Boots Botanics Ionic Clay Mask #powerofplants

I'd like to take a minute to give my favorite product from the Influenster J'Adore Vox Box a little spotlight of its own. This mask left my skin feeling completely cleansed and totally conditioned, and it was actually as easy to apply as it was to rinse off, which I found very surprising considering my past experiences with different clay masks! 

When putting this mask on, I first washed my face to present a blank canvas and allow all of the botanical  goodness to enter my pores. The consistency of this mask is a bit thinner than I'm used to, but this aspect actually really added to the ease of application. 

When applying the mask I put a small amount on 2 fingers and start with the apples of my cheeks. Bringing the product down towards my chin, I covered the cheek area and made almost a mask beard with the application. After these areas were finished, I then started on my nose, and  brought the product up the bridge and onto the forehead, connecting the forehead area down the temple and back down to the apples of my cheeks. 

I like to use these products as an all over pampering experience, so I'll typically put the mask on before getting into a hot bubble bath. I tend to leave the mask on for a little longer than the 10 minutes that the bottle suggests, and I'll rinse off after about 20 minutes or so. The directions call for a wiping off of the mask, but I found a quick rinse was far more sufficient, didn't dirty up a towel, and helped my skin to feel cleaner after the fact. 

Once the mask is rinsed off I finish up with a little moisturizer, and my skin is left soft, clean, and glowing from the nutrients this mask so graciously offers!

I will most certainly be buying this mask again, especially now that I've seen the botanical benefits. When I say that this is my favorite mask I have ever used, not only am I not exaggerating, but this is based on using over 10-15 different brands of facial mask. Boots, by far, gets my gold seal of approval!

Thanks again to Influenster for including this excellent product in the J'Adore Vox Box, and allowing me the opportunity to try it free! Never underestimate the #PowerOfPlants!

Introducing the J'Adore Vox Box Courtesy of Influenster!

Unfortunately, I tore into this Vox Box quicker than I could take a picture, so the image above is thanks to Influenster's own Instagram! 

First and foremost, this was a Valentine's Day themed box filled with goodies to eat, to drink, to wear, and to pamper, giving Influensters a fully delightful Valentine's Day experience. What caught my eye first was the Boots Botanics Clay Mask, as something of a mask connoisseur, I was really excited to see how this product matched up with others I've used. 

The Boots mask wound up being my absolute favorite product of the entire box, and it was hands down the most incredible mask I've ever used. With a slightly thinner consistency, it was really easy to apply and get on evenly, something that I've struggled with when using other masks in the past. When the product dries, it doesn't feel bizarre, or alien, or itchy, it actually feel comfortable. Because of this, I wasn't sure the product was working, but after rinsing off I could really see just how well it worked. The rinsing process was as easy as the application process, and all of the product rinsed off easy and clean even after fully drying. 

The only complaint I have with the Boots mask product is that it did leave something of a mess in my sink, and cleanup was a little difficult. 

My next most well-loved product was the FULL pound of Hershey's Kisses! In pink, silver, and red foil, this box surprised me with a huge bag of some of the greatest treats ever to exist. Classic, delicious, and as expected, this bag did not last long! 

A set of natural looking Kiss lashes was also included, and although false lashes aren't really my thing, these would be my first choice. They look real and have a really soft pleasant feel, but they still provide the drama one would seek when wearing lashes! 

For hair, John Freda's Frizz Ease 3 Day Straight Iron serum was in the box, and this too wasn't a product I would normally use. With very straight hair, I don't have much need for a flat iron or straightening product, but I did try the product a couple of times to investigate its quality. Like any other John Freda product I've used, it was a really stellar product and I could see it working wonderfully for those with naturally curly hair looking for a straight style. 

Lastly, included in my box, was the little packets of Red Rose Tea. In Creme Caramel and Lemon Chiffon, these teas put a whole new spin on freshly brewed hot tea. The Creme Caramel was really a stand out product for me, and I loved it with a little bit of actual cream and sugar! 

Thanks again to Influenster for allowing me to try this entire box of great products for free!

Dr. Scholl's® For Her Cozy Cushions

Also as part of the Rose Vox Box program through Influenster I got to try these nifty little cozy cushions, a brand new product by Dr. Scholl's For Her. These Cozy Cushions are insoles made for the cold weather months, which in Pennsylvania are certainly abundant!

The insole is covered in a fuzzy and super warm almost faux sheepskin like material that really retains heat while keeping moisture at bay, and these insoles provide a double benefit with the cushion-y support they also provide. In short, it's a supportive and soft insole that also keeps you toasty toasty warm!

When I first received the package, I was curious as to how these would fit my shoes, as they were HUGE. However, once I opened them up I saw that they were completely sizable, and all you have to do is cut along the line that shows your shoe size. The process was beyond easy, and I had my fuzzy new size 7 insoles ready to wear in no time at all!

The first pair of shoes I tried these insoles in were my Tom's Shoes Desert Wedges, and I found that the insoles was a little too wide, and caused my foot to sit a little too high for these particular shoes; Although they were rather cozy and comfy after I put them in!

I decided to opt for a shoe that was a little wider naturally, so I chose my sturdy black lace-up Nike boots. These are the boots I'm typically in if there's dreaded snow on the ground, so I figured that these would be the perfect vessels in which to tuck in my cozy cushions. Needless to say, I was correct. For boots, these insoles are now an absolute must, and they really breathed new life into an old trustworthy pair of boots for me. Whether you plant to tromp through the snow, or walk from your car and back, it's incredible how much warmer and more comfortable your cold weather shoes will be with the addition of these insoles.

These insoles can be found anywhere from $9-$12 at your standard big box stores like Target or Walmart, and they really make a great investment in any pair of shoes. However, if a shoe fits a bit tighter naturally, these insoles could prove to be a bit too wide, but they can be cut smaller at any time! 

Thanks to Influenster for allowing me the opportunity to try these insoles for free!

Scandaleyes Retro Glam Mascara by Rimmel London

As part of the Rose Vox Box program from Influenster, I was lucky enough to try the new Scandaleyes Retro Glam mascara by Rimmel London that freshly hit store shelves just last month in November. I'm a big time mascara gal, and I have a collection that could make Twiggy herself jealous, so I was beyond eager to try this hot off the press product.

Upon first use, I noticed that the brush was SUPER effective, and it coated each lash perfectly for a super dramatic fanned out look. I adore retro styles, and I though that the look I was able to achieve with this mascara fit the bill perfectly. For a truly retro feel, I did an extra coat (or three) on the corners of my lashes, and I was able to achieve a "cat eye" like appearance without spending a half hour fighting with an unsteady hand and liquid liner brush!

The only downside I found to the mascara, however, was that it seemed to dry out much too fast. The first two or three weeks of using the product was incredible...but after that I started noticing the clumps, or "mascara boogers" as I so affectionately like to call them. Getting the same smooth fan that I was able to achieve got more and more difficult after that initial few-week honeymoon period, and after about a month I found the product to be close to unusable.

However, this mascara only retails for around $10, and can be found at all your major drug stores, so it's not necessarily difficult to replace. For the look I was able to get for the first few weeks of use, I will most likely purchase this mascara to use again in the future, because you just can't find that type of drama with a mascara that's this affordable on the regular!


Thanks to Influenster for allowing me to try this product free!

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!