Review - Skin Actives Cranberry Moisturizing Serum

I recently received a full-sized Skin Actives Cranberry Moisturizing Serum ($10.50 for 1 fl oz) for testing purposes, courtesy of review and shopping site 08Liter USA. The name is a bit of a mouthful, that's for sure. I'd never heard of the brand before, but I'm almost out of my Moonshot serum so I was happy that I was selected to try this out.

First Impressions
The packaging is simple, which I like, but it doesn't speak to me in any real way. However, I do like how practical the bottle is and how it's not bogged down by information. The information on the bottle is straight to the point and factual. The sticker is a peel-off so that with the ingredient list written underneath (see it on their website or on the bottom of this post).

According to the packaging, this serum is supposed to moisturize the skin with a matte finish. I've personally been getting more into the Korean-style dewy skin finish, but since this a serum, it isn't the final step in my routine. Usually I use serums directly after my two layers of toner.

This serum is also supposed to work as a makeup primer. That is definitely a perk since I'm a huge fan of multi-use products. However, I do have combination skin, so I usually need more moisture than what a serum can offer, so I'm not sure that I'll ever be able to get much use out of this as just a primer! I could try using it twice throughout my skincare routine and see how that goes, I suppose. That being said, I'll probably keep it just as a serum.

      

Overall Impressions
I really like the texture. It's not quite a gel, but it's not water-y either though it is a little bit runny. I like that the scent isn't heavy, since un-naturally scented products tend to irritate my skin (and my nose). The scent actually smells like actual cranberries or cranberry juice though I could barely smell it when I tested it on the back of my hand. I could sense the smell better when I was applying it to my face, which is a good sign that the scent isn't overwhelming or going to be strong as I layer all my other products over top!

You can't see it in the photos, but the serum actually is a light cranberry pink/red color. It goes on clear and doesn't leave any coloring on the skin. It also has tiny darker colored spots (cranberry flakes?) in it that dissolve as you massage the serum into your skin.

The finish isn't as matte as I expected. I guess I expected it to have a matte finish similar to a matte primer or base makeup, but this actually just has a slightly sticky, non/dewy feel after application. The serum sets into my skin in seconds, which is amazing. The sticky feeling does go away as the serum completely sets in, but I would make sure to wait until the sticky feel has gone away before applying your next layer, if you have another (or many more) layer(s).

Cranberry Moisturizing Serum:
Ingredients: Water, Sea Kelp (Lactobacillus/kelp ferment filtrate) Bioferment, Glycerin, Sodium PCA, Vaccinium macrocarpon (Cranberry) Juice, Ferulic acid, Hydrolyzed Collagen, Hyaluronic acid, Porphyridium extract, Fucoxanthin, Fragrance, Phenoxyethanol (and) Caprylyl Glycol (and) Sorbic Acid

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This is a PR sample. This was not purchased with personal funds, but all opinions are my own.

All products are linked as available. If I have not been able to find a link or website where you can purchase a product, then I am unsure if they are available for sale online or not. If you have seen that product for sale online, feel free to leave a link in the comments or message it to me over social media or through e-mail (xoxosplace @ gmail.com) and I'll be sure to link them into this post.

All photos are mine unless stated otherwise.  Photos that do not belong to me will be linked to the source. Do not repost without permission.

Influenster - Fierce VoxBox

I've been a member of product review site Influenster since 2013, and I was pretty on-and-off active, but I've been recently getting more active on that site. For those that don't know, Influenster is a site that offers its users free products, known as VoxBoxes, to test free in return for honest reviews.

The number of products in each VoxBox varies depending on the brand and the type of box it is. Influenster works with brands ranging from high-end like Burberry and Marc Jacobs to drug store brands like CoverGirl and Maybelline. However, boxes aren't limited to just beauty products, though mine usually are only beauty-related. I've previously tested out several boxes with dish soaps and snacks, among other lifestyle products, though those type of items don't cater as much to me currently. If you're interested in knowing more about Influenster, check out their site here! -> Influenster

Now on to the box! The box that I'm currently a part of is called the Fierce VoxBox. I honestly wasn't too excited about this box, since the products seemed to be a little bit random, but I'm always happy to receive free, and useful, things so of course I wasn't going to turn it down!

Every box comes with an info card, similar to what you'd find in a subscription box: product descriptions, brands, etc

The picture above shows everything that came in the Fierce VoxBox. A full-size tub of original Vaseline, a 20-pack of Carefree brand panty liners, a Sinful Colors x Kandee Johnson (shade varies by box), a multi-use sample of Shea Moisture shampoo and "blow out" creme, and a sample-size/travel-size Madam C.J. Walker Brassica Seed Oil.

The Vaseline, Carefree panty liners, and Sinful Colors nail polish are all items that I'm already familiar with. I have tried various products from each of those brands, and I don't have much to say about them. I can say that I love Vaseline for its multi-use capabilities. You can use it as a skin softener/moisturizer, for chapped lips, and I often use it when I'm detangling things. I've found that a little goes a long way, so this small tub should last me quite a long time, and I'm all about products giving me the best value.

As for the Carefree liners, I'm definitely not opinionated one way or another about these. For pads, I go for brands that work, but for panty liners, I generally go for whatever is cheapest. However, these will come in handy and will be used since they're something that I consider a hygienic necessity.

Previous to this VoxBox, I had never heard of this brand. I don't usually use argan oil products so it's not something I look for when shopping for hair care. I honestly spend very little time on my hair comparatively to the time I spend on taking care of my skin. I've found that as my skincare routine gets longer, my haircare routine gets shorter. Checks and balances, in a sense. All things considered though, I take care of my hair as best I can. I like it to be clean and healthy looking.

Out of this box, I'm definitely more interested in trying out the blowout creme. The info card states it's a "conditioning styling creme" so I'm excited to try it out. I don't often blow dry my hair because of the damage the heat can do to ones hair, but I make exceptions for special occasions or to try new products like this Shea Moisture styling creme.

Oftentimes, products that don't come in full-size come with a coupon for an amount off of the full-size product. I think it's really nice of the brands involved to offer that, especially since you're testing out the product for free and reviewing it for them! It's a nice extra.

  

When I first found out we were getting the Brassica Seed Oil, I assumed it was a skincare product. During the winter, my skin gets very dry, and I use oils to help provide the moisture I'm missing. However, this is not a skincare product, it's actually for your hair! I'm not a huge fan of shiny, shiny hair, but once again, I'm willing to try this out. If the oils you use for your face can help stem oil over-production, perhaps a hair oil can have the same effect on the scalp! Who knows.

I'm curious what amount of product you're supposed to use at any given time, because this bottle is small. Tiny, in fact. It comes with a dropper, which seems an interesting way to disperse oil for hair, but it does make it much easier and much less messy than pouring.

I'm actually really excited for the nail polish that we received! I've been keen on re-doing my nails, and this came at just the right time. As stated previously, the shade received varied from box to box. I received the shade 'Rock Kandee' and is a purple, holographic glitter. Glitter colors tend to be more of a top-coat type of polish, but the colored glitter in the bottle gives me lots of color options to work with. I could essentially put any color underneath as a complimentary base, if I can't use this all by itself.

Overall, this box wasn't the most exciting that I've tried out. I personally liked the e.l.f. Cosmetics box I received previously a bit more, but I tend to prefer boxes that focus on one particular brand because I get to try a range of products from one brand versus one product from various brands.

I still really enjoy using Influenster. I love the fact that you can read and write review products on almost anything lifestyle, food, or beauty related. It's a great way to see what other people are saying about a product but all in one place versus checking out reviews on every site the products are sold on. It's a great way to discover new products and show some love to products you already know about and use. If you're unfamiliar with Influenster, definitely check it out!

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All the featured products were sent to me for testing purposes. These were not purchased with personal funds, but all opinions are my own.

All products are linked as available. If I have not been able to find a link or website where you can purchase a product, then I am unsure if they are available for sale online or not. If you have seen that product for sale online, feel free to leave a link in the comments or message it to me over social media or through e-mail (xoxosplace@gmail.com) and I'll be sure to link them into this post.

All photos are mine unless stated otherwise.  Photos that do not belong to me will be linked to the source. Do not repost without permission.

Influenster e.l.f. Cosmetics VoxBox

Hey all! It's literally been forever since I wrote, but I'm back to write about the latest VoxBox I've gotten! I kind of fell off the Influenster radar for a while because I was constantly traveling and was seriously busy with school, but now I have some free time as I finish up final projects and exams.

I got this in the mail about 2 weeks ago, but I'm finally writing about this! I was so excited to be able to get into this VoxBox because I love e.l.f. and I was excited to be able to try a bit of their new skincare line available on their website!

*I received these products courtesy of Influenster and e.l.f. Cosmetics, but all opinions expressed are mine.*
*All photos are my property. Please do not repost without permission and/or credit*

To begin with, some photos!

Most Influenster VoxBoxes are themed based on the specific brand products inside!

View of the inside of the box

All five products from the box

Influenster Dean's List VoxBox

I was so excited to be able to participate in this VoxBox since I am a college student! I tracked this baby all the way to my door, and then ripped it open the moment I got home. I love everything in this box. Well, almost everything.

Firstly, the box. The box is an awesome shade of forest green, which was pretty cool since it's fall, and it's kind of a fall color. Kind of. Then I opened the box, and was greeted with so many products. I thought there were going to be fewer products so I was pleasantly surprised.

The one thing that kind of bothered me was that the information card was on the bottom of the box, and since it's almost the exact same size as the bottom of the box, it took me almost five minutes to get it out of the box so I could read it.

1) Pilot Pen FriXion Clicker Pens: 1 in blue, 1 in black. Approx retail: $5.75 for 2-pack.
    These pens are awesome. The outsides have a cool almost flame-like pattern on the pen barrel, and it has an "eraser" at the top. The back says it's America's very first gel-ink eraser pen. It also has a coupon on the back for $1.00 off a 2-pack of these pens. The clicker is actually the clip that's on the pen. It's pretty awesome.

2) Softlips Cube in fresh mint. Approx retail: $3.49.
    This is essentially Softlips' answer to the eos egg lip balms, but I'm anxious to see how it compares in performance! I love the scents of the eos balms, but I've found they tend to be actually rather drying. So, hopefully this Softlips cube will be more hydrating! I've loved all the Softlips balms I've tried in the past, so I'm sure I'll love this too.

3) KISS Looks So Natural Lashes. Approx retail: $3.99.
    I've tried false lashes before, and they wouldn't stay on for me, but these ones look lighter and seem almost more like a filler or lash enhancer than a more fancy lash like the Katy Perry lashes, which aren't exactly natural looking. I think these lashes, since they're not so thick, might work well with my eyes! I'm excited to try these.

4) COVERGIRL Ready, Set, Gorgeous Liquid Foundation in shade 305 Golden Tan. Approx retail: $6.99-$8.99
    I've seen tons of ads for this new Katy Perry line for Covergirl, but I've yet to try them. I'm someone who tends to stick to what I know, but since I've gotten this, and it looks like it's my skin-tone shade, I'm definitely going to try this. I like the fact that it's a lighter formula. I don't like thick, heavy ones because they feel cakey on my skin.

5) Playtex Sport Fresh Balance. Approx retail: $3.99.
    I'm honestly not a tampon-person myself, but I'm sure someone I know would like these. They're supposed to be new and awesome and they have an odor shield. I suppose they'll be good then!

6) Airheads Bites. Approx retail: $0.87-$1.29.
    There will be no photo of these because I've already eaten them! They're essentially just mini bite-size versions of Airheads. I love candy, and I love Airheads, so these were perfect for me.

7) SinfulColors No Text Red. Approx retail: $1.99.
    I love nail polish, and I love red. This nail polish relates to its name as part of SinfulColors' new campaign against texting and driving. You're supposed to paint your thumbs red as a reminder not to text while driving. I think it's a fun way to get people talking about the issue of texting and driving in everyday conversation.

All in all, I loved this VoxBox. It's only my second one, and I'm so pleased with it. I'm so excited to try all these products!