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!!

Beauty Box Review: TopBox November 2015

 TopBox is my favourite day of the month - they are shipped out on the 15th of each month, and I usually opt for the surprise samples vs Single Brand samples.  For $12 plus taxes (CAD), you receive 4-5 luxury brand samples, usually with one being a full sized product!

TopBox November 2015 has arrived!

November 2015's kit included: Benefit Cosmetics Air Patrol, Nova Scotia Fisherman' EXtreme Skin Care Lip Balm, Revlon Professional  Style Masters Modular Hair Spray, and The Face Shop Character Mask.

November TopBox revealed!

Benefit Cosmetics Air Patrol

 Air patrol BB Cream eyelid primer contains an EnviroDefend complete known to help guard your eyelids agains sun and pollutants.  It also extends the wear of eyeshadow for long lasting colour that won't crease, fade, or smear.  

4.0ml $38.  Available at Shopper's Drug Mart and Sephora.

I like that it does keep my eye-shadow put (no flaky mess on my face from misdistribution of powder).  Compared to other Benefit eye primers I have used, however, it is more difficult to control how much comes out of the container, as it's a squeeze container vs a padded brush. This means more waste of product.

At this price point, you don't want to waste any of this eyelid primer!

Nova Scotia Fisherman eXtreme Skin Care Lip Balm

Our lip Care is created using 100% natural ingredients and contains 93% organic materials.  Apply as needed.  

9.5ml $6.99. Available at NovaScotiaFisherman.com

I am still not very fond of Fisherman's products.  I was not keen on the smell of this lip balm, and you can actually feel the salt within it.  The container includes a push bottom, so you push the bottom to get more balm up, and I put the lid down to squish it down.

It isn't very long lived on my lips, and I love my lip balm - especially during the fall and winter seasons.

Revlon Professional Style Masters Modular Hairspray

Spray Modular Hairspray on dry hair.  For best results, hold about 30 cm away from the hair.  Medium Hold Hairspray, perfect for everyday use.  

500 ml $19.95. Available at Professional Salons Across Canada

This is an aerosol spray can sample, and should last me quite a bit.  It DOES have that typical hairspray smell (a little bit less than basic store sprays), and leaves my hair quite sticky while holding down my whisps.

It DOES have staying power though - and held my curls in for a party - 7 hours - and my hair was still somewhat intact in the morning.  For my hair, this is a feat, as it's fine consistency generally leads to floppy curls really quickly. I did not even have to cake on too much spray either.

This was a redeeming factor with me.

The Face Shop Character Mask

Wash face. Pull out the mask and carefully place it on the face.  Remove after 10-15 minutes and tap lightly to absorb the remaining essence into the skin.  

3 masks for $9.  Available in stores and online at thefaceshop.ca as of December 2015

When I saw this mask, I was so stoked to put it on my face!  It was SO cute!

The application wasn't perfect (with this type of mask, it normally isn't as people's faces are so different), and once I was able to smooth it on to the best of my ability, I let it soak in for 15-20 minutes.

There was no noticeable scent, and it was cooling to the skin.   It didn't tear and was a good quality mask.

It scared Husband more than it scared Merlin (our African Grey parrot).

Don't wear this mask if you want to get lucky.

I think this would be a great girl's night mask, as it's silly, and would make for a memorable evening.

After I removed the mask, my skin was quite soft and my redness had disappeared.

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Until December's kit, happy shopping!