Influenster VoxBox Review

Hello, lovelies!  I was lucky enough to receive a special Influenster VoxBox for moms and wanted to share a bit about the products included.  Please note that I received all these products for free for testing purposes.

What Was Inside:

• Neosporin Neo To Go! antiseptic/pain relieving spray
• Puffs Plus Lotion soft purse pack
• Avon Anew Reversalist Complete Renewal Express Wrinkle Smoother
• Ivory Original Bar
• Shell Fuel Rewards card
• Coupon for free Breyers Gelato Indulgences

What I Thought:

I was super excited to be selected for a box and had no idea what to expect.  My initial thoughts were:

• This Neosporin Neo To Go! spray is super smart for moms to keep in their purse or diaper bags.  It is compact and can easily go wherever you go.  Good for the unexpected owies in life. 
• I am a big fan of Puffs Plus Lotion tissues and always carry tissues in my bag, so was glad to have a pack.  I like the lotion ones because they don't irritate my nose during allergy season when I have to use them a lot.
• I haven't tried the Avon Anew Wrinkle Smoother yet, but will next time I put on makeup.  It says it is for use over moisturizer or makeup and that it instantly reduces the visibility of wrinkles.  I'm looking forward to trying it on my little baby laugh lines that I've just started getting over the past few years. 
• The vintage packaging on the Ivory Original Bar soap is so adorable.  It is pretty enough to give as part of a gift, I think, and I might try to grab a few to go with hand-knitted washcloths for little gifts at Christmas.  Ivory soap has a great reputation and has been around for years and years, so I will definitely get some use out of the product.
• I didn't know gas stations had rewards cards, but it is smart and makes a lot of sense.  I haven't activated my card yet, but will make sure to soon.
• I picked up my free Breyers Gelato Indulgences and cannot believe how delicious it is.  I got the Tiramisu flavor and it is the smoothest, most decadent ice cream I've had outside of a gelato shop. I shared with the kiddo and she loves it, too.  Tastes just like authentic Italian tiramisu.  Can't wait to try the other flavors.

Giveaway Roundup - May 11, 2014

Morning, lovelies!  Here are today's giveaways!

• $50 Target Giftcard Giveaway at Vanity Rouge: http://vanityrouge.com/physicians-formula-bogo-free-target-win-50-target-giftcard/
• Kate Spade Mini Minka Crossbody Giveaway at Blushing Noir: http://blushingnoir.com/2014/05/win-kate-spade-mini-minka-cross-body-bag-grace-blue/

Giveaway Roundup - April 10, 2014

Hope y'all are having a lovely weekend!  Here are the giveaways I've rounded up for today:

• Urban Decay Electric Pressed Pigment Palette at Blushing Noir: http://blushingnoir.com/2014/05/urban-decay-electric-pressed-pigment-palette-swatches-review-eotd-giveaway/
• $50 Sephora eGift Card at Makeup & Beauty Blog: http://www.makeupandbeautyblog.com/just-for-fun/7-ways-win-50-egift-card-sephora-ends-monday-34/

Giveaway Roundup - April 9, 2014

Hi, y'all. Only one giveaway so far today, but I will update if I find others.

• OPI Muppets Most Wanted Giveaway at Blushing Noir: http://blushingnoir.com/2014/05/opi-muppets-wanted-swatches-review-giveaway/

Giveaway Roundup - May 8, 2014

Hello, lovelies!  Only one giveaway today, but it is a good one!

• Tarina Tarantino Emerald Pretty Eyeshadow and Fleur de Lash Mascara Giveaway at Blushing Noir: http://blushingnoir.com/2014/05/tarina-tarantino-emerald-pretty-eyeshadow-palette-fleur-de-lash-mascara-swatches-review-giveaway/

Giveaway Roundup - May 7, 2014

Morning, lovelies!  Here are the giveaways I found for today.  Good luck and let me know if you win!

• Urban Decay Honey Eyeshadow Giveaway at Temptalia: http://www.temptalia.com/5-ways-wear-urban-decay-honey-eyeshadow
• Urban Decay Prize Pack Giveaway at Blushing Noir: http://blushingnoir.com/2014/05/5-days-giveaways-win-urban-decay-prize-pack/
• Rite Aid & Revlon Giveaway at Glitter, Gloss, Garbage: http://www.glitterglossgarbage.com/rite-aid-revlon-story-shade-winners-giveaway

Giveaway Roundup - May 5th, 2014

Hey, y'all.  I browse my favorite beauty and fashion blogs daily, looking for giveaways.  I figured I'd start sharing my finds on here to give more people a chance to win.  Here's what I found for today:

• Sonia Kashuk Spring Beauty + Giveaway over at The Small Things: http://www.thesmallthingsblog.com/2014/05/sonia-kashuk-spring-beauty-giveaway/ *PS - I get a contest entry for sharing this one with y'all! 
• $100 Target Group Giveaway at Hairspray & Highheels: http://www.hairsprayandhighheels.net/2014/05/100-target-group-giveaway/

Good luck!  Let me know in the comments if you win!

Ipsy Glam Bag - April 2014

I am always super excited to get my Ipsy Glam Bag in the mail. I've been a subscriber for about 8 months now and I have never been disappointed. This month was no exception. Visit the Ipsy website to learn more about their subscription. It is just $10/month and totally worth it. They usually have a waiting list, but hopefully you won't have to wait long!

My April Ipsy Glam Bag contained:
- Cailyn Tinted Lip Balm
- Urban Decay 24/7 Velvet Glide-On Eye Pencil
- Demeter Jasmine Perfume Oil Roll On
- dr. brandt microdermabrasion
- Elizabeth Mott pop! goes the shadow

I have wanted to try the Cailyn Tinted Lip Balm since I got their gel eyeliner to sample in an earlier Ipsy Glam Bag. I love the little built in brush that comes with their products, and it is especially useful for a lip balm.

I am a huge Urban Decay fan, so I was happy to see a travel size eyeliner in the bag.

 Unfortunately, the tip of the liner broke off when I tried to swatch it.






As I've mentioned before, I'm a scentaholic, so I am always excited about perfume samples and was especially happy to see something from Demeter, as I've wanted to try it out for awhile. I like roll ons and love the simple Jasmine scent.

I am not ever super excited about skincare items in sample bags because I have very fair, sensitive skin. But I have heard good things about dr. brandt, so I'll give it a try.

The Elizabeth Mott brand is completely new to me, but I always welcome new shadows and appreciated that this was in a nice neutral (if a bit shiny) shade.

 




Here is a swatch of the Cailyn lip balm and the pop! goes the shadow.










*purchased by me

Commodity Goods Fitting Kit

I am a scentaholic.  I love to try different scents and rarely wear the same one two days in a row.  I get really excited about samples and was thrilled when I found out the Commodity Goods has Fitting Kits that include all 10 of their women’s scents for just $9.  I bought myself one as an anniversary gift (this Sunday is 1 year!) and it shipped super quick and arrived today.  I ripped it open in excitement, before thinking of pictures, so excuse the damage in the photos below. 

I was really impressed by the amount of perfume this is for just $9. It isn't some little scent card that you can sniff and desperately try to press to your wrist.  You get full sample sizes of each scent, which lets you spray them on and really get a feel for how they work with your unique chemistry.

Today I tried scent number one, which is called Tea.  I love it.  This one happens to be right up my alley.  It is a bit exotic, not too sweet, and settles to a fresh, interesting finish.  Officially its top notes are Citrus Accord, Sicilian Lemon, Bergamot (I love Bergamot, think Earl Grey). Mid notes include Freesia (another favorite), Muguet, Jasmine Sambac.  Base notes are Sandalwood (helps with that hint of the exotic) and White Musk.

I'll keep y'all updated as I try the other scents!  Leave a comment if you have tried or think you might try Commodity Goods.

*P.S. - If you buy a full size perfume within 30 days of your Commodity Goods Fitting Kit order, the $9 you spent on it goes towards the full size purchase!

*Purchased by me, opinions are my own.

Hot & Humid - Monistat Chafing Relief Powder-Gel

I apologize to those of you who are still mired in inches of snow, but down here in Austin (Central Texas) it is starting to get warm. 80-something degrees warm.  And humid.  Such weather leads to what some of my more refined Texan lady friends call “glistening” or what I call becoming a sweaty sticky mess.  After years and years of dealing with sweaty underboob and chaffed upper thighs, I realized that something could be done about these less than delicate warm weather conditions… baby powder!  It keeps babies’ chubby butts dry, why not my chubby thighs?  And it works, but it is a mess to apply and sometimes ends up as a nasty white paste at the end of the day. 

*Photo from Amazon.com

After another several years of powdery hands and pasty stains on shirts, I discovered a wonder product called Monistat Chafing Relief Powder-Gel.  It is a silky gel that you apply to areas that need relief from chafing due to “glistening” and/or movement (inner thighs, bikini area, underboob).  It goes on smooth and doesn’t leave any residue on your hands, leaving the area of application dry and cool.  The Powder-Gel is sold at drugstores for around $6 and comes in a 1.5 oz tube.  A little bit goes a long way, so I anticipate this tube lasting me through the summer (knock on wood that we don’t have another marathon summer of days and days of 100 degree weather).

Visit the Monistat website for more information.  This product was purchased by me and all opinions are my own.

*P.S. I did notice that the Monistat Chafing Relief Powder-Gel has a very similar texture and finish to several makeup primers I have tried.  Hit up the Google or check out Makeup Alley for information on using it as a primer. I’ll give it a shot someday and let y’all know.