Haul: January 2012 Bellabox

First off, I have sad news. My camera has decided to throw in the towel, so goodbye to pretty, sharp photographs until I can get a new one! 

Does anyone have any good digicam recommendations? I'm open to suggestions!

I wanted to share some pictures that I took of my very first Bellabox! Bellabox is a service where, for S$15 a month, you'll get a curated box of 4 to 5 deluxe samples from high-end brands, ranging from health & beauty samples to fragrance, make-up and lifestyle products. Much like Birchbox and Glamabox.

A part of me thinks that this may very likely be a fad, but hey, as long as the samples are good, I don't mind paying the monthly S$15. ^~^ Here's what I got in the January 2012 Bellabox. 

Picspam ahead! First off, the lovely packaging:

The theme of this month's box was "A New Year, A New You". Samples leaned towards organic, holistic enrichment of the body and soul. Nice, because these are unlikely to break any New Years' Resolutions! 

 

Samples were wrapped with tissue paper, topped with a pretty sticker. Felt like I was opening a present! 

Belif Hydra Sebum Control Essence (10ml; 50ml retails for S$57)

Hydra sebum controls the release of excess sebum and oil in your skin, making the pores smaller and leaving your skin feeling dry on the outside but soft and moisturised on the outside.

This looks really cool. I've always wondered if these oil control products work (besides Tea Tree Oil), and am keen to give this a shot!

Dr Jart BB Cream (15ml; 50ml retails for S$33)

This unique triple action formula containing innovative active ingredients aims at naturally covering skin blemishes, protecting skin from UV rays and activating skin rejuvenation. It also smoothes wrinkles and fine lines while providing nourishment to the skin. 

I've heard so much about this! Can't wait to give it a try - there was a time when everyone was using Dr Jart BB Cream. Really pleased with this one. ^^

 

Dr Dennis Gross Extra Strength Alpha Beta Peel (1 packette; 10 packettes retail for S$71)

This do-it-yourself beauty treatment gives you all the ingredients, expertise and secrets straight from the dermatologist's office. This amazing product is anti-aging, brightening, complexion clearing and perfect or all skin types. You will see immediate results for a radiant and glowing complexion.

Am interested to try this out. I've never done anything remotely resembling a skin peel before, so this should be fun, especially when it claims to give awesome results. 

Herban Essentials Towelette (Lemon, 20 towelettes retail for S$18)

Herban Essentials essential oil towelettes are made with the highest quality pure essential oil, which not only makes them smell amazing, but makes them naturally antibacterial and antiseptic as well. Available in Lemon, Orange and Lavender. 

This looks a bit like a high-end wet wipe to me, but I'll keep this handy in my purse and we'll see how well it works!

 

Pangea Organics Lip Balm (Pyrenees Lavender with Cardamom, retails for S$14.50)

Pangea Organics have created a long lasting lip balm that deeply moisturises, nourishes and protects lips. There are 3 flavours available: Egyptian Fennel with Grapefruit and Sweet Orange, Italian Red Mandarin with Rose and Pyrenees Lavender with Cardamom.

Definitely most pleased with this sample. It's full-size, and I'm a fiend for lip stuff, so this is perfect! The other 2 flavours sounded a little more exciting, but lavender doesn't seem too bad either. Can't wait to try this out!

All in all, I enjoyed exploring the contents of my January 2012 Bellabox, and am looking forward to roadtesting the products - and receiving next months' Bellabox! 

Do you use any sample services like Bellabox? Share your experiences in the comments! ^~^

Taobao Stuff!

I've been stuck at home with sinusitis and confined to bed rest with lots of medicine that makes me so drowsy T_T Still, I did get up to mischief, because I've sent off for these pretty things from Taobao:


























This was my first time ordering from Taobao, though I've ordered from Gmarket and ASOS before, and I was pretty impressed by the sheer variety of things you can get there. Prices aren't always as competitive as they could be (I think), especially because retailers tend to include hidden costs by hiking up shipping prices. That said, once I stayed awake long enough to put a few things in my shopping cart - hey presto! Can't wait for them to arrive! Links are included in the pictures if you'd like to get one for yourself ^~^


Do you shop on the internet? Which sites are your favourites?

Haul: Cotton On Ruffle Socks

I've been looking for some ruffle socks for ages. It's been especially hard going because a lot of times the people who make these kinds of socks don't make them in my size anymore, or the ruffley bits of the sock just end up looking a little bit too tacky for anyone over the age of, say, 5, to pull off. This pained me no end because I really wanted to recreate the ruffly-socks-and-heels look that is a little bit vintage, a little bit girly, and every bit awesome.

So imagine my delight when I found a whole rack of them in Cotton On Body no less, at 3 pairs for S$10! Naturally I got them in three colourways:







Pretty, no? Love their vintage styling ^~^ I fully intend to wear them like this:

Haul: Holika Holika

I was in town over the weekend window-shopping with a friend (keyword being "window"), when I paid Holika Holika a visit, upon which I ended up going shopping. They were having a 40% off sale, so here's what I got, complete with pictures, courtesy of my cellphone:

Apple Shine Scrub Foam (S$10.90)

This daily scrub foam containing micro fine scrub particles removes daily dead cell without stimulus.

Face 2 Change Cream Starter (S$18)

Cream starter that prepares a perfect skin before makeup
- Contains mild flower acid, seaweed extract and aquatic & botanical collagen gel
- Contains Argan oil and deep ocean water to provide moist and nutrition from deep layer of skin
- All-in-one product with skin care and primer function

The following were in a grab bag - the whole lot for S$10, which was a pretty good bargain seeing as each item cost between S$2.50 - S$5.

Cherry Blossoms Essence Mask Sheet

Containing essence of cherry blossoms extract that's rich in minerals, it provides water and nutrition to the skin to keep it moist, and clears up the skin tone to make clean and shiny skin.

Eye Charm

No official description, but I used these the other day, and they are pretty effective! No major quiggles (I'm single-lidded), but a couple of non-product-related comments, nevertheless.

Powder Puff

Again, no official description, but it's adorable and soft!

Eyebrow Shaver / Comb with Mirror

Nope, still no official description, but this is a quintessential grooming tool in a hopelessly cute package.

Plus! I got a couple of samples with my purchase. Would have hoped to get more, but they had a gift with purchase promotion that only started from S$80.

HD Skinny Primer Base

Contains silicone elastomer which creates a filler effect by covering pores for smooth skin texture. Makes skin moist and silky to the touch. Corrects skin redness and uneven skin tone for clear and bright complexion.

Peach Girl BB Cream

Rejuvenates a bubbly skin tone with vivid peach color.

Reviews to follow!