Orville Redenbacher Chedder Carmel Popcorn from Influenster!

I reviewed this product to test out and it did leave a good impression with my family. We received a full size bag of the cheddar caramel popcorn. It seems like an unlikely combo but one which has become popular recently. I myself had never tried it but I did enjoy the sweet and salty mix. I've never been a fan of caramel popcorn but I was pleasantly surprised with the light taste it had.

My only complaint about this product is the amount given. For such a large bag, there wasn't much product. It's deceiving on the pet of the company. I probably wouldn't buy it in store because of this fact. The photo below is what the first look upon opening the bag was like.

I received this product free of charge for testing purposes and all opinions are my own!

Biore Baking Powder Cleansing Scrub & Pore Cleanser

Biore Baking Powder Cleansing Scrub & Pore Cleanser

Disclaimer: I received these products free of charge from Influenster/Biore for testing purposes.

My background: I have combination skin and do not suffer from excessive acne.  My skin in frequently clear and I do not suffer from skin sensitivities. I have been fortunate to be able to use many kinds of skin products without negative implications.  One common thing which drives me crazy in terms of skin products is offensive smelling products.

When I received the cleansing scrubs I have to admit I was slightly intimidated to try it due to the powdery consistency. It just didn't make sense that I was going to put this on my face! When I review products I always give it a sniff test. DO NOT do this for this product lol it was a very BIG mistake and the powder nearly killed my nose and I was NOT expecting that I would literally breath in the product : ( It is also extremely fragrant!!!

Well once you get your face wet then apply the product it all came together and I was pleasantly surprised by the experience. The exfoliating quality is quite gentle but the product does what it claims. My only compliant regarding the product was the scent. I am extremely sensitive to offensive smells and this one unfortunately fell into that category. This is a shame because I really enjoyed the quality and experience of the actual product. I’m just not a fan of floral scents and that’s what this smells like.

I would buy this again if I go to the store and find other scents.

This Pore Cleanser was great and id definitely get it again.  It has a scent that isn’t my favorite but I can totally deal with it due to the other great qualities of the product.  I loved how thick the formula was and you can feel small and evenly distributed exfoliating beads.  I was left with that fresh AH-HAA feeling you get from great cleansers.  I was happy with the size and packaging of the product including the easy to use pump. I already have fairly soft skins so I cannot comment on whether or not the product did this.

For the duration of the testing, I used the product every day, twice a day.  I would be interested to see if there were complimenting creams and toners from this line.

L’Oréal Paris Hydra-Total 5 Ultra-Even Routine

L’Oréal Paris Hydra-Total 5 Ultra-Even Routine

I was super excited to try this line of products from L’Oréal through Influenster!  I received the products complementary for testing purposes!  For the purpose of this review please note that I used the entire line which included: scrub, toner, moisturizer and SPF20 Cream.

Background on me: I am almost in my 30s, have combination skin but would consider it “normal” as I don’t have many skin related concerns.  I don’t usually have sensitivities when trying skin care products but tend to stick to a few loved products.  The only thing I detest is having any cream on my face which have a strong or offensive smell.  I typically use a 3 step regimen consisting of cleaners, toner, moisturizer and none of my current products are by L’Oréal.

I have a love hate relationship with this line for a number of reasons.  Let’s start with the scrub:

The scrub was quite typical with a similar texture and consistency of other products that are comparable.  I love the beads when it comes to a good face wash.  The product left my skin feeling clean and fresh.  I did not notice any yucky left over residue etc.  That being said, the product is more than adequate, does what it claims and appears to be a product I would consider reliable.  For me this scrub almost hit a homerun.  Where it feel slightly short was with the scent.  It has a citrus scent which I didn’t care for however it wasn’t a complete deal breaker.  I would give this product a 9.5/10 with a .5 loss for the scent.  Anyone who enjoys the citrusy scents would surely enjoy this product completely.  I found that the scent even lasts through the moisturizer which for me wasn’t all that great.  Had the scent been different I would have loved that quality.  I would still recommend this product to a friend.  I would also buy this product again however I would likely choose one of the other scents from the line.

I enjoyed the toner.  It didn't come off as harsh BUT it did leave me with that “AHHH” feeling you get from a freshly toned face!!  I don’t have anything negative to say about the product in general because it does everything it claims.  I do however feel like there wasn’t anything particularly special which would separate it from other toners but it is a really great value.  I would definitely go back to this product if I were shopping for toner. I would also recommend the product to a friend as well as the other products from the line.  This review was fairly easy for me since I have no negative skin concerns so I am unable to speak on its performance on other skin types.  Like the matching scrub, it has a citrus scent but it is nowhere near as strong as the smell of the scrub so this for me was great.

Of the products I had received to review, the mosturizer was by far my favorite.  I’m always searching for a good face moisturizer that doesn’t make me angry with an offensive scent.  This one passes that test.  This alone would convince me to buy it again.  Unlike the matching toner and scrub, this product does NOT have the same citrusy scent.   Its super thick so I enjoy using this cream as my “night cream”.  I like to lather it on without a care in the world that my face is white with a thick layer of this gem!  I haven’t used it long enough to see even-ing effects but I could care less about that when I enjoy it so much. I will 100% buy this product again and would HIGHLY recommend it to a friend! 

I was a little stumped when I received the SPF Cream along with the rest of the line because there was already a moisturizer which was MINT.  The only real difference I can see is that this one has SPF and is slightly thinner than the other cream.  I use this one more for daytime since it’s not quite as thick as the other cream.  I really like the pump bottle it comes in so that was a bonus.  I enjoyed the scent of the product which is good considering I HATED the smell of the scrub and toner.  I would buy it again for the pump style alone however I enjoyed the quality of the other cream better.  Still a decent product!

Overall I enjoyed the quality, price and availability of the products.  I HATED the scent of some of them but this problem is easy to overcome considering there are 2 other lines to the Hyrda Total 5 family.  I would really like to check out the other lines to compare.

#5Works + #BeyondHydration

Review: Covergirl LashBlast Volume Mascara

I am very sad to report that this has been my least successful bzzagent campaign. It’s sad because I had high hopes for this one and was super excited for it.

Here is my background info: I have the world’s straightest, think lashes ever. They don’t curl well, mascara has very little effect. The only true product that has ever made my lashes look differently is perversion by urban decay. I just don’t have nice lashes and have to resort to falsies.

I chose to go with Covergirls LashBlast Volume to test out free of charge curtsey of Covergirl and Bzzagent. I chose it because as I said I have super small and thin lashes so this formula sounded the most volumizing. The product came with the bottle of mascara with a sealed lid and the brush was not yet inserted. I opened the package and placed the brush in the product and tightened the seal. I wanted to let the product rest so the new brush would be evenly coated prior to first use. I did the smell test and the mascara had a slightly chemical scent but it wasn’t overpowering. I probably wouldn’t have been able to smell it unless I purposely tried.

When I went to use it for the first time I noticed that there were already clumps and lumps and I hadn’t even used it yet. This was sad, it’s always a no-no when mascara does this. When I pulled the wand out this is what I saw:


The application process was typical; there wasn’t anything notable about this part of the testing. The results were not good and after 1 coat of 10 strokes or so, there was barely a difference in my lashes. Below you will see of one eye with the mascara and one without.

This did not improve after 5 coats and at least 50 strokes. Extra coats just made my lashes look hard and clumpy. It was a sad, sad day for mascara. Half an hour or so after the application the lashes were annoying and hard. I could see them in my peripheral vision and this wasn’t a good thing.

 Here are my 5 coat results and STILL no volume or lengthening:


All in all this was a bad experience. The rest of the product will go to waste as I wouldn’t even pass it on since it was such a bad formula. For the purposes of the campaign I did still bzz about it but I left out my horrible experience. There were 5-6 coupons with the package which I LOVED and I gave all away. In Covergirls defence I have yet to find mascara which works well. It’s not just this company it’s ALL companies and if you have the type of lashes I do then this product is not for you.

In Summary:
Pros – coupons galore, full size, pretty packaging Cons – terrible formula, clumpy, didn’t do what it claimed, feels heavy with multiple coats

Overall rating 1/5 Quality 0/5 Effectiveness 0/5 Packaging 5/5 Size 5/5


*special announcement - this post had a wonderful array of photos from this review and they were here to be posted but for some reason the site isn't letting me.  Will have the photos up as soon as possible*

Secret Clear Gel in Coco Butter Kiss

I received the Secret Clear Gel in Coco Butter Kiss to try free of charge from BzzAgent and Secret. This was actually the second clear gel campaign I have received so this product was already known to me. 


Prior to my first experience with secret clear gel I used Lady Speed Stick religiously as I couldn't find anything that worked better then that, AND I would say it only worked at an 85%.  After trying Secret Clear Gel the first time I was immediately turned.  I had never tried it before because I didn't think id ever like clear gels.  I came to find they actually work way more effectively then the solids. 


This product did not disappoint, and the Coco Butter Kiss is another scent I can add to my current favorites. The product I received this time around provides enough protection to last through my busy work days, its not as fast drying as it claims but I can over look that due to how well it works. 


I do have one criticism now that I have been a secret fanatic: my husband ran out of his deodorant one day so he used mine.  We ended up going out on a day trip and out in the sun I noticed how "white" his under arms were.  This has never happened to me before but I am far lighter in colour then he is (he is Caribbean so Is significantly darker then me).  This doesn't bother me but it may bother those with darker skin tones.


Overall I would HIGHLY recommend this product, especially to those who haven't found a product that works at a 100%.




quality 5/5
effectiveness 5/5
quantity 2/5 (I was sad at how small the sample was and used it up quickly)
price 5/5 (there are always coupons out for these!)
packaging 5/5

REVIEW: Secret Clear Gel in "Oh-la-la Lavender"

I received this Secret Outlast Clear Gel free from Secret to review for testing purposes. Let me start out by saying that I am in my 20s and I feel I sweat more then most.

I have used so many deodorant/antiperspirants and I have come to one conclusion - Only one brand has ever worked for me. And with that being said, it doesn't even work at %100. Lady Speed Stick - Powder fresh, I would say it helps with sweat and odour %95 of the time. I only get it in one scent because I hate the other scents. At times it leaves white marks but its the price I have to pay to have a product that works properly.

When I received the clear gel I wasn't to excited about it as it came in the scent expressions scent "ohh-la-la lavender". I HATE lavender so this sat on my counter for a good week before I decided to try it. The first day I noted that the smell of lavender wasn't really there - for me this was excellent. I put it on and I found it a little wet. The product claims to be fast drying but what is really considered "fast"? I felt like I had to hold my arms in the air for a minute or so. I went to sleep and I could smell the clean scent. I enjoyed that. The following day I found that the product actually worked well. I didn't notice any odours, not even a hint of odour and I didn't even apply it again in the morning. I was able to go about my day and was clean and dry. This was fantastic since my old deodorant couldn't do that. Also note that I did not have any white marks on my clothes!!

The packaging of the product is nice, its visually appealing and "pretty". The price was decent - I looked it up on Walmart.ca and it was about $3.79. My only complaint is the amount you get per stick. It seems like they could fit more product in the packaging but just didn't. I don't know whether the actual amount of product received is worth the price.

In summary:

PROS
- visually appealing product
- smells great
- actually works against odour and wetness
- low pirce

CONS
- wet
- lack of product per container

Packaging 5/5
Performace 5/5
Scent 5/5
Cost 5/5
Quantity 4/5

I WILL buy this product and I would definitely recommend it to someone else.

The Hasbro Gaming VoxBox from Influenster: Monopoly Junior!

Yay here is our 2nd VoxBox from Influenster! We are so excited!!  I say we because this voxbox is geared for my 4 year old Kamden.  I completed a survey regarding my children and I was selected for the Canadian exclusive Vox Box!!!!  I received these products complementary from Influenster for testing purposes!

When Kammy got home from school I told him he had a "Package" (he gets so excited when any kind of package comes to the house).  He was so happy to see a board game, Monopoly Junior!!  We have been building up our game collection over the past few years and in fact, I looked for Monopoly Junior last Xmas but couldn't find it!!  I remember having the game as a child.

The game has changed quite a bit since I was a kid but its still made with high quality.  Instead of the traditional pieces, they now have fun characters as your game players.  They also changed the money system and instead of having several different amounts they only have $1 bills.  This makes this game so easy for my kinder gardener to play more independently!  The board itself is colorful and bright and is similar to the old version.  In the old game you would place your houses on properties you own, in this newer version you place your "sold sign" on your owned properties.  They are little cardboard signs with your characters face on them.

I see this game as something that will greatly help my 4 year old to read and count effectively (being in kindergarten he is just starting to use these skills).  After we complete a game he wants to play it over and over again.  Even my 12 year old who played with us, wants to play the game multiple times.  I have a feeling we will enjoy this one for a long LONG time.

Overall i highly recommend Monopoly Junior if you have school aged children.  It really is the perfect game if you have children of a wide variety of ages.  Not only is it fun but its a learning tool for reading and counting. It also hold nostalgic value! I totally played this with my mother when I was Kamden's age!  Had I not received this in my Voxbox I would have been all over buying this at Christmas time!

My only comment for improvement on the game would be to include more "houses" or  "sold signs" as they are now called.  When I played the game with just my 12 year old, I owned so many properties that I ran out of the ownership signs/sold signs!  You get 12 but I think you should be provided with 16 (in the event that you owned all 16 properties).

Packaging    5/5 - came in a sturdy box, bright and colourful
Quality         5/5 - all pieces are built to last, board is thick and sturdy!
Difficulty       5/5 - 5 being best for this age, it was easy enough for a 4 year old to understand
Overall         5/5 - We ALL loved this game!

IPSY September 2014 - Street Style

I continue to LOVE ipsy and have been a subscriber since last year!  This month the theme was "Street Style".  If you don't know IPSY is a monthly make up subscription which costs $10 per month + shipping (free shipping in the USA) and you get 4-6 full size or trial size items and a cute bag!  Interested in signing up? Use my referral code here!

This months bag was super cute! Its definitely one of their more stylish bags:

Here is what I got inside my bag this month:

 

 

1. Shadow and Crease Brush by Crown Brush - I just love getting "tools" in this bag.  You can never have to many brushes!!  I love that I got this in my bag this month.  This item is full size and retails for $17.50

2. Cailyn Art Touch Tinted Lip Gloss - in the colour Love Affair.  I'm so glad to see a new product from this retailer and not something that's old or out of season, I've been to their site and I know its one of their latest products.  I didn't like my colour, I'm not a red fan so I went onto the IPSY website and did a trade! I traded for the other offered colour which is called Basic Instinct. This is a full size product and retails for $19.00

3. Natural Water Proof Eye Pencil by Pacifica in the colour Fringe - Love getting liners so this is a win, I'm glad I got the brown colour!  This product looks like its a sample however I'm not 100% sure.  The full size retails for $11

4. Nourish Organic Moisturizing Face Cleanser - When I seen this I thought "finally a face treatment ill actually use" cause I am not a fan of face creams, masks etc in these bags.  I will use this cleanser however, its perfect size for travel.  This item is 1 oz and is a travel size, retail size is 6oz and is $13.99

5. Breogeo Deep Conditioning Mask - This item is a mask for hair, its  50/50 I may actually use it or not.  I am compelled to try it but with my busy mom schedule doesn't allow for me to do stuff like this.  When showering I just like to get in and out!  This item is 1 fl oz and is a sample size.  Retail full-size is 5.25 fl oz and costs $26


So this bag had 4/5 items I will definitely use, 1 miss isn't so bad!  The estimated value for this bag is $45.00.  There were 2 full size products and 3 sample size.

This month I decided to use my IPSY points and I chose this NXY Bronze Smoky Look Kit for 1000 points.  I was surprised with the quality of this kit and I was reluctant to get it but my points were about to expire and I wanted to be sure to use them.  I'm glad I did!

BZZAGENT - PANTENE PRO-V ULTIMATE 10

I recently participated in a bzz campaign for Pantene.  For those who don't know, bzzagent.com is a product review site.  Active member can be selected to participate in campaigns for various products.  They match you with products that meet your needs/interests and they send you a box of goodies if your selected!!  Everything I received was free of charge for testing and review purposes.

The campaign I was selected for was to try out Pantene Pro-V Ultimate 10 line of products.  Here is what I saw when I opened my box (ALL FULL SIZE PRODUCTS):

1.  Pantene Pro-V Ultimate 10 Shampoo
2.  Pantene Pro-V Ultimate 10 Conditioner
3.  Pantene Pro-V Ultimate 10 BB Cream Hair Balm
4.  Coupons

Here is the review on their Shampoo and Conditioner I had done for their website:

PANTENE PRO-V ULTIMATE 10 SHAMPOO
I received this item as a trial free of charge to test and review. I had previously heard of Pantene in the past however I never used it as I have a very sensitive scalp! Its not that I had a bad experience, I'm just weary of new shampoos. My hair is dark brown, long and extremely straight and thick.

The first thing I notice when using the shampoo is the scent. Other reviewers say that the product is extremely fragrant so I was a little sceptical. I was pleasantly surprised to find that it had a light fragrance, slightly salon but not overpowering. It had a hint of apples! When applying the shampoo its evident that you don't need much as I had taken because it created a nice lather! I used the products at night and the following day there was a yummy scent to my hair that lasted. I also noticed that my scalp still felt clean throughout the day which is hard to achieve considering I have such thick hair and my scalp can feel oily quick. I also didn't feel any itching or irritation (a BIG win for me).

I followed up this experience with the Ultimate 10 conditioner and BB Cream hair balm! To give you an overall view of the product I would want customers to know that this product was a scented shampoo which left my hair feeling clean and shiny. If you are someone who had medium to oily hair then this product would be excellent for you!

Packaging 5/5 - very visually appealing with its modern look
Price 4/5 - more then most shampoos, doesn't break the bank either
Scent 4/5 - clean, apple scent, slightly salon
Quality 5/5 - left hair soft, smooth, clean

Would I recommend this to a friend? - Yes
Would I buy this again myself? - Yes



PANTENE PRO-V ULTIMATE 10 CONDITIONER
I received this item as a trial free of charge to test and review. I used this conditioner following the use of the Pantene Ultimate 10 Shampoo. My hair is dark brown, long and extremely straight and thick.

Much like the shampoo, this conditioner had a nice apple-like scent, similar to those of salon quality shampoo. It has a creamy texture "more" of this products then what you would expect to need. For me its probably because I have lots of long hair and my initial application felt to scant. I also have a very sensitive scalp and this conditioner did not irritate that condition.

My overall experience with the shampoo, conditioner and hair balm could be summed up by saying that my hair was left feeling clean and healthy even after a full day has passed. If you are someone who has medium to oily hair then this product would be excellent for you!

Packaging 5/5 - very visually appealing with its modern look
Price 4/5 - more then most shampoos, doesn't break the bank either
Scent 4/5 - clean, apple scent, slightly salon
Quality 5/5 - left hair soft, smooth, clean

Would I recommend this to a friend? - Yes
Would I buy this again myself? - Yes

Here are some before and after shots of my hair after using the products for several days.  I did not use any other styling products or tools other then the Pantene products and a paddle brush.
 

 

 

If you would like to get a coupon to try these products please find your printable coupon here:

 

COUPON

YAY Canadian Vox Box by Influenster!!!!!!!

I have been a member of Influenster for a while now after hearing about it from a friend!!  My friend is in the USA but I also read that Influenster does have a Canadian version.  It seems as though it isn't as big here but I thought I'd give the site a try.  Basically you answer surveys, earn badges based on interests and review/talk about products!   Every now and then Influenster sends out boxes with products to try!!  So fun right!?  

I got an invite last week for the ImPRESSmanicure VoxBox!  I accepted after filling out another form.  The box literally arrived a few days later and I was shocked at how fast it came!

 

 

You can not imagine my excitement to receive my first vox box after filling out so many reviews, talking about all kinds of stuff on their site, attempting to improve my badge scores!  Opening the little box this is what we see!

 

 

 

 

So in the box we have 2 pairs of press on nails, one solid and one design set.  VERY girly!!!   I have already tried one of the pairs.  In the kit you get various sized nails with lots of extras.  The nails each have a sticky back so no messy glues!  It also comes with a file and a nail prep pad.  After following the instruction I had a full set of nails on!

 

 

Likes:

- no glue!

- colours - both set I got were pink!  After seeing other influensters posts there are so many cool designs!

- no damage is done to your nails, like when you have a set put on at the salon!

- they felt secure!

- no chipping!

- easy to apply and take off - they didn't come off until I intentionally took them off!

- they don't look fake and there is flow in the size and shape of nails

- fast to apply

 

Dislikes:

- I have wide nails and there weren't enough wide sizes, I feel I would have had a better fit with better fitting sizes

- one use per kit :(

- with the solid pair, I wasn't always sure which way was up or down and as a result I had to replace the nails a couple times

- although the nails felt secure when you view them from the top you can see there was not a perfect fit and there was a slight gap

 

 

 

Overall I liked this product.  As a nurse I cant wear a lot of polish or have fake salon nails so this product offers an alternative.  I can wear them for as long or as little as I need and can remove them at home!  There is also a big range of colours and designs!

 

Thank you Influenster!!!!   I also wanted to mention that I received these products complimentary from Influenster for testing purposes.  I am doing so at my own free will as its something I am interested in!   Should anyone want to become a member of influenster please contact me for an invite <3

 

 

 

LINKS

http://www.influenster.com/ 

http://impressmanicure.com/





Sample Source Box Review! 1 of 2 posts!

Here is another subscription box for ya'll.  This one is by samplesource.com and is actually full of free samples to try!!!  As far as I know they offer this one in the USA as well as Canada.  From what I understand the boxes go fast and are not automatic so you gotta be fast to get one!!  In following along with their instagram, they still are accepting US testers so go visit their site if you like in the USA!

You need to register with the site and it will ask you bunch of questions and connect you with samples you may like!  The inform you when your samples are on their way!

Here is a sneak peak into what I got:

Because of the amount of products in here, I haven't tried everything yet!!  But here's a run down of what was in the box!

Snuggle Scent Boost
Quaker Harvest Cereal
Sunlight Dishwasher Packet
Hershey's Chocolate/Almond Bar
Quaker Quinoa Chocolate Medley Bar
Aquafreash toothpaste
Jergens BB bodycream
Colgate Total Mouth Wash
John Freda Frizz Ease
John Freda Shampoo and Conditioner
Abasco Tobasco Sauce
Armour All Wash and Wax
Twistos Backed Snack Bites
Burt Bees Night Cream
Coupon for a full jug of Tropicana Juice
Jergens Natural Glow moisturizer x3 sample

Items tried so far


Hershey's Chocolate Bar - Almond and chocolate
They must be able to read my mind cause I LOVE this bar, and have actually bought it before.  Im not a chocolate lover but when I do eat it, it has to be with almonds or other nuts!!! 5/5 rating

Quaker Quinoa Chocolate Medley Bar
This was good, I only got half since my 3 year old was basically on my lap trying to get this!  I felt a little lied to as there was barely a hint of chocolate, but it was still tasty! 4/5 rating

Colgate Total Mouth Wash
Another household product that we already buy but this was a different flavor!  5/5 rating

Aquafresh Toothpaste
We are Colgate fans so I wouldn't have tried this had it not been for the sample box.  Its nice to see the brand has expanded since I was a child.  I remember aquafreash as that 3 coloured toothpaste lol 4/5


Items I likely wont try :(

Jergens BB bodycream
Although the site took down my interests this cream is for light skin tones and this is not me at all! I would be a little worried about using it which is sad since this was a very big sample size :(

Armour All Wash and Wax
Its not that I don't want to use this, I wont get the chance since it was stolen by my car loving husband lol, I may check in with his thoughts on it in the next post!

Abasco Tobasco Sauce
Not a spicy lover, unfortunately im a plain jane when it comes to food


I plan to post again with a little review of the last few items so stay tuned and sign up with Sample Source to get in on the next sample box!

DISCLAIMER: all samples were provided to me free of charge and I am in no way paid to review these items and have done so at my own free will!  Nor do I have association with any of the company's listed!

April 2014 IPSY - Beauty Rocks! And one full year of IPSY complete!

I have officially completed 1 full year of IPSY!!!!!!!!   I continue to love this subscription and look forward to that lovely pink package each month!  This months theme was "Beauty Rocks" and there are a few items in here to DIE for!

If you don't know IPSY is a monthly make up subscription which costs $10 per month + shipping (free shipping in the USA) and you get 4-6 full size or trial size items and a cute bag!  Interested in signing up? Use my referral code here!

Here is what I got in this months bag!

1. URBAN DECAY 24/7 Velvet Glide On Eyeliner in Black!  Probably the best item in this bag and more then pays for the subscription with this one item.  The rest of the bag coulda been shit and I would have still liked it!!  This is only a travel size however this could have fooled me since its a decent size!  The normal size is valued at $20 however im not sure the value on this one.

2. Natural Lashes by KISS - ive always loved me some fake lashes so these are always greatly appreciated!  they aren't to wild either so this is a plus! Love this item! Full size product valued at $3.99

3. Lolli Tint by Benefit! I always get freakin excited when I see anything by Benefit in the IPSY bags, this time I got lucky and got one!  This is a really pretty pink blush!  Definitely a plus to have in my collection!  The regular size is 12.5mL and is $30.  We received a sample size of 2.5mLs and the value is not known but based on the size/price of the regular, this sample is roughly worth $6

4. White Gold Shadow by Colour City - this shadow is so creamy and mousse like, and is a great highlighter, I actually LOVE this and will use it often! it has a really nice finish!   This is a full size product and retails for $3.99

5. Tinted Lipbalm by Cailyn - we have received products before from this brand and so far I have liked them.  They are good quality and are a little pricy.  This month there were 2 colours and I unfortunately got the one I would rather not have.  Its a very pink colour and the other was a more nude shade.   Cant win em all I guess hehe but still a high quality product.  This is a full size product and retails for a whopping $19!

This bag had a 4/5 item win!  overall I loved all of the goodies! Total value for this bag was $32.98 + $10 for the UD liner (aprox) 

IPSY BAG - MAY 2013

So thanks to one of the lovely YtubeTTCers, I subscribed to IPSY.com :)  When you subscribe you receive a cool make up bag filled with goodies!!!  I watched her videos on the unboxing of the bag so i thought id give it a try.

I ordered on May 16, 2013 and received my first bag on May 25, 2013.  Now apparently subscriptions are mailed out on the 15th of each month so mine likely didn't get shipped till a few days after i signed up!  The cost of the bag is $10/month and shipping is free in the USA.  Since I'm in Canada i paid a small shipping fee no more then $4.  So my total was approx $14. 

Here is what i got in the mail: a hot pink package :D very pretty!

 

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Inside is a cute bag and a card that says MAY: SPRING FLING, as well as a card with special offers from the supplies of the goodies!

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 At first look in the bag i see all of the May goodies - As a side note u get 5-6 items per bag, some are sample size some are full size.  You do a quiz when you sign up with IPSY and they determine which items best suite you!  

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FIRST ITEM: Zoya Nail Polish -In GIE GIE pink # ZP651
This Item retails for $8 on their website and comes in a zillion colours!  I got pink in my bag and ill definitely use this colour.  Its a nice feminine pink that would look nice on finger or toes nails!  Comes in a pretty box as well :)  I received a full size product!

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ITEM 2: St.Tropez Instant glow body lotion (washable tanner).

This item retails for $15 on their website and they have other options to chose from as well as other types of tanners.  When you open it up the lotion looks a very dark brown.   Don't be scared by this cause it actually goes on very sheer.  We all know I like to be brown so ill definitely use this!!  They have larger sizes available so i assume this is a sample size however it seems like you get a fair bit in the sample.

 

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ITEM 3: Macadamia Healing oil Treatment for hair
This item retails for $13.50 and is one of many sizes the website offers (therefore can be seen as full size product).  They range from $6 to $75 for the largest bottle. It smells great however I've never used this kind of oil before.  It says it can be used as a finisher however if i dont use it, it may be in a giveaway in the future :)

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ITEM 4: JUICE Beauty Lipgloss in  Champagne #1J3
This items retails for $15!!!  This is by far my favourite item!  Its dead on, the kind of product i buy and even in a colour id typically get.  It looks amazing over a super light pink! AHHH i love this <3 <3  This is a full size product!

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ITEM 5: YABY Concealer in buff #cc008
This item retails for $4.95 and can be bought as a full size refill.  I'm very lucky cause this is pretty damn close to my colour so ill actually be able to use it! YAY!

So there you have it, MAY 2013 IPSY bag :)  I paid $14 and got a bag worth more then $56.35 (and that's not including the cost of the bag itself!  This was definitely worth the cost i paid and if you like make-up then its totally worth it!  Might I add that most of these products were natural/organic :)

Totally psyched for the June BAG.  If  you want to subscribe please use my link so i can get some IPSY points!!

CLICK HERE

REVIEWS: Pre-seed and Softcups!

As always i MUST talk about some new TTC products that Ive been using!  This week Ive chosen the Instead Soft Cups and Pre-seed

Where to buy these Products
I bought both of these products with a credit card via the Early-Pregnancy-Test website. I chose this site in particular because I have purchased other products from them and have come to love/trust the site.  There are many other places you can get both products such as amazon, etc... Your local adult store might even have the pre-seed!

Costs
I bought these two products in the same shipment.   Right now on early-pregnancy-tests.com you can get the pre-seed with applicators with 2 free pregnancy tests!  Thats what i chose and this deal can be found here. Shipping is free on orders over $14.99 and $2.99 for orders otherwise.

Soft-cups (6pack)- $6.99
Pre-seed w/ 9 applicators and 2 free pregnancy tests - $19.99
Pre-seed - $19.99

Since i bought both items my shipping was free!  The total cost i paid was $28.49


What you receive
My package took about a week to get here.  I am in Canada and this order is from a USA company.  International orders take longer due to customs etc. When i received my package it was in a plain brown box with discrete labeling (the return address simple says "Online Store").

Inside was 1 order of pre-seed, 1 order of soft-cups 6pack, 2 pregnancy tests,  an instruction sheet on the hcg tests, brochures: on other fertility products, receipt/summary of order, and a special gift: a cute collectors tattoo {apparently they come out with a new one on a monthly basis}

Pre-seed

Oh what can I say about this product :) I think a smily face suits!  As the label states "Seriously fun babymaking".

Details on Pre-seed

For those who don't know Pre-seed as a personal lubricant that is safe for use when trying to conceive.  It has an Isotonic properties which match that of fertile CM.  The pack comes with a 1.4oz tube of the products and 9 disposable applicators.  The applicators themselves have number notches so that you can chose your own amounts.  Pre-seed aids in the transfer of sperm to the cervix and into the uterus. Pre-seed can be especially helpful to women who experience more dryness then others or who do not have good quality CM however anyone can use it.

[lol blogger messed my pic up and i cant fix it]

Using the product
Lets be honest, theres nothing more awkward then getting in the BD mood then suddenly stop and be like "Just wait hunny i need to pull out the lube!" which is why i strongly suggest having the applicator drawn up and ready to go.  However! Please read all directions prior to use.   They clearly state that the product must be used within 30 mins of being drawn up!  So heres some simple steps

1) Clean hands!
2) The applicator will connect to the tube and may be turned into place
3) Draw up disired amount of pre-seed using the numbers provided
4) Insert applicator into the vagina and slowly deposit pre-seed
5) BD!!!!!!!!!!!!!


Findings
The product was easy to use with little mess.  I did have one mishap where i accidentally pushed the applicator before i had it "in" which was unfortunate for my bed sheets.   The product made BDing very FUN {i lack the words to accurately describe this feeling without sounding like a total perv} LMAO  This is my first cycle using pre-seed so I can not say if this helped with conception or not but there are some rave reviews over at the early-pregnancy-tests.com website

SOFT CUPS

Details on the product
Soft Cups was originally designed as an alternative to tampons and pads for menstrual bleeding and you can find more on the use of softcups for periods right here. The pack I got had 6 soft cups which come individually wrapped. Each cups is individually wrapped, disposible, flexible, and body friendly.  In the use of TTC softcups is inserted into the vagina and sits over the cervix after intercourse and hold the sperm close!  It can be worn for up to 12 hours at a time.

Using Softcups
When i first do this product i was scared by the size and texture of the softcup.  It looks HUGE and i couldnt fathom putting that in.  When it came time to use the softcup i was extremely surprised but the results.   It actually went it super easy and i felt nothing.   Once inside softcups can not be felt at all.  Here are some simple steps

*wash your hand and easiest if your sitting upright with legs apart*
1) Squeeze the opposite sided of the ring together
2) Insert into the vagina in a back and down direction
3) The cup mold to the individuals shape and should sit right behind the public bone
4) to remove just hook your finger under the rim and pull out slowly {i find this easier to do if you bare down slightly}

I also must note that the softcup was super easily inserted with the use of pre-seed! The extra lubrication makes for a more slippery environment!

Findings
Super easy to put in and take out.  I could walk around and not worry about the "sperm" coming out.  When i took the soft cup out you will see sperm in the cups (not a pretty sight) so be alert to that.  It can be messy if you don't take the product out slowly and carefully.  Weither or not soft cups worked for me as far as conception is something only time can tell.

To get a better look at what these products look like head over to my Youtube page and a short video is available. 







My final thoughts
I would definitely recommend these products.  They were easy to use and have a good theory behind them and area backed up very well with tons of supporting research

PROS

Pre-seed

• easy to use
• applicators provided
• fun!
• multi-use tube
• similar to CM
• free shipping from ear-pregnancy-tests.com

Softcups

• easy to insert and remove
• clear directions
• unable to feel
• can be worn for 12 hours
• can walk around with it
• individually wrapped
• safe for your body
• can also be used for periods
• inexpensive

CONS

Pre-seed

• tube is small for $19.99
• hard to find in stores
• applicators are wrapped in groups of 3

Softcups

• looks intimidating
• not pleasent looking upon removal
• messy only if not pulled out correctly
• must pay shipping if bought alone

Cons
- i needed the tests prior to the day i got them - however i am international and should have ordered sooner
- no options for package tracking (and if you were a spaz like me you'd probably check every day!
- credit card needed for orders
- must test several times to get a clear picture - this is a con of ALL OPKs not just this sites

STAY TUNED TO SEE IF I BECOME PREGNANT USING THESE PRODUCTS :)

** info taking through my experience using the Early-Pregnancy-Tests.com products via their website and info packages included with the product**

**personal experiences from my own views only and should be seen strictly as personal opinion.  I can not speak for anyone else using these products**

Links

Early-Pregnancy-Tests.com

www.softcup.com

www.preseed.com/

Bring on the home remedies for conception/fertility!!

So this post is sort of a review but mainly for personal interest as well as for the sake of boredom.  Id like to point out right away that this information is strictly unsupported and could be false due to lack of medical foundation, however some women in the TTC community will SWARE by some of these remedies.   Do not try these remedies unless you have consulted your own Doctor. There is a combo of medicinal and non-medicinal treatments.  For me this is just fun.  I do not claim that any of this is going to guarantee you a pregnancy! [jus saying :)]

Mini background on me...
I am in my 6th cycle of active TTC, 0 pregnancies thus far.  I have tried temping, timed intercourse, and use of OPKs.   I have 2 sons currently ages 10 and 2.  DH and I are both 26 years old this year.   Some of the remedies I have tried, will try and just have heard/known about.  



Non-Medicinal Remedies

Pre-Seed
Lubricant!!!!!!!!!  A much loved TTC product found here.  Most of the time lubs are frowned upon simply because the can stop sperm from moving to the uterus and significantly decrease motility of the sperm. Saliva will also have the same affect so its a big no-no as well.  Pre-seed wont do this, it helps the sperm along and is safe.  Lubs are pretty self explanatory but head over to there site for more info.  Sometimes out CM just isn't favourable so this can boost the chances! I am using this one FOR SURE and am actually awaiting my package :D so excited!

Grapefruit Juice
The theory here is that Grapefruit juice helps with the quality and quantity of CM (cervical mucus).  Its a debated remedy with many views.  It cant hurt you - heck the fluid intake and vitamins can help!  I tried to do this :(  I took one sip and poor Kamden was frightened by all the lovely faces I had made LOL  I even offered him a taste but he wasnt having that! An unscholorly sheet all about grapefruit juice as it relates to fertility here.

Lemon Juice
Add to your tea!  Helps regulate the Ph of the vagina.  Less acidity = environment which wont kill sperm! Lemon Juice info!

Pineapple
This one is for after ovulation!!   It apparently helps with implantation!! With this you need to know that it must be eaten in large quantities and its the core which had the goods.   Bromelain is an enzyme which acts similar to asprin.  It thins the blood, increases blood flow and make a good uterine environment for implantation. Must not be canned, must be fresh and non-cooked. Its hard to find concrete info on this as I originally head it from a TTCer who will be going through IVF (the pineapple thing is popular among those doing IVF and IUI!) Here is one personal opinion but you can also research Bromelain.  I stole this from my friend who told me about this - no clue where the info came from so sorry about that:

Using Pineapple to Assist Implantation: Pineapple contains bromelain. Bromelain is a proteolytic enzyme that breaks up proteins that inhibit embryo implantation. Consuming a whole pineapple (focusing on the core as it has the highest concentration of Bromelain) during a fertility cycle can be beneficial.

For IVF [in vitro fertilization] cycle: one pineapple, divided into 5 portions - consume one portion each day, over five days, beginning on the day of your embryo transfer.
...
IUI [intra-uterine insemination] cycle: one pineapple, divided into 5 portions - consume one portion each day, over five days, beginning on the day of your IUI.

Timed intercourse cycle: one pineapple, divided into 5 portions - consume one portion each day, over five days, beginning on the day after ovulation.

Note: Be careful not to start consuming pineapple too early in the cycle. Beginning to consume pineapple BEFORE the recommended days above can actually affect your vaginal and cervical mucus PH, making it more acidic.

ALSO - I have a story about the pineapple.   When i was preggo with DS2 and was late in my pregnancy, we were sharing old wives tales for starting labour.  One was to eat a whole pineapple in the hopes it will soften the cervix.  Well i DID it - i was about 38-39 weeks pregnant and was shocked when my water broke early and less then 24 hours after i ate it!!!  shocked! I blame it on the pineapple to this day!!!

Instead SoftCps
Originally made for the an alternative to tampons and pads for a women's menses.  The small cup is inserted into the vagina and prevent blood from passing through.   Some GENIUS thought up the idea to use it to hold sperm close to the cervix after intercourse.  Apparently 20 mins post-BD is all that's needed but can be used from up to 12 hours! The only complaint I have read online is that it can be messy to take out.  Not a big deal to me!  I am doing this one.... a box of 6 bought for $6-$7 from early-pregnancy-tests.com {i bought mine in a promo for the pre-seed and cups combo which made my purchase eligible for free shipping!} Info on softcups here

Charting, Temping, OPKing
All help to determine ovulation, nothing more, nothing less.

Positions!
Yes I'm talking about sex.  This site says missionary.  Of coarse there is nothing proving this and its completely unfounded.  The theory is that this position is excellent for depositing the sperm right at the cervix!  Also propping the hips after sex - again controversial.   Clearly you not do these things and still get pregnant but hey every...little...bit....helps!  already doing this one!

Water!
What!? so simple!?  YES! Stole this from this site!  It just says everything i want to say about water!!  {i will be doing this one}


"Drink plenty of water. At least 8 to 10 glasses a day. I can't stress this enough, this is one of the best tips for getting pregnant faster. Being thoroughly hydrated makes your whole body function most optimally, let alone your reproductive and endocrine systems. Hydration also increases your cervical mucus, which is vital to getting pregnant. Water just makes everything work better so drink up.
Read more: http://www.thefertilityrealm.com/tips-for-getting-pregnant.html#ixzz1xcHtZIhN



Medicinal Remedies - Over the counter medications

Robitussin (Guaifensin)
This one i plan to try this cycle, in fact its staring at me from my desk right now. When you use this is must be plain ol', nothing added, Guaifenesin. Common brand: Robitussin Syrup. What this is supposed to do is thin you cervical mucus - in theory making it more fertile. Thin mucus= fertile mucus = easier for sperm to travel into the uterus. Click here for a report on a study done with this drug - all of the info can be found at said link. The best time to start this treatment is on CD 5 (should be after your menses has ceased) and is used 3 times a day at 200mg per dose until ovulation. You do NOT have to buy name brands for this - just be sure that the only active ingredient in the med is Guaifenesin and definitely make sure there are no decongestants in the med as they can dry out the Cervical Mucus. A glass of water should be taken with this remedy!

Vitamin C
If you have hormone level problems, this can help regulate hormone levels - click here for more info. I will not be trying this one because it can cause hostile cervical mucus due to acid nature of Vit C. In men vitamin C can aid in sperm counts! This is one of the remedies not to be tried unless given the okay from a doctor, high amounts of vitamin C can cause problems!

Baby Aspirin
This remedy is for those who experience spontaneous abortions/miscarriages. It helps to stop the clotting of blood and helps to sustain a pregnancy. I will not be using this remedy as I do not have issues with sustaining a pregnancy. More info... Never take aspirin for fertility without speaking with your doctor. Doses of aspirin can be extremely dangerous and can cause to much thinning of the blood!

All of the info in this post has come from all sorts of resources, all have been highlighted and linked within the posts. Id like to say that this by no means the only wives tale remedies but are ones i find most interesting!!! Ill update in a future post on my finding with the ones i have chosen to do!



***EDIT*** im sneaking this one in... I was cooking dinner just now and notice a giant bag of baby carrots i bought, how could i forget to include them :)  Carrots are a huge source of vitamin A - which aids in quality CM - much like some of the other remedies!  gonna be trying this one for sure.  I also tried my grapefruit juice again.... its not happing!!  :(  tastes like death :(

Reviews: Internet Ovulation Tests/Strips

To kick off the week I have a new review!  It kind of ties into my last review and controversy over "cheap" test strips.  For the purposes of this review I am using:

Eary-Pregnancy-Tests.com: Ovulation Test Strips

Where to but Internet tests strip
These are Internet strips which can be bought with a credit card via the Early-Pregnancy-Test website. I chose this site in particular due to suggestions from other TTCers and it seems to be the most trusted and popular site to buy both pregnancy and ovulation tests. 


Costs
The tests can be bought individual or in large numbers.  Here is a grid for the pricing of the tests:

1 - 9 tests	$1.10 each
10 - 19 tests	$1.06 each
20 - 49 tests	$0.90 each
50 - 99 tests	$0.60 each
100 - or more tests	$0.55 each

As you can see the more you buy, the cheaper they are - even as low as .55cents per test.   Tests are no more then $1.10 per test.  I had gotten a promotional pack which includes: 25 ovulation tests and 10 pregnancy tests for $24.95 - this deal can be found here.

Shipping is free on orders over $14.99 and $2.99 for orders otherwise.


What you receive
My package took about a week to get here.  I am in Canada and this order is from a USA company.  International orders take longer due to customs etc. When i received my package it was in a plain envelope with discrete labelling (the return address simple says "Online Store".  The whole package looks something like this upon arrival (minus the fact i have opened mine):

Inside was the strips, an instruction sheet on both tests, brochures: on other fertility products, receipt/summary of order, and a special gift: a cute collectors tattoo {apparently they come out with a new one on a monthly basis}

[sorry despite best efforts this pic wouldn't rotate]

[photo borrowed from the Early Pregnancy Tests Website]

Test Details

Each tests comes individually wrapped in foil with an expiration date clearly written on the package alone with the type of test {hcg or Lh}. The tests are very light weight and have a width of 5milimeters.  The tests are 99.9% accurate in predicting an LH surge.

Using the test

When TTCing many women are aware of their cycle lengths.  This can help determine when to starting testing for LH (the hormone used to determine imminent ovulation).  For me i began on CD 16 however i would have started on the CD15 (i received my order on the CD 16). 

The testing process was extremely easy:

1) Collect Urine in specimen cup (i used a clean dixie cup) - Collection is best between 10am-8pm.  For multiple collection days, you should collect urine at same time each day.  The test page says to reduce liquid intake 2 hours prior so the test is diluted. DO NOT collect first morning urine. 

2) remove test from foil package and drop into urine but not past the MAX line, strip can be removed after 5 seconds and lay on flat surface

3) results can appear in as little as 40 seconds but a full 10 mins wait is recommended.  There is a great video on the company's website showing this process here.

Results

As in any Ovulation Test - a positive result is indicated when both control and test lines are of equal colour, OR when the test line is darker then the control line.   A negative would include: no test line, faint test line, test line being lighter then the control line. 

Here is 5 of my own test strips over a period of 4 days:

This is what my results tell me.... My test line became darker and darker from CD 16-18 with CD 18 having the darkest line AND nearly being a positive.  Real life [aka the weekend] took over me and i did not test on CD 19. When i went to test on CD 20 the line was light and almost gone.  This tells me the LH surge is over, and I had ovulated.   I believe i had a positive test later in the day on CD 18 [yes you CAN get a negative earlier and a positive later/ viseverssa] or on CD 19.   Either way I ovulated thereafter.

Ovulation generally occurs 24-48 AFTER you get your positive OPK results.  Saving tests is good for comparison.

Now that I have this information I can use it with my Fertility Chart:

**yes I'm slacking with my temping but Bubzer totally stole my BBT and I have a feeling it ended up in the garbage** but i usually O around CD 18.  Hubby and I had sex on CD 16-19 so I'm hoping this might be it :)  You can see my OPK results listed on the last line. 
My final thoughts
I am a fan of theses tests.  I would use them again and recommend them to a friend. They definitely have my as a future customer.

Pros
- east to use/read
- individual packaging
- variety packs offer great choices for ovulation/pregnancy test combos
- can save for comparison
- reliable
- free gift with purchase
- CHEAP pricing *like*like*like*
- free shipping on orders over $14.99

Cons
- i needed the tests prior to the day i got them - however i am international and should have ordered sooner
- no options for package tracking (and if you were a spaz like me you'd probably check every day!
- credit card needed for orders
- must test several times to get a clear picture - this is a con of ALL OPKs not just this sites

** info taking through my experience using the Early-Pregnancy-Tests.com products via their website and info packages included with the product**

**personal experiences from my own views only and should be seen strictly as personal opinion.  I can not speak for anyone else using these products**

Links

Early-Pregnancy-Tests.com

FertilityFriend.com