This is going to be a long post, just so you know.

This month, I was really excited to receive my first Topbox. I’ve been part of subscription services in the past, but they’ve never really wowed me. Every time I see a Topbox blog post or video, I’m always impressed, so I decided it was time to give it a shot. Topbox costs $12 per month, plus tax. I think mine is $13.80 with all the fees added in. I spend more than that trying new products every month anyway, so I figure this is a good way to curb that habit.

I will admit I was worried that it wasn’t going to be very good. Even though I swore I wasn’t going to spoil it for myself, I went and looked at the blog posts on this month’s box as soon as they came out, days before mine arrived, and it made me nervous. No two boxes were getting exactly the same things, and people were unhappy with what they got, and it just made me scared that I was going to hate it.

Well I don’t. I think I got a great box.

This month’s Topbox was done in conjunction with Canadian magazine Chatelaine, meaning that one of the products is from their Beauty 100 list of top beauty products, and they designed a special extra gorgeous mailing tube. I’m going to have to find a use for it somewhere in my room because it’s adorable. It’s also really big because an entire Chatelaine magazine is crammed inside. Also this month, if you’re a Topbox subscriber, you can sign up for a year of Chatelaine for $14.95 and get a free Topbox and a rose gold watch. I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t considering it.

So besides the magazine, what else was in there?

First, I received a sample of Cover FX Matte Setting Powder in the shade Light.

A loose setting powder to set foundation, control oil and minimise shine.

It’s pretty pale, but so am I, so I think it will be the right shade. I hope that no one darker than me received this though. I use setting powders, and I’m almost out of my regular one, so I’m excited to get to try this out. It’s also a Canadian brand, and that’s a benefit.

Full size is $32 for 10g, and I received 4.5g, so value = $14.40

Next is Chatelaine’s Pick, which is POREfessional by Benefit Cosmetics.

PRO balm to minimise the appearance of pores and fine lines.

I love Benefit. I think their products are great. I’ve used POREfessional in the past, and it’s an excellent primer. It really does visibly shrink pores. I’m definitely going to use up every bit of this. My only complaint is how small it is. 3mL is a teensy amount, and it looks (and probably is) the kind of thing that companies give away for free. Even though it is a pricey item, this sample doesn’t seem special. Just my two cents.

Full size is $34 for 22mL, value of sample = $4.64

I also got a sample of Zyderma Clarifying Cream.

Stabilizing formula for acne-prone skin that helps promote the skin’s natural healing process.

This is another sample from a Canadian company. It also has a little bubble that says new next to it. I did receive a full size product. Yep. That is indeed full size. Given, it does come in three sizes and this is the smallest, but wow. I do like that it is sealed. A lot of the little squeezey bottle type samples aren’t, and I still use them, but I like it better when it has that little strip of foil over the top. It’s got a grey colour to it, but when you rub it into the skin it doesn’t leave a tinge to your skin or anything (thank God). I wouldn’t say that I have acne-prone skin, but I do get the occasional breakout, usually after a long night of eating and or drinking in a way that is less healthy than normal, so this could be useful. I’m sure I’ll use it up, but it might take a while.

Full size is $25 for 30mL, which I received. Also available in 60mL ($49.95) or 120mL ($99.95).

I also received samples of Redken Diamond Oil Shampoo and Conditioner.

Oil care that’s a cut above. Antidote for dull and damaged hair.

My hair has certainly been less damaged since I chopped it all off, but I have been heat styling with increasing frequency, so it doesn’t hurt to cover all of your bases. I’ve used Redken shampoos in the past and haven’t been blown away. They’re just okay. They’re not great. This is a new product, so maybe it will be better. I like the scent. It’s a vaguely floral, lavender-like smell. I enjoy it. These are a good size to tuck into my overnight bag for the next time I’m travelling. That’s almost certainly where all of my sample shampoos and conditioners end up.

Full size shampoo is $18.99 for 300mL, mine is worth $3.17      

Full size conditioner is $19.99 for 250mL, mine is worth $2.40

Finally, I the last product is a sample of Katy Perry Killer Queen perfume.

A new charmingly playful yet lethally gorgeous Floriental fragrance by Katy Perry.

I’m not going to give this one a value because it is listed as a bonus product, and most counters give these away. I like it, I think. It’s spicy and floral at the same time, and it has a pleasant bergamot scent, kind of like the aftertaste of Earl Grey tea. I don’t think I love it. I’ll get a couple of uses out of the sample and that will be that.

That’s the September Topbox. I think that it met my expectations. It didn’t exceed them. It beat the pants off of the now-defunct Glymm and Glossybox. Next month’s box ships early, so I’ll be back around then with another one of these!

Total Value: $49.61 (not including the Chatelaine magazine, which didn’t have a price)

Price paid: $13.80 (including taxes)

Do you get any subscription boxes? Were you happy with what you got?