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)

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)

My February 2018 Topbox Review

For the first time ever (or at least that I can remember) I didn't get the Privé Topbox that I requested. Each month, Topbox offers subscribers the chance to request one of its "Privé" boxes, brand-specific creations that list off their contents. One of February's Privé offerings was for a new makeup line and it featured deluxe-sized samples of a foundation, a concealer, a powder and a couple other products. In other words, it was a really, really good box and I really hoped that I would get it.

But I didn't get it and instead was send a regular Topbox. At least though it was a pretty good box. Here's what I received this month:

• Smashbox Be Legendary Liquid Metal in Crimson Chrome (deluxe sample
• The Face Shop MASK.LAB Anti-Aging Foil Face Mask (one regular mask)
• LARITZY Cosmetics Eye Pencil in Shimmer (full size)
• Wella Professionals Oil Reflections Luminous Shampoo (50ml)
• Wella Professionals Oil Reflections Luminous Conditioner (50ml)

My January 2017 Topbox

I was so spoiled by all of the Sephora freebies that I received last week that my usual enthusiasm for my monthly Topbox delivery was lacking this time around. Good thing because what I received in my January box is rather blah. Okay, it's not exactly a bad shipment; I will use all four items. And one of the products is something that I wanted to try. But still, it's hardly an exciting or interesting box; after all, it contains two moisturizers.

Here's how Topbox is starting off my 2018:

• Cake Heavy Cream Intensely Smoothing Body Butter Balm (30ml)
• GLAMGLOW Waterburst™ Hydrated Glow Moisturizer (5ml)
• Cougar Cosmetics Perfect Pout Volume & Shape Definition (full size)
• Nioxin Instant Fullness Dry Cleanser (43g)

My December 2017 Topbox

We're finishing off the year with a Topbox that I give a B+. It's not amazing, and the lone full-sized product is a nail polish, but the other three items are all deluxe-sample size and all four items are things that I will use. So good but not amazing. Here's what I got this month:

• MAC In Extreme Dimension 3D Black Lash mascara (6ml)
• Wella EIMI Dry Me Dry Shampoo (39.9g)
• Nena Clay Mask (30g)
• Morgan Taylor nail polish in Rebel With A Cause (full size)

My November 2017 Topbox

This month's Topbox had only four items in it but despite that small number of products, I think this box is the best one I've received all year. Each item is one that is both new to me and something that I want. And even better, three of the products are things that I need and almost bought. Here's what I received this month:

• Laritzy Cosmetics Silicone Makeup Blender (full size)
• Elizabeth Arden Lasting Impression Mascara (2.5ml)
• Joico Blonde Life Brightening Veil UV & Thermal Defense Multitasker (50 ml)
• MAC Cosmetics Strobe Cream (6ml)

My October 2017 Topbox

After being a bit disappointed by my September Topbox, I'm happy to say that my October box is a return to Topbox's usual form. While I didn't get a makeup item or a full-size one, I did receive six individual items that cover my hair, face and eyebrows. Here's what I was sent this month:

• Redken Two Day Extender Oil Absorbing Dry Shampoo (34g)
• Wella Perfect Me Lightweight Beauty Balm Lotion (6ml)
• Skin & Co Truffle Therapy Face Toner (30ml)
• Benefit Foolproof Brow Powder (foil sample)
• The Body Shop Japanese Matcha Tea Pollution Clearing Mask (5ml)
• The Body Shop Himalayan Charcoal Purifying Glow Mask (5ml)

My September 2017 Topbox

For the first time in 2017, I received a Topbox that I can confidently call a disappointment. Sure, I've received past boxes that maybe weren't 100% to my liking or that contained duplicate (or almost duplicate) items but overall, the boxes mostly contained items that I was looking forward to using. Not so for my September. Of the four different products I received, one mildly interests me and the rest just have me wishing that I'd been sent something else. Here's what I got:

• Avry Beauty Chamomile Gloves (2 full-sized pairs)
• IBY Beauty Highlighter in Bubbly (1.8g)
• GLAMGLOW YouthMud Tingleexfoliate Treatment (15g)
• Caudalie Vinoperfect Complexion Correcting Radiance Serum (10ml)

My August 2017 Topbox

When I initially opened my August Topbox this morning, I was underwhelmed. It contained only four items and while one is technically full-size, there was no big product. But then I sat down and actually examined the four things that I had received and I realized that while this box might not be big or flashy, it's actually pretty good because I'll use every item that I was sent. Here's what I ended up this month:

• Barefoot Venus Green Tea Body Wash (deluxe-sized tube)
• Be a Bombshell Eyeshadow in Rock Bottom (full size)
• Danny Co. Satin Smooth Skincare Lightning Lift Gel (7ml)
• shu uemura POREfinist anti-shine fresh cleansing oil (6ml)

My July 2017 Topbox

I'm way, way behind on my reviews because I've been travelling and because I've been busy writing actual stories for money. So this is going to be a very quick, and rather late, look at my July Topbox.

My July box contained five individual items and overall is a pretty strong box thanks to containing items for my hair, my face and my skin, as well as a makeup item that's not a lip pencil. Here's what I got:

• Barefoot Venus Macadamia Hand Cream (60 ml)
• LARITZY Cosmetics Undressed Liquid Lip Stain in Pebble (full size)
• Pureology Perfect 4 Platinum Shampoo (50 ml)
• Pureology Perfect 4 Platinum Conditioner (50 ml)
• GlamGlow Supermud Clearing Treatment
• Garnier Moisture Bomb Dry Skin Gel Cream (6 ml)
  

My June 2017 Topbox

Last week was a good week: I landed a writing assignment for a big-name magazine (yes, one that pays), the weather was gorgeous and my June Topbox arrived. While it only contained four items, three of them are all products that are both new to me and useful. Here's what ended up in my mailbox this month:

• belif The True Cream - Aqua Bomb (10 ml)
• ESTATE Cosmetics Lip Crayon in Sweeter Season (full size)
• Elizabeth Arden Prevage City Smart Double Action Detox Peel Off Mask (7 ml)
• Joico Blond Life Brightening Mask (50 ml)

My May 2017 Topbox

Despite getting this month's Topbox early, I'm only writing this post now because I've been busy writing for money (though not about beauty). Once the two articles I've been working on are live, I'll be sure to post them here.

I received my May box early because I requested and received a Privé box. Privé boxes are an option offered to Topbox subscribers that lets us request a specific box that contains pre-determined items from one brand. I usually just ask to be sent a regular Topbox because I like receiving a variety of products. But this month one of the offered Privé boxes was three full-sized packages of MaskerAide Spotted Anti-Blemish Clear Spot Patches. Since I love this product and since it's kind of a pain to buy, I happily requested it.

My April 2017 Topbox

I usually receive my Topbox on the same day as the sneak peek email but because of the Easter long weekend this month the email appeared days before my packaged arrived. I was thrilled to see the first item listed in the email, the Cake product, as it's one I've been wanting to try. But then as I kept reading I felt disappointed; two of the items were things I'd previously received and the fourth was a lip liner.

So when my box showed up on Tuesday, I wasn't feeling too excited about it. But it turned out that Topbox had a couple of nice little surprises for me. Here's what I received:

My March 2017 Topbox

This month's Topbox is all about tubes. I received seven items in total and each one was in a tube. Unfortunately I didn't get any full-sized products but what I did end up with are items that I not only will use but in a couple cases, are also products that I need. Here's what I got:

• Bella Aura Skincare Night Cellular Renewal (10 ml)
• Redken No Blow Dry NBD Just Right Cream For Medium Hair (30 ml)
• Cake Beauty Desserted Island Supreme Body Mousse (30 ml)
• Eyeko London Black Magic Mascara (4 ml)
• Dove Regenerative Nourishment Shampoo (30 ml)
• Dove Regenerative Nourishment Conditioner (30 ml)
• Dove Regenerative Nourishment Serum Oil (9 ml)

My February 2017 Topbox

I received this box this morning, just a few hours after I read my sneak peek email and now, several more hours later, I'm still not sure what I think of this month's box. I know I don't love it but I don't hate it either. I'll use almost all of the items I was sent and I'm looking forward to trying them out but still, I'm not exactly excited about this month's contents. Here's what they are:

• LARITZY Cosmetics Pro Blender (full size)
• Bella Aura Skincare Daily Repair Moisturizer (10 ml)
• Smashbox Cover Shot Palette in Golden Hour (Paper sample)
• Smashbox Always On Liquid Lipstick in Dream Huge (4 ml)
• Luxie Beauty Rose Gold Concealer Eye Brush 211 (full size)

My January 2017 Topbox

My first few weeks in January have been busy ones with visits from family and working on an article for FLARE. But when my first Topbox of 2017 arrived today I knew that I had to make time to show off what I received. Despite being makeup-free, it's a pretty good box that is packed with products that I'll use. Here's what I got:

• Seche ViteDry Fast Top Coat (3.6 ml)
• Bella Aura Skincare Gentle Purifying Cleaner (10 ml)
• MaskerAide Spotted! Anti-Blemish Clear Spot Patches (full size) 
• Garnier Micellar Water (125 ml)
• Voesh Deluxe Pedicure Virgin Olive Oil Mud Masque (three full-sized packages) 

My December 2016 Topbox

A few months ago, Topbox started emailing subscribers a "spoiler" email that listed the contents of their box. I initially had mixed feelings about this email since part of the fun of subscribing to a service like Topbox is the surprise element. But now I must admit that I love getting this email and finding out what's on its way to me.

However, this month I discovered a downside to these emails. This morning I received my December sneak peek message. It listed off four products, one of which was an eyeshadow made by Studio Makeup. As someone who loves eyeshadows, I was very happy to see that I was getting one. Then, a couple hours later, my Topbox arrived at my house and it contained:

My October 2016 Topbox

When I received this month's Topbox sneak peek email, I busted out laughing. The first listed item was nail lacquer, an item I could use since on Saturday night, my baby broke a bottle of nail polish all over my bathroom floor (and her naked legs). It was quite the mess but thankfully my Husband and I were able to clean up most of it (though I think we're still going to have to repaint a section of wall and baseboard).

The bottle she broke contained red polish (of course). The email didn't list what colour I was getting so I was hoping that I wouldn't get red, as it's not a colour I generally wear. And perhaps as the universe's way of balancing out Saturday night, I received a colour that not only isn't red but is also one that I actually like.

My September 2016 Topbox

It finally arrived! My September 2016 Topbox should have been shipped out last Friday, the 15th day of the month. Often I receive my box on the 15th but not this month; instead it showed up yesterday afternoon. But I'm not upset because for one thing, all subscribers received late boxes (and really, two-three days behind schedule is nothing). The other reason is that this month, I, like all Topbox members, didn't just receive my usual Topbox,  I also got a Unilever box that was packed with stuff.

Here's what was in my Topbox:

• Boo Bamboo Hair Strengthening Shampoo (15 ml)
• Boo Bamboo Hair Strengthen And Shine Conditioner (15 ml)
• BVspa by Bon Vital’ Body Lotion (50 ml)
• Delectable Everything Balm (7 ml)
• Make Up For Ever Ultra HD Invisible Cover Foundation (5 ml)

My August 2016 Topbox

Overall, 2016 has been an above average year for my Topboxes. Box after box has been fantastic, filled with a wide variety of products, some of them full-sized.

Unfortunately, my August box was a bit of a letdown. At first glance it seems okay. There are four items, one of which is a full-sized makeup product. However, as you'll see below, it's actually kind of a boring box:

• Smashbox Photo Finish Pore Minimizing Foundation Primer (7ml)
• Manna Kadar Cosmetics Radiance Split Pan Bronzer and Highlighter Duo (full-size)
• Elizabeth Arden Skin Illuminating Brightening Night Capsules With Advanced MI˟ Concentrate (almost 2ml in total)
• Novex Argan Oil Deep Conditioning Hair Mask (100g)