Back in 2015, I used to get multiple beauty subscription boxes that would give me samples to try so that I could find my favorite items. I was obsessed. I’ve recently given the Macy’s Beauty Box a try which delivers deluxe sample-sized items plus a bonus item from top brands and cult favorites. Macy’s makes it a mission to only work and promote beauty brands that are cruelty-free and vegan. This box has me obsessed with a few of the items I received and wanting more from others. Let’s check it out!
In my August Bronzed Beauty Macy’s Box, I received multiple makeup items, a skin brightening serum, and a couple of perfume samples from Jean Paul Gaultier. I also received a bonus item travel makeup brush. My favorite item in this box is hands down, the Chella eyeshadow palette. Holy wow. The colors are vibrant, gorgeous, and honestly perfect for fall. Check out the picture of it below. I honestly really enjoyed receiving this box, and obviously have fallen in love with a couple of the items. I would recommend giving this a go.
What We Like About Macy’s Beauty Box
Let’s start with all the positives that came with the Macy’s Beauty Box. First of all, I received my box fairly quickly, the process to sign up was simple, and for the price, we feel that what you get is great. We like that Macy’s promotes cruelty-free and Vegan brands, and not just well-known or popular beauty brands. We like that you can explore a variety of items and brands to find some new favorites to add to your beauty bag. The quality of the products was great!
What We Don’t Like About Macy’s Beauty Box
Now onto what Macy’s Beauty Box could improve on…
On the website, it states that for $15 a month you’ll receive 5 beauty product samples and 1 bonus item. It also says you’ll get a chic pouch to carry the samples in. I did not receive the pouch in my box, and honestly, the packaging was less than impressive. We also didn’t love the bonus item, mostly because it didn’t come with directions on how to use it! In my case, it was a makeup brush, and by chance, on their website, I found that they recommended using it with the foundation samples I got. It’s an unmarked brush with nothing about it in the pamphlet, so someone who isn’t as well versed in makeup might not know how to use it specifically.
Let’s dive into the beauty products I received in my box specifically and what I liked or didn’t like about each.
Bodyography Bronze Eye Pencil – New!
Ok, first of all I was a little nervous when I saw the bronze color. I was like ‘when am I ever going to wear this?’ But this Bronze eye pencil from Bodyography is the bomb! It gives me a very subtle eyeliner that accentuates the color of my blue/green eyes. You can also use it as an eyeshadow by smudging it across your eyelid. It is shimmery, it is beautiful and it is only $12 retail. The pencil I got in my box seems full sized and will last me a while.
Origins GinZing Into The Glow Brightening Serum
This brightening serum is a mix of Vitamin C and a 5% retexturizing complex. It smells like oranges and has a light watery consistency that absorbs quickly. Use this before your moisturizer and SPF for the best benefits. Origins claims that you can say goodbye to your pores by using this product, but I believe you need regular use to make that happen. My sample was too tiny to see any real results there, but the glow and feeling was good! Did I mention it smells amazing? This retails for $44.
Dior Forever Skin Glow Hydrating SPF 15 Foundation
This SPF foundation is a crowd favorite with a glowing reputation. It claims to be long-wearing and anti humidity. The sample I received has all of the color shades available, from 1N neutral to 9N neutral. I love that I can try each color in the comfort of my own home to find the right shade for my skin. This foundation retails for $52, and the coverage is buildable.
Chella La Vie Neutral Eyeshadow Palette
Like I said before, this was my favorite item to try in my Macy’s Beauty Box. The neutral earthy colors are definitely ones I tend toward for my blue/green eyes. It’s got four shades: a beautiful rust, a bright pearl shimmer, a deep brown, and a gold shimmer. This palette is gorgeous for fall, and I have been pairing it with my Bodyography bronze eye pencil. I highly recommend this palette. It’ll be a keeper in my makeup bag for sure. It retails for $20.
Lancome Monsieur Big Volumizing Mascara
This mascara was created with volume in mind. It has a big fluffy brush and a very smooth formula making application a breeze. I love how it didn’t clump my lashes and the deep black color is perfection. One note though: I watched an emotional movie the other day, and this mascara plus my tears felt like my eyes were on fire. This mascara retails for $28.
Jean Paul Gaultier Le Beau eau de toilette – New! And Jean Paul Gaultier La Belle eau de parfum
These perfume scents are divine. Let’s talk about them separately.
Le Beau – This perfume is more masculine and sensual, but still light and airy in tone. It is bergamot and geranium scented, and I really enjoy the scent. Retail for this scent is $80
La Belle – This scent, as you can imagine, is more feminine and playful. Scented with citrus, green pear, bergamot and vanilla, this perfume is light and addictive and possibly a new favorite! This retails at $94 per bottle.
Bonus Item: Makeup Brush
This bonus makeup brush has the softest bristles and is aesthetically very pleasing. At first, I had no clue what the intended use of this makeup brush was, but through some digging on their website, I found its purpose. Macy’s Beauty Box calls it a Kabuki brush to help apply your Dior foundation by stippling it into your skin. In my experience Kabuki brushes tend to be denser and dome-shaped, so I would personally use this as a blush or powder brush.
Final Thoughts
For $15 I really enjoyed the samples that I received in my box. I was a little disappointed it didn’t come with the chic bag as the website claims, but honestly finding some products that I love made it worth it for me. I also love that Macy’s is dedicated to sharing cruelty-free and vegan products from brands that I probably would’ve never heard of otherwise. If you’re a beauty guru or just bored with the makeup and beauty products that you currently use, we highly recommend that you give this subscription box a try and feel that the Macy’s beauty box is worth it.
