Looking at the current beauty box subscription services available in Malaysia, a different approach of business module is not optional but necessary in order to differentiate one from the rest. This is exactly what Vanity Trove Malaysia did. Change.

Just a few months ago, Vanity Trove announced a change in the game plan by stopping their usual monthly beauty box subscription service to a service that I called Personalized Vanity Trove. So what this means? This means Vanity Trove will no longer send out boxes to their subscribers monthly. This also means you will no longer be surprised with the content in the box.

I have blogged about the new service in this link but I have not go through the whole process personally. When the right sample popped into the product list, I got myself a box.

Did you notice the new box? I was so surprised to see that I’ve gotten the new box design. This new design is more classy, more thicker and more harder too. I like that Vanity Trove maintain the simplicity design and of course the drawer box. I would be really sad if it’s not drawer box anymore :).

On the sides, you will no longer see “Beautiful Surprises”. Instead Vanity Trove replaced it with Discover Beauty inscription in gold. So luxe

The new color is what I refer as golden beige. I must say the new color goes very well with the gold inscription. The inner white drawer is maintained, except for the drawer-pull ribbon.

Now excuse me because I need to re-collect Vanity Trove drawer boxes lol.

Here is how the new box looks like. So pretty

Vanity Trove allows you to choose 6 samples from the product list. Do take note that what you see in the list is based on your beauty profile. So there could be more product available that is not appearing in your list because it is not your skin type. You can say that the system is pretty good and useful as you will not “accidentally” chosen a product that doesn’t suit you and your skin type at all.

Let’s take a look at my curated personalized Vanity Trove box.

My box smells so good thanks to this Full Size Skinlab Tilley Goatsmilk Soap. I had this previously from May 2013 trove and I love it so much that I was super excited to get my hands again on it.

Nuxe have been appearing everywhere lately. So it’s not a surprise to see Nuxe Huile Prodigieuse Multi-Purpose Dry Oil 10ml appearing in Vanity Trove. I believe this is one of the “hot” item.

Ahhh. Talika :). This is one of the reason why I choose to personalized my Vanity Trove. Talika Lipocils Expert 2ml is not a stranger to me. Previously I took part in the 28-days challenge and have seen obvious result. I have ran out of this so this mini came at the right time.

I also choose another Nuxe product in my personalized Vanity Trove. Nuxe Nuxellence Jeunesse Youth and Radiance Revealing Fluid 15ml is already sound promising just by the name itself. Basically this is a major anti-aging innovation which repairs mitochondrial DNA to reveal the skin’s youth and radiance, just in case you are curious about it

I’m guilty of hoarding Kose deluxe sizes :D. I still have my bottle from the Limited Edition Kose X Vanity Trove back in July 2013 hehe. One thing about deluxe size skin care is that I tend to keep those that I like and just look at them from time to time. This time round I shopping carted in another Kose Infinity Pure Advance Serum II 30ml. Okay, time to use one and look at the other one?

Another bad habit that I have is to hoard as much sunblock as I can as if the world is running out of sunblock tomorrow LOL! It’s funny to think that I never wore any sunblock before 2011. Half year through 2011 and I can’t stop buying and using. Same with Pure Advance Serum II, I too still keep the previous Kose Deep Protection UV SPF50+ PA++++ 8.9ml from previous trove. Not just these sunblock. Every other sunblock as well

Also included is a voucher for Worthy Book Ladies Edition 2013-2014. With this I can get a RM10 discount from the book retail price of RM29.90. Not sure if I should get this book as the vouchers inside are expiring end of March 2014. Knowing me, I will not be able to use a single voucher before expiry as I tend to sit on it for ages.

Surprisingly the overall experience is quite fast, simple and pleasant. I like the idea of choosing my own beauty samples as I get to choose only product that I want and that I will use. I’m not bummed at all that I no longer get heart attack surprises. This idea is new and fresh. I find that the product selection is more premium. Maybe because the amount required for sponsorship is no longer that high and the customization of sample selection is based on skin type and need so more and more brands are more open to the idea of providing for beauty boxes.

With the new idea rolled out, I no longer need to wait for a month for my box to arrive to my door step. The team will send out your personalized Vanity Trove within 7 working days. It could be earlier as I received mine in just 2-3 days.

How do you like my personalized Vanity Trove? I love mine! Who am I kidding? Of course I do, I choose my own samples!

Lastly, here’s Vanity Trove subscription rate, rebates, sample choices amount and other info that you may need to know before subscribing.

For more information and to subscribe to a personalized Vanity Trove, do visit https://www.vanitytrove.com/my or visit their Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/VanityTroveMalaysia for latest news, giveaway, contests and many more

The post My First Personalized Vanity Trove Review appeared first on Street Love. by Fiona

The beauty box world had been taken into a whole new level now that Vanity Trove recently revealed that subscribers are able to customize their own Trove using the smart system of pick and choose feature. Vanity Trove have achieved over 100 beauty brand partnerships, over 10,000 new activities on vanitytrove.com in the past week and growing. They are actively amping up for expansion plans in the regions to set up the 7^th country by the end of 2013.

How It Works?

Vanity Trove recommend products that are best suited for you based on your Beauty Profile and Preferences that you have filled in in your account earlier. If not, you better do it now

Once you have log in to your Account, click on “Shop”. You will be brought to the page as below. Click on “Start Now”.

Before you even do anything in your Account, fill in the 14-questions beauty profile. It’s that easy.

After you are done with Beauty Profile, you will be brought to the “My Vanity Trove” page where you will get to pick and choose the samples you want. If you don’t see anything in the page, go to your “Account” then “Account Info” and change your country to Malaysia. Make sure the info in “Shipping Info” is updated as well. You should be able to see all the samples after that.

Start picking your samples! As you pick your sample, it will be updated on the top of the page. You can easily remove out sample that you don’t want or accidentally click on.

Once you are done with picking all 6-samples, click on “Shopping Cart” from the menu on the left. Take another look at your list of samples. Click on “Checkout Now” when you have confirmed the samples you wanted.

Once you are in the Shopping Cart Checkout page, review all the info stated and amend if necessary. Choose your payment method and click “Proceed To Make Payment”.

All you have to do after payment is to sit back and relax. Your personalize Vanity Trove will reach you within 7 working days.

It does help if you want to be the first to try out products you have been lemming by adding them to Wishlist, “Like” the Brand and the Product. This will help to unlock more samples for you when they are released.

I don’t know about you but I kinda like this feature. It is something new. Although I do love surprises but I also like to know in advance what I’m receiving. There are times where I don’t like a particular product that I received in my box. This feature will ensure that I am able to pick samples that I like and want. Don’t we all love to receive things that we like?

The post Pick & Choose Your Own Beauty Samples With Personalized Vanity Trove appeared first on Street Love. by Fiona

After nearly a month of teasing in Facebook on the upcoming exclusive single brand box, finally the Limited Edition KOSÉ X Vanity Trove box reaches me end of last week.

This box would not be my first single brand beauty box that I received before. My first one would be the Astalift box back in March 2012 from Vanity Trove Singapore. To be frank I hated it because that time there’s no beauty box in Malaysia and I was really looking forward to try many different brand through beauty box. Plus I was still new in this beauty world. However I totally changed my perception on the second single brand box. It was the Kanebo box and God I love it!

Two months ago I was wondering about single brand box cause I kinda miss receiving such box once in a while. So when I found out that KOSÉ is partnering with Vanity Trove for their July box, I can’t wait!

Here’s the box. I know what you want to say but hang on to your horses and let me tell you what I think. Grandma story coming up!

As this is a special single brand collaboration box with KOSÉ, this time there is a special branding on top of the box. Vanity Trove should do a belly band instead of double sided tape because that thing keep peeling off. But then…it doesn’t really matter

I’m not going to elaborate much on each and every single item because I want to touch on a different subject this time. But don’t worry, I will still walk you through the content. Ready?

Kose Infinity Pure Advance Oil Cleansing Gel 10g (RM119/120g)

Kose Infinity Pure Advance Clear Up Wash 10g (RM99/120g)

Kose Infinity Pure Advance Essence Lotion II 30ml (RM169/160ml)

Kose Infinity Pure Advance Serum II 30ml (RM169/120ml)

Kose Deep Protection UV SPF50+ PA++++ 10g (RM118/30g)

Kose Infinity Pure Advance Eye Jelly 5ml x 2 (RM180/20g)

There is also a voucher included whereas I will get a trendy pouch and skin consultation & analysis with any purchase of Kose Infinity Pure Advance item.

There has been quite a mix review on this Limited Edition KOSÉ X Vanity Trove box especially on the sample size. Some love it, some hate it while some is neutral about it. You must be wondering which category did I put myself in right? Those that hated the box would probably hate me as well because I find nothing wrong with the box and I like it.

Maybe because I started on beauty box earlier before anyone else and the fact that I did a lot of research and reading regarding beauty box prior before that. I learnt that the purpose of beauty box is providing sample or deluxe size to subscribers (which is us) to discover, learn and try on the products on the market before deciding to get the full size. I have even double check Vanity Trove Singapore’s press release that I still save in my email inbox and Vanity Trove never promise any full size at all. Based on that point alone I have implanted the concept in my head till to date. So when I first lay my eyes on this KOSÉ box, I didn’t even feel a bit disappointed. Why should I? It’s KOSÉ! The product included is a lot and it comes in a complete set too.

There are also countless of subscribers expecting full size for paying RM50 for a box. I explained it before in other post that beauty box is not suppose to have full size unless it’s a special box for special festive like Christmas, Valentine’s Day and so on. Malaysia beauty industry is 360 degree different from UK, Australia and even Singapore. It is almost impossible to get sample in the box what more full size. Furthermore I don’t think so any beauty box available promise a full size every month. So the next time you see a full size in a box…it is really a bonus!

Asking For Sample At KOSÉ Counter

KOSÉ is considered one of the counter, luxury brands which means it is almost impossible for you to just walk randomly to any KOSÉ counter and ask for sample. I’ve tried that and on every other brand before. All I get is a meh face. If you successfully taken a deluxe 30ml back home then I guess it really depends on the BA or maybe the company direction has changed? Anyhow I really doubt so.

What Is Sample / Deluxe Size At Counter For?

There are 2 types of sample available at the counter – sachet and deluxe sizes. Each product doesn’t have both type of sample but some product like eye cream may only come in sachet while toner may come in a mini bottle. So it’s a mix. I always refer sachet as “sample” while 10ml, 15ml, 20ml, 30ml in tube or bottle is referred as “deluxe”. Deluxe is like a miniature version of the actual size. But a miniature could also be same as deluxe but bigger in size.

So what are these for? Deluxe is mainly given out as GWP (Gift With Purchase) for a certain amount of purchase i.e. RM350 to get 4-deluxe sizes and so on. It is also given for special collaboration redemption and that is really ad hoc or depending on the brand’s promotion. I have been reading that a lot of people said they “can just ask from the counter” but I would want to ask…have you tried? Cause I have. It doesn’t work honey. If you really really reallllyyyy insist on you might get maybe a sachet because reality is that all the deluxe is mainly reserved as GWP.

I may not explain it properly here as many of you shop more than me

What I Like About This Box

That finally Vanity Trove managed to secure a luxury counter brand! Not one item but all together 6 items. Single brand box aka concept box is very new in Malaysia beauty box world so many felt short given but I don’t as I have received before. I must admit…the first one is harder. I believe many will ask for this type of box very soon…like me *cough*

I cannot stress enough how much I am in love with the drawer box. I am still collecting these boxes one by one each month to store alllllll my samples and deluxe sizes. Many also complaint that the paper padding is too much. This one I can explain. Okay. Let’s compare boxes. Vanity Trove box is thick, hard, cardboard drawer box so padding is really needed. Let me ask you this. If they were to reduce these paper padding and your item inside the box is spilt, broken and so on…would you blame VT? I bet you will. I bet you will also ask why didn’t put more padding to protect the item inside. So its better to put more than less. After all, their box is not air-padded like others. Other boxes doesn’t come readily made like Vanity Trove’s box. So they would need to fold it at home. These type of paper used is normally cardboard therefore a gap between the fold on the side of the box that acted as air-padding is needed to prevent any mishap during delivery. This is why Vanity Trove comes with paper padding while other beauty box is air-padded.

What I Don’t Like About This Box

Although not really important but I still need to note this down. The blue Kose sleeve on the outside of the box could have been better. Instead of doing it half the box loop with double sided tape, Vanity Trove should consider belly band which is much more nicer and professional looking so that the card doesn’t keep peeling off the box

Conclusion

I think Vanity Trove has been improving month by month although I know they cannot satisfy everyone. I am not bothered with the word “Not For Sale” at the back of the deluxe because I will finish the bottle before I say VANITY TROVE

I was particularly happy to see Deep Protection UV in the box mainly because I’m a sunblock junkie. I hope Vanity Trove don’t take all the bad feedback as a demotivation and stop pitching for single brand box but instead take it as a motivation point to do better next time

Disclaimer: The box was sent to me for review consideration. This doesn’t affect my judgement in the review in any way.

The post Limited Edition KOSÉ X Vanity Trove July 2013 Edition Review appeared first on Street Love. by Fiona

I have been quite a fan of Vanity Trove‘s theme/tagline every month. Somehow they managed to came out with short and sweet theme that many doesn’t seems to pay attention but I do. Remember last month’s Awesome Wholesome? Yea, it’s really awesome :). This month theme is Obsessive Beauty. According to Valerie, internal or external beauty is very important to all, if not the most. Don’t you agree so? Beauty can be from hair to face to body or nails. That means this month’s trove would be more varieties!

I’m currently into hair care products, as long as it’s not for colored hair and it’s not extremely small then you have my vote. I have seen L’Oreal Professionnel Liss Ultime Smoothing Shampoo 100ml and Smoothing Masque 75ml before but never taken the initiative to buy and try. I was glad to see this duo in this month’s box so that I can finally try it.

Promises to repair and smooth the thickest and most rebellious hair. The shampoo is infused with Oil Incell Technology – a combination of Incell and nourishing olive and argan oils to soften, and nourish while the masque contains Polymer AR to protect the hair against humidity and fight frizz.

Liss Ultime Smoothing Shampoo: RM50 (200ml), RM79 (500ml)
Liss Ultime Smoothing Masque: RM67 (200ml)

I am not a fake eyelashes fan but I collect them :). In this month’s box I get Celeb Beauty Celeb Lash (Katy). Katy is the name of the style. There is a few more varieties all with celebrities name such as Christina, Jennifer, Jessica, Megan and many more.

The variety of styles and colors allows you to create different looks to suit any occasion, helping you to intensify and add depths to your eyes with these high-drama and professional quality eyelashes. Handmade, simple to use and comfortable to wear, each Celeb Lash design is perfectly shaped and arranged to give a striking effort, whether the look is natural or dramatic

Celeb Beauty Celeb Lash: RM19.80 – RM22.80

We can never have too much of lip balm. The second full size product in this month’s box is Soap Artisan Natural Lip Balm With Beeswax and Vitamin E 4g. It is slightly citrusy which is quite pleasant on the lips.

Also included is a RM5 discount voucher for purchase above RM50.

It is a lip balm suitable for everyone. Long hours in air-conditioned rooms and the hot weather can really take its toll on our lips in the long run. With this natural lip balm, chapped and peeling lips are pampered and taken care off, making them soft and kissable.

Soap Artisan Natural Lip Balm With Beeswax and Vitamin E: RM12 (4g)

Ahhh something quite new in the market! Bifesta Eye Makeup Remover 30ml is an effective bi-phase eye makeup remover. Normally bi-phase works a lot better on my eyes than milk or cleansing water. Its in a generous deluxe size too.

Gently removes the heaviest of eye and lip makeup without tugging and causing damage to your delicate eye area and eyelashes. It’s hypo-allergic formulation with Vitamin E makes it suitable for sensitive skin and lifts makeup instead of melting it.

Bifesta Eye Makeup Remover: RM26.90 (145ml)

Decleor Hydra Floral “Flower Nectar” Moisturising Cream 15ml is not a stranger in beauty box world. We have seen this cream making an appearance last month. To be frank I have yet to use the previous tube hehehe. Also included in the box is a first timer voucher for Signature Aromaplasty Facial @ RM98.

Inspired by the incredible power of flowers, this cream is a reparative hydrating cream that has anti-pollution and deeply replenishing properties for normal to dry skin. With a soft and relaxing floral scent and luxurious texture, it will leave your skin feeling soft and supple with daily application. Paraben free.

The one item that I pour out and lather onto my arms and legs as soon as I opened the box is of course this Cocolab Aromatic Body Oil. Not only did I lather on myself I do the same to mum too. According to mum it’s not oily as she thought it would be. And mum said she like the orangey scent. Well mum…me too!

Containing a premium grade of Absolute-No-Heat Virgin Coconut Oil and fruity blend of pure essential oils, it’s a luxurious and rejuvenating experience that nourishes and heals your skin from within. This body oil triples as a luxurious moisturiser, massage oil and skin repair treatment with potent anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties. It’s an essential for each lady in her beauty routine!

Cocolab Aromatic Body Oil: RM99 (100ml)

Payot is making an appearance in Vanity Trove with their sample kit that consists of Payot Purifying Gel 1ml and Drying and Purifying Gel 1ml.

I did not see this item’s description in the card soooo does that mean its bonus? Yay!

What I Like

To begin with…delivery. TA-Q-BIN (the Japanese courier company engaged by Vanity Trove) called me on a Sunday morning while I was busy rumming around the mall in the search of purple dress for my tea party. Obviously I missed the call because I couldn’t hear any ringing and I called back. Not only the despatch guy are able to speak English and in a very polite manner, he told me he was about to send a parcel to me! ON A SUNDAY! I have been dealing with TA-Q-BIN recently and every single phone call from them since the beginning till to date is all done in a polite manner. No shouting, no rude tone asking for direction and of course they are smart with direction too! Despite being one of the costly courier service to engage, I believe Vanity Trove had make a wise decision. Customer service is top notch.

One important point that Vanity Trove understand and has been keeping up is the wide varieties of brands and product range in each of their edition. WITHOUT FAIL. Each month I get to try new brands and different products. This opportunity had widen my beauty exploration so much. Being a beauty blogger I personally like to get my hands on product that I have never used or try before. This way I can narrow down quickly and easier which I want to pursue with purchasing full size for lengthy review. This is what beauty box is suppose to be

Also got to give kudos for including extra item in the trove i.e. Payot sample kit sachet. Vanity Trove understand that we don’t like to see sachet as a part of the trove content so this month it’s a bonus for all.

What I Don’t Like

Honestly, I can’t find anything that I don’t like. Everything inside the trove is something that I will use

Conclusion

GO SUBSCRIBE NOWWWWW! Vanity Trove is opening up subscription for an Exclusive and Limited Edition KOSÉ x VanityTrove July edition for just RM50 :). Subscription ends 14th June 2013!

Disclaimer: The box was sent to me for review consideration. This doesn’t affect my judgement in the review in any way.

The post Vanity Trove “Obsessive Beauty” June 2013 Edition Review appeared first on Street Love. by Fiona