Olay Fresh Effects

I received Olay Fresh Effects from Influenster, my opinions are my own.

 

I don't usually wear make-up to work because I have a very active job. If I wear make-up I always "feel" by 11 am that my make-up is melting off my face. It's not true, but that's the way I feel.

When I first received this I thought this was just a lotion. I've heard of BB Creams, but never understood exactly what it means. On the box it says it is short for Beauty Balm, which still tells me nothing. The back of the package continues to explain that it is one of Asia's hottest beauty sensations. Mostly I was looking forward to this because I love the Oil of Olay brand.

On the side of the box they state 6 Skin Perfecting Benefits in one step. I thought for my review I would just go over each of those benefits and my thoughts on each.

• Refreshes: I'm not sure how they mean 'refreshes'. I put this on in the morning when I already feel fresh. Perhaps because it is very light I don't feel like my skin is closed off with a thick, heavy cream. I'm fussy about what lotions I use. There are some textures and weightiness to some lotions that bug me. This one is light and I later forgot that I was wearing it. 

• Brightens: I am very fair skinned and particular about the colors I put on my skin. I chose the Fair to Light color and it works perfectly with my color. I'm very happy about that.

• Evens Tone: This was the most surprising for me. I have some red blotches and this toned them down and did a good job of covering them up. I feel like it worked better than the foundations I usually use. 

• Hydrates: The package states that it has 24 hr hydration. My skin felt nice all day, so I'll give it points for that. Since I have oily skin my face never feels dry, but it did feel healthy all day. 

• Smoothes: I don't have many blemishes so this wasn't something I was looking for. 

• Protects: It contains a sunscreen broad spectrum SPF 15. The box suggests you put it on 20 minutes before sun exposure and to reapply every 2 hours. It does not work for swimming or sweating. I figure, though, if I'm going to be out in the yard working up a sweat and jumping into the pool later, I'd probably forgo "looking pretty" to getting a sunscreen to do the job. It is nice to know, though, that if I end up outside for a half an hour or so in the middle of my day, like I did on Monday, I'll be protected.

What it doesn't mention is that it has a scent. It is very light and after about 10 minutes fades a great deal. It doesn't smell like the basic pink Oil of Olay in a bottle, but it is just as pleasant.

If you're looking for a cream that will even your skin tone and be light on your skin, I would recommend this product. When I finish using this tube I will be getting more.

To buy and learn more: Olay Fresh Effects

To purchase and read even more reviews (I love Amazon reviews): Amazon.com

There is one review on Amazon in which a customer says she broke out using it. I was very impressed to see that Oil of Olay (P&G) asked the person to contact them so they could discuss her experience with the product. That shows they are a caring company and I like that.

My Own Mr. Darcy giveaway from Susan Heim on Writing blog

After being dragged to the 2005 movie Pride and Prejudice by her mother, sixteen-year-old Elizabeth’s life changes when Matthew Macfadyen’s Mr. Darcy appears on the screen. Lizzie falls hard and makes a promise to herself that she will settle for nothing less than her own Mr. Darcy. This ill-advised pledge threatens to ruin any chance of finding true love. During the six intervening years, she has refused to give any interested suitors a chance. They weren’t Mr. Darcy enough.

Coerced by her roommate, Elizabeth agrees to give the next interested guy ten dates before she dumps him. That guy is Chad, a kind and thoughtful science teacher and swim coach. While she’s dating Chad, her dream comes true in the form of a wealthy bookstore owner named Matt Dawson, who looks and acts like her Mr. Darcy. Of course she has to follow her dream. But as Elizabeth simultaneously dates a regular guy and the dazzling Mr. Dawson, she’s forced to re-evaluate what it was she loved about Mr. Darcy in the first place.

Karey White grew up in Utah, Idaho, Oregon, and Missouri. She attended Ricks College and Brigham Young University. Her first novel, Gifted, was a Whitney Award Finalist.

She loves to travel, read, bake treats, and spend time with family and friends. She and her husband are the parents of four great children. She teaches summer creative writing courses to young people and is currently working on her next book.

Website * Twitter * Facebook * Goodreads

Excerpt 1

Janessa folded her arms and looked at me for so long I started to

squirm. “What?”

“I wish you’d look at yourself. You’re ruining your life with this stupid

obsession.”

“I’m not obsessed.” I stood up quickly, nearly tipping my chair over. I

rinsed my plate and put it in the dishwasher. I could feel Janessa’s eyes on me

the entire time, but I refused to look at her. “And just because I’m not

interested in this guy doesn’t mean my life is ruined.”

“Let me guess. Was he blond?”

“Knock it off.”

“Too short?”

“He wasn’t short. I’ve got to go.” I left the kitchen with Janessa on my

heels.

“Was he too cheerful?”

“Oh brother. I’m not having this conversation with you.”

Janessa grabbed my arm and turned me toward her. “Yes, you are.”

“I’m going to be late for work.”

“Then we’d better talk fast.”

“I don’t have anything to say,” I said.

“Then I’ll talk. You listen. You have to start giving these guys a

chance.”

I folded my arms tightly. “I give them a chance.”

“You give them one date, two at the most. But you’re not really giving

them a chance because your mind’s already made up before you even go out.”

I was getting annoyed. “I don’t have time for this conversation again.”

Janessa was practically reciting word for word what she’d said after my last

date. And the one before that.

“Lizzie. If you don’t want to have the same conversation, do something

different. Shake things up a little.” She smiled and did a little shimmy. I

refused to smile no matter how silly she looked.

“How do you suggest I do that?”

“If this guy… What’s his name?”

“Chad.”

“If Chad calls you back, go out with him again.”

“I don’t see the point.”

“Did you get a serial killer vibe from him?”

“No, I got a nice-guy-that-doesn’t-deserve-to-be-led-on vibe from him.”

“Nice guys are good. So you’ll say yes, right?”

“If I’m not interested, it wouldn’t be fair to say yes.”

“Oh knock off the baloney. You haven’t been fair to a guy since high

school. You’re just afraid if you get to know a guy, you might like him. And

wouldn’t that be awful? Was Chad funny?”

“Yes, he was funny.”

“Handsome?”

I sighed. “I don’t know if I’d call him handsome, but he was cute.”

“Cute is good. Especially if he was funny. So go out with him again.”

“You act like it’s all up to me.” I walked to the closet and collected

my purse. Like a tiger leaping on her prey, Janessa pounced at the bowl on the

entry table and grabbed my car keys. “This isn’t funny, Janessa. I’m going to

be late for work.”

“Then let’s make a deal. You agree to go out with him ten times before

you toss him aside and I’ll give you your keys.”

“Ten times? No way.”

“That’ll give you time to get to know him.”

“You’ve got to be kidding.”

“I’m serious, Lizzie. Ten is a good number. In that amount of time, you

can make a real decision. Instead of one based on a stupid movie.”

Now Janessa was skipping through a minefield. “It’s not a stupid movie

and I’ve got to go.”

“It’s the stupidest movie in the world if it ruins your life.”

“Nothing’s ruining my life and I’m going to be late. Give me my keys and

we’ll talk about this later.” A little tussle ensued as I tried to rescue my

keys from her clutches. I almost had them when she darted to the bathroom and

shut the door hard and fast, locking it behind her. “This is real mature.”

“I don’t care about mature. You’re my best friend, Lizzie.  I love

you and I’m trying to save you from yourself.”

I banged on the door. “Give me the keys. Now.” My voice had become

shrieky.

“I’ll give you the keys as soon as you promise you’ll go out with him

ten times.”

“I doubt he’ll ask me out again.”

“Why? Were you a jerk?”

“No.”

“Are you sure?”

I hesitated, knowing I hadn’t been very good company. “I’m pretty sure.”

“If he doesn’t ask you out, you have to ask him.”

“No way am I asking out a guy ten times. No way!”

“You just have to ask him out once. If he doesn’t return the favor you

can move on. But you have to be nice to him and give him a reason to want to

ask you out again.”

“This is the dumbest idea you’ve ever had.”

“Listen Liz, I’m doing this for you. Give a guy a chance before you give

him the old heave-ho.”

I leaned my head on the door. “Just give me the keys. Please.” Now I was

whining.

“You’re the one keeping yourself from your keys. And probably true

love.”

I looked at my watch. Now I’d have to risk a speeding ticket or get to

work five minutes late. I wasn’t sure which was worse—a ticket from a police

officer or a tongue-lashing from Delia.

“Fine. I’ll go out with him again if he asks me.”

“And?”

“If he doesn’t ask me, I’ll ask him?”

“Right. And how many times will you go out with him?”

“Way too many,” I said under my breath.

“I can’t hear you.”

“Ten times. If he asks me.”

The door cracked open. “And you’ll be nice to him?”

“Whatever you say. Now give me the keys.”

Janessa emerged from the bathroom and triumphantly dropped my keys into

my outstretched hand.

“You’re an idiot,” I said.

“An idiot that loves you and wants you to be happy,” she said. She

turned and headed down the hall. “Someday you’ll thank me,” she sang.

“If I don’t kill you first.” I slammed the door behind me.

Excerpt 2

It was a busy Monday morning.

I was looking out at the line of waiting customers when he walked in. I gasped,

shut my thumb in my cash drawer, and then tried not to cry while Mr. Sandoval

from a hearing aid store asked me if I was okay.

When I finished Mr. Sandoval’s

transaction, I looked at him again. He was taller than anyone in the room. Of

course. His hair was dark and a little disheveled. It was hard to see from

where I was, but his eyes looked like they were blue. And best of all, he

didn’t smile. He looked gorgeously unpleasant and impatient. He looked around

the room and his eyes met mine. Still he didn’t smile. My heart was racing. He

looked perfect.

I did my best to time it so I’d be

his teller. I went a little too fast with one customer and accidentally shorted

her a twenty dollar bill. I tried to concentrate as I corrected the

transaction. I slowed way down on the next customer, but just when I thought I

was finished and would be able to help him next, my customer asked me to break

a ten into change. He walked up to Courtney’s window while I counted out

nickels and dimes. Furious, I stomped my foot. Not too loudly but enough to

release a little of my frustration.

I listened closely as Courtney helped

him to see if I could learn anything, but he hardly spoke. He gave a terse nod

when Courtney thanked him for coming in and turned on his heel and left. He had

excellent posture and a nice, confident stride.

I finished with my customer, and then

before anyone else could step forward, I picked up the phone and dialed

Courtney’s extension. She glanced at her phone’s display and looked over at me

curiously.

            “Who was

that?” I whispered when she picked up the receiver.

“Elizabeth, look how many customers

there are.”

“I know. Just tell me who that was.”

I watched as Courtney picked up her last transaction slip.

“His name is Matt Dawson.”

“Is he married?”

“I have no idea,” Courtney said.

“Was he wearing a ring?”

“I didn’t look. What’s going on,

Lizzie?”

“I just need to know about him.”

“Well, I don’t know anything about

him and Delia’s watching us. I’ve gotta go.”

Matt Dawson. Matt. Matthew. Like

Matthew Macfadyen. Dawson. It was pretty close to Darcy. The only way it could

be better is if his name was Fitzwilliam but I’d never met a Fitzwilliam in my

life.

Matt Dawson.

This had to be a sign.  

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Confessions of a Psychotic Housewife Giveaway

Click the link to enter the Scunci Giveaway! I love their hair ties!


Confessions of a Psychotic Housewife Giveaway Link


In her words:

scünci just released their 2013 trend collection, and sent me some complimentary products to try out. I tend to style my hair more in the summer - it's just the perfect time to have pretty hair accessories to accentuate whatever I am wearing. Whether I am headed to the grocery store, or off camping, I still want to look good and not like a candidate for the People of Walmart website. ;) With fun pieces like the Faux Suede Bow Bobby Pins, and the Wide Loose Knit Color Striped Headband, scüncihas lots of options that match just abut anything in my wardrobe without breaking the bank. They are easy to pop into any overnight bag and pack along to take on vacation. 

Goody Hair Ribbons

This is what I received from Influenster to evaluate. Even though they were given to me, my opinions about the product are my own.






Pros:

I love how the ribbons look. They have a satiny finish that you can't appreciate from the photo. They aren't flashy, but they aren't dull, either. It reminds me of when my grandparents would want me in pretty hair ribbons. Unfortunately, the ribbons did not last in my stubborn hair. This would have been perfect.

They do not pull my hair when I'm putting them in or removing them. They are as ouch-less as they claim.

They are easy to put in. Because they are simply tied at one end, instead of sewing them together, I worried they would pull themselves out of the knot and I'd be forever re-tying them. So far, with several weeks of using them, it has not happened.


Cons:

I like my pony tails really tight. While this kept my hair up and away it wasn't as tight as the regular elastics that I normally use. Mostly this is because right when I'm at the final twisting of the ribbon and pulling in the last of my hair the knot slips just a bit. It's that bit that keeps it from being very tight. And also making me think that one of these days I'll end up re-tying it.

I don't like the knot at the end. I think it gives it a home-made look. I wish they would have finished it off more professionally. It would have made it look more up-scale and prettier. The material used is so pretty, but the knot makes it look like I found a scrap of something (albeit pretty) and am just 'making do'.


Decision:

Would I buy these? I think it's nice to have a package on hand for when I want a pretty hair ribbon. I will probably still use my other elastics for at work when I need my hair out of the way and completely back. I usually use the Goody Brand, as it is a good one for the 'ouch-less' variety of elastics and nicely priced.