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
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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.
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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
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| 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
