Wantable September Makeup Box

My first ever subscription box! Subscription boxes have really been popping up everywhere since Birchbox, now with even indie companies like Fortune Cookie Soap and Madd Style Cosmetics jumping on the bandwagon and putting out their own unique subscription box too. Wantable is also tad bit different, in that it is a high-end subscription box; you can select the makeup box, or subscribe for accessories or for lingerie too (and at the moment, they offer a halloween box!). You can choose to subscribe for US$36 dollars a month, or a one-off purchase (which is what I did) for US$40 and you receive 4 - 6 full-size products based on a pretty dang in-depth quiz. Seriously, the quiz was not just "oh hey, answer like two questions". No, you select what you like, dislike and what you love: you're more likely to receive what you love and never receive what you dislike and then the preferences continue. It gives you a bit of control and removes a bit of the daunting unknowing feeling that you might not like what you're going to get.

For my US$40 (+ a hefty US$9 for international shipping), about 12 days after I placed my order this beauty arrived at my door with 5 full-sized products and one sample, with an apparent total value of US$92, so I got almost double the value of the box back. While most beauty boxes have a box within the outside packaging, Wantable keeps it simple with just the one box and then bundles of foam inside to protect the products. I've never owned any of these brands before, and the only ones I've heard of is Cailyn and Lise Watier, but never been able to try any of them. Another benefit of subscription boxes allow you to test out products you normally wouldn't get or have access to.

Cailyn Cosmetics Gel Luxe (gelux) Eyebrow in Nutmeg - US$22

God, do I ever have an affinity for brow products. In my last post I purchased the brow color pen by ARTDECO and used it for the first time yesterday (first time using a brow pen) aaand the results were a bit iffy. The colour wasn't quite right and the tip of the pen was not quite thin enough either, but I made it work for the day. So I'm always glad to have a new brow product to try, searching for the perfect brow helper. This product seems a bit of a closer match in colour and the built in brush is really handy too. I thought this was going to be a lot softer applying, due to my only experience with brow gel products is really a Maybelline Colour Tattoo, but darn it if it wasn't more appropriate to be a hard formula. This is also meant to be waterproof and long-lasting, so here's hoping. 

Cailyn Cosmetics Liquid Eyeliner in Silver Shimmer (3) - US$15

Wasn't actually too excited by this product when I first saw it in the box at all. The silver just looks like a colour I wouldn't reach for, despite the packaging being damn cute. And then I swatched it. And holy hell, did I change my tune quickly. This looks like granite, sort of a brown base with a fine silver reflect to it that makes you say "oh, hello". There's not really much else to say about this, as there really isn't anymore info on the box, but I'm glad I ended up pleased with this product too. 

Lise Watier Hydra Shine Lip Stain in Rose Classique - US$20

I originally thought this would apply like a balm or gloss with a doe foot applicator, but after trying to figure out how to twist the cap off and then going "oh screw it, let me just pull it". I was surprised to see a texta. I don't know how this will fare with me, it doesn't really look like a colour I'd be super into. The smell is hard to place, it's not unpleasant, but fruity and sweet and just a tad odd. We'll just have to see how this one goes.

Manna Kadar Blush in The Big "O" (332) - US$19

This blush looks super pretty and I was glad to see it in my subscription box. It's a peachy pink colour with gold shimmer, akin to that of NARS Orgasm, and wouldn't you know it. I flip over the packaging to see the name of the blush is "The Big "O"". Well, they're clearly going for a dupe. It looks a bit more pink in the heavier swatch, though, but it really is more peachy than it appears. I love the rounded packaging too, it feels sturdy, although maybe a tad bulky for travelling with.

MiA BelleZZa Matte Shadow in Coffee Bean - US$16

I love me some matte eyeshadows and this one did not disappoint either. The packaging is very minimal, with just a clear top with the brand name to show the pigment of the shadow contained. But it is really pigmented, pretty much the colour of a coffee bean, as the name implies. This shadow isn't chalky at all and applies really smooth, despite feeling quite dry when I swatched. Will definitely be using this to tightline. 

left to right: nutmeg, silver shimmer, rose classique, the big "o" heavy swatch, the big "o" blended swatch, coffee bean heavy swatch, coffee bean blended swatch

Really fond of 4/5 products? I'd say that's not bad at all. I maybe might make another purchase from Wantable, but, as it is, I don't know whether to plunge in and make a subscription. I was quite impressed though, considering this is my first beauty box, and knowing the disappointment some people receive, I think Wantable is good at alleviating any disappointment, what with their personalised selection and full-sizing of the products. Overall, quite pleased. Quite pleased indeed. Please no more addiction.