October 2020 Macy's Beauty Box

Ah, a bit late on my end. I'm having a day. Spotify won't load, so I think I'm going to have to move my podcasts to another app. Oh well. I could probably spend some time and figure it out but I really don't want to bother today. 

I signed up for some more subscription boxes, but one wouldn't let me pay. Which is strange. It was the same card I've used on every purchase with them before but apparently now it was an issue. I went to their social media (after sending an email) and there are a lot of comments from people having similar issues (or not receiving products) so Covid is really messing with them. They eventually wrote back and told me that they didn't take my card (ummm..ok?). So, I don't know. 

Macy's took a small break in the summer with their beauty box. I've had a few issues with orders from them...usually in my favor. I ordered pillows recently (standard size, cheapest option) only to receive King size, most expensive option. Look, this is NOT a complaint and Macy's told me to keep them. They're nice pillows and now I'm in love. I played myself.

I'm behind on subscription boxes, so I might do a few a week to catch up. Or intersperse while I clean my office and catch up on work. It's a mess right now. 

I was one of the lucky group who received October (or the Jo Malone takeover) box. I also received an email telling me that my box this go round would arrive delayed (verses canceled outright). I understand there are some issues at the warehouse/packaging. I'd rather have a slower roll out and safer workers (what I hope is happening). So I'm fine with it all (well, I've been in the good group, so that was rude of me to say). 

My only worry with Jo Malone scents were that they'd be too strong and I wouldn't be able to handle them. So, I'm sure some people who didn't receive this box will note that it might be wasted on me. Technically correct, but I did keep one scent. Yup, I could only handle one scent. I did keep the candle as well. Everything else went to my friends (who told me the scents were lovely, so I only have that comment to go on). All the links are straight to the Macy's website with no referrals. I'm way too lazy to set up anything up on my end (or start this as a real business). 

​The sample that came like most perfume samples was the Blackberry and Bay cologne. I did not keep this one. I thought the scent was fairly unique but too heavy for my stupid nose. I'm obviously not a great person to follow for scents since most trigger a migraine for me (on me only, I'm okay with other people wearing scents in 99.9% of the situations I've been in). I've been able to handle "stronger" scents since I started the CGRP medicine BUT stronger is doing a lot of work in the context. 

• Top Note: Blackberry
• Middle Note: Bay Leaves
• Bottom Note: Cedarwood

The other two scents are in the mini-bottles. One was English Pear and Freesia. I lived in the UK and I was unaware they had a specific pear (they have specific mustard) but upon a quick look, it's just the Bartlett Pear. Their mustard was different though, I was not ready for that information. It was like when I got to the baked bean aisle. Yes, AISLE. Of just ONE brand of baked beans. Anyways, this scent was quite fresh (like clean? I'm not sure how to describe it beyond that) but still too strong for my stupid head. I also don't love how patchouli turns on me...but that's a personal thing. It doesn't always happen but I do not make patchouli come out well. 

• Top Note: King William Pear
• Middle Note: Freesia
• Bottom Note: Patchouli

The third scent I kept because it's "light" enough (whatever that means with fragrance) and doesn't set my brain off. It was the Peony and Blush Suede Cologne. I actually really like it because it's unlike all my other scents even though it's floral. Maybe it's the suede or apple? I do love a note of jasmine. Anyways. This is something I might rebuy as I struggle to find scents that don't put me down. 

• Top Note: Red Apple
• Middle Note: Peony
• Bottom Note: Suede

I was trying to find an object that a lot of people would know the size with so I could show the size of the samples...so a highlighter it was! 

Right, so the next item that came in the bottle was the lime basil and mandarin body and hand wash. Which is not normally how these things are titled. I don't recall at least. Usually it's just body wash. I did not like this scent. I was surprised to learn it's a signature fragrance. Like, ew. That being said, I'm in a minority of course. I gave it away and my friend said it was not bad and she loves it. So...

• Top Note: Mandarin
• Middle Note: Basil
• Bottom Note: Amberwood

The candle I kept. I haven't lit it yet and I assume the burn time won't be long since it's so small. It's actually not the most expensive candle I own (well, the full size price). Popsugar used to send out some expensive ones. The scent for this one is Nectarine Blossom and Honey. It's not a super sweet scent (which is great because I don't like overly sweet scented candles). 

• Top Note: Cassis
• Middle Note: Acacia Honey
• Bottom Note: Peach

​I didn't keep the wood sage and sea salt body crème because I have too many lotions backlogged. I didn't hate the scent but I wasn't in love with it. I would not have picked it up based on the scents in the name (reminds me of fishermen smells) but it doesn't smell like that. It's lighter and not...fish trawlerly. So, obviously Jo Malone is not going to hire me for my nose. I've never heard of Ambrette seeds but when I looked it up, I discovered that the plant has several names including muskmallow. Brilliant. 

• Top Note: Ambrette Seeds
• Middle Note: Sea Salt
• Bottom Note: Sage

All the products came in a cute little makeup bag. I actually gave this away to my friend who thought it was super elegant. I have quite a lot of makeup bags and I tend to donate new ones I get with unopened makeup/samples to the shelters/abuse help organizations.