Influenster: Products that go beyond the Winter Season #Influenster #FrostyVoxBox

 

I was very excited again to get a VoxBox from Influenster. There is never a box that does not contain a new item to new brands I have never tried. This box was a beauty and food themed box, which really sums up the holiday season. The Frosty Vox Box really brought a little bit of everything from several very know brands:

 

• Rimmel London

Was very generous and gave us two products to try out that go hand-in-hand, the Gentle Eye Make-up Remover and the ScandalEyes Waterproof Kohl Kajal eyeliner.  Both products are reasonably priced and that is welcomed after the holiday splurges.  What I like about the line is that their beauty items always exceed expectations and they allow me to keep up with whatever new fashion trend and/or look is in, but still be able to keep the lights on!

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• NYC New York Cosmetics

Even with the nude colors being in, we still need lipstick and sometimes things get too pale or plain.  NYC fixes that by adding a touch of color with their Expert Last Lip line in Sugar Plum. The Sugar Plum color is rosy but also sheer, with a hint of shine but thankfully not super glossy.  The last thing you want to do is look back at every picture you took in Winter and your lips are blinding everyone.  With Valentine’s Day approaching, this color again fits perfectly with the season……so not just a one holiday and done product.

 

• EcoTools Hair Brush

This is my first time using this line and I was happy that the brush kept my locks nice and smooth, did not create static and was gentle enough to not break or stress my hair.  The brush has a nice handle for easy hold and also is nicely balanced, which is appreciated when I do a ponytail look.  What I like is how easy it is to clean because even though I use a low amount of leave-in products, the oils I do use can cause our hair tools to create build-up.  Dirty bristles is not an issue with this brush!

• No7 Protect and Perfect Intense Advanced Sachet 

I was so happy when I saw this brand included and before the box arrived.  My happiness sort of faded when I noticed this was not even a deluxe sample, but more of a packet with maybe 2 uses if I am lucky.  Two uses does not mean I can be fair or even really know about performance.  I may be able to share my opinion about the texture, and this product does have a light feel and quickly absorbs.  Unfortunately, that is all I can share because results take work and time, plus I’m always willing to give it to a beauty product but that also means I need a little more than 2 applications. 🙂

 

 

• Celestial Seasonings Candy Cane Lane Decaf Green Tea

Just when I thought I was peppermint and pumpkin out with the holidays, this shows me that a tea can make the difference.  This tastes like true peppermint with it’s subtle and refreshing notes, that not only soothe but also calm me perfectly before bedtime.  Being decaffeinated allows me to enjoy this selection of herbal tea anytime I want and still get a good snooze in.

 

• McCormick Gourmet Thyme

I grow our own thyme but sometimes the cold snap we get decides I did not need that plant, so I always have thyme in dry form.  I also like to add dry ingredients with fresh ones because the flavor profile does change and even sometimes is preferred over the fresh (i.e. oregano) kind.  This jar arrived and I was happy to have more thyme and then looked at my thyme and even though it was not an aged bottle, my thyme was lacking that nice color, aroma and started to feel ashamed about how pretty the McCormick Gourmet one looked so I set it free and left this new bottle in it’s stead.

• Fruit Vines Bites

Not all can be winners and this was one again taught me all because it says cherry, it does not mean even 1% of a real cherry is in it.  Not the juice, I would have even been happy with cherry skin at this point but these vines are fruit lacking and sugar is all they bring.  I even chuckled when it came to vitamins and everything was 0%.  I know it’s candy and even for some a snack, but let me sin with something at least partially real.  I think the cherry needs an asterisk or maybe it should be called wanna-be cherry or sugar vines.  It has no preservatives but then again there is nothing real to preserve!

 

Final Verdict-

Influenster always delivers an array of products that make me re-look at what I buy, own or even want.  I brought economical beauty brands back into the mix and just like my clothes, my fashion looks now are like my beauty products……in all price ranges!  I’m happier this way and that is really what matters.  These Vox Boxes are always a hit even when I get some so-so products because trying is really the only way to know and share with others!  Thank you again Influenster for another Vox Box experience!

 

• #FrostyVoxBox
• #GetAdvanced
• #Rimmel
• #SugarPlum
• #CelestialTea
• #LoveMyECOhairbrush
• #McCormickGourmet
• #SweetSide

 

I received the above product(s) free of charge from Influenster. I am not obligated to provide a positive or favorable review, just my honest opinion. My review is based on my experience with the product and/or brand, which may differ from yours.

 

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Lovely Fresh: I Love my Dog Shampoo #Review #ILoveMyDogShampoo

I got a chance to try something that seasonally, anywhere but in Southern California, would have been impossible. See, our little pooch? Let’s be honest. Sometimes, she gets a little funky. And if there’s one thing she hates (besides the outdoors, car travel, cheap kibble, and expensive toys), it’s bath time. Sure, she’ll do it, because she gets to snuggle and play afterwards, and then get a good brushin’, which is tantamount to a full body massage for her. So she “suffers” through the former to thoroughly enjoy the latter!

But in the peak of Fall? Luckily we got (yet another) bout of freakishly hot weather, which means we got to test out I Love My Dog Shampoo by Lovely Fresh. We’ve tried more than a few pooch shampoos (even one or two human ones too!) on our little girl. Some are too perfume-ey, some too drying, some with promises no shampoo could ever hope to deliver.

I Love My Dog shampoo by Lovely Fresh makes a few boasts, like it being formulated to make your pet’s skin and coat beautiful and healthy, from roots to tips, promoting overall wellness of skin and coat, removing bacteria and adding strength and shine. It also says it’s “vet recommended”, but what vet and where it doesn’t say. It also claims to leave a lasting fresh scent, but truthfully, I can’t say this was the case. While it did banish her “poochy” scent for a little while, it came back the next afternoon. Next up, was the natural ingredient claim, with oatmeal and neem. It also says it’s soap, detergent, and alcohol, but will still work up a rich lather. Again, the product fell short in that last portion, as I found myself having to use more and more product to get any foamy goodness going. As an aside, the instructions say to let the shampoo sit on her coat for 5 minutes. I had no luck getting our dog to hold still for 2 minutes while she’s wet and foamy(ish), let alone 5 minutes. Poor girl even gave me that look like what are you waiting for! Your mileage may vary here. With a satisfaction guarantee, it’s really your call if you want to pay return shipping if your results are not up to snuff.

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Retail Price Point: $14.95 on Amazon

Overall, I’d have to say there are probably better products you could use that cost the same or less. Like people, every dog is different, and what might not be great for our girl might be fantastic for yours. There’s really no way to know but to try. I’d have to mark this one as a “pass” for us. But again, with a satisfaction guarantee, it never hurts to try.

Check-out Lovely Fresh’s, I Love my Dog Shampoo at:

• Amazon
• On-line
• Facebook

 

I received the above product(s) free of charge from Lovely Fresh.  I am not obligated to provide a positive or favorable review, just my honest opinion.  My review is based on my experience with the product and/or brand, which may differ from yours.

I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

Beyond the Beauty Hair Care, Precision Pro Select Zebra Ceramic Flat Iron

Let’s have a chat about out hair for a bit, shall we? I have very long, veryfine hair, and there’s a lot of it. This means that anything I use usually uses high amounts of product or a process takes longer. I admit that most times I resort to doing a bun or do a half-up do to try to mask my short comings (i.e. lack of dedication) regarding my hair style.

I was sent the Beyond the Beauty Precision Pro Select Zebra Cermic Flat Iron (Item #BTBPPZ) from the Flat Iron Experts to try out. I have to admit that I have walked by hair flat irons but most times I get a case of the lazies and walk away. I’ve had some very negative experiences with devices, with my most recent one being that the build was poor and not only zapped me, but there was an area of plastic that was not smoothed out enough, so it loved to catch a hair and surprise me by pulling it out.  Bad dreams about that curling iron still haunt me!

Before Flat Iron Use

Now, the first feature I love is that the controls on the Beauty Precision Pro-Select Ceramic styler. A temperature selector that uses degrees Fahrenheit. I can fine tune the heat I want and or need that fits with my hair/style. None of this low, medium and “I fry your hair” functions you see with other flat irons. The selector is easy to reach, touch and set….this is even with it on. The handles remained cool throughout my entire use. No discomfort whatsoever. What I liked best, it only took me 10 minutes to learn how to use it (yeah, I sort of skipped on instructions and jumped in) and that was counting styling. The setting for me was in the low 200°’s (Fahrenheit), but this little zebra starts at 176° and gives you every temperature in between to a maximum of 430°. I like that because some styling sprays and hair-dos require different needs and this styler fits every single one of them!

After using the Flat Iron

Other Features:

I also liked BtB Precision Pro Select’s ergonomics. You do not think much of it until you have to use an item that gives off heat and you have very long or even short hair, it takes being able to handle and reach the right angles to get the final look you want to achieve. I could get close to my head and reach out with the iron to the tips of my hair, with one fell swoop. I saved time not having to go back and forth to get areas I missed, it missed, or could not reach. It’s slim and easy to manage and light in weight. I bake in the kitchen and sometimes my hands are tired and not steady but I had zero complains when it came to functionality. The styler also has a long cord so it comes to you versus you trying to work with it.

Longevity:

The plates are 100% ceramic and I like no skimping in that area because this is what will be touching my locks! The heat not only is well distributed, as you see this by it’s exceptional performance, but it also retains the heat well so you can keep going with the styler. It keeps up with me versus I having to wait for it! I get regular visits from the frizz monster, and as well as his buddy the Static King…..not good when your hair is long. This means it’s obvious to all and I don’t want to crackle when I flip my hair. In comes Far Infrared Red (FIR) technology to save the day from all those monsters and kings trying to ruin it. No frizz, no zapping people (or the poor dog’s nose) and I can now wear the fabrics that I sort of ditched because the friction with them made my hair worse (aka: putting back that hood on my jacket with the shiny lining). The flat iron is well insulated and constructed. I received it on February 12th and wanted to use it several times before drafting out my final review……I have zero bad things I could find and even became fond of the zebra print! It adds character to my very “blah” world of hair styling tools…..even my hair brush is a plain bamboo color!

Quick Note on the Pros: Great controls, easy to manage the styler and heats up quick to any setting you desire. Leaves my hair soft and silky and this was using the styler as-is with zero assistance from sprays, leave-in conditioners, serums, or any magic spells or potions. You get Ceramic Technology (100% regarding the plates), Negative Ion Technology and Far Infrared (FIR) Technology for a economical and low price point.

Quick Note on the Cons: I review many items and I usually find a con or that little thing I should mention/share. I had to reach out like I even stared at the poor zebra and tried to find a flaw. I couldn’t…..well maybe it could come with it’s own zebra home….like a pouch for keeping but do I want or need one? No, but you may and that is really a very itty, bitty, con I had to hunt for to fill my “Con” space. Beyond the Beauty even made a Peacock version if you are anti-zebras.

Price Point:

I am giddy about the $86.99 sale price at Flat Iron Experts that if I could insert a little squeal by the price, I would! Flat Iron Experts charges no shipping if you spend $50.00 or more, so you save there too.  The product also comes with a generous 2-year warranty.

Accessories Recommended:
I was sent two accessories that I recommend in purchasing, which I will be posting later this week the KQC Thermal Shine Spray Review……but please do not forget to pick-up the Flat Iron Experts Iron Holder. You will thank yourself and so will your home’s surfaces. No sliding, no mishandling of your flat iron and your styler is ready to grab at anytime. The holder even comes with suction cups that truly work, so it’s like having a third hand that we all need when doing our hair (except this one does not sigh like my Husband does) 🙂

• KQC Thermal Shine Spray $13.99
• Flat Iron Holder $14.99
• Visit the Beyond the Beauty Hair Care– http://www.beyondthebeauty.com/store/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=66&products_id=192&zenid=alrepb7aiul3lr9fvoho1bevo4

I received the above product(s) free of charge from Flat Iron Experts.  I am not obligated to provide a positive or favorable review, just my honest opinion.  My review is based on my experience with the product and/or brand, which may differ from yours.