April 2012 Glossybox

When I first lifted the box, I noticed how heavy it was.
I was thinking if they sent a brick to my house...hahaha.
It was packed to the rim with goodies.

This month box included:

Aveeno Positively Radiant Daily Moisturizer
Full size 120ml @ $22.99 = sample size
Cant wait to try this.  I love to try other products from Aveeno.  I didnt mind the handcream from last month's box.  I wonder if the next month's box will include their new shampoo & conditioner *hint*hint* :)

Elizabeth Grant Skin Care Shower Gel (Golden Angel)
Full size 240ml @ $20.00 = sample size
So this was the reason my box was so heavy.  Its a good thing :)  I like heavy boxes that contain lots of goodies.

Wella Brilliance Conditioner
Full size 250ml @ $13.99, sample size 30ml @ $1.68
It's a good size sample.  I use more conditioners than shampoo so this will last me two washes which is fine.

Wella Brilliance Treatment
Full size 150ml @ $13.99, sample size 25ml @ $2.33
I love the smell.  I wasn't too impress with the last item from Wella.  I hope this will change my mind.

Marcelle Xtension Plus Mascara
Full size 9ml @ $12.50 = sample size
I would gladly try this one out.  Currently I have too much mascara to go through.

Marcelle BB Cream Beauty Balm
Full size 45ml @ $22.95, magazine size sample = no value
I have tried this BB Cream in stores.  I like it and hoping to finish my current one so I could purchase this one.

Total value of this month's box is $59+

The Bottom Line

My experience with this month's box - 4/5
Product received - 4.5/5
The surprise - 5/5
Favourite product received - Aveeno Positively Radiant Daily Moisturizer
Brownie Points - Three (3) full sizes!!!
Overall reaction - Wow, lots of goodies this month and 3 full size too!

Do you like this month's box?  What did you received?

April 2012 Luxe Box by Loosebutton

I was excited to receive this month's box.
I was very curious to see what was in this first in line (FIL) selection.
I am not a big fan of FIL.  I think it creates trouble, problems, and issues.
I don't mind it once in awhile.

I saw something interesting on FIL.
I selected Panty by Post.
I was about to request nail polish but I thought why not try something fun and interesting.
My only concern is the size...hope it fits...
Panty by Post is a subscription where you receive panties in the mail each month... :0
I think it is a neat idea but it starts at $30 a pop but if you sign for a 3, 6, or 12 months subscription the cost per pair decreases.
Once in awhile they had a promotion for new customers where a single panty cost $10 (taxes & shipping included)

I will review on the panty when it arrives within 1-2 weeks as per Loosebutton.
However, on Panty's facebook page they mentioned that they sent most of the shipment on April 26th - I cant wait!!

This month's box includes:

Seche - Ridge Filling Base Coat
Full size 15ml @ $7, Sample size 3.6 ml @ $1.68
I can't wait to try this.  Just the other day I was thinking of purchasing the full size too.

Biosilk - Silk Therapy
Full size 360ml @ $55, Sample size 15 ml @ $2.29
Wow, someone is reading my mind.  I was looking at this at Costco & Winners thinking if I should buy it.  Now I can try it before I make my decision.  That is great!


Pantene Pro-V Aqua Light
Shampoo Full size 375ml @ $6, Sample size 50ml @ $0.80
Condition Full size 375ml @ $6, Sample size 50ml @ $0.80
Sometimes if you are lucky you can get these for free.  I already have the full size bottles and I do love it.  I am glad they came in the bottles instead of the packages.  I dont mind them.

Panty By Post
Full size $12 - $30
I wonder what the sample size will be...Hahaha, I crack myself up.

Total value of this month's box $35+ (I assume it is worth $30)


The Bottom Line
My experience with this month's box - 4.5/5
Product received - 4.5/5
The surprise - 5/5
Brownie Points - Get to try a new subscription
Overall reaction - Can't wait to see what I will receive from Panty By Post

Do you like this month's box?  What did you received?

Sephora's Sunsafety Kit

Wow, I want to get hands on this baby.
For U$30 ($193 value) you will receive 14 deluxe size sample and a reusable train case.
As mentioned on this ad, 100% of net profits will be give to The Skin Cancer Foundation.
Too bad it is not available to Canadians...yet. (?)

I hope this will come to Canada soon...really soon.

New Products

I love to try new products but I like to wait for free samples or coupons first.
Here I have found a few that I would love to try.

1. IQ Smarter Cleaner
You can reuse the bottle and all you have to purchase is the re-fills for $2.49.
You can see the tiny packages beside the bottle.
It is a great idea becuase save on space, energy, and helping the environment.
Right now if you go to their facebook page you can print out $1 off coupon for the starter kit that comes with a full bottle and a refill for $5.47.
I hope Walmart accepts printed coupons...

Walmart

 2. Has anyone tried O.N.E. coconut water?
I drink coconut juice all the time but never coconut water.
I wonder if it has a similar taste.

Walmart

 3. I was at Sobey's cereal isle and saw this...
I had a good laugh.
I didn't know if you were allow to put it on a product but I guess you can.
This product was seen on CBC's Dragon's Den.
I enjoyed watching the clip.
The husband tried to make a sales pitch but in the end he didn't really have to.
One of the investors already wants in before the guy was even done.
You should read about them.  It is very interesting.

Sobey's

Tea Tree Oil ~ #Review

Picked this up at my local Costco for C$13.99.
I am so worry that my daughter will pick up lice from school.
I found out a neighbour (two doors down) who has a little girl attends the same school gotten herself infected with lice.
I put a few drops of oil into her shampoo.
Man, this stuff stinks!
But you got to do what you got to do.
It came with a booklet to show a number of things what tea tree oil can be used for.

April Beauty Box 5

What I have read so far is everyone will be receiving the following items:

La Fresh Waterproof Makeup Remover ( 1 wipe 5 x 4)

Pur-lisse SPF 30 essential daily moisturizer (0.14 oz)

Doctor T’s Supergroop! Sunscreen Swipe (1 wipe 6 x 8)

Freeman Facial Exfoliating Scrub (0.5 oz)

The fifth item that could be one of the following:

Smith’s Rosebud Salve (0.8oz repeat from the first box)

Eye shadow refill from makeupgeek.com (1.8g)

True Natural Advanced Lift & Firm Serum (4ml)

I am not a subscriber.  I am not a big fan of little packages of samples.
If there were for free then that is different story. :)

Free stuff in the mail

I am always hunting down free stuff.
How can you refuse free?
With our economy and gas prices, we have to take the opportunity to score free items.
Is it not great going to your mail box and finding your free items had arrived instead of bills?
I hope I will received more soon.

So Good and Yummy

Pick these up from my local Starbucks.
They were having a promotion that two of these are $2.
Still expensive but I wanted a treat.

Mini apple pie & Tiramisu cake pop

I saw an ad for Almond Fresh when I was reading one of my magazines.
I have mentioned this before - you can read it here.
I managed to score a $1 coupon to try a carton.
I was at my local grocery store and saw this for C$3.99.
I really wanted to try it so I didn't wait for a sale.
It is so good.
I love the almond taste.
I love the smell of almonds.
I finished this in 24 hours...it is that good.
I highly recommend this to anyone (not allergic) to try this.
This is a great alternative to milk.
I can't wait to purchase another one.

L'Occitane at Chapters

I was looking to see what I could purchase on Chapter's website because I received a $10 on-line gift certificate.
After searching and searching I found that they sold some L'Occitane products.
Since I love their hand cream so much I didn't mind purchasing another one.
The infamous hand cream is C$30 then I applied $5 off promotion and my $10 gift card, my total came just over C$18 (including taxes).
Last time I had 15% off and still paid over C$28 so this is much better.

Chapters has another promotion for the month of April.
If you use the code April2012 you receive $5 off.

I received my hand cream within 4 days.
Knock on wood, but I have not had any issues ordering from Chapters' website.

Pantene's Aqua Light and Blo Bar Salon

I was invited to attend the Pantene Blow out event on April 21st.
I had a wonderful time participating.
Can you believe that this is my first time at a hair salon?
The service was given by the friendly and professional people at Blo Bar.
They washed my hair using Pantene's new shampoo and conditioner.
Afterwards she use the conditioning shake to style my hair.
I was told it is not a leave in conditioner.
The stylist spent at least 30 mins drying and styling my hair.
I had waves and lots of volume.
If you have Asian hair you will understand that our hair tends to be thick, straight, and flat.
It was incredible how light my hair felt after she was done.
I had a quick make-up touch-up and had my photo taken for their advertisement purposes.
They even gave me the products to try it at home.
I wish I was able to bring home the stylist too :)
I highly recommend going to Blo Bar since it had a great atmosphere and she did an amazing job.

Happy Earth Day

Happy Earth Day...(it should be everyday).

Today was a good day.
I started my day with some free tea from Starbucks by bring your own traveller's mug.

Then I headed off to Sephora.
Sephora had an earth day event where you drop off a full size empty cosmetic container to receive a full size Origins moisturizer.
They had two choices: Starting Over or A Perfect World
I picked A Perfect World (don't we all)
This is my first time trying Origins so I am excited.

While I was at Sephora I picked up my birthday gift.
I think you know that this year they are giving the miniature size Fresh: sugar kisses mini duo.
This is also my first time trying fresh products.
I already love the tinted treatment.

How was your earth day?

My Shopping List

1. Lush - shampoo bar for C$10.95
Last as long as 3 bottles of 200 ml of shampoo so they estimated about 50-80 washes.
I think that is crazy.  I just want to purchase it to test it out.

2. Kiehl's Limited Edition Label Rare Earth Deep Pore Cleansing Masque for C$26
Net proceeds to benefit Evergreen (Charity Organization).  I dont have a cleansing mask yet.  I didn't like Glam Glow so I am hoping this will do wonders for me.

3. MAC's Viva Glam Lipstick
Every penny goes towards MAC Aids Fund (Charity Organization)
Not sure which colour yet but darker the better.

 

Happy Birthday to me

Yup!  It's my birthday.
Hope you guys have a wonderful day today.

April 2012 Glymm Box

This month's Glymm box came without my tracking number.
This is the second time that happened.
The first time was with Luxe box.

This box included:

Lucia - Soap No. 1
Full size: 8 soaps @ $17.50, sample size: 1 soap @ $2.19
It smells nice.  I have never tried Shea Butter soaps before.  I usually use Dove soap so I cant wait to try it.

Atelier Cologne - Orange Sanguine Fragrance
Full size: 30ml @ $60 or 200 ml @ $165, sample size: unknown
It is a little strong at first but it smells like fresh oranges which I like.  I wish it was a spray bottle sample.

Free Your Mane - Sulfate Free Hyfrating Shampoo & Conditioner
Full size: 300ml @ $16, sample size 2 x 7.4 ml @ $0.79
I dislike these one time use sample.  They could have giving another one or two since both of them combine are worth less than a dollar.  I wonder if it will be enough for long thick hair.

Mai Couture - social gloss (G'vinity)
Full size = sample size 5ml @ $28
I cant believe this tiny lip gloss is worth $28.  It is really nice.  I like the smell.  I found it really hydrates my lips.

Bonus (not)
$100 gift card to NuMe gift card only could be used for styling tools or hair extensions.
Not worth it since everything is over $100
I have seen this in MyGlam bag and I found they also didn't like it.

Total worth of this month's box is $30+


My experience with this month's box - 2/5
Product received - 2.5/5
The surprise - 2/5
Favourite product received - Mai Couture
Brownie Points - came somewhat on time
Overall reaction - Boo.  I like the lip gloss & the soap but the rest could be better.  At least I received my money's worth.

Do you like this month's box?

Crabtree & Evelyn Lotion

Back in March, Crabtree & Evelyn facebook page was offering free 50g samples for their Avocado, Olive, & Basil body lotion or body gel.
I couldn't wait for the coupons so I went to checked out
I managed to score some mini sample packages.
OH! They smell so nice.
I could really smell the avocado - I love it!
It made my hand really soft.
It was not greasy and it absorbed really fast.
I couldn't wait to receive my coupon for the bigger sample.

When I finally received my coupon and went to the store again it turns out they had ended the line and offered me to pick another scent instead, so I randomly picked the Citron.
It is smells like honey and lemons.
I am not a big fan of the smell.
It is not as good as the Avocado one.
It's OK but I think I will end up giving this to my mom.

The Balm: Betty-Lou Manizer

I was at my "local" Rexall/Pharma Plus drug store.
I didn't know they sold the Balm cosmetics there...
I thought it was sold on-line.
I was looking at the all-in-one bronzer, shimmer, and eyeshadow for C$30.
When I did a swatch it looked like I had a bad tan.
It was very smooth and light.
However, I think it was too dark for me.
I am hoping one of the beauty sample boxes include a bronzer one day.
Do think I should have bought it?

without flash

April 2012 Topbox

It's an exciting day.
My box took a little detour to the post office hang out so I had to pick it up.
It's all good.  At least I know where it is.


This month's box includes:

Bella Pella - Tropical Flowers Body Lotion
Full size 175ml @ $15.95, samples size 30ml @ $2.73
I love lotions.  This one smells so good.  It absorbs really fast and really moisturizes my hands. Great size to put into my purse.

Misa Nail Polish - Should i? #167
Full size = sample size 15ml @ $8.99
I like to receive nail polishes.  The one I received is pale pink.  It is so light it has no colour.  I guess I can use this as a base coat.

Lise Watier - tinted moisturizer
Full size 40ml @ $35, samples size 2ml @ $1.75
Wow, it really hydrates my skin.  Dries quickly, not smelly, and not sticky.  This is a great product.  I might consider purchasing this item once I am finish the BB cream I have.

Benefit - the POREfessional
Full size 22ml @ $34, samples size 7.5ml @ $11.59
Yeah! I cant wait to try this.  It was one of the items I was thinking of purchasing but didn't know if it works.  I am glad to try this sample for a few days.

Sponsored Ad - Cargo: Blu_ray
Included a pressed powder for us to try.


The total value of this box is $25+

The Bottom Line
My experience with this month's box - 4.5/5
Product received - 4.5/5
The surprise - 5/5
Favourite product received - Benefit's POREfessional
Brownie Points - first box this month
Overall reaction - Yeah! received my first sample from Benefit & nail polish (boo on the colour)

Do you like this month's box?  What did you received?

This Week's Highlight

This week's highlights:

Attended a Birthday Party

Baked a fresh batch of cookies

Made homemade pizza (the crust is a pita)

Last but not least my April topbox came (you can read it here.)

Julep at Sephora

Have you heard?
Cant you believe it?
I wonder if it will be in the Canadian Sephora stores...
Will you purchase them at Sephora instead of online?

Loreal 360 Clean Deep Facial Cleanser

I saw this product came with the rubber facial scrub and thought it was interesting.
It is very creamy and a little goes a long way.
It is also very gentle and it does not dry out my skin - which is fantastic!
Using the rubber facial scrub does make a difference and you can even use it on other products.
Sephora sells just the facial scrub for C$8.

Have you tried Go 360 Clean?

New at Sephora

There are some new items at Sephora this month.
These are my top 3 I want to check out.

I like to play around with Bare Escentuals makeup at the store :)

C$28

I am looking for a good coverage foundation.
This peeked my interest.

C$49

This addresses uneven skin tone & dark spots.
I think I might try this out too!  A facial while I am sleeping.  My wish has come true :)

C$62.50

Anything new at Sephora you want to try?

live clean - Argan Oil ~ #Review

I needed a product that was safe to use on my daughter's hair.
I was at Walmart and saw live clean came out with their hair products.
They are well known for their baby products.
I picked up the Argan Oil - oil treatment for under C$12.

It states:
It has certified organic botanicals, petroleum free, paraben free, phthalate free, phosphate free, pure vegan, never tested on animals, packaging recyclable, & biodegradable ingredients.

Sold!

A little goes a long way.  One or two dab is enough for her hair.  No more frizz!
Plus, it was the last bottle sitting on the shelves.  I am glad I picked it up.
I think this is just as good as the salon brands.

"Silicon Free: Live Clean Moroccan Collection has been enriched with 100% Pure Argan Oil for enhanced long-term conditioning, shine and UV protection.  This daily restorative treatment line repairs, re-nourished and replenished all hair types."