Bellabox January 2014 Opening - What did I get in my box this month? ;)

Bellabox January 2014

 If you would like to know more about Bellabox, my original post is here and if you would like to sign up, please visit here.

Bellabox New Packaging?

Bellabox have been telling us for months that they are bringing out new packaging.  It's been a bit confusing as one month I got a Bellabox branded makeup bag while others received flimsy cardboard pillowbox.  The old Bellabox was a turquoise blue colour with a white logo (see here).  So is this the new packaging?   To be honest, as long as the it's sturdy enough to not damage the contents, I don't really care about the packaging.  It's what's inside that counts.

Beauty Gifts I Got For Christmas - Swatch and Review

My Christmas Presents

I hope you all enjoyed the break and had a lovely holiday season.  Welcome to the new year!  I know it's a bit late but I wanted to share with you the beauty gifts I got for Christmas.  I usually don't get this many beauty items for Christmas as I'm so thankful and love them all!

Kat Von D Spellbinding Look Kit

Probably the present I was most excited about was the Kat Von D Spellbinding Look Kit.  Kat Vond D makeup is not sold in Australia and it's damn near impossible to buy online and have shipped to Australia.  This particular set was purchased from Tarazz here.

Bellabox December 2013 Opening - What's in my box this month? ;)

Bellabox Opening - December 2013

I was so glad to hear that Bellabox would be making it's way to me before Christmas.  The problem is that it sat with Australia Post for a week! I know it's near Christmas but I think that's a little excessive.  So this post is very late.

If you would like to know more about Bellabox, my original post is here and if you would like to sign up, please visit here.

Bellabox December

Bellabox had a limited number of Benefit POREfessional samples to give out this month so I had my fingers crossed, but I wasn't lucky enough to receive one.  I don't think it's right to advertise that they have teamed up with Benefit and then only send a few members Benefit products.   I also thought being December they would have done a Christmas themed box, however that was not the case. 

Last Minute Beauty Gifts for Christmas in Australia

Last Minute DIY Christmas Gifts

Last minute personalised beauty gifts from $20 - $70.
These are all products from my personal collection that I use and love.

I know not everyone has completed their Christmas shopping, so I wanted to give you a few ideas for some last minute shopping.  Everything in these suggestions are items that you can purchase in Australia in a physical store.  I wanted to make each item fairly affordable and personalised.

Each gift requires little effort but they look like you've put a lot of time, effort and thought into them.

DIY Nail Kit in a Jar

This is so simple to put together and looks really thoughtful.  

You can personalise it to the person you have in mind.  

I bought the jar from a dollar store for about $4.

I placed all the products around the inside of the jar, touching the glass and placed cotton squares in the middle to prop them up.

Bellabox Pout Pencil Replacement

Bellabox Pout Pencil - Ruby Tuesday

In the November Bellabox (post here) I had received a broken pout pencil.  Bellabox then contact me via Facebook after seeing my blog post and advised me to contact them in regards to the broken pencil.  I thought that it was great of them to reach out and get in contact with me.  I sent them an email as requested, they apologised for the broken pencil, advised that some of the pencils were faulty and would be sending me a new one.  

I received the replacement and it winds up and back down fine, so there is no issue with this one.  I'm really happy with the Bellabox social media and customer service representatives.  They have been really lovely every time I have spoken to them.

Cheap Dollar Store Christmas Decor - Waterless Snow Globes

Finished Christmas Decor

Okay, okay so it's not about makeup but I love crafty/DIY stuff and thought I'd share some tips with you, I hope you don't mind.

With this time of year it can be hard enough trying to find money for presents, food/drinks and all those other little things.  Let alone having to worry about finding money for decorations and if you're trying to stick to a colour theme it can get quite expensive.  So I wanted to share with you some of my favourite festive decorating tips that your wallet won't hate you for. 

Items you will need: 
Glass Jars:  Apothecary, candy, vases or whatever you have.
Ornaments: I use the spare smaller baubles, you could use candy canes or even bows.
Figurines: Or figurine ornaments.
Fake snow: From the dollar store.  You could use cotton wool, glitter, desiccated coconut.
Ribbons or bows: You could even use the self adhesive type or leave them off completely. You could also use tinsel, bells or garland if you prefer.

This can be really budget friendly if you use items you already have at home.  You could use old ornaments or decorations, old candle or pasta sauce jars etc etc.

I think these jars look lovely as a centerpiece, on the coffee table or on a desk or cabinet that could use some festiveness.

Easy Candy Cane Christmas Nail Art Tutorial

The finished Candy Cane Nails

 As it's early December I thought I'd get right into the holiday spirit and pimp out my nails, candy cane style.  It is pretty simple to achieve, although it's a little fiddly and takes time.

To achieve this look you will need: 

TBase Coat - Sally Hansen Miracle Cure

TRed Nail Polish - OPI  The Spy Who Loved Me (Skyfall collection)

TWhite Nail Polish - L.A. Colors Art Deco White

TTop Coat - Seche Vite

TSticky Tape