Beauty Boxes: Lust Have It December 2012

Yes, I've been completely neglecting my blogs lately, but I'm not one for long apologies, so let's see what I received in my final Lust Have It box for the year. I found it on my doorstep on the Friday before Christmas, which was quite a relief as I was worried it wasn't going to come before Christmas, and I'm sure no-one would want that!

Here's the pic:

Here we see:

❏ Catwalk by Tigi Sessions Series Finishing Hairspray, sample size 80ml.
I received a Tigi frizz-control product a few boxes ago, and I was happy with its performance. I have a huge can of hairspray though I hardly ever use it. It'll be good to have a smaller size can.

❏ Baji Rose and Kakadu Plum Face Mist, full size 110ml.
With a beautiful rose smell, this face mist also contains bush essences and aloe vera. Face mists are one of those products that I used to find mystifying, but now use all the time. I like to give myself a spritz at the end of my lunch break at work, to give myself a little pick-me-up for the afternoon. This will definitely get used! Baji is Australian owned and made, and is not tested on animals.

❏ Everyday Minerals Cheek in Nature's Sweet Side, 4.8g. {I assume it's full-size.}
The options for Everyday Minerals products were an eyeshadow, a base or a blush. I received a blush in a pinky coral. I've only just started out with using cream blushes. I have a few powder and pressed powder blushes, but I'm too scared to use them. I'm worried I'll look like a throwback to the 80s! There's no time like the present to try something new, though. Everyday Minerals comes from Texas, U.S. Products are not tested on animals.

❏ Pelactiv Hydra Daily Defense Moisturiser, full-size 50ml.
I'm quite impressed to get a full-sized tube of this moisturiser, which retails at $69. I saw this brand advertised in a magazine not long ago and was curious about it, so I'm happy to see it in my box. The moisturiser contains Australian plant botanicals, as well as vitamins and seaweed extract. Pelactiv is Australian-made and is not tested on animals.

❏ Glasshouse Fragrances Hand Creme in Marseille Gardenia, sample size 5ml.
I have a few soaps from this range, and I really love the sophisticated floral scent. Unfortunately most scented creams react badly with my eczema, but I usually can't resist using them anyway if the smell is enticing enough. The product is made in Australia and not tested on animals.

❏ Lust Have It Exfoliating Glove.
The rough fabric on this mitt has a very effective exfoliating result. The instructions advise to use it 1 to 2 times a week.

❏ BONUS PRODUCT -- Marc Jacobs Daisy Eau de Toilette, sample vial 1.2ml.
I'm always excited to receive a perfume sample, and Marc Jacobs is the really good stuff! It must have been a last-minute addition, as it's not pictured on the card. I've become such a girly that I wear perfume nearly every day now, and I've collected enough now that I can choose different ones to suit my moods and outfits.

Summary: So far I've resisted comparing boxes from different companies in my reviews, but this month I just can't help it. Whereas December's Bella Box {review here} had one wham-in-your-face product with average products filling up the rest of the box, Lust Have It have produced a consistently pleasing box. There are a generous number of products, and three of them are full-size (including a high-end brand). I like all of the products and I'll use them. For this reason, I do prefer the LHI box to the Bella Box this month so I'm giving it 9 out of 10.

I would also like to make a comment on Lust Have It's marketing strategy. It's changed recently. Previously, I'd only receive emails when my credit card had been charged and my box had been posted. After a while, it started to feel, well, a little impersonal. While Bella Box sent emails which mostly consisted of "hey, it's [insert occasion here] soon, buy some stuff from our online store", at least they were communicating. In the last month or so, LHI have really stepped up in this department. They now send a regular newsletter which has interesting content with tips and further information about the products in the boxes. They also have a YouTube channel with even more in video form. I can't stress how much this has changed my perception of the LHI brand. I feel more connected and have a more positive perception of the brand. I just ... like them more!

I can't be bothered working out the total value of the box. It's Christmas, for pete's sake!
Rating: 9/10

P.S. : I have many posts planned for the new year, and perhaps a few changes too, if I'm feeling brave enough. Happy New Year and see you very soon!

December 'Lust Have It' Beauty Box

As I promised last week, here's the December Lust Have It beauty box that I received:



Source: addtocartblog.com via ApartmentCat on Pinterest.

It came with tinsel packaging and a cute mini candy cane! It contained:

Glasshouse Fragrances: Marseilles Body Bar, full size.
This soap smells lovely: floral and old-fashioned. I've been using it since I got it, and it has a nice, creamy texture. I wouldn't pay $12.95 for a soap though, not even a handmade one! Lately I've been getting my soaps from Inner Earth Soaps on Etsy, and been very happy with them.
14-JAN-12 edit: I finished the soap today. Loved it from start to finish. Still not spending that much on soap, though!

Evo: Great Hydrator Moisture Mask, 50ml bottle.
Good, another hair product! Since I started growing out my hair (over 18 months ago, now) I've realised the importance of using quality hair products. So I'm interested in trying new ones. I used this the other day, and it made my hair noticeably smoother. It also had a fragrance that I really liked - perfumy and musky, unusual for a hair product. I would buy this again, I think.

LimeLily Cosmetics: Waterproof Eye Pencil in Jet, full size.
I wouldn't normally buy a black eye pencil. I prefer neutral shades, and sometimes brights if I'm feeling funky on the weekend. But a black pencil might go well with some of the darker brown and purple eyeshadow shades that I have, so next time I've got a special occasion, I might give it a go.
14-JAN-12 edit: Still haven't opened this. I probably won't use it and might give it away.

Kosmea: Purifying Cream Cleanser, 20ml tube.
I used this to clean my face the same night I received it, and it was lovely! My skin felt smooth and plump afterwards, it smelled gorgeous, and it's an Australian brand, too. Next time I feel like lashing out on a cleanser, I'll definitely consider this one.

Lash Republic: False Lash Set in Babydoll (daytime), full set.
Um, I've never used false eyelashes before, and never really considered it seriously. But why not give it a go, considering these were practically free? (The set retails at $25.00) I've read that you can use just a couple of lashes at the corner of each eye instead of the whole set; that might be the way to go for me. I can't even apply normal mascara without making a mess, so it should be interesting. I found a tutorial on YouTube, and it doesn't seem hard, you just need to practice. Just got to wait for a special enough occasion!
14-JAN-12 edit: Still haven't tried this and am re-thinking whether I will or not.

Moxie: Regular Tampons, pk 8.
I've seen this brand around before, but passed them by because they're a little more expensive than the others, and when it comes to this sort of product I figure, why pay more? But it's nice to have the chance to try them out. And they come in a cute little tin.

Summary: This month there were 6 products instead of the normal 5. I'm not sure if that's because it's Christmas, or because a couple of the products might be judged to be a bit iffy by the subscribers. Tampons are hardly a luxury product after all, and I don't think too many people wear false eyelashes! Some of the other products though, were pretty good.
Total Value: $69.45. Cost of Box: $14.95. Benefit: $54.50.
Rating: 6/10
14-JAN-12 edit: I might even rate this a 5/10, now that I think about it.