Hey everyone! I have finally gotten the time to review this months Bellabox. This is my second Bellabox and, in my opinion, was by far better and more applicable to younger subscribers.
Unfortunately I can't give you a picture of the opening, or the box or a lot of the packaging for that matter as I have been using the products for the last week (that's how much I love it) and have since redecorated the box and reused it for something else. Note: mad recycling skills!
Thus I will be using mostly product pictures! (Next month will be better I promise)
This months, as stated, was all about being "fashion forward", meaning alot of the products were aimed at a younger target market. The box came on time, perfect condition and I love that you can track your package via Australia Post.
I received
1. Hollywood Feet Secret Heel Cushions (2 pairs)
2. OP Therapy Body Hydrator, with emu oil, unscented for sensitive skin (75ml)
3. Benefit: Hello Flawless oil free oxygen brightening foundation in "petal" (5ml)
4. Ulta3 Nail Colour in "Jade" (13ml)
5. Comvita: Brightening Facial Serum, Cleanser and Brightening Protective Moisturiser (1.5ml each)
6. pureDKNY fragrance Verbena (1.5ml)
1. Heel Cushions
I am really happy to have received these. They are really fricken handy, and like everything in the fashion world: has to be taped, because no one is bloody perfect!
How I tested them: I found my most uncomfortable high heels, (yes you know, the black ones, with the heels so high they could put you in the hospital if you fall over) then I put a pad on my right foot, left one is left vulnerable (lol pun!) and proceeded to traipse around the house for the next few hours. Yes that's right, I looked sexy in the name of science!
Another side note: They fall out of the packet, which upon closer inspection say left and right, I sat there for a good 10 minutes and couldn't tell the difference at all... They also smell mildly of baby powder, it says lavender, I don't think it does. I question why they even bother with scent because there is no way in hell my foot is going to be smelling like flowers, heel cushion or not, after dancing all night. On a plus they are dimpled like the the shower mats so your won't slip around on them.
Results:
The tape holds! they do ease the strain on the heel and I would recommend those who are susceptible to heel spurs. I would purchase them and I will be using my other set for exciting celebrations this weekend. The lavender thing is a bit of a pointless add in though.
2. Body Hydrator
I am a vegan (only in my diet) but even more so, I hate waste, so I felt obligated to use this product. This does contain Emu oil so it's not up vegan alley. I have tried to be as objective as possible.
The emu's used are domestically farmed, however, I find it ironic that they say the product is not tested on animals...
Pro's
I am aware that emu oil is fantastic, anti-inflamatory properties ect. and as far as quality goes, its fantastic. It's really hydrating, fixes dry skin in only one application. It is also Australian made and owned, yay for feeding our own economy!
Con's
It does take a long time for the cream to absorb. For about 15 minutes you do feel like you're covered in lanolin. Its not a greasy feeling, just a bit unpleasant.
Honestly the reason I wouldn't buy it is mainly because of the Emu oil and that there are already alot of body butters/ hydrators/ creams out there that don't contain animal and do the job just as well. I would look at their other products. I know other Bellababes received a pineapple scrub, ironically I am allergic to pineapple so the OP products either way would not have been well received.
3. Benefit Foundation
The foundation was the best part of this months box. I was concerned when I first opened it and saw what colour it was, I thought I was going to either set it aside for Halloween or give it to a friend. Then I tried it and there has been JOY, LOVE, RAINBOWS ever since. "petal" appears dark but I would say if you have warm, fair skin with subtle yellow undertones it would be a suitable candidate, especially if you are thinking about subscribing to Bellabox this month.
Pro's
- Easy to blend
- Doesn't sit or cake up on the surface of the skin
- Medium coverage (no foundation can claim to have full 100% coverage)
- Photographs fantastically
- results in a fresh glowing complexion (Not really Matte in my opinion but can be powdered down)
Con's
- Needs to be touched up after about 7 hours, and blotted every 3 (Brisbane humidity)
4. Ulta3 Nail Polish
There are better nail polishes out there, three days after I got my Bellabox I was going through Coles and I found a tough of them for $2, which is the same price on this months card. At least they were honest... The other thing that annoyed me, was the colour. It is not "Jade", I suppose "Sparkly Camo-green" didn't look so good on the bottle though. It does chip if a top coat isn't used, that goes for most polishes. It was nice to get a nail polish, maybe a better colour and different brand next time.
5. pure DKNY fragrance
It's a very small sample (1.5ml). The fragrance is nice, light, fresh has subtle tones of citrus and what I think smells like English flowers: gardenia, jonquils ? It's targeted at a younger market. I am a perfume junkie, I have too many! I would consider getting this if I was going through duty free, and is a nice perfume for a teenage girl. It reminds me of something that would be worn tastefully at a formal or cocktail event. I just wish we got a larger sample because I have been using it.
6. Comvita
(no pictures sorry)
I am very cautious of using facial products. I have only just gotten my skin looking clear. I do however, have a guinea pig :D Unfortunately he wasn't much help in the feedback department.
I am on the fence with giving out facial products; on the one hand you can find something amazing, on the other, you could break out. A single serve of cleanser or moisturiser really isn't going to tell you much. I will say that olive leaf is an amazing product to get your immune system up. I really hope I don't get cleansers three months straight.
FINAL THOUGHTS
This month's Bellabox was much better than last months. (I still use last months shine serum though!) It had a great concept, plenty of variety and it was great to see a big name like Benefit in there with an awesome product sample. It really made the box worth it for me. I felt like my box matched my profile and i loved sitting down and having a play with the products. I will be buying the Benefit full size when I run out of the sample. This is a great service but needs a little tweaking, my only criticism is that give the fillers the flick (nail polish) and invest it into more of something else.
I also really think Bellabox should run a competition on ways to recycle the boxes they come in. It would be really fun and a great way to get creative and I would love to see what others are using them for.
Peace
Kaitlin
Ps. Will be posting pictures of myself on Saturday with my expensive piece of paper.
Images supplied by:
Bellabox.com
Beautyhaven.com.au,
http://www.uk1weddinggifts.com
benefitcosmetics.com
