L'Oréal BB Cream Review

SheSpeaks and L'Oréal teamed up and sent me a tube of Magic Skin Beautifier BB Creme in Light.  

Design:

The tube is easy to open, easy to store, and seems pretty sturdy (no explosions in your purse!)

Use: 

I found it pretty easy, straightforward directions, and very simple application.  I simply applied a few drops to my forehead, nose, chin, and cheeks, and massaged in to ensure coverage of my entire face.

Product:

It comes out opaque with a purplish tint to it, which I have to be honest made me a bit nervous. *please note I do not usually wear anything besides occasionally applying blush, mild eyeshadow, and eyeliner* It quickly transforms and blends with your face. The whitish purple creme turns almost orange as you apply but within seconds is 'magically', I guess that is why magic is in the name, matches your complexion.

Results:

I tried to get a few before and after shots but honestly they were not able to capture the results in a way I was hoping.  I will say my 5 year old daughter watched me put it on and she said I no longer looked tired!! So I may not have instantly been transformed to Red Carpet glamor, but I will take looking less tired any day!!!  I noticed my complexion seemed even and radiant, but not overdone.  I am usually a HARSH critic of foundations because I loathe the feeling of weight on my face and I don't like worrying if the shade matches my skin, because let's face it your coloring changes each season and for me it changes all the time depending on how sunny it was the morning I took off running!  This creme answers that with it's ability to blend to your complexion no matter what season.  It also felt so lightweight. I would liken it to a light facial moisturizer. I was really afraid of feeling 'caked' but it was feather light, so if it didn't bother my usually lotioned only skin, I can assure you it is light and very natural in appearance covering and masking a few minor blemishes I had! 

Negatives: 

I was bummed to see parabens in this product. I think I would rave over the moon about this product if I knew it were paraben and phthalate free.

Positives:

Easily found at local big box retailers, drug stores, beauty chains, & grocers with beauty lines. It is inexpensive, if you are used to purchasing makeup, for people like me it would be an added cost.  I do think the tube would last a while considering it takes such little product to reach full effect.  It is easy to apply, looks natural, and also feels natural.

Overall:

Will I continue using this? Probably not on a daily basis since I am not a make-up girl, but for church or dinner out yes!!!

I want to thank SheSpeaks and L'Oréal for sending me this product to try and review.  Although the product was at no cost, my only obligation for receiving it was to write my opinion, good or bad, candidly and honestly to my readers.

Zatarain's Big Game: Cravebox

I have written about Cravebox before, a delievered box with themed content.  One of my most recent was the Zatarain's Big Game Cravebox that arrived just in time for the Superbowl.

What a perfect box for a New Orleans themed Superbowl!!!

Out of all the content the household favorites were the beads...yes cheesy I know but who doesn't love mardi gras beads?  

The mustard, to be frank, has not been tried, but I plan on making a mustard glazed salmon with it and I will hopefully have that recipe up afterwards!

The Zatarain's Creole Seasoning is PERFECT for making a GREAT gumbo, jambalaya, or a seafood boil pot, and can we say all you can eat creole shrimp (YUM!)

We have all, or I hope we have all, heard of jambalaya and red beans and rice. I think I can say besides making your own from scratch, Zatarain's has these fool proof methods for good southern cuisine!

True Lemon makes some great products, all natural, low calorie, and well simple and simply good!

If you are interested in starting delivery of themed craveboxes check them out and sign up.  You can pick and choose which themes interest you and they are around $10-$15 per box.  If you decide to sign up, please list me (Christin Lilly) as your reference!! Thanks!

Back to School Snacks: Cravebox

Cravebox is a great way to try new products along a certain theme.  It is a package filled with samples, savings, and full size items to try, delivered right to your door.

The boxes cost about $10-$15 per box and are filled with goodies!!!

I purchased the Back to School Cravebox to see and try some new healthy snack alternatives.

This box was loaded!!! I can decide out of all the items which was my "mom" favorite, it is a tie between the Barilla pasta kit and the Earthbound farm coupons that were AWESOME coupons and I love their products!!!

My daughter loved the Sunrype fruit snacks and the Honest Kids juice pouch.

All I can say is I was amazed that Barilla had ZERO preservatives (I honestly expected to see a bazillion ingredients when I read the label, boy was I pleasantly surprised!!!!) and that Honest Kids juice was so low in sugar, although I still will limit juice and fruit strips to a minimum due to dentist recommendation, I have to say the products were on the healthy side and nutritious!



Check out  Cravebox and let me know what you think!!!  If you sign on, be sure to mention me in the referral line!! Many Thanks!!!

House Party and sodastream UNITE! +giveaway

House Party teamed up with sodastream  to create a fun way to through a Superbowl Party...

sodastream Fizz & Football House Party

I have to say I was thrilled to have this opportunity and my husband, well he never needs much of an excuse to eat massive amounts of wings, yell loudly at the TV, and have friends over!  We had pretty much gone away from soda for various reasons, not healthy, loaded with sugar and chemicals, and the recycling bins filled TOO quickly.

In reviewing the sodastream I found it super easy to find at various retailers and their products are more natural including some that are from all natural ingredients as well as flavor essences to add to sparkling water.  As a family trying to be eco-conscience we love how the soda stream eliminates so much of the typical waste associated with carbonated beverages.  

1. You simply use your own tap water into the reusable and recyclable sodastream bottle 
2. press down and the system carbonates the water
3. add flavor of your choice
4. when the carbonation cartridge is empty take it to an authorized location for a 'swap out' (very similar to propane tank swap out)

    

It honestly is so easy, prior to our house party we tried it out, it is so simple my 5 year old had a blast helping out!

I encourage you to check out sodastream's website to discover all the variety of flavors!

We tried them all below are the fan favorites from the sample packs:

Diet Pink Grapefruit, Diet Cola, Dr Pete, and Orange (the kiddos!)

Personally my favorite combination is medium fizz with their Diet Cola *WARNING* It tasted sooooo good that I kept checking the bottle to make sure it was diet (NO I am NOT kidding!).  Another note is the soda tastes a million times better if the water is fridge chilled prior to making. Also the bottles hold the carbonation well and I think that the flavors may even taste better the next day!

Below is a giveaway for 3 lucky persons. The giveaway is for one $20 rebate form for the sodastream of your choice.  The retail prices range from $79.95- $199.95 and many retailers offer special savings incentives, if you time your rebate just right, you might get a steal-of-a-deal on a sodastream for your house!

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