Vanity Trove "It's All About Love" Beauty Box Unveiled!

Wheeee! I finally got my hands on the Vanity Trove Beauty Box for February 2013. Yes, it is the debut box for Vanity Trove Malaysia, which I had talked about previously here. The box was supposed to arrive at the end of January, but til the very last day of January, I still didn't get the box. Thankfully, the folks at VT did email all of us which were supposed to get the box to inform us beforehand that there may be delays due to the influx of deliveries for the CNY festive season.

Since I live in a condo, I kept hounding the concierge. Did my package arrive yet? Did my package arrive yet? x100!! Til my husband was also fed up and feeling embarassed. Hehehe... in the end, I did not need to hound them because VT sends their trove via Kangaroo Express. When they are going to deliver the package to you, they will personally call you beforehand to ask you if you are at home to receive it!

Once I got it, I just had to blog about it. Actually, I saw that Sugar Coated Muffin already got the trove, so I was itchy handed and couldn't resist scrolling and seeing what is in the box, hence spoiling the surprise for myself. If you are also still waiting for your trove, don't spoil the surprise! Stop reading. :Pp If you can't resist... then read on lah. :P

Inside the Kangaroo Express pouch, the Vanity Trove box is also wrapped  with plastic to ensure things do not accidentally open up in the middle of delivery and cause spillage. The box itself is also super sturdy. There is a ribbon at one end for you to pull out the box --- like a drawer! Very cool.

Sliding out the drawer with the contents of all mah goodies... *anticipating*. To enhance the "surprise" factor, everything is covered up with these really light, tissue paper. Actually, I think it's sturdier than tissue paper, no idea what to call it. I just know it's really fancy schmancy. :P Right after pulling open the drawer, there is a nice floral scent wafting out. A beauty blogger once mentioned that VT does "perfume" their troves to make it an even more enchanting experience, but I was keeping my fingers crossed for a perfume sample! :P

After opening up the pieces of paper, there lies th e product catalog and a very pretty welcome card from Vanity Trove! A very personal touch with a handwritten note as well. (Will show you more later!).

Lying on top of bright orange shredded paper are 7 sample products and 1 gift item from VT. Was a bit sad that from a first look there are no full size products, but there are a few deluxe-size samples. Plus, I already see a few products that I've always wanted to try! Happy that I can do so without springing out the money for full-size item, thanks to VT!

Since I haven't actually tried any of this items (I literally went from opening the box, photographing items and the straight to blogging within 30 minutes!), I will just detail out the items listed in the product card for you all. :) 

1. B. Liv Off With Those Heads Blackheads Sebum Gel (original price : RM139 for 30 ml and RM179.90 for 45ml) - sample size given is 3ml) 

"Remove white heads and blackheads gently and effectively with Off with Those Heads  Blackheads Sebum Gel! This wonder gel also keeps oil secretions under control and banishes all kinds of skin iritations." 

My thoughts : One of my "must try" items, but didn't due to the price! Plus, I have a sebum gel from Cellnique (b.liv is by Cellnique!), so I thought that it's the same thing. Actually, it's more like the Cellnique sebum gel is a "softener", this one is the "extractor". I saw some beauty bloggers rave about this before, so if it's good, I might just get the full size item! 

2. Benefit "The POREfessional" - Original price is RM115 for 22ml. Sample given is 7.5ml. 

"Minimise the appearnce of pores and fine lines with this smooth operator. Silky and lightweight, wear the POREfessional balm on its own or under or on top of makeup. Its translucent, oil free formula complements different skin tones and helps makeup stay put. It contains a Vitamin E derivative, known to protect the skin from free radicals." 

My thoughts : The second "must try" item on my list! Yahoo!! You have no idea how often I've debated whether I should **really** get this when I'm shopping at Benefit. I like the spiel, but I've also read online reviews that said it's not that good. Well, time for me to judge for myself! I generally like Benefit's face products, which I feel not only does the job, it really does nourish the skin at the same time that it is covering up my skin's flaws. Awesome, no?

3. Di Palomo Tuscan Rose Moisturising Hand & Body Lotion (Original price RM69 for 250ml, sample size given is 25ml).

"Apply the Tuscan Rose Hand & Body Lotion blended with moisturising olive and sweet almond oils after your shower for soft, smooth and nourished skin."

My thoughts : I found the source of the "perfume" in the box!! Am happy that I got the hand & body lotion (I think they are giving the body wash & hand + nail cream as well) cos then I think the smell will be more lasting, and I really do like the smell! It's a sweet floral, but not overwhelmingly so. Really perfect for Valentine's Day! :)

 

4 & 5.  Oriks Wild Ginseng Stemcell Twister Essence & Oriks BB cream (RM218 for 35 ml and RM108 for 35ml respectively. Sample size given is 5ml for the essence and 2ml x 2 for the BB cream). 

"Soft and velvety, the Wild Ginseng Stemcell Twister Essence reduces visible pores while hydrating and nourishing skin. The BB cream is formulated with plant stem cells to repair and keep your skin healthy while covering imperfections. Its unique three-tier cream design includes he milk lotion with wild ginseng, the concealer and the serum with repair complex CLR." 

My thoughts : Have not heard of this brand before this, but it's apparently Korea's #1 BB cream with over 3 million bottles sold. :O Since I'm on a BB cream love-spree at the moment, I am interested to give this a go and see if it's really worth the $$. It also seems like a super high class + expensive product.. thankfully, VT included a voucher for this as well. So if you like it, you can get a free BB cream with a stemcell essence purchase. Voucher is valid til 30 April, so can take my time to test it too. :D 

 

 

5. System Professional Color Save Shampoo & Mask (RM65 for 250ml and RM100 for 250ml respectively. Sample size given is 30ml each). 

"The Colour Save Shampoo protects coloured hair and ensures long-lasting colour brilliance as it cleans. The Colour Save Mask serves as protection that prevents your hair colour from fading." 

My thoughts : I'm least interested about this product... you know why? Cos I don't color my hair! Hehehe... and I don't plan to color it for a very long time. Sigh, wish that I got the Smoothen or Repair range instead. However, heard of "SP" before, and they are under the Wella range, so I guess it's surely high quality + good stuff?

Finally, just a pic of what was in the cute floral box - two pieces of Valentine candy + a snapshot of the nicely handwritten card. Thank you to the team at Vanity Trove for the beautiful surprises. Like Sugar Coated Muffin, I'm a wee bit sad that there's no make-up items to try out, though on the website it seems like a lot of make-up products are being reviewed. The March 2013 trove is called "Temptress", and it really is tempting me... should I spring for it?

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Lipstick Sundays : Mary Kay Creme Lipstick in Dusty Rose (Satin)

I didn't just pack face wash samples to Singapore.... I took along make-up samples as well! I got a whole bunch of make-up samples from Mary Kay last time, including this cute lipstick sample. It is a Creme Lipstick in the shade Dusty Rose (Satin). Quite rare to see lipstick samples come in "containers" like this, usually they have something lip-shaped that they expect you to apply by "kissing" on the paper (which I feel very dubious about, surely it will smear all over my face?). There was once I got the cutest mini lipstick ever from Cleo magazine. That was very nice! That's probably the nicest way to give lipstick samples.

This shade is a pretty pink-coral that is more vibrant than my other lipsticks. I love that it is very creamy indeed, but it is also not as moisturising as I would love it to be. In fact, it went on very thick, and felt a bit uncomfortable at first. After a while, I loved how bright the color was, so I didn't mind it so much. For me, a bit of a terror to apply this if you have dry lips. It's definitely gonna crack and show! If you need it, put on more lip balm.

Though I don't see any glitters in the lipstick, there seems to be quite a nice shine in the close-up picture below. Not a bad lip color! Really thank the Mary Kay consultant for choosing such a nice shade for me. :)

 

Sorry for the bad picture above, but that's how you put on the lipstick! There's just a mini pot of the creme lipstick, and something that looks like an earbud to dip into the pot and dab on your lips. It's damn messy to carry around with you for touch-ups though! I would say that this sample is good for two usages. 

 

In the above pic, the upper right hand side of my lips are purposely left uncolored so you can see the difference between the lip color and my original lips. :) Argh, not a very flattering pic cos you can see that my lips are quite dry!

 

 Fully  made-up!

 Close-up...

Mary Kay says that :
"This long-wearing, stay-true formula glides on easily with a lightweight, creamy texture for rich color impact that lasts. Plus, it won’t feather or bleed.

• Vitamin E and a vitamin C derivative help defend against wrinkle-causing free radicals.
• Provides instant moisture.
• Suitable for sensitive skin.
• Clinically tested for skin irritancy and allergy.
• Fragrance-free."

If you're interested, you can purchase a tube online for USD$15. That should be around RM50. A bit pricey for my drugstore lovin'... maybe I will ask them for another color sample next time. 

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The Nature Lab Makeup Removing Serum

Ever since I have an affinity for wearing waterproof mascara, make-up remover is most definitely an essential in my face-cleansing routine. When I was on holiday, it was the perfect time to pack this makeup removing serum sample from The Nature Lab. Of course, it was only enough for two uses, and I had to take along my trusty Maybelline make-up remover as well. :) Got this sample from the Vanity Trove x Watsons beauty box!

 

As with most of the stuff from The Nature Lab, it is parabens free, oil free and alcohol free. However, to use this makeup removing serum is not quite the same as your other normal makeup removers. Personally, I have not seen something like this before! And I don't mean it in a good way. Well, for most makeup removers, they recommend that you soak a cotton pad with a small amount of the remover. For the makeup removing serum from The Nature Lab, they request that you squeeze a small amount out on your hand.... and then your rub your hands together (to warm up the serum) before you rub it on your face! Maybe I'm behind times, but I truly have not used another make-up remover quite like this! (Then again, I've not been keen on using make-up removers til recently, lololol.) 

 

And... the above is what the serum looks like! Yup, it's not liquidy, but like a soft gel. Kinda reminds me of my Hello Kitty gommage! After rubbing it between my palms, I quickly swipe it across my face. Oh God... a bit of it went into my eye and it stung like Hell! That will explain why there are not more detailed photos. I actually took a few, but it had me squinting in obvious pain, and tears were streaming down my face as well.... hmmm. Anyway, I would say that the make-up remover is effective, but it is pretty messy! As you are rubbing the serum across your face, the make-up and the serum mixes together, and you look like your mascara is running all over your face. Mixed with your eyeshadow and foundation, bla bla bla. As quickly as your are swiping it over your face, have a tissue ready to wipe away the dripping excess, or be at the sink to quickly wash everything off.

My "before" snapshot! Sorry for the blurrines, but you can see that generally my BB cream foundation & eye make-up are pretty much the only things intact.

My right eye's make up has been removed, but you can see a dirty mark left on my face, from where the serum mixes with the mascara and erm... slides off. Yes, it's a pretty messy affair. However, don't worry that if you quickly wash everything off, you might miss something. I found that this serum is pretty strong and hardcore. You don't have to rub too vigorously, and you don't have to press down hard on your face --- and yet everything gets stripped right off! Of course, the payback is that if it gets into your eye, you will be crying like a brokenhearted girlfriend.

Not a repurchase for me, but if you're interested in trying this out, you can get The Nature Lab products in pharmacies in Singapore. :) Haven't seen it around in Malaysia thus far...

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