Sheer Cover Review

Sheer Cover Duo Concealer - Light/Medium

Product Overview:
 

Sheer Cover® Concealer is perfect for all skin types and tones.  Our concealer is a customer favorite offering a custom blend for the various shades on your face and covers up imperfections.  It not only covers up the look of dark circles, blemishes, redness and age spots, it also moisturizes with Jojoba and Allantoin.

It instantly conceals blemishes, dark spots, hyperpigmentation and uneven skin tone – we’ve got life’s little imperfections covered!

KEY BENEFITS:
- Instantly covers skin imperfections for a flawless, natural look
- Variable coverage – sheer and creamy perfect for under eye circles or more opaque for blemishes, dark spots and hyperpigmentation
- Easy application  – glides on, won’t pull or tug at fragile skin
- Enriched with natural, moisturizing Jojoba to help nourish and restore the skins’ natural moisture balance
- Allantoin helps calm and soothe sensitive, irritated skin
- Provides antioxidant protection from free-radical scavengers
- Dermatologist-tested

HOW TO USE:
Using fingertips, concealer brush or a cosmetic sponge dab a small amount of concealer on area to be covered. Blend well. Start sheer, adding layers to increase coverage. Wear alone, under or over makeup. Let dry before applying makeup.

 

Where to Buy

Customers can visit www.SheerCover.com or call 1-877-489-2035 to purchase Sheer Cover.
$29.95 for the concealer (non-member price) and $29.95 for the introductory system, which also includes the Duo Concealer.

Here's my take:  First off, let me say that I received Sheer Cover Duo Concealer in Light/Medium shade for free as a product tester for Influenster.  I have not been paid to review this item nor have I been influenced to give less than an honest review.  
I've been sort of a makeup dunce for quite some time.  My mom never really showed me and my sisters how to use makeup, thus, everything I've been learning is stuff I pick up on my own.  This concealer came just in time.  I had a concealer of a drug store brand I was using, but it was all the wrong color for my skin.  I ended up with yellow raccoon eyes.  Not so sexy.  So, I was so excited to try Sheer Cover Duo Concealer!  I see all of the makeup gurus on YouTube painting their concealer on with a brush and I yearned to be in that club!  I am on a tight budget, however, so I haven't been able to purchase a new concealer for myself.  The Sheer Cover Duo was such a treat for this reason.  The MyGlam ladies got this same item in their January MyGlam bag (I missed it by a month) so I was a bit jealous and also interested in using it after reading the excellent feedback about it.  

I don't really have scarred or acne or redness prone skin, but I DO have very dark circles under my eyes due to keeping strange hours and having a less than balanced diet.  This concealer is a frickin' GODSEND.  I was skeptical at first, but the first time I used it, I blended the colors together to find my perfect shade and it matches so nicely.  It's easy to use and blend.  It goes on smoothly and sticks once you set it with your favorite powder.  it's really lovely.  If I had any complaint about it, it may be that the concealer feels a bit like grease paint, however, if grease paint is what is necessary to cover my dark circles, BRING IT ON!!  Here is a quick pic I took to show you the difference between using the Sheer Cover Duo and not using anything at all.  Please excuse my eyebrows and rest of my face - I didn't do a full makeup look for this picture.  I just wanted to show you the difference in how Sheer Cover Duo covers up my dark circles.  I think it's pretty darn impressive.

No PhotoShop here!

All in all, I LOVE this.  I think I may actually even purchase the whole kit when I run out of this.  If the concealer can do this, I can't wait to see how the rest of the line works for me.  I would HIGHLY recommend Sheer Cover makeup and skincare to anyone with stubborn imperfections on their skin. 

Sally Hansen Salon Effects

Sally Hansen Salon Effects Real Nail Polish Strips "Frock Star"

Product Overview:

Don't Get Stuck With a Sticker!

Nothing feels or wears like real nail polish. Now Sally makes it easy to get Salon Effects anytime, any place using real nail polish – with no dry time! Don’t settle for plastic imitations that peel off. We’re the real thing. Just peel, apply & file! Learn more at www.sallyhansen.com

• No dry time

• Lasts up to 10 days
• Removes easily with nail polish remover

• 40 must-have styles

Where to Buy

Available at chain drug stores, food stores and mass merchandisers nationally.

Suggested Retail Price: $9.99

Here's my take:  First off, let me say that I received Sally Hansen Salon Effects Real Nail Polish Strips for free as a product tester for Influenster.  I have not been paid to review this item nor have I been influenced to give less than an honest review.  
These are too cool.  I've been drooling over them ever since they came out some time ago.  I'm generally VERY frugal and haven't had the guts to try this product due to the cost and fear of it being gimmicky.  These nail polish strips are far from gimmicky!  They work!  I am a big fan of glitter, so I was thrilled to get these in the color "frock star" which is sort of a bright, party glitter.  Honestly, they almost remind me of a festive July 4th nail polish.  I was wanting to save them, but since I would like to complete the brand challenges from Influenster, guess who is getting a full manicure with them tonight?  THIS GIRL!  I already did try these on my thumbs to see how they worked.  They were relatively easy to apply (READ AND FOLLOW THE DIRECTIONS - I can't stress that enough), they lasted longer than my usual self-mani lasts, the strips don't stink up a room like nail polish does (the mister was loving that) and the patterns are so fabulous.  I think since I like these, I will avoid getting a full set of acrylics for a special occasion and instead, buy some of these.  Yes they are that cute!  My nails don't hold polish well for some reason.  I do everything I'm supposed to (smooth out the ridges, swipe some polish remover over the nail, etc) and my polish still peels off.  These really were no exception, but they did last about a day longer than my usual nail polish.  They were easy to remove as well once they started peeling off of my uncooperative nails.  I WILL buy these again.  I'm excited to look over all of the patterns in the store (not so excited to have to pick ONE out - I want them all)!  Thank you Sally Hansen and Influenster for giving me the opportunity to try a product I was too afraid to try before.  Now I know I love them!

Dr. Scholl's For Her Ball of Foot Cushions Review

Dr. Scholl's For Her Ball of Foot Cushions

Product Overview:

Created uniquely for women's shoes, the slim design of Dr. Scholl's^® For Her Ball of Foot Cushions prevents your feet from sliding forward, so you avoid “toe scrunch”. Plus, they fit comfortably and discreetly in both open- and closed-toe shoes.

• Helps prevent ball of foot pain
• Immediate Massaging Gel™ comfort for the ball of your foot
• Only ball of foot product made with unique FabuSTEP^® gel
• Prevents toe scrunch
• Stays firmly in place
• Removable without damage to your shoes
• Discreetly fits all women's shoes

Available in:

• One size fits all

Designed to fit:

• All women's shoes
• Made with FabuSTEP^® gel to prevent feet from sliding forward
• Gel waves cushion the sensitive ball-of-foot area
• Massages your foot with every step
• Small design prevents toe scrunch

How to use:

• Place on top of your current insole
• No trimming required
• Replace every 6 months or at first signs of wear

Where to Buy:

You can find Dr.Scholl's For Her at most major department stores and pharmacies.

Suggest retail price of the Dr. Scholl's For Her Ball of Foot Cushions:  $5.00 - $7.00 ($2.00 off coupons available at their website!)

Here's my take:  First off, let me say that I received the Dr. Scholl's For Her Ball of Foot Cushions for free as a product tester for Influenster.  I have not been paid to review this item nor have I been influenced to give less than an honest review. 
Me and heels?  Yeah, we don't get along.  I was stoked to try these for that very reason.  I've searched high and low for years for a decent pair of heels that won't murder my feet.  I finally found a pair that works better than others I've tried, but my feet still slide down inside them a little, causing quite a bit of pressure on the balls of my feet.  
These were easy to install into my shoes (just peeled and stuck them into the shoes) and I was ready to wear them in no time.  I noticed they do help quite a bit with the sliding and keeping my feet in place inside of my shoes.  There is nice gel cushioning as well, so the pressure of my body on my feet is much more tolerable than it was before.  I like that Dr. Scholl's for her are really affordable (someone with an epic shoe collection will benefit from that!), easy to use, easy to find in the store and they work fairly well.  Are they perfect?  Not exactly, however, I am overweight and don't have a lot of experience wearing heels on a regular basis, so perhaps I am not completely qualified to make that judgment.  They do really help the pain in my legs and feet, so they most definitely work at least moderately for me.  I would be interested in trying the rest of this product line to see if perhaps the high heel insoles would be more appropriate for my needs.  I will say this, though, I bought 2 sets (one for ball of foot, one for ankle rub) of cheap stick on cushions at the shoe store I got my heels at and they don't even touch the quality of Dr. Scholl's.  They were more expensive, an ugly color, no gel inside and they were less than stellar.  Dr. Scholl's blew them out of the water.  I'd highly suggest purchasing the Dr. Scholl's for Her before trying any other cushions for your shoes.

Bath & Body Works Fine Fragrance Mist

Bath & Body Works Fine Fragrance Mist "Paris Amour"

Product Overview:

NEW Fine Fragrance Mist Collection!

Fine fragrance in a mist as light as air. Discover a better, more delicate fragrance experience in over 20 Signature fragrances. It’s love at first mist! Exclusively at Bath & Body Works.

The Fine Fragrance Mist Collection:        
-          Be Enchanted™
-          White Citrus
-          Cherry Blossom
-          Coconut Lime Breeze
-          Into The Wild™
-          Dark Kiss™
-          Black Amethyst™
-          Sensual Amber™
-          Midnight Pomegranate®
-          Carried Away™
-          Forever Sunshine™
-          Secret Wonderland™
-          Black Raspberry Vanilla
-          Pink Chiffon
-          Paris Amour
-          Twilight Woods™
-          Sweet Pea®
-          Moonlight Path®
-          Japanese Cherry Blossom
-          Country Chic™
-          Warm Vanilla Sugar®
-          Sea Island Cotton®

Where to Buy:

You can find Bath and Body Works products at a registered retail store near you!

Suggest retail price of the Fine Fragrance Mists:  $14.00
You can also purchase this via Bath and Body Works website (they have so many wonderful deals throughout the year!) http://www.bathandbodyworks.com

Here's my take:  First off, let me say that I received this Fine Fragrance Mist for free as a product tester for Influenster.  I have not been paid to review this item nor have I been influenced to give less than an honest review.  With that said, I have always loved Bath and Body Works fragrances.  Sadly, I can no longer use their lotions and other yummy goodies due to very fussy skin (psoriasis, yay!) but I can still use their fragrances, which is awesome.  I was thrilled to receive this fine fragrance mist in the "Paris Amour" scent because I have never smelled it before (hey, don't judge me -  I haven't been to a mall in a while).  My first impression upon spraying myself with it was the scent is light, girly and "pink" smelling like many pricey, high-end, pink-themed designer perfumes that have been hitting the market lately.  The scent is inspired by white tulips and pink champagne.  YUMMY!  It's so girly, sweet-smelling and a little musky.  My hubby even approves of the scent!  It feels silky on my skin and dries quickly.  The scent lingers and stays for quite a while.  Usually, I stop smelling fragrance on my skin after a couple of hours, but this lasted all day.  I couldn't stop sniffing myself!  This is a scent I will most definitely be keeping in my arsenal for myself.  I think the other ladies in my life (like my sisters) would love it as a gift, too.  It's reasonably priced, easy to find (online and in BBW retail stores), lasts a long time, and is a great value for the retail price of $14.00.  BBW usually has sales throughout the year, so odds are, you could get this fragrance for even less than what it retails for much of the time.  This one is definitely a winner.  Thank you Bath and Bod Works and Influenster for giving me the opportunity to try this lovely fragrance!

Weighing In - A bittersweet moment.

I don't do a lot of personal posts on here, but I am "every day" girl and if anyone IS out there reading, I'd like to share that I weighed in today at the doctor's and I'm over halfway to my 100 pound weight loss goal!  That's still 45 pounds to go, but it seems so much less daunting than ONE HUNDRED.

If I can do it, anyone can do it with enough attention to diet, exercise and lifestyle changes.  The road hasn't been easy and I would be lying if I said I wasn't disappointed that the number on the scale wasn't less than I hoped, but still, I'm 55 frickin' pounds down from my heaviest weight ever.  Bittersweet.

Spring Beauty VoxBox - May 2012

A bit about Influenster:

(Taken from Influenster's Facebook Page) Exclusive community of trendsetters using their influential power to qualify for complimentary product shipments, rewards and deals fit for their lifestyles.

Company Overview:

Influenster is the go-to destination for trendsetters who want to be rewarded for their influence. Qualified members gain access to the latest products, share their expert opinions and spread the word on their favorite discoveries.

Here's my take:  If you are into social influencing using outlets like blogs, Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and other sites, Influenster is right up your alley.  They send VoxBoxes out to people, matching their demographic with the products.  Unlike other beauty subscription services, Influenster is free.  However, there is a catch.  You are NOT guaranteed a box if you do not meet the qualifications for the box they are sending out.  To qualify, your demographics, including age, location, interests, lifestyle and other factors will come into play.  You are not even guaranteed a box if you DO meet the qualifications.  They ship out VoxBoxes for different lifestyles.  This one is a beauty box!  The next upcoming campaign is for moms, so I will be sitting that one out.  Most of the products I received are full-size and very generous.  The other catch is, you have to review these products on the Influenster site as well as other places and also promote these products, if you enjoy them, on your favorite social networking outlets.  Please note, I was not paid to review these items and I received them complimentary from Influenster.  I'm not obligated to give a good review for any of these, just honest opinions.  I haven't tried everything yet, but when I do, I will report back and blog about each of these products!

Influenster Spring Beauty VoxBox Contents May 2012

What was in May's VoxBox:

The box itself - Nothing terribly special here!  Just a white box with some packing peanuts.  I noticed they smelled like popcorn and my dorky self was seriously dorky enough to see if they were some kind of organic, popcorn packing peanuts.  I do not recommend trying to eat them.  They are not popcorn.  The box came with a card explaining about which products I would find in the box.  It also came with an information pamphlet for Sally Hansen's Salon Effects Nail Strips showing all of the available colors and patterns.  Very helpful!  Everything was packed carefully and nothing was broken.

Dr. Scholl's For Her - Ball of Foot Cushions (high heel)

Dr. Scholl's For Her - Ball of Foot (High Heels) Cushions - SO excited to try these.  My feet and high heels do not play well together.  It doesn't matter how well the shoe fits, I'm still hobbling like an injured animal by the end of an hour or two with heels on my feet.  What can I say?  I'm a sneakers kind of girl. My biggest complaint?  THE BALLS OF MY FEET.  These were made for me to try.  I'll be sticking them in my Fergalicious platforms to really give them a spin.  I haven't tried them YET, but I will be trying them within the next week!  

What Dr. Scholl's says:

• Helps prevent foot pain caused by high heels
• Proven to improve the way you feel in heels
• Unique ultra-soft FabuSTEP^® gel arch shifts pressure off your ball of foot
• Immediate and all day comfort
• Stays firmly in place
• Removable without damage to shoes
• Slim design won't make shoes feel tight
• Practically invisible, even in strappy heels

Available in:

• Women's (sizes 6-10)

Designed to fit:

• All high heels, 2″ and higher

• Uniquely designed ultra-soft gel arch shifts pressure off the ball of your foot
• FabuSTEP^® gel provides added cushioning
• Unique adhesive keeps insole in place
• ¾ length design won't crowd toes

How to use:

• Place on top of your current insole
• No trimming required
• Replace every 6 months or at first signs of wear

 Value - $11.99/ $9.99 w/coupon ($2 off coupon available on Dr. Scholl's website!)

ChapStick Lip SHIELD 365

ChapStick LipShield 365 - I'm also very excited to try this.  I live in the Mojave desert and I'm active outdoors, so the sun wreaks havoc on my lips on a regular basis.  Honestly, nothing has really helped my lips until I tried Dermstore's Lip Quench, but now I have something new and more "sporty" to try!  I feel bad using the Lip Quench because it's preetttttyyy and shimmers and I want to save it as an over-gloss.  Chapstick's Lip SHIELD 365 will be the perfect thing to keep in my day pack for when my lips get super dried out and parched.  I wear SPF 70 on my skin (yes, they make it that high) so ChapStick's Lip SHIELD 365 with SPF 50 is really perfect for my lips.  I'm heading out to Death Valley this weekend, so it WILL be put to the test!

What ChapStick says:

This new product offers all season protection & moisturization for year-round exposure to the sun (that's me!), wind & cold.  With SPF 50+, it helps to protect from the sun's damaging UVA/UVB rays.

Value - $1.89 - $2.39

Bath & Body Works Fine Fragrance Mist "Paris Amour"

Bath and Body Works Fine Fragrance Mist "Paris Amour" fragrance - I've always been a fan of Bath and Body Works fragrances.  Sadly, I can no longer use the lotions or body washes due to very fussy, dry, psoriasis-prone skin.  But good news!  I can still use the body sprays!  I've always preferred the sweet-smelling food/fruit fragrances and I've never smelled "Paris Amour" before, but I was pleasantly surprised.  It's sweet-smelling and "pink" to me.  I'm not really a master of fragrance notes, but this smells lovely and even the hubby approves.  The B&BW website says "white tulips and pink champagne."  I will definitely be using this one and I will be telling my friends about this particular scent.  I'll also be keeping it in the back of my mind as a gift for someone!  It seems Bath and Body Works have revamped their branding with the Fragrance Mists and are looking to get the word out.  If it's been a while since you've tried Bath and Body Works, give these new mists a try, they're gorgeous (even the bottle is sexy)!  Also, as a sidenote, Bath and Body Works does not test on animals.  Even more of a reason to spend your cash there!

What Bath and Body Works says:

Discover a better, more delicate fragrance experience with the NEW Fragrance Mist Collection.  With over 50 Signature fragrances to choose from, it's love at first mist!

Value:  $14.00

Sally Hansen Salon Effects "Frock Star"

Sally Hansen Salon Effects - Frock Star - Nail Strips seem to be all the rage these days.  I tried them for the first time a week ago and they are FUN!  I'm thrilled to try the "popular" brand of these because I see them in the store all the time.  I'm very frugal with my money, so I haven't tried them for myself yet because I wasn't sure if they would be a gimmick or "too good to be true."  They are a little on the pricey side for me, but if I like them, I will still fork out the cash.  I haven't tried these yet, but I will be very soon.  The color I got was "Frock Star" and this is a menagerie of glitter!  I LOVE GLITTER.  I also can't keep a manicure for more than a day with my natural nails, so I'm really curious and excited to see how these hold up.

What Sally Hansen says:

Real Nail Polish Strips!  This product wears like nail polish because it IS nail polish (with no drying time).  Apply and you're ready to go!

Value: $9.99

SOYJOY Bar - Strawberry

SOYJOY Bar Strawberry - Can you say YUMMY?  These things are really good.  I saw a spoiler for this VoxBox before a majority of us got it and I saw the SOYJOY bar.  I made a point to buy one the next day in Blueberry Flavor.  Both flavors are so good!  They aren't overly sweet or filling.  The fruit tastes like real dried fruit and not chemicals. It contains real fruit, real soy, is gluten free (SCORE!!), and 0 trans fats.  The ingredients mostly read like an ingredient list for grandma's cookies - not many long, chemical names here. It's definitely nice to have an option other than that well-known energy/snack bar.  I can truly say I enjoyed these (and CRAVE them now) and they will be a regular purchase in my household.  Even if I eat 5 in one sitting.  

What SOYJOY says:

Enjoy SOYJOY with all-natural real ingredients like real fruit and whole soy!  Simply baked in their Southern California bakery into SOYJOY bars for REAL energy-sustaining deliciousness.

Value:  $0.99 - $1.29

Sheer Cover Duo Concealer

Sheer Cover Duo Concealer - I am so thrilled to be able to test this product out.  I have AWFUL dark circles under my eyes from keeping weird hours and doing some crazy dieting.  The current concealer I've been using is a horrible, off shade and turns my skin yellow.  I haven't had the cash to replace it with a more appropriate concealer, so when I learned this was coming, I was stoked.  I missed this by a month from MyGlam, but I'm getting my chance to try it now.  I've heard GREAT things about it and the pictures people have posted don't lie.  I haven't tried this yet, but it's one of my top priorities with this VoxBox.  

What Sheer Cover says:

Ideal for hiding blemishes, age spots, redness, scars, and other imperfection without heavy, cakey coverage.  Duo shades can be blended to perfectly match your skin tone.

Sold in one-month supply kit of 6 products + 3 Bonus Products (Sheer Cover & Influenster - YOU TEASES!) - $29.95

Aveeno Daily Moisturizing Body Wash

Aveeno Daily Moisturizing Body Wash - I use Aveeno Lotions at night (thanks for the Christmas gift, mom!) but I haven't tried their body wash yet.  I'm generally satisfied with their products (they don't irritate my skin like some other brands do) and they are reasonably priced and easy to find.  I have psoriasis on my elbows, so I'm looking forward to seeing if using this body wash helps to calm my itchy skin down.  This came as a sample size, but it's a generous sample and will probably get at least a week or two of use out of it.

What Aveeno says:

This body wash cleanses & moisturizes for visibly healthier skin every time you shower.  It's lightly fragranced, soap free, dye-free & hypoallergenic so it's gentle enough for sensitive skin.

Value:  $6.99 - $8.99 for full-size bottle

The Verdict:

Seriously?  It's like Influenster went inside of my brain, saw every beauty concern of mine and sent me a box to rescue me.  I really love everything.  Influenster was very generous with us Beauty testers this month and I am looking forward to trying every single one of these products and giving them a more in-depth review.  This was WAy above and beyond what I expected when I signed up for Influenster.  I'm happy I did!  Sign up too at:  http://www.influenster.com

Dr. Scholl's Massaging Gel Insoles Upcoming Bzz Campaign

I was asked to join the Bzz Campaign for Dr. Scholl's Massaging Gel insoles today!  I'm so excited to try these because I do A LOT of walking and hiking and my feet hurt at the end of the day.  I want to see if these babies can keep up with me!  Once I get my kit and give it a try, I'll report back on what I think of these.  In the meantime, check out BzzAgent for yourself!

May MyGlam Bag

The bag!

What was in May's Bag:

 

The bag - Cute!

 

The bag itself - Silky baby blue fabric (pretty much the same satin texture from February's Valentine's bag) with bright pink kisses print all over it.  The theme this month is "Love is in the Air" - I assume this is a play on the ever-popular prom theme, so the bag (and contents) are sort of girly/heart-y/etc.

Studio Gear Complete Color Lipstick - "Enchanted"

Studio Gear Complete Color Intensely Professional Lipstick in "Enchanted"  - Nice lipstick that seems very creamy/smooth.  Has nice black packaging and the matte finish on the tube is sexy looking.  I got the color "Enchanted" which is strangely not on the color menu on the website.  It's sort of a deep mauve color.  A little disappointing since I already have 3 other lipsticks this color.  Oh well! Value - $15.00

Philosophy "Love Sweet Love" Fragrance Sample

Philosophy Love Sweet Love Fragrance sample - I LOVE perfume.  It's so pricey so I only get some maybe once or twice a year and have to make it last.  I gave this a try (a little disappointed that it was one of the non-spray sample bottles) and I like it.  My husband did too.  I'm not much of a perfume conoisseur (I know they smell good, but I don't know what each note is), but to me, this smells like a lot of other cheaper "pink" themed perfumes.  Very girly and young smelling.  I'll probably finish off the bottle, but unlikely I will purchase a full-size of this fragrance. Value -Unknown (probably can get the same sample for free from Philosophy)

Miss Beauty Nail Bling (and one on my thumb!)

Miss Beauty Nail Bling - I've never tried nail strips before, so this was a first!  They are a little young-themed (the hearts would have been perfect for Valentine's Day, though!) but I gave them a try anyway because I have no problems being a kid at heart.  They were surprisingly easy to apply and I had my doubts about them staying on (a coat of nail polish peels off after 24 hours on my fingers) but they are still on and sparkley the next day.  They are very cute and the hearts remind me of pixel hearts.  I'll probably stick a few on here and there when I'm feeling like being girly.  I have one on each thumb right now.  The finger sizes are strange and a bit big, so I could see it being a problem trying to apply these to every finger (especially a younger teen or tween girl - who these would be GREAT for) so some trimming may be necessary.  I am a little weirded out that I can't find these online.  Part of joining these beauty subscription services is being able to try out new products.  If you can't buy these online, where can you buy them?  Do they have other patterns or colors?  It seems like that remains a mystery.  So, for that reason, I cannot tell you the value of this item.  I'd venture to say somewhere in the $5.00-$7.00 ballpark.

MyGlam EyeShadow Detail Brush + Lipcolor brush

MyGlam Eyeshadow Detail Brush & MyGlam Lipstick Brush- Two more brushes from MyGlam.  They are the same "MyGlam Pink" and same quality as the others they have been sending.  I haven't had a chance to use them yet, but they are probably my favorite brushes from them since they've been sending them.  MyGlam said this would be the last month for brushes, which I'm happy about.  I think these would have made great "extras" but should never have been part of the samples included in the bag. Value: Approximately $5.00-$8.00

The Verdict:

May's MyGlam bag is less than stellar. I like the lipstick, but the shade isn't my thing.  The nail decals are cute, but also a little young for me to wear on any regular basis.  The perfume is okay, but not my favorite.  The brushes will still get used.  I feel like the samples have been getting smaller or there's just less of them in the bag altogether.  This bag would have been a great gift for a girl going to her first prom, but probably most of it will be less than desirable for women older than 25. June is my birthday month, so I'm giving MyGlam one more chance to wow me since the brushes are done with.

NuMe Styling Irons & Products

I found out about NuMe from the MyGlam beauty subscription service.  They gave us a "$100 gift certificate" to use on styling irons or extensions in the NuMe online store.  I did a little research and while the $100 gift card was a nice thought, there were better discounts out there to be found.  I got a really nice set of stuff from them for somewhere around $100 total.  The set included a Vintage Flat Iron (one of their most popular models), a Reverse 13-25 Curling Wand, a comb, a heat pouch, thermal protectant spray, and shine spray.  If I had used the coupon from MyGlam, I only would have been able to get a flat iron or curling wand for somewhere in the ballpark of $50.  I've never owned any of my own hair tools before, so I figured it made more sense to pony up the extra bucks and get the better value (even though it cost me more) and finally get myself stocked up on the necessities most of us ladies need to make our hair look nice. 

Let me say, at first, I was skeptical because I went through one of those "coupon" sites that offer special deals.  It had to be redeemed a certain way and the website had an error preventing me from ordering.  I was finally able to order over the phone and I got my package within days because they are located in Southern California.  Their customer service was extremely helpful and pleasant, which impresses me being from the service industry.

Let me also say that I have tried everything to curl my naturally long, dull, flat hair.  I've tried other curling irons, heat rollers, braids, rags, foam rollers, you name it.  I'd get nice curls and 10 minutes later, they would be falling flat and looking ugly.  I also had to use obscene amounts of product like hairspray and mousse to even get my curls to remotely stick.  I read great reviews about NuMe's irons being the "only thing that works to curl my hair" so I was optimistic. 

You'll have to forgive my photographs.  I'm no pro. 

What was in the box - NuMe Vintage Straightener in purple, 25-13 mm Reverse Curling Wand, 2 sprays (thermal & shine), NuMe Straightening Comb, and Black Thermal Pouch

These irons WORK.  It used to take me over an hour and a half to curl my hair.  My hair is LONG.  It sometimes reaches past my waist when I've neglected to get a haircut.  My NuMe Reverse curls my hair in 15-20 minutes, depending on how tight I want the curls.  That is a huge difference.  I'm a girl of convenience.  Most of the time, I just leave the house with no makeup or special hairstyles.  But now, thanks to my NuMes, I can look good all the time!

NuMe 25-13 mm Reverse Curling Wand

The Curling Wand is easy, once you get the hang of it.  Wear the glove when you first use it though, because it does get hot.  I've gotten better with using it without the glove, so that's just my preference (I have burned myself a few times!).  Wrap the hair around the barrel of the iron, hold for 5-10 seconds, let go and allow the curl to unravel naturally.  Repeat until your head is done.  The nice thing about the Reverse is you can vary your curls with it because of the barrel shape.

NuMe Vintage Straightener in Purple (YES IT COMES IN PURPLE!!! :D)

The straightener works just as efficiently and gets hotter, so be careful if you purchase one.  There is a temperature dial on it, so you can adjust the heat settings depending on the thickness and condition of your hair.  This tool straightens my hair quite nicely and I've also taken to attempting curls with it.  There are lots of YouTube vids about how to curl with a straightener, I suggest you check out this black magic!

NuMe Miracle Shine & NuMe Thermal Protectant

The shine spray and heat protectant are just so-so.  They feel greasy and smell oddly to me, so I haven't been using them.  I much prefer using Argan Oil as a thermal protectant because it smells amazing and leaves my hair soft and shiny. NuMe has an Argan Oil I really want to try.  Maybe next time!

The heat pouch has saved my dated, plasticky, bathroom counter.  I set both of my tools on them when in use.

NuMe Straightening Comb

Frickin' adorable box!

The comb is alright, but I haven't really used it much.  It's a straightening comb meant to be used with the straightener.  It came in an absolutely adorable box that I can't bear to throw away!

Since using these irons, I have not needed any more than a VERY light spritz of hairspray to hold my style.  Previously, I had to spray a strand, roll it up on the iron and let it sizzle.  I can't even imagine the amount of damage I've done to my hair doing that, but I had no choice!  This usually left me with drab, crunchy, gross feeling curls that even still, fell out after a few minutes.  NuMe's irons make my hair shiny, leave it soft-feeling and the curls hold for days.  I'm a SERIOUSLY satisfied customer with these products and I highly suggest you buy from NuMe the next time you're in the market for heat styling tools.

Just make sure you use GOOGLE to find special deals before purchasing an iron directly from the site because the deals are truly the best value.

A (very delayed) Double Post for March & April MyGlam Bags

I'm a bad, bad blogger!  I completely forgot to take a pretty picture of my March and April MyGlam bags to show you and THEN forgot to blog about them!  Better late than never, right?  So here it goes:

What was in March's Bag:

 

All photos courtesy of MyGlam.com (used with permission)

The bag itself - White canvas springy/hawaiian/retro print.  Very colorful and not overboard girly.  I like this pattern a lot!  It feels sturdy, too.  I've taken to using my MyGlam bags for organizing my hair goodies drawer.  It's perfect!

Keracolor Color-Enhancing Leave In Treatment for Natural Hair (photo courtesy of MyGlam.com)

Keracolor Color-Enhancing Leave In Treatment for Natural hair - This came in 2 foil packets that you are supposed to mix together.  Run through your hair and leave in.  The sample was okay sized, but it was not in the container pictured here (think conditioner samples that come in hair dye boxes).  I tried it and it left my hair simultaneously greasy AND dry at the same time.  I am unsure if I used it right.  I personally wouldn't purchase this again, but there were many glammies who loved it. Value (of sample):  $9.99 - you can pick one up for yourself at http://keracolorhair.com/

Glammie Classic Crease Brush & Case (photo courtesy of MyGlam.com)

Glammie Classic Crease Brush & Case - This is a light pink (glammie pink!) crease brush that came with an embossed brush case of the same color.  I'm pretty indifferent about this.  I am always happy to have new brushes, but I can't say it's something I am excited about either.  The case is okay, but it doesn't really "snap" where the magnets should snap together.  Lots of girls complained about the brush and case smelling badly of chemicals.  It didn't really bother me, but again, I'm just not excited about it either.  The brush itself does the job, so no real complaints here. Value:  $8.00

MURAD Absolute Bronzing Boost SPF 15 (photo courtesy of MyGlam.com)

 MURAD Absolute Bronzing Boost SPF 15 (.17 FL. OZ) - Let's be real.  I'm not much of a bronzer girl.  I have a naturally pale/fair complexion and only really get tan in summer (if I reeeeeealllly try).  I wasn't sure how to feel about the bronzer, since I don't use it.  It's cute, though!  It comes in a mini-pump packaging (I wish more companies would do nice packaging like this for their samples) and works just like a full-size would, just tiny!  I used it on the back of my hand and it gives a very slight bronze tone.  Not too orangey or yellow.  I have been using it to cover up my sunglasses lines from being in the sun!  All in all, it's nice to have in case I need it, which I rarely will.  I probably wouldn't buy this again, but if you're into bronzers, this one might be for you.  Value:  $7.60 (full size 1.0 FL.OZ. $38) - You can pick up your very own at:  http://www.murad.com/absolute-bronzing-boost-spf-15.jsp

Dermstore $25 Discount (photo courtesy of MyGlam.com)

Pur-lisse Pur-Protect SPF 30 Moisturizer (photo courtesy of MyGlam.com)

MURAD Eye Lift Perfector (photo courtesy of MyGlam.com

 DermStore Care Package - This included a VERY tiny packet of MURAD Eye Lift Perfector, A usual sized packet of Pur-lisse Pur-Protect SPF 30 Essential Daily Moisturizer, and a $25 DermStore Discount.  I used both the MURAD Eye Lift Perfector and the Pur-liss Pur-Protect SPF 30.  I honestly liked them both, but the eye lift stuff was in a seriously tiny packet.  Not much more than a single use in it.  But it did lift my droopy undereyes a bit and the concealer in it masked my dark circles pretty good.  The Pur-lisse Pur-Protect was nice too, but a little bit greasy.  I used it sparingly for probably 2 weeks, so I got some use even out of the small packet.  I didn't use the discount code, instead I traded it for a tube of NYX roll-on shimmer from a previous MyGlam bag. Estimated Value: $30.00 (with $25 discount code)  You can purchase any of these items from:  http://www.dermstore.com

The Verdict:

March's bag was okay.  I can't say I was overly thrilled with it.  A few new things I've never tried before were inside, so that was fun.  I probably wouldn't purchase most of these items separately due to their higher-end cost. 

What was in April's Bag:

 

April Bag (courtesy of MyGlam.com)

The bag itself - Shinyyyy!  This bag was shiny metallic pink.  The theme was "Girl's Night Out."  The bag is the same as all the rest of them, except this time (funny enough) my husband happened to think the shiny pink was really cool.  I'm using this particular one to hold some smaller stuff in place inside my big purse.

Urban Decay 24/7 Glide On Pencil in Ransom (photo courtesy of MyGlam.com)

 Urban Decay 24/7 Glide On Pencil in Ransom - YAYYY!  The day I've been waiting for - to get a piece of UD makeup in my MyGlam bag.  I have been a fan of Urban Decay for a very long time and 2 of my sisters swear by their eye makeup.  I was thrilled to get this.  They sent me the color Ransom (iridescent purple) which is great because I already have a collection of black pencils.  This is a nice change and will make a great "accent" pencil.  I tried it on my hand and the staying power is awesome.  I tried rubbing it off and it didn't come off.  I needed to use makeup remover to get most of it off.  Great quality product and I would recommend picking one (or many!) up for yourself. Value - $19.99 You can get yours at: http://www.urbandecay.com

All-Belle Natural Lashes Red Wedding Style (photo courtesy of MyGlam.com)

All-Belle False Eyelashes Red Wedding - These are pretty lashes.  They are shorter than the ones I was using which will be nice for more natural looks.  I haven't had a chance to try them out yet, but they seem to work like any other false lashes.  They come with a small vial of eyelash glue, so that's a nice bonus.  I will probably use these eventually.  Value - $4.99 You can get 3 pairs of these for $10 for a limited time from http://myglam.myshopify.com/products/all-belle-false-eyelashes-3-sets

DERMSTORE Lip Quench (photo courtesy of MyGlam.com)

DERMSTORE Lip Quench - This came in a regular sized tube (think Vaseline lip stuff or any other usual tube of lip stuff).  It smells lovely (and tastes good too!), a lot like strawberries.  It is pale shimmery pink in color and goes on like a gloss.  I have to tell you, this stuff is no joke.  I get very dry lips because I am a desert explorer and this stuff is the only thing that brings them back to life after a long day out.  It REALLY works.  So I am very happy with this.  I would recommend it for anyone who needs a good lip treatment or just if you're into sheer, shimmery glosses.  Value:  $12.99  You can pick some up at: http://www.dermstore.com/product_Lip+Quench_38330.htm

MyGlam All Over Eyeshadow Brush & Eyeliner Brush - Two more nice brushes from MyGlam.  They work pretty well and as I said about the ones from March, they are nice but I'm not really EXCITED about them.  It's cool they are sending these, but it's my personal opinion these should be "extras" not part of the samples we are paying for.  They are soft and match the last brush and case, so I'll certainly use them.  Value: Unknown

The Verdict:

I'm mostly happy about the April bag.  It's probably my favorite so far.  My only issue is with the brushes because I want to try products out.  I know how brushes work and I'm happy to get them, but in the future, I would prefer less "mercH' style stuff and more samples/products.  May will be my last month subscribed to MyGlam if the quality doesn't improve more because at this point, I feel like I'd rather take my $10 and spend it on an item I really want, rather than on getting a few random samples and brushes.

So, there you have my reviews for the last 2 MyGlam bags!  I think these reviews take priority because these subscription services tend to be iffy and there's a lot of skewed information out there from people who have a stake in these companies.  Stay tuned for my May MyGlam Bag review (and see if I'm going to keep subscribing!)