Lust Have It March 2016

Afternoon Lovelies!!

Can you believe this is the 3rd LHI bag of the year?  Or the fact we're almost 3 months in to 2016?  I can't believe Master T turns 3 next weekend, and Hubby turns 30 the day after (which makes my 30th 5ish weeks away!).  My little baby is growing up too quickly!!

I was surprised my LHI bag rocked up today, it was sent thursday, and with the Easter long weekend it made brilliant time.

Back to pink :(  The light is terrible here today, so the photos aren't the best quality (sorry).

Be a Bombshell Mechanical Eyeliner-$20-full size

Black eyeliner.  Blah!  I saw someone else with a purple one, which would have been lovely.  It goes on fairly smoothly, but isn't the most pigmented eyeliner out there.  It seems to have some staying power, however when rubbed after first application it does smudge.

Ruby EyeShadow Blending Brush-$22.40-full size

I'd hate to get a sample size brush :D  This is a 100% natural hair brush (so not for the vegans among us), is lovely and soft, and whilst not the densest brush it feels like it'll do a good job.  I love getting brushes in boxes, and tools in general.  You always need more brushes!

Sebamed Liquid Face and Body Wash-$14.95-sample size

This smells, funny.  It almost smells like cheap body wash that you get in a hotel room.  It has lots of stuff to help protect skin from dehydration, blah,blah, blah.  I can't see myself putting it on my face, i'll give it a go on my body.  But, yeah, not something i can see myself buying in the future.

Jersey Shore Cosmetics Anti Aging Whole Body Balm-$20-full size

First things first, i can't get past the company name!  I honestly would avoid this like the plague for the name alone.  Secondly, the price is quite different on their online store-$30USD, so $39.74AUD!  Thirdly, this is tiny!  It's the size of a lip balm tube, and it's a full size (there's a bigger size available online, but this is a legit size).  But, after all that, it sounds decent.  It has argan oil, coconut oil, cocoa butter, castor oil, jojoba oil, Vit e etc.  It has a light geranium/coconut fragrance and it isn't greasy (in small doses, i'm not sure in bigger amounts).  I'm wondering how it'd go as a cuticle balm.  And the size is perfect for on the go.

Glazel Visage Single Matte Eyeshadow-$15-full size

Now, here's a new, interesting brand!  By the sounds of it it's a European brand (it's a bit hard to find info on, and the page LHI offer when you try to translate it takes you to wikipedia), and it looks like it's a professional brand, for beauty salons etc. And after swatching this eyeshadow i'd believe it.  It is buttery soft, and one swipe was so pigmented it wasn't funny.  I have a gorgeous teal-y green, which i love.  And it is matte matte.

My camera died before i got swatch pics, so watch this space for those.

But, all in all, it was a great bag.  4 new brands (i don't think sebamed have been in a box before), 1 brand we all know.  And 4 full sizes, which if you go off LHI's prices are valued at $77.40 (and around $97 if you go off the actual brands valuations), so it was well worth buying.

All in all March has been a brilliant box month!

Any news i need to know?  Any new products that you think are great?

test......

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Marie Claire's The Parcel-Autumn Edit

Evening Lovelies!!

My Autumn parcel rocked up today!!  Yesterday was a public holiday here, so it took a bit longer than others, but it's here.

I do love the outer slip covers on the parcel boxes.  They help brighten things up, and they make them very recognisable.

It looks emptier than the last couple :(  However all bar 1 product is full size.

MOR Emporium classics triple-milled soap in blood orange-$19.95-full size

$19.95-for soap?!?!  I can get Lush cheaper.  This smells lovely, and i like MOR as a brand, but that price tag!

OPI Nail Lacquer-$19.95-full size

Mine's Pedal Faster Suzi! a pretty dusty pink with shimmer.  I know OPI is loved by many, but i'm not one of them.  Every time i've tried something from the brand i have chipped within a couple of hours, and by 24 hours i may as well have not painted them at all.  I'll give this one a go, but i'm not holding my breathe.

Garnier Micellar Cleansing Water-$6.95-full size

Meh!  Blah!  This is #4 in the queue (i'm currently using a korean cleansing oil to remove my makeup, and have 3 other bottles of micellar water).  I don't mind micellar waters, i just have an over supply.

CROP Natural Pure Macadamia Oil-$18-full size

Now this i like.  It's a multipurpose oil, for your hair, body, face, nails, cleanser, moisturiser etc.  It appears to absorb easily, it doesn't have a scent, and comes in an easy to use pump bottle (which should help with oxidation).  I'm excited to give this a good try out.

Estêe Lauder New Dimension Shape + Fill Expert Serum-$140-sample size ($18.67)

Wow!  This is supposed to plump and lift your jawline and cheeks.  Fan-cy!  I don't think i'm their target audience, not at 29 (30's still 7ish weeks away, let me live my fantasy that i'm not THAT old).  However i'm willing to try it :p

Gilded Cage Unleashed Lipstick-$40-full size

Whoop Whoop!!  Lipstick!  I love a good lipstick.  There were 3 colours available, a red, a red-orange and a mauve-y brown, surprisingly i was gunning for the last (as were a lot of other bloggers).  And i received it!  It's 107, described on the website as a "Soft sheer pearlescent neutral mauve", and it's a limited edition!!  It's nice and sheer, and will make a brilliant every day shade (although i think fuschia is an every day colour), especially now it's autumn. 

Crappy swatch pic sorry, i couldn't get a better one

Even though the box seemed relatively empty, the contents are worth $120-ish, which is amazing!  Plus there are some brand new brands to explore.

Can The Parcel do anything wrong?

Lust Have It Feb 2016

Morning lovelies!

After a busy couple of weeks i'm finally finding the time to sit down and write this!  Between a surprise visit from my parents, a child home from school for a week with some strange bug, and not being 100% myself, blogging has been the last thing on my mind.

My LHI box rocked up almost 2 weeks ago, on the 1st of March (i should have had it the 29th of Feb, but Aust Post stuffed up).  It's a fairly packed bag compared to a normal bag, which is nice.

Also, red bag!  Perfect for valentines day (next year :p)

Be a Bombshell Mascara-$21-full size

I don't quite know what to make of this.  Be a Bombshell is one of those brands that rocks up regularly (at least they did in Violet Box), and whilst there is nothing overly wrong with their products, they definitely aren't worth what they charge.  But (like my beloved Essence) i've heard terrible things about their mascaras (BaB rocks up in overseas bags regularly, too).  I currently have a back log of mascaras, so i'll give it a go, but i'm not expecting brilliant things.

Mellow Cosmetics Matte Lipstick-$18-full size

MELLOW!!!  You could either receive a lipstick or blush this month, and i'm so happy i got the lipstick (i have a blush from a VB).  It's in the colour Candy Floss (i've seen a couple of variants, this, a nude and a red/orange) which is the perfect colour for me (although it's caused a few grumbles from other subscribers).  It's a bright blue based candy pink, and it smells like sugary vanilla (it's named perfectly).  It goes on smoothly, it has an amazing colour payoff, and it lasts forever.  It's not what i'd call a true matte, it's more of a satin-y matte, which means it doesn't dry your lips out terribly and makes it really comfortable to wear.  I LOVE it!!

Lanolips Golden Ointment-$28.95-full size

Lanolips!!  Love Lanolips.  This is another variant, there was also a hand balm as well.  But i really like Golden ointment.  It's a mix of lanolin, manuka honey and vit e, so it's perfect for really dry skin, head to toe.  It's really sticky, which can be annoying (best used just before bed), but it does such an amazing job i'm willing to overlook that.  I already have the travel tin (which is the perfect size for lipbalm) and the tube is great for all those other uses.

The Body Shop Vit E Moisture cream ($24.95), Oils of Life Intensely Revitalising Facial Oil ($24.95) and Indian Summer EDT ($36.95)-sample sizes

I haven't tried either of the moisturisers, but the EDT isn't my style (i'm currently wearing Red Musk from the body shop, and i love it).  I really like seeing Body Shop in a box, though.  It's one of those brands that a lot of people talk about, but not everyone has easy access to (oh, most people probably have access to a BSAH consultant, but it isn't the same as walking in to a store), so it gives more people a chance to test out some things for themselves (in saying that last time i was in my local store i got a card with a sample of the facial oil and the corresponding night cream, so if you're interested samples are available).  And i love that they're not teeny tiny sachet samples, you get to give them a good try.

Garnier Fructis Full and Luscious-$5.95-sample size

Meh!  They'll get used, and i think they were classed as a bonus, but it's not something i'm overly excited about.

Mellow Lipstick

In full size products alone my box it worth almost $70!  Which is huge.  And i'll use everything.

I'll be back, my Parcel should be here any day now, so watch this space!!

Madam Glam

Morning Lovelies!!



Last November i was contacted by the beautiful Mihaela from Madam Glam, wondering if i'd be interested in reviewing some products from the brand.  I'm going to be completely honest, and say that i had never heard of them, but after a quick search i discovered an amazing website filled with absolutely gorgeous products.

Madam Glam is a makeup and nail polish brand from New York!  They do nail polishes, both gel and normal, plus a small range of makeup.  Everything is cruelty free (so never tested on animals) and the polishes are all 5 free.  They ship internationally, $8.95USD or free for orders over $80.

Mihaela and i had a bit of a chat about products, and what colours i normally go for, and i then promptly forgot about it.  So i was so surprised to receive a little parcel all the way from New York (i think it was more exciting as it was from New York!!).  The products themselves were individually bubble wrapped, with more bubble wrap in the box (they were in a little black box, then in the mailer).  Everything arrived in perfect condition, and i loved the amount of detail that went in to the packaging.  We all know how things can arrive when sent within Australia, so knowing that that amount of care is taken reassures me that anything i order will arrive in perfect condition.

I received 4 products, a blush, a lipstick, an eyeshadow and a nail polish.  I love that the 4 all suit, so a look can be created from these 4 products alone.

First and foremost, i have a Classic Matte Lipstick in Metro Red.  It's a gorgeous blue toned red, and isn't a matte matte (nor is it a satin, it's between the 2) which makes it extremely comfortable to wear.  It tugs a bit as you apply it, but i've found that with any matte lipstick.  It goes on slightly sheer, but is buildable, so you can go for a wash of colour, or a bold lip (you know me, i love a bold lip.  But i love that i can wear this anywhere).  After applying first thing in the morning i find i still have to remove my lipstick last thing of a night, although it does become more of a stain as the day wears on. 

The tube is a matte black oval tube, with the logo on the lid and the product name on a sticker on the base.  The size of the tube belies how much product it contains, an Essence lipstick contains less, but the tube is over 1cm bigger.  The size makes it perfect for carrying in your bag, plus i haven't had the matte black pick up any gunk (as matte black packing tends to).

They retail for $15.95USD, and they contain 4.5g of lipstick.

Then we have a Mineral eyeshadow in Razz Berry.  Now let me tell you all the things i love about this.

Firstly, i love this type of packaging for eyeshadows.  There's no searching for a brush, you don't end up with a heap of fallout, they're easy to store, they're easy to travel with.  I'm not a massive eyeshadow user, but i tend to reach for this type before anything else.  I am interested to see how accessible the product is when it's almost finished, though (i've had issues with this type of thing in the past, great to begin with, not so brilliant at the end).

Secondly, i love the colour.  I used to wear metallic purple shimmer powder as a young teen (and metallic purple lipstick, and glitter, and stars.............  I thought i looked gorgeous!), and this is a toned down, grown up version.  It's a gorgeous luminous lilac, with a bit of a sheen and some subtle shimmer.  It's not completely 'in your face', but it definitely appeals to 13 y/o Olivia (in a way that her almost 30 y/o self can get away with).

Now these little beauties are fragrance free, allergen free, paraben free, gluten (?) free, and they're mineral makeup.  They blend out beautifully for a sheer wash, or pack a punch when built up.  Again, if you're in to touching up throughout the day, the packaging is perfect for chucking in your handbag (unless it's my lipcolour i don't touch my makeup up during the day, but i know plenty of you do).

These babies sell for $17.95USD, and contain 1g of product.

Now this is the Just a Flirt nail polish.  If you have read this blog EVER, you know what i think of most nail polishes.  They just don't last on my nails!  OPI chips in less than 24 hours, if i get 24 hours out of any brand with out a chip i'm happy.  This i get 2-3 days before it chips, and even then they're so small i can get a few more days before i want it off.  Ah-Maz-Ing!!  Plus the formula.  It's lilac, finding a lilac nail polish that doesn't need a bazillion coats to look even is like finding a needle in a haystack.  This is beautiful in 2, and looks pretty good with 1.  I've pretty much been exclusively wearing this since it arrived, and i'm still not sick of it, plus it's been on Miss A's nails too.

Plus the bottle is wonderful.  Square bottles make storage so much easier.

Madam Glam nail polishes are $10.95USD each!

Last but not least, we have the Powder Blush in Sable.  I am going to be completely honest and tell you this scared the living daylights out of me when i first saw it.  It's so dark!!  I really didn't think i was going to be able to use it.  However, with a very light hand, and plenty of blending, i fell in love.  The Madam Glam blushes are matte, triple milled., and really highly pigmented.  All this meant that with a big fluffy brush i ended up with a beautiful soft flush.  Yes, it's a bit more work than a lighter blush, but no more than my brighter blushes. 

Plus check out that packaging!  I had a play with everything before i looked each one up, and the blush just seemed really bulky for the size of the pan.  So after a bit of investigating i discovered the brush.  And it's a lovely little brush, really soft and no loose hairs!  It works perfectly with the blush.  And with the mirror, it is, again, the perfect on-the-go companion.

The blushes are $15.99USD, and contain 3.1g of product.

Razz Berry eyeshadow, Metro Red lipstick, Sable blush

I really love each and every product i received.  They're all amazing quality, the packaging is to die for, and the products themselves can't be faulted.  I would love some more of the nail polishes and really want to try the gels.

Thank you so much to both Mihaela and Madam Glam for the opportunity to review the brand, and for my lovely products.

For more information or to buy visit Madam Glam

David Jones Deluxe Sampler Tote-February 2016

Hey Lovelies!

I saw a blog post for these the other day, and i don't think my poor husband heard the end of it for the rest of the day.  I love these bags, and i missed the last one :(  There are 2 variants, the Pink and the Purple, after reading the reviews i went for the Pink (it had a product i preferred in it).

The bag!  Blah!  It now has yarn in it (i went to lincraft, not planning to buy anything, and walked away with 11 balls of yarn.  They had this amazing light grey cotton with glitter through it, at only $1.29 a ball.  I went to buy 10, and there were 11 there, so i bought them all.  Now to decide on a pattern.  Poor Husband just rolled his eyes, he's used to my crafty acquisitions.  There's been enough of them).

My purchase to qualify.  Have you ever seen me buy anything else?  The small size has gone up by $1, it's now $5.95 (i bought a big lavender before Christmas to qualify for free shipping on the DJ's website).

These 3 are in every bag.  An Ecoya Midnight Orchid Mini Botanic Jar Candle ($17.95-i love the scent), a Red Earth Colour Lock Nail Colour in Nebula ($18), and A Grown Alchemist Camellia and Geranium Hydrating Cream ($7.80-i've tried this from a previous DJ's tote, and love it.  Very happy to have another).

So Pretty!!

The rest of the items are exclusive to the Pink bag

Blinc Eyeliner ($0.25)-very, very wet.  Rubs off as promised, though.
Lanolips 101 Ointment Multipurpose Balm in Peach ($13.95)-the whole reason i got the Pink bag.  The purple bag had a Burts Bees lipbalm, i'm not a huge fan of their balms, and i absolutely love the Peach lanolips!

The eyeliner.  It's really black.

Red Earth Energising Daytime Moisturiser (Full size $40, the one in the bag is 30ml.  can't seem to find a size for the full size)
Antipodes Hosana H2O Skin-Plumping Serum ($16.33)
Weleda Skin Food ($4.99)

The Aromatherapy Company Naturals Orange and Jasmine Hand and Nail Cream ($17.95) This smells divine!
In Essence Aromatherapy Sleep Easy Pillow Mist ($2)-the second reason i wanted the Pink bag.  I love lavender oil on my pillow at night.

Plus vouchers for Red Earth (20%), Grown (20%), In Essence (25%), Weleda (30%) and Lanolips (BOGO-i plan on using this!).

Total= $99.22 (without including the red earth moisturiser).  So not too far off the supposed value of $130.

All in all i'm happy with the bag.  Most of the brands have been in previous bags, but only 1 repeat product, and not too many similar products (i've had bags that seem like they're all face moisturisers, body washes and body moisturisers), plus not a DJ's product to be seen (i don't necessarily dislike Dj's products, but when they're the main products in the bags it tends to annoy me).  Plus not an OPI polish to be seen!

To see what's in the Purple bag, check out The Beauty in Life

Lust Have It January 2016

Afternoon Lovelies!

I must apologise for the late review, i've been sick (just a nasty cold, but it's been fairly bad).  I've actually had my LHI bag since Monday last week (1/2), and i'm just sitting down to write this now.

Another apology for the terrible photos, it was a horrible, overcast day.

As you can just make out, one of the Skinyoga boxes had broken open.  Gorgeous packaging, but it's probably better posted in a box.

First and foremost i have my Sasy n Savy handcream that was missing from the December box.  And it's in Cherry Blossom!  Lovely handcream, absorbs really quickly, didn't leave any sort of residue, and smells beautiful.

Unani Micellar Water-$22.50-full size

This was the sneak peek.  It almost sounds like a toner, rather than a micellar water.  I don't tend to use much micellar water (i have 2 full sized Swisse ones here, unopened), but i'm interested if it's like a toner.

Hikari Blush-$21-full size 

I got the colour Sunkissed, described as a Warm peach with shimmer.  Warm Peach?  To me it's a sandy champagne-y colour, and isn't really a blush, it's more of a light bronzer or a highlighter.  But it's great for adding a bit of all over warmth to my face.  It's a lovely product, and i love the fact i didn't get something i already have 5-6 of (i may or may not own a few blushes, a lot the same kinds of colour).

Hikari Lip Crayon-$18-full sized

Mine's in Amour, a lovely blue based red.  I've seen 2 other colourways, and i prefer the one i got.  When swatched it feels really nice, and goes on smoothly.

SkinYoga Almond Orange Face Scrub and Sandalwood Saffron Face Mask-$24-deluxe sample

These are in really cute glass bottles, both are dry powders you mix with water.  Seems slightly silly to put them in bottles, for a couple of reasons.  If the contents happen to get a bit of steam or water they could prove to be impossible to get out, and glass in a bathroom?  In something you handle with wet hands?  Seems a bit silly.  Haven't tried them yet, so can't tell you much else, but they don't have a scent when dry.  I was expecting they would.

Hikari Pencil and Blush

All in all i'm really happy with my bag.  I'll use everything, eventually, and i love the colours.

Since it's been so long since i blogged, tell me what i've missed?  What do i need to know about?