Mecca Beauty Election Beauty Loop Sample Box

I've finally started to take advantage of the generous Mecca Beauty Loop rewards program, which is free to join and gives you access to some lovely samples once you hit the first tier (for which you must have spent $300-$599 in store within the year) After receiving my first sample box and posting about it here, I was surprised to receive another email offering a special edition 'beauty election' sample box - I did vote in the beauty election, and must say it was a lot more fun than the Australian political election! I made it a mission one Sunday with Mister to detour to the shopping centre nearest me that has a Mecca Maxima store and nab myself one of the boxes - and it was definitely worth the detour! Each store had a different range of products in the sample box as chosen by the staff members, and my store nailed it!

Seriously, a mini Too Faced Melted Liquified Long Wear Lipstick!? I felt so lucky when I opened my box to see such a neat miniature of it, I've never tried a lip product from Too Faced before despite owning many of their palettes, and the shade received was Chihuahua, a very 'me' colour and one that I am excited to try! The other products in the box were from really interesting brands too...

Yet again my sample box contained a product from Josie Maran, which I'm very pleased about as I'm enjoying trying out such a popular brand. This Whipped Argan Oil Face Butter sounds perfect for this cold snap we are having here in Melbourne, I am looking forward to trying out the whipped consistency on my face!

I've tried some lip products from Korres but that is as far as I've gone with the brand, but I'm quite obsessed with rose products at the moment so this couldn't have arrived at a better time. The Wild Rose Brightening & Line Smoothing Serum will be a nice bedtime treat, and I'm intrigued as to how a serum in sachet is going to work for me.

It seems like Mecca have a few very generous brands who aren't afraid of dishing out samples, claps for that! I once again received a Kate Somerville product from Mecca, after falling in love with the ExfoliKate cleanser in my previous sample box I am very interested to see how this EradiKate To-Go Pre-Treated Swab will go - will it be similar to my Mario Badescu Drying Lotion that I dab on with a cotton bud?! 

Still swooning over this, even if I don't end up loving the formula how wonderful is it to be able to try such an adorable and popular product from Too Faced without dishing out a single dollar?

 

Are you a member of the Mecca Beauty Loop? If not, you should be!
-Emma x

 

My First Mecca Beauty Loop Box

Despite being a diehard beauty addict, in the last few years my budget has leaned towards home wares and house projects over a regular big splurge at the beauty counters. I think that is why I've only just managed to reach the first real tier of Mecca's Beauty Loop program despite having been a member for quite some time. I am now a Level 1 Beauty Discoverer, which means I've spent between $300-599 annually in store. As well as the quarterly sample boxes I receive complimentary makeup application on my birthday, and as you move up the rungs to 'Level Two - Beauty Devotee' and 'Level Three - Beauty Aficionado' you get birthday gifts, makeup applications and lessons as well as special events etc. Here's a link to all of the details if you want to take advantage. The sample box is very cute and I didn't need to make a purchase in order to receive it, they simply scanned my card and were really friendly overall (as they always are at Mecca!) It comes with a card of product details which I think is a nice touch, and very reminiscent of beauty subscription boxes.

 

 

Too Faced Shadow Insurance Anti-Crease Eye Shadow Primer
I've used this before and really liked how it felt on my lids and how it gripped onto my powder eyeshadows to help them last. Experience has told me that I can stretch a sachet like this out for 2, possibly 3 uses if I don't let it dry out.

Josie Maran Cosmetics 100% Pure Argan Oil 4.5ml
This was easily the most exciting product in the L1 box, how dinky is the miniature bottle? I've always wanted to try out something from Josie Maran and I haven't used an oil product in the longest time, so this is a wonderful addition for me!

Kate Somerville ExfoliKate Cleanser 2ml
Another brand I've yet to try, I have heard great things though so I'm looking forward to trying out this foaming exfoliating cleanser for the first time!

Hourglass Veil Mineral Primer 1ml
I love a good primer, and this is meant to be the bees knees! I know the lovely Vita from Making Up 4 My Age liked this one so fingers crossed it works for my skin.

Have you tried any of these products?
What store cards do you find the most beneficial, and which aren't worth it?
-Emma

January Glossybox

I was lucky enough to win a 6 month subscription to Glossybox Australia at the Melbourne Beauty Bloggers event, after getting one of the top marks in the quiz (no idea how I swung that one!) After receiving some of my boxes, I decided it was time to review one. Introducing, the January Glossybox!

I've seen some negative reviews of this edition, but to be honest I was quite happy when I opened up my Glossybox. In this box I received 5 sample sized items, along with Australia Day temporary tattoo's and vouchers for online fashion store The Iconic.

I will be passing the temporary tattoos over to my niece as she loves them, and I'll have a gander at The Iconic, though each voucher states you must spend at least $49 to receive the $25 off. There was also a card for $5 off a Glossybox Men box, which I am contemplating getting for Chris. More info on that here.

I was elated to see the blue Mirenesse tight liner in my box, as I much prefer it over the option that some others got, which was a pale pink Sally Hansen polish. I quite like a coloured liner, and this 'saphire' blue shade, despite being spelt strangely, is lovely. I've used it twice so far, and it does tend to fade a tiny bit over extended periods of time, but other than that I'm a fan. A full review to come, for sure.

I've never tried Sheer Cover products, so it was nice to see something new. I dislike glosses in pots/palettes so won't be giving this a go though- this too will go to one of my nieces.

This 30ml Sheer Cover moisturiser is more up my alley, and I'm looking forward to giving it a go. I like that it has SPF15 and is oil and fragrance free, and I'm thinking of taking it with me to Thailand as the packaging is nice and lightweight,too.

Wasn't wowed at the sight of a small Nivea body moisturiser, but I haven't tried this formula before and I know it'll be great to pop in my carry on for my upcoming holiday, so I'm happy with it. Relieved that it isn't in sachet form!!

Was excited to see this Kosmea daily facial exfoliant in my Glossybox,as I am mad for a bit of exfoliation! I was a bit jealous when I saw others received an Estee Lauder serum, but in all honesty this product suits me better anyway. I have already tried it and am happy so far, but will be doing a full review when I've given it a few trials.

***
All in all I was pleased with this months Glossybox, and can't help but adore the box that it comes in. I'm planning on setting up a study area/makeup desk soon and plan on using them to divide my things. I'm almost at the end of my free 6 months, and am contemplating jumping ship from Lust Have It to Glossybox. I'd love to hear your thoughts on what you think I should do in the comments below!

(Glossybox Australia retails for $14.95 per month here, but I won a 6 months subscription so am not paying for the service at this time. This is no way affects the review or experience. Honesty, always.)

November Lust Have It!

The sample box phenomena is definitely growing, with a new one seeming to crop up at each turn. The first to be distributed within Australia was Lust Have It! and I have been a subscriber from day dot. Many others have caught my eye but I've been a good girl and have stuck to just this one- though I may ask for a yearly subscription to another for Christmas;) (FYI, great Christmas idea for fellow makeup and skincare lovers in your family-the gift that reappears each month!) So far I've been very happy with the products, some haven't made me swoon but I have still enjoyed trying things I wouldn't have otherwise. Here is what the grumpy mailman dropped into my hot litte hands yesterday morning!

As a sidenote, I would love to see Lust Have It in a nicer box- the underside of this has the address label and other stickers ruining it's prettiness. Other beauty boxes seem to be cuter on the outer.

Squee, I had my fingers crossed for a perfume sample and look what is sitting at the top!



Lancome Tresor Midnight Rose
(Full Size 30ml retails for $79.00AUD)



Two 1.5ml samples of the new Lancome release, Tresor Midnight Rose. I actually tried this on while in Myer the other day and liked it, so was delighted to see some samples so I could give it a better trial. I have been wearing Tresor In Love quite a bit lately, so Lancome have been doing well with me!



Miracle Shine 2 Step Miracle Nail Shiner-Hawley International
(Retails for $6.95AUD)



This arrived a litte scuffed up and dirty which annoyed me, and as I'm not good at maintaining my nails it didn't really excite me. I will give it a go, and maybe the shine of my nails will change my mind. If not, it will become my Mum's.



Lip Liner in Chique Natural Mineral Lipliner by Nude by Nature
(Retails for $14.95AUD)



I am definitely lacking in the lip liner department so was happy to see this little guy. My Mum, however, was ultra excited and fell in love with the colour. If I manage to hold on to it, I'll let you know how I go. If not, I'll make her guest review;)

Complete Lift NEW Technology Daily Moisturiser-RoC
(Full Size 50ml retails for $59.00AUD)

I seem to have misplaced the moisturiser I was about to start trialling, so yippee for these 3 samples which have saved my bacon. Have used it thrice so far, it's quite thick and creamy and I'm enjoying it. Will review when the samples are done.

Nectar Thermique- Kerastase
 (Full Size 150ml retails for $39.50AUD)

I am totally intrigued by the idea that this is an 'ally for dry hair' which works best when heat is applied! I've been curling and straightening my hair quite a bit lately so this is perfect for me. My ends have been fluffy and dry, lets see if this stuff helps in any way.

*
Lust Have It! subscriptions are $14.95AUD per month, or $160 for a yearly subscription. Gift vouchers are also available, head to the Lust Have It! site for more details.
*

Have you subscribed to any beauty boxes? What new loves have you found in them? Do you like the sound of the November Lust Have It! box?