Beauty Box 5: October 2012 Box

This is very long overdue! My October 2012 Beauty Box 5 (also known as BB5). I possibly have not been excited enough to post about this because the box itself didn't really excite me.... in fact I was quite upset upon receiving it because 

A) it took about 2+ weeks, 

B) the samples all seem to be very "free" looking (you know what I mean!) and not deluxe at all. 

I actually haven't used any of these products yet, except for one which gave me a terrible reaction (the city lips gloss/plumper!) I haven't tried it a second time around yet because I'm scared of the outcome... will probably give to a friend to try out. 

So here are a few photos I took of the box contents and what I think about each product!

NOTE: None of these are tested so far, besides the City Lips Plumper.

Fulesse Elevens - Frown Line Reducing Patches

Relax frown lines in a gentle, natural (no needles!) way. Simply apply the clear patch while you sleep and a few hours later you'll see fewer lines. It's that easy.

Received: 3 Patches = $2.01

Full Size: 30 Patches = $20

No way I can really use this. I'm 19, I don't have frown lines yet. I can't find decent reviews about trying it if you do not have mature skin, so I am holding on to this hopefully for a trade for something I can actually use.

Goat Haus Dairy Lip Balm

Your lips will lust after this light-weight, soft and silky goats-milk lip balm!

Received: Full Size!

Full Size: $2.50

This isn't very appealing for a full size product. You can see that it is only half full. I heard it wasn't a bad product, so I'm hoping to try this once I finish some other lip balms I have! I like how the ingredients are very natural.

Margania Pure Argan Oil

With naturally high levels of Vit. E and skin-supporting fatty acids, this "miracle" oil is perfect for healing skin ailments and protecting against premature aging. Use alone or mix with your moisturizer.

Received: 2" tube? Not sure of value.

Full Size: 2 fl oz  = $32

Am interested to try this out. Confusing though because others have said it is for the hair but the card seems to imply that it's for the face or body. Can I try it on my hair!? I have yet to try it because I'm not sure exactly how or where to apply...

ShowStoppers Fashion Tape

Received: 2 = $0.84

Full Size: 24 = $10 

I think these are self explanatory. Double stick "designer fashion tape" to keep your shirt stuck to your bra (or body). These would come in handy for emergency, or a really low cut/revealing dress. So I will hold onto these for the future I guess!

Lash Card

Received: 2 Cards = $1.40

Full Size: 10 Cards = $7 

Again, self explanatory by the picture. I won't be needing these. I never get mascara on my top lid and if I do I can quickly wipe it off... I heard it was also difficult to use. I would probably end up poking my eye out or something with this!

NuMe $100 Gift Certificate

Okay how many of these am I really going to get? Already received 2 and didn't use either, then they expired. I find it ridiculous that they charge $170 for a hair tool, so the $100 off doesn't mean anything, since in brackets it usually says (+$15 + $10 shipping). Not to mention duties on top of that. What's the +$15 actually for? Probably won't be using this again...

Do you use NuMe products or have bought from them/received a sample? I would love to hear what you think about them in the comment box below.

City Lips Lip Plumper in Sun Diego

These luscious lip plumpers are packed with antioxidants and moisturizing ingredients! Apply alone or over lipstick for fuller, plumper lips in an instant!

Received: 1.5 ml = $9.60

Full Size: 5 ml = $32

Only product I've tried so far. I already have plump lips so these made them extremely tingle and feel uncomfortable. They burnt for a few minutes and I felt like I had a fat lip and had to take it off. No one else seems to feel this reaction so I may try again, however, I'd rather just give to a friend since I don't need it.

Total BB5 October Box Value: Approx. $20.61
Value is approx. due to estimation of value for Margania Argan Oil

Did you like your BB5 box!? How long have you been a subscriber? 

Topbox: Lise Watier Complimentary Tobpox!

So a little less than a month ago, Topbox decided to collaborate with Shoppers Drug Mart instead of Holt Renfrew, and offered all of their members in the Toronto region a change to receive a free, limited edition Lise Watier Topbox! This post is quite late (like many of my posts will probably be, due to school being so tiring and time consuming..) but I also wanted to be sure that I was able to test the products out before posting about them. Only members in the Toronto area that were able to travel to the 6 locations were able to receive the complimentary sample box. This made a lot of members upset, but Topbox has assured everyone that they were testing it in Toronto first and that they would expand this nation-wide if it was successful (probably because it is close to their actual headquarters, so it made sense that it must have been easier to dispatch the boxes around Toronto rather than send them all around Canada). 

I picked up my box the same night that I saw a picture of another blogger's box because one of the locations was a minute from my boyfriend's house! I was delighted to see how deluxe the samples were! This really made up for the smaller samples in Topbox's October box. 

So going in order of what's on the card...

Plumpissimo Le Gloss

Received: Deluxe Sample Size $5.08 (1.5ml)

Full Size: $21 (6.2ml)

This is suppose to moisturize and smoothen the lips while plumping at the same time. I've never really had any luck with plumping lip products, I swear they make my lips look huge and swollen. And not an attractive kind either, it probably scares people. So I tried this once but I didn't feel too much plumping, it felt nice and I really adore the colour. If it wasn't a plumping product I would definitely use this everyday.

Hydrasmart 3D Hydration Gel-Creme

Received: Deluxe Sample Size $24 (30ml)

Full Size: $40 (50ml)

I cannot even explain how much I love this product! So first of all, I have sensitive skin that has been acting up lately causing it to be VERY sensitive and I have not used a moisturizer because they all cause me to break out. Others are too thick, don't seem to absorb well, and give me a very oily t-zone. But this!! I fell in love. It absolutely did not break me out. I have been using it for half a month and my skin looks like it is really improving. It's softer, smoother, and I forgot to mention that it hydrated my super dry spots that were dried out by benzyl peroxide. I stopped using this for 2 days and my skin stayed moisturized, even in this cold weather! I would definitely buy this once I run out, the only problem is the steep price tag! I hope I can find a cheaper alternative, otherwise I don't mind investing in something that finally works. I found my HG!

Frisson Neiges Twist & Spray Set

Received: Purse Spray $26 + Refill $26 = $52

Full Size: $40 (30ml), $59 (50ml)

This fragrance with the refill is actually worth $52 alone! I couldn't believe how generous it was! It's too bad that I really do not like the fragrance. I like fruity, fun fragrances and am not too into floral fragrances. Hopefully I will find someone who is though! Although I really love the travel/purse friendly idea, with the twist up cap. 

Total Lise Watier October Topbox Value: $97!

Thank you so much Topbox for the very generous, complimentary box! How did you like the products in your box, if you were able to get one?

Topbox: October 2012!

I've been receiving these beauty sample boxes for quite a while now, I think it's been about a year actually. I was originally subscribed to Glymm Box and I loved my boxes at first but was never quite happy with the contents. For some reason I always felt like I would have preferred ANY of the other versions of boxes that were sent out that month over my own. I felt as if I always received the worst one. So my Topbox subscription finally started in May I believe, and I cancelled Glymm after they started bringing out the reusable bags. Don't get me wrong they are very cute and I wish I could have gotten more! But I wasn't happy with their samples anymore, they weren't right for my skin type. I have very sensitive skin and the samples just weren't working for me.

However, it seems like all of the sample companies are taking that into consideration now, including Glymm, and sending out safer, more natural products!

Ok so to get to the point, I took these with my iPhone with major excitement so they aren't the greatest. :p I hope to review the products later on and repost with better photos, but here is a preview of what I got in my October 2012 Topbox!

Aveda Invati - Shampoo & Conditioner

Thicker fuller hair is yours with 97% naturally derived (from plants and non-petroleum minerals) Invati solutions for thinning hair. 

Received: Sample Size, 1 time use @ $1.35 x 2 = $2.70

Full Size: 200 ml @ $27

Aveda claims this product will reduce hair loss by 33% due to breakage, based on a 12-week clinical test! 

I am really happy to have received this sample. It honestly seems like Topbox read my mind. I've been having hair loss and major thinning for a year now. Even though I have totally stopped dying or damaging my hair it seems like the hair loss has just gotten worse so I'm super excited to try this. I don't fancy the smell (it smells like henna hair dye, which I don't want to be reminded of :p) but if what they claim is true then I am definitely interested!

UPDATE: I tried this out and there was really only enough product for a one time use which was upsetting. I couldn't tell whether it actually improved my hair thinning and because it is quite expensive at $27 a bottle I will probably not be purchasing this. It also had a smell that reminded me of henna hair dye (which I had quite a bad experience with) which lingered for quite a few days.

There is a coupon for this exact sample available on Aveda's website! If anyone is interested click here! They have a ton of other amazing offers as well.

MaskerAide Hydrating Facial Sheet Mask - All Nighter

MaskerAide is a unique line of super hydrating facial sheet masks created for fabulous lifestyles! 

Received: Full Size! 1 time use @ $5 (1 mask/23g)

Never heard of this brand, but it looks really cute and seems quite interesting to try. I have very sensitive skin so I will probably wait for other reviews to pop up before trying this product on my skin. It is said to "awaken, replenish & refresh". 

Stila Eyeshadow Palette

A beautiful collection of Stila's award-winning eye shadows.

Received: Deluxe Sample Size @ $0.50?

Full Size $50 (14g) 

Available at Shoppers Drug Mart, Murale, Sephora.

I have never seen this before! When I took it out of the box I literally thought it was just a card, but open it up and it's a sample palette! I am super excited to try this as I was actually thinking of buying a Stila palette (again, Topbox reading my mind or something haha).

UPDATE: I tried this out a few times, there isn't much product, but I like the eyeshadows. They are not as pigmented as UD but I quite like it. The colours are lighter and more matte.

Stila Lip Glaze - in Rasberry

Turn on the shine and you'll be turning heads with Stila's most popular lip gloss. 

Received: Deluxe Sample Size 1.48 ml @ $17.88

Full Size 2.4 ml @ $29

Available at Shoppers Drug Mart, Murale, Sephora.

I'm not sure if this is full or sample size? I believe it's sample? It is a very generous sample, I believe it is quite comparable to the full sized product. But it looks a little too dark for me based on the swatches I have looked up (I have really pigmented lips, I wonder if this could be from my bad habit of picking them too much when they are dry...). I am still thinking about trying it out or putting it up for trade!

Overall I am quite happy with what I received this month because I can try out everything. At first glance I thought "ugh" but then realized I can actually make use of these. I was happy a make-up sample was included (well 2 if you include the lip glaze), and like I said before I'm actually very interested in the Aveda shampoo & conditioner sample so thank you Topbox!

Total Topbox October Value: Approx. $26.08