Pink and Undecided: cottage

VanityTrove Mozaic Exclusive Trove

Hi hi!

I just had a very full but fun day! I don't often have such a jam-packed day, and people say they're jealous of how relaxed my life is, but trust me-i love busy days! I feel less useless on a day like this *LOL*. Anyway, blog post about today (a beauty event followed by a joint bday dinner of two of my friends) will come up soon, let's focus on the topic written on the title for now!

Remember i used to say i never really had much luck with lucky draws and its friends? Well, it seems like my luck in that department has shifted a little bit :p. I win (not much but a little bit's better than never, right?) more and more quizzes and giveaways, which is AWESOME! One of them is Vanity Trove's 7 Days Christmas Giveaway. I was really surprised when i was announced as one of the winners because honestly i didn't even remember entering it *LOL*.

Anyway, my price was IDR 100.000 worth of Vanity tab that i could use to purchase their troves/products. I've been hoarding it for MONTHS because sadly their self-customized trove's items seems to be pretty... sparse (and repetitive. Like, there'd be 5 items from the same brand at one time. And there'd be only three or so brands at one time with all super boring items like face creams *YAWNS*) and i didn't see anything i really wanted to purchase from their online shop as well.

And then about a week ago i read some blogger's unboxing of this special Mozaic Exclusive Trove and it seems pretty nice, so i hurriedly checked their sites and couldn't believe my eyes that this exclusive trove's priced at only IDR 100.000 (their regular trove's IDR 180.000)! I quickly clicked add to my cart (i am ecstatic that i do not have to pay a dime for this box!) and viola, here it is! (Arrived at a speedy time too! I ordered this much latter than the time when i redeemed my Lola Dots for a complimentary box, which still shows no sign of appearing, almost three weeks after they promised to send me the box *LOL*. Lola Box is usually very punctual though so i'm pretty confused...)

Pretty nice, right?

I really like their new packaging! The VT sticker reminded me of LV haha

Now VT boxes always come wrapped in bubble wrap, A for extra care!

Colorful box especially made for this exclusive box. Description in their website stated that this box is created to celebrate Mozaic fashion show by Raffles Institutes of Higher Education

The box was heavy, mainly because of that full sized Lux body shower!

First item : Lux Moisturizing Body Wash in Velvet Touch (250 ml)

I actually couldn't use the original Lux body washes anymore, my skin got more sensitive (from age, i guess *___*) somehow and a lot of body wash/shower gel/cream can cause my eczema to act up, muyhunny also cannot use lots of body thingy due to his uber dry skin. But i've been reading rave reviews about this new Lux Body Wash, they apparently bettered their formulation and the result is much milder and moisturizing body washes. I am actually quite excited to try this (without having to purchase it myself) and prove if this new body wash really is much better than their predecessor.

Skin 79 Hot Pink Super+ Triple Functions BB (deluxe size) and 3 sachets of other Skin 79 BB Cream (Super+ Triple Functions BB Vital Cream Orange Label, VIP Gold Collection Super+ BB Cream and The Oriental Gold BB Cream Plus)

As a BB cream junkie, i always love getting BB Cream samples. I am not a fan of sachet samples, but since they gave out a decent deluxe sample (which i really love because they are super convenient for my travels) and the sachets must be bonuses, i don't mind. Skin 79 is one of the nicest BB cream i've ever tried too, so... I have nothing but love for them!

Cottage Softening Shower Gel in Vanilla (50ml)

Seriously, Cottage (and Original Source) tiny bottles are the cutest ever! This is my second travel size Cottage shower gel (both are from beauty boxes) and i am really happy that i got different variants! I love bath and body cares and this tiny bottle will be going on a trip with me!

Dove Anti Perspirant Whitening Deodorant in Original (15 ml)

I wear deodorants whenever i go out so this one is a very useful thing that will definitely get used. I am a fan of Dove products, however for this particular product... I am not overly fond of. I am currently using this deodorant and i hate that it takes FOREVER to dry! But it's still usable even though it's my least favorite item in this box.

Angelwinks falsies in Honey

Gosh it's been so long since the last time i received falsies in beauty boxes! I used to detest getting them (because i never used them before) until one day i decided to try them on and i've been hooked ever since. Having said that, i haven't been wearing any falsies for a very very long time! LOL. I should start practicing again! I've never tried Angelwinks falsies (honestly i almost never bought falsies by myself except once from Sasa when it was on a huge sale and from Daiso/cheapo accessories stores! I built a little collection from past beauty boxes only haha) and am pretty excited about this!

Kiehl's Olive Fruit Oil Nourishing Shampoo (65 ml)

The most branded and (definitely) expensive item in this trove! I love Kiehl even though i haven't actually purchased anything from them (my hunny's insisting on buying their deodorant though, even though i find paying almost IDR 300.000 for a deodorant is a total insanity...) but i have lots of their samples *LOL* *cheapo* and i can safely say i love those products that i've tried the samples on. This size is perfect for traveling! Honestly i fear this shampoo would be too rich for my oily scalp (the nourishing part) but i'm sure it'll work well on hunny!

And that's it! Personally i find this to be a pretty great box, especially for the price (IDR 100.000 or about USD 9!). I paid more in the past for boxes that are not half as good as this one! Everything in this box is really useful and i get to try lots of items that i am interested in!

This box is still available in their website, if you're interested in them (i am highly recommending this box, i believe its worth more than the price! I mean... The Kiehl's shampoo alone would worth quite a lot!) you better hurry and order them now, there's a "selling fast" label on the box which means it might get out of stock soon!

#Pink

11:34:00 PM
14 Comments

Unboxing : Lola Box Anniversary Edition

anniversary

It doesn't take me long to get back in the Beauty Box train, eh?

LOL...

I don't have any good explanation about this except that it's Lola Box' Anniversary box! So... It should be special, right? Plus they were having a special price for this box, IDR 111.000 (coz it's their first anniversary, duh! I hope it'd be 112 on the second anniversary instead of 222! LOL). I figured, an anniversary box with a cheaper price... that means a great deal! I cannot miss it! Hehehe... (It's also a way for me to show them that i meant every words when i said i will keep on supporting them because i actually do have a lot of faith in them. They offered me some real great gestures, i thought it'd only be right if i do the same)

And it is a pretty awesome box!

It doesn't look very colorful or exceptionally merry, but the individual items were pretty great!

Before i got my box, i read Winda's tweet to Lola Box about a broken eye shadow. I knew right away that i'm getting an eye shadow too and i dunno, i did have a feeling it'd be broken too (because of past experiences. Whenever someone mentioned a broken item in a beauty box, mine would arrive in the same condition-if not worse! And this time's sadly no exception...) pfffftttt. So i was waiting for my box to arrive, very anxiously...

I told hunny about Winda's broken eye shadow, and he told me he could hear rattling inside the box. Loud rattling is never a good sign in a beauty box T.T

The box is definitely heavier than usual!

Special celebration-printed box

The base looks white in this picture, but it's actually bright pastel yellow!

Vouchers from Luxola

Greeting from Lola Box team

The list of items included in the box

Some vouchers, i didn't pay attention to the surprise card from Luxola at first, but it was a very nice surprise indeed! I was also very surprised to see Me-Nail's card included in this box. As you may know, i am related to the owner of Me-Nail (read my introduction to Me-Nail here) but don't worry, i will not let anything cloud my judgement and review it fairly

First thing i that i saw when i unwrap the wrapping paper was the lavender colored bottle and i was pretty happy because i always wanted to try Cottage shower gels (let's hope that it'd work better than Original Source on my skin!) but was bitter about the awesome launch in Jakarta (seriously, Surabaya beauty bloggers can't complain enough of the lack of launches here haha) :p. I already got a small bottle in January Lola Box but this is the middle size okay :D

First item : Lolita Lempicka The First Fragrance

I've always loved Lolita Lempicka's bottle but i think i didn't like the way it smelt (or i'm sure i'd have it in my collection already *sigh*), i'll try again with this little vial. I gotta feature an inner part of this sample's card because it's so pretty! The little vial's also cuter than usual for me because of its violet color!

Leaders Insolution Derma Soul Bright Mask. This is a pretty pricey mask (around IDR 36.000 if i'm not mistaken) compared to the usual local/Korean sheet masks, i purchased one from Luxola when it was on a huge sale but don't think i'd purchase this on a full price, so this is a great item to be found in a beauty box! The price of this one sheet mask covers more than quarter price of the box! (OH, i just checked, Lola Box stated the price is IDR 26.100. This is another great sign, they definitely do not jack up the price just to make the items appear more expensive than they really were like some beauty boxes tend to do *AHEM BTI, AHEM AHEM IBBox*)

Cottage Showel Gel (250 ml) in Fig. While i am very happy to receive this shower gel (i think i am always happy whenever i see a full sized product *sigh*), i am not too happy about the variant. I am not a fan of fig's scent, but at least the bottle's violet! LOL. Worth IDR 58.500 (half of the box' price!)

The Face Shop Real Nature Mask Pomegranate (IDR 20.350). Two sheet masks in one box? I am a huge sheet mask junkie so i don't mind, not every subscriber would be happy about it though. The variant that i got is one that i already tried not too long ago, it was pretty nice so i'm pretty happy to get this.

No product description found, it just stated that it was from Me-Nail. WTH is that???

Upon closer inspection, it was dried flowers *___*

Like i said, i'm not gonna sugar coat anything here (when do i ever?). I am not entirely happy with it *LOL*. And i know for a fact a few other receiver weren't too thrilled about it either and they told me. Now, i know this might be a filler/bonus item, but still... I kept on thinking whether or not i should voice my concern to L (the lady boss), but i also know she also doesn't personally tend to collaborations/sponsorship/etc regarding Me-Nail. She reads this blog sometimes though , so i hope she reads this and she can get this message without me having to really tell her in person *LOL*.

I know that Me-Nail positions themselves as a nail decorator supplier in this case, it's just that... I think dried flowers is not that dummy proof. I for once, don't know how to use it and even if i ever want to (i'm not much of a nail artists, you see...). If they want to feature a small nail decor, i'd much prefer nail stickers, or diamente, or studs, or pearls, or whatever. Just not this. LOL. This is my least favorite item in this box and if it's not there i wouldn't even bat an eyelash.

(UPDATE : I just read another blogger's unboxing post and she got nail stickers. So i think they gave out random nail stuffs, me and Winda are just unfortunate enough to get dried flowers T.T)

Make Over Re-fill Eye Shadow Palette. So even before i unwrapped the paper wrap, i fished for a stray eye shadow on the side and checked on the condition of the eye shadow. It's smashed to dusts (*hear my heart cracks in two? LOL*). I was disheartened already. Then i went through the other items, and found ANOTHER eye shadow! I was like "They gave out two eye shadows???", checked it-and it's BROKEN as well. I almost yell out in frustration *LOL*. Then i saw YET ANOTHER ONE! WOW! If only they arrived in tip top condition, i would be overjoyed! Those eye shadow refill's worth IDR 41.500 each

The only surviving eye shadow, in the least pretty color as well T.T PFFFFTTTT. This is in shade Sunset

The now-in-loose-eye-shadow-condition, Gold and Turquoise

Such pretty colors too *glum*

Anyway, i contacted them about the broken eye shadows and they replied :

We are aware that a few of our members have received broken eyeshadows and we are just as upset about it as you. This time we wanted the shipping company to take special care, that's why we have informed them about fragile products. That's the reason why there's a 'Mudah Pecah' warning sticker on the package.

As you understand, Lolabox and Make Over want to deal with this issue as quickly as possible - so we ask for your help on this one.

To file a complaint we need two things:

A picture of the plastic wrapping with the 'FRAGILE' sticker (You probably have thrown it away already, but if you still have it, this will help us a lot - otherwise it's also no big deal.)
Please also send back the broken eyeshadow, as the shipping company needs them for physical proof and for reporting reasons

The process might be quite lengthy (30-45 days), but we will try to speed up things as much as we can.

We know that this doesn't sound optimal, but in this case we are experiencing 'damage' as well.

Once again, we hope you accept our apologies and are keen on working on this together.

Well, i had no problem to their first request, but the second one... First of all, the eye shadow's totally broken to dusts and my fingers were totally blue and gold just by touching their outer box *LOL* and i decided to remove the dusts into other containers so i won't waste anymore of them. I already threw out the boxes and all, so i don't think it's possible for me to send it back anyway. Second of all, like the said, it might take 30-45 days? Oh no, i don't feel like going through the hassle! It's still usable anyway, i'll just use it as eye pigments *LOL*.

While i am not happy about this, i also cannot blame Lola Box too much. It's the courrier that should be responsible for it but really... JNE? I don't think you can expect too much from them. Lola Box could, however, minimalized the damage in the first place by bubble wrapping the eye shadows to prevent them from breaking. I know they might be concerned about the aesthetic, but really... I'm sure i'm speaking on behalf of the subscribers by saying that we'll take a little less pretty packaging rather than receiving broken items. You know what i'm saying?

Still, it's awesome that they'd feature THREE eye shadows in one box, it's literally unheard of! I can't help but think if they gave out three different make up items (maybe a blusher and a lipstick instead of three eye shadows) it'd be even more fantastic! I mean... Not everybody wears eye shadow, you know? I know some girls who are addicted to lipsticks (or blushers) and aren't necessarily crazy about eye shadow. This box is amazing for an eye shadow lover (or beauty junkies in general), but maybe not so much for those who are less enthusiastic about eye shadows.

Anyway, the list stops until the Make Over eye shadows (Btw, their new catalog? Isn't it a real work of art? So pretty!!! I love it! And looks as professional as any international brand! Proud of local products now getting better and better in terms on packaging and promotions! The quality's been pretty great as well!) but i still got a few more items :

Sachet samples : The Face Shop Natural Sun Cream and Rich Water Cleansing Foam. Nice bonuses! OHHH I TOTALLY forgot to take picture of the Face Shop's CC Cream sachet sample! Apologies!

And this one! Ta dahhhh!!!!

It's a surprise full sized product from Luxola, i got a Smith's Rosebud Salve Lip Balm! I am crazy about lip balms and i am always attracted to Rosebud Salves, i kept on almost buying them (in bulk. You know, the tins with three balms in them) in Sephora and in flights, but they're pricier than most lip balms i use (i use cheap and cute ones haha, but i do have hundreds of them so it's totally ironic, isn't it?) so i decided i didn't need them (refer to earlier line). I buckled and bought one in Taiwan, but i welcome this whole-heartedly! So happy that i got a different variant than the one i already have! Dare i say this is my favorite item in the box (even though it wasn't even in the list)? No? But it is! I also love the eye shadows of course, if only they were not broken...

All and all, a pretty fantastic box indeed! I think Lola Box celebrated their first anniversary with a bang! The items inside (not counting the perfume, dried flowers and lip balm) tallied up to IDR 228.950! That's like, more than twice the price of the box! Counting the lip balm it'd be 3x! AWESOMEBALLS!!!!! (but after reading some other unboxing posts, i just realized that the surprise full size product's not given out to every subscribers, only the lucky ones! So i take back my unlucky statement about getting the dried flower, because i'd take a lip balm anytime to any nail decors! LOL) I definitely do not regret jumping back into the beauty box wagon!

Do you think this anniversary box's pretty fantastic too?

I am obsessed with neon-colored lippies lately! It doesn't look too neon in the picture, but it really is IRL! I will be doing a special post about neon lippies!

#Pink

UPDATE :

Good news! I just got an e-mail from Lola Box' team telling me that they are going to replace the broken eye shadows without us having to go all the hassle! So happy! Gonna update more once i receive the replacements!

2nd UPDATE :

I totally forgot to update this sooner, but i already got the replacement eye shadows a few weeks ago >.< sorry! Kudos to Lola Box, keep up the great job!

2:47:00 PM
17 Comments

Unboxing : January Lola Box (New Year New You)

bath and body cares

Hi, dearies...

I feel like howling right now because this is the second time this is happening (it happened once before in the Dubai part of my Europe trip) but i already written a full entry and then suddenly it disappeared and my other entry multiplied in my draft. WTF is happening???? GAHHHHHH!!!!! I'm so ANGRYYYYY!!!!!!

Anyway, i hope i still remember what i wrote earlier in the day *super gloomy*.

Oh yeah, i was saying that i was actually pretty excited and still looking forward for this month's Lola Box because somehow i am still enthralled by the concept of a monthly beauty surprises (despite the constant disappointment some beauty boxes kept on giving us), also i might or might not receive BTI this month because i got an e-mail telling us that they won't be able to send out this month's box (WTF, a beauty box service who cannot send out their boxes. So what is it that they actually do, exactly?). I got a choice between choosing their fixed boxes (there were two choices available) or a refund and considering their not-so-cooperative CS, i opted for the previous. God knows when they will send it out. So, Lola Box is (almost) the only hope for a proper beauty box this month for me

Errrr... yeah... They hardly filled half of the box *LOL*.

Same box with their October box. I guess they're not doing the theme-printed-on-the-lid anymore, eh?

Again, voucher that i already received in their November box. And sadly the repetition doesn't end there

5 Deluxe Samples and 1 extra (sachet samples)

First item was probably my fave item :

Cottage Shower Gel in Ocean Blossom (50ml)

I've been eyeing this rather newly-available-in-Indonesia (i think i saw it in other countries before) brand in Guardian ever since they showed up a few *short* months ago. They have super cute bottles (especially this tiny one! I totally want to collect all variants that comes with this tiny size!) with interesting variants and cute colors. Totally eye catching. However, since i do not need any more shower gel (there are still like a cupboard full of them waiting to be used in my stash) i decided to wait until they go on a sale (Guardian's always having huge sales, i almost never buy anything except essentials like medicine in full price there) to purchase them. Also, i was holding a bit of a grudge against them because (like so many other brands) they only had their launch in Jakarta #nonJakartabloggerenvy. You know, inviting bloggers and all. PFFFFTTTT.

So yeah, i am pretty happy i got to try this without having to purchase them myself. BUT, for IDR 18.000 (actually the listed the IDR 58.000 price for the 250ml bottle but i remember their prices by heart from ogling at them too much whenever i'm in Guardian-which is like once a week at least) this made me question the value of money of this box in total (doesn't look good).

IASO Aroma Clear Cleansing Foam (15 ml)

I write this following the list of products they gave us, but it just happens to be the same with the order of my favorite items (1 to 3)! My second favorite item from this box :p. Never heard of the brand IASO before (judging from all the Hangeul words printed at the back of the tube this is a Korean brand) and i love trying out new brands. It also came in a very decent sized sample (decent enough that i won't have to fear it to not be enough to bring on my longer trips), it stated to be 15 ml but it looks (and feels as heavy) almost as big as the next item-which is listed to contain twice the amount of product.

This is great because more than once i opened a deluxe sample items, squeezed hard.... And... Nothing. LOL. The bottle/tube might look decent sized but they were less than half full WTF. I don't think that would be an issue with this product.

Wangsa Jelita True Natural & Healthy Body Lotion in Green Tea (30 ml)

Another brand that i've never heard of before. This is clearly a local product, which is good because i always love to try and support local brands whenever i can. With 30 ml i might finish the whole bottle within two usage or so (because i love to lather myself in lotion as well as fragrances) but still, a pretty good sample size.

The next two products however...

Lady Gaga Fame (1.2 ml)

Tony Moly Expert Triple BB Cream SPF45 PA+++

Both items i already received in my November box! Now, this is not the first time Lola Box committed the "crime" of repeating products within a very short period of time, but two repetitions within 2 months? Isn't that a bit... Insulting? LOL. Thankfully, i do like both items (i enjoy Fame but not enough to invest on the full item so now i have two useless vouchers for the perfume as well and i am a bit obsessed with BB Creams so i always love getting BB Cream samples. This Tony Moly one, like i mentioned in November box, was bigger than the usual BB Cream sample so that's good #foreverkiasu. They are also very handy for my travels), but getting the same products with only one month interval was hardly surprising (or it was, but not in a good way).

Last item which is a bonus item :

Laneige Be Waterful (Water Sleeping Pack_EX & Water Bank Gel Cream)

Not only had i also already receive this in my October box, i also noticed that they are starting to replace sachet samples for their usual extra beauty tools. While i like how they categorized sachet samples (which is never a proper deluxe sample, IMO) as a bonus item, if they plan on permanently giving out sachet samples in place of the more useful beauty tools... That would only gave them a mark down. At least in my book.

All and all, i am pretty disappointed with this month's Lola Box. Don't get me wrong, i do enjoy every item they gave me in this box, but aside from the repetitions (i mean... come on, 3 out of 6 of the items in this month's box' repeated products!), i also think this is one of the worst Lola Box so far when it comes to value with money. I just don't think five deluxe samples (from drugstore and affordable brands mostly) is worth the price we paid for the box (IDR 145.000).

I actually don't mind if they gave out the same products (maybe the have too many stocks of them?) as a bonus, on TOP of another 5 deluxe samples. But if they counted it in... I think i do mind *LOL*. I know that not every subscribers are subscribed for more than one month at a time like i do (i always take their 3 months subscription) so this might be the first time they are getting these items (i know i'd be happy if i receive them for the first time. I DID, the first time round!), but shouldn't they keep the regulars (like me) in mind when coming up with their boxes? I'm sorry to sound harsh, but it was almost like they were not giving this month's box much thoughts. The more than half empty box saddened me, i hope Lola Box' not trying to outdo BTI as the incredibly shrinking beauty box *LOL*.

Also, i know the essence of a beauty box is to try out SAMPLES, but i also cannot help to compare with most beauty boxes out there (okay lah, OVERSEAS ones. US... I'm drooling over Ipsy Bags! But no need to look so far, even our neighboring country, Malaysia, has awesome beauty boxes!) that almost always feature at least a few full sized items makes this look even sadder. I know i know, i might have to move to another country if i expect any better, i'm just so envious that beauty boxes overseas always contains stuffs that are worth a lot more than what the subscribers pay for. *sigh*.

My subscription just ended (again), and like usual-the last box' my main consideration on whether or not i want to continue subscribing. I still want to have at least one regular beauty box and so far Lola Box' still the most stable one locally and with Valentine's Day coming up i'm hoping they have something special prepared for next month's box *wishful thinking, i know*, so... I dunno. I have a few weeks to consider.

Still, if you like what you see and considering subscribing to them please use my affiliation link (which is a testament to how much faith i still have in them and how i root for them to get a grip and come up with a better box next month because if i really dislike a box i'd never link them up and promote them) :

http://www.lolabox.com/?refid=DVCjo4quJn

On a side note, i actually just tried out another beauty box (or bag actually because they have boxes and bags, and since i do not need anymore boxes and the bags costs less, i opted for the bag) which has a different concept than the others (this one's smaller and more personalized. They claimed that they hand picked every items according to the beauty profile the subscribers gave them and every box would be different), i paid a lot more than usual (i picked one of the highest priced bag because i saw that their cheaper boxes seemed to contain very blah brands), i really hope it won't disappoint me!

Toodles!

#Pink

UPDATE : Lola Box's rep read this un-boxing entry and e-mailed me right away with apology (they said i was supposed to receive a different variation in the box, so it was human error) and sent me a little apology gift. I will explain more soon in a new entry :).