The dreaded flu - how to look and feel better

Yes, spring is just around the corner but I am just recovering from the flu that has been going around and it has been a truly awful experience. I thought I'd managed to dodge it but noooo the sneaky bugger bowled me! It was honestly one of the worst bouts of flu I have ever had. Headaches, body aches, runny nose, sore throat, sore chest, runny eyes, tired.... not to mention dull skin and hair, dull eyes just everything dull dull dull. I hate going down with the flu and try to keep doing normal day to day things (whilst still trying to relax) to help me try to feel better so I thought I'd share a list of things I do to try and feel and look better when I have the flu.

I'll start with how I make myself feel better. This is on top of copious amounts of cold and flu drugs and lemsips! If you feel (slightly) better on the inside it is easier to try and (fake) looking a bit better ;)

Hydrate hydrate hydrate I can't even stress how important it is to keep up the H2o when you're sick. I get so bored with drinking water and often I can't even stomach it but I MUST! I have to drink out of a bottle as if I smell the water in a glass it will put me off instantly (yes, i'm weird!). I also like to drink plenty of loving herbal tea - chamomile is an absolute favourite. It's so calming.

Aloe tissues + Paw Paw Ointment The absolute worst part about being sick is that constant runny nose. Aghhhhh! Hello tissues that feel like sandpaper. I always have plenty of aloe tissues in the back of the cupboard just to help aleviate the dreaded red raw flaky nostrils. To help combat I apply Lucas' PawPaw Ointment to my nostrils (even before any redness has started to show) and this helps A LOT. So soothing and lovely - I can't get enough of this stuff.

Lust Have It - August 2014 review

My Lust Have It finally arrived today! I got the dispatch notice from them 2 weeks ago, so not sure what happened there, but thankfully it arrived just before the end of August.

August is Lust Have It's birthday box so I had high hopes for this one. I did get a sneak peek and knew I was getting a knock out hair product so I was very excited to see this in the post box today.

So what did I receive?

Be a Bombshell Eyeliner - review

First things first, I am an eyeliner addict. Like crazy addict. It is seriously the one thing I can't live without. If my house was burning down I'd grab my eyeliner collection.... okay, that is probably a bit far but you get the picture!

I've only really used eyeshadow from the Be a Bombshell range and had a pretty good experience (up until it smashed gah!). As I was lurking on the Violet Box shop (again, those points needed spending!) I was drawn to the eyeliner as I wanted a new liner and also wanted to explore more of this brand.

This eyeliner was (in my opinion) a steal at just $19. Yay to great prices!

Bellabox review - August 2014

This month's Bellabox arrived Yesterday. These days I deliberately stay away from the Bellabox website and facebook page around this time, just to avoid any sneak peeks. I seem to always miss out on the great box each month so if I don't see anyone else's boxes, I'm less inclined to be disappointed... Right? Hmm...

The theme for this month's box is Sport Your Style S/S 14. The theme intrigued me but looking at the contents I think this got a little lost. I think the basis is there but in my opinion it's all a little run of the mill and expected. I want to be impressed! 

Here are the products I received:

New Australian subscription box - The Parcel by Marie Claire

Just wanted to let you know I've just taken the plunge and signed up for the newest Australian subscription service, The Parcel by Marie Claire. The parcel is described as an all new sampling service where magazines collate the best and latest in beauty and cosmetics. 

The first box, the spring edit will be delivered in October and is valued at over $100. It's featured brands are Lancôme, OPI, Revlon, Loreal and Benefit. According to the website, receiving the box will "feel like the magazine's pages coming to life in your hands, with products handpicked by the editorial team". The boxes aren't customised, but are aimed to suit a variety of tastes, skin types etc. This is okay with me, as the other subscription boxes make you fill in a beauty survey but ignore all your preferences so at least this one is up-front!

This box sounds great, especially the brands that they mention for the first box. It seems this will be more mid-high end brands. It also mentions deluxe new releases as well as cult samples. I love discovering new brands and new products and this sounds like it will do just that! Which to me, is what a subscription box should do! Another great touch is they mention exactly when boxes will be sent each month (so no more waiting until the end of the month!), as long as they actually stick to it!

You can sign up for a one off box at $25, or you can sign up to receive each season automatically for $25 per box (cancel anytime). There is also an annual subscription for $90 (4 boxes), and a deal for annual subscription to the box and Marie Claire magazine for $149. If this lives up to the hype, it will definitely be worth it in my opinion!

For more information, visit www.theparcel.com.au

Oh, there is also a Girlfriend magazine box coming soon (it doesn't mention when) and you can register your interest to be advised when sign up opens.

So what do you think? Will you be signing up or wait till the first box is released?

Bite Beauty - Luminous Creme Lipstick in Vouvray - review

Okay, so first of all prepare for some serious gushing in this post. Second of all, I have to confess that I've never really been into lipstick... (queue shock and gasps)... I've always just worn gloss, whether it be clear or with just a hint of colour. I always thought I looked weird with lipstick on and my dry lips coupled with cheap lipsticks I've used in the past equals horrific results and I guess that kind of scarred me! As I get more and more into the world of lipsticks, good quality lipsticks that is, I stumbled upon Bite Beauty as I was lurking the Violet Box website.

So first up, what is Bite Beauty? Well, it's Lip Colour that's good enough to eat. Yep, each product is made of organic and natural ingredients. They even contain resveratrol, which delivers the same anti-oxidants as 5 glasses of red wine. This is what drew me to this lipstick in the first place - natural ingredients that deliver a high quality product. No parabens, no sulfates, no nasties.

I picked up the Luminous Creme Lipstick in the colour Vouvray from the Violet Box shop. It set me back $36.95.

Hauling

So even though I was trying to use up products prior to buying anymore Priceline decided to have a 40% off Skincare so I stocked up. I then opened up my emails to discover I had points to spend at Violet Box, Bellabox and Lust Have It stores so I stocked up. I then discovered Lipstick Republic so I stocked up...... Oops! I'm so happy with all my purchases though, can't wait to get stuck in! Reviews and more in depth information to come in future posts....

Here is what I picked up:

Priceline
As I said, Priceline did a 40% off Skincare special so I thought I'd take full advantage. I picked up the following:

Botani Rescue Acne Cream 
Garnier perfect Blur
Katy Perry perfume, Killer Queen
Sukin Facial Scrub
Avene Cleanance Toner
Mor Hand and Body Lotion - Honey Nectar
Simple Oil Controlling Exfoliating Wash
Avene Soapless Gel Cleanser
Avene Regulating Lotion
Sukin Sunless Bronzing Gel
Bioderma Sebium AKN Pore Refining Fluid
Natio Oil Controlling Toner
Models Prefer Lip Liner - Clearly Sealed

Empties - June/July

I have managed to finish a load of products over the last two months, and not just samples either - a few full sized products (which is the whole aim I suppose!) I celebrated that by purchasing another load of products... Oops! Here are my thoughts on what I've used up....
 

 

Gatineau Aquamemory moisture replenish cream gel

This is the first I've tried of this brand. It was okay but not 100% suited to my skin type. It did leave my face feeling nice but made me shiny so I didn't use the rest of the tube.

Repurchase? No

 

Avene Cleanance Toner

This is my favourite toner I have ever used. I really truly feel like this makes a difference to my skin. Since it ran out a couple weeks ago I already feel like my skin is more oily. I can't wait till I get this again, definitely my go to toner (along with the rest of the Cleanance range)

Repurchase? Already have, waiting for it to turn up in the post!!

 

Happy Skincare Cloud 9 Deep Cleansing Balm

Ohhh I just loved this. It left my skin feeling so clean and refreshed, this is on my wish list for the moment. I've been stalking the Happy Skincare website and want to try so many things.

Repurchase? Yes

 

ASAP anti-aging night cream

This felt good on my skin however had quite a strange smell to it that hung around for a while. My pillows were even smelling of it and my fiancé was not a fan! It was a good product but I have used better, and the smell is enough to not make me want more.

Repurchase? No

 

Garnier Ultra Lift day cream

 I am quite a big fan of Garnier, everything I have tried does work well however I'd prefer a moisturiser which is aimed at my skin type specifically rather than any skin type. I also don't really like pots too much as I'm too tempted to stick my fingers in there and it's not very hygienic!

Repurchase? No

 

Bioderma Sebium AKN Purifying Corrective Care

Love love love this. This worked well on my blemishes, even with such a small sample. A little goes a long way and I used it as a spot treatment rather than all over my face. It tingled a little but nothing to get worked up about. For me, it made my blemishes less angry!

Repurchase? Yes, already have

 

St Tropez Gradual Face Tan (with anti-aging)

Love this brand, it is by far my favourite when it comes to fake tan and it is the one I currently use for my body. I was still trying to find that perfect face fake tan that didn't make me break out and wasn't to dark and I think I've finally found it! This was beautiful to use, just a hint of colour and from the couple uses I got out of it no blemishes! 

Repurchase? Yes definitely! A great find. 

 

Clinique turnaround overnight radiance moisturiser

This is a great night moisturiser, it's nice creamy and soothing. It keeps my skin hydrated but isn't too rich. This is definitely one of the best night moisturisers I've used.

Repurchase? Most likely

Violet Box - July 2014 review

This is the last of my 3 month subscription, and I'm really disappointed to see it stop! In my opinion Violet Box is leaps and bounds above the other two beauty boxes I am subscribed to. Violet Box costs a little more ($22.95 per month) however there is always full size products included, there isn't much variance between boxes that other subscribers receive (so none of that I got the crap box thinking) and it consistently contains a wide variety of products and brands - and not just drugstore brands either. When My annual sub for Bellabox finishes I will be going straight to Violet Box.

July came in some new packaging which I think is great. Instead of the magnetic black box, it is a white box with a black pull out black 'drawer'. Violet Box has by far the best packaging and super happy with this keepable box.

Bellabox - July 2014 review

One of these months I will get my reviews in before the end of the month!! It doesn't help that post takes extra long to get to me (living rural has so many perks but getting post regularly is not one of them!). Anyway, July's Bellabox arrived to me late last week. I hadn't seen any sneak peeks, which to be honest is a good thing with BB, as many times they release exciting sneak peeks and those products aren't included in every box... I steer clear to avoid any 'disappointment'.

The theme for July was American Beauty. Here is what I received:

Lust Have It - July 2014 review

I missed posting reviews for all my June boxes... We have been so so busy on the farm as our sheep are lambing and this is one of the first times I've even sat down at my computer! Anyway, I finally made it to the post office to pick up my subscription boxes, first up for review is the July edition of Lust Have It!