TOPBOX: May 2012

I received my May box a couple days before and opened it in the car before we got home. I couldn't wait because...I have to admit, I had already "peaked" other blogger's reveals.

I know Topbox tells their subscribers not to post reviews for a few days so it's a surprise for everyone but I'm just too impatient for that.

Plus, this way at least I'll know if I should get ready for a disappointment or look forward to some awesome products.

Last month Topbox introduced an "eco-friendly" unwrapped version of their tube packaging and let subscribers choose if they want to receive this option for future boxes. I did. I think it looks cuter than the wrapped version anyway.



May's box came with the following items:

1) Full sized Deborah Lippmann nail polish in Whatever Lola Wants
2) 7ml CoverFX ClearPrep FX Matte Primer & Anti-Acne Treatment Gel
3) 2ml Orlane Anagenese 25+ First Time-Fighting Care Eye Countour
4) Expressions Bronzing Powder Brush
5) Voucher for a free nail file to be redeemed at Holt Renfrew

The full sized nail polish is $20, the full sized brush is $25. Based on a unit price calculation, the eye counter is worth $10, the primer/gel is worth $9.10.

$20+$25+$10+$9.10=$64.10!! And that's not even including the free nail file. I'm not sure what it looks like but either way, it must be worth at least $1 since that's how much the cheap cardboard ones from the dollar store cost.

$10 for $64.10 worth of products? I'd say this is one of the best Topbox to date!



FULL SIZE Deborah Lippmann Nail Polish in Whatever Lola Wants - Full size 15ml for $20
I know this brand is "it" right now but this is boring to me. It almost seems like they got what didn't sell as well to put in this box. Don't get me wrong. It is pretty. It's shimmery and reminds me of mermaids and seashells. But when I think Deborah Lippmann, I think something more interesting like bold chunky glitters.

Plus, it is also very similar to the nail polish received in last month's box. See below:



Both are sheer upon first application, but are sort of pinkish and shimmery/pearly. Yes, different but...simiar.

What is with Topbox sending similar items consecutively? I love that they listen to their subscribers but it seems they get a little too enthusiastic about pleasing a certain bunch. Lotion, nail polish, mascara...all have come twice. Maybe if they'll accept one last subscriber request? Listen to your readers but remember, variety is the spice of life!

Just because there's a request for more nail polish, don't mail out nail polish 3 months in a row (mark min duo, Misa, now Lippmann). I do love nail polish but it's great to try a variety of brands and product types.

7ml CoverFX ClearPrep FX Matte Foundation Primer & Anti-Acne Treatment Gel - Full size 30ml for $39

Ah, I love skincare samples because it's often so expensive and the full sizes are inconvenient to take on trips.

These are good for about 5-10 days, depending how much you use. A little does go a long way. Since I don't have any acne right now, I can't attest to how effective it is at that. It did keep my face relatively matte but I've used better as well. At over $40 after tax for a 30ml tube? I'll pass.

2ml Anagenese 25+ First Time-Fighting Care Eye Contour - Full size 15ml for $75
This I wouldn't buy again just because of the price but I'm really glad they included it because it's a nice chance to try something totally out of my price range. For someone who is willing to pay the price, this is also a great way to try before handing over the cash.

With only 2ml of product, I suspect I'll be done within a week and I also suspect I won't see much difference in that time. But I'll enjoy using it!

FULL SIZE Expressions Bronzing Powder Brush - Full size for $25
This is awesome! I'm so glad they included a bronzing powder brush because my current Quo duo-fibre bronzing brush is starting to go. This brush is soft but very dense. Reminds me of a kabuki brush. I'm not sure how it will work for bronzer as I'm used to something a little looser liked the Quo duo-fibre or the MAC 187. I haven't tried it for bronzing yet. However, even if I end up sticking with my duo-fibre, this will be great for buffing in powder. Also, I don't have anything similar to this in my brush collection so this is great timing.

So overall, what do I think of May's box?

I think May is my favourite. The value money-wise is quite amazing. Not only two full-sized products but two at $20 and $25?! I am very pleased in that regard.

As for the value product-wise? I'd say it's great and the best yet. I will use and enjoy using each one, save for the dab card. Definitely not in love with the Lippmann nail polish but they are right on target with what's "hot" right now.

Can't wait for June! So far, I've been disappointed and pleased with the boxes but the overall experience has been quite positive. At $10 a month? I still feel like I'm getting my money's worth.

CoverFX Color Coding Decoded

The color coding of the CoverFX line can be really confusing. They use a letter code to identify the tone of the color, then either numbers (30, 40, 60, etc.) or words (light, deep etc.) to describe the shade. They do not offer a full description of their codes on the website...at least not via a straight forward link.

Instead, The CoverFX website has a helpful "Find Your Perfect Shade" tool within the webpage for each foundation they offer. I find this very helpful because the tool only allows you to choose amongst the shades available for that particular product. If a face similar to yours does not exist, you'll not wasting your time on a wild goose chase, trying to find which store carries it (this has happened to me with a particular Shiseido foundation!).

Here's a quick look at how I looked up my color in the CoverFX SkinTintFX product I reviewed yesterday:

STEP ONE: Find an under tone closest to mine. This is so broad, it may be hard to choose. But just pick the one closest to yours.



STEP TWO: Now read the description of the undertone you chose. Does that match you? If not, go back and click on your second choice, then read that description. Does that match you better? Now click on the shade that's closest to yours.



STEP THREE: This will tell you what shade will work best for you.



TIP!! I highly recommend you go through steps 1-2 a few times and select the undertones and shades next to the one you chose the first time around. If you find that the numbers are different, this may mean there is a wider range of color choices for this particular foundation or that you are in between colors. It may be a good idea to go in store and test it out. If you choose several faces and it results in the same shade? This means there is a smaller color range and you are probably safe to use the shade selected even if your color varies throughout the year.

For example, the SkinTintFX has 6 shades whereas the PowderFX has 17. Those within a few shades of each other could wear the same SkinTintFX whereas they may be two different shades in the PowderFX.

Here's a quick run down of the undertones CoverFX makes (although not in all their products):

C is ideal for PRIMARILY PINK UNDERTONES
E is ideal for PINK AND YELLOW UNDERTONES
M is ideal for YELLOW AND/OR OLIVE UNDERTONES
B is ideal for GOLDEN BROWN TO EBONY SKIN TONES

Hope that helps!

REVIEW: CoverFX Skin Tint FX Moisturizing Treatment & Tint with SPF 30

It's getting a lot harder to take photos in natural daylight these days. I take my photos before or after work but the sky is getting darker and darker during those times. Soon my product photo taking will be relegated to the weekends.

Alas, we'll continue on with today's review. Just make sure to turn up your screen's brightness....

This is my first time trying out a CoverFX product. I'm not sure if it's the clinical packaging or the unromantic product descriptions, but I feel like if there's one line that should actually deliver on its promises, it's this one. But like a nude strapless bra or a pair of black dress pants, it's never the fun thing to buy. I guess that's why I've always ended up picking up something in a pretty or funky package from Benefit or Urban Decay instead of CoverFX.

However, I decided to bite the bullet and buy this not so pretty tube of product at the local drugstore recently.

A little background on CoverFX. It's a Canadian-based company and the brain child of "corrective makeup specialist" Lee Graff who worked at Sunnybrook Hospital and Women's Health Scient Centre, chemical engineer Jenny Frankel, and dermatologist Dr. Neil Shear. All of its products are cruelty-free and they have been changing their packaging to become more environmentally friendly by the use of reduced/biodegradable packaging sourced from sustainable foresting. As well, they make both international and local charitable donations.

According to CoverFX's website, the "Moisturizing Treatment & Tinted Moisturizer with SPF 30" is a "rejuventing liquid mineral treatment" that provides tinted sun kissed looking skin. It is appropriate for all skin times including problem skin that is "dry, sallow, sun damaged". It is oil-free, fragrance free, and paraben free.

I reviewed the Bobbi Brown Tinted Moisturizer previously, which comes in a similar packaging (read review here.) although the BB one is 50ml vs 30ml for the Skin TintFX. The Bobbi Brown is more liquid and pigmented - what I consider a true tinted moisturizer. The CoverFX Skin Tint FX is more like a 2-in-1 tinted primer and sun screen, in my opinion.







This product goes on like a light lotion but has a powdery finish - similar to the Benefit POREfessional primer (read review here) but a little thicker.

I have to say, I really like this product. It's the lazy-woman's way to cover her bases (oh so pun-ny!). It's a primer, color corrector, and sunscreen all in one. You can wear this alone on a hot summer day or in the winter, use as a base under a light layer of foundation.

I wouldn't use it in lieu of a moisturizer, however. Unless you have really oily skin. Personally, I still apply a light layer of gel moisturizer first (I use Clinique Derma White Brightening Moisture Gel Cream), let it seep into my skin, then apply this.

One thing to be careful of is the beading effect. Like a lot of cream-to-powder formulas, this one will bead if you rub too hard back and forth. Not sure why you would....but just in case.



I am NC35-37 in MAC, Golden Beige in Revlon, and Natural Beige in L'Oreal. E Light might sound too light for me but it's actually perfect as there's only the option of Light or Dark and my summer tan is starting to fade. The M Light probably would have worked, too but I don't have a swatch of that.





The CoverFX SkinTint FX Treatment and Tinted Moisturizer SPF 30 is available at The Bay, Shoppers's Drug Mart, and Sephora. The 30ml/1oz tube retails for $39CDN/$42US

**This is one of the only times I've seen a product cheaper in Canada, even for Canadian-based brands!**