themakeupnut: luxe box

Hi again! This is a happy and sad post. Happy that I am finally getting to my Winter Luxe Box but sad that I canceled my subscription. I am opting out for now. Right now I need to cut back on some expenses and luxuries are the first to go on my list. Damn I hate being responsible!!

Luxe Box | Winter 2014

Even though I love a good surprise (really don't like shitty surprises; like people jumping out at me or hey guess what!?! we are eating sushi tonight etc..), I do like the fact that Luxe Box posts your products up on your account information. I usually don't peak but that is only because I forget about this feature almost every time HAHA.

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I don’t even know what to really say about this box. The only thing I am happy about is the Be a Bombshell shadow. I love their eyeshadow and I do love this colour. The Fekkai shampoo and conditioner? Okay, at least we got the set. But the rest? Two tiny Aveeno moisturizers, two onetime use Burt’s Bees and some hair ties where the colour leaked into each other?

This Luxe Box seems so lack luster. I didn't upgrade my box. Maybe I should have? I really don't want to be spending more money so I don't end up with drug store products.
This box didn't come with a product card. You have to go the Loose Button site to see your products. But I can’t even see what my products are on the Loose Button site as My Products haven’t been updated yet. It is still showing the Winter’s Box. I waited to post until it was updated but it has been 5 days so...

Be A Bombshell eyeshadow in Starstruck full size$14 USD
This was probably the saving grace for this box. I have fallen in love with Be a Bombshell shadows so I am super happy to get this shadow. Especially in this shade. :D I love purple!

Fekkai Brilliant Glossing Shampoo with Olive Oil (59ml $5)

Fekkai Brilliant Glossing Conditioner with Olive Oil (59ml $5)

I do like most Fekkai products I have tried so I am happy with these samples. I can get a few uses out them and really see how I like the product.

Knotties Hair Ties
On the conditionculture.com website it states $10 for a pack of 5, which seems like a lot. But on Amazon, you can get the same for $4.99. I got 4 so I will price it at $4. My hair ties look like the colour ran from the purple tie onto the pink tie :(. I am not really sure what to think about these.

Aveeno Daily Moisturizing Lotion (28ml $.80) x2 full size 227ml $5.92

Burt’s Bees Dark Spot Correcting (4.42ml $4.49) x2 full size 29.5ml $29.99
These samples are not what I expect from Loose Button. I own and like Aveeno and Burt's Bees products but the samples are so small. Plus I find the packaging the Burt's Bees samples came in hard to work with.

I am not impressed with my Luxe Box. I feel like I only got 5 samples (not the 7-8 promised on the website). Yeah I know technically there are 8 physical items but it seems less for some reason. I think I would have rather just taken my $26 + tax and spent it at Be a Bombshell. Ah decisions decisions. Do I continue with my subscription?

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Yes I know this almost a month late! Ooops! I had this box all pulled apart and played with before I realized I forgot to post about it. Hehe.

The presentation of the Luxe Box is absolutely gorgeous. The elegant white box with the satiny pouch bag that our luxurious samples come in is a great treat.

I was going to cancel this box but I thought just one more box..one more. I am glad I didn’t cancel as I was pleasantly surprised by some of the samples in this box. Plus I needed a couple more boxes to finish creating dividers in my makeup drawers LOL. These are the perfect size to put in my Meike drawers.

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CoverGirl Rose Twist

I discovered these CoverGirl lip balms in my Winter Luxe Box. In that box came Ruby Twist, a pinky red. I liked it so much that I picked up another one, Rose Twist, while perusing through Walmart. It was $6.97 plus I had a coupon for CoverGirl so I got it for $4.97. YAY! I am quite enjoying these twist-up lip glosses.

They go on creamy and are a sheer coverage. The colour of the product looks pretty intense but it doesn’t quite come out as potent. It is more a sheer version of the colour. These ‘balms’ are fortified with shea butter and mango. I did find them pretty moisturizing and my lips love them. In this cold weather (-38C) I need any protection I can get and if I look good doing it all the better! I find them reminiscent of the Revlon Lip Butters.

CoverGirl Rose Twist

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The Spring 2013 Edition of the Luxe Box was curated by Steven and Chris (CBC’s Steven and Chris show). I used to watch Steven and Chris when they were the original Designer Guys on HGTV Canada. I loved them. Steven for his subdued elegant sense of style and Chris for his more flamboyant style plus he’s kind of hilarious.

When I first opened my box I was a little disappointed. Almost everything is skin or hair care. Again. I was so hoping for the Pandora’s Box mascara or the No Bleeding Lips pencil. But no makeup for me.

So I put the box aside for awhile and now that I look at it again, I know I will use the Vichy and Lancôme products but everything in this box is pretty expensive for the full size version so I will have to be VERY sure I am in total love before I fork out the big bucks for it.

Loose Button Luxe Box Spring 2013

What did my box contain?

KMS California Free Shape Quick Blow Dry deluxe sample (30ml)

Full size: 150ml/$18.95
Speeds up drying time up to 50%. Reduces friction while conditioning lightly. Provides heat protection, faster drying and light conditioning.
I don’t really spend a lot of time blow drying my hair anymore. I have naturally curly hair so I will give it a quick diffused dry by plopping my hair on the diffuser. But because it is curly wavy I can get away with scrunching and running out the door. I am not sure how use I will have for this.

Kerastase Chroma Captive deluxe sample

Full size: 250ml/ $43.95
Color radiance Shampoo for color-treated hair. Created to help preserves color and shine for up to 40 days with use of Chroma Captive system.
This sample is small so it may be hard to tell how much of an impact it will have on my colour treated hair.

Loose Button Blending Sponge

Price unknown (approx. $10)
A makeup sponge applicator that flawlessly blends in your makeup for the perfect look. The applicator should be dampened with water before use and can be used with liquid, cream, loose powder or pressed powder makeup. For best results, use the applicator in a stippling or bouncing motion.
Okay I did love this item. Now I have a back up for my Beauty Blender. I am lazy and hate having to wash it every single night before I use it. So now I have a backup for those lazy days. Technically this could be counted under makeup but it is a tool and everyone got one.

Mereadesso Lip Treats one full size

Full Size: 1.2g x 2/$28
Lip Treats is a lush blend of evening primrose, grape seed, coconut and sunflower oils, enhanced by the added benefits of Vitamins C and E. It's a perfect primer for ANY lipstick, gloss or lipliner: it extends the wear time without a hint of waxy build-up
I received one of these before in a Glymm Bag. I did like it but the twist up lip treatment broke inside the tube and it kept falling out so I tossed it. Glad to give another try.

Blue Lagoon Skin Care Silica Mud Mask deluxe sample

Full size: 200ml/$100USD
The Silica mud is the Blue Lagoon's signature element. The pure white geothermal mud deep cleanses and exfoliates. Naturally strengthens skin's barrier function¹. Brings out the skin's inner glow, gives it a vital energy boost and smooth complexion. Excellent face & body mask. Use 2-3 times a week or when skin needs en extra boost. Fragrance and color free. For all skin types.

Blue Lagoon Skin Care Rich Nourishing Cream foil packet

Full size: 30ml/ $130USD
The Blue Lagoon rich nourishing cream, for normal to dry skin, smoothes, enhances radiance and helps to prevent signs of aging, like wrinkles. This new advanced formula contains Blue Lagoon active ingredients: algae and silica. Research has shown that Blue Lagoon algae have significant protecting and anti-aging effects and the Blue Lagoon silica helps to strengthen the skins barrier function* *in vitro and in vivo studies Blue Lagoon rich nourishing cream is: Dermotologically tested and Paraben free
I am trying the mud mask tonight. I am hoping I do not fall totally in love with it because I cannot afford $100 for a mud mask. O_o

Vichy Lift Activ Serum 10 deluxe sample (x4 3ml)

Full size: 30ml/$50
Vichy’s breakthrough anti-aging formula features a 10% concentration of Rhamnose, a naturally derived plant sugar proven to help boost skin rejuvenation. To be used daily, twice a day. Can be used alone or under your daily cream. Easy and fast to use: One drop goes a long way. Penetrates fast in the skin and leaves it velvety smooth. Leaves your skin is ready for your cream application or your make-up.
I have an Origins night cream that has Rhamnose in it as well. I like it so I should like this one. Plus my skin loves Vichy products.

Lancôme Génifique Youth Activating Concentrate deluxe sample

Full size: 50ml/$125
Repair and activate 10 signs of younger-looking skin. See it. Feel it.
Award-winning serum that helps create a more youthful-looking skin by promoting natural skin renewal that is characteristic of young skin. Visible skin in just 7 days. Drop by drop, skin is vibrant with youth, its tone becomes astonishingly even and its texture dramatically refined.
I was always curious about this serum. I can’t wait to try it but WOWZA it is expensive. But my friend said she uses it daily and has never bought a full sized version. It is always part of the Lancôme GWPs so that is how she keeps in stock LOL

Overall not too excited about this box. I am overwhelmed with skin care in my Luxe Boxes.

I really should stopped looking at other people's boxes because I am getting jealous LOL.

~~99Raina99

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Hi everyone,

Picture it...Winnipeg, May 2012...

Loose Button changed their subscription service from a monthly service to a seasonal (quarterly) service that also included a price increase. I was quite vocal about my displeasure about the sudden change, lack of information and price increase. I was happy for the most part with my monthly boxes. I was resistant to change.

Luxe Box Fall 2012 Edition

Now that the ’new and improved’ Luxe Box has hit my doorstep, am I a convert? Kind of. There were several items I was totally thrilled to get and a couple others, not so much. But that is much the case for most subscription boxes I receive.

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Loose Button is changing its Luxe Box subscription service, from monthly to quarterly or as Loose Button calls it seasonally. Check your emails...

Luxe Box will change to a quarterly box subscription service. It will be $26 per quarter for 7-8 samples. $50 for 2 quarters, $96 for the whole year.

edited to add this tidbit from the Loose Button FB page:
By joining our membership, you will be receiving 4 seasonal Luxe Boxes containing 7 to 8 trial-sized beauty and lifestyle products.

Umm, more money for fewer samples? Under the monthly service we received 4-5 samples (5 x 3 /36 =$2.40 per sample) with the new quarterly service (8/26= $3.25 per sample) plus you got 12-15 samples in a 3 month period now only 8? How is this better?

I had 2 months left under my subscription. I ended signing up for the Fall box and will get the Winter box since I will still have a $12 credit floating around in Loose Button land. They don’t seem to issue refunds.

I am not happy about this. I recommended the Luxe Box to friends ... and now this?

I was in the process of dropping a box out of my monthly sub services but this just made my decision for me. Unless the ‘NEW’ samples are out of this freakin’ world I don’t expect to stay signed up past the Winter box. I mean they would have to have awesome DELUXE and full-sized samples with major brands. No more single samples. More cosmetics.

I just checked out the Loose Button facebook page and they are raving about the fact that so many members opted for the Fall box. They obviously are not reading the comments below. Many are pissed. They only chose the new upgrade so they could use up their credit. What a load of crap. L

What do you think about this?

~~99Raina99

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Now that I have received all four of my subscription boxes for May, I decided to do another comparison chart.
This comparison is done on what I received. I know there were variations with some of the boxes, most notably Luxe Box. This is just to give people an idea of what samples were offered in May.

The May Subscriptions;

*Glymm*	*Glossy Box*	*Luxe Box*	*Topbox*
$12 + tax Delivery second week of month	$15 (inclusive) Delivery end of month	$12 + tax Delivery end month	$10 + tax Delivery second week of month
Glymm nylon makeup bag	boxx Cosmetics Cream Corrector in Amber full size (FS 4 g/ $24.00) Plus 25% off card	Cargo blu_ray Lip Gloss –Laredo full size (FS $25.00)	Orlane Anagenese 25+ First Time-Fighting Care Eye Contour. deluxe sample (FS 15ml/$75)
CK Shock perfume samples- For Her and For Him deluxe sample (2) (FS 50ml/$45)	Sebastian Professional Volupt Shampoo full size (FS 250 ml/$15.78)	Olay Regenerist deluxe sample(2) (FS 15ml/$60)	Expressions Bronzing Powder Brush. full size ($25 available at Topbox.ca/brushes)
Coola Mineral Matte Cucumber Face Sunscreen sample (FS 50ml/$38)	Curel Foot Cream deluxe sample (FS 100ml/$3.99)	Paco Rabanne Black XS L’EXCES for Her and Black XS for Him deluxe sample (2) (FS 50ml/$56-$74)	Cover FX Clear Prep FX. deluxe sample (FS 30ml/$39)
NUME HyrdoPunch Hydrating Conditioner. deluxe sample (FS 250ml/$24.99)	Simple Eye Makeup Remover deluxe sample (FS 125ml/$9.99)	Fekkai - Advanced Salon Technician Color Care shampoo & conditioner sample(2) (FS 236ml/$30)	Deborah Lippmann nail polish - What Lola Wants. full size ($20)
Mereadesso Lip Treats – Sheer Burgundy. full size (FS pack of 2/$28)	Simple Facial Wash Gel Remover deluxe sample (FS 150ml/$9.99)	Fekkai - Advanced Salon Technician Color Care Rapid Results Moisture Mask sample(2) (FS 198g/$45)
Caudalie Gentle Buffing Cream deluxe sample (FS 60ml/$35)		GILLETTE – Venus Olay Razor full size (FS $15.00)	Deborah Lippmann card – free nail file at Holt Renfrew
Caudalie Anti-Ageing Serum Eyes and Lips. deluxe sample (FS 16ml/$33)		Panty by Post 20% off card	Topbox had an exclusive offer to purchase an Expressions brush set for $49 (a $130 value)
*Total Samples: 7*	*Total Samples: 5*	*Total Samples: 12*	*Total Samples: 4*
	Promo Code GLOSSY27	Sold out (new subs must sign up on waiting list)	Sold out (until at least September)

Deluxe sample = 3 or more uses Sample = one/two uses

Sample Size Breakdown:

Glymm had 1 full size and 5 deluxe sized and 1 sample

Glossybox has 2 full sized and 3 deluxe samples

Luxe Box had 2 full sized, 4 deluxe samples and 6 samples +1 special offer

Topbox has 2 full sized and 2 deluxe samples + 2 special offers

In sheer sample quantity Luxe Box wins this month’s count.

May 2012 Topbox

Glymm and Topbox came mid month. I received Topbox first and was blown away that I got a brush and a Deborah Lippmann polish. The brush was broken but Topbox responded to me right away and is sending out a new brush in June’s box. I should mention that Topbox is sold out until I September. Yeah you heard that - September!

May 2012 Glymm 'bag'

Glymm surprised me by going 'green' this month. I should also note that Glymm raised its subscription rate for new subscribers to $12+taxes. The nylon bag that Glymm sent out was quite cute. I like it. I also am liking the mereadesso lip treat.

For the past couple months, Glossybox and Luxe Box have been arriving on the very last day of the month or for others the first few days of the next month. I don’t really care as long as I get them HA but I get anxious cuz I wants a my stuff man!

May 2012 Glossybox Canada

I always feel these two boxes are dueling for my love when I get them and sometimes I feel a little sample overload especially with May’s boxes. I am still torn between the two. Luxe Box had the Cargo lip gloss which is pretty awesome and Glossybox had the boxx Cosmetics corrector! Arggghhh.

I check the Facebook pages of each when it gets to the end of the month to see when shipping is going to happen. Unfortunately, Glossybox had a glitch at Canada Post and CP never sent out the tracking notices. These I just use as a vague indicator as CP never seems to update them very well.

Luxe Box is sold out and any new subscribers have to sign up on a wait list.
Edited to add: Luxe Box has changed it membership to a quarterly service 7-8 sqamples for $26/month :(
see my post here

May 2012 Luxe Box

So since you can’t really sign up for the Topbox or Luxe Box, I would recommend the Glossybox. They have lots of full sized samples of products that we can actually afford. I am not really sure where Glymm is going right now but I am really interested to see their new direction.

What are your thoughts on the four major beauty subscriptions? Which one do you think is ‘worth’ it?

If you want to sign up you can use my invite linkies...

**Glossybox invite linky – use promo code GLOSSY27 at checkout

**Glymm invite linky

~~99Raina99

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**contains affiliate link

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