Sugar & Spice VoxBox First Look- February 2013 Box

 Oh my gosh, you guys, I am super excited about today's post!  I joined a program in January, called Influenster.  Influenster, for those of you who were living under the same rock I was, is a company that gives surveys and collects reviews of pretty much any product or organization under the sun.  Every once in a while, you are offered to take a special survey to see if you qualify to receive a VoxBox- a box of goodies, to test out and give a review for.  Influenster is totally free; both to join, and to receive the samples (if they choose you).  It's an awesome program for those who are trying to get noticed in the blogging world, or in the youtube community.  While Influenster is free, you do need a personal invite from a current member in order to join.  If you would like an invite, email me here and I would be happy to send you one!

Sometime in February, I was sent a survey to see if I qualify for their February VoxBox (box o sample goodies), and I logged in and took the survey. To my great surprise, a couple weeks later, I heard back from Influenster, that I was slated to receive the February box, titled Sugar & Spice.  Seriously, I could not contain myself and let out a little SQUEE!  

I am going to review these items a bit differently.  In addition to writing this review about what i received and my initial reactions to them, I will also write individual posts about each item individually, so that my family and I can thoroughly test the items.  I think that's the most fair way to evaluate everything, AND keep you all in the loop.  Sounds good??  Okay great!



Ok, enough rambling about my excitement, and on to the awesomeness in my box.

Love the box- I knew it was coming but was unsure WHEN it would get get here!

This awesome box arrived at my house, and I seriously can't wait to see what's in it!

Sugar & Spice VoxBox February 2013

Looks like SEVEN awesome items, for free to try?!  Alright! 

The awesome Influenster card

Back of the card, with brands, sizes and pricing.  I wish all companies did this!!

I absolutely LOVE the little cards that come in my monthly subscription boxes, and was THRILLED that Influenster sends one with their VoxBoxes.  The best part? On the back of the card, there is a list and description of everything in the box, along with the suggested retail price.  I LOVE this, and it makes it SO much easier to calculate the value of the box. Best idea ever!  You listening, Influenster?  Keep up the great work!

Dickinson's Original Witch Hazel Oil Controlling Towelettes, box of 20 individually wrapped wipes, and 5 $2 off coupons

The first item I pulled out of my box is the Dickinson's Original Witch Hazel Oil Controlling Towelettes.  This 20 pack of individually wrapped wipes also came with 5 coupons for $2 off any Dickinson's product. Score!  I promise, I will share the love (want one?  email me and I'll give you my address for a SASE)  From the card: "the soothing of Witch Hazel and aloe on these facial wipes rejuvenates your skin by gently lifting the dirt, oil and impurities from your pores while nourishing even the most sensitive skin."  My skin is sometimes oily, sometimes dry, and always sensitive.  I can't wait to open the box and give these a try!

My first impression is that it is awesome that these wipes come individually wrapped- with summer coming (oil season for me!), I can just toss these in my purse and go!  The wipes are a great size, and just right for one time use (reusing a facial wipe?  ew.). The insert card says that this 20 pack retails for $5.99; but you can get them HERE for $5.74 if you want to try these out with me.

Nectresse No calorie sweetener, box of 40 packets and a recipe book

Next up, is a new artificial sweetener from the makers of Splenda, called Nectresse.  This sweetener is 100% natural, is made from monk fruit, and has NO calories.  My husband uses Splenda in his coffee (and I bake with it occasionally), so I was very excited to see this in my box!  My husband will review it and give me an honest and real opinion; I can't wait for him to try it!  Okay, I'll try it too, but his opinion will be more valuable- he uses artificial sweetener regularly, whereas, I do not.

I think the packets are super cute!

Monk fruit, by the way, is a fruit in the gourd family, that is native to China and Thailand.  It's extract is nearly 300 times sweeter than sugar and has been used to treat diabetes and obesity.  Don't look impressed- that's totally from Wikipedia, after I googled it.  But google was awesome- I found a link for free samples!  Click HERE for a free sample of Nectresse, so you can try it yourself- for free! The true awesome thing is that not only did I receive a box of 40 packets of sweetener, but also a recipe book!  If my husband likes the sweetener, I will totally test out some recipes!  I looked around online for this product, and found it HERE: $6.96 for TWO 40-pack boxes or $5.48 for a 5.9 oz canister.  According to the card, the retail price for the Nectresse is $3.99 for the 40 packet box and $6.99 for the 5.9 oz canister; looks like Walmart is priced pretty competitively!

Vaseline Spray & Go Moisturizer Total Moisture lotion, 6.5 oz can

I seriously SQUEEed when I saw this next item, y'all.  It's a spray on lotion by Vaseline.  I know you all have joined me in the quest for the ultimate lotion: moisturizing but not greasy, long lasting, pleasant smelling, and works on winter skin.  Because I am familiar with this quest, I am always excited to try out new lotions- especially when they are free!  I've used spray on sunscreen before, and this works basically the same way: you turn the head of the sprayer to line up, and press the button.  Once the lotion comes out, you rub it in.  Easy peasy!  I am super excited to try this out, and i think it will be PERFECT on my sad and dry winter skin!  If you would like to try this out, it is available HERE for $5.94 (but out of stock online when I wrote this); according to the insert card, the regular retail price is $7.99 for the 6.5 oz can.

belVita Breakfast Biscuits, pack of 4 biscuits

 I am a total foodie, so when I saw this item in my box, I was excited!  This is a belVita Breakfast Biscuits pack, with four biscuits in it.  Without opening up the package, I am going to guess that these are similar to rice cakes. Okay, I can hear you groaning all the way over here.  I don't know why, though, I really LIKE rice cakes! What makes these breakfast biscuits awesome is that they are specifically formulated to "release steady energy that lasts all morning," according to the insert card.  Sounds good to me- I always need energy in the morning! These biscuits are also chock full of fiber, B-vitimins, whole grains and NO high fructose corn syrup.  Score!  If you want to give these biscuits a test run, they are available at Walmart stores (but not online!), you can purchase them online HERE, $3.69 for a box of 5 packs.  According to the insert card, these retail for $3.69 for five packets; that makes my sample here worth $0.74.

The final thing I received in my box is the Colgate Optic White Regimen: toothbrush, toothpaste and mouthwash.  This collections advertises a whiter smile in just five days, versus using regular toothpaste alone.  Love it!

Colgate Optic White toothbrush with whitening cups

The first item in the Optic White collection is the Toothbrush with whitening cups and polishing bristles.  I'm not exactly sure what whitening cups do, but I'm going to find out!  I like the look of the toothbrush, and have used the Colgate brand in the past, so I'm looking forward to giving this a try!  It's time for me to swap out brushes anyway, so this is super convenient for me!  If you want to give this brush a spin, you can purchase a two-pack HERE for $5.74. According to the insert card, these brushes have a retail value of $2.99 each.

Colgate Optic White toothpaste, 4 oz tube

  Having a toothbrush without toothpaste is pretty useless, right?  Well, have no fear because Influenster thought the same thing, and sent me a full size tube of the Colgate Optic White toothpaste!  This paste used hydrogen peroxide to remove stains, and promises to deliver whiter teeth in one week.  I want whiter teeth!  I can't wait to give this a go!  I'm a huge believe in using hydrogen peroxide for basically everything, so I'm super excited to try this out!  If you want a tube of this for your very own, you can purchase a two pack HERE, for $5.92 (but it's out of stock right this second).  According to the insert card, the 4 oz tubes have a suggested retail of $2.99.

Colgate Optic White mouthwash, 8 oz bottle

The last item in this set (and in my VoxBox) is a whitening mouthwash from Colgate.  The mouthwash isn't quite like my family's go-to mouthwash (Listerine).  The Optic White mouthwash has hydrogen peroxide in it- so this will be a fizzy, bubbly fun rinse.  I can't wait to give this a try!  I will be sure to take "before" and "after" smile pictures, so that we can compare the results.  If you would like to give the mouthwash a try yourself, it is available HERE, a 16 oz bottle (double the size I received) is $4.96.  According to the insert card, my 8 oz bottle has a retail value of $2.99.

I also tried to make a VIDEO of my first impressions to this box: enjoy the craziness that is trying to make a video at my home :)

 

Well, there is my February VoxBox First Look!  The total retail value of everything I received (taken from the insert card!) is $27.68- SO awesome!  I am really excited to give everything a test spin, and will post results as soon as I can.  One thing I really love is that everything I received can be found at my local 'Mart, or any other retailer.  It's nice that I don't have to chase around looking for these things, if I really love them, and it makes it easier for you guys to find them too!  


Until next time, my lovelies- stay beautiful!




Disclaimer: "I received these products complimentary from Influenster for testing purposes."  Although I have received these products at NO charge to me, my thoughts and opinions (as always) are my own, and a true and honest review of the products.  No amount of freebies or money would ever change that!  None of the links in this post are referral links.