PRODUCT REVIEW: BELLABOX MARCH 2017

Today I'm very excited to share with you my very first Bellabox. I have, needless to say, tried heaps of other beauty subscriptions over the years, but never Bella Box, though I've always been intrigued and so tempted, so when I was offered the opportunity for a colab, I naturally couldn't resist finding out what all the hype was about.

Now, I am sure you're probably already familiar with Bella Box, but in case you're not - it is a monthly subscription box, where you get 5+ samples delivered each month, with a value guaranteed to exceed the cost of the box! Perfect if you want to try out new products, and keep up with the latest and greatest, without having to fork out big money for full sized products, you may essentially not like, or that you perhaps would never have come across otherwise.

Well, enough of the babbling, let's get onto what was in this months goodies, which came in a little turquoise box with white dots. The box is rather sturdy, and would be great to use for other little knickknacks, but as I've often said before about beauty boxes, I don’t care much for the outer, its what's inside that counts! And here it is..

The theme of the items all go under 'Raw Beauty', and is all about body and skincare to treat the skin without any nasties.


Sukin Hydrating Facial Masque - 50ml (RRP: $15.95 / 100ml)

I love Sukin products. They are efficient, and super gentle and so affordable too. And this moisturising mask will be a perfect mask as we head into winter and the skin will need some more moisture. It contains among others mango seed butter, avocado oil and olive fruit extract, which all sounds pretty good to me, so I can't wait to try it out.


Colour By TBN Nail Polish x 2 - Full Size (RRP: $2.95 / 15ml)

I have tried a couple of these nail polishes before, and considering their low price, they are really good. I got a gorgeous metallic turquoise shade, which I haven't got in my collection, along with a clear shade, which never goes astray. So all happy days from me.


La Mav Gradual Tanning Moisturiser - 10ml (RRP: $39.95 / 200ml)

I am not the biggest user of self tanners, mainly because I don't like smell of them as they develop - but this one claims to not have the 'fake tan smell' so it may just be the products I've been looking for, so cannot wait to put it to the test and see if it stacks up.


Aime New Leaf Deep Pore Exfoliating Polish - 25ml (RRP: $8.99 / 100ml)

The first brand out of the lot that I haven't heard of or tried before, which I like, as for me, discovering new brands is one of the key attributes of a beauty subscription box. This cleanser claims to work deep down every pore, so it sounds like it will be the perfect product for my combination blemish prone skin.


Lily Anne Beauty Clean Purifying Cleanser - 10ml (RRP: $44.00 / 100ml)

Another brand that is new to me, yay. This cleanser is from an Australian brand, (yay again), and it is a deep cleansing and purifying cleanser, so again perfect for my skin type. I also love that the purchase of Lily Anne products help support empower women out of poverty, which is such a great cause.


Swisse Rose Hip Facial Moisturiser - 10ml (RRP: $9.95 / 125ml)

I have naturally heard of Swisse but only ever tried their vitamins, not their skincare, so it is kind of a new brand to me as well. This moisturiser is for normal skin, but claims to be non-greasy so it may just be great for my skin anyway. It includes rose water and smells so beautiful.


Palmer's Raw Shea Body Lotion - 5ml sachet - Bonus Sample

This is a bonus sample, so cannot really complain about it, but I would naturally have loved a larger size as the sachet hardly contains enough cream to cover my full body. That said, I do look forward to trying this 'cleaner' version and the intense moisture of this sounds like it will be the perfect moisturiser as we head towards winter.


So there you go, the contents of the March '17 Bellabox. Personally I am quite impressed with both the variety and amount of samples contained in this box. I would have loved the inclusion of a few more 'luxe' items as I am more likely to purchase full sized products of cheaper brands, knowing there is a risk I may not like them, the expense is not so high. But that said, a lot of my beauty staples are budget brands, so it is always great being exposed to some new ones.

My fave items in the box is without a doubt the Sukin mask, followed by the Lily Anne cleanser - and I'm surprising myself here, but although I am not a regular self-tanner, I am actually looking forward to testing this on from La Mav.


Bellabox - RRP: $17.95 ($15.00+ $2.95 P&H) on a subscription plan, billed monthly, but you can cancel anytime.
Available from Bellabox

* Products have been kindly provided for consideration, and have reviewed in accordance with my Disclosure Policy.


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PRODUCT REVIEW: LUST HAVE IT - JANUARY 2015

My Lust Have It for December arrived yesterday the 20^th February… yep, that’s right, a month late!! And really, it should have been a double delivery, as the February box is now due too, with just a week to go before the end of February. Who knows when the February box will show up! If I was a paying subscriber, I would be disappointed, regardless of the amount of communication regarding the delay, and especially considering I believe that payment for charge for this January box a long time ago, and that actually, that the payment for the February boxes have also already been charged! In saying that, as this box has been sent to me as a PR sample, I really cannot complain. So without further ado, here are my thoughts on the January Lust Have It Box;

What They Say:

Lust Have It boxes regularly contains products worth $60+ for only $19.95/month! Monthly box filled with 5 to 6 premium beauty samples. Delivered to your home or work each month for you to try.

RRP: Lust Have It Box (monthly) RRP: $19.95, Eco Box (quarterly) RRP: $29.95 – but if you use my unique code LIFESTYLE at the checkout on the Lush Have It website, you are eligible for $5 off your first box from Lust Have It, and at the same time you’ll also be supporting Beauty & Lifestyle Hunter, as I will get a few dollars too if someone subscribes using this code.

Available from Lust Have It 

What I Say:

As per previous months, this month the goodies again arrived in a see-through pink mesh bag, and these are the products in bag this month;

Urban Skincare Co Infuse Body Balm – Sample 35ml (RRP: $12.95/100ml)

I have previously received one of these body balms in some beauty box, and while the novelty factor is not there, I am personally very pleased receiving another one as I really loved it. It contains among others calcium and magnesium to hydrate dry skin, and it has the most amazing citrus scent. The box also came with a discount card offering you 20% of your next order from Urban Skincare Co.


Marsk Certified Organic Eyeliner in Pitch Black – Full Size (RRP: $33.50)

I usually use either black or dark brown eyeliner, so in that respect this eyeliner is a very welcome addition, and I will certainly put it to some use - once I’ve used the many other eyeliners that I’ve previously received in beauty boxes. But I do like the fact that this is a certified organic product, and it seems to have a good pigmentation, so I look forward to seeing how it performs.



Colour by TBN Neon Nail Polish in 172 White as Snow – Full Size (RRP: $2.50/15ml)

As the name suggests, I got a white nail polish. As such, there is nothing wrong with that, except I am just not the biggest wiz at applying nail polishes, and I just cannot seem to get pastels, and in particularly whites right. They always end up looking so patch that I’ve actually more or less given up on them. But I have tried a few other colours from the range, which were ok, especially seeing they are just $2.50. They do promise a scratch-proof salon quality, and while I don’t think that it quite true, I still feel that they offer a decent quality and wear of a couple of days.



Marsk Mineral Eyeshadow in Mudcake – Full Size (RRP: $24.95/1.2g)

Regular subscribers were apparently able to pick their colour between this Mudcake and another shade. I didn’t get to pick, but am very happy to receive the Mudcake shade as it is a dark brown colour and the type of shade that I’d normally wear. The loose pigmented mineral Eyeshadow is very pigmented so you honestly only need the tiniest amount. It has a bit of a sheen, and while I don’t like too glittery products, this is ok.



Beaubox Wonder Powder in Nearly Nude – Full Size (RRP: $20/6g)

 

I have never previously tried anything from the brand Beaubox, so I am very pleased to see something new. The lose mineral powder promises a radiant glow, while also helping to control excess shine, so that really ticks the boxes for me. I also loe that it contains SPF15. The shade Nearly Nude, however, is a little pale, and in all honestly a touch too pale for my medium beige skin tone. But I will hang on to it and use it come winter when my skin is at its palest.



Bonus Sample - Designer Brands Chubby Lipstick Crayon in 410 Dollface Pink – Full Size (RRP: $7.99)


 

This is a bonus product as compensation for the boxes being so delayed this month! I love lip crayons, so I do like that this one has been included. It has been made with cocoa butter and vitamin E to help keep your lips soft and moisturised, and at just $7.99 it is certainly one of the cheaper lip crayons on the market. First impression is that it is quite pigmented, so I do look forward to seeing how it performs. I got the shade Dollface Pink which is a fuchsia pink shade, and I have to admit that I am not usually wearing a lot of pink lipsticks preferring mauves and reds, but it will be a nice break from the norm! 



Hello Fresh $35 Voucher

 

Finally, the box also came with a $35 voucher for Hello Fresh. You get all food the food delivered including recipes to cook from, all you have to do is cook. All the hard work is done for you. I love this concept, and keep wanting to try them out. However, I already have a handful of these vouchers floating around, so I have to admit that I am a little over seeing these vouchers in beauty boxes. Really a sachet cream sample would have been more appropriate, especially when it is a repeat product.

So there you to, the contents of the January Lust Have It Box. The box contains five full sized products and a sample size, and predominantly a makeup box this month, which I don’t mind, as I do have plenty of skincare – well I do have a lot of makeup too, but that is kind of different, LOL! The box has a value of over $90 so in that respect it is certainly good value for money – but this really only holds true if you are actually going to use all the products! The actual contents of the box is ok, and there are a couple of the products in including the Marks eyeliner and eye shadow, as well as the Urban Skincare Co that I am particularly excited about. I would also have been excited about the Beaubox Wonder Powder, if only it had come in a slightly darker shade and it would have been a little suitable for my skin tone. The Colour by TBN nail polish and the Designer Brands Lipstick Crayon, are both cheap products, so as such they don’t really excite me that much, as they are so cheap that I’d buy them myself, even in colours that I normally would use, simply because they are so cheap that it is no big deal if you don’t like them. But they are certainly a good inclusion to the boxes, you cannot argue with that.

So all in all I think that this is an ok box, it is not the best box I’ve ever received, but it certainly isn’t the worst one either.

*Product was kindly provided for consideration, and has reviewed in accordance with my Disclosure Policy.

What do you think of this month’s Lust Have It Box? Are you subscribing, or considering subscribing? Any products you are particularly keen on? And as always, if you’d like to see full reviews of any of the products, do let me know..

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BEST BEAUTY BUDGET BUYS - MAKEUP EDICTION - FEB 2015

This month I thought that I’d do an edition of my Best Beauty Budget Buys, focusing on makeup buys that I find are particularly great value..

Colour Theory Nail Polishes Pastel Collection

When your hands and toes are slightly summer tanned, nothing beats a slick or two of a pastel nail polish, and these cute nail polishes are a brilliant choice. There are over 20 different colours in the Colour Theory Nail Polish Collection, but I at the moment I am particularly fond of the range of pastels including, It’s a Boy, It’s a Girl, Minted, Lilac-A-Lovely, and Crème de la Crème – in fact, I cannot really decide which one is my favourite, but then its lucky they are so cheap you can afford them all. The formaldehyde free polishes are easy to apply and dry quickly, although two coats are required for a solid colour, but I think that is the case with most pasted coloured polishes anyway. They have a wear of a few days, which can be extended by the use of a base and top coat, but I think is decent, also considering the low price. I also love that there are so many more colours in the range, so even if you are not into pastels, there’s still a colour for you.

RRP: $4.00 – Available from Amcal and Guardian Pharmacies




EcoTools Skin Perfecting Brush

Good makeup brushes at a reasonable price can be hard to come by, but lately I have been loving this Skin Perfecting Brush from EcoTools. The brush has been specifically designed for use with BB and CC Creams, which is what I tend to wear most days, especially during summer.

The brush has cut dense angled yet soft bristles to give you a smooth application with an even look, without transferring oil from the hands to the face. The angled bristles also make it easy to get to hard to reach areas, including around the eyes and in the corner of the nose. A great quality brush at a low price.

RRP: $15.99 – Available from The Beauty Office




Essence Lash Princess Mascara

This mascara has the cutest packaging ever, featuring a corset/dress design. It has a slim wand that makes it easy to get to and cover even the tiniest of lashes. It coats evenly and gives your lashes both nice volume and length, while also adding a touch of curl, and you can build it up by adding another coat or two, all without clumping – although you do have to make sure to do it before it dries to avoid clumping.

The Mascara is not waterproof, but it still lasts all day without flaking, even surviving my sensitive watery eyes. A good mascara for everyday use, at a brilliant price!

RRP: $6.75 - Available from Target and Priceline 




Essence Silky Touch Blush

This blush in the shade Autumn Peach is a lovely pinky-peach shade with a touch of golden sheen, that is still subtle without being over the top shimmery. It initially goes in quite sheer, but you can easily build up the coverage as much as you like, as it is surprisingly pigmented, yet while still looking quite natural.

The blush is has a lovely soft finish, and it lasts all day on the cheeks without fading or sliding. A fantastic blush at a bargain price!

RRP: $5.10 – Available from Target and Priceline



Colour by TBN Moisturising Lipstick

These lipsticks from Colour by TBN are a serious bargain buy. They contain vitamin E and aloe vera and not only lightweight but also feel moisturising on the lips. They apply easily and leave a lovely semi-matte finish on the lips. The are very pigmented, and especially the darker colours, and they lasts fairly well on the lips. There is a massive 20 different shades in the range, so there is sure to be a colour to match every preference and occasion. I also love that the covers are colour matched to the shade of the lipstick as at just $2.50 there’s no excuse to pick out several from the large.

RRP: $2.50 – Available from select pharmacies




DB Designer Brands Lightweight Oil-Free Foundation SPF15

This foundation offers you a light to medium coverage that is easy to apply and blend easily covering minor blemishes, redness and pigmentation. It contains among others sericite mica as well as vitamin C and E and aloe vera to care for your skin as you wear it, which means that it feels so lovely and moisturising at the skin too. I also love that it is so lightweight and also is oil-free, and contains no talc, bismuth that can clog up pores.

It has a natural looking dewy finish that stays put all day, even on a hot day, without too much shine, and without settling into fine lines too. I also love that it has SPF15, although a higher SPF wouldn’t go astray. It comes in a heavy-duty glass bottle with a pump that is both easy and convenient to use!

RRP: $12.95 (30ml) – Available from Priceline and Designer Brands Online

*Some Products may have been kindly provided for consideration, and has reviewed in accordance with my Disclosure Policy.


So there you go, a collection of makeup at bargain prices!


Have you tried any of these products? Keen on trying any of them? Which bargain makeup products would you recommend?

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