Her Beauty Days

The timing couldn't have been more perfect.
I was curious in trying out Antipodes Apostle Skin-Brightening & Tone-Correcting serum, to address some pigmentation I've acquired during the summer months. It was difficult to convince myself to fork out over $50 to purchase 30 mL of  serum; so when this deal rolled around, I didn't think twice.
The deal was to spend a minimum of $65 on selected skincare products and receive the goody bag for free!

This year's bag came in a reflective silver tote, presumably a Model's Prefer one.

Here's what I got when I emptied my bag:


Antipodes Avocado Pear Nourishing Night Cream (15 mL sample)

Avène Eau Thermale Thermal Spring Water (50 mL)

Beauty Essentials Dry Skin Body Lotion (500 mL)

Biorè Steam Activated Cleanser (145 mL)

Burt's Bees Lemon Butter Cuticle Cream (17 g)

Chapstick True Shimmer Lip Balm in Tropical (4 g)

Derma Sukin Daily Gentle Wash

Dr. LeWinn's  Firming Eye Cream (30 g)

Essenzza Fuss Free Naturals Natural Facial Cleansing Wipes (25 wipes)

Hope's Relief Goats Milk Sopa (with shea & cocoa butter) (125 mg)

Manuka Doctor (pack of 3 samples)
- apiclear skin serum (5 mL)
- apifine targeted wrinkle filler (3 mL)
- apinourish rejuvenating face mask (7 mL)

ModelCo Face Tan Hydrating Self-Tanning Gel (50 mL)

Models Prefer Cosmetic Bag

Models Prefer Kohl Pencil in Matte Black  (1.14 g)

Neutrogena Naturals Purifying Facial Cleanser (177 mL)

Nivea Pure & Natural Hand Cream (75 mL)

No brand - Dual Mirror Compact

Palmer's Cocoa Butter Formula Intensive Relief Concentrated Cream Hand & Body (100 g)

People For Plants Mist Toner (rose otto, burdock, kakadu plum) (125 mL)

Puretopia Gentle Exfoliating Face Scrub (75 mL)

Sanctuary Spa Body Scrub (200 mL)
Simple Kind To Eyes Eye Make-Up Corrector Pen

Suvana Organic Paw Paw & Honey Balm (25 g)

Swisspers Naturals Aloe Gentle Eye Make-up Remover (100 mL)

Thursday Plantation Macademia Oil (125 mL)
Yes To Carrots Lip Butter in Berry (4.25 g)

Samples

Montagne Jeunesse Dead Sea Mud Pac (Kelp & Seaweed) (6 g sample)

Palmer's Cocoa Butter Formula Intensive Relief Moisturizing Lotion (5 mL)

Swisspers Naturals Cucumber Facial Cleansing Wipes (5 wipes)


There was also the inclusion of discount vouchers for some of the product brands included in the bag.

I ended up spending under $70 to qualify for the free bag.
The products I've purchased were also discounted; overall it was a great deal!


Neutrogena Acne Stress Control Power-Cream Wash (177 mL) $11.99

Biorè Pore Unclogging Scrub (135 mL) $8.79

Antipodes Apostle Skin-Brightening & Tone-Correcting serum (30 mL) $47.19


I can't wait to start using these products. I'm definitely stocked up in the winter skincare department.

To see what's in last year's skincare bag and my previous skincare haul, click here.

So, did you cave in for the skincare goody bag this year?!

Apologies for my prolonged absence.
I've recently endured the most stressful fortnight of my life.
Assessments after assessments, accompanied with other commitments, I admit it was quite a struggle.

I know this post is long overdue, but regardless, I'd like to share it with you. I can't believe I had this in storage for quite sometime!

Hello to three months' worth of empties!


1. Avène Eau Thermale Spring Water (300 mL)
Spraying this on after a hot shower or workout - it's so refreshing! I already have backups of this mist. It's so soothing and not irritating like other facial mists. See my review here.

2. Dettol Healthy Touch Instant Hand Santitizer (200 mL)
I wouldn't consider this as a product related to beauty, but I do keep it on my vanity for those spontaneous moments. I think it's important to have clean hands when dealing with makeup products.  My friend got me this and I'm really grateful for it! Will definitely repurchase.

3. WOTNOT Facial Wipes (5 wipes sample)
Hands down the best facial wipes I've used. Love these so much. They're everything I'm looking for in a facial wipe - superior quality cloth wipes, natural and organic... I just wish they were available in the stores I regularly visit such as Priceline.

4. Philosophy Purity Made Simple Cleanser (30 mL sample)
I thought this was a pretty mediocre cleanser. Adding on, I wasn't a fan of the herbal scent.

5. muk Spa Argan Oil Shampoo (300 mL)
I received this at my very first media launch. I really love how gentle yet effective the product was - free from sulfates, parabens and some other "nasties". However, I didn't enjoy the scent that much.

6. Barry M Intense Black Eyeliner Pen
This eyeliner was also featured in my first empties post on this blog - June 2013 Empties!
I will forever repurchase this unless I find a more superior product for lining my upper waterline.

7. Biorè Combination Skin Balancing Cleanser (200 mL)
Biorè and I go way back! I love how this is targeted towards combination skin (that's me!). It's a great everyday cleanser that doesn't disrupt my skin's natural moisture. I will probably repurchase.

8. Schwarzkopf Ultimate Oil Elixir Serum (80 mL)
I was first drawn to this product because it contained golden particles! Overall it was an alright finishing product but the fragrance was a bit overpowering. I wouldn't recommend this product for those with "overstressed, straw-like hair" (the target market) because of the product's high alcohol content.

9. Benefit It's Potent! Eye Cream (3 g sample)
Designed to fade dark circles and brighten up the area, the product didn't yield major improvements in my under eye area. However, I did enjoy applying this on every night. The thin consistency was just right and I liked how it tingled just a bit (am I weird?). I wouldn't repurchase this.

10. Hiruscar Skincare Gel (20 g)
I have already repurchased this a while back for my scar and finished the second one last month. It did prove to be effective against my scars. However, because it was quite a bit expensive for my taste, I wouldn't be repurchasing in future.

11. Benefit Hoola Bronzing Powder (0.05 g sample)
I already have the full-sized boxed powder and it has become one of my favourite bronzers!

12. Re-Gen Re-Gen Oil (125 mL)
This is supposedly a cheaper dupe/alternative to Bio-Oil from ALDI. I do think this oil is on par with Bio-Oil; it was effective in reducing the appearance of my scars. I will repurchase once I finish up on using the other oil treatments.

13. e.l.f Shimmer Lip Gloss in Red
I'm throwing this out because it smelt funky when I first opened it.

14. Face of Australia Gentle Makeup Remover (125 mL)
This is my second bottle. It's a bi-phase type of makeup remover. I really enjoyed using this - it's cheap and works well. I won't be repurchasing because I've discovered micellar water and have been loving it!

15. Matrix Biolage Advanced Keratindose Shampoo and Conditioner (7 mL samples)
Loved the smell of this. It was nice for my hair but I won't be repurchasing it because there are cheaper alternatives.

16. Goldwell DualSenses Rich Repair Shampoo and Conditioner  (10 mL samples)
Wow this smelt so heavenly - a bit vanilla-like. I really enjoyed using it and would probably purchase the full sized products if there was a special going on.

And there we have it. Three months' worth of empties - February, March and April.
I hope you enjoyed this post.

I welcome August, with another empties post from the previous month, July.
Originally planned to be posted on the first, I've engaged in a tumultuous relationship with work and illy constructed uni schedules, which retarded the release of posts.
Aside from that, I must admit, I enjoy constructing these empties posts, as the process enables me to evaluate on the finished products. Consequently, I enter a phase of rumination; involving the circulating queries, should I repurchase this? Did it work for me? Can I find a more suitable alternative?

I also find this process to be on the hilarious side. Never, did I consider putting so much effort in critiquing products, questioning it's performance.

Well here it is.
Let me present to you, those who've finally made it to the finish line, the empties of July 2013!

Palmolive Naturals Revitalising - Peach Kernel Oil with Vitamin-E & Rose Water Shower Gel (500 mL)
This is a one of my favourite shower gels, being possibly the third bottle I've finished. Despite the large illustration of a peach on the bottle, it doesn't smell anything like peaches. Expect a heavenly scent, quite hard to describe. It lathers well and makes me feel refreshed and relaxed. In addition to the positive points, it's inexpensive and is of great value for money. And if you're wondering, the gel of a colour that matched the lid of the bottle (pale orange). When the time comes, which involves myself languishing for that lovely scent, I'll be repurchasing this product until then.


Biorè Skin Preservation - Clean Things Up Nourishing Gel Cleanser (200 mL)
I received this cleanser amongst other skin products from Biorè's Skin Preservation line, after winning a competition on Facebook. This cleanser "purifies and conditions without disturbing skin's natural moisture balance". This pretty much sums up the product's performance. A great everyday cleanser that will remove your makeup and environmental impurities. The pump dispenses just the right amount of product for each use, so you can use the product more efficiently, without any product going to waste. This bottle lasted me for quite a long time; I had this product since last year! The only thing I disliked was the scent; it's a fresh and clean scent (for some reason, it's just not up my alley). Unfortunately, I will not repurchase because of the scent.


L'Oréal Elvive Smooth-Intense Anti-Frizz Shampoo (250 mL)
This is one of my favourite shampoos.
It helps my hair stay smooth and soft, consequently, helping me achieve "straighter" looking hair (albeit, I have naturally straight hair). Another reason to love this shampoo, is of course, the scent! I'm quite inept when it comes to describing scents but you can expect the same scent in other products in the Elvive Smooth-Intense Anti-Frizz range.


Ophelia Cotton Tips (200 pack)
Purchased this from good old ALDI. These 100% cotton tips are great for fixing up your eye makeup and are inexpensive. A cheap beauty essential!


Swisspers Spa Facial Cleansing Wipes with Pomegranate Extract (25 wipes)
These pink facial wipes (yes, they are indeed pink!) does a decent job at removing makeup without drying the skin. I was first attracted to the pink packaging and how these are "coloured" wipes. The actual wipe is durable and quite soft. Additionally, the pomegranate fragrance is quite pleasant and overall I had an "okay" experience with these wipes.
I will not be repurchasing these because I do feel that these wipes "stung" my face, on the rare occasion of course.

Swisspers Green Tea Calming Facial Cleansing Wipes (25 wipes)
I did a little review on this product in this post.
In summary, I think these wipes are the opposite of "calming" because they stung my face quite a bit. I did not experience any redness or rashes but I feel these wipes can be a bit harsh on sensitive skin. I've read a lot of positive reviews but do steer clear if you have the mentioned skin criteria (or "young" skin may I add).


Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Dry-Touch Sunscreen Lotion SPF 30+
I received this generous sunscreen sample among four other different product samples from Neutrogena a few months back. I am quite in awe how this 14 mL sample lasted me for months, considering I apply this on under my makeup everyday. This sunscreen lotion breaks away from the stereotype that sunscreens are greasy, cakey, and are hard to blend. Application is smooth and a dewy finish is achieved. The consistency of the product is just right; it definitely gives a "lightweight, clean feel". What more could you possibly want from a sunscreen? Besides increasing the amount of SPF. But hey, Neutrogena has released a sunscreen from this range with an SPF 50+ so you can't complain here!


Essence Stay With Me Long Lasting Lip Gloss in 07 Kiss Kiss Kiss
This product was from one of my random purchases. Hello to the (pleasingly pigmented) bright red lip gloss that can be found at Target and Priceline for merely $3.50. Forget the stickiness commonly associated with lip glosses and expect a smooth and moisturising application. If you have a sweet tooth, you might have to restrain yourself...This lip gloss is indeed "candylicious".



Maybelline Define-A-Lash Volume Mascara
Unfortunately, this product did not fare well with me. An average mascara that yielded no volume for my straight Asian lashes, but hey, you can expect a clump free finish to your lashes. Ladies of other ethnicities may encounter a much more positive experience. I must give credit to Maybelline for their unique mascara wands that differentiate them from your typical wand; this wand resembled a caterpillar! A word of caution though, if in a rush, you could easily damage this fragile, wiggly yet flexible wand. One must insert it back into the tube, oh-so-meticulously to avoid breaking off the tip.




Softlips Lip Protectant Fruit Fusion in Orange Sunrise (2g)
After finishing up the vanilla flavoured lip balm from this brand, I picked this orange flavoured one, thinking I'd have the same enjoyment in using it as the former. It must've been on the spur of the moment, when I carelessly purchased this without considering if I actually like citrus based scents/flavours. Well, forshadowed earlier, you can deduce that I did not enjoy this product at all. Nevertheless, I still used it until I've reached the finish line (much to my relief) so I can finally dispose of it without those pangs of guilt. Expect your average lip balm but with much less product, infused with the scents of citrus fruits.


Gaia Skincare Pink Grapefruit & Jasmine Foaming Cleanser
(With certified organic green tea, gotu kola, chamomile)
This is a sample sachet of a cleanser that claims to be suitable for normal/combination skin, formulated with sensitive skin in consideration. After just a single use, I found that this is a great cleanser and is perfect for my skin type (combination/sensitive). I highly endorse "natural" skincare products because of the claims they are associated with e.g. pure, natural, organic, free from soap, sulfates, petrochemicals, artificial fragrance, paraben preservatives and the list goes on!
The only downside is you can forget expecting those lush artificial scents. This cleanser emits a herbal scent that is quite received with other natural skincare products.


Pantene Pro-V Clinicare Single Dose Intensive Treatment Programme Rinse Off Treatment
I like the scent and that's pretty much it. I did not notice any difference to my hair; my hair is already semi-smooth and conditioned prior to using this product. Maybe, those lacking a bit of a conditioning boost will benefit from this. This product serves to be a mediocre conditioner for me.


Colgate Plax Fresh Tea Mouthwash
Finished a bunch of these samples.
I've posted up a detailed review here. To sum it up, this is a great tasting mouthwash minus the sting factor associated with alcohol mouthwashes (because it's alcohol free!). I've already repurchased a 500 mL bottle of this.

And that's it!
I'm impressed with the number of products I've used up this month.
Quite frankly, it was fun and I can't wait to finish up more products so I can construct this month's empties post!

After thoughtful consideration, I'm eager to construct a monthly favourites post as well - so I can reflect on the products I've been loving this month!
But I'll see what I can do!

I hope you enjoyed this post.
Have a beautiful day everyone!

This morning I was awoken by the delivery man - yes, my July Bellabox has arrived!
I've ascertained that these boxes were shipped on the 10th and fortunately, I've had the pleasure of receiving mine the next day. Hurrah for prompt shipping!

For those of you who aren't familiar with Bellabox - let me present to you the unboxing process:
(NB: My box did not come with the additional cardboard slip on it for some unknown reason)



Bellabox is an Australian monthly beauty box subscription (website link) allowing you to sample 5-7 deluxe beauty and lifestyle products for $15 per month. The boxes are sent to your door every month - not inclusive of any shipping fees.

After the unboxing process, I've come to admire the box which held the contents. It's really sturdy and of great quality - which is of excellent use for organising things. Another reason to subscribe - great cardboard boxes!

So, let's check out the contents shall we?


I think my box is the beach themed one.

1. LUXE City Guides (RRP $12.99)
This is a full sized bonus item - a pocket sized city companion guide to New York!
It features luxe accommodation, restaurants, shopping, activities etc. on great quality paper-based material! This is a great bonus because New York is a destination I'd love to visit one day. And of course, it suits the theme of luxe beauty travel quite nicely.

2. Baby Foot (RRP $29.95)
Another full sized product.
This 2-hour treatment "removes dead, damaged and cracked skin from your feet leaving them smooth as a baby's foot" in 3 steps. This is a one time use product which, I believe works over a period of time to give you smooth feet (soles). I don't have dry skin on my foot but I'll be sure to pass this onto someone who would benefit greatly from this product.
NB: product is made in Japan.

3. Libra Hotties Heat Patch (RRP $4.99 for pack of 2)
I actually saw this yesterday whilst I was at Coles! I've always wanted to try these; they're lightweight, inconspicuous and unlike thermal packs - there is no need to shake or rub the patch. I think this is similar to a Salonpas® Hot patch (I love Salonpas products!) - they're a great source of relief from cramps and muscular aches. These heat up to a maximum of 50 degrees celsius, providing up to 8 hours of warmth! I love how this product is easily accessible - at your local Woolworths and Coles stores. I received one patch (that's $2.50 in value) in this month's box.




4. Suigo Australia Honey Soap (RRP $3.49)
The alternative product given out was the Cancer Council SPF 30+ Sport Sunscreen 50 mL Ezi Clip (RRP $9.95). I would prefer to receive the sunscreen rather that this, since I don't use soap at all and personally, the daily application of sunscreen is imperative! Body washes and cleansing gels are my substitutes for soaps. I find that soaps are too drying on my skin - they strip the moisture out. Maybe I've been using much harsher soaps in the past?
However, I'm content to receive this full sized soap; I love natural products and this is made from honey! Which means this soap is moisturising right?! Who knows, I'm excited to try this out!


5. ModelCo Cheek + Lip Tint  (RRP $24 for 10 mL)
I received a 5 mL tube ($12 in value) in the shade "Rosy Red". The colour is more of a deep pinky-red;  a bit similar to Benefit's Benetint (Rose-tinted lip and cheek stain). I can see this product being a much more affordable dupe of Benetint, albeit, I'm not a fan of ModelCo's products. I think some of their products are not of high calibre and are quite overpriced. Fortunately  after swatching this tint, I really like this shade on my cheeks; a healthy natural flush is achieved. Unfortunately, the tint did not adhere to the surface of my lips; I couldn't get any colour on my lips. After numerous attempts, the result was of unevenly berry stained lips. A word of caution though, you do have to work with this product quickly, straight after application. Oh, and be prepared for those stained fingers you'll get after application! Overall, I'm happy to receive this, I can really use this everyday for a healthy winter makeup look! Plus, considering how little product I used to achieve flushed cheeks, I think this will last me quite a while!

NB: The fragrance smells like raspberry jelly! Very nostalgic.

6. La Fresh® Eco-Beauty Instant Body Smoother (RRP $16.50 for 18 or 16 satchets/box)
I've never heard of this brand and at first I thought it was a moisturising or refreshing wipe. I love how eco-friendly this product is; I'm all for products that are natural and/or eco-friendly! According to the pack instructions, you massage this wipe onto your temples, shoulders and anywhere else where you feel fatigued or tense. This product claims to revitalize & smoothes dry, overworked skin with its peppermint moisture. I must say, an interesting product! Based on the description, I think this is perfect for those post-work moments when you need to be perked up for a social after!
NB: I received 1 100% biodegradable wet wipe.



7. Yu-Be Moisturising Skin Cream (RRP $34.95 for 70g)
I received 3g of this, which is the smallest skincare sample I've encountered! I prefer a much larger sample so I can really experience adequately, the effects provided by products. This glycerin based moisturiser from Japan is enriched with vitamins B2, C and E and apparently held a top sales spot in Japan. I've finally "discovered Japan's 55 year "Soft-Skin-Secret"". I'm really excited to try this product out!



8. Biorè Gentle Makeup Removing Wipe (RRP $8.99 for 25 wipes)
I would much prefer to get the alternative - Biorè Deep Cleansing Pore Strips (2 nose strips; RRP $5.99 for 6 nose strips). I've never used pore strips before and receiving those would be the perfect opportunity to try them out! Unfortunately, I have used the aforementioned wipe; I didn't like it because at the time, it wasn't gentle enough for my skin. Maybe this time round, I would have a much pleasant experience with the wipe.

This month's box encompassed quite a variety! I'm quite content with the array of products - none of them are deemed "useless"and most of them are quite new, exciting products that I have never tried before. The purpose of such beauty subscription is to sample a variety of different products and I do believe Bellabox has hit the spot in delivering this. Despite the positive points given, I'm quite dissatisfied with the sample sizes provided (referring especially to the wipes). I can easily obtain such sample sizes from other sources.

In comparison with Lust Have It (another popular Australian beauty box subscription service), my experience with Bellabox has been much more pleasant; the shipping was prompt and I'm more partial to the products I've received.

If you're interested in Bellabox, check out the link in the 3rd paragraph from the top of the page.

I hope you've enjoyed this post and I can't wait to see what others have received in their box!

Have an lovely day everyone!

I don't know if you've seen the recent blog posts on the free skincare goodie bags at Priceline when you spend over $60 on selected skincare brands, but, I had to make a post on my views and the haul I did to get the bag!














So initially, I was going to pass up on this tempting deal, since I have a plethora of moisturisers and cleansers filling up every nook and cranny (seriously!) But then I realised I was out of facial wipes; what a great excuse to spend $60+ on skincare! Facial wipes are such a convenience when I'm too lazy to properly remove my makeup and cleanse my face.

So off I went to my nearest Priceline and got myself a few skincare goodies to trial around with. My total ended up being around $62. Not bad, I say!

The "haulage":


(From left to right)

1. Swisspers Green Tea Calming Facial Cleansing Wipes (25 wipes)

- Got these because I'm a sucker for anything associated with green tea! These claim to remove "make-up & waterproof mascara". Upon first application, it stung my face. However, I still use these because I haven't broken out yet. The stinging isn't as "painful" as the first application, but my face has that "tingling" feeling. I think this is too concentrated for my preference. It claims to have green tea, aloe extracts and vitamin E. I know I should stop using it, since the pain reaction is a bad sign but I really want to finish this off (luckily my face is still "intact" lol). These are quite good at removing my face makeup, but not so much eye makeup. I really love how soft and durable the facial towels are...But unfortunately, I won't be purchasing these in future. Oh, another thing, I did look up the reviews for this product online before  making the purchase, and so far I haven't come across anyone experiencing the stinging. How strange!

2. Swisspers Spa Facial Cleansing Wipes with Pomegranate Extract (25 wipes)

- Got sucked into buying this because of the pink packaging. Also these are "coloured wipes", which really intrigued me! The product claims to be rich in antioxidants which is a bonus! It "cleanses, tones and moisturises without drying". I haven't tried these yet, but I'm hoping it won't sting my face. It's funny because I used to buy those $1 facial wipes from Coles/Woolworths and they worked fine (though the softness and quality of the towels can be improved).

3. 2x Nivea Pure & Natural Facial Cleansing Wipes (25 wipes)

- These are a little pricer than the Swisspers brands, but unlike the Swisspers brand (which are made in China), these are made in the Netherlands. I got attracted to claims on the packaging:
They're free from parabens, silicones, colourants, mineral oils and alcohol. The ingredients used in these; 95% of them are from natural origin (great!), they're biodegradable, they contrain bio argan oil and aloe vera. Last and not least they claim to do everything plus they are suitable for sensitive eyes/skin! I haven't tried these yet but I got 2 packets on a whim for the sister and I.

4. Palmer's  Cocoa Butter Formula Cocoa Body Scrub (200 g)

- Also needed a body scrub, 'cause it's Winter and I wanted to give my skin a treat.
I tried this out yesterday in the shower and my, it was such a luxurious experience! For those who love chocolate, I'm sure you'll agree with me that this product smells divine! Think cocoa guys! I really love that this product is saturated with crushed Cocoa beans! However, I have to say, this feels really buttery (from the shea butter) and moisturising but it's not that great at exfoliating. I prefer a stronger exfoliant. I will repurchase this in future though! Great skincare product for Winter in my book! 



5. Yes To Carrots C the Body Carrot Rich Moisturizing Body Scrub (200 mL)

(Blended with Carrot Seed Oil, Carrot Juice, Pumpkin, Sweet Potato and Dead Sea Mud. Paraben Free). Wow, sounds like a scrumptious lunch for the skin! I couldn't resist such a scrub. I'm excited to try a variety of products to find what works best for me! (This product is not tested on animals).

6. Avène Thermal Spring Water (300 mL)

- I needed a product to make my total at least $60 to get the goodie bag.
This was on sale for $19.99 (a bit crazy) but you can get it cheaper at the Chemist Warehouse when they have a sale! See my review on this product here.

And now, the moment we've been waiting for...



That's all the products in the goodie bag!

The products were enclosed in a shiny, black, sturdy Models Prefer tote (with a pink lining inside). Great usable bag for my mum so she can carry the groceries more efficiently!

Most are full sized items! Items in the bags can vary in shades and product types.
I'll be sharing these around with family and friends.

So, did you get one of these generous goodie bags? What products did you get to get the offer? I'd love to hear what you got!
If you haven't done so, and you're interested, you can still get them online or instore!