Sunday 19 October 2014

Memebox Thumbs Up Box

Memebox is easily one of my favourite boxes lately! I just hate the extremely long wait time in between purchase date and shipping date :( I bought this box, the "Thumbs Up" Memebox in August, but it wasn't shipped until the end of September/beginning of October. It takes a little over a week to arrive in Canada, which really isn't terrible considering it's coming all the way from Korea. 

Cost: varies from $15-$32.99 plus $6.99 shipping per box

Promo codes: 5ERV - $5 off any order
                          $5 off any order over $100 if you shop using my referral link 
                          $10 off any order over $150 if you shop using my referral link
                          MEMEBUNDLE3 - $5 off if you buy 3 or more Memeboxes
                          MEMEBUNDLE4 - $8 off if you buy 4 or more Memeboxes

This was one of the best product information cards I've seen in awhile!  Every item was well described (which was great, since I had no idea what some of these things were haha) and prices were listed for everything (also great, since most - if not all - of these can not be purchased in Canada).


Kocostar Nail Therapy - The Kocostar Nail Therapy was created to provide simple solution to maintain healthy looking nails. This product took great measures to prevent the nail essence from drying off (WTF?), and we developed nail gloves to prevent any contact with surrounding air. It will allow nails to deeply absorb all the nutrients, resulting in softened cuticles and strengthened nails. 
Value: $6.80 for 2 packs ($17 for 5 packs available from Memebox)
I had to try one of these packs out, so I tore open a packet and put the funny little things on my fingertips. They recommend leaving them on for anywhere from 30 minutes to an hour, so  I let them sit for an entire period of an NHL game (now that we have GameCenter Live, we've been watching soooo many games, it's awesome!). Once I did take them off, my fingertips/nails felt so moisturized! I rubbed in all the extra cream into my hands, which made them a little greasy, but I would absolutely use these again! I'll save the other one for the winter when my hands are miserable from the cold, dry Edmonton air.


Miguhara BP Cream - This dual function cream serves both as a BB cream as well as a primer. It keeps skin silky and even-toned, while controlling excessive sebum through its oil-free formula.
Value: $37
Oh. My. god. This feels amazing. It has a slight colour to it which blends perfectly with my skin tone, and it goes on so smooth. It's extremely moisturizing and silky is the best way to describe how my skin feels with it on. I'm a little sad I can't buy this directly from the Memebox shop since I know it'll be making it's way into my regularly used products, but I'm sure I can find it online somewhere... unless anyone I know in Korea wants to send me some? :)



RiveCowe Sebum Control Convenient Compact - Touch up anytime with this compact, specially designed to mattify oily skin and control oil slicks throughout the day. This compact instantly mattifies with results that last for up to 8 hours, revealing a natural, flawless complexion with zero shine all day long. It also reduces the appearance of fine lines and blemishes, and gives you a perfectly smooth complexion.
Value: $17 (available on the Memebox shop)
I don't think I've ever used a compact before? I don't consider my skin to be oily and I've never really noticed that I'm overly shiny during the day, so I'm not sure if I'll ever use this. I tried it out on the back of my hand , and it does seem like the colour is perfect for me though...

Herbclinic Rice Bran Powder - 100% raw rice bran powdered into a product, this Rice Bran Powder pack brings you the best of what Mother Nature has to offer! Mix 1sp of rice bran powder with 1sp of oatmeal, black bean or brown rice and an adequate amount of milk until the mixture becomes relatively thickened to create the mask pack. It will deliver intense nourishment and instant revival to your skin after a tiring day! You'll be able to feel a visible difference the next morning.
Value: $10 (available at the Memebox shop)
This was the most puzzling item in the box for me. I've never heard tell of anything like it, but it definitely has me intrigued...I really like the idea of putting all natural ingredients on my skin though. I guess I need to go buy some milk at some point to test this stuff out.


Real Beauty Serum - Made from various organic ingredients such as aloe vera, green tea, bamboo water and Bulgarian rose water, this all-natural serum will put an end to your troubles over dry, lustreless, sensitive and saggy skin. This serum is very special because it's actually made from collaboration with Real Beauty's fans, and thus it's greatly prized for containing only the most gentle and most vital nutrients beneficial to your skin!
Value: $22 (available at Memeshop)
I've already included this into my nightly routine, and I'm a fan so far. It's almost a gel-like substance that feels super moisturizing. I have dry skin to begin with, and with the dry cold of winter on it's way, this is going to be great to have.


O& Soap Berry Cleanser - A foaming cleanser with frothy, fine and creamy foam with SoapBerry known for its natural cleansing property and carbonated water to gently cleanse the impurities and makeups to reveal your natural luminosity on your skin. 
Value: $13
First of all - this packaging/font looks like it could be from the Body Shop. L is actually currently using a foaming tea tree oil cleanser from there that looks almost the exact same. Secondly - I do really enjoy foaming face cleansers. I look forward to using this, I just haven't opened it yet because I have to finish off a few things first.

HopeGirl 3D Powder Blusher in Sexy Rose - This easy to use blusher creates a subdued polish finish that creates a more 3 dimensional face shape for the look of a sharper jaw line and smaller sized face. Allantonin and vitamin E derivatives protect your skin against external irritation and keeps skin glowing and healthy.
Value: $18 (available on the Memeshop)
I love the packaging of this! It's so adorable, and easy to use! When you pull the top cap off, there's a sponge which is attached to the pot of blush pigment. You just swipe it on. So easy and cute! The top of the lid also has a mirror attached, which is always handy. I'm also a big fan of the bright pink sparkly colour and blush is one of my favourite cosmetic products (it's nice to not look transparent all the time).

The overall value of this box was $123.80, which is incredible considering I only paid $38.99 ($32 + $6.99 shipping). The compact will probably end up being the only product I don't end up using entirely, but I'm sure I can find someone who will love it. I love that I don't know any of the brands I receive in these boxes so I'm always trying something new. I have 4 more Memeboxes to arrive which I purchased in September, all of them are scheduled to ship by the end of October. I can't wait to see what other products I receive!

This box is now sold out, but Memebox is currently offering a Thumbs Up #2 box on their website (listed under Superboxes). Most things tend to sell out quickly, so if you're interested don't delay! 

xoxo,
Fallon

Monday 13 October 2014

September Empties

I saw this on a few other blogs I read (although I have no idea who came up with the idea - sorry!). I thought it was a great idea, and have decided to incorporate it into my blog each month :) I've set a basket in our bathroom and toss my empty product containers into it, and than at the end of the month (or two weeks into the month by the time I get around to posting it...) I'll take pictures and show all three readers of my blog (I'm secretly hoping it's more, but let's be real...) exactly what I've used up. Since I started doing this, it has made me so aware of how many products I actually have opened right now. 

September wasn't a very exciting month for finishing off products, but October is already looking better!

Oxy Sensitive Medicated Acne Pads - I've never really had problems with acne, even as a teenager I had great skin, but I've been using these for years. Even if I only use one of these a day, this will last me 3 months and it costs under $10. Deals!
Verdict: Will buy again

Aura Cacia - Lemon Essential Oil
Saje - Orange Essential Oil
Saje - Yoga Essential Oil Diffuser Blend
L and I have one of these in our bedroom, and fall asleep with it on every night. Every night we put 10-15 drops of an oil into our diffuser to fill the air with soothing, calming scents, so we go through a fair bit of this stuff. That being said, we hadn't bought any new ones since last Christmas (until last week when L brought home a new one). At one point our collection had 13 or 14 different scents, I believe we are down to only 3 or 4 now...
Verdict: I'll be sticking with the Saje brand, the Lemon one was cheap and took way more than usual to get a scent into the air. I would definitely buy the orange or yoga scents again!

Veet Sensitive Formula Hair Removal Cream - again, another product I've been using for years. Nothing beats burning the hair off your legs with harsh-smelling chemicals!
Verdict: Already have a new bottle open...

As I mentioned, September was really boring for empty products....

xoxo,
Fallon



Sunday 12 October 2014

Tea Sparrow September 2014

My Tea Sparrow subscription always shows up around the 21st-22nd of the month, and September was no exception. 

Cost: $20/month for 4 packets of tea (makes between 35-40 cups)

 The September selection

Earth (Rooibos Tea)
"The soothing combination of sage, lavender and a touch of bergamot in the caffeine free based Rooibos Earth Blend makes for the perfect cup of relaxing stress reducing tea. Find peace"

African Chai (Black Tea)
"African Chai is spiced with a unique blend that is sweet, floral and liquorice-et. Totally different from and Indian Masala Chai, this has been known to make chai devotees rethink how they drink their chai!"

Green Tea Tropical (Green Tea)
"Smooth green tea leaves harmoniously blend with sweet tropical fruits to create a sensation as uplifting as a breeze off the isle of Papenoo. Antioxidant rich!"

Nutty Almond Cream (Herbal Tea)
"Sweet almond with apple and cinnamon provide a nutty finish to the soothing blend. The unique nuttiness is unobtainable anywhere else."

After receiving my September box, I realized that none of these really appealed to me. As I have mentioned many times before, I love fruity teas poured over ice, and I could tell that Tea Sparrow was starting to send more of the wintery-better-when-warm-teas. For this reason, I decided to pause my membership. That has to be one of my favourite things about this subscription service - I didn't need to full-out cancel my subscription and then try to remember to renew it in the spring, I just selected the month I wish for my subscription to begin again. I think I chose April or May, I figure by then they will begin to send more iced teas :)

Until we meet again Tea Sparrow,
xoxo,
Fallon


Tuesday 7 October 2014

Lip Factory September 2014

Lip Factory always seems to arrive closer to the end of the month, and September was no exception. I can't remember the exact day I received it, only that it was over a week ago now...

Cost: $26US/month (works out to $28-$29 with exchange rates lately)

Sealed with a kiss, like always!

First look at the products...

Angle Eyeliner Brush 
Value: $9.50
I can't find a brand listed on this anywhere, and the value is based on the information card included in the box. It's always great to have extra brushes, so this is a keeper!

Model Co - Eye Shadow Trio in Naturally Neutral
Value: $26
I rarely wear eyeshadow (I know, I sound like a broken record), but if I did I would wear colours like this! This is a nice combination of neutral colours, and I'm sure whoever I pass it on to will enjoy it (maybe my mom?)

Value: $5.99
I received a J.Cat lip paint in my July Lip Factory box, and I love it! I'm excited to try out more products from this brand. I don't wear eyeliner every day, but when I do it is gel (mainly I use the gel stuff from Mac, but I'm more than willing to give this one a go!).

I think this bottle is so cool! The top screws off, then you snap the top part out, turn it around and stick it in the end and you have a brush! Such a great idea! 


Ofra Lip Gloss in Orchid
Value: $12.95
I love lip gloss, I'm sure L is super excited to see more entering our house haha (but in all fairness, I did throw a few into the garbage the other night...I figured a decade was enough time to keep unused ones...)

Girlactik Pout Shine in Stunning
Value: $19
This is my favourite colour out of all the ones available on the Girlactik website! It's so pretty, I will definitely be adding this one to the keep pile!


My September Lip Factory included 5 products, valued at $73.44. This subscription consistently has a high value associated with it, and I end up keeping more products than I give away - both things I find important in subscription boxes! I'll be keeping this one around for a bit for sure.

If you are interested in signing up to Lip Factory, check out their website here and use referral code 386883.

xoxo,
Fallon

Saturday 4 October 2014

Lip Monthly September 2014

Lip Monthly had a lot of issues during their first few months of business, but I wanted to give them an honest shot myself, and signed up for a 4 month subscription. The September bag was my second month of it. They do seem to have stepped it up and are getting better, but I still wouldn't call this one of my favourite subscriptions (but not my least favourite either)...

Cost: $10/month + $6/month shipping to Canada

So it looks like I'll be receiving one of these branded blue makeup bags for each month of my subscription. I mentioned it last month - I don't love the design. Anyone want one of these? 

Value: $4
I would never wear this colour on my lips, and I rarely wear eyeliner (and when I do it's usually just plain old boring black) so I didn't even open this up. To the re-gift pile it goes!

Value: $3.99
I can't find the name of this colour anywhere on the bottle. It's a very pretty colour, but it's a very cheap polish. So many options out there now are 3/4/5 free (and I own many of them) so why would I ever choose this one? 

Value: $8
I do enjoy lip crayons, I've received a few in past subscription boxes.

This is a nice colour, and goes on very smoothly.

I had never heard tell of this brand before receiving my September Lip Monthly, but I do like this and will be giving it a try on my lips.

Value: $55 for 50mL ($16.50 for 15mL)
Moisturizer is always welcome with me! I just need to use up a few of the ones I currently have on the go before starting any of my new ones...

Value: $1.99
I really need more lip balm, I only have like 50 haha. I also don't need to worry about L stealing it, he hates kiwi so this will be all mine :)

My five products received in my September Lip Monthly.

First of all, this is called "LIP Monthly", so why were only two of the products for your lips? Sure, the eye pencil can double as a lip liner, but I don't know anyone who could pull off that colour... I will be keeping three of the products though, so it's a 60% pass.

I ended up paying ~$17.50 for this after exchange, but it was worth a total of $34.48. Even if you just add up the value of the three products I'm keeping, it is still well above the price I paid. 

I have two more months left of this subscription, so fingers crossed it will just keep getting better...

xoxo,
Fallon

*Please note this post contains referral links*