GLOSSYBOX: February 2013

soooooo i am stuck in Fernie right now due to poor road conditions but i am not complaining since i actually have time to put this post up right away! (had to call in to work though... not sure how well they took it since i've only been there for a little over a month!)

i bring you Glossybox's One Year Anniversary Box which i received just last Friday (March 1). i am totally trying to do these posts quicker for you... i still have my ipsy one to do but i can't upload those pictures yet since i don't have the right camera with me :/

just take a look at this pretty packaging! the pink, the bow... it really makes you hope that the contents inside are not a disappointment (Glossybox actually delivers this month!)

for this special box, i got V2. there was also a Golden Ticket item (ruffle undies) for 50 people. i still haven't been lucky enough to be 1 of the 50!

February's box of love:

1) Givenchy Gloss Interdit in "03 - Coral Frenzy" - ooooo Givenchy hey? Glossybox got all fancy shmancy with their anniversary box. this tube of gloss may seem tiny but considering that the full size is less than twice its size, the sample one is worth over $15!

"Coral Frenzy" is described as a soft coral. on my lips, the coral hardly shows but the shimmer is definitely there. the floral-scented gloss has a brush applicator and lasts about three hours on me. i like that it feels lightweight on my lips. at first, i would've said it was non-sticky, but after trying Benefit's lip glosses, i'd have to say that this one feels stickier than that.

on the Sephora website, the scent is described thoroughly - with top notes, middle notes and base notes - like a true fragrance - i am guessing that Givenchy put a lot of thought into the smell of their lip glosses.

size: 3.5 mL
retail value: $30 (6 mL)

2) Essence Quattro Eyeshadow in "03 Vamp It Up" - i've tried a ton of Essence products since i love the range and how affordable it is but i haven't tried their eyeshadows. the colors of "Vamp It Up" look fun and are colors that i'd use so i gladly opened this.

i found that the colors, although pretty, are rather chalky and the pigmentation is just okay. i'd say the blue is the most pigmented.

size: 5 g (full size!)
retail value: $3.99

3) Biore Deep Cleansing Pore Strips (Ultra) - ooo i am going to have some fun nights with these! the last time i used them was in August and it was my first time in a long time. the strips got really hard around my nose and i felt that it worked pretty good. yay for no blackheads!

size: 6 nose strips (full size!)
retail value: $9.99

4) Macadamia Natural Oil Healing Oil Treatment - it seems like hair oils are getting really popular now... this specific brand has been widely talked about on the blogosphere and i'm glad that we get to try a full sized version of it! i've been using this on the ends of my dry hair and it feels softer and actually looks healthier.
not exactly sure how to describe the scent to you but it is what you'd think macadamia oil would smell like...

size: 30 mL (full size!)
retail value: $13.50

5) Anatomicals You Need A Blooming Shower! Your Nose Smells Rose Body Cleanser - this cleanser is now called "Rose and Jasmine Body Cleanser". i think Glossybox might have gotten a load of the old packaging but i am not complaining since i have never heard of this English brand and i am happy to try it.
it is interesting how they use they term "blooming" as you learn from the excerpt on the back.  the paraben-free cleanser smells like roses and it might smell really strong when you sniff it right from the cap but when i use it in the shower, it is actually not overpowering.

size: 150 mL (full size!)
retail value: $3

6) *bonus* Eucerin Hyal-Urea Anti-Wrinkle Day/Night Cream Sachet - i haven't tried it yet but it is nice to try the day version and the night one together; although, i do not have "dry and very dry" skin...

size: 1.5 mL each x 2
retail value: $18.50 (50 mL) each

7) *bonus* Crabtree & Evelyn Tarocco Orange Ultra-Moisturising Hand Therapy Sachet - i have never tried Crabtree & Evelyn products before, even though i have walked by a couple of their stores. ever since i tried the Pacifica Tuscan Blood Orange body butter, i have taken a liking to blood orange scents so i think i will like this. it would be nice to too, since the Glossybox card says to stay tuned for a full size version!

size: 5 g
retail value: $8 (25 g)

8) *bonus* Glossybox Glossy Anniversary Cupcake Kit - this was a cute idea to celebrate the first year anniversary. i haven't baked cupcakes for a while now but now that i have these...

size: N/A (full size!)
retail value: N/A

so as expected, Glossybox stepped up their game with their anniversary box. why, there were even a number of non-drugstore items in the box!! the packaging and bonus items were also a nice touch. sadly, i don't think these occasional great boxes make up for the other ones including the discontinued/expired product issue and the price hike.
what are your feelings on February's box?

REVIEW: Australis Colour Inject Mineral Lipstick in "Boogie Woogie"

one of the many gifts that my boyfriend picked up for me in Australia included today's featured product: the Australis Colour Inject Mineral Lipstick.

i put the Face of Australia lipstick on my wish list because it was recommended by a friend and it also had SPF 30. i figured i'd try the lipstick line from Australis as well just to see how they compare with their mineral lipstick.

i'll be doing the Face of Australia lipstick review later on since i was in the mood for some color rather than a nude :)

Australis states that the Colour Inject Lipstick (4 g) contains "vitamins, minerals and antioxidants". more specifically, it contains Kakadu plum (which has Vitamin C), Vitamin E and mica. it also has UV protectors such as titanium dioxide. 

the lipstick comes in a black tube with a reflective pink band around the middle. the tube gets wider around the top which is slanted. 

"71040 Boogie Woogie" is a dark pink - it's a very pretty color. it is very pigmented, as you can see by the swatch on my skin. my lips already have a lot of pigment but the pink still shows. i find that the color works well in brightening up my face - in a youthful kind of way, if you know what i mean.

as much as i like the color, i can't say the same for the formula. after a few minutes of applying it, your lips will feel neither moisturized or dry. i felt the need to reapply quite often - the color seemed to fade after an hour. 

and the thing i like least about it? the SCENT. some people like the old lipstick scent but this Australis lipstick is just way too waxy-smelling and it is way too strong. i can smell it while i put it on and also when i press my lips together. when i lick my teeth to make sure i didn't get any on there, it tastes like i've actually eaten the lipstick. 

yuck.

soooo, sadly i don't wear this lipstick often since the scent is a major turn-off. 

Australis Color Inject Lipsticks are $12.95 AUS but seems to be only available in Australia.

what is your favorite pink lipstick? 

GIVEAWAY: 150 Posts & 100 Followers // My Second Spectacular Giveaway

welcome welcome to my **Second Spectacular Giveaway**!!

iiiiiiiii know i have been neglecting my readers lately but i hope i can make it up to you... with some awesome gifts!
yaaaaaaaaaaaayyyyyyyy!

i've been meaning to do this for quite some time - ever since the end of my Fabulous First Giveaway 99 days ago, i've been shopping for you guys. i've put quite a bit of thought into these prizes so i hope you are as excited as i am!

first, some rules and other important info:
* open to residents of Canada and USA ... i have no idea how much shipping is going to cost me but i will figure it out!
* giveaway starts February 22, 2013 and ends March 8, 2013 (ohhh what a coincidence that i also started on the 22nd last time...)
* i will contact the winner(s) after the giveaway and they will have 72 hours to respond to my email
* must follow my blog publicly (GFC preferably but i will allow Hellocotton as well as long as i see your name)
* please do not un-follow me after a giveaway. how rude! (if you do, you will be excluded from all future awesomeness)
* i shall not be held responsible for any damage to your prizes after i mail it out

and now, onto the fun part.

if you actually read through the rules, you would see that i said winner(s). yes, that is me hinting you that there will be more than one.

in fact, there's THREE! 

yes that's right. THREE lucky winners :)

- - - - - - -

i've decided to put a spin on things so here is how it will work!
there are 4 categories of prizes:

1) MUA Makeup 

       * Eyeshadow Palette in "Starry Night"

       * Blush Perfection Cream Blusher in "Blossom" 

       * Intense Kisses High Intensity Gloss in "Kiss and Make Up"

2) Quo Minerals Matter Eye Quad

       * Pillow Talk

       * Smoking Hot

       * Eco You

       * Peacock

from Shoppersdrugmart.ca (2013)

3) Disney Villains Lip Gloss

       * Cruella De Vil

       * Evil Queen

       * Queen of Hearts

4) Victoria's Secret Nail Lacquer

       * Signature Pink

       * Devilish

       * Mischief 

first prize winner - chooses TWO categories above and gets first choice of item/color in those two categories
second prize winner - chooses ONE of the two categories left and gets first choice of item in that category
third prize winner - gets first choice in the category that is left over

that way, the third winner also gets the pick first in something. yaaaaayyyyy!

- - - - - - - 

FIRST PRIZE

• 1 x MUA Makeup Product
• 1 x Quo Minerals Matter Eye Quad
• 1 x Disney Villains Lip Gloss
• 1 x Victoria's Secret Nail Lacquer
• 1 x Hello Kitty Sleeping Eye Mask
• 1 x Styli-Style Smokey Eyes Pencil in "Charcoal"
• 1 x Tweezerman Harajuku Lovers Matchbox Itty Bitty File 

SECOND PRIZE // THIRD PRIZE

• 1 x MUA Makeup Product
• 1 x Quo Minerals Matter Eye Quad
• 1 x Disney Villains Lip Gloss
• 1 x Victoria's Secret Nail Lacquer
• 1 x Tweezerman Harajuku Lovers Matchbox Itty Bitty File 

- - - - - - - 

how do you enter? well, just right below with Rafflecopter!!
so get on it! i will be checking answers thoroughly so please read the tasks carefully. 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

thank you for entering!!! i want to thank you all for your continued support of my blog! i really appreciate you finding the time to comment on my posts - i love the interacting with readers and other bloggers. i hope i get more into the swing of things and will be able to blog more often! :)