Shopping My (Sample) Stash

For about six months I was subscribed to both Bellabox and Violet Box as well as receiving the first Marie Claire subscription box. Subscription boxes are a really fun way to discover new beauty. Bellabox provided samples from popular brands and for cult products, while Violet Box truely opened my eyes up to the world of Indie Makeup brands and I discovered some real gems.

However, after six months I've accumulated more samples than one would ever need. I've discontinued both my subscriptions so I actually have a chance to properly try all my samples and hopefully find some new favourites and of course save some money!

I love to organise things so made the most out of this Ikea organiser to have all my samples easily accessible - and I've already discovered a few gems!

 

//Elizabeth Mott It's so BIG Volumizing Mascara [$25.00]
This one came in my last Bellabox and it's definitely a great find! Firstly, I would never have come across the brand if I didn't receive it in my box and secondly its the kind of mascara that's right up my alley - texture that's quite wet, medium sized fibre brush and gives both length and volume.

//KMS California Hair Play Moulding Paste [$31.99]
Now this is a real surprise find because I would never in my life have bought a hair styling product. I wash and brush my hair and that's about it. However, I rub just a little bit between my fingers and then brush it through my hair when its wet adding texture and volume - kind of like a 'beach waves' look. This sample was from a Violet Box way back!

//Camille Beckman Glycerine Hand Therapy [$18.95 - $21-95]
Best smelling hand cream ever!! My little sample pot has almost run out and I'm so tempted to buy a full size as it adds so much moisture to my lizard hands! Another great find from Violet Box.

I've linked below some of my subscription box reviews if you're interested - and a heads up, I would definitely give Violet Box ago if you are a beauty lover who already has a large stash.

September Violet Box

July Violet Box

Bellabox - September, August, July, June

xx Catherine

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September Violet Box

Violet Box is an Australian beauty subscription service and for $22.95 a month you receive 5-6 beauty products to sample.

// Scandalous Fabulously Flirty Dry Shampoo: $16.95

As I said in my Bellabox review, I love receiving hair products to try in my subscription boxes and I also can't live without dry shampoo so I'm interested to see how this one from Scandalous compares to my favourite Batiste dry shampoo.

// Foltene Nail Treatment: $29.95

We received another product from Foltene last month which I haven't really used but I definitely will be reaching for this nail treatment as my nails are naturally frail and brittle. I am also re-growing my nails after a very stressful couple of months have meant I've picked up my old habits of nail biting. I'm really excited to see how this improves the quality of my nails.

// Girlactik Eyeshadow: $23.00

I received the shade 'Pink Ruffle'. The pigmentation of this eyeshadow is crazy! A beautiful iridescent, pearly light pink and I think this will look gorgeous as an inner corner highlight or all over the lid - especially layered over the Maybelline Colour Tattoo in 'Inked in Pink'. I see a lot of looks using this shadow and I'm really excited to play with it.

// Starlooks Ultra Olive Gem Pencil $21.50

I have really been enjoying using pencil liner lately and smudging it along the lash line so I'm really excited to play with this liner especially as it is such a gorgeous olive green. The product itself is super creamy and glides on the skin as well as having gold glitter throughout. Definitely a colour I wouldn't have picked out for myself in a liner but I'm surprised at how much I like it!

// Polished London Nail Enamel $8.00

I received the shade 'Just Dusk'. This is such a gorgeous shade, such a 'me' colour and I really don't have anything like it in my collection! I will definitely be wearing this shade throughout spring.

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Another 5/5 box I received this month! Each item is something I'm really excited about and all the shades I got of the products are so beautiful. The value of this box was $99.40 which is so impressive, especially considering each of the 5 items was full size.

Violet Box really impresses me every single month and I definitely believe it is the best box on the Australian market. For only $8 more than Bellabox you always receive pretty much double the value and really exciting brands.This really is a subscription box for beauty addicts who already have a big collection.

Thinking of subscribing to Violet Box? Check out my review of previous boxes I've received:

Violet Box July Review

xx Catherine

P.S. I am really sorry about the photo quality being less than my usual standard. I don't have access to my DSLR at the moment. Will be back to regular photo quality in my next post :)

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July Violet Box

After absolutely loving my experience with my first subscription box in June, I decided to subscribe to another service so I could continue to receive new products to try that I wouldn't necessarily pick up myself. I decided to subscribe to Violet Box - another Australian beauty subscription service. I chose Violet Box because the price, which is around $22 a month, as well as hearing really positive reviews from other bloggers. Here's what I received in my first Violet Box:

//Skin & Co Truffle Therapy Serum
Suffering from really dry skin lately I was really excited to see this sample included. This is a great sample size so I will be able to get some good use out of it! The full size of this product is quite expensive and I really love trying out higher end skincare in subscription boxes so this is a fantastic inclusion!

//Sukin Skin Purifying Facial Mask
If you read my recent review of the July Bellabox you will know I love receiving face masks in my subscription boxes so I was really happy with this inclusion. I also love Sukin as a brand, so I can't wait to try these and possibly buy the full size. The mask itself is supposed to draw out the dirt and grime from your pores whilst nourishing the skin- something I definitely need!

//KMS California Hair Play Molding Paste
This product gives texture and definition to your hair and is quite a thick. I have absolutely no idea about styling products because my hair is dead straight and behaves on its own but I'm quite interested to see how this works. I don't see this product really suiting me, because of my fine hair but I can definitely pass it on to one of my many curly-haired family members or friends.

//Laqa&Co Sheer Lip Lube
For a 'sheer' lip product this definitely packs a punch. The colour is vibrant, pigmented and the product itself feels gorgeous and moisturising on the lips. It's also a twist up pencil which is a must have for me when it comes to lip products - sharpening is just too messy! Unfortunately the colour is so unflattering on me. Because I'm fairly pale, blue based fushia colours just don't suit me. I really want to make it work otherwise I will pass it on to a tanner friend.

//Dr. Hauschka Lavender Sandalwood Calming Body Wash
I'm not one to use fancy body washes so this product doesn't excite me too much, however, I will definitely get use out of it. I always think a successful inclusion in a subscription box is a product everyone will get use out of no matter what. This does have a gorgeous scent as well so I'm sure to enjoy this in my next shower!

//So Susan Flutter Mascara
I love mascaras and they are one of my favourite beauty items to try so I am so impressed to receive a full size in this months box! I also haven't heard of the brand So Susan before so I am really interested to see how I like this product.

I have to say, the Violet Box website is slightly more difficult to navigate than the Bellabox website and I did also have more difficulty setting up my subscription. Never the less, I received my box to the correct address and within July!

Overall, I was really impressed with the box itself and its contents. The variety was excellent and it is amazing value with two full size beauty items! For an extra $7 than the Bellabox, this is definitely worth the extra value and I also feel Violet Box includes more unique and exciting brands.

I give the July Violet Box 4/5.

xx Catherine