Every Drop Water Filter

I was really excited about trying the Every Drop Water Filter as a part of House Party Chatterbox. I received a free kit that included the drop shaped portable water filter, a three month replaceable filter cartridge, a carry case and a water bottle with a rubber stopper that ingeniously holds the water filter in place while filling the bottle. I really LOVE the look of the filter and clear case - they are compact enough to be truly portable and the water droplet shape is really slick. There is definitely a cool factor to the filter and carrying case. I've seen nothing like it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I4psbKXjeHo

I have city water, and while I am sure it is clean and completely potable, it has an unmistakeably chemical taste which actually affects the quality of the coffee I make. When I am spending $12 a pound for fair trade organic half caff, I am not going to stand for it to be compromised by funny tasting water. My solution thus far has been to use a Brita pitcher, which admittedly does fine for the coffee application. The drawback to the Brita is waiting for the pitcher to filter the water once it has been poured in. It's a minor inconvenience, of course, who can't wait 5 minutes to finish filling up the coffee pot? It's just a little annoying is all. That being said, it becomes a larger annoyance when filling something that needs more water than the pitcher can hold. I have found that using the Every Drop Water Filter is ideal for filling pots of water for cooking - it provides a continuous stream directly from the tap to the pot, with the filter straining out the impurities for better tasting food.

Next stop: work. Seemed like a great idea to have a portable water filter that travels to the gym, to work, on vacation, almost anywhere. I usually lug in a gallon jug of water to keep at my desk, but this seems like a great alternative. The water at work is city water also, but it doesn't taste as chemically as it does when it gets to my house. There is a distinct chlorine taste, however. I filled my rubber topped water bottle (which is really cool for holding the drop shaped filter in place for filling) right from the tap. I was unable to fill at the drinking fountain since the filter and water bottle combo is too tall to make that work. The filter itself is uniquely shaped like a water drop, so it draws attention. Co-workers wanted to know what I was doing, so I explained the Every Drop Water Filter and tried the water. I noticed a marked improvement in taste, although there is still a faint, lingering chlorine flavor.

Overall, I find this filter easy to use and pretty effective. Plus, it's cute! On the downside, gauging the correct water flow into the filter took a little getting used to, since too much water going in (faster than it drains out) causes an overflow and unfiltered water to pour into whatever container you are filling. The optimal tap flow is a bit slower than what I was expecting, but I think once I am accustomed to the proper flow rate, I won't have to pay so much attention to that. I admit that am not overwhelmed with excitement over this product, and continued use of it most likely will depend on the cost of the replacement filters. It does work as advertised and cutting down on water bottles is a worthy endeavor, so I will also see if I can get into the habit of reaching for the Every Drop every time I need water.

Meaningful Beauty Creme de Serum

Influenster recently provided me the opportunity to try a free product from Cindy Crawford's Meaningful Beauty line. I was aware of the super model's line of skin care, more by accidentally coming across an infomercial than any first hand experience or word of mouth. I thought the products were available via QVC or perhaps directly ordering from a website, but it seemed like a gamble to order something I was unable to try. From a look at the Meaningful Beauty, it appears that the products have been available for 1o years, with new innovations added as they happen. it looks like the company focus is on selling packages - it makes sense to me to promote a coordinated line of skin care vs. a piecemeal approach. I think the theory is that all the products complement each other and work together. It is hard to guarantee success of your product if the client is also using something that is not helpful!

The product I was sent is the "Creme de Serum", which looks like a swirl of different colored lotions packaged together in a helix-like design that mingle when dispensed. From the website: "This crème de la crème treatment takes a triple approach to combating the signs of aging with three powerful anti-aging ingredients: superantioxidant melon complex, anti-aging peptides and hyaluronic acid. Combining the power of a serum with the rich, moisturizing effects of a crème, this super-boost is designed to help protect, increase hydration and prevent the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles." A tall order, but those of us who regularly try and /or use anti-aging products are keenly aware of the big promises they advertise and the hope that they inspire. As a result, I always try these things with a healthy dose of skepticism...

The product itself is nicely packaged, and the pump nozzle of the container dispenses just the right amount of product. I must say that I absolutely LOVE how this creme goes on the skin. If a lotion could be cashmere, this would be it. The texture is divine - silky and soft, and spreadable without tugging. The swirled effect of the lotion itself is also appealing somehow. It makes it seem special, as though the 3 ingredients are really separate until applied. It feels very luxurious and high end. I was also really pleased with the hydration of this product. My skin feels wonderful! I have a problem sometimes with sensitive skin and so many anti-aging products seem focused on cell turnover, which in my case sometimes translates to dryness and flaky skin. Now that the winter weather is upon us,I have to be careful not to use anything too drying. This creme fills the bill - it is not dehydrating at all.

I like this enough to keep using it now that I have had the opportunity to try it. From the website, I see that I can order it as part of a skin care collection for $39.95. I haven't had a lot of opportunity to evaluate the anti aging properties of the creme - it can be difficult to rule on a new product until you have been using it for a while, since so much of anti aging skin care is preventative. That being said, I really like this product and if it works as good as it feels, my skin will never look better!

Learn more about the Crème de Serum: http://www.meaningfulbeauty.com/products/products,default,pg.html
Meaningful Beauty purchasing information: http://www.meaningfulbeauty.com/select-a-system/order,default,pg.html

#MeaningfulBeauty @Influenster #CremedeSerum # GotItForFree

Dr. Scholl's Active Series replacement insoles

I had the opportunity to try Dr. Scholl's Active Series replacement insoles recently via Influenster. (@InfluensterVox ) These insoles are geared to athletes, which I take to mean someone with an active lifestyle. I am not a runner, but I do walk after work and I have a standing work station, so I am on my feet a most of the day on the job. These are nicely made insoles compared to other brands I have tried. I like that they are firm, not floppy, although the gel area near the toe area of the insoles does have a bit if that squishy, unstable feel. Some people may love the gel feeling, but it is not my favorite. It’s great for standing still as far as being very comfortable, but with movement there is too much of a wobbly feeling of instability for me. But that is the only caveat with a hearty recommendation for these insoles. They go into the shoe very easily. Again, the firmness of the insole makes it so much simpler to insert into the shoe than others I have tried. They are made with three areas of foot support. The heel cup is great! It fits very well, and I tend to have narrow feet, so that is a real plus. The instep is high, which takes a little getting used to, but it definitely a positive. I would recommend wearing these insoles for shorter periods of time at first, rather than sticking them into the athletic shoes and heading off to work for a twelve hour day of standing. They started out really comfortable, but as the day wore on, the high arch was was really feeling like... well, a lump. I think it's really just a matter of getting used to them. I will definitely leave these in my shoes and see how they last!

Luster Premium White

I really wanted to love this product! I mean, half the fun of being a Buzz Agent is tooting your horn about the cool stuff you've tried and going on about how great it is... I TRIED to love it. I used it for longer than the product recommends, at least 16 times rather than 12 applications. Still there I was after the cycle, not completely disappointed or anything, but a little "meh". To be fair, the Before / After photo doesn't really illustrate the subtle difference in whiteness that I gained form the experience, and my teeth weren't in terribly bad shape to begin with. When I look closely though, my teeth do have some yellowing which I would love to get rid of. I know people who, through artificial means or not, have beautiful white teeth and I want them for my VERY OWN. There's nothing like having a crown on a molar done and realizing that the match for the fake tooth is a disgusting shade of yellow, not white! My experience of using the product was fine - the directions were clear, complete and easy. There was even a secion of frequently asked questions which I also found to be helpful. I tried the 6 day course of treatment, using the products once in the morning and once at night (vs. the more time intensive consecutive repeat of the treatment 1-3 times over three days.) The process involves a 10 second swish with the mouth rinse that should coat the teeth with an "accelerator" for the whitening. Then, the gel from the "pen" is brushed onto the teeth to be whitened. (I think I would very loosely call the product "gel" - it was more liquidy than what I would characterize as gelatinous. It was easy to paint on, but dripped and ran - it didn't cling) The pamphlet instructs the user to to allow the gel to dry on the teeth for 30 seconds before allowing the lips to touch the tooth surfaces being whitened. (No small feat when the liquid is running off.) Oh, and the liquid did sting my gums, albeit temporarily.I think I did a tolerable job of following the instructions though. And Voila! whiter teeth! There is no rinsing, trays, strips, or appliances to mess with with. Once it's applied, just continue with your day. Obviously, one would avoid eating and/or drinking while the Luster White is doing its magic. And it DID work. It lightened and whitened. But not as much as I was hoping. The package I received as a Bzz Agent also included some Luster White toothpaste samples. This stuff is brilliant blue! The idea seems to be to give an instant whitening boost to the teeth by counteracting any yellow tones. I thought it was interesting - it did sort of leave a bluish tinge to the teeth (that only I noticed since I was looking for it - no one asked me if I had been imbibing blueberry Kool-Aid or anything) so it may well have delivered on the promise. I am not sure it actually made my teeth any whiter as far as polishing off stains or whatever, but must toothpastes don't really seem to make a difference in one use. I mostly use whitening pastes in the hope that it will help maintain whatever level of whiteness I have and counteract the coffee and other daily abuse. I guess the final verdict on the Luster Premium White is, yes, it does deliver a whiter smile. It is probably the case that the more dramatic whitening effects would happen for people who are starting out with a more pronounced yellowing. In any case, I am had a great time trying out the product and I am glad I had a chance to use it. It was just a little more work for not enough payoff for me to give it an enthusiastic two thumbs up.

Kashi™ Hummus Crisps

In the interest of full disclosure, let me first say that I am a HUGE Kashi fan... I really love the cereals this company makes. Several years ago, I decided to eliminate high fructose corn syrup from my family’s diet. When I made this change, I really didn’t realize how difficult it would be. The stuff is EVERYWHERE and it takes a lot of label reading to stick with the plan. Well, I have come to know brands that are committed to healthy, good quality food and Kashi is one of them. My family has eliminated 90% of the cereals we used to eat... Kashi is one of the brands we turn to for consistently great cereal that fits our standards.

So that being said, I was really anxious to try Kashi™ Hummus Crisps... I love hummus, I love chips, seems like a marriage made in heaven!  Well, I wasn’t wrong. I tried a bag of the Sea Salt & Olive Oil flavor crisps - I was sent a bag by Bzz Agent to try them for free, and they are delish! The crisps seem light  (the bag says: ”deliciously popped”) but I think they would hold up to dip. They have a nice crunch and a completely different taste. All that and no High Fructose Corn Syrup!

I was happy to note the Nutrition Facts on the label: only 3.5 grams of fat for 3 grams of protein and 4 grams of fiber. Pretty good stats for a salty snack food. OK, so what’s the catch? Even the serving size is a generous 27  (Ritz cracker sized) crisps, not the usual skimpy serving size no one pays any attention to. I noticed that the serving size really IS about the right size for a serving for me to feel satisfied with the snack. The bag has about 3.5 servings in it and without trying, I did munch on  the chips 4 times before the bag was sadly empty. I do admit, I thought the bag looked a bit small when I first saw it. (4 oz.) It seemed about half the size of an ordinary bag of chips. I don’t know if that will work against the product, but great quality is better than quantity.  I was completely satisfied though.

Guess I should say something about the taste of this snack. The flavor is great - I can tell that there are a variety of seasonings besides salt used in the flavor I tried, although there is a nice saltiness.   They don’t taste exactly like hummus, but I can taste a chickpea influence. Taste is so subjective,  but I can say unequivocally that I think they are great. Going to use my additional coupons to get some more! Great job, Kashi. This is a wonderful addition to your line of products.

Mary Kay True Dimension Lipstick

I was sent a full size sample of the new Mary Kay Dimension Lipstick to try in Mystic Plum from Stylewatch Style Hunters. What a beautiful color for fall! It was probably not the exact color I would have chosen for myself but there are so many luscious shades available, I most certainly have to try another one... It was actually fun to branch out of my comfort zone a little. I usually choose a safer pink or peachy tone, and I am always in search of "my" perfect red. In any case, I was certainly happy with the performance of this lip color. It has really nice staying power, but doesn't feel dry or lip dehydrating at all. It is not advertised as a long wearing lipstick that I know of, but it seems to adhere nicely for a regular moisturizing lipstick. I was pleasantly surprised that the color stays on as long as it does. Because the shade is darker and plum-ier than I am used to wearing, I liked it best on me when applied then smudged with a finger for a soft edged matte look. It makes me feel like I looked like I was just kissed (which made me feel a little edgy and cool!) I can see I will be having a lot of fun wearing this lipstick into fall, and I recommend it. I have always liked the quality of Mary Kay cosmetics, and this certainly does not disappoint. Get on the horn with your local Mary Kay Representative STAT! You won't want to miss this one.

Marc Anthony Easy Lites

Let me just establish my hair highlighting cred before I say anything about this product... I have highlighted and/or colored my hair for more years than I really care to admit. Being the owner of really drab dishwater blond hair I have used paint on, comb through, pull through caps, and any manner of contraption-fitted applicators with prongs or brushes or a combination of the two. I have used highlighting kits and occasionally a high lift hair color to accomplish the blond sun kissed highlights of my dreams. I have tried many brands! I've used one step kits and two step color-then add highlights kits as well.

I have had epic failures and magnificent results alike. I have learned from my mistakes and successes (one mess comes to mind in which I actually needed to send my husband to the drugstore for a box of restorative haircolor! LOL) Over the years, I have come to trust Revlon Frost and Tip with a pull through cap no matter how long my hair is at the time. It is truly no fail for me, and I never get the dreaded orangey result or too large clumps of white blond from unpredictable timing. The product has remained consistent over the years and I can count on perfect highlights every single time for the look I want.

All of that being said, I was seduced by the Marc Anthony Easy Lights sale priced at $6.99 - $2 off the regular price at my local drugstore. It was a impulse purchase for me because it seemed to be something new and the images on the box of the before and after of many different hair colors were really impressive. Is it possible that one highlighter that is processed instantly with a flat iron could work so easily for any type of hair!? You could literally add a few highlights while styling your hair to go out! The results looked wonderful... I HAD to try it, right?

So... how did the product perform?  There is a really wonderful thing about this highlighter: IMMEDIATE GRATIFICATION. Who has not had that scary moment of anticipation when you get out of the shower or pull your wet head from the sink to see how your freshly applied highlights look? Are they spaced OK? Too light? Too orangey? Is there a blob where the lightening solution leaked through the cap? Do they look like the effect you were going for? Well, this product eliminates all the doubt because you can literally see it working. The solution is applied with the spray mist bottle directly to the section of hair you want lightened and a flat iron is run along the strand 5-7 times to activate the lightener.

I immediately thought of the 70's product "Sun-In" which seems to be a similar concept. If you didn't actually have a sunny day or the time to sit out in it with the spray on you hair, you could activate the highlighting with a blow dryer. The Marc Anthony product is sort of the same idea but it is much more targeted. It is so much easier to isolate small strands for lightening by using a flat iron. (Which may have existed in the 70's but I didn't have one - I think the popularity of flat irons has increased exponentially over the years.) Plus, the act of flat ironing itself visibly activates the lightening. It is subtle, but with repeated applications one could actually achieve the effects on the box. I did a few sections more than once, meaning I sprayed and flat ironed  5-7 times at least twice on the same section of hair. It visibly lightened those sections past the point of the reddish blond I tend to get when highlighting solutions are not left on long enough.

Which brings me to the question of how damaging this can be. The directions say to flat iron the hair while it is damp with the solution, but how many times have we been told in general not to flat-iron or use a curling iron on anything but dry hair? The ingredients on the box do list some botanical oils so I am hoping they are built in conditioners. Also, I have not experienced any breakage or the appearance of damage yet. But since peroxide is usually rough on hair AND we are adding heat application to the mix, I probably would not do this repeatedly. I am going to save it for when I feel dingy and need a lift in the form of some hair brightening.

Overall though, I would enthusiastically recommend this product. It's really kind of fun to use. Just make sure you are not over-zealous with how much hair you are trying to do - add generous space between the sections or it will no longer look like highlighting but a solid swath of colored hair. Also, be careful with the flat iron too close to your scalp heating the liquid solution. That hot iron creates a puff of steam that can burn the heck out of your head! Finally, don't expect a miracle of lightening on the first try. Granted, for most of us, a gradual approach may be best, but if you want some sunny highlights for your date tonight be sure to build in some time for repeat applications.

Dr. Scholl’s® Massaging Gel® Insoles

Virtually everyone knows what you mean when you say you are "Gellin'"... Dr. Scholl's has become known for their gel filled comfort insoles. I just had the opportunity to try them out through Bzz Agent. I thought I would give them a great all-day workout, since I have a standing workstation at work and sometimes spend 9-10 hours at my desk, mostly on my feet.

I inserted the Massaging Gel Insoles in a pair of admittedly flimsy canvas tennis shoes. These are not athletic shoes in any real sense of the word - rather picture the canvas "tennies" that kids used to wear in gym class back in the dark ages before Nikes and Air Jordans. No one in their right mind would wear these shoes for any kind of sports! Rather, they are a cute summery fashion statement with old fashioned rubber soles. I was wondering if the insoles would really improve the performance of these shoes and if they would stay IN the shoes - they are a backless slip-on style.

Well, yes and yes!

The first thing I noticed about the insoles was the color. They are a wonderful turquoise blue. They have the cooling appeal of a swimming pool. I personally think it might be nice to have a more colorless version available in case the insoles peek out of your shoes a bit. They might not be as noticeable. That being said, I think these insoles are really designed to be worn in shoes where they will not likely be seen.

The next thing I noted was how easy they were to trim to the size of your shoe. The insoles are clearly marked with easy to follow lines at the various shoe sizes the inserts would fit. Simply trim to your shoe size and voila! - perfectly sized insoles. Well, assuming your shoe is a true size.  Shoes do tend to be a bit more consistent as far as sizing - the women's clothing world contains wildly fluctuating sizes. One brand's size 8 is another brand's size 6 or even 4. My shoes seem to be pretty much a consistent size, though the instructions do note that you should try the insoles in the shoes before trimming. Good advice, since I think it makes it easier to estimate how much, if any, of the insoles should be trimmed off. Anyway, it worked well for me, and I was grateful for the markings. I like the flocked surface of the insoles so they wouldn't feel "sticky" if you weren't wearing socks.

The insoles proved to be comfortable, if a bit unnerving at first. There is a squishy movement to them that took a little getting used to for me. They did stay in my shoes very well, though, and they do provide an extra layer of cushioning between you and the hard surfaces of the floor. I think the Dr. Scholl's Massaging Gel Insoles are great for shoes without a lot of cushion or support. Good work, Dr. Scholl's!

R.I.P. Bose Ear-buds

My Bose in-ear headphones failed yesterday. They had given me three years of faithful service, but at $100 price point, I was SO disappointed that they didn’t last longer. My retired Mom bought them for me as a birthday gift and I don’t even want to let her know that they are already dead. I have replaced cheaper headphones in the past, but I really thought that the Bose name meant a higher quality product, not just great sound.

The ear buds did have a good quality sound, but I freely admit that perhaps I am not enough of a connoisseur to notice a huge difference between Bose and the aforementioned cheaper headphones. I found the ear buds to be comfortable, and I used them at work at a desk all day. I gently wound them and placed them into their little soft sided case at night so I believe I took good care of them.  I guess sometimes things just fail, as I did not have an “event” like dropping, crushing, slamming in a drawer, etc, that would explain the sudden loss of sound in one ear-bud.  One day it worked, the next day it did not.

I was planning to send them to Bose to have them fixed. On their website, I got the mistaken impression that they performed repairs on failed equipment.  Apparently this plan does not extend to headphones. Of course, if they fail during the one year warranty period Bose will  replace them, but everyone knows that products always fail AFTER the warranty period runs out. I was prepared to pay for them to be repaired - I just had a Levelor blind fixed and UPS’d back to me for $25 -so I was unprepared to hear that their solution to my problem was to sell me another pair of the ear buds that just failed (albeit at a discount).  For some reason, it felt like a slap in the face. After all, I am already feeling like my product was of poor quality and here they are trying to sell me the same thing.

I am sure many people have had experiences with headphones that fail - as I began to browse around on-line, I noted many people saying their Bose headphones didn’t even last a year ( let alone three) so perhaps I should be grateful for the time I did get.  I do think that  the $30+ dollars a year the Bose headphones cost to use is not an acceptable level of expense for me. Perhaps it is for others and it may be that I am not discerning enough to be able to detect the huge quality difference in the Bose sound that might warrant the cost. I am going back to the  “cheap seats” - I will not be purchasing anything from Bose again, because in my opinion they did not live up to their excellent reputation. In fact, when I mentioned to a friend that the left ear-bud had stopped working suddenly, she said “Oh doesn’t Bose fix or replace those?” ... I am going to have to tell her she was misinformed and spread the word.

Rhianna Nude

I was lucky enough to get in on an People StyleWatchers Style Hunters giveaway of Rhianna Nude perfume. I was expecting to receive a sample to try, but was thrilled to get a full size bottle!

I looked this fragrance up online because I was not familiar with it. I know Rhianna has become something of a style icon, but it seems like every celebrity has her own fragrance these days - from Taylor Swift to J.Lo - and I was prepared for it to be drugstore caliber scent. Looking for more info, I went directly to my favoritewebsite for all things fragrance and looked it up:

http://www.fragrantica.com/perfume/Rihanna/Nude-16630.html

Fragrantica notes that this is a sweet fruity floral, with woody and powdery notes. I decided to give it a chance it before judging it to be less worthy than a designer scent. I will admit right off the bat that the bottle itself does nothing for me. I love the swooping shape of the glass, but the nude colored "ribbons" and the plastic silver colored "diamonds" adorning the bottle are not very attractive to me. There are so many deliciously styled bottles out there - I personally really love a beautiful perfume bottle. It makes one feel the specialness of the scent before even putting it on. For me, it really adds something to the total experience of a perfume. It appears that this is the style of all the Rhianna scents however, with variations on the theme for her other perfumes so it must have really appealed to her sense of style.

But on the to the fragrance itself. I agree that this is a somewhat sweet scent- on first spray, I don't know that I would necessarily have made the investment in a wholehearted commitment. It is not an overwhelming sweetness either, even to begin with, but I would not have necessarily considered it MY style. That being said, I am really glad I gave it a chance. This is one of those fragrances that has a wonderful dry down. I love how it smells a couple of hours later. I lean toward white florals and rose notes, with patchouli and sandalwood being my favorite accents. SO, while this may not be my ideal signature fragrance, I am finding it a delicious addition to my fragrance wardrobe. I really like the powdery element, too. I will wear this for daytime and I think it will make a nice go-to summer scent. It is not particularly strong or overwhelming, and I can envision the pleasure in catching a note of it on a warm summer breeze.

Overall, quite nice.

FAGE Yogurt 2% - 100% Delish

OK, so it's sort of random to stick a yogurt review in here when I really want to talk about perfume, but I just tried FAGE Greek yogurt and I was pleasantly surprised about how good it was so I feel compelled to make a note!

I received a coupon from BzzAgent to try this brand. I had heard of it, but there have been so many entries into the Greek yogurt market in the last year that I vaguely had the idea that it was one of the many copycat type yogurts attempting to cash in on the Greek yogurt trend. It is so disappointing to me that when something wonderful is discovered by the masses, the giant food conglomerates have to dive into the market and ruin it with crappy knockoffs to satisfy the factory farm-fed, cheap food aficionados. But that's a whole different rant...

Anyway, I could not have been more wrong. According to Wikipedia and the FAGE website, this Greek dairy has been around since 1926. I enjoyed reading about the FAGE story:

http://www.fageusa.com/our-greek-heritage/the-fage-story/

But the real point is how great this yogurt is - I think it has been a well kept secret. I wasn't even sure of where I could buy this brand, but it turned out to be available at my local grocery store. I don't mind going out of the way for great food products, and shop weekly at our local co-op as well as patronizing a "regular" grocery store, but I was happy to see it on the shelf at the grocery. I first discovered the joys of authentic Greek yogurt by trying The Greek Gods Hermes Greek Yogurt. Anything else really paled next to this brand, but I have to say that the FAGE held its own as far as taste and creamy firm texture. I like to use Greek yogurt in place of sour cream (as well as for snacks and breakfast) and even the 2% paired well with my Cinco de Mayo taco dinner.

In short, this yogurt is a winner. Accept no substitutions for your good quality Greek yogurt. It is nice to know that another great brand is out there for me.

I'll get to that perfume talk after breakfast! ...Mmmm FAGE yogurt with granola and strawberries drizzled with a bit of honey.

Dove Deep Moisture Body Wash

I had the pleasure of trying Dove Deep Moisture Body Wash courtesy of PopSugar and I thought it proved itself to be a wash with a difference. This formula is so creamy and thick, I had to read the label again to be sure I wasn't using a regular body cream in the shower. It is really rich! It's probably hard to pull off something that will be moisturizing yet rinse off without feeling greasy, and I think this wash nailed it. As with all of the Dove products, the scent is nothing special or different, but the texture and moisturizing effects are great.

Dial® 7 Day Moisturizing Lotion

I had a chance recently to try Dial® 7 Day Moisturizing Lotion via Popsugar Sample Squad. A full size plastic bottle with pump dispenser arrived to sample, and I was excited to see if it was different or more effective than other lotions. The flavor I received was "Skin Therapy", which the label says
contains Himalayan pink salts which contain more than 80 trace minerals. 

According to atthemeadow.com:
"Himalayan sea salt was formed after an ancient ocean dried up about 600 million years ago, in an ancient era before life as we know it today had appeared on earth. Himalayan salt is known for its healing properties and is used by health professionals, spas and individuals who are interested in utilizing natural products to heal the body and relax the mind. For centuries, salts have been used as folk remedies for a variety of health issues. Stimulating circulation, lowering blood pressure and removing toxins such as heavy metals from the body are just a few of the many benefits of Himalayan Salt.

I read a little about the Himalyan pink salts online and understand that it is a highly prized flavoring salt of foodies and chefs. It was interesting to me that Dial was using the salt as an ingredient in a topical moisturizer and advertising the benefits of the mineral composition for the skin. Intriguing! 

The first thing I noticed about the Dial lotion was the texture  - very nice! I like a lotion that goes on smoothly, without feeling greasy or not absorbing quickly. No worries there - the lotion was light and clean feeling, and spread easily. I will admit that the scent didn't really capture my imagination. It is very routine - I think it smells very typical. There is nothing about the scent that set it apart or made it seem the least bit exotic as the Himalayan salts would suggest. Light, but run of the mill

The ads for the lotion say it: "moisturizes and penetrates the skin while keeping it hydrated for up to seven days.... After two weeks of use, the lotion will absorb and deliver 7-days of moisture".

I liked this moisturizer, although I am not sure that I can say it kept my skin hydrated for 7 days as advertised. Since I use a moisturizer every day, it was really more important to me that the lotion goes on nicely and feels good - not heavy, greasy or non absorbing.  On those criteria, Dial 7 Day Moisturizer delivers.

Contagious Book Review

I read Contagious: Why Things Catch On by Jonah Berger looking for an explanation of the phenomenon of why some ads, videos, or news stories go viral. I received a complimentary copy of the book to read through BzzAgent, and I was excited that a book had been written about the subject matter. I have recently become involved in product testing and the corresponding social media marketing, so I was looking forward to reading it because this topic seems so timely and appeals to my interests.

I liked this book! I found it to be an easy read with easily understood examples and explanations.  I thought it was well laid out and appreciated the many anecdotal examples illustrating why things catch on. I found the acronym "STEPPS" to be helpful for remembering the various elements that Jonah Berger discusses. I found myself thinking "Yes!" when presented with concepts that are very intuitive and yet hard to describe as far as distilling them down to the basic social elements at work.


S - Social Currency: Something that makes you look good to your peers.
T - Triggers: There needs to be something that brings the product or idea to mind.
E - Emotion: Does not always mean a positive emotion, but a feeling about it.
P - Public: Needs to be visible, even if we are talking about something normally private.
P -  Practical Value: Is it a good deal?  Does not always mean financially.
S - Stories: Content is usually more likely to be passed on if there is a narrative, not just facts.

The various elements that can/should be present for something to be shared by a wide audience were supported by studies and stories to provide explanation and insight. I do not curently own a business, but I can see how distilling the properties of a viral event would make it easier for a business owner or advertising executive to maximize the chances of striking gold and designing a message that would really get out there.

I would recommend this book for people who are looking for some easily understandable ways to enhance their social marketing efforts. I was informed and entertained by the subject matter, and I think that Contagious: Why Things Catch On certainly succeeded as promised.

Garnier Olia Hair Color

My review in a nutshell: Two thumbs up!
Color: accurate, Condition: Great!

Now the details for anyone with a longer attention span: I was really excited to try the new Garnier Olia Haircolor. I have been coloring my hair off and on for quite a while (alternating with highlights or doing both) and I have come to think that most haircolor brands are pretty interchangeable. I am partial to Revlon Colorsilk - dependable, inexpensive  & predictable. (Also, it is one of the few brands that do not test on animals.) I learned through an introduction from BzzAgent for a free product trial that Garnier Olia uses an oil based formula, which logically seemed like it would provide greater conditioning during the hair coloring process. But would oil allow for good color penetration?

The answer is a glorious “YES”! I have to admit I was high fiving myself in the bathroom while my hair was still WET since I could see that the tone of the color was much less red than haircolor products I have used in the past. Once dry, I could see that the color came out very true to the swatch on the box ( which admittedly can be skewed by the lighting in the store). In my years of past experience, I find that the word “golden” usually means “red” in haircolor parlance, so I try to avoid warm shades so I don’t look orangey in two weeks. I use either “natural” or “cool” shades, all the while secretly longing for a color which is truly “golden” in the strictest sense of the word. Not brassy, not reddish, but GOLD. Well, I think I may have found it!

I used Dark Blonde (7), which I selected after live chatting with an on-line Garnier Consultant. I let her know my concerns about brassiness/redness and she recommended the Dark Blonde. I may get gutsy and try a little bit lighter shade next time as she shared that the Olia products 8 and above use 30 volume developer rather than the 20 volume, but I was happy with the results of the color I chose. It is a little darker than what I had on my hair already (Medium Blonde, which had admittedly gone brassy plus my light brown roots mixed with a little gray and some lighter blonde ends, as I have been playing with ombre trend.) Overall, a great choice and it will undoubtedly lose some saturation with shampooing. It came out very close to the shade shown on the packaging.

On to the process. Directions are simple and straightforward. The whole process was standard operating procedure for anyone who is a haircolor veteran. The only differences were the stylish black plastic gloves provided and a shorter wait time than I am used to. (A plus when the husband may be arriving home at any moment!) Some of the haircolors I have used in the past have a 45-55 minute processing time. The Garnier Olia takes 30 minutes all together. The bottle is nice  - I liked it not for the round shape, but the wide mouth, since the first thing I did was dispense the color instead of the developer as instructed. The color has a thicker consistency and would be more likely to stick to the container, possibly preventing a good mix with the developer. The wide mouth let me have better access with a spatula, which I used to really stir up the mixture instead of just shaking it and hoping for the best. The roundness of the container did not add anything for me - it got slippery as I applied the color, and the shape did not make it easier to hold on to. It looked cool, though!

Tick tock, wait for it to be done. The mixture has a nice consistency. It’s thin enough to be able to expel it easily form the applicator, but not so runny it was dripping everywhere. It has a nice scent as advertised. Floral and not a harsh chemical smell. The conditioner is great - sometimes they are hard to rinse out completely, but this one smells wonderful and rinses with a clean feeling. Overall, a good experience!

Very happy with the color as it came out.. Very easy,  very good results! Just a last word about the animal testing, though. I can’t help but feel that creation of a  new beauty products is not a justifiable excuse to hurt animals. It’s not like this stuff is going to cure cancer or anything. So I am not sure if my vanity or morality will win out over this one for making a permanent switch.

Upcoming reviews: Covergirl make-up, Dial® 7 Day Moisturizing Lotion, a book named "Contagious" about social media marketing and Garnier Olia Permanent Haircolor.... stay tuned! Looking forward to sharing my thoughts about these products.

L'Oreal Revitalift Miracle Blur

I just tried a new product from L'Oreal! It is called Revitalift Miracle Blur. I was provided the trial product for free so I could provide feedback on what I thought of it. I am here to Say I really like it. The product is called a skin "smoother" and it has an SPF of 30. The recommended usage is as the last step in your skin care regimen or as a stand alone to wear on bare skin to smooth and blur skin imperfections.

I really wanted to see what it would do on its own, so I smoothed it on after my moisturizer. This product goes on beautifully, and it gives the skin a nice matte finish. I immediately decided it would be perfect for that steamy hot summer weather when you are going to be active outside. That kind of weather is not suited to foundation, so smoothing on the Miracle Blur and dabbing on a little bit of concealer where needed seems like just the ticket. Throw in the excellent SPF and it is really a winner.

I thought the product consistency was great, as it glides on and it didn't seem like I needed to use a lot. Some products are harder to distribute on the skin, but I found this one to go on smoothly with no tugging. There is no tint at all to the Blur, so it is probably best suited to the lucky girls who have few skin problems. It isn't really going to provide any coverage; I think the goal is to smooth over tiny imperfections.

A nice product overall, and I look forward to using if a lot this summer!

Stella by Stella McCartney

I am disappointed to report that I had to return my Givenchy Intense perfume. Unfortunately, the plastic sprayer part on the top of the bottle proved to be cracked. While I am thinking it was most likely a result of shipping, I had it replaced by the store twice and those bottles were damaged as well. I did not want to give up my wonderful fragrance, but I was worried that the crack would grow with use and render the spraying mechanism unworkable.  Bad bottle design maybe.

The same fragrance was no longer available at ULTA, so I traded it in for Stella by Stella McCartney.  I love this perfume! It is so fresh and floral, with a heavy emphasis on roses. Delicious! The fragrance does not seem as complex as some others I have loved, but sometimes simple is best. My husband really likes this and I have found that it is quite long lasting. Highly recommended!

I know also that Stella McCartney as a brand is completely animal friendly, which means no animal ingredients or animal testing. The packaging was green, not the color, but containing post consumer recycled content in the box. Which of course I recycled! A feel good product that smells exquisite.

In conclusion, although this fragrance may not have been my first choice, it is a lovely addition to my perfume wardrobe.