How to get high end beauty products on a budget

How much money do you think I spent on these items?

A peek inside Influenster's Beauty Blogger VoxBox

If you're not familiar with Influenster, I have a blog post all about it here.

I got chosen for the Beauty Blogger box and this is what I received.

All about Influenster

Hey, Everyone!

I've made posts about Influenster before but mainly to review a product and not actually talking about what Influenster is, so that's what I'm going to do today.

Influenster is a free to join community where you can qualify to test out products and give reviews.

You unlock lifestyle badges so they can get a feel for who you are so they can send you boxes that you would enjoy.

In return for your free box of goodies you'll need to do a survey about the products they sent you.

It's so easy and simple.

You also have the ability to complete product badges for the products you received in your box. You don't have to do these, but if you do you can receive even more free products, so why not?

Influenster just revamped their website so you'll have to request an invitation to join. You'll receive an email when a spot opens up for you. 

Once you join you'll need to fill out and unlock your lifestyle badges and check out the expert badges. You can unlock 5 expert badges in the beginning.

Everything you do reflects on your overall score and increases your chance at a free box of goodies.

It is definitely worth it.

I've had several boxes sent to me with full size products to test out.

If you want to learn more about Influenster and want to sign up just go to www.influenster.com and request an invitation. 

A few tips:

Don't be discouraged.

 You will get an invitation and you will qualify for a box.

It took me a few months to get a box, but I've been consistently getting boxes ever since.

Log on to the site and do reviews and answer questions to keep active and keep your score up.

HAVE FUN!

It's free.

XO

Hawaiian Tropic Silk Hydration Lotion Sunscreen

*I received this product to test from Influenster. If you want to test out products, go check 'em out! :) *

Hawaiian Tropic Silk Hydration Lotion Sunscreen SPF 30

Clear Scalp & Hair Beauty Therapy-review

* I received Clear Scalp & Hair beauty therapy free from Influenster to test out-if you're interested in reviewing products, go check 'em out!*

*All opinions are my own*

Hey, Everyone!

Today I'm reviewing Clear Scalp & Hair beauty therapy shampoo and conditioner.

I have extremely long, course, wavy/curly hair. It's actually pretty difficult to manage, in my opinion. The roots get oily fast and the ends are really dry and damaged.

I straighten my hair about twice a week and avoid heat the rest of the week, but I do wash it pretty much every day. 

I've been looking for a shampoo that helps with breakage, I have a ton of it!

So, when I saw that this shampoo/conditioner helped with breakage, I was thrilled.

This shampoo is geared towards making a healthy foundation for healthy hair by targeting your scalp.

I'll admit that I've always focused on the ends of my hair...

so I was curious to see how this would pan out.

The shampoo itself smells really nice. I'm pretty sensitive when it comes to scents, and this one wasn't overpowering at all. It smells similar to Pantene shampoos. Kind of a fruity/floral scent.

The conditioner reminded me of the pink baby lotion. 

The shampoo lathered and rinsed well.

Combing through my hair was much easier since my hair wasn't as tangly. 

I was a little worried about my hair being too oily, since the shampoo does have oils in it.

I didn't have anything to worry about.

My roots were actually less oily and the dry parts of my hair felt more moisturized.

So far, so good!

I also noticed my hair felt softer as well.

I'm almost out of my samples, so I'm definitely going to pick up the full size versions to keep testing this out. *They have 6 different styles to choose from*  

Clear scalp & hair beauty therapy is sold at most major retailers and drugstores for about $4.99-$5.99

My hair after using Clear scalp & hair beauty therapy.

Have you tried Clear shampoos/conditioners yet? What did you think? Love it? Let me know.

Sally Hansen Magnetic Nail color review & swatch- Red-y Response

* I received this product free from Influenster to test out*

*All opinions are my own*

I was so excited when I got this polish in my voxbox.

Magnetic polish seems to be all the rage, and I can see why. It's so neat and easy to do. 

Influenster Summer Beauty VoxBox 2012

Hey, Everyone.

I got chosen for the Influenster Summer Beauty Voxbox and it came in the mail about a week ago. 

If you're interested in trying out free products, 

go check out Influenster.com and sign up for your chance to try some goodies!

Box Contents:

- Hawaiian Tropic Silk Hydration Lotion sunscreen SPF30

-Tampax and Always Radiant Collection samples. (It came in a cute clutch) 

- Quaker Soft Baked Bar in Banana Nut Bread

-Sally Hansen Magnetic Nail color in Red-y Response

-Sally Hansen Nails and Cuticles Hand Creme

imPRESS Press-on Manicure-review

Review time!

I've refrained from reading any other reviews on any products from Influenster, so all my opinions are based on my experience alone.

*I received imPRESS press-on manicure free to review from Influenster's voxbox program-this in no way, shape, or form influences my opinion. All opinions are honest and my own.* 

I got these cute black with silver and glitter crackle nails to try out. 

I really liked this design, I haven't tried the crackle polishes and this was a nice easy way to try that look.

It took me about five minutes to put these nails on. It was very fast and simple. Match the nails ahead of time for the best fit. They come in 12 different nail sizes, I usually have a hard time matching artificial nails with my natural nails, but this had a great selection of sizes. 

Make sure you clean your natural nails of excess oils for the best results. You want the glue to take hold, otherwise they will pop right off.

I really liked the way they looked. I thought these were great for when you're in a pinch and don't have the time to get or give yourself a manicure.

I liked the length of the nail, not too short or too long. Perfect.

I thought these were great, but they didn't last long. I am constantly using my hands. I think these would be better for a special occasion where you wouldn't necessarily be using your hands constantly, but I have a two year old so these babies popped off quick. 

My two year old daughter loved the nails. ;0)

She had fun playing around with them.

PROS: *Fast 

             *Easy

                                              *Great for parties or events

                                           *Has a nice size selection

                                                       *Has a nice color/design selection

                                            *Didn't damage natural nail

                                                                   CONS: *Not for someone who works with their hands alot

                                                                                  *Not great if you have a small child you need to take care of 

You can purchase imPRESS nails for around $5.99 for colors or $7.99 for patterns. You can check out all their information at http://www.impressmanicure.com/ and also download a coupon. 

Have you tried imPRESS press-on nails? How was your experience? Love 'em? Hate 'em? Let me know!

XO

Influenster's Holiday Voxbox-overview.

My Holiday voxbox came in the mail today! Yay! 

All the goodies that came in the Holiday Voxbox.

The helpful little card with so much knowledge...

Some influenster's got a bonus, based on the badges you've unlocked.

Woot.

First up,

imPRESS-press on manicure by Broadway nails.

Working Girl

Price range $5-$8

Celebrity Endorser-Nicole Scherzinger

This should be interesting, as I hate wearing fake nails...we will see, we will see. lol.

They are very pretty though, I got a crackle with silver glitter...

Montagne Jeunesse

Passion Peel Off-Pulped Pomegranate

Is Pomegranate the new trend? 

You can get these at Target/Walmart for about $1

LARABAR

Cherry Pie

Gluten Free*Dairy Free*Soy Free*Vegan*Kosher

16 count for $25.45 or 12 mini count for $14.95

Mentos-Pure Fresh-chewing gum

15 count about $1.50 

NYC- Liquid Lipshine

Nude York City

about $2.50 for 7.2ml

Softsoap

Coconut scrub bar soap

I'm seeing a trend...coconut and pomegranate are the "it" scent. lol. 

4 count for about $3.50

And, for the BONUS!

Garden Botanika 

Lash Primer

$14 for .26oz

I'm excited to try this, I have no lashes at all, it's really sad. :0P

Well, I'm excited to start trying these products out and I'll be reviewing them shortly. 

Go check out Influenster if you're interested to see how you can start receiving and reviewing products.

www.influenster.com

It's easy and FREE!

Have you tried any of these products? Love 'em? Hate 'em? 

XO

Vitabath - In Bloom-Asian orchid & coconut body wash review.

*I received this body wash from Influenster to test and review-this does not influence my opinions*

When I first received this body wash I was initially a little disappointed that I got a floral scent to try out because floral scents normally are too overpowering for me and cause me to get headaches. 

I noticed it was also mixed with coconut, and I do love that scent so I still had hope.

I am absolutely in LOVE with this scent! The floral is a sweet scent and not overpowering in the least bit. It does smell alot like the coconut, so if you don't like the scent, you might not like this bodywash option. It isn't an overpowering or overwhelming smell at all, I think it's just right.

A little bit goes a long way and it lathers really nicely. 

It has vitamins A, B3, B5, C, and E in it, as well as antioxidants.

It's also paraben and sulfate free.

It left my skin feeling nice and moisturized. I really like this body wash alot. 

I'm actually thinking of getting some of these for Christmas gifts. 

A 12fl oz bottle is $9.99 and they have tons of scents to choose from.

You can find these at stores like Ulta, Bed Bath & Beyond, and I've also seen these at Military PX's.

Or you could just check out their website :www.myvitabath.com

I really want to try the Cupcake Couture collection. I am a sucker for some bakery scents. Mmmmm. Maybe I shouldn't though, because then I just want to make some cupcakes and eat them all. hahaha.

Have you tried Vitabath body washes before? What are your favorite scents? 

XO

ProActiv 3-step system review

Time for a review!

*I received this 30 day Proactiv 3-step system to test through Influenster's Voxbox program, go check it out!*

I was so excited when I received this Proactiv 3-step system in my Cosmo Voxbox a little while ago, I've actually been wanting to try this system for some time now. 

I just have a thing with ordering through the TV, but you can order this through the Proactiv website www.proactiv.com , which I didn't know about. I also noticed at some of the malls I've been to have a little kiosk so you might be able to purchase it there. 

A 30 day 3-step system is $19.95

This system includes a cleanser, a toner, and a repairing treatment.

The cleansers active ingredient is 2.5% benzoyl peroxide, which is a commonly found in acne treatments. It may cause dryness or irritation so it's recommended to spot check on your skin for about three days to see if you have any adverse reactions. *Please, please, please do a spot test! An allergic reaction could cause your face to swell and that's no fun* 

If all is well, it states you should use this twice daily. 

The second step is an alcohol free toner. A toner helps remove excess oils and cleans any impurities from your skin.

The third step is a repairing lotion, it also has 2.5% benzoyl peroxide in it. *So, that spot test is a must! :0) * 

Okay, now for my experience. 

When I first used the cleanser, I used it in the shower. It kind of freaked me out because it has exfoliating crystals in it and I didn't know that. *Should have did the spot test...I know, I know...* 

I thought I was having some reaction to it and it was taking my skin off, but it was just the crystals. haha. 

I really like that it does exfoliate, it makes me feel like it's cleaning even deeper than just a normal cleanser.

I thought the toner was really soothing on my skin. I've had toners feel a little harsh and sting my face before. This one doesn't have alcohol in it, which I like. 

The lotion just feels like a regular moisturizing lotion, it also has benzoyl peroxide in it, so it might dry out your skin. 

You're supposed to use the whole system twice a day, but if you're like me and have combination skin or dry skin, I would say try using it less than that. 

It did make my skin feel alot dryer, even after the first use. 

It also smells like peroxide, after I use it I can still smell it on my face. Ick.

My husband has oily skin and he has been using this as well, and it works wonders for him. It does make his skin dryer, but not dried out.

It has helped both of us with acne.

My final conclusion:

I think if you have acne, you should give this a try.

I think it's more suited for someone with oily skin due to the drying effect of the peroxide. If you have dryer skin but have acne maybe try it once a day or a few times a week. 

My husband gives this an A for his skin type 

I give this a B+ for my skin type. 

Venus ProSkin moisturerich review

*I received a Venus razor in my Voxbox from Influenster a little while ago to review so I figured I'd do that today, so here we go.*

I've been using Venus razors for as long as I can remember so I was pretty excited that I got this in my Voxbox, it would be once less razor that I'd have to purchase, and I'm all about saving money. 

I'm also all about saving time. I love that you don't need to use shaving cream when you use this razor, you just need to make sure you get the razor really wet and make sure whatever you happen to be shaving is really wet, to make sure it glides properly. 

PROS-

*No need for shaving cream

*Gel bar is infused with body butter

*Leaves skin feeling smooth

*Easy to use

*Saves time

CONS

*Gel bars don't last as long as I'd like

To help with the bar lasting longer, I try to keep it away from the water in between rinsing it. I use this razor in the shower so it cuts the bars life a little bit, but I think it works best for time saving if you use it in the shower.  

A starter kit costs about $9.95 and you can purchase them at most super markets or at http://www.gillettevenus.com/

I give this product an A. 

What is your favorite razor to use? Are you loyal to one brand? 

XO

Are you In?

Hey Lovelies!

I hope everyone is having a good day today, or had a good day.

I'm having a pretty good mail day so I immediately thought I had to share this.

About three months ago I signed up for a program called Influenster. I stumbled upon this company through YouTube and thought I had to try this out. It's a Word of Mouth marketing company, pretty much to sum it up, and you unlock badges and eventually get picked to try out products. I joined a few months ago and finally heard that I got picked for the "Cosmo Voxbox." Yay! I'm so excited to try out the products and review them. 

My Cosmo Voxbox.

If you're familiar with Birchbox, Voxbox gives you a little card with your box's contents. 

The first product I get to test is Vitabath-sulfate & paraben free moisturizing body wash in Asian Orchid & Coconut. ($9.99)

Mmmmmmmm! This smells soooo good. I am a sucker for Coconut! Not so much for flowers, but this smells delicious! I can't wait to try this out. It's a body wash, and you can use it for a bath as well. 

I also got this Venus Pro skin-moisture rich razor. ($9.79)

I already use Venus and have tried out pretty much every option of razor they have out and LOVE it. 

I've been a Venus girl for years. 

I can't wait to try this out.

Next I received this 30 day Proactiv System ($19.95)

This showed up at the right time. I've actually never tried Proactiv before and have been close to ordering it so many times. My husband actually used this stuff back before it was "cool." lol.

I'm so excited to try this out and review it. I'm actually having an acne crisis right about now. Ugh!

Wish me luck! haha.

Have you tried any of these products before? 

Have you heard of Influenster?

Do you want to be In?

Go check it out!

www.influenster.com

Sign up, It's FREE!