Mini Mary Kay Review

This month I realised that all my magazine subscriptions had run out. I always have subscriptions because it is way waaaay cheaper and saves you from ducking down to 7/11 in your pajamas and uggs to get the latest copies of Harpers Bazaar and Cosmopolitan when you’re having a sick day. Because when you have subscriptions  all you have to do is pop down to the letterbox in your pajamas and uggs to pick up your stack of the latest magazines. So this month I organised all my 24-month subscriptions to all my favourite magazines and with that comes the sweet little subscription gifts you get sent for re subscribing. For re-subscribing to Cosmopolitan I got sent this little pack from Mary Kay of three full sized products. I have previously stated that I’m not too keen on Mary Kay as it gives me a bit of an Avon vibe; but I’m eating my words now for being such a judgmental prick because these finds are quite divine:

Oil-Free Eye Makeup Remover

Now this will never be as great as my holy grail Clinique Take The Day Off but it is pretty darn amazing and I’d say it is a dupe for the MAC eye makeup removers if anything. This Mary Kay product is great for sensitive skin as it is fragrance free, oil free and even ophthalmologist tested which means if you wear contact lenses you are A-Okay! It takes off every last speck of liquid liner and waterproof mascara and doesn’t irritate or pull at the skin. It also makes an AMAZING makeup brush cleaner. Currently I use the Dr Brommer’s Magic Soap in Peppermint, which cleans my brushes and leaves them smelling minty fresh. But even the magic of Dr Brommer’s cannot get through my brushes that I’ve to apply Estee Lauder Double Wear foundation. The staying power the formula has on the face also applies to brushes as well, and not much can budge it. I’ve found the only product that works to get it squeaky clean is eye makeup removers, and the Mary Kay one does a freaking amazing job at it. It is quite the wonderful little multitasker.

Makeup Finishing Spray

I was a pretty excited to try this as I wanted to compare it to my beloved MAC Fix+ Spray and I was pretty surprised at how much I actually loved this. The main reason I love the MAC version is because of the fresh scent from the blend of cucumbers and the instant hydration hit it provides. While it doesn’t really “set” makeup after it’s applied, its great at rehydrating, stopping makeup having that caking effect and defending against oil slicks mid afternoon. The Mary Kay version is the opposite. This is a little miracle product that actually sets makeup, making sure it doesn’t move. If you use it with a matte powder like the Maybelline Matte Maker powder (my absolute favourite) your makeup will probably stay perfect for days.  It dries super fast and doesn’t feel sticky or heavy on the face. While the MAC Fix+ is perfect for giving that dewey finish and breathing new life into tired makeup at 3pm, if you don’t want that makeup to budge then Mary Kay is a great alternative. I can’t really pick a favourite between the two as they both have their own wonderful makeup achievements!

Foundation Primer with Sunscreen SPF 15+

I found this to be a quite similar texture and finish to Benefits Porefessional except with the added benefit of an SPF. It is also dermatologist tested, fragrance free, oil free, suitable for sensitive skin and non-comedogenic. This is great news for me as someone with oily acne prone skin because it won’t clog my pores or cause breakouts. The main problem I find with primers is that they feel quite heavy on the skin and cause me to break out. I haven’t had any problems with this product yet but once I finish the tube I don’t think I’ll repurchase. While it is a great product, the texture and finish are not for me. I prefer a dewey and ultra hydrating primer and this is more of a matte velvet type finish. So if that’s the finish you are after when it comes to makeup, then this product will be a star for you! This also smells like fresh laundry, which I know is bizarre since this product is meant to be fragrance free, but it truly is one of my favourite smells.

Bellabox April 2015

Yes to Carrots C Me Shine Lip Gloss

I have no idea why this made me feel uncomfortable but I guess I was just imagining some mushed up smelly carrots in a lip-gloss tube. But I was totes wrong. TOTES WRONG GUYZ. First of all it doesn’t smell like carrots, it’s very very minty. The shade I got was a nude pinky brown colour that I wouldn’t normally buy for myself. It was also VERY glossy with a hint of shimmer. The gloss is 95% organic, paraben and carmine free, 100% naturally derived and strictly no animal testing. The gloss is very sheer so the colour doesn’t show up like it does in the tube, so you will need a few applications to build it. Full Size $9.95

Marc Daniels Blue Cypress Blonde Smooth Ends Treatment

This is one of those products where you think, “are Bellabox reading my mind?” when it pops up in the monthly box. While I haven’t dyed my hair since October last year, I was thinking last week about booking back in to the hairdressers to re-blondeify my hair and get it up to scratch, so I would have needed to buy blonde shampoo any way. As an incredibly lazy person I am pretty chuffed as this saves me a trip to the shops. I’ve never heard of this brand before but I’m happy to give it a try. Full Size $12.99

Nivea Caramel Lip Butter

Oh. Em. Gee. Holy. Guacamole. This. Is. Amazing. Seriously! How have I not tried this before? Well it is mainly because I don’t buy lip products that come in pots because I find it super unhygienic. But this? So scrumptious. So hydrating. I used the tiniest amount and It INSTANTLY soothed my lips and made them smell like a delectable caramel tart. I am crazy in love with this product. Full Size $5.19

Pure Therapy Gentle Soap Free Body Cleanser

This product is made for incredibly sensitive skin. It is soap and fragrance free; dermatologist tested and contains oats to sooth skin. Its also Australian made and owned, as well as being free from animal testing. Bonus points for having recyclable packaging.  Hey, it’s the little things that count. It’s always nice to have a product like this to use in the shower to give the skin a break from all the different products. Sample Size

JOICO Moisture Recovery Shampoo and Conditioner

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again. I love love love getting shampoo and conditioner samples. It is something I’ll never get bored of because we all have to wash our hair right? It’s nice to be able to try different brands without commiting to the big bottles and being left disappointed with stringy hair and lots of left over product. These Joico samples are from their lasting colour range that is sulfate free and helps extend the life of coloured hair. Sample Size

Nourish Anti-Itch Lotion

I’m not really an itchy person and I have pretty amazing self-control when it comes to not scratching mosquito bites. So I think this might be one of those samples I keep in my bathroom cupboard “just in case”. Sample Size