Review: Olay Fresh Effects {BB Cream!} Skin Perfecting Tinted Moisturizer with SPF15

I received a tube of Olay Fresh Effects BB Cream for reviewing purposes from Influenster.  I admit I was quite excited because I have been eyeing the new Olay Fresh Effects line at Target for weeks upon weeks, but kept telling myself I didn’t need anything right now.  Upon opening my box and realizing I received the Light to Medium shade I was a little hesitant.  Typically I purchase medium to deep BB creams since my skin is really no where near light, but I decided I’d give it a go.  Worst case scenario I’d have to wash my face after application if it didn’t match..

PACKAGING & PRICE

Product is packaged in a long, sleek 2.5 fl ounce tube.  It has a twist off cap which allows for easy control of how much product you dispense onto your hand.  I do enjoy how thin the tube is, which makes storing a lot easier because nobody truly enjoys big bulky packaging.  Price wise, it of course varies depending on where you shop.  Typically prices range anywhere between $10.97 up to $13.99.

PRODUCT

After looking into the product, low and behold, it is only sold in two color combinations: Fair to Light and Light to Medium.  The Light to Medium was suitable for my skin tone. I have not gotten much sun this spring and summer so I’m on the lighter side of the spectrum but if I were to catch any sun this product would be too light for my face – but I could potentially make it work with a good amount of bronzer.  The BB cream itself does have a very pleasant sent to it.  I was expecting a chemically smell that sometimes comes with foundations/BB creams, but this one was a very clean scent almost florally.  It kind of reminded me of mountain rain scented laundry detergent (I love that scent, so that’s a good thing!).  The scent certainly doesn’t linger, as you begin to massage the product into your face, the scent dissipates, or at least becomes far less apparent.

PURCHASING

This is available for purchase at all retail pharmacy locations – CVS, Walgreens, Rite Aid, while it’s also available at supercenters such as Target, Walmart and Kmart.  It can also be purchased from select online retailers such as Drugstore.com, Walmart.com, and Amazon.

OVERALL

Overall, I find the BB Cream is okay but nothing to brag about.  I prefer a medium coverage BB Cream but this particular BB cream is very light coverage.  It did cover a tiny bit of redness on my face (around my nose) but it didn’t cover my acne scars or even any of my current acne flare ups.  I realize BB creams are not designed to conceal blemishes, but I find with my Garnier BB cream, it has more coverage and will conceal my acne far more than the Olay Fresh Effects did.  It does leave my face feeling moisturized although it is very unforgiving for oily skinned individuals (which is me to a T).  This is undoubtedly a product I need to wear a powder with to reduce the sheen that shines through almost instantly after application.  This is a give or take product for me … it’s not something I love, but it’s not something I hate neither.

RATING

C

Goody Ouchless Hair Ribbons

I received a pack of Goody Ouchless Hair Ribbons from Influenster for review purposes.  I admit when I received these, I was intrigued because I have heard so many great things about hair ribbons. Since I tend to wear my hair back in a ponytail, bun, etc. I felt I’d get some good use out of these.

Because I always have my hair tied back I am constantly purchasing hair elastics.  Goody makes some of the best particularly their Ouchless line.  I remember growing up and having hair elastics with the metal connector and it’d get tangled in my hair and rip portions of my hair out.  Trying to avoid that as much as possibly, I only purchase smooth edged hair elastics.

Firstly, these hair ribbons are adorable.  They fit perfectly over the wrist and give your arm some décor and I find they fit a lot nicer over the wrist and don’t “cut” into the wrist as regular elastics tend to do. The hair ribbons act as regular hair elastics do – you simply tie your hair back angling the end of the ribbon wherever you wish.  I find the ribbons do keep my hair back and they don't stretch out as easily as regular hair elastics

These are good for any age, at least in my opinion and come in a wide variety of colors to go with any outfit. Or if you’re into that sort of thing you can just wear them as “arm candy”.

QUESTION:

Have you tried any of the Goody Ouchless Hair Ribbons?

I received my Influenster Sunkissed Voxbox!

I received my Influenster Sunkissed Voxbox!

I received an e-mail to complete a survey to see if I qualified for the box a couple months ago and a few weeks later received an e-mail advising that I was chosen to receive the Sunkissed Voxbox from Influenster!  I was pumped because I haven’t received a Voxbox in a while.  I had seen voxbox unboxings on Instagram and on blogs but those were for other voxboxes not the Sunkissed.

Low and behold the mail man was REALLY nice to me the other day because not only did he deliver my voxbox, but he also delivered a number of items I ordered from Target (sadly, they’re not for me, BUT they are for my niece).

Here’s what I received in my Sunkissed Voxbox:

-          Dr. Scholl’s For Her High Heel Insoles

-          SinfulShine with Gel Tech in My Kryptonite

-          Olay Fresh Effects {BB Cream} Skin Perfecting Tinted Moisturizer with SPF 15 in light/medium

-          Goody Ouchless Ribbon Elastics

REVIEW: Goody Spin Pins

I have seen the Goody Spin Pins at stores like Target and had never raised an eyebrow to them.  They always seemed like daunting little devices and I wasn’t positive that two little “cork screw” looking devices would work as a piece to hold my hair in – let alone get INTO my hair.  I never read the back of the box to see how they are used; I just assumed they’d be as torturous as bobby pins typically are in my hair.  Note: My hair is silky and thin-medium (depending on the day) so bobby pins and even hair ties tend to slide out of my hair, stab me in the skull, etc., etc.  With all that background “danger signs” when I received these in my Influenster Beauty Blogger Voxbox I was hesitant to use them.  In fact they are one of the last products for me to try out.  After using them – I really wonder what took me so long!

PACKAGING & PRICE:

The product comes packaged in a pink and green box with a clear plastic casing to showcase the product inside.  The pins are tied down to the inner cardboard to keep it from moving around in the box.  The products range in price dependent upon where you purchase, but for the most part it’s between the $5.79-6.29.  The lower price being Walmart (Target is 10 cents more) and the higher price being a pharmacy (Walgreens).

PRODUCT:

The pins themselves are harder metal pieces.  The edges are rounded so you don’t have to worry about gouging your skull. The design is sleek enough to spin into your hair, sturdy enough to hold and maneuver and textured in a way that’s not slippery against your fingertips.  They’re pretty sturdy pieces as well – they don’t blend by holding, etc.  The pins come in two shades – a light and a dark.  The light obviously for lighter hair colors (blond and dirty blondes) and dark for brunettes or folks with black hair.

PURCHASING:

These are available for purchase at almost all major retailers that sell Goody hair products.  Target, Walmart, CVS, and Walgreens while they are also available on websites such as Amazon and drugstore.com.  As mentioned above pricing varies based on the retailer but for the most part they fall between the $5.79-6.29 ranges (the prices can be slightly higher if purchased online).

OVERALL:

I would HIGHLY recommend these to anyone who is looking to simplify their hairdo.  This literally took me 10 seconds to do and it holds my hair pretty well.  I tend to touch my hair ALL DAY LONG (it’s a bad habit) especially since I have my hair in layers (which are growing out) I have different lengths to my hair, so the shorter lengths always tend to hang and/or do what they want.  The pins do a great job at keeping my hair back, in place and pretty cute and precise without the need or use of a hair tie, etc.  The pins spin in and out of the hair with ease, not pulling or tugging.  I was quite surprised at how easy they spun in and how pain free it was.

RATING:

A

NYC Individual Eyes - Dark Shadows (Swatches & Mini-Review)

I received this NYC (New York Color) Individual Eyes in the shade Dark Shadows from Influenster in part of their Beauty Blogger Voxbox.

These complete palettes come with a cream primer and illuminator as well as four complimentary shadows.  To help the user create the “perfect” eye look there is a diagram on the back of the palette explaining where to put each shadow, while the plastic insert over the shadows advise as to where they go as well.  It’s a perfect all-in-one palette for a beginner or even someone who’s either on a budget or wants a palette that has everything together for easy travel.

This particular Dark Shadows palette has the following shades available: white, silver, gunmetal grey and black.  There’s also a cream illuminator (white) and a primer base (nude).  The shadows have a bit of glittery shimmer to them, but it’s no where near overwhelming or even moderately overwhelming.   I would say the color pay off is pretty stellar for a product that retails for $4.99.  I own the palette which is geared toward brown eyes (it has a cranberry/plum shade in it – gorgeous!) and I’ve used that many-a-time when I don’t want to have to go through what I have and want something that’s almost “fool proof”.

I would say the Dark Shadows palette isn’t for everyone.  Some just don’t look great with silvers, while others aren’t comfortable with such “bold” eye looks (particularly if you’re more of a neutral kinda gal).  Overall, I would say if you’re in the market for an all-in-one palette check out what NYC has to offer – they offer some pretty standup products for the price.

Review: Bath & Body Works - Mahogany Teakwood Candle

As part of the Influenster Beauty Blogger Voxbox, I received a mini Bath & Body Works candle in the scent Mahogany Teakwood.  I wasn't aware I was going to be getting this beforehand, nor was I aware of what scent I would be getting in my box as scents are put in at random.  To say I was very excited, is an understatement.  I can say this is one of the most raved about Bath & Body Works candle scents because many people say it smells like Abercrombie.  Honestly, I don't shop at Abercrombie and I can't think of the last time I walked past the store -- but I can say this: this candle smells AMAZING!

I love Bath & Body Works candles, some of their scents are amazing and this is one of them.  I loved it so much I actually went out and purchased the full-size candle, which is now safely stored away in my closet for future use.  The one thing I like about B&BW candles is they offer these mini size candles -- so you can test out a few of them to see if you can handle the scent.  These are great for smaller rooms -- bathrooms, foyers, etc.  I don't feel the mini's are strong enough to be the major scent in say a bedroom, etc.  If you had 2-3 of the minis in one room going at once, you'd be able to get an equal spread of the scent throughout the surface area.

Now as for the scent of this candle?  It smells manly - like cologne, but not over powering.  If this was a cologne, I'd probably buy it and spray it on my boyfriend ;).  According to Bath & Body Works the scent is described as follows: "Revel in the cozy fine woods fragrances of mahogany, cedarwood and oak, highlighted by delicate lavender and geranium notes."

The only tip I have is, if you're into candles -- make sure you trim the wicks.  The taller the wick, the more likely they are to smoke, soot the glass, etc.  Overall, I give these a thumbs up.

Disclaimer: I received this product free for reviewing purposes but that in no way alters my opinions or thoughts as these are my own.

Shannon’s Influenster Beauty Blogger VoxBox Unboxing!

I was invited to see if I’d qualify for the Influenster Beauty Blogger VoxBox.  After submitting the requested information, I was emailed about a week later letting me know that I was selected and that my box was in the mail.  I received it almost a week later and was excited to see what products I got to sample.

If you’re not familiar with Influenster is (www.influenster.com) it is a website which provides samples of products to participating and eligible individuals.  You qualify for badges by submitting reviews, etc., on products and based on your information, your activity, your score and your information you are selected to participate in particular boxes.

Here’s what I received in my voxbox:

-          Kiss Ever Pro Lashes – Starter Kit

-          Goody – Spin Pins

-          N.Y.C Individual Eyes eye shadow palette – Dark Shadows

-          Not Your Mother’s – Smooth Moves

-          E-Boost – Dietary Supplement – orange flavor

-          Bath & Body Works Mini Candle – Mahogany Teakwood

-          Coupon: $10 off a full-size 3-wick candle

I’m looking forward to trying out all the goodies I received and sharing my experience with you as I try them!

DISCLAIMER: I received these products from Influenster for reviewing purposes.  I am not affiliated with these brands.

I received my Influenster Summer Beauty VoxBox!

Well, I received it two weeks ago and am just now getting around to posting about it. I received an e-mail from Influenster alerting me that I was picked to receive the Summer Voxbox and I was thrilled. The last one I received was back in the winter-time and I had not been invited to another campaign since until this one. I was looking forward to seeing what was in the box especially after getting my e-mail which just gave a generic hint as to what the products in the box would consist of. I will say the feminine hygiene one raised a brow because that’s a whole new topic! The goodies I received in my box are as follows:

- Hawaiian Tropicc Silk Hydration Lotion Sunscreen SPF 30 $8.99 for a 6 oz bottle
- Tampax and Always Radian Collection Prices vary per location
- Quaker Soft Baked Bar in Banana Nut Bread $3.29 per package
- Sally Hansen Magnetic Nail Color $9.99 value
- Sally Hansen Nails and Cuticles Hand Crème $5.99 for a full-size bottle
- Clear Scalp & Hair Beauty Therapy (Shampoo & Conditioner) $4.99-5.99 for a 12.7 & 12.9 oz bottle

Quaker – Banana Nut Bread Soft Baked Bars

I received this Quaker Banana Nut Bread soft baked bar in my Influenster Voxbox as a complimentary gift for reviewing purposes and I must say this is amazingly delicious!  I LOVE banana bread, especially with walnuts and this is a healthier alternative to it.  It doesn’t have the consistency of banana bread, but it gives you the illusion of having a yummy homemade banana bread with far less calories and guilt.  I will say I did warm mine up in the microwave per package instructions for 10 seconds and it was fabulous.  As soon as I opened the microwave door (at work mind you) all you could smell was banana.  Ahhhh, I’m a SUCKER for fragrant banana smells in food.  The almonds are on the top of the bar so they are nice and crunchy.  It’s rather filling and satisfying for a snack, it’s not overly sweet – which I appreciated, and it’s just a yummy snack.  I’m definitely going to be picking up a box or two of these next time I am at the market picking up some items to stock away in the cabinet.

Now in case you are wondering, here are the stats:

Made with real bananas and almonds, Quaker Soft Baked Bars Banana Nut Bread flavor has tasty ingredients and key nutrients to help provide fuel to start your day.

-5g Fiber*
-20% daily value of 5 B Vitamins
-6g of Protein
*Contains 3.5g of total fat per serving

FREEBIES: Kiss Nail Dress & Nail Artists

 

 

I received these two Kiss nail design products as part of Influensters reward for completing the Kiss Nail Dress campaign as part of their Love Voxbox campaign.  I wasn’t expecting anything until I got a package in the mail, opened it up and was like “Ohhh!”  I know I did not have the greatest experience with the particular nail dress that I received in my Voxbox, but I will admit this design is super adorable.  I would most likely be using this as an accent nail instead of a complete manicure.   I also received a package of Kiss Nail Artists, which are little rhinestone shaped designs to place on my nail over polish to add some pizzazz to what could be a plain manicure.  I have never tried anything like this, so I’m looking forward to giving them a try.

The two products I received are:

Kiss Nail Dress - #28 Jeweled Strips

Kiss Nail Artist – Metallic Accents #NS32

REVIEW: Stash Herbal Tea

First of all I will state, I have always been a black tea drinker. I drink my tea with splenda in it and that’s it! Lately I’ve been branching out to different tea flavors. I particularly love green tea with blueberry & acai, I’ve since experimented with white tea which I did not like. Anyway, typically, I drink caffeinated teas. There are some things in the world I think are meant to have caffeine and if they don’t have caffeine what is the use in drinking them? I thought that way … until I’ve tried these teas.

Typically caffeine does not bother me at night. I can drink a cup of coffee and go right to bed. It does not wake me up in the morning; it’s the aroma and the warmth that I am looking for in the AM. I found my blueberry green tea kept me up well past 2AM a few weeks ago because I decided to have TWO cups after 11pm. I will now be using Stash tea as my late night tea drink since they are caffeine free!

I made my boyfriend a cup of Lemon Ginger tea and myself a cup of Cinnamon Apple Chamomile tea. I put some splenda in our mugs, put the tea bags in (the lemon ginger I accidentally pulled the string right out of the bag) and poured the hot boiling water into the mugs. I let them steep roughly 3 minutes before drinking and they were really good! I would say the Lemon Ginger was my favorite (my boyfriend kindly let me taste his). It reminded me of a lemon cough drop, just without the menthol flavoring. Nice and smooth. The apple cinnamon was good; you could definitely smell the cinnamon and taste the apple. It wasn’t tart or sour, which was also surprising since anything apple (aside from juice) can tend to sway sour.

The sampler box contains 18 packages of tea, 2 of each flavor, 9 flavors in total. The flavors in the box are: Acai Berry, Blueberry Superfruit, Chamomile, Cinnamon Apple Chamomile, Lemon Ginger, Licorice Spice, Mango Passionfruit, Peppermint and Wild Raspberry Hibiscus. I can’t say I’m going to be adventurous enough to try the licorice just because it’s not a flavor I like on its own, or even in baked goods, so never mind in a liquid form.

Overall, I think these teas are a great addition to any pantry. They’re flavorful and the taste varies, which could branch out to every individuals taste buds.

Disclaimer: I received this product free from Influenster in my Love VoxBox. This does not effect my opinion or views on the product whatsoever.