Video Review: Red Apple's Gluten Free "Dancing Princess" Lip Gloss

Review Time! Jen's Crown Jewels: Ear Cuffs

Last Saturday I discovered a wonderful little booth called "Jen's Crown Jewels" at the Hoggetowne Medieval Faire in Gainesville, FL. That morning I was feeling kind of down, having lost one of the sterling silver earring I had made for the faire. So my niece and I set out to find some sparkly things to put me in a better mood. Which is how we came to find Jen's booth. Her booth had many styles and colors of jewelry to choose from. She helped me find a pair of cuffs that matched my Lord of the Rings inspired dress perfectly! For the past few weeks I have considered getting an ear cuff just to try out since I have never worn them before. Now I have two gorgeous ones that are hand-made! Over the past few days I have realized that I enjoy wearing my ear cuffs more than traditional earrings. Unlike tradition earrings, the ear cuffs are NOT piercings so they do not cause the problems that wearing earrings do. For me wearing earrings has always been aggravating, since most earrings cause my ears to turn red and itchy. Usually I am only able to wear earrings for a few hours, but I can wear my ear cuffs all day comfortably, without any issues! I usually forget that I am wearing them.

The Princess Ear Cuff:

This ear cuff is hand-crafted from nickle-free sterling silver and features a lovely green cat's eye bead. It is light weight and comfortable. Due to its shape, it gives the appearance of pieced ears. The Princess Cuff is available in sterling silver for $18.00 and in gold for $20.00. Cuffs are available in the following beads:  Amethyst, Lapis Lazuli, Malachite, Garnet, Opalite, Black Onyx, Hematite, Tiger's Eye, Amber, White Pearl, Pink Pearl, Blue Cat's Eye Glass, Lavender Cat's Eye Glass, Green Cat's Eye Glass and plain silver or gold beads.


The Small Beaded Ear Cuff:

This smaller ear cuff is also hand-crafted from nickle-free sterling silver and features an intertwined green cat's eye bead. It is very light weight and very comfortable. If I am not careful,  I often forget to take this one off. The Small Beaded Cuff is available in sterling silver for $6.00 and in gold for $8.00. This cuff is available in the following beads:  Amethyst, Lapis Lazuli, Malachite, Garnet, Opalite, Black Onyx, Hematite, Tiger's Eye, Amber, White Pearl, Pink Pearl, Blue Cat's Eye Glass, Lavender Cat's Eye Glass, Green Cat's Eye Glass and plain silver or gold beads.

My Personal Opinion:
Personally, due to my allergies, I have found ear cuffs to be a wonderful alternative to traditional earrings. They are light weight and comfortable. But more importantly, they do not cause allergies issues with my ears! If you are searching for quality hand-crafted jewelry check out Jen's Crown Jewels at http://jenscrownjewels.com/ you won't be disappointed!

ReviewTime! Red Apple's Gluten Free Lip-Stick & Lip-Gloss

Finally! Truly allergy-free lipstick & lip-glosses!

As many of you know, I suffer from severe allergies and I am unable to use store bought cosmetic brands (well unless I would like to spend a few hours at the ER!). On the bright side. This issue has actually been beneficial, as I am now reading labels and more conscious of what is in the products I use. Come to find out, there are many unhealthy ingredients in store bought cosmetics. Some of which has been linked to cancer! That is a truly frightening thought... Thankfully there are cosmetics out there that are not only allergy-free, but also use all natural-safe ingredients. Red Apple is the first brand I have found that stands by this. They guarantee that you will not have any problems with their products or they will give you a complete refund!

My Experience with Red Apple:
I am truly amazed at the quality of Red Apple Products. Not only am I able to wear their lip-stick and lip-glosses without any problems - I enjoy wearing them. Their product are just as they claim - truly safe. While wearing their products I have not had any problems with itching, rashes or asthma. As someone who is severely allergic to gluten, wheat, soy, eggs, carmine, red 40, animal fats (beef and chicken), fish and shellfish. I find this to be very impressive.

Review: Dancing Princess Lip Gloss by Red Apple

Gluten Free • Paraben Free • Allergen Free • Vegan • Mineral Based • Cruelty Free * Awesome!

This is by far the best lip-gloss I have ever used. It is not sticky, it goes on very smoothly and most importantly it stays on a long time. Unlike most lip-glosses I have tried, this one last for hours. As for the color, I love the look of "Dancing Princess" it is a lovely medium pink that can be worn by itself. It adds a beautiful sparkle which I love and is semi-sheer so that you can wear it on top of your lip-stick. Below is what Red Apple has to say about "Dancing Princess"

 "Once Upon a Time…. You are a woman who believes in love at first sight and true love’s first kiss. With this luscious light mauve shade of red adding shimmer to your lips, you will be ready for that life-changing kiss from your prince! You’re only one glass slipper away from finding your happily ever after!

Dancing Princess© Lip gloss by Red Apple Lipstick™ is an exciting color!. A special blend of reds on the plum side combined with a short sparkle for a one of a kind look. Blend this color with any Red Apple Lipstick™ for unlimited combinations.

Dancing Princess© Lip gloss by Red Apple Lipstick™ is gluten free, paraben free and allergen free.

This awesome formula helps your lips stay moist, stay plump and stay healthy.

The Red Apple Lipstick™ Lip Gloss formula is unique and a highly guarded secret. Our lip gloss formula converts non lip gloss wearers to wearers every day!

As with all of our lip glosses, Dancing Princess© is designed to work flawlessly both over Red Apple Lipstick™ or straight up on it's own.

All of Red Apple Lipstick's™ lip glosses are specially formulated by an award winning team of designers. It glides on smooth, it isn't sticky or gummy and has a wonderful light fragrance and taste. What most women rave about our lip gloss is that isn't sticky. This lip gloss won't stick to your teeth or your hair when it blows into your face.

Our lip gloss formula converts non lip gloss wearers to wearers every day!"

This color can be purchased at

http://www.redapplelipstick.com/109-0-1-12.html

Review: Mauve Me Lipstick by Red Apple

Gluten Free • Paraben Free • Allergen Free • Vegan • Mineral Based • Cruelty Free * Awesome!

 "Mauve Me" lip-stick is simply awesome! I love the rich color of this lip-stick and how long the color lasts. This lip-stick lasts for hours without needing to reapply it! It goes on smooth and creamy. It is also a wonderful moisturizer for dry-lips. The color is a reddish-mauve which is prefect for everyday wear.  Below is what Red Apple has to say about "Mauve Me".  

"This deep shade of red is for the hopeless romantic; a woman in love with love. Give your pouty lips a reason to be kissed, as if you needed one. Mauve Me© by Red Apple Lipstick™ is a wonderful shade of deep red / Mauve lipstick. It goes on smooth, stays on and doesn’t stick to your teeth. With a slight glimmer, Mauve me is a love color, a hither color, a come kiss me color.

As with all of our lipsticks, Mauve Me© red lipstick is a mineral based lipstick that is Vitamin E enriched. It is allergen free, gluten free and paraben free.

It is designed to nourish and moisturize your lips while staying put without sticking to your teeth. Our special formula also gives our lipsticks an awesome one of a kind fragrance and taste you just HAVE to discover!"

This color can be purchased at 

http://www.redapplelipstick.com/109-0-1-12.html

About Red Apple Products:
Red Apple strives for quality gluten-free products. All of their products have been tested by BIA Diagnostics to ensure their safety. Red Apple products are preprocessed in an allergy-free environment. All of their product are Paraben-Free, this is very important as parabens have been linked to breast cancer and fertility issues! Products are enriched with soy-free Vitamin E and Shea Butter, making them a quality moisturizer as well. The Shea Butter also adds a wonder texture, fragrance, and taste.  Below is some information about Red Apple from their website. I feel that they said this best.

A Safer Lipstick

• Paraben Free.
  Paraben is flat out scary. Paraben is a toxic set of chemicals used as a preservative in makeup. Parabens are esters of para-hydroxybenzoic acid, from which the name is derived. Do you know why other companies put them in their cosmetics? Because it can make the shelf life of the product extend through a nuclear holocaust. Do you know why WE DO NOT put them in our products? Because doctors keep finding paraben in breast tumors during research. (google Dr. Philippa Darbre)
• Gluten Free.
  Gluten free is important. Many more people than you think (and this could include you without knowing it!) are sensitive to gluten. It's called GSE or Gluten Sensitivity Enteropathy. It is thought that 1 in 133 people in America have a sensitivity and do not know. And of course people with the expanded form of GSE, known as Celiac disease cannot have gluten even come CLOSE to them without being severely effected. Minor symptoms are easy to be mistaken for other things. Symptoms such as abdominal cramping, excess gas, diarrhea and/or constipation, fatty stools, anemia, weight loss even when eating a lot, delayed puberty, mouth ulcers, joint pain, osteoporosis, fatigue, migraines, numbness in hands or feet, gall bladder malfunction, essential vitamin deficiencies, etc… To this end, we decided there was a way to make an awesome product without gluten. And we fought tooth and nail until we figured it out!
• Allergen Free.
  That's right, Red Apple Lipstick is made in a fashion that makes it completely allergen free!
• Vitamin E Enriched.
  At Red Apple Lipstick we want your lips to feel enriched and silky smooth kissable ALL the time. That's why we enrich our product with Vitamin E in a top secret manufacturing process that no one else knows about. As you read our reviews, you will hear people talk about how their lips feel after a short period of use. And by short, we mean a day or two! Ladies with rough lips suddenly have smooth, enriched lips. It works just as planned.

If you are going to put ANYTHING on your body that you are going to ingest, it might as well be the best stuff it can be!

100% Money Back Guarantee

Here at Red Apple we stand firmly behind our product by offering you a 100% money back guarantee.
If you try our lipstick or lip gloss and you are dissatisfied for any reason please send it right back to us within 30 days of receipt and we will refund 100% of your original purchase! You'll enjoy our simple policy: no gimmicks, no hassles, no additional fees.

Read Their Entire Refund policy

Made In The USA

When Jay started Red Apple Lipstick, the choice of making his product anywhere other than the USA was out of the question. As a company, we never even consulted with groups outside of the USA.

Americans manufacture all Red Apple products in the US. Jay, being a veteran and a patriotic, red blooded American wanted his products made here, by Americans. He wanted to provide jobs for people here that needed them and he knew that in the end, the product would be superior. Let's face it, Americans DO know how to manufacturer quality products and Red Apple products are prime example of the American spirit and ingenuity that this great country of ours offers to the world.

My Personal Opinion: 

As you can see, I am very impressed with this company. They are upfront and honest about their products, which I highly value.  If you suffer from allergies or not, I highly recommend Red Apple products as their lip-stick and lip-gloss are the best I have ever used. They are well worth every penny.

Check out the link below!

Red Apple Lipstick makes the best Gluten Free Lipstick Ever!

Review Time! Simplicity Cosmetics: Primer & Foundation

Two words... Simply amazing! 

Simplicity Cosmetics are lite weight, offer great coverage, and most importantly allow your skin to breathe. These qualities cause me to forget that I am wearing makeup. Simplicity Cosmetics offers a rainbow of colors ranging from skin tones to bright blues and purples. Currently Simplicity Cosmetics  offers blush, eye shadows, foundation, finishing veil, primer, bronzer, and lip gloss. Each product is created by hand in small batches to ensure quality, which is also a plus when buying cosmetics.  This review will focus on the Primer & Foundation I purchased, and later this week I will post another review featuring eye-shadows.

Light - Mineral Sheer Primer:

Simplicity Cosmetic's Mineral Sheer Primer is great for covering blemishes and redness. This is an important product as it is designed to minimize oil and help keep your makeup in place. When using the primer I have found this to be very true, as it helps my makeup to stay in place all day. 

• Type:  Mineral Sheer Primer - Light 
• Shade: sheer light
• Ingredients: silica, rice powder, mica
• Packaging: Comes in a 30 gram sifter jar and contains 6 grams of product. Larger jars are used so the primer isn't so packed, making it easier to use. 

Mineral Foundation - Natural:

Simplicity Cosmetic's Foundation works best when used with a primer.  It's kind of like using a primer undercoat on a wall before you begin painting (you can paint with out a primer, but if you really want to hide blemishes use the primer first).  The foundation is very lite weight, which I personally find very impressive.

• Type: Mineral Foundation - Natural
• Shade: Light with neutral undertones (a bit darker than the ivory shade)
• Finish: Medium to heavy coverage - matte finish
• Ingredients: zinc oxide, titanium dioxide, mica, magnesium stearate, silica, iron oxides
• Packaging: Comes in a 25 gram sifter jar and contains 6 grams of product. The jar is wide and flat and works well with kabuki type foundation brushes.  

Artist Bio:

Based in Argyle, Texas Sarah expresses her passion for mineral cosmetics through making her own healthy, all natural cosmetics with as few ingredients as possible.  Her love of mineral makeup began 8 years ago, and since her discovery of all natural cosmetics she has used nothing else. After a few years of perfecting her formulas, Sarah began selling her products on Etsy -Simplicity Cosmetics- 6 years ago. Nearly all her products are vegan friendly and have the ingredients clearly detailed in each listing. Sarah's goal is to provide high quality natural mineral cosmetics at affordable prices while using the best ingredients. Healthy is her main concern as she states "I stay away from fillers and other ingredients that aren't necessary. There are a few ingredients that you will never find in my products: No Parabens, No Bismuth, No Micronized or Nano Minerals, No Talc, No Dyes & No Cornstarch."

Truly Hypoallergenic:

Since my late teens I have been unable to wear cosmetics due to asthma and allergies to wheat, soy, gluten, eggs, carmine (a dye derived from insects), fish oils and certain dyes (the infamous red 40 & yellow 5).  Go to any store that carries cosmetics, from Wal-Mart to Macy's, and you will find that all of these allergens are widely used in cosmetics (often under their chemical names).  Most brands do not have allergy warnings listed on the label as it is not required for cosmetics. You maybe wondering why this would be a problem? For those will allergies like mine an allergic reaction is not sneezing, but in fact can be life threatening. The allergic reactions I experience (and risk experiencing each time I hug family or friends who wear cosmetics or perfumes) ranges from severe itching and rashes to the more common reaction of asthma and swelling of the tongue and throat (which are very dangerous).  For this reason I have to be extermly careful about the products I use and whom I come into contact with. Please Note: The purpose of stating my health issues is to show how amazing Simplicity Cosmetics truly are. Unlike other brands I can wear Simplicity Cosmetics with out any problems what so ever!  Plus they are worry-free as I do not have to worry about my allergies, which for me is amazing.

Testing:
To test Simplicity Cosmetics for this review I applied a small amount to my skin and waited 15 minutes to see what would happen. To my surprise there was NO reaction.  So to put Simplicity Cosmetics to the test, to ensure that it is truly safe for those with allergies, I decided to wait until morning when all of my allergy medicines had worn off (currently I take 5 medicines) and repeat the test. I did this to ensure that the products were in fact hypoallergenic. I tried applying the products to the inner area of my wrist first to see how my skin would reaction.  I then waited a few minutes and I examined my skin carefully. The vegan products had no reaction at all. No itchiness or redness (and more importantly no asthma attacks). However, the non-vegan products were slightly itchy for me, but still no rashes or asthma attacks. I have talked with many women and found most people with sensitive skin can wear non-vegan products with out problems (I'm just one of the few who can't).  Personally I feel more comfortable using vegan products anyway, but this is a personal choice. Having past the first test, I moved on to the next; applying the make-up.

Although it has been around 6 years since I last wore make-up, I could tell right away that Simplicity Cosmetics are very different from the products I used as a teen. The first aspects I noticed was that Simplicity Cosmetics go on smoothly and have nice coverage with out feeling heavy. Even with the primer on under my foundion the cosmetics did not feel as if they are suffocating my skin (as I remember even my Mary Key make up doing). I wore these with out any problems what-so-ever, which considering how badly makeup has reacted with my skin in the past is amazing.

My Personal Opinion:
Personally I love using Simplicity Cosmetics because of the quality of the cosmetics and the simplicity of ingredients found on each label.  It is amazing being able to wear makeup again with out getting hives, or worse having an asthma attack. Simplicity Cosmetics feels nice on my skin, very lite and weightless, unlike traditional cosmetics which feel very uncomfortable.  I also love that Simplicity Cosmetics has a large selection of Vegan cosmetics (a.k.a carmine-free products). I appreciate that there are carmine-free products available through Simplicity Cosmetics, and I feel better knowing that carmine isn't used in these products. I wish that everyone of my friends and family would switch to Simplicity Cosmetics because of how well these wear, the way it allows your skin to breath, and because of how safe these products are for those with severe allergies. If  you or a family member suffers from asthma or allergies I highly recommend trying Simplicity Cosmetics as it is designed with the least amount of ingredients as possbile and is all natural.

Where to Buy:

All products featured in this review can be purchased from http://www.etsy.com/shop/simplicitycosmetics. Check out Simplicity Cosmetics on facebook to find out about special offers!

www.facebook.com/SimplicityCosmetics.

Review Time! Hand-Crafted Prayer Beads by Stairway Heaven

It is said that hand-crafted rosaries are not only beautiful, but they also carry the love and intent of the person who made them. Personally I have found this to be very true. This lovely rosary and protestant prayer beads express the artist's passion and creativity through her careful attention to detail, craftsmanship and her love for choosing unqiue components to create her designs. The rosary and prayer beads featured in this review incorporate genuine gemstones, quality flex-wire, and sterling silver beads and findings.  Each set is unqiue with its own theme and artistic design. Stairway Heaven's hand-crafted rosaries and prayer beads are made using a variety of quality materials making each set a unique work of art.

About The Artist:

Based in Frederick, Maryland Anna Mursin enjoys creating one-of-a-kind prayer beads and rosaries. Her years expertise in the art of beaded jewelry helped her found Stairway Heaven in May of 2011. Mrs. Mursin founded Stairway Heaven as a personal dedication to her father by combining her passion for creating jewelry and her faith. 

My Personal Opinion:

As someone who passionately collects prayer beads, I am impressed with the quality and craftsmanship of Anna Mursin's designs. The hand-crafted charm of her designs set them apart. Unlike rosaries you may find in a traditional store, each aspect from the color of the beads to the findings used to create the design are selected with care and lovingly worked together creating a truly one-of-a-kind piece.

My Thoughts About The Rosary:

I love the crucifix attached to this rosary and its symbolism. Its so rare to see a crucifix that incorporates a star into its design (the star often symbolize the five wounds Christ suffered). I also admire Mrs. Mursin's choice of turquoise and tigers eye beads as they complement each other. The use of cap beads around the tiger's eye is a nice touch as well. The center of the rosary is a miraculous medal which adds to the beauty of this design.

My Thoughts About The Prayer Beads:

The turquoise cross attached to the prayer beads is simply breath taking. I love the design of the cross and the way it is surrounded by five lapis lazuli stones. The symbolism of this piece is beautiful as the five stones symbolize many things such as the five wounds of Christ, the five knightly virtues and to some the five elements. I love Mrs. Mursin's use of color, the turquoise and lapis lazuli complement each other very well. The center is a beautiful triple spiral. Once again, I love the symbolism as this design as it is often symbolic of the Holy Trinity. For this reason the triple spiral is one of my favorite symbols.

Where To Buy:

For other beautiful rosaries and prayer beads check out Stairway Heaven's Etsy Shop at http://www.etsy.com/shop/StairwayHeaven. Stairway Heaven also creates custom orders for those looking for a truly one-of-a-kind rosary, prayer beads or mala.

Review Time: Sterling Artist Charm for Pandora Style Bracelets

Are you searching for a Pandora charm that expresses your passion for art? Wither you are an artist or an art lover this charm will express your passion to world.

The beautiful design of this charm is modeled after tools commonly used by artists. On the front and back of the charm is a rainbow of colored crystals. The crystals are inset into the design to represent an artist's paints. Despite daily wear the crystals have proven to be superb quality and durability. Along the top and bottom the charm is adorn with detailed tubes of paint adding creativity to this whimsical design. Crafted from genuine sterling silver this charm features the finely oxidized details that is characteristic of high quality charms. Underneath the charm is a small stamp which reads “925” indicating the charm's content of pure silver.  The charm fits perfectly onto my Pandora bracelet, and all of my Pandora-style jewelry. As with genuine Pandora charms, this charm features internal threads that allow it to twist onto the bracelet.  The internal threads help to prevent loss by keeping your charms from sliding off the bracelet. When comparing this charm to a genuine Pandora charm, the similarities are very impressive. Unless you are a Pandora collector it is almost impossible to tell the two charms apart. The weight of this charm is identical in to my Pandora angel charm when held in my palm. This is an important aspect because charms that weigh more than Pandora charms could possibly damage your bracelet. Keep this in mind when purchasing charms that are not crafted by Pandora. This charm passes all my tests and looks wonderful on my bracelet. 

About Purple Turtle Porium:
Based in Alberta, Canada Ms. Joanne (the artist and mastermind behind Purple Turtle Porium) is committed to providing quality beads that will fit all styles of European charm bracelets. As a Pandora bead collector and a proud mother of two she is particular about the quality and safety of the beads she sells. Purple Turtle Porium's policy is complete customer satisfaction. If for any reason a customer is not satisfied with their purchase a full refund of the purchase price is given. There are many online retailers making clams that their beads are compatible with Pandora bracelets, but often times they fail to deliver quality charms. Unlike other shops this one has a policy to keep this from happening.

Personal Opinion:

As an artist I fell in love with this charm. The unique design expresses my passion for painting, while adding a personal touch to my Pandora bracelet. I am impressed by the quality and craftsmanship of this charm. The finely detailed oxidation is even more impressive in person. I am very pleased with my order and highly recommend Purple Turtle Porium.

Where to Buy?:
Purple Turtle Porium's charms can be purchased online at http://www.purpleturtleporium.com/ 

Disclosure of Material Connection:
This review is based upon my purchase from Purple Turtle Porium. Review Time is not in any way affiliated with Purple Turtle Porium, I simply appreciate the craftsmanship and design of this charm. The opinions I have expressed within my review are my own. I am disclosing this information in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Review Time: Sterling Star Trek Charm for Pandora Style Bracelets!

“Space, the final frontier... Your mission to explore strange new worlds, to seek out new life and new civilizations, to boldly go where no one has gone before”.

The whimsical design of this charm conjures images of strange new worlds light years from our own, and adventures into the unknown (which makes this charm a must have for any sci-fi fan). This charm is finely crafted from genuine sterling silver and features oxidized details. Underneath the charm is stamped “925” indicating the charm's content of pure silver. This charm fits my Pandora bracelet perfectly, and it also fit all of my other Pandora-style jewelry. Unlike genuine Pandora charms this charm simply slips on to the bracelet with ease, instead of twisting onto the bracelet. When I compared this charm to a genuine Pandora charm they were identical in weight. The weight of a charm is very important as charms that weigh more than Pandora charms could possibly damage your Pandora bracelet. This is something to keep mind when purchasing charms that are not crafted by Pandora.

What Does It Mean?:

The design of this charm was inspired by the TV series Star Trek, from the race known as the Vulcan. In the series this hand gesture meant “live long and prosper”. This charm is a nice keep sake for any Sci-Fi fan.

About Purple Turtle Porium:
Based in Calgary, Alberta, Canada Ms. Joanne (the artist and mastermind behind Purple Turtle Porium) is committed to providing quality beads that will fit all styles of European charm bracelets. As a Pandora bead collector and a proud mother of two she is particular about the quality and safety of the beads she sells. Ms. Joanne states "I am very particular about the beads that I sell, and they must all pass a rigorous inspection." Purple Turtle Porium's policy is complete customer satisfaction. If for any reason a customer is not satisfied with their purchase a full refund of the purchase price is given. Aside from the cute design of the charm, this policy is what sold me on buying it. There are many online retailers making clams that their beads are compatible with Pandora bracelets, but often times they fail to deliver quality charms. Unlike other shops this one has a policy to keep this from happening.

Personal Opinion:

 I love the unique design of this charm as it adds personality to my Pandora bracelet. The quality and craftsmanship of this charm is impressive.  I am very pleased with my order and highly recommend Purple Turtle Porium to those searching for truly unique charms.

Where to Buy?:
Purple Turtle Porium's charms can be purchased online at http://www.purpleturtleporium.com/ 

Disclosure of Material Connection:
This review is based upon my purchase from Purple Turtle Porium. Review Time is not in any way affiliated with Purple Turtle Porium, I simply appreciate the craftsmanship and design of this charm. The opinions I have expressed within my review are my own. I am disclosing this information in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”