September 2012 Glossybox: A must-share!

Let me start off with a few updates about my current beauty box subscriptions.

1. I had discontinued my Glymm subscription since June 2012.

For new members, the price has been increased from $10/mo to $12/mo before taxse. As an existing member, I retained my rate of $10/mo, but I didn’t think it was worth $12/mo for 4 items. They replaced the cardboard Glymm Boxes with makeup pouches in the name of reducing waste. In all honesty, I think it’s better to recycle a cardboard box than to accumulate a mountain of makeup pouches. They’re nice, but they’re probably contributing to the raised price, too. Most importantly, the items were consistently mediocre. The “deluxe-sized” samples were small, and I got way too many packets (I hate packets – you get them for free at the mall) and perfume samples. I would always find at least one item intriguing, two at best. It wasn’t worth paying for miniscule samples and one good item.

2. I am still consistently pleased with my Glossybox.

Which is why I will be sharing the latest one with you – I’m way too excited about it not to. HOWEVER, it seems that they no longer use referral links, which means I actually have to send out an email to friends who are interested. I have emailed them to ask them for a new referral link, but in the meantime, I’d appreciate if you’d use me as a referral by leaving me a comment or a message

3. I am getting my first Topbox this month!

I have high hopes. We will see.

And now, without further ado… here’s the September 2012 Glossybox!

That awkward moment after you haven’t seen each other in too long

Like when you run into an old acquaintance at the grocery store after work, frazzled from a long day, trying to rush so that you could get home and prepare dinner while thinking about the forty other deadlines clamouring for your attention. You distractedly try to carry on a conversation, while being painfully aware how obvious it is that you’re not quite sure how to conduct yourself after such a long separation.

That is how I feel about blogging right now. And how I have been feeling about it for a while. So now the question is: how do I re-enter the blogosphere gracefully?

My last post lamented my lack of blogging when I worked full time over the summer. Then I had went on vacation to Hong Kong and upon my return, had to prepare for school. I had figured that I’d be able to blog during school as I had previously, but it turns out I had severely underestimated the difficulty and the workload.

I do want to thank everyone for their kind inquiries regarding my absence. Each put a smile on my face. And I assure you that I hold you close at heart. In fact, sometimes I find myself commenting on the weather in Vancouver, the lack of Sephoras in Belgium, the lackluster malls in Ottawa, the shopping in India, cosmetics available in Singapore, and so on and so forth. And my friends look at me oddly and wonder how I know these things.

I can guarantee nothing but my promise to try to keep up. There is so much I want to say. If only I could type as fast as I think! It would sure help with school. Wouldn’t we all have so much more time?

Blogging is not easy. It really isn’t.

I just finished my first week at my summer job, starting the second, and I came to several devastating realizations.

1. I have no life.

Seriously. I’ve got work 8:00-4:00, but I have to travel over an hour each way. This means I have to get up at 6 am and go to bed by 11 pm to be able to do it all over again the next day. By the time I get home it’s around 5:30, which gives me enough time to help with dinner, eat dinner, clean up after dinner, and shower before going to bed. If I’m playing badminton, I would head out right after dinner, jump in the shower afterward, and hope that I can get up the next morning. I don’t have energy to think, let alone blog. Any time I have left over is inevitably filled by family obligations and social calls.

I believe a much-deserved shoutout should be given to all you bloggers who work full time jobs and yet are still able to blog each day, or quite regularly at the very least. I have no idea how you do it, but my respect for you all has been elevated to new heights.

2. Not only can I not blog, but I can’t read blogs either. 

I have been deprived of the time and energy to blog, so I thought that I would at least be able to browse your blogs when I have off-time at work. I work fast, and so have more free time than most. I really didn’t think it would be appropriate to blog at work, but I thought I could at least enjoy my daily blog reading. But no. My organization has blocked access to all personalized web content (blogs most definitely included). Which means I can’t even pass the time by catching up on everyone – no WordPress sites work. I am not a happy camper.

3. I am still not unpacked. 

My goal had been to completely clean out my room and unpack everything I’d brought home in the free week I had between exams ending and work beginning. All I have managed thus far is unpacking some of my clothes and reorganizing my dressers so that I have somewhere to put the unpacked clothes. I’d cleared off my desk (by stacking everything into several mountains in a corner), but it’s already beginning to lose visible surface area again. That was a huge fail.

4. My summer night class starts this week. 

I can expect time to be in even shorter supply when classes start. I think this pretty much speaks for itself.

5. I have gained weight since coming home.

Why must food in Toronto be so tasty and inexpensive?!

L’Oreal Infallible Le Rouge lipstick: Swatches and review

On my recent Shoppers Drug Mart (SDM) haul, I redeemed my Optimum points for $85 CAD worth of merchandise. Amongst my freebies, I picked up some L’Oreal Infallible Le Rouge lipsticks. If you didn’t know, I’ve only very recently ventured into the world of lipstick, thanks to the influence of angelandthings.

The L’Oreal Infallible lipsticks were on sale for $7.99 CAD each – I spent quite some time swatching promising colours on the back of my hand. Here are the results of my efforts!

I know it looks very funny, mostly because my image editing skills are close to nonexistent. But all I really did was take pictures to remember exactly what I had swatched in order – so I just cut and paste the labels (saves me having to type out every name). This was done in-store, obviously, under bright fluorescent light.

April 2012 Glossybox: Late!

I know it’s May, but my April Glossybox didn’t arrive until May 1st, and I had to go pick it up because it was sent to the wrong address >=[ I’m not so thrilled about that. There has been a huge headache over the whole change-of-address issue, where Canada Post refused to change the shipping address, even before it was shipped out. They insisted on waiting for the package to be returned to the sender. Why waste manpower and resources like that? Anyway, let’s check out the box!

Like the March Glossybox, this one was pretty weighty with lots of large-sized samples.

Hauling with Optimum points

I’m always looking for the most economical means to satisfy my shopping needs. That includes taking advantage of points programs, gift with purchases,  and sales! Most unfortunately, these seem to reel me in much more than they help with my lack of funds… Hm…

One of my favourite places to shop is… Dollarama! Although you really need to have time and patience, because it’s notoriously difficult to find what you’re looking for – and to walk out with only what you were looking for. I was only trying to find a glass jar, and ended up with cute extras that I couldn’t help buying.

Win a Benefit Cosmetics gift set from Topbox!

I’ve been talking about these contests as being for Canadians, but in all honesty, I have no idea if it is open internationally. I just assumed it was for Canadian residents because Topbox is a Canadian company. Nevertheless, it wouldn’t hurt to try, right?

Contest ends May 1st!

Please enter as my referral, if you like!