Sunshine VoxBox Wrap Up

A short while ago I received the Sunshine Voxbox from Influenster. The box was filled with products to try. The verdict is in and I'm ready to dish on everything from the box.

*Dickinson's Cleansing Cloths | http://amzn.to/1MmOrNd

I had a good ol' time with these wipes. I love that they are large making it possible to do several rounds of cleansing with the same wipe. These wipes are also textured on one side making them more effective at getting everything off. I used these on what I thought was a clean face and still came away with brown spots. Lastly, these wipes are inexpensive! Go get you some.

*Blue Diamond Sriracha Almonds | http://amzn.to/1TOiA9a

These were delicious. I had them for breakfast one morning with a Babybel cheese and an apple. Crunchy and spicy with a sweet edge. Even my spice-phobic husband could eat these. Will be buying these.

*barkTHINS | http://amzn.to/1gMunH4

These snacking chocolates were another food item from the box that I really enjoyed. I had to use a coupon from the box to pick them up from my local Target but I'm glad I did. I went for the pretzel variety. These chocolates are chocolatey but have that dark chocolate hit that keeps you from overindulging. 

*Vaseline Spray Moisturizer | http://amzn.to/1SzWZPo

This is not the first time that Vaseline spray and I have crossed paths. I received a men's spray for my husband in a Valentine's day box a year or two ago. The opinion from then to now still holds. This lotion does the job in a pinch but won't provide true moisture. I'd wait until right before you go somewhere to use this so you don't end up ashy half way through!

*Infusium 23 Leave-in | http://amzn.to/1MiDMC4

SinfulColors Nail Polish in Totally Teal | http://www.sinfulcolors.com/

I will not be trying the infusium because it is nothing like anything that I would normally try on my hair. I also did not get a chance to try out the teal polish sent to me because I have been lazy about going to the nail salon. My nails desperately need to be done! I have already tried SinfulColors and I like their price, availability, color selection, and fast drying. 

My Influenster Links

Influenster Playlist | https://goo.gl/Q5JqB3

Join Influenster | www.influenster.com/r/150728

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What did you think of this box? Comment below! 

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Wet n Wild Silk Finish Lipstick Swatches

Left to Right: Java, Dark Wine, Breeze

I came across a hot coupon deal on Wet'n'Wild at CVS that when paired with their sale got me 3 lipsticks for a little less than the price of one. Not wanting to pick out an unflattering shade I searched google for pictures of African American women--or brown women in general--wearing the lipsticks. I came up short. There just weren't very many pictures of "us" swatching these lipsticks! Call this post my civic duty to other black women standing in the drugstore trying to make a decision.

Wake Up Flawless...No, Really

I have been know to say that if I could put my makeup on at night I would. I am one of those people that likes to do everything at night so that I can "wake up flawless." Maybe I'm not waking up Beyonce flawless but we can't all be Bey. Here are some tips to lessen the morning beauty struggle.

Go To Bed Greasy

Yes, you read that right. At night I put on lotion, load an oil/cream on my face, and slather my lips in balm. One cannot deny the greasiness of my person post-shower. However, in the morning I am nice and moisturized and do not need to put as many of these things on in the morning if I have to put them on at all.

Lay Those Edges

I completely style my hair at night. If I am wanting to wear a bun the next day, I go ahead and put my hair into style the night before. All you need to do is preserve your style so that you can wake up, throw the scarf to the side, and be on your merry way which leads me to my next point.

Sleep Cute

For the love of all things natural hair, cover your hair or your pillow at night! You will not need to waste time trying to bring moisture back into your hair or even laying down those baby hairs in the morning if you protect your hair at night!

Organize Your Beauty Items

I've seen quite a few YouTube videos in which people dig through their makeup collection looking for what they need. I always wonder if they do that during their morning routine and wonder how much time is wasted. I have a small makeup collection so I have an appropriately small 3 drawer system under my bathroom sink that organizes my makeup into eyes and face. In the morning I just pull out the drawer and work on that part of my makeup. I put the drawer back and move on. Quick, easy. 

Stop wasting time and wake up, FLAWLESS!

How do you wake up flawless? Comment below! 

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Frosty Box: Influenster VoxBox Wrap Up

As usual, I am bringing you the breakdown of my latest Influenster VoxBox! I had fun trying out these products over the last month. Thank you Influenster for providing these products free of charge for me to try. 

What are you waiting for? Start getting free products from Influenster sent to YOU! (link)

Rimmel Gentle Eye Makeup Remover

Rimmel Scandaleyes Waterproof Kohl Kajal Eyeliner

I did a detailed review of both of these products last week. Click here to see the review!

NYC New York Color Expert Last Lip Color

I received this lipstick in the color Sugarplum. The formulation of this lipstick is creamy and goes on much like a chapstick. The color is sort of sheer so you'll need to apply a bit for it to show. It is not very long lasting and will wear off a little after applying. The shade is a very pinky one. When you first put it on it looks like "your lips but better" but if you apply too many layers it looks like "oh, no girl!" lol. It was just too pink at full strength. I'd recommend this lipstick for my young girls just wearing lipstick who want to sport something age appropriate.

Celestial Seasonings Candy Cane Lane Decaf Green Tea

I have a detailed first impression of this here. 

Boots No7 Protect & Perfect ADVANCED

This is a very light lotion-like serum. After you've applied it you get a kind of "firming" feeling without the face being dry or tight. The sample was small so I only used it twice.

McCormick Gourmet All Natural Thyme

It's seasoning. Really, I can't say much more. I throw all sorts of seasonings into my food--especially my spaghetti. I have begun throwing the Thyme right on in the mix.

Fruit Vines Bites Cherry

I'm here for these. Yes! They are freaking delicious. Think sweeter, chewier, thicker twizzlers.

EcoTools Full Volume Styler

Do you see my hair with it's natural volume and loads of texture? No, I didn't use this brush. lol. I was hoping I would get the other one because I could have at least tried it out for detangling. I'll be sending it to my dear friend Alysa who is a curly that straightens her hair.

Will you be trying out any of these products? Comment below! 

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Product Review: Rimmel London Products

Through Influenster I've had the opportunity to test out some Rimmel London Products. They sent me over Rimmel Gentle Eye Makeup Remover and Rimmel Scandaleyes Waterproof Kohl Kajal Eyeliner. Over the last month I've had a chance to try them out and here is what I thought...

Rimmel Gentle Eye Makeup Remover

I have never really been an eye makeup remover girl. I just like to wash my makeup off with my facial cleanser in the shower. My makeup comes off with this method but that is mainly because I do not usually use waterproof makeup. That is where the Gentle Eye Makeup Remover comes into play. The liner they sent would not come off with my regular makeup remover! However, their remover takes it off like it ain't no thang! I also notice that the formula isn't oily like a popular makeup counter remover that my mom likes. I have oily eyelids so extra oil is unwanted.

I found another use for the makeup remover that may be odd...lipstick removal. I am a lover of red and fuchsia lipsticks. These can linger on my lips at times but not when I swiped them with the remover. It came right off! In the end, I may give this remover to my mom because she regularly uses and repurchases that makeup counter brand I mentioned.

Rimmel Scandaleyes Waterproof Khol Kajal Eyeliner

This liner right here? This LI-NER right HERE! To give it to you plain it is creamy and dark. I found that I liked it best drawn on my lids then smudged with a little color in my crease. It looked natural and was waterproof. I tried this all around my eyes but it was just too intense for me. I can be seen wearing it in the end of my Vlogmas 2014: Week 3 video and the middle of the vlogmas after that. Pictures above.

Join Influenster and start getting free boxes of product to try today: www.influenster.com/r/150728

Will you be trying any of these products? Comment below! 

If you like what you've read, never miss a post by following this blog with Bloglovin'. Also, watch my videos on Youtube. NEW uploads weekly!

I received these products for free from Influenster to try. All opinions are my own.

Product Review: Laniege Water Sleeping Mask

Their Promise:
Recharge dehydrated skin overnight. Highly concentrated, ionized mineral water and ceramides deliver intensive doses of moisture to stressed, parched skin. Aromatic Sleepscent -- orange flower, rose and sandalwood -- relaxes and rejuvenates while apricot and chestnut extracts brighten and purify fatigued skin. The result: skin looks and feels radiant, refreshed. Wake up to soft, glowing skin with Water Sleeping Mask. (source)

Directions:
After following your regular face routine, apply this product and leave on overnight. Rinse in the morning.

Ingredients:
Water, Butylene Glycol, Cyclomethicone,Glycerin, Trehalose, Alcohol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Vaccinium Angustifolium Fruit Extract, Dimethiconol, Dimethicone, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/VP copolymer, Polysorbate 20, Triethanolamine, Carbomer, Polyquaternium-51, Mannitol, Arginne, Serine, Sucrose, PCA, Citrulline, Glycogen, Histidine HCL, Alanine, Threonine, Glutamic Acid, Lysine HCL, Magnesium Aspartate, Zinc Gluconate,Calcium Gluconate, Copper Gluconate, Pentaerythrityl Tetraisostearate, Silica Dimethyl Silylate, Sodium Chondroitin Sulfate, Atelocollagen, Beta-Glucan, Yeast Extract, Tocopheryl Acetate, Whey, Disodium Edta, Chlorphenesin, Methyl Paraben, Propyl Paraben,Fragrance, Blue 1, Yellow 5.

Price: 
$23

My Opinion:
This product has a lot of hype behind it. It was once more difficult to find in the US as it is a Korean product and people would still seek it out and buy it. It is a staple product to many. Honestly...this product was so-so for me. The scent is light and more like lotion than the exotic sleep aiding blend they hype on their label. It also did not leave my face super moisturized or more bright in appearance. Don't get my wrong, this product won't hurt and I will use it until it is empty because I don't dislike it. I just wouldn't drop 23 dollars on a new jar!

Rating:  
♥ of 3 SO-SO

This product was provided by Influenster for me to try out.

                               




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Product Review: Venus® Embrace Sensitive

 

Their Promise:
The Venus Embrace sensitive is supposed to provide a smooth shave without irritation. The moisture ribbons surrounding the blades boasts aloe and vitamin e.

Price: 
~$8.99 but the replacement cartridges are much more!

My Opinion:
When I opened my Venus Embrace Sensitive razor I was immediately impressed with the shower holder and the cushy handle. I have been using the cheapies so long, that the little things impress me. Since it's winter time, I had a "little" hair to shave so I immediately used the razor. Now, I usually use conditioner to shave, but with the moisture bars on the razor, it was super slimy. I realized that I could just use the razor without any gel/conditioner.

I got a close shave and--most importantly--no irritation! My underarms usually look pale, grainy, and black spotted after a shave. Not with Ms. Venus! I had smooth underarms. I may repurchase this razor buuuuuuut...no review is complete without cons. I was a little miffed that the holder would not adhere to my shower. It is just randomly hanging on my bathroom mirror out of use. I considered putting my hair shears in it. Also, the bars seem a bit...sensitive. Let the razor lay over to one side too long and you will get a bit of stick when you go to pick it up. I worry that the moisture bar is going to pull away from the razor.

Rating:  
♥♥♥ of 3 RATING

Influenster.com

Disclosure: Influenster provided this product free for me to try. No one paid me, but I wish that they had.

                               




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Clear Skin At Last

Finally, I have clear skin! If you are familiar with my blog, you know that my skin and I have it out with each other on a regular basis. This time last year I posted a YouTube video titled "Beauty Vlog" in which I reveal my struggles with my skin. I came back a month later, this time on a blog post titled "Update: Skin." The creativity of that title should win an award. In that post I reveal that I still had not gotten clear skin, but that I discovered that I had dry skin and I was working toward fixing the problem.

After restoring the moisture to my face through water only rinsing, I once again returned to my beloved oil cleansing method. Every other day I removed the oil with the St. Ives Apricot Scrub for acne. On non-scrub days I just rinsed the oil away with water. The oil kept me from needing to follow my routine with a moisturizer. Each weekend I used the Queen Helen Mint Julep face mask.

This routine has greatly reduce the acne on my face and has smoothed out my skin in general. Lately I have fallen off the oil cleansing and masking bandwagons, but I continue to maintain my skin with the scrub every other day. If I am wearing makeup I use a dime sized amount of my body wash to remove it and make sure to apply my e.l.f Studio Daily Moisture Stick afterward to keep my sensitive face from drying out. I truly believe that having some sort of regimen and using at least one product specifically for acne is the key to clear skin.

I am now looking for ways to reduce the dark marks left by the acne. I'm thinking cocoa butter.



                               




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Product Review: Rimmel London Lash Accelerator Endless Mascara

 

Have you seen my latest video? I take Rimmel's claim of longer lashes in 30 days to task. Click the Youtube logo below to view my video review.

                               




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Product Review: L'Oréal Paris Magic Skin Beautifier BB Cream

The following is a sponsored post brought to you by SheSpeaks and L'Oréal Paris. I received this product free of charge for review. All opinions are honest and my own.

I must admit that the whole BB cream craze missed me. I was just simply not interested in a souped up tinted moisturizer, as that is surely what American BB creams are. Despite my passiveness, I was--admittedly--a little excited to try this L'Oréal product. 

Hmm...what is in here...

This cream claims to act as a primer, moisturizer, hide flaws, and even up your tone. There are beads in the product that when rubbed into the skin, adjust to your shade. The product comes in four shades: Fair, Light, Medium, and Deep. I received the Deep shade.

Oil Cleansing Method: Video

I recorded myself doing the oil cleansing method (OCM) a few days ago. Since doing this video I developed a huge bump under my skin. It has come to the surface then gotten smaller over these past three days. They say the method may cause a flare up before your skin gets used to it and mine surely did that! Besides the bump, my skin was super soft. When I went to rub a toner soaked cotton ball over my face before bed, there wasn't nearly as much dirt on that ball as usual. Actually, there hasn't been much dirt since the day that I oil cleansed! I think I'll make this a once a week part of my skin regimen.

 ♥ KAYLA

The Oil Cleansing Method

WHAT IS THE OIL CLEANSING METHOD (OCM)?

The oil cleansing method is an all natural way of lifting impurities and blocks from your skin's pores. The ocm works by telling your face "It's okay. Slow down on the oil production. I got you!" Okay, seriously, your face naturally produces oils. Commercial skin products strip your face of these oils. As a response, your skin pushes out more oil and overcompensates for its loss. This can cause your pores to be clogged with oil. By giving your skin oil you allow the oil production to balance itself out.

HOW DO I DO IT?

The OCM is simple. You'll need:

• A custom mix of castor oil and extra virgin olive oil (evoo)
• Oily Skin- 2 parts castor oil + 1 part evoo
• Normal Skin- 1 part castor oil + 1 part evoo
• Dry Skin- 1 part castor oil + 2 part evoo

• A washcloth
• Warm water

Steps:

1. Massage a generous amount of the oil mix into your skin
2. Wet the washcloth with the warm water and lay it over your face
3. Allow the warmth to steam your pores until the washcloth cools
4. Repeat steps 2 & 3 until you are satisfied
5. Wipe face clean

BENEFITS OF THE OCM

• Softer dewy skin
• Unblocked pores (bye bye blackheads, whiteheads, and red bumps!)
• Possible decrease of oil on oily skin

For a more detailed explanation of the OCM visit the oil cleansing method website.

 ♥ KAYLA