Get Through Winter With ChapStick® Products (Giveaway)

Unless you live in South Florida or the Tropics, you are probably getting hit with some chilly temperatures. After having such a mild end of 2015, Mother Nature has unleashed her bone-chilling wrath. This means one of the things most of us experience-- dry lips. You know what? Dry lips are not sexy at all. No worries, the ChapStick® family of lip care products are here to save the day and your lips! 

ChapStick® has been a household name since I can remember. They are actually over 100 years old. Over the years, there have been many additions to the Classic line. Of course those Classics are perfect for every day wear and come in Original, Strawberry, Cherry and Spearmint. You can count on your lips feeling smooth and moisturized.

Provide your lips with a little extra TLC using ChapStick® Medicated. Whether you are feeling under the weather or just need that extra boost of hydration, ChapStick® Medicated quickly soothes and seals in moisture with a light, protective barrier to help heal dry, chapped lips.

Winter or summer, quench a thirsty pout and protect your lips with ChapStick® Moisturizers. Delivering an ultra hydrating formula, with ingredients, like Aloe and Vitamin, and fun lip-locking flavors, like Green Apple, Vanilla Mint, Raspberry Crème and Original, say hello to delicious hydration for lips!

ChapStick® Sun Defense offers a conditioning formula, including sun protection with SPF 25, defending skin all year long. Winter, spring, summer and fall, ChapStick® Sun Defense prevents and temporarily protects chafed, chapped or cracked lips.

Aloha! Treat your lips to a refreshing and fruitful getaway with tropical inspired, fresh fruit flavors reminiscent of warm weather and an island breeze with ChapStick® Tropical Paradise Collection.  Mix it up with *Mango Sunrise or soak in Aloha Coconut.

*Aloha Coconut will be available exclusively at Walmart stores nationwide while Mango Sunrise will be available at mass retailers and drug stores nationwide.

Don't walk around with dry lips. ChapStick® products are just what you need to get you through the winter months. We keep these lip balms handy year 'round.
Check out all of the ChapStick® lip care products on their site and be sure to follow them on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter for product information and promotions.

Giveaway: One lucky Mom Files reader will win a ChapStick® Prize Pack filled with similar items you see below. Enter in the Rafflecopter widget. Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway
This giveaway is open to U.S. Residents only and will end on February 5, 2016. One winner will be chosen and contacted via email to claim prize. Mom Files is not responsible for any lost or stolen prizes. Please follow rules in Rafflecopter. Good luck!

The ChapStick® product, information and gift have been provided by Pfizer Consumer Healthcare.. All opinions are 100% my own.

Top Beauty Gift Ideas 2015 #HolidayGiftGuide

If you are looking for the perfect gifts for all the special women in your life, you're at the right place. I want to share some of my favorite beauty products from 2015 that are perfect to put under the tree, stuff in stockings or doing a gift exchange with a coworker, family member or friend.  Regardless of your budget, there is something for all the ladies on your holiday gift list. 

First up is lip color. Susan Posnick makes an amazing moisturizing lipstick called ColorEssential. These lipsticks glide on so smooth with rich color and luxurious moisture. This is one lip color that does not dry out my lips and stays put relatively well. I love the color collection named after big cities like: London, NYC, Milan and Rio. What makes this lip color so special is that they adapt to any lip color which means in my case is a plus being brown-skinned. They retail for $21 each and can be purchased at SusanPosnick.com. 

Next up for you lips is a product from Fusion Beauty called Lip Fusion. It is a Plump & Shine lipstick that comes in some gorgeous colors. I really love how well this lip color goes on and that little tingle you get that lets you know your lips will look full and plump. It has a really nice shine and is perfect for those date nights out on the town. These scream Holiday Lips! You can purchase them at FusionBeauty.com for $29. 

Do you have an eco-conscious friend or family member? CLEAN fragrances are a smart choice. Just the name "CLEAN" makes me feel good and I am sure the special ladies in my life will agree. These premium products stand behind their name, CLEAN- Simple, Nostalgic and Conscious. The packaging is very attractive and is sure to make any woman feel extra special. They comes in a nice variety of fragrances, but I especially love the CLEAN Rollerball Collection which includes 5 scents; each can be worn alone or layered for a new experience. Prices range from $18-$69 and can be purchases at CleanPerfume.com, Sephora and ULTA. 

For the women who are obsessed with keeping their skin in excellent condition, the Instrumental Beauty Sonic Facial Brush is a winner. You can check out my in-depth review here. The Instrumental Beauty Sonic Facial Brush can be purchased at select drugstores and at InstrumentalBeauty.com for $80.00 and the Yardley Nourishing Elements Soap can be found at drugstores nationwide for $4.99 for a 3-pack.

One of the best stocking stuffers for your teens has got to be related to nails. KISS Nails and Nail Art Kits are the perfect idea. Affordable, fun and easy-to-use, you just can't go wrong! There are so many color and design options to choose from. Now your teen can have a fabulous holiday manicure with minimal effort. KISS Nails are available at Walgreens, CVS, Walmart, Rite Aid, Kmart and other retailers.

This last item is one of my absolute favorite, must have beauty tools, the KISS InstaWave Automatic Curler. This curling heat tool is so easy to use and is perfect for anyone who desires gorgeous spiral curls or waves. Please check out my full review here. You can purchase the Instawave ($59.99) at KISSInstaWave.com or at retailers including: Target, Ulta.com and Amazon.com. It's a fabulous styling tool and I highly recommend it if you are currently looking for something great to curl your hair.

I received product samples in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own as always. 

Fabulous Autumn Wedding Nail Colors From CND - Holiday Gift Guide 2015

I have been using CND Vinylux Weekly Polish for a few months now. I usually don't polish my finger nails because they chip by the second day. CND Vinylux is the only polish that can stand up to my homemaking hands. I received two of their latest colors that are trending for the autumn wedding season, as well as a couple others. Check out these gorgeous colors...

Left to right- #183 Creekside, #113 Faux Fur, #190 Butterfly Queen, #134 Pink Bikini

I can't choose a favorite of these colors. The dark brown one called Faux Fur screams autumn elegance, while Butterfly Queen sparkles like the holidays. Aren't they beautiful? In-Salon SHELLAC® Brand 14+ Day Nail Color services range from $45-$55, while VINYLUX® Weekly Polish services range from $20-$35, depending on location; VINYLUX® Weekly Polish and VINYLUX® Weekly Top Coat retail for $10.50 per bottle at select salons, or visit cnd.com/VINYLUX, loxabeauty.com, ULTA or ulta.com to purchase.

Visit cnd.com to find a SHELLAC® Brand Certified Pro near you! Don't forget that the holiday season is already starting and CND Vinylux Weekly Polish makes a great gift or stocking stuffer. Be sure to connect with CND on Facebook and Twitter for all the latest nail color trends. 

Hair Loss: What is Hereditary Hair Loss and How Do You Treat the Condition? (Giveaway)

There are so many transitions women go through as they age and it's not always easy to deal with. I am officially over 40 and have had a rude awakening with getting older. Heredity has hit and I have been going through so many changes including hair thinning. Let me tell you about it--- I have always had tons of thick, luxurious hair. It has been one of those things that most people who knew me when I was younger, remembers me by. My hair was so thick that of you put your had on top of my head, you felt a blanket of hair to the point that you could not feel my scalp at all. Things have changed significantly. With being older and going through hormonal changes, my hair has thinned out a whole lot. Most people would disagree since my hair is still long. Trust me, I do not have the thickness I once did and fear it will only get worse. It is normal to lose 50-100 hairs a day, but anything over 150 can be signs of a problem. I'm guessing the fact that I can gather up almost enough hair from the floor, furniture and shower drain to make a full braid is an indication for me that I need to take action now.

Heredity hair loss has played a huge role in my hair changes. It turns out that hair thinning is not uncommon and 1 in 3 women will experience it in their lifetime, as early as their 20's. Most of the women in my family have thinning hair to where you can see their scalp, especially along the top where you part it. It takes a lot of creativity to style it so that you can fake like you have thicker hair. Thankfully there are products today to help fight the issues associated with hair thinning and hair loss. Women’s ROGAINE® Foam is the first and only FDA-approved once daily treatment with 5% minoxidil proven to regrow hair.

Women's ROGAINE® Topical Aerosol can be purchased without a prescription. It can be used on any hair type including those who color or perm their hair.

The application process is very simple. The foam can be applied once a day, morning or night. Just part your hair to expose areas that need it the most and apply and allow to dry. The foam is so lightweight and does not cause any buildup on hair.

The safety cap works well to keep kids away from it. I had a hard time getting it off at first.

The key to managing hereditary hair loss is treating it at the earliest signs with Women’s ROGAINE® Foam, which is clinically proven to regrow hair in 81%* of women with new hairs growing in up to 48%** thicker than before. There is a wealth of information about Women's ROGAINE on their website so be sure to visit. They offer styling tips and have videos as well. If you want to try the product out, be sure to grab a coupon here.

Giveaway: I'm so pleased to offer a giveaway for a full year's supply of Women’s ROGAINE® Foam (ARV $150.00) for one lucky Mom Files reader. Enter below...
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Products were provided by the Women’s ROGAINE^® Foam. I was selected for this opportunity as a member of Clever Girls and the content and opinions expressed here are all my own.

Make Your At-Home Manicure Last With CND® VINYLUX® Weekly Polish

I am such a fan of polished nails on a woman. The hard part for me as a homemaker is that it is almost impossible to have a proper manicure that I can do at home that won't chip after the first day. I received a few weekly polishes from CND® VINYLUX® to test out. Seeing the words "Weekly Polish" got me a bit excited. Could it be? I use my hands ALL. Day. Long. I can't imagine any polish being able to keep up with my active homemaking lifestyle. 

Pictured above is CND VINYLUX Weekly Polish in Scarlett Letter #145, Cream Puff #108, and Cerulean Sea #171

I decided to give the blue color a try. I'm a sucker for bright blue nail polish. I applied my first layer of weekly polish and was very pleased with the formula. It was very smooth, somewhat thick, and if I was in a hurry, I could have gotten away with just one coat. It dried super fast and I did do a second coat. I was really impressed with how vibrant the color was and the quick drying time. Now the real test was how long it would last. I did NOT use a top coat so this was really going to show my how long this product would last. I was so shocked to see that I went 5 full days with no chips. I did have one small chip by day 6, but that was expected with the type of week I had. Another positive thing is that it was very easy to remove. Overall, this polish really impressed me and I look forward to purchasing some other colors.

You can purchase CND® VINYLUX® Weekly polish and CND® VINYLUX® Weekly Top Coat retail for $10.50 per bottle at select salons, or visit cnd.com/VINYLUX, loxabeauty.com, ULTA or ulta.com.

Instrumental Beauty Sonic Facial Brush Review #ad

I have been seeing commercials for years about those sonic facial brushes and I never really thought I needed one. I have pretty good skin and I have my daily regimen that works (or so I thought). I got the opportunity to review the Instrumental Beauty sonic facial brush and decided to have an open mind. What does a sonic brush even do? Well, it uses sonic vibration technology to penetrate your pores to remove impurities that regular face washing misses. All this time I was thinking that my every day face washing routine was more than enough. Boy, was I wrong!

This amazing sonic facial brush has a sleek design and comes with 2 ultra soft bristle pads that fit securely on its own caddy/charging station. When I held the brush in my hand for the first time, I had to figure out how to charge it. It showed no battery unit from the outside. It is actually inside and the unit is made to be waterproof which means you can take it on the shower. This is especially helpful if you are using it on your neck.

The instructions state that you must charge the unit for the first time for 16 hours. It lights up in a bright blue so you might want to leave it charging in a room that you are not trying to sleep in. The brush has 3 speeds and it is very important to not use a lot of pressure when you put it against your skin. Trust me on that one! Also, make sure you are generous with the amount of water you put on the bristles. A dry brush will make you feel like you are scraping your skin. Again, trust me on that! You can use your favorite face wash or soap with this brush and you are well on your way to the most clean and smooth skin ever!

Speaking of soap, you must try out Yardley of London's New Nourishing Elements Artisan Soap. it is made with 100% sustainable vegetable oils, natural butters and botanicals. They are extra gentle on all skin types and are cruelty-free and biodegradable. They are available in in 2 varieties; Lavender & Rosemary and Oat, Milk & Honey. They retail for $4.99 for a 3-pack and can be found at drugstores nationwide. The Oat, Milk & Honey is my favorite!

Okay, back to the brush--- Once I figured out how the speeds worked as well as how much face wash I needed, I was well on my way to glowing skin. This brush is especially good because it has a built-in timer that pauses the unit for a couple seconds to remind you when it is time to move bristles to another area of your skin. I have been using my sonic facial brush once a day and I especially love the convenience of taking it in the shower with me. Overall, I really love the Instrumental Beauty sonic facial brush and highly recommend it to anyone looking for one. It would even make a nice Mother's Day gift.

The Instrumental Beauty Sonic Facial Brush can be purchased at select drugstores and at InstrumentalBeauty.com for $80.00.

I received a sonic facial brush unit and soap samples for review purposes. All opinions are 100% my own as always.

My Hair Is My Best Accessory #HairfinityStyle #ad

I am a Niche Parent Network & Conference Influencer. Thanks to Hairfinity for sponsoring today's post.

I can remember the days of being a little girl and being forced by my mom to get my hair cut in that bowl-shaped bob or those awful home-cut bangs. I hated it! All I dreamed of was having long, flowing hair. I went through so many hairstyles and phases throughout my middle and high school years. I grew up in the late 80s/early 90s so I wore all of the big, poufy hair styles. If you grew up in that time frame, you probably did some dramatic things to your hair whether it was hair color, a permanent wave or overuse of hair products. I was the Princess of hair spray in high school. I wore that signature "fan" on the top of my hair and teased it to make it extra big. I now look back and think; thank goodness the 80s are behind us!

I have always believed that stylish hair is my best accessory. I didn't always have body confidence, so my hair was my main focus. As long as I kept it cut or trimmed and took a few extra minutes each day for "primping," I would look more put together and feel confident. I take great pride in caring for my tresses and have grown to love my hair! I keep it relatively long so that I am able to toss it up into a messy ponytail on those bad hair days.

I have learned some great hair care tips over the years that I incorporate daily. I believe that drinking water is the number one most important thing. On the flip side, over washing is a big no-no. I try to go a day or two between washing to preserve my natural shine and fullness. If I wash it too often, it looks dull and lifeless. Proper diet is also key to fabulous, healthy hair. You must eat a good balance of fruit, vegetables and protein every day. If you can't stick to a healthier way of eating, a vitamin supplement can help. Hairfinity Hair Vitamins help encourage healthy growth from the inside out. Who wouldn't want that?!

The famous reality show sisters, Kim and Khloe Kardashian, have teamed up with Hairfinity Hair Vitamins. They certainly have the hair and style so many of us aspire to have.

Please join in on the #HairfinityStyle Twitter party on 4/26 from 10:00-11:00 PM EST for a recap of the Keeping up with the Kardashians episode and to talk all things hair and fashion.

There will be prizes so make sure you RSVP here and  follow the #HairfinityStyle hashtag. I hope to see you there!

Get Bouncy, Long-Lasting Curls with KISS InstaWave #AsSeenOnTV

Have you ever seen a new product advertised on TV and the infomercial made you want to order it right away? That's how I feel often, but I am also very skeptical. Some things seem a little too good to be true, and I have had my share of "As seen on TV" purchases that sit beneath a pile of unused gadgets and other foolishness. I have had my eye on the KISS Instawave Automatic Curler for some time and my husband would look at me like I was crazy. He knows my dilemma with finding styling tools to curl my hair and he wasn't convinced it would work for me. You see, I have very silky hair. It's so silky that it slides out of curling irons and often times will either not curl, or curls fall out pretty quickly.

I received the KISS Instawave automatic curler to test out for myself **HAPPY DANCE** I finally get to see if this styling tool will actually work on my hair. I tried it on freshly washed/dried hair and it was a bit of a challenge. It was sliding too much and I needed some practice to master how to really use the thing. Honestly, it's super simple to use. I think it comes down to remembering which direction you need your hair curled and also I find that second day-old hair curls much better.

I gave it a whirl (pun intended) and I absolutely loved how gorgeous my curls came out! I had some sections slide a little bit, but it did not really mess the curls up too badly. The kicker for me is that my curls actually last! I do not have to re-curl the next day and I love how shiny my hair looks as well. Also, I do not use any product to curl with. My husband saw me and was very impressed with how beautiful my curls were. The photo just doesn't show enough detail on how nicely defined the curls were.

A quick demo of the @kissproducts #InstaWave in action! #beauty #hair #review #ad #kissinstawave #instabeauty

A video posted by Shelly (@momfiles) on Mar 30, 2015 at 9:15am PDT

Details about the KISS Instawave:

Salon-Quality, Long-Lasting Curls – Fast and Tangle-Free

It’s quick and easy to get salon-quality curls with the revolutionary new Instawave by KISS. Just push the button to style any type of hair effortlessly.

Instawave Features:

• Fully automatic, tangle-free curler
• Innovative design lets you curl from any position using either hand
• Curl Dial makes it simple to switch between left and right curl directions
• Ceramic Ionic Technology protects hair for healthy, shiny results
• Two heat settings with maximum temperature of 420° F
• Auto shutoff after 90 minutes for added safety
• Patent Pending
• SRP: $59.99 

You can purchase the Instawave at KISSInstaWave.com or at retailers including: Target, Ulta.com and Amazon.com. It's a fabulous styling tool and I highly recommend it if you are currently looking for something great to curl your hair. It is now my most favorite beauty must-have! 

I received a complimentary item for review purposes and all opinions are 100% my own as always. 

Prom nails made easy with KISS Salon Acrylic French Nails #Prom2015

I am absolutely filled with emotion these days with all of the upcoming events leading up to my senior daughter's big day; Graduation. Of course the months before she does graduate are packed with back-to-back events. One of the biggest and most memorable will be her Senior Prom. We already ordered her dress and have started looking around for the perfect shoes and accessories. Since our budget is limited to allow her to partake in additional senior events, we are going the DIY route for certain things. I will be doing her make-up and hair as well as her nails. Of course on prom day, the hours seem to feel like minutes and time goes by way too quickly. One shortcut we will take is by using KISS Salon Acrylic French Nails for the perfect 'manicure' in minutes. No worries about nail polish drying or trying to get into the nail salon on what will be one of the busiest days of the year.

KISS makes life so much easier and you get the exact look you want with minimal effort or skill level. And for the price of only $7.99, it is a very smart choice! These French nails come on 6 varieties: Halo Effect, Sugar Rush, Alter Ego, Dry Spell, Simple Life and Pet Peeve. The lengths are either short or medium and the thickness of the white part varies.

Details:
Acrylic-infused nails deliver a flawless French manicure that costs less than a salon.

Acrylic-infused technology delivers a flawless French manicure that’s 10X stronger than other brands. The easy-to-apply nails go on with a seamless cuticle line so they look natural, and have a perfect French smile line that’s consistent on every nail!

Brie has tried these nails in the past and loved them. They really do look like you went to the salon and spent a lot. The best part is you don't have to be worried about chipping your polish or breaking a nail. These are the perfect solution to having beautiful nails for prom. As a mom, I'm very pleased with the price!

KISS Nails are available at Walgreens, CVS, Walmart, Rite Aid, Kmart and other retailers. See all of the products available at KISSusa and follow them on Facebook and Twitter to learn about the latest products.

I received products samples in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own as always. 

Fresh & Natural Make-up Looks for Moms from Susan Posnick Cosmetics

Spring is here and this is the time when I treat myself to a couple new items for my make-up bag. I am a minimalist for the most part when it comes to daytime make-up. I don’t believe in looking too “made up” unless I’m stepping out for the evening or going somewhere others will see me. Susan Posnick cosmetics seem to really fit the look I am aiming for; clean and polished. I have been using the Colorflo mineral foundation and blush, as well as the ColorCoated mascara and ColorEssentials Lipstick. I am currently into nude lip color and Susan Posnick’s ColorEssential Lipstick in Dubai (SRP $21) has become my go-to favorite. I wear it over my lip balm and find that it never dries my lips out the way some other premium brands can. It has a light sheen with a creamy finish.

The ColorCoated mascara (SRP $24) gives my eyelashes enough fullness for a brighter bolder look, while keeping them looking natural and soft. This is very important to me since I don’t care for that false lashes look in the daytime hours when I’m in Mom-mode.  I love how easy it is to remove at night and leaves little to no residue behind. I have not experienced any flaking, so this product would be great for contact lens wearers.

You can order Susan Posnick Cosmetics online and be sure to follow on Facebook and Twitter for product promotions and updates.

I received product samples for review purposes. All opinions are my own as always.

Five Days of Fabulous Deals from Susan Posnick Cosmetics #ad

For a limited time only, you can purchase some of your favorite Susan Posnick items for a discounted price. Susan Posnick Cosmetics is offering an exclusive Five Days of Fabulous Deals! Sign-up to get the promotion codes every day from Thursday, November 27 until Monday, December 1 though http://eepurl.com/5baBv or on Facebook and unlock one of the special deals below.

Five Days of Fabulous Deals:

· BLACK FRIDAY DEAL: Free Mascara with every purchase
· Colorflo -- 30% off
· 50% off any color flo refill
· 20% off all orders
· Free Shipping & Limited Holiday Gift Pack Thru Dec or while supplies last. The gift pack is priced at $49.95 (over $70 value) and includes their new mascara, color eyedefine, and a mini tweezer in a signature Susan Posnick cosmetic bag.

I have been using Susan Posnick Cosmetics for months now and absolutely love each and every product I have. I recently tried the new ColorCoated Mascara and it delivered the results I anticipated. The actual wand/brush is very small compared to most mascaras I have used. It still helped to coat each and every lash and gave them a thick, full appearance. I have not experienced any clumping or irritation and love that they don't make my lashes look fake. The mascara removes easily with eye make-up remover. The mini tweezer is the best tweezer I have ever used. I can gently pluck my eyebrows and get a good, precise finish. That is money saved on waxing!

Susan Posnick Cosmetics is offering a FREE Mascara ($24.00) with any purchase. COLORCOATED Mascara is the newest addition to Susan Posnick Cosmetics! Not only does it enhance and lengthen your lashes, but it is gluten, paraben and cruelty-free. Go grab some of these deals while you can and Happy Holidays!

I received product samples for review and all opinions are my own as always.
 

DerMend Review #ad

Do you have the type of skin that is so dry that you have literally tried every product available? Unfortunately, I have THAT type of skin. It can become very costly trying so many things and you end up not using it or tossing it out. I finally found the solution that has practically transformed my skin and makes it look radiant. DerMend Alpha+Beta Hydroxy Therapy Moisturizing Body Lotion has been a lifesaver.

I have to admit that I didn't really like it the first couple times I used it. I am so glad I continued with it because it has healed my summer sun-tanned skin. I think all of the time spent at the pool and beach were taking a toll on my arms and legs. They started looking a bit cracked like a desert—NOT a good look at all! I see a noticeable difference after using the product for 3 whole weeks. I tried it on my son's body since his skin is more on the dry side and he got the same results like I did. This lotion is so moisturizing and protects so well that when you take a shower or wash your hands, you can feel the protective barrier on your skin. It's not in a residue kind of way. I have noticed that the product has helped my skin shed a layer to reveal the glow beneath.
I am sure this lotion or cream would be great if you work in the any field that requires constant hand washing. It's perfect for moms with newborns. I remember always having the driest hands when my kids were babies.

DerMend product details:
The unique formula delivers glycolic acid and salicylic acid in an elegant cream and lotion, which work together to help your skin slough off dead cells, while the formula’s rich ceramides can help it feel new again. MassageDerMend® Alpha+Beta Hydroxy Therapy Moisturizing Body Lotion ($26.49; 12oz bottle) twice a day to affected areas or as directed by your physician, and apply DerMend® Alpha+Beta Hydroxy Therapy Moisturizing Cream ($17.99; 4.5oz tube) on extremely dry areas such as elbows, knees, and heels.

DerMend® Alpha+Beta Hydroxy Therapy Moisturizing Body Lotion and Moisturizing Cream absorb quickly, leaving skin feeling smooth, never greasy or slick. Plus, they are fragrance-free and non-comedogenic – targeted relief for the areas that need it most!

DerMend® Alpha+Beta Hydroxy Therapy Moisturizing Body Lotion and Moisturizing Cream are available online at www.lovelyskin.com

I received product samples in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are 100% my own as always.