Wednesday, December 31, 2014

Memebox Christmas Collection #3 "Winter Essential Masks" Review

Memebox is a Korean Beauty Box company - it is not a monthly subscription box. Instead, they release different boxes ranging in price from $15 and up - usually between $23 and $29.

All the boxes have different themes and they are limited quantities and sell out quickly - so if you see one you like, don't hesitate! The boxes come with 4-8 full size and deluxe sample size items & they usually show you 1 spoiler from the box and the rest are all surprises! Shipping to Canada is $6.99 (shipping does take anywhere from 10-20 business days) and they ship worldwide!

For Christmas, Memebox did a 12 days of Christmas theme and released a new box or deal each day. I was so excited to see a winter mask theme (thanks to Memeboxes, my love of face masks has multiplied).

The "Winter Essential Masks" box is described as:
The winter season is the most festive time of the year, filled with holiday parties and homeward travels. While winter wonderland may be all fun and games for the mind and soul, it's not the same story for the skin!

During the winter season, your skin needs more lovin', especially with the constant switching between moisture-sucking indoor heating to frigid cold outdoor temperatures. The harsh environment leaves skin dull, flaky, and as dry-as-a-desert. No matter how much makeup and moisturizer you slather onto your face, when skin cells are dehydrated and malnourished, no amount of highlighter or luminizer will bring back that radiance.  

Fret not, because your winter skin care solution is right here. This box, full of winter’s essential masks, caters to all winter skincare needs. Each mask is formulated with unique potent ingredients designed to nourish the skin cells and instantly restore lost radiance. Hydrate, renew, and revitalize the skin for noticeably smoother, velvety, younger-looking skin! 

This box shipped right away and got here pretty quickly! Here is my first look:

This box did not contain the regular product card - you had to look online to see what everything is. (I prefer getting the product cards so if I don't know how to use something, it is right there in front of me when I go to use it!)

Tuesday, December 30, 2014

December 2014 Beauty Box 5 - Sample Beauty Subscription Box Review

Beauty Box 5 is a monthly beauty sample subscription box that costs $12 US per month + $3 shipping to Canada. You can save money if you sign up for a longer subscription: $30 quarterly, or $99 a year (plus $3 shipping per month). 

I signed up for Beauty Box 5 when they had a promotional code for $12 off a year (and before they started charging for shipping!) - so I got a full year for $87. This worked out to $97.60 Canadian with the exchange rate so it works out to $8.14 a month for this subscription.

Beauty Box 5 is described as:

"Every month we'll send you a mix of makeup, beauty accessories, hair, skincare, fragrance, body, and nail products that we can't get enough of. Our secret? We share products that really work, so you'll receive luxury, drugstore, niche, eco-conscious, and even vegan brands.

Whether you're a cosmetic newbie or a beauty guru, identify yourself as adventurous and playful or classy and mature, like to splurge on high-end items or be a savvy spender, we have everything you're looking for."

This box has been referred to as the"starter beauty box" - it does not send many high end products and the value tends to be lower than other boxes but they often do have really good products.

Here is a look at the December 2014 Beauty Box 5:


And here is a look inside:

Manicure Monday - Holographic Polish + Nail Decals

Whoops - I'm late for my Manicure Monday!! 

I hae decided to sway a little from my Winter themed nails I have been doing all month (don't worry Winter in Alberta last 6 months anyways so I will have lots more time for winter manicures!)

I have ben really excited to try the holographic polishes and nail decals that I bought in a collaboration Black Friday box! So that is my theme for this week: holograms! 



Here are the products I used for this week's Mani:

Memebox #76 The Empress's Secrets - Review + December coupon codes

Memebox is a Korean Beauty Box company - it is not a monthly subscription box - they instead have a ton you can choose from ranging in price from $15 and up - usually between $23 and $29. (It might be better for me if it was a subscription box because I buy more than 1 per month!!!)

All the boxes have different themes and they are limited quantities and sell out quickly - so if you see one you like, don't hesitate! The boxes come with 4-8 full size and deluxe sample size items & they usually show you 1 spoiler from the box and the rest are all surprises! Shipping to Canada is $6.99 (shipping does take anywhere from 10-20 business days) and they ship worldwide!

The Empress's Secrets was $23 + $6.95 shipping to Canada. The box was described as:

Queens in ancient Korea used a chock full of nature’s most precious ingredients to beautify and enhance their natural beauty. Various ancient herbs, oriental medicines, flowers, rice powders and more natural and effective recipes were prized among the royalty, and their effectiveness and potency is still prevalent today. 

Designed to enhance the skin’s regeneration, revitalization, anti-inflammation, and hydration functions, this royal box will surely leave you with a beautiful and enchanting glow. Unbox The Empress's Secrets box to reveal the mystical beauty secrets and solutions  of the east! 

And here is a look at the Empress's Secrets:


What I really like about Memeboxes is their very detailed product cards! For those of us newer to Korean beauty products, it can be a little hard to figure out what everything is for!

Friday, December 26, 2014

Memebox Superbox #81 1st Anniversary Box Review + coupon codes

Memebox is a Korean Beauty Box company - it is not a monthly subscription box - they instead have a ton you can choose from ranging in price from $15 and up - usually between $23 and $29. (It might be better for me if it was a subscription box because I buy more than 1 per month!!!)

All the boxes have different themes and they are limited quantities and sell out quickly - so if you see one you like, don't hesitate! The boxes come with 4-8 full size and deluxe sample size items & they usually show you 1 spoiler from the box and the rest are all surprises! Shipping to Canada is $6.99 (shipping does take anywhere from 10-20 business days) and they ship worldwide!

The 1st Anniversary Box was $29 + $6.95 shipping to Canada. The box was described as:

Hurray! We made it! In celebration of Memebox’s 1st year anniversary, we’re launching our 1st Anniversary Box! To make this box the BEST box ever and ensure the highest quality possible, we meticulously picked out only products that past our 1st and 2nd level screenings!
This ultimate K-Beauty box is bursting with the most talked and most wanted K-Beauty buys – everything from skin care, makeup, hair, plus more beautifiers that make it super simple to look drop-dead gorgeous! Perfect to give as a gift for the coming holidays, (or perfect to give as a gift to yourself), this box contains everything tailored to your K-Beauty needs! 1st year anniversaries only come once, and we're gonna make sure that it makes a mark in K-Beauty history!

Here is a look at the 1 Anniversary Box:

And here is a closer look at the products:

December 2014 Birchbox Canada - Beauty Box Review and Unboxing

This has seemed like such a long time coming - Birchbox has finally started shipping to Canada!! Lucky for us! 

Birchbox is the original sample beauty box and has been in the U.S.A. since 2010 - it is $10 a month + $4.95 shipping (you can save money by signing up for a year for $100 + shipping costs). Each month you receive 5 sample (or full size) products based on a beauty profile you complete.

Birchbox Canada describes itself as:
"Five personalized beauty samples delivered right to your door each month. It’s the best way to find the products you’ll love."

December 2014 is the first Birchbox Canada; here is a look:

The theme for this month's box is "Decked Out". The box was designed to help start the holiday celebrations early - it is filled with festive beauty samples! 

Tuesday, December 23, 2014

November 2014 Nina Garcia Quarterly Co. Box #NG04 Review and Unboxing

Quartely Co. features quarterly subscription boxes curated by celebrities and personalities you love. The subscriptions range from fashion to food to books and include packages curated by people from Bill Nye to Pharrel Williams to Rosario Dawson, etc. Most packages are $50 but a couple are $100 plus shipping (shipping to Canada is a little hefty on this site - $10-$20 per package so make sure you are signing up for one you really want!).

This Nina Garcia box was originally set to ship in September of this year and has been pushed back to November waiting for some products. The Nina Garcia Box is $100 + $20 shipping to Canada. This is pricey box; however, Nina's boxes usually have a great value! 

Here is the November 2014 Nina Garcia Quarterly Co Box #NG04:


Quarterly boxes always come with a nice letter from the curator - the theme for this month's box is described as "Winter Essentials".

Monday, December 22, 2014

Manicure Monday (Christmas Tree Nails) + Monthly Pedicure (Snowflake Toes)

It's so exciting that Christmas is getting so close - I am keeping up my themed nails once again by doing Christmas Trees on my nails and Snowflakes on my toes!




Here are the products I used for this week's manicure: 

December 2014 Winter Luxe Box by Loose Button - Canadian Quarterly Beauty Box Review

Luxe Box by Loose Button is a quarterly beauty subscription. It is a Canadian Company and they send out their beauty box at the start of each season. The cost is $26.00 Canadian per quarter ($27.30 with tax). Shipping is included in the price and they currently only ship to Canada! You will receive 7-8 sample size and full size products beauty product and tools. 
You can save a little if you sign up for a longer subscription - $25 a box if you sign up for 2 boxes and $24 a box if you sign up for a year (4 boxes). 

Here is a look at the Winter 2014 Luxe Box:

Luxe Box does not come with a product card - they have an area on their website where you view your products (it is usually very well organized and has the value and size of all the products that they include - which I love!) 

Friday, December 19, 2014

November 2014 Beauty Box Comparison - Ipsy vs. Beauty Box 5 vs. TopBox

I like comparing the 3 inexpensive beauty boxes that are available in Canada - Ipsy, TopBox and Beauty Box 5. (sorry this is so late, I did up my chart and just realized I haven't posted it yet!)
Here is the chart breakdown:


Wednesday, December 17, 2014

December 2014 Ipsy Glam Bag - Beauty Bag Review and Unboxing

Ipsy is one of the inexpensive beauty bag sample subscriptions. You receive 4-5 deluxe sample size or full size products each month. The cost is $10 US (+ $4.95 shipping to Canada). 

Ipsy is generally make-up products with a mix of skin, nail, and hair products based on a beauty profile you complete. There is usually 12-18 products that are selected from each month! You can view your "glam room" online that tells you all the products you will receive each month (I really like to keep it a surprise so I don't check ahead of time!) You also receive a make-up bag with your products.

Here is a look at the December 2014 Ipsy Bag:


This month's theme is "Thinking of You". Our thoughts are filled with YOU this month. Thank you for a 2014 that was filled with beauty, laughter and inspiration. You've given us so many reasons to smile, and we look forward to an awesome 2015. This month's bag is really cute too - nice simple black makeup bag. And here is a look at what is inside:

Monday, December 15, 2014

Manicure Monday - Christmas Present Nails!

All through December my nails will be Christmas themed! This week my inspiration was Christmas presents (I have been wrapping them like crazy!)




Here are the products I used for this week's Manicure:

December 2014 TopBox - Canadian Beauty Box Review and Unboxing

TopBox is a Canadian Beauty Box Subscription - for $12 CDN a month with free shipping (I pay $12.60 each month with tax), you will receive 4 deluxe sample size or full size products. You fill out a beauty profile and generally receive products based on what you have identified in the profile. Also, every month you have the option to wish for a "prive" box. A prive box is a box that focuses on one brand or product for the whole box.

TopBox is a Canadian company and only ships to Canada. The only downside to subscribing to TopBox is that there is a wait-list that can take a month or two to get off of.

For December, I selected the "regular" topbox - none of the Prive boxes jumped out at me!

Here is my December 2014 TopBox:
Here is a closer look at the products:

Friday, December 12, 2014

Memebox #63 "Skincare Elixir" - Review and Unboxing + coupon code

Memebox is a Korean Beauty Box company - it is not a monthly subscription box - they instead have a ton you can choose from ranging in price from $15 and up - usually between $23 and $29. (It might be better for me if it was a subscription box because I buy more than 1 per month!!!)

All the boxes have different themes and they are limited quantities and sell out quickly - so if you see one you like, don't hesitate! The boxes come with 4-8 full size and deluxe sample size items & they usually show you 1 spoiler from the box and the rest are all surprises! Shipping to Canada is $6.99 (shipping does take any where from 10-20 business days) and they ship worldwide!

The Skincare Elixir was $32 + $6.95 shipping to Canada. The box was described as:

Maximize your beauty with this premium line of potent skin care elixirs that renew and resurface the complexion for a luminous and youthful radiance!



Packed with skin refining, skin-repairing, and skin-refreshing skin care innovations,  this skin-miracle-in-a-box contains only the best of K-beauty skincare that are highly concentrated with beauty-boosting ingredients. The results? Clearer, brighter, and healthier skin.



Perfect for everyday use, and great for renewing the complexion, this Skincare Elixir is a box full of the most effective and innovative skin care phenomenons yet!    


I have been loving all of the skincare products in my Memeboxes, so this seemed like an obvious choice to get!

Here is a look at Memebox #63:
Looks like 5 full size products! 

Tuesday, December 9, 2014

Manicure Monday + Scratch Nail Wraps Review

Snowflake Nails Time! 





I have been waiting to try Scratch Nail Wraps since I read about their monthly manicure box. 

Saturday, December 6, 2014

MemeBox Princess Edition #6 Cinderella Beauty Box Review and Unboxing

Memebox is a Korean Beauty Box company - it is not a monthly subscription box - they instead have a ton you can choose from ranging in price from $15 and up - usually between $23 and $29. (It might be better for me if it was a subscription box because I buy more than 1 per month!!!)

All the boxes have different themes and they are limited quantities and sell out quickly - so if you see one you like, don't hesitate! The boxes come with 4-8 full size and deluxe sample size items & they usually show you 1 spoiler from the box and the rest are all surprises! Shipping to Canada is $6.99 (shipping does take any where from 10-20 business days) and they ship worldwide!

I really enjoyed my Sleeping Beauty Princess Box, so when the Cinderella Box was introduced I jumped all over it! The Cinderella Box was $29 + $6.99 shipping and here is how it was described:

Poor Cinderella was covered in cinder and dust, and was so busy that she had no time for beauty! But with a little bit of bibbity bobbity boo, a Fairy Godmother, and a glass slipper, she was able to recreate a whole new look (and also snag her prince hubby!)

But, get real. We’re real women, with real problems, and most importantly, we don’t have a Fairy Godmother. So how do we get achieve this Cinderella-esque transformation? With this Cinderella Box of course! Although we can’t magically pop out a pumpkin carriage, we CAN give you a chock-full of hair, skin, and makeup essentials that will instantly transform your look, the moment you apply!

So, stop waiting for your Fairy Godmother to save you from your beauty distress, and take this Cinderella Box for a magical beauty makeover that even Cinderella will be jealous of!

Here is the Princess Edition #6 Cinderella Box:


Looks like a lot of make-up products and I was hoping for a bit more of a mix of products. 


Tuesday, December 2, 2014

Manicure Monday - Candy Cane Striped Nails!

Oh it's never a good start to the month when you can't get your first Mani done on time! Whoopsie - it's been a little crazy around here! 

Better late than never - my inspiration for this week is: CANDYCANES!



Here are the products I used: