Wednesday, September 23, 2015

Redpawpaw Spring 2015

Afternoon Lovelies!

Well it's that time of the year again, it's Redpawpaw time!

This is the first of the increased price boxes, RPP is now costing me $22 quarterly. 

It's a really light box this season, although i was surprised by the amount in it (it was extremely light compared to last month).
Poptopia Crispy Baked Popcorn-$3.79-full size  OMG yum!  I love popcorn, and i can't wait to try this
Ritz Spiced Paprika Snackz-$2 (x2)-full size  Ho hum.  I received 2 of these in my last RPP box.
Koala Karma-?-full size  Now this is why i like RPP.  Koala Karma is a new product, only available in various health food stores (there are 2 in canberra).  It's an 'Anti Energy Drink', a relaxation drink, created by 2 mums.  They have an initial run of 80,000 cans.  I might review this further, all on it's own :)
H2Coco-$2.90-full size  2 drinks!  I've never really liked coconut water, might have to give it another go
Well & Good Cake in a Mug-?-full size?  Another brand new product.  It's gluten and nut free, and it's done in a minute.
Naturally Nood Bar-$2.49 (x3)-full size   This really is a snack box this season.  3 bars in Banana Bread, Cashew Crush and Cheeky Cocoa. 
Nutella-50c (30g)-sample size   OMG look at the teeny tiny jar of Nutella!
Natralus Paw Paw Cream-?-sample size.  Very fitting RPP has Paw Paw cream in it.  I'm not going to bother calculating the cost of such a small sample
Finish power ball-$5.16 (6 tabs)-sample size  We've had Finish products in our boxes before, but more is always welcome
Chux Magic Eraser-$3.22 (6 erasers)-sample size  We go through these like no tomorrow, so we'll happily use these
Headgear Matte Shaper-$8.99 (from chemist warehouse)-full size  This will go in hubby's bathroom, and get used eventually

Total=$36.03 (plus 3 full sized products that can't be priced)

At first place i was not expecting the total value to be what it is.  The box looked and felt empty, but instead of disappointed i'm over the moon.  Everything will get used, plus there are some great new discoveries.

Does anyone else still subscribe?  If so, what do you think?




Thursday, September 17, 2015

Marie Claire The Parcel Spring 2015

Hi Lovelies!

As i mentioned in a previous post, after Violet Box closed up shop i signed up to The Parcel.  I've read great things about parcels in the past, and now i have my first one here to tell you all about.

First thing's first, The Parcel is a quarterly box by Marie Claire (which just happens to be one of my favourite magazines) and is $25 per quarter.  There are 3 different Parcels to choose from, Marie Claire, Ageless Beauty, and Marie Claire Man (and i though there was a Girlfriend version too, although it isn't on the website with the others).  It is available from http://www.theparcel.com.au/ .  The Spring edit is sold out, but you can sign up for the Summer edit (which will be sent in Dec).

The Spring Edit was sent out wrapped in clear plastic, with the 20th anniversary outer sleeve containing a sturdy black box.  It was really quite heavy, and took a while to get in to (the outer plastic cover was tough).
Why it was so heavy :)  There was some black tissue paper over the top, as well as some scrunched at the bottom of the box.


The info booklet.  It's nicely detailed, and the writing is a bit bigger than other boxes (making it easier to read).
John Frieda Frizz Ease Smooth Start Hydrating Shampoo and Conditioner-$15.99 each-full size

Hasn't everyone tried something from this range at some point or another?  This sounds really good though, it has olive oil to help moisturise hair, and helps fight frizz in the shower.  It's going straight into my shower!
St Tropez Gradual Tan in Shower-$39.99-sample size ($10.00)

In shower tanner?  Sounds odd.  But you apply this to wet skin in the shower, wait 3 minutes then rinse.  The tan develops throughout the day.  I'm not a huge fake tan person, but i'll give this a go in the name of beauty research :p  Wish me luck!

Redwin Coconut Balm-$5.99-full size

I tried this on my eczema-y hand, and it's done a lovely job of moisturising it.  It has loads of goodies (coconut oil, papaya extract, jojoba oil, sunflower oil, marigold oil etc), no nasties, isn't tested on animals and is affordable.  Add in the fact it's extremely thick (so a little goes a long way), and it smells good enough to eat (almost like a bounty bar), and i'm sold.  I can see myself buying more.
MOR Rosa Noir Hand and Body milk-$34.95-sample size ($3.49)

I must admit i don't get rose from this.  It's quite fruity, probably from the fig it contains.  It's only thin, being a milk, but would make an awesome light daily moisturiser, with the added bonus of not needing perfume after use.

Clinique Smart Custom-Repair Serum-$80-sample size ($26.66)

Holy crap!  Full size is 30ml, this sample is 10ml!  Making this sample the most expensive individual thing in the box.  It's a multipurpose serum, which supposedly understands your skins needs.  With such a big sample i'll get a proper chance to try it out.
L'Oréal Paris Colour Riche Lipstick-$21.95-full size

I got mine in Perfect Red (there were 4 colours available).  Swatching it showed it is very buttery, and it left a slight stain on my hand.  I can't wait to try it out.

Estée Lauder Modern Muse Le Rougé EDP-$120-sample size ($3.60)

My Husband likes this on me, i'm not that over fussed.  It smells a bit fuddy duddy to me.  Like rose (which i normally love), and a bit powdery.  The longer it's on, the more i like it, though.  Just be aware it's quite strong, especially on first application.

It's shimmery!
All up the Spring Edit of The Parcel is valued at $103.67.  It has something for everyone, plus it's great to see some new products from old favourites.

All in all i'm extremely happy, and i can't wait for the next installment.





Monday, September 14, 2015

Younique Moonstruck 3D Fibre Lashes+

Morning lovelies!

Now, here in Australia, we've always had some 'party plan' (for lack of a better term) cosmetics companies.  Avon, Nutrimetics and Mary Kay are well known, household names.  But in the last few years there have been some new players to the market.  Younique is one of those.

Younique is an American company which was started by a brother and sister team in Sept 2012, and was launched here in April 2014.  If you're a part of your local Buy, Swap, Sell group, I'm sure you've heard of them before.  If you're like me, though, you've always been slightly skeptical about the products.  The only time you ever see or hear anything about them it's from a Younique presenter, and if you're selling a product you're going to talk it up.

So when Kelly, a Younique presenter, asked if a blogger would be interested in trying the new, improved 3D fiber lash mascara, i put my hand up.  Not only was it a chance to try out a product that I've heard quite a bit about, it was a chance to put up a no-holds-barred review, from someone who has absolutely nothing to do with the company. 



Lets first and foremost talk about this packaging!  This is just the box the mascara came in.  It's one of the nicest boxes I've ever come across.  You could easily give this as a gift, but it also makes the perfect present to yourself.  It comes with basic instructions, which are easy to follow, and a full list of ingredients on the back of the box.
 Once you open the box, the 2 tubes are housed in a little black bag.  They fit snugly, the bag snaps so they're contained, and the inside is nice and soft, so your products are protected inside a bigger makeup bag.


The tubes are a rubberised black tubes, with an awesome embossed top (embossed with the younique logo).  They could end up slightly grubby with regular use (as every other makeup case I've ever used that feels like this does), but that's easily cleaned.  Both tubes have a window (not sure why, although it might come in handy when you get further in to the product), and the name of each on the side (handy note, though, the fibre tube is smaller than the transplant gel tube.  If you're like me and need to do your makeup without your glasses, this comes in handy).

The Transplant gel brush is very much a traditional type brush.  It works well and picks up smaller lashes.  The fiber brush is smaller, thinner, which is what you want.  The smaller brush makes controlling where you place the fibres easy.

Now, on to my ugly mug :D
My lashes, with nothing on them.  I have half decent lashes, they just aren't very dark.  Add the fact i wear glasses every waking moment and my eyes disappear in to nothingness.  I tend to like mascaras that really make my lashes pop.
Step 1:These are my lashes with a coat of the transplant gel on them.  The good thing I've found is the transplant gel works like a normal mascara.  So the kit offers the best of both worlds, a decent black mascara for those days you want a subdued look, then adding the fibre in when you want something more.
Step 2:The addition of the fibres.  These probably aren't the best examples, as you need to apply the fibres straight after the transplant gel (and i took photos in between), however you can see the instant extension of my lashes.  You do need to be careful are this stage, if you're going to get the fibre in you eyes, now is the time. 
Step 3:Another coat of transplant gel.  This seals in the fibres.  If anything this is the hardest stage.  It takes a little bit of practice to make sure you don't end up with spidery, clumpy lashes, although an eyelash/brow comb helps sort any issues you may have happen.  You can see the difference that the process makes to my lashes, and you can repeat the process as many times as you like (although that clumpy, spidery lash thing does get worse the more layers you use.  Not a major problem, it's just something to be aware of and have the correct tools on hand).
 Me outside!  I've repeated the process twice here, just to give you an idea how the multiple process looks.  On a side note, look how beautiful the weather is, and my raspberries are coming back to life.  Spring in Canberra is amazing!
Me, again.  This is how i look. Hi!  As you can see with my glasses my eyes disappear slightly, but they're definitely more noticeable with this.

Let's get down to the nitty gritty though.  Fibre lash mascaras are either something you love, or something you hate.  I'm sure the majority of people have tried a mascara that has fibres in the mascara itself, and i know I've tried the Modelco version, which is the same idea as the Younique ones.  In my experience I've always ended up with either irritated eyes from the fibres, or I've ended up with little fibres all over my face by the end of the day.

I haven't experienced either with this.  Actually, i haven't really experienced any negatives with this product.  Once it's on, it's on.  I don't find fibres on my face during the day, it doesn't irritate my eyes any more than any other mascara (and they've been super sensitive the last week).  I haven't experienced panda eyes at all with it, even if i accidentally rub my eyes, and even after sleeping with it on, nothing (i know, we're not supposed to sleep with makeup on.  Sue me).  In saying all that it washes off easily in the shower with water (I've been using my Dr Hauschka cleansing sponge).

The hardest things I've found are getting used to applying it.  It takes a little bit of practice to get used to getting a nice, even application (thus avoiding those clumps), and working out how to hold everything so you can apply the fibres in quick succession after the transplant gel (I've found i can hold both tubes in 1 hand, partial open, so i can quickly swap between both).  Of course these problems are both easily fixed, the clumps can be combed out if they occur, and you do have a window of time to apply the fibres.

The Moonstruck 3D Fiber Lashes+ is on the pricier end for a mascara, at $38, however it's on par with Benefit's Roller Lash ($40), and the Fiber Lash does a double duty (and gives spectacular results).  Honestly, i prefer this over Roller Lash, and if I'm forking out that kind of sum on a mascara, i want it to be amazing. 

If you have any more questions, or would like to purchase Fiber Lashes+ for yourself, please contact Kelly Chippendale via her website Love Affair Lashes or on Facebook Love Affair Lashes.  She's an absolute gem, lovely to talk to, and would be happy to answer any questions that you might have about this, or any other product Younique produces (there are some amazing looking products).

Thank you so much Kelly for the opportunity to review this product!