Topbox: December 2012

I got a duplicate product this month, the Kellett Moisturizing Gel, which I received in my August Topbox. I felt like my survey really wasn't taken into account this month either and emailed Topbox about these issues. I was told they would give me a bonus product next month to make up for the duplicate. However my survey wasn't even looked at because I changed my email a few days after doing the survey! Makes sense, but I still think this is a ridiculous reason. Why should you be allowed to change your email so easily on the website if something like that would happen? In that case you should have to email them to change it or something... I was disappointed I didn't receive the foundation, and got products that don't even apply to me. 

Chloe Eau De Parfum:

I don't really consider this a deluxe sample but I guess it is since it's worth $10 and comes in a cute bottle. I don't like the scent, it's just not me (too floral). I got this free from The Bay previously and I'm kind of disappointed I got it again. I'm really tired of the floral samples from these beauty box companies!

Deluxe Sample Size: 5ml for $10, (Full Size: 30ml for $60)

Ferro Blush X3 in Bashful Swatch On Bare Skin, Top=Artificial Light, Bottom=Daylight

Ferro Cosmetics Blush X3 (Cheeks, Eyes, Lips) in Bashful:

This reminds me of Nars Orgasm, I swatched it above. I will definitely try to use this but it's difficult since the sample came without a sifter, and I was warned by others to tap it hard on a table first so it didn't spill all over the place, but there was still a TON stuck in the threads of the lid. I would have potentially bought the foundation since I was looking for a new one, but due to the email change issue I got stuck with this. It's a very pretty colour I just do not look good in blush as I'm pale right now and naturally blush all the time haha.

Deluxe Sample Size: Deluxe Sample Size: 0.4g? for $1.70, (Full Size: 4g for $17)

The reason I valued it so low is that I have FD that is 4.8g and I used that as a reference. It's estimated, please let me know if you have an accurate value!

Goldwell Sleek Perfection - Thermal Spray Serum:

Have yet to try this, I don't usually style my hair but I do like to fix it in the mornings. Will hopefully test this out tomorrow.

Deluxe Sample Size: 20ml for $2.19, (Full Size: 100ml for $10.59)

Kellett Skincare - Moisturizing Gel:

Disappointed, received this in my August Topbox. They said they will make up for it next month so I hope it will be worth it. Heard this burnt the skin of many people tried it.. I am too scared to try it on my sensitive skin. Benzoyl peroxide majorly dried out and burnt my skin so I won't be using any harsh products for acne in the meantime. ALSO I would definitely not purchase the full size for $95. Especially since Kellett cannot respond to my 3 emails about the ingredients list. Just seems a little sketchy.

Sample Size: 3ml x2 for $11.40, (Full Size: 50ml for $95)

Total value of this month's box: $25.29

Wow, so I don't even know what to say about the value of this box. Technically the value of the box for me is $3.89! I just ruined my own day figuring this out... I was okay with the products but now I will just join the completely disappointed club! Reason for this value is I already got the Chloe Parfum free from The Bay, and I don't like floral scents so I guess I'll have to put this one up for trade as well. The Kellett Gel I won't be trying either as I already received it and do not want to risk burning my skin. If January's box isn't much of an improvement I will be forced to cancel.

The Versatile Blogger Award

Merry Belated Christmas Everyone! 

I know it's late but I hope everyone had an amazing Christmas and holidays, and have a happy new year :)

Thank you so much Rachael Holding of Natural Alley for the nomination! I am excited and honoured to receive this as it is my very first! 

The Rules:

1) Nominate up to 15 bloggers who are relatively new to blogging.

2) Let the nominated bloggers know that they have been nominated for this award.
3) Share 7 random facts about yourself.
4) Thank the blogger who has nominated you.
5) Add the Versatile Blogger Award picture to your post.

I have seen a lot of people being nominated for these kinds of awards already which is why I had a small selection of blogs to choose from. I didn't choose based on who I liked and didn't like, I just tried to keep the list to a minimum so there are more options for others to nominate as well.

Nominations:
Becky in BC
Little Piggie's Closet of Secrets
Simply Blushed
The Rural Canadian Shopper
Canuck Beauty Reviews

7 Random Facts About Myself:
- I had 2 pet rats for about 2 years until I moved and had to give them away, and they were the best and most loving things ever, comparable to dogs.

- I've wanted to go into just about every job when I was younger but now I am completely clueless!

- I have an online (window) shopping & reading blog reviews obsession

- I'm very shy!

- I have the wackiest dreams (my favourite are the ones where I fly!)

- I don't have a favourite brand but for eyeshadow Urban Decay has been my saviour

- I used to love reading books, but now I struggle and get distracted easily

(Clearly I'm a boring person and don't do much with my life haha)

ipsy: My Glam Bag December 2012

I got my first ipsy/myglam bag last week! Got my tracking code on the 10th, but because Canada Post and the border are so backed up at this time of the year I didn't receive the box until the 17th! I didn't mind as long as long as this doesn't happen every month which I'm sure it won't. I know I haven't blogged in a while! I'll admit I've been lazy... I was so busy with exams but now that they are finally done and I've just been trying to get things done around the house the past week.

I tried out some of the products during the week I've had them, so I can add a little bit of input on whether or not I like!

So here is the overall photo! Sorry for the quality, I think the metallic pink packaging really threw off my camera here...I also apologize for the poorly lit photos, I am experimenting with places around the house to find the best lighting haha.

I really love this bag and in my opinion it's the best one I've ever gotten from a beauty box company! I've been subscribed to at least one for just over a year and I have never been this happy with all of the products. I also love the silver/grey makeup bag and will probably be using it as a pencil case depending on the colour we get next month!

Ipsy was finally introduced to Canadians for November 2012 and I chose not to subscribe because I thought I'd only use one of the products (theBalm Meet Matte eyeshadow) so it wasn't really worth the $15 for me. I just had to sub for December though as a Christmas present to myself!

We got 5 products in this month's bag, 3 being full-sized and 2 being very generous deluxe-sized samples!

Be a Bombshell Lip Gloss in Hot Mess:

Full sized product! So I can't pull off a red gloss, maybe a cherry red lipstick but not a gloss on it's own. I personally can't wear glosses anymore because I don't like the way they feel. See for swatches below (I only swatched it on my hand so I can possibly trade it in the future) but from other examples such as this video on Ipsy's official website it looks like it'd be amazing over any red lipstick. There was also a crack on the tube but I don't think it's deep enough to cause a leak or anything.

Full Size: $14

Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-on Eye Pencil in Zero:

I have a HG pencil liner that is super affordable (won't spoil it as I'll be posting a review soon!) but this is just as good! But for the price, I wouldn't buy it. I use black liners almost every day and that would just be way too expensive for me. It doesn't tug on your eye and it's very gentle and the pigmentation is great. This is my first UD liner and I am thinking of getting one of their set's now that I can see what all the hype is about!

Deluxe Sample Size: $15.33, (Full Size: $23)

NYX Ultra Pearl Mania in Baby Pink:

Full sized product! I don't usually use loose pigments but after seeing so many great swatches with loose pigments I think I am going to start. I swatched this, along with the liner and lipgloss, over the Mirabella primer and I think it's a beautiful sheer pink. I haven't tried it as an eyeshadow yet but I think it'd work best for the inner corners. I want to get the gold now, but these are much cheaper, probably half the price or less in the US and I have only seen them at Rexall for $6 here in Canada.

Full Size: $6

Mirabella Prime for Face and Eyes:

Another full sized product! This is suppose to be good for both eyes and face. It worked well for my eyes but it doesn't help the colour show up brighter, like Urban Decay's Eyeshadow Insurance would. Nevertheless my shadow stayed put all night! It's paraben-free which is great, and the ingredients seem very minimal with most being silicones. I went through a faze a few weeks ago where I thought I was breaking out from silicones, but their in almost every product I use and have used for more than 5 years so I am kind of doubting myself now. I used this all over the face and I really like it! A+!

Full Size: $29

Mai Couture Highlighter Papier:

Small sheets that look like blotting wipes, but are meant to be used as a highlighter for the face or body. They are meant to be compact and non-messy because you do not have to use a brush or powder. Instead you lightly press it on your skin where you want the highlight. Some people are claiming this is making them orange but I used it sparingly and it didn't make me orange, but it didn't quite give me a glow, but some shimmer and sparkles instead! I think that the individual sheets could definitely be saved and used more than once, they have a ton of pigment on each one. I like this but I would not buy it because it doesn't quite seem like a highlighter.

Deluxe Sample Size: $14, (Full Size: $28)

Left: Artificial Light, Right: Natural

Swatches from Top to Bottom: Be a Bombshell Lip Gloss (Hot Mess), Urban Decay Liner (Zero), NYX Ultra Pearl Mania (Baby Pink)

I swiped these all over the Mirabella Face and Eyes Primer. The UD liner was a light swipe and was hard to remove afterwards! The NYX didn't show up too pigmented so like I said I think it would be a lot better over my UD Shadow Insurance.

Ipsy really impressed me this month. Total value of this month's bag was: $77.33. I definitely did not expect the 3 full sized products, and the other 2 products to be very generous samples, but I hope Ipsy keeps this up. I do not expect full sized products by any means, but I do expect deluxe samples, rather than receiving a ton of packet sized samples. Did you like your bag? What NYX pigment did you get?

Freebies: From the Past Few Weeks!

Hey guys! Here is a preview of what I got in the mail, and other free samples I've managed to pick up during these past few weeks that I've managed to keep track of. I'll try to keep these less photo heavy but my camera takes close ups a lot better and it's hard to capture things in a bigger photo because of it's wide angle lens -__-

My birthday gift from Sephora Beauty Insider! Fresh Sugar Kisses Mini Lip Treatment Duo I absolutely love these and just bought another pair (the mini duo). I've never had a lip balm completely restore my lips without drying them out, I love the ingredients in these and need to find a cheaper dupe asap! I'm already halfway the clear one!

John Frieda Sheer Blonde Sample Kit - Colour Renew Tone Correcting Mousse, Go Blonder Controlled Lightening Spray, Enhancing Shampoo/Conditioner (1 Time Use) + Save $5 WUB any 2 Sheer Blonde Products Coupon I know I'm not blonde, as much as I wish I could pull it off, but I know this 'go blondier' lightener will work for darker hair as well! A lot of reviews say that it will lighten, some people have more luck than others but I will give it a go. I have been wanting highlights forever but don't have the courage, I always mess up my hair somehow, and salon = expensive and I don't currently have a regular salon that I trust.

Tresemme Split Remedy - Split End Shampoo and Conditioner (3 Time Use) + $1 Coupon 

Loreal Youth Code BB Cream Illuminator, Couture La La, Vitamints Immune + 2 Coupons, Phyto Paris Reparative Conditioning Treatment, Tiger Balm Neck & Shoulder Rub + Coupon

I love the Couture La La sample so much! I have Viva La Juicy and may just buy this next. The Youth Code sample is kind of sad, it's on the card, and I can't really save it if I only use half.. btw it feels like nothing's inside so we'll try it once my skin clears up.

And finally, my P&G brandSampler pack and the special Metro edition pack. I was excited to see Febreze Car and gave it to my bf who loves it. Although they don't last long and aren't worth the money; the last one he had lasted about a week. 

What freebies did you get? I strongly encourage you to if you don't already sign up for a lot of them. It's a great way to test out products without having to buy and return them.