New Beauty Test Tube Review: Spring 2012

Well, this is my first Test Tube! I have decided to subscribe to New Beauty version instead of the QVC one because I like skincare products more than makeup [I feel like I’m in the minority here], and it seems like that’s what the NB sends out the most. Although I couldn’t avoid makeup products completely, I’m still pretty happy with what I got. My box arrived in August, the products seem to belong in the spring tube, hence the title of this review.

About New Beauty Test Tube:
Considered by many to be the best quarterly beauty box subscription service out there, New Beauty magazine sends out a tube filled with products from well-known brands such as Moroccanoil, SkinCeuticals, NeoStrata, Olay, YBF and more… The items are a mix of full-sized and deluxe-sized cosmetic products tailored to your skin’s needs. You will also receive a free issue of New Beauty magazine in every tube. The box costs $29.95 + shipping, but the value of your box will always be way above. Click here to join New Beauty Test Tube.

1. Mémoire Liquide Soleil Liquide Eau de Parfum (0.05oz)
I have never heard of this brand before so I’m really glad NB introduced me to it. I thought this scent was very subtle and warm, it made me think about sun and cake, all because this fragrance is very sweet and smells almost “edible” 🙂

2. Mémoire Liquide ‘Vacances Liquide’ Eau de Parfum (0.05oz)
This one is also subtle, and it smells like vacation! When I first smelled it I got flashbacks about the beach and warm sand and pina colada.

3. Mémoire Liquide Amour Liquide Body Cream (1.7oz)
Vanilla is one of my favorite fragrances, I literally can’t resist buying products with it. In addition to having an absolutely delicious fragrance, this body lotion left my skin incredibly soft and silky.

4. Perlier Grapefruit Foam Bath (2.5oz)
I thought this bath foam was alright, it definitely smelled like grapefruits but aside from that it was pretty average. I didn’t notice any special smoothing properties, I guess I just really like bath salts more because I know they actually do something for my skin. I’m not terribly disappointed though, because after all I do like citrusy scents so at the very least I enjoyed the aroma in my bathroom 🙂

5. NeoStrata Skin Active Cellular Restoration (0.5oz)
I love using products with peptides at night, I feel like my skin is always visibly plumber and softer and I’m not just imagining it. I really think that so far every single product with peptides that I tried worked great for me. This night cream was not an exception, my skin looked well-rested, fresh and plump in the morning, as if I got 3 hours of sleep more than I actually did. I have tried several other products by Neostrata and they all left a good impression, especially the daily peel pads.

6. Dr. Brandt Pores No More Vacuum Cleaner (0.4oz)
This is a really good pore oil extractor, although I got literally the same results from a much cheaper face masque that I absolutely love (Queen Helene mud masque)! And it’s a compliment actually, because this is only the second product that worked so well to clear the blackheads off of my T-zone and tighten my pores at the same time.

7. Olay Regenerist Wrinkle Revolution Complex (0.23oz)
Although it’s a drugstore brand, I heard only good things about this specific moisturizer. I’ll save this one for my mom, but everyone seems to agree that it visibly reduces wrinkles within 2 weeks. It has a fairly strong scent that reminds me of shampoo, but if you don’t mind it then it will be a pretty good anti-aging solution that won’t drain your credit card.

8. Moroccanoil Frizz Control (3.4oz)
I have awful frizz at summer, so this spray actually helped a lot. I had to spray a few times on my damp towel-dried hair, then style it as usual and my do was fine throughout the entire day, even though it was really humid outside.

9. ybf Eye Liner in Plum
This is one of the reasons why I don’t like companies sending me makeup in my monthly subs, because they never get the color right! I received this gorgeous eyeliner in Plum color, something I would never wear. The pencil itself is amazing, it’s soft and goes on very smoothly. It even has a tiny pencil sharpener attached to the cap so that you don’t have to carry one around. I just wish they sent us a more universal color like black, brown or gray.

Here’s a swatch.

This color will most likely make my eyes look like I got an eye disease or a black eye, or make it look like I cried all night. I’m way too pale to pull it off 🙁

10. Mally Evercolor Shadow Stick in Platinum
This little shadow stick has some serious staying power! I had a hard time removing it from my hand after the swatch picture, it didn’t want to come off even with a remover. Somewhere on the bottle it said that it can stay on for 5 days if you don’t try to take it off!

Here’s a swatch:

I guess this one is alright, I can definitely find some uses for it, although I don’t think I will use it often.

11. SkinCeuticals Phloretin CF Broad-Range Antioxidant Treatment (0.17 oz)
Well, on the site it says that it’s made from the bark of apple trees, but imo it smelled more like coffee berry which is still a strong antioxidant. I also expected it to be an oil, but I was wrong – this treatment is a liquid! I can’t really say much about it because first I have to see some long-term results, but it’s supposedly packed with antioxidants to protect our skin from free radicals and photo-aging.

12. SkinCeuticals Sheer Physical UV Defense SPF 50 (0.3oz)
I’m very impressed with this sample! First of all, it’s a liquid so it’s definitely not too heavy and won’t clog the pores. I love physical  sunscreens, but my biggest problem with them was that they leave white streaks if you aren’t too careful and thorough with the application. This lotion (milk?) is super easy and quick to apply and it leaves no streaks or residue. It does smell lightly like sunscreen, but not too much. I’m actually considering to purchase a full size for the next summer season.

13. New Beauty Magazine and Spa Look gift cards
Both of these are extras, the magazine is nice and thick and it retails for $9 at the news stand. The cards are discounts: $50 off $200, $25 off $125 and $10 off $60.