Burt’s Bees take2

I’ve used up my entire bottle of Burt’s Bees face cream that I reviewed here, and gave a few other goodies to my Mom, when I went back home to Newfoundland. I know she doesn’t mind receiving opened tubes of things I’ve tested a few times. I have to share the wealth, right? I mean, I certainly cannot use all the products that I have!

Regardless if Autumn is on its inevitable way, I still want to have glowy summer kissed skin. Initially I had wanted to try out the Burt’s Bee’s Radiant Body Lotion since I’ve heard a few people on YouTube talk about how great it makes the legs look. But, since I’ll be wearing pants in the next few weeks I have no one to show off my shiny legs to, ha! So, I’ve decided to go ahead and try out the Burt’s Bees Radiant FACE lotion… made with (get this) Royal Jelly.  Doesn’t that just made you think of whale blubber or something? I didn’t know what the heck it was, until I saw the backside of the box it came in.

It actually has some interesting history. Check out what Royal Jelly really is:

I received this set of three Radiance back in July. So of course, I wanted to test them out before I gave a review of the products. Which can take months to do so, right? I can’t give a full review after just using it once or twice. Plus my Mom isn’t getting her hands on these products. I actually requested that I try them out, so I knew in advance that I would already like them. 2 out of the 3, that is.

Back to the stuff with the Royal Jelly. The day cream I’ve been using it once a day, every day since I received it. I’m about one third through the bottle. Not bad. I just make sure my hands are freshly washed before I dunk my index finger in to grab a gloop of it to put on my face.

It pairs well under both my Laura Mericer moisturizing foundation, and the Bobbi Brown Luminous foundation (both which you can see more in depth in my makeup routine — which needs to be updated because I don’t use BB cream anymore). I noticed some moisturizers don’t work well with my foundations and actually look like my skin is coming off (it’s the makeup that “rolls up” when I apply it. It’s the strangest thing. Think eraser rubbings. That’s what comes off on my face with certain moisturizers after I apply my makeup).

Day lotion:

It left a very noticeable white cast on my face after I applied this. I didn’t like it. Basically, it was like taking sunscreen and giving it a good go over on your face, and not applying any moisturizer on after that. I felt like something was missing. The moisturizer! I didn’t like this product and it’s still sitting on the shelf. This one will be going to my Mom, when I fly home next week. It even came with directions, that didn’t work:

Next, the face wash:

It’s really hard to compare any face wash to my absolute favorite Philosophy — Purity Cleanser. With the Philosophy, I can get it in my eyes and scrub lightly or hard and it doesn’t irritate my eyes. The first time I used the Burt’s Bees Radiance Facial Cleanser, I got a bit in my eye. It was scented (as is Purity) and it hurt a bit, but didn’t sting. It’s a nice gentle cleanser and it’s been on my bathroom sink for a few months, sharing rent with the Purity cleanser. So I must be liking it somewhat, otherwise it’d be chucked away in the back room somewhere.

Also when I use this cleanser, it doesn’t make my skin tight after using it. Which is a huge bonus. A lot of cleansers dry my skin out really quickly to the point it’s almost painful to smile! How rude.

Would I go out and purchase these products after I finished up with them? Yes to two of them. Day lotion is definitely out for me. But the others are a definite re-purchase, because they’re so natural and gentle on the skin.

What is your favorite moisturizer, or cleanser? Also, what skin type do you have? I love hearing what people use.

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Getting crafty with Sharpie

Remember last month I was counting down the days until Christmas? How about I give you some Christmas present ideas for birthdays, anniversaries or anything of the like?

To give you a low down, I have a total of four nephews. The littlest ones are 6 and almost 5. For Christmas last year I had planned on painting them some ceramic piggy banks and painting their favorite animals on it. Dinosaurs for one, monkeys for the other. It was poor planning on my part as I went into a pottery painting studio a little too late and the piggy banks were out of stock. My plan was ruined! Never the less, I saved that idea and that’s what I plan on getting them for Christmas this year. Ha! I just have to get my butt down to the studio and paint them up. I’ll probably blog about my experience, since it’ll be kind of neat.

Plus it’s such an inexpensive, yet such a personalized that it makes the gift even that more special.

How true is that, right?

While I’m on the topic of making your own gifts, I wanted to show you a mug that I painted for myself, with these new Sharpie Brush tips! I can use this to either hold my sharpies, or for drinking tea at work. Yumm-o.

I’m sure everyone is familiar with Sharpie® markers, and know that they have some pretty fun ink colors. I’m already a huge fan of them and use them all the time at my work. Look at my Sharpie (fine point) collection!They’ve recently come out with a new brush tipped Sharpie that creates fine lines, brush strokes and shading all with a single marker! So you’re definitely not limited to the amount of fun you can have with them all.

Parents, you’ve only got a few weeks until your children go back to school (hooray?). Perhaps you’re wondering what to do with them at the end of the summer, and have no other activity ideas left for them, to keep them all occupied? Let their creativity go wild and get them to decorate their t-shirts, bicycle helmets, notebooks for school, or even their skateboards! They are a permanent marker, so be careful what you give them :) The brush tip sharpie’s are really easy to work with and you can create bold lines with more pressure on the marker, or less pressure for fine lines.

They come available in twelve visit colors. You can pick them up at Staples, Walmart, Real Canadian Superstores and DeSerres, and sold individually and in 4 and 8 packs with prices from $1.79 to $13.99.

But guess what? Oh I’m not leaving you guys out at all. One of you lucky folks gets to win three packs of the new Sharpie Brush markers, as well! 

Please note this giveaway is for Canadian residents only. Giveaway ends on August 10 and the winner has 48 hours to get back to me with their mailing address or a re-draw will occur.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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Just Fabulous Purse Review

 I paid for this subscription myself.

I’m all about subscription services and trying out new things. I love shoes, and I love handbags. I’ve heard so much about the Just Fabulous or JustFab.com website that I decided to try it out for myself. I know that not everyone has had a pleasant experience with Just Fab.com as you can see Linda from Rose A La Mode review about the shoes, and re-occurring monthly charge here.

JustFab is a monthly subscription service that caters to the recent trends in fashion, so they sell everything from crazy high stilettos, to flats, purses, and also clothing and accessories.

First you take a style quiz in order for them to figure our what kind of fashion style you’re into. It’s pretty detailed, asking you what heel style you’re looking for, you can select as many as you’d like. It also asks you what color shoe you’d prefer. You’re not limited to what you pick in the quiz, so you can browse around their online store once finished.

There are two options for JustFab. A Pay-As-You-Go membership which is no monthly fee but pricier items, or you can become a VIP for a re-occurring $39.95/month. You must visit the JustFab boutique by the 5th of every month and if you do not like anything in your “show room” you can skip that month, and as many months as you wish and you will not be charged the monthly fee. If you do not visit in the first 5 days in the month and say “skip a month” you will be charged $39.95 on your credit card.

I grabbed this info from their site:

  1. VIP Program
    • Every JustFab style is only $39.95 (save up to 50%!)
    • No obligation to buy. Skip any month and cancel any time.
    • Free shipping & easy exchanges (Lies. Canadians pay $9.00 shipping)
    • Access to special collections, private sales and exclusive promotions
    • Earn points toward free shoes!
  2. Pay-As-You-Go
    • Access to the season’s hottest styles for $49-$79
    • Free shipping & easy exchanges
    • No need to skip the month

Unfortunately for us Canadians, we pay $9.00 shipping. Not bad seeing how we’re getting a 50% discount at the beginning for signing up. The only reason I signed up is because of the promotion code. New members get 50% off their first purchase of anything in the store. Heyyuhh! I’m all about that.

Below is my first purchase! The Daredevil bag in person vs Daredevil bag online. It also comes in leopard print and hot pink. Online it’s shows you can wear the “flap” upwards, but I like it hanging down over top. I’m half surprised at myself for buying the Daredevil bag. The chainmail links are kinda hard-ass looking, but at the same time it suits the bag. I placed my order on Sunday July 15, and it arrived to me on Monday July 23. Pretty reasonable shipping seeing how it’s coming from Kentucky.

I’ve never intentionally purchased purse-knock offs, but they do have a few Céline-like bags for sale, and they are kinda cute.

JustFab Portofino Bag vs Céline

I also like the Sorbet bag. But I have a ton of purses already (see my purse collection blog post), and don’t need any more!

I do have a referral link, as does everyone when they sign up with JustFab.com. You accumulate points for free product. For the purchase of my Daredevil purse, I earned 20 points. I need to reach 350 points = 1 free member credit. Or refer two friends = 1 free member credit.

Something I was concerned about: canceling my VIP membership. It’s under their FAQ section of the JustFab website. It doesn’t seem that hard to cancel, but you do have to do it over the telephone and Linda from Rose a la Mode had a difficult time phoning them and actually getting an answer. So, we’ll see… maybe I’ll revisit this in a few months if I decide to cancel, and let you all know how it goes.

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