Author: Coco

Influenster Holiday VoxBox

Coco

Today my Influenster Holiday VoxBox arrived in the mail! If you don’t know what Influenster is, then you’re missing out! But no worries, click here to learn all about it in my previous blog post on Influenster! Like a bunch of other lucky Influensters, I was chosen to receive the Holiday VoxBox – I was super excited when I got the notification on my profile! It’s so awesome to be chosen two times in a row for a VoxBox. So, without further ado, the Holiday VoxBox:

I was literally racing the rain for this picture. Once I finally had all of the products displayed how I wanted them, it started to sprinkle, but luckily I got this shot before I was forced back inside. I was a little suprised at how small this month’s VoxBox was in comparison to November’s Cosmo VoxBox. But sure enough, it was jam packed with a bunch of cool goodies!

    • Influenster Postcard (quick breakdown on each product)
    • imPRESS Press-On Manicure by Broadway Nails in 240 Tweetheart (Red)
    • Softsoap Coconut Scrub Bar Soap
    • Montagne Jeunesse Face Mask in Strawberry Souffle (Trial Size)
    • New York Color (NYC) Liquid Lip Shine in 582 Nude York City + $1 off coupon
    • Mentos Pure Fresh Gum in Fresh Mint
    • Larabar Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Bar + Info packet including a $1 off coupon

And I also recieved a Bonus Item!

    • Proactiv’s X Out Wash-in Treatment + Instructional Sheet

There were three total bonus items but I only qualified for X Out, I didn’t receive these but I figured I’d list them anyways:

  • Garden Botanika Heart Perfume
  • Garden Botanika Lash Primer

I had taken individual pictures of each product as I did with the picture above, but I accidentally deleted them on my iPhone :( So I’ll have to use stock photos for this quick overview of the items.

imPRESS Press-On Manicure
imPRESS Press-On Manicure
I’ve never been a huge fan of glue/press-on nails, but these look like good quality and I’m excited to get them on. I got the color “Tweetheart” which is a darker red than the red pictured in the stock photo. It looks perfect for Christmas time; they come in 36 different colors and patterns!

 

Softsoap Coconut Scrub Bar SoapSoftsoap Coconut Scrub Bar Soap
I’m not much of a soap bar user, but this coconut scrub might force me to have to change my shower habits! The coconut soap smells so good — just through the box! I can’t wait to try it!

 

 

Montagne Jeunesse Face Mask
Montagne Jeunesse Face Mask
I’ve never heard of this brand and the packaging kinda scares me a bit LOL but I’m definitely interested to see how this ‘Strawberry Souffle’ smells.. am I going to want to lick my face?? It’s only a trial size tho, so I only get one time to test it.

 

NYC New York Color Liquid Lip Shine

NYC New York Color Liquid Lip Shine
I was given the ‘Nude York City’ color, which is true to it’s name: a nude. It’s glittery and smells of chocolate! At only $2.49 each, I’m sold!

 

 

 
Mentos Pure Fresh GumMentos Pure Fresh Gum
I love gum! And this one is so tasty! I’ve already chewed a few pieces and I’m already hooked… guess I’ll have to stop at the gas station later…

 

 

Larabar

Larabar
Mmmm! I can barely contain myself, I’m ready to eat it now! I’ve never heard of Larabar, but apparently it’s a big thing. I’ve been listening to the youtube reviews on them and I can’t believe I never tried them! I got ‘Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough’!

 

 

X Out Wash-in Treatment
X Out Wash-in Treatment
As a bonus product, I received Practiv’s new X Out treatment. As opposed to their 3-step system, X out is a 1-step, twice daily treatment! Seems more hassle free than the 3-step program, and might actually work for me! Awesome!

 

It’s such an honor to be chosen once again to review items, and I can’t wait to get started!

Disclaimer: I received these products to test for free through the Influenster VoxBox program.

Sephora Collection Lip Balm Trio

Coco

A set of hydrating lip balms, two with a tint and one clear. Formulated with shea butter, jojoba, sunflower, and grapeseed oils, each of these balms softens and conditions your lips. The tinted balms add a sheer wash of color to lips.

This set contains 3 x 0.1 oz lip balms in:
– Fuchsia
– Clear
– Rose

First Impression:

As a self-proclaimed penny pincher, $10 for three lip balms is not the BEST deal in the world, but $10 for three Sephora lip balms is another story. I ordered a friend’s Christmas present and was a few dollars shy of getting free shipping, so I grabbed this trio because the price was too good to pass up and the lip balms looked promising.

Application:

The lip balms go on smooth, and add a light touch of color to the lips. I was actually relieved that the colors were sheerer on than they look on the stick. The red balm is a light red/pink, the pink balm is a light, frosted pink shade, and the clear balm simply adds moisture to your lips. The lip balms are non-sticky, but slightly waxy at times, although not uncomfortably. The lip balms are somewhat glossy, but still slightly matte. With a light lip gloss on top, they really do pop. So it just depends on what you’re in the mood for that day. They have a very interesting pigment, the first time I applied the red, I was pretty surprised at how much I liked it. Red lip stick simply doesn’t work for me as much as I wish it would, but this red balm is a great alternative for those who’ve always wanted red lips! Add a red lip gloss on top, and I’m sure it would complete the look. The lip trio is super versatile and can go with many different looks.

Bottom Line:

The Sephora Collection Lip Balm Trio is not the be all and end all of lip balms, but they are definitely a great option value and quality wise! The red lip balm is the best part of the trio, and makes the set worth it, I use it daily! You can purchase the Sephora Collection Lip Balm Trio online at Sephora.com for $10.

Courtney’s Rating: B+

(The red lip balm separately I would give an A+)

White iPhone 4S and Pink OtterBox Commuter Strength Case

Coco

For the past year or so, I had a KIN TWOm. It introduced me to the wonderful world of an almost-Windows phone, fully equipped with a Zune AND free wifi without a data package. But long story short, Verizon, Microsoft, and Sharp all kicked the KIN phones to the curb, and essentially killed them (If you’re interested, read the KIN wikipedia page). I fell in love with Zune and swore to buy the Windows Mango phone someday… that was, until the iPhone caught my eye. I told my friends previously I would never use another Apple product… I had switched over to Zune and quit iTunes permanently… and now I’m here… writing a blog post about how much in love I am with my new white iPhone 4S… Never say never, I suppose.

So, after many weeks of drooling over the white iPhone, I got it Monday! We were going to order the 16gb directly through Verizon and wait a week or two for it to be shipped, but Best Buy had a few 32gb’s for pick-up that day, so I made a slightly rash decision, and paid the $100 more to have it ASAP! I am so happy with that decision, because I love my new iPhone and I never see myself running out of storage.. plus if I wanted to, I’m pretty sure I could fit all of my music on it O_O

I spent the ENTIRE weekend before I bought my iPhone searching the internet for the PERFECT case for me. My old case was a pink zebra print rhinestone case, and I loved it to death, but with the iPhone, I wanted to show off the beautiful design. I had originally wanted the clear snap case from Incase, after watching this review on youtube, but since I got my iPhone earlier than I had planned, I did not have time to wait for one to ship because I was too nervous I was going to drop it as soon as I left the Best Buy. We went to at least 7 different stores, but there were literally no cases like the one from Incase that I found online, but luckily at the last store, Radioshack, I fell in love with a Pink OtterBox case. It wasn’t exactly what I had envisioned for my iPhone, but it looks beautiful. I bought mine for $35 in-store, but they’re discounted at OtterBox’s online store and they come with a screen protector (Which I almost spent $20 on alone)! Also, as a bonus, 10% of the purchase price is donated to the Avon Breast Cancer Crusade! The stock images of the case do not give it justice, it’s a much prettier pink color, and the white looks great on the white iPhone. Definitely a great buy, in looks and in protection.

I’m still getting to know the iPhone 4S and Siri, but so far I’m in love! Plus I’m super addicted to Words with Friends. I wish I’d gotten a smartphone a long time ago!

Skechers Shape-Ups Bollard Boots

Coco

I was just at Ross Dress for Less with my dad, and he found this amazing pair of Skechers women’s ankle-high boots for only $22.99, which is an extremely fair price considering they were originally $110! They are suede (I bought mine in charcoal, pictured to the left) with a rubber “rounded sole that increases leg, calf and gluteal muscle activity,” and are, so far, super comfy! The interior lining is a soft faux fur, which adds a little more warmth and comfort. I’m terribly picky when it comes to shoes, so I usually scoff at the idea of wearing Skechers, but these boots have officially made me a fan! Ross also had a black pair of Skechers knee-high boots, and I totally would have bought another pair but they didn’t have my size!

Skechers Women's Shape Ups XF - Avalanche bootUPDATE: (12-26-2011) I went back to Ross Dress for Less and found the knee-high boots in my size!!! They’re black Skechers Women’s Shape Ups XF – Avalanche boot and were the same amazing price of $22.99 and I believe retailed at $150! I might love them even more than the Bollard boot, they go with everything!! So excited!

Proactiv Solution 3-Step Acne Treatment System

Coco

Designed for daily use for the prevention and treatment of acne, the Proactiv 3-Step System gently cleanses and exfoliates while attacking acne-causing bacteria in the pores and helping to soothe inflammation.

Included in my Influenster Cosmo Voxbox was the Proactiv 3-step system. The 3-step system includes the Renewing Cleanser, Revitalizing Toner, and Repairing Treatment.

First Impression:

It’s hard to have a first impression on a product as well known as Proactiv, but I was immediately excited to try it when I saw it inside of my VoxBox. I had never used Proactiv before, but grew up seeing Proactiv commercials on TV. The 3-Step System comes with the Renewing Cleanser, Revitalizing Toner, and Repairing Treatment. Each bottle is marked with a large 1, 2, or 3, so the system is very simple to understand. I started my 30-day challenge the next day, on November 1st. On a side note: I also stopped wearing makeup for a 30-month challenge/bet with my friends.

Application:

The application of Proactiv if very straightforward. You use the products in order every morning and/or night. At first I tried using Proactiv in both the mornings and nights, but soon it became to difficult for me to keep up the twice daily routine, and cut it down to mornings. Unfortunately, the repairing cleanser left behind a little white residue on my skin, so I decided to switch to nights only. Once I figured out my routine, I began using Proactiv either every night or every other night. The results were not immediate, but after the first 2-3 weeks, I noticed my skin clearing up drastically. I’ve never had horrible acne, but the problem spots that plagued me were disappearing. I don’t know whether Proactiv did it or the not wearing makeup, but I definitely have noticed a change in my skin. Here’s a quick overview of the Proactiv steps:

Step 1: Renewing Cleanser: Apply a small (dime-sized) amount to dampened skin and gently massage over the whole face. Rinse thoroughly with warm water, pat dry. Follow with Revitalizing Toner.
Step 2: Revitalizing Toner: Apply to cleansed skin with cotton ball or pad, morning and night. Allow Toner to dry and follow with the acne fighting Repairing Treatment. If irritation or sensitivity develops, discontinue use of both products and consult a doctor.
Step 3: Repairing Cleanser: Use morning and night. On thoroughly clean skin, apply a thin layer of our acne treatment lotion to the entire affected area. Allow to dry. Do not rinse off. If dryness occurs, use our Green Tea or other noncomedogenic moisturizer. If dryness continues, reduce application use.

Warnings: When using this product, using other topical acne medications at the same time or immediately following use of this product, may increase dryness or irritation of the skin. If this occurs, only one medication should be used unless directed by a doctor. Do not use this medication if you have very sensitive skin or if you are sensitive to Benzoyl Peroxide. This product may cause irritation, characterized by redness, burning, itching, peeling or possibly swelling. Keep away from eyes, lips and mouth. Avoid product contact with hair and dyed fabrics, including carpets and clothing which may be bleached by this product. If going outside, use a sunscreen. Keep out of reach of children. If swallowed, get medical help or contact a Poison Control Center right away.

Bottom Line:

Overall, I believe Proactiv is a great product. At $20 dollars for a 30-day supply that can last multiple months, it really is a great investment. The cleansers and toner work great together, but also amazing solo. Admittingly, Proactiv probably isn’t the best acne treatment out there and it isn’t going to work for everyone, but you don’t need a prescription and the price is affordable. When Proactiv works, it works wonders. I would recommend those with bad acne to try Proactiv, because it might be the solution they’ve been looking for. For more information on buying and directions, please visit Proactiv’s website or call the directly at 1-888-819-2019.

Courtney’s Rating: B+

Disclaimer: I received these products to test for free through the Influenster VoxBox program.

C.O. Bigelow Rose Salve No. 012

Coco

C.O. Bigelow’s famous Rose Salve has been a favorite since the early days, due to its ability to care for lips and beautify skin. Emulsified with extra-soothing rose extract, which helps ease irritation and condition the skin.

I bought C.O. Bigelow’s Rose Salve almost a year ago, and have been obsessed with it ever since. I didn’t know much about C.O. Bigelow before purchasing, but Bath & Body Works was having their usual sale, and I purchased two other lip balms and got the Rose Salve for free!

First Impression:

The salve is in a red round tin (as pictured above), and seemed very simple and classic to me. It immediately caught my eye because I had never bought anything like it and was super excited to try it out!

Ingredients: Petrolatum, Lanolin Oil, Squalene, Flavor (Aroma), Octyldodecanol, Gossypium Herbaceum (Cotton) Seed Oil, Rosa Canina Fruit Extract, Bisabolol, Jojoba Esters, Red 30 Lake (CI73360).

Application:

“Pat on anytime as needed to care for lips or anything that needs a fix.” It really is as simple as that! Open the tin, dab a little on a finger and apply to your heart’s content! The salve is so smooth, and smells wonderful! My lips feel immediately hydrated. On occasion I use the salve on my hands, cuticles, and elbows and it is definitely more convenient than carrying around a bunch of different lotions and lip balms; this salve does it all! I carry it around wherever I go, and if I am not carrying a purse or backpack, I tuck it into a jeans pocket. It’s my lifeline, I wouldn’t leave the house without it. In the past, I never remembered to use lip balm, but now I use it daily! I love everything about this salve!

Bottom Line:

At $5.50 each, C.O. Bigelow’s Rose Salve is a real WINNER. Even though it’s only 0.8oz/22G, my tin has lasted me over a year of everyday use — even multiple times a day, and if I let it, it could probably last many more years. If it hasn’t been clear, I’m begging you to run out to your local Bath & Body Works (or from C.O. Bigelow online directly) and purchase this salve ASAP. Your skin will thank you!

Courtney’s Rating: A+

Gillette Venus ProSkin MoistureRich Razor

Coco

Gillette Venus ProSkin MoistureRich Razor

The Venus ProSkin MoistureRich razor is designed with MoistureRich shave gel bars, enhanced with a triple blend of body butters, which create a layer of protection for your skin with every stroke.

Included in my Influenster Cosmo Voxbox was the Venus ProSkin MoistureRich Razor from Gillette with two refill cartridges. Check out Gillette’s website for more information on the razor!

First Impression:

The packaging design is very appealing in soft blue tones. Once removed from the package, I initially was skeptical of the razor. I don’t have much experience with gel or soap bars, but this one definitely looked flimsy, and I expected the soap to immediately fall off as soon as I started shaving. Despite my doubts, I attached my new shaver to its suction hanger and waited for the morning to try it out.

Application:

I first decided to shave under my arms, luckily I hadn’t for the last few days, and so the timing was perfect to test out the razor. With the first stroke, I was not impressed and ready to write off the Venus razor, but within the next few tries, my armpits were silky, smooth and hairless. I can honestly say that this was the most pleasant experience with shaving I have had in a long time. I was shocked at how close the razor shaved! Legs were next and it was the same results, the gel left my legs smooth and smelling fresh. And on a more personal level, the razor even did a decent job on the bikini line and pubic hair areas. (Although, Venus has a Bikini Trimmer that might be useful for those specific areas.) The only downside I can see is that the attached soap seems to be used rather quickly, and buying refill cartridges could get pricey. But I suspect this is common with any gel bar razors, and the smooth finish might be worth the extra cost.

Bottom Line:

The Gillette Venus ProSkin MoistureRich Razor is definitely a great option for shaving and after experiencing such a pleasant shave, I don’t think I will ever be able to go back to plain razors. I will, no doubt, be purchasing refill cartridges in the future.  You can purchase the package set of 1 Venus® ProSkin™ MoistureRich® Women’s Refillable Razor, 2 Razor Blade Refill Cartridges, and 1 shower hook for under $10 and subsequent refill cartridges cost about $15 for a 4-count pack.

Courtney’s Rating: A

Disclaimer: I received these products to test for free through the Influenster VoxBox program.

Vitabath® Spa Day™ Cucumber & White Tea Body Wash

Coco

Vitabath® Spa Day™ - Cucumber & White Tea - Body Wash

Keep it cool with refreshing crisp cucumber mixed with soft water florals and soothing white tea.

Included in my Influenster Cosmo Voxbox was one of Vitabath’s new body washes. Touting a Sulfate & Paraben Free formula rich in Vitamin A, B3, B5, C & E, Vitabath’s four Fragrance Collection Body Washes (Fruit Fanatic, In Bloom, Spa Day, and Cupcake Couture) currently include 16 unique fragrances that will surely leave your skin feeling clean, refreshed and vibrant. For this review, I received the “Cucumber & White Tea” fragrance.

First Impression:

The Vitabath body washes come in very simple, colorful bottles. I’m always a big fan of good design aesthetics, so I was super excited to try the body wash based solely on the cute bottle design; I would definitely gravitate towards Vitabath products in a store. The Cucumber & White Tea bottle is a deep blue-green color with pink flowers, as shown in the stock photograph above, and is slightly reminiscent of the Arizona Green Tea bottles. Upon opening the lid, there was a strong floral scent. I couldn’t place the cucumber, but the white tea was very present. I was a little apprehensive by how strong the smell was from the bottle, but my opinion on that changed with application.

Application:

I found the bottle a little hard to open with wet hands, because the cap closes so tightly, but I managed after a few tries. I applied only a few drops of the body wash to my bath pouf and that little amount was sufficient for a full body scrub. The scent is a lot more subtle on the skin than it is in the bottle, so that was a relief. I did think it might be too subtle at first, but the softness is actually very appealing and as I’m sitting here typing this review, I can’t stop smelling myself! A few hours later, the smell is still there slightly, but not as much as I would have wished. Sadly, I am a little disappointed that the scent hasn’t stayed longer. And as a fragrance collection, I expected the perfume to be longer lasting. Overall, the body wash left me feeling beachy, sexy and clean. And the little whiffs of the body wash I get throughout the day make me smile.

Bottom Line:

At $9.99, the cost is a little pricey for only 12oz, but the fact that a little product goes a long way is a plus. Will I be purchasing another Vitabath product when my body wash runs out? Definitely! But I might try a few different Vitabath body washes before I settle on just one.

The Fragrance Collection body washes retail for $9.99 or less each at www.myvitabath.com and at ULTA Beauty, Harmon Discount, Stages, Duane Reade, Fred Meyer and Bed Bath & Beyond stores.

Courtney’s Rating: B

Disclaimer: I received these products to test for free through the Influenster VoxBox program.

Influenster & my Cosmo VoxBox

Coco

I signed up with Influenster about a month ago, because my friend Michelle encouraged me to join. Influenster is a “community of trendsetters invited to share their lifestyles and show their influence to qualify for personalized product shipments, special rewards and exclusive deals from the brands they love. Members love testing the latest products, giving insightful feedback, and spreading the word on their favorite finds!” And the best part about it? It’s absolutely FREE! Michelle had already received a VoxBox and enjoyed the process, so I decided to give it a try. I wasn’t initially active in the community, but within a few weeks, I received an email saying I had been chosen to receive the Cosmo VoxBox! It was a shock, because I figured I wouldn’t even be considered because I was so inactive after joining! Luckily, they give new members a chance to become involved, and I patiently awaited my first VoxBox!

Registered members “play the game” by unlocking badges that reflect their lifestyle, expertise and power to influence. By earning badges that tell us more about you, Influensters can qualify for VoxBoxes (complimentary packages of products to test & review), rewards (bonus giveaways/discounts) and other special promotions targeted toward our most active and influential members! Learn more at Influenster.com!

I came home after a night of trick or treating with a friend’s kids on Halloween night, and upon checking the mail, I had finally received my Cosmo VoxBox!  It was the best “treat” of the night! Included in my Cosmo Voxbox: (you can click the products below to see my review of them on this blog!)

Influenster Cosmo VoxBox

 

Amazingly, Influenster ships the full-size products for FREE! As I mentioned before, this is my first VoxBox and so, I’m still learning the ways of Influenster, but below are a few tips and a quick outline of what you do once you have a VoxBox! I recommend checking out their site and learning more about Influenster because it really is an awesome source! Sign-up ASAP!

What’s next?

“When you get your VoxBox in hand, please login to your Influenster.com profile to ‘check in’ your box. Next, start integrating these products into your routine and developing your opinions on each. We’ll follow up in a few weeks with your (mandatory) Product Evaluation Survey.”

How to be an Active Member

Influenster encourages members to spread the word for products they are excited to test, and for the brands they rate positively! Once you have your products, here are some immediate ideas on how you can be an active member:

SHARE ON SOCIAL MEDIA!
~Upload a photo of your VoxBox products, tell us which ones you are most excited to test.

MAKE A VIDEO!
~Make a VoxBox video where you unveil your products and talk about which ones you are most excited to test or a video featuring your favorite product talking about your amazing experience trying it.

BLOGS
~Feature your VoxBox products in your blog and share which ones you are most excited to test.

Note from Influenster: Although we send complimentary products to qualified members (and love doing so!), Influenster is NOT a ‘freebie’ website where just anyone can get free products.  You have been handpicked among a large pool of members to receive this VoxBox at no cost because of your influential power and willingness to share your positive experiences with your networks.

Disclaimer: I received these products to test for free through the Influenster VoxBox program.

Hello world!

Coco

Hi there! My name is Courtney and I’ve been an active member of the interwebz since I was about 12! I’m now 20 (almost 21!) and this is my first venture (I think?) in the world of blogging. I’ve been a fan of blogs since before I can remember, but I never put the effort into hosting my own. Currently, I’m an active member of the fanlisting world (you can view my site at fan.love-sick.org) and use it as a way to outlet my creativity in designing simple but unique websites. I decided to start the blog, finally, because I want to review products as a side project while I’m in college. It’s just another fun way for me to spend my time!  This blog is still very new, and nameless, but I hope to expand it in the future, but for now it’s a very simple and clean slate! I can’t wait to see what the future holds!