Influenster Optic White VoxBox

A few weeks ago I signed up for an online program called Influenster.  It’s basically a website where you test and review new products.   I wasn’t really sure what I was getting myself into but decided to sign up just to see what it’s like.  Plus, I really like getting free stuff!  I took several quizzes and based on my lifestyle and preferences I will receive certain “boxes”. 

I was selected to receive this “Colgate Optic White VoxBox”.  I guess somewhere between my admitted obsession with makeup and reality tv they thought “Wow, this girl would get a kick out of this toothbrush with a whitening pen in it!”

Despite my lack of excitement over dental hygiene products, I was still really excited to get this!  I mean, who doesn’t love getting packages?!  Anyway, it came in a pretty decent sized Optic White box with a travel size sample of the Optic White toothpaste and their new Optic White toothbrush. 

I haven’t actually used the toothpaste yet because since it’s the perfect travel size, I’m saving it for when I go to Bermuda in September!  BUT I have been using the toothbrush/whitening gel.  The whitening gel came in a tube that snaps into the handle of the brush.  Handy?  Yes.  Effective?  Yet to be determined.  I do think that it whitened my teeth.  However I’ve come to the realization that at the end of the day when I’m getting ready for bed, spending two minutes putting whitening gel on my teeth is just not a top priority.  I find myself skipping it pretty much every night.  Plus, since the whitening tube is in the handle, the handle is super thick so it won’t fit in my toothbrush holder!  I know what you’re thinking: first world problems, but I just think the people at Colgate should know the struggle.  The struggle is real.

So if the idea of putting a whitening gel on your teeth every night seems like something you could handle, I’d say go for it.  The whitener itself seems to work pretty effectively.  As for me, I guess I need to get myself together!

Anyway , Thanks for reading!!

~Sarah

April 2014 Ipsy Bag

I’ve been toying with the idea of starting a blog for a while now and finally decided to actually get to it!  I’m not certain about what all I’m going to cover but I’m pretty sure it will include some of my favorite things: clothes, jewelry, travel, makeup, and most likely some trash reality tv recaps!

One of my favorite things right now is a monthly subscription service called Ipsy!  For $10 a month I get a personalized makeup bag filled with 4-5 beauty products.  The products range from things you can pick up at the drug store to higher end brands you can find at Ulta or Sephora.  A lot of the products I’ve gotten are full sized but they do occasionally throw in deluxe sized samples of the more expensive items.  This is a great way to try new products and it’s always a great value for what you pay!  Plus, how exciting is it to get a mystery bag of beauty products once a month!?!  When I first heard about this I signed up almost immediately!

I just got my April bag and this month’s theme is “Beauty Rocks”

In addition the square purple Beauty Rocks makeup bag, which I have to admit I’m not crazy about, I got the following items;

Urban Decay 24/7 Velvet Glide-On Eye Pencil in Black; Full size $20, Deluxe Sample Size featured in the bag $15 – I’ve never tried anything by Urban Decay (way out of my dirt cheap price range) so I was really excited to get an eyeliner!  I’ve used it a few times and it goes on nicely for the most part.  I haven’t used a pencil liner in several years so I’m trying to adjust back to that!

http://www.urbandecay.com/eye-makeup/eyeliner/24%2F7-velvet-glide-on-eye-pencil/423.html

Elizabeth Mott Pop! Goes the Shadow in the color Champagne; Full Size $12.99 – I absolutely love this color!  I’ve been using it under my eyebrow and in the inner corner of my eye as a highlight! http://www.elizabethmott.com/shop/pop-goes-the-shadow/

Coastal Scents Medium Shadow Brush; $2.49 – I just recently bought some new eyeshadow brushes so I wasn’t overly excited about this, but I know I’ll definitely use it!

http://www.coastalscents.com/brushes/eyeshadow-brushes/classicshadowmediumnatural.html

Dr. Brandt Microdermabrasion; Full Size $78, Deluxe Sample Size $9.75 – I wasn’t sure about this at first, but when I realized how expensive the full size is I was excited to get to try it!  It smells like lemons which is amazing and left my skin so smooth!  I don’t think I’ll ever buy the full size because it’s so expensive but I’ll enjoy it while it lasts!

http://www.drbrandtskincare.com/product/microdermabrasion.do

Starlooks Longwear Lip Pencil; Full Size $14 – I honestly never wear lip liner so this was a bit of a dud for me, BUT I’ll definitely keep it because it is a great neutral color and who knows, maybe this will inspire me to start wearing it!

http://starlooks.com/products/ipsy-featured-longwear-lip-pencil

As I mentioned before I’m pretty cheap, so I’ve found that this is a great way to try new products that I would never have purchased otherwise at a discounted cost!  Not to mention the excitement each month when it finally comes!  The total value of the products I received was $54.23 not including the makeup bag they came in or the shipping!  For $10 a month, I really like the sound of that!

If you think Ipsy may be something that you want to try here’s the link!  http://www.ipsy.com/r/6b49

Thanks for reading!!!

~Sarah