January Bellabox 2014

What is Bellabox?
It's a $15 monthly beauty subscription box (only for those living in Australia and Singapore, sorry!) containing a couple of full size items and sample products.

I am extremely impressed with this month's products! I would actually use all the products... rather than add them to the 'give away' box.

Palmolive Shower Gel with Indian Mulberry and Lotus Flower
 It smells like juice mixed with shampoo! And it comes in a tiny bottle.

Yes To Carrots Lip Tint in Ready Red
I've already tried this and I love it! It has a minty scent, and has a cooling sensation on your lips. It moisturises really well and doesn't dry off instantly.

Avene Hydrating Cream & Soothing Moisture Mask

A moisturiser is always useful so I can't wait to try this one.
I don't quite know how to use the mask, which claims to calm, soothe and firm your skin. Sounds interesting.

Coconut Revolution Coconut Body Cream
I'm not the biggest fan of coconut scents so I won't use this regularly, but I'll see how well this works.

Model Co Fat Lash Volumising Mascara
 The wand seemed quite flimsy and cheap, but it's of pretty quality. It's interesting how it has a 'ball' at the end to get the 'hard to get' inner and outer lashes. I don't love how the bristles are quite far apart and doesn't work as well on my lashes. I've tried this and it does volumise the lashes, but I find that it clumps really easily (maybe because I normally use the Covergirl Clump Crusher). Perhaps using a different technique will help.

Wotnot Facial Wipes
I love the '100% wot's good, 0% wot's not' on the side! These are natural and organic, so I'm excited to see how well they take off makeup.

I can't wait to try these out! Have you tried any of the above products?

All that is random #2

Random pic: There's just something so simplistic and relaxing about this picture. It reminds me of Safe Haven.

Bellabox website

These simple questions can give some indication of your personality, but they're mostly to satisfy my curiosity and interest in psychology haha.

Do you zip or button your pants first?
Perhaps if you zip first, you like challenges. If you button first, you'd prefer to have some support in tasks.
I button first.

Do you play chess strategically (think several moves ahead)?
 If you play strategically, it could indicate that you think further ahead in the future, and the consequences of your actions. If not, you focus more on the present, and live in the moment.
I don't play strategically... and don't understand how it's even possible.

Comment your preferences below! I want to know :)

December Bellabox!

This month's theme is 'Celebrate Summer'.

Romy Cinnamon & Cocoa Hand and Nail Cream, $33.50

I love the packaging! This cinnamon and cocoa scent will grow on me, I hope. It is made from natural Australian bush fruit, products aren't tested on animals, uses recycled material, and absorbs quickly isn't the skin without being greasy.

Kosmea Rescue Balm, $24.95

Smells like an orange wrapped in a strongly scented leaf... but I promise, it actually smells quite good. It contains rose hip oil  which promotes hydration.

Eslor - Comforting mask $49.95, replenishing scrub $36.95, soothing cream $84.50, soothing refiner and cleanser $36.95

The Eslor brand uses the HPT (hydrate, protect and treat) system. Hydrating products contain aloe vera to moisturise, protecting products use safflower oil to ensure the aloe vera stays on the skin, and treating products repairs and rejuvenates the skin.

Avene Cleanance K, $24.99

The close up shot makes the 5mL bottle look a lot bigger than half of my hand. It oil-free moisturiser smells clean and fresh. It claims to reduce blackheads, absorb excess sebum for fewer breakouts and clearer skin.

Simple Kind to Eyes Eye Makeup Remover, $9.99

Remove your makeup! I already own  this, so I can confirm that it is non-oily, non-greasy, non-irritating.

Mary Kay Fluid Eye Colour, $20

This shimmery light bronze colour pigment, in the colour 'Pearl', contains aloe to keep your eyelids hydrated. These are limited edition!

Palmer's Cocoa Butter Formula - Daily Calming Facial Lotion $9.99, Daily Cleansing Gel $12.99

The moisturiser (left) contains chamomile, aloe vera and milk proteins to reduce redness and irritation. The cleansing gel (right) cleans, tones and clarifies the skin.

Bellabox Tote Bag, $19.95

I really like the pattern and colours.

August Bellabox!

It felt like forever while waiting for this months Bellabox. It was well worth the wait because I'm excited to try the products!

While reading the sneak preview, I connected with the idea that the winter season did nothing to help me keep active. The seemingly short days and long nights meant that I got less work done and more sleep (yay for the undereye circles though!). 

Pevonia Gentle Exfoliating Cleanser, $67 for 150ml

I've heard of but never tried this brand before. I love my exfoliating cleansers, so this will be used very soon!

Aphelia Oasis Herbal Acne Solution, $49 for 50ml

It's hard enough to read the label in person... How convenient that a pimple popped up out of nowhere the night that I got this haha. I whipped this out and applied it on those suckers (need more time to test it out). It has a herbal scent, which I don't mind too much. The roller ball makes it easy to apply too.

Ultraceuticals Ultra CC Cream, $59 for 50ml

I was surprised to get this product since I already received a BB cream. I've swatched it and it feels light and blends nicely.

Maybelline New York Dream Pure BB Cream, $15.95 for 30ml

This was what I was waiting for! I've already worn it once... Coverage is really good for a BB cream, blends well, and doesn't make me look shiny!

Loreal Base Magique Primer, $29.95 for 15ml

Apparently, this contains soft powders (is that a thing??) which help to absorb sebum and mattify the skin. Sounds interesting.

Banana Boat Mineral Protect Sensitive SPF 30+, $15.75 for 120g

It's kinda embarrassing that I was excited about a sunscreen LOL. I've decided to make more of an effort to use sunscreen on a daily basis, so this was perfect! It doesn't feel too greasy or sticky.

TOM Organic Tampons, $7.99 for 16

I don't have much to say about this... Except that the cotton is free from pesticides.

Click here to find out more about Bellabox!

I'm super excited about the Maybelline Dream Pure BB cream! What product/s are you excited to try?

Love, V

July Bellabox!

It's that time of the month! That's right, it's time to open my box of goodies. It was slightly different this month. There are 3 boxes all centres around the theme of travel: shop, beach and culture. The first 200 people to complete the survey would get their chosen box! Sadly I didn't get the one I wanted... actually I got the only box that didn't interest me :(

*The prices below are for full sized products.

Luxe City Guides, $12.99

This guide to the city of London is a great size and contains useful information about everything, from accommodation, to dining, to activities! One day...!

Yu-Be Moisturising Skin Cream, $34.95

Apparently, this moisturiser is the top seller in Japan!

La Fresh Instant Body Smoother Wipes, $16.50

Body smoother? I'm not exactly sure what to use this for... Anyway, it's convenient when travelling to just throw away (it's biodegradable too!).

Rubifresh Cleansing Oil, $23

This was the most exciting product from this month's box! I've never tried a cleansing oil before.

Furlesse - Elevens, $34.95

The only time I've had to hold a smile for a long period of time was during my year 12 formal (think prom).

Clear Scalp & Hair Beauty Therapy Total Nourishing Care Shampoo & Conditioner, $5.99

Great size for travelling and smells good.

Libra Hotties Heat Patches, $4.99

This is an interesting product. It's also thin so you can hide it under your clothes.

Modelco Cheek and Lip Tint, $24

This smells of raspberry sweetness! It's not too drying as well.

Check out the Bellabox website!

I'm quite disappointed with this box... i mean I had 67% of receiving the other two boxes! It didn't appeal to me and most of the products will most likely be given away :(

Love, V

June Bellabox!

Every month feels like your birthday with Bellabox (or any beauty box)! I must say that I'd prefer this months box than last months (face creams).

Kiss Nail Dress

They look like frozen raindrops on your nails. I'm glad that some of them have a line of gold rather than covering the entire nail.

StreetGloss Lip Gloss 209

It's not meant to drying or too sticky. We'll see. I normally don't wear lip gloss, I'd just prefer a balm, but this might change that.

Bioderma Atoderm Cream

Sounds just like a regular moisturiser to me... But I'm excited to try this brand.

Tiaki Day Cream

This is priced at $45 for 60 grams! Interesting fact: "Tiaki" means to 'to take care of'. It's made in New Zealand, consists of only natural ingredients and their packaging is 100% biodegradable!! I'm very curious to see the effect of this day cream. Click here if you're as interested in this brand as I am.

Toni&Guy Texturising Glue

I'm unsure of what I will do with this. Maybe to get more volume? On the plus side, it smells amazing!

Montagne Jeunesse Passion Peel Off Mask

I've never used a face mask before, and can imagine how satisfying it would be to peel this off haha.

Brazilian Butterfly Assortment

This will probably be saved until the spring or summer. I will not be freezing my butt off!

Natio Nail Colour, Valentine

This bonus item is a really nice vibrant red but is wearable.

I'm excited to try most of these things. Check out Bellabox for monthly surprises!

Love, V

May Bellabox

My first Bellabox arrived this morning!

I love the packaging. Just trying to figure out what to do with it...

Udderly Smooth Udder Cream

This 'udder cream' (*shiver) works really well. I find that it's similar to Vaseline's conditioning lotion, in that it's moisturising but non-greasy. I'm not a huge fan of the scent, but the texture is great.

Bloom Lip Stain- Rhubarb

"You see these red wine lips, I didn't dream of this" (cheers to those to know where this is from!). This gives really nice colour, but is quite drying.

La Roche-Posay Effaclar Duo

I haven't tried this yet, but is said to clear up clogged pores, remove dead skin and reduce redness. The photo distorts the size, but it's only as big as my index finger!

La Roche-Posay Effaclar Foaming Gel

The description of this sounds like a regular cleanser. It removes makeup, oil and dirt.

Manicare Duo Mascara Brushes

I honestly didn't know these existed, but they sound interesting. You can test out different mascaras without having to buy 2! The blue brushes give extra volume while the red brushes give extra curl.

Sanctuary Spa Brightening Facial Illuminating Moisture Lotion SPF 15

The photo doesn't do justice to the packaging! This sounds like an all-round great product. It has SPF, anti-aging benefits, is hydrating and gives a luminous glow.

Nanoblur

10 years younger in 40 seconds?! The description says that it makes skin look airbrushed in 40 seconds... My mum tried it and it appeared to work, but when she washed it off her skin looked the same as when she had it on.

The lip stain was my favourite product. This Bellabox was satisfactory, but I hope the next one will be better!

Love, V