Homemade Laundry Detergent

The easiest and most economical thing you can do for yourself this year is make your own laundry detergent. Once you do, you will be amazed at how much you actually SAVE $$$ and just how SIMPLE it is to do this for you and your family.  It leaves my clothes soft, clean, and my "high-efficiency" washer working great and smelling wonderful!

Homemade Laundry Detergent:

1 C Borax
1 C Arm&Hammer Super Washing Soda
2 C grated soap: Fels-Naptha or Ivory

Mix it together, add 1-2TBSP per load depending on size and dirtiness.


Each batch lasts me more than a month and I did not have to repurchase the borax yet (since MAY!) and just this last month had to repurchase the washing soda.  The naptha soap is 97 cents and that is no bother to repurchase. So Laundry Detergent for under $10 that will last at LEAST 6months! HOLLA!!

Let me know if you try it!

Lip Butters and Balms Review

I LOVE Lip butters!! WOOHOO!  So much smoother and silkier than a gloss, more color than a normal lip balm or chapstick, and not as drying or harsh as a true lipstick.  It's the best of all the worlds combined when you want your lips to feel good, and want a little bit of sparkle, sheen, or color to go along with it!

My favorites are the Revlon Colorburst Lip Butter, L'Oreal Colour Riche CARESS, and the CoverGirl Lip Perfection Jumbo Gloss Balm.  All of these deliver a hint of color, feel amazing on your lips, never goopy or dry, and have some GREAT colors to choose from! You also can't beat the price and quality!

RECOMMEND: YES!

Totally use these on a daily basis!  Let me know if you've tried them or how you like them once you do!! :)

2012 Naughty List (products)

There are a few items this year that didn't suit my fancy, didn't float my boat, or disappointed in some way, so here is the 2012 Naughty List of products!  (they could work well for you, these of course are just my personal opinion and what worked/didn't work for ME)

ImPrESS nails:  Same as they were in the 80's as Lee Press On nails. Trashy. Didn't fit right, didn't stick well, looked totally fake.

RECOMMEND:  NO

Target store brand Eye Makeup Remover:  Usually I am all for store brands, but this immediately irritated my eye and gave me a stye in my eye.  Spend the extra $1 and get a name brand makeup remover for your delicate eye area!

RECOMMEND: NO

Physician's Formula Organic Tinted Moisturizer:  Very limited coverage, if it all. I wouldn't even call it light coverage.  Had a very slippery, almost oily texture that didn't fit/stay on the skin well or rub in well. If you're looking for a light coverage moisturizer I would try the BB Creams out there, this was very disappointing.

RECOMMEND: NO

Maybelline Dream Bouncy Blush:  The consistency is unique, but it's not suited well for actual application to your face. The product moves around alot in the packaging, and it takes alot to show up on your face. Plus because you have to swipe a lot, the product gets tiny flecks on your finger so then you're rubbing pieces of blush on your face. It's a hot mess. Didn't prefer this.

RECOMMEND: NO

Maybelline Eye Studio Gel Eyeliner:  I liked the "idea" of this eyeliner, gliding on with a great, tiny brush but the actuality of this product didn't live up to the hype.  The product that comes in the little pot is hard to get the right amount onto the brush. The instructions say to just wipe excess off, but it's such a pain in the butt trying to get any correct amount of this interesting texture of eyeliner onto the brush in the first place. Then actually applying it didn't work as effortlessly as I had hoped. I'd have to say I prefer the liquid pen eyeliners over this gel mess for sure.

RECOMMEND: NO

L'Oreal Double Extend Beauty Tubes Mascara: I liked the white conditioning mascara you put on before the actual mascara, BUT the black mascara forms tubes around your eyelashes to extend them. Which in theory sounds fantastical. Until you take it off at night and you feel all these little pieces of mascara tubes coming off your eyes and into the sink. Bad part is, it took off some of my eyelashes too!! It's been over a month and I've been waiting for the "middle" of my right eye's eyelashes to grow back in. This can tear out your eyelashes and make them wonky. Dislike! (I do love their blue/gold Double Extend mascara, though, recommend that one!)

RECOMMEND: NO

Maybelline Colossol Volume Cat Eyes Mascara:  Sort of liked this one. I liked the curve brush and that it did try and curl out those end eyelashes for a more cat eye look. But the mascara is gloppy and clumped alot. Not worth the $$.

RECOMMEND: NO

L'OREAL Voluminous Million Lashes Mascara: DID NOT LIKE THE BRUSH. It didn't have alot of bristles to it, plastic, big, and didn't do anything spectacular for my lashes. Plus everytime I'd apply it would end up on my eyelid, cuz of the weird brush. 

RECOMMEND: NO

Revlon Colorstay Liquid Lipstick: This one is an undecided. I did try it a couple Sundays ago, but put a shiny gloss over it, then put more of the lipstick over that. So it could very well be just poor application on my part, because it left my lips super dry and half of it came off. This is a long lasting lipgloss/stick so i think those tend to be dry in the first place so they'll stay on your lips, but I'll have to try again doing exactly as the instructions say and I'll let you know.  It could still be a NO for how dry it makes your lips, we will SEE!

RECOMMEND: Maybe

I hope my reviews help you in some way! If you've had different OR similar experiences with any of these products please let me know!  Remember you can always follow me on Twitter @ LetsReview1

or check out my Youtube page, at LetsReviewHillaryN!

Influenster: Cosmo Box Review

I was graciously sent a box of free products to test out by Influenster!  I received the Cosmo VoxBox and inside it were 4 very wonderful products!

I received the FriXion pen by Pilot Pen!

These pens are amazing! They write so smoothly and effortlessly, not to mention the cool designs to make it pleasing to the eye. 

But the BEST part about these pens is the rubber tip that ERASES, the pen...did you hear that?

It ERASES!!

This is perfect for those like me that make mistakes or use pens daily instead of crossing it out or starting all over, i can simply erase my mistake and start again.

I'm a list maker and I prefer tangible paper to phones or tablets for writing down schedules, dr appts, menu plans, lists, goals, etc. I'd say these would be great for students as well!!

Definitely my new go-to pen!

RECOMMEND: YES

Ghirardelli Gourmet Milk Sea Salt Escape chocolate bars

I love me some Ghirardelli and they did not disappoint this chocolate lover.

I love how smooth and creamy their chocolate is, and that added bit of almonds and a touch of sea salt made this chocolate one of my new favorites! 

The salt is very subtle, and the taste is sooo good. I hope they come out with a dark chocolate one as well, for even richer flavor! Yum!

                                       

RECOMMEND: YES

Forever Red perfume by Bath & Body Works

this was a lovely scent, i think perfect for colder days and nights. I feel like this is an excellent all year scent, but especially during the fall and winter months.

I feel like it's a sexy, comforting scent...if that makes sense.

It does have notes of pomegranate, red osmanthus and vanilla rum.  

Who wants to smell yummy during the winter?? I DO!

RECOMMEND: YES

Gillette Venus Embrace & Olay Razor

What they sent me in the Cosmo Vox Box was the Venus Embrace razor and handle with an Olay refill. 

how is that possible?? Well let me tell you! EVERY Venus blade fits on the same handle!

How cool is that?? So, you can try out the different blades to see which one you prefer or like best with out having to buy a whole new razor package! They all mix and match!

Woohoo!!

I do prefer the Venus & Olay, I've been using this razor for about 6 months and have absolutely loved it! It's so smooth, I never need shaving cream, and super moisturizing. One of the best razors I've ever used! 

RECOMMEND: YES

I'm so glad Influenster sent me these products for free and I was able to try them out and let you know what I thought! They really send out great boxes and I can't wait to get my next one sent to me! I'm also grateful that I have some new favorites that I wouldn't have otherwise tried on my own! I give the Cosmo Vox Box 2 thumbs up!! :)

Naughty or Nice? NICE list: Part 1

Which products made the NICE list this year?

Here are 4 of my favorites that I use DAILY!

Garnier Skin Renew Miracle Skin Perfector

BB Cream

 This is such a wonderful all-in-one product! Especially for those of us that don't prefer the cakey, or too much makeup face of liquid foundations this is exceptional!

I was always a mineral foundation kind of girl so it didn't feel like i was wearing makeup on my skin, and this is just as wonderful.  Completely lightweight, goes on like a tinted moisturizer, makes your skin feel wonderful all day! This product does go on "dewy" at first but just give it a few minutes and it settles to a nice finish.  I think it's amazing for dry/combination skin like mine.  If your skin is more on the oily side I'd say set it with a powder for sure. But this is the perfect base to even out your skin and to feel confident during all that you have to do throughout the day!

This has become my staple, daily piece of makeup.

RECOMMEND:

Absolutely, YES. 

Clinique Liquid Facial Soap

Great, mild, 100% fragrance-free facial cleanser. I've used it for over a year with no reaction, rashes, skin breakouts or anything. It's perfect for even taking off all makeup, including mascara, and gentle enough for everyday use.  You only need a little bit and my bottle this size lasted me 6months +! Definitely worth the money!

Daily staple!

RECOMMEND:

YES

NP (Napolean Perdis) SET Eye Primer

I didn't always use an eye primer and my makeup and eyeshadows would always be gone, smeared, or disappear by the end of the day. NOT with this stuff!! I was a tad nervous because the consistency is a bit oily and I didn't think it would work on my oily eyelids. But if you wait just a minute, it sets on your eye and it doesn't feel as slippery, and my makeup stays ALL DAY, no slide off, no creasing, no disappearing. This is so great even just to keep your eyelid matte during the day if you didn't want to wear alot of eyeshadow.  But definitely a must for all the holiday parties coming up where you want your pretty makeup to stay in place! :)

RECOMMEND: 

YES

Benefit POREfessional

pore minimizing balm

I use a primer for my eyes obviously, but never really to minimize pores or get my face ready to put my makeup on. 

Helloooooo Porefessional! 

I am HOOKED!! I've only been using it for a week, but i LOVE it! It doesn't make them disappear necessarily, but definitely minimizes them and makes your skin look silky smooth. The consistency is silky and you only need to use a tiny bit, so I feel that outweighs the cost since you can use this product for a long time before having to repurchase.

This has definitely become a daily staple, love love!

RECOMMEND:

YES

Thanks for stopping by Let's Review! I'll be back with what's on my Naughty list later this week! :)

#1: Revlon Lipstick, Nars Blush, & St. Ives Pads

Hello friends!

Today I reviewed the Revlon Colorsensational Lipstick colors:

430- Magnificent Mauve

&

450- Mauve Mania

I really love these colors for winter time! 430 is a bit lighter and has more of a pearlescent sheen to it and perfect for the daytime!

I feel like 450 is perfect mauve for nighttime festivities, like holiday parties, girls' night out, or date night! It's more matte and a deeper mauve, making it perfect for a sophisticated nighttime look!

They can get a tad dry after a while of wearing the product but other than that I really love the texture and color these lipsticks produce!

Recommend: YES

Next on my review list was the Nars blush in Orgasm

I definitely lovest this little blush! It's the perfect peachy/pink shade.

There are tiny gold flecks in it that make it compliment every skin tone and create a nice highlight on your cheeks that catch the light.

I use this almost everyday now, unless I want a super pink blush.

It is on the pricier side, but I'd definitely say it's worth the extra $$

Recommend: YES

My last item today is the St. Ives Exfoliating Pads

These are so much easier than a harsh scrub and having to rinse it away.

These come already moistened, ready to go, and you just wipe it all over your clean face and you're good to go!

I love the ease of use, and how quick and cheap this product is.

It is great for even my sensitive skin, to use daily.

I highly recommend these babies!

Recommend: YES

Thanks friends!! Remember if you ever want me to review something for you (within reason) just let me know! 

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