Yves Saint Laurent MASCARA VOLUME EFFET FAUX CILS from Influenster

Courtesy of Influenster, I was able to be a part of a truly ICONIC vox box with the, you guessed it, #ICONICVoxBox with YSL Beauty! Inside the box was a shiny new tube of the revamped Yves Saint Laurent Mascara Volume Effect Faux Cils, a longtime bestseller for YSL Beauty, and a mascara I've been dying to try. Thanks to Influenster, I was able to get my hands on this one for free, however the opinions on the product are entirely my own. 

First and foremost, this is a mascara that FEELS expensive, and you know you've got something special as soon as you hold the tube in your hands. It's shiny, it's gold, it's heavy, and it's impressive; this is a head turning mascara even before you crack open the seal. 

Once you put the mascara on, however, the goods just keep on giving. The mascara is scented lightly with a nice fresh natural scent, rather than the harsh paint-y smell of your typical mascara, and the formula itself is the epitome of smooth. When you put it on, it goes on soft and fluid, so you can actually keep piling and piling it on until you get your desired drama. No clumps, no heaviness, no stickiness, and no weight; applying the mascara was a brilliant experience. 

When you wear it, your lashes pop, and while I don't have much of a problem with color or volume with my lashes, I could tell immediately that it added quite a bit of drama to my eyes. While on, the mascara remains feeling soft, and you don't get that brittle feeling you so often get with your average mascara product. 

While I LOVED the mascara, I did notice a couple of downsides as well. First, after a couple of weeks, the mascara seemed to thicken up a bit, although it did remain easy to use. When it does thicken up a bit, using a bit of a lighter hand can allow you to still layer on the product quite efficiently while avoiding clumps. Second, it does seem to smudge quite easily. Of course, during allergy season, my eyes are just having a great time watering and itching as much as possible...but I've come to train myself not to touch my eyes at all while wearing this mascara. Unfortunately, the lightest touch will cause the mascara to smudge a bit, and a full-on rub will result in a "raccoon-chic" sort of look. 

All in all, I was quite impressed with this mascara, and the B5 vitamins, light scent, and layer-able formula I did find quite impressive. This mascara retails for around $32 at YSL Beauty US, and it's absolutely worth it if you're looking for a solid layering mascara to give you that oomph you really want! 

Thanks again to #Influenster and #InfluensterVox for allowing me to try this #YSLMascara for free! 

First Up: Mainely Cole's (Part 1)

The first lesser known brand I want to showcase in this space is one that I've grown quite interested in over the last couple of months. I first tried Mainely Cole's through a friend who knows how much I love artisan quality stuff, and she was right to assume I'd be quite into it. What's really nice about Mainely Cole's is that what you're getting is a product made not only in America, but by American hands, aaaand that's pretty awesome. This isn't some mass produced line bearing an ingredient list filled with words even Bill Nye would struggle to read, this is simple stuff. It's what good skincare is supposed to be. 

Taking elements and benefits from nature is what Mainley Cole's is good at, and they even make the process of knowing what's what completely foolproof. Unlike even other hand crafted all-natural products, and SUPER unlike the products you'll pluck from big box store shelves, Mainely Cole's takes the time to let you know what you need, why you need it, and what it does. Here's an example using a product I recently ordered and am waiting to receive:

The Gel Therapy Masque:

• What's in it?

Organic Aloe) Leaf Juice, Glycerin, (Witch Hazel) Water,  (Cranberry) Seed Oil, (Cucumber) Distillate, Alcohol, (TEA), EDTA, (May contain sodium bicarbonate and/or citric acid as pH adjusters).

• What does it do?

 Works to soothe, tone, calm and balance skin in a single treatment with witch hazel, cucumber distillate and TEA. Fine facial lines are gracefully eased away with potent ingredients of aloe, cranberry seed oil

• Why would I need it?

Keep on hand always for its everyday uses and ability to slow the falling sands of time.

Other common uses, Pre and Post shaving for a close and silky smooth result. After a day in the Sun soothes burns and revitalizes skin. If you find yourself out in harsh weather it can damage the outer layer of the skins surface in minutes!

Boom. Done. All taken right from their own product description from their shopping page. That's what's really nice about Mainely Cole's - no sales pitch, no science lab ingredients, just a respectable level of straight forward simplicity. I can appreciate that. 

I have tried 3 of Mainely Cole's handmade in Maine products so far, and they include the Jessie's Joy Honeysuckle Botanical Body Mist, the Jessie's Joy Honeysuckle Body Butter, and Mainely Cole's handmade soaps. 

To give each product their due:

Jessie's Joy Honeysuckle Botanical Body Mist

Take what you know about body mists...alright, have it? Now, crumple that up into a metaphorical ball, and throw it all out the window. Now you're ready for this mist. This isn't a strict fragrance mist, and I'm not sure I would really categorize it as a fragrance mist at all, although it smells really quite nice. What this mist does is combine botanical benefits into a spray, and lets you experience them all at once. The mist is comprised of botanical ingredients such as aloe leaf juice, witch hazel, black willow bark, green tea, sugar cane, and cherry...so pretty much everything that your skin will love you for. Filled with ECGC, antioxidants, and Vitamin E, along with the super healing power of aloe, this will make you feel good and smell good all at the same time. I've been using it as a spray all-over product after I get out from the shower every day for the last week, and my skin seems to be genuinely more radiant. It also works quite well as a makeup setting spray or facial spritzer, and it won't make you break out. 

Jessie's Joy Honeysuckle Body Butter

(Look at that halo. Either this came from heaven, or my flash is set too high. I'm not confident to make the distinction either way.)

I feel you're sensing a pattern here. Yes, I am absolutely obsessed with all things Honeysuckle, one of the many reasons I was drawn to start sampling Mainely Cole's products in the first place. Unlike other brands, they keep it going all year round, and I don't have to wait for the spring line to get my fix. This is actually a product I received as a little bonus sample with my first Mainely Cole's order of the soaps and mist, and I was really excited to try it. That's the really nice thing, I've found, about going small brand, folks - artisans LOVE their craft, and they LOVE for you to experience it as much as possible. They want you to love their goodies as much as they do, and it is the furthest possible thing from the "who cares?" nameless shopping experience. 

Now, onto the butter. This is super rich. Like, super ultra mega rich, and I actually didn't care too much for it on my hands (I wound up trapped in my bedroom, unable to get enough hand friction to turn a door handle, and I thought the end was imminent. I then wiped my hands on a towel I had laying around and managed escape. Phew.) 

If your hands get horrendously dry in the winter, this is for you, and I bet it would work impeccably slathered on and topped with a pair of gloves for an overnight treatment. What I like to use it for is my arms and legs, which do get horrendously dry and itchy during the winter. The smell is very nice, quite authentic, and not the faux-super sweet you get with many Honeysuckle products. Once the butter soaks in, you're committed, and your skin will be hydrated for hours through washing, changing, and doing any old activity you may feel like participating in. On top of the Jessie's Joy Body Mist, the scent is really well-rounded and my skin laps up the nutrients like a kitten to a bowl of warm milk. Definitely a home-run! 

Custom Made Soap Bars

In my recent ventures into artisan body products, I've learned something really important, and that is that a soap is not just as soap. Some will leave your hands or body feeling filmy or grimy, some will dry you out, some will smell one way on the bar and another on your skin, some will seem to melt overnight...but Mainely Cole's is none of these things. The soap bars are a great size that fits like a glove in just about any soap dish, and the scents are really where it's at. I purchased this Citrus, Cedar, Sage bar as well as a (spoiler alert, this is going to be shocking) Honeysuckle bar, and I'm really loving the make of this soap thus far. The Honeysuckle bar is currently on guard against hand germs in my downstairs bathroom, so I spared you the photo of a used soap bar and opted for the Citrus, Cedar, Sage bar I'm actually yet to use instead. Both bars smell really lovely, and the scents are wonderfully natural. Mainely Cole's has bars which use fragrance, some which use goat's milk, some that are entirely organic, and some that are all natural, so you're not lacking in options here. 

In terms of use, the lather that the soap bars create is really nice, and you're not struggling to get that scrub ready feeling. They can be used for hands or body, although I prefer hands, and they rinse clean so you're not feeling yuckier than when you started. 

I placed a few orders for a few more products that I'm expecting this week and next, so I plan to do a part two for Mainely Cole's at some point next week featuring the Gracie's Combo shampoo and conditioner, the Cucumber Gel Therapy Masque, and the hot off the press Jasmine Bath Salts. 

Mainely Cole's is a growing brand that I personally cannot wait to see more from, and you can view their entire selection (all handmade in Maine) here:  Shop Mainely Cole's

If you're interested in the products you just read about:

• The Jessie's Joy Body Butter retails for $30 for a full sized pot, $7 for the mini-pot I'm holding, and a little bit goes a veeeeery long way. 
• The Botanical Body Mists come in 3 varieties (not just Honeysuckle!) and are currently on sale for $11. 
• The Custom Soaps come in about 14 bajillion different varieties and they go for $7 per bar.

I would like to add that this post was not sponsored in any way, and that these products were ones I chose to purchase on my own fruition. The opinions regarding the products are entirely my own. 


Edited to add: It has come to my attention that Mainely Cole's is somewhat bigger than I had initially thought, and that I'm just painfully behind the ball when it comes to excellent natural skincare. You get excited when you find a new (or new to you) treasure. They've been featured in publications such as Gladys and Organic Spa Magazine, as well as on television, however, the line remains beautifully hand crafted with exceptional care. 

I'll leave you with an article I found on MaineToday.com from last year which delves into a bit of brand history as well as showcases a few other products I am yet to try:  MaineToday.com on Mainely Coles

Introducing Something A Little Different

A quick update:

In an effort to post more, keep updated, and not have, you know, six month spells where I let the page die, I want to do something a little different with this space from now on. I started this blog to primarily review testing opportunities I was given through BzzAgent, Influenster, Crowdtap, and Smiley 360, as I know a ton of ladies who are active on these sites and really take an interest into the plethora of products they offer through campaigns. Unfortunately, I'm not nearly as active on these sites as I used to be, and I realized something pretty important: 9/10 times, the products I'm blogging about don't really need the buzz. I'm pretty sure we've all heard of Maybelline, I will venture to guess we're familiar with Garnier, and I'd be stunned to meet a person who has no idea about the concept of a K-cup...so I'm afraid my efforts may have been realized as redundant.

While I still want to focus on these campaign opportunities when they arise (as I'd be willing to bet there are some curious folks out there who want to know a bit about new products from old favorites before purchasing them) I want to sort of shift that focus a bit to those brands who could really use the buzz.

Buzzing, to me, means getting the word out, and I've found recently a TON of little companies and lesser known brands that I really think deserve a few words. I'm going to dedicate some time, post more regularly, and create these words about brands I've been wowed by. Also, as always, I'll make sure to let you all know where you can get your hands on them as well!

Celestial Seasonings' Peppermint Tea

Included in my #FrostyVoxBox wasn't just cosmetic goodies, there were a few old fashioned goodies as well, and one of these was this Peppermint tea by Celestial Seasonings. Now, I make it no secret that I'm a HUGE coffee and tea fan, and Celestial Seasonings makes several classics that I just can't get enough of. 

When it comes to flavors of the season, you can't get much more appropriate than peppermint for winter, and having a cup of this is just like having a hot cup of Christmas spirit...so, basically, it was a whole lot of awesome. Also, it gets pretty stinkin' chilly in Pennsylvania, so hot beverages are my BFFs for about 6 months out of the year. 

While the flavor was undoubtedly awesome with this tea, it's also really good for you. With absolutely nothing phony or artificial, this is a tea that embraces the natural flavors and health benefits of herbal teas as well as fresh peppermint leaves. 

If you're looking for an energy boost, this might not be the tea you're looking for, as this is a naturally decaffeinated variety, but this also makes it the ideal option for a bit of before bed comfort. I tend to have a bit of insomnia from time to time, and a spot of this tea is excellent for helping your mind and body to get a little necessary wind-down time. 

All in all, this is another home run for Celestial Seasonings, and I plan to keep this on my shelf right next to their Sleepy Time tea for when I just can't get my brain to turn off when it's time for bed. You can find this seasonal deliciousness in most major grocery stores and big box stores, and a box of 20 tea bags will normally run you between $3-$4. 

Thanks again to Influenster for allowing me to try this tea free of charge, and if you're interested in getting in on some #VoxBox goodness, check out Influenster here: Influenster

If you can't find the Celestial Seasonings' Peppermint tea in your local stores, it can also be purchased at the brand's own online store here: Shop Celestial Seasonings Peppermint

The Influenster #FrostyVoxBox

As a special treat for finishing the Influenster virtual vox box campaign for Ebay, I was automatically qualified to receive the #FrostyVoxBox, the super coveted beauty vox box curated for winter. What's so great about these seasonal beauty boxes is that you get a little bit of everything, and it's stuff you can use right away as it's crafted to go along with the trends and needs of the season. 

Now, what was all included in this little box of awesome? I Instagrammed my freshly opened package:

The #FrostyVoxBox included some delish Fruit Vines, an Eco Tools hairbrush (of the smoothing, volumizing, or all of the above variety), a sample of Celestial Seasonings peppermint tea, a sample of the No 7 serum by Boots, a bottle of McCormick thyme seasoning, Rimmel's Kohl Kajal eyeliner in black as well as gentle eye makeup remover, and NYC New York Color lip color in Sugar Plum. Basically, this box left you with a little something for the hair, something for the skin, something for the eyes, something for the lips, and a few things for the tummy; offering an all around thorough and enjoyable #VoxBox experience! 

Altogether, this was a great box, and certainly one of the best seasonal beauty Vox Boxes I've been fortunate enough to get my hands on. Out of all of the products in the box, my personal favorite would have to be the Eco-Tools brush. I got the all-style version, and while I was hoping for the volumizing brush, I have been left nothing but satisfied. When you blow-dry lifting up the hair and starting at the root, you still get perfectly desirable volume, but the shape and cut of the brush slashes your drying time in half (SUPER convenient!) Also, a big issue I have with finer hair is that I'll get all tangled up in the crease where the brush head meets the handle, and this miraculous brush hasn't done that once during any of my sessions of daily use. 

As far as least favorites, I really did like everything, but if I had to choose one I'd have to go with the eyeliner. It's a nice eyeliner, don't get me wrong, but it was a little bit of a nightmare to remove even using Rimmel's own remover. I tried the remover with other eye makeup products and it was fine, but that Kohl Kajal is one incredibly stubborn pencil; I was removing excess eyeliner for around 2 days. Granted, I am also open to the possibility that I put too much on...so there is that. 

The Celestial Seasonings tea was a perfect choice for the #FrostyVoxBox, and it was nice to have a warm little treat with a seasonal flavor to enjoy. Decaffinated, it was the perfect relaxing beverage to indulge in before bed, and it was impossible to enjoy it and not think of Christmastime. 

I'll be getting a bit more specific about the particular products in a few upcoming blogs, so stay tuned if my abridged versions aren't quite cutting it! 

I got all of this great stuff free of charge thanks to Influenster, and if you want to get on the Influenster train yourself, simply head on over to Influenster

#Influenster #InfluensterVox #VoxBox #FrostyVoxBox

What it means to be an Influenster

When I started this blog, I had in mind to create something of a place where I could share a bit of my buzz. My "buzz", as I so lovingly call it, refers to my reviews, thoughts, and whimsical musings on various products I've received free of charge, or for a steep discount, from the many tester and word of mouth marketing groups I am fortunate enough to be a part of. One of my favorites of all of these groups is none other than Influenster, and as you'll see if you change your line of vision just to the right there, I am proud to be part of the Influenster blogging network. 

This post will be a bit different, and rather than reviewing a particular product, group of products, or experience I've had, I want to buzz about what it is, and what it means, to be an Influenster. 

First and foremost, Influenster is a bit different than many somewhat similar groups, as pretty much everything is accessible, and communication is encouraged. Rather than limiting campaigns, information, and "buzz" to single groups fortunate to be in on a particular campaign, Influenster really embraces the sharing is caring rule. If you're not on any type of campaign, or you're not eagerly anticipating the arrival of your next VoxBox, you can still use the site to peruse through thousands of testimonials, reviews, and relevant information from brands ranging between Apple to those who make organic tea. Didn't get in on a campaign you wanted, or saw something great in a VoxBox you would have loved to try? Simply look up the brand, read what those who tried it had to say, find out what it costs and where to buy, and ask all the questions your little heart desires to experience products through the experts who've purchased on their own or used them during Influenster testing campaigns. Best part? It's free; every last little bit of it. 

It wouldn't be unheard of to compare Influenster to something more of a social media site for testers, buyers, and those with influence in the realm of retail products and opinion. The communication ability is what sets Influenster apart, in my opinion, from any other testing group or program. 

Next on the list is the ever coveted VoxBox. Ah yes, that thing that every Influenster wants to get their hands on. VoxBoxes come in all shapes, colors, sizes, themes, uses, and audience demographics, and, in many instances, you're not trying out a particular product with a VoxBox, but an experience instead. The seasonal beauty VoxBoxes are probably the most sought after, and inside there will be any range of different products ideal for use during the current season. Oh, and yes, you did read that correctly: productS, not product. While some VoxBoxes showcase one particular product, these delightful little seasonal beauty campaign VoxBoxes could include lip products, eye products, health and wellness products, facial masques, shaving goodies, fragrances, or just about any other combination of treats you can think into a theme and a few walls of cardboard. 

With VoxBoxes, you don't just try the products and be done with it, you're also given the opportunity to win badges, gift cards, and additional goodies as you go about doing your VoxBox tasks. Now, these tasks aren't jumping through hoops of fire or circumnavigating the globe, they're as simple as writing blogs, tweeting, reviewing, picture or video taking, Facebook sharing, or any other myriad of simple things done creatively to inform the public about what you're trying now. When it comes to the prizes, each brand with products making up the VoxBox will have their own set out tasks, and each set of tasks will have their own particular prize or prizes. To put into perspective, the blog I wrote about the Schwarzkopf Osis + Rough Rubber Paste was part of the Schwarzkopf Osis brand badge set of tasks, and I was one of the lucky winners to receive a package of hair products from the brand retailing at over $120. Not only was I thrilled to win, but it gave me another opportunity to try out some new things. The Schwarzkopf Osis+ Grip Volume Mousse and I are in love after a blissful 1.5 year relationship beginning the day I received that glorious Schwarzkopf box; I'm expecting the can to pop the question any day now.

For single brand VoxBox campaigns, you're also given the opportunity to win great stuff and earn brand badges, but just what is up for grabs will differ with each passing, single or multiple product,campaign! 

Alright, so just how do you score a VoxBox for yourself? Well, you'll first need to work on your reach, your impact score, and your badges. Impact score is figured out by linking your social media and blogging profiles, but you don't have to worry about the spammy stuff. Influenster won't post for you unless you tell them to, and they won't clutter your pages up with junk. What the information is used for is determining how much interaction you enjoy on each respective platform, and factoring this into just how far your reach will go. The higher your followers, friend lists, and blog activity, the  better your reach, and the better the reach, the more likely you are to be picked for a box. The badges I'm referring to are your expert or interest badges, and you'll earn these by answering questions, interacting with others, or leaving reviews on a vast array of different topics. Love beauty products and want the beauty badge? Interact with other beauty connoisseurs and earn that badge! Big in the techie realm? Leave some reviews about that phone or tablet you just got, and answer some questions others may have about their next tech purchase! Because the interaction is kept fun and simple, it's quite easy to start racking up these badges quickly. 

Lastly, don't forget your snaps. Rather than bogging you down with super long (and dare I say super boring?) super-surveys, you'll get to enjoy snaps instead. Snaps are like little mini survey questions that you can complete and return to as your schedule allows, and the information you provide gives Influenster a way to figure out what you're in to, what you like, and what campaigns may be a perfect fit. 

All in all, I love Influenster, and I'm proud to be a member. When it comes to product testing opportunities, the brand is second to none, and engagement keeps things from ever getting stale. You don't feel like you're working, you feel like you're sharing, and the more you share will give you a better experience. If you're Influenster-ing on the go, they also have an app for that, so you can keep up with your stuff without being bogged down by a physical computer. 

So, what does it mean to be an Influenster? Well, it means using your own level of influence to have fun, engage with other consumer savvy individuals, and take the opportunity to try the hottest up and coming products just because you got that influential swag. 

If Influenster was an iceberg, this novel-esque post is an ice cube chipped from the tip, and the best way to learn more about what it means to be an Influenster is to visit the site itself at www.influenster.com

#Influenster #InfluensterBlogger #InfluensterApp #WhatItMeansToBeAnInfluenster 

ChapStick Dual Ended Hydration Lock From Smiley 360

Thanks to an awesome campaign from Smiley 360, I have had the opportunity to try the ChapStick Dual Hydration Lock for free, and the formula I was given to test was the night and day version with a special end for daytime use, and another end for overnight lip protection. 

My initial worry when beginning this campaign was the size of the product, as I am not a big fan of big lip products difficult to fit into a pocket (although, I should prefer them, as it'll be easier to realize when I've left one in my pocket before doing my wash :/ ). I was thrilled to see, however, when I received the product that the tube was pretty standard sized, and although a little long, it could fit into a pant or jacket pocket quite easily. 

This is a no-frills lip product, which is just what I wanted and just what I need for the oft cold and windy Pennsylvania fall season. The daytime end has an SPF of 15, I believe, so your lips remain protected from cold, wind, and sun, while the nighttime formula has extra moisturizing properties so your lips can soak it up and heal overnight. 

The flavor of the product is bland, it's nothing too special, and I found that both ends had something of an essence of subtle Vanilla which was quite pleasant. After using the product pretty regularly for around a month, I'm also pleased to report that my lips have experienced no chapping thus far! 

You can find this product at Walmart, Target, and all of your typical drugstores for around $6, and in my opinion, it's well worth the ticket price with the protection the stick provides.

A big thank you to Smiley 360 for allowing me to try this product for free, and if you'd like to test out your own products you can become a member of the Smiley squad here: Smiley 360