August Luxe Box Review

If you've been reading my previous blogs, you'll recall that I was a bit disappointed with the last few Luxe Box offerings mostly due to the fact that Loose Button had included samples from the same brand as in previous months' Luxe Boxes.   I had hoped that this month's Luxe Box would redeem Loose Button, and I wasn't disappointed.

As in previous month's, the outside packaging hadn't changed, but when opening the box, I noticed new black tissue paper in place of the usual teal ...

Under the dark tissue were this month's samples:

L to R
~ Sheyna Handmade Earrings
~ Pur Minerals 4-in-1 Pressed Mineral Makeup
~ City Lips Lip Plumping Treatment
~ Proclaim Cocoa Butter Hand & Body Cream
~ Calvin Klein Forbiddn Euphoria Fragrance

According to my little personalized note, I was one of a select few to receive a Pur Minerals sample.  I definitely look forward to trying it, however, note the color is medium, which may be a bit too dark for my complexion.  I'll give it a whirl though, and seeing that it's summer, a little color isn't a bad thing.

Next was the City Lips Lip Plumping treatment ... I had not heard of this brand before receiving the sample in my Luxe Box, and I'm really not sure how I feel about it.  I'm not much of a lip product person.  I rarely wear lipstick or lip gloss but do wear lip balm to relieve my dry chapped lips.

I was excited to see the Proclaim Cocoa Butter lotion included in this month's box.  Living in Canada, my skin can get quite dry - especially in the winter - and I'm never without lotion in my purse.

I was also excited to see the Calvin Klein fragrance sample.  I have a couple of the Calvin Klein fragrances but not this particular one - which smells wonderful.

Lastly, I was very impressed to see the Sheyna jewelry sample included in this month's box.  The earrings are very dainty and will be wearable with a lot of different outfits.

All in all, I was very impressed with this month's Luxe Box.  I was seriously contemplating not renewing my subscription when it came due in October, but can definitely say Loose Button has redeemed themselves with this month's box.  If the next few Luxe Boxes are as awesome as this month's, I will rethink not renewing my subscription.

Another Alternative to Birchbox for us Canadians

OK, I'm sure most of you have heard of Birchbox - a subscription service where each month you receive a selection of 4-5 samples from skincare to makeup to cult beauty tools, from well-known brands as well as up and coming brands.  Unfortunately at this time, Birchbox only ships to the US.

For us Canadians, we really had no alternative until Loose Button came on the scene with their Luxe Box.   Loose Button launched their Luxe Box by invitation to founding members  in the early Spring - at a cost of $10/month.  They have, however, just recently opened up their service to the public and raised their price to $12/month.  

I have generally been happy with my Luxe Box offerings, however, have noticed that over the course of the last few months, I have received samples from the same brand on more than one occasion (see my review here).

I've recently become aware of another such service available to us Canadians - the Glymm Box.  As with Loose Button's Luxe Box, this is a subscription service where you receive 4-5 deluxe samples, however, the cost for the Glymm  Box is only $10/month.

I think I'll give Glymm Box a try for a few months and see how the two services pair up against one another, and if Glymm Box is as awesome as I've heard, I just may not be renewing my Luxe Box subscription.

Let's Get Naked!

I finally got my hands on one ... yes, the Urban Decay Naked Palette

So, what are my thoughts ...

Let me say one thing: this palette is NOT overrated ... Not at all ...

These shades are beautiful, there are some mattes, some shimmers. One in particular, sidecar, is a lovely champagne shade with silver sparkle to it. I really think this palette is universally flattering.

All of the colors are amazingly pigmented and super wearable. The pan sizes are generous. And the added bonus of the double sided pencil and the mini UDPP are just the cherry on top of the sundae.  I can see a person who only wears neutrals, buying and using only this palette forever.  If you already have a lot of browns and nudes, then you probably don't need this palette.

The only gripe I have is that the shimmery ones produce a bit of glittery fallout, so you have to apply those in layers otherwise you'll get glitter cheeks.

Believe the hype ... Everything good that people say about this product is true. I've definitely become a fan of Urban Decay eyeshadows.

A Late Review - June & July Luxe Boxes

I want to apologize for being so late in reviewing my June and July Luxe Boxes from Loose Button ... summer is a very busy time for my husband so in turn, because he has a home office, that means I am busy LOL.

But onto the reviews ... As the external packaging for the Luxe Box hasn't changed, I won't bother posting pictures of it.


June Luxe Box

This month's Luxe Box included these samples:

L to R
~ Joico K Pak Color Therapy Restorative Styling Oil
~ Laura Mercier Eye Color - Twilight Grey (full size upgrade!)
~ Dermatologica Shaving Cream & Daily Clean Scrub (for the man in my life)
~ Consonant Skincare Face Wash

This was the second month my Luxe Box had both a Dermatologica and Consonant sample. I notice that this is becoming quite common with the Luxe Boxes, as previous Luxe Boxes had samples of the Elizabeth Grant products in more than one month's box. I really don't like this.

I was very happy to receive the Laura Mercier eyeshadow! I love the color and can honestly say I will be using it quite often.

The Joico styling oil was a nice treat for my color treated hair. I can see myself purchasing this and using it on a regular basis.

As for the Consonant face wash, I have had previous problems with my skin and am currently using Philosophy products which have cleared up my skin nicely. I would like to try it, however, don't want to chance a break-out so have given it to my hubby to use.

All in all, I was a little disappointed in this Luxe Box.


July Luxe Box

This month's Luxe Box included these samples:

L to R:
~ Essie Nail Polish - French Affair
~ Consonant Eye & Face Creams
~ Trucco Eye Liner
~ Stella in Two Peony Fragrance

Unfortunately when I opened this month's Luxe Box, I was very disappointed that there was another Consonant skincare sample included. This would be the third month a sample from this company had been included in a Luxe Box. I am all in favor of promoting Canadian businesses, however, I don't think you need to keep sending samples from the same company month after month.

The Essie nail polish in French Affair was a nice sample. I don't really wear lighter pink nail polish colors, but will give it a try to at least see how it holds up to chipping, etc.

I was a bit surprised that the Trucco sample was labeled as an eye liner. The color is more of a lip color than an eye liner. I doubt I'll use it as an eye liner, but may use it as an eye shadow.

The Stella in Two Peony fragrance sample smells divine. I can see this being a great spring/summer fragrance and would definitely think about purchasing this for myself.


My biggest disappointment in the June and July luxe boxes was that there were samples included from the same brand as previous luxe boxes. I'm hoping that in the coming months, we'll be receiving new and exciting samples rather than samples from the same brands.