InstaNatural Age Defying Skin Clearing Serum

InstaNatural Skin Clearing Serum - ($22.95)

• CONTAINS 20% VITAMIN C - Our formula contains professional strength 20% Vitamin C, a powerful antioxidant that repairs damaged skin and protect against future damage. Also contains Hyaluronic Acid, which boosts the skin's ability to retain moisture. These two ingredients work well together to renew skin and reduce the signs of aging, including wrinkles, fine lines and hyperpigmentation.
• SOOTHES BLEMISHES - This skin clearing serum also contains ingredients to soothe blemishes and irritate skin, including 2.5% Retinol, 2% Salicylic, Tea Tree Oil & Niacinamide. Retinol and Salicylic Acid decongest and unclog pores, while Niacinamide diminishes redness and inflammation. The result is clearer, more youthful looking skin.
• GENTLE FORMULA - Our Anti-Aging Skin Clearing Serum is full of natural and organic ingredients that make it safe and suitable for all skin types - even oily skin. Glides on smoothly and absorbs fast and won't irritate or burn your skin!
• MADE IN THE USA & CRUELTY-FREE - Each bottle is produced in our FDA-registered facilities and not tested on animals. Also does not contain harmful ingredients such as alcohol, parabens or sulfates.

My skin has been feeling much softer since I started using this and I've not had any new breakouts. Has really helped clear up some of my old acne scarring, and also sped up the healing time of my acne. My blackheads have also been reduced after only three weeks of using the product.  I don't have very severe acne, but whenever my face breaks out or I get an inflamed pore there was NOTHING sold at local drug stores that did the slightest thing to speed up the healing process whatsoever. 

I have tried all sorts of products with all sorts of active ingredients (including products with lower concentrations of salicylic acid), and none worked well enough that I could justify the cost for future purchases. I even tried a few ProActive products years ago as well (which has worked really well for a friend), and even that did not do much for me.

This is good stuff, and it has a ton of uses. As salicylic acid speeds & stimulates the process in which skin replaces blemishes with healthy skin, this product is very versatile and capable of treating a wide range of issues. If you have skin blemishes that standard products are not treating as effectively as you would prefer, this serum is worth giving a try. For me it has worked wonders.

I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

Hydracentials 16 oz Slim and Sporty Double Wall Vacuum Insulated Stainless Steel Water Bottle

Hydracentials Water Bottle - ($21.97)

• The Hydracentials Slim and Sporty 16 oz Double Wall Insulated Stainless Steel Water Bottle is perfect for use at the gym, at the office, around your house and anywhere you need to take your beverage of choice with you. The loop at the top provides an extra convenient way to carry, or can hook onto backpacks or carabineers.
• Made from durable and sturdy PREMIUM QUALITY 18/8 FOOD GRADE STAINLESS STEEL, this Hydracentials Slim and Sporty 16 ounce water bottle is a great eco friendly sports bottle. This double wall insulated water bottle is PERFECT for carrying while walking, hiking, camping, use at the gym or just on the go- as it fits great in most car cup holders. No more spills and messes while driving!
• Ditch those plastic water bottles! GO HEALTHY with this BPA Free, FOOD GRADE stainless steel water bottle that holds a large capacity of liquids 16 fluid ounces and no longer worry about toxins and chemicals leaching into your beverage. Drink crisp, clean, healthy and refreshing drinks from Your Hydracentials Water Bottle every time.
• Just Fill and Go! This sporty bottle features a flip up spout and straw drinking mechanism allows the ease of staying hydrated even while on the go! The flip cap top provides single-handed drinking ability and is perfect for your busy life on the go! Stay hydrated and DRINK MORE WATER with this large capacity 16 ounce water bottle.
• COLD LIQUIDS ONLY! This is a double wall insulated water bottle is made of 18/8 food grade stainless steel water bottle, which is only recommended for use with cold beverages due to the flip spout and straw drinking mechanism. DO NOT USE WITH HOT LIQUIDS. Drinking hot liquids from a straw is not a pleasurable experience and there for this bottle is a cold beverage water bottle only!

Sounds exaggerated I know, but seriously this is the best water bottle I've ever owned! I got the 25oz bottle first, for myself, and shortly thereafter got the smaller 16oz bottle for my daughter, because she kept stealing mine! This water bottle is the perfect size for her to carry around the house, around town, ect. It's incredibly durable (a major plus since she's only 2 years old!), looks good, and won't leak. It consistently works well and is made so that it's easy to clean. 

I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

Joyal Beauty Hyaluronic Acid Serum 100 Pure-No Alcohol

Joyal Beauty - ($16.96)

★OUR UNIQUE SMALL MOLECULES VEGAN HYALURONIC ACID CAN PENETRATE SKIN'S DEEPER LAYERS. Benefit Skin Tissue Repair and Provide The Best Protection. It quickly forms an air permeable layer and penetrates into the dermis.Please note that THIS SERUM IS PURE HA AND NO OTHER INGREDIENTS ADDED IN THIS SERUM!

★BOOST THE ELASTICITY AND HYDRATION OF THE SKIN. Easy to apply. Quickly forms protective barrier on the skin and locks in moisture. Keep collagen hydrated and healthy. This serum is the HIGHEST PURE HYALURONIC ACID CONCENTRATION on the market and we recommend you apply to your WET face or dilute it with some water when applying to get the best results.

★REVERSE FREE RADICAL DAMAGE. Great benefit in protecting from UV damage. Protect the skin from UVB rays and prevent sunspots. (* Hyaluronic acid should be stored in a cool dry place, away from light. OUR DARK CONTAINER WITH PUMP CAN PREVENT LIGHT AND AIR DEGRADE QUICKLY. Beware of those colorless transparent dropper bottles flooding the market! Those transparent dropper containers will decrease the effectiveness of HA quickly by exposure to light and air!)

★EXCELLENT SIMPLY POWERFUL ANTI AGING FUNCTIONS. Our highest concentration of hyaluronic Acid provides moisture, plumpness, firmness and suppleness to the skin.

★Our Premium Real Pure Vegan Hyaluronic Acid Serum Contains NO Benzyl Alcohol! ( Beware of many other brands "pure" hyaluronic acid serums containing benzyl alcohol! Please be sure you read the FULL ingredients lists and compare before you buy!) Our hyaluronic acid serum is Real 100% ALL NATURAL without any chemicals! Even our preservative is radish-derived and ORGANIC! This serum is suitable for ALL skin types, ESPECIALLY GOOD for sensitive skin, oily skin, and acne-prone skin.



I’m not gonna lie here. It took almost two months for some noticeable change to appear in my face. Nonetheless, after those two months I compared myself to a before picture and I noticed that I did look younger. My skin had the same color on my whole face too, while before it wasn’t. I was just hoping to achieve smoother and softer skin, but got a lot more than that! It even made my skin radiant and naturally rosy! Wow! As the song goes, "Now that I've found you, I won't let you go" This is exactly how I feel about this hyaluronic acid serum! It's a treasure and a must-have!

I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

Drink Duets Review

Drink Duets Bottle Tags - ($4.50)

Product Description ~

Fun and Functional – Drink Duets  Bottle Tags –  Colorful, soft, reusable tags which you slip over the neck of a bottled beverage.  They come in 12 different colors and can also be written on with a sharpie or stick on initials if having different colors isn't enough to differentiate.  

My thoughts~

This is a cute idea for kids sports teams, youth groups, summer camp, ect. The tags are made of a soft, foam-like material that can be written on or otherwise decorated for each individual child (or adult!). I don't think they are very stretchy, so they may tear if placed on a bottle that has too wide of a opening. 

Drink Duets Glass Skirts - ($4.50)

Product Description~

Fun and inexpensive decorative accents that wrap around the stem of a wine glass so that guest can keep track of which drink is theirs.  They possess a very different look than traditional wine charms. 8 different color skirts in a package.

My thoughts~

Another cute idea, but I think I am putting them on wrong because it just falls right to the bottom of my wine glass, no cute little spirals like they are supposed to be. I don't actually drink wine though, so it's not a big issue for me. 

SPECIAL OFFER: Want to get your own packs of Drink Duets? If you purchase two packages of bottle tags and/or glass skirts using the code DD3 you get a free package of bottle tags AND free shipping!!

I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

Ipsy - October 2014

Ipsy
Cost: $10/month

Ipsy is a beauty subscription service that costs $10/month. You get 4-6 sample/deluxe sized products, usually mostly makeup but also skincare and haircare items. Ipsy also sends you a cute new makeup bag every month to store your goodies in.

The theme for October is "Beauty Candy"

This might be one of my Top 5 favorite Ipsy bags so far! It looks green in this picture, but it's actually blue. And super cute!

Nicole by OPI in "Feeling Very Cherry" - ($5)

This shade is apparently an Ipsy exclusive shade, so I am going to guess at a price of $5. It's super dark, I actually thought it was black just looking at the bottle. A good dark, fall/halloween shade maybe?

Epice Purifying Exfolliant - ($32.00)

I got this item in a swap a few months back and I wasn't too excited about it. I'll give it another shot though.

Figs & Rouge Hand Cream in Rose Berry - ($6.56)

I think the packaging is super cute, but I have A TON of hand creams/hand lotions right now. This is just the right size to throw in your purse though, which is where this may end up. :)

Starlooks Lip Gloss in "Guilty Pleasure" - ($12.00)

Possibly the smallest lip gloss sample I've gotten yet, it's a creamy, non-sticky gloss in a lovely nude-y color, perfect for fall. It's also my first gloss from Starlooks.

ModelCo Volumeyes Extreme Black Mascara - ($20.00)

Mascara samples are a staple in subscription boxes, I stopped counting how many I have. I am going to wait to use this, simply because I have so many that are currently open and being used right now.

NYX Bronze Smokey Look Kit - ($12.00)

Note: This is NOT a normal item in Ipsy monthly bags. I redeemed some Ipsy points (that you get for referring friends, reviewing items, ect) to get this item. I actually now have 2 of these.


VERDICT: HIT! I may not like everything that comes in my Ipsy bag, but it is always worth the money that you pay. Remember, you always get a cute makeup bag! That alone is usually worth the cost of the subscription.

What did you get in your bag this month?

Not a Ipsy customer yet? If you want to sign up, go here!

Beauty Box 5 - October 2014

Beauty Box 5
Cost: $12/month

Beauty Box 5 is a monthly subscription box service that costs $12/month. You get 5 beauty items (makeup, hair, skin care, tools) each month. While BB5 isn't one of my favorite boxes, I continue to get it because I know I will probably use everything in the box. And most of the time, it saves me a trip to the drugstore!

The boxes usually contain generally the same items, with a few variations as far as color (of say, nail polish or lipstick).

The theme for October is Effortless Allure.

The information card with retail prices listed.

Chapstick Hydration Lock Moisture & Renew - ($2.99)

I now have at least 3 of these, maybe 4, thanks to sub boxes. This seems to be the newest thing to put in our boxes. I know I got one in my Birchbox, one in Smiley360, I think one came in my Influenster box and now BB5. *sigh*. It's chapstick. I'll use it. And I always seem to lose them before its gone. Does ANYONE every completely use one? Anyone?

Dual ended, Day formula is ultra-conditioning with SPF to protect your lips by day, Night formula contains tamanu oil and natural butters to replenish your lips by night.

Bellapierre Cosmetics Cheek & Lip Stain in Pink - ($19.99)

An oil-free cheek and lip stain from bellapierre. I'm not a huge fan of stains, but I really like this color and I'm anxious to give it a try. I only have one other product from bellapierre, and I believe it's a tinted lip balm.

LashEm Picture Perfect Wrinkle Cream - ($3.95)

I got this same item in my Birchbox last month, but it was such a small sample it was really hard to see any results. So when I got this one, I thought "Hey! I can try it again". Well, that thought went out the window, because this sample arrived without a cap! How am I supposed to close it back up? :( I have emailed BB5 and they are sending a replacement. Their customer service is great! Just FYI.

Nanacoco Nail Polish in "Surfers Dream" - ($3.95)

I'm addicted to nail polishes. And I probably already have like, 50 shades of blue. But this is the first from this brand. So I'll add it to my pile....erm, collection.

Extend Your Beauty Cosmetic Tool - ($5.49)

This clever little tool is basically a sponge on a stick,used to help you get the every last drop of product out of their containers. I've never seen such a thing. But it looks really handy to have! 6 inches long.


Overall: This was a pretty good box for Beauty Box 5! I will actually use everything in here (eventually). What did you think of your box this month?


Not a BB5 customer yet? Want to get your own Beauty Box 5? Sign Up Here

Yalmeh Peerless Beauty Vitamin C Serum (Negative review)

Amazon Link

I have used a few different brands of vitamin c serum, but I have not used any from this company. When I was offered the opportunity to review this, I gladly accepted. I wish I could continue and post a wonderful review for this, but unfortunately, that is not the case. I never received this product. 

On 09/30 it was "marked as shipped". On 10/15, I had not received it, so I contacted the company and asked if it could be tracked. I was told that I needed to provide my Amazon order # so they could look it up. I informed them that I did not have an Amazon order # for it, I did not purchase it there, I had checked all my purchases in the past 6 months. I received no response.  On 10/18, 10/19 and 10/20 I sent messages again asking about the status of the product and again, got no response. 

On 10/23 I got a message from the company stating that "this is the first time we've heard you didn't get the product, will send out a code tomorrow". 3 days later, still no code.

Because of this, I have no choice but to write my review based on the customer service and overall experience with this company. 

I cannot, in good faith, recommend this company or any of its products to my readers. I realize I was going to get my product free of charge, but I were a paying customer, who hadn't received my order, and my messages went unanswered, I would be FURIOUS. And I have a valid reason to believe this could happen to one of my readers if they purchased an item from Yalmeh. Customer service was unacceptable and the overall experience with the business was not a pleasant one. Be warned!

Tomoson.com. I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

Skinny Jane Weight Loss for Women's "Skinny Burn" Review

Skinny Jane - ($39.99)

• 9 Cutting Edge Ingredients to Maximize Fat Loss
• Scientifically Formulated to Suppress your Appetite, Burn Fat, and Boost Energy
• Very Safe Weight Loss Supplement
• Increase Energy, Focus and Exercise Endurance

Skinny Burn was formulated to help curb your appetite, burn body fat more efficiently and give you energy. Skinny Burn contains a special combination of 9 ingredients that work together to make your body a fat burning and energy producing machine. Skinny Burn does contain 50 mg of caffeine per capsule, and you will be getting 100-200 mg of caffeine daily (about the same amount as in a strong cup of coffee).

These pills work wonders! I lost 5 pounds after just using it for 12 days! And by the time the 30 days was done I lost a total of 8 pounds, I just need to lose the last bit of pregnancy weight and this seems to be helping me reach my goal. Thanks!

I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

Rose Hip Oil by Yumi Beautiful

Rose Hip Oil - ($9.95)

• LIGHT & EASILY ABSORBED - What you'll love about our Rosehip Oil is how beautifully and easily it absorbs into your skin to help keep your skin hydrated and elastic, minimizing the appearance of flaws.
• COLD-PRESSED, PREMIUM BOTANICAL OIL - Pure, Organic Rose Hip Oil from the Southern Andes Mountains of Chile. It's ECO Certified Organic, the highest quality rosehips seed oil for your face and neck, anywhere. Naturally paraben, alcohol, and fragrance free.
• DON'T BE FOOLED. Bigger isn't better! Others sell big bottles so consumers think you're getting more. Don't buy low quality, bulk bottles or heat-processed oil. Treat your skin the way it deserves to be treated, with organic rose hip seed oil of the highest quality.
• HYDRATES, LIFTS & PLUMPS - Rose Hip Oil is a godsend, making skin appear younger and more luminous. Bring vitality to dehydrated, sensitive and mature skin. Reduce the appearance of scars, stretch marks and fine lines over time.

This rosehip oil really helps my skin look great. I wasn't expecting to see results for at least a month after first using it but, to my big surprise, I started noticing a significant reduction in the fine lines and wrinkles in my forehead and around my eyes and mouth.

It's very good for use on dry hands. Just a couple drops will make your hands softer, smoother. You can also use this on brittle nails, just rub a small amount into each nail once or twice a day.

Many uses and all beneficial. It has a nice earthy, non-overpowering scent too. Smells nothing like roses but more of a nutty type of scent.

I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

Mandelic Acid 3-in-1 Wash

Mandelic Acid 3-in-1 Wash - ($31.00)

• This unique face and body wash helps suppress acne bacteria and restrains the formation of Melanin that causes blotchy pigmentation. 
• Helps prevent ingrown hairs. 
• Can also be used as a shampoo on scalp to control dandruff and acne.

Key Ingredients : Mandelic Acid, Green Tea Extract, Grape Extract, Kiwi Fruit Extract, Honey Extract.

My skin type is very fair, oily, with a tendency to have blackheads on my chin and nose. I don't see any pore size difference when using this, but I know my skin clears up faster, stays clear, and tends to get burnt easier. I will have to find a lotion with sunblock to prevent ti but it's worth it. It is strong enough to remove make-up, without irritating my skin. It has a mild, "soapy/floral" scent that is benign and also not irritating to either skin or nose. If I use this twice a day, my skin can get too dry. Therefore, I only use it once a day. I did not take any stars off because when used at a rate my skin can tolerate (i.e.: once a day), it is a fantastic cleanser for me.

I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

Target Beauty Box - Fall 2014

Target Beauty Box

Cost: $7/box

Target has jumped on the subscription box bandwagon and is now selling the Target Beauty Box, featuring products sold at Target, costing $7/box. I'm not sure how often the boxes are released, this is the first box I have had the chance to purchase.

The information card

L'Oreal® Paris Elnett Satin Hairspray Extra Strong Hold, 2.2 oz ($6.99)

I don't actually use hairspray, so this will be given to my MIL, who gladly takes all my hairspray samples! 

Fekkai Salon Professional Blow Out Hair Refresher Dry Shampoo 1.7oz ($7.99)

I'm a busy mom, so sometimes washing my hair has to take a backseat to other things. Dry shampoo is  A GODSEND in times like that. So I will gladly accept this and will use it as soon as my current dry shampoo (Batiste) is gone.

Laneige BB Cushion Sample

I can't put a price on this because it looks like one of those sample cards you pull out of a magazine. I suppose the purpose of this is to match your color (in case you don't already know which one you would use) but there's certainly not enough product in here to actually use it. 

NYX Jumbo Eye Pencil ($4.49)

Comes in 6 color choices, I'm not too sure what I'm going to do with a white eye pencil. Halloween is coming up soon, maybe I can integrate this into my costume (Zombie Prom Queen).

L'Oreal® Paris Colour Riche Extraordinaire #103 Blushing Harmony ($7.99)

I really like the color and the formula of this lipgloss. It's not sticky at all and has just enough color to make very beautiful for everyday use!

The total value of the box is listed as $28 and I am very pleased with the items we received! 

Disclaimer: I paid for this box, and all opinions are 100% my own.

Want to get your own Target Beauty Box? Click here!