Beauty Box 5 -- January 2014 Review

This is my third box, and since I paid for three up front, this is the last one of the prepaid boxes. This one will determine if I re-up my subscription or call it quits.

Here's the box when I opened it:

1. H2O Plus Spa Sea Lotus Body Wash

Description: Unisex has never been, well, sexier. Made with mineral-rich red alga, aloe extract, and Vitamin E, this refreshing body wash boasts crisp notes of aquatic florals and sea grass that will make you feel like a new woman.
Cost: $17.00 for 12.5 oz. (Sample is 1 oz., so worth $1.36)
Review: I've heard great things about this brand, so I was excited to receive one of their items. At first opening, the scent of this wash is very overwhelming, and honestly, not very appealing to me. I wanted to give it a chance regardless. It wasn't nearly as overwhelming while in the shower, but I'm still not in love like with the scent. While this product currently has been a bit of a disappointment, maybe multiple uses (yes, I will continue to use the product even though I'm not a big fan because I'm a cheap-skate and not using it seems like a huge waste) will provide results of hydrated or super soft skin. Only time will tell.

2. Nubar Cuticle & Nail Oil

Description:  It's time to get handsy! Make 2014 the year of perfect at-home manicures with this healthy jojoba oil elixir that comes in cute candy colors! Sooth inflamed skin and psoriasis by gently massaging a small amount around your nails.
Cost: $10.00 for .5 oz. (Sample is .25 oz, so worth $5.00)
Review: I was super excited when I saw this item. I was just recently looking for my cuticle oil and could not find it, so it is great timing for a new one. The one I received smells like cucumber, which is very pleasant. I'm a hater of hang-nails, so hopefully this will prevent those during this "dry" season (Florida is never very dry.) Also, every winter (can I even call it winter when it's in the 70's?), my eczema flares on my big toe (weird, I know), so I applied it on that (after doing my cuticles) to see if it helps. (Update: It did help a little on my eczema. I think I'll keep this product nearby.)

3. Swissco Bath & Shower Exfoliating Gloves

Description: Perfect for lovers of faux tans, these gloves let you easily rub away dead skin in hard to reach places to leave you soft and smooth all over. Just slip them on in the shower, pour your favorite body wash, and gently buff! Afterward, rinse and hang dry.
Cost: $5.00 One Pair (full size)
Review: I haven't owned bath gloves since probably middle school. I have nothing against them; just haven't seen a huge need for them in my regular routine. Regardless, I found this to be a nice item. These specific gloves don't seem any more special than any bath/shower glove, but they did exfoliate as promised and I will probably use them once or twice a week.

4. Jergens Daily Moisturizer

Description: Celebrate your skin! Fight rough spots and ashy knees with this silky everyday moisturizer that will keep your skin hydrated (and stay seriously touchable) all day long.
Cost: $6.99 for 21 oz. (Sample is 1 oz., so worth $.33)
Review: So many subscription box lovers hate when they get drugstore brands, but I do not feel that way. The lotion itself is pretty nice, but I tend to like either specific scents or unscented (Aveeno or Eucerin are my current unscented favorites for the summer when I attract mosquitoes from miles away). I'll use this entire Jergens sample, but I am not likely to purchase this product.

5. Epic Blend Hemp Coconut Lip Balm 

Description: Smell the sunshine! Keep this organic balm in your purse for kissable lips and motivation for future beach bunny time. Did we mention that it's gluten and petroleum free, non-GMO, and not tested on animals. We're in lip love.
Cost: $3.39 One size (full size)
Review: As I've stated before, I have a minor addiction to chapstick/lip balm. This coconut one smells devine and goes on so smoothly, I didn't want to stop applying it. My lips are never chapped since I apply regularly, so I cannot attest to its helpfulness for that, but personally, I love this product. (I won't likely buy it, but as a sample, it's perfect!)

Bonus Item: That Awkward Moment Mirror Compact

Description: Embrace the awkward and check out the movie trailer at thatawkwardmomentmovie.tumblr.com
Cost: Not included
Review: I guess this is advertising for the new movie coming out, but that's irrelevant to me. I currently do not have a compact mirror in my purse, so this will likely make its way in there. I especially like that it can stand on its own (as I showed in the picture). Beauty box 5 sends out five products each month (hence the name Beauty box FIVE), so who can complain when you receive an extra product? Not me!

Total Value: $15.08 + mirror. This is the worst product value by far that I've received, but I actually will use each product, so that makes it still worth it for me. Looks like I'll be sticking around at least another three months.

If you're interested in starting a Beauty Box 5 subscription, please use my referral link: http://www.beautybox5.com/?u=861 It will help me earn points that I can use toward full size products. Thanks!