Garcinia Cambogia & Slender Cleanse by Team Innovations, LLC.-Review

*Garcinia Cambogia & Slender Cleanse by Team Innovations, LLC.

So, it's well into the new year, are you still committed to your exercise/weight loss resolutions?  Have you even started yet?  Well, it's never too late and with a new month coming up it's a perfect time to start.  Honestly, there is no magic pill that you can take to make you loose a bunch of weight but I am a firm believer in taking supplements to assist in the process and I take them everyday. So, if you are looking for a little help too then this little "power couple" that Team Innovations, LLC. sent me is a great option...

  The "power couple" consists of Slender Cleanse, which naturally helps you detoxify, gives you more energy and helps with excess bloating, plus it's safe, gentle and effective!  Then you also get the Garcinia Cambogia which will help your body burn your existing fat storage for energy, helps limit the amount of Cortisol that your body produces, which is a stress hormone, and the Garcinia Cambogia will also help increase your energy levels.  These supplements combined with making healthier food choices and some exercise will get you headed in the right direction and help keep you there!

I have been going strong for about 2 weeks now, eating healthy, working out and taking these supplements and I've already lost a few pounds and I just feel so much better and that is by far the best part!  You can purchase this "power couple" for yourself on Amazon or just click on the link below...

    

 I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com.  Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

Fitness Friday-30 Day Challenge

30DayFitnessChallenges.com

One of my favorite websites that I refer to a lot is 30DayFitnessChallenges.com.  They have a great selection of 30 Day Challenges to choose from and I love that you can print out each challenge so you can check them off as you do them.

With a new month coming up I think it's a great time to start a challenge so I picked 4 that I am going to combine and create a workout for each day based on the challenges.  I'm going to be doing the Ab Challenge, Plank Challenge, Squat Challenge and Arms Challenge.  I think these challenges work best if you have a partner to compete with and to help keep you on target, my partner is going to be my husband, he just doesn't know it yet!

Do you want to join me for a challenge?  If you do leave me a comment below and we'll touch base and help keep each other motivated! Happy Fitness Friday!

Professional 12 Set Makeup Brush Kit by Petunia Skincare-Review

*Professional 12 Set Makeup Brush Kit by Petunia Skincare

I have become a huge fan of all things by Petunia Skincare and my most recent favorite product is this amazing Professional 12 Set Makeup Brush Kit that they sent me to review for them!
  

I just so happened that I was in dire need of some new brushes anyway so every brush in the kit has been put to good use!  The kit contains a complete set of 12 brushes that include:

Powder brush

Blush brush

Foundation brush

Eyeshadow brush

Smudge brush

Fan brush

Concealer brush

Eyebrow blush

Eyeliner blush

Sponge applicator

Lip brush

Spoolie brush

I love the look & feel of these brushes and I am super impressed with the quality.  These brushes are definitely comparable to some of the other high end brushes that I own.  

I also love the cute travel pouch & brush guards that are included and will come in handy to help the brushes maintain their shape.
The brushes themselves are handmade from Natural and Synthetic and the hair is a combination of high quality pony hair, goat hair, and synthetic hair.  The Synthetic brushes are great for liquid-based makeup, while natural hair brushes pick up and distribute powder makeup evenly and smoothly. They are super soft and silky on top, yet durable and again, really great quality.  

Another great feature is that the pigment does not cling to hairs after application so you can blend and reuse colors without cleaning after each use.  They are also easy to clean, just run them run them through warm water, then clean with a gentle shampoo (I use baby shampoo), rinse thoroughly & place on a clean surface to air dry or blow dry.

Also, for all of us animal lovers...Petunia Skincare is a proud member of People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA), and does not test any products on animals.  No animals are harmed to create the natural brushes.
Go to PetuniaSkincare.com for more information & to purchase the Professional 12 Set Makeup Brush Kit & other Petunia Skincare products and you can also purchase by clicking the link below...

   

I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com.  Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

***My Favorite Josie Maran Products-Easy Pay on QVC***

Have you tried any Josie Maran products yet?  Well, if not then you should head over to QVC because they have a bunch of favs on Easy Pay!  Easy Pay is a great way to try out high end products without killing your budget.  Plus, you also get to take advantage of special pricing since they often put together kits at a fraction of the normal retail cost.

I put together the collage above so you could see my favorite Josie Maran products that I love and that I use all the time.  I highly recommend her products and what I love most about them is that they are good for all skin types and made with all natural, eco-friendly, pure, Fair Trade, Argan Oil.  I have extremely oily skin and I use the Argan Oil in Light & Regular on my face and it has actually helped balance out my skin, it's amazing stuff!
So, make sure you head over to QVC and take advantage of the great deals & Easy Pay!  Also, don't forget to shop through your Ebates account and get and additional 2% Cash Back!

Pet Grooming Brush by CLD Barnds-Review

*Pet Grooming Brush by CLD Barnds

We were constantly picking up white, fluffy hair balls from our kitty, Bella, and we were in desperate need of a good grooming brush so it was perfect timing when CLD Brands sent me one of theirs to review for my blog!

I assigned the grooming job to my daughter so she has been using the Pet Grooming Brush on our 2 cats, Bella & Dexter  and our Chocolate Lab, Kosmo.  Out PitBull Karley has nice short hair so she gets away with not needing to be brushed.  Bella LOVES to be brushed, Dexter not so much and Kosmo only likes it when he is in the mood.  However, since we started using the brush it has really cut down on the amount of white fur balls we find and has also helped keep the other pet hair down to a minimum.

The brush itself is made of high quality, durable wood and metal and also features a contoured handle for a better grip.  It also comes with a cute, FREE ebook, Grooming Tips For Your Dog and Cat!

(Bella getting her grooming sesh in!)

Do you need a nice, good quality Pet Brush?  You can order one by clicking on the link below...



 I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com.  Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

Organic Vitamin C Serum by Naturalico-Review

*Organic Vitamin C Serum by Naturalico

I love it when I come across another Vitamin C Serum that rocks and get to share with my readers!  I have been using this one by Naturalico for the last couple of weeks and it's definitely one to add to  your skincare routine!

This Organic Vitamin C Serum by Naturalico is lightweight and absorbs really quickly.  I like to apply the serum on my face, around my eyes, decollete and even my shoulders.  It has helped diminish the look of my Melasma aka hyperpigmentation and now my skin tone looks more even.  Yay!  It also contains Hyaluronic Acid and Organic Sea Buckthorn Oil and those ingredients have really helped plump up my skin, especially around my eyes!

I tried A LOT of Vitamin C Serums at A LOT of different price points and I think this is a really great serum at a really great price!

 

 I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com.  Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

Nutritional Yeast Superfood by Sari Foods Co.- Review

*Nutritional Yeast Superfood by Sari Foods Co

Have you ever heard of Nutritional Yeast?  It's a superfood that is really yummy & it's good for you!  I have been trying out this one from Sari Foods and it has become an everyday staple at my house.  It kind of taste like cheese so anything I want to add a little cheesy taste to I just sprinkle it on.  It's really good on fish, veggies, eggs, salads & popcorn!

The Nutritional Yeast Superfood by Sari Foods Co is comprised of 50% protein (a complete, bioavailable and vegan source), over 20% fiber, contains all 18 amino acids and 15 different minerals (including iron, selenium and zinc) as well as a natural vitamin B-complex and Beta-glucans (known for their extreme immune enhancing properties).  So good and so good for you!

Go to sarifoods.com for more information or you can click on the link below and order some yummy Nutritional Yeast Superfood for yourself...

I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com.  Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

My Tips & Tools to Keep Your Skin Looking Flawless

If it's one thing I am passionate about it is skincare.  I have tried so many products and tools over the years that I really do consider myself somewhat of an expert, even if it's only an expert regarding my own skin.
Even at the age of 41, I still have very oily skin and I constantly struggle to keep my skin clear of breakouts and I also deal with the on-going threat of spots from Melasma.  As a result, I have a few rules, tools & a Holy Grail products that I use to keep my skin in check and looking flawless and I am sharing them all with you!

My Rules for Keeping Skin Clear and Flawless

1. Cleanse skin a.m. & p.m. - Never go to bed with your makeup on!  You need to take full advantage of the fact that your skin repairs itself during the night which means it's the best time to use all your serums, lotions & potions since they will be the most effective during this time.  Also, never skip washing you face in the a.m. either.  Also, make sure you wash your face in the a.m. as well.  That nice glow on your face in the a.m. isn't just leftover residue from the product(s) you used the night before but it's also sweat!  If you simply cannot make yourself wash your face twice a day then by far the best choice is to skip the a.m.!
2. Pillow Cases - Pillow cases should be washed at least once a week.  I highly recommend to invest in some really nice, cotton, high-thread count (600+), WHITE pillow cases.  Why?  Because, higher thread count pillow cases are much more soft and much better for your skin and white because you can SEE how dirty your pillow case is and you are much more likely to was it if you can see the dirt and grime on it.
3. Clean your Make Up Brushes - This is one rule that is SO easy to skip but you should be cleaning your makeup brushes at least once a month.  There are a lot of fancy brush shampoos and soaps out there right now but I like to use baby shampoo, it's gentle, effective and best of all...cheap!
4. Moisturize - As someone with oily skin I know how it is to feel like you don't want to put any extra moisture on your face and when I was younger I used to be afraid of all moisturizers but now that I am...um...older and wiser I know better, much better.  Even oily skin needs to be moisturized.  For oily skin peeps like me a good oil-free moisturizer will actually balance out your skin and help reduce the amount of oil it wants to produce.  Just make sure you choose the right moisturizer for your skin type!
5. SPF - Whatever you do, DO NOT forget to put on SPF no matter what age you are!  This is especially important if you struggle with Melasma as I do.  Plus, the sun damage your getting today can wait and show up years later so you should be applying at least SPF 15 or more, to your face daily and with SPF in most lotions and cosmetics these days that should be fairly easy to do. 

My Favorite Tools & Products for Keeping Skin Clear & Flawless

I started to go into great detail about each tool and product but it started to turn into the longest post in blog history so I just decided to list the items that I use everyday or weekly basis.  If you have any questions about anything I use just leave me a comment or question below and I promise to respond back to you!
Also, I want to preface this list by saying that I use a lot of other skincare products simply because I am a beauty blogger and I test out everything that is sent to me by beauty & skincare companies and while I have yet to test a really bad product (Thank Goodness!!) I have a lot of different products in my rotation on any given day.  That being said, I want to mention that in addition to the list below, I highly recommend a good Vitamin C Serum that contains Hyaluronic Acid.  Please refer back to any of my previous posts for Vitamin C Serums & specific brands that I have tested and that I recommend.  Finally, here is my list in no particular order...

1. Clarisonic
2. PMD-Personal Microdermabrasion Tool - Holy Grail item
3. bliss Pore Fector 
4. Derma Roller
5.  IT Cosmetics - Your Skin But Better CC+ Cream with SPF 50+
6. Paula's Choice Resist BHA 9 - Holy Grail Item
7. bare Minerals Matte Foundation SPF 15
8. Josie Maran Argan Daily Moisturizer SPF 47

              


               

As I said, please make sure to leave me any comments or questions you have and I will respond back to you.  I would also love to hear your thoughts or any suggestions about products or tools that work for you!

Kyoku for Men Wind Body Scrub-Review

*Kyoku for Men Wind Body Scrub

I love skincare products with the word "scrub" in them!  That word "scrub" just oozes promises of clean, exfoliated skin to me.  So, naturally I was pretty excited to receive the Kyoku for Men Wind Body Scrub to review for my blog, or I guess to have my husband review for my blog, but I got in on the action too!.

This is a scrub that can definitely be a universal scrub for men & women.  I think a lot of women tend to like the smell of scents that men wear/use, especially if they are not too manly and overpowering.  The scent of this scrub is almost herbal and is very subtle.  I for one, love those kind of smells!  The Kyoku Scrub is made with natural ingredients and lathers up nicely to give a really good, deep clean and leaves your skin feeling soft, refreshed and with just a hint of herbal scent.  

I would say that the Kyoku for Men Wind Body Scrub get a thumbs up from both me and my husband!

You can purchase the Kyoku for Men (or women) Wind Body Scrub on Amazon using the link below...



I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com.  Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

Fitness Friday ***Tracy Anderson*** Method: Dance Cardio Workout

Tracy Anderson

Happy Fitness Friday!!  

Before the Tone It Up girls that I love so much there was Tracy Anderson.  I have always loved Tracy Anderson and her workouts.  Her body is amazing and so are the bodies of the famous women that she trains, J. Lo, Cameron Diaz and Gwyneth Paltrow, just to name a few.  Her method is to consistently and strategically open up new conversations between the brain and the body.  She pushes the boundaries of what we think is possible, and finds new ways to tap into our vitality making sure that we are highly functioning, healthy, and feeling our best at any age.
If you are into the big muscles then her workouts are not for you.  She is more about precise definition and maintaining a more lean but womanly shape...which is exactly the kind of look I love!
I currently have the Dance Cardio Workout & Dance + Cardio & I just purchased the Precision Toning but I am really wanting to her new Metamorphosis which one of my girlfriends just purchased so I can't wait to borrow it!  As you can see, her DVD's are very affordable, except for the more pricey Metamorphosis but I think they are a great little investment in yourself!

              

Resurrect Anti Aging Moisturizer by Uplifting Beauty-Review + Giveaway

*Resurrect Anti Aging Moisturizer by Uplifting Beauty

I have been hearing a lot of hype about the Matrixyl 3000® lately and what a great anti-aging ingredient it.  Luckily, I have been fortunate enough to be on the receiving end of some great products that contain it like this Resurrect Anti Aging Moisturizer that Uplifting Beauty sent me to review for them.  Matrixyl 3000® has had some really great results in studies that have been done such as: significant reductions in wrinkle depth and skin roughness and improved skin tone.

The Resurrect Anti Aging Moisturizer by Uplifting Beauty is a really lightweight moisturizer that is easily absorbed and leaves my skin feeling soft and smooth and makes fine lines appear less noticeable.  It also has a nice, subtle peppermint scent which is very refreshing.  In addition, I have very oily skin and this moisturizer helps balance out my skin and wears really well under makeup.

You can grab yourself a bottle of Resurrect Anti Aging Moisturizer by Uplifting Beauty by using the link below...

Or...enter my giveaway for a FREE bottle!  Uplifting Beauty has generously offered to give away a FREE bottle, a $36.95 value, to one of my lucky readers!  The giveaway starts 01/22/15 @ 4 p.m. PST and ends at 8 a.m. PST 01/31/2015 and is open to U.S. Residents only.

Entry-Form

I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com.  Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

BRI Nutrition Spirulina-Review

*Spirulina by BRI Nutrition

What is Spirulina?  Essentially, it's blue-green algae and blue-green algae is a great source of B-vitamins, and iron and it's also a great source of protein, especially if you don't eat meat or drink milk since it's not really a cost effective source otherwise.

I have been taking this Spirulina by BRI Nutrition for the past several weeks and it's been a great addition to my supplement arsenal.  BRI Nutrition Spirulina has some great benefits like, supporting my immune system, helping my body detox naturally thanks to the high concentration of chlorophyll and it even helps improve my digestive system, among other things.  Overall, since I like all the benefits that Spirulina has I feel like it's a great supplement to take on a regular basis.

Go to brinutrition.com for more information on Spirulina and also check out their Klamath Blue Green Algae which is another great supplement to try!  You can also purchase on Amazon.com.

 I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com.  Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

Havens Arc Organic Argan Oil-Review

*Havens Arc Organic Argan Oil

Oh, how I love Argan Oil!  Most recently I have been using the 100% Organic Argan Oil that Havens Arc sent me.  Their Argan Oil is EXTRA Virgin Argan Oil, 100% Pure, Certified Organic, Cold-Pressed, Unrefined and All Natural with no fillers, binders or artificial ingredients.  All Aragan Oil is not created equal, Havens Arc is a superior Argan Oil!
Argan Oil is a true multi-purpose oil for me.  This is one oil that I can use on my face and not worry about break outs.  I literally use it everywhere, face, body, nails & cuticles and on the ends of my hair.  I love to put it on at night right after I get out of the shower and before I go to bed so that when I wake up my skin has a nice glow and feels super soft and hydrated and my hair feels really smooth & silky.

Have you tried Argan Oil yet?  Well, you can try this one from Havens Arc risk free since they have a Lifetime Money Back Guarantee, no matter where you buy their product.  If you're not satisfied, simply contact them for a full refund!  You can purchase using the link below...

 

 I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com.  Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

Organic Eye Serum by Adeline-Review

*Organic Eye Serum by Adeline

I have been loving all these great eye products that I have been able to try out lately!  As you know I have a slight addiction to eye products of all kinds, gels, balms, creams and serums.  Adeline sent me their Organic Eye Serum to test out and review for them and now it has become a staple in my night time skincare routine!
The serum itself is really lightweight and absorbs really easily.  I only use it in my night time routine because I am testing out another eye product at the moment but you can easily wear this serum under makeup.  Not only does it help with my dark circles but the skin around my eyes seems to run on the drier side no matter what I use but this leaves my eye area feeling well hydrated throughout the night.  I have actually been using it on my neck and decollete as well since it has ingredients that helps lighten dark spots and even out skin tone and I am really liking my results so far!

For more information about the Organic Eye Serum you can check out their Facebook page and of course if you would like to try it for yourself just click on the link below...

 

 I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

Ultra Youth Eye Gel by Pure Body Naturals-Review

*Ultra Youth Eye Gel by Pure Body Naturals

You all know how much I love a good Eye Gel!  Eye gels and creams are probably one of my favorite skincare products to test out.  Thankfully, I have been able to test out some really good ones.  For the past few weeks I have been using the Ultra Youth Eye Gel that Pure Body Naturals sent me to review for them.  It has some really great anti-aging ingredients in it like Matrixyl 3000, Hyaluronic Acid, Peptide Complex, Aloe, Vitamin E and Plant Stem Cells.  

I love keeping my eye gels in the refrigerator so that when I put it on in the morning it has a cooling effect and instantly helps wake me up and the Ultra Youth Eye Gel is a definitely one to keep in the fridge!  I have been using it as part of my morning skincare routine and it does a great job at smoothing out my fine lines and it's also great at making my puffy morning eyes go away.  For some reason my eye area tends to run on the dry side no matter what I use so I love that this also leaves my skin feeling really hydrated and refreshed.

You can go to purebodynaturals.com to check out some of the other great products they offer and you can also click on the link below to if you would like to try out the Ultra Youth Eye Gel for yourself!

I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.