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Monday, February 29, 2016

Slumber Max Memory Foam Pillow - Bamboo Cover


Slumber Max Shredded Memory Foam Pillow with Bamboo Cover

We're really big in my house on changing linens and pillows every year. My son's pillows have gone flat and are way beyond a good washing. We tossed them and chose this standard-sized, hypoallergenic, shredded memory foam pillow because he's predominately a side sleeper (it's also great for back sleepers). It comes with a bamboo/polyester zippered cover that is machine washable and has a 5-year, no questions asked guarantee...yep, you can get your money back. You can see above that it arrived in a great zippered travel case.

We took it out it's fancy casing and the pillow itself is sealed in plastic:


This is what the zippered bamboo cover looks like:



At this point, I was kind of freaking out. Why you ask? THIS:



I was shocked at how thin it was. Now I have no prior experience with these types of pillows so I immediately got online in a panicked state to read about them. Also, I do want to note, the pillow and case has a slightly weird smell. I found that the shredded memory foam pillows typically may have a slight odor due to the foam and that, if you remain calm and toss it in the dryer for 20 minutes with some dryer sheets, not only does the smell dissipate, the pillow magically grows in size! Much better.



Now, keep in mind the bamboo cover IS machine washable, the memory foam pillow inside IS NOT, it's spot clean only. You're still getting that 5-year guarantee, that gives me some piece of mind.

The pillow once fluffed, is very soft and surprisingly stays cool for a hot sleeper. My son is convinced it's his favorite pillow yet, much better than we've been able to find in local stores. I'm thinking I need to find some king-sized ones right away for my bed, I'm kind of jealous.

PROS: fluffs up well, doesn't get hot, cozy
CONS: that weird smell

I received this item in exchange for an open, honest and unbiased review. I always try to be as detailed as possible when I give a review, posting pics, as well as listing pros and cons.

Sunday, February 28, 2016

#Artnaturals Konjac Facial Sponge Set - Brand Matters


Art Naturals Konjac Facial Sponge Set - 2 Pack
Best Under $10

In the past few months I've really started paying attention to my skin, especially on my face. I have what they call "mature skin" (that basically means I'm over forty). I'll admit, I have always been horrible about taking care of myself over the years. Isn't that something we women do, put others first? This year, I decided to set goals for myself, beauty routine-wise. I've had the chance to try all sorts of new things and have really noticed, that since I take the time to pamper myself each day, even for 10 minutes, I feel more confident about myself.

A few weeks ago I tried my very first Konjac Facial Sponge from another brand. Compared to the buff puff, I found it amazing and thought I would never use any thing else again. Little did I know, different brands had different quality. While the other brand worked well, my face wash didn't lather well, I thought it was just my product. Nope.

A little bit of handy information for you: Konjac sponges are very gentle and perfect for sensitive skin, rosacea, and dry flakes. Exfoliating your skin with these sponges can make your skin smoother and brighter. They are moist little pockets of happiness, feel squishy and clean well.

Art Naturals has their own line of Konjac sponges, so I thought, why not give them a try, I adore their product line anyway! The facial sponge set arrived packaged in a crafty box, clearly labeled with directions. Yep...you get two for the price you normally would pay for one.

BOX BACK


These sponges are 100% vegan and organic, ­paraben free, cruelty free with packaging made from recycled materials. You get one natural for daily use and one bamboo charcoal for once a week deep cleaning. Personally, I think they both feel the same. You'll find that each sponge comes with a string attached for hanging and a bonus suction cup hook to hang on your mirror to let your sponge dry. This is what was missing from the other brand I tried - handy hanging tools!



These Konjac sponges are sealed individually and are hard...don't worry, this is perfectly normal. You'll want to open the sponge of your choice and soak it in warm water for a few minutes. The size will double and it becomes super-soft and round, mine had no odors. I immediately noticed that compared to the other brand I tried, these sponges were much larger once wet. I set out with my coconut and honey face wash and couldn't believe how much better these lathered up the soap on my face. Brand really makes a difference.



I liked how these felt against my skin, not harsh, using it didn't strip my face, but did exfoliate well. I wear an eye brightener that is hard to remove, so with the shape of this sponge, getting under the lashes and in the corner of your eyes is a bit difficult. I think a tear-drop shape would make these even better. I've noticed after using these, my skin feels clean and hydrated, even before I moisturize. Always pat dry!

You'll want to sanitize your sponge every week by placing it in a bowl of water in the microwave for about 2 minutes, then wring out and hang to dry. I would suggest replacing after 3 months.

PROS: natural, 2-pack, exfoliates without stripping, LOVE the hanger
CONS: the only think to make these perfect is if the shape were teardrops for tight areas

I received this item at a discounted rate in exchange for an open, honest and unbiased review. My experiences are my own, we'd love to hear yours!

Saturday, February 27, 2016

sérumtologié® C serum º22 - Noticeably Brighter Skin



sérumtologié® C serum º22

Along with trying new moisturizers, I figured I'd give some serums a try as well. This Vitamin C serum 22 by serumtologie is useful in treating and correcting fine lines, age spots and preventing skin dehydration. If you choose, you can use it as an all over moisturizer. The product is 100% vegan, made in the USA, contain no Parabens, Phthalates, Petrochemicals, Sulfates. Synthetic Dyes, Aromas or GMO's....that was a mouthful! They also offer a 100% product guarantee and never test on animals. It's 22% Vitamin C - hence the name.

My box arrived and I loved how serumtologie packaged everything in one handy box. This stuff screams high-end. The bottle was a lovely cobalt blue, which protects it from light and included a really detailed pamphlet, explaining all the benefits such as brightening, healing, inhibiting inflammation and reducing uneven skin tones. The 5% botanical hyaluronic acid achieves maximum hydration by attracting over 1000 times its weight in water from the moisture in the air. Regular vitamin C is very unstable and many typical vitamin C products are inactive by the time they are used on the skin, in some cases, they have become pro-oxidant and actually generate free radicals! Ground-breaking stability data on Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate guarantees real vitamin C activity and best of all, unlike regular vitamin C, it will not cause skin irritation.

Presentation people, it's everything.
The topper to the bottle is "dropper" style.



This Vitamin C serum 22 is an opaque white and seemed like an oil. There was no real scent to the product itself. You're supposed to apply 5 to 6 drops and rub into your skin.  Apply morning and evening for optimal results. For all intensive purposes, I applied this product solely to my jaw-line where I have age spots. Make sure you do this after moisturizing but before make-up. It's not greasy or sticky at all and dries pretty quickly without leaving any residue. I'm hoping with extended use, my spots will eventually blend in and even out, this isn't a quick fix. My skin tends to be super picky about what I put on it and I've not had a single breakout. While C serum º22 is not a replacement for sunscreen, when used in conjunction, it provides further protection from skin damage caused by the sun.

Now I've been using this product for almost ten days and I have yet to see immediate results, but I haven't had anything bad happen either. It's what I expected, most serums start to work over time and you have to be proactive and make sure to use it daily. It does seem to me that I have had some brightening of some spots, but nothing that is significant enough to capture with a photo. I'm hoping to have a bigger change around the 30 day mark.

PROS: sensitive skin approved, made in the USA, no added fragrance
CONS: not a quick fix, don't expect immediate results

I received this product at a discounted price in exchange for an open, honest and unbiased review. I've shared my beginners experience with you, we'd love to hear yours!

Friday, February 26, 2016

MOKOQIA® Aromatherapy Ultrasonic Cool Mist Humidifier


MOKOQIA® Aromatherapy Ultrasonic Cool Mist Humidifier

I love to use essential oils for aromatherapy in my home, they are much safer than aerosol sprays and last longer. This MOKOQIA® Essential Oil Diffuser Vaporizer came packaged in a plain brown box, included a detailed instruction manual in English, a plastic 150 ml measuring cup, a DC24V plug and the actual diffuser itself, which is all plastic and opaque. The lid twists off from the base, so that you can access the water chamber which holds 100 ML of water. I would say the unit is about 6 inches in height. This is meant for a small area, not a large room. I would say about 150 sq. ft. at most in order to have aromatherapy benefits. It doesn't use heat, so no worries about children touching it and burning themselves.



It's really simple to use, you twist the lid off, add in the water to the max line, drop in 6 drops of your favorite essential oil, place the lid back on and you are ready to go. Once the water reaches a low level, it will automatically shut off. There are two buttons on the front, the left button controls the color lights and the right button controls the mist, each button beeps when pressed.

Left Button:
Press once to turn on and all seven colors will slowly cycle through.
Press again until you get to the color of your choice and it will stay on just that color
Press for 3 seconds to shut off light


Right Button:
Press once and unit will spray mist for 30 seconds, shut off for 30 seconds and repeat for up to six hours until water is low, then it will auto-shut off.
Press a second time, button will turn red and run for 3 hours in continuous mist mode, then auto shut off when low.
Press and hold a third time to shut off, or you can hold for 3 seconds.


The colors are very vibrant, the diffuser silent to run. If you use colored essential oils, the plastic on the inside will eventually stain. You'll want to make sure to only use 100% essential oils.



To clean this unit, simply unplug, drain, use a mild dish detergent and wipe down the inside. You'll want to do this every 4 days or so.

This would make a FABULOUS gift, I can't tell you how much my grand-kids enjoy just staring at it. I keep it by my desk for blogging and add various oils to suit my mood. I have reviewed another brand and found that I preferred it because it has a wood base and glass cover, but this unit gives me color options.

PROS: Bright colors, up to six hour run time, simple
CONS: It's all plastic, would have liked a glass cover

I received this it at a discount in exchange for an open, honest and unbiased review. My experience are my own, we'd love to hear yours!

Thursday, February 25, 2016

Coconut Milk & Honey - Sensitive Skin Approved



Foxbrim Coconut Milk & Honey Face Cleanser

I'll admit, if I'm in a pinch, I'll use the cheap stuff to clean my face....or at least I did. My store brand foaming cleanser just wasn't doing it's job to remove all traces of my make-up and was over-drying my skin. This meant red patches and mild break outs. Time for a change!

Along came Foxbrim's Coconut Milk & Honey Face Moisturizing Cleanser. Just the name alone yells out for attention. This delicate foaming cleanser removes all traces of make-up without leaving dry skin behind. It has all sorts of goodies in it such as coconut milk, honey, aloe vera, vitamin E, jojoba oil and rosemary. It's safe to use on your face or your body and doesn't burn your eyes, I should know, I got it in there. It's not animal tested and it is made in the USA.

This cleanser is 6 ounces (about the size of my hand) and has a pump-top dispenser which was perfect to get just the right amount on my Konjac Sponge. It smells like a fragrant herb garden with soft notes of honey mixed in, much better than what I'm used to. I found that two pumps is the perfect amount to wash your entire face and neck. This stuff even took off my hard-to-remove eye-brightener. I expected much more lather than what I got, but like I said - it removed everything without scrubbing. It rinses well, leaving no harsh residue. In other words, I didn't feel like I had just stripped my skin like harsher soaps do.

Foxbrim crafts all it's products in small batches to ensure efficacy of the natural ingredients. They also back up their products with an amazing guarantee. Try it. Love it. Or send it back for a full refund. No questions asked.

PROS: smells fresh, for all skin types, prevented dry skin, not animal tested
CONS: would have liked more lather

I received this product at a discounted rate in exchange for an open, honest and unbiased review. My experience are my own, we'd love to hear yours!

Wednesday, February 24, 2016

#RadhaBeauty Perfect Aromatherapy Gift Set


RADHA 6 Piece Essential Oils
100% Pure & Therapeutic grade Under $20

I just recently bought an Essential Oil Diffuser"to use in my home to help keep the air smelling fresh and to improve moods naturally. RADHA Beauty sent us this 6 pack sampler gift set of 100& pure, steam distilled, therapeutic-grade essential oils. The box was sealed well and upon opening, I was impressed with not only the presentation and scent in each bottle, but the extra pamphlet of useful information about each specific oil.



Each bottle contains 10 ML and made from cobalt colored glass with a screw top plastic lid. The six scents included in the box are:

Lavender: light floral scent, used for relaxation and promoting calmness.
Tea Tree Oil: think clove meets pine scent, a natural disinfectant & anti-fungal, this scent is perfect for clearing pet odors out of the air.
Orange: tangy citrus, perfect for promotion positivity
Eucalyptus: sweet mint & pine, helps with congestion, promotes calmness
Lemongrass: earthy grass with lemon notes. Promotes balance and energy
Peppermint: strong menthol, great to liven up the mood

The one thing I noticed after removing the lids, is that the only way to get the oils to come out, is to tip them over and shake gently until you get the amount you want. Again, I used these in a no-heat diffuser, 5 to 6 drops per 100 ML of water and set it to mist 10 seconds on, 10 seconds off for 6 hours. The scents stayed in the air, weren't over-powering and were noticeable upon entering the room. I really loved the variety of this pack and the quality of the oils were spot on.

Being that these RADHA Beauty essential oils are concentrated and undiluted, you MUST dilute them with a carrier oil such as coconut, jojoba, olive oil, etc. BEFORE applying them directly to your skin.

PROS: natural, potent, great gift, variety
CONS: bottles are glass, so you have to kind of shake them to get the oil drops out

I received this item at a discount in exchange for an open, honest and unbiased review. My experiences are my own, we'd love to hear yours!

Tuesday, February 23, 2016

ArtNaturals Eyelash Enhancer Growth Serum - Another Success Story


ArtNaturals Eyelashes & Eyebrow Enhancer Growth Serum
No Prescription Needed

I'm a skeptic when it comes to companies that advertise things I find hard to believe, like magically growing better lashes. With age, your lashes and brows tend to become sparse, and I for one, can attest to that. I wanted something to amp up the volume without having to layer on water-proof mascara. The clumpy-look is not in style.

Here's a make-up free close-up of my brittle babies:


I've heard about prescriptions that can give you fuller lashes, and even had friends use it, but that means a doctor visit, and $120 bucks for a product that only gives you 30 applications. Not in my budget.

ArtNaturals Eyelash Growth Serum promises to make thicker, longer eyelashes & brows. It's dermatologist tested and has a non-irritating allergenic formula. They also offer a 100% money-back guarantee. This serum's magical ingredients are Swiss Apple Stem Cells & Myristoyl Pentapetide-17. It's made in the USA and is cruelty-free. I also have experience using this brand and their beauty line, never ceases to impress me.

The eyelash growth serum came in it's own box, had an ingredient list I couldn't pronounce and writing that was difficult to read. I would have loved a pamphlet inside so I wouldn't have to strain my eyes. All that's inside is this little bottle, about the size of my index finger.



The serum is clear and doesn't have any noticeable scent. I was half expecting a mascara wand, but instead found this thin applicator:



Once I was a able to read the instructions, I realized the brush was meant to apply the serum to your lash line ONLY (and your brows). There was no specific mention of using it on lower lashes, so I didn't even attempt to treat them, in fear of getting this stuff in my eye. You should remove all make-up & contacts before putting this stuff on. I didn't want to go blind (call me paranoid, I call it cautiousness), so I complied. I dipped in the brush and paid careful attention, lining my upper lashes at the base completely. Nothing got in my eye, there was no fantastically tingling, just a little dampness until it dried. I did this faithfully every night for a week, AFTER I washed my face, applied moisturizer and eye cream.

This is what my results were:


My lashes have darkened, appear longer, thicker and have more volume after seven days. I didn't even apply mascara! Whoa - THIS STUFF WORKS! I'm sold on ArtNaturals Eyelashes & Eyebrow Enhancer Growth Serum and I'm pretty sure this little bottle is going to last for months on end.

PROS: conditions, promoted growth, thickened lashes
CONS: I still don't know if you should use this on your bottom lashes, the directions aren't clear. Could use a pamphlet inside

I received this product at a discounted rate in exchange for my open, honest and unbiased review. My experiences are my own, we'd love to hear yours!

Monday, February 22, 2016

Etekcity Personal Water Filter Purifier Kit - #BugOutApproved



Etekcity Personal Water Filter Purifier
Under $20

Are you a survivalist aficionado? Like to camp, hike or just have an prepped emergency kit on hand? This is a must have to pack in your bag!

With this Etekcity Personal Water Filter Purifier kit, you can have instant access to clean, purified drinkable water anywhere. With a double filtration system, this portable kit has the capacity to filter almost 400 gallons of water, eliminating contaminants including coli bacillus, legionella, heavy metal ions, chlorine, volatile organic compounds (VOC), organic and insect contaminants. It's affordable, compact and lightweight and includes everything you need! The filtration system is made up of a hollow fiber UF membrane and an antibacterial carbon filter for twice the safety. BPA & chemical-free.

INCLUDED ACCESSORIES:
A fold-able 16 ounce BPA-free portable water bag with carry clip
28" extension tube
pre-filter
backwash device
clear instructions




We received this kit thanks to the great people at Etekcity. My son is an EMT, so he always carries a back-up emergency bag with him, both on-duty and off. This Personal Water Filter Purifier Kit comes packed with everything you see above. The straw is designed to be compatible with standard threaded bottles and hydration reservoirs.

There are 4 methods of use:

Direct Filter: using the mouthpiece, you can drink directly from any water source.
Filter Extension tube: If the water source is a little tough to reach, you connect the extension tube to the mouthpiece, immerse in water & drink.
Prefilter: Attach the prefilter to the mouthpiece, place straw in water and hydrate. The pre-filter provides extra filtration when water is more turbid or contains organic or any insect contaminants.
Portable Water Bag: Fill with water, connect the bag and straw from the inlet end and enjoy!

The Etekcity Personal Water Filter Purifier Kit provides reliable filtration for collected rainwater, tap water, unfiltered reservoirs, ponds and lakes. Please keep in mind, this water purifier is not intended for extended long-term use. The filters will clog and need to be cleaned after use.

My son personally collected water from our local lake to test this out and it's pretty murky. He noticed immediately that you do have to pull harder than you normally would through a regular straw and while the water didn't taste like "bottled options", it didn't have an funky taste. This one is a keeper for emergency use for sure.

PROS: compact, affordable, BPA-free
CONS: Really hard to get a good draw

I received this item for free in exchange for an open, honest and unbiased review. Our experiences are our own, we would love to hear yours!

Sunday, February 21, 2016

#ArtNaturals Anti-Acne Serum - Clearer Skin Faster


Art Naturals® Anti Acne Serum Treatment 1 oz

My oldest daughter is 25 and still has problems each month with cystic-type acne, that scabs terribly. She's tried facial scrubs and store bought acne treatments. Nothing seemed to stop or even relieve the break-outs. Here are some before pictures - keep in mind, she has make-up on trying to cover the blemishes. It's not working well.





The wonderful people at Art Naturals® sent us their Anti Acne Serum Treatment. It comes in a glass bottle with clear directions and a dropper style applicator. The serum itself was a watery, opaque cream color, seemed a bit oily and smelled medicinal with notes of lemongrass. My daughter used this product for over a week as a spot treatment for her problem prone areas daily and immediately noticed that it didn't dry out her skin, it actually moisturized it and made it softer. This meant no painful, bleeding scabs that she typically has to deal with and less chance of scarring.





Art Naturals® Anti Acne Serum Treatment is Free Trade Certified. ­Paraben Free, Cruelty Free, made with recycled materials and uses natural and organic ingredients. It contains Manuka oil for anti-bacterial properties, Lemongrass oil as an antioxidant, anti-bacterial and aroma-therapeutic use. You can apply this twice a day using a cotton swab BEFORE moisturizing.

I have tried numerous items from Art Naturals and have always been delighted with each one of them, from shampoo to mud masks, they nail it each time!

PROS:
reduces inflammation, dried acne, without drying skin
CONS: medicinal smell

I received this item at a discounted price in exchange for an open, honest and unbiased review. Our experiences are our own, we'd love to hear yours!

Saturday, February 20, 2016

#CushionCare Keyboard Wrist Rest Pad & Mouse Pad


#CushionCare Keyboard Wrist Rest Pad & Matching Mouse Pad
Under $20

My son spends an awful lot of time on the computer on his days off from work, using both a gaming keyboard and a gaming mouse. We had an opportunity to review this CushionCare Keyboard Wrist Rest Pad with a free Matching Mouse Pad and thought this would be perfect for him comfort-wise. What we really liked about this set is that it's made from high quality foam, has a skid proof back, is light-weight and affordable. It also comes with a full 3-year warranty! Using the wrist wrest encourages proper wrist alignment and can help prevent joint problems and carpel tunnel.



This Keyboard Wrist Rest Pad & Matching Mouse Pad comes sized just right and includes everything you see in the photo. I liked that it was boxed really nice, so this would make a great gift choice for someone you know that uses computers often. My son couldn't wait to get it out of the box and set it up. He thought it might take some getting used to, but nope....for him, it was an easy transition. He immediately noticed how relaxed his hands felt and that it's improved his writing posture.







PROS: perfect for gift giving, comfortable, doesn't slip, wrist relief at it's finest, long warranty
CONS: none, and I mean absolutely none at all

I received this product at a discount in exchange for an open, honest and unbiased review. My experience are my own, we'd love to hear yours!

Friday, February 19, 2016

EiioX Essential Oil Diffuser - Spa-like Aromatherapy



EiioX Essential Oil Diffuser
Under $25

This Essential Oil Diffuser is a great little item to have in your home if you love aromatherapy. It comes with a removable opaque glass cover, a wooden base, one detachable DC24V plug and a handy plastic measuring cup with an easy pour spout. It's about 5 to 6 inches in height, has two buttons of the front to control mist & lighting options and holds 100 ML of water for 3 hours on continued use. The LED lighting is a soft yellow tone, it does not change colors. Once the water is low, it will automatically shut off.



Button of the left is for mist control

1st option - 3 hours of continuous mist
2nd option - 10 seconds of mist/10 seconds off (about 6 hours of use)
3rd option - 1 hour timed mist mode
4th option - 2 hours of continuous mist


Button to the right is lighting selection:

1st option - High
2nd option - Medium
3rd option - Low
4th option - Off

I used this with a sample pack of RADHA essential oils and added about 5 drops of orange oil to 100 ML of water. It worked immediately to fill the air in my kitchen and dining room with no effort. It's amazingly quiet and very aesthetically pleasing. You don't even notice it!

I do want to add, that my box came with no instruction manual and I still managed to get it up and running in no time.



PROS: no heat needed, simple to use, great to keep your home smelling great with essential oils
CONS: no instruction manual

I received this item at a discounted rate in exchange for an open, honest and unbiased review. My experiences are my own and I will do my best to update the post a month or so from now to report back on how long the unit holds up for.

Thursday, February 18, 2016

Art Naturals Argan Oil Hair Mask - Deep Conditioning



Art Naturals Argan Oil Hair Mask
Under $13

In the past few years, I've let my natural color grown in, embracing all 50 shades of grey. Unfortunately, that means that my hair is prone to extreme brassiness. To keep it in check, I use an expensive purple-hued shampoo and conditioner twice a week to keep the yellow tones away. It works, but my hair tends to be course and dry now. Occasionally, I'd pick up a cheap one treatment deep conditioning product from my local beauty supply store, but it left my hair feeling weighted down and greasy. I should probably add I chronically blow-dry my hair which causes even more damage and leaves me with frizzed ends.

I decided to give Art Naturals Argan Oil Hair Mask a try. This premium hydrating formula contains 100% organic Moroccan Argan oil, Jojoba oil, aloe Vera and infused with Keratin protein. It's used to restore and hydrate all types of hair. It's cruelty-free, is ­Free Trade Certified paraben free, sulfate free, made with recycled materials, in the USA.

My 8 ounce jar arrived quickly and as always, Art Naturals has fantastic labeling with clear, readable instructions. The ingredient list was long with some things I couldn't even pronounce. I unsealed the jar to reveal a thick, white conditioner that smells rich & heavenly, yet not over-powering.



You'll want to wash your hair as you would normally, then towel dry. I applied a generous amount and combed through my ends gently and let it sit for about five minutes, before rinsing well. I towel dried again, then used my blow dryer on low. The first thing I noticed is that my hair was tangle-free, felt softer, looked shinier and had no fly-aways. This hair mask left no heavy residue and my hair smelled divine.

Art Naturals Argan Oil Hair Mask is something I will continue to use, once per week for deep conditioning to give my damaged hair some extra moisture and bounce. It's much better than what I have been able to find in local stores. Keep in mind, no product can reverse damage that has already been done to your hair, BUT you can prevent further damage by taking better care of it. Make sure you are keeping those dead ends trimmed, using good products that don't leave residue/strip and protect your hair from excessive heat.

PROS: shinier and noticeably softer hair, smells great
CONS: long ingredient list

I received this product at a discount in exchange for an open, honest and unbiased review. I've shared my experience, we'd love to hear yours!

Wednesday, February 17, 2016

Radha Beauty Dead Sea Mud Mask - Surprisingly Refreshing


Radha Beauty Dead Sea Mud Mask
Under $15

Looking for something to cleanse your pores, remove dead skin cells, regulate and absorb excessive oils and clear up acne prone skin? Let me introduce you to Radha Beauty's Dead Sea Mud Mask. It's 100% natural-minerals rich to treat, detoxify and cleanse your skin. It boasts a short, easy to understand ingredient list and is not animal tested. The packaging is professional, easy to read and I loved the fact that the directions were clear and simple to follow. Did you know that the Dead Sea mud had 26 essential purifying minerals?

The mud itself is chalky grey, thick, moist and smells earthy.



I haven't used a mud mask in years and from what I recall, you were supposed to let the goo harden and crack before removing and it was a pain to scrub off. I had grossly been misinformed. I applied the Radha Beauty Dead Sea Mud Mask as directions stated, using about 1/2 a teaspoon to cover my face, avoiding sensitive areas. The mask applies smoothly and feels creamy. You'll only want to leave this on for about 7 minutes, so it's slightly dry. You DON'T want it to harden, scrubbing a cracked mask is in no way beneficial to your delicate skin and can make it itchy. This stuff has a cooling effect and was spa-like.

The headband isn't a fashion statement, it's meant to keep my hair mud-free.


Before removing, pat your mask with warm water, simply using your hands. Next, take a soft, moist washcloth and begin to gently wipe away the mud. I found that it came off with ease and wasn't harsh in any way. I rinsed any remnants left behind with lukewarm water and patted dry with a clean hand towel. Using this method, I wondered why nobody had ever included those little tips before.

At this point, after using a mud mask, my face is really tight, extremely dry and irritated, so normally I would heavily moisturize. I found this Radha Beauty's Dead Sea Mud Mask left my skin soft, refreshed, clean and tight.

This is something that I will personally use once per week for deep cleaning, but if you have oily skin and acne-prone spots, you can use it twice a week or as a spot treatment. The bottle is sized well and I can see it lasting about 3 months easily, if you measure each time.

PROS: Easy to read ingredient list, for all skin types, doesn't dry your skin out
CONS: Not made in the USA

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I received this item at a discounted rate in exchange for an open, honest and unbiased review. My experiences are my own, we'd love to hear yours!

Tuesday, February 16, 2016

#elbanaturals n.1 Face & Eye Advanced Firming Cream


Elba n.1 Face & Eye Advanced Firming Cream
from #elbanaturals

Your search for the best Eye Cream is over. Elba n.1 Face & Eye Advanced Firming Cream is this amazing cream that is 97.5% Naturally Derived & 70% Certified Organic and made in the USA. It has dozens of botanicals, pure plant oils and organic vitamins and minerals that will leave your eye area soft and hydrated. It boasts being non-comedogenic and non-acnegenic, so break outs will be non-existant. This cream is gentle enough for your delicate eyes, but perfect for your whole face as well. It is not a moisturizer, it's a firming eye treatment and should be used before applying your favorite moisturizer, and it surely doesn't substitute it. Elba Naturals offers 100% money back guarantee within 180 days to be exact! This product is premium, so expect nothing less. I've tried a few other creams that are cheaper, but none worked as well as this one.

I'm loving this airless pump which is light and prevents hand contamination, it really helps you get just the right amount of cream, with just 1/4 a pump. This stuff is made to last but you're not going to want to let it age beyond 12 months.


Now the first thing you're going to notice, is that the label is unreadable. I will say, Elba Naturals does list everything on their website and they even went an extra step and emailed me some helpful tips. The ingredient list is a tad long.

The cream itself, smells citrus-like, is smooth and creamy, goes on like silk and dries quickly, leaving your skin plump and moist. You'll want to dab it around your eyes both in the morning and in the evening. I made sure to use it daily for over a week, before moisturizer and have had marked improvement in bags, fine lines and dark circles. Longer usage will show better results. I wasn't expecting a quick fix, but I was impressed with the changes I have noticed in such a short time. My eyes feel hydrated, plump, smoother and I have had a reduction of fine lines. I'm thinking this would be something you'll want to dab on the back of mature hands to help with dry skin and wrinkles too.

PROS: reduced fine lines, hydrated well, smells yummy, will last awhile
CONS:
would have liked a pamphlet mailed with the product itself that explains more in details

I received this product at a discounted rate in exchange for an open, honest and unbiased review. My experiences are my own, we'd love to hear yours!

Monday, February 15, 2016

TWEEZTY Stainless Steel Tweezer - First Aid Handy


TWEEZTY Stainless Steel Tweezer
Under $10

Having an EMT in the family, we're always stocking up our first aid kit to keep it updated. TWEEZTY Tweezers are a must have for your on the go emergency kit. Made from stainless steel and elongated, the tip is pointy and really sharp, which makes it optimal for removing splinters and ingrown hairs. These are not tweezers you'll want to put near your eyes or use for upkeep on your brows, slanted tweezers are still your best bet for snagging hairs on the first try.



These tweezers come in their own case and have a plastic tip on the end as an extra safety precaution for storage.

PROS: pin-point precision for splinters, sharp
CONS: I would not recommend for brow maintenance, sharp things near your eye is a no-no

I received this product at a discount in exchange for an open, honest and unbiased opinion. My experiences are my own, we'd love to hear yours!

Sunday, February 14, 2016

Best Organic Beard Oil - All Natural



Art Naturals Organic Beard Oil & Leave-In Conditioner 2 oz
100% Pure & Natural Unscented

This was a gift for our friend Shawn that has an amazing beard! Artnaturals Organic Beard Oil & Leave-In Conditioner is 100% organic, the ingredient list small, fragrance free, Fair Trade certified, with no parabens and cruelty-free.

He cut two inches off his beard and completely stripped it. After 48 hrs of use he noticed significant changes in structure, density, strength and volume. Twice a day treatments and the beard is never actually "without oil" or "dry". So far this is the best beard treatment he has used. He really wished it smelled like patchouli, but thinks scents may weaken the oil, this is his very first unscented one and so far, it works the best.

BEFORE:


After a week of using Artnaturals Beard & Stache oil he has noticed significant growth and a noticeable change in structure and volume. His skin stays conditioned even after using beard wash. The product works so well that after three days of use he only needed once a day treatments. Until this point he has only used one other product but now Artnaturals will be his go to for beard oil. It is a fantastic product and he would recommend it to anyone with an un-tamable beard. I have included before and after photos to show the seven day change for him

AFTER:


PROS: conditioned well, tamed the frizz, noticed great changes in volume, density and structure
CONS:
he really likes patchouli but is willing to live without!

Shout out to Shawn for the awesome review, we're so happy you loved it!

I received this product at a discount, in exchange for an open, honest and unbiased review. Our friend, Shawn LOVED this product so much, he's going to make it his go-to brand!