Influenster SweetHeart VoxBox: Featuring Olay Fresh Effects and more!

Recently Influenster sent me the SweetHeart VoxBox to try out a few new things. There was quite a variety of things in this box! In my box I received:

• Skinnygirl On the Go bar in Coco-nut with Peanut Butter flavor 
• Secret Clinical Strength deodorant in Serene Citrus scent 
• Olay Fresh Effect Shine, Shine go Away face wash with contour cleansing system 
• Not Your Mother's Beach Babe texturizing sea salt spray

 

I think my favorite item from this box was the Skinnygirl bar!  I usually don't like peanut butter, but this tasted really good and kept me full for a long time.  I want to try the other flavors, so I might buy the sample pack if I see it at the grocery store.  I think the dark chocolate pretzel flavor sounds especially yummy.

I was nervous to try out the Olay face wash because my skin is pretty dry, especially in the winter.  I was happy to find out that it didn't further dry out my skin and has a really nice scent.  In this cold weather I still needs something with a bit more hydration, so I think I will save this for the summertime, when even I get a little oily!  I have to say I didn't really care for the cleansing brush though.  It is supposed to clean the hard to reach places on your face.  I found that the rubber bristles were too firm and didn't feel like they were doing anything for my skin.  My boyfriend bought me a Clarisonic Aria for Christmas, though.  I might just be spoiled.  If you want to purchase it you can do so on the Olay website and Amazon.  

The Beach Babe spray is another product I was nervous to try.  I've never successfully "scrunched" my hair.  My hair doesn't like to cooperate when I try to style it.  No matter if I straighten it, curl it, braid it, etc. it just ends up doing it's own thing.  That said, I tried out this product on both damp and dry hair.  While it didn't give me that scrunched look, it did provide texture and made my hair feel even thicker.  I can't see myself using this on an every day basis, I will pop this in my bag if I'm going to the beach or a pool.  Also, it has a nice coconut scent, if you're into that. 

The Secret Clinical Strength deodorants are something I've looked at and thought about picking up myself for a while now.  I never ended up buying it because it is a semi-solid and those usually end up making me sweat more.  While I don't sweat heavily 24/7, sometimes I get a bit damp and uncomfortable feeling!  It would be great if there was a deodorant could stop sweating and odor 100%! Sadly, I haven't found one yet.  That isn't to say that this is not a good deodorant though.  It smells quite nice and didn't make my sweat more like I thought it might.  I will definitely use this product up, but I'm not sure if I'll repurchase it.  

Have you been interested in any of this box's products?  Have you tried them already?  Let me know!  

P.S.  Obviously these products were gifted to me, but my reviews are honest nonetheless!  

Crest 3D White Professional Effects Whitestrips

In the colder months I find myself reaching for warm beverages more often than not.  For me this means tea, coffee and hot chocolate.  Sometimes I indulge in a very sweet blueberry wine; I did turn 21 this past April after all.  Unfortunately these comforting drinks can leave my teeth looking a little dull.  That is where Crest Whitestrips come in.  I've been using this product since I was in high school to keep my smile bright.

What I love about these little guys is that they really do work and on me the results last for at least 6-8 months.  I do use the Crest toothpaste and whitening mouthwash as well though.  I think they definitely help freshen up my smile everyday and I actually like them even better than the Whitestrips themselves.  Crest says that "If you're not whitening, you're yellowing" and I do agree with that.  I don't think anyone should use Whitestrips everyday (and I highly doubt they would advise it either) but a whitening toothpaste and mouthwash really do make a difference.  

What I don't enjoy about this product is that it makes my teeth sensitive.  I generally can't use Whitestrips more than 3 days in a row, my teeth just get too irritated.  I know not everyone has this problem though and I get hot/cold sensitivity occasionally when not using these as well.

Also, please keep in mind that Whitestrips are not a replacement for good oral hygiene.  If you do not take care of your teeth and gums no amount of Whitestrips will magically give you a beautiful smile.  I always brush my teeth at least twice a day for at least two full minutes each time.

*Disclaimer:  I received this box of Whitestrips through Influenster.  All other products mentioned were purchased by me and I have bought Whitestrips serveral times before this.  My reviews will always be honest, whether I paid for a product or not.

GUEST POST- Beating Cancer Through Style and Beauty

Hey everyone!  Sorry I've been gone for so long!  Today I'm bringing you a guest post from Jackie Clark, who does outreach for the Mesothelioma Cancer Alliance.  I know I've been close with people who have had cancer and watching them go through each process it heartbreaking.  I feel as though many times we don't realize how big a difference confidence and feeling beautiful can make in women who have cancer, who have lost their hair and maybe a lot of weight.  That is exactly what this post is about, thanks Jackie!  

The Confidence Factor: Beating Cancer Through Style and Beauty

By: Jackie Clark


A cancer diagnosis always comes with emotional challenges. It can cause depression, anger, anxiety and loss of self-confidence. This is especially true when the disease or its treatments dramatically affect your physical appearance. Hair loss or surgical alterations can cause enormous stress. Cancer-related anemia and fatigue can also make you look and feel tired. These things can be disheartening to the woman who prides herself on her appearance.

Negative emotions are not healthy. They have a detrimental effect on cancer and practically any other disease you can name. A huge part of winning the battle against cancer is keeping your emotions and outlook positive, and this includes feeling positive about how you look.

While many treatment-related changes in appearance are temporary and expected, life does not need to be put on hold while you wait for things to return to normal. It may seem that something as serious as dealing with cancer should make physical appearance a trivial matter, but this is not true. Appearance is a two-way reflection of well being that holds the potential to enhance recovery.  

As any fashionable woman knows, the right clothes, makeup and accessories are essentials that can transform your look, and transforming your look can transform how you feel. There is no reason that you can’t feel beautiful, empowered, confident and feminine despite a cancer diagnosis. You may be tempted to let your appearance go if you are not feeling your best. Don’t give in to this. Something as simple as feeling good in your own skin causes chemical changes that have positive effects on your immune system, brain and nervous system. This gives your body a winning edge in pain management, formation of new cells and recovery from tissue damage.

Granted, it is easier to tell someone to just dress up and feel better than to actually do that with a cancer diagnosis hanging over your head. However, with every adversity comes an opportunity to dare it to stop you. Looking your best despite cancer is a call to arms. Your clothes, accessories, makeup, jewelry, perfume, creativity and your own natural beauty are your weapons.

If chemotherapy for breast cancer has taken away your hair, you can enjoy a temporary obsession with hats, scarves and gorgeous earrings. If you are too weak to walk after undergoing mesothelioma cancer treatment, sit on your couch and wear those five-inch stilettos. At least they won’t make your legs sore this way. If your skin is pale from anemia, try out the latest in bronzing makeup products. Do, buy and use whatever makes you feel beautiful.  All women with cancer are beautiful, and you should showcase this– for both the world and yourself. 


Thanks again to Jackie for this inspirational and informative post!  I hope everyone has a wonderful day!  

Confessions of a Concealaholic

Hello there :]

A couple months ago I bought the Confessions of a Concealaholic set by Benefit.  I bought mine for $36 at Sephora.  

In this set you get:

-  0.25 oz "That Gal" brightening face primer

- 0.11 oz Erase Paste in No. 2

- 0.03 oz Lemon Aid color correcting eyelid primer

- 0.03 oz Eye Bright (pale pink) instant eye brightener

- 0.04 oz Boi-ing industrial strength concealer in 01 Light

- 0.04 oz Boi-ing industrial strength concealer in 02 Medium 

- Concealer brushes

I had really been wanting to try out some new concealers since the ones I had just weren't to my liking.  Since this set comes with three concealers that I had ever tried I decided to get it.  I've had time to test everything out and here are my thoughts.  

The That Gal primer has a nice texture, but didn't do anything for me that the MAC Strobe Cream and Liquid don't do.  It adds a bit of iridescence to the area it is applied to, but I didn't feel like it prolonged the wear of my makeup.  It also doesn't give the silky finish that the Tarte Clean Slate primer gives.  I won't be buying a full size of this product, but I don't hate it. 

The Lemon Aid color correcting eyelid primer was a bit dry in my opinion and didn't really do much color correcting!  I tried using this in various ways, but it just doesn't work for me.  

The Eye Bright instant eye brightener was dry as well.  Although it did perk up my eye area a bit I won't be repurchasing it because MAC Strobe Cream gives me the same effect with a better finish.  

The Boi-ing concealers were also too dry for my liking.  They had pretty good coverage but they weren't super easy to blend.  I would recommend rubbing you finger in the products to heat it up before applying it with a brush.  I really wanted these concealers to work for me, but in the end I wouldn't repurchase them.  I don't feel like they perform much better than the ELF concealer I've been using forever.  

Now onto my favorite product, Erase Paste.  To me this little jar of concealer was worth the price of the whole set.  It's a miracle worker!  It covers up my dark circles wonderfully!  I set it with my Laura Geller Balance & Brighten and it stays put until I shower.  I love this product and will definitely be repurchasing it!  It's one of those holy grail products that I wouldn't know what to do without them now that they're mine.  

So to sum up, this kit is great if you're looking to try out a bunch of different products for concealing, but if you dislike dry textures and just want a great under-eye concealer just buy the Erase Paste.  

I hope this was helpful to some of you!  

MAC Hang UP

Hello there!  This is how I would typically wear Hang Up lipstick by MAC (this was also taken on the day of my most recent haircut, but you'll see more of that later). Just a bit of liner, mascara, bronzer and just enough concealer.  These pictures aren't the best or most flattering, but you get the idea.

Also, I would suggest wearing this when your skin is having a good day.  I feel like bold lips can draw more attention to a breakout.

I don't think I've mentioned it on here before, but I started a tumblr a while back.  I don't post often and I'd say it's slightly more personal than this blog, but you can check it out if you like.

I got a date with the night

Hey guys!  So it's getting to be the time of year that I love to wear rich, dark colors on my lips.  I recently picked up a this lipstick at MAC and I've really been loving it.  It's called Hang Up and it is a cremesheen finish.  I paired it up with NYX Currant lip liner.

These pictures were taken the day I bought the lipstick, so I'm just wearing my usual "school" eye makeup.  I wouldn't usually go so glam on the eyes when wear a vampy lip color like this.

Do you get excited for the colder seasons just because of makeup trends?  I do :3

Oh and if you're wondering why my eyebrows have been looking different lately it's because I've been bleaching them.  I really like the soft look it gives--but it also mean I can leave the house without filling in my brows!  Unless I want to look like an alien of course... Well, I guess Halloween is coming up :]

Typical School Day

Hello everyone!

This is pretty much the hair and makeup I've been doing for school lately.  Winged liner (i've been using the Physician's Formula pen one), pink cheeks, and lip balm.

More often then not, my hair is thrown into a topknot.

Quick and easy :]