Professional Curling Iron By Xtava

Professional Curling Iron By Xtava

I have long thick hair and use several styling tools.  I switch off and on between straightening my hair and curling my hair....depends on the day.  I was given the opportunity to try out the Xtava curling iron and share my experience.

It arrived in a sleek. black box with instructions.  I decided since I have used irons all my life I would skip over the instructions and fire it up.  I noticed it heated up quickly, which is always a plus because I do not like to wait for my irons to heat up....Im always in a hurry.  It has a white "clip" that holds the end of your hair in place as you twist the iron.  This clip was difficult to use for a couple of reasons.  I have layers in my hair so getting the clip to hold my layered ends caused pieces to fall out.  Second, the clip only holds a small amount of hair, so the curls can not be too large.  After figuring this all out it was time to curl my hair.

I am left handed and I think for the first time in my life it was a benefit using this iron.  You have to pay close attention to which direction you are clipping and turning the iron, otherwise you will have a kink at the end of the curl.  Being left handed helped with the position of the clip and the turning direction of the iron.  Once I got the hang of it, I was able to curl a little faster.  

My final thoughts:  This iron is great for someone with thin hair as the size of pieces can't be too large.  I have long, thick hair and it not only took a really long time to do my entire head, but I could only curl half way up.  I had a difficult time getting the ends of my hair to curl because of my layers, so most of my ends stayed straight.  The great thing about this curling iron is it heats up quickly and gives "Shirley Temple" type curls.  So, if you have thin, shoulder length hair this would be the perfect iron for you.

• Professional constant temperature curling Iron - fast heat up to 400°F
• Spiral Curl Guides designed to effortlessly align your hair onto the Curling Barrel - Will not leave creases in curls
• Simply clip the end of each hair mesh and twist
• 360° Swivel Power Cord with "On" indicator light
• Ceramic Technology reduces static and frizz for healthy-looking hair

You can purchase this Xtava Iron directly from Amazon.com.

#xtavacurler

I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

Dr Song Professional Teeth Whitening Kit 44% Carbamide Peroxide

I am a HUGE coffee drinker and whitening my teeth is something I used to have done at the dentist....not anymore! I was given the chance to review the Dr. Song Professional Teeth Whitening Kit and my results are awesome!  

Dr Song Medical is a medical cosmetic laboratory that originally manufactured products for professionals, doctors, and medical facilities. Dr Song Medical products are 100% made in the USA. They are FDA compliant and a provider of professional products to many medical and dental offices around the country. I was excited to try this reasonably price option for at home teeth whitening that works quickly and efficiently. Dr Song Home Professional Teeth Whitening is 44% Carbamide Peroxide.  The Kit is a maximum strength at home teeth whitening kit. This is the same one used by dentists but it can be used in the convenience of your own home.  It even comes with the LED light....just like the dentist office.  

The Dr Song Professional Teeth Whitening Kit contains:

• 8 large syringes of whitening gel - good for 50 applications

• 1 large remineralization gel syringe

• gel applicator brush - for easy application of whitening gel

• LED Blue Light Accelerator - for acceleration of whitening process

• moldable teeth trays 

I brush and floss my teeth before each whitening treatment. The Dr Song Kit was easy to use and I liked the option for the LED light. It definitely made my teeth whiter faster.  I started out using the trays for about 15-20 minutes at a time, but you can wear them up to 4 hours.  I have found that you don't need a lot of the gel either. Less is more because you don't want it to come in contact with your gums.  I have tried applying the gel two different ways.  The first is filling the trays with the gel, and the second way is to apply the gel to a manual tooth brush and brush it on the teeth.  I like the second way because I use less gel and it does not get all over my gums.  Don't forget to gently brush and rinse your teeth after whitening to get all the gel out so it doesn't irritate your gums. It worked out well and my teeth look white and clean.  If you are not using all the gel you should store it in a cool, dark place, away from sunlight when not in use. I like to keep mine in the refrigerator. 

Just so you know, the shelf life of whitener is approximately 12 months upon receiving when stored properly. Ingredients: carbamide peroxide, water, glycerin, carbomer, potassium sorbate, disodium EDTA, flavor 

You can purchase Dr Song Professional Teeth Whitening Kit from Amazon.com

#Drsong

I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

HelloFlo Starter Kit Review & GIVEAWAY!

HelloFlo Starter Kit Review & GIVEAWAY!

As many of my readers know, I love subscription boxes and have several that arrive every month.  This box is not for me, but instead, for my girls.  It is called HelloFlo, and by the name alone, you can assume what it's unique purpose is.  HelloFlo arrives in a very plain and discrete brown box as seen in the picture below.

This is the "starter" box and is one of four boxes that HelloFlo offers.  They have care packages as well as four different subscription boxes: 

*The starter box

*The teen box

*The new mom box

*The signature box

The Starter Box

The starter box comes with supplies, treats, and practical advice for teens and parents.

• *Get Ready Guide for Girls
• *Get Ready Guide for Parents
• *1 Box Always Radiant Infinity Pads
• *1 Package Always Dailies Liners
• *A cute canvas pouch for supplies
• *1 Beads For Life Sanyu Bangle Bracelet
• *Surprise Gifts and Goodies
• 
  
• I think this a great starter box that offers more than just feminine products.  You get candy, Bead for Life bracelet, body lotion and a few other goodies.  I know that 29.99 is a bit expensive and you can get the feminine products at the grocery store for less....but that is not the point of the box.  It is to help your tween/teen feel confident and get items that make them feel special each month.  The website also offers an app that can can track your period, cramps and more.  You can download the free HelloFlo app from the app store.  

You can sign up for a monthly subscription or a one time purchase.  You can order directly from HelloFlo.com or Amazon.com for 29.99.  They also are offering a 20% off coupon code when you sign up for a monthly plan.  Use code STARTERKIT.

GIVEAWAY

HelloFlo Starter Box Giveaway

I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

Body Merry Review: Retinol Moisturizer & Stretch Mark & Scar Defense Cream Review

Body Merry Review: 2.5% Retinol Moisturizer & Stretch Mark & Scar Defense Cream Review

I have been given the opportunity to try some new products by Body Merry.  The first product I am going to talk about is the Body Merry Stretch Mark & Scar Defense cream.  

Stretch Mark & Scar Defense Cream

It comes in a large round jar like container with a beautiful bright yellow label.  When you unscrew the lid you will notice it has a protective seal.  Once you remove the protective seal, you will immediately be able to smell this cream.  It has a beautiful scent of coco butter and shea butter.  It also has a rich, thick, creamy texture that makes you want to slather it all over your body!!

The creamy texture reminds me of fluffy frosting....it is just the most amazing consistency.  The whipped texture feels so soft on my skin and absorbs right in. After just one use you can feel the difference in softness.  This cream is not only hugely beneficial to combat the appearance of scars and stretch marks but also perfect for extra moisture during the cold and super dry winter months. If you have dry elbows or callused feet, slather a generous amount of the stretch mark cream on before going to bed.  The large sized jar will last quite awhile, a little goes a long way with this cream.  Here are just some of the amazing ingredients:   Organic Cocoa Butter, Shea Butter, Vitamins E + C + B3 + B5, Sunflower Seed Oil, Plant Stem Cells, Organic Hemp Seed Oil, Organic Jojoba Oil, Evening Primrose Oil, Raspberry Seed Oil, Avocado Oil, Grapeseed Oil, Organic Gotu Kala, Algae Extract and Japanese Green Tea Leaf Extract.  What I love about these ingredients is I can pronounce them all and they are NATURAL ingredients.  

The next product I want to talk about is the 2.5% Retinol Moisturizer cream.  This is another product by Body Merry that will knock your socks off!!  

2.5% Retinol Moisturizer

Retinol has time and again proven itself to be a potent youth reviving ingredient. Body Merry's Retinol Surge Moisturizer combines the power of 2.5% Retinol with a bunch of soothing natural antioxidants that work together to visibly reduce the signs of aging. Plant Derived Hyaluronic Acid hydrates and nourishes your skin. This unique formulation not only helps to provide a flawless tone and texture, but also leaves your skin feeling and looking smoother, plumper and younger. The moisturizer also comes in a pump bottle versus a jar which makes this a great product for travel as you don't have to worry about spilling or product sticking to the lid of the jar.  One important piece of information: if you’re a first time Retinol user, apply once every other night until your skin is ready to use it daily. Retinol can irritate your skin so it is best to start out slow.  You can find both of these products on Amazon.com

I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

LIFEGUARD Portable Mini Charger

LIFEGUARD Portable Mini Charger

I have major battery issues with my iPhone and my battery tends to drain right before my eyes.  I am a HEAVY mobile phone user who never seems to have enough battery life.  I literally charge my phone all day long.  The battery on my phone will go from 100% to 0% in a little under two hours.  So, when I was given the opportunity to try out the LIFEGUARD Mini Portable charger I jumped at the chance. It has been an AMAZING experience.  

It comes packaged in a sleek box that reminds me of Apple products, very similar packaging.  I opened it up and the first thing I noticed was how small and compact it was.  I was envisioning a great big heavy battery that was going to be ugly and bulky....it was the exact opposite.  It was light weight,made of sleek carbon metal and very high-end looking.  So far I am very impressed and I can't wait to give it a try.  I noticed it came with two different cords.  One for charging the battery and one for connecting the battery to my phone to charge.   I plugged in the USB to my iPhone connector to begin charging.  I noticed a blue light came on and read that the blue light means it's fully charged (it comes fully charged).  It also has a red light indicator which means it needs to be charged or is currently being charged.  

 I decided to do a little test and see how long the charger would take to charge my phone from a completely dead battery.  I noticed it charged it rather quickly and it went from 0% to 100% in just under 30 minutes.  Keep in mind my battery sucks at holding a charge and I was using the device the whole time it was charging.  Compared to my Apple charger it was about 12 minutes slower doing the same test and all things being equal.

We are an Apple household and have two iPhones, one iPad, one iPod, and one MacBook Air.  This little battery charger has become a life saver and I can't believe I never looked into getting one before.  Not only do we never have enough charging cords in our home but you have to be sitting right next to the cord to charge the device.  NOT ANY MORE!!!  My daughter loves that she no longer has to sit next to the iPad charger.  Instead, she can sit on the couch....in her room....or in the car and use the portable charger.  I no longer have to wait in my car for my phone to charge before I go into the grocery store.  I use several apps on my phone when I shop and I used to have to sit the car and wait till I had enough battery using my car charger....NOT ANY MORE!  I can't believe I never owned a portable charger before.  I am absolutely in LOVE with this charger and highly recommend one if your a heavy mobile user like myself.  Don't let your mobile device dictate how and when you do things....LITERALLY.....TAKE CHARGE!  LOL!

You can read more reviews and purchase the LIFEGUARD Portable Mini Charger on Amazon.com

I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

InstaNatural Niacinamide Vitamin B3 Moisturizer Review

InstaNatural Niacinamide Vitamin B3 Moisturizer Review

I like my moisturizers to be hydrating and creamy.....this little gem is a hidden bottle of magic!  I have been using InstaNatural's products for months now, they are always great for my skin, and they've done it again!  This company amazes me every time they come out with something new and different.  Who would have thought a moisturizer with B3 would help my hyper pigmentation?  I have tried the higher end brands that promise to diminish sun damage with little or no results.  I do not know if it is the B3, the vitamin C, or the Niacinamide that is working so well, but it is working!  

Niacinamide is great for:

- Restores firmness

- Heals sun damage

- Increases skin elasticity

- Erases age spots, dark spots, even wrinkles

- Improves texture of skin for smoother result

- Minimizes skin irritation and blemishes

- Reduces appearance of acne scars

- Increases skin brightness

I love the way this cream feels on my skin.  So often, a facial product will sit on top of my face and leave a film.  It can feel like it never actually sinks in, but not this cream.  It is a such a heavy, creamy moisturizer that my face still feels hydrated in the morning!  

I love that is cream comes in a pump.  I use two pumps....covering my face and neck.  Overall, I love InstaNatural products and I love this B3 cream at night.  I also love InstaNatural's customer service.  I have reached out to them a couple of times and they have responded kindly and promptly both times.  InstaNatural products are cruelty free and have the leaping bunny logo too boot!
InstaNatural Website
InstaNatural Facebook

Purchase InstaNatural on Amazon.com

#Niacinamide #sponsered #InstaNatural

I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

Oleavine Facial Sponge Review

Oleavine Facial Sponge Review

Konjac fiber facial sponges are extremely popular and have been a beauty secret in Asian cultures for decades.  This luxuriously soft sponge gently exfoliates, cleanses, is naturally pH balanced, promotes circulation, absorbs toxins and fights bacteria while leaving your face glowing and refreshed.  This sponge is infused with bamboo charcoal and contains activated carbons and minerals that purify, supply antioxidants, help draw out excess oils and fight hard to reach acne-causing bacteria.  

What is the Konjac Sponge?

Well, to start, it might be interesting to know that konjac actually comes from a potato-like plant in Asia that is both cultivated and grows wild at high altitudes. The Japanese have used Konjac for over 1500 years as a food source and over the last century have been using the Konjac potato as a beauty treatment. The Konjac sponge has been handmade from the vegetable fibre of this plant along with French clays and some contain pure charcoal from bamboo. As a result, the Konjac sponge is extremely gentle and 100% biodegradable – you can compost it when it’s time for a new one.

What Does the Konjac Sponge Do?

The Konjac sponge is an extremely gentle cleanser for both face and body. I have two separate sponges, one for my body and one for my face. The sponge acts as a gentle exfoliator, rubbing off dead skin cells in the most delicate manner. The extra soft texture means that its ok for anyone to use,  babies included. While this won’t replace your makeup remover (eye makeup more specifically) it can gently take off much of your face makeup in a matter of minutes.

How Do I Use the Konjac Sponge?

When you pick up your sponge it will be dry and hard. You will need to wet it under warm water until it’s completely soaked through and soft. Once it is wet and puffy, simply use the flat side in a circular motion around your face to exfoliate and remove dirt and grime. This circular massaging will stimulate tired skin & encourage skin renewal – and we can all use a bit of that!

Once you are finished with your sponge, squeeze it between your hands to get the water out – never wring out your sponge, this will deteriorate the fibers and cause its life to end a lot shorter than necessary.

Do I Need to Use a Cleanser with a Konjac Sponge?

If you choose, you can also use a bit of your cleanser with the sponge, although this may shorten its lifespan. Since keeping your skin’s natural moisture intact is essential in anti-aging, I prefer to use my sponge in the morning (sans cleanser), as a facial cleanser can be drying and unnecessary after sleeping. While many have claimed to use it to take off makeup, I would recommend using a proper eye makeup remover first, and maybe a cleanser too, as the sponge won’t take away your mascara and eyeliner.

The Black Konjac Sponge gets its colour from bamboo charcoal. This sponge is for you if you’re a teen with oily skin or someone who is prone to sun spots, blackheads and outbreaks. Charcoal contains activated carbon and various minerals that enhance absorptive ability, which is perfect for removing excess oil. Bamboo Charcoal is also a natural anti-oxidant, so will help fight hard-to-reach, acne-causing bacteria.

How Long Will My Sponge Last & How to Care for It?

Like all good things, it must come to an end, but not for at least 2 – 3 months depending on how you care for it. By ensuring that it completely dries out in between uses (there is a handy string for that) and that your sponge is never wrung out (always press between your hands to remove excess water during use), you will give your sponge a longer life.

Make sure that before and after each use, you rinse the sponge well – you can disinfect your sponge every other week by boiling it for a few minutes (but don’t do this too often, as again it will break down the fibers faster).

When it starts to break apart and deteriorate, it is time for a  new sponge. Simply compost this sponge (it is 100% natural material, and completely safe – and earth friendly – to do so). You can even put it in the bottom of a potted plant to help retain moisture in the soil – yes, it is that natural. 

I am in love with this product, so I would love to hear from any of you who have used the Konjac Sponge.

You can purchase the Oleavine Facial Sponge on Amazon.com

Check out Oleavine.com for more information.

Follow Oleavine on Facebook.

#beautysponge #sponsored
I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

Hyperbiotics Pro Women Review

Hyperbiotics PRO-Women Review

For me, eating well and exercising are just part of feeling great.  Sometimes, you can be doing all the right things, but if your digestive system is sluggish, it can keep you from feeling 100%.

One of the things that helps me feel better is a probiotic. I don’t eat a lot of diary, so I take a probiotic supplement. Hyperbiotics PRO-Women was not my usual brand, but I love trying new products and sharing them with you.

Here are a few of the things that I like about  Hyperbiotics PRO-Women:

I have a pretty sensitive tummy, so the fact that Hyperbiotics PRO-Women is released at consistent levels throughout the day and throughout your Gl tract. Some other brands of probiotic release all organisms at one time, often causing upset such as bloating, gas or diarrhea.

Hyperbiotics Probiotics are 15x more effective than other capsules.  The formula reaches deep into the intestinal tract alive, where other’s don’t.

Tips for Storage and Use

It’s good for at least one year. We use a patented manufacturing process called LiveBac that increases the stability of PRO-Women without refrigeration and enables us to guarantee the shelf life until 18 months after the date of manufacture.

Store in a cool, dry place. Really. If you don’t live in a cool, dry place or keep your home below 78 degrees, it is best to store your bottle in the fridge or even better, in the freezer, when/if you can. PRO-Women is only susceptible to extreme heat and humidity once the bottle has been opened (our probiotics are very well protected until then). PRO-Women has a guaranteed 18 month shelf life with zero refrigeration.

It’s OK to take on an empty stomach (though not required). Our patented BIO-tract delivery technology ensures that the living organisms are delivered throughout your day and throughout your gut – so you don’t need to buffer it with food as you may with other capsules.

Use earlier rather than later. The reason we never have more than 60 tablets per bottle at Hyperbiotic is that CFUs begin to slowly die off once the bottle is opened (this applies to all probiotics, not just PRO-Women. In fact, our patented technology makes our die-off drastically slower than that of others!). We want you to get the highest potency possible so we simply don’t pack 100 tablets in one bottle. The negative part is, you have to reorder more frequently – but we promise, your body will thank you!

Increase your dosage when needed. If you are having digestive or female health related issues or have just completed a round of antibiotics, you can take 2-3 tablets each day for more intense repair and protection. It’s also a good idea to increase your dosage just before and during travel as it often exposes you to added digestive and immune stress.

I’ve been taking Hyperbiotics PRO-15 for two weeks and I’m feeling great! If you are looking for a probiotic to add to your diet, check out Hyperbiotics PRO-Women  on Amazon

You can purchase Hyperbiotics PRO-Women on Amazon.com.

Hyperbiotics website

Hyperbiotics Facebook Page

I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.