Lip Factory Box December 2013 review, unboxing and photos: International beauty box

As I was leaving on holiday, it was touch and go with the December 2013 Lip Factory Box, but it arrived just in time! Anyway, there was quite a lot of buzz surrounding the "Happy Holidays" edition of the Lip Factory Box, with rumours of extra-special products and brands! The November 2013 Lip Factory Box was an all-lips box and you can see from my post that it was an absolute knock-out. I was very excited about the December box when I heard it was even better than the November box!
Lip Factory is a US-based beauty box but they ship worldwide - it costs $32 for the box and international postage. You get at least five full-size exclusive makeup goodies inside - not drugstore products. Full size, mind you. To subscribe, hit their website here. Do mention my reference number 384919 and we'll both get 50 points apiece (used to redeem for products or boxes).

Here's what was inside my December 2013 Holiday special Lip Factory Box.

First of all, they've done away with the black external box with red lips, which I used to love. Boo hoo! This one is plain old brown. But the inner box is the same Lip Factory Box.

The December 2013 product card is a beauty. Just look at that!

And I opened the product card and found the whole box was $56.50 in value. And the pictures of the products inside. Click on the pictures to enlarge them.

And finally, here are the makeup goodies inside my December 2013 Lip Factory Box:

1. MeMeMe Boho Balm Lip and Cheek Tint in Pink Sugar
2. Michael Marcus Plump lip plumper
3. NCLA Nail Lacquer in Prized Possession
4. Essence Lash and Brow Gel Mascara
5. JCat Fab Five Eye Shadow Palette
6. PureCeuticals Pumpkin Enzyme Cleanse sample
7. Medusa Makeup Lipstick in Skid Row
   

MeMeMe Boho Balm Lip and Cheek Tint in Pink Sugar

These created a huge wave on the internet in 2012 and I never thought I would end up owning one (thank you, Lip Factory). The tin is cute.

Inside, you have two shades, a lighter pink and a darker peachy pink. You can wear either on its own or mix them both up. While the shades are way too bubblegum for my liking, these make a nifty lip balm. Or, I'm thinking of mixing them up with darker lipsticks I received in my November box. Let's see.

Michael Marcus Plump lip plumper

While my lips don't need plumping, I can't bear to part with anything Michael Marcus - an upscale brand to which Lip Factory introduced me. Michael Marcus was launched in 1999 by the international makeup artist of the same name. I'll try to use this as a lip balm, it certainly looks emolliating enough.

NCLA Nail Lacquer in Prized Possessions

What a beauty! I'm so glad Lip Factory sent out a nail polish after some months. They do find some amazing brands. NCLA is a five-free luxury nail polish that retails for $16 - more than O.P.I. And this is a very pretty midnight blue glitter polish that is just perfect for winter. I can't wait to come back and swatch it!

 

Essence Lash and Brow Gel Mascara

Hahaha I was just running out of clear mascara. I don't use it as brow gel really but love clear mascara. This is very handy and timely. And I like Essence!

J.Cat Fab Five Eyeshadow Palette in Greatest Flash

J.Cat is a brand I really like, having found a very good lip pencil and a fabulous eye pencil from them in previous Lip Factory Boxes. I saw this palette and looked askance at first. And then I realised that I have too many neutrals and will be buying the Urban Decay N@ked 3 as well, which will take the number of my neutral palettes even higher.

Now that I've been stepping outside my comfort zone, I actually like bolder colours - I can use them for lids while pairing deeper shades for smoky eye looks. I did a quick swipe with my fingers and found impressive pigmentation. Detailed swatches after I come back.

PureCeuticals Pumplin Enzyme Cleanse

I wish they had sent something else, or two of these. Remember what I keep saying about sachets? But the value of this box already exceeds the amount I paid. I'll probably de-sachet it into a sample pot and use it on an overnight trip.

Medusa Makeup Lipstick in Skid Row

This was a replacement for the broken lipstick from the November box - I've mentioned before that their customer care is the best! Unfortunately, this was even more heartbreaking. Not only is the bullet broken, but it is also squashed up inside the lid. That is such a disappointment. I've already told them this and they've promised to rectify the situation. They are lovely people!

Overall, though, I would say this is one of Lip Factory's best boxes. I know I say that every month, but it just means that Lip Factory betters their efforts each month! All these brands are very good, nothing cheap in there. I can't wait for the January box and know it will be equally marvellous.

Lip Factory is a US-based beauty box but they ship worldwide. To subscribe, hit their website here. Do mention my reference number 384919 and we'll both get 50 points apiece (used to redeem for products or boxes). - See more at: http://www.mybeautyjunction.com/2013/11/lip-factory-beauty-box-review--november-photos.html#sthash.NS6Cnd9H.dpuf

Lip Factory is a US-based beauty box but they ship worldwide. To subscribe, hit their website here. Do mention my reference number 384919 and we'll both get 50 points apiece (used to redeem for products or boxes). - See more at: http://www.mybeautyjunction.com/2013/11/lip-factory-beauty-box-review--november-photos.html#sthash.NS6Cnd9H.dpuf

Lip Factory is a US-based beauty box but they ship worldwide. To subscribe, hit their website here. Do mention my reference number 384919 and we'll both get 50 points apiece (used to redeem for products or boxes). - See more at: http://www.mybeautyjunction.com/2013/11/lip-factory-beauty-box-review--november-photos.html#sthash.NS6Cnd9H.dpuf