July Topbox

I got my Topbox nice and early this month, as usual. Unlike other subscription boxes, it never seems like I’m waiting forever for my box.

I got a few items I am very stoked about!

Yay for:

China Glaze in Purple Panic (Neon)                                                           Full size

I am so glad I didn’t get Innocence (I saw some other people got it), because I already have it. The card that accompanies the Topbox claims this colour is a personalized shade… and I’m inclined to believe them. The only thing about this colour is that it dries nearly matte. I do like my polishes shiny, so I just finish it with a nice topcoat.

NuMe Hydropunch Shampoo                                                                      20ml

I got the Conditioner version of this sample in my May Glymm Box, so I will say I am very happy that I got the Shampoo equivalent of this too. I tried the conditioner a few times, and I really liked it. At first I thought it was kind of runny, but it is definitely moisturizing. Plus it smells amazing and the scent lasts throughout the day.

Sampar Essentials Ultra Hydrating Fluid                                               2 Pouches

These came in two little plastic pouch thingys. I’ve only tried one, but I did generally enjoy it. It did leave a film-like layer over my skin. I’m not a huge fan of that, but since this product is marketed toward preventing polluting damage and so on, I’ll go on and suspend my cynicism. Sure, that’s the point of the film.

Nay for:

Nothing! I liked everything in this month’s box!

Meh for:

Pure + Simple Calming Cucumber Mask                                               20ml

I like the idea of this. I like the packaging (so cute!) and the scent is decent. However, it doesn’t seem to do anything! It kind of absorbs instantly into my skin and disappears! At first I thought it was because my skin was dry and needed more moisture… but then when I washed my face later a thin layer of residue came with it. I like masks where I can tell I’ve put a mask on. I just wanted to like this more than I did.

NuMe Gift Certificate                                                                                  For $100

I’ve gotten a gift certificate for NuMe from Glymm before, and I didn’t use it. I won’t be using it now either. Many people have mentioned how you can find NuMe products at Winners or other discount stores for about $30… No matter how you calculate it, that’s a good deal. Plus if you order online, the cheapest item is about $100, and you have to pay about $15 for shipping. I don’t like that too much.

Overall Impression of July's Box:
Enjoyed! Delighted! Can't wait for more!

May Glymm Box

I didn’t have to wait too long to get my Glymm box this month! I, like every Glymm subscriber, probably noticed that we got emails stating that Glymm would be changing their prices. Now, this doesn’t affect current subscribers. So for all the oldies out there, our price remains at $10 a month as a sign of good faith and for loyalty. However, for any new subbies, their price will be $12 a month.

That’s all fine with me! Besides, from the impression I got from this month, it looks like the quality and amount of samples may be improving.

I did notice on the card that it now lists how many uses that can be expected from the samples. I don’t know how accurate it is, it will definitely depend on the length of people’s hair, how dry people’s skin is… etc. But I will say that three pages of samples is awesome…

Yay for:

Coola Mineral Matte Cucumber Face Sunscreen                           5ml

I was actually in London Drugs the other day looking for sunscreen. It’s tough to find a good sunscreen for the face that isn’t greasy or stinky. But I’m hoping this will fit the bill for now.

NuMe HydroPunch Hydrating Conditioner                                               20ml

Can never go wrong with a conditioner. It has a foil seal, but I can still smell through it and it smells wonderful!

Mereadesso Lip Treats in Sheer Rose                                             Full Size 1.2grams

I am excited for this. It is quite a light pink, but more than anything I’m happy about the size of this. This will last me a long time.

Caudalie Crushed Cabernet Scrub                                                 60grams

Ack. This packaging is so cute. I can’t even handle it! It’s totally in its own little pot, and I’m going to be reusing this for different things. Maybe even candy.

Meh for:

Honorary Meh for the new Glymm bag!

Though like the MyGlam bag available in the States, I do worry that after a few months I’ll have NO clue what to do with all these bags. Cardboard is a lot easier for me to recycle than a gift bag.

Caudalie Vinosource SOS Thirst-Quenching Serum                      1ml

Caudalie Vinosource Moisturizing Sorbet                                      1ml

These are tiny, and difficult to open. Plus you can’t reseal them! I know Caudalie samples are pricey, but these look like one-use products.

CK One for Her                                                                                  1.2ml

CK Shock for Him                                                                              1.2ml

I like Calvin Klein perfumes, so I’m excited for mine. I do like that these are in spray bottles opposed to those dumb caps you pop open that causes spilling everywhere… the For Him is going to a special someone!

Overall Impression of May’s Box:

I am pleased, and my hope for Glymm has been restored. I think at this point it’s clear that no company is going to keep every customer satisfied at all times. It isn’t the nature of business. But they’ve been listening to feedback, and it seems to me they’re doing their best to make improvements.

April Glymm Box!

I promise, I didn’t get this as late as this is posted. I came back from HK and just felt so drained and stretched thin. Work waits for no one!

But I did want to stick to my routine and post what I received in my April Glymm box.

I received this earlier than Canada Post had predicted (thank God, they’re so behind on updating their statuses).

And yes, I was slightly disappointed. Two of these products I could have gotten as free samples.

Yay for:

Mai Couture Lip Gloss in Femme Fatale                                         Full Size: 5ml

I like this. The formula is decent. It’s a little sticky, and I will say I’d rather a darker colour (this light bubblegum pink washes my lips out). But I do enjoy the consistency of this gloss.

Lucia No 6 Soap in Wild Ginger & Fresh Fig                                   25g

I love soap. It’s a bit small, but it has enough scent to compensate for size. That is all.

Meh for:

Atelier Cologne in Orange                                                            Small. Maybe 1.5ml?

This smells precisely like oranges. I like it a lot, but my main hesitating in loving this is that I could get this free anywhere. The scent lasts a long time and I got compliments the last time I wore it… but it’s horribly expensive for the full size.

Nay for:

Free Your Mane Shampoo and Conditioner                                  Two foil packets

Again, I could get these free anywhere. They’re foil packets which means they’re difficult to reuse (or even get one use of, my hair is pretty long). Also I loathe these packets because they get so slippery in the shower that I can’t open/squeeze/do anything with them.

NuMe Coupon code                                                                          $100 off

This isn’t really worth anything. Everything on the NuMe site costs well over $100, so with the $15 shipping this only puts a reasonable dent in the cost of a product. Plus most girls have hair products already, and I’ve seen this brand at Winners for $50…

March Glymm Box!

People just can’t quit complaining online… I’ve seen so many people frustrated with how they haven’t gotten their delivery yet. I live on the West Coast. Everything takes longer to get to me, so I’m used to it. These people are spoiled, in my opinion. I understand the concept of customer service, and of the principle of good service… but really… did forests burn when your package came late? Did children screen in the streets for their mothers? Did the earth tilt?

Nope. We’re all still here. And you’re bitching about a $10 a month subscription? If it bothers you so much then DO something. Cancel. Post ONCE about it and leave. Don’t just plague the Facebook Wall with your incessant criticisms.

Enough ranting… onto my box!

Yay for:

Ocean Nail Polish in Crimson Catwalk                                Full Size 15ml

First off, I peeked (as I usually do) and was excited to see many people got a BB cream and a nail polish. I was very fortunate to get the nail polish in a colour I actually like! I heard some people got quite sheer neutrals and those looked kind of streaky… I have a lot of reds already but it really won’t hurt to have another. I already painted my nails today but I’ll be sure to try this one out soon.

M. ASAM Magic Fini                                                               5ml

So many people complained WITHOUT TRYING THIS PRODUCT OUT FIRST that this was too dark for them. This isn’t a foundation. It’s like a BB cream. It’s meant to really, really sheer out and blend into your skin. I tried it a bit today (not on my entire face) and it was a little drying… could just be that it snowed here the last two days and my skin is just dry, but we’ll see.

Anastasia Lip Gloss in Sorbet                                               1ml

I find this quite sticky, but I have never minded sticky lip glosses… I’ve always been under the impression that lip glosses are inherently sticky so no complaints. This is actually quite pink. I usually have a lot of peach and red lip glosses, so this is nice. The packaging is also very cute, although small.

Nay for:

NuMe feather hair extensions in green and black                        Full Size (3 Extensions)

This was the main downside to the box. Many people criticized this online, and I’ll have to agree… it seems like NuMe sent out the reject colours. Some people got purple and black, red and black, yellow and black… but no neutral or normal hair colours. I understand it’s a fun piece, not meant for practicality… but it’s too young for me. And I’m still in my early 20s. I can’t imagine going into work with this in my hair either… yikes. I’d look like a bumble bee on acid.

Meh for:

Coup D’Eclat Instant Facial Energizer                                1ml

This one is very similar to the Lise Watier Flash Radiance Vial that I’ve received before in a sample box. However, I am not into glowy/radiance/sheen looks. Just isn’t my taste. But this is a nice bonus, as it wasn’t listed on the card.

Overall impression of March’s box:

I really liked most of the products… I’m ALWAYS happy to get a full size (or even sample size) or nail polish and lip gloss. Honestly I can overlook the fact that I got green feather extensions, because I did get a bonus product (the flash radiance vial). Even though I saw many people got repeat products as their bonus instead of something brand new, I am happy with what I received.