Bella Box March 2013

I'm not too much in the mood for writing at the moment, but I wanted to share my March Bella Box items with you before too much time passes! I received the box over a week ago, so I'm very slack. Here it is:


❖ Ocean Essence Coconut Body Milk, full (travel) size 20ml.
I'm a bit surprised to find that this body lotion doesn't have much of a smell to it, of coconut or anything else. If anything, it smells faintly of cough medicine. I'll probably use up the tube all in one go anyway. The Body Milk is paraben-free. The RRP for this 20ml travel size tube is $4.95.

❖ SimuOlive Hydrating Shower Gel, sample size 50ml.
I don't have too many shower gels, but I like using them as a change from soap, so I'll probably crack this open soon. The extra-virgin olive oil in this product is well-known for its moisturising properties. This brand is made in New Zealand and not tested on animals.

❖ Guerlain La Petite Robe Noire Eau de Toilette, sample vial {size not specified}.
I do love a perfume, and this one is floral and romantic just with a hint of spicy sophistication. I have never sampled a Guerlain perfume before. 'Little Black Dress' is well-named, I think. I can see myself wearing this to a special dinner or an afternoon at the art gallery.

❖ DB Designer Brands Lip Pencil in Nude, full size.
I don't use lip pencils, so I won't even be opening this. I don't wear lipstick that often, and when I do, I just tend to whack it on before I leave the house, and don't bother re-applying. I just switch to lip gloss or balm for the rest of the day. So having a coloured line on my lips for the rest of the day would look a bit weird! DB is a bit of a cheapie brand anyway, so I'm not too fussed that it's a product I won't use.

❖ Yes to Carrots C Me Shine Lip Gloss in Playful Nude, full size.
I already have a Bloom lip gloss in exactly the same shade as this, so I don't see the point in even opening it. My Bloom one still has plenty of life in it, so perhaps I'll give this away. If it was a more interesting shade (according to the card there were 4 different shades) then I might want to give it a go. Yes to Carrots is not tested on animals.

❖ BONUS PRODUCT - Swisse Active Energy Bar, 60g.
It's nice to get a bonus product, and I'll probably eat this soon as I'm starting to exercise more now that the hot weather is mostly gone. I don't mind getting food as a bonus item. It's probably more likely to appeal to a wider range of subscribers (not counting allergies, etc.) than some of the other bonus items I've received before. I've seen the bars at Chemist Warehouse and might be more likely to buy them now if I like the sample.

Summary: This month's box was a bit boring in my opinion. I was really only excited by the Guerlain perfume. Though there was a fairly good mix of different products, there are 2 that I definitely won't use, so that was quite disappointing. Bella Box has been a bit hit-and-miss lately, and I'm starting to re-think my subscription. There's always the fear, though, that as soon as I unsubscribe, I'll miss out on something really amazing! Hmmm!

Gonna Use It Right Now Score: 33%
Rating: 6/10

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