Finito: Epic empties! Reviews of stuff I finished first quarter '14

I'd like to create a space for products I've used up each month. Let's call it 'Finito' meaning 'all done'. 

In 'Finito' you'll find reviews on stuff that I gave a red hot go & or used up. I'll let you know a bit about it & give an indicator of what I thought, if I'd use it again & if I'd tell a friend because it needs to be shared. 

You might see me say something is 'the dogs tuxedo' When I really love something I might describe it in this way. It is an old joke with a friend, when something is better than the bee's knees...better than the cats pajamas.

So here goes- I'll try to be brief!! 

Masks: 

• 10 o 6 No time to shine Mask: This is a smooth, non drying light cay mask. 10O6 sell these in a twin strip for $2 or $3 at Priceline. I love these mid week if i need a perk or if my skins not coming to the party. Buy again: YES, Recommend to a friend: YES. 
• 10 o 6 Strawberry & Yarrow Mud Mask : Smells AMAZING! As above smooth texture & great price. NON drying. Buy again: YES, Recommend to a friend: YES. 
• Nature Republic Tea Tree  Mask: I was given this from a friend who brought it back from Korea. Its a sheet mask of fabric that you put over your face. It smelt so fresh & made my skin look clear & bright. Buy again: YES if I could, Recommend to a friend: SURE.

Makeup:

• Korres Wild Rose Brightening Compact in WRP3: I'm a little in love with Korres. They are a Greek Brand that use lots of natural or plant based ingredient's. This power is so velvety smooth & though matte- the brightening finish ensures you don't look dull. The case is a split compact so the gross sponge doesn't sit directly on the powder- it lives underneath> pivotal for people with oily skin/ breakout to prevent too much continuation on product.  Buy again: ALREADY HAVE, recommend to a friend: YES. 
• Clinique Perfectly Real Compact in 102: This powder is a bit of an old faithful. It has build-able coverage so you can wear alone but it also works well as a setting powder over foundation. This is a good handbag powder as the case is sturdy & the coverage doesn't get masky if you reapply throughout the day. As above its a split case. Buy again: YES, Recommend to a friend: YES
• Clinique Moisture Sheer Tint in Fair: This was old & had to be used or chucked! BB stole my heart & this product got pushed to the side. I think its since been discontinued in Aus for BB & CC versions. I initially liked this product (this was my 2nd tube) but didn't provide all the benefits & coverage of BB. Buy again: NO, Recommend to friend: NO
• Essence I heart Extreme Mascara: I do not heart this Mascara. Essence is a cheapo brand available at Priceline. Their stuff is hit and miss. I had a different Mascara of theirs that was good so I thought I'd try this one. Application was awesome and gave the finish I like BUT it flaked, bleed, transfered and panda eyed. Buy again: NO, Recommend to a friend: NO

Skincare:

• Biore Skin Preservation Even Smoother Microderm Exfoliator: What a mouthful! And ain't that the truth- the back says don't go too close to lips... I learnt why. The exfoliating beads are so tiny they get in your mouth- bit gritty kitty! Other than that I really liked this scrub. Its effective & leaves the skin feeling refined & clear. Buy again YES, Recommend to a friend YES. 
• LOreal Ideal Skin Genesis Pore Minimiser: Love this one. I have not really used much L'Oreal but I'm a sucker for Pore products. This made the skin appear refined and smooth. The texture is velvety and almost a little powdery. I used it as a serum under my moisturizer; in the day makeup lasted better and resisted slip off effect & after using at night, in morn skin looked refined. Buy again: YES, Recommend to a friend: YES
• Burts Bees Sensitive Eye Cream: Its alright. This is just a hydrator. Does little else. Points for handy tube. Buy again: NO, Recommend to a friend: NO
• Korres Thyme Honey Cream- 24 Hr moisturising: Korres my love, you never disappoint! I used this as hydrating, nourishing night cream. Smells like honey & has a rich thick texture- a little goes a long way. Buy again: probably NO- a bit rich for my skin, Recommend to a friend: YES. 
• Clinique Clarifying Lotion 2: To the people who poo poo Clinique clarifying lotion> don't use it. MORE for me! This works for me, I love it, if I don't use & start again the difference is huge. It contains alcohol> big deal so does wine & I love that too. In seriousness, some products need alcohol so that they evaporate> no alcohol = wet skin. This product is not intended to be absorbed hence the alcohol. Many lotions etc have alcohol so that they do not leave the skin with excess product sitting on the surface. But again: ALREADY HAVE, Recommend to a friend: YES 

Hair:

• Matrix Biolage Volumizing Conditioner: Matrix Biolage is the best conditioner I have ever used. Dogs Tuxedo. I normally get the fortifying one but tried the Volumizing one for a change. It wasn't as lush & thick a paste as usual but it was still good. I don't think it was specifically volumizing but that's probably because I didn't use it in-conjunction with its partner shampoo. I swear by this brands conditioning products! Highly Recommend. Buy again: ALREADY HAVE restocked my Matrix Conditioner, Recommend to a friend: YES
• Batiste Dry Shampoo Cherry: Sucker. I bought this in a pack with a matching shower cap. Oh the crap I acquire. This was good old Batiste dry shampoo, dependable. I prefer the tropical one but this made a nice change. Buy again:YES/NO (not this scent but others yes), Recommend to a friend: YES 
• Evo The Therapist Shampoo:Bellabox sample, was okay. Hydrated hair and felt fresh & clean. Buy again: NO, Recommend to friend: NO
• Evo The Therapist Conditioner: Bellabox sample, don't bother, not effective, felt synthetic. See above Matrix. Buy again: NO, Recommend to a friend: NO

Fragrance:

• Garnier Mineral Ultra Dry Deodorant: Boring stories...deodorant. This one is quite good, been using it for ages. It's  good for your gym bag/ handbag as it has a little lock on the side so it doesn't leak. My local supermarkets haven't had it in stock so we shall see if its being repackaged or discontinued. I Have found a good Norsca back up. Buy again: YES, Recommend to a friend: NO
• FCUK Friction: I discovered this by having a little spritz while shopping, while wandering around I couldn't get enough- I went back & purchased it.The main scents are coconut, honeysuckle, vanilla and pineapple all delicious yummy notes! Buy again: ALREADY HAVE, Recommend to a friend: YES.
• Playboy Play It Sexy: Essentially just a cheap and cheerful fragrance. I like a floriential like this. The notes: pink grapefruit, mandarin and pink pepper,  jasmine tea, scented flowers and licorice, vanilla, patchouli, sandalwood and tonka. Buy again: MAYBE, Recommend to a friend: MAYBE

Body:

• Clarins After  Sun Shimmer Oil: I had this for ages and needed to finish. It's possibly discontinued or at least repackaged by now. This is a 'dry oil' mist with a whole lot of shimmer in it. This product is good for vacations & summer days. I found it can get on your clothes so its a bit off putting. That said it makes you positively GLOW! Buy again: NAH, Recommend to a friend: NAH  
• Priceline After Sun Cooling Gel: Not bad but not good. Smell didn't appeal to me & felt a little sticky. You get what you pay for as this is like $5. Nivea Creme- gel after sun is a much better purchase. Buy again: NO, Recommend to a friend: No
• Naked Tan Creme de la Creme: Gorgeous! Devine Orange oil scent, really super creamy and hydrating. My only criticism- a little does NOT go a long way. This miniature only lasted 2-3 applications- even in  full size, it wouldn't last that long. Buy again: Maybe, Recommend to a friend: Nah 

Assorted Samples:

• Couture Colour Pequi Oil Treatment: Loved this! Made my hair feel light, weightless and silky. WOW. Buy it: YES, Recommend to a friend: YES 
• Palmolive Ayurituel Joyus Shower Gel: This transported me to a sanctuary, I liked this so much that I got two big bottles before I even finished the sample. Its the dogs tuxedo! For an affordable, supermarket body wash> its an absolute winner! Smells incredible! Buy it: ALREADY HAVE, Recommend to a friend: HECK YES
• Egyptian Magic Cream: This product can be used for a myriad of things! I used it on my feet because they were needing a pick me up/ deep hydration. Its good but I wasn't blown away by it. Buy it: NO, Recommend to a friend: NO
• Avene Cleanance Gel-Creme: Another Dogs tuxedo! I purchased this right away I liked it so much. Its a moisturiser with ingredients that improve cell turn over, exfoliate and prevent clogged pores in combo skin. I found the texture hydrating but not greasy & It really works for my skin type. Buy again: FOR SURE, Recommend to a friend: YES
• Swisspers Naturals Aloe Nourishing Face Cream: This was a bonus sachet in Bellabox, I can't fault it, it was lightweight but rich enough to feel creamy, non greasy, felt clean and fresh and made my skin feel nice in the morning when I woke up. Buy it: I'm not in need of this type of product but MAYBE, Recommend to a friend: YES
• Simple Eye Makeup Remover: Good. I normally go for those dual layer shakey mix eye makeup removers but this one surprised me. It was really effective. Buy it: YES, Recommend to a friend: YES
• Natralus Paw Paw Gel: I liked this but the sample was way too small to really test out properly, I'd be interested to see how big the full size product is. It says its good for sunburn so I might grab a tube next summer (I don't plan to get burnt but it happens at least once). The gel felt cool & refreshing. Its basically paw paw ointment in gel form. Makes sense right!? Buy it: MAYBE, Recommend to a friend: MAYBE
• L'Occitane Hand Cream: Lush, creamy & smells like a baby? Its a nice hand cream, quite hydrating but I don't really see what all the hype is about. Whist I enjoyed using it, I prefer the Nivea Norweigan formula hand cream and its only $7. Some products are a splurge & others a save> hand cream for me is a save. Buy it: NO, Recommend to a friend: NO. 

Removal: 

• Beauty Care Green Tea Wipes: Pass. Grabbed these at the register at Kmart pre trip. Good for a refresher towel but these do nothing to remove anything. buy again: NO, Recommend to a friend: NO.
• Swisspers Make up Pads: These are awesome. I used to use the Coles or Priceline brand ones.My lovely partner grabbed these when he asked if I wanted anything at the shop.Being disposable I never wanted to spend the extra to get the good ones... My advise: pony up the extra dollar or two & upgrade. They are much more effective due to texture and a gentler on skin. Buy again: ALREADY HAVE, Recommend to a friend: YES.
• Coles Nail Polish Remover: Again time poor supermarket grab strikes again in this category! This product is fine, it does a good job. The Sally Hansen one is more effective. Buy again: YES, Recommend to a friend: NO.

Right so that's the LOT! thanks for reading... its quite a list!

Have you tried any of these products? What do you think? Any of your faves here? Questions or Comments feel free to post below! 

Bellabox February 2014 Review

Definition: Bellabox is a $15 'beauty discovery' subscription box delivered monthly. It is available to Australian residents.  

February 2014:
This months theme is 'red carpet ready'. This is a playful nod to the awards season that is in full swing. I enjoy the effort Bellabox make to be on trend & make the box fun and different each month.

Packaging:
This months box comes in (same as January) a brown carton box with Bellabox on top, BB iconic dots on edges & the 'inspo' quote "be beautiful, surprise yourself". Its nice to see some consistency and seems Bellabox might finally be finding their sense of style. Only 2 years old, Bellabox has been through the transition of a young woman. She's seen the puppy fat stage (make up bags) the 13 going on 30 stage (heavy duty boxes) the 21, I'm so cool stage (teal boxes) & now is in the equivalent of mid-late twenties, knows what she wants and is chic and simple. Ah-hem and also much more appealing to a broad audience, Eco friendly and likely economical for the brand. (AND It's what's on the inside that counts). 

Inside: Yay a product card! (I didn't receive one last month). It's designed to look like a ticket and says 'red carpet ready' 'admit one'. Keeping in theme, the box this month is lined with red tissue paper. Unraveling it is like rolling out said red carpet.

What's in mine: 
1.OM SHE Aromatherapy Lipstick in Coco -colour
2.Burts Bee's Naturally Nourishing Milk & Honey Body Lotion -cult
3.Aveda Be Curly Style Prep -cult
4.Synthesis Organic Hydrate Tonic -luxe
5.OM SHE Aromatherapy Foaming Red Rice Cleanser -green
Bonus: Swisspers Naturals Nourishing Face cream

(I never noticed before...each product is categorized i.e colour, luxe, cult & green > I love that!!) 

More info?

1.OM SHE Aromatherapy Lipstick in Coco -full sized
First impression, Coco- for a second I thought I'd landed a brown lippy, to my delight it's a really nice red! Might sound weird to say but it's quite a neutral red. Its quite smooth to apply and has a glossy finish. Feels ultra moisturising and silky. It has a essential oil sort of smell but never fear, not taste. See the swatch and selfie below. (I prefer to blow up a selfie so you get a better scope of how it looks on in a more realistic perspective than close up).

2.Burts Bee's Naturally Nourishing Milk & Honey Body Lotion -25g
They say: creamy and sweet, skin softening and fast absorbing. I agree, its lightweight but nourishing. I'm undecided how I feel about the smell. The first application was on my hands and they felt smooooth afterwards. I'd say its a good all round lotion and I can see why it might have 'cult' status.

3.Aveda Be Curly Style Prep -40ml
BUMMER. let me explain. My hair is straight. The straightest of the straight. I've tried all sorts of curl boosters for when I GHD curl my hair. Nothing really makes it curlier. Heat protecting spray and a good lashing of hairspray for setting its my so far proven combo. This is for curly hair. My Bellabox profile says my hair is thick not curly which is an option on their 'profile questionnaire'. This is my one constructive criticism for Bellabox. Members have profiles but they don't seem to get used or maximised as carefully or much as they could. There were other Aveda products available this month but as predicted to a colleague after 'sneak peek' 'I bet I get the curly one'...I'm an oracle. That said I usually am pretty happy with the other selections by Bellabox so I don't want to poo poo them too much. I will use this prior to curling and give it a fair go. At the least it will hydrate and heat protect. I seem dramatic... Here's a pic of my hair: this is second day so it was washed, turbie towelled, slept on, out the door, gym bunned, taken out, slept on then out the door the next morning. Not even brushed. When I holiday, I don't even take a brush. It's that straight.

4.Synthesis Organic Hydrate Tonic -15ml
I'm in LOVE. I'm a huge fan of face mists. I've used Jurlique, Clinique, Kosmea, Evian & Australis mists in the past. My Clinique one was confiscated at the airport once because its 125ml- heart broken... ANYWAY back to this Synthesis one. Oooh, YES! & Mmmm I believe were the first impressions. Smells divine- like a rosewater and essential oils. My inner hippy rejoices. I'm really going to enjoy using this. I love how refreshing a facial mist can be. It hydrates and adds radiance. TIP: put it in the fridge on a hot day.


5.OM SHE Aromatherapy Foaming Red Rice Cleanser -30ml
More OM SHE. Inner hippy continues to rejoice at all the lovely aromatherapy products in this months box! Smells again like a one way ticket to Zen town, carbon neutral of course. The product claims to be 'fuss free purification for a clearer brighter complexion> buzz words that are heaven to me and any other combo skin girl.

Bonus: Swisspers ALOE Naturals Nourishing Face cream -5ml
I'm interested to try this, Hydrating-tick, cooling- I'm interested, minimises pores and fine lines- clincher! Although in a sachet (not my fave mode of delivery) I think this will have a good handful of applications- enough to suss it out.

Value

(for those non believers of Bellabox being a steal at $15 inc delivery)

pro rata:

1.OM SHE Aromatherapy Lipstick in Coco -$14.95
2.Burts Bee's Naturally Nourishing Milk & Honey Body Lotion -$2.93
3.Aveda Be Curly Style Prep -$15.98
4.Synthesis Organic Hydrate Tonic -$16.48
5.OM SHE Aromatherapy Foaming Red Rice Cleanser -$4.48
Bonus: Swisspers Naturals Nourishing Face cream- $1.09

Total value: $55.91

All in all a pretty great box once again! Products I know I'll love and others worth a shot!

Highlight: Synthesis mist & SHE lippy

Lowlight: Be Curly (I would if I could)



Please note: I subscribe to Bellabox on my own accord. This is NOT a sponsored blog. My opinion is my own.
To see my January Bellabox review click here

What was in your Bellabox? What was your highlight? Are you keen to join? Any Q's? Comment below!

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