Lust Have It Jan 2014

LHI are running late this month, due to all the holidays etc.  Meh, i don't care, it got here eventually (in saying this, i never have an issue with my boxes turning up late.  If i had i might care more).

However, this isn't the best box i've ever received.  It's extremely blah, there are no new brands, realistically there are no 'new' products.  I don't mind the odd repeat of brands/products (i've been subscribing to boxes for almost 2.5 years, plus i've been subscribed to 2 concurrently for the last 4 months.  i'm going to end up with some double ups), but this box is just not very inspiring (but it's better than others i've seen, which look like boxes of leftovers).  Anyway, i'll show off what was in my box, you make up your own mind.

 Evodia Hand Cream in Lemon Sorbet- Full Sized- RRP $17.95

 This smells lovely, absorbs quickly and doesn't leave a greasy residue, plus it's full sized.  Nothing wrong with it, however Evodia was one of the big LHI products just over 12 months ago (i remember a code that came out around christmas 2012, i have perfumes i bought with it).  It isn't a new brand, it's nothing overly exciting, and whilst it's better then the other box i saw (seacret, anyone?), i'm just not that in to it.



 Simple Skincare Facial Wipes-sample size (7 wipes)-RRP $6.99 for 25 wipes

Unfortunately these won't be going anywhere near my skin.  Simple skincare causes me to break out in the most horrific way (within minutes i'm bright red, feel like i'm burning up, and break out in small pimples).  Waste of a product for me.


Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 8% AHA Gel-deluxe sample (30ml) -RRP $45.80 for 118ml

 This i'm excited about!  with my crappy skin i love trying out exfoliants, and this one sounds promising.  However it is from a brand that has featured several times in the last 6 months within LHI.


Invisible Zinc Tinted Daywear-full sized- RRP $14.95

OK, not sure what i think of this.  A)i got it in medium, it's way too dark as you can see and B) i was using this product over 5 years ago (it was in my hospital bag when  had my daughter, she's now almost 5.5 and is off to school).  It isn't new, it isn't special and with all the BB and CC creams now on the market, i can get something that works better, gives better results and come in a larger size for the same, if not less.  I'm sure some people out there will love this, but i just can't get excited over it (plus, it's this like the 4th product like this received in 12 months?  the 2 nude by nature ones- the BB and the tinted moisturiser, last months Maybelline BB cream, and now this?).

Modelco Shine Ultra Lip Gloss in Striptease- full sized- RRP $18

Now, i know currently there is a huge rant going on over on another blog about Modelco (which honestly, i'm on the bloggers side), however i don't mind Modelco products.  I've been part of trial teams for them, i've tested products, i happily use what i have.  But, i already have this, in exactly the same shade.  This is actually the 3rd tube i have of this shade, plus 2 others in another shade.  1 tube at least has come from LHI, i think in this exact same shade (the others have come off magazines or directly from modelco themselves).  Modelco, can we please get some different shades/products from you in these boxes?

In saying all that, this isn't a bad lipgloss, it's a bit sticky, but it's a nice product.  The mirror means i'm not lugging extra stuff around in my bag.  But yeah, Meh!


Aveda Dry Remedy Daily Moisturising Oil-sample size (3ml)-RRP $25 for 40ml

This sounds interesting, it's Buriti Oil (never heard of it), will be interesting to see how it goes.  Plus it's lovely to get something like this that isn't in a tiny sachet, i might actually use it.


There are also coupon codes from Aveda and Paula's choice (paula's choice are offering free shipping, Aveda free shipping plus a sample trio with purchase of the full sized oil).  It isn't what i would call an exciting box, at least 3 of the products will be given/thrown away because i just cannot use them.  LHI, can we please get some new brands? 

Bargains!

Took the tribe out today to one of our local shopping centres, and we found some bargains!  Firstly we went to priceline, to see if there were any interesting specials, and i found 2 Essence nail polishes in a clearance bin marked $1 (there were heaps of the Maybelline New York range in the bin as well as a small amount of essence and a few other random products).

 They're both part of the Season of Extremes range, the double ended one is 02 Brightsmates (it's a colour3 nail polish, use both sides separately or use them together to create 3 different colours), and the other is 07 Nude Rules!.  Really happy to pick these up, especially for $1 each!

We then headed for Kmart (there had been Skylanders for $5 each last time we were there, so my eldest wanted to have another look).  Most of their makeup stands were empty, and the products were in baskets/randomly on shelves, so i'm not sure what's going on.  Anyway, everything in the bins/shelves/baskets was marked down under $10, so i grabbed some items.

Firstly a BYS matte top coat for $2.  I think i might try it over the Essence nude once my current nail polish is off.  Then i grabbed a Sinful Colors nail polish in Pistache, also for $2.  I'm a member of my NRL team this year, and as we're the 'green machine' i plan on wearing this to games.  Finally i found a Face Of Australia Sheer Gloss Lip Crayon in Sundae (which, yet again was $2).  A pretty brown, reminds me of the Just Bitten crayon in Honey, just more brown (whilst Honey is more pink).

So 5 (6, if you count both colours in the Essence double ended polish) items for $8!  Score!!!

Australia Day Nails

 In the spirit of Australia Day i decided to paint my nails to suit.  It just so happens that every product i used was from Essence (honestly, if you've never tried Essence, go out and get some!).  I went with the Sparkle & sand in Me and my Lover on my thumbs (the red), and the limited edition Snow White nail polishes on my fingers (in the colour Grumpy and the special effect topper Prince Charming), all followed with the Gel Look Top Coat. 

 Very simple, but has a hint of sparkle.  Grumpy is one of my favourite blues, and the sand & sparkle is relatively new, but holds up so well on my nails (there are 2 other colours available, which i'm trying to hunt down.

                                       Sorry for the terrible photo, everything went spaz on me.

So Susan! nail polish follow up

Well, after just over 24 hours of wear, my nails have some fairly massive chips.  So much for chip free.

I'll give it another go with my preferred bottom and top coats (Orly's bonder and Essence gel look top coat), however on it's own it just doesn't go the distance (i did 2 coats on their own, and haven't done anything overly strenuous).

Violetbox January 2014

First box of the year!!  I love both boxes i subscribe to (Violetbox and Lust Have It).  I've been subscribed to 3 others in the past (which are no longer around, the short lived Beauty Box, the hit-and-miss Glossybox, and the wonderful I Love This Box), but i find these 2 are great, bringing both well loved favourites and brand new finds. 

Today my Violetbox turned up!  so without further adieu.....

So Susan Water Based Pure Luminizer - full size

 Really pretty illuminator.  Almost a pewter colour.  I found it slightly difficult to get out of the tube (it will have to be stored tip down to make life easier), but once out very easy to use.  RRP $49.00

So Susan Nail Laquer  - full size

I got mine in Pink Guava (there were 3 possible colours).  This is free of nasties, and has rosehip oil to help nourish nails.  The above on my nails is 2 coats (it looks darker in person then in the photos).  Supposedly chip-free, so we'll see how it goes (my nails hate nail polish, and have a habit of chipping within 24 hours unless i use a fairly exact process).  I have 2 coats on bare nails, so will put it through the rigors of life with 3 kids.    RRP $10


Lush Gorgeous Facial Moisturiser - sample size

Gorgeous little tin of Lush moisturiser.  smells faintly like insect repellant to me (not enough to put me off, though).  Other variation was the dream cream body moisturiser (i have a sample of this currently from my last Lush visit, a lovely moisturiser, did nothing for my eczema which was why i was sampling it).  So far i've loved everything i've tried from Lush, so can't wait to give this a go.  RRP $74.95 for 45g (plus a code for free shipping when spending over $40 online)


Mor Hand Creams - sample size

Basil and grape, and Black current iris.  I feel a bit meh over these, i'm not a huge fan of sachet samples, especially hand creams, however i'll give these a go sometime (might even chuck them in the nappy bag, they're small so won't take up any precious space)  RRP 14.95 for 80ml


Villainess Soaps - sample size

This smells divine!  I got the Dulces En Fuego soap, it smells like rich, bitter chocolate.  from the website:

"Musky bitter chocolate sweetened with vanilla and touches of citrus then positively inflamed with black pepper and nutmeg."

By the looks of it there is nothing nasty in it, there are certainly some lovely scents available, and at $8.50 per 99g, it isn't going to break the bank for a decadent treat

Acorelle Eau De Parfum in White Orchid - sample size

This is another natural product, using essential oils to 'make you feel good'.  This smells like Jelly Beans!!!!!  It's anti stress (i have 2 off to school in just over a week, so will need to destress after the school run)and uses orange and sandalwood oils, with notes of pear leaf, iris and raspberry.  RRP  $69.95




I'm really impressed with this months box, 3 new (well, at least new to me) brands and 2 full sized products totaling $59.00.  I'm always happy to discover new brands, and the fact there are so many nasty free products is excellent.

well...........

So much for the new year/blog/me idea!  That was almost 2 years ago, and many, many beauty products since.  It's been a busy couple of years, 2012 was spent as a 'single' mother, with my husband away for the entire year for work (home for 48 hours every 2-3 weeks), then April 2013 we welcomed another baby in to the family (making us a family of 5, in need of even more budget consciousness), followed by the usual hecticness brought on by children (1 in school, 1 in preschool and a baby at home).

However, this year will be different!  My older 2 are both off to school (my baby girl is going to kindergarten at the same school as her big brother), so i'm going to be slightly less busy.  So this is my year for me, to take care of myself (which has already started), and to share here all those amazing finds that don't break the bank (and maybe even some stash posts).

Happy New Year All!!!