurance underneath.