August Allure Sample Society Box

I remember when I was first getting into the 'beauty box craze' - well over a year ago - I always heard the name Sample Society, but for some reason, based off the contents of past boxes, it just never struck me as a box to try out. Apparently though, as of last month, they revamped their boxes. I saw last month's box preview and debated back and forth on whether or not I should buy it. The Laura Mercier highlighter was what was pulling on me to go for that box. Well, I didn't go for that box, but did go for the next one! What hook line and sunk me? The sneak peak #2 of the Too Faced Melted lipstick! I honestly didn't care what else was there, I just wanted that lipstick and paying $15 was amazing to me considering one Melted lipstick cost $21...but...then, I got the box...and I'm probably the only one slightly disappointed...First, I will show you the contents and then explain.

Love the new, bright red box. I'm a forever sucker for cute, bright, fun packaging, and looking at their old packaging this a huge step up!

Contents:

• Ciate Paint Pots nail polish in the color Cha Cha Cha
• Oribe Surfcomber Tousled Texture Mousee
• Too Faced Melted Liquified Long Wear Lipstick in Melted Peony
• Kate Somerville Dilo Oil Restorative Treatment
• Jane Iredale Longest Lash Thickening And Lengthening Mascara in Black Ice

Looks like a great box, right? Well, it is. BUT, my thing was that I wasn't expecting deluxe samples for everything. I know this is almost entirely MY fault for having way too high of expectations. When, I saw the sneak peak of the Too Faced, I just automatically assumed it would be full size, mainly because I never knew there was a mini version out there. Don't get me wrong, I love the mini version, because I would love ANY size of Melted, but I just wasn't even thinking that way. Even down to the Ciate nail polish, I just wasn't expecting a mini version.

I do really love the booklet that comes with the box. It's very well detailed and really explains what each product is and what it does. For example, I had NO clue what the Oribe was or what it did, so it was nice that this booklet laid it out for me, by telling me it "Helps thickens and adds piecey texture without sacrificing shine or softness." Thanks, Allure! :)

I am really torn .... mainly because I wanted this to be something a bit more. I wanted it to WOW me and it just didn't, but it didn't suck either... I want a box that has SOME full size products.  I have 6 boxes coming this month alone, and being the first time trying this box, I needed it to stand out in order to keep on paying for it! I may stay for Septembers to get a better idea, but these boxes add up, so have to be picky!

Product Review: Montagne Jeunesse Dead Sea Mud Spa Mask

Disclaimer: I received this product complimentary for testing purposes from Influenster.

I finally had down time. Down time from a busy, almost walking 11 month old, and a day off from all the Christmas traveling and visiting family. I don't know what it was, but this year, it just came way too fast and I KNOW that it has something to do with the fact that I had Truman this year. Last January - yes, my son is almost a one year old *weeps* .. But back to the holidays - they came so fast and are already half way done. The last week I had been super stressed. For some reason I could not for the life of me get myself motivated to wrap presents. It was like pulling teeth for me. I contemplated many things: showing up with unwrapped gifts, gift cards or even the easiest, most festive option: gift bags! My last 5 gifts I resorted to gift bags, because I just ran out of time and by Friday when we were scrambling to get all the things packed and make sure we didn't forget anything, I had felt like my head was going to pop off from stress. Sigh. So this product test came with perfect timing, because I was stressed and I needed a moment to just ... relax, even if that meant watching Britney Spears, applying a face mask on and sending scary shots to my friends, like the one on the left. ;) 

As always, I love receiving a Vox Box from Influenster. They are 100% free and have a mixture of fun stuff inside. One of the products in Influenster's Violet Vox Box was the Montagne Jeunesse (Don't ask me how to pronounce it, because I have no clue, so we'll abbreviate to MJ) Dead Sea Mud Spa Mask:

I don't know what my deal was but going into opening this little package, I was envisioning it to be a clay substance, like a cream or something, but then pulled out this:



I don't ever recall using something like this so got excited! I love to try new things and this was new to me! The directions:

1. Cleanse - I had just taken a shower so I had a cleansed face. 
2. Apply - I thought it was kind of fun applying this to my face! I didn't know what to expect so just sort of molded it to shape my face. Here's some lovely and MOST EXCITING photos that I made my boyfriend take!:

3. Relax - For 10-15 minutes and so I set my timer for 12 minutes, because I can never decide! And in those moments of relaxation, I watched I Am Britney Jean. 
4. Massage - What? I had no idea I needed to massage, so I completely skipped this step, oops.
5. Rinse - Check! 

Afterwards, I noticed an immediate change in how my skin felt - silky smooth. No, really! It did! I may or may not have used a face mask from this product line, I don't recall, but for what it was intended to be, it worked and I am pleased. Plus, it smelt AMAZING. 

And a little side note that makes them even more awesome:

Montagne Jeunesse is known by consumers for the premium quality & affordable beauty treats, packed with the most delicious natural ingredients.  Our products are never tested on animals and are manufactured with the minimum impact on all forms of life. Our company ethos is the “Conservation of Energy, Protection of Animals and the Environment.”

Thank you, Influenster & MJ for the chance to try this product out. As a mother, you often don't shop for yourself anymore so this was a great treat! ;)


For more information on MJ, follow them on Twitter, Like them on Facebook and visit their Website!