#just unboxed this new toner by One Thing!

[sundayskin]

[notatreeblog]

Allure Beauty Box is a monthly beauty subscription box that sends top trending, editor tested makeup, skincare and other beauty items along with a mini magazine with tips on how to use and a little bag to keep all your new goodies in. Subscriptions are $15 a month but your first box in a subscription is just $10. Our Mother in Law gifted us this subscription for our birthday!

Subscription Box Unboxing

Subscription Box Review

Our first glimpse inside the Allure Beauty Box for March. This is our first ever box from them and we’ve seen such good stuff… we were PUMPED!

Everything that we received in our March Allure Beauty Box. This is a really nice assortment!

  So what is all this stuff?

Our box insert is a mini magazine.

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Inside there are tips on how to use the products as well as retail values.

  All of your items also come in one of these nifty pouches each month!

  Belif the True Cream Aqua Bomb

First up we have a sample size container of the Belif Aqua Bomb.. we know this is a cult favorite but we didn’t want to splurge on the full sized ($38) if it didn’t suit our skin. We’ll keep you guys posted on how we feel about this. The consistency is a gel which in the past isn’t quite hydrating enough but so many people love it we need to give it the old college try!

  Juice Beauty Green Apple Brightening Gel Cleanser

$14

This is half the size of a full sized container which is a really nice inclusion! In the past we haven’t been blown away by the Juice Beauty line but reading about this cleanser we are intrigued. This includes hydroxy acids to exfoliate and retinol palmitate (so if you are pregnant or nursing don’t use it).

We are still going to try this out HOWEVER this isn’t for sensitive skin but we need to know if it gets the job done!

  Au Naturale the Anywhere Creme Multistick in Grapefruit

$35

Next up we have this pretty creme stick that can be used as blush, for lips or eyes.

The color is a little golden and a little peach and gives the skin a soft flush when worn as blush. This formula is organic and cruelty free as well!

  Burt’s Bees Lipstick in Blush Basin

$9

This pretty lipstick from Burt’s Bees is a nice, soft color for any everyday makeup look. While we aren’t always blown away by the Burt’s Bees line… it has a special place in our heart. We like that we received this.

  Londontown Lakur in Brit of Love

$16

Next is our absolute favorite item in this box. A Londontown Lakur Nail Polish in this beautiful, vibrant and perfect for spring pink shade. We aren’t 100% sure this is full sized but think it is?

  Acure Seriously Soothing Night Oil

This is sample sized (a full sized is 1 ounce and retails for $12.99) but still a good size. This is a really nice product (we just got on in our Whole Foods Beauty Bag as well!) This inludes both Blue Tansy and Rose for a calming effect on inflamed skin. Perfect for our dry, redness prone skin!

  Marmonde Rose Water Toner

The final item in our March Allure Beauty Box is this Marmonde Rose Water Toner. Firstly, rose anything is our jam, but this toner includes damask roses that are said to be… GET THIS, “hand picked at dawn”. That’s fancy. We can’t wait to incorporate this in our beauty routine!

  Bonus Gift with Subscription

We also received as a gift with our new subscription a small Creme de la Mer and La Mer the Concetrate. We’ve tried the moisturizer before and thought that it was nice but no better than some drug store options out there but the Concentrate we’re pretty excited to give a go!

  So in summary

Presentation: Everything arrived to us perfectly in our Allure Beauty Box for March

Quality: We feel like the quality is definitely there and the products are NICE!

Curation: This seemed well rounded in our opinion. Not too much of any one thing and a fun versatile selection!

  Subscribe to Allure Beauty Box

                                    Allure Beauty Subscription Box Review + Unboxing + First Box $10 | March 2019 Allure Beauty Box is a monthly beauty subscription box that sends top trending, editor tested makeup, skincare and other beauty items along with a mini magazine with tips on how to use and a little bag to keep all your new goodies in.

[jessicakehoe]

Skincare Brands To Consider If You’re Sick of Excessive Packaging

How many times have you ordered the newest addition to your favourite skincare line, and then upon arrival and unboxing, wondered, ‘how much more packaging do they need for this little thing?!’ ? Unfortunateluy, many beauty products today are cocooned in the excessive material, like plastic, cellophane, and foam. And many come with their own brochures tucked inside that no one ever reads. But there’s a few brands looking to disassociate “luxury” with fancy packaging and they’re stripping down all for the sake of the planet.

Lush Cosmetics

Though Lush has always positioned themselves as an environmentally friendly company in terms of ingredients, packaging, and processes, the recent expansion of its Naked Skincare line reinforces their focus on sustainability. “By offering consumers the option to go naked, we’re aiming to challenge people to consider at every touchpoint in their lives �� right down to what they put on their face every day – if they really need the packaging,” says Meghan Campbell, a Lush brand and product trainer. “So many companies out there focus on the extravagance of the packaging of their skin care, but we believe that the true beauty of our products is found in their fresh ingredients.”

View this post on Instagram

Hello new SKINCARE! 100% packaging-free, 100% ethically sourced and oh-so good for your skin, our new Naked Skincare range will help you get your GLOW on. Link in bio to explore the range! 💕✨😍

A post shared by Lush Cosmetics North America (@lushcosmetics) on Jan 18, 2019 at 7:03am PST

Ren Clean Skincare

Last Earth Day Ren Clean Skincare pledged to become completely waste-free by 2021 as part of their Clean to Planet initiative and made over their product range. Inspired by our planet’s oceans that are filled with plastic and pollution, the company uses 100 per cent recyclable packaging, refillable solutions, and bottles made with reclaimed ocean plastic. On its formula repack, Ren says, “Looking good naked ain’t easy – but our cleansers do.”

View this post on Instagram

#10YearChallenge… when #oceanplastic becomes your body wash packaging. 🌊 In 2009, we thought #CLEAN was simply the ingredients in your skincare. Now we know our impact on the planet must be CLEAN, too. Now it’s 2019, we're well on the way to #zerowaste and our pledge Clean To Skin, Clean To Planet is at the core of everything we do alongside our incredible partners @surfersagainstsewage, @surfrider. An innovation we’re very proud of—our Ocean plastic Atlantic Kelp and Magnesium Body Wash, now packaged in 20% #oceanplastic and 80% recycled plastic bottles, with a metal-free pump. We're not perfect, but we strive to make a difference and we have exciting things to show you VERY soon. As always, please #RECYCLE. ♻️ #RENCleanSkincare #CleanToSkin #CleanToPlanet

A post shared by REN Clean Skincare (@renskincare) on Jan 17, 2019 at 11:41am PST

Meow Meow Tweet

All of Meow Meow Tweet’s goods are hand wrapped in post-consumer waste paper or housed in glass containers that are reusable and recyclable. On the inspiration behind the brand’s environmentally friendly packaging, co-founder Tara Pelletier says, “Sustainability is not just looking at the product in front of you, but thinking about where it came from and where it’s going.” Going even one step further, most of MMT’s products are formulated to serve a dual purpose, which cuts . Their Face Toner contains a healing witch hazel distillate, calming rose hydrosol, and soothing lavender oil, all which hydrate your skin as well as help makeup stay in place all day long. And their Skin Cream can double as a cleansing balm.

http://bit.ly/2RLX8KR

The post Skincare Brands To Consider If You’re Sick of Excessive Packaging appeared first on FASHION Magazine.

Skincare Brands To Consider If You’re Sick of Excessive Packaging published first on https://borboletabags.tumblr.com/

[lindyhunt]

Skincare Brands To Consider If You’re Sick of Excessive Packaging

How many times have you ordered the newest addition to your favourite skincare line, and then upon arrival and unboxing, wondered, ‘how much more packaging do they need for this little thing?!’ ? Unfortunateluy, many beauty products today are cocooned in the excessive material, like plastic, cellophane, and foam. And many come with their own brochures tucked inside that no one ever reads. But there’s a few brands looking to disassociate “luxury” with fancy packaging and they’re stripping down all for the sake of the planet.

Lush Cosmetics

Though Lush has always positioned themselves as an environmentally friendly company in terms of ingredients, packaging, and processes, the recent expansion of its Naked Skincare line reinforces their focus on sustainability. “By offering consumers the option to go naked, we’re aiming to challenge people to consider at every touchpoint in their lives – right down to what they put on their face every day – if they really need the packaging,” says Meghan Campbell, a Lush brand and product trainer. “So many companies out there focus on the extravagance of the packaging of their skin care, but we believe that the true beauty of our products is found in their fresh ingredients.”

View this post on Instagram

Hello new SKINCARE! 100% packaging-free, 100% ethically sourced and oh-so good for your skin, our new Naked Skincare range will help you get your GLOW on. Link in bio to explore the range! 💕✨😍

A post shared by Lush Cosmetics North America (@lushcosmetics) on Jan 18, 2019 at 7:03am PST

Ren Clean Skincare

Last Earth Day Ren Clean Skincare pledged to become completely waste-free by 2021 as part of their Clean to Planet initiative and made over their product range. Inspired by our planet’s oceans that are filled with plastic and pollution, the company uses 100 per cent recyclable packaging, refillable solutions, and bottles made with reclaimed ocean plastic. On its formula repack, Ren says, “Looking good naked ain’t easy – but our cleansers do.”

View this post on Instagram

#10YearChallenge… when #oceanplastic becomes your body wash packaging. 🌊 In 2009, we thought #CLEAN was simply the ingredients in your skincare. Now we know our impact on the planet must be CLEAN, too. Now it’s 2019, we're well on the way to #zerowaste and our pledge Clean To Skin, Clean To Planet is at the core of everything we do alongside our incredible partners @surfersagainstsewage, @surfrider. An innovation we’re very proud of—our Ocean plastic Atlantic Kelp and Magnesium Body Wash, now packaged in 20% #oceanplastic and 80% recycled plastic bottles, with a metal-free pump. We're not perfect, but we strive to make a difference and we have exciting things to show you VERY soon. As always, please #RECYCLE. ♻️ #RENCleanSkincare #CleanToSkin #CleanToPlanet

A post shared by REN Clean Skincare (@renskincare) on Jan 17, 2019 at 11:41am PST

Meow Meow Tweet

All of Meow Meow Tweet’s goods are hand wrapped in post-consumer waste paper or housed in glass containers that are reusable and recyclable. On the inspiration behind the brand’s environmentally friendly packaging, co-founder Tara Pelletier says, “Sustainability is not just looking at the product in front of you, but thinking about where it came from and where it’s going.” Going even one step further, most of MMT’s products are formulated to serve a dual purpose, which cuts . Their Face Toner contains a healing witch hazel distillate, calming rose hydrosol, and soothing lavender oil, all which hydrate your skin as well as help makeup stay in place all day long. And their Skin Cream can double as a cleansing balm.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BtBKqV9FVoj/

[boxession]

Firstly I would like to say a huge thank you to Estee from Masktime for sending me this gorgeous box to review and for the exclusive 15% discount code SAM15

Masktime (if you haven’t already guessed it from the name), send you a selection of Korean masks and the occasional k beauty product every month. Being a huge mask addict I love this box!

Don’t believe me you can watch my live unboxing here…

Every month they carefully curate a box to help give you the glow you need. Gorgeously packaged in a sleek white box with the Masktime logo and inside wrapped up in sparkly tissue paper was

A product booklet detailing all the goodies in the box.

Much needed as let’s face it few of us can actually read Korean, so this detailed guide helps us choose the right mask at the right time and use the mask the right way.

A thank you card

It’s always nice to feel appreciated for our custom and I truly believe Masktime do, little touches like this make me feel valued!

A card with tips on and the Korean word of the month, I love that they do this it adds a really fun touch in my opinion and help to expand my vocabulary.

A sample

iSOi BR intensive lifting spot

I love trying new Products so this is a really nice touch, it allows me to try some awesome new k beauty and skincare treats with no regrets or price tag attached.

  BANOBAGI Baby Face Injection Mask

This 100% cotton mask wowed me, I thought a name like baby face was a bold claim but it really did leave my skin smoother and plumper than a baby’s bum. I even passed for 25 after using this mask, so a huge win in my books!

TREEANNSEA Carat Plane A280 Mask

This is one for the sensitive skin uses or the eco conscious, made completely of naturally derived ingredients! It’s hypoallergenic, free from parabens and has no synthetic fragrances! It’s another if my fave masks a cellulose, these feel more like a second skin to me,it left no sticky residue and I felt like my skin absorbed its complete awesomeness. Plus I felt a little smug knowing the mask was doing amazing things to my skin and no harm to the environment.

SCENTNCE Acidic Green Refreshing Sorbet Soothing Mask

Oh my, this mask was so cool and refreshing it honestly felt like it gave my fave a new vitality! The citrus fruit are said to help combat the signs of ageing whilst the other ingredients work in harmony to help brighten and boost the moisture levels.

MEG COSMETICS Good Night PM Mask

I used this at night (lol obviously) whilst relaxing in the bath, masking is bliss!

The next day I noticed difference in my skin, it seemed a lot firmer and plumper and felt refreshed.

MEDIHEAL Airpacking Mint Wrap Mask

This has to be one of my favourite masks in this months box and it’s not just the gorgeous metallic mint colour of the mask, it’s also a half and half Mask! My new obsession thanks to Masktime haha. This mask comes in 2 pieces top and bottom allowing more movement of the face. The scent was not to overpowering and the mix of sage,apple, mint extract, rosemary, peppermint and lavender soothed my sole as well as my skin. I noticed a huge difference in my pores I think it has something to do with the unique 3 layer air packing fabric system, whatever it is this mask is a form must repurchase!

A.H.C Essential Moisturising Mask

This mask is made from 100% cotton and targets pigmentation, something my skin really does need help with!

It left my skin a lot brighter and my tone was evened out. Yet again another for the repurchase list!

EUNYUL Coenzyme Q10 Natural Moisture Mask

I am terrible with forgetting my sun cream so this mask is right up my street. It helps to repair sun damage to your skin and it’s packed full of vitamins to deeply nourish whilst the anti-bacterial properties work on our not so welcome visitors.

 JAYJUN Baby Pure Shining 3 Step Mask

I have to confess I am saving this for my next night away from home, it sounds amazing basically a whole skincare routine in a packet!

It has 3 steps:

Step 1 blooming essence – An after cleansing serum/ toner

Step 2 Baby pure shining mask – Made with damask rose water boasting to leave my skin vibrant and healthy

Step 3 hydro eye cream – A light cream that targets fine lines and wrinkles

As I said amazing for a night away and minimal so you can easily pop this one pack miracle into your handbag!

I think Estee really filled a gap in the market with Masktime! It’s my favourite goto box for skincare. I don’t know what my skin needs each month/ season but Masktime does.

I always get compliments about my skin after using that masks and I love finding new Korean brands.

Korean skincare and beauty are lightyears ahead of us and so hard to get your hands on over here. Let’s face it even if we do manage to find the odd one or 2 we have no clue what it targets and the price is hugely bumped up. Masktime makes it simple they tell us what we need to know, history use it for best results all delivered to our doors for a reasonable price.

Don’t believe me here’s the numbers!

The box is £24.99 including free uk shipping and included 8 masks and a sample

Sample approx RRP 50p

BANOBAGI Baby Face Injection Mask RRP £7

TREEANNSEA Carat Plane A280 Mask RRP £5

SCENTNCE Acidic Green Refreshing Sorbet Soothing Mask RRP £3.50

MEG COSMETICS Good Night PM Mask RRP £4.50

MEDIHEAL Airpacking Mint Wrap Mask RRP £3.50

H.C Essential Moisturising Mask RRP £3.50

EUNYUL Coenzyme Q10 Natural Moisture Mask RRP £3.00

JAYJUN Baby Pure Shining 3 Step Mask RRR £4.00

Giving you a total RRP of £34.50

Saving you £9.01

Or £13.26 if you used our exclusive discount code SAM15!

As I mentioned before you are also finding quality Korean skincare that’s not at hugely inflated prices or waiting 2-4 weeks and paying extortionate amounts for shipping!

This box is perfect for Mask lovers and those wanting to get more into k skincare and beauty. I can’t recommend this box enough! Iv also heard from Estee herself next months box has a special treat in(que googly heart eyes) so there is no better time to subscribe! But be quick as they sell out fast!

And there’s a few options for you here!

Pay attention as this has changed

Glow setter Monthly rolling £24.99 or £21.24 if you use code SAM15, free uk shipping!

Glow starter £9.95 there is a code going around on this one making it half price! And you can also use code SAM15 making it just £8.46, with free uk shipping.

You can also get a range of one off boxes and limited edition boxes ranging in price.

Last day to order is the 27th of each month and All boxes ship out on the 28th of each month. You can Cancel Anytime And there are No hidden costs or cancellation fees.

The subscription and box options are constantly growing. Honestly this box is one to watch it even offers its own loyalty points program!! Yes girls points make prizes! You can also find a range of fun and cool masks you can order alongside your subscription on the website.

The website is so easy to use I love the lay out and the clean cute design it also includes a blog section as well giving you all the latest tips and trends you can check it out here:

Website

You can also find them on: Facebook Instagram Thank you for reading and once again a huge thank you to Estee from Masktime I honestly can’t wait to see what comes next XOXO

Mask Time Review by Sam – March 2018 Firstly I would like to say a huge thank you to Estee from Masktime for sending me this gorgeous box to review and for the…

[thepennydarling]

Hello Penny Darlings!

Welcome to 2018 with me! Thank you for letting me live my dream life & helping me see my dreams in totally different way! We brought in the New Year quietly, but surrounded by good friends, warm energy, and a few drinks that landed me with a hangover that I haven’t had in years.

However, I have a few things cooking for early 2018 – but I alwaysalwaysalways appreciate feedback! I love hearing what you want to see!

And, as I mentioned in my last post – we set a date! Ah! I have a post coming up next week to fill everyone in with the wedding planning stage of my life! Now that the date is set, everything seems a lot less daunting!

So let’s see, what else? Hmm, blah, blah, blah, – check me out on Instagram here! I also started a Twitter account! Find that here! Follow Preston’s brand new fashion Instagram here! I also have a selling Instagram page where I sell some of my old clothes/styles so that I don’t drown in my own wardrobe. I just listed a few new things – so check that out!

  Let’s move on to the content of the day, shall we?

In 2017, I signed up for Ipsy after becoming obsessed with doing my own unboxing, being gifted a Benefit mascara from someone else’s Ipsy bag, and realizing that I don’t know anything about make-up or brands and that I was always nervous to spend $17 on a liquid lipstick that I would hate, or that wouldn’t last all day, or whatever.

I heard that you could sign up for Ipsy for only $10 a month and you’d get FIVE sample size beauty products + a cute pouch every single month. And GIRL, let me tell you, I found some of my new fave beauty products this way and have even gone on to buy other products and find some of my favorite brands this way!

So today, I wanted to share some of my fave Ipsy GlamBag finds!

First of all, let’s talk about my fave glam bags so far.

So every month, your five products come in these adorable pouches (perfect for make-up!) I usually have three or four in my purse at a time. I use one for on the go make-up, one for tampons, one for the cords to my camera, one for hair bands and chapstick. They are the perfect purse sized accessory.

My two faves so far are this Admit One ticket (perfect for a theatre nerd like me) and this sunny side up egg Gudetama pouch. This melting sunny side up egg is my spirit animals most mornings.

  So there’s a bunch of different categories you can select from, but I have mine set as face (make-up/foundation/lips/eyes/etc.), skin care (masks, toners, scrubs, etc.) and hair care (oils, leave in conditioner, dry shampoo). There’s bunch of categories where you can select what type of products you’re interested in trying.

So I rounded up some of my fave beauty products that I’ve gotten in 2017 in each category to show you what type of products you’d be getting!

Check out my referral link to sign up here! 

  Face

Caked Lip Fondant in Color: Low Key

I am obsessed with this color/liquid lip. It dries matte, smells like cupcakes, and has REALLY low transfer of color but with super high pigment. I even went on to buy this lip magic in two additional colors, and even have a few others in my cart. 10/10 I’ve been wearing this non-stop since May. I’m literally wearing this as I type right now.

Benefit – They’re Real Mascara

This was what actually introduced me to Ipsy in the first place. I usually have a tough time with mascara to the point where I usually NEVER wore it. I thought it added such a minimal difference to my face for SO much extra hassle, ugh. But during a show I was doing, my darling friend, Cassidy, gave me her Benefit They’re Real mascara from her Ipsy bag and I became OBSESSED! And then, miracle of miracles, one came in my December bag so I’m set for at least a little while longer! 10/10 my fave mascara. I also bought the full sized of this!

Glamour Dolls X Lisa Frank

Glamour Dolls x Lisa Frank Eyeshadow in Stargazing or Heartthrob is AMAZING. First of all, the packaging was ALL of the things my nostalgic, 90’s girl heart needed from Lisa Frank. But second of all, I am obsessed with the color. It’s this deep copper/bronze-y color with some definite color. It’s not TOO intense but it definitely adds another layer. I literally haven’t worn eyeshadow in my day to day life since….never? I used to wear glitter on my lids in college but that was about it.

TARTE Amazonian Clay Waterproof Bronzer

This bronzer is a total game changer. I love it. I sort of get why people pay an arm and a leg for the brand. It’s matte, it lays so clean, and it doesn’t make me look orange in the least. It’s the perfect bronzer. I always find that grabbing bronzers makes me look streaky or weird – but this one helps matte out my foundation, is waterproof (and smear proof!), and has a slight shimmer in it.

  Hair

BRIOGEO HAIR Rosarco Milk Reparative Leave-In Conditioning Spray

 The product is smells SO good and left my hair feeling super soft and silky. This is another one that I’ve bought the whole product of. It’s very mild, but it does help with some serious tangling, gets rid of flyaways and split ends and is perfect to throw in before bed on damp hair for a treatment!

MARC ANTHONY – Hydrating Coconut Oil & Shea Butter Oil Treatment

This is a great oil treatment. It seriously is reparative, not too greasy or slimy, helps me get rid of frizz (which my curly hair always needs) and I use it when I put my hair up or into braids to prevent breakage and to keep it smooth!

   SKINFOOD Egg White Perfect Pore Cleansing Foam

This product was a total throwback to slumber parties when we used to mix egg whites with a bunch of other goop in the kitchen to get really tight pores and this lives up to the hype! It’s a cleansing foam, as opposed to the slumber party masks, but it gives that same tight pore feeling.

PROMISE ORGANIC – Nourishing Coconut Milk Daily Facial Scrub with Walnuts and Sugar

This is an amazing facial scrub. I have super sensitive skin and it’s perfect. When I use the scrub, it really makes my face soft and clean feeling. I tend to get bothered by facial scrubs – but this one is very moisturizing and not harsh at all! And bonus: not a heavy smell.

FEEL – Brilliant Bamboo Charcoal Facial Sheet Mask

This mask makes my face feel so clean and refreshed and lovely. I love a good mask because they make me feel so fancy in only one item. I always like to listen to some good music, put a mask on, and turn the heat up. This one is not goopy or weird in anyway!

  Eyebrows

BENEFIT COSMETICS – gimme brow volumizing fiber gel

CHELLA – Eyebrow Pencil in Beautiful Blonde and Elegant Ebony

As a girl who absolutely had never done her eyebrows before May of this year, these two products are blonde eyebrow game changers. Makes them look more defined and exciting! That fiber gel helps give me volume (which my blonde eyebrows desperately needed) and the taupe Chella pencil is the perfect tool for someone who is figuring out eyebrows or someone who wants precision eyebrows.

  Honorable Mentions

TOUCH IN SOL – Advanced Real Moisture Liquid Foundation SPF 30 PA ++ in Shade #23 Natural Beige or Shade #21 Nude Beige

SKYN ICELAND Berry Lip Fix with Wintered Red Algae

Firma Beauty 103 Angled Contour Brush

LUXIE BEAUTY Precision Shader Onyx Brush 239

IT COSMETICS – Bye Bye Pores Pressed Powder

SMASHBOX COSMETICS PHOTO FINISH RADIANCE PRIMER

  And fun fact, I did my WHOLE face in JUST ipsy products and it came out AMAZING, don’t you think?

I love ipsy! For a non-make-up-guru, I desperately love getting to sample things for a low cost to see how I like it, how it mixes with my skin or my other must have make-up products, and without feeling like I wasted $25 for a primer I end up hating.

It’s totally perfect and makes make-up shopping a lot less daunting. Truthfully, then I know what brands/types I like. I used to think I would NEVER wear liquid matte lipstick until I started wearing one every single day. And I used to think I’d never find a blonde eyebrow and I totally did!

If you want to check out Ipsy  – you can use my referral link to sign up!

For everyone from the make-up obsessed who want never ending new products or the cosmetic illiterate, like myself, this service is AMAZING.

*This post may contain affiliate links, however, all thoughts & opinions are my own*

SO HERE’S THE “END OF BLOG” SPIEL!

Follow me on Instagram: @thepennydarling

If you want to follow my darling, Preston – you can click here!

Like my Facebook page here!

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Subscribe for updates!

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If you’d like to donate to help me keep Penny Darling going – click here!

Comment for topics you would like to see me cover! Like to help my self esteem! What do you think so far? More fashion? More lifestyle? Do you like the mix?

Thank you for all that you do. You are truly extraordinary.

Love all you wonderful ladies (and gents!) out there!

How Very,

Abby

I share my best of 2017 @ipsy products I received and review! Hello Penny Darlings! Welcome to 2018 with me! Thank you for letting me live my dream life & helping me see my dreams in totally different way!

[domytriesthis]

A trio of reviews tonight! First up is the  Sephora Collection Disney Minnie Beauty: Minnie's World in Color Eyeshadow Palette (given to me when my middle daughter de-cluttered; two other palettes went into the ProjectBeautyShare.org box), second is my October Glossybox (which arrived Wednesday), and third is a mini Nyx haul.

The Minnie palette is out of its clutch because my daughter wants to use it, and I have a safe place to keep the palette itself inside a storage bag. The Glossybox gives everyone pretty much the same things, and at this point. Included for October's box: Vasanti Cosmetics Eyeshadow Brush ($21), CLOVE + HALLOW Lip Glaze in Spicy ($15), LUÉ by Jean Seo ERASE ($15), RITUALS USA Shower Foam in Happy Buddha ($15), and Korres Volcanic Minerals Twist Eyeshadow ($18). Total value: $84, and the thought that it has some of the most unique things I’ve seen in a subscription box (as well as having the most number of things not found on Influenster to review there...like all of them). The Nyx mini haul included three HD Studio concealers (green, lavender, and sand beige), a Pore Filler primer mini, and a bonus beauty sponge.

Let’s get on with the reviews! First up is Minnie!

Sephora Collection Disney Minnie Beauty: Minnie's World in Color Eyeshadow Palette  :: I was really surprised at how pigmented these turned out to be. There were a few colors (mostly mattes) that were less pigmented, but they were still usable, if needing a bit more work to get to show up. The palette is a great everyday palette too, with pops of color to balance out the more natural shades. It’s a beautiful palette, and I really like it!

Next is the Glossybox haul.

Vasanti Cosmetics Eyeshadow Brush :: This brush is bigger and stiffer than I’m used to for a shadow brush, but it’s a nice brush with a sturdy handle. It picks up A LOT of color, though you have to be careful to not have it dig into the shadow, and packs it onto the lid beautifully. It has weight to it that none of my e.l.f., BH, or Royal & Langnickel brushes have, but is on par with my EcoTools brush. I like it.

CLOVE + HALLOW Lip Glaze in Spicy :: This is a beautiful gloss: bright, shiny, and pigmented. It doesn’t turn sticky, but it also doesn’t dry down when used on its own, so LOTS of transfer. Whether it turns sticky or dries down when used with another lip product depends on the product and formula: it gets sticky with tartiest lip creams, for example. The color is a bit bright for me to use by itself, but I do like it for an adjuster on other colors.

LUÉ by Jean Seo ERASE :: This had to be the weirdest product I’ve tried. It’s a powder cleanser, exfoliater, and toner. You mix it with water to create a paste, let it sit on the skin a bit (but don’t let it dry), then “massage” it off—it pills off like eraser bits. I think it works as a mask, but not as a cleanser so much: when I used my toner pad, it was dirty when done. It also doesn’t massage off very well; I had to use a slightly damp washcloth to get it all off. That said, my skin was smooth, my red patches less red, and my acne prone areas less rough, even the next day. I’m pretty sure it even helped clear up some new pimples that were coming in. So, even though it was weird and one of the most unique products I’ve tried, I really like it and may even purchase it when what I have is gone.

RITUALS USA Shower Foam in Happy Buddha :: All I can say is oh heck no. The scent of this tried to knock me into the next county and refused to come off my hands even after three different kinds of soaps. This went straight to the ProjectBeautyShare.org box without me doing more than trying it on my hands.

Korres Volcanic Minerals Twist Eyeshadow :: So this is a eye shadow pencil, and I don’t particularly like any kind of eye pencil (with one exception). That gives any pencil sample a high bar to convince me. This one didn’t. Creamy but not creamy enough to not pull on the eye when used; pigmented when swatched on the hand, but had to work at it on the eye. So this went into the ProjectBeautyShare.org box as well.

Finally, the Nyx mini-haul.

HD Photogenic Concealer Wand :: These are a really nice consistency and blended really well. I think they helped reduce the texture of my skin when done, but while the redness was covered really well, my under eye shadows are still somewhat visible, especially on the innermost corner, and I had to use some of my jar concealer to clean up the edge from my outer eye to my eyebrow. My other concern is that these will cost a bit more in the long run because they won’t last as long as the jars. That said, I do like them and think I’ll be using them in place of the jars (with the exception for the outer edge clean up).

Pore Filler Mini :: As soon as this one is gone, I’ll be picking up the full size. This did a better job than even the Dr. Brandt’s (which I also really liked). I do have one dimpled pore that can still be seen, but the texture around my nose and under my eyes is 1000 times better than it’s been. I’d toss my BECCA if it hadn’t cost so much. lol Really liked this primer. A LOT.

Nyx Loyalty Program Beauty Sponge :: I love the shape of this sponge—it’s perfect for foundation application for me. It is a bit firmer than my other sponges, but I discovered I like that for foundation (the softer sponges are perfect for the concealer). Pretty pleased with this freebie.

So, yea, domy tried these and was happy with almost all of them. I also have an update for my tarte Amazonian clay 12-hour foundation and the Make Up Forever Ultra HD Invisible Cover Foundation I received in my Play bag last month. As much as I like it, the tarte comes across as a little too light (to my eye anyway), but Make Up Forever Ultra HD Invisible Cover Foundation Sephora sent is too dark. So I mixed them, then went over the whole face with the MUF again. I think the color matches better than before. So I just became a two foundation mixer to get my perfect shade. The only down side atm is that the foundation doesn’t seem to hold up as well in humidity as the tarte does by itself. The De-slick powder settles in tiny dots over my skin a bit less over this mix as well though it still does some (and, yes, I think I need a different finishing powder). The foundation still feels like on my skin, still covers about the same as when just using the tarte (around medium), so I’m pretty happy with it like this, and have plenty of both to use for this year. I was thinking about trying the Born This Way foundation, but I think it can wait until next winter if I decide I still want to try it then. For all I know, another foundation that looks better will come out by then. ;)

Just received word that my November Glossy has shipped, so it’s likely to be the first unboxing of the month for this month. I’m still on the wait list for Boxycharm. *deep heavy sigh* REALLY wanted this month’s box. Still have a chance for it, but not holding my breath. Ipsy and Play have both billed, but Ipsy won’t ship until next week, I think, and Play ships second or third week of the month. Looking forward to them both! :)

[sunshinykittens-blog]

The Dearest Diary There Ever Was,

Let me start by apologizing that I didn’t let you in on the events of my life sooner. But let me tell you, it’s been a busy life lately. Kate’s car was “liberated” of quite a few things and then took an adventure. And I’m going to miss that damn car. It was a beauty, I tell you.

But that was later in the week. I have other news - not sure about the fact that it’s good or bad yet. But, I got a job. Or seven, actually. While Kate was given primarily office jobs and had to wear really nice clothing that she had managed to snag for a song at the local thrift store, I got to wear jeans and tees and my favorite tennies. Not that I don’t have experience working office jobs, but it seemed that people wanted me to do heavy lifting and cleaning and stuff like that. So that’s the assignments I was given.

The first day, I was given an address somewhere close to downtown that was basically helping someone who had just rented a small business that they were planning on turning into a boutique and needed muscle to move the fixtures into the building and then arrange them to their liking. It hadn’t been a hard job, but it had really given my muscles quite the workout and, even though it had only gone on for six hours, I was honestly ready to go home, take a shower and drop into bed and take a tiny coma. Sleep wasn’t going to do it that night.

The next job I got was two days later, the day that Kate’s car had taken a permanent vacation. It was another heavy lifting job, but this time it was unloading a truck when half the usual crew had called out and it was a time-sensitive load.

I was rushing to the closest subway station entrance when, as luck (though I don't know that I would call it luck, exactly) would have it, I ran, full body into someone else. Like, actually ran into that person so hard that they teetered on their feet a bit and I had had to grab at their shoulders to ensure that they had remained upright as I attempted to apologize my face off. It wasn’t the most effective apology ever as I realized who it was I had run into. I wanted to stand there and spout movie lines of his own making at him, but restrained myself to just a reference and half-whispered in mock-confession, "I'm sorry, I've recently been released from The Psycho-Neurotic Institute for the Very, Very Nervous. My reflexes aren’t quite what they used to be.” Lame, I know, but it made the man in front of me smile. And I consider that a win in the disaster that was usually these types of situations. He quietly told me it was okay that he hadn’t been watching where he was going either and that as long as I promised not to try to push any other old men down the stairs, he wouldn’t make a scene. I nodded and promised on my children’s very souls that I would learn to look around more often and he reciprocated with another smile. We then went on our respective ways - me about to miss the train that I had been running for in the first place - and still in shock that I had almost bowled down the one and only Mel Brooks.

That was, thankfully, the only human interaction accident I had managed to have that day. The boxes I was carrying near the end of my shift, however, didn’t fare as well. But at least it was only two of them and nothing had really broken, per se.

Third job was at a printing place just down the street from where we live, so it wasn’t that much of a commute. This was definitely something I had experience with in the past, so I figured there was little chance of me messing anything up. And, on the first day, that was the truth. The second day, however, was quite another story. Let me preface this bit of the story with the fact that I momentarily forgot toner was a thing. Without going into too much detail, the walk home, I looked like I had gotten into a fight with a cartoon squid and said squid had won in a most spectacular fashion. Kate met me at the downstairs door to our apartments and demanded that I all but strip before setting even the tiniest bit of a foot into the building. She had, however, been nice enough to bring me my robe and, together, we roped a kindly passerby into holding up a bed sheet for me to disrobe behind. All-in-all, far less disastrous than it could have been.

Job Number Four was at a business that specialized in shredding sensitive documents. It happened that the contract was for a very high profile client and, so, the job was overnight. We had had to sign non-disclosure agreements before even getting to enter the building proper. Then we were directed to the shredding machines. Big, lumbering, LOUD, shredding machines. Machines, that we were warned, if we weren't paying close enough attention, could take our arms off in mere seconds. We were asked to remove all of our jewelry and pull our hair back if it was longer than our shoulders. Thank goodness one of the other women had brought extra hair ties as the one I had been wearing on my wrist had snapped when I tried to put it in the tight pony I had hastily swept up on the top of my head. Four boxes into the load I had been given, they had called “lunch” and I pulled out my paper bag before securing my station and heading off to the break room with everyone else.

Two cold pizza slices (that were NOT Hawaiian! ICK!) later, it was back to the job and as I opened and started the fifth box, right under the lid was a spider. I know you know this, dearest diary, so it hardly bears repeating that the action I made when that eight-legged menace made it’s appearance was probably way more amusing to those around me than it was to me. It was also a good thing that I had tucked my tee shirt into my jeans - something that was quite odd for me to do, actually - otherwise I would have been pulled into the shredder that was humming in front of me.

After dispatching the arachnid with help from two of my temporary coworkers, I set back into the box, but not without a weary and healthy fear of what else might be lurking in its confines

The rest of the night went well though and I was able to get home in good time and Kate had even set up the coffee pot to go off a bit after I was expected home. I then showered and went to sleep, knowing I had a job only five hours from the time my head hit the pillow.

Number Five. Product Demonstrator at a Local Grocery Store. This one had a low chance of me doing anything stupid, and, as it had been pointed out by everyone I knew, I had the knack of being able to “Sell snow cones to a Yeti”, so this was the perfect temp job for me.

I had set up a wonderful demo for a some new waffle flavors that Eggo was trying out in a select market and given a small toaster oven to use. I had a little cooler full of boxes of the breakfast food and was unboxing the inner bags to save myself some time when the store manager came up to me and started a small conversation about having never seen me doing demos at his location before. I half-explained that I was new to town and that had been working with Acme Employment Agency. Over the course of talking to him, I managed to get the first round of waffles done to perfection and he sampled them before running off to his office. I was doing fairly well the whole day, noticing that the little suggestions of side items to eat with the waffles were actually helping to sell the side products as well. I was hoping that it would actually lead to more jobs like this as I felt totally in my element. And, honestly, it was like a dream right up until I ran out of stock and had to go to the back to get more. It shouldn’t have been an issue, but, I am me, so it was bound to be far more complicated than it needed to be. And, if I am being completely honest, then it wasn’t even the stock I was working with that gave me the trouble. It was one of the displays that an actual employee of the store had created. As displays went, it was spectacular to say the least. But, 24 packs of cola and I do not get along. At least not when they are stacked in impossible combinations. Never did understand why that was a thing anyway. Soup cans, I got. Those wonderfully large pyramids of simply colored cans just reminded me of all the sitcoms where they were bowled over like so many bowling pins. And, I always took a little pride in the fact that I had never reenacted that very scenario as long as I had been entering grocery stores. And, it didn’t happen this time either. No, it was, instead the packs of coke cans. And the young mother that didn’t see me coming down the aisle where both the soup cans and cola packs resided. I wasn’t doing anything that should have caused anything bad to happen, I really wasn’t. Except for maybe talking over my shoulder to a man I had almost run into with the cart because, again, being honest, he was really a delight to look at and he actually talked back to me when I said something under my breath about how good the soup tower looked and how I was not going to run into it if I could help it. And I didn’t, so we shared a slight laugh over that. But, I did manage to run into the 24 packs.

So, little bit of trivia for you. When you ram headfirst into a large tower of 24 packs of soda, the liquid equivalent of fireworks happens. And, if you are not the one to cause the spectacle, I am willing to bet that it’s very exciting. At least, that was the impression that I got from the squealing toddler that stood there clapping at the literal fountain of caramel sugar water that rivaled the time I went to see the geysers at Yosemite. All I could do was stand there and stare before looking around and catching the eyes of someone that I had met earlier that week. And those eyes were disappointed. I sighed in apology as he mouthed something about not being able to keep out of trouble. Great. The great Mel Brooks had seen me at my “best” at least twice now.

That, predictably, ended my job for the day and I, covered in the stickiest substance I currently knew to man, collected my pay and slunk out of the grocery store, head held down and wondering exactly what Kate was going to say to me.

Job six was at a local bar, hauling in supplies. It was short, but it involved me carrying stock in. Not a single bottle was broken. I mean, what do you take me for a heathen? Liquor is sacred. According to my beliefs, not one drop shall touch the earth without just cause. And none did. I think Kate was as shocked as I was to hear this news.

Which brings us to job number seven. At a family restaurant that had the promise of possibly becoming a full-time job in a field that I was more than familiar with. I showed up in the required uniform of a crisp white button down and black dress pants fifteen minutes early despite almost missing the train a second time. (But NOT running into Mel Brooks, I might proudly add.)

I arrived to find the restaurant itself a nice little cozy place that was well laid out and just felt like home. The menu itself was simple and filled with comfort food and the prices were very reasonable. It didn’t take long for me to catch onto the operational processes that were common to the place and, before long, the owner came up to me to tell me she was very impressed with my work. I smiled to myself, hoping that meant that this might, in fact, become more permanent.

It was, in fact, almost the end of the night when I spotted a familiar face once again. At this point, I almost thought that Mr. Brooks was stalking me, but that was too ludicrous even for the likes of myself, so I just smiled and thought about how good the food must be here and how awesome he must be because he had no qualms about being out and among the actual public without the fear and pretention most celebrities had.

Unfortunately, when I spotted him, I was wheeling a very heavy desert cart and lifted my hand for the briefest of hand waves and smiles before I felt the cart stop moving with an almost violent jolt. Fearing I had misjudged the distance to the wall and had crashed headlong into it in my effort to greet a man that I felt I was becoming “coincidence buddies” with, I looked up, silently cursing. And found that I wasn’t actually looking at a wall, but, rather, at a man, doubled over trying to catch his breath.

I grimaced out a quick “oopsie” and pulled the cart back a bit to help the man and issue and apology only to see who it was that I had assaulted. I tried, I really tried to not say the thing, but, my brain was unable to not say the thing and, so, I blurted out, “Life moves pretty fast. If you don't stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it.”

Mr. Broderick, the man himself, gave me a glare that might have been able to peel paint off a house had I been either a house, or painted. But I was neither and I braced myself for the harsh sound of being fired on the spot. But that didn’t happen either, so I slowly backed the cart away as if being rewound and made my way back into the kitchen to inform the owner that I might have damaged a damn national treasure. But she had seen and wasn’t really all that mad - she said she was going to go out and offer to pay for his dinner. And that it really wasn’t the worst thing that she had had happen to someone in her restaurant after all and that the worst thing that had actually happened actually involved her and that, no, we weren't talking about it thankyouverymuch. I was so glad to find a kindred spirit in her that the sigh I let out must have amused her greatly.

After going out to do damage control, she returned to let me know that he was more amused by the situation than he was angered, so it was all good. She also let me know that she would, indeed, be glad to have me back if she needed a substitute waitress, if only for the free floor show I had given the dining room. In fact, she asked if I would come back for a shift the next night.

I was standing outside waiting for the cab I had decided to splurge on when someone tapped me on the shoulder.

“You can’t manage to stay out of trouble for one moment, can you?”

I shook my head in mock-humiliation and replied. “Well, at least he didn’t land face first in the meringue pie that I had on that cart.”

The old man smiled slowly. “Well, I would have written it that way.”

It was then that the cab decided to show up and, as I turned to give the driver the “wait” signal, he was already walking away, chuckling to himself in the way that only writers can. I was honestly worried when I would run into him next.

BTW, I’ve been working at that restaurant for three days now and there hasn’t been another incident. And that brings us up to date. For now. 

May your days be as eventful as my last week or so has been,

It’s Always Sunny!

[ireviewuread]

#AltheaTurns2 Shopping haul Unboxing

Althea Korea 2nd Birthday Haul

Althea Korea turns 2 this month and they are celebrating their birthday with us! Watch me as I unbox my korean beauty products, unveil up and coming korean beauty trends and share with you amazing Althea’s Birthday giveaways, freebies and coupon in my beauty unboxing video and blog post. Besides that, I will also be showing you my creation of the beautiful cake box which I decorated. With that let’s get started.

If you’ve watch my video before hand - thank you - you would have seen how much stuff is inside the box and most of it are freebies in conjunction to their birthday month. Out of all these I only purchased 6 items - can you guess which 6?

Psst. If you take a photo of your Althea Shopping haul and hashtag it with #AltheaTurns2 and #AltheaKorea, you’ll get a chance to not only be featured by Althea, but win some fabulous prizes as well!

The Birthday Box - Large

Every year on Althea’s birthday, they will produce and create these adorable, limited edition boxes for the celebration - You can see Althea’s first birthday box and my haul HERE | Watch my stop motion video which I did for their first birthday HERE. This year’s box is in the form of a cake. Vanilla cake ~ As seen from above, the cake frosting design goes around the box. That means if you stack one box on top of each other, they will be layers of cake. It might even look like a wedding cake with enough boxes!

Althea Cake Box DIY set

Aside from the beautiful turquoise coloured cake box, They also provided us with a discount code thank you card, cake box decorating items and an actual cake decorating set. If you’re curious on what was written on my thank you coupon card, you can watch it in my unboxing video. 

With the cake box decorating items, you can transform you cake into a customized cake box, post it on Instagram and win more prizes! - Because birthday

Joy Party, Cake Bunting Set

Presenting the actual cake decorating set ~ I know it looks kind of jumbled up in the box but that doesn’t defer me from it. It’s brightly coloured aesthetics are so eye catching and I can’t wait to use it.

Seen from the back of the box, there are two other colours as well - pink and blue. I envision it to be perfect for baby showers.

My DIY Cake Box

With my DIY skills, a scissors and glue, the cake decorating box items and the cake decorating box, I summon my customized cake box. Abracadabra! Beautiful! Time to post it on Instagram #AltheaTurns2 #AltheaKorea

Enough cake box shenanigans, time to hop in to my actual haul. Since there are so many things in the haul, I am going to list the things which I bought first then move on to the gifts which they gave. 

My Althea Haul

Real Skin, Healthy Vinegar skin Toner 300ml – Lavender

This is a new brand on Althea which provides a range of toner with different smells ranging from wine, black bean, barley seed, red ginseng and so much more. It is made from 12 types of natural fermented ingredients PH 5.5 and contains vitamin, mineral and moisturizing ingredients. It also helps tighten pores, clarify the skin and exfoliate you skin at the same time. Plus it helps protects the skin from sensitivity and dryness from the environment.

Besides having different smells, each ‘flavour’ have a different property. For lavender, it helps to soothen, clarify and battle acne concern on one’s skin. It is recommended to people with oily or normal skin but not dry skin. Personally, I only get pimples once a month during that time of the month. However, my love for lavender scented things just got me shouting “Yes! I pick you!” at the computer in the middle of the night - Too much pokemon.

Picture taken from sg.althea.kr

To make your life easier, here’s the list of Vingear skin toner you can choose from according to your skin type. Just noticed that they even have tomato! Wow!

Pure Smile, Choosy Night Lip Pack – Bergamot

Recently, my lips started to have these random flaky skin ever since I healed from the sunburned I’ve gained from my Wild Wild Wet adventure. Thus, I decided to get a lip pack to take better care of my lips. I saw a review of this online and it seems good. Thus I purchased it. 

The Pure Smiles Choose Night Lip Pack aims to relieve dried and chapped lips overnight. It is formulated with natural ingredients such as milk protein extract, honey and collagen. I assume that it could be used daily for the only instructions stated on the website is “After cleansing, apply adequate amount to dry, chapped lips overnight.” It comes in 2 scent - Milk Vanilla and Bergamot. I have no idea what is bergamot, so I got it :)

Quick Review on Choosy Night Lip Pack – Bergamot

It’s my second night of using this as a night care routine and so far my lips have been soft and smooth. I don’t see any dry spot and flaky skin. It does give off a sweet cupcake smell which tempts you to eat it - do not for it’s kind of bitter and tasteless at the same time. By simply applying a thin layer of this - it still felt very thick- it made me feel that I have enough protection for the night. However, every morning I notice that this product is automatically gone from my lips. I’m not quite sure what happened to it - maybe I drool it off, ate it in my sleep, roll it on the pillow or it absorbed into my lips. I will continue trying this out and give a full review on this product on IreviewUread.

Holika Holika, White Wine Therapy Sleeping Mask

The main reason why I got this was my go to sleeping mask - Manning’s  Annecy Age Zero Collagen Sleeping Mask - ran out. By ran out I mean expired. Thus, I need another lazy mask. I saw this cute wine barrel and immediately I thought that it would look great on my desk plus it’s a sleeping mask. I didn’t really know exactly how it can help my skin until this exact moment when I am typing this.

Holika Holika, White Wine Therapy Sleeping Mask is a overnight mask which aims to brightens and smoothen one’s skin. It contains 10% French Bourgogne Chardonnay White Wine which eliminates impurities and dead skin cells. Besides that, it have a water drop texture - to coat your skin - to hydrate and retain the moisture on your skin for a long period of time. 

How to: 

After cleansing, balance your skin with toner

Spread a moderate amount and gently tap to absorb

Do not wipe off. Rinse off with lukewarm water the following morning

So far I have yet to try this mask. However, I’ve opened it and it smell like white grapes. Will be posting a full review on this on IreviewUread.

Onasaemeein, Perfect Moisture Cream 

The Onasaemeein perfect moisture cream contains 5% of trehalose extract. What exactly is trehalose? Well according to the description in Althea, trehalose is a resurrection plant in the desert which can help with wrinkle improving, water retention and does not contains any side effects. It aims to help people who have super dry skin, increasing wrinkles, dark skin tone, elasticity and wants a long wearing moisturizing cream.

Picture taken from sg.althea.kr

Plus, it looks really cool being able to turn into water droplets and all. In fact it reminds me of Cathy Doll’s Sweet Dream Water Splash Essence where it’s essence automatically transforms into water droplets as well.

I initially wanted to buy this in my last Althea haul. However, I can’t get my eyes off the Nellafantasia Honey Snail Ultra Moisture Cream - which eventually became my mother’s property. This time, we are back to this state where the Onasaemeein, Perfect Moisture Cream pops out right in front of me once again. Thus, I bought it. 

Hiddencos, Americano Mask & Latte Mask

Coffee. A drink, a spa item or a mask. I have previously reviewed coffee shower bath and coffee scrubs on IreviewUread but I have yet to review or even come across a coffee mask. Yes this product intrigues me. Therefore, as a inquisitive Beauty/ Lifestyle/ DIY Blogger/ Kind of a youtuber, I purchased it. 

So what does it do? We shall start with the Americano Mask 

Hiddencos, Americano Mask

Contains Premium Arabica coffee extract from Colombia

Contains Green tea extract and Portulaca extra

Moisture enhancement 

Help moisturize and nourish tired and dry skin

Relaxes one’s skin

Protect and maintain smooth and perfect skin

Next, Hiddencos,Latte Mask

Whitening and Wrinkle improvement

Contains Premium Arabica coffee extract from Colombia

Help provides moisture and nutrients to the skin

Brightens and provides clear and elastic skin

Adenosine helps improve wrinkles

Protects and maintain smooth and perfect skin

Needless to say, I will be reviewing this 2 masks in one post a americano verus lattee mask.

Now that my haul part is over, time to present to you my list of gifts which I got from them. Do note that I do not have much information on these gifts until I actually test them out.

Freebies which comes along with my purchase

Beuins Mask Sample Set

This is one of the most colour sample set which caught my eyes. Not only was it packed in a gift pack with curly wire to secure it but it looks like rainbow trading cards. It is amazing.

Here’s what’s written at the back of the packages:

Beuins Whitening sleeping mask

The whitening sleeping mask pack brightens and whitens dull, blotted skin with ingredients such as white egg plant and niacinamide. - What is white eggplant?

Beuins Soothing Sleeping Mask

Soothes and soften skin healthily with Dragon Blood extract

- wow where they get the dragon blood?

Beuins Nutrition Sleeping Mask

The nourishing sleeping mask pack makes skin moisturized and radiant with ingredients such as Centella asiatica and Macadamia oil.

Beuins Pore Clay Mask

The Clay mask pack makes skin smooth and healthy by absorbing and removing sebum and impurities from pores with soft and moisturizing Morroccan clay.

To use: Apply evenly. Wait 10 - 15 minutes till the clay is dry enough and wash off.

Beuins Hydro Sleeping Mask

The moisturizing sleeping mask pack promotes the water circulation of skin and provides moisture to skin with ingredients such as bursting water droplets and plant-based moisturizing ingredients.

Beuins Energy sleeping Mask

The sleeping mask pack provides vitality and strengthens skin with the compound of goat milk and vitamins while tidying up the formative memory protective film of skin. 

Beuins Honey Scrub Mask

The dead skin cell-removing mask pack effectively removes excessive dead skin cells with Walnut powder and provides moisture and nourishment to skin as the viscous honey ingredient closely adhere to skin.  To use: Apply evenly. Wait 10 - 15 minutes. Massage it softly and wash off with warm water. 

All these samples are available on Althea if you want the full bottle of mask. Personally I like sample packs alot more for they gives you the opportunity to try new things plus they are easy to finish. Which is a con for me because I change products all the time. 

Aqua Blossom, White Effect Oled Cream | Whamisa, Organic Flowers Nourishing Cream

This comes in the same packet as the trading cards mask. From what I’ve found, they are both moisturizers. Here are more details  

Whamisa, Organic Flowers Nourishing Cream

Anti-aging cream

Formulated with  mango seed, cacao avocado, and shea butters

Gives you long lasting nourishment, protection and more supple skin 

contains 8 different botanical extracts

Soothe, rejuvenate and nourish the skin

Aqua Blossom, White Effect Oled Cream

Lighten dark skin areas - not only face but can be used for armpit, crown, knee and other parts as well

No stick

Natural whitening

These two moisturizer can’t seemed to be found on Althea anymore.

Pink fruity, Half Moon Eyes

I saw this the other time and wanted to get it as a free gift but somehow it does not come in a singular capsule and it somehow became ‘not a free gift with purchase’ anymore. Therefore, I let it go. I guess it was the right decision for here it is!

Pure Smile, Neco Punch Point Pads

This is so cute. I have never tried point pad mask before despite it being trending so this is a really great surprise for me. Plus my recent obsession with cats have got me thinking that Althea is a mind reader ;)

WondeRuci, Light Light Eye Balm

I’m very shock at this product for I bought it before in one of my previous hauls and even reviewed it HERE. I remembered it was not cheap. The fact that they are so generous to give this as a gift got me flabbergasted. This is such a great and generous birthday for them, me and my mother - Hi mom!

Pure Smile, White Grape Essence Mask & Milk Essence Mask

This is packed as this brand day gift set. I was really happy for I did initially wanted to get a milk mask but I forgot. It’s like they read my mind once again! Amazing!

Skinature, Pig Collagen Mask

We are finally at the last item of the free gift set. It’s the pig collagen mask. I heard and tried so many kinds of weird mask ranging from horse oil to snake oil to snail mucus that the fact that a mask could surprise me once again is a miracle. Pig collagen mask. Who ever though of that? I will review this on IreviewUread and shock all of you in the process. 

We have reached the last section of this blog the giveaway and freebies portion. This July, Althea is celebrating their birthday with you! Not only are they having a Althea Birthday sale, but they are also having plenty of giveaways. 

Picture taken from sg.althea.kr

First 5000 shoppers get to get their limited edition Althea Birthday Cake Box and DIY Bday Kit. The colour of the box and size varies to the amount of things you buy.

Beside that, shoppers will also receive a generous sample pack from them!

Picture taken from sg.althea.kr

Next contest they are having would be the Shop & Win contest. Where a lucky shopper which shopped on Althea during 3rd July to 30th July 2017 get to walk away with many Althea points* Winners will be crowned weekly. You can view the terms and conditions HERE.

*Althea points vary from country to country, depending on your currency.

Picture taken from sg.althea.kr

Another giveaway would be their birthday giveaway where there are free Beauty Products for shoppers to add into the cart. You can view this page HERE. So far, everything on the page is out of stock. Hopefully by the time you finish reading this lengthy post, they will add something new!

Picture taken from blog.althea.kr/2017/07/20-days-of-beauty-giveaway-winners.html

They are having various social media giveaway such as on Facebook and Instagram. On Instagram, they are having the 20 Days of Beauty giveaway where a winner will be crowned every working day of the month. Winners will be announce on Instagram and their blog. You can view the list and Terms and condition HERE.

Psst. They will also be having a giveaway on their Facebook page every monday so camp there!

Picture taken from sg.althea.kr

This is the most exciting one for you and your partner can get to fly to Korea! All you have to do is show of your Birthday box creation and you might win prizes from a year’s free shopping on Althea, 3 months free shopping, USD$100 Credits and even get to flight to korea. More details HERE.

 What are you waiting for? Head over to althea.kr and start shopping now! Check out their blog for more details and the terms and conditions of the contests.

Read my other Althea boxes review here:

Althea 1st Birthday Box haul

Althea 2015 Xmas Box haul

Althea 2016 Xmas Box Haul + Althea Haul

DIY Beauty Box Drawer Featuring Althea Boxes

[lovingpandablizzard]

Yesterday I received my May-June violet box which is a new (to me) beauty subscription box that started in early 2016.I ordered it around 19th of this month and received it within a week. It has a wide of variety of cruelty-free herbal luxury products.  I got both full size and deluxe sized sample products.

About the box:

It was started by Yogita, who is the founder & CEO of The Violet Box had an idea while she was studying at the London School of Economics. She was inspired by the lifestyle & culture in London and her idea was to have a beautiful luxury box that women could use to feel pampered. The Violet Box has organic & vegan beauty products. As a bonus, it includes treats like gourmet teas, coffees & chocolates.

Cost:  Rs 1499/- for Indian nationals and $34 worldwide.

Shipping: Free worldwide.

Let’s have a closer look at the contents of this month’s box:

Unboxing: 

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Full-Size Beauty Products

Inveda – Essentials Rose & Carrot Seed Night Cream 100ml Rs 395

2. Inveda – Green Tea Make Up Removed 100ml Rs 250

3. Inveda – Green Tea Make Up Removed 100ml Rs 250

4. Bio Bloom – Apricot Aloe Vera Face Pack 50gm Rs 500 (It smells amazing!)

5. Kronokare – City Detox Face Wash 100ml  Rs 395

   6. Kronokare – City Face Toner 100ml Rs 295

   7. Kronokare – Frizz Kiss Cooling Explosion Lip Balm 10ml Rs 95

Deluxe Size Beauty Product Tatha – Luxury Face Scrub 15gm Rs 210

Adornments Lady Madlin – Metal Feather Ear Adornments Rs 650

Indulgences Cambridge Tea Party – Ginger Green Tea 20gm Rs 50

My Thoughts:

You can see that most of the things this box has are full sized samples. I love this fact due to the reasons that, You can really test the product over time and know if it works for you or not. If it works, there is enough product to see a difference! If it did not work and you give it away to a friend, there is enough for them to try out too. It is not like you are giving away a half tube of a luxe sample.

The market today has many subscription boxes to choose from. I have tried a few and realized subscription boxes especially beauty ones are either a hit or miss. However, if you love trying out new products and like to keep changing your routine, this is a great way to experiment. The Violet Box focuses on Organic and Vegan products and will be great if you like to get excellent value for money.

If you wish to sign in, just hop over to The Violet Box site!

    Violet May-June Box Review Yesterday I received my May-June violet box which is a new (to me) beauty subscription box that started in early 2016.I ordered it around 19th of this month and received it within a week.