April Bellabox Review!

Hi lovelies,

I received my April Bellabox a few days ago, and so, here's my review of what was in it. This box is themed 'being fashion forward' and is in conjunction with the Mercedes Benz Fashion Week (MBFW).

I received a total of three full sized products and three samples, as listed below:

Comvita Brightening range sachet trio - facial exfoliant, serum and moisturiser (samples)

Ulta 3 nail polish - Burnt Orange (full sized)

Benefit Hello Flawless Foundation (sample)

pureDKNY Verbena perfume (sample)

OP Therapy body hydrator with emu oil (full sized)

Hollywood Feet (heel velvet heel cushions)

And the photos:

Click to see pricing and further information.

L-R: Pure DKNY Verbena sample, Ulta polish,
Body hydrator and Comvita sample trio.

Hollywood Feet velvet cushions and Benefit
Hello Flawless foundation sample.

Quite frankly, I'm a bit uncertain about what I think of this box. I wouldn't say the items were especially fashion forward, and so I'm really perplexed as to how these items fit in with the theme. I'd also have thought there should be at least one make up item in keeping with the theme!

Discussing each item individually...I wouldn't mind trying the Comvita samples as they sound quite interesting. I have always wondered, though, why the Comvita packaging is so uninteresting...it almost looks medicinal! Being a nail polish addict, I'm always happy to have a new nail polish to add to my collection, and this colour looks like something I'd wear. I've also never used Ulta, ever, so I'm keen to see how this applies! The only problem, however, is I wouldn't classify this as a metallic nail polish as is listed on the card in the box. I'd say this is more of a creme finish than a metallic finish. Still, happy to try this so stay tuned for an NOTD with this polish.

Benefit's Hello Flawless oxygen wow foundation just hit the market a little while ago, so it's interesting to see how this performs. Truthfully, I'm not a fan of Benefit's foundations as it seems their colour range is quite limited, I have had difficulty in the past when trying to get colour matched. I received a sample in 'nutmeg', which is way too dark for me. Still, I know that Bellabox were only provided with 3 shades, so they did the best they could in colour matching to profiles. I do wish that companies would just provide subscribers with a little card allowing us to go into a store to get colour matched, it seems more appropriate and less wasteful that way! I might try using this as a contouring shade, or perhaps blend it with moisturiser, and apply it like a tinted moisturiser.

I liked the perfume sample, it's quite fresh, like most of the Pure DKNY range, and this has gone into my handbag. I don't think I'll be rushing out to buy this but it's nice to try new scents. I haven't tried the body hydrator yet but I plan to after my shower today. This comes in handy as I was just wishing for an unscented moisturiser a week ago! While I love scented body butters/moisturisers, it does sometimes clash with your perfume, so it's handy to have an unscented one.

Last but not least...the Hollywood feet product. These always come in handy as I often slip them into my heels, but I do think it's a slightly odd addition to a beauty box themed around fashion week! Still, it's listed as a bonus product, and it is very practical, so it's a great addition nevertheless.

VERDICT? I liked this box, but I wouldn't say there was anything in it that really knocked my socks off or blew me off my feet. As usual, great value for money, but nothing that's got me eagerly excited to try.

What did you think of this box? If you subscribed it, did you get the same items I did?

Much love,
MM.
x

February Bellabox Review!

Hello lovelies!

My February Bellabox arrived this morning, which was a great start to the day! Knowing I'm going to receive something like this really gives me a reason to look forward to going to work!

While I really do love Bellabox, I'm a bit frustrated because I'm actually in the same suburb/state as them and yet, I'm always one of the last to receive my Bellabox! How's that for irony?! It makes it a bit hard for me to visit other blogs or their FB wall in case I see a spoiler, but since Bellabox often hand out different contents for each box, there's still always an element of surprise, I suppose! From teaser photos they posted on their Facebook page (see below), I think we subscribers all expected to find at least a couple of items from the photo in our boxes, but as far as I can tell, no one has actually received any of the items pictured! Which is a pity as I quite fancied the Seventh Heaven primer. ;)
[Edit: I've just been told by Bridget from Bellabox that the shadow in the photo below is actually a B by Bloom one, so we all got one! And I've seen someone with a Sanctum product, so they definitely sent some out].

Photo of the teaser box posted on Bellabox's Facebook page.

Anyhow, let's take a look at what I got in this month's box...I received a total of four samples and a full sized product, plus a little Valentine's Day treat, as listed below:

B by Bloom Collecta duo shadow in Blue Mountain (full sized)

Sasy and Savy citrus hand cream sample (although it says citrus on the card, I somehow received a rose sample)

Sparoma shimmer wrap with jasmine

Star & Rose Confetti soap roses

Bloom organic hand and body wash

2 silver/red chocolate hearts from The Chocolate Box

And the photos:

The February box is themed 'A little bit of love'.

Click for more information on prices, etc.

L-R: Bloom hand/body wash, Sparoma body shimmer, Star & Confetti
soap rose, chocolate hearts, B by Bloom eyeshadow duo,
and Sasy and Savy hand cream in rose.

The rose soap.

February Bellabox goodies!

I have to say I really did like this box as I'll be using most of the items in there. B by Bloom is the lower priced range offered by Bloom and carried by stores like Target, Kmart and Big W, and the shadows I've tried have been really smooth and pigmented so I'm quite happy to receive this. I'm also quite happy with the colour choice as I'm currently on a colour kick, as you may have gathered from my last post. I don't mind giving the Sparoma shimmer moisturiser a try the next time I head out, and the pump bottle sample is pretty cute. As for the Star & Rose soap rose, it does smell quite lovely, although I think it's also quite fragile as mine is practically falling apart. It'll be fun to play with, though I don't see it as being particularly travel friendly.

I actually already have a sample of the Sasy and Savy hand cream in rose (which I received in my February LHI box), and I would've liked to try the citrus scented version, as I love citrus scents, but I can only conclude that this was a misprint on the card (?). Either way, it's a really good hand cream and the tiny sample will come in handy as I can pop it in a clutch purse the next time I head out. The only item I wasn't as keen on is the Bloom organic hand and body wash. I know some people love it but I am just not a huge fan of the scent, so I'll probably hand this to someone who will appreciate it more. Oh, and the chocolate hearts were delish, I've already eaten one. ;)

VERDICT? I liked this box a lot. While I wasn't completely in love with it, I think it was definitely great value for money. I'm quite keen to try the soap roses and the shimmer wrap, and I know I'll get good use out of the hand cream and the eyeshadow.

What did you think of the February Bellabox? Were you madly in love with what you got or were you a bit disappointed?


Much love,
MM.
x

Surprise haul!

Hello lovelies,

I got to work yesterday all frazzled after battling with rush hour traffic to find a wonderful surprise, not one, but four parcels on my desk! It really added a lift to my day and put a smile on my face! I couldn't wait to blog about it but just didn't have the time as I went to the Incubus concert last night at Festival Hall, here in Melbourne (which was fantastic, but has convinced me I'm getting a bit too old for general admission, I think).

Anyhoo, here's what I received; a Mirenesse lipstick I won in a 'free kiss' competition, a Mirenesse Valentine's Day set I purchased last week (containing a contour palette, lip gloss and lipstick), a nail polish from Cherry Culture to replace a faulty product (you can read more about it here), and a special edition Bellabox from a competition Bellabox and Primped were running a few months ago! I actually almost didn't even enter, and I didn't have much faith in winning, but it was a great surprise! Guess it's true what they say about having to be in it to win it! Let's have a look at some photos, shall we?!

My parcel stash!

Mirenesse goodies and Nyx Girls polish in Gilded Glitter.

L-R: Gilded Glitter polish, contour palette (2 blushers, highlighter and
bronzer) and Viva Eternal Gloss in Sexy Starlet.

French Kiss Lip Cocktail lipstick in Mai Tai (R) and Red Lotus (L). 

Bellabox packaging.

The special Bellabox prize with goodies taken from the best of the Nov and Dec boxes.

L-R: Batiste Blush dry shampoo, OCC Lip tar in 'grandma', twistbands, Lancome Visionnaire serum, Ozotic Elytra nail polish #530, Elemis papaya peel, Orofluido hair elixir, Gatineau day/night serum, and Madly Kenzo perfume.

Madly Kenzo perfume, what a gorgeous bottle!

So there you have it, my surprise Tuesday haul! I was especially thrilled with the Bellabox because I missed out on getting the Kenzo perfume the last time. I was actually considering buying it so this will give me a chance to wear it a while and decide if I want to purchase it. I'm also happy to get the dry shampoo, it's such a handy thing to have (although it's not my favourite scent but I'll still use it), the Orofluido is the perfect size to pop in my travel bag and the twist bands will always be handy (I actually bought some from Bellabox not too long ago). As for the serums/peel, I handed previous samples to my mum, but I've been thinking of giving it a try so these arrived at a good time!

Oh, and a quick note, the Mirenesse lipsticks are really good, they look lovely on and they're quite moisturising. I'm planning on doing my make up tomorrow with the contour palette and one of the lippies, so I'll try and post a photo if I do. :)

So, my verdict? Completely thrilled with this box, which is supposed to have the best items from the November and December boxes ( articularly as I received several items that I missed out on from my subscriptions), so thank you, Primped and Bellabox! :)

Don't you love receiving surprise goodies in the mail?

Love,
MM.
x

December Bellabox Review

Hello lovelies,

I'd started my post on the December Bellabox but abandoned it halfway through when the January Bellabox landed on my desk. I figured I'd better finish this post once the excitement of receiving the new box died down, though.

So my December Bellabox arrived while I was away on holiday and I was really excited to get back to work and tear into it.

Here are the items that were in my box:

Savoir Faire concealer pack with finishing powder

Ozotic Elytra nail polish

Elemis Pro Collagen Quartz Lift Mask

Kosmea rose water spray

Eylure naturalite intense false lashes #140

Here are some photos to entertain you. Click on the last photo to see the pricing attached to each item on the Bellabox website.

L - R: Kosmea rose water spray, Savoir Faire concealer pack
containing duo concealers and finishing powder,
Ozotic nail polish, Elemis mask and Eylure false lashes.

Now, I was initially quite annoyed when I opened the box, because while I was really keen to try the SF concealer, it was in the wrong shade! I received 'light' even though I checked the tanned box in my beauty profile. I sent Bellabox an email and their customer service representative, Laura, got back to me very quickly, and offered to swap it over for the right shade seeing as I hadn't opened the concealer yet. I thought that was really nice of her, and as I'm in the same suburb, offered to drop by the office to make the change instead of mailing it to the BB office (I also picked up some more twistbands, but can you blame me? That's what you call efficient use of resources).

I'm so glad I made the swap because I'm completely in love with the SF concealer! It was totally worth the small inconvenience, because it's sooo creamy and goes on like a dream. I quite like the fact that it comes with a pot of finishing powder below, as it really helps set the concealer and prevent it from budging, but I do feel it would be better applied with a brush, although I have used my finger tips with it.

I'm also really in love with the nail polish and will be trying it out this weekend. I'll be sure to post photos once I do. I also love the false lashes, although I'm still getting the hang of applying them (I'm practicing using my half lashes from Harlotte, read about it here). I can't wait to give these Eylure ones a whirl once I've perfected my lash application techniques! And last but not least, I'm loving the rose water spray! I'm a huge fan of rose water spray and I have one pretty much everywhere (i.e. at home and on my desk at work) so a spare one will really come in handy! I also love that this one is quite small, so it'll be fantastic for popping into my handbag while I'm on the go this summer.

VERDICT: I absolutely loved this box! Namely because of the nail polish (what a gorgeous colour), the fantastic concealer (perfect for taking with you on the go, or leaving in your desk at work), the false lashes (how luxe are they?!) and the rose water spray! I'd say being excited about four out of five items are great odds and I'll still give the Elemis mask a try, so this box was a total winner for me!

What did you think of yours, if you got one?

Much love,
MM.
x

January Bellabox Review

Hey lovelies,

I received my January Bellabox today, and I was a little bit disappointed, to tell you the truth.

Honestly, I love Bellabox and they have an amazing customer service. But after offering such awesome goodies like the Savoir Faire lipstick in the October box, the OCC lip tar in the November box and the Savoir Faire concealer in the December box, I'm finding this box a bit of a let down as it's full of sachets and NO make up products at all! I know it's all a matter of personal choice/preference, but I think a good beauty sampler box should have some of everything in it, i.e. perfume/skincare/makeup/nail polish/hair care etc. Honestly, if a box that offered only perfume, make up and nail polish was offered, I'd sign up in a jiffy! The problem with trying new skincare products is you need to use it for a little while before you see real results, so a sachet really isn't going to cut it.

Anyway, let's see what the January Bellabox had to offer. I received a box with 8 different items (so to speak), listed as below:

Sparoma rejuvanate soy tea candle - lemon myrtle

Ecocentric lipcare lip balm - Italian red mandarin with rose (this was the only full-sized product in the box)

La Perla perfume sample - J'aime

Soleo Organics all natural sunscreen - 3 sachets (formulated for all skin types and ages, adults and children included)

Herbal Essentials - orange towelette

First aid beauty (FAB) - ultra repair cream for all over use

Pangea Organics sampler trio - facial scrub, facial cleanser and eye cream for all skin types
*facial scrub - egyptian geranium with adzuki bean and cranberry (for all skin types)
eye cream - turkish rose and white tea (for all skin types)
facial cleanser - egyptian calendula and blood orange (for normal to dry skin)

Qi green tea bag with ginkgo and detox green tea (one sample each).

Here are some photos, click on the last one to see the prices of each product:

All the samples in the January Bellabox.

SpaRoma soy candle and Ecocentric lip balm.

Orange towelette (?!) and the ultra repair cream.

Pangea skincare sachet trio and La Perla J'aime perfume sample.

Qi tea samples and Soleo natural sunscreen sachet samples.

January Bellabox explanation card.

Now, I understand about beauty being internal and external etc, but it's still a bit disappointing to receive a beauty sampler box without any make up in it. I'm also not a huge fan of sachets as they're quite cumbersome and don't really allow you to sample a product properly. I do like tea, but I can't say I'm overly thrilled to receive a sample in my beauty box...is there a possibility of vitamin supplements appearing next?!

Truthfully, the only products I'm actually interested in trying are the tea candle, the lip balm, eye cream and the perfume sample, although I will probably try all of them anyway.

Verdict: Not particularly satisfied, for the reasons listed above. I still think they are a great company though, and I understand how each box may not be to everyone's taste depending on personal preference, so I'll reserve judgement till I see what next month's box holds.

Much love,
MM.
x

November Bellabox review!

Hello lovelies,

My November Bellabox just arrived today!

I'm completely excited as both the Bellabox and the I Love This Box box (wow, talk about a mouthful) arrived today!

Here's my lunchtime mobile blog post on Bellabox, with the ILTB post to follow in a few hours. As you may know from my previous posts, mobile blog updating sends the photos a bit crazy, so I'll fix it up when I get home tonight.

First of all, I'm conducting a box experiment, I wanted to sign up to all four boxes and compare them this month (November). ILTB and Glossybox are launching their first box in November, so it's always interesting to see how the 'first' boxes compare with the second (Bellabox) or third (LHI) boxes from other brands!

So let's take a look at some photos, the Bellabox (BB) arrived all nicely wrapped up in a bright blue outer box, which you slide open to reveal your brown BB! Inside was a whole bunch of miniature sample goodies. Now let me just confess straight off the bat, I initially wasn't going to sign up for BB, but I happened to see that they had added Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics (OCC) lip tars from a post on their Facebook page, and Omigod I had to sign up quick smart! I love OCC lip tars and have been dying to try them for ages, so it seemed like a great idea to sign up for their Nov box, given their little hints that they might include one!

Now, I'm a happy camper as they DID put one in the box, a bright red! It's not necessarily a colour I would've picked personally, (I do wear red but usually only when I'm going out at night), but it's a great chance to try the product and purchase other colours if I'm happy with it! Also, they included a black Twistband, which I was also contemplating buying from their website, so I was also really thrilled to get one to try! All in all, these two items alone make this box a complete win for me, so all the other samples are really just a plus point!

Calming down from my OCC and twistband high, I manage to settle down enough to have a look at the other items in the box. I'm not as interested in the skincare, for the simple reason that my skin has gone a bit insane lately, so I'm trying to limit my skincare experiments to 'safe' products, but I'm quite keen on trying the generous sample of Orofluido included in the box. I'll update once I've given it a go to let you all know what I think.

The contents are:

Lancome Vissionaire

Erborian - Korean brand trio samples of anti-fatigue and anti-ageing products

Gatineau Melatogenine Force Collagene - Anti-wrinkle performance booster

Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics (OCC) Lip Tar - lip colour that combines the longevity of a lipstick with the ease of application of a gloss. (Wooohooo). I got NSFW, a deep red.

Orofluido - luxurious and unusual concoction of Argan Oil, Cyperus Oil and Linseed oil

Twistband - chic Californian brand hair ties that keep hair secure without snagging or leaving creases


VERDICT: I loved this box, but that's because I was pretty eager to try the OCC lip tar and the twistband. :))


Note: You can click on the photo of the box contents card for an in-depth read of what's in the box and where to get it.

Update: Photos all fixed up now! And, I came home and just HAD to try the new lip tar...omigosh, is it pigmented!

I made the mistake of trying to apply it with my finger and I've come to a couple of conclusions:

a) It's SUPER pigmented, seriously, a tiny drop and a lip brush will take you a LONG way.
b) If you have young children who are quite keen on dabbing on your walls with your cosmetic products (or you're just a klutz, like me), you might want to stay away from this product, because it's almost IMPOSSIBLE to get off.
c) I think one tube of this will last you approximately 2 decades, as you only need a tiny pinprick to do your entire mouth...they do feel a teensy bit drying on after a wee while but you can always put a bit of gloss/balm on top to solve the problem.

Here is a photo, I'm sorry for the poor quality but I'm suffering a really bad headache right now and just do not feel very pretty (or photogenic) at all, so I gave up half way! I might post more photos in a day or two. They should show how pigmented and glossy the lip colour is! My verdict? I'm pretty happy but I think I'll need to experiment with more colours, this one is a wee bit too strong for me to use regularly.

OCC Lip Tar: NSFW (seriously, how cute is the name?)

Much love,

MM.

x

Second update (17/11/2011): I am now suffering a mini episode of box envy as I read a few other blogposts and realized the colour of the OCC lip tars differs in each box! And some other bloggers have gotten a Kenzo perfume sample instead of the erborian sample trio! Oh well, I'll just have to buy more lip tars, I guess! ;)