Barbershop Shave Soap Bar in a Jar by BebeLush: Review and Giveaway

Disclosure: I got this product as part of an advertorial.


How often have you gotten all primed and ready to shave your legs (or face if you are a man) and you realize that the blade is dull and you forgot to buy a new cartridge? I have had d this problem all too often when I was using traditional razors. I used to use Venus razors for years. I loved Venus, but paying $15 for 4 blades is crazy. I was buying a new pack of blades each month. That is crazy expensive and also time consuming. I was browsing ebay about 3 months ago and saw a beautiful vintage 1963 vintage lady Gillette blue starburst safety razor and wondered how difficult and scary (or maybe even wonderful?)shaving with that might be. I am a picky gal and so I waited about 2 weeks for the right one to pop up for sale. I wanted it to be vintage of course, but I like my vintage to look near new out of the package or at least like it was loved and cherished with the utmost care. I wanted all the stars on it to have their full color paint, and the handle to be free on nicks and rust, etc. I probably paid a bit more than I should have, but since this was going to be my one and only razor from now on, I wanted it to look nice and stay nice with proper care. This one can with a matching vintage case which sweetened the deal a bit for me.

Today's razors are made out of cheap plastic, often not USA made, and are costly. I chose the vintage Gillette safety razor due to the length of the handle and the ease of loading the blade, and it is super 60's. This one was actually made for women in the 60's so I figured perhaps it may not be as scary if other women were using it. I was able to find 100 Personna comfort blades for around $11 on Amazon. That box will last be for quite a while. There are NUMEROUS brands out there. I would suggest trying a few different brands in a trial pack before buying 100 like I did. The blades are decent, but they are the only brand I have tried.

I was first afraid and overwhelmed by safety razors, as I would be using an actual razor blade. I scoured the internet for videos and blogs on how to do a successful and safe double edge shave. I joined a few wet shaving forums and facebook groups (being a woman, I was among the minority). But do not worry, these guys are super polite and they love shaving. They have crazy collections of brushes and razors and they are ready to give assistance or advice when needed.

I purchased the razor and was excited to use it. I have a shower chair in my shower tub so I figured that would be the best option. At the time of my purchase, I was VERY pregnant. I was down to the last 3-4 weeks until the big day and I was NOT COORDINATED and not very mobile. Surprisingly, I did not have many nicks that first shave despite my lack of being able to see much of my lower legs and despite having difficulty getting in a good position. It was helpful to me to use a removable shower mirror I had attached to the wall, it made viewing the backs of my legs much easier.

Pre-shave preparation is important for a close, comfortable wet shave. I recommend applying a hot, moist towel beforehand or even a hot steamy shower (super necessary if you are a tired mama like me and need some extra pampering of hot steam) before the shave. The heat and water softens the hairs and prepares the skin. I also like to use a homemade pre-shave oil. I use a small mix of caster oil, jojoba, argan oil, or rosehip oil, and glycerin and then apply lightly to my legs and armpits before shaving. You may use whatever oil works best for you. Olive oil is something most everyone has on hand, why not try that?

Safety razors are designed to be used with little to no pressure when shaving, as irritation and nicks can occur if pressure is applied. It is important to use slow short strokes when shaving and use the correct angle with shaving. I recommend using a shaving brush. I have a pure badger hair brush---it is actually my husband's brush from years ago, and I hope to upgrade to my own, nicer one sometime soon. I am not fond of hate his badger brush as it sheds (every time)and is not as soft as I would like. His is pure badger (pure is the base grade). I purchased this brush for him before we were married and at that time figured $35 was a nice shaving brush. I was unaware that their were actually types of badger hair and that the shaving experience would greatly differ based on what you purchased.

Shaving brushes come in many forms. A lesser known or lesser used type is horse hair or boar hair. I prefer badger hair. Badger hair comes in many levels/grades, depending on what part of the badger it is harvested. Pure badger hair (my husband's brush and the one I used) is the least expensive of badger types. At that time I was unaware of the types of badger and got what I could afford.). Pure is not as soft as more expensive types. Pure is more entry level and easy to find and purchase as it is widely available. Now don't get me wrong, there is NOTHING wrong with pure badger brushes. Not all pure badger brushes will shed and many people love pure badger. My pure badger brush was only one example of a pure badger brush and I just selected the wrong brush for me.

The next type grade of shaving brush is best badger, with a softer feel to the hair and not as scratchy as pure badger hair. Best Badger brushes are great for those who want something mid range in price and still be a decent brush. This type of hair is more "scrubby" and would be good for light exfoliation.

The next grade of badger brush is super badger, which has finer hair and a softer feel than Pure and Best badger. Super badger is a great option for those looking for a more cost effective alternative to the Silvertip. Super badger is often referenced to being similar to silvertip. It is not as soft as silvertip but is still a fantastic brush and still very soft.

The final type of badger hair brush is the coveted silvertip badger hair---super luxurious and soft. Being a part of these specialty shaving groups I have seen some silvertip brushes sell for an upwards of $200 or more depending on the size of the knot (hair diameter in mm), density (how tightly packed the hair is), handle size and length, and brand. However, you can get a decent silvertip for about $85. Since I paid $35 for the lowest grade for badger, I am saving up money for a reasonably priced $75-85 range silvertip. I am picky though, I want a large knot (diameter of the base knot of the badger hair in mm) and I want a long handle. The current shaving brush I use is 23 mm knot. I am looking for a 26 or 28 mm.

After selecting what shaving brush and badger hair type, it is important to know how to use the brush properly in order for the best shave possible. A shaving brush creates lather and it is important soak the brush in hot water before lathering as it raises the hair for shaving. I sometimes lather with a Sandalwood soap (super luxurious scent and moisturizing, I got it at a Indian grocery). I like to add a few drops of glycerin and caster oil. (After my hot shower and pre-shave oil) It is important to rinse the razor as needed while shaving. I shave in the shower while sitting in my shower chair, and I keep a cup of hot water in a plastic cup for rinsing the razor. Obviously, pour out the water and refill with fresh water when needed during your shave.

I recently was given the opportunity to review a hard soap puck by BebeLush. It is "Barbershop Shave Soap Bar in a Jar" and I selected the bay rum, orange and clove. This is mainly a man's shave puck, but really, who says men own oranges and rum? Let the ladies savor the luxury!

This is a shaving soap that is in a tin and you lather the wet brush over the soap. I suggest soaking your brush in hot water for about a minute or so before using so that the brush hairs are softened, primed and ready. After the brush is soaked in hot water, gently shake excess water out of the brush and then begin to lather over the soap puck. Then directly apply to the area you are going to shave, or transfer the brush and foam into a mug for further frothing. I like to froth and lather further in a mug. I add the soapy foam to my Vintage Penhaligan gold tone shaving mug, along with the glycerin and caster oil. Now, please note YOU DO NOT NEED to add any oils or glycerin to this soap bar puck. I am just an oil lover and add my oils and glycerin to most all my cosmetics and creams. Glycerin is a nice humectant and so I always can use a moisture boost on my skin.

The soap is formulated with shea, cocoa and mango butters for healthy supple skin and provides a thick, rich and slick lather. The soap is natural, free of synthetic fragrances, dyes and preservatives. There are essential oils in this soap which give it even more bonus points from me. I love how this is made in the USA! Each soap puck is hand-poured with the finest natural ingredients. Would you like to know what is in this soap? Ok, I will tell you since you said pretty please.

Ingredients

Sodium Cocoate, Propylene Glycol , Sodium Stearate, Glycerin, Water, Sorbitol, Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea) Seed Butter, Mangifera Indica (Mango) Seed Butter, Theobroma Cacao (Cocoa) Seed Butter, Chlorophyll, Pimenta Racemosa Oil (Bay Rum), Citrus Aurantium Dulcis (Five Fold Sweet Orange) Peel Oil, Eugenia Caryophyllus (Clove) Leaf Oil, Titanium Dioxide.

Directions

Lather shave brush briskly over the top of the shaving soap, rubbing soap into the brush. When a lather starts to form, continue rubbing for 20 seconds to make sure that the brush will have picked up enough soap. Rub that over your wet beard or um legs in my case, brushing vigorously, to coat the hair with soap, and the lather will start to build. Shave, rinse and add oils or creams to skin as desired.

I really like this shave soap. It would work well for a man or a woman. I would recommend using a shave brush with this as the experience of shaving with a brush is so much more luxurious and it raises the hair up to prepare the best shave. Brush shaving is frothy and creates luxurious lather.

This orange, bay rum, and clove scent is mild and refreshing, with a hint of spice. I would say that the orange is definitely more pronounced than the bay rum. This would be a fantastic gift for someone special. You know, father's day is coming up......and how about a GIVEAWAY???

WOULD YOU LIKE TO HAVE A CHANCE AT GETTING A SOAP FOR FREE? Yeah, I thought so....USA ONLY PLEASE.


The company so generously has offered a shave soap to one of my wonderful readers. This soap also comes in cedarwood, cassia and clove. Entry is easy and you can enter often. Please subscribe to my blog and keep on the lookout as I love giving things away to you.

Would you like to know more about this company? (Please note I am not in any way connected to them and I do not receive any bonus points or payment for any purchases you make.)

BebeLush website

Amazon for purchase

BebeLush Facebook

a Rafflecopter giveaway


Contest begins May 31,2014 at 5pm EST and ends June 13th. USA ONLY PLEASE. Ships directly from the manufacturer, I am not responsible for shipment time. 6/30/14 (Sorry will NOT arrive in time for Father's Day, BUT we should celebrate Father's on more then ONE day! :) )

If you found this review or any of my other reviews interesting or helpful, please rate is as "helpful" and or leave a comment. I enjoy writing reviews and hearing feedback about what I have written as I feel reviews help those interested make an informed decision before purchasing. I also feel that honest and informative reviews improve a product by providing insight to the company. I believe reviews should be honest no matter whether an item was free, at a discount, or purchased. I am not connected to this company or any of the companies of products that I review. I am not paid for my opinions.

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.

Pure Body Naturals 100% PURE Premium Raspberry Ketones: Reviewed

Disclosure: I got this product as part of an advertorial.

My husband has been wanting to lose some extra pounds. He is not over weight by any means, (5' 10 and roughly 204) however he just has gained enough excess weight so that his fashionable clothes no longer fit as well. I have noticed that he has pulled out some of his (very) unfashionable pleated khakis and his wardrobe is not as classy as it was 6 months ago. He has told me that a total weigh loss of 25 would make him happy.

My husband does not dress like the typical man. He only owns one pair of jeans--purchased at my request and almost against his will a few years ago), never wears a tshirt except to sleep (nope not even to mow the yard at our (out in the country) home) and probably wears that pair of jeans once a year. He is the type who like to wear the likes of J Crew or Banana Republic dressy casual, reminiscent of argyle sweater vests, argyle socks, cotton long sleeved dress shirts, and nice khakis. Yep that's my husband, on the riding mower, in 90 degree weather, wearing a dress shirt with the sleeves rolled up. Hey I have tried to tell him no one cares what he wears when mowing, and that he will be miserable dressing like that in such crazy hot weather, but I cannot convince him. Anyway....

He has wanted to lose some excess weight and so I was happy to be able to share these 100% PURE Premium Raspberry Ketones from Pure Body Natural. Each Capsule Contains 500mg of 100% PURE Premium Raspberry Ketones, and these are made in the USA, are natural, and without fillers or additives. The pleasant thing about these is that they do not smell like most dietary supplements. They smell amazing actually. Like essence of raspberries. No kidding. They are a clear capsule with white powder in them. They are rapid release and easy to swallow. The container has 60 Capsules and it directs the user to take 2 capsules daily. These are for adults, and not children.

He has taken one capsule before eating twice daily, one in the morning and one at night. He reports to me that this supplement did not give him any jitters or stomach pain, no headaches, no upset stomach or gas. He has been drinking more water and fresh lemonade. Unfortunately I cannot get him to lessen his coffee intake. He likes his coffee hot (volcanic basically) all year round. He has recently gotten a job as a restaurant manager at a busy hotel and so he is a lot more active than he was 6 months ago with his computer job. He is constantly on his feet and works about 9-10 hour shifts 5 days a week. This increase of activity, his increased intake of water and the raspberry ketones seems to have helped boost his energy and possibly helped with a little weight loss. He has amazingly lost 16 pounds this month, but I am not sure if the ketones would have been responsible for that if he still had his desk job. I believe that the increase of energy and activity along with his improved diet and increased water intake had a lot to do with his weight loss. I do think the raspberry ketones were beneficial to boosting his energy a bit and they seem to have suppressed his urge to over eat and he does not reach for empty calories as much as he did previously.

He reports that the vegetable capsules are easy to swallow and he likes how they are pleasant smelling and tasting. He and I both are pleased that these are made in the USA. These were shipped to us and arrived safely, prompt and well packaged.

Raspberry Ketone has been very popular lately, especially with the recognition from Dr. Oz. Oz says that raspberry ketone can "help in your weight-loss efforts, especially when paired with regular exercise and a well-balanced diet of healthy and whole foods." It is good that he does not claim Raspberry Ketone to be a miracle product that will make you drop inches and sizes without diet or exercise, because I really do not think there is a pill that would do that or at least not safely. People on weight loss programs and dietary supplements need to remember to eat healthy and drink water and still get some sort or exercise. Walking is completely acceptable exercise.

My husband did report weight loss, and I do think these may have contributed to his boost of energy and appetite suppressant. He did not starve himself and did not eat celery and lettuce all day. He ate balance portions of protein, veggies, fruits, and grains.

This product is available on Amazon.

If you found this review or any of my other reviews interesting or helpful, please rate is as "helpful" and or leave a comment. I enjoy writing reviews and hearing feedback about what I have written as I feel reviews help those interested make an informed decision before purchasing. I also feel that honest and informative reviews improve a product by providing insight to the company. I believe reviews should be honest no matter whether an item was free, at a discount, or purchased. I am not connected to this company or any of the companies of products that I review. I am not paid for my opinions.

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.

Priva Heavy Duty Vinyl Mattress Protector: Review

Disclosure: I got this product as part of an advertorial.

We have been potty training our toddler who has been sleeping in a twin bed for the past year. She still wears padded cotton panties during the day and pullup diapers at night. Often her diaper is overflowing by the time she gets up in the morning. She also sleeps with her mouth open and wakes up in a puddle of drool. (Don't tell her I told you this, in 10 years she will be mad at me). Lets face it, parents of young children are constantly changing sheets and worrying about a urine soaked mattress. Mattresses are expensive, and once a mattress gets urine in it, it is extremely difficult to clean. Luckily, we have not had a problem with a wet mattress. Sheets, blankets, now that is a different story...

I was happy to be invited to review a mattress protector for her twin bed. The company is Priva and they have a variety of protectors for all sizes and types of needs. This particular mattress protector is designed with a unique soft knit grooved surface that is comfortable against skin (not noisy or slick like other protectors) while providing complete mattress protection from leaks and soiling. It looks and functions like a fitted sheet with elasticized sidewalls that hold it firmly in place. This protector is waterproof and antibacterial, and protects against dust mites. The knit to a polyurethane film on this protector creates a very soft-to-the-touch and quiet waterproof barrier. For those of you that have used plastic pants on your babies or toddlers know how noisy and unnerving that vinyl plastic sound cant be. This also did not have a plastic smell which made me happy.

I was reminded by the company that this is machine washable and dryable and that it should be washed and dried prior to using in order for absorbency to be maximized. This made sense to me, since I am used to "prepping" our cloth diapers and cloth training pants prior to our children using them. I like that it can be bleached, in case it gets really messy. We usually sun our white clothes and cloth diapers when they are stained. A bright sunny day takes care of nearly all our diaper stains after only a few hours.

This protector washed well in our machine and I did not have to worry about damaging it in the dryer. I had ruined a mattress protector after only one wash and dry a few months ago. The cheapy one (which was still about $30) tore in several places after being washed on normal setting. This Priva brand is durable and looked great after washing.

This mattress protector is available in Twin, Double, Queen and King. We tested the twin, and are happy with this for our toddler bed. This would be great for anyone, not just those who are prone to accidents. This is great for those who eat and drink in bed or those who (like me) pump milk in bed before bed and have sadly spilled some from jumping up to pick up their screaming newborn...

This is available on Amazon.

If you found this review or any of my other reviews interesting or helpful, please rate is as "helpful" and or leave a comment. I enjoy writing reviews and hearing feedback about what I have written as I feel reviews help those interested make an informed decision before purchasing. I also feel that honest and informative reviews improve a product by providing insight to the company. I believe reviews should be honest no matter whether an item was free, at a discount, or purchased. I am not connected to this company or any of the companies of products that I review. I am not paid for my opinions.

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.

HDMI 2 Pack by Solid Cordz 6 ft GOLD Plated with Ethernet: Reviewed

Disclosure: I got this product as part of an advertorial.

We do not have cable as we rarely watch anything and like to save some extra money where we can. Our 3 year old has only ever watched children's public television and does not watch everyday. We do like to watch a movie occasionally. We usually would rent a movie from Amazon and watch it on our laptop. This works, but is not always the most convenient or comfortable for the 3 of us to watch. The laptop speakers are also not the best quality. I had the opportunity to review a set of 2 HDMI cables that would give me the ability to connect my laptop to my tv. This sounded great to me! The brand is Solid Cordz, and they sent a 2-pack HDMI cables with golden connectors designed to provide optimal signal transfer between whatever devices you are using. They are also able to be used as Ethernet to provide a connection to your network.

The cords arrived quickly and each cord was bagged separately in plastic, and the ends were capped off at the tips with clear plastic caps.
We decided to try renting a movie on Amazon and connecting the laptop to the tv. It worked well and we were able to hear the audio through the tv as well. We just had to adjust settings by going in to the sound options on the laptop, accessed in the control panel, then set the sound default as HDMI. After the movie, we just set the default back to the laptops speakers when we are done with the audio through the tv.

I have not used HDMI cables before so cannot compare these to other brands or types. I do know that these cables seem to work well and are sturdy and thick. They are 6 feet long which seemed to be a nice length for our devices and our living room size. Our tv is mounted on the wall so at first I was concerned about this being long enough.

This brand is available on Amazon.

If you found this review or any of my other reviews interesting or helpful, please rate is as "helpful" and or leave a comment. I enjoy writing reviews and hearing feedback about what I have written as I feel reviews help those interested make an informed decision before purchasing. I also feel that honest and informative reviews improve a product by providing insight to the company. I believe reviews should be honest no matter whether an item was free, at a discount, or purchased. I am not connected to this company or any of the companies of products that I review. I am not paid for my opinions.

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.

Konjac Facial Sponge w/ Bamboo Charcoal: Reviewed

Disclosure: I got this product as part of an advertorial.

I have always known the importance of exfoliation and have tried many things over the years. I have tried microdermabrasion crystals, drugstore facial scrubs, homemade sugar and honey scrubs, special microfiber face towels and many more. I recently had heard of Konjac sponges and wanted to try one about a year ago but at that time I had just purchased a NutraSonic which is a generic brand of the Clarisonic facial brush. I had seen nice results with it and figured I did not need to buy anything else at that time. I was given the opportunity a few weeks ago to try out the Konjac sponge and jumped at the chance.

The sponge arrived and I could not wait to try it out the next day. This particular one is a small, round dark grey Konjac infused with charcoal. It arrived with a string (thread) attached and a plastic hook on suction to attach and hang in the shower or on your bathroom wall. The next day I used it in the shower. I was not sure how long to soak it for the first use, so I soaked it in hot water for 3 minutes. After soaking for 3 minutes, it seemed ready to use. I noticed that the sizing did not increase as much as I hoped and it was not the easiest to hold in my hand. One side was more rounded and the other side was flat. I felt great on my face as I lightly scrubbed around my nose and cheeks and chin. I had wished it was about double the size and more teardrop shaped so that it would fit more into my palm and be more ergonomic to hold. I found it to be quite relaxing to use and my face felt smooth and soft after using it.

What exactly is Konjac? It is a moisture rich perennial plant native to Asia, and loved for its health promoting properties. It is used as a medicine, a food, and as a beauty product. It is naturally alkaline, and balances the acidity of the skin's impurities and oils and promotes new growth of skin cells. This sponge is made of 100% pure vegetable fiber and contains activated carbon and essential minerals. This pureSOL Konjac Sponge is free of parabens, sulphates & chemicals. It is suggested to replace after 2-3 months of continuous use.

I did not have any redness or irritation. I have been using it every day for almost 2 weeks and like it a lot. My only request would be that the company adjust the size to be bigger so that it is easier and more comfortable to hold and use. I had been using this with just water, but today decided to use some of my charcoal bar face soap. It worked great and I would say I like using it either way. This is a nice Konjac sponge and I would recommend getting one if you are thinking about it.

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.

Pet Urine Stain Finder by UV Sight, Ultraviolet Blacklight: Review

Disclosure: I got this product as part of an advertorial.


We used to have a dog. We had her since she was a puppy and potty training was a fight until she was about 5 or 6 months of age. Luckily we were smart and after the third time she relieved herself on our carpet we decided to get a baby gate and keep her in the uncarpeted areas of the house such as the kitchen, laundry room area and family bathroom which are all on the first floor. The house is about 90 years old and when we moved into it almost 4 years ago the carpet was at least 5-7 years old, it probably was older. I do not know if they had pets, but there was a stray cat that hung around our porch for the first 2 years we lived here, so I wonder if the cat used to be inside the home.

We have cleaned the carpets many times with our steam cleaner/shampooer. However, as we all know, urine is not the easiest to fully remove so I wanted to be sure. The carpet definitely has some age on it and with a potty training toddler, and previously a puppy, stains are going to happen. We no longer have the dog, and the stains were cleaned and (hopefully) fully removed, however, with a new baby in the house and our toddler who plays daily in the living room, we wanted to make sure that all stains were fully removed. Luckily black lights are awesome and luckily they find things lurking in even the most "clean" areas. I used to have a black light when I was fresh out of college and thought things like that were cool just to have. Since then, it was long lost after moving from 2 different apartments, and then getting married and moving into this house. I had recently been sent a black light product to review from the company, UV Sight.

It is the size and appearance of a small travel flashlight. They were kind to include 3 AAA batteries in the packaging so I was able to use this right away. It works by reacting with certain chemicals in urine that illuminate under ultra violet light. It is a 12 LED black light flashlight and claims it will easily spot stains the eye can't see. The instructions list how to use this and suggest to use it in complete darkness. Right now as it is approaching the official status of summer and so it is not completely dark outside here till after 9:30 pm. I went ahead and waited till both babies were tucked in before I went to start my urine search sleuthing.

I was happy to find that my search only led me to millions of white cracker crumbs and lint in the carpeted living room. But WOW did they illuminate! I felt a bit sheepish that I was not as good of housekeeper as I had thought, and then also realized it was my fault for handing her crackers over the baby gate all the time and not making sure to vacuum or check for crumbs. I started in the living room, and progressed to each room of the house that had carpet and even made myself chuckle a bit when I illuminated her dollies. They were super creepy in the dark with a black light. Anything white (white parts of eyes and teeth) would illuminate.

I can see myself using this black light quite often as a mommy. I may not have a dog or cat, but potty training can get messy as we know and this will help find any stains if they occur. It will also help to use in her toddler bed to make sure her sheets are not wet in the night or stained. I was pretty happy with this little flashlight and think it is easy to use.

This will also be helpful to check for remaining stains and messes in the bathroom. See the stock photo of the toilet? That is gross and probably how most toilets are in most households. We think they are clean. I always thought public restrooms were icky, but after seeing that picture of someones' HOME bathroom, I can imagine just how nasty public restrooms are.

Please note, that these before and after pictures are STOCK photos from the company, they are not from my home. :) I luckily found only crumbs on my carpets. I have yet to be brave enough to check my own toilet.

If you found this review or any of my other reviews interesting or helpful, please rate is as "helpful" and or leave a comment. I enjoy writing reviews and hearing feedback about what I have written as I feel reviews help those interested make an informed decision before purchasing. I also feel that honest and informative reviews improve a product by providing insight to the company. I believe reviews should be honest no matter whether an item was free, at a discount, or purchased. I am not connected to this company or any of the companies of products that I review. I am not paid for my opinions.

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.

100% Pure Emu Oil by InstaNatural: Reviewed

Disclosure: I got this product as part of an advertorial.

My husband started a new job last month. He had been working a laid back customer service work at home computer job for the past 2 years and was rarely on his feet very often. This new job has him rushing around as a restaurant manager at a busy hotel. He was not prepared for the crazy long shifts and the constant speed walking back and forth over unforgiving concrete floors. He wears a suit and dress shoes daily and this attire, while looking smart and classy, is not the most comfortable in a hot kitchen and after the first day, his shoes tore up the tops of his feet. He had a large blister on each foot, about the size of a silver dollar. His dress shoes rubbed the tops of his feet and on several places on his toes. This continued for a week, until I decided something must be done and I made him a homemade ointment to apply each morning and evening under gauze bandages.

I promise I am not a hippie, or work as a crazy mumbling medicine woman lol, I have just been switching our family over to more homeopathic and natural products for health and cosmetics. I have a small assortment of essential oils and butters that I use for times such as this when some added skincare tlc is needed. I made a small salve of tea tree oil, organic olive oil, organic cocoa butter, organic shea butter, mango butter, organic calendula flower oil, rosehip seed oil and emu oil. The emu oil was new. I was sent a sample bottle of this from the InstaNatural company recently and had read fantastic things about its healing properties and decided to add it to the ointment. We do not use petroleum oil based products, such as mineral oil and petrolatum oil, we like to use natural oils and creams.

Emu oil penetrates deep into the skin dermis, and can penetrate deep in the body and reduce pain. Emu oil can be used on cuts, skin irritation and eczema, reduce scarring, relieve swelling, and can help to restore skin elasticity. It has regeneration benefits, allowing the collagen in your skin to reconstruct itself. As we age, skin loses elasticity and collagen. Emu oil is also said to thicken and plump your skin, which helps give skin a youthful appearance. Emu oil reduces wrinkles, and assists cracked or damaged skin.

I had my husband apply this mixture twice a day for a week on his blistery skin abrasions on his feet and to wear dark socks that were a bit thicker (more sporty) than his normal dress socks. His tops of his feet were healed up after the week of daily application. Obviously it was a combination of all the butters and oils, however, after reading about emu oil and its amazing abilities, I would have to say it must have had a good part in the healing.

Here is a brief overview of what Emu oil is and what it comes from: Emu oil comes from the fat of Emu birds. The Emu is similar looking to the ostrich, however the ostrich is larger. Emu oil has been used in the past in "Australian aboriginal traditional medicine for (treating and healing) fevers, coughs, minor pain, arthritic joints, bruises, cuts and sores."

I use the emu oil on my children's eczema and my husband uses it on his dry, cracked knuckles and hands. I think it is a wonderful product and I trust this InstaNatural company. Their products are wholesome and top quality. They are always very generous in the amount of product in their bottles. I also want to note that this bottle of Emu oil come with a pump top. I LOVE THIS FEATURE. While I like dropper type bottles, I find this pump to be easier and more beneficial to my needs. Sometimes droppers come out too fast and are messy as they dispense *DRIP* oil when I do not want them to dispense the oil. This pump makes it easy for me and I wish all of InstaNatural oils came with this feature. :)

If you found this review or any of my other reviews interesting or helpful, please rate is as "helpful" and or leave a comment. I enjoy writing reviews and hearing feedback about what I have written as I feel reviews help those interested make an informed decision before purchasing. I also feel that honest and informative reviews improve a product by providing insight to the company. I believe reviews should be honest no matter whether an item was free, at a discount, or purchased. I am not connected to this company or any of the companies of products that I review. I am not paid for my opinions.

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.

100% Pure Certified Organic Argan Oil by InstaNatural: Reviewed

Disclosure: I got this product as part of an advertorial.

As you know from my previous blog reviews and postings, I LOVE oils in my daily beauty routine. I use oils in my hair, on my skin when I shower, I add it to my shaving soaps and creams, I cleanse my face with it, and my babies are bathed with it. I was happy to be sent some 100% Pure Certified Organic Argan Oil from the beloved InstaNatural company. I save beloved, as all the products that I have tried from them are truly top notch. They have a wide variety of cosmetic and beauty items varying from creams, serums, lotions and oils, and they always contain a generous amount in their bottles. The bottles are glass and dark tinted to preserve the healing properties of their serums, and their labels are professional. There are no chemicals or preservatives added to their products. The Argan oil they sent me for review is no exception. It contains only one ingredient. I had reviewed an Argan oil earlier this week that was meant for hair. It was from another company and if you read that review, you will see that I was not too happy about it. The other brand contained many chemicals that I could not pronounce or spell and Aran oil was the THIRD ingredient out of many unfamiliar ones.

I like all in one products. I was not too happy about the other product because it was unsure about the other ingredients and I would not have been comfortable using it on my children. I realize the other product was intended as a salon and hair product only, however, I like pure oils and serums that can have many uses and I had hoped to be able to use it for more than just hair.

The InstaNatural Aragon oil is pure and truly is multifunctional and can be used in various ways and can be added to many of my products to boost the anti-aging and healing properties. Argan oil will moisturize and hydrate skin, face, hair and body. Add a drop or two of argan oil to your foundation, bb cream, or tinted moisturizer for a dewy, luminous glow. I am a bb cream gal and so this argan oil gets a drop added to my bb cream, after my face has been primed with my vitamin c serum and hyaluronic acid and facial primer. I then apply my bb cream with a damp beauty blender sponge and then top my face with Bare Minerals mineral veil.

I have used this argan oil in my hair. After my shower, while my hair is still wet, I add a few drops of argan oil to my palms, warm it up, and apply some to my ends to hydrate and moisturize and seal the cuticle. It can be added to the scalp and throughout your entire hair, but since I only wash my hair twice a week, and have natural sebum, it is not necessary for me. I also am sulfate free so I do not use harsh shampoos and do not need much added oils. My hair is in much better condition since stopping sulfates a year ago.

Argan oil is a dry oil, it absorbs quickly. It reminds me of jojoba oil in a way as it is not greasy. I love and use both types of oil daily. I cleanse my face with oil, and have not used traditional soap on my face over a year. If I use soap, it is a simple low ingredient, low sudsing, soap without sulfates. I sometimes use Dr. Bronners castile soap or an herbal or charcoal or mud soap once a week or less. I mainly wash my face with oil, and that has been the best decision ever. Like dissolves like, and so oil has caused my skin to be LESS OILY. I have no acne and my face is glowing and soft.

Here is how I cleanse my face at night, please note that this is what I do when I have makeup on. On days when I do not wear makeup (remember I am a busy stay at home mommy who sometimes does not get out of the house but a few days a week) I do not wash my face at night on non-makeup days, as my face gets washed in the shower earlier in the day. Over washing your face can dry it out. Luckily washing with oil, does not dry it out.

I first wash my face with the oil cleansing method at night, using various combinations of either jojoba, sweet almond oil, grapeseed oil, rosehip seed oil or apricot kernal oil paired with caster oil, vegetable glycerin, and Argan oil to remove my makeup. Regardless of whatever oil I use, I always pair it with caster oil, glycerin, and Argan oil. I have a variety of these oils so I just use what I am in the mood for or have on hand, these all work well for combination to oily skin as they are light and glide well without being heavy. I have seen such wonderful results with this method. My skin is clearer, smoother, and little to no acne.

I first warm the oil mixture in my hands and then smooth it gently over my cheeks, eyes, forehead, etc. This loosens up dirt, oil, and makeup. I then add some warm water to my face and keep gently massaging until the oil has removed my makeup and my face is ready to oil cleanse. I wear black mascara, bb cream, bare minerals matte mineral foundation, blush and eye shadow on days that I get out of the house, so I have a full face of make up to remove when I come back home. Some days I have on waterproof black eyeliner in a 60's cat eye style and those days my removal takes a step longer.

Once my face is clean of make up, I put another small amount of oil mixture (pre-mixed oils into a bottle) on my face and massage well, but lightly. I then turn on the water at the sink and get my wash cloth really hot (turn off the water please to conserve) and squeeze out excess water from the hot cloth. I let it steam over my oiled face till the cloth is cooled. The steam really opens my pores and the dirt is lifted out. My nose and upper cheeks have large pores that are prone to blackheads, so this is how I help with prevention. I then gently wipe the oil away and rinse the washcloth out again with hot water and repeat 1-2 times depending on my level of need, then pat with a cold wash cloth to close the pores. Afterwards, my skin looks and feels amazing. It is smooth and my pores are clear. I then add add Hyaluronic Acid serum and Vitamin C serum. If I am out of Vitamin C serum or the Hyaluronic Acid, I use 100% aloe (alcohol free, color free) to my face.

I also use Argan on my hands and cuticles. I do not get manicures professionally anymore, as the french manicure acrylic fumes in salons are a bit much for me, and with my busy mommy life with 2 littles now, I would not be able to do much with long fingernails. I do however like a little at home pampering now and then.

I keep my nails clipped short. About once a month, sometimes every other month, if I get too busy for pampering myself (no I am not trying to play the martyr, just keeping it real as I have been super busy with my sweet mommy life that I love very much), I like to trim my cuticles with a cuticle trimmer and massage a few drops of argan oil into my cuticles to soften, moisturize and encourage nail growth.

You can use Argan oil or any of the above oils really, as an overnight treatment on rough heels by applying to your feet and toes and then using a sock to lock in in. I have a special pair of cuchiony aloe inflused socks I got at a drugstore a few years back, and they are luxurious to wear over freshly groomed and pampered feet...do not forget to trim those toenails! Sandal weather is here and it would be a scary sight to see over grown nails while wearing your cute sandals.

Other uses for Argan is healing of imperfections and scars, and anti-aging due to the high levels of vitamin E and humectant properties.
I really like this company and this oil. It is pure and has many uses. I like how it is natural and does not contain chemicals.

A brief and interesting fact about Argan nuts that I found when browsing the internet: Yes, those are goats in that tree. The Argan tree in Morocco produces a yellow fruit, and as food in this region is scarce, the goats have gotten skilled at climbing the argan trees to munch on fruit. The fruit contains pits which contain kernels that are ground to produce Argan oil. Argan oil is expensive due to its location of the trees and its rarity. Sadly, Argan trees are becoming rarer as they are growing only in a few parts of the world, and as goats often eat too frequently and rapidly from them. Locals often cut Argan trees for firewood which has cut the number of argan trees to half of what was available 50 years ago. When argan seeds are roasted, the oil is able to be used in cooking over fish and salads. It is the unroasted oil that is used in cosmetics.

If you found this review or any of my other reviews interesting or helpful, please rate is as "helpful" and or leave a comment. I enjoy writing reviews and hearing feedback about what I have written as I feel reviews help those interested make an informed decision before purchasing. I also feel that honest and informative reviews improve a product by providing insight to the company. I believe reviews should be honest no matter whether an item was free, at a discount, or purchased. I am not connected to this company or any of the companies of products that I review. I am not paid for my opinions.

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.

SimplyBeautiful solid stainless steel safety razor: reviewed

Disclosure: I got this product as part of an advertorial.

I have started wet shaving. I began this wonderful new adventure about 2 months ago. It all started with my 1963 vintage lady Gillette blue starburst safety razor and a chocolate scented, shave soap puck from the How to Grow A Mustache company. It was love. I was first afraid of safety razors, as I would be using an actual razor blade. I scoured the internet for videos and blogs on how to do a successful and safe double edge shave. I joined a few wet shaving forums and facebook groups (being a woman, I was among the minority). I wanted to switch to this old fashioned way of shaving as I love wearing vintage accessories, vintage makeup and hair styles and using vintage beauty methods. I think that time tested methods seem to work the best and products from our parents and grandparents time are often made better than products made today. Today's razors are made out of cheap plastic, often not USA made, and are costly. I used to use Venus razors for years. I loved Venus, but paying $15 for 4 blades is crazy. I chose the vintage Gillette safety razor due to the length of the handle and the ease of loading the blade, and it is super 60's. I was able to find 100 Personna comfort blades for around $11 on Amazon--I found that Personna blades are made in the USA, at least the ones I purchased, I think they have two types from Personna.

I was recently sent a solid stainless steel safety razor with chrome finish from SimplyBeautiful. I wanted to try this one out as I had only tried one safety razor previously. This razor arrived in a nice gift box and included 5 Free Derby Double Edge Razor Blades. I opened the box and was in awe at its beauty. The razor was super shiny and sleek. I could not wait for my next shave.

Pre-shave preparation is important for a close, comfortable wet shave. I recommend applying a hot, moist towel beforehand or even a hot steamy shower (super necessary if you are a tired mama like me and need some extra pampering of hot steam) before the shave. The heat and water soften the hairs and prepare the skin. I also like to use a homemade pre-shave oil. I use a small mix of caster oil, jojoba, argan oil, or rosehip oil, and glycerin and then apply lightly to my legs and armpits before shaving.


Safety razors are designed to be used with little to no pressure when shaving, as irritation and nicks can occur if pressure is applied. It is important to use slow short strokes when shaving and use the correct angle with shaving. I recommend using a shaving brush. I have a pure badger hair brush---well it is actually my husband's brush from years ago, and I hope to upgrade to my own, nicer one sometime soon. I am not fond of his badger brush as it sheds and is not as soft as I would like. His is pure badger (pure is the base grade) with a 23 mm knot.

Shaving brushes come in many forms. A lesser known or lesser used type is horse hair or boar hair. I prefer badger hair. Badger hair comes in many levels/grades, depending on what part of the badger it is harvested. Pure badger hair (my husband's brush and the one I used) is the least expensive of badger types (I paid about $35 for it on Amazon several years ago when I bought it for him. At that time I was unaware of the types of badger and got what I could afford.). The next types range from best badger, super badger, and then the coveted silvertip badger hair---super luxurious and soft. Being a part of these specialty shaving groups I have seen some silvertip brushes sell for an upwards of $200 or more depending on the size of the knot (hair diameter in mm), density, handle size, and brand. However, you can get a decent silvertip for about $85.


A shaving brush creates lather and it is important soak the brush in hot water before lathering as it raises the hair for shaving. I lathered with a Sandlewood soap (super luxurious scent and moisturizing, I got it at a Indian grocery) in my Vintage Penhaligan gold tone shaving mug, with a few drops of glycerin, and caster oil. I loaded the Derby blade into the razor and began my shave. (After my hot shower and pre-shave oil) It is important to rinse the razor as needed while shaving. I shave in the shower while sitting in my shower chair, and I keep a cup of hot water in a plastic cup for rinsing the razor. Obviously, pour out the water and refill with fresh water when needed during your shave.

I really liked this razor, and had my husband try it out on his beard. He keeps a full well groomed beard, however, shaves underneath to keep it shaped and tidy. He liked the razor as well. I do notice that this razor is heavier in weight than my Gillette and it is something to get used to, especially when shaving a large area such as women's legs.

I do wish it loaded like my Gillette does, however, it was not difficult to load the blade, you just need to be a bit more careful when loading. My Gillette opens all in one piece with no parts to reassemble. This brand is a nice razor and one my husband will use often. I would use this one as my daily razor if I did not already have a safety razor. This one did gave me a fantastic shave and no irritation. I tested it out on my legs and my armpits. I am glad I was able to try out the Derby blades, as I think I might like them a bit better than the Personnas. I will test out the Derbys a bit more, and may switch to that brand.

The razor is ready for gift giving and would be a wonderful treat for a father this father's day, or for anyone who love a good shave. Shaving should not be a hassle, it should be a pampering experience. Safety razors with a soap and brush, make for a luxurious experience. I highly recommend.

If you found this review or any of my other reviews interesting or helpful, please rate is as "helpful" and or leave a comment. I enjoy writing reviews and hearing feedback about what I have written as I feel reviews help those interested make an informed decision before purchasing. I also feel that honest and informative reviews improve a product by providing insight to the company. I believe reviews should be honest no matter whether an item was free, at a discount, or purchased. I am not connected to this company or any of the companies of products that I review. I am not paid for my opinions.

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.

HSI Professional Argan Oil: Reviewed

Disclosure: I got this product as part of an advertorial.

I love oil. I use oil in my beauty products, I oil cleanse my face, my husband and I use it after we shave, I use it in my hair on the ends and for scalp massage, and I use it on my children. We are an oily bunch.

For oil cleansing my face I use a mixture of argan oil, caster oil, glycerin, jojoba oil, rosehip seed oil and grapeseed oil. Sometimes I like to swap out one or two of those oils and add in apricot kernal oil or avocado oil. I have given up sodium laureth and sodium laurel sulfates for over a year and only wash my face with oil or the occasional Dr. Bronners castile bar soap or a simple herbal or charcoal soap with ingredients that I can pronounce and spell.

I was excited to be sent a product for review, it is the HSI Professional Argan Oil for hair. I had not heard of this product before, however it seems to be very popular for those who regularly flat iron their hair. The company makes a flat iron as well. I used to flat iron my hair a fair bit, but in the last year, I have embraced my newly found waves that have come from giving up sulfates in my shampoo and soaps. For years the sulfates had dried out my hair and made it a mixture of half straight, half wavy. This meant that I needed to either flat iron my hair or use hot rollers so that it looked evenly styled. After giving up sulfates a year ago, and washing my hair only 1-2 times a week, my hair is not oily or weighed down, and it is softer and has a nice wave.

I received the HSI argan oil and looked at the ingredients. I was hoping for a simple ingredient of Argon oil and perhaps another oil or 2 added such as jojoba or coconut oil or something. Sadly this oil is made with some added chemicals that I am not sure about.

Cyclopentasiloxane, Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Argania Spinosa (Argan) Oil, Fragrance, D&C Red # 17, D&C Yellow #11, Benzyl Benzoate, Benzyl Salicylate, Amyl Cinnamal, Benzyl Salicylate, Butylphenyl Methylpropional, Geraniol, Hexyl Cinnamal.

I was hoping for a pure argan oil in a bottle so that this would be able to be used on my face and body as well as my hair. Argan oil is listed as the third ingredient. Argan oil is rich in vitamin E and it also rich in omega 3 and omega 9 fatty acids. Argan oil is pressed from the nut of the fruit of the Argan Tree, which is only found in Morocco. Argan oil in its pure form, without any additives is expensive as it is harder to acquire due to rarity and location.

The oil bottle and the packaging look professional. The size of the product is nice and generous. The oil is housed in a dark colored bottle that is needed to preserve the argan oil.

Dimethicone Crosspolymer is one ingredient that I am familiar with. It is a type of silicone, which is helpful for smoothing hair and making it appear healthier. Notice that I said APPEAR healthier. Over time, build up of silicones cause dried out hair. I used to love silicones, but as anyone who doesn't use regular shampoos knows, silicones build up on hair and are hard to remove when you are sulfate free.

Not everyone will agree with me and my sulfate free lifestyle and not everyone will be silicone free or limit their use of silicones. Silicone buildup does need to be removed with a clarifying shampoo.

Back to the HSI product, how is it used? After washing your hair, put 4-5 drops of HSI Professional Argan Oil Hair Treatment on your palm, rub your hands together to warm up the oil, and apply into damp hair. Some people may decide to use it into their scalp as well and some may only want to apply to the ends only. This hair product smells luxurious and somewhat sweet, almost a nutty smell. HSI Professional recommends the use of Argan Oil as an extra thermal protection before styling your hair with tools such as the flat iron, the hair dryer or the curling iron. For those who are not avoiding or limiting their use of silicones, and who are accepting of the added chemicals in this product, this will be a nice product for taming flyaways or frizzy hair and add a little shine.


If you found this review or any of my other reviews interesting or helpful, please rate is as "helpful" and or leave a comment. I enjoy writing reviews and hearing feedback about what I have written as I feel reviews help those interested make an informed decision before purchasing. I also feel that honest and informative reviews improve a product by providing insight to the company. I believe reviews should be honest no matter whether an item was free, at a discount, or purchased. I am not connected to this company or any of the companies of products that I review. I am not paid for my opinions.

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.

OvenArt Silicone Bakeware Cups: Review

Disclosure: I got this product as part of an advertorial.

I was sent some silicone baking cups from OventArt earlier in the month (I had previously reviewed their silicone muffin pan) for my review. I opened these from the package and was in love with the bright colors. My 3 year old daughter immediately took them and started playing with them on the table, she liked matching the colors and sorting them.

I was in the mood for something sweet and so I deciding to bake some spice muffins and thought these little cups would be just the thing to use. I noticed how soft and flexible they were. I poured in my batter and popped these into the oven. When they were ready, I let them sit to cool for about 15 minutes and was happy that they popped out super easy. In fact one muffin popped out a little too easilyy and fell on the floor. These cups did not discolor or burn and the muffins cooked evenly.

The baking cups are more flexible than similar silicone products because of the higher quality silicone, and because they are made without plastic filler material. Cleanup was really easy. As you can see, they came out of the cups with very little mess. We put these in the dishwasher on the top rack using a Munchkin baby/toddler dishwasher basket. These cups are safe for the oven, microwave, freezer, and dishwasher. These would be great for making mini cheesecakes or a brightly colored fun way to place out single serving nuts and dried fruit at a party.

I am happy with these baking cups and will continue using these as well as the muffin pan from OvenArt. I think we will find many different uses for these.

If you found this review or any of my other reviews interesting or helpful, please rate is as "helpful" and or leave a comment. I enjoy writing reviews and hearing feedback about what I have written as I feel reviews help those interested make an informed decision before purchasing. I also feel that honest and informative reviews improve a product by providing insight to the company. I believe reviews should be honest no matter whether an item was free, at a discount, or purchased. I am not connected to this company or any of the companies of products that I review. I am not paid for my opinions.

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.