July's Luxe Box by Loose Button

I know I'm kinda late on this post but better late than never =]

I will assume that you all know that Luxe Box is a monthly subscription that delivers 3-5 deluxe beauty samples in a pretty box for $12/month, $36/3month or $120/year, currently only available to Canadians and that you can purchase your Luxe Box hereeeeeeeeee ;)

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I was just thinking that I might be creating a lot of waste if I were to receive a Luxe Box per month for the next while because they are heavily packaged. So I kindly emailed them to ship my July Luxe Box in the bubble wrap envelope only and skip the box, ribbons, tissue papers and the sheet of cotton even thought I know  we can completely recycle all these materials with the help of some imagination and creativity but I just wanted to try this out for a month and see how it goes. Let me tell you, it's not as exciting opened a Luxe Box WITHOUT the box and all the other goodies so I will be requesting my future Luxe Boxes to be shipped as it used to be and I will recycle the materials myself =] (will make a post in the future on how I reuse these boxes, tissue papers, ribbons and cotton =]).

This month, I was away from home so couldn't open my box until a week later so I spoiled my own surprise by searching it on YT and google. 

• I was kinda sad that we were getting another polish because I'm not a polish girl. 
• Kinda sad that we were getting a lip liner cause I never use a lip liner.
• But glad that these were full sizes =].
• Kinda sad that there was a fragrance sampler because I'm not into perfumes.
• Kinda sad that there was another oil treatment sampler since we already got one from Joico last month
• BUT THEN, THAT'S JUST ME... Don't even know why I still love them soooooooo much when I dislike so many types of beauty products, I think it's the surprise we get each month and the fact that we can really find things we love or hate just so we know what to buy and what not to buy in full sizes.
  
  
  
  *I got some different products than what is listed above, so keep reading to find out more =]*

Super small packaging compared to what it used to be

Greeting Cards, description and price of the full size products (just wished they would include how big the full sizes are)

Not too appealing to the eye without the box is it? =P

I got four things this month and no chocolate =[, perhaps it's because of the hot weather? I would love to see some sour candies as a substitute *yumm*

This box includes:

• 2 eye cream and 1 moisturizer sample from Consonant Skincare
  Full size eye cream retails for $36, moisturizer retails for $54
• (Full Size) Essie Nail Polish in Formal Affair (Red with tiny reflexes)
  Full size retails for $8
• Stella In Two Peony fragrance sampler
  Full size retails for $56
• (Full Size) Trucco Pro Eye Pencil in Sebastian 7094
  Full size retail for $20

Consonant Skincare

Consonant Skincare
3 small samples, haven't tried these yet but I think I will love it because I  loved the natural soap bar and the foaming face cleanser that I received in past Luxe Boxes

Stella In Two Peony
Love how it looks but didn't really care for the scent. It's too woody, and heavy for me. 

Essie Nail Polsih
I HATE RED! lol, already got a red China Glaze polish last month so I don't really need another one =[

Formal Affair
Applies sheer
needs 3-4 coats to get get it opaque
has tiny gold reflexes
looks like a coral-ly/orangy if you only apply one coat

Pro Eye Liner (bottom: swatch and top: blended)
Very smooth and moisturizing
Feels like a melting lipstick
Colour suitable as a cheek stain or lip colour
I might be able to use it as an eyeshadow/base/primer by for now I think I will only use in on my lip because its too moisturizing for my oily eyelids

Overall, I still like this service and the idea behind it so I renewed my subscription for another year. July's box wasn't really for me because I was really bummed when I saw a red polish but the rest of the box is workable, not loving but workable.
However, I did love almost all the products in my past Luxe Boxes, if you'd like to check those out then feel free to click the followings:
June's Edition
May's Edition
March's Edition

For those who have bought this month's Luxe Box, did you find anything you love/hated? Let me know by commenting below =]


Want more of these services? Try GLYMM BOX, it's a little different but I will explain it when I get my next box arrives but feel free to explore their website to find more about glymm box. I am currently subscribed to both LUXE BOX and GLYMM BOX so I'm supper excited to see what's in my August edition and how they compare =]

**Alx**

June's Luxe Box by Loose Button - s2!

I know I have an essay due tomorrow that I still need to work on, but I couldn't wait to show you all what I got in my June's Luxe Box. I was so excited because they were suppose to mail these boxes out next week and was going to be delayed do to the strike that Canada Post is currently on. However, they made exceptional plans to get us the boxes on time? But even better, then sent them out a week earlier! That's why I got it today s2. This is the first time ever that I waited until I got my box to see what I got instead of searching it on Youtube and spoiling my own surprise ^^. And let me tell you, the experience is totally different, you get tons more excited than watching it on Youtube!!.

I'm sure you all know what Luxe box is, if not then maybe refer back to my March or May Luxe Boxes? (click on the months)

Loose Button made a lot of chances/improvements to their services during last month and they finally launched their products to the public!! (meaning, no need to receive an invite from them in order to purchase the box, you can now just go on www.loosebutton.com and purchase their boxes at $12/month, $36/quarterly or $120/year. 

Also, remember how they messed up my last Luxe Box? They left out my chocolate AND they didn't upgrade me China Glaze polish to a full size! (people got upgraded for subscribing to their 3 month service, which I was one of them) and so I emailed them and great things comes after whining/complaining about it! =]... as a result, I got extra goodies in my June Box =]....YAY!!=]

Btw, sorry for the bad picture quality, my Mister took my camera with him to vacation so I won't be having it with me until be comes back, which is beginning of July =[. So webcam quality will do for now =]...

Ok let's move on to what I go this month...
- Dermalogica - Shaving Cream - 7ml, 0.24 fl oz. (deluxe samples), Full Size: $22
- Dermalogica - Daily Clean Scrub - 7ml, 0.24 fl oz. (deluxe samples), Full Size: $33
- Joico - Colour Therapy Restorative Styling Oil - 21.5ml, 0.7 oz. (deluxe samples), Full Size: $26
- Consonant Skincare - Organic Foaming Face Wash - 125 ml, 4 oz. (full size product), Full Size: $18
- Laura Mercier - Eye Colour in Coffee Ground - 0.10 oz., 2.8 g (full size product), Full Size: $22

Extra goodies to make up for my May's Box
- China Glaze Polish in Revolution (a red colour) - 9.6ml, 0.325 fl oz. (deluxe samples)
- 2 Swiss Dark Chocolate (but melted in the mail because its 30 degree here in Toronto!..I placed it in the fridge because I don't wanna waste any yummy chocolate!)
- A hand written note from Ray Cao (CEO) noting about the mistake in my May's Luxe Box =]

- (Left)  Dermalogica - Shaving Cream - 7ml, 0.24 fl oz.
- (Right) Dermalogica - Daily Clean Scrub - 7ml, 0.24 fl oz.

- Joico - Colour Therapy Restorative Styling Oil - 21.5ml, 0.7 oz.

- Consonant Skincare - Organic Foaming Face Wash - 125 ml, 4 oz. (full size product)

- Laura Mercier - Eye Colour in Coffee Ground - 0.10 oz., 2.8 g (full size product)

- Laura Mercier - Eye Colour in Coffee Ground

The colour are washed out by the light and bad quality of the webcam
- Super pigmented matte dark brown, smooth and not chalky/no fall outs

- China Glaze Polish in Revolution (a red colour) - 9.6ml, 0.325 fl oz.

Overview of all the products, packaging and notes s2

WHAT DID I LIKE FROM LAST MONTH'S LUXE BOX?......
I liked most of the prodcuts from my May's box but I LOVED the bar of soap from Consonant Skincare! I love how its 100% natural AND 100% organic and that big bar of soap only contains 4 ingredients! =O it's awesome, and leaves me skin feeling soft after each shower. However, I didn't like how the bar of soap melted so easily after touch water and I didn't like how it makes you skin feel super dry and squeaky clean while in the shower. But oh well, I still love how natural/organic it is and how it leaves my skin soft =]

I hated the Elizabeth Grant's anti-aging serum because it felt so sticky and took a long time to get absorbed so I just use it on my neck and back of my hands just so I don't waste anything =]

Soooooo...... did any of you purchase any Luxe Boxes?
If not, are you planning to? or did you see any products in the box that you wanted to try?
If yes, did you love/like/hate any products?
Let me know in the comment section! I would love to know some of your favourite products =]


I am super happy about this month's Luxe Box for getting two full sized products (Consonant and Laura Mercier) and other deluxe samples of things I've never tried before!!!! also loving their services of quick email replies/fb replies and personal touches (hand written notes/chocolates).
Alrighty, I hope you all are enjoying the lovely weather and the happy sun. I need to get back to working on my essay. Hope to talk to you all you guys real soon ^^

BTW!!!! Visit What Mimi Writes for an awesome giveaway!. $100 to spend at http://www.shopbop.com/ !!! They carry all kinds of goodies from bags, shoes, clothing and more and did I tell you? they carry high end brands like Tory Burch, Rebecca Minkoff, Michael Kors, Marc by Marc Jacobs and lots more!!! Giveaway Ends June 18th.....s2

**Alx**

Collective Haul/Review: Paula's Choice ( For those who are struggling wiht acne)

I mentioned in my previous post how much I love receiving packages in the mail right? Well, here's another  collective haul for the past 3 months (everything is from Paula's Choice). I bought these all myself with my own earned money except for the tons of samples that I received from Paula's Choice.

Haul

Let me start with what I got from Paula's Choice by Paula Begoun (She's also the author of the book "Don't Go To The Cosmetic Counter Without Me". If you want a for a free online version of this book check this link www.beautypedia.com, here she talks about almost all the products found in the market ranging from drugstore to department store brands and this includes makeup, skincare, hair and body products. She reviews the ingredients in each product to confirm whether or not the really bring benefits to your skin like these products markets themselves as. This is my all time favourite resource to find the best skin care products in the market.

Ok, so a few months ago I started breaking out a heck lot (hence all the scars you see in my previous post). I started researching products here--> www.beautypedia.com to find the best products I can get in the market but it took way too much work and time and still couldn't find the ones that I liked so I gave in and just ordered from Paula instead because her site is well organized for every skin type and different skin issues!!

For these past 3-months I've ordered all these....

Some of the samples I got back in February, already made a blog post about this a few months ago =]

I saw a huge improvement after I tried the CLEAR Anti-Acne System for a few days just by using these samples so I went ahead and got the full sized items X2 (one set for my mom's house and one set for my Mister's place)........

All the ordered comes in a box like this

I have dry and acne prone skin with hyper pigmentation and redness around my nose
I bought...
- 2 CLEAR Normalizing Cleanser
- 2 CLEAR Targeted Acne Relief Exfoliating Toner
- 1 CLEAR Acne Fighting Treatment 
- 1 Moisture Boost Hydrating Treatment Cream
- 1 Weightless Body Treatment with 2% BHA
- 1 sample of foundation in the shade Sand way too light/ashy for me and it leaked while shipping it to me =[
- 1 free pack of Oil Blotting Papers came with the CLEAR system pack
- 3 free sample of Skin Recovery Super Antioxidant Concentrate Serum with Retinol (3 free samples with every order)

I tried the CLEAR system for a month, it helped a lot with my dull skin and my acne. I wasn't breaking out as much but I still broke out sometimes so I talked to one of their staff through the "live chat" on their website (www.paulaschoice.com) and they were so nice to send me more samples of the CLEAR Extra Strength line which contains more salicilic and benzoyl peroxide. But I haven't tried it yet because by the time these samples arrived to me in a week, I was already a lot better. I wasn't breaking out anymore, I just had scars. Btw, I scar super easily even from mosquito bites and they don't ever leave until months after! Anyways, I will try the higher dosage toner and treatment lotion soon and if there is any change I will update you guys =]

These are the extra samples they sent me....

Top: CLEAR Extra Strength Targeted Acne Relief Exfoliating Toner
Bottom: CLEAR Extra Strength Acne Fighting Treatment

Paula's Choice always has some sort of deals, sales and promotions on www.paulaschoice.com each month. PLUS an extra Free Shipping Code in their www.beautypedia.com. Last month they had 20% off all exfoliants and I just had to pick up 4 extra CLEAR regular strength toner because this is the most important part of my skin care regimen.

This time I bought...
- 4 CLEAR Regular Strength Toner
- 3 Sheer Cream Lipstick SPF 15 samples (left to right: invisible, nude illusion and sherbet)
- 3 free samples with every purchase (left to right: RESIST Remarkable Skin Lightening Lotion-7% AHA, RESIST Clearly Remarkable Skin Lightening Gel-2% BHA and Extra Care Moisturizing Sunscreen SPF 30+ with antioxidants) omg LONGGGGGGGG namess!!>.<

Cute samples: a plastic tube dipped in lipstick so this won't last long

Swatches: Invisible, Nude Illusion and Sherbet

Same swatches but with flash photography

3 samples with every order

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REVIEW

CLEAR Normalizing Cleanser
- $10.95 for 6 oz
- Bottle is sealed
- Gentle, water soluble cleanser
- Removes makeup, even waterproof but requires 2 washes unless you use a cloth/silicone cleansing pads/facial brush
- Does not foam, great for sensitive skin
- Does not leave skin dry after each wash
- Clear gel-like consistency with no scent/fragrance
- First step to killing bacteria that causes breakouts
- Definitely recommend this

CLEAR Regular Strength Targeted Acne Relief Exfoliating Toner Review (omg long name!):
- $18.95 for 4 fl. oz.
- Bottle is sealed
- This removes dull and dead skin and any left over makeup that the cleanser did not wash off
- Leaves my skin moisturized and smooth
- Feels like water
- Didn't have any scent/fragrance
- Didn't sting in anyways
- Didn't dry my skin at all
- Second step to clearing up acne prone skin
- Definitely recommend this

CLEAR Regular Strength Acne Fighting Treatment
-  $16.95 for 2.25 fl oz.
- Sealed squeeze tip
- Light weight lotion consistency
- No scent/fragrance
- Only need a little bit of this for the entire face
- Not sticky, not drying
- Great for spot treating or applied all over face before applying moisturizer

- Recommend this or the Clinique Acne Solution Clearing Moisturizer

Moisture Boost Hydrating Treatment Cream- $18.95 for 2 fl oz.
- Sealed squeeze tip
- Non-greasy, but it takes a longer time to absorb
- Diminish flaking skin almost instantly
- Leaves your skin looking moisturized and looking dewy/with a sheen
- No scent/fragrance
- Only need a little for the entire face
- Definitely recommend this

Skin Recovery Super Antioxidant Concentrate Serum with Retinol

- $24.95 for 1 oz.
- Best serum ever!
- It comes out like oil so you need the smallest amount for your entire face
- It starts off making your face oily but literraly after 15 seconds it gets absorbed completely into your skin
- Skin looks and feel younger, healthier, smoother, more radiant, moisturized and tighter :)

- The next morning after using this, I saw my acne scars peel so it helped speed up the healing process of my acne scars

- Speeds up the recovery of your skin and the renewal of your skin cells
- Can be used as a foundation base/primer

- Love this so much! and the price is very reasonable for their quality!

-I only had the 3 samples but I will definitely repurchase this when I see a better promotion/deal on her site!! This is a MUST buy

Weightless Body Treatment with 2% BHA
- $22.95 for 7 oz.
- Targeted to exfoliate body specially bumps found on the back of the arms also know as keratosis pilarus and also targeted for acne found in the body
- This product didn't work for me at all, I expect this to work instantly almost all the other products I've tried from Paula but this didn't improve my bumps one bit and it didn't help with my ingrown hair either =[
- Light lotion consistency
- Does not moisturize enough (need to apply body lotion after this which is why I don't use this everyday because I get lazy)
- No scent/fragrance
- Has a weird smell from the chemical itself, also smells a little like alcohol ><
- I don't recommend this

"Invisible" is almost like a lipbalm/lipgloss in a lipstick packaging
"Nude Illusion" and "Sherbet" looks very similar to me in real life just that sherbet is darker and has a brown undertone

Sheer Cream Lipstick SPF 15
- $10.95 each, the samples were only 60 cents
- Super smooth formula
- Very pigmented
- Shimmery finish
- Provides enough sun protection
- Didn't like the colours found in this collection
- Small variety of colours available
- Colours found in her site do not match what you get in real life
-Hard to wash off, need to actually rub a little longer with her CLEAR cleanser (I didn't use makeup remover before hand)
- Colour "Sherbet" has leftover shimmers on my lips after whipping it with a tissue
- I would recommend the invisible one to use as a clear lip gloss since it is so shiny/shimmery and has sun protection, the other two colours are okay, I don't hate it but I wouldn't buy the full size of those

Oil Blotting Papers

- This came in the CLEAR system set for free but sold individually at $6.95 for 100 papers
- Works well, but I can't give an accurate review since I don't usually use blotting papers (I have dry skin!)

- But these sheets seems bigger than others

- Thinner than others

- No colours or fragrance added

Overall

Overall, loving the CLEAR system from Paula's Choice, it seriously helped me get rid off all my acne and preventing them for reappearing in just one month!. You will see a decrease in redness and inflammation after one use only! and gets a lot better in one week and completely gets rid off all acne in one month!!

I think I also need to give credits to her moisturizer because it didn't irritate my skin like my previous moisturizers. Will be purchasing her serum to speed up the healing of my scars. Love her reasonable prices for the quality of her products. The only thing I don't like about her brand is that the packaging isn't attractive but I guess less money going into packaging means more money going in to the high quality of the product itself? I also dislike her colour selections for her foundations. I wasn't able to find something suitable for my skin colour (NC30-NC35 in MAC).

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Ok, I think that's all I've tried. Sorry if this was super long and boring but I wanted to get this out asap because I know a lot of people suffer from acne or just imperfect skin (let it be oily skin, acne-prone skin, dry/flaky skin, blackhead/white heads, indented scars, hyper pigmentation, sensitive skin, age spot, eczema, rosacea and dull or inflamed skin). I'm sure you will find something for your skin type concern from Paula. If you don't know what products to buy or to sample, you can always ask the staff working on their Live Chat. They will suggest some products and you can actually request samples sent to your house for free before buying full sizes so why not give this a try!

Thank you all for reading this long and boring blog post but I really hope this helps those who needs improvements in their skin condition and you have nothing to loose by just trying out some samples for free since her products work almost instantly so you don't have to try long before you love it! I was so glad I came across her (Paula Begoun) and this brand on CNN, The View and in The Dr. Oz show or else I don't think I will ever get rid of my acne!! 

 

CHEERS

**Alx**