Calvin Klein Reveal VoxBox from Influenster

As you all know by now I'm sure, I love Influenster and I love VoxBoxes! It was exciting to get a designer fragrance to test for this box, especially from Calvin Klein since I already love a few of their fragrances as does my boyfriend. This box contained a sample of their new Reveal for Men fragrance as well as a card holder (think a mini wallet, but flat.)

This came in right before Valentine's Day and my boyfriend was able to wear it out for a few days and test it for me. He really liked it and said it's something he would wear again. I liked it on him as well. It's a bit woody and a very sexy fragrance. I'm intrigued and now I want to try the women's version for myself.

Want to get awesome free products to test and review? Click the Influenster button to the right of this post to get started. It's free and all you have to do is give your honest opinion.

The products reviewed in this post were provided free of charge through Influenster and Calvin Klein through the Influenster VoxBox program. Receipt of these products does not guarantee a positive review.

Special Sample Sunday: MK Glam Box from Influenster

This week's Sample Sunday is special because this week I got my second VoxBox from Influenster. This one features products from Mary Kay Cosmetics. Full disclosure: This box was totally free and I was chosen to receive it. This does not impact my review in any way and does not guarantee a positive review.

 I love that they included a card with everything that was in the box. I like that it explains the products and also makes it easier if I want to get any of these products again.

 First up, I'm super excited that there were brushes included in this box. These are really great quality and I didn't experience any shedding with them which I liked. They were perfect for applying the included products.

Included were the Powder Brush ($16) and the Cream Eye Color/Concealer Brush ($10.)

Next up is the Lash Love Mascara in I <3 Black ($15.) I liked this mascara a lot. It isn't too thick and applies nicely. I got thicker and longer looking lashes, but I still had good definition. The formula and the applicator work really well together.









The short silicone style applicator worked well at grabbing lashes close to the base and I was able to get two good coats on without having "spider leg lashes."

 For the lips they included the NouriShine Plus Lip Gloss in Mango Tango ($14.) I liked the feel of this gloss on my lips, it did feel very hydrating on soft without being sticky. I found the color to be very red for something with Mango in the name I expected more coral. I found the opacity of the gloss to be a little patchy and streaky.

 I have to admit I was apprehensive about trying this bronzer. It's the Bronzing Powder in Light-Medium ($18) and I thought it might be too dark for (since almost everything is.) However, I was pleasantly surprised at the color. I applied it with a light hand and was very happy with it. It's very lightweight on and very natural looking. It does have a little bit of shimmer in it so start light and build up.

 

 I loved the color the Mineral Cheek Color in Shy Blush ($12) in the pan, but it had just a little too much shimmer for me. It photographs nicely, but in person it's a bit much. It could work with the right look, but I wouldn't choose it for everyday. A little transluscent powder on top might do the trick to soften it.

 And lo and behold they included a Translucent Loose Powder ($16.) I've been looking for a new translucent setting powder and I really like that this one is matte without looking powdery and dry. 

I've been trying some different cream eye shadows lately and I really like this one. The Cream Eye Color in Apricot Twist ($14) is a shimmering champagne gold color that is super creamy and easy to use. I didn't have any issues with creasing which can happen with some other cream colors. It has a slightly shimmery metallic look and is an amped up neutral that is so pretty on. It applies much better with the brush they included than with fingers.

Seriously how pretty is this color? This is something I can definitely see myself wearing frequently, it's gorgeous and so easy to use.

I've been wanting to try gel eyeliner for a while, but I've been nervous that I would be terrible at applying it.

This Gel Eyeliner in Jet Black with an Expandable Brush Applicator ($18) is awesome. It applies really easily and works really well over the cream shadow. I like that the brush cap becomes the handle. This duo packs up nicely and will be handy for traveling and small makeup bags.

Please excuse my crazy spiky bun, it's my go to get my hair out of my face. But check out how well all the products work together. I love that this box had everything you needed for a complete look and also allowed me to try a full range of Mary Kay products.

If you're interested in placing an order from Mary Kay, you can order from my friend Sonia, just click here.

If you want to become an Influenster just click the link in the right hand side.

Influenster Prize: Rimmel ScandalEyes Retro Glam Mascara

I received the Influenster Jolly VoxBox back in December (read more about it here) and after completing all the tasks and all the brand challenges I received an email a couple of weeks ago saying I was a runner up for the Rimmel brand challenge and had won a prize. I was delighted to find a full size Rimmel ScandalEyes Retro Glam Mascara.

  

The brush for this mascara has a very different shape. I found that it was easy to get the lashes on the outer corners of my eyes, but a little bit harder to get the middle lashes. It took a little work to get all my lashes and they did look a little fuller and longer, but not as much as I had hoped for. I'm hoping with more usage and practice it will give me a fuller and longer lash look.

 

Influenster Jolly VoxBox

I am so excited! I just got my first VoxBox from Influenster! I only found about Influenster a few months ago and I love how it works. Instead of your typical subscription box, Influenster chooses you to receive a box for free. You qualify by writing reviews for products you already use and you earn points and badges and then Influenster can evaluate you to see which products you would be best at reviewing. I received an email in early December with a pre-qualifying notice and survey. I had to complete a survey about various product types and brands and wait to see if I qualified. On the 13th I received an email that I had been chosen to receive their Jolly VoxBox (Happy Birthday to me!)



I just want to reiterate that this box was totally free and I was chosen to receive it. This does not impact my review in any way and does not guarantee a positive review.

I tend to prefer unhealthy options in healthy moderation, but these Skinny Cow Chocolates are really good. They have a light peanut butter creme that are lighter in texture than a Reese's cup. You can tell they are a little healthier, but they still taste really good. Each pack has 3 chocolates inside and I've been keeping one in my purse for when I get a sweet tooth craving.

I haven't tried the NYC eyeshadows before, but I do like the colors in this palette. The swatches to the left are done with no primer and just a swipe of my finger. There isn't huge color payoff, but it is better than some other drugstore brands. I think it could really benefit from a primer underneath it. I do wish the medium brown shade was a little darker, but these shades could be good for a very natural look.

I love that this tape is called a Duckling. It's so cute and small! Every time I need Duck Tape I don't have any and when I have it I don't need it. This actually came in handy for sealing up some Christmas boxes that were shipped out. I like that it has the strength of Duck Tape without the size. The tape itself is skinnier and the roll is nice and small, it's very convenient.

I was wondering what I was going to do to test out the Puffs Plus Lotion tissues and then Santa brought me a head cold for Christmas. So needless to say I have been using these and they are wonderfully soft. Often times I will just grab some toilet paper to blow my nose, but with the cold weather and constant sniffling, under my nose is a bit chapped and these feel much better.

 Okay so I know this isn't the best picture, but I was running out of the house for work and wanted to try this out. This is the Rimmel Show Off Lip Lacquer in Aurora. I love the name because Aurora is my favorite Disney princess. The photos on the left are with flash and the ones on the right are without. It's sort of a deep watermelon color. It goes on very smoothly and is not sticky or drying. I really loved the texture and it had great pigmentation and held up well. My only complaint is that I kept finding it on my teeth, even before eating or drinking anything. Other than that I really did like this lip lacquer. Just know that it is a lip lacquer, not a lip gloss and therefore it is a whole different type of product. I saw a lot of people reviewing this as a gloss. This is great if you want an easy lip product that will hold up well throughout the day. My lips felt very soft while I had it on.