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Too Faced 2017 Cyber Monday Mystery Bag Review

Haley Faye
ByHaley FayeNov 30, 2017 | 36 comments

Too Faced Mystery Bag

Every Cyber Monday, Too Faced releases a Cyber Monday Grab Bag, and it sells out that day. (This box is no longer available for sale. If you want a reminder when the next one is available, make sure to sign up for the daily MSA newsletter).

Too Faced Mystery Bag

My Subscription Addiction paid for this box. (Check out the review process post to learn more about how we review boxes.)

Too Faced Mystery Bag

The Box: Too Faced Cyber Monday Grab Bag

The Cost: $39

The Products: Surprise yourself with this top-secret assortment of Too Faced favorites valued at $109. A once-a-year exclusive!

Check out our review of the 2016 Too Faced Mystery Bag and the review of the 2015 Too Faced Mystery Box to see what you can expect!

Too Faced Mystery Bag

Perfect Eyes Eyeliner in Black – Retail Value $18

I actually haven’t tried an eyeliner from Too Faced before! I know that, yes, it’s another black eyeliner (something met with a lot of chagrin by the subscription box community it seems) but I use them so I generally don’t mind. Or they’re great for passing along to friends.

Too Faced Mystery Bag

This liner is a regular pencil liner with a smudger on one end. If you pull out the smudger you get a sharpener as well. I thought this liner worked pretty well. It’s definitely smooth – almost too smooth. It’s so soft that I felt like I actually had less control and easily made much thicker a line than I intended. But hey, no tugging or pulling at all; perhaps with a little practice, I can get a better hang of it.

Too Faced Mystery Bag

Size Queen Mascara in Black – Retail Value $21

I’ve only ever tried the famed Better Than Sex mascara from Too Faced so I was excited to try a different mascara from them. And I love that it’s full sized!

Too Faced Mystery Bag

The formula for this mascara is pretty nice and didn’t smudge at all for me. Unfortunately, this brush is a little crazy. I know it’s called “Size Queen” but it’s a little enormous. The spiral design works well but it’s hard to get in all the right places and get full coverage. I think it’d be great if it were just scaled down a little.

Too Faced Mystery Bag

Better Than Sex Mascara in Black – Retail Value $12

It wouldn’t be a Too Faced Mystery bag without a sample of their Better Than Sex mascara. I love this formula and the brush – easy to use, volume-boosting, no clumping, and it wears great.

Too Faced Mystery Bag

I wish this mascara were the full-sized one in this box because it’s a good formula – one that’s always welcome in subscription boxes to me!

Too Faced Mystery Bag

Le Creme Lipstick in Double Bubble – Retail Value $22

This La Crème lipstick formula is one I’ve liked for a couple years now. It’s hydrating but still has solid color payoff.

Too Faced Mystery Bag lipstick open

At first, when I saw this color, I was reminded of the bright pink Melted lipstick they included in last year’s mystery bag (the term I used then was “Pepto Bismol pink”). I sighed a little, but then I tried it on. It’s better on than I thought it would! It definitely bright but with the right mood, I definitely think it’ll get some wear. I also like this formula much more than last year’s Melted lipstick. You can see this and everything else on my face later in my review.

Too Faced Mystery Bag

Peanut Butter and Jelly Palette – Retail Value $36

This palette is limited edition, with shadows made with anti-oxidant rich cocoa powder (which is a signature from Too Faced and makes their palettes smell like chocolate). This palette features 9 shadows, both matte and shimmer.

Too Faced Mystery Bag

Apparently, Too Faced’s Semi-Sweet Chocolate Bar palette has a shadow called Peanut Butter that became a sort of social media sensation, so they released a palette featuring and highlighting that color. I love that! What a great way to listen to your fanbase and create something new and fun for them, celebrating what they like.

Too Faced Mystery Bag

Okay, and this packaging is way too cute, am I right?

Too Faced Mystery Bag

Too Faced designs these little palettes with three larger base and highlight shadows, which is also a good signature idea of theirs.

Too Faced Mystery Bag makeup palette closeup

There are 4 matte shades and 5 shimmer shades. The palette is laid out so that you can use the three rows each as their own look, but you can always mix and match of course!

Too Faced Mystery Bag

Another thing I love about Too Faced Palettes is that they come with look guides that have step-by-step instructions. These are the reason I always suggested Too Faced palettes to women who came into Sephora looking for something either beginner-friendly or that helps encourage growing their skills.

Too Faced Mystery Bag

The instructions are laid out in a color-by-number fashion to make it simple.

Too Faced Mystery Bag swatches on arm

Here are swatches of everything: the eyeliner, the lipstick, and then the palette. The shadows go from left to right, row by row. In order shown swatched: Spread the Love, Peanut Butter, Peanut Butter Cup, Bananas, Peanut Brittle, Jammin’, Extra Creamy, Jelly, and Nuts about U.

Too Faced Mystery Bag

Here’s a look I created with the palette, Size Queen mascara, eyeliner, and the La Crème lipstick. This pink isn’t one I’d usually reach for but it really wasn’t too bad once I tried it on myself! Kinda cute, especially for Springtime, I’m thinking.  The cool-toned pink doesn’t quite go well with this very warm-toned brown, gold, copper color story of this palette, though.

Too Faced Mystery Bag

For this look, I used Spread the Love all over my lid, used Peanut Butter in my crease, and Peanut Butter Cup in the corners of my lid. I then tapped Bananas in the center of my lid. You can tell this better in the top photo, but I also used Jelly on my lower lash line as well.

Too Faced Mystery Bag

I also easily amped up the look by using Jammin’ in my outer corners and the lower lash line (blended with Jelly) for a more intense and bold look. You can certainly make a look even more “evening” than this, too.

Verdict: All in all, I’m pretty happy with Too Faced’s 2017 Cyber Monday mystery box. I love that it had a palette, especially one that provides versatility and both wearable and dramatic looks. The whole box cost $39, and the palette alone retailed for $36. So, to me, it feels like you could look at it as buying a great palette (that I liked anyway) and got some great full-sized and travel gifts-with-purchase. The total value adds up to $109, which is the promised retail value.

I also have to say I’m amazed at the speed of shipping! I ordered at 3AM on the 27th and my box was here on the 28th! Did everyone get that quick of shipments?

Reading over the comments of the spoiler post, it seems like this box got quite a mixed reception. It’s always a risk with any mystery box of products from cosmetic companies that the products just simply may not be something you’d use or like. I think some dissatisfaction may also come from comparing this to past Too Faced Mystery boxes, which I think had higher values and better packaging in past years if I remember correctly. Also, many people buying the mystery bags from Too Faced are likely already fans that have a good amount of Too Faced products already – probably including black eyeliner and mascara – so I can see how it might be underwhelming to some fans to get some duplicates and cosmetic “basics.”

So, trying to objectively look at this mystery box, I’m honestly happy. I got $109 of product for $39. I just wanted to address all that because of readers’ varying responses to the spoilers. There’s a lot of factors and hype and subjective opinions and established makeup collections that all play into how you personally feel about this year’s mystery box and whether or not you’ll use the products.

To Wrap Up:

Can you still get this box if you sign up today? No, this box is now sold out, but sign up for our newsletter to know when the next box becomes available!

Value Breakdown: At $39 for this box, here’s what you are paying approximately per item:

  • Perfect Eyes Eyeliner: $6.44
  • Size Queen Mascara: $7.51
  • Better Than Sex Mascara: $4.29
  • Le Creme Lipstick: $7.87
  • Peanut Butter and Jelly Palette: $12.88

What did you think about the Too Faced 2017 Cyber Monday mystery box this year? Which product are you most (or even least) excited about?

Haley Faye
Haley Faye
Haley Faye first discovered the wonderful world of subscription boxes in 2012 and began writing for MSA in 2014. Over the years, she has found many subscriptions to love. Now a mom of three, her favorite boxes are ones that dress her kids, help her get organized, feed her family, send her snacks, and offer educational fun for her children.

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36 comments

Chanell Irvine

Thank you for the review. I would like that palette since it comes with a tutorial, is simple and is a great product. The mascara looks good as well so I will keep my eye on this brand.

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Bella01

Haley you look just as beautiful today as you did a couple years ago. Your skin is just gorgeous. You never age. You and Liz have perfect skin…

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Haley Faye

You’re sweet, Bella, thank you so much!

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Kara S

Haley you are my makeup guru! I am so bad with eyeshadow and have a lot from my addiction, lol! But I can always follow your lead and step by step instructions. I love when the palates include instructions too.
I also know that a few of the reviewers are moms and have other jobs and appreciate the hard work and crazy hours that get put into this blog. Specifically the fact that this review is up Immediately after receiving the box. I think we could remember that when posting in a blog it’s easy for our comments to come across the wrong way and so we should be careful not to hurt feelings or insult. For me MSA is a daily thing and so a family. So I would recommend that we speak to each other in that way. I don’t know what a blurring tool is but if I had to put a picture of my face up every day I would use one too, lol. I can see the makeup just fine.
One question though. I couldn’t get last years purple to show very good with a liner brush. Any tips on that? Haven’t received this one yet.

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Haley Faye

Oh! Sorry I missed your question, Kara. The purple shadow from last year’s palette… Is it in the far right column? Those, with the gold outlines, are wet/dry so you can get your brush wet before picking up the product to get more intense color. You can probably try that with any of those shadows to be honest. Hope that helps!

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Kara Sturdevant

Perfect thanks ladies! I love you all!

LB

I’m definitely no guru, but I’ll offer a suggestion I’ve heard other places….if you are asking about getting purple eyeshadow to have a more saturated look using a liner brush, have you tried spraying your brush with a setting spray or wetting it with water before dipping into the eyeshadow? It gives a deeper, bolder look/color.

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Diana

I agree, I don’t use liner pencils but when I use a damp liner brush in a dark shadow it brings out a deeper color. For me, it gives me better control than a pencil. 🙂

Haley Faye

Kara – Thanks for you kind words! I really don’t use a blurring tool, but I appreciate your sweet support, <3

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LB

“Filters” are usually pretty easy to pick up on pictures and I can honestly say I’ve never suspected it with your reviews. That being said, I think alot of us are jealous of your seemingly flawless skin and makeup skills (but I suppose a job at Sephora would help with that). Please continue to teach us, guru! 🙂

Marie-Eve Plante

I wanted to buy this so much and even had a reminder to go to the Too Faced website the minute it was available. The problem? Apparently, they don’t deliver to Canada… 🙁

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Laura

Try crossborderpickups.ca. I use them for all USA purchases for a small fee!

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Paulette

That was a great deal from Too Faced, that’s a nice black liner.
The lip color looked nice on you. Unless you know what lip color u are receiving I always get a very dark brown or red, I wear do wear red, but it has to be the right shade.
I loved your look, especially the under the lash line. Thank you

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Monica

I think I need that palette! Your eyeshadow looks beautiful!

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Anna

That is a great idea about taking to the hospitals!
Haley, I think the pink looks great with your coloring!

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Ashley

Wow this review was up quick! I like it. Thank you for reviewing it!

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Monica

Please stop facetuning your pictures if you’re reviewing makeup. I want to see how the products sit on your skin, but it’s impossible when you use the blurring tool in all your reviews.

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Haley Faye

Hi, Monica! I 100% agree that edited photos can skew the way you can see a products’ performance in reviews!

I promise you, I don’t edit my photos except the light balance and contrast. Over the years, between working/learning at Sephora and trying hundreds of different products thanks to my job at MSA, I’ve been able to find what works for my skin in my skincare routine and foundation/setting powder that look best in photos. For example, my favorite setting powder is Make Up Forever’s HD Setting powder – the formula’s molecules are actually round so that they blur/bounce back light and the difference it makes really shows in photos (as the name suggests, it’s designed for use in HD film/photos). I don’t use any digital tools or programs or apps to edit my pictures at all. I never have – I really value the integrity and helpfulness of the content on MSA and I would never alter a photo for vanity reasons.

If you’re interested, here’s a link to the raw version of one of the photos of myself I used. [[[[ bit.ly/2BzAvxl ]]]] I only edit lighting and contrast to help improve the actual quality of the photo itself. Hopefully this helps you see where I start and what I actually change in the process from raw images to uploading the review! 🙂

Thanks so much for reading, Monica! Thanks for caring about the quality and integrity of the reviews on MSA as much as I do!

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jen

What a fantastic unintentional compliment, to be accused of blurring because your skin is so beautiful! Anyway, thank you for an awesome review Haley! I sincerely prefer them to any other because we do get to see how the great the makeup can look! I only wish you had time to review them all lol!

DonnaG

Very gracious and classy reply … Adjectives for MSA above all others!

Liz Cadman

I’ve seen Haley in real life, and can confirm that she is just naturally this gorgeous 🙂

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Monique E

Wow, this is the rudest comment I have ever read on MSA.

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Jessica

I agree that this was unnecessarily rude. MSA does a huge service by alerting us to deals and reviewing boxes in a timely manner. Haley’s makeup reviews are fun and thorough, and she’s really going the *extra mile* by showing us how the makeup looks on her face rather than just in arm swatches.

And Haley, you look beautiful. No filter required!

Kiara

I’m able to see how the makeup looks on her face just the way it is. Haley thanks for taking the oxitures you did a great job!!!

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Heather

Hmm seems like you’re more concerned with being nasty than you are about the makeup she is actually reviewing….eyeshadow, eyeliner, lipstick and mascara. I’m not sure how you came to the conclusion she is using any type of tool but if she is so what?? It would have nothing to do with how the eyeshadow “sits on her skin”. kindness really does go a long way.

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Anne

I don’t think it is unkind to ask someone for non-shopped pictures in a makeup review, because then you really can’t tell if the eyeshadow went on perfect or patchy.

Monica

It’s not unkind to ask someone to not edit their photos when reviewing makeup. It’s same reason beauty gurus get a negative response when they use too strong of lighting. When you apply a product to the skin you need to see if it either sits on top of the skin or blends into it. It is one of the biggest factors in avoiding your makeup looking to cakey. Please don’t confuse constructive criticism on how the photos are presented as unkind. But, if she does have naturally blurred-looking skin then my comment would be moot, not cruel.

Christy

Thanks for the review! Two enthusiastic thumbs up!

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Haley Faye

Thank you, Christy! Thanks for reading. 🙂

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andrea

I loved getting a full sized mascara. The eye shadows are pretty but will not work well with my skin tone. I have started taking the unopened products that I will not use especially the fun ones like paletts to my local children’s hospital. They love getting fun stuff for the teen aged girls.

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Haley Faye

I agree with Elle – I never thought about taking them to a hospital. GREAT idea, Andrea!

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Paulette

That’s is a great idea !! And thoughtful Around Prom Time , did you ever hear about people donating ther used Prom dresses or dress from a school dance. ( that you only wear once) To teen age girls that are not able to afford one ? Maybe they could use – makeup that has not been used.

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Elle Em

Wow, great idea! I have been looking into donating unopened samples to women’s shelters, but hadn’t thought about my local children’s hospital!

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Garfield

What an awesome idea.

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