Unboxing: Bona Clara Skincare

Hi everyone! Today I have some skincare items to share with you all. I have been given the opportunity to try some items from a new brand called Bona Clara. Here's a little bit of information from the brand:

There’s a new age-based social selling beauty brand that I’m working with called Bona Clara.

Bona Clara was developed by MIT grad & ingredient expert, Jasmina Aganovic, who started her first line, Stages of Beauty, a couple of years ago.  

Bona Clara consists of four lines specifically formulated to address the biological skin changes taking place in our 20s, 30s, 40s, and 50s+ (this is the only thing that is the same as Stages). Jasmina started fresh with all new formulations, more product offerings and a new direct-selling business model empowering women to become Brand Reps (over 1,200 women have already signed on).  Keep in mind that the general public is still able to purchase products directly on www.bonaclara.com.

The packaging is colorful and the products – ranging from scrubs to treatment creams to dual-phase, antioxidant-rich eye makeup removers contain ingredients like Boldo Leaf extract, strawberry oil, African Red Tea, Summer Snowflake Bulb extract, etc.

I just received my package recently and here's what it looked like upon arrival:

How beautiful is this packaging? It's also beautifully packaged on the inside too.  My package contained information on the products, the 20s Scrub, the 20s toner and the Hello Sunshine! Universal  Fluid SPF 29!. 

The 20s scrub claims to: " lift away dead cells and help repair and protect more youthful cells, revealing a smoother, softer complexion and more even skin tone. Increases the skin’s ability to retain moisture, preserves elasticity, and tones, lightens, and tightens skin."  Key Ingredients Include: Monk’s Pepper Berry Extract, Sugar & Fruit Extracts, Bamboo Micro-Granules, Pomegranate Seeds, Swiss Cress Extract, Licorice & Mulberry Root Extracts.

The 20s toner claims to  "balance the skin’s pH after cleansing, help moisturizers to absorb better, soothe the skin, and refresh the skin."  Key Ingredients include: Peppermint Extract, Witch Hazel Extract, Carrot Extract, Red Algae Extract, and African Red Tea Extract. 

The Hello Sunshine! Universal Fluid SPF 29 is oil free and fragrance free and does not contain  parabens, sufates, petrochemicals, GMOs, pthalates, synthetic dyes or  DEA/MEA.

 

I haven't had a chance to use the products yet but stay tuned for a full review. I like to use skincare for at least a month before opining, that way I can give you an accurate description of the products and make sure they are compatible with my skin. This line is quite pricey so I want to make sure it's worth the money before recommending. For now, have a look at that fantastic packaging, browse their website to see if it intrigues you and sit tight for more info on these products soon!  

Thanks for stopping by! I hope you all have a wonderful weekend! 

Disclosure: This product was provided by PR for review purposes. All reviews are 100% honest and done at my discretion. For more information please see my Disclosure Policy. 

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Influenster Cosmo Voxbox 2012

Hi everyone! Today I want to share the contents of my very first Influenster Cosmo  Vox Box. If you haven't heard of Influenster and are big into social media, I suggest you go learn more about it here. It's free to sign up and fun to participate in. Everyone seems to have an equal opportunity to be selected for a box if they get involved in unlocking badges and writing reviews on the site. I think it's pretty cool. I was really excited when I got the email from Influenster that I was getting the Cosmo Voxbox 2012. I couldn't wait to see what arrived. I love surprises, especially free ones! 

So here's a peek inside my Influenster Cosmo Vox Box:

The box comes with a card describing the contents so that if you like what you test you know where to find it and how much it will cost. This is what was inside this season's box:

Inside were two FriXion Pilot Pens, one sample of Forever Red from Bath and Body Works, one bar of Ghirardelli Milk Chocolate in Sea Salt Escape and one Venus Embrace with corresponding Venus & Olay Razor. 

Of course I had to dig into the chocolate straight away. I have a major sweet tooth and tell me there's sea salt involved and I am all over it.  This bar is really tasty. I am more of a dark chocolate lover myself but a good old milk chocolate hits the spot when I am craving something really sweet.  I love sea salt and chocolate so this was a nice match, but I will be honest and say I do wish there was a touch more sea salt. I am used to sea salt/chocolate/caramel and the sea salt is typically more prominent; this has just a touch to bring out the flavor. It's nice if you like subtle. Overall who can say no to chocolate. Thumbs up from me. 

So far I have also tried the Forever Red Eau de Parfum which is really pretty and fruity. Bath and Body Works describes it as: 

Our most luxurious longest lasting fragrance blends opulent notes of fiery red pomegranate and delicate peche de vigne, a rare and fleeting French peach. Soft petals of red osmanthus give way to notes of addictive velvety marshmallow and a surprising finale of rich vanilla rum that leaves an unforgettable impression.

• Top Notes: Fiery Pomegranate, Rare French Peach, Luminous Apple

• Mid Notes: Red Peony, Night Marigold, Red Osmanthus

• Dry Notes: Rich Vanilla Rum, Velvety Marshmallow, Oak Wood

I get a lot of the fruit notes. It does have a nice mellow dry down so I think that is where the marshmallow, vanilla rum and oak wood comes in. It's quite a nice scent. I dig it.

It was really fun getting this Influenster Cosmo Vox Box in the mail.  I didn't know what was going to be inside so when I got it it was so fun to open. I encourage you to check Influenster out! It's open to everyone and we all seem to have equal shots of getting picked for a box of some kind. If you love trying new things and telling everyone on the internet about what you tried you'll love this! Have fun! Let me know if you ever get a box! 

Have you entered my giveaway!? This is the last week to enter. Good luck! 

Disclosure: Influenster is a free service anyone can use. I did not get special preferences because I am a blogger. I am just a regular user who got lucky enough to get selected.

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Inglot Haul, Swatches and Review

Hi everyone!!! I've been hearing a lot about the makeup company Inglot lately so I wanted to give some of their products a try. Up until very recently in the United States you were only able to purchase Inglot from their retail stores, which are limited to large cities like NY and Vegas.  Now we can order online! So I placed an order and here's what I ended up with.

I'd heard wonderful things about their eye shadows and they had a nice selection of matte neutrals so I thought I would pick a few up. They're very well priced compared to some high end brands and the more you buy the less they cost.  So quantities under 3 will cost you $7 each.  If you buy between 3 and 9 you'll pay $5 each and if you buy 10 or more you'll pay $4.50 each.  I opted for the 5 pan square palette which is $10 (but $5 if you buy the shadows with it) and paid $5 each for my 5 shadows. So I filled a 5 pan palette for $30 including the cost of the palette.  By contrast if I were to purchase 5 MAC shadows in the refill pans they would cost $55 without the palette. So I think they are reasonably priced.

So here's what the 5 pan palette looks like: 

The top is magnetic and comes off completely. The pan is sturdy and good quality.  I like to take the top off completely when using it but you can slide it to the side as shown in the photo if you want to. 

Here's what the palette looks like filled with the shadows I selected. 

The photo of the filled palette was taken in natural lighting so the colors are a bit pinker than they appear to me in real life. I'd say the swatches below are more accurate as to the proper colors of the shadows.  I selected AMC Shine #31 which is a medium shimmery gold/champagne color; Matte #360 which is a perfect matte medium brown (not as red toned as the photo above, more like the photo below); Matte #390 which is a fantastic soft brown color (excellent for blending out harsh colors in the crease); Matte #352, a light pink and Matte #351 an ivory color, excellent for a matte highlight.  

The shadows are incredible quality. They are buttery and smooth and very soft. They blend like a dream. I always have trouble with MAC mattes for some reason but these mattes are so soft and blendable they're just perfect. I am very impressed with these shadows and I would recommend them to anyone.  I did a look yesterday using all matte shades and it held up well with Urban Decay Primer Potion under.  

Have a look at the swatches, these are one swipe each with my finger over Too Faced Shadow Insurance:

I think you can see the color payoff is great!  Each shadow is highly pigmented. Matte #390 blends into my skintone a bit which is why I think it's make an excellent transition color. 

I also picked up an AMC Gel Eyeliner in the color #77 which is a cream black color.  I have used this on my waterline with no irritation and it held up well throughout the day. It's highly pigmented and I think this small container is going to last forever if it doesn't dry up because you literally just have to touch your eyeliner brush to the surface and you pick up enough color for your eye.  I think it's going to replace MAC Fluidline for me.  I paid $12 for the gel liner.

Overall I am very happy with the products I have tried from Inglot so far.  Online ordering was easy and shipping was quick. I ordered on  Wednesday night  and received my order on Friday.  The items were shipped Fed-Ex for $8.00 which is sort of pricey but I got this entire package for $50 even, shipped, so it beats MAC any day. I'd really recommend this company and I look forward to trying more from the range soon! 

Have you tried Inglot? What do you think? What is your favorite color or product? I would love suggestions on what to try next! 

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Kiss My Face Soaps in Multipack!

Soap Heaven

Kiss My Face Olive Bar Multipacks Big Deal! 

 

For centuries the people of the Mediterranean have recognized the benefits of Olive Oil to nourish and moisturize the skin.  Bob MacLeod and Steve Byckiewicz, founders of Kiss My Face, recognized these benefits back in the early 1980’s and began selling their first product, olive soap imported from Greece.  Today, this unique cleansing and softening bar remains as simple and pure as a soap can be.  Long lasting and made from the purest natural ingredients, the Kiss My Face Olive Oil Bar Soaps are suitable for all skin types.

For a limited time only, Kiss My Face is offering its Mediterranean miracle olive oil bar soaps in multipacks.  There are a few ways to absorb the soap suds.  Customers can buy two 4 oz bars and get two free or buy two 8 oz bars and get one free.  Either way, these bars are a clean break!     

Kiss My Face Big Deal Bar Multipacks – Key Features

• Each bar contains 86% pure olive oil harvested from sun drenched Mediterranean olive orchards
• Soap works to heal eczema, acne and psoriasis
• 4 oz Multipacks are available in Olive & Aloe, Pure Olive Oil, Olive & Honey and Olive & Lavender
• The 8 oz Multipacks are available in Olive & Chamomile, Olive & Green Tea, Olive & Lavender, Olive & Aloe and Pure Olive Oil

The Kiss My Face Olive Oil Bar Multipacks are available for $5.99 (4 oz) and $7.99 (8 oz) at KissMyFace.com.

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I am in the process of reviewing some Kiss My Face products. Stay tuned for full reviews.

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Umberto Beverly Hills Blow Dry Lotion

Hi everyone! I wanted to do a quick and different review for you all. I was recently given a chance to try the Umberto Beverly Hills Blow Dry Lotion and I wanted to share my thoughts on the product.  

For background, my hair is long and thick and when it air drys it is disastrous. LOL okay it's not so bad, it's just wavy in an unruly way, so I usually blow dry and flat iron my hair. My hair takes FOREVER to dry and I usually don't use products other than a heat protectant which is probably why it takes even longer to dry. I have been using this for about a month now so I think it's an appropriate amount of time to form an accurate opinion. 

This is product is a light lotion type consistency. It smells nice in my opinion. It's sort of a unisex scent, fresh, clean, slightly cologne like but not overpowering at all. It's not as cologne like as Chi or Bio Silk products, it's scent is subtle and pleasant and once your hair is dry you don't smell it at all really.  The consistency is nice and does not weigh down my hair at all which is a blessing.

This product is used on damp hair before blow drying. I use the recommended nickel sized amount and put it through all of my hair with my fingers then I blow dry as usual. 

I have to say, this absolutely cut down my drying time by a significant amount. I was really surprised the first time I used this.  I love that about this. It cuts down the drying time and makes me have to use my flat iron a little less because I get pretty sleek results from just blow drying. In fact, if I was pressed for time I would feel comfortable skipping the flat iron all together because this really does give me a nice frizz free look. I am really happy with the results. 

Here's a screenshot of the back of the bottle showing both directions and ingredients:

As you can see, it's paraben free which is great because I know many people are concerned with that. 

Overall if you're having issues with you hair taking forever to blow dry I'd suggest trying this out because I really have been taking much less time to dry my hair. I really love the consistency, smell and results so I can honestly say when this bottle is gone I will purchase another one. 

You can purchase this product at Target stores (LOVE TARGET!!!) for $9.99.  I go to Target all the time so I am excited that this is so readily available and inexpensive. The bottle is HUGE so I find the price reasonable.  The bottle is 8 fl. oz. which is HUGE and since you don't need much it should last months.

Have you tried this or any other product by Umberto? Let me know! I think I am going to check out more of their products next time I am at Target.

Disclosure: This item was provided by PR for consideration. All reviews are done at my discretion and are 100% honest.  Please refer to my disclosure policy above for more information.

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