Totoro Power Bank (Pink) Review

  I have the black Totoro power bank, well had it. My kids stole it and refuse to return it. So I went with a pink one to replace it and figured that I would write a review for both. They're the same product, but I do feel like color makes a bit of a difference in how you view them.

  I think Totoro is one of the most adorable characters on the planet. This power bank really does him justice as its just as adorable. I love the pink color. Its completely girly and cute and if my kids wouldn't have stolen mine, I would have picked it as a gift for my daughter.

  As with the black power bank, it works beautifully. It charges my devices faster than a standard charger and even has enough juice to add some power to another device or two when I'm done. I love that it comes with a convertible USB cord so you can change the tip and charge virtually any device. Its a little heavy not overly so and it's still very portable. The fact that is bigger than a lot of power banks only makes it more adorable as far as I'm concerned, and makes it easier to lose.

  The only complaints that I have are that it takes forever to charge it completely and it seems like there is a learning curve as the instructions don't particularly explain how to use it. The nose is the power button (how cute is that?!) and the light on the belly indicate that it is on and/or charging.The teeth also light up to let you know how much power the bank has. Hopefully its easy to figure out how to use from all the reviews. I will also say that when I received the black one, it already had a charge but the pink one was completely dead. If you bought or are buying more than one, don't get worried until you charge it!

  I'm huge on quality and this baby is made of high quality materials and feels great. It has a smooth matte finish that feels good in your hands. It's pretty easy to keep clean and its a great conversation piece or a gift for a teen. I would definitely recommend it for any Totoro fan that also likes pink. Oh! I almost forgot the best part! Instead of lighting up blue on the belly, the pink one lights up purpleish pink! How adorable is that??!!

** 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.

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.

Life & Food Garcinia Cambogia Supreme - Review

  I generally don't take any supplements other than your typical vitamins, but with all the 

Garcinia Cambogia hype, I figure that it is worth a try.

  Since I didn't know much abut Garcinia Cambogia to begin with, I did a lot of research... you know... so I don't die or anything...

  Garcinia Cambogia is a fruit native to Indonesia. You've probably heard of tamarind at some point in your life, Garcinia Cambogia is a type of tamarind that is usually referred to as "Malabar tamarind". It kinda looks like a pumpkin. Tamarind is used a lot in cooking for things like curry and fish curing. Hydroxycitric Acid (HCA) is the active ingredient in the rind. HCA has many benefits including blocking citrate lyase (an enzyme your body uses to make fat) and raising serotonin in the brain.

Now that we're educated, onward to the review.

  The first thing I noticed about Life & Food Garcinia Cambogia Supreme is that it has a larger percentage of HCA (80%) than I've seen with other products while doing my research. The bottle is simple, no frills, with a dark green label and plenty of details and information about the supplement. I like the green label on the bottle because it stands out and is more noticeable to me.

  Life & Food's Garcinia Cambogia Supreme contains no artificial ingredients, soy, wheat, shellfish, peanuts, dairy, stimulants or any additives. They have added calcium and potassium to help with absorption. Beyond that, it seems pure and high quality. The product itself looks great. The veggie caps are great quality as well. They aren't falling apart or discolored. The powder is a uniform color and texture. Overall, exactly what you would expect from a high quality supplement.

  After taking this for several weeks, my results are mixed. I didn't experience any miraculous weight loss. But I did notice an increase in energy and I definitely FELT better while taking this. I would compare it to the feeling of taking vitamins for the first time (like B-12). I got that little boost of energy and wellness. On the other hand, my husband has taken this for just as long and has lost 5 lbs.

  I can't honestly say how effective this will or will not be for anyone else. I think it depends on the person. What I can say is that Life & Foods is a high quality brand with a high quality product that is worth trying.

** 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.

Petunia Skincare 1.0mm Derma Roller - Review

 

Today's review is Petunia Skincare's 1.0mm Derma roller.

  This derma roller has 540 stainless steel needles, a sturdy plastic handle, and a plastic case. Derma rollers can provide a lot of benefits including:

• No permanent damage to your skin
• Short healing time
• Stimulates collagen production
• Improves your skin's absorbancy of skin care products
• Reduces cellulite, fine lines, and wrinkles
• Helps improve the appearance of scars
• Promotes pore reduction
• Gives you visibly tighter, smoother skin

  First, let me just say that this was really scary for me. I'm totally up for trying new things.... but the thought of piercing my skin with a roller full of needles was terrifying.I had mental images of blood, puncture wounds, and pain. After many false starts, I finally worked up the courage to use it.

  I was impressed by how easy it was to use. It didn't really hurt, just a little stinging during and after, and I didn't bleed (yay!). Since I am new to derma rollers, I'm so grateful that Petunia Skincare has so much information on their packaging. Directions for cleaning, rolling, and other tips are right on the box so you don't have to go searching for more information anywhere else.

  I don't have any other experience to compare with, but I think Petunia Skincare's packaging is really suitable for a derma roller.The derma roller itself has its own hard plastic case that the roller fits perfectly in. The case comes in a sealed plastic and foil bag, and then it is boxed. It makes me feel like there's less of a chance of germs getting all over the roller during shipping.

  The roller feels good in your hand. It sits comfortably in your palm and doesn't feel awkward when you roll. It looks and feels like it is made out of high quality materials that will last a long time. I would have liked to have a rubber grip of some sort on the handle, but it isn't slippery so I really can't complain. Even the needles look high quality. The whole roller has a sterile, professional look and feel to it.

  I've been using this roller for less than a month, but I have definitely seen some results so far. My pores look a little smaller and my skin looks tighter. I have also noticed that my skin really absorbs lotions and serums better, which seems to make them more effective. I have no doubts that I will see more results using this dermal roller long term. Honestly, I'm seeing more results with this roller for less money than all the serums and lotions I've tried. I absolutely love that it can be used on your face or on your body because you get so many benefits in so many different locations from one product. I think that if you're looking for more bang for your buck, this is for you.

** 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.

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.

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.

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.

Giveaway! Enter to win a $25 SpaFinder Gift card!

Giveaway Time!

I somehow received a $25 SpaFinder e-gift card that 

I am probably never going to find time to use. 

 

  Since I'm sure we all had stressful holidays 

and could use some pampering, I figure that someone can use it. 

So I'm giving it away!

Here's the deal: 

 This giveaway will run from 12:00 PM today (Jan. 22) until 11:59 PM on February 5th, 2015. Enter with the Rafflecopter widget below.
  Winner will be randomly chosen through Rafflecopter. The lucky winner will be notified by email within a few days after the giveaway ends and will have 72 hours to respond. The prize will be sent via email in .pdf format within 1-2 weeks of confirmation.... Blah blah blah, you can read the rest of the fine print below xD









 Terms & Conditions:
Giveaway ends February 5, 2015 at 11:59 PM EST. No purchase necessary to enter or win. Your privacy is important to me, I will not share or sell your email address. Winner will be chosen randomly through Rafflecopter Random Selector (which uses Random.org) and contacted via email. A reply to the winning email is required within 72 hours before a new winner is chosen. The winner’s entries will be verified. Please allow 4-6 weeks for delivery of physical prizes, 1-2 weeks for digital prizes, unless other wise noted. Unless otherwise specified, open to U.S only, ages 18+. Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Spafinder, Instagram, and Google+ are in no way associated with this giveaway. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. Days in the Life of Kris blog reserves the right to publish winner’s first name and last initial. Days in the Life of Kris blog also reserves the right to choose a different winner in the case that the randomly chosen winner refuses to co-operate with rules, reply to winning email in 72 hour time period or does not have verifiable entries. Giveaway is subject to the laws of the state of Ohio. Taxes due, if any, on prize winnings, are the sole responsibility of the winner. Void where prohibited by law.
 

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.

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.

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.