Review of Clear Scalp & Hair Beauty Therapy Total Care Shampoo & Conditioner

I received a full size shampoo and conditioner to sample from SheSpeaks www.shespeaks.com. and to provide my honest feedback.

I wasn't sure how I felt about this line before I tried it. I was getting a bit sick of the shelf display at Walgreen's because it was motion activated and a woman's voice would ask you to stop and learn more about it.  It startled me in the store more than once.I also thought it was a bit overpriced at $5.99 per 12.7 oz bottle.

I really like this shampoo and conditioner.  The shampoo and conditioner are both creamy and kind of a thick consistency and reminds me a bit of Pantene.  I don't have to use as much as other shampoo/conditioners and even though the formula is pretty thick, it rinses clean and doesn't weigh down my long hair.  I wasn't sure if I believed it at first, but my scalp really did feel cleaner than when I use other shampoo/conditioners.  The instructions tell you to apply the conditioner to the scalp as well, not something I usually do.  I washed my hair every other day this week with the Clear Scalp & Hair products and my hair/scalp was never greasy or stringy the second day which can be a concern with other products.

The scent was light and fresh and I'd definitely repurchase and recommend to friends.  For a drugstore shampoo, I'd rate Clear Scalp & Hair 4 out 5 stars.

Thank you to SheSpeaks for providing the samples for me to review.

Information about NewBeauty TestTube

I love a good subscription/sample box.  I don't even think this can be classified as a sample box because it is so good!

This box is from NewBeauty Magazine. It is a quarterly box that costs $29.95 + shipping and handling $8.95.  I've included a picture of the TestTube I received in April.

It usually contains 7-8 full size or deluxe sample sizes of high end products plus a copy of the latest NewBeauty Magazine.  They also share the code so you can read the magazine on your iPad or ereader.  Each TestTube also comes with a bunch of cards for SpaLook, they are good towards a purchase at SpaLook.com  (keep this in mind, they're not gift cards).

I love this subscription service.  It is well worth the money and isn't too frequent. Usually you can pick out one full sized product that more than pays for the whole tube.  I get so excited about receiving it each quarter. Some of the best things I've received in the TestTubes are

• full size MoroccanOil Frizz Control spray
• full size Mally High Shine Liquid Lipstick
• sample size Immunicologie treatment cream with VenoMAX
• full size Mally Evercolor Shadow Stick
• full size Memoire Liquide Amor Liquide.  

I just logged into my account and the Fall 2012 TestTubes are supposed to ship in early October!  

Check out this link to subscribe http://testtube.newbeauty.com/

Another thing, QVC also has a NewBeauty TestTube available on their site and on TV.  The QVC TestTube also includes a copy of NewBeauty Magazine but the products differ slightly.  I've considered subscribing to both but whenever I take a peek online to see what's in the QVC version, I see a lot of philosophy body care and scents and Mally products.  I like the NewBeauty version because I think it introduces me to more brands I haven't already tried.  

You can search for the TestTube at http://qvc.com

Information about Cravebox-Limited Edition

I recently heard about a subscription service called Cravebox.  It is a box of sample/full sizes of products that are curated by Cravebox.  The box is monthly and usually costs about $10 including shipping and handling.  I've been placed on the wait list for the regular subscription boxes but have been lucky enough to receive a few of their Limited Edition theme boxes over the summer.

I received the Limited Edition Summer Spruce Up Cravebox and their Summer Beauty box.  For the price, I wasn't disappointed by either box.

The Summer Spruce Up box contained

• Bar Keeper's Friend cleanser
• Mr. Clean Bliss latex free gloves
• Sprayway glass cleaner plus coupon
• Dawn Duo sponge cloth
• Coupon for a free box of Glad tall kitchen Drawstring bags.

The Summer Beauty Box contained

• Bic Soleil Bella premium disposable razor
• Puristics Totally Ageless Intensive Eye Treatment
• Tree Hut Shea Sugar Body Scrub
• think Thin gluten free protein bar
• Garden Botanika Oatmeal and Peppermint Body Bar.

I generally am a fan of subscription boxes and haven't gone wrong with Cravebox.  I like that they pack their boxes with more than health and beauty items and I can try items that are good for around the house.  I'd be more than happy to be off the wait list and on their regular subscription box service.  

You should give it a try.  They've recently posted a list of their upcoming Limited Edition boxes and maybe you can try one too.

www.cravebox.com

Review of Glade Expressions Fragrance Mist Starter Kit

I got the opportunity to try Glade Expressions Fragrance Mist Starter Kit free through BzzAgent.  As part of the Glade Expressions Bzz Kit, I received a coupon for this product to try for free.

I picked up the starter kit at my local drugstore in the Cotton & Italian Mandarin scent.  I haven't been a frequent purchaser of home scents in a while because I think they mostly smell like chemicals and sometimes give me a headache.  I used to use the plug in type of home scent, or spray in the bathrooms.

I liked Glade Expressions Fragrance Mist more than I thought I would.  It has a soft, light scent that doesn't overwhelm you and can be used in any room of the house.  You can control how much spray is released by squeezing the top of the container together.  

I'd definitely repurchase this product and hope to try their other scents.

Thanks BzzAgent and Glade for providing this product to review!

Review of CoverGirl & Olay Tone Rehab 2-in-1 Foundation

I am a BzzAgent and received a full size CoverGirl & Olay Tone Rehab 2-in-1 Foundation and Pressed Powder to try and review for a new BzzAgent campaign. I was really excited to sample these products. I've worn the foundation all week long with mixed results. The Tone Rehab 2-in-1 Foundation is nice, smells pleasant and is a good consistency. It feels like it has a primer in it. The color Soft Honey is perfect for me.

I thought the product was much better and wore longest with no primer. The first time I used the foundation I applied it to my face without primer and it lasted about 12 hours. The second day I wore it to work with a foundation primer I found it applied nicely but after a few hours was sheer in my t-zone. I was thankful for the CoverGirl + Olay Pressed Powder to touch up the shine.

I think the Tone Rehab 2-in-1 Foundation might be a better fit for someone with drier skin or wrinkles, it was a bit too sheer and liquid-y for me. This might also be a good product to use when the weather is cooler and drier. I like the idea of a foundation that has a built in primer and look forward to trying it again later in the year. When I do, I will update this review. For summer use, I'd have to rate CoverGirl & Olay Tone Rehab 2-in-1 Foundation 2.5 of 5 stars.

Update 9/27/2012

I am revising my review!  I have been using this foundation for the past week and would like to edit the rating to 3.5 of 5 stars.  Why?  Now that the weather is a bit cooler and less humid, I really love this foundation.  It stays put on my face for 10+ hours without primer.  I tossed the pressed powder into my purse knowing I had a couple of really long workdays thinking I could touch up mid day and before any evening outings. On my longest workday this week I only needed to touch up once with the pressed powder.  

The finish is smooth, natural and blends well.  I usually apply liquid foundation with a brush but felt that the CoverGirl & Olay Tone Rehab 2-in-1 Foundation looked and stayed on better if applied by hand. 

I have looked at my local drugstores and Target and the price of this foundation is usually around $13.99.  I think it's a decent value and would repurchase again for fall/winter use.

Thank you Covergirl & Olay and BzzAgent for sharing samples for me to review!

Review of the Clarisonic Mia

Originally submitted 8/16/2012

It's been a while since I've blogged but I wanted to make sure I reviewed the Clarisonic Mia.  This is one of those products that can really change your skin and your skincare/cosmetics routine.

After a lot of reading and research about exfoliating face brushes, I purchased the Clarisonic Mia right after Christmas, so I've been using it 2x per day for 8 months.  Clarisonic claims that sonic cleansing can be 6x more effective in a minute than washing with your hands.  I was a bit skeptical but the claim is logical and makes sense to me.

Initially I followed the instructions and only used the Mia once daily because I did not want to over-exfoliate and damage my skin.  After a week I began to use it in the morning in the shower and in the evening after removing my makeup.

I could not believe the difference.  I couldn't stop touching my face because it was so soft and smooth! I feel like I have control of my skin again and that the skin care products I am using are more effective.  Why?

First of all, I can feel my skin care products working better than they had in the past. Washing your face with your hands and even with a washcloth leaves dirt, makeup and especially dead skin cells on your face.  This  material can clog pores as well as prevent your moisturizers, acne creams etc from getting to target areas.  For example, I use an alpha hydroxy acid cream at night and after cleaning my face with the Clarisonic I began to feel the skin tingle that you normally do with an AHA.  I hadn't felt the product working like that since I first started using AHAs years ago.

Also, I have fewer clogged pores and breakouts.  The dirt, makeup and dead skin cells are removed from my face daily and the few hormonal breakouts I have are more easily controlled.

I feel like the Clarisonic Mia helped to reset my skin back to normal.  Instead of being reactionary to my skin, the Mia wiped the slate clean and allowed me to start over from scratch. Before the Mia, I would have told you I had combination skin.  Now I truly believe I have normal skin but it was acting combination because of all of the products I used to use on my less than clean face!

Armed with my Clarisonic Mia, I feel less anxious about aging and turning 40 (soon enough)!

I'd give the Clarisonic Mia 4 of 5 stars.

Many of my complaints with the Mia seem to have been addressed with their newest model, the Aria.  The Aria uses the standard P Link Clarisonic battery charger but it's also USB chargeable now.  It also includes a drying/charging stand and a battery status light and has 3 speeds and a time setting you can change. I wish the Mia came with a travel case.

I really appreciate that all Clarisonic models (apart from the body brush on the PLUS) use the same brush heads!

Most Wanted List 8/19/2012

1.  Silk 'N Flash & Go or SensEpil Intense Pulsed Light in-home hair remover.  I am dying for one of these and may wait until the holidays to purchase.  I like to buy bigger ticket items through Sephora to ensure my status as a VIB each year.  I've researched the Silk 'N products and think I'd prefer them over the Tria Laser mostly because it seems more cost effective to buy replacement bulbs with Silk'N than replace the entire Tria as it doesn't have replacement heads.  Also the size of the treatment area on the Tria is much smaller than on either of the Silk'N products.  Flash & Go offers a 4cm head and the SensEpil has a 6cm head.

www.silkn.com

www.triabeauty.com

2.  Simply because it's new and offers new features, I want the Clarisonic Aria.

3.  Urban Decay Naked, Naked II and Smoked eyeshadow palettes.  I know, where have I been?  I don't even own the original Naked palette, but if you saw my eyeshadow collection you'd understand why I haven't dropped $$$ on these items.  Still lusting after them!

4. theBalm's Nude 'Tude eyeshadow palette.  I don't own this yet due to same reason in 3 above.  I love the consistency, wear and intensity of theBalm's eyeshadows and can't wait to own this palette.

5. A train case.  I was pretty close to purchasing one last year, I think it was a big Make Up For Ever kit that included cosmetics inside the train case but I decided I'd be better off applying that $$$ towards the vacation fund instead.  Any suggestions on a good train case?