Smiley360: PepBoys Automobile Campaign with Oil Change

I usually do not get automobile oriented missions but even though I'm a female, I do enjoy rewarding our truck as she has provided us with years of reliable service.



The PepBoys kit included everything from a great coupon to save on oil changes, a car air freshener, a flash drive, and a gift card to try out PepBoy's services. I Googled our nearest PepBoy's and we had three to choose from, which were reasonably located. I opted for the PepBoys Auto shop that was closest to us. Think of a satellite store and this is a PepBoys where the majority of it's business is repair versus a store with merchandise. The Pomona, California store (#1439) is very clean and a girl like me appreciates that but what I appreciated more was the level of service. Alex, the manager was very pleasant and makes sure the customers needs are met but also that the services are provided within a fair amount of time. I did not make an appointment so call me a "walk-in". I arrived on a Monday and the store was busy so this is a good sign for me! We had three vehicles ahead of us and when I got there and before I even sat, I saw 3 more cars arrive behind us. You can see your vehicle being worked on so that is also a major plus. Hey, I love our truck so I want to make sure she is okay when seeing a doctor (mechanic) :). The entire process took about an hour on this busy day. The service was more than just an oil change because PepBoy's package included a complimentary vehicle inspection. I thought it would be generic but the employee did do a visual inspection on everything, along with notations, plus topped off the coolant. I saw him do it and he was thorough! No pushing of extra unneeded services, parts, and/or warranties. Very courteous and our truck was returned as clean as when it was given.

I would most definitely will be returning because I was in and out in a less amount of time than it takes at the dealership, plus I don't have to wait hours for a simple service and then be at the mercy of their shuttle service. I did not have to make an appointment for what I consider routine maintenance like I do with the dealership too. For $19.99 plus taxes, our truck left happy :)



Do not forget to pick-up your PepBoys Rewards card when you are there. You get 50 points just for registering and it comes with added benieftits too. You can visit PepBoys for more information at:

• Site- http://www.pepboys.com/


• Rewards- www.Pepboy.com/Rewards


• Current Coupons and Specials- http://www.pepboys.com/sale_specials/

I received the above products and services from Smiley360 and Pepboys. I am not obligated to provide a favorable or positive review, just my honest opinion. My review is based on my experience with the brand and products, which may differ from yours.

SheSpeaks: Lancome DreamTone Customized Skin Tone Correcting Serum

I received the DreamTone by Lancome from SheSpeaks and with the hefty price tag of $98.00, this was a product that had to wow me with results to make it worthwhile.



What it Does:
DreamTone is a customized skin-tone correcting serum. I like serums because they are usually light in texture and quickly absorbed by my skin. My pigmentation selection was no. 1 for Fair complexions, however the line also comes in no. 2 for Medium skin-tones and no. 3 for Darker complexions. DreamTone is formulated as a dark spot and blemish diminisher, meaning it will lighten the pigmentation associated with these marks. It reduces redness and also targets imperfections and you are left with a overall smooth skin appearance that improves with use. Changes and improvements should be seen and felt at the one week period with a higher satisfaction rate at the 4 week point. Maximum overall changes should be present in 8 weeks.



Ingredients: Water, Cyclohexasiloxane, Propylene Glycol, Glycerin, Alcohol Denat., Hydroxypropyl Tetrahydropyrantriol, Squalane, Isopropyl Lauroyl Sarcosinate, Polysilicone-11, Peg-10 Dimethicone, Hydroxyphenoxy Propionic Acid, Grifola Frondosa Fruiting Body Extract, Carbomer, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Hydroxide, Inulin Lauryl Carbamate, Aluminum Hydroxide, Mannitol, Chlorella Vulgaris Extract, Ammonium Polyacryldimethyltauramide / Ammonium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate, Disodium Edta, Disodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Capryloyl Salicylic Acid, Acetyl Tetrapeptide-15, Ethylhexyl Hydroxystearate, Acrylates Copolymer, Phenoxyethanol, Chlorphenesin, Ci 19140 / Yellow 5, Ci 75470 / Carmine, Ci 77163 / Bismuth Oxychloride, Ci 77891 / Titanium Dioxide, Mica, Geraniol, Eugenol, Limonene, Citronellol, Benzyl Alcohol, Fragrance.

I was able to test DreamTone a little shy of 4 weeks and was able to get an idea if DreamTone is a buy or pass.

Results:

1. At the 1 week point, I did notice that my skin remained smooth and I very much like how the product distributed throughout my skin. Cosmetics tended to flow better, as in foundations went on smoother and I did not have any negative effects like make-up caking up hours later or any adverse skin issues. The product did not increase any acne breakouts but it also did not decrease them. I did not notice any pigmentation changes in the first 7 days.


2. At the 2 week period, I still benefited from the aforementioned results and did notice a "glow" improvement in my skin. I had a nice healthy shine that was not greasy or oily in nature, more like a brightness. My skin did remain healthy looking but again no improvement in any of the pigmentation issues or skin tone improvements.


3. I reached the 3 week mark and with continual use, I did feel my skin improve by retaining a healthy glow and my skin's dullness had improved. My imperfections, like the small darker tone marks that I had from my last break-out (3 weeks ago), were lighter. Going by the history of how my skin rejuvenates on it's own with exfoliation, this is my regular cycle so I did not reward those benefits to Lancome's DreamTone. I thankfully have fair skin that tends to fight to remain pale no matter how much I wish to tan and thankfully this goes for any marks I may get for popping a blemish I should have left alone. Hard to detour from such behavior when my punishment only last about 3 to 4 weeks on my face!


4. Reaching the 4 week time span, I found that I like to use DreamTone as a base/primer for my make-up. The product really does help achieve the greatest results in a smooth make-up application even though this was not an advertised claim. I did not breakout from the product as DreamTone tends to protect my skin nicely. I even experimented with several new cosmetic lines and did not get the punishment I usually get by getting new blemishes or skin reactions like clogged pores or even redness. I did feel that the serum provides a almost preventative effect. Mattifying  or evening of the skin-tone was achieved but my freckles and the appearance of dark spots did not reflect a noticeable difference, but technically I am still in the middle of what is considered optimum results in 8 weeks.

Would I buy it?
This is where some of us take for granted results already obtained, we make them ours and forget what got us there in the first place. DreamTone did smooth out and even my skin's tone, plus it made my make-up perform better. In other words, it improved how my cosmetics work and also protected me when I used a new product. That alone has a value but I'm unsure on the $98 price point for what I really used as a base (primer?) and still had to take into consideration the cost of a moisturizer and an anti-aging product. With continual use, DreamTone should give me skin that needs less coverage from make-up and give me the courage to go bare......but I'm not there yet! Have I lightened on my foundation use? Yes, because Lancome's DreamTone does allow my foundation to glide on meaning I can work more magic while I blend and use less at the same time. I use a corrector on a light basis anyways and I did not feel that fluctuated in use with DreamTone.

In Conclusion:
Yes, I would buy it but unsure at the $98 price point. I have been convinced to spend between $50 and $75 for what I have achieved and if I get more added benefits by week 8, then that would be the deciding factor in if I will pony up the addition $50 to $25 dollars. I will be updating this review if I reach week 8 and have more to jazz about. The product does come in a generous amount of 1.3 fluid ounces and because it is a serum, a small amount is needed. It may be that I'm the consumer that needs a "deluxe sized" bottle for how I have used and seen DreamTone perform. I suggest visiting Sephora, Macy's or even Ulta and ask for a sample size before making a full purchase. I do hope they make a smaller size because that also means a smaller price point :)

For more Information, please visit:

• Lancome http://www.lancome-usa.com/DreamTone/1000402,default,pd.html

I received the above product free of charge from SheSpeaks and Lancome.  I am not obligated to provide a favorable or positive review, just my honest opinion.  My review is based on my experience with the product and brand, which may differ from yours.

Eslor Botanical Peeling Gel

And the hits just keep on comin'!

Eslor offers two exfoliants in their extensive beauty line. At first I thought why not keep it simple, like the face wash, by offering one product. However, each resurfaces differently. Let me explain:



The Eslor Botanical Peeling Gel aids with the reduction of unwanted shine, refines/shrinks pores, and also serves as a skin brightener. Since the product is a gel and a peel, it makes the removal of dead skin cells easy and after application you are left with a smooth surface that will appear and also feel softer. The Botanical Peeling Gel is for Combination, Dry and Sensitive skin. I have used chemical peels and microdermabrasion in the past to achieve exfoliation. I feel this Botanical Peeling Gel is everything you want minus the harsh chemicals, and uses the botanical properties present in the formula to resurface in a more "skin friendly" manner.

Instructions for Use: The instructions indicate use of this product once or twice a week. You apply the gel all over your skin when the skin is dry. Avoid your eye area since the skin is more sensitive there. You leave the peel on for 5 to 10 minutes and the peel tends to almost melt or thin out as it's exposed to the air and warmth from your skin. You do not drip the product off but it does liquefy as the application period passes. Your final step is then to just use your fingers and rub (gently) in a circular motion and then rinse with warm water.

Ingredients: Being that the product is botanical in nature, you see in the list of ingredients Aloe Vera as a gel base and listed first. Aloe Vera has a multitude of benefits and in my opinion there is no reason it should not be used in place of the H2O we seem to pay for in beauty products. Extracts are present that are derived from Chamomile, Papaya, to Pineapple. Chamomile has calming effects, while Papaya and Pineapple have proteins that do help with the resurfacing process. Papaya is rich in BHAs (beta hydroxyl acids) and the fruit's benefits range from lightening dark spots (pigmentation) to evening skin tone. Pineapple like Papaya help with anti-aging and the acids assist with the rejuvenation process we all so desire. Carbomer is also on the list and this helps with the solution of the beauty product, meaning how it emulsifies (thickens) and spreads out. Think about what makes a toothpaste formula stay whipped and not separate in the tube, so it is harmless and a product really created for the beauty and health industry. Sea Buckthorn oil is also listed in the peel and this aids with anti-aging due to it's richness in tocopherols, tocotrienols and plant sterols. To give you an idea, Sea Buckthorn oil is used on skin burns so it does wonders when used in beauty products! Triethanolamine is another ingredient and this serves as a pH balancer.



Results: I have mashed Papaya and Pineapple in the past to create a mask but because individual fruit does differ in acid percentages and even nourishment, I like that Eslor has done the "lab work" for me, and I don't have to guess how long to keep this peel on by how it feels. Not good when feeling "burny", since means this Pineapple had kick and you left the mask on too long (Ouch!). The other ingredients help counteract the redness you may get when exfoliating, and you get to benefit from calming agents that we do not all readily have at hand. My skin has been feeling soft and I like that this peel also purified my pores by cleaning out the junk, so this means less break-outs and better looking skin. Less make-up is another benefit and that means I not only see savings in that arena, but I also just like how the peel makes my skin look without make-up. I got away with using it once a week and this was just determined by the lasting effects I felt and saw. It took a week to lose the best glow I have had with a skin product and by then I was again using the peel. Shiny!

Price Point with Product Details: The product retails for $38.00 for a 2 Fluid Ounce Bottle. I used a small amount that ranged a little under a nickel's worth in size. I made sure to avoid eye areas and if I plucked my eyebrows that day, I skipped this task to avoid irritation.

Visit Eslor and their beauty collection at:

• Their Website


• Their Contact Page


• Their Twitter


• Their Facebook Page


• & Their Pinterest Page

I received the above product from Eslor, free of charge. I am not obligated to provide positive or favorable feedback, just my honest opinion. My review is based on my experience with the brand and/or it's products, which may differ from yours.

Eslor Soothing Refiner and Cleanser Wash Review

As a blogger, you always wish for that quintessential time that you are united with a product, manufacture, company, ect., which will literally blow you away with the results. That moment that reaffirms why you love to do what you do.....and my experience with Eslor has been just such a moment. I received a lovely pitch from the company in July via Twitter. Then, one afternoon, I was surprised with a large parcel at the end of the month that included every single item in their product line. Even some marketing materials that thoroughly explained how everything works with a color brochure, and even samples to share with friends and family. Pretty basic, error proof, and very much letting the products speak for themselves. I looked up the price points, and that is when things as a blogger take a turn for me because if you are high in dollar value, I have high expectations for results. It's an even exchange in my world, where I pay good money and expect soft skin but if you expect me to pay well,  you better include a magic wand or something. This is also the longest I have tested a product line because I gave every single item a 2 month testing out period. That is 2 months of dedication and taking my skin's health serious. I thought if I was diligent on washing my face, moisturizing, a serum here, a cream there and even a little boost of retinol on fine lines meant I'm serious about what I do.

Not!

The parcel included 12 items and not every one needs to be used on a daily basis but 12 bottles to wow me and redefine serious skin care. This is the kind of wow where you really expect the promises to come true type of skin care. Let's say I spent so much looking at my skin that I must admit I experienced the foggy mirror effect and a few nose bumps because I was making sure things worked as stated. To not overstimulate your senses, I will be posting about 1 to 2 Eslor product reviews with the full details.

Let's begin sharing my Eslor Adventure...

A little history about the line: Eslor is a line developed by a pharmacologist that wanted to provide his wife with products that were derived from nature, meanwhile still providing results. Made in the United States with their headquarters in San Diego, California. The products all contain a very upfront approach where ingredients are clearly listed on the box and you have pluses like being paraben free and gentle. I really like that idea of nature meets science approach because I believe a company that produces beauty products needs to not ignore "one side" in order to provide the best product out there for consumers. I want every chance I can have when it comes to results and it can come from a lab or a tree, but please work is my approach.



We start with the one cleanser Eslor carries called the Soothing Refiner & Cleanser. The product's job duties are not just washing the surface your skin but also restoring the balance (ph). Even though the product is advertised as gentle, please don't confuse that for low performance. You do get a deep clean but the type that does not leave your skin dry and deprived from moisture. Sort of counterproductive to strip your skin of the good oils and nutrients when you are combating age and the elements to reveal a healthier you. I just want to look the best I can look and not feel like my skin was pulled back further than it should go. You know the look. It's not a good look.

Instructions for Use: These are pretty basic and you get a generous amount of foam to create a gentle lather. In other words, you feel the product as it disperses and it does not leave you hanging halfway through your wash where you are trying to get more off your forehead to finish washing your chin. I used it both with and without make-up on and not only looked clean but felt the surface of my skin was clean enough to continue onto the other products.

Ingredients: Aloe Vera Gel, Sage leaves and Carrot extract to Rosemary and even Hops extracts. You also have friendly glycerin to Cocamidopropyl betaine, which is an ingredient just like it sounds, derived from coconut and aids with the creation of foam in beauty products and also serves as an antiseptic. Non-irritant and helps keeps things sanitary without harsh chemicals. Like most Eslor products, you also get more for benefits that are not as common with other facial washes, as I found many Eslor products do more than their counterparts. Alantoin, is also present and I like this ingredient because it increases the water content that can be delivered to your skin while exfoliating and you are left with a "new skin" that is healthier than what you removed. Full of moisture and very smooth.

Results: I like that the wash does more than just clean the daily dirt off your face because I want products that can deliver more for me doing less or the same activity. I have combination skin and like the wash states, it is good for ALL skin types. My face felt clean and with prolong use, my skin did improve and did not go through the dry spells I get during intense weather, when sometimes I wash my face three times if I am going out. I did not get that dryness on my neck (where my throat meets) and before it was a game of keeping it at bay while this wash made that problem non-existent. I suffer from acne spells too and this wash did not cause any break-outs and there is truth to getting "balance" out of this product when some think a washed face is better than a non one, this wash actually cleaned without stripping my skin but no oiliness came a couple hours later because it really does balance your skin enough to not misbehave as mine tends to do.

Price Point with Product Details: A 2 fluid Ounce bottle retails for $28.00 and I sadly have spent more for "targeted" washes that never exactly did well for what they were supposed to have a bulls-eye on or much for the rest of my face.

Check-out Eslor and their extensive beauty line at:

• Their Website


• Their Contact Page


• Their Eslor Facebook Page


• Their Twitter Page


• Their Pinterest Page

I received the above product from Eslor, free of charge.  I am not obligated to provide positive or favorable feedback, just my honest opinion.  My review is based on my experience with the brand and/or it's products, which may differ from yours.

Swaggable: 7th Heaven, Montagne Jeunesse Moroccan Clay Gentle Exfoliating Masque

I have reviewed several of the masks from Montagne Jeunesse and the newest Moroccan Clay mask is no exception that low price does not mean low quality.

The product is friendly for all skin types from combination to even sensitive skin. Made with Rhassoul Clay, which is a natural clay fortified with minerals such as iron, magnesium, potassium, sodium, lithium, and other trace elements. This form of clay removes dead cells and allows your skin to naturally replenish and re-balance 7th Heaven added Apricot seeds and Argan shell to aid with exfoliation and also oils so your skin does not dry out. The oils are organic as with most of the ingredients you will find associated with this brand. The key is that the product is gentle because rejuvenation only takes place when performing exfoliation correctly. Many times the urge to over scrub or maybe rub a little deeper than we should, results in redness to even irritations (damage). You may remove the dead skin but also cause damage to the new layer of skin that surfaced. There is such a thing as cleaning too deep; so much so that we remove the good oils that provide moisture and nourishment. I like that this mask sets just in time so that you do not complete the mortal sin of over exfoliating. It allows enough "play time" to remove the yuck and expose the beautiful!

Other Ingredients in the Moroccan Clay Mask:

• Organic Apricot


• Organic Argan Shell


• Organic Cinnamon Oils


• Organic Marula Oil


• Organic Orange


• Organic Sesame

I would repurchase this product because my skin was left feeling soft but not over dry. My skin felt and looked clean, plus I was left with a healthy glow. I noticed the results lasted days later and a smooth surface allowed for less make-up to be needed and easier application.  At a price point of $2.99, you can't spend three bucks for a beauty product any better way!



For more Information please visit 7th Heaven:

• On-line- http://www.7thheavennaturals.com/moroccan-clay-exfoliating-face-mask


• Twitter- https://twitter.com/love7thheaven


• FaceBook- https://www.facebook.com/7thheavennaturals

I received the above product from Swaggable and 7th Heaven, free of charge. I am not obligated in providing positive/favorable feedback, just my honest opinion. My review is based on my experience with the brand and/or it's products, which may differ from yours.