I’ll be honest. The subscription to this box came about during a particular lull in the mail. All my December boxes had arrived and I was lonely. So what better way to cheer myself up than to subscribe to yet another box?!

Well it made sense at the time.

Now that OneRadiant is here, can’t say I’m disappointed. First of all, it’s strictly skin care, and I luuurve my skin care so it’s perfect for me. Plus, it’s completely custom, which is what makes this box justified beyond all justification.

I use a lot of justification. It’s the only way to clear my conscience.

Anyway, took a skin care survey online and now not only does OneRadiant know I have dry skin, but that my focus area is anti-aging. And that’s just a little secret between me and them.

First shipment came in and I was so super excited.

Aside from those hideous packet thingies, I’m pleased. I know that what I’ll be using is made special just for me. Let’s review.

First item is two packets of Karin Herzog eye cream. Let me preface by saying Blush had sent me a tube of Karin Herzog Vitamin H face cream previously and it was flippin’ unbelievably good. So despite the horridness of the packet situation, I was slightly less peeved because it was Karin Herzog.

I used it all last week, and while I didn’t hate it, it was extremely hard to love when your squeezing it out of a little paper packet. Ruined everything! Would it kill anyone to make a tube? Just ban packets all together? Anyway. I’m sure I could’ve gotten several uses out of the packets cuz a little goes a long way, but I was just so annoyed by the whole scenario that it was in my trash by day 2.

Moving right along.

Next packet fiasco comes in the form if four single-use EltaMD sunscreens. I will say this fared better simply because they were a one and done. Squeezed it all out, used it, and then went about my merry way. And the sunscreen was actually very nice. I would actually buy this if I hadn’t already decided on my favorite sunscreen. CoTZ Face, if you are so inclined.

Then I got an actual jar of something. So by that fact alone, I love it. It was rhe Atopalm Intensive Moisturizing Cream. It’s for the face and body, but I’ll probably just do the face. I dunno. Maybe I’ll go all over. I haven’t used this yet as it’s in line behind 14 other moisturizers, but you will be the first to know when it happens. (You’re excited.)

Last product I got was the M2 High Potency Skin Refinish. Apparently this is so potent you are not allowed to use it everyday, only every other day. Should be a little frightened, but my splotchy, uneven-toned, freckly, scarred face skin says Bring it on. If you’re about to give me the face of a 25 year old, I say welcome to my skin. And do as you please.

Looking forward to future boxes from OneRadiant. This is a prepaid three month subscription, so I’m not sure if they cut you off after the three month term is up or if you get the option of renewing. Guess I’ll find out in March. And of course, I’ll let you know.

Have a great day!

An ode to Birchbox:

Birchbox is my first true love, the beauty box that started it all, the box that sent me head first into a sea of other beauty boxes. What I’m trying to say is all this, this obsession I am in the midst of, this insanity of needing to buy all the things…

Well, it’s Birchbox’s fault.

Someone just needs to take my shopping privileges away. ‘Cause despite it being all Birchbox’s fault, which we’ve now established and put in writing (therefore making it a legal, binding contract), I realize I am no longer able to control myself. I’m pretty sure I’ll buy anything at this point.

A Slanket. A portable infrared sauna, because who doesn’t love sweating for no reason and in inappropriate locations. A crocheted tea kettle cozy for the tea kettle I don’t own. Heck, let’s just stick a tea kettle in the shopping cart then. Problem = solved.

I’ve lost my whole point. Shut up, Brain.

Received my 6th Birchbox. Sometimes I like the stuff and sometimes it’s a crapshoot. Here’s what’s inside this time:

The best thing in this box, the most exciting, is the Liz Earle Cleanse & Polish Hot Cloth Cleanser. I love skin care, and the fact that this is award-winning (over 90 of them), world-renowned, and comes with muslin cloths, makes me giddy with ridiculous excitement. When’s the last time you were giddy over a facial cleanser? Yeah, so you should probably go buy this.

Another item that makes me so very happy is the little jar of glycerine hand cream by Camille Beckman. I have loved glycerine lotions since the 90s, but I literally haven’t owned any for 19 years. So getting this in my box was a lovely reminder. The smell is divine but I had to look it up to describe it to you: jasmine, bergamot, patchouli and vanilla amber. That’s a mouthful for what I can only manage to describe as a “warm” scent. Theirs is more descriptive, but mine requires less energy. Easy route, taken.

Next up is the loose mineral eyeshadow from Inika Cosmetics in the shade Eternal Marine. It is a very pretty grey green, but I’m not a fan of loose pigments. In fact, a loose anything doesn’t bode well with me. Unless you are my pants, which doesn’t happen very often anyway.

Last two items are kind of a bummer. First one is a one-time-use packet of OmniPotent Duosity hair repair treatment. While the product may be fantastic, sending me anything in a little packet makes me want to immediately take a nap. I loathe packets. Packets can go to the back of the line. Bye bye.

Then the stinker of them all: the 3 bags of Ahmad Tea London. I have nothing against the company or their products, but I just don’t drink tea. Birchbox has sent me tea three times out of six boxes; it’s time to stop it.

All in all, though, I’m pretty satisfied with my box. I’m excited to try out the Liz Earle, and applying my glycerine lotion puts a big o nerdy smile on my face. And when’s the last time a product did that?

Yeah, you should probably go buy this too.

Every time I think I’m good to go on the beauty box front, something else comes along and catches my eye. It all started with a quick trip to San Antonio last month (which ended up the most debacle-y of all debacles, in an airport/ice storm/fire in the terminal sort of way – but that’s a whole nother story). I picked up a copy of New Beauty magazine for my Dallas airport layover pleasure (it wasn’t), which turned out to be an awesome and educational read. However, they had an advertisement in there for their Test Tube sampling program, and like the ears of a cat that hears a bowl of ice cream being eaten about 3 houses down, I perked up immediately.  Pretty sure I could hear the words “beauty box” if someone on Mars said it.  I’m that in tune.

I barely made it out of San Antonio alive, but dadgummit if I wasn’t a new subscriber to the Test Tube when I left. What?  I feared for my life and shopping made me feel safe.  Don’t judge.

Long story short, I got my first delivery a few days ago.  And man oh man, I’m in love.  It was seriously the most fun I’ve had opening a box in at least a week.

First thing inside was a Votivo candle in the scent Red Currant.  Can’t say the smell knocked me off my feet or anything, but it wasn’t bad.  And it looks oh so lovely sitting on the edge of my bathtub in its pretty silver tin.  Ambiance, created.  Just like that.

Next I pulled out a pouch of goodies called the Beauty To Go.  This is where the itty bitty samples live.  Received a lovely frosted glass jar of lip gloss from Dalton in the color Patty’s Pout, which was kind of a brown/spice color.  Goes on pretty sheer so it doesn’t show up all by itself in a major way.  But it’s not sticky, which I love.

There was also this amazing lipgloss from ybf in the shade Beachberry.  This smelled like watermelon and went on super smooth and shiny.  Again, not sticky.  I’m actually considering buying a full size tube.  Because 25 lipglosses in my purse just isn’t enough.

Then a cute little jar of Lumene Firming Day Cream filled my heart with gladness.  I just love tiny jars of things.  Well, tiny jars of makeup things.  And anything that says firming, lifting, wrinkle-erasing, pore-minimizing, face replacing, etc.  I haven’t used this yet, but it’s about 3rd in line.  Yes,  I use my products in the order I receive them.  I have OCD and nothing ever, ever, ever gets out of order.  I annoy myself sometimes.

Last thing in the Beauty To Go pouch was a one-time use packet of DDF Moisture Dew.  I used it immediately because it was in a packet (packets cut the line) and I could be done with it and move on with my life.  Can’t say this was amazing because it’s hard to gauge a product’s capabilities based on a single application.  But the texture was nice.  And full-size is $42.  That’s all I have to say about that.

And now for the tube!  Can you believe I’m still talking about what’s in this box?  It’s endless (or seems like it).  First two products where kind of boring, only because they’re common.  But who couldn’t use a Pantene shampoo and conditioner?  If you wash your hair, you can use it.  I believe that covers about 98.847576% of the population.  Or should at least.  This is from the Keratin Repair line so it’s a little bit fancier.  Still can purchase from Walmart, but fancier nonetheless.

Next up is a full-size tube of Revlon Age Defying Wrinkle Remedy.  I’ve been using this for the past three days on my forehead wrinkles and this bizarre vertical wrinkle right above my lip.  I think it does make the appearance better, but don’t expect a miracle or anything.  I still have visible wrinkles.  I have an extra contemplative forehead – I’m a thinker, what can I say – so I’ve been cultivating these beauties for at least 20 years.  Not sure where the lip wrinkle came from.  A duckface selfie injury, I’m sure.

I have never used a body butter before, but the Moroccanoil one that I got in the tube is really really good.  The texture is very thick.  To apply, create a claw with your fingers.  Then grab at the jar in a pinching/clawing motion in order to get the product out.  Or at least that’s how I do it.  Others with more finesse probably just do it normal.  The butter does melt right into your skin and leaves you feeling very soft and hydrated.  However, full-size is $52 so I will never buy this, unless it can replace my body with someone who is 25.  If not, then thank you for the one and only time I’ll ever use this. Moving along now.

Hair products are a hit and miss with me.  Sometimes I like (oil treatments) but sometimes I am bored (hairspray).  I got this texturizing powder from Biosilk.  This is not, I repeat NOT, a dry shampoo.  This is a root lifter, volumizer kind of thingy.  Do not get them confused.  Bad things happen.

Should be quite clear by the words texturizing powder right on the bottle.  And the fact that it sprinkles out, not sprays out.  And the powder is kind of sticky once applied to the roots of your hair.  And how your hair can stick straight up like magic.

Texturizing Powder is for real, guys.  Be careful out there.

Next up is a waterproof eyeliner from Mally.  Got the color Sailor, which is a navy blue.  It’s very pretty.  Does not need sharpening.  But it did not last all day.  I put it on my waterline and within a few hours my lovely navy blue was more like a watercolor navy blue – there, but barely.  So either I have extra liquidy eye rims that can break a waterproof barrier like a superhero, or this isn’t waterproof.  I’m gonna go with the first one.  I’ve always wanted to be a superhero.

Last item is probably my absolute favorite.  Got a nice deluxe sample of the June Jacobs papaya enzyme masque.  Actually saw this line advertised in the New Beauty magazine along with an A-to-Z guide on enzymes and what they do for your skin.  Papaya is in the anti-aging group, so receiving this product makes me very happy.  Pumpkin is also anti-aging, but papaya smells soooo much better.  (I have both kinds so I can promise you this is FACT.)  I used this masque on Sunday as part of my spa day and it went on really nice and it did not burn or irritate my skin.  I loved it.  Plus, you can buy a travel-sized version on the June Jacobs website for only $10 so that’s a plus. Although it’s probably only a 2 or 3 time use.  You decide if it’s worth it.  For me, it is, but like I’ve mentioned before, I need to own all the things so the more I can buy with the least amount of money, regardless of how much product is in the tube, the better.

Quite impressed with my first Test Tube.  I’m looking forward to my next delivery, which sadly is two months away as this is a bi-monthly subscription.  I hope I don’t revolt in a subscribing to another box in order to fill the void every other month kind of way.

But yeah, I’m probably going to do that.  Have you met me?