Mel N. - Influenster.com

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Member Since: November 15, 2011

Location: San Francisco, CA

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Review of: Pond's Wet Cleansing Towelettes

Love them!

October 9, 2012

PROS: Don't need water!

QUICK TIPS: Make sure to use both sides (one is textured)

I use the Pond's Morning Refresh Wet Cleaning Towelettes every morning. I LOVE the smell, and they work great before applying makeup. Depending on how heavy my makeup is, I sometimes use them at night, too. They work so well at removing makeup!

Verdict: Works Well!

Review of: NYC New York Color Liquid Lipshine

Inexpensively Amazing!

October 9, 2012

PROS: Cheap!

I was lucky enough to receive the New York Nude in the Beauty Vox Box, and I loved it! I can't believe how inexpensive this lip gloss is! It smells great and lasts a significant amount of time.

Verdict: Definitely try!

Review of: Crumbs Bake Shop

I LOVE CRUMBS!

October 9, 2012

PROS: Delicious!

QUICK TIPS: A standard size is big enough to share!

I love Crumbs! I wish there was one in San Francisco. I especially love their mini cupcake variety packs. Every time I'm in NYC I always pick some up as gifts. My absolute favorite Crumbs' cupcake is the grasshopper. Try it and you'll love it too!

Verdict: Eat and eat some more.

Review of: Influenster Love VoxBox 2011

Great VoxBox!

October 9, 2012

This was a great VoxBox (and sadly the last one I have received). I especially loved the Venus razor and Ghiradelli chocolate. I didn't use the Kiss nails as the print (leopard) was too junior for my taste. Can't wait to be selected for another VoxBox!

Verdict: Great stash of products!

Review of: Toms Shoes

Hesitant at first...

October 12, 2012

PROS: Comfy & Machine Washable

I put off buying Toms for a long time. First, I felt they were a fad. Second, I though they were for young hipsters (I just turned 30). And third, they were $40 (granted it's for a good cause) for a pair of canvas shoes. Alas, I finally gave in and bought a navy blue pair... What a great decision! They're so comfortable that I don't care if they're a fad or for hipsters, and they're worth the 40 bucks! Plus, they're machine washable!

Verdict: Getting another pair.

Review of: ZARA Clothing and Accessories

Great Clothes for Good Prices

October 12, 2012

PROS: Reasonable Prices

Zara is one of my favorite "lower price" stores. I feel the quality if better than H&M and the clothes are cuter. I first discovered Zara in Vegas and was ecstatic when one opened in San Francisco. What's even better is that online sales were just launched this year. :)

Verdict: Cute Clothes, Reasonable Prices

Review of: Virgin America

GREAT Airline

October 12, 2012

PROS: TV Screens for Every Seat

I travel A LOT for work, and Virgin America is by far my favorite airline. I've rarely had delays, and love that every seat has its own tv screen (especially for those coast to coast flights). I also like the fact you can order food and drinks from your seat. Makes life so much easier.

Verdict: Best Airline Out There

Review of: W Hotel Washington, DC

Posh Hotel

October 12, 2012

PROS: Great Customer Service

I stayed at this hotel for my first work trip to DC, and it was wonderful! The rooms felt clean (though a little small), and the location can't be beat! Loved the flat screen tv and the customer service was excellent. Would stay there again, but it's difficult to get a work approved rate.

Verdict: Great Hotel!

Review of: Kraft Caramels Traditional

Delish!

October 12, 2012

PROS: Delicious

While these are delicious caramels, I love using these in salted caramel butter bars. They are uh-mazing!

Verdict: Yummy for the Tummy

Review of: Pinkberry Frozen Yogurt

I Heart Pinkberry

October 12, 2012

PROS: Healthy, Delicious Treat

Pinkberry has the best original tart out of all the FroYo places I've tried (and that's a lot of FroYo). It has the perfect amount of tart and sweetness, plus it's creamy and smooth. Love it topped with mochi bits, mango, and strawberries. Best. Dessert. Ever.

Verdict: Delicous!!

Review of: Benefit High Beam

High Beam Yourself

October 12, 2012

PROS: Great for Contouring

Although this is pricey ($30), a little goes a looooong way. I especially love using it to contour... Works great for blending and if you put a little under your eyes it makes them pop. However, it's pricey and I don't like the brush applicator.

Verdict: Great for Contouring

Review of: Bare Escentuals bareMinerals SPF 15 Original Foundation

Didn't Work for Me

October 12, 2012

I was a huge advocate of Bare Escentuals when it first came out (mostly because the first stores opened in the Bay Area). However, I've found that it didn't blend very well and the shades didn't match my skin tone very well (plus I have really oily skin and it wasn't helping). A couple years ago I switched to Urban Decay's mineral foundation and find that it's MUCH better.

Verdict: Okay product.

Review of: OPI Nail Polish

Worth the Price

October 12, 2012

PROS: Lots of colors, long lasting

QUICK TIPS: Try purchasing with Ulta coupons or when goes on sale at Sephora.

OPI is by far my favorite nail polish. I love all the colors and especially love all the cute names. I always do two coats plus a top coat and my nails don't chip for up to a week (and my toe nails much longer). So worth the price.

Verdict: Great nail polish!

Review of: Pet Zoom Pet Park

Gonna Donate Mine.

October 12, 2012

CONS: Not Very Sanitary.

I actually purchased this on Groupon a couple weeks ago for $22, and quickly decided it's more work than it's worth. I live in an apartment and purchased it to put on my balcony for my dog to use when it's raining. While there's a tray that pulls out for washing (it suggests you dump the waste in the toilet), it's SO inconvenient. Plus, you'd still need to wash it in the bath tub or sink. Definitely not a simple process. Easier just to use puppy training pads.

Verdict: Difficult to Clean and Not Worth the Hassle.

Review of: Pedigree DentaStix Dog Treats

My Dog Actually Eats These

October 12, 2012

My dog has a picky palette, but she actually LOVES these. I actually like these better than the milk bone treats because there are no crumbs to vacuum. Plus, apparently they're good for her. :)

Verdict: Great Treat!

Review of: SportsNation

Great Show

October 12, 2012

Don't always get to catch SportsNation, but I love watching the spin-off show, Winners Bracket. The video clips are always amazing... Or hilarious if they're doing the worst.

Verdict: Love Sports.

Review of: Garden Botanika Heart Perfume

Did Not Like At All.

October 17, 2012

CONS: Too strong!

Received a sample of this in the Holiday VoxBox. Maybe it was just me, but this perfume was WAY too strong and gave me a headache. I also felt it was a little too floral.

Verdict: Threw it away.

Review of: PUR Classicclear Water Filtration System

PUR > Brita

October 19, 2012

QUICK TIPS: Buy refills on Amazon... Much cheaper!

I prefer PUR over Brita. I know it's water, but I feel that it tastes like PUR gets out more of the impurities. I have the 18-cup dispenser that sits in my fridge... It's the perfect size for two people.

Verdict: PUR > Brita

Review of: JetBlue Airways

Great Airline

October 23, 2012

PROS: Personal TVs

JetBlue is a great airline! The seats are super comfy, prices are reasonable, and every seat comes with a tv. The only downside is that they don't fly everywhere

Verdict: Travel on Whenever Possible

Review of: Essie Nail Polish

Worth the Price

October 23, 2012

PROS: Lots of Colors, Long Lasting

Essie nail polish may be pricey, but it's worth it! The colors are so vibrant and are extremely long lasting. I love how Target now carries Essie! I also try to use Ulta coupons to purchase Essie nail polish at a discount.

Verdict: Great Nail Polish

Review of: Ciba Vision Contact Solution

The BEST Contact Solution

October 23, 2012

I've tried Opti-Free and Biotrue, but noticed that Clear Care makes my contacts more wearable. I have dry eyes, plus Astigmatism which requires the contact placed in a certain position, and this contact solution allows me to wear my contacts for up to 15 hours a day. I like how every package comes with a new contact case. The only downside is that they have to soak for 6 hours prior to wear.

Verdict: Great for Dry Eyes

Review of: Softsoap® Bar Soap

Okay Soap

October 24, 2012

I received a sample of the coconut in the Holiday VoxBox. While it smells great, I found that it dried out my skin. I definitely prefer Dove.

Verdict: Okay Soap

Review of: Gillette® Venus® & Olay™ Razor

Okay Razor

October 24, 2012

CONS: Doesn't Last Very Long

I was lucky enough to receive one in the Love VoxBox and it's a great razor! The Olay parts definitely make a difference when shaving, I just wish they lasted longer or maybe removable so you can just use the razor. Also, because the razor is kind of big it makes it harder to go over knees and other small areas. And the five blades are cool in theory, but I feel that it really doesn't add any more value than three blades. For the price, I'll just stick to a regular razor and shaving cream.

Verdict: Great for Moisturizing

Review of: DKNY Be Delicious Perfume

LOVE this perfume

October 25, 2012

I received a sample a couple of years ago through Sephora and have been hooked ever since. It's a fragrant smell without being overpowering. I loved the dual rollerball with the original Be Delicious on one side and the Pink Be Delicious on the other. Not a fan of the Be Delicious Golden though.

Verdict: Great Smelling!

Review of: Eyes Lips Face

You Get What You Pay For

October 25, 2012

PROS: Cheap, Cheap, Cheap

QUICK TIPS: Buy at Target

The pricing of e.l.f makeup is unbeatable, but sometimes I find you get what you pay for. I feel the brushes are definitely not worth it as the bristles feel cheap and don't apply makeup evenly, but some of the blushes and eye shadows are good. I also hated the fake eyelashes (I just couldn't pass them up for a buck!) because they didn't stay very well. It's great that you can purchase their products at Target now though!

Verdict: Some Products are Worth Trying

Review of: forever 21

Great Clothes for Reasonable Prices

October 25, 2012

PROS: Cheap and Cute

QUICK TIPS: Search for their clothes with higher quality material

Forever 21 has VERY reasonable prices, but I'm very selective in what I purchase. Some of their clothes can feel and look cheap, but if you do some searching you can get unbelievable quality for an extremely cheap price. I find that their knits are long lasting, comfortable, and cute. I've had some of my Forever 21 tops for over 5 years. I also love buying accessories like necklaces and scarves here. While I understand the clientele is younger women and teens, I wish their dress lengths were slightly longer. I also wish the racks weren't so close together in the stores (online shopping is much easier).

Verdict: Search for the Great Deals

Review of: Dr. Pepper® Soda

Great Soda!

October 25, 2012

QUICK TIPS: Serve realy cold!

I actually have an addiction to Diet Dr. Pepper. When it's cold you can't even tell it's diet! Love regular Dr. Pepper, but hate all that sugar.

Verdict: Love it!

Review of: Urban Decay Ocho Loco 24/7 Eyeliner Pencil set

Great Eyeliners!

October 25, 2012

By far the best eyeliners out there! They are long lasting, easily blendable, and very pigmented. The only downside is they require a lot of sharpening. This set is totally worth the price!

Verdict: Must Try!

Review of: Sephora

My Favorite Cosmetics Store

November 14, 2012

PROS: Great Variety and Carries all Brands

QUICK TIPS: Sign up for the VIB Club, it's free!

By far my favorite cosmetics store! I love the layout and always end up buying something when I walk in. Fortunately (unfortunate for my wallet), I'm a Very Important Beauty Insider that gives special free gifts when you order online, coupons, and free event invites. You should definitely sign up because it's free (you need to spend over $350/year to become Very Important though)! I also love checking out Sephora's sale category on its website for good deals!

Verdict: yes

Review of: Revlon Color Stay Makeup

Great Foundation for Oily Skin

November 14, 2012

PROS: Decently Priced and Long Lasting

QUICK TIPS: Use Ulta coupons to get discounts, or wait till there's a BOGO.

I have SUPER oily skin (which is a real pain because I'm no where close to my teenage years). I previously used Bare Escentuals and Urban Decay's powder foundation, but found that (1) they're both expensive, and (2) the coverage isn't all that great. I switched to Revlon ColorStay for oily skin a couple months ago and couldn't be happier! I use a latex sponge applicator and a brush for areas I need to conceal. Also, if you purchase a color a little darker than your natural skin tone in addition, you can use it to contour. It definitely lasts all day and SO worth the $9.99 at Target or Ulta.

Verdict: yes

Review of: Grimm

One of the Most Creative Shows

November 16, 2012

PROS: Great Story Lines

QUICK TIPS: DVR or available thru On-Demand

I love Grimm! Think of it as a darker Once Upon a Time. The show is based on the Grimm Brothers' fairy tales like Little Red Riding Hood and Three Little Pigs. The major story line is about a cop who is a Grimm and can see "creatures" who appear human but really aren't. Many times these "creatures" kill humans (think Big Bad Wolf from Little Red Riding Hood), but others are harmless (think of the pigs from Three Little Pigs). I love the show's creativity. It takes stories you've heard over and over again and makes them completely refreshed. The only downside is that it's in a Friday night time slot... I hope it doesn't get canceled!

Verdict: yes

Review of: The Vampire Diaries TV Series

One of My Must Watch Shows

November 16, 2012

QUICK TIPS: Now available thru On-Demand!

Let me preface this by saying I'm 30 years old and I LOVE Vampire Diaries. I've been watching the show since the first season and have been hooked. Just when I think the writers won't be able to live up to the story line from the previous season, they do it! Warning, spoiler for this season: I thought this season started a little slow (I didn't want Elena to become a vampire), but I think it's picked up quite a bit and continues to be one of my favorite shows.

Verdict: yes

Review of: Rotary International

GREAT Organization

November 21, 2012

Rotary is an awesome organization! I had the privilege of participating in Interact while in high school, which is sponsored by Rotary. One of my most memorable high school memories was going to Rotary Youth Leadership Camp. There are chapters located across the country for you to get out and serve!

Verdict: yes

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