April, 2013 Favorites - What Have I Been Loving Recently?

I know that it has been a really long time since I've done a Favorites blog post and as I have been really trying to pick up my blogging game, I thought that now would be a great time to start doing Favorite posts again. So here are my April, 2013 Favorites.

Nivea Touch of Renewal Lathering Body Scrub - (received for review purposes), It's no secret that I love exfoliants & scrubs. I look forward to my DIY Spa Nights.  So any opportunity to try a new scrub, I'm all for it. Several months ago, I was sent a Nivea review package and one of the first products I tried was this Lathering Body Scrub.  Most often I scrub on dry skin, but with this as it's a "Lathering Body Scrub", I used it as a body wash. It's moisturizing, gentle enough for daily use, and the scent is AMAZING!   I have already purchased a replacement with my own money. I hear rumor that some stores are going to stop carrying this product, so I need to stock-up. I bought mine at Walgreens, but you should also be able to find it at most drugstores (Walgreens, CVS, Rite-Aid, etc.) and mass-marketers (Walmart, & Target).  Online, Drugstore.com has it available. MSRP averages $6.

Dickinson's Pore Perfecting Toner - (purchased by me). I grew up in the era that taught that toners weren't working unless they sting or burn. Well we have come to learn that is not true.  Witch Hazel has been around for decades and one of it uses has been for skin care. This toner helps to cleanse your skin without stripping it of its natural oils and moisture. After I cleanse my face, I apply it with a cotton round to remove all traces of makeup. It's gentle enough for daily use and all skin types. This product is 100% natural and for those who are concerned, it's vegan.  It can be purchased as most drugstores and mass-marketers, as well as online. MSRP average $6.

O'pro Organic Protein Leave in Conditioner Detangler - (purchased by me).  It depends on the day of the week. Somedays I'm transitioning to natural, somedays, I'm texlaxed, but whatever the status of my hair, it loves this leave-in/detanger. I stumbled across this product one day while in Marshall's and decided to give it a try. The first couple of uses was ehh, but now, I absolutely love it. Whether my hair is freshly texlaxed or months into a stretch my hair detangles easily and is super soft.  My only concern is its availability. I've only seen it in Marshall's but no other stores. Amazon is my other option. But whatever the case, this is a hair staple.  At Marshall's I paid $6.99. Online I see it priced between $7 and $12 dollars. I will need to stock up when I find the best price. 

Nail Life Nail Revitalizer - (purchased by me).  I have been using this product as a nail treatment for years, long before I started blogging about nails and nail care. I may have change cuticle remover, polish remover, top coat, and hand cream, but this is the one product that you will always find in my nail care stash.  For 98% of my manicures, I start with this product. It's for treating soft, weak, splitting and peeling nails. I use it to help maintain my healthy nails. I see that Sally Beauty has it on sale for 2 for $11 for the month of May. The regular coat is $7.99 each. The only place I've ever seen it for retail is Sally Beauty. 

Sedona Lace Pointed Crease Brush (EB15) - (purchased by me). Ever since I purchased the Sedona Lace Vortex Brush set, my favor brush out of the set has been this brush. It is ideal for getting color into my crease and helps with my smokey eye look.  When purchased the set the brushes were sold individually, but now that they are, I will be getting at least a couple more. Individually they sell for $8.95.

Sara Happ Peppermint Lip Scrub - (received for review purposes). When I received this product, I had just finished up the lip scrub I loved. Unfortunately, it had been discontinued, so this came just on time. But I was still skeptical, because my former lip scrub had been my favorite for years. I have used this for several weeks and love it. It's granule size is perfect to sloth away dead, dry, flaky skin. Leaving my lips soft and supple.  I really like the cooling effect of the peppermint and want to try some of the other flavors-brown sugar, blood orange pink grapefruit and red velvet. The MSRP is $24. This product can be purchased on the Sarahapp.com as well as Nordstrom and several online websites.

RoC® RETINOL CORREXION® MAX Wrinkle Resurfacing System - (received for review purposes). I have been using this system for several months and have even replaced it with my own money. At 47 years of age, I am fighting signs of aging with everything in me. As we age, retinol is an important step that needs to be added to your skincare regimen.  I did a blog post detailing my experiences with this system, if you missed it, click HERE. I will admit, it is a bit pricey for a drugstore product, MSRP $30, so I normally restock when I find it on sale. Just so happens, Walgreens will have the RoC® line of products on sale next week B1G1 50% off (5/5/2013-5/11/2013). But the RoC® line of products are available at most drugstores and mass retailers (Target, Walmart, etc.)

Gourmet Club Silicone Pot Holder and Trivet - (purchased by me).  We all have seen or at least heard about the Silicone Makeup Brush Glove the Sigma Beauty released earlier this year.  The concept was wonderful but it came with a $40 price tag. I found this silicone pot holder in Walmart and it worked wonders to clean my brushes. And even better, whereas Sigma's glove was $40, this pad was less than $4.  To read the blog post I did on this money and time saver, click HERE.

Bigelow Half & Half Tea & Lemonade - (purchased by me). Living in the South, it is very common to drink Iced Tea or Lemonade. Another drink often available is called an "Arnold Palmer". It is an Ice Tea & Lemonade combination.  I would often purchased prepared Iced Tea and Lemonade from my grocery store and mix the two.  A few months ago, I came across these tea bags. Perfect. Not only are very good, they are low in calorie. They claim to be naturally sweetened and that very well may be true, but I still add an artificial sweetener.  When prepared as instructed, an 8 oz serving is only 15 calories.  I have purchased at least 7 or 8 boxes since first finding it.  My grocery store sells the single box for $3.19. Each box has 6 family-sized tea bags.

Well those are my favorites for April. What are some of your current go-to products?

Grace, Peace, & Blessings.

* This (These) product(s) was (were) sent to me for review consideration by either the manufacturer or the PR firm representing the manufacturer, unless otherwise notes. These however are my honest opinions. I am not employed by nor was I paid by the company(ies).