Valentia Clear Lift Revitalizing Serum

Valentia Clear Lift Revitalizing Serum

I'm one of those people that thought I could go forever not worrying about my skin, it was just going to take care of itself, after-all, I thought good genes is really what mattered. Then I hit forty. I started noticing deeper smile lines, crow's feet, age spots and dry patches. My skin became very picky no matter what I did to it, I'd have break-outs for no reason and even got to the point where I completely gave up wearing any make-up at all hoping that would help, it didn't.

A few months ago, I decided to do what I've never done before, I started taking better care of my skin. I began washing it daily, moisturizing it, applying serums, using a mud mask....if someone says something is going to improve the health of my face, I'm up for giving it a go.

Valentia Skin Care sent us their Clear Lift Revitalizing Serum to try out.

Valentia Clear Lift Revitalizing Serum is made in the USA, cruelty-free, paraben-free and contains 98% natural ingredients. It's made to be compatible for all skin-types. The list on the box is long but I wanted to include it, so you could see for yourself.

There are some really unique goodies in here:

Wakame Bioferent (seaweed) - helps to boost antioxidant defense
Gotu Kola - lessons the appearance of scars and increases skin firmness
Lactic Acid - increases skin cell turnover for renewed skin
Licorice - corrects discoloration
Argan Oil - reduces water loss, protects skin

What does all this mean? It means that this is a product that is targeted to keep your skin fresh, clear, hydrated, healed and healthy. I don't know about you, but all of that seems very promising to me.

I've said it before and I'll say it again, I LOVE a pump-top.

To get started, you'll want to begin with a clean face and pat dry. Take your bottle and use about two pumps on your finger tips. The serum is lotion-like, tan is color and smells refreshingly like citrus. You'll want to apply this evenly to your face and neck and let it absorb into your skin. It spreads super-well and doesn't leave any residue or stickiness behind. You can follow it with your normal moisturizer (some nights I did and some nights I used this serum alone).

After a week of use, I did not notice any difference in my age spots, but my skin does appear a little brighter in tone. I had no break-outs, my skin felt hydrated and smoother. I expect better results with longer usage. I would say this product compares well to prestigious brands. My dried out skin is slowly coming back to life, I do notice that I am starting to get a healthy glow without make-up.

PROS: compares well to high end brands, brightens skin, left no dryness
CONS: longer than I would like ingredient list

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

Art Naturals Argan Oil Daily Hair Conditioner 16 Oz
Under $15

Let me give you a little hair history. I am over forty, hair is just above shoulder-length, suddenly have course hair, no longer dye it and have allowed all 50 shades of grey to come in naturally. I use a purple-hued salon shampoo twice a week to keep the brassiness at bay. The downside is that is severely dries out my hair even though I match it with the conditioner. I am a chronic blow-dryer user, which I know doesn't help. In my defense, my hair just looks miserable if I let it air dry.

Argan oil is superb for hydration and my hair needed moisture desperately. Along comes this Argan Oil shampoo and conditioner, I mention both because I already use their restorative shampoo daily and loved it. Getting the conditioner was just a natural next step, I just like the way my hair feels after using it and I needed something for daily use.

My conditioner arrived, packed well, sealed and (as usual with this brand), the bottle looks crafty and professional. Bonus - no salon needed. The top flips open to disperse, but I really would have loved a pump.

The conditioner itself is white, smells sweet with floral notes and is extremely thick, very similar consistency to a hair mask that I use weekly. There is no need to pour a ton of it in your hair, a little bit goes a long way. I used a dollop about the size of a quarter and it spread through my hair smoothly, let it sit, then rinsed well and towel dried.

I proceeded to blow dry my hair on low heat, as usual and styled with a rounded brush. I had no tangles! I also noticed that I had a really nice shine going on and my hair didn't feel weighed down. What sealed the deal for me is the next day, my hubby went to give me a kiss and told me my hair smelled really nice. THAT NEVER HAPPENS. I have weird body chemistry and have a hard time holding scents both on my skin and in my hair. This stuff still smelled so good the next day, that somebody took notice.

Now this Artnaturals conditioner is Fair Trade Certified, Hypoallergenic, Paraben Free, Sulfate Free, Cruelty Free and is made with recycled materials. One thing that bothered me is actually seeing how long the product label is on the bottle itself. I really hate all those fancy words that you have to google to understand.

Overall, I did enjoy using this conditioner and know I can do so daily without any build-up. I felt like I had smoother, more hydrated hair that was easier to manage. Plus, being it's so thick, you actually use less product than you would with a store brand.

PROS: scent stayed in hair, no tangles, nice shine, high-end look, softer, smoother hair
CONS: I really want a pump dispenser and a shorter ingredient list



I did receive this product at a discounted price in exchange for an open honest and unbiased review. I always try to list what I like and dislike about each product I check out. I still remain an avid Artnaturals lover!

Tuesday, March 8, 2016

Eczema/Psoriasis Sufferer? Dermaced Deep Therapy

Dermaced Deep Therapy Eczema/Psoriasis Cream - 2 ounces

Both my husband and my son are severe eczema sufferers on their arms, behind their knees, back and even on their faces. Prescription creams don't do much and technically my husband is allergic to cortisone. Our usual go-to product is the huge tub of CeraVe cream from a local drugstore. It's costly and with two people sharing it, it goes pretty quick. It does however work well when used daily. The one thing we didn't like is that it contains alcohol and a bunch of other things we can't pronounce.

I came across this cream and was intrigued that it had some good reviews. Dermaced boasts using six "of the most powerful hydrating, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant-rich oils" to hydrate the skin. Hmmm. Interesting.

The jar arrived promptly and I think shock set in. Don't get me wrong, the product did have nice-looking packaging, but this is how big it is:

No joke, it fit in my hand it was so small. The average person does not keep ounce size in mind when buying something online (maybe it's just me?). Visually it's hard to judge that amount unless you're use to buying really small items. Plus what we normally use is super-sized compared to this.

This is next to a 16 ounce jar of another product:

There are no ingredients listed on the bottle, nor was there a pamphlet, something I have come to expect. I just like to all the info handy for everything my family uses, I don't want to spend time tracking down a complete ingredient list on the world wide web. Don't get me wrong, I did it any way and found what I assume is the list on DermaCed's direct website HERE.

I opened the jar and this is what it looks like:

I would describe the consistency of this lotion to pancake batter, it's pretty thin. You could pour it out of the jar directly if you wanted to. The smell was very oat-mealy, the color the same as peanut butter. I dipped my finger onto to lid to get some of the cream on it and found that it's silk-like, goes on light and spreads super-well. A little of this goes a long way, don't get crazy.

I immediately presented it to hubby to use on his arms (they were his worse break-out point, especially his left forearm), and instructed him to use it daily. He says the jar is definitely small, but thinks it will last because of the consistency. It absorbs well and doesn't leave any sticky residue on his skin like his usual lotion. So far he's been treating this area for a few days.

BEFORE PIC:

AFTER PIC

You can clearly see that healing has begun with more pink skin starting to show, so I think it's going to take a bit more time and several more applications a day to clear this up completely. Hubby thinks this stuff works better, so for him, it's a keeper.

PROS: not greasy, spreads well, light
CONS: not a fan of the smell, we're going to wait and see how long it lasts



I received this item at a discount in exchange for an open, honest and unbiased review. I always try to list the best and worst qualities of any item we bring into our home and determine if it's something we would buy again or pass on. This product is something that did work faster than a store bought cream. I always take my time to make sure a product will works as described before giving feedback

Monday, March 7, 2016

Majestic Pure Lavender Essential Oil - Pure, Potent, Natural

Majestic Pure Lavender Essential Oil, Therapeutic Grade, 4 fl. Oz
Under $15

Lavender Essential Oil has now become one of my go-to essential oils when it comes to de-stressing, relaxing and reaching a deep sleep. Lavender is known to eliminate nervous tension, balance and keep anxiety at bay, as well as being helpful for depression. I'm one of those people that suffer from insomnia, I have an internal battle with myself each night and basically fight sleep at all costs.

While I'm going to admit, I am only a month in when it comes to testing various essential oils, I have picked a scent that I want to rave about - this Lavender Essential Oil from Majestic Pure. I currently use their Tea Tree Oil that I have blogged about before, but the scent is very piney (think kitchen use) and I wanted something for my bedroom diffuser to promote rest.

The box comes packaged well, with a lot number and expiration date clearly listed. The amber oil bottle is generous in size at four ounces, has a screw on cap, and comes with a long dropper for ease of use. I am not going to pretend to be some essential oil expert and do a paper test on every product I receive, for me, the proof is how long the scent lasts in my home, for my own use.

This oil is therapeutic grade, which means it's fine to mix with a carrier oil and apply to your skin. Once you open the bottle, you'll find that the scent is fresh, sweet, floral and very potent. Just check out the ingredient list, short, simple and natural.

The feel of this Lavender oil, is slick and watery. One thing I did notice, this glass dropper fills up full on the first try. My tea tree oil made from the same brand also had a glass dropper but it refused to suck up more than halfway.

I use this particular lavender oil in three different ways. First, at night before bed, I fill my diffuser with water and place a half a dropper full of Lavender oil in with it (I realize I could use a few drops less, but hey, go big or go home). Now I have a 100 ML color diffuser and it sits on my side of the bed but the scent fills my whole bedroom. I didn't really pay attention to this at first, but after laying down for a bit and then making a snack run to the kitchen, sweet Lavender oil smacked me in the face upon returning to my bedroom. I don't mean this in a bad way, I was surprised as how well the scent carried through out the room.

The second way I use this is to draw a bath and drop in a little into the bath water while it's running. It's pamper me time, so I can unwind while I soak. My husband and son always comment that they can smell my bathwater from the other room. I think their jealous.

The last way I have personally used this oil is to buy a spray bottle, fill it with water and pop in a full dropper of oil. I shake gently before each use and spray my linens each morning when I make my bed. The scent lingers until it's time to do my weekly load of laundry. No chemicals, no aerosols and my pets don't hate me.

PROS: natural, potent, tiny ingredient list, good presentation, scent lasts
CONS: none, I was ver pleased with oil



I did receive this item at a discounted cost in exchange for an open, honest and unbiased review. I am a current user of the Majestic Pure brand and I have always found that they are one of the few companies that have a short, understandable ingredient list.

Sunday, March 6, 2016

Beckham Hotel Collection® 4-pc Sheet Set - LUXURY That's Affordable

Beckham Hotel Collection® 4Pc Bed Sheet Set
Best Sheets Under $40

I ordered the king sized sheet set in Aqua Stripe to match my quilt, I am delighted to say the color is even prettier than I imagined, way more vivid in person than the picture shows. The packaging was nice, looked high-end and all the sizes for each item were clearly listed. Beckham's king set, comes with two king sized pillow cases, a fitted sheet with deep pockets and a generous- in length sheet. My bed is a King pillow-top and these sheets fit perfectly, hanging down the sides to the box-spring, something I haven't been able to find. These are Ultra-Soft Double Brushed microfiber.

The minute I got these on my bed, I immediately tossed my other sheet sets I purchased last year which were faded, pilling and had loose threads. I don't know why I settled in the past, but now that I have experienced luxury at an affordable price, I refuse to go back. This is really a quality set, I'm so impressed with how nice they are! There were no loose threads and the hems were straight. I especially loved the striping design.

These are my first set of microfiber sheets and I didn't know what I had been missing! I guess I have always assumed you would be hot while trying to catch some zzz's. They are super soft and feel wonderful on the skin, you won't sweat with these sheets, they stay cool all night. I wouldn't call them wrinkle-free, but more wrinkle-resistant, they aren't stiff either, which can be a problem when you don't get to see a product before you buy it. These are not box store sheets, these are way more luxurious than I could have bought at a local store and they cost less!

I had no idea when I ordered these that they come with a LIFETIME GUARANTEE. I buy new sheets every year, it's just a weird thing I have. In fact, I bought two sets last year from another brand on amazon and like I mentioned above, they are really worse for the wear. If that happens with these sheets such as if they become defective, worn, frayed or unusable, they'll send you a new set! That's customer service!

PROS: great color, superior quality, lifetime guarantee
CONS: with the king set, I would have loved four pillow cases instead of two.



I received this item at a discounted price in exchange for an open, honest and unbiased review.

Saturday, March 5, 2016

Our First Major Fail - Shower Curtain Liner

Clear/Frosted PEVA Mildew Free Shower Liner with 3 Weighted Magnets - 70"x72"
NOT WORTH IT

I was in desperate need of a new shower curtain liner and figured I would give this one a shot, the price was affordable and I thought it would be a WIN-WIN.

I was really disappointed in the quality of this product. I knew the moment I opened the box, it was not as heavy duty as the one I already hanging, it was just too light-feeling, even before opening the package. I felt like I bought a pack of tissue paper from the dollar store.

The liner is not clear at all, it's an opaque white, technically you can see through it but it's most definitely not clear. It's a very thin material, less fragile than a paper gown at the doctors office. I don't think it's going to hold up to heavy duty use and certainly not any repeated pulling or tugging. The holes at the top are reinforced with a slightly thicker plastic, not metal grommets. The length and width are good, that really the only good thing I have to say...and I tried really hard to see the bright side.

The three magnets at the bottom are not heavily weighted, so air gets in-between and you get a fly-away curtain mid-shower. I understand that it's mildew resistant, but I honestly don't think it will last long enough to build any gook.

Pros: good length and width
Cons: flimsy, thin, not weighted well, this sucker is going to go fast



I received this product at a discount for an open, honest and unbiased opinion. I hate to leave bad reviews, but there was simply no way around it with this product. I would hope others would do the same for me.

Friday, March 4, 2016

Best Loofah - Back scrubber and Bonus Mitt

Best Loofah Extra Long Exfoliating Loofah Back scrubber & Loofah Body scrubber
Under $12

I had an opportunity to review this Best Loofah brand back scrubber and matching bath hand mitt and was surprised at how long the back scrubber is in person. The hand mitt also fits perfectly onto your hand with an elastic strap, firmly staying in place. It comes packaged nicely, so would make a great gift.

This loofah back scrubber is HUGE at 42 inches long, my hubby is a big guy and he was able to use this on his eczema prone back easily, especially since it has a loop handle on each end to hold and an exfoliating portion in the middle right where you need it. Using a moisturizing body wash, he used loofah daily and some dark patches have begun to disappear. This is much easier to use than a brush type loofah, which make you bend your arm in unrealistic positions to get your back scrubbed. He rinses this well, wrings it gently and hangs to dry. You should also know that in the exfoliater center, there is an opening for you to place a bar of soap.

I immediately claimed the bath mitt as my own and use it twice a week in combination with a coffee scrub to exfoliate my skin all over. Doing this has my skin feeling silky and smoother than using the scrub alone. I like to think of my bath time ritual as "me time" to pamper myself and this just takes it to the next level. Again, the mitt fits over your hand with an elastic strap and stays snug without slipping during use. It covers my hand completely but does not come off as too big. One thing I would like to see, is a hanging loop attached to the mitt for easy hanging to drip dry. Right now, I place it in a hanging mesh bag in the shower.

Keep in mind, these are hand wash only, so don't put them in your machine. You will want to sanitize these once per week in a diluted bleach solution (then rinse well) to kill bacteria as loofahs are porous and breed bacteria because they pretty much stay damp and have your dead skin cells on it. Make sure to replace any loofah after 3 months.

PROS: super exfoliation, gets your hard to reach back, long, soap pocket
CONS: no hanging loop on hand mitt



I received this product at a discount in exchange for an open, honest and unbiased opinion. I try to list what I like most and what I dislike about every product my family uses because that's what we look for when reading reviews.

Thursday, March 3, 2016

ArtNaturals 7 Color LED Essential Oil Diffuser - Powerful

7 Color LED Lights Changing Essential Oil Diffuser 100 ML

I love my home to smell refreshing in each room and for it to stay that way throughout the day. I used to have to spray aerosol brands several times a day just so I would keep the scent in the air. About two weeks ago, I gave them up completely and have been trying various brands of cool mist diffusers with essential oils to do the job for me. The benefit of a diffuser, for me, is one of aroma-therapeutic use. I love scents that are calming for the bedroom (lavender), vibrant in the kitchen (lemongrass) and energizing for my office (orange).

I use a lot of Artnaturals products and when I discovered they had a diffuser, I knew I would have to try one out. I picked this 7 color LED lights changing essential oil diffuser with auto shut-off because it seemed very modern looking and would fit well with my decor. Bonus - they have a 100% guarantee with all their products.

This is what the box back and sides look like in case you ever decide to give one as a gift - great packaging and handy info!

Once you open the box, you should have the diffuser itself (it's all plastic, but appears wood-grain), a 5 foot black DC plug (this is a generous cord size), a 100 ML plastic measuring cup and some awesome directions.

To access the water chamber, it will take some practice. You will want to pop off the white top cap, then gently remove the top half of the wood-grain plastic. This is what it looks like.

Last step - remove the white water chamber access panel. To me, this is really way too many steps for a diffuser to have. None of my others are this difficult to access.

Once you have it apart, you will want to plug in the cord first. I say this because I filled mine with water, dropped in my oil, placed it back together and then went looking for where to plug the cord in. It was a hot mess and I ending up spilling it. So again, locate where to plug your cord. It's on the back, under the logo and buttons. Yep...kind of a weird place to put it. I didn't like the placement at all. Next, add in 100 ML of water and about 6 drops of essential oil. Replace the water reservoir cap, pop on the wood-grain cover and slip on the white top cap.

Now that you're done with all the hard work, you have 2 buttons to play with. The top button controls misting and the bottom lighting choices.

TOP BUTTON:
Press once and the lights will turn on and cycle through, this also sets the mist mode to run for 3 minutes, shut off for a minute and will repeat until the water is low. It will auto-shut off. You should get a good 6 hours of using this method.

Press a second time and the unit will run in continuous mode and auto shut off when the water is low. You should get about 2 hours in this mode.

Pressing a third time, shuts the unit off

LOWER BUTTON:
Pressing this button allows you to choose a certain color to stay on

What I love about this diffuser is that it's so sleek looking - It's the best looking one I have received. I want to mention the generous cord length again, because it also has a much longer cord than my others. The variety of colors is pretty nice, though there are other units that have larger panels for more color enjoyment. The biggest thing for me is when diffusing my essential oils, this is probably the most powerful 100 ML diffuser I've had yet when it comes to releasing scent into the air.

Now for what I don't like. I'd really prefer a white cord that plugs in no where near the buttons. I'm not sure if where it's currently located is the back of the unit, I have to assume it is because cords usually run on the back so you can basically hide it. The buttons should be located on the front for easy access, not in the same spot. I also believe that there are just too many steps to access the water chamber, though totally worth it for scent production.

To clean your diffuser, you'll want to wipe it every 4 days with a damp cloth, but make sure you DO NOT wipe the misting chip.

I've included a video so you see how the unit works. I hope it's helpful!

I received this item at a discounted price in exchange for an open, host and unbiased review. I always try to be as detailed as possible and include any pros or cons I think people would like to know about a product.

Argan Oil Shampoo - #ShinierHairAtLast

Argan Oil Shampoo from Majestic Pure
Under $15

Argan oil is extracted from the Argan tree, which grows in Morocco, specifically its fruit. Some people consider it a “miracle cure”. It helps moisturizes hair, gives it shine, and can prevent split ends. It's also great for dandruff as it fights itchy, dry scalp. It contains very high levels of Vitamin E and fatty acids. You can also buy Argan oil in pure form, or use products that contain it for extra beauty benefits. As an example, I use a Jojoba oil in pure form to remove my eye makeup, works like a charm.

Majestic Pure Argan Oil Restoration Formula Shampoo has 100% pure Moroccan Argan Oil. It's gentle enough for daily use, perfect for color-treated hair, is sulfate-free, cruelty-free and contains other goodies in it such as Avocado Oil, Jojoba Oil, Camellia Seed Oil, Botanical Keratin, Almond Oil and Coconut oil. The ingredient list is actually pretty small and readable. I particularly love Majestic Pure's essential oil line.

The bottle itself is 16 ounces in size and comes with an easy pump dispenser, that has a seal. I find this is really handy in the shower, as you can disperse the right amount. I have another brand of Argan oil shampoo, but not with a pump-top and this really won me over.

This shampoo is very thick, opaque and creamy. I have to tell you, it lathers extremely well using about a quarter sized amount (and we have hard water). It rinses clean without making your hair feel weighted or stripped.

In my household we have three shampooers, all with different types of hair. I use a purple hued shampoo for grey hair twice a week, which works well but makes my hair dry and brittle. I found that by mixing this in my routine, my hair is softer and has more volume. I also use an Argan oil hair mask once a week just to boost the moisture. I've noticed that my ends look less frizzy too.

My husband has normal hair, he basically can use anything with no worries. He loved this shampoo simply for the scent alone, it's very rich and exotic.

My son has oily hair, but with severe dry scalp, go figure. We normally have to buy a salon branded tea tree oil shampoo, but once he stared using this, his dry scalp went away and his hair was shiny, without being looking like he dipped his head in olive oil.

I would really suggest to get the most of out this shampoo, that you pair it with a matching conditioner and if you haven't done a deep mask, try one, once a week and watch your dull hair come back to life!

PROS: smells divine, moisture rich, balances hair, pump-top dispensing
CONS: best paired with a conditioner for maximum benefit


I received this product at a discount in exchange for an open, honest and unbiased review.

Natural Pet Shampoo - Wet Dog Smell is Gone!

Honeydew's Natural Pet Shampoo with Lavender & Evening Primrose
8 oz Bottle Under $11

I've had my Sarge for seven years and over the past year, we have tried everything to stop the "wet-dog" smell that suddenly appeared out of nowhere, even when he's dry. Seriously, you could walk in my house and smell dog fur. We changing his food, his treats, bathed often (medicated and oatmeal soaps) and tried deodorizing sprays that made him gag. I had an opportunity to try this shampoo and my first thought when it arrived and I opened it to smell it was..."Hey, this stuff doesn't stink"! It has a pleasant lavender-like smell, with some fruity notes.

The bottle itself has a "press-cap" on it, you press down one side and the other side pops up for dispensing. The shampoo was super thick, creamy and has an opaque sheen to it. I use essential oils in my home for aromatherapy (and to cover pet odors) and loved that this has lavender and evening primrose in the ingredients.

Now Sarge is an English Springer Spaniel and weighs a good 55 lbs, he likes his bathes, but is impatient while I pour soap - a pump dispenser would have been a nice touch. He tends to have some dry, flaky spots on his skin, mostly on his rump near the base of his tail that he likes to itch occasionally.

I always start bathing him at the base of his neck first and work my way backwards. I really liked how this shampoo lathered well, I used way less than I normally would with other soaps. I entertained him (which basically means I keep lathering) while the shampoo sat for a minute and then proceeded to rinse well.

Out of the tub, a good shake and two towels later, he was fairly dry. Funny, no bad odor and while he was actually still damp, no wet dog smell. This is a good sign, I mean even right after bathing him with other stuff, you could still smell an odd odor. Nope, not with this stuff! Sarge smelled fresh and clean.

3 days later, there's less itching on his rear, his coat is shiny (well, he's usually shiny any way to be honest), but there's still no bad odor emitting from my dog. I'm happy to report Sarge is officially allowed back on my bed to rest at his leisure. You can see in the pic, I woke him up.

Honeydew's Natural Pet Shampoo is made in the USA and contains no sulfates or parabens (this is stuff I make sure isn't in my own shampoo). That made me even happier.

PROS: It smells heavenly, odors are GONE, my pooch is itching less
CONS: I would prefer a pump, holding 55 lb dog while you try to pour soap is no fun.

I received this product at a discount in exchange for an open, honest and unbiased review. I'm thrilled to report that this is a wonderful product that really gets bad odors off of your pets.

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.

#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!