Beauty Boxes : Lust Have It April 2013

I need to apologise again for the lateness of my box review! I received this box about 2 weeks ago, and the reason for the delay isn't because I didn't like it! I've just been very busy lately. I did like this box, and again it came in a beautiful patterned keepsake box, which I found handy to keep my fountain pens in. So without further ado, let's see what I got:


❖ Gosh Cosmetics Mono Eyeshadow in Aubergine, full-size.
Gosh Cosmetics comes from Denmark and according to the card, their eyeshadows come in a vast range of colours. It looks good quality and it does sound intriguing. Unfortunately, I already have several eyeshadows in dark purple shades (not least of which is the e.l.f. Mineral Eyeshadow I received in my LHI Autumn Eco box last month), so I don't think I'll keep this one. I would have preferred a nice light versatile neutral, personally.

❖ Rachel K Mineral Colour Control CC Cream, Original and Neutral Sample Sachets (2 of each).
CC Cream is the latest thing to come out of Asia, just when the West was starting to get used to the idea of BB Cream! I'm a massive sucker for Asian beauty products, and when I first heard about CC Cream last month (the CC stands for Colour Control), I wanted to get my hands on some badly. And here it is in my Beauty Box! I haven't heard of Rachel K before, but apparently it's a Singaporean brand started by former Miss Singapore Universe winner Rachel Kum. I tried the Original CC Cream this morning, and it seems similar to the BB Creams I've used, but with a few subtle differences. The cream is pink rather than tan, and seems to bring my freckles and discolourations back to my natural skin colour, without adding any new colour or glow. It's hard to draw any conclusions when each different brand and formula of BB Cream seems to have slightly different effects! I'll see if I can rustle up a proper review next week.

❖ Remedica Richesse Vanilla and Shea Body Butter, sample pot 50ml (estimated).
I have so many body creams, lotions and butters that I think my cupboard is going to burst at the seams! This is one of the nicer ones I've received, though. The formula is thick and luxurious, yet sinks in quickly without being greasy, and it has subtle nutty and citrusy scents to it. I will look forward to using this one!

❖ Pink Tiger Cosmetics Nail Tools: Buffer and Lint-Free Gauze.
I'm sure these practical tools will come in handy for keeping my nails neat and tidy. It's nice to receive, not just another nail polish, but some tools I can use for those times when I need to give my nails a rest.

❖ Be In Awe Cosmeceuticals Amala Clearing Serum, sample size 5ml.
I remember getting some Be In Awe products in one of my boxes last year, and they were to die for! The clearing serum is just what I need at the moment for my crazy breaking-out skin. I'll be putting my current moisturiser aside for a while to give this a go. Be In Awe is an Australian brand.

❖ Goldwell Dualsenses Ultra Volume Conditioner, sample size 75ml.
It's unusual to receive just a conditioner sample, not a set of shampoo and conditioner, but this 75ml bottle is a very generous sample. It should be enough for a few applications, even on my crazy long hair! This formula is designed to give fine hair volume, and I don't really have a need for that with my thick, boofy hair. The watermelon and bamboo scent does sound very enticing, though.

Summary: This month's box was a solid mixture of makeup, face, body and hair care products. I had a good feeling about it. It was unfortunate that one of them I had little use for, but that was just my colour preference rather than anything intrinsic to the product. On the other hand, receiving the CC Cream was very exciting! Overall, I do like the April box.

Rating: 8/10
Gunna Use It Right Now Rating: 67%

Beauty Boxes: Bella Box June 1012

My Bella Box actually arrived the day after my Beauty Basket (last Thursday), but I'm sick at the moment, and only had the oomph for one box at at time! I really wish they hadn't arrived so close together, because one always seems better than the other and it can be a little disappointing. This month's Bella Box trumped the competition, I have to say! The theme was Winter Escape, perfect for the current cold weather. And here it is! (Sorry the photo is a bit lacklustre, it was hard to photograph so many different shaped items, and I wasn't really in the mood.)



Benefit Porefessional Pro Balm, sample size 7.5ml.
This was the first thing I saw when I opened the box, and I was highly excited! I have a problem with large pores, and all the beauty blogs are raving about this primer. I have a suspicion that I might be happier with my makeup application if only I could find the right primer, so I'm definitely going to give this a go. It's in an adorable flip-open cardboard holder with tips on it as well.

Benefit Total Moisture Face Cream, sample size 3.5ml.
Another Benefit product! Yay! I can't afford to buy Benefit products normally - the joy of beauty boxes means I can still try them. Apparently this contains tri-radiance complex and mango butter. Sounds nice!
Conscience time: Benefit is a U.S. brand. It tests on animals where required by law.

Pure Fiji Coconut Milk and Honey Body Butter, sample size, est. 50ml.
I have so many body moisturisers! I'm kind of glad this is a sample size and not a full-size, I have to admit. The smell is subtle but lovely, so I'm sure I'll enjoy using it.

Sally Hansen Colour Quick Chrome Fast-Dry Nail Colour in Red Chrome, full size pen.
Nail pens are nothing new, but I don't doubt the quality of Sally Hansen products. I swatched the colour on a piece of paper and it's a light, bright metallic red. Definitely a toe-colour for me! (i.e. too bright to get away with wearing to work.) It does seem to dry fast (on the paper).
Conscience time: Sally Hansen is a U.S. company. It doesn't test on animals.

Be In Awe Vimala Gentle Cleanser, sample sachets 3ml x 2.
Be In Awe Shaanta Night Balm, sample size 5ml.
I'm intrigued by their catchline 'ancient wisdom encapsulated'. The range is based on Ayurvedic principles. I'm more of a modern technology girl, myself. I like it when I'm given more than one product from the range: if something was wonderful or terrible, you have a better idea if it's a one-off or not. I look forward to trying these out.
Conscience time: Be In Awe is not tested on animals.

Fan Di Fendi Fragrance, sample sachet.
The fragrance came in a sample sachet which I'm guessing has some kind of towelette inside? In that case, it's only good for one application, which is a little disappointing. I want to save it for a special occasion, but if I don't like the smell, then do I have to wear it to my birthday party??
Conscience time: Fendi is owned by Unilever, which do test on animals.

Bonus: Olea Olive Leaf Drops, 4 lozenges.
I swear, everything has olive leaf in it now! These lozenges also have manuka honey and antioxidants, so they're good for colds. I really need them right now! I bet they taste better than Strepsils as well. ツ
Conscience time: Olea Olive Leaf is owned by Comvita, the N.Z. mob I got some products from a few boxes back. The olive grove is in Queensland, though. They don't test on animals.

Summary: Bella Box have come up with a big box this month - it contains 8 products! I was impressed to see a brand new product, the Benefit Porefessional, which shows that Bella Box keep up with current trends. The value of the box was quite good. It was heavy on the skin care side of things, and not really any makeup except for the primer. Skin care is my favourite, so I'm not complaining, but some others might not like it so much. The Olea Lozenges were the quirky but appropriate bonus that Bella Box are starting to be known for. Overall, I approve of this box heartily. Now I'm gonna have a cup of tea!

Total Value: $63.23. Cost of Box: $15.00. Benefit: $48.23.
Rating: 9/10