Ipsy (MyGlam) December

A look inside my Ipsy (MyGlam) December Bag

$10 a month CAD

This month was all makeup samples in this bag, and I had absolutely no problem with that!  They were all in a pretty pewter makeup bag perfect for stashing my brushes when travelling!

Urban Decay 24/7 Pencil – Zero (black) 0.8g

What can I say…a line loved by many and I am one of the many!   Gently glides on to the lash line with such ease that the skin around the eyes is not stretched in any way.  Also has great staying power for the water line.  Sharpens beautifully and this is the only eyeliner one could ever need!

Mai Couture – Highlighter Paper – St. Barts – 25 sheets

Mai oh Mai, I love this stuff!!!  This is probably the most exciting thing I have EVER received in any beauty box to date.  And what I love even more is how I have never heard of this brand before and love it all the same!  This is the same idea as oil-blotting sheets however these papers are used for highlighting.  How to highlight….tear one sheet from the booklet, lightly press and sweep paper to desired areas of the face and body.  This gives a beautiful warm glow!  They have blush papers, highlighting papers, foundations papers, blotting papers, blemish control papers, rejuvenating papers and I want them ALL!  Blushing AMAZING!

Mirabella – Primer for Eyes & Lips 12.85g

GlamMa sampled this one as she is the expert on primers.  She loved the silky smooth texture it had, not heavy in any way and a perfect base for her foundation.  Her most common complaint is that primers go on with a heavy Vaseline type feeling.  GlamMa even mentioned that her pore size decreased which in itself is enough for her to repurchase.  She especially liked how it was an all in one that could be used on face and eyes and it didn’t cause any breakouts!

Nyx Loose Pearl Eyeshadow – 17 Yellow Gold Pearl 5ml

A lovely, golden loose shimmer for the eyes, but unfortunately my disco days are long gone.  Maybe I will gift to GlamMa and she can go wild!

Be a….Bombshell – Hot Mess Lip Gloss 3g (full size)

Not much to say…it was red.  Not so fast…. hold on a minute Miss Blushie….Hot Mess might be one to reconsider.   I was going to stop this review completely after my first sentence however decided to check the website of be a…bombshell.  I scrolled down to the reviews, and discovered that many girls also received Hot Mess in their Ipsy Bags.  To my utter shock, everyone had nothing but great things to say!  I read again and again that it was THE PERFECT red.  Decided then and there that I would twist that cap off and puckered up!  I was very surprised…could it be??!  A red, that looked good on me??  Yes, it’s true, I did look quite nice.  Nice texture, no smell and best of all Beauty Man said I looked beautiful….aaahhhh!

Birchbox December

A look inside my December Birchbox

$10 US a month

Cartier – Baiser Vole Eau de Parfum

This has a single-note composition of pure lily and is an award winning scent.  It does have a nice warm scent but unfortunately there is no more room on my vanity for this one.  I just don’t love it.

Frownies – Eye Gels – 1 reusable set for 2-4 treatments

These are innovative under eye patches, which are soaked with cactus-derived collagen and toning niacin.  They deliver deep hydration for the under eye and eye lid areas.  One 30 minute treatment with eye gels smooths fine lines, wrinkles, under eye bags, dark circles, and helps improve tone.  The eye gels may be used more than once when removed within 30 minutes, placed back in tray and refrigerated in a sealed plastic bag.  Use 3 days in a row then maintenance once a week.

Juice Beauty – Stem Cellular Repair CC Cream 5ml

It’s time for CC…..just a few months after BB….is DD next?  Anyways, CC stands for colour correcting or colour control.  This is the first I have used of the CC creams. Olay supposedly has one coming out this month and Chanel has one as well in the US, but I hear it has a pretty hefty price tag at $90.  CC’s are supposed to be miracle products,  in that they conceal pigmentation better than BB’s, are great for camouflaging fine lines & wrinkles, hydrating, pore minimizing & restorative.  Guess we won’t need anything else but CC cream by the sound of it? Now, I have purchased the original CC by Rachel K from Korea and have not yet tried it, so I am looking forward to doing a full review of that.  For the mean time, I guess I will just have to settle with Juice Beauty’s version of CC.  I received Medium Glow which is suitable for medium to dark skin tones, however is NOT suitable for me!  Why did I take the time to fill out my questionnaire regarding skin tone if they don’t even take the time to look at it! Tough to sample when you look 3 shades darker and not in a good way.  Smell is way too strong for my liking anyways.  I won’t bother checking int he store for my shade. 

ModelCo – SHINE Ultra Lip Gloss – Strip Tease - full size

This is an Australian brand with subtle colour and a built-in mirror on the side of the tube that allows for easy on-the-go application.  Makes my lips look nice and smooth and is long lasting.  Has a light, fruity apple smell.  Will I repurchase?….maybe once finish my other 500 other lip glosses…..

Nick Chavez Beverly Hills – Advanced Volume Shampoo 59ml

Contains hyaluronic acid and keratin to build lots of body and shine.  Also has a fresh, clean smell that is very welcomed, after many drugstore brands are extremely overwhelming in the scent department.  Styling my fine, limp hair after first use was a breeze.   Thank you Nick Chavez Beverly Hills for making me look like I should be strolling around Rodeo Drive!

Cartier – Declaration d’un Soir (A Gift for the Birchbox Man)

A delicate mix of pepper, cumin and rose.  Beauty Man doesn’t mind what he wears as long as I like it but I don’t think this will be added to the rotation. 

BeautyBar with Allure - December

A look inside my December Beauty Bar with Allure Box

$15 a month US

Vapour Organic Beauty Elixir Lip Gloss – Twinkle (303) 10.6ml (full size)

This is a sheer, cool pink colour that gives just a hint of colour on the lips.  Just enough for me!  Nice moisture, great texture and not sticky which works great for me.  And best of all, there is no chemicals in this baby to ingest.

Hanskin Premium Perfect Super Magic BB Cream SPF30 -10ml

Plus a sample of Hanskin Natural Skin tone BB

 

Oh….beauty balms or blemish balms.  One of my favorite things.  I’ve been onto this craze for years and find the originals from Korea are definitely superior to all the latest North American formulas – except for colour selection.  However, this one falls in the true Korean colour department.  Most of their BB’s have such a grayish tinge and this one is no different.  Unless I was going for a Casper look, (and Halloween is still months away) I will be staying far away from this.   

Murad Age Reform Time Release Retinol Concentrate 3ml

After cleansing – apply this concentrate to areas of concern (just your wrinkles) and then follow with moisturizer.  Research has shown that in 6 weeks, wrinkles will be diminished by 45%.  Have been testing it on my crows feet around the eyes and so far no irritation which makes me happy.  Won’t have enough to tell if there is actually a difference so just might purchase and find out. 

Philosophy Living Grace Shampoo, Bath & Shower Gel - 30ml

Smells of Neroli, Lily of the Valley & Warm Musk.  This is a 3 in 1 multi-tasker that can be used to cleanse, condition and soften both hair and skin.  Infused with shea butter and natural oils and has a nice clean, fresh smell that I really enjoy.

Delaney Wellness Rejuvenating Eye Cream - 10ml

Never heard of this brand, but what a great sample size that was sent.  Thank you very much!  A full size of this product (40ml) goes for $135 a pop!    Delaney Wellness is skincare straight from a vine in Texas.  Based around resveratrol, which is found in the skin of red grapes and has shown to have excellent cellular benefits.  Apply morning and night to the delicate skin around the eyes.

Great box this month Beauty Bar!  Lots of variety for skin, makeup and body.  Great new products to try and great sample sizes!

GlossyBox - November (Holiday)

A look inside my November GlossyBox

$21 a month CAD

Filled with gorgeous GLOSSY goodies to get you ready to sparkle and shine.   This was a Golden Ticket box – 50 lucky boxes contained a piece of TOVA jewelry.  I searched high and low, but mine did not.

Now, GlossyBox just increased their monthly subscription price from $15 to $21, with this box being their first at $21 (Nov 2012).  Trying to justify the price increase has been difficult.  Their boxes (since the increase) have definitely been worth the $21, however I am a little annoyed that it is all brands to be found in drugstores.  I hate to be the beauty snob here….lord knows I buy PLENTY of drugstores brands, however the beauty of these boxes to me are supposed to introduce the customer to different brands, more high end brands that are not so easily attainable.  Verdict…we will give them one more month…maybe two as it would be difficult for me to see the goodies that everyone else gets and not me!  Sorry, that’s just how I am!

Nicole by OPI Kardashian Kolor Holiday Shade – All is Glam, All is Bright  (full size)  

A beautiful purple shade with small particles of micro glitter in blue, pink & gray.  Looks lovely on its own or on top of another colour.

Kryolan for Glossybox Blusher in Glossy Pink 2.5g 

A beautiful dusty rose shade.  Kryolan is a well known name in the professional makeup world.  Having been in the industry for more than 66 years, their headquarters are in Berlin, Germany.   This is a high quality, beautiful coloured blush that blends easily and is highly pigmented.  

Nexxus Salon Hair Care: Hydration Kit (both 89ml)

Now this is a deluxe sample size in my books!  Probably enough in these bottles for at least 10-15 washes.  Smells like coconut and I loved it!  Even with my fine hair, this did a great job of hydration without weighing it down.  Styling was a breeze after using this.  Would definitely buy!

Vitabath Moisturizing Bath and Shower Gelee – 6oz

Lovely ocean, clean fresh scent with a great lather – but then again, everything with a pouff lathers, doesn’t it?  Made in Canada and is paraben and sulfate free!!  My whole bathroom was smelling wonderful when I was done with this.

Maybelline MNY My Gloss (full size) 9ml

I received a nice pinky colour, slight subtle sparkles, luckily no disco balls on the lips, faint apple smell and not sticky.  Overall a nice hydrating gloss.

Curel Hand & Cuticle Therapy Cream 100ml (full size)

Very soothing, however I would have preferred the consistency to be a bit thicker.  It does however do what it claims.  It moisturizes, even through repeated hand washing's for all day softness.  Tried and tested and after a hand wash, it felt like it was still there!  My blushster is also raving about this hand cream!  Great for day and a great drugstore hand cream!

Uber Loyalty Card

Included this month was a loyalty card for 50% off all online purchases at www.uberbeautyproducts.ca

Checked it out online, looks like they have hair, face, body and tan lines.  Does not really appeal to me at this time.

Oh, almost forgot, there was also a mini red and white Candy Cane. Didn’t eat…does anyone enjoy those?

Ipsy (MyGlam) November

A look inside my November MyGlam

$10 a month CAD

This was the first month that MyGlam was available in Canada!

Well, as soon as I heard that there was a new sample box in Canada, guess what I did?!  Grabbed Beauty Man’s credit card and signed up!!  That’s no surprise!  However, DO NOT look on their website before you get your bag, or it will spoil all the fun as I found out the hard way that they post the bag before many have actually received it.  US bags also seem to vary from CAD bags.

 A brown simple makeup bag held all my products.

 A Brown makeup bag?!! Honestly…that’s boring!!  Let’s jazz it up a bit so I might actually use the bag!

Nailtini- Nail Polish – Full Size 5ml

 I received Millionaire colour.  Rose gold micro glitter with iridescent gold and teal tinsels.  I would say 80% gold and 20% turquoise.  Upon first glance, I wasn't really impressed with this as I thought the glitter was far too long and big.  Once applied though, the glitter is so dense that you really only need one, maybe 2 applications which are unusual for a glitter polish.  Although it appears to be quite thick, the colour was indeed true to bottle and most important, easy removal.  A bit flash for me but the good news is, is that Nailtini polishes are always 3 free and never tested on animals.

theBalm – Meet Matt(e) .9g

This is a matte brown eyeshadow in shade - Matt Batali.  Part of theBalm’s matte eyeshadow palette with 9 different matte shades. This particular brown is a great matte colour for a smoky eye look.  I have used theBalm’s eyeshadows in the past and find their pigment to be strong, soft and easy to apply.  I also found this to be an excellent shadow to fill in my sparse eyebrows with.

Starlet Cosmetics – Eye Pencil – Chocolate  1.5g Full size

I received a chocolate brown colour with red undertones.  It definitely didn't glide on as nice as Urban Decay 24/7 pencil but it did blend nicely for a smoky nighttime look.  I also had no problem sharpening it.  Would I repurchase – probably not.  I am partial to CG eyeliners in my opinion they are the best in drugstore brands.  Also, wondering if this company was trying to get rid of old packaging as when I went on their website to try and find this shade all of their eye pencils had different packaging and I could not even find this particular colour.

My Glam eye shadow brush with case

A tapered blending brush that forms a slight point at the tip.  I found the bristles to be quite loose and would have liked more tightly wound bristles for a better more controlled application.

Eclos Plant Stem Cells Anti Aging Regenerative Cream - 7ml

The latest in Plant Stem Cell technology is believed to be the holy grail of skin care technology.  This cream helps to protect the skins ability to renew itself, therefore sagging skin tightens and wrinkles are postponed.   This cream can be used day or night.  I LOVED, LOVED the smell of this stuff.  Something fresh and medicinal about it and the texture was great for daytime prior to makeup application.  I am excited to try more from this line!!!

Tomorrow I will feature by Glossy Box!

Topbox November

A look inside my November Topbox

$12 a month CAD

4 deluxe samples per month delivered to your door.  Usually ships by the 10^th day of every month.   Automatically renews itself every month, and you can cancel anytime.

Benefit – They’re Real! Mascara 30g

A jet black mascara with a great brush to really get to the base of the lashes to lengthen. I found it to separate evenly and at the end of the day I didn't have black mascara flakes covering my cheeks.  I definitely  like this mascara however, I have had great success with many drugstore mascaras for half the price.  The primer is where I have no problem splurging!

China Glaze – Full Size

I received the colour Jungle Queen from the On Safari Collection.  It is a beautiful dark purple colour and when I swatched it, it was a perfect dupe for Chanel Paradoxyl.  It was actually even more beautiful.  Side by side Paradoxyl seemed more taupe whereas Jungle Queen was a beautiful shiny dark purple.  I actually will choose this colour over the famous Paradoxyl for my next mani, and it's a fraction of the price!

Pari Beauty – Lip Paint (red) 4ml

Red, red....why red?!!??  A Canadian based makeup company which is new to me.  Can be bought at Pari locations across Canada and Sears.  Would definitely have liked a more subtle colour as catching me in red is like catching a two year old with a red marker….it’s everywhere!  Beauty Man actually asked me what was happening to my lips?  However, the texture of this ‘paint’ is exceptional.  Like a hydrating lipstick with an intense pigment.   Very moisturizing with a slight vanilla scent.  Will stop by one of their booths when I see them in the mall or next time I am walking through a Sears to check out their selection of lip paints.

Vera Wang – Lovestruck Floral Rush (EDP) .13 oz

A clean, fresh smell of apricot and champagne.  A great day scent but not for me.  Nobody could smell this on me after 30 min as it has no staying power.  

Topbox...I have mixed feelings about them.  This was a decent box given the China Glaze and the Benefit and lately they have been testing out some new programs for a limited edition 'Prive Box', so for the time being the subscription will continue but they will really have to dazzle me in the next few months to keep me on board!  And as always, you will be kept posted!

Birchbox – November

Here is a look inside my November 2012 Birchbox, available in the US

$10 a month – US

Atelier Cologne – Rose Anonyme Cologne Absolue .05oz

This pleasantly surprised me because if you ask me what one scent I dislike it's ROSE!  Well, that and geranium, but more on that another time.  I already have two other Atelier scents as they are now carrying this line at Sephora.  Correction, make that 3 Atelier scents as I am running out tomorrow to purchase this one!  It smells of spicy ginger, a touch of bergamot and sexy rose.  I had this on all day and kept getting a beautiful whiff of myself every so often.  Very intoxicating, and office appropriate.  The scent lasts and of course the bottle will look oh so pretty on my dresser!

Oscar Blandi – Pronto Texture & Volume Spray 1oz

A volumizing hairspray that is light and non-sticky.   Does the job and gives hair great texture

Miracle Skin Transformer – Vanish Instant Imperfection Corrector 3ml

This helped control my shine all day long!  I’m in love!  It has a silky, smooth texture and helped to eliminate my large pore size, but unfortunately just for the day.  Also great for diminishing fine lines and wrinkles….sign me up!

Stila – All Over Shimmer Liquid Luminizer – Bronze Shimmer 1.5ml 

I thought that this was a great highlighter to use on cheekbones, on the eyes or to mix with face lotion, foundation or a BB cream.  It gives a fresh, dewy look with a subtle radiant glow.  Stila just launched some Colour Lip Balm’s and I am dying to get my hands on them soon!

Chuao Chocolatier – Potato Chip 11g (one chip)

Crisp kettle cooked potato chip with a hint of sea salt in milk chocolate.  100% natural and made with premium Venezuelan cacao.  OK, but nothing I will be running out to buy.

This box on a whole is one of the cheapest at $10.  What I got this month is true to sample size.  No deluxe samples, nothing full size.  However, it’s also nice that these are mostly all premium brands and not something I would find in the drugstore!  Birchbox – keep them coming!