May is Women’s Health Month, and to raise awareness, BeautyArmy offered a few selections in their sample choices this month to introduce subscribers to new products and companies that focus on promoting fitness and well-being. I was only given a couple of these options in my selection window, but I took advantage of them.

What I Received (Chose):

KORRES Wild Rose 24-Hour Moisturizing & Brightening Cream

OWN Lifting Eye Cream

YES TO Cucumber Facial Towelettes

NAILUV Gel Polish in “Berry Sweetie”

Mighty Leaf Tea in Green Tea Tropical

iTrain Downloadable Workouts Gift Card

Product #1: KORRES Wild Rose 24-Hour Moisturizing & Brightening Cream ($35.00)

With temperatures in New England steadily on the rise, my skin is starting to get oily again, as it does every Spring/Summer. Even still, I decided to treat myself with this rich moisturizer before work earlier this week to see if it really did brighten my skin and even out it’s texture & tone the way it was advertised.

The first thing I noticed was that despite rose oil being the main ingredient, this moisturizer didn’t smell floral at all. It didn’t have a specific fragrance, and absorbed quickly into my skin without leaving a residue behind. While I didn’t notice any particular improvement in my skin’s brightness, texture, or tone (and I suspect those results may come with continued use with more than what I was provided with in the sample), my face did feel hydrated all day, and even most of the night, long after I’d washed the product off. Best of all? I didn’t have any bumps or breakouts pop up despite the extra oil on my skin.

Would I Purchase?: Yes! A little goes a long way with this cream, so it’s not something I would have to continually slather on throughout the day. I wish I had been given more of the sample so I could evaluate the results after a week or so of use, but from what I saw in just one day, specifically how soft and supple my skin felt- I’m a fan.

Product #2: OWN Lifting Eye Cream ($23.99)

This sample kept popping up in my selection window, despite my specifying that I’m not having issues with droopiness or fine lines around my eye area. I relented, and gave it a shot- FOR SCIENCE! The sample was small, but I used the product sparingly and managed to prolong it’s longevity into a 3-day test where I used a little of the cream every night before bed and documented my results in the morning.

After the first night, in which I felt minor irritation after applying (my eyes watered a little but nothing too serious), the area around my eyes did, admittedly, feel a little softer, but it was nothing that my usual swab of Vaseline before bed couldn’t do.

The second night, there was a little more irritation than the first night. My eyes watered, and the area where I’d applied the cream stung briefly. In the morning, the results were the same as the first night. It wasn’t anything extraordinary.

The third and final night of the test, I ended up having to flush my eyes out with cold water for ten minutes almost immediately after application because the pain was so bad. Not only were my eyes watering to the point where I couldn’t see, but the area around my eye were I’d applied the cream became red and inflamed. I’m still experiencing some discomfort as I write this that I’m hoping will go away in the coming days.

Would I Purchase?: No. Dear God, no. I can’t even stress how problematic this product was for the minimal, barely note-worthy results I saw before it wreaked havoc around my eyes. That’s not to say it wouldn’t work for others, but my experience has completely put me off of ever trying this brand again.

Product #3: YES TO Cucumber Facial Towelettes ($5.99)

Every night before I start my P.M. skin care regime, I use basic Olay makeup removal towelettes to swipe away the day’s BB cream, blush, powder, etc. I’ve done it for years, and have never really considered any other alternatives since that seemed to be the most convenient way.

I’ve grown quite fond of the YES TO products, though, and decided to go ahead and check out this cucumber-infused towelette. I’m a little weary of putting anything scented on my face, but this towel was instantly cooling to the touch and did a phenomenal job of removing all of my makeup without drying my skin out. When I was done, my face felt clean, tingly, and refreshed.

Would I Purchase?: Yes! For convenience, results, and especially the price- you couldn’t ask for a better product.

Product #4: NAILUV Gel Polish in “Berry Sweetie” ($14.95)

I have a small container full of nail polishes that I’ve been persistently trying to use up in recent months. However none of those polishes are gel-based, and having rediscovered my love for the quick and long-lasting effects of a gel manicure, I opted for a small bottle of “Berry Sweetie”. I brought it down to my nail salon yesterday for my manicurist, Nina, to apply on my tips.

I LOVE the color. It’s gorgeous. It’s the perfect deep, reddish-pink that really stands out on my pale skin and goes well with nearly everything I wear, and with it being gel-based, I know it won’t flake or fade for a few weeks.

Would I Purchase?: Yes! I don’t think I’d necessarily run out and buy a full bottle of “Berry Sweetie” anytime soon, since this sample will last me quite a while, but I would love to try other colors by this brand.

Product #5: Mighty Leaf Tea in Green Tea Tropical ($9.95)

I’m fairly sure that by now everyone knows how much I enjoy (or depend on, whichever way you want to look at it) coffee and teas. I love trying new ones, and the sweeter, the better. The last time I tried a tea from Mighty Leaf, their “Vanilla Bean” tea, I wasn’t a fan. It was very bland to me, but I was hoping that this tea would taste a little better.

This tea had the same problem, however. It smelled better than it tasted- even after I added a pinch of sugar. It was just a very watered down, dull, fruit-flavor.

Would I Purchase?: No. I’ll pass on this one, and stick to my iced chai teas.

Product #6: iTrain Downloadable Workouts Gift Card ($25)

I have a monthly gym subscription to a local, up-to-date, very modern facility that I enjoy. That’s not to say I don’t enjoy working out in the comfort of my own home on the days when I lack the motivation to get up and go sweat with a bunch of strangers. I saw this gift card, valid for different downloadable workout programs, playlists, and trainer voice-overs that can be used both at home or at the gym up for grabs, and managed to snag one.

In order to use the voucher, I first had to register at iTrain.com, enter the gift card information, and peruse the available downloads. One of the programs I was interested in trying, a 60-minute beach body workout, was a little more than what I had available on the card, so upon checking-out, I only owed four dollars and some change.

After making the payment, I navigated to the section of the site where I could download my workout file, and low and behold- I can’t. It shows up that I purchased the program, but I can’t click on it or make use of it.

What’s worse, is that the site has saved my credit card information and I can’t erase it. I can’t cancel my account. I can’t do anything.

I’ve sent an e-mail to customer service regarding the whole ordeal and asking for an account cancellation, but have yet to hear back from anyone apart from an automated e-mail reply saying my account should be cancelled in 30 days if I’ve met the 3-month membership minimum- which means I’m going to have to monitor my bank account activity carefully in the coming weeks to make sure no additional funds go missing.

Would I Purchase?: No. This one was self-explanatory. The whole ordeal was stressful and I’m better off just sticking to classes at the gym than attempting anything like this through iTrain ever again.

Apart from the disastrous iTrain incident and the painful eye cream reaction, this month’s box wasn’t too bad. In the future, however, I will not be selecting gift cards or vouchers should BeautyArmy offer them.