Thoughts On: Bellabox (November Box)

Today's post is going to be a little thoughts and review style post on Bellabox. For those of you who may be unaware, Bellabox is a monthly beauty box that is delivered straight to your door for only $15 (including postage). You get to try out 5+ beauty items that will range from skincare, haircare, makeup or accessories. The box that arrived just the other day, the November box, will be my second box. So far I'm feeling a little bit 'meh' about it, as I had higher expectations after seeing the GlossyBox which is quite popular in the UK. Oh how I wish they would bring GlossyBox back here! I'm going to wait and see what the December box is like, and if I'm not impressed, I will most likely be cancelling my subscription until they improve. 

This months theme was 'Refreshing Beauty', and was all about refreshing different parts of your beauty regime in time for summer. Before I get into the actual products that were included in my box, I would like to briefly comment on the packaging it came in. After seeing Tanya Burr's recent blogpost which features a Bellabox (you can read it here) I had really high expectations about how my box was going to look. Upon arrival, I was utterly disappointed as mine was just a flimsy cardboard pillow. The colour scheme of it is nice, but the quality was a bit of a let down compared to Tanya's. I'm not quite sure why ours were so different. I'm thinking perhaps her box was the new packaging they're beginning to use, while mine was the old one? 

So, onto the products that were included in my box this month. I had five products, two being full sized, and also a bonus sachet sample product. I was quite pleased to see two full-sized products this month, as it made the $15 worth it. 

1. Bellabox Pout Pencil in 'Ruby Tuesday' - RRP $14.99

The quality of this is not too bad. It seems a little more on the cheap side but is nicely pigmented and creamy. The packaging of this is what really lets it down, it just feels so cheap and tacky. This retails for $14.99 and considering the Bourjois Colour Boost lipsticks are only $15 as well, I would definitely opt for the Bourjois ones instead. 

2. Simple Kind To Eyes Eye Makeup Corrector Pen - RRP $11.99

I haven't used this yet, but I can sense that I will be getting a lot of use out of it when it comes to perfecting my winged eyeliner. I'm a big fan of Simple so I was excited to see that this was full-sized.

3. Indio SOS Gel - RRP $72 (50mL)

This gel helps to reduce redness and cool and soothe the skin, particularly sensitive skin. I haven't used this yet, and probably won't for a while, but it is a decent sized sample (10mL). Though it's a pretty hefty price tag, and I can't ever see myself spending that much on something like this.

4. ASAP Sheer Tint Moisturiser - RRP $45 (75mL)

I'm excited to try this out because who doesn't love a good tinted moisturiser, but once again it's a price tag that's not in my budget, so I can't see myself buying the full sized product anytime soon. 

5. Naked Tan Creme de la Creme - RRP $27.50 (150mL)

To be honest, I'm not much of a fake tan girl, so I wasn't particularly over the moon to see this, but I may give it a go at some stage because why not? I am pleased that it's a decent sized sample (30mL), but then again for a fake tan I don't know how much of my body I will able to cover with this stuff. 

Bonus! Caron Laboratories Bump Eraiser Medi Paste - RRP $16.99 (30mL)

This will probably just get shoved to the back of my draw until it perhaps one day comes in handy. As well as a $5 iSubscribe gift card. 

Bellabox Pout Pencil in 'Ruby Tuesday'

Fingers crossed I am wowed by next month's box, because there haven't been any major standout products from the last two boxes I have received. However, you may be overjoyed with the contents of this box and want to sign up immediately. If so, pop on over to their website here and browse around and sign up. Let me know in the comments what you think of Bellabox, or if you know of any beauty boxes that are better.

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Maybelline Color Tattoo | Review

Maybelline Color Tattoo's have been spoken about for quite some time now, and they are definitely a well-loved and hyped-up product; and so they should be! Just in case you're not familiar with them, they are basically cream eyeshadows that are advertised to last for 24 hours. They have two lines, that I am aware of: the regular line and the 'metal' line. 

I love these eyeshadows so much, it's almost insane! The fact that these retail for only $11.95 and are such amazing quality is crazy. These are often compared to Mac paint pots, but are so much better, and so much cheaper! I can't say I've tested out the 24 hour claim, but they do last all day for me with no problem at all. Other eyeshadows apply lovely on top, if you want to use these as a base, or you can just blend them all over your eye and they look beautiful enough on their own. They are highly pigmented, creamy, so easy to blend, they don't crease or move about. For me, these little wonders tick absolutely every box. Plus they come in glass jars so they have that high end look and feel to them, while being a drugstore product (and price!). 

I currently have three in my collection; '25 Bad to the Bronze', '55 Inked in Pink', and '70 Barely Branded'. I do intend to expand my collection, but for now I am perfectly happy with these three colours. 'Bad to the Bronze' is such a beautiful, dark, pigmented, shimmery bronze colour that is perfect for a night out, to create definition, or even for a smoky eye look. 'Inked in Pink' is a metallic, silvery sort of pink that is so lovely and easy to wear and create a nice look with. I tend to wear the pink when I'm having more dulled down makeup everywhere else, allowing my eyes to be the real focus point. My personal favourite is 'Barely Branded' which is such a pretty nude, cream, pale colour that is perfect for the summer time, for a bold lip look, or if you just want a simple, natural makeup look for the day. I just find that this colour in particular is so versatile and beautiful. It may be a simple colour but it looks incredible on! 

Top - Bottom: Inked in Pink, Bad to the Bronze, Barely Branded

If you've been considering buying these I definitely encourage you to because they are such great value for money. Their quality is exceptional, packaging is beautiful, colours are pigmented, and the price is perfect. Maybelline has done it once again! 

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Colour Theory Makeup

A few months ago some of you will remember I was featured in Girlfriend magazine, so had to go to their studios and have a little photo shoot done. The lovely makeup artist who did my makeup for it used some Colour Theory products on me, and I made sure to take note of what she was using so I could go out and buy the same products myself. At the time Colour Theory hadn't actually been released in stores yet, and just the other day I walked past Amcal and noticed that it was finally out. I think you can all guess what happened next. Oops. 

For those of you who are sat there thinking to yourself, I have no idea what brand she is talking about, Colour Theory is a new brand exclusively for Amcal and aims to bring you the latest colours and trends from around the globe but at really affordable prices. There are 4 price points that the products will fall under; $4, $6, $8 and $10. The quality of these products are great and the fact that they are so affordable makes them a dream come true. You can check out all their stock online here. 

Here are the few things I picked up, most of which were products that the MA used on me. I do plan to expand my collection more when I get the chance. Also, this is not going to be a review post as I haven't really been using the products for long enough to properly critique them, but if you would like me to review something at a later stage let me know in the comments and I will. 

Blush in 'Dollhouse' $6

Left: Matte Lipstick in 'Siren' Right: Matte Lipstick in 'Fuchsia Frenzy' both $6

Lip Liner Pencil in 'Red-y Steady Go' $6

Nail Polish in 'Summer Lovin' Pink' $4

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"Why Do You Wear Makeup?" | Tag

Today's post is my first ever tag! You guys have no idea just how excited this makes me because I've never actually been tagged in anything before. I was tagged by the lovely BeautyBalmer, and this tag is all about why I wear makeup, as the title would suggest. Hope you enjoy reading through this as much as I enjoyed writing it! 

1) When did you begin loving makeup?

In all honesty, it wasn't until the end of 2012, last year, when I was 18 years old. Before then I just never really bothered with it, and I was so unfamiliar with all the different products and what things did what, so I just stayed away from it because I didn't even know where to begin. I actually really only got into it because I came across Zoe's blog and YouTube channel one day, through Jack Harries, and from then on just fell in love (both with her and the makeup, haha). I started to feel like I could do my own makeup and look and feel lovely, and thus my journey began. 

2) How do you feel without makeup?

I feel fine, but I do prefer to wear it. I don't have the loveliest skin, so it's nice to be able to perfect my skin as much as possible and feel a little more confident. I think that everyone is of course more beautiful without makeup, but I believe that the makeup just enhances what is already there. I will admit, on those days when I'm feeling particularly poopy about how I'm looking, makeup does save the day and give me that extra little boost I need. 

3) What do you like about makeup?

I like that it enhances your natural beauty, that it gives you that kick of confidence that you need sometimes. I love that a good red lipstick can absolutely change your life. There are so many different looks you can create, and everyone can wear it how they like it, and as long as they feel comfortable and confident that is all that matters. It can totally transform you, while also keeping you the same. And I love that it connects so many of us from all around the world together - particularly through blogs and YouTube. 

4) Three holy grail items:

This is so incredibly hard! But okay, here we go...

1. Rimmel London 'Wake Me Up' Foundation

2. Rimmel London 'Stay Matte' Pressed Powder

3. Maybelline 'The Falsies' Mascara 

The bloggers I tag are...

All of you! To be honest I don't really follow many blogs so I don't have anyone to tag. *sad face*. So you can all be tagged to do this post, and feel free to leave a comment with your blog if you have one so that I can check it out. 

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Stila "In The Light" Eyeshadow Palette

L-R: ebony, night sky, luster, gilded gold, bubbly, sandstone, sunset, bliss, kitten, bare

waterproof smudge stick eyeliner in 'damsel'

I have been lusting over this eyeshadow palette from Stila for almost a year now, and just the other week I thought, "sod it, I'm going to treat myself", and I did. I hopped onto beautybay and finally made the purchase. The palette cost me around $40, on the receipt it says £24.41. Not too badly priced considering you get 10 different shades, and the waterproof smudge stick which retails for about $20 on it's own anyway. I'm yet to use these properly, but just by the swatches I already know it's going to be absolutely amazing. I'm so happy that I finally made the leap and splurged a little because I know it'll be absolutely worth it. 

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Sukin Sensitive Facial Moisturiser | Review

Is anyone like me and always on the hunt for a good moisturiser? I feel like I am always searching for a new one because nothing I use ever works just like it should. I have however finally come across a product that I am beginning to really love. The product that I am reviewing today is from an Australian natural skincare brand called Sukin, which I don't see talked about all that much, but it should be! 

I was in Priceline one day, as I generally am, and I noticed this moisturiser because when I got my makeup professionally done for a magazine shoot she used this on my skin. I made a note of what it was and reminded myself to look out for it whenever I was next in Priceline. I found it, obviously, and it was only $9.99 so I thought I'd buy it and see what I thought. I should mention they do have a moisturiser for normal skin as well, but I liked the smell of the sensitive one better so I opted for this one. Also, the lovely makeup artist used the sensitive one on my skin. 

This moisturiser is paraben free and has no nasties in it (a photo of the list of things that aren't in it is below). It is Australian owned and made, 100% vegan, 100% carbon neutral and are against animal testing. It has a natural vanilla scent to it and smells so lovely. It is quite light, but leaves my skin feeling very moisturised and hydrated. This is such a great, inexpensive product, that isn't going to harm your skin. I am a fan of products that are more organic because I feel like they tend to be a bit better for your skin, rather than loading lots of chemicals onto it. 

If you're on the hunt for something that will give you smooth, moisturised and hydrated skin then give this a go! You get 125mL of product, which is heaps compared to most other moisturisers, all for a very decent price. This product contains shea butter, aloe vera, rose hip, sesame oil and jojoba oils in it to provide essential hydration, promote optimal moisture levels to leave you with radiant and balanced skin. 

I use this morning and night, and my foundation always applies really nicely on top of it. This is a lovely smelling product that moisturises my skin well, and contains nice organic and vegan ingredients, leaving my skin feeling very happy. Two thumbs up from me so far, and I encourage you to try it if you're looking for a new moisturiser. 

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