Bella Box May

This months products included:

What I liked:

All of it. I can use and will use every single product in this months box, some more than others but all of it was beneficial for me.

Bloom Lip-stain was a nice surprise. One application lasted a long time and was in a lovely, wearable colour: Rhubarb.

Manicare disposable mascara brushes will defiantly come in handy, you can never have too many, especially if you are a make-up artist using on clients.

La Roche-Posay Effaclar Foaming Gel - I would like to try this for a month or so and see if it will help with my break outs, so far I have been using a week and I have not notice any new problems but time will see. It doesn't dry my skin out after use either.

La Roche-Posay Effaclar Duo - a good follow up to the foaming gel, so far so good.

Nanoblur - not yet tried but excited to give it a go. I am waiting on a special occasion to come up, so I can test it to the max.

Sanctury Spa Brightening Facial Illuminating moisture Lotion - It feels light, smells divine and illuminates the skin with a natural looking glow. I don't feel like I have been hit with too much fairy dust

Overall thoughts for the box this month:

Mays box was full of wondrous products, most I had never heard of before. All of it was suitable for my skin-type. I got a laugh out of the Udder Cream, love the name and loved the product.

Chi Chi BB Cream

I'm in love with this product!

Chi Chi BB Cream           Price: $19.95 

It promotes anti-aging & ultra moisturizing with 14 skin conditioning agents including: Caviar Extract, Collguard, Olive Fruit Oil, Green Tea Extract, White Mulberry Tree Extract, Gotu Kola Extract and Vitamin E.

Since finding this I barely use my  Revlon Colorstay foundation, I only use it for days when I need extra staying power and extra coverage but I wear the BB Cream underneath. It makes my skin look and feel healthy.
It can be worn underneath foundation for a base or on its own for a light to medium coverage. If you have oily skin I would use a mattifying primer underneath and a finishing powder such as Palladio Rice Powder as it has can have an oily finish.

It comes in three shades: Light, Medium and Medium to Tanned

Pros

Anti-aging
Light Weight
Light - Medium coverage
Easily Blendable
Inexpensive
SPF 30

Cons

Can be oily, not as user friendly to people with oily prone skin, however this can be helped with applying a mattifying  primer and a oil soaking finishing powder (Palladio Rice Powder)

Only three shades

It can be brought from Myer, Target or their Website
Note: They often have sales in-store make sure to take advantage of them.

Bellabox - April

April 2013

What I was excited about:

Everything, I wanted to try it all as soon as I opened the box. I had not experienced that much excitement in a long time. 

What surprised me:

Lady Gaga - Fame. I don't like a lot of the perfumes endorsed by singers/actors, I find that they're pretty to look at but the quality is nothing special and the fragrances are so so. I loved this fragrance. I put some on in the morning before work and its still lasting 8hrs later. The fragrance is lovely. 

What I liked:

Cellilux, it was a strange sensation as it dried, almost burning but it made my skin feel great. I thought it might become dusty when dry  but it sets to the face really well, no mess when dry and it washes away with ease. Loved it. I'm not sure if I could justify the $69.00 price tag for 60g. It would want to last a long time... Maybe...

Indigo Facial Scrub: I love scrubs with fine particles, to me it feels like its getting into the smaller pores. I may be wrong but I love how it feels on the skin, like a light sanding.  $56.00 is pretty pricey though and these days you can make your own scrubs for a fraction of the price...

Jacquline Evans Argan & Rosehip Moisturizing Cream: It is advertised more for dry and mature skin types but I love using under the eye area. The skin under my eyes is a lot softer and it helps with any fine lines, not that I have much but it makes me look alive when I'm tired. Which is a lot. I am not a morning person and have to start work early. - Life saver. Using it as an eye cream the product would last forever... Ok not forever ever but a long time. $46:00 may just be worth it...

Averne Micellar Lotion 3 in 1: I love cutting corners and having the best outcome, This product does just that. It removed all makeup and cleansed my skin. Love! - $32.95 Worth it. It would last a long time too. 

What I didn't care for:

Rimmel BB Cream, It was thick, wouldn't blend and looked cakey, I had high hopes for this product but I hated it, I felt like I was wearing a mask and it felt oily too touch. 

I wore it to work to give it a full day workout and my boss noticed how bad it was and commented, how embarrassing. Maybe its not suitable to my skin type but it definitely was a no go for me.   

Australian Bush Flower Essence Body Love Moisturizer the smell, while sweet was too much for me. I prefer lotions with subtle smells or not at all. Fragrance can be a real problem in cosmetics. It's a no go for me. 

Overall thoughts for the box this month:

I loved the box for April. This was my first Bella Box and to be honest I didn't have high hopes for it. I saw some past reviews of others customers and it didn't seem that interesting but for $15:00, cancel any time it was worth giving it a go and I am so glad I did. 

Lust Have It - April

This months products included:

What I was excited about: 

Rachel K - CC Cream, Aveda Shampoo and Conditioner & Gosh Eyeshadow

What surprised me:

Pink Tiger Gauze. This is a fantastic product, no one likes lint in their freshly done almost-perfect makeup (except for that tiny smudge of mascara)  to be ruined by lint. It has my vote. 

What I didn't care for:  

Gosh Eye-Shadow. I was so excited about this product, people have been raving for a long time about their makeup, so when I received their eyeshadow I thought I was the luckiest girl in the world... Unfortunately lI found that the quality was lacking.  RRP $16.00 to me is not worth the money. The eye shadow was chalky, too glittery and not very pigmented. The colour was very pretty to look at but it was way too sheer to be a quality eyeshadow. - Maybe there are better quality ones out there and I just happened to get one that was very nice.

Molton Brown Patchouli and Saffron Body Wash. I did not like the smell of this item, however the rest of their body-wash products might be worth trying - But for $39.00? I'm not sure about the price.

What I’d be interested in trying/buying full size product:

Rachel K - CC cream. All the hype may be worth the $39.00
It feels like you are not wearing anything at all, it's got some good coverage and a powder like finish once set. 

Overall thoughts for the box this month:

This months box was a good one, I got to try some products that I would not have brought myself (without testing first), I found some new brands and products that I would like to try out. Some of the products can not be reviewed in full  as I only have a sample size and it may take multiple uses, E.G. Shampoos take a couple of weeks to see a difference, same with things like moisturizers and lotions. So these are my first impressions reviews.

Beauty Boxes

Recently I came across the words "Beauty Box," apparently you can spend $15 -$25 a month and some companies send you beauty samples to try out O_o and apparently this has been happening for quite some time (at least two years), right under my nose. So I say to myself, "I need to be all up in this"  I came across a couple but unfortunately were available to USA residence only. I felt let down, was there no one in Australia that did the same thing? As I was watching some makeup reviews on YouTube I came across someone who was reviewing beauty boxes in Australia... So excited! she was reviewing Four (in no particular order): Lust Have It, Bella Box, Glossy Box and I Love This Box, unfortunately I Love This Box And Glossy Box have been discontinued (Glossy merged with Lust Have It).

Their introductions (taken from their websites)

PM - Per Month, P3M - Per 3 Months, P6M - Per 6 Months & PY - Per Year

About Lust Have IT  - $19.95 PM, $119 P6M & $220 PY

"Whether you’re a seasoned beauty fanatic or simply stuck in a rut looking for something new, frustrating shopping trips are now the thing of the past with Lust have it!. Nicci Herrera is the brain-child behind the beauty lifesaving service, which offers some of the world’s top brands to people’s door to trial – helping you cut through the clutter

Lust have it! is a convenient and cost-effective way of introducing beauty fanatics to an array of premium beauty brands from haircare, cosmetics and skincare, to sample without buying the full size items. For a small membership, the latest products are sent to members direct, saving you the frustration of sifting through endless products on department store shelves."

What they Say:

• Boxes regularly contains products worth $60+ for only $19.95/mth!
• Monthly box filled with 5 to 6 premium beauty samples
• Delivered to your home or work each month for your to try
• Our panel of Australian beauty experts choose the products
• Keep up to date with what’s new and exciting in beauty
• Earn rewards points on every box and for giving us feedback

About BellaBox - PM $15.00 & PY $165.00

"bellabox is the beauty sampling concept to revolutionize the way Australian’s discover, trial and purchase beauty and lifestyle products.

Each month, you'll receive a premium selection of beauty and lifestyle samples that the bellabox team has sourced, tried and approved. We only obtain beauty products from well known, cult, boutique and emerging brands to deliver you the very best selection to try at your leisure, in the comfort of your own home.

The women’s bellabox includes everything from skincare to makeup, nail polish, to the latest beauty trends, as well as perfume samples, hair treatments and leading organic products plus fun non-beauty extras. A range beauty choices are considered during compilation, such as skincare concerns, age appropriateness and product preferences.

bellobox, the men's subscription, includes the suavest selection of grooming and lifestyle products. From cologne, to shaving cream, hair products and skin care, there is something for every man.

Now, bellabox are proud to bring you bellababy, the subscription box tailored to accommodate new parents and their babies during the hectic and exciting first year of baby’s life. bellababy will commence in October - stay tuned!

Twin sisters, Emily and Sarah Hamilton, founded bellabox. These dynamic sisters envisaged bellabox as a way to deliver customers the best in beauty in the most fuss free and simple way. Made for the woman, man and soon, the new family on the go, bellabox does all the work for you, trawling the globe for the newest and hottest out there for your discovery."

What they say:

There is a Bellabox Plan to suit you!

Why should you join Bellabox?

You can earn reward points by referring friends to the program, sending us feedback on your samples and shopping on Bellabox

Online magazine and blog offering you expert tips and advice

Make new purchases with confidence

You can earn reward points by referring friends to the program, sending us feedback on your samples and shopping on Bellabox

Online magazine and blog offering you expert tips and advice

Since June there has been a new contender, Violet Box @ $22.95 PM it is a bit more costly than the others, I originally decided to "just give it a go" thinking I would cancel this after the first box but I LOVE this box. So far the money has been worth it and each month they have managed to deliver exciting new items and great discounts. 

About Violet Box - $22.95 PM, $66 P3M, $130 P6M & $250 PY

"CALL OFF THE ENDLESS SEARCH FOR THE BEST NEW BEAUTY PRODUCTS...

...and get them delivered direct to your home or office. Sign up to Violet Box to receive a beautifully curated box filled with 4-6 premium beauty and lifestyle samples every month!

Stay at the fore front of fashion with this all NEW Beauty Editor in a box"

- Well said!

After a lot of research I have signed up for, Lust Have It, Bella Box and now Violet Box. 

if anyone else is subscribed please comment about your experiences.