Girly Stuff

I was recently introduced to a free sample box service called PINCHme and I am immediately in love. I am definitely a fan of being able to try products/samples for free! Many of the items I use in my daily routine are from being able to try/test them out previously and then fell in love with them.

What is PINCHme?

It’s simple - you choose a product from one of their leading brands, and they then deliver it to your home or workplace for free. But be quick, they’ll reserve the products in your box for a limited time, to ensure that everyone has a chance of receiving the available products. Once you’ve tried, tasted or touched the exciting products they offer, you can leave your feedback.

Sounds fun, right?!

New York Fashion Week just finished up and I was excited to receive a PINCHme box full of products from NYFW sponsors.

Just look at all this amazing stuff! I couldn’t wait to start trying everything.

First up, some guilt-free snacks: Skinny Pop Popcorn, Skinny Cow Chocolate and Pure Via Stevia Sweetener.

These came at the perfect time! The Skinny Pop Popcorn was 100 calories for the bag and was very light and tasty.

The Skinny Cow Chocolate was 110 calories and although I don’t typically like chocolate and fruit mixed together in candies like this, this was quite tasty, especially since it reminded me of those chocolate wafers I used to eat as a kid.

I didn’t get to use the Pure Via Sweetener yet, because I am going to save it for when I go back to work and want to sweeten drinks without going to the vending machine for a soda.

I am trying to have a better makeup brush collection, so I am excited to add this real Techniques brush to my arsenal.

As often as I do my nails to try to correct the damage I’ve done, I go through nail files often. This Revlon nail file lets you peel away layers to have a new one when they get worn down. So awesome!

When I first saw the No. 7 Lip Pencil, I thought it looked a little too orange, but after applying it, I really like the light shade of coral that it came out to be.

Two of these products I’ve reviewed before and was so happy to get more!!! (The ecoTools Pure Complexion Sponge and the RenewYou Spleep Spa Mask - yay!)

Also included were some skin care products I haven’t been able to fully test yet, but definitely will once I finish with the products I have now: ROC Retinol Correction Eye Cream & vbeaute anti-aging product samples.

These Band-Aid Blister bandages are PERFECT for those sore feet you get from walking around Disney Parks all day! We ALWAYS pack a box with us on every trip - they help prevent blisters from appearing, getting worse, or causing you pain while you walk.

I have never used Tom’s deodorant, but the Wild Lavendar scent is pretty strong. It says it lasts 24 hours, so I will see if that is true!

The box also included a purse-sized container of tissues! I’ll be ready when I inevitably get sick 10 times during the Winter…

We really like these babble bottles, because it has a built-in filtration system. These are perfect to bring on cruises or anywhere that you want to make sure you are drinking clean water.

Last, but not least, was this Essenza Rosemary Mint hand soap. It smells so good that I may keep it in our personal bathroom and not the guest bathroom!

 

You can sign up to PINCHme for FREE by going to this link and submitting your info. Then, keep an eye out for notifications of when new samples are available…Be quick! Samples go fast (after all, they are free!), so you’ll want to get your hands on them before everyone else does.

I also recommend liking them on Facebook to be notified of new samples!

 

In a former life (aka 10 years ago) I worked in a salon for about 2 years. There was a little station up in the front reception area with a small sink and an amazing sugar scrub that clients could use while they were waiting. Every time Brett would visit me while I was closing up the salon, he would use the sugar scrub and so would all the employees…men and women. Our hands were so soft!

Over the years after not working at the salon any longer, I kinda forgot about it. So when I was contacted to try Dermesse Natural Sugar Scrub, it brought back memories and I had hoped this scrub would provide the same amazing benefits…and it definitely did, and then some!

Go Green with Dermesse Natural Sugar Scrub, a mild skin cleanser and customer favorite. This natural based preservative free product combines mild sugar based non-ionic detergents with natural sugar, for a gentle exfoliating rinse-off treatment that leaves your skin softer than ever.

Especially suited for the face as well as the feet, knees, and elbows to produce maximum gentleness with deep cleaning, for the removal of excess dead epidermal cells.

Benefits of Dermesse Sugar Scrub:

• Sugar is a natural and safe preservative
• Sugar is a mild abrasive that rinses off cleanly leaving the skin soft and moisturized
• 98% of the product is made-up of natural based ingredients

I prefer to use this on my hands and feet. Simply take a small scoop of the scrub and rub it into your skin in a circular motion.

They don’t specify an amount of time to rub the scrub in, but you won’t want to stop! I probably did it for about a minute.

Rinse the scrub off and immediately notice how soft and smooth your skin is. My hands were still soft hours later, even after washing them a few times and doing stuff around the house.

This is a perfect first step during a manicure or pedicure because it removes dead skin cells and even makes your nails moisturized and soft. I actually like this sugar scrub more than the one I used in the past because there is no added oil layer that you have to mix in and the smell of this one is nice and light.

I put mine right next to the sink and use it on my hands every few days…I bet Brett has used it too!

To learn more about the entire Dermesse Line and Buy: Dermesse Website

 

I received this product in exchange for a review. All opinions are my own and honest. Thanks for reading!

 

I love coffee. I love beauty products. So it’s no surprise I was excited to try frank coffee scrub! To be honest, I had never heard of it before, but after a quick search online, I found a lot of reviews. Had I been living under a rock? Nope, just busy wrangling a toddler, being tired and pregnant, and doing the working mom thang…I suppose.

Have you heard of frank? Here’s some more info:

frank is an all-natural coffee scrub for your body- an exfoliator that targets skin conditions such as cellulite, stretch marks, eczema, acne, and psoriasis. He’s made with fresh coffee grinds and other natural ingredients.

When I first opened the package, the aroma was wonderful. As much as I like coffee, I don’t always like the smell, but frank had a light coffee smell mixed with an almost chocolaty smell…which is the only way I can think to describe it but it was probably from the sweet almond oil.

frank really is a coffee scrub, made with natural ingredients, so you really are getting a bag of coffee almost! I received the original formula, made with coffee, sweet almond oil, brown sugar, vitamin e and orange oil.

When caffeine is applied topically to the skin it can stimulate blood-flow and circulation, this may help to reduce the appearance of cellulite. Ground coffee beans are also a natural exfoliant helping to reduce dry skin, as well as target eczema and psoriasis.It’s packed with Vitamins A, E and D to moisturize your skin, as well as linoleic and oleic acids to promote skin healing. Basically lots of good stuff that hydrates your skin and makes it appear to glow.

That sounds amazing! But how do I use it?

Pretty much. Here are the official instructions:

• Get naked and get in the shower. Turn the shower on and dampen your skin.
• Get dirty by using approximately two small handfuls of scrub to cover your body.
• Get rough with circular massage motions, concentrating on problem areas.
• Leave scrub to dry for 5 to 10 minutes. Get clean by rinsing the scrub from your body.

So since I am pregnant and this is made of caffeine, I didn’t exactly slather it all over, but I did test it out on my legs.

The part that sounds troublesome to me is having to let frank dry while you stand in the shower for 10 minutes. Since I was just putting it on my legs, I didn’t do it in the shower, just by the tub.

I won’t lie, this stuff is messy. Take this photo and multiply that by 20 when putting it all over your body.

After rinsing, my skin definitely felt smooth, soft and moisturized. I didn’t even feel like I needed lotion afterward, they felt that nice. As for the rest of my frank package, I am saving that for after this pregnancy to see if it will work it’s magic on the few stretch marks I have been blessed with this time around. If you look at their website, they have some amazing before and after photos of skin conditions being treated with frank, and stretch marks are one of them. I’ll have to let you guys know how that works out!

To see for yourself, search social media using #thefrankeffect

You can learn more about frank and purchase any one of their varieties by going to their website: http://frankbody.com

Connect: Facebook

 

I received this product in exchange for a review. All opinions are my own and honest. Thanks for reading!

 

I received two Montagne Jeunesse Renew You Sleep Spa Masks as part of a Clever Girls Collective campaign. I was not required to write a blog post, but I wanted to write one anyway so I could share the fun with you guys! and so you can laugh at me…we’ll get into that in a bit.

Here’s a little info about these masks:

Montagne Jeunesse Renew You Sleep Spa Mask

• 100% Natural Bamboo Mask.
• While you were sleeping, our natural ingredients were working the overtime throughout the night to bring you healthy, beautiful skin. Mornings have never been brighter.

How Sleep Spa Works

• Cleanse your face then snuggle up under the duvet.
• Apply the fabric mask to facial contours and relax for 10 minutes.
• Remove the fabric mask and massage excess product into skin.
• Don’t wash off, that’s the beauty of it!
• Wake up to amazing results

Why You Should Add a Mask to Your Skincare Regime

• The daily stress skin takes from the environment, diet and application of various personal care products call for even the most well-turned skincare regime to be boosted weekly to provide therapeutic, deep conditioning to repair and fortify.
• Face masks offer a deep-down action that helps nourish, cleanse, remove impurities, keep skin healthy and vibrant as well as adds essential nutrients to your skin.
• Depending on the mask you choose to use, it can help to remove dead skin cells and unclog pores so toning, hydrating and protecting products work more effectively.
• Delivering added hydration to the skin through a mask can also improve the overall condition of the skin. Well hydrated skin equals fewer breakouts, less fine lines and dullness.
• Massaging skin when removing a face mask can also help stimulate blood circulation leaving skin smoother and softer.

The unique thing about these masks is that when you open the package, it’s not a cream that you rub onto your face…it actually is a full mask with eye and nose holes cut out and all the beneficial ingredients all packed into it. You just place the mask onto your face and press down to make sure the mask is in good contact with your skin. Then, you relax and let the the mask and ingredients do their thang for 10 minutes.

Oh and trust me, you will look ridiculous.

Trent’s used to me looking ridiculous by now. In fact, once he noticed me, he pointed, smiled and then ran over to touch it.

I chose to start with the fruit enzyme mask with papaya & pineapple and ohmygosh, it smelled delicious.

So after the mask works its magic for 10 minutes, you take it off and then DON”T RINSE! I know, crazy right? You are supposed to massage those leftover ingredients into your skin and then let them sink in and really improve your skin overnight while you sleep.

At first, I had to fight the urge to rinse. Every other mask I’ve ever used requires you to rinse or scrub it off afterward. But it actually felt nice to massage those ingredients in and not “waste” them. The mask itself smelled so good and the ingredients felt amazing. I woke up the next day with skin that was soft and beautiful.

hashtag nomakeup (yikes!)

I definitely recommend these masks. I’m used to using clay-type masks, which are good for acne-prone oily skin, but it was nice to feel like I was treating my skin to moisture and nourishment.

Product Availability

• Montagne Jeunesse Renew You Sleep Spa Masks will launch in US Ulta stores beginning July 2014. The kit retails for $14.99.

 

It’s time to share my newest Vox Box that I’ve received from Influenster! This one is called the Vow Vox Box and before you wonder if I’m somehow becoming a female polygamist and getting married again, let me stop you and tell you that I probably got this box because during a recent survey they sent out, I checked that I would be attending a wedding within the next 6 months…which I am for my cousin-in-law in November!

All of the goodies in the Vow Vox Box were chosen with the future bride and her special day in mind…and while all of these items would be perfect for the bride, any gal can benefit from them. So let’s get reviewing, shall we?

 

The first item in the box is one you’ve definitely seen or used before…Tide to go Instant Stain Remover!

Sure a bride in a nice, beautiful, new WHITE dress would most certainly have a little piece of mind with this little stick with her to defend against stains (why are stains attracted to white clothing?!), but this is also perfect for moms with messy toddlers, working moms that inevitably spill their lunch on their suit right before a big meeting, or anyone messy (Brett??). It’s so convenient and fits right in your purse!

 

The next item would be the perfect “something blue” without being too overwhelming…a nice light blue nail polish from Sally Hansen.

The color is Barracuda and it would go great on your toes on your special day (I prefer a French Manicure on my fingernails…if I had fingernails).

 

 

The next item was the one item in the box that I was truly hesitant to try…ecotools Pure Complexion Facial Sponge. I shy away from new facial products at the fear of breaking out, but the past few things I’ve tried, I’ve loved, so I really need to get over it. Anyway, this was definitely no exception to that…I LOVED it!

The reason I was really hesitant was because out of the box, this “sponge” is actually hard like a pumice stone.

“I have to rub my face with a pumice stone?”

But alas, add some water and magic! It turns into a squishy little sponge! It has an almost gel-like texture and is nice and soft. Add some of your favorite cleanser and wipe all over your wet face and neck and it removes dirt and makeup and leaves your skin silky smooth. It was basically a gentle way of exfoliating your skin that can be used on a daily basis. This item combined with the next item in the box left my face silky soft….and no breakouts in sight!

 

Next up was Olay Regenerist Luminous Tone Perfecting Cream.

I have some acne scars and dark spots, so I was pretty excited to give this cream a try. I haven’t used it for the full length of time they suggest before you start seeing the most results, but at first use I immediately loved how it left my skin silky smooth. I really hope it helps with the scars and dark spots!

 

Next up was Pure Silk Rich & Luxurious Shave Cream.

There’s not much to really say about a shave cream except the scent is amazing (kind of reminds me of Raspberries and Cream from Bath & Body Works back in the 90′s) and left my legs soft and smooth.

 

The last item in the box was a coupon to create a free Riley & Grey wedding website!

I won’t be needing this, but check out the great features:

Custom, luxury, limited-edition wedding websites.

• Custom domain name
• Limited-edition designs
• Change designs at any time
• Mobile & Table & Desktop
• Organize guests’ addresses
• Collect RSVPS
• Amazing customer service

 

This was a fun Vox Box to try, but I love trying everything I get from Influenster!

 

I received these products complimentary from Influenster for testing purposes. Any review or sharing is at my own will and in my honest opinion. Thanks for reading!