Tuesday, March 18, 2014

Topbox March



My March Topbox has arrived! This is the second topbox as part of my subscription. This month I decided to opt-in, spend an extra $10 and get a full sized surprise. I did some research to see what other people have received in the past and what I saw looked good. I was hopeful. 


So my deluxe full sized sample was the Cover FX Anti-Aging Primer. I'm not sure what to think about this. I don't typically use primer and I'm not sure how I feel about the anti-aging thing? I guess maybe I should start? I will definitely give this a try when I actually do put on more makeup then my daily neutral look. 



This was the rest of my box was not bad, considering that it's only $12/month. The box included:
  • Lise Watier - Solution Double Dual Phase Eye Makeup Remover. If this is anything like the Lancome one it'll be amazing;
  • Cinaa - Nail Art Pen in Purple. I really do enjoy doing my nails so this will be fun to experiment with, and to top it off its in one of my favourite colours;
  • Belvada Cosmetics - Blackhead Facial Mask. Although I don't have any blackheads on my skin this product still looks really neat, and I'm excited to try it. I will most likely wait until the weather gets a little warmer. After having tried Glamglow from the Flare box I purchased in December I'm super excited to try another charcoal mask that rejuvenates the skin. 
  • Clinique - Superprimer Face Primer. So, I was a little disappointed when I saw this especially after receiving the full sized anti-aging primer. 
All in all it was still a pretty neat box and good value.




Monday, March 17, 2014

Spring Luxe Box

Today I received my first offical Luxe Box as part of my subscription. The notification came on Friday and I was thrilled. There is such a feeling of excitement to see what your going to get, I absolutely love it.

                               


Before this I actually purchased a Limited Edition Luxe Box around Christmas time. Although I knew what I was getting I was super excited because it had such great items in it.

After seeing some of the sneak peeks into what could potentially be in my spring luxe box I was even more excited. I was especially hoping to get a sample of Captain Blankenship's Mermaid Sea Salt Hair Spray, I love, love, love the way my hair looks after a day at the beach, regardless of how dirty it probably is haha! 

There were many cool products in my box, but I must say there were also a couple of things I was less than impressed with. First, Kiehl's face ultra moisturizer, I received this in the Lou Lou box I purchased in December. Secondly, mints? really? Ok, maybe they are sugar free or whatever, but really? mints? I guess I will now have to start eating mints! Who knows maybe I'll turn into a mint eater lol!

     

In the box:
Fekkai Shampoo & Conditioner, which will be great for traveling this summer;
Kiehl's Ultra Facial Moisturizer, repeat item but again makes a good traveler;
Xyla Mints. Enough said.
Titika Headband, love the colours. This was also one of the products I really likes from one of the limited addition boxes;
Prada Luna Rossa, for the husband. This was an upgrade item at no extra charge;
Stila stay all day 10-in-1 HD beauty balm, I really love stila products so I look forward to using this;
Teeez Nail Lacquer in Cadmium Rush, for anyone who knows me, I love a good polish so again look forward to trying this, especially since its in a colour I wouldn't normally choose. 

All in all I feel the good outweigh the mediocre and I was still excited about my first Luxe Box.




Dominus Estate 2010

About 6 years ago I had an experience that changed a small part of my life. I tried a wine unlike anything I had ever tasted before. It made me fall in love with it, and from that moment I was hooked! I knew I had to have it in my life. 
What I didn't know was that with the first purchase of that bottle I became a part of something that I wasn't even aware of. Dominus has a bit of a "cult" following. Every year people seek out there wines and scoop them up. Within a couple of days or in this years case hours of being release they are gone. 
This year was exceptional. The 2010 vintage was the smallest producing vintage since 1984. That coupled with the fact that Robert Parker then went and scored the wine 100 point, sent people into a frenzie. I myself was stressed, wondering how I would get a bottle and not disrupt my vertical. With strict policy put in place, I braved the cold, got little sleep and lined up just before 7am to ensure my vertical was safe. I can now calmly say that order has been restored and all is well....until next year!
                                   


Wednesday, March 12, 2014

Nail Fun

I was clearly bored last night, and with so much to do, didn't feel like doing anything at all so I thought I'd do some "nail art"


I used two of my new Julep nail polishes from my March maven box (Monaco & Rae) and topped it off with some Essie On a Silver Platter

Shiseido Bonus Time

It's that time of year again, Shiseido Bonus Time! I have been using Shiseido products since I can remember. My mother used to always tell me the most important piece of makeup you should always have is a good moisturizer. She herself has been using Shiseido for over 35 years and no one can ever believe she's her age. We swear by these products. Funny enough, while I was purchasing my new moisturizer today the girls couldn't believe how old I was, they thought I was in my early 20s!!! How flattering is that! 



When the Skincare line was launched a few years back I started using their day time moisturizer, but now that line is coming to an end. It was explained that with new technology advances, formulas change and hence the rebranding of some lines. I have now swtiched to the new IBUKI moisturizer that boasts an SPF 18, up from the 15 that the skincare line used to be. I have yet to try the new moisturizer but will post about that once I have tried it. The only thing that I did notice is that the packaging has changed from a glass bottle, which I loved, to a plastic one. I guess it's not really that big of a deal but I really did like the idea that with glass nothing was potentially leaching into my cream.

As an added bonus from March 12-23 2014 at the Bay, when you spend over $43 in Shiseido products you get a "gift" it includes a cosmetics bag and a bunch of deluxe sample sized goodies! 


This includes; The Skincare - Instant Eye & Lip Makeup remover; Benefiance - Wrinkle Resist 24 Night Emulsion; Benefiance - Extra Creamy Cleansing Foam; Bio-Performance - Advanced Super Restoring Cream; and Refining Makeup Primer. 
I love it all!


March Julep Maven Box

My March Julep Maven box was scheduled to arrive sometime next week, which I was totally looking forward too, but the best part, it arrived last Friday! I couldn't have been more excited. Although I already know what coming its always exciting to actually get it and try on all the polishes. 

This time around I flip flopped a bunch of time before I settled on one specific box, there were so many great colours to choose from. I ended up going with the March bombshell box which came with 2 polishes and a lip gloss. I also added on an extra polish, I just couldn't resist. The added bonus, a candy stick, which I thought was a fun addition. 


The colour that came in the March bombshell box were Lilou - Lemon chiffon creme, not a colour I would typically lean towards but why not try something different? It is quite spring like. Monaco - Dazzling mariner blue creme, love this colour its bright and bold. My add on colour was Rae - Pantone 2014 colour of the year, a radiant orchid creme, this one I just had to buy, I love purple tones and this is just the right shade. The lip gloss I chose was Graceful, another sure hit for a summer tan. I can really see why everyone raves about the Julep glosses, they smell great and glide on smoothly. 


Monaco - Dazzling mariner blue creme, Rae - Radiant orchid creme & Lilou - Lemon chiffon creme



Lip Gloss - Graceful

Can't wait to see what next months Julep brings!

Julep Maven 1st box

I received my first official Julep Maven box late February. The best part about this box was that it was totally free, well, except for the $3.99 for shipping, which is still a pretty awesome steal!



When I filled out my profile it lead me to Classic with a twist which I must say was an idea selection. I have been looking for a nice shade of red and this one is great! and who doesn't love a nice neutral/beige coloured nail? so classic.

Along with the great nail polishes, I also received the mighty nail and cuticle serum which is nice and compact for traveling. The added bonus in this box was the 2 orange buffer blocks, again ideal sizes for on the go.


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Friday, March 7, 2014

Topbox








My very first topbox subscription arrived right on time, just like they said. After countless attempts to "sign up", I resorted to google-ing what was up with Topbox? Behold, there is a wait list! This baffled me for a little while, but eventually, after two months of waiting I received the infamous email saying that I could now sign up. 
I purchased the Flare topbox over the holidays and absolutely loved it, what a serious steal and there was a mens box of face and body cleansers and lotions that was all to perfect for the hubby. Needless to say I was super excited to have my first official box arrive.

Ta-da! 

I received the So Susan Luminizer which I must say is fantastic, I love how it has a rose like colour and isn't too shiny. Although I already own Benefits High Beam I still loved getting this product. 

Cover FX CC Cream, I received two of these, although I'm not sure why? Also, it was in a light colour, a little too light for my skin so I use a dab here and there but gave the duplicate to a friend who is of a lighter complection. 

Cuccio - Remix Glitter Nail Polish. I'm a sucker for glitter nail polishes, so this was right up my alley, had some fun with it right away. 

This was done with an OPI base coat and the Cuccio was applied to the tips. 


The Elizabeth Arden Mascara & Lipgloss Duo. Although I know EA products are considered of better quality I just really didn't like the scent of this one. To be fair though, I have had some other products by this company where I have also disliked the smell. I do however generally like these duo sticks they are slim and convenient. 

Over all, the box didn't blow my away but for $12/month I still thought it was some pretty great value!