Rimmel Review

Recently I was able to try two products that were new to me (and free!) thanks to Influenster and Rimmel. I was a recipient of the Frosty VoxBox and I was so happy to be chosen!

The first Rimmel Product I saw was a full sized Gentle Eye Make Up Remover.  This product is unscented.  I squeezed it onto a cotton ball and it removed my eye make up easily with out smearing it.  I have a fear of having to make huge raccoon eyes and then having to clean it off the rest of my face or of rubbing my sensitive under eye skin until it's tender.  Thanks to this product neither of those things happened. My eye make up easily came off with out scrubbing and without smearing. Pick some up for yourself for $7.49

Now onto the eye liner.  $4.49 for the Scandaleyes Waterproof Kohl Kajal Eyeliner. That's a pretty good price for eye make up, especially liner that works! This liner goes on smoothly and leaves a good line.  It can also smudge for a smoky eye or would work for cat eyes or wings or whatever else you wanted to draw.  I got black but they have other colors as well.  I have only 2 complaints - 1. I felt that it smudged a bit when I put it on.  I am a stay at home mom and rarely do much more than line the bottoms of my eyes, 2. This is an actual pencil - for over 3 years I have been using the twist up type and I actually do not currently have an eyeliner sharpener. Overall, I really like this I would consider purchasing it on my own and I likely would not have had I not be able to sample it first!

Celestial Seasoning - Candy Cane Lane

Thanks to Influenster and Celestial Seasonings I was able to try this tea for free! This might actually be my new favorite hot tea flavor.  I said in a previous review that a lot of times seasonal and holiday flavors aren't always what I make them to be in my head.  This surpassed my typical experience.  Sometimes flavored teas make me feel like I've put grass clippings in hot water for a bit.  This has a nice peppermint flavor that lingers but isn't too strong and never tasted medicinal.  I am looking forward to drinking more of this in the future! 

Frosty VoxBox

Thanks to Influenster I received a "Frosty VoxBox" for free to try out and review the products included. I was excited to see that I qualified for the box and even more excited to receive the box and look inside for myself.

This is the first look, Seemed exciting but I was kind of curious as to why there was a seasoning?

There was an information card that included details about the products in the box. 

To go in the order of what is on the info card I'll start with the No 7 serum.  There were two different serums sent out.  I received the "Protect and Perfect Advanced Serum" in a 3mL foil pack. They also included a $2 off coupon for Target, the full size product is $22.99. I've never tried this brand before.  I am interested to try it-it says for the first signs of aging.  I have started using anti-aging products so it would be good to try this.  I don't know that I'll see much difference because it also says "Younger looking, more beautiful skin in just 2 weeks." I doubt I can make this packet last 2 weeks.  But again, excited to try it. 

Next is a full size bottle of Rimmel Gentle Eye Make-Up Remover. Retail is $7.49. I'm really bad at doing extra steps before bed, make up removal is an extra step.  I could definitely use an easy eye make up remover.  Great product for me to receive because I would likely not buy it on my own to try it out. It is really gentle! It has no scent and leaves no residue. It really removes the make up and does not burn or smear the mascara down my face. Really like this one! 

Rimmel Scandaleyes Waterproof Kajal Kohl Eyeliner in Black it retails for $4.49. This is an actual pencil, I  actually don't have a sharpener so I can only use this for so long until I remember to buy a sharpener.  I have green eyes and have been using plum or brown eyeliner for over 3 years.  It goes on really smoothly and leaves a nice line.  Black was a little stark for me since I had gotten used to a lighter color.  I felt like it smeared a little through the day.  I have a 3 year old and an 8 month old, I have a lot of little hands on my face and a lot of unplanned dirt, milk, food....other various things on my face everyday. Perhaps in a drier environment it wouldn't smudge. :) 

NYC Expert Last Lip Color in Sugar Plum - $1.99. The card says that it is lasts up to 6 hours. I do agree that it is silky. I do like the color, it seems that it would compliment many different skin tones.  I am fair with dark hair, I feel that the color is just right! Love it!

Celestial Seasonings Candy Cane Lane Decaf Green Tea.  There was no retail price listed. This tea was so good! Sometimes the holiday things just don't live up to what I make them to be in my head.  This stuff was seriously good.  I will definitely be using my coupon to try out some more. 

EcoTools Hair Brush $10.99: I wasn't convinced about this brush to start with and I'm still not.  I have fine hair but a lot of strands.  This brush doesn't reach through all of my hair.  It pretty much just fuzzes up the top layer.  I think plastic bristles with the little knob at the top are best for me. Sticking with my Wet Brush.

McCormick Gourmet Thyme $4.79-This came just in time.  I had run out only days before.  I was a little confused as to why it was in a box with largely beauty products.  But it was welcome.  I don't use a ton of Thyme.  Perhaps my favorite recipe to use Thyme in is Souvlaki.  Maybe I should make some soon. 

 

The last product in the box were Red Vines brand Fruit Vines you can purchase these for somewhere between $1.28-1.79.  I got strawberry they also offer cherry.  I like these.  I love fruity candy and I love black licorice flavor.  I guess I don't love fruit flavored licorice.  But for what they are the flavor is good.  They are soft and easy to eat and enjoy. 

This was a great box.  Perhaps the cosmetics are my favorite.  I always enjoy trying out new cosmetics and seeing what is out there.  These are great affordable options and I will likely purchase several of these products! Thanks again to Influenster, No7, Rimmel, NYC, Red Vines, McCormick, Ecotools, and Celestial Seasonings for a great VoxBox.

#Clearproof

I was chosen to receive the Clearproof line from Mary Kay and boy was I excited! Post baby hormones and stress have done crazy things to my skin.  I was hoping this could be just the thing to clear it all up.  My face was dry in some places and oily and blemish in others.  I moved sometime after submitting my address and the shipping of my VoxBox so I waited a while to receive it-about the time I gave up on my box it showed up at my house, I only had to pay $6.72 to get it from the postal carrier.  Blah, oh well, if I were to buy it on my own from Mary Kay the system would cost $45.  I surrendered my cash and tore open the box.  It's a four part system.  Cleaner, toner, moisturizer and treatment cream.  The cream instantly made me nervous, I'm allergic to pimple creams-even the one by Mary Kay made my eye swell shut years ago when I was a teenager and even more self-conscious.  I thought I "might" try it or I may let my husband review that part for me, depending on how brave I felt the next time a pimple showed up.

I put the cleanser in the shower and waited until morning to try it. The next morning I popped the top and applied - my first thought was that it went on smoothly, my second thought was that it smelled very much like chemicals.  Now, I realize that a scent in and of itself mostly comes from chemicals but I think I missed the "nice" smell that some cleaners have.  My next step, after the shower was the toner.  I love toner, I think it really helps with my pores! And this is in a great squeeze bottle that makes it easy to squirt onto a cotton ball.  Overall, I liked the toner.  The moisturizer kind of weirded me out, you are supposed to apply it in an upward motion, pretty sure if that's how you are supposed to apply creams I have never done that right.  Just feels weird.  It went on fine and my skin felt alright after, not tight, not itchy, and not overly wet either.  I held off on the pimple cream then because I didn't have anything blatantly obvious.  I did try it later and - Hooray! I did not swell or break out!

I really did like this line but, to me, nothing was really exciting about it.  I don't know what would have made it exciting, perhaps a scent, perhaps really spectacular results. I didn't notice any big change but I also found myself going back to my old regimen.  My old regimen simply feels more "natural" (and I am not a crunchy granola type of person) I had been trying out a blogger's recommendations of  coconut oil, witch hazel and grapeseed oil.  By this point in my testing of the product I am back to my old routine.  My husband continues to use the Clearproof cleanser and pimple cream and is very happy with it.  I am very happy I was able to try out the system thanks to @Influenster and @MaryKay.  I appreciated the opportunity and had fun getting to review things once again.

Being "IN" on "Influenster"

There are a couple of websites that I have a membership with in which I get to check out products and review them.  Influenster is my favorite! I have applied for and been accepted into several campaigns in which I have been able to sample a lot of products at once.  They send you a survey and if you qualify you start the process of anxiously awaiting the arrival of your VoxBox (that's what they call the boxes).  After you get your box you "check it in" and then check out certain tasks associated with each product.  Sometimes they want to hear from you but other times they want to see you, such as pictures or videos.  I can't say that I ever have and not sure I would ever submit a video but I have had to take a few "selfies" in regards to showing off their products...I think that is the part that makes me most uncomfortable.  But I have done it because I want to be a good reviewer.

All in all you get to try out products, some that I would never try on my own risk free and cost free.  Recently @Influenster has added VoxPerks which are discounts you can try without even being accepted into a campaign.  They also have added @InfluensterApp that allows you to review products on your phone or tablet.  You can review products that you receive in a VoxBox or products you try on your own.  You should apply to be an Influenster (influenster.com) and find more out on your own.  I love being a member!

Hayneedle Give Away

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Just how big are these blessing filled raindrops?

(AKA the scary stuff)

If you are in the Christian music community I'm sure you have heard Laura Story's "Blessings."  Although I think it is a beautiful song and I really enjoyed it when it first came out I kind of think that it can be a "go-to" song for when things don't turn out like we planned.  I know that my way is not always God's way.  But if it's alright I'd like to say I'm over the raindrops! I would like my blessings to not be disguised all the time.  

Some of that is silliness, I know.   It was just this morning that my heart was filled until tears ran down my face at just how blessed I am.  My husband is supportive, kind, loving and fabulous man of God.  He works so that I can stay home with our beautiful daughter (I know everyone says they have a beautiful daughter, but mine really is). He has blessed me with a snuggly, giggly, little girl who constantly steals my heart and warms the hearts of everyone she encounters.  I have been able to easily conceive three babies, though one I did not get to meet.  I have a feisty little guy growing in my belly that is a constant reminder of God's gifts.  His diagnosis has people all over my city and this state on their knees for him and for us.  I have been blessed from birth.  My parents are gifts.  My mom is a joy always there for her family and my dad is a source of strength.  Just this month God saved him for us.  He had a heart attack, his first one, and we found out that his heart was in need of four stents.  I have a great brother and sister in law that love us and love our little girl like she were their own.  I have been showered with blessings, not disguised blessings, out-and-out, no-doubt-about-it blessings.  

But for the times I feel weak and picked on it's easy to worry about the things I don't yet know about.  Mostly things relating to "our boy."  Yes, that is what we are still calling him.  No, he doesn't have a name yet.  

These things have been nagging at me for over a month. Sometimes they are loud other times more of a whisper just loud enough to wake me from my rest or to break through my praises to Him.  

~I feel sad about my delivery date instead of eagerly awaiting his arrival.  Right now, he is safe, safe in the dark of my belly. What happens May 29th? He's on his own then, his little body will have to work on it's own and will begin a decline that will end in a frightening open heart surgery.  

~What happens if his decline happens very quickly? Why can't I be a mom and not nurse mom? I don't want to worry about all of my old work terms at home on a Thursday night.  I don't to have to say "lethargy, cyanosis, failure to thrive, oxygen exchange, pulmonary hypertension"  Even more so, I don't want to be in a state of worry of how sick is too sick.  How much failing to thrive is the magic amount that cues the surgery? 

~It might sound selfish or silly but I feel like life is over after May 29th.  I am so scared that life will never look "normal" again.  Health decline, germophobia, poor eating, no sleep for mommy, trying to still give to my daughter, then surgery, more fear of germs, life without a spleen (school? home school? will he even be able to go to nursery?) doctor's appointments after doctor's appointments all of these things are in my future. Perhaps it seems pessimistic, it might be, but it could also be a very accurate portrayal of the life ahead of me.  It is better to be prepared or to be surprised when things aren't as bad as I had prepared for?

~What if the outcome is less than favorable? Will I be able to be okay with that? Will I have terrible guilt? Will I be able to still be present for Norah?

~I worry so much about my girl, too.  My first little love has no clue what's ahead and at 2 there is not much I can explain that she will understand right now.  Heck, she's not even clear on "baby brother."  She is so snuggly and lovey and I never want her to feel like we don't have time for her.  I think it is challenging enough for an older kid to have a baby arrive how will I split my time with her and with a baby that very much needs my attention too.  I want her to still sit on my lap and ask me to "hold you." There is no way she knows how much I will need that in my life how much I currently need it.  

~We haven't made him a room because our house is on the market and we are praying it sells before his arrival. Sometimes I feel like not making a room for him looks like I don't plan for him to come home with us.  Which is not the case, he IS coming home with us! He will live wherever we are living.  He will live his little life to the fullest.  I am totally in love with that little nugget.  I cannot wait to touch his nose to my nose and tell him it will all be ok.  If we sell this house soon, hubby better hold on, there is months worth of nesting I've been stifling.  Don't think my body knowing there is only 13 weeks left has been easy.  

~We don't yet know where his surgery will be and thus we cannot prepare much at all.  

~I fear that all my fears will make me want to hold back from him, to put up some sort of guard for my heart.  He deserves all my love as well.  

I don't think about these things much. They don't occupy my thoughts all the time.  But they have for a few days and I'm hoping that typing them out helps.  I have only cried a few times since learning his diagnosis.  But today I have cried about 8 times.  Could be hormones, very possible it's hormones.  Could be that next week is the would be due date of the baby we lost.  Could also be that my stiff upper lip cream ran out (mental note: buy more stiff upper lip cream).   All in all it's okay to know that my brave face and big smile have cracks in them.  Though I know God has this He doesn't expect me to not react. He is walking with us through this, He has tears too.  His tears are because my heart is aching and His heart aches too.