Beauty Army: March 2012

Now in their third month, Beauty Army has set up an awesome 'badge program.' The badges include a referral program (3 friends = 1 free month), discounts in their store (5 surveys = 15% coupon for their store), and membership bonuses (every 3 months = $10 off a purchase of $50 or more). The coupons expire a month after they are issued. All around pretty awesome!

Don't know what Beauty Army is? Beauty Army is a once a month beauty subscription service that delivers a GORGEOUS kit of premium beauty samples to your door. So how is it different from any of the other services out there? Well you get to CHOOSE your samples. Each month based on your preferences (long, thoughtful style quiz that can be changed at any time) you will receive 9 products to choose from. From those you get to pick 6. The products this month ranged from beauty, skincare, hair, body, and more. Some of the products you can choose from are full-size items. Beauty Army costs $12 a month, and your kit will always be valued way above!
Click here to join Beauty Army.

March 2012
I was very excited for March 1st to come around so that I could select my March Beauty Army samples. Sadly, I was very, very disappointed in the selection. There was many repeat products and brands, ALL skincare (no hair, nail, or makeup),  and a few samples that I've already received with different services. When I retook the style quiz I kept getting the same products over and over, no matter how much I changed my profile! Im fine with skincare, but don't offer me 4 moisturizers and 3 sunscreens  and little to no other options! I was very close to closing my account, but I talked to customer service and they were able to help me pick products I was interested in. But even so Im not over the top excited about my samples like I have been in the past.

Information Card:

Products:
Babor: Anti-Stress Anti-Jetlag Cream
Bon voyage tired looking skin! Rebalance sensitive and irritated skin with this natural active moisturizer.
Full Size: 1.7oz ($72.00)
Size Received: 0.5oz ($21.18)
This is a really nice sample, it is a glass jar! It feels very luxurious. The cream itself is a very lightweight, thin cream that smells nice (it reminds me of the lotion my mom wears, so I especially like the smell). Stress, lack of sleep, and long journeys to relieve irritate skin. It relieves it by calming the skin, restoring the skin's balance, strengthen skin barrier function, maintaining natural defense mechanisms of skin, and soothes redness. This cream includes natural anti-stress relievers, such as: ginger, chamomile, and peptides. It provides 24 hour protection. Since I am always stressed and never get sleep this is the perfect cream for me!  Even just swatching this on my hand made my hand feel cool and relaxed. This can be applied morning and evening after cleansing. I'll report back on my findings!

Control Corrective: Redness Relief Serum
This botanical-based serum hydrates and provides relief to redness prone skin. Goodbye sensitive or rosacia prone skin, hello relief!
Full Size: 1oz ($48.00)
Size Received: 0.1oz ($4.80)
I did not have any luck with the Control Corrective  moisturizer I tried last month, but this serum is solely for redness relief. It uses botanical extracts plus skin-balancing vitamins to reduce 'trans epidermal water loss,' which helps to strengthen and balance the skin. It says to keep this cold in the refrigerator for the best results, which is a great idea! Extra soothing and cooling on my poor red, splotchy skin. I desperately need any relief and nothing has worked to reduce my redness, so maybe this will be the ticket! The serum can be used twice a day under moisturizer. I'll update you with any results.

M.A.D. Skincare: Redness Rescue
Eliminate redness with one application of this gentle, beautiful smelling and cooling lotion.
Full Size: 1oz ($32.00)
Size Received: 0.13oz ($4.16)
See a trend? I recently received many M.A.D. Skincare samples for free, but this one was not part of my free sample kit. This isn't really a lotion, but it is a blue colored gel. The lightweight gel allows skin to feel calmed without being greasy. The formula includes water lilly extract, soothing peptide complex, oat derived extract, and hyaluronic acid, which are all used to minimize redness and reduce discomfort. Im really excited about this one. It is definitely cool to the touch on my skin. It can be used day or night. I used it last night before bed and I am happy to report that my redness was waaay down!! Im so excited. I wonder if it will completely eliminate it if I use it regularly! Hope!

Mama Mio Skincare: Shrink to Fit Cellulite Cream
An incredibly effective cellulite-blasting serum set in a richly moisturizing cream. Double whammy; smooth 'orange peel-free' legs wrapped in soft, toned, nourished, FIT skin.
Full Size: 3.4oz ($56.00)
Size Received: 1.7oz ($28.00)
What a generous size sample! I received a cellulite cream sample from Vichy as part of a trade, but then when I saw the packet size, there is no way I'd ever see results even if it worked! This is more than enough to test it out and to see if it really will zap away my cellulite. I must say I have very little cellulite, but no matter how in shape I get there is a patch that won't go away! Once I completely finish the Strivectin-SD's stretch mark cream from last month I will be taking this for a test drive. The package says to effectively remove cellulite you need to kickstart the circulation; this is packed with cellulite busters, circulation stimulators, and antioxidants. It looks like the formula includes: caffeine, horsetail quinoa, and seaweed extract (plus their TM fat reducer products). It's funny because Mama Mio even warns users that this is not a one hit wonder, you have to stick with it to see results. I'm terrible at remembering to apply/take anything consistently, but hopefully Ill remember!

Cover FX: Eye Prep
Eye primer for concealer, foundation, and eye shadow application. Instantly smooth fine lines and creases to enhance color blending.
Full Size: 0.67oz ($43.00)
Size Received: 0.16oz ($10.27)

I have a few fine lines around my eyes, but what I really got this for was to eliminate creases and create an even layer for applying my concealer. I have a lot of trouble with my concealer applying smoothly, ever crease and dry spot is just accentuated. The bottle also states that it helps to reduce inflammation, under eye darkness, wrinkles, and puffiness. Now it has a lot to live up to! The primer is a lightweight, white cream that applies with the same consistency and texture as a moisturizer. This is a pretty good sized sample to try it out. But the bottle is deciving and there is only a quarter of it full. To think it is a fourth of the full-size product, not sure I'd spend $40 on so little primer!

eta: It works pretty well to eliminate creases and not let my makeup sink into any lines. I feel my eye makeup looks better than it has in months! 

Babor: Cleansing Duo (HY-OL & Phytoactive Base)
A unique cleansing duo. Removes impurities throughly while gently moisturizing your skin with these unique 2-step cleansers.
Full Size: 2 bottles (HY-OL 6.8oz and Phyto 3.4oz)  ($60.00)
Size Received: 2 bottles each 0.34oz ($4.00)
I chose another Babor product since Im always looking for new cleansing products. This is a two step cleansing method. First you apply the HY-OL cleanser which is a hydrophilic (water loving) plant-based cleansing oil that is suitable for all skin types. Water soluble cleansing oil will leave no oily residue and removes all oil and water soluble impurities without irritating sensitive skin or causing any tightness. The Phytoactive Base is used in conjunction and helps to invigorate and refresh dry skin. The company makes different phytoactive bases depending on your skin type (normal, sensitive, combination, and reactivating). You apply 4 'pumps' of the HY-OL and then on top add 2 'pumps' of the base. Then massage into skin until a milky emulsion forms and then rinse off with cool water. It's a bit odd that the formula isn't combined, but there must be a reason. The system has some great reviews from people who have dry/acne prone skin. Which seems to be my skin! I have dry skin and acne all within my T-zone. So I'm excited to try this one out.

Total Value of my March 2012 Kit: $72.41
Now that I've taken time to look at the products, reviews, and how-tos I am more excited than I was initially! These products may not be the most exciting, but they are all targeted towards my major skin problems. Im hoping one or more will be the answer I'm looking for!


What do you think of the products I selected? Have you tried any of them? What did you select in your Beauty Army kit? Let me know in the comments below!
If you don't get Beauty Army, click here to join!

Beauty Army: February 2012

The second month for the new beauty subscription service Beauty Army. I got notified on Feb 1st that I was able to make my next sample selection, exactly one month from the date I signed up. I rushed and looked at what was chosen for me. At first I was a little disappointed, there were so many skin products and a few repeat brands from the month before. I remembered that I could retake the quiz to get a different selection. I ended up taking it a good number of times until I was happier with my selection. I hope in the future months there will be more varied product types and companies. (hint, hint!) Plus, I saw other kits from later in january that had many of the 'new' products that I picked for february. So I guess I feel like I got leftovers instead of new and exciting things.

Don't know what Beauty Army is? Beauty Army is a once a month beauty subscription service that delivers a GORGEOUS kit of premium beauty samples to your door. So how is it different from any of the other services out there? Well you get to CHOOSE your samples. Each month based on your preferences (long, thoughtful style quiz that can be changed at any time) you will receive 9 products to choose from. From those you get to pick 6. The products this month ranged from beauty, skincare, hair, body, and more. Some of the products you can choose from are full-size items. Beauty Army costs $12 a month, and your kit will always be valued way above!
Click here to join Beauty Army.

February 2012
Last month I had commented that many of my products were unwrapped and rolling around the box when I got it. Well, this mont they were all neatly and tightly package, so it looks like they do listen! I was also concerned about the boxes, but they are such good quality and so easy to flip open that I've already repurposed both of mine. Yes, even the one I just got. One holds my favorite nail polishes and the new box will be for my growing eyeshadow collection. 

Information Card:

Products:
LIFTLAB: Lift & Firm Eye Cream
This intensive eye cream is designed to specifically target crow's feet, wrinkles, dark circles, puffiness, and sagginess of the delicate skin around your eyes. With active ingredients proven to fight aging, this serum will protect and drastically improve skin.

Full Size: .50 oz ($95)

Size Received: 0.17 oz ($32.30)

A teensy bit of this product leaked out of the packaging. The container is oily and left a stain on my white paper when I was taking it's photo. But it was so neatly wrapped that it didn't get on anything else in the box. I'm familiar with the LIFTLAB brand, I received a sample from a Bircbox months ago. It was a wrinkle serum, but I'm not sure if it worked or not. I have so few wrinkles since Im so young. The only wrinkles I have are scowl wrinkles from concentrating. And it didn't really work on those. But what I do have is dark circles like nobody's business. I cannot wait to try this product! The LIFTLAB website says to apply morning and at night after moisturizing by gently patting the product. We shall see. I've been using this pretty regularly for the past few weeks and not sure if I like this. The sample is very generous, but the formula does not absorb on my skin. Just sits there and then balls up when I touch my skin. It does cool my skin down, but Im not sure if I see any improvement on my dark circles or wrinkles. Ill keep using it though and hope that it just takes awhile to see results.

myface cosmetics: Blingtone Eyeshadow in purple haze
Create a wicked wash of colour and dramatic, wet-looking shine. Blingtone eyeshadows glide on smoothly and wont drop or flake.

Full Size: 0.09 oz ($20.00)

Size Received: Full-size! 0.09 oz ($20.00)

Recognize this product? This is an exact repeat from last month, just a different color. I liked my Sp'ice'y brown eyeshadow, so I figured why not a purple. It has a lot of pink undertones that I really like. The glitter/sparkle is again out of control. With this shade, a little too much. I currently am rocking sparkles on my cardigan, jeans, camera case, keyboard, mouse pad, anything I've touched in the last hour! Im going to only ever apply this one wet with thick primer to hopes to avoid the sparkle attack. But either way the color is gorgeous and once I get it on my eyes I'll love how the sparkle lights up my eyes. I get so many compliments when I wear the brown shade.

Control Corrective: Botanical Soothing Cream
This soothing, calming, and hydrating moisturizer really does it all! With vitamin E, A, and aloe vera hard at work to control redness and SPF to protect from the sun, your skin will look redness free today and tomorrow.

Full Size: 2.5 oz ($48)

Size Received: 0.1 oz ($1.92)

Well this is a very small sample. Probably only enough for a use or two. Im actually really excited about this cream. Normally Im all oh Cetaphil moisturizing cream lovey dovey but I have a major issue with spot redness on my face that make-up never fully covers up. I blame it all on accutane, my skin never fully recovered from the intense medication. I hope that this cream does what it says and I see a miracle happen with the little bit of sample I have. If it works I'm buying the full size. Again, I'll let you all know.
eta: no luck with the two day sample I had. But even if it did I hated the smell! It smelled like candy cigarettes...

StriVectin: StriVectin-SD Concentrate
This leading wrinkle and stretch mark fighter has a new and improved formula to reduce those pesky skin imperfections while improving the look and feel of skin overall. Try it out to see clinically-proven results quickly.

Full Size: 5 oz ($135)

Size Received: 0.75 oz ($20.25)

This product was apparently discovered in skin cancer prevention research to help rebuild skin layers. It is also backed with clinical research, ooh ahh. The sample is a 3 week sample, pretty awesome. Im glad they gave you so much, because sometimes it does take a few weeks to see improvements. It says to apply twice a day, AM and PM on clean skin. I've heard some amazing things about this product. Every girl has a few stretch marks or wrinkles. I'm going to take this for a spin.
eta: I kind of think it is working making my stretch marks less noticeable. But after a few weeks they are still there, just semi-faded. I'm almost out, but I wouldn't rebuy this unless I found it massively marked down. I have seen the full-size at Marshalls and TJ Maxx for ~$40-50, but still don't think I would buy it for that price.

CellCeuticals: CellGenesis Regenerative Skin Treatment

With a new breakthrough formula, CellGenesis encourages the regeneration of new skin, encouraging a more visibly youthful and glowing complexion. This treatment reduces wrinkles, firms AND tones, showing off more radiant skin.

Full Size: 1 oz ($85)

Size Received: 0.33 oz ($28.05)

See a trend? Wrinkle and firming products were all the rage this month. At least this one also makes your skin glow. I've heard some people buzzing about this product. Apparently it was created by the doctor that fixed Bruce Jenner's hack job. Apparently they guarantee results within two weeks. Im always so skeptical of these types of products. I'll let you know what I think.

Freeman Beauty: Pssssst! Instant Dry Shampoo
The original dry shampoo to refresh and rejuvinate hair by soaking up excess oil, removing product build-up and boosting volume. Hair looks, feels and smells freshly shampooed. Cleans, deodorizes and conditions hair-without water!

Full Size: 5.3 oz ($6.99)

Size Received: 1.76 oz ($2.32)

Is it silly that this is the product I am most excited about? I love when products are cheap enough that I can afford to buy if I love it. As a graduate student, I have many late nights or days where taking a shower eats too much time. I used to use baby powder on my hair in undergraduate, but my hair was much lighter than it is now. You shake it up real good, spray at the roots and scalp (shake every so often between sprays), wait a few minutes, and brush through. I think it works really well. My hair feels lighter and softer than before and it looks brighter and lighter. Plus, I do think it volumized my roots a bit. It has a nice smell to it, a little like Baby's Soft Perfume if I remember correctly.

Total Value of my February 2012 kit:$104.84

Another insanely valued box!

What did you think of my kit? What did you choose in your own? If you dont get Beauty Army, click here to join! Let me know in the comments below!