LUXE BOX: March 2013 [Spring Edition]

my spring Luxe Box arrived last week which was a surprise since i almost forgot it was coming.
this spring box was special in that it was partnered with Steven and Chris from CBC's Steven and Chris Show. i haven't seen the show before but i have heard of the duo.

a Spring Trends 2013 booklet was included and you don't receive every item listed. to me, this seems like a bit of a tease since i can read about items other people are getting. i don't think it is a smart business tactic because we are only comparing our items to what we COULD have received which means unhappy customers.
of the 10 products mentioned in the booklet, i received 3 of them in my box. i am quite jealous of those who got the Color Smash Hair Shadow! i've only dyed my hair once so it seems like a fun thing to try.

1) Loose Button Blending Sponge 
"A makeup sponge applicator that flawlessly blends in your makeup for the perfect look. The applicator should be dampened with water before use and can be used with liquid, cream, loose powder or pressed powder makeup. For best results, use the applicator in a stippling or bouncing motion."
i am sure you have seen the (seemingly) overpriced Beautyblender as well as many of its knockoffs. here we have Loose Button's version - a blue sponge that is not an exact egg shape like the real Beautyblender but it's more like an egg with a waist. it is really soft and squishy! definitely felt different from my other makeup tools... it was pretty fun using it to apply my foundation just by bouncing it all over my face.
i haven't used one of these before so i had to look it up. i dampened the sponge and used it to apply both a liquid foundation and powder by using bouncing motions. i think the sponge may have been too wet because i couldn't tell if it either spread evenly or the sponge soaked it all up. i will have to use it a few more times before i get it right...

size: 1 sponge (full size!)
retail value: N/A

2) Lancome Genefique Youth Activating Serum 
"Award-winning serum that helps create a more youthful-looking skin by promoting natural skin renewal that is characteristic of young skin. Visible skin in just 7 days. Drop by drop, skin is vibrant with youth, its tone becomes astonishingly even and its texture dramatically refined."
oooh. award-winning but not a product i am interested in using just yet.
comes with a dropper and has a very very light scent.

size: 8 mL
retail value: $125 (50 mL)

3) Blue Lagoon Rich Nourishing Cream
"Blue Lagoon rich nourishing cream We are happy to include our latest product, rich nourishing cream, in the spring Luxe Box. The Blue Lagoon rich nourishing cream, for normal to dry skin, smoothes, enhances radiance and helps to prevent signs of aging, like wrinkles. This new advanced formula contains Blue Lagoon active ingredients: algae and silica. Research has shown that Blue Lagoon algae have significant protecting and anti-aging effects and the Blue Lagoon silica helps to strengthen the skins barrier function* *in vitro and in vivo studies Blue Lagoon rich nourishing cream is: Dermotologically tested and Paraben free."
you are kidding me LB! a foil packet in a box that we pay almost $30 for? so sad, so sad. it's expensive yes, but how are you going to convince me to shell over such a large amount of money with so little product to test with?

size: 2 mL
retail value: US$130 (30 mL)

4) L'Occitane Shea Dry Skin Hand Cream
"This hand cream penetrates quickly to protect, nourish and moisturize your hands. Rapidly absorbed with no oily traces, this hand cream doesn't need to be reapplied even after frequent hand washing. The minimal scent makes it suitable for men and women."
funny enough, i got this hand cream from L'Occitane for FREE and in a BIGGER size a couple of months ago - how does that work??
this Shea Hand Cream smells like a baby powder/oil to me which i actually like.

size: 10 mL
retail value: $30 (150 mL)

5) Coach Coach Love Eau de Parfum 
"Coach Love blends dewy petals and fresh greens with sensual woods, rich caramel and a hint of musk in a scent as unforgettable as falling in love. Apply perfume to your pulse points for a longer lasting scent. Remember not to rub your pulse points together, as this will bruise the scent."

i am not a huge fan of getting perfume samples in my beauty boxes but it is so hard to dislike them when they come in such cute bottles.
i like the florals behind the scent but at the same time, i think the musk makes it a little too strong.

size: 6.5 mL
retail value: $92 (100 mL)

6) Pandora's Makeup Box Pandora's Eyes Mascara in "Black"
"The perfect addition to your your collection for a more natural touch! A smudge and clump free mascara that provides you with gorgeous, glossy colour that will never irritate the eyes. Developed specifically for sensitive eyes, this mascara glides on easily and thickens the lashes while adding glorious shine. The long brush handle allows you to maneuver into hard to reach areas and the clear tube lets you know when you're running low!"
this mascara came at the right time since i was just finishing an old one so i decided to give Pandora a try. the mascara comes in a clear tube so you can actually tell when you are running low. i have never had that before  so it will be interesting to see how much i can actually use up. it is much more likely that the mascara dries out before i make a solid dent in it.
the brush is on the thin side and the mascara is a very wet formula. i even sniffed it... and it doesn't smell good but i guess you aren't supposed to be sniffing mascaras anyway. the mascara looks like a shiny black - it lengthens my lashes but doesn't do much for volume. some of my lashes stuck together since the formula is rather wet. it also holds a curl decently.

size: 10 mL (full size!)
retail value: $19

7) B. Kamins BB Cream 
"B. Kamins BB Cream is an 8-in-1 multitasking cream that instantly lifts your look! Power packed with anti-oxidants, botanicals and vitamins, this super hero formula helps to reduce fine lines, wrinkles and dullness. The BB Cream moisturizes, evens skin tone and provides sheer, luminous coverage. Get up and go with BB Cream!"

i haven't used this yet and there was no indication of color so i checked out the website. looks like there is only one color available since it has a "transparent colour-correcting formula". that doesn't make sense to me - how it can be transparent but still cover redness and etc?
this is a good sample size though and i like how it has a pump.

size: 15 g
retail value: $49 (50 mL)

8) Blue Lagoon Silica Mud Mask 
"The Silica mud is the Blue Lagoon's signature element. The pure white geothermal mud deep cleanses and exfoliates. Naturally strengthens skin's barrier function¹. Brings out the skin's inner glow, gives it a vital energy boost and smooth complexion. Excellent face & body mask. Use 2-3 times a week or when skin needs en extra boost. Fragrance and color free. For all skin types."

the prices for Blue Lagoon products are way out of my budget. wowsaaaa!
anyway, i will be updating this after tomorrow with pictures!

size: 30 mL
retail value: US$100 (200 mL)

all in all, i almost forgot about this box and i still think it is forgettable. i thought mine was bad but after reading all the other complaints on LB's Facebook page and checking out what the other girls got, i think i actually fared slightly better than some... i was lucky to get a BB cream and a full sized mascara.
still, not too happy with the box. putting them all side by side, the samples all look rather small. you'd figure for a box that costs about $30 and that ships once every three months, that LB would put more effort in the samples (foils? really?!) and ship on time (supposed to be delivered in March).

one other thing that really bugs me are the emails they send referring to a "Limited Time Opportunity" and how i am eligible to upgrade my membership to a semiannual/annual plan. first of all, LB sends these emails all the time! it is NOT a limited time offer. secondly, this is not an opportunity - i don't like their choice of words here since they make it seem like it is some special offer that they are giving me. pfffttt.

LUXE BOX: December 2012 [Winter Edition]

ahh.. Luxe Box... it arrived before Christmas but i haven't had a chance to blog about it until now.
it really is Luxe Box's fault since it was expected in November! however, since they were so very delayed this winter, Loose Button has revised their entire quarterly shipping schedule - they are now sending out seasonal boxes in March, June, September and December. note that you are billed on the 15th of these months for the next box. for instance, in June, you will get your Summer box; on June 15th, you will be billed for the Fall (September) box. so that is well ahead of time - be aware of this if you were planning to cancel!

the package was actually delivered to my door on the 23rd and my dad even had to sign for it. i was eager to find out what the other 5-6 products i was getting. i already knew what 2 of them were going to be since LB had two First in Line opportunities (which is where you are given 3 options and you can choose to reserve 1 of the 3).

instead of a 'silk scarf'', all the products were inside a silky drawstring bag with the LB logo in the corner. the card was again found in an envelope with a gold monogrammed sticker. i noticed that the letter "H" was not cursive like the one last time.

the long-awaited Winter Edition contains:

1) Loose Button Faux Eye Lashes - i had my doubts when i first saw that these were "Loose Button" eyelashes but i am very impressed! i really like the design of these lashes and they don't have the shine that makes them look fake either! i think there were a couple different styles sent out but there are no labels to indicate this.

i wore them on New Year's Eve and i loved the way they look. my eyes looked huge! haha normally i have a monolid and a very slight double eyelid on the other but these lashes really widened up my eyes (when i finally got them on).

excuse the red eyes - it was at night and i'd been wearing contacts all day!

size: 1 pair of false eyelashes (full size!)
retail value: N/A

2) Cake Beauty It's a Slice Supreme Body Mousse - i think i just found my favorite Cake scent! it smells really yummy like oranges but sweet instead of sour. it feels velvety soft too. major like!

size: 66 mL
retail value: $22 (250 mL) ... according to cakebeauty.com

3) Dermalogica Precleanse - sadly the cap on this was loose which made the other products oily. i can't exactly see how much is left in it but i am guessing maybe a quarter. i emailed Loose Button on December 29th using their contact form on their website. i also included a picture of the damage:

:(

i didn't get an immediate reply saying that they received the email but i did get a reply today (the 4th). i've heard that many people are having trouble getting them a hold of them so i guess i am lucky!
LB said they will be sending me a replacement product (at the beginning of January - so now?) but it might not be the the Precleanse:
"We'll be sending you a replacement product. It may not be Dermalogica PreCleanse but we'll do our best to match if we can. If we can't replace your original, we'll make sure it's something you didn't already receive in your Winter Luxe Box."

oh well! i'm crossing my fingers the replacement is not a fragrance! this Precleanse was the item i reserved in the first First in Line LB offered this season. the choices at the time were Dermalogica Precleanse, Kerastase Cristalliste Serum and Calvin Klein Euphoria.

the idea of cleaning before cleaning your face sounds like more work to me! but i guess it's good to use once in a while to ensure all the yuckiness is removed from the skin. to use, this oil should be applied to a dry face. then, wetting your hands, you continue to massage it and it becomes sort of milky. it smells lemon-y and does in fact, leave your skin feeling cleaner and softer.

size: 15 mL
retail value: $50.50 (150 mL) ... according to buy.dermalogica.ca

4) Schwarzkopf Professional OSiS+ Dust It Mattifying Powder - i already have this product but i reserved it anyway in the second First in Line (choices were: Schwarzkopf Dust It Mattifying Product, Blue Lagoon Skin Care Algae Mask and Prada Infusion d'Iris).

i wasn't too intrigued by the other options and i knew i already liked the Dust It. i was first introduced to it a few years ago when i got my hair cut. the stylist used it in my hair and it gave my hair volume which i was totally lacking. if you didn't know how to mattified hair feels like - this is the ultimate definition (if you use enough of it). you can either sprinkle it into your hair or put it into your hands first and then rub it in. make sure to rub it in good though since it is a white powder. the white powder is very, very fine so it shouldn't be too hard. the powder gives your hair texture/grit - be careful not to overdo it since it will be extremely difficult to comb out!

size: 10 g (full size!)
retail value: $23 ... according to the LB email

5) Donna Karan Woman Eau de Parfum - cool bottle! i've never seen anything like it. i'd love to add this to my collection but unfortunately, i am not a fan of the scent. i showed my sister and asked her what she thought of the bottle - and she said: "manly". then i dabbed it on my arm and asked her about the scent - and we both found that it was indeed rather manly... how ironic that this perfume is called "Woman". is it just me? maybe i am just not a fan of sandalwood?
also remember to hold the base tight and the perfume upright when you proceed to yank off the top!

size: 7 mL
retail value: $107 (50 mL); $144 (100 mL) ... according to sephora.com

6) B. Kamins Laboratories Mini Lip Balm - i've been trying to go through the one i received from Glossybox in September... and now i have another. i find that i need to reapply often with this lip balm - not as moisturizing as i hoped it'd be. it's thick and looks really glossy (click link for pictures). good to know that it has SPF 20 (this is not indicated on the balm itself).

size: 4 mL
retail value: $21 (15 g)

7) B. Kamins Laboratories Day Lotion SPF 15 - this lotion smells strongly of sunscreen. it has the same texture too - somewhat thick and runny at the same time...it absorbs better into the skin than sunscreen though. according to the website, this Day Lotion is recommended for oily and combination skin and can also be used as a primer... huh. interesting. i have to say that i doubt its abilities as a primer.

size: 15 mL
retail value: $80 (50 mL)

8) Loose Button Kabuki Brush - this is a cute little kabuki brush with the LB logo stamped on the bottom. i find the bristles to be soft and dense. not too shabby!

size: 1 brush
retail value: N/A

- - - - -

after opening this box, i thought it was a mediocre box with things i will use but they were not overly exciting. but after trying the eyelashes and the Cake Beauty lotion, i am slightly more content with the box. i wish that they included a bit more info on their card though (i.e. prices for full size items). if not on the card, maybe more info on the LB Personal Product Dashboard?? my Dashboard listed all 8 products, 6 of which lead to a dead link. the only ones that worked was for the B. Kamis products, which are sold on the LB website.

what are your thoughts on the Winter Luxe Box? are you remaining a subscriber through to Spring? 

TOPBOX: November 2012

my Topbox arrived with my ipsy on Monday. i did the ipsy post first since it was new and exciting; meanwhile my eagerness to tear open Topboxes has been dampened these past few months. if you asked me a few months ago, Topbox and Glossybox was unarguably my top two faves. but after the price increases and the entry of a new player into the market, it seems that i am not so sure anymore where Topbox stands. Glossybox definitely does not seem to provide the same value for my money so it is going on the chopping block after the holidays. ipsy has shone a whole new light since they are more makeup-oriented, which is really why i started signing up for all these beauty boxes in the first place. Topbox used to never include fragrance or tiny tiny samples, but here we are today...

November's items (Box 26 - that's a ton of versions...):

1) B. Kamins Nia-Stem Moisturizer Kx & Nia-Stem Serum Kx - i tried my first B. Kamins (Canadian) product last month with the help of Glossybox. now i have two more - and these ones are also quite expensive!
the serum (to be applied prior to the moisturizer) does not feel oily and is absorbed quickly into the skin. the lightly scented moisturizer is also absorbed pretty quickly and my skin feels hydrated but i am surprised that it actually did not leave my face feeling smoother.

both of these products are part of the Nia-Stem line (anti-aging) and contain niacin, plant stem-cells and Bio-Maple Compound... wait a second! doesn't something sound familiar here? plant stem-cells!! i was just talking about another anti-aging product in my ipsy bag in the post right before this one! guess plant stem cells are all the rage right now.

size: 3 g each
retail value: moisturizer - $125 (50 mL); serum - $135 (30 mL)

2) China Glaze Nail Lacquer in "80527 I'm Not Lion" - this polish is part of the Fall 2012 On Safari Collection and the name is just too cute. there's another one called "I Herd That" and "Prey Tell" teehee.

i recall that when Topbox sent out their monthly surveys that one of the questions asked was about nail trends that i would like to try. i selected 2 of the 3 options: dark & stormy and bold sparkles (the other option was camouflage).
"I'm Not Lion" looks like a pale gold with holographic glitter. i'll have swatches coming soon!

size: 14 mL (full size!)
retail value: $10-12

3) Cuccio Naturale Butter Blend in "Pomegranate & Fig" - i encountered some difficulty when i tried to use this product... you actually have to cut the tip off. i like the tube packaging of this cream - makes it really easy to get the product out. plus, the tube is clear so you can see how much you have left.

i love pomegranates but this smelled more like grapefruit to me. i really like the formula - non-greasy, moisturizing and smells good :) perfect for throwing into my purse.

size: 9.24 g
retail value: $18.95 (240 g)

4) Roberto Cavalli Eau de Parfum - so this parfum sample is almost an exact replica of the actual bottle (just minus the tiger-print ring around the neck). i really like the perfume topper (the Roberto Cavalli symbol). i'd suggest you hold on to the base instead when wiggling the top off so you don't spill it everywhere.
the sample is the type where you have to dab the perfume on. from the website, i found out the top notes are pink peppers, the heart (middle) notes are orange blossoms and the base notes are tonka beans.
of course, i can't detect all that but it definitely is a floral. i don't love the scent but it's not bad either.

size: 5 mL
retail value: $80 (50 mL); $105 (75 mL)

overall, it's an okay box. there is a full size nail polish but on a whole, Topbox samples seem to be getting smaller and smaller. i really hoped that accepting more subscribers didn't impact the quality of Topbox but it looks like it did...

new Topbox card cover

what did you think about the box?
here are some Topbox giveaways you should check out:
- Pure + simple gift set (ends Nov 27)
- boxx cosmetics makeup set (ends Nov 29)

P.S. thanks Jayne for the Dropbox tip! :)

GLOSSYBOX: September 2012

amazing! i got my Glossybox for September before September ended? (anyone else automatically hear "Wake Me Up When September Ends" when you read "September" and "end"?)

anyway, it also seems that Glossybox shipped to the west coast first this time! like they said they would so that everyone would get it roughly around the same time. hooray! i've only seen like two other bloggers put an unboxing post up. this has not happened before!

so without delay, here is what i got in my V1 box - i am not sure how many versions there will be this month because if i had not gotten a particular product below, i would be quite unhappy!!

this month's glossy products (also deemed the "Red Carpet Ready Glossybox"):

1) Wella Professionals Mirror Polish Shimmer Delight Shine Spray - there looks to be a few typos here. according to the Facebook page, Glossybox explained that people either got 1) Mirror Polish Shine Serum or 2) Shimmer Delight Shine Spray. but putting them as separate numbers is confusing! people will think they are missing a product (which was my initial thought too). anyway, this Wella product is meant to give your hairstyle a little bling and comes in a clear glass bottle. i've tried the spray and though it smells nice (like all Wella products do), i do not see any "bling"-ing (shimmer). maybe it is harder to see with dark hair? or maybe i need to use a lot more of the product? i already used about 10 spritz on one side of my hair (to compare with the other). the hold level of this product is 1 out of 4 - which is the lowest but if you run your fingers through your hair, you can feel a little structure going on.
size: 40 mL (full size!)
retail value: $12.99

2) B. Kamins Bio-Maple Lip Balm - this is actually only a sample size of the lip balm - you could've fooled me! with the lipgloss sample sizes we have been getting from Glymm, i thought that this was pretty big.
i guess the amount in it is less though since it takes a bit of effort to squeeze the product out. plus, the formula of this balm is also quick thick. you really only need a tiny bit in order for your lips to feel hydrated. it looks white but goes on clear and has a really shiny finish that resembles a gloss. you can hardly detect the scent.
size: 4 mL
retail value: $21 (15 g)

3) B. Kamins Bio-Maple Maple Body Lotion - ooo maple again? very Canadian. by the way, these products are actually made in Canada (in Montreal)! i can smell the maple much better in this one and it is not too sweet. the lotion is on the more watery side which allows for faster absorption into the skin. it also contains shea butter so it feels very moisturizing.
the Glossybox came with a promo code for 25% off your next purchase on the website. this lotion is out of my price range though.
size: 12 mL
retail value: $41 (180 mL)

4) NYX Cosmetics: The Crimson Amulet Collection (S123) - i was blown out of the water. seriously, a full palette/makeup kit?! i saw the word "NYX" mentioned in a comment on the Glossybox page prior to getting the box, and i immediately shut my eyes and stopped reading. i knew i was going to love whatever it was going to be since i really like NYX and it's a little harder to come by here in Canada.
and so, can you believe it!? a limited edition collection in our Glossybox? you just made my September. yeah, i'm giving you the whole month, GB.

front and back of the box

i recognized this palette right away because i remember reading this post on Jayne's (Cosmetic Proof) blog. aww Jayne! what a weird coincidence!
the palette is set up like a journal - with a magnetic clasp to hold it closed. i think the design is very cute.

front, spine & back of the "book"

page 1: eyeshadows; page 2: mirror

page 3: instructions to recreate looks of the female characters;
page 4: eyeshadow base, eyeliner, illuminator, blushes, lipglosses

swatches are coming up soon! i haven't had time to play around with this so i can't comment on the wear time, pigmentation, etc etc just yet.

size: 43.2 g; an entire collection - 24 eyeshadows, 5 blushers, 1 illuminator, 1 eyeshadow base, 1 liner, 4 lipglosses (full size!)
retail value: $25

5) *bonus* Dove ClearTone Anti-Perspirant - this deodorant is designed to reduce underarm discoloration which i find useful except i haven't noticed any discoloration on myself. i do get dry skin from shaving though - sometimes it really irritates me how itchy it can get. i've been moisturizing the area before putting on deodorant and it helps. what do you ladies do? 
size: 17 g
retail value: $4.99 (45 g) ... according to well.ca

?6?) i am not sure what to do with this one since it is listed on the card and has a value assigned to it but i do not understand it. 5 units for $5.99?
the post-it note in the box says that if you like "Art of Fashion" on FB, you have a chance to win a YSL bag.

so hooray for GB :) i really love the NYX Crimson Amulet Collection - even though i tend not to use my other kits (i have one of those huge expandable Sephora makeup kits as well as a Victoria's Secret one) as much since they take up so much space and are just a bit of a hassle to deal with. but then again, this magnetic clasp doesn't seem to be too much of a challenge for me :)
i've never tried B. Kamins before so it's nice to be introduced to two of their products. and my Wella collection is ever expanding! i do not know if i have a use for all of them though.

Glossybox is my favorite beauty box this month (so far anyway - still waiting for BB5). it topped Topbox :)