Lust Have It Eco Summer Box 2014

Finally I received my Summer Eco Box,  it has taken 9 days to get here and I think it went via the World by the condition of the box I received.  My last Summer Eco Box arrived in December 2012 so this one was well overdue arriving the last day of January.

The LHI Eco box is a quarterly subscription which costs $29.95.  It contains all natural samples for those of us who are more conscious about what we put on our skins these days.

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I received the following;

DR HAUSCHKA Lemongrass Body Moisturiser - 10ml sample tube - smells overwhelmingly of Lemongrass more suited to adding flavour to Thai recipes than your skin.  Did not find it very moisturising and the aroma did not improve with time. Not a fan of this one.

John Plunkett NS-8 Heel Balm - 20g sample tube - I have received this sample before, can't tell you how good it is because I don't suffer from cracked heels and tend just to moisturise my feet with normal body lotion.  Not happy to receive a repeat item.

AVEENO Body Lotion - 29ml sample - Gahhhh I am so sick of this stuff, another repeat sample which is turning up on a regular basis.

PEOPLE FOR PLANTS Organic Face Oil - 20ml full-size - argan, pomegranate, milk thistle - I love face oil and use it daily.  I have noticed People for Plants in Priceline and have been wanting to try their products, happy to receive this.

CLAYTIME Pure Mineral Cover Foundation SPF24 - loose mineral powder -  teeny tiny sample - I received this in LITE, claims to be a 2 in 1 concealer foundation which transforms your face to a smooth flawless look in under 60 seconds. No it doesn't but it's good enough to use to set your foundation.

SUIGO Vital Nutrition Intensive Hair Repair - generous 100ml tub - I am already a fan of this brand and use it on a regular basis, makes my hair look gorgeous.  I would recommend SUIGO products to anyone.

MINERALLUSTRE loose eyeshadow powder - Warmed Up - 2.6g full-size - Not a fan of loose eyeshadow and I am certainly not impressed with the non-colour shade I received.  This is the same colour as foundation and adds nothing to your lids, no colour pay-off and full of eye irritating cheap glitter for filler. Please if you are going to hand out eyeshadow make it a shade that you can actually see and is useable.

Can't say I am too impressed by this month's selection, three repetitive samples and besides the Face Oil nothing that really interested me.

I don't know if it is just me but are all these beauty boxes starting to look like a Priceline Sample Bag to you too?

Still this is a far better selection of samples and value compared to the Natures Beauty Bag I received this month, you can read that review here and I would recommend LHI over NBB completely, their samples are bigger and generous, more full-sized products and easily available in Australia.

JAC x0x

Bellabox January 2014

My Bellabox arrived today and this is what I received.

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MODELCO FAT LASH VOLUMISING MASCARA - Black - Can't say I am a fan of the brand and I would have been one of the few that wasn't excited when it was revealed that everyone was getting one this month.

PALMOLIVE AYURITUEL ENERGY SHOWER GEL - Ginger and Indian Sandalwood - sample -this has quite a masculine smell which might appeal to some.

NATURAL GREEN BRAND TEPEZCOHUITE CREAM - on the tiny sample jar it says this is good for acne??  I am nearly 48 years old not so much a problem these days.  Also good for burns and post peel not so good for me, don't do either, burn or peel that is.

AVENE HYDRANCE OPTIMALE RICH HYDRATING CREAM - 5ml sample - I have received this so many times I have stopped counting, I am not a fan of Avene at all and no amount of repetitive samples is going to change my mind.

GATINEAU AQUA MEMORY MOISTURE REPLENISHING MASQUE- 15ml sample - I am not a fan of this brand either but I haven't tried this product. I have tried the aqua memory moisturiser before and wasn't impressed so I will be interested to see how I go with this.

NAK FIXATION FINISHING HAIR SPRAY -  100ml - While I do like the NAK brand I don't use hairspray.

WOTNOT FACIAL WIPES - 5 wipes - I purchase these on a regular basis and if you have never tried them before you are gonna love em!!  This was a bonus item.


I believe if you are new to BB you would probably be very happy with this month's box, there was a good variety and out of the boxes I have seen reviewed so far this would be one of the better ones.  For $15 it is certainly better value than any other beauty boxes out there at the moment and I think you do get your money's worth.

Personally I can't say I am impressed, only one new brand and totally irrelevant to my needs.  Most of these products I have been sent before and they just happen to be products that I don't like but appear regularly over all the beauty boxes available.   A box is only as good as the products relating to the customer's interest and this one missed the mark with me by a long mile.

If you would like to subscribe to BB you can find out more here.

Natures Beauty Bag January 2014 ~ New Beauty Subscription

I would like to introduce you all to a new beauty subscription service I recently joined.  This service provides 5-8 samples bi-monthly for $29.95.  All their samples are from companies that are Natural, Organic and Cruelty Free.

In Australia you can purchase a one-off beauty bag or subscribe for $29.95 bi-monthly.  For a limited time you can purchase your first bag for $24.95 here.  New Zealand plans are here and International plans can be found here.  Beauty Bags are shipped January, March, May, July, September and November.

They currently ship to Australia, New Zealand, USA, UK, Canada and Singapore.  If you would like your beauty bag shipped to another country just contact them.  You can find out more about their plans here.

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With your first order you had a choice of a Lime Green or Grey satin-lined Canvas Clutch/Cosmetics Bag, I went with the green.  Included in January's bag was the following;

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From the Bean Coffee Body Scrub - 70gm sachet sample - RRP$14.95 200gm.  this yummy body scrub contains ground coffee, brown and white sugars, Almond, Grapeseed and Vitamin E oils, Green Tea and Ylang Ylang, Sweet Orange, Patchouli, White Grapefruit Essential Oils.  You can find out more about their products here.

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Absolutely Gorgeous Hand and Body Lotion - Lavender and Mandarin - 30ml sample - if you love mandarins you will love this lotion, absorbs fast and no greasy after feel.  You can find out more about Absolutely Gorgeous here, reasonably priced and well worth a looksee.  Comes with a discount code for $10 off your order over $50.

Rubifresh Hydrating Body Gel - 30ml sample size.  You can find out more about their products here. UPDATE:  Can't say I am all that impressed isn't very moisturising and leaves you feeling sticky, I thought I had put liquid soap on myself, made me itchy.

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Ayana Organics Vanilla body butter - tiny sachet sample - very disappointed with the size of this sachet not nearly enough to moisturise your body, maybe just your hands.  Based on this sample I won't be able to make an informed decision  if I would want to purchase a full-sized jar for $37.65 so I will give it a miss.  Included is a coupon code for free delivery on your order.  You can find out more about Ayana Organics website here.

Nonie of Beverly Hills AHAI Brilliant Moisturiser - small 5ml sample - this is a light skin food suitable for all skin types, contains 5% AHA and multi-vitamins.  You can find out more about this product here. UPDATE:  Leaves your face feeling soft but there is a slight burning sensation, must be the acid.  I can't use products like these because they make my skin peel and then I can't wear makeup.

Etherealle Eye Shadow - Buttercream - loose mineral powder sachet sample - very disappointed in this non-colour eye shadow, don't see the point of sending out a sample of this, would have preferred a shade you could actually see on your eyelid.  You can find out more about Etherealle here if you are interested.

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TLC Creations natural essential oil perfume - Butt Naked Fruit Salad - sample vial - smells like Monkey Farts, anyone who has purchased soy melts for their burner will know what I'm talking about. Can't say I am a fan of this particular perfume but I love a good perfume oil and you can find out more here.

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Fresh Cream Lip Balm - fullsize - Rose tint with gold shimmer - made with olive oil, cocoa butter, coconut oil and beeswax.  This is an Etsy shop with some very reasonably priced products and well worth a look go here.  UPDATE:  Not very moisturising and has no staying power.  While I found the products to be reasonably priced the international postage for heavier items is crazy.

Fino Confections Strawberry Flavoured Gels - 2 lollies - made with all natural ingredients - you can find out more here.

Marina's Ambrosia Discount Voucher - $10 off your order - you can find out more about these natural beauty products at the website here.

This was my first Beauty Bag and I would have to say I am a little underwhelmed by the small samples included, listed it seems like a lot but in the bag there wasn't much at all.  One full-sized lip balm valued at $3.40, 8 samples and a couple of discount codes. I don't think it was worth the $24.95 I paid for it.

I loved the bag, I loved that I was introduced to new brands I haven't heard of before and I love that they are all natural & organic.

There are no points or shop but all the products are easily available from the websites provided.

I will give this subscription one more go but as I am paying the full price of $29.95 next time, I do expect a bit more than tiny samples or I will be unsubscribing.

What do you think of this beauty bag are you going to give it a go?

JAC X0X

This subscription was purchased by me and this is not a sponsored post.

End of a Busy Year & a Happy 2014

Hya all my lovely readers.

Firstly I just want to say thanks to everyone who follows me on Bloglovin.  It was a lovely surprise to come home from holidays and find I now have over 1000 followers.  I am very humbled that you would even consider me worth following and be the least bit interested in what I have to say.  Thank you to all those that regularly comment on my posts, I find one of the biggest bonuses of writing a blog is getting to know you and being able to call you friend!

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We decided this year as a family NOT to celebrate Christmas at home but holiday at Merimbula.  We had a wonderful week, picnicked on the beach Christmas Day and spent a whole week just splashing about in the sea.  Wonderful relaxing time with my family I would have to say it is the best Christmas I have had in a long time.  Only thing is it ended too quickly and nobody was ready to go home, we are planning to do it all again next year but stay longer!!

It has been such a busy year with work, family and study and 2014 is looking to be even busier.

I just want to wish you all a Safe and Happy New Year and my wish for you is that all your hopes and aspirations for 2014 will be successful.

Most of all I just want to wish you all LOVE because that is all that really matters in the world.  Love of Self, Love of Family and Love for your Fellow Man/Woman/Child.

Love & Peace to Everyone in the World.

Here is a photo of my husbands new friend he met at the beach.

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Love & Peace

Jac x0x

Lust Have It December 2013

Another disappointing month from LHI with boring boring samples.  The only product I was happy to see because it saved me buying some was the SunSense Anti-Ageing Face SPF+30.

One of my samples was missing the Clairol Hair Mask.  

Maybelline Fresh BB Cream - I have already purchased and tried this BB cream it is thin runny and does nothing.  This is in medium so the shade doesn't even match.

Maybelline Fresh BB Cream - sample sachet - if you send me the full size product why send me a sachet too??

Pelactiv Gentle Foaming Cleanser -sample - just another boring face wash

Uriage Aquaprecis refreshing gel cream - sample - this stuff smells, is for normal combination skin, I have very dry skin.  I tried this and don't understand what is suppose to be refreshing about it, does nothing to moisturise my skin and it stinks.  I had to wash it off, the smell was so over-powering, smells like insect repellant.

and that was it.  What the??

How much do I pay for this box?  It seems since they put their price up it has only gotten worse.  There is no profile matching and most the products you can pick up from a chemist.  Definitely not worth $20.

Unfortunately I am on a subscription to this lousy box and have to suffer a while longer but I won't be renewing.

I DO NOT recommend this beauty box to anyone, save your money and go out and buy yourself something you would really like.

Bellabox December 2013

Once again my BB box has arrived very late and it is hardly worth reviewing as there are no surprises left with what everyone received.  But for those of you who are interested this is what I received this month.....

BENEFIT POREFESSIONAL PRO BALM - 7.5ml - sample size.  I have been reading quite a few complaints from BB customers who are very disappointed NOT to receive this product this month, I must be one of the only customers to be disappointed I DID receive it.  I have tried Porefessional many years ago and it is not for me, I didn't find that it changed or improved my skin or pores.

ROMY SHAMPOO & CONDITIONER - teeny tiny samples - Cinnamon and Cocoa - I have already tried these and I can't say I was enamoured by the aroma, smelt very medicine like.  The only thing I like cinnamon with is hot donuts!!  The shampoo was meh and the conditioner was even worse, did nothing for my dry hair I had to re-condition.  I think I will give this brand a miss.

AVENE ANTIROLGEURS FORT RELIEF CONCENTRATE - teeny tiny sample - UGH!! we are back to the Avene again.  I don't know why I bother filling out the feedback each month BB never take any notice and still send me products I don't like, want or need.  I believe this is for red sensitive skin, I can't tell you if it works because my skin doesn't get red.

SIMPLE KIND TO EYES MAKEUP REMOVER - 50ML - not impressed to receive this, boring really.  I don't use eye make up remover.

MARY KAY NATURAL CHEEK TINT - full-size - Pink Pearl - very pretty irridescent pink but full of gold glitter.  I prefer matte shades, my disco ball days are over!

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ESLOR SAMPLE PACK - 4 samples - Replenishing Scrub - Comforting Mask - Soothing Refiner and Cleanser - Soothing Cream.  While I am pretty interested in these samples I seem to be receiving samples for sensitive skin while I would be far more interested in receiving samples for my skin type.

MOR ESSENTIALS HAND CREAM - sachet - Neroli Clementine - this is my favourite aroma from MOR and I already use this.

Well that's it, pretty good value for $15 with lots of goodies to play with, if you are interested in what was in the box and would like one for yourself you can find out how to subscribe here.

JAC X0X

Real Techniques at iHerb.com

I am a big fan of Real Techniques makeup brushes AND the great prices at iHerb.com.

I just wanted to share with all my readers the 20% extra off all Real Technique until DEC 4th 10am Pacific Time.

Don't forget to use my discount code  TUW872 to get up to $10 off your first order.

iHerb sell internationally and their shipping rates are very competitive.

I just ordered the following Sam's Picks Exclusive Brush Sets x 2 and Miracle Complexion Sponge x 2 and it only cost me $8 in shipping all the way to Australia.

I thought I would quickly show you what I ordered, these are gifts for family at Christmas as I already own all these brushes but I love the new set of 6 brushes that are available with some of my favourite brushes included in this set. Also the Complexion Sponges are fantastic and just as good if not better than Beauty Blender but a LOT cheaper.

I love this set of brushes the only brush I would like to have seen in there is the Blush Brush but it is available and on special too until Wednesday, along with ALL the Real Techniques Brushes and you can find them here.

Sam's Picks Exclusive Brush Set RRP$45 - iHerb $29.99 - 20% extra discount $23.99

Included in this set is:  Multi-Task Brush - Buffing Brush - Essential Crease Brush - Setting Brush - Pointed Foundation Brush - Fine Liner Brush

Miracle Complexion Sponge iHerb RRP$5.99 - 20% extra discount $4.79

Even with the drop in the Aussie dollar the prices are still a fraction of what you would pay for the same products in Australia. So if you looking for a great set of starter brushes for yourself or a unique gift for a special friend I think you couldn't do better than this.

PS All prices are in US dollars, iHerb converts at checkout.

JAC x0x