Phytoceramides Skin Therapy Supplement Review

Purely Holistic - ($25.00)

Okay .... If you are like me, you are thinking "Botox in a bottle? Yeah right!"

WRONG!

Dr. Oz wasn't lying about a few of his rants and raves.

First, This isn't a magic cure for age. It will not take you back 30 years. You will not go from looking 60 to looking 40. Here is what it does do.

One, I noticed better tone. This pill does what toners claim to do. But you do not have to risk a skin reaction by trying multiple products.

Two, I did notice my face tighten. I will not lie and say that it took away a double chin, or sagging under eye circles, But I did feel it tighten. Which the odd thing about that was that it still felt pliable.

Let me think of how to explain this,

You know mud masks? How when you leave them on for the ten minutes your face feels right and stiff, you can literally see your eye brows raised because that mask is pulling your face. Well, it feels like a light version of that, but at the same time, your face is moisturized. It doesn't feel dry .... just, ugh, I wish I could explain this better. You feel closer to your skin.
So I do believe it is doing something.

It is not drastically noticeable to the eye, as it is to how you feel in your skin.

I did notice that I felt fuller. I have bad under eye circles so my face tends to look sunken in. But any angle I went for while taking that selfie, was an okay angle.

It is not a miracle worker, but it does change the appearance of your skin slightly. I still have crows feet, they didn't disappear, but they aren't as defined either. Maybe this mixed with a few other things I have been trying together have found a way to work.

all in all, my skin feels healthier. I still look like I am aging, but I love the way my skin feels.

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


                             

Naturally Fresh Deodorant Crystal Review + Gievaway!

Naturally Fresh Deodorant Crystal kindly sent me these items for review.

I am in the process of switching to all natural products, so I am excited to try these natural deodorants! There will also be a giveaway! Information at bottom of review. 

Naturally Fresh Deodorant Crystal Peach Twist-Up - ($6.99)

Made from pharmaceutical grade mineral salts. It's highly recommended by doctors, oncologists, dermatologists, and allergists. Aloe Vera is added to soothe and moisturize shaved underarms. 

Naturally Fresh Deodorant Crystal products are made of mineral salts, which are:

*Pure & natural

*Non-staining

*Up to 24 hour effective

*hypoallergenic

Approximately 10 percent of the population cannot use conventional deodorants for various reasons. 

To unlock the power of this amazing crystal, simply moisten the stick and apply to underarm area as you would any other deodorant. Once activated with water, the crystal stick has a shelf life of 1 year. 

I avoided this for a LONG time. As a fairly heavy sweater, I spent years refusing to give up antiperspirant. Literally, years. But it's become increasingly more important to me to 1) avoid putting unnecessary chemicals on my body, and 2) avoid animal-tested products, which is darn hard when it comes to drugstore antiperspirants. After a particularly frustrating summer day of sweating through my clinical-strength Mitchum, I figured what the heck - it can't possibly get any WORSE. So I took the plunge.

It's not an antiperspirant. I still sweat. However, I would sweat about the same amount when applying Mitchum regularly, so for me there's no loss there. And interestingly, this crystal does a WAY better job of keeping odor away then antiperspirant ever did. When I would sweat heavily while wearing antiperspirant, I would get this weird, slightly perfumed funk that would stick to my clothes and become noticeable if I lifted my arms (TMI, sorry!)

When I sweat after applying the crystal, I smell nothing. Literally nothing. It has held up to everything I do, and I'm talking hot August days without AC and vigorous half marathon/5K races. Even when I'm sweaty, I'm not smelly. That's impressive to me, and a result with which I'm very happy. 

Naturally Fresh Deodorant Crystal Roll-On Lavendar - ($4.99)


I'm on my third crystal deodorant (the last two from a different brand but pretty much the same ingredients) and am never going back. Not ever. I was tired deodorants claiming to be "invisible and unscented" when they always had a baby-powder smell and left marks on my shirt. It was also a little scary when I found out that the active ingredient in antiperspirant was a known neurotoxin and had possible links to Alzheimer's.

What I like about this is that it takes an entirely different approach to body odor, instead of trying to mimic mainstream products in a more natural way. Instead of stopping you sweating (which really can't be all that good.....we sweat for a reason), it stops the odor-causing bacteria from getting at the sweat. That's what causes the odor, not the sweat itself.

Geodeo Island Natural Detox Complex - ($5.99)

I love this. It lets me perspire, which feels healthier than my life-long habit of using antiperspirant and this really does stop odor. I really like the idea of not masking my own scent while not killing people around me with serious b/o. There were a couple off days, maybe minutes really, when I thought it had stopped working, but it always seemed to kick in again.


HURRY!! Head on over to Naturally Fresh Deodorant Crystal and pick up some of their amazing, natural deodorants!!


GIVEAWAY ALERT!!!!!!!!!!!!  Naturally Fresh is giving one of my lucky readers a FREE, unscented roll-on deodorant!

a Rafflecopter giveaway Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Best Nut Milk Bag Review + Giveaway!

Best Nut Milk Bag - ($9.95)

It is a reusable, easy to clean, affordable 12" x 10" Premium Fine Mesh Strainer. It is ideal for cold coffee brewing, Vitamix juicers, juicing, Greek yogurt straining, almond milk recipes, and all those amazing natural drink recipes we have tried lately or are dying to try.

We are all looking for ways to be healthier and live healthier and this is a item that achieves both.

- You Only Have to Filter Once. Ultra Fine, High Quality Reusable Mesh Bag Means No Pulp Gets Through.
- No Holes, Tearing or Clogging Like You Get With Cheaply Constructed Bags You Have to Keep Replacing.
- No Dirty Residue. Durable, Tight Weave Means No Pulp Left Behind After Washing.


WANT A CHANCE TO WIN ONE OF YOUR OWN??!! Enter Below!!




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.

InstaNatural Niacinamide (Vitamin B3) serum Review

Niacinamide Cream Serum - ($17.95)

InstaNatural Niacinamide (Vitamin B3) serum is well tolerated by all skin types!
• Can be used on normal, dry, oily and sensitive skin.
• Lightweight formula that gets absorbed quickly.
• Achieve a youthful appearance.
• Gain clear, smoother and brighter skin.

Niacinamide / Vitamin B3 Cream Moisturizer has many benefits:

1) Great for moisturizing the skin naturally
2) Has acne fighting ingredients
3) Skin lightening benefits
4) Firms & Plumps the skin
5) Helpful for Hyperpigmentation



This is a great moisturizer for dry skin. I have very dry hands and this helped to smooth them out!! I do not care to much about the smell, but if it works does the smell really matter?





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.

Purple Prairie Botanicals Review

Purple Prairie Botancials happily provided me with some items to review for ya'll!

(Sorry for the bad lighting here!)

Carrot Rose Face Cream - ($10.99-$31.99)

Just received my first bottle, of many to come as this is clearly going to be a staple. I love the serums generally, but this feels great and leaves my skin soft and clear. I'm very happy with the results so far! Plus, it smells divine! I could almost eat it.... Almost. :)

*99% Natural
*Made with Organic Ingredients
*Benefits All Skin Types
*NO Parabens, Gluten, Phthalates, Synthetic Fragrances or dyes, animal ingredients or sulfates.

Peppermint Tea Tree Foot Lotion - ($10.99)

This stuff is amazing! I had really dry feet before using this and now it's nice and soft and I don't have anymore cracks! :P A "must-have" if you suffer from dry, cracked heels or rough feet. I put this on every night after I shower and then I put on a soft pair of socks until  crawl into bed. In the morning my feet are nice and soft.

Peppermint Oatmeal Soap - ($3.99)

I've been looking for a natural soap that is effective but won't dry out my skin. This is exactly what I'e been looking for! It lathers well and has a nice minty smell. As the description says, it is cooling on sensitive, irritated skin. Like most bar soaps, it feels like it leaves a bit of residue after rinsing, but the feeling doesnt last long and isn't uncomfortable.

Orange Teatree Soap - ($3.99)

Soft and moist (like Shea Butter). Smell is very nice. I have very dry skin on my hands, so I recognize a good soap fast, I can see after a few minutes how my skin reacts. I'm happy to confirm that this one is not drying.

Tea Tree Soap - ($3.99)

I use this primarily when it gets warm and bugs and insects are rampant. Mosquito's love me. However, they and their insect buddies don't love tea tree oil. And since I don't like using oily products such as insect repellent, this product seems heaven sent.

Tea Tree oil has a somewhat astringent quality and scent which isn't unpleasant and is actually sort of fresh without having a flowery property. It is also good for facial outbreaks as it effectively fights oily residue on skin.

Shea Butter & Oatmeal Soap - ($3.99)

It has a very mild smell. Not floral or fruity, which is nice sometimes.

What I didn't like was that is has chunks of oatmeal in it. Actual pieces of oatmeal. As the bar gets smaller, the pieces of oatmeal start coming off while lathering. I don't know if its meant to exfoliate or what, but generally I prefer a solid bar of soap. It may be something to consider if you don't like chunks of stuff scrubbing off on you while soaping yourself. It wasn't totally annoying though. Just a little weird.


Head over to Purple Prairie Botanicals for more great organic, cruelty-free products!!

Influenster Vitality Box

Influenster

Influenster "Vitality" Box

 I received these products complimentary from Influenster for testing purposes.

First Degree Advanced Burn Cream - ($17.99)

This is going right into the first aid kit! Hopefully we will never have to use it, but definitely good to have!

Soft Lips Cube - ($4.00)

This might become a stocking stuffer for the holidays, because I have wayyyy too many lip balm/gloss/tubethingies right now. :P But I kinda want to keep it, because it's pink. :) Decisions, decisions!! 

Bikini Ready Energy Gummies - ($19.99)

I'm not sure how I got a full size bottle, every other picture of Vitality boxes that I've seen,

has a small sample packet of gummies (2 individual gummies). But, thanks Influenster! :P

These claim to "boost metabolism & increase energy". Let's keep it real here, it's just a sugar covered gummy. Don't get me wrong, they taste good, and yes, they increase your energy because as I said, it's a sugar covered gummy. But would I spend $20 on a bottle of sugar covered gummies? Probably not.

Pure Leaf Tea - ($5.50)

Tea....TEA?? Influenster, I thought you knew me better than that!! In case you missed it, I am not a tea fan. And despite the many, many tea bags that fill my subscription boxes each month, I STILL AM NOT A TEA FAN. *sigh*   My MIL was happy to take it off my hands though. 

Elizabeth Arden Ceramide Capsules - ($74.00)

Honestly, I have no idea what these are or what they are used for. Again, something else that I will pass along. 


Not pictured: Tampons... because, well, they're tampons. :) Use your imagination. 



Verdict: Nothing fancy. but some useful things. And they were free, so even better!


Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

BoxyCharm - August 2014

BoxyCharm
Cost: $21/month

August 2014 BoxyCharm! BoxyCharm has really stepped up it's game in the past few months, and the value of the boxes are considerably higher than the $21 price tag.

Ofra Cosmetics Americano Bronzer - ($35)

This alone with more than the cost of the box. It's a beautful color, but I've never had good luck with bronzers so I will probably pass this along.

Tarina Tarantino Lipstick - ($22)

LOVE this color! And the formula is wonderful. I'm all about packaging and how things look, and I can't help but love the bling on the cap. :)

ModelCo Cheek & Lips Cheek and Lip Tint - ($22)

Cheek and Lip tints just never quite work out for me... *sigh*

Morphe Brushes Powder Brush - ($19.99)

I love brushes! And just tools in general. Too many brushes? No such thing! (see also, "too much nail polish" hehehe)

Ofra Cosmetics Eyeliner - ($13.00)

I don't use brown eyeliner, never have. Only black for this girl (or maybe, the occasional blue or silver). So I'll pass this along.



Overall: MAN BOXYCHARM, you've stepped it up!! That's all I can really say.  All this for only $21? Who can pass that up?