Jolie Bloom Review

I am always on a hunt for awesome skincare products.  I mean who doesn't want flawless skin?  After all my skin is my money maker in my industry.  As a makeup artist we always preach that a great makeup application starts with the care of your skin. So  let me introduce you to Jolie Bloom.  All of their products are handmade with  natural ingredients.  I'm such a sucker for natural skin care products.  There is something comforting in using products that have ingredients you can pronounce.

They recently had their 2 year anniversary sale and this was the perfect time for me to give them a shot.  Not to mention I had the opportunity to do the owner Jheanells' makeup for her rebranding website.  If you follow her snapchat she always posts behind the scenes videos of her whipping up the products right here in Orlando to fulfill orders.  Also you will see her husband placing labels and packing orders to ship with the assistance of their 3 year old son! I love knowing that when I make a purchase that I am directly supporting a family who makes each product with love!

Now on to the products! The 2 products I picked up was the Wake up Scrub for exfoliation and their Summer Time Shine essential oil body lotion.  I was a little bit concerned that the coffee smell would be too overbearing for me but it wasn't at all.  After you use this product your skin feels amazingly smooth!  You don't even need a moisturizer!  Also, typically I don't like to use oils on my skin but if you do your research oils are very beneficial to your skin. The Summer Time Shine is a good balance of lotion and oil.  I particularly use this as a moisturizer for my face and you really don't need a lot because a little bit goes a long way.  Literally my skin drinks this stuff up.  Also sometimes when I pour a too much out I just rub the rest all over my body.

Also something special to know ahout this company is that Jheanell started this company 2 years ago in memory of her daughter.  I think it is amazing that she was able to turn something very deastating into something positive.  She has an amazing story and I'm sure there are many women that can relate.

These products are amazing and if you are interested definitely check out the website for more at www.joliebloom.com and instagram @JolieBloom

***Products were purchased with my own money and opinions are all my own

Naked Bar Soap Co BYOB Session

Lately my skin is having some issues and I feel like I haven't found the right skincare to remedy my situation.  When I got invited to attend a BYOB (Blend Your Own Bar) for Naked Bar Soap Co I immediately was thinking how awesome it would be for me to create my own face soap to cater to my own skin needs.  Naked Bar Soap Co is located in College Park and hasn't been open that long.  When you walk in the beautiful aromas of the different soaps immediately greet you when you walk in.  I love the earthy and minimalism decor of the store.

All of the soaps start with a base that they pre make before you get to personalize your own. They go over some additional ingredients that you can add in depending on the effect you would like your skin to have. In my custom blend I added marigold and ground oatmeal.  I chose marigold because they said it is good for mature skin and babies and I chose ground oatmeal because its good for sensitive skin.  The essential oil I added in my soap was lemongrass because I love the refreshing smell.

With this particular process they teach in the blending class it actually takes 6 weeks for the soap to cure before you can use it.  They said it will teach you a lesson in patience.  What they didn't know is I'm the most impatient person you will ever meet!  Anyway it was fun blending the soap but since I had to wait 6 weeks to use it, I wanted to see if they had any soaps already made that would help me out in the meantime.

Some of the awesome soaps! Aren't they pretty? They each have a description of the ingredients so you know exactly what you're getting

My skin is dehydrated because I don't drink nearly as much water as I should.  So I'm very dry in some areas and oily in others.  I decided to go with the triple butter soap.

As you can see it has very moisturizing ingredients and I have to say my skin LOVES it.  It has help me achieve smoother makeup application as well.  I found that my foundation kept settling in my fine lines due to the dryness my previous face wash was causing and even though I would follow up with a moisturizer it still wouldn't help.  The best part about this soap is that I can pronounce all of the ingredients so I know that it's something great for my skin.

So its been 6 weeks and I couldn't wait to see what's been cooking this whole time.  It smells amazing and I was surprised at how soft it was.  It was so soft I had no issues cutting it.  It feels super moisturizing and I can't wait to use it!

The best part about this company is that it is owned and run by 3 beautiful ladies and I'm all about girl power!  Make sure you check them out on facebook, instagram and twitter and sign up for a BYOB session!

* This was a press sample and all opinions are my own

New App in Orlando: Massage Clicks

I always have so much to do but seem to never have enough time.  So anything that provides convenience in my life is a win.  I was recently informed of a new app called Massage Clicks which I like to call it the Uber of massages.  This app recently launched in Orlando and I think the concept is genius.  Basically download this app and you can make an appointment to have a licensed massage therapist come to your home office or hotel. I got the opportunity to test out the app and also meet the founder Ian Vakil who formerly owned a wellness center.

I got the opportunity to ask him a couple questions so here is the scoop:

• Atlanta is next on his radar to launch the app
• The app currently does not service Oveido and Sanford but will around the next 2 weeks
• Right now there is introductory pricing starting at $39 for a 1 hour massage until Oct. 15
• If you would like to request a specific massage therapist you can request them in the parking notes but it really depends on availability if you will be able to book them
• Pricing is based on the duration of the massage not based on the type of service which works out cheaper for users then going to a physical location
• The service times are 9am-10pm 7 days a week
• Pricing is from $79-$140

Also early next year yoga and facials will be offered on the app.  I got to experience a swedish massage from Maribal which was amazing.  I felt like a brand new woman!  The app is super easy to use and I love that this service comes to you. For more information on the app check them out at www.massageclicks.com!

*Complimentary massage service was provided for my review. These are my honest opinions

Nzuri Hair Products Review

As a natural haired girl one of the biggest struggles is maintaining moisture and maintaining hair growth.  I am always searching for products that will keep my hair moisturized but not weigh my hair down.  I am not of the the natural hair girls that care a lot about using hair products that are all natural.  For me I care more about results and if a product gives me great results and is made with natural ingredients its a double bonus!

I was recently introduced to Nzuri products.  Just a little back story on the company, the CEO Leola Anifowoshe is a certified Trichologist and certified Herbal Therapist.  She started her company after being diagnosed with Sarcoidosis, a serious auto immune diseease.  After her diagnosis she started researching alternative medicine and natural supplements since certain drugs were causing her hair to fall out.  During the course of this time she developed "Nzuri Elixir" which helped her restore her hair growth and the rest is history.

Nzuri has tons of products that promote not only healthy hair but  a healthy body as well. I thought this was unique because typically you will see companies that market hair products don't usually have supplements to promote a healthy body from the inside. For my review I chose the Hair Grow Max Moisturizing conditioner and the Revive and Restore 3 Hemp shampoo.

Unfortunately the conditioner didn't work out for me.  Since I have so much hair I also typically use a TON of conditioner to not only moisturize but to also help me with detangling.  The size of this bottle would not last long with me and would not be cost efficient for me.  I didn't feel like I was getting the moisture or the "slip" my hair needs to help me detangle my wildly curly hair.  As far as the hair grow claims I can not speak on that because I am sure its something that I would need to use over time to see results.  So whenever use this product I also add in the current conditioner I'm using because I do like the ingredients of the Nzuri conditioner.

The shampoo was EVERYTHING.  It has been difficult for me to find a shampoo that I actually like because most shampoos leave your hair feeling stripped.  The size of the bottle is fine for me because  I don't use a lot of product when I'm shampooing.  I also felt like it helped me with getting my curls loose and ready for the conditioner which is when I detangle my hair.

There are so many different products on the site that will match your hair and body needs.  If you are really into natural products definitely check out www.hairvitaminstore.com !

*Nzuri products were provided for my review and these are my honest opinions

My First Rocksbox

I love a good subscription box because it pays itself and when you receive your package its like having a monthly birthday present, yay! So in comes Rocksbox!  For $19/month you can rent 3 pieces of designer jewelry with an average worth of $200.  Now for me I'll admit I am a creature of habit and will pretty much only wear gold jewelry because I don't necessarily know how to pick out cute jewelry for myself and besides, gold goes with everything!  Rockbox is a great way for me to step outside my comfort zone and incorporate pieces I probably wouldn't have picked out for myself.  I really love the low commitment of it as well.  You basically take the survey, they will pick out some gems for you and you can wear them as much as you want.  Return your pieces to get 3 more pieces to rock or you can buy them at a discounted rate!  

 

  

    So guess what??  Check out Rocksbox.com and enter the code toninicolexoxo to get 1 month free!  If you are giving it a shot comment below and tell me how you like it!

Disclaimer: Complimentary membership was provided to me for my review.  These are my honest opinions.

Its A Wig Simply Lace Patricia Review

As a natural haired girl winter can be great for a frizz free hairstyle, however the cold weather is horrible for keeping hair moisturized.  Protective hairstyling is your best friend to keep it from drying out.  A wig is a great way to protect your hair from these cold elements.  I mean, any weather under 75 degrees is cold in my book and anything under 70 is practically snowing for Floridians! If you want to know more about It’s a Wig check out my first post here.

Here are some pics of me wearing the Simply Lace Patricia in color DX3147.  I never thought I would see the day where I would wear a lace front but this one is awesome.  It has two hair clips in the front and the lace and a clip in the back as well as an adjustable strap.  It is also iron friendly for up to 350-400F but I haven’t had to test it. Can I just say how fabulous this hair is?  So many people thought it was my actual hair that I dyed blonde.  The actual curl pattern of the hair is almost identical to my own curl pattern.  Wigs are the best way to try different colors and hairstyles without the commitment.  The best part is that the older it gets the bigger it gets and of course I love big hair so I was finger combing the curls out to get volume.  I really really love the color and once upon a time my hair was actually dyed this identical color.  However, when you dye your hair blonde it is a lot of maintenance especially for natural hair.  So now I can get the blonde awesomeness without the maintenance!

*The wig was provided for my review. These are my honest opinions.

Wet N Wild Petal Pusher Review

Wet N Wild is one of my fave drug store companies.  The pigmentation and the price point is absolutely insane! I wanted to share a look I did awhile back with their color icon palette in Petal Pusher.  Purple is one of my favorite colors to not only use on my eyes, but my clients as well.  It’s one of those colors that compliments all skin tones.  Whenever I wear purple eyeshadow it really brings out the green in my eyes.  The palette comes with 8 colors and its only $5!  Many of the colors are dupes for MAC eyeshadows as well.  My only complaint is that I wish some of the colors were matte.  So if you are on a budget but still want to be fly you should definitely check it out.  I also own Comfort Zone, which has more earthtones and Blue Had Me at Hello which has blue colors.  Let me know by commenting below if you want me to post a look using those palettes!

*Purchased with my own money.  This is my honest review.

JASS Products Review

JASS stands for "Just A Simple Solution".  They were nice enough to send me their "Original Kit" for review.   This kit has a total of 4 products which retails for $50. It contains Peppermint Clarifying Shampoo, Intense Moisture Treatment Conditioner, Shine spray, Fortifying Leave-in Treatment and Detangling Spray.

My hair is natural and just like every natural girl there are two major problems: keeping in moisture and keeping it tangle free.  So I'm always down to try different hair products.  I've tried these products for about 2 weeks since I haven't been washing my hair too often with the cooler temperature change.  So lets get the review started.

Peppermint Clarifying Shampoo:  This shampoo has tea tree in it which is supposed to be good for eliminating dandruff.  I really love the way this smells and I like the minty scalp feeling.  However, clarifying shampoos always make my hair super tangly and this shampoo was no exception.  Since its job is to strip your hair of all the product build up it can make your hair feel pretty stripped.  So this is something you only want to use to rid your hair of product build up.  I wouldn’t recommend using this on the daily.

Intense Moisture Treatment: I really like this deep conditioner.  Especially after using the Peppermint shampoo this definitely adds the necessary moisture the hair needs.  This conditioner actually helps me with detangling.  Best part of this conditioner is that it contains ingredients such as jojoba oil, wheat protein, keratin and is free of parabens.

Shining "Lite" Spray: Absolutely love the way this smells. Also this does add a nice sheen to your hair.  Especially as I stated previously with natural hair it can tend to look/feel dry.

Fortifying Leave-InTreatment Detangle Spray: I was the least impressed with this product as a detangler.  I just feel like in general  detangle sprays don’t really do anything that spraying good old H2o can’t do.  All it does is make your hair moist so that you can comb through the tangles.  Most of my detangling is done when I’m conditioning my hair so I can’t really say that this spray helped with the detangling.  Now I will say I did use this to refresh my hair for a braid out and I liked it for that.  I use coconut oil as my only styling product and sometimes it can be come very oily.  Using the detangling spray before I braid my hair helps with controlling my oil.  So as a leave in conditioner spray it does its job.

After using these products my hair feels super lightweight and squeaky clean.  For more information you can check out www.jassproductline.com !

* I was sent these products for my review and these are my honest opinions.

It's A Wig HW Bowie Review

It’s A Wig was nice enough to send me one of their products for my review.  This was perfect timing for me because I definitely needed a break from my natural hair.  I chose to get a half wig because when I was transitioning to natural half wigs were like the only thing that got me through those rough hair stages!  I pretty much chose one that was very similar to the one I used to wear. The style is called HW Bowie and I got it in color P1B/33. Listen, I’m no hair connoisseur so I wasn’t sure what color would match my hair best so I did the best based on the website.  Of course when I got it because my hair is so many different colors the hair didn’t match me completely but I can still make it work. Since I did not order the correct color the only way I can really wear mine is by tying a cute scarf with it which I don’t mind.

Shipping came really fast it came within the week which was really good because I am the most impatient person you will meet.  This hair is beautiful and looks just like how it looks on the website.  I don’t believe the hair is human but it feels really close to it.  This hair is also supposed to be iron friendly from up to 350-400 degrees.  I haven’t needed to curl it because it’s already curly and I don’t even own a curling iron so I can’t say if that claim is true or not.  Also it comes with instructions on how to put it on and blend with your hair.

So far I have no complaints! You can find It's A Wig in beauty supply stores nationwide and also online at the following websites:

www.Ebonyline.com

 

www.blackhairspray.com/

 

www.aliexpress.com

 

www.divatress.com

 

www.elevatestyles.com

 

www.hairtobeauty.com

 

www.hairwigharlem.com

They really do have a wide variety of beautiful wigs and I already got my eye on a couple more.  Check out www.itsawig.com for more information!

*I was sent this product for my review.  This is my honest opinion.

Juice Beauty Green Apple SPF 15 Moisturizer Review

My skin type is combination oily, which by oily I mean in my T-zone.  Now they say even when you're oily you should still moisturize, but it has been a tad difficult for me to find one that gives me moisture sans oiliness.  Through my ipsy subscription in one of my bags was the Juice Beauty Green Apple SPF 15 Moisturizer so I thought I would give it a try.  This moisturizer is freakin' awesome!  It moisturizes me and controls the oil.  It makes my foundation go on so flawlessly that I don't even need to use a primer.

The best part about it is that its organic.  The first ingredient is apple juice! How amazing is that?  I loved it so much I was ready to buy it until I saw that $38.00 price tag.  Did I love it $38.00 much?  Is there a cheaper version?  Honestly I really haven't been able to find anything that compares to it.  The best thing to do seems to buy all the ingredients and make it myself.  Buying all the ingredients may cost me over $38.00 so it is worth the price.  I have to admit I did try to buy some of the ingredients so maybe after trial and error I can come back and share a recipe for combination skin.  Until then this moisturizer is definitely worth the money.

*Second picture was taken from the Juice Beauty website.

Wet N Wild Megalast Liquid Lip Color Review

So I went to Walgreens to get something and of course I just HAD to go to the cosmetics section.  This hot pink lipgloss called "Click on my HyperPink" from Wet N Wild caught my eye so I took that baby home with me. Here is what Wet N Wild had to say about this product:

"Intense liquid color with built-in moisturizer provides one-step application for weightless, ultra-conditioning wear that lasts up to 8 hours. ElastiSilk™ formula combines flexible color adhesion with silky-smooth pigments for transfer-proof, even application. Paraben-free formula conditions and moisturizes with vitamin E that helps promote anti-aging, protects the skin's moisture barrier, and balances the lip's natural hydration for a healthy-looking, plump pout all day."

It had a flat double sided doe foot applicator which I don't mind. So when I first applied it I thought this was a lipgloss....but no maam! This is more of a lip cream that dries really, really, really MATTE! Wet n Wild claims that the product is moisturizing but I have to disagree. As the gloss dries it really feels like it is sucking the moisture out of your lips. Also it is VERY sticky! Especially after you eat your lips look really crazy. But these babies are SUPER pigmented which I love!

I have been trying out different ways to make wearing this product more comfortable and so far putting Maybelline's Baby Lips balm on first before applying the lip cream  seems to act like a barrier and doesn't make it feel as drying. It also helped with the removal of the product as well.  When I put this product on my lips with no type of lip balm this sucker was very difficult to remove off of my lips. Since the balm makes it more moisturizing it made it easier when I wanted to remove it.

I really wanted to love this product but unfortunately I don't.  Will I still wear it? Yes because I love this neon pink color! It's just something I would only wear for a short period of time and not all day. Would I repurchase? Probably not until the formulation changes. I'm hoping Wet N Wild will see all of the reviews and change the formulation of the product.  It is $3 and had $1 off coupon at Walgreens so we can't complain too much.  Have you tried this before?  What did you think?

I purchased mine at walgreens and you can also get it on their website www.wnwbeauty.com

CoverGirl Stay Fabulous Foundation Review

Wow so this is my first post of the year! Shame on me! lol Anyway lets get right into to it. I havent worn CoverGirl makeup since probably high school.  However I recently saw a couple reviews on CoverGirls new foundation, CoverGirl Outlast Stay Fabulous 3 in 1 Foundation (what a long foundation name!).

"All-in-one foundation with a long-lasting formula that fuses primer, concealer, and foundation in one easy step! The 3-in-1 formula provides a flawless look that lasts all day long." -CoverGirl website

I had to try this foundation because I read so many awesome things.  The color I picked up was in Golden Tan and I put this baby to the test yesterday.

This is my freshly washed face with no eyebrows :(

I threw my eyebrows on and applied the foundation only to one side of my face (my right side) and this pic is with flash.

This is a pic without flash, as you can see its a little darker than my skin tone.This is the foundation applied all over using a beauty blender sponge.

I finished the rest of my makeup and even used the foundation as concealer (pic with flash) it has really great coverage.

Here is a pic without flash.

Here is a pic of the foundation at the end of the night.  I had the foundation on from 12pm-10pm. I never set the foundation with any powder because I wanted to see the lasting power.  As you can see I am a little bit oily but its not unbearable.

Here is a close up. I have to say this foundation is pretty awesome!

My first impression when I put it on was that I loved it.  Then later on when it was setting and I looked in the mirror I was scared because the color changed and I thought I was so orangey and looked like an oompa loompa so I tried to blend it down to my neck because I was in a rush and didn't have time to take it off. However once it really set the color was fine.

I purchased this foundation at Target for about $10.  The color selection is (14 shades) however, for women of color the Queen Collection has the same foundation called CoverGirl Queen All Day Flawless 3 in 1 Foundation  with an additional 14 shades which means the color range is brown girl friendly as well, which is usually an issue with drug store brands.

I have to say, drug store foundations are not usually my forte but this one may change my mind.  What do you think about it? Will you give it a shot?

www.covergirl.com

Revlon Colorstay Whipped Creme Foundation Review

I'm not going to lie, I'm not a big fan of drugstore foundations.  I feel like you can cut corners with everything else but you should invest in foundation.  However, there was something about this makeup that drew me to it.  Maybe because Halle Berry is the face of this foundation?  Well whatever the reason I read several reviews on this foundation and for the most part everyone was raving about it.  So I decided to give it a try!

The color I chose is called True Beige.  Check out this packaging doesn't it look Chanel-esque?

The texture of the foundation is a little hard to describe.  It feels wetter than I thought. I guess I thought it would feel fluffier.

Here I put a dab on the back of my hand to swatch it.  I have very yellow undertones.

As you can see the foundation is rather pink.  This is no good for me since I am very yellow.

This is my freshly washed face.  I only did my eyebrows. As you can see I have some blemishes and a couple freckles.

This is after I applied it.  As you can see it has some good coverage since you can not see as many of my blemishes. You may not be able to tell in this picture but the color is a bit off, it gives me a pink hue.

Key Claims via Revlon.com:

The mousse-like texture feels like silk on your skin. And, the time release formula balances skin for a flawless look. All day flexible wear without flaking, caking or feeling heavy.

Overall this is a really good foundation for drugstore brand.  I wore it all day and it stayed on.  It didn't make me any oiler than I usually am so that's good.  It blends into your skin like a dream and it doesn't feel heavy at all. You can layer it for more coverage if you would like. I really only have 2 issues with it.  The packaging is cute and all but I like foundations that have pumps so I can control the amount I use so I don't waste product.  I also feel like having a pump is more sanitary.  My other issue is that I wish some of the colors had more yellow in it.  I feel like they all have a pink hue to it. The color I chose for myself was on a whim.  It's not the correct color since it has some pink in it but it is somewhat doable with the correct powder.

However, I think I'm going to take this back.  If it had more yellow I would keep it.  But if you are able to find a shade that best matches you then this is a keeper!  It's kind of pricey at $13.99 but right now Walgreens has BOGO so this is a great opportunity to get 2 different colors to see which one matches better.  Keep your receipt so you can take it back!

What do you think about the foundation? Have you tried it?

Wet N Wild Comfort Zone Palette Review

The Wet N Wild palettes are perfect for my makeup enthusiasts that have issues with working with multiple eyeshadows.  These palettes spell it out exactly where to place each color.  And guess what? They wont hurt your pockets because they retail at $4.99!  Check out the pigmentation of these babies!

This is the right side swatched with NO primer!

This is the left side swatched with NO primer!

These shadows are amazingly pigmented.  Comfort Zone colors are great for everyday wear.  You really can take your eyes from day to night by just adding the darker colors to turn it into a smokey eye. There are 2 other palettes in the Color Icon collection: Petal Pusher which has purples and Blue Had Me at Hello which are blue colors obviously lol. I have actually owned this palette previously and I loved it.  Just one tip though, make sure you don't drop it.  I dropped mine and it broke into pieces and I was sad! So as long as you're not clumsy like me it will treat you good. Did I mention these are $5 and you get a total of 8 colors!?  This is a no brainer!

*I received this item during the May Beauty Bloggers Meetup for my review.  This is my honest opinion.

Neutrogena Alcohol Free Toner Review

So if you have been keeping up with my blog you know that I attended a beauty expo named Premier Orlando recently.  I took a class by James Vincent that talked about essentials for your makeup kit.  One of the things he talked about was using a toner. Toner? Ummm...I've heard of it and I know that you should use it in your skincare routine but I wasn't exactly sure what it's purpose was.  After doing a little bit of research I learned that the average person skips out on toner because most of the time toners contain alcohol which can be very drying and irritating to the skin. James actually recommended using Rosewater as a toner.

From my understanding the toner is supposed to reduce your pore size, remove any additional makeup and dirt your cleanser may have missed and regulate the pH in your skin.  Now that we went over the general use let's see if it holds true to this Neutrogena product.

Neutrogena Alcohol Free Toner key claims taken from the bottle:

Specifically formulated to provide clean, refreshing toning without the harsh, drying effects of alcohol. Special mild purifiers gently remove impurities and recondition your skin. And because it is alcohol-free, this formula will not strip delicate facial skin of its own natural moisturizers. Your skin will feel fresh and clean without tightness, dryness or stinging.

I have been using this for a week and a half and I have definitely noticed a drastic change in my skin.  My skin feels so much smoother and makeup looks so much better.  I have also found that it has helped control the oil that I have in my T-zone area.  My skin feels hydrated without feeling greasy. There was also no stinging which is a major plus.  It says that there is no tightness but I do feel some tightness when I use it but I don't mind it.  I think the tightness feeling is because it reduces pore size.  But overall I'm loving this product and it has become apart of my skin care routine.  Neutrogena is one of my favorite companies when it comes to skincare.  It retails for about $7.99 and worth every penny!

*Purchased with my own money

LA Fresh Eco-Beauty Trial & Travel Pack Review

LA Fresh was one of the sponsors for our meetup this month (post coming soon).  I'm loving the concept they have going on here. This company is eco friendly with their main focus on the preservation of water.  They sent us a travel pack which had a couple different products for us to try which was awesome. So far I have only tried one one of them which you can tell by the pics (lol). The travel pack contained:

1 Waterproof Makeup Remover Wipe

1 Oil-Free Face Cleanser Wipe (Naturally Fragranced)

1  Oil-Free Face Cleanser Wipe (Fragrance-Free)

1 Instant Body Soother Wipe

3 Healthy Hand Sanitizer Wipes

1 Acetone-Free Nail Polisher Remover Pad

So as you can see it was a nice lil mix of stuff perfect for traveling.  I went on their website and they have all sorts of  fun stuff! Even wipes for your dogs mouth! lol  Ok back to my thoughts...

So I tried the waterproof makeup remover and it was LOVE at first use. It removed all my makeup without me having to rigorously scrub my face.  The cloth was really soft and durable at the same time.  However I did feel like my face was oily at first when I used it but it quickly dissolved in my skin making it feel so nice and soft!  My instant reaction was that these are the best makeup remover wipes I've used! I also love that they come in these packets because they are super convenient to tote around.  This is beneficial for my makeup kit when I'm on gigs.  These packets are better than carrying a big pack of makeup remover wipes and I dont have to worry about the wipes drying out since they are individually packaged. What I didn't enjoy too much was the smell, it was that earthy smell but it has natural ingredients so its not a deal breaker for me.  The waterproof makeup wipe contains ingredients such as olive oil, jojoba oil, grape seed oil to name a few and the wipes are biodegradable! So in summary they are eco friendly, cruelty free, and amazing!

For more info check out their website and all the other cool stuff they have www.lafreshgroup.com

Follow them on twitter @lafreshgroup

* The Eco-Beauty Trial & Travel Pack was given to me by LA Fresh for my review.  These are my honest opinions.

Milani Runway Lashes Mascara Review

I actually received this product at the Beauty Blogger Meetup up I attended in March see post here and here. I finally got around to testing out the mascara. I am IN LOVE with this mascara! I definitely feel like it gives me runway lashes.  It also held up all day for me which is a super plus!  Sometimes with mascaras that do hold up well the formulation can be very thick and sometimes irritates my eyes.  This formulation is not too thick and it did not irritate my eyes either.  I did not even have to scrub my eyes very hard to remove either. I also like the brush shape. Its just the right size, not too big or too little.  Its the perfect shape to add volume and define without me getting mascara all over my eyelid (oh, it happens).

The mascara's key claims are (taken from their website):

The classic shaped, soft bristle brush gives instant volume, length & curl. The formula is long-lasting, smear-proof and does not clump. Paraben-free.

I have to agree that it does exactly what it says!  This has definitely become apart of my daily makeup routine.  The best part is that it only retails for $4.99 and can be found at Walgreens, CVS, Target, or on their website www.milanicosmetics.com!

*Milani Runway Lashes mascara was provided to me from Milani for my honest opinion and review.

Spring 2012 Vox Box

I was soooo excited to receive my first Vox Box from Influenster!  I signed up for this forever ago last year.  If you are not familiar with influenster its very similar to birchbox, myglam, etc.  Except I receive a box of goodies for free instead of paying a monthly fee like the rest. You basically take mini surveys based on your lifestyle and interests and unlock badges.  The more badges you unlock the better as they choose random participants to receive a free vox box.  In exchange you are just asked to make sure you test and review the products.  Sounds like a sweet deal to me!

First I just want to say I was impressed at the number of full sized items I received.  I mean I didn't even pay for this and I got several full sized items!  This is in contrast to birchbox, and myglam where I am paying a monthly membership to MAYBE get one full sized product.  So in my eyes the Vox Box is already a winner!

The items I received were:

Sheer Cover Duo Concealer

Aveeno Daily Moisturizing Body Wash

Chapstick Lip Shield

Sally Hansen Salon Effects

Bath & Body Works Fine Fragrance Mist (I couldnt believe how big this bottle was!)

Soy Joy Bar

I've already tested 3 of them.

The Chapstick lip shield is amazing!  I thought it was going to be that typical chapstick formula but this one was like a soft butter consistency!  Its supposed protect from the sun, wind and cold and not to mention it has SPF50.  This is something I would use to moisturize my lips prior to my lipstick application.

The SOYJOY bar is an all natural with real fruit and real soy. Umm...not a fan of it.  I think it may be an acquired taste.  I'm not exactly a health nut so maybe that's why I wasn't feeling it.

I was really excited about the Bath & Body Works Fine Frgrance Mist because it was a full size (8oz).  However, I was not feeling the smell of the one they sent me.  The one I received was called "Twlight Woods" and to me had a more mature smell to it.  By mature meaning it reminded me of something my grandma would wear.  The smell is more on the musk side.

Everything else I need to try!  I know they threw in Dr Scholls Ball of Foot Cushions as a bonus which I am very happy about since I work in retails and spend hours on my feet.  I am also eager to try the Sheer Cover concealer because I see it advertised so much on tv but I don't personally know of anyone who has tried it.  It looks like they even sent me my perfect match!

Anyway make sure to keep up with me on twitter, Instagram, and youtube to see any additional info I have to say about these products!

If you are interested in getting your own Vox Box sign up here to get started!

Frownies Product Review

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZAR3UT8--_o] I couldn't notice the results because I don't have wrinkles yet (I hope I never get them).  But if I did have wrinkles I would try options like this that aren't as scary or expensive as having a procedure such as botox. What about you? Are you the type that would rather spend the money to get a procedure and get instant gratification?  They have lots of other products that address issues such as stretch marks, scars, crows feet and etc. Make sure you check out their website to see all of their options!

Website: www.frownies.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thefrownies

*These products were provided for my honest review.

Beautiful Textures Rapid Repair Deep Conditioner Review

When you're a natural girl you know how absolutely difficult it is to retain moisture and battle obnoxiously tangled hair.  I recently came across this new product line called Beautiful Textures that is supposed to help us with all our hair woes.  This line contains a total of 7 products: Curl Control Defining Pudding, Rapid Repair Deep Conditioner, Moisture Butter Whipped Curl Creme, Tangle Taming Leave in Conditioner, Tangle Taming Shampoo, Shine & Silken, and Curl to Straight.  I have personally tried 2 out of the 7 products but I am only reviewing 1 on this post as I am still forming an opinion on the other (Tangle Taming Leave in Conditioner).

Let me just say this, the Rapid Repair Deep Conditioner is amazing!  Prior to using this I was using Organic Root Stimulator Olive Oil Replenishing Conditioner for my deep conditioning treatments.  However, the Organic Root Stimulator contains 12.25 oz and the Rapid Repair contains 15oz.  While I still think its amazing, Beautiful Textures is cheaper and works just as good!  Some of the ingredients are aloe vera, coconut, olive, soy, argan oil, shea and mango butter.  Now if you're one of those naturals that like to use products that are 100% natural ingredients then this is not for you.  It has some great natural ingredients but it also contains some of those big long hard to pronounce words too!  Me personally, If it works then I'm not a big stickler for the ingredients.

What I love about it is that not only does it do a great job at moisturizing my hair but it does a great job at detangling my hair.  My hair is so soft and slippery when I'm rinsing it out that the tangles just slip right out. An added bonus about the line is that the products are created for you to mix and match.  For instance, if you want added detangling you can mix the Tangle Taming Leave in Conditioner with the Rapid Repair Conditioner.  Let me just add that each product is under $7 and available at your local Sallys! I'm definitely going to try out a couple more of the products so stay tuned!

For more info check them out at wwww.beautifultextures.com