testing out beauty subscription box items.

There was a time when a subscription box full of samples and other beauty goodies was delivered to my home each month. According to past posts, that was way back in 2012. (How the time flies!) Though it was fun to receive surprise items month after month...it got to a point where I had more than enough beauty items to use. That subscription was not renewed and I have not sought one out since. However, my mom still subscribes to a beauty box. In recent months, she has found that there are not as many items she is interested in. While she decides whether or not to cancel her subscription, she passed along a few items that she thought would be of interest to me. She was correct! Keep reading for some mini product reviews.

Keys Soulcare (Firm Belief Smoothing Peptide Cream). The first beauty box item that was passed on to me came from the Alicia Keys brand, Keys Soulcare. I had heard a bit about this brand in the past, but hadn't actually tried it for myself. Now I am glad that I did. I absolutely love the Firm Belief Smoothing Peptide Cream. The jar is beautiful and has a little affirmation on the back that says, "You are stronger than you think." That little detail highlighted that self care is about more than just products. It has to do with taking time for yourself and believing in your abilities. As for the actual cream, this is a winner. My skin feels so hydrated and pampered, but the cream doesn't have a greasy texture at all. It is lightweight but still effective. Unfortunately, after looking at the prices on the website, it is not all that likely that I will be purchasing the Firm Belief Smoothing Peptide Cream myself, unless there is a really good sale on. Apparently this product sells for $64 CDN! At least I can enjoy what I have.

Floss. (Almost Nude Eyeshadow Squad). When it comes to eyeshadows...I am always interested. My mom was not into the warm neutrals offered in the Almost Nude Eyeshadow Squad and decided to pass the eyeshadow quad along to me. There is a lot that I like about this quad, including the frosted design and the warm colour story. The shadows are smooth and easy to blend. I also like the fact that there are both matte and shimmer shades to choose from. The warm cream colour is wonderful for blending everything out, but has enough pigmentation that it can also be worn alone. The matte brown is gorgeous and is definitely the standout. As for the shimmers, these have a beautiful finish, but the colour needs to be built up a little. The shimmers work best when applied with a clean finger or an applicator sponge rather than a standard eyeshadow brush. 

LARITZY Cosmetics (Soft Apricot Luxe Powder Blush). Blush always makes me happy. I love being able to add a fun pop of colour to the cheeks, whether that colour is pink, purple, or even apricot. Though some people prefer to keep cheek products soft and subtle, my motto tends to be "more is more." In my opinion, it is fine to use as much or as little as you like. After all, makeup should be fun and reflect your own personal preferences. Forget trends and forget what other people are doing. Just apply makeup however you feel is right for you. Have fun with it! Express yourself! I love that I am able to do just that with this fabulous blush. Though my mom felt it wasn't the right colour for her, it definitely felt like the right colour to me. This not a brand that I am familiar with, but the blush is wonderful. The color is warm and wearable. Though I am currently putting it to good use during the winter season, it is sure to be in heavy rotation once the sun comes out again. It is ideally suited to the spring and summer season. The colour can be a little more subtle or built up for a more intense look. I love this blush!

Though these beauty subscription box items were not ones my mom had interest in...they really checked the boxes for me. I have been enjoying all three. The Keys Soulcare cream is fantastic, the eyeshadows are beautiful, and the blush is a standout. 

Have you tried any of these products before? Do you subscribe to any beauty boxes?