Posts Tagged ‘products’

365great Day 159: Julep

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365great challenge day 159: julepI’ve actually never purchased a product from Julep, but I’ve certainly been eyeing them for awhile. My first encounter with them was with a focus group study I was a part of, where I got to try out a bunch of their hand and nail care products. From there I got a chance to experience more of their products as I began to do trades and swap items for them. So far I’ve managed to try nearly all of the products that I’m interested in, including the green tea blotting papers that Brandy gave me and the nail polish remover and gel top coat that I received in a trade. Of course I’ve also tried a couple of their nail polishes at this point, including a crackling one! I love how they’ve been churning out all kinds of beauty products in rather unique packaging. I’m holding out on getting the free intro box until they refresh what’s offered in that box and I’m looking forward to seeing what they offer! Already it’s great how they’ve branched out beyond nail care and I’m sure there’s plenty more expansion to come.

[This post contains affiliate links. Signing up through them helps support my subscription and I’d be ever so grateful. 🙂 All opinions are my own and I received no compensation for this review.]

Yuzen Spring 2013 edition (February – April) review

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The fall box is on its way and many people have received them, but I happen to be leaving before it gets delivered to me so I can’t open it until after my vacation. Sad times! Let’s cheer me up by reviewing the spring box!

Yuzen is $26 per quarter (with boxes sent Feb, May, Aug, and Nov) and comes with around 7 or 8 eco-friendly beauty, skincare, food/snacks, and home products. Boxes are sent quarterly with no option to skip, but you can get one-time gift boxes too. Sometimes there’s a waitlist to get the subscription. They do not offer a referral program.

*Disclosure: As a super fan, I was invited to be the Yuzen Ambassador to help them spread the word about their brand. Starting with the October box, I began to receive them for free. I was not compensated otherwise and all opinions are my own, irregardless of my relation to Yuzen. I just happen to think they’re awesome (as does everyone else I’ve heard from). :)

collage of unboxed spring 2013 yuzen boxes

Two of the variations you could have received.

Click on the pictures for the full sizes so you can enjoy all the details of each product!  You can even zoom in to read all the messaging.

collage of red flower italian blood orange little flower candle included in the february-april spring 2013 yuzen boxred floweritalian blood orange little flower candle: Back in the October box, we were first introduced to red flower with their cream and wash. Then in December we got a super cute ocean candle. This time around I got the blood orange once, which is a scent I really enjoy. I lost track of how many hours it lasted me, but it definitely meets the 15 hour burn time that is advertised. That’s pretty awesome for such a small little candle. I really enjoyed using this and it was a nice little size to even bring on a trip.

collage of nova monda heart-shaped truffles included in the february-april spring 2013 yuzen boxNova Mondatruffles: Nom! Truffles always feel like such a luxurious treat and the texture of these was divine. The heart-shaped one was cacao nib and the other one was sea salt flavored. Both were delicious in their own way and the cacao nibs and sea salt grains offered a nice little bit of crunch to the otherwise smooth and creamy treats. These were super cute and tasty!

collage of juara avocado banana moisture mask included in the february-april spring 2013 yuzen boxJuaraAvocado Banana Moisture Mask: Avocado and banana in a face mask? Yes please! I mean if I wasn’t so lazy I’d try to make this myself, but hey since it’s already here… I enjoy using this mask – it gives me a warming sensation on my face that is really soothing and I feel great after rinsing it off. My skin is always soft and super hydrated afterwards. For some with more sensitive skin, you might not like the slight tingling but otherwise I think anyone would enjoy this mask.

collage of kneipp deep sleep mineral bath salts included in the february-april spring 2013 yuzen boxKneippDeep Sleep Mineral Bath Salt: I really enjoy the smell of these, which is quite relaxing. I don’t understand why they’re so blue though – is there a reason for that? I barely need a tablespoon of these salts to dye my bath water blue. I haven’t tried to see how well it helps me fall asleep, but I like it just because it’s a fun bath product. It’s interesting how I rarely take baths (maybe once every other year at best) but I love bath products. I mean, I almost never use them so what’s the fuss right? I guess I’m just weird like that. But hey, once we’re in the new condo I definitely want to take more baths.

collage of spa technologies marine repair cream included in the february-april spring 2013 yuzen boxSpa TechnologiesMarine Repair Cream: This facial cream is lovely! It feels great, smells great, and makes my skin supple. It’s not greasy and absorbs well, which makes me feel refreshed and protected all in one. I really enjoy using this, though the price point is scary. I don’t know if I could ever spring for something so pricey, but maybe as a treat to myself one day… the good news is my current samples will last me awhile!

collage of jane iredale mini lippies included in the february-april spring 2013 yuzen boxJane Iredale – Lippies including Just Kissed Lip Plumper in Tokyo, Just Kissed Lip & Cheek Stain, and LipDrink: These are adorable!! They are an excellent size, perfect for traveling with and there’s plenty to see if you like them or not. I don’t wear lipstick so I only tried it once for a special occasion and it was nice. Can’t tell if my lips were plumped or not, but I wasn’t paying attention. I don’t really stain my lips or cheeks so I haven’t used the stain much either. Maybe I’ll start trying it since I want to look good at work. As for the LipDrink… I didn’t feel like it was very moisturizing. Granted, I only tried it once so maybe I just caught my lips on a bad day.

NaturopathicaEspresso Mud Body Scrub OR Oat Facial Polish: [don’t have closeup pictures, oops] I really enjoy Naturopathica! I won a set of facial products from them because I was introduced to their brand by Yuzen. That’s pretty awesome because I never would have known to enter otherwise. You would have gotten one of these items in your box, depending on how early or late you subscribed and got your box. The scrub is kind of hilarious to use because of the mess I make in the shower. As I scrub myself (particularly my back), bits and pieces of it go flying every which way. Next thing I know it looks like I am rinsing off the evidence of a mud wrestling competition! The oat polish is suuuper moisturizing and feels great on my face. The beads are large and I enjoy knowing they’re scrubbing away at my skin. My face is always soft after using that.

EOVEau de Parfum: [another product I forgot to get closeups for] I’m not a perfume person, so I haven’t tried this sample, but it’s a typical trial size vial. It’s a warm scent for those of you who like a bit more floral and citrus scent. This one will be added to my trade list for anyone who might be interested in trying it. I get plenty of scents from all the skincare products I use and I see no need to throw on even more smells. I don’t want to walk around oozing fragrance so I just skip perfumes altogether.

As always, an excellent box introducing me to so many new brands and amazing products. I can’t wait to see what the fall box has in store! This will have to tide me over until I am able to open up my boxes next week. Yuzen always puts a smile on my face. 🙂

365great Day 158: reusable bags

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365great challenge day 158: reusable bagsI’m a fan of bringing my own reusable bag with me whenever I can, especially to Target for that 5 cent off bag discount. I’ve definitely saved on a TON of plastic bags since I started toting them around and I get to use whatever fits my mood (and needs)! Sometimes I use super cute small ones that are perfect for bringing my wallet, sunglasses, and phone in. Sometimes when I know I’ll have a lot I want to bring back to the car, I get a giant bag complete with reinforced bottom. I’ve got red ones and blue ones and orange ones and green ones… some say Target, some say Kaiser, some say Bliss, and some say Green Festival! I love switching it up between them and have pretty much stopped using purses since all I need is one of these bags. It’s amazing all the brands that are giving them out these days, so I don’t even have to buy them! Save money and the environment? Pretty great!

Juice Beauty Organics to Clear Skin kit review

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juice beauty organics to clear skin kit box

Last week I officially completed one month on my new Juice Beauty regimen. I thought I’d share my thoughts on their products and how they worked for me. I got the 30-day kit and it included the Blemish Clearing Cleanser (4 oz), Blemish Clearing Serum (1 oz), Oil-Free Moisturizer (1 oz), Green Apple Blemish Clearing Peel (0.25 oz), and eco-bamboo washcloth. I used the cleanser morning and night, then applied the serum and moisturizer. At least twice a week I put on a layer of the peel and let it sit for at least 10 minutes. Sometimes I used the washcloth to pat my face dry and a few times I used it to actually wash my face with the cleanser. I figured that’d give me a deeper clean since it’d be sort of exfoliating.

juice beauty organics to clear skin 30-day kit products including blemish clearing cleanser, blemish clearing serum, oil-free moisturizer, green apple blemish clearing peel, and eco-bamboo washcloth

Overall I found the products to be nice to use, with light scents. A side benefit was that I actually motivated to use these products and stuck to the schedule. I’m pretty bad about consistently washing my face. I definitely enjoyed the cleanser and serum, but I felt like the moisturizer left my face a bit shiny, which was odd since it’s oil-free. I liked how the peel was not harsh though I can’t really tell if it helped or if the cleanser was already effective enough. I will have to try testing that next! I can’t say my skin cleared up, but I did notice that the overall condition of my skin was “calmer” if that makes sense. I still got a pimple here and there, but they were nowhere near as large as previous ones and they went away faster than usual.

I haven’t even managed to use half of the products so these sizes can actually last 2 months! I would definitely consider repurchasing the cleanser, serum, and peel, but not the moisturizer. I’d rather use a moisturizer that works better for my skin and doesn’t leave a shine. I do love how all of these products are so gentle, yet mostly effective. I didn’t have to resort to crazy harsh chemicals that would dry out my skin like many products I used in my teens. I love that it is an organic solution for acne-prone skin like mine. I want to try out some of their other products as well, like the Blemish Clearing Mask, Blemish Be Gone spot treatment, and Blemish Clearing Powder.

365great Day 156: Kia

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365great challenge day 156: kiaI just got my Kia today so of course I had to feature them. I’ve thought about getting a Kia ever since I test drove an Optima at the LA Auto Show three years ago. When it came time to think about getting a car this month, of course the first thing I did was go to a Kia dealer. I test drove the Optima again and still liked it a lot. Plus, with the premium package it has practically everything I wanted in my next vehicle: moonroof (actually a dual one!), heated seats, backup camera, USB port, auxiliary port, Bluetooth, voice activation, power windows & seats, digital compass, etc. AND it has other cool features I didn’t even think of, like a great sound system, keyless entry, start engine button, not just heated but cooling seats, a chilled glove box, a tire kit in lieu of a spare tire, power folding side mirrors, and so much more. I’ll go into more details about that in a future post. Suffice to say that I am very pleased with my luxurious vehicle. I love how it handles and it has a fantastic turning radius. So much about it is just plain great.

365great Day 154: water boilers

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365great challenge day 154: water boilersI think just about every East Asian household has one of these. They’re as ubiquitous as rice cookers for those cultures. Growing up, I often had hot water to drink – yes, plain hot water. No honey, no sugar, no cocoa powder or even tea. It’s pretty normal for Chinese people to do that, but boy was it hard to get it out in restaurants! In recent years, it seems like American establishments are finally catching on and they no longer give me inquisitive looks if I request hot water. Even on a hot day, I’ll drink hot water since I’m very sensitive to cold things and cold water could make my stomach hurt. It’s always nice to have it easily accessible since I can power through half a dozen mugs of hot water in a few hours. Who wants to keep boiling a new pot each time? It’s so much more convenient to have many cups’ worth ready to go whenever I want it. For always giving me hot water when I want it, these are just great.

365great Day 153: high heel tape dispensers

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365great challenge day 153: high heel tape dispensersOk, not only are these just so adorable and a fun piece of flair for your desk, I think they’re actually a better design than your standard tape dispenser. Maybe it’s just me, but when I use those, I find the distance from the tearing point to the surface of the table is too small. I often need long strips of tape, which always get stuck to the table when I tear off a piece. It’s not a huge deal, but it’s a hassle. The high heel design allows for a much higher tear point so that’s less likely to happen. And I mean come on, how fun is it to have this brightening up your day? It’s a simple (but unfortunately not cheap) little solution that adds personality with functionality. I think that’s great.

Ipsy August 2013: Glamour Academy

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Lookie at what arrived yesterday! I checked my mail late in the day and I wish I had gone earlier so I could play around with my new stuff but hey it’s all good. Soon after this great surprise, I received the offer letter for the job I really wanted, making it an awesome day. 🙂

Ipsy is $10 per glam bag and comes with 5 or so beauty/skincare products. Bags are sent monthly with no option to skip. There’s usually a waitlist to get the subscription. They offer a referral program that earns you points towards free products.

ipsy august 2013 bag items with card including noya lip balm in vanilla, pixi lash booster mascara, pacifica bb cream, michael todd jojoba charcoal facial scrub, and nailtini nail polish in mai tai

collage of noya lip balm in vanilla from ipsy august 2013 glamour academy bagNoya Lip Balm in Vanilla – keep. It was either Noya lip balm or Urban Decay lipstick and since I don’t wear lipstick, this works perfectly. I have plenty of lip products at the moment so I won’t start using it just yet but it smells yummy! I’ve never heard of this brand before but I like what I’ve seen so far, since it appears they have natural products. That’s a company I can get behind for sure.

collage of pixi lash booster mascara from ipsy august 2013 glamour academy bagPixi Lash Booster Mascara – keep. This comes at a good time, since I’ve been thinking about using some mascara here and there and I only have one with me. I can’t quite remember where that one is most of the time so it’s always nice to have a backup! I’ve never tried Pixi before so I’m also curious about this brand and how its products work. I’ve seen them at Target and considered purchasing but haven’t yet.

collage of pacifica bb cream from ipsy august 2013 glamour academy bagPacifica BB Cream – keep. I keep hearing great things about Pacifica and they seem to have a really loyal following. I want to try their body butter when I get a chance, but I’m happy to get their BB cream in the mean time. I’ve been on a BB binge as of late, trying sooo many brands to see what works best for me.

collage of michael todd jojoba charcoal facial scrub from ipsy august 2013 glamour academy bagMichael Todd Jojoba Charcoal Facial Scrub – keep. YES!! I was really hoping I’d get this rather than the pumpkin face mask. I’m not a huge fan of pumpkin and I looove anything with charcoal. I’m also a major sucker for scrubs of any kind and jojoba beads feel really good.

collage of nailtini nail polish in mai tai from ipsy august 2013 glamour academy bagNailtini Nail Polish in Mai Tai – keep. I didn’t get this in last month’s bag, so I’m happy to get it this time around. I’ve never tried Nailtini and I like how it applies. This color is fun, vibrant, and warm, which is great for summertime. I like it!

That’s right people, this is the first bag where I’m not trading a single item! IpsyMatch seems to have worked (or just by dumb luck I got exactly what I wanted) this time around and I’m very pleased. What do you think of these products? What did you receive in your Ipsy bag?

[This post contains affiliate links. Signing up through them helps support my subscription and I’d be ever so grateful. 🙂 All opinions are my own and I received no compensation for this review. I just purchased this bag and wanted to share what I got!]

365great Day 152: Ipsy

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365great challenge day 152: ipsyI joined Ipsy back in May and I initially intended to just try it out for a month or two, but it soon became addicting. It’s funny because before I knew about them, I had thought how cool it’d be if a company made all kinds of fun makeup bags. Then I stumbled upon their subscription bags and found that my idea was already being executed. I’ve really enjoyed the different shapes, designs, and materials of the Ipsy bags, but even more than that what’s keeping me is their products. For just $10 I get to try out a variety of makeup, skincare, and nail care items each month. I like that the sizes are deluxe samples or full sizes so you have enough to try the product a few times to see if you like it. It’s always fun to watch the spoilers come out and see the different combination of products you might receive. This month was the first time that IpsyMatch did an excellent job and sent me all items that I’d use (and exactly what my ideal bag was!). I’ve been introduced to so many great products and have swapped whenever I didn’t get what I wanted, which is a fun experience in itself. This is such a great way to try out beauty products!

[This post contains affiliate links. Signing up through them helps support my subscription and I’d be ever so grateful. 🙂 All opinions are my own and I received no compensation for this review.]

365great Day 149: Brookstone

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365great challenge day 149: brookstoneWhat a fun store to explore. Brookstone has all kinds of awesome solutions to your problems (whether you even realized you had them at all). You can get massagers, technology accessories, gadgets, toys, and so much more. My most recent visit allowed me to enjoy their massaging zero gravity chair for 15 minutes of comfort. I also discovered they’re now selling fun little plants you can keep in your home, which you buy in store and have shipped straight to your door from wherever the plants are stored. I mean, you could really equip your home with some amazing stuff from this store. It’s a fantastic place to browse for gift ideas and other novelty items that can be quite practical too. I always enjoy stopping by and trying out their various knick knacks and I look forward to the day when I can start filling my house with some of those cool products. Brookstone is great not only because of the range of products they carry, but that they allow you to try out all that stuff as you please!

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