Monthly makeup: Wantable May 2014 makeup box

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Monthly subscription boxes have been around for a number of years here.  I, myself have been a subscriber to a few of them, but in the end, I found the quality of products just wasn’t up to par with what the box cost.

I feel like when this concept first came out (pay a certain amount a month for a box of surprise products), the items were brands no one had ever heard of and they were sample size.  Well, companies have been stepping up their games lately to offer quality products that make the service worthwhile.

Enter Wantable, a Wisconsin-based company that creates custom boxes based on a series of product and personality questions.  The data is then used to create a customized box curated each month by in-house and guest curators that handpick beauty, fashion jewelry, and luxury intimate apparel products from hundreds of quality boutique, specialty, and premium vendors.  Offering three different boxes – makeup, jewelry, or intimates – no two boxes are ever the same and they only offer full-size products.  You can try it one time for $40 USD or subscribe for $36 a month. The company ships to the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, and Australia.

I got a chance to try out their makeup box for May and was so excited to see the goodies that I would receive.  I think the best part about receiving these boxes is the surprise and excitement in what is going to be in them.  I used to subscribe to a Canadian-based box a year or so back and I would always ruin the surprise early because I just couldn’t contain my excitement, I had to know what was in it.  With Wantable, because you have to do a questionnaire, you can’t really ruin the surprise because it’s curated especially for you based on the answers you give them.  For example, they will ask if you love eye products; dislike them?  Then you won’t get them.  Wantable says that they never include products that you dislike, leaving you with a box you’re guaranteed to love.  Don’t love it? Send your box back for a free refund.

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I got my box about a week and a half after I ordered it (to be expected as it came from the States) and I was quite excited by the products I received.  They were all makeup items that I would actually use.

  • Mirabella Brilliant Mineral Highlighting Powder in Glowing Coral (retails for $38)
  • NCLA 5-Free Luxury Nail Lacquer in I Only Fly Private (retails for $16)
  • Vincent Longo Ultra Suede Trio Eyeshadow (retails for $30)
  • Eddie Funkhouser Ultra Definition Bronze and Sculpt Powder (retails for $12.99)

In total, my box was worth $96.99, which is more than double the $40 that it retails for.  I feel like with these subscription boxes, the value of products is always higher than what you pay for it, but when you actually think about it, are they worth it?  In this case, yes, because these are all products that I would actually use (and have already used prior to writing this post).  The quality of everything is pretty good (I was blown away by the pigmentation of the eyeshadows), plus these are brands that I’ve actually heard of prior to receiving them.

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Overall, I highly recommend Wantable if you are looking for a good monthly subscription service (c’mon, treat yourself!).  I would be interested in trying out their accessory box (where you get three to four on-trend pieces) as well, cause really, who doesn’t like jewelry?  These also make great gifts, as you can send someone their own personalized code so they can take the questionnaire for their own curated box.

If you are interested in joining Wantable, visit them online at wantable.com.

Have you tried Wantable yet?  Subscribe to a different box every month?  Which one is your fave?

Also, don’t forget to enter my #GottaTurnItUp Festival Beauty P&G prize pack!

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Clear canvas: Make Up For Ever HD Microperfecting Primer

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Just like how you wouldn’t paint a wall without priming it, why would you use a foundation without laying down a primer?

Primers do a whole whack of things for your skin.  They fill in wrinkles and fine lines, prep your skin for foundation, and even make the foundation last longer on your face.  Ever since I was exposed to this must-have step, it’s been a staple in my routine.

I have tried many primers over the years, from just plain ol’ prepping your face for foundation to blurring imperfections to making your pores appear smaller, there are a whole whack of different kinds of there.  Make Up For Ever (MUFE), one of my favourite brands, has a primer that is geared towards different complexions, which create the perfect canvas for your foundation. Called the HD Microperfecting Primer (as part of their HD line), it nourishes, moisturizes and softens skin, creating a glowing effect.  It also creates a protective layer on the skin, allowing foundation to glide on easily and last longer.

Now what makes this primer special is the fact that it’s available in a whopping seven formulations that correct and enhance colour.

  • #0 Neutral: a translucent base for all complexions
  • #1 Green: minimized redness (ideal for rosacea)
  • #2 Mauve: neutrals strong olive undertones
  • #4 Caramel: adds a warm glow to deeper skin tones
  • #5 Blue: gives a porcelain finish to fair skin
  • #6 Yellow: adds golden tones to dark complexions
  • #7 Pink: adds brightness and warmth

I have the primer in the blue tone (#5) since I have fair skin.  Some of the colours (aka the green one) look a little scary in the package, but don’t fret, it settles into your skin almost immediately, so it won’t make you look like The Hulk.

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I have been using this primer for two weeks now and I have to say that I’m impressed.  The number one thing I look for with primers is whether they make my foundation last longer, and I have to say that this one does.  It does have a funky scent to it, but the power it packs is well worth the smell.  I have worn this with various foundations and BB creams and find that my makeup still looks pretty good by the end of the day.  This stuff even make my CoverGirl TruBlend foundation, which isn’t long wearing, last longer than it would with any other primer I have used.

In the above photo, I am wearing NARS Sheer Matte foundation, which was applied at 2 p.m. and then washed off at around 11 p.m. Overall, it held up pretty well throughout the day, including a two hour walk in the park (it was pretty sunny out too), a nap, and just regular day-to-day stuff.

The product retails for C$39, which if you know primers, is about the average.  For some reason, primers are quite pricey (even more so than foundation), but I feel like it’s a necessary step in anyone’s makeup routine.  You only need one pump of this stuff, as a little goes a long way.

Overall, I highly recommend this one. Just like everything else I have tried in their HD line, this one is bomb.com. If you don’t want to be daring with a colour that is formulated for your skin, try the neutral shade (although I really do like the blue one and it doesn’t make me look like a Smurf when applied 😉 ).

Have you tried Make Up For Ever’s HD Microperfecting Primer?  What’s your favourite primer?

Also, don’t forget to enter my Turn It Up P&G festival beauty prize pack!

Please note, this post contains product that were sent by PR. All opinions are my own.

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Hot in here: CoverGirl Flamed Out Shadow Pencils

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Everyone loves a versatile product.  An eyeshadow primer is a must for me.  Not only does it make your eyeshadow adhere better but it also gives you a more vibrant look that lasts for hours and hours.  Although I do love my good ol’ primers like Too Faced Shadow Insurance and Urban Decay Primer Potion, which are translucent, but nowadays I love using a cream shadow instead as a coloured base.

Many brands offer cream shadows and I have a ton of them from different brands, but one of my favourite drugstore brands CoverGirl has a nice offering of cream shadows with their Flamed Out Shadow Pencils.

These are a double whammy, wear them alone for sheer, light colour, or layer them underneath your eyeshadow to make any look pop.  You can also sport these as an eyeliner as well.

Pencils Swatches When applied, these leave you with a nice cooling effect (kind of ironic), they also aren’t that pigmented, so don’t get scared with the darker colours.  I have a whole whack of shades in the line but my faves are 305 Crystal Flame (the perfect white for highlighting), 340 Ginger Flame (rose gold – a must!), 300 Silver Flame (for a smoky eye), 350 Melted Caramel Flame (for a summery bronze look).

The only qualm with these is the fact that they are a bit of an awkward shape to sharpen.  Too big for a small sharpener and too small for a large one.  I did try my large sharpener with these and they left the ends kind of jaggedy, which probably is not safe for the eye area (that would be a hot mess).

Overall, I love these.  I have a bunch of these pencils from other brands as well and these are definitely the best for a subtle hint of colour and they don’t go on too thick, making them easy to work with.

Have you tried CoverGirl’s Flamed Out Shadow Pencils?  What were your thoughts?

Also, don’t forget to enter my P&G Beauty Turn It Up festival beauty prize pack!  Canadians only.

Disclosure: I am a #BeautyUnited blogger. As part of my affiliation with this group I receive products and special access to P&G events. The opinions on this blog are my own.

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