You all know I have a thing for monthly subscriptions. And I’ve talked before about my great finds at Macy’s. But when a rep with the department store reached out about the monthly Macy’s Beauty Box, I was unsure about what to expect. I’ve been to the store on State Street in Chicago (a block from my work) multiple times for items like bathing suits, bedding and wedding gifts, but did Macy’s even have the kind of makeup I like to wear? Aside from accompanying a friend to the Clinique counter once during a field trip from work, I couldn’t remember being aware of the cosmetics department other than smelling the perfumes. So when the Macy’s August Beauty Box arrived and I unwrapped the tissue paper to see sample sized items were inside, it exceeded my expectations! In fact, I couldn’t believe it was all items I’d normally pick up or try at a beauty store – in fact one I even owned. I had no ideas Macy’s carries the brands included in the Beauty Box, and I now could try them all in a travel size.
Outfit details: SheIn – floral blazer | similar faux leather skirt | Rocksbox – earrings (code for a free first month here)
Every month Beauty Box recipients receive a cute makeup bag, five deluxe samples and one bonus sample, as well as $5 off their next beauty purchase. In August, the product samples included:
- Urban Decay All Nighter Makeup Setting Spray ($32) – Here’s the product I already own, and let me tell you, it’s worth every penny! Having a travel size is all the more exciting because every flight I take I’m sad I can’t pack the original size in my carry-on. I was introduced to this makeup setting spray for my wedding and it really did help hold makeup in place. I wear it daily now, especially in the summer. Through the humidity and sweat I still show up to work with perfectly applied makeup.
- Origins Clear Improvement Charcoal Honey Mask ($34) – This trial made me especially happy! I love masques but can never get through the ones that come in pouches without it drying out. I looking forward to trying a honey-scented one with a screw-on cap.
- TonyMoly Master Lab Hyaluronic Sheet Mask ($4) – How fun are sheet masks? I’m always game to try a new one on a Friday night in.
- It Cosmetics Confidence In An Eye Cream ($38) – With all of the great reviews this got on the Macy’s site, I’m dying to see if it lives up to the hype of improving dark circles under the eyes.
- Lancome L’Absolu Lip Lacquer in #378 Be Unique ($34) – Lip colors are normally the thing I’m least excited for in sample size because I am so picky about the shades I wear. But really I should rethink that, because I have such, such a weak spot for lip colors that I have so many full-sized shades and not enough time! So even if I might not go back for the exact color, I am happy to have gotten to have just a small size to test out another brand.
- Juicy Couture scent “Oui” (multiple sizes and price points) – As a bonus, this new product was thrown in the box and just in time. The Jessica Simpson body splash I purchased at TJMaxx is running low and I’m starting to think about what my next signature scent would be – as well as if I’d like to step my perfume game up a notch. As soon as I sprayed this I knew it was the one. I couldn’t stop smelling the scent on my wrists all day!
The Lancome lip lacquer was seriously impressive! As I said, I don’t normally gravitate to this color, but the quality blew me away. It has a glossy shine yet has the pigment of a lipstick, just like the description said.
The Macy’s Beauty Box is $15 per month and there’s a card inside for $5 off your next online or in-store beauty purchase. I already know what I’m going to get (the Juicy Couture perfume) to put those wedding gift cards to use. (Shhh..don’t tell Steve.)
My final thoughts
I liked this Beauty Box better than others I’ve seen. The high-quality brands that are included are ones I’m already familiar with, and I can imagine as the months go on that it’d help me form an opinion about new products I’ve seen advertised or heard about through my networks. The $5 coupon (in fact, it was $10 in the September box!) was also a selling point. You can use it on any of the products you want to purchase in a full size from the box, or on any of the other brands Macy’s carries and you normally shop such as MAC, Urban Decay, Shiseido, etc. Plus, beauty ships for free or you can do in-store pickup, and there are often sales at Macy’s. If you shop now, you get 15% off all beauty products!
Outfit details: SheIn – floral blazer | similar faux leather skirt | Rocksbox – earrings (code for a free first month here)