Product Review: Violife Slim Sonic Toothbrush

I have THE coolest thing to review today. I love it. It is cute, stylish, and functional. Not to mention super pretty. And did I mention how good it looks?? 

It's Violife's slim sonic electric toothbrush. First, just follow the link and go to the website and admire the snazzy designs that they have. Warning: you might want to immediately get one in every style, like I do. Mine is called Mirage and the pictures don't do it justice on how bright and fun it is. I might stop collecting nail polish and move on to these toothbrushes. 

On to more details than just how beautiful it is. This is the back of the box, which just highlights some of the neat features that the Slim Sonic Toothbrush has, like being lightweight and ultra-compact, easy to use (push-button activation), and convenient! 

The slim sonic toothbrush comes with what's shown in the picture: an instruction manual, the brush with case, one free brush head, and a battery. On the website, it's $14.95 with free shipping in the U.S., and when I first visited the site, a coupon for 10% off popped up as long as you join the mailing list! So you can get it for under $15! It comes with one brush head, and I dug around and found a pack of 4 extra heads is $9.95. 

The toothbrush next to its cap. I only found a couple of other travel electric toothbrushes, like an Arm & Hammer one, but it was around the same price as the Violife Slim Sonic Toothbrush. For the same price, I'd rather get the one that looks beautiful in my bag. The lid is a nice touch because you know that, wherever you store it (I put it in my makeup bag that goes everywhere with me), it will be kept clean. 

And this is why it was listed as convenient. It is just a little bit longer than a pen, and it's not that thick. It is roughly the same size as a tube of mascara. It can go anywhere with you, and look amazing while doing it. My only qualm is that I wish it was a little more powerful, I do use this a few times a week, but I definitely wouldn't make it my everyday toothbrush (which I think is the point. It's good if you're coming from the gym, or lunch back to work or school as a quick freshen-upper.) 

For under $15, I'd definitely buy it again. Especially with all of the designs that they have! They also have a Destinations Design series that is super cute. High school graduations are coming up, and I can definitely picture myself giving these as part of a gift. (And no, I'm not a square for giving toothbrushes! Most of the gifts that I give are makeup, beauty, or nail polish related. And this toothbrush would be totally cute in a travel kit gift!) 

Review: Celsius "Flo Fusion" Pre-Workout On-the-go formula

I have a pretty cool product to review today. Most of the things that I receive to review are make-up or nail polish related, but this one is more health than beauty. It is the Celsius Flo Fusion Energy Drink. It comes in Orange flavor (on the left) and Berry flavor (on the right). 

I've never been one to try out pre-workout powder shakes or drinks because they usually 1) don't taste good, 2) require a blender, blender bottle, or something similar to mix it well and 3) are a hassle to make. The last time that I had a huge jar of some kind of weight loss aid/workout booster formula powder, it cost me $40 and after a few weeks of using it, I felt no different. Then, to top it off, my dog thought that the giant tub was a toy and spilled it everywhere. So, I was out $40 for a supplement that was a waste of money. 

That's why this Flo Fusion is awesome. It comes in these on-the-go packets, so you don't have to worry about a huge mess, measuring anything out, etc. Plus, it dissolves into water very easily. I could even see tossing a few packets into your gym bag so that as long as you have a bottle of water, you can always have your pre-workout drink. 

Each packet is 0.18 oz. and just needs 12-16 ozs of water. I have poured the powder into a plastic water bottle before and just shook it to mix it up, and it works perfectly. It makes it so convenient. And, as the boxes say, it has "No sugar, no high fructose corn syrup, no aspartame, no preservatives, no artificial colors or flavors, and is low sodium." This should be exactly the kind of thing that you want to put in your body before a work out.

I tried both the Berry and the Orange flavor, and personally, I liked the orange flavor better, just because I usually like that flavor. I went in expecting the berry to have an artificial grape after taste (think children's cough medicine), but I was pleasantly surprised. It was not bad! Obviously, it was nothing like eating real berries, but I did not mind drinking it (which only added to helping me get into the habit of drinking it before a workout.)

The back of the boxes have all of the information on why the Flo Fusion is a good choice for a pre-workout formula:

• Burns 100 calories & more
• Results in a greater fat loss 
• Provides healthy energy
• Is vitamin enriched
• Clinically proven

• Increases fat loss 
• Increases endurance
• Increases cardio fitness

These last three bullet points are touted by most weight loss drink aids, so I've become wary of listening to them. However, I was determined to give it a good try, and so I diligently drank one packet a day (you can drink two a day if you want) before my workout, for three weeks. I didn't want to just do it for one week or a couple of days, and I definitely didn't want the placebo effect. I kept my workout schedule the same, drank the same amount of water every day as I had done before I started drinking, etc. so that the only thing that was changing was that I was adding one packet of Flo Fusion into my pre-workout routine.

The result: it definitely did give me more energy. Usually I would be dying about forty minutes in and trying to convince myself it was a good reason to stop, but as I kept drinking the Flo Fusion, I noticed that I wasn't thinking about ways to skip out early. I don't count calories so I can't comment on whether or not it actually burns 100 calories.

But when I started drinking the Flo Fusion, I had been working out and eating healthy as normal for awhile, with no change in my weight (a bit of a plateau). I do think that the Flo Fusion helped to kick start the weight loss for me again, and I lost 1 lb per week that I was drinking it. Slow, but steady! I was just happy that it was moving down and not staying still or, God forbid, moving up!

Would I rebuy?

Definitely. I think it's cool to finally have a supplement that is good for me and solves all of the problems that had been keeping me back from drinking pre-workout drinks beforehand. It's very convenient and super portable. It tastes great. It actually works for me (!!!). The price is right.

The orange flavor comes in a box of 14 packets for $11.38 through Amazon, while the berry flavor is $15.23 for a box of 14 packets. While scrolling through their Amazon store, I see that they also have a canister of the orange and the berry flavors, so if you're looking to buy it in bulk (which takes away the convenience, but could be more cost effective), they also sell it that way! I do think the on-the-go packets give you the chance to try it out though to see how it works for you.

(This product was sent to me for review, but all thoughts and opinions are my own and I received no compensation. The amazon links listed in the post are NOT affiliate links.)

Nordic Beauty Broad Spectrum SPF 30 CC cream

Today I'm reviewing a product that I've been testing for the past month and a half. It is Nordic Beauty's Anti-Aging Collagen Peptide Broad Spectrum SPF 30 CC Cream. 

First, the packaging. I love the look of this jar, it's just so neat and the white base with the grey lid looks beautiful on my vanity. The packaging is solid and sturdy, you don't have to worry about dropping and breaking it. The only, only complaint that I have is that if you ever run out, it seems like it might be difficult to get to all of the CC cream, as it could get into the corners. I think my spatula will be able to do it though, so this is really only a problem if you only take the cream out with your fingers (which I don't recommend, by the way, because your hands have a lot of germs on them that you're transferring to the cream. It's best to use a makeup spatula. 

Then the company. The front of the CC cream has a small pink Breast cancer awareness ribbon that proudly states "we give 10%." The website says:

"Nordic Beauty donate 10% of our annual net revenues to The Breast Cancer Research Foundation and Susan G. Komen Organization. We want to support our family and friends that we love and care for."

I love to support brands that donate a portion of the proceeds to charity, so this is pretty neat. 

The side of the cream, that lists the inactive ingredients. From the website, in case you can't read the bottle clearly: "ZINC OXIDE, WATER, ALOE BARBADENSIS LEAF JUICE*, CAPRIC CAPRYLIC TRIGLYCERIDES, SORBITAN SESQUIOLEATE, CASTOR OIL, POLYGLYCEROL-10 LAURATE, MAGNESIUM SULFATE, GLYCERIN, IRIS STEM CELL*, LINGONBERRY SEED OIL EXRACT*, MARINE PEPTIDE, SUNFLOWER OIL*, JOJOBA OIL*, TOCOPHEROLS, OLIVE OIL*, IRON OXIDES, PHENOXYETHANOL, ETHYL HEXYL GLYCERIN, MYRRH ESSENTIAL OIL*, FRANKINCENSE ESSENTIAL OIL*" 

All of the ingredients that are marked with an asterisk are certified organic. Note the part on the bottle that says: "Pure Essential Oils | NON GMO | Gluten Free | Not Tested on Animals" and the list of yucky stuff that is NOT found in this CC cream, such as "Parabens, Silicones, Synthetic Fragrance, Synthetic Sunscreens, etc." As the website notes, "your skin absorbs 64% of what you put on it. This is why we never use synthetic or harmful chemicals and pesticides that can easily be absorbed into your body. " 

Speaking strictly from a first impressions point of view, before I tested the CC cream, I was already impressed. There's a lot of publicity about being careful of what you put into your body (healthy foods as opposed to processed junk and fast food), but this is an amazing reminder to be careful of what you put onto your body. 

The directions for the CC cream. It is described as being "non-greasy, anti-aging" with "natural coverage [and] matte Broad Spectrum SPF 30 CC Cream protecting from UVA & UVB rays utilizing the safest and natural form of zinc oxide available without using synthetic sunscreen. This CC cream consists of our anti-aging proprietary formulation." The directions are to "apply to face and neck every morning." 

It also lists some sun protection measures, such as regularly using sunscreen, limiting the time in the sun, and wearing clothing to cover the body from the sun. I hope that most people already know these measures, but this is a really good reminder to look at every morning when you're applying it, and I love that it's printed right on the bottle.

Finally, the drug facts with all of the standard warnings that are labeled on most beauty products. 

The cream itself. When the CC cream is described as non-greasy, it was not kidding. I have not found a cream with sunscreen in it that doesn't apply greasy, until now. It applies very smoothly; a little goes a long way with this cream. The smell is not strong at all, and is actually quite pleasant (coming from someone who gets headaches from the scent of 80% of the lotions and creams on the market).

The coverage on this cream is very light, which is perfect for the summer, as is the SPF 30. It is anti-aging, but is suitable for any age. I always say that it is never too early to start using anti-aging products, and this makes it so easy and pleasant. 

A 4 oz. jar costs $110 on the website. A couple of things: at first glance, it might seem like a lot, but it's your skin. What is worth a better investment? Also, one jar lasts for quite a while... I'd been using it for one month already in that picture, and you can barely tell that any is missing. Some reviews of the product say that it has lasted for four months for them, and I can definitely see that happening. 

Overall, it's a good company, an amazing product, and wonderful benefits. This is exactly the cream that people should be splurging on; your skin will definitely thank you. In a couple of months, when (if) I run out, I am going to be re-purchasing, which I don't do for a lot of products. After seeing all of the good that it did for my skin, how could I not? 

(This product was sent to me for review, but all thoughts and opinions are my own. Read my disclaimer for more information. All links in the post are not affiliate links.)

Product Review: Swipe single-use deodorant wipe

I received a new product to try last week, and it is amazing. It's Swipe, a "pocket-sized, biodegradable, single-use deodorant wipe." Since school started just two months ago, it is super convenient to toss in your bag or to use before or after sports practice or gym when you don't have time to shower before moving on. It smells incredible, because it has tea tree extract in it, and it does not leave your skin feeling sticky like some other wipes do. 

The back of the box. 

It's affordable, too. You can buy it at Swipe's website for $2.99 for a pack of 3, $6.99 for a pack of 10, and $14.99 for a pack of 25. 

It's much more portable and discreet than carrying around a stick of deodorant, body spray, or any of those other packs of body wipes. Plus, since they're in individual packages, you don't have to worry about it smashing (like deodorant) or filling up your bag with the scent. 

I don't usually gush, but I seriously love these. It's so easy to use, fresh smelling, and inexpensive. Seriously perfect for the random hot fall weather we've been having. Slip it in your kids bags, or add it in your gym bags now that sports have started up again, or add it to late start-of-the-school-year gifts! 

(This product was sent to me for review, but all thoughts and opinions are my own). 

Ipsy glambag Review: July 2014

Not sure how I'm feeling about Ipsy Glambag. I have been getting it for almost a year, and I love the cosmetic bag and most of the products, but there's a lot of repeats. Birchbox, even though they ended up giving me a lot of cheap products towards the end, had a lot of different brands working with them. I think it's time to try a new beauty subscription service. I would prefer one around $10 like Birchbox and Ipsy, any suggestions? 

This month's bag. So cute, a pink square bag with a scalloped edge. 

This month, there were five products. Nail polish, lip product, hair product, tanning oil (???), and concealer/liquid eyeshadow. I don't really use hair product (and I've put that on my ipsy profile), and I 100% do not use tanning oil, so both of those products are kind of useless. But I am always game for lip products, nail polish, and concealer. 

Pixi Beauty Mini Tinted Brilliance Balm in Unique Pink. I like the color of this, and I always love lip pencil balms like this. The website says that it is $14 for a full-size crayon, I can't find specifics online, but it appears to be about half the size of one from the site, so value: $7. 

Whet nail polish in Facetious. A dark blue, very pretty, just my kind. Very nice, I tested it on one nail and it lasted for 3 days without chipping, and before I took it off, there was only minor tip wear. Value: $15 on the website. 

Hang Ten Dark Tanning Oil SPF 08. I don't use Tanning Oil, mostly because I hate being tan and also I don't like going outside in the sun. I'll probably trade it off or give it away to someone. To me, this is worthless, but on the website the value: about $2. 

Marrakesh Endz by Marrakesh Hair Care. Split ends drive me nuts, so something that claims to repair split ends is a golden product for me. No promises on whether it actually works or not just yet, though. But it smells incredible and makes my hair soft. Value: $5.99 

Bare Minerals 5-in-1 BB Advanced Performance Cream Eyeshadow in Barely Nude. Not a huge fan of cream eyeshadow because it usually smears a lot, but I tried this one and it's not too bad so far. Value: about $6. 

Verdict: The overall value of the bag was about $36, which is pretty good considering that it only cost $10. I think I will be waiting another month to see how the next bag is before I consider cancelling and switching to a new service; I feel like Ipsy is really limited, they seem to only have a few companies working with them; I've gotten Pixi products so many times in the past year. Any suggestions? Or recommendations for a bigger beauty service, preferably around the same cost? 

Product Review: Gerard Cosmetics' BB+ Illumination

I have to tell you guys about an awesome new product that I got to review. This has been sitting in my drafts waiting to be written for a little while, but I like to try products for a few weeks to make sure that I have a good review and not just a snap decision about them. But I have been using this almost every day (which says a lot, because a lot of new products I will try for a week or two, but then it'll be too much of a hassle/I no longer like it and I will stop using it), and I think it's time to share. 

Introducing the BB Plus Illumination cream from Gerard Cosmetics. BB cream has been all the rage in America lately, so American companies have been jumping on the bandwagon to produce their own lines. Before this, I had mainly been using BB creams from skin79 and other Korean brands, since they've been producing it longer and have perfected it. I tried a few American BB creams but I didn't really like any of them. They were mostly either too heavy (almost foundation-like, which BB cream is not supposed to be like) or they were basically tinted moisturizer re-packaged to say BB cream on the bottle. But this one is not like any of the other ones on the American market. 

Not this one. The description from the Whitening Lightning website says that it is "creamy but sheer," just like a good BB cream should be. And it is. It's not sticky and heavy, nor is it too liquidy to apply well. It includes "light reflecting particles and golden shimmer," which is supposed to suit every skin tone or type. It looks awesome. Usually I do not really like shimmery products, just because in the wrong light it can make you look greasy instead of glowing. But this product makes your skin look amazing. It is super easy to apply (the site says that it "can be used alone, as a cream highlighter or mixed with your favorite liquid foundation", lightweight (perfect for the summer), and has wonderful coverage. 

And it comes with a pump top, which makes it so much better than most of the BB creams on the American market (which usually have the flip-top lid with the squeeze bottles). Since a little goes a long way, you won't accidentally squeeze out way more than you need and waste good BB cream. Plus, it's a lot more hygienic. It's made in the USA, cruelty-free, and gluten-free. 

Seriously, I swear on it. I am in love with the way that this covers my skin and makes my skin glow. It is available here on the Whitening Lightning website for $36 a bottle, which is comparable to the Korean brands, but you don't have to pay a ridiculous shipping fee or worry that the product is not authentic (all of which are reasons I was looking for a good brand in America.) 

(This product was sent to me for review, but all opinions are my own.) 

Product Review: Skindinavia Makeup Primer Spray

  I don't know about you, but in my city today it was 99% humidity and around 90 degrees. I work in a restaurant kitchen where it is at least TEN DEGREES hotter than it is outside. Add to that the fact that I have to run around like a chicken with my head cut off and I end the day sweaty and disgusting (tmi, maybe, but this is important to the rest of the post). Most of the time, I just skip make up because no matter what primer I use (and I have tried A. Lot.) or how often I blot my face during the day, my makeup runs and I look like a not-at-all hot mess. So my choices are looking like I'm dead (without makeup) or like someone dumped water and oil on my face. 

And in steps the Skindinavia makeup primer spray. Cue angels singing. This product is a miracle worker, and I am being 100000% honest right now. The one on the left is the makeup primer spray and the one on the right is Skindinavia Makeup Primer Spray Oil Control, which is best for oily skin. The original one is tested for sensitive skin, so it works best on either sensitive or normal skin. It is paraben-free and hypoallergenic, and silicone-free (which is wonderful news for your pores, especially because once you try this, you'll want to use it every day). 

The best part about the Skindinavia primer is that it is a SPRAY. I am really lazy when it comes to putting on my makeup, and slathering on a bunch of different products at night and in the morning is not my idea of fun. Plus, I'm usually a late riser and I have to rush to wherever I'm going, so I don't have time to evenly apply most primers, then wait for it to dry enough to be able to apply my makeup on top.

I find that waiting about a minute, or until the spray is dry to the touch on your skin, works best, but I have even done it hastily and applied makeup while it was still slightly tacky. It didn't last quite as long that way, but it still didn't make me look like a monster. Plus, spraying it on literally takes less than 15 seconds, so there really is no excuse not to apply it.

It has no scent, which is great because recently I've become very sensitive to scents and they tend to give me headaches. After it dries, it doesn't leave your skin sticky like a lot of primers that I've tried. I don't need to blot my face every ten minutes, and I don't have to worry about constantly checking the mirror to make sure that my makeup is still where it is supposed to be on my face.

Plus, the cost is a huge perk. A 4oz bottle is only $35, while an 8 oz. bottle is only $49. If you think that's steep (which, I'll admit, normally I would think so too), just remember that after you buy this, you will absolutely not have to spend so much money on blotting sheets, makeup (because you have to constantly re-apply), or testing other primers. Believe me, it really is worth it to be able to wear your makeup even in the heat of summer without having to worry about how you look ten minutes later.

This product is available at skindinavia.com and was sent to me for review, but all opinions in this post are 100% my own.

Review: Jane Iredale's 24-karat Gold Dust

This is a review of a product that I was super excited to receive! It is Jane Iredale's 24-karat Gold Dust, that you can purchase in Gold, Silver, and Bronze for $13.50 from www.janeiredale.com. 

This is what I saw as soon as I opened the box. A sprig of Lavendar! I am a sucker for packaging, so this is such a nice and personal touch. Packaging make up in nice tissue paper helps too, it feels so much more elegant and you could totally send it as a gift. 

The description card that came with it,, which is a note from Jane Iredale and explains a bit about the Lavender sprig and why it was included. This is just such an awesome way to make their customers feel like a part of the family, which is something a good company should do. 

The packaging. A glossy plastic box that the compact comes in. So simple, but the gold edges on the box adds such a nice touch. 

And a little bit of a closer look. I received the bronze shade, which is beautiful. The site recommends applying it to "the eyes, cheeks and lips for a "delicately giled look" that highlights your best features" and recommends adding it to moisturizer or hair gel/leave-in conditioner to make your hair sparkle. 

I tried all three ways. It makes an awesome eyeshadow base, the color is just a bit darker than my skin tone, and the sparkle just showed through my eyeliner. Also, it's easy to just add a little bit to my eyelids in the morning if I don't have time for more make up, just to get a little bit more glitter. Putting it in moisturizer makes it like a tinted moisturizer, which is perfect for the upcoming summer! I didn't really notice it when I mixed it with my hair gel, but my friends said that there was "something different... in a good way" about my hair when I tried it, so apparently it works nicely :) 

As you might have been able to guess, this line is Olympic-Inspired. Too cool, right? This is incredibly pretty and such an awesome value. If I ever run out, I'll definitely re-purchase, and maybe try a new color. 

Rakuzen 

(This product was sent to me for review).

Vaseline Lip Therapy Rosy Lips

Earlier last week, I mentioned the giveaway that is going on over at the Vaseline Facebook page. They are offering the chance to win a box of MarieBelle chocolates and a Vaseline LipTherapy Rosy Lips. If you haven't entered yet, I suggest doing it and soon! The contest ends at 3PM EST TOMORROW (2/12). Even if you don't win, it doesn't hurt to try! (That's how I once won $1000 in a raffle).

Anyways, Vaseline sent me their Rosy Lips to try and I 1000% recommend that you go out and buy it if you don't win. It's priced at $2.29 which makes it super affordable, and its really cute! It is 0.25 oz in a jar, which means you can toss it in your bag and go! 

(Size comparison to a quarter. It's so cute!)

This Rosy Lips edition is new, and it gives your lips a soft rose-tint while healing and softening your lips. (I would show you the product on my lips, but winter has taken its toll on me and I'll need to keep using this for awhile to soften my lips. The tint is barely noticeable, in a good way.)

Another thing is the smell. It has a rose/vanilla/red berry scent, and it smells incredible. 

So go enter the giveaway on the Facebook page, and go buy this! I'm so in love with it hehe. 

Rakuzen