Friday, April 29, 2016

My Black is Beautiful #BzzAgent #Unboxing and Review @MBIB



Selena Thinking Out Loud had the opportunity to test and review some products from Procter & Gamble's My Black is Beautiful BzzAgent campaign! They are committed to celebrating and connecting with African-American women. Procter & Gamble's initiative, My Black is Beautiful, celebrates the diverse collective beauty of African-American women and encourages black women to define and promote our own beauty standard — one that is an authentic reflection of our indomitable spirit.  

Recognizing that beauty and self-confidence are intrinsically linked, My Black is Beautiful is designed to ignite and support a sustained national conversation by, for and about black women — the way they are reflected in popular culture and how they serve as the catalyst for a movement that effects positive change.

Personally, I have learned a lot about different hair care and beauty products through my product reviews, that have worked nicely to keep my hair healthy and my skin vibrant. I continue to use many of the products that I have tested, in my day to day life. 

In this BzzAgent Unboxing video, you will learn more about the products in this campaign and how I liked them after personally using them. In the video, I give them a thumbs up or thumbs down. If you would like to read my detailed review for each of the products and purchase them online (click on an image or link provided below), scroll down underneath the video below.



Always Thin Regular Daily Liners

I did not realize it, but I was already using Always Thin Dailies on a regular basis. So, when I received these in my BzzAgent box, I was already a satisfied user. I like how thin they are because having a bulky pantyliner is not comfortable to wear. They are unscented, which is another plus to avoid yeast infections. They provide edge-to-edge adhesive, which keeps then attached to my panties. I did feel like they complimented by active lifestyle and I didn't notice that I was wearing them at all. I will definitely continue to wear them for added protection and everyday freshness on the go. THUMBS UP from me!



Herbal Essences Hello Hydration Shampoo and Conditioner




Herbal Essences Hello Hydration Shampoo and Conditioner works well with my hair type. I need moisture in order for my hair to maintain its liveliness and strength. When I washed with the shampoo, I did not feel that stripped feeling and the conditioner really softened my hair. I could feel it conditioning my hair while I was washing it. I did leave the conditioner in for 8 - 10 minutes while I showered, so it could work really well. I like this shampoo and conditioner and would use it as a backup if my regular shampoo and conditioner were finished. THUMBS UP from me!








Head & Shoulders Cowash Conditioner


This Head & Shoulders Cowash Conditioner didn't work so well for me. Before I changed my shampoo and conditioner to the current ones, I used regular Head & Shoulders for sometime. I was getting really itchy scalp while using it so that's why I changed to the other products. When I washed my hair with this Head & Shoulders Cowash Conditioner, it felt like my hair was being stripped when I used it after shampooing, as instructed. I also started to get really itchy scalp again, so I didn't use it again. The idea is good for dandruff shampoo users, so give it a try. It may work for you. However, I have to give it a THUMBS DOWN.




Olay Regenerist Luminous Tone Perfecting Cream



The Olay Regenerist Luminous Tone Perfecting Cream spreads nicely onto my skin. I applied it after my normally cleansing routine, morning and night, and it did not irritate my face. I would have to continue to use it for a longer period of time in order to get a more detailed idea of its 'toning' results. However, it does have a nice, settling, smell too. THUMBS UP from me.







Do you use any of the products that I reviewed above? If so, share your experiences in the comments below.

Monday, April 25, 2016

#Gardening VLOG: How To Plant Hyacinthina Hostas in Containers



In this gardening vlog, I show you how to plant Hyacinthina Hosta in containers. I have really established a pretty, nice-sized patio garden, adding these hostas. They are going to grow nice and green with purple flowers, blooming in mid-summer. They are also great for the Fall season as well. I'm excited to see that too!



I purchased them from BloomingBulb, so here's a 10% Off coupon for you!! Look below to see which are On Sale and for updates on when they are available, in season. (Click on the Hosta plant to go directly to Blooming Bulb's website)


Thursday, April 21, 2016

#VLOG: Kimchi Fried Rice



When I was in the U.S. Army and stationed in Korea, I never tried Kimchi. Then, it was foreign to me and I wasn't open to trying too many new things during that point in my life. However, times have definitely changed and I like to try lots of different foods. It wasn't until I returned home to the states that I finally tried Kimchi, offered to me by a Korea friend. 

It was seasoned, fermented, cabbage! I didn't know that it was so tasty! I was missing out on all of that nice flavor and it indeed pairs nicely as a side dish. I was inspired this week to make Kimchi Fried Rice for the first time, so I wanted to share it with you in this food video blog below. 

FYI, the Kimchi, Seaweed, and Sesame Seeds were all purchased at my local Korea Market. 


Have you tried Kimchi? If so, how do you like to eat it? Leave a comment below :)

Thursday, April 14, 2016

THANK YOU @SoapboxSoaps! #SoapEqualsHope



Here at Selena Thinking Out Loud, I was super excited to receive an email from Influenster that I was one of the winners of a Soapbox Soaps prize pack! I had an awesome experience trying their Coconut Oil w/Shea Butter Shampoo and Conditioner. (My initial blog post review is here) I'm still using that now and it keeps my hair very manageable and moisturized. I really like the fact that there is no parabens, or artificial coloring, and they do not test on animals!



Their cause is pretty neat too. With every soap purchase we help give a bar of soap to a person in need or a month of clean water in communities all over the world. 

Their message: Soap=Hope! Buy One. Give One. 

In the following video, I send a big THANK YOU to Soapbox Soaps and show YOU what I received in my prize pack! Shop at Soapbox Soaps, click here 


Wednesday, April 6, 2016

#VLOG: Planting #Strawberries - 10 Root Divisions in the Spring



For the past two years, I have become more interested in gardening since purchasing seeds from BloomingBulb. I ran across their website when I was searching for planting tips and ideas online. Everything that I have ordered from them so far have grown very nicely. I like the fact that they deliver my order when its the correct time to plant the seeds and flowers. 

This year, I wanted to grow my own strawberries. I have tried to grow strawberries from seeds but sadly had no luck. So, I decided to trust BloomingBulb and purchase 10 Root Divisions of Chandler Junebearer Strawberry Plants for Spring planting in my region. They have an array of Strawberries to choose from, for a particular region and season, so there's something for everyone. 

Chandler Junebearer Strawberry Plants - 10 root divisions



In the video blog below, I share how they arrived in the mail, how I planted them, what I used, and how they look now after 3 weeks in the soil!


Get 10% Off your order when you sign up for the BloomingBulb newsletter: 

Click on the links below to go directly to a strawberry's specific page on BloomingBulb to learn more about them and to order. Please Note: They Sell Out Fast!