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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September Bellabox 'Beauty Wardrobe with Gritty Pretty'

Another month, another Bellabox! Bellabox is a monthly beauty subscription service and for $15 per month you receive 5-6 beauty items to try. I love receiving my subscription boxes to try products that are new to me, whether its a brand I've never heard of or a product that I normally wouldn't try myself. Unfortunately, this month, subscribers didn't receive their samples in the usual blue and white polka dot box due to a 'wardrobe malfunction'. While I absolutely love the boxes and use them to store my nail polish I'm not overly upset about their absence.

This month's box was the fourth I have received from Bellabox and definitely one of my favourites!

// Sleek Makeup Eye Dust: $9.95

WOW! I was definitely excited to see this included in my box. I have quite a few Sleek products in my collection and I absolutely love their eyeshadows so I can't wait to try this pigment. I received the shade 'Eden' which is a gorgeous dark green shade.

// Salon Tan Professional Face Lotion: $19.99

It may surprise some people but I have never worn a fake tan in my life. In the winter I embrace my pale-ness and in summer I'm lucky that while I lather sunscreen on I still develop a nice natural tan. However, because I do take extra caution with my face and always wear a hat and SPF 50+ my face always ends up being a few shades lighter than my body. This product will be perfect for correcting that difference and something I'm really looking forward to trying.

// Klorane Quinine and Vitamin B Shampoo $1.37

I always love getting hair products in subscription boxes because apart from dry shampoo I never buy hair products! This shampoo smells sort of like men's cologne. It claims to leave your hair looking volumised and glossy as well as strengthening your hair - all things that I need! I think this is a great inclusion because while I know of the brand Klorane, I didn't know they had other products and if I like it I can buy it from Priceline!

// Bioderma Sensibio Mask $7.99

Another product I am so excited to see in my box! I love receiving new masks to try and I have really wanted to try something from Bioderma for ages.

// Gelogic Nail Enamel $9.99

I also love getting nail polishes in my box and I am really into the gel polish at home trend.  This polish doesn't seem to require a top coat so I'm interested to see how 'gel like' it looks. I received a black shade which is a staple in any nail polish collection.

There were two bonus samples this month; sachets of the Garnier Perfect Blur and Revlon Colorstay Foundation.

The September Bellabox is definitely a 5/5 box for me! I am excited about every single product I received in my box and the total value of the box was $49.29 which is incredible! Super happy to receive 3 full sized products.

* All prices stated are in AUD$ and is the value of the sample in the box, used to calculate the overall value of the box.

Thinking of signing up to Bellabox? Check out my reviews of previous boxes:

Bellabox August Review 'Sport Your Style'

Bellabox July Review 'American Beauty'

Bellabox June Review 'Iconic Beauty'

xx Catherine

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August Bellabox 'Sport Your Style'

Bellabox is $15 a month and you receive 5-6 beauty samples (sometimes full sized products!). The August box was the third Bellabox I have received and what I have figured out is that there are actually a few different boxes that get sent out each month, so you may get the same box as someone else, or with a slight difference, or you may get a completely different box altogether. Also I received my box much earlier this month compared to other boxes which was a nice surprise!

// Aveeno Daily Moisturising Lotion
I really enjoy the Aveeno range and already own a full size of their Stress Relief lotion. I think this is a great sample size and I will definitely be popping it in my travel bag which I am carrying a lot lately for overnight stays. While not an overly exciting inclusion, definitely a practical one and I can't look past the fact that it is a product I already love.

// Australian Bush Flower Calm & Clear Mist
This is a fantastic inclusion to this month's box as I definitely need some help to calm down! I have been spraying this on my pillow before I go to sleep and it definitely has a nice relaxing scent. A really unique inclusion to this box and something I wouldn't have tried otherwise. The only annoyance I have with this sample is their are no instructions on the info card or on the packaging itself on where you can spray it - can I use in on my skin? I will never know.

// Coconut Revolution Body Scrub
I am completely obsessed with body scrubs at the moment because my skin is super dry. This scrub smells absolutely AMAZING, lucky I like coconut! Definitely excited to try this out, particularly as it is a brand I've never heard of. Again, this is a good sized sample as well.

// Burt's Bees Radiance Facial Cleanser
So much skincare this month! Whilst I already have two holy grail cleansers that I'm not rushing to turn away from, I really enjoy the Burt's Bees skincare line and will definitely try it out. It seems to be a cream cleanser too, which I prefer. Another good sample size, which is important for skincare if you want a proper gauge of how a product works with your skin.

// Australis Lip and Cheek Combo Creme in Dusk til Dawn
This product definitely added value to this months box being the only full size inclusion this month. I love creme blushes and Australis as a brand as well, so was really excited to see this in my box. While the colours are both really pretty as well as being quite pigmented the texture of these is off. The orange one in particular is really sticky and not smooth and all. As a result these are super hard to blend, especially since its hard to pick up a small amount of colour. The formula actually does work nicely on both the cheeks and lips though so I just feel kind of 'meh' about this product. I have much better creme blushes in my collection so won't reach for this much.

The bonus product this month was a sachet of Palmer's Cocoa Butter. This bores me immensely so I won't bother writing any more about it. I much preferred receiving a sachet of a face mask!

Overall, I am content with this months box and definitely prefer it over last months because I will get use out of everything and there was no double ups from previous boxes. I've seen a lot of negative comments about Bellabox recently, particularly from bloggers and on instagram, however, I am still happy with the service and will definitely continue my subscription. I think the only reason I would stop subscribing if I wasn't using the samples, however, I have definitely used everything (or someone else has) I've received. Also while I've seen other people's boxes that contain products that I would have loved to have seen in my box, I try not to let that impact on how I view my own box.

I give the August Bellabox 4/5.

Thinking of signing up to Bellabox? Check out my reviews of previous boxes:

Bellabox July Review 'American Beauty'

Bellabox June Review 'Iconic Beauty'

Sign up to Bellabox here.
NB: The BB website is being upgraded so not all the regular features are live, including the Bellabox online shop.

xx Catherine

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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

July Bellabox 'American Beauty'

 

I was super excited to receive my second Bellabox in the mail this month particularly as the sneak peeks revealed some very exciting products! Bellabox is $15 a month and you get 5-6 samples as well as full size beauty products. Here's what I got in my box:

//Designer Brands Lip Butter 
I got the coconut flavour in my box and to be honest this product doesn't excite me at all. I have so many lip balms at the moment and this one comes in a little tub so I wont even carry it around in my handbag. I will be passing this one on.

//Nicole by OPI Nail Lacquer in 'You're an Angel'
I was so excited to see this was in my box as it was one of the sneak peek items I was hoping to receive! The colour is a beautiful pink with gold shimmer and something I would definitely wear, particularly coming into spring. I have tried the Nicole by OPI polishes before and love the formulation so this is a great inclusion in the box.

//Anastasia Lash Genius Waterproof Topcoat
This was another sneak peek item I received in my box and I was so happy to get 2 out of the 3 in my box! I don't own any waterproof mascara and this looks perfect to apply over any mascara to seal in the colour and make it waterproof. Definitely an interesting product I wouldn't have necessarily picked out myself but really interested to try. It is fantastic to see Anastasia products being included in Bellabox.

//Designer Brands Paw Paw Plus Hand Cream
Another product from Designer Brands? I was slightly disappointed because DB isn't exactly a brand I'm interested in trying. However, this hand cream is actually really nice and doesn't feel like Papaw ointment at all which I was worried about. It has a nice, subtle floral scent and leaves my hands feeling soft whilst absorbing quickly. This will definitely go straight into my handbag!

//Chapstick Ultimate Lipkit
This little tin is so adorable! I've seen these all over instagram but never been able to get my hands on them. Inside is three Chapsticks -Classic, Strawberry and Apple. Whilst I do enjoy the tin, I don't really need three chapsticks especially considering I already received another lip balm in this box and the Apple chapstick in my previous box.

//Mary Kay Botanical Effects Face Mask
This was the bonus items in this months box which I'm really excited about because I loved trying the mask from last months box. A great inclusion that I love to save for pamper days.

One thing I am disappointed about is the fact that I received four lip balms in this one box - and I had already received a Chapstick in the last box. I know for a fact Bellabox has access to a wide variety of brands and products to put in the boxes as there are quite a number of different boxes sent out each month. This does make me a little disappointed to see the same product appear in my Bellabox two months in a row.

I give the July Bellabox 3/5.

So far I am really enjoying receiving my monthly subscription boxes and will definitely keep subscribing for the near future.

xx Catherine

June Bellabox 'Iconic Beauty'

Last week I received my first ever Bellabox which was my first experience of a beauty subscription box. I decided to try Bellabox after seeing some really positive reviews for the boxes for April and May and thought for only $15 a month I couldn't lose much to try it. Also how cute is the box itself?! I can see myself collecting these.

The products I received in my box included:

• L'Oreal Base Magique Primer - I was so excited to see this included in my box as I've been wanting to try it for a while. The sample size is decent, particularly as a primer and I'll be able to get good use out of this. The sample is worth just under $10 so fantastic value.
• Indio Eye Rise - This is the one product in the box that I just couldn't wait to try after reading about it. It is an eye cream that has a tint to it and I've found it works so well as a colour corrector underneath concealer. This is a 'luxe' item and the sample itself is worth $22.40 which is more than the box itself!
• StreetStar Ultra shine lip gloss - This is a nice addition to my makeup collection and the colour is perfect for winter. It was a beautiful pearl finish, lasts well on the lips and is not at all sticky. The only thing is the packaging is super daggy but at least the product is good! As a full size product it is worth $17.95.
• Herbal Essences Naked Shine Shampoo and Conditioner - these are super cute little travel size hair products and thank god they didn't come in sachets! There is a decent amount of product and I have short hair so these will last me about a week. After first use my hair felt so soft and cleaner than I've ever felt it. I will definitely consider buying the full size.
• Chapstick Moisturiser Green Apple - I'm not too fussed about this, because Chapsticks are a product that everyone knows about and has probably used so I don't think they need to be included in a box where you are meant to try new products. I will definitely get use out of it though, especially in winter where I go through one lip balm a week! Another full size product valued at $3.99.
• Nutrimetics Nutri-Rich Nourishing Mask - this is a bonus inclusion in this months box. I am excited to try this mask and even though it is in a sachet since it is a one use item I can deal with it!

Overall I was very impressed with the box itself as well as the subscription service. I was excited to see a makeup product included and all the products are ones that I am excited to try and will get use out of and in that sense I think the box was fantastic value. I also liked the inclusion of Instyle Magazine ($9.95) as a bonus with this box. I love fashion magazines but they are just something that I never buy for myself. I liked the inclusion of the card that explained all the products.

In terms of the service I found the website really easy to navigate, set up my profile and I was also sent regular emails to let me know that my box was being shipped. Also after receiving your box you can provide feedback on each item you got to try. Providing feedback earns you points that you can spend in the Bellabox online store.

I definitely recommend Bellabox if you haven't tried a beauty subscription before and not sure what to expect. I think $15 a month is quite affordable considering the value of the items included and the overall experience. I will absolutely be continuing my subscription.

I give June Bellabox 5/5.

Are you subscribed to Bellabox? What has been your experience?
xx Catherine

* This product was purchased by me with my own money. All opinions are honest and my own.

Benefit Haul and Lollitint Launch

I was really excited the other day to go along to the prelaunch of Benefit Cosmetic's new tint the 'Lollitint'. As I said in one of my previous posts, the launch was held at the Benefit counter in the Sydney City Myer.