Disclosure: I received these products complimentary from Influenster for testing purposes. All opinions are my own. This post contains affiliate links.
About a month and a half ago, I got my Frosty VoxBox from Influenster in the mail. It was filled with all kinds of great goodies and was the perfect treat to get in the mail just before Christmas. Since then I've been busy trying out the products to make sure that I can give you guys thorough review. So, let's do this!
My VoxBox Goodies
Rimmel Gentle Eye Makeup Remover ($7.49): When it comes to makeup removers, good ol' soap and water have been my go-to for years due to having sensitive skin. However, this Rimmel Gentle Eye Makeup Remover just might stay around for a while. It wasn't harsh on my skin considering it does have alcohol in it. Alcohol tends to dry my face out something awful and leave me with bumps. None of that using this. I did moisturize as usual afterwards.
If you're not too heavy-handed this bottle should last you a while. A few squirts on one or two cotton balls and you're good.
NYC Expert Last Lip Color in Sugar Plum ($1.99): This product claims to have "intense, amplified color and shine that lasts up to six hours" with a moisturizing formula that glides on "easily for a silky, smooth, velvety finish for all day wear." There are a total of twenty different shades/colors in the Expert Last Lip Color line. While I am a fan of the NYC brand, this product fell a little short for me in terms of coverage/pigment. As you will see in my YouTube video, the Sugar Plum shade was anything but intense or amplified.
I've seen a few reviews/swatches of the other colors and they're not very pigmented either. Now, what I did like about this product is that it does glide on very smoothly and your lips will be moisturized for at least three to six hours depending on how much you eat, drink and wipe your mouth. I wouldn't classify this as a lipstick, but more of a lightly tinted chapstick. It's under $2 and I would definitely buy some of the other shades to serve as just that.
Boots No7 Protect & Perfect ADVANCED Serum ($22.99): I only received a sample size of this product, but it is supposed to reduce "the appearance of deep lines & wrinkles, for younger looking skin in two weeks." My sample was not big enough for a two week trial, nor do I have any deep lines. However, I can say this product made my skin feel like heaven after one use. Seriously, my face felt so smooth and not the least bit greasy either.
Also, it's hypo-allergenic and didn't give me any breakouts. It does smell a little like acne medicine at first, but once on my face, I couldn't smell it. I know that $22.99 seems a bit steep for a 1 ounce bottle, but I did a little deal hunting and you get this from Target regularly $17.49, but it's currently on sale for $15.74 and a few weeks ago there was a coupon on their Cartwheel app. Also, there was a $2 off coupon in my VoxBox pushing my price down to $13.74! So, Im definitely off to Target to pick up some more.
Overall, I do like this product and I feel like it's going to help keep my skin looking young. I'm glad to be investing in my first mature skincare beauty product. The average person often estimates my age to be 21 at the most, but after a few weeks of using this product I might get mistaken for a 15 year old again? I'll keep you posted.
EcoTools Full Volume Styler ($10.99): This brush is designed to create "gorgeous volume and style, while cruelty-free bristles distribute hair's moisturizers for the ultimate shine." This product also claims to fight frizz and static and dry hair 20% faster. Not going to lie, as a Black woman with very curly/kinky natural hair, these volume styler brushes have not been my friend and weren't my friends growing up either. I remember getting my hair so tangled up in one of my mom's that she almost had to cut a big chunk of my hair off!
Thank goodness she very patiently spent an hair detangling small sections instead. However, that EcoTools is on to something with the design of their Full Volume Styler because my experience was drastically different this time around. The openings do allow the hair to dry faster. Also, the bristle combination worked very well with my natural hair. I had a little frizz, but less than my usual amount. Also, I love that this brush and the packaging are made entirely out of eco-friendly products and can be recycled!!
Rimmel Scandaleyes Waterproof Kohl Kajal Eyeliner ($4.49): Just want to start off by saying pick this product up from Walmart for $3.97 and save yourself almost a dollar. You're welcome! Now that I've saved you some coins, let me say this is eyeliner is awesome-sauce!! I had an eyeliner from NYC that I got in one of my VoxBoxes about two years ago that I thought went on soft, but when I say that this Rimmel Scandaleyes is like a million times better, I mean it!
It glides on like butter, which is really important because who wants to rip their eyelid off using a hard pencil eyeliner? I don't. Hard eyeliner pencils was one of the reasons I didn't wear eyeliner as often, but now that I've been introduced to Scandaleyes, I'm lining these cuties up. My eyes are one of my best features that I get complimented on all the time and now they can really stand out.
And it's waterproof for long lasting wear. However, since this does glide on like butter be careful not to put too much pressure on it when lining your eyes or you will break off the tip. I received the black liner, which is perfect for me since I don't experiment too much with eyeliner colors just yet. I like to take chances with my shadows and then keep it simple using black liner.
Celestial Seasonings Candy Cane Lane Decaf Green Tea ($3.39 for 20 bags): So, my mom has a thing for teas, especially green teas and any tea made by Celestial Seasonings. Growing up she kept their regular green tea in stock because it was good at fighting off colds and building the immune system. All of which I needed being that I was always the first one to get a common cold and have it turn into a severe case of the flu or strep throat. She pumped us with green tea and it paid off at some point.
I say all that to say that I am now obsessed with their Candy Cane Lane Green Tea and love that it comes in decaf since I'm technically not allowed to have caffeine. Moo and I enjoyed this for Christmas and she got hooked too. We can't go the grocery store without her asking if we can get another box. This stuff is Christmas and holiday cheer in a cup.
Seriously, Celestial Seasonings has the tea game on lock when it comes to creating flavored teas. And you know the bitter aftertaste that accompanies most green teas? You won't have to worry about that with this one. I don't know how they did it, but I don't taste it when I drink the Candy Cane Lane. Wonder if they'll tell me their secret?
Fruit Vines Bites ($1.28-1.79): Let me start off by saying that these are super yummy. They don't have any preservatives and are low fat. They're also not super sweet. I received the Cherry flavor in my VoxBox and have since tried the Strawberry as well. Now, I did let the kids try these and that was a mistake.
These are not gluten-free and we had a long night of itching, applying steroid cream and administering doses of Benadryl and almost trip to the hospital as a result. So, if you or your child has food allergies be sure to read the back of the label before you chow down. Another snack that I can enjoy by myself and I'm not complaining one bit.
McCormick Gourmet Thyme ($4.79): If you've been following the blog for a while, you already know that we are McCormick lovers! I served as a Grill Ambassador for them a few year ago and tons of free sauces and seasonings to try out. Even before that though, McCormick is the only seasoning brand you will find in my mom's cabinets. Yes, my mom is very brand loyal.
And just as she influenced me in terms of some of the brands that I buy that I buy today, I hope I'm influencing my kids in the same way because McCormick knows their seasonings and their herbs too! I've put this stuff on literally everything from chicken to veggies and even made a gravy for Christmas that was beyond delicious. My mom and baby sister gave it two thumbs up. That's awesome coming from them because they are gravy masters.
So, there you have it folks! Overall, this was probably my favorite VoxBox. If you're interested in signing up for Influenster for your chance to start reviewing VoxBoxes click here. Sign-up is pretty simple and you'll get surveys about once a month or every other month to fill out and see what VoxBoxes you would make a great match for. Don't forget to check out my YouTube video below (or you can click here).
Have you tried or would try any of these products?
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