themakeupnut: January 2013

Oh Hai, my Topbox finally showed up. Yayyyy

So you’re probably bored of seeing the same post since we all got virtually the same products. But in case you are out of the loop or just want to see what I got, keeping readingJ.

This month, Topbox sent out a Privé box to everyone. A Privé box is different from the regular subscription as it is all one brand exclusively. The price is still the same; $12/mth.

January’s Privé Topbox was Clinique. I like Clinique. It was one of the first brands my mom introduced me to when I was a teenager. She would get herself something and then get me the gift with purchase set. Back then ,you get the mini version of the 3 step program; bar of soap in its little dish, toner, moisturizer. Ah the memories….

Contents;

Clarifying Lotion (2) deluxe sample

Full size $16/200ml $27/400ml
This is for dry/combo skin which is probably a good choice since most of us have some sort of issue right now with dry skin due to the colder weather. I use this like a toner by putting some on a cotton pad and swiping over my face to remove excess junk after washing my face. It is one of the better toners that I have tried.

Rinse Off Eye Makeup Solvent deluxe sample

Full size: $25/125ml
Oil-free, blur-free, sting-free; my kind of eye makeup remover. This is actually a good remover. I have used it before. Since I have started receiving subscription boxes I have not had to purchase eye makeup remover.

Colour Sure Eye Shadow Duo full size

Full size: $25/2.5g
The colour duo I received was Strawberry Fudge, very lovely - perfect for Valentine’s Day or just a sweet everyday look.

Repairwear Laser Focus Wrinkle $ UV Damage Corrector deluxe sample

Full size: $57/30ml $86/50ml
It states at 12 weeks the visible –reducing power is remarkably close to a laser procedure (63%). For the price, I hope it works miracles! I have a couple 11’s happening on my forehead I would like to try this on.

Here is how Clinique says to use it:

· Apply 3 to 4 drops twice a day to face and around eyes. For all Skin Types. Partner with any of Clinique's de-aging solutions

· For increased prevention against the effects of stress, sun and pollution, add Superdefense SPF 25 and Super Rescue.

· For intense visible repair, add Youth Surge SPF 15 and Youth Surge Night.

About a week ago,, we Topboxers received an email asking for us to create a wishlist for the February Privé boxes we were interested in: the two brands I can remember were Benefit and Lippy girl. There was another option but I can’t remember what it was.

Email excerpt:

Here's how you can try to swap your February Topbox for a Privé Box:

1. Create a WISH LIST for the Privé Boxes you are interested in. You can 'wish' for as many Privé Boxes as you want, and it won't affect your chances of getting a certain Privé Box.

2. Topbox will randomly select the recipients of each Privé Box based on all Wish Lists.

3. Your Topbox will arrive as a surprise in the first week of February. Due to limited quantities, not all members will receive a Privé Box. If you do not receive a Privé Box, you will receive the February Topbox

If you didn’t want a Privé box then you just ignored the email and voila – a regular box for you.

I am not sure how well it will go over if it is a random selection as to who gets the Privé box. But time will tell I guess.

So there you have it, the first Privé Topbox. Clinique was a great brand to start with….now fingers crossed that I get Benefit next month!!!!

~~99Raina99

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A few months ago I was on the hunt for a new foundation. I had been using L’Oreal Visible Lift and Revlon ColorStay (Normal/Dry) and various BB creams. I wanted something new. I was fine with my ‘old’ foundations but I just wanted to try something new. My criteria was it had to be medium to full coverage, perfect colour match, moisturizing and maybe thinner that the Revlon ColorStay.

So what did I get? A whipped foundation. It seems and looks thicker that the regular liquid ColorStay. So what was I thinking? I really wasn’t HAHA. I had my favorite Shoppers beauty technician match me with the right colour. For once, there were testers of all the colours they had (12 in all). YAY!

So we sat down and tried several different foundations (Bourjois, Benefit, Rimmel, etc) and the Revlon ColorStay whipped crème was the best match and texture for my freckly dry skin. My colour is 240 Natural Beige.

How many ways can I say I love thee?

This foundation has to be one of the better ones I have come across since… well the Revlon ColorStay (henceforth known as the liquid).

It comes in a hefty glass jar. My first thought was eww messy and un-hygienic but the jar has a stopper cap to prevent spillage and it keeps the cap clean. It is a little weird to pull that up each time, but whatevs, I got used to it.

The texture is something else, like a thick cream. One pea sized swipe out of the jar is all you need for full face coverage. I made the mistake of using too much the first time HAHA can we say cakeface? The Revlon ColorStay Whipped Crème foundation is a medium coverage that can be built up to full coverage in the places you need it. Why do I say medium? Because I can still see my freckles though the foundation. I need to apply a thin second layer over my cheeks to minimize those little brown bastards. HAHA Can you tell I have a love/hate relationship with my freckles?

Once on the skin, this foundation liquefies and is so easy to spread out. It is so much easier to apply than the liquid ColorStay. The finish is a semi-matte which lasts pretty much all day for me without any oxidization. I actually find that this foundation looks better as the day goes on. Weird but true. It’s lightweight and wears evenly throughout the day, no patchiness or separation during the day. I usually touch up around the 6 hr mark by just lightly applying some powder to my forehead and nose. It says 24hr on the jar but I have not put that claim to the test. I think the longest I wore this foundation for was 14 hours and it still looked pretty decent.

The only downside I can think of, other than the jar, is it can emphasize dry patches. I had a dry patch of skin on the side of my nose and I did notice the foundation clung to that. It wasn’t as bad as some foundations but still just remember to exfoliate and moisturize before using.