Review - Valentia Even Glow Serum

I received a bottle of Even Glow Serum from Valentia to review.

Here is the product's website:

http://valentiaskincare.com/even-glow-serum/

Valentia claims that this product evens skin tone, is an antioxidant treatment, increases glow & radiance, absorbs rapidly, boosts collagen production, and reduces wrinkles and fine lines.

The first thing I noticed right away was the scent and texture.  The scent is really fresh, citrusy and smells like quite a few products with vitamin C.  The texture looks a bit thick at first, but is really thin, and spreads evenly across the skin.  It's a sort of cloudy yellow in color.

The ingredients list is full of awesome things like:   Sea Buckthorn Oil and Rosehip Seed Oil,
Resistem (Plant Stem Cells), Hyaluronic Acid (Botanical), and Green Tea.

It absorbs really, really well.  And quickly.  I noticed an immediate softness to my skin.  After using it for about a week, I feel that my skin tone has evened out more, and I can see a glow about my skin.  I don't think I've used it long enough to report on the collagen production for the reducing of fine lines and wrinkles, but I have high hopes for this serum!

I do recommend this to anyone in the market for a serum.  I liked it, and I have pretty bad allergies/reactions to lots of things.  As always though, those with allergies should always, always, ALWAYS do a patch test before using any products!  I will most definitely continue to use it, and report back!

If you'd like to purchase the product it is available here:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00HJD8NLY

If you'd like to see video of my unboxing, and first impressions, you can view that here:

Thanks for reading, and let me know if you've tried any awesome serums lately!

PS, this is a sponsored post, and is powered by Brandbacker!  (I did receive the sample for free for reviewing purposes)

GO VOX BOX From Influenster

I swear, every time I receive a vox box from Influenster, I think ... there is no way the next one will be better.  But so far they've proven that every single one *does* get better!

The theme for this Vox Box was fitness and health.

From Profoot I received two things:

The Profoot Pedi-Rock.

http://profootcare.com/p-pedi-rock.html

and the Profoot inserts:

http://profootcare.com/pc_insoles.html

I had never heard of this brand before Influenster, and I am SO glad these two items were included in my Vox Box.  The Pedi Rock is PERFECT for summer pedicures, and the inserts are such an awesome thing.  I have Plantar Fascitis, so anything to help with support is a huge plus to me.

Next, I got the Aquaspa Relax Collection Body Creme. I got a smaller version of this in a recent Glossybox, and absolutely LOVED it, so I'm glad to receive this in full size.  The Lavender and Chamomile is divine.

http://www.aquaspabath.com/#!collections/cnj7

I also received the Next Step Shake System from Vitamine Shoppe.  The Swiss Chocolate is one of the best meal replacement shakes I've ever tasted!  The shaker cup is really cute, and the Jaxx used inside of the cup to agitate the contents of the shake is such a brilliant idea.  It mixes up your shake to perfection.

http://www.vitaminshoppe.com/search/controller?N=200790266&type=brand

And speaking of super healthy, I also received a snack pack of Blue Diamond Almonds in the Blueberry flavor.  They were yummy, and I can't wait to try the strawberry flavor next.

https://www.bluediamond.com/index.cfm?navid=706

I also got a box of the Playtex Play On tampons.  Even though it's silly, I still get a little bit bashful about talking about feminine products!  We'll just say that these are really awesome, especially for being on the go in the summer time.

http://www.playtexplayon.com/

The only thing I received that I didn't try was a coupon for a free Quaker Muller yogurt.  I swear, every time I go to the grocery store I forget the coupon!  But I will try it when I remember, and will be sure to report back!

http://www.mullerquaker.com/

Did any of you guys get the Go Vox Box?  What were your favorite items?  Mine is a tie between the Next Step Shake System and the Profoot items!

J'Adore VoxBox from Influenster

I thought I loved the Violet VoxBox I received recently from Influenster ... but I think I love the J'Adore VoxBox even more!

Here is a picture of everything I received!

Here is the front of the card:

And the back, listing all of the products and values:

The first thing I noticed was the HUGE bag of Hershey's Kisses!

I've been sharing these yummy treats with my friends and family, and there are still a TON left.  Diet?  What diet?  The mix of colors is adorable, and perfect for the Valentines Holiday.

Next thing I noticed was the Vaseline Men Spray Lotion:

My husband was excited to get this, and try it out.  It has a nice consistency, and a more "manly" scent.  Not that my husband cares about that ... he also enjoys some of my fruity lotions from Bath and Body Works!  But I think he likes having this lotion all to himself.  He's been experiencing dry skin quite a bit this winter, so I'm sure he'll use this up in no time.

The Boots Botanics Ionic Clay Mask was something I couldn't wait to try!  I'm a mask lover, and am always willing to try out new masks, no matter the price point.  (This one only retails for $9.39, not too bad!)  I'd been wanting to try some of their products for a while too.  At first, I was a little worried.  I opened the tube, and stuff that I can only describe as muddy water went everywhere.  Oh, no ... is this mask going to apply this thin?  But once I closed the cap, gave it a good shake, and reopened it the consistency was MUCH better.  And this mask did a great job.  My face felt wonderful afterward.

The John Frieda Frizz Ease 3 Day Straight was nice to receive as well!  I used it a few days ago, and it kept my hair fairly soft and straight for most of the 3 days.  I did have to touch up a little with my flat iron (which it recommends to do on the package!)  I liked the scent, but it didn't linger.  Sometimes it's nice to have a hair product that isn't too overpowering, I hate it when something competes with a fragrance I'm wearing.

The Kiss Looks So Natural Lashes I received are very nice, and very natural looking.  I don't normally wear lashes too often ... so I usually buy the crazier ones when I do.  But as I get older, my lashes do seem to fall out more often, and maybe I should give some of these a try!  They are really cute.

We even got Red Rose Simply Indulgent Teas!  I got 3 of the Creme Caramel, and one of the Lemon Chiffon.  There was a card listing the other flavors available, and a $2 off coupon, so I can't wait to try more of these flavors!

All in all, this has been my FAVORITE VoxBox I've received from Influenster for reviewing purposes.  I hope they keep up the good work!

Not Your Mothers Hair Products.

I recently received a small travel-sized can of Not Your Mother's Clean Freak Dry Shampoo from Influenster to review.

It's funny, because I already own the full size of this!  I'm already in love with the NYM brand.

I *love* the way all of their products smell, and how they leave my hair.

Along with the dry shampoo, I'd have to say my other favorites are the Lock Luster Hair Oil, Beach Babe Texturizing Spray, and the Way To Grow Shampoo and Conditioner.  I also love the rest of their products!


Between the price point, and the quality, they are definitely one of my go-to brands.

Take a Beauty Break With Ulta ... 4 Hours Only!

Ulta is giving away a 6 piece skincare deluxe set today, for 4 hours only!  As soon as I got the email, I jumped on this deal.  I think I'm just ready for Christmas sales to start rolling in, hah.

I was going to hit up my local Ulta tomorrow for things like shampoo and conditioner, so instead I just placed an order for everything I needed, and got the free kit, plus 3 extra samples.  And when you spend $25 or more you get free shipping!  Don't forget to use your $3.50/$10 coupon as well.  

Now if they'd just leak their Black Friday ad already ...

Bath & Body Works Black Friday Ad has been leaked!

I just saw that the Bath & Body Works Black Friday ad posted up on BlackFriday.com! 

I wasn't too thrilled with last year's VIP Bag, but this year's does look promising.  I may have to head over to B&BW after all.

The picture is a tad blurry, and I can't see a price for the bag.  Anyone know the price?  In recent years I believe it was $20, with a $XX purchase.

I'm also interested in that Velvet Sugar preview ... I wonder if it smells like Pink Sugar?

My Very First Sample Society Box from Beautybar.com

Hey everyone!

I'm getting more and more addicted to subscription boxes.  I'd been reading mixed reviews about Beautybar.com's Sample Society, but I decided to try it out for myself.  The biggest complaint I've heard is that they give you too many skincare samples, but I'm totally good with that considering I'm a skincare junkie.  I received Kit I this month.

Here's my unboxing video:

The package looked like this when I received it in the mail:

When you open the package, you get a cute little box that looks like this:

I love these, and the Birchbox boxes.  I'm saving them to organize various things in my house.

The first thing you see upon opening the box is an Allure brochure:

And a card describing what all you received in your box:

Their packaging is super cute:

The first item is a Lord & Berry Silk Kajal Eyeliner in Black, $15:

Full sized item!  This alone paid for my box.  I haven't tried this out yet, but I've seen some good reviews of it.  Not sure how much I'll use it since I LOVE my Stila eyeliner, but this would be good for when I line the bottom of my eyes.

Second, is the Ecru New York Luxe Treatment Shampoo, $20:

I haven't tried this yet either, but it smells really good.

Third, is the Tres Pure Face Tonic, $65:

I'm *LOVING* this product so far!  It left my face really soft, and the scent is (thankfully!) light.  The only problem with this?  The price tag.  $65 for the full size?  OUCH!

Fourth, is the Jane Iredale Tantasia Self Tanner, $36:

I don't use tanning products, I'm proud of my ghastly paleness, so this is going directly on my trades list! 

Fifth, is the Dr. T's Supergoop! Advanced Anti-Aging Eye Cream SPF 37, $42:

I really love this product!  I've been looking for a new eyecream. Is this the one?  Only time will tell ;)

All-in-all I liked the Sample Society box.  Of course getting tanners is a huge BLAH for me, since I'm not into that sort of thing.  But I'll get use out of 4/5 of these products.

My only issues?  While the black grassy stuff they use for filler in the box is super cute, it leaves the products looking kind of dirty.  That's not even a real issue though, lol.  You can just wipe them down.  My BIG issue? The Supergoop! was almost empty.  What in the world?!  I can only imagine one of two things that could have caused this.  Either the company put that much in the tube on purpose just to make it look like a "deluxe" sample ... and honestly, why even do that?  Wouldn't just putting the sample in a foil be more economical for them?  Or someone had squeezed pretty much all of my product out of the tube before shipping it to me.

Here's what the tube looked like when I squeezed it trying my best to get the eye cream out of it to try:

Isn't that crazy?!  And such a waste!  I might be able to squeeze out a few uses, since you don't need a lot with eye cream.  But still!  This is supposed to be a *DELUXE* sample, right?  And I want to be able to test something for at least a week in order to see how my skin reacts to it, and if I want to purchase the product.  Did anyone else have this issue?

Anyway, looks like I'll hang around for at least another month with Sample Society.  We'll see how it goes!

Be sure to stay tuned for other subscription box reviews, and a round up post featuring my favorites, and not-so-favorites after I've had time to use all of this month's samples from the various boxes!

To subscribe to Sample Society, please visit:  Beauty Bar's Sample Society