A Merry & Brightening VoxBox
*I received these products for free from Influenster and Laura Mercier in exchange for my honest review.*
Not long before Christmas, I received my first-ever VoxBox from Influenster and Laura Mercier…very exciting and much appreciated! The box contained three complimentary full sized products: Secret Camouflage Concealer Duo, Blush Color Infusion, and Secret Brightening Powder for Under Eyes.
If you’re not familiar with Influenster, it’s a product review website that sends VoxBoxes of free, usually full-sized products to members to try out and review. The boxes often contain just-launched products that brands want to solicit reviews of on various websites. Campaign requirements vary by brand (e.g., sometimes you have to post reviews on the brand’s website, Sephora.com, or Instagram). I’ve been filling out VoxBox surveys for some time now and am so happy I finally received a box! I actually got a second box a few days after this one, so stay tuned for details on that one as well.
I was so thrilled to find these goodies inside:
Now that I’ve had some time to try these products out, I want to share my honest opinion of each one.
But first, swatches!
Secret Camouflage Concealer Duo
This is a brand new double-ended concealer and under eye brightening stick; I received the shade 1N, described as fair with neutral undertones. Unfortunately, both shades are a tad light for my skin tone (though the brightener shade is more usable for me than the concealer shade). In my opinion, both products blend better when you use a finger rather than a brush—I think body heat helps the product melt into skin.
The brightener does crease a bit under my eyes even with the powder, but at the age of 42 I personally have trouble finding a concealer that doesn’t settle into fine lines. And the concealer gives good coverage, but the too-light shade ends up highlighting the fact that I’m wearing concealer. I’d be happy to use the concealer more regularly if I could find a better shade match.
Folks…the under eye brightening effect with this product is LEGIT. Keep scrolling further down for a before and after pic of me with no makeup vs. me wearing all three gifted products.
The duo comes in 16 shades, with the majority of shades being on the lighter end of the spectrum. The brand’s variety of foundation, tinted moisturizer, and concealer shade ranges lean light overall, so hopefully they’re working to add more options for darker skin tones.
Secret Brightening Powder for Under Eyes
This is a very fine, translucent powder with a radiant finish. I use a small fluffy brush to dust a bit of powder under my eyes after applying the brightener. This powder contains very fine shimmer, which seems a little odd for the under eye area. It does help brighten, but I don’t love the hint of sparkle. It’s subtle, so it’s not terrible for pandemic Zooms (and I’d be ok wearing it out at night…whenever we’re able to safely go out and about in the world again). But I’d feel weird wearing a slightly shimmery under eye powder in broad daylight.
I do still get some concealer creasing under the eye even with the powder, but you only notice if you look very closely. However, I don’t think I’d buy this on my own due to the shimmer. The powder comes in two shades (fair to medium or medium to dark).
Blush Color Infusion
I received the shade “Strawberry” to try out. And I love it! This is a beautiful matte pink powder blush that adds a natural flush to the cheeks. You can go subtle or build the color up if you’re feeling bold. I definitely recommend this product! The blush comes in 14 shades (some shimmer, some matte).
Before // After
Below on the left I’m wearing no makeup; on the right I’m wearing the concealer duo, brightening powder, and blush:
That brightening stick and powder tho! There’s a marked difference in my under eye area in the comparison photos.
Thank you to Influenster & Laura Mercier for sending me these goodies!
Have you tried any of these products yet?
