Wednesday, May 17, 2017

My Favorite Beauty Value Kits

Some of my favorite investments are themed kits combining multiple trial sized items.  It’s never fun to get home, break open a full size bottle of something new, and realize that it breaks you out/isn’t your shade/is too heavily fragranced, etc.; but beyond that, there’s an amazing value factor to combination kits!

These benefit everyone because they give companies a chance to get those sample sizes out there and convert customers, so that even if the kit price per item is a little lower there’s such a good chance that someone will try it and fall in love, moving on to full size - and the customers reap the benefits of variety at low cost! I’ve found some of my staple products this way.

Current recommendations include several options from Sephora and Birchbox. See below for details!


From the Sephora Favorites Collection

I can’t recommend these enough. New brands are always popping up at Sephora, and their products are frequently featured in the kits. These are examples of kits I've tried, but there are many more.


Photo courtesy of Sephora.com

Lashstash to Go ($28):

Includes five mini (but decently sized) mascaras and a voucher to redeem your favorite for $28. A full size mascara ALONE is frequently $28 or higher – I’ve listed the full size price of each. An incredible deal, and I often find that since mascaras will dry out or the formula will shift over time it can be better to open a fresh mini every month than to drop the money on a full size that won’t necessarily last.

I will follow up with individual reviews of each as I use them, but I’ve used each in the past and my initial favorite is the Urban Decay Perversion.

Products included:

   0.17 oz/ 5 mL Bobbi Brown Eye Opening Mascara in Black – $30
   0.20 oz/ 6 mL BUXOM® BUXOM® Lash Mascara in Blackest Black - $20
   0.135 oz/ 4 mL Lancôme Hypnôse Drama Mascara in Excessive Black - $27.50
   0.13 oz/ 4 mL Tarte Lights, camera, lashes™ 4 in 1 mascara in Black - $23
   0.1 oz/ 3 mL Urban Decay Perversion Mascara in Black - $22



Photo courtesy of Sephora.com

Chic it Easy (On sale for $25 from $49):

Parisian inspired collection ranging from skincare to hair products to fragrance to makeup. Basically, buying this gives you a full head to toe look. I own this and wholeheartedly endorse! DEFINITELY worth checking out! 

Most importantly, this includes a full size of the cult favorite Yves Saint Laurent Touche Eclat – the shade is on the lighter side but could be used for concealing or highlighting on deeper complexions. This alone is valued at $42.

Products included: 


   0.14 oz/ 4.14 mL Atelier Cologne in Orange Sanguine Cologne Absolue
   1 oz/ 30 mL Caudalie Beauty Elixir
   0.13 oz/ 4 mL Formula X The Colors Nail Polish in Pyrotechnic
   1 oz/ 30 mL Klorane Dry Shampoo with Oat Milk
   1 oz/ 30 mL Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer Broad Spectrum SPF 20 in Nude
   0.01 oz/ 0.28 g MAKE UP FOR EVER Aqua XL Eye Pencil in M-10
   0.11 oz/ 3.25 mL NARS Cosmetics Lipstick in Jungle Red
   0.1 oz/ 2.5 mL Yves Saint Laurent Touche Eclat in No. 2 Luminous Ivory



Other value kit superstars are the Birchbox Limited Edition boxes -

I look at these every time a new box comes out as gift ideas for my mother, sisters, friends – each time I’ve given one of these away it gets awesome reviews! They’re typically centered around a theme as well. A few of the current options are shown, although I have not tried these specific boxes yet.



Photo courtesy of Birchbox.com


Power Beauty ($55)

A collaboration with Reese Witherspoon’s lifestyle brand Draper James, SO adorable.

Description reads: A product should make us feel lovely—and work as hard as we do. That's why we teamed up with Draper James (and Reese Witherspoon!) to curate this box of multitasking powerhouses. Think: a luxe treatment gel that transforms into a toner, a hydrating lipstick (in a works-with-everything red), an exclusive Draper James pouch for on-the-go touch ups, and more.

Each box contains:
  • Draper James Large Zip Pouch
  • Draper James Trinket Tray
  • Dr. Jart+ Pore Minimalist Black Charcoal Sheet Mask - 1 mask
  • L. Erickson Grab & Go Pony Tube - 1 tube (colors will vary)
  • Living proof.® Restore Instant Protection - Travel-size
  • Bioderma® Sensibio H2O - Travel-size
  • Smashbox Cosmetics Indecent Exposure Mascara - Full-size
  • Benefit Cosmetics The POREfessional Face Primer - Travel-size
  • Sunday Riley Martian Mattifying Melting Water-Gel Toner - Sample-size
  • Ouai Treatment Masque - Travel-size
  • Lipstick Queen Eden Lipstick - Full-size




Photo courtesy of Birchbox.com

Good as Gold ($45):

This one is less cosmetic based, but includes some lovely lifestyle products. 

Description reads - We cherish the few moments we have to prep for the day—and we love getting ready in a space that we treasure just as much. That's why we filled this box with lovely, gilded items to give any vanity the golden touch. And since no dressing table is complete without covetable tools and products you’re proud to display, we added in a gorgeous (and gorgeously scented) hand cream, essential makeup brushes, and much more.

Each box contains:
  • NUXE Huile Prodigieuse® Multi-Usage Dry Oil - Deluxe sample
  • Juice Beauty® PHYTO-PIGMENTS Liquid Lip in Gwyneth - Full-size
  • Library of Flowers Handcreme in Linden - Full-size
  • Davines OI All in One Milk - Travel-size
  • Candlefish Candle Tin in No. 62 - Full-size
  • Umbra Prisma 4x4” Frame
  • Umbra Birchbox Exclusive Hand Mirror
  • Birchbox Eye Shader Brush - Full-size
  • Birchbox Angled Eye Liner Brush - Full-size
  • Birchbox Dome Blush Brush - Full-size





I'll continue to post updates and reviews as I try out different kits - don't forget to browse around the websites, there are currently some great summer kits featuring sun safety and bronzy items as well! I’ll update with feedback as I get the chance to try. Comment below if you have any recommendations!


- Taylor



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