Staycation voxbox fall 2018

       Staycation VoxBox Fall 2018

I've had a few Voxboxes the past two years. I've been really happy with the experience and it feels great to know that I'm helping people get real info from real people when new products come out. 

 This box was called "Staycation". 
 It had Impress Nails press on nails, Completely Bare razor bump relief shave cream, Shea Moisture Charcoal Gelee Moisturizer,  Eva NYC 10 in 1 Hair Primer and Crest Gum & Enamel Repair Toothpaste. 

These were all sample sizes this time except for the nails. But it was enough to truly test them out. 

The Crest Toothpaste was great. I have super sensitive teeth. I had been using a baking soda formula before this that hurt my teeth every time I used it. 
 Switch to this and my teeth not only didn't hurt when I brushed them but they felt less sensitive in general throughout the day. The whitening isn't any better or worse but it is effective as a whitening agent. It also kept my breath fresh and clean for hours. 
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The Impress Nails Press On Nails were my absolute favorite and surprised me the most. As a teen a decade ago and as a child I would put these on and they would pop off right away. They were horrendous. I'm sure we all have a memory of that. The only thing they were good for is playing dress up as children. And I'm talking specifically about this brand. 
 Cut to a decade later and they wouldnt budge once applied even a little to straighten them out. They lasted 7 days without nail glue of any kind. Only the adhesive that was on the nails. And not only did they stay on but they stayed looking new for the entire week. They looked professional and stayed that way. I was shocked. Truly shocked. I still cant believe it. 
 When I took them off it took a bit of peeling because they were on so good but at 7 days one was starting to chip so I wanted them off. It took  a little work but it wasn't bad. 
 Also, my nails weren't damaged at all which is a huge plus considering acrylics damage nails a lot. 
With the price and the look this is a much better option than acrylics or glue on nails I'm 2018. I cant believe I'm saying that but I truly believe it. I'm a mom of a 3 year old boy who belongs in a zoo lol if they lasted like that on me they can last on anyone. 
 The only negative was they seemed to run on the smaller end of the spectrum size wise but I think they do offer different sizes and it wasn't anything I couldn't work out. 

Next is the Completely Bare Razor Burn relief shave cream. It was great. I quit using shave cream years ago when I started using Venus and Intuition razors since they do an amazing job. I still get razor burn down on my bikini line though. I used this and I got a closer shave than I usually do. It also smelled really great and although it didn't heal the bumps I already had it greatly reduced the amount of new ones I received from shaving. I will most likely be repurchasing as it's cheaply priced and a little goes a long way. 

Next we have the Shea Moisture Bamboo Charcoal Gelee Moisturizer for Blemish Prone Skin. 
 It's a mattifying moisturizer. I have extremely oily skin and light but constant acne so moisturizer is usually a big no no buy I need mattifying products or my makeup just slides right off. This stuff worked pretty well at making and keeping my skin matte while not drying it out. I didn't get a lot of a moisturising effect from it though. Also, the scent of it is a little revolting to me. It almost has that ethnic hair product scent like pink lotion and the like. Kind of like African black soap I think. I really didn't like that at all. But it worked well so I'm going to use it all up. 

Lastly we have the Eva NYC 10 in 1 Hair Primer. I had received this in a previous box from them to test. So I've used it a few times replacing my normal hair primer with other products staying the same in my routine and all by itself. With other products it's way too heavy which is crazy because nothing is too heavy on my hair. I have thick, frizzy, curly and unruly hair that I wash every 4 or 5 days when it starts to get oily at the roots and blow dry then and flat iron daily. My hair is super dry. 
 This weighed it down a lot. And when it was used by itself it still weighed it down but it was less severe when used lightly and as an only product. But then it couldn't do everything I need all 7 of my other products to do. So for me this just did not work but it would probably be food for someone who's hair doesn't need a lot of product. 

Overall this was a good experience and none of the products were bad and they were mostly really good. I have already recommended the nails to more than a few friends and told them the story of how much they've changed. I'm glad I found that out!

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Foreo Luna FoFo Brush & App Review (pics)

Luna Foreo Fofo Brush & Luna For.                      You App Review!                   

I received the Luna Fofo before it's release so I thought I'd test, review and compare for y'all before my video review. 

 I have owned the Foreo Luna 2 ($199.00 USD @Sephora) for about a year and a half and i like it but it gets a bit tedious to use and it's not super comfortable in a smaller female hand. 

 So the fofo is about the size of the Luna Mini and looks super similar except for one huge difference. The metal sensors on the back of this Luna face cleaning brush. 

Bottom is Luna Fofo

 The sensors are what make this new face brush unique in a sea of face cleansing brushes from every price range. 

 Foreo is an innovative brand and always has been but they really opened up a new category of skin care products with it being Android and Apple capable with it's own app! Amazing! 

 You may think this is gimmicky but no, the possibilities are limitless with this new genre of app capable beauty products. 

 So as just for the product it's great. I feel much cleaner than just washing my face on my own with just my hands. 

 I normally wash my makeup off and then wash again and then maybe an exfoliator/ and or mask following that once or twice a week. 

 This brush like all recommend cleansing makeup off first and then washing again with a non abrasive face wash with the brush for maximum cleanliness and keeping your brush good as new. 

 It is completely anti bacterial so nothing will be growing on it between uses like it does with fiber and bristled face brushes. 

The nubbies on the top are for oily and hard to cleanse areas and the smaller, closer together nubbies are for more sensitive skin. Both sides feel great but i love the nubbies on my acne prone skin and hard to reach places and curves on my face. 

 Now how does it work and how does the app measure up? Let me tell you!

 The app is currently still Beta Testing and the screen shots are from June 22nd, 2018.

 I have the petal pink brush. Immediately unboxed it came with a bright pink magnet 2D Foreo play brush shaped ID card. Save that. It's your proof it's real if any issues arrive and you need to confirm with the company. 

 Now download the Foreo For You app. It doesn't take much room or much time to download on your average connection. 

 The minute you sign on sign up is one page and super easy. The app walks you through every step. Even the most technically challenged can get in on this latest technology. 

 Now you link it to your phone by bluetooth as directed when directed. You hold down the on button for 5 seconds. 

Pretty quickly it brings you to the next page where you test your skin. It tells you where to hold it on your face starting with right cheek, left cheek, forehead and then nose and will tell you when it's done loading the info. It's all very quick. 

 Next, it brings you to the page with your results. It tells you your skin moisture level, your skin age and thats pretty much it. On the main page it has a picture of a face with water droplets on each part of the face measured to tell you how your face measured for moisture on each of those places. 

Then it asks if you're ready to start cleaning and you press start when you are and it starts it for you from your phone. You can start it on your own though. 

 Just like the luna 2 it vibrates when it's time to switch the area your cleaning on your face and then turns off automatically. 

 Want more? Just start it up again from your phone or the brush. 
It does not have a charger like the Luna 2.

You can keep re testing. The app is really basic but i love that it's not a sale technique constantly bombarding you with what you should buy from them or others. 

The app is also used with the Luna UFO Mask thingy. I still dont get what that does but it looks like foreos app capable products are here to stay and more to come!

 Honestly that part doesnt seem very practical as my face and fingers are already damp and soapy from spreading the soap arond my face before starting. 

   FOREO LUNA FOFO VS. FOREO LUNA 2

I like the Fofo much better personally as it is much easier to use and it fits in my hand much easier than the Luna. It's not so big and bulky and it delivers just as good of a wash in my opinion. 

 It does not have different vibration settings for how powerful of a clean you want but other than that i really prefer the Fofo for practical and technical reasons. 

 Overall I completely recommend. I don't have a current release date but the price is seemingly going to be $89 USD.

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Seedling identification help

  I had purchased a couple of flower varieties. The Poppy flowers did not work out I believe. I have some watermelon, a Sunflower of the Carmel type, and another flower all purchased from my local Kroger or Walmart.
   I can't begin to remember or guess what they are, and the packages were emptied of seeds and dirtied/wet. So i just threw them. Please help if you can.

Pic set 1 (I believe these are all the same but I'm not positive.):

Pic set 2:

Pic set 3 (Same I think?):

A fourth pic that I can't liken to any of the above. These are two seperate seedlings really close together from what I can tell:

Please help. I need to know where in the ground or what type of pots they need to be in ASAP as I'm running out of time. Thanks in advance. 

New Becca Bright Eyes Collection Review. Snatch it or trash it?

Becca Bright Eyes Collection Review

I will be quickly and honestly reviewing the new Becca Bright Eyes Collection. The collection consists of the Becca Cooling Under Eye Primer, the Becca Under Eye Color Corrector in Peach and the Becca Under eye Finishing/ Setting powder.

 I was pretty unimpressed with this collection. I thought that it was probably just a way to add more products to a routine that already uses way too many. I mean why should i go out of my way to not only use but purchase these products and add them to my already time consuming makeup routine? Is it really going to be that very different from the time tested concealer under the eyes on top of my regular old face primer and using my regular old finishing or setting powder that i use for my whole face? Is it really going to be worth adding 3 more steps?!

 Well I'm happy to inform you that from the day that i received these that I've been using them non stop. It actually makes my routine quicker if you can believe that and it looks a lot better and lasts a lot longer throughout my long 18 to 20 hour days awake. 

 Now i purchased the travel version of the under eye corrector in a travel trio with both of beccas lighting primers in a set from sephora. I wasn't impressed initially. It was thick and almost sticky and sunk into my under eye lines that it just all of a sudden brought out in to view from lack of sleep. 

 Then i used it with the Cooling Under Eye Primer and the Under Eye Setting powder and fell in love. 

 The Under Eye Primer threw me off initially because of the green color. I mean green is normally a color you see for correcting redness. It's definitely not a color you want near purple, blue, brown or black or yellow. The cooling in the name of the primer didn't excite me either. I don't like the feeling of menthol on my skin personally and if it's ever near my eyes it just makes me teary and sensitive. Not fun. 

I decided to give it a fair shot anyway of course because makeup is my passion, my art, what makes me happy and makes me feel like my true self. I just plain love it. 

The packaging is adorable and easy to open and close but also secure so nothing gets in or out. I rub my finger in a circle and it is a very thin and invisible/ clear look to it. Not green in any way on the finger or once applied. It's very silky and velvety and thin. 

 The cooling sensation is almost non existent and just a bit refreshing. It's not too much by any means. 

By itself i couldn't see much of a difference using it alone but below the under eye corrector or my normal concealer and/or foundation it makes my eyes not as puffy and it takes away any fine lines from age or lack of sleep. I love it. It's amazing. 

The Under Eye Brightening powder is my favorite of this trio. Initially i used it just under my eyes. It applies perfectly and thinly while brightening and perfecting the look of the skin. It's comfortable to wear, lasts all day. Even on my super oily skin. And it is not at all cakey and gives no backflash. 

 It did such an amazing job at perfecting and brightening i tried it on my entire face. It worked better than any of my favorite go to products like the hourglass finishing powders, the makeup forever HD finishing powders and the Laura Mercier Translucent Powder. It offers what's great about the last two i just mentioned and leaves out the caky and powdery look with the backflash. 

I have acne and huge pores and extremely oily skin. This made my face look perfect and stay matte but realistic looking. It also brightened my skin by subduing the redness. It's just outright amazing. 

The packaging is cute and on the fly the mirrored cap is a great quick check mirror. The inside has half with a small wall in the middle separating a side with holes and the other side with no holes so it can let out just enough product and keep it on the top while using. It's amazing. 

I totally recommend these products for anyone who doesnt get enough sleep or has any under eye issues or just wants to perfect their under eye look. It's amazing and since it's meant for the under eyes it applies and blends easily and makes it go even quicker despite the added steps. 

Before pic

All of these pictures are owned and taken by me so if using please cite me. Thanks. 

I received these products complimentary for testing purposes but my opinions are mine and are completely honest and unprovoked. 

I hope you enjoyed my review. Follow me on my social media at 

Instagram: Buzzybee25

Twitter: snowbunnybeth90

Snapchat: buzzybee250

Facebook.com/yarnandbeauty

Pinterest: Elizabeth Calloway

Youtube is in the description on my instagram or in some earlier posts. 

And if two of my favorite people ever come across this know that i love you and think of you always. Feel free to call me anytime and i promise things will get better one day. Youre my everything's. I love you. 

How to blow dry the curliest hair straight. Salon results!

How To Blow Dry Curly Hair Straight for a.               Salon Look At Home. No Frizz!

 This is really important to me. I have extremely curly hair (pictured above in it's natural state) that i just could not get a handle on. Yes i figured out how to flat iron it so that no one would ever imagine that straight hair was anything but natural but i wanted a more salon worthy, famous person style. With body and volume and a slight curl at the ends. I could achieve this with my flat iron but I'd be all frizz and no body the moment i stepped outside no matter the weather or the season. 
 I tried many products and nothing could stop it from happening. I was having to flat iron multiple times a day every day between washes. 

 I go 4 to 5 days between washes. My hair is naturally coarse, dry, frizzy and very, very curly. It is damaged with split ends and breakage. But even in those terms ive come a long way. 

 As a teen I'd spend every week looking through magazines for tips but really just secretly wanting that magazine model hair. I thought i could change the mop on my head with chemicals. I dyed it weekly from bleach to black to every color in between. It was fried. Then on top of that i tried a white Hair relaxer. It didn't do a thing. So the next logical step to me was ethnic hair relaxer. 
 I mean everyone was always asking my mom if i was mixed based on my hair (my curls were a lot tighter as a kid. I've ruined my curl pattern with all the heat.) And hair is hair right?? Wrong. It melted my hair quite literally. I was curled up in a ball on the shower floor crying. My hair was falling off in clumps. My mom rushed me to a salon and they did what you would now call a big chop. I wouldnt let them go further than mid ear even though they wanted to. It was bad. 

 Over time i realized i dont need to wash my hair daily. I use hair oil and a ton of product and i still dont even start to get oily roots for 3 days and dry shampoo can get me through the next two days. But that didn't stop the struggle. I would flat iron my hair with a really expensive GHD Platinum Iron and it would just frizz right up. 

 I rough dried my hair with a metal round brush to just make it go faster. I didnt know how to utilize this brush any and so i ended up with a pretty big poof fro after about 7 min of blow drying. Then I'd flat iron. It looked great until i stepped outside. 

 There had to be a better way. Well, as "luck" would have it after spending over 10k at Sephora over a 2 year period and accumulating my 10k points they came out with a reward i was finally quick enough to get that i actually wanted. 

 I'd always loved DryBar products. They were most of my regimen and had changed so much for me. So a $500 gift card? Yes please. And then an autographed copy of the founders book Good Hair For All and the entire Capsule Collection of clothes and a tote by the brand. It was nice to get something back for my crazy loyalty to this brand over my addiction to the points system. It had all finally paid off.  I wouldn't go to Ulta, a brand website or any other beauty site. No. I was loyal to Sephora because of the Rewarsa Bazaar.

 So i received everything. Tried to purchase everything i wanted online and weirdly you cant use their gift cards online. Whatever. So i went in store and bought what i could even though i missed out on 200 dollars worth of product because you can't use a promo code at a brick and mortar store. 
I bought everything pictured here. 

 I had always used a 10 dollar blow dryer, curling iron, waver, 3 barrel curler, etc. The only thing i wouldn't use a cheap one of was my flat iron. My saving grace. 

 So i read the entire book Good Hair For All in one hour. It was amazing. It had step by step picture and written directions for every one of the hairstyles they offer at their locations. Then it told you how to blow dry each hair type specifically and what products to use and why and much much more. 

 I had everything i needed. I purchased the bigger, better, blowout box so i had the self stick curlers, the blow dryer and the 3 day bender 1.25 in curling iron along with every product i needed to re purchase and had wanted to try. I was set. But my hair wasn't yet! Haha. 

Blow Drying Instructions:
 So to start off there's a few very important things that matter a lot as a prelude to this type of lifestyle choice. Because if you're like me and doing this the majority of the time then that's exactly what it is. 
 You cannot wash your hair daily. Literally nobody needs to in this day and age and it's horrible for hair. Especially curly hair. Go until your roots get oily then use some dry shampoo to get through that day. Try to make it through at least one more day if you can with dry shampoo as your oils are more of a deep conditioning treatment for your hair than any expensive mask you could ever buy. Still use a mask though. 

 Then when you wash your curls i recommend a co wash or cleansing conditioner like wen. A real co wash is literally washing your hair with conditioner but brands like Lush Cosmetics and Deva Curl have Co Washes that still get rid of build up and is still considered a shampoo. I prefer Wen though. Use a clarifying shampoo every 2 weeks or so to remove build up. Especially if you use a lot of product like i do. 

 Don't be cheap if you can afford it. Save up money if you must but this is one place you shouldnt be looking for a discount. You think you can't get your hair like your hair dresser can because of your ability? No. 90 percent of that is the amazing, high quality shampoo and conditioner she's using. I like the Lush Cosmetics Jason and the Argan Oil Shampoo Bar and the Living Proof Restore Conditioner. 

Same with dryers. You dont have to spend 200 dollars like i did but you should be looking for ionic technology preferably for curly hair. The negative ions seal the cuticle and make frizz non existent. It's science. Utilize the progress we've made in the last 20 years with heat tools. It's important for the health of your hair. Why i like the Drybar Buttercup? It has 8 ionic beads instead of the usual 2. Thats huge. But in terms of power the baby buttercup (travel version) has the same power (watts) and the same size opening that fits all the full size attatchments so save your money if you're not buying a set and buy the travel size for 55 dollars less at $135. There is no difference in these dryers except that the travel is half the weight.

Tools needed:

Medium to large rollers (self stick preferably. DryBar has some great ones)
Flat Iron or Curling Iron (optional) (i use GHD Platinum or a curling wand or the DryBar 3 day bender curling iron)
A Large Round brush and a small roundbrush if you have short hair and/or bangs. 
Volumizing shampoo (DryBar Texas Tea is great)
Nourishing conditoner (Living Proof Restore)
Alligator clips (DryBar has some cute and quality ones) if in a pinch i suppose you can use any hair clip(s), bobbi pins or a hair tie although the tie is harshly recommended against because hair bands in wet or damp hair of any type breaks. 
Heat protectant (listed below)
Leave in Conditioner (listed below)
Volumizing spray or mousse (listed below)
Treatment oil (DryBar 100 proof or Moroccan oil treatment oil are fantastic)
Shine spray (Drybar Sparkling Soda)
Dry shampoo for consecutive days (Drybar Detox Dry Shampoo has been a fav for a year)
Hairspray (DryBar Moneymaker or Texas Tea Hairspray)
shine & hold cream for ends (Drybar Shine Chaser)
Ouai memory mist is a great and very unique spray that promises to hold your style for days without being harsh or sticky
Frizz spray (living proof frizz humidity shield spray)
Texturizing spray (DryBar Triple sec or my personal favorite Bumble and Bumble Dryspun)
Metal Round brush Large and small that heats up at core. (Drybar and Moroccon oil brushes are best)
Wide tooth comb/ or paddle brush
Fine tooth comb or teasing brush

When brushing wet hair use wide tooth comb starting at ends working upwards. 

All products optional. It's just what i use for best results. 
When applying product brush hair and apply product combing through with fingers. Smooshing into hair and ends is cheating. Oils and shine sprays and similar only go on hair shaft from middle to ends. Never to roots. Volumizing sprays and mousse focus on the roots although you can bring sparingly to rest of hair. 

 Now onto the fun stuff. After you've washed your hair put your product in. 
 Necessities are a hair primer or heat protectant (i use DryBar Prep Ralley detangler, primer and UV Protectant w/ vitamins and Drybar Hot Toddy Heat protectant) and i highly suggest a leave in conditioner. 

I also use volumizing mousse at the roots (DryBar Southern Belle Mousse), DryBar Velvet Hammer. 

Rough dry hair by using blow dryer with no attatchments on it and just blowing throughout your hair staying more towards the roots without brushing. Brushing wet hair after detangling with wide toothed comb or brush as it stretches the hair and causes breakage. Never brush your hair when it's soaking wet. Dry to about 70 percent dry. 

 I then section every bit of my hair off. You can do it all right now. Small 1 to 1.5 in sections is preferable but just never wider than your round brush. I usually bring up my hair like a half pony leaving only the bottom layer down and clipping the rest up. 

 Clip up or move over every other section down than the one inch section you're working with. 

 Take your round brush and blow dryer and brush down and out and roll once halfway down. Keep rolling up the hair and brushing down at same time. If hair gets stuck you're twisting too much at one time. 
 Blow dry while doing this using a concentrating attatchment no smaller than the width of your brush. Focus on roots while pulling out or upward for volume and keep the hair on the brush at all times while blow drying. 

 When you're sure Its completely dry stop your dryer and quickly roll your hair up in the largest roller you can manage and secure with a pin if it's not self stick. Roll in whatever direction keeps your roots pulled up or away from the scalp. Make sure like with the brush you dont put hair on the roller wider than the roller itself. 

Finish this layer going across in one inch sections and roll each section when done. When done with this layer use your cold shot button to really set them and leave them be while you prepare your next layer. 

Next let your next layer down and pin the rest up if you haven't sectioned all of your hair in sections already. Follow the previous directions but this time if you don't have enough rollers for your entire head pull the roller that has been there the longest and put it on the newly done section. Continue this across the entire section and again cold shot it and leave it while preparing next sections and blow drying them. 

 Continue until finished. 
With bangs bring forward and roll inwards blow drying. Then brush side to opposite side and side to side again over and over to give movement. Then put the roller in rolling it backwards away from your face and cold shot and let set before removing. 

This should give you completely straight hair with body but you are more than welcome to flat iron for a more sleek look. Most people flat iron wrong and get kinks, creases, etc. 

Again section your hair in 2 to 4 layers going all the way across. Spray each layer with Ouai Memory Mist and then Flat iron each layer with a comb or brush brushing your hair as you flat iron. Curl iron inwards very slightly at ends for movement.  This prevents fried ends, knots and creases. 

Next option is to grab a large curling iron wrap just the middle sections of your hair around the barrel for a few seconds for movement then brush out. 

Now this is where you want to add the shine and hold cream or split ends cream to ends, add treatment oil and shine spray to entire hair. Then spray a flexible hold hairspray all over lightly about 8 to 10 in away. Let set before touching your hair. 

Also for every technique i suggest using a frizz spray like living proof frizz humidity shield spray. 

You're going to be so surprised at how straight and perfect your hair looks with just the blow dryer with this technique. You dont need any other hot tools really. The rest is just personal preference. 

 This changed my life. The book taught me so much and this is just the jist of it. If you want more the book is amazing and again it's called Good Hair For All by Alli Webb. 

Follow me on Instagram for daily hair and makeup @buzzybee25

Same with twitter @snowbunnybeth90 facebook.com/yarnandbeauty, Snapchat @buzzybee250, pinterest @callowayelizabeth 

And youtube is listed at bottom of one of my last couple blog posts. 

Hope i helped. I will be making a tutorial video soon and when i do i will come back and edit with the link.