Makeup On A Mission - I'm On Board!

I recently posted a video on my channel relating to Makeup On A Mission which is an non-profit organisation set up by Penelope (Penny) Sommers for raising awareness & donations for women's shelters & refuge centres across the world. Penny has even been so kind as to run a Giveaway where people can submit skincare &/or makeup kits & these "submission posts" can be entered in to the draw.    

                                 

I, like so many others, are more than happy to just donate for a great cause & the reward is simply knowing that we can help in some small way.  I have certainly enjoyed going shopping for brands & products that I like & hope that these items can be of use to the women.

In my video the two centres I chose for my first round of donations were the: Women's Refuge Centre in Wellington New Zealand & the Detour House in NSW, Australia. 

As for skincare I included some of my favourite brands such as Sukin, Swisspers, Lucas Pawpaw & Wotnot. While for makeup & accessories I added brands such as Prestige, NYX, Face of Australia, L'Oreal & Royal Langnickel. 

So for my next donation I have picked the Patricia Giles Centre in Perth, Western Australia. I put together a little box of makeup & skincare & & included items from Maybelline, Eyeko, Ulta3, Face of Australia, L'Oreal & Models Prefer (pictured left). All the donation packs were posted out this week & should arrive safely at their destinations soon. 

I should make it clear that I am not in any way affiliated with, nor sponsored by, any of the brands I have mentioned but rather decided to add such things that I would use myself. As I stated in my video, it's like shopping for a friend you haven't met!

If you are interested in donating please check out Penny's post here for more details on doing so & any relevant links.  Although I have started making donations to centres local to myself, Penny has managed to get a list of centres across the world such as in the US, Canada, Scotland & the UK. Or you can send them on to her in South Australia. 

If there are any other shelters or centres interested in participating please contact Penny: makeuponamission@gmail.com

WannitUS vs MyUS - My Experience

The two Mail Forwarders I have used to ship items from US merchants

Features Breakdown of both mail forwarder providers:


wannitus.co.nz
- No set up fee or ongoing membership fee
- Easy & quick set up - join online & once your email address is verified (via a confirmation link) you will get access to your online account & US postal address
- Simple site offering basic account features where orders need to be input manually once order is placed with the US merchant
- One courier service: FedEx Priority
- Services & charges are simply set out & these are added to the shipment charge (which is based on the dimensions & weight of the package delivered via FedEx Priority)
- WannitUS will store shipments for up to 30 days free of charge ($2 per day thereafter)
- Consolidation of orders through a variety of US merchants is available ($7.50US charge)
- Currently can still have orders from Sephora shipped to the WannitUS postal address in the USA
- Packages are automatically insured for up to $100, additional insurance depends on the declared value
- Personal Shopper service available (good to use when a US billing address is also required)
- US debit card: There is also a vertical credit card with reloadable funds available US Unlocked

- Operations/distribution centre is based in Stirling, New Jersey USA & the account number is the suite number provided, there is no US phone number provided with the US postal address 
- Ships to most countries/worldwide



myus.com
- There is a set up fee for each of the three membership types offered
(The two premium memberships have ongoing annual or monthly fees) 
- Need to pay one off set up fee (i.e. provide payment details) before an account can be created & the US postal address is provided
- The website is complex but easy to navigate around with layers of information available & detailed account features where customers can set up shipping preferences & access digital copies of invoices + scan of merchant invoice.  There is no need to input orders placed with US merchants if they provide the invoice with the shipment to the distribution warehouse
- Three courier services - DHL, FedEX & USPS with options to choose from for each depending on expense.  Plus there is now a fourth option for shipments to Australia
- Services & fees depend on the type of membership & benefits each offer whereas the shipment cost is based on the dimensions & weight of the package sent via the courier service selected
- Storage of parcels (cost & days available) are dependant on membership type
- Consolidation of orders through a variety of US merchants is available (costs are based on membership type)
- Orders through Sephora no longer appear to be accepted to the MyUS postal address
- Insurance of up to $100 declared value is included free ($2 for every $100 over)
- Personal Shopper service available (good to use for merchants that also require a US billing address)
- Operations/distribution centre is based in Sarasota, Florida USA & the account number is the suite number provided + there is a US phone number available
- Additional service discounts are available for the Premium memberships as well as merchant discounts offered from time to time when using MyUS
- Ships to most countries/worldwide

My Experience 

I've had great customer service when using the mail forwarder WannitUS - I've found the service very prompt & professional whether I have had queries concerning my shipments or simply wanting more information on their services.  I actually feel like my business matters even though I am just a small client who does infrequent shopping online from US merchants.  Even though I have always had curtious service from whoever I have dealt with at MyUS I just can't avoid the feeling that WannitUS is more personable & really does feel like the family owned & operated business that it states that it is.  I have even asked about shipping for items on behalf of requests I've received on my YouTube channel & WannitUS have tried their best to help.

The stand out service that really got my attention is that they bothered to take out a 1ml perfume sample  from a Sephora order that I found out would've cost me a fair amount to receive.  I had been previously under the mistaken impression that with MyUS all I had to pay was a mere $1 for each perfume sample & that the hazardous item fee of $10.50 only applied to FULL size items (I even stated so in some of my videos).

However, it wasn't until my issue with the missing sample with WannitUS that I bothered to look back at my invoices with MyUS & realised that they not only charged me $10.50 as a "hazmat fee" but also $1 for each of the perfume samples! They did not take the initiative to remove the samples - of course why should the company do so? It is certainly not expected & it is not part of the otherwise detailed & easy to tailor "shipping preferenes".  But I really liked that WannitUS took the responsibility to remove that tiny sample as it certainly saved me money.  Of course, it could have also earned my ire as a customer because they did not ask me if this was something that I wanted.  Yet it actually earned my appreciation & also taught me how complacent that I had become as a consumer.

I had not verified my assumption that I was only being charged for full size items that were classed as hazardous, nor had I fully checked through my invoices with MyUS.  I had become, for lack of a better word, "lazy" relying on the shipping preferences that I had selected to cover all bases (it clearly did not). I also did not bother to utilise what I think is a great part of the account on the MyUS site - where we can go back through the history of the orders & see in detail the electronic copies of the shipping notes, merchant invoices & charges (it does not stay indefinitely but certainly long enough to print off all the details).  

It does not meant that I cannot see the advantage of the account set up that MyUS offer - it is very detailed & if I was doing high volume business I could see the benefit of having access to all the electronic invoices & an almost automated set up.  But quite simply I don't need all the fancy account features that MyUS offer, I've found simple is better in this instance. 

 I asked WannitUS what happens to items that are removed from packages & they informed me that they try, where appropriate, to donate those items.  A much better end for a little sample that I may, or may not, have bothered to use!

WannitUS packages are well padded with tissue paper

I also like the way that WannitUS package the items inside the shipped orders. I really like how each item is wrapped in white tissue paper & carefully arranged in the box.  There is also a thank-you letter that always comes included from the Director of Operations in the US, Michael Peacock, which I think is a nice touch. 

Ordering Online 

MyUS - I have done a total of 6 orders using the MyUS service. When I originally started using this mail forwarder I could place orders on Sephora using my MyUS suite address.  Unfortunately, Sephora no longer recognise the MyUS address in Sarasota, Florida as a viable postal address.

Other shipments I have done through them for other merchants have been fine & with my shipment preferences set up it can be very streamlined & quick to process deliveries.  If the merchant includes a copy of the items with the costs I simply receive a notification that the package is at the MyUS warehouse & once it has been set to ship the payment is automatically taken from my account. However, if the merchant has not included costs of items I need to log into my account & declare a cost for each & every item even for each sample that has been put into the order.  Typically I have had to put in $0.01 for each sample otherwise it will not let me submit the details.  From there I will receive another email once the values have been accepted & the shipment can be processed.

WannitUS - Thankfully when ordering on Sephora it will still accept my WannitUS postal address in Stirling, New Jersey. Then I simply select my billing address as my one here in Australia & complete my payment using my AU debit card.  Once I have received my confirmation of the order I go to my WannitUS account & put in the purchase details manually - type of order, date, number of items & the total cost of the order.  So far I have used the WannitUS address for 6 orders, 3 of which I had consolidated into one shipment to Australia. 

When the package has been received at the WannitUS warehouse I will get an email advising of this & if there are no further orders to be consolidated with it WanntiUS will email me an invoice of the costs to send the package to Australia plus any fees.  Once the payment has been processed the shipment will be sent. I will receive an email from WannitUS with the FedEx details so that I can track my shipment.

Costs

As far as transparency of costs with WannitUS there is a set $8.50 handling/service fee stated clearly on the website as well as $7.50 for the consolidation of packages.  Both mail forwarders offer the personal shopper service with WannitUS charging either $8.50 minimum for the personal shopper service (or 8.5% of the total order).  I found this service useful recently when I wanted to get two items from Ulta & I could not use my AU  payment details.  I simply emailed WannitUS & asked if they could order the items online (one of the items was at the time only available online) & they arranged the order to be sent to the WannitUS warehouse.  Once received, it was consolidated with my three other orders into one package & the price of the items plus the personal shopper fee was added to my invoice.  

With MyUS it is more complicated, as it depends on the type of membership & also the shipping preferences that have been selected (the courier, extra packaging, photos etc).  With MyUS they charge for additional packing as well as security seals whereas WannitUS offer these free.  However, with MyUS these can be selected through the shipping preferences page but with WannitUS it needs to be requested through customer service.

Overall, I've found my costs have been similar for packages shipped with WannitUS (via FedEx Express) in comparison to MyUS where I have used FedEx Priority & Economy as well as DHL Express & Economy - with an average of under $10 difference but with up to 3 days difference. Although I have not tried using USPS with MyUS or the new courier service for Australia that MyUS now offer.  

If you want to check out more detail on my experience using MyUS you can check out my video here (although this was filmed before I had used WannitUS). I have also recently done a combined haul from Sephora through WannitUS as well as trying the personal shopper to get two products from Ulta online (see below).

                                                             

CG LipSlick Smoochies Giveaway Winner/s!

Thank you again to all of you who entered my mini blog giveaway to win the CoverGirl LipSlick Smoochies.  Without further delay I would like to congratulate Natalee Patel - please message me with your postal address details & I will get these out to you! 

Since I also like to draw additional winners for my YouTube channel giveaways, I thought it would be nice to do a surprise winner on my blog too! So congratulations to Autumn Lily - please choose one of the CG LipSlick Smoochies & message me with your address details & I will post your choice out to you.*

Thank you again to everyone for supporting my blog.  If you also take the time to keep up with my YouTube channel, & entered my Big Favourites Giveaway, I have just announced the winners - click on the video below to see the announcement.

Since it is literally on the horizon, I hope you all have a lovely Valentines Day whatever you may be doing!

*of course if in the extremely unlikely event your first choice of colour is completely unavailable I will endeavour to get your second preference! :-)

Urban Rituelle Beachcomber Body Balms

Urban Rituelle is an Australian brand that I know haven't tried enough of.  Over the years I have tried some of the fragrances & enjoyed the Ginger Apple lip balm (it graced one of my favourite videos on YouTube many moons ago).  However, it wasn't until late last year I got to experience some of this brands' skincare when I tried the new Body Balms from the Beachcomber Collection.  I received two travel sizes in my monthly Her Fashion Box, (I am subscribed to the Classic style box for $39.95AU).*  

 The Beachcomber Collection

There are four Beachcomber Body Balms available one, from each of the summer blends in the collection - Coconut + Honey, Mango Milk, Island Citrus & Frangipani. The body balms are available in a handy travel size of 45ml ($6.50) & also a full size of 200ml ($21.95).  

They are all indulgent in chamomile & cucumber extracts, shea butter as well as Vitamins A, C & E.  This luxurious combination is promoted to leave your skin smooth, moisturised & hydrated which I reckon is a must in these summery hot Australian days (& nights!).

I have actually been enjoying the 45ml size tubes in the Frangipani & also the Coconut + Honey.  My favourite is definitely the Frangipani which has notes of bergamot & musk that I find gives my skin a gentle floral scent while moisturising it like a body butter.  The Coconut & Honey smells just as good as it sounds, & like the Frangipani, glides on like white liquid-silk making my skin feels so supple. Although I have had run-ins with itchy sensitive skin on my legs over the last few months, thankfully, I found that these balms haven't irritated my legs at all.

I prefer to apply the balms after a shower from my décolletage down, I even like to mix both together after a shower & I reckon I smell like "sweet rose tea on a tropical island".  Yes folks I like a bit of "aroma magic" happening on my skin! I have even popped the travel sizes in my bag & squeeze out a little as my hand cream - for I find the consistency of the products are more like a buttery emollient cream than a "balm".  

Now would I actually purchased the Beachcomber Balms? Yes, I would love to try the other two balms & have already checked out the Urban Rituelle website.  I signed up to the VIP e-news for the 10% off every order (so I advise you to do so too!). 

I have also made good note of the free delivery over $75 & I am already adding some other products to my wish list from the Beachcomber Collection which covers fragrance, soap, body wash & even candles. I admit that I have made a good resolution to cut down the spending in 2014 but one must do what they can to support Australian brands as well as test items for review - right? Right!

*I am not sponsored by HFB or Urban Rituelle but I have merely jumped on board the voluntary, unpaid HFB review team to highlight any products I think are worth mentioning.  In other words, I am NOT reimbursed in any form & i pay FULL price for my monthly boxes!!

CoverGirl Lipslicks Smoochies Lip Balms + Mini GIVEAWAY (closed)

*now closed - winner post shortly* I went into Priceline a few weeks ago & picked up the Covergirl Lipslicks Balms in the Smoochies range that we have available here in Australia - Luv U (#215), Tru Luv (#235) , & Sweet Tweet (#255).  There are 12 shades listed in the whole range on the Covergirl US site but although their sister site here in Australia lists 12 to collect, only three are currently online & distributed by Heat Group P/L.

The lip balms are sheer to provide a hint of colour & as well as help condition the lips.  Out of the three shades Luv U & Sweet Tweet would have been ones that I would've chosen anyway had all 12 been readily available. Sweet Tweet is a light pink & Luv U is a deeper berry pink which are my typical colour picks.   Whereas Tru Luv is a tawny dusty pink with just a hint of shimmer.

My natural lip colour

GC Lipslick Smoochies Luv U

But when I popped these on my lips only Luv U shows up over my natural lip colour . It has the best pigmentation of the three & gives a nice rose colour to the lips.  It is comparable in consistency to my much loved Lipstick Queen Medieval Lip Treatment which is a fancy way of saying "balm". It also cost over 5 times the price!

(Top) CG Lipslick Smoochies Luv U (Bottom) Lipstick Queen Medieval

As in the photos, Sweet Tweet & Tru Luv get lost over my natural lip colour with the shimmer in Tru Luv barely showing up but at least they feel moisturised.  They also have a slight candy smell which I couldn't noticed once applied.

CG Lipslick Smoochies Tru Luv

CG Lipslick Smoochies Sweet Tweet

They definitely contain ingredients that would provide moisture to the delicate skin on the lips & help hydrate them - cocoa & mango seed butter, shea butter, coconut oil & aloe extract with castor oil as the main contender.  

However, the main ingredients that are listed which are probably the real reason the lips feel so buttery & "moisturised" from the barrier slicked on the lips are: lanolin, petrolatum & even paraffin - so common in cosmetics but not necessarily anything I want to eat.  These could eventually dry out the lips if you are constantly reapplying them to the lips. So they are not my everyday lip balm (MooGoo Strawberry Tinted Lip Balm which contains edible ingredients is!) Check out my MooGoo products review if you are interested in more on that line.

Anyway, that being said they do feel good on the lips & provide a touch of colour & sheen that I like in my lips balms.  My favourite finish in lipsticks & glosses are sheer & these lipstick balms are a good when I don't want to reapply my dearer lip products such as my Saint range of Lipstick Queen or Revlon Colorbursts. So, I do actually carry these in my arsenal of lip products in my everyday bag.

 
As for the design of the tubes they are very similar to the CG Lipslick Glosses with a long tube & a clear lid. I do like the funky packaging but of course it may not be to everyones taste, after all the shaft is the same colour as the balm & the bases are brightly coloured so that they actually look more like colouring pens. But that way I find I can easily identify the Smoochies from the other typical lip balm containers that I have rolling around in my handbag. 

I also can't complain at the price which is fairly standard at $4.95 for a 4g balm. Because, honestly, I was expecting it to be dearer for a CG product in Australia. So, overall I reckon it is a good little tube to pop in anyone's bag when they need a little smooch of colour & moisture.

Because of this I grabbed another set which I am happy to share with you in a mini giveaway! Hey I couldn't go MIA again & not bring back a little gift?


GIVEAWAY
If you would like to win the three CG Lipslick Smoochies please leave a comment on your favourite Covergirl product or if you don't have one leave feedback on your favourite lip balm! 

Conditions of Entry:
- MUST be a follower of this blog (if you follow the blog via email please leave your username so I can validate your entry - you don't need to leave your full email address just the username & if you follow me through Google+ & your username is different to your Blogger profile name please leave that in the comment)
- You can enter WORLDWIDE but please if you are under 18yrs get your guardians permission to be able to provide your postal address & be aware that there may be taxes/custom charges to pick up your package!
- You can leave multiple entries but it would be nice if you could leave a different comment for each entry (maybe a different product recommendation)
- Entries close Wednesday 12th February, midnight AEST 2014  
*see below for other conditions of entry/prize delivery

 If you would like a chance to win more remember to check out my BIG Favourites Giveaway on YouTube which has a range of makeup & beauty tools which is running until the first week of February.

Congratulations again to Lorlzee who won the last Giveaway - I am so glad to hear you like the Remedica Body Milk!

 *Other Terms/Conditions of Entry
- The winning entry number will be drawn using random.org 
- An announcement will be posted on the blog as well as on Penumbra Doll YouTube channel of the winner
-  The prize will be sent out by Australia Post registered mail within a week of receiving the postal details (from Penumbra Doll Beauty)
- Notification will be made to the winner of the approximate delivery times (within Australia approx 2-5 days & international up to 3 weeks)
- Penumbra Doll Beauty is unable to cover the costs of any custom charges that apply to the package
- Registered mail cost is covered by Penumbra Doll Beauty as well as the full cost of the prize package
- Penumbra Doll Beauty blog & Penumbra Doll YouTube channel is not affiliated with Covergirl or Priceline
There is no paid product placement or paid advertising by Covergirl Australia or by any other agent on behalf of Covergirl or Priceline.  THIS IS NOT A PROMOTION run by Covergirl, no products where sponsored.