Topbox: November 2013

I’ve still got my nose to the grindstone working on the run-up to finals, but I thought I’d take a minute to talk about the November Topbox that I received yesterday. In good news, it shipped from Halifax this month, so it was here the day after it was sent out, which was pretty awesome. Good job, Topbox.

This month I once again opted for the regular Topbox instead of a prive box, because I really like the idea of having a variety of products, not just one brand. I feel now that this was a mistake.   

Cover FX CC Time Release Tinted Treatment SPF 30

Treats, corrects and protects your skin with buildable coverage and leaves a radiant, natural finish. 

Full size: $45 for 30 mL.

Sample: $7.50 for 5mL.

I like the consistency and coverage of this. I also lucked out and got a color that matched my skin tone. Unfortunately, this smells really bad. Like something burnt. I don’t know if I could stand to keep it on my face all day. It’s a shame.

Shu Uemura Cleansing Beauty Oils

Discover shu uemura’s iconic line of cleansing oils – renowned for their ability to protect skin’s delicate balance while removing makeup and impurities in a single step. 1 oil sold every 7 seconds around the world – discover ultimate removability. 

Full size: $82-98 (450 mL), $38-48 (150 mL)

Sample: $4.35 for 25 mL

This is the one product that I was the most excited about. It smells fantastic, and it has been reviewed really well by beauty experts around the world. I can’t wait to try it.

Parfums Issey Miyake PLEATS PLEASE

The joyous upbeat notes in PLEATS PLEASE gives a graceful and feminine fragrance. 

Full size: $106 for 100mL

Sample: $4.24 for 4 mL

The scent of this is really overwhelmingly floral. It’s way too strong for me. I have a crap sense of smell and I know its way too strong. It’s really not my cup of tea at all. As well, even though it is larger than most perfume samples, it doesn’t have a spritzer or anything at the top to spray it; instead it just has a cork. I don’t like that at all. I’m going to see about giving this away to one of my friends.

Elizabeth Arden Beautiful Color Moisturizing Lipstick

Beautiful Color fuses with care. Lush, luxurious color that lasts for 12 hours. Keeps lips feel moisturized (note: great grammar) all day with a single swipe of long-lasting, high pigment color that’s comfortable to wear and sumptuously soft. Clinically and dermatologist tested. 

Full size: $30 (3.5 g)

Sample: $6.43 for .75 g

These lipsticks are really great. They are soft and stay on for a long time. I have a few issues with this sample though. IT comes in these stupid little blister packs, which is just terrible. Yeah, they give you a brush, but still. I’m not impressed. As well, this sample has been kicking around the past couple of months in Topboxes, and it really feels like I just got saddled with the leftover samples. Especially because coral is now going out of season. I’ll get some use out of them, but I don’t think that this is particularly special.

Finally, as a kind of bonus, there were two cards. The first was 15% off of the Shu Uemura website plus free shipping, which is nice. Next, there was a mystery gift card to Trend Trunk, as seen on Dragon’s Den. It’s online shopping for used clothes from other people’s closets. My card was worth $5, but after checking out the site, I wasn’t impressed. There aren’t enough users to make for a fun shopping experience, and I wasn’t into searching through someone else’s stuff. If that sounds like something you’re into, check it out, but it’s really not my thing.

Altogether, I spent $13.80 for $27.52 worth of stuff (including the $5 card to Trend Trunk). Nothing full sized, and things that I probably never would have purchased. Last month’s box was also much more valuable. I suppose that’s the gamble that you take.

I’m not impressed with my Topbox this month. I hope that December’s is better.

What did you get in your subscription box this month?