PRODUCT REVIEW: BELLA BOX AUGUST 2017

Can you believe it, another month has passed, but thankfully it is now the last month of winter, so hopefully we'll soon start to seem some warmer and sunnier weather again. That said, it is time for the August Bella Box, which this month has the theme Bright and Beautiful.. 

Let's see what was in this month's box..

Sand & Sky Brilliant Skin Purifying Pink Clay Mask - Sample, 13g - RRP: $69.90 / 58ml
My skin has been a little hormonal and temperamental lately so I'm very excited to try this mask. It contains among others Australian pink clay to brighten and detoxify the skin, leave the pores refined and the complexion glowing, which sounds pretty amazing to me. Need to find the time for that much needed pamper sesh!

Burt's Bees Tinted Lip Oils - Full Size - RRP: $17.95 / 1.18ml
I love Burt's Bees, and I absolutely love these lip oils. I already have a few of them, including the shade I got in the Bella Box called Misted Plum, which is a beautiful red-pummy shade -I would naturally have loved a shade I haven't already got, but as its one of my fave shades, I definitely don't mind having a backup. I love that it is 100% natural and adds hydration to my lips, while giving them just a touch of tint.

GOSH Mono Eye Shadow - Full Size
The Danish makeup brand GOSH was one of the first makeup brands I used when I was growing up in Denmark, but unfortunately it is not available in Australia as far as I am aware. Apart from the sentimental values, I find their products fantastic and great value, so certainly happy with the inclusion of this eye shadow, which I know from using in the past is will be very pigmented with a good wear. I got the shade Aubergine, which as the name suggests, is a dark plum shade, which is beautiful, though it is not a shade I'd probably purchase myself, but may just have to push my comfort zone a little and put it to the test.


The Body Shop Nigritella Eau de Parfum - Sample, 1.2ml - RRP: $60 / 50ml
I have not used the Body Shop for the longest time, and don't remember ever using any of their fragrances, so happy to be putting this one to the test. The oriental orchid scent is a warm oriental scent which is quite lovely, though I tend to prefer lighter and fresher scent, but that said, it is perfect for winter use, plus the small sample vial is always great for popping into the handbag for touch ups during the day.

Garnier Skin Active Micellar Water - Sample, 125ml - RRP: $13.95 / 400ml
I already know and love this micellar water by Garnier, and actually currently using it, and have a backup bottle. It quickly and easily removes my makeup at night, without irritating my sensitive eyes, or drying out my skin. It is also fantastic value. The small bottle is cute, and great for travelling.

Bonus - Garnier BB Cream Original - Sachet Sample, 1.5ml
Another fantastic Garnier product, which I already know and use, and have repurchased countless times, though sometimes in other skin varieties, but simply as I believe it is one of the better drugstore BB creams on the market


So there you go, this months Bella Box. From a novelty aspect, there was really only the Sand & Sky that was completely new to me, which is probably also why it is the product I am most excited to try - of course also because I've already tried, and also currently already using the Burt's Bees Lip Oil, Garnier Micellar and BB Cream. That said, I am excited about those products, as I would have repurchased all of them sooner rather than later, so they're great backups. Also love the inclusion of the GOSH eye shadow, but do wish the shade had been a more neutral one. But all in all this is really a fantastic box full of amazing products, so and if you haven't already tried these stable products you should do yourself the favour and get your hands on them. The full sized GOSH eye shadow, Burt's Bees Lip Oil and deluxe size Garnier Micellar, also makes this box exceptional value for money - really it is just the cost of the Burt's Bees Lip Oil, and the rest of the products can be seen as bonus products! Well done Bella Box.


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

* 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 FEBRUARY 2016

The January Lust Have It Box arrived yesterday, here's what was inside and my thoughts...

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:

Like previous months, this months’ products arrived in a mesh bag, although this month it is red and this month it included three full sized items and three deluxe sample sizes as well two shampoo and conditioner sachet samples. 


Be a Bombshell Mascara - Full Size (RRP: $21)
This mascara claims to be a richly pigmented volumising mascara that also offers a multidimentional look. This sound pretty good, so looking forward to trying it, and in spite of having countless other mascaras waiting to be used, another one certainly doesn't go astray.


Lanolips Everyday Hand Balm - Full Size (RRP: $22.95)
Love Lanolips so the mere inclusion of this makes this month's bag great value for me. There was the option of the hand balm or the ointment, but personally, although I've already gone through a few tubes of this cream, pleased to have received the hand cream, so win win.


Mellow Cosmetics Matte Lipstick - Full Size ($18)

I have, through Lust Have It, tried a few different products from Mellow by now, and generally I've liked it, so I should be pleased with the inclusion of a full sized lipstick, which is something I haven't tried from their range. However, unfortunately I got a shade called Candy Gloss, which is a bright blue toned fuchsia shade, which I unfortunately just don't feel suits me. There was also the alternative of receiving a blush, and naturally I wish I'd received one of those in stead!


The Body Shop Vitamin E Moisture Cream - Sample, 15ml (RRP: $24.95/50ml)

I can't remember the last time I actually tried any of the skin care products from the Body Shop, so do look forward to seeing how this one stacks up, although claiming to be an intensely moisturising cream, I can fear that it is too rich for my combination skin, but will certainly be putting it to the test.


The Body Shop Oils of Life Intensely Revitalising Facial Oil - Sample, 7ml (RRP: $24.95/50ml)

This is a very little adorable bottle of facial oil that promises to rehydrate parched skin for an all day glow. I have heard and seen a lot about this new range from the Body Shop so look forward to trying it out.


The Body Shop Indian Summer Fig Eau de Toilette - Sample, 1.5ml (RRP: $36.95/50ml)
Wow, fragrances from the Body Shop have come a long way too, think its about time I go in-store and explore their new ranges! This is nice refreshing green scent, perfect for spring and summer wear. I'm notorious for not using small fragrance samples, as I simply always forget, but this one does smell lovely, so I'll be sure to actually try it on properly.


Garnier Fructis Full and Luscious Shampoo and Conditioner - Samples, 2 x 10ml (RRP: $5.95/250ml each)
I have already tried full sizes of this shampoo and conditioner, so as such these samples do not excite it. That said, I did enjoy using them as they not only smell incredible, they really also did make my hair look fuller and very shiny and healthy too, just as promised. The only reason I haven't repurchased is because I'm trying hard to use up the countless of bottles of shampoo and conditioner already in my stash first.


Overall, I am very impressed with this months Lust Have It box. Again, the inclusion of the Lanolips hand Balm did it for me, everything else included is just a bonus. Of the other products I will be looking forward to trying out the Be a Bombshell Mascara, the Body Shop Oil and Eau de Toilette. If I have to be negative, my only issue is that there are three products from the Body Shop, and while I clearly need to get up to speed with their current product offering, for the sake of exploring new brands and products, which these beauty boxes are all about for me, I would have loved to see a little more variety by a least one of the products replaced by another brand.

That said, well-done on what is already proven to be a great start to this year's Lust Have It boxes!
* Some products may have been kindly provided for consideration, and have reviewed in accordance with my Disclosure Policy.

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XMAS GIFT IDEAS FROM THE BODY SHOP

With Xmas fast approaching, I’ve got another few great gift suggestions for you, these ones from the Body Shop;

What They Say:

Schoolbook of Joy: Light up the life of someone special with this delightful Schoolbook of Joy. Proudly made by our Community Fair Trade supplier in Nepal, and full of some of the world’s finest ethically sourced ingredients, this gift has been hand-crafted in book-shaped packaging in honour of our Children in Education initiative with War Child.

RRP: $36.95 – Available from The Body Shop


Enchanting Eye Palette Dolly Pastels: Dazzle in delicate feminine shades inspired by the latest colour trends! This eye palette comes with a double-ended brush for easy application and the packaging has been designed with a special edition Nordic Christmas theme. Suitable for contact-lens wearers.

RRP: $36.95 – Available from The Body Shop


Geisha Doll Lip & Cheek Stain: This season, our iconic Lip & Cheek Stain comes in a new red shade and the cutest special edition packaging. This dual-purpose liquid stain gives a natural-looking, rosy glow to lips and cheeks.

RRP: $32.95 – Available from The Body Shop 


What I Say:

Let me start out with the School Book of Joy. This gift set is now only made by a Community Fair Trade supplier in Nepal, it is also packaged in honour of our Children in Education initiative with War Child. The gift set contains;


 

  

• Vanilla Brûlée Body Butter, 50ml
• Vanilla Brûlée Shower Gel, 60ml
• Vanilla Brûlée Lip Balm, 20ml
• Vanilla Brûlée Heart Soap, 25g

  

And as the name suggest, every single product has the most gorgeous vanilla scent. I know The Body Shop’s Body Butters and Shower Gels are very popular, so these vanilla scented goodies will be a hit under any Xmas tree as well. The Shower Gel lathers up to the most beautiful scented foam, while the thick and creamy Body Butter deeply hydrates the body in an instant without leaving the skin feeling greasy. The hand soap is so cutely shaped like a little heart. I am personally not that fond of hard handsoaps, finding them a little messy, and hence preferring liquid hand soap, but it is also perfect to pop into your clothes drawer to make it smell lovely. Finally, the Lip balm comes in the cutest little tin, and is perfect for the handbag or your bedside table, keeping your lips soft all day and night long.

 

The Enchanting Eye Palette Dolly Pastels is the cutest little slim line notebook-sized compact. It is black and comes with a adorable pink lace-style design on the cover.

The compact contains four eyeshadows; three shimmering, an off-white, a beige, and a warm peachy-apricot, as well as a matte brown shade. The off-white shade is perfect for using as a highlighter, while the beige and the peachy-apricot shades are perfect for using on the lid, and finally the dark brown shade is perfectly suited to use to line and define the eye, and use on the corner of the eye for a smoky effect.

The compact has a large mirror on the inside, as well as it comes with a double ended brush, with a sponge in one end and a brush in the other, so it’s perfect to pop into the handbag for applications on the go as well.

 

 

 

However, the cutest of them all is no doubt the Geisha Doll Lip & Cheek Stain, as it comes in the cutest little bottle designed like an adorable Geisha girl.

The lip and cheek stain is a warm red shade, but just a few drops on either your lips or cheeks, lives the most beautiful and natural flushed pink cheeks. The stain is very concentrated so you just need the tiniest amount, and you have to blend it out fast or you will end up with darker stains.

Unfortunately it also stains your fingers a little, but luckily it does disappear once you’ve washed your hands a few times. The Geisha Doll is not the most convenient of packaging to cart around in your handbag, but it looks so gorgeous on your dresser.

 

 

So there you go, some great Xmas gift ideas from The Body Shop.

 

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

 

 

Have you tried any of the products from The Body Shop? Which ones are your favourites? Can you recommend any?

 

  

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PRODUCT REVIEW: THE BODY SHOP LIMITED EDITION VINEYARD PEACH COLLECTION

It has been years since I last tried any of the products from The Body Shop. Actually more like a decade. I have really no idea why, as when I was living in London in the early 90s, I didn’t use anything but The Body Shop. So naturally when I was asked to trial *The Body Shop Limited Edition Vineyard Peach Collection, consisting of Shower Gel, Body Scrub, Body Lotion, Body Butter and Body Mist, I happily accepted. Here are my thoughts;

What They Say:

Shower Gel: Transform your shower into an intensely fragrant experience, evocative of a Mediterranean vineyard escape. RRP: $9.95 (250ml)

Body Scrub: Containing ground peach seeds, our Vineyard Peach Body Scrub gentle exfoliates, leaving your skin velvety smooth, soft and fragrant. RRP: $23.95 (200ml)

Body Lotion: This light and divine smelling body lotion is perfect for daily moisturisation. RRP: $16.95 (250ml)

Body Butter: Our Vineyard Peach Body Butter is our pick of the season for skin that’s peachy soft, deeply moisturised and smells as good as it feels. RRP: $23.95 (200ml)

Body Mist: A light burst of this fresh peachy scent will have your skin smelling like a warm summer’s day. RRP: $16.95 (100ml)

Available from The Body Shop for a limited time

 

What I Say:

As soon as I opened and smelled these Vineyard Peach products from the body shop, I was, as promised transformed to a peach vineyard. The smell is that intense and incredible, and in spite of the products no doubt contain some artificial fragrances, The Body Shop has really managed to bottle a very natural scent.

 

I start the experience with the Body Scrub which has a lovely creamy texture, and with just enough ground peach seeds to make it very effective, whilst not making it feel too harsh on the skin. It rinses off easily, leaving the skin feel soft and smooth and with a nice glow. Perfect for shedding that old winter skin, and preparing for a self-tan! My only negative on the scrub is the fact that it comes in a tub, as I always find that it gets a little watered down in the shower (naughty me for letting the water run while I use it!!), so I would much prefer if it came in a tube!

 

The Shower Gel Has a lovely peachy-pink shade and it lathers up easily, and especially if you use a loofah or sponge. It gently cleanses the skin, yet without drying it out of stripping it of essential moisture.

 

Depending on how my skin feels and if I am in a hurry, I use either the Body Lotion or the Body Butter. The body lotion is light and naturally absorbs quicker into the skin than the Body Butter, but regardless it does generally deliver sufficient moisture to my normal skin. The Body Butter, on the other hand, is thick and creamy so it does take a little longer to absorb and if offers intense moisture so perfect for those with drier skin types.

 

Common for both the body Scrub, Shower Gel, Body Lotion and Body Butter, is that they leave a lovely fresh and fruity scent lingering on the skin for hours. And again, it seems quite natural and is not too overbearing.

 

Still, I cannot help but also add a squirt of the Body Mist in much the same way as I would normally apply perfume. I generally prefer fresh and zesty citrus scents, and must admit that I at first, once  smelt it in the bottle, thought that this Peach Body Mist would be too over the top sweet for me. But after trying it on, I was pleasantly surprised to find that it was actually not. It does naturally have a fruity sweetness to it, but at the same time, it also has an almost vanilla warmth lingering in the background, which makes it a lovely day time spring fragrance.

 

Overall, this is a lovely fruity range from the Body Shop, and I have thoroughly enjoyed being reacquainted with their products again, and will enjoy using these throughout spring and summer. I know it is a limited edition range, but I can easily see it becoming quite popular!

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

What you do think of these Vineyard Peach products from the Body Shop? Fan of the Body Shop? Which of their products would you recommend.

 

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