Feb. 2016 TopBox

Another month, another TopBox...

Here what was inside this month.

• A 5mL sample of Bliss Fabulous Drench 'n' Quench cream-to-water lock-in moisturizer - $4.80
• A 7.1mL sample of Smashbox Photo Finish Primer - $10.41
• A 28g sample of Nova Scotia Fisherman eXtreme Skin Care Sea Salt Soap - $1.44
• A FULL SIZE Morgan Taylor Nail Lacquer in Later Alligator - $ 15.83

TOTAL VALUE: $32.48

This is the second month in a row that I am disappointed. The variety is decent, but all of the products (minus the nail polish) are small. I know a lot of people would be happy to receive the Smashbox Primer, but  I'm not a fan of it. The soap is nice, but living in NS, it's not something new to me. The nail polish colour isn't something that I would wear - besides maybe St. Paddy's Day and the Bliss product is so tiny! If this keeps up, I may have to end what we have going, TopBox.

Use the promo code FEBTOPBOX at novascotiafisherman.com for 20% off!

Feb. 2016 BirchBox Canada - Last BirchBox Canada

Since my last BirchBox post, lots has happened! BirchBox decided to stop shipping to Canada. This news was leaked and BirchBox ended up with a lot of explaining to do. So, this is my last BirchBox. Now, I must say that their customer service has been bending over backwards to accommodate Canadians. I purchased an annual subscription on Black Friday and was reimbursed all of my money. Anyways, I cashed out my points in the BirchBox store and am now awaiting my shipment.

Here's what I got in my final BirchBox. 

• A 45mL sample of 12 Benefits Instant Healthy Hair Treatment
• A 1.5mL sample of Cartier La Panthere Eau de Parfum
• A Color Club Nail Lacquer in That's My Jam
• A 30mL sample of Naobay HydraPlus Cream
• A 2.5mL sample of OCC Lip Tar in Black Metal Dahlia

For the sample selection this month, I chose the Lip Tar. I don't have many deep lippies and thought this would be unique. I like the colour, but I'm not sure about the metallic finish. I think that it's pretty, but definitely not an everyday color! I like the nail polish - but it's nothing special. I love the hair product, it smells and works great! I can always use cream, so that's a nice addition. I am disappointed to get a perfume sample. It's small and old lady smelling - not for me!

All in all, a pretty decent box, but sad that it'll be my last. It's been fun BirchBox, let's do this again sometime...

Chick Advisor: Garnier Skinactive

I was so happy to be selected for the Garnier Skinactive Campaign by Chick Advisor!

Included were the following:

• A FULL SIZE Miracle Anti-Fatigue Hydra-Gel Moisturizer ($24.99 Value)
• A FULL SIZE Micellar Water ($9.99 Value)
• A Mug + 50g of David's Blueberry Jam Looseleaf  Tea ($8.98 Value + Mug)

I'm assuming that the mug and the tea were additions made,to compensate for the delay in shipping. I LOVE both additions! I am a hug David's Tea fan and think that this mug is so cute! I also love that the moisturizer contains berry extract and they matched that with the Blueberry Jam Tea - so cute!

Let's start with the Miscellar water. I have tried several of these in the past and always go back to Bioderma (which is quite pricey, but worth it!). Actually, most micellar waters tend to be on the pricey side, but for $10 you get a lot of product here - 400ml! I love how simple this product is to use: just dampen a cotton pad and apply it to your face, it does't get any easier! This is also gentle and doesn't irritate my skin or my eyes and I have very irritable skin & eyes! This doesn't quite remove all of my eye make-up, I find myself having to use additional products to get my eye area totally clean. Also, I definitely have to use more of this product than my Bioderma, I don't find it to be as effective at removing my make-up. I like to use a damp, warm cloth to follow up after using this product, which I didn't have to do with Bioderma. Bottom Line: This is good for days you don't wear much make-up, but might not get all of your eye make-up off. This is good if you are on a budget but isn't quite as effective as other products.

On to the Moisturizer! Firstly, I like that the packaging has a pump & I love the claims : deep hydration, plumps out fine lines, works well under make-up. Yes, yes, yes! I feel like the pump dispenses too much product for me, also the scent is a bit strong for my liking- it isn't a bad scent, it's very clean smelling, just strong. I find that it does absorb well into my skin and it does hydrate well. Bottom Line: This moisturizer hasn't been anything amazing for me yet, but with moisturizers I feel like you see results over time and I can't judge that yet. I think that it is quite hydrating, but the smell is quite off-putting for me.

All in all I am super happy to try these products and enjoy them all. Are they my absolute favorites? No. But are they are good drugstore products! I also love the add-ons! So sweet! Thanks Chick Advisor!

January BirchBox 2016

My January BirchBox came! Let's look inside!

This month's box included:

• A FULL SIZE Cucumber Breeze Fiber Mask from BioRepublic
• A 5ml sample of Dr. Jart+ Pore Medic Pore Minish Primer
• A 75ml sample of Fave 4 Texture Takeover 
• A 10ml sample of Juara Candlenut Body Creme
• A sample of Tony Moly Delight Tony Tint in #2 Red

It also contained some stickers (which are supposed to be for the box, but I  like them for my planner)

I like this box, I think that is a nice variety of products and brands. I always love a sheet mask - can't go wrong! I have never tried a product from Dr. Jart before and have heard good things, so I'm looking forward to trying the primer. The texture spray is a nice size and is something that I currently don't have anything else like. The body cream sounds nice and the tint is a nice colour. Overall, a great box! I think that I am actually going to use everything in this box! Yay! Well done BirchBox!

January TopBox 2016

My TopBox came today! It was a nice treat at the end of the week! I actually just received my shipping information today and t arrived in the same day! This month, I received Box 7.

Here's a peek at what was inside:

This month's box included:

• A 50g sample of Hask Macadamia Oil Hydrating Deep Conditioning Hair Treatment - $1.77
• A FULL SIZE Teeez rend Cosmetics Read My Lips Lipstick in Roulette Red - $28.94
• 2 samples of SeaRX Birch Sap Moisturizing Lotion - (unsure exact amount)
• A 10ml sample of Elizabeth Arden Prevage Anti-Aging Antioxidant Hydrating Essence - $8.57

TOTAL VALUE: $39.28+

Is it just me or are the names of products getting longer and longer? haha! Overall, I found this to be quite an underwhelming box. I am probably most interested in the Elizabeth Arden Hydrating Essence. I can always use extra hydration - especially in the winter, so this product intrigues me! The full size lipstick is nice, but I already got this exact shade from Glam Sense. I did like i, but I don't wear read all that often, you can read my review of it here. The hair mask is something that I will definitely use. I think that I will be able to get 2 uses out of it, so I am looking forward to using it. I'm not sure what to think about the Birch Sap Moisturizer....the samples are quite tiny and have very little information on them.

I'm definitely not wowed by this month's box, but maybe next month will blow me away! One can always hope, right?

Empties!

I have accumulated a lot of empties over the past few months!

Hand & Body Care

1. Faith Aromatherapy Lemongrass Fennel Hand Soap:

I received this in a TopBox and I actually liked it. It has a light, fresh scent and made my hand feel clean. Nothing special, but it was nice.

2. Gillette Venus with Olay Shaving Gel - Violet Swirl  & Vanilla Cashmere:

I bought these from Costco and really like them. I prefer the vanilla scent to the violet. I am not fussy about shaving gels and will probably repurchase.

3. Dove Nourishing Body Wash in Pistachio with Magnolia:

I LOVE this body wash! It smells sooo good and leaves my skin feeling moisturized. I ave already started a new one!

4. Bioderma Gentle Shower Gel:

I received this in a TopBox as well. It left my skin feeling clean, but it was nothing special. No scent.

5. Jergens Moisturizer for Wet Skin:

I received this as a free sample. I found the scent to be a bit strong for my liking. It is supposed to be applied while your skin is still wet after a shower. I didn't find it moisturizing enough and had to follow up wit my body butter.

6. Barefoot Venus Vanilla Shake Mango Butter Bath Bliss:

This was a powder that when in a bath. It was so moisturizing and smelled so good! A nice treat!

7. Body Shop Body Butter in Almond:

I love body butters! This was my first time trying the almond scent and I quite enjoyed it! I would definitely repurchase!

8. Secret Deodorant in Paris Romantic Rose:

I really enjoyed the scent of this and I found that it kept me feeling fresh all day. I have already repurchased.

9. Body Shop Body Scrub in Brazil Nut:

This was a nice, abrasive scrub. It left my legs feeling soooo soft! I didn't enjoy the scent that much, but it worked really well!

10. Harvey Prince Hello! Shampoo:

This got placed in the wrong photo...oopsies! I received this in a BirchBox. The scent of this was very strong and for the price tag, I didn't notice anything special. I would not buy the full size.

11. Barefoot Venus Dry Body Oil in Pink Pepper:

I received this in a TopBox. I really enjoyed this body oil! It has a nice scent and was the perfect size for travel!

12. The Body Shop Almond Hand & Nail Cream:
This was a good hand cream. The size is generous and it left my hand feeling moisturized. I didn't like the packaging on this. It cracked and the cream leaked out. I would not repurchase unless the change the packaging.

13. L'Occitane Dry Skin Hand Cream:
I received this in a LuxeBox. I have always wondered about this brand and was happy to try it. It was comparable to the Body Shop hand cream - pretty moisturizing. I found this scent a bit strong, and have repurchased in the Amande scent.

14. Josie Maran Whipped Argon Oil Intensive Hand Cream in Sweet Citrus:
This hand cream is AMAZING! I LOVE the scent and it is so nourishing for my dry, cracked hands. It is a bit pricey, but worth it! I have purchased a Josie Maran value pack with another mini of this!

Face Products

1. Simple Exfoliating Facial Wipes:

I did not like these! They were way to rough on my skin and didn't take off my make-up well. I would not repurchase these. I actually bought another pack when I purchased this one and I am giving it away.

2. Balea 3 in 1 Cleansing Cloths:

 These are my favorite cleansing wipes! They are gentle and do a good job of removing make-up. I will definitely buy these again!

3. Marcelle Essentials Purity Soothing Cleaning Water:

This was okay - not as good as Bioderma though. It was gentle on my skin, but left make-up on my skin. I probably wouldn't buy this again.

4. Bioderma Micelle Solution:

This is the best! I love it for removing make-up, or just freshening up! I already have another!

5. Michael Todd Tropical Fruit Enzyme Exfoliant Scrub:

I was introduced to this when I received a sample in my TopBox years ago. I then repurchased. I love this scrub! It is gentle, but rough enough to get off any dry skin and it smells AMAZING! Plus 96% organic! I would love to buy another!

6. Vasanti Brighten Up! Enymatic Face Rejuvenator:

I received this in my BirchBox. This is another nice scrub, it was a bit more abrasive than the Michael Todd scrub, but still didn't irritate my skin. 

7. Vasanti Detox Nutrient-Rich Purifying Facial Cleanser:

I also received this in my BirchBox. I found this gentle on my skin, and it left my face feeling very clean. I didn't think that it did anythng special fr my skin though.

8. Paula's Choice Skin Perfectin 2% BHA Liquid Salicylic Acid:

I received this in my TopBox. I liked it. It was gentle on my skin, but I didn't find that it did anything special that my cheaper Nivea toner doesn't do.

9. Michael Todd Honey & Oat Gentle Deep Pore Cleanser:

 I LOVE this cleanser. It smells to good! It leaves my skin feeling so clean, yet hydrated. This is my favorite cleanser of all time!

10. Estee Lauder Advanced Night Repair Synchronized Recovery Complex:

This smells like old lady. I enjoy using serums at night, so it was nice to use, but not something that I would purchase.

11. Estee Lauder Advanced Night Repair Eye Synchronized Complex II:

I received this in a TopBox. It also smells like old lady. It has kind of a Vaseline type of texture and took a while to absorb into my skin. I still have another sample size to use up, but I would not purchase the full size.

12. Ole Henriksen Truth Serum Collagen Booster:

This has a fresh, orange scent and absorbs quickly into my skin. It is probably my favorite serum! I find that it brightens my complexion. I am currently using another.

13. Glam Glow PowerMud DualCleanse Treatment:

I really like this! It is a mask, that turns into an oil wen you rinse it off. I found that it brought my blackheads to my skin's surface and that it left my skin feeling moisturized! I think that it's worth the splurge!

14. Origins Clear Improvement Active Charcoal Mask to Clear Pores:

I like this! I would apply to it any breakouts and it seemed to calm them down and keep my oils under control.

15. Benefit Total Moisture Facial Cream:

I have a few samples of this to use up, mostly from TopBox. I find it a good day cream, but i prefer a more hydrating cream at night. It absorbs into my skin quickly and leaves it feeling ready for the day!

16. Pur-lisse Gentle Soy Milk Cleanser and Make-up Remover:

I received this in a TopBox. I found it to be very gentle on my skin. I really enjoyed it! It did a great job taking off any make-up. It left my skin feeling clean and moisturized.

Hair Products

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1. Amika Perk Up Dry Shampoo in Sea Buckthorn Berry:

I received this in a Topbox. I really liked the scent of this. I found that it absorbed oils well and left my hair feeling fresh and looking clean. It has a high price tag compared to my Batiste though.

2. Batiste Dry Shampoo in Clean & Classic Original:

This is my favorite dry shampoo. It is so affordable! It soaks up any oils and adds volume to my hair The scent is a bit overpowering at first, but I don't find that I can smell it all day. I have already purchased another!

3. Matrix Smooth Setter Smoothing Cream:

I received this in a TopBox. I LOVE the scent. It seriously reminds me of a hair salon. It kept my hair smooth and frizz free! I would definitely repurchase this!

4. Moroccan Oil Treatment in Light:

This bottle lasted me just over two years and I used it every time after washing my hair - a little goes a long way - Amazing! I like the light version better than the original as I find the original can weigh my hair down. This scent is amazing too! If they made a perfume of this scent I would so buy it!

5. Sebastian Liquid Gloss Defrizz Polishing Drops:

I bought this from Winners as an impulse buy and I actually quite enjoyed it. I found that it did help with "defrizzing" my hair and that it left it soft and manageable. 

6. Uniq One All in One Hair Treatment:

I received this in a TopBox. It was okay. It was a very small sample to get a real feel for it in my long hair. I wouldn't buy it based on this sample.

7. Body Shop Banana Shampoo & Conditioner:

I love these! They smell like banana and last a long time. The shampoo suds up well and the conditioner does a pretty good job at detangling my hair. Again. a little goes a long way with these. They last my husband and I just over 2 months. I have already bought more!

8. N4 Clarifying Shampoo:

I received this in a BirchBox. It did a good job at clarifying my hair. I got about 3 uses out of it. It takes A LOT of product to lather up my hair. I would probably use a drug store alternative instead of buying this.

9. John Freida FrizzEase Hair Serum & John Freida Thermal Protection Hair Serum:

These both absorbed quickly into my hair and left it feeling nourished. They are nothing that I am running out to buy, but a good products.

Make-up Products

1. B. Kamins BB Cream:

I received this in a LuxeBox. I really don't like it and finally decided to toss it. It oxidized big time on my skin and was very orange. I would never buy this.

2. L'Oreal Miss Manga Voluminous Mascara in Black:

I liked this enough. The wand is odd. Flexible at the end and it has quite a large brush. I found that it gave me volume, but easily got clumpy. I like layering this over a mascara tat separated and lengthened my lashes.

3. Kat Von D Tattoo Liner in Trooper:

This is my favorite liner! It is so easy to apply compared to other liquid liners. It is a deep black shade. The brush applicator makes it easy to draw a thin line or go bolder. I finished my full size and my travel size (which I used on the go). I wear this everyday and have already bought another!

4. Stila Stay all Day Liner in Black & Dark Brown

This used to be my favorite liner, but after using the Kat Von D liner, it is so hard to go back! It is a bit of a glossier black, but still very dark. It is quite easy to apply, but not as easy as the Kat Von D. I really enjoyed the brown colour for a more natural look. It is a deep brown and softened my look compared to the black.

Masks & Foil Packets

1. Fruits & Passion Cucumber Face Mask:
I received this in a TopBox. I found it very soothing on my skin. It seemed to de-puff my face and hydrate my skin. I already have another to use!

2.  Rich Moisturizing Eye Mask:
I bought a box of these at Winner's. They sooth and moisturize my under eye area. I like them, but I don't think that they are any different from most eye masks.

3. Biore Deep Cleansing Charcoal Pore Strip:
This was sent to me as a sample to try. I like using these strips, but didn't notice a difference in the charcoal version.

4. BioreDeep Cleansing Pore Strip:
These are seriously amazing! I use these one every couple of months and they remove so many of my blackheads! I really like them!

5. Glam Glow SuperMud Clearing Treatment:
I really dislike the smell of this - but it works! I love the foil packet size of this! I use it to spot treat any breakouts and it seems to dry it up quite well.

6. Nivea Q10 Plus Serum Pearls:
I enjoy serums, but I found this one weird. These "pearls" didn't seems to burst and sink into my skin. I didn't really care for it.

7. Kate Sommerville ExfoliKate:
This smells like cinnamon and is green in colour, if you can get beyond that it is a good exfoliator. I think there are comparable ones for cheaper though.

8. Jurlique Purely Bright Radiance Serum:
I enjoyed this, but I prefer the Ole Henriksen Serum. I think the smell is a bit off putting and I found it took longer to sink into my skin.

9. Josie Maran Pure Argan Milk:
 I really like this! It hydrates my skin without leaving it oily feeling - great for winter skin! I have already purchased the full size.

December TopBox 2015 : Benefit Prive Box

 month, my box arrived in a tube so I knew that I got the Benefit Prive Box that I had requested!

This box is seriously amazing! Check it out!

This box contained:

• A 3g sample of the NEW They're Real! Tinted Primer in Mink-Brown - $10.33
• A 3g sample of They're Real! Mascara - $16.00
• A 3g sample of Roller Lash Mascara - $16.00
• A 1g sample of Gimme Brow in Light/Medium - $9.00
• A Foil Packet of They're Real! Remover - Unknown Value

TOTAL VALUE : $ 51.33+

This box is seriously amazing! The sample sizes are all great and the products are fantastic! These are some of my favorite mascaras and I love having the deluxe sample size of them as they don't dry out on me. I am excited to try out the new primer too! All in all, this is one amazing box!

December BirchBox 2015

My holiday BirchBox came! This month, we were able to select the shades of eye shadow that we wanted included in our box. The shades that I wanted were "out of stock", so I messaged BirchBox on Facebook and they were so nice and sent me the one that I wanted! Great customer service! Here's what I got!

• A 0.65g sample of Coastal Scents Eye Shadow in Formal Eyes
• A 1mL sample of Kate Spade Live Colorfully eau de parfum spray
• A 0.4g sample of Lord & Berry Pailettes Glitter Eye Pencil in Sparkle Black mint liner
• A 15mL sample of Obliphica Professional Seaberry Serum for Medium to Course Hair
• A 28g sample of Rusk Heashift Re-Styling Cream

I am probably the most excited for the air products! I have never tried anything form either brand and am almost out of my current hair products, so this was perfect timing! I am happy to finally try Coastal Scents Eye Shadow, but am disappointed in the lack of pigmentation. I wish that the eyeliner didn't have sparkles in it. The eau de parfum is a nice scent, but quite strong, definitely not a day to day scent. All in all, not bad, but not out of the park either!

BzzzAgent: Cover Girl Outlast Stay Fabulous 3 in 1 Foundation

I was selected for another BzzzAgent campaign! This time, I was sent a FULL SIZE (30ml) bottle of the Cover Girl Outlast Stay Fabulous 4-in-1 Foundation. It is said to combine primer to set, concealer to correct and foundation to perfect your look.

I was sent shade 905, which is actually a shade lighter than my skin tone.

I did wear this and, with some heavy bronzing, it was okay. It set quite well and had good coverage. The pump made it easy to apply and didn't make me waste any product! This foundation didn't perform as well as some of my higher end foundations, but it was a great drugstore alternative! For now, I am mixing this with another foundation that is too dark for my skin tone. I think that I will go purchase my shade when I finish a few other foundations.

Thanks BzzzAgent!

Glam Sense: Teeez Read My Lips Lipstick in Roulette Red

Last month, I signed up for Glam Sense. I was sent a free sample of the Teeez Read my Lips Lipstick in the shade Roulette Red.

The packaging is very sleek and minimal, yet artistic. I really like it.

The colour that was sent to me is a beautiful red. It is definitely more of a blue tone red than orange leaning and it is matte. I am more of a neutral girl, and am usually scared of bold colour, but I find the colour of this to be beautiful and wearable! It would not be an every day lipstick for me, but it is nice to have for holiday parties! Like most matte lipsticks, the formula is a bit dry (I pair it with a hydrating balm), but stays on for such a long time! You need to give it some time to dry down, but once it sets, it stays put!

I am quite impressed with this lippie and want to try other shades! Thanks Glam Sense!

#teezings