SPOTLIGHT: Marie Claire Ageless Parcel - February 2017...

The latest Marie Claire Ageless Parcel arrived last week - as always I couldn't contain myself till I'd opened it, and as always, it was a delight to see what goodies were inside. Some of these boxes are a tad more exciting than others, but all of them are astoundingly good value, and this quarterly offering is an absolute delight. With four full-size products and one generous sample, the RRP of the contents is around $105, and for an outlay of $25, and specifically targeting my particular ageing issues, I expect to be subscribed to these forever ♥...

Revlon UniqOne Hair Treatment (150ml, RRP $29.95)

Only available in salons. this is a leave-in spray treatment that targets 10 problem areas, and having used it today after colouring my hair, I can certainly confirm there are immediate benefits from this potently scented (but dissipates quickly) formula - sure am looking forward to the long term ones. Instructions say to spray over damp hair, but it comes out like a foam, so I just mixed about five squirts in my palms and ran my hands over my hair, paying special attention to the highlighted sections which are the most damaged. After blow drying, my tresses are softer and silkier, with loads of shine ♥..

Just prior to publishing, I noticed that I'd accidentally photographed the Italian language side of the box in the pic above (whoops!), so here's the English translation, plus the list of ingredients...

Jergens Age Defying Multi-Vitamin Moisturiser (250ml, RRP $6.99)

The skin on my bod is pretty much dryish all year round, but during Winter, it becomes twice as moisture-starved. Having used this today after my shower, I reckon I'll have no such issues this cold season - LOVE the fresh flower scent of this body lotion, it absorbs completely after 30 seconds, and leaves my skin feeling supple and completely hydrated. According to the blurb, it triples (whoa!) the moisture content of the skin if you keep using it - yes please, I'm in! ♥...

L'Occitane Precious Cream (50ml, RRP $85, sample 8ml, value $13.60)

LOVE L'Occitane products, so I was super happy to find this bubby jar in the box. If this is anything like the stunning Immortelle range (the ones in the yellow packaging), which I trialled for beautyheaven some years ago, I'll be as happy as a clam. The container is too small for a list of ingredients, but here's what the box insert has to say ♥...

I have a stack of part-finished moisturisers to clear, so I'm saving this for a cold rainy day when I want to give myself a truly luxurious treat ♥...

 Redwin Coconut Balm (25g, RRP $5.99)

At first I thought this was a lip balm, but it turns out to be one of those multi-purpose healers - can be used on insect bites, burns, rashes and cuts. It's a thick clear gel that smells exactly like fresh coconut, and it's made with 100% organic coconut oil. There's also papaya fruit, jojoba, sunflower, marigold and carrot oils in the list of ingredients, plus it's 100% vegan friendly, and not tested on animals. There's a whole stack of horrors that are NOT included as well, like SLS, parabens, mineral oils and petroleum jelly. So far I've only used it on my lips, and they're thanking me for it already ♥...

Elucent Anti-Aging Eye Cream (15ml RRP $49.99)

Chuffed to see this old favourite included in the selection. Used this entire range some years ago and loved it, but you know me and how fickle I am with skin care, I moved on to trying out a whole heap of others from the gazillion available on the market. Still I'm delighted to have the opportunity to revisit this gem. It's fragrance-free and contains 4% glycolic acid, so it packs quite a punch in the battle against fine lines and wrinkles. There's also vitamins B3, C & E in the mix, and I love that there's an expiry date on both the box and the tube. Mine says Aug 2018, so I've plenty of time to get through all the part-used eye creams that are currently on my bench (four lol) ♥...

Another awesome collection from this resourceful and thoughtful panel - you can subscribe to the consistently brilliant Marie Claire Ageless Parcel at their new Beauty Crew home...

What do you think lovelies - are you keen to try any of these products?

Take care of you,
kats xxx

P.S. Linking to Ingrid's very popular Monday Makeup Madness Link Up - come join me in the fun of discovering some new blogs to follow ♥...

SPOTLIGHT: Marie Claire Ageless Parcel...

I signed up for The Parcel Ageless Beauty box after reading a highly informative article over at Fabulous and Fun Life back in August. I'm not one to subscribe to beauty boxes as a rule, but after seeing what was inside, and at the bargain price of $20, my arm barely had to be twisted - I went straight to the website and paid up-front for four boxes. You can read all about the first one via Ingrid's excellent post (link above) - I haven't used all the products from box #1 as yet (severe case of beauty maniac's backlog), but will review the majority of them here once I'm done. I must admit I wondered if the quality and value would be maintained throughout the subscription period, but I needn't have given it a second thought as this second edition is even better than the first. It's now known as the marie claire Ageless Parcel, and while the price has increased slightly for new subscribers, the contents are even more impressive...

Alpha-H Liquid Gold - 50ml

This was the first item I spotted when I opened the box, and the one that started my heart pounding. I've used this before - scored a bottle via the beautyheaven beautorium two years ago, instantly fell in love with what it did for my skin, and then forgot all about! Thrilled to bits at this inclusion, and the chance to revive my love affair with this amazing liquid ♥...

The Body Shop Oils of Life Intensely Revitalising Facial Oil - 7ml

Quite a mouthful of a name for such a tiny bottle, but it smells fantastic, and according to the leaflet, contains 99 percent oils of natural origin - can't wait to try this lightweight formula ♥...

Dr. Lewinn's Multi Moisture Balm - 15g

Just reading the ingredients list, I know I'm going to love this balm - almond, avocado and buriti oils. This last one I Googled because I'd never heard of it before - comes from the fruit of the (South American) moriche palm, and supposedly rich in anti-oxidants, and bright orange in colour (as is the balm).  From what I've tried of this little darling so far, I reckon it's going to be my new multi-tasking miracle skin healer ♥...

Jergens Shea Butter Deep Conditioning Moisturiser - 250ml

Not familiar with the brand, but this body moisturiser has a very pleasant scent, and seems to absorb very quickly - this big bottle should see me through the Summer ♥...

Narciso Rodriquez Narciso EDT - 0.13 fl.oz

Being the fragrance fanatic that I am, I LOVE that they included a perfume - it's only a small sample of EDT, but the fragrance is just SO beautiful, I'm writing to Santa in the hope of scoring the eau de parfum for Christmas (it's quite expensive). A floral woody musk - white gardenia, rose, musk, vetiver and cedar. Very very sensual ♥...

ProPlenish Marine Collagen - 2 x 3g sachets

This is a supplement that I think I need by the truckload - supposed to help replenish collagen levels to keep your skin glowing, and your nails and hair healthy. It's a 100% pure marine (from fish) collagen powder that you dissolve in the fluid of your choice. Doubt that I'll see any improvement from just two packs, but anything that enhances my health even for a day is a bonus ♥...

SK-II Facial Treatment Mask

Just one of these masks retails for $28, so I'm expecting a miracle - it's one of those sheet types that you leave on for 20 minutes, and it's saturated in "Pitera essence". Delighted to have the opportunity to try something that's way beyond my normal budget ♥...

What a fabulous box of skin treats, which I'll be sampling (and reviewing) in the coming weeks. I dug out my calculator, and worked out that the contents are valued at around $90. I reckon it's the best value beauty box in the marketplace, and I'm sending a massive thank you to Ingrid for bringing it to my attention - bless  you sweetheart!  ♥♥♥

New subscribers can purchase the Marie Claire Ageless Parcel as a one-off for $29.95, a seasonal subscription for $25 (four boxes per year), or there's an Annual deal for $90 (also four boxes per year).

Here's what was in the first box...

Do you subscribe to any beauty boxes? Which one's your favourite?

Take care of  you,

kats xxx