Last Tuesday, I gave you my heart...
Wait, no.
Last Tuesday, I received my December BDJ Box. In general, boxes don't put particular emphasis on the holidays but I think this is a great year-ender. It's another brand exclusive comprising a complete, full-size makeup kit! Some people might not like brand exclusives if they do not agree with the brand at all. I, on the other hand, am too adventurous for that shit. I'm starting to think I'll buy anything if it comes in a subscription box!
CoverGirl is a great drugstore brand worth exploring. I trust their mascaras and have a good (untested) impression of their foundation. As for the other face makeup, I'm reasonably critical of it but still willing to give a fair trial.
Trust this the most! I love Cover Girl mascaras! I find them durable enough, and the formula + brush combinations are usually on point. I love the Lash Blast Volume, even though volume is not as extreme as what my Japanese mascaras can give. Still, CG's generally don't clump and can define the haaaale out of my lashes!
I like this shade. It looks like a nice light medium even though it's defined "buff beige" online. Drugstore foundations are named quite haphazardly so I'm holding out hope that the beige (indicative of a pink undertone) won't ash out on my yellow tones. A quick swatch shows a decent blend with my complexion.
The pump dispenses a bit too much and it's too watery for my taste. I like my liquid foundations a bit on the creamy or balmy side as I find they apply more evenly and provide a bit more coverage. This is too runny but on the plus side, feels light and moisturizing.
Coverage is a bit airbrush-Kardashian, which could be a good thing!
Given the 50-50 performance of the liquid foundation I expected to hate the pressed variant. I am surprised with how okay it is. It's silky enough and gives a somewhat skin-like finish to the liquid foundation. It has a bit of fine shimmer and sets a bit satin on the wet foundation so it looks natural and not at all cakey.
It looks good alone, too, but I'll have to use it for a whole day over my face to see how it holds up.
The CoverGirl TruBlend Pressed Powder comes with a pleather-backed foam puff packaged apart from the product. Once in use, it will have to sit directly on top of the powder.
I don't know about Peach as this blush looks more Tea Rose. I really want to write "Makeup Hack: Scrimp on blush and get the drugstore version, weak pigments make it infinitely easier to blend!" Right? There's nothing more distracting than a harsh edged blush pattern.. Clowns are not makeup pegs!
Howeverrrrrr... I find drugstore blush (coughMaybellinecough) to sometimes have clumsily deep pigments contrary to expectation and so this is a 50-50. If it's good I'll let you know. It comes out in February 2015.
Neutral eye shadow quads are at least satisfactory but I'm a bit disappointed with Country Woods. I can forgive a lack of texture, that seems to be the norm with drugstore quads. This at least has one shimmer shade and the rest look satin. However, the lack of texture along with a lack of color variation makes this quad feel so limited. Apart from one beige (second from top,) the rest is just three medium, interchangeable browns!
Also, I'm dreading this the most. Drugstore eyeshadow is generally chalky and weakly pigmented. Coupled with my lack of eyeshadow technique, I can easily see a future as a racoon mascot.
RECAP:
Box Value: Php 2365, or a bit over 4x the 580 fee!
BDJ outdid themselves this month! The usual value promise is 3x the fee and it's a great Christmas treat to get a box worth 4x. CoverGirl feels a teeeeeensy bit overpriced for average drugstore but it is at industry par and I can't fault them for that. Either way, it doesn't detract from the overall intrinsic value of this box. I love that there's a tried-and-tested (mascara) and a couple of must-tries (blush and eyeshadow!)
BDJ Box is available at Php 580 / box. You may subscribe at BDJBox.com;
like them on Facebook at BDJ Box
follow them on Twitter, @BDJBox; and
Instagram, @BDJBox
Another great unboxing coming up! Those who follow me on social media will know... This is gonna be an amazing weeklong affair ;)
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| December 2014 BDJ Box ft. A Cover Girl Exclusive! |
Wait, no.
 |
| The initial peek at a CG mascara had me SOLD |
Last Tuesday, I received my December BDJ Box. In general, boxes don't put particular emphasis on the holidays but I think this is a great year-ender. It's another brand exclusive comprising a complete, full-size makeup kit! Some people might not like brand exclusives if they do not agree with the brand at all. I, on the other hand, am too adventurous for that shit. I'm starting to think I'll buy anything if it comes in a subscription box!
 |
| December 2014 BDJ Box Unboxing: Cover Girl Exclusive |
CoverGirl is a great drugstore brand worth exploring. I trust their mascaras and have a good (untested) impression of their foundation. As for the other face makeup, I'm reasonably critical of it but still willing to give a fair trial.
 |
| CoverGirl LashBlast Length Mascara, Php 450 / 6.5ml. |
Trust this the most! I love Cover Girl mascaras! I find them durable enough, and the formula + brush combinations are usually on point. I love the Lash Blast Volume, even though volume is not as extreme as what my Japanese mascaras can give. Still, CG's generally don't clump and can define the haaaale out of my lashes!
 |
| CoverGirl TruBlend Liquid Makeup in 425 Buff Beige, Php 645 / 30ml. |
I like this shade. It looks like a nice light medium even though it's defined "buff beige" online. Drugstore foundations are named quite haphazardly so I'm holding out hope that the beige (indicative of a pink undertone) won't ash out on my yellow tones. A quick swatch shows a decent blend with my complexion.
The pump dispenses a bit too much and it's too watery for my taste. I like my liquid foundations a bit on the creamy or balmy side as I find they apply more evenly and provide a bit more coverage. This is too runny but on the plus side, feels light and moisturizing.
Coverage is a bit airbrush-Kardashian, which could be a good thing!
 |
| CoverGirl TruBlend Pressed Powder in 2 Translucent Light, Php 425 / 11g. |
Given the 50-50 performance of the liquid foundation I expected to hate the pressed variant. I am surprised with how okay it is. It's silky enough and gives a somewhat skin-like finish to the liquid foundation. It has a bit of fine shimmer and sets a bit satin on the wet foundation so it looks natural and not at all cakey.
It looks good alone, too, but I'll have to use it for a whole day over my face to see how it holds up.
The CoverGirl TruBlend Pressed Powder comes with a pleather-backed foam puff packaged apart from the product. Once in use, it will have to sit directly on top of the powder.
 |
| CoverGirl Cheekers Blush in 150 Pretty Peach, Php 395 / 3g. |
I don't know about Peach as this blush looks more Tea Rose. I really want to write "Makeup Hack: Scrimp on blush and get the drugstore version, weak pigments make it infinitely easier to blend!" Right? There's nothing more distracting than a harsh edged blush pattern.. Clowns are not makeup pegs!
Howeverrrrrr... I find drugstore blush (coughMaybellinecough) to sometimes have clumsily deep pigments contrary to expectation and so this is a 50-50. If it's good I'll let you know. It comes out in February 2015.
 |
| CoverGirl Eye Enhancers 4 Kit Shadow in 215 Country Woods, Php 450 / 5.5g. |
Neutral eye shadow quads are at least satisfactory but I'm a bit disappointed with Country Woods. I can forgive a lack of texture, that seems to be the norm with drugstore quads. This at least has one shimmer shade and the rest look satin. However, the lack of texture along with a lack of color variation makes this quad feel so limited. Apart from one beige (second from top,) the rest is just three medium, interchangeable browns!
Also, I'm dreading this the most. Drugstore eyeshadow is generally chalky and weakly pigmented. Coupled with my lack of eyeshadow technique, I can easily see a future as a racoon mascot.
RECAP:
 |
| December 2014 BDJ Box ft. CoverGirl Curation Card 2 |
Box Value: Php 2365, or a bit over 4x the 580 fee!
BDJ outdid themselves this month! The usual value promise is 3x the fee and it's a great Christmas treat to get a box worth 4x. CoverGirl feels a teeeeeensy bit overpriced for average drugstore but it is at industry par and I can't fault them for that. Either way, it doesn't detract from the overall intrinsic value of this box. I love that there's a tried-and-tested (mascara) and a couple of must-tries (blush and eyeshadow!)
 |
| December 2014 BDJ Box ft. CoverGirl Curation Card 1 |
BDJ Box is available at Php 580 / box. You may subscribe at BDJBox.com;
like them on Facebook at BDJ Box
follow them on Twitter, @BDJBox; and
Instagram, @BDJBox
Another great unboxing coming up! Those who follow me on social media will know... This is gonna be an amazing weeklong affair ;)