The Beauty Boxes : Bella Box April 2013

My April Bella Box arrived mid-week last week, and I'm afraid I've been a bit slack in sharing it. I've been a bit disappointed by Bella Box's offerings in the last few months, even to the point of considering a 'three strikes and you're out' policy. So I was particularly interested to see what was in it.
Let's have a look:


** Cellulix Glacial Mineral Gel, sample sachet.
I had no idea what this product was at first! I had to read the fine print on the back to find out. It's a mask that contains negatively-charged molecules, which draw out positively-charged bacteria and impurities from the skin. It sounds like interesting stuff and I'm looking forward to trying it. At RRP $69.00 for 60g, I wouldn't be able to afford to use it ongoing, but it's fun to try these things. Cellulix comes from Canada.

** Indio Facial Scrub and Multi-V Serum, 10ml sample / 15ml full-size.
Another deluxe brand, this time from Australia, Indio uses Dead Sea Salts and vitamins to keep the skin glowing and fresh. Aside from the healthy ingredients and luxe feel of the serum bottle, I'm just attracted by the pretty pastel-coloured balls suspended inside. I can be very superficial that way. I'm really impressed to receive a full-size bottle of the serum, which retails at $78.00 for 15ml.

** Bella Box Lash Card, pack of 10.
The Bella Box Lash Card is a new concept in makeup application. The curved edge of the card sits in behind your lashes while you're applying your mascara, resulting in a mess-free application. To me it seems like I might make more mess trying to hold the card in place with one hand while putting on my mascara with the other! But I'll definitely give it a try. I tend to smudge my mascara a lot, needing to swab it off with a makeup remover pen, then re-apply my eyeshadow (when I can be bothered!). Once I master the use of these, I can certainly see them being useful when preparing for a special occasion.

** Avene 3-in-1 Micellar Lotion, sample bottle.
This is another one of those products that I needed to read the fine print to find out what it does! The 3-in-1 lotion is a face wash, toner and makeup remover in one. According to the Bella Box card, you don't even need to wash it off, but I like to anyway, just in case. (Where does all the makeup and dirt go?) The Avene Eye Makeup remover is my go-to makeup remover, so I'm hoping for good things from this.

** Sally Hansen Magnetic Nail Colour in Metallic Grey, full size bottle.
I was a little surprised to receive this, and not in a good way, I'm afraid. I don't read that many nail polish blogs, but I do read enough to know that magnetic nail polish was a short-lived fad about a year ago. Nobody's doing magnetic nails anymore! The trends at the moment are holographic glitter and jelly look - like the polish I got in my February Bella Box. Which was also Sally Hansen, coincidentally. I wonder why Sally Hansen supplied Bella Box with an up-to-the-minute nail trend one month, and a so-last-year fad polish a few months later? Unfortunately this just feels like one of the occasions where a supplier is trying to get rid of a dated product by dumping it on beauty box subscribers as a filler. On top of that, I don't even like the colour - I wouldn't even wear it without using the magnet, so I think I'll throw it away.

** Lady Gaga Fame Perfume, sample vial 1.2ml.
Now this is one product I was very happy to receive! I gave Fame the sniff test at Priceline when it first came out about 3 months ago, and I really liked it. I've been waiting for it to come on sale to buy some. Now I can put that off a little longer. The bomb-shaped bottle and unique black fluid disguise a hearty spicy-floral scent that immediately appealed to me.

Summary: This month's Bella Box was a solid offering with only one disappointing product out of a generous seven. There was an exciting range of skin care products (my favourite!) with several being from luxe brands. I'm happy to say that, in my opinion, Bella Box seems to be improving again.
Gunna Use It Right Now Rating: 70%

Beauty Boxes: Bella Box February 2013

Welcome to Bella Box February 2013! As always, my postman delivered it to me way after everyone else. I had to avoid reading beauty blogs since about last Wednesday so as not to accidentally see any reviews and ruin my surprise. Grrr Australia Post! Anyway, on to the box!:

Here we see:
❝ Nuixe Huile Prodigieuse - sample size 10ml.
According to the card, this is a non-greasy, multi-purpose oil that can be used on the face, body and hair. I'm intrigued and I'm looking forward to using it. It smells lovely too, like gardenias.

❝ Sally Hansen Complete Salon Manicure in Mermaid's Tale - full-size 14.7ml.
On first glance, this looked sadly similar to the Blue Lagoon colourway I purchased from Glitzology recently. I had to whip this on straight away just to be sure though. Plus I took a photo, see below!

❝ John Frieda Friz-Ease Dream Curls Perfecting Spray - sample size 30ml.
I love John Frieda products and I already have a few things from the Frizz-Ease range. I don't often rock out with my curls out, especially in the hot weather! But I'll definitely use it later on, I think.

❝ Batiste Dry Shampoo in Blush - travel size 50ml.
I just ran out of this last week! Yay, now I have more!

❝ U Skin Solutions Clean and Go Exfoliating Gel Cleanser - sample size {estimate 5ml}.
I've raved about my love of cleansers before, so I don't need to tell you that I'm looking forward to using this soon! It has a refreshing citrus scent. It also apparently has calendula, tea-tree oil and microfine bamboo beads for exfoliation.

❝ Banana Boat Sport SPF 30+, sample sachet 30ml.
BONUS PRODUCT - You can never have too much sunscreen, I believe, so I welcome this.

Summary: This is a well-rounded box with some nice products. There's a mix of everyday and luxe, things I needed and things I've never even heard of. I'll definitely use all of the products, and I've even used one already. So yeah, this is a good box.
Rating: 8/10
Gunna Use It Right Now Percentage: 85%

Now for the nails! This is one coat of Sally Hansen Mermaid's Tale, no topcoat. I probably would apply a second coat for better glitter payoff, but I was feeling lazy tonight. The glitter consists of sparkly greenish-blue hexagonal pieces and small dots in a medium blue jelly base. Yum!

Nails of the Week: Sally Hansen Sonic Bloom

I'm proud to present my very first Nails of the Week post! I've hesitated to do posts like this before, due to technical problems. i.e. all my photos come out looking like poop! Loving my new Sally Hansen nail polish, but being frustrated at not being able to get any good photos of it, Husband offered to take some using his camera. Here's the result:

Brand: Sally Hansen
Shade: Sonic Bloom, 1 coat
Topcoat: Ulta3 Base Coat (I was too lazy to go into the other room to get my topcoat - first world problems!)
From: My October 2012 Bella Box (but Sally Hansen is widely available)
Price: RRP $13.95 (but I got it as part of the beauty box subscription)

Comments: Isn't it gorgeous? So bright! It had an extra-wide brush that made application very quick, and was opaque enough with only one coat. I found it dried extremely fast as well, in half the time of some other polishes I have. It's a fantastic party look, for a summertime barbeque or on holidays.
It's two pink-tipped thumbs up from me for this polish!

Here's a nice, juicy close-up:

Now that's what photos are supposed to look like! Not all dark and blurry like mine. I realised after the photo session though, that my camera is 4 years old now. That's practically vintage in today's world! So there may be a new camera on the horizon for me (it's either that or bother Husband every time I paint my nails ... and I'm sure I know which he'd prefer!).

Beauty Boxes: Bella Box October 2012

My Bella Box came so early this month, it was a lovely surprise! So I feel pretty bad about reviewing it so late. Here it is anyway! This month marks the first anniversary for Bella Box, and I think they've delivered quite an impressive box with the theme Pretty in Pink Party. Behold!

✰ Estee Lauder Resilience Lift Instant Action lift Treatment, sample size 5ml.
What an exciting-sounding name! I don't know why many beauty companies give their products such fancy names: surely the actual result has to be a let-down compared to that! I'm getting to that age now where a little lifting may be in order, so I'll be closely watching the results on this one. Estee Lauder products are tested on animals where required by law.

✰ Clinique Turnaround Concentrate Extra Radiance Renewer, sample size 7ml.
This fancy-sounding product is actually an exfoliant. With my oily skin, I'm all for exfoliation! I really liked the Clinique products I've tried before, and I'm a new convert to chemical exfoliants. Clinique is owned by Estee Lauder, whose animal testing policy is above.

✰ Sally Hansen Insta-Dri Fast Dry Nail Colour in Sonic Bloom, full size.
Wow, this bright pink is amazing! I don't have anything like it, probably because I would really have to be in a confident mood to wear something this bold. Some subscribers received the pastel pink shade Petal Pusher, but I'm glad I didn't - because I actually received it in a (non-Bella) box earlier in the year. My nail-painting drought is recently over (hello giant Orly bottle!) so I may debut it soon. I've been pleased with the performance of the Sally Hansen polishes I've received before, so, yay! I'm pleased to say that Sally Hansen products are not tested on animals.

✰ DKNY Fresh Blossom Eau So Intense, sample vial 1.5ml.
Funnily enough, I've almost used up the DKNY Verbena that I got back in April's Bella Box and was hoping to get another perfume. (A good beauty blogger never forgets! Or at least, has a good tagging system. ツ )
Crisp apple blossom and citrus combine to pack a punch in this intense scent. It conjures up warm summer's days, wandering through orchards in a floaty white dress. Normally I prefer sweeter or more spicy scents, but this one has a blend of fresh and floral that's appealing to me. DKNY is also owned by Estee Lauder.

✰ Cedel Blow Dry Faster Heat Protector, full size 165ml.
I have to admit, at first I was thinking "ho hum, another hair product, and a fairly low-shelf brand at that". Then I noticed that this product cuts down blow drying time. Interesting! With all my hair, something like that would come in really handy. And Cedel's not bad at all, really. I remember it from when I was a kid. Plus, it isn't tested on animals.

✰ e.l.f. Luscious Liquid Lipstick in Cherry Tart, full size.
e.l.f. (it's spelled with small letters and stands for eyes lips face) is a bargain makeup brand that's just arrived in Australia, and there's a lot of talk about it around the traps. How can a good quality product be so cheap? A quick look at their website just left even me excited. A free product worth $10 with a minimum spend of only $20. That got my heart beating faster! And they don't test on animals or use any animal ingredients, either.
As for the lipstick itself, it uses a twist-up mechanism to push the liquid lipstick into a sponge for application. It seems to be fairly sheer (hand swatch only at this stage) but I really like the cherry pink colour.

✰ Carmex Moisture Plus SPF 15 Lip Balm in Pink Sheer Tint, full size.
This product wasn't listed on the card at all, and it was outside of the tissue paper seal when I opened the box. I'm not sure what to make of it: was it a last second inclusion? Never mind, it always good to have more products rather than less, I think! This is the same SPF lip balm that I've come to know and love over the last few months, but with a very sheer pink tint. It'll be perfect for work! Carmex is a family-run company (I find that endearing) which doesn't test on animals.

✰ BONUS: Chocolatier Pink Heart Chocolate
Just about everyone loves chocolate; I was certainly won over by the pink heart. Well done, Bella Box!

Summary: Bella Box have done an excellent job with their first anniversary box. The theme is articulated very well, and we have the satisfaction of knowing that $1 from each box was donated to breast cancer research. It has a good mix of skin care, cosmetics, hair, nails and perfume. I declare it a winner!

Total Value: $59.17. Cost of Box: $15.00. Benefit: $44.17
Rating: 9/10

Beauty Boxes: Bella Box June 1012

My Bella Box actually arrived the day after my Beauty Basket (last Thursday), but I'm sick at the moment, and only had the oomph for one box at at time! I really wish they hadn't arrived so close together, because one always seems better than the other and it can be a little disappointing. This month's Bella Box trumped the competition, I have to say! The theme was Winter Escape, perfect for the current cold weather. And here it is! (Sorry the photo is a bit lacklustre, it was hard to photograph so many different shaped items, and I wasn't really in the mood.)



Benefit Porefessional Pro Balm, sample size 7.5ml.
This was the first thing I saw when I opened the box, and I was highly excited! I have a problem with large pores, and all the beauty blogs are raving about this primer. I have a suspicion that I might be happier with my makeup application if only I could find the right primer, so I'm definitely going to give this a go. It's in an adorable flip-open cardboard holder with tips on it as well.

Benefit Total Moisture Face Cream, sample size 3.5ml.
Another Benefit product! Yay! I can't afford to buy Benefit products normally - the joy of beauty boxes means I can still try them. Apparently this contains tri-radiance complex and mango butter. Sounds nice!
Conscience time: Benefit is a U.S. brand. It tests on animals where required by law.

Pure Fiji Coconut Milk and Honey Body Butter, sample size, est. 50ml.
I have so many body moisturisers! I'm kind of glad this is a sample size and not a full-size, I have to admit. The smell is subtle but lovely, so I'm sure I'll enjoy using it.

Sally Hansen Colour Quick Chrome Fast-Dry Nail Colour in Red Chrome, full size pen.
Nail pens are nothing new, but I don't doubt the quality of Sally Hansen products. I swatched the colour on a piece of paper and it's a light, bright metallic red. Definitely a toe-colour for me! (i.e. too bright to get away with wearing to work.) It does seem to dry fast (on the paper).
Conscience time: Sally Hansen is a U.S. company. It doesn't test on animals.

Be In Awe Vimala Gentle Cleanser, sample sachets 3ml x 2.
Be In Awe Shaanta Night Balm, sample size 5ml.
I'm intrigued by their catchline 'ancient wisdom encapsulated'. The range is based on Ayurvedic principles. I'm more of a modern technology girl, myself. I like it when I'm given more than one product from the range: if something was wonderful or terrible, you have a better idea if it's a one-off or not. I look forward to trying these out.
Conscience time: Be In Awe is not tested on animals.

Fan Di Fendi Fragrance, sample sachet.
The fragrance came in a sample sachet which I'm guessing has some kind of towelette inside? In that case, it's only good for one application, which is a little disappointing. I want to save it for a special occasion, but if I don't like the smell, then do I have to wear it to my birthday party??
Conscience time: Fendi is owned by Unilever, which do test on animals.

Bonus: Olea Olive Leaf Drops, 4 lozenges.
I swear, everything has olive leaf in it now! These lozenges also have manuka honey and antioxidants, so they're good for colds. I really need them right now! I bet they taste better than Strepsils as well. ツ
Conscience time: Olea Olive Leaf is owned by Comvita, the N.Z. mob I got some products from a few boxes back. The olive grove is in Queensland, though. They don't test on animals.

Summary: Bella Box have come up with a big box this month - it contains 8 products! I was impressed to see a brand new product, the Benefit Porefessional, which shows that Bella Box keep up with current trends. The value of the box was quite good. It was heavy on the skin care side of things, and not really any makeup except for the primer. Skin care is my favourite, so I'm not complaining, but some others might not like it so much. The Olea Lozenges were the quirky but appropriate bonus that Bella Box are starting to be known for. Overall, I approve of this box heartily. Now I'm gonna have a cup of tea!

Total Value: $63.23. Cost of Box: $15.00. Benefit: $48.23.
Rating: 9/10

Review of January GlossyBox Beauty Box

I was pleasantly surprised to find my GlossyBox waiting for me when I arrived home tonight, so I can enjoy it (especially the Aussie-themed temporary tattoos!) over the public holiday.

Here it is:


Nivea Rich Nourishing Body Moisturiser, 30ml sample size bottle.
I have to admit I was a little underwhelmed on first seeing this item. I calculated the cost of the sample size at approx. 65 cents, so it's hardly a luxury product! It seems like filler to me. Plus I already have so many body moisturisers to get through! But I gave it a go, and Man agrees that my shins feel very smooth! The almond oil makes it very rich, though it does take a little while to sink in. The scent has that typical Nivea perfumy smell which isn't too disagreeable.
Conscience time: Nivea is owned by Beiersdorf, a German company. Nivea is not tested on animals.

Sheer Cover SPF 15 Nourishing Moisturiser, sample-size 30ml bottle.
Just the other day I was thinking that I should get a plain SPF moisturiser (the only one I have currently is tinted). Now that I sit next to the window in my new job instead of in a basement, it's time to start using SPF products! So I can use this untinted moisturiser in conjunction with my BB creams in the morning.
10-FEB-12 edit: I later found out on Beautypedia that this product does not contain both UVA and UBA blocking ingredients. Highly disappointed! Not only that, but something I've been using has been giving me pimples, and considering how waxy the formula is, this is probably it. There's no way I would buy this product!

Sheer Cover Lip Gloss, full-size pot.
I prefer lip glosses and lip balms in a tube as they are a lot less messy and I don't feel like I'm contaminating the product. It's a pretty shade of pink though (Praline Pink), so perhaps I'll use it in the mornings and apply it with a lip brush.
Conscience time: I couldn't find out where Sheer Cover is made but it's distributed by Guthy Renker, a U.S. company. Sheer Cover is not tested on animals.
10-FEB-12 edit: I've been using this every morning and ... I don't like it. It tastes like wax and rubs off very quickly.

Estee Lauder Advanced Night Repair Synchronised Recovery Complex, 7ml sample bottle.
Now this is the fancy stuff! A full-size bottle of this (30ml) costs over $100, so we're looking at the big guns here! This is where beauty boxes get exciting. I could never afford to use a product this expensive on a regular basis, so it's fantastic to get to try it out. The gel has a nice cooling effect on my face and has a faint, pleasant citrus scent. It doesn't make my skin feel instantly smooth like the Clinique Turnaround Moisturiser from last month's box, but I'll keep using it and see how it goes.
Conscience time: Estee Lauder is a U.S. company. It tests on animals where required by law.
Beautypedia Verdict summary [full verdict here]:

This serum contains 3 up-to-date anti-ageing ingredients. However, their effect is purely theoretical - none have been actually proven to work. Therefore this product scores a Very Good rating, but not a Paula's Pick tick.

Sally Hansen Insta-Dry Fast Dry Nail Colour, full-size bottle.
Yes, I was excited to see this! It helps to make up for not getting one in last month's GlossyBox. The colour is a light pink called Petal Pusher - much better than the black I got in the ILoveThisBox. I can certainly wear this one to work. Handy!
Conscience time: Sally Hansen a U.S. company. It is not tested on animals.

Summary:
Some subscribers received a Kosmea exfoliant and/or an eyeliner instead of the nail polish and Estee Lauder product. Isn't it interesting that both GlossyBox and LustHaveIt are sampling Kosmea products?? Hmm! I'm glad I didn't get those - as much as I loved the Kosmea cleanser, the exfoliant is too similar; and I'm so not into blue eyeliner! Apparently I received the Estee Lauder because I'm over 26 years old in my profile. One time when being old is good, I guess!
It's getting harder to find other reviews of GlossyBox to compare to, as many people seem to have cancelled their subscriptions. To each his own, I say! There were a lot of complaints about the delivery, and I have to add my voice to them. It took 9 days for the box to arrive to me. All of this time, the tracking details showed it as sitting in the Australia Post Sydney despatch centre. It made me quite pouty to think that it wouldn't arrive by Australia Day. But AusPost came through in the end and there it was at the last minute.
The inclusion of the Estee Lauder really plumped up the value of the box - it's very much better than last month's GlossyBox; about on par with the other boxes.
Overall, I'm pleased with this month's box ... though GlossyBox is still on probation!

Total Value: $74.02. Cost of Box: $14.95. Benefit: $59.07
Rating: 7/10
17-FEB-12 edit: I am down-grading the score from 8 to 7 due to the disappointing Sheer Cover products.