I recently posted on Facebook looking for a new mascara. Mascara is one of my biggest makeup challenges! I have short, thin lashes, they used to be blonde tipped too but I think I finally stained them I have been using mascara so long! I am always on the look out for a good mascara!

My lashes have become more plentiful I think since I started using lavender oil in my mascara! But that's a different story!

My friend Heidy messaged me and offered to send me a set of Younique Fiberlash in exchange for a blog review and hosting an online Facebook party. Of course I said yes!!!!

In this post I will review Younique and compare it to other top Mascara brands.

Heidy sent me a new package of the Fiberlash. It comes in an eyeglass type case, which is very nice. It has two tubes. 

1) the Transplant gel and 2) the fibers

It says to apply a thin coat of your mascara to start. Then apply the transplant gel and while still wet apply the fibers and then seal with another coat of transplant gel. So you want to do one eye at time to ensure that you apply the fibers before the transplant gel dries.

Well we are back to school today which is good one less to make up in May!
It's time for 

like my new graphic?
Today I am sharing with you my Favorite products from It Works. I have know about It Works for at least 3 years and have used their products for that long as well. And I can say they for sure They do work!

1. The Wraps - if you have heard of It Works at all it is probably because of the Wraps. It is a thin sheet infused with their body gel that you wrap around an area of your body that you want tightened. The most common is the belly but I have done my upper arms, thighs and more! It is suggested to wrap saran wrap around it to help it stay in place. It will feel cold and kind of tingle. You leave it on for 45 minutes or so then cut to free yourself and discard wrap and plastic and rub in leftover gel.

2. The Greens - I love these. I am not the best about eating my veggies and I love that I can make sure to get my servings in with two little scoops of powder in my morning OJ or smoothie.

3. Confianza

This product is the newest to me, but it is a game changer! 

I was on medicine for postpartum depression with Blake

 and just never really went off...until I did and it coinsided with that time of the month 

and IT WAS BAD! 

I got over that but always missed the feeling of being in control sometimes.

I met my friend Ashley Pratt (divine intervention I tell you) at our town's BIG Holiday Mart at a huge convention center. I knew about It Works but she told me about Confianza and I went home and ordered it!

The next day I had a vendor show for our school's PTO and I had to take my kids! All three of them!

The It Works rep there was helping me carry things in and talking to me about the company which I explained I knew about. I was setting up about 15 minutes later she walks over and says do you want a Confianza? I literally laughed out loud and said yes! Within 30 minutes I was calm, focused and not jittery and not without emotion!

 

4. Fat Fighter - The Cheater Pill
I love these for when I KNOW I am going to be at an event where eating is included and the options will be less than healthy! Everyone likes to indulge now and then and I certainly do. This pill helps not all those calories be absorbed. Simply take 1 withing an hour of a big carb loaded meal to help reduce the amount of fat and carbs absorbed by your body.

 Please feel free to learn more about It Works HERE.

There are affiliate links within this post. I will be rewarded with product or points if you were to click the links and join the Loyal Customer program. As always I only promote products I believe in and use my self and my opinions are my own.

Want me to feature YOUR direct sales company on a 4 for Friday? Message me or leave a comment with your info!

Being a REAL mom on a teacher and police officer's salary I can't afford to purcahse all the beauty products I would like without regard to cost. Darn! Right?

 I am guessing there are few people who really can.

 The added financial cost of 3 children and me possibly being unemployed soon has really added to that.

 I still love my beauty products and there are certain high ticket ones I can't live without but I thought maybe there were others out there wondering about products they have seen or heard about but were afraid to take the leap because of price.

 On the other hand there are so many dupes and alternatives but are they even at their lower price - worth it? Do they deliver worthwile results or will you just end up disapointed and frustrated with a product that you are unhappy with wondering if you should have bought the more expensive version?

So I thought I would start a feature on my blog called Splurge, Save or Skip?

Comparing products of different brands and helping you to decide wether you should SPLURGE on the higher priced item, SAVE and get a less expensive version or SKIP the product all together.

I plan on throwing in Reward Program info and more along the way!

So are you ready for the first product?

Kenra Blow Dry Spray

The 3.4 ounce bottle is $22!

I was first introduced to this spray by my stylist Mandy in September. When she sprayed it I immediately said "What is this and why is this the first time you have used it on me?

Turns out it was new to her too.

WHAT IT DOES: This spray claims to cut drying time, and protect your hair from heat of hair dryer, while detangling and softening.

REVIEW: It does all that and more while smelling amazing! I am able to dry my hair in literally HALF the time now which is AMAZING! It also helps to detangle it which is a huge plush with my super fine thin but large quantities of hair! The smell is absolutely incredible, I would buy a perfume, candle, lotion, pretty much anything in this scent!

COMPARED TO: I have tried all kinds of blow dry sprays/oils/balms and none of them reduce the dry time even close to what this one does or smell this good!

VERDICT: SPLURGE - totally worth it - it lasts a long time and you only need a small misting! 

Buy when you have special Ulta 20% off coupon or double or triple points!

 It's that time of year again - when my skin gets so dry I can hardly stand it!

Seriously even with all the extra water I have been drinking my skin is soooooo dry!

So I thought for today's 4 for Friday I would share my favorite winter dry skin cures!

1. Filterless Humidifier

 

Many times my dry skin is due to the cold dry winter air - and then we turn on the heat and that's hot dry air! Adding a humidifier in our bedroom helps increase the moisture in the air and therefore in your skin! I really like this filter-less one from Vicks! It also has a spot to but the Vicks Vapor things if you have a cold!

2. Perfectly Posh All Mixed Up Holy Cow

 

Yes I am a Posh girl but this product really does the trick! It's nourishing dehydrated milk powder! I love it and it's only $4!!!!! Take a bath with this and your skin will feel so much softer and smoother after!

3. Caudalie Hand and Nail Cream 

I received this Hand Cream in my very first Birchbox back in September, see post HERE.

It is the most luxurious non-greasy hand cream I have ever seen! 

But, what really amazed me was that hours later, my hands still felt AMAZING!

4. Perfectly Posh Slather - Indulgent Body Butter

Yes another Posh product!

 I promise I wouldn't share it if it wasn't awesome!

This is the best body butter anywhere! 

I don't usually like Body Butters because they are too thick, but this one is just right!

There are several options including Plain Posh which is completely fragrance, dye and everything else free for those with the most sensitive skin! 

My favorite is the Brazilian Bombshell!

Well there you have it! If you would like to link up please join below and tell me what 4 things you are loving this week!

Or leave me a comment and tell me your favorite fix for winter dry skin!

 

I have to confess I was a wee bit disappointed this month there was nothing I really LOVED. 

Ok products but nothing to get overly excited about!

Juara Candlenut Body Creme - This was a tiny sample and it was pretty much a one time use with the type of packaging :( It was a nice cream I tried it on my hands. VERY strong scent which was ok. It didn't make my olfactory senses go crazy like so many scents do. It was very silky feeling and not greasy at all. I wish there had been a larger sample to try as an actual body cream!

Ahmad Teas - I am NOT a Tea drinker. I do not like Ice Tea, hot tea none of it! The closest I get is a Chai Tea Latte from Starbucks. So even if I were to try this I couldn't tell you if it was good or not!

100% Pure Fruit Pigmented Mascara - Let me start this one by saying I have next to NO eyelashes! My children especially Kaden have the most amazing beautiful long eyelashes - where they got them I have NO idea! Mine have always been short, blonde tipped little stubs! I have worn mascara FOREVER to even look like I have eyelashes! I currently wear a CRAZY expensive mascara because IT WORKS. This mascara is all natural, organic formula that is supposed to lengthen even the sparsest lashes. So over all I was very disappointed in this Mascara not that I had super high hopes but I was completely underwhelmed - it did next to nothing!

Toni&Guy Cleanse Shampoo for Dry Damaged Hair - Well that definitely describes my hair! This shampoo had little to no detectable scent even with my sensitive nose. I was pleased with this shampoo. It lathered well and cleansed my hair nicely. I am not sure if it helped the damage at all though.

Toni&Guy Nourish Conditioner for Damaged Hair - This conditioner had a non-descript mild smell. This was a nice conditioner. It did leave my hair feeling nice and thick and soft. I would worry about build up over time though as it made my hair feel "heavy".

 I really enjoy my birchbox, I am going to add ipsy and julep soon to compare and see which one is the best for me! But this post is about my December Birchbox so let's get to it!

This is my second month of getting Birchbox, I really like having something in the mail besides bills and junk mail! It's such a fun little monthly perk. Let's check out what I received this month.

Sarahpotempa The Half Up - this is a really interesting tool in theory - but you need thick/coarse hair to REALLY pull it off. I, have neither. My hair is fine and thin , it slid right through this when straight, curled was better but I would need really worked up hair for this to hold well.

ChapStick Hydration Lock - what a fun little addition to the box - who doesn't love a good chapstick?

So that's it - two very high end products and two full size products! Good value but not my fave products.

It's finally here! My first Birchbox is here!

Ruffian Nail LAcquer - This was one cool bottle of nail polish. I loved the top/handle. It was so much easier to hold on to. I received Fox Hunt which was a perfect for Fall deep orange, unfortunately I hate orange! But I tried it out anyway just to see how it went on and it went on like a dream! I am giving this to one of Andrew's dispatchers who loves nail polish. I will definitely order in a different color! It is a birchbox exclusive so you won't find it at Ulta or Sephora.
Beauty Protector Protect and Shampoo - This was a nice shampoo, it lathered well and left my hair feeling thicker than normal. It has a different smell - not bad I have just had shampoo that smelled like this.
Beauty Protector Protect and Condition - This was a nice conditioner, like the shampoo it left my hair feeling thicker, it had the same smell as well. These are birchbox exclusives as well.
Grand Central Beauty SMART Skin Perfecting Polisher - I really liked this! I used it after showering and after about 30 seconds you can totally feel the little balls appear. Afterwards my face felt fresh and tight (which I like). I wish there was a larger sample to see results with longer use, that said I am really considering purchasing it!

I am very pleased with my first Birchbox! Can't wait till the next one! If you think you would like to try Birchbox please consider using my link to join -HERE! 

I am loving my new Cameo! I love it so much more than I ever did my Cricuit. Why you might ask? Well let's compare.

Cricut Expression

List Price: $249.00

What I paid: $199 Black Friday deal with one full and one smaller cartridge

Cutting Size: up to 12inx24in

Design Software: You used to have to purchase the Design Studio Software to see what you cut which was around $30 or gypsy which is considerably more.

Images: You must purchase cartridges that contain images, or buy the digital cartridges for the Craft Room (not familiar with new software but you must be online to use it)
Fonts: You must purchase carts with fonts on them.

SVG or other images not from Company: You can not cut any image or font that is not made by Cricut. At one time you could purchase SCAL (Sure Cuts a Lot) or MTC (Make the Cut) and use these programs but then there was a big lawsuit and you can no longer use these programs

Silhouette Cameo

List Price: $299.00

What I Paid: $279 for a MEGA bundle from Overstock.com that included $35 in downloads, a dust cover, 6 pack of glitter, 8 sheets double sided stick paper

Cutting Size: up to 12in x 10 feet

Design Software: Comes with machine holds library of images and all fonts, option for upgrade of software
Images: There is a huge Silhouette Online Store that has a free image every week and literally thousands of images!
Fonts: You can cut ANY true type font that you have installed on your computer!

SVG or other images not from Company: There are two options to cut these types of files 1) Purchase the upgraded Designer Software (List Price $49.99) or use a program such as SCAL or MTC which is what I intend to do since I had it when you could use it with the Cricut.

Deciding Factors
For me the deciding factors were; 1)being able to cut true type fonts
2)Being able to cut SVGs
3) freedom to cut what and how I want

Other Bonuses
Freed up space with no cartridges
I think the software loads faster, does more and is easier to use
Quieter!
Variety of starter sets, pre-made vinyl projects etc in Silhouette Store

I hope this helps you if you are trying to make a decision between the Cricut and Cameo

Here it is my long awaited review of the ribbon ring - well ok maybe not long awaited. I learned about the ribbon ring from a friend on splitcoast stampers. She had won a sample off a blog - she's always winning things off blogs - so Jen Marie you are not eligible to win this ok - love ya! Anyhoo I went to the website http://www.ribbonring.com/ to check it out for myself. Looked kinda cool! Then I saw this little blurb about a bloggers sample - I thought heck I have a blog - I have ribbon - why not. So I filled out the form and she sent me my own little sample of the cards. They were so easy to use and so nice and well there just weren't enough of them!!!! I participate in alot of ribbon swaps on SCS to get all the colors of SU ribbon so I have ALOT of loose ribbon - I had a BEFORE picture but I can't find it! :( My ribbon was EVERYWHERE! It was pretty scary. So of course I ordered MORE! Very reasonable! Very quick shipping! So on to the review: