Holiday VoxBox Review - Montagne Juenesse Strawberry Souffle Mask

I was lucky enough to be one of the Influenster users to receive a Holiday VoxBox full of goodies. This post is about one specific item, the Montagne Jeunesse Strawberry Souffle Masque. 

 

Here is a little bit of info about Montagne Jeunesse:

Fun, pampering beauty treats


Whether you enjoy looking after your skin, being pampered, or indulging in some me-time, be it alone or with friends, you will absolutely enjoy one of these ‘Life Little Pleasures’… With a huge array to choose from, our face masques are packed with the most delicious natural ingredients and are bursting with luscious fragrances. Suitable for all different skin types, there is one to suit every mood and everybody!

Montagne Jeunesse beauty treats are free of parabens, vegetarian approved and never tested on animals. So treat yourself today to a masque that will hydrate, nourish and leave your skin cleansed, smooth and glowing. Available at ULTA Beauty, Walgreen’s, Claire’s, Walmart, Kroger, CVS Pharmacies and other retailers across the US, these masques are available in a variety of succulent flavours, including:

• Cucumber Peel Off
• Passion Peel Off
• Dead Sea Mud
• Fruit Smoothie
• Strawberry Souffle
• Chocolate Mud
• And many more!

Montagne Jeunesse… good for your skin, your wallet and the earth!

I'm sitting here with the strawberry souffle masque on now and it's nice. The strawberry smell isn't overpowering, more like you would imagine a strawberry whipped cream would smell. (It is making me want some strawberry covered cheesecake though!)

The trial packet was enough to cover my whole face with a thin layer and the product has a small amount of grittiness in it that will help with a little bit of exfoliation as I wash it off. 

This type of masque hardens in about 15-20 minutes (you can tell it's done when you feel your face crack as you smile). Here's a picture of my face when I first applied the product (looking rough, I promise).

It looks white because my light is yellow but it is actually a pretty, light pink color. The package claims it to be a Moisturizing and Purifying Masque. Hopefully that doesn't mean it's going to pull anything to the surface because my surface is already suffering! 

My face is starting to crack so time to go wash it off. Next up is a horrible no makeup, post masque picture! 

My skin definitely feels smoother, although a little tight. I'd suggest following with a light moisturizer, in case the masque dries you out a little bit. My nose doesn't feel like a desert anymore though! I'll check back in a couple of days so you can see how long this feeling lasts.


[This product was sent to me from Influenster as part of their holiday voxbox program. I am not compensated for my review and receive only the product in this review.]

FO: Penguin Ear Flap Hat

I actually finished this hat before the lapghan but I didn't think to post about it until afterwards.
It's an easy hat, perfect for beginners, and incredibly adorable. I got the pattern from Crochet Creative Creations and also you can find her patterns on Facebook under Crochet Free Patterns.

I didn't get a chance to do the white trim but I think it's still cute without it :)

FO: Lapghan for Mamaw

Finally I have another finished object to post! I had a couple of skeins of Lion Brand Wool Ease Thick N Quick laying around and started a 5 hour throw. It turned into a bunch of days throw.
The finished product is about 5 and 1/2 skeins. It's the size of the back of my love seat and super thick.
The green is what I started with and I didn't plan ahead very well or I would have done stripes. As it was, I ran out of yarn about ten rows in. So I grabbed a color that would match her couch (red) and her recliner (cream).
I'm hoping she likes it and actually uses it. I bought all of the yarn on sale so it only cost about $30 to make.

Enjoy the pics!

Nails of the Day

They're a little messy as usual (I should add that as a disclaimer) but I like them.

I used Zoya Charla for the nail bed and Sinful Colors Black on Black for the tips (I thought it was my dark blue but it works too).

I used a tape trick I found on the Internet for the black. I can't remember where but I'm going to do a whole live post soon and it will be on there.

(I'm not affiliated with any of the companies' products I use. All are purchased with my own money.)

Insomnia and the toddler

I'm tired blog. Barely holding my eyes open kin of tired. For some reason, even though SAMM didn't go to sleep until after 10 last night she was right up at 6:45. The sun wasn't even up yet. I'm not sure what has happened to my daughter but this pod child has got to go.

She's mostly home potty trained. Her potty is in the living room so I suppose the next step is to get her into the actual bathroom. Baby steps.

I finally got to go see boogie dance at a basketball game. She was so cute, I almost cried. My baby is 8 now. My first born :(

The weather is wreaking havoc with my mood and emotions. All of this grey, cloudy, cold and rainy stuff isn't something I was made for. I saw my psychiatrist the other day and she added on Abilify. I'm still trying to figure out how it's working. I'm taking it at night because I think it's making me tired. I hate playing the wait and see game. I'm looking forward to my therapy appointment this month, sort of. As draining as the appointments are, I have a great therapist and I love seeing her. The talking just brings everything up to the service when I want it shoved deep down.

I should pot pics of all my non human babies since they're growing. Maybe soon. I'm hoping to get a laptop for Christmas so maybe then I'll be a better blogger.

Sinful Colors - See You Soon

I got on a nail kick tonight at 3am. Why I always do this, I don't know. But here we go. The application is super messy and I'm not even going to bother with a top coat. Here is Sinful Colors - See You Soon.

Ignore everything but the colors. It's a grey/blue color. On your nails it looks like a muted black but in the light you can see it has a blue shimmer.

The product is a little more runny than I like but I don't mind dealing with it. For the price it's great.

I just thought I'd throw an update out there before I sit down and pour my heart out about the last few weeks.

(I am not affiliated with Sinful Colors in anyway. I bought this polish.)

Reach out

We touched someone blog. Us. Two unreliable, rambly Internet folk.

My friend is having a hard time in life right now and her pain is so strong. After reading some things I've said she reached out to me. I recognized all of her symptoms, I have them myself. Thought paths, anxiety triggers etc.

I always recommend therapy and I hope to be able to update with how much better things are going for them. But blog, I touched someone. And that one person makes this whole blog worthwhile.

We have lift off!

It looks like we're now actively potty training. I will be so happy when we're finally done with diapers for good. I know that's still going to be a while but at least now she will pee in the potty and if she starts to pee in her panties she'll run to the potty. Before she would just stand there and pee.
Obviously we're still in diapers for overnight and naps, I haven't even thought about how this is going to work in public yet, but this is definitely a step in the right direction!

I need a vacation...from my vacation.

The family and I recently spent the weekend in Nashville for my nephew's second birthday. This is our second year doing this but something about this time just clicked.

I loved it there. Rarely do I ever go on trips and not want to go home at the end of them. The kids drive me crazy, there is always something that makes me miss home or I just plain miss my bed. This time was different. I did not want to leave. I don't know what it was about this trip but something about the city made me fall in love. We never even made it to the music side of Nashville.

Friday night we got in late, so everyone went straight to bed. Saturday morning was spent fighting the dreaded pediculosis in Lebanon, eating at Jack In The Box and napping. After nap time we decided to head to Centennial Park and feed the geese. There was an arts and crafts festival going on (TACA) and even though it was sprinkling (then downright raining) I loved the whole place. The Parthenon is gorgeous and the lake was just my kind of place.
After the park we headed to Martin's Bar B Que Joint for dinner. It was in an episode of Diners, Drive Ins and Dives. The food was good and I got a t shirt to remember (as if I'd forget!) I shared a sampler with Patrick and was still stuffed at the end. The brisket was delicious!
Then I heard the magic words. Ice cream. We followed L to Menchie's Frozen Yogurt. I had never heard of this place but now I'm hooked! It is right beside Red Robin on the list of Restaurants Southern Indiana Needs NOW. The froyo was delicious and the kids loved getting their own, mixing flavors and picking from the many toppings.

By the time we got back to L's, everyone was exhausted. I fell asleep almost instantly (but Sam sang to me a little before I went to sleep. She has a sweet little girl stuffed inside her somewhere).

Sunday it was time for Baby J's birthday party. It was at The Monkey's Treehouse and was, of course, monkey themed. The cake was adorable and so was the play place. All of the kids had a blast, even the too-grown-for-his-own-good 13 year old. After an hour and a half of play, it was time for us to head home.

Blog, I didn't want to leave! I wanted to stay so bad. I wanted to explore the city and eat more delicious food. The country music capitol of the world and I didn't get to one bar or show! The Children's Adventure Center taunted me with it glowing pyramids.

I've never wanted to pack up and move somewhere so much and I've been dreaming of Florida since I was a little girl. We've been home for a week and I'm already trying to come up with reasons to go back.

I'm not sure how to deal with this, blog. But you can be sure I'll scheme something up. What's that? Spring Break? Oh, you're such a smart blog!

In the meantime, how cute is this cake?

The Winter Grumps

Winter is creeping into the Ohio Valley and it's bringing a depression With it. Heavier than my average, everyday depression.

There's an old joke that says in the Ohio Valley the season are Almost Summer, Summer, Almost Winter and Winter. We seem to have moved into almost winter. One day it was 102 degrees outside and beautiful; now it's staying in the 60's and either raining, drizzling or sprinkling all of the time.

It seems like everything is piling up this week. Between Samantha somehow managing to contract lice (at 2. She's such a show off) and then give it to me, dealing with a friend who is not only dating an abuser but possibly pregnant by him, dealing with another friend who admitted her relationship issues with her child's father are about 98% because of the 'past' he and I had, Patrick's biological grandmother passing away, our friends going MIA and not even being so considerate to say, "hey sorry we just disappeared for a couple weeks. We'll just get on Facebook and ignore your messages" and this nasty weather...I'm ready to pack up and head some place where no one knows my name.

Friend C is going to have a pregnancy test done today. I'm fairly certain she's pregnant and so is she. If she's not wanting him to be a part of her life for this, I'll fight tooth and nail to protect her but I know in the end I can't make her leave him. I just wish I could pretend he would be different but he won't. He's an ass to everyone, even his teenage daughter. He's not abusive toward his daughter, just an all around jerk.

My only consolations are that even with all of their problems I have some amazing friends, two beautiful daughters, a father to my child who goes above and beyond for both of my girls and a crazy family that loves me.

Now if I can just let that last paragraph overshadow all the rest!

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Now, superficial stuff.

My nails, they're finally growing! I had to superglue my right middle finger because it ripped a little and my nail polishes contain formaldehyde so my nails are a little yellow but I'm still proud.







I'm holding a bottle of Wet N Wild Wild Shine clear polish. I'm not affiliated with them in any way (but they're pretty awesome). Now I just need a fall mani and I'll be set!

Edit:
And then of course, the day after I wrote this post my middle nail on my right hand broke down into the quick. I'll end up cutting them all down before it grows back out. Darnit.

The one where I talk about abuse.

I've been trying to write this post for a while but when it comes time to sit down and do it, nothing sounds right.

My best friend of almost 16 years is dating an abusive man. I've told her, others have told her, she has admitted that she knows he is. She says she's confused and doesn't know what to do. No matter how many times I tell her that he's just going to escalate, she can't let go. She admits that she's happier without him but she still can't let go.

I've been in her shoes. I was with a man for three years, had a child with him, and the whole time he abused me. He talked down to me, he slammed me up against walls, pulled my hair, threatened to take our child away. He forced me to do sexual things that I begged him not to. I've felt that helplessness, looked in the mirror and told myself I had to get away but in the end I always went back.

So maybe that's why I get so angry when I see her ignoring the hurt he's putting her through. When she shows me a bruise and doesn't seem to think it's an immediate GET AS FAR AWAY FROM HIM AS POSSIBLE. Maybe that's why I bring it up every time we talk. I know she's going to get tired of me talking about it but I don't know what else to do.

I pray for her, for her son. I've tried to be mean about it. I told her I didn't want to go to her funeral and watch her son crying because some sad, insecure little man couldn't put the stupid bottle down and treat her with respect.

I try so hard all the time to make her see that no matter what he may say; it's his actions that show how he really feels. You can't wrap your hands around the neck of someone you love and throw them into a dresser. In front of your child (his not her's).

I'm so frustrated because I KNOW that no one can save her but herself but what happens if she doesn't realize it until it's too late? What if she doesn't want to be saved? She has to want to get away from it before I can convince her that she should. I want to cry every time I even think about what he could do to her.

Now I know how everyone felt when they saw what was going on with me. How helpless they felt when I defended him. How even an intelligent woman like me can make themselves look like a blind fool. How angry they got when they saw how much he hurt me.

For now, I just try to tell her I love her everyday and that she is always welcome in my home. That she is an amazing, strong woman and she deserves a strong man who will treat her the way she deserves. I feel like there is so much more that I should do but, what? How do you break down that wall?

She was always such a huge personality. So outgoing, never took crap from anyone. Always full of laughter and jokes. So mischievous and full of life. I don't want to see him kill that spark inside of her.

I don't know how to end this post. To be continued seems a little...trite and I have no zingy one liners. (Are they even allowed in posts such as this one?) but if anyone reading this has ever been in her position, what helped you? What was the straw that broke the camel's back? What was your 'moment' when you realized that you just did NOT have to take it anymore?

Tweet, email, comments. Anything. Send them through. I'm all ears (and eyes).


(Originally posted at an earlier date)

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The One Where I Apologize (Again)

I've neglected you, blog of mine. I've sat at the computer farming, ranching and giggling but always putting off an entry. I never updated about my hair (still fantastic btw. The Organix hasn't worn off yet), I've not done a nail polish entry or even a "hey blog, how's it going?". I would blame it on nails that broke or hair that has not been fixed in forever but in the end, I was just lazy. Lazy and unmotivated.

Nothing to write about? I've had plenty to write about. Is any of it worth reading? Probably not. But now I have this nifty app, blog. So be prepared for lots of no one cares posts because I'm back baby.

In the meantime, here's a plant.


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Location:Tulip Ct,Jeffersonville,United States

Zoya Veruschka Matte with Glossy Tips

I did kind of horrible on this one. I just can't seem to work well with these Zoya polishes. They are so thick and the mattes are even worse. Regardless of all that, this mani wasn't too bad. I only took pictures of one hand because the other one was a full on hot mess. I like the look but I think I need to branch out and try some other mattes to see if they are easier to work with.

What do you think? C for effort? haha. My nails are getting long and I want to do so much with them I just don't have the steady hand or the tools. I need to start gathering those up.

Tomorrow I will probably post a picture update of how my hair is acting since the keratin treatment. I'm still loving it, debating whether it is time to do it again or not. We'll see!

Zoya Adina

Zoya Adina is a pretty, light purple polish that shifts to a light green. It makes me think of Spring and the pretty eggs that we color every year.
These pictures are two coats of Adina and one topcoat. I figured I'd better take pictures tonight before I go to sleep and get pillow marks!

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Organix Ever Straight Brazilian Kerating Therapy the aftermath

Holy Moly, I am in love with this stuff. I do have a couple of quick edits I need to make to my previous post first though.When you use the pre-treatment shampoo, you are supposed to leave it in for 2 minutes before you rinse it out. I forgot about that until I was rinsing it out but luckily I squeezed enough out to get some lathered up and left that in there for two minutes.My next reading FAIL was when the treatment goes on. I originally said you put it on and let it sit for 30 minutes and by that time it should be 80% dry. WRONG-O. After you shampoo your hair, you let it air dry until it is about 80% dry and THEN you apply the treatment. I really need two brains sometimes. I left half of mine somewhere along the way.

Okay, now that I've got that out of the way. These are the before pictures. They were taken 3.18.2011. My hair was air dried and if I remember correctly it had no product in it.

The pictures below are after the 48 hour waiting period. I did everything by the box and it really was simple but if you're going to do it I suggest you find someone to help you. It's not easy to get the back part of your hair and you want it to be as smooth as the front. You're dealing with high heat so it gets kinda humid in there and your arms get tired. You're supposed to sweep each section 6-7 times. That makes for some sore arms. After you get the treatment in, let it dry for 30 minutes and blow dry it straight with a brush you're going to flat iron it with a temp of at least 400 degrees.

Make sure you follow the directions that say do not over saturate because your hair is going to feel kind of thick and weird for a couple of days if you don't. The treatment itself has a fairly strong smell and the box recommends you use a well ventilated room. I do too. It's not a gross smell, it's just strong. Very coconut tanning oil-ish. After you are finished with the flat ironing, do nothing. No ponytails, clippies, buns...none of it. If your hair gets some kinks from sleeping you can run your flat iron back over it but nothing else.

48 hours later, shampoo your hair (sulfate and sodium free products are highly recommended. I have to use dandruff shampoo though so I just used s&s free conditioner) and condition like normal. When you get out of the shower, just as a test on your own. Let your hair air dry. See how it looks now. The pictures below are my hair after the treatment; air dried. I used my blow dryer a little bit at the end because I was going to bed and I didn't want it to get all kinked up while I slept but I was absolutely amazed. My hair is straight and I don't even have to flat iron it. After my second shampoo it feels a little rough so I think I'm going to grab a s&s free shampoo to alternate between my dandruff shampoos and see how that goes.

Either way. I love it. Those first 48 hours stink, literally. Your hair kind of smells like your body does when you get out of a tanning bed. Or if you have tanning lotion you leave in your glove box and it melts. Kind of burnt coconut, I guess. In my opinion, it is so very worth it.

Before, my hair was just this wild un-tameable beast and now I can roll out of bed and not have to worry about it sticking up everywhere. I can guarantee I will be buying this product again and again. I'll probably even splurge on the shampoo and conditioner they make to specifically go with this treatment.

If your hair is anything like mine, or even if you just want more shine and less work in the morning PICK THIS UP. It was $14.99 at Meijer. I know Meijer is only in a few states but it is made by the Organix brand so I am sure there are other stores that carry this line. $14.99 for 30 days of worry free hair? Hell yeah, I'm in.

I'm going to do a pic post a week in, 2 weeks in, 3 weeks in and then on my 30th day. :) Stay posted!

Here's one more pic of the actual product if you want to look it up.

Just so you know. I bought this with my own money and will continue to. I have no sponsors. Anything you see me blog about I bought with my own money unless I specifically say otherwise.

Organix Ever Straight Brazilian Kerating Therapy

Today while I was wandering around Meijer I found Organix Brazilian Keratin Therapy (OBKT for my sanity) in the hair product aisle. I've been reading about Brazilian treatments but I didn't know of any salons in this area that did them, I wasn't sure I would be able to afford them and then the formaldehyde scandal hit and I decided NO WAY.

 

According to the packaging OBKT 30 day smoothing treatment is "An exclusive, high potency, keratin complex which reduces up to 95% of curl and eliminates frizz by penetrating the cuticle with keratin proteins." The OBKT box also says that it is certified formaldehyde free, so I'm going to give it a go.

It looks like a simple but long process. First you shampoo with the included shampoo (I'm thinking it's a clarifying shampoo. It says if you have very curly hair to shampoo twice with it). Do NOT condition afterward as it can prevent the product from penetrating the cuticle. Now you apply the product to two inch sections, avoiding the scalp and not over saturating the strands. And then you wait. 30 minutes of waiting. The instructions say your hair should be about 80% dry by this time but my hair holds water like crazy. It's not unheard of for it to stay wet for hours. Don't rinse the product out, just go ahead and blow dry your hair (use a brush, not just your hands) until completely dry and as straight as you can get it. Turn your flat iron on so it can be heating up.

You want your flat iron at high heat (400+). OBKT says it has ingredients to protect your hair from being scorched by such a high heat.

Leave the product in your hair for 48 hours. No ponytails, no clips. Don't tuck it behind your ears or do anything that might put a kink in it. This is going to be the hard part for me because I hate my hair in my face! I guess it's good that it's supposed to be pretty stormy this weekend so I most likely won't be going anywhere.

I have some pictures that I will post from a couple of weeks ago when I took some pictures of my hair after I had let it air dry without putting anything in it so you can see how curly/frizzy my hair was.

I guess we'll see how it goes! I'm pretty sure I've done worse to my hair :)

In The Beginning

I've moved blogs. I'm only going to move the Organix post over to this blog because it actually will go on into the future.

Past entries can be found at www.soseriouslyridiculous.blogspot.com.