IPSY BAG: December 2014

happy April Fools! i have never been a fan of lying since well, lies aren't usually nice. but harmless pranks on the other hand...
just a bit of fun in the office today, covering up the sensors on the bottom of the mouse on people's computers... teehee...
can you believe some property developer in BC posted on MARCH 31 that Disneyland purchased the rest of their land to develop a micro-park, the first in Canada?!
who in their right mind would play with the feelings of Disney enthusiasts like that!? on MARCH 31! not. funny.

ipsy's last 2014 bag was centered around being a "Creative Genius".

1) Cailyn : Just Mineral Eye Polish in "#5 Orchid"
Made with 100% raw mineral powder, this highly pigmented satiny powder not only colors your eyes with shimmery, gorgeous hues, but is also safe to wear long hours.
The easy to use built-in sponge tip allows smooth application and seamless blending of colors. Whether you want to give a subtle wash of color or go for dramatic smokey makeup, CAILYN Just Mineral Eye Polish will be a girl's best friend. size: 2.5 g (full size!)
retail value: $15.00

a few years ago, i would've been excited about a product like this but now all i see is a shimmery mess waiting to happen. the color "Orchid" (which i would have expected to be more a purple for some reason...) is a nice neutral shimmer.

2) Sexy Hair : 450° Blow Out Heat Defense Blow Dry Spray
Protect those tresses! Sexy Hair’s 450° Blow Out Heat Defense Blow Dry Spray protects hair from heat damage up to 450°F. In addition to outstanding thermal protection, it also conditions for smooth, sleek styles, detangles for improved manageability and strengthens hair. Helps to decrease blow dry time and adds weightless shine. size: 50 mL
retail value: $18.95 (125 mL)

i am horrible at remembering to put heat protectant prior to blow drying. i'm a fan of Sexy Hair though so i will try to incorporate this into my routine.

3) Tarte : Lights, Camera, Lashes 4-in-1 Mascara
Like a pushup bra for your lashes, tarte’s best-selling mascara lengthens, curls, volumizes and conditions to deliver a 330% increase in lash volume instantly. The high-performance formula is also infused with naturally-derived olive esters to help nourish and protect lashes. size: 3 mL
retail value: $20.00 (7 mL)

mascara!! can't use these babies fast enough.

4) BWC : Premium Aromatherapy Facial Cleanser 3% AHA Complex
Beauty Without Cruelty 3% A.H.A. Facial Cleanser is a lightly-foaming, soap-free cleanser that removes dead surface skin cells, daily impurities, and excess oil without over-cleaning your skin. Nature's own alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs) gently and deeply clean and actively clarify your skin without disturbing it's natural balance. Pure premium Oshadhi aroma-therapeutic essential oils tone, condition, and calm, leaving your skin clean, clear, and refreshed.
size: 59 mL
retail value: $11.95 (250 mL)

this lightly scented (lavender?) clear gel cleanser is pH balanced and soap-free. my boyfriend always reaches for his bar of soap when washing his face. i always tell him that it is not good for his face since it dries out the skin. but he always says, 'what? it's soap!'. now i will just have to show him that 'soap-free' is a thing!

5) NYX : Butter Lip Balm in "BLB05 Marshmallow"
Dip your lips in a sheer wash of color with NYX Butter Lip Balm. One swipe leaves dry lips feeling supple and hydrated.
This Buttery Lip Balm is addictively soft and scrumptious and perfect for adding a subtle hint of color for a naturally flirtatious pout. Apply directly to bare lips or apply it over lip liner for more intense color.
size: 4 g (full size!)
retail value: $4.00

available in 8 shades but of course i get the one that will probably wash me out :/ it's too bad since i love NYX.

December's bag is sort of a fail for me - not interested in using the majority of these products... please check out the sale page instead :)

AT THIS MOMENT ...
currently listening: Often [Kygo Remix] - The Weeknd
just watched: Cinderella (2015 - lovely dresses and design, and of course a fairy tale but over the top corny at parts. and just not enough magic! the only magical part was the fairy godmother but that was so sudden that you don't really believe it...) ; The Impossible (again - but still so powerful. must watch!) ; More Than Blue (Korean - for most of the movie, i was getting a bit annoyed - yes it is touching that a terminally ill man loves a woman so much but won't tell her because he's going to die so he does all these things for her that hurts him at the same time... i was like JUST TELL HER!! but then there is a slight twist that makes things a hundred times more sad)
still watching: Doctor Who Season 5 (finished!) // Walking Dead Season 5 // Vampire Diaries Season 5 // Marco Polo Season 1 // Outlander Season 1 (oops starting too many..,)
now reading: - -

TOPBOX: September 2014 [Regular]

i'm on ze late train again! posting about September when October is about to end.

speaking of which, what's everyone's Halloween plans?? as i get older, there's fewer and fewer things to do but i have more ideas of what i'd like to dress up as.

anyway,

September's regular Topbox:

1) Lancome : Genifique Yeux Light-Pearl Eye-Illuminating Youth Activating Concentrate
size: 5 mL
retail value: $88 (20 mL)

it's hard to imagine that this tiny sample is worth $22 but it is. the applicator is actually very fancy. it is an oval tip and it is bendable so it is easier to apply underneath your eye. it is also very soft feeling which is perfect for the delicate skin around the eye.

2) Amika : Perk Up Dry Shampoo 
size: 21.3 g
retail value: $29 (156 mL) / $11 (30 mL)

pretttttttttty bottle. not only is it pretty, it claims to be the only dry shampoo on the market that doesn't contain aluminum. i had no idea that dry shampoos even had aluminum in them. i checked my TRESemme and Redken dry shampoos and they both contain aluminum. however, my Batiste one did not. phew?
Sea Buckthorn Berry sounds so awesome and it does smell rather good too.

3) Bioderma : Sebium Purifying Foaming Gel
size: 15 mL
retail value: $19.95 (200 mL)

i know Bioderma is supposed to be really good for the skin so i am throwing this in the lineup for my next face cleanser.

4) Essie : Nail Lacquer in "Sand Tropez"
size: 13.5 mL (full size!)
retail value: $9.99

lurve. such a gorgeous color. very classy but not boring.

can i also just say how lighting makes a world of difference?? i took these pictures at my sister's boyfriend's new place. so. bright. i love it! :) :)

this is a decent Topbox. like most Topboxes, it's always very mediocre. probably because of all the skin care items... that nail polish color though is one of my new favorites!

AT THIS MOMENT ...
currently listening: "Only Love Can Hurt Like This" by Paloma Faith
just watched: Gone Girl
still watching: Doctor Who Season 3 // Walking Dead Season 5
now reading: "When God Was a Rabbit" by Sarah Winman

GLOSSYBOX: May 2012

first of all, i apologize for the slight neglect of my blog lately. i blame the nerdy gamer inside of me because i got caught up in the Diablo III craziness. my sister got it for her birthday (which was on the 22nd, happy birthday mui!) and then somehow i have invested over 15 hours in it.
still i was super excited when my Glossybox showed up in my mailbox yesterday without any notice! according to the company, Canada Post did not send out shipping notifications this month so a lot of people were confused. anyway, it's funny how Glossybox and Loose Button always comes soooo near the end of the month but just makes it right in time before the 1st.
the packaging of Glossybox still makes me happy. i love the sturdy box and untying the pretty pink bow. i also love how Glossybox is always so heavy! right away, i'm pretty sure there's a large bottle in there somewhere.

May's Glossybox items:

1) Curel Foot Therapy - fantastic! just in time for summer! i wear sandals/flip flops a ton in the summer and the heels of my feet often get super dry and cracked. this is a lifesaver :) it's a white cream with a floral scent that i really like. a very decent sized sample too.
size: 100 mL (full size!)
retail value: $3.99

2) Simple Eye Make-Up Remover - this is an item i definitely run out of so it is great that we received this. ever since i got the Simple Cleansing Face Wipes in March's Topbox, i've seen this brand being heavily promoted on TV and in magazines. i have yet to test its effectiveness but it says that it removes waterproof mascara. i hate getting a ring of black underneath my eyes when i use certain types of makeup remover that don't finish the entire job. will update soon!
size: 56 mL
retail value: $9.99 (125 mL) - i heard the card was wrong so i am assuming Glossybox meant 125 mL since it is the only size this item is available in

3) Simple Refreshing Facial Wash Gel - another Simple product but i don't mind trying it. i don't usually use gels to wash my face. i tried this one out and it boasts "No Soap" and "No Perfume" which is great for those who are sensitive, but to me it feels like there is no evidence it's working. it doesn't lather, there's no beads and i can't smell it so i guess i just can't really tell that it is doing anything to my skin. maybe it's just a weird me thing. it also says it is a non-drying formula but after i wash my face, i always feel the need to moisturize.
size: 50 mL
retail value: $9.99 (150 mL) - same assumption as for #2

4) Boxx Cosmetics Cream Corrector in "Evelia" - love multi-use products! apparently this one can be used as a primer, concealer, foundation and brightener. and it's a full size! this product is to be placed into one of those magnetic palettes that people who depot their makeup often use. or i guess you can use it in it's current container but it is very inconvenient. Boxx Cosmetics also sell their own version of compacts on their website.
i took a look at the other colors available and i am glad Glossybox sent me one in my skin tone! "Evelia" is meant for those with light to medium skin tone while "Terrwyn" is meant for fair skin, "Amber" for medium/tan and "Orel" for dark skin. "Melina" is yellow-based and best used for under eye circles.

it's much less yellow than in the photos!
there was a promo code for 25% off your first order included. on the site, there is free Canadian shipping over $100 (BS100). not sure if you can use both of them at the same time but you can try!
i think their names for each shade is really cute - they use words from different languages. if you click on the item, you can also see what they mean ("Evelia" is French for hazelnut while a lipcolor in "Akoko" is African for noise maker). so interesting!!
swatches coming soon!
size: 4 g (full size!)
retail value: $24

5) Sebastian Professional Volupt Shampoo - a familiar brand from a previous Glossybox (March). this is HUGE! any bigger and it would not have fit in the Glossybox. i am excited to try this since it's been a difficult journey searching for a volumizing shampoo/conditioner for THICK hair. does that exist?? please let me know! my hair's thick but on days i do not want to use a hair dryer, it falls completely flat on my head. not a great look.
size: 250 mL (full size!)
retail value: $15.78

great box this month! every single item is something i will use so i am excited! i feel that each month i get so much more value for my money from Glossybox. it may be the most expensive box at $15 but the sizes of these samples are awesome. just awesome. if you want to try it, click here!

thanks for reading! did you enjoy your Glossybox this month?
i got my Loose Button today so stay tuned!!