Bellabox July 2014

Bellabox time!

My fave monthly parcel arrives again!! Wanna see what was inside?! I'll keep it short and sweet!

Ta da!!! 

This months theme was American Beauty! Love!

The contents: 

Nicole nail polish 

DB lip butter- coconut 

Derma doctor k p duty lotion 

Anastasia waterproof seal 

StriVectin sachet 

Yube all purpose cream

Opi- Nicole nail polish- this really is an all American red- super vibrant! Nicole is by opi so you know the quality will be there.

DB lip butter- coconut- smells delicious- I've used a few DB things and really liked them- this is ok but I probably wouldn't buy it again.

Derma doctor k p duty lotion- I like the idea of this- it's for the little bumps you get on the tops of the arm 'chicken skin' hence the picture of a chook. I don't currently have this skin concern but it surely will come in handy for other dry skin patches. 

Anastasia waterproof seal- genius. This is a clear weatherproof, waterproof seal that you apply over any mascara. Innovative and flawless. 

StriVectin sachet- I only just tried StriVectin a little while ago and was really impressed- you actually see a difference! This sachet might be saved for a travel bag- I've probably overdiscussed that I don't love sachets

Yube all purpose cream- I've had this before from Bellabox- it's just a little all purpose cream, nothing spesh but always handy! 

So that's the contents! The Anastasia, nail polish and lip butter all being full size make this months Bellabox ridiculously good value at $15! 

Highlight: Anastasia mascara seal

Lowlight: Yube cream

What would be your highlight in this box?! 

Please note- I subscribe to Bellabox at my own cost, my opinion is my own! 

StriVectin & Lanolips sampler

So lucky, the people at Trimex got in touch & I was sent a  lovely bundle in the post to try out!

In the package was some StriVectin product and some Lanolips! 

 Please note while I have been given the products I will tell you what I really think! 

Contents: 

StriVectin CC cream 

StriVectin eyecream 

Lanolips 101 ointment 

Lanolips 'rose' lip ointment SPF 15 

So first should we talk about Lanolips?! 

I must say I've never been tempted to try Lanolips before, I've always been a Clinique super balm lover or a paw paw ointment person- this product really took me by surprise and I'm really impressed. 

First impressions: When it first arrived, it was a cold night and the product felt really firm I really had to squeeze hard to get some out of the tube- within a second of being warmed on my fingertip I had a smooth, creamy, emollient ointment ready to apply. Lanolips glides on really smoothly and has a pleasant lip feel. I had one of those 'where have you been all my life' moments! 

Aftermath: This product improved the condition of my lips on the first use. I really like the staying power- lasts way longer than a paw paw and with better conditioning. 

Recommend to a friend: Yes! 

Swatch: Clear and Rose 

StriVectin products: 

Eye Cream 

Cc cream 

I am so so so impressed and will definitely try other products from StriVectin. The eye cream is a fantastic texture and I felt like I saw a difference in fine dehydration lines instantly and overnight. 

The cc cream offers spf 30+ and has a good coverage- see swatch for colour- it's neutral based which is best for correcting- see how it's got a little bit of a green hue? That my friends will take all your red troubles away! 

One really really important thing to note is that when you use such potent products as these- you must must must wear sun protection! That's the good thing about the cc- it contains spf. 

Swatch: As you can see a tad dark for white gurrrrrl over here but when I get my more is more spray tan happening, it'll be perfection 

All in all I really liked the StriVectin products and I would now go and check out what else they have to offer. 

Recommend to a friend: yes

Do you use Lanolips or StriVectin?? Tell me your faves!

Lust Have It Eco box Winter 2014

In one of the lust have it boxes- there was a voucher to try the 'Eco' box at a reduced price. It normally retails at $29.95 quarterly but I think I paid half that for this box. 

The product card: 

Let me jut st start by saying the packaging was a nightmare! It was filled with that shredded woody paper crap- needless to say- it went everywhere! My dog was trying to sticky beak and eat it and I was trying to see what was in the box but everything I took out only scattered the packfill even more! What a mess! 

The Contents: 

Natural Galmour Bronzer: leaked through three lids and a box- not for travel friends! The product itself is a good colour and has a fine texture- you just can't move it off your vanity otherwise your in for a gigantic mess! 

Sukin Cleanser: not irritating in anyway- leaves skin feeling soft and clean

Billie Goat Soap: I can't decide if I loved this because it is cut into the shape of a goat or if I love it just because it's good! It's not hard soap but it's not a glycerine soap- the texture is in between. Really silky- a good leg shaving soap. 

Jojoba oil: I just can't get excited about this- it's alright but you've tried one, you've tried em all. 

Karpati eye mask: this was a nice little treat to revive the eyes pepped the peepers! 

La Mav eye lotion: I used the entire sample consistently for a few weeks, it's calming, comfortable to use but nothing to write home about. It sort of pushes around until it either evaporates or sinks in wasn't sure which! 

Weleda shampoo & conditioner sachet: another hohum good not great/ nothing exciting product- it's fine, does an ok job but nothing spec. 

Overall I wasn't blown away- each item was fine in it's own way but nothing really rocked my socks- the Bronzer would have been the star product had it not leaked everywhere. Maybe this box isn't the right fit for me- if I wanted specialty products for specific ingredient/ ethical concerns- it might have been. Sometimes a rockstar hero product can redeem an entire box- unfortunately there was no star to steal the show! 

Highlight: goat soap 

Lowlight: La Mav eye lotion

What do you think of Eco box? 

Is it up your alley?

Lust Have It June 2014 FAB (fashion & beauty)

Lust Have It June 2014

Unfortunately I've been delayed it posting lately! Sorry!! A combination of this parcel being late, a new job, a bigger commute and study all getting in the way!

This months lust have it bag was a little boring (sorry lhi but it was) maybe that's why I'm posting late- nothing to write home about... 

The contents: 

Closer:

Teez nail polish (this months main affiliate) 

Orly travel files 

Toe separators 

John Plunket Glyco peel 

La Roche cream (got this in another too) 

Nuxe eye & face cream sachets

Teez nail polish (this months main affiliate): this polish is a dark red metallic- it's a bit moodier than I usually wear- will prob give this away  

Orly travel files: handy little purse pack of files 

Toe separators: they do what they say- handy again

John Plunket Glyco peel: these products are always good to try before you buy- this is a decent size to determine if you like it. Skin should be deliciously smooth after use. Tick! 

La Roche cream (got this in another too) I liked it in the other box and I liked it again- this product also smoothing and assists with preventing clogged pores. 

Nuxe eye & face cream sachets: don't get me wrong Nuxe products are really lush and nice- but I hate sachets- they're just a bit awkward- there's more than one use but once it's open it let's air in affecting to product. 

Overall this box was fine- it's all useable but it's not exciting to get a little sachet, use it twice and that's it. This lhi wasn't ground breaking but I guess it's hard to wow every month! I still really enjoy this monthly treat- while this box may not temp you to subscribe- see my other lust have it blogs because they are usually incredible value with some exciting products inside! Bring on the next! 

If you are keen to check out Lhi you can use the coupon below to get a discount! 

The card: If you want more info! 

What did you think? Did you get this bag? 

Bellabox June 2014... ICONIC

This year has gone so fast!! Is it just me??? It's late June & I'm reeling! Where has this year gone?! 

Bellabox June is here after a little supplier delay. Bellabox were great and emailed subscribers on the 10th to let them know in advance of said delay- points to them for that! It arrived on the 19th- so really not that that late. 

So this months theme is ICONIC BEAUTY- how good is themed everything?! I love it! 

I was home amazingly when this months box arrived, my little pal & I bolted to the sound of the doorbell & to my delight it was the mail man & not a religious door knocker- hallelujah! 

Pinot was equally as excited as me and offered great curiosity. 

This months Bellabox came with this months Instyle Magazine as one of the bonus products. They did this last year I think it was September with Cleo or Cosmo- ANYWAY I am a massive mag hag so I was thrilled to read a mag that I wouldn't normally have purchased. 

The Contents: 

- Herbal Essesnces Naked Shine Shampoo & Conditioner (Essentials)

- La Roche-Persay Effclar Duo (Luxe)

- Innoxa Lip Pencil (Colour)

- VO5 Give Me Moisture HotOil (Classic)

- Cedel Blow Dry Fastener (Essential)

Bonus:

Instyle Magazine

Nutrimetics Nutri Rich Instant Radiance Balm 

- Innoxa Lip Pencil:

Boasting long wearing waterproof qualities I found this liner to be really creamy, smooth and vibrant! Its generously pigmented which is what you need in a liner. It's a wind up and it glides on really well. 

- Herbal Essesnces Naked Shine Shampoo & Conditioner 

White tea and mint- that combo is really appealing to me! This formula is silicon, paraben & dye free...having a pain in the ass sensitive scalp these tick some boxes. The product is crystal clear- how do they do that!? 

- VO5 Give Me Moisture HotOil 

I used something like this by VO5 years ago- you basically heat the oil up (to make it 'hot oil') apply to hair, leave for a period (usually 10min) and follow with your normal washing routine. I always love a mask/ treatment as a pep up so it should be good to try again. 

- Cedel Blow Dry Fastener 

I love this product! This is something I already use and love! I discovered it earlier this year. I highly recommend it!!! It's a heat protecter spray but it also works as a blow dry fastener. I have no idea how it does it but it cuts my blowdry time by half! It's weightless and doesn't leave your hair feeling heavy/ tacky/ oily. If you didn't get this in your box, you should go get some! It's (big call) my favourite discovery this year so far. 

La Roshe-Posay Effaclar Duo:

I'm pretty happy with this- I sampled a similar sounding Avene on through Bellabox and ended up buying it because I liked it so much. This product offers 24 hr hydration but removes excess oil and blockages- it claims to unclogs sebum blocked pores in 30 days. This is right up my ally. Combination skin is really difficult to treat because whilst it can be oily its can also be dehydated. My skin is hetting congested lately because I am applyng too much moisturiser trying to rehydrate bt I'm replenishing to much oil at the same time. The texture feels good, look forward to really roadtesting this baby!

Nutrimetics Nutri Rich Instant Radiance Balm:

I took this sachet away for  weekend, It was really nourishing and my skin looked bright and felt soft in the morning. It smelt heavenly like apricot- good enough to eat.

Over all thoughts: 

For me this box was a bit hair focused but even still I really was happy to use everything in this box. I'verecieved a few RED lip products from Bellabox this year so it might be time to change my profile with them. 

I was lucky to recieve a full size replacement  of something I always use (always better than a dud product instead) 

Highlight: blow dry fastener & La Roche- Posay cream  

Lowlight: dont have one :) 

For those that don't know: Bellabox is a $15 'beauty discovery' subscription box delivered monthly. It is available to Australian residents.

What did you think of this months Bellabox? Did you get a different variation? What was in yours? 

Comments welcome below....

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Avon MEGA EFFECTS Mascara

I got Avon MEGA EFFECTS Mascara in Bellabox April I was so excited to try this out because I'd seen it arround a fair bit- that and the name 'mega effects' - ahh yes please!! 

It's been a little roller coaster of love, then hate, then love again, then hate once more. Bit of a pity. 

This product is a bit tricky to open- you really have to wiggle it back and forth to release the wand from the base. I heard that heaps of people experienced wand breakage so I was super cautious and luckily it opened up ok. 

Because the wand is not a conventional shape or style it takes a bit of practice, a delicate touch and patience- my first attempt was a mess! 

 But after a few uses I got the hang of it and was really happy with the results. 

The coverage is layerable so additional coats are no problem. The product doesn't set 'crunchy' it's actually quite soft and flexible to touch. The way the wand works I found it opened up the appearance of the eye area and gave a lift/ curling effect. 

A liddle look put together using this mascara: 

Unfortunatly after about 1 weeks use the wand snapped and the product can no longer be used- the wand is stuck inside the container. SAD FACE!

All in all I would love to use this again but would be scared to purchase based on the major design flaw of the package. 

Have you tried this product? What do you think? did your wand break?