Wednesday, 3 December 2014

Review: Cadbury Dairy Milk and Crunchie Biscuit



Everyone loves getting mail. I think it’s even more exciting when you receive something you didn’t expect! A while ago I had entered into a Coles competition to win two new Cadbury biscuit varieties; Cadbury Dairy Milk Biscuits and Cadbury Crunchie Biscuits.

After some research, it seems that these varieties have been out since 2010 in other counties, and if it has been out in Australia I just haven’t seen them. Regardless, I’m very happy to try them! Who doesn’t love chocolate and honeycomb!


I tried the Dairy Milk ones first that evening with tea. There are 8 square biscuits in a pack, and the packs net weight is 110g. A serving is apparently 2 biscuits (I think I had more than 2 hahaha). The pack says “Irresistible shortcake biscuits smothered in smooth Cadbury Dairy Milk, milk chocolate”.

Biting into it was delicious! The proportions of chocolate to biscuit were just right (the chocolate wasn’t too thin, or overbearing) and the biscuit was nice and chocolaty, with a nice soft crunch and slightly crumbly. They do seem sweeter than your normal dairy milk chocolate from Cadburys, which may be a good or bad thing for you.

Would I buy again? Yes, as a treat, but it’s not an everyday type of biscuit.
At the Coles online price of $3.29 a pack, I still think it’s relatively good value for money. ( Priced3/12/2014 http://shop.coles.com.au/online/national/cadbury-chocolate-dairy-milk-biscuits)



A few days later I opened the one I was really looking forward to trying. The Crunchie biscuits! These ones also have 8 biscuits a pack, but these ones are round. The packs net weight is 130g, and again a serving is 2 biscuits. On the pack it reads “Sumptuous Cadbury milk chocolate biscuits with delicious Crunchie bits”.
 
Biting into this one was a tad softer than the Dairy Milk ones, which I later put down to the fact there’s less biscuit in these. Just under the top layer of chocolate lies a layer of honeycomb filling with crunchie bits. Oh my. So good! Nice and chocolaty like the Dairy Milk biscuits, but with the crunch and flavour of honeycomb.

 
I’m sold. I would buy these over the plain ones any day! Continuing with the similarities with the previous biscuit, these are also $3.29 from Coles online and I wouldn’t have them as an everyday biscuit. If you do decide to go out and try some, don’t expect them to sit on your bench for long! (Priced 03/12/2014 http://shop.coles.com.au/online/national/cadbury-chocolate-crunchie-biscuits)





For those interested in the nutrition information and the ingredients, here are photos of both. Click on the photo to enlarge it and please let me know if it’s difficult to read.

If you try these let me know what you think of them!




Saturday, 9 August 2014

May Lust Have It Review

After Aprils little hiccup I wasn't sure about resubscribing to LHI. However I decided you can't judge a box by one edition, so I have it a second go and I'm glad I did. The May edition is a nice surprise.
It didn't have the pretty plastic bag the previous one did, it instead came in a box with pretty tissue paper and a $20 voucher to make up for the new basic packaging. 
On to the box!

Mary Kay Lip Lacquer (4g RRP $22) Full Size
For intense high-shine, kissable lips use limited edition Mary Kay lip Lacquer with mini retractable lip brush. With its smooth, jelly finish and stay-true colour, your lips will feel quenched in moisture as it glides on easily. Use Pink Pagoda for attention-getting lips or apply Chai Latte for for a more subdued, classic look. 

Coral Colour Eyebrow Definer Pencil (RRP $7.95) Full Size
Shape and define your eyebrows naturally or create dramatic definition with this easy to use brow pencil. The professional formula glides, blends easily and is long lasting.

Coral Colours Eyeshadow Quartet - Vibrant Forest (3.2g RRP$7.95) Full Size
Four coordinated shades of eyeshadow lets you create your own look from natural daywear to sultry night. Our advanced silky soft formula produces fade-proof, crease resistant colour that stays true all day and all night

The Cosmetic Kitchen Pure Mineral Blush (6g RRP$34.95) Full Size, Limited Edition.
Define your cheek bones and add a healthy glow with this limited edition velvet smooth strawberry blush. Highly pigmented minerals make a tiny amount easy to spread across the cheeks. Talc free, nano free, no bismuth, cruelty free.

Premium Spa Face and Body Mask (150g RRP$14.99) Full Size
Purify and condition with moisture rich, organic rosehip and calming organic chamomile combined with the purifying properties of Australian kaolin clay and Australian sandalwood.





 Top to bottom
Mary Kay Lip Lacquer
Coral Colour Eyebrow Definer Pencil
Coral Colours Eyeshadow Quartet from lightest to darkest.







Conclusion:

 The Mary Kay Lip Lacquer came in a cute little glass container with a plastic lid. I was very happy to see that it did come with the retractable lip brush that was in the image Lust Have It used to promote the item. I chose the 'Pink Pagoda' colour and the lip lacquer itself is a very nice subtle pink with a glossy shimmer. I loved the look and feel of this on my lips! The retractable lip brush was a little difficult to use though, as you actually had to hold the little switch up while you were using it, otherwise the brush would spring back into its protective casing.  Would I buy this again? Yes. Do I think I'll need to? Probably not! I foresee this lasting a while, even with daily use.

The Coral Colour Eyebrow Definer Pencil was too dark for my hair colour. I received 'dark brown'. While I do have blonde hair and the dark eyebrow is the trend at the moment, I think I could have gotten away with a brown rather than dark brown. I love how smooth it was to apply and blending was very easy, especially with the attached brow brush on the lid! This is a product I will buy again, especially in a lighter shade.

Coral Colours Eyeshadow Quartet - Vibrant Forest is a colour combination I wouldn't have thought of buying. I like the browns but the green thrown in looks a tad out of place in its container.  The container fought me to be opened hahaha, but once I managed to open it I rather liked the colors; even the green. Even when rubbed, the colour stayed fairly well on my wrist. On the ingredient list talc is before mica, so I'm not sure on that as I'm used to most eyeshadows having more mica than talc. (Talc is a cheap filler) All the colors were beautiful and shimmery and you could create a gorgeous smokey eye with the browns and maybe use the green as an eyeliner? For the price, I think it's a good product, purse sized for those days you're running late. I'm unsure if it's a product I would buy again though.

The Cosmetic Kitchen Pure Mineral Blush didn't want to be opened either. There's a little catch to it, it's not your traditional screw lid, but rather a twist and open. But if you twist too far it will just lock back into place. The colour is beautiful! I don't quite think the picture does it justice, but it does live up to its strawberry name with a beautiful pink natural-flush colour. You only needed the smallest amount as its highly pigmented and it's cruelty free! I would buy this again, and have been looking at their other products on their Facebook page.

The Premium Spa Face and Body Mask was the biggest item in the box, and I am very happy to have received this item, rather than the substitute soap which I've received with a different subscription box. Doubling up would just be annoying! This smells nice, I can definitely smell the bergamot and sandalwood, but I'm wondering if the smell is too strong to have directly under your nose for 10 minutes, unless it's designed to be aromatherapy as well? This product is made in Australia and contains no parabens, mineral oils, propylene glycol, sulphates, detergents, synthetic fillers and no polybeads. After just reading an article on how those tiny little plastic beads in our facial scrubs are killing the environment, I'm very happy to hear that this product doesn't have any.
After trying it, it's like a clay and dries on your face making it hard to move your face. If you keep laughing at how funny you look (maybe at a friend you're having a girly night with, like I did) then you'll end up cracking the clay and ending up with tiny bits falling off everywhere. Unless you soak your face in water, it's a little difficult to get off. You have to scrub it off, and it left my face feeling nice and soft but a little red in colour. I put moisturiser on afterwards out of habit. I think my face feels a little softer a day later, but I can't be entirely sure that was the mask and not the moisturiser.



The June Lust Have It will be my last. Simply because I am not happy with their customer service. I used the $20 voucher to buy a few new boxes, the June FaB and Eco box, however I received two May boxes. When I emailed them wondering why that was, 'apparently' I bought two women's boxes. This was taken out of my PayPal account. I didn't receive an apology at all. There was another error as well, which turned out to be on paypals side of things, but I was overcharged and when I called them (as talking on the phone is better than email) they only have an answering machine and it took over a week and a half for them to call me back. I don't think that's acceptable. The lady also hung up on me when I was trying to say "I appreciate you getting back to me" at the end of the conversation. I had given up all hope that they were going to call me back.


I did receive $87.84 worth of items in this months box for $19.95
The June Lust Have It women's box contains a Teeeze item! Either an eyeliner or a nail polish. As I didn't specify which one I wanted I'm happily waiting for the surprise :)

If you want to join  here's an offer for your first box for $9.95
http://www.lusthaveit.com.au/index.php/womens-box-click-offer.html

Saturday, 26 July 2014

June Lip Factory Review




Two Lip Factories in one month! I'm spoilt! (The May box was a tad late). Next month is their Birthday! I can't wait!
As usual the box was nicely packaged, and filled with environmentally sustainable packaging, rather than bubble wrap.


The box! (All are full sized. It's what so great about Lip Factory)

Model Co Shine Ultra Lip Gloss ($16)
Model Co Eye Define Eye Pencil ($18)
Girlactik Eye Shadow ($19)
Befine Lip Serum ($10)
29 Cosmetics Line Maker Lip Pencil ($23)
Palladio Nail Strengthener OR Nail Sunscreen ($6)


What the product card says about each item:

Model Co Shine Ultra Lip Gloss.create a glamourous, lacquered pout with ModelCo's Shine Ultra Lip Gloss. The reflective, shimmering gloss lends a luxe touch to your beauty look and glides on smoothly for a non-sticky, long-lasting finish. The tall thin bottle and smart inbuilt mirror makes Shine Ultra Lip Gloss perfect for small handbags and on the go application.


Model Co Eye Define Eye Pencil. A must-have tool for intense, long-lasting colour. Eye define pencil is a long-wearing, creamy, densely pigmented pencil complete with built-in sharpener for precise application anytime. enriched with Shea Butter, the non-drying, soft formula glides on effortlessly without dragging or pulling and dries to a no-smudge finish.


Girlactik Eye Shadow. Play up your eyes to look smokey, earthy, innocent, or bronzed with this matte or pearl pigmented shadow. The super blend-able, buttery and pigmented colour can be used in so many different ways to cap off your summery eye look. Be creative! That's what makeup is all about!





Befine Lip Serum. Sometimes we don't want a heavy product on our lips when the heat is on! Plump your lips and the skin as encircling them as you slick on shine with this all natural serum. Created from chamomile and beet root extract which together support collagen and provide healing antioxidants to your summer parched lips.



Palladio Nail Strengthener. Before your favourite shade of polish, lay down the Nail Strengthener to help repair those brittle nails that split, crack and peel. Your nails will thank you for it!
Palladio Nail Sunscreen. Worried about that shade of polish changing in the summer sun? Problem solved. Once your colour  notice has fully dried, top it off with Palladios Sunscreen UV Topcoat.



29 Cosmetics Line Maker Lip Pencil. This long-lasting, anti-oxidant enriched lip pencil is just chock full of amazing ingredients. Like grape seed extract, which nourishes and protects the lips from environmental pollutants and the harmful effects of free radicals. Outline your lips for a crisp edge or sheer out the colour for an all over, lighter lip shade that will last even through the hottest of summer nights.


Conclusion:


The Model Co Shine Ultra Lip Gloss smelt absolutely divine! I got the shade Marshmallow, which is exactly what it smelt like. I'm a tad disappointed it didn't taste like it too hahah. It's a nice shade of pink in the tube, but isn't very pigmented once applied. It does however give a fantastic shine to your lips, and seemed to last a fairly long time. I am disappointed that it is a tad sticky though, but just a little. It may be a great gloss to slick over a pink lippy that you'd like to gloss up. The little mirror is handy, and seems to be all the rage at the moment on lipsticks and glosses. I wouldn't buy this again, simply because I have glosses that aren't sticky, however it would be a great one for kids or teenagers because of the smell.


I wasn't overly impressed with the Model Co Eye Define Eye Pencil. It was beautifully soft, but it didn't set like the product card said it would. Maybe I didn't give it enough time? But the Teeeze eyeliner sets in the time I allowed this one. It would be great for a smoky eye look, because it is nice and dark. I do like the fact it comes with an inbuilt sharpener...however it's built into the lid, so your pencil is always exposed to air. Not good. It will dry it out very quickly and you'll always need to be sharpening it before use. Something I would buy again? No. I like sharp, smudge free eyeliners.

Girlactik Eye Shadow. This I just LOVED! I would buy this again in a heartbeat, not only is it the most highly pigmented eyeshadow I've come across, but it's silky smooth and blends easily. At $19 it's a tad on the expensive side, but worth it for a colour you'll wear often. I received the colour Penny, and being a nice bronze it's very versatile. I will be buying a collection of Girlactik eyeshadows.

I liked the Befine Lip Serum. I'm not sure what to make of this. It's certainly more like a serum than anything else, as you only need the tiniest drop. I, of course, didn't expect this when first opening it, and consequently had enough on the applicator for about 3 applications. As it is more like a serum, it comes out of the tube fairly fast. It feels like its plumping my lips and it is nice and shiny. It doesn't feel sticky, but you certainly know its on your lips. I'm yet to try it under a lip stick but feel it could be beneficial with the slight plumping action (put it on, wait for it to soak in, and wipe off the excess before applying the lipstick). It certainly helped my lips when they felt very dry, and only after one application. This sounds like its something that's going to be living in my handbag :)

29 Cosmetics Line Maker Lip Pencil. This is a fantastic lip pencil. So smooth and blend-able. Full of colour, and it lasted with and without lipstick.I received the colour Woody Cab. Interesting name, but matched almost perfectly to the lipstick I received in last months Lip Factory! (Totally unintentional, I'm sure) This is something I will be buying again.

The Palladio Nail Strengthener or Sunscreen. I received the nail strengthner. It dries fairly fast and leaves a nice shine. I don't know if it actually helps strengthen my nails, but it's great to add shine. I probably wouldn't buy this again, I'd rather have a specified topcoat than a nail strengthener.

All in all US$92 worth of products for US$32 (includes international shipping). Money wise it's much better than May. July is Lip Factories birthday! I can't wait to see what surprise they have for that!






Top:
29 Cosmetics Line Maker in Woody Cab
Model Co Eye Define Eye Pencil. As you can see on the right, it doesn't set very well.
Bottom:
Model Co Shine Ultra Lip Gloss
Girlactik Eye Shadow in Penny

Monday, 14 July 2014

May Lip Factory Review


I received my May Lip Factory in June after emailing them late May wondering why I hadn't received my tracking number. I think they forgot mine! Oops! They were quick to respond to my email and immediately sent me a tracking number. Now I just to wait, it's the hardest part I think!

I just adore the product cards that Lip Factory have. The April one said "Welcomes Spring" and the May says "Spring has Sprung". This time I knew we had a gorgeous Teeeze product awaiting me.


NCLA: Nail Wraps ($16)
Medusa's Makeup: Eyeshadow ($8)
Pari Beauty: Lipstick ($12)
MeMeMe Cosmetics: Blush Me! Boxed Blush ($14.25)
Teeeze Trendy Cosmetics: Golden Glow Lip Gloss ($18)

NCLA: Nail Wraps. California dreaming right about now? L.A. based brand LCLA, brings a little bit of the west coast right to your fingertips. Do your nails instantly with these runway inspired, ultra thin, super durable nail wraps! No heat lamp, no drying time and no waiting required! All you need is clear nail polish! Try it, and you'll have a well designed and well polished look, to compliment any outfit in no time.

Medusa's Makeup: Eyeshadow. One look from Medusa could turn a man into stone. With this shadow, you'll be just stopping them dead in their tracks. This highly pigmented, mineral pressed powder eyeshadow has just the right amount of glimmer and shimmer to it to grab anybody's attention. TIP: Apply to your eye using a patting motion rather than a sweeping motion to keep the shimmer right where you want it!

Pari Beauty: Lipstick. Can a girl ever have too much lipstick? We don't think so! So let us help you grow your collection! This lipstick from Pari Beauty is not only a beautiful and richly pigmented but it is enriched with vitamin E to moisturize your lips while also protecting them. Want more? Well good news for you Pari Beauty has over 45 different shades to choose from! One for every mood and then some!

MeMeMe Cosmetics: Blush Me! Boxed Blush. How cute is this box of blush! We love it! What's not to love? Gorgeous Colour, richly pigmented, long wearing, smooth formula and adorable packaging, it even comes with a mirror and a super soft bristled brush. Not much more to ask for! We hope YouYouYou love it!

Teeeze Trendy Cosmetics: Golden Glow Lip Gloss. We're going to Teeeze you with another amazing product from one of your Favorite Lip Factory brands. Get all glossed up with this sheer pigmented shimmery lip gloss. The formula is nourishing and hydrating, leaving your lips wonderfully moisturized, superbly supple and kissable soft. MUAH!

 



Left - MeMeMe Blush
Top - Medusas Makeup Eyeshadow
Bottom - Teeeze Lipgloss
Right - Pari Lipstick








Conclusion

The NCLA Nail Wraps look pretty cool! They came a little bent in the box, so I hope that doesn't effect them. I haven't tried them yet, as I have my nails all pretty from another subscription boxes products, but as soon as it wears off I'll be giving these a go! On the pack it says you need to apply clear gloss to your nails first, then the wraps and then another coat of clear gloss. The pack contains 26 wraps plus a nail file for application. So I'm looking forward to getting two applications from this one pack.

The Medusa's Makeup Eyeshadow is a similar colour to the Be a Bombshell Eyeshadow I received in last months box. I haven't tested the colors next to each but as long as there's a difference...hello smokey eyes! The colour I received is 'Jungle Fever'. Medusa's Makeup has been a favorite with the alternative community for a few years, so I'm glad I get to try out the product. I am very happy that it's cruelty free! I didn't read the above blurb before trying it out and found that with a sweeping motion you need to layer it to get a nice dark shade, I didn't have primer on my hand so I'm sure that will make a difference. When you have the lid open you need to be holding it in your hand to use it without it closing on you. The way they designed the hinge on the lid means that when it's on the bench and you go to apply pressure to it to get the pigment on your brush the lid closes on you! It's because the container doesn't sit flat when the lid is open. I'm unsure if I would buy this again. I'd like to try another product from their range.

The Pari Beauty Lipstick felt beautifully soft on my wrist, and after looking at the ingredient list I realised the first ingredient is caster seed oil. I received the colour 'guilty' which would indicate to me that it's going to be a deep brown-red. But it's more of a terracotta brown. Interesting how we associate different colors with words.
Pari Beauty Lipstick is made in Canada! So I'm happy to support another company that isn't made in China (sorry China!). It was beautifully soft on my lips, and although it didn't survive a meal it lasted long enough to get me through to lunch :)

Onto the MeMeMe Cosmetics: Blush Me! Boxed Blush. I received the colour 'coral'. That is certainly not a blush colour I would have ever chosen for myself, however after testing it on my wrist I was pleasantly surprised. It gave a nice subtle colour which I rather liked on the back of my hand, but it was easy to build up as well (or blend). They were right saying the brush was super soft, and it's rather cute too. The brush is also easy to hold and use. I did wonder how they were going to provide a mirror, and stop any loose powder getting all over it. They solved this problem by providing a plastic separator/brush holder. I'm sure it was mainly for shipping however I'm going to keep it as its perfect to store the brush in it, away from the blush. I would buy this again, as the blurb says "What's not to love!".


Again I didn't read the blurb before I tried the Teeeze Trendy Cosmetics: Golden Glow Lip Gloss and was a little surprised to find that it was sheer, while still having enough colour pigments though it to colour your lips. I received the color 'Desert Fire' and it's just as the name suggests, a beautiful rich shimmery red with a hint of orange in it (red lip sticks can have either a blue or orange undertones) As I have pale skin I usually go for reds with blue undertones, but I don't think there's enough orange in this to look bad. So I tried it on! It wasn't sticky at all!  And because of the shimmer I think I can still get away with it :p
I'm not sure if I would buy this particular product again. I love its texture but I'm not sold on the fact it is sheer. It's pigmented enough that you can't get away with not wearing any eye makeup, but I think it's just that little bit too sheer for a dramatic look. Over a lipstick it would be great!







I liked this month as these are all products I will use. The box has a value of US$68.25 while it cost US$32 for international shipping.

Do you receive Lip Factory? Did you get something different to me? Let me know what you think! 

L xoxo

P.S. Sorry about the lack of images this month! My boxes have banked up on with with Uni work, so I'm rather keen to get all the reviews out.

Monday, 16 June 2014

May Violet Box (My First)

I love the way it's presented, in it's own little box. It's been well designed. You open up the box and see the product card atop purple tissue paper, and it just smelt absolutely delicious!!! Sadly because something spilt in it. I discovered it was the popcorn lip scrub! I can't stop sniffing it, it's just soo good! But more on that later and onto the box!!

LUSH Popcorn Lip Scrub (25g RRP$9.95) Full Size
StyleSign Sleek Perfection (RRP$24.95) Sample Size
Chella Ivory Lace Highlighter Pencil (RRP$22) Full Size
Eve's Ready To Wear Lipstick By Teeeze (RRP$32) Full Size
Timeless Truth Herbal Rejuvenation Immortelle Mask (Functionality Series) (RRP$7-8)
 Nuxe Huile Prodigieus (50ml RRP$24.95, 100ml RRP$39.95) Sample Size
Nuxe Crème Merveillance (50ml RRP$64.95) Sample Size
LUSH Popcorn Lip Scrub.Coconut and jojoba oils, sugar, sea salt and polenta are the perfect mix to buff your lips to perfection and leave them smooth and moisturised.

StyleSign Sleek Perfection.Protects hair from the effects of hot styling tools. It is humidity resistant for up to 24 hours for a silky-straight look that simply lasts.

Chella Ivory Lace Highlighter Pencil. It's the perfect all-in-one make-up tool for highlighting, concealing and brightening the brow and eye area. This neutral pencil will brighten and visibly lift your eyes when lightly applied on the brow bone, dark circles, blemishes and red spots. So many uses in just one perfect pencil!

Eve's Ready To Wear Lipstick By Teeeze. It nourishes, hydrates and repairs cracked or dry lips. Fall in love with lipstick's rich formula. It's a must-have for any temptress at heart.

Timeless Truth Herbal Rejuvenation Immortelle Mask. Perfect for skin hydration during the colder climate.

Nuxe Huile Prodigieus. Multi purpose dry oil for face, body and hair. It nourishes, repairs, softens the skin and reduces stretch marks thanks to its unique ultra-concentrated composition of 6 precious plant oils.

Nuxe Crème Merveillance. Formulated for normal to dry skin, it reduces all the parameters of the visible expression lines.


Conclusion:
Like I said at the start, the LUSH Popcorn Lip Scrub just smells divine! I couldn't wait to give it a go, especially because I tend to lick my lips a lot which does make them dry, a lip scrub is designed to put moisture back into your lips while removing the dead skin. On the pack it says "How To Use: Scrub and buff your lips to softness , lick off the excess then apply your favourite Lush Lip Balm" So I did! It was delicious! It tasted as good as it smelt. But definitely don't forget that last step with the lip balm or your lips will feel very dry. I've used it a few times now, and my lips are feeling very soft and luscious. Definitely a product I will be buying in the future, especially because its all natural and is Australian made.

I haven't tried the StyleSign Sleep Perfection yet. I have quite damaged hair from bleach, and therefore I avoid any heat styling but when my hair has grown back, this will be a welcome tool.  I can't even tell you what it smells like, because of the popcorn spill, all I can smell is popcorn . Its a 20ml sample size, just the right size for travel.

I used the Chella Ivory Lace Highlighter Pencil on my brow bone to highlight and under my eye to conceal the dark circles. It goes on quite thick whether you want it to or not, so I just blended it out. It going on a tad thicker would be great for concealing blemishes. I have quite pale skin and I find this pencil light in colour, it's not something you can put on without blending. It does blend easily and looks natural on someone who cant use a powder concealer on their eyes because of, for lack of better term, eye bags (the powder sets in the creases and just makes it look worse). This pencil is something I will be using quite a bit to hide those dark circles and highlight my brown bone. I love highlighting my eyes!

Trying to get the box undone to Eve's Ready To Wear Lipstick By Teeeze when I was in a hurry was a challenge and I ended up ripping it open hahaha and the lipstick itself is beautifully presented, something I would love to pull out of my handbag for a touch up. The application is nice and creamy and it does feel moisturising, sort of like a lipstick and lip balm in one, but I haven't worn it all day to test how long it lasts. The colour I received was 'Tempting Pink' and it's quite a pale pink, even with my blonde hair I'm not sure it's something that I could use everyday, especially with my darker wardrobe. But maybe more in summer with a white wardrobe? I'll play around with looks and try and find one that works as its a lipstick I would like to use.

You only get one Timeless Truth Miracle Mask and the one I received was the  Miracle Rejuvenation Mask (Firm Skin). Because the product card didn't say much about it, I'll tell you what it says on the back of the pack.
"Discover the inner beauty of your skin. This intensive skin refining mask gives back the fresh, pure look and feel of younger skin. Dull, lifeless skin is rejuvenated leaving it looking radiant, evenly toned and smooth. This mask helps to improve the appearance of age spots, fine lines and wrinkles. With this high performance brightening essence this mask takes rejuvenation to new heights."
Being 23 I don't think I need the firm skin mask yet, but as I received another Timeless Truth mask in another box I think I'll have some mother daughter pamper time soon :)

I haven't tried the Nuxe Huile Prodigieus yet either because it's a foil pack. But I'm looking forward to trying it on the stretch marks on my hips. It is a fairly small sample, 4ml so I'll be lucky to get 2-3 applications depending on how thick the oil is. Looking at the ingredients I believe the 6 precious plant oils  include macadamia, sweet almond, hazel, olive, sunflower and camellia oil. 

Nuxe Crème Merveillance is unfortunately another one I'm yet to try because it's in a foil pack. I much prefer the resealable packs as I can test a small amount of those and put the rest aside for later. This moisturizer claims to 'fills in, smooths, re-plumps'. Looking at the list of ingredients it contains quite a lot of plant extracts and plant oils, including hazel, oat and carrot. Not sure what carrot root extract can do for your skin, but if it works...I'm not one to judge!

Do I like my first ever Violet Box? Yes, I do. I like the presentation, I like the the value, I like the items. For $22.95 I got $70.95 worth of full sized products. I don't count sample sizes in the value of boxes, as most samples come with the words "Free Sample. Not for sale."

What do you think of Violet Box?
L xoxo

Sunday, 15 June 2014

May Bellabox

May BellaBox had a 'Come Fly With Me' theme. It came in its signature blue box with a cardboard wrap, around it with the theme on it. As soon as I opened the box I was provided with a strong scent which I believe comes from the Appelles Rosemary Bodybar, it was a nice smell, but quite overwhelming (even the product card smells like it!).

Appelles Rosemary Bodybar  (100g RRP $5.95) Full size
Chapstick Lip Conditioner (4.2g RRP $3.99) Full size
Timeless Truth Face Mask (30ml RRP $8) Full size
WEN by Chaz Dean Sweet Almond Mint Cleansing Conditioner (480ml RRP $34.99) Sample size
Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Gel - Clear (7.93g RRP $39) Sample Size
(Bonus) Invisible Zinc Tinted  Daywear SPF30+ - Light (50g RRP $32) Sample size

Appelles Rosemary Bodybar. Travel isn't always possible - which is why you should make your own home feel like a luxury hotel! Easy with stunning scented soaps, like this BB fave from Appelles that hydrates skin.

The Invisible Zinc didn't have a blurb. It is something I've tried before and didn't like as it was too thick and just blocked my pores


Timeless Truth Face Mask. These Timeless Truth masks are the perfect remedy for travel, replenishing and restoring life back into your ski when you're on the move. With a mask to match every skin need they are an essential go to product.

WEN by Chaz Dean Sweet Almond Mint Cleansing Conditioner. Designed to hydrate and replenish hair without stripping its natural oils, providing added moisture, strength and sheen.  

Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Gel .The best selling formula from the streets of celeb-ville tames unruly brows without leaving them stiff, flaky or sticky. Fortified with rich botanical conditioners and essential oils, it can be worn alone or layered over brow powders or pencils .Chapstick Lip Conditioner. Moisturises, soothes and prevents, dry chapped lips, wherever you are! SPF15 high protection sunscreen helps to protect.



Conclusion

The Appelles Rosemary Bodybar smell is quite overpowering with lemon myrtle and blue mallee eucalyptus. I don't think I'll be using this for a while as we already have a lot of soap in the house. It's not tested on animals, the ingredients are certified organic and it's paraben free. 


It was a bit of a disappointment to receive a Chapstick in the box. Most people have already tried Chapstick at some point in their lives and it's such an easy thing to pick up at the supermarket. Either way, I already have one so will be giving this to a friend.


I enjoyed the Timeless Truth Face Mask. My mother and I had a girls night where I used this mask and she use the other Timeless Trends mask I reviewed in another box (and promptly started laughing at other) The one I received in the BellaBox was the 'Stem Cell Extract Mask'. The name sounds a little odd, but it felt really nice on my skin, but cold to first apply! 
I'll type what it says on the pack "Employ an exclusive formula by incorporating precious stem cells as the main ingredients. Combining both the serum and the uniquely designed elastic cloth allows the essences to be fully absorbed at the cellular level, where aging begins. It goes right to the heart of the skin-aging problem by supporting the skins natural regeneration process helping to maintain healthy skin. The prolonged de-aging action prevents the loss of moisture and elasticity, helps to reduce skin damage , restore and maintain the skins vital condition." Something I will look at buying again.


WEN by Chaz Dean Sweet Almond Mint Cleansing Conditioner is something I have been thinking about trying before. I haven't because I saw so many mixed results online. A ladies hair is not something to mess around with! Hahaha. I haven't tried this, I'm a little sceptical to try it as I'm currently using a shampoo and conditioner with argan oil to help my super dry bleach damages hair.
Bellabox have a special offer for WEN. $10 off and free postage and handling when you order a 30day deluxe pack. This offer expires on the 30th of June 2014. To get this offer visit www.chazdeanwen.com.au/bellabox


Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Gel did make my eyebrows feel stiff when I first tried it, and when it just tried it on my eyebrow then, it's a little sticky until its dry. It makes the skin under it a little shiny and I guess it doesn't feel natural to me; the gel restricting the skins natural movement. The application is a mascara brush which is easy to use, but it may be a little difficult to get a precise application if the gel was colored. I'm not sold on it. I guess it would be great if someone did have terribly unruly eyebrows, but for most people if you keep them manicured then you'll have no need for this gel at all. Not something I would spend $39 dollars to buy.


Overall I think this box was a bit of a dud. If I'm only counting full sized products I only have $17.94.  Bellabox costs $15 a month, so while I am getting my monies worth, there have been better months :)
The next box has a theme of 'Classic Icons'. I look forward to the June box!
Taken from BellaBox's facebook page