Product Review: Kiss Ever PRO Lash Starter Kit

False lashes are not a product that I have ever used, really because I don’t need them. I have super long lashes on my own and am a fan of eye liner, so I am able to normally create the illusion of really full lashes on my own. This Kiss Ever PRO Last Starter Kit was part of my Influenster BeautyBlogger voxbox. I received this item for free in exchange for my review. I was not told what to write nor was I paid for writing.

The kit comes with a set of lashes, the adhesive, and the applicator to help get them right there on your lash line. I found the process of applying these to be much easier than I had anticipated. First I took one set of lashes and put them up to my eye to see if i needed to trim them (they were fine for me). Then you take the adhesive and put it along your lash line, letting it set for 30-60 seconds. Then take the included applicator and put them along your lash line. Make sure you hold them there to allow the adhesive to dry.

For me, it made the base of my lashes (along where I wear eyeliner) to look really dark and thick, but did not do much for the rest of my lashes. I think this is just due to the fact that mine are long anyway.

When you are ready to remove them, just peel starting from the outside and then use eye makeup remover to get rid of any of the adhesive that might be left.

Oh and also? I forgot to take pictures while I had them on. Of course. But, they are reusable so hopefully I can find a reason to wear them and I will post some pictures.

 

 

Product Review: Boots No7 Beautiful Skin

Another part of my VoxBox from Influenster were two sample sizes of Boots No7 facial products. One is Beautiful Skin Cleansing Lotion, the other Beautiful Skin Night Cream. I received these items for free in exchange for writing a review. I was not paid nor was I told what to write.

I wash my face at night, with the main focus being getting the make-up off that’s left from the day. The Cleansing Lotion was a little different from what I am used to. I like foaming, deep cleaning products. The ones where you can ‘feel it’ working (much like foaming toothpaste). The lotion is just that….lotion. You sweep it over your skin (with a cotton ball or your fingers) and then you wipe it off. It’s…weird. But it works. The first time I used it I wasn’t convinced so I then wet a cloth and put a tiny bit of my normal cleanser on it and ran it over my face…with no make-up residue on the rag. For me it just doesn’t FEEL like it’s working…and that’s a big thing for me.

But, I do wear a lot of make-up…and it did take it all off.

The next part of this is the Beautiful Skin Night Cream, which you put on after you have washed your face. I like it a lot. It feels great. I’ve been using it at night and in the morning as a moisturizer before I put on make-up. I’m a fan of this for sure.

I don’t know that I would buy the cleansing lotion just as a personal preference. But the night cream is great.

You can check out all of the Boots No7 products available here.

 

Product Review: NYC IndividualEyes Custom Compact (Eyeshadow)

I was pretty excited to see some eye shadow in my Beauty Blogger VoxBox from Influenster. (Again, the company who gives me complimentary items in exchange for product reviews).

NYC (http://newyorkcolor.com/) is a brand of make-up that I have used in the past when I need simple ‘staple’ items like eye liner. I have not really used their eye shadow and other products, but I probably will after using this eye compact. As you can tell by the photo…I have been using it. Since I got the box from Influenster I have been wearing this every day.

There are instructions on the back of the compact to aid you in the ‘smoky’ eye look…something I will admit I have not ever really been able to do. But with this…it’s actually quite simple and gives a great dramatic look!

First I take the base (the tan color) and put it all over my eye lids with my finger. Then, it’s the grey lighter grey color (next to the white) which goes all over your lid. Then comes the next grey color in the scale, which goes in the crease. I sweep it from about mid-eye all the way out to the corner. Next I take the white and put it from the darker grey all the way up to my eyebrows. And lastly, the black. I do that a few ways, just depending on how I feel at the moment. I will take it and smudge it on my lash line in lieu of eyeliner. Or I will take it and kind of make a > at the corners of my eyes, sometimes sweeping it out a little further so as to make a wing effect.

Oh, one thing I have not used is the white creme color, next to the tan base. This it says is a ‘highlighter’ that you can sweep over darker colors to make them lighter. I will probably experiment with this sometime just to see what it creates.

I put my make-up on at about 715 every morning and take it off at about 9 at night. This eye shadow looks the same when I’m finished as it did when I began. Next I think I will experiment with blending the colors together for an even more dramatic look.

 

Product Review: Bath and Body Works Nutmeg and Spice Candle

I told you guys about Influenster, the site where you fill out some surveys and answer some questions and can get selected for a ‘voxbox’ full of goodies to review. I get these items for free in exchange for reviews.

This product is from my Beauty Blogger Voxbox and when I saw it, I literally squealed. If you know anything about me then you know that I’m kind of obsessed with ole Bath and Body works. So seeing a mini-version of one of their holiday candles made me giggle.

The White Barn candles are so great. I have had several over the years and they are always very scent-ful. Is that a word? If not, I’m making it one.

You can almost just sit these candles out sans plastic lid and sans lighting and still smell them.

This particular candle, Nutmeg and Spice, reminds me of being at home for the holidays in a house full of family and a kitchen full of baked goods. The scent is great and it’s long-lasting as well.

I would recommend lighting up one of these bad boys while you’re decorating for the holidays or unwrapping presents with your family.

As a super sweet bonus, I was also given a coupon to get one of the larger, 3-wick versions of these candles for $10! That’s half off!!! I went with the Fresh Balsam scent, which kind of smells like the point in the ride Soarin’ at Disney World where you are floating over the evergreen trees in California. (Nerdy, I know).

 

Product Review: Goody Simple Styles Spin Pins

This is another product that I was given in my Influenster VoxBox. And another one that is kind of difficult to review with a pixie cut. So, Marie steps in once again to save the day.

If you aren’t familiar with this product, it is literally what I would describe as a twisted bobby pin which you are supposed to be able to just kind of work in your hair and create a ‘messy’ up-do with staying power. And, according to Marie, that is exactly what happens.

Marie, whose hair is around shoulder length with some wave/curl to it, had this to say about the first time she used the Spin Pin:

I really like them. They hold my hair well. I can move my head around a lot, and somewhat “thrash” it, and the pins keep my hair from budging. And they are easy to use. A+!

I witnessed her use them and I can say that they seemed to be a great thing! She just kind of threw her hair up, stuck the pins in (there are two though I think you can manage with one depending on your hair length and type) and boom. Instant messy bun. And she shook her head around a little and they still stayed. Based on this I would say these seem like a great product for those who want an easy way to get an up-do.

 

Product Review: Not Your Mother’s Kinky Moves Curl Defining Cream

As part of my Influenster Beauty Blogger Voxbox I was given a mini-tube of Not Your Mother’s Kinky Moves Curl Defining Cream to test and review. Which, is kind of funny because I have a pixie cut. So…I don’t really have any curls to define so to speak. Therefore I asked a friend of mine, Marie, to review the product for me and let me know what she thinks.

Here is what she had to say:

My initial impression of the Not Your Mother’s Kinky Moves Curl Defining Cream (infused with grapeseed and jasmine) was that it smelled amazing in the bottle. I applied it to freshly washed, towel dried hair. Once getting it all in my hair and scrunching it, it looked great. However, I soon realized I wasn’t a fan of the smell on my hair though. It was too strong and kind of made my eyes burn and water. (weird, I know) But, my hair looked nice. I got a number of compliments. However, throughout the day my hair started looking flat and kind of oily. (I don’t have oily hair, I can normally go two days w/o having to wash my hair) The product also made my hair feel like straw and wasn’t “smooth” like the product boasts on the back of the bottle. I am on the second wash of my hair and it still feels like I have product in my hair. It feels filmy. 😦 Needless to say, I probably won’t use this product again.

So there you have it. Since I can’t personally use this product, and probably will not be able to for the forseeable future (I’ve had short hair for about 7 years now, this is the closest I will be able to review it.

 

Quick update

Up until now, this blog has been mainly just for book reviews. While I enjoy doing those, I have decided to take a break from them for a while. Partly because I was burnt out on reading for someone else, and partly because I wanted to start reading a series of books that someone suggested for me. Thus, the review of the entire Outlander series by Diana Gabaldon will happen at some point. I think i will do it when I have completed all books that have been released to date. Unless it takes me until the new book is released to get through the series, in which case it will be a complete review.

Also, I have started working with Influenster to review products. I am happy to report that I will be getting my first box of products (which they call a voxbox) this week, full of ‘Beauty Blogger’ items. I cannot wait. I was also sent some Manic Panic lipstick from a friend and I will be reviewing that as well.

Check back soon for hopefully at least one product review!