In the world before Almost Posh, I was a bit of a habitual review writer, including on Yelp, TripAdvisor, Facebook and Beauty Heaven.

Beauty Heaven is an Australian site featuring user-submitted product reviews, competitions, tutorials and general beauty news. Users can sign up and receive points based on site use and reviews submitted, which generates points, which in turn can be cashed in for products during regular Beautorium events.

I hadn't yet redeemed any of the points received from copious amounts of review writing as none of the one-off products had taken my fancy. So when I got an email inviting me to cash in 300 of said points in return for a surprise mini haul, I was so in!

The parcel arrived last Friday and the contents revealed forthwith:



Elegant Touch Nail Wraps

Since losing all ability to paint my own nails over the years, I have turned to nail wraps as a suitable alternative. I usually use the Sally Hansen ones which are quite easy to apply so will be interesting to see how these work. I like the monochrome polkadot patterns so will be busting them out "for good" soon!

Scholl Party Feet Heel Shields

These things are amazing, and I was pleased to receive a pair as they come so in handy for preventing blisters, heel rub and also getting shoes to fit properly. I seem to have some sort of foot condition whereby I'll try on a pair of shoes, feel like they fit perfectly, get them home then go to wear them of a morning and find my heels slipping straight out of the back. This definitely helps prevent such an issue and the squidgy soft gel ensures a good and comfortable fit. Scholl also make some other good foot products as reviewed here.

Kora Organic lip balm

I'm a Lucas' PaPaw Ointment kind of girl for lip balm but I popped this one on my lips to see how it went. It's in a proper lip balm dispenser tube with a slanted tip and the product is smooth and easy to apply. While the balm was indeed soothing to dry winter lips, the taste and smell lingered heavily around my mouth and I felt like I was breathing it in, which is unpleasant and not something I'd seek in a lip balm product. I think I'll stick to the magic red tube.

Colgate Total 12-Hour Toothpaste

While receiving toothpaste isn't terribly exciting, this is the brand I use regularly anyway, so obviously I'm already down with it. It feels like you get a good clean without being overly gritty or sweet. The mini size will be good for popping in the toiletry bag for travel.

Maybelline Lash Sensational Mascara

Probably the most exciting item, as being actual make-up, I was yet to try this particular offering from Maybelline, so had a go this morning.

It has a curved brush tip which is a point of difference compared to my two mascaras currently on rotation - the Essence Lash Princess False Lash Effect and Tarte Cosmetics Lights Camera Lashes.



It applied relatively smoothly but a little twitch and I had a mascara streak on my eyelid. Normally, this is just a flick of a cotton bud stick to remove but this stuff would. not. come. off. Mucking around with it resulted in under-eye transfer and then a couple of random cheek crumbs which was not cool. I essentially had to remake half of my face!


There you have a wrap-up of the Beauty Heaven mini haul. It was essentially free so no complaints. Did you go in for it? Are you a fan of the subscription box concept?

Linking up with the Fabulous and Fun Life Monday Makeup Madness Link Up Party!

As the cooler weather sets in (at least, in this part of Australia), it’s time to start enjoying all the good bits about winter; boots, snuggly socks, warm baths and did I mention curling up in front of the heater, binge-watching Real Housewives?

Unfortunately, all this lovely warm dry air and hot water does wonders for sucking the moisture out of your skin, leaving bits of your body looking like Lake Eyre during a drought year.

Remember kids: crack is wack

Yes, we know we should be exfoliating. I give my heels a going-over with a file and some foot scrub in the shower whenever I a) remember and b) have the time. So about once every two months. 

"It's okay, nobody will see my feet for months! I'll just start an intensive care program before summer!" But what's this? An invitation to a formal event, when only the strappiest of heels will do? Girl, you in trouble.

Luckily, Scholl have been all over foot care since 1899 and can get that nasty dry skin on feet looking sweet in just three days with Eulactol Heel Balm Gold.

To illustrate, this was the state of my heels last Thursday:

Don't say I didn't warn you

After three days of using the heel balm as directed, these are the results.



You can see the improvement in the skin texture already and there is no horrible dry scraping sound when I pull my tights on over my feet. Result!

Winter also means new footwear (yay!) Some jazzy cut-out ankle boots or a stiff pair of patent brogues, perhaps? The last thing you want is a painful blister from new-shoe rub. I have pretty poor circulation in my feet, which are essentially freezer blocks from 4.30pm on 16 April to 2.30pm on 21 November. I can stick my feet in an eski to chill the beer and any kind of blister or irritation take an absolute age to heal, relegating me to daggy well-worn shoes in the meantime. That, my friends, is not cute. So a Scholl Blister Shield plaster is where it's at; to cushion that angry skin with HydraGuard technology and keep you comfortable while still rocking your super cute kicks.



Don't neglect your toenails either! Make sure they're clipped and filed right down so you don't bust holes in your snazzy tights. Your feet will also fit more comfortably into those closed toe shoes.

You can find Eulactol Heel Balm Gold and Blister Shields at your local chemist, Priceline or supermarket. Winter is coming! Hurrah!

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These products were kindly provided to me for review. All opinions are my own. See my PR and Media policy for more information.