The
triple “F” of skincare! Fun, fabulous, and for the face! I recently had the
pleasure of trying two Montagne Jeunesse face masks; technically, one “cream”
type of mask and one, literal,
face mask… Halloween-like! Before I dive into the review of each individual
mask, I want to review the company itself. I’ve personally seen these masks at
department stores and thought they were cheap, foreign, and probably worthless.
I know, don’t judge a book by its cover, but unfortunately, that is what I
perceived at first glance; especially, since I could not even pronounce the
name of the product! I received
my first Montagne Jeunesse face mask (Glacial Clay Spa) via Beauty Box 5; a
monthly beauty box subscription service in which I paid $12 per month to
receive a handful of surprise beauty-related products. I was
actually lucky enough to score the second mask (Strawberry Soufflé) FREE by being a member of PINCHme.
PINCHme is fun site that promotes brands by offering their members free samples
every other Tuesday. All you have to do to receive the samples is: sign up and
be hawk-like on sample day… literally, be at your computer precisely at 9am PST
to claim any available samples. Shipping and handling is free and all they ask
that you to do is review the product after you try it out; great deal! Side
Note: Although
I refer to the masks as “samples”, they were actually full size, one-time use
masks. Before
writing this review, I decided to investigate the Montagne Jeunesse company
more; staring with their unusual name. I had a feeling it was “Frenchy,” so I turned
to Google Translate; the French translation is: youth mountain. When digging
deeper into this company, the name actually made sense! I won’t bore you with
all of the details, but if you’re extremely interested, click here. Essentially,
the company was established in the mid-80’s by a vegetarian. They make
wholesome, eco-friendly, veggie friendly, and animal cruelty free cosmetic
products. I was actually blown away by their story and all that they’ve done
for the environment. My only criticism is to possibly review their packaging;
perhaps, make it appear more up-scale and appeal to a larger non-foreign
educated (like myself) market. I also wish that their masks (the cream
versions) came in larger bottles instead of the one-time use packages… but
maybe that’s not eco-friendly? Okay,
enough banter… onto the review! Glacial Clay Spa
Give your skin the ride of
its life and feel the natural rush of cooling Glacial Clay cleanse your pores
to the core. Anti-oxidant rich Red Grape and Arctic Cloudberry juices from the
glacial heights of Scandinavia work their magic to help maintain skins natural
barrier. –
Taken directly from their website.
This
“mask,” was literally that! Prior to opening the package, I was expecting a
cream-like substance to rub onto my face; that was not the case! It was a
cloth-like mask that you were to apply to a wet / cleansed face…. Such a weird
experience! I know that most face masks make women look frightening, but can
you imagine this beautimous face coming up to your door at night?!
So
scary!
After
getting over the shock of my appearance, the mask was actually quite relaxing.
It provided a nice cooling sensation and was perfect to use while in the tub.
After waiting the required 10-15 minutes for the mask to work its magic, it
actually began to semi-harden onto my face (but only slightly). Once the time
was up, I gently removed the mask, rinsed my face, and patted dry. These were
the results!
I
was SHOCKED at how effective the mask was. My face felt remarkably smooth, my
pores were visibly smaller, and I felt extremely clean. I didn’t particularly
enjoy the application process, but the results were phenomenal and I would most
definitely repurchase this mask in the future. It would not be a regular
cosmetic purchase as it is only a one-time use product, and I don’t particularly
care for one-time use only products, but for a nice relaxing night-in, or a
ladies night, this is a definite must have! The retail price of this mask is $2.49. Strawberry Soufflé
Cleanse your skin with [the]
Strawberry Soufflé face masque as part of your regime for a purified, toned
smooth complexion. Loaded with natural goodness which leaves skin hydrated and
refreshed allow your skin to breathe with soothing Aloe Vera and calming
Vanilla. Experience the sensation of sheer Strawberry delight and enjoy deep
cleansed, healthier skin. – Taken directly from their website.
This
mask was exactly what I thought it was going to be, a creamy-like substance
that you apply to your neck and face. I ensured that my face was cleansed prior
to using the mask; as the instructions stated. If used sparingly, you may be
able to get two uses out of one packet, but I lathered this puppy on my entire
neck and face area. As
soon as I opened the package, I could smell the delicious scent of strawberries
and cream. The scent was so intense (but a good intense) that my man-friend
could smell it from the hallway. It smelled as if I scooped strawberry ice
cream all over my face. Needless to say, the aroma during my mask session was impeccably
delicious!
After
the 10-15 minute magic session, I rinsed my face and patted dry. I felt
hydrated, toned, and extremely smooth. Check out the results!
If
you want a luxurious pampering session that is sure to leave your face feeling
fresh and your mind relaxed from the overwhelmingly fresh scent of
strawberries, then you must try this mask! It retails for $1.99, so it’s
actually not that pricey, but again, I’m not a fan of one-time use products. I
wish that they sold this in a jar or tube so I could get multiple uses out of
my purchase, but I will be buying this again in the future.
This is LONG overdue, but
here is the follow-up review of my October 2013 Tasting Box from Love with Food.
If you’d like to take a peek at my unboxing video, sure to stir up a few
laughs, then watch the video below.
dang: toasted coconut chips
OMGosh! This was absolutely delicious!!! I could not
stop snacking on these crunchy, sweet, with a pinch of salt, treats. I’m glad
the bag only had two servings and that I was able to share this delicious
concoction with my coworkers; because I would have devoured whatever size bag
was sat in front of me. However, with that said, it is also very decadent and
rich tasting, so I only recommend having 1-2 servings (otherwise, your tummy
might regret it). To me, it wasn’t overpowering with coconut, but it did leave
a nice coconut-y taste in my mouth. It was very buttery and sumptuous and I
enjoyed the crunchy, yet smooth chip-like texture.
The bag promotes that it is: “all natural, vegan,
non-GMO, gluten-free, dairy-free, no cholesterol, and a good source of fiber”.
Normally when something indicates that it is that healthy, I’m expecting
very little to no flavor and/or a very unusual taste; however, that was NOT the
case with this snack. If you’re looking for a unique and “Hawaiian-like” treat
that’s most likely better for you than candy or chips, then give this a try!
WARNING: They are addicting and slightly high in calories (115
calories for ½ of the depicted bag). If you purchase this product you will
probably fall in love with them (as I did) but portion out your serving BEFORE
munching! :)
happy squeeze: Fruit & Veggie Twist (Blueberry,
Apple, and Purple Carrot)
First of all, I LOVE the packaging! I am a complete
sucker for cute / unique packages; not to mention, being able to squeeze your
fruits and veggies on the go is quite clever. When I first saw this pouch, I
figured that the product would be like a puree (almost an applesauce-like texture),
but after feeling the pouch, it seemed much more fluid and I assumed it would
be more like a juice. After actually opening the product and giving it a
squeeze, my first assumption was right; it was a very liquid-y puree (thinner
than applesauce, but not quite a juice).
The taste was actually quite delicious. I could
definitely taste the blueberry and apple flavors and I felt a little more
energetic after consuming the pouch (maybe it was in my imagination?). I prefer
to eat my fruits / veggies whole or in a homemade smoothie, but for kids or
those who are anti-fruits and veggies, this is a great solution! Easy, super
portable, and it doesn’t have to be refrigerated until opened (but you WILL
finish this in one sitting/serving, so a refrigerator is probably not needed).
I could easily see this as something you would pack in
a kid’s lunch, bring camping, bike riding, hiking, etc. It’s quite low on
calories (only 60 in the depicted pouch), but high on carbs and sugars (13g of
carbs and 10g of sugar); but maybe that’s comparable to real fruit? The pouch
promotes that it is: “always organic, doctor recommended, optimally formulated
(whatever that means), minimal processing, and easy BPA FREE portable package”.
GLEE Gum (Triple Berry)
Another adorable package! I’m not sure if their gum
normally comes in such teeny-weeny boxes, but these sample-sized boxes sure are
cute! The flavor was quite enjoyable, but unfortunately it did not last very
long and I needed several pieces to fulfill my chewing needs. I was honestly
expecting a funky texture and for the gumminess to seize up, but that was not
the case. It was a tasty treat and the elasticity of the gum lasted on and on
and on; which is what I prefer.
The brand boasts that it is: “made with Chicle for rainforest
conversation, natural, GMO-free, aspartame-free, uses brown rice and cane sugar
as a coating, and (here’s my favorite part) the gum is sweetened with cane
sugar traded in compliance with Fairtrade Standards”. Insert happy face here!
Although this was a fun gum to try and for all those
health-nut / nature-lovers out there, this would be an awesome addition into a
gift basket, I most likely will not be repurchasing this product. I actually
prefer sugar-free gum (yes, aspartame filled!) as it is ZERO calories (usually)
and my teeth prefer that as well.
Torie & Howard Organic Hard Candy
Let me first say… I am NOT a hard candy fan, I’m more
of a chocolate / gummy lover. But holy heck! These were “da bomb!” I was soooo
interested in these little candies that I went to Torie & Howards website
to find out a little bit more information on these delectable delights.
I was gifted with the “D’anjou Pear & Cinnamon”
flavor; and these sucky-candy are packed full of “the sweet flavor of ripe
d’anjou pears with the luxuriousness of Ceylon cinnamon”… Yummy! These are not
your typical sucky-candies. These put your average hard candies to shame and
come in amazing “adult-like” / gourmet flavors. The company states that
their candies contain: “organic sugar, organic rice syrup, non-GMO citric acid,
and natural flavors. It does NOT have: artificial dyes, nuts, GMOs, corn syrup,
gluten, wheat, casein, soy, or dairy” (Phew! Long list….).
I would not buy these as an everyday treat (as I am
not normally a fan of hard candy) but these would be fun during the fall /
winter (cold season) and as an addition to gift baskets or stocking stuffers!
In case you’re not a fan of pear or cinnamon, they have three other tantalizing
flavors: (1) pomegranate & nectarine, (2) blood orange & honey, (3)
pink grapefruit & tupelo honey. These all sound amazing and I may end up
purchasing some for future holidays.
PIXO Pearls Original with Gingras XO Apple Cider
Vinegar from Vinaigerie Gingras
Okay, I had NO IDEA what the heck these little balls
were, but I am always willing to try something once. Before I popped open this
puppy, I turned to the All-Mighty Google! According to the company’s website:
“PIXO Pearls Original are pearls of Gingras XO Apple Cider Vinegar (a
fancy-shmancy apple cider vinegar) encapsulated in an alginate (seaweed) film”…
interesting. Apparently, they are made using molecular gastronomy… as
soon as I read that, I became instantly excited. I LOVE cooking and am addicted
to almost every Food Network TV show. Most of the new up-and-coming chefs, who
are into making food modern, dabble in molecular gastronomy and I’ve always
wondered if that type of food tasted different. NOW I GET TO TRY SOME!!!
Each “pearl” is supposed to explode with an abundance
of flavor. Because of their cuteness, the pearls also allow you to make
gourmet-looking food at home. The website suggests: “sprinkling them on a
salad, using them the spruce up a canapé (not sure what this is) or even to add
a bite to a cocktail. I decided to check out their recommended EASY recipes. (I
ain’t got no time to fuss around with these balls).
The fastest recipe I found, that still looked tasty,
was “Pixo, Crackers, and Cheese;” easy enough!
Ingredients
1 pack of your favorite crackers
Your favorite cheese
1 sachet of Pixo Pearls – original
Directions
Cover your cracker in cheese, add 3-5 pearls to each
cracker. BOOM! You’re done!
These were absolutely DIVINE! I am a huge fan of
cheese and crackers, the more gourmet / funky tasting the cheese, the better! I
could completely see myself hosting a nice meat / cheese night with my ladies
and adding these fancy balls onto each cracker/cheese combo. I didn’t try
adding them into anything else, but I plan on buying additional balls in the
future. Oh the ball-sibilities!
If you’re into trying something fun, new, and
exciting, give these pearls a try! You can check them out here!
(They also have Raspberry Pearls!)
Chocolate Pizzelle
Crisps
My first bite of these was not pleasant. These crisps were
very bitter and lacked any flavor whatsoever…. At first. After I ate a few, I
started to taste a hint of chocolate / sweetness. The crispness of the pizzelle
was on-point and all of the crisps were a nice full-size. I could easily see
this as being a great topping to frozen yogurt or ice cream or even a quick
treat by themselves. However, they’re not for me. I prefer my sweet snack to be
a little more sweet. I would buy this as an addition to a health-nut’s gift
basket, as the crisp did taste good, but I wouldn’t personally purchase this
for myself in the future.
New World Caveman Cookies
I’m sorry… but this “cookie” was disgusting! Kudos for it
being all natural and healthy, but it had the weirdest flavor and left my mouth
full of a nasty after-taste. The texture was exceptionally moist, so points for
that, but I was not at all impressed. I will NOT be buying this in the future
or putting anything “caveman-like” in my mouth again.
Kind Snacks Mini Bar
I failed miserably with this item… I didn’t take a picture,
but you can check out what the bar looks like by viewing the October Tasting
Box picture, courtesy of the Love With Food website below:
This bar didn’t rock my world. It tasted like any other
healthy granola / snack bar on the market. Don’t get me wrong, it did taste
good, but it did not wow me. I had no problem eating the bar, but I do not foresee
myself repurchasing this again in the future. Have you tried any of the products reviewed in this post? Do you currently subscribe to or want to subscribe to Love With Food? I'm dying to know!
Some of you who also follow me on
Twitter, Instagram, and/or Facebook know that I’m a BzzAgent. What does this
mean? I am able to test out new products on the market for free (or by
receiving a discount) and in return I provide honest feedback and naturally
discuss the products with my family and friends.
Recently I was lucky enough to be
selected to join the Fiber One Protein Cereal campaign and via General Mills
and the BzzAgent organization, I was able to receive two FREE boxes of the NEW
Fiber One Protein Cereal; Cranberry Almond and Maple Brown Sugar.
As I just received my BzzKit last
night, I have only had the pleasure of tasting the Maple Brown Sugar flavor
(thus far). I normally prefer “sugary” cereals and therefore, I was skeptical about the taste and texture. But I forged ahead, took my first spoonful, and I did not look back! My man-friend and I each ate... more likeDEVOURED one bowl each. LOL!
The Maple Brown Sugar is absolutely
scrumptious! It is full of granola, pecans and has a delicious taste of maple
brown sugar running throughout the entire cereal (hence the name). It was
extremely crunchy, but not to the point of that gravel cereal (Grape Nuts), and
the taste was amazing! I literally could not believe that what I was eating
contained 10g of protein (including the milk) and 20% of my daily fiber!
I cannot WAIT to try the Cranberry
Almond flavor, but I want to finish the Maple Brown Sugar box first; which
shouldn’t take very long. My
man-friend LOVES oatmeal (he could literally eat it for breakfast, lunch, and
dinner) and he plans on taking some of the cereal and adding it to his oatmeal
for a little bit of texture. I’ll be sure to let ya’ll know what he thinks, but
I think this cereal would be good on just about anything! Trail mix add-in, ice
cream topper… oh, the possibilities are endless!
Please comment down below if you've ever tried this cereal and/or any other Fiber One products. The first person to leave a comment will score a sweet $1.00 off ONE box of Fiber One Protein cereal; courtesy of General Mills.
Just be sure to message me your mailing address! Feel free to contact me on one of my other social media sites or directly via email (a.eyler06@gmail.com).
PS: If you didn't make it in time to score the coupon, follow me on my other social media sites (listed in the "About Me" section on my blog) as I will be giving out more in the upcoming weeks.
