And I'm back! I have 3 days off a week with a regular schedule so I thought I would get back into blogging!
This month I choose the Aveda smooth "Privé Box" from Topbox. I believe this was also an option for last month's privé box, so I was a little surprised to get it instead of the regular box. I'm glad I received the Aveda box because last month's box had only two items. A full size nail polish from China Glaze (rad!) and a boring pink blush from Pure+Simple (booooo!). I had two days to test everything out so I can give you a better review.
Anyways look at all these goodies!
Contents:
- Smooth Infusion Style Prep Smoother
- Light Elements Smoothing Fluid
- Damage Remedy Intensive Restructuring Treatment
- Hand Relief
- Foot Relief
- Tourmaline Charged Exfoliating Cleanser
- Tourmaline Charged Radiant Skin Refiner
- Tourmaline Charged Hydrating Creme
Available at Aveda stores, salons and spas across Canada
Animal testing: No, unless required by law. Basically when they sell their products in countries such as China the Chinese government requires them to test their products on animals.
Smooth Infusion Style Prep Smoother
"Exclusive plant infusion blend creates a smooth surface on hair"
Full size: $30 (100ml)
Two samples were included
Claimed benefits:
- Makes styling faster, easier.
- Exclusive plant infusion - a blend derived from organic aloe, maize and guar bean - creates a smooth surface on hair
- Organic tapioca defends against humidity for up to 12 hours
- Hydrolized wheat protein protects against surface damage from heat styling
Features their smooth infusionTM aroma, a fresh spicy citrus-floral featuring certified organic bergamot, certified organic palmarosa, Bulgarian rose and Australian sandalwood.
My hair gets greasy extremely fast, especially now that I have mostly natural hair (I'm dying to dye!) so whenever I use a smoothing product or leave in conditioner I do the following as soon as I get out of the shower:
- wringe out hair so it's not dripping
- apply treatment by rubbing it in my hands and applying from ends to roots
- twist hair up in a towel
- let hair sit for a few minutes. Usually I do my face/body routine and get dressed
- blow-dry and style
I find this method helps prevent applying too much product and turning into a grease ball in a couple hours.
Anyways, the first time I used this I did a blow out after and didn't notice a faster drying time or a noticeable change in smoothness. The second time I let my hair air dry and really noticed a faster drying time with a significant reduction in frizz. My hair has a cut that's meant to be styled so I can't really let my hair air dry and be comfortable leaving the house, but this would be great for low maintenance hair styles. The smell is a natural citrus grapefruit scent, not really floral and not overpowering. It does weigh my hair down a bit. I will use up the samples, but probably won't buy a full size. I like a little volume!
This is what the full size bottle looks like:
Light Elements Smoothing Fluid
"A fluid styling formula that adds shine and movement as it restores a healthy look and feel to hair"
Full size: $34 (100ml)
Claimed benefits:
A fluid styling formula that adds shine and movement as it restores a healthy look and feel to hair. Plant-based ingredients-like certified organic jojoba-help condition and smooth hair.
- Smooths, and conditions
- Dries with a soft touchable finish
- Adds weightless, free-flowing movement, body and natural shine
- For all hair types
This is more like a light oil where the Smooth Infusion is a cream. It also has a similar scent as Smooth Infusion, natural citrus. The first time I used this I applied a small amount after my blow out, starting at the ends of my hair. My hair was greasy within a couple hours. The second time I added it with the Smooth Infusion using my towel method and letting my hair air dry. This was probably the real reason for my hair being less frizzy. The combination of the two products is actually quite nice, my hair feels pretty soft and smooth. I would purchase this way before I would purchase Smooth Infusion.
Full size look:
Damage Remedy Intensive Restructuring Treatment
"Daily leave-in treatment instantly repairs damaged hair; helps protect against styling and detangles to prevent further damage"
Full size: $30 (100ml)
According to the pamphlet included in the box anyways. Totally wrong considering the product that was included is a weekly intensive treatment and says $31 (125ml)
Claimed benefits:
Intensive weekly treatment deeply penetrates to help repair, seal and smooth even the most damaged hair. Using the power of pure plant oils and quinoa protein, it restores health, silkiness and shine.
| - part of a four-step restructuring system |
| - helps strengthen hair weakened by chemical processes, heat styling and environmental exposure |
| - quinoa protein penetrates the hair shaft, working from inside to help strengthen and repair |
| - phellodendron and barley seal in moisture |
| - castor, jojoba and meadowfoam seed oils smooth hair's surface
This has a very natural spicy hippie scent, not a fan, but it doesn't stay in your hair. I used this in place of my conditioner and let it sit while I shaved my legs and whatnot and buffed my feet. I definitely noticed a difference! My hair felt immediately stronger after I rinsed. I will get this once my sample runs out, luckily my salon carries it.
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Full size look:
Hand Relief
"Incredibly rich moisture therapy soothes dry, chapped hands - leaving them noticeably softer and smoother"
Full size: $28 (125ml)
Claimed benefits:
Incredibly rich moisture therapy soothes dry, chapped hands-leaving them noticeably softer and smoother. Hydrating plant emollients, humectants, exfoliating fruit acids and anti-oxidants-including vitamins A and E-help diminish signs of aging and provide optimal relief. Increases moisture levels and elasticity in skin with continued use.
It has a fairly natural scent with a hint of citrus. It's very moisturizing and seems to take FOREVER to absorb so I like to use this before bed or if I'm planning on not doing anything with my hands for a while. I can see this working as an anti aging hand cream.
Full size look:
Foot Relief
"Treat your feet to a soothing creme blended with active herbs, fruit acids and plant derived oils"
Full size: $28 (125ml)
Claimed benefits:
If your feet have it rough, treat them to a soothing creme blended with active herbs, exfoliating fruit acids and plant-derived oils like jojoba and castor. Even tough, stressed feet are smoothed, cooled and moisture-charged.
- Invigorates sore, tired feet and legs
- Softens and smoothes calluses and dry patches
- Helps deodorize with lavender and rosemary oils
- Absorbs quickly
This has a very strong herb scent, not a fan of the smell at all. It does, however, do everything it claims. If the scent wasn't so overpowering I would pick more up once my sample runs out.
Full size look:
Tourmaline Charged Exfoliating Cleanser
"A daily cleanser with jojoba exfoliating beads helps increase cell turnover and remove impurities"
Full size: $38 (150ml)
Claimed benefits:
It's the first step in the tourmaline charged system—created to jump start a healthy glow.
- condition skin with creamy mango butter
This is a wonderful everyday cleanser. The exfoliation is gentle and the cleanser doesn't leave your skin tight after. Perfect for all skin types and has a very light earthy scent.
Full size look:
Tourmaline Charged Radiant Skin Refiner
"Creamy, clay-based scrub exfoliates with bamboo extract and energizes with tourmaline to leave skin radiant and refined"
Full size $50 (100ml)
Claimed benefits:
Dermatologist-tested. Non-acnegenic
I love this stuff! It is a stronger exfoliant than the cleanser so it should only be used a couple times a week. It has a strong clay smell. It's perfect for my dry/combination breakout prone skin. I've heard of some people saying it's too harsh as if they took sand paper to their face, but they are using it wrong. You're not supposed to apply a lot of pressure while using an exfoliant, you're supposed to gently rub in circles with minimum pressure. Scrubbing too hard will cause very bad damage, so be gentle! I will definitely be getting more once I run out of my sample!
Full size look:
Tourmaline Charged Hydrating Creme
"Hydrates, protects and infuses life and radiance into your skin"
Full size: $53 (50ml)
Claimed benefits:
Feel energy from nature. Finely-powdered tourmaline—a naturally energizing mineral—mixed with marine and plant extracts and 11 powerful anti-oxidants. Hydrating. Protecting. Infusing visible life and radiance into your skin—so it glows.
| - Protects skin from harsh environmental influences |
| - Leaves skin soft, radiant and optimally hydrated |
| - Minimizes the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles |
| - Ideal for normal to dry skin |
I hate this moisturizer! It's so thick making it hard to smooth into my face. It just pulls and makes my face red. The only way I could make it work is if I spritzed toner all over my face, placed little dots of moisturizer in key places then rubbed it around really fast. Not a nice product ha ha ha.
Full size look:
Overall I'm pretty happy with this month's Topbox! I love trying new products especially high end ones. On a side note I have also started a subscription with Ipsy. They seem to have more makeup samples which I love!
Until next time dolls and cats,
Bisque
