[Vogue Influencer Network] Brahmin Handbags

I don't know if many of you know but I am part of the Vogue Influencer Network. The Influencer Network is a panel of some 1,000 women deemed to have sway over other women. We are given the opportunity to review products and promote what we love about it. I know there was quite a bit of controversy over it because of the fact that we don't get paid for and so on. I actually like being a part of it. I love being sent new products and being able to review them. Out of all of it, I am gaining experience and it's wonderful.

Anyway, enough about me blabbing. I was lucky enough to receive a fabulous handbag from Brahmin, Arno Black Tote [medium size]. Let me tell you, I LOVE it! I'm not just saying that because I got it for free and it's expensive [well expensive for me anyway]. It's an awesome bag, lots of storage space for all of my things, accept for my makeup bag [I kind of have a ton of makeup so it's impossible for me to carry just a few items =)]. It's black, my all time favorite color. It's also a medium size, which I love because I tend to carry quite a few things in my purse including my twin boy's diapers and wipes. So it's absolutely perfect for me. Seriously, it could not have been any better because I was needing a new purse. Now all I need is a matching wallet =X. I guess I can put that on my Birthday wishlist [LOL]. Check out the pictures and let me know what you think!

The front has a mini pocket. I keep my lip glosses here =)

And of course all of my stuff. Wallet, Glasses case, my Advair, Lotion, oh and my It Essnetial Bar.

Check out Brahmin Handbags on Facebook and don't forget to 'like' them. They have some new handbags that just came out that are to-die-for! Okay not literally to-die-for but you know what I mean.

[Review & Giveaway] Le Edge Exfoliating Tool

Who loves to exfoliate? Me! I know there are a ton of you out there that love to exfoliate. Why? Well because exfoliating removes dead skin cells, toxins, dirt, and oil. It's it gross how nasty our skin can get right? I mean from all of the things we use on our skin, from lotions to creams to instant tans. We do tend to overwork our skin and exfoliating is a must. I've come across some wonderful exfoliating gels/creams, but there is one that I happen to come across that I absolutely love, Le Edge.

What is Le Edge?

Le Edge is a hygienic personal exfoliating tool that is designed to remove dead skin cells and debris from the skin's surface which in turn, minimizes the sizes of your pores. It has a patented "higher than surgical grade" stainless steel edge. This exfoliation tool is perfect for both and men to use. It's safe to use on dry or even sensitive skin. Le Edge can also be used as a pre-shave to help lift up those stubborn ingrown hairs. There is no need for chemicals, all you need is water.

Why I'm loving Le Edge

I really like the design of the Le Edge Exfoliating Tool. I love the handle, it's made of a soft and flexible plastic and fits just perfectly in my hand. It's so easy to use, I just glide it along my skin and off comes the dead skin. If I can just sit in the bath or shower all day and exfoliate my whole body with Le Edge, I so totally would. I love that I can use this daily without any extra chemicals. It's just the one tool and some water and voila! I use it all over seeing results and I am loving it. The stainless steel feels really good on my skin, it's not rough at all, and the edge of it isn't super sharp to where you'd cut yourself. It does not get rusty if you leave it in the shower, because that's where I keep mine. Who wants a rusty tool anyway? I know I don't.

I know what you lovelies must be thinking - An all over exfoliating tool without the chemicals?? Yup, you sure did read that right. It's truly a great tool to have and I absolutely love that all I need to use is water. Check out Le Edge's Facebook Fan Page and be sure to "like" them for updates, info and of course, everyone's all time favorite, giveaways!

Now, with all of that being said. I was given TWO of these awesome exfoliating tools! That's right, TWO. Which only means I will be giving one away! Please check out the terms and conditions on the raffle-copter.  Have it at it everyone! Don't forget to share this review/giveaway.

**Open to US Residents only**

a Rafflecopter giveaway

***The products featured in this post were sent to me directly from Le Edge in exchange for my review and honest opinions. My thoughts and opinions are solely my own expressed in each blog post. I will never give out any false opinions and or reviews. ***

[Review] Pomé Wonder Serum

Do you have damaged hair from color treatments or styling tools? I'm Guilty. My hair is getting pretty long now, it's almost to my waist line, which I love because I had chopped it off 2 years ago. I haven't had a haircut for 'oh you know' at least 6 months [lol]. Horrible I know. Now I have to deal with split ends, damage from styling tools and damages from previous hair coloring treatments. Since I haven't been able to get a haircut, I have been extremely ecstatic to find an international beauty brand, Pomé. Pomé originates from Australia and is certified organic.

 If you don't know what Pomé is, then you must get the 411 on my article on the Pomé brand that can be used for your hair and skin here. YES, I said hair AND skin. Amazing right? Read on for my review.

 I don't know if many of you know, but I do have dry skin, on top of not getting a hair cut for over 6 months. Things just weren't looking my way in the whole skin and hair department. I need a hair cut badly but I can't afford to spend that kind of money right now on something that I don't really need . I'm very picky about who cuts my hair, I will spend at least $50 on just a cut. I guess it's more of a want instead of a need, but hey to look and feel fabulous I'm going to turn it into a need [lol]. Anyway, this is why I'm so glad I found the Pomé Wonder Serum.

Why I Love Pomé Wonder Serum

I love that it has a combination of natural ingredients of Argan Oil and Pomegranate Seed Oil. It has an easy pump action application and all you really need is one or 2 pumps of serum. I have long hair so I needed 2 pumps to get it evenly disbursed. I just put a little bit on after I take a shower and voila, my hair dries a lot faster, and is super soft. It's also a great heat protector serum. I just spritz some in my hands and apply to my hair before using my curling iron or flat iron. We all know how much damage these styling tools can do to the hair, so using the Pomé Wonder Serum will help protect your hair. It can be applied to wet or dry hair, but it's probably best to apply it to towel dried hair. Unless of course you are going to use a curling or flat iron, then it is suggested that you use a little bit of serum before applying heat to the hair.

 I love using this on my skin but I must say that I hesitated at first... because it felt oily in my hands. Figures right since it's packed with all of the good oils. At first, yes it did feel oily in my hands, but when I applied it to my skin, the serum did a disappearing act and did not leave a greasy oily residue. Score! I was really afraid that I would get left with this nasty residue or make me look like I've just come out of a sauna, sweating, but to my surprise, I did not look like a greasy hot mess. The serum just seeped into my skin leaving it moisturized, soft and supple.

Of course I don't have a before and after picture of my hair. Any time I had my husband, even my oldest son [at age 9] try to take a picture, they could never seem to get it right so I gave up on that [lol]. After talking to my friend Claudia over at I Like To Talk A Lot, we came to the conclusion that it has a citrus scent to it. It isn't bad at all, I just could not figure out what exactly it smells like. It's kind of just an all over citrus blast from oranges, tangerines, limes, lemons, etc. I like the scent, it's not too strong at all which I love because I get a little sensitive when it comes to heavy fragrances.

Do I love the Pomé Wonder Serum? Abso-freaken-lutely! If I could lather my whole entire body up in this serum, I totally would - true story. I love the fact that it does not leave an oily residue on my skin or my hair. It leaves my hair feeling soft and has a healthy sheen to it. I love that it leaves my skin feeling moisturized and soft. Two birds with one stone? Believe it lovelies. Hopefully Pomé will come to the U.S. soon. Definitely check out the Pomé (Pomaye) Pomegranate and Argan Oil Skin & Hair Serum Facebook Fan page for updates, tips, info and giveaways, don't forget to 'like' them too!

[Review] Kawaii TOKYO Brighten Up UV Blocker

Who loves to be out at the beach, lake or at the pool on a nice hot Summer day? I do, I do! Seriously, being close to a huge pool of water when the scorching sun is out is a must, because to cool off you can just jump in the water. Now that we are on the topic of a hot Summer day, how many of you remember to put on sunscreen? For those of you that said yes, great for you, and for those of you that were so quiet you can hear the crickets chirping, I am with you on that. Yes, I am one of those that forgets to put on sunscreen. Although I hardly ever get sun burned, I know that sunscreen is a must especially if the sun is out shinning down on us. I was super excited when I found out I've been given the opportunity to review Kawaii TOKYO's Brighten Up UV Blockers.

Here's the 411: Kawaii TOKYO's skin care line, Brighten Up, has 2 UV Blockers. The Daytime Rescue contains 28 SPF and has a spray on application that helps block harmful UV rays. It's a non-chemical formula that is also recommended by dermatologists. Daytime Rescue contains a blend of multiple fruits and plant extracts that has anti-aging properties. It's resistant to water, and perspiration.

The Sun Survivor contains  50 SPF that also helps block harmful UV rays. It has a combination of a 'reflection' block formula and beauty essences that act deep within the skin to help protect and nourish. It's a non-chemical formula that is also recommended by dermatologists. The Sun Survivor has a blend of Vitamin C derivatives and arbutin that gives your skin luster while also protecting it from the sun's UV rays. It's water proof and also resistant to perspiration.

Review

Sun Survivor

Let's start with the Sun Survivor. I love the sleek and slender packaging. It's such a great size and fits perfectly in my purse, leaving me with tons of room to put in other items. It has a twist off cap, and a squeeze bottle application. What's great about the squeeze bottle application is that the opening is small, which means no messy application, not like some of the other sun screen bottles out there that just squirt out on their own. You have control of how much product you want to squeeze out.

What I love most about the Sun Survivor is how amazing the product lays on my skin. It's not thick, doesn't have that greasy feel and it doesn't leave the white residue that you get from normal sun screens. I love that I don't have to sit there for 5 or 10 minutes rubbing the lotion in. Just a quick massage onto your skin and you're left with a nice lustrous sheen. It doesn't have a funky smell, but it does have a very light airy scent to it. I like the scent, because products with too much fragrance makes me light headed [weird I know]. It has anti-aging properties of Vitamins A, B2 and B3 and the anti-irritant properties of Platinum Nano-Colloid and Licorice extract. The Sun Survivor also contains the moisturizing properties of Hyaluronic Acid and Olive Squalane and the astringent properties [pore care] of Witch Hazel. We all know that we need some good vitamins and moisturizing ingredients in our outdoor skincare. I also love to use this as a foundation base before I apply my makeup. Just a tiny squeeze here and there and it makes a perfect primer.

Daytime Rescue

Now for the Daytime Rescue. It's a spray on application that is quick and easy to use. It reminds me of those spray on lotions, just not as thick as lotion. The packaging is also slim and slender, which is a perfect size to travel with. I love that it doesn't have a heavy scent, I can't really put my finger on what exactly it smells like but I'm glad it doesn't reek. I love that the product is light and I don't have to sit there for minutes trying to rub it all in. It actually leaves my skin feeling cool and refreshed.

 
What I love most about the Daytime Rescue is that it has quite a few natural ingredients derived from plant and fruit extracts. It has anti-aging properties from ingredients such as; Starfruit, Bilberry, and Shell Ginger extracts and the astringent properties [for pore care] of Prune extract.. It also has the moisturizing properties of Wild Thyme extract and the anti-irritant properties of Licorice extract. I also love how light the Daytime Rescue is and it doesn't leave a nasty white residue. This too is water and perspiration resistant [sweet! because I tend to sweat quite a bit during the summer hehe].

I know I'm not getting any younger, so now is the time to start taking better care of my skin. Whether or not I get sun burned, I still need to protect it from the UV rays. I love the Kawaii TOKYO's Brighten Up UV Blockers. They both are amazing products and I really love how light the feel of both products are. They both do not, I repeat, do not leave the left over white residue that normal sun screens do. Best of all they both have multifunctional properties that are derived from natural ingredients and are certified under the 'Halal' standards of the Islamic Law.

Would I recommend this to everyone I know? Why of course I would! What do you beauties do to protect your skin from the sun? Don't forget to stop by Kawaii TOKYO's Facebook Fan page to stay updated on products, reviews and more info.