This was a really interesting box! And as a brand-spankin’ new teacher, I was pretty excited that it was back-to-school themed.

Also, I need to learn how to take better pictures.

Yu-Be Moisturizing Skin Cream ($16, full size)

I almost didn’t see this tube in the box originally, just because it was so tiny! It’s just very fancy skin cream. And it smells like Vick’s VapoRub. It’s a thick, slippery sort of gel and sits on your skin for a while. I think it’ll be good for the winter when my skin’s all dried out- maybe a nice layer of it at nighttime would be good. But as for a lotion on a hot summer day- no bueno.

Miss Jessie’s Original Stretch Silkening Creme ($22, full size)

I have a love-hate relationship with this cream. It’s a really good-sized sample (plenty of uses out of it!), the texture is lovely, and it smells absolutely beautiful, but it just doesn’t do much for my curls. In fact, it takes my curls out completely. My hair has a natural loose curl to it, and the cream makes it so loose that it vanishes. It’s like my hair gets stoned, so it goes all limp and floppy and stuff. I like the product itself and how silky it makes my hair, but honestly, I’ll probably save it for the days that I straighten my hair.

Schick Hydro Silk Razor ($10)

This was the surprise product! Honestly, this razor saved my box from being pretty unhappy. (Also: I originally typed “shaved” instead of “saved.) I usually buy the mega-size packs of el cheapo razors from Target, since I shave pretty frequently, but I’m sort of in love with this razor. I tested it without using any shave gel, since I usually use it only about twice a year- it’s such a hassle! But even with just using water it was a really clean shave and felt super smooth- still felt smooth the next day, actually, which never happens to me. I have the hairy sexiness of a small sasquatch. I’ve tried razors with built-in conditioner bars before, but this is the first one that I’ve tried and really loved. Plus, the handle was easy for my toddler-sized hands to grip. I’ll probably keep an el cheapo razor in the shower for touch ups and daily shaving, but when I want to shave my legs I’ll keep this little beauty around.

Viva la Juicy La Fleur ($70, full size)

I’ve tried the normal Viva La Juicy before, and the best way I can describe it is, well…the bottom of an elderly lady’s purse. It smells like generic perfume and peppermints. Probably lint covered. Gross. The La Fleur is at least much better than that. It has a lighter, more floral-and berry scent, but still with the unsettling undertone of lint-covered peppermints. When it settles, it smells a little more like oranges, which then brings to mind the scent of bathroom air freshener. So…not so much a fan of this one. I mean, it’s not bad, and I’ll probably keep it in my desk at work, but when I want to pick a perfume, I’ll reach for my Harajuku collection.

Pixi Beauty Lip and Line in Pretty Peony ($18, full size)

This right here was my favorite item in the box. I’ve been wanting to try the Pixi line of products for ages, but it was too expensive to just pick up on a whim like my OPI polishes or Revlon lip butters (I try to keep my shopping splurges under $10). I think I’ve found a new favorite lip product, though. The wand has a liner in one side and a lipstick on the other, both in the same shades. Since they’re the same color, it doesn’t give that unsettlingly awkward look of “oh, it looks like I used a sharpie on my face” if the lipstick wears off. The liner spread really easily and the lipstick has a great crayon-like texture. It stayed on pretty well, too. The peony shade is a nice browny-pink that looks really nice with my skin tone, but if they have the same lip wand in red, I shall purchase it posthaste.

All in all, I think the two boxes I’ve received so far are a pretty good sampling- some things I love, some things I don’t love so much, and a lot of fun trying out new products. Plus, I’ve learned about some products that I really really like! The Schick razor is going onto my shopping list right now…

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