Violet Box July 2014 Review

Hey Beautiful Ladies,

I'm so sorry it has been so long but I have a lot of things going on at the moment as I am planning my trip to Cambodia/Thailand which is only 4 weeks away!!! I have also had the honour of organizing my sister's bachelorette party. So as you can imagine, around working full time, I have been very busy. But it is that wonderful time of the month when the beauty boxes start arriving and I have had two boxes sitting on my shelves unopened for a whole weekend.

So enough chit chat... I opened Violetbox first, as i'm sure you all do too. Following their Anniversary box last month I thought this month might be a bit of a step down because they had an AMAZING collection of goodies last month.

What did I get???

The box felt slightly empty this month but I am very happy with what I received.

1. Skin & Co Truffle Therapy Serum RRP $75.00 for 30ml Sample Size 5ml

This product is very exciting. Truffles are considered a luxury and often connected with food so I am looking forward to seeing their effects as a beauty product. The product card states to apply under your moisturizer over your face and neck to help hydrate your skin and reduce fine lines and wrinkles. Whilst I don't have too many wrinkles being in my early 20's I do like to look after my skin and I am in full support of trying new things. The sample bottle states to apply twice daily which confuses me as to how much to apply as the sample is 1/6th of the full size and it is very small. I know a small amount of product goes a long way but I am interested to see how long the sample will last me.

2. Sukin Skin Purifying Facial Mask RRP $15.00 for 100ml Sample Size 16ml

I have lots of Sukin products in my household including body lotions, shower wash and hand soap. They are always really great quality and very affordable. I like receiving brands I am familiar with from time to time and like that Sukin is easy to find. I am definitely going to repurchase this item in the future if I have a positive experience so I will try one mask and my mum wants to try the other so im sure she will raid my beauty boxes to find it. These are the kind of foil packets that I don't mind.

3. KMS California Hair Play Molding Paste RRP $33.00 for 100ml Sample Size 20ml

 So this product isn't very exciting for me because I have long hair and don't like to use gels or molding products, I much prefer hair spray or mousse. My brother however does use them and I have given him this one as a travel size to take with him overseas this month. It is scent free, a decent size sample and in his words "its alright."

4. LAQA & CO Sheer Lip Lube Pencil RRP $20.00 Full Size in shade Stranger Danger

 So this "Lip Lube" was the sneak peak this month and I got really excited when I seen it. There was 5 colours you could have received and I really wanted the coral colour Bee's Knees, but I am still really happy with this pink shade. It smells like mint and is very refreshing to wear. It looks very bright in the tube but as you can see in the swatch below it is just enough colour but still slightly sheer. It is very moisturizing to wear also.

5. Dr. Hauschka Lavender Sandalwood Calming Body Wash RRP $6.00 for 10ml Full Size

 I have never seen a body wash so small. It definitely is only 1-2 uses. I've never been a fan of Lavender or Sandalwood so I can't see myself like this product but I do like it's inclusion. I know a few people who would like to try something like this so I will be able to get rid of it no problem. I have heard good things about the brand so it probably is a great product.

6. So Susan Flutter Mascara RRP $32.00 Full Size

 So Susan has been in a couple of previous box subscriptions and each time I have missed out so it is nice to finally get to try one of their products. A few people have said that theirs was faulty when they opened it but mine is perfectly fine. I'm actually really surprised with the way it smells. So many mascaras have chemical smells or plastic smells but this one is not bad. It applies evenly and is quite nice. It states that it makes your lashes blacker, well i'd hope so, and that it separates lashes which is pretty true. I don't think I would pay $32 for it again but only because I have cheaper mascaras that are very comparable.

 So overall this month was 3 full size and 3 samples which is pretty good. The products are varied and its nice to get 2 make up items. Its a great way to follow up the anniversary month with an overall value of $79.50.

The sneak peak for next month is the Be a Bombshell Eyeshadow Quad which I am very excited about.

What did you think of this month?

Have you tried any of the items yet? How did they go?

Stay Safe

J      xox

Total Value $79.50

Memebox Colorbox #3 BLUE Review

Hey Beautyholics,

Another package arrived yesterday and it was Memebox's Blue Colorbox.

I had no idea what they would put in there I just knew I had to have it!!! They also had a Red and Orange box variation but I have plenty of  Red products already and I am not a fan of orange anything.

So the box cost me nothing except shipping and handling as I had 15 Memepoints saved.
So normally it would be $15 plus $6.99 shipping = $21.99 I paid $6.99

Enough chit chat... What did I get???

1. Ruahin Magic Lipstick in shade Blue 4g RRP $30

This is genuinely an amazing Lipstick. My mum has already tried to steal it. It looks very scary being so dark and blue but when you apply it to your lips it turns into a beautiful pastel purple (swatched at the bottom). I have no idea how it does it but either way I love it. On top of that the packaging is so cute. I am a sucker for cute packaging! It will make a great addition to my collection. Also I have to mention it does stain your lips. I woke up this morning with beautiful purple lips, not because it reached -1 degree celcius but because it has great staying power.
Would I repurchase for $30, probably not but i'm sure this will last a long time.

2. Dearberry Total Nail Laquer #33 Hawaiian Blue 10ml RRP $3

As you all know I'm not a fan of regular nail polish as I have a shellac / Gel polis kit. I have no idea how it will last but I have swatched it. That is one coat and it dried in under 2 minutes which is pretty good. I don't like regular polish because it is only nice for 1-2 days they you need to reapply so I will see how this one goes. It is a gorgeous blue though :)

3. L'Ocean Eyeshadow in shade L-62 Dark Blue Pearl 4g RRP $10

So I don't actually own any blue eyeshadow. I have always purchased very neutral colors and the occasional pink or purple. So this will be a nice addition. It isn't the most pigmented but has a great shimmer and glitter that blends so smoothly. It is named as being pearl but I can't see that in it at all. Over all a great inclusion for a blue themed box.

4. Tosowoong Gel Pencil Liner in shade 08 Aqua Deep Blue 1.2g RRP $10

After receiving lust have it and my BeautyJoint haul I have already received 4 eyeliners this month. I really don't mind because every single one is completely different. Of all of them this is actually my favourite. It is so soft an has soooooo much glitter in it. It is a deep Navy colour with blue glitter and as you can see claims to be long lasting and waterproof. It definitely is, I have scrubbed at it under water and it has not changed. It is smudgeproof and waterproof.
I would definitely buy this product again and want to find more colours in this brand.
If you know where I would love to know????

SWATCHES BELOW

Eyeliner, Eyeshadow, Magic Lipstick then Nail Polish.

So the Over All value of the box is $53.00 which is great. More than double what you would have paid. For me it is even better with the use of Memepoints its more than 7.5 times what I paid.

I will get use out of every product and I am not disappointed in anything.

Every Memebox I receive just gets better and better.

For anyone who is interested I would definitely suggest taking a look as they always have new themed boxes for hair, face and body and a mixture of all 3.

Feel free to use the referral link below to get $5 off orders.

http://us.memebox.com/memebox-global?acc=2bb232c0b13c774965ef8558f0fbd615

Also, if you got the Red or Orange I would love to know what you received??

Lots of Love

J    xoxox

BeautyJoint Haul July 2014

Hey gorgeous girls,

I am so happy to bring you my review on these products. I am an impulse buyer and this purchase was spare of the moment but one of my best.

I have been watching heaps of beauty related youtube videos as i'm sure you all do. Everyone raves about elf. I haven't tried it before and had to have some. So I looked at a few different websites online and decided on Beautyjoint.com because of the pricing, variety and cheap shipping to Australia.

So enough of that, What did I get????

I have to point out how great the packaging was. There is no chance anything could have broken, it was all individually wrapped in bubble wrap, then wrapped all together in bubble wrap, then put in a bubble wrap padded envelope and then put in another bubble wrap padded envelope. Well Done!! I have never seen anything like it.

 

So here is a quick look at the items I got. Total cost $72.07 AUD

 

 

1. e.l.f. Studio Make Up Mist & Set in shade Clear $3.99 (RRP$8.00)



 

So I have never used any brand of setting spray which makes this product even more exciting. It is a decent size and price. It is a pump spray pack that in my opinion disperses the product very unevenly. It is very liquidy so you definitely need to rub it in or spray from very far away. I swatched some of the products on my hand last night and used the setting spray over the top. I have been at work for 10hrs today and tonight the swatches are still perfect so it seems to have worked exactly how you would want it to. It contains Aloe, Green Tea, Cucumber and Vitamins A,C and E which are all things I love in my products so a big plus and it smells like cucumber so I'm very happy. Whilst I haven't tried it on my face all day from what I can see this will have to be a part of my makeup regime. Ladies I love this!!!

 

 

2. e.l.f. Studio Acne Fighting Foundation in Shade Porcelain $7.99  (RRP $12.00)

 

This product was the whole reason I wanted to finally give e.l.f. a try. I do not have issues with acne or scarring but I am very interested in the high coverage it provides as I do have redness on my cheeks. I chose the lightest colour porcelain as I am very pale. It is a yellow undertone whereas I would normally use a pink undertone but I have used my lightest powder foundation over the top and it is a great colour for me. It is very thick so a little product goes a very long way. It is great packaging so you have full control over how much product comes out as opposed to a pump pack where you have no control. It is full coverage and I look forward to using it for a week or so to get a real idea of how well it wears. I did buy 3 of them so hopefully it is good haha.

 

I have swatched, smoothed and blended below.

3. Jordana 12 Hr Made to Last Liquid Eye Liner Pencils in shades AQUA Stone and JADE Jewel $2.79 each (RRP $2.49USD)

I love coloured eyeliners and these are the softest, smoothest and most buttery formula I have ever used. I swatched as you can see below and they didn't budge. They state that they last 12 hrs so I will be testing that very soon. Loved the Aqua shade but Jade Jewel is much darker than it showed online. I will use it either way because I love the formula but I was looking forward to the bright green colour.

4. Milani Illuminating Face Powder in shade Amber Nectar $9.59 (RRP $9.49USD )

I hadn't heard anything about this product but I must admit it is very cute. As I mentioned earlier I am an impulse buyer and this one was definitely bought under impulse. It is gorgeous and so soft. It isn't as bright as you would think by looking at it. It is illuminating and not actually very pigmented which I do like. It has a very slight peach colour but will be great for highlighting. The packaging is amazing too.

5. Wet n Wild CoverAll in shade Fair $3.99 (RRP $3.49 USD )

This product was very disappointing. I read some great reviews but now I have it and I have swatched it is doesn't really do much. Upon first applying it to my hand it seemed like a great consistency for a concealer but as soon as you blend it, it disappears. I specifically put it over a freckle to see what the coverage was like and coverage is 0%. You wouldn't even know I had anything on my hand which is not why I wear concealer. Over all disappointing.

6. e.l.f. Studio Baked Bronzer in shade St Lucia $3.99 (RRP $8.00)

I love this colour. It is soft and subtle. I hate really brown bronzers as I have very fair skin, this colour is more of a warm orange. It has great colour pay off and a beautiful shimmer to it. I love baked eyeshadows, bronzers and blushes so I will get lots of use out of this. I still can' believe its so cheap. Decent bronzers are usually at least $15-20, e.l.f. is so affordable.

7. Real Techniques Miracle Complexion Sponge $7.49 (RRP $6.00USD)

While I now know I didn't get the greatest deal on this product I am just glad I decided to get it. I stopped using sponges ages ago and started using brushes. I have watched reviews and tutorials on this sponge and the beauty blender and I had to have one. I haven't used it yet but will be using it this weekend to see the difference. Also, i'm looking forward to seeing how it goes wet.
Any tips ladies? I'd love to hear how you use yours?

8. Wet n Wild Color Icon Glitter in shades Brass and Bleached $2.75 each (RRP $5.35 each)

I can never have too many glitters. Two very usable colours. They are a gel formula with big glitter chunks. I will have to do a tutorial soon. Great value and they have 8 different colours available.

9. e.l.f. Essential Eyelid Primer in shades Pearl and Sheer $1.99 each (RRP $3.00)

How have I lived my teen/adult life without these. They are gorgeous, im so happy with my colour choices. The Pearl is so beautifully iridescent and when I put eyeshadow on top it blended so well. The sheer is almost like a concealer for your eyelids. They aren't a thick consistency, instead it is very watery with great coverage. It is not sticky and they don't have that plastic smell some primers have.
Great price, I will 100% be repurchasing.

Over All I am so impressed. Shipping took just over a week from USA to Sydney Australia and cost $15.
The products are great quality and I am so excited to give them all a go over the next week.

Have you tried anything I bought? What did you think?

Do you have any must have beauty essentials I should try?

Whats your favourite?

Lots of Love

J  xxxx