Hello my pretties! I'm a few months behind on my Topbox reviews and for a few reasons...

1. I moved mid-June so I packed away my camera super early and couldn't find it.
2. I worked a contract gig until mid-July so I was working 9am -5pm, then 5:30pm-8:30pm every night. Tack on an hour commute home and it made for long days.
3. I caught up on my Beauty Box 5 and Julep posts and then went away for the long weekend!

But, worry not. I've combined my awesome June Topbox with my mediocre July Topbox into one fantastic compendium post. In my opinion, this highlights the best and worst parts about Topbox, the difference between the highs and the lows of this (relatively) low-cost subscription box.

June 2014 - The Good

When the monthly Topbox survey came around, I 'wished' for a Prive box this month. For those not in the know, every month Topbox has a small number of special boxes from featured brands and you can request them, and if you're lucky, you get it!

And lo' and behold? I lucked out and got the Deborah Lippmann Privé box with Across the Universe and Swagga Like Us.

These polishes are not only gorgeous, but they also retail for at least $20 each so for $13.56 I received a high-end pair of polishes that cost over $40. NOT BAD.

July 2014 - The Blah

I wished for the Benefit Privé box and the mystery hair product Privé this month but received the regular Topbox, to my chagrin. Here's what I got..

CND Vinylux Top Coat - I'm running out of topcoat right now so this wasn't a bad thing to find in my box. I've never heard of this brand before but reviews online seem favourable? We'll see if it is worth the alleged $11.90.

CND Vinylux Wildfire - Yes, yet another 'classic red' nail polish. Blah, if there's a colour I NEVER need to see again it's this type of red! I'm sure it's nice, but I'm swimming in this colour. I'll put this up for swapping or something.. Worth approximately $11.90.

StriVectin-SD Eye Concentrate for Wrinkles - Yup, yet another anti-aging product (we all know how I feel about this) despite promises from Topbox that my current profile won't receive anti-aging. Sigh. Worth $15 apparently? But more like $0 for me.

The Balm Cosmetics - Long-wearing Powder Staining Blush - Swiss Dot - This sample says FREE SAMPLE on the back. Sooo, this is worth $0.00? It's a really cute sample otherwise, of a truly long-lasting blush that gives a nice hint of rose on the cheekbones. The little book itself is styled as a mini-magazine called 'Instain' (precious!) and has a magnetic clasp to keep it closed in your makeup kit. I just wish it was BIGGER! (Don't mind the gouge, I did that because I'm a klutz.)

I know I'm not the only one underwhelmed by this box, but here's hoping next month is better. For $13.56 I received only $24ish of usable products... I already emailed Topbox and they promised a replacement for the anti-aging product and I was very satisfied with my replacements last time, so here's hoping!

The update

I emailed Topbox the day I received yet another anti-aging product in my box. They apologized and said they would send me a replacement product immediately. I was surprised because usually they put the products in your box for NEXT month, but a few days later a new envelope arrived from Topbox with a deluxe sample of Philosophy's Purity cleanser and Miracle face-mask! I was thoroughly impressed with the customer service. Yet another reason I'm sticking with them.

Did you get a Topbox this month? How'd you do?