Beauty Box: Bella Box May 2012

I have to admit, I'm a bit boxed-out at the moment. With all the recent highs and lows lately - takeovers, shutdowns, great boxes, terrible boxes - I'm just feeling a bit ambivalent about it all. Right into the middle of this mess walks my May Bella Box. This is the second Bella Box I've ever received, so normally I'd be quite curious to see whether it's the same standard as the first one. However, it's unfortunate - any box that follows up the amazingness of last month's "we're not like GlossyBox, really!" LustHaveIt box is inevitably going to be a letdown. Still, I'll plough into it! Here it is:



Avene Eau Thermale Ystheal Emulsion Moisturiser AND Eluage Eye Contour Cream, sample size 5ml and 2 ml respectively.
It's nice to try some skin care products from a more high-end brand to see if they really work. I couldn't afford to purchase full-size products from this brand, so this is where beauty boxes really come into their own! The 2ml/5ml tubes should last longer than your ordinary sachet, and it was nice to get two of them. However, having read the reviews on Beautypedia, I'm not expecting too much from these products.
Beautypedia Rating Summary: Moisturiser [see full here]: This formula has no Vitamin A, and not enough Vitamin E to be effective, so its anti-ageing effects are minimal. Straight face ('OK') rating.
Beautypedia Rating Summary: Eye Cream [see full here]: Anti-ageing ingredients are present in such tiny amounts as to be ineffective. Formula is almost identical to facial moisturiser, however eye moisturiser is much more expensive. Straight face ('OK') rating.
Conscience time: Avene is a French company. Avene do not test on animals but are owned by Beiersdorf, who do conduct animal testing.

A'kin Rose & Geranium Pure Creamy Cleanser & Toner in One, sample size 30ml.
I was very happy to get this. A'kin is one of my favourite brands! Their products don't have parabens or synthetic fragrances. The cleanser smells divine and I'm looking forward to using it. I've been thinking of changing my skin cleansing routine, so this has come at just the right time. Very happy.
Conscience time: A'kin is an Australian company, founded by an individual. It is not tested on animals.

Bobbi Brown Extreme Lengthening Mascara,sample size, 3g.
I received the exact same product in my February GlossyBox, but I don't mind. I've been using this mascara every day and really liked the way it separates and defines my lashes. Even though it doesn't get the best review on Beautypedia, I still thought it was better than the Maybelline one I'd been using before. I'd been starting to wonder what I was going to do when it ran out/got manky - go back to a cheaper brand or lash out and buy the expensive but good Bobbi Brown one?? Now I have a replacement tube, the dilemma has been put off for a few months longer.
Beautypedia Rating Summary [see full here]: Product receives a 'straight face' (OK) rating. Does not lengthen or darken any more than other, similar products.
Conscience time: Bobbi Brown is a U.S. company. They do not test on animals but are owned by Estee Lauder, who do conduct animal testing.

Silk Oil of Morocco Lip Gloss in Moroccan Ruby, full-size.
Apparently the boffins-that-be have now realised that Moroccan Argan Oil is good for more than just your hair, so they've put it in this lip gloss. This is almost exactly the same colour as the Model Co. lipgloss I received in my LustHaveIt box, even down to the long, slim shape of the tube! I feel a comparison review coming on!
Conscience time: Silk Oil of Morocco is an Australian brand. It is not tested on animals.

Sebastian Professional Volupt Shampoo, Volupt Conditioner and Potion 9 Wearable-Styling Treatment, sample sachets 10ml each.
I have never heard of this brand before, though apparently they've been around since the 1970s. They are only sold in salons though, so that might be why. It's nice to try some new hair products; I do like hair products. So we'll see what these are like.
Conscience time: Their website was really vague. Some sources say they have been bought by Proctor and Gamble, who do test on animals.


Summary: This month's BB lived up admirably to the rigours of recent box craziness. Some of the products I was very happy to have (A'kin Cleanser; Bobbi Brown mascara) and I didn't hate any of them. There was a good combination of skin care, makeup and hair products. Getting more than one sample in a couple of the categories added to the overall goodness. The value of the box was on the high end. My only concern is that- just like last month - the products weren't cushioned in the box and were rattling around inside. However, overall I liked this box.

Total Value: $80.98. Cost of Box: $14.95. Benefit: $66.03.
Rating: 8/10

Review of February GlossyBox Beauty Box

As promised, here's February's GlossyBox!

This month was all about the V-word. That's right, Valentine's Day! The box itself is a hot pink colour, and the packing paper inside is pink and white. A little packet of love heart lollies was inside. Aww! Here's the visual:



It contained:

Bobbi Brown Lash Glamour Extreme Lengthening Mascara in Black, no size listed but estimate 3g.
I was happy to receive this product. My mascara's getting pretty old, and it'll be interesting to try a more 'middle shelf' brand. Specifically, whether the bristles really "interlock with lashes like a zipper"!
Beautypedia Rating Summary [see full here]: Product receives a 'straight face' (OK) rating. Does not lengthen or darken any more than other, similar products.
Conscience time: Bobbi Brown do not test on animals but are owned by Estee Lauder, who do conduct animal testing.
21-MAR-12 edit: I've been using this nearly every day and it's actually pretty good. It separates my lashes well (compared to the mascaras I already had, anyway).

Jane Iredale Tantasia Self Tanner, no size listed, but estimate 15ml.
Jane Iredale was one of the first dedicated brands for mineral cosmetics, and I've been curious to try it - the price always put me off! I would much rather have tried a different product than a tanner, but that's the beauty box lucky dip for you! I sometimes use a gradual self tanner on my legs. This may or may not be enough for one application on my legs - we'll see!
Conscience time: Jane Iredale is a U.S. company (as far as I can tell), founded by an individual. It does not test on animals.
21-MAR-12 edit: I've used this a couple of times, and it's reminded me why I don't like instant tanners. It pongs badly! I certainly won't be buying it.

Proactiv Deep Cleansing Wash, 60ml sample bottle.
I was very glad to receive this as I'm currently suffering from a bad rash of pimples. It'll definitely be used up quicksticks!
Beautypedia Rating Summary [see full here]: This product receives a frowny face (bad) rating for two reasons: the AHA is not effective in a wash-off product, and it contains menthol, which can be irritating. Hmmm!
Conscience time: ProActiv is a U.S. company founded by two dermatologists. It does not test on animals.
21-MAR-12 edit: The menthol in this makes my eyes water and my skin sting. I diluted it heavily with another product before use.

Star & Rose Floral Wonderland Emergency Nail Files.
I was pretty underwhelmed by this product. Even though the design is pretty cute, it's not really a 'wow-factor' product. I'll take them to work, though, I'm sure they'll come in handy. I had a look at the company's website. They are a wholesaler of all sorts of beauty-related products in thoughtfully-designed packaging.
Conscience time: Star & Rose is an Australian company founded by a designer. I could not ascertain whether they test on animals.

Polished London Nail Enamel in Waitress, full size.
Normally I would be like, 'nail polish, yay'! But I already have an Anna Sui nail polish in almost exactly the same blood red colour as this. And you know which of the two brands are going to win out! So I'll probably end up using this in my art journal.
Conscience time: Polished London is an Australian company (so gosh-knows why it's called that!). I could not find out whether they test on animals.

Summary: I'm in two minds about this box. It was great to receive products from semi-luxury brands like Bobbi Brown and Jane Iredale, but on the other hand, I feel that something like a nail file should be a bonus extra rather than a core product. And, for a second, I thought the heart lollies were a bonus product, and was disappointed when they weren't. It's a little thing, but it all adds up!
The value is middling compared to other boxes I've received, but not terrible.
Other subscribers received an ELF black eyeliner, ELF glitter lip gloss, Adorn mineral blush, Carmex SPF lip balm (which I got a few months ago), Spongeables shower gel-embedded sponge, or temporary lip tattoos (what the??) in their boxes. I wouldn't have minded trying the Spongeable, but otherwise I think I got a pretty good deal! I don't know why GlossyBox have this practice of divvying up vastly different products to different subscribers - in my opinion it only leads to envy and disappointment.
21-FEB-12 edit: Today I received an email from GB titled "Tip of the Month", all about how great the Proactiv product is. At the bottom in smallish letters it advises that the full-size product is 375ml, not 475ml. Typos are forgivable, but what a completely lame way to inform the subscribers!

Total Value: $49.586. Cost of Box: $14.95. Benefit: $34.91
Rating: 6/10