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BoxyCharm Subscription Box Review – October 2019

Megan K.
ByMegan K.Oct 10, 2019 | 128 comments

Boxy Charm October 2019 beauty subscription box review

BoxyCharm
4.3 overall rating
1949 Ratings | 195 Reviews

BoxyCharm is a full-size beauty and makeup subscription box. They always provide a great value compared to the cost of the box. (If you are a makeup addict - we recommend this box!)

open black box

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

all included items with box

About BoxyCharm

The Subscription Box: BoxyCharm

The Cost: $21 a month. Save with longer subscriptions.

The Products: 5-6 beauty items that include nail care, skincare, makeup, haircare, fragrance and more. (At least 4 of those items will be full-sized).

Ships to: The contiguous US for free, Hawaii, Alaska, and Canada for $5

BoxyCharm October 2019 Review

cover of info booklet

Each box comes with a card detailing the items included.

open booklet with all product info back of info booklet

Now, on to the items!

 

Dose of Colors Eyeshadow Palette in 'Baked Browns', 1.7 g - Retail Value $32.00

Be still my beating heart! A full matte palette?! It feels like it has been so long. BUT, are these matte shades smooth, highly pigmented, blendable, and chalkiness free? YEP! Though these 5 shades look pretty basic in the palette, I am way into the formula. They are smooth as butter, beautifully pigmented, and blend like a dream. Nine times out of ten I am reaching for a natural matte shadow. Sure, the shimmers and glitters are way more exciting to look at, but these colors are so much more useful for my everyday looks. The 'Tealight' shade is also sure perfection on my browbone, adding just the right amount of shimmer-free highlight! Outdoorsy was perfect in my crease, adding a perfect amount of definition for my generally low-maintenance lid look.

Top to bottom: Tealight, Deserted, Outdoorsy, Cherry Wood, and Rock Bottom

 

Touch in Sol Pretty Filter Glassy Skin Balm, 1.05 oz - Retail Value $32.00

I was really, really hoping this came in my box and I was giddy when I saw it inside. If you look past all the fun words, this is basically a primer with a dewy finish. I don't say that to minimize it, but just to hopefully add some clarification as to what exactly it is and how it is used. I have found primers pretty hit and miss, and I have tried a lot of them! This is my absolute favorite I have ever tried! It basically does all the things I was hoping from the other primers I have tried: hydrates my skin, smooths my skin texture, helps my makeup apply like silk, gives it longevity, and adds a dewiness to my skin that I absolutely am obsessed with. Where have you been all my life? I plan on making this a long-term fixture in my routine for sure.

 

Iconic London Lip Plumping Gloss in 'Nearly Nude', 0.17 fl oz - Retail Value $26.00

As with all nude lip products I receive, I anticipated this being a hard shade for me and prepared to hate it. I was pleasantly proven wrong because the sheerness of this gloss makes it a great choice for my skintone. It does have that familiar plumping tingle, though significantly less than GrandeLips. I did notice that my lips looked a little fuller, but I mainly like this for the shine!

Sheer and oh-so shiny!

 

Paula’s Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant, 4 fl oz - Retail Value $29.50

This was another item I had my fingers crossed for because I really like a liquid BHA in my routine because it adds just a little more cell turnover and texture improvement to my routine. This stuff is super simple to use too! Simply put some on a cotton round and wipe on your face after cleansing. After it dries, you can apply your normal serum and night cream. I am kind of on exfoliating overload right now because I am combining this with Tretinoin, which is a lot for skin to handle all at once. I have used these products before together and as long as I am waiting 30+ mins between applications, using sunscreen, and consistently applying a great moisturizer, I do just fine. If you have sensitive skin, I highly recommend doing a little research before combining this with your other steps though!

 

JonteBlu Lip Liner Pencil in 'Hot Red', 1.2 g  -  Retail Value $5.00

Our last item was a little bit of a dud to me, but everything else was so awesome in this box I don't even care. This is a bright red lip liner in a traditional pencil format. The longevity wasn't great, though I did love the classic red shade! I would prefer to use this as an all over lip color than a liner.

I did these left-handed, so they aren't exactly straight!

Verdict: My BoxyCharm box has an overall value of $124.50, which is fantastic for a $21 box. I am truly tickled by my assortment this month. My favorite two items are easily the primer balm and the BHA liquid. I really wanted both and I was so happy to see them inside the box. The brown eyeshadow palette was demure and high quality, and I could easily wear those shades daily. The lip gloss was another pleasant surprise, and it is another shade that I will happily toss into my purse and use quite often. The liner was the only thing I really wasn't into, but I still feel like this month had a ton of quality and value, and I am more than willing to overlook a $5 liner being a standout.

To Wrap Up:

Can you still get this box if you sign up today? Yes! These boxes do sell out though, so if you love it, hurry.

Value Breakdown: At $21.00 for this box, here is approximately what you are paying per product:

  • Dose of Color Palette $5.40
  • Touch in Sol Balm $5.40
  • Iconic London Gloss $4.39
  • Paula's Choice Liquid Exfoliant $4.96
  • JonteBlu Lip Liner $0.84

Alternatively, the average cost of each of the 5 items is $4.20.

Check out all of our BoxyCharm reviews and some of our favorite beauty subscription boxes!

Keep Track of Your Subscriptions: Add this box to your subscription list or wishlist!

What do you think of the September 2019 BoxyCharm Box? Which variants are you getting?

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BoxyCharm ($30 per month) is one of the most popular beauty subscription boxes that we review, with lots of loyal customers. They promise 5 full-size beauty products each month from a variety of both indie and... read more.

Megan K.
Megan K.
I love natural/vegan beauty products, Korean skincare, unique jewelry, and weird candies from far away places. When I am not waiting for my next exciting box you can find me painting or taking photographs of interesting people. I never leave home without pug hair somewhere on my shirt and a bold lipstick on my smile.

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128 comments

Donna

I signed on with the promo pallet. I received the pallet with all of my items. Unfortunately, they decided that that pallet was enough and didn’t sent me the other pallet that was so coveted. They sent me a stinging beige lip-gloss matched with a red lipliner. The sent me an eyebrow filler that had the worse brush that simply resembled a mascara. A facial cleanser that I received in May when I was a member. Also, a primer. Who curates these boxed?

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miniso911

I ended up w/ the natural goddess palette which I already received. This is confusing b/c i thought all charmers were getting a DOC palette. when I emailed, they said this was a variant item. If I had known that i would end up w/a palette I already have, i wouldn’t have re-subbed. This is not listed anywhere on the BC site as a possible variation & I’m def sorry I signed on for 3 months. my mistake and I can assure you, it won’t happen again.

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I received this exact box. Was really hoping for the Snow Angels, iluvsarahii, or Mauves instead. It stinks since there were several variations I’d have been happy with, but got my absolute least favorite that doesn’t match my profile or coloring at all.

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Redhed36

My box was delivered today.

I received;

– Tarte Face shaping palette- Bonus Item
– DOC in Sassy Siennas- Not my shades but pretty.
– Hank & Henry Mascara Duo
– Iconic London in Glow
– Tweezers- Wanted these
– Smashbox Eyeliner

Overall I am pleased.

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Sung

So envy you. You’ve got everything that I wanted! Enjoy it!

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Nan

My box arrived today. I realize there will always be some items that I wouldn’t choose for myself or that just don’t work for me. A couple items I just don’t want, like highlighters. I was happy to see I got a brow gel, till I saw it is dark brown and I am a blond! Grrrrr… Why can’t they even bother to use our profiles? It’s like they are trying to drive me away.

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Denise Atkinson

If anyone wants sassy siennas or the dark iconic spray let me know. I’m willing to trade for not boxycharm stuff also.

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Amy M

I liked my box. I got the Iconic London spray, Pretty Cool pallete, H&H mascara, Smashbox eyeliner, and face masks. I also put Glassyskin as an add-on, but that wasn’t in my box. Are the add-ons coming separately, or do I need to call them?

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Jackie

They are supposed to come separately.

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Amanda

I would email them and ask just to be on the safe side. It is something new that they are doing so I’m not really sure I’m sorry. Hope this helps.

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Teenerg

This was one of the most disappointing boxes I’ve had in the years I’ve been subscribed. Sadly, I am starting to worry that I may have aged out of Boxycharm. I cannot wear bright lip colors, black eyeliner or glittery highlighter anymore, and that seems to fill every box. I also have really oily skin, so the choices of a glow spray or glass skin balm were both a miss for me. I got the variation with the cheap black eyeliner and brow product that isn’t my shade. I hope this was just a miss month for me, because I really enjoy beauty sub boxes and just broke up with IPSY for good after the Ultimate fiasco.

I know I could go out there and buy products that I want, and I do. However, it is a treat to anticipate a package each month filled with beauty items. I love passing along products to friends that don’t work out for me, but lately, everything has been such a miss, my friends and family are not the audience either so it feels wasteful.

Here’s my idea—A subscription box for 40+…. It would contain softer makeup shades, anti-aging skincare, tools, tips and products for those that can’t pull off the same shades we did when we were 20–and we are ok with that. I just want to look healthy and polished, not garish and like I am trying to hard to be young.

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Alice

Yes. There are plenty of us out here…in our 60s…who want great products for our skin, and to look classy, not clubby.

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Leslie

Great idea! I am so shimmered & sparkled out!

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Amanda

I totally agree. I love your idea.

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June

I agree with you, but I’m hoping that as Boxycharm begins more customization and allows us a choice each month, we over-40’s will see a little better curation. For instance, November’s skin care choices were both great for me: a luxe hydrating serum or an anti-aging eye cream. I have begun to see some softer and more hydrating lip shades come my way, and have received great soft matte neutral shadows the past couple of months. Hope you are listening to us, Yosef!!!

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Dot

I got the same exact box everything and am super excited with BC this time after many months of disappointment !!! Thanks BC 🥰🥰

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Megan K.

This was one of my faves for sure too, Dot! Glad you got an awesome assortment <3

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Jacqui

I got the same except with a highlighter instead of Paula’s and Marv Mauves (was crossing my fingers for this). Now I’ll have 2,481 highlighters in my collection😂😂😂. It’ll get gifted this weekend though. I agree, one of the best eye shadow formulas I’ve tried. It truly is as smooth as butter!

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Carla

Thank you for your review. It was helpful and I’m so happy you are happy with your box. I on the other hand am so disappointed. I have contacted Boxy and asked for a refund. I am frustrated with them and subs not following my profile at all.
I am a cool very fair fair to light white complexion. I have blond hair and blond eye brows. My profile says mauves plums pinks etc COOL colors for eyes and lips. I do have peach blush as I had received so many pinks that I wanted to have some other options so I have peach for BLUSH only atm.
I received SIENNA for my dose of colors palette and mellow tinted brow gel in DARK BROWN!
WTH people at Boxy. THIS IS unacceptable and basically a waste of my hard earned $$$.
Sorry for my rant. BUT I am annoyed. I also believe I received the darker bronze color for the Prep n glow spray when I should’ve received the pinker lighter shade. Also I am tired of getting black eye liners. I dont have black on my profile either. Are the people packing the boxes even looking at my profile?

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Steph

Boxy unfortunately doesn’t even use our profiles yet. Supposedly only if there’s a product that is complexion based like a face pallete. I’m also fair and received the original Iconic London spray. I don’t get a glow from it. I look like I’m a vampire from Twilight in the sunlight. I still use it though, because I do love how it smells.

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Nene

I got Variation 6. It included the Marvelous Mauves, I’m unsure 😐 about this colors on my skin tone. The TIS which is what I picked. Iconic in love struck, Jonteblu lipliner in dark natural and another highlighter , Steve Laurant, not happy about this past variant from a previous box. I really wanted the Paula’s Choice.

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Leslie J

So I got my box today and I was surprised and haven’t seen anyone with my box so far. It was 0.8 lbs 7×4×2. I got variation 39! Did not even realize there were that many! Crazy…anyway so the 3 items I knew in was getting was

¤ DOC marvelous mauves
¤ Iconic London lippie in nearly nude
¤ Touch in sol balm which I chose

The surprise items were

¤ Illuminati beauty sponge
¤ Tarte pro glow liquid highlighter

I really hate the DOC palette formula I have the snow angels and I have used it a couple times since seeing we were getting these to try and give it another chance and I still hate it but the mauves is the one I hoped for bc the colors are beautiful, but I thought the same about the snow angels. Ill give it a try though. I don’t use liquid highlighters but I am happy to see that I got stuff not every other person got and hated. You know what I’m mean? Also I already have the Natasha Denona palette they sneak peaked for the premium box 😭 but happy for everyone who is excited about it. Saw that and info some of you might be interested to know in Yari Vs video. Stuff I definitely didn’t know pertaining to the premium box!

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Vicky H

Box twins! I was gonna post my box but we are literally identical.

I’ve gotten the tarte pro-glow before but I think it was a different color.

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Leslie J

Oh seriously? That’s cool! I’m glad to see someone else with the same products. Were you as surprised as I was? I just really don’t use liquid highlighters. Did you try the pro glow? How did you like it?

Deanne

My box weighed 1 lb and I got Blushing Berries which I like way more than I was hoping since I’ve never tried BOC formula- it’s exTREMley pigmented but really easy to blend.
Unfortunately the black was broken and the case doesn’t close properly so we’ll see what Boxy says I’ve never used their CS before.
I also got the iconic London original spray it looks like a lava lamp and it smells good! They also sent me iconic London lipgloss in a bright dark purple but surprise surprise it’s sheer! I like it! I also got the Mellow eyebrow tint which I love eyebrow gels I don’t care that it’s half size the cards always state price of full price items not what you get- and lastly the LONGEST orchid purple eyeliner I’ve ever seen by Hollywood in Vine, whoever that is.

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Ashley

I was thinking I had this box based off of my weight. Unfortunately, I got the Skin&Co mist instead of Paula’s Choice and some tweezers 😭 I always get my hopes up and then get let down. Paula’s Choice was going to be my bday present to myself lol.

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June

I got the same box as you. Although I was a little disappointed at first, I have been using the skin & co spray every day before my primer and makeup. It is not shimmery (which I’m excited about) but it does add moisture and dewiness under my makeup. It’s a winner for me. I also love the baked browns palette, which I thought was going to be boring but is actually very autumn-like.

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inkchick

I got the crappy hair mask. Blecch! Also, I look awful in brown and have complained about that to them before. I am really sorry you didn’t get what you wanted either. That sucks.

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Ashley

That’s the gamble you take with BC. They suck me in with the spoilers and then after we billed, they release 12 more variant products with only a few select people getting the “unicorn” item. It’s ridiculous. We all pay the same amount and all deserve to have equal value boxes. At least if there are going to be variations, make them equivalent. They have me for at least another 6 months until my annual is up and then I’m going to take a break from subs for a while. Hopefully, you will get the products you like next month.

Krissi G

Guys if you got the DOC palette/ Iconic London Spray/ Hank &Henry Mascara/ Mellow Brow Gel/ Hollywood & Vine eye pencil (variation 18), check out the size of the Mellow Brow Gel. It’s a 5mL mini size, while the retail value they’re assigning it on the flyer in the box is for the full size 10mL product. Which means our box value is under $100. They deleted my comment about it on their Instagram page twice. So, so shady these people.

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Roshell

I noticed that also and I do feel slighted because I totaled my box and I think it came to $ 93 +.

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Denise Atkinson

Why would they delete your comment 3 times if you were wrong? If you were they could have just posted the correct info underneath your comment easy peasy so something doesn’t sound right with them

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SquirrelyGirl

This is NOT correct. Why are people spreading misinformation? If you go to the Mellow website it clearly says the 5g tube is $16 RV. You wanna be mad at Boxy, fine, but please stop spreading false information. It’s super exasperating.

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Cb

Debbie downer times 10 😣

Louise

5 gm and 5 fluid ml are not the same thing. If you look at the pictures of packaging you’ll see that the 10 ml normal tube is longer. It’s listed at 10 ml on amazon and other sites and sold for $16. Boxy sent a shorter tube with 5 ml instead.

I’m all for being fair and questioning when we think we’re not getting what we are supposed to but this is clearly not a full size product and not as boxy advertised. They can’t claim that it’s the full $16 value when you can go to mellows site and buy a tube that’s twice the product for the price they are claiming.

We should be informed consumers and hold companies accountable when they try to fool us. I’m not too pleased because I used the tarte code and it looks like I’m not getting a doc palette that was promised to all subscribers and advertised in the link I clicked on with the promotion with no variation. This kind of stuff is false advertising and deceptive and I’m tired of it.

Tanya

I am dropping Boxycharm. I don’t get the products I want. At all. Ipsy isn’t much better, but seems to have more items I actually use than this one. I don’t buy a box to give it all away. 🙂

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Alice

Me,too.

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Jody

Bummer. I received 4 EYE products! Seriously? All going up for swap. Smashbox eye liner, DOS eyes, Hank mascara, tweezers.

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Emmy Lou

Another big winner for me. I’ve been writing them for years about the color selections, but the survey of preferences must be working because I got a lovely pink lipgloss and berry palette. I do not like coral colors. I’m a pink rosy girl, and at 65, too senior to wear old lady colors. Thank you, Boxy!!!

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ReeRee

Where can I find the weight of my box? I also never received spoilers emails, just emails my box shipped. Thank you

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Jay

Click on tracking number. Tap travel history. Select Travel History. You’ll get the weight if package. Mine was 1.1 obs and got the same items as the reviewer.

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Elena

I’m literally so disappointed — I didn’t even get a DoC palette. I signed up with the Tarte promotion and am wondering if that’s why? They literally never said that would prevent us from getting the DoS palette. I know that the item I got instead (Becca eye primer) is a nice item, but I didn’t resubscribe for a primer that was never advertised. Anyone else have this problem and feeling upset?

ReeRee

Thanks Jay! Mine is 1.1lbs as well.

Kay

I used the Tarte coupon code and got the Face shaping face shaping palette (the one I wanted)!
My box had: Glamglow cleanser (yay!) Becca under eye primer (yay!) TIS primer/moisturizer (yay!) Nude lip glass (yay!) And a bright red $5 lip liner (gift pile). Great box for me! Glad I didn’t get the DOC palette.

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Carrie

Epic fail. 1970’s blue eyeshadow pallet, watery setting spray, cheap black eyeliner, mascara, and a great brow gel in the wrong color. This is definitely the worst box I’ve gotten from Boxycharm. So disappointed.

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Megan K.

Oooooh! What do you think of the primer? I have had my eye on it. No pun intended!

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tammy g.

I cancelled last month..after a year, of not getting what I wanted…so glad I did..

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Shari

I was prepared to dislike my box because of the browns and nudes, but I was over the moon with everything I received!
The Dose Palette Baked Brown was beautifully Pigmented, soft and buttery and I must collect all these Pallets. The tweezers do not seem quite as good as tweezerman but still a quality item for my RV.
I got the Truffles setting and glow spray, love the slight shimmer, and setting power of this little spray.
The lipgloss was a nude but the brown was so subtle, and the shine is blinding…Love!
My very favorite box yet!

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Megan K.

I feel like brown and nude palettes just feel really unexciting until you use them every day haha! I loved mine too, and I was happy to not see any outrageous colors.

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Dorie Kincaid

I feel the same way. I am not usually a brown’s girl, but after seeing this review, they are gorgeous! I just checked my shipping status, and it says mine is sitting in my mailbox right now! I’m so excited. I think I will be over the moon, with what ever I get. I love Boxycharm!

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courtney

Thank you for the outstanding review Megan. I canceled Boxee about six months ago and have had zero desire to resubscribe until I read your review for this month. Thank you for getting it out in time in order for me to go ahead and get this months box. Of course because it’s Boxee I can only hope and pray that I get the same items you did and I know my chances of that happening are slim to none but I’m hopingTo get at least a couple of the items you did because your review sure makes me want them! Thank you so much for all you do and I appreciate you

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Megan K.

You are welcome Courtney! I hope you get what you are hoping for too. I recently re-did my beauty profile to be much more focused on reserved shades and heavy on skincare, specifically anti-aging! I am thinking that is why this was such a great box for me this month. Let me know what you end up with!

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Priscilla Sherwood

I got this exact box! I love it! I also normally dislike glosses and I will probably actually wear this one. It’s not sticky at all! Excited to try everything else!

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Michelle

I got the SIENNA Palette(DOC), Hank and Henry mascara, some random.color eyeliner in think its green, and a lip gloss, with the iconic. I’m so disappointed. I really wanted either the Paula’s choice or the Smashbox. My box was awful.

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Leslie

I was disappointed as well. I received DOC blushing berries, glassy skin balm, iconic lip gloss in love struck, Luna eyeliner in black and cleaning water cloths. Two items are a repeat.

SJ

I got this EXACT box. ☺

Even the same gloss, lip liner and palette colors.

I count myself lucky, this month!

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