TOPBOX June 2013 - Open Box Time!

Time for June Topbox! I'm so happy that Topbox has been shipping out of Vancouver lately, such that I receive mine right the next day the shipment notification email is sent from Topbox :)

This month I've opted for the regular box (AGAIN) as I was not intrigued by any of the Prive Box choices (AGAIN). Well, if there are a good number of subscribers out there like me, then at least those who opted for any of the Prive Boxes will probably be guaranteed their choice. Anyway, this month I quite enjoyed the contents of my regular box, so lets jump in to everything!

Wrapped within the typical purple tissue paper I found 4 products that were all makeup related so I am very happy about that. It also looks like everything was a pretty decent size!

BENEFIT Ultra Plush Gloss in Sugarbomb

BENEFIT Ultra Plush Gloss in Sugarbomb - 6.5mL: "Silky & luxurious shimmering pinky nude lip gloss. Full Size: $19 (15mL)". I can never say no to a Benefit product, especially when it's one that I already know I love. I know it kind of defeats the purpose of Topbox's original intentions of letting me try new products and broaden my experience, but hey, I'd prefer a product I know I like rather than an unknown one that I end up not enjoying. I've previously received a similar lipgloss sample, but in the shade "Dandelion", from February's Benefit Prive Box (my first and ONLY prive box to date). The texture of these glosses are really smooth and non-sticky, however, due to the lack of slick they don't tend to be the longest lasting product out there. The colour is on the sheer sid eof the spectrum but still enough colour that it can be used on its own for my lips, given them a great "my lips but better and shinier" appearance :) $19 for the full size sounds a little steep, but don't forget to look at the SIZE of the tube...15mL is quite hefty for a lipgloss, considering most brands offer only half or less of that! The size of the sample here already beats a lot of lip glosses in my collection haha. Value: $8.23.

Belvada Mini Eyelash Curler

Belvada Mini Eyelash Curler: "Compact and easy to use, this curler will create a natural looking curl. Full-size: $5.99" So this eyelash curler does not have any metal parts to it, so on top of it being very compact, it is also very lightweight. I have never used an eyelash curler apart from the typical metal ones (my current one is from Shu Uemura). I find that because I have a rather typical Asian eye shape, which means my lash line does not have much curve to them, many eyelash curlers actually don't fit my eye and cannot get to all of the lashes. So far just looking at this eyelash curler, it seems flatter than the usual metal ones so perhaps I will be able to use this. There is a small flap in the back that pulls down to become the lever for the curler and folds back up and locks when it's not being used. I think I will give this a shot tomorrow when I do my makeup hehe. Value: $5.99

Jelly Pong Pong Fairy Lashes Mascara - 8 mL: "A mascara specially formulated to make eyelashes flutter and flap. Full Size: $24(8mL)" Well well! A full size makeup product that is NOT a nail polish, how exciting! Honestly, I have not heard of this brand previously, so I went to take a look at their online site and found that this brand sold a lot of cute makeup items! It seems that it is an Europe-based company that produces its products in Italy, and the top selling-point of this brand is that it infuses botanical (plant) essence into its products that are good for your skin at the same time as making you pretty. The price point seems to be mid-high end, so I'm hoping this is going to be good stuff. But again, I am aware that of all makeup items, mascaras are the most common culprit in the emotional roller-coaster of rants and raves, especially when you have Asian eyelashes like me hahaha. I'm interested to try this mascara out soon, but first I must finish the one I am currently using (Maybelline The Rocket non-waterproof, I like this stuff!) as I like to keep only one open and used mascara at any given time. Value: $24

PARI Beauty Colour Cubes - 1.3g each x 2: "Multi-purpose mineral prigments in convenient stakcs. Use as eyeshadows or mix for versatile use. Full Size: $30 (5 stack, 7g), $35 (8 stack, 11g)" I was so super excited when I saw this in the box this month! I personally LOVE eyeshadow pigments and the remind me so much of the stacks I have from the brand Naked Cosmetics and I love those so much! I'm pretty surprised that this sample contained 2 colours as I think giving just 1 colour would be more typical of what TopBox tends to do. (Not complaining here! Thank you TopBox for the pleasant surprise!) The top colour appears quite yellow in the pot but when applied to skin it is more of a pearly white colour with gold reflects in the light. It is a very pretty colour and it makes a great highlight in the inner corners and the browbone. The second colour is a reddish pink with a sheen to the finish. I don't think I would choose this colour as a first choice for everyday eyeshadow, but for special occasions that may call for a more dramatic eye look I think this would be good. Also I think this colour, applied with a very light hand, will actually pass for a pretty blush colour! Because of the sheen, it may even double as a cheek highlight. The texture to these are great, very smooth and very pigmented! The info card mentioned that this brand can be purchased at Sears, which I have not seen before in Vancouver. If I come across it I'd be interested in trying out more of these mineral pigments for sure! Value: $8.75

Total value of box: $46.97

I'd say this is a very impressive month for TopBox from what I have received so far, and I am actually very happy with it! And I will use everything in it!! My experiences with the previous regular boxes haven't been too shabby either; at this rate I may never have to choose a Prive Box! Of course if there is one that is really really enticing I will go for it, but the regular boxes don't seem to be too big a disappointment :) Good job TopBox! Absolutely looking forward to the July one!

If you are interested in joining TopBox for $12+tax per month and receiving your own monthly subscription, check out their website at www.topbox.ca (this is NOT an affilated link).

Disclaimer: Monthly subscription paid for with personal funds. This post and its contents are not sponsored in anyway, and all opinions are honest and personal.

TOPBOX April 2013 - Open Box Time!

Hey everyone! Another month, another TopBox has arrived at my doorstep :) I know I haven't posted about a TopBox since January, and quite frankly I was being a lazy about it..hehe Anyway, let's jump right in!

In honour of April, Earth Month, TopBox has delivered everybody's box in the EcoFriendly packaging. Actually, I think it's actually quite cute in terms of the design because it is all silhouettes of makeup items!  

I opted for the regular TopBox this month, as with my March one, because none of the Prive Box options appealed to me. If you don't know about the Prive Box option by TopBox, it is basically a chance for you to receive a TopBox that has products from just one company, and you have the option of submitting your wishlist before the TopBox ships. It is not guaranteed that you will receive what you wish for, but there is actually a pretty good chance. For April, there was an option for Elizabeth Arden, and Aveda (repeat from March).

Here is what I received in my April Regular TopBox:

Michael Todd True Organics Face Scrub

Michael Todd True Oraganics Tropical Fruit Enzyme Exfoliant Scrub - 30mL: "Unique facial scrub that refine texture and encourages skin renewal, leaving skin smooth and refreshed. Full Size: $18 (100ml)". Lately there has been so many rave reviews from blogs and YouTube videos about various Michael Todd products. Although I have not yet been convinced to purchase any products from Michael Todd to try, I am actually quite excited about trying this sample!  This is quite an impressive "sample" seeing as it is nearly 1/3 of the full size product. Thank you TopBox for being generous! Value: $5.40.

Elizabeth Arden All Gone Eye and Lip Makeup Remover

Elizabeth Arden All Gone Eye and Lip Makeup Remover - 50mL: "This two-phase formulation easily, gently removes even transfer resistant waterproof makeup. Full Size: $24 (100mL)". So an Elizabeth Arden product showed up in the regular box! This product was also given in the Elizabeth Arden Prive Box option. Another generous sample here, it is half of the full size product! In general, I'm not too overly fussy about eye makeup removers, most get the job done for me, especially because I don't use any waterproof makeup on a regular basis. As long as the eye makeup comes off in less than 3 swipes and doesn't sting my eye, I will finish it up. This sample will be a great travelling companion for me :) Value: $12.00.

KMS California Freeshape Quick Blow Dry

KMS California Freeshape Quick Blow Dry - 30mL: "For anyone who wants faster drying and heat protection. Reduce drying time by up to 50%. Full Size: $18.75 (200mL)". Sounds like the product for me! Having long hair and preferring to shower before bed, if this product performs as it claims, it would be like a dream come true for me! However, the alcohol smell in the product is quite strong and alcohol actually shows up pretty high on the ingredient list, I'm more or less concerned that this will strip my hair of moisture, and in turn damaging it. I suppose the principle of using alcohol to evaporate moisture is common across all "fast-drying" products, though. I'm not sure if I would like to give this a whirl yet. Value: $2.81.

BOXX Cosmetics Travel Size Powder Brush

BOXX Cosmetics Travel Size Powder Brush: "Brush hairs are made of the best quality European sable, super-soft goat and 3 toned synthetic Konex fibres to ensure that each application provides perfect results!" Now, if the actual full-size brushes are anything like this travel size one, then no thank you, I will not be considering your brushes, BOXX Cosmetics. This brush is pretty obviously machine made, and the hairs are not the softest stuff around. The handle is quite sturdy and I do enjoy the reflective silver colouring, but the quality of the brush is seriously lacking here. The brush head is so small, I guess it would make a so-so blush/highlight brush, or to touch-up powder on-the-go. Value: unknown.

TOTAL VALUE OF BOX: $20.21 + travel powder brush

Overall, I am quite pleased with this month's TopBox, the products included were all very reasonably sized. I am for sure much more happy about this regular box than if I were to have chosen either of the Prive Box options. I look forward to working with most (if not all **ahem-dryingspray-ahem**) of these products in the next few days. Perhaps there will some exciting options for May in terms of Prive Boxes, otherwise I'll just stick to my regular boxes :)

If you are interested in subscribing to TopBox and receive one for yourself every month, their website can be found here: www.topbox.ca

Thanks for reading! :)

Joanne

This post contains no affiliated links and all funds are personal. All opinions honest.