Wednesday, March 14, 2012

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:



Click to play this Smilebox slideshow


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 
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Monday, March 12, 2012

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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Cravebox?



So, I have come across this really cool new thing called Cravebox...Has anyone tried it yet? I've been trying to get *in* on it for about a month so far to no avail...but they are doing a giveaway on a couple blogs to win last month's box, so I'm crossing my fingers to win one of those! Here they are:


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Get Dolled Up with Old Navy Dresses!


And it's that time again- Old Navy Sample & Share's on Crowdtap! If you haven't yet heard me *talk* about Crowdtap, keep reading and I will let you know all about it (or click the link there and get started!)  I was chosen to participate in the new Get Dolled Up in Old Navy Dresses! sample and share as part of Old Navy's Style Council. This is an awesome program that Old Navy does through a site called Crowdtap. Crowdtap is Secure VIP access to your favorite brands. Inform their decisions, share your ideas and help them spread the word.. So, what exactly does all that mean?! It means people like you and me get to try out new products, give insight, and participate in discussions for companies that are part of Crowdtap. But, back to the matter at hand, Old Navy's new Spring DRESSES!

Maybe it's just me, but there has ALWAYS been something about wearing a dress that makes me feel so feminine and sexy. I don't care if it's just a cotton maxi or a gorgeous gown, I just feel so good when I wear one. So, I was extremely excited to be included in this Sample & Share program and try out the new styles! Last year I ended up with a large selection of my summer wardrobe being skirts and dresses from Old Navy, so I was hoping to update my wardrobe with some more, and I was not disappointed! Of course, I took my bestie with me and since we both are going back to college right now (her for teaching degree, me for nursing degree) and we live an hour away from each other, this is always an AWESOME excuse to get some much needed friend time in. :)

All of the dresses are really gorgeous this year, and there was quite a few this year that are quite dressy. Maybe I hit the season wrong last year, but it seemed like most of them were very casual last year, so I was pleasantly surprised to find dresses that could be considered Easter dresses and career friendly! My girl was looking for a dress that could be worn to a wedding as she has quite a few to attend over the next few months and I was looking for something that would be comfortable and more casual, so we were excited to see both styles!

After trying on MANY styles and cuts, we both found a perfect one for each of us. I ended up with a long green maxi dress and she got a tan flowery print dress with a cute spring cardi!




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Walgreens Money Maker!


So, even though it was my spring break last week, I've been more busy than if I just had school! Trying to get everything finalized for clinicals in May is actually proving to be a lot more complicated then originally anticipated. *sigh* Anyway, I still have the free Zyrtec from last year, so CVS was not so inviting to me this week...We are running low on things like shampoo and conditioner, body wash, etc - the essentials. So, I passed on even making a list for CVS this week and just quickly ran into Walgreens for the Right Guard body wash deal:

Buy One Get One Free!
Right Guard Total Defense 5 Body Wash 13.5 oz $4.49
Get $1 RR wyb 2, $2 RR wyb 3, or $4 RR wyb 4 (March RR Deal,  thanks iheartwags)

A little while back, there was a printable (coupons.com?) for 3.00 off of 2 Right Guard Total Defense 5 Body Wash, Deodorant, or Anti-Antiperspirant. And like all the wonderful online coupons, it was only available for a short time. Somehow, I managed to print 4 of these- I must've used the computer downstairs as well! Anyway, being as I've been barely getting by for hubby's body wash (he's had to pull out the sample sizes a few times here over the last few months), I was pretty excited. Also, I had 2 $3 RR from last week's money maker (see Biore post), so this deal was absolutely FREE for me and a money maker! Regardless, if you have the correct coupons, and buy 4 bottles, using 2 of the $3/2 coupons, it comes to 2.98 for 4 bottles TOOP and then a 4RR will print at the end!

So, on the way out to my son's soccer game, we pass two Walgreens, so I did it twice (didn't want to clear the shelf at either since I was buying 4 each time)!Pin It

Biore Money Maker!

*Please Note* The above deal was done with last week's ad!
Since Biore looked to still actually be on sale (unadvertised?) at my store this week when I made a quick trip in, I decided to go ahead and talk about it even though the Colgate deal is no longer available. I got so busy last week with my "spring break" that I didn't get a third of what I wanted to get done, done!
Anyway, at Walgreens, Biore is Buy One Get One 50% off.  I have been saving my points up on the Biore Rewards program, so I had enough to print off the $5 coupon (and it printed twice like most bricks coupons!). So here's how it works:
Biore Pore Strips & Cleansers are BOGO50% off.
Buy 1 Biore Strips 6 ct for 7.99
Buy 1 Biore Cleanser for 7.99
4.00 automatically deducted for the sale at the end of transaction
Use the Buy one pore strip get any cleanser for free coupon in SS (3/4).
Use the $5 off coupon printed from the rewards program.
Overages WILL apply, so I bought the Colgate Total and used the 75/1 coupon from SS 2/26.
TOOP $1.24 & Received a $3RR for the Colgate!
I did this twice! ;)

Again, I'm not 100% sure it is still on sale this week, as it was marked in my store but I was in a hurry and did not check the dates on the tag. If you don't have the points to get the high dollar coupon, there is a printable out for $1.50 off Combination Skin Balancing Cleanser, so if you combined the sale with the SS 3/4 coupon, you would only pay 2.49 for BOTH the cleanser and the pore strips, still a HUGE deal!
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Monday, February 20, 2012

Shopping Day!

 So, I've had sick kids (sinus junk) for a few days now, and needless to say, they are starting to drive me bonkers with their bickering and bad moods. So, yesterday, I took off from my mom duties to do some much needed shopping. I went to CVS, BiLo, and Walgreens in the morning and then in the later afternoon/early evening, I headed back out to Publix and Target. Here's the totals:

CVS
(Nivea & Coldcalm)
Started out with $7 ECB's.
Subtotal $23.95
Savings/Coupons $23.95
TOOP $0.00
Savings of 100%

Left with 9.99 ECB's. 
Walgreens
(got2b products)
Subtotal $23.98
Savings/Coupons $23.98

TOOP $0.00
Savings of 100%

Target
Subtotal $14.84
Savings/Coupons $12.75

TOOP $2.09
Savings of 86%

Publix
Subtotal $170.95
Savings/Coupons $114.18

TOOP $56.77
Savings of 67%
Bilo
Subtotal $117.77
Savings/Coupons $60.89

TOOP $56.88
Savings of 52%
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