Valentia Fresh Mist Calming Toner Review

I'm back with a review on another Valentia product! This is the Fresh Mist Calming Toner.

Valentia describes this product as a "skin-soothing elixir that rehydrates and refreshes, while balancing natural PH and shrinking pores." This product claims to seal in moisture, banish impurities and refresh your stressed skin.
Let's take a look at some of the key ingredients:
ALA+AHA: A powerful enzyme duo that provides anti-inflammatory effects that supports skin cell renewal, and calms facial redness.
Nano Structured Water: This water enriched by magnesium helps balance skin's PH level and clears away impurities.
Tea Tree Oil: A natural essential oil that helps clear skin of blemishes.
Vitamin C: An antioxidant that refreshes stressed skin.
Witch Hazel: A gentle astringent that lifts away excess oil and bacteria, without overdrying the skin.
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I use this product during the evening, just after cleansing and right before moisturizing. I'm currently under the care of a dermatologist, and have been very careful with new additions to my skincare routine. I'm happy to report that this product has not made me break out, and has actually calmed down some of the redness I have from my breakouts. This product has a light natural scent, and is not overbearing. I really love how fine the mist is when sprayed. I suspect this would be a nice product to use right before applying makeup, because it is very hydrating. This toner is also alcohol, paraben free and cruelty free!
Stay tuned for review on Valentia's Pure Glow Brightening Moisturizer!
*I received this product for free in exchange for an honest review.*

Come Read with Me! PARRISH

Come read another book with me! I recently received a free e-book of Parrish from Future House Publishing through Tomoson. (You can take a look at their launch post right here)
Here's the cover!

Take a peek at the summary!

"Sadie Smith was absolutely certain of three things:
(1) ghosts were indisputably real;
(2) she and her three friends were some of the best (though not the most successful) ghost hunters in Oregon;
(3) her teammate Jefferson Parrish was always the scariest thing in the room. In a face-off between supernatural beings and Jefferson's Tim Burton-esque vibe there really was no contest.
But ghosts—unsurprisingly—can’t help pay the rent. So when Sadie and her friends are offered an undisclosed sum of money from an anonymous client to find a link between four historical haunted locations, it’s an easy sell.
During their cross-country investigation, Sadie finds herself forgetting about Jefferson’s macabre tendencies and falling for his sweetness, even if his idea of a love letter reads more like a note from a serial killer. And she can’t stop thinking about his annoyingly irresistible deep green eyes. As Sadie’s feelings get more tangled up with Jefferson, their group puts together the final pieces of a 100 year old mystery—one that will change Sadie’s life forever."

So far, I'm enjoying this book! This is essentially more of a romance novel against a spooky backdrop, so keep that in mind! Come read with me and support an author! You can purchase Parrish here for $2.99, and enter this Goodreads giveaway for a chance to win a free copy!

Come Read with Me! THE HUNGER

Let's talk about another book! I recently received a free e-book of The Hunger from Future House Publishing through Tomoson. (You can take a look at their launch post right here)
Look at this cover!

Take a peek at the summary!
"Feed your Hunger.
In a distant, war-torn land, every man, woman and child must either consume the magical substance known as Sustenance or succumb to the Hunger. Those who succumb develop deformities and face exile — or even death.
The scholar Azil wants nothing more than to lead a tranquil life and beat back the Hunger. But when a mysterious assassin tries to kill Azil, and a stranger shows up at his door challenging him to join her on a quest, he embarks on a dangerous journey to steal the sacred gems of Sustenance guarded in a forbidden fortress. To get there, Azil must venture through a land of floating cities, ravenous mage wraiths, ax-wielding warriors, and bloodthirsty bandits. But with the sacred gems of Sustenance come volatile magic — magic so strange and dangerous, that the prophecies foretell it could usher in a golden age, or turn its wielder into the darkest of villains."

So far, I'm really enjoying this book! The point of view does shift between two characters, so keep that in mind while you learn the world that Young has created.
Come read with me and support an author! You can purchase The Hunger here for 99¢, and enter this Goodreads giveaway for a chance to win a free copy!

TOMOSON TIMES: Valentia Royal Rose Hydrating Serum

Let's go over the last skincare product that Valentia sent me through Tomoson!

This is the Royal Rose Hydrating Serum. Valentia describes this product as "a lightweight serum that boosts moisture and resilience while soothing and calming the skin." Valentia claims that this serum will deeply moisturize and nourish skin, provide antioxidant protection, smooth skin tone and texture, as well as boost skin radiance. 

Let's go over some of the key ingredients:

Rose Damascena: One of the most nourishing and skin friendly natural oils, providing balance, moisture, and a variety of vitamins and minerals to the skin. 

Niacinamide (Vitamin B): This  vitamin has been clinically proven to fade away hyperpigmentation, sun spots, and acne.

Lavender: Heals the skin, treating pimples, wounds, and sores.

Rosehip Seed Oil: Naturally rich in Vitamins C & A, these essential fatty acids work quickly to lock in skin's moisture. 

Evening Primrose Oil: Provides light, non-oily moisture to the skin, never clogging or irritating the skin. 

Bearberry: Reduces melanin production, thereby lightening the skin, revealing a brighter complexion. 

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This product has a faint fresh rose scent. It's actually very pleasant, but does not linger for those of you who are sensitive to fragrance. The consistency of the serum is similar to Valentia's Clear Revitalizing Serum. It's a nice middleground between liquidy and lotionlike. The serum absorbs into the skin quickly, and feels very smooth upon application. This serum is cruelty free, paraben free and 98% organic.

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While I still can't comment on the effectiveness of this product when it comes to clearing acne, I can happily report that it has not irritated my skin in any way. I have noticed that since using this product, my skin looks noticeably brighter. What I really appreciate is that this product is marketed for sensitive skin, so I worry less about possible flare-ups or reactions. Of the two serums I've tested from Valentia, this Royal Rose Hydrating Serum suits my skin best, and I would highly recommend it to those of you with acne prone sensitive skin!

Come Read with Me! THE STONE BEARERS

Let's talk about what I'm currently reading! I recently received a free e-book of The Stone Bearers from Future House Publishing through Tomoson. (You can take a look at their launch post right here)
Look at this cover!

The main character is a young woman of color!!! Personally that's a huge drawing point for me. Different kinds of representation is extremely important, especially in YA literature! But if that's not enough of a selling point for you, this fantasy story also includes but is not limited to: magicians, prophecies, and djinnis, I'm halfway through this novel, and so far, I have just really connected with the world that Stevens has built up! While this is a fantasy novel, the world it takes place in is still recognizable, and the characters are lovable/intriguing, despite some of their flaws.
Here's a summary of the novel from Goodreads:
"Fifteen-year-old Ashira just received the worst coming-of-age prophecy imaginable. After years dreaming of oceans, princes, and fairies, she expected to hear the words that would finally whisk her away from her ordinary desert village. Instead she hears, “you will live a life of no renown."
 Ready to choose her own fate, she discovers a djinni’s bottle and starts making wishes. When the djinni proves uncooperative and annoying, Ashira sets out to the great city of magicians to learn magic and free herself from an uneventful life as a potter's daughter. 
But there is another prophecy being whispered in the shadows. It is said that among the great magicians, there is a demon on the rise with the power to destroy the world. The djinni might be Ashira’s only chance to become someone important, or he just might be the very demon that triggered the dark prophecy. With the world on the brink of destruction, can Ashira fight her fate and stop the forces that threaten to upset the balance of the universe?" 
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Doesn't that sound awesome? (Spoiler Alert: IT IS!) So come read with me and support an author!  
You can enter to win a copy of The Stone Bearers here through Goodreads or purchase the ebook here on Amazon for $2.99!

TOMOSON TIMES: Valentia Clear Lift Revitalizing Serum

Valentia has so kindly sent me two more products to try out from their skincare line! Today we'll be going over the Clear Lift Revitalizing Serum!

Valentia describes this serum as a potent and luxurious product that will help improve your skin's natural circulation and breathe back life into it.
Here's a rundown of some of the ingredients and some of the benefits (found on the outside of the box).
Wakame Bioferment (Seaweed): This ingredient increases skin oxygen consumption to detoxify and boost its antioxidant defense.
Lactic Acid: This is a natural Alpha Hydroxy Acid (AHA) that increases your skin cell turnover for healthier renewed skin.
Gotu Kola: helps to lessen the appearance of scars and increase your skin's firmness.
Licorice: helps to lighten unwanted pigmentation and correct skin discoloration.
Argan Oil: This oil is naturally rich in Vitamin E, and helps reduce water loss and protects your skin's resiliency and elasticity.
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These are all really appealing claims! As you may know, I have moderate bordering on severe acne prone skin, and I am still looking for my "perfect" skincare routine. With this product, I was really excited by the prospect that it would help fade scarring and detoxify my skin!

That nail color is Sally Hansen in Lacey Lilac in case you were curious ;)

This product has a distinct orangey-citrus scent. I find it particularly invigorating, especially for morning application. You really only need one pump (maybe a pump and a half) for an even application all over the face. The serum isn't too liquidy. It's not quite a lotion consistency, but it is not runny in the slightest. When this serum absorbs into the skin, I feel as though it kind of smooths out the surface of my face, almost like a primer. This serum, like all all of Valentia's skincare, is cruelty free, paraben free and also 98% organic. The serum retails for $35 on Amazon, which is pricey, but excellent and natural skincare usually runs midrange or higher. (Be sure to check out the promotions that Valentia always has running on the product page, and you can check out some of my other Valentia Skincare reviews, here, here and here, in case you were curious!)
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I cannot yet comment on how effective this product has been, other than the fact that it has not contributed to any other breakouts on my face, which is a huge relief. I actually have passed this product on along to my mother, who I feel will get even better use out of it. I've actually been trying out Valentia's Royal Rose Hydrating Serum for sensitive skin. I will have a review on that product in a week or so!
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*I received these products for free in exchange for an honest review. I am not being paid for this review nor will I receive any monetary compensation if anyone should purchase the product through the link used in this review.*

TOMOSON TIMES: Valentia Eternal Youth Exfoliating Scrub & Skin Detoxifying Clay Mask

Here's the last couple of products that were sent to me from Valentia for free through Tomoson for review! I received Valentia's Eternal Youth Exfoliating Scrub and the Skin Detoxifying Clay Mask this time around.  
Valentia describes their scrub as a "refreshing scrub with green and white teas partnered with a trio of tropical butters." It is meant to brighten the skin, improve your skin tone's clarity, soften your skin and aids in preventing breakouts. 

Here's a rundown of some of the ingredients and some of the benefits (found on the outside of the box).
Green and White Tea: provides anti-inflammatory, anti-irritant and anti-aging effects.
Aloe Vera: moisturizes the skin and fights signs of aging by improving your skin's natural firmness.
Jojoba Beads: work to exfoliate and remove dead skin cells without scratching the skin.
Olive Butter: nourishes, hydrates and soothes the skin.
Avocado Butter: contains high amounts of Vitamin A, B1, b2, D, and E to help nourish and gently repair the skin.
Kukui Butter: This is a treasured oil from Hawaii that is known for its antioxidant properties that help protect your skin and combat pro-aging free radicals.
This is probably my favorite product of the two that I'm reviewing today! This scrub is just so gentle on the skin, which is something that I've been trying to experiment with more and more. I've come to realize that over-exfoliation, especially with harsh scrubs, was not doing my acne-prone skin any favors. This scrub has a pleasant almost minty kind of scent. My uncle likens the fragrance similar to the classic Noxzeema scent. I would say the scent leans a little more "natural." When using the product, less is more! You don't need too much to start up that exfoliating action! The beads are so gentle, and because they are submerged in this gel like base, they do not make too much direct contact on the skin. The base of the product also helps to keep the skin pleasantly moisturized. This is definitely a huge win for me!
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Valentia describes their Skin Detoxifying Clay Mask "a natural kaolin clay and botanical based mask that gently removes excess, dirt and oil while deeply cleansing and exfoliating the skin to reveal softer, smoother skin." The mask is also meant to help reduce pore size, as well as strengthen and firm the skin.

 
Here's a rundown of some of the ingredients and some of the benefits (found on the outside of the box).
 Kaolin Clay:  clay minerals draw out impurities, improve skin tone, and tighten pores for smoother firmer skin.
Plant Stem Cells: naturally decreases the level of pro-aging toxins, working to soothe the skin, reduce redness, and improve evenness.
Spirulina: a botanical stimulant full of vitamins and minerals, that hydrates the skin's surface and contributes to tissue regeneration of the skin.
CoQ10: lessens the appearance of wrinkles by reducing free radical damage and stimulating healthy collagen production.
Hibiscus and Cranberry Fibers: help to firm and reinforce the skin and reduce the creation of new wrinkles.
Astaxanthin: repairs collagen production, combats free radical damage, and restores skin to elastic, bright and wrinkle free tones and textures. 
While this is not my favorite of Valentia's skincare line, it is still a wonderful product. This does have a strong fruity scent (my sister says it smells just like cranberries). Since the mask contains hibiscus and cranberry fibers, when you remove the mask in circular motions, the fibers help slough off dead skin and exfoliates your face. This mask is thick, so you should definitely use a cloth to ensure that all the product is being removed. It was cooling on the skin for me, and did not dry down to the point where I felt like I could not move my face. It also does not dry out the skin, and did not break me out!
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Both of these products, like all all of Valentia's skincare, are cruelty free, alcohol free and paraben free. They are also 98% organic. My top recommendations from this line are definitely the Eternal Youth Exfoliating Scrub, and the Ultra Plumping Hydration Mask. These two products are my favorite because I actually immediately begin seeing a difference in my skin after I use the products! Both the hydrating mask, and the scrub give my skin this sort of "radiance" and clarity to my face, that I feel I've been lacking for a long time! However, the Valentia products I have tried are all top quality skincare that are worth purchasing.

*I received these products for free in exchange for an honest review. I am not being paid for this review nor will I receive any monetary compensation if anyone should purchase the product through the link used in this review.*

TOMOSON TIMES: Valentia Ultra Plumping Hydration Mask

As I mentioned before, Valentia Skin Care was kind enough to send me their Ultra Plumping Hydration Mask for free through Tomoson to review (as well as two other exciting products)!

Valentia describes their Ultra Plumping Hydration Mask as a powerful 3 in 1 rejuvenation treatment that is meant to aid in erasing the signs of aging. This mask floods your skin cells with moisture, detoxes everyday cellular wear and tear, as well as increases collagen production, for nourished, clear, and firm skin.
Here's a rundown of the some of the ingredients and their benefits (found on the side of the box):
Japanese Green Tea: Contains catechins, which are potent anti-oxidants that provides anti-aging, anti-inflammatory and anti-irritant effects
Aloe Vera: Moisturizes the skin and fights aging by improving skin's natural firmness
Silk Protein Amino Acid Blend: Increase moisture content and aid in the production of collagen and elastin to decrease the appearance of visible lines
Organic Rosehip oil: Locks in moisture, hydrates the skin and keeps it soft and supple through the use of essential fatty acids
Botanical Hyaluronic Acid: penetrates deep into the skin to secure moisture, support skin elasticity and structure and plump the skin from within 
Organic Sea Buckthorn Oil: aids in reducing lines, diminishes sunspots, and evens out and firms skin
This product is also cruelty free, alcohol free and paraben free. It is also 98% organic.

As you can see in the photo above, the mask is a bright orange color which somehow makes it more appealing and fun to use. There is a definite scent to this product. It's a nice cross between citrus/fruity and mint? Personally it is not an offensive fragrance. The consistency of this cream is like a gel. When I put it on my face, I feel as though I'm smoothing a protective lacquer over it. The mask is really cooling, and actually might have a normal tingly effect. I did not experience this tingling, but my mother did. After 15-30 minutes, the mask dries down tacky but not uncomfortably. Definitely use a nice washcloth to help remove the product like the box suggests. (I must admit, I am sometimes lazy and will just use my hands.) With this mask a cloth will easily remove the mask without having to rub at your face excessively. While I cannot comment on how effective this product is for anti-aging, I have noticed that my skin has definitely felt a bit softer and more hydrated since I started using this product. I do think this will be a wonderful product for my mother, who has dryer skin, as well as sunspots on her face. Overall, I really enjoy using this product and am looking forward to trying more products in the Valentia Skincare line! 
*I received this product for free in exchange for an honest review. I am not being paid for this review nor will I receive any monetary compensation if anyone should purchase the product through the link used in this review.*

TOMOSON TIMES: Killer Pursuit (An Allison McNeil Thriller) by Jeff Gunhus

Killer Pursuit is an excellent read! It is packed with action and I had no trouble following the story, despite not having read the first in the series. You can tell that Jeff Gunhus definitely did his research for this novel. It felt very realistic to me, but it was not dry as other novels I have read in this genre.
Killer Pursuit has the twists that we all crave in a thriller without going over the top. The point of view bounces between characters during each chapter, which is great because it allows us to help piece the mystery together. At the beginning, I felt a little disjointed by this only because I was not used to that style of narration. But for this genre, it really works!
Allison McNeil is a wonderful and strong female character. She's no pushover, and is incredibly intelligent. Allison is naturally the most well-developed character in this book, which I don't mind, because she is the heroine and the one we root for. The story itself is steadily paced with some nice surprising plot twists thrown in. I was very intrigued by the mystery, as well as impressed by the descriptive details and imagery of the crimes.

Overall, this was a great read and I recommend it if you enjoy thrillers!

*I received an advanced arc for free from the author in exchange for an honest review*

BRANDBACKER ADVENTURES: OZ Naturals Matrix 6 Mega Bright Eye Gel

I have another OZ Naturals product (provided for free through Brandbacker) to share with you! This is the OZ Naturals Matrix 6 Mega Bright Eye Gel. Take a look at the photo below for the main components of this product!

Here's a snippet of the official claims that OZ Naturals lists for this eye gel's main ingredients,

• "Matrixyl Synthe'6 helps reduce the appearance of crow's feet and forehead lines. 
• Haloxyl is an anti-inflammatory that helps diminish and fade the appearance of dark circles with repeated use. 
•  Caffeine reduces puffiness 
• Hyaluronic Acid attracts moisture,
• Apple Stem Cells protect skin and help preserve a more youthful look."

OZ Naturals lists this eye gel as 84.2% natural. It is made in the USA and is also cruelty free. This product can be dabbed around the eyes, cheek and forehead area. (Interestingly, OZ Naturals recommends that you use this product before their Eye Créme.) It can also be used as an all over face treatment. This product has a slight scent but it is VERY faint and fades away as it is rubbed into the skin.

This eye gel feels a bit like a serum. It leaves my skin very smooth and absorbs quickly. I had no issues or side effects from the product which was refreshing for a change. (My skin is very frustrating. I'm struggling to clear up persistent acne that always appears on the left side of my face near my mouth. If you have any product suggestions please let me know! I definitely need them.)
Overall, I enjoyed using this product. Of course, because it takes a while to actually see results, I cannot accurately comment on that aspect of this product. However, I enjoyed the way this gel made my skin feel, as well as how cooling it was near my eyes. I am eager to see with continued use how this product aids my dark circles.