L'Oreal Paris Colour Riche Lip Balm Product Review

L'Oreal Paris Colour Riche Lip Balm

     I received a sample of L'Oreal's Colour Riche Lip Balm and have fallen in love!  This tinted lip balm comes in a variety of 8 beautiful colors, all of which provide protection for your lips with an SPF of 15.  These lip balms can help moisturize your lips for up to a full 8 hours, and they leave lips feeling soft and smooth even after it's been removed!

     I tried number 219, Plush Plum.  It went on smooth and silky with none of that dry and chalky feeling.  It lent a hint of color and shine to my lips while at the same time leaving them feeling soft and moisturized. I did notice a slight smell when I first opened the tube and applied the balm, but it quickly faded from notice.  I rarely had to re-apply the balm through out the day, except for after eating.

     Other colors include: Pink Satin, Rose Elixir, Tender Mauve, Heavenly Berry, Plush Plum, Caring Coral, Nourishing Nude and Caramel Comfort.  While I have not tried any of these colors, they look beautiful.  You can  click here  to go to the L'Oreal Paris website where you can see what each color looks like, as well as a list of other Colour Riche products.  Keep in mind this is not a lipstick, it is a tinted lip balm, so if you are looking for a hint of color while hydrating your lips, then this is the product for you!

   

                               

Bath and Body Works Giveaway

    It's A Giveaway!! 

   Our very first (of many) giveaways will be starting soon!  Up for grabs are two bottles of Bath and Body Works Signature Collection bath products. The first is a 10 ounce bottle of delectable smelling Warm Vanilla Sugar Bubble Bath!  The second item is a 10 ounce bottle of  Enchanted Orchid Shower Gel, a little piece of heaven!  I love these products, and often use their Shower Gels as bubble bath and their Bubble Bath as a shower gel!  Not only do they smell wonderful, but they leave my skin soft, smooth and moisturized.  Even better, they are the perfect remedy for a stressful day!
     This contest is open to those who live in the United States only. There will be one winner who will win both bottles.  You must follow the rules of the contest entry form, including what is mandatory, or you will be disqualified.  After I contact the winner, they will have 48 hours (2 days) to reply back to me via email at jamesalainab@yahoo.com with their full name and complete mailing address. Thank you for entering and Good Luck!!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Dr. Teal's Therapeutic Bath & Body Review

Therapeutic Bath & Body Sleep Lavender Bubble Bath

     If you love to relax in a sleep-inducing, lavender infused bubble bath, then I know a product you must try!  Dr. Teal's Therapeutic Solutions, Bath and Body, Sleep, Lavender Bubble Bath.  This formula is made with real lavender essential oil and it helps to calm and balance your mind and body allowing you to sleep better!

     A lot of bubble baths I have tried will foam nicely at first only to quickly die off within the first 10 minutes of getting into the water, but not this one!  Two cupfuls gave me a huge mountain of fragrant bubbles that lasted longer than I did!  I know at least 35 minutes passed while I was reading and the bubbles never dissipated until I drained the tub!  The aroma was incredibly soothing, a real lavender scent, not those fake wanna-be lavender scents you find with a lot of products.  Even after the bath, my bathroom smelled so good, and the scent lingered lightly on my skin as well.  This bubble bath also left my skin feeling soft, clean and moisturized, not all dried out and feeling like a soap residue remained.

     This is a 16 ounce bottle, enough to last for quite awhile.  It can also be used as a bath gel;   just pour a tiny amount on a puff or loofah, lather up and then rinse it away; it leaves skin smooth, moisturized and clean! 

     Dr. Teal's Therapeutic Solutions makes many other bath and body products using pure essential oils.  Their Bath products include a Foaming Bath line and Epsom Salts line, both of which come in Aromatherapuetic fragrances Lavender, Eucalyptus Spearmint, Chamomile and Amber Vanilla. As well as a Milk Bath and a Foaming Milk Bath available in Milk and Honey scent.  They also have a Foot Care line which includes an Epsom Salt Foot Soak with Peppermint, an Epsom Salt Foot Scrub also with Peppermint, a Soothing Foot Cream with Peppermint and Menthol, and a Cracked Heel Therapy with Peppermint. There is also a line for First Aid and Pain Relief which includes the Epsom Salt Therapy and Relief Soaking Solution with Rosemary and Mint, and the scent-free Epsom Salt Soaking Solution.







Julep Maven Introductory Box

My Handpicked Maven Introductory Box

     Today I received my introductory box to Julep Maven!  Julep is a hand, foot and nail care brand out of Seattle.  They offer a monthly subscription service where you can register on their site (http://www.julep.com/Home.htm), take a style quiz and each month receive a box with nail colors and other beauty products geared towards you.  The monthly cost is $19.99.  Each month you will receive an e-mail previewing your box for that month.   You don't like what you are getting that month?  No problem! You can either change your style, skip that month or send it to a friend as a gift!  Not only that, but you also have the option to choose one of many pre-paid plans where you can choose the number of months for which you want to subscribe. You can cancel at any time.  Another bonus?  Julep polishes are free of toxins like carcinogens formaldehyde, formaldehyde resin, toluene and DBPc, AND a portion of the proceeds from products sold is donated to organizations that support women!

     I enrolled under a special promotion where I received my introductory box for only 1 penny!  If you sign up now, they may still be offering this promotion.  Just click here Julep Penny Deal and after you fill out the quiz, be sure to enter promo code: PENNYINTRO.  Again, I am not sure how long this offer will last!

     Now, let me tell you about my awesome box!  It came in this black box with a hot pink bag folded into a nest of black paper coils; so cute!  There were two cards inside, the first welcoming me to Maven and sharing some handy tips. The second card told me about the contents of my box, complete with the names of my chosen polishes.  Wrapped securely in bubble wrap were three (3) bottles of polish (27 oz each), and two brightly colored foam toe separators.

     I received one bottle of one bottle of Mandy, a bright, deep coral-pink creme, which is my personal favorite!  One bottle of Jessica, a soft baby blue creme, and one bottle of Brooke, a sheer glittery purple, perfect to use alone or as a top coat for an added splash of 'WOW!'. 

        The first color I chose to use was Mandy and so far I am very satisfied.  Once dried, it is a tad thick, but it painted on smoothly, dried quickly, and has yet to chip.  The applicator brush was nice in that it has a flat shape that isn't too wide or too narrow, and the hairs all remained together without any coming out. I love this color with my skin tone! 

     I did paint one fingernail with Jessica, just to see how it looked, and that one was a little thick as well.  When I tried using Brooke on its own, it was a little hard to see, but when I used it as a top coat over the Jessica, it looked great!  Both came off easily with nail polish remover without any staining.  I hope it remains looking this good over time, and I will keep you updated!  If you love color and enjoy painting your nails, then Julep Maven is the site for you!

    

Glade Expressions Oil Diffuser

Lavender and Juniper Berry

     If you like air fresheners, but prefer something other than plug-ins or smoky incense, then you should try the new product by Glade: Expessions Oil Diffuser.  These cute air fresheners are basically a decorative holder, a fabric 'card' and a small bottle of scented oil.  They come in three scents: Lavender & Juniper Berry, Pineapple & Mangosteen and Fuji Apple & Cardamom Spice.  I personally use the Lavender and Juniper Berry, and it smells wonderful!  I am a huge fan of Lavender, and I have found a lot of air fresheners, incenses and oils that smell very fake, but this one  seems to be a little bit closer to the way 'real' Lavender oil smells.  It is really quite pleasant.  This diffuser can be bought as a complete kit the first time you buy it, then you can simply purchase the refills. 

     Each starter kit comes with one decorative holder, one diffuser card and one oil bottle, and are easy and quick to assemble. The card simply snaps into the top of the oil bottle, then the whole thing fits down inside the holder. Over time, the card absorbs the oil and releases the scent into the air.  One diffuser has lasted about 30 to 32 days in my apartment.  The plastic holders are cute and can go in any room, and they are "no-spill" so you don't have to worry about the oil coming out if it gets knocked over accidentally!  You would be surprised at how long they last and how nice they make a room smell! I can put one holder in my dining room and smell it through-out the den and kitchen as well! 

     I have seen the starter kit cost anywhere between $6.99 and $8.99, and each re-fill around $4 to $5 depending on where you purchase it.  That may seem a little steep for the starter kit, but not when you consider how long it lasts.  Besides, you can always find Glade coupons in the newspaper and on the internet and get an excellent deal!  While I love a home that smells good, I have never been a huge fan of plug-in, stick-on, spray-on or any of the other types of air fresheners until I tried Glade Expression Oil Diffusers.  I really like the way they make my home smell, and I definitely recommend trying one for yourself.

St. Ives Apricot Scrub: Invigorating Product Review

Great Facial Scrub

     I have always had a difficult time finding facial cleansing products that do not irritate my skin.  There are a limited number of items I can use, and St. Ives Apricot Scrub is one of my favorites. St Ives has four formula categories in their facial products line: Naturally Clear, Fresh Skin ,Timeless Skin and Sensitive Skin, and each one offers an Apricot Scrub. 

     My personal favorite is the Fresh Skin, Invigorating Apricot Scrub.  It has a great thick, creamy consistency and is filled with tons of exfoliating 'granules' which gently exfoliate my skin without being too harsh or rough.  It has a very refreshing, clean scent and rinses away easily leaving my skin so soft and clean!  It does not dry my skin out or leave it feeling tight and drawn, but instead it gives the perfect amount of moisturizer due to the apricot extracts.

     This scrub, like all of St. Ives products, is not tested on animals, nor is it made from animal ingredients and does not contain any parabens or phthalates.  It is good for all skin types, dermatologist tested and made from 100 percent natural extracts and natural exfoliants including apricot, walnut and corn kernel meal.

     I began using St. Ives Apricot Scrubs when I was a teenager and witnessed a noticable difference in the amount of acne and blackheads compared to before using it.  As an adult it continues to keep my skin soft, radiant and healthy!  I highly recommend trying this out if you are looking for a facial scrub that doesn't irritate your skin and leaves it looking great!

BzzAgent Campaign Smooth N Shine Came!

BzzAgent Alaina is Ready to Create a Bzzzzz!

  


     It finally came!  Yes, that's right, my BzzKit for Smooth N Shine Keratin Power has arrived and I cannot wait to give it a spin!  Here is a list of the items that were in my box:

- my BzzAgent campaign letter

- the Official BzzGuide which tells about the campaign, the product and gives suggestions   

  on different ways to spread the bzzzz

- one (1) $5 off coupon on my next Smooth N Shine purchase at Walgreens

- four (4) $2 off coupons to be used anywhere Smooth N Shine products are sold

- one (1) full-size Smooth N Shine Polishing Keratin Power kit which includes instructions for use, 1 (one) tube of Protein Smoothing Treatment (step 1), 1 tube of Neutralizing Milk (step 2), 1 (one) packet of nourishing Deep Recovery Conditioner and a pair of disposable gloves.

     This semi-permanent hair tamer, containing Keratin 4 and Aloe, is a new approach to calming frizz and taming curls as compared to other relaxers.  It says it will last up to 6 (six) weeks or 5 (washes) with 5 (five) times less damage than using a traditional relaxer, allowing you to either "straighten more easily or opt for 'wash and go' manageable curls" all in 2 (two) easy steps with no mixing required!

   So it looks like I have everything I need to calm my crazy, curly hair! Check out the pictures below to see exactly what came in the BzzKit, and check back for updates often!

Great Day for Mailbox Freebies! Target Summer Sample Bag, John Frieda Precision Color Foam and More!

     What an exciting day for freebies in my mailbox!  First I got the July issue of All You (paid subscription with gas card rebate: offer ended) and the July edition of Real Simple, which I got with My Coke Rewards. I have also seen a year long subscription for All You on the My Coke Rewards site as well.  
     Next I received a sample of Palmer's Cocoa Butter Formula Massage Lotion for Stretch Marks and a sample of their Tummy Butter for Stretch Marks, as well as a $1 off coupon.  This I got from an offer on Facebook.
      I also got a card for one (1) free, full-size John Frieda Precision Color Foam, the 2011 Allure Best of Beauty Award-Winner for Best Home Color-Single Process.  I can choose any color I want, and I will be doing a review as soon as I try it! I believe this came from entering Allure's monthly contest. Please let me know if I am wrong!
     Finally, for my absolute favorite, I got my Target Summer Sample Bag today!!  This cute bag was filled with awesome samples and some great coupons that are good to use at Target through the end of August. Here are the product samples that came in the bag:
- Garnier Fructis Color Shield Shampoo and Conditioner (each in a foil pack)
- Revlon ColorBurst Lip Butter in Peach Parfait (swatch)
- TRESemme Split Remedy Shampoo and Conditioner (each a 1oz bottle)
- Neutrogena's Ultra Sheer Dry-Touch Sunblock, SPF 70: perfect for the south! (1 oz)
- Aveeno Active Naturals Smart Essentials Daily Detoxifying Scrub (1oz)

     The coupons booklet includes coupons for the above listed products as well as coupons for Cover Girl cosmetics, Jergens moisturizer, L'Oreal Colour Riche lip or nail cosmetic items, Nivea body skin care, Olay facial skin care, Pantene, Pixi designer cosmetics, Revlon cosmetics and Rimmel London bronzer powder. Over $15 of savings!!

Did I mention the incredibly cute bag!!

     Remember, if you want to receive free samples too, there are tons of websites, personal savings and couponing blogs and Facebook pages that offer free samples, and can tell you where you can go to find them!  Just do a search and you will find!  It is a great way to try a product before you buy it to make sure it is what you want!  Stay tuned for a future post regarding freebie sites!

Clean and Clear Morning Burst Body Wash

Boost with Mango and Papaya

     This morning I decided to try a sample of Morning Burst Body Wash by Clean and Clear, in the Boost with Mango and Papaya formula.  This is one of three in the Morning Burst Body Wash line, the other two being: Splash Body Wash with Wildberry and Guava and Charge Body Wash with Pomegranate and Orange Zest.  All three formulas have these little beads, called Bursting Beads, which are filled with fruit extracts and give off the most wonderful aroma, while leaving your skin soft and clean.

     I found that the thick gel-like wash lathers best when applied with either a puff or a sponge, foaming up into a great smelling lather!  It does not take a large amount to clean your entire body, and it rinses off easily without leaving that slick film-like feeling.  The citrussy scent of mango and papaya was so fresh and invigorating, filling my whole bathroom with great smelling steam.  Once I rinsed and dried, the scent was very light on my skin, not at all overpowering like a lot of body washes I have tried. It left my skin feeling soft and clean without drying it out or leaving it feeling tight and drawn-up. This formula is okay to use on normal, oily and dry skin, and since it is made by Clean and Clear, I imagine it would work well for people who are prone to getting blemishes on their body. 

     If you have not tried this body wash yet, I definitly recommend doing so, especially if you prefer body wash over soap.  I can't wait to try the other two formulas, specifically the Charge Body Wash with Pomegranate and Orange Zest since I love the scent of citrus!

MADAGASCAR 3: EUROPE'S MOST WANTED

OUR HOUSE PARTY

     Crowdtap gave members the chance to host a party to celebrate the release of Dreamworks new movie Madagascar 3: Europe's Most Wanted.  We got to download a party kit complete with masks, face paint instructions, coloring and other activity sheets, games, decorations, a recipe for a cake (Marty's Zebra cake) and more.  

     Originally, we had scheduled our circus-themed party for today.  We were going to have some of our son's friends over, along with his cousin and some other children from the neighborhood.  We were going to have cake, popcorn, drinks, activities, face painting, games and more; with the final act being a trip down the road to see Madagascar 3, which was released in theaters yesterday.      

     Unfortunately, our son got sick early yesterday morning, and the next few weekends are booked up, so we had to cancel.  Since he was so disappointed, as was his father and myself, we decided to have our own family party instead!  

     Our son loves to color and draw, so he was in charge the decorating.  I love to bake and this was to be my first attempt at making a marbled cake.  So while I was busy in the kitchen, my son was busy cutting, coloring and decorating.  

     Once I got the cake in the oven, we all sat down for lunch which was grilled cheese sandwich's cut to resemble lion's heads, popcorn and fruit juice.  After lunch, we played "Pin the Tail on Gloria", did some dot-to-dots and played tic-tac-toe, all of which had templates included in the digital kit.

     Finally, the cake was ready, cooled and waiting to be iced.  It came out perfect!  Armed with a tub of white icing and a variety of multi-colored sprinkles, my son took over this part of the cake-making process.  A big, sticky mess later, it was ready to eat, and it was delicious!

     Since it was raining outside, this turned out to be the perfect time of the day to have our Madagascar marathon!   Ready with pillows and blankets, we all got together in the den and watched Madagascar 1 and 2!  It was very relaxing and very entertaining!

      So, while it didn't turn out as planned, our Madagascar 3 party did turn out to be a great day spent together as a family!  Thanks for the party kit, Dreamworks and Crowdtap!!

     If you haven't seen it yet, check out the trailer for Madagascar 3; Europe's Most Wanted!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C05pGnZQQtE

RECYCLEBANK

    Do you recycle? Do you want to learn more ways to live green, save money and help the planet with simple, everyday actions and earn points towards rewards while you do?  If so, this is the site for you!  With more than 3 million members worldwide, Recyclebank is a site which rewards people for taking everyday green actions in the hopes of ridding the world of waste, educating people about living green and being more eco-friendly.  The site offers many daily activities for which you can earn points as well as a wide range of other opportunities.  There are also many articles and links regarding living green.  Points can be used towards items such as coupons, discounts, magazine subscriptions, gifts, gift cards and more!  Click the link below to register.

https://www.recyclebank.com/referafriend/?___store=us&bl=WDE4NDE3MTI=&cm_mmc=Refer-a-friend-_-direct%20link-_-X1841712-_-referral

New BzzAgent Campaign:  Smooth N Shine Polishing Keratin Power

  

    I recently accepted a new campaign from BzzAgent for Smooth N Shine Polishing Keratin Power hair relaxer!  As a child I always hated having curly hair and wanted it to be straight.  As an adult I have grown to love my hair, but I am now looking to do something different, and I think this campaign is just what I was looking for! 

    As you can see from the pictures below, when I let my hair go natural, without any product to calm the frizz or tame the curl, my head looks like an ideal nest for a bird!  Hopefully this product will ease the frizz and tame the curl!  I cannot wait to receive my free sample!

*****WARNING: the following pictures may be unsuitable for anyone's eyes!*****  

  Here I am, fresh out of the shower with no make-up, and hair that I let dry naturally without using any product to calm the frizz or shape and tame the curl! Scary!!

   Stay tuned for the 'AFTER' pictures! 

    I will be posting up-dates and reviews through-out my campaign.

    Keep in mind all opinions and views are my own; I received the free sample product for being a member of BzzAgent, and I have not been compensated in any other way either from BzzAgent or Smooth N Shine.

Win a Disney Vacation or $50 Disney Giftcard from Mr. Food

     Mr. Food is holding a great contest where you could be the grand prize winner of a 4(four) night, 5(five) day vacation package to Disney World in Orlando, Florida for 4 (four) of your friends or family! Ten runner-up winners will receive a $50 Disney gift card!  Hurry because the deadline to enter is June 30, 2012.  Click the link below to enter and good luck!!

http://www.mrfood.com/sweeps/Mr-Food-Disney-Vacation-Contest#

Smiley360 Arm and Hammer Detergent Review

     Today I put my free sample of Arm and Hammer OxiClean Crystal Burst detergent that I received from Smiley360 to the test.  It came in a 21.1oz. bag with 24 paks of detergent.  These paks make doing the wash so simple! Just throw a pak in, set the washing machine and go! The detergent can be used in any temperature water, and in both standard and HE machines.
     As I mentioned before, my husband works in construction as an Electrician, and has been working on a job that is being built from the ground up. Needless to say, his clothes are filthy!  This morning I did a load of his clothes; boy did they smell and were covered in dirt!  Now these pants and shirts are very old and do have paint and oil stains in them that will not come out no matter what I do, but I couldn't wait to see how well it got out the fresh dirt stains.  I used one Power Pak on three pairs of pant, three shirts and some socks. 

  
      I was very surprised and pleased with the results!  Not only did the clothes smell soooo much better with a very pleasant scent, but all of the newer dirt stains were gone, and some of the older stains seem to be much lighter as well! 

     I have gone to the store and priced this detergent, and it is very reasonable, especially compared to some of the other brands. My first test was a great success, and I am very happy! 

Counting down the days until I find out if I get to host this awesome McCormick Grill Mates Grill Ambassadors party through Crowdtap...it'll be so much fun and soooo yummy!!!
http://bit.ly/KK9IOJ

Smiley360    

     Another fun sight I belong is Smiley360.  This sight gives you the opportunity to experience new products and share your opinion about your experience.  Unfortunately, the link I included in my earler post is not working, so if you are interested in joining this sight,you can click this link to go to the sign-up page for Smiley360: https://smiley360.com/signup.cfm
     As I mentioned earlier, today the mailman brought a new mission kit from Smiley360. The kit included a bag of the new Arm and Hammer Plus OxiClean Crystal Burst Detergent and a mission card.

     The detergent comes in these handy single-use paks (24 in this 21.1oz bag) and has a very pleasant scent.  Each power pak contains "deep cleaning micro crystals" which "remove tough stains, brightens and whitens" and the best part is no measuring!  So not only is this detergent easy to use, you just throw one pak in per load, but it is a lot less messy than liquid and powder detergents, and is easy to store without taking up a lot of room!

     I can't wait to see how well it works, and in my home, it will definitely be put to the test! With a 9 year old boy and a husband who works as an Electrician in construction, I get to wash some smelly, dirty clothes!!  I will be posting my reviews and voicing my opinion over the next couple of weeks. Thank you Smiley360 and Arm and Hammer!

ARM & HAMMER® Plus OxiClean® Crystal Burst Detergent

  My Smiley360 Arm and Hammer mission kit came in the mail today!  I can't wait to try it out. I would have never thought I would be looking forward to doing laundry!  Check back for updates and my reviews of Arm and Hammer Plus OxiClean Crystal Burst Detergent. Thank you Smiley360 and Arm and Hammer!


ARM & HAMMER® Plus OxiClean® Crystal Burst Detergent: Thx ARM & HAMMER® for my FREE detergent! Check out their coupons! http://bit.ly/Hgmthp #CrystalPower *Please remember the FTC requires you to mention that you received a free sample courtesy of Smiley360 when sharing.