TOPBOX FEB 2014 REVIEW! and VIRTUAL UNBOXING!

My Feb 2014 Topbox showed up in my mailbox last week!
Topbox if you have not heard of it before is a monthly subscription where you get (usually) four deluxe or full size cosmetic items from new and established brands.

What is refreshing about Topbox is that you only pay by the month and do not have a prepaid commitment. That way you can be sure they will not run away with your money like some other subscriptions.

Here is what my Feb 2014 Topbox looked like before opening:

Feb 2014 Topbox packaging!


Contents of my regular Topbox:

In my Topbox this month were the following items:

*Estee Lauder: Double Ended Sumptuous Bold Volume Lifting Mascara and Pure Color Gloss in Rock Candy. Mascara size: 2.8ml, value $13/ full size 6ml, $26. Lip gloss 4.5ml, $19.50/full size 6ml, $26.
The Sumptuous mascara is quite nice! My eyes were not irritated at all and I just read that the mascara is fragrance free! Also no smudging or flaking- so that is a plus.
The only issue I had was it is a bit hard to remove. I tried several miscellar cleansers for face and eyes and that did not work well. I then tried my waterproof makeup remover and that worked quite well.

The Pure Color Gloss is really nice and also has a candy like scent that is not too strong. I really dislike gloss that tastes like perfume or flowers (some expensive gloss I bought had a overly floral scent and taste).
The gloss did not burn my lips, so another plus. Overall this gloss is great and very wearable- this will be on my list of future purchases!




*So Susan: Water-based Pure Luminizer. full size product 15g, value $46!
I have never heard of this brand before and it is based in the UK/England!
This is also a full size item which is always fun to receive.
The luminizer went on very easily and does give quite a glow. You really do not need to use much at all.
I did have a few small issues with this product. One is that the product packaging states no sulfates,no mineral oil, water based...but then there is PARABENS  listed in the ingredients??
My other issue was a small fault with the packaging- the cap was broken and the product leaks out the side when you squeeze the tube.
Looking online, it seems others have had the same issue. I'm supposed to be getting a replacement sample with my March Topbox.
I think that for such an expensive product there should not be any packaging issues.



*Elizabeth Arden: Eight Hour Cream Skin Protectant. sample size 30ml, value $15/full size 50ml, $25.
This is one of those iconic beauty products that is supposed to be good for everything under the sun....
The cream was invented in the 1930's and one is sold every 30 seconds or something crazy like that!
The cream is quite thick, very similar to petroleum jelly, but I am not too keen on the scent that is very floral like. There is a fragrance-free version available thankfully...



*Zyderma HS :Clarifying Cream. full size 30ml, value $25!
This is kind of funny that I got this cream in my Topbox. I have never gotten this item from Topbox.
Not the most exiting product for me- only because I just placed another order for a large bottle of Zyderma a couple weeks ago. But I do not have a smaller bottle to take on vacation with me, so also quite pleased with this.
I guess this means I need to do another update of how Zyderma is helpful for me.
Actually I did just take a picture of my knees 3 months later and it is a huge difference. I did send Zyderma a copy of my pictures and plan on doing a new blog post soon......



*Lancome: Definicils mascara. sample size 2ml, value...
This item was not listed on my card and it is a surprise to see another mascara in my Topbox!

Seasonsbox Feb 2014...finally heard back. Denying Visa charges? and refusing to send boxes....Saga continues...

Finally, I heard back from "seasonsbox" as my email was signed.
Why can't the person sending the email even put an initial down?? what are "they" so scared of??

The message I received came from the Gmail address and stated that I no longer had an account and that my credit card had not been charged anything and that I did not have a subscription.

To me that is quite odd, as I did purchase my one year Seasonsbox subscription of Jan. 25, 2013 and my first box was Feb 2013.
Without skipping any boxes that would bring me to receiving Feb 2014 as my last box.
Considering I skipped 2 boxes and have the confirmation in writing that my sub was extended till April 2014.
I made sure to get that in writing as I was not sure if they would forget or be around and I might need written proof for something.

The lesson (I) you can learn from that is always get the terms of something you buy confirmed in writing if they happen to change from the original contract agreement.

Now to top this the same person who sent me that message Mr. or Ms. "seasonsbox", I guess that is their name now....

Seasonsbox is denying my credit card was charged!!!!

How ridiculous, as I see the charge in my online banking, so how can they not know about a $285 charge?

I did speak to my bank's credit card claims dept and customer service over the phone and the several times I did call they did see the $285 charge and told me to send a fax in writing with a copy of my seasonsbox cancelation.

I was also given a file # and just need to send a fax to reverse the charge.

Now for my seasonsbox subscription, I have a separate case and was told I needed proof my subscription was extended and only allowed to file one claim.

I was asked how many months I skipped and was told I could probably get that back.

I was trying to claim for 3 months missed (inc Jan 2014 that no one has gotten yet).

But now since Seasonsbox is refusing to even honour my subscription and does not want to send me anything, I just need to send that email to my credit card provider's claims dept.

I really hope "seasonsbox" enjoys dealing with my credit card's claim dept!

Has anyone else had so many issues with Seasonsbox?

I really had enjoyed my subscription until Dec 2013,so it is too bad they decided to dig their own grave.

*Has anyone noticed that the description card in their picture on the seasonsbox website is from Jan 2013, but the description is what is supposed to be Jan 2014?
Also the box pictured is the old style with the pretty cardboard box and ribbon that they used when they first started out.

The last few boxes I got just had the products dumped in a box with no bubble wrap or anything...

Has anyone gotten anything from Seasonsbox in 2014, I would really like to know....

SEASONSBOX FEB 2014 FRAUD WARNING!

I just wanted to make a  separate post about Seasonsbox.
It seems that even though I canceled my subscription in writing at least 9+ times they have decided to make an unauthorized charge of $285.46.

This is fraudulent use of my credit card and they have no excuse for doing this.
I hope Seasonsbox enjoys dealing with the fraud dept of my credit card provider.

If I could post this on their Facebook I would, but they blocked anyone from posting messages.

Seasonsbox Feb 2014 update! My findings so far.... UNAUTHORIZED VISA CHARGES TOO!!!

Well,
the month of January went by quite quickly!
I was not going to do an update on my dealings (or lack of) with Seasonsbox, but since "they" have blocked any new comments from being posted on their Facebook page and deleted any question and comments (I) posted by myself and others posting my dealings here is nice as it is my own blog and can only be edited by myself.
This is what my own dealings with Seasonsbox have been so far.

*I've sent several emails to Seasonsbox through their Facebook and also every address that is posted on their actual website. The email addresses I used were the ones listed on their website: support@seasonsbox.com, partners@seasonsbox.com, press@seasonsbox.com .

Absolutely no replies to my emails sent two weeks ago.
I did receive some vague email saying Seasonsbox was under "new management" and to send any inquiries to a gmail address.
A message was sent and again, no reply in over one week at least.

Some people in a cosmetics forum I am a member of that is US based have also had very similar dealings.
There were also some rumors that Seasonsbox was resold? and also that some vendors were not paid?
Other people were posting this, so this is all "talk" for now and Internet chatter...

I did see that on the Seasonsbox website that the price has been raised for Canadians to $49.95 plus whatever transaction fees your credit card has as their payment processing is US based (and has foreign transaction fees).

So far I was trying to find out what was going on with the remainder of my subscription as I am supposed to receive two more boxes until Feb 2014, plus two I skipped- making my sub go until April 2014.

Now in the Dec box that I received in early Jan 2014, there was one "damaged item" and other people had the same thing happen. Their hot chocolate powder tin was dented and powder leaking out.
This was due to the products being tossed in a box with no protective packaging of any kind.
I am lucky my chocolates were still in the little gift box too, as some people got their seasonsbox with loose chocolates that were uneatable.

As it is right now I did NOT receive my January 2014 Seasonsbox!
It is already the beginning of Feb 2014 and no email communication either.
I did contact my credit card provider to ask about filling some request for part of my subscription money back and have a case number, but have not sent my documents yet.
I was waiting until Feb to see if I would get a email or the January box and now have even more proof the "vendor is not communicating with me" and is pretty much refusing to fix the situation.

I had a similar situation last year when Glymm was around. They went out of business leaving people with prepaid subscriptions out of luck. And also did not sent items to people who bought from their store- I had a $200 order for some gifts and was never sent anything. The money was returned through my credit card.

After that fiasco, you think I would know better?
Actually most of the subscriptions I have had so far have been perfectly fine and I've had at least 20 different ones so far....
As long as you pay with a credit card you can always file a chargeback on any purchase you are not satisfied with!

UPDATE:

FEB 3, 2014 OK NOW I JUST CHECKED MY VISA STATEMENT AND WAS CHARGED $285.46!!
NOT TOO IMPRESSED WITH THOSE F*CKERS AT SEASONSBOX.
I SPECIFICALLY TOLD THEM IN WRITING SINCE AT LEAST NOVEMBER 2013 I WAS NOT RENEWING AND ALSO SENT SEVERAL MESSAGES IN DEC 2013 AND JANUARY 2014.

AS WELL AS CALLING MY VISA CARD ON JANUARY 16th AND TELLING THE FRAUD DEPT THAT A COMPANY WAS TRYING TO PUT THROUGH AN UNAUTHORIZED CHARGE AND I GUESS THEY DID NOT MAKE A NOTE OF THAT??

UNAUTHORIZED CHARGES BY SEASONSBOX ON MY CREDIT CARD ARE NOT COOL AND THAT IS FRAUD.
HOPE THEY ENJOY DEALING WITH MY CREDIT CARD COMPANY.....

TOPBOX JANUARY 2014 REVIEW!

Just received my January 2014 Topbox! My first box of the year!
Here is a pic for now......review coming soon!
A "virtual unboxing" will be coming up!!

The Topbox packaging.

Overall, I like what was sent for my January Topbox.

The tweezers look expensive with the silicone coating and I hope they are decent (even though I already have a couple expensive German tweezers).Aveda products are always liked, skincare is always useful and lip gloss fun!

Thoughts on my Topbox items:

*Belvada Cosmetics: Colored Tweezers. Value $5
This was one of the first items I tried and when I received them thought it was a great idea to have silicone on the tweezers as it makes them much easier to use. The tweezers are slanted and fairly sharp and are a decent quality. For tweezing they work as well as most of the cheaper tweezers I've tried.
Usually the tweezers I like best are my Mavala Switzerland tweezers, then Italian made ones I picked up.
I will most likely use these tweezers for nail art and since the silicone part can be removed I will use it on my other tweezers. So far for me this item is only ok.

*Miracle 10 Skincare: Solution II Extra Strength Clarifying Solution: sample size 30ml, sold on Miracle 10's website as a deluxe size for $27/ full size product 120ml, $44.
I really like the packaging for this solution- it has a pump bottle instead of being a top you take off that could spill. Also a great size for travel or to take with you!
The clarifying solution left my face feeling very clean and smooth, but not dry. I really like this product but will have to use it for a while to see if it is any different from my current Toning Solution by Neostrata.
The Miracle 10 definitely felt less harsh than my current product, but that is because the percentage of acids is much less being at 5% compared to my usual 8 or 10%.
Also, I've done quite a few Exuviance skin peels lately and those are 20%+ so for myself I am not expecting any extreme results from this product.
If you were not already using much for exfoliating and wanted to help with blemishes, dark spots and skin tone this product would be very good. I do like this product and plan to take it with me on vacation!

Contents of the Topbox tube.

*Aveda: stress-fix body lotion: sample size 25ml, value $4.70/ full size 200ml, $32.50

I like Aveda products, but am more familiar with their hair products and colour cosmetics. I have never tried any of the body products until now!

The body lotion was tried on my hands and arms and absorbed right away. I do not think this would be rich enough for very dry skin during wintertime. But on my hands it absorbed right away and left them smelling nicely scented. I am not sure quite how to describe the scent of the lotion as it is made with a bunch of different essential oils that smell like when you walk into the Aveda store. I can make out lavender   The Topbox description card states that there is" lavender, lavandin and clary sage from organic farms".

The lotion is a good size to try and there was also a card redeemable at an Aveda store for a travel size hand relief cream.

I went to the Aveda store to pick this up and the cream was a 40ml tube with a value of $13!

While I was browsing the Aveda store I actually forgot to buy the item I came for too- their breath drops are nice and have no alcohol....

The Boxx Lipshine was hiding in the envelope...almost missed it!

*BOXX COSMETICS: Lipshine- braith 1.5g! Full size item! Value $16.

This would be my second Boxx Cosmetics item! I got one of their concealers last year and do like it and use that once in a while...

I like the colour of the lipshine that I received- braith is a sheer shimmery natural pink and is a bit more like a tinted balm than lipgloss. It applies well with a lip brush- you could use your finger to apply as the lipshine is more solid in the pan (but fingers are never as clean).

The gloss has some good ingredients like peptides , mango butter, beeswax and vitamin e. There is no scent or taste to the lipshine and I prefer that over perfumey things on my lips. The lipshine also went on smoothly and is not sticky.

Another plus is the ingredients are listed right on the back of the package! I always like to know what I am using on my skin as I do not like some ingredients I avoid.

I also like that BOXX COSMETICS  is a Canadian company and this product is made in Canada!

Swatch of BOXX COSMETICS Lipshine- braith

Above is a swatch of the Boxx Cosmetics lipshine- you can see how sheer this is, even with a thicker lipbrush application on my hand. I think this shade would be suitable for pretty much everyone who likes a more natural, but polished look.

Topbox December 2013 box review!

Better late than never!
I've been quite busy with out of town visitors taking up most of my time and finally now just getting around to posting my Topbox reviews.
My January review will be coming soon as well as an additional box that I purchased and just got here.
That leaves me quite a few items to try and that will be a lot of fun (hopefully).

Here is what was in my December 2013 Topbox:

December 2013 Topbox contents!

The December Topbox had a good variety of cosmetics for the holiday season!

From sparkly nail laquer (mine was more like a topcoat), coconut lip balm that reminds you of the topics (or summer), a new perfume and also some line filler (useful for those holiday pics).

My thoughts on the products I received:

*Belvada Cosmetics: Coconut Lip Butter. Full size product 10ml, value $10.00

The full size of the lip butter was sent out. This is such a new product that it was sent in a more plain package. The tub reminds me of the Body Shop body butter container I have here on my desk beside me.

The coconut lip butter smells very coconutty and tropical. The lip butter also goes on very easily and did moisturize right away- there was no waxy feel to this product and that is a plus.

There is also a coconut taste to the product The lip butter also goes on clear and has no shimmer or colour in it. Overall I do like the lip butter and will use it at home- for outside the home I only use lip items that are in sticks or tubes and with sunscreen in them.

The only thing I did not like about this lip butter is that there is no ingredient info included and I did not find any online yet. I usually like to know what is in the products I use.

*Cuccio Colour: Nail Laquer in REMIX. Full size product 13ml, value $10.00

Nail polish is always fun to receive! This would be my second Cuccio Colour polish from Topbox. The one I received a while ago was a sheer light pink. Remix is more of a topcoat product as it is made of different sizes of glitter that is in a clear polish base. There are large silver bits and some more fine turqoise and pink glitter.

I did try the polish by itself and did not like that look as much. Over some "greige" (grey/beige) polish I did like the look better, but ended up applying too much glitter and not liking the effect.

My plan is to take some pictures the next time I do my nails.....

*Estee Lauder: Modern Muse edp. Sample size 2.9ml/value $6.50, full size 30ml $65.00

When I first saw this was an Estee Lauder perfume my first thoughts were "oh no!...not another strong floral". So far I had sampled all the Lauder scents at the dept store and always found them too strong and floral to my liking. Most perfumes I buy are green and fresh (green tea, verbena) or fruity (lemon, berry,vanilla).

I was actually really surprised that this edp was a very light floral and described as being mixed with "sleek, sensual woods".

To me the edp has a very soft and light scent that is a bit hard to describe- it is kind of fresh smelling and nice. Something you could wear to work and not bother too many people.

Not too sure I would buy this, but I will use it up!

*Skiin: Instant Skin Tightener and Line Filler: Sample size 3ml/value $10.00, full size 15ml $49.95

I like trying these kinds of products as I'm always curious if they will really work. Thankfully I do not really need too much of this kind of product yet- I only have a tiny bit of frown lines to hide.
I had seen some Skiin brand products in other sample boxes before, but never had the chance to try and yet until now!

I really like how the sample is packaged with a tube you can reclose and a best before date on it too!

To open the sample you twist off the top and to reclose you put the cap upside down-kind of like a bottle stopper.

The line filler is like a gel or serum and did absorb right away and made my frown lines look smoother and filled on. There is also no scent to the product and that is a big plus.

But again, I hate that there is no ingredient info and when I went to look on Skiinshop.com did not see any ingredient listings either. I would at least expect a company to list ingredients online, esp since so many people can have ingredients they are allergic to or do not want in a product.

Still I do like this sample and am going to use it up!

Product description card Dec 2013!

My overall thoughts on the Dec 2013 Topbox:

I thought the Dec 2013 version of the Topbox had a good mix of items for winter and the holiday season.

The value of the items received was $36.50 and that is pretty good considering the box costs $12.

There was also one item that was Canadian (the lip butter) and three of the four items received were labeled as being new!

I can't wait to see what the new year will being for my Topbox subscription!

SEASONSBOX JAN 2014 WHAT HAPPENED?? ARE THEY STILL IN BUSINESS OR WHAT??

Maybe you are asking yourself why I have not updated my blog with Seasonsbox reviews?
I was waiting to see if I was pleased with their customer service lately, before posting anything overly negative (or possibly positive).
So far I had purchased a yearly membership in Feb 2013 and skipped 2 of the months that did not catch my interest. That means I am supposed to get my boxes until April 2014....

The last box I skipped was the November 2013 one that contained patchouli hair products.
I've always hated anything patchouli so.....great a whole box full of those items?? PASS

Now I was supposed to receive the December box and as of January 8th it still is not here.
Not too sure of my box was lost or sent out as there has been so much restructuring with Seasonsbox that it is hard to tell if they are still in business.
I did receive my Dec 2013 Seasonsbox and am quite pleased.
The vegan chocolates were delicious, my hot chocolate tin was dented and some spilled all over my other items, the Moksa body butter smells very nice- but no one seems to be able to answer my question about the packaging changes.

I'm still having a few issues with Seasonsbox at the moment.
If you go to their website they still have the December 2013 products up and no word about the January boxes. Same thing if you go to their Facebook site that has not been updated either since December.
A few weeks ago Seasonsbox was advertising that you could renew at a special rate of $250 for the next year (that is for 12 boxes). That is a great price but........ Why do I want to renew or buy a new subscription if their website is still showing the Dec items in January and that no one from their customer "service" (or lack of service) dept can not be bothered to update?
If you are too busy, find someone else to write the update for you.

So this pretty much sums up why I have not done any Seasonsbox reviews lately.
Does anyone know if Seasonsbox has gone the way of glymm and taken off with the money?
Or have they gone out of business?
When (seasonsbox) does not bother to update their site and no Facebook update one can only guess the company has gone out of business.
I did ask on their Facebook to know what was going on and was wondering if I should contact my credit card provider for a chargeback as I can not reach the vendor.
Also that I received a damaged item and doubt they will do anything about that.
Usually with your credit card if you are not sent items, item not as described, damaged items and the vendor is difficult to deal with- you can do a chargeback by calling the credit card company.

I do know some of the terms for Seasonsbox state that there are no refunds on pre-paid sunscriptions- but when the company does not even honour their own contract, I'm not too sure if that applies?

Has anyone been able to obtain any info on the January 2014 Seasonsbox?
Has the company gone out of business?
I will update this post with any new info I obtain and what my credit card provider will suggest!