PRODUCT REVIEW: BELLABOX SEPTEMBER 2018 INCLUDING TARTE TARTEIST

PRODUCT REVIEW: BELLA BOX NOVEMBER 2017

XMAS BEAUTY GIFT IDEAS UNDER $25

Today I've got a selection of Xmas gift ideas suitable for any beauty lover, and the best part, none of them will break the bank as they are all under $25, so they're great stocking fillers too.

First up is the Olive Hands Gift Set, which contains a Pomegranate Hand & Nail Cream (50ml) as well as a Blackcurrant Hand & Nail Cream (50ml). Inside the purple gift box you'll find the two tubes of hand and nail cream, the purple Blackcurrant and the Pink Pomegranate one, and I really love these brightly coloured tubes.

Each of the creams have the most gorgous fresh and natural fruity scents, with my personal favourite being the Pomegranate as it is slightly fresher. The cream has a lovely consistency and absorbs quickly and easily into my dry hands, leaving them silky soft and smooth, without any stickiness and with the gorgeous scent lingering for quite some time. Olive is a New Zealand brand, known for their natural skincare made from active and botanical ingredients and which are all free from parabens, mineral oils, colourants, artificial fragrances and silicones.

Next up there's the Evodia Byron Bay Frangipani gift set, which contains a Hand Cream (100ml) and Fragrance Roll-On (15ml). The Hand Cream is made with among others Sweet Almond Oil, Jojoba and Avocado Oils as well as Cocoa Butter. It is a thick and rich hand cream, which naturally takes a few moments to absorb into the skin but the wait is worthwhile as is super nourishing and moisturising, and leaves you hands silky soft for hours. It has the most gorgeous frangipani scent, that is quite strong for a hand cream, which I really love as it means the beautiful scent lingers for a long time.

The gift set also includes a frangipani Roll-On fragrance - and don't be fooled by the little roll-on bottle, as this one really packs a punch. It is a very concentrated fragrance designed to roll onto your pulse points for a lasting floral scent - and should you want to touch-up throughout the day, it has the perfect size to pop into the handbag.

Then there's the Goodness Grab & Go Try-Me Kit. As Goodness says, "this pack smooshes, drips, squeezes and scoops all your natural skincare needs. Packed with mega-omega boosting certified organic chia seed oil, your skin, your mates or your carry-on will love you for it". This means that this skincare kit really contains everything you need for a trip away, including a Certified Organic Seed Oil (5ml), which is a light oil containing high doses of Omega 3 and Omega 6. it also contains an Every Day Cream Cleanser (20ml), which is a super gentle cream cleanser that removes all makeup, dirt and grime that has built up on your skin throughout the day (and night). It contains apple extract, chia seed, avocado and coconut oils. It also contains an Every Week Face Scrub (10ml), which as the name suggests is a facial scrub to be used weekly. It is packed with powdered pumice, chia seed, avocado and coconut oils, and it gently helps buff away dead skin cells to help reveal as clearer and smoother skin. Then there's the Every Morning Moisturiser (20ml), which is a lovely light, yet very hydrating cream that apart from the chia seed, avocado and coconut oils, also contain bilberry and hibiscus extracts. Finally, the gift set also includes an Every Evening Cream, which is a jar with a very thick and nourishing cream, while it is still non greasy and absorbs into the skin quickly. It contains the chia seed, avocado and coconut oils aw well as honeysuckle flower extract. Goodness is a New Zealand brand, and I love the pastel coloured tubes and jars, and the humorous comments printed on the labels such as 'apply to clean face. Admire your awesomeness (and check your teeth for kale), and Remove Makeup. Apply. Sleep. Wake. Repeat after 15-18 hours".

 

If you're after makeup, Sugarbaby has got a the most stunning nude eye shadow palette called Amplif-eye Natural Eyeshadow Palette. This palette contains 14 beautiful neural shades ranging from soft nudes to intense chocolate and charcoals, and even a black. The top row of the palette contains 7 shimmering shades, while the bottom row contain 7 matte shades. The shades are soft and easy to apply and blend, and they are also, especially considering the very low price of this palette, very pigmented and wear very well during the day. This means that you can easily build up the intensity of the shades (and even more so if you apply them with a damp brush!), or of course just apply them as a wash of colour. All the shades in the palette are beautifully coordinated so you'd use every single shade, and they are very wearable for both a day-time 'no- makeup look, or a more intense nighttime look. If you cannot afford or justify the hefty price tag of some of the branded nude eye palettes, then this one from Sugarbaby is a great alternative. I also love the packaging, the white leather look, with the large internal mirror and the double ended brush applicator, makes it look very sleek and stylish, and also more expensive than it really is.

 

 

Designer Brands also have countless gift sets that you cannot miss, including the Nude Pout Perfection Gift Set. This set is a 3 piece lip kit that contains just what you need to enhance your natural lip shape and achieve a full luscious lip, including a nude shaded lip pencil to use to outline your lips. It also includes a velvet lipstick in a nude soft mauve shade, that is giving you full colour intensity in just one swipe, and a matte look that lasts hours, while still feeling soft and non-drying on the lips. Finally, there's also a pale golden shimmery lip gloss that you can use on top for a plumper and fuller looking lips. Or of course, you can use both the lipstick or the gloss individually on their own. This kit is also available in a Ruby Red option for those preferring a bolder lip.

 

For the brows, Designer Brands has this great Brow Perfection Set, which contains absolutely everything you need for the perfect brow, including tweezers to pluck the brows, and Angled Brush and a Spoolie to shape and fill in the brows, a brow powder kit with three different powders so you can custom select your perfect shade for filling in the brows. It also contains a bro pencil to add shape and definition, while the 5 stencils helps you shape your brow like a pro, and gives you different looks to try too.


Olive Hands Gift Set - RRP: $19.95
Olive Skincare is available from Olive Online and select pharmacies

Evodia Byron Bay Frangipani Gift Set - RRP: $19.95
Available from Myer stores, selected pharmacies, gift and home wares stores and from Evodia online.

Goodness Grab & Go Try-Me Kit - RRP: $24.95
Available from Goodness

Sugarbaby Amplif-eye Natural Eyeshadow Palette
Available from Sugarbaby Online and Myer

DB Designer Brands Nude Perfection Lip Kit - RRP: $14.99
DB Designer Brands Brow Perfection Kit - RRP: $12.99
Available from Designer Brands

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


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PRODUCT REVIEW: EVODIA WHITSUNDAY COCONUT AND LIME BODY MIST AND SOAP BAR GIFT SET

Today I am continuing with the great Xmas gift ideas, and this gorgeous gift set from Evodia is the perfect pressie that everybody would love receiving.

This gift set contains a Body Mist and a Nourishing Soap Bar, both with the from Evodia's Whitsunday Coconut & Lime collection. These products contain:

• Top Notes: Lime, Lemon
• Middle Notes: Coconut, Verbena
• Base Notes: Vanilla, Coconut, Cream

And needless to say, they are the perfect scent for those who loves coconut. Containing coconut in both the middle and base notes, this is a strong coconut scent that does evoke memories of beach holiday, so the name of the range, Whitsunday is very appropriate.

The Nourishing Soap Bar also contains Gippsland Goats Milk & Organic Shea Butter. I am personally not a huge fan of soap bars, finding that they quickly become messy (and create extra cleaning in the bathroom too), but the soap bar looks and smells beautiful when left on display in my powder room, or alternatively it can of course also be popped into your lingerie drawer!

Then there's the Body Mist, which comes in a huge 200ml bottle - and because of the scent, it is perfect for using during a holiday, - or to remind you of a holiday! - and spritzed all over your body, will leaving you smelling fabulous.

If you're not familiar with Evodia, it is an Australian brand, where all products are made from floral, fruit and bush extracts, vitamins and essential oils sourced from the Australian environment. The products are also made using purified water, and with no harsh chemicals or preservatives, and they are of course cruelty free too.

The Evodia Whitsunday Coconut & Lime Nourishing Soap Bar and the Body Mist can naturally be purchased individually, but because of Xmas you can purchase them together in a gorgeous and festive red gift boxes, for just $24.95 (saving you almost $15!)


Evodia Whitsunday Coconut & Lime Body Mist and Soap Gift Set with
Body Mist and Soap Bar - RRP: $24.95

Evodia Body Mist - RRP: $200ml / 25.95
Evodia Soap Bar - RRP: $13.95 / 180g

Available from Myer stores, selected pharmacies, gift and homewares stores and from Evodia online.

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

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PRODUCT REVIEW: EVODIA VICTORIA ROSE COLLECTION

A little while ago I talked about a beautiful Australian brand called Evodia (which you can read all about here). What makes Evodia unique is that the products are made from floral, fruit and bush extracts, vitamins and essential oils sourced from the Australian environment, and the products are beautiful, which you can read all about here. And today I'm excited to share with you Evodia's new scent, the Victoria Rose Collection.

This Victoria Rose collection is a very feminine and romantic collection, reminding you of a summer garden in full bloom.

The products contain:

• Top Notes: Cassis, Bergamot, Lemon, Pomegranate
• Middle Notes: Rose, Peony, Coconut, Patchouli, Raspberry, Jasmine, Lemon Blossom
• Base Notes: Musk, Amber, Sandalwood

The products come packaged in simplistic white bottles and tubes, which come with pale pink rose decorated labels, illustrated by Australian botanical artist Edith Rewa.

The Evodia Victoria Rose Collection includes Hand & Body Wash, Hand & Body Lotion, Hand Cream, Body Mist, and Fragrance Roll-On.

While the Hand & Body Wash and Hand & Body Lotion would be perfect in the bathroom, to use in and after the shower, I have been enjoying them as hand wash and hand lotion in my down stairs bath room - simply because I find that the bottle are super pretty, and that way I get to enjoy looking them throughout the day, and of course smell the gorgeous scent too.

The wash gently cleanses the skin thanks to soothing aloe vera, and as the wash is also PH balanced, there's no need o worry that it will dry out or irritate your hands, something I find that fragranced soaps often do. And when following with a small pump of the Victoria Rose Hand & Body Lotion, which is enriched with cocoa butter, grape seed oil and sweet almond oil, my hands are left soft and moisturised. And because of the light consistency, this cream also absorbs quickly into my hands, and without any greasiness, so I can get on with my day.

I also love that both the Hand & Body Wash and the Hand & Body Lotion come in pump bottle which makes them so easy to use, plus the large 400ml bottles will last you forever too.

When I feel my hands need a little extra care, I've been reaching for the Evodia Hand Cream, which is enriched with Sweet Almond Oil, Jojoba and Avocado Oils as well as Cocoa Butter. It is a thick and rich hand cream, which naturally takes a few moments longer to absorb into the skin than the lighter Hand & Body Lotion, but the wait is worthwhile as is super nourishing and moisturising, and leaves you hands silky soft for hours.

Then there's the Evodia Victoria Rose Body Mist, which is made with fine fragrance. Being a Body Mist, it is naturally not as strong as an actual perfume or even an eau de toilette, but it is perfect if you just want a touch of a scent, so it is also ideal on a spring or summers day. And because it comes in a large 200ml bottle you can continue to reapply during the day as needed.

But should you want a stronger fragrance, then you can always reach for the Evodia Victoria Rose Fragrance Roll-On, which is even more concentrated than the Body Mist. This little roll on great for rolling onto pulse points, and is so small its perfect for popping into your handbag for touch-ups throughout the day.

Common for all the products is that the scent continues to linger on your skin (and in the air) for long after you've used then, and of course, by using several products such as the Hand & Body Wash, Hand & Body Lotion or Hand Cream, and the Body Mist or Fragrance Roll-On, you also build up the intensity of the scent, making it last even longer on the skin.

Overall this is a really gorgeous new range from Evodia, and the scent is divine. I am not usually a big fan of pure rose scents as I find it a little 'old' and 'grandma'ish", but Evodia has with the combination of rose, citrus, musk and sandalwood, along with jasmine and patchouli, and not to mention pomegranate and raspberry, managed to create a more refreshing and youthful fruity rose version, that you can only fall in love with. And of course, you can only applaud that these Australian made products are all free from harsh chemicals including parabens and petrochemicals, and that they are cruelty free and vegan friendly too.


Evodia Roll On Fragrance - RRP: $12.95 / 15ml
Evodia Body Mist - RRP: $200ml / 25.95
Evodia Hand & Body Wash - RRP: $18.95 / 400ml
Evodia Hand & Body Lotion - RRP: $18.95 / 400ml
Evodia Hand Cream - RRP: $17.95 / 100ml

Available from Myer stores, selected pharmacies, gift and home wares stores and from Evodia online.

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

 

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BRAND FOCUS: EVODIA

Today I'd like to talk about a band called Evodia. Evodia products are Australian owned and made from floral, fruit and bush extracts, vitamins and essential oils sourced from the Australian environment.

The Evodia products are also enriched with ingredients like lemon myrtle, Kakadu plum, Tasmanian lavender, jasmine, mango, lime and coconut to name a few. As well as using naturally derived ingredients, the products are also made using purified water, and with no marsh chemicals or preservatives in sight. The brand has been around for over 25 years, and prides themselves in making affordable, yet luxurious products at the highest quality, with the range including bath, body, fragrance and home lifestyle products. Today I'd like to put focus on a selection of the Evodia products..


But first, let me just run you through all the fragrance collections in the Evodia range; 

• Whitsunday Coconut & Lime
• Byron Bay Frangipani
• Adelaide Hills Jasmine
• Tasmanian Lavender
• Daintree Mango & Pink Grapefruit
• Barossa Grapefruit & Tuberose
• Australian Bush Lemon Myrtle

 

As a lover of all citrus products, the ranges that immediately caught my eyes, was the Barossa Grapefruit & Tuberose range and the Australian Bush Lemon Myrtle.

  

The Barossa Grapefruit an Tuberose range has the following ingredients;  

• Top Notes: Pepper, Grapefruit, Lemon, Passionfruit 
• Middle Notes: Water Lily, Ylang Ylang, Tuberose
• Base Notes: Musk, Cedarwood, Sandalwood, Amber

  

 

 

 

The Barossa Grapefruit & Tuberose Nourishing Soap Bar also contains Gippsland Goats Milk & Organic Shea Butter, and comes wrapped in tissue paper inside a beautiful oval shaped tin box with a pinky-red lid. It smells absolutely divine, but I do have to admit to not being a huge fan of soap bars as I do find that they quickly become quite messy - so for now I've left it out on display, where it looks absolutely stunning in my powder room!

  

Next to it, I've got the Barossa Grapefruit & Tuberose Hand Cream, which is also enriched with Sweet Almond Oil, Jojoba and Avocado Oils as well as Cocoa Butter. This thick and rich hand cream is absolutely divine, and you can instantly feel its nourishing properties as it absorbs into the skin, leaving your hands feeling so silky and smooth, without any greasiness. And it has that same refreshingly divine Grapefruit and Tuberose scent that lingers on the skin for a long time afterwards, which I really love, although it does mean that I can't stop smelling my hands.

 

Then there's the Barossa Grapefruit & Tuberose Hand & Body Lotion, which comes in a very handy pump bottle, that makes it so easy to use in the bathroom. It is enriched with cocoa butter, grape seed oil and sweet almond oil, and yet it bears the same beautiful beautiful lasting scent. The consistency of the Hand & Body Lotion is somewhat thinner than the Hand Cream, but it still feels very moisturising on the skin, and I do not feel the need to reapply during the day.

  

Next there's the Australian Bush Lemon Myrtle Hand & Body Wash. This range has;

 

• Top Notes: Lemon, Orange, Lime 
• Middle Notes: Geranium
• Base Notes: Fresh Green Watermelon

 

And this range is so fresh, clean and zesty, and absolutely lovely, and hence the Hand & Body Wash from this range is the perfect body wash to use in the morning for the ultimate kick-start. The wash contains soothing aloe vera and gently cleanses the skin, without drying it out or irritating it, as it also protects the skin's natural PH balance. I also love the fact that this gorgeous scent spreads through my bathroom after my shower, and that I can just detect the beautiful scent on my skin, when I've dried.  

 

 

 

  

 

The Body Mist from the Australian Bush Lemon Myrtle Range is body mist that contains fine fragrance making it perfect to use as a perfume on a warm summers day as it is so energising and refreshing. As can be expected, it doesn't last all day on the skin, but it comes in a huge 200ml bottle, so you got enough to reapply during the day as you want.

 

Finally, there's the Fragrance Roll-On from the Byron Bay Frangipani range. I absolutely love frangipanis, but sadly, after a couple of attempts, I've come to realise that I just cannot get a tree to grow in chilly Melbourne. This range contains;  

• Top Notes: Lemon, Ylang Ylang 
• Middle Notes: Jasmine, Frangipani 
• Base Notes: Blackcurrant, Cinnamon

 

Like the rest of the ranges, this little Roll-On Fragrance has a beautiful floral frangipani scent. The cute Roll-On is the perfect perfume to pop into the handbag so you can reapply during the day, not that it is really needed as it actually, surprisingly, lasts quite well throughout the day. I think it is possibly just the frangipani scent, but it is actually quite strong smelling, so I've found that you only need to apply a tiny bit, otherwise I found it to be too overwhelming, but the fact that it is so concentrated is only a positive, so the small bottle will last you longer.

 

 

Overall I am really impressed with these products from Evodia. They feel so lovely to use and I love that the beautiful scents continue to linger on my skin and in my house after I've used them. The products also look beautiful in their white bottles and tunes with varying colours and floral designs depending on the ingredients range, so they also look fabulous on display in the bathroom and by the powder room sink, and are the perfect present too.

 

Personally I'm particularly loving the Hand & Body Wash, the Hand & Body Lotion and the Hand Cream, and I am very keen to get my hands on a Australian Bush Lemon Myrtle Hand & Body Lotion to pair with my Hand &Body Wash, as well as a Barossa Grapefruit & Tuberose Hand & Body Wash, so I can use the matching sets together without mixing different scents.

 

So all in all these products from Evodia really are lovely, and with so many different scents, there really also is something for every taste and preference, so definitely worth checking them out

 

 

Evodia Roll On Fragrance - RRP: $12.95 / 15ml 

Evodia Body Mist - RRP: $200ml / 25.95 

Evodia Soap Bar - RRP: $13.95 / 180g 

Evodia Hand & Body Wash - RRP: $18.95 / 400ml

Evodia Hand & Body Lotion - RRP: $18.95 / 400ml 

Evodia Hand Cream - RRP: $17.95 / 100ml

 

 

Available from Myer stores, selected pharmacies, gift and homeware stores and from Evodia online.

 

 

* 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 2014 Box

Yet again time for another beauty box review, this time of the Lust Have It  January 2014 Box. Yep, it is the January box, which rolled up on my doorstep on the 10^th of February – some two weeks later than usual….not really sure why it is late, and it is almost a February box –  regardless, as I have been sent this box for consideration, I really have no complaints. And moving house, and living in a holiday house for a few weeks until we could move into our new house, and consequently meant no permanent internet connection, hopefully explains why I am posting about this box so late…  Anyway, here are my thoughts on the Lust Have It – January 2014 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:

Invisible Zinc Tinted Daywear SPF30+ - Full Size (RRP $14.95/20ml)

This is a sunscreen and tinted day cream in one, and I really like this one – I first tried it last month, when the January Issue of Marie Claire came with a sample tube of it, and I instantly liked it, and have been considering buying a tube, so getting one in the box is just a bonus! It has a sheer coverage, and like most other sunscreens it doesn’t stay put on my skin all day, but a quick dusting of powder mid-day solves that. I got the colour Medium, which is a little dark, and I would have preferred the Light colour, but seeing its summer and I do have a bit of a summer tan, I think I can just get away with it!

Paula’s Choice Skin Perfecting 8% AHA Gel – Sample Size 30ml – (RRP $45.80/118ml)

I love the inclusion of this gel. Firstly, I’ve never tried Paula’s Choice, so I am excited to finally be able to. Secondly, this gel promises to exfoliate the skin’s surface to fade signs of sun damage – just what my skin needs – so I really can’t wait to test this one out. And it is a generous 30ml sample, so I should be able to get a fair idea of how the gel works.

The box also included a coupon for free freight of your next order from Paul’s Choice, and with no minimum spend required, so that is a good offer.

Simple Kind to Skin Cleansing Facial Wipes – Sample Size, 7 wipes (RRP $6.99/25 wipes)

I think I’ve mentioned this before, but I am not a regular user of facial wipes, and predominantly use them when I go overseas as I find them handy to have in my hand luggage, but with a baby, I don’t plan to go anywhere anytime soon, so the inclusion of these unfortunately does not excite me. In saying that, I may find use for them as hand wipes in my nappy bag ;-) Alternatively, they always come in handy next to my computer when I am swatching makeup for blogging purposes.

Model Co Shine Ultra Lip Gloss – Full Size (RRP $18/4ml)

I don’t mind this lipgloss, it is moisturising, and has next to no colour, just leaving a nice gloss to the lips, or on top of a lipstick, - however, I already have a few of these in my stash of lipglosses. I am certain that the exact same colour lipgloss was in another beauty box only recently, but I cannot for the life of me remember which one! So while it adds great value to the box, unfortunately this one doesn’t excite me this time around! I could only wish that ModelCo would have included a different type of product from their range.

Aveda Dry Remedy Daily Moisturising Oil – Sample Size, 3ml (RRP $25/40ml)

This oil is to increase the hairs moisture levels by 41% without weighing it down or making it look greasy, and I love that it has been formulated without silicones, so there is no build up in the hair. I love the inclusion of this one as my hair is always a little dry this time of year when it is so hot, but I only wish that the sample had been a little bigger, as with my very long and thick hair, there is hardly sufficient product for one use.

The box also included a coupon with the offer of free shipping and a free Dry Remedy sample trio, with shampoo, conditioner and masque  (10ml each) when you purchase a Dry Remedy Daily Moisturising Oil from Aveda.

Evodia Lemon Sorbet Hand Cream – Full Size (RRP $17.95/100ml)

I love citrus scented products, so I love love love that this hand cream is included. And even though I already have more hand creams on the go than I should, and had made a promise not to open another one until I’d finished up a couple, I just couldn’t resist, I just had to try it and smell it, and simply smells divine. And as promised, the hand cream which contains vitamin E, shea butter, macadamia oil, jojoba oil, cocoa butter, olive oil and Kakadu plum, leaves the hands feeling soft without leaving them feeling greasy. And this is also the first product I’ve ever tried from Evodia, and I love it, so I will definitely be checking out the rest of their product range.

Finally, the box also included a card with a teaser for the February Box…. It will include a deluxe sample of Juice Beauty Green Apple Peel….. Whoa…..I am excited about that one. I have long had it on my wish list to try out this peel from Juice Beauty, so I can’t wait for this one….

Overall, I think this box is still a good box, as I love the inclusions of the Evodia Hand Cream, the Paula’ Choice Gel and the Invisible Zinc Tinted moisturiser – and consequently, for me, the box is well worth its price. The Aveda Oil, the facial wipes are good additions, and although I am not too excited about receiving yet another ModelCo lipgloss, I am sure I can find it a new home where it will be well appreciated.
*This product was kindly provided for consideration, and has been reviewed in accordance with my Disclosure Policy.

What do you think of this month’s Lust Have It box? Are you a subscriber? Or are you maybe considering subscribing? Have you tried any of this month’s products?