Beauty Boxes in my Kitty - My January Vellvette Box

Its a given that Beauty Boxes are all the rage in markets across the world.And why not? They are an easy way to try out some global brands and exciting products at a pocket friendly price. India however seems to be falling behind where these packages of sheer temptation are concerned. The list of names that launched  or were about to launch is long ( Blisscovered , Lushbox, soooooooo many others and don't even get me started on Glossybox!) and yet these boxes remain more of a mirage.

These boxes all offer high end products in sample sizes at a nominal price every month and discounts are offerred if full size samples are purchased through them. The latest entrant on the scene is the Vellvette Box.

The Vellvette Box offers 3 sample from premium brands for a great price of INR 399!
It comes well wrapped up in a bubble wrap packet and the cardboard box inside is embossed with a golden logo and wrapped with a sweet ribbon depending on the occasion if any (red for the Christmas box and so on).And they give me a number of discount coupons for the month too!!

So check out my samples for the month of January :

1. OPI Nail paint in Red Lights Ahead Where..... (3.75 ml)

A really bold red that is perfect for the diva in me!!

2. Clinique Clarifying Lotion - 2 

3. Nyassa Belgian Chocolate Sugar Scrub (40 gms)

So there is a reason why I am smiling at the end of the month no matter how aggravating my boss has been and how many deadlines are looming on the horizon....... and that is that my Vellvette Box is about to arrive.
What I love is that in the months when I'm swamped with work and have absolutely no passing acquaintance with anything beauty whatsoever, this little black box gives me a feel of having hauled at the best high-end stores and keeps me sane and happy!!

Ignorance really is Bliss!

I wanted to post this article over the weekend when the readership is higher. Reason? It affects all of us.

As beauty enthusiasts and budding fashion experts we spend not only money, but also time and  effort combing the market for goods and solutions to beauty problems, conducting research (most often on our own skin) and posting the findings so everyone can benefit from them.

But is it being reciprocated? I am talking of the big brands that love to approach us and offer benefits in the form of patronage and fame.I recently read an article quoting the harmful metals found in beauty products like eyeshadows, foundations and most importantly lipstick which is ingested directly into our systems. This was further supported by data FDA which found Lead in over 400 brands of lipstick.

The Safest and the Most Dangerous Lipsticks!

The FDA found the highest levels in lipsticks made by Procter & Gamble (Cover Girl brand), L'Oreal (L'Oreal and Maybelline brands), and Revlon. The lipsticks containing the most lead

(measured in parts per million) are:

1. Maybelline Color Sensational, Pink Petal (7.9 ppm)
2. L'Oreal Colour Riche, Volcanic, (7.0 ppm)
3. NARS Semi-Matte, Red Lizard (4.93 ppm)
4. Cover Girl Queen Collection, Ruby Remix, (4.92 ppm)
5. NARS Semi-Matte, Funny Face (4.89 ppm)
6. L'Oreal Colour Riche, Tickled Pink (4.45 ppm)
7. L'Oreal Intensely Moisturizing Lipcolor, Heroic (4.41 ppm)
8. Cover Girl Continuous Color, Warm Brick (4.28 ppm)
9. Maybelline Color Sensational, Mauve Me (4.23 ppm)
10. Stargazer Lipstick, #103 (4.12 ppm)

 Safest Lead-free Lipsticks were found to be:

1. Avon Ultra Color Rich Cherry Jubilee
2. The Body Shop Lip Color Garnet
3. Clinique Long Last Lipstick Merlot
4. Dior Replenishing Lip Color Red Premiere
5. Estee Lauder Maraschino
6. MAC Matte Lipstick Viva Glam 1
7. Revlon Superlustrous Love That Red
8. Revlon Superlustrous Bed of Roses
9. Revlon Colorstay Lipcolor Red Velvet
10. Tarte Inside Out Vitamin Lipstick
11. Wet n Wild Mega Colors Cherry Blossom

 And yet we all treat Avon and Wet n Wild like stepchildren.Sigh!!