March TopBox Review!

I love my monthly Topbox Fix! 

For $12 a month, 4-5 beauty samples (one full sized) are sent to your doorstep.

I have a high satisfaction rate, and can usually spread out the samples to last until my next fix.

This month, Gideon was sad though:

Sad Gideon

Normally we opt for the thick cardboard tube option, so he gets all excited for the package.  He even recognizes it in the dark blue TopBox mailing envelope!  So normally we are both excited.  This month was "eco friendly" packaging month...so a tulle-type bag that we will never use vs cardboard tube that lasts the pups a week or two.

I think the tube is the eco-friendly option in our household!

Anyhoo - back to March's TopBox surprises.  As I normally opt for the plain Jane surprise box vs a brand-specific box.  I don't want to miss out on trying a new brand, something the brand-specific kits don't fully provide me with.

Mereadesso - Tinted All-In-One Moisturizer

Blend product into skin for a sheer, naturally glowing finish.  Apply more in areas where extra coverage is needed.

20ml for $48.  Available at shop1.Mereadesso.com

I really liked this sample package - the package itself.  Normally with tinted creams and cover-up type of products, there might be enough for one or two applications squeezed from the corner you ripped off with your teeth.  This package has a cool flap at the front that closes, and you press down to squeeze the cream onto the handy plastic palette underneath the flap.

The cream itself is a nice consistency and provides full coverage where I need it.  My face doesn't feel tight or greasy afterwards, and it dries pretty quickly.  You can also rub your face afterwards without any of the tint coming off on your fingers.

What I do NOT like.  The smell - it smells awful. This is unfortunate, as due to the scent, it overpowers the quality of the product, and I won't be replenishing it after my sample has been used up (2 weeks and it's still going strong!).

I just checked the Mereadesso site - and the "sample" I received is actually their travel package - and sells for $16 CAD! 

This again is one of the reason I vouch for monthly beauty packages - value for your money and products that get you thinking outside of the box!

MaskerAide - ALL EYES ON ME Hydrating Eye Gel Patches

Prepare under eye area by cleansing and toning your skin.  Open packet and remove eye gels from tray and remove protective film from both sides.  Apply to under eye area.  Both sides of eye gel can be used.  Relax for 15-20 minutes.  Remove eye gels and discard.  Use once per week as a treatment or as needed.

1 Box (4 pairs of Eye Gels) $25.  Available at MaskerAide.com

These eye gel patches made me feel like a reverse football player - with white patches under my eyes instead of black patches under their eyes (why do football players do this??). 

Once you get beyond the initial cold shock of the gel underneath your eyes, it's all good. 

The directions say to relax, but I just continued studying for my Risk Management Exam instead. 

After patch removal, my under eyes appeared to be less fatigued and not quite as zombie-like. 

I'd definitely try these again as part of my weekly "spoil myself" evenings where I use a face mask, do my nails, and have a soak in a bath full of homemade Lush-like bath bombs.

Nova Scotia Fisherman eXtreme Skin Care - Fisher-Mint

This bright refreshing Fisher-Mint lip balm is the perfect naturally fresh way to moisturize your dry winter lips.  Since all of the ingredients are natural, you can feel good about using it as many times a day as you would like.

9.9g for $4.95.  Available at NovaScotiaFisherman.com/retailers

This is one of my favourite Nova Scotia Fisherman products to date. 

The lip balm was normal sized (compared to their original Lip balm which is about 5 times the girth of a normal lip balm) and perfect to keep in my purse or pocket.  I always have lip balm with me, as my lips dry up quick easily - especially during the winter months.

This balm left my lips with a slight minty scent and felt not too sticky but not too drying.  It is just the right consistency that Husband will kiss me with it on and doesn't complain that I am wearing lip goo.

I love that this product is Canadian, supports our economy, and is made with fresh & natural ingredients.

Bliss - Triple Oxygen Energizing Vitamin C Day Cream

Infused with CPR Technology, and an advanced form of vitamin C to enhance skin's vitality and clarity, and smooth fine lines and wrinkles while intensely hydrating and protecting for a smooth, glowing complexion.

50ml for $75.77.  Available at BlissWorld.com

I have no idea what "CPR Technology" is - other than thinking it has something to do with oxygenating the skin?  Bringing it back to life? 

I absolutely LOVE the smell of this cream - it smells light and citrusy - and is quite invigorating first thing in the morning! 

The scent makes up for the funky Mereadesso smell.

I use it on top of my normal vitamin C serums, as this is the consistency of a moisturizer. It smooths on easily, and very little is required to cover my face.

I haven't noticed any difference in my fine lines or complexion, but that might also come from regularly using face creams and Vitamin C serums.  I guess I could say my wrinkles and complexion hasn't regressed - so anything that maintains or reduces fine lines is thumbs up in my world!

February 2016 Topbox Review - Monthly Beauty Kit

Topbox is a Canadian monthly beauty sample distributor - for $12 a month, you will receive 4 product samples (one usually being close to or full size).

It's pretty exciting for me, as I love trying new products; and it's exciting for the dogs, as they love the cardboard tube my samples come in.

So it's a win-win situation in the Systic household!

February brought me a few familiar items, and a few new ones.

POP Beauty - Kajal Pen

Matte finish, intensely pigmented kajal pen defines and shapes eyes in an instant!  Lush gemtone shades POP any eye colour effortlessly.  Esaily blends with included smudger.  Suitable for sensitive eyes.  

0.9g for $10.  Available at popbeauty.com

I think this is a mascara alternative?  That's what I'm going with.

I use this when I have pink eye shadow, so the nice shade of thick purple shows up nicely.  If you use the smudger, you also need to then apply more eyeliner if you really want to make your eyes POP.

I don't feel that this product alone makes my eyes pop, even when I use fabulous mascara.

Maybe if I use it on my lower eyelash line?  I haven't experimented with that yet. Baby steps to beauty.

It's ok, but I want an awesome eyeliner...this is not it.

Morgan Taylor - Professional Nail Lacquer

It's what's inside that counts.  Inspired by luminous pearls, 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 for $15.83

I received a full size bottle of this nail polish in...Crocodile Green.

Wow, that's bright! It's not easy being Green.

I think this will be worn for St. Patrick's Day and Christmas...and I like bright coloured nail polish.  Green just isn't my thing all year round.

With the description, one would expect a glitter bomb experience on your nails - this is just a plain Jane green.  If it had sparkles and glitter, I would more likely wear this colour regularly.

I like sparkles.

The polish itself requires 2 coats and a clear topcoat to last a few days before requiring a touch up.

It actually holds up to washing dishes and other menial life tasks, so other than the colour, it's a great formula.

Nova Scotia Fisherman EXtreme Skin Care - Nova Scotia Fisherman Sea Salt Soap

This naturally scented soap is perfect to nourish your dry winter skin.  The Organic Shea Butter provides a satiny feel you will love!  

116g $5.95.  Available at Sobey's, Wholefoods, Natural food stores near you, or ONLINE at NovaScotiaFisherman.com

I received some samples directly from this company a month or two ago, and it's ok.

I do like that it is Canadian Made, and most of the ingredients are natural.

It doesn't quite suds up as much as I like my body soap to, and my skin usually feels itchy after using it.  I definitely cannot get away without using moisturizer after this - especially in the dry winter season.

Some people with skin issues or sensitive skin love it,

I'm okay with it - it's better than Dove or Zest bar soaps at least.

Smashbox - Photo Finish Classic Primer

Worn alone or under foundation, our best selling, oil free primer helps to reduce the appearance of fine lines and pores for flawless skin with a velvety-smooth finish.

30ml for $44.  Available at Smashbox.com

I received this before...probably from Glymm (who went out of business abruptly a few years back, hence why I joined Topbox), and loved it back then.  I still love it now.

It's so soft to put on my face (it really does feel like velvet).  It applies well (and with a dab of the formula) to my face, and really smoothes out my face!  It creates a nice base to apply my foundation to.

If it wasn't $44, I'd have the real size.

Overall, I was 50% happy with this months samples - the nail polish in a better colour would of made me 75% happy.

For now, I will wear the green with other shades of green/turquoise...

My Review on the January Topbox - Monthly Beauty Kit

I love my Topbox, and due to a Canada Post error, I received Decembers and Januarys kits both within a few days of each other.

Beauty supply overload!!

For $12 a month, you can also get excited each month with 4-5 beauty samples - 1 of them usually being a full sized product.  It's a great way to test out new beauty supplies without paying for a full sized product.

January TopBox 

Make Up For Ever - Step 1 Skin Equalizer - Smoothing Primer - For Large Pores & Fine Lines

A makeup primer that assists with balancing the skin's texture and tone for smoother, more even, and longer-lasting makeup wear.  SMOOTHING PRIMER instantly fills in and blurs imperfections for silky soft skin.  This satiny, non-oily formula evens out skin texture by minimizing pores, wrinkles, and fine lines.  

30ml for $43 at Sephoria

Meh.  I didn't find any changes with my make up's effectiveness or the smoothness of my face with this equalizer.  It didn't get rid of my rosy cheeks, and my fine lines are already being taken care of by moisturizers.

I have used other primers in the past, and this doesn't have a satiny feel to it as some other do.

Model Co Eye Define Eye Pencil

A must have tool for intense, long lasting colour.  Long wearing, creamy, densely pigment pencil complete with an inbuilt sharpener for precise application anytime.  

16g for $19.52 at ModelCoCosmetics.com

I really like this pencil.  Normally I find pencils break SO easily and then don't sharpen properly - ever.

This pencil has a nice tip, and goes on pretty smoothly to create a nice accent for my mascara.  The sharpener as the lid is an ingenious idea!  I'll never lose my sharpener!

I see this pencil lasting me much longer than most pencils and gel pencils I've used in the past.

Teez Trendd Cosmetics - Read My Lips Lipstick

This long lasting lipstick combines the power of highly-pigmented coverage and a unique satin, mate finish.  The lipstick's smooth, ultra creamy texture and added coconut oil extract nourishes and hydrates the lips, with colour that lasts for up to 8 hours.  

2g for $28.94.  Available at TeezCosmetics.com

Meh. The colour I received was pretty red.  So maybe good for Halloween as I rarely wear lipstick.  If I do, it's light pink or a gloss as my lips are REALLY dry normally.  I'm a lip balm kind of gal.

I also didn't like the tube - the tube twirls, and the lipstick doesn't, so it's at an odd angle to apply.

It applies smoothly, but as described, is a matte finish, so quite drying for my lips. There was no hydration of the lips as the product describes.

Skyn Iceland - Hydro Cool Firming Eye Gels 

An intense 10 minute weekly treatment packing the wrinkle erasing power of a muscle relaxing injection that instantly flattens expression lines you have, while preventing future ones from forming.

8 gel patches for $35.  Available at SkynIceland.com

These were really simple to apply to my face, and felt kind of cool underneath my eyes.

I took them off 10-15 minutes after application, and didn't really notice a difference (before is left picture, after is the right).

I am thinking that if this is a regular part of your beauty routine, it may make a difference, but one application is difficult to tell with. I hate testing and review products with only the chance to try it one time.

Science is about experiment, repeat, repeat, repeat.

Until my next Topbox review!!

December TopBox Review - The Benefit Package

So. I love Topbox.

For $12 a month I get 4-5 beauty product samples shipped to me on the 15th of each month.

One of the products is usually a full-sized product, so that in itself more than pays for the monthly fee.

December was shipped out on December 13th. And sat in Mississauga....it's still showing there. So, I contacted their support staff after a few weeks to see if they could reship out a new package.

January 4th, they shipped out a second box.

It is still sitting in the York sorting plant....and never arrived.

This week, I contacted my person again, and she sent another box. It arrived the following day!

I think because Topbox is printed on the outside package, they were most likely taken by the postal staff instead of being delivered, as they never showed tracking leaving their original centres or show that they came close to Ottawa.  They ARE pretty awesome kits!

I normally order the regular kit (surprise as to what you get), but they sent me he Benefit Box as my replacement.  This is okay, as \I have received some of their samples before and love-love-loved them!

The December Benefit Box

They're Real! Tinted Primer - dual-purpose tinted lash primer - 8.5g for $31

This is a brown colour primer - a product type I have never used.  I think some people put multiple layers of mascara on, so they would be the target audience for lash primer.

I applied it, and it's not too thick - it would even look good just on its own.  It did create an awesome base for my mascara, and my lashes really DID look like they were't real without all the fuss and muss of fake eyelashes.

They're Real! Mascara - Dramatic length and volume mascara - 8.5g for $31

This is an amazing mascara - my lashes looked nice and full, and as hard as I tried, they didn't clump.
My lashes even curled upwards and really did look like high quality false eyelashes!

It was easy to apply, and the mascara doesn't clump on the brush either.

Roller Lash Mascara - Super curling and lifting mascara - 8.5g for $31


This mascara I have tried out previously and recently ran out of, so I was happy for a replacement.

It's another fabulous non-clumping mascara that adds a really nice natural curl to my eyelashes.

It applies really easily, separating the lashes with each stroke, and one coat is perfect for my lashes.

They're Real! Remover - take it all off - waterproof eye makeup remover - 50g for $23

This is a nice creamy gel formula that is rather gentle yet effective in small quantities.  Just apply a bit to a cotton pad, and it removes your eye makeup and mascara SO easily.

It also doesn't irritate my eyes (which happens with my normal remover).

Gimmie Brow - volumizing fiber gel - 3g for $30

This one I actually gave to an acquaintance at work, as I know she loves Benefit products and had mentioned how excited she was to get the Gimmie Brow in her first Topbox kit.

I just let my brows go au natural, so it would of just sat in my cupboard until I decided to give it away anyhow.

Pay it forward to make someone's day when you can :)

January's review is up next!