Beauty Box 5 Believer

Posted on July 16, 2014 by producthoochie

A few weeks ago, Doreen of Love Anela, blogged about receiving a complimentary beauty box from Beauty Box 5. I have written about my disappointment with beauty boxes in the past, and though I recently tried GlossyBox again, we soon parted ways. (I still subscribe to ipsy and FabFitFun.) I understand that I won’t like everything that comes in a beauty box delivery BUT I also hope that if I fill out a profile, someone would care to refer to it. I received my first Beauty Box 5 on Monday. After the day my husband and I had, it was a sweet surprise. I was even happier when I opened it.

The box was a nice bright sea-foam green. The items were tucked safely right in the box with shredded paper. Nothing came messy or broken. There were a few inserts included. The July box is themed “Defining Moments,” encouraging subscribers to “treasure accomplishments.” In all honesty, I’m not big on themes but I think it is nice that the company wants you to carry out a purpose.

Let’s get to the good stuff!

Revlon Bold Lacquer Mascara ($7.99 USD): This mascara is a newbie on the market. It should add volume and definition, with lift- no eyelash curler? I can almost feel a panic attack. I have a bunch of mascaras to try but since Revlon wants us to #flashyourlash this will be the next on my list.

HASK Argan Oil Intense Deep Conditioning Hair Treatment ($2.49 USD): I can find HASK products in the local beauty supply. I even have used their hair placenta spray (sounds gross and works wonders). This packet has a generous amount of product. It is a nourishing cream that should make my hair soft and shiny for up to two weeks. BB5 also mentions that the packet has two uses. I love argan oil and have high hopes for this one!

Body Drench Candy Licious Lips ($3.99 USD): Skinny little tube promises to pack a candy flavored punch. They aren’t lying. I got Red Licorice and I swear I’m wearing a Twizzler. It also helps that the beeswax, coconut oil, and vitamin make for a smooth and soothing application.

Anna Naturals Glowing Mama Walnut Face & Body Scrub ($10.99 USD 4 fl oz): A vegan scrub that is not formulated with parabens, chemicals, or harsh fragrances will be welcome in my cleansing routine. This sample should be good for about three uses. We do end up putting about 500 chemicals on our bodies daily, something to lower that number is a help.

Starlooks Lip Liner in Tickle Me Pink ($12.00 USD): Starlooks is another brand that offers a beauty box but seem to also be making their way into other beauty subscriptions. I have a few items from them and do enjoy using their products. Tickle Me Pink is a nice neutral pink that seems versatile.

My first Beauty Box 5 was a success and gave me a chance to try their subscription without costing me a dime. At $12 USD a month, I think I may have to try them out for a bit!

Is that a Twizzler on your lips, or are you just happy to see me?

Keep Calm & Primp On! XOXO

Cleansing with Konjac- not Kojak

Posted on April 26, 2014 by producthoochie

(Via Google Images)

Yes, that is Telly Savalas, and no, I am not really going to write about Kojak, a show that ended before my time. I am going to give you some info on the Boscia Konjac Cleansing Sponge ($18 USD). Konjac? Kojak? Same difference. Well… not really…

(Via Google Images)

Konjac sponges are gaining popularity in the US market. We usually are more into high tech rip your face off cleansing tools so the konjac sponge is a nice change. I don’t really consider myself to have sensitive skin but found my Clarisonic to be a bit harsh during cooler months and though I love my my Foreo Luna Mini, I sometimes feel it doesn’t get really into my pores enough. Le sigh.

A konjac sponge is a little different. First off, it is a cheaper method. It is also disposable and won’t cost you an arm and a leg for a replacement head. It is also super gentle at exfoliating and just so fricken cool. Yes- fricken cool.

Konjac is native to Asia.- it is actually a type of potato It grows at high altitudes. Konjac is naturally 97% water, loaded in minerals, but not in calories. It is also pH neutral. And that is reason #139 that I love konjac potatoes- that, and their ability to exfoliate skin without stripping.

(Image via http://marena-konjac.blogspot.com/)

I ordered the Bosica Konjac Cleansing Sponge because I got an email about it from Sephora. I’m always looking for some kind of item in hopes that it will obliterate blackheads. I thought $18 USD was a little pricey but what was stopping me really? The sponge is half a sphere. It feels like a ball (or half a ball) of styrofoam. You immerse the sponge in warm water and it softens. Before my first use, I really let it soak up water. It softens up really well but still feels sturdy in the hands. Put cleanser directly onto the sponge and massage the skin in a circular motion. Rinse your face. Rinse the sponge out well and hang it to dry. It’s that easy.

I’ve been using the sponge for maybe three days now and it has become the favorite part of my cleansing routine. It just is so soft and feels so refreshing yet soothing. My skin also looks more vibrant.

The Boscia Konjac Sponge should be disposed after 2-3 months. Oh! If you don’t want to spend 18 bucks, there are a few other great options which I will most definitely be trying. Check them out:

EcoTools Pure Complexion Sponge ($5.99 US- Seriously?)

Dr. Sponge via Anthropologie ($8.50 US)

Amazon also has a few options.

Go get fresh faced!

Keep Calm & Primp On! XOXO

Imperial Honey is like (Body) Butter!

Posted on November 23, 2013 by producthoochie

I’ve been bad. I’m sorry. The hubs and I have finally moved. Though we are still living out of boxes (My lipstick! I can’t find my lipstick!), we have sort of resumed our “normal” everyday lives. As if living with me is normal. Moving along, I have a product I just would love to share with you. It survived the move (meaning I found it) and I want to get this post in before I forget.

Are you ready for royalty? Then you need to try Perlier Imperial Honey Body Butter.

Just looks so regal in my bedroom.

Perlier Imperial Honey Body Butter is a delicious melting body butter made from the honey of Black Bees. Throw in some Royal Jelly and you get a super moisturizing experience. I know that Perlier offers great bath products from past experience. (Check out my other post on Perlier here.)

Two queen cells were opened to show queen larvae of the Western honey bee floating in royal jelly. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

At first I was skeptical. I mean, the skin on my body in the winter months looks like a friggin blizzard. My legs and arms are so dry and flaky and no matter what I do, nothing seems to work. In fact my first impressions were eh. I found that I needed more than I thought I would for a body butter. As I slathered the body butter on, it easily spread so I wasn’t sure at how emollient it would be. Until… I realized that it works. My skin is soft. Even that little pesky patch of eczema seems to have been tamed. After about a week of use, I can honestly say my skin is silky and supple. And the scent- don’t even get me started! It is a delightful blend of sweet honey and Oriental woods- sweet and smokey.

Creamy and Dreamy- get your mind out of the gutter!

At $40 US this is a pricey product pick but well worth the money if you suffer from dry skin. I also have the direct link here to purchase #PerlierOnHSN. Unfortunately, it seems to be SOLD OUT! I would check back for #PerlierOnHSN in the near future and if you are lucky to see its return, enter iFabbo5 during checkout for $5 off!

I won’t make any promises about future posts and I have so many new and exciting things to try out! Once I am more together, I will be back. Until then…

Keep Calm & Primp On! XOXO

I received this product complimentary from iFabbo. It had no influence on my review. If you are interested in joining iFabbo, click my affiliate link located in the sidebar.

Falling into Fragrance- Bergamot’s October Collection

Posted on October 19, 2013 by producthoochie

I received my second Bergamot box last Friday and gave myself some time to try each scent in the delivery. I think this month’s selection was better than last’s. Take a sniff.

“Oh! the Indian Summer! it stirs up the flying embers-all the dead days of the year-into momentary new life!” ~Walt Whitman (This quote was in the pamphlet. Love me some Walt.)

October’s Collection is titled Indian Summer. Since NYC has been trying to kick out those last dregs of humid days (I got a stupid mosquito bite yesterday), I am more than happy to use anything Fall-like. The fragrances revolve around scents from “Autumn’s kitchen”- ginger, pear, and oolong tea, two are from brands I never heard from and one is available at some mass beauty retailers.

The scent strips that are filed neatly beneath the mini-sprays are a most excellent addition to the box.

I’ll start with the first scent I tried, DSH Perfumes D’Anjou. At first spray I thought, “Ooooh! Freshly washed hair!” Pear, blended with notes of rose, lily, and cyclamen made for a really easy to wear fragrance that smelled so clean and delicious. I sniffed my wrists all day and found that though it did fade, I could smell it faintly. D’Anjou is my favorite out of the three selections for two reason. One- it really is a beautiful scent that is a bit unique and two- it is not overwhelming. The September collection I found to be a bit cloying so this was a refreshing change.

DSH Perfumes D’Anjou

Tuesday morning, I spritzed myself with Ginger Ciao by Yosh. I was uber-excited for this fragrance. Tiger Lily! Ylang Ylang! Ginger! Coconut! A spicy, sweet, floral? It sounds fantastic… BUT it wasn’t for me. I’m not sure if it is my skin chemistry but it really smelled ummm… like Design. I wore Design in the 90s but it was created in 1985 by Paul Sebastian. I found Ginger Ciao to be an opulent scent and a bit strong for my liking. Maybe the Ylang Ylang really came through on me. I don’t know. I think this may smell gorgeous on someone else and I will be sure to pass it along.

Ginger Ciao by Yosh

Last but not least is Oolang Infini by Atelier Cologne. If I had to choose, I would choose D’Anjou but I have already used up half of this sample. Why, you ask? Since it is a cologne, it does not last very long. On the other hand, the dry down is spectacular so I didn’t mind. On first spray, you get hit with citrusy bergamot. Then Atelier Cologne used their noses. The dry down floats into Tunisian orange blossom, and gets edgy with smoke and leather. It is everything I want to smell like.

Atelier Cologne Oolang Infini

I will wear D’Anjou one more time but thinking about it, Oolang might just be for me! Agh! Decisions, decisions.

What scent do you prefer in the cooler months?

Keep Calm & Primp On! XOXO

Scrub-a-Dub with Perlier

Posted on September 22, 2013 by producthoochie

There are rocks in there.

I recently received a jar of Perlier Volcanic Thermal Spa Thermal Scrub from ifabbo, a great site that provides complimentary products up for review. I love a good body scrub but have really not been using the one currently in my shower. It just seems like an extra step. I decided that I would have to start exfoliating those pesky dry spots again since I have noticed that with the weather change, certain areas need a little more attention. This scrub seems to be right up my alley. First, it is Perlier. Perlier always uses fine ingredients and second, it has thermal stones. I just see the word “thermal” and hope this will warm right up and help get all those impurities out!

Blue Lagoon-like!

The scrub is housed in a sturdy plastic jar and holds quite a generous amount of product at 6.7 fluid ounces. Perlier Volcanic Stones is a skin treatment- micronutrients extracted from volcanic rocks deliver rejuvenating and smoothing action. Throw in some Thermal water and regeneration gets going in the epidermis while the the scrub sloughs away dead skin cells.

Italian QAPF diagram for volcanic rocks (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Just looking at the beautiful blue color of the scrub, I can already tell this will make my shower experience definitely more luxurious. I find the marine fragrance to be a bit strong but It is better once you use it in the shower. Application was easy enough. Take a dollop with your fingers and rub between your palms. Scrub in circular motion, concentrating on knees and elbows. The scrub rinses off very well.

The verdict? The consistency is terrific. It is more like a gel than an oil based scrub, making it less greasy and easier to work with. I do find that there was some bigger rock pieces that I could really feel sloughing away those dead skin cells. After use, my skin is soft and glowing. It made shaving much easier to deal with- my legs felt really smooth. I also followed up with a nice moisturizer.

Click here to be directly taken to #PerlierOnHSN to order a jar of Perlier’s Volcanic Thermal Spa Thermal Scrub. Enter iFabbo5 at checkout for $5.00 off your #PerlierOnHSN purchase!

I received this product complimentary from iFabbo. It had no influence on my review. If you are interested in joining iFabbo, click my affiliate link located in the sidebar.

Keep Calm & Primp On! XOXO

Back with Bergamot

Posted on September 15, 2013 by producthoochie

Bergamot (Image from leydenhouse,com

Bergamot is a fragrant citrus fruit that is about the size of an orange but the color of a lemon. They can be found in Calabria, a province of Reggio in southern Italy. You may find the scent of bergamot familiar, especially if you enjoy a cup of Earl Grey tea. The bergamot I am telling you all about isn’t just a confused lemon or orange. Bergamotis one of the latest beauty boxes and delivers three sample sized fragrances to your door every month. I found it on a whim and signed up. I love perfume and enjoy trying different ones. I rarely wear the same scent everyday, though I am loving my current fall fragrance (more on that in another post).

Love at first sight? Ya think?

Here is Bergamot’s philosophy on fragrance shopping: At the perfume counter, we’re bombarded with too many smells and pushy salespeople. Bergamot’s discovery set lets you sample at your own pace, in your home, and as part of your daily routine, so you can truly experience the subtle notes a scent can evoke.

Sounds pretty good, right? I was so excited when I received my first box last week. It was packed up really well in all white with black writing. I loved the minimalist packaging, giving you the idea that the delivery is all about the fragrance, not what it came in. The theme of Collection No. 1 is Love at First Sight. Inside are three sample sprays and scent strips.

I can’t even with the test strips.

The three samples are JASMIN ET CIGARETTE by ETAT LIBRE D’ORANGE, LOVE by MCMC FRAGRANCES, and EVENING EDGED IN GOLD by INEKE. I was happy to see that the brands are a bit obscure (and that MCMC is in Brooklyn, NY! I’m a very proud Brooklynite!). Since I don’t like smelling like everyone else, this gives me more variety! There is also a pamphlet with information about each perfume. I didn’t really even bother reading it until after I tried each sample. With that said, let’s start with Love by MCMC Fragrances.

I wore Love to work one day. On first spritz, it smelled very green and herbal to me. I wasn’t that thrilled about it but as the day went on, it did grow on me. It softened up and smelled a little more woody and smoky. It seems my schnoz was spot on. Check out the description from Bergamot: The first impression is an explosion of … complex Japanese yuzu citrus, crisp French basil and bright magnolia. As time wears on… more subtle notes emerge… a smoky gunpowder tinged with ancient resinous woods…

Though I did enjoy MCMC’s Love, I will not be purchasing it. I don’t have enough of a crush on it but I will finish up the sample.

I then tried JASMIN ET CIGARETTE by ETAT LIBRE D’ORANGE. I sprayed it on and did not like it. At all. I actually regretted spraying it on my wrist without using a scent strip. Bergamot describes this as “sexy and delicious.” I felt like I dipped my skin into an ashtray, Blech. I was upset that I didn’t like it on me either, since the notes are spot on to what I normally love in a perfume: a candy-ish sweet note to complement the jasmine, composed of apricot and tonka bean. The tobacco opens into a blend of woods and musk, giving the scent a hint of toughness. I sniffed myself throughout the day, hoping I would like the dry down but had no luck. I also found it faded pretty fast.

Lastly, I sprayed on EVENING EDGED IN GOLD by INEKE. On first spray, I smell Calvin Klein’s Eternity. I kid you not. There is something very strong and cloying about it. The scent is powdery and floral and very feminine. I personally don’t really care for it. It actually reminds me too much of something my grandmother would wear. I love my grandmother but she loves a strong perfume and it really reminds me of something she has worn. Check out what Bergamot says: the highlight of this fragrance is powdery osmanthus, a rare yellow-blossomed flower from China. Flecked with sweet fruit and cinnamon, the drydown has a soft, leathery quality, making it easy and pleasing to wear. I can’t agree with pleasing to wear. I’m choking.

No winners here this month but if I did want to purchase one the fragrances I sampled, I would do so through Bergamot’s site and get the next month’s sample set for free. I could even gift it if I liked. I checked out the shop anyway and found that there were four more fragrances available that I did not get to sample. The funny thing is that after reading the other fragrance descriptions, they seem to be more my scent style. I do like that I tried a few things that are a bit more out of the box for me.

A six month Bergamot plan is $14 US a month. I purchased the three month plan for $16 US a month. If you want to try one box, it is $18 US. There is no referral code yet but if I do get one, I will let you know!

I do hope I get to try more perfumes from MCMC, Ineke, and ETAT LIBRE D’ORANGE. Though I wasn’t necessarily a fan of what I got this month, that does not mean they don’t have other scents I would adore.

I am trying to get back into some blogging schedule. I am hoping within a few weeks, I am back to posting at least three times a week. Until then…

Keep Calm & Primp On! XOXO

Stuff I Tried This Week- A Day Late

Posted on August 26, 2013 by producthoochie

Maybe a dollar short, too. The last few weeks of summer have been action packed and a bit crazy. I am trying to do maybe two posts a week until it slows down a bit. Why waste anymore time? It is fleeting!

Nuance by Salma Hayek My Secret Super Moisturizing Body Cream: I received this free from Birchbox as a bonus. The last Nuance product I wrote about didn’t impress me but this body cream is pretty good. With shea butter, macadamia seed oil, and honey, it really moisturizes the skin but doesn’t feel greasy. I would say it is pretty thick but not to the point that it won’t spread easily. The cream is also paraben free and allergy tested. I don’t care too much for the fragrance- it smells a bit like rotting flowers (sorry)- but the scent doesn’t make me nauseous or sneeze.

Freeman Facial Polishing Mask Charcoal & Black Sugar: This mask is weird. It is very gritty and looks weird on the skin. Charcoal is very good for purifying skin and black sugar makes a fine exfoliant. You apply it to your face, let it set for 5-7 minutes, and then massage for 1-2 minutes. Rinse it off with warm water and you get… a decent fresh face. I think this makes for a quick face mask that does a decent job of exfoliation.

Cosmetics Reorganization: I have a hard time keeping what I may want to use on a daily basis in an organized manner. I had everything in reused Glossyboxes and containers from the dollar store. I initially bought these plastic drawers for my school stuff but decided they would work well for make-up since they were just sitting around my house.

The bigger drawers have my eye shadows and palettes in them with brushes and eye pencils on top in containers. I also keep some of my daily face stuff on top.

The smaller drawers have face products, like primers, foundations, blush, etc. On top are more beauty tools. We will see how long this lasts.

What did you try this week?

Keep Calm & Primp On! XOXO

You $mell Nice.

Posted on August 14, 2013 by producthoochie

I will admit that I am somewhat of a fragrance snob. I have had a love for perfume ever since I was a little girl. I have amassed quite the collection, too. Most of my fragrances are in the $60+ USD price range with a number of them over $100 USD but I also have body sprays that I use during the warmer weather. It seems like a lot of money to spend but one thing is for certain: I choose wisely. I sniff, I spray, I sometimes walk away and come back if I believe I would enjoy a fragrance, I purchase. Scent plays a large part in our lives. It can transport, help us remember, and turn heads and makes you smell good.

Celine Dion performing “Taking Chances” at Celine Dion ‘Taking Chances Tour’ Concert @ Bell Centre, Montreal, Canada in August, 2008. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

In my last post I mentioned that I purchased two fragrances this week from Walgreens. I paid about $35 USD for both and actually bought them without smelling them. I know! I must be crazy. I happened to come across an article in InStyle Magazine that gave descriptions of over 70 celebrity fragrances (Read the article here).

Shakira Stops By Soundcheck (Photo credit: kindofadraag)

A few caught my eye because with each photo, there was a description of the notes in each bottle. Since Walgreens was having 20% off beauty last week, I thought it a good idea to do a quick look and found they had Celine Dion Signature and Shakira S in stock.

I will begin with Celine Dion Signature. The top note, which catches your attention, but then soon disappears into the heart, is bright and fruity. In fact, I wasn’t sure what to expect at first sniff but I was surprised at how light it smelled. It wasn’t very light but I just didn’t expect a pleasant floral and fruity bouquet. The top notes are mimosa flower, pink lady apples, and guava. The heart, which you probably smell longest in the dry down, are Indian jasmine, rose and magnolia flowers. I have to admit that I didn’t “get” that. It does smell floral but I didn’t catch the rose at all. In fact, the base notes really lingered on me- musk, amberwood and sandalwood. Even with the musk and amberwood, Celine Dion Signature was not heavy and lasted all day- probably because of the musk. I would even say it was a little spicy. I think the $17.50 US that I paid was a decent investment and I will be wearing it quite a bit come fall.

Shakira S was a little harder to like for me. It is described as an “oriental-floral” with a top note of jasmine. I love the scent of jasmine and I guess it would be included in “oriental” scents but I don’t pick that up right away. It actually smells very heavy in the bottle and though I know jasmine can be “heavy”, it also carries a lightness. The heart of the fragrance is sandalwood. I happen to like sandalwood. I know it should smell like wood BUT I always think of citrus when giving sandalwood fragrances a sniff. The base notes are amber, benzoin, and vanilla. The base seems to use very complimentary notes and they do come through more throughout the whole fragrance. Shakira S lasted a long time, too, but not quite as long as Celine Dion Signature. I could smell it faintly at the very end of the evening.

Where would you wear these? Both are definitely day appropriate but I can also see wearing Shakira S for a night out. In terms of “age”, I would say Shakira S might appeal to the younger crowd.

For $35 US, these were worth a try and I have already worn them both a few times. What fragrances do you enjoy? Where do you normally purchase perfume?

Keep Calm & Primp On! XOXO

Stuff I Tried This Week (The Saga Continues)

Posted on August 11, 2013 by producthoochie

And three times is a charm! I have a few things I tried this week that I think you need to know about!

Cutting Tubes

Do you realize how much you waste when you don't cut the bottles?

Do you realize how much you waste when you don’t cut the tubes?

I have cut my tubes before but this week I came to the end of more products. The Aveeno Baby Soothing Relief Moisture Cream is a great buy and is fragrance free. It is an excellent moisturizer and super gentle because it is made for babies! I bought it when I had itchy winter skin on a BOGO and am finishing up my second tube. I cut this tube the other night and there are maybe 3-4 uses left. The Etude House Baking Powder Cleansing Foam Moist was sent with a KollectionK order and I fell in love with it. It gets super foamy and I really feel clean after using it. I bought a full size but by cutting this tube, I will get a few more washes. FYI: I usually put the leftovers in reusable travel jars but I was feeling lazy. I figure for a few days, these should be fine.

Nuance by Salma Hayek Lights, Camera, Action Eye Trio in Bronze/ Gold Shimmer:

Don’t blink or you’ll miss it.

Okay. I got this in an extra FREE Birchbox a few months back and have used it a few times. There is a liquid eye shadow (the bronze product on the left), a white highlighter stick in the middle, and an eye pencil on the right. I recently discovered the eye pencil. It was really wedged in the tube and I finally figured out that it wasn’t only the twist up. Anyhoo, I was disappointed the first few times I used it, especially with the liquid bronze eye shadow. I am still disappointed. Even with a primer, this stuff disappears. Like total David Copperfield. Or Houdini. The eye pencil and white highlighter are okay, though.

Shadow, highlighter, pencil (me in.)

Drugstore Perfume (or eau de toilette): I have enough fragrance to open a store but when I was getting a pedicure last week, I found an article about celebrity perfume. I have a dirty little secret. I wear Usher for Woman. I love Usher as a musician- he is super talented- but, man, his perfume?! My sister, Shazzer, bought me a bottle for Christmas and told me that I was going to be surprised. I wear it. A lot. Back to celebrity fragrance… after reading the article, a few of the fragrance notes caught my eye and I decided I would give them a sniff. Walgreens had 20% off beauty this week and I managed to find Celine Dion Signature and S by Shakira. I won’t get into them now (expect a full review sometime this week) BUT I think you need to check out your local drugstore for fragrances. I also got both for about $35 US.

\ Near… far… my hips don’t lie.

A Sock Bun

I am growing out my hair and am getting bored with it. That usually means that I would chop it all off BUT I am trying not to. The reason: sock buns. I love the way they look and they seem easy to do. I bought a two pack of medium size sock bun makers (?) at 5 Below two weeks ago and used it today. The concept is simple. Put your hair in a ponytail high on your head. Then take the sock bun maker (I really have no idea what to call it. You would think I’d look it up.) and pull your ponytail through it. Tuck the ends around the doughnut looking thing and you have a bun! My hair stayed all day and looked pretty good. The picture is proof- I took it at the end of the day.