Green Smoke eCigs

Disclaimer:

*This is not a sponsored post - though I did get stuff for free, it wasn't in exchange for a blog post. It was because I won a contest. I'm writing this post because well... because I just wanna.*

A few weeks back I entered a contest on Pinterest. The website Green Smoke asked us to choose our favorite of their new battery designs on their website and create a pinboard on Pinterest with pictures of them. So I did, not really thinking I'd win - but thinking that their New Orleans Battery was pretty freakin' awesome.  

AmIRight??? Is is not freakin' awesome?

I had never tried any of their products - though I do follow them on Twitter and Facebook because I investigated their products when I was first shopping for vapor cigarettes to replace my regular cigarette smoking habit. Ultimately though, I initially chose Blu eCigs over their's because they were cheaper and seemed to be of similar quality. They also came with a travel case/battery charger that I thought was pretty awesome. 

I was wrong about the similar quality part though. The Blu cig flavor cartridges are slightly better in terms of taste compared to Green Smoke's, but ultimately I ended up spending more on Blu Cigs because I had problems with the charger case. It stopped charging after a month. The company didn't replace it after I complained but I still decided to give it another try - so I bought another one. It did the same exact thing. After 30 days the batteries stopped charging in the case and they wouldn't always hold a charge - even after charging them in the wall or USB charger. Their products ended up being faulty and unreliable - which was a disappointment. 

So last week I get an email informing me that I'd won Green Smoke's little Pinterest contest and that my prize - drum roll please - was a credit for $250 dollars worth of their merchandise! HOLY CRAP! I felt like I'd won the lottery. So I went shoppin'!

One of my favorite things about Green Smoke was their sparkly carrying case. So that went in my shopping cart first. Even though it does not charge the batteries, so far it doesn't matter. The batteries have yet to run out of power on me - I can smoke them for at least 2 days before having to charge them.

Then of course, I got my snazzy New Orleans Designer Battery. My next pick was their Green Smoke Pro Starter Kit - which contains all the necessities:

1 Long Rechargeable Electric Cigarette Battery

1 Short Rechargeable Electric Cigarette Battery

2 Packs of FlavorMax Cartomizers (10 Cartomizers)

1 USB Cigarette

1 USB Charger

1 High Powered Wall Adapter

1 High Powered Car Adapter

1 Green Smoke User Guide and Membership Card

Then finally, I picked up some extra cartomizers to try out...

The verdict is still out on how these eCigs will work long term - but I got them in a matter of days and have already been using them for about 4 days. So far so good. Oh - and I've already lost one of the batteries. The short one... which was also the pink one :( hopefully it will turn up somewhere... I'm also sad that the cartomizers aren't very flavorful - but hopefully Green Smoke will get that part straightened out! 

Review! Nad's Facial Wand Eyebrow Shaper

Good morning everyone! I have been MIA for quite a while - I do apologize for my absence. I've missed you all and have missed checking in on your blogs every day. I'll hopefully have time to start doing some catch up over the next few weeks as my last class of the year winds down and I have a short break before the next one. I feel so out of the bloggy loop!

Today however, I am reviewing the Nad's Facial Wand Eyebrow Shaper - which is a handy little thing! 

What is it? 

The unique Nad’s Facial Wand Eyebrow Shaper is the easiest way to remove unwanted facial hair and get salon quality results at home. Incorporating the original Nad’s Natural Gel into a slimline applicator, the Nad’s Facial Wand allows you to apply just the right amount of gel exactly where you want it. 

What does it do?

Perfect for all delicate facial areas, the Nad’s Facial Wand for facial hair removal glides across the contours of your face. Melting with your own natural body heat, there is no need to worry about making mistakes, as any excess gel easily washes away in water. 

I'll spare you the pictures from my attempts... because I am a terrible photographer and I had a huge zit in the middle of my forehead on that day. Ew...

But here's a video showing how to use it...

My Conclusion:

I LOVED the ease of application this little wand provides. I'm typically a plucker - and find that to be rather time consuming. If I have the extra cash I'll get it done at a salon - but always wind up with a rash and pimples from the hot wax. DO NOT WANT! 

With this little beaut here's no rash, no pimples (except the one I already had...) and if you mess up and put some in the wrong spot, it washes away easily with water and you can start all over! (Yes - I had to do it... twice!) 

I give this product... (drum roll please...) 

4.5 Stars 

     

It lost .5 of a star for the small amount of strips and cleansing cloths it comes with. There is plenty of product but I think I'll be running out of strips and cleansing cloths long before I run out of the product. They strips are however, washable and reusable - so don't throw them away! As for the cleansing cloths - I may experiment with some toner when I run out of those.  

All in all - DEFINITELY worth the 9-ish bucks you'll spend. Give it a try! 

Murad Review

The great folks at Murad Cosmetics were generous enough tot send me samples of some of their excellent products to review. I'm all about bringing you honest reviews - so my reviews will be honest and straight forward. I want you to find the BEST products out there and if companies send me bad products, I will tell you! So I will start with the company's description of the products they sent - and then close with my thoughts on them.

First up:

MURAD® ANTI-AGING ACNE & AGING SKIN SOLUTION KIT 

WHAT IT IS: Murad’s Acne & Aging Skin Solution Kit is a maximum strength regimen that encompasses patented formulas that deliver acne-fighting and age-defying technology to promote healthy, younger looking skin. The limited time 3-step regimen kit specifically addresses adult acne concerns. The Acne & Aging Skin Solution Kit is part of Murad’s Anti-Aging Acne system, created to reduce acne and aging concerns simultaneously. Ideal for those who suffer from adult acne, the products in the Anti-Aging Acne line work together as an integrated system to reduce existing blemishes and prevent new blemishes from forming, while repairing skin’s barrier and optimizing collagen levels to minimize the signs of aging.

FEATURES/ BENEFITS:
• Time Release Acne Cleanser delivers a sustained release acne treatment, even after rinsing, while optimizing hydration to restore suppleness.
• Acne & Wrinkle Reducer is clinically proven to reduce acne while minimizing fine lines and wrinkles. • Anti-Aging Moisturizer SPF 20 | PA ++ fights premature aging through advanced UV protection and healthy collagen support, and minimizes blemishes and oil production As an added bonus, each kit offers one of two products for added benefits:
• Acne Spot Treatment speeds healing of stubborn blemishes on-the-spot and prevents new blemishes from fully developing
• Skin Perfecting Primer Acne & Shine Control disguises flaws with a powder finish while balancing oil production, minimizing the appearance of pores, reducing blemishes and dissolving dull, dry skin.

THE MURAD DIFFERENCE: As with all Murad products, this formula is rooted in The Science of Cellular Water™, Murad’s proprietary system for optimizing cell hydration and skin health.

HOW TO USE:
• Time Release Acne Cleanser - Massage a small amount over dampened face and neck. Rinse with warm water and pat dry.
• Acne & Wrinkle Reducer - Every day after cleansing and toning, massage a thin layer over face, neck and chest.
• Anti-Aging Moisturizer SPF 15 | PA++ - Every day after cleansing, massage evenly over face and neck.
• Acne Spot Treatment - Cleanse skin and apply a thin layer on affected area 1 to 3 times daily or as needed
• Skin Perfecting Primer Acne & Shine Control – Apply a thin layer to the face before or in place of foundation to control acne breakouts, reduce oil and minimize the appearance of pores.

RETAIL PRICE: $45.00 (for the trial size products I received)
• Time Release Acne Cleanser 2.0 FL. OZ
• Acne & Wrinkle Reducer 0.8 FL. OZ
• Anti-Aging Moisturizer SPF 20 l PA++ 0.8 FL. OZ
• Acne Spot Treatment 0.25 FL OZ $45.00 (Sephora inside JC Penny Exclusive)
• Time Release Acne Cleanser 2.0 FL. OZ
• Acne & Wrinkle Reducer 0.8 FL. OZ
• Anti-Aging Moisturizer SPF 20 l PA++ 0.8 FL. OZ
• Skin Perfecting Primer Acne & Shine Control 0.17 FL. OZ

AVAILABILITY: Available June 2011 at the Murad Inclusive Health Spa®, Murad.com, Sephora inside JC Penney, and leading salon and spa locations. For more information, to purchase or to find the nearest location, call 1-800-33-MURAD or visit Murad.com.

On their website they have the a full size kit (90day supply) listed for $119.00.

This kit contains:
Time Release Acne Cleanser, 6.75 FL. OZ. Eliminates acne while restoring suppleness for younger-looking skin.
Acne & Wrinkle Reducer, 2.0 FL. OZ. Clinically proven to reduce acne while diminishing fine lines and wrinkles.
Anti-Aging Moisturizer SPF 20 | PA++, 1.7 FL. OZ. Helps promote a smooth, youthful appearance while controling oil.

MY VERDICT:
Though I would not purchase the entire kit - I really liked the Acne & Wrinkle Reducer. I will most definitely be purchasing more of it when I run out. When I first started using the entire regimen together - my face broke out. This is not uncommon - I've found that this happens when I completely change my skincare regimen. The overhaul changes the PH in your skin and acne flares can be expected as your face adjusts. Mine did - but after the initial shock my skin calmed down and cleared up rather nicely. I did however, find the entire regimen to be mildy drying to my skin over time. That is my only complaint. If I didn't live in a desert it likely wouldn't be as much of an issue.


I also felt as if I needed more of the cleanser than normal to get my entire face clean. My least favorite product was the cleanser. It is more of a cleansing cream than cleanser - so to speak. It had no lather and though lather isn't necessary for a clean face, I prefer the "clean feeling" I get from a good lathering face wash. This face wash missed the component.


If I use the moisturizer as an AM moisturizer and a more intense one at night I find my skin to be in perfect balance. My thoughts for Murad: The face wash needs a bit of tweaking - and a perfect compliment to this regimen would be a more intense overnight wrinkle reducer face cream. It would take the kit from good to perfection! Overall I give this kit 4.5 stars.

I'm a tough customer - not many products will get that shiny Belle of the Desert 5 Star Rating right there. Murad's Intensive Resurfacing Peel with Durian Cell Reform is the first! Congrats Murad! Here's what the company has to say about it:

MURAD® AGE REFORM®INTENSIVE RESURFACING PEEL 

WHAT IT IS:
Murad’s Intensive Resurfacing Peel brightens and smoothes skin by combining the benefits of a peel with gentle microdermabrasion. Bamboo beads buff away debris and exhausted cells to reveal youthful-looking skin, while Glycolic and Salicylic Acids stimulate cell proliferation. Skin looks younger and feels smoother after just one treatment. Intensive Resurfacing Peel is part of Murad’s Age Reform Intensives collection. This breakthrough collection features Murad's latest revolutionary anti-aging technology, Durian Cell Reform® which enhances the penetration of active anti-aging ingredients.

FEATURES/ BENEFITS:
• Resurfaces to reduce fine lines and wrinkles • Brightens tone and smoothes texture
• Durian Cell Reform enhances the penetration of active ingredients
• Dried Plum Extract and Vitamin C brighten skin for a youthful glow
• Winner of Fitness Magazine's Beauty Award for Best Cell Reform Product, 2008.
• Winner of Star Magazine’s Superstar Beauty Awards for Best Face Peel, 2009

THE MURAD DIFFERENCE: As with all Murad products, this formula is rooted in The Science of Cellular Water™, Murad’s proprietary system for optimizing cell hydration and skin health.

HOW TO USE: After cleansing and toning, gently smooth onto face and neck. Leave on for up to 10 minutes and gently rinse with warm water. Formula is intense and if you have sensitive skin, you may only be able to leave product on for a few minutes to start. With continued use, product can be left on for longer increments. For optimal results, use once per week and follow with recommended Murad moisturizer and sunblock.

RETAIL PRICE: $45.00 for 4 x 0.17 FL. OZ.

AVAILABILITY: Available at the Murad Inclusive Health Spa®, Murad.com, Sephora, Ulta, and leading salon and spa locations. For more information, to purchase or to find the nearest location, call 1-800-33-MURAD or visit Murad.com.

MY VERDICT: 
This product will be a staple in my skincare routine. Use this once a week for a month and you will see a huge difference! My skin looked brighter and tighter with just one use. THAT is why this product earned my five star rating!

Murad Safety Rating: this is an important component for me. Murad does not test on animals - but I also want my beauty products to be safe - and I want to share products with YOU that are safe. If I am going to put it on my skin it needs to be free of toxins. 

According to EWG's Skin Deep Cosmetics Database Murad gets an overall low hazard rating. 

Bravo Murad!