reviews

Barista Bath and Body

I have to introduce you to the new Barista Bath and Body, the first full line of natural hair and skin care beauty products to leverage the revitalizing benefits of coffee.

Coffee, along with caffeine – its major ingredient - has the following advantages. It:

• Features a pH balance similar to the human body, meaning that it cleans better than ordinary soap or shampoo (read more here - very interesting)
• acts as a gentle exfoliant
• performs as an effective astringent
• promotes the appearance of smoother-looking skin, especially in cellulite-prone areas

I was just sent a gift set called I'll Take That to Go. And let me tell you, it is a little piece of heaven. It includes The travel kit contains 2oz sizes of perk it up shampoo, soothe those jitters conditioner, triple shot³ body wash, and room for cream lotion. The shampoo and conditioner were lovely. They left my hair smooth and silky, not at all greasy or gunky, and I love that it is safe for color-treated hair. (Last time I colored my hair, I hated the shampoo I had to use. Just. Yuck.) The body wash was so nice. I hate overly perfumed body washes and this had a nice scent without being overpowering. I have very sensitive skin and sometimes have reactions to new bath products, but I didn't have a trace of that with Barista Bath and Body products. They were very gentle.

And the lotion. I LOVE this lotion. Not only do I love the delicate scent, but it is just fabulous on my dried-out skin. It's so light and silky and leaves me moisturized, not greasy. I'm going to cry when my little sample runs out... and then order some more. Feel free to buy me some for my birthday in September. 

You can purchase Barista Bath and Body products on their website: http://www.b3products.com

Disclosure: I was provided with an I'll Take That to Go gift set for review purposes. I was not compensated financially for this review.  As always all opinions are mine.

Aqua Net UpDo

This must be the hottest summer ever in the history of the world. Okay, maybe its not THAT hot, but it has been realllllly hot this summer. And my hair shows it. Yuck. Enter Aqua Net UpDo:  it sets any style and dries soft - not hard and flakey, lasts all day, feels light and doesn’t weight hair down, doesn’t give the “wet look” of other gels and offers a hint of shimmer. 

It works great, both on my hair and my little girls'. Their hair is so soft, it usually just slips out of the ponytail holder or barrette and just ends up a disaster. But adding a touch of Aqua Net UpDo made a huge difference - and they loved the hint of shimmer. (It really is a hint. You won't like like you sneezed in a bucket of glitter, don't worry.)

Aqua Net UpDo has some great tips on how to stay cool and look chic with a summer updo. They’re quick and easy and can easily hide any bad hair day:

• Try a different kind of ponytail! Braid the “tail” part, tease your roots before gathering hair in the elastic, or put a bump a la “Jersey Shore” in your pony!
• Try a braided bun! Create two braids on either side of your hair (starting with the hair above the ears). Take the braids and the rest of your hair and gather into a low, messy bun.
• Try a casual, sexy updo by pulling all the hair to one side of the head and making a low bun. Pull some strands of hair free from the opposite side of the bun and let them hang free.

Aqua Net Updo is availableat supermarkets and drug stores for around $2.99.

Disclosure: I was provided with Aqua Net UpDo for review purposes. I was not compensated financially for this review.  As always all opinions are mine.

Trina cosmetic cases now at Nordstrom

Just a heads up, Ladies, Trina, a line of fashionable cosmetic and travel cases, will be hitting the shelves of Nordstrom at the Anniversary Event and Fall Preview starting July 16th.  To celebrate the debut of Trina in Nordstrom locations across the U.S. all bags will be priced at sale prices for the first two weeks on shelves.

The Trina 2010 Fall/Winter Collection offers a mix of runway inspired prints and modern sophistication.  With high-fashion and practicality in mind, the collection features sleek fabrics that bring elements of playfulness with jewel toned shades and chic gold detailing.  Inspired by the fashion industry’s hottest looks with colors and fabrics sourced from the same fabric mills, each bag in the Trina Collection allows you to translate the latest couture trends into your daily wardrobe, travels, and lifestyle. 

The Anniversary Sale is only from July 16-August 1 so don't wait!

brighten your smile with REMBRANDT

I confess that I've tried at-home teeth whitening products before, with slight success, but nothing really spectacular. I've used those strips that start with a "C" and end in "est" along with store brands. They made a difference, but nothing major.  I had a lot of tooth and gum sensitivity with the store brand. And you all know how I love my coffee, red wine and Coke Zero. So when I needed a touch- up, I was so excited to give Rembrandt 2 Hour Whitening Kit a try!

It was super easy to use. I loved how the trays formed to fit your teeth to give you great results - and that they covered more than just your six front teeth. They hit your whole smile! The trays were not uncomfortable at all. My teeth look great - my husband even noticed as soon as he got home! As a busy mom of three, I appreciate that Rembrandt has developed a system that works in two hours - not two days, not two weeks. And I didn't have much tooth sensitivity after - which I've had with other teeth whitening systems. I feel it gave me better results than any other at-home teeth whitening product I've tried thus far. I'm planning on picking up some Rembrandt Intense Stain Toothpaste so I can keep drinking my beloved coffee without messing up my new whiter teeth!

Disclosure: Rembrandt provided me with a 2-Hour Whitening Kit to review. I was not compensated financially for this post.

bath and body works sale!

I LOVE Bath and Body Works Antibacterial Foaming Soap. Even before H1N1 and such, I was a loyal user.  If you came to my house and visited all three of our bathrooms and my kitchen, you would see one on every sink. Its one of the only antibacterial soaps that doesn't leave my skin super dry. And the foaming soap is perfect for my little ones!

My two very,very favorite scents are Japanese Cherry Blossom and Midnight Pomegranate. But my kids bathroom has Sweet Pea in it, because its pink. And you know how my girls are about pink! Its one of those little, tiny indulgences that makes me smile!

Right now, Bath and Body Works is having a sale! All their antibacterial soaps are 3 for $10!! And 4-packs are only $12! Small pocket hand sanitizers are only $1!!! Go forth and stock up!! These make great stocking stuffers and teacher gifts as well!

Disclaimer: I'm just posting this because I love this product. No compensation was received.

fresh minerals

A few weeks ago, I was contacted by freshMinerals, a mineral makeup line that offers great products at a a great price. I've been using mineral foundation for awhile now, but I've never used any mineral makeup beyond that.They sent me the SlyEye Collection and a Luxury lipstick to try out.

What they say:

• Mineral make-up is the most simple and natural product you can put on your skin.
• The ingredients in mineral make-up allow the skin to breathe and doesn’t block or clog the skins pores.
• Mineral make-up offers protection from UVA light and protects the skin from environmental pollutants.
• Their products are water resistant, so they won’t come off with perspiration. freshMinerals make-up lasts all day with no need to re-apply.

What I say:
I applied the black super volume mascara and black pencil liner makeup that first morning and went about my crazy busy day. My husband came home that night and asked me if I was going out.
"What? Why?"
"Your makeup!"
My eye makeup actually stayed on all day long and that was so odd that my husband noticed and mentioned it. I've never found mascara that stayed on like that - this is big, people. The Luxury lipstick wouldn't budge either. Incredible.
What has sold me on freshMinerals - besides how long they last - is their prices. The SlyEye Kit is only $12. If you went to Target and picked up a mascara, an eyeliner and a liquid eyeliner - not even mineral versions - it would cost you more than that. Why wouldn't you get for a higher quality version from freshMinerals?

disclosure: as stated above, i received a sly eye kit and luxury lipstick to review. i was not compensated financially for this review.

loving this week

International Delight Coffeehouse Inspirations: These are so so yummy! I bought the vanilla latte and white chocolate mocha versions. Iam hooked on the white chocolate mocha, but the vanilla latte is great as well. Ramp up your afternoon coffee into a true treat!

 Sonia Kaskuk Percision Slant Tweezers: Best. Tweezers. Ever. And for only $12.99, they're a bargain.

goody hair brushes

We have three girls in our household - all with  long hair - so when the good folks at Goody gave me these brushes to try out, we were totally game!

Styling Therapy Brush - reduce+dandruff
they say: Infused with copper, a natural fungicide, ball-tipped bristles nestled in a cushion pad gently massage your scalp and hair while reducing excessive oil and dandruff.

i say: I haven't noticed a great difference in my daughter's hair, but her dandruff is not a big problem in the summer (probably due to the pool chlorine burning it off). She has horrific tangles, with all that curly hair that reaches her waist. 
This is her favorite brush. She claims that it doesn't hurt as much as the other brushes we have. So if you have tangely hair in your family, give it a try!

Styling Therapy Brush add+shine oval
they say: Round out your shine routine with our add+shine oval brush. Infused with jojoba oil to condition and hydrate by locking in moisture.

i say: Its okay. Its a bit light and flimsy, so it doesn't do a great job on really touch tangles. And you can't use it with a hair dryer because it will melt. Frankly, I haven't found it very useful with our hair situations in our house.

Ouchless Purse Brush
they say: Ouchless brushes are the ultimate in Snagless Styling. The Ouchless Purse Brush is a smaller sized brush that is perfect for travel or on-the-go styling.

i say: Love it. LOVE IT. Small, but strong enough to get through my daughter's crazy hair. Mine is in our gym bag we bring to the pool and I use it all the time to detangle the girls' wet hair. Fantastic.