Topbox - May 2013 (Regular)

• Benefit Cosmetics POREfessional
• Cuccio Colour Nail Lacquer in Texas Rose
• Lisa Watier Haute Couleur High Coverage Lip Lacquer in Stylista
• Yaby Eyeshadow in Berry Splats

Anti-Glymm Box

Thanks to Nail Polish Canada I recently received a free box full of goodies for being a recent subscriber of the now bankrupt company Glymm. 

Nail Polish Canada generously offered this box, branded the Anti-Glymm Box, a $25+ value to anyone who was a Glymm subscriber during the previous four months. 

The box included 6 items:

1 x Choice of: China Glaze Shocking Pink, Nova or Towel Boy Toy

1 x China Glaze for Audrey

1 x Color Club in Theory

1 x White Nail File

1 x Mini Seche Vite Top Coat

1 x Mini Tend Skin

I choose the Shocking Pink Box (of course)

If you're in the market for a new polish nail polish I highly recommend http://www.nailpolishcanada.com
They have excellent customer service and I think it's important to support companies that try and give back and help those who have been wronged.

Beauty Box 5 - April

This month I received 5 products from Beauty Box 5. I took a couple month break from this company but couldn't resist resubscribing as they are the least expensive of the beauty boxes. 

The first spoiler BB5 released this month was the Model Co Illusion Lip Pencil with a value of $20. This is the second lip pencil I have received from them and although it's a great value lip pencils are not really something I ever got into. This Lip Pencil however is advertised as the only one you need and is designed to give you the illusion of having fuller looking lips while keeping them nourished. My favorite thing about the Model Co Pencil is definitely the built in sharpener.

Model Co Illusion Lip Pencil: 

The second spoiler was of Minxxette's Small Brush Hanger. This product is fairly self explanatory, it allows you to hang your makeup brushes while they dry. Will I get much use out of this? probably not. Do I find the idea a tad silly? yes. I am sure however that there are people who will love this and it's still fun to be introduced to new products.

Minxxette Brush Hanger (Small):

 The next product is definitely one that's handy going into spring and summer and that's Jean Pierre Oil-Absorbing Facial Tissues. The packaging is a bit bulky but I think it's cute and have already added it to my purse.

Jean Pierre Oil-Absorbing Facial Tissues

 Upon first glance at this next product my inital thought was 'not another lotion sample' and then I realized it's not lotion, it's a moisturizer but in the form of a wet wipe from LA Fresh! This immediately perked me up. It's advertised as 'peppermint moisture/silky sheer' and for some reason I find this very appealing, this product has also been added to my purse.  

LA Fresh Instant Body Smoother

And last but not least they included an eyeshadow from Brazen Cosmetics in Birthday Suit. The color is a really pretty sandy brown shade that I can definitely see myself using.

Brazen Cosmetics Eyeshadow in Birthday Suit:

It's funny, when I first sat down to write this I wasn't exactly thrilled with the contents of this months box but the more I typed and really broke down the items the more fond I became of it and overall I'm really pleased now.

Glossybox - April 2013

In January I subscribed and unsubscribed from Glossybox. I was so unimpressed with the items I received that month that it was the only Beauty Box I did not blog about, I later regretted this decision upon seeing their February box as it had some truly great products. So after two months of decent boxes I decided last week to give them a second chance.

When they announced that the theme for this month was going to be 'Work that Beauty' I was a bit concerned. When I read "Double knot your shoes, grab your GLOSSYBOX, and get a jump start on your workout this April" beauty products were not what immediately came to mind and I wondered if I had made a mistake...

Today my box arrived and I LOVE IT. 

 Glossy included 5 deluxe samples this month. 

I received:

1.Pop Beauty In-Liner in Blue

I really love the color of this liner, when it comes to eye makeup I enjoy experimenting with color so the navy is right up my alley.

2. Boscia Recharging Night Moisture 

Moisturizers are one of my least favorite products to receive in Beauty Boxes simply because my skin is sensitive and I have to be mindful of what I put on it so I may pass this on to a friend.

3. A Schick Razor 

A lot of people are not fans of receiving razors in their Beauty Boxes but I personally love it, they're a necessity and it saves me the money and hassle of having to go out and buy one.

4. Jelly Pong Pong Moisturizing Lip Blush  

This item was announced in a sneak peek by Glossy at the beginning of the month. With a retail value of $18 this product alone covered the cost of the box and it is a really pretty color for lips and cheeks.

5. Epsom Shower and Bath Salts in Soft Mint

I have never actually used Epsom Salts before and up until today it never occurred to me that they could be used in the shower so I'll give them a shot, the idea behind these boxes is to try new products after all.

And 2 Coupons. 
One from Schick and the other from Silhouette for a free package of their New Greek Yogurt. I am currently on a major Greek Yogurt Kick so that coupon will definitely go to good use.

I am extremely pleased with the items I received this month. As far as my subscription goes I'm going on a month-to-month basis. The great thing about Glossybox is that they ship twice a month so you can pretty much order the box for the current month right up until the last week and they do offer you the option to purchase previous boxes if you find that you miss one that you really loved.

Topbox - April 2013

Initially I was hoping to receive the Elizabeth Arden Prive Box but I actually ended up being happier with the regular Topbox I received this month and I ended up getting the Elizabeth Arden product I most wanted to try in the first place, the mascara.

My April Topbox

   

• Michael Todd True Organics Tropical Fruit Enzyme Exfoliant Scrub 
• KMS California Free Shape Quick Blow Dry
• Elizabeth Arden Beautiful Color Lash Enhancing Mascara
• Pari Red Lip Paint

 Overall I'm really happy with all of the products I received and with the exception of the red lip paint they are all items I can use on a daily basis.

SMASHBOX Camera Ready BB Cream

I take back everything I said yesterday about being disappointed by the Sephora samples I received at the V.I.B. sale Thursday because I have found my BB Cream. 

I am officially in love and obsessed with the Camera Ready BB Cream from smashbox.

It claims to be a "5-in-1 complexion miracle-worker proven to PRIME, PERFECT, PROTECT,  HYDRATE and CONTROL OIL" and I think it does a pretty good job of living up to these claims. For me it worked well on it's own as well as a base for my foundation. It goes on a bit greasy at first but settles nicely as a Matte Finish and with the warmer weather coming the SPF 35 is great.

The full size retails for $50 so I definitely plan on taking advantage of the sale before it ends.

Sephora Chic Week 2013

ave 15% Off your entire order from Sephora with code CHIC at the checkout. This code is valid for all Beauty Insiders from Friday, April 12, 2013 until Sunday, April 21, 2013. Sephora VIB Members can take advantage of this deal starting today, April 11, 2013 until Monday, April 22, 2013- so you’ve got a head start and an extra day to pick up those last minute must-haves! - See more at: http://www.beautezine.com/sephora-chic-week-2013-15-off-sale-bobbi-brown-canada-friends-family-20-off-sale/#sthash.PeQ2T51v.dpuf

ave 15% Off your entire order from Sephora with code CHIC at the checkout. This code is valid for all Beauty Insiders from Friday, April 12, 2013 until Sunday, April 21, 2013. Sephora VIB Members can take advantage of this deal starting today, April 11, 2013 until Monday, April 22, 2013- so you’ve got a head start and an extra day to pick up those last minute must-haves! - See more at: http://www.beautezine.com/sephora-chic-week-2013-15-off-sale-bobbi-brown-canada-friends-family-20-off-sale/#sthash.PeQ2T51v.dpuf

Friday, April 12th through Sunday, April 21st Canadian Sephora Beauty Insider Members can save 15% off of their total purchase in store.  

 Sephora V.I.B. members were given the opportunity to take advantage of this sale one day earlier on Thursday, April 11th. 

V.I.Bs who took advantage of the Thursday sale received a complimentary tote with 8 samples inside. 

 At the time of the sale there wasn't really anything that I needed but I wanted to take advantage of the sale and free tote so I picked up  Tarte's Clean Slate Deluxe Primer Trio ($12).

The Bag of Samples

Samples Included

Make Up For Ever Pro Finish Multi-Use Powder Foundation (Fair Complexion)

Algenist Multi-Perfecting Pore Corrector Concentrate

Bumble and Bumble Thickening Shampoo and Conditoner 

Nude Perfect Cleansing Oil Face & Eyes

Ole Henriksen Oil-Free Brightening Moisturizer

Smashbox Camera Ready BB Cream Broad Spectrum SPF 35 in Light

Dolce & Gabbana Eau De Toilette in Light Blue

I was a little disappointed to learn that the samples Sephora was giving out were all foils. V.I.Bs spend a minimum of $350 over the course of a calendar year to attain that status and it would be nice to see a few more perks than a sale twice a year with some foil samples thrown in. American shoppers have the option of using their discount online or in store, in Canada the promotion is offered in store only which is unfortunate because I know had it been available online I would have purchased more than I did and I'm sure I'm not the only one. 

 

 

On the positive I am absolutely loving the Tarte primers, the set is such an amazing deal that I recommend anyone looking for a new primer to pick them up while they're still available. I went back to Sephora to purchase a backup set today and they were sold out so if you're considering it I don't recommend waiting too long. One full size primer retails for $39CAD so getting to try all 3 for $12 is a deal that can't be beat!