BzzAgent: Philips SatinPerfect Epilator

As a BzzAgent, I was recently chosen to share and review the Philips SatinPerfect Epilator. (Disclaimer: I did receive this for free, but all of the comments, thoughts, and ideas are solely my own and are truthful) As any mom will more than likely agree, shaving is one of those things that I never seem to do often enough. I hate every minute of it and it is what makes me dread the warmer months (besides the constant humidity here in SC). I have very fair skin that tends to be very sensitive, so I have to shave EVERY day and I almost always get bumps and itch. I've found a few products to help with it, but needless to say, I wish I was a guy when it comes down to needing to shave my legs. I've been shaving since I was 8 years old because even though I have more of a light brown hair, my leg hairs have always been BLACK and pretty thick. So, combine that with the ivoriest skin tone you can pretty much get and then add in pretty spring church dresses...Yeah, my mom recognized real quick that the fur on my legs was either going to have to go or else she was going to have to ban dresses on me, lol! So, 21 years later, I'm tired of it and I'm sure I'm not the only one that feels that way!

So, after being accepted into the program from BzzAgent, I was anxiously awaiting the epilator to arrive. When it finally did, I was ecstatic! I couldn't wait to try it out- till I opened the box. I hate to admit it, but it scared the crap out of me when I first saw it. It looked like some kind of weird torture device and there were so many pieces and the directions were HORRENDOUS! I really have to say, I think they should improve upon the directions. This is a MSRP of $149.99 so I would think a nice color booklet would be much more appropriate than the giganticly huge black and white poster size paper (see my smilebox to see it!). So, I packed it away to try to figure it out another day. If I had actually bought this in the store, well, I might be inclined to return it because it was just so confusing to me. Maybe it was just me, but I've never owned an epilator before, so this was ALL new. A week or so later, I finally decided to brave the device and its awful directions, so here it is:

So, here is some basic tips:
1. What is Epilation? Well, here is a basic definition- Epilate: To remove a hair from a part of the body by forcible extraction, electrolysis, or loosening at the root by chemical means. So, basically, we are removing hair at the root. I find this helpful, because now you understand exactly what this contraption actually is doing.

2. Put it all together. A lot of the pieces were confusing when all laid out as the came. You are going to want to figure them all out. After you get it all situated like below, it becomes a lot less confusing and easier to look at. 

Before

After

3. The Epilating Disc and all the caps are for your LEGS. The Shave, Trim & Style Attachment and Trimming Comb are for your underarms and bikini areas. So, don't expect to be epilating in those sensitive areas!

4. Epilating is somewhat painful- especially in the beginning. As you get used to it, it will become more comfortable. I recommend using those caps (as shown in the above picture) over the Epilating Discs attachment so that you can get used to it. Also, keep in mind your hair should be between 3-4 millimeters! If it is longer than that, then you need to either shave it down and epilate another day, or trim it down with the Shave, Trim & Style attachment and Trimming Comb cap. 

5. Your skin should be DRY!!!! It helps to do this right after showering or bathing because any type of hair removal is easier after being in warm water, but you can do it anytime of day.

6. Expect some irritation. Mine, surprisingly, only lasted about 20 minutes. I got some small red bumps and then they were gone, leaving smooth silky skin! :)

7. The directions, though hard to read, were helpful.

Okay, so back to my actual review- Overall, once I got past the "WTH is that?! Some kind of torture device!" and then the insane poster of directions in small black font, it really was a good little machine! I've used it a few times now on my legs and with the increasing warm weather here in SC (84 degrees today! We already didn't have a winter, are we loosing Spring too?!), I'm pretty excited about not having to shave everyday. It seems to last about 3-4 days so that is MUCH better than needing to shave everyday. The pain decreases with time and so does the sensitivity. I rarely even get the bumps anymore and even if I do, they are gone in about 10 minutes after using it. I love using the Shave attachment for my bikini area and underarms, very quick and gets very close! And we can't forget those awesome tweezers...My now sculpted eyebrows are thanking it! ;)

So where to buy?
Amazon
Use code BBUZZEP20 (last digit is a letter O) and get $20 OFF!
Philips Online Shop 

Walmart
Target

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BzzAgent: Smarterer

Whooooseeee Smarterer than me?

Sorry, couldn't resist! Okay, so as a BzzAgent, I've been included in a special campaign to help launch a new site called Smarterer. At first, I was like "yeah...okay. It's just a new site that tests you and gives you a score." But....as time as progressed, I've really found myself having fun with it! It does all kinds of sites, like BzzAgent, Facebook, Powerpoint, Excel...AND SO MUCH MORE! So far I've only had fun with the BzzAgent one, simply because my time is limited, but I'm currently taking a class this semester with Microsoft Office 2010, so I'm really interested in taking the ones on some of those programs and seeing if I actually have learned anything!~ LOL! So, what are you waiting for? Are YOU smarterer than ME?

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BzzAgent: Burt's Bees Natural Skin Solutions for Sensitive Skin

As a lot of you know, I frequent BzzAgent quite a bit, and was super excited to get accepted into the Burt's Bees for Sensitive Skin Campaign. I don't probably have the most sensitive skin in the world, but I sometimes will put products on my face and get a burning or tingling feeling and then my face turns beet red. So, even though it doesn't happen with ALL products, I was still excited to try this out. I love NATURAL anything because I'm just that kinda girl. When I first go these products about 2 months ago, I wasn't too impressed. I like light scents and there is no fragrance at all with this, so I was just like "hmmm...okay." After using it for a few weeks though, I discovered a few things. First, it makes my skin feel REALLY nice after using. Smooth and soft! Makes me wanna rub my face all day long! LOL Second, it removes makeup better than anything else I've been using! I feel like my skin feels extra clean after using it, and the best part is that I usually only have to wash my face one time to get that feeling! With other brands, I've had to wash my face, rinse, wash again, and then I still have makeup residue when I get up the next morning. YUCK! I wasn't getting any of that with this wash, my skin was feeling NAKED for the first time in a while! :D Third, the moisturizer is so light and oilfree that I wasn't having ANY problems with acne and breakouts with it!Pin It

BzzAgent: About.Me

Okay, as you can see, I'm updating my BzzAgent account, and here is yet another online program I was accepted into. I'm not as content with this one...It seems a little silly to me. I'm glad it is free to everyone, because there is no way I would pay for something like this. I guess maybe if you were a huge social networker, you might could see the advantage. Well, let me tell you about what it is *supposed to do* and then I will tell you why I don't think it does it well. And then, you can try it out at about.me to see how you like it! Be sure to let me know in the comments below! :)

What is about.me?
Connect all of your online networks on a personal about.me page. It's your unique online business card, and if you join today you'll receive MOO business cards for free.

A lot of us have multiple online profiles scattered across various services, including Facebook, LinkedIn, Flickr, and Twitter. And one problem we face is pulling all of this information together to build a single on-line identity — be it for personal use, or to create a professional on-line profile. We've focused on enabling you to:

Create your personal splash page

Quickly build a personal and dynamic splash page that points visitors to your content from around the web.

Have fun with the numbers

Understand how many people see your profile, where they're coming from, and what they do on your page.

Okay, so now to me, it sounds like it should be more business related...Like linking your business accounts or facebook pages together and getting some business cards to help with that. Right? I mean seriously, if you have that many personal social networks that you can't keep up with them all, then maybe you need to condense (aka you are spending too much time in internet lala land and not enough time with the real people in your life). I'm seriously not trying to be rude or mean here, but why the heck would I want a business card with my personal facebook and twitter information on it to hand out? That's just weird...I think I would be totally freaked out if someone I met handed me a freakin' business card to look them up on facebook. I wouldn't think much of it if it was an actual business account though, along with their business information, phone number, email addy, facebook, twitter, etc. Anyway, my point is this: I tried it out and unsuccessfully found out that I could not link my facebook page The Couponing Mommy to the account. It would only let me use my personal facebook page. So, with that being said, unless I don't know what the heck I'm doing (which is possible, lol), that means that this site FAILS to do what is advertised. You can do a URL, but every time I tried to do a URL to my facebook page (The Couponing Mommy), it gave me a "it's not you, its us something bad happened" error code. And the same was happening when I tried to link this blog through it...And they even claim they link up with Blogger as a part of their advertisement. So, I'm not real sure what to say about this one. It's not working as advertised, and I guess I'm just not so into myself that I feel the need to have an account to link accounts together and have a business card to flash around to let people know how to follow me personally. So, if you are still interested, and want to see if I ever manage to link anything to it here I am on about.me:
http://about.me/thecouponingmommy

Update* I finally managed to get the site to link my accounts. But, it was backwards that I had to do it doing a URL...Kind of like I had to use a "back door" and sneak in...LOL!Pin It

BzzAgent: Trend Micro SafeSync

I recently was picked on BzzAgent to try out a new program online called Trend Micro SafeSync. So far it seems very cool and useful. It does take a little while to get it all set up but for the peace of mind of keeping all of your files and photos backed up in case of computer disaster.

How can Trend Micro™ SafeSync keep your data secure and easily accessible?

• Syncs data across multiple devices, including desktop computers, iPads, iPhones and Android phones
• Backs up files to the cloud as soon as you save them
• Stores a history of all your file changes and lets you recover past versions
• Allows you to access data from anywhere, anytime with a web-enabled device
• Lets you upload images, stream music and video and view important pictures and documents
• Allows for easy sharing by providing links to your photos, videos and documents
• Makes it simple to post to Facebook, Twitter, and your blog
• Uses Trend Micro 24/7 for virus scanning and file transfer encryption
• Defends your equipment from cyber attack with multiple firewalls
  
  
  * Try it out for a discount with code BZZ20 *

Protect, access and share your digital files anytime, anyplace

Life brings you many places: children's school events, neighborhood parties, and work conferences. At the same time, you are accumulating digital memories in the form of photos, videos, music, and documents. Trend Micro™ SafeSync connects these two aspects of your life, enabling you to store your files in a safe place you can access from anywhere.
That safe is place is "the cloud," a corner of the Internet that's only available to you and the people you choose to share it with. Because with SafeSync, your files are securely and automatically backed up within moments of you saving them. All you need to retrieve your special memories is a web-enabled device, whether it's a desktop computer, laptop, iPad, iPhone, or Android device.
SafeSync makes it easy to share your files with specified contacts, and post to Facebook, Twitter, or your blog. And you can be sure your information is secure, with virus scanning and file transfer encryption services built into the software. Now how's that for all around peace of mind?

Recover past file versions

SafeSync keeps a history of all your file changes, making it easy to recuperate previous versions of your pictures, videos, and documents. If you delete an item by accident, there's no need to worry. SafeSync has a recycling bin that allows you to retrieve this file.

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BzzAgent: Covergirl NatureLuxe Review with Before/After Pics

Okay, a few days ago, I posted about a website BzzAgent where you get to voice your opinions and try products from campaigns. Here is the original post. I received this product this weekend in the mail, but haven't had the time to try it out till today. Here is my initial review....with my lovely before and after pics...BzzAgent and Covergirl, you should be pleased, because I hate taking pics and I hate even more putting them where other people can see them! :D

Before Pic

After Pic

 I thought this color would be way off for me, but actually I found it to be just right! I was pleasantly surprised at this! Also, I haven't worn actual liquid foundation in quite a few years, but I expected it to be heavy and thick . Instead, I found it to be light and creamy. Also, after putting it on, it had a soft texture, not dewy or tacky. I think I could get used to wearing it! The coverage was great...I have a lot of blemishes and red tones in my face, and it did very well to cover that up, which is probably the biggest selling point for me. It also did not make my face have a "burning" sensation that I sometimes get after applying some face products and so far I have not had any new breakout areas. As for the gloss, I'm not really a lip gloss or lipstick kinda gal, but I liked the texture of it well enough. I can't say anything special about it other than its not thick or grimy feeling. I will say that the color is way too pink for me...I like a very light pink or a dark mauve color and this was not either of those. It's a pretty color, but not especially a favorite of mine. Also, I prefer more shimmer and this was more like a matte finish. After seeing the pics though, I can't say that it was a bad color on me...it actually looks quite natural. All in all, pretty impressed with Covergirl and their new lineup of products!

I plan on sharing this with some friends and family, so you might see some more updates on this product soon! Also, I've already had some friends tell me they currently use the NatureLuxe products and they love them! And, to make this even more fun, I got some great coupons to share! So, friends and family, let me know if you want to try it out in a comment or on Facebook!

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BzzAgent: Children's Claritin Chewables

WOW! I was invited to participate in yet another free campaign from BzzAgent! This one is for Children's Claritin Chewables and I'm pretty excited about this one because all 3 of the kids have allergies...So it will be awesome to get to try these out for free and give my opinions on how well they work. And you guys know, here in SC, allergies are a way of life for the next month! I just got over a bad bout of it myself, so I know what it is like to be miserable feeling with watery eyes, itchy throat, and incessant sneezing! If these work, my kids will function so much better in school and on the soccer field...It never fails, being out on those fields always makes us ALL have allergy problems! And you can get a coupon if you go "Like" Claritin on Facebook. Also, this link takes you to some really cool info and hints on allergies as well as the possibility of a coupon. Here is some information on the product till I get my box in to try:

4 out of 10 school children are affected by allergies
So it's really no surprise that, every year, 2 million school days are missed due to not only seasonal allergies, but indoor allergies such as dust, mold and pet dander, as well. But what may surprise you is that the effects of allergies can be much more significant than a lost day of school:

• Symptoms during the day can impede focus and result in learning problems
• Symptoms at night can cause sleep loss and lead to daytime drowsiness, making it more difficult for your child to function well during the school day

Fortunately, non-drowsy anti-histamines like Children's Claritin® Grape Chewables can help provide all-day relief from runny noses, itchy, watery eyes and other allergy symptoms.

Powerful all-day relief
Children's Claritin® is the only over-the-counter children's brand that provides powerful 24 hour relief for a child's worst seasonal and indoor allergy symptoms, without making them jittery or drowsy. Your kids work hard all day — their allergy medicine should, too!

Just the Facts!
When children gain relief from allergies, they can turn their focus to school, sports, friends, games, hobbies and other "kid stuff" all day long. Here are a few other reasons why Children's Claritin® products are a great choice for all-day relief:

• Only Children's Claritin® provides powerful 24 hour relief for a child's worst seasonal and indoor allergy symptoms without making them jittery or drowsy¹
• Indoor allergens include dust, mold and pet dander and can result in the same symptoms as seasonal allergens
• Children's Claritin® is the #1 Pediatrician Recommended Non-Drowsy Allergy Brand — an important fact to note when choosing medicine for your children
• 24 hour allergy relief – One dose lasts the whole day
• Claritin® has a variety of forms for children:

Claritin® Products for Children	For Kids Ages...	Available Flavor(s)	Available sizes
Chewables	2 and up	Grape	10 and 20 count boxes
Syrup	2 and up	Grape	2 oz bottles and 4 oz bottles
RediTabs, in 12- and 24-hour (no water needed, dissolves in seconds)2	6 and up	(No aftertaste)	10 and 20 count boxes

¹Among leading OTC brands
²Speed of dissolution does not imply speed of relief

Tips for managing kids' allergies
Even mild seasonal and indoor allergies can influence children's sleep, resulting in daytime fatigue and reduced school performance. So how can you help your kids stop focusing on allergies, and start focusing on school, and all the other things they love to do? In addition to choosing Children's Claritin®:

• Keep windows closed — because most pollen is carried by the wind, it's in the air everywhere
• Keep your house smoke-free — irritants like tobacco smoke can intensify allergy symptoms
• Change or clean air filters regularly — help furnace and air conditioning filters keep out more allergens by cleaning them once a month
• Keep your pet away from carpeted rooms, sleeping areas, upholstered furniture and other places where it becomes difficult or impossible to remove dander
• Have your child shower and change clothes after playing outdoors — outside allergens and pollen can collect on the skin, hair and clothing
• Inform others about your child's allergies — discuss your child's condition with the school nurse, teachers, coaches and any other people with whom your child has regular contact

Is it a cold, or allergy?
Allergy symptoms can look like a common cold. To help decide if it's an allergy or a cold, watch out for these symptoms:

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BzzAgent: Covergirl NatureLuxe

Alright, I know I posted about all the "freebie" sites and places to earn money, but there were a few that I wasn't sure exactly how they work. BzzAgent was one of those sites. And I have to say that so far, I've been pretty happy with it! Now, that being said, I don't actually have product in hand yet. But, I couldn't wait to share about it...So, hopefully I will be updating soon with the actual product information!

The first thing I want to share is that BzzAgent is not a "freebie" site. It is a site where you get to earn status and try out new products in order to provide feedback. If you are just looking to score freebies, this probably is not the best site for you. I know just to be included in the Campaigns, you have to do a ton of surveys about yourself (they are quick, but there were like 25 of them!) and then submit product reviews and such voicing your opinion on everything from Walmart (boo!) to your favorite books/authors! And of course, you are supposed to link up your Facebook, Twitter, and Blogs to update and review and share your opinions! But, I love voicing my opinion, so this is no problem for me! All in all, I've been pretty impressed with the website and hope to continue to have Campaigns to participate in.

Secondly, I was picked for the Covergirl NatureLuxe campaign. I am going to receive the NatureLuxe Silk Foundation and NatureLuxe Gloss Lip Balm. Now, anyone that knows me well, knows I am a Bare Minerals girl...I can't say enough good things about Bare and it doesn't irritate my skin or cause me to break out. So, just that by itself is going to hard to beat...I don't have high expectations for it taking the place of my current makeup at all. But, I'm keeping an open mind, it might be nice to switch it up occasionally if I like it. I'm not real sure about the color they are sending me, there were very few options available for the skin tone and after taking the ColorMatch quiz (<--Really cool actually!) from Covergirl, I'm thinking its probably going to be way to dark for me. But, we shall see! I love lip gloss, so I am very excited about that product! All in all, its worth trying out and giving my opinion and I know even if its not my color, I have friends and family that would love to try it out too! And of course the fact that it has a lot of support in the professional world makes it worth trying out! Anyway, be sure to come back to check out my update on how the product actually feels and works and here's some details on the product:

Silk Foundation

• Provides a smooth, silky feel
• Contains refreshing cucumber water to help balance the creaminess on application
• Made with hints of jojoba and rosehip extracts
• Available in 14 shades ranging from light to dark tones
• Oil-free, SPF 10 and dermatologically tested
• Suggested to retail for $11.99

Gloss Balm

• Combines the sheer color and shine of a gloss with the soft moisturization of a balm
• Available in 16 versatile, beautiful shades
• Formulated with SPF 15 for added protection
• Suggested to retail for $6.49

Professional Opinions

• 3 out of 4 professional make-up artists would recommend the NatureLuxe Collection to their clients-COVERGIRL's new luxury line exchanges select heavy synthetics for carefully-chosen natural ingredients. For a polished make-up look with a lightweight feel, every time, it's what COVERGIRL likes to call “luxury touched by nature”.

• This smooth silk foundation trades in a heavier emollient for a touch of cucumber water and a hint of natural jojoba and rosehip extracts. It provides a flawless coverage and a silky lightweight feel. In fact, 8 out of 10 professional make-up artists agree it provides a luxurious skin finish and light, luxurious feel!

• But the NatureLuxe love doesn't end there — new COVERGIRL NatureLuxe Gloss Balm contains a lightweight blend of mango, shea and other natural butters that 9 out of 10 make-up artists would recommend to clients for a sheer color with a non-sticky, lightweight feel.

• As Global Creative Design Director at COVERGIRL and a creative force behind the new COVERGIRL NatureLuxe Collection, world-renowned make-up artist Pat McGrath knows a thing or two about what looks good. And when she's not creating avant-garde make-up looks for the shows of Dolce & Gabanna and Christian Dior or travelling the world creating the next new look, she's helping to bring these looks to you. So what does Pat have to say about the lightweight luxury of this new collection? silk foundation: "In make-up, we're seeing Luxe-Simplicity influence a light, fresh yet flawless look which is both luxurious and radiant; I call this the 'naturally polished' look. Think of a beautiful and radiant glow as if you've just been to a spa and have been pampering your skin. This is not a 'no make-up' look; this is full coverage yet naturally polished, a light yet confident look."

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