Bellabox Just Made My Day

There are few things that can brighten my day after an extremely busy, stressful work shift. One of these things is an exceptionally wonderful loot from the lovely girls at Bellabox. I arrived home to these little gems today, and I was suitably impressed. Wouldn't you be?!

Hopefully you can appreciate that I'm managing to hold all of these in one hand whilst holding the camera with my other hand! Such skill ;)

The June box contains:

• Nak Diamond Hair Polish: A smoothing creme that can be used on dry hair as a heat protectant and very light-hold styling product.
• Pure Fuji Body Butter: A frangipani scented body butter containing milk proteins and nut extracts.
• Facial Fresh Cloth Facial Treatment Mask: A cloth mask recommended for weekly use. Claims to replenish and protect dehydrated, tight or dry skin.
• Benefit Professional Pro Balm: A translucent, oil-free primer.
• Kiss Dress Nails: Press-on nail art. This particular one is zebra print with rhinestones.
• Fan Di Fendi Fragrance: A small sample of the new Fendi perfume, containing notes of pear, tangerine, blackcurrant, tangerine, leather and patchouli.
• Olea Olive Leaf Drops: 4 cold-fighting lozenges with olive leaf extract and Manuka honey. 

I feel like this box has a really nice mix of products. Excitingly, I haven't tried anything in it before -which is why I love these beauty subscription boxes so much. They give you the opportunity to try and test new or little-known products without committing to forking over the doe for the full size version.

I'm looking forward to trying out the Kiss Dress Nails. I've been eyeing off the Sally Hansen range of nail press-ons for a while now; and this looks very similar. Not sure how I feel about wearing rhinestones on all my fingers, but I think it could look really wild on an accent nail or two. The Nak hair creme certainly wont go astray either. I go through hair products as quickly as milk! Plus I really loved the Nak Hair Oil in April's Bellabox, so I have high hopes for this one.

If I hadn't recently bought an Inglot primer (which I love) I would have definitely been more thrilled by the cute little Benefit one. The packaging alone is enough to win me over! Frothy, retro, super-girly packaging gets me every time! I think I may save this 7.5ml tube for travelling though. What a terrible reviewer I am! So much of my sample-sized stuff has ended up in a makeup case under my bathroom sink - awaiting that faithful day in October when it boards a plane. Hopefully a couple of products from this month's box can make it into my June Favourites though!

If you're interested in giving them a burl, here's the site for Bellabox. After sampling three lovely boxes, they've definitely got my tick of approval. Plus they're based in Melbourne, which means very prompt postage for my fellow Melbournians!

xx.

Spoiled Rotten in May by Lust Have It

Bare with me a tick. I need to get something off my chest before I dive into this May Lust Have It loot extravaganza.

Since December I had been subscribed to the Australian Beauty Box, Glossybox. To begin with, I was quite happy with this company. I was aware of other peoples' problems with GB, but had never encountered any myself. Then things progressively got a little worse. Funds withdrawal and postage dates became a lot more random, and the products themselves were becoming less and less appealing. For instance, a can of coconut water and a Tantasia gradual tanning lotion in a 10ml tube (how could I possibly test this out when a tube of this size isn't even enough to cover my legs for one application?!) It was also obvious that the company were not taking beauty profiles into account. I was sent blonde haircare products on several occasions when it stated on my profile that I was a redhead. I was willing to brush this aside because, well, I was only paying $15 a month for it. Then Glossybox began deleting Facebook posts on their wall (even favourable ones) which really left a bad taste in my mouth. Interested to see if the other beauty subscription services were any better, I subscribed to both BellaBox and Lust Have It at the start of April. Then, as many of you may know, Glossybox was incorporated into Lust Have It, and to be honest I couldn't be happier.

After receiving two months of Lust Have It goody bags I have to say that this is by far my favourite beauty subscription service. For one, their online communication is great (no deleting wall posts with this one!) and they keep you informed via email as to when the boxes/bags are heading your way. Also, instead of bombarding you with virtually and entire bag of skincare or haircare products they include a really nice range of products (in fairly generous sizes too). In this month's bag I received everything from skincare to makeup to haircare to perfume to nail polish. What a feast! So yes. Well done Lust Have It. I stamp your foreheads with many a gold star.

Right. So enough rambling. Here's my favourite beauty bag to date! It should be noted that mine will be different from what the old Glossybox subscribers will be getting as I was subscribed to Lust Have It before the GB incorporation into LHI.

My May Lust Have It Loot!

All Numbered For Your Convenience!

1. Lush 'Dirty' Soap (100gm = $6.95)
I haven't used an actual bar of soap in years as I'm one of those clumsy people who can never quite get a grip on it. It's like a slapstick routine, but nobodies laughing. This gorgeous mint leaf smelling soap has me up for the challenge though. It contains spearmint, sandalwood, pine and something called oakmoss. I've tried spearmint body washes before and found the tingly feeling a little off putting. I feel like the other ingredients in this one will help to tone the mint down though.

2. ModelCo SHINE Ultra Lip Gloss (4.2ml = $18.00)
I was given this full sized lip gloss in the colour Strip Tease which is a light pink with a fine silver shimmer running through it. It comes out very sheer, but very glossy on the lips. The stickiness factor isn't too high, which I like, but it's still a little bit tacky, which I think ensures it's longevity. It has a sponge tip applicator and a little mirror attached to the side of it. Even though this is a novel idea I feel like it's a bit unnecessary with this shade because it's already such an easy colour to apply without really putting a foot wrong. It also smells kind of fruity which wins points with me. 

3. Caron Laboratories Bump eRaisor Medi Paste (30ml = $16.95)
This was another full sized product, and I was over the moon to receive it. It's supposed to prevent and eliminate ingrown hairs with the properties of tea tree oil and triclosan, which is an antibacterial agent. You're meant to rub the cream on the desired area after shaving and then continue applying for the next 7-10 days. I've only just started sampling this on my legs, so I can't tell you whether it's effective or not. However I do like the fact that this is a cream rather than a watery liquid. I've been using the Skin Doctors one off and on for a while now, and I've always felt that it's a little too harsh for my skin. Hopefully this will be a gentler alternative.

4. Calvin Klein Sheer Beauty Perfume (50ml = $80)
This is a fresh, fruity, floral scent bursting with notes of peach, berry, bergamont, pink lily, jasmine, peony, dry musk sandalwood and vanilla blossom. It's nice. I'd definitely wear it. But I don't feel like it's anything special. I'm not sure I'd be willing to fork over the cash for this one. To be honest, it kind of reminds me of one of the Impulse body spray's I used to use in primary school. I think it was called O2. The one in the green and yellow bottle.

5. Bioderma Crealine H20 Makeup Remover (250ml = $39.95)
Had it not been for the info card I would have had no idea what this was. It doesn't say anywhere on the bottle! Bioderma is a brand I hear quite a lot about in the beauty blogger realm. Although, I'm yet to try it. So this will be a nice little introduction for me. Apparently this makeup remover is said to be good for people with sensitive skin and eyes whilst being tough on removing "even the heaviest of makeup". At $39.95 a pop, it ought to be! 

6. Nicole by OPI Nail Lacquer (15ml = $14.95)
After doing a little research I worked out that the name of the colour I was given was 'One Less Lonely Glitter'. This is a clear polish filled with a combination of super fine and slightly larger hexagonal amethyst glitter. I already have a full sized glitter polish from the Nicole collection which I adore, which is in the colour 'Rainbow in the S-Kylie'. So I'm quite excited to give this one a whirl. I wish OPI did mini sizes like this for all their polishes. It'd be so convenient for travel.

7 & 8. Evo The Therapist Calming Shampoo and Conditioner (300ml = $29.95)
This brand is completely new to me. Both are designed to hydrate and protect frizzy, dry and coloured hair. They contain proteins which, having bleached hair, is something that I look for in a shampoo and conditioner. They're also paraben and sulphate free if that's important to you. On top of that, the conditioner smells like vanilla! Lovely. I have to admit, I'm currently loving my Revlon Nutri-Colour Creme, so I'll probably only try out the conditioner when I finish up with that. But I'll certainly give the shampoo a go next time I wash my hair. Also, I couldn't end this break-down of the products without including the cute little description written on the front of the conditioner: "no more hiding your frizzy hair and no more inner shame...you're now a racehorse that's bolted from the stables gleaming with pride. run with it, feel the freedom, run with it...neighhhhhhh." Haha! Well I liked it anyway.

My Chaddy Haul!

I spent the day yesterday shopping up a storm at Chaddy with my Mum.  I had some vouchers and money I'd accumulated over Christmas and my birthday so I wanted to pick up some bits and pieces I had been eyeing off (and also a few exciting random purchases). I often try to avoid this particular shopping centre because it's colossal and houses so many brilliant cosmetics, skincare and fashion stores. For this reason it tends to wreak havoc on my purse! But gift money justifies a visit right? Anyway, on the off chance you might be interested I thought I'd share with you what I carted home with me.

Beauty by Vitalcare Mirror. $33 from Priceline.

For ages I've been doing my makeup in a poorly lit lounge room using a small mirror tentatively placed on an upturned tissue box. Not exactly an ideal setup. This solves everything. Good lighting AND a stand! Another bonus is that it's battery operated. So it's perfect for moving it to wherever you need it to go.

Beyonce Pulse Eau De Parfum 50ml. $49 from Perfume Connection.

I'd been lusting after this perfume since December but couldn't justify buying it for myself. When I saw it on sale I simply couldn't resist! Especially considering my perfume collection currently consists of three perfumes I no longer wear, one bottle I do and one roller ball bottle of Couture Couture by Juicy Couture. For anyone who hasn't smelt this it's fruity and floral. Like a gummy bear sitting on an orchid. Now there's a mental picture for you!

Revlon Nutricolor Creme in 600 Fire Red. $25 from Lattouf International.

I'd heard a lot of good things about this colour depositing treatment by Revlon. Beauty blogger All Dolled Up had mentioned it in a video saying that it does wonders for maintaining coloured hair. So I thought I'd give it a go. One tube is 100ml and they also have 250ml pump bottles, but they're fazing them out I believe. It replaces a conditioner and is said to last you four washes. This doesn't sound like much considering the price; however I only wash my hair once a week, so this will last me the month. 

Dragon's Egg Bath Ballistic. $6 from Lush.

I thought I'd treat myself to this little baby after the wonderment that was Lush's green bubbleroon. This is from Lush's standard bath bomb range. It smells fresh and zesty like lemon sherbet. Yummo! Plus apparently it has gold glitter in the middle!

Chi Chi Viva La Diva Lipsticks in Centrefold (left) and Drop Dead Gorgeous (right). $19 each from Myer. $28.50 for two with Myer's current offer of buy one Chi Chi product, get the second half price.

I've been head-over-heels for Chi Chi lipsticks of late. They're pretty comparable to Mac in terms of quality but a little bit cheaper. They're also a product of Australia which is hunky dorey. 

Centrefold

 I'd been on a mission to find this one since I'd swatched it in Target and Gloss, but it had been out of stock in both! As you can see, it's a nude. I never thought I'd see the day that I would purchase a nude lippie, but I was quite fond of this one. I think it'd be perfect for a bit of a 60's look when I want to go heavy on the eye makeup. Also, rather than being a straight matte finish, this one is a creamy matte. So it's a lot more comfortable to wear.

Drop Dead Gorgeous

I actually owned this one way back in the day when Chi Chi were packaging their lipsticks in cardboard tubes (what a terrible idea!). I absolutely loved the shade but had to throw it out because the tube was getting too manky for words. So when I discovered that Chi Chi were still making this shade I had to pick it up. I find this shade really warms my face up and does wonders for accentuating rose coloured blush. It's a matte finish though so it can be a little drying. Nothing a lip balm can't fix though. Ahhh. I love it.

Trina & Co Cosmetics Bag. $11 on sale at Target.

I needed a new bag to house my ever-growing collection of makeup. Plus using a pencil case for my brushes just wasn't cutting it! Then I stumbled across this little gem. It feels like a bit of a nod to Tiffany & Co which certainly wins points for me. The lining is navy and white polka dots and as you can see it has two sections. So I can now use one side for my brushes and the other side for my makeup. Success!

Travalo Excel Atomiser. $18 from Perfume Connection.

I can't exactly remember which blogger introduced me to this nifty product (I think it was A Sprinkle of Glitter), but I saw this at the counter of Perfume Connection and immediately snapped it up. If you haven't seen or heard about the Travalo before, it's basically a little handbag-friendly-sized perfume carrier. You just have to take the cap off one of your full sized perfumes, place the tube thingy in the end of the Travalo and keep pressing down until you can see that it's full. The see-through indicator on the side makes it easy. What a great idea! It's also small enough that you can chuck it in your carry-on luggage when travelling. They're available in lots of different colours too so that you can differentiate your fragrances. Or you can just marvel at how pretty they all are!

Over and out buddies!