Sunday 22 May 2016

SPOTLIGHT: Marie Claire Ageless Parcel #4...

Another fabulous collection of top name brands, and for my particular needs, this Marie Claire Ageless Parcel is the best one so far. I'm excited about every one of these products, and can't wait to put them to the test, so without further ado...



Skin Therapy Dragon's Blood Sculpting Serum - full size, 30ml ($30)

This was a bonus as it just so happens to be the serum I'm using at the moment! I'm almost out (it will be in my May Empties post) so the timing couldn't have been more perfect. LOVE this serum, and for $30 at the supermarket, I reckon I'll be continuing on with it for some time. I'm experiencing every ageing issue that's in the book, so it's a challenge to find a serum that will cover all bases, but the contents of this silver pump bottle seem to be addressing most of my concerns, in particular my saggy baggy jawline and turkey neck. I've seen some improvement in both these areas, and overall my face looks and feels fresher and firmer since I've been using it. Has a very very faint "natural" fragrance, and absorbs in about 15 seconds. It's made in New Zealand, and there's no parabens or animal testing. Winner! 


Alpha-H Balancing Moisturiser & Gentle Exfoliant - 30ml sample ($37.20)

A very interesting product from those clever folk at Alpha-H - according to the blurb, "the glycolic acid exfoliates and brightens skin, while the hyaluronic acid locks in moisture for continuous hydration". Can't say I've heard of an exfoliating moisturiser before (whoa!), but I'm keen to give it a shot. Contains alpha-hydroxy acid, so you have to apply something with at least SPF 15 over the top...

Bioderma Hydrabio Light Cream & Micellar Water for sensitive skin - 15ml sample ($14.63) & 20ml sample ($2.56)

Always delighted to try anything from Bioderma, and this moisturiser is no exception. The enclosed leaflet says it's for dry, tight and dull skin - my cheeks have a tendency to become drier and a bit flaky once Winter sets in, and dullness is always looming on the horizon, so thank you MC - I'll most definitely enjoy this sample. And isn't that cutest little container of micellar water you've ever seen? Also perfect timing as I've been exploring all the different types on the market - this one is specifically for sensitive, dehydrated skin. No room on the bubba-sized bottle for a list of ingredients, but I'll let you know how it goes ...

Elizabeth Arden Prevage Anti-Aging Antixidant Infusion Essence - 10ml sample ($9.28)

Just the mention of Prevage gets my attention  I've used some of this range before and adored it, but didn't continue on because of the price tag. This seems to be the EA version of the SK-II Facial Treatment Essence, which incidentally did zilch for my skin (review here) so I'm mad keen to try my luck with this formulation. Some gals won't be happy to see alcohol and alcohol denat near the top of the list of ingredients, and sodium laureth sulfate near the bottom, but given I haven't had a reaction to any of these in the past, I'll press on regardless...

It Cosmetics Your Skin But Better CC Cream, shade medium - 12ml sample ($21.75)


Ok so this is the one item I'm truly BUSTING to try  "7 products in one" is what it says on the side of the box - a full coverage foundation, a shield against environmental free-radicals, a brightening colour corrector, an anti-aging serum, a pore minimizing primer, a dark spot corrector, and a moisturising day cream. Phwoarrr! On top of all that, it contains SPF 50+, and it's in the shade medium, which is just the ticket for me  Blimey if this lives up to even half of the hype, it will become a staple in my kit, giant size please! It's a bit hard to read in the photo, but those percentages you can see on the bottom right of the packaging are "clinically proven" hydration increase in 10 days (179%), softer smoother skin (96%), reduction in wrinkles (85%) and smaller pores (77%). So far I've only applied it to the back of my hand, but the coverage, colour and finish is fantastic - has a slight lemony fragrance, and the second listed ingredient is...wait for it...snail secretion filtrate! Well I don't care a fig so long as it works ha ha. Am I wearing this tomorrow? You betcha 


Time for the maths - I've worked out the total value of the contents to be $115.42, and that's for a $25 outlay. I'm not sure if I have to renew my subscription or if it's automatic, but I can assure you I'm not stopping any time soon, and I can't wait to see what's in the next box 

Take care of you,
kats xxx

P.S. You'll find this post and some fabulous blog reads over at Ingrid's Monday Makeup Madness Link Up Party tomorrow morning at 6:30 

21 comments:

  1. What a great box this time around! I haven't tried the Ageless parcel, looks like i should! Some great products I have been itching to try and the CC by It cosmetics looks amazing. x

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    1. I'm really quite impressed Barbe - there's been a few drugstore inclusions in the past, but this selection is top notch. I wore the CC cream today - almost enough coverage for my flaws, and the colour match is perfect ♥

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  2. Great minds blog alike - Lol! I just finished writing my review of this Ageless box to publish tomorrow also. Isn't it a great box! I didn't read the fine print on the IT Cosmetics CC however! Snail secretion filtrate .... hmmmm ..... Interesting ingredient! Lucky I love the product enough to try and forget about this ingredient!

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    1. So true Ingrid! I nearly left it till tonight, but I'm really so excited about the contents, I couldn't wait any longer. Yeah I'm kinda regretting reading the deets on the CC tube, but I reckon it's harmless lol ♥

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  3. I've stuck with the regular 'Parcel' over the Ageless one as none of the previous contents have really wowed me. I'd have been really happy with this one though! There's nothing in there that I wouldn't use. Kind of tempted to get a 'once off' box but already have so much stuff to use up.

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    1. I'm in the same boat mayday - think it's time to pass on some of my stash to my Mum! This really is a special box though - love trying these a-little-more-exclusive goodies ♥x♥

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  4. Looks like quite a good box! Would be keen to hear your thoughts on that mini Bioderma - sensitive dehydrated skin sounds like me! I've heard people raving about IT Cosmetics, so I'll be interested to hear about that too.

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    1. Well you can count on me Shell - I've a couple more micellars up my sleeve, so I'll trot them out in due course. The CC cream is lovely - beautiful finish, and I can't wait to see if there are any improvements in my skin tone and texture, and of course the dreaded enlarged pores xxx

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  5. This parcel looks so great!! I loved how you talked about each product. That Dragon's Blood serum sounds wonderful. And I'm SUPER jealous It Cosmetics CC cream! I'm only 22, but I may have to sign up to this box, it looks so good!

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    1. It's an absolute gem Mel - starting the new bottle of Dragon's Blood tonight! These products are certainly targetting older gals, but I wish I'd started on an anti-ageing regime a whole lot sooner - go for it! ♥

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  6. Oh My Lord, this looks amazing! I don't know much about It Cosmetics, but all the other brands are top quality. I'm a huge Alpha-H fan and have tried EA Prevage in the past and love it. I'm really interested in the Dragon's Blood!

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    1. It's pretty spesh hey Di - every item is excellent quality, and it's a beaut opportunity to try products that I normally wouldn't either know about, or wouldn't dream of outlaying a whole bunch of cash for a standard size ♥♥♥

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  7. This parcel looks great Kats!! I've been trying to spend less on makeup and beauty products but now I want this subscription box especially since it has the IT cosmetics CC Cream which I've been dying to try...but i've still got lots of BB Cream in stock...eeek...!! >.<

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    1. Sigh, I think we're all in the same boat hon - my yet-to-experience shelf of loot is sagging under the weight! Still I'm delighted to have these little samples to try - I can get through a whole lot more when they're not full-sized ♥♥♥

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  8. This box is amazing!! I love all the brands and now I really want to sign up haha

    The It Cosmetics cream is absolutely amazing! I just bought it and absolutely loving it!!

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    1. It's really terrific value Laura ♥ I agree the CC cream is a beauty - I've been wearing it for the last 2 days and loving how it makes my skin look and feel xxx

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  9. What an awesome box! right up my alley and such a deal!! Tell them we need this in Canada! xox

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    1. I will hon! I just checked and it is only available in Oz right now, but things have a habit of changing hey - I know you'd ADORE this ♥

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  10. I haven't heard of It Cosmetics, but that CC does sound pretty good.

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    1. Me neither neurotic, and I tell you what, it's hard to find here in Oz - so far I've only sourced it in Sephora, and they don't have the entire range. I just LOVE this stuff, and am mad keen to try the concealer too - I need something lighter to help disguise the bags lol xxx

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  11. I have time on my hands today so im scrolling through old posts on your blog :D
    I really miss the Marie Claire Beauty Boxes as they were such amazing value.

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