Disclosure: Post contains affiliate links, and I received product for review. Opinions shared are mine.

With a new calendar month, a happy mailbox commences.  I love getting subscription boxes!  They’re a small gift to myself, filled with new products that I wouldn’t have otherwise tried.  This month, I opened 3 boxes.  There’s always something I enjoy from each one, and then…..the things I didn’t.  Here’s the shakedown for my May boxes.  

This month’s BeautyBox5 had one of my favorite mascaras I’ve ever tried – Mermaid Lashes from Glamour Dolls!  It’s a waterproof formula (a steal at $4.99 retail) that puts tubes on your lashes, so there’s no smudging.  With all the sweaty, swimmy activities I find myself in during the summer, this mascara is a lifesaver.  Here are the other items in the box:

• Rosarco Milk Reparative Leave-In Spray ($20 retail) — This sprays on really light, and is easily blended into my hair.  I didn’t notice a huge difference in my locks, though.
• Mystic Tan Mocha-Kyssed Bronzer Lotion ($35 retail) — I was surprised at how super dark this was.  To be honest, I was afraid to put it on my skin!  It blended well, though, and would be great for covering scars or weird spots where the sunscreen got too happy.  I have a decent color to my skin, though, and won’t be using it much.
• Elizabeth Mott You’re So Fine Liquid Liner in Glitterati  ($18 retail) – Love me a thin liquid liner, and getting a full-sized liner was great.  This one has little sparkles in it that add a bit of light to my eyes.  I’d buy this again.
• Appeal Cosmetics Luxurious Lipstick in Crush ($29 retail) – The formula is moisturizing and felt great on my skin. The color left me looking like I played in my mom’s makeup bag, though.  This goes in the “ugly” category.

Birchbox arrival day is special. I look forward to opening it after everyone goes to sleep, trying each cosmetic item before washing my face for bed.  This month was kind of a bust, as I didn’t love any of the products in my box.  I was super excited to see Hoola from Benefit waiting for me. I’ve been wanting to try it for a while, in hopes of learning how to do the whole contour thing.  I can’t say that I really liked it as much as I thought I would, but was glad I had a sample instead of having to buy the whole full-size product.   I’ve also been using the boxes to organize my bathroom drawers. The boxes (lids and bottoms) fit perfectly!

Also in the box:

• ModelCo lip laquer – Creme Brulee ($24 full-size) — I like the idea of a long-lasting gloss. Would like it better in another shade. This one wasn’t so bad when I put it on top of a decent shade, though.
• Coola Organic Makeup Setting Spray SPF 30 ($36 full-size) — Don’t tell the sun, but I am really bad about remembering to wear SPF on a daily basis. When we’re going to a water park, sure, but for running errands?  Nope.  Maybe this will help me to protect my skin.
• Davines LOVE shampoo ($25 full-size) — I like the way this shampoo leaves my hair.  Don’t like the scent, but that’s a personal thing. I’d put this in the bad category only for that reason.
• Davines LOVE conditioner ($29 full-size) — It’s supposed to provide moisture and shine, but I feel like it leaves my hair feeling limp.  I also wouldn’t pay $29 for conditioner, no matter how good it looked on me.
• CLEAN parfum ($20 full-size) — I couldn’t decide how I felt about this scent.  It reminds me of baby wash fragrance, which you’d think would be an obvious BAD, but somehow it grew on me.  I probably wouldn’t wear it on a daily basis.

During a weak moment, while I had some Paypal burning a hole in my virtual pocket, Glossybox sent me an email. I splurged on the Limited Edition Mother’s Day Box for myself, thinking that I needed a new blush anyway.  The $40 price point was pretty steep, but knowing that I’d use at least 2 of the full-size products made it more palatable.  Here’s the breakdown:

• Laura Gellar blush ($28) – very pretty! I like the swirled colors that blend perfectly for a natural look.  This blush will last me years.
• Karity 5 shadow palette ($21) – These shadows offer decent coverage, but there’s a lot of fallout with application.  I was enormously disappointed in the shades.  They’re better suited to a fall palette.  Using eyeshadow primer is a must, because the shadow wipes away with a touch of a finger.
• Ouidad Wave Create Sea Spray ($26) – I don’t know why I keep trying Ouidad. I’ve used sample after sample, and haven’t been pleased with the results.  See my hair in the photo at the top of the post — all stringy and gross?  Maybe I’m not doing it right.   I have a lot of natural wave, so it shouldn’t be too hard to create beachy waves — especially when using a specialty product — but it just isn’t working for me.
• Lauren B. Beauty Gel-Like Top Coat ($28) – Such a relief to have a topcoat that lasts without a UV light.  Still, I wouldn’t normally pay $28 for this. I’d just go get a manicure.
• Doucce Lipstick ($24) – I was pleasantly surprised to find that I love this lipstick.  The shade is just a touch too berry for me, but I put a dab of nude on it, and it’s perfect.  The formula is creamy, super smooth, and lasts.  Let’s not forget the cool packaging, too; the tube pops right out.  I’d buy this again!
• Bare Minerals Cleansing foam ($22) – I really like this cleanser. It’s gentle while getting my face clean, and doesn’t leave me feeling like I used astringent.  Would I buy it again? Possibly.  It’s pricey, and I have something that works well already (Simple foaming cleanser – $6) but I liked trying it for a lot less than the ticket price.

So there you have it.  The good, the bad, and the ugly from my May unboxing. Did you see a product you’d like to try?