Monday, June 30, 2014

California Naturel Skin Care Products #Review



Disclaimer: The skin care products mentioned in this review were provided by California Naturel for testing purposes. The opinions of each product are 100% my own. Your results and/or experiences may vary.



Selena Thinking Out Loud With Purpose was invited to personally experience the premium natural skin care products of California Naturel, a local company based in Sausalito, California. They pride themselves on using some of the purest, luxurious, and active ingredients found in nature. 

As you know, I have a pretty simple morning and night routine, so after reviewing their website and the ingredients in their skin care products, I thought that I would see if I could add anything else to my current line up of products.


The Skin Care Product Review

The overall package arrived in good shape. The items were nestled in the box very well with a shredded, green, heavy card stock. I really liked the personalized, handwritten card, sharing their enthusiasm for me reviewing their products. I found that personal touch to be very special. 






After taking an overall look at the products, in their own packaging and reading the ingredients, I decided to use the Gentle Cleansing Gel first.


The Gentle Cleansing Gel removes makeup and impurities from the face without drying the skin. 

Natural Ingredients Include: Organic Aloe Vera and Organic Soapberry

"I first noticed the smell, which was a little citrus and airy in a way, but pleasant. It was a thin-textured gel to the touch. The directions instructed me to wet my face, first, then lather my skin with the Gentle Cleansing Gel. It lathered quickly and easily on my skin. It left no soapy residue and washed away quickly as well. I left it on my face for a half of a minute, just to let it work a little more into my face. The lather began to dissolve so I decided to rinse the product off at that point. I used this product for 5 days straight to get a real sense of the product and was very pleased with it. I am actually still using it twice a day as instructed. It did not irritate my skin or dry it out so I would recommend this product for you to try as well."


The next product I used after cleaning my face, morning and night, was the Balancing Complex.


The Balancing Complex is an all natural moisturizer for combination to oily and sensitive skin types.

Some of the Natural Ingredients Include: Argan, Borage, Olive and Jojoba oils

"On first contact with this particular moisturizer, I did notice that it was lighter to the touch. Although the ingredients share that it was made of oils, I didn't feel oily on my face after using it. It appeared to absorb evenly into my skin. I used it for 2 out of my 5 days of testing. I tend to have dry to normal skin so this was okay for me. For long-term use though, I would have to go with the other cream-based moisturizer, which seemed to satisfy my skin type better, throughout the day."


Speaking of California Naturel's cream-based moisturizer, I used it for three days of the 5 day testing after cleaning my face each time with the Gentle Cleansing Gel. It's called their Nourishing Cream.


The Nourishing Cream offers hydration, antioxidants and cell renewal, for dry to normal, and most sensitive skin types. 

Some of the Natural Ingredients Include: Alfalfa Extract and Olive Leaf Extract

"The cream was richer and white in color. It spread on evenly throughout the areas of my face. I could immediately see the glow and the radiance of my skin increasing even more throughout my day. I didn't wear foundation everyday, so this product was the only thing I wore to moisturize and protect my skin. I was very pleased with its performance on my skin. I would recommend this to any who has dry to normal skin because it doesn't leave you feeling greasy, but well moisturized for a full day."


The final two products I received was a lip balm SPF 8 and sunscreen SPF 30.



The Lip Balm SPF 8 protects from environmental damage, moisturizes, and provides antioxidants and SPF sunscreen protection.

Some of the Natural Ingredients Include: Glacial Oceanic Minerals, Shea Butter, and Pomegranate Extract

"I was initially surprised by its thickness and how white it was when I rolled it onto my lips. I took my finger and continued to rub the product into my lips to blend it in. It had a light, fruity, taste, which was nice. Overall, it took some getting used to. Every time I used it during the 5 days of testing, I seemed to dab it on, then rub it in between my lips. It did create a moisturizing barrier, but it was a bit too heavy in consistency for me to use for the long-term."



The Sunscreen SPF 30 provides a non-oily, all natural experience. It protects from UVA and UVB rays and increases skin-hydration.

Some of the Natural Ingredients Include: Shea Butter, Pomegranate Extract, and Marigold Flower Extract

"This sunscreen was pretty thick to the touch and rubbed on white. I really had to rub it in to get it blended into my skin. However, once it was well-blended, it created a nice moisturizing look. On contact with the sun, while out and about, I notice that my skin was glowing and well-hydrated. This sunscreen has a similar thickness, white color, and consistency of some of its competitors. Since I have tried another brand of sunscreen recently, it was difficult for me to go back to a thicker brand of sunscreen. I appreciated the SPF 30 protection that it provided and how it protects from UVA and UVB rays, but its consistency was too thick for my liking."


Overall, my experience with California Naturel products were positive. I would definitely recommend that you try some of their products for yourself. You never know which product will be your new favorite, hot, item. All natural products are better for our skin and can only become apart of a bigger audience if we continue to use and share them with others. 

So, I invite you to learn more about California Naturel, try their products, and share your testimonials with them, on social media, at the links provided below.








P.S: Did you enjoy this product review for California Naturel skin care products? If so, don't forget to share it with someone you know, using the social media buttons below.

Thursday, June 19, 2014

Playtex® Sport® Fresh Balance™ #Review



Disclaimer: This is a product review 100% of my own personal experience. Your results with this product may vary. 


Selena Thinking Out Loud With Purpose knows how that 'time of the month' for some ladies can be a nuisance, especially if you're an active mom or businesswoman. So when you have your next episode or time of the month, I suggest giving Playtex® Sport® Fresh Balance™ with Odor Shied technology a try.




I was provided a complimentary box to test out from Influenster, just in time for my episode. How convenient! Here's my personal review of the product below:

"Now, I know that we all have different flow strengths when it comes to our monthly cycles. I, on the other hand seem to stay pretty average or Normal, so the Regular Absorbency worked for me throughout my cycle. I was already familiar with Playtex Sport Regular Light Absorbency tampons, which were also great at protecting me. So, I was okay with trying these, HOWEVER, I was a little leery of the 'light scent' on a tampon. In the end, it didn't bother me, I didn't notice the scent, and it didn't take away from the purpose of the tampon.
I do keep a busy schedule on a weekly basis, so when it is my time of the month, I depend on leakage protection and comfort in my tampon. I have to be active and alert when working with senior citizens, so the Playtex Sport Fresh Balance tampons worked well with my busy job. I tend to do a lot of moving around and having to lift and turn as well. I also like to take yoga/tai chi classes during the week, so protection is HUGE, when using a tampon. 
I would use them again and recommend them to my friends. Grade A, for comfort and protection."

You can find Playtex® Sport® Fresh Balance™, in your local drugstores, supermarkets and deparment stores (Walmart, Target, Kmart, etc.) -- approximate price $3.99 - $4.99



P.S. Did you find this review helpful? If so, share it using the social media sites provided below.

Softlips® Cube #Review



Selena Thinking Out Loud With Purpose was invited to the SpringVoxBox event through Influenster and I am happy to do a review of the Softlips Cube that I received in the box of goodies. I never knew of this product before trying it out currently. I really enjoy using this product. 


The Softlips Cube provides a lip protectant/sunscreen SPF 15 for your lips, so not only are you getting that moisture for your lips, but you are getting some protection from the harmful sun rays. 

This product really came in handy when I was out of town, in Las Vegas, because it was pretty warm and the wind was dry, which made my lips dry as well. When I didn't use a lip gloss, I pulled out this product. I did also find myself using the cube a little more. 

I do like how easy it fits into my purse and it just glides on my lips nice and smooth. I would give this product a grade of an A



Go out and get the Softlips Cube to try! (Cost: $3.49 - $4.00 depending on if you get it on their website or in your local drug store)

Here's my YouTube Video Review for Softlips® Cube



P.S. Did you find this review helpful? If so, share it using the social media buttons below.

Sunday, June 8, 2014

@Influenster #SpringFlingVoxBox Unboxing and Product #Reviews



Selena Thinking Out Loud With Purpose was invited to experience the Influenster #SpringFlingVoxBox and had the opportunity to test some new products. In the following unboxing video, I share all of the items that came in the Influenster Spring Fling VoxBox, followed by my own product review for each item. All prices are listed below for your purchasing convenience and are priced at the time of shooting this video and receiving the Influenster VoxBox.

The Influenster #SpringFlingVoxBox Unboxing



Product Reviews for #SpringFlingVoxBox Items

$5.99
The Rimmel London Retro Glam Mascara is really nice as well. Its mascara applicator is fat and curvy, which helps to extend my lashes, but also keeps my lashes from clumping. I would recommend putting on more than one coat for a richer eye look.




$2.49 for 2.5oz / $10.99 for 13.5oz. 
This lotion is SO good. It keeps my skin moisturized and I would continue to use this for its hydration. As far as the skin firming part of the product, I would have to use it for some time to see the skin firming results. I did notice that it said you should begin to see a difference within as little as 2 weeks, so I will see how it goes as I finish the bottle. 











$6.49
I gave them a try on my weekend business trip and they lasted the entire trip and I'm still wearing them into my week now. The little white tabs on the ends of them, makes it easier to apply. There's a lot less interaction with the nail glue when using the white tabs. They seal down quickly and I liked that they provide a manicure stick so I could oval-shape them to my natural nails. I received nice comments about them and about how they looked very natural on me.



The Labor Day car refreshener lasted through the weekend as far as the scent goes. It was pleasant to smell on my roadtrip.

I am looking forward to watching Labor Day real soon.






$3.99 - $4.99
I have tried Playtex Sport tampons before and they have been great with providing protection, during my time of the month. I don't usually use scented products, but after trying these tampons, I see that it didn't have any effect on me. They still did their job and it never crossed my mind that they were scented. I would definitely use them again. I move around a lot, so protection, during my time of the month is VERY important. 







$3.49
I absolutely LOVE this softlips cube. It leaves my lips moisturized and I can feel this cool sensation on my lips every time I use it. I know that it's working. I like how the product is displayed in the cube. It rolls on smooth and easy. I don't have to roll it up inside the cube. I got a wind burn on my lips, while I was in Las Vegas, and I started using the Softlips cube - Lip protectant/Sunscreen. It has relieved that dry feeling on my lips and there's no more windburn. I will buy this again, once I use this one up. 












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