Jan
2013
Topbox Prive – January 2013 Edition
It’s Topbox time again! Topbox is a beauty subscription service exclusive to Canada. For $12 per month, they’ll send out 4 deluxe sized samples or full size items for you to try by the 10th of each month. For 2013, Topbox has introduced the Prive box. Instead of the regular Topbox, members receive a box containing samples from one prestige brand, tailored to them based on their beauty profile. For January, all members received the same box, but in the future member’s will be able to select if they want to receive a Prive box or the regular Topbox. More on that later.
Clinique is the first brand to be featured through the Prive box. I’ve used Clinique products over the years but nothing has caught my fancy enough to add it to my regular routine. The Clinique Prive box contained four samples, all but one is deluxe/travel size.
Clarifying Lotion - Formulated to help lift the world’s impurities to create healthier, younger skin. full size $16/200 ml, $27/400ml. Sample size: $4.80/60ml. Thoughts: This toner is for dry combination skin. I don’t have dry or combination skin, I won’t be using this. Also, I don’t really understand why Clinique has alcohol in their toner for dry skin. Seems kind of backwards to me as it will just cause dehydration and can lead to more skin issues. The Esthetician in me does not understand!
Rinse-Off Eye Makeup Solvent - Make it a clean sweep, from lashes to brows. Or use for on-the-spot makeup fixes. Oil-free. Full size: $25/125ml. Sample size $12/60ml. Thoughts: I can’t recall if I’ve ever tried their makeup remover before, but after my stash of Bioderma is up I’ll give it a try. Or I may toss it into my school kit. I do like that it’s oil-free so if I ever get the eyelash extensions I want then I could use it without damaging the adhesive.
Colour Surge Eye Shadow Duo in Strawberry Fudge - Go-together shades of silky, easy-to-blend colour in a chrome slide compact. Full size $25/2.5g. Sample size $16/1.6g. Thoughts: At first glance I didn’t like the colour combination but swatched I think the brown is absolutely gorgeous and the pink isn’t so perky on my skin. I will definitely use this sample! **EDIT** I wore both shades the day after receiving them and neither lasted longer than four hours with primer. The pink shade comes out more of a gold-coral when applied – unfortunately not very flattering on my skin tone. With that and the small amount of wear time, I’m not sure if I will give this duo another chance.
Repairwear Laser Focus Wrinkle & UV Damage Corrector - A second chance for skin against sun damage and wrinkles. At 12 weeks, the visible wrinkle-reducing power is remarkably close to a dermatological laser procedure. 63% to be exact. Full size $57/30ml, $86/50ml. Sample size $13.30/7ml. Thoughts: I’ve received multiple samples of this before and I’ve never noticed a difference after using it. I use it on a spot of hyperpigmentation near my eye but it hasn’t done anything to fade it. I will probably use it up again but I don’t have high hopes.
The total values for the Prive box is about $46. Honestly, if I had the $46 in my hand I would not be purchasing any of these products. I’ve seen all of these products in gift-with-purchase bags countless times at The Bay and Sears. There is something about receiving all of them that make me think I’m missing out on an ugly makeup bag too. I don’t think of Clinique as a prestige brand, which the Prive boxes are supposed to showcase. They’re well-known yes, but when I think of prestige, I think of Dior, Chanel or Burberry (even though I am well aware that will never happen!).
Before the Prive box shipped, Topbox sent out an email asking members to make a wishlist of the Prive box choices available for February. The choices are a Benefit, Lippy Girl or Miracle 10 Prive box.
None of February’s Prive box choices appeal to me so I will be receiving a regular Topbox. I like the idea of the Prive box being focused on one brand, but I feel like we’ve seen a lot of the same brands over multiple beauty boxes. I hope that the Prive boxes don’t affect the quality of the regular Topboxes too. One of the things I like best about beauty box subscriptions is the element of surprise, but I’m glad Topbox gave their members the chance to opt-in to the February Prive box. I’m feeling a bit of subscription box fatigue. I hope they get better but at the same time if they don’t I can take the money I’ve saved and put it towards products I want.
What do you think of the first Prive box? Did you opt-in for February’s? Let me know in the comments!
Jayne
January 16, 2013 at 6:51 pm (154 days ago)I use the "strawberry" over the "fudge" and it gives the brown a cool pinky shimmer!
Julia
January 18, 2013 at 2:39 pm (152 days ago)I should try that! I love the brown shade but it doesn't want to stay on no matter how much primer I use
Misty UFO
January 17, 2013 at 7:23 pm (153 days ago)Hi Julia! I picked the Benefit box for Feb. I'm not sure how I feel about the Prive box yet. On one hand I like the surprise, on the other it ensures that I don't get an incredibly disappoint box like last month. Also I'm new to the blogging community, if you can come to my site and give me some pointers I would really appreciate it! http://beauteehee.blogspot.ca/
Julia
January 18, 2013 at 2:37 pm (152 days ago)Hi Misty! I'm on the fence too. I hope that February's regular Topbox is good or else I think I may consider cancelling. I thought about the Benefit box but the products didn't interest me too much. I'm going to check out your blog now – welcome to blogging!