Showing posts with label Beauty Basket. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Beauty Basket. Show all posts

29 July 2012

Beauty Boxes : Lust Have It Box July 2012

My Lust Have It box for July arrived a couple of days ago. I'm not feeling the blogging inspiration today, so I'll just do a quick summary. It again came in a lust-have-it-branded makeup bag, but in a perky bright orange colour this time. Just looking at it cheers me up!

I'd also like to mention before I get started - my Beauty Basket subscription. Remember I received a Beauty Basket last month? I was really starting to wonder why I hadn't received one this month. No payment was taken out of my account, no email communication, nothing. So yesterday I finally went to their site to figure out what the deal was. It turns out - you have to log on to their site and manually purchase the basket every month.


last month's Beauty Basket


After the less-than-inspiring package I received last month (Lindt chocolates aside), and the less-than-encouraging feedback I've read about their service, I decided not to bother. In my mind, half the convenience of the beauty box subscription is that they arrive on your doorstep like magic each month, without you having to do anything. (I know! I'm lazy! But it's a part of feeling pampered, don't you think?) Plus, I can't believe I'm admitting this, but I'm building up quite a large stash of products now, and it's probably best if I stick to just two boxes. (*gasp!*)
Now on to the box at hand!:


my Lust Have It goodies!


I received:

✌ Baby Foot - it's a set of exfoliating socks that you wear for a couple of hours, and then over the next few weeks, all the dead hard skin on your feet eventually comes off. (See illustration on postcard at the bottom of my photo.) I was quite chuffed to receive this because a) I'm really slack with taking care of my feet, and I'd rather use something occasionally that gives them a really thorough treatment, than having to pay attention to them every day; and b) Celeste from Becoming Beautiful recently reviewed a very similar product from Tony Moly and I've been intrigued by it. The included postcard had a 20% discount offer for purchases before the end of August, which I may take advantage of.

✌ Matrix Deep Smoothing Shampoo & Conditioner - these paraben-free products are formulated to smooth rough, frizzy hair, which is exactly what I need. It's annoying when hair products come in a 15ml sachet which isn't enough for even one application on my long, thick hair. This bottle and tube though, will be good for a couple of washes.

✌ Mirenesse Velvet Lip Lift Moisture Shine - I like the pinkish-nude colour of this lip gloss sample, and I love the design of Mirenesse packaging. I can't tell you yet whether it's self-renewing or lasts all day, but I can tell you that it smells horrible. Sort of like plastic and chemicals. Which is a real shame because their primer and face mask both smell divine and really warmed me to Mirenesse products. The jury's out as to whether I'll actually use this.

✌ Avene Gentle Eye Makeup Remover - oops, I bought a full-size bottle of this on sale from Chemist Warehouse a couple of weeks ago! Though I haven't started using it yet. If I do end up liking it, then it'll be very handy for travelling and sleeping over at friends' houses (which we sometimes plan, but never get around to!).

✌ Avene Ystheal+ Anti-Ageing Cream - I remembered getting some Avene products in my Bella Box a few months ago, but I'm relieved to see this is a different product in the Ystheal line. (And no, I haven't started using those yet, either!) It's formulated for dry skin, so not my type, but I'll try it anyway with caution. Not only do I have oily skin, but I have a great honker of a pimple on my chin at the moment!

Summary: Overall it wasn't a bad box. There was a good mix of skin care, makeup and hair products, with all the brands being medium to high end. The Baby Foot is a new type of product (as far as I'm aware!) and I'm looking forward to using it.

Total Value: $62.56. Cost of Box: $14.95. Benefit: $47.61
Rating: 8/10


14 June 2012

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