Saturday 28 March 2015

Bellabox March and February Review

Hey Readers,
I hope this post finds you well. This months Bellabox has arrived at my door this week and I have to say not a bad box overall. With the box this month has also come the news that BB will be increasing in price. As of June an additional $2.95 will be added to the current price increasing the box from $15 to $17.95 per month. Given that this is the first increase in four years so overall it is only elevating marginally. I have now been subscribed since the first box four years ago (and have blogged about this box since BB turned one in 2012) so I thought for those of you trying to decide whether to continue your membership or if you are thinking of subscribing for the first time. I would give an over view of my thoughts on BB. Now personally over the years time I have received boxes with products and  I have loved every product and I have received boxes were I have only really enjoyed one. But the main reason I subscribed was to be introduced to products I normally wouldn't pick up, as well as possibly get samples of products that I would want to try but don't have the dollars to pay just to see what its like!!! Yes there have been items that haven't suited my skin tone, or a colour that I wouldn't choose and over time I've ended up with a lot of hand creams, lip balms and anti wrinkle products. But in the end boxes are always consistent from month to month with a mix of product types, products that are decent quality regardless of being supermarket or department store. Yes some samples are more generous in size than others but you generally get a feel whether it will work or not. Also their delivery and customer service is of a high standard. This is why I have stayed with BB from the beginning and most likely will continue into the future. 

OK so onto the review of the box that I received in February!!


February Box


Essie Nail polish in Really Red

I have thoroughly been enjoying this polish this month. The formula is easy to apply, opaque with just one coat, streak free and long lasting. The colour is bright but I really have been loving the splash of colour.

Crabtree and Evelyn Avocado Oil and Basil Ultra Moisturising Hand Cream

This is a really soft scented hand cream that absorbs easily and moisturises really well. Have been enjoying this one and happy to have in the collection for winter. 

Burts Bees Lemon Butter Cuticle Cream  

I just love the smell of this cream the lemon scent really is gorgeous. And it really does the job helping to keep cuticles moisturised and also helping to repair those rough edges. A little goes a long way so happy to have enough to see me through the winter months.

Transformulas Marine Miracle Creme and Lip Volume

Not sure what to say about this. The creams themselves go on smooth and has a really nice scent and while I got nearly two tries out of the miracle I still really couldn't tell a difference in my complexion or lips. 

Z'Kin Line Smoothing Serum 

I enjoyed receiving 2ml of sample for this product each use made my skin feel plump and soft but for me personally that is about it.

March Bellabox

#Selfie is the theme for this months box and BB have included products to help improve and highlight the complexion!!!




Colour Therapy Eye Pencil received the shade Emerald
Colour Therapy is a German made brand that can be found in pharmacy and is a quite affordable brand. Excited to see a makeup product and while green isn't my usual choice for eyeliner I had to try this one out. Its a gorgeous dark green that is quite subtle the product it self is creamy and easy to apply and its buildable so the colour can be as soft or bold as you like.



Nivea Sun Light Feel Face Veil SPF30 recieved a 50ml full size.
This is an everyday sunscreen that gives both UVA and UVB protection is light weight, non greasy and can be worn under makeup. Interested to try this one I was actually looking for something like this when Priceline had their last 40% off skin care could not find anything more that SPF 15 at the time and while I have a few day creams on the go at the moment I am really wanting to open this one.



Palmer's Cocoa Butter Formula Skin Perfecting Moisturizing Day Cream received a 15g deluxe sample full size is 150g.
Designed to hydrate, balance and protect with SPF 15. A perfect daily moisturiser. Despite the fact that I have two day creams included in my box I am actually equally excited to see this on included. I had received some sachet samples from this range a while back and loved the products so happy to see a bit bigger size to be able to try again. 

Palmer's Cocoa Butter Formula Creamy Cleanser and Makeup Remover received a 15g deluxe sample full size is 150g. 
This gentle cleanser will effortlessly remove impurities, excess oil and makeup all whilst helping skin retain its moisture balance. Again happy to see the inclusion from palmers and happy to see a cleanser/makeup remover I am always trying new ones so happy to give this a try.



Kerastase Resistance Bain Force Achitecte Shampoo recieved a 10ml deluxe sample full size is 250ml
This shampoo says it will help to strengthen, rebuild and reconstruct hair from roots to ends. Interested to try this one I have recently changed shampoo and not really liking it so happy to try something else. 



Bonus Samples
Revlon Photoready Air brush Effect in the shade Natural Beige received a sachet sample full size is 30ml
Happy to see this included have been wanting to try this foundation so interested to see
how it works.



Stabilo Neon Highlighter in the shade Orange
OK so I know in the past I haven't been to kind on BB for bonus samples that don't fit the theme of the box and this products inclusion may seem like that at first. It also has certainly caused a storm on social media but I have to say I love it and am happy to see its inclusion. The reason for its inclusion is actually a competition that BB are running this month. For me it unlocks the stationery junkie from within!! Before makeup I had stationery a lot of stationery!! While I was at uni I collected every coloured pen, pencil, highlighter, note book etc to use for my notes and charts, I was addicted and quite sad when I no longer had use for it all so this for me is perfect and I am happy to take this to use at work!!!



OK so that ends BB for March. I hope you enjoyed this post. I hope it helps if you are undecided about your subscription. I cannot wait to try everything out and see how it all goes. So until next post Happy Reading and Happy Shopping.

Everlynne.

Saturday 21 March 2015

Mascara Madness #10

Hey Readers,
I hope this post finds you well. This week I am back with another mascara madness post. I have been trying out a few mascaras over the last couple of months and as usual have not only been seeing how they go as an every day mascara but also comparing them to their advertising pitch to see whether they live up to their promotion and advertising.



Beauty Essentials Volumising Mascara
The Pitch: Volumise your lashes for a more glamourous look.
The Reality: Ok so not much of a pitch for this mascara. It comes with no fancy advertising campaign or famous celebrity endorsement it is simply Priceline Pharmacy's own brand mascara. It's the only one in the range so far, and the only colour it comes in is black with a price tag of $3 I think its one of the most inexpensive mascaras you can pick up. But don't let that fool you this mascara is actually really good. It not only has cute rose gold and black packaging but it  volumises and even lengthens your lashes. It's also really easy to work with a thinner wand allowing you to get both inner corner lashes and bottom lashes easily. It gives a really nice defined lash without looking too over done. I have really enjoyed this one and will definitely pick this up again!!!



It's So Big Volumizing Mascara by Elizabeth Mott
The Pitch:A unique formula that lengthens and curls your lashes without smudging. Maintains mega volume for the whole day whilst being easily removable. The hourglass shaped brush with both long and short bristle pattern delivers the right amount of mascara to each lash, watch your lashes grow bigger with each layer. 
The Reality: At the time I received this mascara in a Bellabox it came with much hype but from the first try I really wasn't that impressed. Its a good mascara, it coats your lashes giving volume and its hour glass shaped wand gives curl and it does last all day but more often than not my lashes where left with excess product, I also found it flakes a little in the hotter weather. Not my favourite. 



Essence Lash Princess Volume Mascara
The Pitch: lash princess mascara has a specially shaped cobra-head wand that covers each individual lash to create breathtaking volume with a great curl.
The Reality: What you read is what you get. And I really have been enjoying using this mascara. The brush coats lashes perfectly and the curve of the wand gives both curl and lift to your lashes. It doesn't clump or flake and it lasts all day. 



Max Factor Masterpiece Transform High Impact Volumising Mascara
The Pitch: A revolutionary new mascara instantly creates darker, bigger, more dramatic lashes thanks to the new instant impact wand – the small brush that captures and volumises every lash. Prepare for totally transformed lashes.
The Reality: Its an ok mascara. While the smaller and tappered wand does allow you to catch every lash both top and bottom and overall I feel it gives more length than volume. On a whole it just doesn't give me wow lashes they just look like I've applied mascara nothing special. On the plus side though it does last all day and hasn't flaked or clumped. 




So that ends this Mascara Madness post. Hoping these reviews help next time your in the market for a new mascara. Until next post happy reading and happy shopping!!

Everlynne.

The websites that helped me write this post:
https://www.priceline.com.au/index.php/cosmetics/eyes/mascara/volumising-mascara-12.0-ml

http://www.elizabethmott.com/shop/its-so-big-volumizing-mascara/


http://www.essence.eu/lashprincess/en-au/infos/

http://www.maxfactor.com.au/make-up-products/eyes/mascara/max-factor-masterpiece-transform-high-impact-volumising-mascara

Saturday 14 March 2015

The Parcel by Marie Claire Autumn Edit

Hey Readers,
Hope this post finds you well. I am here today with another post on The Parcel by Marie Claire cannot believe its been three months since my last box. I am still enjoying those products and now I have another box jam packed with new goodies to try. So lets get straight into whats in the box!!!



Lancome Advanced Genifique Youth Activating Concentrate received a 7ml deluxe sample full size is 50ml
This award winning serum says it will repair and reactivate the 10 visible signs of youthful looking skin not sure about this one I always forget to use serums but will try and remember and see how it goes. 



Max Factor Masterpiece Transform Mascara received a full size 12ml in Black
This is one of Max Factors latest releases with a slender wand and shorter bristles this mascara is said to catch every lash giving a naturally full effect. As you know I always love a good mascara inclusion sadly I am not that excited as I have already tried this one its a good mascara and if you want to know more I will have a full review is in an upcoming Mascara Maddness!!!



Rimmel BB Cream Radiance in the shade Medium received a full size 30ml tube.
This is the latest product to be released from Rimmel and we are lucky enough to get to try before its released into store next month.  This 9 in 1 product says it primes, smoothes, conceals, mimises the appearance of pores, provides natural coverage, moisturises for 24 hours, awakens and brightens, giving a radiant finish. Interested to try this one cannot wait to see if it lives up to the claims.



MOR Emporium Classics Snow Gardenia Triple Milled Soap received one 
This hand wrapped triple milled soap combines sweet almond oil, shea butter, vitamin E with the floral notes of gardenia to leave skin feeling nourished and fragranced. While this is a beautifully smelling soap I don't really use soap so like most of the others I receive in beauty boxes this will be added to my clothes draws as a scent!!



L'Occitane Dry Skin Hand Cream in Vanilla Bouquet recieved a 30ml deluxe sample full size is 150ml
Its probably a bit cliche that we see a hand cream in a autumn/winter box despite this though I am glad to see that Marie Claire have picked a little bit more upmarket version to include. This hand ream is enriched with 20 percent shea butter balm and says  it will penetrate quickly to protect, nourish and hydrate dry skin.  




Garnier Skin Naturals Miracle Skin Cream received a full size 50ml tube.
When I first saw this in Priceline and again when I pulled it from this box my first thoughts were is it a primer or is it a moisturiser reading the packaging I think it may lean towards both!! This miracle cream adjust itself to your own skin tone, moisturises, smooths, evens skin tone and illuminates whilst reducing the appearance of wrinkles, dark spots and pores. It also includes an SPF 15. Really interested to try this am interested to see how it performs on its own as well as how it goes under foundation. 



Schick Hydro Silk received a full size pack 
With its water activated moisturising serum hydrates up to two hours post shave and five blades that provide closeness to minimising nicks maximising smoothness. While I already have a razor I enjoy using I am always interested to try something different these are also great to put in the travel pack!!



Neutrogena Make up remover towelettes recieved a deluxe sample pack of 7 full size are 25 wipes
As you know I love a good makeup wipe and these are a really good product. They are great at removing a days makeup quickly and easily they are super convenient for a travel bag or hand bag. The towelettes themselves are not to wet or too dry with remover. Very happy to see them include.



 Ok so that ends all the products I received for the parcel autumn edit. I am really eager to try these products cannot wait to get started. Now I know said this in my last post but I have to say  it again. I am really impressed by the quality of these boxes, not only are we getting a decent amount of products, but decent quantities of those products no sachets and more than just 1-2ml of product. But we are also getting boxes that are coming expertly packaged and delivered on time!!! I also enjoy that every subscriber gets the same products so value and products received is fair for all.  So if your getting bored with the usual beauty boxes and what to try something new I recommend giving this one a go!!! Until next post Happy Reading and Happy Shopping

Everlynne