Kristine’s shower review

These are quite possibly the best body care products I have ever owned. Kristine’s Shower offers home made body care products that are made from organic ingredients. Her products will leave you feeling soft, fresh, and relaxed. Kristine was kind enough to send me five of her products to sample and I have to admit I am in love.



Packaging:











Kristine made sure to tightly pack the items so that nothing would break in transit.

 





What I received:

• Aloe Vera Body Whip
  
  


• Shea Butter Body Sorbet
  
  


• Bar Soap
  
  


• Bath Bomb
  
  


• Shea Butter Body Frosting

Malibu Baby - Shea Butter Body Frosting



Malibu Baby 4oz



Ingredients- pure cane sugar, purified water, shea butter, coconut & jojoba oils, , vegetable glycerin, emulsifying wax NF, grain alcohol(preservative), Vitamin E, fragrance & coloring.



Thoughts: This is by far the best body scrub in my opinion. Prior to receiving this Shea Butter body frosting, I had been using the Julep sugar body scrub that I received in my monthly Maven Box. That body scrub was great but I hated how oily the product was and that it would leave a residue on my skin even after rinsing it away. With Kristen’s Shower, I had no oily residue and my skin was left feeling soft and moisturized. Also, for just a 4oz sample size you receive a lot of product. I have been using this for weeks now and the picture above is what I actually have left!



Prices:



4oz $6.99

 8oz $9.99

 12oz$16.49





100% Soap



This bar of soap smelled so wonderful! I wasn’t sure of the name of the scent but I was so depressed with this soap was gone. It left my skin feeling so soft and supple. At first I didn’t think I would enjoy this product because I’m more of a body wash kind of girl, but this soap was actually nice. I will be purchasing the soap in the near future!



Ingredients:  Saponified oils of babassu, coconut, palm kernel, avocado, sunflower, castor and shea butter, ultramarines, clays & oxides (for coloring) and fragrance.



Price depends on your soap selection. Check the site here for price information.







Ingredients: 

Baking soda, citric acid, cornstarch, shea butter, coconut & palm oils, fragrance & coloring.

2.5 oz each - 2 inches in diameter

 

Due to the fact that I have a tub meant for a person four feet and under, I have not been able to try out the bathbomb yet. But I will be going on vacation in May and will make sure to use this at the hotel. This bathbomb smells delicious and I only wish I knew the exact name of the fragrance.

You can purchase these bathbombs in sets here.







Aloe Vera Body Whip - Vanilla Sugar



Ingredients: purified water, shea butter, coconut oil, e-wax nf, grain alcohol, aloe vera gel, fragrance & coloring



For starters this products is a miracle for dry skin. I personally have really dry skin and I'm always searching for a product that will moisturize those unsightly dry patches.I am happy to say this product worked perfectly. I received a 1oz package and I plan on ordering one of these in a bigger size.

The site says that this product is a MUST have for those that spend a lot of time outside or for those that tan. Spring breaks coming up so I would recommend this product to you beach lovers!!



1 1/2 oz container $1.99

 2oz container $6.99

4oz container $9.99

8oz container $13.99







Malibu Baby - Shea Butter Body Sorbet

 

Ingredients: purified water, shea butter, coconut oil, emulsifying wax NF, grain alcohol(preservative) & fragrance.

 

This is the richest body cream I have ever used. It is non-greasy and leaves my skin feeling soft and supple for the entire day. Definitely my favorite body lotion out of my entire selection. Also, I’m not sure If Kristen intended this when creating this product, but this Shea butter body sorbet cleared up some of my acne scarring and actually smoothed my skin. I have tried so many other products looking for the same results but always ended up disappointed. My sister was the first person to notice what great affect this lotion had on my skin. Now she’s obsessed with it too!!



1oz sample $1.50

2oz  $5.26

 4oz $9.25

8oz $12.25



Kristen’s Shower Shop

 

Kristen’s Facebook

Monday Spotlight- Sweet Natural Soaps

Morning loves! I have had an exhausting weekend, so many products to review. But I have set aside time for another Monday Spotlight! Today I would like to introduce you all to Charlene the owner of Sweet Natural Soaps, a company committed to offering natural products that are good for the environment. I had a chance to talk with her about her company, check out the interview below.

1. Please introduce yourself:

 

My name is Charlene Rodriguez, I am 29 years old and I live in southern California. I started my soap business, Sweet Natural Soaps, in January of 2011.  I am a cosmetologist by trade which is a huge help with my business.  I play the piano, guitar and am now learning the violin.  I write short stories, paint, scrapbook & love to bake. 

Charlene

 

2. You are one busy woman, What moved you to start your business?



I am originally from a small town on the East Coast and when I moved out to California I started having a lot of breathing problems.  I had never had anything like this happen to me before and all of a sudden I had found that cleaning supplies, candles, air fresheners and so on would make my breathing problems worse.  So I decided to start making all of my own cleaning products, air fresheners & even hair spray.  Switching to these natural recipes helped me so that I didn't have a problem breathing just from using them.  They are good for the environment and for me.  During all my research for making these products at home I came across natural soap recipes and why they are so good for you.  I always had a desire to make soap & body products so this was the next step I decided to take.  Everything I made smelt so wonderful and felt so great on my skin.  I loved making everything so much that I decided to start my own business and sell my products to others who, like me, desired to have natural product choices.

Charlene in her Soap making attire!

 

3. You have a lot of interesting soap creations, like your soda pop collection, where do you come up with these ideas? What inspires you?

 

I have always been known for my sweet tooth and one day as I was brainstorming trying to think of what kind of soap line people would like to see I thought, 'What a better way for a person with a sweet tooth like me than to shower with a wonderful fizzy soda scent?!'  I am happy to say that the Soda Shoppe line has been a big hit.  The soaps from this line smell just like your favorite sodas and you can even "feel" the fizz on your nose as you smell them.

Everything around me inspires me.  I have been blessed with a great imagination and lots of creativity.  I am always thinking about what kinds of things I would like to see in the beauty industry that might not be out there yet.  When I see something I love or smell something wonderful i start thinking about how I could incorporate that in a product.  Recently I have been inspired to start a Latin soap line.  There are so many beautiful colors and delicious scents that come from this culture.  I am very excited about this new line.



4. I can’t wait to experience the Latin soap line, I immediately think margaritas, pineapples, and guava! While we wait for this exciting line, what has been your best selling item so far?

 

My Hot Chocolate soap is my best selling item.  A customer told me that her dog had even licked the soap because it smelt so good.







5. Have you faced any challenges owning your business?

 

I am lucky to say that I have not.  I have a very supportive husband, family and most important I LOVE what I do.



6. That’s great, I love your enthusiasm! Where do you see your company in five years?

 

In five years I hope to have a hair product line and have my products for sale in salons.  I would also love to start offering home party packs where people could purchase items from me wholesale and sell my products at a SWEET NATURAL SOAPS BODY PARTY.



7. What advice would you give someone who is thinking of starting their own business?

 

I would advise you to make sure you love what you are going to do because starting your own business is a lot of work.  This is your chance to do something you love and make a living while doing it.  It just doesn't get better than that.



As I mentioned earlier I just love Charlene’s energy and enthusiasm. Her products fill a need for those who can no longer take the harsh ingredients in mainstream body products, or for those that just prefer something different! If you would like to try some of Charlene’s creations visit her website here and after choosing your items email her at SweetNaturalSoaps @ yahoo DOT com. Once your order is placed, Charlene will email you an invoice through Paypal. For a special deal for my readers when ordering email Charlene the code “FIZZ” and my blog name Sweet Tart Beauty for a FREE bar of soap from her Soda Shoppe line!

(No minimum purchase required. Code is for ONE free 2oz bar retail: $3.00. Email code “FIZZ” and my blog name Sweet Tart Beauty to SweetNaturalSoaps @ yahoo DOT com)

Indie Review: Bird on wire

I  want to start off by thanking Sarah, the owner of Bird on Wire for kindly donating a giveaway prize for the Facebook event taking place March 1st. I will put up a post letting you all know  more about that in the coming week. But here is a sneak peek at Bird on Wire and the upcoming giveaway prize.

On March 1st, my Facebook followers will have a chance to win this pair of striking rooster saddle earrings!! value: $35

I have had the joy of speaking with Sarah about her company and the advice she has for other aspiring artist. Read the full interview after the jump.

1. Please introduce yourself:

My name is Sarah Paterson, owner/designer of Bird on Wire

 

2. Nice to meet you Sarah, Do you mind if I ask why you decided to start your business?

After living and selling my jewelry in Guatemala for seven years I realized what I wanted to do and that I could make a living doing it.   So I just recently moved back home to start up my business.  I knew I had to be self-employed and working online will allow me to eventually move back down south full time and still make money doing what I love to do.

3. Thank you for sharing that with us! What is your creative process?

Most of my designs and ideas come to me while I'm out on my hikes, which I do every day, sometimes twice.  I'm very inspired by my travels and have a fascination with tribal culture's and nature.  All of these aspects and the fact that I am a perfectionist help me create my unique pieces.

4. I agree, your pieces are very unique! What is your best selling item?

My feather earrings have always been my top sellers, especially my shorter designs.

Its funny that Sarah would say this because immediately after discovering her website, I fell in love with these pheasant feather earrings!!

Retail: $28

5. Have you faced any challenges in owning your own business?

Money is always a problem when starting up, saving for future market dates, paying for supplies and materials etc.   Since I just moved back to Canada I also have all the expenses involved with starting up life again so it has been tough to get ahead.

6. Where do you see  your company in 5 years?

I want to have my online stores well established.  I would like to live and work from a different country and continue on my travels as this is where I get most of my inspiration and creativity.

7. What advice would you give to someone interested in starting their own business?

To perfect what you love to do, set goals and be passionate about becoming successful.

 

If you would like to learn more about Sarah and her company Bird on Wire, please visit her website here and be sure to like her facebook page for the upcoming giveaway!!

Myglam- it was fun while it lasted

 So I have received my last Myglam bag and I wish I could say I was sad to cancel my subscription but that would be a total lie. I enjoy trying beauty subscriptions because it’s a fun inexpensive way to try brands I would never normally consider. Like everyone else I had high hopes for Myglam, I thought for sure that it would be the beauty subscriptions to surpass all others but I was so wrong. From the moment I received my January box I immediately regretted my decision to join this site. Why?



Shipping 



I will admit I am an impatient person but with beauty subscriptions especially a new one I relax my expectations because I know there will be kinks. But, you would think that with such a high profile person behind this brand (for those that don’t know Myglam is the brain child of Michelle Phan) they would have spent more time perfecting their shipping before ever opening Myglam to subscribers. I was billed and then later received a notice that my bag would be shipping. I waited and waited and waited but my bag never came. Finally out of the blue and way past the allotted shipping time my bag arrived. I was annoyed but happy to see my bag.



Products 



I had waited so long and I just knew this bag would be worth it. WRONG. I liked only one thing out of the entire bag. How disappointing, but I had hope for February. This would be the month that would make being a part of Myglam worth it!! But, sadly no. I didn’t love this months bag either. When Michelle first introduced Myglam to her followers she said it would be more of a makeup subscription. So naturally I expected to receive makeup, not a bag filled with majority skincare. I also found it annoying that I received yet another mask this month, from the same exact brand from the January bag.



It would be great if the following bags this year were amazing, but I just can’t chance wasting another $10. I wish Myglam the best but I will no longer be a subscriber. If you are into skin care and hair then Myglam is for you, but if you are mainly into makeup don’t bother subscribing to this company. Also, word of caution, there are a lot of forums full of angry subscribers who paid for a bag they never received. I’m hoping this is just a normal hiccup that comes with starting a new business, but with Michelle Phan’s sponsors and her reputation I just expected more from this company.





Are you a subscriber of Myglam? If so, what are your thoughts?

The Perfect Design

I’m sure you guys have noticed that my blog looks a little different! For months I have been brainstorming a header and blog button design for my blog, but everything I chose, I just hated. Yesterday the most amazing thing happened, while blog surfing I stumbled upon the blog, Confessions of the Cupcake Countessa. While browsing her blog I noticed a post showcasing blog buttons that she created for other bloggers. I really loved her creations and I was above impressed by her blog so I immediately clicked over to her Etsy shop. And there shining like a beacon of light was a listing for a blog button for only $6! You guys can’t even imagine how excited I became; I had just spent the last SIX hours searching for blog designers that would create a blog button for me without it costing an arm and a leg. This was truly meant to be; I sent her an email through Etsy and simply asked her how the process works. I wasn’t entirely sure what I wanted my blog button to look like and I was afraid my inability to explain my wants to her would drive her insane. 

Lucky for me though she has way more patience than my mother!! (love  you mom). She quickly replied to my email and asked me to give her a few keywords to describe my blog. Being the person that I am, my head nearly exploded. I struggled to think of the perfect words to describe my vision for my blog so that she would know exactly what I wanted. I sat back and thought about it and I emailed her the following words: Pink, White, Sweet Tarts, Strawberries, and Cherries, I also mentioned to her that when designing my blog I thought of the cartoons Care Bears and Strawberry shortcake because I like the fun feel of those shows and that’s what I wanted to convey on my blog. Now ladies, could you have come up with a quick design from just those words? I thought for sure she was going to email me back and say “girl you are no help”, but thankfully she didn’t, instead she emailed me back and said that she actually had an idea in mind. Can you believe that?! She sent over a rough draft of her idea and my mouth literally dropped open. “How could should create something that represents me so well, with just those words I gave her” I thought to myself. 

Her design as you can see in my header fit perfectly with my blog. I honestly could not have asked for anything better. After so many months of feeling like a guest on my own blog, I finally felt at home, like my baby was coming to life, bursting forth with its own identity. Yes, that may be dramatic but you just don’t understand, my blog is such a huge part of my life, and I just wanted it to represent who I am, not the vision of someone else. I can’t thank Jessa enough for her design; she hit the nail on the head and delivered something I will cherish for a lifetime. She was even nice enough to create a matching header as you can see above. If you are searching for help creating a blog button or a blog header I truly recommend you contact Jessa. You will not be disappointed, trust me! Check out her etsy shop here, and while you’re sitting at your computer, stop by and show her blog some love as well!!

The Lovely Designer!!











Thanks For Reading! Danielle