Getting Flawless with my Simply Essentials Kabuki Brush

I think I have loved make-up since I was really young. It is always the aisle in the store I am most attracted to, and my wish list is hopelessly never-ending. A little over a year ago a high-end makeup store opened it's doors in my area. I, with my trusty BFF by my side, was one of the first few people to step foot in there and get my eyes on all of the beautiful make-up I can't afford. I was on the search for a full-coverage foundation that was actually *gasp* full-coverage. When the sales associate was helping me, she applied the foundation on my skin with a brush. This was the first time that I had ever used a brush to apply liquid foundation to my face, and from that point on, brushes have been my obsession. I was ecstatic when I was chosen to review the Simply Essentials Kabuki Brush, and this brush does not disappoint!

Please excuse the fact that it is not perfectly polished in the picture.... I could NOT wait to use it. I have zero self-control. As you can see, this is a full-sized brush with a sleek look and a very sturdy wooden handle. The brush itself has very dense, soft bristles which makes coverage a breeze. I use this with mineral powder, loose powder and compact powder, and it works flawlessly. I have a set of pretty expensive brushes, and I reach for this one most often.

I have problematic skin, so I love the ease of full coverage that the Simply Essentials Kabuki Brush provides. I literally buff away my imperfections, leaving my skin with smooth, even coverage. This is achieved through those dense bristles of the brush which are the most functional characteristic of kabuki brushes, and why they are my favorite!

Obviously my brush needs a good washing, but, here is a close-up of those bristles. Speaking of washing, this brush holds up wonderfully through and after cleanings. I will also mention that I have experienced VERY minimal fall out; maybe just a few bristles have fallen out in the months that I have owned it. This brush certainly exceeded my expectations, and I plan to purchase more from this same line in the near future. They come with a 1 year guarantee, so you have nothing to lose!

I use this brush every single day, and I give it 10 stars:

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While this brush has a list price of $31.99, you can grab it off of Amazon for $15.96 right now (go HERE).

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.

Keeping Hydrated Round the Clock with Hydracentials

If there is one thing I know, it is that I don't drink nearly enough water. It is recommended to drink, what is it.... 8 - 8 ounce glasses of water a day? So that is 64 fluid ounces of water, and quite frankly, ain't nobody got time for that! Does my morning coffee count? I mean, I put water in the coffee maker.... it is just tinged with ground coffee. Sounds legit, right? Ok, good! Anyway... I have found one thing that has made my water consumption more of a priority, and that is my new Hydracentials Sporty 25 oz Insulated Stainless Steel Water Bottle!

Love, love, love this water bottle, and my kids do too! This is a large sized bottle (25 oz), which I appreciate because I only have to fill it up a few times per day to get the recommended water consumption. Additionally, this is beyond convenient to take with me if I am on the go. The spout can lay back into the handle for easier travel, and is super easy to pop open when it's time to take a sip - Even my two year old has it figured out (and consistently steals it from me). Another one of my favorite features is the soft foam bottom. Stainless steel water bottles can be "clanky" (for lack of a better word), I appreciate the sturdy, quiet base that this foam bottom provides. It is like a built-in coaster!

Aside from looking so classy, I am pleased to say that the double vacuum wall keeps my drinks chilly for hours! There is nothing more disappointing than hot water after a long walk, or a sweaty work-out session - Not happening with the Hydracentials . I also received that nice gray koozie, which hugs the water bottle so perfectly! The Hydracentials Water Bottle is BPA free and made with 18/8 food quality stainless steel, giving you the added benefits of no chemical leaching into your drinks! I use this strictly for water, but I think you could use this with any cold drink - It is never to be used with hot drinks, however. I find this to be easy to clean, and the straw actually detaches from the top to make cleaning more thorough.

I absolutely adore the Hydracentials Sporty 25 oz Insulated Stainless Steel Water Bottle and give it 10 stars:

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I know you need one now too, so go HERE and grab it while it is reduced in price to $27.97!

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.

{Book Review} - A Deadly Business by Lis Wiehl

If you love to read novels that focus on crime, murder and mystery, you should definitely grab yourself a copy of A Deadly Business by Lis Wiehl. While this is the second book featuring detective Mia Quinn (the first is A Matter of Truth), it can easily be read as a standalone. Mia Quinn is a single parent and a prosecutor who works on high profile violent crimes. As if caring for her children and prosecuting some truly difficult cases is not enough, she recently lost her husband in a car accident, which homicide detective Charlie Carlson has come to believe was not an accident after all. As they delve into this new possibility, a string of hard-to-swallow scandal and chaos ensues making Mia question if she really knew her husband at all. This book is a fast-paced page turner with action and (some predictable) surprises at each turn of the page. Additionally, the scenarios in this book beg the question: Do you really want the truth, no matter the cost?

Over the Summer I was given the opportunity to read the book A Deadly Business by Lis Wiehl, and this was such a wonderful Summer read. I found myself flying through it with little effort. The story line is easy to follow and attention-grabbing to keep you turning those pages. The chapters are short in length, so I found that I would persuade myself that "of course I had time for one more chapter", which may have turned into TEN more chapters. It flows beautifully, so you never have to second-guess your reading or go back to make sure you understood correctly. These kinds of books are perfect for the beach, or now that it is officially Fall, great to pair with a warm blanket and a cup of hot cocoa. I highly recommend this book if you are looking for something engaging and entertaining without making you over think and analyze every sentence.

I rate A Deadly Business with 9 stars:

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Disclosure: As a member of the BookLook Blogger Network, I received an electronic copy of this book complimentary in exchange for an honest review. The opinions in this review are honest, and my own.

Getting That Straight, Sleek Look with the Gurin Hair Straightener

I have semi-weird hair that has caused much jealousy in my life for people who so effortlessly have gorgeous hair ALL. THE. TIME. I envy the long, shiny, frizz-free look, and, while I do not have curly hair, I have stubborn hair that is dangerously persuaded by the weather. I have a natural wave to my hair if I let it air dry. In my dreams, it looks like nice tousled beach waves, but in reality, I look like I have a head of hair that doesn't know if it wants to be curly or straight. If I blow dry it, it looks poofy all around, and for some reason, the hairs on the underside always try to curl or wave or do whatever the rest of my hair is NOT doing. It is coarser, curlier and just has a mind of it's own; it is very resistant to styling, and the second it becomes humid out, any previous styling to those hairs is forgotten. I have been using a flat iron for a LONG time to get the straight hair look that better suits my preferences, and puts those rebellious hairs in their place. I used to use a wide flat iron, but coveted the preciseness of the skinnier ones. You can imagine my excitement when I was given the opportunity to review a 1.25" Ceramic Flat Iron from Gurin.

The Box, The Flat Iron, The Super-Cute Travel Bag

I use this flat iron almost everyday, and I have run into zero problems! The controls are very basic (see below), so you can easily turn the flat iron on and off and adjust the heat setting which ranges from 140°F to 450°F (120°C - 220°C). I tend to lean towards the highest heat setting to save time, although everyone is different, and no two heads of hair are alike, so you can play around with it to find out which setting works best for you. 

Controls

It also has a "ready" light that is red when you turn it on, and turns green when the iron has reached your desired temperature. I have found that this heats right up within a minute or two, which is amazing for those days when you are running late, or thought you turned it on, but really didn't. The plates of the flat iron are ceramic/tourmaline providing a soft, silky look while saving you time. 

Not Ready

Ready!

The Gurin Hair Straightener has provided me with reliable, consistent performance day after day with no faulty functioning. If you are in the market for a flat iron, I would highly recommend this one as it can deliver straight, frizz-free locks or styles with flips and curls after a simple flick of the wrist. I love that styling my hair takes only a few minutes from the time I turn the flat iron on to the time I shut it off. 

Here is a picture of my hair 8 hours after straightening it with the Gurin Hair Straightener (and putting it up and down and up and down all day long):

I give the Gurin Hair Straightener 8 stars:

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If you are interested in buying one for yourself, or a special person in your life, you can do so HERE for only $20.95 (they are on sale right now - I have no idea how long that will last).

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.

Cleansing Your Skin With Oil - Featuring Instanatural Deep Cleansing Facial Oil

I have fought long and hard to not jump on the whole "oil" bandwagon that seems to be overtaking the skin, body and hair scene these days. From Argan oil to Coconut oil to Cleansing oils, it is just everywhere. For some reason I always thought of oil as greasy because, lets face it, it IS! I never wanted to put it in my hair because I figured it would make my hair look un-washed, I never wanted to put it on my body because I figured it would make my skin slimy and would stick to/stain my clothes, and I never once thought of cleansing my skin with it because I figured that: acne + oily = more acne and shiny, oily skin. In the recent past I have tried oil in many different forms, and much to my surprise, it has been exactly the opposite of what I expected. I now use it daily in my hair and on my body. The one I was most hesitant to try it on was my face, due to my acne, but I gave it a shot when I was given the opportunity to review Instantural's Deep Cleansing Facial Oil.

Once you start researching oils, one of the first myths that gets busted is the fact that oil doesn't make you "oily". It is actually such a benefit for people with oily skin to use oil to cleanse their skin with! You see, oil attracts oil, versus water, which opposes oil. When you wash your face with oil, it pulls the dirt and oil from within your pores, whereas water and a cleanser may clean the surface of your skin, but it will likely not pull to dirt and oil from your pores as effectively as oil.

The Instanatural Deep Cleansing Facial Oil has a lemony-fresh scent that is energizing, especially for those early mornings. It has a very convenient pump-top, which allows you to pump your oil before cleansing (I use between 3 and 4 pumps for my face). I massage it all around my face as I would any cleanser (if you have a facial sponge, those work great for this too!), and use a warm, wet washcloth to wipe it off after about a minute (remember water and oil do not mix, so trying to splash your face with water is not going to remove the oil as thoroughly as a warm washcloth). This stuff is superb and taking off make-up (obviously, since a good portion of make-up is oil based) - even MASCARA! On days that I do not use it as a cleanser, I use it as an eye make-up remover. It works perfectly, and more importantly, doesn't irritate my eyes! Additionally, this can be used post-shave to soothe any irritation. This oil is made with only natural and organic ingredients, so you can feel safe using it.

Ingredients!

4I really love this oil, and it has quickly become a staple in my beauty regimen. For that, I give it 10 stars:

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If you are interested in purchasing the Instanatural Deep Cleansing Facial Oil, you may do so here where it is $19.95 for the generous 4 fluid ounce size. Additionally, be sure to follow InstaNatural on  Facebook, Twitter and Google + to keep up with new products and promotions!

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.

{Book Review} - The Execution of Noa P. Singleton by Elizabeth L. Silver

I am a book worm.... I just really, really, really, love to curl up with a good book and just devour the words right off of the pages. I have always loved to read, so being given the opportunity to review books is always one of my favorite things. I was recently invited to a community of book bloggers, Blogging For Books, where I am given the opportunity to, surprise, review books! The first book that I chose was The Execution of Noa P. Singleton. This is a debut novel for author Elizabeth L. Silver.

The novel revolves around Noa, who is on death row for murder. Only 6 months before "X-day" (the day she is executed), the mother of the woman that Noa murdered has had a change of heart, and wants to see her life spared in exchange for her story, as she never spoke on behalf of herself against this crime. The story is told in Noa's perspective and flashes back and forth between the past, where you learn about her negligent mother and her absent father, and her present, as she waits on death row attempting to make sense of her victim's mother coming to her defense.

As a lover of all books suspense, psychological thriller, murder-mystery, etc... I was so drawn by the premise of this book. However, once I started reading, I had a difficult time staying as highly interested. The book is very wordy, and at times would distract from the story line. I still found the book to be enjoyable as I was incredibly anxious to see how it would end (and there is a twist at the end, which I always appreciate). If you are turned off by the overuse of similes and metaphors, then I would not recommend this book. If you find them helpful for painting a picture in your mind, then you may love Silver's use of them throughout the novel. I really enjoy the act of reading itself, and was not entirely bothered by this, however, it is prevalent enough that it deserves mentioning.

Overall, I enjoyed this book, and I give it 6 stars:

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****I would highly suggest reading a handful of reviews on Amazon before you decide to purchase this book to get a better idea of whether this book may be the right one for you. Because this book has reviews that seriously range across the board, I think it would be best to consider your personal preferences in reading material and style before deciding to read. 

Disclosure: I received this book for free from Blogging for Books for this review.

Supple Skin with Foxbrim

Although I recently reviewed a moisturizer that I think will be perfect for Winter, I want to focus on another moisturizer that is great year round: Foxbrim's Complete Anti-Aging Moisturizer. I have skin that leans on the border of not dry to almost oily during the Summer months, and disgustingly dry in the Winter months. I have found that I need to change the way I moisturize my skin throughout the seasons to keep from looking like I either rubbed my face all over a greasy pizza, or like I may be experiencing a bout of Leprocy. I have found great success with using a lighter moisturizer in the warmer months, and a heavier one in the colder months. I recently was given the opportunity to try out Foxbrim's Retinol-Based Anti-Aging Moisturizer, and am very satisfied with it's performance.

I LOVE the pump top. I cannot express how truly magnificent all beauty products would be if they just used a pump top. It is mess-free, less wasteful, more attractive and just all around the best idea ever. The moisturizer itself has the consistency of a lotion, so it goes on evenly, and is not thick or overpowering. It is fragrance free, making it non-irritating to your skin, or your senses. The Foxbrim Complete Anti-
Agng Moisturizer contains a generous 1% of Retinol, with the added benefit of Vitamin A and antioxidants to reduce the drying and flakiness that can be common with Retinol exposure. Due to the organic and natural ingredients, this moisturizer is best for all skin types, even sensitive skin!

I use this morning and night after washing and toning my face. I have found that it provides all day (or night) moisture in a non-greasy or irritating way. I prefer using this during the warmer months because it is so lightweight for having such a creamy consistency. I think this would be perfect for someone who is blessed with "normal" skin, as they could use it year round. I feel that I need something heavier in the colder months to make up for my dry, dry skin, but I am willing to ride this one out as far as I can to see if it can get me through those harsh Winter months. As always, I am also a huge fan of any company that makes it a priority to use natural and organic ingredients with no parabens, additives and remains cruelty-free. Even though that cute little fox is on the bottle, they do not test on animals!

If you are in need of a new moisturizer, and feel that you could benefit from the anti-aging effects of Retinol, I highly recommend the Foxbrim Complete Anti-Aging Moisturizer with 9 stars:

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I would suggest you RUN to get it because it is currently only $17.95 on Amazon, when the list price is $79.99. Otherwise check out their website, or give them a shout out on Facebook (tell them Momma of 2 Review sent you), or follow them on Pinterest for all of your skincare ideas.

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.

Gearing Up For Fall with Adovia Moisturizing Day Cream

My heat has kicked on a couple of times in the past week which has reminded me that Fall truly is in the air, even though it is still Summer. One sure sign that the weather is changing is my skin. My nicely moisturized, radiant Summer skin becomes dull and DRY. I feel that the amount of lotion I go through is utterly ridiculous during the Fall and Winter months. The air becomes much drier, and it truly does a number on my skin. I was recently given the opportunity to try out a wonderful moisturizer from Adovia, and I think it will be perfect for my dry-prone skin this Winter.

I have tried a number of the Adovia products, and have found that they all smell pretty similar. It always reminds me of how my late grandmother's downstairs bathroom used to smell (in a good way!). It is a powdery, light scent. I have used the Adovia Moisturizing Day Cream a number of times since receiving it to provide proper review, but I am saving it for when my skin rebels against the cold and gets super dry. I love the heavy sturdy container that it comes in, which looks so sophisticated!

As you can see, it is a pretty thick formula, but a little goes a long way. I accidentally used too much once and had to wipe some off! I found that the moisturizer was quick to absorb, and dries to a matte finish providing no greasy mess. I loved this fact because the moisturizer (for me) doubles as a primer. Yay for fewer steps in my beauty routine! The Adovia Moisturizing Day Cream is formulated with premier Dead Sea minerals, is dermatologist-tested, and suitable for all skin types. My skin is pretty "moody" and changes by season, so I look forward to seeing how this moisturizer meets my needs overall. Additionally, I have acne-prone skin, so I appreciate products that work without causing further breakouts, and this held up! I experienced an all day moisture balance when I used the Adovia Moisturizing Day Cream, making it true to it's claims. On top of that, it comes with a money back guarantee, so you have nothing to use.

If you suffer from overly dry skin or skin that gets dry as the seasons change, I highly recommend the Adovia Moisturizing Day Cream with 8 stars:

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You can purchase this on Amazon HERE. While the suggested price is $46.00, it is currently $25.95 for the 1.7 fluid ounce size. Almost half off!

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.

Getting Down With the NewTrain Album - Bulletproof Picasso

I can still remember the first time I ever heard a Train song. It was "Meet Virginia", and I was in Middle School at my friend's house. I'm pretty sure her older brother was listening to it, and they were new on the music scene, so their music was only playing on the radio stations that promoted "indie" groups, or those that were still infants in the eyes of the music industry. It's s funny to think back on that time, which was over 15 years ago, and then to see where they are now. TODAY, the Grammy-winning San Francisco band Train is releasing their 7th studio album: Bulletproof Picasso.



For the most part, every time I hear a Train song I start out with my head be-bopping to the music, and before I know it, I am having a full-on dance party with myself, or in my car, while completely embarrassing my kids. Its good for the soul to do that often - doctor's orders! I have been a Train fan for years so I was THRILLED when I was given the opportunity to receive their latest album in exchange for an honest review. At the time, we were prepping the house for a garage sale which, if you have ever done, causes utter disarray in your life. As I was cleaning up the aftermath I decided to peak my motivation with the Bulletproof Picasso album, and it worked! I jammed my way through it AND got so much accomplished! Each of the songs are catchy, have relevant lyrics, and make you want to move (with the exception of the last song "Don't Grow Up", which literally made me cry because it pulled at my heart strings). You have likely heard "Angel in Blue Jeans", as it has already made it to the Top 15 of Triple A and Top 40 radio in merely a month, as I anticipate many more from this album will do too!




For your knowledge, here are the band members: Pat Monahan (vocals), Jimmy Stafford (lead guitar), Jerry Becker (rhythm guitar and piano), Hector Maldonado (bass), and Drew Shoals (drums). Nice looking group if you ask me! 

I enjoy listening to Bulletproof Picasso regularly and truly like each and every song on the album. For that, it gets 10 stars from me - I rarely find albums where every song is a personal hit:

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If you are a long time lover of Train, or are just getting around to appreciating their awesome-ness, I highly advise you to grab Bulletproof Picasso from iTunes or Amazon TODAY!

Be sure to check out their website and keep up with their adventures on YouTube, Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.  

I will leave you with their music video for "Cadillac, Cadillac" - its catchy, so be prepared to have it stuck in your head the rest of the day:

Disclosure: I participated in the Train Bulletproof Picasso album review program as a member of One2One Network. I was provided a free album to review but all opinions are my own.

Review: The Super Heroes Bible in 3D, NIrV

*Zondervan provided me with a free copy of this book for reviewing purposes.

The Super Heroes Bible in 3D is a phenomenal option for the little men in your life. Boys spend much of their youth looking for people/figures to look up to and act like, and who better than some of the biblical "super heroes"? This is a Children's Bible that has much appeal to get the young men in your life interested and excited to read the Bible. When this was delivered, my son was all over it - He thought it was super-cool! He even brought it to school, and who knows if that is even allowed these days?  The 3D aspect of it truly gives this Children's Bible a very competitive edge. Additionally, there are special feature sections (authored by Jean Syswerda) which spotlight important biblical figures, emphasizing their strengths and explaining why, as a moral person, you should strive to be like them. On top of that there is even a special Super Hero Decoder that allows kids to relate different symbols (i.e. ♥ = Loving, † =Believes, ♦=Trusted, ★= Helpful - Check out the second picture in this post for the entire list) to these people they are introduced to throughout the Bible. This is also the New International Reader's Version (NIrV) Bible, and is very simple to read and comprehend making it a superior choice for children.

I'm a fan of The Super Heroes Bible in 3D because my son is so crazy about it. I know that it was the 3D capabilities that drew him in, but sometimes he needs a little persuasion and something that grabs his attention in order to hold his interest. I personally would choose this Bible over my own because it makes the often complicated and confusing jargon in the Bible, well.....elementary. It uses basic language that is easily understood. I feel that the added features in this Children's Bible make it that much more engaging and comprehensible. As a Children's Bible, I appreciate the hardcover and durability that it provides. The only thing missing is waterproof pages! The illustrations, by Denis Jones, are great, and the 40 full-color 3D pages scattered throughout are absolutely amazing!

I highly recommend The Super Heroes Bible in 3D to anyone on the market for a Bible with the aforementioned features, it has been wonderful for us thus far, and I give it 10 stars:

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Disclosure: I received this item for free in exchange for an honest review. The opinions stated here are my own.

Mud Mask to the Rescue - Review of Barefaced Dead Sea Mud Mask

I don't know why I never got into masks a long time ago I'm nit sure if I thought they would take up too much time, or that they wouldn't work or what, but I was seriously depriving myself of the fun that is to be had when you use face masks. A few times a week, I will take the extra time, whether it be before bed (if I'm not too tired) or in the morning (if I'm not running around like a chicken with it's head cut off) and use a face mask depending on the state of my bi-polar face. I love when I get the opportunity to try skincare items because it is exciting to discover new products, and the masks have been one of my favorites lately! My most recent trial features the Barefaced Dead Sea Mud Mask.

This mask comes in a very generous 6 ounce size, giving you over 30 applications per jar. Because I am such the face mask connoisseur, I have a few different masks that I use once per week. This way, the majority of my skincare concerns are addressed each week by a different mask, AND they last longer! I'm digging that the Barefaced Dead Sea Mud Mask is super thick - like pudding! I find it easy to scoop up and apply. Plus, the dark color makes it very easy to ensure your face is covered and receiving those pore-purging benefits. I normally keep it on for 15 minutes before wiping and washing it off of my face. It provides a bit of a tingle, so you know it is working deep down in those pores. Plus, it smells very refreshing and energizing, as the mask contains Lavender, Aloe Vera and Eucalyptus oils.

The Barefaced Dead Sea Mud Mask is developed with natural and organic ingredients, ensuring that you are only putting the best on your skin. It is also paraben and cruelty-free as well! This mask declares it's ability to brighten and renew dull skin, prevent those stubborn wrinkles with the anti-aging healing properties of Dead Sea minerals, and also provides relief for recurring issues such as rosacea, psoriasis, acne and eczema. If you have been reading my blog long enough (and you should be!), you know that I suffer from acne on the regular. I have found that this mask does provide relief for my pimples, and does so without zapping away moisture. In fact, I found that many pimples came to a head immediately after using this mask, giving me proof that it is pulling the gunk out of my pores.
                       
                            

Clearly, I like to have fun while  I wear my mask! I have certainly enjoyed my experience with the Bareface Dead Sea Mud Mask, and it has quickly become one of the masks I use on a weekly basis to rid my pores of the nastiness that inhabits them. One tip that I will share, is to wash this one off with a wash cloth. The mask is very thick, so when it dries it can be difficult to get off with warm water and your hands alone.

I love what this mask does for my stubborn skin, and for that, I give it 9 stars:

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Interested in getting your paws on your very own? Head on over to HERE to grab a jar (or two) for the discounted price of $27.98. This offer will not last long, and neither will their stock. You can also save an additional 20% when you purchase 2 jars with code: LVE9RXWC. 

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.

Why You Need Coconut Oil in Your Life STAT! - Review of Thera Vita Paradise Organic Cocnut Oil

I am such a Coconut Oil obsessed freak. It was one of those things that got really big, and I think I avoided it because I thought it was strange, and then I tried it and I can't turn back. Seriously, this is one of those products that can replace a number of products throughout your entire household. I recently was given the opportunity to try Thera Vita Paradise Coconut Oil.

Coconut Oil can be used for so many different things, making it a truly innovative and versatile product. Not to mention, if you buy unrefined and virgin coconut oil (which the Thera Vita Paradise Coconut Oil is), you are getting coconut oil in its purest form, sans nasty chemicals and toxins that make it unnatural and ineffective. Most commonly this oil is used as a body moisturizer, hair conditioner/softener/repairer, skin moisturizer, eye make-up remover, diaper rash treatment, for oil pulling, in place of butter/margarine for cooking, and as an appetite suppressant. This list by no means encompasses the true variety of ailments this stuff can cure, it is simply a brief list. For the most part, this oil is odorless and tasteless (there is a slight hint of coconut smell and flavor, but it is very subtle), which makes it easy to apply or ingest without being turned off by a smell or taste. It is important to remember that coconut oil is a solid at room temperature, but turns into a liquid at 76˚ F. 

As you can see, when I received the Thera Vita Paradise Coconut Oil, it was in solid form. When I dipped my finger into it, here is what happened:

Here, you can that the texture is much like soft butter or thick body cream. One of my favorite uses for Coconut Oil is oil pulling. This is where you swish the oil in your mouth for 15-20 minutes once per day and then spit it out (not in the toilet or shower - trash can only!). It is said to rid your mouth and your body of bacteria, keeps your teeth and gums very healthy, and even whitens your teeth. For me personally, it does exactly that. I have very sensitive teeth and gums that bleed quite often. As soon as I started oil pulling, bleeding gums were no longer an issue, my sensitive areas were much less sensitive, and I noticed my teeth whitening almost immediately!

Day 2 on top, Day 6 on the bottom

I have been enjoying the Thera Vita Paradise Coconut Oil and certainly recommend it with 10 stars!

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If you are looking for a high-quality, cold-pressed, extra virgin, unrefined, certified USDA organic, non-GMO, cholesterol free, BPA free, gluten free and vegan coconut oil that comes with a money back guarantee, go here to grab your very own 16 ounce jar for $19.95. 

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.

This Shea is Bananas! - Featuring Cleopatra's Choice 100% Pure African Shea Butter

Oh Shea Butter, how I love thee... Let me count the ways! First of all, if you don't know what Shea Butter is, you are seriously missing out. I am willing to bet that right now you own products that have this ingredient in it, and may not even know it. It is an commonly found in cosmetics, moisturizers and body lotions/creams. In fact, a quick trip to Pinterest will land you with THOUSANDS of recipes using this innovative ingredient to concoct your very own bar soap, body lotion, shave cream, deep hair conditioner, lip balm, lip stain/stick, cuticle cream.... Would you like me to continue? I recently received a one pound tub of Cleopatra's Choice 100% Pure African Shea Butter and am planning to turn into a mad scientist creating all-natural homemade beauty goodies (if I don't use it up all by itself first).

As you can see from the container, Pure African Shea Butter has a multitude of benefits to offer! First and most important to me is the fact that this is unrefined and organic. This tells me that while it is being made, it is not being exposed to chemicals and toxins, and they are not added in after to elongate its shelf life. Lotion shouldn't need to last 30 years, in my humble opinion. What I love about this particular formula is that it is fast-absorbing. I feel as though I am constantly on a time crunch, so I have little time to wait around for my lotion to dry so I can open the bathroom door. When this goes on it looks greasy, but quickly absorbs, nourishing your skin and leaving it touch-ably smooth. While I am inspired to create my own personalized body butter with this stuff, I find myself using it on it's own quite often. It has a very bland scent which makes it perfect for mixing with essential oils to create a fragrance you prefer. I also use it as a moisturizer for my lips, and plan to make my own lip balm once I can find a cute container to keep it in. It keeps my lips feeling moisturized and heals the dry, flaky skin. With Winter just around the corner, I know I will be grabbing for the Shea Butter often. Even now, I will grab a small bit of brown sugar, mix it with a small bit of the Shea Butter, and use it as a moisturizing lip scrub. The brown sugar scrapes off the dead skin allowing the fresh, new skin to absorb the Vitamins A and E from the Shea Butter. Super-quick beauty treatment that allows your glosses and lipsticks to apply flawlessly.

As you can see in the picture, it has an ivory color to it (sometimes it is yellow), and it has a hard texture (not rock hard, just solid) in the container. Once you touch it, it heats up enough to become more malleable and you can rub it on! The Cleopatra's Choice 100% Pure African Shea Butter is also a Fair-Trade product, which increases my desire to purchase this brand again and again. It is nice when your purchase gives back too.

If you are interested in trying Shea Butter for the many benefits it provides, or to create your own personalized toxin-free health and beauty products, I highly recommended the Cleopatra's Choice 100% Pure African Shea Butter. It can be purchased from Amazon here. Currently the one-pound tub is on sale for $11.95 which is extremely reasonable! Additionally, they offer a 1-year 100% satisfaction guarantee, so you truly have nothing to lose!

I have loved using this Shea Butter and I give it 10 stars:

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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.