SEPT TOPBOX UNBOXING IN PICTURES 2013!

The September edition of Topbox was a special collaboration with Chatelaine magazine and the mailing tube had some very fancy paper on it this month.
Still trying to figure out what to do with it, as it is very decorative.
For this Topbox, I will do an "unboxing" through my photos!

Chatelaine branded Topbox tube- love the design of the paper!

First look inside the Topbox!

I see a magazine and a product. Not sure what it is yet.....

Lancome Tresor EDP mini! how cute!

Wrapped in tissue paper was Cover FX primer and Lise Watier tinted foundation

Last product was a Wella styling spray...FULL SIZE!

.................And here is my review:

*COVER FX: Anti-Aging Primer.
Sample size 5ml tube, value $6.40/ full size 30ml ($38).
I like receiving the Cover FX primers as they are quite costly and the texture is very nice.
They feel like a serum and contain quite a few active ingredients. Now I'm not sure what is anti-aging in this product as I do not have the ingredient list here.
It would be very helpful if companies that provide samples in these boxes could have a small paper with ingredients- just a suggestion.
The primer also does not have a scent and I do not see any sparkles in it, so another plus.
I will report back on how this product holds up and will use it the next couple days!


*WELLA PROFESSIONALS: Thermal Image Heat Protection Spray.
Full size product $14 (150ml bottle).
Wella is a great salon brand that has been around forever, it seems. I do like the products Wella makes and have not used any lately.
This spray has 2 layers in the bottle and you are supposed to shake the product before using.
I do not use heat styling most of the time, so not sure when I will try this out.
Also, there is alcohol in the product and my hair is very dry. Maybe I will just try it out on my bangs today?


*LISE WATIER: Teint Age Controle Supreme.
Sample size 5ml tube, value $8.00/ full size 30ml (48).
The shade I received is Neutre and it seems like a tinted moisturizer when I applied it. The coverage is very sheer and I can not smell the product-which is great.
Some face products are so strongly scented it can really bother me.
One thing I just noticed is that Topbox puts a maple leaf beside the Canadian products we receive.
When I looked at the back of the tube the cream is made in Italy!
Just thought that might be worth mentioning!

LANCOME PARIS: Tresor Eau de Parfum:
Size 7.5ml mini bottle, value $17 /full size 30ml ($68).
This perfume has been around a very long time. I like how you smell the peach more than the floral part.
The perfume is not overpowering and I will most likely pick some up in the future!

Chatelaine double issue!

Chatelaine magazine other side!

Product card for Sept 2013

My overall thoughts on the Sept 2013 Topbox:

I am quite pleased and the value is quite high this month being $45.40!

Also nice that we got an issue of Chatelaine included. I recall one other company had a box sponsored by LouLou magazine and we had not gotten a magazine- I thought that made the box and company look "cheap".
Chatelaine has done a great job with their promotion- I just resubscribed to their magazine for another year!

TOPBOX OCT 2013 MURALE THEME BOX! topbox.ca

My Topbox showed up at lightning speed in the mail today!
The version I got is sponsored by Murale- which is a company of the Shoppers Drug Mart chain and is very much like a Sephora store...but even better.

Here is what this month's packaging looks like-it is very colorful and different!

Oct 2013 Topbox by Murale!

Contents of Oct 2013 Topbox!

Contents of my Oct 2013 Topbox:

*Ojon: Volume Advance Thickening Spray: 55 ml spray bottle.



*Clarins: Satin-Smooth Body Lotion: 30ml bottle.


*Estee Lauder: Perfectionist [CP+R] Wrinkle Lifting/Firming Serum: 7ml...cute bottle!


*Rodial: Bee Venom Moisturiser: 5ml tube.

My review will be up shortly!
Very curious to see what other people will get in their Topbox!

Feel free to send me some links to Topbox reviews and I will check them out...

Topbox August 2013 review! New and Interesting products!

My August Topbox showed up in my mailbox around two weeks ago.

Topbox is a monthly cosmetic subscription service that sends out 4 various deluxe samples each month.

As of right now Topbox is just a service for Canadians only. The cost is $12 and the products come in a nice reusable mailer tube!

I also noticed that the month was not on my product card anymore. Not too sure why, but guessing that some people may receive these items later on possibly?

Here are the contents of my August 2013:

August 2013 Topbox

* Clinique: Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion +: 

Sample size 15ml tube, value $5.15/ full size product is 50ml ($17) and 125ml ($32).
At first I was not too thrilled with receiving this lotion as I already have the original Clinique lotion and a tube of the men's moisturizer here.

After reading that this new lotion helps strengthen skin's moisture barrier by 54%- I was very intrigued.

The Clinique moisturizer, as expected had no scent and is quite light compared to the original Dramatically Different Moisture Lotion.
I do think I like this one better as my skin felt more refreshed, but feel it might not be enough for winter.
Also no Spf, so you need a separate sunscreen.

After trying this lotion for a week, I will buy some once my other Clinique products run out!

*Miyu Teas & Beauty: De-Stress Mi Beauty Essence: 

Sample size spray 15ml, value $6.40/ full size 80ml ($34). + one tea bag,not sure of value.

I have never seen such an interesting product combination!
You get a De-Stressing tea bag that contains peppermint, licorice and chamomile with candied "pearls".

There is also the matching face spray that you can use to refresh yourself during the day.
The face spray did not have a strong scent at all and felt very refreshing, it is very enjoyable to use.

I have not tried the tea yet, will do so soon and report back...

+I also appreciate how much care was put into the presentation of the sample and that there was a very clear info booklet with both the French and English explanations!

*B.KAMINS: Lip Balm SPF 20:  
Sample size 3ml tube, value $4.20, full size 15ml ($21).
This lip balm is nice and I see they have changed the writing on the sample package!
Earlier samples I got from other stores just had the lip balm title on them and nothing mentioned about SPF and I found it confusing to be sure it was the same product.

Now the balm is clear when it goes on and has no taste. I kind of expected a maple scent or taste after hearing so much about the bio maple that is used in this line.
I also like that there is a info card with ingredients included.
Overall I do like this balm and will use it up. Not sure if I will buy it as I like flavored balms a bit more!
Almost forgot to mention that B.Kamins is a Canadian brand and made in Canada!

*AVON: MEGA effects mascara:
Full size product, value $12 (9g).
This is an interesting mascara, the wand is really different and looks like a wide paintbrush with little plastic spikes on the end. It is a bit hard to get to use and prob not too good to use if you are in a rush.
The formula did dry quickly and is a nice dark black.I also did not notice a strong scent to this mascara, so that is a plus too!
I will have to experiment a bit more with this product and do a follow up post sometime.

Final thoughts on the August 2013 Topbox:

Overall I am pleased with the samples that were sent and there is something in each different category-face,well being,lip/sunscreen, cosmetics.
The value of my box is $27.75! and I think that is pretty decent!
If you like to try new products and brands Topbox is a great subscription for that purpose!

Blood is the New Black: Blind Bargain Bag! Men's Shirts! Aug 2013.

This is part of my earlier order from the website Blood is the New Black.
I had ordered 3 Blind Bargain bags and kind of got behind on my posting and taking pictures.
The bag I had ordered was the men's bag, as I like my shirts a bit bigger.
Also I found for the men's shirts I was more likely to get t-shirts and not tank tops of sleeveless items.
Now I do also like the sleeveless items I got in the women's bags- but was really in need to some new t-shirts!

These are the shirts I was sent in my Blind Bargain Bag:

By: Hannah Stouffer

This is one of my favorite shirts. I do not have any info on the title or when it was made/sold.

The print is a kind of forest scene and there is some kind of mythical looking animal hidden in the background.

The print is much more pale in person too and has a more pastel kind of look.

Jenny Mortsell: Lips

I really like this shirt design and was actually trying to decide if I wanted this top or now. 

It was not added to my order as I was trying to cut back and only buy 5 tops I wanted.

Happy I got this fun design!

Nylon magazine cover?

uessWho is this supposed to be? I have not read Nylon magazine in....forever!

The inside of the top says by Sterling Bartlett.

The sale tag for this top has the SKU for Urban Outfitters and $9.99. Guess this shirt was sent back as it did not come in a plastic bag.

CANARISE by JOHN MALTA

This is kind of a interesting top. Had to look up where CANARSIE is and it is in New York City.

Never been to that part of NY but from the looks of this shirt I guess they are like snakes (or is that dragons?) and have beer bottles....

Well......ok then.

And the last top..................

CHECK OUT MY BLOG by  KEATON HENSON

How fitting and funny. YES......check out my blog!

Hopefully my shirt pics have been fun to look and and that it makes you want to come back and check out my blog.

I am also decorating a couple of my shirts from an earlier post....so come back to check that out!

Topbox July 2013 review!

Finally getting around to writing my Topbox review for July.
I got my tube quite late and was also quite behind in trying the new products.

This is what I received in the regular Topbox for July 2013.
I would rather get a surprise than know what brands I am getting. Not too sure I will do any of the themed boxes that you can chose from.

*That funny yellow and white thing, is my pen. The items would not stay without rolling around and the pen was used to keep the products from sliding.
(capsule pen is from Light in the Box.com).

TOPBOX JULY 2013 PRODUCTS!

*Belvada Cosmetics: One Moment Essential Day Cream: sample size 8G, value $8/ full size 60ml, $60.

This cream looks really neat in the jar and is a clear gel base with some "gold" looking pearls suspended throughout the formula. This cream contains 24k gold flakes and pearl protein which the company says helps stimulate blood flow and give a healthy glow.
I have only used this cream a couple times, so nothing  too sure if it has done anything yet. The cream does feel nice and refreshing on my face, but it does not say if there is any SPF...so assuming you need a separate sunscreen.
Also, the "pearls" are a bit hard to get out with your fingers, so a small spatula is helpful.
This is a neat product and I will use it up!
There is also not a very strong scent, so that is another plus.

KMS California:  ADD VOLUME volumizing spray: sample size 30ml spray bottle, value $2.50/ full size 200ml, $16.70.

I like a lot of the KMS hair products and usually buy some of their other hair gels and products.
Have not yet tried any of the volumizing products as I use either the curly like or Hairstay line.

You are supposed to use this gel before blow-drying your hair to see volume. I can not use a hair dryer right now, and only used this on damp hair- so did not really test out the volume part.

But the gel did tame my curly hair and left it manageable with some light hold. The gel was not heavy or sticky and I would buy this again!

*China Glaze nail laquer: FULL SIZE ITEM!!! 14ml bottle, value $8

The value on the card does say $10-12, but when I looked online for this polish, it was on sale for $7.00 (at Nail Polish Canada.com).This polish is from the 2012 Summer Neons collection. When I did try this out on my toes the finish was quite matte. I have not used much from this brand, so not too sure how the finish on their other collections is. I do like the dark berry colour and think it would look much nicer with a top coat...unless you like the matte look!

*B Kamins: BB Cream: sample size 3g tube, value $3/ full size 50ml, $49.00
I really like how this sample is packaged and presented!
The BB cream came in a small tube- easy to reclose and enough for a few uses.
Also that the product came with an info card detailing the use, benefits and ingredients is very impressive.
I did not read that there was any sunscreen protection on the info card and am a bit surprised at this.
So far I found the BB cream blended in with my olive skin tone very well and had a very natural look.
I'll have to use up the rest of the sample and report back with any other findings.

TOPBOX JULY 2013 INFOCARD!

Overall thoughts on the July 2013 Topbox:


I enjoyed the July Topbox and found there was a good mix of products for hair, skin and nails. The China Glaze polish is a very summery shade, but it would have been nicer to receive something from the 2013 seasons. If I look back through my pics on my computer I do see I received another neon from China Glaze in my Aug 2012 Topbox.
Here is the link to my full review:
http://prettytastyreviews.blogspot.ca/2012/08/topbox-content-for-july-2012.html

June 2012 Topbox products

June 2012 Topbox infocard

BLOOD is the NEW BLACK BLIND BARGAIN BAG #6 AUG 2013

From the website Blood is the New Black.
Ordered three Blind Bargain Bags. I'm posting the pics up for now....review to follow.

PALM TREES by BRENDAN DONELLY

HOLDING HANDS by DAN MOUNTFORD

COVERS by JOSH SLATER

SYE by  DAN MONICK

by DAN MONICK

BLOOD IS THE NEW BLACK BLIND BARGAIN BAG order #5 Men's Small Aug 2013 tops received!

I just received my latest order from Blood is the New Black and bought a couple of the Blind Bargain Bags they had listed.

My review will be longer, but for now these are the shirts I received. These tops were all bought with my own money....but considering the Bargain Bags sell for $25, it is a great deal!

Tops that I received:

BASKETBALL HOOP by DAN MONICK

by DERECK ALBECK

STARSCAPE by JOSH SLATER

TOO YOUNG by BOBBY WHIGHAM

by DAN MONICK