Influenster Dessange VoxBox Review

I'm excited to share a review today of a VoxBox from Influenster.  It's been a long time since I've had the opportunity to do one of these!  Recently I was selected for one of their pre-surveys and after answering some questions, was selected for the Dessange Hair VoxBox.  

The timing on this was perfect.  With recently deciding to grow out my hair, I've been curious if there were any products available that might help it grow a little bit faster.  The three items I've received from Dessange I think will help me.  I received their Oleo Miracle system - it includes shampoo, conditioner and oil, all for overprocessed and damaged hair.  Now you might be wondering, how the heck does someone with short hair have overprocessed and damaged hair?  Well I haven't been kind to my hair over the years.  I used to dye it, I have used countless styling products in it and the worst offender of all - I blow dry it.  A lot.  So, it has taken quite a bit of abuse from me and that can lead to slower hair growth.  I figured giving this line of replenishing products a try certainly couldn't hurt!

I'll admit at first being a little nervous to try this stuff.  I've tried other "repair" hair type products before and the biggest turn off for me is usually the smell.  I was pleasantly surprised the first time I washed my hair with this shampoo to find that it doesn't smell bad at all - in fact, it smells amazing. It reminds me of fresh washed laundry, it has kind of a nice powdery fragrance.  It also rinses out very easily.  The conditioner also smells nice and leaves your hair feeling very soft after.  Then it's recommended that you finish up with the replenishing oil.  Again, I was a little nervous about this - put oil in my hair?  Won't that just make it oily?  The recommended amount is only about a dime sized drop though, so once you work it through your hair, it's not even noticeable.

I've only been using these items for about five days, so really, this is a pretty quick review already - but I am already noticing my hair feels fuller, softer, cleaner and I think it may even have already gotten a tiny bit longer (though that's probably just wishful thinking on my part!)

Overall I'm very pleased so far and I'm excited to see how it continues to help and improve my hair over time.  As long as I continue to feel as good about it as I do now I'll definitely be seeking this stuff out in the store as it appears you can easily purchase from Target - and we all know how much I love Target!
I received these products complimentary from Influenster for testing purposes.

Braun Thermometer Review

I was chosen for another Influenster VoxBox and I wanted to share about it here.  This time I got the Braun VoxBox which included a Braun Forehead Thermometer.  I was pretty excited about it, we wanted the forehead thermometer when we were expecting Oliver but ended up receiving an ear style thermometer instead.  I thought I'd share some pictures here of how easy it is to use with my thoughts - and also share a dorky little video demonstration Nate helped me make!  I have to also state that Influenster gave me this item for my testing and review.  Thank you Influenster!

So, the thermometer is pretty small in size actually - which I think is great, you could easily put it in a diaper bag or something if you were on the go.

It's super easy to use. Turn on the power button.  It will beep once and then the display lights up with a green light, three blank lines and the F for Fahrenheit.

To take a temperature reading, you push the little gray button that has a picture of a thermometer on it and then hold it up to your child's (or even your own) forehead.  You can be up to two inches away and get a read, but the closer you can get to the forehead the better.  It will give you a reading very quickly, within seconds. 

 

As you can see, I do not have a temperature, so the light is green and you can clearly read the result (I often run low).  If you had a fever, the light would be yellow in addition to telling you what the reading is.  If you are not getting an accurate read the light is red and says "error" so you just need to clear it and try again.  We've found the error message comes up if you get hair in your way.

 

Another nice feature is you can turn the sound off on the side so it will not beep - this would be a good thing to consider if you wanted to check your child's temperature without waking them up. 

So overall, it's so easy and I like this so much better than the ear style thermometer!  I certainly do not wish any illness on my household this winter, but it's good piece of mind to know we're ready just in case!

And as I mentioned above, Nate helped me make a demo video too - I'll share it below here, it's not great, Oliver was kind of squirmy, but you can see it in action at any rate!

Influenster TLC VoxBox

So it's been quite some time since I've gotten an Influenster VoxBox.  I was super excited to be chosen to review the TLC VoxBox - geared specifically to moms!  This box is full of what I would consider to be some pretty awesome things - I thought I'd share a little bit about my box and what I think of the different items inside!

First off, here is the box - cute little purple box full of goodies!  All of these goodies were provided by Influenster for testing purposes.  There are quite a few things here!

The first item is a Shell Fuel Rewards card.  It is a loyalty program that you can use at Shell gas stations to save money on gas.  This is awesome for a mom like me who is always on the go, especially in the summer - and I find my new car goes through gas a lot faster than my old one, so saving money is a great thing!  The downside?  We have Shell stations in MN, but none of them are terribly close to my house.  I am still going to activate the card, if I'm out and about and need to fill up and I can find a Shell station, I will definitely use this!

The next thing I'm super excited about - how could you not be excited about free gelato??  I've been wanting to try the Breyers gelato, but I have also been trying to keep less sweets in the house - but seeing as I can get one of these FOR FREE - I plan on stopping for some on the way home tonight.  I will report back as to what I think!

Ok, so Oliver isn't terribly mobile yet so he's not likely to injure himself - hopefully anyway - but this next item looks really cool to me.  Neosporin To Go in a handy little bottle!  The best part about this?  You spray it on!  You don't have to squeeze anything out of a tube or touch the cut/burn/bug bite.  I could see this being useful for adults too, not just kids!  I love that it will fit in the diaper bag or my purse or even a pocket.

I grew up using Ivory soap - because I think my mom grew up using Ivory soap - but I haven't used it in a number of years now.  The cool thing about Ivory is it is free of dyes and perfumes, so it's great for delicate skin on babies or even sensitive skin on mom!  And also?  It floats!  So if you drop it in the bathwater, you don't have to dig at the bottom of your tub for it, it floats in the top of the water!

What mom doesn't need tissues in her purse?  I don't care if it's cold season or allergy season or you're going to a sad movie or whatever - tissues are a necessity!  These Puffs also have added lotion, so they might not be great for dabbing at sad eyes - but they'll feel great on a chapped nose that's tired of being blown from running (seriously is pollen season over yet?).  These will be quite useful!

And finally we have this Anew Reversalist Express Wrinkle Smoother from Avon.  While I would like to stay in denial that I'm getting older - the truth is I'm getting older.  I don't feel I have super wrinkled skin yet, but this stuff promises to smooth out forehead wrinkles, crows feet, etc.  Basically, it will smooth out your skin for a nice line free look.  Again, I haven't tried it out yet, but I will, I figure it has to help with some of my skin imperfections, be it from age or just uneven skin!  It seems pretty simple to use, just pat it on after your moisturizer.

So there you have it!  These are all very useful items for a busy mom like me!  I can't wait to try them all out - especially the gelato, yum!  Thank you Influenster!

Influenster Mary Kay Beauty VoxBox Vlog

Here is my long awaited Vlog on my new Mary Kay Vox Box from Influenster!  Ok, maybe not long awaited, but hey, I haven't vlogged in quite awhile, so you get to hear my pretty voice!  I'm excited about the products that were in this box.  I made this video last week and then tested the items the very next day.  So, here's my video review (forgive the scrub look, this was after my evening walk one day):

And then here is how my makeup looked trying out all the items from the video:

If you didn't take the the time to watch the video (and that's ok, I'll still love you) the items in the box were: lash primer, mascara, cream eye shadow, a cream eye shadow brush and lipstick.

I'm really liking everything so far - especially the mascara and primer - I'm surprised at how much I like the primer in fact!  The purple is really pretty and I can't get enough of the lipstick either.  All around thumbs up from me!  I may have to look up my old Mary Kay consultant!

Influenster and Mary Kay provided these items for test purposes free of charge.  Links are only for information purposes, I've received no other compensation other than the test products.

Influenster Vlog

So I mentioned in my earlier post today that I was selected to do an Influenster Vox Box review again - here is my Vlog introducing the items that were inside the box for this time around.

Check out www.influenster.com to sign up - can't beat free stuff right?

Ruffles have ridges

Definitely dating myself a bit here as I'm sure you younger gals don't remember the Ruffles potato chip commercial with the little boy going "rrrr ruffles, have rrrrr ridges."  Heck, I think it was already in pretty old rotation when I was a kid, but I do remember it!  Anyway, why am I talking about ruffles having ridges?  Just because I'm all sorts of ruffle-y today!

I got this shirt at the same little vintage shop I bought that whimsical denim shirt at.  I've been all over pretty girly things like this lately, so I just had to have it.  I thought it would look nice with my maxi denim skirt that sort of feels ruffle like and of course I'm back to my Gussy bag since it's all full of ruffles too.  So I'm just triple the ruffle-y fun today!

It's quite odd that it's already Friday.  These holidays that fall in the middle of the week are SO strange.  I keep saying we should petition Congress to change Independence Day to be observed the first Monday of July.  Then you'd automatically get a three day weekend!  That will be the first thing on my agenda when I become President.  Cause I'm so going to run someday. (Um, yeah right!)

So if you watched my little video yesterday - first of all thank you for indulging me in something a little different.  Secondly, below is the result of the nail polish I was talking about.  If you missed the video, I'm testing out the Sally Hansen Magnetic Nail Color for Influenster.  They provided me with the nail polish in the color of Polar Purple.  I have to say - I LOVE it.  It was so easy to use, unlike some of the other Sally Nail Art products.  You apply two coats and hold this little magnet over your nail for 10 seconds - and this is how it turns out.

Pretty neat huh?  It's recommended after it drys to put a clear top coat on, which I didn't do, so I'm sure this won't last long, but I'll enjoy it while it does.  I would love to get another color of this stuff.  It's fun and again, I can't stress how easy it is!

Onward to the weekend!  Here in MN we're finally getting some relief from the heat wave.  I cannot wait.  Have a great weekend everyone!

Outfit rundown:

Cream cami - Mossimo, Target

Ruffled top - Hill Valley Vintage (NE Mpls for the locals)

Skirt - Old Navy

Sandals - Merona, Target

Bag - Gussy Sews

Necklace - Premier Jewelry

Bracelet - Bead for Life

Influenster provided me with the Sally Hansen nail color free of charge for testing purposes - review and opinion are strictly my own.

Vlog - Influenster

Hey guys, I am trying out the Influenster program - www.influenster.com.  I decided to do a vlog on the beauty products I received because clearly I need "Vloggers Anonymous."  Anyway, more info is in the video below.  It's a pretty neat program - worth checking out if you like free things!

Disclaimer - All products discussed in the above video I received from Influenster complimentary for testing purposes.