TOPBOX: March 2013 [regular]

it's just my luck, it happens all the time.
does it have to be this way for me?

hell yeah, cause it's just my luck.

anyone else remember the Canadian group V.I.P.? lol i think they came out with 2 songs in the 90s. i love 90s music!!

but you know what i don't love?
this month's Topbox.

my spirits were dampened when Topbox emailed me after my box has shipped that one of the items i was supposed to get (Chloe perfume) was replaced with a "VWL" - which someone else pointed out could only be Vera Wang, another perfume sample.
i went with a regular box after given the choices of an Aveda, Pure+simple, Lippy Girl and Jurlique (upgrade) Topbox. i wasn't really excited about these options and figured that since last month's regular box was such a hit - Deborah Lippmann, MUFE...

but of course, this month's regular box was nowhere near as awesome.

1) Aveda Caribbean Therapy Body Creme - i already heard complaints about the scent of this before even receiving the box. it sounds like it would smell good - Caribbean mango, cocoa butter and warm island aromas. my sister says it smells like a pile of dying leaves mixed with some bug spray.
the creme says that was 'people-tested'... i wonder if these people had noses.

it does work in terms of moisturization but i'd probably apply it at night and on my legs so that it is furthest from my nose. haha ok it is really NOT that bad. but it isn't something i'd slather on.

size: 25 mL
retail value: $42 (200 mL)

2) L'Oréal Professionnel Mythic Oil - i actually have a full size of this... waiting patiently for me to crack open since Christmas. there was so much talk about this product online that once i found it on sale, i had to have it. so i really have no idea why i haven't used it yet! it feels great on my ends - it makes my hair smoother and less frizzy - and smells great at the same time!

check out Topbox's Mythic Oil giveaway here :)

size: N/A but 2 vials
retail value: $26 (125 mL)

3) MaskerAide Hydrating Facial Sheet Mask in "I Don't Wanna Grow Up" - another MaskerAide mask! but it is different from the other two i have received from Topbox and BB5. the name of it is exactly what i feel. i have my first "big girl" job now which is going great but there's all these other responsibilities and demands. oh shucks.

size: 1 mask @ 23 g (full size!)
retail value: $4.99

4) Vera Wang Lovestruck Floral Rush - i received Vera Wang Lovestruck exactly one year ago in the exact same size from LB. this March, i got the Floral Rush version which is a stronger scent than the other. the Lovestruck Floral Rush one also smells like fresh, fragrant flowers and has a younger feel while Lovestruck is softer and less-in-your-face. i personally prefer the Lovestruck one; what about you?

size: 4 mL
retail value: $79 (50 mL); $105 (100 mL)

- - - - -

so that's that for March's Topbox! i don't know if i prefer the surprise of a regular Topbox or knowing exactly what i am getting in a branded Topbox... agh! guess we will have to see for April. sneak peeks have already been released!
what kind of risk-taker are you?

BEAUTY BOX 5: December 2012

on the last day of December, i received my BB5 as well as my Glossybox (post on that later - there's quite a bit of drama with this one).

products this month was listed inside the form of a holiday card, along with some poetry. it was very cute - i love the thought they put into this.

December's products:

1) Jean Pierre Cosmetics Exfoliating Facial Cleansing Pads with Microbeads - this is a brand i've never heard of before. it looks like Jean Pierre Cosmetics specializes in all kinds of towelettes including self tan ones and nail polish remover wipes.

i should take a break from my makeup remover and cotton balls and start using these makeup remover wipes (i am currently hoarding quite a few!). 

size: 16 pads (full size!)

retail value: $1.99

shipping to Canada: not available in Canada - unless you want to use a package forwarding service

2) Everyday Minerals Flat Top Brush - i know this particular item got a lot of ladies to sign up for a subscription when BB5 posted a spoiler on Facebook. i, too, was quite excited! 

the brush is thick but small at the same time. the synthetic bristles are incredibly soft! very nice to the touch and it is 100% vegan. this flat top brush is ideal for applying powder and can be used to build up coverage.  

size: 1 brush (full size!)

retail value: $12.99

promotion: 20% off order before January 15, 2013

shipping to Canada: $4.95

3) MaskerAide Hydrating Facial Sheet Mask in "Pre Party Prep" - i have yet to use this MaskerAide, as well as the other one i got in my Topbox ("All Nighter") but seems like i am all set for some major partying! i've only heard fantastic things about these masks but i find the price for each one a little too high.

size: 1 sheet / 23 g (full size!)

retail value: $4.99

promotion: 20% off order before January 15, 2013 

shipping to Canada: $3.00

4) OFRA Cosmetics 3D Loose Shadow in "Diamond Glitz" - that is one huge pot of eyeshadow! this is the "smartest" packaging for a loose powder i have ever seen - it has a sifter where you can turn the lid to either open or close it. genius! 

in the jar, "Diamond Glitz" looks like a khaki green shadow with teal shimmers in it. the "3D" reminds me of my MUFE Holodiam Powder. when swatched, it looks like a different color - a very soft taupe with loads of gold shimmer. it doesn't look like much in the shade but once it hits some light, it really brightens up. i'd like to wear this over a darker color. will post pics when i wear it (it's a stay-at-home Saturday for me!). 

natural light; with flash

size: 4 g (full size!)

retail value: $19.90

shipping to Canada: $9.95

5) Demeter Roll On Perfume Oil in "Cherry Blossom" - i've actually seen this brand pop up in some of the fancier Superstores but i've never tested out their products. i have to say i am now super intrigued with their "Fragrance Library" and their 235 different classic scents!! there's such an extensive range - people who have always wanted to smell like a "Crayon" or "Sweet Cilantro" or "Fresh Hay" can finally find it all with Demeter. 

"Cherry Blossom" is one of their top 30 scents and i can see why. like Majorie (Petits Pots et Coquetteries) said, it is quite similar to Ralph by Ralph Lauren (the original blue one) which is one of the first perfumes i have ever fallen in love with. it's a soft floral and smells just lovely - it does fade in a few hours but the travel-friendly size means that you can reapply it whenever you want to.

size: 8.8 mL (full size!)

retail value: $10

promotion: 20% off order before January 31, 2013

shipping to Canada: $12.99

... uhm what? these are ALL full sized items? way to go, BB5! the total value of this box is quite impressive as you would've thought since the eyeshadow alone is $20! the total value is: $49.87 and even without knowing the prices, there would be no hesitation when i say that this box paid for itself and more. my favorites in this box would be the Everyday Minerals brush and the Demeter roll on perfume. 

on a separate note, i'd just like to throw in that i was finally able to watch Les Misérables (typing the title was no problem but you should watch me struggle in real life) on Wednesday night and i have had the soundtrack on repeat since then (red! black!). amazzzzzzzing movie!! i have always been indifferent about musicals but this one was really something. very powerful songs and emotions. i was impressed that all the singing was done live and that only about 10 lines throughout the movie were not sung. 

have you watched Les Misérables? what did you think of your BB5? what other scent would you like to try from Demeter? 

TOPBOX: October 2012

got my Topbox on the 15th - i didn't think it was that long of a wait but judging from many of the Facebook comments, it seemed that some people were waiting forever or something.

let's see how long i waited:

2027! that's almost 15 years! if anything, i should be the one complaining on Facebook.

i really don't know what they are processing in 2027 since i have the actual box in my hands... haha all kidding aside, this month's box (version 6) was okay - like last month, it's alright if you compare it to other boxes but it's a little underwhelming if you compare it to earlier Topboxes. 

October's beauty items:

1) Aveda Invati Exfoliating Shampoo & Thickening Conditioner - i can already smell it when i take it out of the box; smells like some kind of spice (not very pleasant). i do not have thinning hair so this product is really not for me. i am going to pass it off to my boyfriend though who is concerned about his receding hairline... i hope that was OK for me to share. he sometimes skims through my blog but i hope he doesn't read that part.

the box came with an offer for a complimentary Invati botanical therapy hair treatment with a hair cut or shampoo style...  i actually got my hair cut recently at the ABA Show so i won't be needing another one soon.  in Calgary, this offer is accepted at Diva Salonspa and Redbloom (haircuts start at $30 if you wanted it to be done by a student).

size: 10 mL each x 2

retail value: $27 (200 mL) 

2) MaskerAide Hydrating Facial Sheet Mask in "All Nighter" - i have heard fabulous things about this Canadian company: it's hydrating, eco-friendly, natural and it works. but the price is a bit of a turn-off though. especially since it says on the back to use once per week.
and speaking of the name "All Nighter" - the only time i've ever pulled an all nighter was not even for homework or deadlines... it was for video games - a really really long 50 rounds of Mario Party. 

size: 1 mask - 23 g (full size!)

retail value: $4.99

3) Stila Eyeshadow Palette in "In the Garden" - there are two other versions of the eyeshadow palette sample available: "In the Moment" (purple cover) and "In the Light" (gold cover). 

the colors in "In the Garden" are absolutely gorgeous but i am not sure if i can use this enough to warrant its' label as a "deluxe" sample. the card also has instructions on how to create two different looks. 

some swatches:

i'd have to say some are pigmented and some not so much. the colors seem to be more intense on the right side. they are all very shimmery though. i tried to use as little as i could since i didn't think there was much to begin with. in the end, i seemed to take off just a bit off the edges:

size:  N/A - sample card

retail value: $50 (14 g)

4) Stila Prime Pot in "Taffy" - i am always excited to try new eyeshadow primers and this is a decent size. i used it today and it works wonderfully.

size: 2 g

retail value: $26 (3.3 mL)

so no wow factor in this Topbox but it's okay. i hear a lot of new subscribers already unsubscribing but i think they haven't given Topbox a fair chance. i know Topbox took on new subscribers this month so i hope that a greater number of subscriptions does not affect the quality of the Topbox.
how do you guys feel about your Topboxes?