After several months of hydration and natural beauty, this month's theme is an incredibly harsh "Step It Up". Thanks for telling me, Sephora. I'll be sure to step it up. As per usual, there are five items, plus a perfume sample. Each box also comes with a Play! Pass, which you can redeem for a one-on-one tutorial in-store, plus 50 bonus Sephora points.

Make the Moisture of It: Peter Thomas Roth Water Drench Hyaluronic Cloud Cream - $8.12

This was a new one for me…but it was the only really new thing in the box. This moisturizer, like the packaging says, is silky smooth and feels amazing. I don’t know if I want to bite the bullet on the full-size investment of $52. That’s a lot. But it’s a reallllly good moisturizer, if you’re in a place to afford that.

See You Exfoliator: Kate Somerville ExfoliKate Intensive Exfoliating Treatment - $12

You’re going to love or hate this. There won’t be an in between. For me, I love harsh exfoliators. Something with a lot of grit really appeals to me. It’s fairly fast and easy to use. You don’t let it sit on your skin, just scrub on and rinse off for around 30 seconds. Boom, done. It has an awesome cinnamon scent, and I’m loving using it a couple times a week.

The Prime is Now: Smashbox Photo Finish Primer – $8

This seemed like a blast from the past. This primer from Smashbox was one of the first high end makeup items that I bought for myself years ago. I will say…at the time it was my favorite, and I would have told anyone that. Now…I’m not so sure. I’ve graduated to Laura Mercier and Benefit and Houorglass, and I don’t really use this one like I used to. It’s very heavy on the silicone – great for oily and dry skin alike – but I found that my body didn’t jive with the silicone-based primers as well as I would have liked it to. I don’t think it’s bad, just not the best. Also, if you use this, wash your face really well, as that silicone can be a real pore-clogger.

Erase to the Finish: Sephora Waterproof Eye Makeup Remover – $3.75

As far as makeup removers go…I’m fairly low maintenance. They either work, and I’m happy, or they don’t, and I toss them. I don’t think that this makeup remover is change-your-life fantastic, but it works, and I won’t complain about that. It’s also fairly budget-friendly, if you’re in the market.

The Liner Things in Life: Make Up Forever Aqua XL Waterproof Eye Pencil – $5.25

Black eyeliners are the only thing that I’m not excited to see in my subscription boxes. I really have too many. That said, MUFE makes a damn good eyeliner. It’s smooth, and as black as can be. It can be smudged immediately after applying, but once it sets up, it will not move all day long. It comes off easily with the makeup remover included in the box though. I love this, and would recommend it to anyone who is a pencil-liner wearer.  It’s available in a ton of colors, and I feel like I need to swatch them all the next time I’m in Sephora.

Crazy About Daisy: Daisy by Marc Jacobs Perfume - $4.60

I didn’t like this one. Perfumes are hit and miss, and this wasn’t for me. I know it’s super popular though, so it might be worth checking out the next time you’re in a store that stocks it. The overall feel is floral and fruity.

All in all, this was a good box, in that I’m using everything in it. At the same time, I feel kind of disappointed because nothing in here is particularly exciting or fun. This box has a value of over $40. You can’t complain about a $10 beauty box giving you that much value.

What was your favorite item from your subscription boxes this month?