BoxyCharm – September 2017

Disclaimer: This post contains referral links.  I have purchased the product(s) myself. Read the full disclosure here.

I’ve seen some spoilers that BoxyCharm posted, and got really interested, and although I really don’t need that much makeup, I decided to get myself onto their waitlist in late August. I was OK with getting the August box, if it happened, or to start with the September box as a birthday treat, and on September 1st BoxyCharm opened their waitlist, and I was charged for September.

BoxyCharm is a makeup subscription box that sends only full and deluxe size products. They advertise as sending 4-5 full size products, but often send more than that. The brands included are really good, with a mix of more and less popular high-end, natural and middle-level brands. There are some variations between boxes, but they are not big, and the value is pretty much equal between variations.

When you sign up you will almost always go onto their waitlist, and they will AUTOMATICALLY charge you once you’re off, unless you sign up on days when there is no waitlist, which happens every now and then. You will get the box from the month you are charged in, i.e. if you are charged in October, you are getting the October box.

The cost: US $21 + $5 shipping to Canada (no shipping charge for the US)

Ships to: Canada, US (except Hawaii and Alaska)

Everything comes nicely packed in a small black box, with foam padding. This so ingenious, since it keeps everything safely tucked in.

The box comes with an information card, with one side explaining how to enter to win a special BoxyCharm box…

…and the other side giving details of the products included, with some application tips.

This box also included a coupon code for 25% off any purchase on PURcosmetics.com.

This is everything that I received in my September box. Please note that there are some variations, and you may receive some different products. I will give more details about what products you may have received further down.

Soiree Diaries Eyeshadow Palette by PUR The Complexion Authority

This one product already covers the cost of the box, with retail price of $34 USD. PUR Cosmetics is a cruelty-free, vegan friendly, gluten, paraben and BPA-free brand. The palette has an on-trend white marble packaging and magnetic closure. It features a large mirror inside, and 12 eyeshadows. This palette is in every September box!

It has a lovely selection of warm colors, perfect for the fall, with 6 being matte and 4 shimmery. Color payoff is really good (swatched later), and I only noticed a little bit of kick-off. The shadows are quite smooth and blend well. You can use any 3 shadows in a column (vertically) as a trio, or combine them as you wish. This palette could truly carry you from day to night.

Eyebrows by MAC Cosmetics

How awesome to receive a MAC product! Every box has one of these eyebrow pencils, in either Spiked (rich brunette) or Lingering (soft taupe brown) shade, a $18 USD/$21 CAD value. Since this is my first box, I’m not sure if I was just lucky to receive the darker one that actually suits my hair color, or did BoxyCharm team really pay attention to my profile, but whichever it is I’m happy to have received the darker one. I don’t do my brows much, so don’t own too many eyebrow products, and I’m happy to receive this one to use for special occasions.

This pencil is supposed to be self-propelling and self-sharpening, but I am not sure how so, since I had to twist it to get it out, and the tip is always flat. Let me know if you figured it out, I’m not sure what I’m doing wrong.

The color payoff is good, and the pencil is not too soft, so you can get nice thin lines, but it’s not too hard, so you can get play with pressure to get different color intensity.

Ultra Satin Lip by Colourpop

Every box has one of these lippies, in one of the four colors, and I received it in color Littlestitious ($6 value). At first I was so happy to see this pinkish color, since others looked a bit brown, and Colourpop is always a great inclusion in any box, since it’s so popular, however, this color just doesn’t work for me. Luckily, it’s the lowest value product in the box, so it doesn’t ruin the value for me.

This color goes on very light, pink that has a purple tinge, and makes me look sick. Literally as if I was freezing and my lips got a bit blue. However, weirdly enough, once removed my lips get a beautiful rosy tint that stays all day (lower photo). I contemplated keeping it just to use this way, put on/wipe off to get the stain for a natural look, but it’s just too much work LOL.

Loose Blush by Studio Makeup

This is one of the controversial items in this month’s box. Everyone received either Luminous Loose Blush, or a Translucent Setting Powder, and it seems everyone wanted the thing they didn’t get. I am actually happy to have received the blush, since I don’t have one in this beautiful peach color.

My only issue is that I couldn’t find this exact product on Studio Makeup’s website, but I linked to their Soft Focus Loose Powder that seems to me to be completely the same, and there are both Peach and Translucent versions listed. However, this product retails for $18, while the information card lists it at $35, and I am leaning towards the website price. I couldn’t compare the sizes, since the website doesn’t list the size, so the difference in prices may come from the possible size difference.

Face Perfecting Brush by bareMinerals

This is an item not everyone received. I’m so happy to get a brush that I didn’t own before – this is a foundation brush that has a “reservoir” in the middle. You put a few drops of your liquid foundation in it, then apply in circular movements over your skin, for a seamless finish. This brush sells for $28 USD/$35 CAD at Sephora.

Some subscribers received a Bodyography eye brush duo instead – an Angled liner brush and an Eyeshadow brush, a $20 value.

Here’s a closer look at the bristles and the reservoir in the middle.

Don’t Despair Repair Deep Conditioning Mask by Briogeo

Lastly, this mask is the product that everyone received. BoxyCharm initially advertised this September box as containing 6 full-sized products, but this mask can’t really be counted as one. At Sephora this mask is available as 8 oz full size or 1 oz deluxe size, while we received a 2 oz size, so it’s definitely bigger than the deluxe one. 1 oz is sold for $9, so I estimate this sample to have an $18 USD/$24 CAD value (listed as $20 USD on the information card).

All that being said, I’m happy to have received this mask, since it was on my wishlist for a while. It’s 98% naturally derived formula, with no sulfates, parabens, silicones, phthalates, artificial colors or DEA. I already used it once, and my hair felt extremely soft afterwards.

Here are all the makeup items swatched, left to right: powder blush, Colourpop lippie, MAC eyebrows and the eyeshadow palette. Everything is very pigmented, and I swiped the eyeshadows and blush twice to get this level of pigmentation.

I’m extremely happy with my first BoxyCharm. I’ll use everything except the lipstick, and that is the lowest valued item in the box. Total value I calculated is $122 USD ($141 per information card), and I paid $26 USD (the box + shipping to Canada). This is a great value, even if I exclude the lipstick, and it introduced me to some brands I haven’t tried before. I really appreciate that BoxyCharm isn’t overcharging for shipping to Canada as some other boxes do.

You can order BoxyCharm box using this link (all the links in this review are referral links and give me a $5 equivalent in points). This helps me get more products and boxes for reviews, but if you don’t wish to use my referral, you can google the name of the box.

If you subscribe now, you will be waitlisted, and probably start the subscription with the October box, although there are no guarantees. It has been spoiled that October box will contain a Tarte Tarteist Quick Dry Matte Lip Paint in one of eight colors (Homeslice, Delish, Front Row, Bestie, Get It, Salty, Pillowtalk, Xoxo), dr.Brandt PoreDermabrasion and Becca highlighter in Prosecco Pop (pressed or liquid), plus other products.

Do you have any questions about this subscription? Do you subscribe to any boxes? How do you like this one?