I was honestly a little sad that there were only 6 products in The Parcel Autumn, after the last Parcel had so much in it.
OPI Nail Lacquer – Embrace-Dare Ya!
If I were to describe this colour to someone I’d call it red Chinese satin. It reminds me of the Chinese style dresses & tops that are made of satin. I actually have one, although it’s blue & I am pretty sure it was from Taiwan. I was surprised to see that once I had put two coats of this on my nails it appeared to be more of a mauve/purple colour. It’s really nice though, goodness knows I have about a million red nail polishes!
MOR soap – Blood Orange
I don’t mind getting soap because that’s what I use in the shower. Before checking what scent this was I guessed that it was mandarin. I was pretty close. I’ve had another of these soaps in a previous parcel & found it lasted quite a while & that the scent slightly lingered on my body.
CROP – Natural Pure Macadamia Oil
I read the instructions before using this. it says to use a few drops. Unfortunately one pump was more than enough for my face & neck. I’m wondering if this would be any good for stretch marks, it is an oil after all.
Guided Cage – Lipstick in 107
I wasn’t actually going to open this but as the tube wasn’t sealed with plastic or a sticker I thought I’d take a squizz to see what colour I got. I’d call it a frosted rose colour. I actually had a lipstick that was a similar colour to this when I was in high school & it was my favourite. It is a subtle colour that makes people wonder if you are wearing anything on your lips or not.
Garnier – Micellar Cleansing Water
I stopped using micellar water at the beginning of December. I bought a bottle of a different brand but found I had a reaction to it, so I stopped using it. It gave me small bumps on my forehead, not quite pimples but they were something. Since this arrived I have used it everyday. I thought it would be interesting to see if my face was actually really dirty from the new regime I had been using, alas it was fine.
Estee Lauder – New Dimension Shape + Fill Expert Serum
I’m really not sure if any of this stuff actually works. I don’t notice any difference in my face after using a lot of these high end samples. I would really love it if one blew me away so much that I purchased it.
As soon as I discovered Life and Death: Twilight Reimagined I knew that I had to read it. This is the Special Edition for the 10th anniversary. It is the original Twilight but the with the genders reversed. So the human is the male & the vampire is the female. The foreword mentions that this was mostly to dispel the thoughts the Bella wasn’t a damsel in distress but rather a human in distress.
I didn’t actually have to wait very long for it to become available at the library. Likewise, it didn’t take me very long to read, nine days. It also reignited my enthusiasm for reading the series.
I originally didn’t buy into the Twilight saga, but eventually caved and borrowed the first in the series from the library. It was an easy read and I wanted to see how the story played out so I borrowed the rest of the series. I remember that I read Eclipse in a day. Granted it was a miserable rainy day. Also known as perfect reading weather.
I was surprised to learn that all of the characters (apart from Renee & Charlie) had changed genders. This initially made the story really hard to follow even though I was quite familiar with it. It was a tad helpful that all the characters kept their first initial. So Isabella (Bella) became Beaufort (Beau), Edward became Edythe, Carlisle became Corrine, Alice became Archie and so on.
The afterword shocked me. Although, there certainly was a need for an afterword! There are some things that you just can’t mention in a foreword.
While I don’t think you could consider Life and Death reimagined, it is worth the read if you do like the original story. It is the exact same book after all.
This edition of The Parcel Summer is absolutely overflowing with products! I am blown away at the number of products, a total of 11 (counting the shampoo and conditioner as one) plus there is such a variety in the type of products.
Paula’s Choice – Vitamin C Spot Treatment
I haven’t had much of a chance to try this out yet. I always forget about it and am pretty conscious of putting layer upon layer of product on my face at any time of the day. I’m also concerned about putting vitamin C on my face then going out into the sun. For some reason I have a feeling that its not good for you.
Elizabeth Arden – Superstart Skin Renewal Booster
This is a clear gel that smells very plant based. The gel isn’t sticky & glides over the skin before being quickly absorbed. It is quite difficult to squeeze out of the tiny tube, especially when there isn’t much left. The full size looks like it’s a pump pack.
Swisse – Deep Sea Hydrating Mist Toner
I like that I can just spray this on my face of a morning if my face feels a little dry. If I’m totally honest, I’ve been using this in place of a moisturiser some days. It smells like rose water & the spray nozzle works really well.
Lonvitalite – C2 & C4 Masks
My favourite thing about sheet masks is pretending to be a ghost or monster (sorry snapchat!). I got the C2 Collagen Firming & Moisturising facial mask & the c4 Coconut Milk Hydrating & Nourishing facial mask. They both say to wash your face first, like who actually does that? You can also use them as a warm or cool facial treatment.
Trilogy – Make-Up Be Gone Cleansing Balm
I actually think that I will buy this. I had to stop using micellar water because I believe it was causing me breakouts (in places I’ve never had them before). It is made from a blend of plant oils, which is how it cuts through make up. I just rub some onto my face, giving myself a nice massage while I’m at it, then wash off with a damp face washer. I don’t even need to use moisturiser afterwards & my face smells great. Actually the smell reminds me of the body wash that I used when I was staying in London a few years ago.
Maybelline New York – Color Elixir by Color Sensational in Petal Plush
Another lip colour I won’t be opening any time soon. I just have too many! The packaging makes it look like a lipstick & I have been very curious to open it to see what it is like but I saw it on YouTube & it has a regular stick applicator like others. It think the colour is a good suit for me. The other colour that I could have ended up with was Fuchsia Flourish which looks to be a garishly bright pink.
Zoevea – 230 Luxe Pencil
I’m excited to try this brush/pencil as I think it would be really handy when creating a cut crease. I’ll be honest though, I’ve never done a cut crease in my life. I’m scared I will ruin it & have to redo all my makeup. I really should just give it a go. This brush is tapered on the end but isn’t hard. It also came with a little pouch that will be great to put my other brush in while travelling. Yes, you read that correct, I only have one other brush (not including the one that comes with the naked palette as it has it’s own spot in the palette.
Maybelline New York – The Colossal Pumped Up Volume Mascara
Yet another mascara! I now have 3 unopened mascaras & I am quite certain they are all from The Parcel. At this stage I will hang onto them but there is a good chance they will find a new home at a womens shelter if I decide not to use them anytime soon.
Sally Hansen – Complete Salon Manicure in Barracuda
This colour is eerily similar to the Essie Mint Candy Apple colour I have. It is a pale blue that resembles the blue of Tiffany & Co. My nails needed 3 coats of this colour (plus a base coat) before it looked opaque, so that meant it took a long time to dry. The brush is flat, which I love, but I think its too big. I plan to compare this to the Essie colour sometime soon.
Michael Kors – White Luminous Gold
Another perfume sample that I don’t like. I gave the last one to my mum. When I put this on all I can smell is musty clothes. According to the Michael Kors website it is “a polished, intoxicating burst of pear, jasmine and amber”. All I can really smell is the jasmine & its not subtle at all.
OGX – Argan Oil of Morocco Shampoo & Conditioner
I have always wanted to try this brand but the price (RRP $17.99 for 385mL) has always put me off. What if I buy it & its rubbish, what a waste! Sadly I don’t like the smell, I think its absolutely horrid & does not smell like any other Argan Oil from Morocco I have ever smelled before.
I actually had some drama relating to this box of the parcel Spring. Shipping was to be anywhere from September 7 -23 so I waited patiently for my parcel. All other times I have received it about a week after the first shipment. After having nothing on September 26, I submitted an enquiry through the online form on the parcel.com.au asking to follow up on my parcel. Two days after this I got an incredibly generic email asking me to patiently wait a further 14 business days from the date of that email for delivery.
Then on October 6, I received a ‘final notice’ from Australia Post to collect a package from the local distribution centre. Surprise! The package waiting for me was my the Parcel Spring! According to the side of the box, it had been awaiting collection from September 14. Cue another email to The Parcel. This time I let them know I was disheartened at the generic reply I received and frankly annoyed that my query was not actually looked into. If they had have looked into my query originally they would have seen that it had been posted and was awaiting collection. This time I got a response from CDS Global employee to apologise for any inconvenience caused.
I am yet to contact Australia Post about this, as well as a few other issues I have been having.
MOR – Rosa Noir Hand & Body Milk
This smells sweet yet floral and has a nice texture. Sadly, I loathe hand creams. I tend to put them on then end up wiping the excess off with a towel, it doesn’t seem to matter how little product I use. Then of course it usually goes slimy when you wash your hands later in the day. I gave this to my mum, I think she would use it up before I do.
Redwin – Coconut Balm
I currently use the redwing Vitamin E Cream as a face cream and have for many years, so I was excited to try another of their products. I was quite disappointed actually. You know, the liquid flavouring you buy in the cake isle at the supermarket? That’s what it smells like, fake coconut. As for the texture, its very thick, rich and sticky but is not really spreadable. It has the same consistency as Papaw ointment or the Neutrogena Hand Cream. It makes a nice lip balm and might be good to use for sunburn in small areas.
Estée Lauder – Modern Muse Le Rouge EDP
This smelled nice but I think it is a bit mature for my taste. I also gave this to my mum.
St Tropez – Gradual Tan In Shower
This is actually quite an annoying product to use. According to the instructions, after applying, you need to turn the water off for 3 minutes for it to develop on your skin. What am I meant to do for those three, long, cold minutes? I may as well get out of the shower & make a cup of tea! Because of this, I have only used it once and of course, did not see any results. That’s not to say that the product doesn’t work, I just don’t have the patience to try it for any longer.
Clinique – Smart Custom-Repair Sreum
I haven’t had much of a chance to give this a go because I have so many face creams that need to be used up. It is a beige slightly translucent cream that really doesn’t have a smell. It goes on really smoothly and is absorbed really quickly. The sample is in an easy to use pump bottle but the lid won’t come off.
L’Oréal Paris – Colour Riche Lipstick (144 Ouhlala Matte)
I don’t think I am going to open this for a little while. I’ve got too many lip colours on the go at the moment. I think it might also be too bright for me & my mum certainly won’t wear it. So I will hang onto it
John Frieda – Frizz Ease Smooth Start Hydrating Shampoo & Conditioner
The first thing I noticed is that it smells like the shampoo and conditioner they use at hair salons. It’s hard for me to tell if it worked or not because I don’t consider my hair to be frizzy. It did a great job at cleaning my hair, even cleared up some of my dandruff & kept my hair clean so I could keep on schedule with when I wash it. If I saw it on special I would certainly consider buying it, or another John Frieda variety.
The June Bellabox theme was ‘Winter Warrior’ with the idea to brighten up winter with a pop of colour. It was revealed that everyone would receive a lip tint stick.
Tracking email received: I didn’t actually get one
Package received: Wednesday, June 17
This is actually my last Bellabox too as I received a one-year subscription for my birthday last year. There are many reasons why I have chosen not to renew my subscription, in no particular order:
I’m also having trouble keeping up with all of the samples I have. I really am doing my best to use all of the products but along with what I was already using there are just too many options! I have at least two boxes of samples I haven’t really started using yet!
Universal Beauty Cosmetics – Nude Pink Tint Stick
I was excited to receive this as I like trying new lip colours. The applicator reminds me of a highlighter tip or text but works quite well & gives you the ability to be quite precise. I haven’t had to touch it up once as it lasts almost all day. It also has a cute quote on the end of the tube.
Original Source – Skin Quench Watermelon & Jojoba Oil
The best way to describe how this smells when you use it is a burst of sour watermelon. I also didn’t think it was moisturising as it claims to be but have noticed that my legs don’t appear to be dry & flaky like thy normally are during winter. I first came across Original Source in England 2011 when I had about 4 varieties to choose from when staying with relatives.
Burt’s Bees – Beeswax Lip Balm
I’ve seen people rave about this brand but I have never actually used it before as I am pretty loyal to another brand. It smells like peppermint & sometimes makes my lips tingle, like they are being plumped.
Ivadore – Tanning Treatment
I will probably just put this on my legs to used it up so I can throw it out. I don’t do fake tan mostly because I cannot be bothered.
Model Co – Exfoliating & Cleansing All-Natural Facial Wipe
I have had a sample of this before & like the idea of one side being textured (to exfoliate) & the other being smooth. I will probably use this next time I have a full face of make-up to remove.
Palmolive Naturals – Active Nourishment Shampoo & Conditioner
As a kid I used to get an itchy scalp after using Palmolive. I am not brave enough to try it now either!
Kathleen (noun), newly 30, bustling employee, inventive house wife & wannabe creative, just wanting to share the favourable parts of my life.
