I was surprised to get an Influenster box out of the clear blue sky, but thank you, Influenster, I’ll take it!
The theme of the box is Vacay Box. Isn’t the pink and white cardboard shipping box with drawings of cosmetics on the sides so cute?
Often, the Influenster boxes I have received have been from one manufacturer usually introducing a new product. This box is different because it contains a few different items and brands. Let’s take a look.
eva•nyc
During the past few years, I’ve gotten a few travel size haircare items from eva•nyc in Birchbox and/or Ipsy subscriptions, and frankly, I’m not even sure that I used them. Mistake.
In this Influenster box, I received two items: Clean It Up Shampoo and Magic Mane 10-in-1 Primer, and I love both of them, but…
Clean It Up Shampoo: First, the color of the shampoo itself is pale pink cream. Now who doesn’t love pink shampoo? And it smells delightful, though I have no idea how to describe the scent: sweet meets floral meets powdery??? While I can smell the fragrance while I’m lathering up, the scent doesn’t linger on the hair.
The shampoo makes a good amount of suds, and for me, that’s a good thing. It rinses clean, and gives my hair a slight squeak and a very clean feeling. However, I checked the ingredient list, and though it doesn’t contain “sodium lauryl sulfate”, it does contain “ammonium lauryl sulfate”. Plus it contains “sodium laureth sulfate” further down the list of ingredients. Boo hoo.
Ingredients: Water/Eau/Aqua, Ammonium Laureth Sulfate, Olea Europaea Fruit Oil, Hippophae Rhamnoides (Sea Buckthorn) Extract, Sodium Chloride, Propylene Glycol, Glycerin, Persea Gratissima Oil, Hydrolyzed Vegetable Protein PG-Propyl Silanetriol (Keravis™), Argania Spinosa (Argan) Kernel Oil, Tocopheryl Acetate, Triticum Vulgare Germ Oil, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Glycol, Distearate, Fragrance/Parfum, Sodium Laureth Sulfate, Myrtus Communis Oil, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Cocamide Mea, Sodium Sulfate, Phenoxyethanol, Limonene, Butylphenyl Methylpropional, Hydroxyisohexyl 3-Cyclohexene Carboxaldehyde, Hydroxycitronellal
No wonder it’s called Clean It Up Shampoo, and it lathers and cleans so well. I would say that this shampoo is like a clarifying shampoo – it appears to remove dirt and build-up. Although I have only used it a couple of times and I do love it, I’m confused about whether I should use it or not. On the eva•nyc website, it is described as “safe for color-treated hair” although it does contain sulfates.
I found an informative website called hairmomentum.com that explained how sulfates work. Check it out:
“…sulfate shampoos, being great cleaners, will remove those layers of conditioning (conditioner build-up). More importantly, they will remove the free lipids present in the intercuticular layers. Once the protective hydrophobic layer is gone, water can penetrate hair at its ease. The result: faster color loss. The more damaged the hair, the faster the loss.
True: The sulfate shampoos have an indirect contribution to the color loss. However, they are wrongly accused of extracting the color.”
So, I left a question about how the shampoo can be safe for color treated hair if it contains sulfates. What does it contain to protect the hair from fading? I hope they’ll get back to me soon because I would like to continue using it.
Further, Clean It Up is formulated to repair, nourish and strengthen hair. My hair feels great after using it. The full size bottle is priced at $9.
Magic Mane 10-in-1 Primer: About a year ago during an Ulta sale, I bought a huge bottle of It’s A 10, my favorite leave-in conditioner and hair protectant. The bottle will probably last 10 years. But over time, It’s A 10 has begun to bug me. It doesn’t come out of the pump bottle in a mist but in a glob. And as a result, even after I comb it through my hair, certain parts of my hair where more of it sprayed on feel dirty. Boo.
Enter Magic Mane 10-in-1 Primer. The spray bottle of this primer produces a fine mist! No globs on my hair. And though it contains oils – argan and sunflower seed – it doesn’t feel the least bit oily or sticky.
Plus it too provides 10 hair benefits: detangles, nourishes, strengthens, softens, cuts drying time, adds shine, reduces frizz, and protects against thermal, environmental and UV damage. For me, protection from UV damage is big. After I finish up this travel size, I may indeed take the plunge and buy the full size bottle for $12.
Ingredients: Octamethylcyclotetrasiloxane, Decamethylcyclopcntasiloxane, Trimethylsiloxysilicate, Argania Spinosa (Argan) Kernel Oil, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil, Fragrance/Parfum, Limonene, Butylphenyl Methylpropional, Hydroxycitronellal, Hydroxyisohexyl 3-Cyclohexene Carboxaldehyde
I just noticed that eva•nyc included a coupon for $3 off. Sweet. We can buy eva•nyc at Walgreens, Ulta, JCPenney, Kohl’s and more.
Original Invisibobbles
There was a small clear plastic box containing three nude colored Original Invisibobbles, the plastic coil alternative to a hair tie or rubber band that doesn’t crimp or crease hair. I have some in other colors already, and I love them. Glad to have these to add to my stash. A 3 pack costs around $7-8. You can buy them at Ulta and other retailers.
KISS Blowout Lash Faux Lashes, style Pageboy
Although the KISS Blowout Lashes in the full and fluffy style, Pageboy, look very pretty, I will have to work up the courage to try them. I haven’t worn false lashes since Valentine’s Day weekend. While I adore the glue I discovered from the luxury lash brand Esqido, I still have a bit of a hard time trimming false lashes properly and getting them to stay on my downturned eyes. But I will psych myself up to try them. I’ll let you know how I do. KISS is sold at Ulta and drugstores such as CVS, and Pageboy is priced at about $4.50 the pair.
Sour Patch Kids Fire and Freeze Candies
I received a coupon for a free bag of new Sour Patch Fire or Sour Patch Freeze candies. Unfortunately, I have a temporary crown on one of my molars, and my dentist told me no gummy or sticky candies of any kind. Sad. I have no idea what the little blue plastic pouch is for. Do you?
There you have it, my little box of summertime treats! Thanks again Influenster and friends! Do any of these gifts tempt you?
I adore Inivisibobble and they are pretty much the only hair tie I ever used. I think I’ve seen the brand eva through ipsy before but don’t remember if I’ve ever tried the products.
I felt that same way about the eva•nyc products that I had gotten in my subbie bags though I had always heard great things about the brand. These products made me get much more enthusiastic. I hope I can get an answer to my question about how a shampoo with sulfates can be appropriate for color-treated hair because it is really good stuff.
Good morning! Let us know how the lashes work out. I am intimidated by them and hav never used them. Perhaps one of my Granddaughters or Daughter will show me how to use them sometime. My daughter in law is a cosmetologist and she recently gave me a bottle of spray on/leave in conditioner. It is by Big Sexy Hair and called Soy Tri-Wheat Leave In Conditoner. I love it. Now that me hair is getting longer I may have to try invisibobble. Great box.
Good morning, Sandy! I think you’d have fun playing with false lashes. Get a pair of the inexpensive ones like KISS or Ardell to practice with when Ulta has a sale or coupon or from CVS with a coupon. The best glue I’ve ever tried is from Esqido who makes gorgeous mink false lashes but the lashes are expensive to best for when you’re experienced. Definitely ask your granddaughters, DIL or daughters to help. For me, it’s a pain coz I have to cut down the lashes to make them fit my eyes. Then you wiggle the lash to make it bendable, apply a small bead of glue along the strip that holds the lashes together and wait 30 seconds for the glue to set. Then, look down into a mirror and put it on (definitely the hard part for me). You have a little while to move it into place. It doesn’t sound hard, right? I have gotten some products from Big Sexy Hair in subbie boxes but they were always things I don’t use. I’ll have to check out their line at the store. Invisibobbles are definitely useful for us longer-haired gals. Have a great weekend! My best to Kim too. Hope she’s on the mend.
Whoops! Let’s make that *have never used. *my hair
I too am an invisibobble fan. I thought they looked a bit silly when they first hit the market, but eventually my curiosity over having a hair tie that couldn’t become waterlogged won out. Now I’ve got them all over and there’s always one in my makeup bag or jeans pocket. I recently bought a pack of the newer ‘slim/elegant’ version to try, and I’ve also got a handful of the nano tiny ones. The nano-size are the only thing that will keep my hair in a braid!
False eyelashes scare me. They look sooooooo pretty but I’m terrified I’d poke myself in the eye or get glue where it ought not be. Though why I’m scared of poking myself in the eye I’ll never know….I do it enough just applying mascara, so what’s one more time?!? Maybe it’s the addition of glue…lol
What does the eva-nyc primer mist smell like? Is it the same scent as the shampoo?
I just noticed the Slim/Elegant Invisibobbles on Shopstyle. They look so cool. I wondered what the nano size were for, and I thought maybe little kids hair, but braids makes so much sense. I use to wear my hair in braids and looped braids when I was younger. I envy you doing a braid now. My hair isn’t long enough. I have a love hate relationship with false lashes. Because my eyes are so downturned, I really have to play with the lashes a lot before trying to apply them. I also have to shorten them to fit my eyes which is a pain and a crap shoot for getting it right. You’re right, the glue can be daunting, but the Esqido glue (probably pricey) is the best I’ve ever tried. Also around here where so few women wear any makeup, I feel funny wearing false lashes. I need to get over it, and try again. The eva•nyc Magic Mane 10-in-1 Primer smells pretty much like the shampoo. I read somewhere online yesterday that it’s a lavender-based scent, but it doesn’t smell like lavender at all to me – just nice. The Primer scent doesn’t last, however.
That’s a fun little Voxbox. I got a different one and it had fun contents as well. Looks like you’re ready for a vacation!
This is a good box for easy travel picks! I don’t wear falsies, but I would definitely use the other things on vacation!
It was a nice box to get from Influenster out of the blue!
I’m super careful about using sulfate free shampoo, not so much to protect my color, but because it causes acne for me and I have keratin straightened hair and it messes with that.
Whoa, I never knew that sulfates could cause acne. Also, never knew they could interfere with keratin straightened hair either. Thanks, Carleen, for the info!
My mind is going to go crazy trying to figure out what that blue thing for the sour patch are for!
Krystal figured it out! You stick it onto your phone and put credit cards, Driver’s license in it. I never would have figured that out!
I think Pageboy false lashes look more natural
Cute box! I think the blue thing is for your phone. You stick it on there and you can stick cards in the pocket like your ID or credit card.
Ding, ding, ding, Krystal! You win the prize! That’s it. I never would have figured it out. Thank you xo
How fun to receive this out of the blue. I know that EVA is loved by Phyrra so look at their other products to use with the coupon. I love Invisibobble. I tend to lose them but I have that same color now too and use them often.
Thank you, Marcia, I will see if Courtney reviewed an eva•nyc shampoo for her color-treated hair!
Thats a nice box. I must live under a rock because I’ve never heard of invisibobbles, but Im definitely going to pick some up now.
Invisibobbles are so darn helpful! If you have longish hair, they’re a must!
I use sulfate free shampoo. I’m interested if you get an answer to your question.
Yes, me too. I usually always use sulfate free, and using this shampoo twice hasn’t faded my hair yet but I’d be afraid to use it all the time. I hope they will answer.
Great box! The shampoo sounds nice. Most of my color is all gone, so it might be an ideal time for me.
If you like a good clarifying shampoo, this one from eva•nyc is terrific and it smells great
The lashes are very intimidating, looks very flirty. Do try once and I am sure they would look amazing on you. Rest of the products are great too
I’ve gotta get up the courage to try the false lashes, and I’ve gotta have somewhere to wear them to!
This is why I love Influenster! What a fantastic VoxBox! I’m a little jelly you got those bangin false lashes lol. As much as we eat candy, I’m surprised I haven’t seen the fire and freeze Sour Patch Kids hahaha. I’ll be on the lookout now though!
I’ve gotta get the courage to try the false lashes. They do look nice. I haven’t seen the Sour Patch Kids Fire or Freeze candies around here either. Frankly, other than the grocery store, not sure where to look.
The lashes look nice, not too much!
Oh good, I thought the faux lashes might be too much. I’ve gotta get up the courage to put them on and wear them 😉
I love the idea of pink shampoo! The scent sounds clean!