Rimmel London and New York Color Review

Of all the things I received in my Frosty VoxBox, I was probably most excited about the makeup and the makeup remover. It's no secret that I'm a fan of big lashes and lots o' liner! Influenster even sweetened the pot by adding makeup remover in with their waterproof eyeliner.

Before and afters are a crazy things, aren't they? As you can see, I've definitely found my winter look! I started with Rimmel London's Stay Matte mousse foundation and then applied natural mineral powder. I threw in some contour and blush to accent my high cheekbones and highlight my eyes. Then I applied the NYC Expert Last Lip color, which I received in Sugar Plum. I've reviewed this brand before in Fuchsia, which really was not the color for me. The lip color is very smooth and lasts about three hours without reapplying. I'm a chapstick addict, but with this lipstick on I didn't even feel the need to moisturize my lips! (Am I the only Whovian hearing "Moisturize me!") 

After my face was done, I began to focus on my eyes.  I began by applying the Rimmel Scandaleyes Waterproof Kohl Kajal eyeliner. I never thought I would describe eyeliner as "creamy" and mean it as a good thing, but I loved the feel of this liner! It went on smoothly and instantly added drama to my eyes! After applying the eyeliner (Pictures two and three), I applied Covergirl's Bombshell Curvaceous mascara to complete the look.

When I test out a product that says "longwear" or "waterproof", I really want to see how long I can make it last! Although the NYC lipstick didn't last as long as I hoped a longwear lip color would last, I shouldn't have expected much more since it wasn't a stain. However, I was pleasantly surprised by the Rimmel London eyeliner. In the picture below, I had been wearing the eye makeup without touchups for approximately ten hours. There is some smudging on the lower lid and the inside corner is beginning to wear off, but over all this luscious eyeliner was holding its own!

After wearing the makeup out, it was time to test the Rimmel Gentle Eye Makeup Remover. As a contact wearer with sensitive skin, I was hesitant to test this product out. With the combination of the waterproof mascara and the waterproof eyeliner - boy, did I test it out! After two cotton pads covered in eye makeup, I had it down to the below picture. Although I feel that there is still a good deal of mascara left, it is a good compromise for how gently the remover is. I'll admit, I accidentally got some in my eye and it didn't burn at all! I would not recommend this completely as a makeup remover for the tougher longwear makeups, but I would definitely recommend this if you have sensitive skin and eyes.

Thank you for joining me for this review! If you have any questions about any of these products, or about Influenster, please feel free to ask in the comments!

I received these products complimentary from Influenster for testing purposes.

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No7 Protect & Perfect Advanced Serum Review

When I was writing about my Frost VoxBox, I previewed the No7 Protect & Perfect Advanced Serum and mentioned that I would be reviewing it in early January.  Well, guess what! It's early January and it's time for a review!

Although I'm only 22, I have crows feet and forehead wrinkles. I laugh and smile a lot and am very expressive - some say too expressive. Opinions of the harshness of my facial expressions aside, I have some wrinkles that need smoothing. I must admit, I was pretty skeptical about the No7 Protect & Perfect Advanced Serum, especially since it said that results may be seen in two weeks.

Look at those fine lines and wrinkles =(

Here is the lines with a passive expression. Notice the lines on the lower lid and the crows feet that are sticking around.

Two weeks after beginning of use!

The serum was odorless and didn't make my skin feel tight or tingly in any way. The lower lid wrinkles are still the most noticeable, and I've seen a decrease in their severity. The crows feet are starting to look more subtle. My deep forehead wrinkles are even hinting at improvement! I'm genuinely surprised at the difference I've seen in two weeks and am curious about what a longer trial would give me.

I received these products complimentary from Influenster for testing purposes.

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Seasons Greetings from Candy Cane Lane

I am a coffee kind of girl, as everyone knows. But there's no hiding the tea stash in the corner of my kitchen. I was very happy to see a pack of seasonal tea in my Frost VoxBox! The candy cane flavor is at the right level to be more than a hint but not an overbearing flavor. With just a teaspoon of sugar, this was a perfect afternoon treat!

I received these products complimentary from Influenster for testing purposes.

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FrostyVoxBox

Fruit Vines Bites are a new, soft, chewy fruit candy, from the Red Vines family. Available in two fruit flavors - strawberry and cherry. Even better. they are low fat made with no preservatives! The hubs loved these so much he couldn't even wait for me to finish taking my pictures to grab another one!

EcoTools hair brushes are designed with unique features that leave your head and hair happy and healthy. Long or short, straight or curly. EcoTools has the brush to tame any hair style with a variety of five brush head shapes and bristle designs specifically crafted to suit every head. It was really hard for me to switch up the hairbrush I use. I've been using the same one for far too long! The couple days I've been using the EcoTool one, my hair has been softer and shinier. It even dries faster after a shower!

McCormicks Gourmet's Thyme imparts a light minty flavor that is distinctively warm and aromatic. McComrick Gourmet Thyme can be used throughout the day in dishes such as breakfast casseroles, hearty soups, stews, stuffing, and oven-roasted chicken. 
Since receiving the McCormick Gourmet thyme, I've whipped up a couple of potato recipes and it's so good! The hubs (aka the cook of the house) was really excited to see this in my box! He went on and on about how fresh it smelled.

Rimmel Gentle Eye Makeup Remover gently removes all eye makeup, including long-lasting and waterproof makeup, with no oily residue. 
I'll be reviewing this product in mid-January! Keep your eyes out for it!

No7 Protect & Perfect Advanced is a clinically proven serum and is effective at reducting the appearance of fine lines for younger looking skin in just two weeks. 
I'll be reviewing this product in early January! Keep your eyes out for it!

Live life well this holiday season with Celestial Seasoning and take a stroll down Candy Cane Lane! It's made with the very finest green tea leaves, peppermint and other botanicals, because at Celestial Seasonings, we know you are what you steep.
I'll be reviewing this product in tomorrow! Keep your eyes out for it!

Rimmel Scandaleyes Waterproof Kohl Kajal Eyeliner give instant color impact with its high intensity pigments. They ultra-smooth and creamy formula glides on easily. 
I'll be reviewing this product in mid-January! Keep your eyes out for it!

NYC Expert Last Lip color is ready to take your lips to the next level. It comes in twenty tantalizing shades, like Sugar Plum. Get intense, amplified color and shine that lasts up to six hours. The moisturizing formula glides on easily for a silky, smooth, velvety finish for all day wear.
I'll be reviewing this product in mid-January! Keep your eyes out for it!

If you have any questions about the Frost VoxBox or Influenster, please feel free to leave it below and I'll be more than happy to answer!

Don't forget to check out my review on Clear Proof to see my two month update!

I received these products complimentary from Influenster for testing purposes.

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Clear Proof of Acne Control

I just finished my month long trial of the Clear Proof acne system, complimentary from Mary Kay and Influenster!

My biggest skin concern is definitely acne. I struggled with it as a teen and for some reason I thought that as soon as I turned 18, it would clear up! Obviously, four years have passed and I still have a pizza face. Below is pictured all of my current products for fighting acne. I have to mix it up often. Yes, that is toothpaste and VapoRub. I'm not ashamed.

First Impression:
Yeah, that before picture is pretty bad. Thank goodness for the foundation from my first Voxbox to cover that up. It's mid-October and I've begun my one month trial of Clear Proof. When I applied the first step (the face wash) I was genuinely surprised by how scentless it was. I'm used to citrus face washes and chemically smelling face washes...but this was honestly odorless. By the time I finished all four steps, my face felt as soft as a baby's bottom (and cleaner, too)!
 

24 Hours Out:
I can see a change in the level of redness and some of the pimples appear smaller. Oil control is improved, as well. However, my deep cystic acne hasn't shown any change and the really bad spots under my jawline are still disgustingly disgusting. I might even be breaking out worse there. My nurse-mom always warned me that when trying out a new acne treatment it might worsen your acne at first because it's "pulling out all the bad junk". I'm not sure the truth behind this, but I've always tried to see if new cleansers will get past the making-my-skin-worse phase.

First Week:
I've been using this system for a week now, and there hasn't been a huge difference. The small red pimples have decreased, no whiteheads, and smaller blackheads. However, my cystic acne may even be worse - hence the huge red spot on my cheek. The area under my jawline hasn't improved either.

Second Week:
It's been two weeks since I began using the Clear Proof system. I'm desperately hoping that my mother's theory is correct, or else I might have to give up on this acne system. Although my cystic acne is actually improving, the typical acne is much worse! Both sides of my chin and under my jaw appears very inflamed with several whiteheads. I am very thankful for how light the moisturizer is, though. My typically oily skin has stayed at a very reasonable level.

Third Week:
My skin is clearer than it was last week, but it is worse when compared to day one. My cystic acne is almost gone, but my typical acne is very inflamed and my blackheads are making a comeback. I'm hoping that since there  is an improvement since last week, that there will be more improvements in the final week. Good news is that my skin is super soft and not oily...it may even be on the drier side.

Fourth Week: 
I am surprised to say that this review has a bit of a twist ending! Turns out my mom was right when she said that I needed to give acne treatments time to "pull out all the crap". Most of the redness seen in the pictures is scarring that is fading quickly. I only have a few actual pimples left. Almost all of my cystic acne has smoothed out. I'm honestly satisfied with the direction my skin is going. It's almost glowing!

Like the sneak peek at the new item coming to Little Wonderland?

In summary, after completing the four week trial of Clear Proof I think my skin may be on its way to improvement. Looking a side-by-side photos of day one and week four isn't very impressive, but I can't explain how different the feel of my skin is. My oily skin is under control, but is also moisturized and super smooth. Though there is a bit of scarring from the horrible breakouts that occurred during the month, I can see them fade more every day. I have high hopes for this acne system and I'm planning on posting an update in a month so keep your eyes peeled for that!

Two Month Update!

 

I'm still seeing improvement in the clarity of my skin. I'm having some issues with dry skin on my forehead, so I've stopped using the second step of the system on it. I'm still having issues with some whiteheads popping up on the top of my skin, but I've seen improvement in my cystic acne and blackheads. My scarring is still bad, but is very slowly fading.

I received these products complimentary from Influenster for testing purposes.

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SurfsUpVoxBox: Covergirl Bombshell Curvaceous Mascara

Anyone who knows me can tell you that I'm all about the eye makeup. I pile it on; the bigger the better. New mascara to try form Influenster = month made! Covergirl's new Bombshell Curvaceous Mascara is a two step process. Normally, I don't enjoy these very much because they become too heavy and clump easily. However, Covergirl's was perfect. The second step even fanned the lashes out! You can see yourself in this photo. Please excuse my awkward eyebrows.

I received this product for complimentary testing purposes from Influenster. All opinions are my own.

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SurfsUpVoxBox: Hawaiian Tropic Silk Hydration

Without fail, I get sunburned and feel gross and slimy every time I go kayaking and swimming in my in-laws pond. However, I'm from Patrick County, so it's a necessary summer event. Afterwards, my skin is so dry and lotions make it feel so oily and are far too heavy. I wasn't expecting much when I received Hawaiian Tropic's Silk Hydration After Sun lotion. It smelled amazing, but that's not everything. So I skeptically tried it and was very pleased. It is definitely something that I will purchase for my summer fun!

I received this product for complimentary testing purposes from Influenster. All opinions are my own.

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SurfsUpVoxBox: SinfulColors Pofessional Nail Polish

Cheap nail polish is the bane of my existence. I like to find the best price for quality, but when it comes to nail polish, how much quality do you really expect for less than $2.00? Typically for that price you get watery and thin polish that requires three...four...six coats. So you can imagine my surprise when I gave SinfulColors a try, which would ring up at $1.99 at Walgreens, and it took ONE COAT to get great color! That picture of my lovely toes: one coat. Just one. Also, it lasted a good while on my clumsy feet before it chipped. I was very happy with it and would definitely like to purchase it in other colors.

I received these products for complimentary testing purposes from Influenster. All opinions are my own.

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