April 2015 Birchbox

I thought it was about time that I tried the Canadian version of Birchbox. Years ago when Birchbox started offering subscriptions in the USA only, I was so disappointed that I could not subscribe. Now the company also ships to the UK, France, Spain, Canada, and Belgium.

Each monthly box contains five samples from a range of categories such as skincare, haircare, fragrance, lifestyle, etc. You can also fill out a beauty profile so that the company can get to know your beauty preferences. Subscriptions cost $10 per month plus $4.95 shipping.

The April 2015 box features products to celebrate the gorgeous season of spring. As you can see from the photo above, both the box and product packaging include colourful pops of pink and mint. Just the colours alone made me very excited to learn more about the products.

The first two items are for hair and skin. 12 Benefits Instant Healthy Hair Treatment detangles, hydrates, protects, and repairs damaged hair. I have been using this product for about a week before blow drying and I’m really enjoying it. It leaves my hair soft and shiny without weighing it down. I prefer to spray it on my hands first and then apply it to my hair because it is a very thick spray that collects in just one spot when applied directly from the bottle.

For skin recovering from the dry winter months, Perlier White Almond Revitalizing Body Butter improves tone and elasticity. I was very happy to receive this product as I love trying new body moisturizers, especially during shorts weather. It smells nice and is very hydrating.

The next item, the beautyblender double is something that I have been wanting to try for years. It’s a sponge that can be dampened and used to apply makeup with a smooth, natural finish. While most people use it for foundation, I can’t wait to use it to apply cream blush. It comes with a solid blendercleanser to keep it clean, and this month’s box includes a liquid blendercleanser as well. 
The last two items came in a little mint coloured box. The first item is a sample of Harvey Prince Hello Fragrance which boasts citrus and floral notes. While the packaging is very cute and the scent is energizing, florals are not my favourite so I will pas this on to someone else.

The other item in the mint box is a Jelly Pong Pong GLOW GETTER Highlighter packaged in a cute nail polish-style bottle. I love highlighters and can’t wait to try this pretty beige one.

Overall, I’m very impressed with my first Canadian Birchbox. At $10 a month, it is more affordable than some of the other boxes are out there, and the products sent (at least in this first box) are of great value—the beautyblender alone is worth $35! I feel as though it was $10 well spent since I know that I will use almost all the products. I look forward to seeing what I will receive in months to come.

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Paws & Play Pet Subscription Box Review

Today’s post features Paws & Play, an exciting subscription service for pets. This Canadian owned company is unique because it not only offers separate boxes for cats and dogs, but also a box for households made up of both feline and canine members.

Members can choose from Premium and Standard box options depending on how many items they would like to receive in each box, and monthly and quarterly shipping options are available. There are four different memberships for dogs based on breed size (small, medium, large, and giant) and one membership for cats. For dogs, there is also a box geared toward those who will enjoy the summer lounging and playing at the cottage. The combined mixed pet membership is the best deal, offering the largest amount of products for households with multiple pets.There is also a special gift box as well as a customizable box for both cats and dogs. The company also offers various charity boxes, a cookie of the month club for dogs, and a special birthday box (to be released on May 15, 2015) filled with new goodies and many freebies. For more information regarding subscription options, click HERE.

All subscription boxes contain safe, fresh, and healthy products for pets. Boxes can be modified for allergies and intolerances upon request. Subscriptions are available to those in Canada and the USA and start at $19.95 per month. Shipping on new memberships over $29.95 is free! You can also save 35% on your first subscription box using the code fur ball.

My pets were lucky enough to try the Mixed Pet Membership Box* which includes 5-8 items and is available for households with one or more dogs, one or more cats, and cat/dog families.

April 2015 Beauty Box Five

The April 2015 Beauty Box Five* features products to help us start fresh this spring and try something new after a long winter. If you are unfamiliar with Beauty Box Five, it is a subscription service that sends its members five cosmetic samples each month. The service is open to those in Canada and the USA, and subscriptions start at $12 per month. The best part is that shipping is free! The brands that Beauty Box Five works with are also very impressive (see them all HERE).

Now let’s talk about the April items...

1. Dancin’ Goat Hula Bliss Body Lotion | Retail: $17.99 for 8oz - This hydrating lotion contains natural ingredients such as goat’s milk, coconut oil, lavender, eucalyptus, and rosemary. I’m always on the search for the perfect hand cream, so I’m looking forward to trying this product.

2. Lasting Smiles Passionfruit Mango Organic Lip Balm | Retail: $4.99 for 0.15 oz - This full size product contains organic ingredients and also supports fair-trade global farmers and funds cleft surgeries for children (LastingSmilesCare.com). I really appreciate that Beauty Box Five included a product this month that makes a difference in the world. Not to mention, mango is one of my favourite fruits and also one of my favourite scents for lip balm.

3. Style Essentials TwinGloss | Retail: $2.50 for 0.03 oz - This non-sticky, super-shiny gloss includes two complimentary shades that mix upon application. I really like this concept and am happy to have received a sheer nude shade.
 
4. Incoco Nail Polish Applique Set | Retail: $8.99 - This polish strip set is my favourite item in this month's box. As a nail polish lover, it’s always nice to use a product that produces a nice design with lasting results and no drying time. I received a design called Painted Blossoms which features a white shimmery base with blue painted flowers. I have tried many brands of polish strips and Incoco is one of my favourites. In fact, I have reviewed three of their designs in the past, including Very Rosy, Tickle Pink, and Sweet Spots.

5. First Aid Beauty Facial Cleanser | Retail: $20 for 5 oz - This PH-balanced cleanser is paraben-free and safe for sensitive skin. I already use the First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Cream and look forward to trying this cleanser from the brand as well.

Overall, I am very happy with the April 2015 box from Beauty Box Five. This may be one of my favourites so far! The nail strips and two lip products are full size items and the skincare samples include a good amount of product. I’m looking forward to next month’s box and can’t wait to see what Beauty Box Five has in store for May.

April 2015 Glossybox

I see April as a month of awakening. The barren tree branches begin sprouting buds, blades of green grass reach through patches of leftover snow, animals emerge from hibernation, joggers dust off their running shoes, and those who have spent the long winter months keeping warm indoors start spending more time in the fresh air. Lucky for us, Glossybox wants to help with the awakening process this April with its high energy, limited-edition box. 

Not only is Glossybox known for including deluxe samples and full size products with its monthly subscriptions, it’s also known for sending these items in a pretty pink reusable box. 

Upon opening my April Glossybox*, I was surprised to see that it was not decorated in the company’s signature pink shade. Instead, the box features a Warhol era-inspired image in beautifully bright colours. It’s a true work of art!

As always, the items were carefully wrapped in pink Glossybox tissue paper and tied with a black ribbon.

This month's box comes with a makeup bag featuring a pop-art-inspired image in shades of red and pink. 

The first few products include a fragrance, a lip gloss, and an eyeliner.

The fragrance is Aerin from Waterlily Sun. It’s a bright floral blend featuring notes of Sicilian bergamot, dewy greens, delicate waterlily, jasmine samba, and warm musk. I love how this deluxe sample is in a cute little bottle with a spray applicator. It’s perfect for travel and will look nice on display on my vanity. 

Following the colourful, energizing theme, this Stained Gloss from Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics is perfect for giving lips a pop of spring colour. I received the shade Rhythm Box, which is a pretty red shade. Although these glosses look very pigmented in the tube, they are meant to be semi-sheer like stained glass and leave behind a reflective jelly finish. They are also vegan and gluten free. 

The third item in the photo below is a Gel Eye Glider from Julep in the shade Smoky Plum. I was very excited to receive this shade since I love purple liners. The gel formula of these waterproof liners is meant to set in 30 seconds and last for 10 hours which is perfect for the warmer months ahead.  

This month’s box also includes products for skin and hair. 

The first product is Estee Lauder Enlighten Dark Spot Correcting Night Serum. I’m really looking forward to trying this since I have some dark spots on my skin as a result of sun damage from my teenage years. 

The last item is Endz: Split End Mender & Preventer from Marrakesh, a nutrient-rich hair treatment that tames and repairs damaged hair while controlling frizz and static with argan oil, hemp seed oil, and hydrolyzed wheat protein. While I don’t have a lot of damage at the moment, my hair is already starting to frizz with the increase in outdoor humidity, so I’m looking forward to trying this product. 

Overall, I’m very impressed with the April 2015 Glossybox. The box is a great value with its assortment of skincare, haircare, makeup, and fragrance products from luxury brands. Like I explained in my post last month on the March box, I am so happy that Glossybox is shipping to Canada again. The box is $21 USD per month + $5 shipping to Canada. To subscribe or learn more about subscription options, click HERE.

In addition to the beautiful, limited-edition packaging included with the April classic box, Glossybox is also offering a limited-edition Mother’s Day Box this month. Click HERE for more information. 

I’m looking forward to seeing what Glossybox has in store for May!