Review: Dollar Shave Club

Friday Lovelies!  We survived the week!  Today, I’ve got another review for you! Woohoo! A few weeks ago in my Summer Time Skin Care blog, I discussed my tips for skin care now that the summer months are upon us.  One of the tips I discussed was having a good razor and I talked about Dollar Shave Club.

Dollar Shave Club is a subscription service for all things relating to razors.  They have post shave balm, shaving balm, and of course razors!  I am pretty stuck on my current shaving cream, but decided to check out what they are most known for, their razors.    

So, I went and checked out their website. What I first liked about this company is how easy their website is to navigate.  I was able to easily order on my phone and it only took me a few moments.  

There are three packages to choose from, click HERE to check out the packages. 

The Humble Twin - $1.00 plus $2.00 shipping - Basic shaver, 2 stainless steel blades, 5 cartridges per month, with lubricating strip.

The 4x - $6.00 with free shipping – 4 stainless steel blades, 4 cartridges per month, full 90-degree pivot head. 

The Executive - $9.00 with free shipping - 6 stainless steel blades, 4 cartridges per month, special trimmer edge built in.

I decided to pick the 4x. Knowing that this was going to be used on my legs and the dread knee area, I figured the 90-degree pivoting head would be a wonderful bonus. 

When I placed my order I was originally told that it wasn’t going to ship until April 27^th, but was surprised when I got home from work and found the package on  my doorstep on April 4^th.  I was super impressed with how quickly the product shipped.

Your first package comes with the razor handle and this package comes with four razor heads.  I also had sample size of the shave butter, which I haven’t tried out yet. 

I honestly have to say, when surprised me the most when I opened the packaging was how substantial the razor handle was!  It’s got a good weight to it, definitely 100 times better than my normal razor. I’ve been a fan of all of the Venus razors for years, and this is tons better!

Now, I have to say, after using this razor, I’m not sure I could go back to any of the store bought ones I’ve gotten before.  Not only is the more heavy duty handle super nice.  The handle wasn’t something I ever thought would matter on a razor, but it does.  It sits in your hand so nicely and makes it easy to maneuver around.

As for the blades, they are wonderful.  They are nice and sharp and allow you to get a nice close shave. Here’s the seller for me.  I have always had super super sensitive skin.  I have to be very careful with what products I use to shave with.  I get razor burn and nicks/cuts all the time.  It can be miserable.  But here’s the thing, I have yet to have any problems!! I have had nothing but a super smooth and close shave every single time.

As for the price; you have the option to have your package ship every month or every other month.  Considering that even if you have this ship every month, even with the most expensive package, it’s only going to be $9.00 a month! I doubt there is a single decent razor at the drug store that you can get for that price!!

Here’s the great thing about the auto shipment … You should be replacing your razor often.  Especially when you think about all the places that as a lady you could be using a razor … legs, arms, bikini … It just grosses me out to think about an old razor.  It’s just not sanitary!  Also, a dull razor has a higher risk of giving you nicks and razor burn.  With the auto shipment, you’re going to be getting new razor heads automatically and you don’t even have to think about it.  They just show up on your door step. 

I don’t know about you, but I love when I just don’t even have to think about things and it just happens! It’s a lazy girls dream!!!

I honestly don’t think that you have anything to use trying this product out.  I am so happy I did.  With the quality of the product, the price, and the convenience … It’s all a winning combination!!

Until next time … xoxo

Mikal-Anne

Cleaning out the Clutter: DVDs

One day I was sitting at home and fell down the rabit hole and found myself spending way too much time on Pinterest.  While I was wasting, lets be honest, hours, on Pinterest, I found some interesting articles about how people had cut down the space that their movie collections took up.  I pinned it to one of my boards and never thought of it again.  I enjoyed the articles and thought, hmm, maybe one day I will need these...

If you want to check out the articles Living Well Mom and Simply Organized are the ones I read and loved their suggestions. I

Now.. a few months later, I find myself under contract for my first home (eek!!) and looking at the daunting task of packing my house.  With the housing marking as busy as it is in my area, I had a little more time than a usual closing and I was using that time to go through and purge things.  I can tend to hold on to things that I don't really need.  If it has a memory or reminds me of something, I want to hold on to it.  This gave me an another reason to jump on Pinterest and check out ideas of how to deal with this stuff.  I wanted to purge the clutter ... but in a way that I wouldn't regret getting rid of something down the road.

While on Pinterst (of course) looking for ideas for the new house, I stumble across the the pins that I previously read regarding how to store my movie & TV series collection and thought that I wanted to tackle that task before moving...

I have a, well, rather large DVD collection. Between movies and TV series I have a tall bookcase completely full.  I had actually started packing them and after looking at the fact that there were 3 of the Lowes small boxes and one of the medium boxes full, it was decided for me that I needed to do something.  I counted my DVD and the disks in my TV series and jumped on Amazon to take a look at what I needed.

All of the blogs I had read recommended the Atlantic DVD Sleeves and that's what I had originally planned on buying.  After some research and reading the comments, I actually ended up going with going with the ones sold by StarTechDeals. What I liked about these one is that there was a cloth on the back of the sleeve the DVD sat in.  I thought this would add a little extra protection.

Each package has fifty sleeves, and each sleeve can hold two DVDs.

There's a clear plastic sleeve that the DVDs fit into and a flap the folds over to keep the contents in side.  When I was reading the review, people had mentioned that the ends at the top can sometimes split.  Especially if you're trying to put to much into the sleeve.  I only had this happen a few times, maybe three.  It is definitely a down side, but I think you may have this problem with any product like this.

Inside each sleeve is a clot DVD holder.  The backing is cloth and then the front is similar to the CD cases everyone seemed to have in their cars at one point.  This is what you secure the DVDs into.  I like this and I'm glad that I went with this version. It seems sturdy and like it will hold up over time.  I even noticed that in some situations. I was able to fit three CDs in this and it fit just fine back into the sleeve. 

Breaking down all of my DVDs and TV series become a daunting task.  Picture above is all of my movies.  If I counted correctly, there are 223 DVD cases picture above.  In front are all of my movies.  This is a few more than just what was in the cases because I had a few strays that didn't have cases.  As you can see, they fit nicely in two of the plastic shoe boxes.  

As you can see in the pictures, the sleeves hold nicely holds one or two DVDs.  Something about this system that didn't bother me, but my bother someone else, is that to get the DVD cover art to fit in the sleeve, you have to fold it in half.  This leaves a crease running down the middle of the spine.  This can be viewed as both a good thing and a bad thing.  The good -- If for some reason you end up wanting to put it back into a DVD case, the art would still fit.  However, the bad -- there would be a crease down the middle.   

As you can see in the picture above, these two sleeves don't even take up even half the amount of space a normal case did.  

Now.. when It came to my TV series I had to really commit to this being the way I wanted to store them for the long hall.  The reason for this is, I had to cut appart the cases.  With the way TV series box sets are set up, to keep the cover art with the DVDs, I had to cut it.  As you can see above, I took the box that was on the outside and cut it.  Leaving the front and the back to be put in the sleeve.  I then also cut the cover of the box that folded out with the DVDs attached, and slid that into the sleeve too.

Downside -- If I ever wanted to go back to the old storage ways, I wouldn't be able to with my TV series.  I think it's highly doubtful I will ever go back and that's why I didn't hesitate to cut apart the boxes.

Now, I failed to take before and after picture of my DVDs.. But I do have numbers ... When I counted the number of disks I had so I knew how many sleves I had.. I counted 206 disks for TV series.  I have figured that these will fit in about two more plastic shoe boxes.

Once I am in the new house and have things set up, I plan on investing nice looking boxes to sit on my bookshelf to hold all of these DVDs.  I don't plan on buying anything until after we're in the house.  Mainly because I don't need/want one more thing to move.  Also, I want to get in the house and see how I have things set up.  That way I have a better Idea of what I want. Until then they will live in packing boxes and then I will use the plastic shoe boxes.

I did decide to not put a few things into the sleeves.  I have a TV series that I still haven't watched, and I left it in the original packaging.  At least for now.  I also left all of my Disney movies in their original packaging.  It didn't feel right to pull them apart.  I figured these would take up so little space that I didn't need to.  I did order enough sleeves so that I could eventually put them in sleeves, if I decided to do so.

All in all, I must say, I am super excited for the amount of space that my collection now takes up.  I wish I would have been more forward thinking to take a picture of all the DVDs on a shelf, but unfortunately I decide to use the sleeves until everything was already in boxes!

This new set up leaves me with so much more room!!  Instead of having a whole bookshelf, I now think that it will take up only one shelf on the same bookshelf!  

How to you have your movie/TV series stored?  Is there something in your house that you've changed the storage of to limitate the clutter?  Let me know!

Also.. with the big move in a few weeks .. I am looking for any packing/moving/first home suggestions! -- Also, if you have any blogs that you'd like to see about the process, let me know!!

Until later... xoxo

Mikal-Anne

Review: Conair InfinitiPRO

A few weeks ago I took a short trip to visit some family and attend my cousin's housewarming party. While I was getting ready to head over to the party, my hair dryer died. When I say died, I mean made the worst sound ever and sounded like the whole interior was shredding! It was a little startling! Now, for my ladies out there who have long hair like me, the idea of having to use the hotel blow dryer is obnoxious! Not only did it take for ever, it would also time out! It only allowed me to use it for a certain amount of time! So frustrating!

Anyways, this left me in the market for a new hair dryer. I liked the one that died and it was actually the second one I had of the same type because the first one burnt out. I decided to try something new and I am so happy I did!!

I picked up the Conair InfinitiPRO (Link)

Details/Claims for the Conair InfinitiPRO

- Up to 50% faster drying time

- Salon Performance AC motor

- Up to 3x longer life

- Ceramic technology provides infrared heat to protect hair from damage

- Ionic technology for smooth, shinny hair with up to 75% less frizz

- Includes argon oil treatment 

- Four year limited warranty 

This dryer is amazing!! And I definitely believe some of its claims!

The speed settings are nice. The high speed has some power!! I have never been able to dry my hair as fast as I can with this one!!

Not only does it dry my hair quickly, not it's so much softer than after I've used others.

I am noticing that my hair is less frizzy, but I'm unsure how much of that is because of the blow dryer or because we're coming out of the winter months.

The only real downside is the high setting can be a bit much on hair that's almost dry. When my hair is to the point that it is still wet, but mostly dry, I make sure to use a lower setting to avoid crazy tangles and knots!

Plus, it's a super cute share of fuchsia/pink!!

If you are in the market to replace your blow dryer, definitely check out this one!!

Until next time ... Xoxo,

Mikal-Anne 

Nivea Men’s Post Shave Balm Review

I have officially Jumped on the bandwagon and tried the Nivea Men’s Post Shave Balm in sensitive.  Everyone has been talking about this since NikkieTutorials talked about it in her April Hits Video (Link to NikkeTutorials page). 

I personally first heard about this after watching one of Jaclyn Hill’s videos (link).  Then one day I was wondering through Walgreens and found it on sale!  I unfortunately  can’t remember how much I paid, but it’s on their website for full price of $6.79 (link).  I remember thinking, that is not bad for a primer, especially since it.s 3.3 fluid ounces.  That would last for a while!

This bottle is made of white glass with a thick plastic screw-top lid.  The packaging is not travel friendly because of its size and weight! The bottle is substantial!!

The product it’s self is a milkly white color and has a very runny consistency, I think it feels like a serum.  When you apply it to your face, it has a moisturizing and cooking feeling. The packaging doesn’t have a pump or any way to control the amount of product dispensed. When pouring it into your hand, be careful! It's very easy to accidentally get too much.  I’ve been there!

This does have a manly smell to it. I personally enjoy the smell.  It’s not over powering and as soon as I put my foundation on, I didn’t smell it anymore. Don't worry, you don't walk around smelling like a man all day! 

I used this product with two different types of foundation over a couple weeks.  With my first use of this product, I was impressed.  I liked the way it felt and my skin felt moisturized throughout the day.  I was impressed with the way that my foundation applied and looked throughout the day.  

This made me really excited.  To think that I found a foundation primer that’s so inexpensive!  What a score! But I’m sad to say, that as I continued to wear this product my impression of this product decreased.

With the second application – It all started to go downhill…

The very first thing I started noticing with this product is that it started to not allow me to build up coverage. I would apply foundation and if there were areas that need a little extra love, I would try to add just a bit more foundation or even concealer – This is where I ran in to problems.  If I tried to add more, the product would just pick back up off my skin. The best description of the look I started getting is the look of a sponge paint on a wall! – Yea, that’s the look I had on my face.  Not a good look and definitely frustrating!

Then, this started settling into all fine lines and pores! I have never felt that I have had very obvious pores, but with this product, I did!  It was awful.  It looked like all of the foundation on my checks settled into the pores, fine lines, or in the area around my nose.

The coverage also broke down in weird places on my face. From a distance, it honestly didn’t look too bad.  The closer that you got, the worse it got!  The dark circles under my eyes became fully visible. The smooth look to my face I was originally obtaining now just looks very blotchy!

I also noticed, that it started to break down on my nose and checks.  It almost looked like the foundation cracked. 

The final straw for me and the point when I decided that I couldn't make this work, is when I started noticing my skin breaking out. Since I tend to have fairly clear skin, this was a major deal breaker.

I was even using foundation that I loved and knew worked well with a variety of primers!  It was so frustrating to have the product tease me into thinking that I made this awesome, cheap, drug store find!  Why can't I be like everyone else and be able to love this product!

My final verdict – Don’t waste your time.  Sorry Nivea!  Get yourself an actual primer and one you know works.  I love many primers.  Rimmel and Mary Kay have two of my favorites and for affordable prices.  They are definitely primers that I would recommend and have actually gone back to using the Rimmel Pro Primer Fix & Perfect (link). This is one of my all time favorites and I constantly go back to it. I'm honestly not sure why I stop using it!

Unfortunately, this time, a new product was a miss for me. I'll probably be passing this onto my boyfriend for it to be used as it's actually intended to be used. I know a lot of people are raving about this product and using it as a primer. To know how how it works for you, you'd have to try it for yourself. But, for me, this was a fail!

Until next time ... Xoxo,

Mikal-Anne

LOTD - Lip Combo I'm loving!

Good morning lovelies!! I'm currently loving one specific lip combination. I'm wearing it in the photo above. It's the perfect, easy to wear, goes with pretty much anything, lip color.

Lipstick: Pacifica in Nudie Red

Lip gloss: Starlooks in Guilty Pleasure 

What I'm loving about this combo is it's pretty universal. I can wear it to work, to run errands, or even for a night out. Not only that, but it's an easy wear. It's a color that doesn't require liner, or a mirror. I've applied this on the go without looking before.

The longevity isn't anything spectacular. I do seem to reapply after lunch. Which I think is fairly normal. However, the lip stick doesn't feel drying. Winning!

I feel this is a nice neutral transition into the lighter color trend of the spring/summer! 

What lip combos are you loving currently?! What are some new ones I should try!?

Until next time ... Xoxo,

Mikal-Anne

Summer Time Skin Care

As a type this blog and look out my window to rain and snow, I find it hard to believe just last week, as I was walking my dog, I was thinking how glorious of a day it was.  The weather was so nice and warm and changes so quickly!  Even though snow is potentially in the forecast, now that it's April, I know that the warmer and sunnier months are just around the corner.  Even though skin care is always important, when the extra factor of the heat and the sun is included, it's even more important.

I was recently inspired by Dollar Shave Club to compile a blog of all of my summer skin care/protection tips. I originally couldn't believe that I hadn't already cover this topic!  I am a fair skinned person who has to constantly think about my skin during the warmer Montana months.  All of the ideas listed in this blog are mine and I wasn’t paid to write this blog, just inspired to write about a topic that I know well and should have written about a long time ago!!

Here are my summer time skin care and sun protection tips!  I am a really fair skinned person and living in Montana we can easily break a hundred degrees during the summer, I have learned a thing or two!

1 – Sun Screen!! Sun screen and lots of it!  As soon as the weather starts getting slightly nicer, I throw a bottle into my purse and keep it there almost until the snow falls later in the year.  

Start every year with new bottles.  Toss out the old ones and start fresh!  It’s important to purchase a new bottle every year; it can go bad, especially if it gets hot.  With my super fair skin, I’ve decided not to chance it and buy new bottles every year.

When I am getting ready for the day and I know that I’m going to be out an about, I apply sun screen as I get dressed and then multiple times during the day.  Make sure to read the directions on your bottles, some have instructions about how often to re-apply depending on what activity you are doing.  Don’t forget the tops of your feet (if in sandals), back of your neck, and ears!

Another type to consider while getting ready is to look for beauty products that have sunscreen in them.  This doesn’t take away from the importance of applying actual sunscreen, but this is a simple step to help ensure your skin is protected.  I use a Mary Kay Day Solution that has sunscreen in it year round.  Sun protection is important during all 12 months of the year!!

2 – Keep yourself covered!! Hats, sunglasses, and sitting in covered areas are simple things that will definitely help.  It goes without saying that direct exposure to sun increases your chance for a sun burn and sun damage.  If you can keep yourself covered, you definitely decrease your chances.  I pretty much always have sunglasses and a hat in my car.  Makes it easy to just grab and go!

Something else to think about, finding places to sit that are covered.  My boyfriend plays a lot of softball.  When I say a lot, I mean a lot!  I joke that he plays softball like it’s a professional sport. He loves it and I love getting to watch him play.  This means, lots of days spent at the ball field.  To keep my slef protected and to help keep myself from overheating, I am always on the hunt for areas that are covered or to find shade.  I have even seen spectators with chairs that have their own little awning attached to their chair!  I’m kind of jealous!

3 – Choosing the time of day wisely when deciding to do an activity. This one is fairly easy and I think kind of goes without saying.  Pick when you are going to do outside activities to avoid the hottest time of the day.  Don’t go out and mow the lawn at 1:00 on a day when it’s 80 degrees!  If at all possible, try to do it in the morning or evenings.

4 – Water, water, water!  This is so important for lots of reasons, it isn't a skin protection aspect, but it's definitely important for skin care.  Staying hydrate will assist in any healthy skin journey.

5 – Keeping your skin moisturized - The sun can be harmful to the skin.  During the summer I'm a big fan of doing a mask that is a little more moisturizing after I've spent some time out in the sun.  A day spent by water or on the softball field is often followed up the next day with a little more attention to my face. Also, keeping the rest of your skin moisturized will help it recover from skin exposure.

6 – Get yourself a good razor and shaving cream!  Who doesn't want  soft legs during the summer?  Throwing on a nice summer dress is definitely ruined if you have legs not shaved or the dreaded razor nicks/burn.  Plus, nicks and burn can be so uncomfortable and annoying to deal with.  

Since I'm too much of a wimp to jump on the waxing train, I'm in a long term relationship with me razor and I replace it often!!  As soon as it is dull you run the risk of cutting yourself or causing razor burn. Plus, razors just get gross!

Just as important as your razor is the product that you shave with.  You want something that moisturizes but helps protect your skin during the actual shaving process.  I am currently using the Mary Kay 2-in-1 Shave and Body Wash but have also used many bottles of the Skintimate shaving creams over the years.  I personally have learned that a product that is more of a body wash consistency works better for me than the creamy/foaming types. 

As I mentioned above, the concept of this blog was inspired by Dollar Shave Club (DSC).  DSC is a subscription service that has lots of products, including razors (link). I was honestly first introduced to the company when Emily with Beauty Broadcast Express on YouTube did a review with her husband on the One Wipe Charlies (Link).  It was a funny video and definitely worth checking out  (Link).  Plus, Emily and her husband are very entertaining! 

Anyways, back to the original topic! Ha! I thought that this was was the perfect time to try out their razors (link).  I honestly had just put razors on my shopping list and figured for the price, it was worth trying.  I jumped on to their site and checked out their packages and products.   

The Humble Twin - $1.00 plus $2.00 shipping - Basic shaver, 2 stainless steel blades, 5 cartridges per month, with lubricating strip.

The 4x - $6.00 with free shipping – 4 stainless steel blades, 4 cartridges per month, full 90-degree pivot head.

The Executive - $9.00 with free shipping - 6 stainless steel blades, 4 cartridges per month, special trimmer edge built in.

I decided to pick the middle of the road shaver, the 4x. It’s currently set to ship to me at the end of the month.  As soon as I have had some time to try out the razor I will post a review!!  It’s worth mentioning that DSC has a ton of other products too.  The One Wipe Charlies, I mentioned above, creams and lotions for shaving, and sunscreen!  It’s definitely worth taking a look at the site (Link). 

So lovelies, during the coming warmer months remember that simple changes in your everyday life can make your skin that much better during the summer months.  Keeping yourself protected, hydrated, out of the sun as much as possible, and using the best type of hair removal process possible will help keep your skin in better shape!  Let’s face it, we don’t want to be dwelling and obsessing over our skin care during the nice months.  Montana only gets a few months of warm months during the year.  I want to be out enjoying it, not worrying about my skin protection!!

Until next time ... Xoxo,

Mikal-Anne

NOTD - SinfulColors Professionals in Cheshire China

I absolutely have a new favorite nail polish!  This color is just so perfect for this time of year.  It's got a lighter shade to it, which is a perfect switch from the dark winter colors.  Plus it has a great pastel color that works perfectly for spring and Easter!

Want to know the extra nice thing ... It was only $1.99!! Woot Woot!  I've definitely learned that it isn't the price of the actual nail color, but the products that you use with it that will make the application last.  I am a firm believe in the Orly Nail Strengthener bottom coat and Won't Chip top coat. These are my holy grail and go to top and bottom!  This combo lasted me a good 4 days before chipping with this application!

xoxo,

Mikal-Anne