Because my life is anything but normal....

Showing posts with label Products. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Products. Show all posts

Feb 20, 2017

Petunia Skincare Review Summaries









I just got to try a lot of products from Petunia skin care. 
I'm going to sum up my reviews on all the products here and I'll include the links to the full reviews.



-Petunia Skincare's Derma Roller-




  Great investment and totally worth the money. Easy to use without being painful. You see results almost immediately, especially how your skin absorbs other products and how firm your skin feels. It actually makes your serums and lotions more effective so you see better results from them. Its going to save me a lot of money in the long run because I generally try a product and if I don't see results within a few weeks, I move on to the next product.


Read the full review here











-Petunia Skincare's Revitalize Eye Serum-





  A good combination of ingredients makes this worth every dime and more. The fact that the pump is removable tells me that Petunia is in touch with customers and strives for realistic packaging that customers need and want. Instant results (for me!) make me want to try Petunia Skincare's other products to see if they're just as effective.

Read the full review here












-Petunia Skincare's HA Serum-







  Absorbs faster than any other HA serum I've ever used before. Additional ingredients like vitamin C and ferulic acid make this more effective and adds more anti-aging benefits than most standard HA serums. It has super unique packaging that really explains Hyaluronic Acid, how it works, and what it does for your skin. I'm not that fond of the scent, but the benefits make it completely worth dealing with it.

Read the full review here




I also reviewed a 12-piece makeup brush set from Petunia Skincare. If you're interested, you can read the review.

















** Disclaimer**
I was provided a product or coupon for testing and review purposes. In order for me to support my blogging activities, I may receive monetary compensation or other types of remuneration for my endorsement, recommendation, testimonial and/or link to any products or services from this blog. Please note that all opinions are my own and I will only endorse items which I truly feel are of value to my readers.

Feb 18, 2017

Petunia Skincare Professional 12 Set Makeup Brush Kit - Review




Here's my review of Petunia Skincare's Professional 12 Set Makeup Brush Kit.




  These brushes come in a decent travel case/pouch with a magnetic button closure. The case is pretty stiff and doesn't lay flat when you first get it, but it should soften over time and be easier to lay open on a surface. It has a flap that lays over the brushes when it is closed to keep debris from getting in the bristles. If it loosens up, it is a great case because it has space that you could probably fit an extra brush or two if they've got small handles. It also rolls up to a manageable size. You can easily place it in most purses without using up too much space.







Each brush is individually wrapped in clear plastic when you first open it. I would definitely recommend washing them before you use them (as with any new brush), which you can easily do with soap or shampoo and water. You can also blow dry them if you don't have time to let them air dry. The brushes are made of natural (goat and pony hair) and synthetic hair. While the natural hair brushes seem to hold up rather well, the synthetic brushes can lose their shape very easily if you're not careful how you store them.


  This kit includes 12 brushes:

  • Powder brush
  • Blush brush
  • Foundation brush
  • Eyeshadow brush
  • Smudge brush
  • Fan brush
  • Concealer brush
  • Eyebrow brush
  • Eyeliner brush
  • Sponge applicator
  • Lip brush
  • Spoolie brush


  It also comes with several brush guards that I haven't used yet but could really come in handy for helping your brushes keep their shape in and out of the case. I also really like that it comes with an instructional insert that identifies each brush, what it is used for, and most state which kind of hair they're made out of.
 







 These brushes are supposed to be "professional studio quality".
Do I feel like these are TRUE professional quality? No. I don't.
Do I think they're good quality?
Definitely. They're better than most brushes you're going to get at a basic store like Walmart or Target, but they're not as good as what you'll get at a high-end store.




  In all, these brushes are alright depending on what you're using them for. The variety of brushes that comes in the set is great. I don't think I've ever seen a kit that comes with this combination of brushes for the price. Really, you'll pay more for each brush individually for the same quality or fewer brushes. If you're looking for brushes that will do the job decently without costing a lot, these are perfect. If you're looking for professional brushes, these might not be for you unless you're looking to supplement brushes you already have or want additional brushes for travel.




















** Disclaimer**
I was provided a product or coupon for testing and review purposes. In order for me to support my blogging activities, I may receive monetary compensation or other types of remuneration for my endorsement, recommendation, testimonial and/or link to any products or services from this blog. Please note that all opinions are my own and I will only endorse items which I truly feel are of value to my readers.

Jun 1, 2016

Kitchen Supreme Liquid Chalk Markers Review









I recently tried out Kitchen Supreme chalk markers, so here is my review.

  These chalk markers are absolutely wonderful. The vivid colors make them fun to use, and there are so many different ways to use them. The reversible tips make them versatile for just about any project. The tip comes out and is double sided so you can choose bullet tip for writing or the chisel tip side for drawing and fine lines. The chalkboard labels are just as fun and useful. You can use them over and over for whatever you want to label. I've pulled them off and was able to restick them a couple times, but I'm not sure how many times you ca restick them before they lose their stickiness.




  The instructions for first time use of the chalk markers is straight and to the point. I did find that I had to press the tips of some colors for about a minute or so while some took only seconds for the liquid to saturate the tip. Not a big deal, but worth mentioning so you don't think you received a defective product.









  The markers write smoothly and evenly. The chalk is long lasting both in the marker and on surfaces. I haven't had any chalk accidentally wipe off or be stubborn to remove. I've used these on glass, dry erase boards, chalk boards, and chalk board labels. I was able to remove the liquid chalk with a wet rag or paper towel on everything except the chalk boards, but a little bit of glass cleaner took it off easily.







  I use these to label spice jars and mason jars, and I love using them to leave notes for my family on windows and dry erase boards. They work great for writing down the weekly meals on my kitchen dry erase board. I prefer them to dry erase markers because they don't stain if you leave something written for a long time like some dry erase markers can, and you won't accidentally wipe it off. These are absolutely worth the purchase and with so many things that you can do with them, its hard to find a reason why you wouldn't want to have these on hand. 


















** Disclaimer**
I was provided a product or coupon for testing and review purposes. In order for me to support my blogging activities, I may receive monetary compensation or other types of remuneration for my endorsement, recommendation, testimonial and/or link to any products or services from this blog. Please note that all opinions are my own and I will only endorse items which I truly feel are of value to my readers.


Feb 13, 2015

Petunia Skincare Revitalize Eye Serum - Review

Today I'm going to tell you about Petunia Skincare's Revitalize Eye Serum


  Petunia Skincare's Revitalize Eye Serum is part of their 3-step skincare regime that also includes hyaluronic acid serum and vitamin C serum. Although I haven't gotten to try the Vitamin C serum, I did review their HA serum as well.






  The first thing you'll notice about this eye serum is the shiny chrome and silver bottle. The bottle is clear so that you can see the serum inside. It also has a standard pump.hough I found the pump dispensed way more product than I needed, it is possible to only press it down a tiny bit and get the amount you need without wasting any. The best part of this bottle is that the pump actually unscrews like a lid so you can get every last drop. The lid is really refreshing because I've thrown away so many products that still had a little left in the bottom because the pump couldn't reach it and wasn't removable. I applaud Petunia Skincare for being so understanding!



  This eye serum is pretty great. It absorbs faster than your typical lotions/creams and has a ton of ingredients that are great for your skin. Among some of the ingredients are Sea Kelp, Sodium PCA, Vitamin C, Matrixyl 3000, Hyaluronic Acid, Pomegranate Extract, and Ferulic Acid (all of which are great for your skin!). It also has Hesperidin Methyl Chalcone, Alpha Bisabolol, Vitamin C + B3 and Caffeine, to reduce under-eye circles and treat puffy/swollen eyes.



  The serum isn't exactly "eye exclusive". You could really use this over your entire face if you wanted to and it would still be good for your skin. It does have a slight scent, but I wouldn't really call it a fragrance, it is barely noticeable and doesn't linger. It goes on easily and is absorbed in seconds so you don't have to feel it sitting on your eyes.




  As soon as you apply it, you'll notice that your eyes look and feel better. It instantly makes your eyes feel more awake and the skin around your eyes feels tighter and less swollen. It helps with crows feet by moisturizing the skin and almost "plumping" the crows feet out.




  I haven't found any cons to this eye serum. Its exactly what I wanted and needed. All in all, its it worth the cost and works effectively without being harsh on your eyes or being inconvenient. Petunia Skincare also backs their products with a 90 days 100% Money Back Guarantee (even if the bottle is empty!) so it is risk free.












** Disclaimer**
I was provided a product or coupon for testing and review purposes. In order for me to support my blogging activities, I may receive monetary compensation or other types of remuneration for my endorsement, recommendation, testimonial and/or link to any products or services from this blog. Please note that all opinions are my own and I will only endorse items which I truly feel are of value to my readers.

Feb 12, 2015

Petunia Skincare Hyaluronic Acid Serum - Review





 Today we're trying Petunia Skincare's hyaluronic acid serum




  I've always touted the benefits of HA serums and I have tried many different brands. The first thing you'll notice is that Petunia Skincare tells exactly what hyaluronic acid is and exactly how it works right on the box. I love that because there isn't any guesswork or searching to find out what it is, what it does, or how it works.




  The back of the box reads:
"Discover younger skin with out Hyaluronic Acid Serum. The secret is its sponge-like properties, which holds in moisture responsible for plumping skin and diminishing fine lines and wrinkles."

  The side of the box reads:
"Hyaluronic acid works by helping the skin retain and pull in moisture from the liquids we drink to the products we put on our skin and works as a "water-reservoir" for skin cells by binding water within the inter-cellular structure of the skin."


  This HA serum has your typical brown bottle with dropper. I really like the pretty blue and white label. I also really like that it has a sealed ring on the lid so you know when the seal has been broken. It's helpful if you have a lot of products and don't know if you've tried something yet. I haven't seen this feature on any other HA serum.










  The other thing that makes this serum pretty unique are the ingredients. On top of the 1.6% hyaluronic acid, it also contains 1.1% MAP (Vitamin C), and 0.5% ferulic acid. In case you're unfamiliar with ferulic acid, its used to treat sun damage, fine lines, and wrinkles.  Petunia Skincare's HA serum is also non-greasy, non-sticky, alcohol free, oil free, paraben free, and promises to not clog pores. It does have a slight scent that I'm not fond of, but it isn't unpleasant or overpowering.




  I think this HA serum is the most effective I've ever used because it absorbs faster than any other I've tried. It goes on easy and smoothly and it completely absorbs within seconds. My skin feels fresher and softer after using it. I tend to use this HA serum during the day because it is quick and easy to reapply throughout the day if my skin is feeling dry.




  Petunia Skincare's HA serum is part of their 3-step regime that also includes their Vitamin C serum and Revitalize eye serum. I haven't tried the Vitamin C serum, but I'll be reviewing the Revitalize Eye Serum soon!



















** Disclaimer**
I was provided a product or coupon for testing and review purposes. In order for me to support my blogging activities, I may receive monetary compensation or other types of remuneration for my endorsement, recommendation, testimonial and/or link to any products or services from this blog. Please note that all opinions are my own and I will only endorse items which I truly feel are of value to my readers.

Jan 23, 2015

Dr. Song 20% Salicylic Acid Peel - Review



 I recently got the opportunity to try (and review!) another wonderful Dr. Song product


I'm relatively new to peels, but I've used several other Dr. Song products in the past and I've always had good experiences with them. They're quickly becoming one of my favorite brands.


 I've recently been experiencing severe acne. I spent my whole life with wonderfully clear skin until I approached 30 and started getting massive breakouts. Since I've never had to worry about it before, I've had to scour for information and try tons of products to find something that gives me back my clear skin.


 I've tried just about every OTC acne treatment I could find and they didn't really seem to help. This salicylic acid peel seems to be doing far more for me than any other acne treatment. I really love this brand in particular because it looks and feels like professional quality. You KNOW you're using a high quality product.






 I have been using this peel every other week for 2 minutes at a time. I wash my face, I apply the peel with a kabuki brush to the oiliest parts of my face first then I apply all over and leave it on for about 2 minutes. I neutralize with baking soda and water, rinse, wait 20-30 minutes, then I moisturize. I haven't noticed any sensations other than a mild tingling and my skin hasn't really peeled, but I have noticed that my skin is improving. I have a more even skin tone, smoother skin, and less breakouts. I haven't noticed any change in an acne scar that I have, but I didn't really expect to see any change anyway.






 There are a few things that I cannot stress enough if you're going to try this.

 Firstly, it seriously dries your skin out. You have to moisturize religiously if you don't want dry, flaky skin.

 Secondly, it would probably be super harsh on sensitive skin. I get a little redness after using it, and some peeling on my nose and forehead area for a day or two, but I think this would be a little much if your skin is sensitive already.

 Third and lastly: if you have oily skin and frequent breakouts, this will help, but only if you use it on a regular basis. You have to set some sort of schedule because it treats the problem instead of "fixing" it. If you constantly use it or suddenly stop using it, your skin will make you regret it. You'll get redness and burning from using it too often, or your breakouts will come right back in full force if you suddenly stop using it. I recommend it to maintain your clear skin.

 Once my skin is completely clear, I'll probably only use it once a month to maintain it. This peel has worked for me where most everything else has failed. I'll definitely keep using it and I would recommend it to anyone in the same boat as me.



















** Disclaimer**
I was provided a product or coupon for testing and review purposes. In order for me to support my blogging activities, I may receive monetary compensation or other types of remuneration for my endorsement, recommendation, testimonial and/or link to any products or services from this blog. Please note that all opinions are my own and I will only endorse items which I truly feel are of value to my readers.








Jan 15, 2015

Yalmeh Foundation Brush - Review










Yalmeh's Y19 foundation brush is my new favorite. I love everything about it.


  It has the perfect combination of softness and firmness. The bristles are synthetic, but they don't shed, feel rough, or poke you. They actually feel really soft and smooth, and are firm enough to apply liquid foundation without having that hard, overly stiff feel like some other brushes. The tapered end is perfect for getting any area of your face.






  You can use this for both powder and liquid foundation, I have even used it for finishing powder and it still worked great. I have had nothing but smooth and even application while using this brush.





  Its really easy to wash and just as easy to use. It can take a while to dry after washing, but you can easily dry it with a blow dryer without causing any damage to the brush. It has a sturdy feel with a smooth wooden handle that feels nice in your hand.





  Honestly, I could see this in any professional's kit. I would recommend it to anyone looking for a high quality foundation brush. Hypoallergenic, Cruelty Free, Vegan Friendly, and backed by a 90-day money back guarantee, you really can't go wrong. I can't wait to try Yalmeh's other brushes!




If you're interested in checking them out for yourself, you can find it at Amazon or you can head to Yalmeh.com and explore everything that Yalmeh Peerless Beauty has to offer.



















** Disclaimer**
I was provided a product or coupon for testing and review purposes. In order for me to support my blogging activities, I may receive monetary compensation or other types of remuneration for my endorsement, recommendation, testimonial and/or link to any products or services from this blog. Please note that all opinions are my own and I will only endorse items which I truly feel are of value to my readers.




Jan 14, 2015

YALMEH Glorifying Facial Cleansing Moisturizer & Rejuvenator - Review










  I haven't heard much about Yalmeh Peerless Beauty before now, but at first try, the brand is blowing me away.The Yalmeh Glorifying Facial Cleansing Moisturizer & Rejuvinator is a really unique product that delivers results in a very unique way. This is a cleansing moisturizer, which means you can massage it onto your dry face and then rinse it off instead of using it on a wet face like typical cleansers.










   This cleansing moisturizer has ingredients that are wonderful for your skin like olive oil, avocado oil, and jojoba oil. It has a light scent, but it doesn't linger on your skin after rinsing. It looks very much like a normal moisturizer and glides on very similarly. Once you rinse it off and dry your face, you really get to see how wonderful it is. It leaves your skin feeling like you've washed, toned, and moisturized all at once.








  My skin felt soft, firm, and felt well moisturized. I was really impressed by how much time I saved since I didn't have to complete additional steps to moisturize and tone. I haven't tried this to remove make-up, so I can't say whether it would be effective or not. I've been using this morning and night in place of my normal face wash, toner, and moisturizer. Honestly, this is working just as good as the three products I usually use. My skin hasn't felt dry or oily/greasy from using it in place of my normal products. If you're looking for something that is great for your skin and saves you time, you've found it.


 If it sounds like something you'd like to try out, you can find it on Amazon or you can check out Yalmeh Peerless Beauty at Yalmeh.com
















** Disclaimer**
I was provided a product or coupon for testing and review purposes. In order for me to support my blogging activities, I may receive monetary compensation or other types of remuneration for my endorsement, recommendation, testimonial and/or link to any products or services from this blog. Please note that all opinions are my own and I will only endorse items which I truly feel are of value to my readers.










Jan 7, 2015

Pure Body Naturals Peppermint Oil - Review









I love the smell of peppermint, especially during the holiday seasons.





  Pure Body Naturals peppermint oil is absolutely wonderful. It has an eye-catching bottle that is attractive without being flashy. It comes with a convenient dropper lid that can replace the regular lid on the bottle so you can choose to drop or to pour.







  What I love most about this peppermint oil (and all of Pure Body Natural's oils) is how pure it is. There aren't any added ingredients or filler oils. There a lot of useful suggestions on the bottle for how to use it, but I honestly don't use it for much other than the smell. It smells AMAZING! A few drops here and there makes the whole house smell wonderful and festive. You can also find a lot of recipes on the internet for soaps, scrubs, facials, hair masks, and massage oils. Really, there is no limit to how you can use peppermint oil.





  Pure Body Naturals is quickly becoming my favorite brand for essential oils and beauty products. Their high-quality, customer-friendly packaging, and satisfaction guarantee makes their products very unique amongst other brands.


   And, just for fun......
Here's a fun DIY Candy Cane Sugar Scrub recipe that would make a great winter gift!
(credit to Isavea2z.com)


Homemade Peppermint Sugar Scrub Recipe
INGREDIENTS
2 cup Sugar
1/4 cup Coconut Oil (or Almond oil if you prefer)
Red Food Coloring
Peppermint Essentials Oil
Optional:  Add a tablespoon of Vegetable Glycerine for extra moisturizer.  Glycerine is not easily found in stores so do yourself and favor and order it online.  It will save you time and gas.  Trust me.  It makes your skin amazingly soft.
DIRECTIONS
Pour sugar into medium sized bowl.
Mix in coconut oil (add more if you like a wet consistency).
Add a few drops of your Peppermint Essentials Oil.
Divide your sugar mixture into two equal sized portions.
Mix in a few drops of red food coloring to one portion (be careful not to add to much or you will have a bright red).
Add your sugars to the jar in layers. Press your Sugar down with a spoon or I use a can to compact.
Alternate between your pink and white layers
Add a Label to the front and maybe a ribbon to gift.

You can view the original recipe here for pics, labels, and ideas




















** Disclaimer**
I was provided a product or coupon for testing and review purposes. In order for me to support my blogging activities, I may receive monetary compensation or other types of remuneration for my endorsement, recommendation, testimonial and/or link to any products or services from this blog. Please note that all opinions are my own and I will only endorse items which I truly feel are of value to my readers.

Jan 5, 2015

Pure Body Naturals Organic Argan Oil - Review


  I recently got the opportunity to try 
Pure Body Naturals Organic Argan Oil.


  I use argan oil for several things, but mostly I use it for my hair. I dye my hair a bright red, so I always mix a bit with my conditioner to keep my hair smooth, shiny, and frizz free. I posted a pic of my hair even though it turned out a little pink. In real life, its bright red. Think "Ariel" from the little mermaid rather than the magenta it looks like in the picture. I'll try to get a different pic up when I have the time and maybe even a tutorial on how I dye it and manage it if anyone is interested.


Spur of the moment messy hair photo!




  But anyway, there are so many uses for argan oil that it is one of the best things you could ever keep on hand. It is absolutely amazing for your skin, hair, and nails. If you're a first time user and worried about being "oily", don't be! Argan oil is a "dry" oil, which means that it will not leave any oily residue on your skin! I could go on and on about the uses and benefits, but a simple internet search can tell you everything you'd ever want to know.








 
 I particularly like this Pure Body Naturals argan oil because of how pure it is 
and because of the realistic packaging


  What sets this argan oil apart from the rest is how very pure it is. It doesn't have the garish brown-yellow of lower quality argan oils that I have tried, and it also isn't mixed with any other oils or fragrances. This is just pure, organic argan oil. I'm becoming very partial to this brand of argan oil specifically because of how much faster it absorbs than other brands and because of how convenient the packaging is.





  It comes in a dark colored bottle (to protect the oil from light). The bottle is pretty simple and includes helpful usage tips. It also shows right on the bottle that it is certified organic (by EcoCert), cruelty free, not tested on animals, and that the oil is imported from Morocco. It seems like a small, insignificant thing, but I can't tell you how many times I've seen products claim they're organic or cruelty free and there isn't any sign on the product itself. Seeing it on the bottle gives me more faith in the product and shows me they're proud of those features.


  Anyway. When I call the packaging realistic, I mean that they understand how people use this oil and have made the packaging convenient and real. The bottle ships with a seperate glass dropper. This is truly unique to me because every other argan oil I've ever purchased either has a dropper as the lid or has no dropper. Pure Body Naturals has made sure that their packaging doesn't limit your usage options. You can use it with the rubber-sealed lid that comes on it, or you can replace that with the dropper lid they've included with it. This is especially useful if you've bought this argan oil for a specific purpose like me. I would use a dropper for argan oil that I am going to use on my skin/nails, but I would prefer to pour it out of the bottle for my hair or use a pump. It seems like Pure Body Naturals knows and understands how people use their products and wants happy customers. The only thing I can think of that would improve this packaging is if they included the dropper and a pump.







  This oil does have a slight scent. When I compare the scent to other pure argan oils I've tried, it almost smells sour in the bottle where it should smell similar to olive oil. This isn't a big thing to me because I'm not even sure if it is the oil itself or if it is the bottle because it doesn't really have that scent when you use it.


  All in all, this is a great argan oil. It has customer friendly packaging, and all the features you should look for in an argan oil. I would recommend it to anyone, whether they're a seasoned user or a new one. Pure Body Naturals delivers on both quality and convenience. They also have a lifetime 100% money back guarantee if you are not satisfied in any way, so its worth a try!



















** Disclaimer**
I was provided a product or coupon for testing and review purposes. In order for me to support my blogging activities, I may receive monetary compensation or other types of remuneration for my endorsement, recommendation, testimonial and/or link to any products or services from this blog. Please note that all opinions are my own and I will only endorse items which I truly feel are of value to my readers.

Jan 2, 2015

Syono Orthotics Gel Insoles - Review







I recently got the opportunity to try out Syono Orthotics Gel Insoles
So I'm writing a review to tell you guys what I think about them.



  These insoles are alright. They're easy to trim down to size. The cloth top is soft and smooth. It feels good on your feet whether you're wearing sock or you just shove shoes on your bare feet. The gel is thin, but comfortable on your foot. It cushions your foot and absorbs some impact from walking. They provide some cushion without being too thick inside your shoes. They slid around in my shoes a little for the first few days until they were broken in, but it wasn't much of a problem. They mostly just slid up or down when I was putting my work shoes on or taking them off.









  They're perfect for shoes that are hard or uncomfortable, but they don't have any arch support or other support, so I don't think they'll work as well for specific foot conditions or needs. If you're looking for comfort, these will work great for you without being costly. If you're looking for pain relief or arch support, you should look for insoles specifically targeted for what you need. Regardless, they're backed by a 100% money back guarantee which always makes me feel like the product/brand is honest and fair.






























** Disclaimer**
I was provided a product or coupon for testing and review purposes. In order for me to support my blogging activities, I may receive monetary compensation or other types of remuneration for my endorsement, recommendation, testimonial and/or link to any products or services from this blog. Please note that all opinions are my own and I will only endorse items which I truly feel are of value to my readers.