Wednesday 14 March 2012

March Topbox

It's that time again! That's right, the time when companies ship out their monthly beauty boxes! It's my favourite time of my month, just second place to getting my pay check! Haha!

So, Topbox shipped first this month even though it was a couple of days late after getting stuck in the shipping facility at Scarborough.  Here is what I received this month:
  • mark. Gloss Gorgeous Stay On Lip Stain
  • mark. Nailed It Trend Mini Nail Lacquers
  • Simple Cleansing Facial Wipes
  • Make Up For Ever Smoky Lash
  • Redkin Colour Extend Shampoo and Conditioner
So, I did kinda cheat a little bit and took a peak at what other people got before I got mine.  I was expecting a Cargo eyeshadow in my box, but I was still very happy with what I got.  I have way too much eyeshadow, and I think getting nail polish, mascara and lip gloss all in one box is pretty darn good. 

Monday 5 March 2012

February Monthly Subscription Boxes Comparison

This month has been a very exciting month, another contender in the beauty box subscription joins the ring.  And the box that wins this month is...Glossybox!

Luxury - Topbox was the winner this month in terms of the degree of luxury of the products received.  I really liked the two YSL products that I received this month.  Glymm comes in dead last because I received a Burts Bee lip balm and Sula eyeshadow.  Luxebox and Glossybox scored the same; they were lower than Topbox, but didn't really outdo each other.

Quantity: Samples Received - Glossybox won this month because it had the most samples received. Topbox and Luxebox tied because I received the same amount of samples in both boxes.  Glymm comes in last again.

Quantity: Full Size Products Received - Glymm comes in first in this category because I received 2 full sized samples, while the other boxes gave me one or less than one.

Range of Products - Glosstbox wins this round with the wide range of products that I received.  I received perfume, hair care, lip product, face care, and body care.  Luxebox comes in second with only hitting three categories - nail, hair, and body care.  Glymm and Topbox got low marks in this category because they hit less than three categories.

Timeliness - Glossybox was the first box to come, while luxe box and topbox came on the same day.  Glymm lost major points in this category because their brand partner did not ship on time and resulted in boxes being delivered late.

Glossybox comes in first this month based on the average of the score with Luxebox coming in at a close second.  I would say that the major competition is between these two boxes now.  I don't think Glymm and Topbox operate at the same level as Luxebox and Glossybox, and I probably won't renew my subscription with them when my annual subscription runs out with them.

Sunday 26 February 2012

Natural Eye with a Pop of Colour

I was inspired to do this eye look from the aqua eyeshadow that I received from Topbox this month.  This look is both fun and office-appropriate for casual Fridays.
I used Maybelline EyeStudio Colour Explosion Eyeshadow in Caffeine Rush and I used the aqua eyeshadow as the eyeliner.
The eyeshadow is very creamy and soft; making it very easy to line the eye.
I have mono-lids and that's the reason why the eyeliner does not pop as much when my eyes are opened.  But when you are having a conversation with someone and looking at them in the eye, trust me, the bright eyeliner will definitely get noticed!

Thursday 23 February 2012

February Glymm Box

So, I finally received this month's Glymm box after waiting so long.

This is what I received:

  • Sula - Natural Shadow in Nature Made 
  • Burts's Bee - Tinted Lip Balm in Hibiscus
  • Glamglow - Tingling and Exfoliating Mud Mask
  • Mai Couture - 2-1 Oil Blotting/Bronzing Papier
Here is what the products look like


The products in the box look awfully small compared to the other boxes this month, even though there are 2 full size products in this month's Glymm box. 
 
Here is a swatch of the lip tint (on top) and the eyeshadow (on the bottom)
So, there are a couple of things that I want to talk about.  Regarding the Sula eyeshadow, the colour payoff is horrible and it really does not complement my skin tone.  Furthermore, be careful when you open up the compartment for the eyeshadow.  The pan is not connected to the compact, and there no sticky or magnet in the box so that you have a choice to stick it to the compact.  
Onto the Burt's Bee lip tint, I do agree that the lip tint is quite moisturizing, but the colour payoff is not as great as the Revlon lip butters.  The colour of the lip tint is a gorgeous rose colour, but unfortunately, the shade is so sheer that it actually comes out as a bit orange on my yellow-toned skin. 
This box definitely disappointed me this month and contrary to what Glymm claims, this box was not worth the wait. 

Friday 17 February 2012

February Luxebox

So, I noticed two things for this month's luxe box.  First of all, the box is red this month since this is a special collaboration with Flare.  Second of all, the box was absolutely bursting at the seams this month.

This is what I received this month:
  • Redkin Colour Extend Shampoo and Conditioner
  • Moroccanoil Moroccanoil Treatment
  • Mereadesso Beautiful Body Balm
  • Mereadesso Face and Neck Toning Gel
  • China Glaze Nail Polish in the colour Innocence
The nail polish goes on very smoothly and is a very nice baby pink colour. 

This is what the box looks like

Here is what are the products look like
This is what the nail polish looks like (with flash)
This is what the nail polish looks like (without flash)

Wednesday 15 February 2012

February Topbox

I wasn't very happy with what I received from Topbox last month, so, it is with hesitation that I open this month's box.
This month I received the following:

  • Yves Saint Laurent - Mascara Volume Effet Faux Cils
  • Yves Saint Laurent - Touche Eclat
  • Pari Beauty - Eye Shadow in colour#72
  • C. Booth Derma Skincare - Collagen Elastin Restorative Hamd & Nail Treatment
  • Lillypilly - Kakadu Plum Hand & Body Creme

Even though I was very excited about what I received last month, I didn't really enjoy the products.  The dry shampoo dried out my hair, and left my black jacket and bathtub stained, while the Shu Umera shampoo was too watery and didn't lather up very well. 

So with trepidation, I tried out the Pari Beauty eyeshadow.  And to my surprise, the colour felt nice and smooth on my hand.  The colour is a very vibrant aqua blue, and is a very close dupe to Urban Decay's Painkiller as you can see in the photo.