So I joined this website recently called Influenster where you can get some free products to test for having a strong social media presence. It sounded like a fun and kinda easy way to get some free stuff, so I thought I'd try it. Turns out that Influenster thought I was influential enough to send me some free swag to test, so I thought I'd return the favor and give the products a little love with a product review of each. Turns out I actually like most of the products I received, so they may have actually gained some new costumers out of this! If you want to get free stuff to test, sign up for Influenster here for free: http://bit.ly/Q7ZOvM. Here's what I got in my box and what I thought of each.
Skinny Girl Daily On-The-Go Bars
Skinny Girl Daily On-The-Go Bars
I have to say this granola bar tasted quite good and makes a great post workout recovery snack with the ideal ratio of carbs to protein of 2-1 with 24 grams of carbs and 8 grams of protein. The bar markets itself as being healthy with only 180 calories per bar which I personally think is a lot for this small bar, but that also makes it good as a recovery snack since you want to replace those carbs then. This bar isn't actually as healthy for just a snack or for someone try to become a "skinny girl" though because on top of having 180 calories for this little bar, 70 of these calories come from fat and the bar has 70 calories from fat with 2.5 grams of transfat which is 13% of your daily value which is not so healthy. This bar also has 5 grams of fiber which is 20% of your daily recommended intake; translation= not a great pre workout snack if you know where I'm going with that...good way to meet your daily fiber intake though. You can buy these at www.skinnygirldaily.com and I'm guessing in stores too for $9.99 for a box of 5...kind of expensive in my mind. Overall eval of these- great post-workout snack, but not the best choice if you are trying to lose weight. Not the most cost effective snack either, but if you can afford the price, these were a tasty snack after my run! If you're interested in these, you can purchase and learn more at http://bit.ly/W2l6g1.
Olay Fresh Effects Powered Contour Cleansing System & Shine Minimizing Cleanser
Olay Fresh Effects Powered Contour Cleansing System & Shine Minimizing Cleanser
So I have to admit, it took me a little while to even figure out what this was in this box, but finally figured out it is a face cleanser that has a little motorized massaging type brush with it. I don't completely understand the point of the brush, but I tried it with the wash and have to say it actually worked really well. I have no clue if the brush actually made any difference at all, but the face wash was great! I don't usually use special face cleansers, but happened to have some bumps on my forehead the night I tried this, and when I woke up the next morning the bumps were all gone and my forehead was nice a clear! I don't know whether you really need the electric massager thing with it, but I would definitely recommend the face cleanser. You can but this stuff for $12.99 for the brush and $6.99 for 5 oz tube of the face cleanser.
Secret Clinic Strength Stress Response
Secret Clinic Strength Stress Response
This also took me a minute to figure out what was in the box, until I opened it and it was quite obvious it was deodorant. lol. Supposedly this is supposed to be 4x as effective at protecting against stress induced sweat compared to normal antiperspirant. Well, I didn't really have any stressful situations to try this out with just wearing during the day (probably would've had plenty last year with school and track...one bonus of being done with that now!), but I did try using it before running a workout one day and have to say it worked super well. The downside of this product is that aluminum is the active ingredient in it and I've heard some studies have found that using antiperspirants with aluminum as the active ingredient can put you at greater risk of getting certain types of cancer. For that reason, I can't say I would whole-heartedly endorse this product, but for those who use normal deodorant/antiperspirants it does work very well and smells good. It sells for $7.99-$9.99.
Not Your Mother's Texturizing Sea Salt Spray
Not Your Mother's Texturizing Sea Salt Spray
So I am yet to figure out the real point to this product. Supposedly you are supposed to spray it into your hair to get the sexy beach look without going to a beach. It basically is just sea-salt and water and is supposed to make your hair dry wavy and smell like a beach. I didn't really even want to try this product, but did on a lock of hair tonight and can honestly say I would not really recommend this product. The lock of hair with the product in it did not get any curlier than the rest of my hair and was sticky and smelled like coconut (a smell I don't particularly enjoy.) If you like sticky salty hair that smells like coconut and beach then this is the product for you! The one thing I hate about swimming in the ocean is the sticky sea salt feel and smell, so the last thing I want to do is purposely try to imitate that smell/feel. I think I'll stick to Minnesota beaches with fresh water and let my natural curls do the work. If you do happen to think this product sounds cool, you can purchase a full size bottle for $6.00 in stores or at http://bit.ly/X9D4gH or http://bit.ly/14G5TDQ.