Yummers: Quaker Soft Baked Banana Nut Bar

I received the Quaker Soft Baked Banana Nut Bar complimentary for testing and review purposes from Influenster in my Summer VoxBox. in my house we always have a fair amount of snack foods like cheese and crackers and granola bars for my two year old - well, to be honest, for me and my husband too! When I received these my first thought was how yummy and convenient they looked. Then I saw that they can be warmed in the microwave and I was even more intrigued. I was going grocery shopping that morning so I ate it in the car on the way (never grocery shop on an empty tummy!) While there I bought two more boxes and have bought them with every grocery shop since. They are much healthier than the pop tarts my hubby would normally eat and I love the taste. They're good for just before or after the gym or anytime. As a stay at home mom and grad student, I need some convenience in my life, and now I can feel good about it too.
This is what they look like:


And here's the nutritional information:


Happy snack primping!

*Disclaimer: This product was sent to me for review purposes through the Influenster program; however, this is my honest opinion about the product reviewed. 

Nail of the Day: Sally Hansen Magnetic Nail Color

I was so excited to receive Sally Hansen Magnetic Nail Color complimentary to test through Influenster’s VoxBox program. I have tried magnetic polishes in the past and been kind of underwhelmed. Along with being expensive and some requiring the purchase of extra magnets, they just did not have the visible results I really wanted. Enter Sally Hansen Magnetic Nail Color! These are beautiful. The color is vibrant and opaque before you apply the magnet, and then the magnetic results are awesome.



I really like how the magnet is in the cap and that the cap is in two parts so the polish isn't left open while you use the magnet. I've already purchased the grey color and found the results to be just as amazing.

Happy Magnetic Primping!

*Disclaimer: This product was sent to me for review purposes through the Influenster program; however, this is my honest opinion about the product reviewed. 

Hawaiian Tropic Silk Hydration Lotion Sunscreen

I received this sunscreen through Influenster for testing. I absolutely love it. I am very fair and burn easily. I prefer to keep my fair skin fair, so sunscreen is a must. Earlier in the season I tried a store brand sunscreen in SPF 100 and burned red as a lobster, so I was using some very strong (an expensive) sunscreen when I received this in the VoxBox. When I first tested it, I was impressed by the smell right off the bat. I generally hate the smell of sunscreen and am envious of my very dark complected friend who uses tanning oil that smells so tropical! This stuff smelled great, more of that tropical scent I was envious of than any other sunscreen I've tried. It protected the same at SPF 30 as the SPF 75 I had been using. I was also impressed how at the end of the day my skin felt more moisturized, when other sunscreens and days in the water left my skin feeling dried out. since using the tester, I've already purchased and used half a full sized bottle.



Happy Fun in the Sun Primping!

*Disclaimer: This product was sent to me for review purposes through the Influenster program; however, this is my honest opinion about the product reviewed. 

CLEAR SCALP & HAIR BEAUTY THERAPY

I received the CLEAR SCALP & HAIR BEAUTY THERAPY™ complimentary for testing and review purposes from Influenster. I know you've seen the commercial where spokesmodel Heidi Klum, in her beautiful accent proclaims that healthy hair starts at the root. It promises stronger, healthier hair in 7 days. I just started using this, but I'm really enjoying how clean and light my hair feels after washing. I feel like it is really clarifying and has gotten rid of all the residue from my last shampoo and styling products. One of the best things about this product is the price. This nice refreshing shampoo is only $4.98 for a 12.9 oz bottle. I don't think shampoo has to cost a lot of money. If it gets your hair clean and isn't too harsh, I find it hard to pay for something I'm washing down the drain. So I'm really happy with the quality and price of this product and will definitely be repurchasing after my samples are gone.


Happy Clear Scalp and Hair Primping!

*Disclaimer: This product was sent to me for review purposes through the Influenster program; however, this is my honest opinion about the product reviewed. 

Always & Tampax Always Radiant Collection

I received this adorable little pouch from Always and Tampax in my summer VoxBox. The Always & Tampax Radiant Collection was sent for testing consideration. I really liked the reusable wrapper, for easy sanitary disposal, especially when in public and there is no stall trash bin. As always, I know I can rely on Always and Tampax for confidence that I won't have any embarrassing spots!
I'm impressed with this product and I will continue to rely on Always and Tampax for all my femcare needs!




Happy and Confident Primping!

*Disclaimer: This product was sent to me for review purposes through the Influenster program; however, this is my honest opinion about the product reviewed. 

Sally Hansen Nails and Cuticles Hand Creme

I received this hand creme through the Influenster Vox Box program! I could rave on and on about the Influenster program and how great it is to get to try now products, but I'll get right into the review. I received this Sally Hansen Nails and Cuticles Hand Creme just at the right time, as I've been experimenting with new nail polishes and the process has started to take its toll on my hands and cuticles. This hand creme is thick, but it too thick and has a pleasant slightly citrus scent. It absorbs quickly and leaves no slick residue behind. I've already purchased a full size tube and keep this one in my handbag!

*Disclaimer: This product was sent to me for review purposes through the Influenster program; however, this is my honest opinion about the product reviewed. 

Review: Revlon Colorstay Whipped Creme Foundation

I love original Revlon Colorstay for it resilience in the hot summer, but hate that it is often difficult to work with, so I was intrigued by this new formulation. It claims to have a mousse-like consistency that should feel light on the skin, while offering a time release formula and flexible wear for an all-day flawless look. It promises to do so without flaking or feeling heavy. My hope for Colorstay Whipped was that it would be easier to work with but offer great staying power. Colorstay Whipped wins on both fronts! It's easy to apply, doesn't set far as fast as Original Colorstay, offers a matte finish, and stays all day! It also offers a lighter coverage, you'll see you can still see my freckles in the picture below, so it looks more natural than Original Colorstay. I'm in love with the foundation. Out of habit, I did powder my nose and chin, but didn't notice any breakthrough oiliness throughout the day. So here it is, Revlon Colorstay Whipped in 220 Nude before and after. (I'm not sure why I look surprised in before picture!)


Happy longlasting, light, natural primping!

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Smackdown! Drugstore BB Cream

With the popularity of BB Creams, several drugstore brands have out out their version of BB Creams, and I've ended up with a lot of them. Having tried a couple Asian BB Creams, the first advantage American Drug Store BB's have is the color range. Asian BB's generally come in one color that's usually and light ashy type color. Without further ado, the American Drugstore BB Cream lineup:
Garnier Skin Renew Miracle Skin Perfector B.B. Cream


About $13.00 at Ulta
Pros:
SPF 15
Decent coverage
Cons:
Heavy and a little oily, must use powder
2 color options, light/medium and medium/deep
Light/Medium wasn't light enough for my fair skin
Heavy scent that a lot of Garnier products have, which I dislike


Maybelline Dream Fresh BB 8 in 1 Beauty Balm Skin Perfector


About $9.00 at Ulta
Pros:
SPF 20
Lightweight
Good coverage
Wide color range - 5 shades total
Cons:
Dewy finish, so if you tend to be oily, you'll need to powder

L'Oreal Studio Secrets Magic Skin Beautifier B.B. Cream


About $10.99 at Ulta
Pros:
Good color range - 4 shades
Self adjusting color
Lightweight
Slightly dewy, minimal powder needed
Cons:
No SPF
Feels a little gritty at first application.

In my opinion the winner is...the Maybelline Dream Fresh BB 8 in 1 Beauty Balm Skin Perfector! It had the best price, color selection, and consistency!
Just for those of you who are curious, the first runner up would be the L'Oreal and in last place the Garnier for its heavy consistency and strong smell.

Happy BB Primping!

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Swatchfest 4: L'Oreal Color Caresse

I'm not sure what attracted me to these, but I'm glad I picked them up. These ate e new L'Oreal Color Caresse colors. This line promises a lightweight feel that's never heavy or sticky, and they deliver. These beautiful lightweight, creamy colors are beautiful and feel like heaven on the lip. The wear time is average for something this creamy and not sticky, which is a couple hours without eating or drinking.


The colors I have are, from left to right, 181 Sheer Linen - a beautiful creamy nude, 172 Blushing Sequin - sheer bright pink, and 174 Rose Taffeta - a creamy dusty rose. There maybe more of these in my future...and by maybe I mean there will be!

Happy lightweight primping!

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Swatchfest 3: Maybelline Luminous Lights

This is a really pretty quad from Maybelline, from their Luminous Light Collection. It's called 80Q Gold Lights, and it's really pretty for daytime, and could work for night, if you added a dark brown.



The colors are as follows:
1. yellow-toned ivory that says base
2. buttery yellow that says lid
3. light coppery brown that says crease
and lastly 4. a to die for rose gold color that says liner

I'll likely wear this for day with the 2 on the inner third of the lid and either the 3 or 4 on the outer two-thirds of the lid and up into the crease. Then add the 1 as a highlight under the brow and in the inner corner and a brown smudgey liner. Then for night I'll add a dark, likely matte brown to the outer V right now I like Maybelline Stylish Smokes in Made for Mocha. I only paid $4.97 at Walmart, but I've heard places having them as high as $8 - so price check!

Happy Golden Primping!

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Swatchfest 2: Revlon Balm Stains

I've been meaning to swatch these for a while, but just hadn't gotten to it, so without further ado, Revlon Just Bitten Balm Stain. These have been my go to lip color and I somehow acquired half the line! My favorite is Honey, which stays in my purse. All have excellent payoff and the darker the color the longer the stain lasts, but they are all really hydrating and super comfortable.


From left to right:
Charm: Very light peachy beige
Honey: My favorite "My lips, but better shade" pinky nude
Rendezvous: orange, not as scary as it sounds, but probably my least worn
Sweetheart: light hot pink
Lovesick: Blue toned hot pink (the one Emma Stone is wearing in the ad)
Romantic: Cherry Red (my go-to red right now, even good for daytime!)
Crush: Dark velvety Red
So, if you couldn't tell, I'm in love with these and highly recommend most of them, but if I could only pick two, it'd be Honey and Romantic!

Happy Revlon Primping!

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Swatchfest 1: Bare Minerals Plum Brûlée

Picked this little beauty up at Ulta while looking for a birthday present. I liked the color called Black Currant, but when I looked for it in the bin, they were out, so I picked this one as a second choice. However, when I looked in the bin for this one, there was Black Currant, so I ended up with two, one for the gift and one for me. I kept this one called Plum Brûlée, which is a pinkish plum with gold shimmer. Absolutely beautiful, but I may be going back for another Black Current too! ;) I'm really pleased with the color payoff, the softness of the lipstick and the color last pretty well, too.


I think the packaging looks pretty sleek as well, so I included it in my pics!

Happy Plum Primping!

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Neutrogena Shine Control

It Texas, it's hot and I end up super shiny with makeup melting off my face!
Enter Neutrogena Shine Control Primer and Foundation. The day I used this the temp was about 104 and I had no problem with melting or shine. I also used the shine control powder around my T-zone, which helped!


Top left: just out of shower, just moisturizer and my turbie towel, Top right: Neutrogena Shine Control Foundation in #40 Nude and Primer, Bottom left: Primer and Foundation, Bottom right: full makeup and hair.

Happy shine free primping!

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Beautiful Color and a Dupe!

I'm in love with this color that I picked up for two reasons:
1) We're going to see The Amazing Spiderman this weekend
2) It's being called a dupe for a super expensive Chanel polish

From what I've seen online, it is very much like Chanel Peridot, and more importantly is BEAUTIFUL! So, without further ado, here is OPI Just Spotted the Lizard!



As you can see this polish is unique and gorgeous, so his could I not share!

Happy super hero primping!

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