Pink and Undecided: lady gaga fame

Unboxing : January Lola Box (New Year New You)

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 :).

10:16:00 PM
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Unboxing : November Lola Box (Brighten Up Your Day)

beauty box

Hi y'all!!!

So... I know i said i probably wouldn't renew my beauty boxes subscriptions, but i gave up... I couldn't stay away from them, at least not entirely! I realized how CRAZY my cosmetic shopping had became ever since i decided "no more beauty boxes!" (except for BTI which i'm still subscribed until March 2014 coz i subscribed to their 6 month's subscription and also eligible for two free boxes from their affiliation program) PFFFFTTTT. And i couldn't ignore Lola Box' teasers and their latest offering (i got an e-mail telling me i can return the box if i dislike my next box! They will push the subscription forward to the next month. Sounds ideal!), and another reason : They finally accept credit card payments! I dunno about you, but i feel less guilty shopping with credit cards instead of cash or debit cards-weird but true. PFFFFTTTTT.

Anyway, in short, i'm an active subscriber to Lola Box once again for at least the next two months (took their 3months subscription again)!

A peek into my November Lola Box

The box was pretty light when i received it and i was a little skeptical *LOL*, and even though it looked kinda bare-i am actually quite satisfied with it! So, no to returning the box :p.

I know it's getting tired, seeing my beauty boxes from their ugly first layer. But i always take pictures of them from the state they arrive in case there's any problem with the contents, beauty boxes would always demand a proof and i will always have one! You should do the same really, after all... Nobody else would have your back but yourself, in this case!

Pretty *happily* surprised when i pried it open and was greeted with the most unique Lola Box' box (phewww) yet! Cheerful fuschia and bright yellow color with their theme emblazoned at the lid (that's a first!)

It's not neatly wrapped and tied though -____-. I know i'd untie and unravel them as soon as i receive it, but getting a neatly wrapped and tied beauty boxes does feel a lot more special than one that's just being thrown around like this *in their defense, they probably did wrapped it carefully even though not really tied it nicely, it probably got shaken too much on the way here. Maybe*

The list of products featured in this month's box

And of course, a cream envelope with some vouchers and fliers. IDR 50.000 worth of Lady Gaga's Fame perfume (only redeemable in Matahari Department Store. Ehm. I have a little traumatic experience with vouchers that can only be redeemed in this dept store...), 20% off voucher for Luxola (i've received better. I wish Luxola would give out the expiration date on each codes. I got an IDR 200.000 off with minimum spending of IDR 500.000-which was fantastic-only to be told it was expired already when i tried using it WTF. Since i already know how good their deals can be, i will NOT buy anything there before i receive a similar offer) and Bioderma Sensibio *eyes popping out!!!* flier

Highlight of the box : NO sachet samples! Lowlight? No full sized product either *LOL*. Well, you win some, you lose some

Bioderma Sensibio (Sample size : 10 ml)

This was probably the product i was most excited in! I've been intrigued by micellar waters for quite sometimes now (how can you not, if you are an avid reader of beauty blogs, you def would!!!) but i still have wayyy too many cleansers in my stocks and Bioderma's (which just recently been available in Indonesia) price's pretty steep, i thought i'd wait until Guardian have a promotion or something (i told you, i can be very patient and let an item stay in my wishlist for a very very very long time if i see possibilities of getting it in cheaper price looming in the future! Once a kiasu, always a kiasu) before purchasing it. Now i can finally try it out and see how i like it and decide if i want to purchase a bigger size (but i'd still wait for a promotion :p).

Skinfood Gold Caviar Lifting Eye Serum

There's no indication of how much product's in the tube, but it's a decent sample/travel sized product, so yay! More over, Gold Caviar's a pricier line of Skinfood's, so i am pleased with this :).

Tony Moly Expert Triple BB Cream SPF45 PA+++

Also no indication of the product's size! What's with this??? Anyway, it's another decent (if not one of the biggest tube of BB cream samples i've ever received) sized sample/travel size. I've never tried any Tony Moly's BB cream (but i am a huge fan of Tony Moly, i just try not to hoard BB creams too much! Note the word TRY though...) so, very happy with this!

Brad Biophotonic Skin Care Ultra Peel

Again, no sign whatsoever about the product's size *___*. It's slightly smaller than the previous Tony Moly's BB Cream though. Have never heard of this brand (but their full sized' price's a definite indication that this is a high end brand) and i always like to be able to try out new brands, that and the fact that it's another decent sample/travel size was another plus for this box.

Lady Gaga Fame EDP (1.2 ml)

I've always been intrigued by Lady Gaga's Fame, especially upon learning that the perfume's BLACK colored (but turns colorless once sprayed, don't worry!) and i hunted it everywhere to get a whiff of it. It's nice but not exactly my kind of perfume, so even though i'd enjoy the (around) 2 usage of this sample, it's not something i'd purchase *i think*. Also a bit saddened that it came in a opaque plastic vial instead of a clear one, i'd love to be able to marvel at the black liquid inside! Oh, #Undecided's a fan of this fragrance btw!

Style Editor's Pick : Toe separator

As usual, Lola Box always featured useful beauty tools and this month's no exception. Toe separator's definitely useful, i actually owned one from years ago but always manage to forget to use them hahahaha. Now i'm gonna chuck this on the little basket i use to place my manicure tools (hahaha, that sounds so fancy when in fact there are only nail clippers, nail buffers, top coat, cuticle oil and my at-the-moment nail polish in it!) so i'll be sure to use it next time i paint my toes!

In conclusion, i am quite satisfied with this month's Lola Box! It featured quite some interesting stuffs that i would surely use. My favorite item's hands down the Bioderma Sensibio (if only it's slightly bigger... LOL) and Tony Moly's BB cream, but i quite love the eye serum as well! So all of the items were quite a hit for me. Down side's : no make up (except that BB Cream but beauty boxes should know by now when a customer says make up, that would be colorful, decorative make ups! You know, eyeshadow, lipstick, lipgloss, blusher? And nail polish too please!).

Also no full sized product, but we all know that a full sized product's always a bonus (because the point of these beauty boxes are to be able to SAMPLE products) so it didn't bother me too much (because the samples i got were all decent DELUXE samples, if they came in sachets i'm sure i'd sing a totally different tune!). I think price wise, it's reasonable (considering the brands we got this month). Of course, if i am being completely honest and compare it with overseas beauty boxes (which often costs LESS than our local boxes and filled with twice the amount of products we get! So damn jealous....) well, it's a bit bare :p.

It sure is a better box than last month's Lola Box (at least for me)! And it kinda makes me excited again for beauty boxes *the excitement kinda died last month, all of the beauty boxes last month was quite a dud for me!*. If you're excited too and thinking of subscribing, please use my referral below :

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

Thank you very much, domo arigato, kamsa hamida!