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Showing posts with label Belvada. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Belvada. Show all posts

Saturday, February 22, 2014

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?

Tuesday, July 16, 2013

TOPBOX: June 2013

i have decided to make a change: i am going to write TWO posts within a week.
say whaaaaaat?

yes yes - i have fallen well behind my usual snail pace and have now achieved banana slug status (wiki says they are the slowest mollusk in the world - averaging speeds of 0.000023 m/s). plus, it was my birthday two days ago and i want to make this change :)

let's quickly go through my June Topbox!


1) Belvada Cosmetics Mini Eyelash Curler
i am not sure how excited i am about this eyelash curler. yay for being the first eyelash curler i've gotten in a box but nay to the plastic and the compact design which makes it hard for me to grab hold of my tiny stubborn eyelashes. the small size makes it really easy to throw in a purse but it's nowhere near as effective as my Shiseido curler.
size: 1 mini eyelash curler (full size!)
retail value: $5.99

2) Benefit Cosmetics Ultra Plush Gloss in "Sugarbomb"
February's Topbox featured Benefit so i have tried my hand at another one of their glosses prior to this. "Sugarbomb" is described as a 'shimmering pinky nude' by Benefit. both "Dandelion" and "Sugarbomb" are very shimmery and apply clear on my lips. they are not sticky and smell yummy.
size: 6.5 mL
retail value: $19 (15 mL)

3) Jelly Pong Pong Cosmetics Fairy Lashes Mascara in "Flutter"
'Fairy Lashes'... sounds light and pretty! i'd love to put it to a test but i am still working through my Pandora's Eyes Mascara (which has a clear tube so i can see that i am nowhere near finishing it anytime soon).
size: 8 mL (full size!)
retail value: $24

4) Pari Beauty Colour Cubes in "# 04 & 19"
i find these loose powders to be a bit messy but these colors are ah-mazing. so gorgeous! i have absolutely nothing like the rosy pink color (which i will assume is #19 since there is no other indication). it makes you question how you can use it without looking like you have an infected eye but it definitely works! what i do is i use the soft yellow (#04) on the inner corner, a black or something dark in the crease area and lightly tap the rose pink on top of that. tada! a beautiful sunset on your eye!
haha but seriously, here are some swatches:
both are shimmery and are not super pigmented but it is buildable. #19 looks more like a peachy color when swatched. #04 is finer than #19 and applies very smoothly. the powders come in a plastic stackable container.

size: 2 stack
retail value: $30 (5 stack, 7 g); $35 (8 stack, 11 g)

so since my July Topbox arrived yesterday... this is all probably old news! all items were makeup-related so that's always a hit with me. my stubborn eyelashes renders this eyelash curler quite useless; lipglosses - have a ton but Benefit is a nice brand to try. all in all, quite content with the contents! onward to the next box/bag!
thanks for continuing to read my blog! <3 it has been super busy with the Calgary Stampede and the flooding and everything so i appreciate your continued support! i will be heading to Edmonton this weekend to see Bruno Mars but i will update again soon after!

Tuesday, June 19, 2012

GLYMM BAG: June 2012

seems like Glymm is becoming more consistent with their shipping. the last two months, i think they've arrived a few days after Topbox has. the new format of "bag" instead of "box" has made the package feel much lighter. this month's bag is blue! uh oh - you know what that means - it means that my mind may be twisted into thinking that i need to collect these colorful bags... ack! oh and i just noticed the "Glymm" stamped on the zipper. very cute detail.

it's nice that Glymm is going green, but i find the white tissue paper wrapping around the bag unnecessary. anyone else think so?
so Glymm decided to make things a tad harder for everyone by discontinuing the product card. this is the same as BB5 and i do not like this feature. i have to look everything up to see how to use it and i think it is too much of hassle. i hope i make your life easier by listing the description here as found on the Glymm website.
the Glymm bag felt light and it was visibly much less packed than last month's. in fact, everything was quite small.

June's samples:

1) La Fresh Acetone-Free Nail Polish Remover
Remove your nail polish in the most eco-friendly way possible. It does no harm to you or the planet, and it smells so delicious.

i have not tried these but have seen them mentioned on fellow bloggers' posts before. i've heard fantastic things about these so i am happy to try them. they are cruelty free and made from natural ingredients. apparently you don't even have to rinse your hands after using the wipe.
size: 1 pad (for 10 nails) x 2
retail value: $9.99 (18 pads)

2) Clark's Botanicals Smoothing Marine Cream
This exfoliating and moisturizing cream will leave your skin feeling smooth as can be.

interesting fact - Clark's Botanicals donates a portion of their sales to The Christopher Reeve Foundation (not sure what i'm talking about? re: Superman). anyway, it is supposed to be used prior to applying sunscreen. the directions sound a tad scary when it says: "Never apply this product to red or peeling skin." the use of the word "never" sounds very serious...
i used it in the morning before sunscreen as advised. the scent reminds me of old ladies but it's not unpleasant. it made my face feel soft. i'll gladly use this until i run out but i am not sure if the benefits of this product is worth $115 yet.
size: N/A but on the Glymm site it says around 10-14 uses
retail value: $115 (50 mL)

3) Salvadore Dali ItIsDream Eau De Toilette Natural Spray
This fragrance radiates romance, tenderness, optimism and joy. If you’re artistic and love to dream, then this is the fragrance for you.

i would not have known what brand this was by looking at it since a lot of the writing was rubbed off on my sample. be careful when you use it - it comes out more direct rather than a spray or mist -- spritz! one spritz is more than enough - the scent is pretty strong. a strong citrus-y floral. my sister described it as a musky floral. we both are clueless as to describing scents so don't take our word. i don't think it smells bad though. online, it says it is a combination of fruity-floral-woody... yay  i guess we win!
size: N/A ... 1 sample vial, ~ 35 sprays
retail value: $54 (60 mL)

4) Vitamine & Sea Perfect Skin Solution
This miracle serum is 100% natural blend of vitamin E and essential oils. It will leave your skin flawless.

hooray 100% natural! after reading more about this product, it seems like it is a miracle product: it fights acne and aging, smooths and repairs skin while protecting it from environmental damage. it is to be used at night - apply 2-4 drops on a damp, clean face and neck.
it's a little difficult to do 2-4 drops with this sample packaging so i had to slowly pour a little on my finger. perhaps i poured too much because i did not like the feel of this serum on my face at all. it felt way too oily on my face. i highly dislike oily makeup removers - imagine you are using that and spreading it all over your face. and the smell - ack! not a fan of stinky greasy products!!! i am scared to try this again even though it is apparently so good for your skin.
size: N/A... 1 sample vial, ~ 5 uses
retail value: $68 (45 mL)

5) Belvada Harmony Duo Lipstick/Lip Balm in "Balm/Elegant Maroon"
Everything your lips need for a night: some balm and some color in one lustrous package.

i was very intrigued when i picked this up but then the excitement died a bit when i saw the words "Elegant Maroon". i didn't know if i would like maroon on my lips. there are 3 other colors available: "Intense Red", "Natural Earth" and "Soft Pink".
when i took it out of the box, i was astonished at how large this product was! then, i quickly became confused as to how to use it. i even tried shaking it for a bit. i realized you pushed it on one side to get the opposite out and then you pull the tube out. when you are done, you slide it back in until it clicks (two times so it doesn't roll back and forth).

i took a close up of the "Elegant Maroon" side to show you the actual color as well as how much product there was in the tube.

i did swatches of both the balm and the lipstick even though the balm was clear. the balm feels really nice and moisturizing. and then i tried on the lipstick. i was pleasantly surprised by how much i like this color on me! i feel that it works with my complexion. even though it's definitely a darker color than i am used to wearing, it's a nice toned-down red.
 left to right: artificial light; natural light

i tried to show you on my arm how pearly the color was. as you can see, both of them have a nice shine.
top to bottom: artificial light; natural light

what's handy is that they also sell the lipstick/lip balm separately in case you run out of one side faster than the other. you can purchase them for $10 each.
size: 3.4 g/lip balm or lipstick x 2 = 6.8 g (full size!)
retail value: $20

i wonder if Glymm actually considers this part of our "samples", but on the products list, they included the blue makeup bag the samples came in. it is listed at $12 each - which doesn't make sense to me since the new Glymm bags WITH the samples cost $12/month so why wouldn't you just sign up? (perhaps, here? :))
** spoiler alert ** but aww, it looks like there is only one other color to get other than the pink and blue. oh well, i love orange!

so i think that Glymm did good this month. most of the samples are indeed very small  but the Belvada duo totally made the bag for me. what did you get in your Glymm this month? 
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