BellaBox Oct 2013 - Unboxing and First Impression

Hey guys!
I received my October BellaBox on Tuesday, so I decided to do a first impressions post for you :)

For those of you who don't know what BellaBox is, it's an Aussie subscription box service that costs $15 a month. You receive around 5 beauty products in each box, and each month has a theme. This month the theme was based around BellaBox's 2nd birthday.

This was everything in my box this month.

Keep in mind that these are just first impressions of the products, and I may do more in-depth reviews down the track.

1. NIVEA VISAGE LIGHT MOISTURISING DAY CREAM SPF15 - RRP $12.99 - I can't wait to try this! A (light) sunscreen and moisturiser in one? Hell yeah! Hopefully it doesn't make me oily - I haven't checked to see if it is oil-free.
2. BEYONCE HEAT PERFUME - RRP $39.00 - This perfume smells sultry and warm, which I love. I definitely think I'll be wearing it a lot. I'm crap at describing scents, as you can tell, so I Googled the actual description of this perfume. Here it is: "Top notes of Heat are decorated with red vanilla-orchid, magnolia, neroli and peach. A passionate heart offers honeysuckle, almond and musky cream, while a base finishes with sequoia wood, tonka and amber." To be perfectly honest, that means nothing to me. As long as it smells good, I don't are.
3. LA ROCHE-POSAY UVIDEA XL BB MELT IN CREAM - RRP $28.95 - Not gonna lie, I'm getting sick of receiving BB creams in my BellaBox - It seems that I get one every month - But I am keen to try this one from La Roche Posay, as it claims to melt into your skin and match your skin tone. Fingers crossed!
4. SINFUL COLOURS NAIL ENAMEL- RRP $4.95 - I received the shade 'Thimbleberry', which is a bright coral pink. I loooove it, and I can't wait to try it. Lucky for me, they sell this brand at my local target, so if I enjoy this one, I can easily pick up more.
5. LONVITALITE 24K ACTIVE GOLD YULAN OIL FACE MASK - RRP $29.00 for 5 - One word; fancy. Can't wait to try this one.
6. ALPHAPARF SEMI DI LINO DIAMOND SHAMPOO AND DIAMOND MASK - RRP $25.00 and $29.00 - I've already started testing this one out, so look out for a full review in the near future.
7. BONUS ITEM - NUXE CREME PRODIGIEUSE NUIT AND CREME PRODIGIEUSE ENRICHED CREAM - RRP $49.95 AND $44.95 - I think these two products are just moisturisers, but I'm not too sure - It's all in French so I have no idea! Can anyone tell me what  they are? haha.

So that's all that was in my BellaBox this month! I'm keen to try out these new products, especially the ones from brands I have never heard about before.

Let me know if you want a review on something! :D

Don't forget to follow this blog and also subscribe to my YouTube channel.

Until next time,

Shelley xx

Beauty Essentials - Part Two - Makeup

Hey guys!
Here's part two of my beauty essentials series, which is about (some) of the makeup items I think are essential in anyone's makeup collection. :)

Enjoy, subscribe and give me your opinion on what you think are makeup collection essentials!

Until next time,

Shelley xx

REVIEW - Bourjois 123 Perfect Foundation

Hey guys!

I mentioned in my latest empties post that I'd review my Bourjois 123 Perfect Foundation, so here it is! :)

(Apologies for the lack of my own photos in this post, my camera didn't want to behave today, so I had to find pictures on the internet. Sorry!)

I'll start by saying that I don't really recommend it for dry skin, so if you have a dryer skin type, you can probably skip this post haha.
The reason I say this is because this particular foundation dries to a matte, powdery finish, which I found clung to the dry spots on my skin. (I usually have oily/combination skin, but during the winter it dries out a bit). To combat this I mixed it with a tiny bit of moisturiser, and turned it into a somewhat medium coverage BB cream.


The coverage is medium to full, depending on how many layers you put on. I also found that the coverage was more even and full when I used a foundation brush. (My Sigma F80 flat kabuki). You can also apply it with your fingers, but it does look better when buffed into the skin with a brush.

What I like most about this product is the 3 colour-correcting functions it has. It claims to reduce dark circles with yellow pigments, brighten the complexion with mauve pigments, and decrease redness with green pigments. I do think these pigments have an effect, to some extent. I definitely see a difference in the redness of my skin after applying this foundation, and my skin does look brighter and healthier. The anti-dark circle pigments don't work as well, though. I don't really see a difference in that respect. If you have super dark under eyes, or usually need brightening up under the eyes, you'll need a concealer with this foundation. You may also need a bit of extra concealer on some blemishes.

Bourjois also claim that this foundation lasts 16 hours, which I don't think is accurate. It probably only lasts half that time, with a few touch ups during the day. I have an oily t-zone, so that may be why this is the case for me. I usually top this foundation off with my Bourjois Healthy Mix pressed powder, in 53 Light Beige.

I do recall the shade selection being minimal, with only 6 shades in this collection. That's only downside to this collection. I found this picture on the internet, to show you what the shades look like:

If you have any more questions about this product, don't hesitate to ask! :)

Until next time, 

Shelley xx

Beauty Collection Essentials - PART ONE - Non-Makeup items.

Hey guys!!

I finally decided to upload another video, because I actually really enjoyed filming my first video haha
Excuse the weird voice, I still have a cold in this video - It was filmed a little while ago.
I'm also still a bit awkward in front of the camera, so excuse that too. :P

Stay tuned for part two, coming soon.

Shelley xx

My favourite red lip products.

Hey guys!

Today I'm going to be talking about my favourite red lip products.

I have four to talk about in the post; 3 of them are from Revlon, and the other is from Street Gloss. I also tried to pick shades that are for a range of seasons, or all year round.

Cherries in the Snow, Red Velvet, Candy Apple, 210

The first shade is a Revlon Colourbust Lip Butter (I have so many of these, so you'll hear about them a lot! haha) in the shade Candy Apple. It's a bright, true red that can be worn all year round. This is my most worn red lip product, because I can adapt the opacity to suit the rest of my look. It's creamy and glossy, which is my favourite finish. 

The second one is also a Lip Butter, in the shade Red Velvet. It's a stunning brick red, and is perfect for winter. I have to admit, it looks a bit scary in the tube, but it applies beautifully. I honestly think it's a universally flattering colour. (Even my mum wears this shade). It's also great for people who just want to dip their toes in the vampy, dark red trend, as you can apply it with a light hand and really sheer it out- and it still looks stunning.

I also love Revlon's Super Lustrous Lipstick in Cherries in the Snow. It's a punchy raspberry red, with blue undertones. It's also a Creme formula, which is my favourite. I usually save this shade for the evening, as it can look too bright on me during the day. This is a more adventurous red shade, in my opinion. Once again, it's universally flattering, as even my mother tends to wear this shade. I also love that it makes my teeth look whiter! That's a bonus! When blotted onto the lips gently, it takes on a pinky-red appearance, which looks stunning with a simple cat-eye and muted blush. This sheer application also works for during the day, which makes this shade more versatile.

Finally, I have a glamourous and sexy gloss for you. It's from Street Gloss, and it's in the shade 210. This shade is beautifully shiny and juicy, and is perfect for a night out. It's a little sticky, but the texture helps with lasting power. I prefer to wear it on top of a lipstick, as this adds a bit of dimension to the look. This gloss does have bits of red glitter in it, but it's relatively unnoticeable on the lips, and isn't gritty at all. The only issue I have is with the applicator, as it's a brush, and it's kinda flimsy. With a pigmented gloss like this, precision is key. And I find you don't get the desired precision with the brush provided. Apart from that, I love it! 

So that's all for this post, and I hope you like it! 

Hopefully I can add some higher-end lip products to this list, as I'm saving up for some :)

Let me know what your favourite shades are!

Until next time, 

Shelley xx

Products I've used up :)

Hey Guys!
Sorry about the lack of posts this week, but I had a bit of writers block over the past couple of days! haha.
But, this morning I ran out of my favourite foundation, and it gave me an idea for a post - products I have used up over the past couple of months. I have seven products to talk about today, and it's pretty even in terms of beauty/skin and body care.
So, here we go..

(I forgot to include the final product I'll be talking about, sorry!)

1. Garnier Mineral InvisiCalm roll on deodorant - RRP $3.50 -  This product is designed to calm and nourish the skin after shaving/waxing etc, and contains no alcohol or parabens. I really liked this product, and it worked well to stop perspiration throughout the day. It didn't however live up to it's "48 hour protection" claim, as I did feel the need to reapply later in the day. I did find that it calmed my skin after shaving, and there was none of the usual irritation that I experience after hair removal. Be warned, though, the formula is quite wet, which takes a bit of getting used to; and you can feel it on your skin for a little while after application. 
2. Cetaphil Daily Advance Ultra-Hydrating Lotion (sample size shown) - RRP $8.99 for 85g - This moisturiser was okay, but I did find it made my skin a little oilier than usual. It definitely added a dewy effect when used under my foundation. I preferred to use in on my body rather than my face because of the oiliness it caused- it wasn't unbearable though. I'm glad I got the sample size rather than the full size, because it takes FOREVER to use up! haha. I also found that it was hard to squeeze out a small amount because it is quite a thin formula; I always ended up getting too much out of the tube. I don't think I'll repurchase it simply because I have other moisturisers that I prefer, and because I don't need any excess dewiness coming into the warmer months.
3. Bourjois 1-2-3 Perfect Foundation in 52 Vanilla - RRP $32 - This is my HOLY GRAIL foundation. I have used this since the start of the year, and I love it! It's seriously worth the investment! I think I am going to do an indepth review of this, so I'm not going to say much more in this post. Stay tuned!!
4. La Roche-Posay Effaclar Duo Corrective and Unclogging Anti-Imperfection Care - I couldn't find the RRP! Sorry! (sample size shown) - This product was just 'meh' for me. It didn't really work that well. I didn't see a difference in my pores or skintone when I used this.
5. Parafait Coconut Cherry Hand Cream - I couldn't find a RRP price for this either, but I know it's available at some Target Stores (in AUS) - I adore this hand cream. This is the second tube I have been through, and I love it! The smell is just heavenly, and it moisturises like a dream. It's not greasy at all, and it soaks into the skin quite well. It leaves my hands feeling soft and nourished, which is just bloody awesome. I'll definitely get this one again!
6. Covergirl Clump Crusher Mascara - RRP $17.95 - I already talked about this in my September Favourites video, so check that out if you want to know more :)
7. Elf Eyelid Primer - I got mine from Amazon for $1, but it's available on the Elf AUS website for $2! - I'm so sad that this finally ran out! I loved this primer, and for one buck you can't really go wrong. My eyeshadows lasted all day, and my lids never got oily. It also cancelled out any redness or discolouration I had on my lids, so I basically had a clean slate to work with. I would recommend this product to everyone! Go and try it! :)

That's all from me today, I hope you enjoyed reading through the products I've used up over the past couple of months.

Don't forget to let me know what you think of these products, and tell me what empties you have this month!

Until next time, 

Shelley xx

Go bold and be brave this spring!

Hey guys!

With the recent improvement in weather down in my neck of the woods, I decided to dig out the products in my collection that were a lot bolder than what I was used to wearing. I have to say, I've fallen in love all over again!

I'm gonna talk about a range of products in this post; from lipsticks to nail polishes to eyeliners. I'm so happy that I can finally wear these shades now!

First I'm gonna discuss lipsticks. I have three shades to show you.

L-R: Coral Fever, Coral Crush, Sweet Tart

All three shades can be used sheer or opaque, depending on how brave you are ;)

The first shade is a bright orange from Maybelline, called Coral Fever. It's gorgeous when applied with the fingers, in a light way. It just adds a summery glow to the lips. I also think it would look good on a night out, applied more opaquely. It has a glossy finish, and it's lasting power is okay. You may need a lipliner with this lipstick.

The second shade is also from Maybelline, and it is Coral Crush. This is a more pink shade of coral, and is super bright. I adore this shade. It's honestly one of my all time favourite lipsticks. It brightens the face and looks great with a light tan. It's a perfect coral shade for spring and summer. It also looks great when applied lightly on the lips, as it adds a soft pink colour to the lips.

I think this next shade from Revlon works all year round, but I love to wear it most during the springtime. It's a Revlon Lip Butter in Sweet Tart, and it's a true bright pink. It's stunning. The texture of this lipstick is smooth and it is insanely pigmented. It's long wearing, and doesn't seem to bleed when applied. I love to wear this when I don't really feel like wearing a coral shade on the lips, and it still adds a bold pop of colour. This can also be worn sheer. 

Secondly, I'm going to talk about some nail polishes. This "Greetings From Paradise" set from Ulta3 was given to me as a gift for Christmas one year, so I'm not entirely sure of it's availability.  
It has five different yet bright shades, which can be worn throughout the warmer months.

I'm not gonna go into too much detail about these, as I just want to show the kinds of colours that I like to wear during the warmer months. My favourite is the peach shade on the far right, and I'm actually half way through the bottle :P

I also think the bright pink shade is stunning for Spring, and the blue/turquoise would be great for Summer.




Finally, I have an amazing eyeliner to rave about. haha. This one is from NYX, and it's phenomenal. This is the only shade I have, but I'm totally in love with it.

It's in the shade Azure, and it's a beautiful turquoise colour. (Apologies for the blurry swatch, my camera didn't want to focus for some reason). It's a shimmery colour, but it doesn't have chunks of glitter in it. It glides on so smoothly, and it's so long wearing. No joke. Like, I went to take this off with a face wipe, and it wouldn't budge. I had to use eye makeup remover to get this off, and it still left some colour on my skin. So for people who have oily eyelids/watery eyes, this would be a great product for you.

I like to use this on my lower lashline, towards the tearduct, for a slight pop of colour, without going overboard. It's a great colour for Spring and Summer, and I definitely recommend it to anyone.

So, that's it for my picks for bold, colourful products to wear during Spring.
I hope you enjoyed reading this, and don't forget that feedback is greatly appreciated. Also let me know if you have any other products that you will be wearing this time of year! I wanna hear about other people's favourites!

Until next time, 

Shelley xx

September Favourites & something a bit different!

Today I decided that I was going to do something a bit different with my blog post- I was gonna film a video. And so I did. hehe.

I'm by no means a professional; my editing skills are crappy and I'm definitely a bit awkward in front of the camera, but I wanted to take the plunge and do something out of my comfort zone. :)

I do have a cold in this video, so my voice is a little bit weird, so just a heads up haha

But here it is, my September Favourites video:

enjoy! xx

Shelley

the lipstick tag.

Hey guys!
I am so sorry that I haven't been active on here for a while, but I'm back now with a quick post to tide you over until I get around to taking more pictures and writing posts etc.

I stumbled on this tag while on YouTube just now, and it sounded kinda interesting. Feel free to do the tag yourself and send me the link to your post! I'd love to see your answers :)

1. How many lipsticks do you own?
I own 19 lipsticks. (that doesn't seem like much! haha)

2. What was your first ever lipstick? 
I honestly don't remember. It was probably one that was given to me by my mother, or grandmother. Or I may have owned one from one of those child's magazines that I used to get.

 3. What is your most worn lipstick?
I usually wear my Revlon Balm Stain in Honey, but the lipstick I always gravitate towards is my Revlon Colourburst lipstick in Blush. It's the perfect 'your lips but better' nude shade, and it glides on perfectly. The staying power leaves something to be desired, but it's easy to reapply without a mirror because of it's nude colouring.

4. What is your favourite brand for lipstick?
Either Maybelline or Revlon. (they're the only ones I've only really tried haha)

5. What is your favourite finish?
Anything both creamy and glossy. Matte lips seem a bit drying to me.

6. What was the last lip product you bought?
A Nivea Fruity Shine lip balm in Pink Guava.

7. How many lip products do you currently have in your handbag? (Including balms and glosses)
2. I have a Maybelline Baby Lips balm and a Covergirl Nature Luxe sheer lipstick.

8. What lipstick do you use to rock a red lip?
Either Revlon lipstick in Cherries in the Snow or the red shade of lipstick that is in my Designer Brands New York Glam palette.

9. How do you store your lipsticks?
The ones I use the most are all lined up in a drawer in an adorable jewellery box (I might post a picture soon!) that I bought from Target. The others that I don't use often are stored away in a makeup case. (I can't seem to throw them away!)

10. What lip products are you currently lusting after?
ANYTHING MAC... but I can't afford any MAC lipsticks right now. :(
I'm also lusting after the sheer lipsticks that YSL are renowned for. They're definitely on my wishlist!

Just a few great online shopping websites :)

Whoops! I'm a day late with this post, sorry guys!

Just a quick post today, as I'm a bit short on time.

I live in a small country town, and I don't have much access to stores that stock various makeup brands. So I do a lot of shopping online. I do however put in a lot of research with the products I buy, and don't succumb to impulse purchases that often.
Here are the sites I use most regularly.

• www.crushcosmetics.com.au

This site is great for buying products such as Nyx, Milani and Wet N Wild; basically all US brands that aren't readily available in Australia. The prices are reasonable and the delivery is quick. I adore this site!

• www.strawberrynet.com 

This site offers discounted cosmetics, hair care and accessories, along with perfume. There are daily deals and further discounts each week, as well as a loyalty discount. They also offer bonus products with certain purchases. I shop the most on this site, and they often have high end products at ridiculously low prices. Check them out!

• www.bellabox.com.au

This site doesn't sell the actual products, but it lists them and gives the websites you need to visit in order to purchase it. They offer a variety of brands, both high end and drugstore, which have been featured in their monthly boxes. It's a great way to find and repurchase a product that you received a sample of and fallen in love with, which has happened to me plenty of times! haha.

Hope this helps,

Shelley xx

Beauty products I REAAAALLLYY want to try :D

I always find myself going through magazines or surfing the internet and finding products that I instantly fall in love with, but I never seem to end up getting them or being able to afford them.
Here's a quick list of beauty products I'm really keen to purchase and take for a test run.

1. MAC Lipstick in Rebel.

This colour is phenomenal. I was instantly attracted to it, and I've heard great things about this lipstick in particular. I don't own any MAC lipsticks, so I might have to do a bit more research before I take the plunge.









2. Dior Addict lip gloss (no shade in particular).

I have to admit, it was the campaign with Daphne Groeneveld that suckered me into this one. The gloss looks stunning on her, and they seem so pigmented and smooth on the lips. These glosses are definitely on my wish list!

3. Benefit "They're Real!" mascara.
Scarlett Johansson swears by this mascara. 'Nuff said.

4. L'Oreal infallible 24 hour eye shadow in Amber Rush.
I adore anything that is rose gold coloured, so Amber Rush is the ultimate eyeshadow colour for me. I'm not sure if they stock it her in Australia, but I'm definitely going to have a look. I think that I'd wear this shadow to death if I got my hands on it. Here's a swatch that I found online:

5. Revlon Just Kissable Balm Stain in Rendezvous.
This shade is a beautiful orange colour that I think would be perfect for summer. Although it's not very expensive, and it's readily available to me, I don't think I'd wear it enough this time of year. I prefer darker, deeper colours (like Revlon's Red Velvet lip butter) rather than bright oranges etc. I'll probably purchase this towards the end of the year.

Feel free to comment and tell me which beauty products you'd love to try, or if you've tried any of the ones mentioned in this post :)

I'd also love to hear feedback from anyone reading this, as I'm about to start promoting this blog to the rest of the world!

Wish me luck!

Until next time,
Shelley xx

Monthly Favourites + Unfavourite

I can't believe it's the end of the month already! Where has the time gone? Anyways, I have been wanting to do a monthly favourites post for a while, and now it's finally the time to do one :)

I wear pretty much all of these products every day, with the exception of the lip product, and I like to alternate between the products in my collection each day.

My first favourite is ModelCo's Lash Xtend mascara. ( RRP $28 ) I received this in a magazine a while back, and was kinda skeptical about it, but it is now my all time favourite mascara. Not only does it lengthen lashes, it also separates them well and makes them look natural. You can also build up the thickness of the product for a more dramatic effect, without clumping. I also love that this comes with a little mirror on the side of the packaging. It's perfect for your makeup bag. I definitely recommend this if you're in the market for a higher end mascara.

The second product I have been loving this month is my Revlon PhotoReady bronzer in Bronzed and Chic. (I can't find the RRP price, but it is around the $25 mark I believe.)  I had heard great things about this from other beauty bloggers/YouTubers, and wanted to try it myself. I received a $5 off voucher for Revlon and thought it was the perfect opportunity to try it. Now I can't live without it! It's perfect for adding a subtle sunkissed glow to my skin, and it's not muddy or orange at all. I apply it on my cheeks, jawline and forehead with a kabuki brush, and blend it in well. I love that it has four different shades in it, which allows you to customise the darkness of the product - it's great for most skin tones.

The other Revlon product I have been loving lately is the Just Bitten Balm Stain in Honey. (RRP $17.95) This is a perfect every day colour, and just glides onto the lips effortlessly. The staying power is great, and I definitely recommend this colour in particular.

I only have one eyeshadow from MAC, and I can already say that I'm in love. They are buttery soft, long wearing and beautifully pigmented. My favourite eyeshadow this month is MAC's Woodwinked. I wear this a lot, and I find that you can easily build up the colour to go from day to night. It's a golden/bronze shimmery shade, and I find it just breathtaking. This eyeshadow is definitely an investment, and I plan on saving up for a few more to add to my collection.

The last favourite this month is a fragrance. I have to be honest with you, I'm crap at describing fragrances, so I've Googled what this scent is described as. haha. This perfume oil is from MOR, and is called Belladonna. I'm in love with it. I wear it every day, and I'm considering making it my signature fragrance. Here's the description: "Belladonna is a sweet symphony of spring with the notes of narcissus, Moroccan roses and pink tulips, revived with sparkling lemon and sweetened by the base of cassis, sandalwood, vanilla and musk."


My unfavourite this month is the Rimmel Scandaleyes mascara. This product didn't work for me at all. I only used it twice and hated it both times. It's a very dry, clumpy formula and I find the brush way to big for my liking. I wouldn't really recommend this mascara to anyone, because there are so many other drugstore mascaras that are way better than this one. This probably won't be repurchased in the near future.

Until next time, 

Shelley xx

Designer Brands Twist 'n' Go Instant Nail Polish Remover REVIEW.

I'm kind of a lazy person when it comes to removing my nailpolish, because it usually takes a bit of effort to get off, and you need a while to do it properly. So when I saw this product at my local pharmacy, I just had to try it. I didn't hesitate because the price was quite reasonable ($4.99 for a decent sized pot) and I am a big fan of the DB company.

For those of you who don't know what Designer Brands is, it's an Australian company that offers inexpensive yet vast amounts of makeup and beauty products. Their products are rarely priced over $20, and their lip liners/eyeshadows/lipstick is usually only around the $5 mark. If you haven't tried it yet, I highly recommend them! :)

Anyways, I wanted to see if this product lived up to it's "1 second effortless removal" claim. I have to say, I was fairly impressed.


 These are the colours I chose to test the nail polish remover on. I tried to pick differing colours and brands, to show the results in a more extensive way.

The names of the polishes, left to right (for anyone interested)
Turquoise Treasure by Ulta3 (part of the Greetings from Paradise set)
Valentine by Natio
High Street and Winter Skies by Polished London
Steel Her Heart by Revlon

BEFORE

 

AFTER (ONE SECOND ONLY)

The picture above is after I put my fingers in the pot for one second at a time, and "twisted" them like the instructions told me to do. For being in the solution for only one second, I find the results quite impressive. The remainder of the polish came off after a few more attempts, which is still a fairly effective result in my opinion. It's definitely quicker than the traditional method of nail polish removal. I also think it might take a little longer if there is more than one coat of polish involved, as I only put one coat on, but I still love this product.

I give it a two thumbs up! I'll definitely be using this in the future.

Until next time, 

Shelley xx

Just a quick announcement.

Hey guys!

Now that I have my blog up and running successfully, I have decided on the days I'll be publishing new posts and how often I will be posting.

I have free days on Monday and Thursday each week, so expect two posts a week on the those days. I hope to keep this up for a long time, as I want to be a reliable and consistent blogger. I believe that building up the loyalty of an audience is really important, and I think this is the best way to do it.

Also, don't hesitate to comment on my posts. I love hearing feedback and having conversations with people - it helps me understand what my readers want, and helps me feel involved with the people who read this blog.

I'm working on a new post for tomorrow, so stay tuned!

Shelley xx

Bellabox July ; First Impressions and Overview.

Hey Guys!

Today I received my July edition of the Bellabox, and I just had to share what I received this month.
If you haven't heard of Bellabox before, it's basically a monthly subscription that costs $15 per month, and you receive a box full of beauty/skincare etc products based on a profile you fill out when you join. I'll post a link to the website at the end of the post, if you want to check it out :)

This month's box had the theme of Luxe, and there were three different types of boxes based on cities around the world. I got the Paris box, and wasn't disappointed by the amount of stuff that was in there this month. Here's a pic of everything I got:

I received a total of EIGHT products this month. WOW! Definitely value for money.

I haven't yet tried any of these products, so I'm just going to briefly explain each product and give a first impression review.

1. CULT - YU-BE MOISTURISING SKIN CREAM. ( RRP $34.95 )
This product claims to be a best seller in Japan, and also states that it works to heal dry skin anyone on the body.
The sample is tiny. I think I'll only get one or two uses out of this, if i'm going to use it on my hands. I find it hard to form a solid opinion on a product if the sample size is too small. But, I will be trying it out to see how it fares against my other hand/body creams that I have been using this Winter.

2. ECO FRIENDLY - LA FRESH ECO BEAUTY WIPES ( RRP $16.50 )
These wipes come in single-use packages that are ideal for your handbag or when you travel.
I cannot wait to try these! These wipes have been on my radar for a while, since I saw Grav3yardgirl receive them in her Glossybox a while ago. I'm always looking for ways to minimise space usage in my handbag, so I'm definitely keen to give these a go. Who knows, a repurchase might be in the near future.

3. NATURAL - RUBIFRESH CLEANSING OIL ( RRP $23.00 )
I'm a bit confused as to why this was included in my box this month, as I already have oily skin, and I don't think this will work for me. It claims to moisturise the skin while cleansing, but I am a bit skeptical about this. I'm gonna try it and possibly make a blog post on the results, just to let you guys know how it worked (or didn't). I'm always up for new things!

4. CULT - FURLESSE ELEVENS ( RRP $34.95 )
These patches work by smoothing out wrinkles and smile lines while you sleep - not exactly something a 17 year old needs! Once again, I'm not sure why this was included in my box, because I don't really need them. I think these are going to be given to my mum to try.

5. ESSENTIAL - CLEAR SCALP AND HAIR BEAUTY TOTAL NOURISHING CARE SHAMPOO AND CONDITIONER ( RRP $5.99 )

These products claim to be jam-packed with nutrients for your hair, and who can refuse a product that has Miranda Kerr as it's ambassador?
I have already tried Clear's products before and was impressed, so I'm glad this was included in my box.

6. BONUS! - LIBRA HOTTIES HEAT PATCHES ( RRP $4.99 )
These a basically single-use heat patches for cramps - 'nuff said.
Anyways, I think they are an awesome idea, and I can't wait to try them! I tend to get bad cramps, and if these help ease the pain, they'll definitely be on my next shopping list! I also can't wait to try them when the weather gets super cold, which has been happening a fair bit lately. I can't wait till Winter is over!

8. COLOUR - MODELCO CHEEK + LIPS TINT IN ROSY RED ( RRP $24.00 )
This tint says that it helps achieve a natural glow on both the lips and cheeks.
I was quite excited when I saw this product, because I'm a massive fan of Benetint. This product however is deeper in colour, has a gel consistency and is less pigmented. The application of the product seems quite tricky, because it just comes straight out of the tube - there's no doe foot applicator or fine tip to make application more accurate. (If you have seen/used Lanolips lip gloss, you will know what I mean, because the tubes a pretty much the same).

The final bonus product was a travel guide to Paris, which I'm not sure if i'll get much use out of. haha. Fingers crossed, though!

Until next time,
Shelley xx.


If you want to find out more about Bellabox, click here.

Beauty things I suck at.

So I saw a few YouTubers take part in this tag a while ago, and it got me thinking about the beauty things I'm not so good at, and things I want to improve on. I love makeup and all things beauty, but I'm by no means a professional makeup artist or guru; so I suck at a few things when it comes to beauty.

Here's a list of things that I never managed to get the hang of or haven't learned yet. ( feel free to comment with the things that you suck at! I'm sure you're not alone )

1. Liquid Eyeliner. 
I must be really uncoordinated when it comes to applying liquid eyeliner. I manage to get it everywhere, and it never looks even. That cute, flirty winged out look? Forget about it. It's impossible for me to do. And besides, I've never had the patience to spend 20 minutes on each eye.

I can never get my liquid eyeliner to look this perfect, but I really wish I could!

2. Filling in my eyebrows.

I already have thick eyebrows, but there are some spots that have less hair than others. But whenever I put a pencil through my brows, it looks unnatural. I also suck at choosing the right colour for my brows, and I have no idea whether I have a warm or cool skin tone and whether I need to go lighter or darker with the pencil/powder colour. 

3. Waiting for my nail polish to dry.

Ain't nobody got time fo dat! I always seem to find other things to do while my nail polish is drying, and it ends up smudging and looking horrible. Maybe I should invest in a proper manicure? I also get sick of my nail colour really quickly, and want to change it after like, a week.

4. Resisting makeup sales.

They're just so tempting! I need to start saving my money, but I usually find something I 'need' in the sale. haha. Do you have this problem? Is it too tempting for you too?

5. Taking care of my skin adequately.

I suck at doing a meticulous beauty routine every morning and night. I don't always use a toner, exfoliator, expensive skincare product etc. A lot of the times it's just cleanse and go. I also don't drink enough water and I sometimes binge on chocolate. I find it hard to go through a complicated routine when I have more important things to do. I do make sure I wash of my makeup every evening, though! That's super important!

Hope you enjoyed this little insight into the things I suck at when it comes to beauty, and I tag you! Even if it's just a comment on this post, tell me the beauty things you can't seem to master. :)

Until next time,

Shelley xx

Review : Simple Radiance Brightening Eye Cream

I was in the market for an eye cream that would restore moisture and also brighten my under eye area, but I wasn't prepared to fork out a ridiculous amount of money for such a small amount of product. *cough* Estee Lauder *cough* . I've always been a fan of the Simple brand, as they focus mainly on providing products for sensitive skin, and let me tell you, they don't disappoint with this product.

The Simple website states that this product "is a perfect blend of ingredients and light reflecting particles to help to moisturise and visibly brighten your delicate eye area. Perfect for even sensitive skin." Their description is spot on. I can honestly say I saw a difference in the appearance of my under eyes. I had quite obvious dark circles, and after I applied this cream, they were almost gone. 

The formula is creamy but not too thick, nor is it greasy. It absorbs well and quickly into the skin, and you don't feel it after that. The packaging also states that it has 3 vitamins and 4 nutrients in the formula, which I guess is good for your skin. (I haven't really seen much difference regarding the health of my skin). It is very moisturising as well, and I have noticed an improvement in the dryness of my skin.

Another benefit is the price of this product. It is less than $20 for a tube of 15ml, and you honestly don't need a huge amount per use. I've been using it day and night for two weeks and I haven't even put a dent in it. 

Let me know if you've tried it, and what you think!

Shelley xx