Rimmel Retro Glam Mascara: A Review

I received the Rose Vox Box courtesy of Influenster, and of course it was packed with goodies to try out. One of those items was Rimmel Retro Glam Mascara. 

(http://us.rimmellondon.com/products/eyes/scandaleyes-retro-glam-mascara)

I am a complete nut over mascara. It is the one product that I never leave the house without. It can do so much with so little. But with Retro Glam, you are suppose to see 

• A wide-eyed false lash look
• Fanned out volume
• No clumps
• Lashes up, out and over the top

So of course I gave it a try. The easiest thing to check for is clumps. I did have a few, but I'm a two coat kinda girl. On subsequent wears, I made sure to allow the coats to fully dry and that seemed to take care of the clumps. I did get volume and lashes that looked more fabulous than normal. However, it lacked the false lash look that I was super hoping for. But after wearing makeup for several years, I have come to believe that with my short-thin lashes nothing will come close to a good old-fashioned pair of falsies. 

The only real downside I had with this mascara, was the shape of the wand. I have come to find a straight across works best for me. This is just a personal preference, and if you haven't tried a different shape, check it out. I understand that it is needed to get the volume you're looking for, but the tip I would have expected to be just a bit smaller.

All in all, I was impressed with Rimmel's Retro Glam. I would get it again. It's a great buy for a mass product (MSRP $6.99). And you get the perks that Rimmel claims. 

Colgate Optic White Lives Up to Promise

In my latest Influenster VoxBox http://www.influenster.com , I received the entire Colgate Optic White regimen which included toothbrush, toothpaste and mouth rinse. All three retail for $2.99 each and promise a "new high impact formula for whiter teeth in five days (vs. brushing with ordinary toothpaste alone)". So what is a girl to do, but put these bad boys to the test.

Now a few tidbits before I go into detail about the regimen. I am a 10 year former smoker, an energy drink addict, and sweet toothaholic. Any whitening product will have their hands full with me.

Let me start with the toothpaste. It has a clean minty flavor that foams quite a bit. I almost looked like Cujo brushing my teeth, but it felt great. It reminded me of one of the scrubbing bubbles commercials getting into all the crevices and doing it's job. My teeth felt clean with no residue left behind and the amazing part...I still had the clean feeling 12 hours later upon returning home from work. Two thumbs up for the toothpaste.

The mouth rinse I had a love-hate relationship with. Outside of the bottle states alcohol-free, so I'm all like Woo Hoo! However, even though it is alcohol-free with no off putting smell to me it still had a burn. Yes I am a pansy but I like be able to use mouth wash and not have to rinse with water again just to get it out of my mouth. With the Optic White, I had to do a final H2O rinse. I'm not sure if the mouth rinse is an essential part of the regimen, but if I could do without it I would. So, I think I would skip the mouth rinse next trip to the store.

Finally, the toothbrush. I was sent a soft head brush, but man it packs some punch. The wide area is able to scrub from gum to the bottom of the tooth. The bristles used to clean in between while the inner rubber circles have a polishing effect. Colgate also adds the ever popular tongue scraper to the back. I honestly couldn't find a thing wrong with this toothbrush, even though it is not one I would have normally grabbed off the shelf. Two thumbs up for the toothbrush.

Now onto the whitening results  ::drum roll::

<--------Picture taken Monday 4-8-13











Picture taken Friday 4-12-13-------->












After five days, I don't believe anyone besides me and my dentist would have known a difference. There was some whitening (more than I have seen with the whitening toothpaste I have previously been using) and enough for me to notice a difference. I am happy with the Colgate Optic white toothpaste and toothbrush. I will definitely be willing to spend $2.99 to continue to get that clean whitening feeling in my mouth everyday.

Until next review...check the links below for more information on the products I just reviewed!

http://www.influenster.com/review/colgate-optic-white-regimen
http://www.colgate.com/app/ColgateOralCare/Whitening/ColgateOpticWhite/US/EN/HomePage.cwsp

Kiss Nail Dress: Heaven Send for the Impatient

Since nail decals have become popular, I have tried several brands and have had similar thoughts on most of them....great idea, but not worth the money. Influenster (http://www.influenster.com) gave me the chance to try out KISS Nail Dress (http://www.influenster.com/review/kiss-nail-dress) which was included in the 2012 Holiday Vox Box.

Each Nail Dress (this one in the color "Chemise") includes 28 strips and retails for $6.99. I like that each strip has a rounded end for fingernail application and squarish for toenail application. So you can have a manicure and pedicure all for one low price. That is definitely a plus considering other brands I have tried typically come with 14 strips retailing between $8.99-$10.99 only 1 application allowed.

KISS (http://www.kissusa.com) can be found locally at department stores such as Walmart, Target, and KMart. They sell Nail Dress in 21 designs including rhinestone patterns (as the above) or simple fashion styles.

On the back of this, instructions are also given on how to cut down strips and combine with other designs to give a layered look. Definitely a must for those who are into adventurous nails. The options are endless. 

So to get started, instructions are provided on the back of the packaging along with the insert inside the packaging. But if you are not a newbie to the decal craze, if you've put on one brand you've put them all on. Simply find an accurate size, press and center onto nail, and file off the excess. I do like that KISS has put their designs onto clear sheets. This made it so much easier to find the right size just by placing the sheet over my nail. Kudos KISS!! The decals also have plenty of length for those out there who are able to keep a longer nail.

Total time for a new manicure was a half hour. Greatly impressed with the results and as promised...these have lasted 10 days. So for those of you, like me, who simply can't wait for the polish to dry give KISS Nail Dress a try. More affordable than many of the high end brands, but they do not lack in the quality!

Goody Has A Winner With the QuikStyle

So in my last post, I gave some brief explanation of the contents of my Holiday Vox Box courtesy of Influenster (www.influenster.com). I've had the opportunity to try out these products and I have to say I am super impressed with the Goody QuikStyle Paddle Brush (retails 11.99). It was the one item that I had never heard of and intrigued me the most...maybe the microfiber bristles in bright blue lol.

Overall, it's a well made brush. A firm handle allows for a good grip while styling hair and the bristles are not to hard on the scalp. Packaging claims 30% water reduction for faster drying time, hence the need for the microfiber bristles (http://www.influenster.com/review/goody-quikstyle-paddle-brush). I honestly could not test this, with super thin and fine hair my blow dry time is 5 minutes flat. However, I was able to volume without the use of any hair product with a simple blow out. Woo hoo!! 

I usually have to spend half hour with dry time, product and a straightener to get this. So Goody got my vote on this point alone.

The brush is made with antimicrobial fibers and has side air vents to keep it fresh. And this is my only concern. With any porous material there is a chance of bacteria, but only time will tell with that aspect. But overall, I am very happy with the QuikStyle and will be picking up the round brush version to replace my current brush. So next time you are shopping for a brush take a look at the Goody QuikStyle (http://www.goody.com). It's definitely worth the buy!

2012 Holiday Vox Box

I know it has been a long time, but as always life happens and unfortunately my blog gets put on the back burner. However, I definitely wanted to make time to share with you the opportunity I have been given to test out some great products courtesy of Influenster.  Their name has been popping up in YouTube videos and blog posts I track for a while now. I had signed up this time last year and kind of forgot about it. If you are unfamiliar with Influenster here are a few ways to get more info.
www.influenster.com
www.facebook.com/influenster
www.twitter.com/influenster
www.instagram.com/influenster

Well, I received an email after filling out a prelim survey that I had been chosen to try out The Holiday Vox Box. Just a few short days later, my box had arrived :)

I open it up and sweet testing heaven!! Five full size samples and Coupon Code.  I have done the subscription bags previously and most of those don't even compare to this. All was asked of me was to try each product out and let people know via social media. I have to say I will be doing quite a bit of that just so I have the opportunity to try out another box. So, enough jabber onto the products...

Quaker Real Medleys Oatmeal- Retail $1.79

Convenient size oatmeal, so you can have breakfast anywhere. Looking forward to trying this out because simply put I <3 oatmeal and if I can take it with me without the hassle of packing a bowl makes it that much better.

NYC New York Color Liquid Lipshine- Retail $2.49

Listed to keep lips soft and create a 3-D gloss effect. Pics to come when I open this one up. A good lip gloss in this price bracket is hard to come by.

Kiss Nail Dress- Retail $6.99 (qt 28)

Get nail fashion without all of the hassle of dry time. Also comes in 21 designs and requires no polish remover to take off. Quoted to last 10 days but I'll put to the test at work and see how they hold up.

Goody QuikStyle Brush- Retail $11.99

Reduces water by 30% to dry faster with antimicrobial microfiber bristles.  This one I am most excited and intrigued about. Before receiving my Vox Box, I had not seen these brush gadgets in store. Granted I have thin hair so drying time is not too much of a factor but the coolness factor may win this one out for me.

EBOOST Natural Energy- Retail $28 (qty 20)

Boost your mood, focus, and immunity with natural ingredients and no crash. I am not much into supplements but will try anyways. This time of year everyone can use a boost in immunity.

Sole Society- $25 off first pair of shoes

High-quality, on-trend shoes starting only at $49.95. Simply put I am not a shoe person but great offer with $25 off and the code given (INFLUENSTER25) is good until 1/31/13 for anyone.

I am definitely excited to try these products out and will keep you updated with results very soon.  Check in with me on these sites to see how the testing is coming along.

www.facebook.com/oboroclove

www.twitter.com/oboroclove_

www.instagram/mrsedhowell

A Big Congratulations!!

Hey dolls! Stop by and check out Makeup Zombie. Her blog is central hub for great reviews on beauty. She has reached 800 followers. So make sure to give her a congratulations and show some love.

Much love
oboroclove

Mommy's Moments

Another fabulous giveaway going on today. Stop by and show some love to Mommy's Moments...amazing prizes going out.

http://avonbykaren.blogspot.com

Much Love
oboroclove