Tuesday, December 15, 2015

Review: POND'S Original Fresh Wet Cleansing Towelettes.

POND'S Original Fresh Wet Cleansing Towelettes


PROS:

• Has a nice lather
• Leaves face feeling clean and refreshed
• Texture on the towelette that helps with cleaning
• Inexpensive
• Smells Good

CONS:

• Towelettes dry out fast

Overall Rating:


About POND'S Original Fresh Wet Cleansing Towelettes


POND'S Original Fresh Wet Cleansing Towelettes  are textured cleansing clothes that are used to easily remove makeup, leaving you with clean and refreshed skin. The towelettes are infused with Vitamin E and a Triple Anti-Oxidant complex, that is supposed to leave your skin completely clean and free of all makeup. You can find these towelettes at Target for $4.69 for 30 towelettes, or you can purchase a travel size for $1, which comes with 5 towelettes.

How To Use


POND'S Original Fresh Wet Cleansing Towelettes are very easy to use and no different than other cleansing towelettes on the market. Simply wipe the towelette around your eyes, face and neck area to remove makeup and any impurities. No need to rinse, which is very convenient!


My Experience


I really enjoyed using these cleansing towelettes by POND'S. They clean my face and remove my makeup just as good as any of the other higher end cleansing towelettes that I've used. It didn't take long for these towelettes to remove my makeup, so I feel like it really saved me a lot of time. I feel like the texture on the towelettes is what really helps to remove the makeup so easily. My makeup came off extremely easily and my face was left feeling extremely clean and very refreshed.

Packaging


POND'S Original Fresh Wet Cleansing Towelettes come in a resealable package. I highly recommend that you tightly seal the package after every use, to prevent your towelettes from drying out. I feel like I seal mine as tightly as I can, yet they still seam to feel more and more dried out every time I use them.




I received this product complimentary from Influenster for testing purposes. Even though I received this product free of charge, it in no way effects my review. All opinions are 100% my own. 

If you're interested in joining Influenster, click on the Influenster badge below to sign-up. It's 100% FREE and you get the chance to review some amazing products! 


Tuesday, September 8, 2015

Review: EOS Shave Cream

EOS Shave Cream (Pomegranate Raspberry)


Pros:

• Leaves your skin feeling silky-smooth
• Helps give a close shave
• Moisturizing
• Paraben-free

Cons:

• Not the best choice for those with sensitive skin
• Causes some irritation when shaving dry
• Artificial smell

Overall Rating





About EOS Shave Cream


EOS Shaving Cream is a non-foaming shaving cream that is infused with natural aloe, oat, shea butter, and antioxidant vitamins E & C. It is paraben-free, pthalate-free and cruelty free. The aloe and oat extracts are to help prevent nicks and razor bumps, and you're even supposed to be able to shave wet or dry when you use this product.


Although the bottle says this product is paraben-free with natural aloe and shea butter, it is not a natural product. This product contains glycerin, fragrance and other ingredients that may be an allergy concern for some. I would suggest reading the entire ingredient list, and maybe doing a spot test before using it on your entire leg. 



Ingredients: 



Water (Eau), Mineral Oil (Huile Minérale), Glycerin, Stearic Acid, Glyceryl Stearate, Gluconolactone, Triethanolamine, Cetyl alcohol, Petrolatum, Sodium Benzoate, Dimethicone, Glycol Stearate, Titanium Dioxide (CI77891), Magnesium Aluminum Silicate, Carbomer, Disodium EDTA, Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea Butter), Avena Sativa (Oat) Kernel Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, ascorbyl Palmitate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Propylene glycol, Hexyl Cinnamal, Linalool, Butylphenyl Methylpropional, Red 40 (CI16035), Yellow 6 (CI15985).


How Well Does It Work?


EOS Shaving Cream provides a nice coat that creates an ample shave barrier between my razor and my skin. There wasn’t much of a lather to this product, but I still felt that it protected my skin from nicks, cuts, and razor irritation. I really didn't need that much product to get a good shave with this. I generally use one pump for my lower leg and one pump for my thighs, and I never have to use more than three pumps when shaving my legs. If you only apply a thin layer of this product like you're supposed to, it will give you a smooth, close shave without clogging up your razor. I was able to shave dry with this product somewhat successfully, although not without some irritation. In the shower it gave me seriously smooth skin and left my skin feeling moisturized. With that being said, I would not recommend using this dry unless it is absolutely necessary.


Consistency: EOS Shaving Cream doesn't foam like most shaving creams. Instead it's like a thick and creamy lotion. The texture of this shaving cream is a huge difference if you're used to thick gels or foams. Even though it comes out like a thick lotion, it starts to thin out once you apply it and rub it into your skin. If you normally use those thick gels and foams, it may take some getting used to the viscosity of this shaving cream.



Packaging: EOS Shaving Cream comes in a durable, recyclable, 7 oz. bottle with an easy to use dispensing pump. The dispensing pump can be locked and there is even a cap that covers the pump, making this an acceptable product to take with you when traveling. I think the bottle is very stylish and I love how it doesn't leave a rust ring in the shower or on counter-tops. 


You can buy this shaving cream for about $4 at Target, or you can find it on Amazon for around $7.


This review is in compliance with the FTC Guidelines. All opinions are completely my own, 100% honest and unbiased, and based solely on my own experience.

Friday, September 4, 2015

Review: Lady Shape Heart Intimate Shaping Tool

Lady Shape Heart Intimate Shaping Tool



Pros:

• Easy to use and control
 Comes in other styles
• Cute!

Cons:

• A little difficult to get around, unless you have a small razor

Overall Rating



About Lady Shape Heart Intimate Shaping Tool

Lady Shape is a brand that offers a variety of grooming products for the pubic area. They are made for the female body, and specifically designed to follow the shape and curves of the female body. They come in three different models: the Brazilian, a triangle, and a heart shape, which is the one I'm reviewing.

How To Use


The shaping tool comes with a three step picture diagram on the box, showing you the easiest way to go about using the product. The first step is to position the tool. Then, while you're in the shower, start by shaving the sides first and then the top part of the heart. The top part of the heart was the trickiest part for me.  That's where the small razors come in handy, so you can get the best heart shape possible.





I really like the design and quality of this product. The handle and the base of this shaping tool is made of plastic, and it's the perfect shape for holding comfortably in your hand. You're really able to get a good grip on it. The heart shape is made of a rubber material that makes it really easy for staying in place and not slipping around while you're trying to create your masterpiece. The size of the heart shaped shaping tool is 2 1/2 inches x 2 1/2 inches.

My Experience


 I use a Venus razor that's a bit bigger than disposable size razors and I had a bit of a difficult time doing the top part of my heart, where it makes a v-shape. I made it work, but I'm sure if I had a smaller razor it would have been an easier process, and a more precise heart shape. I only have the shaping tool, but I noticed on Amazon and on the Lady Shape website that it actually comes with two small razors to use with the shaping tool. I  recommend using those little bikini razors for the best results.

The heart shape template is nice for cute, special moments, but it's not something I want to rock all the time. I think I would like the Brazilian and triangle style much better.

If you're interested in purchasing an Intimate Shaping Tool of your own, you can find them on Amazon, or on the Lady Shape website. You can find it anywhere from $15-$18. That includes the shaping tool, two bikini razors, and a waterproof storage bag. 




This review is in compliance with the FTC Guidelines. All opinions are completely my own, 100% honest and unbiased, and based solely on my own experience.


Wednesday, September 2, 2015

Review: Sally Hansen Airbrush Legs

Sally Hansen Airbrush Legs



Pros:

• Smooth finish
• Streak-free
• Covers imperfections
• Quick & easy to use

Cons:

• Took a lot of product to evenly cover my legs
• Left my legs & hands feeling died out the next day

Overall Rating




I recently received a VoxBox from Influenster, with a sample of Sally Hansen's Airbrush Legs. I've been wanting to try Sally Hansen Airbrush Legs since I first saw a commercial for it on TV, so a big thank you to Influenster & Sally Hansen for giving me the chance to test it and share my opinion!


About Sally Hansen Airbrush Legs

Sally Hansen Airbrush Legs is a water resistant leg makeup that comes in 5 different shades, and is available in either a spray or a lotion. I received the lotion, so that is the one I am going to be reviewing. This product is supposed to give your legs a flawless look with a glow, and is advertised as being streak-free, long lasting, yet it won't rub off on your clothes. They even say it can cover any imperfections you may have on your legs, such as veins, birthmarks, etc.

How To Use

I had a super easy time applying this product. It was easy and not at all messy like I thought it would be. It literally takes three easy steps to apply this product.
  1. Apply a quarter size amount of lotion into the palm of your hand.
  2. Rub evenly onto your legs and feet, and apply sparingly to knees and ankles. If you put to much on your knees or other joint areas, it will look orange.
  3. Let dry!

My Experience

I decided to use my sample of Sally Hansen Airbrush Legs before going to the beach! My legs don't match the rest of my body, so they really can use some kind of color before going into the bright sun. And what a way to put this product to the ultimate test, I thought.

I started with a quarter sized amount, but I definitely ended up needing more than that. I am a lot of leg, so I ended up using almost 3 times that amount per leg. It also didn't spread out as much as I thought it was going to. Even though the lotion didn't spread out as much as I thought it would, the most important thing is that it spread evenly, without any streaks.

The texture of this lotion was very smooth and creamy, with a light and airy feel to it. It wasn't too thick, nor was it too thin. The consistency is very much like a liquid foundation. 

As soon as I applied the lotion to my legs, I instantly noticed how smooth and flawless it made my skin look. I also noticed a nice glow to my skin, and the fact that it was a slight shade darker. I was surprised with how natural it looked, and happy that it wasn't drastic. I was also happy that it didn't look orange-ish at all! My knees and ankles did look a lot darker, so even though I tried to apply it sparingly as possible, I think it was still too much. So really be careful not to apply too much on your knee and ankle area.

While I was at the beach, this product was able to hold up through the ocean water and didn't even rub off onto my suit, beach towel, or seat covers on the ride home. I showered that night when I got home from the beach, but I don't think the product completely washed off. My legs still had a smooth look to them, and it looked as if I had a little foundation on my legs. I showered again the next morning, and I'm pretty sure the rest of it washed off.  I had no issues washing it off of my hands. It easily washed off with soap and warm water. 

The day after using the product, I noticed that my legs and hands looked and felt really dried out. It has me wondering if there is anything in this product that helps with moisturizing or hydrating. 

Overall, I liked this product and I would definitely purchase it to use again. I think I would probably purchase the spray version, because I think it would be a lot easier to apply, especially for someone with a lot of leg!


I received this product complimentary from Influenster for testing purposes. Even though I received this product free of charge, it in no way effects my review. All opinions are 100% my own. 

If you're interested in joining Influenster, click on the Influenster badge below to sign-up. It's 100% FREE and you get the chance to review some amazing products! 

Thursday, August 20, 2015

What It's Worth -- Ipsy August Glam Bag


I've been getting Ipsy Glam Bags for about a year now, and I still look forward to them every month. My friends are always asking me if they are worth the $10 (I always think they are), so I've decided I would review my bags every month and do a breakdown on the prices to see if they are really worth the $10. My prices are just estimates, since I mostly only get sample sizes that are typically not sold in stores.

WHY I THINK IPSY IS WORTH IT:  Ipsy gives me the chance to try higher end beauty products without dishing out a lot of money on a product I'm not sure I will like. I also like that it challenges me to try products I might have never tried out on my own. The purpose of Ipsy is not to love everything you get, but to try new things! So for $10 a month, I consider it to be a gamble.




Marc Anthony Nourishing Argan Oil of Morocco Oil Treatment: 

Full Size Price: $9

Estimated Sample Size Price: $1


According to my research, the full size product retails for about $9, and it would take about 9 sample sizes to equal the full size amount. So, if my calculations on this one is correct, this sample is worth about $1.

Oils for my hair aren't my favorite products, but from time to time I will use one. I recommend starting with a small amount of this stuff, because too much of it will weigh down your hair. To be completely honest with you, all of the Argan Oils I've ever used, they have all been pretty much the same. I've never noticed a difference between them, except for the fact that they all smell different. With that being said, I really do like the smell of this stuff. It's clean, fruity, and tropical all at the same time.






JUARA Skincare Turmeric Antioxidant Radiance Facial Mask

Full Size Price: $35

Estimated Sample Size Price: $4

This is some expensive stuff! It's $35 for 3 oz of product! The disappointing thing about that is the fact that I kind loved using this product, but I don't see myself dishing out $35 for it. I'm not sure I loved it that much. 

That being said... I love the way this stuff makes my face feel during and after use. It was very hydrating, and it left my skin feeling silky smooth! And although I didn't actually notice anything different with my pores, it's probably something that happens after multiple uses. 



Starlooks Luxe Longwear Eyeliner Pen 

Full Size Price: $19 

Estimated Sample Size Price: $19

It's the products like this one, when Ipsy really pays off. I don't consider this to be a sample, but the actual product that they sell on their website for $19.

I've never used an eyeliner pen like this, so I was really excited to try it out. The tip of the pen is like a fine-tip marker, making it really easy to perfect a cat eye look. I was really surprised at how smoothly this liner glided on eyes, and how bold it was. This was definitely an unexpected surprise in my Ipsy Glam Bag. I probably would have never purchased this product on my own, so it was nice to get to sample it in my Glam Bag!





OFRA Cosmetics Lip Liner in Wine

Full Size Price: $13

Estimated Sample Size Price: $13

Woo! Another sample that is not a sample size! Two in one bag..you can't beat that! According to their website, this is in fact the same lip liner they sell on their website for $13.

This probably wouldn't be my first color choice, but I do like that it's subtle. Overall I like the product and it's smooth & creamy formula. The liner applies on evenly & smooth, and it's easy to blend with other lipsticks & lip glosses.




tarte Deluxe LipSurgence Skintuitive Lip Gloss in Energy

Full Size Price: $19

Estimated Sample Size Price: $4

tarte is a company that I like a lot but, in my opinion, they're on the pricey side, so I like being able to try their products before making the splurge. I would consider this to be one of the better samples in an Ipsy bag, but that is just my personal opinion.

I usually like products from tarte, but I'm not so much a fan of this one. I loved the color, the smell, and the shine, but I couldn't deal with the stickiness. It's really sticky at first, and then just straight up uncomfortable after wearing it for a little while.  The color is not at the hot pink that it looks like on the wand. Instead, it gives you a shiny lip, with maybe a slight tint of pink.



Estimated Total Value: $41 

I would say I definitely got $10 worth of product.  And that's not even including the cute bag that's included. You might not always like what you get, but sometimes it's worth the risk. Also, if you get something you know you're not going to like, you can always look into joining a swap. There's a ton of people out there willing to trade products.


This amount is just an estimation and may not be 100% accurate. I do my best to try to give you the closest estimate I can. 

If you think Ipsy is worth it and you'd like to try it out for yourself, you can sign up by clicking the Ipsy button below this post. It's $10 every first of the month, and you usually get your box by the middle of every month. You get to take a quiz that helps determine the type of products that will best suit you, and if you ever feel like you're not getting anything you like and you don't want it anymore, you can cancel at any time.




Wednesday, April 15, 2015

Review: Nature Box



I briefly went over Nature Box in one of my previous blog posts, but this time around I'm going to do a more in depth review on one of my recent Nature Box packages. Nature Box is a U.S. based, monthly subscription service that delivers tasty, nutritionist approved snacks right to your front door.

My favorite thing about these snacks are the minimal amount of ingredients that are used. Most of my Nature Box snacks have very few ingredients. I also enjoy the fact that there aren't any added sweeteners, flavors, or color to these snacks. You don't have to feel guilty when eating these snacks or feeding them to your friends and family, and that's a great thing, and truly a piece of mind.

Another added bonus about this product is that it's made by a company that truly gives back. While recently visiting their website, I learned that for every box that they deliver, they vow to donate one meal through Feeding America. It's refreshing to see a company giveback, and it's all the more reason to support this company and sign up for their monthly subscription service.


When it comes to choosing your snacks, the Nature Box website provides you with a long list of all of the snacks that they offer, and they're always adding new snacks that tend to go with the particular season. For the most part, every single snack looks delicious, so it's almost easier to just let them surprise you (I'm very indecisive). I've been getting a Nature Box for 4 months now, and there has only been one snack that I didn't too much care for, and that's just a personal taste preference...no big deal! On the other hand, if there is a snack I don't like, the little girl that I babysit will probably love it! She hasn't had a snack from Nature Box that she didn't like yet. No matter what, these snacks never go to waste in my household.
There are a few options to choose from when signing up for Nature Box. I provided a screenshot of all of your options, but the most popular choice is most likely going to be the $19.95 month-to-month plan, which includes 5 full-sized packages of yummy snacks.


Here is a little peek into the snacks that I received this month.

Peanut Butter Nom Noms -- These peanut buttery, oatmeal cookies are so tasty! For some reason, I was actually surprised with how much flavor they had. The honey really brings this cookie together, and gives it the prefect chewy consistency. When I read the ingredients of this cookie, I was a little nervous about the dark chocolate chip flavored chips, but I'm happy to say that it really tastes almost exactly like dark chocolate. You get 6 cookies in a bag, and I love having one for breakfast, because it's a filling little cookie.

Ingredients: Rolled Oats, Almonds, Peanut Butter (roasted peanuts, dextrose, palm oil, salt). For added freshness (grape juice, and rice dextrin), Honey, Sugar, Canola Oil, Dark Chocolate Flavored Chips (sugar, vegetable fat [palm, palm kernel], cocoa processed with alkali, dry buttermilk, soy lecithin, [an emulsifier], natural flavors), Egg Whites, Unsweetened Coconut, Brown Rice Syrup, Vanilla Extract, Pumpkin Seeds, Cinnamon, Natural Flavor, Salt.





Apple Pie Figgy Bars -- These are better than any granola bar out there! I love everything about this snack.. the taste, the texture, the serving size... everything! The granola bar itself is slight chewy and crumbly at the same time. The flavor is delicious and it really has a homemade taste to it, something you can't find in any store bought granola bar. The fruit filling is just as good, if not better, than the granola bar, and it has that true apple pie taste! *Sorry! I wasn't able to save the package to copy the ingredient list off of it. I will probably be ordering these again, so I will have to remember to get a copy of them next time.*

If you're interested in trying Nature Box for yourself, you can click the banner below to sign up.



This is not a sponsored blog post. This is a personal blog post written and edited by me, and all opinions are 100% my own.

Wednesday, April 8, 2015

Review: Yves Saint Laurent Mascara Volume Effet Faux Cils


If you're looking to splurge on a good quality mascara, the Mascara Volume Effet Faux Cils by Yves Saint Laurent is for sure the one you want to go with! I've used a lot of good mascaras, but this one blows them all out of the park. Yves Saint Laurent has come up with a new and better formula for their mascara, that is said to give intense volume and color, and it's even infused with B5 Pro-Vitamins to help strengthen and protect your eyelashes. Another thing about this mascara that I want to mention, because I think it's really fun, is that it also comes in some fun color options. I tested the high density black, but you can also get this mascara in a blue, brown, violet, and burgundy. 

I can't say enough good things about this mascara. It's a smooth and creamy formula that doesn't clump, it lengthens and separates my lashes very nicely, the high density black is very bold, and it even smells really good. If I had to describe the smell, I would have to say it's a 'clean floral' smell. It's very subtle and I really enjoy the smell, but I can see how it may be a concern for others. If you're someone who is sensitive to fragrances, you're probably going to be hesitant to try this product. I've personally not had any kind of irritation with this product, and if anything, I've actually noticed that my eyelashes feel stronger and softer just after using this product for a short period of time.



When it comes to choosing the right mascara for you, I've learned that it's mostly important that you get the right kind of wand for your eyelashes. This longer, comb-like brush is really great for lengthening and defining your lashes. I love the way it separates each of my lashes, making them look much more defined and a whole lot longer. This brush combined with the voluminous formula, really makes this mascara worth having in your life! You can really see the difference in my before and after picture. This stuff actually makes a significant difference!




The Yves Saint Laurent Mascara Volume Effet Faux Cils is beautifully packaged, and in my opinion it definitely screams 'high-end mascara'. The box is very sleek and simple, but definitely catches your eye with it's shiny, gold color. The tube that the mascara comes inside of is really what screams 'high-end' the most. It's two toned with a gold and a rose-ish gold, and it's engraved with the YSL logo. I absolutely love the look of this tube of mascara... I can't get enough of it!

For your convenience, I copied a list of ingredients from the YSL website.

AQUA (WATER) . PARAFFIN . STEARIC ACID . CERA CARNAUBA . TRIETHANOLAMINE . CERA ALBA (BEESWAX) . C10-30 CHOLESTEROL/LANOSTEROL ESTERS . NYLON-12 . STEARYL STEARATE . PHENOXYETHANOL . HYDROXYETHYLCELLULOSE . EUPHORBIA CERIFERA (CANDELILLA) WAX . DIMETHICONE . PARFUM (FRAGRANCE) . TITANIUM DIOXIDE . TOCOPHERYL ACETATE . METHYLPARABEN . ADIPIC ACID/DIETHYLENE GLYCOL/GLYCERIN CROSSPOLYMER . PANTHENOL . VP/ EICOSENE COPOLYMER . BEHENIC ACID . SORBITAN STEARATE . PEG-40 STEARATE . ALGAE EXTRACT . ALOE BARBADENSIS LEAF JUICE . BUTYLPARABEN . ETHYLPARABEN . ISOBUTYLPARABEN . PROPYLPARABEN . [+/- MAY CONTAIN : CI 77007 (ULTRAMARINES) . CI 77499 (IRON OXIDE) . CI 75470 (CARMINE) . CI 77491 (IRON OXIDE) . CI 77019 (MICA) . CI 77742 (MANGANESE VIOLET) . CI 77891 (TITANIUM DIOXIDE) . CI 77492 (IRON OXIDE) . CALCIUM SODIUM BOROSILICATE . CI 19140 (YELLOW 5 LAKE) . CI 42090 (BLUE 1 LAKE) . CI 77000 (ALUMINUM POWDER) . CI 77163 (BISMUTH OXYCHLORIDE) . CI 77289 (CHROMIUM HYDROXIDE GREEN) . CI 77510 (FERRIC FERROCYANIDE) . CI 77288 (CHROMIUM OXIDE GREENS) . SILICA . “3YY07-1“ . ]

I received these products complimentary from Influenster for testing purposes. If you're interested in joining Influenster, click on the Influenster badge below to sign-up. It's 100% FREE and you get the chance to review some amazing products!