Product Review: Quirky Wrapster

What They Say
When you store your earbuds in your pocket or backpack, they typically go in neatly folded like a new pair of shoelaces, but come out looking more like a ball of dried out spaghetti. This small and durable plastic contraption is designed to keep your headphones organized and detangled as they go in and out of your pocket. The Wrapster allows you to wrap your headphones vertically so they’re neater and flatter in your pocket. A totally sweet and unexpected extra: when not housing your earbud cords, the Wrapster works as a stand for your iPhone in landscape mode. Thread your earbud cords through the two separate side tubes, and wrap the main cord around the center. Slide the wrapped-up headphones into your pocket. When you want to use them again, unwrap the main cord but leave the left and right earbud cords in the side tubes.

My Opinion
Alright so I like the idea behind this product. However I didn't find a need. Very rarely do I need to use headphones. So for me this didn't get much use. Now if I did this product would be great. To be able to wrap up you ear buds and stick them in your pocket without them tangling is awesome. Then it doubles as an iPhone stand. This didn't help me either since I'm a LG user. My phone didn't fit the slot and wouldn't stay standing. Now my wife on the other hand commutes home in the evenings. So she uses ear buds on during the ride. This really came in handy for her because she was able to wrap them up and just throw it in her purse. Whereas before she would throw them in and they would tangle around everything. Not that I would know because purses are dangerous. She also use an LG and hers is slimmer than mine but still wasn't able to fit in the stand either. Although it wasn't something I found a need in. I do recommend this product to those who us headphones on a daily basis. Good job Quirky!

You can find this product on quirky.com and it retails for $6.99.

The Birchbox Man was purchased by me with my own money.  I am not affiliated with Birchbox Man or any of the brands listed above.  I am not being paid for my reviews and all opinions are my own personal opinions.

Joint Reader Appreciation Giveaway!

Happy Monday!  I'm excited to announce that I have joined forces with another blogger, Katie from Gold Dust to provide our amazing readers with a giveaway, just because we love you!  Katie and I will both be providing some prizes to the winner of the giveaway.  Here's what you can win:

From Gold Dust: Lush Lip Scrub in Bubblegum and Models Own Nail Varnish in Emerald City.

From Honey Do's: Ciaté Velvet Manicure Set in Berry Poncho.

There will be one winner and if you win you will receive everything pictured above.  Also, if you win you will receive two separate packages, one from Honey Do's and one from Gold Dust so your prizes may arrive at different times depending on where you are located.  All you have to do is enter using the Rafflecopter form below.  The giveaway will close on Friday August 10th and is open to U.S. and UK residents only.  Good luck!

***Edited to add: Please make sure that you are following the directions for each entry.  For example, if it says "like" on Facebook you need to follow the steps to "like" on Facebook or your entry will not count.  I will be checking the winning entry to make sure that the directions were followed.  Thanks!***

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Product Reviews: Quirky Cordies

I don't know whether to say Happy Monday or not. I mean who really like's Monday? Today I'm bringing you Quirky Cordies from Quirky.com. Hope you enjoy!

What They Say
Desktop cable management may not be sexy, but neither is rooting around on your hands and knees amidst the mounting dust bunnies under your desk looking for your fallen power charger. Cordies keeps all your power cords, phone chargers, and audio cables in order so you can plug in and unplug easily and quickly. Weighted but flexible rubber provides a solid grip for all your cords. A rubber bottom gives the Cordies module a solid hold on your desk. Thread all your cables through the 3.5-inch wide organizer and you won’t have to waste your time detangling them or retrieving them from under your desk. You can even stack cables on top of each other within the three individual loop spaces. If you have more devices than that, you may want to think about scaling back.

My Opinion
I really liked this product. You gotta like a product where you just open the box and it's ready to use. I've always had the problem of unplugging my cell from the power cord and speaker plug and having to pick them off the floor. Especially at work. Then you combine that with a usb for a scanner and a usb from a upc scanner and I'm always looking for wires. This really did make my life a lot easier. The price isn't all that bad either. Priced at $10 I'd say it's pretty good. Anyone with a lot of electronics this is a must have!

The Birchbox Man was purchased by me with my own money.  I am not affiliated with Birchbox Man or any of the brands listed above.  I am not being paid for my reviews and all opinions are my own personal opinions.

July Look Bag- Last Look Bag

So, as I mentioned in this post I got an email from the Look Bag saying they were cancelling and if you weren't charged for one you wouldn't receive one.  I don't think I was charged for one (not that I remember) but somehow I got one anyway.  So, here it is:

Here's what came in my bag:

• 2 Bon Bon polishes: I don't know the colors, or even if they have names but they are just okay.  I haven't tried them yet but seeing these little guys make me think of something you would give a seven year old when you don't want them using your nail polish.  Not something I would expect to get in a beauty sample program. 

• Ultraflesh Mascara: I can't find much about this product anywhere.  I see something called Ultraflesh Panthera Mascara, maybe it's the same?  I'm not really sure.  Anyway, this seems to be another discontinued item and I can't find the price listed anywhere so I have no idea how much this sample is worth. I actually liked this mascara.  It went on smoothly and separated my lashed nicely.  Too bad I won't be able to find it anywhere...

• Korres Mango Butter Lipstick: The color I got was peach and I'm sure you will be shocked to know that this color is...wait for it....DISCONTINUED!  Another discontinued product?  I am not too fond of the color, peach just isn't the right shade for me.  However, this lipstick was super smooth and creamy and I would consider buying another color.  Now, I realize that a lot of bloggers do swatches on their lips.  I'm sure you're wondering why I don't do that as well?  Honestly, I'm just not that fond of my lips.  They are thin and I don't feel like they are appropriate for swatching.  So, I apologize to those of you who like to see lipstick on the lips, you'll just have to make due with my arm.

• Bremenn Miracle Cream: It will be no surprise that I can't really find this item either.  I do see something on Bremenn's website that is similar but it is a different color tube.  Another discontinued product?  Perhaps.  This stuff was okay, nothing amazing but a good moisturizer overall.  

• Betsy Johnson Perfume: I actually really loved this scent.  I didn't like the design of the sample though. I hate perfume samples that I have to put on my fingers before applying, I hate having fingers that smell like perfume.  But, this is a lovely scent and I would even consider buying it.  It looks like this one is available for half price at Walgreens right now.  

Anyway, I did enjoy some of the products that were in this last, and unexpected, Look Bag.  I decided not to review them individually because quite a few of them are actually discontinued and I really didn't see the point in devoting a whole entire post to discontinued products.  The point of a sample program, at least from my point of view, is to try things that you may want to purchase.  How can I possibly do that if I am sent discontinued items?  Anyway, I have signed up for two new sample boxes that I am going to try and then pick the best of the two but I'm keeping them a secret until they arrive.

Thanks for reading.

The LookBag was purchased by me with my own money.  I am not affiliated with The Look Store or any of the brands listed above.  I am not being paid for my reviews and all opinions are my own personal opinions. 

July Beauty Army Box!

It's Thursday!  One day closer to the weekend!  Here in Baltimore it is supposed to be a scorcher so I hope you're keeping cool wherever you are.  I know I just posted my June Beauty Army Box but I wanted to catch up and share my July box that I got this weekend.  Why are there seven items in my box?  Because the amazing folks at Beauty Army sent me an extra item to make up for the mishap in June's box which you can read about here.  In addition, after reading my previous post about how my Control Corrective was empty Beauty Army contacted me (yes, they actually read my posts- amazing) and offered me a seventh sample selection for my August box.  Seriously, I wasn't going to contact them because I didn't want to look like a big complainer but they insisted on correcting the problem.  A+ for customer service Beauty Army!  I'm hoping that the Control Corrective Pumice Wash is available for my seventh sample next month because I really did want to try it.  If not I'm sure I will find something else to try.  Anyway, on to what was inside my box this month:

• Macadamia Natural Oil's Healing Oil Treatment: I chose this because I fell in love with the Orofluido Beauty Elixr that I received in my April Look Bag and I wanted to see if this compared. Plus, the little bottle is adorable! Sample value- $9.51.
• Fiafini Divine Hydration Moisturizer: I have liked the Fiafini products I have tried in the past so I thought I would give this one a try. These products are always super gentle on my skin. Sample Value- $3.85.
• Control Corrective Firming Tri-peptide Serum: So far Control Corrective has not disappointed so I figured I had to try them all. Sample Value- $6.80.
• Freeman Beauty Vita-k Professional Spider Veins: I'm actually not a sufferer of spider veins however these were full size products so I couldn't pass them up. I'm not sure what I will do with it yet, probably give it away. Sample Value- $14.99.
• Freeman Beauty Vita-k Professional Age Spots: Same deal, full size product, couldn't pass it up, will most likely give it away. Sample Value- $14.99.
• Sex Panther Cologne: I chose this stuff mainly for the name and description, hilarious! I will give it to the hubby to try out. Sample Value- Unknown.
• Yuko Bella Shampoo: I love shampoo samples! This is actually for chemically treated hair, which mine is not, but I'm still excited to give it a try. Sample Value- Unknown.

So, without even knowing the sample value for the Sex Panther or the shampoo, my total box value was $50.14.  I'd say that's pretty good!

Thanks for reading and stay tuned to find out what I thought of these products.  Also, I have teamed up with another blogger to bring you a reader appreciation joint giveaway which I will be announcing very soon!

The BeautyArmy box was purchased by me with my own money. I am not affiliated with BeautyArmy or any of the brands listed above. I am not being paid for my reviews and all opinions are my own personal opinions.

July Birchbox!

Happy Wednesday! Today I'm sharing with you a sneak peak at my July Birchbox. This month Birchbox partnered with Glamour for a box inspired by Glamour's Five Senses of Summer issue.  If you remember, when I first announced this box I wasn't all that thrilled with the idea.  If you read my last post you will also know that I had trouble with this box as well.  

Here's a quick overview of what happened in case you didn't get a chance to read my other post.  When I checked my Birchbox profile before I received my box I was very excited because I really liked the box it said I was getting.  When the mailman showed up and I opened the package I was disappointed to see that the box I received wasn't the box that the website said I was going to get. Not only that, but the "wrong" box also included tinted moisturizer that was bronze color that I won't be able to use and an opened Larabar that I had to throw out. I contacted Birchbox via email and didn't get a response so I called them. The girl on the phone said that they sent me the right box but put the wrong one on the site. She offered to send me August's box for free. She told me she would get back to me about the Larabar. I didn't get a response back about that. I then find out that Birchbox was sending some people the "right" box in addition to letting them keep the "wrong" box (this was apparently an issue that happened to others as well and not just me). So I emailed Birchbox back again and said that it seems they are sending some people the other box in addition to offering August for free. Someone wrote me back and told me that wasn't the way they were handling it. I wrote back and told her that I wasn't going to push the issue but that I believe in treating every customer equally and in the future they should make sure to offer the same resolution to everyone. I also sent her links to where others were saying that they got the "right" box sent to them. They are apparently sending me a new Larabar. We will see how next month goes and that will be the deciding factor for me.

Anyway, on to what was included in my box:

• Jouer Luminizing Moisture Tint- Like I said, I opened this up to take a peek and noticed it was way too dark for my very pasty pale skin.  The color they sent me was Bronze.  We do fill out profiles and in my profile it says I am light skinned so I'm not sure why they sent me such a dark color.  If they had sent me a lighter color I would have been excited to try this.  I did try it on my hand but I might be brave and try it on my face and see if I can blend it enough.
• Oscar de la Renta live in love- I took a little sniff of this and it seemed pretty strong but did it grow on me?  You'll have to wait for my review to find out.
• LÄRABAR® über- This was opened so I had to throw it out.  You can see in the picture below how it arrived.  I'm waiting for a replacement so I will reserve judgment until then.

• stila It’s Go Time Lip Glaze Trio- The website says trio but I only got one.  I'm not sure if that is another error or what.  I love lip gloss though so I am excited to try this.
• Alterna BAMBOO® UV+ Color Protection Fade-Proof Fluide- At first I was a little peeved at receiving this because it says color protection and my hair is not color treated.  But, on the back it says you can use it to add shine to non-color treated hair so I will give it a try.  Plus it smells really good!
• Birchbox Exclusive Earbuds- I needed a new pair of earbuds and these are pretty cute!  I haven't tried them yet though and rumor has it they aren't so great, but I'll let you know what I think when I get a chance to try them.  

Stay tuned!  I liked their products in this box enough to give them individual attention so look out for the reviews coming shortly.  

Are you a Birchbox subscriber?  Did you have issues this month?  How did they resolve it?

The Birchbox was purchased by me with my own money.  I am not affiliated with Birchbox or any of the brands listed above.  I am not being paid for my reviews and all opinions are my own personal opinions.  

June Beauty Army Box & Subscription Woes

You may be wondering why on earth I am just now posting about my June Beauty Army Box?  Well, that's because I had a couple of issues with my June box and I wanted to see them resolved before I posted my review. 

Here's what was included in June's Box:


Atopalm Intensive Moisture Cream: This is the first problem that I had with June's box. If this product sounds familiar that is because it is familiar! I got the same product in my May Beauty Army Box and I have already reviewed it here. I also received the exact same sample in my June Look Bag. I didn't pick this item and yet somehow it ended up in my box. Now I have three samples of this stuff. Don't get me wrong, I like it enough but I don't need three samples. So, I contacted Beauty Army twice via email and didn't get a response. Then I posted on their Facebook page and sent a third email and finally got a response. They said they didn't get my first two emails. I was told the reason I got this product was because I picked something else that ended up being out of stock so it was replaced with something similar. While I understand that and don't really mind I feel like they probably should have let me know they were replacing one of my samples so I wasn't confused when I got my box. I also wish they would have tried to replace it with something I didn't already get just the previous month. They said they would give me an extra sample in my July box and I was happy with that resolution. 

 
Control Corrective Medicated Pumice Wash: This was the second problem I had with this box. I waited to try this until we went away for the weekend (last weekend) because I figured it was travel size so why not try it then. You can imagine my surprise when I went to use it last weekend and realized that the blister pack (I think that is what you call it) was COMPLETELY empty! I cut it open to see if maybe the product had dried up or something and there was absolutely NO evidence that there was ever even any product in there. I'm not sure what happened, maybe a production defect and somehow this one got sealed without getting filled? Either way, luckily I brought another facial cleanser with me as a back-up. I decided not to contact Beauty Army about this one because I didn't want to go through the hassle of emailing them again and wondering if they got my email and also because I had already contacted them about the other issue and I didn't want them to think I was trying to get a bunch of free samples.

Youngblood Mineral Primer: I choose this one because I use mineral makeup and I am always looking for a good primer. I'm happy to report that this one did not disappoint. This stuff makes my face feel like silk after applying and it provides a nice smooth base for my foundation. I was initially a little confused about the pump on this one because it doesn't have a plastic tube and nothing came out when I first tried to pump it, but after few tries I got the product to come out. You can buy the full size (1 oz) product here for $41.00. My initial reaction was that the price is a little steep but I do think this product is worth it.

Fiafini Delicate Cleansing Emulsion: I have heard a lot of good things about the Fiafini brand so I thought I would give this facial cleanser a try. It was nice and light and not too harsh. This is the second product from Fiafini I have tested and I enjoy their products. You can get the full size product (4.0 fl oz) here for $28.00.

Lucy B-Wild Jasmine: I know most people don't like perfume samples but I actually enjoy a good perfume sample. The problem with perfume samples is that everyone has such individual taste and some people may love what other people hate. That's why I only pick perfume samples if I know I might like the scent. I loved this scent! I thought it was very "summerlike", yes I like to make up my own words. You can get the full size product (3.38 fl oz) here for $48.00 which is actually a pretty good price for a good perfume.

Eyecandy Coolers: These were actually my favorite product in the box! Eyecandy says they are "reusable, chill-able, candy-colored soft gel rounds which work quickly to reduce puffiness, minimize dark circles and fine lines, relieve allergy symptoms, and instantly soothe pesky tension or stress headaches. Simply chill in the fridge or a glass of ice, and you are ready to ‘be eyecandy for the world’ in just minutes! eyecandy coolers may be safely used over and over again." These are great for those of us who suffer from migraines or stress headaches. You can get these for $12.00 a pair here. 

Subscription Woes:

I know the title of my post included "subscription woes" and that is because in the months of June/July I had more trouble with my subscription services as a whole. First there was the Beauty Army issues discussed above. Now, to give Beauty Army credit they did resolve the issue that I contacted them about and I have never had issues with them before. I am satisfied that this was an isolated incident.

I also received my July Birchbox and was disappointed to see that the box I received wasn't the box that the website said I was going to get. In the "wrong" box that I got it also included tinted moisturizer that was bronze color that I won't be able to use and an opened Larabar that I had to throw out. I contacted Birchbox via email and didn't get a response so I called them. The girl on the phone said that they sent me the right box but put the wrong one on the site. She offered to send me August's box for free. She told me she would get back to me about the Larabar. I didn't get a response back about that. I then find out that Birchbox was sending some people the "right" box in addition to letting them keep the "wrong" box (this was apparently an issue that happened to others as well and not just me). So I emailed Birchbox back again and said that it seems they are sending some people the other box in addition to offering August for free. Someone wrote me back and told me that wasn't the way they were handling it. I wrote back and told her that I wasn't going to push the issue but that I believe in treating every customer equally and in the future they should make sure to offer the same resolution to everyone. I also sent her links to where others were syaong that they got the "right" box sent to them. They are apparently sending me a new Larabar. We will see how next month goes and that will be the deciding factor for me.

Lastly, I got an email from The Look Bag on July 17th saying that they were cancelling the service (the bag was supposed to ship out on the 15th) and that if you weren't charged for the July you won't be getting it. This was TWO days after they posted on their Facebook page sneak peeks about what was in the bag and that the bags were shipping out that week. So obviously this was a very last minute decision. I found it odd that they would just quit in the middle of the month and not send people their bags. I wasn't charged for one so I figured I wasn't going to get one. So, I signed up for two new subscription boxes to see which one I like best. I will keep them a surprise for now but I think you are going to like them. Then, to my utter amazement I get my July Look Bag in the mail on Saturday! I haven't seen a charge go through yet so we will see.

Anyway, there is the short story of my subscription box woes. Hopefully things will be looking up from here and I won't have any more issues but I will keep you posted.

Thanks for reading! I will post shortly about what I actually received in my defunct July Birchbox and July Look Bag so stay tuned!

The BeautyArmy box was purchased by me with my own money. I am not affiliated with BeautyArmy or any of the brands listed above. I am not being paid for my reviews and all opinions are my own personal opinions.

Product Review: CoSTUME NATIONAL Scent Intense

Happy Monday everyone! Alright I agree no Monday is a happy Monday, but at least the day is almost over. Guy's I wanted to share with you the first product out of my Birchbox Man July Box. Sorry for the short review but it's hard to review a cologne in my opinion.

What They Say:

 The Italian fashion house known for its modern, architectural pieces takes the same rigorous approach to its fragrances. This stylish unisex sense is intense but also approachable, with a rich amber base. It translates from the boardroom to the bar easily and is sure to attract attention—the good kind.
Top notes of jasmine tea, middle notes of mother of pearl of hibiscus, and base notes of amber blend together to create a sensual, rich fragrance.

My Opinion:
I wasn't too thrilled with this scent. Now I'm not saying that the scent was bad. I'm just saying it's not a scent for me. It's a little too strong for my liking. I prefer a scent that is smooth and not too overpowering. This scent to me is right on that line of almost being too overpowering. You can purchase 100ml of this cologne for $140. If you combine the price with not being sold on the smell, I think I'll pass on this cologne.

Any guy's out there a member to Birchbox Man have any input? Even if you're not a member but have tried this cologne, please give me your opinions!

The Birchbox Man was purchased by me with my own money.  I am not affiliated with Birchbox Man or any of the brands listed above.  I am not being paid for my reviews and all opinions are my own personal opinions.

Product Review: SodaStream

TGIF!!! Hope everyone's week went by fast and time slows down for the weekend! Shawn here bringing you a product we have fell in love with. Hope you enjoy!  If you haven't already, make sure you buzz over and get in on our current giveaway by clicking here!

What they say:
Making carbonated water and soft drinks is simple! Turn tap water into sparkling water in under 30 seconds, with no clean-up. Enjoy the freshness and convenience of homemade soda and protect the environment at the same time. No heavy bottles to carry, store at home or throw away. Fizz to your taste and add the flavor of your choice to make your favorite drink. Simple to clean and reuse. With a variety of colors and silhouettes, you'll be sure to find a soda maker to match with any decor.


My Impression:
I was excited when I learned that this product was delivered and couldn't wait to get home to try it. I've seen various things written and commercials for this product and it sparked some interest. Once we arrived home the first thing I noticed was how light the boxes were. I thought for sure there must have been something missing. With no plugs or cords to mess with this unit is not only easy to store but it is extremely easy to travel with. We actually went up to the mountains for the weekend and took our SodaStream with us. Also with very little in regards to components it is very user friendly. Once you insert the Co2 Carbonator all you have to do is attach the bottle of tap water and press the button on top of the SodaStream. You continue to press this button in short spurts until you hear 3 buzzes, which is hard to explain. It's not like a buzz you would hear out of an alarm clock or anything. If you like your soda with more carbonation or extra fizzy then you can press it for more buzzes. We usually go until we hear 4 buzzes. There different Soda Makers you can choose from as well. We have the basic model called the Jet which in stores cost's $79.95. Check out the video below!

The soda syrup comes in a couple different size containers. The smaller bottle of concentrate makes 12 full liters of soda which equals out to 33 cans of soda and costs $4.99. You also have a larger bottle of syrup which is the Sparkling Naturals syrups. The Sparkling Naturals contain no artificial coloring, artificial sweeteners, or artificial flavors, and doesn't contain any preservatives. With this larger bottle you can make 6 liters.

That brings me to my first point which is savings. In most cases making your own soda is going to save you money. The only time this isn't the case is when you can get the 10 for $10 2 liter sodas. The problem is you're not always going to be able to find that deal. With soda stream you're looking at $0.25 per can of soda and just $0.25 per liter of sparkling water. I did a price comparison with the current sales add at our local grocery store. Right now I can get 3, 2 liters for $5.00. That averages out to 0.83 cents per liter. If I make a liter of Diet Rootbeer using SodaStream it will cost me 0.41 cents per liter. So instead of paying $5.00 for 3 two liters, I'm paying $2.46 for 3 two liters. Let's look further! I can get 36 cans of Pepsi product for $12.00. Ready for this, I can make 33 cans worth of soda using SodaStream for $4.99. Are you ready to go out and buy this product now? 


Maybe your big thing is taste and nutrition? We really like the taste of the soda the machine makes. The taste is comparable to brand name soda on the market. The Cola has a similar taste to Coca Cola. You have a very wide variety of flavors from Rootbeer which is our favorite to Dr Pete which is their Dr Pepper, Ginger Ale, Orange, Grape, and many more! Let's look a nutrition. In 1 liter of Coca-cola you're looking at 100 calories, 27g carbs, and 27g of sugar. The SodaStream Cola you're looking at 35 calories, 8g carbs, and 8g of sugar. A diet coke has 40mg of sodium, and the SodaStream Diet Cola only has 10mg of Sodium. The Diet Cola also contains no aspartame as it is sweetened using Splenda.

One other important factor that we love about the SodaStream is that you are helping the environment because you don't have the plastic 2 liter bottles or aluminum cans to dispose of.  You're re-using your SodaStream bottles so there is no disposal.  Your Co2 Carbinators are taken to a store such as Bed Bath & Beyond or Staples and exchanged for new Co2 Carbinators and you're only paying for new Co2 when you do so. So even there you are re-using containers and there is no waste.


We highly recommend this product and don't foresee purchasing soda from the supermarket again. It's nice being able to make fresh soda when you drink your last sip, and not having to get in the car and driving down the road to restock when you're thirsty. Great product SodaStream!!

Product Review & GIVEAWAY: UltraPure Cosmetics Pressed Perfection Eye Shadow

Happy Wednesday!  Today I am excited to tell you about an awesome product that I was able to try for the first time- UltraPure Cosmetics Pressed Perfection Eye Shadow!

What They Say:

UltraPure Cosmetics is a result-oriented and pure mineral makeup and skin care line.

Established in 2005, UltraPure Cosmetics entered the health and beauty marketplace to satisfy the modern consumer's new paradigm, which requires High Quality Products delivering Unsurpassed Efficacy and True Safety. UltraPure Cosmetics brings you a solution with our pure makeup and pure skin care.

Dedicated to the science of simplicity, we set the standard for unadulterated micro-formulated mineral cosmetics, while stressing that NO formula will EVER contain: Nano-particles, Parabens, Bismuth Oxychloride, Dyes/Lakes, Talc, or Sodium Lauryl Sulfates (SLS), to name just a few!

Informed by up-to-the-minute advances, we use only the cleanest raw materials and bio-active ingredients in our formulations! We are on the cutting edge offering you the best mineral makeup.

Our products are recommended by the National Rosacea Society, Plastic Surgeons, Dermatologists, and Aestheticians for their healing benefits. Source.
Pressed Perfection Eye Shadows:

• 24 Amazing Shades that stay all day!
• Silky-soft mineral pigments
• May be used with our Liquid Liner Fixative to turn any shadow into a liquid liner
• Gluten-Free
• No Dyes/Lakes
• No Bismuth Oxychloride

My Impression:

I am a complete eye shadow junkie!  I have quite a collection of eye shadows so this one fit right in.  I have never tried any of UltraPure Cosmetics' products before and I have to tell you that I was very pleased.  This is one of the silkiest and creamiest pressed eye shadows I have ever tried.  This stuff glides right onto the eye and stays put!  The color I tried was Coffee Bean from the Natural Collection.  The color is very pigmented and rich as you can see from the swatch above.  I think this color would be perfect for creating a dramatic smokey eye however I work in a professional setting so I try to keep my eye makeup light which is why I have actually been using this product as a liner.  By wetting my eyeliner brush and swiping it across the shadow and then applying to my eyelid and under my eyes I can create a liquid eyeliner look that adds just enough drama to my everyday eye look.

UltraPure also offers a Liquid Liner Fixative that you could try as well which will give you more of a liquid liner look as opposed to a soft liner look.

I know I mention this every time but the fact that these products don't contain any Bismuth Oxychloride, a know skin irritant, is a big plus for me! I always try to be mindful of the chemicals that I am applying to my skin which is why I try to find companies that offer products that do not contain harmful chemicals.

The Pressed Perfection Eye Shadow Collection offers 24 amazing shades so you can be sure to find some amazing shades to create your own perfect look. You can check out the colors here.

Now that you have had a chance to learn all about UltraPure Cosmetics' Pressed Perfection Eye Shadow collection I am pleased to offer you the chance to win a full size eye shadow from the Pressed Perfection Eye Shadow collection in a color of your choice. Simply follow the instructions on the Rafflecopter form below for your chance to win. The winner will be chosen by random drawing on July 25th and announced by the morning of July 26th. The winner will have 48 hours to contact me or another name will be drawn. Thanks and good luck!

Disclaimer: This product was provided to me by UltraPure Cosmetics free of charge for my review. I am not affiliated with the company nor was I paid for my review. All opinions are my own honest personal opinions.

Product Review: Kelly Teegarden Organics The Royal - Body Lotion

Good morning!  I hope all of you had a fantastic weekend!  Sorry that I took a little break but we went on a mini vacation up to the mountains in Western Maryland.  We had a good time but it poured rain most of the time.  Nonetheless I am feeling relaxed and ready to tackle the week!  Today I'm bringing you another fantastic product from Kelly Teegarden Organics- The Royal - Body Lotion.

What They Say:  Imagine what the most luxurious, creamy and perfect body lotion could feel like and then try The Royal Healthy Body Lotion. Packed with over 40 healthy ingredients, The Royal was formulated to give your skin the healthy “Red Carpet” sexy glow, and best of all protect you. A proprietary blend of Royal Jelly, Organic Shea butter, Organic Essential Oils, Beta Glucans, Vit D3 and Multi Fruit Extracts synergistically revitalizes and intensely hydrates the skin. This highly concentrated lotion can build the skin’s immune system, revitalize skin cells damaged by free radicals and enhance regeneration giving the skin a youthful appearance. The aromatic blend of lavender, lemon and marjoram organic essential oils will give you the feeling of being in a spa. This is a KTO signature must have.

My Impression:  I am religious when it comes to applying body lotion after a shower. Every single time I get out of the shower I apply lotion to my wet skin and let it absorb for a second before drying off. I loved the feel of this lotion! It was smooth and soft but also didn't leave my skin feeling greasy which is a big turn off for me and the problem with a lot of lotions on the market today. After applying the lotion my skin was left with a subtle glow, perfect for a sexy night on the town or simply a relaxing day on the beach. Speaking of relaxing, the scent of this lotion is a very relaxing combination of lavender, lemon and marjoram. Overall I would recommend this product if you are looking for a natural body lotion that gives your skin a sexy glow! Plus, you can't go wrong with all of the amazing ingredients packed inside of this stuff! I also found out directly from Kelly that this product has been scientifically tested to have NO ENDOCRINE disruptors.  As someone who suffers from PCOS and has been battling with my hormones my entire adult life I know how important this is.  If you are interested in purchasing this product you can get an 8 oz. bottle for $36.00 here.  Also, please visit Kelly Teegarden Organics' Facebook Page and make sure to "like" it so you can keep up to date with product updates and specials.

Thanks for reading and stay tuned because tomorrow we will be launching a GIVEAWAY!  If you are an eye shadow junkie like me then you won't want to miss tomorrow's post!

Disclaimer: This product was provided to me by Kelly Teegarden Organics free of charge for my review. I am not affiliated with the company nor was I paid for my review. All opinions are my own honest personal opinions.

Product Review: Befine Love Romance - Fragrance Body Mist Spray & Body Souffle

Happy Thursday!  Today I am pleased to bring you yet another fantastic product from Befine, actually two of them- Befine Love Romance - Fragrance Body Mist Spray & Body Souffle!  I know, I know, but I really do love their stuff and I love sharing it with you so here goes!

What They Say:

The fruity floral scent of Love Romance, is a lavishly lush blend of cherry blossom, muguet, red apples and Georgia peach with hints of tamarind & blondewood.

Infused with skin-nourishing botanicals, our body mist is a tropical path to soft, touchable skin. Lavishly spritz all over the body to leave skin scented with our original moisturizing fruity floral scent.  

You can get a 8.4 oz / 250ml Pump here for $10.00

Infused with skin-nourishing botanical oils, our Body Souffle leaves skin soft and moisturized while kissing with a delicate scent. Generously apply daily all over your body for supple skin and a light layer of sensuous fragrance.

You can get a 8.4 oz / 250ml Bottle here for $10.00.

My Impression:  Once again I found myself saying "yum!" when smelling this stuff.  It smells like a delicious combination of peaches and apples!  I found the scent to be very calming and relaxing.  It also left my skin feeling soft and smooth.  If you use both the body souffle and the body mist you're guaranteed to be smelling fresh and clean for quite a few hours after application.  I have been using this stuff every single day for the past three weeks and I have quite a bit of product left so the generous size bottles definitely last for quite a bit.  They have a few other scents in both the Body Souffle and the Body Mist if Love Romance isn't your style however I think the Love Romance scent is perfect for summertime.  You can check out the Body Mist line here and the Body Souffle line here.

Disclaimer: This product was provided to me by Befine Skin Care free of charge for my review. I am not affiliated with the company nor was I paid for my review. All opinions are my own honest personal opinions.

June Birchbox Overview

I'm doing something a little different this month with my Birchbox products.  Instead of doing a post about each individual product I'm doing an overview post about all of the products.  The reason I am doing it this way is because I wasn't really impressed with the products in June's box so I didn't feel a need to do individual posts about each products.  So, let's get started shall we?

Apothederm™ Stretch Mark Cream

What They Say:  The lush cream tones and reduces the look of both ancient and recent stretch marks alike. Four natural moisturizers—olive oil, shea butter, cocoa butter, and meadowfoam seed oils—leave skin wondrously soft. Meanwhile, the unique SmartPeptide™ system increases collagen production, while licorice root and antioxidant-rich resveratrol fade discoloration. A dose of hyaluronic acid helps with long-lasting hydration.

My Impression: I was excited to try this but I was pretty sure that my stretch marks are far beyond any kind of repair. Most of my stretch marks are from pregnancy and that was over 3 1/2 years ago so if they haven't gone away by now I'm pretty sure they are here to stay. This product didn't do anything for my stretch marks just as I suspected. Now, I'm not sure if you have "new" stretch marks if this product would help or not. The biggest problem I saw with this product is that the full-size bottle (5.7 oz) sells for $89.95! Holy cow!

John Varvatos Star U.S.A. 1.7 oz

My husband did a review of this product since it was for him and you can find it here.  I loved the smell of this stuff and I am planning on purchasing it for my husband mainly because I know he never spends money on himself so I'm going to spend it for him!

Scalisi Skincare Anti-Aging Moisturizer Broad Spectrum SPF 30

What They Say:  This moisturizer uses innovative peptide technology you won’t find anywhere else—it tricks your skin into thinking a wrinkle is a cut so collagen production increases to “heal” the wrinkle. Genius, right? Add White Tea Extract for radiance and soy proteins rich in amino acids to boost cell regeneration, and you’ve got yourself an anti-aging powerhouse. Plus, it meets skin cancer prevention standards set by the FDA.

My Impression: I liked that this product included an SPF which is a necessity for any moisturizer I put on my face. The texture of this product reminded me a lot of sunscreen however it wasn't greasy when applied to my face which is a plus.  I have been using this pro a couple of weeks off an on and I haven't noticed any remarkable changes in my skin and the fine lines under my eyes.  Maybe they aren't deep enough?  I'm not sure.  Again, the price of this product, $110.00 for a 1.7 oz, blew me away!  I love that Birchbox sends out some luxury brands but in order for me to pay that much for something it better work miracles!

theBalm® cosmetics Stainiac

What They Say:  The tinted gel leaves a lasting stain on lips and cheeks. Since it’s water-based, it has a longer setting time than most quick-dry stains, which means it won’t leave any unsightly streaks behind as long as you take care to blend well. Use a single coat for a subtle look or layer it on for a more visible (yet still discreet) hue.

My Impression:  I was excited to try this product because I have heard a lot about the Balm products but I have never actually tried them.  This was one of my favorite products in the June Birchbox hands down.  I love a good lip stain and this one delivered all it promised!  It sinks right into the skin and doesn't leave any kind of residue behind.  It also stayed put for several hours.  If I were to choose I would have chosen a different color like "Homecoming Queen" that has a more brown hue to it but overall I was pleased.  The best part is that at $17.00 for .3 fl oz this product is much more affordable.  

CleanWell Hand Sanitizing Wipes

What They Say:  These alcohol-free wipes use thyme oil, a natural anti-bacterial, plus super hydrating aloe vera.

My Impression:  I don't really have much to say about these other than they seems to work well and they smelled clean and fresh.  These might be good to carry around especially if you have a little one.

BAND-AID® Brand Adhesive Bandages by Cynthia Rowley

What They Say:  These sterile, individually sealed designer bandages will help you stay prepared for any emergencies that may arise. Keep a few in your purse for the next time you get a paper cut, or use them to cover up stiletto-induced blisters on your feet. Unlike traditional beige bandages, you won’t mind showing these little guys off.

My Impression:  The idea of fashion band-aids never appealed to me.  I hardly ever have a need for a band-aid and I'm really not worried about whether or not my band-aid is fashionable if I ever do need one.  Plus, I think these are a little pricey at $11.00 for a 40 ct box.

Well, there it is, my "just okay" June Birchbox.  I'm hoping and praying that my July box is better!

The Birchbox was purchased by me with my own money.  I am not affiliated with Birchbox or any of the brands listed above.  I am not being paid for my reviews and all opinions are my own personal opinions.  

Product Review: John Varvatos Star U.S.A. Cologne

This product goes back to the my wife's June Birchbox, and is the reason I signed up for the Birchbox Man. Good advertising on the part of Birchbox!

What They Say:

Dads and younger brothers alike dig this dapper scent. Full size product comes housed in smoky glass with a spring top reminiscent of a vintage beer bottle. John Varvatos’ cologne, like his designs, exudes a combination of off-kilter downtown cool and elegant prep.

My Opinion:

I was excited to open the package and smell this cologne.  I wasn't disappointed at all!  It has a great smell that isn't too overpowering.  The thing I hate the most is an overpowering cologne. You know, the guy that walks in the room and twenty minutes after he's left it's just as strong as when he entered?  Their description for the scent was pretty good in my opinion.  I imagined something that wasn't overpowering and a smell that makes you think stylish.  That's exactly what I got.

I've heard the John Varvatos name with working in eye care I'm familiar with the Varvatos brand eye wear.  So right away without even smelling the product I knew this cologne was going to be pricey.  After trying this product I really want to purchase it, however once I saw the price I had to take a step back.  For a 1.7oz size product you're looking at a price tag of $55.00, and for the larger 3.4oz product you're going to pay $70.00.  Now for someone like myself that doesn't like dishing out that kind of money on something that isn't a necessity, this price tag is a bit discouraging.  However, I really like the product and this may be something that I wouldn't mind purchasing in the future. Especially since my wife loved it too.

The Birchbox Man was purchased by me with my own money.  I am not affiliated with Birchbox Man or any of the brands listed above.  I am not being paid for my reviews and all opinions are my own personal opinions.

Product Review: imPRESS Press-On Manicure

Hello!  Today I'm doing my first review of one of the products I received in my Mom Vox Box- imPRESS Press-On Manicure. 

What They Say: 

• No drying time–The imPRESS Press-On Manicure delivers an instant salon-perfect manicure without the drying time of polish or nail glue.
• Superior, lasting shine—An indestructible top coat that rivals the best salon gel polish.
• Easy removal—Gently peel from sides or apply polish remover around the edges, wait 1 minute, then peel off.
• Lasts up to a week—When applied properly, imPress Press-On Manicure lasts up to a week while keeping nails protected. What polish can say that!

My Impression:  I was very skeptical of this product as I mentioned in my last post.  I haven't tried press-on nails since the early 90's and all I can remember is that they fell off so easily and at the most inopportune times.  I'm not a big fan of false nails in general because of the damage they do to my already brittle and peeling nails.  But, I kept an open mind because it has been a while since I have tried press-on nails and they have to have improved since the 90's...right? 

First, I will start with the things I loved about this product, the first one being the adorable packaging!

It looks like a nail polish bottle!  I also love the designs they offer, you can check out the designs on their website.

I also thought that these were super easy to apply--you simply remove your nail polish, clean your nail with the enclosed alcohol pad, pull the plastic protector off of the back of the nail and press onto your natural nail.  I also loved that the nails were numbered so you could match the sizes on each side.  In the picture below you can see the plastic protector as well as the number on the nail. 

Now, unfortunately I have to stop here and tell you that I only applied one nail.  Why you ask?  Well, because the nails were too short for my nail bed.  Now, I have to tell you that I am by no means an amazon, I mean, I'm only 5'2" and my hands are small as well.  My nails are short and I didn't think I had abnormally long nail beds.  However, after applying only the thumbnail I didn't see a point in continuing because I wouldn't be able to keep these on my nails anyway.  In the picture below you can see that my natural nail stuck out over the top of the press-on.  Now, I wouldn't mind cutting down my nails a bit but I would have had to cut into my skin in order to make my nail short enough to hide it.   

Another problem I had with the nail is that it wouldn't lay flat against my nail no matter how hard I pressed.  Maybe my nails are more curved than most?  I'm not sure but I do know that it left a pretty significant gap in between my natural nail and the press-on. 

I can't even believe I am posting the above picture because seriously, my hands look so dry!  Get this girl some hand cream stat! 

I SO wanted to love this product!  I love the designs and if they fit my nails properly I would have considered using them again.  They seemed to adhere pretty snugly to my nail on the parts that it actually touched.  I'm not sure about the claims of them lasting up to a week because I never got to test them for any length of time.  I can tell you that they were easy to apply and easy to remove. 

So, while I definitely think this product could work for some people it just isn't for me.  If I had any suggestions for Broadway Nails it would be for them to make the nails just a tiny bit longer.  I'm not sure how to fix the problem of the nail not sticking to the top of my nail. 

I was bummed that these didn't work out for me but I have high hopes for the remaining products in my Mom Vox Box so stay tuned!  Have you tried the imPRESS Press-On Manicure?  What did you think? 

Disclaimer: All products were provided to me free of charge by Influenster for review.  I am not affiliated with the company nor was I paid for my review.  All opinions are my own personal opinions.