Molton Brown Jasmine & Sun Rose Eau De Toilette Perfume Review and Giveaway

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. I get commission for purchases or clicks made through links in this post.

PR Sample: I was sent Molton Brown's NEW Jasmine & Sun Rose Eau De Toilette Perfume for review. Before even reading about the notes, I spritzed some on my arm. When your nose stays glued to your arm, that is always a good sign. It instantly made me think of Summer days and fun-time in the sun :) It puts a smile on your face. It's a beautiful mix of flowers & fruit! Very soft. Very wearable. The notes for this perfume are as follows ... Top notes: raspberry, bergamot and peach. Heart notes: jasmine, osmanthus and rose. Base notes: labdanum, patchouli and musk. This scent is not limited to perfume. There's also a Shower Gel, Bathing Oil and Body Lotion to compliment this perfume (as all of their collections). You should also check out their Orange & Bergamot collection. It's delightful as well. I was sent both the 3.3 fl oz & 1.7 fl oz size. I want one of my readers to also experience this delightful scent. I always enjoy sharing what I receive with YOU! I had to open the outer wrapping of the smaller one (1.7 fl oz $65) to take pictures, but it hasn't been touched. Because it's perfume and it has to be mailed, I'm making this giveaway US ONLY. Don't worry, I'll have more giveaways soon. Use the Rafflecopter widget below to enter. Be sure to read the rules & GOOD LUCK!

Sweet-Bittersweet-NotSweet

supersweet(run & buy it) sweet(really good,buy it) bittersweet(ok, issues)not sweet(not good,don't buy this stuff) 

   Molton Brown London Jasmine & Sun Rose Eau De Toilette Perfume is Sweet

 Molton Brown Jasmine & Sun Rose Eau De Toilette (3.3 fl oz) $100

 Molton Brown Jasmine & Sun Rose Eau De Toilette (1.7 fl oz) $65

click on the picture below

 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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Beauty Influencers Are Getting Paid What? Beauty Brands Are Paying What? Oh, The Beauty Community.

Hey guys! I want to share a couple of YouTube videos with you. I was on Twitter this morning and some things came up about the beauty community. So much so, that it has my head spinning. Marlena Stell of Makeup Geek Cosmetics, stated in a video that influencers are asking beauty brands to pay them $60,000 per video and $20,000 for one Instagram post. She pretty much stated, as a small company they can't afford to pay those kind of prices. She is going to start supporting micro influencers who are genuine. On a separate note & topic, beauty companies ARE PAYING INFLUENCERS to give NEGATIVE REVIEWS of competitors products!!! WOW. Just WOW. The second video is from YouTuber & Influencer PrettyPastelPlease. I really liked her video, because not only is she an influencer, but she also worked in marketing. She sheds light on the above situation and confirms the price points that Marlena talks about in her video. I knew top influencers were getting money, but I didn't know on this scale. I'm trying to look at this from all sides. Makeup and skincare brands take in a lot of money. Some may argue, why shouldn't they pay influencers big money? But I think the bottom line to all of this is authenticity & trustworthiness. Some influencers accept the money, really like the product and give a positive review. Other influencers accept the money, don't like the product (won't let you know) but will give a positive review. Consumers are now leery about top influencers and only trust a handful of them. They are also reverting to following smaller influencers (trustworthiness). I saw this bad climate forming a couple of years ago. People buying followers. Accepting any product and telling you anything. There's now a backlash from the public. They're seeing through all of these things and it's not pretty. I'm glad these things are being exposed.

 

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How To Relax & Unwind At Home

Had a stressful day? It is important that everybody has somewhere that they can go to at home and shut off the outside world to unwind, but even this can be difficult in a busy household. If you struggle to relax and unwind in your house, then it is important that you find ways to change this, as otherwise, it could have detrimental effects on your mood and mental health. In a day and age where people are attached to their smartphones and constantly engaged in something, many people find it difficult to switch off. Read on for advice on how you can relax and unwind at home.

Find A Time & Space
First, you need to find the time where you can be by yourself and switch off. It could be as soon as you get home from work, before dinner, before bed or any time that suits you. You must also find somewhere to relax that is away from distraction, and for most people, this will be in the bedroom, but you could also run a bath and relax here. Tell anyone that you live with that you need some time to yourself to avoid distraction. Do turn off your phone, or even better, leave it in a different room.

Create The Right Atmosphere
You can create the right atmosphere by getting changed into comfortable clothing, dimming the lighting and by lighting a few candles. Candles can be incredibly relaxing and especially perfumed candles with a clean, pure and natural fragrance. Scent is a powerful sense that can help you to unwind and feel completely at ease. Enhance this comforting and sensuous mood further by playing some gentle, relaxing music.

Sit Comfortably
You will then want to get comfortable so find somewhere to sit whether this is in your favourite armchair, on the bed or even on a cushion on the floor. Unless you want to fall asleep, it is generally best to sit rather than to lay down.

Ways To Relax
You will now be in the perfect situation to completely unwind. There are many ways that you could do this from here, including focusing on your breathing, listening to music, meditation, drawing or reading. You can unwind by watching television, but generally, this is more of a distraction, and it is best to avoid electronics and instead focus on yourself.

Take Your Time & Enjoy It
There is no set time for how long you should spend relaxing; some days you may only need a few minutes while other times you may need over an hour. Do not rush yourself and simply listen to your body. When you are feeling relaxed and recharged, you can then continue with your day feeling a lot lighter and fresh.

This guide should help anyone to relax and unwind in the home. It can be a challenge in today’s fast-paced lifestyle, particularly if you live in a large household, but it is vital that everyone is able to find the time and space to enjoy some quiet time to de-stress and recharge their batteries after a hard day.

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Laneige Lip Sleeping Mask Review

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. I get commission for purchases or clicks made through links in this post.

PR Sample: Laneige Lip Sleeping Mask ($20) is another lip care product I've wanted to try for awhile. I received this full-size sample from PR (all thoughts and opinions in this post are 100% my own). To give you a brief overview, Laneige is a Korean skincare-brand that is very popular and well known. Laneige products are  known for their Water Science™ technology (overall hydration of the skin). The Laneige Lip Sleeping Mask won the 2018 Glamour Beauty Awards. I thought that was impressive. On the box it states, "Wake up to baby soft lips. This relaxing, berry-infused overnight mask is enriched with Berry Mix Complex and Vitamin C and leaves lips soft and smooth." I'm all for soft and smooth lips. I love berries! Sounds delightful :D When you open the jar to this mask, it smells like berries. I could sniff the jar all day. It's that authentic! So what about this Berry Mix Complex? Laneige states this sleeping mask is, "enriched with vitamin C and antioxidants, its Berry Mix Complex™ offers a nutritiously sweet and fragrant blend of raspberry, strawberry, cranberry, and blueberry extracts to indulge the senses." What a fruity mix! Then it has Moisture Wrap technology! Laneige states, "exclusive Moisture Wrap™ technology boasts hyaluronic acid and minerals to form a protective film over the lips to lock in moisture and active ingredients." Laneige goes on to say, "It's simply, "a  leave-on [overnight] lip mask that soothes and moisturizes for smoother, more supple lips." In the jar, it starts off as a balm. Laneige also gives you a rubber tipped spatula (in a cute see-through envelope) applicator to apply the mask. The balm (solid) then turns into what I would say is an ointment for the lips. You apply a generous amount before going to bed and Laneige says to gently wipe off any remains the next morning. My results were exfoliated and soft lips by morning. I can see why this is a classic. Laneige has also come out with 3 additional flavors to their lip sleeping mask: grapefruit, apple lime and vanilla. The million dollar question, is will this replace my favorite lip mask thus far...Sara Happ? For me no. Not because this is not great! This is, but I have really dry skin and it carries over to my lips. The Sara Happ Clay Lip Mask (reviewed here) is a little more powerful for my needs (also her lip scrubs). Also, the Fresh Advanced Therapy Lip Balm (reviewed here) provides more hydration (for me) than this lip sleeping mask. Anyone who has Normal, Combination, Oily or not too Dry Skin, I highly recommend this lip sleeping mask. But if you are SUPER DRY (like me), then your lips will suck up the moisture (and this gives a lot of it). That's my experience with this lip mask. Also, give the Burt's Bees Overnight Lip Treatment (reviewed here) a whirl for maximum hydration.

Sweet-Bittersweet-NotSweet

supersweet(run & buy it) sweet(really good,buy it) bittersweet(ok, issues)not sweet(not good,don't buy this stuff) 

   Laneige Lip Sleeping Mask is Sweet

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Marvis Toothpaste Review

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. I get commission for purchases or clicks made through links in this post.

PR Sample: Marvis toothpaste has been on my Sephora wishlist for awhile. So when a PR person emailed me and asked if I would like to try it, my response was YES! This toothpaste costs anywhere from $6 (small tube) to $10.50/$13.50 (large tube). I thought I was going to receive one tube. They sent me SIX FULL-SIZE TUBES! That was so awesome. Thank you. The brand Marvis has always been mysterious to me. I didn't know much about them. Do you? The first thing you should know, is that they are a family-owned brand from Florence, Italy. This is an international toothpaste. It's also a 'beloved dental brand' in Italy. The toothpaste is paraben, gluten and cruelty free. It's vegan. It's made in Italy. IT'S ALSO FLUORIDE FREE. I put that in caps because I feel it's important for you to know. There's a huge ongoing debate over FLUORIDE TOOTHPASTE vs. NON-FLUORIDE (or FLUORIDE FREE / NATURAL) TOOTHPASTE. I feel the reason it's an ongoing debate, is because there are so many factors involved. There are PROS and CONS for each. I'm not a doctor or dentist, so I'm not going to try and persuade you one way or the other. But I do want to mention, parents with small children should read about & talk to their family dentist about the effects of fluoride on children (dangers of swallowing/dose of fluoride). Adults should also consult with their dentist as to whether a fluoride or fluoride free toothpaste is beneficial for them (sugar intake, diet, per-disposition of developing cavities & lifestyle, intake of fluoride water, fluoride mouthwash etc.). I will mention, that I've only used fluoride toothpaste before trying Marvis (fluoride free). I was taught fluoride helps protect against tooth decay, cavities, helps reduce the deminineralization process and help that area remineralize. Have I gone without a cavity through the years? NO, and I drink water w/fluoride and use fluoride toothpaste. So. Um. Yeah. Consult with your health professional.

On the Marvis website, they state they are a CONTEMPORARY TOOTHPASTE. I have to agree. Everything from their website, packaging of the toothpaste, down to each flavor of toothpaste is definitely contemporary. Under The Marvis Brand Story on Amazon it states, "Marvis [transforms] an everyday ritual into something remarkable, unexpected, blissful even. Suddenly your morning routine transports you somewhere, leaving you with a long-lasting, pleasurable taste sensation." I wanted to include that quote in my post, because THAT IS EXACTLY HOW I FELT AFTER USING THEIR TOOTHPASTE. I will talk about each one below, but my overall experience was this toothpaste was creamy. It really foams up. It foams. It Foams. It FOAMS! Just like a rich shampoo...just like a rich bubble bath....just like a soap that lathers well. When that happens you feel CLEAN (your hair. your skin). Products that have a low lather (no matter how great they are) we're always wondering did it get my hair or skin clean. Well this toothpaste makes your teeth FEEL CLEAN! You see the bubbles. you see the foam. You even feel that your teeth are being cleaned (like there are little men in your mouth, giving your teeth a good scrubbing). I kid you not! It's an experience! I brushed longer. My mouth felt great. When I rinsed (with water), my teeth were gleaming! I told my mom, look at my teeth. LOL She said, they are shining! My teeth looked great, my mouth felt clean and my breath felt fresh. I didn't even gargle afterwards. I am impressed! My fluoride toothpaste feels a lot harsher in comparison to the Marvis and I don't get the same effects/feeling. Is there a negative? I'm a little worried about this not containing fluoride. So I am going to use this interchangeably, until I speak with my dentist. But even if he told me to use a fluoride toothpaste, I would use this on top of that because this Marvis toothpaste makes me and my mouth feel FRICKIN GREAT! It's expensive, but let me tell you it's AWESOME-SAUCE. Marvis offers this toothpaste in 7 flavors. I received 6 (whitening is the one missing).

Sweet-Bittersweet-NotSweet

supersweet(run & buy it) sweet(really good,buy it) bittersweet(ok, issues)not sweet(not good,don't buy this stuff) 

   Marvis Toothpaste is Supersweet

Marvis Classic Strong Mint Toothpaste

If I had to suggest to you which one to buy out of all 6 that I received, it would be the Classic Strong Mint. The reason I say that is, it is probably the closest to your everyday toothpaste. Great for comparison. It has a natural mint scent and strong mint taste (but nothing unbearable). Think of a minty tic tac or lifesaver. It's truly refreshing.

Marvis Aquatic Mint Toothpaste

The Aquatic Mint Toothpaste, is scented like you're on a beach when it is cold! It's so weird! I was like, is this toothpaste? I would expect that from a body wash, but some kind of way they managed to get this scent in a toothpaste. The taste is a strong mint taste. It will wake up the senses. It's cool & refreshing. I really liked it.

Marvis Ginger Mint Toothpaste

The Ginger Mint Toothpaste has a light ginger scent. The taste however, is a REALLY strong minty taste. It's pretty powerful! I don't detect any ginger when tasting it. It's refreshing nonetheless. Expect mint & not gingerbread cookies.

Marvis Cinnamon Mint Toothpaste

Mmmm! This smells like cinnamon! It tastes like those cinnamon discs or hard candy. Now, I noticed some people online state they wished it had more cinnamon in the toothpaste. I personally liked the amount of cinnamon that was in this toothpaste. It wasn't overwhelming. You know cinnamon can get pretty powerful. This flavor really got my morning started. You just might start dancing or even singing! LOL >.< It gets you going!

Marvis Amarelli Licorice Toothpaste

If you like black jellybeans or black licorice, you will LOVE this flavor. It smells like it. It tastes like it. If you're not a fan of those two things, don't get it. If you are, then you're in for a treat. Shockingly, I was surprised I even got a long with this flavor, because I detest both. LOL But it wasn't bad at all. So you never know.

Marvis Jasmin Mint Toothpaste

Ok. I couldn't get with the Jasmin Mint flavor. As all the scents, it's AUTHENTIC. Too much so for me. It's just like the Jasmine flower, with leaves & dirt! LOL I'm not a floral beauty person. My preference is gourmand. But if you love flowers, jasmine and floral scents then you will love this. If you don't mind it in your toothpaste, be my guest! I brushed with this, but it's like putting a pot of flowers in your mouth. It takes a special person. IT'S AUTHENTIC!

If you look through all the pictures, you'll notice that no matter what flavor shown ... all the toothpaste is white. But please know the SCENT and TASTE of all them are VERY DIFFERENT and very RECOGNIZABLE. Marvis is an excellent toothpaste! My mouth felt super clean and exhilarated! My teeth gleamed! Their formula really impressed me. As mentioned before, the fluoride-free part bothers me a little (just for my personal needs, but I am going to consult with my dentist), but I am still going to purchase this on my own because IT MAKES ME FEEL SO GOOD! Marvis even has a mouthwash! I want to try it! I want to thank PR for sending me these and sharing my honest thoughts with my readers. I hope this review helps you in your decision.

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Repechage Fusion Berryfina Brightening Mask, Face Moisturizer & All Natural Face and Body Wash Review

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. I get commission for purchases or clicks made through links in this post.

PR Sample: In July, I reviewed Repechage's Fusion Chocofina Moisturizing Mask. I loved it! It was my first time trying Repechage. Well the company read my review, reached out and asked if I would like to try some of their other products. Most definitely, I replied! They sent me their Repechage Fusion Berryfina Brightening Mask, Face and Body Wash & Face Moisturizer Set ($69). The Chocolate Chocofina Set is here. These sets are a great way to try Repechage's products & they come with a cute bag. I've had the chance to try all three products and my thoughts on each are below.

Sweet-Bittersweet-NotSweet

supersweet(run & buy it) sweet(really good,buy it) bittersweet(ok, issues)not sweet(not good,don't buy this stuff)

Repechage Fusion Berryfina Brightening Mask ($29) | Sweet

The Repechage Chocofina Mask, that I reviewed in July and linked above is to help MOISTURIZE your skin. The Repechage Berryfina Mask is to help BRIGHTEN and improve the appearance of DULL & TIRED SKIN. The mask has blueberries and strawberries in it (which explains the color of the mask). It doesn't mention cherries, but to my senses it's a cherry delight. I was apprehensive about trying this "brightening" mask. I have dry/sensitive skin and in the past brightening masks have not been my friend. LOL This is a little more powerful than the Chocofina Moisturizing Mask, but I experienced no irritation while using it. My skin felt clean, soft and it even glowed (kaolin clay) after using this mask. I could see myself using this once a week. My skin felt really good! I'm really impressed with Repechage's masks! My mother even tried it. She has normal skin and she could visibly see & feel a difference in her skin. You simply leave this mask on for 10 minutes and wash it off with lukewarm water. This mask is good for 6 months!

Repechage Fusion Face Moisturizer ($29) | Sweet

Soooo creamy! Both the scent & texture remind me of creamy MARSHMALLOW. This moisturizer feels really good to the skin. It sits atop and gradually dissipates into the skin. You only need a dab on all four areas of your face (cheeks, chin & forehead). My skin felt SOFT after using this moisturizer. It lightly moisturized my skin. Perfect for Summer! However, I do feel I would need a heavier moisturizer for Winter. Repechage describes this moisturizer as, "this soothing cream is a rich soufflé of natural Coconut Oil, Aloe Vera, Chamomile, Vanilla and Rooibos Tea and Laminaria Complex to deliver soft, smooth skin." This moisturizer is good for 6 months!

Repechage Fusion All Natural Face & Body Wash 

($10 travel size shown below | $29.50 full size) | Sweet

When I saw that this was BOTH a face & body wash, I gave it a side-eye. LOL I tried it both ways. Let me share my thoughts. As a body wash, this liquid gel both lathered and cleaned beautifully. It smells so natural! To wash with it, is a delight! It has a light, clean and almost fruity scent. It contains, Laminaria Digitata & Ascophyllum Nodosum – Sea Plants (help maintain the skin barrier and lock in moisture), Olive Oil and Olive Leaf Extracts (anti-oxidants and moisturize the skin), plus Cocos Nucifera (Coconut) Oil (reduce skin dryness and moisturize). My skin felt really good after using this body wash. It felt clean and refreshed! As a face wash, my skin felt a little too clean for my liking. This may work for Normal, Combination and Oily Skin Types. If you have super dry skin like mine, I would stick with your normal cleanser. But as a body wash, this is super! This is good for 12 months!

I would like to thank Repechage for sending me these products, letting me give my honest opinion and sharing my thoughts with my readers. I continue to be very impressed with their products and highly recommend the brand.

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