Palmolive Soft Touch Product Review

Earlier this year I decided to give Influenster a try. If you don't know what Influenster is, it's a review site that randomly (at least to my knowledge) chooses individuals to send products to. They require that that these products be reviewed. I received my first Influenster box this week and it included 2 full sized bottles of Palmolive from their Soft Touch line, Coconut Butter and Vitamin E, and coupons.

Normally, I do purchase Palmolive, but not from this line. I was pleasantly surprised to see this when I opened my door because when my boyfriend washes the dishes he does not use gloves :(. I normally wear gloves when I wash dishes, but I wanted to the 'soft touch' claim to the test. The past few days after receiving this dish soap, I washed my dishes several times without gloves. I can report that this soap does pass the 'soft touch' test! It left my hands smooth and soft without drying them like normal dish soap would. I would still recommend wearing gloves, but for those who don't this may be the option to go. I wanted to also add that this was still equally effective at getting grime and grease off of my pans and dishes.

The Vitamin E one smells like standard Palmolive. I have yet to open the Coconut Butter so I can't comment on the scent yet. 

*These products were provided by Influenster for my opinion and in no way affect my thoughts and feelings towards the products*

Spring Mystery Box and March Boho Glam Intro Box from JULEP

I know this is a long overdue post, but here it is ... the March Boho Glam Intro Box and Spring Mystery Box lumped into one post.

I'll start with the Boho Glam Intro Box. I got the intro box for a penny plus $3.99 for shipping, which is a GREAT deal.

What was in the intro box:

Robin Nail Vernis: Claimed to be a "Robin's egg blue creme". This color is adorable and just all around beautiful. This was the main reason I chose the Boho Glam profile over the others.

Stefani Nail Vernis: Stefani is a "gold flecked grey metallic" color. This only added to my decision to go with the Boho Glam profile. It's a nice grey.

Julep's Instant Warming Foot Scrub: I typically don't, probably should, tend to my feet other than my toes, which is why this was gifted to my mom.

Verdict: This was a great intro box for both the price and the polishes included! If you want to join Julep Maven (click here) and get an intro box for FREE, use the code FREEMAVEN at check out.


Moving on to the Spring Mystery Box...

What was included in the Spring Mystery box...

Julep Daylight Defense SPF 30: If you follow my blog or have read my other posts I have been trying to move towards using more natural skin and make up products. This would include switching out chemical sunscreens for natural sunscreens. Julep's Daylight Defense does include Zinc Oxide, which provides a physical barrier, but the remaining three active ingredients, Octinoxate, Oxybenzone, and Ensulizole, provide chemical coverage. This was gifted.

Emery Board: I was happy to see this as my current one desperately needs replacing. This is a basic emery board and works just fine :).

3 Milk Chocolate Eggs: Fairly self explaintory and they were delicious.

1 One Step Polish Remover Pad: I still have not used this yet, but I will try it the next time I need to remove my polish. It sounds convenient.

3 Hair Ties: These are always handy to have around for a low braid or ponytail and the colors are so bright and obnoxious! I love it!

Ashley Nail Vernis: This color is a sunset orange opalescent color. It is very eye catching.

Lauren Nail Vernis: Described as a "hot tropical pink creme". I love hot pink nail polish and it will be addition to my collection.

Camille Nail Vernis: Camille is a clear nail polish with glitter. I am not a huge fan of glittery nail polish unless it's New Year's Eve. I ended up gifting this.

Verdict: This box was a pleasant surprise. It brightened up my day with the chocolate and burst of color throughout the box. I was pleased with this box.

Sea Salt Mystery Box by Julep

I was so excited when I saw the three potential colors for the Sea Salt Mystery box and ordered almost immediately after I received the email.

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WARNING! Rant below... if you do not want to read this please skip to the photos. 

The reason for my disappointment was not the underwhelming box itself, but due to some of the colors included. As you can see, I received Meryl, Gunta, Lauren and Sadie. Sadie is the Sea Salt Finish polish in Black. This was fine since it is a 'Mystery' box you don't know what colors or what items you're getting, which is completely reasonable. I also received Lauren in my Spring Mystery Box. I was also fine with another Lauren because, at least, it's a summery color that I would be able, to rock come summer time. The two remaining colors I received, Gunta and Meryl, are what I was irked about....both colors are from 2012. Not only are they from 2012, but Meryl is from Feb 2012's Mystery Box and Gunta's is a Trina Turk Fall 2012 polish. My problem is that they're not even Summer or Spring type colors. If Julep had included colors from their 2012 Spring and Summer collections I would have enjoyed everything more so than I am now. When I received this box it felt as though they were rummaging through polishes that they needed to get rid of and decided to include those rather than colors that would have been exciting and relevant for Spring and Summer months.


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Items I received:

Toe dividers: These are always nice to have around when giving yourself a pedicure and I am definitely tired of wasting paper towels every time I want to do my toes.

Emery board: I received one of these in my Spring Mystery Box and am happy to see another one. I don't go through these too quickly, but it's always nice to have a spare.

Pomegranate Body Creme: Initially, I was excited to try this product. However, after checking the ingredients I found that it contains Phenoxyethanol, which is something that I have been trying to avoid. This item will be gifted.

Meryl Polish: This polish originally graced Julep Maven boxes around February 2012. It is claimed to be the "the perfect neutral, a sophisticated grey creme". It looks like a decently standard medium grey color and will come in handy come Fall.

Gunta Polish: Gunta is from Julep's Trina Turk Fall 2012 polishes. It is described as "Trina Turk Fall '12 elevated royal blue creme". Cobalt blue is supposed to be one of the "it" colors, along with emerald, for 2013. It's definitely a true royal blue.

Lauren Polish: Described as a "hot pink tropical creme". I received this box in my Spring Mystery box also. It's a pretty color that will be great for Spring and Summer months. I'll probably gift this to someone as I already have one.

Sadie Polish: Julep says it's a "black lava sea salt finish". I am excited about this particular polish. I am hoping to find Madeline (pink blush sea salt finish) also.



Verdict: I will likely order another Mystery box to really decide how I feel about Julep's Mystery Boxes all together. I will say I did like my Spring Mystery Box. So they're 1 for 1.










*Disclaimer: I purchased subscription with my own funds and am not being paid to provide review*

Boscia's Super-Charge Overnight Moisture Review

I recently picked up a second tube of this until I find a more natural option. I originally discovered this item, at Sephora, about two months ago when my cheeks and chin broke out into a rash from a Caudalie moisturizer. This was a gentle enough moisturizer for my face and was, and still is, incredibly hydrating. There is a light, refreshing scent but it quickly dissipates after applied. My skin has been drier during the winter and, more recently, spring months so I apply it both day and night. In the morning I apply this before my tinted moisturizer. 

Overall, I definitely like this moisturizer, but as I mentioned above I am looking for a more natural option. I have high hopes for a moisturizer I recently purchased from Rainwater Botanicals, via Etsy.com, until then this is my HG moisturizer.

Ingredients: Water, Glycerin, Dipropylene Glycol, Dimethicone, Caprylic/Capric/Myristic/Stearic Triglyceride, Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil, Butylene Glycol, Glyceryl Stearate, Phenyl Trimethicone, Macadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil, Hydrogenated Castor Oil Isostearate, Squalane, Cetyl Palmitate, Sorbitan Stearate, Stearic Acid, Polysorbate 60, Rosmarinus Officinalis (Rosemary) Leaf Extract, Chamomilla Recutita (Matricaria) Flower Extract, Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Extract, Epilobium Angustifolium Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract, Citrus Aurantium Amara (Bitter Orange) Flower Extract, Glycine Soja (Soybean) Protein, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Beta Vulgaris (Beet) Root Extract, Haberlea Rhodopensis Leaf Extract, Yeast Extract, Lavandula Stoechas Extract, Lactobacillus Ferment, Sodium Hyaluronate, Carbomer, Potassium Hydroxide, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, 1,2-Hexanediol, Caprylyl Glycol.









*Disclaimer: This item was purchased with my own money*

EarthPaste in Wintergreen - First Impression

I have been making a gradual attempt to switch out most, if not all, of my current cosmetics and skin care items for more natural ones. One of the items I have switched out recently, along with my deodorant and face wash, is my toothpaste. I chose EarthPaste because I had seen a review on Iluvjesse444's blog and youtube channel. I ordered mine from iherb.com and I think, with shipping, the total came out to around $8-9. I have, however, ordered a tube in peppermint for my mom from Amazon.com and it was only about $6.50 (shipping included). I also have sensitive teeth and Brianna, via IluvJesse444, said that this was good because of the lack of glycerin and fluoride. 

Anywho, it is brown so do not be alarmed if you see it. It's not a "bad batch", but supposed to be that way. It does not really lather much at all, and leaves a lingering taste of salt in your mouth... which isn't terrible just noticeable. I like this toothpaste, and my mouth and teeth felt clean afterward. I will likely be repurchasing this in Wintergreen or Cinnamon.

*Disclaimer: I purchased this product with my own money*

3rd Graze Box Review

This was my 3rd box and by far my favorite. I actually really enjoyed all 4 items.

A full photo of the box

Cookies and Cream - Mini cookies, white chocolate, hazelnuts & sunflower seeds.

Thoughts: The white chocolate melted in my mailbox before I got home so I had to let it re-solidify in the fridge for a while. When I finally got around to eat this it had turned into a huge glob. Definitely worth the wait! Cookies and Cream was soooooo delicious.

Bonnie wee Oatbakes - Wholegrain oatbakes with caramelized onion marmalade. 

Thoughts: This is delicious! You do need to like onions though. The oatbakes by themselves are tasty. These are packed with flavor and hope to receive them again soon.

Super Berry Detox - Blueberries, cranberries, goji berries and green raisins.

Thoughts: I do like dried berries and this is a good "healthy" option. I think this is something I would take to work or snack on while I am out and about. It's just yummy.

Apple & Cinnamon Flapjack - Rustic rolled oat flapjack with apple and cinnamon.

Thoughts: Not overly sweet, and not hard or too chewy. I have liked both types of flapjacks I have received thus far.  

Verdict: I still like this box and received this one fairly quickly after they prepared it. 

*Disclaimer: I purchased subscription with my own funds and am not being paid to provide review*

2nd Graze Box Review

I've decided to receive boxes every two weeks rather than every week. I recently received my second box and I think overall this box was just OK

In this box I received Dark Rocky Road, Black Pepper Pistachios, My Thai and Pear Tatin.

What the box looks like

Dark Rocky Road
Includes: Belgian dark chocolate buttons, cranberries, and pecans.
Thoughts: This combination was not too spectacular, but was not horrible. It just wouldn't be something I would reach for or crave.

Black Pepper Pistachios

Includes: Pistachios roasted with black pepper
Thoughts: The initial taste of this item was pistachio, but it left a lingering black pepper taste and kick. It's interesting, but I don't know if I would want this again in a future box.

My Thai

Includes: Sweet chili sauce with baked soy bites
Thoughts: The soy bites are much better alone than with the sauce. The sauce tastes like the generic sweet and spicy sauce at Panda Express and the crackers are a very generic Asian cracker that I'd be able to find at Marukai or 99 Ranch Market.

Pear Tatin

Includes: Pear, Raspberry cranberries, yogurt coated seeds, and almonds
Thoughts: This one was one of the better tasting selections. The raspberry infused cranberries pairs really well with the yogurt coated seeds and almonds. I don't like most dried fruit so I avoided the pears.



Overall: I still like this box and am looking forward to my next one!







*Disclaimer: I purchased subscription with my own funds and am not being paid to provide review*