Beauty Review: Tweezerman Mix ‘N Match Runway Prints Unbreakable Mirrors & Mix ‘N Match Runway Prints SoleMates

Tweezerman SoleMates

Summer is already upon us, and those winter feet have got to GO! I don’t know about you but in the summer my feet get really dry, itchy, and very flaky. I hate it. I’m glad that it’s the month we wear long socks and fur boots! Hide that hideousness!

But now that summer is here, flip flops, sandals, and open back heels and wedges are upon us! There isn’t a woman on earth who wants to be caught with dry, flaky feet! My dry skin is bad between and around my toes, my heel, and the outer edges of my feet.

What can you do about it though? Are there products that are easy to use, and don’t take much time to accomplish the soft, beautiful feet we all wish we had during the spring and summer months?

Of course- Tweezerman has done it ONCE again! They have came out with a very easy to use, colorful & pretty, foot file. It’s so small, modern, and has brilliant packaging (it looks like an eyeglass case).

The one I got is hot pink/white modern square design on one side and on the other side is white with hot pink letters. The case has magnets in it, so all you have to do is put the two sides together and they automatically attach.

There are two sides to the foot file when you open it up. The grater side and the bumpy  buffer side. I love how they fit so closely together, have color inside the case, and is easy to use. I love how modern it looks.

The best time to use this is right after taking a hot bath. The skin on your feet is much softer. The hardened skin has soaked up the hot water and it’s easier to maintain and scrape the dead, roughed skin off.

If you want to maintain soft skin throughout the day, you can always apply a really moisturizing lotion and then use this. Give the lotion about a minute to really soak into the skin before buffing and grating.

This is the buffer side. I always use this first to scrape up the dead skin and buffer it off. It works like a dream. As you can see in the picture it has little metal pieces that smooth the skin that has dried up, died, and gotten rough.

This is the grater side (as I call it). It looks just like a cheese grater and works much like one. You scrape this over your feet, and dig it in as hard as you can on your softened skin (Hot water+ lotion).

I’ve used many MANY different grater type foot scrubbers that claim to scrape the dead skin off to reveal soft, touchable feet. Did they work? Not really. The graters on them weren’t that pronounced, it didn’t really scrape that much skin off, AND there wasn’t an easy way to pop them open afterward to dump the dead skin and clean it out.

That’s the reason I love Tweezerman and all their products though. This is the best foot file/buffer/dead skin remover EVER! You see where my finger is in the first (top) picture? If you flick that piece up, it pops the grater out and reveals what’s inside.

The second picture (bottom) shows the dead skin mixed with lotion that came off my feet. This was scrubbing for only about 30 seconds, I didn’t want to show ALL my dead skin (gross!). It’s easy to clean and easy to pop back into place! A+

Not only that, but that SAME piece gives me the leverage I need to really scrub that dead skin away. Usually on other foot scrubbers they are rounded or shaped like a paddle and have absolutely no where to put your thumb so you can get DEEP into the skin.

I love this! I love everything about it. I love that I don’t have to keep lotion on my feet 24/7 because when they get dry the dead skin is more pronounced. I can now wear those sexy heels, wedges, and sport flip-flops without embarrassment.

Every fashionista knows the pain of stilettos, but wears them happily for height and style. Now withTweezerman’s new Mix ‘N Match Runway Prints SoleMates, you can finally reconcile fashion with foot function.

Two expert tools fit together perfectly for clean, compact storage in a beautiful Pink pattern:

the stainless steel Micro-File effortlessly removes dead skin and reduces calluses while the Finishing File buffs skin to touchably, soft smoothness.

Buy It: Availability: Sephora and Sephora.com Price: $22

The Unbreakable Mirror

How many mirrors do you have laying around your home, office, and car? Can you count? Do you have any inside your purse? I had a very small one that was attached to a lipstick tube, and a small mirror that was part of a compact of foundation.

I didn’t really trust putting regular mirrors inside my makeup bag inside my purse, no matter how much they claim to be unbreakable. They weren’t- I could tell. The ones that WERE unbreakable were very very foggy to the point where you couldn’t see anything in the first place—so there wasn’t even a reason to be carrying them.

That’s all changed now. Tweezerman has brought out the new and amazing UNBREAKABLE MIRROR. This isn’t like the other so called unbreakable mirrors. This doesn’t have that weird cardboard covered with aluminum foil look, and it isn’t glass.

Even though you can see the glare from my camera- when you get the mirror, it comes with it’s own plastic pouch case. When you take it out of the case, you’ll see that the mirror is covered in blue protective tape.

And then you pull the blue tape back and all you see is a VERY capable, unbreakable mirror. You can see all the details of my phone, fingers, and see it clearly!

See me clearly? I can! I LOVE IT!  It’s the best mirror for packing inside a makeup bag, in a suitcase for travel, or even in a wallet!

Buy It:

Price: $12.50

Availability: Sephora

Jessica Renee

Beauty Review: St. Ives Intensive Healing Body Lotion & Blemish Control Face Wash

I can remember when I first started having to wash my face with a blemish/acne control wash. Being a teenager and taking a trip with your mom to the store for acne wash is confusing. There are SO many different kinds, scents, colors, ingredients in each one.

I didn’t know where to start. I was IN THE CLOUDS. I would pick up a bottle, examine the package and “description.” I didn’t know what was what at that age other than the packages were pretty.

BUT wait, stop for a second. There was one that caught my eye. St. Ives Blemish Control Apricot Scrub (ONLY $3.99). It wasn’t drenched in “here looky looky” type of bottle. It’s simple yet elegant and of course BLACKHEAD and ACNE scrub all in one? Yes!

I was very excited to be able to work with St. Ives. I ended up receiving two items: St. Ives Blemish and Acne Control wash and the Intensive Healing Lotion.

The Face Wash Review

This is definitely the best scrub on earth. It says you can use it 4 times a week, but I use it more. I have oily skin, so I need something to keep the oil from seeping deep into my pores and becoming blemishes and blackheads.

 

My pores stay smaller, blackhead free, oil/ shine free, and SO SMOOTH. I love that it makes me feel so fresh faced. The scent really does smell like apricots>>YUM! The scent lingers awhile too.

It thoroughly cleanses the skin and exfoliates the dead skin away so you’re left with nothing but a perfectly flawless complexion just after a week (or so depending on how bad your blemishes are).

I love exfoliating my skin but most exfoliation is harsh and leaves redness and irritation behind. The St. Ives Apricot Scrub exfoliates with Walnuts. Not only do they exfoliate naturally, but they help renew your skin cells- banishing the old dingy cells, and bring all new bright and beautiful cells to the surface!

You can definitely see an extreme difference in your skin when using this! Blackheads are gone, oil GONE, and my skin feels so healthy and rejuvenated. There’s nothing like a scrub that works, smells delicious, and costs under $5.

It’s such a great blemish wash that it has been one of their four Award Winning Products.

Key Ingredients

• 

  APRICOT »

  APRICOTS are known to contain one of the highest levels of carotenoids (think vitamin A) and super-effective antioxidants. All of this natural power might seem, well, too powerful, but they are actually quite gentle and nourishing and they help make fresher, more nourished skin beautifully possible.

• 

  CORN KERNEL MEAL »

  CORN KERNEL MEAL is actually flour ground from dried corn. It’s a soft, but gently powerful all-natural exfoliant that promotes skin cell turnover and regeneration. Cornmeal makes softer-feeling, fresher skin possible.

• 

  WALNUT »

  WALNUT is known for its hard shell, but when it’s ground, it becomes an amazingly effective, all-natural exfoliant ingredient in our scrubs. Not only are walnuts plentiful on the planet, they also help newer, healthier skin come to the surface.

Buy It: St. Ives Blemish and Blackhead Control Face Scrub  at your local Walmart, Target, Kmart.. and other convenience stores for under $5.

 

 

The Lotion

Keeping you and your skin looking and feeling fresh. Made with natural ingredients, and hypo-allergenic. Proven to help heal even the most severely dry skin, St. Ives Intensive Healing Lotion is clinically proven to lock in moisture for 24 hours. Helping to maintain skin’s moisture. Exclusive natural moisture complex includes olive leaf extract, cranberry seed oil, and grape seed oil.

Fresh, better, naturally. St. Ives is dedicated to bringing you the best of nature with formulas that delight the senses as they leave your skin with a soft, fresh feel.

 

My Review

Tanning at the salon brings very bronzed, brilliant color but it can also dry out the skin. I’ve recently gotten very dry, itchy, “ashy” skin when my skin isn’t properly hydrated.

“ANY” lotion just doesn’t do the trick. Some are too thick and don’t soak in very well. Some are too thin and watery and don’t hydrate for very long. I wanted something that could give me the hydration I needed without any fuss.

St. Ives has always been a favorite of mine. They have great products that are very affordable. When I use this lotion I know I am getting nothing but the best!

I’ve taken some out of the bottle and put in a travel bottle and take it with me to the tanning bed. I love rubbing this on my skin and feet after I tan. It doesn’t add to the “scent” that tanning lotion smells like after you’ve tanned. It feels invigorating and is so refreshing to my dry skin!

It feels so silky, creamy, and luxurious. I love that there is absolutely no greasy residue or build-up. I have been faithfully massaging this into every single part of my body when I wake up, after tanning, and before bed.. I can’t help but love the lovely creaminess.

Every summer I have issues with my skin drying out after a day in the pool with the kids. The chemicals and chlorine dry it out, and I can’t wait to see how this helps! I know I won’t be battling the dryness for long!!

It has a light, hypo-allergenic fragrance that is dermatologist tested and proven to keep even the driest skin moist all day! The natural ingredients is exactly what keeps the skin moist, soft, and helps to repair it.

Most lotions that claim to be “moisturizing” only MASK the dryness. They aren’t really doing anything other than that. This amazing St. Ives lotion uses cranberry to help repair the dry skin and mango seed oil to protect your skin from further dryness.

Key Ingredients

• 

  OLIVE OIL AND OLIVE LEAF EXTRACT »

  OLIVE OIL AND OLIVE LEAF EXTRACT: Both of these ingredients are rich in skin-softening glycerides, which means they not only cleanse gently, they can help to improve your skin’s appearance with easily absorbed moisture. They also offer multiple benefits:

• 

  CRANBERRY »

  CRANBERRY is already a proven antioxidant ingredient found in juices, and now cranberry seed oil can be equally effective for your skin, too. This small berry unleashes a unique, all-natural balance of Omega oils to help moisturize, condition and repair your dry skin. Prepare yourself for softer-feeling, smoother-looking skin.

• 

  COCOA BUTTER »

  COCOA BUTTER is known for its gentle, island scent, but that’s just the beginning. Rich in antioxidant vitamins A, C and E and essential minerals, this soothing emollient helps to heal and moisturize skin that’s seen more of the elements than shade.

• 

  GRAPESEED AND GRAPESEED OIL »

  GRAPESEED is known to be an intense skin healer as well. Add to that the naturally occurring antioxidants to fight free radicals, and the result? Your skin can feel significantly moisturized and healthier. GRAPE SEED OIL contains a high level of natural linoleic acid, which helps to maintain your skin’s health. This powerful, yet gentle ingredient helps to moisturize dry, cracked skin, so it not only feels healthier, it feels beautiful too.

• 

  100% NATURAL MOISTURIZERS »

  100% NATURAL MOISTURIZERS, which St. Ives sources from plants, form the basis of all triglycerides that make up essential oils. Glycerin is a great example; it’s an excellent moisture-holding helper for your skin and keeps it smooth-looking.

• 

  MANGO SEED BUTTER »

  MANGO SEED BUTTER is known as the “apple of the Tropics” because it’s rich in beta carotene, essential fatty acids and skin-loving vitamins A and E. This ingredient also makes it ideal for helping to treat dry skin and protecting it from future dryness.

Buy It: St. Ives Intensive Healing Body Lotion at your local Walmart, Target, Kmart.. (Under $5)!

 

You can join in on our commitment!

One of our goals is to get more materials that can be recycled… recycled. Here’s some guidance on how you can help to recycle our products.

Step 1: Locate the recycling number on our product package to find out what can be recycled and where to take it

Step 2: Carefully cut the end tubes off and rinse out the containers

Step 3: Keep the cap with the tube when you recycle the packaging

Step 4: Recycle it!

Connect with St. Ives on Facebook and Twitter

 

Jessica Renee

Bring Luscious Lapis Spa treatments Home with These Easy DIY Treatments

As the summer season is finally upon us, Josie Feria, Director of Lapis Spa at Fontainebleau, shows you how to bring luscious Lapis Spa treatments home and get rid of dry, unseen skin just in time for summer!

Pre-Summer Body Exfoliation

Simulates Spalicious Body Scrub

Skin softening natural all body exfoliating treatment

· Ingredients:  ½ cup olive oil, ¾ cup fine sea salt and drops of your favorite aromatherapy oil. Keep in mind the oil selected should be specific to treatment goal – citrus is energizing – lavender relaxing – peppermint stimulating

· Place all items in a bowl and blend together

· Next, step into the shower and moisten the body – apply the blend by hand in circular motion or for increased exfoliation apply with loofah mitt or body brush

· Rinse off thoroughly.  Skin will feel smooth and soft and supple. For further hydration apply body lotion directly to moist skin

Pre-Summer Facial for Extra Dry Skin

Skin softening avocado mask for combination or dry skin

· Ingredients:  ½ avocado, 1 egg, 1 tablespoon of plain yogurt, 1 tablespoon of coconut oil and 1 teaspoon of baking soda.

The avocado and coconut oils work as an instant skin softener as the baking soda works as a mild exfoliator

· Place all items in bowl and blend well together

· Apply the mixture to your face and leave on for 10-15 minutes

· Rinse off with warm water

Foot Scrub for Dry Feet and Heels

Simulates Foot Rehab Pedicure

· Begin by soaking feet in ¼ cup baking soda to reduce inflammation and cleanse feet thoroughly for 10 minutes

· Using a wet pumice stone rub heels thoroughly yet gently to remove dry callous

· Next, apply coconut oil to feet

· Finally, wrap feet in plastic and cover with soft socks for 30 minutes. The plastic and warmth will help the oil to soften the skin.

 

Jessica Renee

Top 5 Activities to Enjoy with Your Son this Summer

 

Many parents, especially moms, are at a complete loss when it comes time to entertain little men over the summer. Believe it or not, it isn't difficult. Most of these activities are fun for everyone, especially the little guy, and are quite affordable.

 

1. Camping Adventures

Image via Flickr by Paul Stainthorp

A camping trip can be as simple as a tent in the back yard or as elaborate as an RV rental to travel across the country. Hiking trails, such as the Arizona Trail and Appalachian Trail, afford an opportunity to hike a short distance to set up camp or a longer hike lasting several days. Or, set up camp at a nearby state park. If you're not into roughing it, consider renting or borrowing an RV for a few days.

Local rivers are ideal for camping trips, because you can fish, canoe, and swim to pass the time. Boys will even help out with cooking if there's a grill or open fire involved. It's an excellent opportunity to teach him skills in self-sufficiency. When planning a camping trip, learn the difference between primitive and improved campsites. Among other things, Primitive sites have no running water or electrical hookups. Improved sites do.

2. Fishing Trips

Image via Flickr by Pedronet

Moms who aren't up for a few nights sleeping on the ground can still enjoy the great outdoors with their sons on a fishing trip. There are several ways to enjoy this popular sport. If there's a river or lake nearby, this is ideal. Or, you can head to the beach for a deep-sea fishing expedition.

Like camping, fishing can be simple or elaborate. For a simple day of fishing, all you need is a shore or pier to toss in a line. If you want the trip to be something special, rent a boat or charter a fishing boat to get him out into the deep waters where the big ones usually lurk. Don't forget to get applicable freshwater or saltwater fishing licenses.

 

3. Sports Events

Image via Flickr by eviltomthai

Is your little guy into cars or hoops or diamonds or pigskins? Indulge his love of sports by choosing an activity he can relate to. Car lovers can enjoy one of the short tracks around the country, many of which host weekly races all summer long. Your baseball fan would enjoyNew York Mets tickets.

Baseball season runs all summer long, and tickets are quite affordable (usually less than $20 per person, less for younger kids). Though football season is far away, most pro stadiums offer tours of the facilities year round, giving him a chance to see areas normally off-limits.

4. Concert Opportunities 

Image via Flickr by Michigan Municipal League (MML)

A love of music can open new worlds up to your son. Even the youngest kids are enthralled at the majesty of a symphony orchestra. Look for your local symphony to host summer concerts at a nearby park (many do). Or, treat him to tickets to the latest music sensation of his age group.

5. Museums for Boys

Image via Flickr by EyeNo

Boys might not enjoy paintings and sculptures, but they certainly appreciate a good engine. Look for science museums, aviation museums, automotive museums, and history museums in your area he'll enjoy. Great examples are the Cradle of Aviation Museum in New Jersey or the Barber Vintage Motorsports Museum in Birmingham, Alabama.

The most valuable thing you can give your son this summer is your time. He'll enjoy most anything you plan, so long as he's with you.

Author Bio:

Christy Wilson is a freelance writer and avid traveler working from her lakeside home in Pell City, Alabama. She received her degree in journalism from Samford University, and enjoyed a career in newspaper writing and editing before taking her passion for writing online.

Acure Organics- mandarin orange + moroccan argan stem cell advanced triple moisture body lotion

Rough day? Late night got you feeling like a zombie? Break out of that funk with this uplifting lotion that restores brightness and rejuvenatues your spirits. Non-greasy formula so that much needed coffee won’t go flying out of your hand! Vitamin C you later stress! Advanced Triple Moisture System of Organic Argan Oil, Organic Cocoa Butter, and Organic Olive Oil provide serious hydration.

This lotion isn’t too thick or too liquidy- it’s the absolute perfect consistency. It smells incredible when freshly applied and stays smelling great for awhile after too. I love how moisturized my skin feels without the oily/greasy feeling that some lotions can have.

These lotions do NOT have alcohol in them, which most DO. Some people are allergic to alcohol or it breaks out their skin. Now that isn’t an issue with the Acure line. There isn’t anything in the lotions that are even derived from alcohol.

Most organic product prices are THROUGH THE ROOF. Everything is priced at extreme prices because of the “natural” and “organic” ingredients.. but Acure isn’t like that. Nothing in the entire line is too expensive. The lotions and body washes are $10, most face products; cleansers, toners, night creams range from $10-$20.

It smells like oranges with a spice added in or something, but you smell more of the orange than anything. It smells great, is creamy, and soaks RIGHT into the skin and keeps it hydrated for a long time!

This is rich enough to use on my ashy knees, ankles, and legs. I’ve been tanning religiously since January and although I love the bronzed skin—ashy skin comes with it if you don’t moisturize well. This is perfect for keeping me moisturized without an overpowering smell. It smells like summertime—yum—oranges~!

Buy it for yourself!

Acure Organics Mandarin and Mango Lotion $9.99

Connect with Acure online: Facebook and Twitter

 

  Jessica Renee

 

Acure Organics- Lemongrass + Moroccan Argan Oil Firming Body Lotion

Skin reluctant to snap back? Feeling baggy & saggy? Snap out of it with Acure Organics Lemongrass + Moroccan Argan Oil Firming Body Lotion! This unique antioxidant formula restores buoyancy and stimulates collagen production. Evening primrose, cranberry and rosehips help tighten while Organic Argan Oil and Cocoa butter replenish needed moisture.. 7 oz.

Fight back against free radical damage and firm up. Don't slack, this is a firm offer! Act now! 

My Review

This lotion is lemony fresh smelling! If you’ve never smelled lemongrass, it’s about time you start! My skin not only smells amazing, but looks and feels healthy and supple!

I’m using this more of a PREVENTION to sagging, bagging, and wrinkles then actual reduction to them. I don’t want to start getting them, and the SKIN IMMUNE technology that is inside the lotion is the perfect start.

This line of Acure lotions is really the only lotions that I’ve known to have the Skin Immune technology! This and the Orange lotion are great summer lotions, especially when you tan.

Moisturized skin tans a lot better and holds the tan longer—this and the orange lotion has definitely helped me to keep my skin looking healthy and luscious.

These lotions absorb so quickly and the moisture is heavenly! I can put this on my body AND feet after tanning and don’t have to worry about the ashy skin that can come through if I forget to put lotion on.

My skin feels soft and silky because the lotion is so thick and creamy! No greasy residue, no weird smells, and nothing but organic clean ingredients! What else could you ask for from a lotion?

The effects isn’t super shine but also not a matte—it’s more of a healthy glow that makes you want to touch your skin again and again because of how soft it is!! AND every product you purchase a $1 of the profits go to Breast Cancer Research!

Buy It! Acure Organics Lemongrass + Moroccan Argan Oil Firming Body Lotion $9.99

Connect with Acure online: Facebook and Twitter

 

Jessica Renee

Airwick NEW! National Park Collection <Limited Edition> Plug-in Scented Oils

Spring is in the AIR! Literally. With the new Air Wicks National Park Limited Edition Scented Oil Plug-ins it smells like spring/summer ALL the time. Having your house smell absolutely wonderful is something that everybody wants to enjoy; whether they use candles, scented oil, air freshener..etc.

I think the easiest and most convenient way to achieve having a great smelling home without the perfume or alcohol smell attached to it is scented oil. Air Wick always hits it right on the nose with their scents. They always smell so amazing, invigorating, and never give off a "JUST sprayed" smell.

The Airwick scented oil plug-ins slowly heat up the oil to release the scents a little at a time but it smells great all the time. I've had people walk by the plug-in (LOW to the floor in my living room) and tell me my home smelled so good. They didn't know they were about a foot from the plug-in.

It's a compliment I take seriously. Nobody wants someone walking in and saying "hmm.. Your house smells a little weird today" lol. You want people to associate your home as clean, fresh, and smelling good.

These new National Park scented oils all smell amazing. I got to test 4 of the 6 that are new. I was sent the Hawaii, Denali, Grand Canyon, and American Samoa. They all have their own unique, distinct, amazing smell.

The Hawaii Scented oil smells like a mixture of Exotic Papaya and Hibiscus Flower. When you walk near the plug in, it smells like pineapples and exotic flowers though (or so I thought). It does take you to a place with ripe amazing smelling fruit, beautiful flowers, sun, and fun.

The Denali Scented Oil smells like soft cotton grass and spring air. I love the soft smell that this gives off. To me, it smells like recently washed and clean clothes. It smells like a nice spring day with the clothes blowing on the clothes line.

The Grand Canyon Scented Oil smells like cactus flower and Warm Breeze. To me this smells like freshly grown flowers, summer time, and a slight breeze. Those long summer days filled with picnics, barbecues, family, and hanging out. Nights filled with campfires, lightening bugs, and lots of conversation.

The American Somoa Scented Oil smells like Sweet Coconut and Island Palms. This smells more like coconuts mixed with a pretty homegrown flower. Although I don't like how coconuts taste, I LOVE how fresh and milky they smell. This scented oil has captured the essence of that milky thickness that coconuts are known for.

It’s hard to choose a favorite even between these 4. They all are very different scents, yet all smell so amazing. Each one captures different aspects of the place it represents. I am a huge fan of these and wish they weren’t just a limited edition, I’d buy them all the time. I guess it’s time to stock up NOW! LOL

They each come with their own cap, so that you aren’t wasting the oils when they aren’t in use. When you get ready to change it to another, just unscrew the top and snap it in the plug-in and plug it in! Easy and simple as that! Hmm.. nice smelling house in a snap!

The National Park Collection is available in Air Wick’s full range of products, including Scented Oils, Freshmatic Auto Spray Refills, Scented Candles and Reed Diffusers.  Retailing from $2.99 - $5.99, the National Park Collection can be found at all major retailers nationwide. For more information, please visit: http://www.airwick.us/ and www.facebook.com/AirWickUS.

Buy them for yourself! You can buy them from the Airwick website or at your nearest retailer; Walmart, Dollar Store, Target..

Jessica Renee