Tag: Product Reviews

Trashy Talk | May Edition

Published on by KadiLeave a comment

Hello Passionista –

I have some new empty products to share with you before I officially trash them. These are all products I have enjoyed and will mostly likely be purchasing again.

Bobbi Brown Rich Color Gloss in the shade Pink Cocoa


This lip gloss has lasted for 2 summers. It has been my favorite and go to lip choice for all my summer vines. The formula is thick and shimmer. It lasts a long time so you don’t have to keep re-applying. It is a bit pricey so I’m not in a rush to purchase another one. I think I was treating myself to something nice when I purchased this lip gloss a few summers ago. I normally would not spent more than $10 to $12 on  lip gloss. Purchased at Nordstrom for $29.00

Michael Kors Wonderlust
I am in love with this scent. I received this samples size in a perfume sampler as a Christmas gift. It has a powdery smell to it which I enjoy over a floral scent. I think it make a nice everyday perfume. Its strong enough to last all day but not super over powering. I got compliments all time when wearing it.  Ulta has the 3.4oz for $115, I’ve been shopping around to find a cheaper price because now that I am out of this sample I want to purchase this perfume.

Carol’s Daughter Black Vanilla Leave-in Conditioner
This is one of my favorite leave in conditioners. I have been using this product for at least 3 years. It is for dry, dull and brittle hair. For sometime I struggled with breakage at the crown of my head. This leave in conditioner help bring that section of my hair back to health and life. It served not only as a leave-in conditioner but also a detangler and a bit of shine for my natural afro puff. I really appreciate the quality of the packaging for this product. I alway loose tops off my spray top products. But the top on this spray bottle fits super tight yet it’s easy to take on and off. Also the sprayer works like magic. It give you an even spray of product to the hair without being a headache to pump. Purchased at Target for $8.99

Curls Goddess Curls Botanical Gelle
This frizz fighting gel is the only gel product I use on my natural hair. My hair does not really do well with gels, I experience a lot of flaking. This is the only gel I have found that does not flake in my hair once it has dried. I appreciate the soft but firm hold it give to my natural styles. This gel is made with certified organic mango and shea butter and plumeria flower extract which adds moisture to the hold. It took nearly 7 months to completely use this 8oz product. I will be re-purchasing it now that I am out. Purchased at Target for $7.99

Palmer’s Coconut Oil Strong Roots Spray
This product is for dry, damaged or color treated hair. I have none of those things. I was out of town when I purchased this product because I needed some type of product that would help my twist out while I was out of town without all of my go to products. I honestly just went in the store grabbed the cheaper product I thought would work. And it did!  I love the way the product sprays evenly throughout your hair. The formula foams up really well. I did not expect it to foam up but I like the foaming effect. It served as like a styling mousse that contains coconut oil, monoi oil and peppermint oil. You can actually feel the freshness of the peppermint on your scalp. This product helped me achieve my twist while on vacation, which I appreciate.  This is a new product that I will be purchasing at some point to add to my hair product rotation.For the record, I lost the top to the sprayer before I even used the product. Purchased from a local beauty supply store for $5.99

Garnier Fructis Styler Curl Treats Defining Smoothie
I received this product in a in a VoxBox from influenster. It has become essential to my hair wash n’ go routine. I love how it helps my curls keep their form for days without needing to refresh. I was shocked that a Garnier Fructis product was able to do this for my natural hair. This 10.5 oz product lasted about 4 months. Now that I have tried it, I will be purchasing it at some point I know.

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Product Review |Garnier SkinActive Moisture Bomb

Published on by KadiLeave a comment

Hello Passionista

I have been obsessed with skincare products that contains Hyaluronic Acid. My go to products containing Hyaluronic Acid have been the Neutrogena Hydro Boost line of water gels, gel creams, and lotions. I recently came across a Garnier product with Hyaluronic Acid and had to try it. This Garner SkinActive Moisture Bomb is one of my new favorites in my daily skincare for my face and neck.

If you don’t know what Hyaluronic Acid is, it is a water holding molecule that provides the most hydration to your skin. It is meant to hydrate and moisturize your skin to the fullest. Any skincare products that have hyaluronic acid in it will leave you skin glowingly flawless. If your skin is lacking hydration and seems to be dry or you have dry patches, pick up a product that contains hyaluronic acid. When you are thirsty would you want to drink water or milk? Personally I would prefer water to quench my thirst. WATER is key for skincare.

I love the feel of the formula. It’s hydrating without being greasy. I see an instant glow after applying it to my face and neck. I have been using this product in my night routine, because it packed with water and no oils. So when I wake up, my skin looks flawlessly hydrated and smooth. The jar is a 1.7oz, which I agree is a great size for this product. I think it’ll take me several months before I run out of the product. It only takes a dot or two on your cheeks to cover your whole face and another dot for the neck.

I would recommend that you consider adding the moisture bomb to your summer skincare routine, or any product with Hyaluronic Acid. 

Get Your Glow On | Aveeno Positively Radiant |Product Review

Published on by KadiLeave a comment

Hello Passionista- 

My blogging journey has been unique and I have enjoyed it all. I’ve learned a lot, shared a lot, and still have a lot to learn. One thing I’ve been working towards is getting recognized by brands and gaining partnerships with brands I use to create quality beauty, skincare, and hair content. I’ve always enjoyed the maintenance of being a women. The innovative products on the market makes life easier to keep up with yourself. My preferences change just as much as the industry trends, so I am able to always try new products and brands to see how they work for my body type/ skin type/ hair type and give my opinions and tips. 

I recently received my first brand box from one of my favorite brands…. Aveeno! They reached out to me after I posted a skincare blog post that included one of my favorite Aveeno products, and sent me some Positively Radiant products. I’m super excited share these glow getter products with you. 

GET YOUR GLOW ON

Aveeno Positively Radiant Micellar Gel Cleanser Makeup Remover

This gel cleanser draws out your skin’s dulling impurities while removing makeup, dirt, and oils from your skin. I have been using it every day for about 2 weeks now. Before bed, I wash my face and apply a generous amount of the micellar gel cleanser all over my face. The gel formula is easy to rub into face with hands and it lathers really good with just a little bit of product. The Aveeno scent is light and fresh, I appreciate the gentle scent without having in harsh fragrance chemicals in the formula. After massaging into my face for a few minutes, I use a face towel and cold water to wipe product off.

My favorite thing about this product is that it washes away make up, dirt and oils to cleanser skin for a positively radiant glow. I appreciate the finger pump bottle for a clean dispensing of the formula. This is a 5.1 fl.oz. product that I feel will last at least 3 months if used at least 3 times a week.

Aveeno Positively Radiant Max Glow Infusion Drops

The infusion drops are meant to even tone & textures leaving your skin with a dewy glow. The product claims to give a 48 hour moisturization for a lit- from- within glow. I love that it only takes a drop or two to massage into you face and your skin feels flawless. I’ve used a drop every morning after washing my face with cold water. It has been taking the place of my daily moisturizer cream and last all day long. I’m not a big fan of the drops being in a small tube, I think a bottle with a dropper would be better. It would make it easier to get all of the product on your face without any waste.

Beauty Tip:

Was you have with cold water to prevent wrinkles and saggy skin.



#SephoraSquad

Published on by KadiLeave a comment

Hello Passionista!

One of my blogging goals for 2019 is to partner with 3 brands as a Brand Ambassador/ influencer.

My first opportunity has come, I applied for the #SephoraSquad 2019. The #SephoraSquad is a beauty influencer program that highlights some of the most authentic and inspiring digital influencers.

For three years, I have been sharing my beauty secrets, thoughts and opinions on products I use, and my skincare and hair care regimens. I’ve shared my favorite trends and not so favorite trends, as well as tried the latest beauty products just out of curiosity and to share with you. I love the skin that I am in, I love taking care of it and I love sharing it with you. Becoming a part of the 2019 #SephoraSquad will help me produce more true to myself beauty content to share with you.

You can support my #SephoraSquad application by clicking the link below and leaving a testimonial.

https://www.sephorasquad.com/testimonial/thepassionista__

Your love and support is great appreciated!!! 🥰😘😍

Blue Agave Cooling Mask |Product Review

Published on by KadiLeave a comment

Hello Passionista!

I am loving this new cooling mask by Biore. It is a whipped nourishing detox mask with blue agave and baking soda. The natural baking soda has the ability to give your pores a really deep cleaning. The blue agave conditions the skin. The formula combination works to eliminate impurities under the surface of your skin. It lifts dirty and unclogged pores. The whipped formula texture is fluffy and allows for a smooth application to your face. It really has a cooling and pore-tingling affect to it. I felt it as soon as I started applying it to my face.

One of my favorite things about this mask is that it’s blue. The color really sparked my interest which was why I purchased it. I don’t think I’ve ever purchase a Biore product before, so this was a first for me.

With the cooling affect of the formula, I thought it would be nice to add some steam while I letting the product sit for 5 minutes or more. I used my facial steamer from Amazon. The steam mixed with the cooling feeling of the mask made my experience feel like I was at the spa.

Pros

Non-Greasy, smells good, and very moisturizing

Cons

Messy and leaves skin red after use

If you have not already, please click here to leave a testimonial for my #SephoraSquad application.

*This post contains affiliate links and I may receive commission from the purchase/ booking made through this link at no cost to you.

Influenster Vox Box Review

Published on by Kadi3 Comments

Hello Passionista,

Today, I have a special #curltreat to share with you. I received another Vox Box from Influenster,that is all about CURLS and treating yourself to healthy styles.

What’s in the box?

This Vox Box includes Garnier Fructis Curl Treat Leave- in stylers: Hydrating Butter and Defining Soothie.

Y’all know I love a good hair product and these styler came just in time for the holidays. I decided to do a flexi rod set using both the Hydrating butter and Defining smoothie. I normally don’t purchase Garnier Fructis products for my hair because honestly I didn’t think it was a brand for ethnic natural hair. Now that I’ve tried these curl treats I will be purchasing these products and exploring what other good styling products Garnier Fructis has to offer my thick natural curls.

Both the Hydrating Butter and Defining Soothie formulas are thick and feels very rich. You only need to apply a little bit to each section of hair.

When styling my hair with the flexi rods, I wet my hair with a spray bottle of warm water, them added the Hydrating Butter from root to ends. Before starting to roll each section of hair with the flexi rod, I used my finger to rub the Defining smoothie and a small amount of curl gel to the ends. Once my entire head was rolled and twisted in the flexi rod, I let it air dry over night then sat under the hair drier the next morning for 20 mins (just to make sure my roots were completely dry)

Natural Hair Tip: Make sure your hair is COMPLETELY dry when doing twist out, rod or roller set before untwist or unrolling. It makes a huge different in the final look and how long it will last.

I am amazed at the finished look of this flexi rod protective style. Like I said, I never thought Garnier Frutis products were for my type of hair. There advertisements always have white women with straight hair, I don’t fit that audience so I over look the brand. I would like to see more women of color with different types and styles of hair in their advertisements.

ENTIRE LOOK FOR THE EVENING

Disclaimer: I received these products complimentary from Influenster for review purposes.

For PR and brand partnership or sponsoring, please email passionlockedblog@gmail.com

PinchMe Review

Published on by Kadi3 Comments

Hello Passionista,

So I’ve received yet another PINCHme Box. I think this may be my last PINCHMe box. Don’t get me wrong, I like getting free stuff to try and I love sharing my reviews with you guys. But ….. PINCHMe is too much. When I first joined PINCHMe, it was simple you complete surveys for points and you get free samples to review. Recently they’ve switched something up. You have to take more surveys to get a box now. For some reason, I don’t qualify for most of the surveys anymore. I’ll spend hours on the website filling out the same basic information just to get rejected from completing the entire survey and getting all my points. I don’t event get a box every month any more. When I do get a box it takes it forever to arrive and when it does the box is all beat up.

Sample #1: Native Deodorant

The sample size packaging is great for trial. I have it in my work bag, just in case I need a refresh during the day or if I need to freshen up after work to head straight to happy hour.

There is nothing special about this product to me. It’s just like any other deodorant minus the parabens, aluminum and phthalates. You put this deodorant on the same way you would any other deodorant. I’ve used this deodorant for the past week and had no issues of being musty. I don’t really do any hard labor activity throughout the day anyways. I think it’s slightly impressive that the formula still seems to work without the aluminum, parabens and phthalates. It makes me questions why those ingredients were ever added to hygiene and body care products in the first place. A question consumers will probably never know the truth about.

This deodorant is made without aluminum, parabens, phthalates, and talc. Honestly, I don’t know what none of these ingredients are. But I do know that “Free From” parabens and phthalates, etc. has become a industry trend for skincare and cosmetic products. Just about everything new to market have these “Free From” call outs on the packaging and all over social media.

I did find this product in Target. The regular size product is 2.65oz and costs $11.99. I don’t see myself purchasing deodorant for $11.99 when I’ve used to paying $3-$4. There is also a mini size 0.35oz for $2.99, which is the same size as the sample from PINCHme. I don’t know how long the 0.35oz will last but I like how compact it is for on the go purposes. I will continue to use my sample and I may purchase the mini in store, but I know I will not be purchasing the $11.99 product. Toms brand is not even that much.

Samples #2: Shea Moisture African Black Soap Clarifying Facial Wash & Scrub with Tamarind Extract & Tea Tree Oil

This sample came in the form of a packet for a one time use. But the regular in store product is a 1.5oz tube for $4.49 on sheamoisture.com. The sample contained enough product for a good one time use of the product.

The product is meant to be a smoothing exfoliator to help cleanses any impurities of the skin. I used a facial spatular to apply the product all over my face and neck. Then used my hands to massage in my skin in a circular and upward motion. The scent is very mild, but PLEASE do not get the product in your eye. I did and it was horrible.

I felt like my skin was softer and cleanser after use. I didn’t really need to do anything else to my face. So I used my Little Barn Coconut + Mint facial mist to set my face and start my day.

This is a product I see myself purchasing and using more that I have tried the sample. It reasonable priced and works well.

Sample #3 Sugru Moldable Glue

This is not really a product that I need or would see myself in need of. I honestly had to find something to use it on to write this review. For a handy person, this product will come in handy for around the house quick fixes. I have a white board that fell of the wall and cracked recently. I wasn’t going to throw it away but the way it broke, I could not rehang it on the wall without repairing it. I was going to just use my hot glue gun, but after I received this sample I decided to use this. The package states it take 48 hours to fully dry. I used half of the samples to repair this white board and the other half went to waist because it harden in the slightly opened samples package.

Disclaimer: I received this product from PINCHme for reviewing purposes. All of my reviews are my honest opinion whether I bought the product(s) to it was sent to me. 

For PR and brand collaborations opportunities, please email passionlockedblog@gmail.com. Be sure to follow me on instagram. 

BLOGMAS Day 22| Yes To Foaming Sheet Mask Review

Published on by KadiLeave a comment

Hello Passionista,

I have been trying so hard to not miss a day of blogmas. And I missed a day of blogmas 🤦🏾‍♀️!!!!!! So disappointing, but I’ve been super busy this month. I’m not just being lazy and not blogging I just had an intense Friday. Maybe I’ll do a bonus blog, but for now BACK TO THE REGULAR SCHEDULED PROGRAM.

I love a good pamper day. Pampering myself is a important part of my self care. I enjoy doing a at home facial, a bath with salts and scrubs and body oil to nourish my skin.

I recently adding a new product to my at home pamper day routine. Instead of a clay mask, this time I used the Yes To Cucumbers Bubbling Paper Mask, purchased from Target. I’m not really sure I had any expectations before using this product. I was curious to see how it felt and if it really worked.

It really worked. I applied the sheet mask just like any other sheet mask. It was not foamy when I took it out of the packaging. The sheet mask was nicely soaked with the formula. I don’t even know how long it took the mask to foam up. I didn’t feel it foam up. After I applied the mask, I enjoyed my hot bath soak with bath salts and once I was out I looked in the mirror and the mask had foamed. I was concerned that maybe the foam formula pull leave my skin feeling dry after taking the mask off. To my surprise the mask felt my skin feeling really hydrated. I used my face water mist to set my face after the mask and went about the rest of my pampering.

Have you tried this Bubbling sheet mask yet?

BLOGMAS Day 20|SpaScriptions Clay Mask Review

Published on by KadiLeave a comment

Hello Passionista

Surprisingly, I have managed to keep my skin hydrated and moisturized this winter. I haven’t had any breakouts (fingers crossed I keep this same energy). 

I was trying to define a consistent winter skincare routine for daily care, but I’ve gotten comfortable just trying a bunch of different products, as usual. SpaScriptions is a new brand I discovered in Big Lots. Owned by Global Beauty Care, SpaScriptions is meant to help repair and replenish your skin. This sample kit came with three 1.7oz size samples of masks was less than $10. 

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So far I have only used one of the mask- The Clay Mask! 

The formula is soft and thick, it easily spreads across your face. I love that the kit came with this facial spatular for application. This is a plus because I can use it for just about all of my masks. 

I appreciate the fact that the clay mask remaining soft after sitting on my face for 20 minutes. It did not harden or flake. I was able to wash the mask off with no issues and leaving no mess in the sink.

    I would love to work with this brand on a skincare or beauty campaign because I really enjoyed their product. I could see myself adding SpaScription to my lists of favorites and use their products more often. It would even be nice to explore more of the brands line to create a speciality skincare routine, since I can seem to nail a seasonal or morning / night routine.

    BLOGMAS Day 11| CVS Make Up Remover Wipes Product Review

    Published on by KadiLeave a comment

    Hello Passionista, 

    So I was in CVS the other day ranting about the price of make up remover wipes. Honestly, brand mark up cost are outrageous and I’m over it. I like Neutrogena, but I’m also tired of Neutrogena’s price point. 

    I opted to tried a cheaper store brand version of make up remover wipes. This is a new  CVS private label brand make up remover wipe, retailed at $2.99. To my luck, when I got to the register this item was actually on sale- buy one, get one 50% off. Of course I purchased 2 packs. I will always need facial wipes. I use them everyday, multiple times a day. 

    CVS Brand Cucumber & Aloe Soothing Facial Wipes – clarifies and refreshes skin

    CVS Brand Fragrance Free Moisturizing Facial Wipes- alcohol and fragrance free

    First Impressions: 

    The packaging is cute… but for a teenager. The price is what drew my interest to purchase this project. Not the packaging! The wipe it self is thick and soft, if feels to be some good quality. It’s not a Neutrogena wipe but no complaints. The formula gentle remove make up perfectly. I used one wipe to remover a full face of make up without the towel drying out. I had no issue wiping away my eye make up either. Other than the packaging I like these wipes a lot. I;m not saying I will never buy expensive Neutrogena make up remover wipes again, but for now the CVS private brand is a great alternative. 

    The reseal label will honestly determine if I re-purchase these wipes again. My biggest pet peeve with make up remover wipes is that after a while the reseal label stops sticking or curls up and my wipes start drying out before I can finish all the wipes. I hope this product doesn’t do that. follow me on social media for updated on this review as I continue to used these wipes.