Intense Healing With Curel

 

Courtesy of BzzAgent, I was lucky enough to receive Curel's Intensive Healing Cream around the end of September. Mind you, I have horrible dry hands from fall into winter, it's an annual event so predictable you could set your watch to it. They have so affectionately been called "Dragon Hands" "Alligator Hands" and "Ew." for quite some time now, and although everyone just loves a pet name...I do not love this dryness. 

Immediately upon trying the cream, I noticed that it soaked in nicely. This was fantastic in two ways:

1. Greasy hands are not fun, and dropping things isn't my idea of a good time.
2. I knew it was actually going INTO my skin, not resting on top of it. 

It's hard for me to find creams that really soak in there, so experiencing that was great development.

After a few weeks of use, I did notice that the skin on my hands was far less dry and far more comfortable, but it was still early in the season, and I wasn't going to get my hopes COMPLETELY up.

Once November welcomed itself in, and the weather was steadily pretty chilly up here in Pennsylvania I let myself believe in the Intensive Healing. Throughout plenty of bitter cold days and nights, and a few especially chilly cold snaps, my hands are still going strong. There is no sign of the chapping coming back, and I don't have to worry starting a fire each time I rub my palms together.

I was fortunate enough to try this product free through BzzAgent, but it can be found at Walmart, Target, and just about any drugstore for around $9.99-$11.99 for a nicely sized 16oz pot. Mind you, the pot will last you forever, and you may even be able to pass it on to future generations as something of an heirloom piece, because so little goes such a long way.

Thanks again to BzzAgent for allowing me the opportunity to try this product free! If you're interested in becoming a BzzAgent, check it out here: BzzAgent


#GotItFree #ImABzzAgent

Dr. Scholl's Active Series For Her

Compliments of Influenster, I recently had the opportunity to try the new Dr. Scholl's Active Series insoles. These insoles are meant for sneakers and making physical activity a bit more comfortable by way of excellent support.

The one thing that I noticed, and loved, immediately after receiving these insoles is the triple support they offer; your entire foot is completely covered! From the ball, to the arch, to the heel, nothing was left out in terms of support. I placed these insoles in my sneakers after receiving them, and I was ready to go!

I have Nike sneakers, nothing fancy or special about them, and I use them to do my daily walks or hikes. I'm not much of a runner, I do run on occasion, but it's certainly not my favorite means of physical activity, and I'm much more of a walker and hiker instead. The first time I used these insoles I was going on a hike through some park trails down the road from my house, and I immediately noticed the excellent arch support. I never realized how poor the arch support was in these shoes until I used the insoles, and the added comfort was extraordinary!

My next significant discovery came the following day. After a rigorous hike, my lower back and hamstrings are usually pretty sore, and I often wake up a bit wobbly that next morning. Nope, not with these insoles. All of my typical aches and pains were a distant memory, and when I awoke the next morning, I felt zero pain or discomfort in any of my leg or back muscles! My weak knees, sore hamstrings, and achy lower back were nowhere to be found, and I could've jumped out of bed and straight  back onto the trail if I wanted to!

All in all, these are excellent insoles, and I'd highly recommend them to anyone who enjoys a bit of exercise with not a shred of discomfort either during or after the fact. You can find these handy little products in Walgreen's or Walmart and the price can range from $19.97-$24.99, which in my opinion is pocket change for the results they provide!

Again, thank you to Influenster for allowing me the opportunity to try yet another excellent product for free!

Schwarzkopf Professional OSiS+

The highlight of my Spring Fever Vox Box from Influenster was most certainly this OSiS+ Rough Rubber Paste.

I have short-er hair, it comes down to my chin at its longest point, and I'm quite the hair styling enthusiast. I like funky and fun statement hairstyles, which normally take some product to achieve. I've tried a multitude of different products to achieve these looks, and this one may now be in my top 3.

This rough rubber paste does have a strange consistency, which can be a little different to get used to. However, once you do get used to working with it, it's an excellent product to work with. The feeling of it is almost bouncy, like if you were to drop a penny onto the open container, it would jump right back up to you (I wouldn't recommend trying this, however, as I'm sure it does not work that way!).

The scent of the product is pleasant, and not overbearing; I found it to be a nice and clean scent. In my previous experiences with similar products, I would find myself almost annoyed by the overwhelming scent, so I was very pleased to find a product that didn't stink up my style.

To use this rubber paste, I used my pointer and middle fingers to scoop out a small amount from the jar, just enough to cover both fingertips. Then, I wiped my fingertips into the palm of my opposing hand, and rubbed my hands together to make sure I would get a nice even application. I worked the product from my palms into my hair starting with the under layers and working my way up; grabbing and pulling the product through each layer of my hair. After applying, I was able to "rough up" my layers to achieve a great textured look. Once I was finished, I set my style with a little hair spray, messed it up a bit, and was ready to go!

The only downside of this product that I've found is that it doesn't offer optimal hold, in my opinion. I often had to dip back into the pot to achieve a little more hold, but doing so too much would make my hair look greasy. Overall, I would recommend this product, however, as it really gives you a great look once you get the hang of using it.

This rough rubber paste is available at salons and specialty hair-care retailers and sells for about $20 per pot. To find out more about this great paste, check out Schwarzkopf's website at: http://www.schwarzkopf-professionalusa.com/ !


A huge thank you, as always, to Influenster for giving me the opportunity to try this product free!

Broadway Nails imPRESS Press-on Manicure

Through Influenster, I was recently lucky enough to try the new imPRESS Press-On Manicure included within my Spring Fever Vox Box. I'm not typically one for press on manicures, as I am fortunate enough to be able to easily grow healthy natural nails, but since this was provided to me at no cost...I was more than willing to give it the old college try!

I used these press-on nails before an evening out, and when I didn't particularly feel like giving myself a full manicure. These press-on nails gave me a great temporary solution to my manicure problem. These nails are quite temporary, though, and did not last very long at all on my nails. I would recommend these nails for situations which would only require one or two days from of a manicured look.

The adhesive used on these press-on nails was easy to remove and did not damage my natural nail. I usually worry about adhesives on my nails, as I have experienced damages from nail adhesives in the past, but with these imPRESS Press-On Nails, I had no need for concern!

What I was most impressed with regarding this product were the styles and patterns offered. The style deemed "Holla" (shown above) is what I received, and as you can see it is a really striking pink/black lace pattern. I loved the classiness of the style, as well as the edginess it provided to my manicure and overall look! The imPRESS line of press-on nails comes in a myriad of different styles, and you are bound to find something you will absolutely love!

Whether you are a regular user of press-on nails, or are more privy to manicuring your own natural nails, I would highly recommend these imPRESS Press-On Manicures. They're quick and convenient, making them perfect for those situations when you may not have the time available to give yourself a proper manicure, and they're gentle on the nail for those who use these types of products regularly. If you ever find yourself crunched for time before a night out, there is no way you could regret keeping a couple of sets of these along with your cosmetic items!

The imPRESS Press-On Manicure set is available at all major retailers, and for great affordable prices. At retail, these kits usually run about $5.99 for colors and $7.99 for patterns, making them as cost efficient as they are convenient!

Want to check out the imPRESS Press-On Manicures for yourself? Visit impressmanicure.com/ to find out more about this great product!

Secret Outlast Clear Gel

Through Influenster's coveted Spring Fever Vox Box, which I was so lucky to receive last month, I have been given the opportunity to try yet another great product!

I wear a lot of black; not that I'm gloomy, but what can go wrong with such a slimming, classic, and versatile clothing color choice? Oh, right, besides deodorant streaks. I am well versed in the art of avoiding deodorant streaks, but even the best are destined to fall from time to time. Before trying this clear gel from Secret, I really thought a truly clear deodorant was unattainable.

This clear gel really does stay clear; I am yet to find a single white mark on any article of clothing that I have worn since receiving it. The gel goes on smooth and dries to your skin quickly, although even when I've been rushed and forced to dress immediately after application, the deodorant has yet to make any type of appearance on my clothes. I really think that gone may be the days of trying the "lava pits" dance while shimmying on my shirts!

With the 90+ degree weather we've been having in Pennsylvania, it also does its staying dry job quite well, too. It smells nice and fresh without being overpowering, and it really does keep you dry. The only discrepancy I have found with this product is its 48 hour claim. As gross as it may sound, I happily tested out this claim, but was not overly pleased with the results. I could smell no traces of the deodorant after about 24 hours, and it needed to be reapplied the next day. That being said, however, if my only problem is being forced to put on deodorant every day...I'd say I'm in pretty good shape!

Thanks to Influenster for allowing me the chance to try this excellent product for free!

Old Navy's 2013 Activewear Line!

Through Crowdtap, I was lucky enough to try a sampling of the new 2013 Activewear line by Old Navy! I received two coupons, one for me and one for a girlfriend, for 1 free Activewear top and bottom; so we decided to make a day of it! One of my best girlfriends and I went this afternoon set out to browse this new impressive Activewear line. The first thing I noticed about the line is it is truly fashionable, gone are the days of sacrificing fashion for function in great activewear. We both found an incredible amount of adorable pieces, and it was hard to choose just one of each (I foresee another trip in our near future!)

Firstly and functionally, no corner was cut in the fabric quality. The fabrics are sturdy, moisture wicking, and well sewn; these pieces are going to work as hard as you do. The compression pieces have great stretch and allow really comfortable movement, which is imperative in a good piece of workout clothing. Also, I loved how all sizes were equally represented, as we're both pretty small girls. It's difficult to find XS pants in stock, which always seems to be a problem for us both, but we had PLENTY to choose from with this Old Navy line. From what I noticed, no matter the size, there was something cute on the rack for you!

Now for the fun part, the fashion! I found the fits to be flattering, the colors are bright and varied, and the styles are plentiful. I chose a black pair of fold-over Yoga Capri pants and a very pretty light blue compression top, while my girlfriend went with compression capris and the matching compression top both in a dark heather grey. Color-blocking was very prominent within the line, which I found to be quite trendy and fun, but all color preferences were thoroughly represented.

Noticing the prices, quite a few products were on sale, and those that weren't were far from overpriced. When compared to other activewear lines, Old Navy is not only set out to satisfy your preferences, but also your budget. I didn't see an unreasonably priced item!


A HUGE thank you to Crowdtap for giving the opportunity to try this line out for FREE! Interested in a little tappin'? Check out Crowdtap for yourself at: www.crowdtap.com

Old Navy's Activewear Collection is also available to buy and browse online, and it's worth a peek!
Check it out here:  Old Navy Activewear

Tastykake® Kandy Bar Kakes

I was recently lucky enough to be chosen for one of Influenster's coveted VoxBoxes, and I was thrilled to see it included one of these new delectable little treats! Being a lifelong resident of the Philadelphia area, I am no stranger to Tastykake; it has been a snack staple in my family for as long as I can remember. These new Kandy Bar Kakes are an awesome addition to the Tastykake line of treats, and one I was glad to try out, nobody was twisting my arm to down one of these puppies!

As a peanut butter fanatic, I was more than happy to try out the Reese's variety, and it totally lived up to the hype. I had it as a between breakfast and lunch snack with a cup of coffee, and it really hit the spot. It's a rich little chocolate covered cake bar with a perfectly savory-yet-sweet peanut butter cream center. I do not use the word rich lightly, might I add, and one little cake bar was surprisingly filling. The ONLY thing I would change or suggest regarding these cake bars is the size, they come in the form of one large Kandy Bar Kake. Personally, with how rich and filling I found one bar to be, I thought it would be optimal if they were broken in half and made into two smaller Kandy Bar Kakes per package, so I could easily eat one and save one for later!

Either way, I would highly recommend these little gems for your snacking pleasure. I've only tried the Peanut Butter variety so far, but I did see the entire line in my local WaWa. I think my next victim should be the S'mores variety (I'm a sucker for some S'mores!), and I plan to devour it with a cold glass of milk!

These retail from about $1.69 for a single to $4.49 for a family pack, making them as affordable as they are delicious!

Thanks again to Influenster for allowing me the opportunity to try this product for FREE!


Check out Tastykake's entire line here: http://www.tastykake.com/