The Skinny is Back

I stopped blogging because my little blackberry curve was the only device I had to rely on for pictures, and it sucked. I found it wasn't really worth blogging without some better quality photos. Now I have a droid and I feel like my whole life has benefited from this improvement. So I'm giving this another try.

It looked like I'd just use my blog to review the products I received from Influenster. I don't think I'm going to do any catch-up posts on those because it feels irrelevant at this point. I will still try to post my opinions on products I like, or maybe those I hate, in the future because it was fun while it lasted. (Also because my blog got the most traffic on those kinds of posts). Sometime soon I will post my thoughts on my first-time purchases from Lush and Fortune Cookie Soap.

So what's the real skinny these days? I'm working hard at working out. I actually believe I'm going to stick to it this time. I've always "liked" exercise, but not enough to make it a regular part of my life... Welcome, Cassey Ho. You've heard of blogilates, right? I had Cassey's POP Pilates: Bikini Booty workout bookmarked since last May and I'm not even sure I ever did it before recently. But, some switch went off in my mind over the course of my month-long Christmas break at home, and now I am hooked.

Last semester was stressful. Up until that point things had been a breeze. I was just living and loving life. Then, I took ten giant leaps back in the progess I'd made adopting a relaxed, carefree attitude. I wasn't taking care of myself-- my sleep shedule was shot (more than normal), I ate to make myself feel good, I was almost completely sedentary. It was making me sick. When I was home for break, I was bored enough to turn to exercise.

I kept up with Cassey's JaNEWary workout calendar until I came back to school. When I got here, I just  didn't know how to fit working out into my school life. I didn't exercise for only two short weeks, but right away I was noticing the negative changes. I was already starting to stress out again and it was the beginning of the semester. I was feeling sick every day. My skin was breaking out again with a vengeance. I felt very badly about myself. While I was home, I would wake up and work out every day for at least an hour. I woke up looking forward to the burn. My mood was lifted. My skin cleared. I was feeling more confident than I had in months. I felt so good and stronger day to day. I needed to get back to that.

At least home cooked is better than fast food!

It's only been a couple weeks, but I've been very consistently following Cassey's workout calendar, adjusted to my lifestyle. I go to the gym Monday nights and Thursday mornings and run 2 miles/30 minutes at different speeds and inclines. I've been eating cleaner, choosing raw veggies over the fries or chips I looked forward to every lunch. Already I am feeling so much better again. My skin has cleared right back up since I've been consistent in working out too, so I am convinced of the correlation. That alone is a positive enough result to keep me going. I've also noticed some tiny muscles forming on my string bean arms and I'm hoping to see more definition all over as I keep going. It's so exciting!

Back from the gym, Turtle Power!

This time, I fully intend on exercise becoming a regular part of my life. As much as it's helping me build confidence and strength, I can't see going back to my entirely inactive, unhealthy habits. I encourage you guys to start loving exercise too. I know a lot of us "like" it enough to do it once in a while, but we don't stick to it or push hard enough to gain from it. I really think when you put a little extra effort into it, you see the benefits immediately. Then, you'll be hooked too. If you're just beginning like me, definitely follow blogilates and download Cassey's workout calendar. She makes it a lot of fun and you'll look forward to doing her videos each day. Good luck making your necessary changes to live more happily! Care enough to care for yourself! :)

Kiss Ever PRO Lash Starter Kit

I'm the type of girl whose boyfriend has prettier lashes than her. Long, full, naturally curled, beautiful lashes... Kind of like the ones I received complimentary to test from Influenster in the Kiss Ever PRO Lash Starter Kit. I knew there would be lashes in this Beauty Bloggers box, so I thought it would be the new lashes with strings from Kiss. It was actually this starter kit with an applicator and adhesive. This kit is supposed to be great for people who are just starting out with fake lashes. The applicator is meant to make the process easier for those of us who just can't get the hang of applying falsies on our own. I've always wanted to be able to wear false lashes for special occasions, because like I said, I'm the type of girl who didn't freak out when she saw the woman with no eyelashes in the Kenan and Kel movie. Looked normal to me...

I've tried other lashes before and can never quite place them correctly. I was really hoping that wouldn't be the case with these lashes. They looked super full and dramatic to me, so I decided to try to put them to use with my Halloween costume, just in case they didn't look very natural. I didn't have to cut them at all, so that was one less hassle. I didn't really like the applicator, though. They're basically little pink tweezers and I wasn't sure how that would be easier than just using my fingers. It felt awkward to try to place the lashes correctly with that. I found the adhesive provided to be better than expected. The lashes stayed on my lids, right in place, for the whole night. I've always heard it's just better to buy eyelash adhesive than to use the stuff provided with the lashes you buy, but this worked well for me.

I was Medusa. The lashes look very natural here :) 

I was able to get the lashes on in a matter of minutes, whereas with other lashes I am used to fighting with them for at least fifteen minutes and eventually giving up and throwing them away. I was amazed I had finally gotten my first falsies successfully on my eyes! I couldn't stop staring in the mirror at them. My eyes popped! They looked so good and really complemented my costume. They did look very dramatic, so I wouldn't wear them for any normal day. But these were really fun for a bold night eye. I definitely will be checking out other lashes from Kiss for more natural looking ones that I can wear more often. I am so excited to be able to use these now!

This starter kit can be found at Walgreens for $4.99. They are made from the highest quality human hair, and the adhesive is latex free, odor free, and waterproof, with a flexible formula for 24hr hold. There's also the applicator if you feel you have trouble working with your fingers. Personally that was just easier for me, but I like the option in case. Wearing these lashes felt kind of strange at first, but I got used to them after a while. I think being a newbie it just felt weird having them on the first time. They weren't uncomfortable, but felt very noticeable for the first hour or so. I'm sure the more I use them I will be able to get used to the feeling. Go try a pair of Kiss lashes yourself! They're so fun.

Hope your Halloween was happy! 

Bath & Body Works Fall Mini Candle

I knew when I found out there would be a candle in the Beauty Bloggers box, it would be a Bath & Body Works Candle. I also knew, I didn't care what scent it was, I was going to love it. I couldn't wait to get my Mini Candle and test it out. (Complimentary from Influenster).

Then, I got it in the scent "Black Pepper Bergamot," and immediately thought... Um, Leaves? Cider Lane?... I couldn't imagine a pepper scented candle! I'm not one to shy away from new scents or flavors though, and this candle wasn't going to be any different. I took a big whiff right there as I unboxed my goodies, and I realized that Influenster knows me TOO well. This candle had to have been made with me in mind. It's basically the epitome of my favorite candle scents and I couldn't believe it because the name seems so bizarre. I think most of us would not go for this candle just based on the name, because who wants to sniff black pepper? But, just don't judge. This scent is great. I keep describing it as a warm, musky cologne. Cologne-scented candles have always been my favorite, so if you're into that, you should love this scent too. It's not fruity or girly, which to me makes this scent fit the Fall season even more. 

I've burned it pretty much constantly since I got it, so it's about out at this point unfortunately. I hear they last longer on a candle warmer, but I'm just a traditionalist/pyromaniac I guess... But not really on that last part. Or who knows. I wish I would've had time to get to a store and use the 2 coupons for $10 off a 3-wick candle because I would've bought a large one of these suckers immediately. I wish one of YOU had responded to my giveaway so you could have had that great deal and I could feel like the BBW Fairy spreading fine fragrance deals throughout the land. YOUR LOSS. They're expired now. Also, most of these candles will probably be selling out by now anyway since they are from the Fall collection. But look out for their great Winter/Christmas scents for the upcoming season! 

These mini candles are "mini but mighty!" The scent really does fill a good space. They are made using "the highest concentration of fragrance oils, and exclusive blend of vegetable wax, and lead-free wicks for optimal performance." If you're a BBW fan, definitely check out their different lines of candles. You won't be disappointed. These mini candles sell for $3.50. (Small Candle $9.50; Medium Candle $12.50; 3-Wick Candle $19.50).

Goody Simple Styles Spin Pins

Have you all seen these weird "spin pins" in stores? I see them all the time and I think, those would be great if they actually worked. I never trusted that they would really hold my hair, so I always talked myself out of buying them. Then, Influenster came along and decided to give me a set of spin pins for free, complimentary for testing purposes. I was so excited to see this product in my beauty blogger box so I could finally find out if they get the job done!

The spin pins I got were the set of two large ones. They also come in a set of three smaller ones, so if you think the two bigger ones just won't cut it, you might like to try those. They also have different colors for light or dark hair. Thankfully, I got the darker ones. They generally sell for $7.29, and I've seen them at Walgreens and Walmart multiple times.

The description that came in my voxbox says: Never have time for a great updo? Not anymore! The Goody Simple Styles Spin Pin allows you to easily achieve three chic updo styles. Simply twirl your hair up and spin the two spin pins in for a perfect undone bun, side bun, or double bun! Goody is known for their innovative hair accessories and styling tools, like these awesome pins, as well as the QuikStyle brush and Ouchless hair ties.

So, I was glad to find that the box had instructions for the three bun styles listed. For once, the styling instructions included with a product were as easy as they seemed! I thought that was great because I wasn't completely sure what to do with the pins myself.  For me, the pins work great with my hair straight or curly. Personally I prefer a curly, low, messy bun.   can't really achieve that with these pins right now because my hair is layered & not long enough to pull back and twist. But if I use a couple additional bobby pins I can do a high one easy. The box says these pins do the work of 20 bobby pins, and I do agree with that because to create the same kind of style I usually end up using about that many pins.

The day I tried these out specifically for the blog, I had straightened my hair. (It was actually the same day I tested out the EBOOST).  With my hair at the length it is, for now, I think this is the best use of the pins. They worked a little better with my hair straightened and I was able to still do something with my hair other than wearing it down and straight. I think wearing hair that way is just boring sometimes, so it was fun to have a new way to style it on my straight days. The bun held up all day, except when I was a little more active, when it loosened into a sort of low pony tail that I still found to be very cute! But, if you don't want that to happen, just don't wear these on days you're looking to be very active, and make sure to screw the pins tightly into your hair. It should hold great like it did for me! These pins are a great investment and I'm looking forward to buying the set of three small pins myself.

EBOOST Energy & Immunity Drink Supplement

I tried out my packet of EBOOST last week and since it's a one-and-done product, I decided to do my first Beauty Blogger review on this one.  This drink mix comes in individual packets in four different flavors (Orange, Pink Lemonade, Acai Pomegranate, Super Berry). Like the packet says, it is supposed to be a "daily health booster." It is also supposed to "deliver a boost of energy," which is why I used it last Friday after my morning class. I've been feeling so lethargic lately and I wanted a pick-me-up to start my weekend off right. 

The directions say: Add 1 packet to 8 fl. oz. water and stir. I didn't really have any way of knowing how much 8 fl. oz. was, so I filled up about half a glass. Before stirring, it got really foamy around the top which I thought made it look pretty cool and smoothie-like. It wasn't like a water flavor packet that pretty much instantly dissolves into the water. It didn't really fizz a lot like it appears to have in this picture. The drink just made all that foam that just sat there at the top until I stirred it up. I'm not sure if it's supposed to do that or if maybe I just didn't use enough water, but the drink turned out to be very concentrated. Personally I think that's better because that should mean there's a higher ratio of vitamins/nutrients to water... Right? 

I got the all-natural orange flavor.  I wasn't thrilled about it because I tend to hate orange flavored things. The drink smells pretty much like those orange Flintstone vitamins all crushed up. It didn't taste much different. I mean, it didn't taste terrible. I could get it down. It just wasn't a yummy taste, which you shouldn't expect it to be anyway since it is a dietary supplement. The flavor, although dull and tasting more of vitamins than anything, did seem more like a natural orange than an artificial orange flavoring. I guess that's a nice aspect at least. If I have to have something orange flavored I prefer it taste like actual oranges. More than anything it really did just taste like vitamins diluted with water, though. Here it is stirred up and a little less foamy. 

I drank it while watching my morning shows and I do think it had a pretty quick effect. It wasn't like a jolt of energy from an espresso shot or something. I just felt myself waking up, feeling less groggy and less like crawling back into bed for the rest of the day. Later in the afternoon I did have to fight the urge to take a nap, so the effect didn't last more than a few hours, but it did get me through the morning and early afternoon through my classes. I can't say whether or not it was just a placebo effect because I only had this one packet to try, but I feel like this is a good alternative to the nasty carbonated energy drinks so many people are hooked on, and maybe even a better choice than that morning cup of coffee. I'm not a big coffee person, but if that's you're thing, you might consider alternating with something like this once in a while just for the nutrients. I like that it contains a daily allowance of vitamins. 

The back of the packet says: A proprietary formula of vitamins, minerals, and super-nutrients that deliver a boost of energy and immunity in an easy to mix effervescent packet. Our packets contain no sugar, no artificial flavors, and are low in calories. So go ahead, boost your day, everyday.  It says it contains 5 calories.  It contains no sugar, but it does have stevia leaf extract which I think is a sweetener. It also contains green tea leaf extract which is where the caffeine comes in. One thing that seems strange is that it says there's 41,667% of your daily allowance of vitamin B12 in it... That's quite a number and I'm not sure how that can be a good thing, but who knows.  B12 is supposed to be a good energy boosting vitamin so it makes sense I guess. 

Anyway, I enjoyed trying this drink out. I think it's a great concept for those of you who are interested in energy supplements and boosting your immunity, especially since it is all natural. I don't use these kinds of products often, but if I were to use any I would go for this again. It's $28 for a box of 20 packets, $39 for 30, or $39 for 12 pre-mixed "shots." That's definitely out of my price range. I'm lucky Influenster sent me a sample complimentary for testing purposes. I wish I could say I am buying this product, but at that price I can't see it happening.

Influenster Voxbox: Beauty Blogger's Edition + Giveaway Contest

I am thrilled to finally be able to write this post. My Beauty Bloggers voxbox from Influenster arrived this week! I am so happy to have qualified for this box program. This box is the best one I've seen from Influenster in a while. I loved my Latina Beauty voxbox that I received back in August, but this one already exceeds how great that was. Don't worry, Hawaiian Tropic, you still amaze me. I can't wait to find out which product will be my new favorite out of this box, though! (So far I'm loving the Vitabath Fragrance Mist...)

I am really impressed by how packed the Beauty Bloggers voxbox is. My last box had 6 products that I was happy to test out, but one of them was to gift to a friend, and another just didn't work for me.  Sorry, VEET Wax Strips, it's a no! Plus, although it was a "beauty" box, I didn't feel like the Latina box had as much to do with cosmetics as this box does.  It just seemed like more of a feminine brands box than strictly beauty.

The Beauty Bloggers voxbox included 5 products everyone in the program received. There was also a sixth either/or hair product-- everyone got one or the other.  Then, based on scores and demographics, some members received a bonus item of either a fragrance or skin care product. I know it's surprising I didn't end up with the skin care item considering the majority of my blog is about skin care, but I was hoping to get the fragance and I'm happy I did! Here are some short descriptions of the products from my box! I will follow up with longer, individual reviews of each product as I have more of a chance to try them out.

NYC New York Color Individual Eyes Custom Compact

Compact includes a primer and illuminator, 4 complementing shadows, and applicator wand.

Limited Edition Item.

Kiss Ever Pro Lashes Starter Kit

Kit includes eyelashes, adhesive, and applicator.

Bath & Body Works Mini Candle

The candle I received is in the scent "Black Pepper Bergamot."

The scents chosen were from the Fall collection.

**Also included: 2 coupons to save $10 each on a BBW 3-Wick candle, valid until Oct. 28!

EBOOST

Powder drink mix to boost energy and immunity.

I got the all-natural orange flavored powder.

Goody Simple Styles Spin Pin

Pins allow easy styling of different buns.

Includes set of 2 pins.

Either/Or Product: Not Your Mother's Kinky Moves Curl Defining Hair Cream

Curly hair product containing grape seed and jasmine.

Others received Not Your Mother's Smooth Moves Frizz Control Hair Cream containing coconut & silk extract.

BONUS: Vitabath Fragrance Mist

I received the mist in Citron Leaves.

There are 15 other scents in this new line of fragrance mists.

So those are all my products from the Beauty Bloggers voxbox! I received these complimentary for testing purposes from Influenster! It's a fun site. Check it out. I still have 3 invites left to send out to new members! 

**Also, I won't be using my 2 Bath & Body Works coupons for $10 off a 3-wick candle. Since I won't be putting that great deal to use, I decided I want to try to do my first little giveaway/contest! This is going to be a quick one because those coupons expire Oct. 28th! If you would like to win a $10 off coupon, please "like" Influenster on facebook, or comment on this blog if you would like one of my last remaining invites. Then, share this post on facebook & tag me in it! Fair enough? I will pick two winners and you can choose whether you just want the online code for the deal, or if you want me to mail you the actual coupon. :) 

A Blogger's Best Friend

When I started this blog, I just wanted to use it as an outlet for my thoughts as well as a tool to keep me writing regularly.  I haven't been able to bundle all of my posts into one theme like I originally planned.  Fortunately, when I started this blog, I also became a member of a site called Influenster.  I've written another post, A Little Thing Called Influenster , about the site and how it works.  That has been my most popular post. It has gotten me my most hits and still continues to.  I wrote it a couple months ago after receiving my first voxbox from them. It was so exciting for me because I didn't expect anything to come from being a member.  But let me tell you, the perks are unreal!

"They looks awesome!" :| 

Influenster just relaunched its site with a brand new makeover and it is better than ever.  If there was a perfect time to become a member, it would be now. The premise is still the same: join, unlock badges that apply to your lifestyle and qualify you for voxboxes, receive and review products.  However, they've made big changes that have already made being an Influenster so much more fun.  First off, you need an invite to join (kind of like pinterest).  I have 4 invites left to send out to anyone looking to join right away.  Second, the site is set up a lot more like a social networking site now (making it a lot more user friendly as well as more entertaining to spend time on).

On the site, you'll have a profile page where you'll want to connect all of your social media accounts (facebook, twitter, blogs, etc).  Every Influenster has a personal score now that tells you where you stand in the community.  The more social networking you do and helpful reviews you write, the higher your score. It's a fun game that helps you gauge how well you are doing.  There is also a sidebar where all of your badges are located as you earn them.  Influenster added all kinds of new badges that apply to a wide variety of people. You can have up to 5 expert badges (to start off) that you feel apply best to your lifestyle.  Each of these badges has their own score based on reviews you write on the site and based on your social networking. Right now I have an Influenster score of 64, and my highest expert badge score is an 80 for the beauty queen badge. Under the expert badges you will have others, like lifestage badges which help determine your demographic. For example, I have the collegiate badge for college students.  (There is an upcoming uni voxbox, just throwing it out there! Students, join now!)  There are also voxbox badges and brand badges which you can earn when you receive a voxbox and complete reviews on the products you like best.  Brand badges can help you win prizes of gifts from your favorite brands! I recently won a NYC New York Color brand challenge after my Latina beauty box and will be receiving a prize from them soon!

Your profile page will also list a "plan of attack," which gives you specific tasks that you can complete to boost your scores.  The "Fun File" is where they will post upcoming programs that you have been pre-selected or qualified for.  It also helps to keep up to date on your email since they send out pre-selection notices that way too.You don't want to miss those because there will be deadlines for surveys that can qualify you for a box. You should "like" Influenster on facebook for recent updates as well as occasional contests for boxes/products.


Since this relaunch just happened, Influenster has a TON of programs coming up which means more chances to qualify for a voxbox of your own!  You just need to join and get started right away.  I just qualified for the Beauty Blogger's voxbox which should be in the mail in the upcoming week. I can't wait to post about that! It's such a fun community to be a part of.  I definitely think Influenster is a blogger's best friend. If you blog about beauty, fashion, food, fitness, going green, games and gadgets, there's a badge for you! There are so many other categories too, including a lot more for guys! (Debonair, anyone?) Check it out and see what you like! The perks are endless for simply getting the word out about products you love.

A Little Thing Called Influenster

A few months back around March, I was on this kick of searching for free samples and offers online just to see what would come up.  As a college student, any kind of deals and freebies that are out there are such a big help. I came across a site called Influenster, where basically you become a member, fill out some surveys to earn “badges” and wait for a chance to receive what they call “voxboxes.”  A voxbox is a box of sample products from various companies they send out in the mail for free.  You really don’t pay anything.  The only catch is, accepting a box means you agree to use the products on a trial basis and review them on the Influenster site, as well as through social networking. 

To be honest, I didn’t expect much from signing up on this site, but I thought it would be worth a shot.  I earned all the badges I could and I played the waiting game.  Four months went by and I had completely forgotten about Influenster when I got an email saying I had the chance to receive a “Latina Beauty Voxbox.” Every month they have voxboxes geared towards different people/demographics.  I know that there have been holiday voxboxes around Christmas and Valentines, and most recently there was a voxbox for mothers and a summer beauty voxbox. The companies whose products would be in the Latina Beauty box were specifically looking to target Latin/Hispanic women.

I received my box about a week ago and was very excited to start trying out the products.  The products I received were complimentary for testing purposes through Influenster.  Here is what was included: Always Radiant Infinity Pads, Always Tampax Radiant Collection Sampler, NYC New York Color Liquid Lipshine in Nude York City, Bath & Body Works new Shea-Enriched Signature Collection Shower Gel, Hawaiian Tropic Silk Hydration Lotion Sunscreen, and VEET Ready to Use Wax Strips (Leg & Body). 

I’ll start with my thoughts on the Always Radiant products.  I received the Always Tampax Radiant Collection sampler as a gift to share with a friend.  The prices vary for the products in stores because it is a sampler of some of this new line’s stuff.  It came with a couple of the Always Tampax Radiant tampons, three of their liners, and I think a pad.  It also came with a wristlet/bag for “convenient storage” and discreetness when carrying these products out, I guess.  I wouldn’t care for the wristlet, personally, because I think that’s just what my purse is for, and I like my purses better.  So I wouldn’t use that for its intended purpose, but it is convenient for having a little more organization in bigger purses or as a small makeup bag or something along those lines.  I just wouldn’t carry it on its own, myself, but I could see young girls who are just starting out maybe being interested in that. The bag is a shiny pink-purple gradient style with these white graphic “sparkles.” I do like the new packaging of the tampons, though.  They are re-sealable wrappers.  The liners are VERY thin, which is what I like if I’m going to use a liner.  So that seemed nice. 

I received a 16 ct. box of the Always Radiant Infinity Pads (valued $6.99 in stores).  I don’t prefer using pads, but I do use them for sleeping. I tried these pads out, and I actually like them.  I think I will buy them myself because they are comfortable and I didn’t really notice wearing them when I went to bed. They’re not the thinnest pads I’ve tried, but they aren’t too bulky, so they feel a lot less like a diaper than other pads. The ones I received are not too long or too short, which has been annoying for me with some other pads because I usually get the “long” to make sure I’m covered, but they end up being stupidly long and I hate them. These aren’t like that. These have wings like probably every other pad does today, so don’t worry about that. One of my first thoughts of these pads was that they are really soft, too, so that adds to their comfort.  They feel very cottony, like, it didn’t feel like a pad was there, it just felt like I put on underwear. So that’s cool.  Since I only wear these to sleep anyway, I think they’re worth buying because of the comfort.  I don’t know if I would buy them as a primary pad if pads are your choice.  I felt like they wouldn’t be AS absorbent as some other pads I’ve tried, but I prefer these for the comfort and I don’t need a lot of absorbency to sleep anyway. TMI? Whatever.  This is an honest review.

Moving on… I think the product I was most excited for was the Bath & Body Works Shea-Enriched Signature Collection Shower Gel.  The box came with the mini shower gel (3 oz bottle), which is valued at $5 in stores.  I received Sweet Pea, which is my least favorite of BBW’s scents, but I was still very happy for the chance to try out their new formula.  Besides having shea butter, it now includes other moisturizing things like aloe vera and vitamin E.  I really like the product.  I don’t know that I would say I notice a HUGE difference between this and their old shower gel, but my skin does feel soft and smooth after showering with it.  I get dry legs and elbows and they don’t feel so rough/tight after drying off, so I guess it could be this stuff working.  I would definitely buy the shea-enriched shower gel because it does feel nice, but I would buy a different scent, like my favorite, Twilight Woods. 

Speaking of soft skin, I got to sample the Hawaiian Tropic Silk Hydration Lotion Sunscreen (which is $7.99 for a full bottle), and I have to say, I LOVE IT.  I don’t spend a lot of time in the sun and I’m not someone who worries about wearing sunscreen much (even though I know I should).  So this isn’t a product I would normally pick up on my own because I wouldn’t see the need for it.  I am so glad for the opportunity to try it, though, because this product is fantastic.  I received a small sample bottle of the SPF 30 lotion.  This formula combines silk protein and shea butter lotion with sunscreen to both protect and moisturize your skin.  It’s available in SPF 12, 30, and 50, is water-proof and supposed to provide moisture for up to 12 hours.  Seriously, my skin has never been softer than it is now that I’m using this lotion.  It’s awesome because my skin isn’t the softest. I don’t have terribly rough or scaly skin or anything. It’s just not as soft as some people’s, like, my boyfriend’s.  However, he even commented on how soft my hands were the other night, which is really saying something because my hands are never soft.  It usually takes a lot of lotion for that to happen, and then they feel all gross and oily/greasy, so I end up washing them anyway and they go back to being dry.  This lotion is NOT greasy feeling at ALL. It takes a lot for me to say that. I am so picky about lotion texture, it all feels gross to me, but this stuff… I’m just in love. I don’t know what it is. It’s just so light and rubs right in and I have smooth, baby soft skin. It leaves a very sheer glow/sheen on your skin too which I like. It smells like sunscreen in that nice tropical way, but it is not as strong as sunscreen. It is a very light airy smell. So if you are someone who doesn’t like going around smelling like the Bahamas, don’t worry. No one has to know you’re wearing sunscreen. But I like the smell. It’s just fresh and clean… Enough.

The other product I was excited about receiving was the NYC Liquid Lipshine (valued $2.49 in stores).  This showed up at just the right time for me because I was needing a lipgloss and about to buy something, and then I got this.  There’s supposed to be vitamin E in this stuff to give your lips moisture and shine.  I’m not a big lipgloss chick. I used a TON of lipgloss in middle school and kind of outgrew it after that because I didn’t like the feel of most glosses and I moved on to more matte makeup styles rather than shiney/glossy looks.  But recently I decided I needed at least one good lipgloss in my makeup supplies for the few occasions that call for it.  This liquid lipshine is a good find!  I don’t need to invest a lot of money into a lipgloss because it’s not something I’m going to get a lot of use out of, but for days that I want to accent my lips over my eyes, or on more casual days when I don’t really want much makeup or lip color, this is perfect.  I’m very happy with it.  I love the nude color because I can wear it over any lipstick or on its own as a neutral.  This product feels more creamy than sticky to me, which is great because that’s what turned me off of lipgloss before. It is kind of thick, so if that’s something you don’t like in a gloss, you might not be interested in this, but for the price I think it’s great and I would buy it myself. 

The last of the products I received in my Latina beauty voxbox, and the last I got around to trying, was the VEET Ready to Use Wax Strips for Leg & Body ($9.99 in-store value).  I received the full 40 ct. box of strips.  I’ve used different wax strips before and I can’t say they’re my thing, but I was excited to give these a try because it was such a good value receiving the whole box for free.  I was a little nervous about it because I don’t have a very high tolerance for pain, but I sucked it up and got over it.  I tried these strips out on a few different locations and none of them resulted satisfactory, unfortunately.  I kept trying because I thought maybe I was doing something wrong, but these just didn’t work out for me at all.  They left behind a lot more hair than they removed, even after multiple tries.  I guess if you prefer a wax, you should probably just get it done or at least buy an actual waxing kit and not these warm-in-your-hand wax strips.  If anyone had better luck with these, please let me know.  I’m keeping them because I really want to like the product, but they just didn’t cut it for me.  On the plus side, they were a lot less painful than expected, so it wasn’t a big loss to give them a shot.  I hated the wipes that were provided though.  They were very oily and didn’t remove the wax at all and it all ended up being extremely hard to wash off. 

So I guess my favorite products were the Hawaiian Tropic Silk Hydration Lotion Sunscreen, the NYC Liquid Lipshine and the BBW Shea-Enriched Signature Collection Shower Gel.  I would buy everything myself except for the VEET Ready To Use Wax Strips.  I had a LOT of fun receiving my first voxbox through Influenster. This was a great experience and I am hopeful to be chosen to review more products in the future!  Please check out influenster.com if you’re interested in becoming a member and receiving a voxbox of products to review yourself.  Thanks, Influenster!