Eucalyptus Essential Oil by Elite Gold: Reviewed

I have an area of my laundry room where I keep an old cabinet with my little apothecary type items. It has an assortment of essential oils, botanical ingredients, clays for facial and hair masks, shea butter, coconut butter, coco butter, and other herbal items. I am always excited when I find another use for one of my oils or when a new oil enters my little cabinet.

I had the opportunity to review a eucalyptus oil from Elite Gold Solutions. I received a 1 oz bottle to try out. I have found so many uses for it and it is serving me well daily.

My most favorite and widely used method of use is as a disinfectant and household cleaner. I mix about 5-7 drops of Eucalyptus oil, 5-7 drops of Peppermint oil, 5-7 drops of Tea Tree oil, 5-7 drops of Lavender oil, 2 table spoons of white vinegar and hot water in a spray bottle. I use this to wipe our kitchen counters and table. This leaves a fresh and clean fragrance in our home and the surfaces are not sticky after wiping. This disinfects our bathrooms and our little one's potty chair. For deodorizing and disinfecting the toilet bowel, use 1 tablespoon of eucalyptus oil and 1 tablespoon of lavender oil. Eucalyptus oil is anti-viral, anti-bacterial, and anti-fungal. It has a strong but invigorating scent.

Another use for Eucalyptus oil is for skin and body. With summer weather here, we all can use a cool down every now and then. Place several drops of Eucalyptus oil in a spray bottle, along with peppermint oil and pure clear aloe vera (aloe vera gel with no alcohol or dyes---however straight gel from the aloe plant is best if possible) and spritz over the body. This would be helpful for refreshing and cooling your skin on a extremely hot summer day or to help with tired itchy feet or sunburned skin. Using Eucalyptus oil compresses during a high fever can help the body regulate its temperature. Eucalyptus oil helps with respiratory and sinus infections, arthritis, muscle aches and pains, migraines, wounds, etc. Often it is used in a diffuser to help alleviate cold symptoms and reduce mucus. It is antiseptic, antibacterial, and deodorizing. I have used it in homemade body deodorants. I am aluminum free and sulfate free, so I have made my own deodorant in the past. I use LaVanila Lemon usually, however, a diy mixture of tea tree, eucalyptus, lavender, aloe, coconut oil, arrow root powder with a small amount of baking soda works wonderfully. I do have to watch my use of baking soda, and only use a tiny amount in my natural deodorant cream as my skin is sensitive to it. This is usually fixed by decreasing the baking soda and increasing the arrow root powder. If arrow root powder cannot be found, you can use corn starch. I have found natural/homemade deodorant to work extremely well and I have zero odor.

This oil can be applied to the skin with a carrier oil, such as jojoba or olive oil or whatever other type of carrier oil you have on hand. I use jojoba for most everything as it is a lightweight oil similar to own skin sebum. Use 1-2 drops of Eucalyptus oil to 1-3 tsp of carrier oil. I have used it in place of tea tree. We cloth diaper in our home, and also make our own cloth baby wipe solution. I use a Munchkin brand wipe warmer (tape the top pop up part closed and use the larger lid opening) and fill with water, and 5 drops each of Eucalyptus oil, Lavender, Tea Tree, and Jojoba oil, with about 2 squirts of Burt"s Bee's Baby shampoo. The essential oils keep the water and wipes from smelling or getting moldy, and are skin soothing and cleansing/disinfecting.

Eucalyptus is insecticidal as well. I use the same spray bottle mixture that I clean counters with, and spray it on door ways, in cracks, and in corners to prevent spiders and other insects as I live in an old country home. Insects are not font of the smell and also do not like the oils getting on their legs or tasting it.

Other uses for this amazing oil:

•-> AROMATHERAPY (put in a diffuser for relieving colds, congestion, stress relief, migraines)
•-> SKIN HEALTH treat and heal acne, burns, wounds, insect bites
•-> SOOTHE SORE MUSCLES and JOINTS: It can be used for massage therapy, just mix with a carrier oil such as jojoba
•-> BOOST CIRCULATION to the body, brain
•-> NATURAL DISINFECTANT safe, gentle home cleaner
•-> EASE PAIN & INFLAMMATION can help soothe rheumatic, arthritic, and other types of pain
•-> ELIMINATE LICE//INSECTICIDE naturally, and prevent unwanted pests

I like this oil a lot and am finding so many uses for it. I must admit, even though I have used various essential oils for years, I never realized how versatile Eucalyptus oil was. I used to use it just for colds several years back and put it in a diffuser. I never tried researching or testing out different uses for it. But I have used this bottle now for almost a month (daily) and it is now a staple in this home.

This particular brand uses steam distilled extraction and their Eucalyptus oil is undiluted, made in the USA, and "Purity-Potency Guaranteed." For more information about this product or to purchase, check them out on Amazon: Eucalyptus Essential Oil


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 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.

Insta Natural Youth Express Gel: Under Eye Treatment: Reviewed

I have had the opportunity to review 3 different brand eye treatments in the last month. Two of them were gel form and 1 was a cream, and all 3 were white plastic airless pump bottles. Of the 3, one brand stood out immediately before even applying it to my skin. Insta Natural Youth Express Eye Gel comes in a comfortable to hold, generous size of 1.7 oz. The other 2 brands are a small tiny 0.5 oz and the size is not the most cost effective or comfortable to hold at such as small size.

I had tried several items from the Insta Natural product line. Everything so far has been wonderful. The ingredients are top quality, the sizing of the products are generous, and the customer service is always a treat. The Insta Natural is a gel form and the other gel one (0.5 oz) are almost identical in ingredients except the other gel one has organic licorice added. this ingredient did not add any additional fragrance. They both are cooling when applied and tighten my eye area on contact, with a short term, but fantastic result lasting throughout the day. Both smell similar to each other with the Organic Cucumber Hydrosol in both providing a light, refreshing fragrance.

I do want to note that when testing the smaller one I had trouble wearing it under my makeup on 2 different days and had to wear it only at night from then on when I slept. I tested that one first about 2 weeks before testing the Insta Natural one. The 0.5 gel would roll up on itself, and leave some sticky (product rolling up) areas on my lid. I have tested them side by side on my hand (picture with both gels in a dab).

The left side has the 0.5 gel (brand name in another review of mine) and the right is Insta Natural. As seen in the following picture of the 2 dabs smoothed out, the product on the left (0.5 oz one) has a glob that will not smooth down, it is almost a glue like feeling. This is how it rolls up on me during application and what keeps me from using it under my makeup. The gel works nicely, it just is sticky, more difficult to work with and is more noticeably sticky on my hand.

I rinsed off the tester hand and applied the 0.5 oz gel on top of my left hand again, smoothed it out, then applied the Insta Natural on top of my right hand. I allowed them to dry for about 5 minutes and the right side (Insta Natural) is smooth, and not sticky at all. The left side that has the 0.5 oz is still sticky and tacky to touch. It confuses me a bit as they have the exact same ingredients except for the 0.5 oz has that additional ingredient. Now I realize it may seem that I am slightly biased as the Insta Natural is much bigger in size. But that is not the case. I would rather both , the sizing be small but smooth, instead of sticky and tacky.

After about 10 minutes had passed, I did a test rub on my left hand (0.5 oz). The product rolled up and became almost flaky. The right hand (Insta Natural) has not rolled up at all and is not in the least bit sticky.

I am not going to compare the Insta Natural to the 0.5 cream in much detail, as the 2 products are nothing alike in texture and the ingredients are very different. The cream one does have a lot of essential oils and botanical ingredients. I do like it as well. My least favorite is the 0.5 gel as you can gather. It is not terrible (I did give it a positive review) but the rolling up and sticky texture makes it difficult for me to wear during the day (the time most importantly for me to want to see the lift on my eye area).

I am happy that I was able to try Insta Natural and compare it to other similar eye products. It works well for giving a slight tightening of the lids and eye area and seems to help with brightening the under eye area. I still have dark circles, but I have had those most my life from poor sleeping habits. Sadly I may have those much longer than I wish to, as I get even less sleep now that I have a newborn and a 3 1/2 year old.

If you would like more information about Insta Natural, please visit their Website

This product is available on Amazon: Eye Cream Youth Express


I was sent a sample in exchange for a review, all opinions are my own.

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 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.

FoxBrim Youthful Radience Eye Cream: Reviewed

I am trying out an eye care cream from Foxbrim Naturals. It is called Youthful Radience Eye Cream. This company uses all-natural and organic ingredients in their products. It is their mantra to "Do right by our customers each and every day and work tirelessly to provide results." They have a 100% Money Back Guarantee. "Try it. Love it. Or send it back. It’s that simple." I like how they stand behind their products and want to provide the best quality and service to their customers. I LOVE the logo, the red fox is super cute and not a logo you might expect on a cosmetic product.

The eye cream comes in an airless pump. What this means is that it does not have any tube or straw to extract the product. There is a tiny hole under the bottle and when the pump on the top is primed and pressed, this creates a vacuum and the product is extracted upwards out of the pump. The bottle (0.5 oz.) is comfortable to hold and the cap snaps tightly/securely with a snap sound, which assures me this will stay fresh and the product will not leak out.

The eye cream was created to illuminate dull and under-nourished skin with essential oils and botanical ingredients: Aloe, Jojoba Oil, Grapeseed Oil, Rosehip Seed Oil, Green Tea Extract, Vitamin C, Vitamin E, and Lemongrass. It also has castor oil and vegetable glycerin which are 2 ingredients I use daily in my skincare regimen.

If you follow my other postings, you know how I love using Vitamin C and oils on my skin. Vitamin C promotes the production of collagen, which is a protein that aids in the growth of cells and blood vessels and gives skin firmness and strength. Loss of collagen causes a loss of skin elastin, which eventually can cause sagging of skin and wrinkles, which makes a person look older.
I oil cleanse my skin with some of the oils that are listed in this eye cream so you know I definitely approve of them. :)

FoxBrim Website

I like how the cream is not greasy or sticky when applied and I can apply makeup over it without any clumping or problems. The consistency of this is a white cream and blends easily into my skin. Please use care when applying products to delicate eyelids as our hope is to prevent wrinkles and fine lines, not create more. I always use my ring finger on my less dominate hand so as to apply the least amount of pressure to my eye area (a pointer finger would have more weight than the ring finger.)
I like how there is no fragrance and it is made with only natural and organic ingredients, and is safe for those with sensitive skin.

I have been testing this out and am liking the way my skin looks and feels. I still have some darkness under my eyes, but I hope with extended use this will help brighten. I do have some fine lines around my eyelids, that I hope to smooth out as well.
If you are looking for a good eye cream, feel free to check out FoxBrim.

They are available on Amazon: Eye Cream

Here is the full ingredient list:
Organic Herbal Infusion, Organic Aloe Vera, Jojoba Esters, Glycolic Acid, Hydroxyethyl Cellulose, Carrageenan Gum, Vitis Vinifera (Grapeseed Oil), Green Tea Leaf Extract, Organic Glycyrrhiza Glabra (Licorice), Methylsulfonylmethane (MSM), Oenothera Biennis (Evening Primrose Oil), Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate (Vitamin C), Wildcrafted Euphrasia Officinalis (Eyebright), Calophyllum Inophyllum (Tamanu Oil), Wildcrafted Mahonia Aquifolium, Helichrysum Italicum, Organic Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba Oil), Organic Rosa Canina (Rosehip Seed Oil), Squalane, Lactic Acid, Isopropyl Palmitate (Palm Oil), Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Kosher Vegetable Glycerin, Cetearyl Alcohol, Cetearyl Glucoside, Stearyl Alcohol, Cetyl Alcohol, Sodium Hydroxide, Ubiquinone (Coenzyme Q10), Phytic Acid, Phospholipids, Tocopheryl (Antioxidant), Lecithin, Pyrus Malus (Apple), Citrus Medica Limonum (Lemon), Saccharum Officinarum (Sugar Cane), Dipeptide Diaminobutyroyl Benzylamide Diacetate, Cymbopogon Schoenanthus (Lemongrass), Butylene Glycol, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Acetyl Hexapeptide-3, Sclerotium Gum, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, Xanthan Gum, Phenoxyethanol, Benzyl Alcohol.

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.

Poppy Austen Vitamin C Serum: Reviewed

Who doesn't love Vitamin C? I love it in my orange juice and in my fruits and vegetables. I only recently in the last 6 months found out that people apply it in topical form to their face to reduce the signs of aging and prevent further wrinkles and spots. I have been trying out a few different ones in the last few months and although they have some similarities, there are some differences across brands. The one I am reviewing today is from Poppy Austin. WOW what an adorable, feminine name. Love it. What is really neat about this company is that it is owned and operated by a group of women. It is free from parabens, fillers, alcohol, artificial colors and fragrances. It comes in a dark amber colored glass bottle with a dropper lid and it is DOUBLE the size of all other leading Vitamin C Serums that I have tried. What a great savings of money to get double the amount.

The Poppy Austen website(the products are all FDA certified) is very classy and pretty. It is easy to navigate and they have a variety of items for women to be pampered. "Poppy Austin is a new kind of cosmetics company. We are dedicated to creating premium hair and skin products that make you look younger, fresher, and alive." The brand has a great philosophy towards their products: "to prevent the signs of aging by using only the finest, most ethically sourced cosmetics, produced in exact accordance with Poppy’s Code*" What is the "Poppy Code"? It is ingredient quality. They refer to it as "ingredients matter." They make sure they research and test ingredients before including it in any of their products. I agree, using top quality ingredients, making products that are free from parabens, fillers, alcohol, artificial colors and fragrances, is important to me. They have strict manufacturing guidelines throughout every stage of production. They are diligent in quality control and their staff are experienced in what they do. The entire company is dedicated to providing a wonderful line of products that will pamper and nourish skin. They insist on "creating small batches of no more than 500 bottles at a time." This preserves the purity and quality of every bottle, eliminating the risk of error or contamination. The Vitamin C serum (and other similar products) is in a dark amber glass bottle which keeps excess light from entering and tampering with the integrity of the ingredients.

To use the serum, I first wash my face with my jojoba, argan, castor, and rose hip oil mixture, steam my face, rinse with cool water and pat dry, apply a rosewater toner, then apply the serum along with my hyaluronic acid (face, neck and decollete). I then use my clean and wet beauty blender sponge, followed with my Tarte foundation primer and Skin 79 pink bb cream.

If only I knew about and used vitamin c serum and oil cleansing method when I was in my teens and twenties. I should have drank more water as well. Now at age 32, I am finding that my skin looks better now than it did a few years ago. I have been sulfate free over and year and only oil cleanse with a have no acne (maybe one small spot a month) and my face is soft and glowing.

This is an excellent serum and I recommend it if you are looking for a top quality Vitamin C serum. I was sent this item in exchange for my honest opinion, but was not swayed in any way.

This Vitamin C is available on Amazon: Poppy Austin Vitamin C Serum

Here is a video provided by the company that includes some information on using Vitamin C and Hyaluronic Acid.

Poppy Austin's information about Vitamin C

For more information: Poppy Austen Website


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 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.

OZ Naturals Super Youth Eye Gel: Reviewed

I am tired. I really need to sleep more. I have always been an insomniac most my life. I have got dark circles and my eyes feel droopy. I have become less of an insomniac now that I have children. Staying up until the wee hours of the night, and then being woken up at 6 or 7 am (sometimes 5 if the mood strikes my 3 1/2 year old) makes for a LOOOOOONG day. Lately I just have not had time to sleep as I am still trying to adjust to 2 kids instead of 1. I had my son 2 months ago and am just now slowly getting back into a routine. He still wakes about 2 times a night to nurse and so I am not getting a full, uninterrupted nights sleep. It is much better now than a few weeks ago, where I would feed him every 2-2 1/2 hours at night and also try to soothe his crying from painful acid reflux. During the day, my 3 and a half year old keeps me busy as well. My newborn sleeps a good part of the day for about 2 hrs at a time, which is when they say to try to slip in a nap, but I like to spend time with my 3 1/2 year old girl during this time as I feel like I have not given her the attention she used to get. Sleep is highly needed to function mental and physically. Sleep makes prettier people. If only I had more sleep.

I am making sure to drink lots of water. Water is wonderful for you and I should have been more fond of it while I was a child. My daughter has only had water and milk in her almost 4 years of life and she LOVES both. She will be very beautiful. (She already is). I buy Dasani water in 24 packs and go through that in a week. I know, I know, that is not very environmental (or cost effective) of me to drink from bottled water, but our tap water here at our old (almost 100 yr old) home just doesn't thrill me. The water is clean and safe to drink, I am just not a tap water fan. I guess bottled water is one of my little indulgences. We use a Brita filter pitcher as well, but bottled water is tasty and super easy for me. Drinking water is important to replenish your body and it is beneficial to promote healing. I also believe that drinking water can have some antiaging effects as well. It hydrates your skin which can prevent wrinkles and discoloration.

I do not get the amount of sleep I need, so for right now, I need to try other methods to try to reverse the un-pretty I have put on my face from countless years of lack of sleep. I have also been trying out a anti-aging eye treatment gel. It does not contain Parabens, Sulfates or Alcohol and is made in the USA. This eye gel is natural and organic. I am using it once a day. It is called Super Youth Eye Gel and is by OZ Naturals. Who doesn't want to be super and youthful? It claims to eliminate dark circles, reduce eye puffiness, and smooth wrinkles around the delicate eye area. I would like to share my thoughts with you. I first wanted to mention that I am not affiliated in any way with this company. These are my honest opinions.

I like how it is in a pump as it stays more hygienic (no opening and closing of product each use which gets air into the product and can be contaminated with fingers) and is not messy to apply (no dipping fingers in to apply). The pump is half an ounce and is an airless pump, which means it does not use a tube/straw to draw up the product. There is a tiny hole on the bottom of the bottle. Airless bottles provide a greater force of removing the product, so there is less product waste left behind, which gives you more use out of the product.

When I first apply it to my eye area, I notice a slight tingling, but not painful or bothersome. The gel is instantly cooling (cucumber and aloe) and I start to feel the product tighten on my skin. It seems to give a slight lift that is not permanent, but lasts throughout the day. I first had tried applying it in the morning twice, UNDER my makeup. I hated it. It began to peel and roll up on itself and create sticky little patches. I wondered what I did wrong. So I began using it at night before bed, and that was the key. I am sure other people can use it during the day, but since I wear makeup most days, it did not work for use under my makeup. Perhaps I applied to much? I have used it in the mornings when I know I will not be leaving the house (no makeup day). It works fine during the day when I am bare faced. If you apply too much it does tend to roll up or build up a bit.

I apply it as the last step in my facial routine. After I have oil cleansed (washed) my face, rinsed, patted to dry, I then apply my Vitamin C and Hyaluronic Acid to my entire face, neck and decolletage. Sometimes I apply my rosewater toner all over my face and then I apply this eye gel.

The product is fairly small at 0.5 oz., I would have liked it to be in a 1 oz size, but I do not feel the need to use too much at a time as I am only using this on my eye area and between my eyebrows. It does have some impressive ingredients.

Key ingredients are as follows: Matrixyl 3000, Peptide Complex, Natural Plant Stem Cells, Cucumber Hydrosol, Jojoba Oil, Vegan Hyaluronic Acid, Amino Acid Blend, Wildcrafted Periwinkle, Organic Licorice, Wild Crafted Eye Bright, Wild Crafted Reishi, Organic Gotu Kola, Vitamin E. Ingredients are 75% natural

Matrixyl 3000 is a peptide that specifically stimulates collagen synthesis and skin repair. It is becoming more popular for use in cosmetics as it is excellent for anti-aging. Peptides are chains of amino acids that are beneficial to stimulating and producing proteins in the skin. Skin that is full, supple and moisturized has adequate collagen production. Collagen (a protein) produces skin that is healthy and full of elastin. It does not sag and wrinkles are slower to form. It is important to avoid extended unprotected exposure to harmful UV rays, and it is important to not smoke. Even second hand smoke is harmful to lungs and skin.

Plant Stem Cells can be beneficial to treat and prevent skin conditions such as wrinkles, visible capillaries, exposure to free radicals and sun damage. Plant stem cells when added to cosmetics and skin products, and have been proven to support the skin’s cellular rejuvenation.

This eye gel also contains cucumber hydrosol: hydrosols are flower/fruit/herb infused waters and are produced by steam-distilling the plant material. They have similar properties to essential oil, but are lighter in composition. Cucumber slices are often used on tired, irritated eyelids in spas (or in your own home) as they cool and calm. Cucumbers are soothing, healing, and have anti-inflammatory effects. (hydrosol info from Mountain Rose Herbs)

I love jojoba oil, I use it daily in my oil cleansing as it has a similarity to our own skin's sebum (not an oily oil) which allows it to absorb easily and quickly. It is a fantastic skin-softening moisturizer and is helpful for preventing wrinkles.

Hyaluronic Acid is a humectant (moisture-binding ingredient) that keeps skin plump and hydrated. I use a serum form of it daily in the morning and night after my face is cleansed. Hyaluronic acid is not an acid, (not sure why it is called "acid" as it is very cooling and soothing--it does not burn skin) it is beneficial for healing scars, skin irritation, and can help reduce the appearance of wrinkles.

An ingredient I was not sure about was Gotu Kola. I researched that it is an herb, and is used to treat minor burns, scars, irritation, varicose veins, wound healing, prevents infection, and more. It reduces scarring when applied during the inflammatory period of the wound.(Herb Wisdom)

This gel contains Vitamin E and Aloe, both are helpful for scar healing and prevention. They provide the skin with necessary moisture, as well as antioxidants for intense healing. Aloe and E is used to treat burns and irritation. When looking for a store bought aloe vera gel, make sure it is without alcohol and is a clear gel with no additives or dyes. I made the mistake of getting aloe gel once that had alcohol in it! I also recall how sunburnt my husband and I were on our Florida honeymoon. We searched for aloe vera at a local drugstore and got one with a lidocane in it. Our arms, legs, shoulders and backs were lobster red. The aloe was a bright blue color, and we woke up the next day with blue stains on the white hotel sheets. We should have gotten aloe that was dye free and skipped the lidocane one.

The eye gel is working well and I like it. I have only tested it for a month so I have not seen extreme results yet. I am hoping that the fine lines around my eye area are able to smooth out. I do think that anti-aging or weight loss products need a good 6 months of use or more before drastic results are seen. I do think that it is brightening my dark areas under my eyes.

This is available to purchase on Amazon: OZ Naturals Eye Gel


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 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.

Graindrops Probiotic Beverage: Reviewed

I try to eat yogurt each day in either a smoothie or eat it plain. I like the active probiotic cultures and I like the taste of yogurt. Some individuals are lactose intolerant or live a gluten free lifestyle. I was sent a dairy-free, organic probiotic beverage courtesy of Graindrops. I was able to select 2 flavors, I chose Plain and Wild Blueberry. Probiotics are living organisms that produce enzymes that break down the food we eat, as well as convert sugars to the essential nutrients our bodies need. I tasted both and was not fond of the flavor straight out of the bottle. I guess I was not used to the grain flavor or of the liquid form. I decided to add them as a base for my morning smoothie and so glad I did. They were wonderful tasting mixed with a banana and some frozen fruit. My 3 year old loved the Graindrops right out of the bottle and into her sippy cup. She has never had anything but milk or water to drink (no fruit juices, fruit punches or soft drinks) so this was a special treat for her. She called it yogurt milk, however this is actually dairy free. It is very beneficial for children to have some sort of probiotic daily. This will be a great option for her.

Susanne and Torodd Lien are the founders of this beverage and company. This is a quote from their website, “We believe that optimal health can be powered by nature, and that everything we need to maintain an active, energetic, healthy and fulfilling life can be found through intentionally and thoughtfully crafted food.” The couple share a love of organic and natural living. Graindrops's sweetness occurs naturally as "the culturing process (known as Koji) converts the starches of our five organic, gluten-free whole grains into natural grain sugar." Graindrops has organic agave syrup for added sweetness. Graindrops contains 100 percent natural enzymes (40+ enzymes), organic whole grains, and spring water. Koji (pronounced KO-jee) is the artisan Japanese culturing process that Graindrops is created / cultured from. The koji process is a small batch which takes two full days to mature, but is well worth it as it is made with utmost care, containing such wonderful health benefits. It provides healthy amino acids, carbohydrates, and of course whole grains. It is something many people can enjoy as it is easily digestible for those with sensitive tummies and or special diets.

Graindrops contains these Probiotics:



Bifidobacterium bifidum
Lactobacillus acidophilus
Lactobacillus casei
Lactobacillus delbrueckii subsp. bulgaricus
Lactobacillus rhamnosus
Streptococcus thermophilus (also known as Lactococcus thermophilus)
Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis

For more information about Graindrops and their products, visit their website.



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 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.

Natural Revolution Bedtime Bliss Sleep Mask with earplugs: Review

I am an insomniac. I always have been. I am a worrier as well. I will stare out into the dark bedroom at the alarm clock and watch the lime green numbers change. I will stare at the tiny glow of my cell phone charging next to the bed side table. I get so distracted that I cannot think of sleep. I have tried drinking chamomile tea and relaxing baths before bed. I play an ocean sound machine during sleep in the bedroom. I have tried sleep masks but they are highly uncomfortable and force my eyes and lashes closed.

I had the opportunity to review a different, more improved type of sleep mask. It is contoured to fit more comfortably around eyes and is made of a foam like material. It has an adjustable strap that closes with velcro. This adjusting band is nice because most sleep masks are either too loose on me or too tight and dig in. The contoured feature is great because it allows eye movements such as blinking and REM sleep. For those tired mommy's who are lucky to "sleep when baby sleeps" (I have a newborn) this design won't smudge my eye make-up if I choose to sneak in a much needed nap during the day. This would work well for people traveling on an airplane who would be sleep during odd times of day during a long flight.

The sleep mask came with a black carry case and a set of foam ear plugs. The plugs are helpful for blocking / muffling nose of a snoring spouse, construction noise, loud neighbors, city sounds, or television. The sleep set is quite useful and I like it a lot.

We actually were able to use the sleep mask for another use. Our 3 1/2 year old knocked a large can of food on her big toe while she was playing in the cabinet. This made her toenail bleed and swell and we had to take her to the emergency room to have them check it and use a needle on the nail. When we got back home, this past week had been difficult getting her to allow us to change the bandage and apply the medicine without her crying and seeing the blood and getting afraid again. We would try to reassure her that she is okay and that the medicine will make it better (she agrees it feels better and looks better each day) but looking at the bruised toe and sore toenail reminds her of the pain and makes the bandaging process difficult. I had the idea of putting this mask on her (which she loved wearing) while she held her stuffed bear and I changed the bandage. I talked to her along the way and told her how brave she was being. The mask worked! She has now allowed me to bandage her toe much quicker and with no tears. So although the mask was a bit large on her, even on the smallest setting, it worked for covering her eyes so she did not see the blood and so her pain did not intensify with the memory of the toe trauma.

This mask worked well for use during sleep and we also can use it for our little one. For more information, check the mask out on Amazon: Sleep Mask & Ear Plugs Bedtime Bliss


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 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.

Influenster TLC VoxBox! Reviewed

I am very excited! I finally got a VOXBOX! I have been a part of Influenster.com for a few months now and after doing several of the required activities and surveys, I kind of gave up thinking I would never be selected for a box. For those of you that have not heard of Influenster, it is a social media site where you review, rate, and spread social buzz about products. It is a site for completing surveys, writing reviews, creating videos, and engaging in other social media (posting to Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, etc.). It often takes up a lot of excess time doing certain tasks and after I did so many tasks, I forgot about the site for a few weeks as I got a bit frustrated honestly as I felt my efforts were getting me nothing.

VoxBoxes are boxes filled with complimentary products sent all in one box for a person to try out and then review. The items have a certain theme to them. The theme may or may not be extremely obvious--the theme may be very loosely tied together. I got a "TLC Mom VoxBox that had things a mom might use for some Tender Loving Care. I got an Avon Anew Reversalist Complete Renewal Express Wrinkle Smoother compact, Neosporin to go for purse or diaper bag, Puffs Plus Lotion tissue sample, Ivory soap bar (not exactly sure about the cohesion of this entire theme) Breyers Gelato Coupon (makes sense as it is pampering and something a lady could enjoy) Shell Gas rewards card (not really sure this is an item I would feel pampered or loved by having). I understand the Avon as it calms or camouflages the stress lines a gal may have or get, and the ice cream is definitely something I would indulge in for a little TLC for myself. The Neosporin to go I guess is TLC since it eases pain and heals? The Puffs Plus can blot up tears, and the lotion aspect in it is soothing. For me, If I was asked what 6 items should go into a TLC pampering VoxBox I would say:

Breyers Gelato Coupon, a Redbox Movie Rental discount code for 1 free movie, Some Godiva Chocolates, a mud facial mask, a bottle of nail polish (pedicures/manicures), and perhaps a makeup item to look nice for a special mom and dad date night. I am not complaining about my VoxBox, I like the itmes, and they are useful. I just did not understand the THEME that was named for this box. The items did not really go together.

What I did not like or what I was not impressed with or was "underwhelmed" with:

The Ivory soap is something I won't really use as I like more herbal or essential oil soaps. The Shell rewards gas card is something I could have easily gotten free somewhere (it would have been more helpful if it was a prepaid card of $5 or $10 for shell).

Useful items/Items I liked:

The Puff Lotion tissues sample is a nice size to put in my diaper bag as with 2 littles, there is always a nose to wipe. The Breyers Gelato (I selected Tiramisu and it was definitely---ah-mazing!) was eaten in 2 days. The Neosporin to go is convenient for putting into a purse or diaper bag and I actually always have wanted one but never purchased. The best thing I got was the Avon Anew.

The BREYERS Gelato was really good. If you like the dessert or like flavored coffee, you will love this! Tiramisu is delicate mascarpone gelato, decadent espresso sauce, ladyfinger cookie pieces and gourmet cocoa. I do think it needed large pieces of lady finger cookies, the pieces were tiny and only on the very bottom layer (the cookies were only about the size of a thumb nail each). Gelato Indulgences come in 4 flavors: Vanilla Caramel, Raspberry Cheescake, Tiramisu, and Triple Chocolate. I cannot wait to try the other 3 selections.

The Avon Anew I really REALLY like. The reason I like it is due to the fact that I am using it as a primer and applying before I put on my foundation. It really smooths my face and creates a great canvas. I have loved my Benefit Porefessional, but sadly have been out of it and it is about $30 which I do not have to spare on things like that right now. This Avon Anew (also $30)is really intended for patting onto wrinkles and fine lines, but since I do not have those, I tried smoothing this over my nose and cheeks, and guess what?? It made my face a nice matte, and concealed my large pores. It colorless or translucent. Now the way I am using it, will make it become used up rather quickly, but I am enjoying it. The only thing I am not fond of is the compact. The mirrored top gets fingerprints within minutes and no matter how often I wipe it clean, it gets dirty. I also do not like the sliding top, I would prefer it to be a standard mirrored compact, that would be more useful to me personally. When this is used up, I may repurchase if the price goes down, $30 is a bit much for how I am using it. The Benefit Porefessional would last me longer as it is a tube form. Avon Anew is "Infused with Tri-Elastinex and blurs the look of wrinkles on forehead and around eyes instantly". It has a Cream-to-powder silky finish. Both have Dimethicone, which seems to be the silicone based ingredient that blurs the pores.

To qualify or increase your CHANCES to be SELECTED for a VoxBox: it is based on the "Expert Badges" that you have "unlocked", your measured Impact ("Influence") across all connected networks (friends/followers, etc.) and also is based on demographics.
Sometimes it is luck of the draw.

I think this was a decent box. I think the items selected could have been better chosen for the particular theme of "TLC."
I was very happy to be selected, and hope to review more items very soon. I received these for free in exchange for my honest opinion.

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.

Dead Sea Mud Facial Mask by Pure and Essential Minerals: Reviewed

I was able to review a fantastic product recently from Pure and Essential Minerals. It was their Argan Oil Restorative Treatment Hair Mask. My only negative about it was the fact that it was gone in about 4 uses and it is a bit thin. (My hair is extra thick and falls past my chest). My hair gulped it down because the ingredients were so natural and top quality. I had the opportunity to review another product from this company and I was even more impressed with the next product. It is a Dead Sea Mud facial mask and it smells and feels super luxurious. I felt like I was in a high end spa whenever I used the mask.

Dead Sea Mud contains more than 21 skin-reviving minerals including magnesium, calcium, sulfur, bromide, iodine, sodium, zinc and potassium. The minerals in this mask help heal, detoxify, and cleanse skin, keeping it looking young and refreshed. It draws out dirt from clogged pores. This mud contains some fantastic ingredients: Pure Dead Sea Mud, Organic Shea Butter, Organic Sunflower Oil, Organic Aloe Vera Juice, Organic Vegetable Glycerin, Organic Jojoba Oil, Hickory Bark Extract, Organic Calendula Oil, Eucalyptus Oil, Filtered Water, and Xanthan Gum.

Shea Butter is anti-inflammatory with antiaging properties. Shea butter contains essential fatty acids, along with vitamins A and E.

Sunflower Oil contains Vitamin E and fatty acids. Vitamin E helps combat skin redness and softens skin.

Organic Aloe Vera soothes burns, inflammation, puffiness, skin redness, and also relieves itching. Aloe Vera is great for preventing wrinkles and can heal scars. If you buy aloe from a store, make sure it is clear and pure, without alcohol in it.

Organic Vegetable Glycerin is a fantastic humectant, it provides moisture to skin. It attracts moisture to water. I always add vegetable glycerin to my facial oils and my shaving soaps. I also make my own natural eye drops with 1 cup of boiled water, 1 teaspoon of salt, and 3 drops of vegetable glycerin mixed together and cooled. I then use a sterile dropper.

Organic Jojoba Oil is a great oil to use on our facial skin, hair and body as it is most like our own sebum oils in our skin. It is not a heavy or greasy oil and it absorbs quickly.

Hickory Bark Extract is something I was not familiar with, so I consulted Google. It is used as an astringent and prevents microbial growth. I would think it would help to act as a natural preservative for this mask while in the jar.

The next ingredient is my favorite. I love all things Calendula! It is also known as Marigold, and is beneficial in reducing inflammation, promoting wound healing, and assisting with skin problems. We use a calendula baby cream on our infant when he has flaky scalp and dry skin on his face. My husband and I both use it whenever we have a burn or skin irritation. It always heals whatever skin ailments we have, often overnight. We use a few drops of it (in oil form)in our homemade baby wipe solution as it prevents and treats red baby bottoms.

Eucalyptus Oil is antibacterial and inflammatory. It is also used to treat colds. It is an effective wound treatment and helps heal skin eruptions such as acne.

Here is how I use the mud mask: I apply a medium thick layer of Dead Sea Mud Mask to my face, avoiding my eye area. I leave the mud on to dry for 15-20 minutes to allow full absorption of Dead Sea Minerals and to tighten and cleanse my pores. The instructions say to leave on 10 minutes, but I like to leave on longer than 10 minutes. Remove the mud mask by gently rubbing in circular motion (being extra gentle near my delicate eyelids) for an overall exfoliation. I then wash any excess mud mask with warm water and gently pat dry. I apply my Vitamin C and Hyaluronic Acid to my skin afterward. My skin feels refreshed and smooth. I love the fragrance of this mud mask!

I used this mud mask once a week for a month, and it can be used as a spot treatment for acne as well. I used it a few times on just my nose to draw out blackheads. This rinses easily and feels ultra soothing and like a luxurious spa treatment. This mask will save you money on expensive spa treatments that could easily cost you anywhere between $50 and $100 per treatment. I sometimes add a drop or 2 of tea tree oil to my mud in my hand before applying it to my face. (take care not to get the oil in eyes) The jar will last for many uses depending on how thick you apply.

This mud mask has anti-aging properties and cleanses pores. Rich Dead Sea minerals clean, heal, soften and revitalize skin. I like the top quality organic essential oils and botanical ingredients. This product is free of sulfates, phosphates and parabens. It is cruelty free and vegan certified.

For more information on this mask, check it out on Amazon: Dead Sea Mud Facial Mask


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 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.