August Empties

I'm going to share my thoughts about the products I finished using or threw away during the month of August.

AVON Naturals Hair Care - 2 in 1 Shampoo and Conditioner green tea and lime:
I generally don't really like using 2 in 1 shampoos and conditioner because I do not feel like that do a decent job at washing out my hair. This Avon one smelt nice but I didn't particularly like using it.
Repurchase: No

AVON Naturals Body Care - Shower Gel lavender and chamomile:
I brought this on sale and loved the smell of lavender. As far as shower gels go this was okay. 
Repurchase: Maybe. I would consider it if it was sale.

SEACRET Pure Body Lotion -
I thought this was okay as a body lotion. It felt light and non greasy, but I probably wouldn't try this again.
Repurchase: No. I prefer other body lotions.

WOT NOT Facial Wipes - oily/sensitive skin:
I really enjoy using Wot Not facial wipes, and I feel that I have the exact right amount of moisture that I like in a facial wipe. This is the oily/sensitive skin version but for me I don't have a preference between this or the original version.
Repurchase: Yes, Wot Nots are my favourite brand of facial wipes.

MARY KAY Fluid Eye Color - spring leaf:
I am not a big eye shadow wearer and did not really like this golden green colour either, as a result I have not been using this eye colour at all. I am getting rid of this product since I don't use it.
Repurchase: No.

AVON One Great Mascara - black:
I brought this when it was on sale for $5, and that price I just could not pass up getting a waterproof mascara. I thought it was okay, and would probably buy it again if it was on sale for $5 again.
I am throwing this out because I've had this open for 3 months already.
Repurchase: Maybe. If it was on sale I would think about it.

APPELLES APOTHECARY & LAB - Blackseed Shampoo rosemary, ylang ylang and lavandin super & Tamanu Conditioner rosemary, ylang ylang and lavandin super:
I really liked using these samples
Repurchase:  I would consider it however these are a bit pricey.

PANTENE Aqua Light - Nourishing Shampoo and Conditioner:
I thought these were okay but nothing special. I  did like the fragrance.
Repurchase: No, I prefer other shampoos and conditioners.

BURT'S BEES Almond and Milk Hand Cream
I loved the scent and thought it was a great hand cream.
Repurchase: I would think about buying it if it was on sale.

HAPPY SKINCARE Cloud 9 Deep Cleansing Balm:
This was the first cleansing balm I have ever used and I loved it. It made my skin feel of moisturised after cleaning my face. I have to admit I am a little sad when I finished this sample off, and now I want to try all the other Happy Skincare products out.
Repurchase:Ye, I will be buying this product soon. 

DR. HAUSCHAKA Lavender Sandalwood Calming Body Wash:
I love the smell of this body wash, it was a nice body wash.
Repurchase:No. The full size product is expensive and I don't think it is worth spending that much on it. 

REFRESHED Lemon Myrtle Exfoliating Natural Soap
I like using exfoliating soaps and I also enjoyed the scent of this soap.
Repurchase: Maybe.

VASELINE Anti-ageing body lotion:
I have used a couple of samples of this product before. It smells nice, but I don't really think I am at a stage where I need an anti-ageing body lotion.
Repurchase: No.

PALMER'S Cocoa Butter Formula:
I used this a lot when I was a younger and using this reminded me of that time.
Repurchase: Maybe

Bellabox August 2014 review

Bellabox is an Australian beauty sample subscription box that costs $15 AUD a month. I have been with them for almost a year and I really enjoy getting my monthly surprise from them. The theme for this month's box is 'Sport your style' but to be honest I am just not feeling the connection between the theme and the items.

Unlike some other Australian subscription boxes Bellabox seem to have a huge variation between what some subscribers receive, and I am pretty sure that this month I have the 'awesome' box.

What was in my August box:

SALLY HANSEN Complete Salon Manicure Nail polish (RRP $14.95 AUD) Full size product
This nail polish is suppose to be a base coat, straightener, growth treatment and nail polish all in the one product. Mine came in the shade 'Ivory Coat 131' which to be honest I am not totally thrilled with, but I guess I can use it on my toe nail or as french polish tips so it will not go to waste.

AVEENO Daily Moisturising Lotion (RRP $12.99 for 354ml) Sample size 29ml
I have tried this sample before and I thought it was okay but nothing special as far as moisturising lotions go.

SAVOIR FAIRE Eyeshadow (RRP $24 AUD) Full size product
I was pretty impressed to receive a $24 eyeshadow this month. My product is a purple eyeshadow called 'Acid 011' which I like the look of. The packaging is a little bit fancy with it's pop up function and an imprint of the brand's logo on the eyeshadow. I am looking forward to giving this a go.

BURT'S BEE Radiance Day Cream (RRP $39.95 AUD for 55g) Sample size 7g
I like Burt's Bee product so I am happy to get a sample of this new day cream, it smells lovely.

OGX Nourishing Coconut Milk Shampoo & Conditioner ($17.99 AUD for 385ml each) Sample Sample size 60 ml each
These shampoo and conditioner samples smell great, I just love the scent of coconut. I have heard good things about this brand so I am looking forward to seeing what this will do for my hair.

PALMER"S Cocoa Body Butter (RRP $9.99 AUD for 400ml) Sample size 
I haven't used this body butter in ages. This was something I used all the time in my high school / early uni days, so it is a bit of an old favourite of mine. Love the chocolately smell.

Verdict:
I am pretty happy with my box from Bellabox this month. I received two full sized products the nail polish and eyeshadow, which combined together come to a retail price of $38.95. Considering I paid $15 for this box including shipping I am pretty happy. In saying that I do think I have the better version of the boxes this month, there are some subscribers who feel a bit duded this month but I guess that is just how subscription boxes are sometimes.

Disclaimer: I brought this box with my own money, my opinions are my own.

June Empties

I now this post is a bit late since tomorrow will be August, but better late than never I suppose.
So let's have a look at what products I used in June and my thoughts about them.

NATURES ORGANICS Wild Lavender Shower Milk - 400ml
I love the scent of lavender  so I was pretty happy with this shower milk. I am a big  fan of Natures Organics products because they are organic, Australia and are very affordable too.
Would I repurchase? Probably, I liked it.

NUDE BY NATURE Nature's Super Anti-Oxidant Foaming Cleanser - 60ml
I really did not like the lid on this bottle because it made things difficult to get the product out. The cleanser worked fine, but it was nothing special.
Would I repurchase? Maybe if it was on sale.

REXONA Passion All Day Dryness Deodorant
I don't really like the scent that this deodorant had when it was working.
Would I repurchase? No

BURT'S BEES Milk and Honey Body Lotion - 25g
I liked this but I thought it smelt a bit weird. I think some people might find the smell to be off putting, I've seen some one describe it as 'off milk'. Best to smell it before you buy it.
Would I repurchase? No, I think I prefer other body lotions over this one.

SHE Wash Away Milk Cleanser - 30 ml sample
I had never used a milk cleanser before but I loved this cleanser. It smelt amazing and I enjoyed the way that it made my skin afterwards.
Would I repurchase? Yes, I would probably get it if I saw it on special. Personally don't like to spend too much on my cleanser products.

CLEAR Total Nourishing Care Conditioner - 50ml sample
I thought that this was okay and it smelt nice.
Would I repurchase? No I prefer other conditioners over this one.

VASELINE Anti-ageing Body Lotion- 25ml sample
This smells really nice, however I don't think I my body needs an anti-ageing lotion (I'm only 26).
Would I repurchase? No, I don't think I need a product like this yet.

 ROMY Eucalyptus Lemongrass Shampoo and Conditioner samples
I took these from a hotel room I stayed at, and they smell lovely.
Would I repurchase? No, I think they are too expensive for what they are.

BURT'S BEES Hand Salve 8.5g
I didn't like the packaging because it was difficult to open, and I thought it left my hands feeling greasy afterwards leaving me to put marks on things.
Would I repurchase? No

SCHWARZKOPF Omega Repair BB Beauty Balm- sample
This is a beauty balm for your hair, I guess it is the bb cream version for hair. I didn't like using this I felt like it weighed down my hair (I might have used too much at once though).
Would I repurchase? No

RIMMEL LONDON BB cream Matte Medium- 1.5 ml sample
When I first put this on I thought it made me look a bit orange, it looked better afterwards. I think I might need to wear it more than once to decide if I like it or not.
Would I repurchase? I think I would like to give it a decent try so I would for that purpose, since I normally really enjoy Rimmel products.

L'OREAL Everpure Shampoo and Conditioner- sample
These smelt nice but the thing I remember the most about using this is that the shampoo foamed a lot. I don't think I've ever used anything that foamed as much.
Would I repurchase? No.

SIMPLE Cleansing Facial Wipes - Sample 7 wipes
I thought these were okay. I would be happy to use them again
Would I repurchase? I would but I prefer wot not facial wipes.

Bellabox June Review

Bellabox is an Australia beauty sample subscription box which for the price of $15 a month subscribers receive at least 5 samples (and sometimes full sized products).

Usually I get my box in a very timely manner however my June box did not arrive until the second week of July. This was because of the courier service that Bellabox was trying out with some customers. I guess that I can't hold that against Bellabox but it was a little bit annoying, especially since I live in the same city as the Bellabox warehouse.

Now to have a look at what goodies I received for June.

GARNIER BB Cream Normal Skin (RRP $13.95 AUD for 40ml) Full sized product 


I have used the Garnier sensitive BB cream and have liked it so I welcome receiving another one BB cream from them. I am glad that my product came in 'medium' which is the prefect colour for my skin. I had been planning to purchase the one designed for oily skin which I think might suit my skin better, but I guess I will just continue to add some powder. It is great that this BB cream now includes SPF, because many BB creams do not and I would have to apply sunscreen underneath.

OLAY Regenerist Revitalising Hydration Cream (RRP $34.99 AUD for 50g) Sample size 14g
I am 26 so I have not really been using anti ageing creams. This is a product that my mother uses so I am trying to decide if I should pass this on to her, or if I should just use it as a day time cream for myself.

HERBAL ESSENCES Naked Shine Shampoo and Conditioner (RRP $6.99 AUD each for 300ml) Sample size 40ml each
These samples are of a new range of hair care that are paraben and colourant free. I prefer to use shampoo and conditioners that do have nasty chemicals in them, so these are right up my alley. They smell amazing and I am looking forward to giving them a try.

BURT'S BEES Almond Milk Beeswax Hand Creme (RRP $19.95 AUD for 57g) Sample size 7g
I have a toddler and have been caring for my father so I have to wash my hands all the time, and my hands have been getting very dry so I was happy to get a hand cream. I really enjoy Burt's Bee product and after trying this for a couple of days I am very happy with this cream. I like the almond scent and the fact that it is not too greasey on your hands afterwards.

ST TROPEZ Self Tan Bronzing Face Lotion (RRP $49.95 AUD for 50ml) Sample size 5ml
I don't use tanners because I have olive skin so I will not be using this sample. I will be passing this on to a friend instead.

NUTRIMETICS Nutri-Rich Instant Radiance Beauty Balm (RRP $50 AUD for 50ml) Sample size 2ml.
When I first saw this sachet sample I thought it was another BB cream because BB means Beauty Balm. However the directions on the back make it sound like a treatment cream. I am a bit confused and will need to check out exactly what this cream is designed for.

INSTYLE AUSTRALIA Magazine (RRP $9.95 AUD)
I don't normally buy magazines (unless they have freebies with them) but I do enjoy reading them. I was actually in hospital last week so I was grateful that I had something to read.

Overall I am happy with my June Bellabox, I was not amazed by the samples inside but with the exception of the tanning lotion I will be using everything in this box. I think for $15 (including postage) that Bellabox is great value, especially with the full size BB cream.

Disclaimer: I brought this box with my own money. My thoughts are my own and not influenced by anyone else.