December 2016 Wrap Up - What I Bought This Month

Wrap Up by redlipgloss featuring Stila

 I can't believe December is coming to an end, along with 2016 - the year, and the Holidays, have flown by!  I think its definitely time to recap what I bought this month.

In November, with the help of Allan and my bestie, I decided to cancel the majority of my monthly beauty subscription boxes.  I was so tired of receiving the same items, all the time, and also hardly ever receiving full-sized products.  I ended my long time relationship with a few of them and signed up for only two monthly boxes - knowing that they ONLY send full-sized items.  Here's the lowdown on what I purchased this month:

BoxyCharm (New Subscription)

You have all seen the post about this box already but I can't stop raving to all my friends about it.  The products are only ever full-sized and they are really great items too.  My box had a total value $178.50 USD and only costs me $35 CAD per month.  I received:

Pure Cosmetics Eyeshadow Palette in Buff - $50 USD

Model Co Shimmer Bronzing Powder - $24 USD

OFRA Metallic Liquid Lipstick in Napa Valley - $19.98 USD

Purlisse Pur-Eye Adore Serum - $65 USD

Starlooks Ultra Longwear Mechanical Lip Pencil - $19.50 USD

Verdict: AMAZEBALLS.  If you can only have one monthly subscription box, this is the one to get.  

Ipsy (Cancelled)

This month was my last Ipsy bag as I have cancelled my subscription.  I paid about $19 CAD a month for this and HATE that everything is little.  Plus, there are only so many cosmetic bags a gal can have.  This month, I received:

Tarte Maracuja Oil

Briogeo Curl Charisma

Ciate London Liquid Velvet Lipstick in Pin Up

NYX Prismatic Shadow in Punk Heart

Cake Heavy Cream Intensive Hand Repair Balm

Verdict - FAIL.  Yes, the eyeshadow is really cute but for $19 CAD a month, this is not a good value at all.  Everything is way too small.

Beauty Box 5 (Cancelled)

This was my introductory beauty box as I am still waiting for December's.  Shipping was delayed and I don't actually know when my first box will be in.  Either way, I've cancelled it.  Items are small and for $20 CAD a month, it's just not worth the price.  This box contains:

HappyFace Makeup Cleansing Cloth

Scratch Nail Wraps 

Knotty Think Pink Elastics 

Austrailian Gold Hemp Nation Body Wash

Tints & Sass Lip and Cheek Stain

Verdict: Just, no.  Items are way too small and as much as I love the robin's egg blue box, it's not worth the money.

Benevolent Beauty Box (New Subscription)

This box made me very happy.  First, this box commits to sending only cruelty-free, mainly vegan, beauty products and the boxes will always be over $100 USD.  (At least that's what they say).  This company only emerged in May 2016 and have made a lot of women so happy with the variety of products they send out.  Oh, did I mention that everything is always full-sized?  Here's what I received:

Beautiful Birdie Full Lash Mascara - $22 USD

Dirty Lamb Coffee Scrub - $8 USD

Shea Terra Organics Rose Hips Black Soap Face Wash - $4.50 USD

Girlactik Sparkle Eyeliner and Base set - $27 USD

Tat2u Matte Lipstick in New Generation - FREE upon signup

Bunny Bath and Body Morning Jolt Caffeine Serum - $7 USD

Manna Kadar Blush in Paradise - $19 USD

Verdict: Undecided at the moment.  I love my free lipstick and the mascara is actually fantastic but the total value was only $87.50 USD.  This monthly subscription is $29.95 USD per month plus another $8 shipping - with exchange, I just haven't decided if this is a good deal or not.  I will stay for another month and decide.

I also purchased a couple items from Sephora this month to ensure I took advantage of the $25 off coupon for being VIB Rouge.

I am loving this new little blush palette and have already been using it most days.  Such a good deal as this was only $12 CAD.

I ran out of my favorite facial oil/serum and had to order more.  LOVE this brand.  Also a steal as I used a separate $25 coupon for this and only paid about $70.

Now on to the fun stuff (ha) - the gifts! I have the best friends and family, truly.  Here are some of the great goodies I received this year.

I have never tried Bliss products before but my bestie, Carmen, said they are the best. Thanks to her I get to try them out!

 My other bestie saw these shot glasses and instantly thought of me - I wonder why.  Thanks Bronwen, they are fabulous.

Also thanks to B, I get the Stila "Spirit" Eyes Are the Window Shadow Palette to play with!

And then Carmen found this adorable little NudeStix Lip and Cheek Pencil set.  The set contains 3 chubby stix, a sharpener and a really cute tin.

We did a secret santa gift exchange with all the friends and I got the vanilla chai scented lotions, scrubs and body wash from the Body Shop.  The scent reminds me of Bali!

As usual, I was spoiled.  Allan and Ben bought me a beautiful birthstone necklace as Ben's birthstone is emerald and my mom sent me a lovely perfume set.  Plus, I got oddles of Sephora gift cards...yay!

Hope you all had a great Holiday.  What was your favorite item you received?