L'oreal Revitalift Triple Power Anti-Aging Intensive Moisturizer - #Revitaliftchallenge

L'oreal was generous enough to send a 14-day sample of their new Revitalift Triple Power Intensive Anti-Aging Day Cream Moisturizer to women across the US and fortunately, I was one of them. How was my experience? Read along.

To be able to tell if a product would be effective for you, samples are very important. And of course, an adequate amount would be needed to be able to try the product and see results afterward. L'oreal went above and beyond by giving their consumer, not only a week of complimentary samples, but a 2-week supply (14 day samples) to try their Revitalift Triple Power Intensive Anti-Aging Day Cream Moisturizer. These ample amount of samples are definitely enough to tell if its worth the buy. 

I remember how excited I was upon receiving the samples in the mail. It comes in small pods and I love how it has the days on each (explicitly shown Day 1 - Day 14). I honestly sometimes lost track of the days so for me, this was helpful. The small pod was to be used AM and PM. The thing I found hard with these samples was to balance the amount to two uses. Although, this was just me and I am not complaining about it.

 The product itself has a creamy texture, and mind you, the smell was amazing! Although I prefer my skin care or beauty product to have no fragrance, the smell of this cream is tolerable to my sensitive sense of smell. These small pods have more than enough product to cover your entire face and neck. 

Last day - Day 14 :)

This product claims to visibly reduce wrinkles, re-firm skin and smooth skin's texture. During the 14-day #RevitaliftChallenge, I can honestly say that I achieved those claims. I love the intensive moisturizing feature of this product since we are now experiencing the colder season and my skin needs all the moisture and hydration it can get. It leaves me no sticky or tacky feeling when applied and it glides smoothly on to the face. This product is perfect for those who are looking for an anti-aging cream that keeps the skin moisturized.

1

All used up!

The following are the full list of Ingredients:

AQUA / WATER • GLYCERIN • ISOHEXADECANE • ISOPROPYL ISOSTEARATE 

• HYDROXYPROPYL TETRAHYDROPYRANTRIOL • ALUMINUM STARCH OCTENYLSUCCINATE • PROPYLENE GLYCOL • NYLON-12 • OCTYLDODECANOL • CETYL ALCOHOL • AMMONIUM POLYACRYLDIMETHYLTAURAMIDE / AMMONIUM POLYACRYLOYLDIMETHYL TAURATE • BEHENYL ALCOHOL • DIMETHICONE • C13-14 ISOPARAFFIN • PEG-100 STEARATE • STEARIC ACID • STEARYL ALCOHOL • ARACHIDYL ALCOHOL • TRIETHANOLAMINE • CETEARYL ALCOHOL • CETEARYL GLUCOSIDE • SODIUM HYALURONATE • PALMITIC ACID • ADENOSINE • DISODIUM EDTA • DISODIUM STEAROYL GLUTAMATE • HYDROLYZED HYALURONIC ACID • CAPRYLOYL SALICYLIC ACID • LAURETH-7 • POLYACRYLAMIDE • POLYETHYLENE • METHYLISOTHIAZOLINONE • METHYLPARABEN • PHENOXYETHANOL • CI 15985 / YELLOW 6 • CI 19140 / YELLOW 5 • CI 77891 / TITANIUM DIOXIDE • MICA • LINALOOL • ISOEUGENOL • LIMONENE • CITRONELLOL • BENZYL ALCOHOL • PARFUM / FRAGRANCE

Have you taken the #RevitaliftChallenge too? What are your thoughts about it? Leave your comments below!

Disclaimer: This product was sent to me complimentary by L'oreal for testing and reviewing purposes. All opinions are my own.

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Simple & Easy Banana Bread Recipe

Does this look like appetizing to you?😁 Well, oh well, as not a lot of you know, when I was younger, one of my frustrations was baking. Now that I have more time, I was able to bake twice this week! And this would be my first recipe I will be sharing here on my blog - my Banana Bread Recipe.

Simple & Easy Banana Bread

Prep time: 10- 15 minutes
Bake Time: 50 - 55 minutes
Recipe makes: 1 loaf
Skill Level: Easy

INGREDIENTS:

• 3 Medium Bananas (overripe bananas are perfect!)
• 3/4 cup sugar (I used the SPLENDA® Naturals Sugar & Stevia Sweetener Blend I received free from Crowdtap for sampling purposes😉) Tip: You can also substitute sugar with honey👍
• 1/4 cup vegetable oil
• 1 Egg
• 1 1/2 cups All-Purpose Flour
• 1 1/2 teaspoons Baking Powder
• 1/4 teaspoon Baking Soda
• 1 tablespoon of Cinnamon or Vanilla extract (I prefer the Vanilla flavor but Cinnamon is a good choice too!)

DIRECTIONS:

• Preheat oven to 350℉ 
• Mash the bananas in a large bowl. (As mentioned overripe bananas are great since they are soft and easy to mash). 
• Add the egg, sugar and cooking oil to the mashed bananas.
• Add the remaining ingredients - flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon or vanilla extract to the banana mixture.
• Grease the bottom and the sides of a loaf pan with a cooking spray.
• Baked for 50-55 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the middle comes out clean.
• Allow pan to cool down for 10 minutes.
• Removed your bread from the pan. (You'll find it easier to remove the bread when you run a butter or bread knife around the edges of the bread). Turn the pan over onto your wire rack (or a plate, like what I did, since I do not currently have a wire rack😂) then your banana loaf of bread should come out clean and easy.
• Allow the bread to fully cool before serving.

First baked Banana Bread!

For more easy recipes, check out Pinterest! I found a lot of easy to make bread recipes in there and tried to make it as my own adding some personal touch. While you're at it, follow me too and I will follow back.😉

Let me know in the comment if you tried this recipe and how did it go!

Recipe adapted from Thrifty T's Treasures I found on Pinterest.

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Dermal Pearl Collagen Essence Mask Review

I have been using a facial mask for quite a while now. But this would be my first time reviewing one here in my blog since I usually post my detailed review on my Instagram account.

Well, I hope you enjoy my first Face Mask Blog review, and hopefully, I can post here more often!

So the first mask I will have the pleasure of reviewing is the Dermal Pearl Collagen Essence Mask. To tell you honestly, I have already tried quite a few Dermal Collagen Essence Mask, and as far as I can say, I love all of them!

This particular Pearl Mask was one of my favorites. Its main features are moisturizing, convergence, and brightening. 

The main ingredients are 0.02% Pearl Powder and 0.2% Hydrolyzed Collagen. The Pearl Powder has found to be of benefits to keep the skin younger-looking and beautiful. It also helps in reducing pore size, lightening the skin’s tone and improving its texture. While on the other hand, Hydrolyzed Collagen helps in supplying amino acids that are necessary for healthy skin. 

Other ingredients include the following:

Water, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Aloe Barbadensis, Leaf Juice, Portulaca Oleracea Extract, Beta-Glucan, Panthenol, Tocopherylacetate, Polysorbate 80, Disodium Edta, Xanthan Gum, Perfume, Methylparaben. 

This is generally how I used the mask:

1. Wash off my face, let it dry and apply my usual toner.

2. Remove the sheet mask from the package and unfold it.

3. Put the mask on the face avoiding the eyes and mouth area.

4. Let the mask sit on the face for 20 minutes.

Tip: Refrigerate the mask before using for a refreshing facial treatment.

My overall experience:

The sheet mask has enough essence on it - considerably wet. This mask fits and adheres great on the contours of my face. It has a great smelling mild fragrance too. I love the slightly cooling effect of it on my face. My face was still wet after I removed the mask, so I have to pat dry the remaining essence.

It left my skin felt sticky for a while but made it feeling refreshed and moisturized after. It has also made my skin clearer and brighter.

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

You can check out this product here: https://skin18.com/products/dermal-pearl-collagen-essence-mask.

Disclaimer: This product was sent to me complimentary by Skin18 as part of their Reviewer/Blogger Program for testing and reviewing purposes. All opinions are my own.

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Crowdtap Mission: Unilever Sample Box #3

Crowdtap has been super awesome lately! There have been several Unilever Sample Box Missions, and I was able to get 2 boxes!

This was one of the Unilever Boxes that I've gotten from them.

This Unilever Sample Box includes 4 full-sized products! Yes, you read it right - FULL-SIZED products! I was expecting at least a deluxe sample-sized products but was astonished and excited when I opened the box. What a generous sampling mission from Crowdtap and Unilever indeed!

My box includes 2 Suave Hairsprays - Suave Professionals Flexible Control Finishing Hairspray and Suave Professionals Flexible Control Non-Aerosol Hairspray,  2 Degree Motionsense Anti-aspirant and deodorant in Sheer Powder and Daisy Fresh.

Both the Degree Anti-Perspirant and Deodorant have a good smell. The Daisy Fresh smells like a flower and the Sheer Powder, as its name implies, has a powdery smell. I love that they do not leave a sticky feeling when applied and the smell last pretty long as well. I do not sweat a lot, so I don't feel the need of an antiperspirant ingredient on my deodorant. However, this claims to provide a 48-hour protection that would be useful for individuals with an active lifestyle. I would find these useful going to the gym and walking or running in the park. If you ask me what my favorite scent between the two is, it would be the Sheer Powder.

On the other hand, the Suave Hairsprays have a fabulous smell as well! I do not usually use hairsprays since I love my straight hair which I do not have problems styling. However, at times, I want to curl it, but since my hair is super straight, it won't curl no matter how long I leave the curler on my head without putting any hairspray on it. These hairsprays help me out to have beautiful curls that stay in place. What's the difference between the two? First, the Flexible Control Finishing Hairspray is an Aerosol one that is why it's in a can while the other hairspray, as it clearly states in its name, is a Non-Aerosol with a plastic packaging. Secondly, the Non-Aerosol Hairspray has a Sebastian® Shine Define® while the Finishing Hairspray has Sebastian® Shaper® Zero Gravity.

Both hairsprays are Salon Proven and promise 24-hour Hold with zero crunches. I love how they keep your hair in place without the sticky and frizzy feeling that most hairsprays leave behind. I also like the fact that it helps smooth away frizz and flyaways with its humidity defense complex.

Disclaimer: This product was sent to me complimentary by Crowdtap for testing and reviewing purposes. All opinions are my own.

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Crowdtap Mission: Julep Cushion Complexion Review

So, another makeup mission from Crowdtap! I couldn't be happier when I was approved and was sent not only one, but 5 shades of these amazing Julep Cushion Complexion!

Below are the 5 shades of Julep Cushion Complexion 5 in 1 Skin Perfector With Turmeric  I received:

1. 200 Nude - a Medium Nude shade with Cool Undertone
2. 210 Cashmere - a Medium Cashmere shade with Cool Undertone
3. 220 Sand - a Medium Sand shade with Neutral Undertone
4. 230 Beige - a Medium Beige shade with Warm Undertone
5. 240 Camel - a Medium Camel shade with Warm Undertone

Shade Swatches

This Cushion complexion claims to be made of natural ingredients such as Tumeric Extract that provides long-term brightening benefits and contains anti-inflammatory properties. It also has Camellia Seed Oil that contains skin-calming properties and provides nourishing & moisturizing benefits and Soft-Focus Powders that blur the look of fine lines & imperfections while creating a smooth, demi-matte finish that’s never flat. 

So this Julep Cushion Complexion works as a 5-in-1 Skin Perfector:

1. Conceal - dark circles, acne, hyperpigmentation & smile lines

2. Correct - neutralize redness & inflammation

3. Illuminate - to bring out the high points of the face

4. Blur - the look of fine lines & imperfections

5. Brighten - the skin with long-term with Turmeric Extract

I love the design of this cushion, making it easy to apply and carry around. The applicator has a twist bottom design.  At first use, you have to twist it multiple times until you see the product being dispensed in the applicator tip. The formula was also buildable, which you can blend easily and can give you a medium to full coverage.  

Among these 5 shades, the Sand, Beige, and Camel are those that more likely be perfect for my olive skin tone. But I also like using the Nude shade for a brighter skin.

I like how it can conceal my skin's imperfection, I currently have break outs, and although the Nude shade does not completely cover those big pimples that I have (the small ones are easily concealed), I love how it makes my face soft and smooth looking. 

Overall, this product was great! You can bring it on-the-go, and it makes it easier to re-touch using this.

On-the-go touch up

These are the photos I took of myself using Julep's Cushion Complexion.

Before & After

Final look with Julep Cushion Complexion

It retails for $30, 0.16 oz, 4.6 g. It's available on Julep's website, and it has a total of 18 shades available. 

You can also buy this on Ulta.com and they currently have it on sale for $18. 

Make it yours, make it fun. BRAVE PRETTY

Disclaimer: This product was sent to me complimentary by Crowdtap for testing purposes. All opinions are my own.

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