rubybox September 2014

I was really late in posting my review of the August rubybox. Like the-day-before-the-new-box-arrived-late! I lose track of time like that all the time. Isn't a stay-at-home-mom's life supposed to be less stressful? Long, languid breakfasts that turn to brunches that turn to lunches before the kids need to be picked up... Spa days... Chilling in sweatpants on the couch in the sun with a book? No?

Haha! Ja, right!!!

Yesterday morning the hubzster left home early because he was going to site about an hour's drive away, so there was no morning overlap. (Morning overlap = I take the kids to school > he opens up for the maid > he leaves for work > I get home.) I get a call while I'm still at school from a courier company to say their driver just left my place because there was no-one at home to take delivery of a package. It wasn't even 8am yet! Turns out the courier company is a few roads away from us and I was first on the list. Fortunately he was still in the area and could come back just in time to find my maid at home so I still got my surprise box. And I proceeded to have a 4-hour long breakfast with some friends.

Methinks we need to employ a package receiver! I often miss deliveries when the maid's not there and I'm out running errands. It's frustrating.

But wait, that's not what this is about!

My first thought when I picked the package up as that it was heavy! September was billed to be rubybox's 3rd birthday and boxes would be filled with full-sized products and a collector's bracelet.

The promise.

Pretty fuchsia slip cover.

I'm not familiar with the format of the boxes, whether they come with lids loose, hinged or slip covers because this is only my 3rd box. The first two came with loose lids and as handy as they are, they're functioning as holders underneath the open boxes used to store little bits of stuff in my wardrobe. Safe to say I won't be missing the loose lid.

Cover slips off to reveal...

But wait, where's the collector's bracelet?

Oh, what do we have here?

What exactly is this?

This, dear friends, is the free collector's "bracelet". A string and a washer with a stamp on it. Oh rubybox, you shouldn't have. No really, you shouldn't have. I wasn't expecting a Pandora, and this wasn't necessary.

The rest of the box made up for the disappointment of the whatchamacallit.

R119.95 at rubybox

The brush comes with a brush guard that is handy for when you're carting it in your bag and to retain its shape but won't work to shape while drying as it's a plastic sheath that doesn't have holes for ventilation. 

Not bad quality for a R119.95 brush.

The bristles are soft because it's not cross cut and is loosely packed for soft blending and although I haven't used it much yet, I can't comment too much on how well it performs. It's sized perfectly for blush application. I tried it with a brick red Inglot blush which is intensely pigmented and I liked that it gave a sheer application. I think this brush would be perfect for those highly pigmented blushes although I don't know how it will apply blushes that are not as richly pigmented. It would be perfect for bronzing because you need a light hand with application, if you don't mind the size.

Notice the fine tips of the brisles. It makes for a very soft feel.

I think rubybox is genius in pairing products, like adding this brush cleaner with a brush. 

Brush cleaner

This is the perfect size for travel. The nozzle spritzes out a fine, consistent mist and a little goes a long way. I use this brush cleaner on denser brushes and it takes more than the recommended 3 sprays to clean the brush, but it's way better than me leaving a dirty brush that's just been run over a face cloth or tissue without any cleaner. I wash my brushes once a week anyway and with using the brush cleaner I find that the deep cleaning isn't as laborious anymore. It also makes traveling with fewer brushes possible because you can use one brush for a variety of applications. I don't have anything to compare this cleanser to and getting this one has allowed me to think about trying other cleansers too. For now, I'd repurchase this one.

 

I've used Dove Invisible Dry roll-on in the past and I don't have anything bad to say about it. Is it invisible? I think so. Is it invisible on 100 colours? I haven't tested it myself. This one has been tested on 100 colours and is proven to be invisible on all 100 colours. Well done. It claims, like most other antip-perspirant deodorants to work for 48 hours. This I can refute. You won't smell too offensive after 48 hours, but after 24 hours you'll definitely want to take soap and hot water to your pits. I'd buy it if I was in a pinch, but I'm back to old faithful Mitchum Gel for now. These things are nice to have extra stock of because deodorant is something you NEVER want to be caught without.

R29.95 at rubybox

I like this hand cream. It's a car hand cream. Only the best hand creams live in the car. (This is maybe not a good idea in our summers.) I keep fast absorbing hand creams in all our cars because you don't want to have greasy hands when you're driving. And when I'm driving is sometimes the only time that I really look at my hands. This one is light in texture, fast absorbing and has a pleasant light coconutty scent that doesn't linger. If you don't like coconut scents, still give this a try because it fades after 5 minutes. Your hands feel not only moisturised but protected as well. It's locally manufactured and at R29.95 I think is a brilliant buy. It would make an excellent gift pack gift for teachers (which is what I'm putting together at the moment).

And that, I think, is it. Except for the bracelet that really shouldn't have happened, I think the box would've been just perfect with the full-sized products as a birthday bonus.

Confession time: I started this post in September with the best intention of posting it "on time". Life kinda took a turn and now that I'm getting into posting again I thought it would be unjust to delete the draft and make as if it never happened. I'd like to still give my honest thoughts on some of the products I've been using these past months even though I wasn't posting. I have a lot to keep me busy in the next few weeks.

Catch you on the flip side...

E

Lorde for M.A.C. - Pure Heroine Amplified Creme Lipstick

I have decided that if I'm going to spend over R200 on a lipstick then it will be on limited editions: it just makes it feel more special.

My first such purchase was M.A.C.'S Pure Heroine. A limited edition lipstick in collaboration with Lorde, THE hottest female performing artist of 2013/2014. Her music is mesmerising and I can't help but to move to the intoxicating beat and moody melodies.

 

Every time I wear the lipstick, this song plays in my head. I promise to grow up some time before my kids do!

I didn't immediately rush the M.A.C. website to get it. It was sitting in my cart for a few days but every time I looked at it, it drew me deeper and deeper into it's spell, much like her music. But did I want to pay that much for a lipstick that I could possibly find a dupe for? When M.A.C. offered free shipping (!) which they do from time to time, my mind was made up! 2 days later...

First of all... that teeny-weeny lippie in that giant box. Overkill much?

About the lipstick.

The colour is the only feature. There is no special packaging and for only one lip colour, we can't expect too much. It comes in the standard sleek, black bullet tube.

I will describe it as a "Royal Plum": rich, deep, dark plum that has become synonymous with the Lady herself. It is formulated in the Amplified Creme formula which means it's highly pigmented, almost to the point of a stain. It is creamy and hydrating and wears evenly throughout the day so you won't look like a rabid vampire.

It can be worn sheer for a light but rich plummy tint or coated up to a vampy, deep, dark plum. I would suggest go minimal to no other makeup, other than a thick line of black liquid liner on the upper eyelid ONLY, or a thinner line on the upper lid with 2-3 coats of mascara and nothing else.

You could also incorporate Pure Heroine with other colours like bright pink, red or a rosy nude to tone it down or to create an interesting ombre look, that way you could wear it all year round.

Pure Heroine was available on M.A.C.'s website exclusively in South Africa and is unfortunately sold out (at the time of publication). I'm not sure if it will be restocked or if that was the only opportunity to get it. I will update this feature if I happen upon any such information.

To replicate the colour:

If you missed out or would prefer to buy an annual magazine subscription instead of buying one lipstick...

M.A.C. has Heroine (R195.00)in their permanent line which is a few shades lighter than Pure Heroine, but worn with a light wash of Chestnut lip pencil (R175.00) underneath to deepen it, it comes close to it's limited edition sister. (Ok, so that works out to WAAAYYY more, but just so you know... it's there...)

Revlon Super Lustrous Lipstick in Blackcherry (R130) at Spree.

Rimmel Lasting Finish Lipstick by Kate (04) (R69.95) at rubybox.

Clinique High Impact Lip Colour in Sophisticate (R255) at Red Square.

rubybox 99c

What can you buy for 99c these days? Not even a tip for a car guard! So how about a few beauty products? You can believe, bargainista that I am, I jumped at the opportunity to score ANYTHING for 99c! I mean, come on…

Image from here.

First of all, if you don’t know, rubybox is a subscription service. You complete a beauty survey online and they compile your profile which will determine the types of beauty samples that will be sent to you. You then sign up for a monthly fee of R169 that includes to-your-door delivery and your box with deluxe beauty samples with at least one full-sized product. The more months you sign up for, the less your monthly subscription is. But what happens if you’ve fallen in love with a sample? Where do you find it again? In the online store. Clever, ne! You also earn rubyRands with all purchases which you can use towards future purchases.

I completed my profile on the website a long time ago but never committed to the box, although I  bought from the online store. I placed my 99c order and collected my surprise from the Fourways Mall pop-up stall. I could have had it delivered but that would have incurred delivery charges and going to a mall means, well… card assault! The two assistants at the stall were super helpful, both helping me at the same time: one with the box, the other showing me what was on offer to purchase.

They had a few rubybox branded items such as the rubybox signature perfumes and makeup brushes  which was nice to experience in person. The brushes looked and felt like it was top quality: sturdy handles, well constructed ferrules and super soft bristles. I didn’t purchase any because it would have been repeats of what I already have. I’m looking forward to seeing more brushes in the line should they expand, which I’m hoping they will. A stiffer flat-top kabuki style would be nice rubybox  ;-)

Back to the box. There were four options to choose from and I naturally gravitated to the frizzy hair rescue box. 

Excuse the fuzzy-wuzziness of the photo.

This box contained 3 full-sized products: John Frieda Frizz-Ease Serum and Woolworths Long Lasting lipstick. It also included a (full size) pack of 2 makeup removal sponges and a sample facial cleansing soap. The point of a subscription box like this is to introduce you to products that you wouldn’t normally try. I can honestly say that when I comes to skincare, I’m very loyal to one brand. You have no idea the internal conflict I have just using a different daily cleanser. I ALWAYS have a backup of my beloved Clinique Step 1 bar so that I never have to face the trauma of running out. BUT… Thanks to Rubybox, I may be changing my ways… So let me talk about the facial cleaning bar first.

Lanolin-Agg-Tval Egg White Facial Care 15g sample (R134.95 full size 50g): 

It contains egg white, yogurt, Eidelweiss and rosewater. 

Egg white is a good popular home remedy for tightening pores and absorbing oil. While there is controversy over the use of raw egg white on your skin, these benefits have been safely wrapped up in this soap. 

Lactic acid and alpha hydroxy acid in yogurt has exfoliating and skin tightening benefits. 

Edelweiss, or snow flower is widely used in skincare for it's antioxidant and anti-inflammatory and anti-aging properties.

Olive oil has been used since time immemorial as a moisturiser and rose water, besides making it smell lovely is an ancient beauty ingredient used to tighten and smooth. 

The Swedish soap lathers to a fine, soft, creamy foam. A little goes a long way. I’ve used this little guy every day for 3 weeks and could very well get another 2 weeks out of it. It’s gently cleansing, not drying or stripping. I have combination skin that needs a good balanced cleanser to properly cleanse the oilier zones without over stripping the drier zones and this soap gets that balance just right.

Woolworths Longlasting Lipstick R140

Gorgeous bright orangy-red that suits my complexion and will look as good in Summer as it does in Winter. Score! We know that long lasting lipsticks are very drying -> so you have to wear a lip balm underneath -> then the long lasting-ness doesn’t last as long -> so what’s the point. This one has a satiny finish, provides a bit of moisturisation so is not drying and therefore a good long wear option. I like it enough to try out more colour options.

John Frieda Frizz-Ease Hair Serum (R99.95)

This hair serum is a holy grail product for a lot of women who have issues with frizz. It’s never been on my radar but I’m glad I’ve had the chance to try it. The claim is that it “transforms dry, frizz-prone locks to smooth glossy lengths. It also repels humidity to help prevent weather-related frizz.” I don’t know about the smooth glossy lengths because I don’t heat style my hair so no smooth glossy lengths here. But I must say that when I use it on my curls, it does prevent that dreaded stuck-my-finger-in-the-wall-socket look. After washing and conditioning I apply 4-6 pumps from my scalp to the ends and comb it through before I wrap my hair in a towel. It keeps those strays at bay and doesn’t affect the definition of the curl or the natural volume that I’m so desperately trying to get back.

Rubybox Tools Bye Bye Makeup Sponge R39.95

To use: wet, apply cleanser and massage in circular motions. I haven’t used makeup remover sponges before because I use Bioderma on a cotton round. Call me dof, but I took this into the shower to try it out and used it as directed. I used the Lanolin Agg Tval soap on it and put it to work. Not a tool for everyday cleansing, that’s for sure. What I noticed is that although it lathered on the sponge, it did absolutely nothing on my skin. I’m not sure if you should use a liquid soap or if Bioderma will work well on this too. What I did notice is that it didn’t drip. Is that what these sponges do? If so, that aspect of it works really well.  It is soft and gentle on the skin and, unless you have super sensitive skin, it won’t irritate the skin at all. I’ll have to test this one thoroughly when I know what to do with it.

So, all of that for just 99c! Except for the makeup sponges that I haven’t found a use for in my life (yet!) I can definitely see the rest finding a home on my bathroom and makeup shelves. The Egg White soap may just have to come home to me in my next Rubybox though.