Beauty Boxes: Lust Have It July 2013

Yeah, I know, technically it's August! I've been really busy lately and haven't gotten around to reviewing my LHI box yet. I received it one day after my July Bella Box, so that goes to show you how slack I am! It came in another gorgeous collector box, this time pink and purple. I already have several of these and I use them to keep everything from fountain pens to small craft projects. (The Bella Box boxes, which consist of a separate box and lid, I mainly use as trays for things like nail polish, jewellery and decoden supplies.) LHI also had some interesting news this month, and I'll go into it at the end of this post. But let's see what was inside!

* Nude By Nature Natural Tinted Mineral Moisturiser with Sunscreen, full size 30ml.
Interestingly, I received the Nude By Nature BB Cream a few boxes ago, and I came to the conclusion that I would rather use it as a tinted moisturiser. And now here is their actual tinted moisturiser! I'll be very interested to do a comparison of the two.

* Knotties by Condition Culture Hair Ties, 2 pieces.
These hair ties promise not to leave that kink in your hair after using them that normal hair elastics do. I haven't tried them yet myself, but my friend Mrs. M said her hair was less kinky after trying them. The card suggests that you can also wear them around your wrists, an idea that I like. I have to admit, a few months ago I saw a blog post on how to make these yourself with a length of elastic bought from the craft store. However, it's probably easier buying these instead of trying to source wide leopard-print elastic!

* ColorSmash by Condition Culture Hair Shadow, {not sure if full-size or sample}.
Finally, a hair product for those of us who'd be sent home if we rocked up to work with turquoise-coloured hair! Again, I'd seen a blog post a few months ago about temporarily colouring your hair with chalk pastels, but it's good to see products especially for the purpose starting to come out. I was lucky to get the trendy teal, and Mrs. M received a lovely marone colour. I'm not sure how it will come out on my dark hair, but I'll give it a try this weekend!

* Schwarzkopf Extra Care Volume Powder, full-size (?) 10g.
I had to laugh when I saw this because my hair is so thick and boofy, it doesn't need any extra volume! Although it does get a little flatter than normal as washday is approaching, so it might be handy for those days. There's very little that I rule out when it comes to beauty products!

* Swisse Pomegranate Hand Cream, sample size 50ml.
I was happy when I saw this product. I received one of these a few boxes ago, and I was sad when it ran out. It's so handy when you're meaning to buy something and it appears like magic in your box!

* Health Essentials zNano Active Gold Anti-Wrinkle Eye Patches, sample size 1 pair.
These eye patches promise to soothe, cool and refresh on contact with the eyes. They certainly sound appealing right now! I think I'll try them very soon.

* Alexami Face Mist, sample size 15ml.
I received a face mist spray in my Bella Box this month as well, so I wasn't terribly enthused by this. It had leaked into the box. It smells a little soapy, but I'll keep using it and see if it improves.

* BONUS: Health Essentials Maqui Berry Active, sample size 6g.
With Acai berries now shown to have no more nutrients in them than an orange, Maqui is the latest health food star on the block. Occasionally there will be a food or vitamin bonus in the beauty boxes, and I like that because it reminds me that healthy insides are just as important as healthy skin in looking beautiful.

Summary: There were a lot of products in this month's box, with face, hair and hand-care products included. The hair ties and the Maqui berry drink threw in a different dimension to the normal. The Hair Shadow is very on-trend, and I'm glad I received this as the cosmetic product instead of the same old lip gloss, etc. Overall I was very pleased with this box.

Gunna Use It Right Now Rating: 75%

.... And the LHI News: Lust Have It have released two new types of beauty boxes: a one-off Bridal Party Box and the FaB (Fashion and Beauty) Box. The FaB box is very similar in concept to the Her Fashion Box I subscribed to briefly earlier in the year. For $35, subscribers receive a selection of beauty samples plus a fashion accessory. Unfortunately there isn't much more detail than that at this stage. The website doesn't even specify how often the box is released, however the first box is the 'Spring Box', so I can only assume it's released quarterly. I unsubscribed to Her Fashion Box because I didn't think the products in the debut box were worth the hype and, despite getting the choice of 3 styles of accessory, I received something I wouldn't wear. Will the FaB box be the same?? Lust Have It are an established company with a large subscriber base already, so perhaps they'll be in a position to offer something more satisfying. Then there's the price to consider, not to mention the backlog of products I already have to use up! Then again, it's (possibly) only quarterly instead of monthly like Her Fashion Box is. Oooh, decisions, decisions!

Lust Have It Winter EcoBox!

I was excited to find my Winter EcoBox waiting for me when I got home on the weekend. The Autumn box was definitely worth waiting for, and I was hoping that this one would be no exception. Again it came in the rather stinky 'eco' hessian bag. Not even the cat wanted to play with it (and she loves fuzzy things) so I threw it in the bin. But let's see what was inside the bag:

* The Natural Source Mayaltha Better Breasts Cream, full size 175ml.
This full-sized product promises to make me firm, soothed and strengthened. There's a long list of lovely-sounding ingredients in it. It smells faintly of citrus. I may as well give it a go! This product retails at RRP $49.95, so it is a very generous addition to the box.

* Grants of Australia Natural Toothpaste, sample sachets, 4 x 3g.
This is an interesting product, a little bit different. I hate using normal toothpaste - the mint is so strong and every brand in the supermarket is the same! I never got around to researching alternatives, and EcoBox has done it for me! As well as your standard Fresh Mint and Mild Mint, the other flavours are Mint & Aloe Vera and Orange & Cinnamon. I'll definitely try these out.

* Nutri Synergy NS-5 Cuticle and Nail Complex, full-size 15g.
I welcome this product, as my nails are always ragged and peeling, so I don't get to paint them as often as I'd like. It matches well with the nail polish also included in the box. The product contains aloe vera, Vitamin E and many other ingredients to keep nails healthy.

* Couleur Caramel Nail Polish in #45, 4ml.
I'm not sure if this tiny bottle is a sample size or full size. #45 is a metallic deep brick-brown which buffed up to a lovely shine. I painted it on my toenails and it only needed one coat. Couleur Caramel make a range of eco-friendly beauty products with ingredients from all over the world.

* Rosehip Plus Rosehip Oil Roll-on, full-size 15ml.
Rosehip oil is the ingredient of the moment! I have a few of them waiting in the wings now. It is good for keeping my skin soft and moisturised, so I'll definitely use this... eventually!

* Planet Eve Luxe Hand Creme, sample size 10ml.
Aside from smelling gorgeous, this rich hand cream left my hands feeling soft, and didn't react badly with my excema. I really love it. Unfortunately though, it's rather expensive at RRP $29.95 for 50ml. Oh, how I wish the sample tube was bigger!! It will have to go on my list of things to get when I'm treating myself.

* Savi Organics Soothing Cream, sample size 20ml.
I received the Savi Wellbeing Cream in the Autumn EcoBox, and this has the same divine smell. The Soothing Cream is especially designed for sensitive and inflamed skin. I wonder if that includes eczema? I'll let you know!


Summary: I'd never heard of most of the products in this box, so it was a good introduction to lots of new brands. I was slightly disappointed that there were no hair products this time, as I was about to go and wash my hair when I opened it! It was a little heavy on the skin/hand care side. With 3 (possibly 4) full-sized products, it's good value. I'll definitely use everything in this box, so I'm happy.

Collective Haul, Part 1

Hello! Let me show you a few things I've purchased over the last month or so. I want to try and get away from nothing but endless beauty box reviews on my dear little blog, so hopefully you should expect to find some products reviews soon, too. First up, a couple of things I bought on one of my numerous trips to Daiso recently. ❖ The hair mascara is to touch up my roots in between dyeing. I haven't tried it yet; I'll let you know how it goes. ❖ The Vitamin Yogurt Pack is a two-pack of yoghurt-based face mask. I tried the aloe vera version a while back and loved it, so I wanted to try the other 'flavours'. ❖ Thirdly is the famed Puff and Sponge Detergent that many bloggers swear by. The last few times I had been to Daiso it was sold out. Again, I haven't tried it yet, but I'll let you know how I go!


Here we have a few things from Priceline. My obsession with interest in Essence products continues. ❖ I already swatched the Nude Glam Nail Polish a couple of posts ago. ❖ The essence eyeshadow, also a new shade, was such a pretty shade of bluish lavender that I couldn't resist. For $2, how can you? The shade is called In The Clouds. ❖ The perfume is Harajuku Lovers Eau de Toilette in Music. I first smelled this nearly a year ago and it's been on my wishlist ever since. It was less than half price, so a no-brainer, really. It's just a shame it's only the 10ml size, so it'll be for special occasions only.


Aaaaand .... more Essence products from Priceline! ❖ The Winter-themed hand creams were in the limited edition products display. I couldn't decide which scent to get, so what can a girl do? Get them all, of course! They are: Apple Cinnamon Punch, Gingerbread Chai Latte and Caramel Hot Chocolate. They all smell divine! ❖ I also purchased this Essence I ❤ Extreme Crazy Volume Mascara. My current mascara is probably a little past its expiry date and I wanted a replacement. So why not get it from my own personal brand-of-the-moment?


Thanks for reading and stay tuned for more hauls and reviews soon!

My First Lust Have It ..Eco Box..!

In a fit of excitement, I decided I needed even more beauty sample goodness, so I subscribed to Lust Have It's Eco Box. A separate subscription box to LHI's monthly service, the Eco Box is a little more expensive ($24.95), is released quarterly (with the seasons!), and contains only products that are not tested on animals, and are organic and made locally where possible. Yes, the Eco Box is a little more expensive than the normal monthly box, but it promises a larger selection of products, with more full-sized offerings. The box was larger than the monthly subscription box, and impressively hefty. The products were packed in a hessian bag, which fits with the Eco theme, but I think I'll just throw it away as it's a bit smelly. Nevertheless, I was excited when I pulled my products out!

Let's see what I got!:

❀ Savi Wellbeing Body Cream, sample size 20ml.
This organic body moisturiser smells divine - calming with a slight hint of citrus. The Australian botanicals really come out in the scent. I was instantly transported back to the time I had a holiday in Daylesford and went to a day spa. *sighs* My skin felt really soft afterwards. If only the sample bottle was bigger! I know I'll tear through it in no time! The product is made in Australia.

❀ Pretty Serious Nail Polish in Tux, full size 11ml.
Tux is a black nail polish with green micro-glitter. I don't really like very dark nail polishes, but I thought the glitter would redeem this for me. However, when I tried it out, I could only see the glitter from very close up. Otherwise it just looks plain black. That was a little disappointing. I don't wear black nail polish normally, so I think I'll give this one away. It was pretty long-lasting and I do like the brand's image though, so I might check out their other colours. Pretty Serious is an Australian brand.

❀ e.l.f. Cosmetics Mineral Eyeshadow in Royal, full size.
Mineral makeup products are supposedly easier on the skin than the alternative, though I personally don't see much of a difference - except in the price: I'm so cynical! ;) This eyeshadow is a beautiful shimmering purple colour; I don't have anything quite like it. Powder eyeshadows can be a bit scary for the spillage factor, but there's a sensible dispenser in the lid that should make using it much easier. I'm happy with this one and will definitely use it.

❀ Alfaparf Milano Anti-Frizz Oil Shampoo, Anti-Frizz Mask and Absolute Oil, sample sachets and 10ml bottle.
I'm always happy to try a new hair product, though the full sizes are sadly out of my price range. I tried the absolute oil on my hair earlier this evening, so it's a bit early to tell if it works, but it sure smells good and has a satisfyingly thick texture. It contains Prickly Pear oil, with moisturising properties, and all the products are paraben- and colourant-free. Alfaparf Milano comes from Italy.

❀ McArthur Complete Skincare Cream, full-size 250ml.
The drawcard of this product is that it contains 60% Mc Arthur Pawpaw Extract (TM), though neither the bottle nor the enclosed flyer explain how this is better than normal pawpaw extract. Call me cynical, but I'm put off by the near-miraculous claims and untenably complicated application instructions. It also has a really strange smell - citrus and lavender and something else that I can't quite describe. Having said all of that however, I love this product. Why? Because it doesn't make my eczema flare up! I can't count the number of hand creams I've had to throw away after only a few uses. Thankfully this comes in a nice big pump pack. This product is made in Australia and does not contain parabens.

❀ Wotnot Facial Wipes, full-size.
By an amazing coincidence, I was planning to buy some facial wipes the very day that my box arrived, as I noticed I was running low. I'm pleased to see that these contain organic aloe vera and rosehip oil. I'm looking forward to getting stuck into them. Wotnot is an Australian company.

Summary: I was happy with my first Lust Have It Eco Box. There was a good mix of skin care and cosmetics. The only disappointment was that the nail polish colour was not to my taste. I really liked everything else - and it's not often that I have so few negative comments about a beauty box!
I really like the idea of the Eco box. I don't have to worry about getting that pang of guilt when I open a box and see a product from a brand that tests on animals. I also like the idea of getting a larger box at longer intervals. I'm starting to get to the stage in my beauty box career that I want quality just as much as quantity. I'm happy to wait a bit longer if I know I'm going to get a larger proportion of full-sized products, in a more-thoughtfully put together box.
My only question now is ... so when's the Winter box coming out???

P.S. Today's photo was taken with my new camera that I received for my birthday. I hope you'll notice the difference in image quality from now on!

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!

Beauty Boxes: Bella Box December 2012

My Bella Box came nice and early this month, and I have to admit I had high expectations for the Christmas/holiday box. I think the theme of this box should be 'Mixed Emotions'. Let me explain, but first let's see what we got!:


❖ Allegra Rhodes Hand and Nail Cream in Red Lychee, sample size 5ml
One of apparently 4 scents, the Red Lychee smells divine. Unfortunately the 5ml size of the sample will barely be enough for one application. At least the cream comes in a pot instead of a tube so I can eke out every last millilitre. I will definitely enjoy that smell while it lasts, though.

❖ John Frieda Firzz-Ease Secret Weapon Flawless Finishing Creme, sample size 30ml.
While I do like this product, I've received a sample of it before, and it's so thickly plastered all over Priceline and other stores, there's no way I wouldn't have heard of it by now. Seeing as I've already bought a full-size, it's like preaching to the converted. It would have been nice to see something new and different in the hair stakes.

❖EmerginC Multi Fruit Cleanser & Protocell Combat Cream, sample size 3ml each
I've had EmerginC product samples before, and I quite liked them. I always like to try new cleansers, so I was happy to receive these.

❖ Compeed Blister Medium, one piece.
This seems like a bit of an odd product for a festive December box. It's a bit ... pedestrian. (groan, sorry, but you know what I mean!) It will come in handy as I sometimes get blisters after my longer walking sessions, but I wish it had been something a little more exciting and glamorous. Or even beauty-related would have been good.

❖ Savoir Faire Limited Edition Kit in Summer, beauty palette.
Now this is the stuff! This complete beauty kit retails at $110. And apparently every single subscriber received one! I don't know how they pulled this off, but it's amazing! The sleek black box contains 6 eyeshadows, a blush, a mascara, an eye pencil and a lip gloss. The box also has a large mirror in the lid. The Winter eyeshadows would probably have suited me better, being fair-skinned, but the lip gloss and blush from this box would suit me better, I think. So it's much of a muchness, really. The only disappointing thing is that the box is supposed to include cards with guides to creating 6 makeup looks, but they're not present. Perhaps I'm just a silly duffer and can't find the compartment they're in? I'll wait until I see a few other reviews before I email the company.

Summary: Like I said before, I have mixed feelings about this box. All the products are sample-sized and some not very exciting, but the Savoir Faire beauty palette blows me away with it's value and contents. There's been much rumbling in the last few months about how the quality of beauty box subscriptions has declined, with smaller samples and less luxury brands. I'm interested to see how they'll deliver in the new year.
I'm not going to bother working out the value this month - the information on the Blister patch is vague - lets just say that due to the Savior Faire Palette, it's lots!

Rating: 8/10

P.S. There's a recent thought-provoking post on Chasing Elixir on why beauty sample boxes often fail.

Beauty Boxes: Bella Box November 2012

Both of my beauty box subscriptions came pretty late this month. I was really hanging out for them! The theme of this month's Bella Box is Soiree Season Staples, and I think they have done quite well. I was very happy with the box, except for one slight hiccup, which I'll detail at the end!

So here is the November box:

✽ Bioderma Sebium H2O Cleansing Water, sample size 20ml.
I was very impressed with the last Bioderma product I received, so I'm looking forward to using this cleansing water. It's formulated for oily and combination skin, which is perfect for me.

✽ 4Me Nail Polish Remover Pads, full-size 30 pads.
A basic but essential product if ever there was one! I've been painting my nails a lot again lately, so these will come in handy. I can see myself keeping them at work in case I get a multiple-chip issue and the whole lot needs to be removed straight away. (It happens to me quite a lot!).

✽ Swisse Hand Cream with Vitamin D and Pomegranate, sample size 30ml.
I'd noticed recently that the Vitamin company Swisse had put out a range of skin care products, and I was curious. The packaging design, while not exactly pretty, certainly stood out from all the rest. This hand cream is free from parabens and many other nasties, and is not tested on animals. I have to be really careful with hand creams due to my ezcema, and I really hope this will be one of the few I can use.

✽ Palmolive Luscious Strawberry Smoother Body Wash, sample size 50ml.
I would really rather have had the mango version of this, as I already have a bottle of the strawberry. But these things can't be helped. I was thinking of reviewing it, so perhaps this is a sign that I should!

✽ David Jones Beauty Radiant Moisture Day Cream, 30ml.
It's exciting to see another new product in the box! I'm very interested to see that David Jones have put out a store brand of skin care (and cosmetics too, I believe). I only use products with SPF in the morning, so this will be a night cream for me. The product is made in Australia and not tested on animals.

✽ B by Bloom Collecta Colour Cheek Tint in Barossa Valley, full-size 5g.
I was very excited to get a Bloom product in my box! As I've mentioned before, I have a bit of a soft spot for Bloom and can sometimes feel a little down that I don't have more of their products. (True beauty saddie, me?) I already have a Bloom Cheek Tint, but it's in a very different colour to this beautiful reddish pink. So now I have two. Yay!

✽ Rose-Hip Vital Rosehip Oil, full-size 30ml.
I love, love, love rosehip oil! It helps to sooth my eczema, and makes my skin feel so soft and plump when I apply it to my face. I'm very glad to know I have another bottle to fall back on when my current one runs out.

Summary: This month's box is very impressive! Seven products, three of them full size. I love the Bloom cheek tint and the rosehip oil, and the nail polish remover pads and cleanser will come in handy. There's a good mix of different types of products. The value of the box is comparatively good. There was only one disappointment, as I mentioned before. Whenever I open a beauty box, I always make sure to examine the products first, and then look at the card later. When I did that this time, I noticed it mentioned a bonus necklace. Oooh, that sounds good! But wait, I didn't notice the necklace in my box ... I searched the contents again ... no necklace! I was quite upset and thought I'd have to email the company to tell them they'd forgotten my necklace. Then I read the card again and realised that the necklace is free with purchase from the Bella Box online shop. The item isn't a bonus with the box, it's a bonus when you make an additional purchase, and yet it's listed on the card in the same manner as all the other products as if it were part of the box. I was angry then, and I felt a little misled.
But if I take a deep breath and put aside this quibble, I actually really liked the November box. My issue was with the marketing, not with the products or box themselves. So I'm giving it 9 out of 10!

Total Value: $56.42. Cost of Box: $15.00. Benefit: $41.42
Rating: 9/10

Beauty Boxes : Lust Have It October 2012

The theme for this month's Lust Have It is Luxe and Luscious Lust-Haves. Like Bella Box, they are looking at the Cancer Council's Pink Ribbon campaign, and have packed the smaller items in a pink organza bag for that reason (bag not shown, but trust me, they were!). Here's what was in this month's box:


Photo by AntwanR.Here we see:

❖ Waxaway Ready-To-Use Sensitive Wax Strips, sample pack of 2.
I've always been terrified of waxing. I've tried going to a salon, and I've tried doing it myself at home, and every time it's been painful, confusing and a failure. I'm a staunch shaving girl and I don't think anything will make me change. Except for beauty product samples! So I will give these a go and you never know.

❖ Elizabeth Arden Red Door Aura Eau de Toilette, sample vial 5ml.
A lighter version of the iconic Red Door perfume. I received a sample of the original in my I Love This Box (now sadly defunct) box at the start of the year. This version is very similar, but lighter with more floral overtones. It still has that classic elegance, but doesn't make my eyes water. ﭢ Having tried it out last night, I definitely noticed the shorter staying power of the eau de toilette as compared to an eau de parfum. I do really like this perfume, though. It would be good for a garden party or daytime wedding.
Elizabeth Arden is not tested on animals.

❖ Say It With Scent Hand and Body Lotion in Lavender, sample size 30ml.
The rate of hand creams in my beauty sample boxes has dropped off a bit lately - and quite frankly I was kinda glad. I need to be really careful about what I use on my hands because I have eczema, and this one, while it smells lovely, would not be suitable for me, I think. Such a shame. I love the pretty tube. I think I'll set it aside and slip it into a friend's Christmas present.

❖ Star & Rose Confetti Soap Petals, full-size box of 3.
These soap flowers are way too pretty to use! They're the kind of thing you'd get in a gift hamper, not for solid, down-home everyday use. I'm going to put them aside for a gift as well. (Though I'll have to make sure I give them to someone who I'm pretty sure doesn't read the blog! ahahha)

❖ Montaser Cosmeceuticals Renitence Eye Revival Cream, sample size {not given but estimate 5ml}.
I'm feeling a bit of a glut of eye creams at the moment. I'd never heard of this brand, so I had a look at their website. They're an Australian company that use a combination of Science, native Australian plant botanicals and dead sea minerals to create anti-ageing products. While the mustard-yellow colour of the cream is a bit disturbing (I opened up the pot for the photo), it has the most divine and unusual buttery caramel smell. Mmmm!
The full-size product is not in a pot. It seems to be a pump pack. Montaser products are not tested on animals.

Summary: I'm a bit on the fence with this month's box: not excited, but not horribly disappointed either. Just like last month, none of the products were full size. (Well, the soap flowers are, but they just strike me as being a bit of a fluffy filler product, so I'm leaving them out of that statement.) Unfortunately that brings the value down a bit, but that isn't what's niggling me about this month's box. It suffers a little from a lack of makeup products, I think. The "Luxe and Luscious" theme could have done with a bit of indulgent cosmetic pampering. I do really like the perfume though, and I'm looking forward to using the eye cream.

Total Value: $44.28. Cost of Box: $14.95. Benefit: $29.33
Rating: 7/10

Bloom Haul!!

My Bloom haul arrived from OzSale last weekend!! I'm really trying to save money (honestly!) but when I saw a Bloom sale on Ozsale, how could I resist? I was talking only a few posts ago about how much I love Bloom, but seem to have a disproportionately low percentage of Bloom products in my stash.
This is what I got!:

❦ Orange Blossom Refreshing Facial Mist - I like to use a facial mist at work to freshen up after lunch. I'd been thinking of getting a replacement for my Trilogy one, which is getting a bit low. Perfect!

❦ Scented Soap in Brown Sugar & Fig - it was about time to restock on soap again, and this sounds divine!

❦ Mini Soaps in Light Floral, Fresh Citrus and Unscented - more soaps, you can never have enough! If your bathroom cabinet is full, then put them in your clothes drawers!

❦ Face Care Pamper Pack - contains 2 sachets each of Sweet Almond Cleansing Oil, Apricot Kernel Face Scrub and Ginseng Moisturiser. I love samples so much I'm willing to pay for them!

❦ Hand Care Pamper Pack - contains 2 sachets each of Hand Wash, Cuticle Oil and Hand Cream. I've purchased the Pamper Packs before years ago, but these ones have new and different products in them. Yay!

❦ Lip Stain in Rhubarb - lately I've been wanting to add more lip colour to my life, but I just can't be bothered re-applying lipstick all day long. Lip stain to the rescue! Rhubarb is a lovely ruby red that I can see myself using a lot (review soon??).

❦ 10-piece Brush Set with Mirror - very excited about this! It comes in a plastic carry case which folds out, and with tips for using each piece on the back. Perfect for a brush noob like me! I'm Definitely taking this on holiday with me.

Empties July 2012

Yes, I know this post is way late! I haven't been in the mood for blogging much lately, but I finally got around to taking a photo of my empties tonight.



Cussons Imperial Leather Classic - Lasts a long time, but I hate the smell of this stuff. I always have!
Nougat London Tuberose & Jasmine Nurturing Hand Cream - (sample size) smelled good but made my eczema flare up.
Pantene Aqua Light Conditioner - Made my hair a little smoother, but not enough for me to have a clear preference.
Sebastian Professional Volupt Shampoo and Conditioner - (sample sachets) The shampoo foamed up well, smelled good, slightly floral and hair felt clean. The conditioner was smaller and wasn't enough to cover all of my hair, so I couldn't really form an opinion.
Palmer's Olive Oil Hand Cream - (travel size) was great with my eczema and smelled good. I would definitely get it again. It was a bit greasy though, so only use at home. I had to cut the tube open to get the last bit out. Another reason to use only at home.
Carmex Moisture Plus SPF Lip Balm - The only SPF lip product I've tried which didn't taste disgusting and made my lips feel soft. Used it every day at work. Definitely a high-rotation product.
Sebastian Professional Volupt Potion 9 Wearable-Styling Treatment - (sample sachet) made hair feel a little more smooth at first, but after a few days it was horribly tangled and rough. No way would I use that again!
Hotel Aloe Vera Soap - yet another standard tiny soap.
Lush Solid Shampoo Trichomania - Made my hair quite soft and smelled good. However, it went soft and disintegrated very quickly. I would try it again, but keep it in a room other than the bathroom next time.
The Face Shop Real Nature Kelp Mask - seemed to bring out some impurities in my face a few days after use - well, my skin didn't seem as smooth, anyway. Not sure if I would re-purchase.
emerginC Kombucha Cleanser - (sample size) Clear gel with a subtle citrus smell. A standard cleanser that did the job OK. Might consider getting again if it weren't so expensive.
Trilogy Traveller's Set: Cleanser - (travel size) really loved this. smelled great and worked well. Would get again.
Bloom Ginseng Daily Facial Moisturiser - had a nice, faint citrus smell and sank into my face well, but didn't seem to have much of an improving effect on my skin.
Dr. Hauschka Cleansing Cream - (sample size) seems to be a very similar formula as the Jurlique exfoliant. Didn't seem to clean my skin, but did leave it feeling soft.

Another Unexpected Purchase: The Face Shop

I went shoe-shopping today, and accidentally bought some more beauty products. Oops!

At the suggestion of some friends, we decided to change things up a bit, and we went to a different shopping centre to the ones we normally frequent. Yes, my life is that exciting! It's quite a bit further away than our normal haunts, so I wasn't really familiar with it. Having wandered around for a little bit and seen variations on all the same old shops, my heart started racing when we came upon a The Face Shop! I knew there were some The Face Shop stores scattered throughout Melbourne, and I'd been meaning to check one out for a while. So what was a girl to do, but go in and make a purchase! Here's what I got:



♥ Real Nature Mask with Kelp pack of 5 with free Pomegranate Mask
- I made a beeline for the cloth masks first, as I have a new-found love for them. There were many products scattered throughout the shop that were bundled up in little value packs. They were packaged up in clear plastic bags with little touches to many of them - this one had a little pink bow. Cute!

♥ Rich Hand & Cuticle Duo with Vitamin E
- Unlike many brand stores with intimidatingly young and snobby assistants, this one was staffed by an adorable middle-aged lady who came around and explained the products to me. Usually I find this kind of over-helping annoying, but she was just so sweet and lovely that I didn't mind at all. She showed me this hand cream which had a little pot of cuticle balm in the lid and I just couldn't resist.

♥ Lovely Me:eX Eyes Eyeshadow in WH006 Glitter
- By this stage I was wandering around the shop in a daze, wanting to buy one of everything and not being able to decide what to pick, with Husband restricting my spending helpfully considering my options with me. I finally decided to get some eyeshadow so I could try out a different aspect of their products than the skin care. I chose this sparkly light gold single, as I thought it might match well with my neutral work palette and give it a bit of extra interest.

The lovely lady also gave me four free sample sachets when I went to pay. She gave me a White Tree Snow Vita Lightening Serum, a Raspberry Roots Sleeping Mask, a Rice Water Bright Cleansing Foam, and a Face It Power Perfection SPF 37 BB Cream.

I have to say, my experience with shopping at this particular The Face Shop was 100% A-1 fantastic! I just wish it was nearer to my house so I could visit more often. If you're ever at Eastland in Ringwood, do check it out!

Empties May 2012

I've started making an effort to use up more of my sample size products, so I've emptied more than ever this month!



Biore Deep Clean Facial Wipes - Quite nice product, smelled good, worked well and generous sheet size. Would get again.
Burt's Bees Beeswax & Banana Hand Creme (mini size, from the hands & feet kit) - Set off my eczema badly, so I ended up using it on my feet. It made them really soft, and I loved the smell, so I might get it again for pedi use!
Thalgo Soft Hydrating Emulsion (from March I Love This Box; sample size) - had an amazing oceany smell, but for the expensive price, the moisturising properties were only average.
The Body Shop Chocomania Soap (part of birthday gift from Husband (not pictured)) - smelled wonderful, like chocolate and nuts, and had pretty good lasting power, but the exfoliating bits in it (I think they were poppy seeds?) were too scratchy on my skin. Replaced with Burt's Bees body bar.
Japanese Aloe Vera Hand Cream (from Daiso) - this is one of the few hand creams that doesn't set off my eczema! Plus it's not too greasy and sinks in quick. For this reason I use it at work. Replaced with Planet Earth Lime Blossom & Coconut hand cream.
Bloom Thirst Quencher Vitamin E Body Cream (sample sachet) - Vague citrusy smell, which I found fairly pleasant. I'd probably consider buying the full-size product, depending on the price.
Schwarzkopf Brilliance Permanent Colour in Smouldering Red - this is my go-to hair dye, though I'm thinking of going more reddish-brown, rather than brownish-red next time. ☺
OPI Expert Touch Nail Lacquer Remover (from Adore Beauty) - worked fast and had a nice citrus scent, but unfortunately too expensive for me to justify. Replaced with Priceline brand remover.
Jurlique Jasmine Body Lotion (sample sachet) - was only enough for one application. Smelled divine, was light and non-greasy. Would think of purchasing if it wasn't so expensive.
Imperial Leather Foamburst Gel in Passionflower & Jojoba (from Coles) - Starts out as a gel, but puffs up into a foam on contact with air. Seemed to be exactly the same formula as my shaving cream, and came in the same type of can - very strange. But smelled lovely and was a fun product. Was expensive, but would get again for a treat.
Kerastase Nectar Thermique Leave-In Conditioner (sample sachet, received in my December Lust Have It box) - this is the 3rd out of 5 sachets that I received.
Estee Lauder Advanced Night Repair Synchronised Recovery Complex (January GlossyBox) - This smelled lovely, slightly citrusy, and had a fresh gel texture. I loved it the way it felt on my skin, but I probably would need to use it for longer to see any real benifits. Unfortunately it's way too expensive to get again.
Pantene Anti-Dandruff Shampoo - this didn't help my dandruff at all, in fact I think it made the problem worse. Replaced with Head & Shoulders Dry Skin formula Shampoo.

Empties: April 2012

I decided to start doing this feature half-way through the month, so I don't have photos of all the packagings, sorry!



Dove Go Fresh Cream Bar - (given by mum-in-law) a good, moisturising soap. The fresh smell was nice, but a little strong. I'd consider buying it again.

Pola Kalahari Moisture Lotion - (sample sachet; a gift from S & B) Reviewed here.

Davroe Tame Lemongrass Detangler Spray - (sample size; LustHaveIt box) smelled a bit strange (soapy) but worked well. Was well out of my budget though, so I made my own. See here.

DHC Make Off Sheets - (purchased from YesStyle) Reviewed here. Replaced with Biore brand.

Lush Face Mask in Crash Course in Skin Care AND Cosmetic Warrior - threw these away because they were well past their use-by date and smelled manky. I'm saving the pots to get a free face mask.

Avon French Manicure Set: Topcoat - went very thick and cloudy, so I turfed it. Replaced with Etude House Jelly Nail Top Coat.

Sheer Cover SPF 15 Nourishing Moisturiser - (sample size; GlossyBox) horrid stuff. Waxy, boring and gave me pimples. Would certainly not buy again. Replaced with Nivea Sun Face Veil SPF30+ Moisturiser.

Sasy n Savy Rose Lavender Hand n Nail Repair Creme - (sample size; LustHaveIt Box) so tiny that it was all gone after about 4 applications! Smells lovely and has average sinking-in ability but it set off my eczema.

Proactiv Cleansing Bar - (GlossyBox) horrid stuff. It gave both man and I pimples on our backs and dried out our skin. Would certainly not buy again.

Planet Earth Lime Blossom & Coconut Soap - (Christmas gift from Husband) lovely smell, moisturising bar, long-lasting as well. Would get again.

Last Month's Beauty Boxes: Looking Back on March 2012

Hi all! This is a new feature where I look back on my beauty boxes for the previous month and see whether I really did use the products in them. Previously I would edit my old posts and make notes on what I thought of the products, but I became dissatisfied with this way of doing it. I mean, aside from the blogger who wrote them, who goes back and reads old blog posts anyway? シ

So here we go with the March 2012 boxes (click on headings to see original reviews):

Lust Have It
Davroe Moisture Senses Argan Oil - haven't opened this yet, but very much looking forward to using it once I've finished my Garnier Smooth n Shine Serum (I'm phasing out Garner products due to their animal testing status).
Karpati DITO nail lacquer in Midnight Romance - used this on my toenails. Normally polish on my toenails lasts a couple of weeks, but this started to chip after only a few days. Unfortunately seems to be quite bad quality.
1Skin Solutions Lip Balm in Vanilla - in my lipbalm stash and next in the queue!
Kosmea Replenishing Moisture Cream - haven't opened this yet, but I just adored the exfoliant so very much looking forward to using it once my Jurlique Night Cream is finished. P.S. I was excited to see Kosmea products at Priceline and Chemist Warehouse recently!
Mirenesse Pearl Crush Creaseless Eyeshadow in Tahitian Pearls - love, love, love this! I use it all the time. The shadow is extremely pigmented and stays on all day.


Mirenesse Pearl Crush Creaseless Eyeshadow.
(Mine was a different colourway to this.)
From Pinterest.

I Love This Box
Essie Nail Polish 'Carry On' Autumn Collection in Lady Like - have only used this once, soon after I got it, but I adore it and will definitely use again. It was very long-wearing.
Maybelline New York XXL Pro Curl Mascara - have not opened yet, but will use when my current Maybelline mascara goes manky.
Sunsilk Co-Creations Frizz & Weather Defence, Weather Protection & Shine Serum - haven't opened yet. I've received a lot of hair products lately, so I'm not sure when I'll get around to it.
Thalgo Soft Hydrating Emulsion - I've been using this regularly. I like the sea salt smell and it makes my skin soft.
Glitter Puff Wand - not a product that you use, really. It's currently decorating my makeup station.


Thalgo range.

GlossyBox
Proactiv Cleansing Body Bar - Husband and I both used this bar, but after only a few days, we threw it away because it was giving us pimples and his back became very oily.
Eau Thermale Avene Thermal Spring Water - put this aside, may or may not use it. I do use a facial spritzer at work, but it has calming essential oils in it. This has nothing. Hm.
Nougat London Tuberose & Jasmine Nurturing Hand Cream - currently using. However, it sets off my eczema. (I'm bad like that: I'd rather use something up than throw it away, even if it's bad for my eczema.)
KMS California Free Shape Hot Flex Spray - currently using. I occasionally need to straighten my fringe, so I use it then.
Dr. Hauschka Cleansing Cream - currently using. Love the smell (very similar to Jurlique's exfoliating cream, actually) and makes my skin smooth. Not sure if it truly cleanses well, though.

Review of GlossyBox March Beauty Box

Hot on the heels of the last Beauty Box comes the March Glossy Box. To be honest, I had been disappointed by their last few boxes, so I was coming into it a little biased. Sorry to say, but true to expectations, I was highly disappointed.



Here's why:

First off, I opened up the box and it smelled strongly of perfume. Not a bad smell at all, and I was excited that maybe there was a perfume or nice smelling item in the box. But none of the products smelled like that scent. Obviously GB have sprayed some kind of perfume on the inside of the box, for some unknown reason. It was confusing and disappointing. Next off, I was disappointed when I saw the products themselves, and I'll explain why below.

Proactiv Cleansing Body Bar, 150g bar
I received the Proactive Deep Cleansing (Facial) Wash in last month's GlossyBox and hated it. It irritated my skin and the menthol in it made my eyes water. Judging by the Beautypedia review of this product (see below), this product is no better. There were quite a few complaints about last month's products among beauty reviewers, so why did GlossyBox include another Proactiv product in this month's box? I was really annoyed by this. Not only that, but it says on the packaging itself: "If dryness occurs, reduce application use." If dryness occurs, shouldn't you be stopping it altogether??
I'll give the soap a go, but I'm going to chuck it at the first sign of any problems. So mad.
Beautypedia Rating Summary [see full here]: Frowny face rating: product drying and is highly fragranced, which is irritating to the skin as well.
Conscience time: ProActiv is a U.S. company founded by two dermatologists. It does not test on animals.

Eau Thermale Avene Thermal Spring Water, 50ml can
I have heard of this product before and was pretty unimpressed. It's basically just spring water in a can that you spray on your face. I'm sorry, but is their spring water so much better than any other spring water? I'll give this a go, but I'm highly dubious. I would have much preferred to receive the Avene Cleanser and Toner set that other subscribers received. At least that's actual product, not just water in a can. Next!
Beautypedia Rating Summary [see full here]: Frowny face rating: it's just water, surely something with actual soothing ingredients in it would work better?
Conscience time: Avene is a French company. Its animal testing status is not divulged.

Nougat London Tuberose & Jasmine Nurturing Hand Cream, sample size 10 ml (estimated)
Nougat London is a U.K. fashion brand who seem to have branched out into bath and body products. There's a slight thrill in knowing that they're sold in Harrod's and shops throughout Europe. But are they available in Australia? Who knows? This small hand cream sample smells quite nice, but you know how I feel about tiny samples!
Conscience time: Nougat London is a U.K. company. I couldn't find information about their animal testing status.

KMS California Free Shape Hot Flex Spray, 30ml bottle
This is a heat protectant spray for the hair. I very rarely use heat styling on my hair, so this product isn't much use to me. It smells really good though, like berries, so I may give it a go just for that!
Conscience time: KMS California is a U.S. company. Their website was so annoying I couldn't be bothered trying to find out any further information about them.

Dr. Hauschka Cleansing Cream, 10ml tube
This is the one product in the box that I was unreservedly happy to receive. I'd been wanting to try Dr. Hauschka for a while, but I can't afford their products. Even though I've already received a few cleansers lately, I'll put this to the front of the queue. Although, the Beautypedia verdict for this product is not so good, so now I'm in two minds about it!
Beautypedia Rating Summary [see full here]: stern face rating: contains nut shells which can be abrasive, and is overpriced.
Conscience time: Dr. Hauschka is a German company, it does not test on animals.

Bonus Product: Power Balance Bracelet
Really?
Don't we all remember about a year back when the Power Balance Bracelet was exposed as a sham? And now here it appears in my GlossyBox? WTF? It's like someone had a warehouse full of these things taking up space and wanted to get rid of them. Unbelievable. I am so mad.


That's it for the products. But wait, I have more to whinge about.
The product card was enormous, about 3 times the normal size. Here's a photo of it:



Then I realised why this was. There are 18 products listed on the card! Ever since GlossyBox started, they've had a reputation for distributing different products to different subscribers, with some inevitably feeling left out. This time they haven't even bothered to try and disguise this, and just published one card with all the products on it. Plus discount cards to purchase the items you didn't get in your box. I'm sorry, but that's an insult. There are certainly some products that I would have much rather received than my selection (the De-Coy Panda Eyes Pen; the Body Shop Chocomania Body Butter; the Thin Lizzy Concealer; the Pome Wonder Serum). Then again, there were some I was glad I didn't receive (the Coconut Water; the Dencorub Heat Gel - yes, Dencorub! It's supposed to be beauty products, for eff's sake! I can't imagine how I'd feel if I'd received those.)

Not to mention the added disappointment when you see what amazing luxury products the U.K. subscribers received in their special Harrod's sponsored boxes this month. (Here's one example; subscribers received different products, but all the ones I saw seemed to have several luxury brands in them.)

But the straw that broke the camel's back was this -

no pricing! Normally the full product size and price are listed on the card, so you know how much the box is worth, and how much you'd expect to pay if you wanted to buy the product again. But not here. So I have no idea how much this box was worth. Sure, I could probably google all those details, but I just can't be bothered. I shouldn't have to, anyway.

Summary: I've received 4 Glossy Boxes now, and that's the probation period over.I'll write up an overall evaluation of all the boxes in the next few days, but I'm sure you can already guess what my verdict is.

Total Value: $??.??. Cost of Box: $14.95. Benefit: $??!.??!
Rating: 2/10

Review of February ILoveThisBox Beauty Box

Hello again already with another beauty box review. I picked up my 'I Love This Box' box from the post office this morning. It actually arrived at the post office on Monday, but I didn't have time to pick it up until today. Technically, it passed the 'did it arrive by Valentine's Day' test, but in practicality, it didn't. It doesn't mean that much to me anyway, but the box is very V.D. themed, so it would have been nice.
This month's box comes with red tissue paper, a sticker with a heart on it, and a generously-sized packet of red jelly beans! I went to the trouble of using my camera today instead of my ipod, so the photo is a little better quality. Here it is:



It contains:

Elizabeth Arden Red Door Eau de Parfum, 10ml bottle.
Now, this is a real luxury product! Elizabeth Arden was a pioneer in the beauty industry, so it's exciting to have her iconic Red Door perfume. I haven't spritzed it yet, but just from sniffing the nozzle, I think it smells good. This item makes me feel very special!
P.S. Did you know that Elizabeth Arden's real name was Florence Nightingale Graham?
Conscience time: Elizabeth Arden is a U.S. company, founded by an individual. It is not tested on animals.
21-MAR-12 edit: I like the smell of this perfume - sophisticated. But it's so strong! The fumes made my eyes water, so I sprayed it on my back instead!

Keratinology by Sunsilk Overnight Treatment, full-size 100ml.
Unilever, the parent company of Sunsilk, still test some of their products on animals, so I was a bit dismayed to find a product from this brand in my box. I heard recently that there are now leave-in treatments which work overnight to repair hair. I don't really see what the difference is to ones that work during the day! I guess I'll use it, seeing as I have it now, but I'm not too happy about it.
Conscience time: Sunsilk is owned by Unilever, an Anglo-Dutch company. Some of their products are tested on animals.

Nail File
I gave this file away to B before I had a chance to photograph it, so I put my glass nail file in the box so it didn't look too empty! It was a cute nail file with pink love hearts on it. As I said in my last GlossyBox review, nail files are not really an exciting product, but at least this one was designed to last a bit longer than the G.B. one, and its design was consistent with the Valentine's Day theme.
Conscience time: The brand is not listed. I don't imagine you'd test a nail file on animals, though.

Rimmel London Lasting Finish Kiss & Stay Lip Gloss, Colours of Love Series, in Lasting Passion, full-size 2 x 8ml.
I already have a lot of lip balms and glosses, so I wasn't overwhelmed with joy when I first saw this. But then I tried it out this afternoon and .... wow! It stays on like nothing else! My lips still feel sticky 5 hours later! I'm going to need to use makeup remover to get it off! Application is a two-step process: Step 1 is the colour, in this case a deep plum. Once that's dry, Step 2 adds the glittery gloss. The colour is a lot darker than I'm used to, but I can see myself using it at work where a) the shade will fit in well with my business persona; and b) I don't have time to worry about re-applying makeup.
So, even though this isn't a product from a luxury brand, its performance certainly makes up for it. Overall, I'm very happy with this.
Beautypedia Rating Summary [see full here]: This product gets the Paula's Pick (best) rating. It is very long wearing (more so than some other leading brands) and not drying.
Conscience time: Rimmel London is a U.K. brand, owned by Coty, a German company (originally French). It is not tested on animals.

The Aromatherapy Co. Rose & Patchouli Sensual/Soothing Hand & Nail Cream, full size 100ml.
I've never heard of this company before, but the product sounds lovely. I'm not going to open it straight away, as I have my full compliment of hand creams on the go already. I love rose-scented things though, so I'm looking forward to it.
Conscience time: The Aromatherapy Co. is a New Zealand company. It does not test on animals.

Summary: Despite the one product tested on animals, I loved this box! It has many of the products I like - hair care, hand cream, perfume. Most of the products were full-sized - and the perfume was a 10ml door-shaped bottle instead of the more usual 3ml vial - which pushed the value up quite a bit. As with this month's GlossyBox, the nail file was a 'meh' product, but the amazingness of all the other products made up for it (unlike GlossyBox!). So overall, I loved 'I Love This Box'!

Total Value: $66.13. Cost of Box: $14.95. Benefit: $51.18
Rating: 8/10

Review of February Lust Have It Box

Well, hello! Today I went to the post office to pick up my beauty box, and the lovely lady advised me there were actually two waiting! I was so chuffed. I actually subscribe to three now, so I suppose the chances weren't that low. There's been a bit of talk around the intertubes as to whether the box people would work double-time this month and make sure their boxes arrived before Valentine's Day. Two have passed the test so far. I'll review the LustHaveIt box today, and the GlossyBox tomorrow.

So, here is the February LustHaveIt box:



It contains:

Lancome Juicy Tubes {colour not specified}, half-size sample.
Lancome is a luxury brand, and Juicy Tubes are an iconic product, so this is is the kind of thing you'd want from your beauty box! However, I think they're overpriced, and the company will not confirm its animal testing status, so I've already decided not to purchase anything from this brand. This half-size sample is worth $23.
Beautypedia Rating Summary [see full here] : the Juicy Tubes get a smily face (very good) rating.
Conscience time: Lancome is owned by L'Oreal, a French brand. It does not divulge its animal testing status.

Davroe Tame Lemongrass Detangler Spray, 50ml sample bottle.
I do love hair products! I haven't tried a de-tangler before, so it should be interesting. I don't really have a problem with tangled hair, but it does get very frizzy, so it might help with that. I'm a bit confused though, because the bottle mentions lemongrass, jasmine, passionflower and ylang ylang, and it doesn't smell like any of these at all! However, it's always good to try an independent Australian product.
Conscience time: Davroe is Australian made and owned. It does not test on animals.
21-MAR-12 edit: This stuff really works! I've been using it regularly.

Sasy n Savy Rose Lavender Hand n Nail Repair Creme, 5ml sample tube.
A 5ml sample ... not much! And from an unknown brand ... not very generous. (An unknown brand with such a dorky name, too. What the?)
But! It's not too greasy and it smells divine. A good product shines through every time. I'd consider buying this if I wanted to splash out.
Conscience time: Sasy n Savy is Australian made and owned. It is not tested on animals.

Lush Sugar Scrub, full-size.
In the past I had a bit of an unhealthy obsession with Lush. But about a year ago, when I decided to be a bit more savvy about my beauty products and delved a bit deeper, I became unhappy with the ingredients they use. They choose to use problematic ingredients. There's no need for sodium laureth sulfate. There's no need for parabens. There's no need for so many colours and fragrances. They make a lot of claims about being natural and chemical-free which are, in my opinion, quite iffy. Anyway, back to what's in the box:
I've used this product before and I found it too scratchy on my skin. At the time I'd thought that, if I ever bought it again, I'd grind it up and mix it with some olive oil before I used it. So yeah, I'll use it. This is the only full-sized product in the box.
Conscience time: Lush is a U.K. company. It is not tested on animals.

Lac Taut Collagen Infusion Mask, 1pc sample (usually 5pc).
I was excited to see this, despite myself. I'm completely obsessed with Asian beauty products at the moment, and it's a bit of a guilty pleasure. It's very difficult to find out much about them - whether they test on animals or even a complete ingredient list. But I just can't help myself! I can't wait to try out this mask. I've been wanting to try out cloth face masks since I first heard about them. The only issue is - it's such a luxury product that I feel like I need a 'special occasion' to use it!
Conscience time: Taut is owned by AMS Life Science, a Japanese company. I couldn't find any information about its animal testing status.

Summary: I was terribly excited when I first opened this box. It has it all! - independent brands, Australian brands, Asian brands, hair, skin, yay! Only one of the products is full-sized, but still the value is good and the excitement factor is there. My only gripe (and it's really a small one) is that the box could have reflected the Valentine's day theme a bit better. Just some pink tissue paper would have done the trick, or a paper flower. Overall though, I'm very happy with the box.

Total Value: $67.90. Cost of Box: $14.95. Benefit: $52.95
Rating: 8/10