Adore Box: May 2015

I’ve got something really special for you guys today. A new box. A new beauty box.  Oh and did I mention it only costs $15 per month? I knew that last bit would get your attention.

So the wonderful folks at Adore Box. sent me their beauty box to review. Each box is handpicked & shipped by one of their specialists and while boxes have similar items, not every box is the same.

Adore Box is a smaller sub and is currently sold out of subscriptions, but you can shoot them an email to get on their waiting list. They also offer the option to buy products from their boxes through their sister company Divine & Sexy. Use the code ADORE at checkout for 30% off the entire website. (orders over $20 get free shipping)

Now let’s check out the goodies.

Oli Anti-Aging Eye Contour Cream (20 ml/.7 fl oz)
(Sale Price: $5.99)
Description: ““Oli Anti-Aging Eye Contour Cream. Enriched with olive oil. All eyes will be on your eyes! This delicate cream stimulates cell regeneration, minimizes dark circles, relieves puffiness and prevents those age-revealing lines. This silky formula is lightweight and soothing. Made in Spain.”
Verdict: Love!
I’m obsessed with trying out eye creams and I love that this includes olive oil and is made in Spain. I get a lot of Korean and US made skincare and makeup, so it’s always a treat to try some made in Europe. And if I fall in love with this product, it’s an affordable item to add into my beauty routine.

Wonderpuff Deep Exfoliating Cleansing Puff
(Sale Price: $2.99)
Description: “Wonder Puff is a deep cleansing and exfoliating puff. This facial sponge is made of polyester fiber. When used with your favorite soap, it is excellent for removing dead skin cells and the dirt and oil trapped underneath the skin layers. Use this as a part of a daily regiment, it helps give your skin a healthier and younger look.”
Verdict: Hit!
This is a practical addition and I may actually end up using this to exfoliate my legs and arms (hello summer). Again, this is a nice item at a lower price point which is great for the gals with a tight beauty budget.

DMG Eye & Lip Liner (.6 g/.021 oz)
(Sale Price: $2.50)
Description: “DMG Retractable Eyeliner in Black. Long wear, long lasting eyeliner”
Verdict: Miss
The card says that this is also a lip liner, but the website says it’s just an eyeliner. I tend to side with the website, since there is no way you could use this color on your lips and not look insane. The color payoff on this eyeliner is great—it’s a deep rich black, but it smears hella easy. It’s inexpensive but I have super oily lids and it wouldn’t last two minutes on me.

L’Oreal Colour Riche NailLIngerie (18 stickers)
(Amazon Price: $3.94)
Description: “These 3d nail jewels come in different colors and patterns to be layered with any nail color for a sophisticated sparkle effect. Designed for the nail novice, they require no dry time and offer mistake-proof application.”
Verdict: Love!
I absolutely adore the style of these nail decals. Glitter gradient manis pop up all over Pinterest and I’ve been dying to try them out except I’m too impatient and messy. These are a perfect alternative to trying to actually do the nail art myself.

Prada Bio-Firm Concentrate (1.3 ml/.4 fl oz)
(Sale Price: $5.99)
Description: ” Transform your skin to be supple and glowing with this intensive age-fighting formula. Prada Reviving Bio-Firm is a concentrate that contains potent levels of the antiaging Bio-Firm complex, which includes marine-based and lab-synthesized collagen boosters, collagen and elastin firming compounds, and epidermal defenders. This lightweight, instantly-absorbing serum—which also contains a bio-available mineral complex and plant-sourced essential fatty acids—helps plump and visibly re-tighten the skin for a smoother, more resilient glow. It’ll help fight visible signs of aging, including fine lines, wrinkles, and loss of elasticity, for that radiant complexion you crave. Potent levels of natural marine collagen protein and elastin derived from mollusk filaments intensely firm and lift the skin.”
Verdict: Hit
This is a super small size, but Prada is expensive so this a great chance to try something that might normally be way out of budget, plus the Divine & Sexy site offers the ability to keep buying the small, budget price sample size. I always love trying fancy pants skincare so this addition was great for me.

Dr. Rey Severe Line Refine Serum (10 ml/.34 oz)
(Sale Price: $3.99)
Description: ”Dr.Rey Sensual Solutions Severe Line Refine Wrinkle Smoother. Dramatically reduce wrinkles and large pores around your eyes, brows, lip and nose with this great serum. Fortified with yeast extract and hydrolyzed soy protein that targets the cell layer between the epidermis and dermis, helps to repair tissue and strengthen the skins architecture. Clinical studied with 80% showing less lines and wrinkles.”
Verdict: On the Fence
I like trying out new serums, but this one felt a bit too drying for my taste. I only used it a couple times so it may improve with more usage, but I think this is geared more toward the folks with oily skin.

Prestige Mascara & Matching Eyeliner ( .12 ml/.r fl oz & 1.08 g//.035 oz)
(Sale Price: $9.00)
Description: ” Dramatic color, volume, and length with just one stroke. True black pigment. No clumps, no flaking, no smudging. You’ll love your eyes with this set!”
Verdict: Like/Gift
So as a sub box junkie, I’m swimming in black mascara. I do appreciate that this little set came with a “carbon brown” eyeliner. Black eyeliners are a staple of beauty boxes so any time we get a different shade, it’s a plus.

EXTRA FREEBIE!

(tems not listed on the Adore Box card are special freebies and my box included this delicious chocolate bar.

OVERALL

Verdict: Hit!

I really liked that this box included a wide variety of items in different price ranges. I know many folks can’t afford to buy high priced skincare, so it’s nice to have a sub box option that introduces $5.99 eye creams rather than $30 ones.   I received this box for free, but at $15 I do think it was a great value. Excluding the chocolate, I received $25.40 of items and  got the opportunity to try some new brands and products.

If you’re looking for a bargain sub and are a bit tired of Birchbox and Ipsy, definitely consider Adore Box.

Do you spend a lot on makeup and skincare or are you a beauty bargain maven?

THE BACKSTORY
Adore Box. is a monthly beauty & lifestyle box subscription that sends 4-7 carefully hand selected items.
“These items may include: Makeup, Hair Care, Skin Care, Jewelry, Edibles (We are talking chocolate here…), Accessories, and/or Housewares. These items may be sample, full size or a combination of both.”

You select a size and frequency for your subscription.
There are two size options:
Costs: Monthly Sub: 1X $15.00 or 2X: $25.00 per month
Discounts are available for prepaying several months in advance.

Subscriptions are available only for US customers.

To purchase the products from your box you can visit Adore’s sister company: Divine & Sexy.
Use the code ADORE at checkout to receive 30% off the entire website. Orders over $20 get Free shipping.

Author: Writer Preziosi

Once upon a time, long, long ago, Lisa attended Syracuse University where she studied singing in a giant castle surrounded by ice and snow. After she earned her music degree, she headed to the island of Manhattan, down to the West Village, to a place called the New School. There, she earned another degree in the great art of writing stories for children. She currently works on that same island trying to help real people, while making up stories about imaginary ones. Her first book, “The Ice Maiden’s Tale,” a fairy tale adventure, was released on May 30, 2017 and is up for sale on Amazon. View all posts by Writer Preziosi