Tuesday, July 28, 2015

BRANDBACKER ADVENTURES: OxyRub Pain Relief Cream

Healthy Directions through Brandbacker provided me with an interesting product to test out and review. This is their OxyRub Pain Relief Cream, which is supposed to provide fast-acting relief for muscle and joint pain. I was actually really excited to test this, because in my family, we tend to have a lot of complaints about backaches and muscle pains! 
The OxyRub cream is actually very light and easy to spread out. It loses its sticky feeling rather quickly, and I feel safe putting it under my clothes, while with Bengay, I can definitely feel the tackiness and greasiness of the product for quite a while. What I'm actually most pleased (and surprised) about is that the cream does not have that super strong menthol smell that Bengay has. With Bengay, if I apply it before leaving my house, you can definitely smell that I have it on. It's not a secret. This cream actually smells slightly like a Ricola cough drop mixed with orange to me. It's definitely a pro in my book, because the scent of Bengay can sometimes be way too overpowering and gives me a headache. 
I had two other people besides myself test this product. My dad has severe shoulder pains, my uncle has reoccurring back pains, and I have slight carpal tunnel that tends to act up right before going to bed. It takes about two to three minutes for the cream to begin that pleasant "burning" feeling, that Bengay and other products like this have. The burn is not as strong as some of the more extra strength products, which is fine for me. My carpal tunnel ache was significantly relieved within thirty minutes. Similarly, my uncle found that his back pain had also dissipated enough to allow him to sleep. My dad didn't find the cream to be too effective for him. His shoulder pains are more severe than aches that stem from sore muscles or arthritis, so keep the type of pains you have in mind if you are considering purchasing this product.   
OxyRub Pain Relief Cream can be purchased for $19 on Amazon. Even though I really enjoyed this product and it worked for me, I'm not quite sure if I would pay that much, when I can purchase a similar cream for five dollars at the drug store. Maybe if I had an extra twenty dollars to spare, I wouldn't have to think twice. I think the consistency and smell of the product must be taken into account. If you absolutely HATE (like full-on, no going back loathing!) the way Bengay feels on your skin, and the way that the menthol scent completely overpowers everything, then this product is worth looking into. OxyRub dried and felt like a regular lotion at around thirty minutes. It's not greasy, sticky and there's a lesser chance that it would cling and stain your clothes.
Healthy Directions has provided our readers with a 20% discount code for first time purchases of OxyRub Cream.* This code is valid until 12/31/15. You can use the code SAVEOXY2 on Amazon which lowers the price to around $16. However, if you're on a tight budget (like me) and can deal with Bengay, then maybe stick with what you know!   



*This is not a paid post. I was sent the product for free to test and review. All opinions are my own. I also do not receive any compensation for any purchases of this product with the use of the promotional code! 


Friday, July 10, 2015

The Lip Bar Lipsticks Review (Purple Rain and Kiss Me)



Okay. Teensy story time. In my May Boxycharm I received a Lip Bar Lipstick in Purple Rain, and was absolutely fascinated (and a little bit scared) of the color. When I tried on the lipstick, I noticed it was very wobbly in the tube, and I alerted Boxycharm customer service about it. (Side Note: The Boxycharm customer service has been absolutely amazing to me multiple times.) They offered to replace it, but couldn't guarantee the same color, which I was totally fine with. I ended up receiving a replacement lipstick in the shade Kiss Me, and boy, is it bright!
The shade Kiss Me is much more a cross between an hot pink and coral!
The Lip Bar lipsticks are natural, vegan lipsticks that are dedicated to delivering a bold lip color while still being good for your lips. They are made up of shea butter, avocado oil, coconut oil and vitamin E, which help keep the moisture in your lips even after hours of wear. I noticed that these lipsticks remained very comfortable throughout the day. The formula is creamy, but they do not transfer to my teeth or travel drastically outside of my lip line. The lipsticks are super bright and pigmented. Both of these colors leave a pink stain as the color begins to fade (5 hours+) or when they are wiped off. 





These lipsticks retail for $20 each, which is pretty "average" in the realm of vegan makeup. I am not a vegan, so I'm not too concerned with the ingredients in each and every lip product I use (unless of course, it is something harmful to my health!). These lipsticks are super pigmented and moisturizing, the packaging is adorable and the founder of this company is a woman of color which YAY!! If you are a vegan, prefer makeup with natural ingredients or are someone in search of a super bold lip, I would say The Lip Bar lipsticks are worth trying out.







Friday, June 19, 2015

BRANDBACKER ADVENTURES: Adovia Dead Sea Salt Scrub



Today, we're going to talk about a wonderful bath product that was sent to me for review by Adovia through Brandbacker.
When I opened this product, I was immediately entranced by the scent. If anyone is familiar with the Maja by Myrurgia powder, this body scrub smells just like it to me. (I personally love the scent because it brings back nostalgic memories of my grandma!) Anyway, the product is very interesting to look at. My picture can't even capture it properly!
It's fun to shake around!
It is essentially loose dead sea salt suspended in mixture of Aloe Vera, Avocado, Jojoba and Almond oil. As you exfoliate, the oils help replenish moisture and keep the scrub from being too abrasive, which is really nice. I love to use this as a foot scrub, since we are in sandal season! (Warning: If you are as clumsy as I am, please, please be careful when using this product in the tub. It WILL make your tub slippery.) This is a very unique scrub. I've been using the Ulta Coconut Cream Sugar Scrub, which is much thicker and not as separated. The application process for the Adovia scrub can be a bit tricky. The instructions suggest you use 1-2 teaspoons. Since the product is basically a two in one with both dead sea salt and moisturizing oils, you kind of need to get a good ratio of both elements of the product. However, this scrub definitely does its job. It helps smooth rough skin patches without actually harshly scraping the skin. The oils help balance out the nice grit of the salt. I'm really enjoying this product much more than I thought I would!
This body scrub can be purchased for around $16 on Amazon or on the Adovia website for $15.

Friday, June 5, 2015

Boxycharm May 2015: Bold & Beautiful!


This month's Boxycharm theme was "Bold & Beautiful: Be bold. Be bright. Be beautiful. Charmers, the May, go beyond your comfort zone and boldly dare to be your own kind of beautiful!" It certainly didn't disappoint!
The first product was the one I was most excited for. I received a Lip Bar lipstick in Purple Rain. While it's not the most wearable color, (this can make your teeth look a bit dingy...) it's just so unique and out there. I'm happy to have it! Unfortunately, my lipstick did arrive a bit wobbly in the tube. However, Boxycharm's customer support has been stellar to me in the past, and they generously offered to send another tube in my June Box. 

The Lip Bar Lipstick in Purple Rain ($19)
UPDATE: Guys. This color is growing on me. 

The second item was this beautiful nail polish from Lauren B. Beauty. It's a gorgeous pinky-peach color that is just perfect for summer!
Lauren B. Beauty in Sunset Tower ($18)
  UPDATE: Here's a picture of this nail polish in action! (For a cheaper dupe of this color, check out Sinful Colors in Skylark!)

Two of the products in our Boxycharm this month came as a duo. I passed this Bodyography Essential Brow Trio and Brow Brush onto my mom. I have very thick brows, so I'm not well-practiced in the art of brow products!
Bodyography Essential Brow Trio ($19) and Brow Brush ($19)


The last product in my May Boxycharm was a Model Co Shimmer Bronzer! I've never owned a bronzer before, and I'm a bit wary about using this product. I'm quite pale, and this bronzer seems to swatch a little bit orangey on me. I'm eager to test it out this summer though!
Model Co Shimmer Bronzer ($22)
Boxycharm is a subscription service that sends 4-5 luxury full sized items for $21 a month. I've been subscribed since September 2014, and I've really been pleased with it. It has helped me grow my make-up collection and try so many interesting high quality products. I highly recommend it if you are looking to treat yourself to a subscription service that will actually be worth the price.







Wednesday, May 13, 2015

BRANDBACKER ADVENTURES: Radha Beauty Argan Oil


I don't know about you, but the changing seasons tends to wreak havoc on my cuticles. They often end up dry and peel off at the edges, which stings especially fierce when using nail polish remover. Luckily, I was sent a sample of Radha Beauty's Argan Oil for free through Brandbacker.

This Argan Oil is a 100% organic and chemical-free oil that is supposed to moisturize your skin. It can be used on hair, skin, feet and nails. You can even put some of this stuff in your bathwater and have a nice luxurious soak!
Now, I'm very wary about putting things in my hair, because mine is very oily and it's just not pleasant to have that sensation tripled. However, if I put just a drop or two of this in my palms and distribute it evenly through my ends, I don't end up with lanky oily hair. It gives my ends some needed shine and a nice reprieve from frizz.
I love this oil for my cuticles. With the sudden weather change from freezing to sweltering, my skin is just confused and abused, and the damage is especially noticeable on my hands. This oil helps minimize the peeling on my fingers and also adds moisture to my nail beds. I'ved use this every night before bed, and after I've removed nail polish to revitalize my nails, and have noticed a huge difference. My cuticles are softer and my actual nails are less brittle and don't peel as often as before. I am really enjoying this product. I'm quite a newbie when it comes to oils and serums, but this really impressed me!

Monday, May 4, 2015

SweeTARTS Soft & Chewy Ropes


Smiley360 described SweeTARTS Soft & Chewy Ropes as a new licorice rope with a flavor fusion of both sweet and tart.  SweeTARTS Soft & Chewy Ropes is perfect for when you’re reaching for something sweet & tangy!
This is certainly a fun candy to play around with. I must admit I had more fun stretching it into shapes than eating it. Personally I did not enjoy this candy! The texture was very odd and I just couldn't get past how chewy it was. My sister really loved it, and thought the two flavors complimented each other well.
*I received a sample of this product for free courtesy of Smiley360.

Saturday, February 28, 2015

February Faves!

Hey y'all this is Asa. I'm here with a new post just before the month ends and it is going to be a faves post.  
SO how this is going to work is that CJ and I are going to make monthly faves post but we are going to be alternating it. This month is mine and next month, March, will be CJ's faves post.



The larger tube is a Victoria's Secret Ultra Moisturizing Hand and Body Cream in the scent Midnight Dare which smells like raspberries and sandalwood.

I also have an EOS lip balm from the Rachel Roy Collection in Aloha Hawaii and it is supposed to smell like strawberries and kiwi.

I recently purchased the Essence Gel Eye Pencil in the shade Black Blaze 01

The pink tube is NYX's Soft Matte Lip Cream in Ibiza

And Rimmel London's Rockin' Curves ScandalEyes mascara I got in a previous VoxBox from Influenster