Marie Claire's The Parcel - Summer Edit

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I have to say, I'm so SO much happier with this than I was with the Spring Edit (see my review here). I was so not happy with the Spring version, I didn't quite know what to do with it: I still haven't used anything from it and most of it has been sent to better homes.

This version, however, is different. And thank golly for that - I signed up for a whole year and was seriously kicking myself for doing that before this box arrived. Fingers crossed the second two boxes will be more like this one and less like the first.

Anyhoo. Moving on.


I could tell as soon as I opened it that this was a seriously good value box. Since I've only paid $22.50 per box, this one was definitely worth the outlay. Just the Revlon CC Cream covered the cost for me, since it's a product I already own and like - and I happily got my colour.

We're off to a good start!


Just looking at the various Facebook beauty groups I'm part of, everyone seems to be happy with this edition of The Parcel. While many were happy with the Spring Edit, there were also plenty of us who were completely underwhelmed.

I'm so excited about this Summer Edit of The Parcel, however, that I might do something I never normally do: open everything and try it straight away!


I'm probably most excited about the Estée Lauder Advanced Night Eye Repair. Having tried the standard Night Repair, I have high hopes for this one. And 5ml is an awesome sample size for an eye cream! A sample that size would normally last me four to six weeks, and since this is a night cream, it should last double that. Yay!

Let's have a look at each item in turn. Note that, as always, I'll do an initial review now and then update this post once I've used everything and can comment on the contents properly.


Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour Cream Skin Protectant (RRP $25 for 50ml; received 15ml sample)

I've heard a lot about this one but have never used it, so I'm very happy with this inclusion. It's a cult classic do-it-all balm that helps to soothe, soften and protect dry or mildly irritated skin.

I did some research on this last night, and it seems to be used by most people for chapped lips, red/irritated skin (eg when you have a cold and your nose is red), a night eye cream and as a spot treatment for dry patches. I gave it a go last night as a night cream and while I can see why many would find it too thick/rich for that (it's not really a cream - it's more of an ointment), with my dry skin I can always use some extra hydration.

Over the next few weeks I'll try it for different things and let you know what I think. The product description suggests mixing some with your foundation for a dewy glow, or dabbing some across the tops of your cheeks for an instant radiance boost throughout the day. Sounds good - I do like some dewy action!

UPDATE: I've tried this now as a night cream, a lip balm, foot balm and also as a heavy duty moisturiser for my expanding belly. I prefer it on my belly: it does feel a bit much as a night cream after the first couple of uses; I don't like it as a lip balm because I have better products for that and I don't like the smell/taste of it (and it's meant to be fragrance free!); and I feel it's wasted as a foot balm (I often use old or unwanted lip glosses for that purpose). On my belly it feels just about right.

I wouldn't rush out and buy this, but I'm very happy that I've finally tried it.


Philosophy Purity Made Simple 3-in-1 Cleanser for Face and Eyes (RRP $15 for 90ml; received 30ml sample)

I've always wanted to try something from Philosophy and never have, so I was very happy to see this product.

This cleanser aims to remove makeup and dissolve dirt, tone and hydrate your skin in one step. It's apparently an award-winning product.

I suspected it would be too gentle for my tastes and after giving it a go this morning, I think that's probably right. I prefer something that really feels like it cleans. But I will keep using it and see if my thoughts change over time.

UPDATE: I've used this a few times now and it's definitely too gentle for me. I did consider giving it away but have decided to chuck it in my travel pack and it's marked for potential use as a body wash. Really, I just like the little container and plan to re-use that ; ).

I'm sure that lasses with super sensitive skin would love this, it's just not for me.


Essie Nail Polish and Top Coat (RRP $16.95 for 13.5ml and $17.95 for 13.5ml respectively; received full size)

I'm not a huge nail polish fan - purely because nail polish lasts about two seconds on me and then looks chipped and rubbish - but I'm happy to receive these. First, Essie is a good brand and it's been a while since I've used one of their polishes. Second, I do need a back-up top coat since mine has almost run out (it's probably past expiry to be honest); and third, unlike that dumbarse glittery polish I received in the Spring edition, I'll actually use this colour. Yes, red's been done to death - but at least this is a bright fire-engine red and a colour I don't own. Yay to that.

UPDATE: I like both these polishes and reckon they're decent quality. The red one I've applied on both hands (two coats) and the top coat I've applied on just one, to see if there's any difference in wear. I think there's a slight difference - the top coat does help prevent chipping and also helps speed up drying time - but I'd need to give it another couple of test runs to confirm how well it works. I'll do a full review at some point and let you know.


Jergens Ultra Healing Body Moisturiser (RRP $5.99 for 100ml; received full size)

Another brand I've always wanted to try but never have! The Parcel's definitely kicking goals this time around : )

According to the product card, Jergens products have been a staple in the bathroom cabinets of American women for more than a century - and now this body-loving range is finally available on our shores. Yes, we are always a bit behind here. Ha. Apparently recipients of The Parcel will be one of the first to try this popular moisturiser.

Waaahhhoooo! I've just popped it into the bathroom and will use it soon.

UPDATE: I'm loving this body cream and totally plan to buy some in future. It's lovely and nourishing, and my skin feels awesome after using it. I think some lasses might find it too heavy/greasy, but I prefer heavier moisturisers. Very glad to have tried this, and I can see why it's so popular overseas!


Revlon Age Defying CC Cream (RRP $26.95 for 30ml; received full size)

Any box that contains one product that I'd be buying at some point anyway (whether it's something like this - CC creams being a staple for me - or something like sunscreen), is usually one I'm happy with because at least the cost of the box is covered. While the excitement factor is lower (I've only just opened my Revlon CC Cream, which is identical to this one), at least you know it will get used and that it's saving you a purchase.

This product has a decent SPF of 25 and does colour correct nicely. It also works to address the first signs of ageing (hyper-pigmentation, fine lines, dehydration and uneven skintone etc) while offering buildable coverage.

Now look, I know that CC/BB creams are viewed as a bit gimicky by many - they're essentially tinted moisturisers marketed in a different way and pumped up a bit in terms of 'added benefits' - but I really love them. I love them because they generally give light, natural coverage and they mostly give a dewy look, rather than a matte one, which I prefer. Plus they contain sun protection and because they're quite sheer, you can usually apply enough product to ensure that you're actually getting the benefit of the sun protection. What's not to love?!

UPDATE: Full review here. In short, this is a great product and one I'll likely buy again in future. It applies well and gives a nice, sheer coverage that's buildable. It's a little greasy (that'll be the sunscreen) but you can easily fix that with powder. You can also usually pick it up on sale somewhere so it's a good budget buy if you're after a decent CC cream with good sun protection.


Estée Lauder Advanced Night Repair Eye (RRP $95 for 15ml; received 5ml sample)

Oh the excitement! I'm thrilled to be trialling this product. Mind you, I hope I don't love it because I certainly can't afford it and don't see that changing any time soon haha.

It's meant to target fine lines, wrinkles, puffiness, dryness and uneven skintone around the eyes. It also works to visibly repair, hydrate, brighten and protect the eye area.

Hell yeah. I'm using this puppy tonight!

UPDATE: This is a really lovely eye cream and my eyes are thanking me for it. I'll do a full review once I've finished the little pot, but for now what I'll say is that I do notice a difference after using it - my eye area looks more refreshed, less wrinkled and just happier in general - but I'm not sure whether it has a lasting effect over time. I reckon I'll be able to comment on that properly once the pot is finished.


John Frieda Luxurious Volume Touchably Full Shampoo and Conditioner (RRP $15.99 for 250ml; received 44ml samples) and Fine to Full Blow-out Spray (RRP $16.99 for 118ml; received 29ml sample)

John Frieda's Frizz Ease is my HG of hair products, and it's probably rather strange that I've never thought to try anything else from the range. Well, I've thought of it - but then I always buy cheaper hair products because I'd rather save my pennies for amazing skincare.

While I'm glad to have the chance to try more from the brand, my first thought when I saw these was that they're probably not for me: I need heavy duty moisturising for my long, frizzy hair. Volume is the last thing I need, and my hair isn't fine.

I just washed my hair and I reckon these products aren't conditioning enough for me (I've got a few knots going on and some extra frizz), but I'll trial them for longer before giving my final thoughts. I've also just given my hair a good spray with the blow-out product and I definitely needed to add some oil too, to combat the dryness.

Still, I'll use these and they're definitely better than other products I've tried that aren't designed for dry hair.

UPDATE: I used these a couple of times each and I've ended up sending them to a better home. They're good products and I can tell that they're good products, but they're not for those of us with thick, coarse and dry hair. I need hydration and shine, not volume.

Verdict

This is really an amazing box and I'm so happy with it. The RRP value of the contents is around $120, so for a $22.50 outlay, that's not bad at all!

The best thing is, I'll actually use all the products and none of them are being tossed into the presents pile. Yay to that! Looking forward to giving everything a proper go and letting you know what I think.

Did you receive this box? I hope you're as happy with it as I am : )


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