Hello Lashes!

It has been awhile again hasn't it?  Well my first post for this year is a goodie and when I say goodie, it is a luxe one!  As a member of the Influenster community, I was excited to be a part of the Marc Jacobs Beauty VoxBox.  For the last month, I have tested out the Marc Jacobs Velvet Noir Major Volume mascara in my daily routine. I have continued with a very simple routine of powder foundation, highlighter and blush, a mix of pencil or powder eyebrows and mascara.  

Excited when I saw this in the mail!

Even more surprised that this was a full size!

Easy as 1, 2, 3 to review.

While the ingredients do not have any parabens, sulfates or phthalates, this is not a natural formula.  I did a check on ThinkDirty and did not find the product and would have to do further research on the toxicity/

The packaging is pretty with a faceted design.  I do like having a larger bristle wand since it reaches the inner and outer corners.

Volume, yes!  Super wow length, not so much.  I do have short lashes to begin with, but this does give it a little bit more oomph.  This mascara does not flake, but at the end of the day, I do see smudges on the outer corners of my eyes.  Overall, this was a great trial and would consider purchasing.  

Cost: $26 @ Sephora

Pros:  

-Gel formula volumizes

-Brush can reach the inner and outer corners

-Buildable formula

Cons:

-Pricey

-Large packaging might not be to the liking of everyone

-Smudges at the end of the day

Would I recommend this to a friend?

Maybe.  If you have the opportunity to test out this product first before committing to the full size, do it.  Spending almost $30 on something that you change out every 3 months is expensive!

Influenster Carefree

The girly stuff that I get to try is important and why not share what works and doesn't work on my blog. Influenster gave me the opportunity to try Carefree's Acti-Fresh Body Shape liners and I wanted to compare these to my current liners. I have used Carefree in the past, but moved away from the line due to scent. They have changed up the line and now include unscented products which is a plus.

These liners are individually wrapped. A good and bad thing. Good because you can easily pack these in your purse or gym bag and they stay clean. Bad becuse it is more waste.  

Compared to the Always liners, they're about the same size and they are both thin. One advantage that the Always has over the Carefree is this I can use these with other types of panties like thongs since the ends can wrap around fabric. Overall, the Carefree performs similarly, providing light protection while spotting of when using as a precaution to leaking while using other absorbing or collecting flow methods. 

#XOVoxBox

The best things in life are free and Influenster sent me the #XOVoxBox to find some new favorites. This box ranged from personal care, cleaning and clothing, which is a great diverse mix.  

With these products, I also received a discount code for Land's End and Adore Me which I did not use.  I did not have the budget to purchase any new items from Land's End and I was previously a member with Adore Me and can view my past posts here.

First up to try, Tide Pods + Febreeze.  These detergent pods not only include cleaning agents there is also stain remover, brightener and 24 hours of freshness.

I thought I would try these with my towels and washcloths.  I always was my towels in hot water and at least a cup of vinegar to kill germs.  

The pacs are so cute!  Please keep these out of reach of children, because they could mistake them for a treat.

The scent reminds me of Herbal Essences Cactus Flower & Bamboo scented hair products! While this is a nice smell, it was a bit much for my towels.  I did like using these pods for my jeans and pants.  These did well in cleaning and brightening, I noticed that after washing the towels.  These do get pretty pricey, ranging from $4.99/12 count to $14.00/43 count.  The convenience of having 4 items in one pod make this more space saving.  Not sure if I would purchase these since I like using detergents that are suitable for sensitive skin and are fragrance free.

Up next Colgate Optic White Toothbrush+ Built In Whitening Pen and Express White Toothpaste.

So cool to have the whitening pen built in to the toothbrush handle.  This does not add significant weight to the toothbrush and it doesn't leak while locked in to the handle.

First thing I do when I wake up, brush my teeth!  Crazy hair and all getting ready in the AM.  

After I use my water flosser, I brush for 2 minutes with the Colgate Optic White Toothbrush and Toothpaste.

2 clicks is all you need to cover the top and bottom teeth.  This leaves a film on your teeth that isn't too bad, but not great either.

This was after a week of use.  Not super bright but there was a difference in the color of my teeth.  I have to be careful about using products that super brighten since I have bonding on my right front tooth, but there was no issue with the Colgate Optic White products.  I would probably purchase the toothpaste again, but skip over the tooth brush if I could get the whitening pen separately.  

I love this SkinFix Hand Repair Cream and was excited that I got to try it in the #XOVoxBox!  This brand of skin care is pricey, for 2 oz it is about $18!  That is way too much to spend on something that gets applied frequently since I wash my hands often.

My hands are dry and especially around my cuticles.  Acck!  I need an emollient cream to keep my hands soft with less hang nails.

Overall, I do love the Skinfix Hand Repair Cream, but I can't justify spending almost $20 on one tube!

Last up to try were the John Freida hair products from the Beach Blonde line and 7 Day Volume.  I am picky about my hair care products, but am willing to try a variety of items from difference price points and have used some John Freida items in the past.

This was after using the shampoo, conditioner and in-shower volumizing product.  Ehhh.  The smell of the shampoo and conditioner was nice, but the conditioner wasn't enough for my course, color treated hair.  I would probably use the 7 Day Volume just at the root next time to see if that makes a difference since I tend to lose volume there.  

I tried out the sea salt spray, but did not like the coconut scent.  *gag*  I am not a fan of coconut scented hair products.  Some skin care like sunscreen I can handle, but not in my hair.

Overall, this was a great experience again with Influenster and I'm glad I got to try out some products that I normally wouldn't have chosen at the store first hand.  I did like the Colgate products and Tide pods the best and can see myself repurchasing those items.  The others, I would pass on since I did not like them or they didn't work out for me.  

Equitance Brightening Serum+Spot Corrector

Advertorial

My first VoxBox from Influenster!  I was very excited that my first to review was beauty related and skin care.  I have been on a skin care kick lately, trying out different naturally derived products.  Out of all that I have acquired, I did not have a specific spot treatment for dark spots.  Remember those freckles on my cheeks that are cute, but are actually age & sun spots.  Yes, those things.  *sigh*  This is my first impression of Equitance Brightening Serum+Spot Corrector and my first week's use.

Full sized product and booklet that describes all the products from the Equitance Brightening Regimen

The serum is more of like a cream that easily absorbed into my skin without any greasiness and best of all, no reaction.  I did do a swatch test on my arm for a night before testing on my skin.  I added this serum+spot corrector to my usual routine without issues.  In the evening I cleanse my face, then use eye cream, night cream and finally dab this around my cheeks, nose and forehead where there is hyperpigmentation.  What I liked first off was the scent.  Fresh and slightly floral, but more of a clean smell.

There are natural ingredients that are the stars to Equitance's Brightening+Spot Corrector including lineoleic acid for brightening, licorice for calming, glycosyl trehalose from tapioca and potato starch can help tone, cherry blossom leaf extract can soften rough skin, shell ginger extract can provide intense moisturizing and eggshell membrane for L-cystine to illuminate the skin.  

The microcapsules that hold the exclusive blend of brightening ingredients, helps to minimize the appearance of dark spots and discolorations as it improves the appearance of skin's tone and brightness.

There is an entire line to the Equitance Brightening regimen from Skin Radiance Dietary Supplements to Brightening Toning Lotion to support skin's inner and outer vitality.

What the website says:

This pioneering spot-targeting serum formula zeroes in on the appearance of hyperpigmentation and dark discoloration.  It uses patented technology to continuously deliver the key brightening ingredient, linoleic acid.  With daily use, this essential step in the Brightening regimen, brings clarity, brightness and radiance to skin's appearance.

83% of women reported diminished appearance of dark spots

*Based on clinical study after 4 months. Study conducted and evaluated by dermatologist.

"a top 10 dark spot corrector"
review by Harper's Bazaar

"6 Beauty Secrets from Around the Globe"
review by Forbes

Cost: $125.00

Pros:
-Fresh scent

Cons:
-Pricey
-There are parabens

Would I recommend this to a friend?  I would like to use Equitance Brightening Serum+Spot Corrector for a full month before deciding if I would recommend this to a friend.  So far, so good and I am liking the results.  The only downfall I see is that there are parabens in this product and I am for safe skin care that does not include parabens, sulfates or pthalates.  Since the parabens are on the lower end of the ingredient list, there is less of this ingredient in the product.  

Thank you Influenster for starting this gal off right with a great beauty product!  I will be doing another entry soon with a comparison of the above before photos and after photos.

This product was provided for review through Influenster.  I have not been monetarily compensated for this item.  My write up of this product reflects my own opinion after a trial period and have provided an honest review.

@influenster @equitanceUSA #Equitance