Bellabox - November 2012

My Bellabox took ages to arrive this month. I got the tracking email on the 15th and didn't receive the box til the 21st. I think I may have been dropped from the first shipment which is sad for me as I loved being able to share the contents straight away, letting the impatient among you get a sneek peak.

Anyway......

The contents of this months box were worth the wait. There so much value here.

This month I received:

Bioderma:
Sebium H2O Cleansing Water
20ml mini
I am not really a fan of cleansers that you don't wash off your skin. Aren't you just leaving a film of cleanser, make up and dirt on your face that you could easily have rinsed off? I gave this product a try and it did a very good job of removing make up but my face felt much cleaner once I'd splashed some water on it.

4me:
Nail Polish Remover Pads
30 full size
A very convenient way to carry some nail polish remover and a good size for traveling. The acetone free formula is gentle on nails and cuticles but probably wouldn't cope with glitter polish removal. It is very oily.

I wonder if I could reuse the packaging with my own remover and pads inside?

David Jones:
Beauty Radiant Moisture Day Cream
30ml full size
I tried this as a night cream as it doesn't contain a sunscreen. I find it surprising that an Australian brand would leave sun protection out of a moisturiser marketed for daytime use. Regardless, this smells lovely and absorbs nicely into the skin.

Rose-Hip Vital:
Rosehip Oil
30ml full size
Certified organic cold pressed rosehip oil.
If you haven't included rosehip oil in your beauty routine already, you should. I've been using it for about a year and it is fantastic. Full of vitamins, antioxidants and fatty acids this might be the best thing you ever do for your skin. Mix a few drops with your favourite moisturiser or apply alone after cleansing. Massage it on your cuticles, hands or to fade scars. A truly multipurpose product. I love rosehip oil.
This product is a very generous size at a reasonable price.

I may have to do a post on rosehip oil.

Swisse:
Hand Cream with Vitamin F and Pomegranate
30ml mini
Lovely. Watch for a post soon in my hand cream review series.

Palmolive:
Luscious Mango Body Butter Body Wash
50ml mini
Smells delicious! Not overly drying on the skin. Is there much else to say about a product like this? I wouldn't really consider it a luxury product but I am very happy to receive it. A great size for travel.

Bloom B Collection:
col-lecta colour cheek tint
Full size 5g
A shimmery cheek tint in a neutral shade. Perfect for the current party season.

What a fantastic box this month. I can't wait for the xmas edition!

Lust Have It - November 2012

Today I received my Lust Have It pack for November! It sure seemed to arrive quickly this month.

The LHI Facebook feed has been packing with interesting things this week and I loved the warehouse sneak peaks and newsletter. Well done LHI!

Now on to the goodies.

 

This month I received:

ModelCo:

Fibre Lashxtend Mascara

Full size

 

 

This is a new release product that claims to give a false lash effect. It has a handy little mirror on the back of the tube. This product applies easily and the brush separates the lashes perfectly. I like this a lot and will definitely use it.

Evodia:

Coconut and Lime Roll On Fragrance

15ml full size

 

 

This cute little fragrance is a good size to fit in your bag. I got the Coconut and Lime variety but there was also a SummerTime and a Mango and Pink Grapefruit version. This has a pleasing scent that makes me want a Pina Colada. I would have likely chosen one of the other varieties if I had chosen this for myself. Anyone want to swap?

 

A buy one get one free voucher was included for the Evodia website.

GKMBJ:

One Minute Treatment

30g mini

 

 

A one minute hair treatment that claims to repair, restructure, nourish and moisturise hair. I think scent is really important with hair products and this one has a chemical, sunscreen odour. This may be a fantastic product but I don't really want my hair to smell like that.

Aviva Inspires:

Skin Glow Light Tan Extender

30ml mini

 

 

I don't use sunless tanning products. I find that once they've been on my skin longer than a couple of hours they develop an odour I find unpleasant. Does anyone else get this?

Star & Rose:

Hologram Tweezer

Full size

 

 

The soap roses from last month may have been a bit of a dud but these cute tweezers are great. They have a shiny shiny pattern and a good grip. I tidied up my brows with these today and they did a nice job of grasping even very short hairs.

Everything came packaged in another purple make up bag. The product card says that this is the last month that we will get the bags, with a new range of collectible packaging out next month.

I feel that there is a good amount of value this month, even if I won't use all the products. What do you think? What did you receive this month?

Lust Have It - October 2012

Ahh, the long awaited LHI box has arrived!

This month I received:

Waxaway:
Ready To Use Strips
Sample. 4 strips and 1 aftercare wipe.
Hypoallergenic, ready to go wax strips. I don't really know what else to say about these.

Elizabeth Arden:
Red Door Aura EDT
5ml mini
Scent is a very personal thing and is difficult to choose for someone else, even if its someone you know well. This fragrance is pleasant enough, but it isn't for me. The description on the card is quite accurate, it is a 'bright floral'. I have had enough of fragrance samples lately. I wish LHI would give them a rest for awhile.


Say It With Scent:
Rose Hand and Body Lotion
30ml mini
I will review this properly as part of my hand cream series. Smells lovely, if you like roses. Lightly moisturizing.

Star & Rose:
Rose Confetti Soap Petals
3 x 4g. Full size.
Lovely rosey scent. I will probably give this to my mum, along with the Red Door.

Montaser:
Renitence Eye Revival Cream
Unknown size mini.
Claims to visibly reduce dark circles, wrinkles and puffiness in 14 days. I don't like the look of this product, but I will try it anyway. The cream is a yellowish brown colour that looks yuk. Like the last eye cream I received in a beauty box, I'll be trying it on one eye only. If it works I will post about it again. The little container it came in is cute, but the labeling could do with a more professional finish.

I also received two promotional cards. I don't really like getting these cards, it seems like a cheat to boost the value of the box. Just my opinion.

I did not receive additional products with my VIP membership this month.

I'm a bit disappointed again this month. When you compare the contents of recent LHI boxes to some of the older ones the quality just isn't the same. The insert this month focused very strongly on the Pink Ribbon Hamper, not the box itself. I wish LHI would focus more on their core business. The Pink Ribbon Hamper was also sold out before any monthly boxes were received.

There is a growing degree of negativity on their Facebook page that I believe LHI needs to address immediately if they want to remain a major player. Bad publicity is bad.

What did you get this month? Did you like your selection? What would you like to see more or less of in your box?

Bellabox - October 2012

This month is the first birthday of Bellabox! Congratulations ladies, you've made it through your first year.

Of all the beauty subscription services that have come and gone this year it's no surprise to me that Bellabox are still going strong. Their customer service is impeccable, their products are high quality and their team is fantastic. I have never had a negative interaction with this company. I hope they continue to provide a premium service for many years to come. I'd also love to see some more specialized boxes come out like a hand and nail box, hair care boxes where you can specify your hair type, or a dedicated fragrance box.

I've decided to post about boxes a little later this month, once I've had a chance to try all the goodies out properly.

This month I received:

Chocolatier:
Pink Heart Chocolate
This was the first item I tried from this months box. Delicious! It was very good motivation to get the photo done so that I could eat the chocolate ASAP.

Sally Hansen:
Insta-Dri Nail Polish - Sonic Bloom
9ml full size
Nail polish! Woot! I love getting polishes. Sonic Bloom is a BRIGHT neon pink. Good coverage, smooth application. The pic below is two coats.

Carmex:
Moisture Plus Ultra Hydrating Lip Balm in Sheer Pink
2g Full size
I'm not usually a big Carmex fan because of its fragrance but this pretty, soft pink balm may just have converted me. It applies smoothly, leaving a hint of gorgeousness and just the right amount of shine. Beautiful.

DKNY:
Fresh Blossom Eau So Intense
1.5ml sample
Floral, citrus and apple blossom notes in this fragrance sample. Whenever I try new scents I tend to find them very strong and this one is no exception. Considering the name it's not really surprising. Having said that, I quite like this fragrance and will definitely use this sample to the end.

E.L.F:
Essential Brightening Eye Colour - Nouveau Neutralis
Full size
A neutral eyeshadow quad. If I hadn't just bought a bunch of NYX eyeshadows (which are amazing!) I'd probably be more impressed with this. The glitter particles in two of the shades are a bit large for my taste and the colours are not quite as highly pigmented as they could be, but at $3.99 you cant expect perfection. The other two shades apply nicely with a brush and are useable daily colours. I think this product is good value and a nice addition to your neutral palette.

Estée Lauder:
Resilience Lift instant Action Lift Treatment
5ml mini
Claims to lift and firm skin, boost collagen production and elastin retention. To be honest, I don't have any areas on my face that need lifting and firming, so I can't really comment on those claims. However, this cream makes my skin feel very smooth, it's not too heavy and it absorbs rapidly. As it isn't really suitable for my skin and the full size product costs is quite expensive I will not be buying this item in the near future.

Clinique:
Turnaround Concentrate Radiance Renewer
7ml mini
I'm excited to see Clinique featured in this months box and I hope to see more samples from them in the near future. After using this product for the past 5 days I think my skin feels softer and smoother. I will probably buy this product next time Clinique have a gift with purchase promo.

Cedel:
Blow Dry Faster Heat Protector
165ml full size
I don't blow dry my hair. I don't even own a blowdryer, so you'll have to look elsewhere for a proper review of this product. The can was also dented, but as I won't be using it I'm not really that fussed.

So many goodies! I am very pleased with this months box.

What did you get this month? Were you pleased with your pack?

Lust Have It - September 2012

This months Lust Have It goodies come packaged in a pretty silver makeup bag. This is my favourite of all the coloured bags I've received so far, but honestly, how many bags does one woman need? I'd much rather get another item in my box than another bag.

I get sent the Luxe and Luscious pack and it's usually great. This month I'm not as impressed as I have been.

This month I received:

Aum:
Gentle Facial Foam Cleanser
20ml mini
This cleanser smells lovely, flowery and herbal at the same time. I will give this a try but I'm quite happy with the skincare routine I currently have and I already have a bunch of items to try. Unless this cleanser is AMAZING I most likely won't buy it.

A $10 off voucher when purchasing two Aum products from Myer was included.

YSL:
Opium Vapeurs De Parfum
1.5ml sample
I hate this. I sprayed it once and threw it away. I will never buy it. It is a very mature scent, something I'd expect a grandmother to wear.

There was a voucher included for a complimentary YSL makeover. I will not use it.

Mirenesse:
Icon Sealer 24hr Concealer
1.5g mini
This was listed as 'Ace of Base' on the information card but is actually called Icon Sealer on the tube and the Mirenesse website. It's very pale, even for my fair skin but it's a decent concealer. It blends well on the skin and provided good coverage. Personally, I thought it accentuated fine lines around the eye, so I wouldn't use it as a lid primer but I would definitely use it elsewhere on my face.

There was a voucher included for the first 1000 people to receive a Cats Eyes eyeliner. I will update this post if I get one. I don't think it's very fair to the people who always receive their packs much later to include offers like this.

Davroe:
Colour Senses Ends Repair
50ml mini
A leave in conditioner that protects coloured hair, seals the hair cuticle and promotes shine. This smells lovely and I will certainly try it but I sure do end up with a lot of hair products from monthly boxes!

A voucher was included for a free Davroe styling product. I registered at the website but have no idea how I was meant to 'select my favourite stockist' or redeem the offer. I give up.

Morrissey:
Body Balm
40ml mini
The info card listed a hand and body lotion but I got this body balm. Fragranced with blood orange and lime this left my skin feeling soft and smelling beautiful. It absorbed quickly into my skin and didn't leave a sticky residue. I'm not a fan of the chrome coloured plastic lid though. It makes this luxury brand look a little cheap.

In all, there are a couple of products here that I will use but the majority are a flop this month. I do NOT like getting a bunch of vouchers, I want products! That's what this subscription box idea is all about isn't it? Products.

Oh well, there's always next month.

What did you think of your box? I welcome all genuine comments.

Bellabox - September 2012

 

This month I did it! I didn't peek at the Facebook page or hunt down any blog posts on what might be on the way in my Bellabox! I did stalk the tracking site, but only a little :)

I just had a shower and used most of these products, my comments are below.

This month Bellabox have sent me:

Bioderma:
Sebium Foaming Gel
Sample 10ml
Facial cleansing gel. Soap and alcohol free, good for sensitive skin. There is probably 3 or 4 uses in this sample. It felt nice on my skin, wasn't too drying but I'm not willing to make a decision based on one use.

Sebium AKN Purifying Corrective Care
Sample 5ml
A moisturizing cream that helps clear the skin. I'm looking forward to trying this, but as it doesn't contain sunscreen it will be a night time only cream for me.

Benefit:
It's Potent! Eye Cream
Sample 3g

Adorable little pot and luxe packaging. This cream is meant to fade dark circles and smooth fine lines. I've had dark circles forever and have tried many creams with little to no success, so I'm very skeptical about claims to lighten them. However, I am more than willing to give this a go. I tried it on one eye only so I can see if there is any visible difference before I consider buying a full size version. I'll post about this again if it's a winner.

Savior Faire:
Concealer Kit
Sample palette
4 shades of concealer and 2 of powder in this credit card sized sample. Apparently you can also use this after foundation to sculpt your face, highlighting and darkening different areas, then finishing with powder. I tried this as a concealer but I'm far too lazy to sculpt myself with it. I used the two lightest shades with a concealer brush before applying foundation. I like this product a lot. It went on smoothly, not too thick as some concealers can be, blended easily and looked very natural.

USPA:
Beehold Gel
Sample 30ml
A gorgeous smelling hair product that creates body, enhances curls and provides humidity resistance. I have curly hair so I was very happy to receive a product that I may be able to use. This product does what it claims, my hair feels and looks bouncy. It's not the right weather to test out the humidity resistance.

You, Me & Everybody:
Sumptuous Skin Mousse
Full size 75ml
Fragrance free, non greasy moisturizer in a foaming formula. This was fun to use and is a nice, light moisturizer that soaked in very quickly. I wouldn't use it on my face and it's not really enough for my dry hands but this mousse is lovely on the rest of me. This goes further than you think so use a medium sized blob at a time. I can't help but wish this product DID have a fragrance. While there was no lasting scent from the propellants it did smell a bit 'chemical' as it went on. I would definitely buy this product.

Lust Have It - August 2012

Happy 1st Birthday Lust Have It!

Lust Have It have made it through their first year of business, no small accomplishment in this market. We've seen other beauty boxes disappear, some merge together. The fact that this box has stayed around is no accident, the quality of items included is generally very good. However, there has been drama. Anyone following the Lust Have It facebook page has read about at least some of it. With the Glossybox merger and the collapse of ILoveThisBox occurring around the same time I think the Lusty crew have had trouble keeping up with demand. The boxes have been going out a little later in the last couple of months and customer service was slipping. I think the quality of this months box and the activation of  VIP membership benefits signals that things are looking up, that the crew are getting on top of the logistics of moving so many boxes.

Some of the user comments on Lust Have Its facebook page were getting very ugly and to me they didn't all seem justified. I guess peoples anxiety about the status of their boxes is in a way a compliment to the business. Ladies are wanting their goodies so badly that they forget their manners.

I usually receive my box in the last half of the month. It just appears at my doorstep with no warning. I wish they would bring back postal tracking, I liked it a lot.

This month I was sent:

tanGo Tan Removal Cloth
Full size
Apparently this cloth is good for removing fake tan. I will never use it for that purpose as I don't use fake tan. However, microfibre cloths are great for skincare and I'll be using this one for that. I think I tried my first microfibre facecloth about 5 years ago, so this isn't a new concept but I certainly welcome a brand new one. You can buy similar items in the cleaning section of the supermarket for only a few dollars.

Bioderma Atoderm Cream
sachet 8ml
A body moisturiser. Fragrance free, hypoallergenic. I look forward to trying this out.

Tigi Catwalk Sessions Series: True Wax
Full size 50g
I have never used hair wax before. I'm not really sure if it will be a good product for my curly hair, heavy products tend to make it look limp. I also have no idea how I'm supposed to use it. Any ideas? This product smells lovely.

Aromatherapy Associates:
Rose Hydrating Face Mask
sample 5ml
Triple Renewing Moisturiser
sample 5ml
These both smell very feminine and pretty. The moisturising properties of these products will be very welcome at this time of year. I'm going to try these out tonight.

Shisedo Perfect Rouge Glowing Matte Lipstick
Mini 2.5g
This mini lipstick is adorable! When I first saw the coral colour of this I thought I'd never wear it, but when I tried it on it actually looks quite good if applied with a light hand. Win!

Wet n Wild Nail Colour
Full size 10ml
Nail Polish!! I could get nail polish every moth and still love it.I haven't tried this brand before. A vibrant hot pink creme, I have several shades in my collection that are very similar. I still love it. I'll swatch it soon.

Bonus Item:
Pearl stud earrings by Style Rocks.
This was a bonus item in celebration of Lust Have Its first birthday. Only VIP subscribers received them. They are lovely, a very elegant and classic look. Thanks Lust Have It.

I'm very happy with my box this month. What did you get?

Bellabox - August 2012

I love beauty sample boxes. Every month you get sent a beautifully packaged bunch of items you have probably never tried to test out in your own home. There's no salespeople pressuring you to buy things you're not sure you like yet, letting you and your goodies get better acquainted before you commit to any of them. It's a lovely little treat for yourself each month.

If companies opened up selling monthly sample boxes in areas other than beauty, I'd probably buy them too.

By the time I get my Bellabox tracking email I've probably been stalking their Facebook page for at least a few days, seeing if there's any hint of packages leaving their hands. I am a big fan of postal tracking. You know where your item is all the time. At work? You can easily see if a bundle of surprises will be waiting at your front door when you get home. I hope Bellabox don't ever stop having trackable postage.

If you can manage not to peek at blog posts like this one :) the contents of your box are completely unknown, a mystery. If, like me, you aren't very good at waiting, you will have some idea of what others have received, but not which version of the box YOU will get. More mystery!

This month Bellabox have sent me their 'Go Green' box. My version contains:

Phytocare:
Daily C 2 x 3.7g sachet
Vitamin C powder. This tastes a bit like Tang. It's quite yummy and the extra antioxidants are a welcome addition at this time of year.

Emerginc Skincare:
Kombucha Cleanser 3ml sample
Phytocell Cream 3ml sample
I haven't tried these yet but the sample packaging is cute.

Aveeno:
Daily Moisturizing Lotion 29ml sample
Contains oatmeal to protect skin and is fragrance free. This absorbed quickly into my hands, leaving them looking smooth, soft and feeling moisturized. A generous size, I look forward to using this again.

Luk:
Beautifood Lip Nourish 3g full size
I got the Lime and Ginger version, which is great as I love the smell of ginger! A neutral shade, this gave my lips a hint of colour and a subtle shine. I love this product.

Aurora Spa Rituals:
Rose Otto and Nettle Clarifying Shampoo 50ml mini bottle
Burdock and Rose Revitalising Conditioner 50ml mini bottle
These smell divine! I'm yet to try them and I hope they suit my hair. I have curly hair that looks like I've been electrocuted if I use the wrong products. I have my fingers crossed that these babies are friends with my moody hair.

Lush:
Ro's Argan Body Conditioner 45g tin
Packed with moisturizing oils and butters, this product is perfect for pampering winter-dry skin. I'm not usually a fan of creams with cocoa butter in them, as I find the chocolatey smell a bit overpowering but this one smells lovely. Not particularly rosey or lemony but still a very good smell. This one's a winner.

There is also a bonus offer in the box. Buy anything from the Bellabox shop in August and get a free 250ml handwash by You, Me and Everybody.

Bellabox have once again produced a fantastic box full of products. I love everything this month!

I'm already looking forward to what goodies might be in next months box.

Did you get something different in your box? What items are your favorites?

Bellabox July 2012

I've subscribed to a variety of beauty subscription boxes in the past. For those who don't know, you pay a monthly fee and get sent a box of beauty samples to try.

Currently I'm subscribed to two boxes, LustHaveIt and Bellabox.

This is my first package from Bellabox and I must say that I'm impressed not only with the selection of goodies but also with their excellent customer service.

This is the July box. The theme is Essential Beauty Buys. It contains:

Neutrogena:
Invigorating ultra-foam cleanser.
Full size 175ml.

Deep clean gentle scrub.
Sample size 15ml.

You, Me & Everybody:
Shady lady daily face milk SPF 30+
Full size 75ml

Almay:
Get up and grow mascara - black
Full size 6.2ml

Carmex:
Lip balm
Full size 10g

Bourjois:
Effet smoky eyeliner with brush - dark purple
Full size 0.89g

Body Shop:
2 x Chocomania body butter
Sample sachet 8ml each

Givenchy:
Neo eau de toilette (men)
Sample sachet 1ml

Mode Cosmetics:
Glitter nail polish - kiss and tell
Full size 15ml

Bellabox bag

What a huge amount of great stuff to try for only $15!

Looking forward to testing these babies out.

Do you subscribe to any beauty boxes?