Jolly VoxBox ~ Influenster

Oh, man I was super excited when I first heard about +Influenster . A place where you can share reviews on pretty much anything, and with the added bonus of sometimes receiving items to review? Sign me up! My experience thus far with them has been awesome. Quick, easy and amazing service. My Jolly VoxBox arrived within a day of them telling me it had even been processed! Super fast, seriously! (Please read the entire blog post for your chance to join +Influenster too!)

So, what did they send me?



What looks to be a full sized box of Skinny Cow Divine filled Chocolates in peanut butter and crème, travel pack of Puff's Plus Lotion Tissues, full sized NYC HD Color  Trio Eye Shadow in 781 Long Beach Sands, Rimmel London Show Off Lip Lacquer in Stargazer and an adorable Duck Tape Brand Duct Tape mini roll NOT pictured!

Let's start the reviews....

Skinny Cow Divine filled Chocolates in peanut butter and crème- I believe the name says it all! With 130 calories per pouch and three chocolate pieces per wrapper, they are pure heaven. I love peanut butter too, and this flavor does not disappoint! It's smooth, creamy and decadent. Makes me wonder how something so good is only a measly 130 calories? But, I don't care. I ate mine with some popcorn and it was so good! I've seen Skinny Cow in the store, but every time I've thought about buying it, I resisted because I thought there was no way something with limited calories could taste good. Boy, was I wrong! I will definitely be picking up more of Skinny Cow, when this box is gone. Now I just have to hide it from my son and husband!

Puff's Plus Lotion Tissues- I've been a lover of this brand of facial tissue for years. I love the softness, especially with the added bonus of the lotion. It's so comforting to use, and never make the sensitive skin around my nose hurt or chafe. I'll admit I used these bad boys up fast! I've had bronchitis and I've used these, plus a brand new box I went out and bought. I love these guys and I will always use them!

NYC HD Color Trio Eye Shadow 781 Long Beach Sands- Let me start by saying I was super impressed with the colors of the trio. Sometimes when you receive something to test, you don't always get the right shade or color that suites you. However, thankfully this time I did. I love the creamy texture and color payoff these shadows offer. The highlighter is a beautiful shimmery peachy/pinky shade, works great as a brow highlighter or in the inner eye area. The middle shade is a muted, brown shade with hints of gold. The crease color is a lovely taupe color with accents of pink in it. Over all the trio is super flattering to all eye colors and looked so warm and inviting with my brown eyes. I love this eye shadow and will definitely be looking at more NYC shadows in the future! (The pictures do not do this trio justice!)

Rimmel London Show Off Lip Lacquer in Stargazer- I'm a fan of Rimmel, I've used their lip glosses a lot of the years as well as their mascaras so I had no issues trying out this product, other than cringing at the color. I'm light skinned, with cool undertones. This shade called Stargazer is not complementary for someone like me. I applied it and it looked garish on me. I looked sick (well, sicker) and it totally washed me out. However, the texture was really nice and I honestly think if I had been given a pink or berry shade, I would have been in love with it. That being said while I didn't like the color, I felt the color payoff and texture was very nice. It held up fairly well through lunch, though I did have to reapply to freshen it up, but that's kind of normal for me.  So, I think I will be looking at other colors from the Show Off line!

Duck Tape Brand Duct Tape mini roll- This little guy is so freakin' cute! The one I was sent looks like a Hawaiian themed print, with flowers in blue and white. I've seen these guys in the store in different colors and prints, but never thought of buying one. Since they sent this to me I decided to let my son use it to wrap a present for his Grandpa and it turned out so cute! (I don't have a pic unfortunately!) I think it's a great way to dress up a present, art project or just to use around the house. I'll admit the gray/silver color is a bit dated. My husband uses Duct tape for EVERYTHING around the house. Seriously, right now my son's blinds are being held up by Duct tape! So, this product was meant for my household. I love the variety of colors and will most certainly be buying more of this and experimenting with new colors 

The Verdict?

I'm super impressed with the items I received from +Influenster! The quality and brands are superior! There was not a dud in the entire Jolly VoxBox. Everything included was something I was able to use and would without a doubt purchase on my own again and again! Thank you +Influenster for giving me the opportunity to test these products out!!!

Wanna join Influenster? Send me a line with your name and email address and I will send you an invitation! Only the first 5 people who respond will get the opportunity, so hurry! Email me at anonmom07@gmail.com
 

Tarte's Bow & Go Holiday Gift Collection

Tarte's Bow & Go Holiday Gift Collection arrived a few weeks ago, and I've had some time to play around with all the products. It's probably kind of obvious how much of a Tarte lover I am, and my satisfaction with this collection is high. I am very happy with my TSV purchase from QVC.

 

With sixteen shades and a great amount of those matte, I am loving this palette. The colors (don't show well in the photo!) are all super wearable and the pigment and color payoff is good, but even better if you use a primer first. For some reason Tarte loves using shimmer in their eye shadows. I am not a lover of it. So, I was very pleased to see that this collection had quite a few matte shades!

The LipSurgence sticks are all lovely. However, as you can see they are mostly in the pink color family and that's something many have complained about. It doesn't really bother me, I don't like reds or browns too much, so this selection is fine by me. The first one of the far left is probably my favorite, (I think the name is precious). They are pretty long lasting and I don't feel robbed of moisture. Overall I feel these are very good.

 

The eyeliners in shades brown and fig are both colors I have in double. I've collected them over the past few years, and while I love them and think they color and pigment is lovely, I don't really need more. Same goes with the mascara. I like it, but I have a few already, so more than likely these will be given out as presents. The Lights, Camera, Lashes mascara is really good. Like close to being my favorite. Not THE favorite, but almost. What I love is how gentle this formula is on my lashes. I've noticed when I've used chemical laden drug store and high end mascaras, my lashes tend to fall off a lot. But, when I use more natural mascaras (not 100% natural, but close!) my lashes thrive. They do not fall off as much and they grow and look so much healthier.

 

Overall I am very pleased with this collection. While there are some items I already own, the eye shadow palette is the stand out item. Whether you keep the entire collection for yourself, or gift part or all out, it's a smart investment!

LORAC Red Hot Full Face Collection

I've heard a lot about LORAC, but I had never tried it until recently. Mostly because it seemed so very expensive and out of my price range. However, as I was watching HSN one night I saw that they were having a 24hr beauty sale and LORAC was just one of the brands they were selling. So, I found a good sized kit and ordered.

The kit contains 4 full size Silky Smooth Eye Shadows in shades Cream, Gold, Taupe and Black, Pro Mascara, blush in Crimson, Lips with Benefits Gloss in Nicholas and 3D Liquid Lustre.

Here's what I liked-

(Eye shadows top-Gold, Taupe, Black and Cream.)

(Colors don't show that well on me!)

I really liked the look, wear and durability of the shadows. While they may not have been the most exciting shades, they work really well at creating some pretty looks. In the photo above I used the gold as a base, then applied taupe over it and into the crease to kind of soften it up. I also added the cream onto my brow bone and used the black as a liner.

This lip gloss tastes divine! I know, I know most lip products are kind of toxic and you shouldn't be eating them, licking them or ingesting them.........but this lip gloss tastes just like caramel. So, good so creamy! (Yeah, I liked the product right off!) But, the color was great too. Not too bright, or crazy, just a really nice rosy color that works lovely on the lips.

(Blush in Crimson on the left, lip gloss in Nicholas on the right.)

The Pro Mascara was great too. Not clumpy and gave me just the right amount of volume that I felt comfortable using it daily. It kind of reminded me of an old MAC mascara I used a long time ago.


What was so-so-

The blush was okay. I can't say it's the best I've ever used, but I'm not a big connoisseur of them either. I think that most of kind of standard anyhow. This one didn't blow me away, but it looked nice. Nothing I'd go out of my way to purchase on its own.


What I hated-

The 3D Liquid Lustre was not my cup of tea. Basically it's just glitter in a bottle. I hated it. I applied a swatch to my hand and was relieved that I didn't mix it with my foundation as someone had suggested doing. It might be cute for a teenager to use, but not a thirty something year old woman!

Overall I think LORAC makes some great quality eye shadows. They are highly pigmented and have the ability to be used wet or dry to give a more dramatic look. If you buy anything, I'd recommend you go for the eye shadows. I've heard nothing but great reviews on the other shades too. I don't think you can go wrong with them. For the price of this entire kit $32, I think it's a pretty good value. Especially since you get the mascara, blush and yummy lip gloss too, (the 3D stuff is a dud in my opinion).

Hope you found this helpful!

Jaime

How I Shop

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Order the LORAC Red Hot Face Collection-
http://www.hsn.com/products/lorac-cosmetics-red-hot-8pc-full-face-collection/7201615

Eyeko Black Magic Mascara Drama Curl

One night I was watching HSN and I saw a demo for what appeared to be just another ordinary mascara. However, as I sat glued to the glowing box, I saw that this was slightly different. It came with a pick. A pick? As in, hair pick? No. Like a guitar pick....What???

I kid you not. Although there was never any mention of it being called a "pick" as you can see for yourself, that's exactly what it is, (the company actually refers to it as a "shield"). Anyhow I decided right then and there I needed to order it....

About a week later it arrived and I began trying it out. First thing I noticed was that it did not come in the standard tube like most mascaras. Eyeko comes in an interesting tube, which resembles that of an eye cream or some kind of skincare product. The formula is not wet, which made me very happy, (I have long, thin lashes, so the drier formulas tend to work better on me) while the wand is a natural bristle brush. Another thing I noticed was that there appeared to be some kind of fibers mixed in the formula, which made sense as this was a thickening and volumizing product. The application was normal, however I did have to pull out my eyelash comb to get out some clumps that had formed after the first application. Once I went in for the second pass, I was pretty happy with the results. As far as the pick goes, I tried using it, but it's kind of tricky. It's meant to be placed above the upper lash line, so you are able to really build up the curl and volume. I tried, but I don't think I did that great of job with it.

All in all I liked it. I honestly think it's the kind of mascara that should be used for evening or special occasions. To me, it seemed a little too dramatic for daily wear, but awesome for going out. It also holds really well. I wore mine for about 10 hours and there was no flaking, smearing and the curl and volume looked really good. Washing it off is another story too. I forgot that it is also labeled as being water resistant, and boy is it! I really had to let my lids soak for a few long seconds before even attempting to remove it . (Oh, it's also paraben free, made with botanical extracts, keratin and Shea Butter.)

So, if you're in the market for a new va-va-voom mascara, give Eyeko a try. I think I'll get some wear out of it during the holidays:)

Jaime

Buy Eyeko Black Magic Mascara Drama Curl-
http://www.hsn.com/products/eyeko-black-magic-mascara-duo/7277482


How I Shop

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LightStim LED Light for Full Face Wrinkles

A few months ago I decided to try the LightStim LED Light for Full Face Wrinkles, (which I purchased on the QVC website). I was intrigued because the demonstration and research they used to back up their claims was pretty positive. The company states, "A handheld, LED medical device that is FDA cleared for the treatment of full face wrinkles. It penetrates the top layer of the skin, which may help enhance collagen and elastin production." I had been wanting to try the LightStim for over a year, but couldn't justify the full price of nearly $200. Then one evening I was flipping channels and found the product being offered for 5 easy payments, plus a full 90 day trial period. I figured it was time to take the LightStim for a test drive.

It arrived about a week later, and I promptly began using it. I started doing it just as recommended by placing the device on the target area for 3 minutes. I did this 5 days a week for about a month. During this time I kept waiting for something really amazing to occur. I have a bit of an "11" on my forehead that I focused on, as well as some deeper fine lines around my eye area, (The manufacture includes a pair of goggles that you place over your eyes to protect them).  After about a month I really started studying my face. Were the lines around my eyes softened? Was the "11" diminished? Did my skin look fuller, plumper and more hydrated? No. In fact everything looked the same. The only thing that I did notice was that my skin seemed drier.

Still hoping for the best I continued on with my trial. I had read that some women had good success if they left the device on each area for a longer period of time. So, I increased the time from 3, to 5 full minutes on each area. To do my entire face it went from a simple 15 minutes to 25. Which honestly, was hard to do. The 15 felt a bit time consuming 5x's a week, but having it increase by 10 minutes seemed to just be a chore. I continued on this routine for another 2 1/2 weeks. Finally pausing to reevaluate my progress a little past the 6 week mark.

Was there a marked difference from when I started the LightStim journey? Well, no. The only thing I noticed was how dry and burnt my skin looked. During the entire time I used the device, I had to slather my argan oil and other moisturizes just to feel relief from the tight and itcy feeling that I felt after each treatment. And, I actually thought my targeted areas looked worse, if that's possible. The "11" and fine lines around my eyes appeared more noticeable. I suspect that this was because my skin was drier and missing some hydration.

So, I returned the device and received a refund. I suppose I could have kept it beyond the 90 day trial window (and lost $200), but I wasn't willing to take a chance that I'd see results. Maybe this device is for women a bit older? I'm 34, so perhaps it was too much for my skin? I don't really know, all I do know is that my curiosity has been satisfied. I'm not saying it's a terrible product, it just didn't work for me. I checked the QVC website this week and noticed they are now selling it in conjunction with Dr. Denese HydroShield Face Serum. My purchase didn't include this product, so maybe it makes a difference?

I'm not certain I'd ever try a device like this again. In theory it sounds great, but to use it 5x's a week (some women used it 7 days a week!) for 25 minutes (others reported using it for 45 minuets!) I just don't know if it's a realistic product for everyone. However, I do think if QVC offers the 90 day trial period, you should try it for yourself. (Right now QVC is extending it's return policy to January 31st. So, if you are interested you can try it out and use it throughout the holidays and if you're not happy with the results, send it back:)

Hopefully you guys found this helpful!

How I Shop

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Tarte's QVC TSV Bow & Go Holiday Gift Collectiom

If you're a Tartelette lover, or new to this awesome brand their deal coming up starting at Midnight (EST) Monday November 18th or 9PM Sunday November 17th (PST) you are definitely going to want to pick up this great holiday value pack!

The collection is titled, "Bow & Go" is packed with 24 items! 16 Amazonian clay eye shadows, 4 Lipsurgence lip crèmes, 2 smolderEYES waterproof eyeliners, and 2 Lights, Camera, Lashes 4-1 Mascaras. According to QVC's site, the entire collection if sold separately would cost $248! (Suggested Manufacture's price) But for 24 hr. on November 18th, you can pick up this incredible offer for just $49.98!! And you can even choose to break it up into two monthly payments of $24.99! Plus, right now QVC has their holiday return policy in effect, so if you are not happy with your purchase you can return it up 'til January 31 2014! So, what are you waiting for? Order HERE I've already got mine locked down:)



How I Shop

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Vitacost save $10 off your first order of $30 or more!
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Ipsy
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My Fall/Winter Foundations

Just as the seasons change, so does my foundation. I started switching things up around the beginning of October, when the weather started cooling off. My skin for the most part is dry/combo in the T-zone areas, but more on the dry end of the spectrum. When fall/winter rolls around it almost goes totally into the dry zone. So, I pull out the heavy hitters for the seasonal change.

Tarte Amazonian Clay 12-hour Full Coverage Foundation Broad Spectrum SPF 15 Sunscreen: This stuff has been a staple of mine for the past two years. It's a product I always return to when my skin starts freaking out with all the changes in the environment. I have had such good success with this foundation that I don't stray from it too often. More often than not, this is what I wear when I go to work, or as an everyday sort of face. The coverage is light, but totally buildable and goes on flawlessly. It does give you a nice finish, not dewy, but more on the matte side (I use with Benefit's POREfessional Primer).

Tarte Amazonian Clay BB Tinted Moisturizer Broad Spectrum SPF 20 Sunscreen: On days when I am working at my son's school, running errands or just having a low-key day, I most likely reach for this tinted moisturizer. I find it to be very hydrating and gives a nice dewy look. Being a BB tinted moisturizer, the coverage is very light, but if you feel inclined you can always dust a light powder over it to give it more staying power and an overall finished look. I notice I use this more when it's windy outside, as it keeps my skin hydrated and help prevents dryness that I usually get on those days.

Josie Maran Argan Matchmaker Serum Foundation: I just started using this over the summer. I didn't fair so well for me in the hot California sun, but as it has grown crisper out, I've discovered this works really well. It's a strange formula, as it applies totally white, but then after warming into your skin, the color adapts to your natural skin tone. It's kind of freaky to watch it change right before your eyes. I have this habit of continuously reapplying it, just to see it disappear into my skin! I really love the finished result on my skin. I use the color fair/light, but I think I could have ordered light/medium and it would have worked good too. This product leaves my skin so soft and moisturized, it actually feels like I am getting a skin treatment. Which, I might be since there's argan oil in it. I really like how my skin looks and feels with this foundation. I'm looking forward to using it more as the weather changes. (Side note: I've noticed I don't have the need to use a pore filling primer when I use this stuff. I just blurs and softens anything that would normally require a primer. Total plus in my book!)

Finishing Powder:
e.l.f. Studio High Definition Powder: I've had this for a while, but never even opened it. It wasn't until a few months ago that I cracked open the package and started playing with it. I love using this as a finishing powder over the above foundations. It sets and locks the look for longer wear. I think it just works beautifully with the Josie Maran foundation, as I mentioned I don't need to use a primer with that one, and this as a finishing really makes my face look brighter and flawless.

Well, there you have it. These are my go-to fall/winter foundations. I hope you found this useful and let me know what you use! I'd love to hear from you:)

Jaime

(PS-Please forgive the condition of my bottles, as they are well loved!=)


How I Shop

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Black Thursday/Friday Ads...

Thanksgiving is almost here.......wait, scratch that. Judging by the looks of all these ads, turkey day will soon be replaced by national shopping day.... Anyhow, here are some of the better deals out there in terms of beauty related items.

Walgreens

Redbox free one day rental when you make a purchase between 9am and noon Thanksgiving Day.

1 Day coupon for 25% off your purchase of regularly priced items (11/29 only)

Almay Intense I Color Cosmetics $6.99 with card ($4.50 in register rewards towards your next purchase) like paying $2.49

Revlon Lipstick and Gloss (excludes Colorstay, Colorburst Crayons and Lip Butter) $7.99 with card ($5.00 in register rewards towards your next purchase) like paying $2.99

Pssssst! Instant Dry Shampoo $4.99 with card ($4.99 register rewards on your next purchase) like paying $0.00!

Olay Fresh Effects BB Cream or Cleansing System $12.99 with card and get a free pack of Olay Fresh Effect Makeup Removing Cloths or cleanser.

Organix Shampoo, Conditioner, Treatment or Styling product buy 1 get 1 Free!

Sally Hansen Nail Color Insti-Dry or Diamond Strength $3, Complete Salon $5!

Coupon + Card Wet N Wild Fergi Jet Set Palette $15!

Target

Fitbit Flex $99 and Free $20 Target Gift Card

Chi Air Flat Iron with Bonus Mini Chi $99 + a free $20 Target Gift Card!

ELF 150 Piece Eyeshadow Palette $10

Women's Xhilaration Boot (regular price $39.99) only $18! *Doorbuster*

All Women's Xhilaration Faux Leather Jackets $20 *Doorbuster*

Women's Sequined Xhilaration Sweatshirts $10

40% Denim and Sweaters for men, women and kids

Men's Active T-Shirts $3! *Doorbuster*

Kids Circo Fleece $6 *Doorbuster*

Baby Einstine Boxed Toys $9.99 *Doorbuster*

Kids/Toddler Sleepwear Sets $5 *Doorbuster*

Women and Men's assorted Sleepwear $5 *Doorbuster*

Friday ONLY spend $75 or more and receive a 20% coupon good for use between December 1-7

Rite Aid

Neutrogena Lip or Eye Cosmetic BOGO

Wet N Wild Fast Dry Nail Collection Set $2.99

Macy's

*Doorbusters*
Elizabeth Arden 4 pc. Set $20
Origins Ginger Favorites 2 pc.  $20
Lancôme 3 pc Eye Set $29
Estee Lauder Lush Lipgloss $20
BareMinerals Degrees of Dazzling $49
Estee Lauder Modern Muse $20
Estee Lauder Beautiful Eyes $50
Estee Lauder Pleasures Perfect Touches $40
Clinique Color on the Go 6pc Set $15
Smashbox Try-it Kit $10
Private Label Palette $10
Elizabeth Arden 5pc Lipgloss $15
Clinique Lashes to the Extreme 3pc $15
Elizabeth Arden Red Door 4pc $25
Estee Lauder Pleasures Perfume Pencil Collection $30
Lancôme Lip and Nail Trio $25
Origins Greats-To-Go $35

This is just a few that I found. Ulta, Sephora, CVS and Rite Aid haven't released/leaked their ads yet. As soon as they do, I'll update!



How I Shop

Ebates.com http://www.ebates.com/rf.do?referrerid=DVKflhqWiDoSQszshc4k%2Bw%3D%3D

Vitacost save $10 off your first order of $30 or more!
https://www.vitacostrewards.com/jTSZFv6

Join a Monthly Beauty Subscription!

Ipsy
http://www.ipsy.com/r/21mw

Birchbox
http://birch.ly/1a5bGHv

Follow me! Stalk me! (I promise not to mind!)

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Contact me: anonmom07@gmail.com

May your evening out be free of bodily harm!

Andalou Naturals Brightening Kit, Plus Lumunious Eye Serum Review!

On a trip to Grocery Outlet a little over a month ago I discovered they sold a few Andalou Naturals products. I had already purchased a few from Vitacost, but I felt the targeted line I chose wasn't the best for me, (see my old blog post). So, when I saw they sold the Brightening Kit for only $9.99 I jumped on the chance to try it.

The kit includes-Meyer Lemon Creamy Cleanser, Clementine + C Illuminating Toner, Probiotic + C Renewal Cream, Purple Carrot + C Luminous Night Cream and Pumpkin Honey Glycolic Mask.

The only thing NOT included in this kit was the Luminous Eye Serum, which I bought from Vitacost.

My thoughts?

Mini reviews on each product-

Meyer Lemon Creamy Cleanser (.8oz.) is just as the name implies, lemon scented and creamy. I feel like it does a great job of removing makeup and dirt and doesn't dry out my skin. That's a huge thing for me! My skin feels soft and hydrated after rising the cleanser off.

Clementine + C Illuminating Toner (1oz.) is a cool refreshing treat to my skin after cleansing. The smell reminds me of orange creamsicle, (which is a yummy scent in my opinion!). I simply use a cotton ball and rub it all over my face to help restore and balance my skin, and remove any other left overs that the cleanser might have missed. I usually use about 2-3 cotton balls on my face, but mostly because I just like how relaxing it is:) After toning my skin has a nice healthy glow to it.

(Day) Probiotic + C Renewal Cream (.4oz.) is super light, but gives a good amount of moisture. If you're skin is super dry this might not be as hydrating for you. But it works well for me. I feel like this also works great as a base for my makeup.

(Night) Purple Carrot + C Luminous Night Cream (.4oz) is very lush and rich. I feel like this is what a good night cream should feel like. It's not oily or greasy, just rich, soothing and hydrating. For those with very dry skin, this might actually be a good day cream too. My skin really soaks this in and looks so hydrated.

Luminous Eye Serum (.6oz) This is a full size of the product. It's light, cool and I feel a little tightening sensation as it soaks into my skin. I feel like it does a great just of keeping my under eye area moisturized and another great thing. The eye serum is marketed as part of the "Brightening" line, but I have not noticed any lightening of my dark circles. So, if you are only seeking out a product for under eye discoloration, this might not be the right serum for you. However, if you are looking for hydration and some tightening, I'd highly recommend it.

Well, frankly.......I LOVE it ALL! As I mentioned in a previous blog post, I have some hyperpigmentation that has been bugging me lately. I don't know if it's worse since Summer just ended, or if I'm just noticing it more now. Anyhow, within the first few days I noticed my complexion was clearer and looked more refreshed. I had some hyperpigmentation around my nose and under my eyes that looked dramatically lighter. I seriously could not believe how well it worked.....and it's from a natural company that is Non-GMO, gluten free and cruelty free:) All these things make me very happy.

So, if you have a Grocery Outlet in your area, be sure to stop in and see if they carry the Brightening Kit. For only $9.99, it's a great way to test all the products out without having to commit to the larger sizes:)

And, if you don't live near a Grocery Outlet, check out Vitacost and save $10 off your first order of $30 or more!
https://www.vitacostrewards.com/jTSZFv6

How I Shop!

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Birchbox November 2013

It's here:) Hot from my mailman's hands!

November 2013 Birchbox. According to the enclosed card, I have received BeeKind Body Lotion, Chella Ivory Lace Highlighter, Joie Folle de Joie eau de parfum, WEI Golden Root Purifying Mud Mask, WEI Pomegranate Buffing Beads and Mighty Leaf Tea Pouches.

Reviews and thoughts to come!

 

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Vitacost Haul.........My Journey to Natural Skincare:)

I love me some Vitacost! Seriously, if I cannot find what I need at my nearby retailers, (and at a reasonable price!) I look to Vitacost. They have hundreds, (probably more like thousands) of mostly healthy products. Many of them are organic, gluten free, vegan and kosher:) They pretty much have something for anyone and more than likely more than what you need!

For a while now, I've been on an active quest to find better and more natural skincare products. I'm 34, and have noticed that the older I get the weirder my skin becomes. In my 20's I used to have combo/oily skin, but once I hit 30, EVERYTHING changed (I'll touch on the other stuff in a different post). My skin soon became sensitive, dry and the hyperpigmentation I had for years seem to become extremely noticeable. I went out to places like Ulta and Sephora,  and bought tons of products (high end and drug store) that either generated moderate to mediocre results. I tried Bliss, Dermalogica, Korres, Philosophy, Neutrogena, Cerave, Olay, Garnier, bareMinerals, Peter Thomas Roth, Roc and so many, many more. I never found anything that I was happy with or that reacted well with my skin. I don't really know what to say about my skin, except it's kind of funky. When I was younger I could use Clean and Clear products and not think twice. However now that I am a lady of a certain age, I have to be more careful with what I use.

About a month ago I purchased a few items that had been raved about on YouTube by Shannon Sullivan (Glamour Wonderland) and Kendra Jorde (vlog with Kendra). I was curious because they too were trying to make the move from harsh chemical laden products to more gentle non-abrasive natural ones. Also, their skin looked amazing! So glowy and healthy.......I wanted that! So, off to Vitacost I went, figuring I had tried pretty much everything under the sun, there was little I had left to lose.

YS Eco Bee Farms Raw Honey, Thayers Witch Hazel Rose Petal with Aloe Vera, Acure Organics Leave-in Conditioner Argan Oil Plus Argan Stem Cell, Heritage Products Rose Water, Devita Solar Protective Moisturizer with SPF 30, Andalou Naturals Age Revitalizing Serum Fruit Stem Cell and Acure Organics Argan Oil.

Here are several more Andalou products I purchased. These actually came in the Age Defying kit.

Lots of products, but how do I use them?

Let's start with the YS Eco Bee Farms Raw Honey. Instead of using an ordinary cleaner, I use this instead. Yeah, you heard me right, slather the honey all over your face and let the sweet goodness soak in and then remove with warm water. Now, I generally use this in the AM, but I have used it at the end of my day as well and it removes makeup, specifically eye makeup surprisingly well. My skin looks freakin' fantastic after I use this. There is a dewiness that I haven't seen in years and did I mention how soft your face will feel? Yeah, it's awesome! (Side note: It also works great as a leave on mask. It may get a bit messy, but the end result is so worth it.)

The Thayers Witch Hazel is so soothing. I use this right after I've cleansed my face to remove any trace evidence of makeup and dirt that may be left behind. You will be amazed how much stuff is still sitting in your skin after washing it. The smell is a lovely and light rose petal scent, and it leaves my skin feeling very invigorated, not dry, itchy or tight.

The Acure Leave-in Conditioner is something I use right after I get out of the shower. I spray this on my hair and use it to help comb out the tangles. I like how it works, but the scent is a bit unusual. It works wonderfully at detangling my hair, but I have noticed that if I apply too much, by hair feels a bit weighed down and oily. So, I have to use this a bit more carefully.

Heritage Rose Water is a great skin pick me up. Especially with colder climates and the excessive use of heat in the home, this spray is great for adding just the right amount of moisture and relief I need. I spritz this on mid-afternoon to freshen up my face and sometimes I even use this right after I have applied my makeup to set it. Great product!

Devita Solar Protective Moisturizer with SPF 30 is another great product that works so well under my makeup. Most facial SPF's cause my face to turn an even lighter shade of pale than I already am. But this one really doesn't do that. It also is not shiny or itchy. Most popular drug store and high end products have this way of making my skin feel like it's crawling with spiders! I don't know what causes this reaction, but it's super aggravating. Thankfully there are no creepy crawly spider sensations with this product. Very pleased!

Andalou Naturals Age Revitalizing Serum Fruit Stem Cell is pretty good, I think. I like the way it feels on my skin after I apply it, however when I use it under my makeup I have noticed that it balls up:( The directions say to apply morning and night, which I do, except I use a sponge to apply my foundation, rather than a brush. This method alleviates the balling issue. The only thing is I haven't really noticed if it's done anything for my skin. It hasn't caused any reactions, but as far as treatments go, I'm not sure what it's doing. Still, I have noticed it makes for a good primer, so I will continue using this until it's gone. However, I am not certain I'd repurchase.

Acure Organics Argan Oil is not something I have used enough to give a proper review, So I'm going to hold off on this for now.

Now on to the Andalou Age Defying kit. I bought this mainly because I am in my mid-thirties and am noticing things like fine lines, sun spots and just general dull skin. I thought this would be a good fit for me. The products are all gentle and moisturizing, BUT- I think I might have jumped the gun in buying these. While I suffer from dry skin, the moisturizing products in this particular line are a bit too much for me. I end up feeling and looking too greasy. They do make my skin look lovely and healthy, but I feel this kit would better serve someone who is older. Now, I'm sure I will return to this line in a few years, but for now I think I may pass it on to my sister who might get better results from it.

The round up.....what will I keep on buying? For sure the YS Eco Bee Farms Raw Honey, Thayers Witch Hazel, Heritage Rose Water and Devita Solar Protective Moisturizer with SPF. I was super impressed with these stellar items! Once I have empties of these, I will be repurchasing them.

The rest? Well, I feel the Acure Leave-in Conditioner might be too heavy for my fine hair. I think there might be something else out there that will work better. The Andalou Naturals Age Revitalizing line was a bit too mature for my skin. So, I won't be buying those products.....(HOWEVER, I did end up buying the Andalou Naturals Brightening kit and I had much better results. I will post a review of this later on as I found it in a different store....)

So, all in all I think that I have found some winners! This makes me very happy and my skin is so much better for it. I have the glow and healthy complexion that has been missing for at least 5 years now. My confidence is back and there are now many days when I forgo the foundation route and just apply the Devita sunscreen and go about my day. As a busy mother, like so many of you, this is such a wonderful luxury.

Hopefully this was helpful to you guys!

Check out these items on Vitacost and save $10 off your first order of $30 or more!
https://www.vitacostrewards.com/jTSZFv6

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The Hidden Gem......Grocery Outlet!!!

I want to highlight a great little place that so few people seem to cover, in terms of beauty and skincare. It's a place known for great deals on edible and household items and over the past several years, (thanks in part to our tragic economy) has seen a rebirth.

Grocery Outlet.

Yep, you read it right. Now I don't know how many of you remember this chain when it was called Canned Food Outlet, but I do (showing my age, I know, I know). Back in the 80's and 90's my penny pinching father used to take me on great excursions to the far away store, (by far away, I mean like 20 miles) as our small town didn't have one at the time. There we'd search the aisles, looking for dinged up cans and sift through other nearly expired items. Yeah, as you might gather from this little story, I didn't grow up in the lap of luxury! I remember being so embarrassed because I was scared I'd run into someone that I knew and they'd discover just how poor I really was. Sad, I know. However, that's because the store had a bad image associated with it. Like creepy crack heads and prostitutes. (I'm speaking from my only association with the place which was in a very run down area.)

Today it's a totally different story. Do you remember about 5 years ago when Grocery Outlet started hitting the airwaves with massive catchy commercial jingles? They went from being the place where no one openly admitted they shopped, to an overnight heavy hitter in the grocery biz. The customers are from all walks of life now. Just check out the parking lot and you'll see busted beater cars (like mine) and high end model SUV's (Land Rovers, Mercedes...etc..). It's a far cry from the store I used to shop at with my father. It doesn't take a genius to figure out how they went from one of the biggest losers in school to one of the most popular and liked kids. When the economy tanked a few years ago, so many people were displaced and had to find a new way to live. A lot of those people gravitated to G.O. for their household needs.

Which brings me to my shopping trip this morning, where I decided to take some photos to share with you the kinds of beauty and skincare items they carry, for HUGE markdown prices. Most of this stuff is natural skincare, but I wanted to show you guys that you don't have to make pilgrimages to Whole Foods or Sprouts to get your natural care needs, or pay a ton of shipping fees by ordering from Vitacost or iherb.

Nature's Gate In the Beginning Gentle Cleaning Lotion, $5.99 at Grocery Outlet. Current price on Vitacost is $14.51! G.O. also had the accompanying toner for $5.99 as well. Great deal!

I also found a bunch of ELF products too. Various kits of lip glosses, eye looks and foundation. Prices on these ranged from $.99-7.99.

 G.O. had a large selection of Nature's Gate shampoo's and conditioner's. Most retailers sell the smaller version, (Vitacost has the 18 oz. for $4.79) while G.O. has the 32 oz. size for $5.99! Again a great bargain.

EO Essential Oil Products shampoo's and conditioner's in the large 32 oz. size, just $7.99! While the small 8 oz. sizes are going for nearly $6.00 on Vitacost.

Andalou Naturals Get Started Brightening and Clarifying kits, $9.99! (Vitacost has them for $14.33 and $13.99, respectfully.) And Kiss My Face products for $1.99!!

And finally, I found The Body Shop Body Butter Duo in macadamia for $3.99! (I checked TBS's website and it looks like this might be a discontinued product, as they only had one comparable in Sweet Pea.)

Yes, Grocery Outlet sure has come a long way! And I love walking up and down the aisles, discovering new deals. Now, I love the selection of natural items at Whole Foods and Sprout, but honestly, I can't afford their prices. Lately I have been ordering from Vitacost, but in order to avoid paying shipping fees, I have to have over $49, which is not always smart when you are trying to be thrifty. So, to find all these awesome products at Grocery Outlet for a fraction of the cost is so amazing.

Anyhow, I just wanted to share with you guys some of the hidden gems you can find at your local Grocery Outlet. Hope you found it useful!

PS- I'll be doing a review on a few of the items I bought on a previous trip soon.

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OMG! It's Been A Long Freakin' Time!!!

I apologize! Seriously and sincerely.

I have not blogged on this page in over two years! Man, what can I say, except I'm sorry? I know there have been comments and I'm so sorry I haven't responded. THANK YOU for visiting...

Anyhow, I do have another blog that I post on more frequently. My goal is to do at least a three posts a week. Right now, I've been doing one a day, but I've had a long weekend, so I doubt that will continue.......But realistically three a week is my goal.

Looking back on the old reviews I did here, I see that a lot of the stuff I featured was of the higher end variety. I'd actually like to shift the focus to more affordable makeup. I'm also trying to go green with my skincare. Or as green as possible, so that will be something explored here in more detail.

I'm going to post a few reviews from my other blog that have to do with beauty related items....I'll also link my new blog too so you check that one out!

I've got some good stuff that I'll be writing about soon. I just hit CVS and found some killer nail polish and a fabulous lip gloss....among other things......Stick with me! Please!!

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