Empties: June 2012

Lush Gorgeous Moisturiser (sample size) - Smelled wonderful, but I don't think it had any effect on my skin at all. Plus it comes in unhygienic pot, which is a real shame for such an expensive product.
Avon Skin So Soft Hair Minimising Deodorant - Had no noticeable hair minimising properties at all. Not that good at eliminating smells, either. I have another one to get through as it was a 2-for-1 deal. Won't get it again.
Searo Nail Color Dry Spray - after buying this as an add-on to another purchase on e-bay, I was happily surprised to find that it actually works well. It cuts the drying time of my nail polish in half! I'm currently waiting for a replacement to arrive.
Daiso Japanese Wet Sheet Wipes in Mint (not pictured) - I had these at work for those sticky moments. They made me feel powdery dry and had a lovely subtle minty scent. Being Daiso, they were very cheap as well. However, I decided to buy a different brand this time; currently waiting for it to arrive.
Maybelline XXL Extensions Mascara in Black - started to go clumpy so I threw it away, but I'd had it for a long time and was happy with the lengthening effect.
Crabtree & Evelyn Body Scrub in Citron Honey & Coriander - loved this; reviewed here.
Ffid Coenzyme Q10 Cloth Face Mask - also loved this discussed here.
Mirenesse Eclipse Age Defence Daily Face & Neck Clear SPF Mineral Balm (mini size) - not even sure what this was supposed to be used for: moisturiser? sunscreen? primer? serum? Seemed to have no effect of any kind. Only lasted 2 applications, anyway.
De Cheri Hotel Soap AND Paradise Hotel Soap (second not pictured) - standard guest soaps from my collection.
Burt's Bees Peppermint & Rosemary Body Bar - had a very strong peppermint/menthol smell. It made my eyes water and more sensitive parts of my skin sting! I would definitely not get this again.
Paula's Choice Resist Intensive Wrinkle-Repair Retinol Serum (sample sachet) - love this stuff, and I think it really works. I've already bought the full-size product and I'm using it as an eye serum.
Kerastase Nectar Thermique Leave-In Conditioner (sample sachet) - I had 5 of these from a beauty box and I think this is the second-last one.
Jurlique Calendula Face Cream - smelled nice, but! Was very thick and had to push it around my face. Did not notice any particular benefits, either. Would not get again as I felt my skin was stretching too much trying to rub it in.
Bloom Body Cream in Mandarine (not pictured) - only threw away because it was extremely old and smelled manky. Would get again for a treat.
Paula's Choice 2% BHA Liquid (sample sachet) - have already purchased the full-size product. I've only had one small pimple since using this. Looks like it may be my go-to exfoliant!

Beauty Boxes: Beauty Basket June 2012

Nearly a month ago, when I first found out that I Love This Box had closed their doors, I thought there were only two beauty box subscription companies left in Australia. Well, I was wrong! When I was googling to try and find out more information about why ILTB closed, I came across another box company, called Beauty Basket. They'd been around for about 6 months, and all the reviews I'd read about them were positive and had interesting items in them. So I joined up! I guess I must have just missed out on the May box, because I had to wait ages for my first one, but finally it's here! It comes in an actual basket, how cute! And there was a box of Lindt chocolates with it! I guess it was a welcome gift. It was sure welcome, anyway!

Here is what I got:



Lalisse Moisture Rich Facial Cleanser, sample size 30ml.
I already have a few facial cleansers, but that's OK. Washing my face twice a day means I go through them at a steady rate, so it's good to have a stockpile. It's always good to discover a new local brand, too.
Conscience time: Lalisse is an Australian company. It does not test on animals.

DB Cosmetics Kohl Eye Pencil with Sharpener in Black, full size.
Hm, I already have a black eyeliner in the 'I'm never gonna use this' box. The sharpener in the lid is a nice twist though, and I'm getting more into using eyeliners, so maybe I'll keep it.
Conscience time: The CEO's phone number is a Victorian number, so I'm guessing it's Australian! It is not tested on animals.

Avon Anew Genics Eye Treatment, full-size.
Genics is apparently a new range for Avon, with unique 'Youthgen' technology which works on your genes. I don't believe any of that rubbish, but I'll use it up anyway! For a pretty expensive product (RRP $59.99), it's pleasing to get a full-size version.
Conscience time: Avon is a U.S. company but, let's face it: it's everywhere!

Avon Arabian Glow Bronzing Pearls, full-size.
This product has been around for years! I like the idea of the balls of bronzer just waiting to be swept with a big fluffy brush, though. I'm not averse to a bit of bronzer, but I'm not bold enough to wear it in winter. I'll put this away until summer.
Conscience time: As above.

Bonne Bell Moisture Repair SPF 15 Lip Balm, full-size.
Hmm, this is hardly a luxury product. But it'll come in handy. Ever since I noticed how dark the freckles on my lips are, I've been using my SPF lip balm religiously. So this will definitely get used up! And I do like my Bonne Bell / Lip Smackers lip things, even if people keep telling me I'm getting too old!
Conscience time: Bonne Bell is a U.S. company, founded in 1927 by an individual. It is not tested on animals.


Summary: Being my first box from Beauty Basket, I was very curious to see what was in it. They subscribe to some brands that the other box companies don't, so I was hoping to get something a little bit different. Since I changed jobs, I no longer have access to an Avon Lady, and I miss their specials and new items. Neither of these products are things I would buy from the catalogue, though.
I'm in two minds about this box. Some of the products were pretty ho-hum, but on the other hand 4 out of 5 are products I'll definitely use, which is more than I can say for other boxes I've received. The overall value of the box is very high - mostly due to the Avon eye cream - which is a definite plus. And the box of chocolates was a huge plus! So I'll see how it goes.

Total Value: $94.54. Cost of Box: $14.95. Benefit: $79.59
Rating: 7/10

Empties: April 2012

I decided to start doing this feature half-way through the month, so I don't have photos of all the packagings, sorry!



Dove Go Fresh Cream Bar - (given by mum-in-law) a good, moisturising soap. The fresh smell was nice, but a little strong. I'd consider buying it again.

Pola Kalahari Moisture Lotion - (sample sachet; a gift from S & B) Reviewed here.

Davroe Tame Lemongrass Detangler Spray - (sample size; LustHaveIt box) smelled a bit strange (soapy) but worked well. Was well out of my budget though, so I made my own. See here.

DHC Make Off Sheets - (purchased from YesStyle) Reviewed here. Replaced with Biore brand.

Lush Face Mask in Crash Course in Skin Care AND Cosmetic Warrior - threw these away because they were well past their use-by date and smelled manky. I'm saving the pots to get a free face mask.

Avon French Manicure Set: Topcoat - went very thick and cloudy, so I turfed it. Replaced with Etude House Jelly Nail Top Coat.

Sheer Cover SPF 15 Nourishing Moisturiser - (sample size; GlossyBox) horrid stuff. Waxy, boring and gave me pimples. Would certainly not buy again. Replaced with Nivea Sun Face Veil SPF30+ Moisturiser.

Sasy n Savy Rose Lavender Hand n Nail Repair Creme - (sample size; LustHaveIt Box) so tiny that it was all gone after about 4 applications! Smells lovely and has average sinking-in ability but it set off my eczema.

Proactiv Cleansing Bar - (GlossyBox) horrid stuff. It gave both man and I pimples on our backs and dried out our skin. Would certainly not buy again.

Planet Earth Lime Blossom & Coconut Soap - (Christmas gift from Husband) lovely smell, moisturising bar, long-lasting as well. Would get again.