See, Shop, Love!

Starlooks Cosmetics Review

2013-06-17T20:52:00.000-04:00

I was recently asked by Starlooks if I would be interested in reviewing some samples, and I eagerly said yes because I've heard a lot of good things about their Starboxes and cosmetics in general. I also knew that they were a cruelty-free brand. I was expecting a few small samples, but to my surprise, they sent me a full Starbox!

I received the May Starbox, which is obviously an old box, but I didn't mind because it had some really great items in it. The Starlooks Starbox costs $15 a month and contains only Starlooks products, so if you're someone who likes a variety of brands this might not seem like a good fit for you. I urge you to try it anyway, though, because even though it's all the same brand the variety of cosmetics seems really great!

This box contained thee products, with a bonus mini nail file in a cute zebra print. When I first opened the box I noticed the crystal, and I thought, "What's this? A crystal?" I guess they include one in every box, because my informational card said: "And, as always, you received a crystal. Add this ultimate symbol of energy and beauty to your brush jar or share your creative use ideas with us..."

Pigment Luster swatch

Eyebrow Shader Compact (BS443), $21 - This compact is perfect for me because I'm a victim of over-plucking my eyebrows. I thinned them out to much at the ends, and I'm convinced that they're never going to fully grow back in. I was using an eyebrow pencil prior to this, but this works really well to shade in the sparse areas and came with the perfect little brush to do so. I use the dark brown shade, because even though I have black hair the black shade is just too dark.
Pigment Luster in Cinnamon Toss, $17 - This pigment is gorgeous! It's the perfect shimmery brown and I absolutely love it. I'm going to work it into my everyday eye look as a shadow along my crease.
Cream Blush in Emphasize, $17 - This blush looked too dark for me at first, and the informational card even noted that. But they promised that, when applied, it would add a natural hue to any skin tone. They were right, because I found that this blended beautifully and gave me just enough definition.

Bottom Line: I had a really great time trying these Starlooks products and it was a pleasant surprise to receive a Starbox! My favorite was the Pigment Luster, but all three of them are products that I'll definitely use in my daily routine. I think the Starbox is a great deal, and Starlooks products are a fantastic cruelty-free option! One small note, these products do contain parabens.

*Disclaimer: This post was sponsored by Starlooks. All opinions are my own.

June Daily Dose of Green Review

2013-06-16T19:54:00.002-04:00

June's Daily Dose of Green box was another great one! I have consistently been impressed with the variety and quality of items that they've sent me each month, so it probably doesn't make sense to anyone reading this that I cancelled my subscription after this box. I did so because I want to try some other services for a little while, and unfortunately I can't afford to stay subscribed to the myriad of boxes that I've come to love. I have a feeling I'll end up going back to Daily Dose of Green at some point, though!

My box came with eight items total, including two profile products. These are extras that Daily Dose of Green picked out for me based on my informational profile that I filled out at the start of my membership. I really like this feature because they've always sent me awesome profile picks!

Here's the rundown of what was inside of my box:

Love Thyself Skincare 100% All Natural Stretch Mark/Scar Formula - I received two little jars of this unscented cream (they're inside of the black pouch in the photo above). I will probably pass these along to someone else because I don't have a use for them at the moment.
Cousin Mary Jane Toasted Hemp Seeds with Sea Salt - I haven't tried these yet but I'm really intrigued by them. I like salty snacks, so I'm going to take these to work and munch on them when I get hungry before lunch. They can be eaten alone or in salads, oatmeal, etc. They sound pretty good, so hopefully I'll enjoy them.
Cousin Mary Jane Hemp Hearts - These are described as a "delicate, nutty tasting food" with a softer consistency than the hemp seeds. I just opened up the pack and ate a few and they definitely remind me of peanuts. I like them!
22 Days Nutrition Plant Protein Power in Vanilla - I have received these in other boxes before and I don't use protein powders, so I'll give these to someone else.
Homefree Gluten Free Chocolate Chip Cookies - These were so delicious! I absolutely loved them. Sometimes gluten-free products can taste a little off, but I would have never known these were gluten-free if the package hadn't said so. I highly recommend these cookies to everyone!
Homefree Gluten Free Double Chocolate Chip Cookes - Originally Daily Dose of Green was going to send us a Vanilla flavor instead, but decided to send the double chocolate chip because the weather was cool enough to ship chocolate. I liked these a lot, too.
Blissoma Refine Clay Mask - This was one of my profile products and it is perfect for me! I love beauty products, and I use clay masks often for my combination skin. This one is excellent for acne, hyperpigmentation, and dry skin.
Be Natural Organics Hyaluronic Serum - This is a repeat product for me, but I think I received my first vial of it in my first Daily Dose of Green box, which was sent to me to review. They didn't have a user profile for me at the time, so technically this wouldn't have been a repeat if I hadn't gotten that first box to review.

Bottom Line: Overall I have loved my Daily Dose of Green boxes and I definitely recommend it as an affordable option for anyone who is interested in eco-friendly products. It costs $15 a month and shipping is free; you can sign up here. My favorite items in this month's box were the cookies and the Blissoma mask.

*Disclaimer: This is not a sponsored post.

May Little Black Bag

2013-06-15T20:27:00.001-04:00

My May Little Black Bag was a let down; the purse I got was defective. I've only gotten one other item that I suppose could be classified as damaged, my Olivia and Joy Swanky Structured Satchel in my October bag, but those were more minor damages and I ended up keeping the bag. This time, I loved the purse I got but I had no choice but to send it back.

I got four items this time around, and I think it cost me something like $35. I opened with the Raj Imports striped blue scarf and also had a referral credit, but the referral items are always crap. It helps for trading though because you obviously start out with one more item you can trade or combine into a multi. I also used the "add to bag" feature for the first time ever with this bag. Overall, I'm disappointed with this bag because I had to send the purse back. If it wasn't defective, I think I would have been pretty happy with it all considering what it cost.

I'll start with the Lionel Francis Satchel. This became available during the Memorial Day sale they had, and I really wanted to get a purse in this bag. I had six or seven items in my bag, and they were all jewelry and things that I had no interest in keeping, so I made a whole bunch of multi offers. No one was biting, though, and I was getting bummed because I didn't want to get stuck with a bunch of items that I didn't want. Finally, on my second-to-last day of trading, someone accepted my offer for this satchel. Even though it was a sale item, I really liked it and was happy to get it. I didn't have any white purses, so I figured it would be good for summer. Unfortunately, it arrived with a defective zipper so I had to send it back. As you can see in the photo above, it did that thing that zippers sometimes do where it doesn't actually connect the two sides, therefore rendering it useless. LBB's customer service team sent me a pre-paid label to ship it back and promised me an exchange value of $98. Normally a sale item exchange would give you the sale price (to keep people from adding sale items for $10 to their bags, sending them back, and unfairly getting to exchange it for a $50 retail item, etc), but they promised me the full $98 due to the fact that this bag was defective and that was out of my control.

I added the Hello Kitty I Love Nerds Composition Coin Bag to my bag because I didn't want to mess around with trying to trade for it and I just really wanted it. The retail value was only $20, and the add-to-bag price was $12.95 or something like that. I know that a lot of people on LBB and in general think Hello Kitty is juvenile, but I really like her and I think this is so cute. I got it because it's actually a pretty functional wallet and a good size for when I use smaller crossbody purses. I have more photos of what it looks like on the inside at the end of this post.

My final item is this pair of Robert Rose Stone Burst Earrings. I like them, but I haven't worn them yet because I don't really know what to wear them with. They're more vibrant than anything else I own, so I'm not sure what color to pair them with. Their retail price was $22.

I also received a Pixi Nail Polish in Evening Emerald in this bag, which was considered a bonus item. I love nail polish, though, so it's a more substantial item than a 1 oz. shampoo bonus or whatever. The shade is pretty and it applies nicely, but I don't have any photos of it to share (other than the first one in this post).

Bottom Line: I really wish the Lionel satchel wasn't defective because it was such a perfect bag! It was just the right size for me and the detailing was really pretty. Hopefully LBB will provide me with some good bags in the exchange gallery once my exchange is processed, because I don't want to end up with some ugly bags that no one actually wants. My experience thus far with the exchange gallery is that they only put items that don't trade well in there because they want to get rid of them. But oh well, I guess I'll find out!

*Disclaimer: This is not a sponsored post.

See more photos of my items after the "read more."

Inside of the Hello Kitty coin purse

Detailing on the Lionel Francis Satchel

Simple Skincare Review

2013-06-12T17:41:00.005-04:00

About a month or so ago Birchbox tweeted that they were looking for Birchbloggers to review some products from Simple Skincare, so I entered their random drawing to receive samples and I was picked! I was excited to try Simple because I'd heard a lot about them, and I knew that they were a cruelty-free brand from the UK that specialized in skincare for sensitive skin.

Unfortunately, upon receiving the products I realized that they are owned by Unilever, which is a parent company that is not cruelty-free. If you're interested in reading Unilever's official statement on their animal testing policy, you can do so by clicking here. I'll save the debate for another time, but needless to say I prefer to purchase from companies that are entirely cruelty-free and not owned by parent companies that test, so I will not be using Simple Skincare in the future.

The first product I received was this pack of 30 Eye Make-Up Remover Pads. They were just okay. They're smaller than the average makeup remover wipes by a lot, which I guess is the only thing that really designates them as specifically for the eyes. I used these as full facial wipes anyway, though, with one side for my eye makeup and the other for my face makeup. They didn't do a very good job of removing all of my eye makeup (especially my mascara), so I wouldn't recommend these.

The Soothing Eye Balm is your standard eye cream. I have so many eye creams, I don't know what to do with all of them. I used this for a few days, but since I use eye creams for preventative care and not treatment of current issues, I can't really comment on whether or not it worked to improve the appearance of that area. I can say that the consistency is very smooth, which makes it easy to apply, and a little went a long way. I will probably give this away to my mom now because I have no use for it.

The third and final product I received was the Protecting Light Moisturizer. It has SPF 15 in it, which is great, and is also oil-free. Like the eye cream, it was pretty standard in comparison to other products like it. I'm picky about my moisturizers because my skin is combination and my T-zone gets so grossly oily throughout the day, so I aim for a moisturizer that's not too heavy. This one wasn't heavy, but I did notice that my skin didn't feel as fresh throughout the day as it does when I use my regular moisturizer. This is probably best for someone with normal to dry skin.

Bottom Line: I am really bummed that Simple Skincare is owned by Unilever, because I know that they were previously entirely cruelty-free. Their products are also not natural by any means. But if neither of those things are on your list of must-haves for skincare, then this line would probably be good for someone with sensitive skin because of its affordability. I can't say that I'll ever use these products again, though. I kind of feel terrible for even trying them in the first place.

*Disclaimer: This post was sponsored by Birchbox and the Birchbloggers program. All opinions are my own.

June FAIR Treasure Review and Unboxing

2013-06-09T21:09:00.003-04:00

I'm back with another unboxing! This one is for a fairly new service (launched in March of this year) called FAIR Treasure, and it is quickly becoming one of my favorites. For $30 per month they will send you handmade treasures from across the globe that are all ethically sourced. There is also a three month option that costs $90.

I loved June's box! All of the items were so perfect for me, so I was so glad I got this month's box. It contained three items total -- two jewelry pieces and a candle. It also contained index cards with information about the products and the artisans who made them.

The box itself was smaller than I was expecting, but that's not a criticism. The packaging was nicely done, with recyclable fillers to keep the items from getting jostled around too much during shipping. The first thing I noticed when I opened it was the scent of the candle.

This Soul Sunrise Necklace from TARA Projects was the item inside of the smaller box with the ribbon. When I opened it up I was so excited because I think this necklace is beautiful! I recently got a similar beaded necklace (also fair trade) in turquoise, so now I have one in warmer colors. I think it's perfect for summertime! The TARA in TARA Projects stands for "Trade Alternative Reform Action," and they work in and around Delhi, India to promote community development and business.

Next up are the Summer Shimmer Earrings from Noah's Ark International Exports. I absolutely loooove these earrings! They're perfectly suited for my style and I just can't get over how beautiful they are. I wore them the night I received this box to a graduation ceremony for my younger brother. I like that they're appropriate for dressier wear as well as an easy summer dress. These are also from India; Noah's Ark provides benefits such as medical assistance and education for the artisans and their families.

Lastly, I received this pretty Firefly Candle from Candelas La Luciernaga in Honduras. It smells wonderful, like a mix of vanilla and caramel. Candelas La Luciernaga ("Firefly Candles") is a that is a part of Actions for Popular Development, which is an organization dedicated to providing empowerment for women and their children. They offer shelter for abused women, a home for pregnant women, and a microlending program. The candle cooperative helps to support ADP financially while also providing income for the women in the program.

Bottom Line: How can you not love this box? I think that $30 is a steal for these gorgeous, handcrafted items. It might seem a bit expensive at first, but consider that you're helping to support fair trade organizations that are working to better the lives of people across the globe. I know that I'm definitely loving this box!

*Disclaimer: This post is sponsored by FAIRtreasure. All opinions are my own.

Perlier Deluxe Travel Kit Review

2013-06-07T17:40:00.005-04:00

I received the Perlier Deluxe Travel Kit through the iFabbo shop to review, and I have to say that these little guys are perfectly sized for travel! It contained eight products total, four body washes and four lotions. Perlier is an Italian company that has been making cosmetics for 80 years, and they specialize in deriving active ingredients from medical plants.

Perlier's products are entirely cruelty-free, proof of which I found on their website (fifth paragraph from the top). They also advertise as having natural ingredients, which I feel is half-true. They do use organic honey, white almond oils, and various other ingredients derived from nature, but they also contain ingredients such as parabens and sodium laureth sulfate, so if truly organic products are your preference these may not be for you.

The kit contained four shower creams (1.6 fl oz), one in each of the following: Honey Miel, Olivarium, White Almond, and Shea Butter. They all lathered well and are lightly scented. I don't have much to say about these other than that, unfortunately, because they were pretty standard as far as shower creams go. My favorite was the Honey Miel due to its light honey scent. Unfortunately these contain quite a few synthetic lathering agents and preservatives, which I prefer to stay away from.

The kit also contained four hand creams (1 fl oz.) matching each variety that the shower creams came in. I liked that these were very lightly scented, because I don't like to use hand creams that are too fragrant. The creams were thicker in consistency and absorbed quickly into my skin. The first ingredient, like with most lotions and creams, is water, and these also contain quite a few synthetic ingredients.

If these Perlier products interest you, click here and use code "ifabbo5" to receive $5 off any Perlier product purchased through HSN.
Visit the Perlier website to learn more and browse their full line of products

Bottom Line: I appreciate that Perlier is cruelty-free, but I can't say that these would be my top choice in skin care due to the amount of synthetic ingredients they contain. It's tough for me because I do like that they contain organic honey, olive oil, and the like, but that is almost cancelled out by the fact that they also contain parabens and more. Overall, I'll let you decide what's right for you!

*Disclaimer: I received this travel kit through the iFabbo shop. All opinions are my own.

b.liv Skincare Review

2013-06-03T20:52:00.002-04:00

I've been using a line of products from b.liv by cellnique for the past three weeks and I've achieved some pretty successful results. This line is cruelty-free, but they are not made with natural ingredients (nor are they paraben free). I wanted to give that information up-front and let you as readers decide whether or not that is important when deciding to try b.liv.

I received five products total to try. When b.liv contacted me to see if I was interested in hosting a review, they asked me questions about my skin so that they could tailor products to meet my needs. I let them know that I had oily/combination skin and my main concern was balancing sebum production. I definitely noticed a reduction in the oil production on my skin at the midday point. I always use oil blotting papers at work after lunch and the amount of oil was much less while I was using these b.liv products. I'm not posting before and after pictures of my skin because it didn't look any different after using these products, but it definitely felt different.

I enjoyed using the Sqeaky Clean Beads Cleansing Gel ($25 for 4.4 fl oz) cleanser the most. It had a slightly tingly feeling and smelled like peppermint. The gel contains little microbeads for daily exfoliation, and they felt extremely gentle. I wasn't worried that the cleanser was too abrasive for daily use. I used this once in the morning and once at night. It has a pump dispenser, so one pump was the perfect dime-sized amount. It lathered well with a little bit of water, and rinsed off just as easily.

The Got Oil Relief Oil Controlling Toner ($21 for 4.4 fl oz.) came next. The bottle has a spray cap, so I would just spray a light mist onto my face after cleansing. I didn't care for the scent of this product--it contains witch hazel and chamomile, so I think it was a mixture of the two of those ingredients. I don't mind each of them on their own, but for some reason all of the ingredients combined didn't equal a great scent to me. It sprays on nice and lightly, though, and refreshes the skin throughout the day as well.

After the toner comes the Soothe and Splash Anti-Sensitive and Anti-Dryness Moisturizer ($39 for 1.5 fl oz). This dispenses from an air-tight pump, and only two or three drops were necessary for me to cover my entire face and neck. It has a lightweight formula and didn't feel heavy on my skin at all. It also absorbed nice and quickly. The cream felt very smooth. I like this because my skin is oily but also sensitive, and this works to combat both.

The final two products I received were the Off With Those Heads Blackheads Sebum Gel ($39 for .5 fl oz) and the Leach Me Moisturizing Mask ($32 for box of seven). I think the Off With Those Heads gel was the most effective product in balancing my sebum production. I really loved using this product! It works for blackheads and whiteheads, and even though the bottle is small it will last a long time because you only need a few drops. I applied this to my T-zone in the morning and it significantly reduced my oil production throughout the day.

The Leach Me mask was my least favorite product. I normally love using masks of all types, but this one is a paper mask and those aren't my favorite. I received three to try, and I wasn't able to fully use the first one. I ended up throwing it out before being able to really try it because it was so soaked in liquid that it dripped into my eyes and all over my lips--not a pleasant experience. On my second try I wised up and squeezed out the excess liquid before applying the mask. I let the paper sit on my skin for about five minutes, but then I removed it and just let the liquid left over sit for 20 more; I found that this application was the most comfortable for me. Although it wasn't my favorite type of mask, it did make my skin feel super smooth and hydrated after use.

Visit b.liv's website to learn more and see their entire line of products
Connect with them on Facebook

Bottom Line: b.liv's products were very effective for me and I would highly recommend the ones I've reviewed here for anyone with oily/combination skin. Based on their effectiveness, I would say that their products for other skin types are probably very effective as well!

Vine Vera Resveratrol Skincare

2013-06-03T16:38:00.002-04:00

Have you heard of resveratrol? Previous to learning about Vine Vera Resveratrol Skin Care, I was only slightly familiar with it. I knew it could be found in wine, but other than that I wasn’t too familiar with what it was or what it did for your body.

I now know that resveratrol is an antioxidant found in red wine and the outer layer of grapes that has been an anti-aging secret for centuries. The use of resveratrol is believed “to help slow the aging process and retain a timeless youthful appearance,” according to Vine Vera. Since it is a naturally occurring antibiotic, resveratrol also works to cleanse the body of impurities. All of these benefits work to maintain skin’s health and elasticity while also preventing new wrinkles from forming. The antioxidants in resveratrol reduce existing wrinkles and prevent new ones from forming because they eliminate the free radicals responsible for them.

Vine Vera cosmetics is committed to rejuvenating your skin, which is why resveratrol is the key ingredient in all of their products. They have a fantastic collection with a variety of products. Their lines include: Merlot, Eyes, Mens, Zinfandel, Sauvignon Blanc, Chianti, Cabernet, Shiraz Instalift, Pinot Noir, and Malbec DNA.

The Merlot Cleansing Kit is one product that was especially interesting to me. It retails for $126 and is made up of the Resveratrol Milk Cleanser and the Resveratrol Balance Toner. The “How To Use” for the cleanser instructs the user to apply a generous amount to the face and neck using a cotton ball, which is new to me. Most cleansers are just applied with the hands and lathered with water, so this technique is definitely new and interesting. You keep applying until you have a clean cotton ball. The toner’s application is similar; the user soaks a cotton ball in the toner and applies to the face and neck areas to remove impurities and hydrate the skin. Both of these products are formulated for daily use. They also pair well with the Resveratrol Merlot Facial Serum, Resveratrol Merlot Refining Peeling, and the Resveratrol Merlot Reformative Mask.

I am pleased that Vine Vera is also a cruelty-free company. Their stance on animal testing is listed below, taken from the “Contact Us” page on their website:

Vine Vera does not test on animals. The company believes in providing high-quality products as well as high-quality service. You can be ensured that all Vine Vera products are formulated with ingredients that are universally used by the cosmetic industry. All of our products are thoroughly tested for safety and must pass very stringent requirements.

If you have any concern about products' ingredients, please e-mail us with specific information such as name of product and a detailed explanation. We will gladly report back to you within a timely manner.

The prices of the Vine Vera products place them on the higher-end of the skin care spectrum, but if you’re more interested in a bit of luxury and indulgences than I think, these products are a great choice. I have not tested them myself, but I’m sure that the resveratrol is a potent ingredient for the management and prevention of the signs of aging.

Follow Vine Vera on Twitter.

*Disclaimer: This post was sponsored by XVIO. All opinions are my own.

April Little Black Bag (Bag 2 of 2)

2013-06-02T17:38:00.001-04:00

I opened two Little Black Bags in April, and I'm finally posting what I received in my second bag. I think the trading for this bag went pretty well and I was happy with all of the items I got. To see what I got in my first April bag, click here.

I received five items total in this bag and I think it cost me around $34 after tax and shipping. I'm so glad that LBB is no longer charging sales tax for NYS customers, so now my bags will be a little bit cheaper!

MMS Design Studio Striped Crossbody ($30) - I love this little bag! I opened with it and traded it away, but then I decided I wanted it back so I offered the same multi I had taken on it and was able to get it back again. There was also a blue and white version that I think was more popular, but I liked the colors on this one better. It's the perfect summer crossbody.
Melie Bianco Eyeglasses Wristlet ($14) - These debuted in the gallery the day I was closing my bag and I was luckily able to grab one. There was also a pink key and a green key design, but I like the glasses one. The retail on this was only $14, and it's a pretty big wristlet considering that price.
Mata Traders Macrame Necklace ($26) - I love this necklace! I wasn't sure if I was going to like it in person, but it's beautiful. It's handmade and fair-trade, which is even better. I originally had the pink/coral one but someone accepted my trade for the turquoise one on my last day of trading.
All The Rage Triangle Necklace ($16) - I like that this necklace is a little bit edgy but dainty at the same time. There was a blue/turquoise version but I liked this pink and red one better.
Carol Dauplaise Fringe Hoop Earrings ($18) - I had been wanting these earrings for a while but I ended up returning them for an exchange credit because the stones were too big. The design was really interesting and I liked the colors, they were just too clunky for my personal tastes. Plus I wanted to see how the new exchange system worked.

The total retail value of my bag was $104, and $86 after I returned the earrings. I'm happy with that, considering I only paid $34 for it all! I have a May bag on its way, so keep an eye out for a review for that, too.

For more photos of my items, click the "read more."

Melie Bianco Eyeglasses Wristlet

Mata Traders Macrame Necklace

Carol Dauplaise Fringe Hoop Earrings

All The Rage Triangle Necklace

MMS Design Studio Striped Crossbody

*Disclaimer: This is not a sponsored post.

RocksBox Review (Box #3)

2013-05-31T21:40:00.003-04:00

My third RocksBox has come and gone (I mailed it back a few days ago), and it was a fun selection. I only ended up wearing one of the items, but I did like two out of the three. I've changed up my style profile a little bit and made it a bit more specific, so hopefully my fourth box will be three pieces that I can really put to good use! If you're unfamiliar with how RocksBox works, please read my review of my first box--I've added links to all of them at the end of this post.

I'll start with my most-loved item. This is the Shark Tooth Pave Necklace in Gold by Viento, and I think it's amazing! It was on a longer chain and it hit about mid-sternum on me. I wore it twice while I had the box, and I liked that it added edge to my otherwise plain outfits. I didn't purchase it, though, because the member's price was still up around $100 (if I remember correctly).

I also really liked these earrings; they're called the Green Faux Stone Chandelier Earrings and they're by Urban Gem. The color was more green than this photo is showing; they were actually a bright emerald. I loved the style and the color, I just didn't wear them because I had nothing to wear them with.

The Maja Ring in Bronze, also by Viento, was my third piece. I liked the style of this ring, I just didn't like it for me. I think it looks really cool and I like the intricate detailing, but it was just too big for me to wear. I unchecked the box on my style profile that said I'd like to receive rings, because I've gotten one in each box so far and I haven't worn any of them. I definitely would have worn this if it was just a bit shorter in length.

Click these links to see my past boxes:

Bottom Line: I enjoyed this RocksBox and, as always, can't wait to see what they send me for my fourth one. I'm hoping that I'll get at least one silver piece, because I have on my profile that I would like to receive both silver and gold (so far I've only received gold). Although I haven't loved every single piece I've ever gotten, I have gotten some really pretty jewelry that I wouldn't have access to otherwise and I think RocksBox is a really great service!

*Disclaimer: I received a 6-month membership to RocksBox via iFabbo. All opinions expressed are my own.

Tree Hut Product Spotlight

2013-05-30T06:00:00.001-04:00

This post brought to you by Tree Hut. All opinions are 100% mine.

If you’re looking for a great cruelty-free skincare line, Tree Hut is an excellent option. Tree Hut Hand and Foot Care products are developed to keep your skin feeling smooth and healthy. I like the brand because, aside from being cruelty-free, their products are made with natural oils and extracts.

Tree Hut has a variety of products available, but the ones I am most interested in are their Shea Body Butters. They are described on Tree Hut’s website as being “an intense, all-day moisturizer, infused with Certified Organic Shea Butter and unique ingredients for natural benefits.” Their rich formula creates a natural barrier for the skin to seal in moisture. The organic shea butter also has anti-aging benefits and promotes elasticity in the skin. There are a variety of scents available, and the one that most caught my eye was Tropical Mango.

The Tree Hut foot cream is made with argan and rose hip oils, both of which possess natural anti-aging properties, and have a non-greasy formula. Tree Hut’s hand creams are made with the Certified Organic Shea Butter as well as aloe vera and peppermint oil to moisturize the skin. Their Foot Scrub also contains shea butter, along with real sugar to exfoliate the skin and peppermint oil to moisturize it. All of these products are paraben-free and contain no DMDM (an artificial preservative).

I love that Tree Hut is set apart from other skincare brands because their products are made in the USA and are completely paraben-free. The brand started from humble beginnings in Farmers Branch, Texas over 10 years ago and is still producing high-quality skin care that delivers on its promises. They source their natural ingredients from all over the world, such as the coconut shells they import from the Polynesian Islands. Tree Hut promises that every product “will be amazing without ever testing on animals,” which is the most important aspect to me.

Below is a Polyvore set I created to showcase Natural Beauty for spring and summer.

Tree Hut products are easy to find. You can purchase them directly from their website, or you can find them at Walmart stores nationwide! Be sure to like Tree Hut on Facebook and follow Tree Hut on Twitter to stay updated.

May PopSugar Must Have Review

2013-05-29T17:00:00.000-04:00

After the epic fail that was April's PopSugar Must Have box, I was very pleased with what they had to offer for May. This one was the best I've gotten yet, but I've only gotten three total. I have kept an eye on what the other months have included, though, and I can't say I've been blown away by this subscription.

But aside from that, May's box was definitely better than April's and December's (the only other one I've purchased). I liked this box the best because it had products for the "must haves" that I like the best: beauty and food.

When I first opened the box and saw this I thought, "oh no, not another Green Garmento!" But it's a cute little reusable bag, which I actually will use quite a bit. It's the perfect size for when I only need to grab a few things from the store, as opposed to carrying in my giant canvas bags for two items.

Here's the list of everything that was in May's box:

Kooringal Giselle Mid Brim Hat ($27.99) - I didn't think I would like this at all because I usually hate how I look in hats, but to my surprise I like it quite a bit! I think it looks really cute and is obviously great for the summer. The color I received is a gray, even though it looks blue in the photo above.
The Modern Margarita ($12.99) - These mixers sound delicious. The flavors are Watermelon, Authentico, Blood Orange, Mango, and Strawberry. I can't wait to try them all (I haven't opened them yet), but mango and blood orange definitely sound the best!
Questions I Ask When I Want to Talk About Myself ($14.95) - This is a deck of fifty cards with witty anecdotes and questions from Mindy Kaling. I don't really know a ton about her, but I've heard her style of comedy is similar to Tina Fey's and I love Tina Fey. I've read a few of these and I can't say I'll ever use them as conversation starters, but they're fun to read.
The Original Beautyblender and Blendercleanser ($29.90) - These two are my favorite items this month; they came at the perfect time for me. I had just thrown out my old sponge and was about to buy a new one, so I'm glad that I didn't. I've used the Beautyblender before and it's a good sponge, but it's still just a makeup sponge so I would never purchase it at retail price. I've also used Blendercleanser before and I like it for my makeup brushes, too. The bottle is a really nice size.
Pacifica Natural Color Quench Lip Tint ($7.00) - The shade I got was "Sugared Fig." This balm is just okay to me. It barely gives any color and it feels a bit strange on my lips--a slight waxy feel, which I'm not used to with natural products. I do like that Pacifica is a cruelty-free company.
Charm & Chain Gift Card ($30) - The box contained a $30 gift card to Charm & Chain but their jewelry is pricey and not worth the expense to me. I can find similar pieces for much cheaper prices, and I don't generally spend a lot on my jewelry.
Way Better Snacks ($1.19)- These chips were a "special extra," and I'm so glad they were included because they were delicious. My flavor was Sweeet Potato Tortilla Chips (yes, misspelled on purpose), which is what I think everyone received (correct me if I'm wrong). I'm going to look for this brand the next time I go grocery shopping, I like that they're certified by the Non-GMO Project.

Bottom Line: There was definitely a better distribution of value in this box as opposed to April's, which made my happy. The ARV of this box adds up to $124.02, and considering I got this box for free (thank you to the two people who signed up with my referral link!), I'd say that's a pretty good deal.

*Disclaimer: I received this box for free due to earned referral credits, but this is not a sponsored post.

Cellulite MD Giveaway

2013-05-28T20:27:00.002-04:00

It's giveaway time! I have a 6 oz. bottle of Cellulite MD for one of my readers, which was generously provided by CelluliteTreatment.org. I personally didn't review this product because I don't yet have problems with cellulite, but I still wanted to be able to offer this cream to win because I've achieved successful results with past creams that are similar to this one (RevitaShape, Complexion MD, and Aquallure).

I have been assured by Brenda, their online marketing representative, that Cellulite MD is a cruelty-free product (although the ingredients aren't natural, if that's something that you are concerned with). This cream works to diminish the appearance of cellulite and promote smoother, firmer skin. RevitaShape was a similar product that I reviewed, and although I couldn't attest to its effects on cellulite, it did make my skin feel firmer. With regular use, the cream should show results within 4-8 weeks.

If you're interested in trying Cellulite MD, enter to win one by using the Rafflecopter form below!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

This sweepstakes is open to US and Canada residents aged 18+ only. It begins on 28 May 2013 and ends at 12:00 AM EST on 20 June 2013. One winner will be chosen at random by this Rafflecopter widget and will be notified by email. The winner will have 48 hours to respond, or a new winner will be chosen. All entries will be verified. I will be shipping the prize directly to the winner.

ORO GOLD Cosmetics: Cruelty-Free Luxury

2013-05-24T17:02:00.001-04:00

ORO GOLD Cosmetics is a cruelty-free brand that I was recently introduced to. Gold has long been used as a luxurious addition to beauty products, from the ancient Romans and Chinese medicine to the products that ORO GOLD Cosmetics creates today.

Gold is often thought of as a privilege only for the wealthy, but ORO GOLD makes it an affordable luxury for all. They use colloidal gold, or “nano-gold,” which is made up of sub-micrometer-sized particles of gold, in fluid form. The specks are both visible and invisible to the naked eye. Colloidal gold has been referred to as the “Elixir of Life” in literature dating back centuries.

The tiny particles of gold in ORO GOLD Cosmetics creams is easily absorbed through the pores and works to diminish fine lines and wrinkles, as well as sun damage and age spots. Their products are great for achieving and maintaining moisturized, radiant skin and will leave you feeling pampered and refreshed.

The product that most caught my eye was the 24K Oil-Control Prevention Mask, which retails for $248. For that price you will receive a 60 mL jar. The mask is designed to cleanse and smooth blemished skin, which is one of my major skin concerns. I have oily/combination skin with red patches, and I’d love to see how this works and feels. Some of the ingredients it contains are 24 karat gold, aloe, Pro-Vitamin B5 (Panthenol), along with a combination of rich moisturizers. Application is the same as you would expect for a mask: apply a thick layer onto clean skin and let it sit for 15 to 20 minutes, then rinse off with warm water. You can also apply this mask to affected areas as a spot treatment and leave on for as long as you please, then rinse with warm water. This product also goes well with the 24K Oil-Control Mositurizer.

I was especially pleased to learn that ORO GOLD Cosmetics is a cruelty-free brand, because ending animal testing is a cause that I am passionate about. Their policy is as follows:

“ORO GOLD Cosmetics does not test on animals. The company believes in providing high-quality products as well as high-quality service. You can be ensured that all ORO GOLD Cosmetics products are formulated with ingredients that are universally used by the cosmetic industry. All of our products are thoroughly tested for safety and must pass very stringent requirements.”

The price of the 24K Oil-Control Prevention Mask may seem steep in comparison to other skin care masks out there, but one must consider the ingredients that it contains. I have not sampled any ORO GOLD Cosmetics products for myself, but from what I’ve learned thus far I think they sound like fabulous quality skin care that promises to deliver great results. They have a broad range of products for all types of skin concerns, including neck care, serums, body butters, and much more. They even have a line specifically for men.

If you’re interested in ORO GOLD Cosmetics, I definitely recommend taking a look at their website and browsing their full line of products. They also have brick-and-mortar stores where you can indulge in a 24K Gold Facial! They have a presence in Hong Kong, the Phillippines, Spain, England, Israel, Russia, Turkey, and the United Arab Emirates, too!

Follow ORO GOLD Cosmetics on Twitter.

*Disclaimer: This post was sponsored by ORO GOLD Cosmetics which I received compensation for. All opinions expressed are entirely my own.

Petit Vour Review and Unboxing

2013-05-22T19:42:00.002-04:00

I'm really excited to bring to you a new subscription box called Petit Vour -- I was asked to review their first box and I jumped at the chance. The reason why I'm so excited about this subscription is because they only feature cruelty-free brands!

Petit Vour costs $15 a month and is available to the 48 contiguous states (they don't ship to APO or FPO boxes). You can also purchase a three month subscription for $43 or six months for $82. Both of these options are one-time charges. The only added fee is for residents of Texas; you'll have to pay tax (I feel your pain, Texans--I have to pay NYS tax on some of the other services I subscribe to). Currently you have to request an invite to join, and since I received this box to review I am not sure how long the wait period is on becoming a member. I do know that once you are able to purchase a subscription you fill out a beauty profile so that Petit Vour can tailor products to your preferences.

I really liked the branding on their box. Rabbits are my favorite animals, so I really like the theme they have going here. They also have "Be Bold, Be Kind" written on the other side of the box, which I didn't take a picture of. I really like that because I think it definitely sums up what they're all about!

The first item I noticed when I opened the box was the nail polish, because I love nail polish! I thought it was a Scotch Naturals polish but it ended up being a different brand (not that that's a disappointment). The box contained five items total, most of which were sample-sized. I believe the nail polish is full-sized.

So here's what was in the May Petit Vour box!

Acure 100% Organic Hair Care - This shampoo and conditioner set is vegan, fair-trade certified, and Leaping Bunny certified, all three of which I love. I'm not sure what the volume of these samples is because there is no measurement written on the bottle, but they're a good size for sampling. The informational card says that Acure uses "cutting-edge plant stem cell technology." I'm definitely curious to see how my hair reacts to this.
Misa Three-Free Nail Lacquer - I'm not sure if everyone got the same shade, but mine is a pretty pink called "First Kiss." It's a .5 oz bottle, which is the standard size for nail polishes, so I'm fairly certain that this is full-sized. It has a slightly fuchsia sheen, so I think it's going to look really nice for summer.
Tsi-La 100% Natural Organic Eau de Parfum - I think the name of this is "Fiori D'Arancio." I'm not the biggest fan of perfume samples, but I'm willing to give them a try. This one has notes of orange blossoms, tangerines, and neroli flowers, with vanilla orchids and honey. Based on that description I thought I was going to love it, but it's just okay to me.
Odacite 10-Day Skin Treatment - The products weren't actually in the box, but we were provided with a gift certificate with a coupon code to order them. The certificate is good for a skin consultation via email, personalized skin routine, and seven freshly made products. What a great deal!
Go Raw 100% Organic Spirulina Energy Bar - I've had spirulina products before, maybe even the Go Raw brand (I don't entirely remember), and I do like them. I'm going to take this to work tomorrow to have as a snack

Learn more about Petit Vour and request an invite to join
Connect with them on Facebook, Twitter, Tumblr, and Pinterest

Bottom Line: Overall I am very impressed with Petit Vour! I'm going to support any company that's cruelty-free, and the ones featured in this box are even better because a lot of them are vegan, organic, and/or fair trade certified as well. I think this box is an excellent option for any beauty enthusiast, and is a great introduction to how wonderful cruelty-free beauty can be for those who might not be as familiar with it.

*Disclaimer: I received a box from Petit Vour to facilitate my review. I was not monetarily compensated and the honest opinions here are entirely my own.

May Daily Dose of Green Review

2013-05-21T20:37:00.002-04:00

It's Daily Dose of Green time! May's box was another fun one. I wanted to film an unboxing video but I think I'm going to put that on hold for a little while because it's so much extra work. It just takes too long to actually upload them to YouTube, and I prefer to write anyway.

May's box was somewhat themed toward Mother's Day, with "products to put yourself first," focusing on skincare. I'm all for that because I love getting beauty products. Usually Daily Dose of Green doesn't contain all beauty and skincare, so if you're looking for a more varied lifestyle box don't worry--you can see my past reviews for an idea of what the boxes have contained (what I'm trying to get at is that there's usually more of a variety).

Here's the array for this month. I haven't used many of the items yet because I have a pretty big collection of skincare items to try already (that's not to say I don't welcome more!), but here are my thoughts regardless.

7th Heaven Moroccan Clay Gentle Exfoliating Masque - I haven't used this yet but I am definitely looking forward to doing so. 7th Heaven has affordable masques that are great quality, and I love clay masques like this one because I have oily skin.
Health Warrior Chia Bar in Chocolate Peanut Butter - I really wanted to like this because I thought the flavor sounded yummy, but it wasn't for me. It tasted strongly of chia seeds, which I know is right in the name, but I expected a little bit more of a chocolate and peanut butter flavor, too.
Be Natural Organics Aloe Leaf Lotion - I haven't used this lotion yet, either, but Be Natural Organics products have been in my DDOG boxes before and I've really liked them. This lotion sounds extra soothing because of the aloe vera, and will be good for summertime.
Bee Organic Bee Soft Body Butter - There is no scent listed on these but they're made with cocoa butter, so I think they're going to be great. I keep meaning to use it after a shower but I habitually reach for my other body butter that I usually use. I'm going to make a special effort to remember this tomorrow.

Aletheia Skin Care Green Tea + Papaya MicroExfoliant - This is an "antioxidant infused scrub" with papaya to help minimize pores. I exfoliate once a week, so I'm going to use this one on my next go around.
Aletheia Skin Care Tea Tree Face Wash - The tea tree oil in this works to reduce redness, inflammation, and balance oil production. The sample will probably provide a two week supply, which should be enough for me to see if it has a positive impact on my skin. Those with normal to dry skin received the Grapefruit Face Wash in their boxes (members fill out a profile to specify such information upon joining).
Bloomin Paper High Heel Shoe - This is a little seed-embedded card and it's so cute! I love seed papers. I have a few stored away that I haven't planted yet, but I'll get to them someday!
By Valenti Organics Dark Raw Chocolate Bar Soap - This was an extra profile product and I'm so glad I got it! I love soaps and I love chocolate, and I especially love certified organic soaps like this one. It's also vegan and cruelty-free and smells amazing!
Essence of Vali Sleep - I think this was also supposed to be a profile product but I didn't receive an extra card with information about it. Either way, it was another fantastic pick for me because I love aromatherapy and my favorite type is anything for stress relief or sleep. This contains essences of lavender flowers, cedarwood, marjoram leaves and ylang ylang. I've been placing a few drops on my temples, under my nose, and onto my pillowcase at night and it really does help me drift off to sleep.

Visit Daily Dose of Green to learn more and sign up! It costs $15 a month or $165 a year (one month free).
Connect with them on Facebook and Twitter

Bottom Line: This was one of my favorite Daily Dose of Green boxes yet because I love getting beauty products! I really like this box because they do a great job of sending me products that are really geared toward my lifestyle, especially the profile products that they pick for me.

*Disclaimer: I purchased this box and was not asked to review it.

RocksBox Review (Box #2)

2013-05-17T20:24:00.001-04:00

I never ended up filming an unboxing video for my second RocksBox, but I'm here with a blog review. I've been really excited about receiving my boxes because I've recently gotten more into jewelry and accessorizing, and getting a surprise of three high-end pieces in the mail is a lot of fun. If you're new to RocksBox, you can learn more about it at my post for my first box.

I've received three boxes so far (review for my third one is upcoming, I've just fallen a bit behind on non-sponsored posts), and I have yet to receive one where I loved all three pieces. I haven't hated all of the pieces either, though, so that's a good thing. I modified my style profile recently, so maybe my selections will be better for my fourth box. I've left feedback on the items I've gotten so far, so that will help them narrow things down for me as well.

My first piece is this Benatar Statement Necklace by CC Skye, which I absolutely loved! When I opened the box it was the first thing that caught my eye, and I said an emphatic "oooh, pretty!" out loud. Dangly statement necklaces are definitely my style. This one retails for $220, which is way more than I would ever pay for something like this, so it was fun to be able to wear it around. It was of substantial weight, too, so you can tell it wasn't a cheaper piece from Forever 21 (I love my Forever 21 jewelry, just making a comparison there!). I would have loved to have purchased this, but it was just too far out of my price range, even with the membership discount.

Next up is the Infinity II Ring by Gorjana, which I also loved. It's a nice, dainty ring, and I just thought that the design was really cool. I wasn't able to wear it, because as you can see from the photo above it was too small for my finger. It retails for $40, and was only $28 with the membership discount. I would have bought this one, too, if it had fit.

My last item was this pair of earrings, the Two Stone Drop Earrings in Ruby Black by Margaret Elizabeth. These retail for $115, which I don't understand. Druses aren't particularly expensive, at least I didn't think so, and the reddish gems weren't made of anything special, either. I like the silhouette of these, just not the stones. I realized that druzy jewelry is not for me.

Visit RocksBox to learn more and sign up for a membership ($19/month for unlimited shipments). I'm not sure if this code has expired, but try using FABB for 50% off your first three months.
Connect with them on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram

Bottom Line: Even though I really liked two out of my three pieces, I was only able to wear the necklace because the ring didn't fit. But despite that, I'm still having such a fun time with RocksBox and I can't wait to see what they send next!

*Disclaimer: I received a six month RocksBox membership for free through the iFabbo shop. I was not monetarily compensated for this review and the honest opinions here are entirely my own. Some links in this post are referral links.

Iwilla Remedy Review

2013-05-13T20:39:00.000-04:00

I'm always on the hunt for new natural products to try, so when I was approached by Tami of Iwilla Remedy to host a review I was more than excited to! Iwlla Remedy is run out of Brooklyn by Tami and Selima, and their mission is to share what they've learned about natural products and wellness with the world.

The I Love My Armpits natural deodorant by Iwilla Remedy is an awesome replacement for your non-natural deodorant or antiperspirant! I've been using the unscented deodorant for two weeks now and I have to say, it works just as well as the other antiperspirants I've used in the past (including brands like Secret, which I used before I made the switch to cruelty-free). I even used I Love My Armpits last Saturday when I ran a 5K, and it definitely stood up to the test! The ingredient list is as follows: Fractionated coconut oil, beeswax, shea butter, castor oil, arrow root powder, brown rice flour, bentonite clay, sea clay, and neem seed oil.

I can't rave about this deodorant enough! I think that anyone who is looking for an all-natural option will really enjoy this one. I chose unscented, but if you want a scent with yours iWilla Remedy offers six scents: Baby Powder, Citrus Pearl, Floral Fields, Herbaceous Woods, and Spicy Lemon. They all retail for $10, which may seem a bit steep, but consider that these are hand-made with truly natural ingredients that are much better for your body (and just as effective as the synthetic stuff!).

I was also able to try Iwilla Remedy's Wellness Body Oil in "Relax, Relate, Release." I wanted to give this scent a try because I love aromatherapy products and anything to help me de-stress is more than welcomed. I like to dab a little bit on my pillowcase and under my nose before bed, and it really does help me drift off to sleep. Even if aromatherapy doesn't have a strong affect on you, I think you can still enjoy this due to its moisturizing benefits. The directions say to "rub a small amount onto pressure points, solar plexus, temples, and stiff muscles to relieve pain or tension," but you could use this wherever you wanted. The ingredients are sweet almond oil, essential oils of bergamot, roman chamomile, ylang ylang, vetiver, cinnamon, lavender, mandarin, and patchouli. I pick up on the patchouli the most, but overall the blend is wonderfully soothing. The body oils retail for $7.50.

View Iwilla Remedy's full line of products at their website
Connect with them on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and YouTube

Bottom Line: I give Iwilla Remedy's I Love My Armpits and Wellness Body Oil two thumbs up! I'm so impressed by how well the deodorant holds up, and I love the scent of the body oil. Both products do exactly what they promise to do, and are truly all-natural and cruelty-free.

*Disclaimer: I received products free of charge to facilitate my review. I was not monetarily compensated for this review and the honest opinions here are entirely my own.

May Flicker Box Review (Inaugural Box)

2013-05-10T21:47:00.000-04:00

When I first heard about Flicker Box I knew I had to try it -- I am a huge candle hoarder! I have a whole drawer full of them. Flicker Box is a new start up run by Kristina out of Chicago, and each month you'll get a curated box of artisan candles. I'm really impressed by the first box!

My box arrived fairly quickly; I think the time between receiving my shipping notification and actually getting the box was only two or three days at most. All of the candles are made in the United States, and I'm going to assume that each month will feature a different theme. This month's theme was beeswax candles.

Flicker Box costs $32 a month, with options for three month ($96),six month ($165), and 12 month subscriptions ($300). Shipping is included in all of these rates. While they may seem expensive, consider that you're receiving four to five artisan, handmade candles. I know that the three-wicks at Bath & Body Works are $20 each, so hopefully that helps to put the price into perspective a bit.

The inaugural box contained five candles, seven if you count each of the tealights separately. The first brand I noticed on the informational card was one of my favorites, Big Dipper Wax Works, which I was first introduced to through Eco Emi. Here's a list of all of the brands that were featured:

Big Dipper Wax Works 1.7 oz Beeswax tin and 3.1 oz. Beeswax glass jar
Bluecorn Naturals 100% Pure Beeswax 2" pillar
OneHoney - Chicago Honey Co-Op Bear Hugging Hive
Scent From Nature 100% Pure Beeswax Tealights

Even though all of the candles were beeswax, I like that there was still a variety of forms included. Tealights are always useful, and the bear candle is absolutely adorable. I also like that the Big Dipper Wax Works candles are in containers. I would have liked to have gotten some scented candles, but I'm sure that Flicker Box will have plenty of those in months to come. If you're interested, you can use the coupon code "MOM15" through Sunday (May 12th) to take 15% off all prepaid subscriptions.

Bottom Line: I'm really impressed by Flicker Box and I think it's a fantastic choice for any candle lover. Even if you can only afford to do one month, it's definitely a nice treat!

*Disclaimer: I received a Flicker Box free of charge to facilitate my review. I was not monetarily compensated for this review and the honest opinions here are entirely my own.

Spicy Subscriptions "50 Shades of Grey" Giveaway [CLOSED]

2013-05-09T00:00:00.000-04:00

I've reviewed Spicy Subscriptions quite a few times here (read my reviews), and I think they have been a pretty popular subscription with my readers (based on the sign-ups I've received through my referral coupon). I'm glad that so many people have found the reviews useful! If you've been wanting to try Spicy Subscriptions for yourself, here is a great chance -- they are running a giveaway for a 3-month subscription of their fabulous 50 Shades of Grey deluxe themed boxes!

Entering is really easy; just use the Rafflecopter form. The only required entry is that you "like" Spicy Subscriptions on Facebook, but the more entries you complete, the better your chances.

Even if you don't win, you can take advantage of these coupons that Spicy Subscriptions is generously offering:

"10off" on all monthly subscriptions (10% off first box)
"get1499" for Premium 4 month subscription ($14.99 for first box)
"get1999" for Deluxe 4 month subscription ($19.99 for first box)

This sweepstakes is open to US and Canadian residents aged 18+ and will end on 23 May 2013. See the terms and conditions in the Rafflecopter form for more information.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Silver Linings Review and Giveaway [CLOSED]

2013-05-06T20:47:00.001-04:00

I love a pair of cute shoes (like many women do), but one thing I don't love is wearing tights or pantyhose. I used to go sockless when I wore heels and I ended up with that undesirable sweaty-foot stickiness by the end of the day. I don't wear heels as often as I used to--I've switched to flats--and I've since smartened up and bought those little footie socks to wear with them. But then when I learned about Silver Linings by Chu Shu New York I thought they sounded really interesting.

Jennifer Chu created Silver Linings after noticing the damage and discoloration that moisture build-up can lead to on shoe interiors when going sockless. These liners harness the power of silver to keep feet feeling fresh and absorb any unwanted odor. They can be used in both flats and heels and last for about 2-3 weeks (or 10-15 uses, depending on how often you wear your shoes).

The back of the packaging explains that Silver Linings are infused with Agion silver, "an EPA-registered and environmentally friendly technology that inhibits growth of bacterial odor." I wore my Silver Linings in my flats the past three days and they really do deliver on their promises. I found them to be comparable to my footie socks in absorbing moisture, but much better at absorbing odor. My feet didn't smell at all, nor did my shoes, which is obviously a welcome result!

Here's a photo of what the Silver Linings looked like inside of my flats. The undersides are a rubber-like material, kind of what you would expect on the bottom of a shower mat, to keep them from sliding around (photo below).

Bottom Line: I've really enjoyed using my Silver Linings so far and I think they definitely are effective at absorbing moisture and odor. If you're like me and you like going sockless (especially in the summertime!), I highly encourage you to check these out.

Visit the Silver Linings product page
Use coupon code SOLE20 for 20% off of your order!
Connect with Silver Linings on Facebook and Twitter

Are you interested in trying Silver Linings for yourself? They have generously provided two shoe liners for my readers to win! Enter using the Rafflecopter form after the "read more."

This sweepstakes is open to US and Canada residents aged 18+ only. It begins on 6 May 2013 and ends at 12:00 AM EST on 17 May 2013. Two winners will be chosen at random by this Rafflecopter widget and will be notified by email. The winners will have 48 hours to respond, or new winners will be chosen. All entries will be verified. I will be shipping the prize directly to the winner.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

*Disclaimer: I received products to review from Chu Shu New York as a part of the BrandBacker program. I was not monetarily compensated for this review and the honest opinions here are entirely my own.

April Little Black Bag Review and Unboxing

2013-05-03T22:47:00.001-04:00

I bought two Little Black Bags this month and here's the first of them. I was so curious to see what the new system would be like, and like most users there were some things I liked and some I didn't. I'm not going to boycott the site or anything (obviously), and the pros here heavily outweigh the cons for me. I really like that the prices are more graduated now, so I can get a handbag for less than the original $49.95 price.

Since I actually got these items a while ago, I can't remember the exact names of the earrings. Anyway, I'm really happy with these items overall. The crossbody is adorable and just the type of bag I wanted for summer. I think this bag ended up costing me around $54 after tax and shipping, which was a bit cheaper than the previous price, which would equal around $60 for me. Here's the list of what I got:

Deux Lux Bowery B-Sides Mini Messenger
Lydell NYC Hexagon Drop Earrings
Spring Street Spice Market Earrings
BeFine Packette Box
Lemon Socks

The socks and packette box are bonus items, but they're pretty decent bonuses. I especially like the packette box. For a more in-depth review of my items, watch my unboxing video:

Overall, I do like the new LBB. I know there was a lot of commotion when they first changed to their new shipping and billing practices, but after it settled and I really analyzed the situation I think the changes are for the better. I still don't quite understand the point of the charging $9.99 a month to get $10 in credit, so I'm just going to skip each month and then just purchase a bag on its own when I feel like it. I know they advertised it as "getting free money," but a free $.12 a year isn't going to do much for me.

Aside from that, I like that the price of the bundles reflect the price of your first item, so you can pick a bag like the crossbody I got (retail value of $71) and pay somewhere around $50 after shipping, or you can pick a $24 necklace for something like $18 (this is an approximation, since I haven't picked an item that low to start with yet). The shipping increased by a dollar, but that doesn't bother me. The exchange policy was a bit wonky at first, but they did a good job of listening to customers and they've since implemented a much better system. The only thing I really don't care for is that they have shoes now. I'm not a shoe girl, and I wouldn't order them even if I was because I wear a size 5.5 (meaning shoes rarely fit me, even if they're marked as that size) and having them not fit and needing to return them is more of a hassle than I want to deal with.

Check out more photos of my items behind the "read more."

Spring Street earrings

Lydell NYC earrings

BeFine samples

Deux Lux Bowery B-Sides Mini Messenger in Teal

I love that this has built-in card slots!

*Disclaimer: I purchased this bag and was not asked to review it. I received no compensation and the honest opinions here are entirely my own.

Sale on Dickinson's Witch Hazel Products!

2013-05-03T19:31:00.004-04:00

If you read my Influenster Sugar 'N Spice Voxbox post, you'll recall that my favorite item in the box was the Dickinson's Original Witch Hazel Oil Controlling Towelettes. The towelettes came with five $2 off coupons as well for any Dickinson's product, which I just used at my local Walgreens.

I snapped a quick iPhone photo, sorry for the quality!

I normally don't do posts like this, but I got such a great deal on these three products that I figured someone else out there might be interested as well. I bought two Foaming Facial Washes and one Pore Perfecting Toner for a total of $7.79! I used three of my coupons, which saved me $6, but even if you don't have the coupons from the Voxbox you can still basically get these products for free.

The face washes were marked down to $3.49 from $6.99, so I got them both for $1.49 each. The toner was regularly priced at $5.79, but it's a huge bottle (16 fl oz). All three had tags on them for a rebate offer, where Dickinson's will refund your entire purchase price if you send it along with the original receipt. You'll end up paying for the tax, but I still think this is an awesome deal.

Bottom Line: Witch hazel isn't for everyone, but I like Dickinson's because their products contain minimal ingredients and are cruelty-free. I hope you can find these products on sale at your Walgreens like I did!

*Disclaimer: This is not a sponsored post.

April PopSugar Must Have Review

2013-04-28T19:02:00.004-04:00

April's PopSugar Must Have box was more like a "PopSugar Don't Wants" to me. I signed up again because I had earned a free box from referring two people (thank you!), but I had to be an active member in order to claim it. I paid for this box, but I'll receive May's for free. I hope next month's is better, because this one was a total dud for me.

I received my first PopSugar Must have back in December, and that box was not great either (but it was better than April's). I was excited to sign up because the previous months had been fantastic, but I think I just have bad timing. I have looked at other peoples' reviews of the boxes in between, though, and I have to say I haven't been impressed. PopSugar Must Have costs $35 a month, so it's more expensive than many of the other services out there, but it also will contain at least $100 worth of merchandise.

Alter Eco Dark Quinoa Organic Chocolate - I'm all for organic and fair trade, and if you like dark chocolate I bet you'd love this bar. I, however, am not the biggest fan of dark chocolate so this was only so-so for me. It has a great flavor, it's just not a flavor I particularly care for. The quinoa was cool, though; it basically just tastes like little rice crunchies.
kai Perfume Oil - I hate this perfume because I don't like florals. It's too strong and I don't care for it, but if florals are your thing you might like this. The vial is so small though, which is why I feel like we got ripped off for this box (it doesn't matter to me that it retails for $48).
Shashi New Nugget Bracelet - My bracelet is cobalt, which is pretty, but my gripe with this one is that it doesn't lie smoothly. You can see in the first photo that it's bent into a triangle. I figured that it would smooth out when I put it on my wrist, but it doesn't, so you just end up with this weird, square-shaped type of thing.
Tatcha Aburatorigami Evening Blotting Papers - This is my favorite item in the box. I've used these many times before, and I was glad that I didn't have to go buy another package of blotting papers.
The Green Garmento All-in-One Bag - I could see where this would be handy, but I have no use for it. I suppose I might need it in the future if I travel or buy something that's actually nice enough to be dry cleaned.

A better picture of the kai perfume oil

The reason why I was so let down by this box was because even though the retail value did equal more than $100, it hardly seemed worth it. The perfume oil is a tiny bottle (it'd be considered sample-sized for most other services) but supposedly has a retail value of $48. I just felt like the items in April's box were really disappointing and I wasn't excited to receive any of them. Based on the comments on the April reveal post on the Must Have blog, a lot of people feel the same way I do.

Bottom Line: I really hope that PopSugar Must Have steps it up for May, or else it will be my last box for a long time! I think the idea is great, but their choice of items for the past few months has not been.

*Disclaimer: I purchased this box and was not asked to review it. I received no compensation and the honest opinions here are entirely my own.

April Daily Dose of Green Review and Unboxing

2013-04-27T21:25:00.001-04:00

April's Daily Dose of Green was another great box. I have been consistently impressed with this subscription, so I'm so glad that I found it -- or rather, they found me. They send 8-10 eco-friendly lifestyle items for $15/month (shipping included), some of which are tailored to your interests via your user profile that you fill out once you become a member.

What I like best about this box is that they do a great job of sending a variety of products. There's a good mixture of beauty and skincare, food, cleaning products, etc. Here's what was in my April box:

Shaklee Basic H2 Organic Super Cleaning Concentrate
Eve Organics Beauty Bronzer/All Over Color in Beautiful
Moody Sisters Organic Skincare Hydrating Scrub
22 Days Nutrition Cherry Chocolate Bliss Energy Bar
22 Days Nutrition Plant Protein Powder in Chocolate
Essence of Vali (EOV) Massage Oil in Calm
Cleanwell Disinfectant Wipe
Poppy's Natural All Purpose Cleaning Powder in Peppermint
Rise Bar Breakfast Bar in Crunch Cashew Almond
Poppy's Natural Tub Teas in Camomile

Watch my unboxing video for my opinions on the products:

More photos after the "read more."

*Disclaimer: I purchased this box and was not asked to review it. I was not compensated in any way and the honest opinions here are entirely my own.