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Monthly Box Comparison: TOPBOX


I am writing this post first because I don't have much experience with the actual boxes. I have received one that I got in a Facebook giveaway. I am using a lot of the information on their website to write this and will give certain personal thoughts but it won't be as detailed as the upcoming posts!

Name: Topbox
Website: www.topbox.ca
Price: $10 plus tax 
Amount of Samples: 4 deluxe samples
Subscription Options: monthly
Shipping Date: week of the 10th with tracking number

Basics:
Topbox started shipping their boxes in November 2011 and instantly became popular because of the sizes and brands of their samples. In the first box, the sent out a full-sized Deborah Lippmann nail polish and a full-sized Cake hand lotion. Because of this box everyone got so excited and ordered, there is now a WAIT LIST until June/July to get a box. 
The box is $10 a month (plus tax) and it is a reoccurring charge to your credit card so you don't have to order every month. Every month you are guaranteed 4 deluxe sized samples, maybe even full-sized samples. Each month, they try to customize products for each individual whether it be a scent, or colour, or hair colour.

Did You Know..?
On Facebook, Topbox posted that they made a mistake
 in February by sending out little sample sizes!


Packaging:
The Topbox packaging is completely different than any of the other boxes. It is actually not a box at all, it is a TUBE. The packaging of the tube is even 100% recyclable! Topbox is well aware of the Earth and being nature friendly. 
The tube is made out of recycled kraft paper. The way this material is processed takes less material and energy. The packaging is also smaller which means more tubes can fit in a truck, using less gas! The tubes are also wrapped in wall paper like material so that you can reuse the tubes for storage or giving away with a present inside! 
Want to know more? http://topbox.ca/about





Did You Know..?
Topbox posted on Facebook that people who 
review boxes should wait at least 5 days after the boxes 
are sent out to post a link on the Facebook wall!



Examples of Products: 
Like I said, I have only received one box myself. So I have other people's boxes to help me out with this part.
I received mainly skin care products and I didn't get any make up :(
To see my box click here!
One their website they used to have a link to see previous boxes but I can't find it! :( Now they have a brand page and you can click on the brand to see products they sent out from that brand. Right Here!
Topbox is the first company to do this, others just have the brands listed.
If you want to see sample sizes, I would go to youtube and look up the boxes if you haven't already or even google if you want a blog post. 
From what I have seen, samples sizes are always amazing and they are the biggest out of all the companies.
I feel like it is a guessing game on whether you will get a make up sample though so if you are in it for make up samples another box might be a better option.



Extra Perks:
Topbox has a couple extra perks to their boxes both including feedback surveys on samples received!
1. If you fill out a survey you have a chance of winning a full size product from that month. Topbox will pick 4 people to receive a full size product just for reviewing a product!
2. If you fill out a survey you get 10 points towards getting a free box! When you receive 1000 points you get a free box that month! 
Let's do some math:  
If you get 4 products a month and it is 10 points per survey = 
40 points a month
1000 points divided by 40 points a month =
25 months!!!!!
HOLY CRAP THAT WILL TAKE AGES!

It is a good idea, but maybe Topbox should reduce the amount of points for a free box.

Customer Service:
I don't have toooo much experience with their customer service. But from what I have had, it is really good. They always get back to you within a couple days. You can ask a general (not account specific) question on Facebook and they will comment there too! (or another customer!)
They are always posting links on Facebook and Twitter and they ask questions on things they want to know about you! They also post a sneak peak picture on their Facebook of the tubes from that month!


Personal Thoughts:
I truly feel Topbox is one of the best companies in Canada doing this! They stick to a schedule, the always have amazing sample sizes (true deluxe size) and they are on top of communicating with customers. Obviously the bad part about Topbox is the long wait list.
Some people are disappointed with their boxes if they see the first box (in November) because they want the full size nail polish and the full size hand cream but every month cannot be like that. So I would recommend looking up the most recent boxes so that you can see what the company is forming into.
I really liked my box in January. I was disappointed that I didn't get make up because that is why I like monthly boxes, but the sample sizes were better than any other box that month and that is what stands out to me. 
I have a million hand creams and face creams so to be honest I don't need anymore. But in my box, I got a foot cream which I hadn't gotten before and also a big size of shampoo and also different from any box, dry shampoo. I did unfortunately get a hand cream but what can you do? It was a decent purse size sample though!
Another thing is the perks. I had to look up the perks because I don't get my boxes monthly yet and don't really follow that stuff. But I think the chance to win a full size product, just from filling out a survey, is great. But I feel like having the free box be at 1000 points is a little ridiculous. I think Topbox should reduce that amount or increase the amount of points per survey. Because waiting 2 years for a free box is kind of pointless.


If you don't mind waiting to get a box or are not interested in the perks, I would recommend signing up to be on the wait list. It is a great company and I feel that they really succeed in expectations. I would definitely recommend this company to a friend (I have actually) but the wait list kind of puts everyone off.
I would recommend going on the wait list and subscribing to another box in the mean time.

Links:
-Caitlin xoxo

WILL YOU JOIN TOPBOX?
DO YOU HAVE EXPERIENCE WITH TOPBOX? 
WANT TO ADD ANYTHING? 

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Comparing the Monthly Subscription Boxes!

In January I said that I would do a comparative video on Glymm, Luxe and Top Box. I am STILL doing a video. 

I was originally going to compare the January boxes because that is when I received my Top Box. But Luxe Box made their January box different from what they normally do and I didn't think it was fair to compare something that wasn't going to stay and I was right because in February, it was normal(ish) again. (There was still a themed box)

So I am working on posting that video for next week. But I thought that some people might want to read about the boxes as well as watching the video or even just read. So I will be posting a blog post on each company and also my thoughts on each. I encourage you guys to right your thoughts about each box as well so people interested in the boxes can read multiple opinions. 

So I will be comparing Glymm, Luxe, Top and Glossy box. I will be using boxes that other people received for Top box as example and for my opinions because I have received one and each month has different versions of boxes. 
I know everyone has received one Glossy box and it was the first one to Canada. I was going to wait to review Glossy box but to be honest, I felt like the first one wasn't anything special. Depending on when I write that blog post, I will update it with my thoughts on the March box if it differs from my original thoughts. 

If you have something particular you want to see about the boxes to compare, comment below and tell me so I can add it in for you. :) 

But the posts will mainly contain major facts about each box (price, concepts, other "luxuries", examples of products, etc.) and also my opinions on each box, if I will stay subscribed or for how long.

So stay tuned for those! I should have those posted before the video! And to conclude the posts, I will do a summary type video :)

-Caitlin xoxo

WHAT DO YOU WANT TO SEE IN THE POSTS? 
I will be giving the companies the links, ANYTHING YOU WANT TO TELL THE COMPANIES?
WHAT DO YOU WANT TO SEE MORE IN BOXES?
WHAT BOX IS YOUR FAVOURITE SO FAR?

<3
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Glymm Box: February

This February Glymm box was sent out a little late. On their website it says that the boxes ship out the week of the 10th. In Glymm terms that means either the  3rd-10th or the 10th-17th. This month the boxes were shipped out on the 16th and 17th because they were waiting on a sample product (not sure what one though)
Glymm has unfortunately taken off the option for people to post on their facebook page so looking for reviews and posts on this months box was a little harder. You can comment on their posts still so most of the links are on the post where Glymm stated the boxes are shipping out. 
That is where I saw posts before my box arrived. (I am bad and look hehe) To be honest, I wasn't that impressed with other peoples boxes. When mine arrived, it wasn't as bad as I thought it was. Still wasn't super exciting but oh well.


The product card:


A coupon code for a sample product in the box:


Sula: Natural Shadow: "Keep your eyes looking flirty fresh with this trendy, easy-to-use Sula Beauty shadow. Enjoy playfully pretty eye shadow in gorgeous colours. They're long lasting, easy to blend and made with natural ingredients."


When I swatched this on my hand, it didn't have the greatest pigmentation. But a lot of the time eye shadows have a film over the top that you have to work through. The pigmentation got a bit better but not much after I really rubbed my finger on it. I still have to use it on my eyes though. The colour isn't bad though.
Full Price: $8 for 0.15oz.



 Natural Light:
 Flash:

 Size of packaging compared to a MAC shadow:

 Flash: (Left: one swipe , Right: multiple swipes)
 Natural Light:

Burt's Bees: Tinted Lip Balm: "This Tinted Lip Balm by Burt's Bees gives your lips a hint of colour with a soft sweet flavour. It was also voted Best New Lip Product by Consumers. It's made with natural ingredients that moisturize and condition your lips. This stuff really is the 'balm'."


I don't find this product too different from cheaper lip balms. The pigmentation is nice if you want something that isn't your lip colour. But would I purchase it again? If I wanted to try more colours and not so much the conditioning than yeah. 
Full Price: $7.99 for 4.25g.







 Natural Light:
 Flash:


 GlamGlow: Tingling and Exfoliating Mud Mask: "Lights. Camera. Action! Designed for Hollywood's entertainment industry, it tingles, tightens and lightens in 15 minutes so you are always camera-ready. Volcanic rock, French Sea Clay, and real pieces of Green Tea Leaf will give you super sexy, super radiant skin."


I have not used this yet because I haven't been home and I don't want a gray face when I am at my boyfriends (I think that would freak him out). I will definitely try it out next week. One thing I was disappointed about was the amount of the sample. Glymm says you can get 2 uses out of the sample but my tube was half full. So I am not sure. The first thing I noticed was the colour and how liquidy it was. 
Full Price: $78 for 50mL





Mai Couture: 2-1 Oil Blotting/ Bronzing Papier: "Beauty on the go? Mai Couture has the solution. This lightly powdered bronzing paper eliminates oil and gives your complextion a shimmery glow. No need to worry about carrying your makeup bag and brushes with you all day. Grab a 'papier' and keep your face flawless."


I kind of wish I got the blush papers but oh well. I have been wearing bronzer as blush recently. One thing I first noticed was that the bronzer is a little shimmery and when you touch it, it does get all over your fingers. So take the baggy with you :P I have not tried these on my face yet, but the shimmer might turn into a dewy finish to the skin. I was disappointed in the sample size because in a USA sample box (MyGlam Bag I think), they got a full booklet. Oh well, I did want to try them after I saw that and now I can.
Full Price: $24 for 100 sheets.




White Side: Blotting Paper 
Brown Side: Bronzer

Natural Light:
 Flash:

Total Value of the Box:

Sula Eye Shadow: $8
Lip Balm: $7.99
Mask: $10.92
Bronzer Sheets: $0.48

Total: $27.39

I thought this box was okay. It wasn't amazing. But neither was Luxe Box and no box has been recently. I still love Glymm even though their facebook page annoys me and I think their samples need to be bigger. :)

-Caitlin xoxo

WHAT DID YOU GET DIFFERENT IN YOUR BOX?
WERE YOU DISAPPOINTED THIS MONTH?
WILL YOU STAY SUBSCRIBED TO THEM OR SWITCH TO A DIFFERENT BOX?
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