TOPBOX: December 2013 [regular]

another quick post for you today since i am not excited about this December box. this is the first December 2013 box i've opened and it does not meet my holiday expectations at all! (yes, it's true, i've got a stash of unopened beauty boxes in a corner still.)

but come to think of it, it looks like i was disappointed last year as well - see December 2012.

maybe Topbox just doesn't like celebrating holidays?

anyway,

the Regular December 2013's box included:

1) Belvada Cosmetics Coconut Lip Butter

it does not look like much thought was put into the packaging of this product. Belvada simply stuck a sticker on a little brown tub. i can't find this on the website (the site doesn't even have a section for lips - just Eyes, Skin Care and Nails) so i am not sure if they are even selling this lip butter.

i don't usually like dipping my fingers in to use any type of lip product but the coconut smelt nice so i did. i dabbed it on my lips with my pinky finger and now my lips smell good. 

size: N/A

retail value: $10 (10 mL)

2) Cuccio Colour Nail Lacquer in "6029 Moscow Red Square"

the shade is a nice festive shimmery red shade. truth is i already own a whole bunch of festive colors and won't be cracking this open. let me know if you are interested in taking this off my hands!

the right pic is a better representation of the color

size: 13 mL (full size!)

retail value: $10

3) Estée Lauder Pure Color Intense Kajal EyeLiner Duo in "01 Blackened Black/02 Blackened Cocoa" 

my favorite item in the box. i like an intense liner and pencils usually don't give me that effect but i am pleased with this one. both colors are perfect if you want a dark and pigmented eyeliner. it is also very soft and does not pull on the eyelids. BUT sadly, the downside is that it smudges quite easily... as in i wore it on both my upper and lower lids and i looked like a raccoon at the end of the night. i didn't know that eyeliner could migrate that far onto my cheek area.

it says on the eyeliner that it is not for individual sale - i am guessing this was part of a gift set or something but "Blackened Black" and "Blackened Cocoa" are both sold individually for $25.

size: N/A

retail value: $26 (for another Eyeliner Duo or $25 for a full-sized of each color)

4) Wella Professionals Thermal Image Heat Protection Spray

another item up for sale! just because i don't use enough hair styling tools. but like all Wella products, this smells great.

size: 150 mL (full size!)

retail value: $14

and that's it. how did you feel about Topbox ending the year with this box?

BEAUTY BOX 5: November 2013

happy valentine's day and happy family day weekend! 

i am so glad for long weekends. i am exhausted! think i need to book a massage appointment asap. 

i hope you guys are enjoying your long weekend!

i know some people think valentine's day is just plain silly (my boyfriend included) but i can't help but feel the love when he sent flowers to my work and when my creative little sister created this pretty paper rose in a mason jar! my desk never look so purdddyy!

so yes, it's February but i'm going to take this long weekend to get in a blog post or two... i'm wrapping up the November boxes so slowly, but surely... we can get through it!

November's "prep. primp. sparkle" box:

1) Aveeno Positively Nourishing Calming Body Wash
smells lovely but keeps leaking for some reason...

size: 59 mL
retail value: $6.99 (473 mL)

2) Montagne Jeunesse Glacial Clay Spa in "Crushed Arctic Cloudberries"
i've seen plenty of these at Wal-Mart but haven't actually tried one before.

size: 1 mask (full size!)
retail value: $2.49

3) Blum Naturals Oil Absorbing Facial Tissues
i received these before in my June 2012 box... i emailed BB5 about this but i never heard back. oh well, guess i'll let it slide this time since i get greasy foreheads everyday by like 2 pm!

size: 50 sheets (full size!)
retail value: $2.99

4) Be a Bombshell Cosmetics Eye Crayon in "Scandalous"
"Scandalous", 'a unique blend of metallic black and gold'. as the swatches show, it is a very soft black with some gold shimmer.
left swatch is in natural light; right is with flash.

promotion: 30% off purchase online before Nov 30, 2013 [expired]
size: 2.5 g (full size!)
retail value: $14

5) Bellapierre Cosmetics Shimmer Powder in "Penny"
i think i am getting too many of these Shimmer Powders in very similar colors... "Penny" is the color of penny (copper)  - which, in case you didn't know, are no longer produced in Canada. i obviously still have a ton - when do you think they will be worth something (more than a penny)?? haha

promotion: 50% off Get The Look Kits online before Nov 30, 2013 [expired]
size: 2.35 g (full size!)
retail value: $14.99

and here is the whole November box. body wash and one-use face masks? seems like we are returning to the old BB5 days... and i've received the exact same oil blotting sheets before and similar shimmer powders so all in all, it was a rather boring box.

IPSY BAG: November 2013

still playing catch up! when will i ever get there??

work has been busy busy busy! lots of year-end stuff to do as well as prepare for an audit.
also, happy chinese new year! i spent the day visiting a couple of temples, walked around a mall and just altogether, spending time with the family.

so as i try my best to catch up, here are my quick thoughts on the November "Glam It Up" bag for ipsy...

1) Be a Bombshell Lip Crayon in "Shameless" 

A glossy lip crayon with a smooth texture that is perfect for travel and touch-ups on the go.

this is described as a burgundy with shimmer. the shimmer is too much for me... it gives off a metallic-like look that i am not a fan of. scroll to the end for more swatches!

size: 2.5 g (full size!)

retail value: $14

promotion: 40% off online purchase and free lip gloss until Dec 15, 2013 [US only; expired]

2) Pixi Beauty Beauty Bronzer in "Subtly Suntouched"

This bronzing powder gives your complexion the warmth and luminosity of naturally sunkissed skin. Hydrating, silky-smooth & long-wearing, it also protects against free radicals. Contains Vitamin E to protect the skin and mica, which provides dense natural pigment.

"Subtly Suntouched" is medium honey tan - we all know how many bronzers i own right? well if you didn't, let's just say too (too too) many. although i've always wanted to try more Pixi products (always tempted by their display at Target), i feel like the price range for this makeup line is too high. maybe it's the shiny plastic packaging? 

size: 3.2 g (full size!)

retail value: $18

promotion: 25% off online purchase until Dec 15, 2013 [US only; expired]

3) EM Michelle Phan Lip Gallery Creamy Color Sheer Lipstick in "I'm Taken All Red-y" 

Inspired by the girl who believes less is more. A fresh tint of just right color for a dreamy pout. Lightweight, creamy texture with sheer, buildable color quality. Silky shine finish and conditioning comfort.

so this was the product that was highly anticipated with Michelle Phan's release of her makeup line. i like the idea of a sheer red lipstick since these can help ease the transition to a full red lip. oh and the name is quite cute. 

but

it looks red in the swatch below but in reality, it is more orange. it's light and shiny on the lips and since it is a sheer lipstick, you can easily remove it with a tissue. more swatches below!

size: 3.5 g (full size!)

retail value: $15

promotion: 30% off online purchase until Nov 30, 2013 [US only; expired]

4) HSI Professional Argan Oil Leave-In Hair Treatment

Discover HSI Professional Argan Oil, the product your hair needs for constant nourishment and incredible shine! The essential nutrients contained in this magic-in-a-bottle product are meant to give your hair a very healthy look, lots of shine and velvet smoothness. Use as a leave-in treatment conditioner, heat protectant or frizz tamer. Suitable for all hair types.

hair oils! that's another thing i have too much of... not much to say here since it's like all other hair oils to me. 

size: 5 mL

retail value: $29.99 (60 mL)

promotion: 50% off online purchase until Dec 20, 2013 [expired]

5) Nailtini Nail Lacquer in "127 Caviar Cocktail" 

Glamour is an attitude as much as a look, but that doesn't mean you shouldn't look the part...all the way down to your fingertips! Just in time for the year's most glamorous season, nailtini is serving ipsters gorgeous nails in two shimmering shades - icy golden Champagne and molten pewter Caviar Cocktail. The perfect finishing touch to glam it up head to toe!

is it weird to say that one of the colors i try to avoid wearing on my nails is grey? i don't know but i just find it a very unflattering color on me. Nailtini describes this pearly polish as a shimmering gunmetal grey. i am putting this in my give away/sell stash though. let me know if you are interested!

size: 15 mL (full size!)
retail value: $13
promotion: 50% off $25+ online purchase and free eyeliner until Dec 31, 2013 [US only; expired]

6) Starlooks Gem Eye Pencil in "GP06 Amethyst"
The Starlooks Gem Eye Pencils provide a magnificent metallic finish and are so versatile, soft, and creamy that they can be used as a liner or eyeshadow base! Each highly-pigmented, unique pencil has a gorgeous, micro-glitter finish.

this eye pencil is really pretty. "Amethyst" is a gorgeous light shimmery purple. it is very pigmented and goes on so smoothly. i like to use it on the inner corners of my eyes but just so you know, the glitter may migrate to your cheeks by the afternoon.

size: 2.4 g (full size!)
retail value: $14
promotion: 40% off online purchase until Dec 15, 2013 [expired]

again, ipsy with plenty of makeup items. i'm not blown away by everything here but mainly because i already have a ton of the same item (i.e. bronzer, hair oil). the Starlooks eye pencil was pretty impressive and the em sheer lipstick isn't bad either.

so yep! random Q - what are you guys hooked on watching these days? i was browsing Netflix and decided to start 'Sherlock'. just finished my first episode and so tempted to just watch another one but i have work tomorrow and each episode is like a movie... hahaha what to do!