Target Free Sample Bag

I am loving target! 


I heard that target gives out bags with samples randomly throughout the year. I missed a bunch of these last year, because they go so fast. So, ladies, if you see something like this available, grab it FAST!

April 5th, I saw in someone's blog that Target was offering another one of these deals. But instead of going to their website, I think I had to go through Facebook. Yesterday, I received an email from Target welcoming me to their website and that my goodies were on their way. Little did I know, I would receive the item the same day.

  

This is the box it came in

 

I took a picture of this because it says "Smartsource" direct. So, I'm guessing this is the same coupon company.

                          The bag isn't my favorite color combination, but it actually photographs well.

I love this bag! The material is way better than the February myglam bag I received. It is sewn better, and has that quilt filling thing between the outside material and lining.

What's inside: 1oz Nivea Extended Moisture Lotion ($0.35), 7 count Simple Cleansing Facial Wipes ($1.40), 0.5 oz Neutrogena Visibly Bright Daily Facial Cleanser ($0.52), 1.7oz Pantene Fine Hair Solutions Flat to Volume Conditioner ($0.37), and L'oreal Magic Lumi Light Infusing Primer packet = $2.64 + the beautiful bag that to me is worth more than the samples. It also came with a coupon book.

In conclusion, subscription companies should learn from Target - bag with more than one use samples! Like the saying/song goes...."the best things in life are free!"

Sample Boxes

So, it's been a while since my last entry. I felt a little over my head with writing a blog about beauty when I feel like doing a project 10 pan to reduce the stash I currently have.

I have, however, cancelled my a sample box subscription, joined another two, and cancelled another one in the last 2 months.

I found myglam bag not worth the price, so I cancelled that one. I have been reading what other bloggers have written about the myglams they got for the last two months, and I am just thankful that I cancelled when I did.

I then subscribed to Julep maven box, when they had a one penny deal for the month of March. The items were neatly packed in a box, and beautifully presented. I wish I can post pictures of it, but I don't remember where I stored them. I ended up cancelling my Julep subscription because I feel that it's too expensive for what it is. They me two nail polishes and 1 hand scrub. I liked one of the colors, and the other was basically a top coat with glitter. I haven't tried the hand scrub.

My other subscription is with Birchbox. I've heard an equal amount of positive and negative reviews about this subscription service. Since they had the Teen Vogue special, I decided to give them a shot. I love almost all the things I got with that special. I received a Tarte lipsurgence in Joy, Shiseido blotting papers, Essie nail polish, a perfume sample, and a pony tail. Again, pictures of this is currently lost. This month's box was just ok, however. My box totaled just above $10, but I'm justifying that price with the 60 points I was able to get for the box. Birchbox has a point system, where 100 points equals $10 off a purchase. Each item I get that I review will get me 10 points. I was thinking of cancelling Birchbox after my second box because then I've only spent $20, and I still get $10 worth of full size product. However, Birchbox is collaborating with Gossip Girl next month, and the gossip is that they'll have Dior Extase mascara and Stila sparkle liquid eye liner. I'm crossing my fingers I get either one. It would be better if I get both, but highly doubtful.

I like Birchbox because it has more than one sample that can be applied numerous times. My favorite from my April box would have to be the Yes to blueberries facial cleaning wipes and pur minerals 4-in-1 tinted moisturizer. I can do without the perfume samples I can free from Sephora, or the one use samples.

theBalm cheap find

Last night I was so excited to have found theBalm products at Marshalls that wasn't swatched, dented, and gross looking. I went and bought the Hey Mama set for $9.99, which includes: a bronzer/eyeshadow (Bahama Mama), a blush/eyeshadow (Hot Mama), and a translucent powder (Sexy Mama). It originally cost $57, because each one is sold for $19.

I also saw sets of lipglosses, and one set that has two eyeshadows, eye remover, and some other products. Both are also $9.99. I'm addicted to face products, so I opted out of these two. From Youtube videos I've seen there are or were also some sets going around T.J. Maxx. Time for me to treasure hunt!

MyGlam February 2012

My first real blog entry. My first monthly subscription. 

I wanted to make my first blog entry real special. I've thought of so many things to review about - EOS lip balm, Nars Danmari palette, Stila Holiday Dream in Full palette, etc, etc. Time flew by, and now it seems moot to review some of my ideas since most aren't easily available. 

Then I read and watched December and January reviews of myglam. I got really excited and sad at the same time because I let two months pass without knowing of the great monthly subscription they offered. I've heard and researched some other subscriptions, and at one point wanted to subscribe to Birchbox. It seemed like some of Birchbox subscribers, however, get the luck of the draw, while others get really lousy boxes. I would hate to get the short end of the stick. So, I opted for myglam, where everyone seemed to get the same basic things.

Before signing up in January, I knew about the complaints regarding shipping problems. I didn't experience any shipping issues. But, after seeing what's inside this month's glam bag, I wish I did. (I apologize for the mean half felt joke). 

I received an email on February 14 from myglam with my tracking number that stated I should be receiving my bag today. It came the following day, February 15. My excitement subsided when I felt how thin the hot metallic pink bubble mailer was. What I found inside:

(1) hot pink with black hearts makeup bag

       It's cute, but mine has a line or scratch on one side. I don't know how to price this. I wouldn't pay more than $1 for this. I'm a bit frugal. Perhaps others would price it higher.  

(2) NYX roll on shimmer, Mauve Pink, 1.5g or 0.052oz  

       Retails for $4.50 @ nyxcosmetics.com and these are 30% off at that website with the code GLAMMENYX

(3) Freeman Facial Hydration Mask, Goji Berry, 0.5oz or 15mL

     I've read on myglam wall (I think) that some saw this at Walmart for $1.25, and even at dollar stores. I have the full size Freeman Mask they gave out last month and I got it from CVS for $4+. It also included a rebate for the full price minus tax. The same CVS had a different facial mask from Freeman, also with a rebate.

(4) X out shine control, 0.75oz or 20mL

   This comes free with the purchase of X out acne wash-in that sells for $19.99. Let's say its value is $5.00. I might be a little too generous at my pricing for this item.

(5) 2 Premier Biox Anti-Aging Complex Intensive Age Treatment Cream by Dead Sea Premier, 0.07oz or 2mL 

   I didn't get a cinderella mask in my bag that most subscribers got. I don't think I'll complain though. I know the mask is the same size as the cream I got. I got two cream packets that are found on premierdeadsea.com for free. The company allows 4-5 free samples, but with a hefty $5.99 shipping charge. These packets therefore could cost as low as $1.20 each for a total of $2.40.

 

(6) 2 Ghirardelli squares, milk and dark chocolate

     A 12pc bag of these squares retails for $3.75 on ghirardelli.com. The 2 chocolate squares, therefore, cost $0.62. I can't complain with any chocolate. I love both milk and dark chocolate. 

 

(7) $100 off coupon towards professional styling tools & hair extensions at numestyle.com 

     This has been the most controversial thing in the bag. Some say it's a coupon, while others say its a gift certificate. I consider it a coupon because (a) it limits the items that can be bought, and (b) cannot use towards shipping. The styling tools are also expensive. The cheapest is the mini flat iron for $115, plus $12 s/h. They may still be on hautelook, but the difference between the prices at hautelook and with the coupon are slight, except for the mini and petite flat irons. The shipping cost at hautelook is cheaper, too. I'm still debating whether I should purchase a mini flat iron, since I purchased the mini Amika flat iron at sephora. The value of this coupon is conditional to me making a purchase. Purchasing the mini flat iron at hautelook would set me back $44 ($39 + $5 s/h). With the coupon, I would pay $27 ($115-$100 coupon + $12 s/h). So, the potential value of this coupon for me is $17.

I would currently value this bag at $14.77. If I use the coupon, then it would be worth $31.77 for me. I'm undecided whether I want to keep my subscription to MyGlam. The $10 fee may not seem a lot to some, but I'm a bargain hunter at heart, and I can get a lot for that. For example, Urban Decay has their 24/7 shadow pencil stash for $2 more, or their Rollergirl palette for $3 more. I would keep my subscription only for the anticipation and surprise of receiving my bag. I'm also debating whether I should switch to Birchbox instead.