TOPBOX: November 2012 (My Last One!)

October's Topbox was pretty disappointing and I wasn't feeling too enthusiastic about reviewing. In fact, I had already been thinking about cancelling and this cinched my decision.

I'll talk more about why I decided to cancel Topbox and why I probably won't subscribe to another one at the end of this post.

I only realized last month that you can see what version your box is in the tracking email Topbox sends upon mailing. This month I received #17. Apparently there were more than 20 different versions.

The items were:

1) 14ml China Glaze nail polish in Elephant Walk (full sized)
2) 9.24g x 2 Cuccio Naturale Butter in Pomegrenate & Fig
3) 5ml Robert Cavalli EDP
4) 0.7g Make Up For Ever Aqua Eyes eyeliner in Mat Black 0L

So how much was November's box worth?

The full sized nail polish is $10-12 for 14ml although I've never seen it over $10 (usually $7-8). We'll use $10 as the price for this calculation. The full sized butter is $18.95 for 240g. The full size perfume is $80 for 50ml or $105 for 75ml. We'll use the bigger bottle for this calculation.

Based on a unit price calculation, the nail polish is worth $10, the butter is worth $1.46 (2 x $0.73), the perfume is worth $7 the eyeliner is worth $12.89. $10+$1.46+$7+$12.89=$30.85. Not the most the Topboxes have been worth in the past year but not the least either.

14ml China Glaze nail polish in Elephant Walk (Full Size)
This color is from the On Safari collection. Other box versions contained different colors from the collection. I had admit, I wish I received another color as this one is very similar to Color Club's Wild Orchid which I reviewed here.

I will say I'm really glad we received a nail polish in this box and a full sized one at that! This color looks unflattering in the bottle as I tend to go towards warm taupe-y grays but on my finger? I think it actually looks quite pretty, especially with silver jewelry (or perhaps some silver glitter on the tips??...)

9.24g x 2 Cuccio Naturale Butter in Pomegrenate & Fig
I was curious to try this product as I love both fruits. Plus, I'm always looking for super moisturizing products and this one promises to give you ten times worth! I thought the consistency would be like The Body Shop's Body Butters but this is more like a lotion or light cream. If you've ever tried Vaseline's Sheer Fusion body moisturizers, this is very similar.

The scent is great but not as strong as products from The Body Shop and Bath and Body Works. It is moisturizing but I don't find it to be ten times than any other moisturizer. And I'm sure it's a placebo effect, but I find thicker lotions/creams to feel more moisturizing as they coat your skin. All in all, this is a nice moisturizer but I wouldn't spend $18.95 when the Vaseline version is a fraction of the price.

5ml Roberto Cavalli EDP

Perfume is such a personal thing and as someone who isn't very well versed in the various notes and what they would really translate to when blended together, I find I really need to just it out. I'm glad it worked out this time and I actually received a scent I like. Other subscribers really disliked this and thought it smelled old lady like but I think it's quite beautiful.

According to Fragrantica.com, it's an intense oriental based on notes of orange blossom. There are also ambery nuances of benzoin, pink pepper, tonka and vanilla." Seriously, I have no idea what that means but I do think of this as a night time and/or winter scent. It's sweet and I love how it smells freshly applied and within the first bit of wear. I'm not loving the very vanilla dry down but by then the scent has lightened enough to be okay with me.

I'm also really impressed with the sample size. The bottle looks a lot smaller than rollerballs which can be had for $15-30 at Sephora but it's actually the same size as some of those rollerballs when you look closely at the volume (5ml in this case). This will last me a long time and I'm really loving sample/mini sizes these days since I have so many scents.

0.7g Make Up For Ever Aqua Eyes eyeliner in Mat Black 0L

I am loving this! I usually line on my upper waterline with black waterproof liquid eyeliner and save for a couple versions, I've found most still smudge a little (or a lot!) under my eyes after a day's wear. I used this instead to see how it would compare, without much faith I might add. And I was totally wrong. It did as well as the best waterproof liquid eyeliners I've used and much better than many others. I am definitely interested in trying the other colors in this line now and there are some really really beautiful ones. The full size does not have that much more product than this sample so I would say on a price per unit basis? This is quite an expensive eyeliner but considering how well it lasts? It's definitely worth a full sized purchase or two or more...!

WHY I CANCELLED MY TOPBOX SUBSCRIPTION:
So, now that the review part is over, I'd like to share a little more of my thoughts on Topbox in general. Before I go on, please note that many subscribers are more than happy with their subscriptions and this is just my opinion.

Some months are better than others, some months have products of higher value or more interest to a particular subscriber than others. I understand all that. But the main reason I cancelled my subscription was how unfair they were amongst their subscriber base. Here are several examples:

Twice they offered an additional free product for pickup at Holt Renfrew. The card indicated it was "while supplies last". I passed on the first but when I went to the Bloor location for the second, the associate had no idea what a Topbox was, much less that there was a free gift pickup. A second associate knew about it but told me they only received 15 and all were gone the first day. Fifteen when they have hundreds of subscribers in Toronto alone? I work a five minute walk from this location but what about those who went out of their way? If you're out of it by the first day and it was offered to subscribers only? Then you supplied way too little. I was also disappointed they chose Holts. Both freebies were big enough to fit in the box so this was purely a way to get subscribers in store. But if you're going to do that? Be fair and pick a place that the vast majority of your subscriber can access. How many Holt Renfrew locations are there in Canada versus Shoppers Drug Mart or The Bay?

They also offered a pick-up only for additional Lise Watier samples at Shoppers Drug Mart. Sounds greatm right? Well, it was only for a handful of locations in Toronto. Again, what about everyone else across the country! Everyone pays the same amount so why 3 offers that were all Toronto-centric or exclusive? Of those Torontoians, a few came back and said that associates had no idea about the offer. Topbox's Facebook response? Oh, we talked to them now so try again tomorrow. Is it just me or is that just a little disrespectful of their subscribers time? To make matters worse, some subscribers printed off the offer coupon and obtained like 10-15 of these boxes to sell on Kijiji whereas many honest subscribers went out of their way only to leave empty handed.

Aside from this unfairness in terms of geographic location or number of extra samples available, I find their boxes way too varied and unfair. If this month's 20+ different boxes are not an indication enough! They claim their boxes are customized but their monthly surveys are so generic it's hard to know how it feeds into the results. Every month, a number of members will indicate that they hate perfume but received that instead of the eyeliner someone else received or vice versa. Or they received a product for color treated hair or oily skin and they have natural hair or dry skin.

On that note, they also "reuse" samples. This happens every. single. month. They'll send some subscribers one product as it if were "customized" for them then send the same sample to other subscribers in other months. I've asked them and they said it's because their suppliers wanted them to share with a larger customer base. But really, I can't help but think they are working more for their vendors than their subscribers, not customizing as they claim, and also padding up their boxes when they are short on new samples.

Their response via email and on Facebook is always super pleasant and polite but sometimes that's maddening. You don't receive true answers, just fluff like "We're sorry, please email us and we'll help!" or "We hope you like the next one!" It sounds like great customer service the first time or two but after a while, it gets old and you really start wishing for some substance and change.

A LITTLE BIT ABOUT HOW BEAUTY BOXES MAKE MONEY!
I'm also hesitant to subscribe to beauty boxes again now that I know how they make their money. Did you know that they not only receive all their products for free but in most cases, receive instructions from the supplier how who they should provide the samples to? Perhaps. Did you know that the profiles and monthly surveys you complete also go to the suppliers as market research?

If you're alright with this and see the $10-15 a month as a service for bringing samples to you instead of having to visit stores and asking (something I hate doing!), then no problem. But after learning about the industry, I feel uncomfortable paying for these company's marketing and market research when I don't always get exactly what I want. I'd rather take that money and purchase products I choose to purchase. The company is making money and I am receiving a product I've decided on. Whereas in this case, the company makes money, the middle man makes money, and only sometimes I receive a product or sample I want.

Sorry for the very very long blog post but this is my last one for Topbox and thus verbal diarrhea!

TOPBOX: September 2012

I'm not going to post about last month's Topbox even though I received one. August was preparing for our roadtrip, going on roadtrip, then recovering from roadtrip so I decided to take a break from the blogosphere. Plus, there's a number of great reviews out there already!

September's Topbox came last week and consisted of 4-5 items, depending on how you count it.

 

The items were:

1) 30ml bottle of Philosophy Purity Facial Cleanser
2) 4ml tube of L'Essense by Balenciaga
3) 5ml pot of M.Asam Perfect Skin Primer 
4) 3g tube of Benefit They're Real Mascara

As with May 2012's Topbox, this box also included a voucher to redeem at Holt Renfrew for a complimentary make up bag. I guess you could call it a fifth item but....I wouldn't.

I didn't redeem last time even though I work down the street from one of Holt's locations. To be honest, I find these vouchers bit of a cop out. Why not just include the makeup bag in the box? Even if it doesn't fit, the same excuse can't be said for May's offer of a nail file. Also, it seems really unfair. I am sure that there are MANY subscribers who don't redeem them because they either don't have time and/or live too far away. Topbox is country-wide yet there are only 10 Holt's locations - 3 of which are in Toronto. Plus, it's while supplies last.

The actual products that came in the box seemed anemic upon reveal. Usually the box is a little more stuffed. But as we all know with cosmetics, size and price don't always add up!

So what's the math?

 The full size Philosophy cleanser is $26 for 240ml (also comes in 90ml for $13), the full sized Balenciaga is $150 for 75ml (also comes in 50ml for $110), the full size M.Asam primer is $42 for 50ml, the full sized Benefit mascara is $29 for 8.5g.

Based on a unit price calculation, the cleanser is worth $3.25, the perfume is worth $8, the primer is worth $4.20, the mascara is worth is worth $10.24. $3.25 + $8 + $4.20 + $10.24 = $25.69

1) 30ml bottle of Philosophy Purity Facial Cleanser
I've heard so much about this cleanser and have heard raves from close friends and bloggers alike but for some reason, I've never even though to ask for a sample at Sephora. So I was really glad to receive this. Plus, travel sized skincare is always useful for trips, especially brief ones with only a tote in tow.

This cleanser has only a slight scent. It's thicker consistency than a gel but thinner than a foam/cream style. Also, there's no grit in this. All in all, a very gentle cleanser although I would still recommend something from La Roche Posay or Cetaphil if you're prone to windburn and eczema breakouts in the cooler weather.

Purity did a pretty good job of removing all face makeup and most of my waterproof mascara. It didn't take it all off but then again, I've yet to come across one that does (I'm not even sure you'd want something that can take off waterproof mascara, though. Think what that's doing to your skin!).

That being said, I wouldn't buy this cleanser again. The price is not bad as some drugstore cleansers are in the teens for 100-150ml and this one is $13 for 120ml (when you buy the larger size). But for me, this one didn't particularly stand out from all the rest. And with so much product in my existing stash, something either has to be absolutely standout, a great deal, or both for me to purchase it.

2) 4ml tube of L'Essense by Balenciaga
 When I first put this on, I thought I was wearing Hermès Kelly Calèche. Which although I have to be in the right mood for, I do actually love. Although L'Essence is a more intense offshoot of Balenciaga's Balenciaga Paris, it has less of a "leather" note than the Hermès. Still, it is a bold fragrance and for those who are more used to say, Marc Jacobs Daisy, this may be just too much. It does smell very French if that's possible. Like something a woman in her 30's-40's who wears crisp white shirts, tailored pants, but beautiful lace lingerie would wear. There's definitely that juxtaposition of feminine and sexy versus strong and masculine. To give you an idea, here are the notes in this scent: vetiver, patchouli, violet, violet leaf, green notes, sandalwood and cedar.

I think this is a very generous tube (about 1/2 the size of most rollerballs tubes) and will last me quite a while. I just wish samples came in spray bottles or mini rollerballs instead of tubes with a stopper though but that's not specific to Topbox or Balenciaga.

3) 5ml pot of M.Asam Perfect Skin Primer 
I've never heard of this brand before but upon some research, it seems to be a TV shopping brand that originates from Germany. It's currently offered on HSN.com (Home Shopping Network) for $30US.

The primer is silky and a translucent white color although it goes on clear. I would say the consistency is very much like Clarin's Instant Smooth Perfecting Touch Primer. The finish is matte and it does minimize pores but I don't think it's worth the price because it's nothing special. I would rather spend less than half the $42CDN price tag on something from the drugstore that works just as well.

4) 3g tube of Benefit They're Real Mascara
Benefit made big hoopla over this mascara when it first came out with Sephora appearances, email blasts, etc. But when I realized it was not waterproof (the only kind that holds a curl for me) nor had fibres (because I'm addicted to this innovation!), I was less excited. I was glad to see this in the box though as I am curious to try it. As expected, this didn't hold a curl for me.

No photos of the brush but it's similar to CoverGirl's Last Blast, which seems to be a holy grail for many. The sample brush seems quite big for the tube; I suspect it might be the same size as the full tube. I hate sample mascaras with teeny tiny brushes that tell you nothing about how the real deal would perform so this was a pleasant surprise. The brush really coats each lash with carbon black mascara, thickening and lengthening dramatically. I like the formul as wel - it's wet but not runny, almost like a gel. I wouldn't be buying a full size since it doesn't hold a curl for me but I will use this tube to apply a second coat over my usual.

All in all, I was pleasantly surprised with this month's Topbox. While the dollars & cents aren't high in this box and the box itself wasn't stuffed full of goodies, what was actually included were all items I would put to use. I hate months when half the samples just go into the junk pile.

Looking forward to next month!

TOPBOX: June 2012

June' s box came with the following items:

1) Full sized Bread & Butter Daily Face Cleanser
2) 2x 4.7ml samples of All Soft Argan-6 Multi-care Oil for Dry/Brittle Hair
3) 3.5ml tube of Stila Forever Your Curl Curl Memory Mascara
4) Sample tube of Pari Beauty Precious Glow Eyeshadow Primer / Intensifier
5) 3x 1.5ml packets of Garnier Miracle Skin Perfector BB Cream in Light
6) 56ml Simple Eye Makeup Remover

A little card was added to the box indicating that in addition to the 4 deluxe samples, we'd also be getting some drugstore samples. The drugstore samples are the Simple makeup remover and Garnier BB cream - there is no further information regarding them on the product card that comes with each month's package.

There is no retail price listed for the cleanser but to give you an idea, it comes in a kit of 3 products for $35 and as an addition to the kit for $7. The Garnier packets are the type you can remove from magazine pages so I wouldn't really put a price on that. The makeup remover retails $7.97 online at Wal-Mart for 125ml.

Based on a unit price calculation, the hair oil is worth $4.04, the mascara is worth $14.93, the makeup remover $3.57.

I won't do an addition this month as there's not enough information on half the products. However, very approximate unit values put it at around $35 worth.

I'd say you get your money's worth but obviously not as much as last month's box.

**On a sidenote, I've checked out other blogger's June box and there are some similarities but some differences. One thing I noticed in particular was that most of the "different" products other bloggers received were things I received in previous months. I'm not sure how I feel about that - it seems it's less customization and trying out "new" products and instead just....fill the boxes with what we have in our storage and a particular subscriber hasn't received yet. What do you think?





FULL SIZE Bread & Butter Daily Face Cleanser - Full size 90ml in a kit of 3 products for $35 or as an add-on for $7
This was originally marketed as an item for the man in our life. The option was shave gel or cleanser. Since I'm greedy, I decided to get this for myself. This is a very light cleanser with what appears to be rice particles about the size of fine sand grains.

I've never heard of this brand before but a quick search shows that it's Toronto based and has been in a number of pubications like Nylon, Toronto Life, Fashion, Globe & Mail, etc. It's a unique business model. There are 6 products ranging from cleanser to moisturizer to lip balm. You can select a kit of 3 products for $35 or 5 products for $49. You then select the product combination (they give you recommendations depending on your needs) and they send you the items.

The products are marketed as non animal tested, bare bones, back to basics skincare. This cleanser has biodegradable exfolliants (I'm guessing the rice) and is free of fragrance, sodium laureth, parabens, and colors.

I have to admit, I didn't find anything interesting with the product itself. It still had a light rice-y scent but I believe that's natural but it just wasn't "fun". I like there to be some fragrance and/or color in my product although it's probably not good to admit such a thing these days.

I have this in my shower right now and will use it but I wouldn't purchase another one. I can see why people would like this though - natural or near-natural products are increasingly popular these days.

3.5ml Stila Forever Your Curl Curl Memory Mascara - Full size 6.8ml for $29
How is this high-end? This is about as good as the dollar mascaras from ELF and NYC. Which is to say....it's nothing but black paint on the lashes. It doesn't hold a curl, it doesn't volumize, it doesn't lengthen. Back to Maybelline and L'Oreal for me!

Pari Beauty Eyeshadow Primer / Intensifier in Precious Glow - Full size 10ml for $15
There is no size listed for this product but it's the exact same size as the Stila tube which is 3.5ml. I imagine there's a little more in a primer tube than mascara so let's say approx. 4ml in this tube.

This is an interesting product because it's marketed as both an eyeshadow primer and a highlighter. I see the two as completely different things - primer is meant for layering, highlighter goes on top. But I tried it out and it is very sheer so I can understand why it works as a "duo" product.

I didn't like it under eyeshadow but that's not product-specific. I like my primer clear so there's no color/shimmer affecting my eyeshadow. I do like how thing it is. It goes on liquid (slightly oily) but quickly dries and is non-stickly/oily on the lids.

I won't buy this again but I do appreciate getting this tube because it'll be great for traveling!



2x 4.7ml Redken All Soft Argan-6 Multi-care Oil for Dry/Brittle Hair - Full size $34.99 for 90ml
WOOHOO! This is one of my favourite lines. I love the smell of All Soft. I haven't used it for years as there's just been too many other products to try but I do love everything about All Soft so really glad to have received this. There's about 2-3 applications in each tube so I wish it was a resealable bottle (perhaps a small 10ml bottle with a twist or snap-top) that I could travel with. But regardless, it's a great product that I probably won't buy at the price so I'm glad to have some samples to play with.

56ml Simple Eye Makeup Remover - Full size 125ml for $7.97
The simple line is supposed to be gentle but this was a little too gentle - it took off my eyeshadow/eyeliner but barely removed my mascara. Although it looked oil-free in the bottle (no oil/water separation) and I wasn't expecting it to work well. I would say this is a great size for travelling but on trips I tend to use waterproof makeup. I think I'll keep this in my makeup drawer at work *yes, I have one!) as backup.

3 x 1.5ml Garnier Miracle Skin Perfector Daily All-in-one BB Cream in Light - Full size $19.99 for 75ml
I've tried this before and neither Light nor Medium really works for me - it's too pink. But light? I'm NC35-37 and Medium barely works for me. This doesn't seem customized at all. I haven't done swaps in a long time but am starting to build up a collection of samples that won't work for me so perhaps I'll get into that again.

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

This wasn't a very "deluxe" month. As in some previous months, the majority of products here are the type you can get for free very easily from a cosmetics counter. When I think deluxe, I think of products that are essentially travel sized. Big enough to use for a week or two but not enough to be a permanent roster in your makeup drawer - thus the need to purchase the full-sized version.

However, I actually really enjoy this month's box. Every single product was something I am actually interested in and will use.

Can't wait to see what next month's box brings!

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.

TOPBOX: April 2012

Sorry, this one is way overdue as I was out of the country for a couple weeks in April and when I got home, I was distracted by ohhh.....life?

But here it is anyway:




April's box came with the following items:

1) Full sized Misa nail polish in Satin Slippers
2) 30ml Bella Pella lotion in Tropical Flowers
3) 2ml Lise Watier HydraSmart 3D Hydration Tinted Veil
4) 7.5ml Benefit The POREfessional PRO Balm
5) Dab card sample of Cargo blu_ray Pressed Powder

The full sized nail polish is $8.99. Based on a unit price calculation, the lotion is $2.70, tinted veil $1.76, balm is $11.63.

$8.99+$2.70+$1.76+$11.63=$25.08. I left out the pressed powder because I can't imagine that has enough product to even be calculated!

This month's worth dollar-wise is quite poor but let's move on to the review to see if it's worth anything product-wise...




FULL SIZE Misa Nail Lacquer in Satin Slippers - Full size 15ml for $8.99M
So boring. This color/finish reminds me of 80's and 90's. It's pretty sheer and streaky on the fingers, too. I love that this is "personalized". What??? What did I say to give away penchant for frosty streaky nails?? Maybe someone with a paler skin tone would enjoy this but my tanned yellow-toned skin is just not the canvas for this color.

30ml Bella Pella Body Lotion in Tropical Flowers - Full size 175ml for $15.95
I can't stop smelling this. The scent is quite strong so this is definitely love it or hate it. It reminds me of Hawaii! It goes on as a lotion but some might find it a little greasy. Consistency is the same as Bath & Body Works lotions but lasts slighty longer. I'm really tempted to buy the full size once I run out of this and the other scents on their website sound great. Also thumbs up for beijing a Canadian-based animal-friendly company.


2ml Lise Watier HydraSmart 3D Hydration Tinted Veil - Full size 40ml for $35
I'm loving this! There doesn't seem to be a color listed so maybe it's one-color-suits-most? Either way, the color is actually perfect for my NC35-37 skin. This seems to be marketed to those interested in tinted moisturizers and BB creams. I really like that it feels like a non-greasy moisturizer but has enough coverage to be a light foundation. The price isn't too bad either at 40ml instead of the usual 30ml for most foundation products. I'd consider buying this again.

7.5ml Benefit The POREfessional PRO Balm - Full size 22ml for $34
I already have the fullsized version of this product - read my review here.. Glad I received this as a sample because it will be perfect for travel!

Dab card sample of Cargo blu_ray Pressed Powder
I think these dab card samples really useless. Especially when they come cracked. There's also no further info on the product - it's just listed as the "sponsor" for this month's box. What does that even mean? This achieves nothing...there's no info for this product (what shade was provided, volume/cost of full sized product, etc.)

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

I'd say this was a fairly good box as it gave me the opportunity to try two products I'm interested in repurchasing at full size/price (the whole point of these, right?) and a travel-sized version of something I already own and like.

I just wish when they try to "personalize", they actually get it right. So far, they haven't. If the monthly survey questions could ask more explicit questions like, "do you prefer dark or light nail polish colors?", "is your skin too dry or too oily?", "which foundation products are in your daily routine: concealer, liquid foundation, powder, all, none?" that would help.

May's review is in the works! I should have it up later today

TOPBOX: March 2012

This is long overdue but better late than never, right?





The March topbox came in the same packaging as before. Can I just say...the packaging is getting a little boring? I love the tube mailer but they need to make the outside wrapping a little more exciting!

As for the inside, it's always packaged with purple crinkle confetti and tissue paper to keep the products from jostling around. A card describes each product and indicates their full size and price. An extra note was included this time in celebration of their semi-anniversary.





In this month's box:

1) Two duopacks of Redken Color Extend Shampoo & Conditioner - 10ml each
2) Make Up Forever Smoky Lash Mascara in Extra Black - 3ml
3) simple Face Cleansing Cloths - 7 cloths
4) mark. by Avon Gloss Gorgeous Stay On Lip Stain - 1.5g (FULL SIZE)
5) mark. by Avon Nailed It Trend Mini Nail Lacquers - 2 x 2.7ml (FULL SIZE)

The full sized mark. gloss and nail polish set are $12 and $8. Based on a unit price calculation, 7 pieces of cleansing cloth is worth $3.08, 3ml of mascara is worth $10.29, 20ml of shampoo is worth $1, 20ml of conditioner is worth $1.36.

$12+$8+$3.08+$10.29+$1+$1.36=$35.71 Not as good as last time based on this calculation BUT this is actually one of my favourite boxes!

This month wasn't high on the "premium" brands which is a tad disappointing as that's one of the main reasons to offer a beauty box, right? Give subscribers an opportunity to not only try new brands but products that are too pricey for most to purchase without sampling.

However, I'm still a super happy camper because each item in this month's box actually interests me and is something I'll use (save for the MUFE mascara as I already have a sample size of).











FULL SIZE mark. by Avon Gloss Gorgeous Stay On Lip Stain - Full size 1.5g for $12
LOVE this! I'll have to take some time and look into selling this mark. line. A few ladies at work sell Avon but it's never really interested me. Based on this and the nail polish though? I wouldn't mind tooting the horn of products that I will actually use myself. This is a really new interesting product on the market. Yves Saint Lauren's version -Rouge Pur Couture - goes for $34!! It goes on as a gloss and dries down as a stain. The best of both worlds!

The product is dispensed via click pen top, which I like a lot better than the twist style (think Stila and ELF lip glazes) as those often shoot out way too much product. The click seems to dispense less product each time although it takes quite a number of clicks to get product out initially - I thought was empty at first.

Bella Bella is beautiful and such a wearable color. I'm medium-yellow toned but I think it'll be gorgeous on a variety of skintones. I'm definitely interesting in purchasing other colors now.

3ml Make Up Forever Smoky Lash Mascara in Extra Black - Full size 7ml for $24
I didn't test this as I already have a sample but this is a great mascara. It really does create a very soot black thick lashed look. I only ever use waterproof mascara as it holds a curl better but sample sizes only come up every once in a blue moon. For that reason, I personally wouldn't repurchase the full size but I wouldn't be surprised it others do after trying this!





7-piece simple Face Cleansing Cloths - Full size 25-piece for $10.99
I saw these at Walmart recently and had my eye on the cleansing clothes. I'm always up for trying new ones as I use them pretty much every day. They are an absolute godsend for airplane rides, camping, and post motorcycle rides. This one claims to remove waterproof mascara and it does, completely! Granted, it's not as fast or gentle as makeup remover but it's more than I can say for other clothes I've used including Pond's, Garnier, Olay, etc. The cloth is also thicker than most which means it doesn't stretch or rip, nor do you feel like your finger tips are doing the actual cleaning. This is a 100% definite repurchase for me.

FULL SIZE mark. by Avon Nailed It Trend Mini Nail Lacquers - Full size 2 x 2.7ml for $8
I LOVE these! After purchasing a few Essence nail polishes recently, I've really gotten into the smaller sizes. It's hard to finish nail polish when you have so many and I hate traveling with several full sized bottles. These little duos in complimentary colors are perfect for fingers and toes!

I tried the colors on my fingers and they're just beautiful. A stunning metallic violet and a pretty pale lilac. The wear is quite good on these, too. I didn't notice a difference between it and some of my salon-brand polishes.



2 x 2 10ml packs of Redken Color Extend Shampoo & Conditioner - Full size shampoo 300ml for $15, conditioner 250ml for $17
I've used every version of Redken shampoo by now - All Soft, Extreme, Smoothdown, Color Extend, etc. and haven't had an issue with any of them. My favourites are All Soft and Extreme. Color Extend didn't wow me anymore than drugstore versions so I wouldn't buy it at full price. However, I'm really glad to receive these as it's hard to find travel-sized products for color treated hair.

Overall, March was a really good month. In the past few months Topbox's facebook page had received requests to stop sending out lotions and cheap peel-aways samples and start sending out nail polishes and other product types they haven't offered before.

It really sounds like they're making the effort and I'm now excited to see what April brings! I'm keeping my subscription for now.

Did you receive any subscription beauty boxes this month? What did you get? Did you enjoy your surprises?

TOPBOX: February 2012

The February Topbox will be my third month subscribing to them. Unlike my box from last month, February brought two full-sized items. However, I'm still on the fence about continuing my subscription.

First, here's what I received:





1) Full sized C.Booth Anti-aging Handcream
2) Full sized Pari eyeshadow in a "personalized" color
3) 3ml sample tube of YSL Mascara
4) Postcard dab sample of YSL Touche Eclat Concealer
5) 2 3ml sample packets of LillyPilly lotions

A quick calculation shows that the YSL mascara is worth $16, 2 x LillyPilly creme is worth $0.88, full sized Pari eyeshadow is $11, full size C.Booth lotion is $16. I didn't include the YSL Touch Eclat dab sample as that can't be anything other than free...

So $16+$0.88+$11+$16=$43.88. Not bad! I do think it's overinflated as volume based calculation can be deceiving - the size of the YSL mascara and LillyPilly creme samples are the type you can get for free just by asking at a beauty counter or as part of a gift-with-purchase offer.

However, even at $27, you're definitely making your $11.30 (after tax) back...provided you will actually use the products.

Now that we've done the math, let's get on with the overview of February's box, shall we?

Note that I only receives these items Thursday night so this is just based on a couple uses of each



Full sized C.Booth Anti-aging Hand & Nail Treatment - Full Size 120ml for $16
This is a nice hand lotion that's not too greasy but still moisturizing. It doesn't blow me away. It's no holy grail. But I do appreciate the large size because I go through hand lotion like a bulldozer during the winter months.

I care about anti-aging but not so much my hands so honestly, I'm not really interested in this particular product but more so the type of product it is.

I have to say, I would have liked to received something more interesting to sample though. For me, these boxes are a way to try interesting new brands or types of products that would appeal to me but that I've never had the opportunity to try. It's not to receive products that I "need" because that's boring. That's like receiving a pair of functional nude undies from the significant other. Yeah, you need it but let's leave the boring necessities for self purchasing and the lacy racy number as a gift, am I right ladies?



Full sized Pari Eyeshadow in E54 - Full Size 2g for $11
According to their website, Pari does not test on animals. They are dedicated to color and "mineral" makeup. They also "try to use 100% recyclable packaging and the finest quality ingredients available.". Honestly? To me, that sounds like a load of B to the S. What does "try" really mean? Are your products 100% recyclable and using quality ingredients or only 50% or 25% or 1%...

It certainly doesn't sell me on the brand but since mineral makeup isn't a criteria for me, I'm still game to try it out.

In the pan, E54 reminds me of MAC Trax eyeshadow. It looks almost bronze or reddish in the packaging but after swiping, it definitely is a plummy purple with gold shimmer although less pearly/shimmery. It's a beautiful multidimensional color in the pan. Unfortunately, it does not perform anywhere near MAC when applied. The formula, like many mineral eyeshadows I've tried, is chalky. It has bad color payoff when applied to unprimed lids and is difficult to blend. Pari recommends priming the lid first but that doesn't say anything to the product quality itself as primer can pretty much make any horrible eyeshadow show up!

The price is higher than drugstore single pans but the quality is actually worse. This is not a line I'd be interested in based on this eyeshadow and also how they describe their environmental/ethical efforts.

2 sample packets of LillyPilly lotions - Full Size $22 for 150ml
Not a fan. It's not so bad I wouldn't use it in a pinch but this is no better than the other drugstore lotions. It's a light lotion and in a very short amount of time (literally 15 minutes or so!), I need to reapply. I would use something of this consistency in the summer but winter? It's pretty much useless. Last month we received the Tea Tree version and this month it's Kakadu Plum. Honestly, seems like only the scent is different. Will not repurchase the full price version.



Sample tube of YSL Volume Effect Faux Cils Mascara - Fill Size $36 for 6ml
First, the formula was really dry. It was more like a thick cream than a liquid. As I applied, little flakes/chunks attached to my lashes and also fell out of the tube. However, it is very dramatic. It provides a jet black matte coat to each lash, a very thick coat after only a couple swipes. Unfortunaetly, I have fine and somewhat sparse lashes so this just emphasized that. I think this mascara would be great for someone who wants that "kawaii" look with heavy doll like lashes or someone who has dense but fine lashes. It does not hold a curl but neither does it straighten your lashes like some mascara I've tried. However, it does smudge. I worn it to the gym for an hour long run as the sweat from that would be equivalent to a hot summer day. My undereye area was gray from the mascara.

The L'Oreal and Maybelline mascaras I purchase for around $5 on sale are way better than this. Over $40 after tax for a tube of mascara that doesn't perform as well and has to be thrown away in approx. 6 months? No thanks.

Postcard dab sample of YSL Touche Eclat Concealer - Full Size $50 for 3ml
According to Sephora, there's only 0.1z of this product in each tube. Which makes it $50 for just less than 3ml of product. The price itself is utterly ridiculous, IMO, even if the product works. This dab sample saddens me. What is the point of it?! There is too much product for a concealer that should be used very sparingly but you can't reseal it because as soon as the little dab tab is lifted, it's a goner.

Secondly, I received color #2 which would probably work for someone around the NC20-25 range. I'm around the NC35-37 and this made me look like Nicole Kidman in that infamous white undereye powder pic.

Lastly, you can request one of these sample cards pretty much anywhere so it honestly seemed like a filler product to me.

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

As you may recall, last month I received a sample of Benefit's Benetint and it was about 1/2 full. I checked other blogs and it was indeed an error because other photos showed full tubes. I decided not to use it since it seemed to have been opened already.

I posted the error on their facebook and was told I would receive another one in this month's box but I did not receive it.

As for this month's products? I have two pieces of constructive criticism:

1) Variety - I received two lotions in a row. Some people received two full sized lotions in a row. Perhaps if I indicated hand care as a priority, offer a lotion one month and a scrub the next. Both hand-related but different. But two large lotions in a row seems unimaginative and not a good way to really "sample" beauty products.

2) Sufficient amount of product - Dab samples like the ones you can pull out of a magazine have so little product it seems cheap to include them as part of a paid subscription box. It also doesn't provide enough product for the subscriber to really determine if its good enough to repurchase.

Full sized products are always a treat but if including them is taking away from Topbox's ability to provide a great variety of products? I would rather they nix full-sized items than go with cheap "freebie" sized samples.

So the conclusion is...I'm going to stay with Topbox for another month to see if they've improved on their offerings but if March doesn't blow me away, I might try out Glymm, Luxe Box, or the newly arrived GlossyBox instead.

Do you subscribe to Topbox or another one? What did you received? Were you pleased?

TOPBOX: January 2012

The first Topbox of the year has arrived! Check it the January 2012 Topbox below:











January 2012's Topbox features 4 sample-sized items - a dry shampoo from Principessa, wet shampoo from Shu Uemura, Benetint from Benefit Cosmetics, and Hand/Body Cream from LillyPilly.



I can't decide if I'm interested in this product or not. Dry shampoo has received so much hype in the past couple years but I have to admit, I'm still a little scared of trying out this concept. This powder looks like very finely milled cocoa powder and has a very light and pleasant scent (perhaps from the aloe and chamomile?). Maybe I'll try it in a couple days when it's time for a hair wash.





I had a bottle of Benetint a long time ago but swapped it away. It was hard to use on the cheeks (how the heck do you essentially watercolor your checks and get it to blend?!) but I did like it on my lips as a stain under lip balm. It also has a pretty rose scent.



I am a little disappointed at how small it is, though. The vial is about the size of a perfume sample but if you look at the photo below, it's only about 1/3 full! I mean, come on. 1/3 of a sample sized vial is a little stingy, no?

The tube of Shu Uemura Illuminating Shampoo below is quite a generous sample though (75ml!). Unfortunately, it's not something I'm really interested in on its own. I wish they had provided a smaller tube but along with conditioner. The musk scent is pretty though. I'll try it out once or twice but I imagine it'll be going into the travel-sized tupperware box for future travels.



This tube if hand/body creme with tea tree extract really interested me. I've been wanting to try a tea tree product since the Body Shop ones seem so popular and smell quite nice. It's also kind of cool to receive a product from Australia. The size is perfect for the various places I have stocked with lotion - office, purse, kitchen, bathroom, bedside, car, and the list goes on! I have very dry hands in the winter and can't live without moisturizer.

I was hoping this would be a true hand creme - very thick consistency and super moisturizing. Unfortunately, it's more light a light body lotion and does not last long. In fact, it's only been a few hours since we got home and I've already used this about four times!



All in all, I was satisfied with this month's top box. And by satisfied, I mean just satisfied. I really liked that they made the effort to cater to me with the dry shampoo specifically for darker hair and moisturizer product.

However, I was disappointed that the products in this month's box were all sample size including one very tiny sample of Benetint. This is coming off of last month's box which included a full-sized Cargo lipgloss worth $26 and samples of expensive products from Dr. Brandt, Skinceuticals, and CoverFX.

Oh well! Hopefully Topbox is starting off slow but will get better as the months go by. I'm not cancelling yet as this is only my second one but I'll be curious to see what Glymm and Luxe Box offered this month.

EDITED TO ADD: I think my Benefit vial is only half full. A quick search of other blogger reviews show photos of an almost full vial. If that's the case, I take back what I said about the sample being too small. Seems more like I just got a lemon!

Storage for Perfume & Brushes

It's been difficult taking photos and writing posts because it's dark before we leave work and when we return each day. I'm also just so drained after work, I can't do anything but laze around and add to these 10 pounds I've already put on since our wedding last spring. And weekends? Well, those are reserved for driving to Home Depot, Walmart, Winners, Canadian Tire, and various other places to purchase home related paraphernalia.

What I mean to say by that long winded start is....this is going to be a quick post. Just wanted to share one of my great finds at Winners last week.



I was hesitant to buy these and almost passed them up! I was afraid they'd look cheap and I wasn't sure how much of an improvement they'd make to my perfume collection, which had previously been shoved together in a cardboard perfume gift set lid doubling as a tray.

I am so glad I went ahead and got them. They are a significant improvement over the previous storage solution and actually looks quite clean and elegant, in my opinion. They're just big enough to hold most of my perfume collection (I have a few more under the sink which I think is a hint that I may have too much...or is even that possible?) and the clear sides make these trays seem to take up less space than the cardboard tray I used previously.

Best part was the price. They were only $5.99 for a pack of 2!! I've seen them at other stores for up to $10-15 each.

PS: My January Topbox just shipped and I should receive it by Monday at the latest. Can't wait!! Expect a post the minute I receive it!

TOPBOX: December 2011

I got my very first Topbox in the mail today! I put in my order mid-November and the website indicated that Dec-Feb boxes had sold out so my first one would be March 2012. But a few days ago, I received an email that my December one was coming soon. Yesterday I received an email that it was shipped and today it arrived! Talk about FAST delivery (granted, it did only originate in Scarborough...).



I like that Topbox is just wrapped in brown paper. I hate when companies put box inside box inside box. It's so wasteful because most of the time, the packaging is more than sturdy enough on its own.



The Topbox tube is a thick heavyweight cardboard wrapped in pretty paper. The items inside are wrapped in tissue paper with some black crinkly confetti (not shown).



A little pamphlet indicates the items included in December's box. 1 ligloss, 1 primer, 1 face serum, 1 eye serum. With a calculation, the 7ml primer is worth $10.50, the 2.5ml eye serum is worth $10.83, and eyeballing the face serum at approx. 2ml would be worth $5.20.

$25+$10.50+$5.20+$10.83=$53.53

Topbox costs $11.30 after tax and this December's products are worth over $50!



I have so many primers I don't think I'll be taking advantage of the 1000 bonus Shopper's Optimum points for the full-sized CoverFX primer. But I love that they include this coupon. I mentioned the Optimum points program in my previous post and for a huge fan of the program like myself? This is just as good as a $ off coupon if not better!



So what do I think of the items I received this month?

To be honest, I was disapointed at first. After seeing the full size Cake hand cream and Deborah Lippmann nail polish in November, this seemed like such a small mailing. But then I realized that all 3 items were me.

My face is so dry in the winter months, add to that major stress at work and my face is a mess - dryness, undereye circles, fine lines, you name it! The Dr. Brandt Collagen Eye Serum and Skinceuticals Hydrating B5 Gel are welcomed samples aka. tote around in purse for emergency dosing!

I also seem to have this obsession with primers so I'm happy to try out yet another one.



As for the Cargo lipgloss? The color doesn't look like much in the tube but it is so flattering on!

It's light and glossy which seems to me more of a summer formula but it's also such a my-lips-but-better shade that would be perfect with pretty much any makeup look. Therefore, it's being added to my collection of "leave-it-anywhere" glosses - you know, those ones that seem to work with everything and therefore can and should be left in the car, house, purse, work desk, and perhaps even on the floor where your husband may accidentally step on it and curse?

Overall, I'm quite pleased with this month's box.

A box with only samples probably won't get my attention since you can get great and free samples at most beauty counters just by asking or purchasing something else. But to be honest, I'll be pretty pleased with any box that comes with at least 1 full sized item and several samples.