BeauTEAful Baths

So, this blog is by special request, its for a friend that is 'the cats pyjamas'. The name really suits as we spent much of our adolescents having slumber parties and frequenting the video store, subway, putt putt... in our jimmy jams.  Anyway she wanted a tea blog- this perhaps is NOT what she bargained for... 

If you were to pop over to my place, you would be offered a beverage... ok like most good hosts... I'm regular I know. The point is at my abode you will most likely have tea (or wine but that's a whole other blog). Iced or hot, black, green, red or fruit- whatever you fancy.

The cool snap has really made me turn even more to my favourite brew. It is perfect for every mood or ailment. Sore throat? honey lemon ginger. Want desert but you ate ALL the chocolate & promised yourself not to buy more... T2 Terrific Toffee. It's night and you wont get to sleep... Chamomile. Sore tummy/ over ate... Mint or liquorice tea will do the trick.

So we've already established tea is wonderful to drink but it's also a really popular ingredient in beauty products. Looking around my shower 2 products contained tea. Tea extract, caffeine, milk, honey to name a few are found in perfume, anti-aging creams & cleansers. 

Exhibit a) 

So why not get warm, cosy, clean soothed and feel 'perked' by turning your bathtub into a giant cuppa. Place a few teaspoon scoops in a mesh bag and steep in your tub. It obviously wont be as strong as a real cuppa (unless your willing to use a bucket of tea) but will still be delightfully scented.

Two I ran:

The Lemoncello: 

This bath is so refreshing! It smells amazing, is invigorating and also serves as a muscle recovery. The hot water releases all the citrus oil from the fruit making it super fragrant. 

I used Epsom salts, 1 lemon and 1 lime. 

Smells like: lemonade 

Feels like: zing! 

Looks like: your floating in a cocktail with garnish

Bathing in Epsom salts can help to reduce bloating, as the magnesium sulphate in the salt draws out toxins, cellular waste and excess fluid from the body.  Simply add Epsom salts to your bath and soak for 10 minutes (soaking longer will not shrink you further).

The Old English:
Like a classic cuppa I ran a hot bath and added 6 scoops of black tea (you could use tea bags) and half a cup of powdered milk.

Smells like: a classic cuppa

Looks like: insipid pond scum water

Feels like: warm, silky & comforting after a long day

(Less pics as it's just not as pretty as lemoncello bath) 

Aka pond scum: 

Other BeauTEAful baths to try:

The Rest up: Toss a handful of lavender flowers (or use lavender tea) in a hot bath. (Add a drop or two of eucalyptus oil to clear your passages if you have a stuffy cold) 

The Zigazayahh: For that pep up you really need. Simple and effective- a couple of scoops of peppermint tea in your bath. 

The Human porridge:  Add a 1/2 cup of oats, a cup of powdered milk and a generous drizzle of honey- this combo is super hydrating and soothing- the oats & milk are known to comfort dry skin.

CosiePosie:
3 scoops of rosebud tea 

3 scoops hibiscus flower tea

3 scoops jasmine tea 

This will make a fragrant floral tub- perfect for a ladies night in. Glass of wine essential addition on the side! 

What's the weirdest ingredient you've added to your tub? 

Would you soak in a big bath of tea? 

What did you think of this post? 

Comment below! 

And subscribe too if you want to see more from a liddle bit of pretty. 

X EMMY

Her fitness box March 2014

So... I'm quite aware it is MAY not March- but after much delays and a series of unfortunate drama I have a box at last! Due mid March my package arrived on 9th May. 

Reasons for March delay:
-Her Fashion/fitness moved office (give 'em a break- imagine moving your workplace) 
-The tote was delayed (when suppliers let you down it sucks) 

There was a bit of hoopla because hfb took too long to inform subscribers and there was mixed information released about what was happening- at one point they said the bags were ready to go, then 2 weeks later the story was the bags were delays- oops hfb. This fauxpa made them look like pants on fire.

An email was sent appologising for delays- however I did not receive this. 

It got to May, I saw others on social media had received their packages and nothing came so I decided to get intouch with HFB. Let me just say they were really appologetic, prompt and helpful- big kudos to them for that.  
Unfortunately somehow my details didn't transfer to their new system and therefore my order got missed (I purchased a 3mth subscription rather than a recurring one).
They informed me that one sample was out of stock and it would be replaced with an extra tea sachet and a strainer- no worries. 
They let me know when it was packed up and sent me a tracker. After a few days nothing came and I tracked the parcel- it was delivered to somewhere is QLD! Again hfb were really appologetic and a new parcel was shipped- FINALLY IT MADE IT! 

So that's the series of unfortunate events- really not anyone's fault- just a bit disappointing as a customer and frustrating for them as business. On a plus the April (also super late now) will arrive before we know it. 

Alrighty- now you've got the lowdown on why is March in May- let's look at the contents 

Her Fitness Box March 2014

This months box is a bag- I find these canvas totes ever handy- I'm always running out the door, they're perfect for the old scoop, toss and go. And green. They say rrrp $20- hmmm not sure about that but it is thicker caleco than last time. 

The cards: 

The fitness accessories are: 

 - sweat towel ($15) this is pretty cheap rubbish, it's really thin and poorly finished around the edges. I have a same size but thicker microfiber cotton-on towel that came with a drink bottle that was rrrp $14.95 for both. 
The difference:

- shaker ($15) again not great, my shaker lid has a warpped little bit in the flip lid so it doesn't seal properly- leaks when you shake it. Again the value is an outright fib. You can get a Bsc 'body' shaker with a sachet of protien powder in it for $4.99 at Priceline and...it's pink. I could buy three shakers/ three meals for said $15. 

This is them...what would you rather? 

And the rest of the contents: 

 

- Muesli for me I look forward to trying this, it's a good concept a bit of a design your own muesli type deal. I will let you know what it's like in the comments section 

- 2x detox tea samples I love tea, perfect for settling the tum- this will make a delightful post dinner bevy. I will let you know what it's like in the comments section. 

- Slim fit & fab bar last months bar was delicious- this has big shoes to fill the flavor sounds tasty. Its a peabt choc combo...NOM, I will let you know what it's like in the comments section. 

- exfoliating mitts not really fitness related but always handy for sloughing away dry winter skin

- white glo toothpaste mini perfect size for the gym bag

- foot file again not really much to do with fitness but good for banishing dry cracked heels  

There was supposed to be Caltrate samples it they ran out hence I got 2x tea sachets. To be honest I couldn't give a crap about Caltrate tablets so I'd rather the extra tea in the end. 

And... 
Hfb added a 'sorry about everything that's happened' gift for me which was super nice of them...along with a handwritten note which was appreciated. 

-A yoga mat
- sugar scrub 

As I said, I appreciated the gesture to make things right. I've seen this scrub and looks pretty good. And the Yoga Matt will be handy.

Overall (to be fair- sans the bonus sorry stuff), the monthly box was ok- not great. I'd be keen to hear what other subscribers think? 

The main Neg: I REALLY object to claims that the items are worth more than they are. This is my 2nd HFB, see my 1st click here. Neither have been amazing. This one feels really chucked together. 

For $39 per month the fitness bag/ box isn't really doing it for me. It's not fitsprational, it doesn't get me pumped to hit the gym and the collection of products don't really make sense. I'd love to see this great concept become much better in execution- the potential is there. 

Would I recommend to a friend: in a word no.


I'd love to hear your thoughts. 
What Themes would you like to see HFB do?! Pick a theme and tell me 3 things you'd put in to make it work. 

Comment below & don't forget to subscribe. 

Rose gold sticker 'nail fail'

I can't resist rose gold so when I saw these delightful nail stickers I snapped them up. 

I was never good at contacting books in the school days & my experience with nail stickers is limited so this was possibly a recipe for disaster.  

Here's my rose gold nail fail: 

Luckily they were only essence brand at $3.50- not a big loss 

Instructions: 

The result: 

Kinda dodge and a little creasy on the sides 

 *chic-glam took a quick slide to *sad-face 

Damn! 

The instructions say to pop a top coat if you want them to look shiny- I figured why not it might even them up and disguise the edges.... 

Bababowm! Bubble town. 

Back to the drawing board! Think I'm gonna stick with regular or gel polish from now on- or a little press on falsely if I want a fun print- way easier! 

What's your worst beauty fail? 

Have you had any luck with nail stickers? 

Perhaps these are just cheap n nasty... 

Come to the dark side- the dark lip

Recently I recieved the Model Co lipstick 'vanity fair' in a subscription box. I love lippy and I'm not affraid to rock a bold look. I was really hoping for this shade to add to my collection!  

Then came trying it out. This lippy requires an entire 'look' to go with it. Initially I swiped it on whilst wearing a black top... needless to say I looked like I was going through a 'phase'. Teen angst included. So where to turn for inspo but the internet. And I sure found it! So much foxiness. 

Keys to success: 

Good coverage foundation (as flawless as possible) 

Illuminiser for some radiance/ glow

Bronzer used as blush 

Natural toned eyeshadows 

Thin if / any eyeliner (unless you are going for a gothic look)

Natural mascara (I know its hard, more is more normally but not here) 

Lip liner! Essential! I improvised using a chocolate eyeliner as a substitute 

Special tip: 

Use a highlight in your cupids bow (Its the little curve on the top of your upper lip) I used a shiny cream pencil 

The products: 

The end result: (with a filter that made it fuzzy !?) 

Side note: Personally the Model Co formula didn't rock my world, it didn't apply or wear particularly evenly. Luckily I had a Clinique 'full potential' gloss that saved the day in a similar tone. Worked beautifully on top. 

Is there a look youre wanting to try? 

Is there look you want me to try? 

Comment below! 

Lust have it! April 2014

I've known about beauty (and now also Fashion) brand 'Lust have it' a little while now. I have the propensity to go overboard at times and get way on board with trends I love. As mentioned before, I have too much neon because I got all consumed by citron. I am well and truly on the subscription box bandwagon. I love it when a lush little surprise package arrives and when you don't know what's inside wooooweeee! So before now I have been paring it back with only one beauty subscription and her fitness box (and a sporadic other treat from time to time & by time to time, I mean all the time. ). 

Lowdown:
Lust have it is a monthly subscription service. For $19.95 per month they will send 5-6 beauty samples to your door. free shipping. Let's just say that again, free shipping. For beauty product lovers to newbies these types of boxes are a great way to start out, build a product base, try new things & sample some of the latest lotions & potions to hit the market. 

The lovely people at lust have it have sent me the latest lust have it box to review for you my pretty readers! Let me just say, I'm a straight shooter- I will be honest to you and if something is crap I will say it.

So lets get started and crack this baby open!

Comes like this: 

Easy peasy little satchel 

First impressions: 

At a glance I knew it was gonna be good!

The contents: 

•Clear makeup purse- really handy 

•Glamourflage 'Jane Gem' Makeup primer- full size 

•Bronzer powder- says full size but it's a deluxe size sample (fs is 10g this is 3g-still very generous) 

•Aveeno body lotion- deluxe sample 

•bioderma moisturizer- deluxe sample

•wotnot wipes- deluxe sample  

The card: flimsier than a bellabox card- doesnt bother me- prefer these types of companies to spend the money where it counts instead of luxury packaging... also environmentally friendlier than a thicker card. 

and Claytime Australia Mini Bronzer swatch 

The clear bag: 

I know its just a bag, and theres no need to get hysterical but I love a clear makeup bag. You never have to rummage for that lost pencil because its right where you can see it!  

Glamorflage primer: 

FULL SIZE! Something every beauty subscription box purchaser loves to see! This retails at $22.95 so it alone pays off the entire boxes value! The product is SILKY smooth (really silky) and gives a matte base for underneath foundation. Everything about it reminds me of a Lancome one I had loved years ago but couldn't replace. ( shakes fist at cosmetic co's for discontinuing everything!) 

Bioderma Atoderm Moisturiser: 

Everything I've ever tried from Bioderma I've liked. They do an awesome cleansing water and I've been usng a scrub sample from anther beauty box that has been good too. This is really soothing and creamy- intended for day use but I'll prob use for night as my makup doesn't last if I use heavy day creams. If you're dry- go for gold and use in the a.m. 

Aveeno Daily moituriser Lotion:

Collodial oatmeal is the ingredient in this that Aveeno boast will make your skin soft, smooth, hydrated. I've loved their Skin relief moisturising cream & their positvely radient face cream in the past and both meet all claims. I'll probably take this mini traveling because I know it'll work a treat if my skin needs soothing from sun, sea or gross plane air.

Claytime Australia Mini Bronzer: 

The size says Full size but I think its a typo as FS is 10g & this is 3g- but who cares- its awesome! Its mineral based (your skin will breath and wont clog) and its a good shade- neutral, not brown, not yellow, not red, not orange. I would say its mid luminious- a made up term to say its not too shiny nor too matte. I personally prefer a cake bronzer as oppsed to loose but regardless will see how it goes. 

Wotnot wipes: 5 pack trial

These really impressed me! The cloth is thick and has plenty of moisture-I left one on table accidentally overnight and it was still moist in the morning.
Is anyone else sick of dry scratchy wipes
?
These are great and I will repurchase these wiith 100% certainty. 

Overall I'm really pleased with my first Lust Have It experience and am impressed with the contents and value. I promised to say if something is crap but nothing was. 

HIGHLIGHT: primer & wipes

LOWLIGHT:  none 

So that's the april lust have it! What do you think?? like? 

any comments or questions are welcome...  

If you want to become aliddlebtofpretty subsciber and never miss a post> go to web version instead of phone version & there's a subscribe box waiting for you. 

Check out my new instagram too! 

Also if you do wanna get a lust have it box, you can get $5 off with the code below.

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. 

Liddle Tip: Tube Cutting

Call me cheap, savvy or genius- it's up to you. This liddle tip will get you at least 2-5 extra uses out of those exy beauty products. All you need is a pair of scissors!

Tubes make sense because gravity allows the product to drip/ gradually run down to the cap. Normally with a tube of product you can give it a tap to get the product down to the bottom, squeeze and push every last drop out. OR SO YOU THOUGHT. 

When I studied beauty therapy a girl in my class chucked an empty tube in the bin- the teacher lost her shit- literally went on a massive rant and eventually showed us this great tip. 

I'm going to show examples of a scrub and a conditioner because they have totally different textures and consistencies but demonstrate how this trick works every time. 

1.So you've got a tube of product and it's finished. You've shaken, tapped, squeezed and pushed out as much as you can. It's definitely finished. 

2. Get scissors and cut the tube in half... 

3. Marvel at how much is still inside the tube even though you yourself got it ALL out before

4. Scoop all product and place in bottom half of tube 

5. Slide top half of tube over bottom half as a 'lid'

6. Use the rest up & feel good about not wasting a drop! 

Both these two products were on my recent empties post- if you want more info click here! 

Biore scrub: reclaimed 4-5 uses 

Matrix Conditioner: reclaimed 2-3 uses

This might seem a bit tight but to be honest I personally would prefer the extra product making my skin brighter and my hair smoother rather than being thrown in the trash. Beauty products can be expensive and considering the production, transportation and packaging it makes sense not to be wasteful. While we may wash them down the drain, it makes sense not to throw money down the drain! 

I hope this tip has been helpful! What did you think of this tip? Try it and tell me what you think! 

Any questions or comments feel free to post them below. 

Thanks for reading!