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? 

Nail Swag- leopard press on nails

This week I had bit of fun with press on nails! On a paper for uni mission at 8pm in Kmart I figured a quick peruse through the beauty section wouldn't hurt. Kmart have quite the range of glue on nail art! 
I found these ghettofab leopard print ones & at $5.00, how could I resist! 

These particular ones are so easy to apply. The little tab gives you something to hold making them really convienient to handle.

Step by step: 

1. Give your nails a light buff to create a slightly textured surface ( gives better grip)

2. Wipe over with nail polish remover on a cotton ball (removes oils, helps get better glue grip) 

3. Place a dot of glue on false nail 

4. Align an press over your natural nail

5. Optional- file down into prefered length & shape (I like shorter nails so I did this)

And thats it! 

Press on nails are really handy if-

• You want nail art but cant do it yourself/ afford it
• Dont want acrylics but want a bit of length for an occasion
• Have no time to go to salon 

These last one week 

Her Fitness Box April 2014 (received June)

Another two months behind schedule it's Her Fitness Box April- received in JUNE! 

I initially subscribed for 3 months and this is my third and final. Obviously from that you can tell I'm a disappointed customer as I will not be resubscribing again. Ever. See review 1 & 2 if your keen to see what was in the first two boxes. 

As my bf would say hershitnessbox and it is. Yet again. So disappointed. As a softballer, I'm going with the three stikes & your out rule. 

So anyway let me show you what was in it- let me say- in fairness, there is some good bits too- just a few misses & not enough value making it a bit of a rip off.

April box arrived on 4th June- looked like this in satchel: 

This months box (actually not a box but a bag). I quite like this months bag design, its really pretty in real life- it's a white calico bag with the design printed on the fabric. 

The spread: 

Breakdown by item:  

The cards: 

• Recipe Card:

Last month I didn't get a recipe card but it looks like hfb is doing them again: 

We are such chocolate faces in our house so I'll give the raw chocolate recipe a go for sure. 

 

• The fitness card: 

Anyone else got dejavu? 

Bridges and lunges again?! Are you serious?! I get that it's a slight variation but puhlease! You can't even come up with 2 exercises per month and not double up within 3 months!? PATHETIC! I could give you at least a dozen and I am in no way gym junkie. Ffs. 

The resistance band info is greatly appreciated and I really like that it coordinates with the fitness accessory & teaches you how you can use it. kudos hfb. 

• 4 page nutritional guide rrrp $10.95- it's literally 4 recipes- breaky lunch dinner- 1 day eating guide printed on paper and stapled rrrp $10.95 is absurd. 

Fitness accessories: 

• Sweat bands (not a typo) rrrp $20 

• Resistance band rrrp $14.95

Ok so it's not the 70's- NOBODY is hitting the gym nor pounding the pavement with this shit on their heads. 

Cheap. Nasty. Redundant. 

If the wrist bands had a zip or something I could see why it would be valuable but it's doesn't. What are they thinking. And claiming it's worth $20. Get stuffed. This is pointless filler crap. I think that very few people will actually love these. I could be wrong... the quality is ghastly.
I'd love to know in the comments section what other subscribers thought of the sweat set? 

I got 2 wristbands from cotton on body for $4.95 and they are far better quality, softer, better looking. 

I'll find them and add a picture here... Yep

The resistance band is actually quite good! I'm super happy to have it as I'm trying to increase my flexibility for polefit. I recently bought an equally good one on eBay last month for under $5.00 though so claiming $14.95 cost when it came in a clear plastic unbranded sleeve just like my eBay one seems a bit like hooey to me. 

The 'deluxe' samples: 

• White glo tooth paste rrrp $4.99- full sized- happy with that even though not fitness related. Also had toothpaste in box 2. 
• Vital green single serve rrrp $1.40 - not quite deluxe? I do enjoy adding these types of products to smoothies so it should be good to try
• Luv Sum- super berry nut crunch rrrp $3.60. a bit like a bounce ball- YUM 
• H2Coco Coconut Water $2.95- not bad, but again a repeat- we had a coconut water in box 1.  

The usual promo stuff that they include: 
- $10 voucher for Atleta Active- *edit 6/6* just realised it expired 31/5- box came on 4/6 ...bummer was going to have a look-see 
- $30 Hello fresh- been meaning to try them so I will use this, also fyi 'the iconic' is giving these out at the moment if you shop there
- Info on white glow toothpaste

Highlight: lov som ball 

Lowlight: sweat set 

Does this even look like $40 worth? Looking at it I wanna say IS THAT ALL!?!

hmm the value on the card is $73.70 but the inflated prices on the sweat band, booklet and resistance band bring that total down.

 

Not in my opinion. I feel pretty well ripped off. The concept is a good one however hfb put cheap crap in their boxes and do not deliver on the value promised. To be honest I've had better value in my other subscription boxes and they are half the price.  

The thing that has probably made hfb box so frustrating is that they change their website to suit what they are doing. For example- When I first subscribed the value was listed as 'over $110' I was under the impression that that is what I was paying for and would be what I could expect each month. But here I am getting $73.70 as told by them. 

You can't get people to join under the proviso that they will get $110 value and then remove it from your website so you don't have to honor it!

That is so unfair and so wrong! 

I basically feel I've been duped by a false advertising scam. 

Here it is- in black and white- $110 value- that's what I signed up for and not what was then delivered. 

Essentially my 3 month $100 subscription bought me 3 bags of promo material and a few cheap rubbish accessories. 

If they put good quality items the box would have been much better. 

So thats that! Hfb 3 month subby done and dusted. To sum it up- late, poor quality, lacking substance. 

What do you think? Are you a hfb subscriber? Does this box look like value to you? Am I perhaps being a little unreasonable? What's your 2c?? 

Comment below!

Benefit 'They're Real' Mascara

Mascara is one of my beauty bag ESSENTIALS! I've been using Benefit 'They're Real' lately & thought I should share a liddle review/ rundown. I'm a more is more kinda girl when it comes to lashes but I tried to apply 'the normal amount' for this post so all is neutral, fair and reflects reasonable result of the product. 

Benefit 'They're Real' 

Looks like... 

This is a really good mascara, the formula is really dark BLACK giving the desired lash drama without needing to coat it heavily (also known in my camp as 'spiders legs lashes'). This product has one of those plastic hard bristle brushes so it combs through well. There is also a little spike on the end for catching tiny corner lashes and pushing up on side lashes to create fluttery wings. 

Claims: They're Real! The mascara that's beyond belief - it lengthens, curls, volumises, lifts & separates.

Pro: staying power is awesome, no flakes, transfers or smears. You'll need a good remover. 

Con: the formula sets quite firm so you if you let it dry completely between coats it can be funny to build and layer upon. A few minutes dry time between coats tops will be OK for buildable coverage. I sometimes like to swipe a fresh lick of mascara after work before meeting my partner or having a meal with my girlfriends- that didn't work well with this formula. 

Overall good brush, no clumps, great definition due to strong black shade and application was quick and easy every time.

Rating: 4/5 

Buy again: yes

Recommend to a friend: yes
RRRP: $38 Available at Myer