Topbox Canada December 2015

Topbox has been cancelled.  Even though it's only about $11 a month, after receiving this box, I was so ready to end my Topbox relationship.

December's Topbox consisted of Elizabeth Arden's Ceramide Overnight Firming Mask, Hask Manoi Coconut Oil Nourishing Deep Conditioner, Fruits & Passions Regenerating Hand Cream and Starlooks Pro Luxe Longwear Eyeliner Pen.

The products are great, actually, so you're probably wondering why I chose to cancel.  The issue is this is my second time receiving most of these items as I already received them in my other subscription box.  I did leave feedback with Topbox citing the "need for more beauty products" as my reason for cancelling.

Maybe they'll listen to my feedback.

What did you get in your Topbox?  Anything different than mine?

    

Sun, Sand and Surf - Red Lip Gloss on Vacation

Guess where we're going for vacation at the end of this week?  If the tacos, enchiladas and guacamole aren't hints enough, we're going to MEXICO!  We can't wait to see the sun, the beach and introduce Benjamin to the ocean.

I am usually the best packer, especially for a 2 week trip away from home.  I would usually only bring a carry-on suitcase.  However, packing for yourself AND a baby means that you take the largest suitcase you can find and fill it with every possible thing a baby could need and then throw in your couple bathing suits, if there's any room left over for yourself.  Despite having very little room, I have managed to put in a couple cute items.

First, we're going to Puerto Vallarta for 11 days and this is a picture of the actual resort we'll be staying at.  What's even better is our amazing friends will be joining us on this adventure.  YAY.

When it comes to dressing on vacation, I practically live in my bikinis and sarongs or a lightweight bathing suit cover.  I've pretty much only packed items like this,

Plus, I don't have much room in the suitcase for anything else!!  Ha.

We can't wait to go on holidays.  As of this Saturday, we'll be off enjoying Mexico and lounging by the water.  Woohoo

    

Ipsy Canada December 2015

I mentioned to Allan that if the Ipsy bag for December wasn't amazing, then I would be cancelling my subscription.  However, I have not cancelled it and am so glad I didn't because my January bag is going to be amazing.  This one, unfortunately, fell short.

I received Peter Lamas Spa Sensuals Intensive Repair Hand Cream, Pacifica Natural Minerals Lipstick in Nudie Red, Formula X Nail Color in Revved Up, Clark's Botanicals Deep Moisture Mask and Model Co Illusion Lip Liner.

I love Pacifica however this lipstick is not good.  It's way too light to be classified as a red and actually blends into my lips.  Plus I thought it funny that they gave a lip liner that does not match the lipstick at all.  I LOVE the moisture mask though so that was a plau.

What did you receive in your Ipsy bag?

    

FOTD Using Only Drugstore Makeup

Allan and I got to have a date night on Friday!  We didn't do anything exciting AND after a couple glasses of wine I was beyond sleepy, but it was so nice to get out of the house sans Benjamin and reconnect.  What's even better was that I actually found the time to do my makeup!  Even better was all items were found at my local Shoppers Drug Mart.

I used Physicians Formula pH Matchmaker pH Powdered Blush in Rose, L'Oreal La Palette Nude 2, Maybelline ColorSensational Lipstick in Yummy Plummy, Essence Lash Princess Mascara, Maybelline Fit Me Powder in Classic Ivory and Almay TLC 16 Hour Makeup in Ivory.

I love the lip color and do wear it often.  I will also mention that the blush does color match well and picks the perfect pink for your skin tone.  However, the highlight for me was the liquid foundation.  I don't typically use foundation as it can feel cakey and too heavy but this one went on so nicely and I barely had to use anything to cover my whole face. PLUS, I didn't even need to use concealer.  Amazing.

The eyes.  I wanted to like this palette, I really did and when you first look at it, it's truly beautiful.  Unfortunately, there was so much fall out from the shadows that I had to use some additional foundation under my eyes just to cover it up.  The colors blended okay but the shimmer shades didn't show up at all.  Sigh, not a good palette.

Despite not being happy with the palette, the look was nice and I was happy with the outcome.  Maybe I was just happy to have put makeup on in the first place!

Do any of you have this palette?  What are your thoughts?
     
    

My New Palette Loves

I have such a fantastic hubby and great friends.  Seriously, I do.

I woke up Christmas morning to a fantastic stocking, filled by Allan, and some fabulous gifts under the tree from my friends.  Truly, I am so lucky to have the people in my life that I do.

I would love to share with you all the gifts I received (some fabulous high heels, 2 amazing scarves, a gorgeous burgundy coat from Lululemon) but really wanted to show you my new makeup.  Sigh, they are so gorgeous.

First up is the Stila A Whole Lot of Love Gift Set.  How cute is this right?  It folds up into a letter with a magnetic rubberized stamp as the closure.

The set contains 4 blushes, a mascara and 20 eye shadows.  The shadows are a fantastic selection of matte, pearl and shimmer shades.  Look at all the deep jewel tones!

Secondly, I received the Smashbox Art. Love. Color. Master Class Limited Edition Set.  Look at the package! It's like a little binder actually.  Inside are cards explaining how to create different eye/face looks.

 
The set contains 32 eye shadows, 6 blushes and 2 highlighters.  I can't wait to dig in to this one!

This next palette I was following ever since it came out about a month before Christmas.  First off, it was only about $19 CAD and had such a great selection of colors making it a steal.  I was so happy to see this in my stocking.

The set contains 1 blush, 2 highlighters and 6 shadows.  The top three are matte shades and the bottom three are shimmer.  I am taking this with me to Mexico next week and can't wait to use it.

Finally, I received the Tarte Rainforest After Dark Palette which I'd been dropping hints about for months.  The palette itself is wooden and reminds me so much of my overseas travels that I knew I had to have it.

Inside, the palette contains 6 shadows, 1 blush, 1 highlighter and 1 bronzer.  It's the perfect travel palette.

What goodies did you receive?  Do any of you have these palettes?