NEW Beauty Box: Violet Box -- June 2013

It's been yooooooonks since I've posted about any subscription boxes! For me, subscription boxes can be a little repetitive and most of the stuff that comes with it, I don't even use. However, I'm always a happy chap when I hear that a new beauty sub box is in the market!

Violet Box has just launched their very first box not too long ago, and they kindly sent me one too! Waking up to surprise packages are ze best, but how does the box compare?

Packaged in a beautiful (I mean it!) black and purple box, the box contains "4-6 premium beauty and lifestyle products every month".

The box contains a few slips: the products' listings and prices, their introductory slip of Violet Box and 2 other slips promoting products from some of the included brands.

A close look at the products that I've received..

Avene Gentle Gel Cleanser 50mL (sample) -- RRP $23.95/200mL

I had a few of these and I don't mind more. I felt like Violet Box would've scouted and known that other boxes gave out ALOT of these already though!

CK One Color Cosmetics, Gloss Eyecolor (full size) -- RRP $25.00

Yaaaaaaaay for make-up! Too bad, it's not a product that I'd use. Maybe if the colour wasn't a bright, poppy green.. Something along the lines of bronze or gold would be perfect :( 

Calvin Klein Sheer Beauty EDT (sample) -- RRP $120/100mL

Received this in 1.2mL, which is okay. It has a really nice, clean and fresh scent!

John Plunkett Glyco Peel (full size) -- RRP $28.95/15mL

I've heard of these products before! Correct me if I am wrong, but they are apparently not your average exfoliater. There's a spice to it that makes it somewhat stronger than normal exfoliaters, therefore, they can only be used at night time. I don't mind this, to be honest!

LashControl Clear Coat Control Mascara and Brow Fix (full size) -- RRP $25.00

I surely don't mind an extra clear mascara/brow gel to my beauty stash. My Australis' one is lookin' grosser and grosser as the days go! The packaging has a rubbery bit in the middle, which allows you to squeeze and control how much product you'd like on the wand.

Argonia Hair Oil Travel Cuties (sample size) -- RRP $34.99/100mL

Received this in 5mL.. I already have soooooo many hair oils at home. I'm not sure when I'm gonna get to this.. Meep. My hair is also really thick and it's such a tiny bottle.... but we'll just have to wait and see!

I can't say I'm overly impressed with Violet Box this month, but that's just my personal beauty preferences. I don't use eyeglosses and I wouldn't do green on the eyes. I also don't use hair oils... 

So all in all, I don't mind these products, but truthfully, none of them excites me. The value of the products may surpass the price you pay for the box, but... I'll see how they go in the next month!

Did you subscribe to Violet Box?

What are your thoughts?

Violet Box's monthly subscription costs $22..95 a month, but you can also find their other monthly packages at their official website.

Disclaimer: Product was provided to me for review consideration only!

Pretty in Pink Party with Bellabox's October Edition!

Okay, so I'm actually not a monthly subscriber of any beauty subscription box services as I've figured they're really not for me.. I'm more about make-up than skincare or haircare!

But I thought I'd snatch up this month's Bellabox since they've announced an awesome free OCC Lip Tar deal for every new subscriber.. which is totally worth it since the Lip Tars itself are $15.00 at IMATS!

So to receive a box full of beauty goodies and a free OCC Lip Tar.... why not?!

This month's Bellabox is themed 'Pretty in Pink Party' in celebration of Bellabox's 1st birthday and to support the National Breast Cancer Foundation.. Bellabox will be donating $1 from each October box!

Opened up the box to a pink party... :')

Products I've received:

• Cedel Blow Dry Faster Hair Protector (full sized, $9.99)
• Estee Lauder Resilence Lift Instant Action Lift Treatment (sample)
• Clinique Turnaround Concentrate Extra Radiance Renewer (sample) 
• DKNY Fresh Blossom Eau So Intense (sample)
• Carmex Moisture Plus Lip Balm in Sheer Pink Tint (full sized)
• E.L.F. Cosmetics Brightening Eye Colour (full sized, $3.99)
• Sally Hansen Insta-Dri Fast Dry Nail Colour (full sized, $13.95)
• Yummy Chocolatier Pink Heart Chocolate

...and my OCC Lip Tar in Pageant, of course! :P

I'm pretty impressed with what I've received for this month! I know I'd bring all four full-sized items into use! I already own the Cedel Blow Dry Faster and Carmex Lip Balm which I do really like, so it won't hurt having extras! And the OCC Lip Tar is really a big bonus! 

As for the 3 skincare and fragrance samples, I probably won't use them any time soon.. just because my skin have been playin' up and I don't use fragrance samples.

Super happy with this month's box though! I do think the box is still great value even without the OCC Lip Tar deal.. ^_^ 

Are you subscribed to any beauty box services? 

What do you think of this month's Bellabox?

Bellabox is a monthly beauty box subscription, you can subscribe at their official website.

Bellabox Australia: April's Edition

You're probably gonna find this weird, but I've decided to subscribe to Bellabox although as you know, last month's box didn't really impress moi.

You're probably wondering why, but have you heard? Benefit's is Bellabox's newest partner after the last box!

So as I saw the announcement on their Facebook Page, I decided that I will subscribe for this month only, hoping that this month will contain a Benefit goodie.. maybe a sample of their High Beam highlighter that I've been lusting about? Hehe.. sneaky!

So shall we take a look at this month's box?

Arrived in the usual cute & nifty box.

Open the black wrap to see the box packed full of goodies, or maybe the box itself is just smaller in size.

This month's Bellabox'brings to you the best of global skincare and beauty' in 'celebration of the Mercedes Benz Fashion Week', which includes:

sample | Benefit 'Hello Flawless Foundation' Foundation 5mL Sample

sample | 1.5mL packs of moisturiser, facial serum and facial exfoliator from Comvita's Brightening Range

sample | pureDKNY Verbena 1.5mL

full size | OP Therapy Summer Glow Sea Salt Scrub 75mL

full size | Ulta3 Nail Polish in Burnt Orange

| Hollywood Feet Heel Cushions 2 pairs

I thought it was pretty odd that the heel cushions were included. I very rarely wear heels, but these might help my mum with her struggles in heels.

Besides that, everything in this month's box are products I would use and it's nice that they've included 3 different product samples for the Comvita Brightening Range. However, I'm generally disappointed that beauty boxes these days focus way too much on skincare and hair care. Where is all the make-up?

Beauty boxes contain 80% of either haircare and skin care that everyone may react differently to due to skin concerns (or hair concerns). How about switch it up and do 80% make-up instead? LOL.. If that's not too much to ask for!

Nuff rant.

I'm genuinely happy about the Benefit's foundation sample I've received and can't wait to try it out although the shade I receive looks a tad too dark for me!

Which are your favourite beauty box subscription companies?

Bellabox monthly subscriptions are $14.95 per month, all details can be found at their official website.

Disclaimer: Product was purchased by me.

Glossybox Australia: March's Edition

So I paid for this month's Glossybox after purchasing a box from them last month when there was a 50% off sale on GroupOn. I really couldn't afford $14.95 a month on box subscriptions so it wasn't my intention to become a subscriber.

I didn't know that if I'd purchase a GroupOn box, that means I'd be a subscriber until I want to cancel! I thought it was a one-time thing.. I personally thought it was pretty unclear.

On the brighter side, I get to show you what's in this month's box!

I love these sturdy boxes they arrive in!

First of all, there are 18 products for this month, but your box will only contain 5 of the randomly chosen. I personally find this to be unfair for subscribers as some will get a box with higher value or products that another subscriber will find more useful and helpful. I personally think that if there's a list of different products, then subscribers should be allowed to choose OR the products should be carefully picked to cater to the subscribers' individual needs such as their skin types or conditions.

I've reviewed last month's box which was also very similar. I saw that some subbies received a total different box, so the trend probably start last month.

Anyways, for this month's box, I received:

SILK Oil Of Morocco Hair and Skin Treatment Serum

Not sure how I feel about this 'dry oil' on hair and skin. The thought of using a hair product for skin and a skin product for hair kinda irks me. Oh the goosebumps.

Kosmea Hydrating Rosewater Mist

Yay for a rosewater spritz! Rosewater as a toner is great for dry skin, so that's a yay!

Avene Gentle Milk Cleanser

Milk cleansers are generally great for all skin types so I'm actually looking forward to try out this milk cleanser. I've never tried any products from this brand (that I've heard lots about!).

Absolutely Gorgeous Macadamia Face Cream

A 'cream' product, yay! Another product for dry skin types..

SheerCover Lipgloss

I've heard bad reviews about this when it came in a MyGlam bag, so I'm not sure.

Glossybox Balance Bracelet

Errr... not useful to me and I don't believe in this stuff, so nop!

Vouchers for Absolutely Gorgeous ($10 off), Kosmea (GWP) and Zanui ($10 gift card for purchase over $50), that I will most likely not use..

Overall

Not sure about the value of products in this month's box, because there were no retail prices on the card. The skincare products are suitable for my dry skin, so that's awesome. The lip gloss is okay, let's not be so biased on the brand. The bracelet is useless for me, not going to be using it!

Lastly, one thing I've mentioned earlier in this post.. I don't like how everyone's boxes are different although it could be exciting for some.

Your thoughts?

Glossybox subscriptions are $14.95 per month with a box, visit their official site for more information.

Disclaimer: Product was purchased by me.

Bellabox Australia: March's Edition

Bellabox is a well-known beauty box subscription service amongst many other companies.

This month's Bellabox is themed 'Bare Faced Beauty' which I had imagine to be packed of natural skincare products and toned down make-up, which I was initially excited for.

Received a despatch notice and the box arrived three days later on my doorstep.

Anyways, this month's Bellabox arrived in your usual blue cardboard box packaging with the products contained in a mini library bag (usually a sturdy cardboard gift-box).

Don't you fret though, the products were safely bubble wrapped and arranged in Tetris style. As neat as a pin.

Yes To Carrots Lip Tint | $9.95

I received this lip tint in full size and was pretty excited for this since I didn't know they had lip tints! I've only recently been introduced to this brand, so yes! It's a dark red in tube, but goes on sheer.

Pure Fiji Coconut Hydrating Body Lotion | $29.95/354mL

Received this in an unknown size as it's not stated on packaging. Looks like a 30mL which will probably last me 10 applications. The body lotion itself is very average, but the scent is amazing. It has a coconut and vanilla scent. After half a day to a day of wearing it, the coconut scent fades to bring out the vanilla scent. Smells amazing!!

Planet Eye Daily Face Moisturiser | $59/50mL

I have this in a 10mLs sample, so $12 right there. This face moisturiser was pretty average for me. I think it's best for normal to oily skin types. My dry skin prefers a much more creamier and hydrating moisturiser.

U Little Beauty Natural Repair Hair Mask | $19.95/100mL

Full size. A hair product which has a consistency of a gel moisturiser. Pretty weird. I prefer to stick to L'Oreal Mythic Oil or Macadamia Oil better since it would instantly tame down my frizz a bit.. Better than nothing!

Bellamer Eye Balm | $40/15g

Pretty priceY! Received a sample of this thing and the texture is like the Egyptian Magic Cream or a thicker version of Vaseline. Will last me yonks.

Carman's Muesli Biscuit

Ok.. I don't mind food or drinks that comes with beauty boxes as long as it doesn't count as a product. In this case, it was an extra which came with the five products and tasted quite yummy!!

This month's Bellabox is pretty fair since you get one haircare, skincare, anti-aging, lipcare and body care product. The theme 'Bare Faced Beauty' does relate in a way as the products included are mostly of natural, organic and/or eco-friendly companies. This month mainly focused on skincare and haircare, rather than cosmetics. You can see that the theme and box matches quite well. However, the products of this month didn't cater to my personal needs although it may surpass $14.95 in value. As for shipping, shipping updates with time and date were sent as soon as the parcel was on board and another was sent as soon as it was delivered. Pretty impressed with the tracking and shipping!

How are your beauty boxes going this month everyone?

Any hits or misses?

Bellabox subscriptions are $14.95 per month, available to register at their official website.

Disclaimer: Product was sent by PR for consideration. Please refer to this site's disclosure policy.