Rimmel London Stay Matte Liquid Mousse Foundation Review

*Disclaimer* I received this product free from Influenster to test, but the opinions are all my own.

 

I was recently selected for the Stay Matte Vox Box by Influenster and was sent the new Rimmel London Stay Matte Liquid Mousse Foundation in Light Ivory to test out. First off, I want to say that since my skin is so fair and I have freckles it can be very hard for me to find foundation that matches my skin tone nicely. Usually even the lightest options from most brands are still too dark. Rimmel's Stay Matte foundation actually matches my skin really well! I was very impressed. It's very light and airy and blends well.

elf Mineral Infused Face Primer & Rimmel London Stay Matte Liquid Mousse Foundation

I would recommend applying it over a primer as I noticed that it can stand out a bit on dry areas. I use e.l.f.'s mineral primer and it works fabulously. I also set with a translucent powder. The coverage isn't too heavy, I would say about medium. It's enough to cover light blemishes, but not enough to cover heavy marks. I've been wearing it for a week and I've noticed that it does keep my skin fairly shine free, which is saying something since I wear makeup from 5:45am-9pm. I haven't had to touch up or reapply yet.

Me after 10 hours of wear, no reapplication of any foundation or powders

My Vox Box

The foundation will be released in stores in January 2014 and I highly recommend keeping your eye out for it!

*I received these products complimentary from Influenster for testing purposes.

Garnier

BzzAgent was kind enough to send me a bottle of the new Garnier Miracle Skin Perfector Oil-Free B.B. Cream in light/medium to test out.

I hadn't tried a BB cream before, but I knew they were all the rage. I would put this in the same family as a tinted moisturizer, offering spf protection while still giving some coverage for blemishes, etc.

My "before" face - no makeup

I wasn't prepared for how liquidy it would be. It's extremely runny when you open the tube, so be careful! A little goes a long way.

I have very fair skin, and tried the light-medium shade. It was a little darker/orange-y for my skin tone, but was able to blend it out pretty well. It does a good job of covering most blemishes and helped even out my freckles and all over skin-tone.

My "after" face - Garnier Miracle Skin Perfector Oil-Free B.B. Cream

I added some bronzer, blush, eyeliner & shadow, mascara, and filled in my brows (of course) and was ready with a quick, fresh, everyday look. I wish I had this when I went to Jamaica! It would have been perfect for those days at the beach when you don't want a full face of makeup but still have some coverage and sun protection to boot. One of the only downsides is it can wear off fairly quickly. On days I wear it to work, by the time I get home most has disappeared. It's oil free, but but I wouldn't say it's completely shine free as advertised. I used a powder to set it. I haven't tried it with a primer yet, but I figured as a BB cream it shouldn't need one. It's meant to be a quick coverage, and in that is does quite well.

**Disclosure: I received this product free from BzzAgent but all the opinions are my own.

Soft Scrub Advanced Surface & Giveaway *closed*

Purex recently sent me a free bottle of Soft Scrub Advanced Surface to test out. The "NEW Soft Scrub® Advanced Surface is the rinse-free gel that cleans and polishes granite and marble countertops, glass cooktops, and stainless steel. Soft Scrub Advanced Surface is both tough on stains, and gentle on even your most delicate surfaces. Now you can get the cleaning performance you've come to love from Soft Scrub® in an easy to use gel."

I'm a fan of the original Soft Scrub and use it in my bathroom, so I was excited to test this version out. I have a glass cooktop stove as well as a stainless steel faucet. The cooktop was inherited with many stains when we moved into our home (about a year ago) and I haven't quite been able to get it as clean as I'd like. Not to mention stainless steel shows water spots like nobody's business.

This is an all-purpose cleaner that comes in a clear gel that pours right out of the bottle (no need to dilute). I poured it on, spread it around the stained areas, and waited a few seconds.

Stained burner

Before spreading out the gel

Then proceeded to wipe off with a damp paper towel. It didn't remove many of the old, set in stains (that probably have been there for years) but it cleaned most of the stains and it did clean the cooktop to the point that it shined. I was impressed! I really like that you don't have to rinse the area after use and it's safe to use the burners on cooktop after as well. It's really fast acting, you only need to let it sit for 30 second max, which makes it extremely convenient if you're like me and aren't trying to spend all day scrubbing the stove.

After

If you would like to try Soft Scrub Advanced Surface for yourself, I am giving away coupons for a free bottle! Share this post on Facebook or Twitter (leave a link back to your post in the comments with your name and contact email address) to be entered. It could be "Read Jackie's blog for a chance to win a free bottle of Soft Scrub Advanced Surface" or something of the like. The contest will be open until 9pm PST, Wednesday, April 10th.*

*Contest open to U.S. residents only and have a valid mailing address.

**Disclaimer: I was sent this product & giveaway items for review purposes, but all the opinions are my own.

Nob Hill Trading Co. Soups

If you're lucky enough to live in Northern California, you probably have the opportunity to shop at a Raley's, Bel Air, or Nob Hill store. They're very nice and have the best meats and produce around, hands down. They also provide a large selection of organic and all natural foods, which can be hard to find with no Trader Joe's or Whole Foods nearby. I was recently given the opportunity to try one of their Nob Hill Trading Co. All-Natural Soups by being a member of the Something Extra Try-It program.

Here's some info about the soups from their website:
Nob Hill Trading Co. All-Natural Soups are delicious because they’re simple, with a short list of real ingredients (all of which you can pronounce, even). And with no preservatives or artificial flavors and colors, these soups are just like Mom used to make. But some of the flavors aren’t like anything you enjoyed as a kid. Nob Hill Trading Co. soups come in nine heartwarming flavors in convenient 20 oz. containers (perfect for two adult-sized servings) priced at $4.99:

Butternut Squash
Farmers Market
Indian Curry
King Crab Chowder
Lentil Soup
Lobster Bisque
New England Clam Chowder
Quinoa Chili
Shrimp and Corn

I was able to go to my local Bel Air and sort through the different choices of 20oz soups and ended up picking out the Farmers Market Vegetable Soup. I know that's not on the list above, but my Bel Air only had a few 20oz soups available (most were 24oz for $4.99 instead of the 20oz for $3.99), and they only had about 5 options in total. I'm not sure if I just went on an off day and they hadn't gotten in a new shipment so I'll have to check the next time I go back. I don't eat seafood of any kind, so automatically the crab, lobster, and shrimp flavors were out, so I chose the vegetable soup. I like minestrone so I figured this would be a good choice for me.

I love that it's all natural (you can tell because it has a green lid) and was only 100 calories per serving! No unnecessary chemicals or preservatives, so you know you're getting the most for your money when it comes to nutrients. The Farmers Market Vegetable Soup was good, but not what I was expecting! It's not your usual blend of veggies for a soup. It had pumpkin seeds, cauliflower, carrots, tomatoes, and more. I will warn you that it was VERY peppery, but if you like that then more power to you! You get a generous portion that's enough to feed two people. It would be perfect with a side of grilled-cheese mmmmmm! I would definitely purchase this soup again. Hot soup is a perfect meal choice for this time of year. It's quick, hearty, warms you up, and you can eat it out of a cup or an awesome bowl (like the one that came with my kit). I love to get a bowl (or cup) of soup, snuggle up on the couch under a blanket with my husband and kitties, and enjoy. If it's raining outside, even better!

I know I will keep these in mind the next time I can't think of what to make for dinner! As a side note, if you haven't joined Something Extra yet, I would highly recommend it. I was able to purchase the soup, chips, and apple sauce shown above for only $2.59! Just for being a member, I received the soup and chips free. Can't beat that! Have you tried these soups from Raley's and Bel Air? Which one is your favorite? Would you choose a fresh all-natural soup over the canned variety?

Disclosure: I received this product free from the  Something Extra Try-It program but all the opinions are my own.

Schick Hydro Silk® Razor

As with most women, I don't shave as often in winter as I do come spring through fall, but I still try to maintain silky smooth legs as much as possible. I have been using the Schick Quattro for women for years and I'm the type of person who once I find something that works for me I stick with it until it's either discontinued or it breaks and I can't replace it. The same goes for my razors. I stopped using disposables in high school because they never lasted long enough (I know, they're disposable for a reason) and I had a tendency to knick myself a lot with them.

Recently I was sent a Schick Hydro Silk® razor from BzzAgent to test out and I really liked it. Of course it's not the same as my Quattro, but it's very good quality and does leave my skin hydrated after shaving. I have very dry skin and shaving usually irritates it to no end. I end up running for the bottle of lotion as soon as I'm out of the shower to help sooth my legs. With the Hydro Silk razor, I didn't have this issue. The Water-Activated Moisturizing Serum lasts on the cartridge for several uses (which I love) and it really helps get a close, smooth shave without sacrificing your skin's hydration. It has five blades and a curved handle to help the hydrating strip and cartridge from sticking to the surface you set it on in the shower. For anyone in the market for a new razor or looking to switch things up, I would highly recommend this one!

To find out more from Schick, visit their website: http://www.schickhydrosilk.com/influencer
or visit them on Facebook (they have a $4 off coupon right now!): http://www.facebook.com/SchickHydroSilk/

If you're interested in trying one out for yourself, use this link to score a free one. It's limited to the first 5 people so hurry!

Disclosure: I received this product free from BzzAgent but all the opinions are my own.

Lorac Unzipped Palette

Thanks to my Platinum rewards status through Ulta, I received a $10 credit to use in my birthday month and I was also given a gift card. I hadn't been keeping up with the different products available lately, so I went to the store with nothing really in mind. I spent some time looking through the Urban Decay, Smashbox, Tarte, Too Faced, and Stilla Cosmetics displays, but nothing really caught my eye. Then I came across the Lorac Unzipped Palette.

I have never paid much attention to Lorac products, I'm not sure why, possibly because of the hefty price tags, but I was really drawn to this collection of shadows. I'm a huge lover of browns and natural shades since they work really well for everyday and dramatic looks, and I can wear them for work. I walked away, took a few more looks around the store, at the nail polish racks, clearance sections, but I just kept coming back to the palette. I figured if I came back to it 4 times, it was probably the product I should leave the store with.

I couldn't be happier with my purchase. The shadows are very creamy and pigmented. They glide right on and don't take very much at all to get the look you're going for. I have only used the sample of eye primer a few times since I still have so much of my Too Faced Shadow Insurance, but It seems to work fairly well. 

It has an assortment of shimmer and matte colors for several different looks. I would highly recommend this palette for anyone who is looking for a versatile selection of natural browns, creams, and pinks. 

Essie Klout Perk

I recently received a free Essie nail polish for my Klout score! I haven't had the opportunity to try the polish yet, but I'm so excited. It's my first Essie color polish (I have the top coat and nail healing kits, but no lacquers). This is from their new Mirror Metallic Collection. Since we didn't know which color we were getting, I was hoping for Nothing Else Metals or Blue Rhapsody and Blue Rhapsody is what I received!

If you haven't tried Klout, you should. You have the opportunity to try free products without any obligation simply for doing what you already do.

*Disclaimer: I received this product through Klout as part of being an influential member with the score of 45 with beauty as one of my topics.

Influenster's Love VoxBox

In early February I found out that I had been selected as one of the few to receive Influenster's Love VoxBox. I couldn't believe it! It finally arrived this week and these are all the goodies I'll be able to test and review!

Everything that came with the VoxBox

Ghriardelli Creamy Devotion Milk Chocolate Bar

  I'm a HUGE fan of Ghirardelli so I cannot wait to try this! The Box also came with a $1 off coupon to purchase another bar! I looked but haven't seen any in my local grocery store yet, but believe I will snatch one up as soon as I do!

Kiss Nail Designs

Now if you know me, pink is my absolute least liked color, but I will test these and wear them for the durability and quality of the product and see if I'd like them in a different style. 

Gillette Venus & Olay Razor

I've been using a Schick razor for as long as I can remember, so I'm excited to try out something new. So far I've heard great things about this one!  

Stash Herbal Tea Sampler

Ever since I started my weight loss goals, I've been drinking more tea, so this will be great to help get me through those long days. Especially now that the rain has finally hit Northern California. 

Truvia

I have yet to try Truvia, but every time I see it in the grocery store I'm tempted to pick it up. Now I can try it first!

So all in all I'm beyond pleased with my Box! Thank you again Influenster and I can't wait to try everything! I would recommend heading over the the Influenster website and check them out. Anyone can register and for a chance at receiving some free products to test and review, what have you got to lose?

*Disclaimer: These products were sent to me by Influenster for review purposes, but all opinions are my own.

EOS Lip-balm Review - Summer Fruit

After seeing everyone go nuts about the EOS  lip-balms on blogs all across the land, and being the lipstick/balm/gloss junkie I am, I decided to pick one up.  I only had 2 options in the store, so I went with Summer Fruit over the Honeysuckle Honeydew. The spherical shape makes applications super easy, and you can apply product to your full lip in only one or two swipes, which I really liked. The scent is also amazing. I was half tempted to take a bit of the thing the first few times I used it! 

Unfortunately, my love of these only extends that far. I wanted so badly to like this product, but I just can't. I used it for about 3 days, and right away I noticed that it didn't leave my lips feeling very moisturized. I found myself having to reapply it constantly, and if I didn't I was left with extremely parched lips that were on the verge of cracking. I feel like this is some gimmick to get a person to constantly use up the product quickly so they have to purchase more. It's also bigger than I had imagined. It's not something you can really put in your pocket, but it can easily be found in a bag or purse because of it's shape.

In the website photos, the balm is more of a white, but in reality, mine was this yellow color. Almost reminds me of a cooked egg yolk. 

Within a day I was already getting chapped and peeling lips. I was not happy, but I kept using it to see if it would get better, but sadly it did not. I stopped using it, and barely a day later, my lips were back to normal. Suffice it to say, I must be one of the only people out there that does not appreciate this product, but that's not to say that just because it didn't work for me that it won't work for you. Tons of people in the bloggosphere love 'em. What do you think?

Purex UltraPacks Laundry Detergent Review

I was recently sent a pack of Purex's new Triple Action UltraPacks, a new form of laundry detergent! They're little packets of detergent, similar to what you can use in your dishwasher, but for your clothes!

What the fact sheet says: 

-New Purex UltraPacks are convenient pre-dosed liquid detergent packs that make doing laundry easier than ever.

-Purex UltraPacks manage to squeeze all the performance of [their] new Triple Action liquid formula into just one powerful pack.

-No more mess. No more spills. No more heavy jugs. It's laundry simplified.

-Each Purex UltraPack contains powerful 2x concentrated liquid detergent, giving each UltraPack double the cleaning power in every drop.

-Purex UltraPacks dissolve quickly once the washer is started - even in cold water.

-Purex UltraPacks are formulated and safe for all machines, including high-efficiency (HE).

As you can see from the photo above, I've used quite a bit of the samples up already! They're super convenient and mess free. When they're released, there will be a Mountain Breeze option and a Free & Clear. I love that there is a free & clear version since most laundry detergents with scents or dyes severely irritate my skin. They have left no residues on my clothes whatsoever. I also really appreciate that they dissolve in cold water, as well as hot. I only ever was my clothes in cold water (except whites), so this is a definite bonus! 

Something to point out, if you have a front-loading machine, put the pack directly in the drum with the clothes, not in the drawer as with traditional liquid detergents. In a top-loading machine, place the packet in the machine before your clothes so it can spend more time in the water dissolving. Sometimes I forget to do this and put it in on top of my clothes, and I haven't had an issue. 

I'm not sure how much these are going to be once they're released in February, but I can definitely say that I'm looking forward to picking them up. They're so much more convenient than traditional liquid detergent. Just like the description says, I don't have to worry about a heavy jug, or measuring cup, or spilling. Keep an eye out for them people! I'm telling you, you're going to love them!

Disclosure: Purex provided a free sample of their UltraPacks laundry detergent so I could write a review. However, all of the opinions expressed here are my own.

Purex Crystals and Jockey Product Review & 20% off Coupon

Recently Purex has teamed up with Jockey to test out their new fabric softener that is specially designed to preserve the dry-wicking formula of many sports clothes. Regular fabric softener can loosen this special mesh, ultimately rendering that expensive golf shirt or sports bra useless. I received a set of Purex Crystals in Tropical Splash and a nice, new sports bra from Jockey made with moisture-wicking fabric to test for myself! As my boyfriend is a golfer an appreciates these types of fabrics that can keep you cool and dry while playing, I was especially intrigued.

Here's what the fact sheet says:
2012 Jockey Tech Terry Performance Sports Bra
- Moisture wicking sports bra helps keep you cool & dry
- Convenient key pocket so you can take your workouts anywhere
- Reflective logo at the back
- Breathable mesh panels
- Soft bottom band for comfortable support
-Machine wash and dry

2012 Purex Crystals
- Purex Crystals do not contain oil, so it can safely be used on all laundry, including: athletic wear, towels, children's sleepwear, and everything else.
-Are 92% natural crystals that go in at the start of the wash so they spend more time with your laundry infusing them with long lasting freshness

The sports bra fits very well. The only thing I think I would have liked more is if the elastic on the bottom was a bit more stretchy. I think there really isn't much give with the band, so getting it on and over my head and shoulders can be a bit tricky, but once it's on it's completely comfortable. Over the past two weeks I've worn this sports bra for my regular cardio workouts and it's held up quite nicely! It doesn't bunch up or shift, which is a problem I've had in the past. This little baby also has a hidden pocket right inside the front to keep something the size of a key or a lip balm. Since I work out in my apartment, I don't make much use of this feature, but I remember when I did go to a gym how inconvenient carrying around your key was, trying to find somewhere to keep it on the treadmill where it wouldn't fall off mid-stride leaving you to scramble to hop off and grab it before it was lost. I think this is an ingenious addition to the sports bra. Right now through February 12th, you can sign up for a 20% off coupon for the sports bra!

The Purex Crystals are great! The container comes with this little bubble lid that you can use to measure out the amount you need, and they're not messy at all. The first time used them I thought the scent was a tad strong, when first starting the wash cycle, but it goes away quickly and it's not overpowering on your clothes when they're done. Now I'm someone with very sensitive skin and eczema to boot, and scented laundry detergents and fabric softeners normally irritate my skin. I was a little worried about this when the package first arrive and I pulled out a giant bottle marked with Tropical Splash. I figured wearing something that could highly irritate my skin while working out and sweating my butt off might not have been the smartest idea, so I started out small. I washed a small load of laundry with it in case it set my skin ablaze with rashes, but to my surprise I was fine. I must say that the sports bra has held up under the washings and I haven't noticed any change in the fabric composition. After a few more months of washing I will definitely give an update as to how it's still holding up.

I have continued to use the fabric softener and I must say that I'm falling in love with it. It's so convenient, smells great, and I have even washed my bed sheets with it and my skin has been fine. I would definitely recommend these to anyone.

Disclosure: Jockey and Purex provided free samples of their products so I could review them. However, all of the opinions expressed here are my own.

Strawberry Chobani Pops

In my quest to be the healthier me, I recently came across a tumblr blog through Pinterest called Undressed Skeleton. It's a blog made by a girl named Taralynn and it's about her story of making a choice to be a healthier person and how she's come a long way. Her story really is inspiring. She also has tons of recipes for low-fat and low-cal foods. A hard thing for me to get over is not having my sweets and she's found some great ways to get control of those cravings with things like non-fat Greek style yogurt mixed with sugar free Jell-O! I decided to make her Jello Chobani Pops with Fruit but my own way (you'll have to scroll down to find them on her page, there's no link to the individual recipe).


































Since her recipe doesn't list recipe amounts, I had to make mine to taste, and I don't have popsicle  molds, I decided to use cupcake papers. Here's what I used:

24 oz. Plain, non-fat Chobani Yogurt (3 small, 6oz containers)
1 packet SF Strawberry Jell-O gelatin mix
5-6 fresh strawberries, sliced

Yields approx. 15 servings

To make, I mixed all the ingredients together until well blended, then placed in the cupcake papers. I put a decent amount in each paper and I was able to get 15 out of it. Then place in the freezer. I made them at about 8pm and froze them overnight, and had one the next morning. I have never had Greek style yogurt before and turns out it's a bit grainy, but I can live with that! The mixture could also have maybe used another container (6oz) of yogurt because it is a bit tart, but I still like them. For only 26 cal. each, I'll take them! It was super convenient to just grab one and go in the morning as a quick breakfast on my way to work, then have my apple when I got here. The great thing about this recipe, is you can use virtually any combination of fruit and flavored jello mix to come up with any combo you want!

My New Favorite Brush Cleaner: Japonesque Professional Brush Cleaner

I've been trying different brush cleaners lately, everything from E.L.F.'s daily brush cleaner, their brush shampoo, regular shampoo, Sonia Kashuk's brush cleaner, and a few other things, but nothing really cleaned them well. E.L.F.'s daily brush cleaner worked okay, but there was some residues on my lighter brushes that just wouldn't come out. I thought they were stained forever! I'm also not a huge fan of shampoo which can ruin your brushes if you get them too wet, loosening the glue and causing the bristles to fall out, not to mention they can take hours to dry.

   Then, the other day I was in Ulta to pick up some more foundation and decided to see what they had to offer, and while there I came across the Japonesque Professional Brush Cleaner. I figured why not.

This stuff is amazing! It cleaned my brushes thoroughly with only a few sprays per brush and it smells great! It has a lemony scent, which I really like, and doesn't take long for the brushes to dry. The scent can linger, but I don't mind it since I enjoy citrus smells. I wish you could see in person how well this stuff works. It doesn't lather up, so no rinsing required. Just a few sprays on the bristles and gently wipe on a clean towel or tissue.

E.L.F. Stippling brush - before & after

Sigma F80- before & after

I would highly recommend this cleaner! It cleaned brushes that had already been washed, it works that well. As I mentioned above, I had a few brushes that I thought were permanently stained from makeup, my Sigma F80 included, but this cleaner got out any lingering makeup and they look brand new. My search is over!

Tarte Vitamin-Infused Lipgloss Review

I've started getting more use out of my Tarte Vitamin-Infused Lipgloss in Serenity lately so I wanted to take a moment to share it with you. When I first picked up this color, I wasn't very bold with my makeup choices, and to me this was bold, so I rarely wore it. Now that I'm experimenting more with a variety of colors, shade, and styles, I've been going to this lipgloss more and more often.

What they say about it:

"Vitamin-Infused Lipgloss

What it is:

The first-ever lipgloss that beautifies from the inside out.

What it does:

Tarte Vitamin-Infused Lipgloss nourishes and conditions lips with nutraceutical properties that rejuvenate lips, helping to protect against environmental attack. The gloss includes natural ingredients from BORBA's Age Defying, Replenishing, and Clarifying lines. 

What it is formulated WITHOUT:

- Parabens

- Sulfates

- Synthetic Fragrances

- Petro-Chemicals

- Phthalates

What else you need to know:

This gloss contains Skinvigorating™ ingredients such as grape seed extract, which helps accelerate production of natural elastin to restore the skin's clarity, and vitamins A and C, antioxidants that help prevent premature signs of aging and free radical damage. It's also formulated with acai extract, an antioxidant-rich super fruit that promotes cell regeneration and has known anti-inflammatory and skin softening properties, and chamomile extract to treat and heal dry skin. Dermatologist-tested." (Source link)

My Opinion:

It comes in a 0.20oz round tube, with a brush applicator. It seems a bit tacky when applying, but it doesn't feel tacky when you're wearing it - if I part my lips there aren't trails of lipgloss threatening to keep my lips together, if that makes sense. It's also extremely pigmented, so a little goes a long way. I only have to apply one coat for full coverage, and by one coat I mean opening the lipgloss, removing the wand and applying, without reinserting the wand for more product. I like that it has a long wear time; I only needed to reapply after eating. I agree that it leaves my lips moisturized. As a person who was severely addicted to chapstick for many years, I can say that this gloss doesn't leave my lips dried out, I don't feel the need to reapply every couple of hours to keep that moisturized feeling some lip glosses can cause, and I also don't need to use chapstick or any type of base to get the full effect.

The only real downside, in my opinion, is the applicator tip. Since it is like a paint brush, sometimes the bristles get flayed out or bent in a weird way when inserting the wand in the tube, resulting in a permanently bent piece that sticks out from the rest (as pictured). If you can avoid that, I would say absolutely try this lipgloss out.