Showing posts with label nail polish. Show all posts
Showing posts with label nail polish. Show all posts

Thursday, 30 June 2016

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.

Monday, 7 March 2016

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...