My April 2018 Topbox

On Friday morning, I was greeted with a Spoiler Alert! email from Topbox. I almost always get these emails after I've received my box so it was kind of fun to read up on my products before they arrived. Less fun was having to wait an extra day to get my box because of the ice storm but hey, there's not much you can do about that.

When my box did finally arrived I discovered a nice little bonus from Garnier. I also got my hands on the following items:

• Nude by Nature Perfecting Primer (15ml)
• Glow for a cause Lip Love natural Lip Balm (full size)
• Voesh Pedi in a Box (full size)
• Skin&Co Roma Truffle Therapy Serum (5ml)
• Bonus: Garnier Whole Blends Oat Delicacy Gentle Shampoo and Conditioner (10ml each)

Sephora's Spring 2018 Event Is Almost Here!

It's coming Sephora fans: The annual spring Sephora event.

Starting Friday, April 20 until Sunday, April 23, Sephora Beauty Insider members will receive 10 per cent off most* of their purchases. Sephora VIB members—so those of you who have spent at least $350 at the store in 2017—get an extra five per cent off, meaning that they could save 15 per cent off their purchases.

And if you've achieved Rouge status, meaning you spent at least $1,000 last year at Sephora, you get a head start on the deals. Rouge members get a bonus weekend, from April 13 to April 16, in which all* of their purchases are 15 per cent off. And on Friday, April 13 only, they can share that discount with one lucky friend who will also receive 15 per cent off (this in an in-person only offer).

A few important notes before you start composing your shopping list:

• *While most items are eligible for the above offers, it doesn't apply to everything. One notable exception is The Ordinary line (which, fair enough, it's already pretty cheap).
• These discounts do extend to Sephora.com and Sephora.ca but they don't cover shipping, taxes or other fees.
• If you're shopping online, you'll need a code. For Sephora Beauty Insider members it's YAYINSIDER For VIB members it's YAYVIB and for Rouge members it's (surprise!) YAYROUGE
• If you're not a fan of crowds, lines or chaos, you may want to consider shopping online. The brick-and-mortar stores get packed (like busier-than-Christmas-time-packed) and shopping at them can be a bit of a frustrating experience. 
• And yes, popular items do sell out so if you're thinking about getting a certain product, get it ASAP. 
• Not yet a Sephora Beauty Insider member? Then sign up now!

I definitely plan on picking up a few items during this event. So far my list includes a new pressed powder, a face wash and maybe even a foundation. But not anymore eyeshadows; I have to stop buying those!

Peter Thomas Roth 8% Glycolic Solution Toner Review

Way, way back in January, I went to Sephora where I received a fantastic makeover that introduced me to one of my new favourite products: Peter Thomas Roth 8% Glycolic Solution Toner.

This stuff is magic. While many skincare products require weeks of daily (or even twice daily) usage before you see results, this toner started improving my skin within 48 hours. It was brighter, fine lines were soften and pores were less clogged. Yes, that's right, this amazing product targets both aging and blemishes.

The star of this product is glycolic acid, an type of alpha hydroxy acid (or AHA) that's renown for its ability to renew skin. PTR uses it at eight per cent, which apparently is ideal for AHAs. It also contains a good dose of witch hazel, which "helps effectively remove excess oil, dirt and impurities." This extra ingredient makes this product especially beneficial to someone like me who is prone to oily skin.

Wella Oil Reflections Luminous Reveal Shampoo & Conditioner Review

Sometimes Topbox is such a tease with the product it sends out. A couple months ago it sent me two good size samples of a shampoo and conditioner from Wella's Oil Reflections Luminous Reveal line. Within one use I was in love.

Wella states that the "light moisturizing shampoo leaves the hair deeply cleansed" with "instant luminosity" while the "30-second smoothening conditioner locks moisture in, leaving the hair luminous and smooth." Both products contain camellia oil and white tea extract, which Wella says helps to leave you with noticeably smoother hair.

My March 2018 Topbox

I was hoping that since I didn't get the Privé box that I requested last month, this month's box would be extra special. Unfortunately that's not the case. My March box is okay, though nothing exciting, especially since it contains a product that I received last month (though in a different colour) and similar to another item that I received a couple months earlier.

Here's what ended up in my March Topbox:

• Benefit BADgal BANG! Volumizing Mascara (3g)
• Cake Beauty Delectable Ultra Nourishing Hand Cream in Sweet Mint & Cream (60ml)
• Smashbox Be Legendary Liquid Lip in Mauve Wife (deluxe sample)
• LANEIGE Multiberry Yogurt Repairing Mask (20ml)