It's Not Me

Ok, y'all, I got another product review for ya.  I know I've mentioned Influenster before, so I won't get too much into it now.  Basically, for those of you not in the 'know', it's a company that gives out free product samples from various places in exchange for you reviewing them on social media.  If you are active online and like free stuff, I highly recommend checking them out.

This most recent Vox Box was the It's Not Me Gillette Venus Sensitive box.  I got myself a free Gillette Sensitive razor and so far I really do like it.  I usually use whatever razors I have a coupon for, so I've used quite a variety.  Gillette is one of my go-to brands already, so I was already pretty familiar with the Venus razor.  The sensitive one is a Venus, but obviously it's geared toward those of us with sensitive skin.  If you're like me, shaving usually results in ingrowns, razor burn, or itchiness...and that's even when I use shaving cream/gel/lotion/whatever.  Nothing really seems to prevent that...and I've tried it all.  

I tried this razor both with and without shaving cream and it seems to do a pretty decent job either way.  I definitely prefer the feel of the shave itself with the cream, but if you're in a pinch, it's not bad without as it has moisturizer built right into the razor (which has 5 blades by the way).  

I will say, I didn't have a rash this time when I shaved, so it must work.  I'd definitely be willing to buy it again at around $12.99 for the initial pack and $16.99 for refills, I'll be waiting for a coupon.

Stop and Smell the Roses

Time to stop and smell the roses!  Or at least review them...the Rose Vox Box, that is!  That's right, Influenster gave me another box of free goodies to review and share with all of you!  This box came with a pretty awesome assortment of stuff!

Rimmel London Scandaleyes Retro Glam Mascara
$5.99
The 60s are back in full swing with a thicker, fuller, wide-eyed look!  Rimmel London Scandaleyes Retro Glam Mascara brings you a bold, wide-eyed look, fanned out volume, and no clumps for lashes that are up, out, and over the top!



Dr. Scholl's For Her Cozy Cushions
$12.49
Dr. Scholl's For Her Cozy Cushions help keep feet warm and dry while providing all-day comfort.  Their multi-layer design helps insulate the foot while two plush layers provide extra cushioning.  Cozy Cushions help keep feet dry by absorbing perspiration and offer superior support on hard surfaces.



belVita crunchy Breakfast Biscuits
$3.69 for a box of 5 packets of 4 biscuits
belVita crunchy Breakfast Biscuits are made with delicious ingredients and carefully baked to release steady energy that lasts all morning.  They're a good source of fiber and B-vitamins, contain no high fructose corn syrup, have 18-20 grams of whole grain per serving and taste great - perfect for on-the-go.



Kiss Gradation Polishes
$6.99
Give yourself a trendy gradation manicure in no time with Kiss Gradation Polishes.  Quick and easy to apply in three easy steps, you will end up with a mani filled with glitter and shine in no time.  Available at Walgreens.



Lindt LINDOR Milk Chocolate Truffles
$3.99 for a 5.1 oz. bag
Smooth, Melting, Luscious.  When you break the shell of a LINDOR truffle, the irresistible smooth filling starts to melt and so will you.  Available in 10 smooth, melting flavors.

SinfulShine with Gel Tech Review

5x shinier than a patent leather shoe!

For my final product review from the Sunkissed Vox Box by Influenster, I will be writing about the Sinful Shine with Gel Tech nail polish.  This polish is available at Walgreens for $2.99 and comes in 32 colors.  The color I got from Influenster was "In the Limelight."

First of all, I love Sinful nail polish.  It's inexpensive but not cheap.  What's the difference?  Inexpensive means it doesn't cost a lot; cheap means it's not worth a lot.  This is inexpensive nail polish.  It goes on smooth and has great coverage.  When I say 'coverage' I mean it doesn't take a million coats to achieve the color you want.  I did two coats just for good measure, but if I'd been in a hurry, I could've stopped at one.

ooooo...shiny!

Ok so specifically, the SinfulShine with Gel Tech is awesome.  I'm so glad I got to try it!  It's everything I love about a good polish.  For the most part, I'm not a glitter person and even shimmer is starting to annoy me with nail polish.  I like flat color but I want it to be shiny.  I just feel like non-shimmery nail polish is sleek and sophisticated.  It goes well for every day wear without looking childish.  Ordinarily I would have thought OPI was my only option for this type of polish but I HATE spending so much money on my nails.  So now that I've tried SinfulShine, I'm going to stick with it!  I will actually be heading to Walgreens later today to purchase a new color (sorry, Influenster, I just don't care for the color green when it comes to nailpolish).  Thankfully, there are 31 more shades for me to choose from.  I'll probably go with the "Picante"...a nice bright red is classic!  Or maybe the playful, pink shade "Come Hither" would be fun for a summertime mani!

Mommy on the Go Beauty Routine

I know many of you out there are busy moms like me.  I know when I had my son I felt really overwhelmed with the new job.  There's so much pressure to be super mom...lose the baby weight, breastfeed/all organic/homemade baby food, have a spotless house, and do it all with a smile.  Honestly, once I got the hang of the baby thing and realized that everything didn't have to be perfect ALL the time, it got easier.  But then I looked in the mirror...whoa!  Amid all the diaper changing, night feedings, and cleaning, I realized I had quit wearing makeup entirely.  Why would I?  The only time I left the house was for the grocery store or the doctor's office.

So anyway...I finally decided that I needed to give myself a little attention too.  I wanted to start wearing makeup again, but I needed to cut my routine down dramatically.  I no longer have time for a full face, so I needed to maximize what little makeup I did use.  Over the last year and a half, I've gotten my routine down to 5 minutes...not bad, right?  It's a good thing because my son does NOT like waiting for me!

My must-haves are these:  BB cream, lip balm, mascara.  That's IT.  It's simple, fresh, and natural.  The BB cream combines SPF, tint, and moisture.  SPF is a MUST...as in non-negotiable!  Lip balm is awesome because what I use is both moisturizing and tinted.  Any product that does more than one thing is a big yes in my book!  Last, but not least, mascara...I have small eyes so it really helps them to 'pop.'

So as you know, I got a new BB cream that I've been trying out.  The Olay Fresh Effects BB Cream is what Influenster sent me and I have to say, I do like it.  I used to use the Garnier BB Cream and I like Olay's better.  In my opinion, it's less greasy and is lighter than the Garnier.  Garnier is good when I'm having serious  skin issues because it's more opaque.  The Olay formula is much more sheer and allows for my naturally rosy cheeks to shine through.  With all BB Creams, if you have blemishes, you'll still need to use concealer, but I like to only use that when I really need it.

The lip balm I use is Maybelline's Baby Lips.  Is super easy to apply and moisturizes my lips (for up to 8 hours!).  They come in a limited amount of colors, but they just added a neon line for you girls who like to make a statement!

My mascara is the Ulta brand BountiFULL Lashes Mascara.  It's supposed to fortify my lashes and promote growth, but to be totally honest...I haven't noticed any extra growth.  I do, however, like the color and the smooth application.

Goody Ribbon Elastics Review

I'm sure you all remember my post on the Sunkissed Vox Box and one of the awesome products I got was a set of Goody Ribbon Elastics.  I was very excited to get these because I've been seeing ribbon elastics around recently including some DIY ones on Pinterest.  I have to say, Goody did not let me down!  These are my new favorite hair accessory.

First of all, they hold just as well as their regular elastics, which for me is a big deal.  I hate it when my hair falls out...it's just irritating and really inconvenient.  When I'm juggling a toddler, diaper bag, car keys and groceries, the last thing I want is my hair in my face.  So the hold-factor is a big deal.

Secondly, they look really cute!  It's summer so I want some fun and color when it comes to my wardrobe.  Yeah, normally, I don't look to my hair accessories for those things, but hey...this is an easy switch.  Trust me, these are cute without being cutesy.  I'm 26 so there's a fine line between cute-but-age-appropriate hair accessory and I'm-clinging-to-my-youth-with-an-iron-fist hair accessory.  These fall under the former.

Did I mention they don't damage your hair?  That's also a plus.  Oh and if you're like me and always have a hair tie around your wrist...you know, just in case...then these are also for you.  They lie flat, so there's no dent on your wrist. And again, they're pretty enough that they don't look bad on your wrist either.  

**I feel I must tell you that I did get these elastics for free from Influenster with the understanding that I would write a review.  HOWEVER, I am nothing but honest about anything I review...if I didn't like them, I'd tell you.  

Check this out!

I want to share with you a new YouTube channel that features a good friend of mine sharing her makeup tips.  She's only got one video up at the moment and it's fantastic!  I have to tell you, this girl knows her stuff...every time I see her she's got a flawless look!  If you're interested in learning more, please visit her page: http://www.youtube.com/user/DarlyneBeauty.