July 2016 Topbox Review

TopBox has been more of a Hit & Miss lately - but I am still wooed by at least 2 or 3 of my monthly samples, so I'm sticking with it.

Plus the joy on Gideon's face when he sees the Topbox Cardboard tube makes it worthwhile. We can both enjoy Topbox in different ways!

July's box includes products from BareMinerals, Revlon Professional, St. Tropez, and Clinique.

BareMinerals

Marvelous Moxie Lipstick

Creamy, super-saturated, ultra-pigmented color glides on like butter for full coverage in a rich satin finish  0.12 oz  $23.54  Available at bareescentuals.com, sephora.com

Lipsticks are a hit and miss – especially in a more lip gloss format.

I prefer a matte gloss for a) colour, and b) chapped lip prevention.  Husband prefers I wear no lipstick at all due to its normal sticky nature.

Marvelous Moxie’s Lipstick, however, is a pleasant surprise.  It applies smooth and evenly, and actually makes me lips “pop,” creating a fuller, healthier look.

I love the light pink colour – it’s not too pink and looks sort of natural.  Heck, I even kissed Husband this morning and he didn’t complain about me wearing “goop” on my lips (the reason I rarely wear lipstick – kisses are more important than lipstick).

I am able to drink my coffee without leaving residue on my cup, and it lasts about 5 or 6 hours before I feel the need to reapply it.

Overall, I am happy with this lipstick – winner (gagne!)!

 

Revlon Professional

UniqOne Lotus Hair Treatment

Repair treatment for dry and damaged hair. Smoothing, Regeneration, Color protection, Sun protection, Detangling, Shine and Heat protection.  150 mL  $17.18  Find a professional salon near you at Uniq-One.com, Trade Secrets & Chatters

I was not 100% sure what this hair treatment was at first, but I use it as a touch up spray after styling

It is a yummy coconut smelling spritz, and the liquid is actually thicker than I originally anticipated, hence brushing after application is a must in order to ensure residue didn’t remain clumped up in my fine hair.

I did try to use it as a detangler, but found my normal detangler was more effective – hence why I pretty much used this to make my hair smell like pretty coconut. It’s the perfect scent for summer, after all! 

For my thin hair, I did not feel I reaped benefits from this Lotus Hair Treatment, and more than 2 or 3 spritzes weighed my hair down enough that I had no choice but to wear my hair in a ponytail or braid.

For thicker hair, I am sure it will have better results!

ST. TROPEZ

GRADUAL TAN TINTED BODY LOTION

For an instant hint of bronze that illuminates the skin. Gradually builds to create a healthy sunkissed glow for instant skin perfecting coverage to blur imperfections.  200 mL  $39.26  Available at StTropezTan.com

I have never used a tanning lotion before as I generally go from pasty white to red burn and slather on so much sun screen every hour that I create a cocoon of sun protection. 　

I did have a nice base this year thanks to cycling, so this tanning cream has come in handy in covering up the pasty whiteness from my wrists to fingers, where my cycling gloves protect me fully from any tanning or sun. 　

It blends in quite nicely with a small amount in order to create a seamless blend from my arm tan to white hands, making my tan line less noticeable. 　

Once dried, it does not rub off on my clothing, and I generally only apply it when I know I won't be in a sweaty work out situation afterwards to prevent bleeding into my clothes. 　

It has no odour, and does not make my skin look fake or orange like some self tanners I have seen. 　

I don't feel I would go out of my way to apply a tanner once this is done, but I definitely like the fact that it makes my glove line disappear.

Clinique

Pep-Start™ Eye Cream

A pep rush for eyes. Just 3 seconds to look wide awake, refreshed. Hydrates, brightens, perks you up. Its cool touch and de-puffing tip help keep eyes looking fresh.  0.5 oz  $34.66  Available at clinique.com, sephora.com

I am generally exhausted, and my eyes show it more some days than others. 　

This eye cream helps a little bit, but is not a miracle cream (nothing will make me look totally alert). 　

It does help take away some of the puffiness and hides the small smile lines at the sides of my eyes (and mouth smile lines too!). 　

It's a light white cream, and a dab on either side of the eyes provides full coverage underneath and at the side of my eyes. 　

The container I have should last me for quite some time based on the minimal amount required.　

It does not do anything my alternative eye creams do, so at double the price, Clinique has not sold me on their cream.
*******
Conclusion:
July's Topbox was a winner, with some products I may not necessarily go out of the way for, but which added a nice touch to my normal beauty regime.  

Really Late Topbox May 2016 Review

I've been so busy being bombarded with business request reviews that I finally have a moment to sit down and review my May 2016 Topbox!

For $12 ($13.56 with tax)CAD a month, get a surprise make up sample kit from Topbox - includes at least 1 full sized product and 3 generous sample sized beauty products.

The 16th of each month is exciting for me and Gideon, as I get the goodies inside the Cardboard tube, and Gideon gets the cardboard tube - he normally can't wait for me to take the products and plastic ends off before stealing his monthly prize away!

May's box was the last one to include a physical product card, as they are now just sending the descriptions via email to be more eco friendly (and cost effective).

I also have no idea where my pictures went, so stock pictures we go!

Novex - Novex Brazilian Keratin Deep Conditioning Hair Mask 
After washing your hair with your shampoo, apply Novex Brazilian Keratin Deep Conditioning Hair Mask onto your hair, massage it gently, and leave it on the 15 minutes.  Rinse well and remove excess water.  Finish as desired. Also use as a Conditioner with 3 minutes application for a daily care.  

414 ml $8.99 Available at NovexHairCare.com

I am usually hesitant about deep conditioners for my hair.  My hair is long, fine, thin, and straight.

This conditioner had a nice light tropical scent, and is a medium thickness for a conditioner.

To use after shampooing, scoop your fingers in the container, and cover your entire hair, and I leave it on long enough to do the rest of my shower things (like cleansing and shaving legs).

I'm not standing in the shower for 15 minutes for a super deep conditioning - who has time for that?

It leaves my hair feeling slightly smooth and greasy, but not as bad as some other deep conditioners I have tried in the past.  It does seem to give a boost of shine and health to my hair, So I use this once a week and just wear my hair in a pony tail to make it less evident.

For thicker hair, I'm sure this is a fabulous hair healer at a great price!

The FaceShop - Collagen Pomegranate Pack

Nourishes skin and improves its elasticity.  Its light texture quickly penetrates to firm and revitalize skin.

30ml $15 Available in stores and online at theFaceShop.ca

I miss that the Face Shop closed down late winter this year (and the following store has also closed after only a few months) in the mall across from my office.  I love their face masks, and TopBox has introduced me to quite a few different Face Shop products.  I'm not willing to drive through the maze of the Bayshore Shopping Centre's new illogical parking lot to go to that location either.

I received the full sized version of this cream.  It has a very light scent that is non offensive, and doesn't linger.

It is a light to medium thickness cream, and literally two dabs cover my entire face.

Obviously wash your face first - especially if you have worn makeup throughout the day.

I always rub it in a circular motion to increase circulation. It dries rather quickly.

Unlike other products that I have used in the past that tighen my face, this doesn't seem to do that - it does, however, leave my face feeling soft and moisturized.  So it failed me on the tightening part. so maybe that's the revitalizing part?

I am unsure if I would purchase it again - it is less expensive than some other night creams, but I feel fell flat on what it promised.  I have pretty good skin for my age, and did not see any improvements (but also did not see any regression), so it did keep my slowly aging skin at a stand still.

PurLisse - BB Tinted Moist Cream SPF30

This beauty balm glides on like tinted moisturizer and has all the age defying coverage, sunscreen benefits of a foundatin and BB cream!  Its formula will soothe your skin while locking in moisture to create a gorgeous, glowing complexion.

10ml $12.55  Available at Purlisse.com

This is a light cream that requires very little for full coverage.  It does not, however, cover up the redness I get in my cheeks, but does blend in beautifully.  I don't look like I am wearing any foundation at all!

I do wear my normal moisturizer underneath, however, it also works well without regular moisturizer.

The colour matched my skin perfectly and I only required a small dab on each cheek and forehead before blending it in with my fingers in a circular motion.

If I compare it with my CoverGirl, price point wise, I would go CoverGirl, just for the fact that it covers my redness and is a bit thicker (covering any other imperfections).


Maybe if the Pur-Lisse cream was slightly thicker, it would be worth the extra cost.

Morgan Taylor - Professional Nail Lacquer

It's whats inside that counts.  Inspired by luminous perals, raw gems, semi-precious stones, glimmering silvers, and radiant gold all drawn from the earth.  All pigments are saturated, pure, and finely milled for luminous metallics, never before seen shimmers, decadent cremes, stunning sheers, and more glistening glitters.

15ml $15.83

I received the "Hot Hot Tamale" colour - less dramatic than the Emerald Green colour I received from them last time.

This polish isn't as clean to apply as my Sally Hansen (the brush is straight vs curved), but goes on nicely in two coats.

It does, unfortunately, chip easily, and pics up dirt that seems to stick to it like glue.  I don't recommend using this polish before going camping, to the beach, or anywhere that dirt may be.  Even if you apply it a few days beforehand!

I would like to try one of their glitters (I LOVE glittery nail polish), but so far it's colours I can't wear alone (I wear the green with turquoises) or that I don't have 10 shades of (pink to red).

For the price point, there are better alternatives. It certainly does not stay on any longer than the other polishes I use, despite having lush rich colour choices.

My Topbox Review - April 2015

April's Topbox was full of some new products from companies I have not tried in the past.

For $12 a month, you get 4-5 beauty product samples (one is usually full size), either a surprise or chosen brand box.

OFRA Cosmetics - Lipliner

Water resistant pencil suitable for the most sensitive eye & lip areas.  Created with a synthetic beeswax base for a smooth, soft and long lasting application.

1.13g $17.25.  Available at OFRAcosmetics.com 

I don't use lip liner, so this is another eye liner to add to my collection.  

Initially, I found the tip quick sharp the first few applications, but it is getting better with use.

I use it with light pink and beige/cream eye shadow as a change from my normal black eye liner. 

It doesn't leave residue on my lower brow like some other eye liners, so that in itself makes it a decent product. 

PUR-Lisse - Blue Lotus 4-in-11 Eye Adore Serum

Apply day and night, using your ring finger, lightly tap (to reduce tugging) a small pump of serum around eye area.  

15ml $65.  Available at Shop.Purlisse.com

This eye cream is a medium thickness that requires very little to cover the under, side, and lower parts of the eye skin.  

After using this for almost a month, I've barely gone through 1/3 of the sample bottle.

It has a light scent to it, but nothing irritating.  

It dries quickly, and I can definitely see the fine lines around my eyes diminish after application.

If it weren't for the price point, I would definitely add this to my regular skin care routine!

Orofluido - Beauty Elixir

For all hair types, with a pure luxuriance that envelops your hair.  Three organic natural oils in an equisite mixture with a pleasant silky texture, that absorbed rapidly, leaving no residue in the hair.  

25ml $17.81.  Find a salon near you at Orofluido.com

Normally hair oils don't like my hair, leaving it lank and greasy looking.  My hair is thin and long - not a good combination with oil.  

This mixture has a lovely sweet scent - which covered up a shampoo/conditioner combination I'm currently reviewing (and don't like the smell of). 

I put about 3 globs of the thick oil in my hair ends, and brush it throughout my hair for even distribution. 

It leaves my hair looking healthier and swooshy - whether or not I have time to blow dry it in the morning.

I would definitely incorporate this into my beauty regime once this is finished. 

Lise Watier Cosmetiques Inc. - Sublimessence High Concentration Age-Defying Serum

Apply on clean skin, morning and night, before your regular skincare routine.  Smooth in gently all over face.  

28ml $84.  Available at The Bay, Sears, Shoppers Drug Mart, and LiseWatier.ca

This serum has a delicious scent that doesn't linger under the nose or on the skin.  

It is a thin-medium thickness serum, which requires a couple of finger fulls to cover my entire face.  In 2 weeks, the sample size was finished, therefore the full size would last less than 2 months.

It dries extremely quickly - in under a minute - leaving me a bit more time to get my skincare routine completed in an orderly and efficient manner.  

I haven't really noticed any difference from my normal serums, so it isn't much better than the $15-$20 serums I have from companies like Yalmeh and Garnier.