For Review in March: My thoughts

At the beginning of this month I put up 3 products to try and review over this month. You can see the original post here. 
Even though it is not the end of the month, I have used these products enough by now to make an informed decision about whether or not I want to continue using them so I feel the time for reviews is upon us.  

Item #1: Olay Regenerist Revitalising Hydration Cream SPF 15

Well, aside from what is a very pleasant smell, this cream doesn'f really stand out to me at all. It doesn't really leave your skin feeling plump and soft and doesn't absorb all that well either. I also haven't noticed any change to my fine lines either. All in all, this cream is OK, certainly not worth the $25 price tag. In fact it is so ordinary that I have needed to remind myself to use it. 

The verdict for this one is, unfortunately, 'forgettable'.

 Item #2: Inika Truly Organic Pure Primer

If you have read my original post, you know that I was not impressed with this product the first few times I used it. Unfortunately this opinion has not changed. I have used this with two different foundations and three different BB creams. I have also skipped the base and used blush and highlighter directly over the primer itself. This does nothing for either the application, appearance or longevity of my makup. It is not hydrating enough to be used as a moisturiser either. I hate this product, it smells great and looks nice however they are its only redeeming features. I don't like to throw anything out so I will probably add this to some foundation to make a tinted cream or something like that.

The verdict for this one is 'useless' which is unfortunate as I really wanted to like this.

 Item #3: Garnier BB Eye Cream

This product claimed to reduce puffy dark undereyes, and reduce fine lines and wrinkles. i really haven't noticed any changes at all to my very puffy and dark undereyes, and no real reduction in my fine lines either. Other than this, i do find this product handy as a BB cream. It is the right colour for my skin and the applicator makes it easy to put the product just where you want it, although it does require some blending out. I find this product particularly useful on days where I don't wear a base and just want some coverage over my bags. As this is most days (I am lucky enough to have good skin so I often skip the base and add highlighter, bronzer and blush on top of my natural skin), I do use this product a lot. I also find that it reduces the waste you get when you apply a product to your hand before destributing it onto your face. 

All in all, I do like this product and if I found it on special again i would definetely re-purchase it if only because I find the application so handy.

The verdict, 'does the job'.

While I did add a foundation to the original post,  I haven't really been wearing it enough to review it at this point. I will add this to the April products.

Let me know if you have used these products before and what you thought of them. I would love to hear other people's opinions and experiences. 

Violet Box: February Unboxing and Review

I got this a couple of weeks ago, towards the end of February, so I've had a good chance to try out the items I'm wanting to keep. This was another great value box containing 4 full size items, and 1 extremely generous sample.

Here's what was in the box:

Natural World Moroccan Argan Oil: RRP $5.99 for 25ml

This is a leave in oil hair treatment. It is designed to lock in moisture, nourish and restore shine. I don’t know about the nourish or shine part of this, but it does a brilliant job at softening and smoothing the hair without leaving it oily. I really enjoy this product. A little goes a long way so this is going to last a very long time (for me in particular as I have very short hair). I have found that it can be put into wet or dry hair and it has a very subtle smell that dissipates to nothing. This is a very important factor for me as I’m really picky about smells. I also like that it is so inexpensive. Congratulations VB, you have introduced me to a previously untried product that I will most definitely be purchasing in the future.

Suki Exfoliate Foaming Cleanser: RRP 46.95 for 125ml

This enormous 30ml sample is frickin amazing. I absolutely love almost everything about this. It has a strong lemon smell which I just love (it also tastes like lemon and sugar if you accidentally gets in your mouth – mmm pancakes). It is a sugar scrub so as you rub the gentle mixture into your face, it both foams and the sugar particles dissolve in a very satisfying way. The only problem I have with this product is the after-smell which smells like microwaving poppadums and stays on your hands for a bit. I have overcome this by washing my hair after I use it so my hands end up smelling like shampoo instead. If this product was cheaper I would be all over it, and the many others from this brand. Unfortunately, my budget doesn’t stretch to this at the moment, however I have already begun saving as this is honestly the best cleanser I have ever used. Big thumbs up from me. 

Emite Make Up BB Highlighting Pen: RRP $32

This product caused much confusion as it says it’s a highlighter, however the card says to use it as a concealer. Said confusion was only made worse when I used this product. It appears to be some sort of hybrid of the two. It is very thick and hard to blend like a stick concealer, very yellow in colour like a concealer, but more reflective than a concealer – more like a highlighter. I have been using it as my undery-eye concealer but have also been using it in the typical highlight areas (above cheekbones, temples, chin, cupids bow). It is ok, the consistency makes it a bit hard to blend nicely and it can look very very cakey without the proper treatment. I’m glad enough to have it, but it isn’t a product I would purchase having used it. Certainly not for that hefty price tag.

Teez Trend Cosmetics Easy on the Eyes Pencil: RRP $26

This is black. I have a multitude of black pencils and I don’t use any of them. I have small eyes and anything darker than a brown just makes them look small and heavy. I was so excited to see a Teez product as I’ve never tried one before but unfortunately that won’t change. The packaging is absolutely beautiful however. I have read that, despite being waterproof this product smudges and transfers fairly badly. I will try and swap or sell this product so I won’t be able to swatch it.

Pretty Woman Magnetix Nail Polish: RRP $9.99

I just could not be less interested in this. The colour is an antique, very very glittery gold. I’m 31 years old, I just have no interest in glitter. It comes with two different magnets which I suppose is good. I haven’t tried it as I’ll be giving to my niece. Magnetic nail polish isn’t new and this coupled with the fact we received a different branded one from VB in November has me questioning why on earth it made it to the box. I forgot to picture this sorry, there is a photo in the first photo at the top of the post. I am so unimpressed with this item that I'm not going to bother taking another photo of it. Apologies.

The swatches. . .

Top: Highlighter Pen, Bottom: Suki cleanser

What I thought. . .

Overall I’d have to say this is a great box and provides excellent value for money. Fair enough I won’t use two of the items in the box, however the value of the other 3 more than makes up for the price of the box. Two of those 3 products I really enjoy, and the other one I will most likely use up so I’m very happy.

Let me know what you thought of the products in the box, I would love to hear other peoples opinions/experience of the products.

Marie Claire The Parcel: Autumn Edit Unboxing and First Impressions

Unfortunately Marie Claire have pissed me off yet again. Again, I won't go into why until the end of the post so people who aren't interested aren't forced to read it. 

Once again, this box came in very good time considering all other boxes take at least a week to get to me(just 4 days after receiving the shipping confirmation). It was also chockers again, albeit a little less exciting that the summer edit. 

Here is what was inside:

Lancome Advanced Genefique Youth Activating Concentrate: RRP $95 for full size. 
We received a sample size of this one which is a cute mini version of the full size. It is 7ml which is a very generous sample size for a serum. It claims to repair skin and 'activate; the 10 visible signs of youthful-looking skin. You use 3 drops morning and night. I haven't had a chance to use this yet but I did try a little on my hand and it did leave my skin feeling nice and smooth so I think it might be a nice hydrating serum. As for the 'youth activation' side of it, we shall wait and see. I am naturally skeptical but am happy to be converted. I have a few serums to get through before I can try this one, so I'll probably do an individual review of this one down the track.

Schick Hydro Silk: RRP $14.25
Obviously we received the full size of this product. I have fallen into the habit of using my husbands disposable razors so I haven't had my own razor for about a year now. This is probably going to do wonders for me given what I'm used to but I'll have to see. This is also one of those razors that you can buy replacement heads for so that's great as I struggle to fork out that much money for one razor (I know that's really tight but I'd rather put that money towards taking my daughter to a coffee shop or something like that). I am very appreciative of the fact that it's blue and not pink as I'm just not a pink, bling, glitz kind of girl. 


Max Facter Masterpiece Transform Mascara-black: RRP $23.95

We recieved the full size of this mascara. I haven't opened it as I don't use black mascara as I find it makes my small eyes look even smaller. I have seen the wand on some unboxing videos on youtube (Messy Downunder and Vicki Seymour) so check them out if you want to see. It does look like a really good applicator shape and the bristles are plastic/silicone so I'm disappointed I won't be trying this one. 



Mor Emporium Classics Snow Gardenia Triple Milled Soap: RRP $19.95
The card states that this is a sample size, however it looks pretty full-sized to me. I really can't imagine how it would be bigger and still fit in your hand so I think we must have recieved the full size. I really like Mor products and I'm due for a new soap, however the smell of this soap is just too strong and floral for me. The packaging of this product is just beautiful.

L'Occitane Dry Skin Hand Cream: RRP $42
We received a very generous sample size of this. It doesn't say how much it is but I would guess that it is at least 20ml. The packaging is lovely and I'm always using handcreams so this is a good addition to me. I got it in the scent Rose Heart, which is the scent I was hoping I wouldn't get. I was a little disappointed as soon as I saw the colour of the tube, however it isn't as potent or 'old' as I thought it would be so I think I'll still be able to get good use out of this. It has an almost fruity undertone, although it is subtle, which might be what saves it from being too much. It absorbs very easily and doesn't appear to be too greasy either, as long as you don't use too much. 


Rimmel BB Cream Radiance: RRP $12.95
We recieved the full size of this very nice BB cream. This is a brand new product, due to hit the shelves next month. I was actually after a new BB cream so I'm very excited to receive this product. I recieved this product in 'light', even though the card indicates it should be 'medium'. I don't mind at all as it is on the lighter side of the right shade for me now and I will be getting all pale and whatnot as soon as winter sets in so it's perfect for me. It contains 'skin-brightening' vitamin C complex and shae butter. I have tried this on my face and it does give you a healthy glow so I'm really happy with this. I'll do a full review once I've used it a few times, however my first impression is a very positive one. I don't like to wear heavy foundation so this product is a great addition to the box.

Garnier Skin Naturals Miracle Skin Cream: RRP $19.95
We received the full size of this product. It doesn't say so but I think this may be a moituriser. It claims to reduce wrinkles, dark spots and dehydration and to illuminate. It looks like a cream when you put it on but turns into a skin colour once you start to rub it in (see swatches at the end of the post). This is apparantly due to the 'micro pigments' which adjust to match your skin colour. The skeptic in me says yeah right, however whatever the cause of the colour, it is a great match for me so I'm very pleased to have this. I was just about to go on the hunt for a tinted moisturiser so this is great timing. It is also affordable as you don't need to use much and it's a 50ml tube. Unlike the Lancome serum, this is a product I could see myself purchasing. I plan on trying to source another one in a facebook swap, sell, buy group.


Neutrogena Makeup Remover Cleansing Towelettes: RRP $3.99 (7 towelettes)
Recieved full size. Who doesn't use makeup wipes? I have to use water proof mascara to help hold a 100% artificial curl (no natural curl for me I'm afraid) and it is always difficult to remove so I am always happy to receive makeup wipes. I have also heard these ones being toted as the best so I'm glad to give them a go. Having said that, this item (along with the razor) are not items I would expect to see in a self-proclaimed high end service. 


The swatches

top: garnier skin miracle cream, bottom: rimmel BB cream. Both are blended out to the right hand side.

My thoughts. . . . 
We have again received a great value box. While not their most exciting box, it is probably the most practical box I have recieved from them to date. I will use most of the items in the box, and the ones I don't use I am hoping to swap for more of the ones I will (fingers crossed). The fact there is only 1 actual high end product in the box is a bit disappointing. I live in a small town in Tasmania, therefore I don't have access to high end samples as a matter of course and I do enjoy the feeling of 'luxury' you get when you use more expensive products. Having said that, I am still very happy with this box. It contained a few items I was actually going to source so it has saved me that hassle (not to mention the extra cash). I'm excited to get into it. 

If you got the box, let me know what you thought of it. I'd love to hear other people's opinions/experiences.

 Would you like to read my unboxing of the Spring and Summer edits?





The Rant

They have taken the payment for this box on the 1st of February. They indicate on the website that they will take payment on the first of the period (I assumed season), which would mean the first of March. When I emailed them about this, they sent me an email saying that this matter had already been resolved following my phone call. There was no phone call, I assume they meant my last issue with them (also taking money unexpectedly for the summer edit). I emailed back and received a patronising explanation of what a subscription service is, and that was it. No offer to return my money to me and no mention of my request for confirmation of the exact date the next payment would be taken. This is ridiculous and, aside from LHI, I believe they have the least helpful customer service of all the Australian subscription services. I have been a member of all except Flora and Fauna and consequently understand what a subscription service is. Also, I'm not an idiot and really don't appreciate being treated as such. Pull your socks up Marie Claire and stop being so condescending, you are not doing your company any favours here.