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?

TOPBOX: May 2013 [regular]

once again, i went with the regular box for my May Topbox. other choices included Coolway, Maskeraide, Elizabeth Arden or a February Favorites Topbox. there was also an option to upgrade to a Ferro Cosmetics or a PretendTAN Topbox.
i was slightly interested in the February Favorites Topbox that included a Deborah Lippmann polish, MUFE foundation and a B. Kamins cream but the colors available for the polish and the foundation was limiting.

here's what my regular Topbox looks like:

1) Cuccio Colour Nail Lacquer in "Tel-Aviv About It" - hmmm i think i've seen this brand before but i can't pinpoint where... was it Winners? or a liquidation store?

"Tel-Aviv About It" is a very neutral color - a "light tan" as described on the Cuccio website. neutrals tend to be more on the sheer side but Cuccio boasts a Triple Pigmentation Technology where you only need a max of two coats for opacity. i will put this to the test and update you on these claims at a later date since i am in the mood for some bright fun colors right now (it's too gloomy and rainy these days).

size: 13 mL (full size!)

retail value: $10

2) Lise Watier HAUTE COULEUR High Coverage Lip Lacquer in "Stylista" - doesn't the color look absolutely gorgeous in the tube? such a purdy shade of pink.

way way way back in my December Luxe Box, i also received a Lise Watier gloss but that was a sparkly nude and i don't think i've used it since then. "Stylista" is very pretty though and i've been using it quite often. the scent is actually the strongest fragrance i've encountered with a lipgloss. the color payoff is great but only lasts about an hour. 

size: 1.5 mL

retail value: $23 (6 mL)

3) Yaby Eyeshadow Refill in "ES553 Dragonling" - love the name! and the color is unique too - a matte lilac shadow (the photo is slightly more blue).
pigmentation is good at first but it will fade and become less intense throughout the day. it also applied patchy  (not super smooth as the card says) so a little blending is required.

i wonder if Topbox assumed that most of us were already ipsy subscribers since we all got a GlamRX Palette that is perfect for Yaby eyeshadows a couple of months ago. 

size: 15.5 mm / 3 g (full size!)

retail value: $3.15

4) Deborah Lippmann Smooth Operator Nail Buffer - it's a little hard to get excited about a nail buffer but this one has the 4 sides for shaping nails, buffing ridges, smoothing surfaces and adding shine. 

too bad this didn't come with a Deborah Lippmann polish! 

size: 1 nail buffer (full size!)

retail value: $12

so there we have it! looks like everything is a little small when i put them all together. it was an alright month... in fact, all the regular boxes i have gotten (last three months) were just okay, a little boring actually. it's too bad that even though there are more and more Prive box options available, none of them are appealing enough to me. i hope that next month will bring about better choices! 

also i was tempted to get something during Topbox's Spring Sale yesterday - but i forgot to actually get an order in. did you order anything?