Bellabox September 2014 beauty wardrobe

This month's Bellabox is Beauty Wardrobe in conjunction with Gritty Pretty (blogger). It really has a bit of everything for hair, face, nails, tan, makeup- they seemingly achieved the 'wardrobe' theme they were going for. 

The normal blue box was missing causing a 'wardrobe malfunction' cute Pun bellabox. 

First impression: 

(it's such a nice day, I'm posting from the balcony- like my succulents?) 

The Contents: 

Closer:

The card: 

1. Sleek makeup eye dust-(full size) this is really pigmented! Having dark circles I avoid green shades so I prob won't use this- if anyone got the gold and wants to swap? Comment below! The texture and quality of this is pretty good! It's hyper pigmented and really pearlescent. Hard to believe it's by the same company who sent out last months scabby liner! Being full size this already bumps the box into great value territory. See swatches.

2. Salon tan professional face lotion- (full size) this product is designed to be skincare and tan in one- I'm super happy to see it's a little green based meaning it will be neutral not orange. I enjoy a summer tan but do find it tricky to strike a balance on the face, looking forward to trying this out. This is valued at $19.95- this product alone pays for the box! See swatches.

3. Klorane quinine & vitamin b shampoo- it smells a little masculine and is targeted at stimulating hair follicles- seems a little rogaine to me... I Am willing to try it out though as Klorane do a fabulous dry shampoo. 

4. Bioderma sensibio mask- I really enjoy Bioderma products so I will try this out BUT I really am going to question Bellabox profiles here as this is the 2nd month in a row where I have received sensitive skincare and I do not have sensitive skin. I've been a subscriber for a year now and this is the 3rd sensitive skin mask I've received. I will use this it's just tricky to actually find a time when I NEED to use it. Please bellabox- use our profiles!! 

5. Gelogic nail enamel- (full size) black has become a classic shade in the nail polish wardrobe so I'm quite happy with this polish- while I do have a uv light, this gel polish doesn't need one to set making it uber convienient. Claiming to be long wearing and chip resistant- yes please. First coat I was worried as it looked sheer and patchy, second coat it looked perfectly fine. See swatches. 

Bonus: 

Garnier blur- a bit like benefit porefessional or clinique pore minimiser. 

Revlon colour stay foundation- always nice to try a different formula. 

Swatches: 

 So that's everything- all in all a decent box! I thought Sept was Bellaboxes birthday month but no mention of such was made... 

Top picks- 

Highlight: gelogic nail polish 

Lowlight: foundation sachet 

Essence Express Dry Drops

  

Every now and then a liddle wonder product comes along. I'm particulaly fond of this one. 

Let me prefix this by saying: I'm a clutz, I'm impatient, I do things last minute & I'm a busy body (when not slothing watching back to back episodes of Girls). So with all this in mind when I decide at 10pm /or 7 minutes before I'm going out to paint my nails, they're gonna get smudged. They always get smudged. And instead of looking put together and feeling glam, a level of trash seeps in. 

Enter Essence Nail Art Express Drops (where have you been all my life?)

How they work> 

These drops are applied after your nail polish and act as a quick drying agent. You just hold the little dropper lid and drip 1-2 drops onto each nail. 

(I usually do a base coat, 2 coats of colour & a top coat then this product)

Good to know:

The product leaves a slightly oily feel on the nail surface, I found it similar to the feel of a cuticle oil. After a few minutes, you can wash it off if its not your cup of tea. 

 

These drops retail at a bargain $3.50 from Priceline and make an awesome purchase for someone who suffers from smudged nails due to routine impatience or for those occasions when you need to get out the door fast.

These drops drastically reduce wetness and tackiness and will prevent most minor smudges.

If I so happen to paint at night, I don't find I get those horrid sheet impressions when using these drops (anyone else who has a propensity to paint nails at night, you feel me?). 

That said nothing replaces a good half hour setting time though so big dents may still happen you smash about the place. 

FYI: There's a few others brands doing similar versions such as Sally Hansen & OPI but for the same price as a small coffee, I'm pretty pleased with this Essence one. 

The verdict: 

It's love! 

Note: I purchased this product with my own funds & have no affiliation with the brand. My opinion is my own.

So wrong So right! 5 things I love but don't wanna tell everyone!

Don't wanna tell everyone, pftt cept the world, on a blog, on the net...

Have you ever love love loved a beauty product but maybe felt ashamed or embarrassed because it was disgustingly cheap, uber tacky, has bad press or maybe is branded by a celebrity who potentially is cringe worthy? Like a moth to the flame people ALWAYS ask you about it... 

Here's a fun list of 5 products I love (no shame) (or maybe just a teense)

1. Britney Spears 'Curious'- 

Ok so I really like the scent, it works for my body chemistry... Pretty much works so well that EVERY SINGLE TIME I wear this, someone asks what I'm wearing. I then have to run the gauntlet explaining away how I'm not a 28 year old teeny bopper dreaming of being 'hit one more time' whilst wearing a plaid skirt. I just like the key notes that I seem to find as repeat offenders in my fragrance wardrobe: pear, jasmine,musk & vanilla. Apparently it's aimed at 'a twenty something with attitude' hmmm the shoe fits but it's hurting my toes! 

2. Playboy 'play it sexy' body spray 

This is just a great little handy on the go spritz! It's cheap as chips from the supermarket or Priceline... I love that it's light weight, smells clean and fresh and won't leak in my gym/handbag. Once upon a time I loved the tv series 'girls next door' ...what I don't love is when the accountant at work quips 'aren't you a little old for playboy stuff Em? Maybe playboy should come out with anti-wrinkle cream... Just for me. 

3. Ulta3 Matte lipstick in 'harem pink' 

This is just the PERFECT shade! I can't decide if it's blue or yellow based- it's neither and both and it's amazing! It gives you such a freshen up and at $3.95  from the chemist, how could I say no! 

The thing is, theres nothing like that luxe feeling you get when you swipe your favorite prestige lipstick across your lips...( Napoleon Hara & Clinique Waterviolet , I'm looking at you ) the glam, the pretty, the watch me storm the second half of this day kind of vibe. Because this lipstick is so great, texture, staying power, pigment- the works, you still get that vibe that only a pretty pout can create & at $3.95 from the chemist right next to the paracetamol...it's like winning the beauty lottery!! Do you tell anyone & risk a harem of pink lipstick wearing friends and acquaintances or do you keep it quiet and enjoy your winnings???

4. Daisy Ring 

No, it's not Marc Jacobs. Sorry. 

I have this cute little daisy ring that I got for penny's on eBay.  I'm so happy to share this one because there's something exciting about something that seems less obtainable becoming open to all! Anyway this isn't a copy, not a fake, I think it's just a coincidence that Jacobs has a fragrance with a pretty daisy on the bottle and people make that connection (good branding Marc). When I wear this people often ask me with this oo oooh hopeful tone, 'is that Marc Jacobs?' We'll um no, but you can have the rest of my milk... The last time was a check out chic- she seemed crushed that it wasn't designer... I optimistically told her she could easily get one and for less than a fiver! 'Its not the same thing'... Um ok way to make me feel like a phony for wearing a not fake, fake ring lol! 

5. Lime Nail polish

So who's with me and totally went for the citron trend? The whole shebang! Hair ties, drink bottle, pj's, a scarf, a rug, 4 singlets, a blouse, a blazer & a key chain...Have mercy I Love citron! My girlfriends can attest to this! When I was a teen I even had a creamy pastel citron feature wall in my room- chocolate floor boards and white accents, it was fresh! Some things never change and my love of citron really reached it's peak- Nail Polish. My partner was horrified (he only just got used to the white i'd been wearing) my boss visibly cringed, a friend perplexingly asked green or yellow? Ok, so now this is just beauty shaming!! There I was feeling fresh, on trend and fab! Alas some things do change and this hue has now been relegated to toes only! 

(nail polish is essence for those wondering)

Do you have a beauty LOVE that may have stigma but it's so wrong it's so right?! Share it below in the comments section! I'd love to hear about it!