little white truths

Hello and welcome to another Priceline gift bag 'unboxing' post.

Do note that I wasn't intending to buy this one because I have enough stuff; however we have my sister in our family's Christmas draw this year and she'd already inadvertently given me some ideas for her present because she wanted some recommendations on good eye creams.

So I picked up some eye products for her and a couple of small things for myself to get myself over the $69 line in order to qualify for the bag. I mean, why not.

Anyhoo! Let's see what I received for my money...

Glow Lab Facial Moisturiser (RRP $15.99 AUD for 100ml)

This is described as a powerful blend of macadamia, rosehip seed oil and shea butter, boosted with vitamin e. It should soothe and protect your skin while fortifying it against environmental assault and fighting the signs of premature ageing. It should also provide long-lasting hydration for all skin types.

I haven't tried anything from Glow Lab and I happen to be low on day creams so I'll look forward to testing this one. I've seen some good reviews so fingers crossed that it's decent.

Essano Rosehip Gentle Facial Exfoliator (RRP $14.99 AUD for 100ml)

This should revitalise, renew, polish and refine your skin. It contains clarifying rosehip bio-exfoliants, organic rosehip oil and active natural botanicals. It also includes tiny rosehip bio-exfoliating granules to lift and clear away dead surface skin and impurities, and it should improve tone and texture, giving you smoother, brighter skin. 

I've tried a bit from this brand but not much so I'm interested to try more. This product has had some great reviews so hopefully it works for me.

Manuka Doctor ApiRefine Illusionist Rapid Lift Mask (RRP $59.95 AUD for 50ml)

This is apparently clinically proven to reduce the appearance of wrinkles within ten minutes of application, while smoothing skin and evening skintone after just one application. Skin should appear plumped and feel firmer immediately after use, and the product should also help reduce the appearance of pores.

I haven't heard anything about this brand but this mask has had amazing reviews so I want to open it sooner rather than later because I don't love the masks I currently have open. Can't wait!

Olay Luminous Tone Perfecting Cream (RRP $48.99 AUD for 50g, received 14g sample)

This claims to have a luxurious feel and it calls itself a lightly scented, fast-absorbing and non-greasy cream. In just 8 weeks, its formula with PearlOptics Science should fade the look of dark spots, age spots, sun spots and discolouration - evening your overall skintone. It should also illuminate the skin's appearance to help recapture a healthy-looking, youthful glow.

I haven't had a massive amount of luck with Olay skincare in the past but I'm always up for sampling new face creams so I'll be interested to see how this one goes.

Chapstick Total Hydration Moisture + Tint in Rose Petal (RRP $7.99 AUD for 3.5g)

This should enhance your natural lip colour while instantly smoothing and moisturising the lips. It's made from 100% naturally sourced ingredients and the formula includes rosehip and jojoba oils. It claims to add a hint of colour while nourishing and conditioning your lips.

I don't have much lip balm at the moment so I'll likely open this product soon. While pink doesn't suit me, if it's a sheer product then it shouldn't really matter. Looking forward.

Burt's Bees Gloss Lip Crayon in Bordeaux Vines (RRP $16.99 AUD for 2.8g)

This is apparently a moisture-rich chubby crayon that comes in a variety of shades and provides medium to full coverage and eight-hour moisture, leaving lips soft and hydrated. It's infused with natural kendi oil, jojoba oil and shea butter to nourish and protect the lips, and it's made with 100% natural ingredients. The packaging is also 100% recyclable.

I've used a Burt's Bees lip crayon before and didn't like the formula (too waxy for me), plus I'm unlikely to wear something in this colour so I'll be gifting this to someone else.

Garnier SkinActive Rescue Mask in Honey (RRP $3.95 AUD for 8ml sachet)

This is a single dose face mask that claims to nourish, soothe and comfort the skin. The creamy formula combines honey and ceramide, and it's suitable for dry to very dry skin.

This hasn't had great reviews so I don't have high hopes for it, but I will add it to a sachet post eventually and give it a go. We'll see.

Vitamasques Bamboo Charcoal Detoxifying + Pore Tightening Mask (RRP $5.99 AUD for 1)

This is apparently a detoxifying and pore-tightening Korean single-use face mask that's made with extracts of activated bamboo charcoal to clarify your skin. Inspired by Korean innovation, its triple layer sheet technology has been designed to enhance the moisture content within the mask and lead to an increased absorption rate within the skin.

I don't like sheet masks but I'll certainly try this. You never know, maybe I'll like it.

Dr Lewinn's Private Formula Vitamin Infused Micellar Cleansing Wipes ($RRP $7.95 AUD for 25 wipes; received 5)

These should gently cleanse, hydrate and lift away makeup (including waterproof) and impurities in one easy step. They're described as luxuriously soft and infused with vitamins A, B, C and E, plus an active mineral complex of magnesium, copper and zinc to give skin a vital nourishment boost and help with radiance.

I don't buy makeup wipes anymore but I'll certainly keep these and use them for travel.

Skin Physics Hydration Maximiser Dragon's Blood Soothing Gel Mask (RRP $12.99 AUD each)

This is described as an intense moisturising mask that quickly replenishes and locks in moisture for a longer period than other masks. It claims to produce a 'facial lift' after 30 minutes of use. Dragon's Blood Extract (from the Amazon) apparently has multiple benefits - anti-wrinkle, antioxidant, anti-pollution and soothing barrier protection. The product should have visible effects on reducing dryness, itching, redness and scaling to significantly calm and soothe skin.

This sounds amazing and it's very expensive for a one-use product, but it's had some bad reviews so I'm not sure how I'll go with it. Still, I'll try it.

Trilogy Rosehip Oil Antioxidant + (RRP $35.99 AUD for 30ml)

According to the description, this contains potent antioxidants to help protect skin from premature ageing caused by environmental free radical damage. Nourishing essential fatty acids (omegas 3, 6 and 9) from cranberry and rosehip moisturise and renew. The oil claims to provide daily antioxidant protection with intensive nourishment to replenish softness and elasticity for healthier, younger looking skin.

I love a good face oil but everyone seems to prefer Trilogy's original rosehip oil, so I'll be interested to see how I go with this.

Andalou Clear Skin Willow Bark Pure Pore Toner (RRP $19.99 AUD for 178ml)

This is apparently a clarifying toner that's especially designed for oily and overactive skin. It's formulated with soothing aloe vera juice to hydrate the skin and improve cell renewal, and also contains Andalou's patented fruit stem cell complex with argan stem cells, BioActive 8 berry complex and kombucha probiotics to offer antioxidant protection and nourishment, and leave skin feeling clear and refreshed.

Andalou is a brand I'm hoping to explore next year so I'm looking forward to trying this.

La Roche-Posay Toleriane Sensitive (RRP $29.95 AUD for 40ml; received 15ml)

This is described as hydrating prebiotic care to help relieve skin from its sensitivity. It should hydrate, soothe and protect, and it's suitable for babies. It's apparently ideal for sensitive skin with tightness, tingling, dryness and occasional redness.

La Roche-Posay is a brand I trust so I'm looking forward to testing this. Indeed, I wouldn't mind trying more from this brand so I may do that next year.

Antipodes Vanilla Pod Hydration Day Cream (RRP $52.99 AUD for 60ml; received 15ml)

This should help keep your skin healthy and energised. It's described as an incredibly nutritious cream featuring native New Zealand manuka honey, a powerful antibacterial agent, to assist in keeping skin completely clean and free of blemishes.

I've used this before and enjoyed it so I'm happy to try it again. I do like it, although I preferred the Avocado Pear Night Cream so I would recommend that one over this one. 

A'kin Natural Deodorant (RRP $9.99 AUD for 150ml)

This claims to provide odour-neutralising care using a delicate and aromatic blend of geranium, cedarwood and patchouli oil. Selected for their deodorising properties, these natural ingredients and plant-based actives slow down the bacterial enzymes that degrade sweat and release that dreaded body odour we all want to avoid! Skin is left feeling clean, refreshed and comfortable, naturally.

I've become sensitive to normal deodorants in my old age so I'm looking forward to trying this. If it works and doesn't irritate my underarms, then I'll absolutely buy it.

Sukin Micellar Cleansing Water (RRP $10.99 AUD for 250ml)

This is described as a gentle micellar cleansing water that's infused with cucumber and chamomile to thoroughly remove makeup while soothing your skin. It should calm your complexion, leaving your skin beautifully soft to the touch.

I like Sukin as a brand and I did need a back-up micellar water so I'm happy with this inclusion, although it hasn't had great reviews so I'm not sure how I'll go with it. We'll see.

In sum

Phew, what a post. It's taken me three days to finish it, but we're there now so yay.

I'm happy with this bag and I can't wait to try that Manuka Doctor mask in particular. Everything else will get used, and there's only one item that I plan to declutter immediately - I guess that makes it a pretty good bag overall.

Hope all's well with you, and speak soon x