Vaseline Intensive care advanced repair review - Influenster VoxBox

Hello beauty lovers,

A while ago Influenster sent me a bottle of Vaseline intensive care advanced repair cream for testing purposes. Here is what I received in my Vaseline VoxBox.

There was a 5-day hydration test card in the box to see how this Vaseline cream can hydrate my skin in 5 days. I first performed the "Before" test by following the instructions on the card. My skin test came out "Dry Skin" as expected. Below is the patch test result.

I applied the cream once a day after shower for 5 days in a row. I did not feel the need to reapply during the day since the hydration was enough for the full 24-hours. 

At first the cream felt really sticky on my skin for 5-6 hours after the application. But then, I got used to the feeling and it did not bother me that much. I found out that it's best to apply the cream right before sleep, so that this sticky feeling won't be a problem.

Here is how my skin condition is improved after just 5 days. You can see that my skin test came out "Normal skin". 

This product retails for $3.99 and you can find it at any drugstore or grocery store (like Walgreens, Shop Rite, CVS, etc.) or online (www.drugstore.com). You can find more information on this product by visiting the official page here.

For me, the only downside of this product is that it is formulated with Parabens which are considered to be one of the possible causes of female breast cancer based on the experimental analysis done on various breast cancer tissues. Because of this reason, I did not apply the cream on my underarms and chest area. I felt safer this way since most of the research showed that these areas are where Paraben is absorbed. But this is just what I do. You might feel safe with Paraben and it may not be a concern for you since FDA did not make an official announcement yet.

I would be more than happy if Vaseline can reformulate this product using different antibacterials rather than Parabens and be willing to pay more (maybe up to $6.99) for the same amount. I really like how it hydrates my dry skin. I especially need such potent products for the upcoming dry winter months.

You can find more information on how Influenster works by visiting their website at www.influenster.com

Disclaimer: This product was given to me by Influenster, free of charge, for testing purposes.

Creme de Corps (Kiehl's)

Hello beauty lovers,

In this post, I am reviewing Kiehl's Creme de Corps body moisturizer. This lotion is lightweight yet superbly moisturizing. It is absorbed quickly and makes my skin so soft and smooth. It provides very good amount of moisture to my dry skin even in the cold and dry winter months. It never leaves any sticky/greasy feeling on my skin, which is my favorite feature. This 250 mL bottle will go a long way even it is used everyday since you don't need to use a lot of product to get the desired coverage. This body lotion is also scentless and anti-allergenic, so it's safe for people with sensitivities. 

I highly recommend this body lotion to everybody, it will be good for all skin types and for both men and women.

You can find Kiehl's Creme de Corps body moisturizer in high end retail stores (like Macy's, etc.) and cosmetics stores (like Sephora) as well as www.kiehls.com for MSRP $11.00

For more information you can check the official product page here.

Disclaimer: I am not paid for this review. All opinions in this review and all of the other reviews in this blog are my own.

My October 2014 Birchbox

Hello beauty lovers,

My October Birchbox is shipped out on October 1 and arrived on October 7.

I received samples of:
* Beauty Protector Protect & Detangle
* ModelCo Party Proof Lipstick
* dr. brandt® Exclusive Clean Up Nice Kit
* Balance Me Wonder Eye Cream
* Coastal Scents® Revealed 2 Palette Set

I am quite happy with my October 2014 box. Luckily, I did not receive any foil samples this month. I received one hair mist which smells great, one lipstick sample in a nice neutral pinkish shade that I can use everyday, an effective anti-blemish mask, an eye cream sample with 99% natural ingredients, and an eye shadow sample quad. This box definitely worths the 10 bucks I paid.

Beauty Protector Protect & Detangle hair mist sample is a good sized pump bottle. I received it in a mystery pack in August and I loved it, so I was happy to receive it in my October box. It has a beautiful floral-fruity scent which I like very much. It's a bit tricky to get the product out for the first time, you need to keep pumping for 10-15 times until you get some mist out. So, don't quit :) I mist it on my damp hair right after applying my Organix Moroccan Argan oil as usual. I use 4-5 sprays and it makes my hair less frizzy. I do not regularly use heat treatment so I cannot comment on the protection aspect. It is a good product but nothing miraculous. I may order the full size for the sake of its smell after I finish my hair products.

ModelCo Party Proof Lipstick sample is almost full size ('m not sure, maybe it is full size). I received it in the shade "Kitty" which is a beautiful pinkish nude that I can use practically to everywhere (yes, including the gym ;) ). It smells delicious and is easy to apply. It does not cake on my lips or look patchy at all. It feels soft and looks balmy-matte. It is not a long-lasting lipstick hence it requires rather frequent reapplications. I noticed that it goes down a bit faster than my other regular lipsticks, I think this is because of its creamy texture. I may order the full size after I finish my current nude lipsticks.

Dr. brandt® pores no more® vacuum cleaner is a 1 oz sample which is a good size. I think this sample will be good for at least 10-15 uses if you apply it to your entire face. I always liked dr. brandt products and use them regularly. Luckily, I haven't tried this specific product, so I was happy to receive a sample. I do not apply it to my entire face as directed, instead I apply on my concern areas (like on my zits, pores on my nose and cheeks, etc.) to save the product. It feels fresh and tingly, it has either eucalyptus or mint in its formula. It works really good to dry new pimples. I will probably order the full size when I finish the sample.  

Balance Me Wonder Eye Cream is also a 1 oz sample which is again a good size. For me the highlight of this product is that it has 99% natural ingredients. It was supposed to brighten my under eyes circles but I did not see such effect on the few times I used it. Maybe it requires a longer period of use before seeing any effects, I don't know. The scent was nice and the application was easy. I may not purchase the full size of this product since I did not see any immediate effects.

Coastal Scents® Revealed 2 Palette Set sample is a quad with earth tones (2 matte and 2 shimmer). I like the shimmer ones, but cannot say the same thing for the dark brown matte. In general, it is really difficult to blend these shadows and this patchy look was more visible with the dark brown. I couldn't get the ombre look which I usually do with 2-3 tones of beige/brown. I will definitely not purchase the full size of this product, but I am glad I received this sample before investing $34.00 into the actual palette.

For those of you who are not familiar with Birchbox yet: It is a monthly cosmetics&skin care subscription service that costs $10/month (including shipping). They usually send 4-5 deluxe samples (and sometimes regular foil ones :/ ) of usually new and trendy brands.

For more information you can check the official page here.

Disclaimer: I am not paid for this review. All opinions in this review and all of the other review in this blog are my own.

Pureté Thermale soothing cleansing milk (Vichy)

Hello beauty lovers,

In this post, I am reviewing Vichy's Pureté Thermale soothing cleansing milk. This facial cleansing is super gentle and does not cause any irritation or breakouts on skin. Small amount of milk applied on a cotton pad will be enough to gently wipe off the facial make-up. It can easily take waterproof mascara and eyeliner off without making eyelashes fall. It leaves my skin so soft and moisturizes in a way. This 200 ml bottle will go a long way even it is used everyday. One important feature of this product is that it is PARABEN FREE ;) And also, like other Vichy products, it is allergy-tested and suitable for sensitive skin. It has a pleasant creamy scent which feels very natural.

I highly recommend this cleansing milk to everybody, especially with dry-sensitive skin. People with oily skin can also use this product very comfortably during cold and dry winter nights.

You can find Vichy's Pureté Thermale soothing cleansing milk in retail stores and pharmacies (like Drugstore.com) as well as www.vichyusa.com for MSRP $18.00

For more information you can check the official product page here.

Disclaimer: I am not paid for this review. All opinions in this review and all of the other reviews in this blog are my own.

My September 2014 Birchbox

Hello beauty lovers,

My September Birchbox is shipped out on September 10 and arrived on September 16. 

I received samples of:
* Atelier Cologne Vanille Insensée Cologne Absolue* TOCCA Crema da Mano Luxe - Hand Cream* R+Co BEL AIR Smoothing Shampoo* R+Co BEL AIR Smoothing Conditioner* Harvey Prince Ageless Liquid Loofah * Shiseido Ultimune Power Infusing Concentrate* Pixi by Petra Breath of Fresh Air Lip Balm

After being disappointed by my last two boxes (July and August 2014), my September box came like a breeze. I love almost all of the items in my box and I am very happy to receive such a fantastic ensemble. I selected the Shiseido Ultimune serum which came in a very good size for a sample. The shampoo-conditioner samples were foil (single use) but they put two foil per item so the total shampoo-conditioner set is good for two uses. The lip balm is full size. Tocca hand cream sample size is very good too. Prince Harvey shower gel sample was also in a tube of 15 mL which is okay.  I still don't know why do I still receive shampoo-conditioner samples although I especially told in my profile that I do not want to receive any hair products. But that's okay this month since the Shiseido, Tocca, and Pixi items made me very happy. This box definitely worth the 10 bucks I paid and  a bit more :)

Atelier Cologne Vanille Insensée Cologne Absolue sample was a small tube (the regular perfume sample container), like all other samples of the brand this one also came with a sleek postcard. I do not like to receive fragrance samples since I am very conservative with my perfumes and I wouldn't change them frequently or based on a sample. I put this in my profile, but I guess they have to send some from time to time which is okay as long as I receive them less than 4-5 times a year. The scent was not my style. The vanilla tone is not over-powering (so, you don't have to worry about smelling like a cupcake :) ) but something makes it strong in a way that is not appealing to me. When I tired on the back of my hand it stayed for a long time, I guess the effect will be stronger when applied on pulse points.

Tocca Crema da Mano Luxe is a very good hand cream. The one I received is Bianca and it has green tea - lemon scent. Small amount of product is enough for both hands. It does not feel greasy at all, so I was able to open a bottle right after putting it on ;) The sample size is very generous and the packaging is stylish. It immediately became my new purse staple hand cream.

 

R+Co BEL AIR Smoothing Shampoo is an average quality shampoo which did not do anything special to my hair that my current shampoo didn't (my current shampoo is

Matrix Biolage Volumbloom Shampoo). It lathers well and creates good amount of bubbles but it does not have any Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLS) in the ingredients which is great news. The foaming agent used is Disodium Laureth Sulfosuccinate which is much gentler than SLS and it is sulfate free. People with sensitive skin can also use this shampoo since DLS is not a skin irritant like SLS. This shampoo also smells nice and the scent is not the strong-overpowering kind which is good.

 

R+Co BEL AIR Smoothing Conditioner is an average quality conditioner which did not do anything special to my hair that my current conditioner didn't (my current conditioner is

Matrix Biolage Volumbloom Conditioner). It is a gentle conditioner and the scent is similar to that of the shampoo.

 

Harvey Prince Ageless Liquid Loofah came in a standard Harvey Prince 15 mL sample tube. It has a very fresh, fruity scent that I like a lot. It did not lather well and dried my skin a little bit. Maybe it is better on normal-to-oily skin types but it didn't agree with my dry skin.

I selected Shiseido Ultimune Power Infusing Concentrate in late August. I tried a foil sample of it a while ago and liked it a lot. I thought it would be nice to receive it in a bigger sample. The 1.5 mL foil was good for 3 days (am and pm). I'm sure this 10 mL sample bottle I received will be good for a month. I liked all of the Shiseido products I used/sampled so far and this serum was not an exception to the rule. Shiseido always make high-quality products. 

Pixi by Petra Breath of Fresh Air Lip Balm came in Honey Nectar which is a nice, neutral shade that I like a lot. The sample is actually a 4 grams full size product. I like how it glides on smoothly and does not leave any marks or lines on my lips. I usually have dry lips and this balm hydrates them well. I like how it smells too. If you remember from my last Birchbox post, I am very sensitive to scents of lip products. Luckily, this lip balm has a faint fruity-floral scent which is very pleasant. The only negative thing I noticed is that the hydration fades quickly, so I have to reapply it frequently even if I don't eat or drink. Other than that it's great. It immediately became my second new purse staple after the Tocca hand cream.

The September box is a pleasant surprise for me. After two disappointing months, Birchbox made me very happy this month :) Since I received 7 samples, I was able to get $7 back through sample reviews which made my September box cost only $3. Of course, I immediately used my points to get dr. brandt® Exclusive Camera-Ready Kit which I have been eying for some time. I will review it soon in another post ;)

For those of you who are not familiar with Birchbox yet: It is a monthly cosmetics&skin care subscription service that costs $10/month (including shipping). They usually send 4-5 deluxe samples (and sometimes regular foil ones :/ ) of usually new and trendy brands.

For more information you can check the official page here.

Disclaimer: I am not paid for this review. All opinions in this review and all of the other review in this blog are my own.

Elixir Ultime Oléo Complexe (Kérastase)

Hello beauty lovers,

In this post, I am reviewing Kérastase's Elixir Ultime Oléo Complexe hair oil. This dry oil is very lightweight and does not leave hair greasy or weigh it down. It is absorbed quickly and makes my hair so soft and shiny. It provides very good amount of split end protection and tames the wild winter frizz. Small amount on your fingertips will be enough for the ends and roots. This 125 mL bottle will go a long way even it is used everyday. This hair oil also provides moderate heat protection and enriches hair. The scent is also pleasant.

I highly recommend this hair oil to everybody, it will be good for all hair types except for very oily hair and for both men and women.

You can find Kérastase Elixir Ultime Oléo Complexe hair oil in high end retail stores (like Nordstrom, Macy's, etc.) and cosmetics stores (like Sephora) as well as www.kerastase-usa.com for MSRP $56.00

For more information you can check the official product page here.

Disclaimer: I am not paid for this review. All opinions in this review and all of the other reviews in this blog are my own.

Bienfait UV 50+ Superfluid Facial Sunscreen (Lancome)

Hello beauty lovers,

In this post, I am reviewing Lancome's Bienfait UV 50+ super fluid facial sunscreen with SPF 50+. This liquid is very lightweight and not greasy at all. It is absorbed quickly and afterwards I don't even notice it's on. It provides very good amount of protection from UVA and UVB rays. This 50 mL bottle will go a long way even it is used several times a day on the entire face and neck area. Since this is not a moisturizer it should be worn over your daily moisturizer. You can apply your powder on top of the sunscreen. I never have any residue when I use this product. Another nice thing about this product is that it's almost scentless, which is not very common for sunscreens.

I highly recommend this sunscreen fluid to everybody, it will be good for all skin types and for both men and women.

You can find Lancome Bienfait UV 50+ super fluid facial sunscreen with SPF 50+ in high end retail stores (like Nordstrom, Macy's, etc.) and cosmetics stores (like Sephora) as well as www.lancome.com for MSRP $46.00

For more information you can check the official product page here.

Disclaimer: I am not paid for this review. All opinions in this review and all of the other reviews in this blog are my own.