Showing posts with label Influenster. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Influenster. Show all posts

Wednesday, March 11, 2015

Influenster Refresh VoxBox Product Review


Oh yus! Thank yooouuuu Influenster! As I may have mentioned in the past, Influenster is one of my favorite, if not my absolute favorite word of mouth site out there. If this box doesn't prove why, I don't know what will! I was shocked when I opened up such a small box to find it filled with such a large amount of goodies! So...read on to find some new favs!

Click image to enlarge

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Beanitos Chips
Melt in your mouth goodness to the max!
The first bag that I tried were the Nacho Cheese! I instantly noticed that yes, they are a bit too salty. BUT....the chips literally melt in your mouth like cheese puffs or puff corn! Yum! A few days later, I gave the restaurant style chips a try. While I wasn't as amazed by these, they were still delicious. I have had black bean chips before and they tasted similar. If you've ever had any sort of 'bean' chips, you have an idea what these would taste like. If you've never had bean chips before, they literally taste like crispy, crunchy beans! Sounds odd, but tasted great!

Would I purchase: Yes to the Nacho Cheese, no to the Restaurant Style

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Covergirl UltraSmooth Foundation
Wow was I lucky on this one! It's sooo hard to choose make-up shades by an online swatch, but I had to do just that. Guess what!?!? It turned out to be the perfect shade! I love that this product comes with its own cute little applicator (though not visible in pics). I'm not one to use my fingers, so I have used a brush in the past. Well...that's a quick way to wear out brushes. The applicator is quick and easy to clean. As the name states, the foundation does apply very smoothly. Other than that, there isn't a huge difference from other basic Covergirl foundations. As far as coverage goes, I would say it is between medium and full and applies very evenly.

Would I purchase: On occasion, but not exclusively

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L'Occitane Shea Butter Light Comforting Cream
Hmmmmm??? I can't really make up my mind on this one. I absolutely love how the lotion feels on your skin. Super soft and smooth! It's also extremely light and doesn't clog your skin. However, I'm not a huge fan of the scent. Normally I'd prefer unscented or fruity scents. This, to me, has a general lotion-y scent or almost like a baby powder. It's also pretty expensive but regardless, the stuff works crazy good!

Would I purchase: Only with a coupon/discount

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Orgain Certified Organic Nutritional Shake
Unfortunately this product came in the form of a FREE Product Coupon. Also unfortunately, there are not stores near me that sell this product. I'm hoping to just save the coupon until I travel to a location where I can get this product. While I've never tasted it, it looks absolutely delish! Other than that, I really can't review any further.

Would I purchase: To be determined

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Montagne Jeunesse Face Masques
I've used many Montagne Jeunesse products in the past, so this is nothing new to me! I have yet to find one of their products that I dislike and this is no different. One thing that you should remember about peel off masks is that you should apply them very thin! If you get too much of the product on at one time, it takes far too long to dry. One thin, even layer and you're good to go. Love the 'Honey' part of this as well, smells great! I've also heard that honey is rather good for your skin!

Would I purchase: Yes

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SkinnyGirl Tasty Nutrition Bar
What a perfect combination. How can you go wrong with dark chocolate and banana?! Now....if you don't like banana, I would suggest NOT trying this specific flavor. The main thing you taste is the banana...but not the artificial 'candy' banana flavor. No. It literally tastes like banana was blended and added to the bar. Then you taste the chocolate! To me, the chocolate tastes more like semi-sweet than it does dark. I do like dark chocolate though, so it's possible that it may taste a bit more on the bitter side if you're not a fan. I have had other flavors of these bars in the past and they are absolutely delicious, so if you don't like this flavor combo, try another! Trust me, you'll love them. Plus, the bars are 150 calories of nutrition! At 7 grams of protein per bar, this is a perfect snack to tide you over.

Would I purchase: Yes

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Listerine Pocketpaks
Wowza! Lots of spice in a tiny 'Pak'! I have had similar strips in the past but I don't remember them having that much oomph! Basically these are like a little square of tissue paper looking stuff that dissolves on your tongue. It takes a short time for the strip to dissolve, but the freshness lasts for hours. To get an idea of the flavor, it would taste similar to that of Listerine mouthwash. I also did a bit of research and found that they come in other flavors as well. Knowing this, I actually already picked up another 3 pack of a different flavor (Coolmint). These too had a lot of oomph but just in a different minty flavor. Both worked equally as well.

Would I purchase: Already have

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Dentek Fun Flossers
CUTE! I've looked at flossers in the store before but have never seen the 'Fun' ones! I don't have kids, so maybe they are in the kids section? Anyway....I brought these to my nieces to try out. Of course they grabbed them instantly without even knowing what they are. After showing them, both had their teeth cleaner than what the dentist would provide (Haha)! So...in other words...if you're little one doesn't like to floss, give these a try! Maybe the 'fun' factor will get them more excited about oral hygiene.

Would I purchase: No, only because I don't have kids

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Dentek Comfort Clean Floss Picks
I have used another brand of similar flossers before so I was excited to compare the two! What I really loved about these is that they have a pick on one side! This often comes in handy, especially after a meal/etc. They also have a nice minty flavor to help freshen breath. Always a plus! I did notice that the floss on them tends to stretch (if that makes sense), so it does get a little hard to completely finish flossing your teeth. However, I've never had it actually break on me.

Would I purchase: Yes

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Such a blast reviewing these products! If you'd like to do the same, join me on Influenster!

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Disclosure: I received the mentioned products complimentary from Influenster for review purposes. All opinions are 100% my own.

Monday, November 24, 2014

Influenster - Your Newest Addiction!

Some people are addicted to:

Coffee
-or-
Facebook
-or-
Nicotine
-or-
Chocolate
-or-
Pinterest
-or-
You name it!

I...happen to be addicted to INFLUENSTER! If you're not yet addicted, you should be!

If you are not familiar with this site, Influenster is a cross between a product review site and a Word of Mouth (WOM) marketing site. The perfect combination. Product reviews to research products before purchase and the WOM side allows you to try new products (via VoxBoxes) completely FREE. You just may discover new favorites...or maybe new dislikes! Either way, it's a win win situation!

Because I truly believe that a picture is worth a thousand words, why not show you just what is so addicting about Influenster! Check out the slideshow of all the boxes I have received below!


Those are just the physical boxes that I have received. What you don't see is the slew of 'virtual' boxes that Influenster offers. Those boxes are all done online and you are given the opportunity to win additional prizes upon completion. Completing tasks for for physical boxes also gives you the opportunity to win more prizes.

I have even taken it upon myself to store away all of the product cards from each box! Yes, I really did save them all. What?! I like to look back at them (lol)! Once again, check out the slideshow below to get an idea of the value of each box as well as product descriptions.


I bet you're going to ask..."How do you get those boxes?"
To be honest, I don't have a good answer for you. A lot of it, I would assume, has to do with your age and location. Companies often have a target group of people to market to. I'm sure it also helps to be an active Influenster member. Trust me, that isn't hard. You can also win boxes on occasion through Twitter parties and other promotions that Influenster runs.

Whether you receive boxes or not, Influenster is an asset. Product knowledge that I have received and the friends from the Influenster community that I have made, made the site well worth my time! So thank you, Influenster, for all you do! (:

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https://www.influenster.com/

Wednesday, November 19, 2014

Influenster Moda VoxBox Review



Influenster has done it again! Another great VoxBox. Eight unique items for review...yes, EIGHT! Quite a jump from the usual four or five. The more, the better in my opinion. So....check it out!





Rimmel Scandaleyes Rockin' Curves Mascara
Look at this brush! Have you ever seen anything like it? When I first saw this, I was a little confused...How does the brush hit all of your lashes evenly? Well...it does. It also isn't quite as curved as what it appears on the packaging. While it looks fantastic once applied, there isn't really anything spectacular or unique about the appearance. It is a basic, standard mascara that appears to have some lengthening properties.



Rimmel Moisture Renew Lipstick
First off.....bea-utiful color (Nude Delight)! I've always been a fan of nude colors and this is just perfect! Many that I have used in the past are either a bit too light or too dark. This is just about right! The one thing that I wasn't extremely happy with was the coverage. It seemed that if I had any loose skin, it would show through the lipstick. However, I discovered that if you put on a good balm beforehand, you can avoid this issue.



Rimmel Moisture Renew Lip Liner
For all of the years that I've worn make-up, I've never used a lip liner. Why you ask? Well, I didn't like that you could see a slightly different shade around the edge of your lips. Well...silly me...I had no idea they made 'Clear' lip liner! Thanks for teaching me something new Influenster and Rimmel! So anyway...I gave this a try...and wow! How cool to be able to keep my red lipstick from 'bleeding'? So happy to have discovered this product and will definitely be using lip liner from now on!



Puffs Softpack
Really!?!? A full sized tissue packet in in plastic instead of cardboard?! I didn't know such a thing existed! While I admit, it is kind of a hassle to use in your home as the whole package lifts when you're trying for just one tissue. However, this is PERFECT for a vehicle or to pack for vacation/travel. It takes up less space and is so much more flexible than the standard cardboard. Not to mention, the designs are pretty awesome!



Hair Food Moisturizing Hair Mask
MmmmMmmmmMmmmm does this stuff smell good! Not only that, it's so easy to use! Take a dollop, rub and then comb through your hair and rinse it out! No need to let excess water swirl down the drain while you're waiting for your products to 'work'. While the intent of this mask is to moisturize (and it does), I think the best asset is that it makes your hair soft and smooth! Of course, it also makes your hair smell insanely delicious! ;)



Swiss Miss Simply Cocoa
With only 5 ingredients, Simply Cocoa is a great alternative to the ingredient 'rich' alternatives. To me, it is important to be able to know exactly what is in my food/drinks. If you can't pronounce it, it's probably no good. Don't fret, you don't have to give up flavor. In fact, Simply Cocoa is just as good if not better than the original. If you enjoy dark chocolate, be sure to try the Dark Chocolate Simply Cocoa version. It is absolutely delish!



Jergen's Ultra Healing Extra Dry Skin Moisturizer
If you've ever used Jergen's products (or even if you haven't), you already know that it's good stuff! So...I won't bore you with all that. However, I LOVE the scent of this lotion. It has a very clean, fresh scent to it which is not overpowering. As the title mentions, this is for EXTRA DRY skin. When applied to my elbows which are really dry, the stuff worked so well. However, when I applied it my hands which are less dry, the lotion doesn't rub in quite as well and stays slightly sticky.



Resource Spring Water
Who doesn't love a water with added benefits!? This girl does! Resource pairs natural spring water with added electrolytes to keep you hydrated. I don't know about you, but I'm huge on spring water due to it's lack of 'flavor'. To me, water should be totally flavorless. With having added electrolytes, I was fearful that I would also taste them. Nope...not even a little! This is definitely my first choice for an enhanced water.

Overall, this was one of the best Influenster boxes that I have received. The very best?!? Proabably not, but it was way up there near the top. So many new discoveries in one small box! Thank you again Influenster and all the brands that included products in this box. I cannot wait for the next!

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Disclosure: I received the mentioned products complimentary from Influenster for review purposes. All opinions are 100% my own.

Sunday, August 31, 2014

BzzAgent - vs - Influenster - vs - Smiley360

That's right...battle of the Word of Mouth Marketing Sites. No....not really. Actually, people who know me on Facebook, Twitter, Youtube and in life in general are always asking me what my favorite 'review' site is. Truth be told, I absolutely love them all! Sure, some more than others, but they're all so much fun. So instead of answering that question, here you go...

If you are considering joining one of these sites (or all of them), I compiled a list of pros and cons for each. Please keep in mind that this is only from my experience and is purely opinion. Other than being a member of all three sites, I am in no way sponsored or endorsed by them. My sole intent is to give you an unbiased mini review of each!

So....lets just get started, shall we?
In no particular order...
Actually, yes, in alphabetical order...



Pros:
Organized: The site is very easy to maneuver and campaign tasks are always well prepared. They are also excellent about getting products out in a timely manner and even allow you to track when items have been shipped.
Email Marketing: You know those companies that send you emails constantly? This isn't one of those! BzzAgent will only send you emails when you are on a campaign or on special occasions. Campaign emails are far and few in between and are only to remind you to complete tasks.
Variety: Products to review vary from beauty products to food to pet products to alcohol to toys and you name it! The possibilities are endless.

Cons:
Interests: Many times it seems that you are chosen for products you aren't overly excited about and don't get the ones you would love. There are, at times products that fit your lifestyle to a T, but you never receive an invite. Demographics play a large roll, but I believe it would be beneficial to choose based more on interest.
Equality: While some people have 3 and 4 campaigns going on at once, others have none. Again, I'm sure demographics play a huge roll but I think spreading the campaigns out more between members could be beneficial.



Pros:
Quantity: Influenster is coming out with new VoxBoxes to review all the time! Whether it be a box with 1 item or a box with 6, they're always teasing us with what's coming next.
Competition: Not only do you get to keep the products that are sent to you for review, you get the chance to win MORE! There are brand challenges on the site that can be completed for the chance to win. You can enter on Facebook for chances to win. You can even join Twitter parties and win additional prizes or future VoxBoxes.
Items: In the 'themed' VoxBoxes (as opposed to brand specific), you are given not one, but five or six and possibly more items to review. More times than not, they are also full sized products. With having so many products to complete tasks for, it doesn't get boring or repetitive.

Cons:
Repetition: Several of the products that come in a box will also be in several other boxes in the future. It would be nice to get different products every time. However, with the amount of products in each box, this would probably be a difficult feat.
Organization: Behind the scenes, Influenster may have everything under perfect control...but I just don't see that as a member. I never really know when competitions/etc. are going to end. You also never really know when you will receive your items, be it VoxBoxes, Prizes, etc. Often times, prizes will take months to come without notice. There are also times when you will get your VoxBox tracking number AFTER you have already received the box. Not a huge deal, but still worth noting.



Pros:
Simple: Mission tasks for Smiley360 are always so quick and easy. Read the task once and you're good, no guesswork needed!
Fun Extras: When you get your mission in the mail, you can usually expect to find a surprise or two! Not only do you get the product, but you usually get a few extras to help you along with the mission. I have gotten everything from mustache tattoos to 'thought bubbles'. The small details really do help 'make' the mission.
Time: Once you are on a mission, you are given plenty of time to complete it. I have never felt like I needed to rush to get my mission finished before the deadline. If you're a procrastinator...well...then I guess you're just out of luck!

Cons:
Repetition: Instead of offering new missions from new brands, it seems like the same items are being offered for review in a cycle. There have been a few products for sure that I have seen being offered for missions on separate occasions.
Lack of Missions: Perhaps I just don't see or hear about all of the missions that come about, but it seems like they are far and few in between at times. It also seems that missions are hard to qualify for. But again...demographics!

And that's a wrap!
As you can see, none of the three are perfect as nothing is. When it comes right down to it, the pros most definitely outweigh the cons for every single one of these sites. I hope this review was helpful and I can't wait to hear what everyone else thinks!

Ta-ta for now!

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Disclosure: I was not in any way, shape or form compensated for this review. I was not even encouraged by the above companies. All opinions are 100% my own.

Saturday, August 30, 2014

#IceCreamStockUp

So....today (8/30) was the last day to stock up on ice cream (buy 3 get 1 FREE) at Target! Did you get yours?
I sure hope so, or you're missing out! Thanks to Influenster, I was able to snag a box of Klondike absolutely FREE!


Even if you didn't get in on the deal, stop buy the frozen food section of your Target to get your goods! You won't regret it. So many flavors to choose from. Though, I must admit, the plain ole vanilla is always the best!

So.....I have ONE question for you....

What would YOU do for a Klondike Bar?!?


I would....
Climb a mountain and come back down.
Ride an ostrich through the streets.
Watch the paint dry in the rain.
Eat a bucket full of beets.

Kiss a frog sitting on a log.
Watch a 100 car train pass me by.
Egg my cup up with nog.
Never again tell a lie.

Hang for hours in the tree.
Make my bed out on the lawn.
Scare a ghost and make him flee
Run to Target from dusk till dawn!

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Disclosure: I received this product FREE from Influenster for review purposes. All opinions are 100% my own!

Thursday, June 12, 2014

Influenster Spring Fling Voxbox 2014


Oh yeah! That's right! Influenster does it again. They choose to spoil me. I have once again qualified to review a VoxBox from Influenster. The picture that you see above is everything that I got in my Spring Fling Voxbox!
If you're not familiar with Influenster, it's basically a product review site. The best product review site if I do say so myself. When you sign up, you can read and leave reviews, take surveys and much more. If you are active on the site you may qualify to review VoxBoxes for FREE as I'm doing for you now. Without further ado, lets GO!

Rimmel London Scandaleyes Retro Glam Mascara:
$5.99 Each


Another new brand for me! I wear many different brands of make-up, but Rimmel is one that I have not experimented much with! First, I really like the whole black and white color combo. I don't know why packaging/colors affect my opinion of the product whatsoever..but they just do. I really can't help it! Haha! The shape of the brush is literally 'retro'. Its all curvy and just well...retro! I really don't know how this does or does not effect application. However, I do know that the mascara gives your eyes an almost 'vintage' appearance. I love all of the different fashions/styles from different era's in history so this was a pretty cool flashback. The mascara also lengthens your lashes greatly! I naturally have somewhat long lashes, so adding this is like BAM! My only complaint is that it doesn't really seem to thicken my lashes at all. Maybe it isn't supposed to, I don't know. I guess I'd just prefer a little extra oomph from it!

Kiss Everlasting French Nails:
$6.49 Each



Okay, okay...soooo...I wasn't exactly thrilled when I opened the box to see these. I'm not really a huge fan of false nails as I'd prefer to paint mine french mannie. However, I was more than willing to give them a try. Because there are many aspects to review on this product, I have already given it its very own post which you can see HERE!

If you'd prefer I just get down to the point instead of rambling, I'll list the pros and cons!
PRO:The fit of the nails is outstanding!
PRO:The nails look very natural
PRO:They have easy remove tabs which you can hold while applying the glue
CON: I wasn't able to get the nails applied without having visible 'bubbles' as you could see in the picture (may have been my own fault, I don't know)

Peach Pie Car Freshener (Labor Day Movie):
Priceless ;)


Not really a whole lot to review here. I don't really know whether it smells like peach pie or not, but it certainly smells good. However, it isn't super strong. I have had it in my car for at least 10 days now and sometimes I can smell it and sometimes I can't. I wish it would have flooded my car with the scent, but hey...it still looks nice in there! ;)

Playtex Sport Fresh Balance:
$3.99 to $4.99 Each


When it comes to feminine products such as this, I am extremely picky! I'm also not one to review things such as this, but I'll make an exception for Influenster! ;)
Luckily for me, this product isn't much different from what I currently use. It just has the addition of 'Fresh Balance'. I love how these products have an applicator with them. If this makes sense..it makes them much more comfortable to place. The absolute best part about these and other Playtex products I have used in the past is that they truly block leaks. Nobody wants to have to deal with leaks...ugh!
The only thing that I am not a huge fan of is that they are scented. I don't know...I just don't like it. I'd really prefer that these sort of products be unscented. However, the scent is very light and fresh, so it could always be worse!

NIVEA Skin Firming Hydration Lotion:
$2.49/2.5 oz. or $10.99/13.5 oz.


More lotion! Holla! If you saw my stash of lotion...you'd be amazed! I swear at this point I've got one of every brand. Okay...maybe not...but I do have a lot! Of course I have tried Nivea before but not this specific kind. Actually, I didn't even know that NIVEA made skin firming lotion. This was a pretty nice surprise when I opened up the box! Basically it is a lotion with CoQ10. For anybody who is not familiar with this, it is basically like a vitamin that your body creates to promote cell growth/care. Pretty cool that we can get it through our beauty products, huh?
Now, I have to be honest with you and say that I can't tell whether it firms the skin or not. On the bottle it states that you see results in a little as 2 weeks. Well...I've been using it for about two weeks, but not on a daily basis. Therefore, the results just are not there for me yet. But...I'd like to review it for you in general anyhow! First, if you've ever tried NIVEA before, you'd know that their products smell awesome! This one smells a bit like a shampoo to me. It actually takes me back to something my parents used to buy when I was just a little thing. I just can't put my finger on it. Also, it is ridiculously hydrating! I like to apply my lotion at night to let it soak into my skin. Maybe that's just a weird belief of mine...but I think it works better to apply at night. Anyway..I got up the next morning and my skin felt so plump and supple! I've been trying to use the lotion sparingly so that it lasts longer...but it's so tempting to apply it every night! I just wish we had gotten a bigger bottle! xD

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In conclusion, I'd like to thank Influenster and every one of the brands that supplied products in this VoxBox! It is truly appreciated! I'm overly excited for the next box full of goodies that I can try and review for Influenster, Brands and Blog Readers! Please be sure to follow/like all of the brand pages, they deserve it! Also, join me on Influenster.com and you can review boxes too!



Rimmel
Facebook
Twitter
Website

Kiss
Facebook
Twitter
Website

Labor Day Movie
Facebook
Twitter
Website

Playtex
Facebook
Twitter
Website

NIVEA
Facebook
Twitter
Website

Wednesday, June 4, 2014

Kiss Everlasting French Manicure Review & How-To


I'm not one huge on gluing things onto my fingernails, but when I received these for free in my Influenster VoxBox, I didn't hesitate to try them out. I've used many Kiss products in the past and have loved some while others fell short of my expectations. I wasn't sure what exactly to expect with these. I love French Manicure...but as mentioned earlier...I just don't like gluing plastic on my nails. I have however, used false nails in the past. I always tended to have a problem with them fitting around my cuticle correctly and it just made me frustrated.
 
My very first impression of these was that I was sure they were going to look really fake when applied. I guess I just assumed the nail should be clear with a white tip. Instead, they are tan colored. I was also really excited to see that they had the little tabs on the end. Believe me..it's not much fun getting glue between your fingers (or stuck to the nail). Man that hurts to pull your fingers apart!  Of course I also noticed the length. I live in a rural area and do a lot of yard work so it just wouldn't make sense for me to wear really long nails. I like that there is a small amount of added length but nothing super crazy!

Aaaaanyway...before getting the nails and glue out, I had to prep my nails! They had grown out a bit so I wanted to make sure they wouldn't be longer than the everlasting French nails. Now wouldn't that have looked awesome!? Lol! 
 
So....here's what they looked like before I had even started. I read the packaging to see if you have to maybe use a file to make the nail slightly rough to get the Kiss nails to stick better. It turns out that that wasn't even necessary. Loved that as I feel like that is hard on my nails. The only thing mentioned is to wipe your nails down with acetone polish remover to clean them up. Knowing that I would get nail 'dust' on them from clipping, I left this step until last. So basically, you only have two preparation steps:
 
 
1. Trim nails to appropriate length

2. Wipe nails down with acetone polish remover


 
Then we have the photo on the right. Perfectly trimmed (not really!), freshly cleaned nails. Here comes the fun part. Many people would probably measure all of the false nails up for size...but I just went one by one. Starting with my pinky, I went through the small sizes to find one that fit the best. To my surprise, I found an exact fit! I grabbed the glue (which is very easy to open by the way (no cutting)), put a dot on and held the nail down for about 10 seconds (even though 5 is recommended). I lifted my finger up and BAM...the nail came with it. What the!?!?! Apparently I hadn't used enough glue. I used more glue this time (more than I thought I should need) and it worked just fine. By the time I was on my pointer finger, I was absolutely amazed that there was a size that fit every nail perfectly. Then comes the thumb. I don't know if I just have funky shaped cuticles on my thumb or what but I've never had any sort of false nail fit correctly. The bottoms are just never square enough. To get the correct shape, I had to use the included file to trim down the bottom. Still...it doesn't look as good as the rest, but it passes the test.
 
Ooo la la and a bit of flaw!!

The finished product! How perfectly do they fit?! Couldn't be better in my opinion. I love how the base color blends so well with my skin color. You'd never guess that they were just glue on nails...except for one small issue. Bubbles. If you look really closely at the picture, on almost every nail you can see spots that are slightly lighter than the rest of the nail (the thumb being the worst). For some reason, no matter how much glue I put on, I couldn't get those darn air bubbles out! Maybe I'm just a complete noob at this so please let me know if you have any tips. Luckily for me, people don't typically grab my hand to look at my nails so it probably won't be easily noticed. I notice it though, and it kinda drives me c-r-a-z-y! xD

When it comes right down to it...my thoughts on the nails are far more positive than they are negative. I absolutely love how they fit so perfectly. I'm also on my....ummmm.....4th (?) day of wear and not one has fallen off. That's pretty insane seeing what they go through each day. The one and only thing I would change is of course the bubble issue! Thanks again Influenster and Kiss for the opportunity to discover a new product! And of course THANK YOU, blog readers, for reading! (:
 
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-I received these products complimentary from Influenster for testing purposes.-

Monday, March 17, 2014

Boots Botanics Ionic Clay Mask Review! #PowerOfPlants

Yep! Yet another review of a single item from my Influenster J'Adore VoxBox! I don't normally like to pick favorites....but out of all the items in the box, this is it!! If the title didn't already give it away, I'm talking about the Boots Botanics Ionic Clay Mask! WOW!! Love this stuff! I seriously can't say enough good about this product.



Review

The easiest way to explain how good this is, is by telling you that it's better (and much cheaper) than a day at the spa! Light some candles, grab a robe and play some music and you'll never know the difference! It really is a relaxing treat after a hectic day!

Texture:
When I first took the tube out and moved it around a bit, I was like, "Uh oh, this stuff is thin as water". So before using it, I did my research (thanks Facebook!) to discover that it helps to shake it up good! I did just that! It still seemed thin but when it was applied it was as opaque as ever! You can tell that it has some sandy clay particles but it is very fine so it doesn't scrape. I was very happy with the texture over all. The fact that it is thin is great because you can get sooo many uses out of just one tube!

Scent:
Really...it doesn't have much scent when you apply it. When I just now opened it and took a whiff, I could smell 'clay' but it doesn't have any perfumes or anything like that. I love that it isn't scented because to me, that shows that it is very basic and natural.

Color:
Yeah, yeah...pinks and purples are pretty but you don't get that with this stuff! Again, I like this because it's so much more natural this way! When you first put it on, it's a darker, kinda icky green. When it dries, if you can imagine the Statue of Liberty, that is kind of the color it looks. I didn't plan on doing this...but since it is St. Patty's Day (GO GREEN!) and because I'm feeling brave at this very moment, here is what it looks like dry. I look crazy I know...but hey #NoFilter after all! As you can see on the picture..the mask is really cracked. The first time that didn't happen. However, it gets really hard so when I smiled for the picture, my face turned to a puzzle! (:



Soooo....here's what I think:
1. You should totally Like/Comment/Follow them on all social media.
2. Go out and buy some of this to try for yourself.
3. That's all! (:

Boots on Social Media
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*I received this product complimentary from Influenster for testing purposes.

Friday, March 14, 2014

Kiss Looks So Natural Lashes Review and Transformation

As many of you may already know, I was one of the lucky ducks that was chosen to review products for Influenster in the J'Adore Valentine Voxbox! Thanks again, Influenster! One of the products was new to me so I decided to document my 'journey' and transformation!

So basically, I got some Kiss brand lashes to try out in my VoxBox! I've never used false lashes before so I was a bit nervous but yet very excited! I'll give you a review of them as well as steps that I took; and of course, a before and after picture!



First things first:
On The Package

'Light and Soft as a Feather' - These lashes are certainly VERY light! I felt like when I was peeling them off of the packaging they would rip (I'd have cried!), but to my surprise they didn't! Must be some tough things! Are they soft as a feather? Meh...they are soft, but maybe not as much as a feather. However, if they were any softer, they wouldn't hold shape!

'Revolutionary Tapered End Technology' - I found this interesting! I guess I just assumed that all lashes were tapered as real lashes are. Nope! Just out of curiosity, I looked at some other false lashes in the store and they were cut straight! When you compare the two, you can see how the Kiss Looks So Natural lashes really do look much more natural for this reason!

'Feels Like Your Own Lashes' - Shockingly, this is too true! I thought for sure I would put these on and feel like I have a chunk of something hanging from my eye! Being so light and flexible, you don't even notice that they are there. Of course you can kind of see them when you blink because they are longer than natural lashes, but other than that; very unnoticeable!

How do you apply them? (Excuse the brows, lol!)



1. Check fit: Lay lash on top of your natural lash. Trim if needed.

2. I've been told that all eye make-up comes before the lashes, so that's my next step!



3. Apply Kiss adhesive to lash band; wait 30 seconds for adhesive to become slightly clear and tacky. - I discovered this step is quite important! I just jumped right in and applied the lashes right after glue! The edges kept popping off. Once I waited 30 seconds or so, they stuck really well!

4. Apply lashes along natural lash line. Hold, allowing adhesive to dry completely.



So there you have it! The lashes were much easier to apply than I had initially expected! While false lashes certainly won't be an everyday thing for me, you may catch me wearing them now and again! I do love how they look on and think they would be great for special outings! Thank you, Kiss and Influenster, for introducing me to something completely new that I now really like! As promised, here is the before/during/after photos all put together in a strip!



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*I received this product complimentary from Influenster for testing purposes.

Saturday, March 8, 2014

Influenster J'Adore VoxBox 2014



Bonjour readers! Another exciting review blog for y'all to read! If you haven't already noticed, we have a 'French' theme going on. That's because I received the J'adore voxbox from Influenster! The Valentine VoxBox that is! Such a special box as the very first VoxBox I received was last years V-Day box! Woooo! Once again so many great items to try and review! Of course not everything is perfect, so I'll be sure to give you the ups and the downs too! I hope this post is helpful to many of you! Without further ado, shall we begin? Bien!

Boots Botanics Shine Away Ionic Clay Mask:
$9.39 Each

YESSSSSS! It's a clay mask! One of my many addictions!
I've tried a hundred and one of these things and have had my fair share of disappointments. Luckily for me, this was NOT one of them! Actually, when I first was going to apply the mask, I was a bit skeptical. The clay seemed soooo thin I could swear it was water! Luckily for me, I stalked the Boots (or was it Influenster?) Facebook page for answers! Someone suggested that it be shaken before use. I did just that! Still, the clay seemed quite thin, but went on so opaque and evenly that it was almost ridiculous! Being thin, you're able to get MANY uses out of just this 3.5 oz. tube!
You know when you're watching those movies with ladies at the spa and cucumbers over their eyes? Yeah, that's what it looked like! When you first apply the clay, its a deep mossy green and by the time it dries, you look rather similar to the Statue of Liberty! Literally. Once dry, this stuff is rather crisp and tight on your face, I couldn't even smile; it was GREAT! It appears that it would be difficult to wash off but just splashing water on my face took a majority of the clay right off! Impressive!
As far as a downside goes, I thought I would be complaining about the price. Really though; what you get for that price is so worth it!

Hershey's Kisses Milk Chocolates:
$5.29 for 18.5 oz. bag / $3.28 for 11 oz. bag

Instant classic!
I mean...should I really even review these? Everybody has tried these before, right? RIGHT?
Honestly, a picture is worth a thousand words....so just drool over the chocolatey goodness! ;)
Then, go buy some Hershey's Kisses and bake up a storm:

Peanut Butter Blossoms:
Ingredients:
1 cup shortening
1 cup peanut butter
1 cup packed brown sugar
1 cup white sugar
2 eggs
1/4 cup milk 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup white sugar for decoration
2 (9 ounce) bags milk chocolate candy kisses, unwrapped

Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
2. In a large bowl, cream together shortening, peanut butter, brown sugar, and 1 cup white sugar until smooth. Add in the eggs one at a time, beating until fully incorporated. Mix in milk and vanilla.
3. In a large bowl, combine flour, baking soda, and salt. Gradually add to the peanut butter mixture until well blended.
4. Shape tablespoonfuls of dough into balls, and roll in remaining white sugar. Place cookies 2 inches apart on the prepared baking sheets.
5. Bake in preheated oven for 10 to12 minutes. Remove from oven, and immediately press a chocolate kiss into each cookie. Allow to cool completely; the kiss will harden as it cools.

*Recipe courtesy of mybakingaddiction.com

Frizz Ease 3-Day Straight Flat Iron Spray:
$9.99 for 3.5 fl. oz.

So basically what this is, is a pre blow dry and flat iron spray. Instead of getting up every morning and using the flat iron, this keeps your hair straight for up to 3 days straight (if you don't wash your hair that is). It is basically a three step process, spritz in hair; blow dry; flat iron. Simple, right? In the directions it mentions that you have to spray it on damp or wet hair, NOT DRY! I'm not completely sure why this is (any help would be appreciated). Will it not work in dry hair? Would it damage dry hair? Anyhoo, on the front it states 'with Keratin' which was exciting to me because I've heard a lot of good things about it. In the ingredients list there are a couple ingredients which I have never heard of. This makes me a bit nervous when it comes to products that I put on my skin or may inhale. However, they may all be just fine, I just haven't had the time to do my research yet!
I did give it a try though and was quite pleased with the results! I found that the immediate result was better than just the flat iron alone! I only have wavy hair but it still can be stubborn. Using the Frizz Ease spray before flat ironing took the waves completely out and left my hair smooth and nearly frizz free! I actually got several compliments that day on my hair! At the time of writing this blog post, I'm at the end of the second day with with the spray and my hair still looks great! It isn't quite as stick straight as it was the first day, but still looks much better than expected.
If you suffer from frizzy, unruly hair, this product is most definitely worth a try!

KISS Looks So Natural Lashes:
$3.99 Each

False lash newbie here!! That's right, the Kiss lashes in my VoxBox were my first experience with false lashes ever! A little nervous, a little scary but very exciting! Being a completely new experience for me, I'll be dedicating a blog just to my Kiss lashes which may already be up by the time you're reading this post!
Anyhow, the lashes do look absolutely beautiful on! If I wasn't the one to apply them, I'd never have guessed that I was wearing false lashes! That's a pretty incredible feat for Kiss! I'm impressed! After having such a good experience with these lashes, I'm tempted to wear them more often! Thanks Kiss, now I'm in love!

Red Rose Simply Indulgent Teas:
$4.49 for carton of 20 tea bags

MMmmmmm! Nice warm tea on a cool evening! I'm not at all a coffee drinker so tea is my poison. I was pretty excited to give this a try when I saw the two flavors. Creme Caramel and LEMON CHIFFON?! Both sound fantastic to me!
The first one I tried out was the Creme Caramel. Unfortunately, it wasn't something that I would purchase again. At first, it had a strong enough scent of caramel...but I really couldn't taste it. It was also a black tea, which typically aren't my favorite to begin with. Maybe this is what ruined the caramel flavor for me? One may never know!
Next, I got to try my Lemon Chiffon! YUM! I took out my cup, heated some water and let the tea steep for about 10 seconds before smelling the delicious scent of Lemon Bars! I was in heaven! It was hard for me to share...but I was nice and set aside a bit for some others to try. This has to be one of the best teas that I've had in quite some time. I may have to trade in my old favorite for Lemon Chiffon. It was that good! I just drank mine straight, but I can imagine it would be just incredible with a shot of lemon juice and honey. Especially if you're someone who prefers sugar in your tea. Give that a try, I'd be willing to bet you'll love it!

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In conclusion, I'd like to thank Influenster and every one of the brands that supplied products in this VoxBox! It is truly appreciated! I'm overly excited for the next box full of goodies that I can try and review for Influenster, Brands and Blog Readers! Please be sure to follow/like all of the brand pages, they deserve it! Also, join me on Influenster.com and you can review boxes too!



Boots
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Hershey's Kisses
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John Frieda
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KISS
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Red Rose
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*I received these products complimentary from Influenster for testing purposes.