Florida Life: Neutrogena | Beach Defense™ Sunscreen Spray Broad Spectrum SPF 70

96* degrees
94* degrees
92* degrees

These are the temperatures from the last few days here in sunny Florida. (rainy afternoons)

Truth: We are constantly putting on sunscreen. Sometimes to even go SHOPPING! #floridalifeproblems

I know, you feel bad! Well the good news is, Neutrogena sent me this sunscreen to review and I have to say, I'm not a fan of "creamy" lotions anymore because the sprays are just so much easier to use. But I haven't taken this bottle of sunscreen OUT of my car/purse/bag that I use daily because it REALLY WORKS. It takes a little bit longer to put on than the sprays but you can see where you are putting in on. It's nice that you really have to rub it into the skin. We went deep sea fishing and needed the absolute best. 18 miles off the East Coast of FLorida... I was worried for my little ladies. But because we used Neutrogena's Beach Defense SPF 70, we all had ZERO sunburn.

It also has a pleasant scent, and comes in a nice bottle.

More now than ever people, myself included are more aware of the harmful effects of the sun's UV rays. I used to be that "tan" girl...never wearing sunscreen baring through the sunburns. But that time has come and gone. I want the best for my skin, and my children's skin. I have since bought 2 bottle of the Beach Defense line from Neutrogena.

Neutrogena retails for $10.49 and you can buy it at major retailers everywhere. 

Take care of your skin friends with SUPERIOR SKIN PROTECTION. You are WORTH IT.

*I was sent this product in exchange for my opinions. My opinions are 100% my own.

A+ Tampa Area Salon - Ultracuts in Wesley Chapel, Florida

I just had a hair experience from heaven at Ultracuts in Wesley Chapel.

So you just moved here? 

Your stylist moved?

You don't like what your current stylist is doing?

Check out Ultracuts in Wesley Chapel! & NO!! it's not apart of "Super Cuts" or anything like Fantastic Sams, Great Clips, Famous Hair etc. The name may sound similar but it's anything but ordinary. 

Great atmosphere, great prices, exceptional staff! 

If you're going blonde- like I did.... I have the stylist for you! Email me!(p.s. she used a flat iron awesomely!!)

*How I found out about it? FACEBOOK! Ask and you shall receive right?! 2 friends referred me to the place and now...I'll make the 30 minute drive whenever possible. I walked in shabby and left Sheek!

and speaking of Facebook, I finally created a facebook page! Find Sunkissed Mommy on FB!

HANA Titanium Ionic Flat Iron 1.5" Review- from Misikko.com coming soon

I returned the HANA Professional Ceramic 1" to Misikko.com because I was used to using a Babyliss Ultra Thin Titanium for 2 years prior (it worked wonderfully for me and is my #1 preferred Flat Iron) and the ceramic plate switch up seemed to do almost nothing to my hair. My hair felt super full, thick and still pretty frizzy with it.  I mean it did okay. But my hair had a lot of bumps that just would NOT go away and it was super unacceptable. I hate really dislike bumps! 

 Update: It's being shipped to me as of 4/12. Review coming soon! Let me also be clear and say that you know I googled "HANA TITANIUM REVIEWS" and every single one of these ladies who reviewed it had pretty straight hair to begin with. How in the world do you do a review...of a product that does what you already have? If you REALLY want to know how this works on some JACKED! hair....stay tuned!

Let me be clear: Ceramic is better for your hair! But Titanium is really the only flat iron that works on my gnarly frizzy mane. 

Misikko was great and helped me to get me the info for the swap out. I did have to pay to send it back to them and I'm currently awaiting the new iron.....Anyway, they hooked me up with the Titanium one. 

Price Point: $179.99 on Misikko.com 

 

Stay tuned for the review!  It will be up the DAY I get it in the mail!!

I'm excited!!



*I paid for my flat iron* Opinions are completely my own and honestly it either works or doesn't! I hope it does because I won't be happy to switch it out again. (I really just wanted my Babyliss back but the lady with Misikko on the phone said it was sold out....which  I'm not sure was entirely true because online I can go through the entire ordering process for it). I know that HANA products have to be Misikko's bread and butter flat iron line. I understand. Business is business. But, I know that the Babyliss will get the job done. and it also cost me $13 bucks (in addition to the $119) I spent on the flat iron. So I won't be too pleased if the Hana Titanium is mediocre. 

 Fingies and Toezies crossed

Should you buy an Expensive Professional Blow Dryer?

Today was an important hair day in my life. I made the decision to experience what life is like with an expensive hair blow dryer. (and it's not even remotely close to the most expensive I have seen out there). Let me be super clear about one thing. I know there are SO MANY brands out there. This blog talks about my experiences and my favorites. BABYLISS is my favorite all time brand)

I went to several websites with blow dryers ranging in the price range from $120-$279. I've already learned the hard way with having to pay to ship BACK to the company so I decided an in person experience would be best.  I even checked out the place where I recently just bought my titanium flat iron. (still waiting for it's arrival)

I went to Walmart for a new blow dryer. 
$14.99-$29.99 seemed to be the price range and I also needed a new curling iron. About the same price range for those too. I was looking for two or three key words. ION and KERATIN or TITANIUM.
ION was the only word that existed in Walmart (this was not a shocking revolation but had to try since it's got thrift store prices sometimes)
I Left empty handed.

Then I headed over to Sally's Beauty Supply.
Nice selection that isn't overwhelming to look at compared to internet websites.
KERATIN, TITANIUM, and ION are all words you see right on these boxes. Price range for Blow dryers $29.99-$99.99. But the bonus is their sales.

I found a gem! At least I think I did with the assistant of the very nice girl who answered all of my annoying questions I brought one home! Double Bonus: Buy the "One 'n Only" brand blow dryer- get a curling iron FREE! (honestly the reason I was all in for this purchase.

Questions Like: 

• KERATIN? In a blow dryer? How? I don't get it? I thought that it was a treatment? Her: Well before the plates dry they infuse them with keratin....uh....I don't think either of us "get it" we just take the manufacturers word for it.
• Do you think this blow dryer or this one is better? WHY? She liked the one I bought because of the mega blowing power
• Which one do you have? She had one I wasn't considering
• Can I bring this back if it doesn't work on my sucky hair? (yes of course)

I bought this blow dryer: One 'n Only Brazilian Tech- Keratin Dryer 
(there is a really nice little info video on this blow dryer too)
Price Point: $79.99 - $71.99 with the Sally's Card (that's $5 for the whole year to receive discounts) I have the card. So I paid $71.99 for it.

and the bonus: 
I got the curling iron for free that matches!!  (could have got the 1", but I like bigger curls)

Brazilian Tech Keratin Kurl Curling Iron 1 1/4"

Price Point: $34.99 ($29.99 with the Sally's Card) but FREE for me today with said Blow Dryer purchase while the sale lasts

Okay, Squeeeeeee!!!!!!!!!! Now, can you feel my excitement? Mind you it's 2:00 in the AFTERNOON. So what's a girl to do? RUN HOME AND SHOWER!!!! Absolutely.

at this point  I'm also nervous! $80.00 on a blow dryer is SO OUT OF MY PRICE RANGE. 


Alright so: The results. And I really wish you could see the time stamp on my pics. I started blow drying at exactly 2:31 PM  <----remember this. 

Wet, ew face. no makeup 2:31

By 2:38 my head was completely dry. I used the dryer on HIGH and HOT

FRIZZ  BALL McGee

Let's also keep in mind that I'm using my back up flat iron: The KQC X-Heat Tourmaline Ceramic 
from the Flat Iron Experts website. I really do like this flat iron.

My hair was pretty straight and done by 2:59!!!! That is LESS THAN 30 MINUTES from Soaking wet to dry, straightened, and curled.

 2:31 start 2:59 end!!!

The curling iron impressed me the most. It made my hair feel smooth and took almost ALL the frizz out.  (this brand also makes a flat iron...just throwing that out there for the peeps who can't afford the Mega dollar ones). I thought the blow dryer would have a more straightening effect on my locks, but it was considerably straighter than my old cheap Walmart blow dryer. Super frizzy but dry in less than 10 minutes and I have A TON of hair peeps.

Most importantly: Am I returning these two products?  NOT A CHANCE

Want to know the best part: When I took the products out of the boxes... the bottom of the box had this written on it: 

 One 'n Only is MADE BY BABYLISS!!!

 Win and Win. 

Check out Sally's Today and save a few bucks! 

So to answer my post title: SHOULD YOU BUY AN EXPENSIVE BLOW DRYER? If you have hair like I do, most definitely YES! If you have super thick, frizzy hair. These products will help you!

To further help you:  Here is a side by side comparison of my old blow dryer that I bought for $20 at Walmart versus The New Beauty that was $79.99. The old hair dryer took about 15-20 minutes to completely dry my head. (it's a red Conair ion shine)

See, I'm not kidding about my nassssty frizz head!

Neutrogena Complete Acne Therapy System Review

I feel like one day last year/early this year I woke up with acne. Nothing totally life altering about that other than the fact that I'm 28 years old! (feel my rage) Point is: I didn't have acne in high school or as a pubescent teenager. I had your random normal, touched my face too many times in one day blemishes. Nothing a bit of concealer wouldn't hide.  So imagine my disgust as I battle this at 28.

A few things to note: I have well water. I grew up with and have always had city water until this year. I thought this could be a "face" changer and the source of my issues. I have also been super stressed. Taking over a business can make you cray cray so I thought I needed to de-stress more. (tried and failed).  I'm a stay at home mom (for the most part). So I don't do "expensive". I don't do really anything that pertains to ME! I have combination skin. Oily and Dry

I had enough one day. My entire cheek and neck had red bumps. Bumps that weren't anything other than blemishes. I could NOT get them to go away. The more I seemed to pop, the more that appeared.  My husband was really noticing too. and friends. and family. "IS THAT A RASH???" comments started coming so I had to do something!!!

I looked into Proactiv. So Many people swear by this. Commercials. Celebrities. But for me it came down to ONE thing. AFFORDABILITY. Sure if it was miracle cream I would have wanted it but at what price? I didn't want to buy something and then not be able to afford it to "maintain". Proactiv honestly.... scared me- with all of it's automatic shipments and credit card info on file stuff. What if I don't need more after 3 months? You have to cancel, and if you forget you have to send it back and you need a refund....HEADACHES!!!! I already have acne I don't need that too. So I went onto Amazon (my fave place) and searched Acne Treatments.

Neutrogena Popped Up! The Complete Acne Therapy System and it was (on Amazon $19.99) so much more affordable. What did I have to lose? I didn't want to wait for shipping so I headed to Target and bought the system for $19.99.

Of course I could NOT wait to start using it. So I rushed home and followed the directions to clear skin and found my face feeling refreshed and clean. Step 2, the Acne Control Lotion makes your skin a bit tight at first while it is drying. I liked it because I felt like it was "sealing" my face up. I wondered how I would apply makeup after this step if I used it twice a day (morning, night)...but to my surprise after about 20 minutes, maybe less the tight feeling dissipates and it actually left my skin feeling really soft.

After using it for about a week, I did notice my problem areas were drying out. I kept on using it and I use the lotion to moisturize. (plus I use a Clinique moisturizer)  I use this Neutrogena System in the shower, when I wake up, before bed and I'll even apply a bit of step 2 if I feel like I have a zit/pimple/blemish coming on. A month later I can HAPPILY report, I have ZERO red bumps on my face. Which means 2 things to me: 1. It was  NOT solely my Well water that was affecting my skin.  2. I didn't take good enough care of myself. Stay at home Mom or not, taking care of you is SO IMPORTANT! I have to learn to put myself first, if even a LITTLE more. The only time I have gotten a blemish is when I forgot to use it and I touch my face a ton in one day. I really suck about not doing that. I have kids who touch my face, a pup who licks my face (even though I hate that) and I constantly feel like I touch my face. I NEED TO STOP and until I do I must remember to use steps 1 and 2 of the Neutrogena system twice daily.

Does it compare to Proactive?  I can't HONESTLY answer that as I did not give Proactiv a chance. But the Neutrogena Complete Acne Therapy System does work very well and I'll gladly purchase this skin care system again. I feel better about myself, and the fact that I feel like I am "taking" care of myself.

*Update after 6 weeks of use- Blemish free!! and my skin is super soft!! 

Let me know if this helps you and if you try it! I wish I had "before and after pics" for you but I starting using this before I started my new journey on this blog. 

*Disclaimer: I purchased this skin care system on my own and my opinions are my own. Neutrogena did not contact me to write this.