Beauty Swaps

Many of you already know Beauty Box Swaps - Facebook page where you can exchange unwanted products from the beauty boxes with other fellow subscribers... or also any other beauty item that it's just not for you. I have been swapping since the beginning and now it has become and ever growing community ... Thanks goes to the founder Lucy Brown!! 

I only had good experiences myself - fingers crossed - and every swap turned out perfectly.

Here is a summary of some of the swaps I made... I apologize if I forgot to include any of you but only recently I started keeping a record of these items... so, please, if you remember swapping with me let me know! :)

Zoya in Kendal

This is a gorgeous pastel lilac and, definitely, missing from my collection. It's pretty stunning on the fingers and one coat is enough for good coverage.

Unfortunately, not the best lasting performance and it started chipping after 3 days.

I paired with Planks a Lot from the Pirates of the Caribbean collection.

Swapped with Sandra @ Beauty Balm 

Omorovicza Thermal Cleansing Balm

I was soooo eager to try this!!! I didn't get it in my box and took me a good couple of months before I found somebody to swap with.

What a disappointment!!! :(

At first, it looks very similar to Emma Hardie' cleanser (which I adore!): same smell of almond oil/marzipan and same paste consistency that you need to work with a bit of water in your hands, before applying. 

BUT Omorovicza is so incredibly oily!!! It's a nightmare to rinse off... in fact, you need another cleanser on top to be able to wash it off. Very disappointing for the price and I'm glad I managed to try it, first.

Bionova Eye Wrinkle Treatment

I've been getting a bit obsessed with eye creams, lately so I had to try this one!

It's pretty expensive at £43 / 14.18gr and was intrigued by the nano skin technology.

I read many people complaining about the smell and I must admit is not very pleasant. First few applications, I wasn't too bothered but then I had to stop and use it only before bedtime because of the smell.

Personally, I haven't seen any consistent improvement in wrinkles and fine lines but It's a good moisturising cream.

Origins Youthtopia Firming Eye Cream

Another rather disappointing eye cream - It didn't do much for fine lines.

Illamasqua Freak Parfume

I love this perfume. I tried it in store but I didn't get one in my GlossyBox - Typical!!!
So I manage to get 2 sample from the lovely Stacey
It's pretty pricey so I don't want to invest in a full size bottle; I like to rotate my scents and the samples will last me for some time.

SilDerm Stretch Mark Massage Oil

another hard to find product as not many people received it in the GlossyBox. This is full size and I'm going to use it after shower/bath on wet skin. It has been, specifically, formulated for pregnant women but of course you can use it even if you're not... it must mean it has no nasty ingredients in it. Score! :)

Teapigs Tummy Tonic

I like when beauty boxes also include other extras like this... it's a lovely peppermint tea, nothing more to say, really. :)

I exchanged the last 3 with the lovely Stacey @ lisainherownworld.blogspot.com

...more swaps to come...

FeelUnique - November Box

Emma Hardle Amazing Face Natural Lift and Sculpt Moringa Cleansing Balm

I love this product! It comes in a paste form that you need to mix up with few drops of water to create a cream and then massage on the face; pretty similar action as the Liz Earle cleanse but I thought the cloth was of better quality. In fact the Dual Action Professional Cleansing Cloth has 2 side - I use the muslin side to rinse off my face and the smoother side to finish off and the eye area.

It smells really nice, like almond & marzipan and the packaging looks expensive; my only criticism would be that I'm not too keen in sticking my fingers inside the jar day after day, for an hygienic point of view. Nevertheless, I was so impressed with it that this reason wouldn't stop me from buying it.

Schwarzkopf Professional OSIS+ Dust It Mattifying Powder

This product is to add control and volume to your hair.

These types of dusts have become popular in the last couple of years and I already have this powder from Schwarzkopf, which I found really really similar so I will swap the OSIS+ for something else. 

I have barely used the one I got only a couple of times but this was a great item to include, especially since it's a full size.

Xen-Tan Deep Bronze Luxe

I was so disappointed to see this self tan inside the box. First, I don't use self tan products and secondly I already received the same identical one in the July GlossyBox. Luckly, I managed to get rid of the previous one easily - I'm sure there's somebody else out there that can make good use out of it.

Goldwell DualSenses Rich Repair Ultra Volume 60 Sec Treatment

OMG - WORST ITEM EVER!!! I hated it so much that I'm even regretting trying it out.

I don't usually bother with styling products but I try to give a test run to every item I receive, in the beauty boxes - at least once.

It's a pre-wash treatment so I thought it wasn't going to mess my hair but instead it has been like putting blue glue on my scalp!!! I found it incredibly difficult to rinse and, also after washing a couple of time, it still left my hair sticky and tangled.
Personally, to avoid like the plague!!!

Bella Pierre Shimmer Powder in Noir
Nice product but I received the black version which is something I'd never use. If I do a smokey eye look, I usually go for brown or purple. Sorry for the lack of swatch but I've already exchanged this one as well, so I kept it sealed.
Btw, I was informed by the receiver that noir is not shimmery at all.

Prada Candy Eau de Parfum
the name says it all really: too sweet! I don't like it.

To summerize: I only like 1 item out of the box.
 Still, I'm in two minds about the FeelUnique box: I can appreciate the quality of the brands that I received but they don't seem to cater for my needs, really.
I'm thinking the JolieBox will blow it out of the water...

P.S.: I thought I also spare two words about the customer service. In my October box I received a faulty nail polish and after much emailing back and forth I was told that a replacement was sent on the 18th October ( I received the box on the 8th).
Then, a month goes by and when I receive the november box, still no sign of the other polish. I email them again but I get ignored for several days so I decide to contact them on the Facebook page - to much disappointed I notice they've deleted my message. So, I leave another message and guess what? It also gets deleted.
Anyway - bottom line - they, at least, contacted me by email and issued a new replacement.
I can understand that the first one, apparently, went 'missing' in the post but all that censorship is very very poor. You guys can really take no criticism? And as I consequence they created more fuss than necessary because now I'm ranting for half of this blog post. Not too clever, if you ask me!

FeelUnique - November Box

Hello everybody!

I'm back from my holiday and found the FeelUnique.com beauty box waiting for me... yay!!!

I haven't had a chance to play about with the products yet... what are your thoughts, girls?

I had a great time away and I will try and catch up with my posts in the next week. Missed blogging :)