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FIVE THINGS FRIDAY PART 29

FIVE THINGS FRIDAY PART 29 is back after a little break last week! Get ready for it.. it’s a good one!

We are coming off a crazy few weeks – Eva’s 37th birthday, Dawn working more hours at her other job, and then all the usual life happenings in between. We have a lot of exciting things coming to stay tuned!

Five Things Friday Part 29 - back at it!! — All previous “FTF” found here

Dawn is giving you the reviews today. She just honestly does them the best! 😍 *remember to click underlined text or pics to be taken to the product.

Boiron Arnicare Gel

First up….random arnicare gel.

Arnica gel is a homeopathic formula with the power that can trigger fast healing processes in the human body.

If you are accident prone like I (Dawn) am, I recommend that you get some arnica gel. A few weeks ago my husband and I both hit our foreheads – not at the same time but the same day. OUCH!!! Needless to say we both ended up with horrible swelling, and bruising on our headaches (sorry no pic. lol). I used arnica gel on my injury and Doug choose not to! Mine healed much quicker and faster than his did.

Arincare Gel - great for bruising. Five Things Friday part 29!

I THOUGHT BINGO!! “We need to include this on our next Five Things Friday post!”

Furthermore, some benefits of Arnica gel in bruise treatment:

Removes bruises and skin discoloration fast & effective almost immediately
has soothing and cooling effects
is NOT a medicine; uses the body’s natural healing power
body absorbs the gel quickly
use on any skin type (even thin/delicate skin)

All in all, Arnica gel works great helping bruising, swelling, and discoloration heal faster. There is NO odor or staining on clothes. This is a great addition to have in all medicine cabinets!

Spalife Hydrating Collagen Lip Mask

Dawn here~

My lips are ALWAYS dry and chapped, and because of this, I’m constantly exfoliating and hydrating them.

The Spalife lip mask treatments are infused with natural plant collagen, vitamins, hyaluronic acids, rose essence and grape seed oils.

Spa life lip treatments. Five Things Friday Part 29!!! — ARE YOU CRACKING UP OR WHAT?

Let me start by saying I know I look ABSOLUTELY RIDICULOUS with the mask on. Lol! 🤣

However, I do LOVE them and they make my lips feel soft and hydrated. The collagen helps to stimulate, rejuvenate, and restore lips to their natural beauty.

Easy to use:

open package
apply lip mask to clean lips
lay back relax and let mask absorb into lips for 20 minutes.

*Note: mask does go on lips and the skin around them.

I am happy to say that there is definitely visible results, lips feel plumper, smoother, and look more youthful. This is perfect to freature for FIVE THINGS FRIDAY PART 29!

They’re Real! Magnet Extreme Lengthening Mascara

Dawn here (again hehe)…They’re Real! Magnet Extreme Lengthening Mascara is a long-wearing formula that won’t smudge or dry out – It lengthens, curls, separates, volumizes, and lifts lashes.

Also, the Magnet Mascara works well with or without layering. This has been a nice addition to my mascara regimen.

Benefit THEY'RE real! great one of a kind mascara - FTF part 29

With that said, what I like so much about the magnet mascara is that a little goes a long way – it doesn’t clump or flake and it distributes evenly on lashes. The wand has short bristles spread out which makes it easier to control and gets closer to lash line. It has a magnetically charged core with ingredients formulated in the brush.

THIS IS SCIENCE, super cool and way above my head! Lol 🤣

Give this “one of a kind” mascara a try.

Benefit BrowVo! Conditioning Primer

Dawn here...I’ve learned that it is important to condition your eyebrows. Conditioning your brows makes the hair smooth and restores its natural shine. It can also strengthen the hair to prevent breakage and hair loss.

This formula is suited for ALL brows.

Benefit Cosmetics Browvo! Conditioning Eyebrow Primer is my favorite. (I know we’ve talked about Anastasia before, but hear me out on this one because this is totally different!) This is a clear gel that contains keratin and soy proteins.

Applying to brows before makeup gives them a fuller, thicker and healthier look. Can also be applied before bedtime, wearing conditioner overnight helps to condition eyebrows.

need a brow primer? Benefit has you covered!

Note: this is NOT a growth serum.

For best results add this to your daily routine (morning and night). It truly will make a huge difference!

Do you want us to do a tutorial on this? Let us know!

Farberware Salad Spinner

You are probably thinking OK ladies this is so random – a salad spinner?! But hey we had to feature it for this week’s Five Things Friday. lol. Save the best for last, if you will 🤣

If you prepare your own salads, this is a “MUST HAVE” item. It’s not only for lettuce, it’s good for other produce, fruits, and berries.

The Farberware salad spinner is more than a rinsing and drying device. The basket can be used as a colander, and the clear plastic bowl for serving. We love a multi-use product, you get more bang for your buck!

I (Dawn) make salads every week. There is nothing worse than soggy lettuce. This salad spinner is a quick and easy way to clean, rinse, and dry lettuce. Lettuce comes out crisp and delicious EVERY TIME!

By taking the extra moisture out of lettuce salads last longer without going bad. If I make a big salad on Mon night it will stay fresh throughout the week.

Easy to use: place the desired lettuce (etc) into basket, rinse thoroughly with water, place basket in bowl and cover, pump mechanism a few times and watch it spin away.

After a few seconds use the stopper button. When stopped remove the lid & basket to dump out the water. Repeat if necessary. You will be impressed how well this salad spinner gets rid of excess water.

Two tips:

Do not put in dishwasher, washing by hand works best.
Place a few sheets of damp paper towel on top of the salad and cover it. This helps to keep salad fresh and absorbs any extra moisture.

😋 BON APPETIT 😋

So now that all is said and done, we are back in action & hope you enjoyed this week’s Five Things Friday Part 29! What product is your favorite featured above? Let us know!

Don’t forget to follow us on Instagram!

April 30, 2021April 30, 2021

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FIVE THINGS FRIDAY PART 25

Five Things Friday Part 25 on this very last February Friday for 2021. YES. This means MARCH is almost here and we get hyped for the warmer air in CT.

What are you looking forward to this SPRING? Is anyone traveling? We both have not traveled and don’t have any foreseeable plans… but we’re hoping!

Let’s get straight to it. And…thank you for reading our post! 🥰

See all FTF here! Also!! …..click underlined text and/or picture to be taken to the product!

The Original Beauty Blender

Dawn here~This sponge is worth every penny! It definitely lives up to the hype. It EFFORTLESSLY blends all kinds of makeup beautifully for a flawless look.

Makeup brushes tend to sweep products around rather than evenly depositing them. The beauty blender is an egg-shape makeup sponge that applies foundation and other products with a smooth, even finish. It is a reusable sponge, so that means it will last awhile as long as you keep it clean.

the original beauty blender sponge! five things friday part 25

Easy to use:

Dampen sponge and squeeze out excess water.
Dab your makeup onto skin with fingers, then smooth out makeup with beauty blender.
After applying makeup clean sponge with soap and water.
Let it dry thoroughly before storing it.
When I have extra time I’ll put my sponge in a mug submerged in water.
- 🌟 Add a few drops of Dawn (ha) dishwashing detergent in the water.
- ⭐️ Place in microwave on high for a minute or so, then let it cool before taking sponge out of water.
- 🌟 The water should look very dirty but the sponge should be nice and clean.

I know Eva is obsessed lately, too. It’s great for aging skin that is developing fine lines because it helps put set concealer especially without that “cake” look. Check out the reel she made on Instagram showing how to use it!

In my opinion a beauty blender is a must have!

Tweezerman Slant Tip Tweezers

Dawn here~ Tweezerman slant tip tweezers are a “staple” in my daily beauty routine. Tweezerman are famous for its precision, they grab hair every time! I use the slant tip tweezers to keep my eyebrow, chin and upper lip hairs under control (freakin’ menopause has made that so much worse).

Here are a few tips:

Start by opening up pores with warm water, because this helps get hair ready for removal.
Hold the tweezers using thumb and index fingers near the middle of the tweezer.
Locate the unwanted hair, grab, squeeze down, and pull out hair.
Continue until all unwanted hair is removed.
Clean tweezers with alcohol wipes or peroxide after each use.

Tweezerman slant tip tweezers - pricey but SO worth it and really WORK!

I have several slant tip tweezers (SHOCKER) in different colors. I like having extra ones available so I’m never without them. Lol! My husband is also a big fan of Tweezerman tweezers.

Nothing is worse than dull tweezers that don’t work. I can’t tell you how many awful tweezers I have bought, finding Tweezerman has been life changing.

Ps. Tweezerman offers free (initial shipping cost aside) sharpening and repair service.
Mail to: Tweezerman Service
2 Tri Harbor Court
South Dock #1
Port Washington, NY 11050

ALSO!!! We did find them on Amazon also. Just MAKE SURE it is not a knock off!

Botanic Bakuchiol

I (Dawn) find the bakuchiol (retinol-like) very gentle on my sensitive skin. Retinol is WAY too harsh for my skin, it causes redness, peeling and breakouts! 😱 Not the look I am going for at 55!

Bakuchiol is a great alternative. It’s very lightweight and it absorbs rapidly into my skin. This is part of my daily night time regimen: I use hyaluronic acid first then bakuchiol followed by the same brand’s Rejuvenique Oil.

VEGAN Retinol alternative that instantly brightens skin. Five Things Friday Part 25

I, Eva, am obsessed with this product & actually told Dawn about it! The first time I used this, I could NOT believe how instantly brighter my face was. Like Dawn, my skin dries out way too easily, and therefore I’ve never used much Retinol. This is hands down a must have for my night time routine also.

Lastly! ⬇️

Geo Leggings

You know when I (Dawn) really like something because I’ll have it in multiple colors/patterns. Geo leggings are one of my favorite pair of Savvi leggings. They have a high waistband (that actually stays up), 4 way stretch (comfortable), side pockets (who doesn’t love a side pocket?) and are sweat proof (yassss)!!!

Eva loves them and has a pic in them since she is the selfie queen and I HATE taking selfies. lol.

You can really dress these up, wear causal, or to the gym.

One of my favorite fun quotes “ I have enough leggings.” – said no one ever. 🤣

SO ME!!! #dawnisextra 😜

But..bad news. As of yesterday as we already had put this post together, the GEO’s are undergoing a routine quality check which is amazing that Savvi does this but the link is not up the moment.

Our other absolute favorite is the ASHTANGA that I talk about and post about constantly on our Instagram.

Ok here’s my turn at a “selfie”..lol (this took a ridiculous amount of time for me to do 🙃)

You can wear these SO many different ways! Super cost effective IMHO

iRobot Roomba 675 Robot Vacuum (Wi-Fi Connectivity)

I (Dawn) have to be honest, I was ALWAYS against getting a roomba, so glad I changed my mind. I love it so much that I have 2 of them; one for our main floor and the other for our finished basement.

I DO, however, use my canister vacuum once a week. The roomba is for in between vacuums. I am very allergic to dust, so running the roomba every other day has been helping keep the dust levels down.

The roomba.. great for in between canister vaccuum cleanings. Worth every penny

It is very easy to set up and use: download the iRobot Home App on your mobile device, log into your Wi-Fi, and the roomba connects. I recommend you naming your roomba, because it understands voice commands. I named mine “Robbie Roomba” I figured that is easy to remember! Lol 🤣

You can also set up scheduled cleanings. Which is AWESOME!

I made a list of PROS and CONS.

PROS –

great if you have allergies, kids and pets
durable
supports app and voice control
allows for scheduled cleanings
automatically adjusts to different floor surfaces
detects and focuses on heavily soiled areas
rarely gets stuck
easy to clean filter & brush
timesaver
highly recommend if you have back issues
easy to setup and use

CONS –

it’s a ROBOT, doesn’t clean like you would
loud
doesn’t always automatically return back to dock station when finished
need to pickup small items, cords, and lightweight area rugs before running roomba

The roomba in action at my house... you can set it and forget it! — ROBBIE IN ACTION AT MY HOUSE, lol

Overall, I highly recommend this! It has saved me from hours of vacuuming, which is so helpful. Thanks iRobot for giving my aching back a break from vacuuming.

Happy almost MARCH and FRIDAY!!! This concludes Five Things Friday Part 25.

What’s your favorite thing you are using this week? Do you have a ROBBIE ROOMBA? lol, Dawn kills me!!!

February 26, 2021February 26, 2021

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FIVE THINGS FRIDAY PART 21

WE ARE BACK with Five Things Friday Part 21! Happy New Year to you all. Ironically this is part 21 for 2021, ha. Check out all our previous Five Things Friday here!

2021 won’t magically change things but it is always nice to have a fresh restart.

Have a look below as we share our favorite five things for this week. We know it’s random 🙃 but we feel there’s something for everyone!

new year and five things friday part 21!!!

Before we get into anything beauty related, I, Eva, am on the edge of my seat to share this small-space laundry rack with you!

*remember, click the underlined text and/or some of the pictures have links to be taken to the product

Wall Mount Laundry Rack

Eva here – my husband found this!! Go Nicky G!

We got this because our washer and dryer is in the basement, and we have a very small basement that acts as laundry, kids play area, and fitness area. It’s crazy we can cram so much in a small space BUT we really maximize it to the fullest with shelves and racks like this one!

I LOVE how this rack looks on the wall first off, but more importantly I love how it’s sleek, folds back in, and only takes up a tiny bit of space when I need it to.

I don’t dry my fitness clothes (for obvious reasons) and so we really need something like this. This helps lay the clothes “flat” & drape them over the wooden rods, and also helps prevent my leggings & sports bra from losing their shape.

best small space drying rack from pottery barn!! friday part 21!!!

Total must-have for laundry if you have an open area like we do. We love it, and love the look!

Handheld Steamer

Before we get into the fun beauty stuff, ha, Dawn here to discuss this cute handheld steamer.

I’m not a big fan of ironing, probably because I SUCK at it! Lol! So in my opinion using a steamer is faster and easier than ironing.

The Conair hand held steamer is perfect for all types of fabrics, linens and drapes. It comes with three different attachments: fabric brush, creaser, and soft cushion brush. The water tank is removable and easy to refill.

Conair handheld steamer, better than ironing!! friday part 21!!!

*Note: it’s best to use distilled water.

It has two heat settings with dual heat technology: high heat and turbo charged steam to remove deep wrinkles fast. Kills 99.9% of germs, bed bugs and dust mites.

I keep my steamer in my bedroom closet for quick touch ups that give my clothes a polished look.

L’Oreal Collagen

I (Dawn) don’t use this product all the time. For instance, I use it when I feel my skin needs an EXTRA boost. I have those days where my skin looks and feels just dry and saggy, thanks to menopause and being almost 55! 😱

I feel like this hydrates and plumps it up.

best cheap COLLAGEN!!!! for your face. friday part 21!!!

Sometimes I wake up and have a crease in my face from my pillow case (even though I use silk!) I use this and it gets the lines out. It also helps to restore my skins elasticity.

L’Oréal Collagen is only $8.98. Great price and it lasts a long time. Also available at Walmart.

Short & sweet review on this one but it really works, you can’t beat the price, and honestly wanted to keep it brief. 😊

Crest Emulsions

Eva – This is OK. Truthfully, I was sold on this teeth whitening product through an IG ad and found it on Amazon. In full transparency, I have a Chase Credit Card that has Amazon rewards points, and I used some of my points to get half off. I didn’t want to pay full price. lol.

You really do get a lot of product for the price. The applicator is ehhhh – it’s cheap-y. Dawn agrees – she’s not fond of the applicator because it doesn’t feel like good quality. Not to sound bratty but this kit is $50! (but since you get so much product for the price, who cares about the applicator? lol)

crest emulsions for teeth whitening - friday part 21!!!

Anyway – I got this because I really don’t like using trays; I want a quick fix and I want to add the product to my teeth and go on my merry way. Definitely agree with the claim that there is NO sensitivity issues! Woohoo, that is a win (the crest strips kill my teeth)!

I have only been using it a week and I don’t even want to share a before & after pic because there is NO DIFFERENCE! lol. I will update you all in like a month…but so far.. not sure it’s worth the price.

Clarins Radiance-Plus Golden Glow Booster

Dawn here~This product is my secret weapon.

When my face is looking pasty white this is my go to self tanner. It gives me a subtle healthy glow.

Easy to use: mix a few drops of the Clarins Radiance Booster to your moisturizer then apply to face and neck. Be sure to wash your hands thoroughly afterwards. This can be used daily or as needed to give skin a light tan without looking streaking or fake.

clarins radiance booster. works great for a pick me up in winter!! friday part 21!!!

So if you are having the winter blues and need a pick me up give this a try.

Have you tried this?!?! I can’t be the only one doing this 🙃

So that’s it for Five Things Friday Part 21!

HAPPY NEW YEAR TO YOU ALL!!!

January 8, 2021January 7, 2021

thecousinconnections2 Comments

FIVE THINGS FRIDAY PART 10

Five Things Friday Part 10! Who is excited? Well… we are. 😂

We are in go-go-go mode on Friday. So many things happening that we are always on the edge of our seats to share with you! Fashion Friday, Five Things Friday…it’s ALL good stuff!

Anyway…

As always, we have an interesting mix for Five Things Friday Part 10 today.

Firt things first… here is an amazing makeup brush shampoo we must talk about. I, Eva, rarely clean my makeup brushes. YIKES! I was so amazed how clean Dawn’s brushes came out when we reviewed our IT Cosmetics Brushes, so this stuff really works, and we both knew that she must write a review on it!

Coastal Scent Brush Shampoo

Dawn~ First, I should mention that I TRY to keep my brushes clean but every once in awhile I drop the ball on it! Washing your brushes regularly is important to help prevent skin irritation.

The morning of our video on IT cosmetic brushes and contouring I realized that my brushes were pretty dirty. Ugh!!! COASTAL SCENT BRUSH SHAMPOO TO THE RESCUE!!! 🤩

lighting isn’t the best, but you get the idea! before on the left and after on the right.

I applied a small amount of shampoo directly into the palm of my hand and gently swirled around the wet bristles, and it literally washes all the makeup away in seconds. I then rinsed thoroughly and used my finger and paper towels to get the excess water out, then I laid flat to dry.

This cleaner conditions the bristles and leaves them feeling silky soft. Maintaining clean brushes will help to keep them looking just like brand new.

This is an awesome product, especially for the price!

berst makeup brush cleaner. Five things friday part 10!

Continuing on the makeup train for #2.

MAC Extended Gigablack Lash

I (Dawn) love makeup period.

However, mascara is definitely my favorite product and I’m totally obsessed with it. Mascara is the ONE thing that I won’t leave home without. My makeup cabinet consists of so many different mascaras, your head would spin if I showed you all of them! Lol!

One of my “staples” is MAC Extended Gigablack Lash and this is why…

defines and separates
easy application
clump proof
doesn’t flake
lengthens
really is a GREAT BRUSH
long lasting
waterproof but will wash off with warm water

best mac mascara for a finished touch! - five things friday part 10

In addition to what Dawn has said above, I, Eva, have been using this mascara since 2013!! It is a staple I cannot live without. My good friend Kelly (Hi Kelly!) took me to MAC to get my makeup done for my birthday that year, and MAC gave this to me for free. I have been hooked since. Good job, Mac, lol.

I use it as my “last coat“, in a similar manner and much like the clinique lower lash one we spoke about. I can’t get enough of how it separates (declumps) and lengthens your lashes. Truly a must have and I hope they never stop making this!

Ulta Cosmetic Pencil Sharpener

Ok friends, finishing the makeup products portion of Five Things Friday for #3.

Am I (Dawn) the only one who has had issues with finding a decent cosmetic sharpener?!?!

This is the best sharpener I have ever had and it only costs $2.50. Believe me, I have a million sharpeners (some very expensive) and this one blows them away!

ulta pencil sharpener, cheap and effective... five things friday part 10 — the beauty!!! actual picture of my sharpener on my bathroom sink.

I love this because it sharpens quickly and efficiently without wasting too much of the pencil, leaves the pencil nice and smooth, and it has a cover on it that catches and prevents the mess of shavings. The cover snaps on and off to make it easy to empty the shavings into the garbage.

Lastly, the sharpener has two different size openings: one for standard pencils and the other for larger ones. It fits almost all size and brands of cosmetic pencils.

THIS IS A GREAT BUY!!!

SO…. Dawn here still and I am finishing with #4 and #5.

Badia Natural Herb Tea

Don’t let the name fool you as to why I, Dawn, drink this tea.

So, I feel like I need to fully explain why I LOVE this tea SO MUCH! I have struggled my whole life (since I was an infant) with constipation issues. I KNOW TMI! SORRY!

About 20 years ago my doctor mentioned that some of her patients were having great results from drinking Badia Natural Slimming Tea, so she recommended that I try it. I said to myself why not I’ve tried everything else so I guess drinking some tea can’t hurt. TO MY SURPRISE THIS HAS TRULY BEEN LIFE CHANGING!!

badia herb tea. five things friday part 10

Every night before bedtime I will have a cup of Badia tea with 2 tea bags. I drink my tea black but it’s ok to add whatever you like to it.

Note: it is an acquired taste for some…. Not me, I LOVE the taste!

Lastly, I want to share a quick story…About 16 years ago I couldn’t find “my tea” at any of the local grocery stores. I was in complete panic mode!! My husband knows the importance of this tea and he set out to find some for me. He ended up at the Stop&Shop in Monroe, CT where he hit pay dirt. He came home with 20 boxes of tea – he purchased everyone that they had, HA!!

Since then Amazon carries it and I ALWAYS keep my pantry well stocked!

So to finish here, since we are on the topic of more home-based finds, next up for #5 is a diffuser I am obsessed with.

Nest Diffuser

Dawn again finishing this up! I AM CRAZY ABOUT NEST DIFFUSERS!!!

They smell so incredibly insanely AWESOME. The scents (in my opinion) are not overpowering but will fill the room with an elegant fragrance. I’ve had guests commenting on how great my house always smells.

This is a cute story – we were having our ductwork cleaned at our house by Ultra Clean Air. One of the workers said there is such a lovely aroma in your house. I told him it was coming from my Nest diffusers, and that I have them in several rooms. He then said I need to get some for my house. As usual, I have a few backup diffusers (SHOCKER) so I sent him home with one. He said that I made his day! 😀

nest diffusers - LOVE! five things friday part 10 — they look gorgeous in my house, too!

So, with all of that said, some of my favorite scents are: Bamboo, Moroccan Amber, Grapefruit, Ocean Mist&Sea Salt and Holiday. Easy to set up and comes with an attractive bottle to put the fragrance and reeds in.

I will say…THEY ARE PRICEY but WELL WORTH IT because the scent will last up to 3-6 months.

Here’s a tip: turn the reeds around once a month, that will help to refresh the scent.

I recently found out when I went to order a Nest diffuser on Amazon for a birthday present that the diffuser scent refills are now available. Winner winner chicken dinner!!

PS. I also highly recommend Nest Candles. I’m sure they will be featured on FTF at some point!

That concludes PART 10 of Five Things Friday! We hope you enjoy our random mix of things.

Question: Do you clean your makeup brushes regularly or are you more like Eva who just never does it? lol

Today is also FASHION FRIDAY! Our LIKEtoKNOW.it page is updated and there are some amazing new things happening at Savvi! Think… fab fit fun married stitch fix and had a baby (LOL thank you for that one, Jessica!)

October 9, 2020October 9, 2020

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FIVE THINGS FRIDAY PART 9

TGIF! Five Things Friday Part 9 is here, and we have, as always, a good mix to share with you!

How is everyone’s October going? Hopefully you are all happy, healthy, and safe.

SO, let’s get to it! To clarify, we both collaborate on the product reviews… some are by Eva solely, some Dawn soley, and some are mix. We always will tell you whose voice it is. First up is Eva, and Dawn the remaining 4!

CeraVe!

I, Eva, bought this cream for my son. He has major eczema and this was recommended to me to help clear his skin. THIS WORKS!

Luke will go to bed with what feels like a million dry eczema spots on his hands, arms, and legs and with a heavy dose of this on his body, he will wake up clear. It’s awesome. Just ask my husband – he feels the “wrath of Eva” when he forgets to put this on Luke at night when I’m teaching at the Edge. 😂

Cerave best cream - five things friday part 9!

Consequently, I love it so much on him that I also use it now when my hands AND face are feeling extra dry. I mean in all honesty I would not use this on your face often – it is thick and I worry it may cause breakouts but it is really awesome for hands, arms, creases of elbows, knees, and legs.

In short, super simple review but really this moisturizing lotion rocks.

Next up is Dawn, and we will continue with the beauty products and end with 2 home product.

Billion Dollar Brows Butter Pomade

Dawn ~ Now that I’m getting older I’ve noticed that my eyebrows are very sparse. The “sparse-ness” is even more noticeable because my eyebrows are so dark.

As a result, I’ve tried “many” eyebrow products to help cover my bare spots. The only one that completely covers, blends effortlessly, and has a long lasting effect is Billion Dollar Brown Butter Pomade.

I love that it comes with a mini brush to help with application. Depending on whether you like natural or bold looking eyebrows, the texture of the pomade butter glides on smooth to cover brows and skin with a flawless finish.

billion dollar brows. great for filling in and easy to use. five things friday part 9!

So, Ipsy introduced this product to me about a year ago, and I just had to order a refill (so it does last a long time) a few weeks ago. When placing my order I decided to add another one for Eva to try. Would love to hear what she thinks of it…

(Eva – my color is too light – I need the darker one to really have an opinion 😉 HOWEVER the application is super easy the brush and product really do go on effortlessly like Dawn said. If you are blonde, get the darker color and not the taupe.. it’s too gray looking).

Speaking of eyes, let’s discuss some eye drops I really love.

Lumify Eye Drops

Dawn~ I have very sensitive eyes they are always irritated, dry and red from allergies, dry from makeup, and dry from being tired.

I received a free sample several months ago in the mail of Lumify Eye Drops by Bausch&Lomb. I was hesitant at first to use it but I am constantly putting some kind of drops in my eyes so I figured why not give this a try!

Just one drop in each eye and I felt instant relief. The dryness, itchiness and 100% of the redness was gone in seconds.

lumify eye drops, works wonders for dry eyes. five things friday part 9

This is a little more expensive than other similar products but well worth it!

Above all, I love Lumify so much that I have it in my medicine cabinet, makeup bag, suitcase, gym bag, beach bag, purse and car!

Next… there are 2 “home” products I am going to take you through.

Downy Wrinkle Releaser

So, #4 really is worth discussing.

THIS STUFF IS AMAZING!!!

I (Dawn) use this everyday on my exercise shirts. It refreshes and get the wrinkles out without having to take the iron out. As a result, this has truly been a lifesaver for me because I always seem to be in a hurry.

Simple and easy to use: spray and stretch the wrinkles out by pulling or gliding your hand over the fabric.

downy wrinkle release, great for on the go!! five things friday part 9

To be clear, it will NOT remove every single wrinkle but it works great on cotton.

Also, great to use before ironing or steaming to help get deep wrinkles out. Sometimes I will spray on my clothes and put them in the dryer for a few minutes, and they come out ready to wear.

I don’t travel without the mini size – it’s always in my suitcase.

One last thing: my husband who LOVES to iron has been using DWR daily on his work clothes, and he is so pleased with the results that he hasn’t use the iron in months!!!

Eva – I LOVE THIS!! Dawn’s review couldn’t be more spot on. Often times for my previous office job, I needed to absolutely take wrinkles out of shirts, and I NEVER have time to iron and this worked perfectly. Thumbs up.

Critter Ridder

The last one for Five things Friday Part 9, and this one makes perfect sense as we are putting pumpkins outside.

Dawn here for the last product! If you love to decorate your front porch, balcony, deck, yard, etc. (as much as I do) for Fall/Halloween/Thanksgiving you will more than likely have a pumpkin or two or in my case 80…. not a typo, I really have over 80 pumpkins of all shapes, sizes and colors in my yard! AND… Animals “LOVE” to eat pumpkins!!

Not only does this ruin them it makes quite a MESS! 😡 I’ve tried just about everything to deter them from taking a bite out of them. My husband found Critter Ridder at Home Depot and told me to give it a try.

critter ridder, really works to prevent animals from eating your pumpkins! five things friday part 9!

*by the way, I have searched high and low on price points and Home Depot has the best price.

To be honest, I thought this is going to be another waste of time and money! I have to say I was pleasantly surprised: it actually down right shocked me that it worked.

I GENEROUSLY sprayed all of my pumpkins with Critter Ridder and I do reapply after it rains.

Critter Ridder is an organic animal repellent that contains three different peppers, the oil of black pepper, pipeline and capsaicin. It works on animal’s sense of smell, taste, and touch. The website says that the sensation is similar to biting into a red-hot jalapeño.

My biggest advice is to…REMEMBER TO REAPPLY AFTER HEAVY RAIN!!! I highly recommend this product as an effective safe way to deter animals from eating your pumpkins!

PHEW if you got through that one! To sum it up, that was #5 and the last.

As always, and we mean it, we enjoyed putting this together for our Five Things Friday #9! (See our previous FTF here)

Hope you are having a wonderful Friday. In addition, remember today is also Fashion Friday! We are also on LIKEtoKNOW.it and you can easily shop our looks – it is such an AWESOME (and user-friendly) platform!

dawn and eva.. typical post gym selife @ the Edge Norwalk. five things friday part 9!

October 2, 2020October 2, 2020

thecousinconnections3 Comments

FIVE THINGS FRIDAY PART 6

Happy Friday and here we are with Five Things Friday Part 6!

It is also September 11… a day to #neverforget. Where were you on this very day? We both grew up in Fairfield County, CT (New Canaan & Norwalk) and so many lives were directly impacted. Being in an area where a lot of people live and then commute to NYC, we both know many who passed and had friends who lost loved ones. Very tragic.

On a more positive note, let’s discuss our Five Favorite Things this week.

Tinkle Eyebrow Razors

This may seem odd and a weird one to talk about OR we are just behind the game and you’ve heard about these for years, lol!

It is not a typo.. it is “tinkle” and not “twinkle” (ha-ha).

These razors are more than just for your eyebrows…. we both use them on our whole face (yes, you read that right).

twinkle razors - great for your entire face! - five things friday

Please be careful THEY ARE SHARP!

Eva – my bestfriend Alicia introduced these to me a few years ago. She discovered them through a blogger. No joke, I think my other girlfriends and I ordered them right on the spot from Amazon. I use them mostly for the peach fuzz (like Dawn below) off my face. It also is so great to exfoliate! My skin feels so smooth after and my makeup goes on effortlessly.

Dawn – I’ve noticed that I get awful chin hairs since I’ve been going through menopause, which is extremely embarrassing!! Running the Tinkle razor quickly over my face in the morning helps remove those chin hairs and peach fuzz hairs which allows for my makeup to apply smoother.

Super easy to find and purchase from Amazon.

Too Faced Chocolate Soleil Bronzer

Next to #2! Dawn here. You will often hear us say this is a “staple product” the Too Faced Bronzer is one of them.

A few years ago I gave Eva for her birthday a gift bag filled with my favorite products. The Too Faced bronzer was one of the items in the bag, and it is now a “staple product” of hers.

We both use it everyday! Love the matte finish and it’s easy to apply. Very natural looking (not orange) and it’s long lasting.

Yes, I (Eva) absolutely love this bronzer. For me, I am all about the matte finish (I have oily skin). I was really impressed with how easy it goes on and how long it lasts. It is GREAT for contouring, too. I’ll show in a video soon how I use it for that.

too faced bronzer - five things friday - great for contouring

It comes in 3 different colors:

Milk Chocolate (light to medium)
Chocolate (medium to deep) *this is the one we have
Dark Chocolate (deep to tan)

**DEFINITELY WORTH A TRY! We both get it from Ulta.

Starskin VIP Mask

Number 3 and another beauty product coming at you is a face mask.

Dawn here – You’ll feel like you just stepped out of a Day spa after having a very expensive facial. Your skin will feel rejuvenated, hydrated and glowing like a movie star getting ready to walk the red carpet in just 15-20 minutes.

The mask adheres to your face like a second skin.

I highly recommend that you have some alone time when wearing the mask so you don’t frighten your family members. My husband said I looked like Michael Myers from the Halloween movies! I literally scared the you know what out of him. Lol!!

Starskin has many different mask treatments to choose from. Two of my favorites are: The Gold Mask and The Diamond Mask.

All are available at Nordstroms. $10 each. Trust me your skin will love you!

Beckham Hotel Collection Gel Pillow (2-Pack)

Bringing you now some home products for #4 and #5.

So am I (Dawn) the only one who has spent hundreds of dollars trying to find the perfect pillow?!?!

I can’t tell you how many pillows I have under my bed (why I’m saving them WHO KNOWS?) that I am so disappointed with!!

My best friends Sandy and Timmy were randomly telling me about how well they sleep on their boat because of the awesome pillows they have. On a side note they liked them so much they bought them for their house. I took them on their word and ordered them. SO HAPPY I DID!!!

They come in a vacuumed sealed package. It was quite amusing watching them expand to full size. I ordered queen size pillows which fits a standard size pillow case.

The pillows are:

100% cotton
very high quality
comfortable (soft, yet firm)
dust mite, mold, and mildew resistant
machine washable
super cooling (helps with my menopausal night sweats)
perfect if you suffer with neck and back pain

They feel like you are sleeping on a cloud!

MANY, MANY, MANY thanks to Sandy and Timmy for recommending them!

the best luxury pillows - five things friday

Mr. Clean Clean Freak Deep Cleaning Mist

Last but not least, we bring you another home product!

Mr. Clean keeps coming out with amazing products to make cleaning quick and easy. I (Dawn) will tell you that I do ENJOY cleaning. I owned my own cleaning business for over 35 years. I’ve used so many cleaners over the years that just don’t work, and this won’t disappoint you.

Clean Freak is my everyday go to cleaner. It works great on all types of surfaces. But please always read the instructions first before using.

The misting sprayer is fun to use and gets into hard to reach areas. The smell is fantastic and it works like a charm. As you can see in the photo below I have stocked up on spray and refill bottles. Lol!