Violet Box December 2014

Morning!

It's coming to the end of a year of boxes!  I have 2 memeboxes on their way to me, but the arrival of my Dec VB marks the end of my subscriptions for the year.  Dec's VB rocked up 2 weeks after my Nov box, just in time for Christmas.

Coastal Scents Go Palette-rrp $16.95-full size

The sneak peek for the month.  Mine's in Cairo, a mix of bronzes, golds and browns (the other option was Beijing).  This is lovely, the packaging feels nice, and they are mostly highly pigmented (a couple of the matte shades aren't the best).  Each pan is tiny, though, but it's a nice way to get a feel for the brand.

Mellow Cosmetics Gel liner-rrp $10-full size

I swatched this thinking i wasn't all that impressed, but it is lovely.  It goes on so smoothly, is highly pigmented, and doesn't come back off in a hurry (i had to scrub the swatch off with a baby wipe, and you can still see traces of it).  The brush that comes with it isn't the best, but that is easily remedied, and this little pot will last for ages.

Naobay Oxygenating Cream Moisturiser-rrp $69-sample size

I wasn't that excited when i saw this, however the sample is 30ml.  Full size is 50ml, making this sample the most expensive item in the box (is it just me, or is it slightly sad when a sample is worth more than anything in a sample box.  Actually this sample is almost worth as much as the other 4 items combined).  It sounds interesting, it claims to double as a makeup base, and suits all skin types.

Designer Brands Lashes-rrp $8.99-full size

More DB!  Gah!  Anyway i've never used false lashes, i might have to change that.  These are latex free, and come with a preglued lash strip (which has people excited?)

Lonvitalite 24K Active Gold Yulan Oil Face Mask-rrp $9.95-full size

I think this has now made the rounds of all the boxes, i already have this in my mask collection (plus the matching eye masks) from LHI.

Mellow Liner

Coastal Scents swatches

All in all it isn't the most exciting box i've received from VB, however it will all get used eventually.

Have you received yours yet?

Redpawpaw December 2014

Morning Lovelies!

My RPP box rocked up on Tuesday, about 10 minutes before my parents, so i'm a bit late posting this (sorry).  It's another excellent box, although not the slightest bit christmas-y (which is a shame).

Seven Sundays Nutty Muesli-$6.92
Up and Go-$1.64
Be Natural Nut Delight-$5.67

Praise zero fat dressing-$3.29
Snapple-$2.96
IXL jam-$3.29
French's Yellow Mustard-$2.92

Tim Tam Salted Caramel-$2.08 (x2)
Mount Franklin Lightly Sparkling-$1.65 (x2)

Total=$34.15

All in all it isn't the most expensive RPP known to mankind, however we will use everything in this box (and already have had a few of the things).

What do you think?

Violet Box November 2014

Morning lovelies!

November's VB is finally in my hands!  They had a delay on a product rocking up, so shipping was delayed.  However they kept us in the loop, and it's here.

Plus a sneak peek for next month

For some reason i have been sent 2 boxes, and am waiting on VB to get back to me about it (i mean, i'll happily accept a second box, and pass on what i don't want, but from the sounds of it i'm not the only one who has received a spare box/free box, but i'm the only one to post anything about it on their wall so far.  If it happens to you please let VB know, they aren't rightfully ours, and VB are the best monthly on the aussie market.  Be honest, and hopefully VB will stick around for a while yet).

Bloom Boost Lip Balm Stick-$6.95-full size

These are in popular Boost juice flavours, and what would you know, Watermelon Crushes are one of my very favourites (It comes a very close second to Lemon Crushes)!  Yay!!  These are lovely on, they feel very buttery and smell delicious.  They contain beeswax, jojoba seed oil and vit e (amongst other things) and are free of nasties.  Plus they're huge and will last quite a while.

'Tini Beauty Eyetine Eye Cordial Eyeshadow+Base ($23) and Swizzle Stick Eyeliner ($23)-full size

My eyeshadow is in Ambrosia and eyeliner in Cognac.  Both apply very smoothly, the eyeshadow especially.  The Ambrosia is a gorgeous purply colour, Cognac is a bronze.  Neither are smudge proof, the eyeliner smudges extremely easily, while the shadow partially stays put (gives you some blending room, i suppose).  Neither live up to the companies claims on my hand, though, so i would be very surprised if they do on my eyes.  Still, they are both very pretty, and will be used.

Colour by TBN Magnetic Nail Polish-$7.99-full size

Mine's a nice silver (not that the photo shows that, sorry).  I thought this trend was over, though?  The nail polish stinks, it really does.  But it has great coverage and is easy to use. 

Clarisea Rapid Detox Charcoal Exfoliant-$18-sample? size

I think this is a sample, however it is quite big for a sample, and will last ages.  This is a powder you add water to, and is supposed to help detox your skin, draw out oil and impurities, whilst helping to kill of acne causing bacteria.  I can't wait to try this!

Z'kin organics sample set

Cleansing gel, Lotion and Serum samples.  They sound interesting, but feel like they only contain enough for 1 use each.   I really don't egt what companies think samples like this do, they only thing it's going to tell me is whether i have a reaction to the products or not, is isn't enough for anything else, and they aren't the cheapest products around.

Ambrosia and Cognac

All in all it was a good box, plenty of new brands and some really nice products.  Bring on the Dec box!

OXX makeup

morning lovelies!

New brand alert!  Has anyone else noticed that Kmart has updated their cosmetics area again?  There are new brands around.

I discovered the brand OXX in 1 of my local Kmart's a month (or so) ago.  They have a range of face, eye, lip and nail products.  Best of all they retail for $2 a piece.

So far i have picked up a nail polish, lipstick, lip crayon and a blush stick.

The nail polishes come in 3 ranges, pastel, glitter and metallic (i think).  This is a really pretty colour, but it is quite thin and peels quickly.  There are a lot of cheap brands with better durability and colour payoff, but there are some fun colours that would be good to play around with.

This is the Blush stick in Pink (by memory there is a peach, tan and maybe an apricot?).  It isn't the best when it comes to colour payoff, but makes a great base for other light blushes.  It goes on nice and smoothly and blends beautifully.

Finally the 2 awesome products i've found.  The lipstick (sorry about the state of it, Master T decided it was awesome face paint) and the lip crayon (one very annoying thing about the brand is there are no colour names on the packaging.  It is on the cardboard it comes in, but once that's gone you have no idea what colour you have).

The lipstick is one of the most moisturising, creamy lipsticks i've found.  It has an amazing colour payoff, it is smooth and silky and leaves a stain on your lips so you are never without colour.

The lip crayon is much the same as the lipstick, not quite so moisturising, but gives off amazing amounts of colour.  It does wear a bit uneven, but for the price is an amazing product.

Blush, lipstick, lip crayon

Look, the packaging is on the cheap side, however it stays on and doesn't seem to break easily.  There is no real scent to any of the products (bar the nail polish).  It can be annoying looking through the products, you can't try before you buy and i hate not knowing what colours i have.  But at $2 a piece you can't go wrong, and the lip products rival products that cost a hell of a lot more.

Has anyone else tried OXX?  What do you think?

Memebox Princess Edition #6 Cinderella

Hi!

After a couple of months waiting, and just over a week watching for the parcel lady, my Cinderella Memebox arrived!  Out of the 3 princess boxes that were released in the second round this one sounded like it was going to be the most interesting (there was also a Little mermaid box which was all ocean related items and a Tinkerbell box-glitter/shimmer), and it doesn't disappoint.

Look at how full it is!  Aussie boxes take note, this was $23 USD (plus shipping), and is amazingly valued.

L'Ocean Eclaire Color-blast lip cream with matte finish-$29-full size

This is bright, super dooper bright.  But it is a colour i wold pick out myself so i'm happy.  It's supposed to be moisturising, waterproof and long lasting (it left a stain on my hand after swatching, it was only on for a minute).  I can see myself wearing this to death. (you could have received either #01 Rhodes or #06 Santorini.  This is #06)

Color World setting powder-$24-full size

This is said to be smooth and soft, and can be worn over makeup or as a stand alone product.  Without trying it i can't say much more (randomly selected from Orange or lavender, i received orange)

L'Ocean Eclaire color-blast blusher-$32-full size

In Santorini Coral.  This came in 2 parts, the blush pan and the palette.  I've read a few reviews of the box and every blogger has been complaining how hard it was to get the pan in (tip, read the back of the palette box, one end pulls out so you can slide the pan in).  It seems a little chalky in swatches, but time will tell if it is the same on my face.

Tonymoly BCDation all master-sample size

The only sample size of the box, and it's still a 20ml tube.  This is a primer, bb, cc and a foundation all in one.  This sounds really interesting, it's supposed to help balance out your skintone, lift, moisturise etc.  Full size $24

Ladykin At the party long and perm mascara-$10-full size

This has one of those funny ball brushes.  It's supposed to help create volume and curl.  Again it's something i'll have to try out (watch this space for reviews)

Anis double act curling essence-$6-full size

This moisturises and helps hold style.  Sounds different.  It has grape seed oil and other natural moisturises.

Macqueen concealer dual veil-$14-full size

One end is a cover stick, the other a liquid concealer.  This was randomly selected from #21 and #23, this is #21 and it works for me.

Coverstick/liquid, lip cream, blush, setting powder, BCDation cream across the top

All up, in full size products alone, the box was worth $115!  I will be able to use everything, so i'm excited. 

Memebox have different boxes available at different times, whilst this one is no longer available, there are others constantly being released.  Visit Memebox to find out more.

Priceline 40% Cosmetics!

Starts Tomorrow!!

If there is anything makeup that you have had an eye on, now is the time to buy!  They're being a bit cagey about it, but these sales normally run for 2 days, so get your skates on and make the most of the sale.

Redpawpaw November 2014

Morning all!

First things first, this is my 100 post!!!  Thank you for sticking around the last month, i know i've been a horrible blogger, we've had a tonne of bugs go around the family and if i wasn't sick, i've been dealing with someone who was.

Secondly, it's Redpawpaw time again!!  There was a facebook message on their wall yesterday saying boxes were starting to be shipped today, so imagine my surprise when my parcel lady just rocked up with my box!!  Thanks RPP!

Look how full it is!

Vege Chips Popped-Cheese, lightly salted and lime chilli-99c each   These were the sneak peek for the month, i expected 1 flavour, but we have a sample size of each.

Peckish Rice Snackers-$2.30
White Wings Rich Chocolate Fondant-$6.44 (can't find the exact one online, so went off the other cafe creations)
White Wings Pancakes Apple Cinnamon-$5.48  This is a repeat for me, but i loved them the first time around and am happy to have them again

All Bran Apple Crunch-$6.13 (again, i can't find it online.  It exists, but not available online shopping.  price is for the same size box of traditional all bran)
Paul Newman's Own Light Ranch-$4.72
Cascade Lemon Lime and Bitters-$1.07
Goulburn Valley 2 fruits-$2.14
Imperial Leather Flirtatious body wash-57c
Maille  A l'Ancienne mustard-53c

Total=$32.35

Not as high a value as previous boxes, and no big ticket item, however i like the box.  We will use everything in it, and there are plenty of new products that i've never tried (and some i've never heard of) which is the whole idea of buying the box. 

What do you think?

Violet Box October 2014

Hi all,

I'm Back!  Sorry for the lack of communication for the last couple of weeks, we've been a sick household.

My Violet box rocked up this morning!  They were claiming it was an 'all about lips' box, but i'll let you make up your mind about that.

Haughty Cosmetics Lipgloss-$23

This was the sneak peek for the month.  It's supposed to look like a lipstick but feel like a balm, with a lipgloss shine.  It smells divine, like chocco-mint-vanilla!  It's all natural, and for each one purchased they donate 50% of the proceeds to domestic violence.  Mine's Pull It Together, a plummy-pink.

Designer Brands Lipstick-$9.99

Mine's Pink Rouge.  For those outside Australia, DB is a cheap brand.  It's ok quality, but nothing to write home about.  I'm not overly impressed finding it in my VB.  This is supposed to be moisturising, blah, blah, blah.  It's a lightish pink, and i'm not sure if i can pull it off yet, so it may be going to my mum.

Designer Brands Lip Pencil-$4.99

More of it!  At least i'll use this colour (Fuchsia Rose).  But it's still DB!  They send out full sized eyeliners for free, FGS!

Wotnots Wipes-$1.95

Yep, you're seeing correctly, VB have included Wotnots wipes yet again.  They even have a price for a 5 pack now.   This brand has been done to death, they send out samples themselves, and all the boxes have included them multiple times.  Enough already!  When they bring out something new, send it out, until then let it die a quiet death.

PHR Leave-in moisturiser

Yep, a sachet sample.  Meh.  It sounds interesting, but i won't use it all at once, and storing it once opened is a PITA.  Brands, take this on board, If Arbonne can do their samples in little tubes, so can you.  You're not winning anyone over with these.

Eslor Introductory Set

As above.  These are fairly expensive full sized (the day cream selling for $85), but there may be 2 days use in these, they are annoying to use and i'm not going to base a big purchase off a sample this size.

Haughty cosmetics, DB lipstick, DB lip pencil

As you can probably tell, i'm not overly impressed with the box.  We've gone from a box of all full size, to a box with mainly samples.  I can't wait to try out the Haughty lipgloss, the DB stuff will probably get used, the others are meh!  I'd expect this type of box from the other big 2, it feels like there hasn't been a whole lot of thought put in to most of it, and i don't know how you can call it 'all about lips'.

Oh well, can't win them all.

What do you think?

RedPawPaw October 2014

Morning lovelies!

I'm Home!  Spent a lovely week away catching up with our families and friends.  I had a shipping notification for my RPP box on Wednesday, and expected to find a card for it in my letterbox.  But a very naughty delivery person had thrown it over my front gate (it was locked, it's the only way in to our yard)!  Luckily it's unscathed.

Redpawpaw is a grocery subscription box, $5 plus postage (postage depends on where you live, i pay $12, so $17 all up) for a box that is worth $30+.  I know last month i had someone comment that i didn't go in to the price and politics of the box, as with any of the boxes on the market you need to do your research to see if the box is a fit for you.  Look at my past reviews, i have bought every RPP box they've put out (this is number 5), plus i've had things to say when they changed the box up.   If you think it suits you, then go for it, if it doesn't then don't.  But i write these mainly to give people an idea of what is in the box i receive, and roughly how much it is worth (i don't use sale prices, i use the full price Woolworths online have).

My Box!!  I must admit, i like the fact that the consumables are separated from the cleaning products. 

Kellogg's All Bran Muesli-RRP $5.50-full size
Vetta High Fibre Spirals-RRP $2.15-full size
Be Natural 4 bars-RRP $4.40-full size
Dolmio Pasta Bake sauce-RRP $4.07-full size  I love that RPP have sent out meals the last 2 boxes, so pasta and sauce.  Means when you go to make it you have everything on hand.

Schweppes Dry-RRP $6.22-sample size $1.55  I honestly thought this was alcoholic at first glance :p
Masterfoods Perfect for Chicken-RRP $2.74-full size
Lipton Yellow Label tea 10 pack-RRP $1.60-full size
Lipton Passion Raspberry tea-RRP $4.17-full size
Finish Power & Pure-RRP $17.08-full size

Total=$43.26

This box is perfect for us, we will use everything out of it.  However i don't think it's the best box RPP have done.  Sending out a dishwasher product as the main item is risky unless you are ensuring that it is only sent to people who own a dishwasher.  I'd be peeved if i had received the box and didn't own one, without that product the box is worth under $30, and i can see there will be complaints over it (we use our dishwasher daily, so it's the perfect thing for us).

Have you got your RPP box yet?  Is it the same or different?