Review: Maybelline Vivid Matte Liquid Lip Color - Nude Flush & Rebel Red

*Disclosure* Products mentioned were provided for review thanks to Influenster. All opinions are 100% honest and my own, like always! Post contains affiliate links.

Hey guys! I know I promised this post a little while ago, but this pregnancy has sure been kicking my booty. I can feel great for a day or two, then get knocked down again for almost a week. I'm still blessed though, so onto my review of the Maybelline Vivid Matte Liquid Lip Colors in the shades Nude Flush and Rebel Red. Finally!

 A description of these liquid lipsticks from the Maybelline website:

Color Sensational® Vivid Matte Liquid™. Rich, intense lip color that glides on smooth to a matte finish.

The benefits:

Drench your lips in vivid color. Pure pigments collide with a creamy liquid base for a soft, cushiony feel. The result? A high-impact lip that stands out! Available in a collection of intense shades. 

How to use:

Step 1. Apply lip lacquer with the applicator wand in the center of your upper lip and follow along the contours of your mouth. 
Step 2. Glide the lip gloss across the entire bottom lip.  

Nude Flush on my lips is a peachy nude. There is another nude shade in the line called Nude Thrill that seems to have more of a grey tone to it, so I think this particular nude would be better for me. I personally am not the biggest fan of peachy nude shades, I prefer more pinky nudes. 

Rebel red is a gorgeous color! I feel on me it leans more warm, and I know I prefer cool shades. Regardless, you can't deny how beautiful this shade is. 

Now, there has been some mixed reviews on this particular line of liquid lipsticks. The name of the product has 'matte' in it, yet it really isn't once applied. I have read that to get more of a matte look, you can blot with a tissue, but really, who wants to take that extra step? I personally don't mind that these aren't as matte as other brands because they're much less drying. One downside for me was the application. It has a flat doe-foot applicator, which would make it seem like these would be a breeze to apply. For me, not so much. It was pretty messy, and I had to clean up around my lips quite frequently. The end result is fine, but it just takes so much extra time applying and having to fix mistakes. Since I don't mind the formula of Vivid Matte, I would be willing to try out just one other color to see if I can make it work. Over the course of a day, these do dry down to a more matte finish, but it's not uncomfortable at all. These liquid lipsticks are not transfer proof!

The line looks like it comes in 10 shades, and ranges in price from $6 to $8 depending on where you buy it. You can find these at drugstores, Ulta, and Walmart. 

Have you tried these Vivid Matte Liquid Lip Colors? What do you think of them? 

Review: Covergirl Oh Sugar! Vitamin Infused Balm

*Disclosure* I received product mentioned courtesy of Covergirl and Influenster. All opinions are 100% honest and my own, like always!

According to their website, Covergirl says:

Treat your lips with colorlicious oh sugar! Vitamin infused lip balm.  With the help of grapeseed oil, avocado butter, and Vitamins C & E, it's only natural that this delicious smelling lip treatment leaves your lips soft and nourished with a hint of sheer color.  Protect and repair lips with any of the 10 scented shades.

Each of these balms cost $7.99, but may vary depending on where you purchase. 

I received the shade 4 Taffy, and for me, it's pretty much my perfect my lips, but better shade. I would describe it as a pink-y mauve shade. I love how it applies; it's very lightweight and comfortable on the lips. The scent reminds me of Fruity Pebbles, and I'm sure not complaining about that! I love fruity scents, and if I'm being bold here, this product definitely reminds me of the Fresh lip balms that cost over $20. This feels almost identical to the ones I've tried with it being so smooth and hydrating. I'm honestly impressed. 

It is pretty sheer as you can see, and I did three swipes in the picture above. I personally am a big fan of these, and the color selection they have is pretty nice too. I'm very tempted to buy different colors, but I'm on a no-buy right now, and to be honest, I really don't need anymore lip products. 

I feel these are a great product, especially since they remind me of the Fresh lip balms. The only difference I can tell is these do not have an SPF in them. Otherwise, the texture and feel are nearly the same. Lasting power isn't that great, but it is a balm, not a lipstick. For the price point, I'd say pick up some if you've been wanting to try the Fresh balms, but don't like their price tag!

Have you tried the CovergirlOh Sugar! Balms yet? what do you think of them?

Review: Covergirl Plumpify Mascara

*Disclosure* I received this product complimentary from Influenster for review purposes. All opinions are 100% honest and my own, like always!

Hey guys! Today I'm bringing you a review of a new mascara that I was chosen by Influenster to try out, and it's the Covergirl Plumpify mascara. I was pretty excited to give this a go because I'm always on the hunt for the perfect mascara!

On Covergirl's website, they say:

Our Plumpify blastPRO Mascara plumpifies your lashes with 50x volume boost for full lashes! This volumizing mascara has a specialized, double-action brush that vertically lifts lashes from their roots, guaranteeing plumping without the clumping — A whole new look in lashes, plumpified! 

This brush is probably the most interesting brush I've come across in a mascara. It's got rubber bristles, it's very thick and spiraled, and has a spiky balled tip that's said to be good for those hard-to-reach lashes. It kinda reminded of the Benefit They're Real! Mascara, and I hate that mascara with a passion, so I went in a bit nervous trying this out. 

I posted this picture on my Instagram about a week ago showing the difference with and without using the Plumpify Mascara. After just one coat, it's safe to say that I got decent length and curl, but a 50x volume boost? Eh, I don't think so. I'm happy with the volume this did give me, but I don't see 50x the volume. Maybe in length I got that much. Also, if I go in with more than one coat, I do start to get just a bit of clumping, but nothing major.

Overall, this isn't a bad mascara. it's a bit tough to work with at first because the brush really is massive and a bit scary with the rubber bristles, but once you get the hang of it, it's not bad. I like the amount of length I get, and I really appreciate the curling power I got as well. I should mention that in the picture above, I did not curl my lashes beforehand. This only smudged a little bit on me after about 6-7 hours, but by that time, I was ready to wash my face and go to bed. 

The retail price of this mascara is $10.49, depending on where you buy it. I find that to be a little on the pricey side, considering my favorite mascara by Covergirl, the Supersizer, is just under $6 at my Walmart. That being said, I do recommend this mascara if you're not afraid of the rather large brush, and want more length and curl than volume. Remember though, everyone's lashes are different, so you may have a totally different experience that I had!

What do you think of this mascara?

Review: Curel Itch Defense

*Disclosure* Products reviewed were sent complimentary thanks to Influenster. All opinions are 100% honest and my own, like always!

Hi guys! I received an Influenster VoxBox of the Curel Itch Defense Body Wash and Instant Soothing Moisturizing Spray. It's been quite a while since I've gotten a VoxBox so I was pretty excited to get this, as Winter is coming (said in Jon Snow's voice) in just a couple short months, and my skin needs all the help it can get!

Here is a description of the body wash and the lotion:

Body Wash- With hydrating jojoba and olive oils, this calming cleanser works to wash away the itch before it starts. Its gentle, soap-free formula delivers relief from dry, itchy skin in just four days, when used in combination with the Curel Itch Defense Body Lotion

Body Lotion- This new spray instantly soothes dry, itchy skin while also improving the skin's moisture barrier. Dermatologist recommended, it works quickly to provide a light, pleasant, cooling sensation exactly when and where you need it. 

I feel like the body wash isn't anything special really. It smells very pleasantly like oranges, and does what a normal body wash does. The lotion however, is pretty darn awesome! One thing I noticed when I sprayed it on my arms, was a peppermint scent. To me, that seems a bit odd for a body moisturizer. I'm used to mint scents in foot creams, not a regular body lotion. The lotion is alot thicker than I thought it was going to be as well. This product reminds of a different brand that has the same concept, but I think I like this one a little bit more. It leaves my skin feeling so soft and hydrated, and the bumps I have on my arms are smoothed out, which is a miracle if you ask me, because hardly anything helps with them! One gripe I have with this is that it's a little difficult to press down the spray nozzle. Unless I'm just a total weakling, which I very well could be, but I really had trouble though, and could see that as a drawback for some people. Regardless, this is something I would really consider buying for myself. I definitely like the ease of a spray lotion formula as you're not constantly digging your fingers in a tub, and it also sinks in very nicely and doesn't leave any kind of greasy film whatsoever. 

What do you think of the Curel Itch Defense range?

July 2013 Favorites!

Hey everyone! I know, it's been a long while since I've posted anything on my blog here. Not really sure if I have a  good reason as to why I haven't posted, but life just gets in the way sometimes. Anyways, it's the end of another month, which means it's favorites time! I have to admit, I haven't experimented too much with products as I haven't bought much lately, so I don't have a bunch to talk about, but lets get on to the few things I have been loving!

My first favorite this past month is The Body Shop Aloe Cooling Body Gel. I don't think The Body Shop makes this product anymore, which makes me pretty sad. Anyways, my fiance and I went to New Jersey to go to the shore for a day with some friends. I, of course, put sunblock on four times while we were there, yet I still got burned on my right arm and a bit on my shoulders and chest. My poor fiance however got totally burned on his chest and legs. I tried to tell him he should be reapplying sunblock every couple hours, but he never listens to me. Fast forward to the end of the night when we got home, and he was in pain. I found this in the closet and slathered some all over his chest and legs. I also put some on where I got a little burned as well. The next morning, I felt fine. Still a bit red, but this helped soothe me quite a bit. My fiance said he felt better too, but he was really, really red for a while. I kept putting this stuff on him so he wouldn't scratch or hurt himself more. I love how cooling and soothing this feels. I really wish The Body Shop didn't get rid of this :(

My next favorite came from an Influenster VoxBox, and it's the Luster NOW! Instant Whitening Toothpaste. Now I gotta admit, I haven't noticed any significant whitening on my teeth. It could be because my teeth are fairly white to begin with, so if there has been any whitening, I can't tell. What I do like about this product is how clean it makes my teeth feel. It's actually pretty amazing. I haven't had a toothpaste make my teeth feel so clean in ages. I have weird teeth and gums though. I have a prescription toothpaste that I have to use at night, and in the morning I typically use a toothpaste for sensitive teeth and gums. I'm not sure if those kinds of toothpastes don't make teeth feel as clean or what, but I really do like this stuff!

These next favorites have been the lip combo I've been doing for most of July. I make sure my lips are soft and smooth by applying a hydrating lip balm, then I put on the Maybelline Color Whisper in Pink Possibilities (left) and after that I apply the Liplicious Lip Color in Pineapple Juice (right). The gloss doesn't give much color payoff, but the sheen it gives is amazing! And everyone knows I love my Color Whispers, and Pink Possibilities is probably my favorite color. 

Now my last favorite is probably one of my all-time favorite products even though I've only had it for a few weeks. This is part of the Sephora Disney Collection and it's the Storylook Eyeshadow Palette Volume 3. Yup, I got me the Little Mermaid eyeshadow palette! I was so excited when I got the email saying it was in stock and I rushed to buy it. Shortly after I placed my order, I saw it was permanently discontinued. I got a bit worried seeing that and thought I wouldn't be getting it, but I got the confirmation email that it was sent out, and I squealed a little I was so happy! My fiance was even happy for me because this palette was all I could think about since I heard they were coming out with it.

This little baby is all mine, and I've been loving playing around with it, seeing what looks I can come up with. This palette was basically all I used this past month, aside from a few days where I used different eyeshadows. I might try to use this sparingly as I don't want to use everything up to quickly. Also, these shadows are surprisingly pigmented and they last a long time as long as I use a primer underneath. Ahhhh, I'm so happy I have this!

Well, that's everything! What were some of your favorites for July?

Also, take a look at the blog sale I have going! I still have a good amount of products left!

Influenster June 2013- Something Blue Bridal VoxBox 2013

Hey everyone! I was so excited when I got an email from Influenster saying I'll be receiving the Something Blue VoxBox! This box is for people who are getting married themselves or are attending a wedding this Summer. I'm sure you all have read already, but I'm getting married in September so this came at the perfect time! So let me show you what I got and what first impressions I had.

This is everything I got in the box, so there's a good mix of stuff here!

The product I was actually most excited to receive is the Luster NOW! Instant Whitening Toothpaste. Apparently it has Bluverite technology that creates the optical effect of instantly whiter teeth, with results that last for hours. I have yet to try this toothpaste, but I'm very curious to see if it works. A bottle of this toothpaste retails for $7.99.

I also was very excited to see two packages of Q-tips Precision Tips. They're made with pointed tips at both ends with 100% pure cotton. These are good for touching up eyeliner, precisely applying concealer and perfecting manicures. I'm looking to use these for when I do my nails. I'm complete rubbish at painting my nails and get nail polish all over my cuticles so maybe these will help me. A package of these retails for $2.59 to $3.35.

I'm a little nervous about these Kiss everEZlashes. I've never used false lashes before, but these come with a little thing of lash glue and an applicator, so I may try them and see how they are. A package of these retails for $4.98 .

I also received a package of Dr. Scholl's For Her Ball of Foot Cushions. These are supposed to help with ball of foot pain and the slim design prevents feet from sliding forward and helps avoid toe scrunch. I'm honestly not sure if I'll try these. I don't wear heels and I'm most likely wearing flat sandals for my wedding, so I might not need these. A package of these retails for $6.99.

I then received a little packet of Urgent RX Fast Powder in lemon-lime flavor. These little packets have a fast-acting flavored powder medication in them. I'm curious to try this if I do end up getting  a headache. One packet retails for $1.39.

The last thing I received is a catalog for MyTrio Rings. The rings are very nice, but David and I already have our rings. He bought my engagement ring and wedding band together because it was cheaper that way, and I bought him the black tungsten ring he wanted as his wedding band. It was a nice thought to include this, though. 

Overall, I like what I received in this box and I'm excited to try everything out!

Review: belVita Breakfast Biscuits

 

Hey everyone! When I received my Sugar N' Spice Influenster VoxBox, I was so excited to see these belVita Breakfast Biscuits in the box! Anytime I get food, I'm a happy girl. I love food. Anyways, I wanted to give you guys a review of these because they were pretty awesome!

This is the package I received in the box. These retail for $3.69 for a box of 5 packets of 4 biscuits. For some reason, I thought the individual biscuits would be smaller so I was very surprised when I opened the package and they were long and oval shaped. They looked like flat cookies. I got the cinnamon Brown Sugar flavor which I'm super happy with because that flavor is delicious! I ate these when I got home from running errands and wanted a snack. Apparently these are a very good source of fiber and B-vitamins and they contain no high fructose corn syrup, which is great, because that stuff is so bad for you. I ate these with a glass of milk and dunked them in the cup like I would a cookie. I even gave my fiance one because he was staring at the package. He loved them too! I might consider buying these in the future because they're very good for on-the-go and they're surprisingly very filling. 

 I posted this picture on Twitter so they know how much I like them! 

Please don't forget to enter my giveaway! There's still 4 more days left to enter!

*Disclaimer: I received the belVita Breakfast Biscuits complimentary from Influenster. All opinions are 100% honest and my own!

Influenster Sugar N' Spice Voxbox 2013

I was so excited when I found out I was going to be receiving another voxbox from Influenster! I had previously received the Holiday Voxbox which I liked, but this one is amazing! If you haven't heard of Influenster, basically it's a site that you can only join if you're invited by someone who's already a member or you can request an invite. You then do surveys and quizzes which can make you eligible to receive these voxboxes. I have some invites left if you're interested in trying the site out! Now let's see what I got in this box!

Sorry the picture isn't the best. I had taken it right before I went to bed so I wouldn't forget! Anyways, The first thing I got in the box is the Vaseline Spray & Go Moisturizer Total Moisture. Phew, that's a mouthful! On the card that came in the box it says that this "is a continuous spray lotion that moisturizes and absorbs in seconds, and leaves skin feeling instantly soft- not sticky or greasy." I'm pretty excited to try this out! I could always use a good lotion and I've never tried a spray version before, so we'll see how this works! This retails for $7.99 for a 6.5 ounce can.

The next thing I received is NECTRESSE, which is a 100% natural sweetener. The card says " NECTRESSE sweetener tastes like sugar but has zero calories per serving! 100% natural, NECTRESSE is made primarily from monk fruit combined with other natural sweeteners." I have to admit, I'm a little wary to try this. I'm a typical sugar girl. I've never been one to use artificial sweeteners, so I may have to do a little research before I use this. This retails for $6.99 for a 5.9 ounce container, or $3.99 for a box of 40 packets.

Next, I received Dickinson's Original Witch Hazel Oil Controlling Towelettes. I'm super excited to try these out! I'll probably try these when taking off my makeup at night. The card says "The soothing blend of Witch Hazel and aloe on these facial wipes rejuvenates your skin by gently lifting dirt, oil and impurities from your pores while nourishing even the most sensitive skin. The result is a clean, refreshed and blemish-free complexion even when you're out and about." Seriously, I'm really excited for these! My skin's been going nuts with the weather change so I can't wait to see what these do for my skin. I also got some coupons for Dickinson's products. These retail for $5.99 for a 20-count box.

I then received the Colgate Optic White Regimen, which came with toothpaste, mouthwash, and a toothbrush. The card says " Your Voxbox contains not one, but THREE Colgate Optic White products in a new high impact formula. Use Optic White toothpaste, toothbrush, and mouthwash together for whiter teeth in five days (vs. brushing with an ordinary toothpaste alone). I'm also very excited to try this! The mouthwash and toothpaste look awesome, but the toothbrush I'm a little nervous to use. It's good that it's a soft toothbrush, but I have such sensitive teeth that I need super soft bristles, plus I have a prescription toothpaste that I use at night for sensitivity. I may give it a try, but if it's too harsh on my teeth, I'm giving it to my fiance. The toothpaste retails for $2.99 for a 4 ounce tube, the mouthwash retails for $2.99 for an 8 ounce bottle, and the toothbrush retails for $2.99 per brush.

The last thing I received in my voxbox is the belVita Breakfast Biscuits in the flavor Cinnamon Brown Sugar. The card says "belVita Breakfast Biscuits are made with delicious ingredients and carefully baked to release steady energy that lasts all morning. They are a good source of fiber and B-vitamins, contain no high fructose corn syrup, have 18-20 grams of whole grain per 50 gram serving and taste great- perfect for on-the-go!" I can't wait to try these either! these should be good when I'm in a rush to get somewhere or if I just want something quick without having to cook myself breakfast. These retail for $3.69 for a box of 5 packets of 4 biscuits. 

*DISCLAIMER: I received these products complimentary from Influenster for testing purposes! Any reviews I do are always 100% honest and my own!

Review: Quaker Real Medleys Oatmeal+

Hey everyone! Today I'm going to be doing a review of a product I received in my Holiday Vox Box from Influenster. I know I got the box a little while ago, but I'm just now getting around to doing the reviews of the products received! Today will be about the Quaker Real Medleys Oatmeal in the flavor Apple Walnut.

Don't mind the EBOOST in the picture, I'll be doing a separate review on it and will probably be using the same picture, since I'm lazy! Anyways, what I really liked about this oatmeal is that it was really easy and convenient to use. The directions say it only needs 45 seconds to heat up, but I had to put it in the microwave for a little longer. I also used milk instead of water.

The flavor of this is also very good! I'm not the biggest fan of plain oatmeal. I always need some kind of flavor to it, and this was perfect, especially since it had chunks of apples and cranberries along with little bits of walnut. 

One container costs about $2, which for me is a tad bit pricey, so I do usually end up purchasing the boxes with the packets inside and add honey or some other flavor. They do have other flavors and whatnot, so check them out on the Quaker website!

Overall, I did like this oatmeal, but probably won't buy because it's a bit pricey. Otherwise, it's great because of the flavor!

*Disclaimer: I received Quaker oatmeal complimentary of Influenster for review purposes. All opinions are 100% my own!

Yum-o!

Review: Kiss Nail Dress in Shrug

Hey everyone! Today I'm going to be reviewing the Kiss Nail Dress in the print Shrug. I received this in the Influenster Holiday Voxbox which I have a post on here. 

Kiss Nail Dress on the left

I did say in my Influenster post that I was terrified to use these. Personally, these don't appeal to me and I had trouble using them. I know people who do use nail designs like this and love them, but I just think they're very awkward to work with. I do like the design of them and the little booklet that comes in the package has all the designs they have. They really are cool designs, but I really don't have the patience to use these. They don't lay all the way flat and the tips of my nails feel very rough now even though I try to smooth them out with my nail file. I hate to say this, but I don't won't be purchasing in the future. I truly appreciate Influenster for sending me the Voxbox and I hope to receive future boxes. I just hope and pray that I don't get anymore of these! I also did a review on Influenster here.

The picture doesn't look that bad, but in person it doesn't look very nice. I'm not great at putting on nail polish either but I prefer that way more now that I gave these a try.

*Disclaimer: I received these complimentary of Influenster for review purposes. All opinions are honest and 100% my own!

Influenster Holiday VoxBox 2012

Hey everyone! This post is pretty exciting because I received and email a few weeks ago saying I was qualified for the Holiday VoxBox 2012 from Influenster and I received it in the mail sometime last week! If you don't know what Influenster is, it's a website that's free to join, but invite only. You can be invited by someone through email who's already a member or go through the site and ask to be invited. You give reviews of products and experiences, complete surveys, and be engaged in social media. So like the site says, basically "Influenster is a place for culture junkies to come together and share their unique opinions of products and experiences." 

Now as far as I can tell, not everyone who joins receives these boxes. You receive an email saying you're qualified to receive the box, but you can opt out if you want. Anyways, lets get on with what I got in the box!

This card just tells me instructions on what to do after I receive the box and on the back it gives me a rundown of what I got.

So the first thing I got is a Goody QuikStyle Brush, and people either got this paddle or a half round styler. I first looked at this and thought, what in the world is this for? I didn't know what the blue bristles were and what they're used for, so I read the back of the card and it says, " Once again, Goody brings innovation to your hair routine! Go from wet to beautifully styled hair faster than ever! Super absorbent microfiber bristles removes up to 30% of water as you style. It's like a towel and brush in one." After I read that, I thought it was a pretty cool concept. Now I shower at night, so I'm never really in a rush to dry my hair. I figure this will be good if I ever need to wet my hair and style it how I want before work. This product retails for $11.99

The next product I received is the Kiss Nail Dress in a black and gray cheetah print design called Shrug. I gotta admit, these things terrify me! I'm bad enough at putting on nail polish, and I did attempt to put something like this on my nails at one point in my life, but failed horribly. I like the design and they come with instructions, so I'll give these another go when I have the patience for them. These can be used on fingers and toes and it comes with a design booklet and file. they retail for $6.99

Next, I received the NYC New York Color Liquid Lipshine. I've already tried this and I love it! The color I got is Nude York City and I just love how this feels on the lips. It's not sticky at all and your lips look shiny and full. It also smells really sweet, like a sugar cookie! It's available in 10 different shades and retails for only $2.49! I may have to pick up some more colors at that price.

The next thing I got is food! Influenster must know me well because I love to eat! I got the Quaker Real Medley's Oatmeal in the flavor Apple Walnut. I absolutely love apples and cinnamon in my oatmeal so I expect this to be really good. This little container is really cool because you can just add hot water and go, or stick it in the microwave for under a minute and you're good. This is good if you're totally in a rush and need something quick. These little guys retail for $1.79 per cup

Then I got an EBOOST Natural Energy powder to put in my water. I got the flavor Pink Lemonade. These remind me of Emergen-C so I'm dfinitely going to be giving this a try. These retail for $28 for a box of 20 powders, $39 for a box of 30 powders, or $39 for a box of 12 shots. 

The last thing I received is a coupon for $25 off my first purchase at Sole Society. I honestly won't use this because I have plenty of shoes and I'm putting myself on a no-buy for 3 months starting January 1st. This is a very nice coupon though.

I also should say, if you're interested in joining Influenster, I still have five invites left. I really like this site. You can learn so much about different products and give your honest opinions about anything so I really recommend you try it out at least :)

*Disclaimer: I received these products complimentary for testing and review purposes from Influenster.