QVC’s New Beauty Test Tube is a quarterly subscription that has been around for a few years. I was unfamiliar with it until I stumbled across some reviews online. It seemed like an incredible value and I liked the idea of a quarterly subscription with larger sample sizes versus a monthly box with smaller samples. Each quarter runs around $39.00 with S&H – which breaks down to $13/month, less than I was paying for Beauty Bar’s Sample Society. (This is how I’m justifying my Test Tube subscription – I’m dropping Sample Society AND saving $24! I feel better already.)
As you can see, a wide variety of products and very generous sample sizes. Plus that cute hot pink tube – how could anyone resist?
The first item I pulled out of the tube was this Julep Rapid-Dry Nail Color in Melanie. This is a full sized product worth $14.00. Julep’s website describes the color as a “pastel indigo metallic chrome” and it’s absolutely gorgeous. But here was my inner monologue upon further inspection:
Ooooh pretty.
Nope, I’m too old for this.
Am I, really? I could pull it off.
You are definitely too old for this.
My sensible side won out on this one – I’m looking forward to trying Julep’s polish, but this isn’t the right color for me. I’m saving it for my sister, who is much more fashionable and trendy (oh, and younger) than me.
Another full sized product, this Mally High-Shine Liquid Lip Color has a click applicator and imparts some serious shine. I received the color “Mally’s Look”, which is an opaque bubblegum shade that isn’t too juvenile and is perfect for everyday wear. My biggest gripe with lipgloss is that it tends to dry out my lips and doesn’t last long, but this product is ultra moisturizing and stays put. It retails at $20.00, which means the combined total of my first two items is almost more than the Test Tube itself! This is very promising.
This next product is one of my favorite skincare items I’ve sampled: Philosophy’s Miracle Worker Lactic Acid Cleanser + Mask. I’m using it primarily as a mask (it goes on like a cleanser but instead of washing it off immediately, you leave it on for about 5 minutes) and the result is some seriously glowing skin. From searching online, it looks like it’s harder to buy unless as part of a set, but a 16 oz. bottle will set you back $58.00, making this sample’s value around $7.25.
Next up? The third full size item in this Test Tube. Tarte’s smolderEYES Amazonian Clay Waterproof Liner retails for $22.00. For those of you keeping track, that means I’m only four products into this review, and the value is already over $60 – well above what I paid. My eyeliner shade is Navy – a very pretty, dark blue color with just a hint of shimmer. The liner goes on like a dream – hands down one of the easiest eyeliners I’ve ever used – and comes with a “smudger” on one end. I wore this to work last week and my 72 year old boss commented on how nice my eyes looked! It’s not much, but I’m going to call that a win. I’ll definitely be on the lookout for this product in the stores – I’d love to have a few more colors in my collection.
Algenist was not a brand that I was familiar with, but it gets rave reviews online and in the general beauty community. This sample of Complete Eye Renewal Balm is a good size and has a value of $30.33, since the full size (15 ml) costs a whopping $65.00. I’ve never used eye cream regularly, but I’m sold on anything anti-aging and after a few uses, this does appear to minimize undereye circles and brighten my face in general.
Another generous sized sample, the Ole Henriksen Truth Crème can be used morning and night as a brightening moisturizer. At a value of $13.50, this is a generous sized sample and a brand that I’ve always wanted to try. It is definitely on the heavier side for my somewhat oily skin, but it makes a great winter moisturizer and I saw brightening results literally overnight. This has earned a spot in my regular skincare rotation.
This bottle of Nick Chavez Advanced Volume Conditioner promises to make my hair “more luscious” and full of volume. I have thick hair, so I’m not necessarily seeking out more volume, but this conditioner paired well with my weekly clarifying shampoo, restoring moisture and making my hair incredibly soft. A full sized, 8 oz. bottle retails for $24.00, which makes gives this sample a value of $6.00. Also, it’s pretty and purple, which means my husband won’t try to use it.
The last product in this quarter’s Test Tube was High Intensity Hand Cream from Bliss. I received the Macadamia Oil version, which was perfectly nice but I would have preferred the Blood Orange + White Pepper scent. This is the perfect size to throw in my purse (1 oz.) and has a sample value of $9.00. It will come in handy (no pun intended) for achieving my New Year’s resolution of being one of those girls that always has nice looking nails.
Overall, I am thrilled with the QVC New Beauty Test Tube. This tube had three full-sized products and the rest were all very generous sizes. Including the issue of New Beauty magazine that comes with each Test Tube, the total value of this tube is $132.08, which is well over three times what I paid ($39). This is my new favorite subscription and I can’t wait to see what next quarter has in store.