Thursday, August 28, 2014

Violet Box August 2014

Finally!!  VB is running late this month, by the sounds of it due to sickness (not that that surprises me, our house has been knocked around by a few different illnesses).  But they finally shipped and i have my box here in my hot little hands!
Woot! 
Evelyn Iona Lipgloss in Val-RRP $20.50-Full Size

This was a sneak peek on the Facebook page.  It's preservative free, hydrating, gluten free and has heaps of ingredients that are certified organic.  I know there were some people who were unimpressed that there was another lip product, but this is a new brand and sounds great.  Val is a pinky-brown, a nice nude-ish colour that will suit almost every one.

Be a Bombshell Eyeshadow Quad in New York City-RRP $22-Full Size

The other sneak peek!  There were 3 colour selections you could receive, this one suits me best.  It contains 4 shades, a matte black, metallic blue-green, pearl and silver.  They are buttery soft and very pigmented, and the packaging is nice and sturdy. 
All Nighter, Tease, Halo, Dancing Queen


Foltene Eyelash Treatment-RRP $20.95-Full Size

This is supposed to restore dry fragile lashes and eyebrows.  It's safe for sensitive eyes and contact wearers, and sounds awesome.  It looks like a mascara, and you apply it twice a day.  Definitely intrigued, and can't wait to give it a go.

Appelles Apothecary Soap-RRP $5.95-Full Size
So it finally appears here.  This has made its way in to LHI, BB and the eco box, and here it is again.  Can't say i'm overly happy to see it again, although they smell amazing. 

Camille Beckman Glycerine Hand Therapy-RRP $18.95-sample size

This smells lovely, and feels lovely on, but it is on the small size and in annoying packaging.  However it will do a few uses before it runs out, and i can't complain, it's the only sample.

So, all in all, this months VB is worth around $70, with 3 brand new brands and only 1 sample size.  VB, in my eyes, is the best box on the Aussie market, and is well worth the money paid. 




Friday, August 15, 2014

Red Paw Paw August 2014

Afternoon all!

Redpawpaw are back in business after a month off, however that month hasn't been without problems.  First and foremost, they are now charging postage for boxes, and that postage depends on where you live.  It means more people can access the boxes, however it makes the box expensive.  I now pay $17 a month, compared to $5, so it was a big jump in cost.  Secondly it is now arriving via Aust Post, which is proving to be slightly problematic (you'll see why in a sec).  I'm not sure what to think about it all, I realise that $5 was extremely cheap to begin with, but also think there should be a standardised cost for everyone (so make it a flat $15, instead of charging each person something different).

This months came with an online subscription to Kare Kard, a $50-odd dollar value.  Unfortunately this subscription only works if you stay subscribed to RPP, so it isn't exactly as great as it was first made out to be (a 12 month sub should be a 12 month sub, without strings attached).





This is the problem i mentioned before.  This is how my box looked, it's torn and smooshed.  Some of the packets are slightly smooshed too, luckily the only thing that has been majorly damaged is a muesli bar, and it's only smooshed in the middle.  But a lot of boxes that i'm seeing online look like this.  No care was taken in the packing, the old boxes had divisions in them so you could separate the big things out, this was all just chucked in to the box.  There is a big bottle of drink in this box, no wonder light weight things came off second best.  It really isn't the best box to send in, and it should have been secured better (our parcel lady told us to take a photo of the damage, she wasn't impressed either).
The Little Brownie Company Triple Choc Fudge Brownies-$6.50 full size-this was the months sneak peak, and i can't wait to make them!
Saxa Sea Salt Flakes-$4.83 full size-these are a repeat item for me.  I love the first lot i got, though, so it will come in handy. 
Vita Weat Lunch Slice-$4.30 full size-The packet is slightly smooshed, but the product doesn't look affected.
Mug Shot Tomato and Herb-$1.51 full size-Hubby is interested in these, they'll make a great work snack. 
Chux Magic Eraser-$4.61 full size-These i love, perfect with little kids
Nescafe Azera Intense-$10.74 full size-The smooth was in the June box, so another repeat-ish product.  That said it will get used.
Nature Valley Crunchy Coconut Chip-99c sample size-This is smooshed, although i think it will still be edible (or i'll completely crush it down, and use it as a topping on ice cream). This is the only sample size product.
Saxa Blue Persian Salt-$5.90 full size-Yawn!  I got the smoked in the May box, so again a repeat product
Lipton Sparkling Iced Tea-$2.74 full size-we've tried this before, and weren't fans
Weight Watchers Jelly with Peaches-$3.75 full size-the kids are interested (at least 1 is)
Mount Franklin Lightly Sparkling Raspberry and Lemon-$2.69 full size-Something just for me!  I love sparkling waters, and flavoured stuff is even better.

Total (minus the kare kard)-$48.56.

So not too bad.  We'll use everything in the box.  It doesn't look as full as other boxes, but then again i was happy we will use everything.

I don't know, i think we'll stick around for a little longer, but only whilst it is worth it.

Oh, and meet Master P!  He's home sick again today (we've had a nasty bug go round this week), and was very excited to be here to help me open the box.  He wants the jelly and to make brownies.

Thursday, August 14, 2014

Lust Have It Haul Part 2

So, I told you all about the first part of my LHI haul.  This is the second part.

I ordered, through LHI, 3 items from the Human Tested range.  LHI farms out the shipping of products to the suppliers if it isn't a LHI product, so my items came directly from Human Tested.  They arrived the day after my parcel from LHI, so around 9 days from ordering (although seeing as they had to have the order sent on from LHI, then pack and send it, i thought they did pretty well).  Everything arrived in a huge box, and there was a brown ' gift'  bag wrapped in bubble wrap inside that.  Really well packed, which is reassuring as i'd ordered things in glass bottles.

Rosehip Oil-$15:  This is a 30ml bottle.  It is a lovely rosehip oil, nice and light, and doesn't smell too heavy (i hate the kosmea RHO, i find it too heavily scented).  Plus it is a dropper bottle, so easy to regulate the amount dispensed.
Miss Chap Coconut lip balm-$9:  Strawberry and Vanilla.  I loved the one of these i received in a LHI box, and can't find it!  So happy to have another one.
Tattoo Salve-ation-$12:  I may or may not have plans for a new tattoo, so i grabbed this in preparation (seeing as i was making an order i thought i'd include it).  It's meant to help healing, and keep the new tatt moist.

Added bonus:
Syringe Cream-($25):  LHI stock the salve as a little slide tin instead of a syringe.  Because the original packaging was no longer available, a free syringe cream was included.  Syringe cream is for the later stages of tattoo healing, and is also great for sunburnt skin and skin that needs a little TLC.

Can i just say how much i LOVE this company!  Everything is natural, it works amazingly well, smells amazing AND is reasonably priced.  Plus the customer service is amazing!!

Check them out on Facebook!!!
Human Tested

Lust Have It Store Haul, Part 1

Morning all!

As you may know, i've recently stopped subscribing to LHI's monthly boxes.  Their customer service leaves a lot to be desired atm, and their boxes aren't exactly at the top of their game.  But due to being a subscriber for over 2 years (plus my glossydots that were converted when LHI took over Glossybox) I had a number of points to use (664 i think i had).

Now, i'm not a fan of LHI's point system, no matter how many points you accumulate you can only take a certain percentage of points off each item, and you have to pay for the rest.  The only time you don't is if they are 100% points items, but they are few and far between.  I managed to use up all bar 1 point, and got over $90 worth for around $25, but i bought a couple of 100% points items.  This post discusses those items, the other brand i bought deserve it's own post, because the brand is completely awesome and deserve the accolades.






First thing i bought was a FAB box.  This is the Nov FAB, and is currently available for 100% points, or $35.  It contains $132 worth of products, so was worth grabbing.





Firstly, the jewellery side.

FAB accessories Aviator Sunglasses ($19.95), XO Necklace ($12.95) and Statement Cuff ($24.95).  They are all nice and sturdy, don't look overly cheap (which is something they could pay attention to, the last few FAB boxes have had cheap and nasty jewellery in them), and are items most people would wear.  I won't be using the sunnies, i'm blind as a bat and just picked up new glasses and a pair of prescription sunnies.  I love the necklace, though, and can see myself wearing the cuff too.





Duri Nail polishes in Voodoo and Black Diamond ($18 each), Modelco Colourbox Eye Shadow in Miami ($28) and Out of Africe Pure Shea Butter ($9.99).  The nail polishes are lovely, the pink isn't quite as shocking as the photo shows (it is definitely a fluoro pink, just not that bright), and the black is opaque in 1 coat.  The modelco is a pretty bronzey-brown, one of those colours that will suit almost everyone, and has a good colour payoff and is nice and soft.  The shea butter is exactly that, shea butter.  Honestly i don't know what LHI expected people to do with this, it's rock hard and very hard to get down to a liquid (i have the same stuff in my lotion making kit, it is hard even when mixed with other substances).  I'll do something with it, though.

Miami swatch




Finally i also grabbed a De Lorenzo Ocean Mist spray ($24.95).  Again 100% points.  This really makes your hair feel like it's been in sea water, if you don't like that then this isn't the product for you.  But it helps define my natural waves (which once brushed normally look like Hermione Granger's in the early movies) and i don't mind the texture.

Postage on this took a week (It 'shipped' the day after i purchased it), and cost $9.95 in shipping.  LHI ship their own items, but other companies ship themselves (so these shipped from LHI, but the rest of my order shipped from the company themselves).

I'll pop up Part 2 in the next 24 hours :) 

Wednesday, August 13, 2014

David Jones Beauty Bag Aug 2014

I'm Back!  New SD card and Master T is healing nicely.

It's that time of the year again, DJ's have released a new look book, and therefore a new beauty bag (For those who aren't aware, a couple of times a year DJ's run a promotion where you buy any full priced beauty product and you are entitled to buy a bag of goodies for $19.95).  I love DJ's beauty bags, they are a great way to find new brands, and are made up of lots of deluxe samples (this one is valued at over $108).  There are 2 variations, usually they are numbered, however i can't see one on any of my packaging (although my receipt says it's tote 1).

To be eligible i grabbed another Dr Bronner's liquid soap, this time in lavender (I bought the rose and peppermint to get the last beauty bag, and the bag itself had a sample size lavender bar soap.  I love the scent).  I use these for almost everything, cleaning my makeup brushes, washing my hands, as a body wash.  I've even used them as a cleanser with no ill effects.  They are organic, use lots of lovely oils (the lavender one has coconut oil, olive oil, hemp oil and jojoba oil) and smell amazing.  A 59ml bottle retails for $4.95, i know it sounds small but a little of this goes a very long way.  But buying one of these qualifies you for the beauty bag.


Then on to the tote itself.  This one is a lovely canvas tote, mine has a Sydney map printed on it.  It's the nicest one i've seen for a while, and will get plenty of use.


It contained a clear plastic zip-up bag (which i haven't taken a photo of) with everything else inside.






Both version 1 and version 2 contains:

Dj's beauty Vit E enriched day cream 60ml (full size 120g rrp $17.95, sample rrp $8.97  )
DJ's Beauty Vit E night cream 60ml (full size 120g rrp $19.95, sample rrp $9.97 ) - mine is not a night cream, mine is a Vit E skin care cream 75ml ( full size 75ml $5.95)
Kosmea 24/7 Youth Boost 3ml (full size 20ml rrp $39.95, sample rrp $5.99)
Molton Brown Orange and Bergamot Body Wash 30ml (full size 300ml rrp $39.00, sample rrp $3.90)
OPI Nail Lacquer 3.75ml (This one is hard to price, but a set of the 4 mini colour top coats sells for $24.95, so 1 would be $6.24)-This is a tint top coat, mine is blue "i can teal you like me", but i also saw a pink in a bag.

Then:

Blinc Mascara 0.7g (full size 6g rrp $35.95, sample rrp approx $4)
Circa Home Pear and Lime mini candle 60g (set of 3 60g minis rrp $29.95, 1 rrp $10)
Crabtree and Evelyn Verbena and Lavender hand therapy 25g ($10)
Kora Organics Sachets (body wash, day/night cream, body lotion)
Laura Mercier Primer 14ml (full size 50ml rrp $45, sample rrp $12.60)
People for Plants Cleanser and Eye makeup remover 30ml (full size 120ml rrp $24.95, sample rrp $6.24)
Philosophy Purity Made Simple 3 in 1 cleanser 30ml (full size 90ml rrp $15, sample rrp $5)

Total : $78.89.

Not quite equal to their claim of over $108, is it?  Unless the kora samples equal over $30 value (somehow i doubt they do), or the bag is included in the final total.

However i'm excited to use the candle (it smells amazing), and to try the Laura Mercier primer, the Blinc (i know it made the rounds of the sample boxes a while ago, but i never received one) and the cleansers.


Sunday, August 3, 2014

Sorry!

I know i've been offline for a little while, and i will be for a little longer.  My SD card has died :(  And my phone is a not-so-smartphone.  Plus Master T has had a little accident (He pulled a freshly made cup of coffee down from the kitchen bench, and whilst he's ok he has a few burns that are going to require follow up appointments).

So I shall be back to the blogosphere in a week or so, to show off some new purchases and some product reviews!