Dove Dermacare @ CVS VoxBox!

Dove Dermacare @ CVS VoxBox!

PROS:

• Cleans well and gets to the root nicely

• Helps with dry, itchy scalp.

• Smells good

CONS:

• Really thick

• Takes a lot of product to get a good lather

Overall Rating:

I received a free sample of Dove Dove Dermacare Scalp Dryness & Itch Relief Anti-Dandruff Shampoo + Pyrithione Zinc from Influenster to use for testing purposes. I was really excited to try this new shampoo, because I love a lot of products from Dove, and I have an oily scalp and get dandruff during the dry, winter months, so I knew it was a product that I wanted to give a try.

Overall, I mostly liked this shampoo. I thought it made my hair feel and look very clean. It also left my hair feeling very soft and manageable! I live in a area with high humidity, so while I did experience some frizz, I did notice a significant less amount of frizz after using this shampoo. It also really helped to reduce the oiliness without drying out my scalp. I think I will really like this product during the winter months, when I experience dandruff problems.

Another thing I liked about this shampoo was the smell. I think it has a coconut, tropical scent, but its VERY subtle. Most dandruff shampoos don't smell very good, so this was a huge plus for me. Then scent even subtly lingers in my hair, a few hours after using the shampoo.

The one thing I really didn't like about this shampoo is how thick it is. It's a very thick and creamy shampoo and you really have to use a lot of the product to get a really good lather going, which also means that you go through the product pretty quickly. Although it takes a lot of product to get a good lather, once get a good lather going, it really does get down to the root and cleans the hair very nicely. 

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. 

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Review - Olay Ultra Moisture Shea Butter Body Wash

Olay Ultra Moisture Body Wash With Shea Butter

Pros:

• Hydrating

• Sublte Scent

• Cleansing

• Long Lasting

• Affordable

Cons:

• Possibly too hydrating for people with oily skin

Overall Rating:

I mostly use Dove body wash, because it's my favorite, but I was shocked at how much this Olay Body Wash was so similar to my favorite body wash and a lot cheaper. I have very dry skin, so I like to use a hydrating body wash and this one really worked for me. I can't tell you how nice it is to find something that works for you and is actually affordable! 

The scent is very pleasant. It's light, subtle, and fairly long lasting. It didn't linger the entire day, but I definitely smelled it for a few hours, in the morning.  Although it does last a lot longer if I use it when I shower before bed. The scent will still be lingering when I wake up in the morning. Overall, everything is very subtle, and I think anyone who is sensitive to smells would be able to tolerate the scent just fine. 

The formula and texture is very smooth and creamy, and I thought it lathered very nicely on my loofah. A small amount of product went a long way, and I felt very clean, smooth, and fresh after rinsing off. This body wash was gentle on my skin and didn't cause me to break out, but I don't have too sensitive of skin. I still think this body wash is gentle enough for those with sensitive skin. I also think that since it is so hydrating, it would work good for those who have dry skin.

This review is being entered into a #contest for Influenster. I received this product free of charge from PinchMe for testing purposes. All opinions are honest and 100% my own.

Saint vs. Sinner

Review: Saint + Sinner Eau De Parfum

PROS:

• Smells Good

• Mixes well with my body chemistry

• Vegan & Cruelty Free

• Both fragrances pair nicely together

• Stunning Packaging!

CONS:

• Expensive

Overall Rating:

I've always been a big fan of perfume, so I was super excited for the chance to try two perfumes from Kat Von D Beauty. The fun thing about these two different perfumes, is that since they both have similar notes, you can wear them together, essentially creating a third fragrance! This fragrance may have been resurrected, but this was my first time ever smelling either of these perfumes. 

Saint: Saint is so soft, easy to wear, and perfect for the summer time! The floral and fruity scent is what stands out to me the most. I'm someone who wears perfume according to seasons and my mood, and this scent is perfect for when you're feeling fun, flirty, and romantic!

Sinner: Sinner is much more of a heavy scent that contains notes that are much more warm and woody. I think Sinner would be the perfect perfume to wear in the fall and winter months. This is actually the scent that I like the most, because it mixes well with my body chemistry and smells a lot better on me. I would wear this perfume when I go out at night, or if I'm in more of a fun, sexy, and seductive mood.

Saint & Sinner: So, if you can't decide if you want to be bad or good, I say be both! It's fun to mix the two scents and wear them together. It definitely creates an entirely new scent, that I find to smell very unique. 

Packaging: While I did only receive the sample size version of these perfumes (which by the way, were still oh-so-cute!), I think that the full size bottles are absolutely stunning! Kat killed it on the design of the bottle, and I bet that a lot of people purchase this perfume for the bottle alone. 

My Experience: Overall, I was very pleased with both scents from the Kat Von D Beauty line. I found them both to be high quality fragrances that smell good and mix well with my body chemistry. I thought they both had longevity, and lasted all day or all night without wearing off. It is expensive, but at the same time, just about all the good perfumes are, so knowing how much effort goes behind the making of this perfume, I find the price to be somewhat reasonable and comparable to many other good perfumes on the market. 

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. 

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Review: Duncan Hines Perfect Size for 1 Chocolate Lovers Cake Mix

Duncan Hines Perfect Size for 1 Chocolate Lovers Cake Mix

PROS:

• Quick and Easy
• Tastes Good

• Fluffy 

CONS:

• Not very moist

Overall Rating

About Duncan Hines Perfect Size for 1

Duncan Hines has created a mug cake that is the perfect size for one individual and is ready in just over a minute! It comes in 18 different varieties, from Chocolate Lover's Cake, to Smores Cake, and even a Carrot Cake. There are a ton of ways to get creative and experiment with these individual packets of cake mix!

How To Make

All you need to make your personal cake in a mug, is 1 mug that is at least 9 oz., 1 pack of the Duncan Hines cake mix, and 3 tablespoons of water. You can even find recipes that substitute the 3 tablespoons of water with things like orange juice and coffee! It's seriously as easy as 1,2,3..

Step 1: Empty the cake mix into a mug that is at least 9oz. (Make sure the mug is microwave safe!)

Step 2: Add 3 tablespoons of water (or your replacement for water) and stir well. Make sure there is no dry cake mix left behind.

Step 3: Microwave for 1 minute and 10 seconds and then let the cake cool inside the micorwave for 2 minutes.

It doesn't get much easier than that, people!

My Experience

I was very happy with my sample of the Duncan Hines Perfect Size for 1. I sampled the Chocolate Lover's Cake and it was very tasty. It was not very moist, but it was very soft and fluffy. It was also very quick, convenient, and easy to make, and takes no longer than five minutes from start to finish. All you need is a coffee mug and 3 tablespoons of milk or water, and that's it. I love that you basically only dirty one mug and a spoon, making clean up a breeze! You can even make your own creations by adding things like sprinkles, ice cream, whipped cream, etc. I could see myself purchasing these in the future for when I'm wanting something sweet, quick, and convenient.

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. 

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L'Oréal Voluminous VoxBox

L'Oréal Voluminous VoxBox

Yet again, Influenster has hooked me up with more great products to test out! This time, I received SIX  L'Oréal eye products to help create the perfect eye look.

1. L'Oréal Paris Voluminous Primer/Base
2. L'Oréal Paris Voluminous Original Volume Building Mascara
3.  L'Oréal Paris Infallible Never Fail Mechanical Eyeliner
4. L'Oréal Paris Brow Stylist Prep & Shape Pro Kit
5. L'Oréal Paris Eye Shadow - Paris Beach
6. L'Oréal Paris Eye Shadow - Pain Au Chocolat

This was my first time using a primer for my eyelashes and I have been very impressed with it. I found the brush to be effective, and enjoyed the softness to it. The primer is white when you apply it to your lashes and I can instantly see the primer give my eyelashes a boost. The white color helped me to see if I was coating my lashes evenly, which I thought was a bit of an added bonus. After applying the primer to my lashes, I then added a coat of the L'Oreal Paris Voluminous Original Volume Building Mascara on top of it.

After applying the L'Oreal Paris Voluminous Primer/Base to my lashes, I then applied the L'Oreal Paris Voluminous Original Volume Building Mascara. The mascara was not even the slightest bit clumpy and I watched my eyelashes magically extend as I applied it. It also gave my lashes the perfect curl. I am a huge mascara snob, and I was so impressed with how good this mascara worked. I can wear it for the entire day, and my lashes are still holding strong at the end of the day. This is a great option for those who want an effective and affordable mascara. 

I was already impressed by the mascara, but I gotta say, the eye liner is also pretty top notch! The black is very bold and it glides on so nice and smooth. It's also a mechanical eyeliner, which is my favorite! You don't have to worry about sharpening it. The eyeliner claims to last 16 hours and I would say that it definitely lasts 16 hours, but the humidity in Florida did make it smear just a little. But in the eyeliner's defense... the humidity has been so bad this summer!

Out of all the products I tried, this was by far my least favorite... and I really hate to say this, but I didn't like this kit at all! The kit itself was very cute, with the mini tweezers, the angled brush, and the spoolie brush.. but the product did absolutely nothing for me. The soft wax barely even applied to the brush and I couldn't see that the product was doing anything. I really wanted to like this product, but unfortunately, it did nothing for my eye brows.

The eye shadows looked very promising, but it was also lacking just a bit, in my opinion. I would consider both of the shades to be in the nude palette and they both looked really pretty, but unfortunately they didn't seem to have much pigment to them once I applied them to my eyes. You can still work with it, and the Pain Au Chocolat shade does have a nice shimmer to it. I would definitely recommend using a primer before applying this eye shadow, to get the best pigment that you can.

My Experience

My experience testing out these products from L'Oreal was overall positive. Mascara is my favorite makeup product, so I can be somewhat of a snob when it comes to testing them.. but I truly loved both the primer and the mascara as a duo! I used all of the products in my VoxBox to complete a simple eye look and I was happy with how it turned out. My favorite product was definitely the primer and the mascara. Using the two products together really made my lashes instantly pop. My least favorite product, and really the only product I didn't like, was the eye brow kit. Unfortunately, it didn't do much for my eye brows, which you will be able to see in my picture.

I received this product complimentary from Influenster for testing purposes. All opinions are 100% my own. #LorealMakeup 

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Review: Maybelline's Brow Drama Pomade Crayon VoxBox

Brow Drama Pomade Crayon by Maybelline

Pros: 

• Easy to use

• Pigmented

• Nicely tames the brows  

• Glides on easily

Cons:

• Easily Smears 

• A little overpriced 

Overall Rating

About Maybelline Brow Drama Pomade Crayon

The Brow Drama Pomade Crayon by Maybelline is a crayon for your eyebrows, that is said to sculpt, tame, and color your brows in just one easy sweep! It's available in four different shades (blonde, soft brown, deep brown, and auburn) and retails for $9.99.

How To Use 

It's very easy to use the Brow Drama Pomade Crayon. Simply sweep the crayon across your eyebrow, starting from the inner brow and ending at the tail of your brow. Depending on your personal way of doing your eyebrows, you may need to repeat until you get the desired look you are going for. Personally, I don't see anyone apply this in just ONE sweep, but it is still really quick and easy..

You can adjust the length of the crayon by turning the bottom, and when your crayon starts to get dull, you can easily sharpen the tip of it with one of the bigger eye pencil sharpeners.

My Experience

Overall, I had a good experience with the Brow Drama Pomade Crayon by Maybelline. There were a lot of things that I liked about the product and a couple things that didn't work for me.

This product was very easy to apply. It glides on smooth and has a very natural look to it. It also really does a good job at taming your eyebrows and putting them in their place.

I don't do much sculpting, but as far as filling in and coloring my brows, it worked great! I love that you can go light with this product or you can go bold, making it great for many different looks. I received the soft brown and the deep brown, and I love that I'm able to use both.

The texture of the product is very creamy and blends in nicely. The biggest issue I had with this product was that it easily smears. I live in Florida, and I need something that can hold up in this high humidity. It's really not even that hot just yet, so I don't think this is going to work for me on those really hot, summer days. 

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. 

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#CheersVoxBox

Receiving the Cheers VoxBox from Influenster, was a nice bonus to the start of my 2016. I had the opportunity to test some new products, and now I get to share my opinion with everyone on the internet. Inside of Influenster's #CheersVoxBox, I received Sweet Chili Corn Tortilla Chips by Way Better Snacks, Dr. Teal's Soothe & Sleep with Lavender Pure Epsom Salt Soaking Solution, Suave Professionals Almond + Shea Butter Moisture Mask, and a coupon for Hormel Taco Meats. They also included a card about a new Fitness app called Yaye.

Sweet Chili Corn Tortilla Chips by Way Better Snacks

Way Better Snacks is a company that  is dedicated to offering nutritious and great tasting snacks. They also strive for simple ingredients, hence their saying "Simply Sprouted".

I must admit.. tortilla chips are not my favorite kind of chip, but these chips have totally changed my mind to possibly giving tortilla chips a place in my heart. The sweet chili tortilla chips by Way Better Snacks are way better than any tortilla chip I've ever tasted. Not only are they packed with a lot of flavor, but they're also packed with nutrients and free of GMOs, gluten, artificial colors, flavors and preservatives.

When making healthier options, I hate having to give up taste and flavor. When I saw that these chips contained ingredients like flax, chia, quinoa, broccoli, AND radish... I was extremely skeptic as to whether or not I would like the taste. After trying the first chip, I couldn't believe how much  I liked it. It was crunchy, flavorful, and had a slight kick of spice to it. It was almost like chips and salsa without the salsa. And even though you don't need to dip these in salsa, they still really go good with salsa and other dips.

Hormel Taco Meat - Shredded Beef

It took a while for me to find this product in my local grocery stores, and when I finally did find it, I was only able to find the shredded beef and the beef crumbles. I was really looking forward to trying the pork or chicken, but since it had already taken so long to find the product, I decided to go ahead and try out the shredded beef. I hadn't really thought of a recipe using the shredded beef, so I took the sim and easy route, and just decided to make shredded beef soft tacos.


When I first opened the package of Hormel Taco Meat, I have to admit that I wasn't very impressed with how the meat looked. Some of it was shredded, but most of it looked a little too shredded and very dry. On the plus side, the seasoning on the meat smelled really good, so I was willing to look past the appearance.

Halfway through cooking the Hormel Taco Meat, it does start to look a little less dry, but I might suggest adding just a little more oil than the recommend, because in the end, I thought the meant was very dry.

The meat is already pre-cooked, so basically all I had to do was heat up the meat, which only takes 3-4 minutes. I added the recommend amount of oil to a pan, added the shredded beef, and let it cook for 3-4 minutes, giving it a good stir after a couple minutes before it was finished cooking.

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

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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.

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.