Influenster Spring Fling Voxbox Review

I've participated in a few Influenster programs before, and it's always fun to get an email saying that you've been selected to receive one of their Voxboxes!  The most recent Voxbox I was selected for was the Spring Fling Voxbox.

The box itself was a pretty seafoam green color, perfectly matching the "Spring Fling" theme.  I was a little underwhelmed with the products inside, to be completely honest, but I know that Voxboxes are completely free so I won't complain too much.

One thing I've noticed with Influenster is that they often feature the same brands in each box, and most of them are not cruelty-free.  So why do I keep participating?  Curiosity, mostly.  They used to do boxes that were themed more toward a specific interest, e.g. a "Green" Voxbox, and I'm still holding out for one of those.  The Spring Fling Voxbox had a good assortment of items, but I unfortunately won't use most of them.

• Rimmel London ScandalEyes Retro Glam Mascara - I have so many mascaras that I have lost count.  I still haven't opened this one because it would just end up going to waste.  I will probably give it away to a friend.  I don't purchase this brand, but I've used mascaras with similar wands and they give really good coverage.
• Kiss Everlasting French Nails - I do not like press-on nails.  I hate the way they feel.  I received a set of imPRESS nails (which I think are an offshoot of the Kiss brand) and I likened them to wearing kitten mittens.  Plus, my nails are actually pretty strong (I have to trim them with toenail clippers) and I change my polish up at least three times a week, so I have no need for these.

• Nivea Skin Firming Hydration Body Lotion - Travel-sized body lotions are always good to have.  I keep one in my purse, one at my desk at work, and various others scattered around my apartment because having dry skin is one of my biggest peeves.
• Playtex Sport Fresh Balance - Another product I won't use--I don't wear tampons.

• Peach Pie Car Freshener from the Labor Day movie - Influenster posted some teasers saying there would be a "special product" from the Labor Day movie, and I guess this is it.  It's not very exciting, but I suppose it's a nice little extra.  I have a pumpkin spice freshener in my car now, so once that wears out I'll replace it with this one.

Bottom Line: This Voxbox was a miss for me.  It's not the fault of Influenster and I'm thankful for the free box, it just so happened that most of the products were not relevant to my lifestyle.  I'm sure they are working out really well for those who do use these types of products, though!

*Disclaimer: This post was sponsored by Influenster.

Influenster #FinditAtTarget VoxBox Review

I was excited to be selected to participate in Influenster's "Find it At Target" VoxBox program, because every box was going to contain a surprise product that, as the name suggested, could be found at Target.  The whole idea was to introduce people to the wide variety of things you can find at the store.

I was hoping to get some makeup or skincare items to play around with.  When I received my box I had no idea what would be inside based on the shape and the weight of it.

I ended up getting a Fudge Urban Iced Raspberry & Vanilla Styling Mousse.  To say I was disappointed when I opened my box would be an understatement.  I can't be mad at Influenster since I knew ahead of time that the items were going to be random, but this is one thing I have zero use for.  Looking at the other brands on the info card, there were definitely some others I would have preferred to receive.

I couldn't find any definitive information on whether or not Fudge Urban is a cruelty-free brand.  It's an entirely new brand to me, so Influenster and Target did achieve their goal of introducing me to a brand new item.  Unfortunately it's just a type of product that I don't use.  My hair is very thick already, so I don't need mousse.  This one does smell nice (it's very sweet), and I like that it is a heat protectant as well, but the one time I tried to use it, just for the sake of this review, it just made my scalp feel itchy by the end of the day.

Bottom Line: I think this product would be great for someone who needed a little extra volume boost, but, like I said before, my hair is already pretty thick so I don't need much help in that department.  I still think that the Find it At Target VoxBox program was fun, though, and I'm curious to see what other people received!

*This post is sponsored by Influenster.

Influenster J'Adore VoxBox Review

I hadn't been chosen for a full Influenster VoxBox in a while, so I was excited when I found out that I'd been selected for the J'Adore VoxBox!  I like to be surprised but I'm also super impatient, so I looked up other blog posts before mine came to see what was inside, and I was pleased with most of the items.

Influenster is a program that connects members with various products for free in exchange for promoting them across their social media accounts.  Aside from these themed VoxBoxes, they also have had brand-specific boxes such as the Celestial Seasonings VoxBox that I recently reviewed (you can view all of my past Influenster programs by clicking here).  The only downside is that you have to just wait and hope that you're chosen for a program, since the companies dictate what kind of demographics they'd like to reach.  You can increase your chances by being active on social media and participating on the Influenster site, though.

The J'Adore VoxBox contained items from five different brands, and I liked the variety of items this time around.  Here's a rundown of what I thought of each product:

• John Frieda Frizz Ease 3 Day Straight: I wasn't sure if John Frieda was a cruelty-free brand or not (I usually just assume that most drugstore brands are not), but according to a post by Beauty and the Freak, they confirmed with her via email that they do not test on animals.  However, according to PETA, their parent company, Kao USA Inc, does test on animals.  I tried this product once, but after learning that they are not entirely cruelty-free, I will not be using it any further.  It didn't really work that well on my thick hair anyway.
• Hershey's Kisses: I loved the family bag of Kisses that was included in this box!  Who doesn't love chocolate?  It was a fun item to have for Valentine's Day.  This box arrived a few days before I left for my vacation to Florida, so I took them along with me on the trip.
• Boots Botanics Ionic Clay Mask: This brand was new to me, and I was intrigued by this mask because I have oily skin and I like to use clay masks for purification, but a lot of them are really harsh.  This one is made from plant extracts and was much more gentle, but still effective at reducing oiliness.  An article on Buying Cruelty Free provides an email from a Boots representative stating that they are a cruelty-free company.  I like that they state that they are looking into becoming Leaping Bunny certified as well!
• Kiss Lashes: I've never used fake lashes before and I'm a little intimidated by them.  I have short lashes that stick straight out, but I'm just afraid that these are more trouble than their worth.  I also couldn't find any definitive answer about whether they are cruelty-free or not.
• Red Rose Teas: I received teas in Lemon Chiffon and Creme Caramel.  The Creme Caramel flavor was delicious!  I have yet to try the Lemon Chiffon, but I do like lemon teas.  I was familiar with this brand prior to the VoxBox, so I knew I would enjoy them.

Bottom Line: My favorite product in this box was definitely the Boots Botanics Ionic Clay Mask.  Even though not all of the brands were cruelty-free, I can appreciate the variety of items that Influenster sent.  I had a fun time with this VoxBox!

*Disclaimer: I received this box as part of the Influenster program.  I received no monetary compensation.

Celestial Seasonings VoxBox Review

It's been a while since I last participated in an Influenster campaign, so I was excited to be chosen for the Celestial Seasonings VoxBox!  I love tea and Celestial Seasonings is one of my favorite brands, so this was a perfect fit for me.

This VoxBox was titled "The Art of Green Tea" and it contained two different teas to sample.  I was already familiar with the regular Sleepytime tea (it's one of my favorites!), but I had never tried the green tea version.  The Honey Lemon Ginseng flavor was also new to me.  This polar vortex winter has been no joke, so a nice hot cup of tea has become a regular part of my day even moreso than before.

I thought that the packaging was great; Celestial Seasonings always does a good job of having beautiful artwork to accompany their delicious teas.  The Sleepytime tea was decaf, so (as the name suggests), I drank it before bed.  The flavor was similar to the original variety, but the addition of the green tea was subtle and very enjoyable.  The Honey Lemon Ginseng tea, made with white and green teas, was as smooth as the packaging promises.  I drank this one during the day, since it was not decaf.  As you can see from the packaging, both teas contained natural antioxidants as well.

The photo above shows the ingredient lists for both teas.  Both were gluten-free, and I loved that both contained minimal ingredients and natural flavors.  Each packet contained two tea bags, which I was glad to see because I just assumed they both only contained one.  For those who haven't tried Celestial Seasonings before, their tea bags do not come with a string attached, but I've never seen this as a negative.  As instructed, I placed the bag in my mug first and then poured the water over it.  The bag ends up floating to the top of the cup, so it can easily be removed with a spoon (or even just your fingers).

Bottom Line: I have nothing bad to say about this VoxBox!  As I've already said, Celestial Seasonings is one of my favorite tea brands, so I was glad to try two new teas of theirs.  I definitely recommend these teas, and all other Celestial Seasonings varieties, as the perfect cold weather drink!

*Disclaimer: I received these samples through the Influenster program.  I received no monetary compensation for this review.

Influenster Sugar 'N Spice Voxbox Review

I was chosen to receive the "Sugar 'N Spice" Voxbox from Influenster, which was the second of two campaigns that they've had so far this year.  I received my box in the beginning of March.  If you're unfamiliar with Influenster, please check out my previous reviews by clicking here.

Influenster definitely stepped up their packaging with this box.  Previous boxes had just been packaged in plain white boxes, so these orange ones were a fun change.  It made me feel more like I was part of a program as opposed to just receiving a random box of stuff.

I hope that in the future I'm able to receive one of the badge-specific boxes (especially the "Eco" one), because more often than not my experience with Influenster has been that they include a lot of brands that are not cruelty-free.  The reason I still choose to participate is because I'm hoping to receive the Eco box, and the more active you are within the community, the better your chances.  I don't love the idea of using products that aren't cruelty-free, and their status as such is included in my reviews.

The Sugar 'N Spice Voxbox contained seven items total, only two of which I really enjoyed using.

• Splenda Nectresse - I have never tried an artificial sweetener that I liked, and this one was no different.  Apparently it's derived from Monk Fruit, but to me it just tasted exactly like Splenda.  I just don't like that artificial taste (whether it be Splenda, stevia, etc.), so I'll be sticking with sugar.
• Colgate Optic White Mouthwash, Toothpaste, and Toothbrush - This trio is supposed to help whiten teeth.  I needed a new toothbrush so I was able to put that to good use, but I won't be using the mouthwash and toothpaste.  The mouthwash tasted horrible, I can't really compare it to anything, it just was not good.  I'm not using the toothpaste because I have sensitive teeth and whitening products are usually too harsh for them.  Colgate is also not a cruelty-free company.
• Vaseline Spray & Go Total Moisture - I tried this, but I don't like it.  Aside from Vaseline being owned by Unilever (not cruelty-free), it was loaded with ingredients that I don't like to use (ammonium, parabens, and the like).  I have a spray body oil from Deep Steep that I currently use, and I won't be replacing it with this.  If natural ingredients aren't a concern for you, though, I do think that you would enjoy this product due to its ease of use.
• Dickinson's Original Witch Hazel Oil Controlling Towelettes - This was my favorite product of the bunch.  I've used Dickinson's Witch Hazel before, and I love that these towelettes only have three ingredients (witch hazel, aloe barbadensis leaf juice, and sodium benzoate) and are cruelty-free.  I used these to remove my makeup after work and to relieve the oily feeling on my face, and they worked really well.  I'll definitely be purchasing more in the future.
• belVita Breakfast Biscuits - These were the other product that I really enjoyed.  They were delicious and I'm going to see if I can grab some the next time I go grocery shopping.

Bottom Line: Overall this box had some hits and some misses, but I've come to expect that from Influenster.  I think they did a great job of including a variety of products for this box, and you can't argue with a 100% free assortment of items to try.

*Disclaimer: I received this box from Influenster for free as part of their product review program.  I was not monetarily compensated for my review and the honest opinions here are entirely my own.

Influenster Holiday Voxbox Unboxing

Even though I was sent the Crest 3D White Whitestrips Voxbox a few months ago, I'm considering the Influenster Holiday Voxbox my first true box of the year.  I was hoping to be selected for more campaigns than just this one, especially since they said they'd have "lots of exciting opportunities for the new year" last year, but oh well--for an entirely free program, I'm just glad I got at least one box.

Did I love this box?  No, but how can I complain -- it was free!  I was disappointed that there were repeat products in this box, but there were also some interesting ones.  Here's what was inside:

• Quaker Real Medleys Oatmeal - I thought I had taken photos of the products when I first got the box, but I guess I was mistaken.  I ate this before I took a picture, but I got the Cherry Pistachio flavor.
• NYC New York Color Liquid Lipshine in Nude York City
• KISS Nail Dress in Babydoll - I found other blog posts saying that Kiss is a cruelty-free company, but I couldn't find any definitive information on their corporate website so I'm not sure about whether I should use them or not yet (even though I did try them in the past).
• EBOOST in Pink Lemonade
• Goody QuikStyle Brush - Goody is owned by Newell Rubbermaid, which is a cruelty-free company.
• Sole Society Coupon

Watch my unboxing video for a more in-depth review:


A few more photos of my products are after the cut....

Crest 3D White Whitestrips Influenster Voxbox Review

A few weeks ago I received the "oral aesthetic product" Voxbox from Influenster, which turned out to be a Crest 3D White Whitestrips kit.  I was immediately disappointed when I opened it, because I faced a dilemma: Crest is not a cruelty-free company, and I strive to only use cruelty-free products.

I decided to try the strips for a while, using the argument that I didn't purchase the strips, so technically my money wasn't going to the company.  I even made a video on YouTube about my unboxing, since that was one of the optional tasks you could complete for the Influenster campaign.  But all along I knew I was just kidding myself: the whole point of Influenster is to try out products and promote the ones you really like.  I couldn't promote Crest or these Whitestrips because I can't support a brand that isn't cruelty-free.

I'm not perfect--many will probably think that I never should have tried them in the first place.  Maybe if I had known beforehand that the "oral aesthetic" product was from Crest I wouldn't have even accepted the campaign to begin with (Influenster didn't tell us what the product was ahead of time).  But in the end, I realized that I personally would rather not complete the entire campaign.  Originally I was motivated to give it a try because everyone who completes the optional Influenster tasks auto-qualifies for the Holiday Voxbox.  I'd love to get that box, but it's not worth it to me to pretend to promote a brand I can't support.

What do you think?  I'm curious to hear your thoughts about animal testing.  Some people only buy from Leaping Bunny certified companies, others support cruelty-free brands that are owned by parent companies that test.  Some people aren't concerned with animal testing at all.  None of these views are right or wrong!  I fully respect everyone's educated opinion.  Feel free to let me know what you think in the comments section, but please refrain from badgering mine or anyone else's views.  I don't want to turn this post into a mudslinging debate.

Thanks for reading!

Influenster Relaunch!

I've been a member of Influenster for almost a year now; I signed up to be a member on the site around last Christmas.  If you're not familiar with what they do, they basically are a community of influential people who can qualify to receive free mailings with products to try.  I've received two Influenster Voxboxes in the past.

Influenster recently (finally!) launched a brand new website that is so much easier to navigate than their old version.  The old one was not user-friendly at all and, frankly, I hated it.  This one is much more attractive.  My favorite thing about it is that there is tons more content than there used to be.  There are plenty more products to review, and you can actually view other members' profiles now, something that wasn't possible in the past.

My Influenster Love VoxBox from February 2012

The program is similar to Klout in that your influence is measured by a score.  Your Influenster score is generated by multiple factors: your presence across social media platforms, your participation in Voxboxes, and your participation on the website itself.  You can earn up to five "Expert" badges, so it's important to choose ones that are truly relevant to your lifestyle.  I currently have the Eco, Fashionista, Chowhound, Beauty Queen, and Decorator badges.  You can then increase your score within each of these areas of expertise by adding reviews to products on the site, sharing product pages, and much more.  Basically, the more you do, the higher your score, and the better your chances of being chosen for a Voxbox!

Influenster is really fun, and I love that the new site is so much more interactive than the old one.  I hope to get chosen for a Voxbox soon, since it's been a while since I received my last one.  That's probably the only downside to the site, you never know what the product companies are looking for in regards to demographics, so you can't be sure when you'll qualify for a box.

I believe that Influenster is currently invite-only and I have four invites available.  I'll send them out first-come first-served, so if you'd like one leave a comment on this entry with your email address (so I can send it to you)!

Kiss Nail Dress Review

I received a set of Kiss Nail Dress nail appliques in my Influenster Love VoxBox and they were really fun to try!  I have tried two other appliques from different brands, and these were my favorite of the three.  The pattern I received is called "Shrug."

What I liked most about these is that they're stickers, not actual nail polish like the two others I've tried (Sally Hansen and Incoco).  While the nail polish ones are nice because they're, well, actual nail polish, I found that they were difficult for me to apply because they were very delicate (especially the Incoco).  The Kiss Nail Dress are sturdier and more forgiving if you make a mistake.  They are a bit tougher to file down, though.  Even better, once you want to remove them you just have to peel the sticker off of your nail.

The photo above is what the appliques looked like after one day of wear.  You can't really tell in the photo, but there is just the tiniest bit of chipping on the tips of some of my nails, but nothing serious.  I'm not really sure how long they would have lasted overall, since I took them off a few days later to try out a new shade of nail polish.  I have a feeling they'd last quite a while, though, since they're stickers.  Their website advertises that they last up to 10 days.  They come in 18 different patterns/shades and retail for around $6.99 at mass-market stores like CVS, etc., and there are 28 stickers in each package.  They even include a nail design booklet in each package for extra inspiration!

• Learn more about Kiss Nail Dress and see all of the styles at their website
• Connect with them on Facebook and Twitter

Bottom Line: I really liked using the Kiss Nail Dress appliques and would definitely buy them!  They're an easy way to add a fun pattern to your fingernails, and they can be applied to your toes just as easily.

*Disclaimer: I received the Kiss Nail Dress for free in my Influenster Love VoxBox to review.  I was not monetarily compensated for this review and the honest opinions here are entirely my own.

Influenster Love VoxBox

I got my Love VoxBox from Influenster yesterday!  They don't send out tracking numbers for the box unless you ask for one, and I opted to not ask for one because 1. they were probably swamped with requests and 2. I didn't mind being surprised.

Influenster is a program for people who are active with social media.  Basically, you earn badges that reflect your personality, and if you qualify for "VoxBoxes" you will receive them free of charge in exchange for promoting the products on Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, etc.  Back in December I reviewed the Holiday VoxBox.

Here is what was included in the Love VoxBox (so named because they chose the pre-qualified recipients on Valentine's Day):

• Gillette Venus & Olay Razor ($8.99-10.99)
• Kiss Nail Dress ($6.99)
• Stash Tea Herbal Sampler ($3.50)
• Ghirardelli Gourmet Milk Creamy Devotion Bar ($2.99)
• Truvia Natural Sweetener ($3.99 for 40 count)

So for a box that cost me nothing, I'd say the value is pretty good ($25.80 assuming that the razor is $8.99)!  True, most of these are "grocery store" items (which I definitely complained about with my Cravebox), but I don't mind so much with Influenster because the service is free.  Be on the lookout for reviews for these products coming up shortly!

Montagne Jeunesse Mask Review

Another product I received in my Influenster Holiday VoxBox was a mask from Montagne Jeunesse, which was really fun for me because I love trying new skin care products.

The mask I received was the Strawberry Souffle version.  I've seen their products at stores like Wal-Mart before and have tried one of their other masks in the past.  It was a while ago so I don't remember what the exact name of it was, but I remember it being gel-like.  Montagne Jeunesse has a large variety of masks available at very affordable prices.  They are packed with delicious, natural ingredients and are bursting with fragrance!  They are also suitable for all skin types, so there's no need to worry about which ones will be appropriate for your skin.  A plus of these masks for me is that they are free of parabens, are vegetarian-approved, and are never tested on animals.  You can pick them up at stores including ULTA Beauty, Walgreens, Claire's, Wal-Mart, Kroger, CVS Pharmacies, and other retailers across the U.S.

As I said, I received the Strawberry Souffle mask.  Other varieties include Cucumber Peel Off, Passion Peel Off, Dead Sea Mud, Fruit Smoothie, Chocolate Mud, and many more.  The Strawberry smelled absolutely wonderful.  It was so sweet and perfect and it smelled good enough to eat!  I was able to get two uses out of this sample packet, I probably could have even stretched it to three if I really wanted to.  I slathered it on my skin and left it there for about 15 minutes, then washed it off with a washcloth and warm water.  It didn't over-dry my skin, which I appreciated.  It left my face feeling super soft and smooth.

• Learn more about Montagne Jeunesse at their website
• Connect with them on Facebook and Twitter

Bottom Line: I highly recommend Montagne Jeunesse's masks!  They are high-quality, cruelty-free, vegetarian-approved, and very affordable (also easily accessible).  What more could you want?  I want to try the Fruit Smoothie and Passion Peel Off kinds next.

X Out Wash In Treatment Review

I received the X Out Wash In Treatment in my Influenster Holiday VoxBox.  It was one of the special extra items that Influenster sent out, so I was really happy to have received one.  It was supposed to go out to college students, but I'm currently not in school.  I think I may have received it because I'm a recent grad; I graduated with my undergrad degree this past May.

Regardless of why I received the treatment, I was eager to try it.  It's a one-step acne wash from the creators of Proactiv.  It's formulated to help kill the bacteria that causes breakouts, banish existing pimples, and leave skin feeling smooth and looking healthy.  X Out works to lift away the dirt and grime that can clog pores and lead to breakouts.  It also leaves behind a powerful medicine that helps to keep pores clean after washing.  It's sold as a 30-day supply and comes with a bonus Shine Control product to help fight excess oil; the subscription is $19.95 per supply.

I have sensitive skin, so I worried that this product would be too strong for my skin.  I've been blessed with pretty good skin and I never had too many breakouts while I was in high school and college.  I still wanted to give this a try, though.  The sample sized I received (pictured above) was a good size--2.5 ounces.  It can be used as a wash, a mask, or a spot treatment.  I decided to use it as a wash.

The first thing that I noticed was the scent.  I'm a very scent-driven person, and this one smelled nice and sweet; it reminded me of bubblegum.  It's a white cream with little exfoliating particles in it.  The texture reminded me of a sugar scrub.  The directions say to massage into face for 1-2 minutes, but I knew that would be way too long and harsh on my delicate skin.  I probably rubbed it in for about 30 seconds, then washed it off.  My skin felt nice and smooth after, but it definitely dried it out quite a bit.  One thing I thought was fun about it is that there is a QR code on the side of the bottle that you can scan for a "daily distraction."  These distractions last for the 1-2 minutes you're supposed to wash for, so it's a good way to time your progress.  I don't have a smartphone (I know, I'm practically a dinosaur!) so I couldn't try it out, but you can also view them at dd.XOut.com.

• Learn more about X Out at their website
• Connect with them on Twitter and Facebook

Bottom Line: I think that the X Out Wash In Treatment would be great for someone who has severe acne.  It's not something I would buy a full-sized version of because I have fairly clear, sensitive skin.  I will continue to use it as a mask or an exfoliating wash on occasion, though.

*Disclaimer: I received the X Out Wash In Treatment for free as a part of Influenster's VoxBox program in exchange for writing reviews and promoting the products included in the box via social media.  I was not monetarily compensated for this review and the honest opinions are entirely my own.

imPRESS Press-On Manicure Review

My previous post described what I got in my Influenster Holiday VoxBox, and shortly after writing that entry I decided to try the imPRESS Press-On Manicure by Broadway Nails that I received in that box.

Basically, these are a set of plastic press-on nails.  I think their packaging is really cute; I like how the nails are inside of a little nail polish bottle.  They're available at drugstores and mass-market stores like CVS.  The imPRESS nails are marketed as a long-lasting alternative to polish that doesn't fade or chip.  I've recently gained an interest in nail polish and nail art, so I was excited to try these.

I was very happy when I opened my VoxBox and saw the pattern that I received, it's called Over The Moon.  The colors are perfect for my skin tone, a purple/maroon with gold swirls.  The nails were easy to apply, you just pull off the piece of plastic covering the sticky underside and press them on.  The bottle has a bunch of extra nails, too, to cover a wide range of nail sizes.  I have really small hands and nails and was happy to find that they had ones small enough to fit me.  I also like that they're shorter than other press-ons I've seen, because I really dislike the feeling of long nails.

I didn't keep these nails on much longer after I took this photo, because I didn't like the way they felt on my nails.  The combination of the sticky substance and the weight of the nails made me really uncomfortable.  Have you seen the It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia scene with the kitten mittens?  That's how I felt with these on my nails (if you haven't seen it, click here).  I like the idea of the product and I think they're really fun, and I'm sure they do last a long time, they just aren't for me.

• Learn more about imPRESS Press-On Manicure by Broadway Nails at their website, where you can find a full list of retailers, download an exclusive coupon, and virtually try on all of the patterns
• Connect with them on Facebook and Twitter
• Learn more about Influenster

Bottom Line: I can see imPRESS nails being a really fun product for people who are fans of press-on nails.  I really loved the pattern I received, and if they didn't feel so uncomfortable I would definitely wear them out and about.  They were easy to apply, had lots of sizes, and come in 36 different styles (ranging from animal prints to solid colors).  They are also easily accessible and affordable, they retail for $5.99 for solid colors and $7.99 for patterns.

*Disclaimer: I received the imPRESS Press-On Manicure free of charge in my Influenster Holiday VoxBox.  I received these products via Influenster in exchange for promotion of the companies and products through social media.  I was not monetarily compensated for this review and these honest opinions are entirely my own.

Influenster Holiday Voxbox Review

After much anticipation, I received my Holiday VoxBox from Influenster on Tuesday!  Influenster is a site I discovered a few months ago that sends out products in what they call VoxBoxes to members who are active on social media.  Basically, they send you themed products free of charge in exchange for you promoting the brands via blogging, vlogging, tweeting, etc.  Sounded like a great plan to me!

So this is what the box looked like when I opened it (you can click all of the images in this post to see them at a larger resolution).  The card on top has a description of all of the products inside.  I think I remember seeing that Influenster had 5,000 of these VoxBoxes to send out, so I'm really glad that I signed up when I did.

Before I dive into the products, a little bit more information about Influenster: as I said, it's basically free products for the member and free promotion for the companies.  In order to qualify to receive these boxes, you fill out surveys to earn "badges."  You can earn up to 5 lifestyle badges based on your interests, and no limit on the amount of Influence badges (the more the better--there are 10 total).  I currently have 6 lifestyle badges, with one still pending approval (one more than the usual 5 because Influenster recently allowed people to apply for one more for a limited time): Outdoorsy, Foodie, Cat Lover, Beauty, Cosmopolitan, Health Nut, and Green.  I also have 6 influence badges.  It's best to collect as many influence badges as possible because the more "influence" you have across social media, the more likely it is that you'll receive a VoxBox.  So, for example, when it comes time for Influenster to send out a "Foodie" VoxBox, if I've shown that I have high influence I could possibly qualify for that box.

Here are all of the items I received in the VoxBox.  I was pretty happy with the variety: some edibles and some beauty/skin care products.  The inserts are nice, too; the Larabar one has a sticker and a $1.00 off coupon, and the imPRESS Manicure is also a $1.00 off coupon.

These are most of the beauty/skin care items:

• X Out Wash-In Treatment - This is one of 3 bonus items, so I was pretty happy to find it in my box. It was sent out to college students, and I'm not in college anymore (graduated last year), but I won't complain!  This wash is from the makers of Proactiv, and can be used as a facewash, mask, and/or a spot treatment.  It smells really fruity, it kind of reminded me of bubblegum, and has little exfoliating beads.  It's supposed to be used 2x a day, but my skin is really sensitive so I think it's appropriate for me to use it only every few days.  It left my skin feeling nice and tingly, though!
• New York Color Liquid Lip Shine - I really like this lip gloss!  The shade is "Nude York City," and it's perfect because I've been meaning to buy a nude lip shade.  It also smells delicious, like a cupcake or cookies or something.  It goes on smoothly and doesn't feel sticky; I hate how some glosses just "sit" on my lips and feel too thick.  This one doesn't feel that way at all.
• imPRESS Press-On Manicure by Broadway Nails - Funny story: another Influenster member posted a photo of her manicure on their Facebook page, and I commented with "I love that pattern, I hope I get that one in my box!," and I did!  It's called "Over The Moon."  I'm going to write a review about these in a separate entry because I haven't put them on my nails yet.
• Monagne Jeunesse Face Mask - You all know that I love skin care products, so this was a really fun sample to receive.  The mask I got is Strawberry Souffle, and I just used it tonight.  It smelled really nice and left my skin feeling super smooth.

Read more of my reviews behind the cut!