Vox Box- Dessange

 

I have posted in the past about how awesome Influenster is!

 

If you don't know, it is a website where you can test products and provide reviews for free.

I've been luckly enough a few times to get to sample some stuff and this month I received a box of 3 hair cleansing products specifically designed for blondes by  Dessange, which is now sold at Target.

 

 

What I got:

 

1. Illuminating Shampoo

2.Illuminating Conditioner

3. Brass Color Correcting Treatment

 

Overall:

 

Positives-

Good lather, easy to rinse out.

Left hair feeling soft and clean.

 

Negatives-

Did not see an improvement in my color- blonde did not look any brighter as it claims.

Very strong floral/perfume sent.

 

Note:

I did not use the color correcting treatment. I get my hair professionally highlighted and it is not brassy. I did not want to take the risk of unnecessarily using a product and having it alter my hair!

 

Opinion:

 

I'm a Redkin girl...I absolutely love their blonde glam line as well as their volume line. I have also used Alterna and Pureology for a while, but have been most impressed with the Redkin lines. Products are really going to have to work for me to switch!


**I received these products complimentary from Influenster for testing purposes.**

Vox Box (Something Blue Review)

Last October I blogged about freebee website, Influenster that sends samples to you for you to try and review (Domesticated Officer Fall Freebees).

 

 

Just this week I was sent another box of samples, which Influenster calls a "Vox Box". Each box has a theme and this particular box was the "something blue box" a wedding themed box.

 

Here's what was in the box:

 

Kiss Eye Lashes 

I stopped wearing false eye lashes when I discovered Latisse (see my post- Addicted to Drugs)

False lashes look, well false, fake, and normally pretty hooker-like.

 

                          

        Dr. Scholl's For Her       

These are great! Very comfortable and good for that pair of shoes that are so cute, but not so comfortable. Only issue with these, they do not fit in tight shoes, like stilettos. I used these when I was on Ravens in the cheap black boots we wore. They definitely helped out a lot!

 

They are made more for sandal style shoes. Lastly they have a sticky side and can only be used in one pair of shoes.

               

Luster NOW!  

So I had heard about this product a while back on Refinery 29 (here for post/video). This toothpaste is super blue and it's supposed to make your teeth white after just one use. Well although it tastes good (very minty) I saw no difference after using. I was also disappointed to see it contained no Fluoride, which is an important and usually an active ingredient in toothpaste. I would not recommend this product.
 

                              

        My Trio Rings      
This was not a sample, but an advertisement for wedding rings and bands that were extremely cheap and would not be something I would ever consider.         
             
                                       Urgent Rx                                       

This is a powder form of pain reliever. I'll stick with Advil or Aleve if I need to take something.

 
Q-TIP 
Kinda surprised to get a sample of Q-tips....pretty sure everyone in America already buys these. I do like the small travel containers they came in- perfect for my next getaway!
                                           


It's definitely nice to get full size freebees and coupons in the mail and it's nice to be able to try before you buy.

Saving $$

Lately I have been all about saving money! I love to eat well, shop, and travel. In order to make the most of my budget, I have come to realize that I can save in some areas to splurge in others! Saving  takes just a little effort, but worth it in the end.

 

Here are some easy ways I've been able to save.

Groceries and household items

1. Coupons, duh! 

·         •We get the Sunday paper and I'll spend about 10 minutes going through and cutting out any coupons on items we ALREADY BUY. I emphasize this because I think too often people cut out and try to use every coupon they see, in turn spending way more money and buying stuff they will not even use.

·         •Online! There are coupons everywhere. First some are on various products websites like PG Everyday and each products individual website. Second, look for coupons on websites such as Coupons.com. You can also get coupons right to your email or from Facebook, by liking your favorite products or by entering your email on your favorite brands website. Lastly, Target has a ton of coupons! The best thing about shopping at Target is you can use both Target coupons and manufacturer coupons, for double savings!

·         Coupons can also be found on products you already have purchased, either on the box or inside the packaging. I have found coupons inside Crest White Strips box, inside cereal and frozen item packaging, etc.

2. Target Card

·         This is not a credit card, but instead a debit card linked directly to your bank account. It’s free to sign up and with each purchase you get a total of 5% no matter what you buy or how much you spend! Also free shipping for every online purchase.

3. Target Prescriptions

•     I get one prescription a month and that is to prevent babies! LOL! I get it filled at Target because it is free and after getting it filled 5 times, they send you a 5% off coupon in the mail good for any purchase- again on everything you buy! AND YES YOU CAN PAIR THIS WITH DEBIT CARD AND GET A TOTAL OF 10% OFF!

Everything Else

1. More coupons!

·         Just as you can save with coupons on groceries and on household items, you can save on just about everything else! Many stores send out coupons via mail or email when you sign up on their website or give your info when making a purchase. Stores like Macy’s, Express, and even Saks Fifth Ave. flood my mailbox with coupons each month!

2. Online Promo Codes

·         Before making any purchase online, simply Google to fins a promo code for whatever website it is you are making a purchase on. For example if you are buying something from Victoria’s Secret, search for “Victoria’s Secret Promo Code” or “Victoria’s Secret Coupon” and you will have tons of websites full of various codes. It takes about 5 minutes, but can often save you money with free shipping or with a percentage off!

·         This works on more than just stores! I have used promo codes to save money on race entry fees and travel.

3. Discount and Outlet Stores

•           If you know me or have read this blog, you already know my obsession with Marshalls, Off the Fifth, and Nordstrom Rack. Stores like these are a great way to score designer deals for less! Queenstown outlets feature designers like Gucci and Michael Kors, while Arundel Mills has Coach and BCBG. However these stores do require time and patience J Arundel Mills and other outlet malls often send coupons and announce sales at their store by email and mail, so sign up on their websites or in store. Banana Republic Outlet always has a sale and often a 20% off coupon. You can bring it up on your phone and show it to the cashier to redeem and save.

4. Second Hand

•           I have blogged about consignment stores before as a great way to make money on your old stuff- including handbags, clothes, and accessories. These stores are also a great place to shop as well and I'm not talking about your Macklemore Thrift Shop! Right here in the Baltimore area, there are high end consignment stores like Wear it’s At (Resiterstown), Bmore Betty (Federal Hill) and Uptown Cheapskate (Timonium) to name a few that sell luxury brands like Louis Vuitton and Chanel. Just because it is second hand, doesn’t mean it is not new! Often consignors get rid of items that are brand new still bearing the original store tag. We are all guilty of buying something we couldn’t return or getting something as a gift we never wore! Oh these stores also email coupons out as well and also have sales on their already low priced merchandise.

5. Ebay, Amazon, and so on….

•           Sites like Ebay and Amazon are a great way to buy new and used items for way less! From textbooks to clothing- it’s easy to find what you are looking for and save. Be cautious before buying- read reviews, use Paypal and read descriptions carefully. There are a lot of scammers out there! Sites like Ebay do offer buyer protection, but still the site is littered with fakes from handbags to jewelry. Use common sense before buying.

6. Scanner

 

•           Scanner Apps are free download for your smart phone that enable you to scan product barcodes. It doesn’t work with every product, but works with many. To use simply scan a barcode with your phone and it will show you everywhere you can purchase that item online. This is a great way to save money!

Freebies! (Fall Voxbox Review)

There is nothing like going to the mail box and getting a bunch of junk, or even worse bills! I can't complain about today's delivery- a box of freebies from a website called, Influenster. The site is designed for and geared toward those who blog and or use social media websites like Facebook. Once you sign up (which is free) you are eligible to receive a box filled with goodies to keep all for free! The site is filled with unbiased product reviews on all sorts of stuff.

 

 

 

Today my box arrived and I was kind of disappointed (which I feel bad for saying since it was free!). Every item but one (the B&BW candle) was something you would find at Walgreen's or Target and is something I would not buy or want to buy and here is why....

Kiss Ever PRO Lash Starter Kit

I love the look of lashes! We are required to wear them at every home game and appearance for the Ravens Playmakers. I am a huge fan of Ardel brand. Lashes can either more natural looking lashes (still dramatic though) or can look very Halloween or Drag Queenish. Unfortunately this pair falls in the second category. To thick and too even, creates a look that is less than flattering. I do like the plastic lash applicator (which resembles tweezers) and the glue in the bottle, less mess than the Revlon Brand with the brush applicator.

Goody Simple Styles Spin Pin

These look cool and simple to use....too bad they are not! I think my hair is too long, thick and layered for this 3 step system. First you gather hair in low ponytail (with no elastic). Then twist into a bun (here my layers were everywhere) and then "twist" into hair- thus securing it. It didn't hold up any of my hair. Oh I also got pins for DARK hair, which I have blonde- so if they did do what they were designed to do, you would see them very easily in my hair.

Bath & Body Works Mini Candle and $10 off coupon

The candle is Pumpkin Cupcake and it definitely is a mini candle (cute!). I like the smell and the glass jar it's in. I would buy a full size version!

Not Your Mother's Hair Cream (Curl Defining)

This product is designed for naturally curly hair...which I do not have. It smells okay, but that not great. I have a lot of hair and spend a lot of money at the salon to keep it blonde! With that being said, I do not use drug store brand hair products. I love my Moroccan Oil, Redken Blonde Glam, and Sebastian Shaper Hair Spray!!



NYC New York Color Individual Eyes Custom Compact (for Brown Eyes)

 

I'm not a fan of cheap makeup. What you put on your face should be high quality. Also if your going to spend the time applying it, then it should stay. Cheaper store brand shadows like this are less pigmented and do not stay as well as MAC or Urban Decay. You can tell as soon as you apply it- it just doesn't go on the same as a higher quality shadow.

 

The colors in this pallet are not bad (4 total) and includes primer and illuminator. I don't have brown eyes, but I think the colors are neutral enough they would look okay on me.

Vitabath Fragrance Mist

EWW!! This smells so terrible, which is such a disappointment since it is one of the full size products in the box. The sent is "Asian Orchid and Coconut". It smells like something a smoker would wear- kind of like candy with a hint of alcohol (like hairspray). As soon as I opened the box I could smell it was terrible! I do not really see the purpose, I rather just wear good perfume.

EBOOST

 

This is a small packet of a dietary supplement in a salt like form. Add to water and this orange flavored concoction is supposed to provide a boost of energy and a boost to your immune system. I guess this is supposed to be like Emergen-C meets RedBull and defiantly not a fan! I'll just take my vitamins and drink my coffee :)

MISSING ITEM:
Boots No. 7 Beautiful Skin Cleansing Lotion, Cleansing Balm, & Night Cream
This wasn't in my box :( I got the smelly mist instead.

 

 So to conclude- I liked getting free samples, but didn't like ones I wouldn't use (cheap makeup) or can't use (hair pins for people with a lot less of it than me).

 

Log on to http://www.influenster.com/ and sign up to get your box of freebies :)