Covergirl vitalist Healthy Elixir Foundation in 720 Creamy Natural - Review

 As this was an Allure magazine Best of Beauty winner for 2017.   Ulta currently had this product for sale for $11.99 for 1 oz of product, but you may be able to find it cheaper elsewhere, especially with a discount coupon.

I selected shade 720 in Creamy Natural for use with my tan from the Summer.  On the back it indicates it is full coverage, but below you can barely see the swatch. On the Allure site, it indicates light coverage and I would agree with that assessment.  

It does help even out skin tone, but as you can see in the swatch is did not completely cover the freckles at the top of my forearm, just blurred a bit and made them less noticeable.

It does have sunscreen of SPF 20 in it so it is nice not to need a separate sunscreen.  It also contains Vitamins E, B3 and BF and it to give a healthy, natural glow.  I thought it went on more matte on my skin . 

The two issues I do have this product is that by the end of a long, hot day it doesn't look "natural" but dry and a little patchy.  The other is that halfway through the bottle the pump stopped working entirely.   The cap does twist off so you still easily have access to the product, but you have to dump it  out or coax it out with a brush.  I ended up using a cleaned out empty make jar and got as much as I could out of the bottle.   

It is an ok product, but I did not find it to be the winner that it has been touted to be and probably not a product I will purchase again, but mine would a minority opinion as has 4 stars on Ulta with 268 reviews.

Now for the dilemma of Cruelty-free:  As Covergirl is a division of Coty, it has the same policy as Coty, which is it does not test on on animals unless it is still required by law, which mainland China still does. Source: Crueltyfreekitty

Pretty much any and any business that sells beauty products in China must still test on animals as it is required by law, so while mostly Cruelty-Free, it is not 100%.

PROS:

• Evens out skin tone and looks like healthy skin 
• Worked natural going on tanned skin even with a light/medium shade.
• Contains Sunscreen of SPF 20 so protects your skin from UV Rays without need for an additional product.
• Looks nice throughout the day if you are indoors in a climate controlled setting.
• Bottle top does easily screw off if you need access to the product if pump is not working.

CONS:

• Looks unnatural, dry and patchy at the end of long hot day.
• Pump stopped working 1/2 way through the bottle.

Link to $2.00 Covergirl face product at Coupon Sherpa or Ulta currently  has a sale for buy 2 get one free on Covergirl products.

23 Companies That Will Pay for Your College Degree

Although school has already started for Fall sessions, thought I would share the link below from 

Krazy Coupon Lady as an informative post 23 Different Companies That Will Pay For College, which is useful if you are thinking about going to college or know someone who is.  

This could be especially if you are wanting to pursue studies beyond an undergraduate degree as financial aid that is available is even more scarce.

When I worked at Wells Fargo 20 years ago, I took a few classes and received tuition reimbursement upon successful completion of the courses.  They did require it be job related and I had to turn in paperwork and obtain approval ahead of time.  You also believe you have to have above a B to obtain full reimbursement.  I do recall they reimbursed for tuition only; no books, class fees or any other fees.  The downside is you have to come up with the funds in advance and might have to carry finance charges for a few months (I put mine on my credit card).  If you qualify for a student loan, you can pay it down with the reimbursement so you don't have as high of a balance after graduation.

If you are employed and don't want to switch jobs, be sure to check with your Human Resources Department to see if they offer any tuition reimbursement or assistance programs as it isn't something that companies always include mentioning in their orientation program.   

Link to article

Miami Grill - Review

Miami Grill on Bluffton Road shares building with a Marathon Station next door.  While this is casual dining/drive-thru food, don't let the plain Jane exterior fool you.

The decor is bright and modern and makes you feel like you are stepping into warmer climate with the bright colors and wall murals and more upscale than your typical fast food experience.

They serve a wide variety of items including Gyros, Philly Cheesesteak, Miami Subs, Wings, Salad, Seafood, Chicken, a few desserts, breakfast items and a few options for kids meals and even hotdog.  

They also have a sauce bar where you can get small plastic containers to Tzatziki, Buffalo, Chipotle BBQ and a few other dipping sauces and serve Coke Products in via an all-in-one dispenser where you can pick from a vast variety of options.

My favorite thing there is the gyros; they have a good flavor and texture and the outer bread and pillowy and fresh; I think they are better than any other you can get in town.

The only thing I don't like is the music is a little loud and there is something different on each screen, so in that respect it is geared toward the under 30 crowd.  

View toward front counter where orders are placed

Dining area

View looking east toward gas station

Artwork on wall showing rapper Pitbull is a partner in this business franchise.  Miami skyline is on the table tops.

Gyro in a Pita with side of Tzatziki sauce

Philly Cheese Steak Sandwiches with crispy seasoned fries.  

Miami Grill Menu

Review - Glade Large 6.8 oz Jar Candle - "Nutcracker Delight" - link to 50 cents off Coupon

Glade Large 6.8 oz Jar Candle - "Nutcracker Delight" is a new product that just came out and I purchased this yesterday at a Walmart. although it is not listed on their website yet.

The purchase price was $4.97+ tax ($1.30 per oz) , which sounds expense until you consider that that it contains as much as two of the small jar candles, which ar 3.4oz each run around $2.99 each.  

Sometimes you can find other large jar candles on sale that will come up at less per ounce, but one thing that is consistent with Glade is their candles have a decent throw to scent a room and some less expensive candles smell great when you open the lid in the store, but when you get home and light it you don't smell much of anything.

It is also different in that it has 3 wicks instead of one,  Sometimes with candles with one wick it will burn an areas around an inch or so around the wick and there will still be a lot of wax around the perimeter of the container.  I tested out and below are pictures at different time intervals.  If you burn the candle 2 1/2 hours it will burn even, but the packaging warned not to burn more than 4 hours at a time.

I am not sure what the bumps on the inside of the candle jar are for but have emailed the manufacturer and if I hear back will advise.

I think the the "Nutcracker Delight" scent is described on the packaging as:

"Swirls of roasted hazelnuts and sweet pralines.  Dusted with notes of creamy vanilla bean upon dollops of almond butter."

When I smelled it in the store thought it smelled a bit like Nutella, which is a sandwich spread made out of hazelnuts, but on burning more like toasted nuts with a hint of sweet vanilla buttercream; sort of like a moist nut cake topped with a buttery vanilla icing drizzled over the top.  It has a decent throw so it will fill up a good sized room and make it smell like you have been baking.  I really enjoy the scent and it is something I may purchase again.

Pros:  

• Contains the same amount of product as two small Glade candles that cost $2.99; product cost $4.97.
• Pleasant nutty scent with a hint of vanilla buttercream
• Burns evenly if you burn for at least 2 1/2 hours.
• Consistent good throw on Glade candles.

Cons:  

• Cost may be higher in comparison to larger jar candles.
• Although the outer paperboard wrapping is "green" it is not clear whether or not the jar is recyclable; just indicates to "Discard glass jar after use." (I have emailed the manufacturer on this as well.)

Currently, Glade has a printable coupon for 50 cents off  all candle here if you want to try it for yourself.

***EDIT***9/5/18 - I received a call from Glade today in response to my emails regarding the bumps on the inside of the jar.  

I was advised the bumps was for airflow channeling so it would burn evenly.

The jar is recyclable if you clean all of the wax out and be sure all residue is out before discarding.

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