Project Pan - Empties

It has been a while since I've updated on my project pan oops. I have been going pretty steadily through my products, both full sized and the what seems like the never ending samples I have. I also did a bit of a clean out of items I just know I will never use so I have cleared a fair bit out over the past month.

 

Onto what I have used up, and my thoughts on each product:

 

Her Fitness Box - March 2014 review

I received my Her Fitness Box for March (!!!!) on 22nd April. They were really really slow getting these out, and were not very good letting us know either so they whole thing has been a huge let down. After the launch box being such a disappointment and the lack of communication around the March box I unsubscribed at the beginning of April.

March's box was a marked improvement on February's, although really it wasn't hard to top that miserable thing haha! This has been 'designed' by Sally Bee - I don't know who that is and it gives no other information on her. I googled her name and it came up someone else so not sure who she is or what she does! This month they've included a card detailing what is included and have added a few extras:

 

As you can see a fairly full 'box' however I didn't actually receive this in a box. It came in a satchel with everything packed in the tote bag. This is not necessarily a bad thing, as I don't keep the large boxes, however on their website they state 'collectible box' so they blatantly need to change their advertising!

Bellabox - April 2014 review

My Bellabox was the first to arrive this month on the 21st. I wasn't even expecting it as I hadn't received a dispatch notice from them. I also hadn't really seen any sneek peaks or anything so wasn't sure what I'd find when I opened it.

This month's theme was 'Autumn Winter Style'. The first thing I saw when I opened it was Burt's Bees which was great to see, but then I saw a smashed eyeshadow. I also thought what a tiny box product wise, but I am actually missing a product. Here is what I received in more detail:

Her Fashion Box - March 2014 review

This month's Her Fashion Box is their 1st birthday box. Happy Birthday HFB! The gloss was kind of taken off though as it was sooooo late, although part of my was super super excited to see what they would include, being a birthday box, and for making us wait for so long! The delays were because they were late in getting some products which the didn't want to not include... hmmm. March's box was also again received in the mini box in a satchel. Two of the products and the HFB magazine were stuffed into the satchel as it all didn't fit in the mini box. Not great for a birthday box I must say! Here is what I received in the classic box this month:

Bellabox - March 2014 review

If you have read my previous review posts you would know I am not a big fan of Bellabox. I am subscribed annually (ending in August) and I literally can't wait until it finishes. Each month I just get a box of rubbish which I've seen all before and mostly from supermarket brands. Bellabox won no favours with me by posting this late either (where is the VIP for annual subs??) so I already wasn't impressed before I even opened it up! Enough of my whining though!!

March came in some brand new packaging which I have to say I love! It is a simple blue box, and the lid lifts off. Big props for this as this box can be reused and is a marked improvement from previous brown cardboard.

 

Here is what I received for March:

 

March's them is 'beauty diaries'.

 

ModelCo Party Proof Matte Lipstick (3.8g full size)

RRP $16.95

I'd seen this in the sneak peeks for March and was not impressed about ANOTHER ModelCo. When will they stop bombarding us with this brand?? We received a ModelCo full size product within the last couple of boxes I want to see something new!!!

Anyway, I had urges to just throw this one straight out but I fought that and actually did try it out. Hmmm, I wish I didn't. I received the colour 'Coachella Crush' which is an orangey reddy kind of colour. First swatch and it feels kind of rough and a bit chalky? It is hard to explain but it doesn't feel nice, it has a kind of drag on your skin (it hadn't even hit my lips yet!) I also noticed it kind of 'fell' into the lines in my skin.

I applied this to my lips and it wasn't an easy application. It dragged on my lips (perhaps this is because it is so matte i'm not sure) and instantly dried them out. I couldn't even rub my lips together they were so dried. The colour was actually quite nice so I will give positive there, it was just not a nice lipstick and has already been chucked out. I will finish on a positive though, the packaging was nice - it came with a little mirror.

 

Wow by Romy Bath Gel, Mandarin & Lime

RRP ?

I don't know what size the sample is nor do I know what it is worth as it just says 'limited edition' on the card. Hmm. The smell of this is so nice and fresh. Looking forward to using it once I've used up some other bath gels :)

 

Pantene Aqua Light Shampoo & Conditioner (40ml each sample)

RRP $7.99 350ml

I'm not a big fan of Pantene as it leaves a horrible layer on my hair which then makes it difficult to straighten or curl. This however, says no added silicon so I may just try this out. One thing about Pantene is it does always smell nice and this is no different. Apprently these products are meant to nourish your hair but leaving it feeling weightless. I'll see how I go!

 

Coconut Revolution Body Lotion (10g sample)

RRP $24.95, 240ml

I like receiving body lotions as you can never have to many and happy to see a new brand I haven't seen before. Coconut is one of my alltime faves so this just smells divine. It is quite lightweight and glides on easily. It melts in almost instantly and doesn't leave any greasy feeling behind at all. Very very happy with this and will most likely purchase it!

 

St Tropez Gradual Tan with anti-ageing (5ml sample)

RRP $39.95 50ml

This is a great inclusion to the box. I love self tanners, especially in the winter months, and I love gradual tans even more so! This has the added bonus of 'anti ageing' in it so it is an all round win for me.

 

Naturalus Paw Paw Pure Gel (sachet)

RRP $9.95, 75g

This was the supposed bonus for the month. I hate sachets. This is a cooling aloe vera gel which soothes dry or damaged skin. I can imagine this would be good on suburn. I haven't yet opened it but I will the next time my skin is dry from riding the motorbike around the farm.

 

So for March's Bellabox it is worth roughly $25. The outlay on these boxes is $15. I did chuck the full size product, but I did find two products I would purchase again so not all bad this month.

 

Do you subsribe to Bellabox? What did you receive for March?

 

Lust Have It - March 2014 review

I know just how silly it is to be reviewing March boxes in April, and I was in two minds about whether to even bother.... But I've decided to put these up. I received all of my March subs in April, which is horrendous for no one to be on time. Note I still haven't received my March Her Fitness Box yet either... Ugh!!! Anyway...

I received my Lust Have It on April 7. Bellabox followed on April 8 and Her FashionBox was last on April 14. I am in rural NSW so it takes a few days longer than city areas for me to receive post, but that can't be used as an excuse as all three companies actually dispatched them out late in April. Meh.

First review up is Lust Have It. I'd received an email and seen Facebook updates about their new packaging and was half expecting it to be this month (I thought that is why they may be late) but the 'box' turned up in a satchel and my items were wrapped in bubble wrap. Not very impressed but at least they kept us up to date and I've since seen their April boxes will be in the new packaging, which is cosmetic bags! Looking forward to that. Here is what I received:

The best part about this box was that for March we were able to choose a product! I was so very impressed with this as I haven't seen this from any other beauty box company. We could choose between two bloom products, a concealer palette and an eyeliner. I chose the eyeliner as I already have the concealer (which I love). 

The products I received for March are:

Klara Kiss Proof Lips - 04 Neon Hot Pink (1.2ml deluxe size sample)

RRP $29, 8ml

At first I thought this was a tiny little sample, but then I applied it. WOW talk about pigmented!! I received this stunning bright pink colour which is just incredible and is my new favourite lip colour. It claims to last 24 hours and it does, but fades a lot. I had to reapply a couple of times throughout the day but a little goes a long long way so I didn't mind. I applied a bit of gloss over the top and this helped it last a bit more too. I adore this and I will definitely be repurchasing! I had a look at their website and they offer 15% off your first online order for signing up to their newsletter so I will definately be getting on that! (www.klaracosmetics.com). I also like that this is an Australian owned company.

Bloom Eye Definer - Dark Brown (1.1g full size)

RRP $24

This was the product I chose, over the concealer. I was happy until I realised it was brown. I'm not into brown eyeliner so unfortunately this won't be used. I was going to try it out but figure I'll leave it unopened and gift it to someone who will use it. Bit of a disappointment here.

Orly Nail Lacquer - Hook Up (5.4ml sample)

RRP $18.95, 18ml

Another disappointment as I received this heinous yellow colour which I am not into. I've given this to my nieces who are just discovering nail polish and they loved it.

Aveda Intensive Hydrating Masque (7ml sample)

RRP $79.95, 150ml

This masque is supposed to be oil free which is good. It is a hydrating masque which helps soothe dryness and stress. I haven't yet tried this one as I have a million different masques to get through, but will review once I've used it. I do have to say I am a bit over receiving Aveda - I have received this brand masque before so it would be good to see a different brand in future boxes.

 

Chapstick Strawberry Lip Balm (4.2g full size)

RRP $4.69

Who doesn't love a chapstick? This takes me back to my school days actually! Love the strawberry flavour too. Chapstick is a great all rounder and was happy to receive this as I will definately use it.

Recoverlyte Tropical Powder (8g sachet)

RRP $11.85, 10 sachets

Not really too sure how this fits into the whole beauty box thing but this actually did come in handy (you can see from the pic I've used it up!). I don't know if it really made a difference to my hangover though. My best hangover cure is to get up and moving, drink plenty of water and stay away from the fatty foods!! It was good to try this out but I figure Berocca pretty much contains the same stuff so I'd rather pop one of those.

 

I also received a voucher to Runway Dream (www.runwaydream.com.au) which is a site where you can hire designer dresses for an event. The voucher gives $20 off your first hire using the code LUSTHAVEIT

 

So all up this month 2 full size products. I calculate that this box is worth roughly $40 (I don't include vouchers) so for the $19.95 outlay it is pretty good on paper. I did however receive 2 products I will not use so for me, this isn't a great month. I am very much looking forward to April though and have received word it is on it's way!

 

What do you think?

March subscription boxes... No where to be seen!

I'm so disappointed in all the beauty boxes I'm subscribed to... It's now the 1st April and I haven't received any!! Yep, Her Fashion Box, Her Fitness Box, Lust Have It and Bellabox, all no shows. HFB has emailed to let me know that they are behind this month, apparently they moved to a new premises or something (but surely they knew the prior - you'd think that they would have been prepared!). Lust Have It was supposedly sent the Friday before last and I haven't heard a peep from Bellabox. I emailed Bellabox (to then get spammed by their auto response) and they haven't sent it out yet. Apparently I'm in the last shipment! Ugh. How as an annual subscriber am I in the last shipment! Very annoyed.
Fingers crossed I get them soon! Stay tuned.....