Let's Get Dolled Up: The #ModaVoxBox is Here!

Influenster did it again! They sent me a great box full of products to try out. The Moda Vox Box is all about beauty... and a little pampering too. The products I received were all awesome. Here's the breakdown:

Rimmel London Scandaleyes Rockin' Curves Mascara

I found this to be an interesting product. Although I tend to limit my mascara use to weekends and special occasions, I was ready to try it out. The brush is a broken-heart shaped brush, which is supposed to give better coverage. I'm a leftie, so I really wasn't sure if I was holding it right to use it. However, I to like the coverage and volume it gave my lashes.

Rimmel London Moisture Renew Lip Liner

I don't use lip liner often, so when I found a transparent lip liner in my box of goodies, I had no idea what it was for. So I Googled it. Transparent lip liner is to prevent feathering. Then I had to Google what feathering of lipstick was. Now I know. So it is a perfect (and necessary) tool for the Rimmel lipstick I also received. 

Rimmel London Moisture Renew Lipstick

Red Alert! Red Alert! That's the shade I received in my box. I was terrified of it at first. I have never in my entire life rocked a bright red lipstick. I tried it once, just at home and got the opinion of family members. They all said it looked good, so I went out of the house with it the next day. I did feel a little empowered with the bright red on, so I will definitely be sporting this color again. 


Puffs Softpack

I've always loved Puffs, so the same great product in a new packaging is just what I needed. I don't know about you, but when you are sick with a cold or have fall allergies, the tissue box is never far away. So when you happen to fall asleep with said box in the bed, one of two things happens: the box falls off the bed and you can can't find it in the middle of the night, or you toss, turn and roll over the box. Not comfortable and the box is never really the same again.


With Puffs Softpack, there's no worry. Sure, it may still fall off the bed in the previous example, but there's no sharp corner to stick you in the side. It's soft as your fluffy pillow. I'm a total convert on this product--I will definitely be buying the Softpack variety from now on.

 Hair Food Moisture Hair Mask

This is the product I didn't know I needed and now can't live without. My hair has been getting drier in recent months, so I have been doing different things like skipping a day or two of shampoo and trying different conditioners. Hair Food was the answer I was looking for. Even after just using it once, I noticed that my hair was smoother and softer. The only problem I have with the product is that it is my first hair mask product, and the bottle doesn't have information such as how long to leave it on or how often to use it, which is important to keep my hair healthy. 

Jergens Ultra Healing Extra Dry Skin Moisturizer 

I have always enjoyed using skincare products by Jergens, and this one doesn't disappoint. My hands are not the problem, so I use this moisturizer on my legs. Even after only using it for a couple of days, I have noticed a significant difference. I will definitely finish this bottle. And it smells great too, so that's another plus!

Swiss Miss Simply Cocoa

Check out my previous post to learn about this product and what I thought about it.

Resource Spring Water

Again, check my previous post to learn more about this product and my opinion of it.

Overall, this was the best box by far that I have received from Influenster. It sort of had everything, from products for pampering, products for renewal, and products for health and wellness. If I'm lucky enough to get another box, I really can't wait to see what will be in it!

What to Do on a Cold Day

As we jump right into autumn (for some areas of the country, full-on early winter!), we must pack away the bathing suits, the shorts and fund tank tops. We must also find different ways to relax and enjoy ourselves. For me, there's nothing better on a cold, dreary day that picking up a good book and enjoying a hot drink. Coffee is good, but if you want a special treat, I recommend Swiss Miss Simply Cocoa.

I received Swiss Miss Simply Cocoa free from Influenster for testing purposes.

I was lucky enough to be able to try out Swiss Miss Simply Cocoa which is a mix made with just five ingredients--all of which you can pronounce. Once you add a little hot milk, you have a sweet treat on a rainy day. You can also jazz it up with whip cream caramel drizzle or a handful of marshmallows. How do you enjoy your Swiss Miss?

Refreshing and Revitalizing Your Day with Good Old H2O

Feeling healthy and energized is a goal that many of us have, but not too many of us achieve on a daily basis. But there is a secret ingredient that can help you feel healthy, refreshed, revitalized and replenished. That secret ingredient is readily available and available anytime. That ingredient is water.

I received this bottle of Resource Natural Spring Water complimentary from Influenster for testing purposes.

Thanks to Influenster, I was able to try out a bottle a Resource Natural Spring Water. This water is just what I needed throughout the day. Not only is it refreshing when you are thirsty, but it is one thing that you can drink all day long without feeling guilty. Many of us rely on caffeine to get us through the day, but water can be just as energizing. This spring water just hit the spot when I needed it.

Resource Natural Spring Water also helps the environment by packaging their water into bottles made from 50% recycled plastic, so with this brand, everyone wins. Check out their website to find out even more great facts about this brand.

With Secret Outlast, Life is No Sweat

Life can get hectic. You may be the women who is so busy running around that you need 26 hours in a day just to finish it all. Or you may be the woman who is working hard towards that fitness goal because a great body doesn't happy on it's own. And that new job you're about ready to interview for? You can't let sweat get in the way. With Secret Outlast^® Completely Clean Clear Gel, you don't have to.



Through BzzAgent, I received a free stick of Secret Outlast^® Completely Clean Clear Gel, and I'm loving the results. It works great to stop perspiration and odor so I don't have to worry about anything holding me back throughout the day. And since it is a clear gel, I also don't have to do an awkward set of acrobatics just to try to prevent white residue lines while putting on my dark colored shirts. Not only does the clear gel prevent that, but it also dries quickly, so it's two swipes and you're ready to head out the door.

So the question is: are you going to let sweat get you down?

Why Influenster and eBay are a Match Made in Heaven

I have always loved being a member of Influenster, which is a website that lets you use your social influence to earn the chance to try out new and exciting products. This summer, I was given the task to complete 3 different eBay virtual VoxBoxes which earned me $25 eBay gift cards for each of the campaigns. With $75 in my hand, I headed to eBay. But with so many choices, it was hard to choose what to buy. That, and it's been well over a year since I had the chance to buy something I don't need, so it took awhile but I finally let the money roll. Here's what I picked up.

**Interested in joining Influenster? I have some invitations left to give out. Just fill out this form with your email address and I can send one and you can start earning your way into VoxBox programs too!**

And... I still ended up with a couple dollars left over. And I checked Influenster this morning and happened to see another Virtual VoxBox just loaded onto my dashboard that will earn me another $10 gift card once I complete the tasks. These virtual tasks are becoming a great way to treat myself to something special!

Fit Friday - Lose It!

I don't like to say that I'm trying to lose weight -- I'm trying to manage it. That means that the number isn't as important to me as the long term benefits of being healthier. About a year ago, I started using an app called Lose It! If you haven't heard of it before, it is an app that allows you to track what you are eating and what exercise you participate in each day. You can also track your weight and set a weight loss goal.

Usability
The app is extremely easy to use. Once you set your current weight and your weight loss goal, the app provides you with the number of calories you should each per day to reach that goal. If you just want to maintain or gain weight, there are options for tracking this as well.

When you want to start adding in your food for the day, you can either search for the food in the app's database, scan the packaging bar code or add in all of the nutrition details yourself. Most foods are easy to find, though for some prepackaged foods, it is much easier to scan the bar code than to search for it.

Exercises can also be searched for through a database to estimate how many calories your activities are burning each day. Once you have completed entering all of the information for the day, you will see the net calories from all of your activity.

Motivation
Lose It! does a great job with motivation. One of the biggest motivation tools it has are the badges a user can earn. Some of the badges are easy to learn (such as eating vegetables everyday for a week) and some take a little more time and effort to acquire.

The app also provides challenges for free and paid members. These challenges help you compete to charge up your workouts and your weight loss goals.

If you have friends and family members that you want to use the app with, you can also connect with them. Friends can be one of the single greatest motivating factors, so this is a must-have option.

Upgrade Options
This app has an upgraded version called Lose It! Premium for $39.99 a year. Additional features that come with the paid version include being able to track multiple health, medical and physical data, automatically adding daily fitness routines through a NikeFuel band, track body measurements, sync with wireless scales and participate in more challenges.

The one upgraded option that I wish they would switch to the free version is the meal planning. I don't need to plan my meals for the whole week, but I would certainly like to sit in my bed at 10pm and write down what I expect to have the next day.

The Verdict
The free version of Lose It! is great for getting started on a journey to health. I don't think the features in the paid version are worth it (other than meal planning) because I don't have the devices that will sync, otherwise I may consider buying it.

Wordless Wednesday: Stripping

Received a surprise free pore strip in the mail yesterday. Yay for free stuff!

How to You #PlayOn?

What does the phrase "Play On" mean to you? It can mean a lot of things, from getting things done no matter what you face, to facing your fears head on so that something great can happen. To play on, you need strength, confidence and the feeling of security. Just like the feelings you get when you know you have great period protection.

Playtex® Sport® Fresh Balance™ is the product that women everywhere can use to play on. These tampons provide the protection you need to have no matter how hectic your day or hard your workout may be. They are comfortable, absorbent, and protect you from leaks. With its Odor Shield technology, it also helps you feel fresh so you can stay at your best.

So if you want to play on, makes sure to keep a stash of Playtex® Sport® Fresh Balance™ in your purse and your gym bag.

#VitaVoxBox: The Review

Vitality. What does that word mean to you? It's a spark, a vigor--something that makes you, you. This Influenster VoxBox is all about vitality--living a fun, active life without worrying about the little setbacks. Here's what I received in the box:

I received these products free from Influenster for testing purposes.

First Degree Advanced Burn Cream

This burn cream is handy to have around when those minor burns from curling irons, cooking or other incidents happen. So far, I've been lucky enough to not need it yet, but I will tell you that the cream is good and doesn't have an overwhelming medicinal smell like some other first aid products in this category.










Playtex Sport Fresh Balance

I have received this product in a previous VoxBox. My opinions haven't changed since then, so here is my thoughts on Playtex Sport Fresh Balance from the #GoVoxBox.













 Elizabeth Arden Flawless Future Powered by Ceramide Caplet Serum

This product is not quite my thing. First of all, I'm 30 and don't have wrinkles. That's mainly due to the fact that I don't laugh and smile as often as I should, but that's a story for another day. It went on smooth and dried fast, but didn't change the way my skin felt overall (that I noticed). The product is a premium product, and those who are looking for top-of-the-line skincare products for a flawless future, this is for you. It just wasn't for me.








Pure Leaf Iced Tea

I've already posted a review about this product which you can read HERE.
















 Softlips Cube

I cannot tell you enough about how great this lip balm is. If you follow me on Twitter or Instagram, then you know I've been raving about this product for the past week. It is one of the best lip products I have used. I don't know if it is just the mint flavor (I'm eager to try the other two flavors) or if it is how cute the cube looks, but it is a quality product. I can't get enough of it!










Bikini Ready Energy Gummies

These little gummies pack a punch. Here's my post on how they fit into my #BikiniReadyLifestyle.














Overall, this was an awesome box. I am so thankful that Influenster has given me the ability to test and discover new products. I can't wait for my next box!

What's the Secret to Your #BikiniReadyLifestyle?

Even though the summer is almost over, you still want to look your best for those final few dips in the pool before you head back to school or work. Getting bikini ready is not just a task for the spring, but it is also a lifestyle change. So what's your secret for getting (and staying!) bikini ready? Mine is energy.

We all need a little energy to do the things we want to do and have to do. If we don't have enough energy, we can all easily slip back into those bad habits that are also bad for our bodies. You know, the I'm-tired-so-let's-pig-out-on-ice-cream-and-binge-watch-TV-shows kind of bad habits. How do you find the energy to get things done at work, clean the house, work out and still have fun? I do it with Bikini Ready Gummies.

I received a sample package of Bikini Ready Energy Gummies free from Influenster for testing purposes.

These little gummies pack a lot of energy, and you don't need to chug a ton of sugary frappuccinos each morning to get the same effect. Just two gummies per day will give you the energy you need to get it all done. The gummies contain ingredients such as vitamin B12 and caffeine to give you a boost that both promotes energy and boosts your metabolism. I've added these little gems to my healthy diet and workout routine so that I know I'll always have energy throughout the day.

Naturally Refreshing: Pure Leaf Tea

I will be up front with you: in my life, tea is saved for special occasions (and when I run out of coffee). It's not that I don't enjoy it. I just have to be in the mood for it. But that's changed. I have finally found a tea that I can enjoy anytime--not just when the mood strikes me.

Received this product free for testing purposes from Influenster.

I had the privilege to try a complimentary bottle of Pure Leaf Unsweetened tea from my Influenster Vitality Vox Box. This is a tea I could see myself drinking on a regular basis because the flavor is good and is exactly what you would expect if you were drinking fresh brewed tea. However, I do prefer sweetened tea, so I will definitely be looking for the other flavors that Pure Leaf has. And since it's made with no preservatives and no added color, I know that I can enjoy this drink without worrying about what I'm putting into my body.

Unveiling the #VitaVoxBox

Here's the video unboxing of the Influenster #VitaVoxBox I received the other day in the mail. It's my first video upload ever on YouTube, so I muted the audio this time. Next time, I'll try out my narration skills. :-)

Staying Safe in the Sun

Do you know that if you are planning on being out in the sun for more than 20 minutes, you should take steps to protect your skin from the sun? Whether you are planning on spending the day by the pool or just out doing errands, sun protection is important all throughout the year, but especially in the summer months. One essential tool for sun protection is sunscreen. However, many users don’t like the greasy feeling or the overpowering scent, so they may skip an application. With COPPERTONE^® CLEARLYSheer products, you don’t have to worry about that at all. 

I received free samples of COPPERTONE CLEARLYSheer products and coupons to try out from BzzAgent. One was for Sunny Days, while the other formula was for Beach and Pool. I tried the 30SPF Broad Spectrum Sunny Days formula first, and I loved the fact that it felt light on my skin and not heavy or greasy. I was also pleased with the scent. I didn’t want to spend the day smelling like I spent the day on vacation. The scent has a citrus note to it, which is much better than the heavy coconut scents in other products. 

When I finally did have a day off and I could go hang out by the pool. I used the Beach and Pool version, which was a 50SPF Broad Spectrum spray. Just like the formula for Sunny Days, it worked well to protect my skin, smelled great and didn’t leave a heavy film on my skin. It's also moisturizing and won't clog your pores--so it has a number of great benefits aside from sun protection.

This product has actually gotten me to use sunscreen more often, just because it feels so much lighter than other sun protection products. As long as I continue to correctly apply whenever I go outside, I know I’ll feel better about my efforts to protect my skin.  I will definitely be keeping a bottle around for those long summer days.

Finding Foot Relief with #GoPROFOOT

Foot pain can be a tough thing to deal with. So can the rough, dry and cracked skin on your feet. Thankfully, I have found a couple of foot products that really do the trick when you want to pamper your feet. With ProFoot Orthotics, my feet feel much better when I working out, walking and standing all day long. The cushioned heels and arch support work great in my sneakers. 

After a long day, I also want to get rid the gross dryness on my feet. There are a lot of products out there that can scrape away callouses and dry skin, but the Pedi Rock for ProFoot is a great product. First of all, you can use it wet or dry, which means you can use it anytime. It’s also contoured to fit the shape of your foot (and your hand) for quick and easy use. It’s reusable, so I don’t have to go out and buy one every time I want to use it, which is great. 

So now my feet are much smoother, softer and not as angry at me at the end of the day. 

*These ProFoot products were provided free for testing purposes in #GoVoxBox from Influenster.