Cravebox Summer Spruce Up Limited Edition

Wow this is great!  I was so glad to see a full size version of the Bar Keepers Friend.  I use this all the time especially on my stainless steel sink and it really makes cleaning the shower much easier.  Once you use this you will never want to use a substitute.  I am using the glass spray and loving it too plus a coupon for $0.35 off!  My hubby likes the latex free gloves since kitchen/bathroom chemicals really irritate his hands. And I was very excited to see the coupon for full size kitchen bags which I am almost out of! (yes I already used the coupon before I snapped the pictures) Finally, the Dawn sponge cloth was new to me and I really like having it close by to wash off plates or cookware so that the dishwasher doesn't fill up so fast.

Overall this is a great box with great products that I will use!  Good job guys and I can't wait to see what will be in the July Cravebox!

Review of Beauty Balms Part 1: An additional note

I am now trying out some of the popular US versions of beauty balms.  I still have my Garnier which I hope one day I can use (once I magically wake up with darker skin) but for now if I want to wear it I mix it with a very light tinted moisturizer.  Living in the humid South, most ladies do not want a heavy foundation/powder.

I also have a long ago sample of Clinique Even Better makeup SPF 15 which "evens and corrects".  Its too dark but I love the coverage. I think this may be a prelude to the beauty balm they have on the market today.

Currently I am using a sample of Dr. Jart Premium BB SPF 45 and so far I really like it too.  Its small enough to carry in my purse and/or make up bag.  Its great for a midday or late afternoon touch up.  I hope to get a sample of the Dr. Jart water based BB cream shortly and I'll let you know how that goes.  Buying full size is just too expensive.

Review of Beauty Balms Part 1

Beauty Balms are all the rage and there are many great benefits including sunscreen protection, great coverage, moisturizer, and overall making your skin look great.  I snapped up the first beauty balm I saw: Garnier.  There were two choices: light/medium and medium/dark.  I chose the light/medium.  Although I was very impressed with the coverage, the color (I am very light skinned) was just too dark for me.  I also need help with covering/reducing sun damage and spots to my face.

I tried several samples of the more expensive brands and also discovered that they were too dark for my skin tone.  In looking for a solution, I really started researching beauty balms and the reasons why they are so popular.  Apparently, this beauty balm formula was developed in Germany by a physician trying to help patients with facial scars and other skin abnormalities.  The Asian market soon found out about this product and it became very popular due in fact that skin lighteners were added to the formula.  Many Asian actresses used the beauty balm to keep their skin clear of blemishes while providing excellent spf protection, skin conditioners, and keeping their skin "light".

Soon I noticed that the best BB creams came from South Korea.  So I took a chance and bought two of the ones that I thought would benefit my skin.




The Oriental Gold BB Cream is my favorite.  It is very light, blends very well into the skin w/o the "cake face" effect and does a great job of evening out my skin tone.  As a bonus, it comes with a bright pink blush/lip stain which at first I thought was hideous.  I don't use it on my lips, but just a dab or two on the cheeks give a great blush that looks natural and fresh.  (As long as you don't use too much and over due it).

The Misha Perfect Cover BB Cream took some getting used to because it was a little darker...more beige than light.  Now that I have just a little color to my face and neck (ie a light tan) I find that this BB cream works fantastically with its coverage, light weight feel, adds a touch of color to my face and doesn't dry my face or cause any breakouts. 

These formulas are very easy to apply, very light weight, last almost all day and provide outstanding SPF coverage along with many other benefits.  I usually follow each application (with a sponge not my fingers anymore) with a dusting of powder to set the look.  I recommend bare minerals, Smashbox or Physicians Formula in multi-colored translucent pressed powder.

The only cautionary note is this: research the company where you purchase your products.  There are a number of sellers that sell fake South Korean BB creams.  You can Google the product and find out how to tell if your product is authentic.  I believe that Skin79 which makes the Oriental Gold BB Cream now has an American web site up and running.  So do your research, it will take some time and money to find the right fit and when you do you'll wonder how you ever lived w/o it!

Testing Beauty Products

Over the last few weeks I have been conducting several top secret product tests to see which I think is better including does the product do what it says, adverse effects, and cost value on a per ounce basis.  I'm almost ready to start announcing my findings so here's a little hint on what I've been experimenting with...

1. Beauty Balm Products - but not the ones sold in the States;
2. Frizz Free/Smooth Shampoo and Conditioners;
3. Hair serums;
4. lip balms; and
5. facial moisturizers.

More to follow in a few days.

I've been recruited to the Beauty Army

After much consideration, reading blogs, determining the costs vs sample product received...I finally decided to try a sample box from the Beauty Army.  Many of the reviews have been good and it seems a lot of ladies receive full size products to try (which is always tempting) but I just wasn't hooked.

Anyway, this morning I picked my samples.  Some of the samples seemed really small (read packet and not in a sample bottle/tube) so I tried re-doing my beauty profile.  I kept getting (nearly) the same samples over and over again but I decided not to judge too harshly and just go for it.

Curiosity meet Cat! :)

Battle of the Beauty Boxes: The Look Store

I am really excited about this months Look Bag.  It contained samples I will use and a few new ones to try. I was glad to see the packaging is very compact and not a lot of wasted space.

 At first I thought "green?".  Really "green?" But then I realized the same color green was in the blouse I was wearing the day I open the Look Bag.  I think I might be able to pull off green eye shadow after all!






The lip liner and the eyeliner sharpener were a nice surprise.  Recently I kept telling myself to obtain another sharpener and *poof* I got one!  How did they know?










I cannot wait to use this day cream! So I'll update later after I've tried it.

And last but not least, Atopalm moisturizer which will fit in a purse, beach bag, office drawer (yes you know you keep more cosmetics in that drawer than pens).  Again, I will update once I've used it to see how well it works.


Great job this month! Cannot wait to see what in the bag next month!

Battle of the Beauty Boxes: My Glam

This was my first box and it was full of fun samples with the great theme of "Out All Night" and a sparkle/glitter clutch to hold it all.  The overall packaging was simple without a lot of waste.











The Philosophy moisturizer is great and with its lightweight feel I can see myself purchasing a full size.  Its oil free, smells great, and according to the product card "detoxifying oxygen + antioxidant protection".  Wow and I like it because it makes my skin feel wonderful!




Next is a hair product called No Frizz Styling Cream by a company called Living Proof.  I am not sure how I feel about this yet, it seems to make my hair thicker and drier without reducing frizz.  It is not clear if this can be used on both wet/dry hair to just wet.  I have wavy hair that normally dries on its own so I like products I can use on dry hair.

NYX lipstick- the only reason I was not thrilled with this was due to the orange color.  Orange must be the color of the year and no one told me.  And orange is not a good color for me.

Marbella permanent eyeliner pen - liquid eyeliner is something I have avoided for years due to my sensitive eyes/contacts.  But I tried it and I may be a convert.  It does take some practice but it is very easy to apply and lasts a long time. I really like it.


Overall I am very pleased with this bag.  I love being exposed to different products and the sample sizes were great!  I am already excited about what I will see next month.

Today's Beauty Tip for Nails

To avoid the “yellowish” stain on your nails allow your nails to become naked and breathe for a week.  With all of the different brands and colors its hard not to keep your nails polished all the time. I love the different types of nail art that has spawned so much creativity.  However, it does take a toll on your nails.

1.     Remove all nail polish and resist adding a clear coat, top coat, or any type of fast grow or nutritional polish.

2.     Wash hands in warm soapy water with a very gentle but great smelling soap or cleanser.

3.     Dry your hands and nails. 

4.     Push the cuticles back while your nails are still soft.

5.     Use a nourishing hand crème or lotion daily on both hands and nails.

6.     Just before going to bed is a good time to file and buff your nails and add just a little more hand lotion.  If you have really dry skin try rubbing a little bit of almond oil, which will not stain your clothes or sheets, on your hands/nails.

7.     In less than a week you should notice an improvement in your nails and that they are beautiful either dressed up or all natural. 

Battle of the Beauty Boxes: Beauty Bar

Received my first Beauty Bar Box and I am very happy with it.  This month's box includes Bambo Style Boho Waves (which I cannot wait to try), Murad Clarifying Cleanser (great for clearing up oily skin), a sample of Claudalie eye cream, a sample of Jane Iredale Just Kissed lip plumper (the color is a little to pink for me but I'll give a try and maybe use it on my cheeks), and lastly a small Oscar de la Renta perfume "Live in Love" which smells wonderful.  I normally shy away from perfume because of allergies, but I may be able to use this one in small doses!

My First Cravebox! Island Fever!

Today I received my first Cravebox!  It came earlier than expected which is always a wonderful surprise!
The shredded pink, white & blue paper is adorable! It felt like opening a birthday present and I was so excited!  The theme is "A Taste of the Tropics" which includes two samples of diced dried plums, Lipton tea honey to go sample, Guylian Chocolate sea shell sample, a large sample jar of Skintersection intense repair cream, and a FULL SIZE jar of Tree Hit coconut lime shea sugar body scrub!

I am very happy with this box! It has a great theme (tropics) just in time for summer with a great mix of samples which perfectly accompany the island vibe.  This box was a very well thought out and executed and I am pleasantly surprised!


Honestly, after reading prior Cravebox reviews, I just didn't have a lot of hope this box would be any good.  I am glad I took a chance with Cravebox and I hope the future boxes are just as great!