Thursday, July 30, 2015

Violet Box June 2015

Morning lovelies!

This is probably the latest i've ever posted a VB review, for some reason my account was cancelled (even though there is no record of me wanting it cancelled) so i've only had my box for a week.  Once i contacted VB and they realised, though, it was sent ASAP.

June was birthday month for VB!  2 years since the first ever box.  So we had an extra special item in our boxes.

It's also a makeup centric box.  No complaints here, although i did read some about the amount of lip products in the box.
Gascoigne and King travel candle-$25-full size

This was our special present.  It's in the scent 'Love Vanilla' which is a blend of vanilla, tonka bean and hazelnut.  It doesn't smell overly vanilla-y to me, instead it smells like caramel (those jersey caramel lollies, to be specific).  Whatever it is it smells heavenly.  Gascoigne and King is a Sydney based brand, who focus on high quality, environmentally friendly products.  Their candles use natural scents and soy wax (although i had to read the bottom of the candle to find that out, there was no info like that on their website).  It really is a beautiful candle.
Jing Ai Velvet Shine Jewel Lip Crayon-$29-Full size

I seem to remember these have been in another box, maybe Bellabox?  This is in the colour Pink-A-Boo, which is a really bright, barbie style pink.  Initially i wasn't overly impressed (i love bright pinks, but this is so creamy that it's a bit shocking), but it settles down after a few minutes to a slightly darker pink, and becomes much more wearable.  Jing Ai is an American company and focus on being as environmentally friendly as possible.  From their website:

"Donna Cristino is the founder of Jing Ai, which means Pure Love in Mandarin Chinese.  Jing Ai is an eco – chic beauty brand inspired by timeless memories of the pure love received from her grandmother Rose who died of breast cancer.  The products are  named after different types of roses from around the world.  Every Jing Ai product is formulated with the finest-possible USDA certified- organic ingredients including botanical and flower oils, natural mineral pigments, coconut oil and is 100% Gluten & Cruelty free.  Every product is packed with high  concentrations of proprietary signature compounds made from certified- organic grape seed oil, sunflower oil and rose oil;  the two for superb antioxidant/anti-inflammatory/anti-aging properties and the other – the “Elixir of Youth” – for its rich multivitamins, Omega  3s and Omega 6s that heal and regenerate. 

Jing Ai loves the Earth.  We have worked  very hard to make sure that all of our containers, pencils and tubes are made with recyclable materials; and all our paperboard components and packaging either meets SFI standards or is up to 100% recycled – with up to 95% post-consumer content.  Comprised of natural fibers,  paperboard is recyclable, biodegradable and compostable.   We print with soy ink.  All our products and packaging are made in the USA  and we are endorsed by the leapingbunny.org."

I would love to see more from the brand in future boxes (hint hint VB)
Starlooks Lip Gloss-$14-sample size

My god is this cute!  It's so small.  It's in the colour 'Cuddle', which doesn't appear to be on the Starlooks website (which isn't particularly abnormal, we've had other items from Starlooks that haven't been on the website), but it has been in Ipsy bags in the past.  Cuddle is a pretty, sheer, shimmery pink-gold.  It's supposedly not sticky, which is stretching it a bit (it's not the worst ever, but it is a bit tacky) and smells vanilla-y.  Like any lipgloss, it lasts until you have something to eat or drink, however it is quite moisturising.  It doesn't add a tonne of colour to your lips, but is great when you just want 'something' on your lips, and don't want anything high maintenance.  And it's the perfect size to chuck in your pocket for touch ups.
I was trying to work out how to show you just how small it was, the lighter is a full size Bic lighter.  As you can see the lipgloss is tiny.
Mullein and Sparrow Tinted Lip and Cheek Balm-$10-travel size

I've adjusted the price of this.  VB have it at $22 for the full size, but the website sell the travel size (which is what i assume this is, it weighs roughly the same) for $10.  This is a natural, multipurpose balm, that is supposed to give a slight tint to lips and cheeks.  Now this is very lightly tinted.  It smells of jaffas (it has both orange and patchouli oils) and contains organic oils and butters (Helianthus annuus (sunflower) oil*, Olea europaea (extra virgin olive) oil*, Vitellaria paradoxa (shea) butter*, Euphorbia cerifera (candelilla wax)*, Theobroma cacao (cocoa) butter*, Batschia canescens (alkanet root)*, Copernicia prunifera (Carnauba wax)*, essential oils of: Pogostemon cablin (patchouli)*, Citrus sinensis (orange)*
* Organic).  I'm not sure if i'd ever use this as a cheek product, i just don't think it's pigmented enough, and being oily it's not something i'd want to add large quantities of to my cheeks, but i think as a quick lip picker-upperer, it's perfect.
Doucce Ultra Precision Eye Liner-$30-full size

More Doucce!  This eyeliner isn't the blackest of black, however it's buttery smooth, and once set lasts a decent period of time (i had to use eye makeup remover to take it off at the end of the day).  You do have to sharpen this particular pencil, though.  So far i've loved everything from Doucce!
Jing Ai lip crayon, Doucce eyeliner, Starlooks lipgloss, Mullein and Sparrow lip and cheek tint
In total the box is worth $94, not including the Starlooks lipgloss, which is huge for a monthly box.  There are 3 new brands, and 2 new products from old brands, plus 4 of the 5 products are makeup (i know, mainly lip products, which doesn't bother me).

Another big win VB for me, as i'll use everything in it.

Happy Belated Birthday Violet Box!

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