Hey everyone! Guess what? It's time to unbox BDJ's first anniversary box!
This time, BDJ partners up with Maybelline for another exclusive box. I'm so STOKED about this box because despite its drugstore status, Maybelline comes up with the most reliable mascaras! The next thing I trust them completely on is lip glosses/balms while the rest is a little more hit-or-miss for me.
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| October 2013 BDJ Box Curation Card: Express It - Femme Fatale |
My box's theme is Express It: Femme Fatale. I've seen various iterations of this box, vastly different in that some of them even have eye shadow!
I find it quite funny to be given a Femme Fatale box when I pegged myself very feminine and dainty in the BDJ style quiz. I guess the bitchy reputation is getting traction- but that's a story for another day ;)
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| October 2013 BDJ Box: Express It - Femme Fatale by Maybelline |
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| Maybelline Clear Smooth BB Stick in Radiance, Php 279 / 10g. |
I've never tried stick foundation but it seems like a super convenient way of putting your foundation on. Back when I was little, stick foundations were the in thing. All the cooler, older girls who were already wearing makeup seemed to use one. Now that I'm a big girl myself, I have my first ever foundation stick. And it's BB foundation :P
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| Maybelline Clear Smooth BB Stick in Radiance (with flash) |
I take it, being a BB, that this is a new release? Ultimate awesomeness! I swatched it on my hand and was at first, unimpressed. It was maybe half a shade darker than me but when matches my skin tone when blended out. The formula seemed normal to me if only a bit more convenient than liquid foundation.
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| Maybelline Clear Smooth BB Stick in Radiance (w/o flash) |
Then I blended it for my blend swatch and OOOOOH WOW. It's so silky-milky smooth. I'm actually afraid of over-applying it because it feels that good!
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| Maybelline Volum' Express Extreme Stilleto (Long, Waterproof) Mascara, Php 349. |
The product highlight! I don't think I've ever tried a Maybelline mascara that disappointed me, granted I haven't really tried a lot. But, I have heard a lot of other people equally satisfied with their Maybelline mascaras so I have increased consumer confidence.
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| Maybelline Volum' Express Extreme Stiletto (Long, Waterproof) |
The wand seems to have regular synthetic bristles. It's not overly thick but the bristles seem really stiff and with deep gaps- perfect for lengthening. I spot a few fibers, and I didn't notice anywhere on the packaging if this is a fiberwig mascara. I'm expecting it to help with the lengthening, nonetheless.
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| Maybelline Color Sensational Lasting Lipcolor in Are You Red-dy, Php 366 |
The Color Sensational is a repeat sample. I've had this one other time and I'm pretty sure it was sampled off elsewhere, I just can't remember. The only thing making me excited about this product is that I love the classic Red.
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| Maybelline Color Sensational Lasting Lipcolor in Are You Red-dy |
It's very buttery and easy to apply. As you can see, it needs about three layers before becoming fully opaque but once it does, it settles perfectly even.
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| Maybelline Color Sensational Lasting Lipcolor in Are You Red-dy |
I really wish I could wear this more often!
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| Maybelline Cheeky Glow in Peachy Sweetie, Php 199 / 7g. |
I was deceived! I thought this was the super cute Bouncy Blush Liz (Project Vanity) reviewed here. Packaging is sort of similar, even the font looks the same! I'm so intrigued about that so-called bouncy texture but the last time I checked a Maybelline counter, there were no Bouncy testers.
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| Maybelline Cheeky Glow in Peachy Sweetie |
It seems like a very average pinky blush. I can't be sure about staying power but I love how soft and demure it looks.
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| Maybelline Cheeky Glow in Peachy Sweetie |
It doesn't really apply as thickly as I pictured in the "one layer" swatch. I just did the thick swatch first so I have a lot of leftover product on my hands. It's very easy to control and looks very natural against my skin tone. If you don't like spending a lot on blushes, this is great! I'm keeping it as my standby blush for everyday use :P
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| EyeStudio Master Eye Liner in Midnight Master, Php 359 |
I haven't had a lot of luck with American-branded eyeliners. I find that a lot of them are unreliable, lack pigmentation and smudge horribly.
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| EyeStudio Master Eye Liner in Midnight Master |
This is supposed to be smudge and water proof but a quick smudge test shows that it fails miserably. I still haven't worn it on my eyes so I'm holding off on making further judgment. Despite dismal impressions, I'm still excited to try this out because it's soooo easy to apply.
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| Clear Smooth All in One Shine-Free Foundation in Nude Beige, Php 249 |
I like heavy coverage powder foundations because I hardly ever use liquid foundation. If I'm going with powder alone, it has to be something that covers imperfections such as pigmentation and acne scars.
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| Clear Smooth All in One Shine-Free Foundation in Nude Beige |
I didn't swatch this one. Based on the Nude Beige shade and how it looks like on the pan, I'm 99.99% sure this will suit me. I just didn't want to ruin the foundation because I think I have a mini version from the May BDJ Box.
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| Maybelline Baby Lips Runway Brights, Php 89 |
Wasn't really thrilled with the regular Baby Lips. I found them sooo sticky and a little itchy.
The only thing I am looking forward to with the Runway Brights variant is a tiny wash of color and the ever present, yummy strawberry scent.
I still think it's worth a spot in my makeup kit :)
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| Maybelline Card |
I don't normally include non-makeup in my Here's What I Got list, but this is pretty awesome and I'm lumping it along! It's like a VIP / privilege card which I totally DON'T MIND getting because Maybelline always has something good on their counters.
I'm not even putting this GWP voucher in the Other Stuff in Here list because for just a Php 250 purchase I can get one makeup remover for free. And I love their makeup remover!
RECAP:
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| October 2013 BDJ Box Curation Card: Express It - Femme Fatale |
Pretty bummed at two repeat samples (just one repeat, if I disregard the Color Sensational since I got it in a new shade anyway) but I love how this month's box is a complete face box! I've always felt like getting a complete box from just one brand is a great way to know that brand's hits and misses. Will I be correct in my best mascara, hit-or-miss in anything else assumption of Maybelline? I'll know soon enough!
The extras (VIP card and GWP voucher) are also veeeery nice. I'm not normally excited about non-makeup items and often palpitate at the sight of vouchers. I made these Maybelline goodies an exemption because you don't have to spend a small fortune to get the gift. Given Maybelline's price point, that's an average of just one piece of makeup needed for the GWP.
Box Value: Php 1923 for a Php 580 fee. The x3 promise holds!
You may visit bdjbox.com to get your own BDJ box!