Thursday, February 13, 2014

Blush Mystery Beauty Box February 2014 Review + $10 Discount

The Blush Mystery Beauty Box just may be one of the hidden gems of the subscription box community.  It doesn't seem to be as frequently reviewed as some of the other services. That may be because the subscription page is buried on the Blush.com website.  To complicate things even more, Blush is entangled with Dermstore and Hair Envy.  So it's just a bit difficult to even FIND the subscription page, then when you do, there really isn't much information about what you can expect. (That's why I'm here!)

The Blush Mystery Beauty Box seems to be almost an afterthought on the Blush.com site.  The site carries an enormous range of beauty brands, including many that are lesser known.  This makes one wonder if the monthly beauty box program is somewhat of a dumping ground for products they can't otherwise move?

Well even if it is, you do get a great assortment of products each month, including several that are full size. The Beauty Box can be purchased on a one time basis for $34.95 or as a monthly subscription for $24.95. I've been a member for quite a while now.  I'm always glad to see these boxes arrive; however, it seems to me that the selection has started to include some pretty obscure products in recent months.  See what came in my February box and judge for yourself!

The items arrive every month in a black drawstring bag inside a box.  There are usually a couple of "bonus" products outside of the black bag.  For February, the biggest thing in the box was a full size can of Jonathan Finish Control High Shine Flexible Hairspray.  This big 10 oz. can stands 10-1/4" tall.  I'm not a big hair spray user myself but this strikes me as a fairly high end product.



Next out was a generous sized sample (.17 fl. oz.) of Elizabeth Arden's "Untold" fragrance. I liked this scent; it's fresh, fruity and floral all at the same time, yet still light.  I was surprised to read the number of ingredients on the website...there is a LOT packed into this elegant little bottle!



This month's nail product is a set of nail wraps by NCLA Los Angeles in a black lace design. Certainly unique, but not my style.  The set includes 26 nail wraps and a nail file.


Then we have a luxury sample size of "Rub Off" by vbeaute, a gentle facial exfoliator. These are always nice and good for your skin so I'll definitely give it a try.  I'd say there's enough for three or four applications.


There is a small sample packet of "Reve de Miel" body cream (with honey, sunflower and plant oils) by Nuxe Paris. I'd put this one squarely in the obscure category.  There's only enough for one application.  This is the kind of sample that should be free; I wouldn't include it in the value of this box.  


Another full size item in this month's box is a dry shampoo by Klorane.  This is an oil control product that includes nettle.  On the Blush site, it says this product retails for $19.50.  I'm on the fence about dry shampoos; the reviews I've read have been about 50% positive.  They seem to be sort of a fad right now; we'll see if they are still around in a year or two.


  
The next product is a mask by Bioxidea Miracle 48 in "Excellence Gold".  I understand that some boxes included this mask in "Excellence Diamond".  According to the instructions, the mask is applied first to the face for 15 to 30 minutes, then dropped into the bath, where it completely dissolves.  It is supposedly a red carpet product used by celebrities that leaves an "unmistakable glow".  I'm skeptical but also open-minded, so will give it a try.



DHC's "Deep Cleansing Oil" is a product I've used before and don't particularly care for. Tiny DHC product samples are widely distributed in mail order catalogs.  This is too oily for me and I just don't really get the concept of cleaning with an oil.  There are much better make-up removers out there that aren't so hard to get off your skin.



I guess this is the true "mystery" item in this bag...a sample of "Eye Decompress" by Talika. There was no information on the card included in this shipment and the product isn't mentioned at all on the list of items included in this month's box on Blush's site.  Out of curiosity, I looked up the Talika brand and found this description of "Eye Decompress". This product works in a really interesting way and sounds like something I need.


"Revive tired eyes with Talika's innovative Eye Decompress. This revitalizing eye treatment comes in the unique form of tablet and liquid capsules. By immersing the tablet into this restorative blue fluid, the liquid is instantly absorbed into the pastille. The tablet then unfolds into a fresh, therapeutic eye mask. This thin, nourishing mask reduces swelling while soothing tired skin and firming contours of the eye. Eyes feel and look incredibly renewed after just 5 to 10 minutes!"



Lastly is a mascara by Nyx.  I like Nyx products and this mascara has a good thick wand so I have high hopes.  Just wish these beauty companies didn't always send black mascaras....it would be nice to get some browns or brownish blacks for those of us who are more fair complected.


As you can see, you get your money's worth with the Blush Mystery Beauty Box.  Even if you can't use a couple of the products, you still get very good value for the price paid. Blush advertises that you get a free gift with all orders.  Since the hair spray did not appear on the included information card, I'm guessing that was the gift for this month.  

I haven't been able to find a discount code for the Blush Mystery Beauty Box but if you would like a $10 gift card, send me your e-mail address and I can submit it to them.  I believe they will then e-mail you the $10 card.  (Update:  I've discovered that they won't send the gift card if your e-mail address is already signed up with them.)

It's nice to have the opportunity to try some of these high end brands and Blush really does provide a nice array of them every month!

Thanks for reading and please let me know if you would like the $10 discount e-mailed to you.

Cheryl

9 comments:

Unknown said...

Cheryl, I'd like the $10 gift card. What is your email address? Thanks.

Lone Star Shopper said...

Hi Chris...please send it to me at cr8vgirl@aol.com. Thanks for reading! Cheryl

Cricket said...

I received everything in my February bag the same as yours except I did not receive the 'Jonathan Finish Control High Shine Flexible Hairspray', Reve de Miel Body Creame', and the 'Talika's innovative Eye Decompress'. Instead I received a 'Vichy Labs thermal spa water spray', 'Vichy Labs ProEven sample' and a 'AFA Exfoliating Gel sample'. Overall I like Blush but I've been with them for several months now and I'm not sure I will stay. I like the different brands but am leary about trying some of them. DHC is an awesome Japanese' brand and their products are amazing, including the cleansing oil! You just have to give it a chance to work for you! NUXE is a premier French brand, very high end and they have fabulous products! Thanks for your review, it's true, we don't see enough Blush ones! :)

Lone Star Shopper said...

Hi Cricket...Thanks for your input! Interesting that different boxes are apparently getting different samples. With such a glowing endorsement from you, I will give the DHC cleansing oil another chance. Thank you for reading! Cheryl

Unknown said...

Thanks for the review. I love the dry shampoo and am a regular user for several years, since I use so frequently, I am less likely to purchase more expensive brands but love the Klorane included so much, I may order this instead of my usual Batiste. I received everything the same except the hairspray, eye tablets or the body creme sample. I received a spatial nail polish (which is a brand I really like), a dead mineral face wash sample, enough for several uses and Amlactin body cream sample...interesting to see the differences. I actually really like the perfume too! So far that is all that I have tried. I have been getting these for about 6 mos., and actually look forward to the arrival. Things I will not use, I give as gifts, with 3 sisters, 2 sister-in-laws, Mom, etc. I have a lot of females to shop for!

Lone Star Shopper said...

Hi Catherine....I've been getting the Blush box for a little over a year and have almost always been pleased with what they sent. I completely agree with you...the duplicates and products we can't use make wonderful gifts! Thanks so much for reading. Cheryl

ru said...

Thanks for the review. I've been wanting to try this box. Does the $10 work for new subscribers? If so, I definitely would like one!

Lone Star Shopper said...

If you could send me your e-mail address at cr8vgirl@aol.com, I'll submit your name to Blush for the discount. Thanks for reading! Cheryl

ru said...

awesome, thanks!