L'Oreal Superior Preference Mousse Absolue

Anyone who colors their own hair most like yearns for a re-usable system of hair color delivery. Who hasn't colored their hair and then after the fact - sometimes the next day - noticed a spot of gray still peeking out, or a root that was missed? Oh, if only I had been able to save a little of the hair color solution to touch it up! I have never been brave enough to defy the package warning which admonishes you to throw out any unused mixture lest the container burst. The bottom line is if you miss a spot, you have to open a new package and mix a little color to fix it. But who buys multiple packages at a time? It's always been a bit of an issue.

Well, at last the dream of reusable hair color is a reality!

I was really excited to try this new product for the above reasons. I don't often have a missed spot, but it does happen occasionally. The product container design looks like the color and developer are housed in separate areas within, and mixed when the sprayer is activated. It comes out of the can in mousse form, which is then massaged into the roots and hair with gloved fingers. It is an ingenious method of delivery, partly because it sidesteps the whole drip problem of some hair colors. The canister is shipped with a regular cap which is swapped out for the spray nozzle for dispensing and can be replaced for storage. It is nice since if you just want to touch up one area or roots, you can dispense only what you need and keep the rest on hand for later.

So how about the color performance? The store where I purchased my Mousse Absolue did not have as deep a color selection as other L'Oreal products, but I was able to find a shade a little darker than what I usually use. The color delivered the usual L'Oreal quality, and comes with a large tube of after color conditioner. There's a reason that L'Oreal dominates the world of hair color, and innovations like this one are one reason. The only complaint I have with this wonderful product is that it  retailed around $15 - pricey compared to the sale price you can find for my other long time standby - Revlon Colorsilk, which can be had for a s little as 2 for $6. I could always open two boxes for the price of one Mousse, but this new hair color has a lot of glamour and slick new appeal.

Playtex Sport Fresh Balance

Wow, so what can you say about this product?  Playtex has been a favorite for a long time - ease of use and security being number one attributes in this product category. This version seems to have a redesigned applicator and according to the Playtex website, new technology. As always, it's a great product. I was given a sample to try from Influenster as part of the Go Vox Box active lifestyle emphasis. I am a runner, a biker and a kayaker - and it's summer. This puppy delivers - enough said!

@PlaytexSportandGentleGlide  @Influenster

Influenster GoVoxBox

Influenster GoVoxBox

		I was recently the happy recipient of the Influenster "GoVoxBox" - a box filled with goodies to test and review for free. My box contained:
		Playtex Sport Fresh Balance Gentle Glide Vitamin Shoppe Next Step Fit N Full Protein Shake Blue Diamond Blueberry Flavored Almonds Profoot Triad Orthodic AND Profoot Pedi Rock Aqua Spa Body Creme Muller Yogurt Greek Corner coupon for a free product. I am excited to see how all these products fit into my active lifestyle. I am a runner, kayaker and biker. I think I was most thrilled to see the Aqua Spa Lavender Chamomile Creme and the Profoot Pedi Rock, because I love beauty products! I have already started reviewing some of the items individually. Check back for more!
		@Playtex_Sport #PlayOn @VitaminShoppe #NextStep @BlueDiamond #GetYourGoodGoing @Profoot_Inc #GoProFoot @AquaSpaBath #RelaxwithAquaSpa @MullerQuaker / #MullerQuaker

Profoot Pedi-Rock

Oh Pedi Rock, where have you been all my life? I have to share my excitement about this foot care product. I was given the avocado-looking Profoot Pedi-Rock in my Influenster GoVoxBox - a box full of active living items to try and test, and I love it.

At its core, a review should really answer a pretty simple question: Does the product work as advertised? The answer in this case is YES.

The Pedi Rock is recommended for gently removing rough skin and calluses from the feet and can be used wet or dry. The thing that really makes this product different is the texture and shape of it - it feels like a rough sponge. Soft and squishy, yet sand-papery.  I love the ergonomic, easy to hang on to shape - it has a smooth shape with curves and depressions that make it easy to maneuver and hold on to. As someone who has struggled with hard pumice stones, it is a welcome relief. It rinses off for quick clean-up after the “sanding”. It will be interesting to note how long the Pedi Rock keeps its unique surface. In the meantime, I am enjoying smooth feet just in time for sandal weather.

@Profoot_Inc   #GoProFoot #GoVoxBox @Influenster

Smooth Moves

Muller Greek Corner Yogurt

Just a quick review of Muller Greek Yogurt. I was the recipient of a coupon for a freebie from Influenster, so I bought it,  packed it up, went for a run, and sat next to the river to eat it and recover a bit later. (I am happy to note that the packaging survived the jostling it got) I often buy large tubs of plain Greek yogurt, which I sweeten with honey or fruit preserves, but this does the same thing in one convenient, portable package.

I tried the Greek Corner Blackberry & Raspberry flavor. The Greek yogurt part is separated from the berry compote by the packaging. It was thick and creamy and smooth - very satisfying. I liked the ability to control how much of the preserves I could add (or not) and that part was was sweetly delicious. Overall, a very tasty treat! I like to think that the protein shot got me back on my feet with a sugar energy burst to get me back on the road.

On to the nutritional content: 9g of protein vs. the 19g of sugar. Low sodium, only 75mg and 140 calories. Not too bad, although I wish the sugar content was lower. On the plus side, this product does not contain any high fructose corn syrup, which is a HUGE positive for me. Thanks, Influenster! I appreciate the introduction to this new tasty friend.

#MullerQuaker
@Influenster

Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid

I remember reading a beauty book in the late 80's or early 90's that was unlike any other - it seemed to offer practical no nonsense advice, even mentioning common household products that could double as part of a commonsense beauty regimen. I always have remembered that book since I thought the name was great - “Blue Eyeshadow Should be Illegal” and the contents were memorable, seemingly born from the frustration of trying a myriad of products that didn’t deliver on their promises.  It gave me my first exposure to beauty skepticism - the message was that beauty products are typically not going to produce miracles, though there are some formulas and ingredients that are scientifically proven to improve appearance. The rest is all marketing and we WANT to believe it. 

Fast forward, and here I am trying a product from a beauty line created by that book’s author: Paula Begoun, “Cosmetics Cop”.  Turns out she is a nationally recognized consumer expert for the cosmetics industry and has written 20 books.  Her product line is called Paula’s Choice, and it is based on those same principles. From the Paula’s Choice website : “Our products are based on our unique combination of research, reviews, and results-driven product development. Finally, products that really work.”  I like her website, since it seems dedicated to matching people to the right products, even if they are not her own. One can find advice and reviews about a wide variety of products in various categories such as anti aging or sunscreen, and it is organized in a really easy to use way. I could spend hours just reading about products I have used and/or have gathering dust on a bathroom shelf...

On to the review! The product I am trying is Paula’s Choice 2% BHA Skin Perfecting Liquid. This product actually works, and while I have not seen a miracle I have definitely seen improvement.

From the marketing associated with the Paula’s Choice Bzz Agent campaign which sent me a full size product to try:

‘Paula’s Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid is unlike any other product on the market. While there are many BHA (short for beta hydroxy acid) products available, formulating them at the pH level needed to penetrate pores is extremely difficult. This leave-on exfoliant:

•  Rapidly exfoliates the skin’s surface and inside the pore, reshaping the pore lining, unclogging pores and improving skin cell turnover rate
•  Effective for anti-aging, blackheads, enlarged pores, keratosis pilaris (red bumps on arms and legs), redness, rosacea, wrinkles and acne breakouts
•  Increases collagen production and drastically smooths the surface of skin
• Attacks blemish-causing bacteria at a faster and deeper rate
•  Fades discolorations caused by dark spots and acne marks
•  Effective for anti-aging, blackheads, enlarged pores, keratosis pilaris (red bumps on arms and legs), redness, rosacea, wrinkles and acne breakouts
•  Exfoliates to reveal smoother, firmer, younger-looking skin
•  Calms redness and builds collagen

That’s a ton of promises, but the first two are what I am really hoping for by using this product! (OK, I really would be totally happy just with less giant looking, unclogged pores...)

So how does one start a conversation about one's pores without it turning disgusting? Blackheads, whiteheads, big pores and the suggestion that they are filled with all kinds of bacteria and debris does not make for pleasant reading, so I won’t get into a lot of gruesome detail. Maybe it will suffice to say that I have been a lifelong acne sufferer and my pores are  not in the nicest shape... that is, until I started using the Paula’s Choice 2% BHA Liquid!

I like this product a lot. The recommended application is with a cotton ball or pad, but being naturally frugal that seems like a waste of the liquid which gets thrown out with the pad, so I apply it with clean fingers right after washing my face. It goes on smoothly and clings to the skin. It is a liquid rather than a lotion, so it goes on in a nice thin layer without any rubbing in. Dries quickly, so the rest of the day’s (or night’s) products can be applied. I think the bottle I received will go a long way and as beauty products go, the cost is very reasonable. Best of all, NO ANIMAL TESTING!! Hooray!

If I sound disappointed at all, it’s because I still do have many pores and blackheads, although I can see visible improvement. Perhaps I am not destined to be air-brushed-magazine-ad-pore-free, although I admit I was hoping! I think this product lives up to what Paula’s Choice seems to stand for in general - there are no miracles,  although there are products that do contribute to better, more beautiful skin. I also really like the whole Paula’s Choice website. The information there is really well organized and easy to find. Products are arranged by category in easy to compare table form, with columns for effectiveness, price and other factors. It’s  a great place to go for information in general, and I think the product line is of good quality and reasonably priced.

Burt's Bees Lip Products

The most fun reviews are for beauty products! I was thrilled to get samples of Burt's Bees lip products from Pop Sugar Sample Squad and eager to try the new formulas. I have been a Burt's Bees fan for a while - who doesn't like high quality, natural products, mostly free of scary chemicals? Best of all, NO animal testing! Perfect. I admit I am biased before I even start reviewing.

I received two kinds of lip product - Lip Shine in "Pucker" and Tinted Lip Balm in "Sweet Violet". Both are excellent choices.

The Lip Shine is a red looking gloss in a tube. Right away, I liked the lid that is tamper - proof. It has that breakable ring like on a milk jug, so you could tell if someone had used the product before you. That being said, it was also in a blister type package which may be a more recent development. (?) I remember seeing Burt's Bees products in my local health food co-op with very little in the way of packaging at all. The glosses would be stored in a free standing display with testers. I know Burt's Bees is carried in drugstore settings as well, so perhaps more packaging is needed. In any case, I was 100% confident the lip shine was unused...

It is dispensed with a slant tip top for gliding on the lips. I found the gloss to be a nice consistency - it is smooth and surprisingly not sticky. The ingredients for softening are apricot wax and sunflower seed oil.... yummy! It actually does have a nice, sweetish flavor and seems to last a while. It's the nature of the product that gloss shines like this are not typically long lasting and I re-apply often. The tube makes it very convenient for a pocket or purse.I was pleased that the red color was not too bright or heavily pigmented. It is a very sheer wash of color that seems just right.

The Tinted Lip Balm starts out in wonderful packaging that elevates the lowly lip balm (think Chap Stick on the gas station counter near the register) into a lovely gift to yourself. The package is a neat cardboard tube that shows the name and color against a dark background. I was excited just opening it up! Inside, the plastic tube is the universal lip balm tube, but no matter, the first impression has been made. The tube is a practical design that works and makes it easy to stick your balm in a pocket when you are heading out for a walk. The violet color was most likely not the one I would have chosen for myself, but I was pleasantly surprised that I could actually wear it. Like the Shine Gloss, it turns into a sheer color when applied.

This balm feels smooth and protective, not waxy. The moisturizing ingredient is Shea Butter, with lots of other botanicals in the signature Burt's Bees style. It is also available in 9 colors, more of which I am sure to try. I was happy that these formulas were also both free of shimmer- I like glitz, but sometimes gloss is better served plain. Some of them wind up looking too frosty for my taste. I was really happy to be able to try these products, and I was not disappointed - I still love Burt's Bees!