The Parcel- Marie Claire 1st box

This When Marie Claire announced 'the Parcel' a new quarterly beauty subscription boasting top brand collaborators I was beyond excited! I subscribed for the 1st box immediately! 

Cost: $25 quarterly 

Promised value: over $100

So let me show you what it was like! 

The outer was shrink wrapped the address was printed onto the coverslip- (Hence my hand covering) 

Opening impressions: 

The card: 

Top- opened up 

Bottom L: front cover 

Bottom R: back cover

Benefitcosmetics they're real liner and mascara: 

So adorable! And wow! The liner is gooooood! It quite literally will. Not. Budge! I rubbed and smeared, scrubbed and wiped- it's amazing! This sample size gives you a good try before you buy. 

They're real mascara- I've used this before- I really quite like it- see my past review! 

Revlon colour stay lip stain: 

I probably wouldn't purchase this shade- it's the lightest in the range and being a little frosty it's looks even lighter. Formula: The texture is not amazing- I'm not blown away or tempted to try another hue (due to frost it doesn't apply evenly and looks a bit odd)  As a plus, the applicator wand is a good size and shape. 

Opi nail polish: 

I am starting to wonder if the companies put dud shades in these boxes!? This is a n interesting colour- I can see it appealing to a few people but generally it's not a showstopping 'love that' shade! I would call it purple petrol? 

Pantene shampoo and conditioner and loreal Elnett hair spray: 

Pantene are out in force at the moment! They are also in this month's bellabox (review to come- check it out). This is the third lot Pantene samples this year. I really liked their Aqua light range in bellabox March. (See that post too). I will willingly try these and see how they go. They smell really good! 

How handy this mini hairspray will be! I've been using fudge coconut & apple hairspray for 10 years, so I doubt I'll make the switch- that said, This is handy to have in a handbag size. It's a bit of a cult classic. 

Lancôme visionaries skin corrector- 

This product is so velvety- I am always keen for pore products so I can't wait to use this for a week and see if I like it. It's texture and scent are so far so good. 

So that's it! Marie Claire 'the parcel' first box. 

I think the value is there if you get colours  you like- if you don't then it's a bit of a bust. I won't resubscribe for now- they didn't quite win me over with the shades and other recent beauty box duplicates. 

What did you think?! 

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 

Bellabox April 2014 Review

"Autumn Winter Style" 

This months Bellabox is clearly a collab with Burt's Bees. The box had this cute, bright yellow sleeve over the new (2nd month) hard case blue box. 

The Contents: 

In the box:

Avon  Mega Effects Mascara- colour 

Burt's Bees Beeswax Lip Balm- cult

Montagne Jeunesse Dry Skin Mask- essential 

Vaseline Healthy Radiance Ultimate 10 Anti Ageing Lotion- essential 

Indio Eye Rise- Lift & Hydrate Eye Cream- luxe

(bonus product): Revlon Nearly Naked swatch card 

The product card: front & back- setting the tone for the cooler months ahead

Burt's Bees Beeswax Lip Balm: 

With  breezy Autumn upon us, you can't go wrong with a basic lip balm. This one has Vitamin E & is ultra minty. It's like gum for your lips. Seeing the other Burt's Bees products available I'm keen to try out the lemon cuticle cream & the coconut foot cream... perhaps a Burt's Bee review to come.     

Avon  Mega Effects Mascara:

I love mascara- this one has been on my radar but I hadn't need one yet so I had notgotten around to purchasing it. Get your bad self an Avon lady- STAT. The packaging is ...ahem a little tricky at first- I heard heaps of Bella subscribers broke theirs... wiggle wiggle is the key to success here. Its fairly strong black which is always good and the brush gives 'lashings' (love a pun) of thick long coverage. 

Montagne Jeunesse Dry Skin Mask: 

I'm into masks so this doesn't disappoint- this brand make delicious smelling masks- so good you're tempted to taste (but don't ok?). This one is Blueberry, Raspberry & Red Grape for 'dry skin'. This is a two part mask, bottom half of sachet is the actual mask which is anti-oxidants based for 'protection and replenishment'. The second phase is a follow up serum- again anti-oxidants & 'smoothing'. My only con would be that my Bellabox profile states I have combination skin, I don't have dry skin. I will still enjoy this mask as I believe it will be hydrating rather than greasy. 

Vaseline Healthy Radiance Ultimate 10 Anti Ageing Lotion:

A lot of subscribers poo poo the supermarket brands- lets face it, we are all time poor and if you try something that you like and you can pick it up while buying bread and milk- what is there to complain about. this lotion claims 10 benefits in one bottle & boasts anti ageing benefits. It feels relatively smooth and fast drying. 

    

Indio Eye Rise- Lift & Hydrate Eye Cream:

Eye cream another cant live without item. Slightly tinted & lightweight,  this has a nice texture. Claims are: richly nourishing, plumping fine lines & concealing imperfections. Sounds good! looking forward to properly road testing this one.  

Lastly we have the bonus product- a Revlon swatch card of 'Nearly Naked' foundation. I've had one of these in a mag before & I can't say it was anything special.The name is a dead give away that the coverage is crap. It may as well be called Revlon no coverage foundation. Also each swatch isn't enough to do your face once- As a bonus it's a whatever from me. 

Value: 

So I normally like to point out the value of the box for anyone interested

Avon  Mega Effects Mascara (full size) $19.95

Burt's Bees Beeswax Lip Balm (full size) $7.95

Montagne Jeunesse Dry Skin Mask (full size) $4.99

Vaseline Healthy Radiance Ultimate 10 Anti Ageing Lotion pro rata 25ml $0.85 

Indio Eye Rise- Lift & Hydrate Eye Cream pro rata 5ml $22.40

(bonus product): Revlon Nearly Naked swatch card $0.00 

Box Total Value: $56.14

Cost: $15 per month 

Overall you can't fault the value.  I was happy with this months box being either product categories I love & or at least being useful. 

High-light: Mascara

Low-light: Revlon swatches 

What was in your box? What do you think about this box or the products inside?  Did anyone get the lemon cuticle cream.. what was it like?  Feel free to comment below! 

If you want to subscribe to Bellabox or want more info click HERE 

For last months Bellabox review click HERE

Please note I subscribe on my own accord, this is not a sponsored blog.