My experience at Amazing Lash Studio

I received free lash extensions.
All views expressed are the honest opinion of Just Say I Told You So. 

Unlike my glamorous daughter, I am not really a make-up gal. I mostly just lube my lips and keep it pushing. But sometimes I like to amp up my sexy with a smidgen of eyeliner and a dab of lip color. So when I was invited to the Amazing Lash Studio - Chino, I was a little nervous.

I have seen women with beautiful lashes, but I have also seen women who look like they're wearing spiders, you know what I mean?

So my daughter and I headed down to Chino to get our lashes done. And guess what? I kinda liked it! LOL

This is me before:

This is me after:

And this is what they look like nearly two weeks post-application:

My lashes are still going strong. Yes, I have lost several, but that's normal... because eyelashes come out anyway. I will say that false lashes seem to attract more lint. Maybe dust and lint sticks more or maybe I am just more aware than usual. 

Washing and brushing them daily was recommended, so I have been doing both daily. I have found it difficult to open my eyes when their wet, because it seems like the water pools more than with my normal lashes, but it's not terribly uncomfortable.

Would I do it again?  

Maybe... but if I were to do it again I would want a softer lash. These lashes are synthetic, so they are a little more hard than I would prefer.

Would I recommend Amazing Lash Studio, Chino? 

Absolutely! My lashes were applied by a beautiful woman named Blessing. And yes, she lived up to her name! Her energy was wonderful. She made me feel really comfortable and relaxed. She took her time and paid attention to the details. And more importantly, she made sure that the lashes looked natural.

If you are considering lash extensions I say give them a try. And I definitely recommend that you get them done by a professional. 

If you are live in Southern California, you should definitely try Amazing Lash Studio, Chino. And tell em' Stacey sent you ;-) 

Smile Brilliant - Review & Giveaway - CLOSED

                                                           I received a free Smile Brilliant LED Whitening system to facilitate this review.

Your smile makes a powerful first impression... it's true. There are tons of tooth whitening strips on the market, problem is most require you to use them a gazillion times before you see any results. What if you could whiten your teeth in a fraction of the time, safely and easily at home? 

Smile Brilliant has changed the game with their LED Teeth Whitening system. It's perfect for people who want "great tooth whitening results but are on a budget." For $39.95 you can have a whiter, brighter smile... in as little as 20-40 minutes!

My daughter was kind enough to test it out!

Results

Giveaway Alert

Win it: I'm giving away a Smile Brilliant LED Teeth Whitening system to one lucky winner!

Mandatory Entry: Like the Smile Brilliant Facebook page. Leave a comment confirming your Facebook name, as well as your email address.

Bonus Entries: (leave a separate comment for each, including your name and email address):
      
 (1) Follow Smile Brilliant on Twitter
 (1) Follow Smile Brilliant on Instagram
 (1) Follow Just Say I Told You So on Twitter
 (1) Subscribe to Smile Brilliant promotions

Open to residents of the US, UK, AU & CA. Winner will be chosen at random and contacted via email. The winner will have 24 hours to respond or another winner will be selected. This giveaway is not associated with Facebook, Twitter, or Pinterest. Giveaway ends at 11:59pm PST on 4/20/13.

I received a free Smile Brilliant LED Whitening system to facilitate this review. All views expressed are the honest opinion of Just Say I Told You So.

OMG Nail Strips Review #Sponsored

Free nail strips were received to facilitate this review.

My sister Jamee is very creative. She sees the world through the lens of creation, whether it's sewing a new outfit, plating dinner, or painting her nails.

When Jamee discovered nail strips, she thought she died and gone to heaven! Except the price was never right and the selection was hardly appealing. So when I had a chance to review OMG Nail Strips I knew she'd be delighted.

OMG has such a great selection to choose from she had trouble picking just one! Once she was able to narrow her choices down to five she recruited me to make the final decision. We settled on the Sherlock design because there were multiple prints in one pack.

Each pack has 14 different strips (of various width), which can be used on fingers or toes. They're super easy to apply too!

What Jamee liked best about OMG Nail Strips is they're both fashionable and reasonably priced (the price was actually what sold her)! Even more than that... they actually last for 10 whole days, it's true! Possibly longer actually. Around the eighth day the strips began to recede from the top of the nail, but just a little bit. Her only complaint was the excess strip that goes to waste once you file them, she would have liked to have used the entire strip, or at least be able to use the excess on another finger.

Jamee received tons of compliments on her nails and is now looking to place her next order! They are currently running two promotions 4 for $20 (coupon code: 4pack ) and 10 for $45 (coupon code: 10pack).... that's a deal, right? YES it is!!!

Be sure to check out OMG on Facebook!

This is not a paid post. A free pack of nail strips was received to facilitate this review. All views expressed are the honest opinion of Just Say I Told You So.

Sodee Naturals Review & Giveaway

The older I get the more sensitive my skin becomes, which is why I try to use natural products as often as possible. For me taking a gentle approach to skin care is not just a choice, it's a necessity.

Sodee Naturals, knows gentle. They've been making all natural products for more than 14 years. Their motto:

"We believe that being natural is more than adding a few natural ingredients as an after thought, but rather it's where we begin..."

I LOVE THAT! In my eyes a company is more than the products they sale, it's also the intention and energy they put in the development of their products.

I received a Sodee Naturals Grand Sample Box for the purpose of this review. The box contained:

1. A Shampoo Bar
2. Conditioner Bar
3. Body Butter
4. Soap

The Apricot-Chamomile Body Butter smells like heaven in a jar, delicious! It's thick, but not greasy. Scented, but not perfumey and the moisture lasts all day long. The Sea Salt Soap and Dead Sea Soaps both lather very nicely. I am still trying to get used to the idea of Shampooing and Conditioning my hair with a bar, but the idea is genius I must admit!

Would you like to try Sodee Naturals?

I thought you would, that's why I'm giving away a Grand Sample Box to one lucky winner!

a Rafflecopter giveaway
You can purchase Sodee Natural products on their website, save 10% when you enter the code "toldyouso."

I received a free Grand Sample Box from Sodee Naturals to facilitate this review. However, all views expressed are the honest opinion of Just Say I Told You So.

Dial Kids Body & Hair Wash - Review & Coupon Giveaway

My nephew, Beans is a cool kid. He loves cracking jokes (even if he's the only one who thinks they're funny), singing and dancing. He especially loves belting out tunes while he's in the bathtub. He gives "Singing in the Rain" an entirely different meaning (and sound for that matter).

I was super excited for the chance to review Dial Kids Body & Hair Wash, because that meant that Beans would have another reason to sing his heart out! Not that he needs a reason.

Dial for kids was developed by dermatologists, which means its safe to use on Beans' delicate skin. The tear-free formula allowed him to sing with his eyes wide open, even while suds were streaming down his face. This mild and gentle body wash cleanses without drying, which is what Beans' mother liked best about it!

The smell is incredible, which is what Beans liked the most. He tried the Watery Melon scent and he thought is smelled good enough to eat, which he really did. I'm happy to report that he didn't end up with a tummy ache (eating bubbles is not advisable).

Dial for Kids comes in two formulas for ages 2+ and ages 6+.

Buy it: You can purchase Dial Kid's Body Wash on the soap aisle.

Win it: I am giving away a coupon for a free bottle of Dial Kids Body Wash to two lucky winners!

Mandatory: Leave a comment with your name and email address.

Bonus Entries: Leave a separate comment for each (including your name, email address, and social network follow name)

 (1) Like Dial on Facebook
 (1) Follow Dial on Twitter
 (1) Follow Just Say I Told You So on Twitter
 (1) Become a Just Say I Told You So Facebook Fan
 (1) Subscribe to Just Say I Told You So via email (in the right side bar at the top)
 (1) Follow Just Say I Told You So on Pinterest

Winner will be chosen at random. Winner will be contacted via email and will have 24 hours to respond or another winner will be selected. This giveaway is not associated with Facebook and Twitter. Giveaway ends at 11:59pm PST on 04/25/13.
 

This is not a paid post, Dial provided me with a free product sample in exchange for an honest product review. The views expressed are the honest opinion of Just Say I Told You So!

Springtime Giveaway Hop - CLOSED

The Springtime Giveaway Hop hosted by Weidknecht.com has begun! This hop will run from April 1st - 7th. 

There is something about Springtime that's just beautiful, wouldn't you agree? That's why I'm giving away a $25 gift card to Sephora!

After you enter my giveaway, hop around to the other participating blogs and enter theirs giveaways too!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Cover Girl Blast Flipstick Review & $2.00 Coupon

I'm not much of a makeup person. I usually just do a simple lip gloss and keep it pushing. But every now and then I like to add a little big of color, especially if I'm going out.

Covergirl has provided affordable make-up to women for a very long time. From foundation to lip gloss, eye shadow to mascara, Covergirl has got you covered! Now they've got something new... Blast Flipstick!

Blast Flipsticks are two lipsticks in one. One side has a creamy solid shade and the other is a shimmer stick.  You know what that means don't you? Well I'll tell you... it means that there are three+ color options in one stick! You can wear each color separate (1, 2) or blend them together (3+). How genius is that?

My mom, sister, and myself tested out three different shades (there are 13 shades in all). I wasn't that thrilled (but that's mostly because I'm used to going sans color). Here's what they looked like:

Mom - Vixen

Me - Stunner

Sis - Minx

You can purchase Covergirl Blast Flipsticks in some grocery stores, drug stores, and major retailers. They retail for about $8.50

You can connect with Covergirl on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and Pinterest.

I have a several coupons for $2.00 off, if you're interested leave your name and email address in the comments.

Free samples were received through BzzAgent to aid in the facilitation of this review. All views expressed are the opinion of Just Say I Told You So.

Smooth 'N Shine Keratin Power Review

Everyone woman wants gorgeous hair, it's a universal fact. We all want to look and feel beautiful.

Smooth 'N Shine Keratin Power offers a more "manageable approach to taming curls and frizz." This semi-permanent treatment is not a relaxer, in fact it is 5x's less damaging than relaxers.

I've never used a relaxer on my daughter's hair because they're so harsh. Now that's she's nearly 17 of course she wants her hair to be both stylish and manageable, so we gave Smooth 'N Shine a try.

After the initial shampoo you should do a test strand to make sure that your hair can tolerate the treatment. Then divide the hair in sections:

Once the hair is divided apply the protein smoothing treatment (keep on for 20 min). Then rinse with warm water for 5-8 minutes.

Once the hair is thoroughly rinsed, apply the Neutralizing Milk (keep on for 10 min). Rinse again with warm water for 5-8 minutes or until no trace of the product remains. Blow dry and style as usual.

I must admit the process is tedious and took a great deal of time, which is probably my only complaint. It also smells HORRIBLE (so I guess I have two complaints). Ultimately, I was very pleased with the results and so was my daughter. The shine is incredible and her hair feels healthy and gorgeous!

Smooth 'N Shine Keratin Power comes in Regular (for fine to average hair) and Super (for average to coarse hair). You can find it at your local beauty supply or drug store. Visit their website for more information.

This is not a paid post. I received a free product through BzzAgent. All views expressed are the opinion of Just Say I Told You So.

Dry Idea - Review & Coupon Giveaway (Closed)

As the mother of a teen I know the importance of a good antiperspirant. We've tried several brands looking for one that will provide long lasting protection for my daughter. When the opportunity to try out Dry Idea was presented I was quickly reminded of their catch phrase "Never Let Them See You Sweat®."

Photo credit: www.dryidea.com

Dry Idea has been a trusted name for as long as I can remember. They've got this whole antiperspirant/deodorant stuff down to a science! Dry Idea antiperspirants "form a seal in the pores, stopping sweat and helping to keep you dry and smelling fresh all day."

Dry Idea Advanced Dry:

• Protection (for up to 24 hours)
• Three choices: Unscented, Powder Fresh, and Cotton Dry
• Sensitive Skin? The Unscented is Hypo-allergenic

In the past, we've had success with solid deodorant sticks, so a roll-on was a bit of a new concept for my daughter. She reported that the odor protection didn't last as long as she would have hoped, but keep in mind she is a teen with raging hormones and body chemistry that is constantly changing. I believe that her body responds better to deodorant sticks, whereas roll-ons work very well for some people.

The only way to know if something works for you is to try it for yourself.  That's why I'm giving away a Dry Idea coupon to three lucky winners!

Win it:

Do one or all of the following (leave a separate comment for each):

1. Leave your name and email address in the comments
2. Like Dry Idea on Facebook
3. Click here to enter the $1000 Dry Idea Advanced Dry Sweepstakes. The grand prize is $500 and 10 winners will win $50.

This giveaway is open to US residents. Winners will be selected at random and will be contacted via email. Winners will have 48 hours to respond.  Giveaway will end at 11:59pm on July 19, 2012. 

This is not a paid post. I received a free product to facilitate this review. Coupons provided by Dry Idea through Purex Insiders. Images obtained from the Dry Idea website. All views expressed are the opinion of Just Say I Told You So.

Dr. Scholl's For Her High Heel Insoles

When I was a little girl I wanted to be just like my mother, so I spent a lot of time playing in her high heels. I practiced every time I got a chance; needless to say I fell (a lot!). It took me FOREVER to learn to walk in them, but eventually I got it. Of course now that I am older I don't wear high heels very often, because let's face it ladies... they're just not very comfortable!

Dr. Scholl's has the answer to the high heel blues. Dr. Scholl's For Her High Heel Insoles were designed to "improve the way you feel in your heels." I added these wonderful insoles to my favorite red pumps and they felt like a new pair of shoes!

I was initially worried that the insoles would cause my shoe to feel tight, but they're so thin that I barely felt them at all. The ball of my foot has always been a problem area when wearing heels, but Dr. School's FabuSTEP® arch support shifts pressure off the ball of the foot, which provided so much comfort!

These are just a few reasons why you might want to try Dr. Scholl's For Her High Heel Insoles:

• Comfort - these insoles provide all-day comfort!
• Invisibility - nobody will know that they're in there (even in sandals)
• Stick-to-itiveness - they stay in place, but won't leave residue behind if you take them out.

If you have a pair of heels that you love, but your feet hate, Dr. Scholl's For Her, might be just the compromise you've been looking for! Dr. Scholl's is so sure that you're going to love these insoles that they offer a Money Back Guarantee; if you're not satisfied they will replace the product or refund your money.  You've got nothing to lose!

You can buy Dr. Scholl's products in drug stores and major retailers everywhere.

Visit the Dr. Scholl's website to download a coupon for $2.00 off any For Her product. Like Dr. Scholl's on Facebook too!

This is not a paid post. I received a free pair of insoles through BzzAgent. All views expressed are the opinion of Just Say I Told You So.

Eco Store USA - Review

Although many people still believe that global warming is just a song and dance, I personally believe that there may be some truth to it.  I also believe that it's the responsibility of everyone to take care of Mother Earth. In my house, we try to be as green as possible.  Although we are not 100% eco-friendly (yet), we make a conscious effort each and everyday.

When the opportunity arose for me to try products from Eco Store USA, I was thrilled! I had the pleasure of trying out two of products from their Bath & Body line.

Orange & Patchouli Body Wash
I am not a fan of oranges in their natural state (something about the peel that I just don't like), but I love orange juice and orange flavored and scented things, weird I know.  So I thought the Orange and Patchouli Body Wash would be awesome and I was right! The smell is rich and velvety (I don't know why patchouli reminds me of fur).  I was pleasantly surprised at the rich lather, because sometimes plant-based products lather very little, if at all.  To quote my daughter this body wash is "fabulous!"

Coconut & Vanilla Hand Wash
My family really loved this hand wash! It can be challenging at first because there is no lather, but we are slowly doing away with the idea that lather means clean.  The smell is AMAZING! It's like washing your hands in coconut slurry (you know like when the coconut is starting to get old and it gets a little slimy at the top? Well maybe you don't know, but that's how my sister described it). The best part is it conditions the skin, leaving your hands soft and supple (even with no lotion).

 Eco Store product do not contain "Sodium Lauryl Sulphate, artificial dyes, perfumes or preservatives," which means they are gentle on sensitive skin too.

I encourage you to hop on over to the Eco Store website and check out these products.  They also have household cleaning product, haircare, baby, and pet lines too! Everyone in your house can be green as a whistle! Did I mention that they are very well priced too? Well being green does not have to break the bank and Eco Store has proven it with their "awesome products at permanently reduced prices."

Follow Eco Store USA on Twitter and like them on Facebook too. 
 
I received free products from Eco Store USA. I was not required to write a positive review. The views expressed are the opinion of Just Say I Told You So.

Simply Bath Salts - Review and Giveaway

I have always loved taking baths, even when I was a little kid. I love soaking in the water and feeling it on my skin. I can sit and soak until my skin is wrinkled like a prune, falling asleep in the comfort of warmth. Of course beautiful scents make bathing even more enjoyable.

While I have tried many bath salts in the past, nothing even comes close to my Simply Bath Salts experience! When I dropped the lavender bath salts under the stream of hot water, my entire bathroom was immediately transformed into an oasis. The scent perfumed the bathroom and the hallway too! 

Simply Bath Salts uses all natural ingredients, free of pesticides and dyes.  Their bath salts do not contain harsh synthetic toxins, so that you can experience bathing the way nature intended it - pure and unrefined.

Simply Bath Salts are made with plant based organic essential oils, that are "100% pure steam distilled." They use a blend of three salts: Atlantic Sea Salt, Dead Sea Salt, and pharmaceutical grade Epsom Salt. All three salts are certified kosher.

All orders are hand packed on the day that you order, so your salts will never sit on a shelf. There are many different scents to choose from, you can even customize the scents of your choice.

If you're like me and you live to soak in the tub, you'll have to try Simply Bath Salts!

Buy it:
You can purchase a 24oz package for $12.99 (the more you buy the more you save). Shipping is free using USPS.

Win it:
Simply Bath Salts is giving away a bag of salts to one lucky winner. This giveaway is open to US Residents only. Winner will be randomly selected.  The winne will be notified by email and will have 48 hours to respond or another winner will be chosen. Giveaway ends at 11:59pm EST on 4/11/12.
Good Luck!

Lucky Day Giveaway!

Is today your lucky day? Sason and Pobi is the gracious host of the Lucky Day giveaway hop! All these fantastic blogs are hosting sweepstakes that you can win!

I recently had the pleasure of trying the perfume from nature and moisturizing lotion from Golden Earth and I thought they were AMAZING! The smells will delight your senses and your skin will feel baby soft too! If you don't believe me try it out for yourself! Golden Earth is giving away one of their aromatherapy products to one lucky winner!

I will also be giving away a $20 Amazon Gift Code. 

This could be your lucky day!  Enter to win:

Carefree Acti-Fresh - Review & Coupon Giveaway

I began wearing pantiliners when I was in junior high school (known as middle school these days).  My mother relied on the Carefree brand because they were affordable and compact. Even more than that pantiliners were a great way to make feminine hygiene a habit (I also have two sisters, so there was lots of estrogen in our house!).

Over the years I have tried other brands and had gotten away from the Carefree brand of my youth; however, over the past month  I have been using Carefree Acti-Fresh Body Shape liners and I can't believe I stayed away for so long!

Here's what I love about the Acti-Fresh liners:

• Soft and thin (didn't even know it was there)
• 8 hour odor control (I always feel fresh)
• 2x's more absorbent than before (perfect for those just-in-case days)

These body shaped liners are never bulky and they move with you, for freshness you can feel. Plus the softness will make you "forget you're wearing a liner."

Carefree Acti-Fresh Body Shaped liners come in scented and unscented, folded and flat. They can be purchased at your local drugstore, Target, Walmart, and other fine stores.

I have a few $0.50 off coupons that I would love to share!  All you have to do is "like" this post to enter. Three winners will be randomly selected on 2/29/12.

This is not a paid post. I received a free product through She Speaks to facilitate this review. All views expressed are the opinion of Just Say I Told You So.

Review: Hot Pants

I received a pair of Zaggora's Hot Pants for review. When they arrived in the mail, I thought they looked like biker shorts - wetsuit style!

Hot Pants are designed to make you hot. You can wear them while you work out, underneath your clothes, or even while you're bumping around the house. Hot Pants cause your body's natural heat to reflect back on itself, causing it to flush out the toxins and help break down cellulite. All you have to do is wear them 30 minutes a day to reduce the appearance of cellulite.

I have worn them several times while taking walks and they do make you HOT! Since my thighs are a bit "plump" they were a little bit noisy at first (imagine the swish of fabric rubbing together...well you get the picture). I haven't begun to see results yet (I also haven't worn them regularly enough to see results either), but we'll see what happens.

I encourage you to visit the Hot Pants website to read for yourself. You can also follow them on Twitter. Check them out on Facebook they're giving away a trip to Rio and 500 pairs of Hot Pants!

Come on...what do you have to lose besides a few inches? 2012 will be here before you know it...you might as well smooth out your thighs so that you can look "hot" next year!

Ladybug Jane Flavor Balm - Review and Giveaway!

I don't know what is more brutal the Summer heat or the dryness that comes from Autumn and Winter.  Either way, my lips take a beating! I am always looking for a long lasting lip balm to give my lips the moisture they crave. Ladybug Jane has now become one of my favs!

Ladybug Jane lip balms are not only organic, but they are also 100% natural.  That's right I said 100%! They use fine ingredients like organic avocado oil, and organic coco butter. You want to know my favorite thing about Ladybug Jane lip balm?? They taste great too, they use organic Stevia to make them sweet, without adding calories. No dyes or artificial colors, non-toxic, eco-friendly packaging, vegan certified, the list goes on and on.  This stuff is awesome!

There are six delicious flavors to choose from:

Vanilla Cupcake

Crazy Coconut

Groovy Grape

Wacky Watermelon

Sweet Strawberry

Bursting Berry

Ladybug Jane has been kind enough to offer a giveaway!  One lucky reader will win, not one...but two flavor balms!

Here's what you have to do to do to get your lips lubed up with Ladybug Jane lip balm:

I was given a free sample of Ladybug Jane Lip Balm. I was not required to write a positive review, the views expressed are the opinion of Just Say I Told You So!