Her Fashion Box March 2013 Review -- a New Box!

I'm a sucker for a beauty box, as I'm sure you've figured out by now. About a month ago, I read on the beauty blogs that a new box was starting up. Her Fashion Box is a larger (and more expensive!) box than the others. It was advertised as having a jewellery and/or accessory included every month, but the main pull was that it's customised. There are 3 styles to choose from: Feminine, Classic and Trendy. This feature would be very attractive to the cynical beauty box subscriber, I imagine. The kicker for me was the 50% off coupon for trying out the first box. I signed up!

My first Her Fashion Box finally arrived today and I now I'm rushing the review to you!
(So therefore apologies for the single, slightly meh photo.)

Here are the contents:


❐ Feminine Necklace - the first accessory item for the month is a silver filigree collar-style necklace. I love this! It's absolutely gorgeous. I certainly prefer it to the necklaces included in the Trendy and Classic boxes, confirming my thoughts that I'd chosen the right box for me. However, I'll probably only wear it on special occasions, so it won't get a huge amount of wear, unfortunately.

❐ Redken Diamond Oil Shampoo, Conditioner and Treatment, sample sizes 30-50ml.
These generously-size samples contain Interlock Protein Network technology to strengthen damaged hair. I've never hear of this line of products before, and I believe they're new to Australia. As my hair is constantly dyed, this is right up my alley. The RRP of the full size products is $22.50 to $35.50 - I wouldn't have bought them on a whim, so it's good to try them in my box.

❐ Maybelline ColorSensation High Shine Lip Gloss in #20 Glisten Up Pink, full size RRP $15.95.
This girly pink is certainly appropriate for the Femnine box. However, I've read at least one review of a subscriber who received the same colour in her Classic box, so.... The last few lip glosses I received were red-toned, so I might put this in my high-rotation basket or perhaps take it to work.

❐ Master Makeup by Dean Nixon Eyeshadow Brush, RRP $30.00.
I've never heard of this brand, and I don't think many other people have either. It's yet another brand masterminded by a makeup artist who wanted the world to have better (in this case, more affordable) makeup tools. Call me cheap, but I'm the kind of girl who doesn't think a $30 eyeshadow brush is really affordable, sorry! But still, I'm grateful to have such a product in my box.

❐ Moxie Collection Sample Box.
This cute sample box contains 2 tampons, 1 pantyliner, 1 standard pad and 1 night-time pad. I like the luxe way this has been packaged, but pads are hardly glamorous! I remember receiving a box of Moxie tampons in an early beauty box and being quite disappointed.

❐ Circa Home Everyday Soap in Lilac & Orchid, 125g, RRP $9.95.
I find it a little amusing that this soap is labelled 'everyday', as I certainly wouldn't pay that much for soap I'd use every day. But! It smells divine and I'm really looking forward to using it.

❐ BONUS PRODUCT - Gold Bow Ponytail Holder.
I love this adorable hair elastic with a gold metal bow. Again, I definitely prefer this to the offerings in the Classic and Trendy boxes. I can see myself wearing this to work quite a lot!
Instead of a card, the box came with a mini-magazine with information about all of the products. The necklaces were featured with suggested outfits just like in a fashion magazine, with prices and brands for all of the garments (though no prices or brands were listed for the jewellery items themselves, interestingly).


Summary: So, what did I think of the debut Her Fashion Box? First though, I'll answer the question I'm sure you're all dying to know - how much did it cost?? Well, the full price would have been $49.95, but as I mentioned in the beginning, I had a half-price voucher so this set me back $24.95. Since then though, I've heard that future boxes will be $39.95. Even still, that's a lot for me, especially with no guarantee that I'll like the jewellery item in the box.

So, this box contained 9 items all up (though in my mind I would group the shampoo and conditioner), including a bonus first-box item. First up, do I think it was worth the money? Well, without RRPs for the jewellery, it's hard to say. But the necklace is heavy and seems well-made, in the latest style, so I would expect to pay $20-$25 in a place like Diva or Equip. Assuming that, then yes the outright value of the box certainly tops $40, possibly even $50. Secondly, does the box have the 'wow' factor? Well, that's harder to answer. Some of the products are pretty mundane - shampoo? tampons? soap? - and none of the brands are really high-end. The makeup and beauty products were the same in each type of box, as far as I can tell from the few reviews that are already up. So does that mean the jewellery will be the only customised items?? Seems a bit odd to me. However, I did think they were spot-on with the different styles of jewellery items. Personally I was a bit sad that there was no moisturiser or cleanser, my particular weaknesses.

In conclusion, I'm going to wait and see. Boxes can either go all out with their first offering, and then taper off from there, or start slow and improve over time. I'm hoping Her Fashion Box will prove to be the latter. I'll stay subscribed for now and see what's in the next box. At nearly 3 times the price of all the other beauty boxes on the market though, the company has a lot to prove.

Empties: June 2012

Lush Gorgeous Moisturiser (sample size) - Smelled wonderful, but I don't think it had any effect on my skin at all. Plus it comes in unhygienic pot, which is a real shame for such an expensive product.
Avon Skin So Soft Hair Minimising Deodorant - Had no noticeable hair minimising properties at all. Not that good at eliminating smells, either. I have another one to get through as it was a 2-for-1 deal. Won't get it again.
Searo Nail Color Dry Spray - after buying this as an add-on to another purchase on e-bay, I was happily surprised to find that it actually works well. It cuts the drying time of my nail polish in half! I'm currently waiting for a replacement to arrive.
Daiso Japanese Wet Sheet Wipes in Mint (not pictured) - I had these at work for those sticky moments. They made me feel powdery dry and had a lovely subtle minty scent. Being Daiso, they were very cheap as well. However, I decided to buy a different brand this time; currently waiting for it to arrive.
Maybelline XXL Extensions Mascara in Black - started to go clumpy so I threw it away, but I'd had it for a long time and was happy with the lengthening effect.
Crabtree & Evelyn Body Scrub in Citron Honey & Coriander - loved this; reviewed here.
Ffid Coenzyme Q10 Cloth Face Mask - also loved this discussed here.
Mirenesse Eclipse Age Defence Daily Face & Neck Clear SPF Mineral Balm (mini size) - not even sure what this was supposed to be used for: moisturiser? sunscreen? primer? serum? Seemed to have no effect of any kind. Only lasted 2 applications, anyway.
De Cheri Hotel Soap AND Paradise Hotel Soap (second not pictured) - standard guest soaps from my collection.
Burt's Bees Peppermint & Rosemary Body Bar - had a very strong peppermint/menthol smell. It made my eyes water and more sensitive parts of my skin sting! I would definitely not get this again.
Paula's Choice Resist Intensive Wrinkle-Repair Retinol Serum (sample sachet) - love this stuff, and I think it really works. I've already bought the full-size product and I'm using it as an eye serum.
Kerastase Nectar Thermique Leave-In Conditioner (sample sachet) - I had 5 of these from a beauty box and I think this is the second-last one.
Jurlique Calendula Face Cream - smelled nice, but! Was very thick and had to push it around my face. Did not notice any particular benefits, either. Would not get again as I felt my skin was stretching too much trying to rub it in.
Bloom Body Cream in Mandarine (not pictured) - only threw away because it was extremely old and smelled manky. Would get again for a treat.
Paula's Choice 2% BHA Liquid (sample sachet) - have already purchased the full-size product. I've only had one small pimple since using this. Looks like it may be my go-to exfoliant!

Beauty Box: I Love This Box, April 2012

I had to wait all week for my I Love This Box to arrive. It hit the post office on Monday, and I had to wait until today to pick it up. So frustrating! It had better be good! Here it is:



Avado Sensitives Certified Organic Gel Exfoliant, full-size 100ml.
I've never heard of this Australian brand, but it looks very interesting. The range is based on organic avocado oil, which I've heard recently is very good for the skin. I already have an exfoliant (the yucky Proactiv one), but this one smells so much better, like gorgeous neroli. And it's full-size, too! I might ditch the other one and swap to this!
Conscience time: Avado Organics is an Australian brand, founded by an individual. It is not tested on animals.

Chikii Natural Salon Quality Mineral Cosmetics Blush or Bronzer, {size unknown}.
I don't really know what to make of this one. When I opened the box, this powder had leaked out of the little plastic bag, and all the other products were coated in a brown dust. According to the card, it's either a blush or a bronzer. I don't even know for sure which one it is, because the bag has no product information on it. (Though I'm pretty sure it's the bronzer, shade Brown Eye Girl). Also, according to the card, the full-size price is $50, but on their website it's $34. I'm confused.
I probably won't use this as a bronzer. I'd have to buy a blush brush, and find a container to keep it in. Too annoying. It's the wrong time of year for bronzer, anyway! I might mix it with one of my spare moisturisers and use it as a highlighter, though.
Conscience time: Chikii was founded by an individual. I think it's Australian. (The website is based in Australia but other details are very vague.) They are against animal testing.

haf Mineral Makeup Australia Eyeshadow in Mocha, full-size 5g.
I'm always open to a nice eyeshadow. This is a powder eyeshadow in a darkish matte brown. One of my aims is to practice applying more complicated makeup combinations. This could come in handy as a powder liner. I'm looking forward to giving it a try.
Conscience time: haf Mineral Makeup Australia is an Australian brand. It is 'animal cruelty free'.

Maybelline Color Sensational Lipcolour in Red Revival, full-size 4.2g.
I don't buy Maybelline or L'Oreal products anymore because of their stance on animal testing. Aside from that, I normally wear lip glosses rather than lipsticks. Aside from that again, this colour really isn't me! (See picture below). I doubt I will ever use it, so it'll probably just fester away in the back of my cupboard.
Beautypedia Rating Summary [see full here]: This product gets a Paula's Pick tick. It is moisturising and has a large range of colours.
Conscience time: Maybelline is owned by L'Oreal. Its animal testing status is not disclosed (i.e. they probably do).

Just D'Lish Soy Wax Candle in Pina Colada, full-size.
The alternative product for this is a soap, according to the card, but I'm glad I received the candle instead. It's something a bit different. It smells gorgeous, just right for brightening up a room in winter. The glass jar with lid can be re-used as well.
Conscience time: Just D'Lish is an Australian company. I could not find information about its animal testing status.


Maybelline Color Sensational Lipcolour in Red Revival.


Summary: Overall I'd say this box was, well, not disappointing per se, but just ... strange. It's Easter themed (with mini chocolate eggs included), but it arrived a couple of weeks after Easter. It focuses on organic and mineral products, but it includes the non-organic, mass-produced lipstick from Maybelline, a brand with dodgy animal-testing status. I loved some products, but others were really not appealing at all. I'm in two minds about this box. On the plus side, the value was very high (I'm calculating from the prices on the beauty box card and ignoring other sources.) I also like the little dividers it came with, so you can turn your box into a makeup storage box. That was pretty cool.

Total Value: $80.92. Cost of Box: $14.95. Benefit: $65.97
Rating: 6/10

Beauty Box Review: I Love This Box March 2012

I got to the post office with 5 minutes to spare this afternoon, and happily picked up my 'I Love This Box' beauty box for March. It was packed in lovely lavender tissue paper...



... and it contained:

Essie Nail Polish 'Carry On' Autumn Collection in Lady Like, 5ml sample
I've been wanting to try Essie for a while, and this nude colour is perfect! After getting blacks and bright reds in previous boxes, it's nice to get a colour I can wear to work and on days when I want something more toned-down.
Conscience time: Essie was founded by an individual, but is now part of L'Oreal, which test on animals.

Maybelline New York XXL Pro Curl Mascara, full size.
Maybelline isn't a luxury brand, but they're always coming up with interesting mascara concepts. Supposedly this mascara will curl and lengthen your lashes in a two-step process. Lash-wise, I could use all the help I can get! So I'm interested to see what this stuff does. I already have a few mascaras but, as the card included in the box reminded me, they don't last that long, so perhaps I should chuck one of my old ones.
Conscience time: Maybelline is owned by L'Oreal. Its animal testing status is unknown.

Sunsilk Co-Creations Frizz & Weather Defence, Weather Protection & Shine Serum, 40ml full-size
There was a Sunsilk product in last month's I Love This Box as well, and I noted the possibility that it was tested on animals back then. ILTB have paid attention to my beauty profile and sent me the frizz serum rather than the straight hair mist which is the alternative product on the card, so they get a tick there! The blue goo in a futuristic vial, surrounded by packaging which makes it look twice as large as it really is, strikes me as rather surreal. But hey, if it works, I won't mind!
Conscience time: Sunsilk is owned by Unilever, an Anglo-Dutch company. Some of their products are tested on animals.

Thalgo Soft Hydrating Emulsion, 30ml sample size
Ah, now Thalgo is a brand I couldn't afford to buy normally, a luxury brand. Thalgo uses marine algae and other sea-based substances in their products, and this certainly smells nice and ocean-y. I've already tested it out on the back of my hand and it's not greasy at all. I already have a veritable ocean of body moisturisers, but this one will rise to the top.
Conscience time: Thalgo is a French company. It is not tested on animals.

Glitter Puff Wand
What an odd item to find in my box! The puff is full of glitter; tap it on your skin to make it shimmer. It seems like filler to me but, you know what, I like it! I have a secret unhealthy obsession with Fairy Kei at the moment (probably a rebellion against my corporate work dress code), and this item reflects the aesthetic perfectly.
Conscience time: There is no brand name listed, so I have no idea.

Summary: This month's box had a good mix of skin, hair, nails, makeup and just plain fluff! Two of the products were full-sized (including the glitter puff, that makes 3), which is quite impressive. It didn't quite sweep me away with raptures like the Lust Have It box did, but it came close - the Essie nail polish and Thalgo product were big wins. The box value is middling, but certainly not the worst I've received. Overall, I'm happy.

Total Value: $54.84.* Cost of Box: $14.95. Benefit: $39.89
Rating: 7/10
* There seems to be a typo on the cost of the Glitter Puff, but I'm going to assume it's supposed to be $12.50.