Wantable Makeup Box Unboxing and Review: November 2013

It’s been a while since I last reviewed a Wantable makeup box, because I feel like I’ve been experiencing a makeup overload. Do any of you ever feel like you have to use up your current products at least partially before opening new ones? I just kind of feel wasteful if I have a few dozens of open tubes, jars, and bottles sitting on the counter, but maybe it’s just me. Anyhow, I recently trashed a lot of my old and expired makeup to free up some space and to get rid of that guilty feeling, so now I’m open to new swatches and makeup discoveries, and Wantable is a great way to try something new.

HOW IT WORKS
Wantable is a unique new subscription service, that offers 4-5 full-sized products from brands like Japonesque, Color Club, Lise Watier, Besame and more and they are ALL makeup! You can choose to subscribe for $36/month or buy as often as you like for $40/box without any obligations. And for those of you that don’t want a box every month there’s an easy button to skip your next shipment right in your account dashboard.
If you would like to use my referral link click here to subscribe. Thank you! 🙂

As usual, I marked things I like and dislike, and patiently awaited delivery, which actually only took two days since their shipping location is only a state away from me. I did get one product that I believe I marked as a “dislike”, but not because I don’t actually like it. I just have way too many red polishes already, and I don’t even wear them all that often.

Pomegranate Nail Lacquer in Rose Garden Romance
Pomegranate Nail Lacques is a cruelty-free indie brand that makes long-wearing 4-free nail polishes in a variety of finishes. This particular color came out as part of Royal Fairy Tale Collection earlier this year, and although I think it’s pretty, I think I noted that I don’t want red nail polish. I guess I’m glad that I received it anyway because I’ve been introduced to a new brand, and seems like many nail bloggers really like it. Rose Garden Romance is a rich true red creme, it’s extremely pigmented and goes on very evenly. The brush is a but too wide for my liking, but nothing I can’t work with. As with most indie brands, Pomegranate nail polishes are all LE, and once they’re gone, they’re gone.

Darla Makeup Peepers Eyeshadow in Sterling
I’m always a bit wary of products from small brands, because many of them use a bunch of cheap fillers. When I checked out Darla Makeup, I found that it’s basically a small online store that sells a handful of eye shadows and their Facebook page only has 400-some fans. Naturally, I had my prejudices, and was prepared for the worst. To my pleasant surprise, the eye shadow was very pigmented and felt and nice and creamy. However, it didn’t live up to its claims about the staying power – the color faded considerably after about three and a half hours of wear, but maybe that’s just my body chemistry. Regardless, I think it’s a decent product, but I probably would not purchase more because for $18 I can get an eye shadow from a well-known brand instead.

Japonesque Travel Angled Foundation Brush
Now we’re talking! I love Japonesque, and I use some of their brushes and the heated eyelash curler. I was actually in need of a new foundation brush since my old cheapie kind of fell apart after years of abuse. This travel brush sports ultra-soft silicone bristles, and actually works quite well for blending foundation into those hard to reachnose and eye creases – areas I could peviously only access by using my fingers. Needless to say, I’m really happy with this one!

Cailyn Cosmetics Dramatic Impact Mascara in Blue
What a fun and vivid color! The tube is a good size with plenty of product inside, and the brush looks like it it would be great for defining the lashes. I would be a lot happier if this mascara wasn’t so loaded with parabens, but I will definitely use it for special occasions from time to time with a good protective primer underneath. It’s not like paraben-free formulas are expensive though, even e.l.f makes $3 mascaras that are generally safe even for sensitive eyes.

[Extra] SKIIN Instant Skin Tightener & Line Filler
This little sample was thown in as a little extra something to try out. My skin doesn’t demand a face lift yet, so I will be saving it for my Mom to try. The reviews online look promising, so hopefully she will like it, too.

THE VERDICT
I like the idea of trying products from well-known companies as well as being introduced to lesser-known and indie brands, all bundled together in one box. My disappointment this month was the fact that I received one of my dislikes – a red nail polish. I didn’t care for some of the formulas, but that’s purely because of my personal preferences.

Are you a Wantable box subscriber? What products are you most excited to try?

I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.