Bellabox July 2015

This month the theme for Bellabox was ‘Beauty Wanderer’ and this meant that all products are travel size friendly and great to chuck in your carry on in a hurry. Though personally I believe a better name for it could have been ‘Beauty DeJa Vu’ instead because 99% of the products (besides from the ModelCo eyeshadow stick) had been used throughout other beauty boxes. Just because it was a tad repetitive this month doesn’t mean the products weren’t great, so lets jump in shall we?

ModelCo Shadow Stick

We received a sneak peek preview of these, so when it arrived I was surprised by how tiny it is. But this tube seriously packs a punch. Just a light application of this gives the most intense colour and it applies so smoothly. I swatched it on the back of my hand and it is still there after many hours and hand washings, so its extremely long lasting. I received the purple shade but when I took off the packaging it was broken in half, which is so disappointing. These come in a pack of four for $39 and are a great cruelty free alternative to the Clinique Chubby Sticks for eyes. They would be even more amazing in different colours and with the ability to purchase them individually. Deluxe Sample. Cruelty Free. 

Essenzza Fuss Free Naturals Facial Treatment Mask

I’ve only tried cloth masks from Lonvitalite and Neutrogena before so it’s exciting to try a different brand. I’ve tried their makeup removing wipes before which I really enjoyed so I had high hopes on the masks. The Japanese silk mask is infused with citrus and pineapple enzymes and contains three layers. Once you remove it from the packet, you remove the white protective layer and apply clear side down and smooth across your face into place. I had to customize mine and cut extra slits around the eye and mouth areas because they were ridiculously tiny. The nose hole fit my schnoz perfectly, which was surprising because my big nose usually never fits properly with cloth facemasks, so this was a lovely bonus. Once all smoothed into place you peel off the blue layer so you are left with a fine film to cover your face for 20-30 minutes. I find a lot of cloth masks to be quite heavy and slide slightly off your face, meaning that you have to lie perfectly still during the duration while it works its magic. But this mask was so thin and clung to the face that made it easier to move around. Once the 30 minutes was up I removed the mask and let the formula dry. My skin didn’t feel or look any different but it did feel quite soothed and hydrated. Essenzza claim these are fuss free masks unlike traditional ones from a tube, which I do not agree with. It took far longer to fiddle around with the 3 layers and find the nail scissors to cut larger holes than it would take to smooth some mask from a tube onto my face in five seconds. Because of this, I why would probably not repurchase these but it was something new and fun to try. Deluxe Sample. Cruelty Free.

Neutrogena Deep Clean Gentle Scrub

I’ve received this scrub before in a different box and while it does its job, it isn’t a total WOW product. It is gentle enough to use daily and leaves skin feeling a tiny bit softer, but I would say it isn’t really worth the money compared to some other amazing exfoliators that are out there on the market for a similar price and are a bit more ethical. Though it does contain salicylic acid that is great for us gals and guys with problem skin, it also contains plastic microbeads, which are an absolute no no. These beads don’t break down when they wash down the drain and can cause damage to sea life when they enter the ocean. Neutrogena also test on animals so this scrub isn’t the greatest thing to use if you love our furry or ocean friends. Sample Size. TESTS ON ANIMALS.

Neutrogena Make-Up Remover Cleansing Towelettes

I think this is the third time I’ve received these cleansing towelettes before, but like shampoo and conditioner, you can’t go wrong with popping some makeup wipes in a beauty box. It’s an essential that we all need and get frustrated when we run out of them and only realise at 3am and these ones are super gentle and get the job done without irritating skin. Deluxe Sample. TESTS ON ANIMALS.

Palmolive Body Polish Shower Gel in Strawberry

This range of shower gel contains real fruit seeds and makes me want spring to hurry up to my doorstep so I can pick berries and wear sun hats and floral dresses. This also smells IDENTICAL to The Body Shop Strawberry shower gel, so if you are looking for an affordable alternative this may be it. Though Palmolive does test on animals so that should be something to keep in mind. This smells amazing and feels great so I will use up the bottle but won’t repurchase it since it is not bunny friendly. Deluxe Sample. TESTS ON ANIMALS.

BONUS

Marc Daniels Blue Cypress Blonde Shampoo and Conditioner

I’m always extremely chuffed when I get products for blonde hair in beauty boxes, as blonde hair maintenance can be super pricey, so anything to help is a total A+ to me! Marc Daniels is a great Aussie owned and made brand that are super affordable and don’t test on animals. I tried a full size treatment that was in a previous Bellabox and really enjoyed it, so I had high hopes before I washed my hair with this last night and it did not disappoint. It is bright purple and contained enough for a double shampoo and a generous conditioning. It left my hair feeling fresh, bright and not weighed down with product. A great product for blonde gals. Sample Size. Cruelty Free.

Coral Colour Lip Liner in Espresso

Oh gee wiz. This is probably the most unappealing lip liner I have ever seen in my life. The consistency is dry which means it drags across skin and means you’re less likely to get lovely stable lines. The colour is so brown that I originally thought this was an eyeliner but there is no way that it would look even close to okay on my skin tone. Total dud. Full Size $5.95. Animal testing policy unknown.

Cruelty Free Swap #1: Green Concealer

While I’m in the process of swapping over all my cosmetics to cruelty free and bunny friendly options, there were some products I was worried I wouldn’t be able to find a quality replacement for; and green concealer was one of them. I use a green concealer every time I apply my makeup after my primer and before my foundation to even out the redness in my skin from having severe cystic acne when I was 20 and I’ve only ever used the Maybelline Cover Stick Corrector Concealer in Green and haven’t tried any others. My first thought was to switch over to Napoleon Perdis, but seeing as they are quite shady with their animal testing practices and how they stock fur makeup brushes, I decided I will no longer be purchasing from that brand.

So a quick Google search brought up the NYX Above & Beyond Full Coverage Concealer in Green that has some really great reviews and is priced pretty cheaply at $9.95 through Target Australia. So after work one night I popped down to my closest 24 hour Target and trotted over to the NYX stand that was currently having a 30% off sale. The stand had been absolutely ransacked and there were barely any cosmetics left but I managed to find a tub and pick it up for an absolute steal.

This is the first product I have tried from NYX and I am not at all disappointed. The consistency of this concealer is absolutely beautiful and it applies so smoothly. While I did love the Maybelline one for quite a while, I did find that the texture wasn’t as great and it was a lot thicker and patchier. The NYX one isn’t as vibrant in colour but it covers redness beautifully and feels wonderful on the skin. The only fault I have with it is the packaging. I’m not a fan of tub packaging as I don’t think it is that hygienic and there could be some difficulties getting the last bits of concealer out of the bottom of the tub. If this came in a wind up tube like Maybelline it would be absolutely perfect. I did notice online that they make a HD Concealer Wand in green that is a bit more liquid style so I would love to get my mitts on that and give it a try.

So if you’re looking for a cruelty free way to cover any redness or break outs, the NYX Above & Beyond Green Concealer is your ticket because I couldn’t recommend it enough.

Build-A-Box

If you’re subscribed to beauty subscription boxes and also follow them on Instagram you will see A LOT of people whining and complaining about how other people got better products than them when photos are posted on Instagram. Just a quick newsflash people, beauty boxes are basically the adult version of a lucky dip. You aren’t going to get exactly what you want and I think that’s what makes part of it so exciting. So Violetbox, my favourite of the subscription services has created ‘Build-A-Box’ to ease the FOMO hysteria and allow people to pick up six products that they may have missed out on trying for the low low price of $25. To create the Build-A-Box (which ended after a limited time last week) you select 2 Makeup Items, 2 Skincare Items and 2 Hair care/Body/Bath/Other Items. When I created mine, instead of wanting to get as much value as I could I only selected cruelty free products that I know I would want to try. So what did I select? Lets have a look:

Coastal Scents Beijing Go Palette

I have seen Coastal Scents eyeshadow palettes all over Instagram and YouTube. They are a really cheap brand with AMAZING quality and create every colour you could imagine. The shadows are so pigmented and creamy that they make it foolproof to apply. I chose they Beijing pallet which was inspired by the city and that’s full of cherry pinks, purples and gold shimmer hues. All the colours are beautiful, rich and royal and I know I will get use out of every single one, which is what you want when buying a palette. But what I love most about it is how little the eyeshadow pans are which means you won’t have a lot of shadow left over when the product expires. Because A LOT of people forget that makeup does actually expire. Eyeshadows from Coastal Scents are great budget friendly options for people wanting to experiment with makeup and a must have for any makeup bag. Cruelty Free and Full Size $12.95

Furless Pro Stippling Brush

I hadn’t really heard of Furless until I was Googling some of the products that I wanted to choose from and came across their website. Furless is an Australian brand that make high quality, cruelty free makeup brushes. The brand also makes regular donations to the animal charity Wildlife ARC and I can’t believe it took me this long to find out about them. This brush is basically the softest thing I’ve EVER touched and is a multipurpose wonder. It can be used to apply liquid, cream and mousse foundations, primers, tinted moisturisers and BB and CC creams. You can also use it to contour, apply mineral foundations or for a light sweep of blush across the cheeks. Because it’s a stippling brush you can use it for the lightest coverage all the way to the heaviest. It has a really long handle so it’s really easy to control. The quality of this brush is so amazing and I definitely see myself purchasing A LOT more products from Furless in the future. Such a wonderful company. Cruelty Free and Full Size $16.95

Model Co Blush in Peach Bellini

The colour of this sheer pressed powder may look intense when you first open it but because its sheer it is not that heavily pigmented so it gives a really light wash of colour across the cheeks. It is similar in colour to the NARS Orgasm but a lot less intense and also comes with a little fold out mirror compact making it so purse friendly. I think Model Co is a really underrated Australian brand that makes amazing quality products. I can’t wait to start using this blush because it is perfect for really pale skin without being too intense. Cruelty Free and Full Size $22

Designer Brands Pre-Glued Corner Lashes

I am REALLY terrible at applying false lashes, like absolutely the worst. I get the glue everywhere and can never get the lashes on straight or even cut them to size properly. So with all that in mind these pre glued lashes really appealed to me. They are for the corner of the lash meaning there is no annoying cutting down to size and they look a bit more natural than full lashes and are a million times less fiddly than individual lashes. Being from Designer Brands they are also budget friendly and come in 10 other designs. I can’t wait to whip these out for a night out and I’m really growing to love a lot of products from Designer Brands. Cruelty Free and Full Size $8.99

Nao Bay Oxygenating Cream Moisturiser

I had never heard of this brand or moisturiser before but when I Googled it the reviews that came up were amazing so I added it to the box immediately. This moisturiser is made from both organic and natural ingredients including the fatty acids from avocado and olive oils. Even though it’s designed for dry and dehydrated skin this cream is so light when applied and it absorbs instantly. The smell is also AMAZING. It smells like a day spa in a bottle. I can see this easily becoming one of my favourite moisturisers ever! Cruelty Free and Deluxe Sample Size

Lonvitalite Collagen Crystal Eye Mask

This is the only product out of the whole box that I have received before but that’s all right because I really loved them. These little jelly patches feel really weird to apply under the eye but after use leaves the delicate under eye skin feeling hydrate and looking a million bucks. They also stay put really well meaning that you can walk around the house and do exciting things like make dinner without worrying they will fall off. Packed full of Vitamin C and Hyaluronic Acid they are the perfect pick me up if you’ve missed a few hours sleep. Cruelty Free and Deluxe Sample Size

Empties #6

Simple Spotless Skin Quick Fix Cleansing Wipes

I have used Simple makeup wipes for many years because they are great at removing the bulk of your makeup before going in with eye makeup removers and cleansers. The reason I loved the Simple Cleansing Wipes is because they aren’t heavily scented and don’t break me out at all. Even when I’m being a bit cheeky and using only them to take off my makeup after I’m really tired from work. So when I saw the Quick Fix version I jumped on giving them a try. Like the original they remove even waterproof mascara but they contain Zinc and Chamomile to help treat spots and keep breakouts at bay. I didn’t really notice much of a difference when using these, but I found the original version were better at removing makeup. But none of this matters because since I started using these many years ago, I always thought that Simple were cruelty free purely because of the natural feel the company portrays. But after a bit of research I discovered they are not cruelty free at all which is REALLY disappointing. So after I have used the last five packets that I have stock piled in my bathroom, I will no longer be buying from Simple. I think I might start buying the ModelCo exfoliating wipes that I got the chance to try in Bellabox last month as they are from an Australian Cruelty Free company as an alternative to Simple. NOT Cruelty Free

Lonvitalite 24K Gold Active Golden Yulan Oil Face Mask

You know when you’re eating really minty chewing gum and you get really thirsty? So you have a big glass of water and it feels like you’ve swallowed a million ice cubes and they’re all melting down you’re throat at the same time. This is EXACTLY what this facemask feels like on the skin. It’s a weird sensation at first but once you’re used to it, it gets quite refreshing and soothing on the skin. The mask aims to relieve inflamed, irritated, puffy skin and help to promote circulation. Once the 20 minutes was up I peeled off the mask and my skin looked plump, refreshed and with a lot less redness. I really liked this and will definitely be stocking up on some more in the future. Cruelty Free

The Cosmetic Kitchen Wake Up Body Scrub

This scrub was just really confusing, unnecessary and REALLY messy. I wasn’t sure exactly how this dry body scrub was going to work without wet skin to stick to. And it really didn’t work at all. I stood in the bathtub before jumping into the shower to try and contain the mess and grabbed handfuls to rub over my skin. But that only lasted 10 seconds before it fell into the bottom of the tub. I went through the whole packet to go over my entire body and I’d say only 1/5 of that actually scrubbed my skin. The smell was also terrible, like stale coffee grounds. Even though it contained lots of other great ingredients like raw sugar and pink Australian organic clay, all you could smell was the coffee, so if coffee is not your thing I would avoid. My skin did feel a bit softer but this could have worked a lot better if it was to be used wet in the shower so it didn’t leave a trail of mess everywhere. Cruelty Free

Clinique Take The Day Off Makeup Remover

This has been my go to eye makeup remover for many many years but sadly our relationship must come to an end due to my pledge to go cruelty free. Take The Day Off is amazing and I really can’t fault it. It is gentle and great for sensitive skin. When applied to a cotton pad it takes away every particle of eye makeup without harsh pulling and tugging at the skin and lashes. But due to Clinique still testing on animals I will no longer be purchasing this. It is extremely disappointing as I have loved this product and it’s been a staple in my bathroom for many years, but it is time to find a cruelty free alternative. NOT Cruelty Free

De Lorenzo et Oil Balance

I have raved about this in my June Favourites post and I have now finished up the can and don’t feel any different about it. Oil Balance is a great cruelty free pre-shampoo hair treatment that does an amazing job at restoring a balance to the locks of people who suffer from oily roots and dry ends. It is also wonderful at treating locks that have been attacked by heat styling tools so I will definitely be repurchasing this. Cruelty Free

Sample Showdown #2

Kerastase Nectar Thermique

You know when you are out running errands and you’re dressed in yoga pants that have never seen a yoga studio, your RMIT University t-shirt complete with holes, hair in a bun that’s full of half a can of dry shampoo, no makeup but still have yesterdays mascara caked on your bottom lashes and Havaianas on your feet because nothing about your appearance makes sense? Then you’re walking down the street and you pass a woman who obviously has a respectable job that isn’t bartending until 2am at the local dive bar like you do. They are well dressed in expensive tailored clothes with perfect hair and makeup and shoes that haven’t been bitten by cats. Everything about them is just.. Grown up. You know they pay their bills before the due date and have cheese platters already pre-prepared waiting in their fridge at home. Well that is how I describe the smell of the Kerastase Nectar Thermique. This smells like adults who have their shit together and remember to heat protect their hair before going at it with a GHD. The smell is just so luxe and decadent that I just want to have this strapped under my nose like a donkey with a feedbag. This applies beautifully through the hair to keep it hydrated and protected against harsh heat styling tools without making the hair feel heavy, greasy or crunchy like some products. Oh so very nourishing. The only reason that I won’t be repurchasing this is because it’s tested on animals. My heart breaks for the animals and my strands of blonde. NOT Cruelty Free.

Aveda Intensive Hydrating Masque

The reviews online where so great for this face mask and I was so excited to use it, but it turned out to be quite the disappointment. This mask is completely clear and applies on like a thick type of glue. You keep it on for about 15 minutes and then rinse it off with water. It is meant to be extremely hydrating and soothing on the skin during winter months so I decided to give it a go on a particularly chilly night. During the process it didn’t feel like anything. Most masks feel cooling or warm or give some sort of sensation on the skin. This one just gave nothing and all seemed well until I washed it off my face and saw how irritated my skin looked. It was all red and blotchy and my skin didn’t even feel hydrated. It just looked REALLY pissed off. Considering this retails at $79.95 full sized this was another moment I was thanking my lucky stars that I was smart enough to subscribe to beauty boxes to try before I buy. Cruelty Free.

Aveda Tourmaline Charged Hydrating Crème

When I was getting ready to try this product I did not have high hopes due to my run in with the Aveda face mask five minutes ago. Even though the facemask massively sucked, the hydrating crème was AMAZING. When you apply this it feels as if you are putting your face in the ocean on a hot summers day. It was incredibly soothing, hydrating and just left my skin feeling amazing; everything I wanted the mask to be. This does smell very herbal which might put some people off but smell aside I cannot fault this product. Full size this retails at $89.95 and it is definitely worth the price. Out of the tiny sample tube I got three uses so the full size should last a long time. When reading reviews on this I read that some people have found this is a low cost dupe of the La Mer face cream, which was incredibly interesting. If I weren’t on a no buy right now I would definitely purchase this. Cruelty Free.

Anastasia Beverly Hills Lash Genius

 Lash Genius by Anastasia Beverly Hills is a waterproof topcoat for mascara. It’s a cute little idea especially for people that really don’t like waterproof mascara everyday because of how hard it can be to remove. At first I was kind of like ‘Why not just buy waterproof mascara people?’ and then the more I thought about it, the more I realised how great this little product actually is. You can keep your regular non-waterproof mascara all year long and then also have the Lash Genius on hand for hot summer days or any other activity that might make mascara run (Watching Marley and Me maybe?). This is also a great alternative if you’ve found your dream mascara and the company doesn’t make a waterproof counterpart. It applies really easy over the top of existing mascara and this little tube lasted me over six months. A great little investment and I would definitely repurchase this. Cruelty Free. 

Nutrimetics Nutri-Rich Instant Radiance Beauty Balm

Most beauty balms these days are tinted in colours way too dark for my skin and even the lightest shades look either bright orange or streaky brown. So when I opened up this little sachet from Nutrimetics I was psyched! This balm makes the perfect primer for people that don’t like the heavy feel of some primers under their makeup. I applied this over my moisturiser and under my foundation and it gave it a beautiful and luminous glow and kept my makeup fresh and in place all night. It was also great at hiding the pores on my nose, even better than some other primers I’ve used. I didn’t notice any firming or lifting of the skin like it claims but my skin is still young so I don’t really need that. I did notice how hydrated and soft it left my skin and it did absorb any excess oil and stopped my makeup looking greasy by the end of the night.  I was really shocked to learn that Nutrimetics products are free from animal testing and animal derived ingredients, I've always believed they were down the same path that Avon were but now I know this I will definitely be purchasing a lot more of their products. When I was 18 I went to a Nutrimetics party held by a friends sister and purchased a few nail polishes and makeup products that were really great quality. So I think I’ll be jumping back on the Nutrimetics wagon for sure. Cruelty Free.

John Frieda Beach Blonde Smooth Seas Conditioner

This John Frieda conditioner for blonde hair smells like peppermint and also has detangling properties in it. I found it made my blonde hair brighter and smelt incredibly fresh thanks to the minty scent. It also worked like a dream with my Tangle Teezer at getting through some really stubborn knots at the front. I didn’t really like the accompanying shampoo that came with this (not pictured) as it didn’t really do much more than a standard shampoo would, but the conditioner was a little gem. The only thing I don’t like about John Frieda products is how hard it is to find out their animal testing practices. Many beauty bloggers and cruelty free websites find it hard to get a straight answer out of Kao Brands who owns John Frieda. They are featured on some cruelty free lists but do stock products in China and are rumored to have some testing labs over there. Due to all this confusion, I wouldn’t repurchase this conditioner. Animal Testing Unknown.

Bioderma Sebium Gel Moussant Cleanser

This is a great cleanser for oily skin that gives a really deep cleanse in seconds without being too stripping or harsh on the skin. The scent isn’t that great but it does leave skin feeling incredibly fresh and ready for moisturisers and serums and my skin didn’t break out at all using the sample. A little does go a long way because this tiny tube lasted me just under two weeks. While it was a great cleanser I feel there are a lot cheaper alternatives that do not test on animals so I wont be repurchasing this. NOT Cruelty Free.