Review/GIVEAWAY: New POND's BB+ Cream

OVERALL RATING:  9.5/10

PROS:  Great coverage, blends in seamlessly with skin, moisturizing, evens skin tone, contains SPF 15, reduces dark spots over time, non-greasy, hypoallergenic, non-comedogenic, combines several products into one, smooth matte finish, great price

CONS:  Slightly strong scent which fades throughout the day

**Enter the giveaway below for a chance to win your own full-size POND's BB+ Cream in Medium!**

**Please take a second to vote for my video testimonial of this product here to help me win a chance to appear in an ad campaign or on Entertainment Tonight!**

Before I got my hands on the new Pond's BB+ cream, I had a very distinct image of Pond's as a brand.  For me, Pond's was synonymous with the creams and skincare products used by the adult women in my life; my grandmother, my aunts, and my mom.  Pond's was an "old lady" brand to me, so when I heard about their new BB+ Cream, I sort of shrugged it off... That is, until I got my hands on some.

I got this product for free to test out from Influenster and Pond's.  Upon opening the package, I was surprised by how cute and fun the product packaging was.  It looked sweet but still simple, and it definitely caught my attention.  I headed to my makeup station to try it out, and IMMEDIATELY fell in love.  In fact, I am so sold on this BB+ Cream that I am planning on totally ditching my $45 Laura Mercier tinted moisturizer in favor of this magic little $10 bottle!

As you can see, the BB+ Cream has some incredible color correcting power!  My skin has a tendency to get a little pink sometimes, and this evened it right out!  It also makes my pores appear smaller, and gives my skin a very subtle radiance while still looking totally natural.  One thing that I really love about it is that it doesn't conceal my freckles--it just makes them
blend in a little better!  The product smooths on perfectly and then seems to just disappear into your skin.  I've also noticed that my skin feels softer at the end of the day after using this BB+ Cream!  Another thing that I love about it is that the BB+ Cream will work with both warm and cool undertones because the pigment actually adjusts to match your skin.  It's so hard for me to find reasonably priced products for very fair skin with cool undertones, so this is a huge bonus!  I also love that this BB+ Cream can double as my foundation and moisturizer in one, so I don't have to spend as much time putting things all over my face!

Here's what POND's wants you to know about their brand new product:

• Visibly reduces the appearance of dark spots to even skin tone in two weeks
• Superior* coverage of imperfections
• Superior* visible dark spot reduction
• Superior* non-greasy feel with a matte finish
• Tone Perfecting Complex formulated with:
  • Vitamin E Acetate – an antioxidant known to protect and repair skin
  • Glycerin – helps increase hydration
• Brightens and hydrates with lightweight moisture
• SPF 15 protects against harmful UVA/UVB rays
• Hypoallergenic and non-comedogenic
• Reduces the number of beauty and skin care products required during a daily beauty regimen

 *POND’s® Light Shade BB+ vs. the top-selling BB Cream.

So far for me, all of this has been absolutely true!  I couldn't be more impressed with this product... And I'd like to give you a chance to try it for yourself!  Enter to win below by following the PMR Twitter and Facebook page, or earn more entries by liking my POND's BB+ video contest entry here (I'm Thespianna)!  You can enter to win starting on July 19th at midnight, and can enter every day until August 16th!


a Rafflecopter giveaway


Now I think know why the older (and wiser) women in my life use POND's products and are so loyal to them.  POND's has created a fantastic BB Cream for an outstanding price, and they have certainly earned my loyalty!

POND's BB+ Cream will hit major retailers and drugstores in mid-July, and will retail for about $9.99.  Be sure you pick some up and tell me about your experience in the comments!

Video: NEW POND's BB+ Cream!

Here's a sneak peek at an awesome product I just got from Influenster... the brand new POND's BB+ Cream!  I'll be posting a full written review soon, but in the meantime be sure to watch this and get excited for this product to hit store shelves!

Also, if you like this video, please take a second to vote for me on the POND's Facebook page at http://facebook.com/PONDS!

Instant Relaxation Made Possible

Top:  Dr. Teal's Foaming Milk Bath with Milk and Honey - $6
Bottom:  Bath and Body Works Luxe Bath in Sleep; Warm Milk and Honey - $17

For those of you who are not yet in college, don't remember college, or are in denial about college, let me tell you: finals suck.  I was carrying so much stress and tension in my body after finishing my finals today that my muscles actually began to hurt.  Not to mention that my skin has been acting up because of the dry winter weather.  Ugh.

The nice thing about finishing finals, though, is that I'm able to come home from school.  Home, for me, means comfort, family, and a big-ass jacuzzi bathtub. 

After hearing about my stress, tension, and dry skin, my incredible mother went out and got be a few things to help me unwind.  One of them was Dr. Teal's Foaming Milk Bath with Milk and Honey, which is incredibly affordable and is supposed to soothe dry, irritated skin.  The other was from Bath and Body Works' aromatherapy line; their Sleep: Warm Milk and Honey Luxe Bath.  Apparently she'd had that one stashed away somewhere for a while, because as far as I know, it's now discontinued.

I put a generous amount of both in the tub, let the water run until it was steaming, and soaked for a good 45 minutes.  Let me tell you, I have never been more relaxed in my life.  Not only did the milk bath moisturize my skin and repair some of the dry, cracked areas, but the scent was enough to send me straight to heaven and back while allowing me to unwind.

Both of these products are a must for anyone with dry winter skin or someone who just struggles with stress and needs a little relaxation.  The Luxe Bath from B&BW has been discontinued in that particular scent, but I have a feeling that their new bath soak in Honey Vanilla will substitute nicely.

Have any of you used either of these products before?  Have a relaxing bath time story to share?  Let me know in the comments!

Sweet dreams!

Review: LypSyl Intense Protection LypMoisturizer™

OVERALL RATING:  10/10


PROS:  All-natural ingredients, long-lasting, incredibly moisturizing, unique shape, great packaging, minty flavor, not tested on animals

CONS: None!

This has to be my favorite product that I received in my Naturals Voxbox from Influenster.  I'm a lip product junkie, so I was really excited to get a product that could help keep my lips soft and ready for cosmetics!  Before I got this product, I had been using Burt's Bees lip balm, which is good, but nothing compared to LypSyl!  This is definitely going to be my new go-to lip balm brand.

Review: Gilette Venus and Olay Razor

OVERALL RATING:  10/10

PROS:  Glides effortlessly over skin, can't feel the blades at all, renders shaving cream obsolete, moisturizes skin while shaving, pretty, comes with shower hook, easily to grip, five blades, bends and adjusts to curves

CONS:  Nada!


I haven't been this excited about shaving since the sixth grade.

I was getting sick of my old razor by the same brand, and was preparing to head out and buy a men's razor because I've heard they actually provide a closer shave.  Luckily, Influenster saved me the trouble by sending me this razor for free in their recent Love VoxBox.  I wasn't expecting too much since previous Venus razors I've used haven't really been anything special.  Influenster included this razor in their Love themed VoxBox as a way to get "date-ready in a flash."  Well, being single, that wasn't a concern, but I went for it and used the razor anyway.

Turns out, I did fall in love.  With this freaking incredible razor.  

Review: Bath and Body Works Triple Moisture Body Cream

OVERALL RATING:  10/10

PROS:  Beautiful scents, wide selection of fragrances, nourishes skin, leaves skin incredibly smooth, scent lasts for a long time, eliminates dry skin problems, great consistency (not runny, not too thick), adorable packaging, comparatively inexpensive

CONS:  Slight greasy feeling if too much is used (because this is a user error, it does not count against the overall rating)


I'm going to start this post off with something that might shock you:  My skin is not perfect.

I know, really.

Especially during the winter months, I tend to suffer from extremely dry, itchy skin, particularly on my legs and arms.  I also have a mild form of eczema on my hands, which, as anyone who has ever had eczema problems knows, can be extremely irritating.  I've tried almost every kind of intensive moisture lotion out there, but none of them seemed to have any effect against the patches of red, dry, flaky skin that plagued me and made me uncomfortable all the time.

My mother, however, always has incredibly smooth, soft skin.  I have never once heard her complain of any kind of dry skin problems, which of course, inspired a bit of jealousy and frustration.  I kept asking her what products she was using that made her skin so soft and problem-free, and she kept giving me the same answer:  "It's just my Bath and Body Works lotion."

Well, that didn't help me at all.  I'd tried Bath and Body Works' lotions before, and they didn't do anything for me.  Sure, they smelled great, but they left me feeling like I had a layer of grease all over my body, and my skin was just as dry and itchy the next day.  I finally asked her to show me what she was using, and what she handed to me wasn't quite what I was expecting.  Instead of the chunky, hourglass-shaped bottle I associated with Bath and Body Works, she handed me a long tube with the cap down at the bottom.  She let me use it, and immediately, I realized that this wasn't the same as what I'd been using from Bath and Body Works.

Right away, my skin was noticeably softer and smoother.  The product absorbed quickly into my skin without too much fussing and rubbing it in.  I put it on right after I showered (which was, and usually is at night), went to bed, and when I woke up, my skin felt so hydrated and smooth.  I also wasn't itching for the first time in quite a while.

One of the most surprising benefits of using this body cream for me is the effect it has had on my eczema.  Since I've started using this body cream, I have noticed a significant decrease in the eczema breakouts on my hands.  I have tried all kinds of different medicated creams and over-the-counter lotions, but none of them have hydrated my hands as much as this does.  I still have a few small spots, but it is noticeably better.

The scent was obviously fantastic (anyone who has ever shopped at Bath and Body Works knows the joy of just walking into the store and inhaling), and I still smelled good when I woke up after using it the previous night.  It definitely started to make sense to me why my mom always gets complimented on how good she smells.

These creams come in all of Bath and Body Works' signature scents, which means that you're almost guaranteed to find one that smells wonderful to you and that you will enjoy having on.  If you aren't too familiar with Bath and Body Works, here are three different scents that I personally love and would highly recommend:

Forever Sunshine (pictured above):  A nice, fresh mix of citrus, peony flower, pralines, and sandalwood.  It smells bright and fun, sweet, and summery.

Be Enchanted (left):  A slightly more wintery scent, with sugared pomegranate and frosty florals.  It reminds me of a fairytale setting, and is a little mysterious but still very sweet.

Rio Rumberry (right):  A fun, tropical scent made up of exotic berries and vanilla.  It makes me think of a tropical vacation, and has a great, warm, summery smell.



Right now I have all of these, and I alternate between them depending on my mood.  Bath and Body Works carries a ton of fragrances that cater to both younger and more mature consumers, so if you don't want to smell like a teen girl, there are scents that are more sophisticated, and if you don't want to smell like an old lady, there are scents that are more playful and fun.  There are also plenty of "in between" scents that work well for everyone.

A lot of people worry about the fact that these are scented, and therefore whether or not they will irritate their skin.  As a person with sensitive skin who breaks out in a horrible rash if I use anything but clinical sensitive skin deodorant, these don't bother my skin at all.

This is a wonderful product that isn't talked about very much, because Bath and Body Works sometimes gets the reputation of being more of a novelty store.  Honestly, the Body Creams did wonders for my skin, and I'd recommend them to absolutely anyone who is looking to improve their dry skin and smell phenomenal while doing so.

The Triple Moisture Body Creams retail at Bath and Body works for about $12 each, although there is almost always some kind of "Buy 2, get 1 free" deal going on.  You can get them at any Bath and Body Works store, or online at www.bathandbodyworks.com.

How has your skin improved since you've been using the Triple Moisture Body Cream?  Which scents are your favorite?  Let me know in the comments!

Review: Montagne Jeunesse Strawberry Souffle Face Mask

OVERALL RATING:  10/10

PROS:  Creamy consistency, goes on smooth, feels great on skin, smells wonderful, easy to use, stress-relieving, vegetarian friendly (PETA approved)

CONS:  None that I can think of!


I found out a while ago that I would be receiving this product for free to test out in my Holiday VoxBox from Influenster, and I almost jumped out of my seat.  Years ago, when I was probably only about twelve years old, I had used a Cucumber Peel-Off Mask that I absolutely adored.  It had made my skin so smooth and radiant, and I've wanted for a long time to get another one, but I couldn't remember the name of the company that made it to save my life.  When this product was announced as part of the Holiday VoxBox, I recognized the packaging immediately.  Montagne Jeunesse!  That was the company that I had been searching for.  Needless to say, I was thrilled that I would be getting another product from a company that I had adored such a long time ago.  I was not disappointed!

I have literally nothing negative to say about my experience with this product, so let's dive right into the positives.

The mask is easily used in four simple steps, which are clearly demonstrated on the back of the packaging.  First, you need to cleanse your face.  I just used my usual Olay Daily Facial Cloth (that I use as a makeup remover and to clean my face nightly) to quickly scrub my skin, rinsed, and patted my face dry with a towel, leaving it just a bit damp.  Next, you smooth the mask onto your face, making sure to cover all of your skin (don't apply too close to your eyes, and don't put it on your lips). Relax for 15-20 minutes, then rinse off with a washcloth and warm water.


The first thing I noticed about this mask is that it smells heavenly.  I would describe the scent like a pile of strawberries smothered in whipped cream.  If you like strawberries and whipped cream like I do, this is obviously a plus.  I had a really hard time not tasting this mask, to be honest.  I would recommend resisting the temptation (if I can do it, you can too!).

The consistency of the mask is extremely creamy.  As you can see from the picture on the right, it looks and feels a bit like a thick lotion or a body butter.  It has a tiny bit of grit to it that you can only feel as you apply it to your face, which I assume is for an exfoliating purpose.  It spreads very easily, and the trial size that I was sent included more than enough product to cover my entire face.

The picture to the left shows what the mask looks like when it's on the skin.  That particular patch was applied a bit thick, and it isn't necessary to put that much all over your face.  You'll notice that the mask starts to stiffen a bit after it's on for about 5 minutes.  This is not uncomfortable at all, and you just need to keep your face still to avoid having the mask crack (if this happens, it's no big deal, it'll still work).  You get to just relax and let the mask do it's job for the next 15-20 minutes.  Having the mask on my face while I waited for my time to be up was actually really enjoyable.  The scent was still lingering, but it wasn't overpowering;  it was just a light fragrance that kept me happy.  Having this on my face made me feel like I was at the spa... It really is a very relaxing and stress-relieving experience.

Rinsing off the mask was easy, although a little part of me missed the ease of Montagne Jeunesse's peel-off masques.  For this one, I just had to use a warm, wet washcloth to wipe the product off.  After the mask was off, I noticed that my skin was noticeably softer, and looked much fresher and cleaner that it had before I used the mask.

Now that I've rediscovered Montagne Jeunesse, I definitely plan on buying more of their masks.  They make all sorts of different masks in plenty of different scents;  some of their masks are even self-heating for a warming sensation!  They also make different masks for different skin types, so be sure to read up on the masks on their website to find the one that's best for you. The Cucumber Peel-Off Mask that I used years ago and the Strawberry Souffle Mask are both fantastic products, and I can't wait to try more from the Montagne Jeunesse line.

In the U.S., Montagne Jeunesse masks can be purchased at ULTA Beauty, Walgreen's, Claires, Walmart, Kroger, and CVS Pharmacies.  You can also purchase directly from their site at www.montagnejeunesse.com.

With such great prices, I see absolutely no reason not to pick up a few Montagne Jeunesse products and enjoy an at-home spa experience for yourself!

Review: X-Out Wash-In Treatment

OVERALL RATING:  7.5/10


PROS: Deep Cleans, Exfoliates, Leaves Skin Super-Smooth, Fights Acne, 3 Different Uses

CONS:  A Bit Rough, Cooling Effect May Be Too Strong


This is another product that I received for free to test out through Influenster's VoxBox program.  I was really excited to try it out as soon as I saw it in the package;  I'd been hearing quite a bit about it, and wanted to see what all the hype was about.

X-Out is a new acne treatment from the makers of Proactiv, and is marketed mainly to teens (you can tell this right away because of the packaging, as well as some of the language used on their website).  X-Out claims to be a more simple solution to traditional acne treatments, requiring just two minutes, twice a day so that it fits better into your busy schedule.  X-Out also comes with a QR code right on the bottle that you can scan with your smartphone, which will take you to X-Out's Daily Distraction, a two-minute media clip for you to watch while using X-Out to ensure proper washing time.

The coolest thing, in my opinion, about this product is that it can be used a total of three different ways--as a wash, a mask, and a spot treatment.  To use it as a wash, you just need to apply to damp skin and wash it in for two minutes, twice a day.  To use it as a mask, which will provide a deeper clean, you can apply the product all over to damp skin, leave it on for ten minutes, then rinse with warm water.  For use as a spot treatment, just apply to trouble areas, and head to bed, letting the product do its job overnight.  I think this is a really great aspect of the product, because it allows for different degrees of treatment, and also for different time spans to fit around your schedule.

I consider myself extremely lucky, as I have never had problem skin.  Throughout my teens and even now, I haven't struggled with acne.  I still wanted to try X-Out, though, and I'm very glad I did!  You don't have to have a problem with acne to enjoy using this product.  After my initial use (as a wash) I immediately noticed that my skin was softer than it had been in a very long time.  My skin tone was also more even the next morning, which was awesome.  X-Out also has what the makers like to call an "Icy Slap," which hit me about halfway through the two minutes of washing.  It's a fairly powerful cooling effect that makes your skin feel clean and fresh.  I would compare it a bit to using mentholated lip balm, but having that effect spread over the entire face.

The "Icy Slap" was nice while washing, but what I didn't enjoy so much was that it lasted long after I had rinsed the product off of my face.  I suppose that means that the product continued to work even after I had rinsed it off, but it did start to get a bit irritating, especially because of how cold it is already this time of year!  In the summer, this product's cooling effect will be a definite plus.

Another thing to be mindful of is how powerful the exfoliating beads in this wash are.  I wasn't expecting it, so I started off the wash by rubbing the product in pretty hard.  That was a mistake--it felt like I was washing my face with sandpaper!  If your skin is extremely sensitive, be sure to take care to wash lightly, since the exfoliating beads will do their job.  A lighter hand will ensure soft, smooth skin without the irritation.

At this point, I'm unable to attest to the acne-fighting power of X-Out, because my face is acne-free.  If I get a zit anytime soon, though, I'll be sure to update this post with another section about how X-Out handles my breakouts.  I've heard from others that X-Out is wonderful when it comes to fighting acne, especially when used as a spot treatment.

Overall, I think this is a great product for people with or without acne!  I'd recommend X-Out to anyone who is looking to get smoother, more even skin instantly.

If you'd like more information about X-Out or are interested in buying, visit www.xout.com.