Beauty Box 5 March Review

Beauty Box 5 is a monthly subscription box for $12 a month plus $3 shipping to Canada. Those numbers are in US funds, so this box is costing me about $20 per month. I used to root hard for this box, because I thought it almost there, and I believed in it. But.... I'm fed up now. This is going to be more of a rant post. 

There's the box. You can't tell but it looks like it went through a mind field to get here. Upon first glace not a bad selection. This is March Box Combo 1. 

BB5 does send a nice card with pricing and product information on the back. FYI - these have been known to be wrong and incorrect. I received 14 mL of Elite Thereapeutics Eucalptus Body Cream. Sample value $1.18

Next a promo card for $5 off in the shop. If you want the promo, take it. It's shown at the bottom of the post. My January box had a completely broken product, and the best BB5 could do was offer me $5 off in the shop. I used to buy lots of stuff - but the $15 shipping to Canada had completely deterred me. While I do think it's likely fair, I don't see any exclusive products I need.
Ooo, you can also share on social media and win 5 products. Or get told you win, like I did in November, and I'm still waiting. Still waiting. Jumped through all the hoops, and I'm still waiting. Don't tell me I've won, and never follow through.
Lastly, there is a product, wrapped and sealed. Styli-Style Line and Seal Mechanical Eye Liner Pencil. This looks like it would be very precise. $4.99, full size. 

Scandalous by Nanacoco Mascara, full size, $4.99

Laugh Out Loud by Nanacoco, full size, $3.99

I was so appalled that both of these products were sent without any sort of seal or sanitary protection. In my opinion this makes them seem really cheap, and has me question if they have been used or not. But now I see they are the same brand, it might not be BB5's fault but rather a poor (cost saving?) choice by Nanacoco.

Eslor Foil Packets - The Second Introductory Edition

BB5 gave values for the full size, all samples sizes were 5 mL or 0.17 oz, so the sample values are $2.38, $3.23, $3.80, and $8.50 for a total of $17.91. I will be using these and trying to squeeze out more than one usage. 

As promised, my promo code if you want. First come, first to use. If it is like the promo code for my damaged product, you probably only have a week to use it.

so, to end my rant, I'm very disappointed in Beauty Box 5. Guys, you broke my heart! What happened?

Including the cost of the foil packets, this box was $33.09

without them the value was $15.15  ---> about what I paid ... with those two products I'm a tad afraid to use. It's better they came in the mail and not from the store... but still. I don't want an eye infection.

And I'm still choked I never got my "win 5 on us!" prize. 

:(

Project Candy Box March Review

Project Candy Box is a new Candy Subscription box that ships from Calgary. I paid $26 shipping plus taxes. I see now on the website boxes are $32. Project Candy Box is preparing to change subscriptions to offer prepaid multimonth, so I would guess you can get the same rate as early subscribers by prepaying soon. For me, I'm trying to decide if this box is worth my "candy budget" as I've already decided I would prefer this slightly more mature sampling over the other candy box (and I only want one candy box if any). I'm also of the mind to limit very strictly how much candy my little ones get and to hoard it for evenings with the hubby and I. 

Very cute boxing, and this month they including packing peanuts to help keep things from breaking. Not my favorite filler (as I'm a mom to young ones) but I am appreciating they are listening and improving to their customer base.

 They include an information card that also links to the online page for detailed information.

First up: Panda chocolate cookies (these were delicious and the kidlet loved them!), jawbreakers and hubba bubba tape.

Gummies from two different countries (these were only okay to me) and Fizz (ah, memories of going to the candy store as young pup). 

Cracker Jack and more Fizz.

Sugar babies, Twix and chocolate buttons.

The complete box. A good selection and again, I'm estimating the value is close to what I'm paying. In addition, they are able to hunt out some rare finds. 

Checking it out.

And approving. Little did she know she was only going to get a cookie or two from the box. 

That's Project Candy Box for March. Have you tried Project Candy Box? Do you like knowing what candy you'll get or do you like a surprise?

Luxe Box Spring 2015 review

Luxe Box is a Canandian Quaterly Subsciption box for about $26 per month. Rate goes down with longer subscriptions. I'm a bit hard on this box as it was the box I was the most excited for last year, and it has yet to live up to my expectations. From not sending boxes, boxes missing, products sub pare, not meeting the "guaranteed value", and spamming of upgrade emails, I am disappointed. I have faith it will get better, and I love that it is Canadian.. but I wonder why sometimes.

Boxes are shipped in these cute cardboard layouts that are never actually glued shut.

Cute logo on the internal box. I love using these for storage around the house.

Products come in a beautiful linen bag.

My information card was in much nicer condition this time.

A 24 K Gold Caviar Cotton sheet mask $3.00

A broken Loose Button Blending Tool $15.00

Buxon Show Some Skin foundation sample set $2?

Eyeko Brow Gel $15 (I want to try these two!)

Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Exfoliant, $14.00

DKNY Eau de Parfum $11.25

This is really pale. I'd rather wear Julep's Oxygen Nail Treatment as it's about the same intensity. $6.00

There's the total box. Overall, I love the packaging and there are two items I want to try out. I want to see what shade of foundation I might be, and I would like to try the brow. I will use the face mask, probably not the BHA nor the parfum. I will be gifting the nail polish. 

The total value as given by Loose Button for my box was $64 - which I think is low. Especially since the front page says every box is $70+. It's close.. but not.

Again, I want to love this box so much, but ... I'm very meh about this, and I don't even know if I care enough to ask about the broken tool. I think my husband equivalent can fix it, and that seems easier than trying to pull teeth. 

Cancelling is a bit of a pain too because you have to call and speak to a person. I might wait for one more box.

EDIT: I've contacted the super friendly customer service, and they are going to make my broken product right. I might not get the same item, but I will get a replacement. 

Topbox March 2015 review

Topbox is a Canadian beauty subscription box that sends 4 samples monthly for $12.00 plus taxes. Shipping this month was incredibly fast again!

Upon first inspection, everything looks nice.

 Shu Uemura POREfinist Fresh Cleaning Oil, 20 mL, est. $3.60 (full size is 82!).

Estee Lauder Advanced Night Repair, 5 mL, $25. I'm glad to see this so I can toss the one I got earlier last year. It's nice to get sample sizes so that I happily stick to the recommended usage dates once opened. I'm a bit cheap/not-wanting-to-be-wasteful and I don't like throwing out full sizes.

Essie sneek-e sleek stick nail pretties, $8
Medusa's Make-up Lip Gloss (I assume full size), $11.25. I'm excited to try this, I've read good things about Medusa, and they are carried on Femme Fatale (a place I am loving to shop!).

Total Value this month: $47.85
I spent: $12.60

This month, I'm pretty happy. Check out Topbox here.