BEAUTY BOX 5: December 2014

oops!! it's been almost a month since my last post - don't worry, i have a long list of excuses: 

taxes, hockey playoffs, binge-watching a new series, an internet connection that refuses to work...

ugh. it's the worst! i have the Shaw wireless modem thing and i get internet on my iPad and phone no problem but my desktop computer struggles and struggles. bah!

anyway, LONG WEEKEND I LOVE YOU. i even took Friday off just because i needed the extra extra day. still, i did not want to get out of bed this morning. i'm long overdue for a vacation. hmmm but where? suggestions anyone? 

December's box: Merry & Bright

1) Jacqua : Rose Bouquet Hydrating Facial Mist

size: 50 mL (full size!)

retail value: $16.50

i already own a product very similar to this - which is the Australis Make-Up Finishing Spritz. both smell of roses but this particular Jacqua one comes in a fancy glass bottle. another difference is that this one does not have any mention of preventing makeup from fading so i might just hang onto my Australis one for now. 

besides, the Jacqua one was last seen on the Last Chance section on the website and is now sold out. 

2) Absolute! : Nail Polish Remover in "Spring Fresh"

size: 32 pads (full size!)

retail value: $2.99

my nails have been naked for like two months - what am i doing with my life!? so.sad.

3) Juice Beauty : Stem Cellular Moisturizer

size: 7.8 mL

retail value: $65.00 (50 mL)

this white cream moisturizer smells like lemons!

4) Nanacoco : Nail Polish in "#21124 Stardust"

size: 16 mL (full size!)

retail value: $3.95

not a fan... i have not seen many orange nail polishes in my life - coral yes, but not really orange orange. not only that, but orange sparkles?! straight to the blog sale board.

maybe this is why the nail polish remover was included?... am i being too mean now? sorry orange.

5) Lucky Brand : Fragrance in "Lucky Number 6"

size: 1 sample vial

retail value: suggested $50.00 (50 mL) but the CVS website says otherwise: $12.99

this was released way back in 2006 - which i did not actually know but found off the interweb. i find it a tad bit strong at first. it is described as having "notes of peony, tigerlily, jasmine tea, casheran, lotus leaf, musk, liquid amber, lychee". 

that's all folks! moving on to the next one... due to my silly rule of not opening a box until i finish blogging about one, the mountain is still growing... better get to it!

AT THIS MOMENT ...
currently listening: Big Girls Cry - Sia
just watched: The Princess Diaries (watched it once ages ago so it was nice to rewatch this - who would ever say no to being a princess EVER though??) //Monster's Ball (pretty depressing at parts) // The Age of Adaline (quite sweet and blake lively is just gorgeous all the time, but the scientific explanations was hil-ar-io-us)  // Almost Famous (recommended by the bf because of the music and i did enjoy it - great story) // The Maze Runner (second time around! still quite thrilling)
still watching: Walking Dead Season 5 // Vampire Diaries Season 5 // Marco Polo Season 1 (finished! the pace is rather slow i think but the parts that weren't, were really good!) // Outlander Season 1 /// Game of Thrones Season 5 (it's back!)  // Forever Season 1 (found a list on imdb about TV shows being renewed, cancelled, or up on the chopping block ... all the comments kept saying 'i hope they don't cancel Forever!' - i had never heard of the show so i looked it up and then i was hooked. i have 3 episodes left, and it's come to my attention that it was indeed cancelled. BOOO!!)
now reading: - -

BEAUTY BOX 5: November 2014

November's "Gracefully Grounded" box from BB5:

i guess another term for grounded is boring.. because many of the items included are really regular day to day hygienic items.

1) Afterfeather : Refillable Travel Bottle - 2 fl. oz.
size: 2 fl. oz. bottle 
retail value: $8.95 (set of 2)

very cute bottle for traveling! i love the dandelion print. this would have been very handy if only i did not have an empire of sample sized beauty products waiting on hand.
this is the prettiest and most exciting item in the box... prepare to go downhill from here.

2) DenTek : Floss Floss Picks & Case
size: 6 picks
retail value: $2.49 (4 picks)
promotion: $1.00 off any Floss Pick & Case or $1.00 off any product over $2.00 (manufacturer's coupon); expires Dec 31, 2018

leave it to BB5 to include items that you have never gotten in a beauty box subscription. yes, these are floss picks. BB5 tells you to bring these on the go and 'floss in style'. i guess if you are worried about how you look when you floss then these are for you! in my opinion, there is no sexy/trendy way to floss.

3) HASK : Macadamia Oil Revitalizing Shine Hair Treatment 
size: 18 mL (full size!)
retail value: $2.99 

i have quite the collection on hair oils now and i definitely do not use them enough. i find my hair gets shiny (aka greasy) enough on its own.

4) Laura Ashley : Body Butter in "Sweet Peony"
size: 50 g
retail value: $20.00 (set of 6)

in junior high, i was all about perfumes from Gap. this body butter reminds me of that - soft and sweet.
i would call this a lotion more than a body butter since it is not exactly thick.

5) Dove : Deep Moisture Nourishing Body Wash
size: 53 mL 
retail value: $6.49 (650 mL)

it's body wash! very similar to all the other drug store brand body washes i have gotten from BB5 - it cleanses and it smells good.

see what i mean? lotion, body wash, floss picks... all day to day items we use so nothing special here.
the box included a 30% off Sparkles & Pop (online jewelry store) promo with code BEAUTYPOP (expired Dec 31, 2014).

AT THIS MOMENT ...
currently listening: Impossible Heart - Paloma Faith
just watched: Miracle in Cell No. 7 (Korean - actually watched this last time after Titanic... very sad movie - you need to be prepared with the tissues; reminds me of I Am Sam; the girl actress is soooo adorable!) // Cast Away (first time watching this Tom Hanks movie. saddest i ever felt about a volleyball...)
still watching: Doctor Who Season 5 // Walking Dead Season 5 // Vampire Diaries Season 5 // Marco Polo Season 1 (started a new series with the boyfriend!)
now reading: nothing!! taking a break :P

BEAUTY BOX 5: October 2014

yesterday, we celebrated our NINTH year together. my boyfriend and i decided to honor the day by going to our first Brazilian BBQ and eating meat, meat and more meat. regular meat, spicy meat and meat wrapped up in meat. then finishing with some cake. then we went home and fell into a food coma. it was a very lovely night.

- - -

October's box "Effortless Allure" is all about simplicity:

1) ChapStick : Dual-Ended Hydration Lock Day & Night
size: 2.2 g x 2 (full size!)
retail value: $2.99

first up, definitely a simple beauty product since it is ChapStick and all but wait... dual-ended!? that is impossible!
one end is for use during the day so it has SPF while night is about restoring moisture. i've never seen a product like this - intriguing but also slightly gimmicky,,,

2) Bellapierre Cosmetics : Cheek & Lip Stain in "Pink"
size: 5 g (full size!)
retail value: $19.99

pretty shade but slightly too pink as a lip color for me... check out the sale board! 

3) Extend Your Beauty : Cosmetic Tool
size: 1 tool (full size!)
retail value: $5.49

another product that i have not seen before which is neat but to be honest, it looks sort of cheap. it looks like a product i could find at the dollar store.

and check out the back! Diswasher safe? wait - wha?? so many questions...

4) Nanacoco : Nail Polish in "20055 Romantic Cruise"
size: 15 mL (full size!)
retail value: $3.95

i keep picking up blue nail polish and adding it to my collection but it's the shade i use least. why do i continue to do that? ... sale page time!

5) Lashem : Picture Perfect Instant Wrinkle Reducer
size: 5 mL
retail value: $3.95 (15 g)

last month we got the eye bright version. the wrinkles are coming. must. prepare.

and voila! meh meh meh. effortless indeed... don't have much to say; every item is lackluster.

AT THIS MOMENT ...
currently listening: Just A Lil Bit (Av.i Remix) - 50 Cent
just watched: Edge of Tomorrow
still watching: Doctor Who Season 4 // Walking Dead Season 5 // Brooklyn Nine-Nine Season 1 // Vampire Diaries Season 5
now reading: "When God Was a Rabbit" by Sarah Winman 

BEAUTY BOX 5: September 2014

a quickie post to get September reviews out of the way... ugh it gets harder and harder to keep up and now the holidays are creeping up on us. next week is my work Christmas party already!

and i must say i am very proud of myself this weekend. got a few people checked off my shopping list already!!! normally i am panicking on Christmas Eve but i am hoping to avoid that at all costs this year. it's looking good so far... :)

September's BB5 - "Balancing Act"

1) Nicka K New York : Eye Light Crayon in "NEL007 Bronze"
size: 1.6 g (full size!)
retail value: $4.49

i was giddy when my eyes fell upon this item. giddy! a feeling i haven't had while opening beauty boxes as of late. but i have a thing for gold (this is actually a bronze, i know)... and crayons.
"Bronze" is not too bronze-y and is a very nice shimmer. i wouldn't use it as an all over color on the eyelids but it's great for giving off that POP in the corner of your eyes. prettttttty.

2) Natural Style by FUBU : Deep Conditioner & Co-Wash
size: 14 mL x 2 
retail value: $9.99 (340 g)

haven't tried this.
plenty of oils.
what is a co-wash?

3) Sally Hansen : Toe Spacers 
size: 1 pair (full size!)
retail value: $1.99

aaaaaand not going to use these. i've probably ever used toe spacers once or twice in my life.

4) My Beauty Spot : Nail Polish 
size: 12 mL 
retail value: $24.99 for a set of 6

aaaaaaalso not going to use this. the purple (with shimmer) is actually slightly darker than it appears in the photos.

5) Lashem : 3 in 1 Eye Bright
size: 5 mL
retail value: $40.00 (15 mL)

hmm. i've been told that eye creams are useful but i haven't seen its benefits just yet... so i will just hold onto this.

so one hit and the rest are misses for me. those aren't good numbers.
oh well. back to Doctor Who! i just watched a Steven Moffat-written episode and i can't stop thinking about it.

AT THIS MOMENT ...
currently listening: "New Flame" by Chris Brown featuring Usher & Rick Ross
just watched: A Million Ways to Die in the West (not recommended)
still watching: Doctor Who Season 4 // Walking Dead Season 5 // Brooklyn Nine-Nine Season 1
now reading: "When God Was a Rabbit" by Sarah Winman (still - i know! i sort of took a break...)

BEAUTY BOX 5: July 2014

oopsie daisies - looks like i somehow skipped a box from July!! i apologizeeeeee!

today, a Christmas tree popped up at our building so i am taking it as a sign that i need to start shopping. for the past few years, i have been that person running through the mall on Christmas Eve and begging them not to close yet. i hope i learn this year... where are you planning to get your shopping done? online or at a mall?

let's do a topic switcheroo here from Christmas to July - here's a quick recap on July 2014's "Defining Moments" box.

1) Revlon : Bold Lacquer Mascara in "001 Blackest Black"
size: 7 mL (full size!)
retail value: $7.99
promotion: $1.00 off any Revlon mascara with coupon

drug store brand but i'm not disappointed. my main mascara is starting to dry out so i am reaching for other tubes - i've forgotten how nice it is to use a fresh and new mascara! i've tried a Revlon Grow Luscious mascara before and i was not overly impressed but the idea is always appealing.

2) Hask : Argan Oil Intense Deep Conditioning Hair Treatment
size: 50 g (full size!)
retail value: $2.49

i need to get a plastic bottle to pour this sample in since now that my hair is much shorter, there is noooooo way i can use this all at once.

3) Body Drench : Candy Licious Moisturizing Lip Balm in "Lime Gumdrop"
size: 2.55 g (full size!)
retail value: $3.99

hmmm lime gumdrops sound like they could smell quite tasty... although i am not a huge fan of limes. up for sale on the blog sale page!

4) Anna Naturals : Glowing Mama Walnut Face & Body Scrub
size: NA (1 small tub)
retail value: $10.99 (118.3 mL)

reminds me of the St. Ives Apricot Scrub.

5) Starlooks : Lip Pencil in "K308 Bare"
size: 2.4 g (full size!)
retail value: $12.00

"Bare" is a matte shade that i thought would look like a nude color. looking at the pencil, the lip liner looks sort of like a dusty brown-grey. when applied, it is much darker than 'bare' should be. i look sort of zombie-ish with just the pencil but on a positive note, it is very pigmented. the color is not an issue once i apply a lipstick over it - or just anything to warm it up a notch.

tada! it is an alright box - nothing really notable. it was my first time trying a Starlooks lip liner and i am happy about how pigmented it is.

AT THIS MOMENT ...
currently listening: "The Heart Wants What It Wants" by Selena Gomez
just watched: Saving General Yang
still watching: Doctor Who Season 4 // Walking Dead Season 5 // Brooklyn Nine-Nine Season 1
now reading: "When God Was a Rabbit" by Sarah Winman

BEAUTY BOX 5: August 2014

goooooooood morning!

BB5's August box, Radiant and Remarkable, contains 5 items - some more remarkable than others... and when i say 'some', i mean one.

read on to find out which one!

1) Pur~Lisse : Pur~Protect Essential Daily Moisturizer SPF 30 Sunscreen
size: 15 mL
retail value: $55 (50 mL)

seconds, only seconds, after i click 'Publish' on my latest Topbox box, i turn towards my next beauty box, open it and find my third Pur-Lisse Pur-Protect moisturizer in two months.
i think i am set for sunscreen... the 3 samples combined mean that i have 45 mL! which means i pretty much saved $55. hallelujah!

2) La Fresh : Travel Lite Oil-Free Makeup Remover Wipes
size: 8 wipes
retail value: $19.99 (48 wipes)

this must be BB5's favorite item ever. i'm pretty sure i've received about a gazillion of these - give or take a few.

3) Nanacoco : Lip Gloss in "#22114 Lovely"
size: 6.5 mL
retail value: $3.99 (full size!)

i've heard some people raving about this but the color was a bit bright for my taste so i wasn't exactly sure how i would feel about it. "Lovely" is a bright magenta with no shimmer.

i took the plunge and i agree with others who say that it is very smooth, shiny and pigmented. smells like a mixture of cotton candy and baby powder. it is very comfortable to wear and is just slightly sticky. i have never heard of this brand before but at $3.99, i would definitely consider buying more. their website provides a phone number for orders... and that is all i can really find.

4) Novex : Brazilian Keratin Extra Deep Hair Care Cream
size: 30 g
retail value: $19.50 (1 kg)

i... don't know about this. the packaging would not be appealing to the average beauty consumer since it looks more like something that would be found in a pharmacy or perhaps a hardware store. the term 'Hair Food' also sounds odd to me.
then again, this could be a gem and we just have to overlook the outside...?

5) Style Essentials : Nail Polish
size: 7 mL
retail value: $7.00 (28 mL)

there's no particular shade identifier on this nail polish but it is a part of the "Touch of Teal" 4 nail polish collection. there are large white hexagons, small teal hexagons, small white dots and white bars in this polish. it is pretty cute but an expert level of fishing is required to get those glitters out.

so i now have 3 Pur-Lisse sunscreen moisturizers and who knows how many of the makeup remover wipes. i am quite impressed with the Nanacoco lip gloss but not so much with their website since i can't really figure out how i can get more.
what was your favorite item?

BEAUTY BOX 5: January 2014

so a small part of the reason why i haven't posted lately was because of a trip to the USA for my friend's graduation - she's a doctor now! 

i went for about 6 days and visited a bunch of cities i've never been to before. first stop was Philadelphia for Jenny's graduation - love you! went to a couple tourist-y areas including the Eastern State Penitentiary which was pretty interesting... wish we had more time there though! had dinner at Iron Chef Morimoto's restaurant and it's crazy how all the dishes were all so good! i love the restaurant itself - so pretty (top right photo). 

after two nights in Philly, we headed to New York by Boltbus and of course, checked out Grand Central Station, Central Park, Times Square, Wall Street, 9/11 Memorial Site... took the subway! saw a rat! rode a taxi... aiyyy... i forgot that all these cities we were visiting are 'older' cities, so i wasn't expecting so much graffiti, demolition and uneven roads. and man those roads are bumpy! 

we only did one night in New York so it was go-go-go! so stayed overnight in Elizabeth since some of our friends were departing the next morning from Newark. the top left photo of the cathedral is in Elizabeth. it is GORGEOUS. i love cathedrals! i just wished they were open! all of the ones we visited were either under construction or closed... 

took it easy the next two days near Oil City/Pittsburgh. did some some more outlet shopping which is always great. on my way out... my flight gets cancelled. man! i ended up staying overnight at the airport... definitely not the most comfortable place to stay for an extended period of time. if this ever happens to you, make sure you talk to the staff to see how they rebooked your flight because they automatically booked me for 3 connecting flights - ridiculous!

anyway, it was a fab time! i wish i had more vacation days!

onward to BB5!
January 2014 - Cheers to You! featuring That Awkward Moment

i don't have any desire to see That Awkward Moment because i can't handle watching raunchy sex comedies in theatres. but Zac Efron is very pretty. haha

1) H2O Plus : Spa Sea Lotus Body Wash
size: 30 mL
retail value: $17 (370 mL)

to date, i've received four H2O Plus products from BB5. each time i like to check out the website to find out what the 'key elements' are. for this Sea Lotus body wash, they are: water lotus, bamboo, red marine algae, and Vitamin E. similar to the last H2O Plus body wash i received in March 2013, it smells marine-y. it is indeed part of their Marine Skincare line but i just do not like that scent.

2) Nubar : Cuticle Oil in 'T3191-7 Green Apple'
size: 7 mL
retail value: $10 (15 mL)

it does smell like green apples! very light scent. the brush is different from a regular nail polish. this one is stiffer so you can dab it on your cuticles. i am not very precise since it just gets absorbed anyway.

3) Swissco : Bath & Shower Exfoliating Gloves
size: 1 pair [full size]
retail value: $5

i can always count on BB5 for something different. exfoliating gloves! haven't received or used these before. i think these will become very useful, especially with dress season around the corner.

4) Jergens : Daily Moisture Dry Skin Moisturizer
size: 29 mL
retail value: $6.99 (621 mL)

this light cream absorbs quickly into the skin and has a citrus scent with a hint of flowers. a tad boring but will be used someday.

5) Epic Blend : Lip Balm in 'Hemp Coconut' 
size: 4.2 g [full size]
retail value: $3.39
promotion: 25% off online purchase // expired Mar 31, 2014

i said i'd try to pawn off the (MALIN+GOETZ) mojito lip balm from the ipsy bag to my boyfriend but this is more his style.

6) BONUS : That Awkward Moment : Mirror Compact

a rectangular mirror compact that i probably won't use since i already have a mirror with my MUFE Pressed Powder. i'd bring it along for travel if it was bit bigger!

and so there it is. BB5 continues to have some interesting items like exfoliating gloves and brush cleaners in their boxes but it's offset with the boring lotions and shampoos. i also don't really see how this whole box ties in with the movie...

what are your vacation plans this year??

BEAUTY BOX 5: December 2013

who was i kidding? i was wayyy off with my estimate in my last post - i am more like half way done December's boxes.

next up: BB5's "Naughty and Nice" December box

1) NYX Cosmetics Love in Rio Eyeshadow Palette in "LIR02 Mo Rockin' Beats"
after a rather disappointing experience with a very similar looking palette with POP Beauty in ipsy's bag, i think i'll pass on opening this up... i mean the only difference between the two is that this one has a matte white, a shimmery grey and a matte black while the other palette had all the same shades but shimmery. i am totally up for a swap/sale if you are interested :) the bow where you pop open the lid is super cute!

size: 3 g (full size!)
retail value: $6.00
promotion: 20% off online purchase until Dec 31/13 [expired]

2) Body Drench Daily Moisturizing Lotion - The Original
when it say's 'The Original', it must mean that this was such a hit that it has been imitated right?
the lotion is non-greasy and has a whipped-like texture. it also smells strongly of baby powder which i personally don't mind.

size: 59 mL
retail value: $8.99 (500 mL)

3) OFRA Cosmetics Lipgloss Plumper in "Sultry"
the description refers to this lipgloss as the perfect color for winter. and i finally get to it just when winter is coming to an end... wait, who am i kidding?? i live in Calgary! snow in May is almost a guarantee. you just never know with Calgary weather - sorry to all you optimists that have been walking around in flats and skirts.

the lipgloss is only available in "Sultry" which is a shimmery maroon color. the shimmer is not extreme and the shade is actually not as dark as it appears in the tube. it's a color i would be comfortable enough wearing during the day.
the plumping effect is also not too strong - i feel just a hint of 'stinging' if you want to call it that and it is very brief after the lipgloss is first applied.

size: 10 mL (full size!)
retail value: $12.95
promotion: 25% off online purchase until Feb 28/14 [expired]

4) Clean & Clear Morning Burst Hydrating Gel Moisturizer
mmmmm this reminds me of my childhood... does this remind anyone else of a certain type of prescription medicine you had to keep in the fridge? and it was for tummy aches? or perhaps colds? i can't remember what it was but i thought it was banana flavored. anyways, i just remember it being yummy... just like Dimetapp-C!

this gel moisturizer is very lightweight and is absorbed quickly into the skin. i do not believe the moisture is very long-lasting since it just disappears so quickly. aside from being oil-free, i don't know what other benefits it really has since it doesn't have other important qualities i look for in a moisturizer (i.e. SPF).

size: 14 g
retail value: $6.99 (85 g)

5) Sam Villa Brush Cleaner
you can always count on BB5 for diversity: a brush cleaner! that's a first. and one that doubles as a teasing brush?? i'm all for volume! but teasing does make my arms feel weak rather quickly...

this would be immensely useful in my house since the hair collects on my round brushes until i can no longer see the brush... until finally the boyfriend takes a look at it and asks why you allow such a mass of hair/lint/other to grow so massively to which you don't really have a good answer for. so he proceeds to take it off himself not knowing how tangly and stubborn long thick hair could be. you try to ignore it as he struggles and struggles, only to find a nice fur ball on your pillow the next day.
lovely isn't it?

size: 1 brush cleaner (full size!)
retail value: $4.95
promotion: 20% off online purchase until Dec 31/13 [expired]

so that's a decent December box in my opinion. the only thing i probably will not use is the NYX eyeshadow but only because i have many palettes in the same shades. i love NYX so if it was any other color, i'd probably have cracked it open by now. as mentioned in the previous section, the brush cleaner will be useful!