Friday, March 31, 2017

Tinker Block Toys - Building Blocks Set (Farm) Review



We do not purchase electronic toys for our children. We like imaginative, creative, and educational toys. As babies, our children do not play with the typical loud (and yes quite annoying) music toys that flash lights. For our 3 children, we like traditional toys like blocks, dolls, houses, stuffed animals, and cars. I cringe a little when I see children barely 3 or 4 with a tablet or video game. My daughter is 6 and is just barely learning about computers at school (I am happy that we waited). We do not have cable, and the only tv the kids watch is perhaps 2-3 hours weekly of public broadcasting children's educational shows.

I was sent a bristle comb set that is reminiscent of the similar style toys that I grew up loving. This "Tinker Blocks" building set consists of 150 various blocks (and bars, shapes, etc.) as well as wheels and 5 farm figures. The colors are bright and this toy keeps my almost 3 year old (an his 6 year old sister) happy for a good hour or more at a time. I like that this has a reusable zippered tote bag for easy clean up and storage and enough pieces for the 2 children to share (and play together peacefully). Both children love making cars and various things that roll along. The wheels really move! I would recommend the company adding an extra set of 4 wheels so that there are more options.

My only complaint is that right out of the box there is a bit of paint fume odor that takes a couple days to air out. The figures (farmer and animals) are not as nice quality as I would have liked. They are indeed adorable (except the farmer has some strange brown lips and is the least cute of the set) and increase the playability (and imagination) of the bristle blocks, but are painted poorly and uneven. The bottoms of some of the characters is messy. I like how the figures clip onto the bristle blocks. Despite the odor and the uneven paint of the figures, I still give this set a 4 out of 5 and highly recommend it!

This was sent to me for review, and I was not compensated for this post (other than being sent the item complimentary for review purposes).





















Please follow me on:

Facebook for updates to this blog, reviews, and giveaways.  For updates on new posts, you can subscribe to me on bloglovin.  I would love it if you would visit me (subscribing makes me so happy) on Instagram and Twitter.


DISCLOSURE: In order for me to support my blogging activities, I may receive monetary compensation for a product review and/or link to any products or services from this blog. I am always honest in my opinions and never promise a positive review. I only recommend products or services that I feel are beneficial to my family and my lovely readers. I enjoy testing out items and giving my readers an honest and descriptive account of how a product functions. My personal experience or view of an item may differ than yours.

Tiny Drops of Honey is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. You pay the exact same price for any and all products you order through my links, but I receive a small commission. I am a stay at home mommy and any commissions I receive help support my little ones.






















Tuesday, March 7, 2017

Derma Roller System / Micro-needling Review



I love using Derma Rollers on my face! I actually have about 5 derma rollers (some are 0.5 and some are 1.0). You can use up to 2.5, but 1.0 gives me the results I need with very little discomfort.  Generally, 1.5 seems to be the limit for most people when doing rolling on their own face at home.  I do find it only slightly uncomfortable around my nose and between my eyebrows with my 1.0, but I have been derma rolling off and on for a few years. I find that watching a show on my computer or a movie helps me concentrate on the rolling, but not on the slight discomfort I might feel.  After rolling, my face looks like a mild sun burn, but rarely has any bleeding.  If there is bleeding, it is only 2 or 3 pin prick spots over my entire face.  



I find that rolling my skin makes my face smoother, fuller (in a good way---plump collagen and improved appearance) and my makeup foundation / bb cream applies without clumping or looking unnatural.  Skin serum and creams absorb quicker and have improved performance.  

Derma Rolling with a roller such as this, makes tiny wounds in the skin's epidermis and signals the body to heal itself and generate collagen and elastin.  Fresher and more youthful looking skin emerges, giving skin a healthy and beautiful glow.  Years ago I was afraid to try derma rolling, but it is a fantastic way to rebuild skin and improve your complexion.  I recommend you try it!

I was sent a 1.0 mm derma roller  from Derma Roller System.  I was not compensated for my review, other than a complimentary tester roller.  

The roller arrives in a box and a sealed plastic pouch.  I appreciate the sealed pouch, as it seems very hygienic and gives me the assurance that this is a very professional, top quality item, that is similar to what you might see in a cosmetic salon.  Inside the pouch, you will find that the roller is housed in a sturdy clear case for storage when not in use.  This case keeps dust and debris off the roller and keeps the pins protected.  The roller is very professional looking and a pale butterscotch color.  It is much lighter color in person than it appears on the box.  The closer pictures (where I am showing the pins up close) show it to be a deeper color than it actually is in real life.  I was hoping it was the same deeper color as seen on the box, but the color is not that important.  :)

The derma roller is comfortable to hold, with a nice grip, and a perfect mm needle size for me.  Before using this roller, I sprayed 90% alcohol on my roller ( I like to store it in a amber glass bottle with spray top) and soaked the roller for about 5 minutes in a small container.  It is important to disinfect it prior to every use, as well as afterwards.  

I made sure to wash my face with a gentle cleanser and pat it dry.  I primed my face with some witch hazel astringent.  I roll my face in a star (asterisk pattern) back and forth about 5 times in this formation.  I do this in all areas of my face and take care around my delicate eye area.  After doing my face, I apply witch hazel again, and a Vitamin C / Hyaluronic Acid serum and then a rose jojoba cold cream that I purchased from a seller on etsy.  I leave the cold cream on for about 20 minutes before wiping it off.  I like to do derma rolling about 2 to 3 times per week.  


I tried this particular roller for up to 3 times per week for 3 weeks  I like the roller, however sadly after the 3rd week of rolling, I noticed some of my pins were bent on one side (near the outer edges) and so I discontinued this roller.   I did not want to injure my skin.  I have been derma rolling for a little over 2 years, and so I did not use too much pressure or store it improperly.  I am saddened as this was a really nice one. (maybe even one of my favorites due to the appearance and overall quality / comfort of the handle.)


*I added 2 pictures of the pins after 3 weeks of use (2-3 times per week).  *


The company does say (on the website) that they have a 60 day guarantee.  I am hoping to contact them and see about a replacement of the defective roller.


I loved the way my skin looked the next day after using this roller.  The slight pink tone of my skin lasts for only a few short hours, and I always do this before bedtime.  The first "after" picture is the next day after I rolled my face, and the black and white picture is about 3 weeks after the first session (this particular roller).   I am only wearing BB cream and eye makeup in these pictures (no foundation or concealer).  

I have been rolling my skin off and on for about 2 years now so I am not new to this process.  I am thinking my roller might have been defective, however I am unsure.  For the price of this actual roller (pricier than my others) I am hoping the bent pins on mine was not the norm for this brand.  























DISCLOSURE: In order for me to support my blogging activities, I may receive monetary compensation for a product review and/or link to any products or services from this blog. I am always honest in my opinions and never promise a positive review. I only recommend products or services that I feel are beneficial to my family and my lovely readers. I enjoy testing out items and giving my readers an honest and descriptive account of how a product functions. My personal experience or view of an item may differ than yours.

Tiny Drops of Honey is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. You pay the exact same price for any and all products you order through my links, but I receive a small commission. I am a stay at home mommy and any commissions I receive help support my little ones.